April Small Business Calendar
Business Reform Still Possible
Sam Slom's Small Business Views
GUEST COMMENTARIES
Look For the Union Label by Walt Decker
Letters to the Editor: George Mason, Rep. Newt Gingrich
The Computer Corner: Doing Business With a Macintosh
Supreme Court Cons Hawaii Voters
Share N Tell Forum April 30
Women in Business Leadership Announced
Small Business on the Move Expo
Four SBH Board Seats Up
YES Focuses on Marketing
Meet SBH's Newest Staffer
No Change, No Gain by Orson Swindle
The Campaign Payoff by Ken Schoolland
Michigan Miracle a Model For Hawaii by Sam Slom
The left over issues from the last three legislative sessions - same sex marriage, reform of the "High 3" pensions for lawmakers and no-fault auto insurance reform - are still being debated at the Capitol, but the focus now is on business improvement bills.
The auto premium reform issue will be resolved in conference. The House version of auto reform saves money by cost shifting medical costs to employers' prepaid medical. The Senate version is preferable but still is no-fault with a "verbal threshold."
Workers' compensation reform depends on adoption of coordinated care. It is still hotly debated.
The current 19th State Legislature convened January 15 and is slated to end its regular 60-day Session on April 29. At this time last year, only one better business bill was still alive; today, there are more than 21, although admittedly, several are on "life support." And, as the Legislature and Governor continue to talk of a fiscal "crisis," and attempt to meet promises made to unions and other special interests, revenue estimates by the Council of Revenues dipped another $237 million last month, spurring renewed calls for tax increases.
There is also an urgent need to put legislation in place to allow the counties and state to engage in privatization, based on the unanimous Supreme Court ruling in Konno vs. County of Hawaii last month. This ruling, another victory for compulsory labor unions, by a labor-dominated court, wiped out the government's ability to use any but civil service (union) employees.
The Small Business Caucus bills would improve Hawaii's business climate if enacted. SBH, NFIB, Chamber of Commerce and Congress of Small Business representatives are urging their members and the public to call lawmakers to support them.
Other bills would increase the General Excise Tax, delete ALL tax credits, end the Constitutional requirement for tax refunds in time of surplus, loot special funds, take the hotel room tax from the counties, add a sales tax on top of the GET, raise fees and multiply "sin" taxes on alcohol, tobacco and certain activities. This will be the battle ground in the remaining weeks.
Additionally, unions have several bills to add even greater burdens to employers, add the union label to EVERY employee who works at least 4 hours a week (currently it is 20), hide criminal records and information about union employees, and to extort $465,000 a year for a "Labor Studies Degree" program and more union anti-business media propaganda at the University of Hawaii.
There is still time for you to get involved with the small business coalition, coordinated by SBH's Bob Sigall. The coalition has been meeting at the Capitol every other Tuesday at 10 am. Contact him at 847-2046. If you have a FAX and are not already on the SBH Biz Fax Net, you can sign on at the same time.
The issue involved counting blank ballots, since there were a significant number. The unions, like the Governor, Democratic Party, ACLU, and other special interests, opposed the ConCon, and said blank ballots should be counted as NO votes. This is contrary to Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS 11-151-3), material published by the State prior to the election, and general judicial understanding. Hawaii's Attorney General ruled blank ballots were just that: blank, and did not count. The unions pressed the matter in court-openly saying it was cheaper to fight the battle in the labor-friendly judiciary than to fight the public who wanted-and were entitled to- a Convention. (The unions feared their one-sided 1970 Collective Bargaining Act might be amended.) The Court gave victory and a stinging blow to the public who now has neither redress nor unlimited funds for appeal.
The member Forum will be held Wednesday, April 30, at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Share N' Tell Forums combine networking, education and a social atmosphere to encourage you to do more business and help you cut existing business costs.
Haven't attended recently? New SBH member? Then this is something you won't want to miss. Bring an employee, friend or client. These forums are a major member benefit.
Members, and their guests, may choose one of eight exciting and educational Table Topics, led by a knowledgeable member-Facilitator, prior to the luncheon program.
Topics and Facilitators for the April 30 Forum include:
The $25 cost of the Share n' Tell Business Forum includes the entire program, luncheon and parking. Advance, paid reservations are required for this special rate and will be accepted as received on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The cost is $30 at the door if space is available. For more information and a reservation form call 396-1724.
