From: Zions Bank Business Resource Center [resources@zionsbank.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 11:48 AM
To: james@marecorp.net
Subject: Taking Care of Business--Business news and information for small businesses from the Zions Business Resource Center
We Haven't Forgotten Who Keeps Us In Business
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The Zions Business Resource Center is pleased to publish this weekly e-mail newsletter as a service to small business owners and employees. Its purpose is to assist you in starting or expanding your small business. Links to third-party Web sites provided throughout this newsletter are not owned or controlled by the Zions Business Resource Center or Zions Bank. Click here to SUBSCRIBE. To be removed from our e-mail list click UNSUBSCRIBE. Visit us on the Web at the Zions Bank Business Resource Center.

Zions Bank Business Resource Center

From the Director

Utah Quarterly Economic Forecast

I know, you are probably thinking – “not another economic report!” Yes, another report and this one has a very unique Cece Mitchell, Vice President and Directortwist. The respondents are all Utah business owners, therefore the report is a good indicator of our local economy.

Zions Bank commissioned Dan Jones & Associates, Inc. to conduct and compile an online quarterly research study of business executives and key decision makers throughout Utah. It is designed to be an insider’s view of our economy from Utah businesses for Utah businesses.

The 2007 4th quarter report has just been released and overall, Utah executives remain optimistic about the financial future of their companies. Our top concerns continue to be the price of fuel, employee health care coverage and finding qualified employees.

Would you like to participate? Are you a business owner with ten or more employees? We invite you to join the panel which is a minimal time commitment to complete an online survey four times a year. You will have access to the report before it is released to the public.

Read on and learn more about the study, the details and how you can have input.



Zions Bank Vice President

Speaking on Business


Fred Ball's latest business reports:
Anthony's Fine Art & Antiques 3/7
CNC Design 3/6
Play N Trade 3/5
Evergreen Accounting Services, Inc. 3/4
Next Generation Motor Sports 3/3

Launch-The Magazine for Utah Entrepreneurs
New Issue of Launch— the Magazine for Utah Entrepreneurs

The Spring 2008 issue of Launch has been released. Launch is a free quarterly online magazine dedicated solely to the interests of Utah entrepreneurs—written by those that know what it takes to start a business in Utah and by entrepreneurs themselves. The current issue addresses effective sales techniques and is written by local entrepreneur sales experts.  Read it at www.launchutah.com.

'Misery'

Tea Leaf report from Economist Jeff Thredgold


With constant negative reporting by the national media regarding prospects for housing activity and the likelihood of a recession, revisiting another measure of economic pain seems timely...
Read more...

Small Biz  Partners & Resources

- SCORE -- Provides counseling to small businesses
- Ogden SCORE - E-mail
ogdenscore158@aol.com
- Salt Lake SCORE - Chapter 0049
310 South Main St., N. Mezzanine, Salt Lake City. Phone: (801) 746-2269; Fax: (801) 746-2273; e-mail: mallen@slcscore.com
- Wayne Brown Institute -- Runs the oldest and most successful non-profit venture accelerator program in the country, helping technical entrepreneurs from every social economic level raise money for their businesses.
- Grow Utah Ventures -- a privately funded organization established solely to advance entrepreneurism and high growth business creation in Utah. Among its initiatives are the eStation Business Incubators and Launch-- The Magazine for Utah Entrepreneurs.
- Small Business Development Centers
-- Provides counseling and training to small businesses.
- Small Business Administration -- Provides information about small business (Click here for Utah SBA)
- Utah Micro Enterprise Loan Fund -- Provides counseling and funding for small business
- The Pete Suazo Business Center -- Provides counseling and training for Hispanic/Latino business
- Utah Business.gov -- Provides online access to Utah Government services; one stop shop business registrations
- Export.gov -- Provides information on how to export your product.

