For a list of adoptable pets (cats/kittens and dogs) visit Oreo’s website (www.lovingpetsinneed.com).

What is the easiest way to find out what products or services your customers are wishing you’d offer? How can you evaluate if their overall experience matches the values you have for your business? In what ways can you make the process easier for them to pick you out of your competitors?

JUST ASK THEM!

Facilitating a dialogue between the business and the consumer is the most effective way to provide consistent quality to your customer and achieve repeat business. Amazingly, the tools necessary to begin this conversation are typically free and easy to use. See what you should add to your marketing plan immediately:

Facebook: Not only can a Facebook fan page increase your overall web presence when potential customers search for you, it is a great tool to foster communication. Customers can write reviews, post questions, find more information, and recommend you to their friends all in one location. Try using your status updates to pose questions to your ‘fans’ such as “How do you like our hours of operation?” and watch the responses closely. You can learn a lot about your business from listening to those who keep you in business.

YouTube: If you sell a more complicated product, such as computer peripherals or machinery, consider creating a YouTube channel with how-to’s and frequently asked questions. This can help create an overall brand image of being there for your customer and ensuring they have a great experience with your products.

Email Marketing: Keeping your customer informed is easier than ever. Services such as Constant Contact allow you to create an email list and send out digital newsletters filled with information, articles, coupons, and just about anything else your customer would be interested in. MailChimp, a similar service, is completely free when you have under 500 email subscribers! Remember to keep it relevant and beneficial to your customer, and never email anyone without their permission.

Those are just a few of the new weapons that should be in your marketing arsenal. Does this seem daunting to you? Never fear! Contact the Strom Center for training, recommendations, and professional consultation. Check out the services section of our website to see how we can help your business thrive!

I got to experience firsthand the new spa in Dickinson, Spa Studio. On Friday I went and visited Stephanie Henderson for my first ever facial. It was INCREDIBLE! I had the Fassage, which is a Facial and Massage. My skin has never looked and felt so good, not to mention it felt incredible to receive the services!

Spa Studio doesn’t just have one type of facial. There are mud facials, algae facials, oxygenation facials, firming facials, acne facials, and many more. You can also receive advanced treatments such as a peel, microdermabrasion, or light therapy. On top of all of these, Spa Studio offers massages, body scrubs, body masks, and waxing services. For a full list of services, as well as prices, visit the Spa Studio website.

If you would like to book an appointment with Stephanie you can call her at (701) 260-3919 or email her.

Kim Goldsmith
Web & Social Media Manager

Business Challenge is currently seeking Company Advisors for the 2010 program, scheduled June 13-18.

Company Advisors guide high school participants throughout the week, and share their knowledge and experience while addressing business issues in candid, informal discussions. They also serve as mentors to the University Students who also attend the program.

Business Challenge is a 501(c)(3) organization, and your commitment of time will be credited as a $2,000 donation to our program.

If you are interested in becoming a Company Advisor, or if you would like more information on this exciting opportunity, please contact Katie Mehrer at 701-483-2515 by Friday, May 21st.

Since 2006, Clay has been a civilian employee of the 319th Force Support Squadron’s marketing office at the Grand Forks Air Force Base. While there, Clay worked as a graphic designer, sponsorship coordinator, and marketing assistant in order to provide quality of life programs to our military members and their families stationed at GFAFB.

His skills and experience will allow the Strom Center to begin providing additional marketing services such as logo creation and brand management. Clay has created logos and branding strategies for small businesses, non-profit organizations, and high-profile events such as the 2010 ‘Thunder Over the Red River’ air show being held this month in Grand Forks.

Clay’s wife, Amanda, works as a teacher at the Dakota Horizons Youth Center in Dickinson. They are excited to be a part of the community and enjoy living in SW North Dakota.

If you would like assistance in marketing your business or organization, please contact Clay at Clayton.Kraby@DickinsonState.edu.

Kim Goldsmith
Web & Social Media Manager

Kim Goldsmith
Web & Social Media Manager

BISMARCK, N.D. – Today, the North Dakota Information Technology Department on behalf of the Health Information Technology (HIT) Advisory Committee has released guidance for North Dakota Healthcare Providers to apply for a low interest health information technology-revolving loan. In 2009, Senate Bill 2332 established a health information technology planning revolving loan fund with Bank of North Dakota for the purpose of providing low-interest loans to health care entities to build their health information technology infrastructure. The purpose of the loan fund is to assist healthcare providers with the purchase, install and support of fully functional, standards based, interoperable electronic health information technology systems. Application information can be found at: http://ruralhealth.und.edu/hit/loanfund/

The mission of the North Dakota Health Information Technology Advisory Committee is to facilitate the adoption and use of health information technology and exchange to improve healthcare quality, patient safety and overall efficiency of healthcare and public health services in North Dakota. Lisa Feldner, North Dakota Information Technology Chief Information Officer chairs the advisory group. The Health Information Technology Advisory Committee consists of a broad range of public and private health information technology stakeholders. A list of members appears on the HIT Advisory Committee Web site at http://ruralhealth.und.edu/projects/sorh/pdf/hit_advisory_committee_list.pdf. Information about the North Dakota HIT Advisory Committee is on-line at http://ruralhealth.und.edu/projects/sorh/hit.php.

North Dakota Loan Program

In 2009, Senate Bill 2332 established a health information technology (HIT) planning revolving loan fund with the Bank of North Dakota for the purpose of providing low-interest loans to health care entities to build their health information technology (HIT) infrastructure. To apply for a loan, applications must be submitted to the North Dakota HIT office (Step one). The HIT Director, in collaboration with a subcommittee of the HIT Advisory Committee shall review the loan applications and recommend applicants to the HIT Advisory Committee for approval. Applicants approved by the HIT Advisory Committee will be required to complete an on-site readiness assessment (Step two). Applicants with an on-site readiness assessment approved by the Advisory Committee will be invited to complete the Bank of North Dakota loan application. Upon approval of the application by the Bank, the loan will be made from the revolving loan fund (Step three).

Important Deadlines:

• Release of Guidance and Application: 03/05/2010
• Questions and clarification requests due by 3 pm CDT: 03/12/2010
• Technical Assistance Q&A Conference Call: 03/16/2010
  • Call in number: (877) 843-1738
  • Time 3:30 PM Central Time
• Initial Application due by 3 PM Central Time: 04/06/2010
• Application review completed by: 04/20/2010
• Notifications released: 04/30/2010