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Category Archives: Value Added Activities

COBE Offers Assistance to Local Companies, Organizations

Boise State University’s College of Business and Economics (COBE) has launched the Spring 2010 Economic Turnaround Initiative and invites Idaho businesses to take advantage of the wide array of expertise available at the university.

Interested companies and non-profit organizations should call (208) 426-4950. Assistance will be provided based upon fit, capabilities and order received. (more…)

Brandt Lecture to be Rebroadcast on KTVB

The Oct. 19 Brandt Lecture by David Walker — chief auditor for the U.S. government until 2008 — will be broadcast at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, on KTVB Channel 7, and then replayed seven times on 24/7, KTVB’s cable station. (more…)

Brandt Foundation Lecture

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David M. Walker

The Boise State University College of Business and Economics, in conjunction with the John and Orah Brandt Foundation, will present former U.S. government chief auditor David M. Walker on Monday, Oct. 19, as the 2009-2010 Brandt Foundation Lecturer. His talk, titled “Day of Reckoning: America’s Fiscal Future,” will begin at 7 p.m. in the Jordan Ballroom of the Student Union Building at Boise State.

Walker’s talk is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m.; no tickets are required. Free designated parking will be provided near the Student Union Building in the parking garage at Lincoln Avenue and University Drive.

As comptroller general of the United States and head of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) from 1998 to 2008 – spanning both Democratic and Republican administrations - Walker served as the federal government’s chief auditor. Appointed by President Bill Clinton and confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate, he was an outspoken, nonpartisan advocate for addressing the major fiscal and sustainability challenges facing the country.

Now president and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, Walker advocates for targeted solutions, works proactively with grantees and other partners to build strong coalitions, and encourages and engages in grassroots efforts to bring pressure on Washington to act. Although no longer the U.S. government’s chief auditor, Walker continues to serve as a global accountability expert as chairman of the United Nations independent audit advisory committee. He also serves on the boards of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget and the Partnership for Public Service. He has authored two books, is a regular commentator for the media and is the subject of the critically acclaimed documentary I.O.U.S.A. that premiered in movie theaters around the country in August 2008.

Prior to his appointment to run the GAO, Walker served as a partner and global managing director of Arthur Andersen LLP and in several government leadership positions, including as a public trustee for Social Security and Medicare from 1990 to 1995 and as assistant secretary of labor for pension and welfare benefit programs during the Reagan administration.

In 2004, the Brandt Foundation pledged a generous annual contribution to Boise State’s College of Business and Economics that created a named professorship and secured funding for the lecture series. Previous speakers have included Nobel Prize-winning economist James Buchanan, ABC News correspondent John Stossel, Cato Institute chairman William Niskanen, Judge Andrew Napolitano and acclaimed economist Robert Higgs.

For more information, visit www.boisestate.edu/brandtfoundation or call (208) 426-1335.

Click to visit Brandt Foundation Lecture websiteSpeaker: THE HONORABLE DAVID M. WALKER

Topic: “DAY OF RECKONING: AMERICA’S FISCAL FUTURE”

When: Monday, October 19, at 7 PM (doors open at 6 PM)

Where: Jordan Ballroom, Student Union Building

Parking: Free reserved parking will be provided near the Student Union Building in the new parking structure at Lincoln Ave. & University Drive

Cost: Free – no tickets required – open to the public.

2009 Boise State Elevator Pitch Competition Results

Big Ideas. Big Money.

Boise State Center for Entrepreneurship held the first annual Elevator Pitch Competition and the results were impressive. The ideas generated by Boise State graduate and undergraduate students impressed the panel of judges with both their innovation and viability. Over $3,500 was awarded for graduate and undergraduate categories in best technology, most green, most viable and best presentation.  Before the event, entrepreneur and Boise State alumnus Clay Young, co-founder of Inovus Solar and ProClarity, discussed challenges for entrepreneurs.

For the complete Elevator Pitch Competition results click on: Boise State Elevator Pitch Competition 2009 Results

To view the Idaho Statesman article on the Elevator Pitch Competition click here.

Photo Gallery

This Week At COBE: Entrepreneur Clay Young to Speak and Boise State Elevator Pitch

Two big events are taking place this week: A successful Boise State graduate talks about starting businesses and the Boise State Elevator Pitch, both Friday April 17.

“The Entrepreneur’s Challenge”: Clay Young, Boise State BA and MBA graduate

On Friday April 17th from 12 noon to 1:00 PM, Clay Young, co-founder and CEO of Inovus Solar, will talk about the challenges of starting and managing a high-tech company. Mr. Young has worked with Hewlett-Packard, Extended Systems, and co-founded ProClarity, which was acquired by Mircosoft.

