Archive for October, 2011
Monday, October 31st, 2011
There’s nothing on a Monday that people enjoy more than good news, so here you go. Our friend Chris Wellington from the City of Manchester Economic Development Office sent us a copy of a release talking about a Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting event to celebrate not one….not two….not three, but FOUR brand new retail businesses in downtown Manchester this week. Way to go Manchester!!
Downtown Manchester Celebrates Retail Resurgence with Four Grand Openings on Nov 3rd
The City of Manchester Economic Development Office in cooperation with Intown Manchester announce there will be a Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting event to celebrate (4) brand new retail businesses in downtown Manchester happening Thursday, November 3rd from Noon – 1 p.m. (schedule below).
 A booming restaurant scene in downtown has acted as a catalyst for retail resurgence in downtown Manchester. Several niche retail locations have opened since September, helping to add to the growing unique shopping district within the Central Business Service District. In addition to the businesses to be spotlighted in Thursday’s event, there are three other new retailers who have decided to make downtown Manchester their home including Statement (34 Hanover Street) which sells high-end European/Canadian women’s clothing; Euphoria Emporium (89 Hanover Street) – Manchester’s first oxygen bar and Appcessories (941 Elm Street) who specialize in accessories for Apple products.
The Grand Opening of three more new retail locations as well as the newly opened ’36 Delux’ restaurant will begin promptly at noon Thursday, November 3rd beginning at 36 Delux (36 Lowell Street) followed by Mill Town Market (1053 Elm Street) at 12:15 p.m., Vino Aromas (997 Elm Street) at 12:30 p.m. and ends at Dancing Lion Chocolate (917 Elm Street). Each ribbon cutting will be attended by Mayor Ted Gatsas and representatives from Senator Shaheen and Congressman Guinta’s office.
“There is a downtown retail resurgence and Mill Town Market is proud to be a part of it,” stated Jane Beaulieu, the owner of the Mill Town Market which offers locally-grown gourmet meats and produce as well as locally-made breads and desserts. One of the only items missing from the Mill Town Market is wine. Fortunately Vino Aromas, also celebrating their grand opening on November 3rd, has got you covered. “We offer more than 108 wines from all over the world,” stated Dan Villafranca, owner of Vino Aromas. In addition to buying a bottle of wine, customers can purchase a glass of wine which can be accompanied by a fruit or cheese plate made fresh on-site.
Retail business owners are working with the Open Doors Trolley Tour happening from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday night to help lure people downtown to take advantage of all the new retail stores. “Art and Chocolate are a perfect match,” stated Rich Tango-Lowry, owner of Dancing Lion Chocolate which sells premium handmade chocolates not available anywhere else in the country. Rich is a true master of chocolate having studied in France and Tuscany. “I want my customers to see what chocolate should be and provide them with a learning experience when they walk in my door,” stated Tango-Lowry. Dancing Lion Chocolates will be offering formal chocolate tastings and wine pairings throughout the year.
“From our perspective, the downtown area is a work in progress. We managed to weather the retail exodus in the late 90’s and then brought in a first class entertainment arena, the ballpark and we became an arts & culture stronghold. As we have seen in other downtowns, restaurants make way for retail. We have experienced a dining boom and have become a dining capital in the Northeast and the success of those restaurants has paved the way for retailers to recognize downtown as a strong business community. We have seen a dramatic influx of new street level businesses in central downtown and I have no doubt that these new businesses are the beginning of a new niche retail market that will only continue to grow,” said Samantha DePrima, Director of Marketing & Public Relations for Intown Manchester.
Whatever you are looking for, downtown Manchester now has you covered. All retail businesses, as well as 36 Delux, will remain open until at least 7:00pm on Thursday, November 3rd and the public is encouraged to attend all four ribbon cutting ceremonies from 12:00-1:00 p.m. For more information regarding the activities schedule for Thursday, November 4th, please call Chris Wellington at 603-624-6505. For a complete list of downtown retail stores, please visit www.intownmanchester.com or call 603-645-6285.
