Archive for June, 2009
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
Convincing businesses to expand or relocate is an art form. Requiring a set of skills that include sales, public relations, real estate and business development, business recruitment isn’t for the faint of heart.
Thankfully, New Hampshire has two of the best business recruiters in the nation, Michael Bergeron and Cindy Harrington. Yesterday, the Nashua Telegraph published a great story about the life of a business recruiter and the “art of the deal.” Check out this link to learn more: http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090615/NEWS01/306159955.
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: Cindy Harrington, Michael Bergeron, Nashua Telegraph
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on So You Want to be a Business Recruiter?
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
What’s the best way to reach an audience? Hang back and wait for them to come to you? Ummmm….no. That’s why business recruiter Cindy Harrington and I will be taking to the road on Thursday to meet with the affluent and creative Harley-Davidson demographic.
Harley riders are the perfect group to attract to this state – creative, independent, pioneering. They live life to the fullest and truly appreciate the type of values that New Hampshire was built on – individuality, self-reliance and freedom.
Here’s what we’re up to with the “No Bull Business Run”:
What’s the easiest way to attract attention in the midst of leather, lace and roaring engines? Try wearing a business suit while mixing in with the crowd.
New Hampshire’s 86th annual Motorcycle Week is roaring into the state this weekend and the NH Business Resource Center, an office of the NH Division of Economic Development, is capitalizing on the opportunity with its inaugural and certainly hands-on, No Bull Business Run aimed at attracting new businesses to the Granite State.
Named after the NH Division of Economic Development’s new “No Bull Business Blog,” the No Bull Business Run will be led by New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher and State Business Recruiter Cindy Harrington on Thursday, June 18.
What’s different about this experiential marketing approach is the duo will be traveling side by side on motorcycles (SEE PHOTOS), Boucher in an ever popular Harley Davidson sidecar and Harrington on the back of a classic Harley Davidson. Donned in business suits, helmets and armed with marketing material cleverly called, the All Access Pass to Business in New Hampshire, Harrington and Boucher will join the tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts for the Rally in the Valley. The 80 mile, roundtrip scenic motorcycle cruise starts at Laconia’s Harley Davidson Dealership in Meredith with a pit stop and BBQ at the White Mountain Harley Davidson in North Conway. Teaming up with Anne Deli, owner of both Harley Davidson dealerships, the NH Business Resource Center is tapping into a well sought out demographic in hopes of sparking interest to relocate or start a business in New Hampshire.
“With more than 300,000 motorcycle enthusiasts converging to the state for a 10-day span, we see this as a perfect opportunity to market New Hampshire to this well diversified group, many of whom own their own businesses,” said Boucher. “We want people who are searching for a better lifestyle and better business climate to think of New Hampshire first. These motorcycle enthusiasts will already be experiencing all the recreational benefits New Hampshire offers. We also want them to learn about New Hampshire’s unique business advantages – our low tax status, our open and responsive form of government and our fierce independence. We’ll be motorcycle missionaries spreading the word about a state where the phrase ‘Live Free or Die’ still matters.”
As a business owner and avid motorcycle rider herself, Anne Deli relocated to the state after experiencing the opportunity of owning her own business in New Hampshire.
“We chose New Hampshire because of the excellent business climate and strong demographic,” said Deli. “This is a good place and this state represents what our values are. For us, the riding in the state is among the best in the country. You also have a lot of people who embrace the motorcycle lifestyle. We are excited to partner and offer our services to the State for the No Bull Business Run. It gives us the opportunity for cross synergy, and to offer our positive experiences as business owners in New Hampshire to our own Harley Davidson customers who have a very wide array of socio-economic backgrounds.”
As part of the All Access Pass to Business in New Hampshire, motorcyclists who sign up to receive more information about doing business in New Hampshire will be automatically entered into a contest for tickets and a backstage visit with Blake Shelton or LIVE & Candlebox at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion during Motorcycle Week.
“This is a true public private partnership at its finest,” said NH Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “The State of New Hampshire is proud to be able to count on its great friends from Meadowbrook and Laconia Harley-Davidson as we hit the road in search of some great new business prospects.”
To learn more about the New Hampshire Business Resource Center, visit www.nheconomy.com or call (603) 271-2591 or stay in touch through the No Bull Business Blog (blog.nheconomy.com)
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: Anne Deli, Candlebox, Cindy Harrington, Harley-Davidson, Laconia Harley-Davidson, Live, Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion, NH Business Resource Center, NH Division of Economic Development, No Bull Business Run, White Mountain Harley-Davidson
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Get Your Motor Runnin’….
