Doing Business in India? Why would I do that?

How about considering that India is the second-most populous country IN THE WORLD with about 1.18 billion people. Talk about 'market potential'. The other reason to consider this is that they speak English there! Finally - how would you like to learn about this market and how to do business there from the comfort and privacy of your own home?

If you have an Internet connection, and for a modest $35 registration fee, you can!

Details below;

This webinar will present the following topics:

• Due diligence when selecting a reseller or
• other business partner in India.
• Getting paid by an Indian customer
• Setting up an R&D operation in India:
• dos and don’ts of alternative approaches
• Setting up your own operation in India: legal and accounting issues, audits, tax breaks, and more.

Presented by Dr. Shan Nair, Co-founder, Nair & Co.


Date, Time & Location:
Webinar - April 28th, 2010 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am CST

Price & Registration: $35
Register online at www.texastrade.org

This opportunity is brought to you by the INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER located at the University of Texas, San Antonio and part of the Southwest Texas Border Region SBDC Network.

Start-Up Business Advice Provided for Entrepreneurs
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Thursday, April 22, 2010, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., ET

WASHINGTON – The SBA’s Web Chat will highlight assistance to entrepreneurs who want to start a business, and need to know the right strategies to have in place to achieve success. Participants can learn what it takes to start a business, where to go for information and assistance, why they need a business plan, how to get funding and the truth about the “free money” myth.

WHO: Barry McKinley, an experienced SCORE Counselor at Orange County California SCORE will host the April Web chat on “Small Business Start-Up -- Ask the Expert.” McKinley will answer questions about what first steps to take to start a business, and how and when to get a small business idea off the ground.
In addition, participants can learn about the resources available to help set up a business.

WHAT: SBA’s Web chat series, providing small business owners with an opportunity to discuss relevant business issues online with experts, industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs. Chat participants will have direct, real-time access to the Web chats via questions they submit online in advance and during the live session, with instant answers.

WHEN: April 22, 2010, 1 p.m. ET
McKinley will answer questions for one hour.

HOW: Participants can join the live Web chat by going online to www.sba.gov, and clicking “Online Business Chat.” Web chat participants may post questions before the April 22nd chat by visiting http://web.sba.gov/livemeeting/Apr10 and posting their questions online.

Contact: Cecelia Taylor (202)401-3059
SBA Advisory Number: MA10-05
# # #

SBA Offers Free Webinar Series to Help Small Business Owners Get Fiscally Fit
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Recognizes National Financial Literacy Month
April 2010

WHAT: The U.S. Small Business Administration will host a Webinar series in recognition of National Financial Literacy Month. Topics will highlight the importance of financial education and the opportunity to learn practical money skills and financial wellness. Participants will learn basic money management and financial skills for today's business world.


WHEN: April 7, 2010


WHO: Learn to build wealth and not debt from some of the industry leaders on financial education and entrepreneurship. Webinar presenters and topics include:


Topic: The Importance of Financial Education in the Workplace
Wednesday, April 7 at 11:00 a.m.

Becky MacDicken, Financial Education Specialist
Pennsylvania Office of Financial Education



Topic: Basic Banking/Financial Tips for Small Business
Wednesday, April 7 at 3:00 p.m.

Luke Reynolds, Chief of the Outreach & Program Development Section
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection Community Affairs
Branch, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)



HOW: For free visual and audio access to the Webinar go to

www.ReadyTalk.com
Click "join a meeting" and enter access code 3761101
Then dial 866-740-1260 and enter access code 3761101 (plus the #
key).

System Requirements:

Windows, Mac, Linux and Solaris operating systems
Internet Explorer, Safari and Firefox Web browsers
Separate telephone line needed for the audio portion

Calling All Inventors!!

A Message from Deb Hess, Executive Director of the Minnesota Inventor's Congress;

Greetings from the Minnesota Inventors Congress. If you aren't ready to test market your idea this year, there are still many other great reasons to attend the expo:

• Inventing Success Workshops
• Custom Invention Plans
• networking
• 3M Visiting Wizards
• USPTO presentation
• the Minnesota Student Inventors Congress exhibit, and many, many more.

CLICK HERE for the Registration and information booklet, including schedule of events.

If you are unable to open the attachment please visit our website at:
www.minnesotainventorscongress.org
and click on the "Invention & Idea Show" banner that is front and center of our home page.