Tags: Appcessories, Chris Wellington, City of Manchester Economic Development Office, Congressman Frank Guinta, Dan Villafranca, Dancing Lion Chocolate, Euphoria Emporium, Intown Manchester, Jane Beaulieu, Mayor Ted Gatsas, MillTown Market, Open Doors Trolley Tour, Rich Tango-Lowry, Samantha DePrima, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Statement, Vino Aromas
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Downtown Manchester Celebrates Retail Resurgence with Four Grand Openings on Nov 3rd
Monday, October 31st, 2011
In 1997, there were fewer than 5.5 million women-owned businesses in the United States. This year, that number is expected to top 8 million.
 In an effort to stimulate women business ownership and foster relationships that build a state of opportunity for female entrepreneurs, Women Inspiring Women, the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development and Public Service of New Hampshire will be joining together to present the 2nd Annual NH Conference for Women being on Friday, November 18, 2011, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel/Center of NH, 700 Elm Street in Manchester.
According to Leslie Sturgeon, award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Women Inspiring Women, “this will not only be a day of inspiration, education and transformation but filled with fun surprises, exhibitors, door prizes and great networking as well.”
The day will include five motivational sessions and begin with “Back Stage at Life Experience: Five Lessons Learned” by Kathleen Peterson of PowerHouse Consulting. Other sessions include “Creating Health and Wealth From the Inside Out” presented by Kathleen Burns Kingsbury, author and President of KBK Wealth Connection, “Leadership is the Difference” by Laurie-Ann Murabito, author and President of LA & Associates, “Just Breathe: The Quest for a Little Piece of Mind . . . and Chocolate” by motivational humorist Lesley Smith and “It’s Not About the Hike” with authors Nancy Sporborg and Pat Piper.
“There is perhaps no better time to think about creating a business in the state of New Hampshire and I know that this conference will provide attendees with the motivation and inspiration they need to take the first step forward,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher. “And for those women who’ve already taken the leap of faith and are operating their own companies, what better way to stay engaged, gain new tips and meet with potential partners and customers?”
 “Public Service of New Hampshire welcomes the opportunity to once again collaborate on this tremendous event,” added Public Service of New Hampshire Economic & Community Development Manager Pat McDermott. “We salute the women who are adding to the state’s economic vitality and are pleased to be part of this great day of information sharing and networking.”
As a result of generous contributions from the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, Public Service of New Hampshire and Exeter Health Resources, the registration price is only $39 and includes lunch. Centrix Bank and NH Magazine are also corporate partners. Reservations are needed and space is limited. Contact Women Inspiring Women at (603) 744-0400 or visit www.wiwnh.com for more information and to register. Exhibition space is still available as well.
Women Inspiring Women was founded in 2007 in the Lakes Region by Sturgeon to give women of all ages and backgrounds an opportunity to get together at educational, fun and inspirational events on a monthly basis. Since that time the organization has expanded to Concord, Nashua, Manchester, Bedford and the Seacoast, hosts bi-weekly events, and quickly become the state’s largest organization for women’s empowerment, personal development and networking.
Tags: Centrix Bank, Exeter Health Resources, Kathleen Burns Kingsbury, Kathleen Peterson, KBK Wealth Connection, LA & Associates, Laurie-Ann Murabito, Lesley Smith, Nancy Sporborg, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, NH Magazine, Pat McDermott, Pat Piper, PowerHouse Consulting, Public Service of New Hampshire, Women Inspiring Women
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on 2nd Annual New Hampshire Conference for Women Scheduled for 11/18
Friday, October 28th, 2011
Thirteen businesspeople were honored Thursday night at the New Hampshire Business Review’s ninth annual Business Excellence Awards, which recognize the efforts and achievements owners and operators of companies with 100 employees or fewer.
 More than 300 people attended the Oct. 27 event, which was held at the Radisson in Manchester.
NHBR also announced two inductees into the Business Excellence Hall of Fame, which singles out people whose entire careers have been marked by a consistent and impressive record of accomplishments, both in their chosen fields, in their communities, and across the state and beyond. These honorees were selected by a separate panel of judges.
The 2011 Hall of Fame inductees were Howard Brodsky, co-founder of CCA Global Partners, one of the largest privately held companies in the United States and one of the largest cooperatives in the world, and the Singer Family, owner of Merchants Automotive Group, a multifaceted, $200 million auto company, including a long-term fleet leasing division that is one of the largest in the Northeast.