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
About four months ago, I was invited to poke my head in a meeting which would ultimately change the way that our Division conducts its business outreach.
 At the meeting, I was introduced to Allen and Lani Voivod, a young couple with a Lakes Region-based social marketing firm called Epiphanies, Inc. (www.epiphaniesinc.com) I was intrigued by their thought process and their passion for the power of social media in bringing people together. They seemed to be the type of entrepreneurial, forwarding thinking people who could infuse some new energy into our marketing efforts.
In a lot of ways, the first couple of meetings with Allen and Lani reminded me of the X-Men movie where the mutant students are gathered at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning. They were superheroes of the highest power, with the ability to throw out creative thoughts and not to dismiss any concept, no matter how impossible it sounded. They would not be constrained by red tape or logistical hardships, nor would they accept the premise that positive action couldn’t be achieved. They wouldn’t let “the man” get them down. Clearly, I had found a pair of kindred spirits.
Fast forward to the present – we now have a fully operational blog, a Twitter account and a presence on Facebook. We also celebrated the success of the First Annual Social Media Business Summit, a standing room only event that took place at Public Service of New Hampshire (www.psnh.com) yesterday.
It was entirely fitting that the first summit was held at a facility called “Energy Park” because the atmosphere in the room was nothing short of electric. Ideas were generated, information was shared and all attendees left the event ready to incorporate social media into their companies’ communications strategies.
I’d like to thank Allen and Lani for their hard work as well as moderator Mo Bresee (www.mobresee.com) and logistical expert Leslie Sturgeon (www.wiwnh.com) for crafting a fabulous day. Thanks also to Public Service of New Hampshire (especially Pat McDermott and Nancy Rheinhardt) for their generous sponsorship and to the “Stay, Work and Play” initiative (especially Matt Cookson from the University System of NH -(http://www.usnh.edu/initiatives/55_swpincentive.shtml) for their partnership.
If you haven’t do so already, please further our social media efforts by signing up for our blog as well as our Twitter and Facebook accounts. Information is POWER.
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: Allen Voivod, Epiphanies, Inc., Lani Voivod, Matt Cookson, Mo Bresee, Nancy Rheinhardt, Public Service of NH, University System of NH, X-Men
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on A Great Day for Sociability
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
I was talking to my mom the other day and she said something that made me quite sad. She waited until no one else in the family was looking, drew in very close to me and whispered in my ear, “You have no fans on your No Bull Facebook account.”
Talk about a cold slap…..I had always been told that a woman’s tongue was sharper than a serpent’s tooth, but this was ridiculous. Feeling sick to my stomach and quite dizzy, I spun out of the room like a wayward top, stopping only long enough to weep bitterly and gnash my teeth. “I’ll show her,” I said. “She’ll regret the day that she dissed my No Bull Facebook account.”
So that why I’m reaching out to you today. We don’t have to be real buddies – we don’t have to buy a tandem bicycle, finish each other’s sentences or share a plate of spaghetti like those two mutts in the “Lady & the Tramp.” Nor do we have to sit next to each other at a Wolve’s game, help each other up in the moshpit at a Slayer show or go on an interstate crime spree together. WE CAN BE VIRTUAL HOMIES.
The best part about being a virtual homie is that I can keep you up to date on some really cool economic development happenings, some great grant opportunities and some excellent events that you want to be part of and you don’t really have to do anything in return. You can just chill out at your computer, munch on a Mars bar and take it all in. I’ll be the best virtual economic development friend you’ve ever had.
So, to get started, all you need to do is visit the No Bull Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Concord-NH/NH-Economy/60832347356?ref=ts. Sign up to be part of our magic and while you’re at it, follow us on Twitter as well by visiting http://twitter.com/Nobullblog. Prove my mom wrong….be my special homie. I love you man….
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Will You Be My Homie?
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration informed the Center for Disease Control about multiple samples of pistachio nuts being contaminated with Salmonella three months ago, a New Hampshire company sprung into action and worked to stop the spread of the infection. As a result of the development of a new durable shield that monitors temperatures of oil roasting nuts, MadgeTech has been named the “Innovation Rocks!” Award winner by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center for the month of June.
The Contoocook-based company, a global data logging device manufacturer, recently unveiled a shield that can withstand temperatures up to 250 degrees Celsius, making it ideal for monitoring and recording the high temperature of oil roasting nuts. Although this product was created for the nut industry, its versatility allows it to be used in other applications such as food processing and conveyor oven monitoring. It can also be placed directly in oil to validate deep frying processes.
