As we dive into 2023, one of our challenges with managing businesses and organizations is scheduling the best use of time for ourselves and our departments. “This is easy,” said no one. The priority of executive tasks consumes a substantial portion of our work day. Actually, the sharpest leaders map out a fluid plan before the work day starts. The allocation of which tasks are the highest priority and how…
The U.S. Small Business Administration is currently celebrating National Veterans Small Business Week through Nov. 4. The week includes a series of virtual and in-person events highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of veteran small business owners. The celebration also comes on the heels of SBA announcing additional funding opportunities for community-based organizations to create targeted, impactful programming and expand access to SBA resources to support veteran entrepreneurs. “Each year we celebrate…
Shortage of employees? Juggling skeleton crews’ vacation schedules? Searching for qualified team members? Everyone is dealing with staffing concerns. Most companies, big and small, are experiencing the same challenges. These are unprecedented times of organizations and businesses not being fully staffed add to ownership and management stress. Seeking to fill position vacancies, interviewing, hiring and training can raise the blood pressure. These challenges became universal issues about 18 months ago,…
U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman and John Arensmeyer, founder and CEO of Small Business Majority, recently signed a co-sponsorship agreement to partner on a new webinar series, “The Bottom Line,” to introduce small businesses across America to SBA tools and resources to address timely economic challenges. “This alliance between the SBA and Small Business Majority will help expand and deepen the SBA’s outreach network to better connect with…
The U.S. Small Business Administration is now providing a new funding opportunity to provide entrepreneurship training to service-disabled veterans. The funding is available to non-profit organizations, state and local government agencies, private sector firms, and institutions of higher learning. The awarded organization(s) can use the funding to market, deliver and scale existing service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs’ training programs for veterans, service-disabled veterans, and Reserve component members who intend to start new…
The Texas Workforce Commission recently debuted a new internship initiative, Texas Interns Unite! at a press conference in Austin. The initiative emphasizes the benefits of internships while also connecting interns across the state with Texas employers and each other. In partnership with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and TXWORKS Internship Program, this initiative will allow interns the opportunity to build relationships and strengthen industry connections. If an employer or an intern…
We all try to avoid a particular subject but it is a necessary conversation. In just a few weeks, the Atlantic hurricane season begins. June 1 through November 30 keeps us on our toes, especially through September. Deep South Texas in recent years has seen its share of late spring through summer disastrous conditions due to excessive rainfall. We know well a sitting tropical system doesn’t need to be a…
The U.S. Small Business Administration recently launched T.H.R.I.V.E. (Train, Hope, Rise, Innovate, Venture, Elevate), a reimagined training program for small business leaders, formerly known as Emerging Leaders. “T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined initiative will provide up-and-coming small business leaders with tools, knowledge, and access to the best and the brightest minds in economic development to help them accelerate their growth and help them become competitive in an increasingly global economy,” said Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. Local…
The U.S. Small Business Administration is now offering two new educational modules. Ascent is a digital platform comprised of targeted education modules, called Journeys, that gives small business owners 24/7 access to critical information backed by research and addresses the unique needs of women entrepreneurs. Partnerships Journey: This module explores the value of business partnerships, why they matter, and how they drive business growth and has four components, including the value of business partnerships,…
When it’s broken, we fix it, right? We fall, we get back up and make everything like it was or even better. That’s the determination of the Rio Grande Valley. Things don’t always go the way we hope. Plans fall apart; systems break. When we get knocked down, we get up and put our big boy and girl pants on, and we go to battle. The sweat pours, the muscles…