Small Business Voice E-newsletter

October 2009

Small businesses represent more than 80 percent of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce membership. This e-newsletter is distributed periodically to address issues that have the greatest impact on businesses with 100 and fewer employees. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Byers, vice president, at (651) 292-4673, (800) 821-2230 or jbyers@mnchamber.com.

LEGISLATURE WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU

The Minnesota Legislature convenes in three months, and the state budget once again will be the focus with another multimillion shortfall projected for the general fund. It’s more important than ever that legislators hear directly from you on what is necessary to help Minnesota businesses emerge quickly from the national recession. We need public policy that spurs rather than spurns business growth and retention.

The good news is that lawmakers are seeking your feedback. A bipartisan coalition of state legislators has organized a new Small Business Caucus focused on addressing the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses. The caucus is co-chaired by Representatives Denise Dittrich, DFL-Champlin, and Maria Ruud, DFL-Minnetonka. The survey asks business owners a series of targeted questions that will help legislators better understand the challenges and opportunities facing your businesses.

Click here for the survey.

The Small Business Caucus also is conducting small business forums and touring local businesses in Minnesota communities. Survey responses will be collected online until November 30. For other questions regarding the Small Business Caucus, feel to call Representative Dittrich at (651) 296-5513.

Please take time now to fill out the survey. This is an excellent opportunity to ensure your concerns about the state’s business environment are forwarded directly to those individuals setting the public policy.

GROW MINNESOTA! ECONOMIC RECOVERY SERIES

“Surviving the Recession: Ready to Grow”
Thursday, November 19
7:30-9:00 A.M.
The Saint Paul Hotel, 350 Market Street

Small business be will the focus of the first of four events intended to help Minnesota businesses prepare for the economic recovery. The sessions are being conducted by Grow Minnesota!, the Minnesota Chamber’s private-sector initiative targeting job creation and retention.

Representatives of four businesses will discuss their efforts to survive the recession, their preparations for growth as the economy recovers and their outlook for the next year. Panelists confirmed:
Edie French, president, iDream.tv/ Location Images, Minneapolis
Joe Richburg, executive vice president, Keystone Computer Solutions, St. Paul
Mike Elftmann, president, Custom Fab Solutions, Chanhassen

The remainder of the lineup:

January 21, 2010, 4:00-5:30 p.m., Summit Brewing Co.
“Cultivating Your Next Opportunity”

March 18, 2010, 7:30-9:00 a.m., The Saint Paul Hotel (tentative)
“Growing Minnesota through Legislative Advocacy at the Capitol”

May 20, 2010, 4:00-5:30 p.m., Summit Brewing Co.
“Is Everyone Working? Why not?”

Cost is $30 per person or $100 for the series. Register with Lisa Engdahl at (651) 292-4699, (800) 821-2230 or lengdahl@mnchamber.com or go online at www.mnchamber.com.

GOVERNOR PLANS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TRIP TO MEXICO

Governor Tim Pawlenty will travel to Mexico to help Minnesota-based companies increase exports to the country, build strategic relationships and explore new business opportunities. Companies interested in attending activities with the governor on November 9 in Mexico City should contact Barbara Mattson, (651) 259-7490 or barbara.mattson@state.mn.us, at the Minnesota Trade Office by November 4.

The governor will meet with Mexican President Felipe Calderon on November 9. The following day, he will meet with Minnesota business owners at a roundtable discussion and speak to the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico. Over the past 10 years, Mexico has grown from Minnesota’s 13th largest export market to sixth largest. Mexico’s economy offers trade opportunities in a wide range of business sectors including agribusiness, energy, environmental technologies, telecommunications equipment and med-tech industries.

mymn: A NEW APPROACH TO ADVANCING ISSUES

This week the Minnesota Chamber launched mymn.org, an ambitious, multiyear public engagement and issue advocacy effort to fundamentally change Minnesota's public policy environment. Our research has shown that most Minnesotans and business leaders agree on the issues; they just don't know it. We talk a different language, and tend to speak up when the partisan volume is the highest.

mymn.org offers a new approach better suited for the new economic and political climate. With a growing frustration of political partisanship and a sense that Minnesota is losing its edge, mymn.org will unite Minnesotans around a brand to build a better and more competitive Minnesota.

Help us build a united, positive, forward looking vision for Minnesota. Visit mymn.org and join the conversation. Please pass along the link to your employees and encourage them to join the conversation and share their views. Encourage them to submit photos, videos and comments. This is just the first tool in many that will begin to change the policy debate in Minnesota.

mymn.org will attract support by engaging Minnesotans in something they care deeply about: Minnesota and its future. Your participation is essential to our success.

BUSINESS GIVES: LEARN WHEN TO SAY ‘YES’ AND HOW TO SAY ‘NO’

The approaching holiday season is an appropriate time to acknowledge how much businesses participate in the economic vitality of our communities and our state. Despite their philanthropy, many businesses lack a formal process for deciding which cause to support and to what degree. Financial donations, in particular, often are made on a first-come, first-served basis – and stop when budgets, if any exist, run dry. Businesses may say “no” to a worthy cause in November that would have received a “yes” in June.

Minnesota Business Gives, a program of the Minnesota Chamber, is designed to motivate, educate and recognize local businesses for their significant contributions though their financial and in-kind giving and community involvement. As part of their participation, businesses are invited to a free, two-hour workshop that helps businesses develop guidelines to learn when to say “yes” and how to say “no” to requests.

The program is managed by the Minnesota Chamber in partnership with nearly 40 local chambers. “Strategies for Smart Giving” workshops are scheduled for November 19 in Red Wing and November 20 in Owatonna. Click here for a complete list of local partners. For more information on Business Gives, contact Jackie Reis at the Minnesota Chamber, (651) 292-4678 or jreis@mnchamber.com.

ADVANCE YOUR AGENDA

The Small Business Policy Committee is chaired by Mike Bamonti of JJ Taylor Distributing Co., Arden Hills. The committee meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Minnesota Chamber offices. If you'd like to become involved, contact Jeremy Estenson, manager of small business policy, at (651) 292-4682, (800) 821-2230 or jestenson@mnchamber.com.