“MadgeTech has truly created a product that is ensuring the health of not only New Hampshire citizens, but people around the globe,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “Their ingenuity and creativity is saving lives and ensuring that the food we’re eating is safe for consumption.”
For more information about MadgeTech and its many innovations, visit www.MadgeTech.com.
“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.
Tags: Business Resource Center, Innovation Rocks!, MadgeTech, NH Division of Economic Development, Roy Duddy, The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown, WGIR
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on MadgeTech Named June “Innovation Rocks!” Winner
Monday, June 8th, 2009
Let me take this opportunity to invite our neighbors to the south to swing by any of our local retail establishments and experience the cost savings that they can’t realize in their home state.
 Just as neighbors have traditionally invited guests over to share a cup of coffee, I’m inviting Bay State residents to purchase a big screen tv, washer, ATV, kitchen set, jacuzzi……whatever. Our kind retailers will be happy to meet you at the door with open arms and a great deal for whatever item you’re looking for. Best of all, you won’t notice a hand reaching for your wallet or purse – if the news hasn’t reached your neck of the woods yet, New Hampshire offers NO SALES TAX.
So feel free to rent a U-Haul, hire some muscle and pack up the truck with your new “sales tax free” belongings. New Hampshire is a state that is consistently dedicated to helping you keep more of your money rather than trying to devise devious ways to part you from it.
To learn more about how your Bay State neighbors are benefitting by purchasing goods in New Hampshire, check out Mike McCord’s excellent Seacoast Online piece at http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090607-NEWS-906070340. And if you really want to make a bold move that could save you major dollars, explore the concept of expanding or relocating a business to the Granite State – to learn more, visit www.nhopeninvitation.com.
In parting, howdy neighbor and SHOP NEW HAMPSHIRE!
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: Massachusetts, Mike McCord, New Hampshire, no sales tax
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Our Border is Open for Business
Monday, June 8th, 2009
The outcome was in doubt until the last possible second, but when the dust settled and the results were tabulated, the men’s team led by North American Equipment Upfitters President Michael Dunican narrowly edged out the women’s squad led by Print Savvy Owner Lisa Landry at the 2nd Annual New Hampshire Business Bowl held last Friday evening at The Acting Loft Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester.
Held at halftime of the Manchester Wolves/Albany Firebirds game, the Business Bowl pitted two teams of six players in a series of interactive contests including paper plane flying, the printer cartridge dash and the “Fling a Football” challenge. Both squads brought their respective cheering sessions as well as a healthy amount of trash talking and gamesmanship.
Prior to the Business Bowl, both teams were treated to an onfield pep talk by Wolves Coach Danton Barto and a pregame reception at Piccola Italia Ristorante. At the reception, participants learned about free State services available to assist their businesses and had the opportunity to hear from event sponsors NH Business Review, WGAM, Cartridge World and the Manchester Wolves.
Thanks to all who participated and special thanks to Wolves General Manager Stephanie Bike for her enthusiasm and dedication to making this event the best yet. The women have already issued a challenge for a rematch next year – Mike Dunican is reportedly mulling over the offer as he prepares his “threepeat” strategy.
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: Cartridge World, Danton Barto, Lisa Landry, Manchester Wolves, Michael Dunican, New Hampshire Business Bowl, NH Business Review, North American Equipment Upfitters, Print Savvy, Stephanie Bike, The Acting Loft, Verizon Wireless Arena, WGAM
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on To the Victor Goes the Humongous Trophy…
Thursday, June 4th, 2009
Just heard from Lisa Landry, team captain of the women’s squad in the 2nd Annual New Hampshire Business Bowl and it seems that she has assembled quite the formidable squad. Just check out the talent on her roster as well as her pinpoint scouting report:
Lisa Landry, President & CEO of Print Savvy, and survivor of 4 (yes, 4!) completely natural childbirths. (I think that alone proves how tough I am!)
Ami D’Amelio, our Savvy Senior Account Executive – a whirlwind on and off the field – honored in 2008 by the Union Leader as a “Top 40 under 40” among many other achievements, professional and personal.
Donna Hardy, National Administrative Manager at CSI Wireless (and also black belt in Kung Fu). This lady can break bricks! Look out!
Deb Titus, Dale Carnegie Training Educator, Public Speaker, tough competitor and all around people person (and a really, really good singer, too!)
Melinda Linstad, Retired New England Patriots Cheerleader, currently staying at home to spend time with her beautiful baby boy, Nolan. She brings that great cheerleading vibe & determination to our team!
