COCO (Coalition of Charitable Organizations) will be holding educational opportunities via audio conference for non-profit training. This audio will be presented by Julia Ingraham Walker. The sponsor for the event is Dickinson Catholic Schools. COCO’s educational opportunities are free to COCO members, $25 for non-members.

For more information or to register one week in advance, contact: Julie Raatz at 701-483-2757 or Julie.Raatz@dickinsonstate.edu.

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!

COCO (Coalition of Charitable Organizations) will be holding educational opportunities via audio conference for non-profit training. This audio will be presented by Linda Lysakowski, ACFRE. The sponsor for the event is DLN Consulting, Inc.. COCO’s educational opportunities are free to COCO members, $25 for non-members.

For more information or to register one week in advance, contact: Julie Raatz at 701-483-2757 or Julie.Raatz@dickinsonstate.edu.

Learn how to find, apply for, and administer grants. Presenters will include DLN consulting, the Small Business Development Center and Dickinson State University’s Strom Center. The $150 registration fee includes the full-day conference, lunch, great resources, and follow-up support.

There is also a 15% NDANO, AFP, student, or COCO member discount.

Click HERE to Register

The RRP rule applies to all renovation work performed in residential houses, apartments and child-occupied facilities such as schools and day-care centers built before 1978. Training, certification, and work practice requirements in the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule are effective April 22, 2010. Pre-renovation education requirements are effective now.

Firms must have one or more “Certified Renovators” assigned to jobs where lead based paint is disturbed. To become certified, a renovator must successfully complete an EPA or State-approved training course conducted by an EPA or State-accredited training provider. Gary Snow & Associates, Inc. is an approved trainer in conjunction with UND.

All renovation workers must be trained. Renovation workers can be trained on-the-job by a Certified Renovator to use lead safe work practices, or they can become Certified Renovators themselves.

HUD LEAD SAFE HOUSE RULE

HUD’s Lead Safe Housing Rule (24 CFR Part 35) covers pre-1978 federally-owned or assisted housing and federally-owned housing that is being sold. It does not cover child-occupied facilities outside of residential housing. The requirements of HUD’s rule are similar to EPA’s RRP rule, details, including:

Exemptions. HUD’s rule does not allow owners of federally-assisted housing to opt out of its requirements.

Training Requirements. HUD does not recognize on-the-job training. To conduct lead hazard control in federally-assisted housing, either all workers must have completed a HUD-approved course, or the crew must be supervised by a Certified Renovator who is also a Certified Lead Abatement Supervisor.

Minor Repair and Maintenance. HUD’s definition of minor repair and maintenance that is exempt from its rule is different than EPA’s (2 square feet interior and 20 square feet exterior or 10 percent of the surface area of a small building component type).

The RRP course(s) will cover other differences between the EPA and HUD rules concerning lead-based paint, testing, practices, clearances testing and waste disposal.

These classes are open to the public and to any individual or business who wants to further their knowledge on the accounting software. Although the classes are intended for beginning to intermediate users, those with all levels of experience are welcome.

QuickBooks® class will be held on Friday, Feb. 19 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Quicken® class will be on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Refreshments will be provided for the two break sessions. One hour will be given for lunch. Lunch will not be provided. Class fees are $35 per person, per class.

For questions or to request a registration form please contact Mark Versen at the Strom Center (701) 483-2756 or Mark.Versen@dsu.nodak.edu

COCO will be holding educational opportunities via audio conference for non-profit training. This audio will be presented by Margaret May Damen, CFP, CLU, CHFC, CDFA. The sponsor for the event is West River Health Services Foundation. COCO’s educational opportunities are free to COCO members, $25 for non-members.

For more information or to register , contact: Julie Raatz at 701-483-2830 or
Julie.Raatz@dickinsonstate.edu.

To register visit www.northdakota.dalecarnegie.com/reengagement or call (701) 255-8476.

Kim Goldsmith
Talent Initiative Assistant
Strom Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The Strom Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, with support from Dickinson State University, is hosting a Community Field Day held at the Dickinson State University Student Center on October 20, 2009 from 9:30-4:30 (MST).

This will be a great time to find out what is working in other rural communities and provide the opportunity to network with those interested in community growth.

The key areas that will be highlighted by panel discussions are youth, leadership, entrepreneurship, and charitable giving (or Resources for Development). Each area will have a panel of at least 3 speakers to talk about their project, program, or community.

The day will feature community development success stories from the region including—Dickinson, Medora, Bowman, Williston, Standing Rock Reservation, Killdeer, Bismarck, Stanton, AND others.

If you are interested in being a part of this day, you can set up a booth/display to share information about your community or organization, Please contact Amanda Lynn Moser at amanda.moser@dickinsonstate.edu to request space. 

 Watch for additional info, including early bird registration and a list of panel projects!