“Each of the businesspeople who receive these honors has a different story to tell,” said Sharron McCarthy, president of McLean Communications and publisher of NHBR. “But what they have in common is determination, industriousness and the ability to come up with innovative solutions that have allowed their businesses to survive and thrive, regardless of economic conditions, and a commitment to serving their communities.”
Jeff Feingold, editor of NHBR, said, “We would like to salute all of the nominees, the people who nominated them and the winners themselves for their contributions toward making New Hampshire a great place to do business.”
Emcee was Erin Fehlau, WMUR’s weekday morning and noon news anchor. A portion of the proceeds from the evening benefited Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, which advocates for New Hampshire children in the state’s court system in cases of neglect and abuse.
The winners of the 2011 NHBR Business Excellences Awards were:
Excellence in Business Services — Guy Sylvester, Absolute Resource Associates, Portsmouth
Excellence in Construction (tie) — Jerry Kingwill, Cobb Hill Construction, Concord; Jason Foster, Foster’s Professional Painting Plus LLC, Claremont
Excellence in Financial Services — Michael L’Ecuyer, Bellwether Community Credit Union, Manchester
Excellence in Health Care — Paula Gagne, Regency Nursing Care, Manchester
Excellence in Hospitality — Emeran Langmaid, A&E Custom Coffee Roastery, Amherst
Excellence in Media & Marketing — Erik Dodier, PixelMEDIA Inc., Portsmouth
Excellence in Nonprofits — Brian Young, Nashua Center for the Multiply Handicapped
Excellence in Professional Services — Thomas Brueckner, Senior Financial Resources Inc., Nashua
Excellence in Real Estate — Dick Anagnost, Anagnost Investments Inc., Manchester
Excellence in Retail (tie) — Sy Mahfuz, Persian Rug Galleries, Nashua; Lynda Nelson, Quest Martial Arts Academy, Barrington
Excellence in Technology — Cheryl Gamst, CCS New England, Nashua
The judges for the 2011 NHBR Business Excellence Awards were:
Chris Bernard, vice president, business banking relationship manager, Citizens Bank
Steve Boucher, communications manager, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development
Mary Collins, state director, New Hampshire Small Business Development Center
Bob Esau, executive vice president of Wealth Management, Laconia Savings Bank
Greta Johansson, New Hampshire district director, U.S. Small Business Administration
Patrick F. McDermott, economic and community development manager, Public Service of New Hampshire
Dr. Russ Ouellette, managing partner, Sojourn Partners, Bedford
Michele Petersen, vice president of operations, abi Innovation Hub, Manchester
Joe Reilly, cofounder and president, Centrix Bank
Chip Underhill, executive director of public relations and external affairs, Pinkerton Academy, Derry
Sponsors of the event were FairPoint Communications, Laconia Savings Bank, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New England, J Maze Design, Public Service of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, Merrimack Street Volvo, WGIR-AM 610 and New Hampshire Public Television.
On behalf of all of us at the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, thanks to our friends at the New Hampshire Business Review for a great awards celebration and congratulation to the winners and nominees!!
Tags: Anagnost Investments Inc., Bellwether Community Credit Union, Bob Esau, Brian Young, Business Excellence Awards, Business Excellence Hall of Fame, CASA, CCA Global Partners, CCS New England, Centrix Bank, Cheryl Gamst, Chip Underhill, Chris Bernard, Citizens Bank, Cobb Hill Construction, Dick Anagnost, Dr. Russ Ouellette, Emeran Langmaid, Erik Dodier, Erin Fehlau, FairPoint Communications, Foster's Professional Painting Plus LLC, Greta Johansson, Guy Sylvester, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New England, Howard Brodsky, J Maze Design, Jason Foster, Jeff Feingold, Jerry Kingwell, Joe Reilly, Laconia Savings Bank, Lynda Nelson, Mary Collins, McLean Communications, Merchants Automotive Group, Merrimack Street Volvo, Michael L'Ecuyer, Michele Peterson, Nashua Center for the Multiply Handicapped, New Hampshire Business Review, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, New Hampshire Public Television, New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, NHBR, Pat McDermott, Paula Gagne, Persian Rug Galleries, Pinkerton Academy, PixelMEDIA Inc., Public Service of New Hampshire, Quest Martial Arts Academy, Radisson, Regency Nursing Care, Senior Financial Resources Inc., Sharron McCarthy, Singer Family, Sojourn Partners, Sy Mahfuz, Thomas Brueckner, U.S. Small Business Administration, WGIR-AM 610, WMUR
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Winners Honored at 9th Business Excellence Awards
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
Amazing what a little attention in the Washington Post will do for you. After discussing our cooperative efforts with the simply awesome Stay Work Play organization, I received a call yesterday for an interview with Swedish Public Radio. Who woulda thunk it? Anyhow, here’s the Post story in its entirety:
New England’s Youth Pitch
Matt Marshall is still trying to determine which path he will take when he graduates from the University of New Hampshire in June. But the 23-year-old business major has pinpointed his general direction: out of the state.