Please take a few minutes to enjoy a special segment created by Our Story Productions about the MIC: http://bit.ly/micourstory

We are excited to announce a new competition for inventor exhibitors this year. Along with our traditional judging we will also be offering, to the first 75 exhibitors who are registered by May 14, 2010, the opportunity to participate in the MIC Jump$tart Competition.

• 1st Stage - you will have the opportunity to pitch your product, first in a written format.
• 2nd Stage - the top 25 will be selected to present a live pitch on stage, Saturday, June 12th at the expo, to a panel of 3 judges.
• 3rd Stage - the top 5 will compete in the final round.

The first place winner will receive $1,000.00 in services that will advance your invention through the product development process. The second place winner will receive $500.00 in services that will advance your invention through the product development process.

Complete details will be provided to each of the qualified inventor exhibitors.
Sponsored by: Malco Design and Deliver Group. Website: www.malcod2group.com Additional sponsorship packages are available for this event. Call or email Deb Hess for details.

Here's to Inventing Success - The most important investment an inventor can make is to learn how successful inventors develop marketable products!
Best regards,
Deb Hess
Executive Director
deb@minnesotainventorscongress.org
www.minnesotainventorscongress.org
Minnesota Inventors Congress
235 S Mill Street, P O Box 71
Redwood Falls MN 56283
507.627.2344 Office * 800.468.3681 Toll Free * 507.637.4082 Fax

BBB calling for nominations for its 11th annual Integrity Awards

The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) is calling for nominations for its eleventh annual Integrity Awards. The BBB Integrity Award recognizes companies that display outstanding ethics in dealings with customers, employees, vendors and the community. All for-profit businesses of any size, owned or operated in Minnesota or North Dakota, are eligible. Nominees must have a satisfactory rating with the BBB; however membership is not a requirement to compete for the award. The nomination deadline is April 30th, 2010.

Companies can be nominated by visiting www.thefirstbbb.org, or by sending the company name, contact name, address and phone number, along with the nominator’s name and phone number to BBB, Attn: Integrity Awards, 2706 Gannon Rd., St. Paul, MN 55116; or faxing the information to 651-699-7665.

Entrants are judged on four areas of their business:

1. management practices;
2. customer/vendor/supplier/shareholder relations;
3. marketing/advertising/communications/sales practices;
4. and reputation within their industry/community.

Once nominated, the nominee will receive an official entry form from the BBB. An independent panel of judges will decide the award finalists and recipients. Winners will be announced live at the BBB's 2010 Integrity Awards in October (details to follow). Winners will also be recognized in Integrity Awards publicity and will be eligible to compete for the National BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics.

For more information on the Better Business Bureau, visit the Bureau’s Web site at www.thefirstbbb.org or call 651-699-1111, toll-free 800-646-6222.

*FREE* Webinar for Youth Entreprenures


SBA Offers Free Youthpreneur Webinar Series to Promote Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy
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Recognizes National Entrepreneurship Week & America Saves Week
February 20-28, 2010

WHAT: The U.S. Small Business Administration will host a series of Youthpreneur Webinars in recognition of National Entrepreneurship Week and America Saves Week. The topics will emphasis youth entrepreneurship and engage the next generation of small business owners in skills building and financial empowerment. They will be able to learn the basics of entrepreneurship, strategies for today’s business world, and using social networking to advance business ideas.

WHEN: February 23-25, 2010
Daily, 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (ET)

WHO: Be inspired and learn from some of the best in business and entrepreneurship.
Webinar presenters and topics include:

Jennifer Matthews, President and CEO
Creating Financial Literacy, LLC
Topic: Why My Credit Score Matters NOW
Tuesday, February 23 at 11:00 a.m.

Vince Shorb, President, The National Youth Financial Educator’s Council (NYFEC)
Topic: Financial Education/Entrepreneurship
Tuesday, February 23 at 3:00 p.m.

Steven Harris, President
JS Investment Group
Topic: Youth Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy
Wednesday, February 24 at 11:00 a.m.

Michael Simmons, Co-Founder & CEO, Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour
Topic: Why Every Student Should Be an Entrepreneur
Wednesday, February 24 at 3:00 p.m.

Shonika Proctor, CEO, Renegade CEO’s
Topic: Me…Myself...and Why? A Business Roadmap for Determined Teens Who are Making Their Way
Thursday, February 25 at 11:00 a.m.

