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Q Many potential entrepreneurs want to start their own businesses but can't because of the high start-up costs. What are some low-cost or no-cost resources potential entrepreneurs could use to help them get their business going?
PAUL CADY
CADY INVESTMENT CO.
A Depending on your stage of business development, two wonderful resources are available at no charge.
For those thinking of starting a business, the expert staff at the Business Planning Center in St. Paul (651-209-1884) can guide would-be entrepreneurs through the planning process, offer the latest planning software, provide on-site computers to create your own plans and an extensive library of books and publications. The Business Planning Center also hosts weekly sessions with bankers and lawyers to discuss lending and legal topics for entrepreneurs.
For getting your business to grow, Small Business Development Centers provide no-charge business consulting to help business owners develop strategies, attract customers, increase sales and improve profitability.
The Small Business Development Center for the Twin Cities is at the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business (651-962-4500). Consultants at the center have extensive practical experience in marketing, finance and accounting, operations and strategic planning.
Remember, it is not the elegance of the business plan that makes it work; it is the planning process itself that focuses one's mind on the critical issues of market need, competition, cash flow and survival.
MIKE RYAN
DIRECTOR,
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS
OPUS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Blog: Patent Pending
Are CT scans for the heart useless?
Do yourself a favor and read the excellent story in the past Sunday New York Times that questioned the medical value of doctors ordering powerful CT scans for the heart. The story argues there is little evidence that proves the benefits of advanced CT scans. Medicare, the story noted, doubted whether such procedures were necessary [...]
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