“I definitely want to go someplace else. Where, I don’t know, but I’ve lived here all my life,” he said, mentioning a warmer locale as his possible future home. “I hate snow.”
New Hampshire is giving the spiky-haired Mr. Marshall anything but the cold shoulder. With census figures showing New England leads other parts of the U.S. in the decline of its under-45 age group, the Granite State and its neighbors are desperate to keep young people around.
Massachusetts is funding internships at private companies—$2.2 million this year, up from $1 million last year. In a pilot program started in July, Vermont is forking over cash to graduates who stay in the state.
 At right, Kate Luczko, executive director of Stay Work Play New Hampshire, which tries to sell the state to college students, answers a question at University of New Hampshire seminar this month. (Photo by Jon Tully for the Journal) New Hampshire, under the direction of a young-worker retention task force established by Democratic Gov. John Lynch, has launched a nonprofit called Stay Work Play to sell the state to college students. The state also is directing one-third of its entire marketing budget toward wooing and retaining younger people.
“I can’t think of anything more important,” said Steve Boucher, legislative director of the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development.
Despite New Hampshire’s relatively low unemployment rate of 5.4% as of September, officials have found that about half of all college students leave the state after graduation, believing they need to head to a big city to find a robust social life.
Among the events planned is a “college invasion tour,” featuring comedians and concerts, to help show a fun alternative to New Hampshire’s “traditional Yankee” side, Mr. Boucher said.
Regional officials say their retention programs are new, so they are still measuring the effects. Students who have been courted by the states have mixed reviews.
Ariana Chehrazi, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology senior, had been planning to return to her native Los Angeles after graduation, but changed her mind after landing a summer internship at a diagnostics firm through the state program. Los Angeles doesn’t “have the same feel as wanting to keep you here.…Massachusetts is trying harder to get young people,” she said.
But 22-year-old Brian Iwanicki, a New Hampshire native, said it wasn’t easy to find “a hip place that a young professional might want to go” in Manchester, New Hampshire’s biggest metropolis. “It’s a short list,” he said.
Still, 10 networking groups for young professionals have cropped up across New Hampshire—which state leaders see as an indicator that retention efforts are working.
The loss of young people is one factor in New England’s slow growth, which puts the region at the forefront of a nationwide aging trend. State leaders in the region say innovation depends on smart, young people and many officials see the signs of that base dwindling. Maine Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican, said last week that employers have been complaining to him about a shortage of skilled workers.
Another worry: potential loss of political clout. States that lost congressional seats after the latest census were primarily in the Midwest and Northeast, including Massachusetts.
New England’s population grew 3.8% in a decade, the 2010 census found, compared with the U.S.’s 9.7% overall growth. The population continues to shift South and West because of a combination of weather, cost of living and relatively low-skilled jobs for newcomers, said Brookings Institution demographer William Frey.
With fewer people arriving, New England leads in the graying of its population. Of just seven states with a median age of 40 or older, four are in New England: Maine (42.7), Vermont (41.5), New Hampshire (41.1) and Connecticut (40.0). There are bright spots—Boston continues to gain young people—but each New England state saw a decline in the under-45 group. Meantime, Arizona’s under-45 population jumped 16%.
