June Events @ GDL Grand Blanc!

 SCORE, SBDC, Morningstar, 

and Franchise Network

Summer is finally here and GDL has several programs scheduled for June you won't want to miss. All programs are taking place at the Grand Blanc-McFarlen Branch, 515 Perry Road, unless otherwise noted.

SCORE Business Counseling

Tuesday, June 10

1-on-1 meeting  available at 6:00 PM

FREE

GDL offers SCORE business counseling on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 4PM to 7PM. Three 1-on-1 sessions are available, and as of the May 30th, only the 6 PM time is available. Please call 810-694-5190 or email the business librarian at twinn@thegdl.org to make an appointment.

Morningstar Investment Research Center Seminar:

Dividend Investing

Thursday, June 19, 6:00 PM

FREE

Learn from the experts! Morningstar has long been a trusted source of unbiased investment information this free seminar will focus on dividend investing and is hosted by Josh Peters, editor of DividendInvestor, one of four newsletters included in the library's Morningstar subscription. Click HERE to make a reservation.  

Small Business Development Center Seminar:

How To Write A Business Plan

Wednesday, June 11, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Location: Kettering University

FREE

Join the I-69 Corridor Region for this free seminar to kick-start your business plan. Attendees should have previously taken SBDC's "How to Start a Business" class. Registration is required, click HERE for more information or make a reservation. NOTE: This event is held at Kettering University. 

FRANNET Franchising Seminar

Thursday, June 26, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

FREE

Join Franchise Placement Specialist Linda Belford as she explains the processing of franchising and the options available to the prospective owner. No specific franchise will be promoted, and there is no obligation in attending the meeting. Linda does not work for any specific franchise so her goal is to find the best possible fit for you. 

For more information on any of these events please contact the business librarian at 810-694-5190.

New Year, New Business Resources!

2014 Brings Additional Resources for Our Patrons

Last year was a great year for Genesee District Library and the Business Center. Our electronic books and music service through Overdrive continues to grow in popularity and many more are discovering this new service each month. If you received a tablet or e-reader over the holidays, check out GDL's Digital Branch to search our e-book collection and download your next great read. It's available 24/7 using your library bar code and PIN. The Business Center became a certified Business Resource Center through the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) through Kettering University, and we have continued to partner with local organizations to provide free business counseling to local entrepreneurs.

This year looks to be even better, as GDL has several exciting new resources coming available for the business owner / entrepreneur and investor, in addition to free online access to your favorite magazine. 

First, for business owners and entrepreneurs completing their business plan, we will being offering access to two Mergent resources: Key Business Ratios and First Research. Key Business Ratios (KBR) was purchased to facilitate more accurate price and cost estimating and provide industry benchmarks. Estimating costs and determining a sensible pricing structure is essential to any well-written business plan and this database will aid in this process.  

First Research, also beneficial to the aspiring business owner, provides market-specific information for more than 900 industries. Currently having access to industry trends for large sectors through Mergent Archives, First Research will help business patrons hone their research by individual industry, in addition to Census information which is currently available.These Mergent products should be available starting mid-January; links to each will be available via the Business Center Resources page.

Second, and for the investor, GDL has added the Newsletter module to our Morningstar Investment Research Center database. The Business Center does stock several investment newsletters in print, but these newsletters from Morningstar are especially valuable for the investor, as they give access to analysis from one of the most trusted, unbiased sources, Morningstar, written by the experts in the field, CFPs and CFAs. 

Sample first page of DividendInvestor Newsletter

 There are 4 newsletters, one each for Funds, Stocks, Dividends, and ETFs. And we're not talking a couple pages, no, each newsletter published monthly is 15+ pages of analysis, and is yours to download and keep. In addition to ValueLine, and the information you're already using from Morningstar, you're in a terrific position to make wise financial decisions, or make time with your investment professional all the more efficient. Access to each newsletter, available via the Personal Finance Resources page, should begin February 1. 

Last, as mentioned at the start, GDL also now provides access to your favorite magazines electronically and at no cost to you. Beginning with the last couple of  issues, begin reading your favorite magazine through the Zinio link from our homepage. Login with your library bar code to gain free access, then create a Zinio account to begin. Download and read any of the 60+ magazines at your convenience and with no check out dates. You download and keep any magazine(s) you choose. No limit. This service is available now, so check it out.

For more information stop by the Business Center at the Grand Blanc branch and speak with Trevor, the Business Librarian, or for help with Zinio see any GDL staff member at your local branch.

Happy New Year!

What's a Business Center, anyway?

Robert T. Bolo, Jr. Business Center

When you hear "business center" what comes to mind? My mind immediately goes to the business centers you see in airport terminals or hotels. These places are used by "business people" to print, fax, scan, make use the wireless internet, or simply use an electrical outlet to charge their phone while they are traveling. Generally self-serve and unstaffed, these locations bear little resemblance to the GDL Business Center in Grand Blanc.

So You Want to Start a Business...

 You Have an Idea - Now What? 

Starting a business is a challenge. 

Where do I start? 

Is my idea viable?

What's a business plan?

Luckily, there is a wealth of information available to Michigan entrepreneurs looking for advice and guidance. You don't have to do it alone! See full post for more information. 

New Resource!

New Database Helps Local Entrepreneurs

Genesee District Library patrons now have access to DemographicsNOW, a powerful database that includes a business directory, plus national and state demographic information. See full post for complete list of capabilities and videos.

SCORE counseling comes to GDL!

Business Center now hosting FREE monthly business counseling

SCORE (previously Service Corps of Retired Entrepreneurs) is a national organization that offers free business counseling to current and prospective business owners. Each mentor is a current or former business owner and is available for hour-long counseling sessions. 

Business Center Updates

Great new signage was installed in the Business Center late last month in time for our Business Resource Center certification on January 30th. 

We are very excited about this partnership with Michigan SBTDC. See below a snapshot of the day with Trevor Winn (Business Center Librarian), Carolyn Nash (GDL Executive Director), and Marsha Lyttle (Director of the SBTDC regional office at Kettering University).

Write Your Business Plan with SBA's Help

Build Your Business Plan with the SBA

If you or someone you know is looking to start a business, chances are you will need a business plan. While the business center has many resources for the start-up business, the Small Business Administration also has an online tool to aid those writing a business plan. 

The 7 parts of the business plan you can choose to write are:

1. Cover Page

2. Executive Summary

3. Company Description

4. Market Research

5. Product/Service Line

6. Marketing & Sales

7. Financial Projections

Please click HERE for this free online resource. Your newly minted plan can be saved and exported once it is completed. And be sure to explore other aspects of the SBA's site.