We received a great account of Wednesday night’s Gainful Employment Seminar held by our friends at Savvy Workshop. Special thanks to Print Savvy President Lisa Landry for sending along this release as well as for offering such an excellent resource for citizens looking for work.
STATE OF NH AND LOCAL BUSINESSES GET CREATIVE TO HELP JOB SEEKERS
By all accounts, last night’s Gainful Employment Seminar at Savvy Workshop was a huge success. Initiated by Lisa Landry, President and CEO of Print Savvy, Inc. and the Savvy Workshop, the meeting was well attended and facilitated by Fran Allain, Employee Retention Project Manager for the State of New Hampshire’s Division of Economic Development.
NH Division of Economic Development Employee Retention Project Manager Fran Allains shares her experiences with local job seekers.
Fran shared her heart-wrenching story about her own difficult layoff and her personal journey to finding meaningful employment again, after reinventing herself and her career. Having had the experience herself, she understands and empathizes with those affected by economic downturn. She gave us an overview of the programs, job boards and support systems available through the available through the State of New Hampshire, the NH Works offices and the Office of Workforce Opportunity to those currently looking for work.
Also on hand were Greg Fall, Vice President at Career Management Associates of Bedford, NH and Pam Oliwa, the Rapid Response Coordinator for the NH Office of Workforce Opportunity. Both Greg and Pam shared ideas and strategies for getting hired. Greg also gave an extensive class on resume development and met one on one with each candidate to discuss specific strategies that will help them to stand out and differentiate themselves from the crowded field of applicants that might be also seeking the same position.
Rapid Response Coordinator Pam Oliwa talks about resources available to help citizens pursue new career paths.
Together, they explored the best ways to increase a job seeker’s value in the marketplace. Most attendees were unemployed an average of 18 months – but some as few as three or four weeks. Also in attendance were currently employed individuals, looking to make a change, recent college grads and underemployed professionals looking for more gainful employment.
“I’ve been in the job market for over 25 years, and this is definitely the most difficult job market I’ve ever seen,” said Lisa Landry. ”My inbox has been flooded with resumes for the past two years. Most of these folks are talented, hard working, experienced professionals that I know and have worked with in the past. I wanted to do something to help them and to let them know their value is still there – and that there is light at the end of the tunnel!”
The Savvy Workshop will be hosting a second session to further support our friends and colleagues who are seeking gainful employment on Sept 8, 2010 from 6 – 9 PM. Dawn Cerrato of Synergy Management Associates will be presenting. Registrations are now being taken at http://www.gainfulemployment2.eventbrite.com.
Savvy Workshop is a multi-channel marketing organization, leveraging print, web, social media, email and event marketing to help our clients succeed. They can help you do it, too!
Savvy Workshop
55 So. Commercial Street
Manchester, NH 03101
http://www.savvyworkshop.com/
Every once in awhile, something hits my email box that gives me a great creative charge - it’s always inspiring to be surrounded by talented people and we at the Division of Economic Development are blessed to be working with some incredible folks.
With that in mind, I’d like to share the following video clip that was created by Lani and Allen Voivod over at Epiphanies, Inc. As our personal “social media gurus,” this dynamic duo has consistently raised the bar in terms of our creativity, willingness to try new things and bring State communications efforts to a whole new level.
The Epiphanies gang was not only an active participant in our Greenerpalooza event, they are also furthering their commitment to green causes by volunteering as members of our Granite Green Team at tomorrow night’s Pat Benatar/REO Speedwagon concert at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion.
Thanks for always walking the walk and for giving us this incredible video package Team Voivod!
-Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Romance, recycling and a healthy dose of frontier justice - that’s what’s on tap in the newest “Earth friendly” entries on No Bull TV.
For those of you who’ve forgotten (which is understandable as we haven’t been posting a ton of videos lately in advance of our latest extravagonzos), No Bull TV is the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s YouTube station featuring vids on Greenerpalooza, the WMUR Project Economy Job Fair and Career Expo, the Jericho ATV Park and more.
This year, as previously referenced on the No Bull Business Blog, we have partnered with the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion, Citizens Bank, Public Service of NH, Epiphanies Inc., New Hampshire Business Review and The Mountain to not only present Greenerpalooza III on August 12th, but to unveil the Granite Green Team, very much in evidence at select Meadowbrook concerts.