On a recent night, Stay Work Play New Hampshire visited the University of New Hampshire’s Manchester campus. “It’s easy to get the perception there is nothing to do…but I’m constantly amazed that there is a lot of stuff happening” in the state, said Kate Luczko, the program’s executive director.
The message rang true to Brian Bishop, a 22-year old who said he wouldn’t likely head South or West. “I lived in Florida for a year and a half,” he said, with a sour expression. “It’s too slow-paced, too much small talk. Here we try to get things done.”
Tags: "Stay Work & Play", Ariana Chehrazi, Brian Bishop, Brian Iwanicki, Brookings Institution, Governor Paul Lepage, Kate Luczko, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Matt Marshall, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, William Frey
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Youth Retention Effort Hits Washington Post
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
Q: “I have been struggling to keep my employees but I can’t offer the highest wages in town. Any suggestions for retaining good people?”
A. Finding good employees is a challenge. Keeping them can be just as big a challenge. Loyalty between employees and employers isn’t what it used to be as it has become accepted and expected that an employee will move on as new and better opportunities arise. Understanding the talents and needs of your staff will go a long way in keeping them happy and engaged. In order to do that, you need to communicate often and as openly as possible. The instability of the economy makes the communication piece that much more important.
 New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Seacoast Business Services Specialist Christine J. Davis Most employees have taken on more responsibilities as companies have had to cut staff and that stress is starting to show. People who are unhappy at their place of work will eventually leave and that will cost you time and money. An article I read a few months back surveyed employees about their dedication to their current position. The results showed that a sizeable percentage of employees will be looking for something else once they feel the economy has turned around. Surprisingly money isn’t as much of a driver as one might think. Employees want to feel valued and appreciated in other ways too.
I spoke with several businesses that have retained some employees for 10, 15, and 20 + years and none of them saw wages as the major factor in keeping their employees. Both Skip Healy of Northeast Lantern and Joe Torrisi of Jackson Lumber felt that having an open-door policy where employees have access to leadership makes a difference in employee morale and dedication. Being approachable and flexible can go a long way in creating employee loyalty. These business owners seek input from their staff and work to create a comfortable work environment. Skip sits down with each employee during their yearly review and shows them the costs that the business incurs to provide him or her with the various benefits they receive. The employees have a better understanding of their true compensation and might reconsider leaving for a position that paid a bit more but lacked benefits. Over at Nantucket Beadboard in Rochester, lunch is prepared for the staff every day and the owner takes pride in preparing meals on their grill. It is a nice perk that also creates a sense of community. I was there at the lunch hour the day I visited and the smell was enough to make me want to send over my resume.
Employees who are taught new skills, given more responsibility and shown opportunities for advancement are more likely to stick around. Understanding what motivates each person and putting him or her in a position that utilizes his or her strengths can help with retention. The NH Job Training Fund grant, www.nhjobtrainingfund.org, is a great opportunity for businesses to offer skills enhancement training for their employees without bearing the full cost of the training. Our office oversees this matching grant program which meets monthly to review and grant funds to eligible NH businesses.
I also spoke with a couple of businesses that are experiencing high turnover. The reasons vary but included such issues as the quality of the candidate, demands of the job, hard-charging leadership and insufficient compensation. Maybe it just is the nature of the beast with some industries. Maybe employee turnover will inevitably be higher for some industries more so than others. I certainly don’t have all the answers but I do believe that efforts made to create a positive work environment won’t be wasted.
Not every business is going to be able to create the perfect environment, but if you want to avoid a constant search for new talent, take the time to find the right people and do what you can to create an environment that keeps good employees. It may not cost you as much as you think and it could save you immensely in time and money.
Christine J. Davis works for the NH Division of Economic Development as a resource specialist serving businesses in Rockingham and Strafford counties. Her role is to provide the support needed for businesses so that they may remain viable and growing entities in the community. Ms. Davis lives in Exeter with her two daughters. When not performing her work or parenting duties she likes spending time outdoors, volunteering in her community and discovering news places with her girls. She can be reached at Christine.davis@dred.state.nh.us.