All students and community members are welcome to attend and there is no charge for admission.

For more information contact Kent Neupert, kneupert@boisestate.edu, 426-2397 or visit BoiseStateEntrepreneurs.org

COBE and Small Business Development Center Offer Free Training

Residents of Southwest Idaho who may be interested in starting or acquiring their own business are invited to participate in free training sessions just announced by Boise State University’s College of Business and Economics and the Idaho Small Business Development Center.

The training is particularly relevant for those who have been, or may be, dislocated from their jobs, and who might want to pursue an entrepreneurial venture. The sessions will address the skills needed and the resources available to plan and run a business. In addition to the training programs, the Idaho SBDC staff will provide experienced consulting services for entrepreneurs.

The training sessions and consulting services are free. For more information, call (208) 426-3875. The schedule is as follows:

Overview of Entrepreneurship and Local Resources – offered twice, 9-11 a.m. Monday April 6, Jordan D, Boise State Student Union Building; and from noon-2 p.m. Thursday, April 9, Grand A/C Ballroom, Boise State Student Union Building. This is an introductory class discussing the many free/low-cost resources available to small businesses/entrepreneurs in the area. This is a business startup preparation class, as well as a resource guide for existing businesses. Anyone who is considering starting a new business, needs help with their business, is buying into an existing business, or who simply wants to learn more about running a business, will find this session valuable. Instructor Rod Grzadzieleski, Small Business Administration.

Buying/Selling/Valuing a Business – offered twice, noon-3 p.m. Monday April 6, Jordan D in the Boise State Student Union Building; and 2-5 p.m. Friday, April 10, Grand B/D Ballroom in the Boise State Student Union Building. What is the process of buying/selling a business and how do you determine its fair value? The class will cover how to value the business, how to finance the transaction, how to reach agreement between buyer and seller, and how to prepare yourself for the work ahead if the deal is done. Idaho SBDC consultants will be available to assist class participants in one-on-one, no-cost consulting, by appointment, to further assist. Instructor Rick Vycital, regional director for the Idaho SBDC.

Where Do Ideas Originate? – offered twice, 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, April 14, in the Hatch C, Boise State Student Union Building, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, April 16, Hatch C in the Boise State Student Union Building. This class will help potential entrepreneurs determine what kind of business to start and how to create and evaluate good ideas. A really good business is one in which the potential client hears about the product/service, and immediately wants to buy. Anything less than a great idea results in a much harder business to operate profitably. Taking the time to come up with a sound business idea is core to your success, and ease, in selling to the marketplace. Boise State faculty members will brainstorm with participants on how good ideas come about and methods you can take to discover new, exciting business concepts. Instructor Kent Neupert, Boise State College of Business and Economics.

NxLevel Business Planning Class – offered twice as a two-day course, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, April 20-21, or Thursday-Friday, April 23-24, at the TECenter, Nampa. This class will cover how to develop a business plan that will guide your business. A business plan is critical to obtaining bank financing and is a business outline that is developed to organize an idea, the operational considerations, the market research, the marketing processes, the pricing options and the financial strategies. The trainer will be available to consult one-on-one with class participants following the course to assist in developing a business plan. Instructors Rick Vycital, regional director for the Idaho SBDC.

Business Basics for Spanish-Speaking Entreprenuers – 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, in the Lookout Room, Boise State Student Union Building. In Spanish only, this is a business startup preparation class, as well as a resource guide for existing businesses. Anyone who is considering starting a new business, needs help with their business, buying into an existing business, or who simply wants to learn more about running a business, will find this session valuable. Instructor Enrique Camarillo, Idaho SBDC Hispanic consultant.

Click here to view in-depth article from the Idaho Statesmen.com

Contact: Sherry Squires, University Communications, (208) 426-1563, ssquires@boisestate.edu

Idaho Small Business Development Center Helps Small Business Survive, Thrive Even in Down Economy

Small businesses make a big impact on Idaho’s economy. And, according to a recent report, those who seek expert advice consistently outperform their counterparts.

The Idaho Small Business Development Center, headquartered at Boise State University, has released its annual impact report for 2008 that measures the success of the Idaho SBDC in its efforts to assist the state’s small businesses.