The Granite Green Team, a squad of eco-volunteers clad in very cool t-shirts designed by our friends at The Mountain, hands out seed cards with recycling and energy efficiency information on them at concerts throughout the Meadowbrook season. Located on the card is information that can also be used to sponsor the planting of a tree, a great way to build sustainability and encourage green practices.
To ensure that concert goers get the message about the benefits of recycling and observe eco-friendliness while visiting Meadowbrook, the Green Team pulled together a series of Public Service Announcements that make an important point while being entertaining at the same time.
In the following clips, Allen Voivod of Epiphanies Inc. fame, plays our resident rocker while PSNH Economic & Community Development Manager Pat McDermott, Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion Marketing Director and I comprise the green jumpsuit stylin’ Granite Green Team. In the “Romance and Recycling” clip, Dan Freund of Kinney Hill (the video production team that did such a great job on this shoot) and Meadowbrook’s Kate Lilly play the couple who find love through recycling.
Special thanks to Emma Womack, Vice President of Corporate Development at Meadowbrook, for arranging the shoot and ensuring that these PSAs will run on the venue’s video wall throughout the 2010 season. Never thought that my buddies and I would be sharing the stage with Sugarland, Heart, Cheap Trick and the Zac Brown Band!!
- Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
On Saturday and Sunday, July 10 and 11—on what normally would have been a quiet weekend—cars and trucks with ATV trailers packed parking lots along Route 110 in Berlin and filled municipal lots with access to the local ATV trail. The reason: the Can-Am Jericho ATV Festival, a first-time event at Jericho Mountain State Park that brought thousands of ATV enthusiasts to the North Country.
(Photo Credit: Lorna Colquhoun/NH Grand)
Roy Duddy, Interim Director of the NH Division of Economic Development, the agency that provided the seed money to develop the event through a federal grant administered locally by the North Country Council, says the event exceeded expectations.
“A crowd of more than 2,000 spectators and ATV and UTV riders and enthusiasts attended the two-day event—a huge turn-out for a new event,” he said. “We’re especially pleased because the Festival is part of a key economic development initiative funded by the State that’s designed to bolster and stabilize the economy of Coos County and establish it as an outdoor recreation center. The event introduced the newest State Park to a wide audience and showcased it as off-highway recreational vehicle (OHRV) hub for the region.”
Duddy praised the many agencies, organizations and individuals who made the event possible.
“In New Hampshire, we’re really good at bringing together a broad spectrum of stakeholders to push economic development initiatives forward in new and creative ways,” he said. “Here we have a State Park and a festival that can serve as an economic engine for Berlin thanks to the efforts of the local ATV clubs, the Trails Bureau and State Parks staffs, local businesses, and Festival sponsors. We were able to make it a free event—no admission was charged—and to encourage out-of-state riders to come, since any ATV or trail bike that was used only at the event— that is, within Jericho Mountain State Park, the Cross-City Trail and the Success Trail—didn’t need a NH registration during the Festival.”
The biggest draw of the Festival was mud pit competition at what organizers believe is the biggest such manmade “mud bog” in New England. Local ATV clubs ran an obstacle course and poker run competitions, a “romp in the hay,” a fry pan toss, and guided trail rides on the Park’s scenic trails; while the Trails Bureau ran a scavenger hunt and was on hand with information about OHRV use. Riders were able to demo the latest Can-Am ATV models or talk with representatives from local clubs about riding in the area.
For Duddy, the true test of the event was how it impacted local businesses.
Pam Feldhouse, owner of the Cedar Pond Campground in Milan wrote event organizers, “We were full of festival people! We had a great weekend—they all were happy with the festival and everyone is looking forward to next year! We sent people to local establishments throughout the weekend for meals, shopping and essentials like ice and beverages. It certainly filled a weekend we wouldn’t have normally filled.”
Janice Thompson, an attendee from Massachusetts, wrote, “Just wanted to say thanks for a great time yesterday at the ATV Festival. We live in Massachusetts (have an ATV registered in NH) and got my cousins in Vermont to join us at the festival. The trails are beautiful, and despite a bit of rain, a good time was had by all. We spent about five hours there. Hope to see it get bigger and better next year. Congratulations on a job well done and thanks again!”