Tags: Christine Davis, Jackson Lumber, Joe Torrisi, Nantucket Beadboard, NH Job Training Fund, Northeast Lantern, Skip Healy
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Ask CJ: Retaining Great Employees
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
Buy local and buy often – that’s a popular refrain if you’re a regular visitor to the No Bull Business Blog. We love our local companies and are keenly aware of how they add to the fabric of our communities and build our economy. Products that bear the “New Hampshire Made” designation are known for their quality, innovation and excellence….and in the case of a local harvest dinner, they’re pretty darned tasty too.
With that in mind, check out the following press release I received from NH MADE and make plans to not only attend this dinner, but to learn more about this outstanding organization:
LOCAL HARVEST DINNER TO SUPPORT NH MADE BUY LOCAL EFFORTS
What does North Country Smokehouse applewood smoked bacon and pumpkin spiced crème’ made with Pete & Gerry’s Heirloom Eggs have in common? They’re both local New Hampshire products being featured on the menu at the 1st Annual NH MADE Celebration & Local Harvest Dinner to be held at the Courtyard by Marriott – Grappone Center in Concord on Thursday evening, November 17th, 2011.
 Come celebrate the abundant harvest and New Hampshire Made’s farmers, food artisans and small businesses! Reservations can be made online at www.nhmade.com or by contacting Trish Ballantyne at 603-679-9800. Your reservation ($50 per person) will include a scrumptious locally-sourced dining experience, a silent auction of local products & unique experiences, and festive entertainment by The Fiddling Thomsons. Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor:
Public Service of New Hampshire for their continued support of NH MADE and this Local Harvest Dinner. Table sponsorship opportunities are still available – join Table Sponsors Grappone Automotive Group, UNH School of Law & Daniel Webster Scholar Program. Reserve your seat at the table today! .
All proceeds of this Local Harvest Dinner support the efforts of NH MADE, a not for profit member organization whose mission is to strengthen New Hampshire’s economy by increasing the awareness and demand for New Hampshire made products and services. To learn more about NH Made and its members, visit www.nhmade.com or call
603-679-9800.
Tags: Courtyard by Marriott- Grappone Center, Daniel Webster Scholar Program, Grappone Automotive Group, NH Made, North Country Smokehouse, Pete & Gerry's Heirloom Eggs, Public Service of New Hampshire, Trish Ballantyne, UNH School of Law
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Local Harvest Dinner to Support NH Made Buy Local Efforts
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
UNTHA shredding technology America Inc., an Austrian-based manufacturer of industrial shredding equipment, has relocated from Newburyport, MA to Hampton, NH. The company hosted an open house on October 18, 2011 to demonstrate its cutting edge shredding machines.
 UNTHA President and CEO for U.S. Operations Berhard Mueggler (l.) stands with New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Business Development Manager Michael Bergeron at the company’s recent open house. “UNTHA is another great example of a family owned high-tech company that has found New Hampshire to be a lower cost state to operate a business,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Business Development Manager Michael Bergeron, who assisted the company with its relocation.
“By relocating to New Hampshire, I expect to cut my operational costs by up to 10 percent annually,” said UNTHA President and CEO for U.S. Operations Berhard Mueggler. “We also have a great location—Hampton is close to Interstate 95 with easy access to the Boston metropolitan area and the rest of New England.”
UNTHA America currently employs six people and has plans to double its size in the next two years. Headquartered near Salzburg, Austria, UNTHA manufactures industrial machines to shred everything from wood and electronic scrap to production and municipal waste. For more information on UNTHA’s products, call their New Hampshire office at 603-601-2304.
Tags: Berhard Mueggler, Michael Bergeron, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, UNTHA
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Austrian Company Relocates from MA to NH
Tuesday, October 25th, 2011
The 2011 Product of the Year (POY) judges selected five companies as finalists for top honors for their technology-related products or services. These five companies will received the POY Judges Award at the POY event and will make their final pitch for top honors in front of a large audience on November 14th at the NH High Technology Council (NHHTC) 6th annual 2011 Product of the Year event and banquet.
