What makes an effective leader? This question has been the focus of much research. A study of 195 leaders in 15 countries over 30 global organizations were asked to choose the 15 most important leadership competencies from a list of 74. The top ones were grouped into five major themes that suggest a set of priorities for leaders and leadership development programs. The top two are: Continue reading
You get what you focus on. In business, it means focusing on profit.
A business without profit will die. Being passionate about your work may keep you in the game longer, but without profit you are still losing money. You have to keep business expenses in control. There isn’t a shortcut that allows you to succeed if don’t have a clear path to profitability for your company. Every business may go through short cycles when expenses exceed income, but allowing it to happen repeatedly without making adjustments is the definition of insanity – doing the same thing over and over without making changes, expecting a different result. Continue reading
Not all business ideas are new!
Do you remember the era where you could sign up for a membership and every month a vinyl record was delivered right to your door? It’s that time again! Vinyl Me, Please is a record of the month club that believes in the power of the album as an art form. Each month they press an LP album exclusively for their members. It arrives with an album-inspired art print and pairing recipe. They claim to be a great way to build your vinyl collection. They highlight new artists, essential releases from artists you may never have heard of before, as well as a healthy dose of must-have reissues from decades past. If you have missed your vinyl collection and need to start one again, or need new material to add to your collection, this back-again business may be for you. www.vinylmeplease.com Continue reading
Terry and Delores Owens are a local success story for Roane State Community College and the Cumberland Business Incubator. In 1993 Delores rented a space on Peavine road and began Nature’s Way Herb Shop providing herbs and iridology, the study of the iris to improve systemic health. In 1996 the business grew with the addition of massages provided by a nurse. In 1997 Delores graduated from the Roane State Community College Somatic Therapy Program and became a Licensed Massage Therapist. The business name was changed to Nature’s Way Center for Alternative Health and the resulting growth has been phenomenal. (www.natureswaymassage.com) Continue reading
STEM Scouts is an after-school program focused on fun and exciting ways for girls and boys to learn more about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The CBI will be the Chartered Organization for the very first group of 3rd-5th grade STEM Scouts in Cumberland County. Additional age STEM Scout groups will be added as the program grows. Continue reading
School is back in session and fall is almost in the air. That means more time for volunteer activities for many in our area. Listed below are some of the volunteer activities that we encourage you to consider: Continue reading
We’re excited! The CBI has been awarded grant funds by the Launch Tennessee Creative Communities Grants program. The Creative Communities Grant initiative was created to connect rural and underserved populations with entrepreneurial education, tools and resources. The funds will be used for a number of programs by the end of the grant period, June 30th, 2017. Continue reading
If you are a typical business owner, whether you plan for it to happen in the next year or 20 years from now, at some point you are going to either sell, transition, or simply shut down your business. If you plan to sell or transition your business one day, you should understand how the Business Valuation Scale works. Continue reading
The Cumberland Business Incubator was full of young life last week. We hosted two different youth camps – Make Camp, our 3rd annual week long camp, and Maker Girl, a special 3D printing camp for 1st grade to 6th grade girls. Continue reading
Welcome to the Center for Lifelong Learning on the Roane State Community College campus! I continue to be impressed when I speak to people and learn what they have done in their lives. Since many amazing people in our area have a wealth of knowledge and are willing to share what they know, we have formed the Center for Lifelong Learning. This is a volunteer based organization. Those with the knowledge will share what they know with the rest of us. Most programs will be appropriate for anyone interested in learning from age 9 to 99. Continue reading