By Ron Manning, State Director ¨C Iowa SBDC
The Technology Revolution is rapidly changing the face of business throughout the nation and world. In Iowa, small and medium-sized businesses have an unprecedented opportunity to grow their businesses by embracing this revolution. Correspondingly, those who choose to sit on the sidelines will find themselves quickly left behind.
Even with this opportunity, the barriers to implementing e-business strategies often seem high and there is a lot of confusion among business owners. Many believe that the costs are too high. Many feel they can¡¯t afford to buy the hardware and software nor the technical support required to implement e-business functions. In addition, the glamour of e-commerce often eclipses the real business opportunities that e-business practices offer. But perhaps the greatest barrier to e-business is a lack of general knowledge about what¡¯s possible. This lack of knowledge prohibits many small businesses from entering the digital age.
That¡¯s where the SBDC comes in.
The Iowa Small Business Development Center is leading small business into the 21st century. As the oldest provider of small business technical assistance in the state, the Iowa SBDC has been around to help Iowa¡¯s small businesses through many transitions, but none is as important as this transition into the digital age of business.
Through one-on-one counseling, workshops, and special e-business programs, the SBDC is paving the way for a handful of innovative Iowa entrepreneurs. Small business owners and managers can receive counseling an training from SBDC experts on a number of e-business topics, including:
E-Business Strategies
Competitive Analysis
Business Process Improvement
Marketing Analysis and Formulation
Expanded Customer Service
In addition, the SBDC has undertaken a number of statewide projects that will deepen small business¡¯s understanding of e-business and its implications.
The Iowa Business Network. The IBN is a quick, easy, indispensable gateway to all of the information and resources small business owners and managers need for their new or growing enterprise. Created and maintained by the SBDC, The site has been developed for small business people by small business people. Newly expanded with hundreds of articles and more than 1,500 related links, the IBN is an efficient and user-friendly format that allows small business owners and managers to find information and resources in minutes instead of hours. In addition, partnerships with industry leaders, such as MidAmerican Energy and the Des Moines Business Record, and e-business experts such as RSM McGladrey, allow us to bring the most current and up-to-date information to Iowa¡¯s e-business entrepreneurs. Visit the Iowa Business Network at www.iabusnet.org.
SBDC Solutions. Solutions is an e-mail newsletter designed specifically to help you grow your business. With SBDC solutions you can:
Access answers to your business questions from a panel of Iowa small business experts.
Discover ways you can implement technology into your business effectively and efficiently.
Register for upcoming small business seminars and workshops.
Learn about how to find and keep the right kind of employees.
Gain insight into ways you can grow your business.
Expand your knowledge about small business issues and how they will affect your business. You can get your free subscription to SBDC Solutions by visiting the Iowa Business Network.
The E-Business Outreach Program. In order to fulfill the technological needs of Iowa¡¯s small businesses, the SBDC has partnered with US West Communications, the Software and Information Technology of Iowa network and others to develop a Small Business Technology Outreach Program.
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