Jason Duff, Founder and CEO, Community Storage & Properties, LTD and COMSTOR Outdoor, LTD
Topic: How to Leverage Top Internet Tools to Grow and Market Your Business
at No Cost
Thursday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m.

HOW: For free visual and audio access to the Webinar go to www.ReadyTalk.com
Click “join a meeting” and enter access code 3761101
Then dial 866.740.1260 and enter access code 3761101 (plus the #key)
System Requirements:
- Windows, Mac, Linux and Solaris operating systems
- Internet Explorer, Safari and Firefox Web browsers
- Separate telephone line needed for the audio portion

For more information Contact: Cecelia Taylor (202) 401-3059 Advisory Number: MA10-02 Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

Calling all Inventors!

The Minnesota Inventors Congress (MIC) is involved in 3 major events taking place during the month of March for inventors.

1. Global Inventors Conference. A one day workshop designed for the inventor who wants to learn how to develop a marketable product. Attend in person or online.
www.minnesotainventorscongress.org
Saturday, March 6, 2010
9 - 5 (Online attendees - time will vary depending on your time zone) Oahu Veterans Center Honolulu Hawaii Registration deadline:
In Person: Walk ins welcome
Online registration deadline is Monday, March 1, 2010, at 5:00 p.m.

2. Lake Superior Business to Business Expo http://www.duluthbusinessexpo.com Wednesday, March 17, 2010
9 - 5
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
Duluth MN
Stop by their booth and say hello

3. MN Marketplace for Entrepreneurs
www.mnmarketplace.org
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
12:30 - 7
Verizon Wireless Center
Mankato MN
Free exhibitor booths for entrepreneurs.
4 Inventing Success Workshops:
Inventors most important investment – Deb Hess, MN Inventors Congress Patent Law: A Business Perspective – Roger Belfay, patent attorney How I Became the “Needle Lady” - Pam Turner, Inventor Best Practices for New Product Development – David Clark of Malco Design and Deliver Group Register today.

For more information, please contact;
Deb Hess, Executive Director
deb@minnesotainventorscongress.org
www.minnesotainventorscongress.org
Minnesota Inventors Congress
235 S Mill Street, P O Box 71
Redwood Falls MN 56283
507.627.2344 Office * 800.468.3681 Toll Free * 507.637.4082 Fax

Don't forget the premier event for Inventors - 53rd Annual event: Invention & Idea Show - June 11 & 12, 2010 in Redwood Falls, MN.

US SBA Economic Injury Disaster 11956 of ND with affected MN Counties Listed

Attached is a PDF file of the contiguous MN counties covered by the above designated disaster.

In MN it is the following counties;
Clay, Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Traverse, Wilkin

Click here for the file

ATTENTION INVENTORS!

For Immediate Release - - Contact: Inventor’s Network - - 651-602-3175

THE BEST ADVICE FROM IDEA TO PAYOFF

Everybody—from students to bankers to stay-at-home parents—has a great idea with the potential to change the way we live, work or play. The problem is that most people never follow through on making their idea a marketable reality. And in today’s economic climate many may feel too intimidated to invest their time and resources into creating something new.

Louis Foreman, the executive producer of the Emmy award–winning PBS show Everyday Edisons and the co-author of The Independent Inventor’s Handbook (Workman; $14.95; July 2009) aims to dispel those fears. According to Mr. Foreman, there has never been a better time in recent history for innovation: “It has been innovation that has led this country out of recessions in the past, and it will be innovation that creates new opportunities in the future.”

The Independent Inventor’s Handbook is the guide for those young (and not-so-young) innovators. Every step of the invention process is clearly explained, from prototype to finished product. Louis has met thousands of “ordinary people who have extraordinary ideas” through the casting calls of his television show, so he’s got plenty of real-life stories to share and is available to comment on the areas that are ripest for innovation today.

Mr. Foreman will be speaking at this month’s Inventors’ Network meeting. The above mentioned book will be available for sale at this event. Please join us to purchase your book and meet Louis Foreman.
Inventor’s Network

Date: September 15th, 2009
Time: 7:00PM, - 9:00 PM
Doors open for registration: 6:30PM
Fee: Non-members $15.00

Place: Dunwoody College of Technology
Holden Center Meeting Room
818 Dunwoody Blvd
Minneapolis, MN 55403