Published: May 07, 2008 11:35 pm         

Small businesses management coordinator's job to help new business survive

A new small business has a 20 percent chance of surviving its first five years.

Dale Shaffer, coordinator of small businesses management for the James W. Strate Center for Business Development at Autry Technology Center, said it’s his job to keep the businesses he helps in that 20 percent.

Shaffer said he helps most businesses by getting more out of the information they have to discover better ways of conducting their operations.

He said he helps businesses with as few as a single employee to as many as 30 employees. Help is given to businesses that need specialized services, such as special account, marketing or legal services.

“If we can’t help them, we can get them in touch with someone who can,” Shaffer said.

Aid also can be given to businesses through assessments of a business’s industry and market, and business plan.

“There is a lot of one-on-one consultation,” Shaffer said.

A new business can help to ensure its success through examination of its marketing plans.

“A lot of them just need a little help in that area,” Shaffer said.

He said the Center for Business Devel-opment also can examine financial plans to discover possible improvement, which could lead to further profits. The center helps businesses by improving their processes, by reducing costs and waste and increasing overall efficiency.

Shaffer said this is achieved through better organization of existing information, such as budgets and tax filings, to make better management decisions.

Classes are held throughout the year at Autry Tech for people just beginning a smaller business or who have been in a smaller business for a few years, Shaffer said. Class topics include risk management, marketing, business taxes, accounting and management information.

Shaffer said evening classes are offered for people who are working during the daytime or who are operating their own businesses.

He said he saw potential for niche businesses in Enid and northwest Okla-homa because of the potential opportunity to relate to existing industry.

“There is a lot going on here that may be a spin off of a larger industry,” he said. “Enid and northwest Oklahoma is doing pretty well.”

Shaffer said any small business can enroll in the small business development program for $95, which pays for a one-year enrollment period.

He said walk-ins are welcome and business owners also can call Autry Tech at 242-2750 about enrolling with the program.

“If we thought we can help them we will,” Shaffer said. “We want them to feel good about engaging us about that.

“If they will just call Autry Tech we’ll get them in touch with the right person.”