 Judge’s Award Winners and finalists for 2011 are Foss Manufacturing, iGlobe, Integra, Russound, and Scribe Software. At this unique event, each of the finalists will have their product and service on display during the reception, and will make a seven-minute live pitch to the audience. After the pitches, the winner will be selected based on both the audience and the judge’s evaluation. The POY event will be held at the Radisson Hotel-Center of NH in Manchester and registration is now open.
What follows is a brief description of each product:
Foss Manufacturing, Hampton, NH
Product: The SpectraShield™ 9500 N95 Surgical Respirator Mask with Foss Manufacturing’s Fosshield embedded antimicrobial technology is the first antibacterial respirator mask to receive FDA 510K and NIOSH clearance. The SpectraShield™ Respirator eliminates 99.99% of bacteria on the treated surface within one hour against certain strains of harmful bacteria, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus on contact before they can enter the body. This revolutionary next generation respirator meets CDC and WHO guidelines for infectious disease exposure control, is ideal for pandemic preparedness and gives healthcare workers the best available long-duration protection against infectious diseases, especially Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs).
iGlobe, Franklin, NH
Product: iGlobe PersonalPlanet is an educational 3D spherical display technoilogy that engages viewers with lifelike simulations of Earth and other celestrial bodies. PersonalPlanet’s cutting edge 3D graphics and innovative user interface provide exceedingly high resolution, vibrant colors and unmatched affordability in a desktop or wall mounted display. The PersonalPlanet’s wireless iPad controller provides a cutting edge user experience. The user may choose from a large library of scientific datasets and full feature spherical films produced byNASA and NOAA. PersonalPlanet also allows the user to view Erath as seen from space in real time with 12 weather layers to choose from.
INTEGRA North America, Hudson, NH
Product: INTEGRA’s VIAFLO 96 introduces a completely new concept in 96 channel pipetting for Life Science Research. The intuitive user interface and the servo motor assisted handling, make the VIAFLO 96 as easy and effortless to use as any single channel pipette. Four different pipetting heads are available which can be interchanged in a matter of only seconds allowing the scientist to perform a wide set of applications with volumes ranging between 0.5 and 1250l. For the first time the combination of these features make 96 well pipetting accessible and affordable to any laboratory.
Russound, Newmarket NH
Product: Russound’s DMS-3.1 digital media streamer provides network-based digital music to a Russound C-Series multiroom audio system. With 3 streaming players in one chassis, multiple users can simultaneously enjoy their favorite music. Unique in its class, the DMS-3.1 is an Apple certified AirPlay accessory. It will play audio received via AirPlay from iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad(s) along with computers using iTunes software. It will also stream digital audio directly from connected USB drives, network connected computers, and DLNA / UPnP compliant drives. When connected to the internet, the DMS-3.1 streams internet radio and content from various popular online music services.
Scribe Software, Manchester, NH
Product: Scribe is #1 in CRM integration and our newest platform, Scribe Online, helps companies make sense of customer data in the cloud. By bringing together email, social media such as Twitter and Facebook, back office and front office data, Scribe gives companies the information they need to improve customer service, grow sales, innovate new products and make better business decisions. Secure, reliable and built using the latest technology along with our deep integration experience, Scribe Online connects customer data quickly and easily in the cloud. With over 12,000 customers and 900 partners Scribe has proven leadership in data integration.
“We’re seeing some great innovations in New Hampshire, and the Product of the Year event process provides some great visibility to all of our participants. We’re looking forward to a terrific event on November 14th and greatly appreciate the time commitment made by our esteemed judges: Jeff Pollock, Jeffrey Sercel, Jim St. Jean, Dave Todaro, and Steve Varga, top New Hampshire technologists, entrepreneurs andinvestors,” said Art Bruinooge, member of the NHHTC Board of Directors and POY event chair.
The event is one of very few that requires audience engagement and participation, as the entire audience casts their vote for their top product after the presentations are made. The audience vote counts towards 50% of the final tabulation and the initial judge’s vote counts for the remaining 50%. The winner will be announced at the conclusion of the event and will earn the prestigious NHHTC Product of the Year crystal trophy, which was designed for the Council by Pepi Hermann. The trophy and the finalist’s winning product will be on display in a highly visible location at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.