The event will begin Tuesday evening May 6 and continue all day (7 am - 7 pm) Wednesday, May 7, at the refurbished Blaisdell Exhibition Galleria.
Exhibits, financial assistance information and new business opportunities around the Pacific Rim will be highlighted during the two-day event. Special speakers and seminars will add to the event's usefulness to small business owners.
Last year's event was outstanding. Small Business Hawaii will again be an exhibitor along with the Chamber, Hawaii Congress on Small Business and the NFIB. The SBH booth is being constructed by member James E. Fox Designs. SBH members who would like to volunteer 1-2 hours in the booth during the day should contact Hyun at the office (396-1724).
Contact Jim Proctor at the Chamber (PH 545-4383) for reservation information.
Serving as the Committee chair for the second term is Cherylle Morrow, co-owner of Innervation, Inc. in Kailua. Morrow was appointed to the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Small Business in 1996 and is a long time member of Small Business Hawaii.
Julie Percell, principal of Percell and Associates, was named treasurer of the organization for a second term also. Doreen Ezuka, of the U.S. Small Business Administration, is the secretary.
The Executive Committee is made up of the leaders of the special sub-committees which are charged with planning and presenting special programs to assist women entrepreneurs and improve business opportunities for women.
The executive committee includes Laura Noda, UHH Small Business Development Center and Paul Rehob, Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, co-chairs of Financial Resources Committee, Judy Magin, Magin Diagnostics, chair of the Government Affairs & Legislation Committee; Francine Slom, Small Business Hawaii, and Paulette Feeney, College of Continuing Education and Community Service at UH, co-chairs for Membership Services; Eric Abdullateef, DBEDT Business Information Services; chair for Award & Special Projects; and Jane Sawyer, U.S. Small Business Administration, chair for public information and media.
The committee is planning several special events for 1997. Membership activities and recruitment continue throughout the year and often focus on issues of special interest to both business owners and women such as financial independence, access to capital and credit, and management techniques and trends. A new program to help women do business with the government is being developed also along with a major conference for Women in Business in September.
For information on WIBC, call Doreen Ezuka at the Honolulu District SBA Offices at 541-2971.
There are currently 11 members of the SBH Board. All are unpaid volunteers, except for the Executive Director. All serve terms of three years and are directly elected by the membership.
Board members Joyce Edwards, Jed Gaines, Helen Rapoza and John Yanigihara have terms that expire December 31 of this year and must run for re-election. All have indicated a desire to continue to serve SBH. (Rapoza was appointed to a one-year term by the Board in January to fill the seat vacated by Pamela Gottlieb who moved to Arizona).
Members are always encouraged to actively participate in SBH projects and organizational planning, including the Board of Directors.
Bob shared his belief that our customers and potential customers wear an invisible bulls-eye, that when hit, may translate to sales. Therefore, the purpose of market research is to identify the bulls-eye and find out how to hit that bulls-eye in the most efficient way possible.
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Meeting attendees received advice on how to gather information from their customers, their community and the competition, using focus groups, surveys, and ad testing. Information received could then be used to fine-tune existing business strategies and/or explore new niches. These inexpensive research tools allow effective use of marketing dollars, translating to higher sales and a better chance at hitting every business owner's bulls-eye - healthier bottom-line.
(For professional assistance with your marketing needs, Bob Sigall can be reached at (808) 847-2046).
"YES" meetings are held the last Thursday of each month at the Wisteria Restaurant from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, and are open to all SBH members. Peter Matsumoto spoke on "How to Minimize Your Taxes: What You Can and Can Not Write Off in Your Business" March 27.
Ginger Peterson of Peterson, Cheng & Fleishman will be presenting "How to make your advertising achieve better results" at the next "YES" meeting on Thursday, April 24.
SBH members are also invited to attend the next "YES" field trip to Hawaiian Grocers Wednesday, April 16.
Please call Helen Rapoza at 739-0400 to confirm your reservation prior to meeting dates.
Ms. Pae is a recent graduate of the University of Hawaii. She has previous experience with several SBH member firms. Besides providing support for SBH, she also volunteers her secretarial and administrative support to City Gate Christian Church and enjoys sports, reading, cooking and travel.
Call and say hello to Hyun!