| WOW! What a year this has
been. There are so many great things
happening. We are excited to share just a few of
the amazing stories that motivate and inspire us every
day. |
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Customer Service - Your
Best Competitive Advantage
 Are you looking for a 'gimmick'
to set your business apart from others? How much would you be
willing to pay?
Would you be surprised to hear that the best sales
gimmick is simply superior customer service?
It is true! We all have had really bad
customer service experiences and most of us have some
examples of exceptional customer service. And, we
all tend to go back to those places that offer good
customer service, even if it costs just a little more,
while we avoid going back to the places that have
disappointed us.
Not only is good customer service a great tool for
growing your business, but it is also often inexpensive
to implement. You can develop a plan that fits
your needs and your budget.
Click here to
read the full article. And, if you want help
developing a good Customer Service Plan, give us a call
at 870.535.0011 in Pine Bluff, Ar or 901.312.9797 in
Memphis,
TN. |
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Youth Entrepreneurship -
Building a Pipeline of Future Entrepreneurs and
Leaders 
We are excited to announce that we
have piloted alt.Youth, a dynamic new youth
entrepreneurship program in partnership with Tunica
County Community Development Coalition, Inc. (TCCDC) and
the Tunica County Youth Development Program.
alt.Youth is a 3 level training program
developed to demonstrate real opportunities to 'at-risk'
youth while giving them the skills, tools and confidence
to turn their dreams into reality to start real
businesses.
- Level 1 - Students gain a solid understanding of
entrepreneurship, important soft skills and the steps
involved in starting a business.
- Level 2 - Students learn financial management
skills, credit management, budgeting and how to
present their plans. They also develop the
skills and confidence to make good decisions about
current and future business opportunities.
- Level 3 - Students with feasible concepts actually
start small businesses and receive one-on-one
assistance in implementing the financial and
management systems they need to succeed.
alt.Youth isn't your 'typical' classroom
training. Beginning in Level 1 students take turns
operating the alt.Youth Snack Shop; they participate in
interactive games and exercises; they do online
research; and they hear and interact with guest
speakers.
Participants in the pilot program have said things
like, "the class is inspiring"; "I have gained
confidence and know I can start a business some day";
and "This has been a very positive experience".
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Building Wealth for
Entrepreneurs in Memphis
In 2006, First Tennessee supported the
pilot of alt.consulting's new Equal Access Pool,
which makes our services available to small business
based on their ability to pay. Their foresight
allowed alt.Consutling to demonstrate the effectiveness
of the Equal Access Pool and in 2007 secure funding from
a national foundation to fully implement this
product.
During that same year, First Tennesse Bank launched
a new Mid-South Diversity Banking Division, a new
initiative which focuses on providing financial services
to the area's minority community.
Herman Strickland, Senior Vice President and
Manager of Diversity Banking says "We need to position
businesses for long-term growth, which requires
management assistance. alt.Consulting is one of
several resources we utilize to provide this
support." | |
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We believe strong, small businesses build
healthy, growing
communities.
Your support allows us to reach
entrepreneurs at every level - from businesses with
growth potential, those who are working through a crisis
to young entrepreneurs and startups. Each receives
customized solutions through high quality one-on-one
assistance.
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Rags to
Stitches
Rags to
Stitches is a new fabrics and notions store opening
in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on November 9, 2007.
Judith Wasson,
store owner, explains that the store offers a large selection
of cotton, silk and batik fabrics. They can special order
drapery and upholstery fabrics. The store will also
offer:
- A long-arm quilter
- Quilting services
- Basic clothing repair and alterations
- Basic sewing classes and
- Quilting classes
If you are
interested in more information call 870.850.7409.
Judith received
both technical assistance and financial assistance through the
new Pine Bluff Entrepreneur Investment Initiative
(PBEII). alt.Consulting assisted in the launch
of the Pine Bluff Entrepreneurship
Collaborative in June 2006 and is one of the
technical assistance providers for the
Collaborative.
PBEII was
established after identifying the need for technical and
financial assistance for small and startup
businesses. After raising local funds and
establishing a local board, PBEII made their first equity
investment in Rags to Stitches in September 2007. This
investment was used to leverage an SBA loan through Pine Bluff
National Bank.
"We are pleased
with the opportunity to pair the long-term financing of an SBA
loan together with the enhanced equity provided through PBEII
to help promote the establishment of this new business in Pine
Bluff. The technical assistance provided through the
Pine Bluff Entrepreneurship Collaborative along with the
owner's intuitive entrepreneruial instincts made this an
exciting business to help launch. We look forward to
more opportunities of this caliber. SBA at the national
level is also looking at this as a model for the community
Express Pilot, which is designed to work with communities
experiencing higher unemployment and other economic
challenges." Linda Nelson, District Director for the
U.S. Small Busineses Administration
Pictured: Ines Polonius, Executive Director of
alt.Consulting and Judith Wasson, owner of Rags to
Stitches |
Teamwork Camden
A New Locally Driven Entrepreneurship
Initiative
On September 24,
2007 a group of residents and small business owners met in
Camden, Arkansas to launch Team Camden Accelerators (TCA), a
locally driven program providing assistance to small
businesses in Camden and Ouachita County.
During the
launch meeting, participants developed four sets of
expectations around business promotion, business training,
business resource assistance and business
environment.
TCA will meet
twice each month through February.
alt.Consulting has been asked
to facilitate these meetings. During this time they
will look at examples of successful programs and decide on a
strategy, which will lead to a detailed implementation
plan. TCA, sponsored by the Ouachita
Partnership for Economic Development, is all about
supporting small and minority businesses in Camden and
Ouachita County.
If you are
interested in learning more about Team Camden Accelerators you
can contact Dotty Harris or Norm MacNeill at
870.836.2210.
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