Duddy says plans are already being formed for next year’s event.
“I understand that the date for the 2011 festival will likely be announced next month,” he said. “There’s such a huge potential here. As we get more people vacationing and riding in Berlin, the outlook for the local economy should improve. I wouldn’t be surprised to see ATV enthusiasts purchasing second homes in the area. All around, it’s a win-win situation.”
Jericho Mountain State Park is open year round 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, except during mud season: April (or loss of continuous snow cover) through May 23. A NH registration is required for all OHRVs except during the Festival. For more information on the Park and the Festival, visit www.JerichoATVFestival.com.
Do you have six years of experience in international trade? Interested in helping New Hampshire companies to export their products and services abroad?
The New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Office of International Commerce is currently seeking a Global Marketing & Export Compliance Manager (International Trade Officer) to work at our Concord office. Qualifications include a Master’s Degree from a recognized college or university with a major study in international trade, marketing, business, economics or government.
To learn more, visit www.admin.state.nh.us/hr - I’m just giving our blog readers a quick advanced notice on this one; the actual posting of the job should happen either tomorrow or Monday at the latest.
Lakes Region Community College (LRCC), with the assistance of a NH Division of Economic Development sponsored grant, announces that the initial 2009 Building Performance Institute (BPI) Energy Certification statewide trainings have been a success. To date, 84 students have completed the rigorous six-and-a-half-day training program in Laconia, Littleton, Nashua, and Concord.
“The BPI statewide trainings are designed to prepare individuals to satisfactorily complete the BPI Building Analyst Certification written and field tests,” says Andy Duncan, Ph.D. (Bow), Principal, Building Energy Technologies, LLC, the main instructor of LRCC’s statewide course. “It has been exciting to be at the forefront of the green movement in the State.” Duncan was a professor of Environmental Science at New England College (Henniker) from 1997 to 2003 before entering his own business.
LRCC Statewide Building Analyst Certification Trainer, Andy Duncan (left), talks with former student, Eric Halter (Concord-right), prior to a Community College System of NH Board of Trustees meeting held earlier this month.
The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI), a nationally recognized standards development and contractor credentialing organization for residential energy efficiency retrofit work, reported exponential growth in 2009. BPI affiliate training organizations grew by more than 35% through August of 2009, from 70 to 95, and 108 training affiliates were expected to be on board by the end of 2009, an increase of almost 300% over 12 months.
“Given the rise of green jobs and the need for energy auditors statewide, the NH Public Utilities Commission grant with the NH Division of Economic Development as the sponsoring partner, is tremendous news for New Hampshire,” says NH Division of Economic Development Interim Director, Roy Duddy. “This training will not only allow more NH businesses and residents to become more energy efficient, it will also provide an excellent career path for interested students.”
Students completing the training satisfactorily and who pass the coveted BPI Building Analyst certification may become energy auditors, analysts, building operators, resource conservation managers, technical service representatives, and measurement and verification technicians.
For additional information, contact LRCC Academic Affairs Vice President Tom Goulette (Belmont) or Administrative Secretary Andree Thibault (Concord), at 524-3207.
A business tip by the State’s Business Development Manager helped lead to the opening of two local restaurants that hired 51 workers.
Michael Bergeron, the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Development Manager, provided technical assistance regarding a tax credit program to Five Guys Burgers and Fries which assisted in their decision to open a location in Nashua on 341 Amherst Street.
“In meeting with the restaurant owners, I wanted to be sure to let them know about all of the incentive programs that are available to them,” Bergeron said. “I’m thrilled that they were able to take advantage of the tax credit program and create a business that is helping New Hampshire citizens find solid full-time jobs.”
Five Guys Burgers and Fries utilized the Enterprise Revitalization Zone Tax Credit Program (ERZ) by locating their business in an ERZ designated area in Nashua. With the ERZ Program, a business may be eligible for tax credits to be used against their Business Profit Tax and Business Enterprise Tax in a qualifying ERZ Program project. It is a two step process, whereby the municipality first applies for the designation based upon specific criteria, and secondly, a business applies for the actual tax credit.
