Debriefing: The 2008 COSE Small Business Conference

Not everyone can be a Goodyear, Ernst & Young, Parker Hannifin, Hyland Software, or Avery Dennison. Many companies are small, some by choice and design; others are new start-ups, or maybe operating during difficult economic times. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), small business is defined as an independent business having fewer than 500 employees, generates 60-80 percent of the net new jobs, and characterizes 99.7 percent of employer firms.

Recognizing that small business represents the "backbone" of our economy, COSE (Council of Smaller Enterprises) hosted its third annual Small Business Conference at the I-X Center, October 22-23, eagerly attended by almost 1,300 registrants. Eighty business vendors displayed at the show and 50 business experts spoke at smaller break-out sessions during the 2-day event.

An impressive and accomplished line-up of keynote speakers included our own Iron Chef, Michael Symon, owner and executive chef for Lola Bistro and Lolita. John Moore, the marketing mastermind behind Starbucks and Whole Foods, spoke Wednesday afternoon about his "scissors, paper, rock" marketing perspective. Debbi Fields, founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies, concluded the keynote speaker series Thursday morning sharing her inspirational business start-up stories with the audience.

COSE executive committee member, Sam Steinhouse, described the origin of the conference. "Over three years ago, we were brainstorming how to extend the value proposition for COSE members beyond affordable group health insurance," he said.

"We wanted members to get more for their membership, and develop reasons for them to engage with the COSE organization." This educational and networking small business conference is the result, and it's been growing ever since.

Why has Charles Burkett, consultant, been attending the event each year since its inception? "I like it, the high quality content and speakers," he said. "I make new contacts, and usually find someone I can provide services for or benefit from their expertise."

Marvin Sable, owner of Network Laser Art, said, "As a new COSE member, I was particularly impressed with the high degree of organization and seamless integration of the scheduled seminars from one session to the next. Not only were there things to be learned from a cost-saving standpoint, but also strategies to grow the business from an expanded base of contacts," he added.

Andy Laudato, from Medical Solution Agents in Fairlawn, thought the conference was fantastic because every vendor booth and educational session had something to offer for business people.

Anita Campbell, owner/editor-in-chief of the Small Business Trends website/newsletter (http://www.smallbiztrends.com) along with Ivana Taylor, blogger for Strategy Stew covering new marketing strategies, gave an informative presentation about Social Networking for Lead Generation & Sales. When asked what she recommended for small business owners during these uncertain economic times, Campbell said, "In this doom and gloom environment, it is easy to get psyched out, but small business owners can often operate under the radar and do even better than expected.

"It doesn't mean that you are not affected, but I encourage business owners to maintain connections with their customers and ride out the storm", she advised.

For more information about the COSE Small Business Conference, visit http://www.cose.org/sbc/index2.asp. If you missed your chance, plan to attend for next year.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Susan Schaul susn1ATatt.net
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