The report shows that Idaho SBDC clients added jobs at 9.6 times the average rate for Idaho small businesses with a total of 1,175 jobs created or saved in 2008. Sales increased $107 million for Idaho SBDC clients, and those clients generated $7 million in additional state and federal tax revenues. Overall, for every $1 invested in the program there was a return of $7.38 to the state’s economy.

“The importance of Boise State’s focus on bolstering the Idaho economy becomes more important every day,” said Boise State President Bob Kustra. “These numbers show that the Small Business Development Center is creating real jobs and provides a significant return on the investment. We’re proud to be part of programs and partnerships like these that will help Idaho business lead our economy back to health.”

Idaho’s SBDC served 1,610 clients with one-on-one consulting and 2,864 individuals with focused, high-impact training in 2008.

“Solid business practices and smart decisions are keys to survival and success,” said Idaho SBDC state director Jim Hogge. “That’s where the Idaho SBDC adds value.”

About 97 percent of Idaho firms are considered small businesses — those with 500 or fewer employees. State and national statistics show that small businesses create 70 percent to 80 percent of all new jobs.

The Idaho SBDC is a statewide network with six offices located at Idaho’s state colleges and universities. The program provides no-cost confidential business consulting and affordable training and seminars to Idaho’s for-profit small businesses. Through a partnership with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the Idaho SBDC also provides environmental regulatory assistance, and has recently added a bilingual consultant to assist the Hispanic business community. The center serves clients in all of Idaho’s 44 counties.

For more information on the annual report or Idaho SBDC services, call (208) 426-1640 or visit www.idahosbdc.org. 

The Idaho SBDC is housed within the College of Business and Economics (COBE) at Boise State. The college offers a wide variety of assistance to businesses. For more information about COBE initiatives, call (208) 426-4950 or visit http://cobe.boisestate.edu. 

News Source: Sherry Squires, University Communications, (208) 426-1563, ssquires@boisestate.edu

Announcing the COBE Business Research and Economic Development Center

BOISE STATE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS ORGANIZES CENTER TO ASSIST BUSINESSES IN DIFFICULT ECONOMIC CLIMATE

Boise State University’s College of Business and Economics (COBE) has organized the Business Research and Economic Development Center, a one-stop-shop for the local business community to tap into the expertise of Boise State faculty members and other specialists.

The center will serve as a permanent coordinating entity for all COBE outreach efforts, including the Idaho Small Business Development Center, TechHelp, TECenter, Centre for Creativity and Innovation, Idaho Council on Economic Education, Center for Entrepreneurship, and The Economic Forecast Project. The center is a permanent incarnation of a COBE initiative announced in January to help 200 Treasure Valley businesses weather the down economy this spring. Businesses can call one number, (208) 426-4950, and be connected with the appropriate resources to address their needs.

“Boise State’s role as a resource and repository of expertise for the region is more vital than ever as we all work toward the recovery of the economy,” said Boise State President Bob Kustra. “We’re working very hard to ensure that businesses and organizations can benefit from the deep pool of knowledge our faculty can offer. This center is one of many ways Boise State is focusing on helping local business lead us out of this recession.”

The college plans to utilize internships, faculty consulting, graduate assistantships, semester-long class projects, Executive MBA capstone projects, in-class live problem solving, small business consulting, manufacturing consulting, high-tech business incubation, and more, to meet the needs of the local business community.

“The College of Business and Economics is a key driver of Idaho’s economic growth,” said COBE dean Pat Shannon. “With the creation of an umbrella center, the community will have a single contact within COBE to help find appropriate assistance on virtually any business issue. This center provides a clear entry point for civic leaders, businesses and economic development entities to access, utilize and gain from the college’s wealth of resources.”

Local businesses can turn to the college for assistance with employee manuals, marketing plans, business plans, economic forecasting, lean manufacturing expertise, employee training, information system development, compensation plans, training manuals, volunteer handbooks, CPA review and more.

Treasure Valley businesses or organizations interested in any form of economic development assistance are encouraged to contact the center now. Assistance will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call (208) 426-4950, or visit http://cobe.boisestate.edu.

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Contact: Sherry Squires, University Communications, (208) 426-1563, ssquires@boisestate.edu

Dylan Jones Wins National Contest

Dylan Jones, a Bishop Kelly senior, was recently named as the winner of the National Stock Market Game. The Stock Market Game is provided by the Idaho Council on Economic Education at Boise State University.

For the complete story see: Link to Idaho Statesman article

For related article see: previous article

College of Business and Economics Administration    |    cobe-info@boisestate.edu    |    (208) 426-1125    |    Micron Business and Economics Building Room 3131