ZAGAT survey rated every year since 2001, Five Guys Burgers and Fries now has two Granite State locations, one in Nashua and the other located at 1111 South Willow Street in Manchester. The Manchester eatery, slated for a March 1st grand opening, will feature 100 seats and 15 delicious burger toppings.
“The Division of Economic Development was very instrumental in educating me on how a small business can benefit from the many resources that the State of New Hampshire has to offer,” said Five Guys Owner Cort Mendez. “In today’s difficult economic environment, it’s great to know that the Division of Economic Development shares common ground in wanting small business to be successful. Programs such as the ERZ offer a great advantage to assisting small businesses in creating jobs in New Hampshire.”
To learn more about Five Guys Burgers and Fries, visit www.fiveguys.com.
If you’re thinking of starting your own business in New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center has the online course for you.
An outreach program of the University of New Hampshire Whittemore School of Business and Economics, the NH SBDC has launched the online course “Starting a Business in New Hampshire.” (http://nhsbdc.org/eLearning/Index.html). It is one of more than 20 free online courses that are part of the center’s e-Learning for Entrepreneurs courses.
“SBDC’s new course empowers New Hampshire entrepreneurs by providing critical facts and details needed to get their businesses up and running,” said Mary Collins, NH SBDC state director. “We know that we will save New Hampshire entrepreneurs many hours of research, and hope that this helps create stronger businesses and jobs here in the Granite State.”
The NH SBDC received a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration to develop the online course for distressed areas of the state.
The course provides the aspiring New Hampshire small business owner with information and resources for starting a business in New Hampshire. Find out about registering a business name, the different types of business organization, taxes and licensing, insurance, business plans, and more. Many important website links and other resources are provided within the course. The course includes 65 animated slides and will last about 75 minutes. Like all of the e-Learning for Entrepreneurs courses, courses are designed to be taken during one or multiple sittings. Students can pause a course at any point and restart it later.
The NH SBDC’s e-Learning for Entrepreneurs classes are free and available online, any time. More than 20 classes are offered in finance, marketing and business management. Each 2-3.5 hour course is comprised of animated slides accompanied by voice-over narration, PowerPoint presentations, worksheets, toolsets, and access to a comprehensive knowledgebase.
More than 1,500 e-Learning for Entrepreneurs classes have been taken. The addition of “Starting a Business in New Hampshire” provides the first of several courses directed specifically to New Hampshire entrepreneurs.
E-Learning for Entrepreneurs is sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire, NH Division of Economic Development, and the University of New Hampshire.
“Never stop looking”- that’s the philosophy of a local company that is consistently looking for answers that can lead to earlier detection of cancers. For its efforts in creating products that lead to increased patient survival rates, iCAD has been named the New Hampshire Business Resource Center’s “Innovation Rocks!” award winner for the month of February.
The Nashua-based company, an industry-leading provider of advanced image analysis and workflow solutions for the early identification of cancer, is committed to helping physicians and patients in the fight against the most prevalent cancers – breast, colorectal and prostate. Its SecondLook® CAD systems are able to detect up to 72% of actionable missed breast cancers an average of 15 months earlier than screening mammography alone and its Virtual Colonoscopy (VC), also known as CT Colonography (CTC), offers patients a less-invasive alternative to conventional colonic polyp diagnostic techniques.
“With over 11 million Americans living with cancer, it’s important to recognize companies like iCAD who are leading the way in early detection and less costly treatment options,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “This is a company that is delivering clinical excellence and improving lives on a daily basis.”
“Innovation Rocks!” is an initiative sponsored by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center in coordination with Rock 101 (WGIR-FM) and the The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of New Hampshire innovators.
It has been said to cure diseases, help humans achieve flight and improve bowling skills. It has also generated over 1,600 reviews on Amazon.com and created a worldwide stir resulting in media coverage from ABC News and the BBC. And soon it will be used to stimulate economic development in the state of New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire Division of Economic Development today announced that it has designated the “Three Wolf Moon” the official t-shirt of New Hampshire economic development. Created by Keene-based t-shirt manufacturer The Mountain, the shirt, which features three wolves howling at the moon, became an overnight viral Internet sensation when Brian Govern, a student at Rutgers University, authored a satirical comment about the garment on Amazon.com. That led to a barrage of similar reviews which propelled the sales of the shirt to a number one ranking in Amazon’s apparel line.