Companies that have won the Product of the Year award over the pastfour years were Nanocomp Technologies, UltraVision, Insight Tech Gear, Holase, Incorporated, and Sky-Skan. Major event sponsors include Dyn,Inc, Fairpoint, Cook, Little, Rosenblatt & Manson PLLC, Hanover Insurance Group, Sadler Insurance Agency, PSNH, and New England Investment and Retirement. Additional sponsorships are available. For more information and to register, go to www.nhhtc.org.
Tags: Art Bruinooge, Cook Little Rosenblatt Manson PLLC, Dave Todaro, DYN Inc., FairPoint, Foss Manufacturing, Hanover Insurance Group, Holace Inc., iGlobe, iGlobe Personal Planet, Insight Tech Gear, Integra, INTEGRA VIAFLO 96, Jeff Pollock, Jeffrey Sercel, Jim St. Jean, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, Nanocomp Technologies, New England Investment and Retirement, NH High Technology Council, NHHTC, POY, PSNH, Radisson Hotel, Russound, Russound DMS-3.1, Sadler Insurance Agency, Scribe Online, Scribe Software, Sky-Skan, SpectraShield, Steve Varga, UltraVision
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Five Companies To Vie for 2011 Product of the Year Honors
Thursday, October 20th, 2011
Just because your schedule is jam packed with meetings doesn’t mean that you can’t take the time for a quick snack. Rather than grabbing a bag of chips or candy from the machine in the lunch room, why don’t you try one of the excellent (and healthy) snacks suggested by our good friend and No Bull blogger Melissa Koerner of Friend Your Body.
 Friend Your Body is a social enterprise out of Merrimack, NH that educates, inspires, and empowers women to take charge of their lives by transforming their health.
Healthy fitness & nutrition coach Melissa Koerner is the driving force behind the Friend Your Body movement and is currently spreading her vigor and enhancing communities throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine.
Friend Your Body operates off these 3 core principles:
1. Behavior creates change not intention!
2. Creating a healthy body is the only way to sustain healthy weight loss!
3. Simple daily improvements in how you eat, move, think and manage stress result in a healthy body for life!
Check out Melissa’s latest post at http://friendyourbody.com/profiles/blogs/top-10-on-the-go-snacks and enjoy your snack!!
Tags: Friend Your Body, Melissa Koerner
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Top 10 on the Go Snacks
Thursday, October 20th, 2011
Is the federal government one of your customers?
 Last year more than 80 federal agencies and departments purchased in excess of $275 million in goods and services from 235 New Hampshire based small businesses. 109 of these companies were owned by veterans and they accounted for sales to federal agencies totaling more than $50 million. These purchases had values from the hundreds of dollars up into the millions.
As the world’s largest buyer of products and services the U.S. Government is committed to purchasing a portion of these from veteran owned and service disabled veteran owned businesses. How do veterans get to participate in marketing and selling to federal agencies? While it can seem like a daunting task to add the federal government as a key customer, it is being done by more and more businesses each year. More importantly, help is available to guide you through the process of identifying and responding to sales opportunities.
To help you get started in the right direction in navigating the government contracting process, representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) along the NH Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) will be presenting an overview of how the government contracting process works and how YOU can get started. These presentations will be made at four – two hour seminars in the months ahead. The seminars are presented for free to participants however due to space limitations pre-registration is required.
Join us, and discover the programs and services available to help you win in the world of government contracting.
Dates & Locations:
November 9, 2011 Hesser College – Manchester (1:30 – 3:30 p.m.)
February 1, 2012 Hesser College – Salem (1:30 – 3:30 p.m.)
May 2, 2012 Hesser College – Portsmouth (1:30 – 3:30 p.m.)
June 20, 2012 Hesser College – Nashua (1:30 – 3:30 p.m.)
For registration, questions or additional information contact Rachael Roderick at the U.S. Small Business Administration office in Concord 603-225-1603 email: Rachael.roderick@sba.gov or Miguel Moralez – Miguel.Moralez@sba.gov or 603-225-1601.
Tags: Hesser College, Miguel Moralez, NH Division of Economic Development, NH Procurement Technical Assistance Program, PTAP, Rachael Roderick, U.S. Small Business Administration
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Workshops Announced to Help Veteran Owned Small Businesses Sell to the Government
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