Feature

Survey: Optimism Slides for Utah Business Executives

Quarterly Economic Forecast from Zions Bank, Dan Jones & Associates Shows Utah Businesses Leaders Predict a Decline in Their Companies’ Economic Health

Based on their profits and losses over the previous three months, Utah executives entered 2008 optimistic about the financial future of their companies, just not as strongly optimistic as they had been throughout 2006, according to the results of Zions Bank’s 4Q07 Utah Quarterly Economic Forecast, released last week. The independent survey tracks the pulse of Utah’s economy from the vantage point of local business leaders and is conducted by research firm Dan Jones & Associates.

The survey, which was conducted January 1 to 22, revealed the lowest level of optimism since the second quarter 2006, when the surveys began. Still, four out of five (81 percent) of the 344 participating executives placed themselves on the optimistic side of a 10-point scale.

“Our research shows that Utah executives are not as enthusiastically optimistic about the financial futures of their companies as they had been throughout 2006. They are also exhibiting increased concern about inflation, costs and competition in the marketplace,” said Pat Jones, co-owner of Dan Jones & Associates.

Download the 4Q97 survey PDF here. Review past surveys or get more information here. Read the highlights of upcoming quarterly surveys in Taking Care of Business.


With the exception of the fourth quarter of 2006, when the mean score was 7.80, optimism has been steadily declining; however, even with that downward trend, the vast majority of panelists are still confident in their companies’ future. What’s more, panelists whose businesses are headquartered outside the Wasatch Front were more likely to give optimistic ratings about the financial future of their company than those based on the Wasatch Front.

Predictions for improved economic health within individual companies is also at its lowest point of the survey’s seven study cycles, with a mean score declining from 3.53 in the second and third quarters of 2006 to 3.23 in the fourth quarter of 2007 (on scale of 1 to 5).

Nonetheless, as in all previous quarters, most of the 344 panelists maintain that their companies’ capital expenditures will remain about the same in the upcoming quarter as they have in the previous one. Furthermore, survey scores indicate that panelists were slightly less likely to increase their workforces as compared to the previous six quarters studied.

Gasoline prices topped the list of the eleven economic concerns that panelists assess each quarter, followed by the cost of employee health insurance and finding qualified employees. What’s more, three of the eleven concerns—the impact of inflation on the cost to do business, the cost of inventory and supplies and the ability to compete in the marketplace—all reached survey highs in the fourth quarter 2007 study cycle.

Become a Panel Member Today


Utah business owners and high-level executives interested in joining the Utah Quarterly Economic Forecast panel may learn more information at http://www.utaheconomicforecast.com. To qualify, your company must have at least 10 employees. To become a panel member, complete the form on the right side of the Web site and click the “Submit Request” button or send an email to support@UtahEconomicForecast.com. You will be contacted by a Dan Jones & Associates representative to discuss your application, or you may call Julie at Dan Jones & Associates, 801-322-5722, with questions about the forecast or to become a panel member.

The quarterly surveys take only a few minutes to complete using a secure Web site. Each executive is provided a unique link to the site via e-mail.
 

HR Corner

Leadership Expectations

(Source: The Employers Council)
When it comes to expectations, the first thing we think of is: What is expected of employees? But we should also ask: What do employees expect from leaders? We often hear that employees don't generally leave their jobs for more money – they usually leave because of their supervisor. Understanding what employees expect from their supervisors is one key in reducing costly turnover. Read more...
 
Utah First Fridays

Focus: Social Networking


Utah First Fridays will present a workshop about using social networking site LinkedIn this Friday from 8-10 a.m. at the Salt Lake Community College Miller Business Resource Center, 9750 S. 300 West, Sandy. Cost is $5 and includes breakfast. Register online: www.UtahFirstFridays.org.

Zions Bank is the leader is SBA loans.