“The Mountain’s ‘Three Wolf Moon’ is a true New Hampshire success story,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher. “What started off as a tongue in cheek take on a cool t-shirt has resulted in worldwide acclaim for a very creative and growing Granite State business. When every social media outlet as well as the mainstream press is covering your story, you know that you’ve created something big.”
Worn by luminaries ranging from “The Office’s” Rainn Wilson and “True Blood’s” Allan Hyde to “Napleon Dynamite’s” Jon Heder and even the U.S. Marine Corps’ Bravo Company 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, the “Three Wolf Moon” shirt has made its mark in popular culture. Boucher said that he plans to initiate an online campaign featuring local business officials and celebrities wearing the shirt to capitalize on the phenomenon.
“It’s definitely an attention getter,” he said. “By capturing the interest of those who follow pop culture trends, we hope that they’ll also check out our other online offerings and discover that New Hampshire is a state that does business differently and embraces the creativity of its many innovative companies.”
In addition to the online campaign, the Division of Economic Development also plans to give “Three Wolf Moon” shirts to winners of its monthly “Innovation Rocks!” initiative. “Innovation Rocks” is an awards program that celebrates the ingenuity of New Hampshire’s innovation leaders.
“We’re very excited about this partnership and the opportunity to let more people know about business opportunities available here,” said The Mountain Art Director Michael McGloin. “As a local company, we’re pleased to be able to do our part to use Three Wolf Moon in a creative way to help attract other companies to New Hampshire. Working together is what makes our state different and great.”
McGloin pointed out that The Mountain currently markets over 400 other “Animal Spirit Power Shirts” and that the “Three Wolf Moon” shirt has spent nearly 200 days on Amazon’s Top 100 list. With over 1,300 5 star reviews from users, 2010 might very well be the “year of the wolf.”
And as for the “magical properties” that the shirt is purported to possess, the Division of Economic Development’s Boucher said that he’s very optimistic about it’s anticipated effect on the New Hampshire economy.
“If it can generate half of the results that Amazon shoppers are experiencing, we’re in awesome shape – every CEO should be wearing this shirt,” he said.
The New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Office of International Commerce is currently seeking a Global Marketing & Export Compliance Manager (International Trade Officer) to work at our Concord office. Qualifications include a Master’s Degree from a recognized college or university with a major study in international trade, marketing, business, economics or government.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries utilized the Enterprise Revitalization Zone Tax Credit Program (ERZ) by locating their business in an ERZ designated area in Nashua. With the ERZ Program, a business may be eligible for tax credits to be used against their Business Profit Tax and Business Enterprise Tax in a qualifying ERZ Program project. It is a two step process, whereby the municipality first applies for the designation based upon specific criteria, and secondly, a business applies for the actual tax credit.
“SBDC’s new course empowers New Hampshire entrepreneurs by providing critical facts and details needed to get their businesses up and running,” said Mary Collins, NH SBDC state director. “We know that we will save New Hampshire entrepreneurs many hours of research, and hope that this helps create stronger businesses and jobs here in the Granite State.”
The Nashua-based company, an industry-leading provider of advanced image analysis and workflow solutions for the early identification of cancer, is committed to helping physicians and patients in the fight against the most prevalent cancers – breast, colorectal and prostate. Its SecondLook® CAD systems are able to detect up to 72% of actionable missed breast cancers an average of 15 months earlier than screening mammography alone and its Virtual Colonoscopy (VC), also known as CT Colonography (CTC), offers patients a less-invasive alternative to conventional colonic polyp diagnostic techniques.
The New Hampshire Division of Economic Development today announced that it has designated the “Three Wolf Moon” the official t-shirt of New Hampshire economic development. Created by Keene-based t-shirt manufacturer The Mountain, the shirt, which features three wolves howling at the moon, became an overnight viral Internet sensation when Brian Govern, a student at Rutgers University, authored a satirical comment about the garment on Amazon.com. That led to a barrage of similar reviews which propelled the sales of the shirt to a number one ranking in Amazon’s apparel line.
