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Positive Peer Pressure
Earlier this week, Enterprise Minnesota's Owatonna and Maple Grove CEO Peer Council members got an inside preview of how Affordable Care Act provisions will affect their businesses from Rick Wagner, partner at business advisory firm Eide Bailly.
"Rick's presentation gave the group valuable insights on what to anticipate over the next one to three years," says Deb Bly, business growth consultant and peer council facilitator at Enterprise Minnesota.
Wagner's presentation also came at peer council members' request. The Owatonna and Maple Grove groups are two of eight Enterprise Minnesota-sponsored CEO Peer Councils throughout the state. Each peer council convenes one full day each month for a combination of topical presentations and open-ended conversation. Presentations reflect the interests of each group, with recent speakers discussing health care, lean accounting, customer-relationship management and creating a sales team.
Each company is categorically exclusive to avoid sharing inside secrets with competitors. Through confidential, candid discussion, members function as an informal, off-the-record advisory board for each other, trading experiences, ideas and best practices.
John Connelly, director of consulting at Enterprise Minnesota, says peer councils are especially helpful for small business owners, who tend to wear many hats within their companies.
"When they are inside of their own businesses, small manufacturers are expected to know the answer to every question that comes up," he says. "So they feel pressure: Have I responded to this properly? Was I overly aggressive? Is there more to think about?"
After exchanging advice, participants motivate each other to take action, and follow up on each other's progress at the following meeting.
"They often ask each other, 'What are you going to do next?' When evaluating a problem, they ask, 'Where are you headed with this?' rather than spending too much time on, 'How did you get here?'" Connelly says.
Between monthly meetings, members receive one-on-one coaching from Enterprise Minnesota consultants toward their specific improvements, with ROI measured every six months.
To learn more about the CEO Peer Councils, email Deb Bly at deb.bly@enterpriseminnesota.org.
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Growing Your Business Internationally - Exporting Strategies in 2013
Wednesday, Jan. 23
8-11am
Uponor
5925 148th St West
Apple Valley, MN
Cost: Early Bird, $79 by Jan. 8; Regular $119
Register Online
What to Expect: Exporting
has great potential to grow a company's profitability. Come hear from
these successful manufacturing executives to find out what companies are
doing to create a proactive business strategy to sell internationally
and how they're connecting with international business experts who help
navigate the export process..
Speakers: • Allan Cronen, President & CEO, GVL Poly
• Peter Lyle, Vice President of International Sales,
Schaefer Ventilation
• Mike Wilcox, Vice President of Sales & Marketing,
Delkor Systems
• Joel Wittenbraker, President, MacTech
Register Online Today!
Have news or events for e-trends? Contact Sue Roe at sue.roe@enterpriseminnesota.org |
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Industry News Hiring on Schedule for Duluth Aircraft Maintenance Base
AAR Aircraft Services' new maintenance base in Duluth has been operating less than a month, but 100 new jobs have already been created. That's 100 down, 125 jobs to go. AAR's hiring is on schedule to create 225 jobs within a year to operate three production lines servicing Air Canada's fleet of 89 Airbus A320 jets, according to Danny Martinez, an AAR Aviation Services Group vice president. DuluthNewsTribune.com article continues
Custom Caseworks CEO Says He Hopes Sale Means Growth
Universal Forest Products Inc. has announced it is acquiring Custom Caseworks Inc., a commercial woodworking manufacturer in Sauk Rapids. Custom Caseworks makes store fixtures, commercial casework, office furniture, laminated wood panels, MDF powder-coated painted products and other products. The company has 40 employees, Custom Caseworks President and CEO John R. Lindholm said. It started a $481,000, 4,000-square-foot expansion at its 1012 Industrial Drive S site in May. As part of the expansion, the city of Sauk Rapids provided $40,000 in assistance. The expansion would increase the company's property taxes by $40,000 so the incentive was seen as a one-year tax break. As part of the deal the company said it would create three jobs in two years. Lindholm said that requirement has been met.
sctimes.com article continues
Enterprise Minnesota Looking for Service Delivery Consultant
Enterprise Minnesota is seeking a talented business professional to join its statewide team.
enterpriseminnesota.org
More Information
MnTAP Taking Proposals for Summer Program
The
Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) is currently seeking
project proposals from Minnesota businesses for its 2013 summer intern
program. Businesses interested in reducing waste and improving energy
efficiency are encouraged to apply for an intern in 2013. Each year, the
interns are chosen based upon their outstanding educational background
and leadership capabilities. Proposed projects are evaluated for
reduction potential, specific goals achievable in three months, relation
to previous projects, application of results to other Minnesota
businesses, and company interest and commitment. Projects should focus
on identifying specific options for reducing waste and increasing energy
efficiency. Proposals are due to MnTAP by February 1, 2013.
MnTAP article continues
Joy Global: Huge on the Range
Joy Global's new footprint in Virginia on the Iron Range is a big one, indeed. And so, too, is its $20 million investment. The international company with a major presence on the Range held an open house this week for its new 92,000 square-foot facility on the old Haul Road alongside Highway 53, just north of the Virginia Golf Course. Local officials toured the cavernous mining equipment repair and service facility, which houses two 100-125 ton bridge cranes used to remove large items from mining trucks. It has multiple service bays, including a welding bay, machine shop, warehouse bay and supporting offices. The new plant has been several years in the making to consolidate P&H MinePro's workforce in Hibbing and Mountain Iron of about 60. The company currently has about 75 employees at the facility, with plans for more to be hired.
VirginiaMNnews.com article continues
Upcoming Events2013 Session Priorities
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Jan. 9, 2013
4-9 pm
St Paul RiverCentre
Register Now
Minnesota Green Chemistry 2013: Beakers to Business Plans
Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota
Jan. 25, 2013
8am
321 19th Ave S
Minneapolis
Register Now
GreenLean® - Eliminating Time & Energy Wastes to Cut Costs and Grow Business
Enterprise Minnesota Business Event
Feb. 13, 2013
8-11am
Great River Energy
12300 Elm Creek Blvd.North
Maple Grove
Register Now
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