Calendar of Events

  • Feb. 21 - May 1 - FastTrac TechVenture, an eleven week program designed for entrepreneurs in the fields of technology or life sciences. Location: Salt Lake Community College, Larry H. Miller Campus, Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. To register call (801) 957-4654 or e-mail slsbdc@slcc.edu.
  • Feb. 28 - Davis Chamber's Business-2-Business Expo, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Davis Conference Center, 1651 N. 700 West, Layton.
  • March 13 - Box Elder Economic Summit, 2 p.m.
  • March 19 - SCORE “How to Start and Operate A New Business" Workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Salt Lake County Building Complex, 2001 S. State Street, SLC, North Building, Room 4010. For more information call (801) 746-2269.
  • April 7-8 - Asia Pacific Business Outlook (APBO) Conference, University of Southern California. Early Registration: $775 (until March 10). Regular Registration: $925 (after March 10). USDOC Registration Code: DOC2008. Please be sure to include this code when registering.
  • April 16 - SCORE “How to Start and Operate A New Business" Workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Salt Lake County Building Complex, 2001 S. State Street, SLC, North Building Room 4010. For more information call (801) 746-2269.
  • April 16 - SCORE “How To Form A LLC” Workshop, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Offices of Parsons Kinghorn Harris, 111 E. Broadway, SLC. For more information call (801) 746-2269.
  • April 23-24 - Salt Lake Chamber Business to Business Expo, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City. More information.
  • April 23 - Northern Utah Business and Economic Summit, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Davis Conference Center, 1651 N. 700 West, Layton. Agenda includes panel discussions, workshops and training presentations on issues impacting all aspects of business. Economist Jeff Thredgold will be the keynote speaker. Admission for this day-long event is $75 and includes meals and materials. For more information and to RSVP call 593-2200.
  • May 21 - SCORE “How to Start and Operate A New Business" Workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Salt Lake County Building Complex, 2001 S. State Street, SLC, North Building, Room 4010. For more information call (801) 746-2269.
  • June 18 - SCORE “How to Start and Operate A New Business" Workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Salt Lake County Building Complex, 2001 S. State Street, SLC, North Building Room 4010. For more information call (801) 746-2269.
  • July 16 - SCORE “How to Start and Operate A New Business" Workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Salt Lake County Building Complex, 2001 S. State Street, SLC, North Building, Room 4010. For more information call (801) 746-2269.
  • July 16 - SCORE “How To Form A LLC” Workshop, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Offices of Parsons Kinghorn Harris, 111 E. Broadway, SLC. For more information call (801) 746-2269.
  • Aug. 20 - SCORE “How to Start and Operate A New Business" Workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Salt Lake County Building Complex, 2001 S. State Street, SLC, North Building, Room 4010. For more information call (801) 746-2269.
  • Sep. 17 - SCORE “How to Start and Operate A New Business" Workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Salt Lake County Building Complex, 2001 S. State Street, SLC, North Building, Room 4010. For more information call (801) 746-2269.
  • Oct. 15 - SCORE “How to Start and Operate A New Business" Workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Salt Lake County Building Complex, 2001 S. State Street, SLC, North Building, Room 4010. For more information call (801) 746-2269.
  • Oct. 15 - SCORE “How To Form A LLC” Workshop, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Offices of Parsons Kinghorn Harris, 111 E. Broadway, SLC. For more information call (801) 746-2269.
  • Nov. 19 - SCORE “How to Start and Operate A New Business" Workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Salt Lake County Building Complex, 2001 S. State Street, SLC, North Building, Room 4010. For more information call (801) 746-2269.
  • Dec. 17 - SCORE “How to Start and Operate A New Business" Workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Salt Lake County Building Complex, 2001 S. State Street, SLC, North Building, Room 4010. For more information call (801) 746-2269.

Salt Lake Chamber Events ♦ Ogden Weber Chamber Events ♦ SL County Upgrade.org Calendar

Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important at Zions Bank. Please see our Privacy Policy for details. Questions or comments? e-mail resources@zionsbank.com or contact the Zions Business Resource Center, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 801-594-8245. For general customer service inquires about bank products, please call 1-800-789-8800.  Member FDIC.