Juli Holt, Stylist at Silk Day Spa. She has over 10 years of experience and a family history of brining out one’s inner beauty – but don’t let her fool you, she is tough as nails!
Connie McCullion, President of Healthcare Review, brings 23 years of running a dynamic business to the table. If she can deal with all those docs and insurance companies, she’s got to be strong!
For those who aren’t up to speed on the Business Bowl, during the course of the Manchester Wolves – Albany Firebirds af2 football game, two teams of six local business professionals will take part in fun and competitive “office Olympics” style events which will test their teamwork skills. The winner of the competition will receive the second annual Business Bowl trophy, tickets to Canobie Lake Park and tickets to Wolves games for the remainder of the 2009 season.
Prior to the Business Bowl event, the Business Resource Center, the Wolves, event sponsor Cartridge World and media partners New Hampshire Business Review and WGAM will host a free business appreciation reception for the first 50 business respondents at Piccola Italia Ristorante at 5:30 p.m. To make reservations for the free reception or purchase tickets to the game (at the special Business Bowl price of $10 per ticket), contact the Manchester Wolves at 627-9653 or sbike@manchesterwolves.com.
Join us for the free pre-game reception at Piccola and purchase tickets to the game now by calling 627-9653.
Tags: Ami D'Amelio, Business Bowl, Cartridge World, Connie McCullion, CSI Wireless, Dale Carnegie, Deb Titus, Donna Hardy, Healthcare Review, Juli Holt, Lisa Landry, Manchester Wolves, Melinda Linstad, NH Business Review, Piccola Italia Ristorante, Print Savvy, Silk Day Spa, WGAM
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Women’s Business Bowl Team Announced
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009
Just happened across some great new numbers from the University of New Hampshire’s Survey Center that showed that almost 90 percent of Granite State homes are wired to the Internet, making us one of the “most wired” states in the nation.
The poll found 87 percent of residents used the Internet at home and, of those, 50 percent said they used it for an hour or less a day while 37 percent reported using it for two or more hours a day.
Forty-nine percent of residents said they used the Internet at work and, of those, 27 percent said they used it for an hour or less while 22 percent used it for two or more hours. Plus, 25 percent reported they had no Internet access at work and another 25 percent said they didn’t have a job.
Visit http://www.unh.edu/survey-center/news/pdf/gsp2009_spring_internet60109.pdf for details.
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: University of New Hampshire
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on New Hampshire is WIRED Baby!
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009
With just three days to go to the 2nd Annual New Hampshire Business Bowl at The Acting Loft Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH, men’s team captain Mike Dunican has launched his first “Hail Mary Pass” by unveiling the members of his team.
Here’s the roster for the men’s squad:
1. Captain Michael Dunican – North American Equipment Upfitters – Hooksett
2. Dave Joyal – Comcast-Manchester
3. Brian Dow – Ferdinando Insurance-Manchester
4. Tim Finnegan – North American Equipment Upfitters – Hooksett
5. Bill McKone – Air Gas East – Salem
6. Matt Strazzere – North American Equipment Upfitters – Hooksett
The women’s team led by Print Savvy CEO Lisa Landry has been curiously silent, perhaps not willing to tip their hand before the much anticipated “Battle of the Sexes” match-up.
For those who aren’t up to speed on the Business Bowl, during the course of the Manchester Wolves – Albany Firebirds af2 football game, two teams of six local business professionals will take part in fun and competitive “office Olympics” style events which will test their teamwork skills. The winner of the competition will receive the second annual Business Bowl trophy, tickets to Canobie Lake Park and tickets to Wolves games for the remainder of the 2009 season.
Prior to the Business Bowl event, the Business Resource Center, the Wolves, event sponsor Cartridge World and media partners New Hampshire Business Review and WGAM will host a free business appreciation reception for the first 50 business respondents at Piccola Italia Ristorante at 5:30 p.m. To make reservations for the free reception or purchase tickets to the game (at the special Business Bowl price of $10 per ticket), contact the Manchester Wolves at 627-9653 or sbike@manchesterwolves.com.
Join us for the free pre-game reception at Piccola and purchase tickets to the game now – what are you waiting for????
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: Air Gas East, Albany Firebirds, Business Bowl, Canobie Lake Park, Cartridge World, Comcast, Ferdinando Insurance, Lisa Landry, Mike Dunican, NH Business Review, North American Equipment Upfitters, Piccola Italia Ristorante, Print Savvy, The Acting Loft, Verizon Wirelesss Arena, WGAM
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Dunican Launches Business Bowl Hail Mary Pass
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