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Tech Week Done Right If you missed out on Tech Week 2015 April 10-18, you missed a lot! The annual OHTec (formerly NEOSA) lineup of programs and events drew more than 4,000 tech executives, entrepreneurs, students and others to the week-long celebration, more than double the attendance from 2014. Here’s a look at a few of the week’s highlights. AND THE WINNERS ARE… On April 16, OHTec honored the best of the best in innovation in the region at the Best of Tech Awards Dinner. Congratulations to all the 2015 honorees. Most Promising Start-Up Event38 Best IT Services Company BCG Systems Vertex Computer Systems Best Tech Device/ Application Innovation MRI Software Best Software Product Small Company: Software Answers Large Company: Hyland Software Tech Team of the Year Decision Desk Tech Company of the Year Small Company: 1 EDI Source Large Company: OEConnection Small Business Matters Connection Calendar PRESENTED BY April 20 By The Numbers Want more information and resources on this week's topics, ideas and events? Go to www.cose.org/smallbizmatters. Check out www.cose.org/events for all the latest happenings. i CONTENT PROVIDED AND PAID FOR BY THE COUNCIL OF SMALLER ENTERPRISES Survival Rate of Family-Owned Businesses by Generation SOURCE: FAMILY FIRM INSTITUTE All in the Family WEBED SERIES: GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH EMAIL AND SOCIAL MEDIA Presented by Karen Leonard VP of Operations, Innovative Global Vision TUESDAY, APRIL 28 11 AM – NOON Register at www.cose.org/events. ENHANCING CLIENT LEASES Learn to work with your landlord to reduce energy costs. TUESDAY, APRIL 28 8 – 10 AM COSE Offices Register at www.cose.org/events. SMALL BUSINESS BOOTCAMP SERIES – MARKETING AND BRANDING National marketing standout Sage Lewis of SageRock shares his online marketing passion and expertise. WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 5:30 – 8:30 PM Skylight Financial Group, Cleveland Cost: $25 COSE Members, $40 Non-Members, Lunch Included Reserve your seat at www.cose.org/events. Energy market prices often change more rapidly than any other overhead cost in your business. Based on more than 450 energy audits completed by COSE for small businesses with less than 25K sq. ft. of space, most small businesses can expect to save 20-25 percent on average on their energy bills with some simple changes. Prices don’t just change monthly or weekly, they change hourly. With nearly 60 percent on average of total energy use consumed by heating, cooling and lighting, it’s important to make sure you’re not overpaying or missing out on serious costs savings. Get a no-cost consultative review of your utility bills through COSE’s energy partner OnDemand Energy Solutions. E-mail [email protected] or call 216-592-2205. 52 TIPS FOR YOUR BUSINESS #16: Keep Tabs on Your Energy Costs Can I really save money by shopping for electricity? Absolutely! You may be able to save mon- ey simply by switching to a third-party sup- plier. When shopping for electricity, you can either lock in substantial savings or lock in a long-term fixed number providing budget certainty. How much you can save depends on usage, but consider that saving just one cent per kWh could translate into more than $100 a year in savings. What if I am under an existing electric supply contract? When you switch to a third-party supplier, power is typically purchased at the contract signature date for the term that was signed (typically between 12 and 36 months). Sup- pliers typically have contract language in place protecting them from consumers switching in the middle of a contract, so you have to be careful of liquidated damages and early termination penalties when break- ing a contract early. A trusted energy consul- tant can help you walk through contract lan- guage and scenarios associated with early termination. Do I need an energy consultant to help choose a third-party supplier or can I do it on my own? Choosing a third-party supplier can be time consuming and daunting as the available options and the number of supplier options continues to grow substantially. For instance, COSE’s energy consulting partner OnDemand Energy has placed more than 25,000 business accounts into third-party options utilizing more than 18 different third-party suppliers. An en- ergy expert can walk you through the myriad of supplier options and negotiate a cost-saving contract on your behalf. Can I be certain a new supplier will provide reliable service? Because your local utility will continue to provide the distribution services (poles and wires) to your business, there will be no change in the quality, reliability, or the mainte- nance of your electric service. When is the best time to shop and how often should I shop for electricity? With the production growth that we have seen in the eastern Ohio shale region over the last year, natural gas and power prices are at or very near to all-time lows. There is a lot is value for customers to sign long term contracts right now. The energy team at COSE keeps a close watch on the markets and can help you decide when it is time to extend your savings past your current elec- tricity period. PHIL OREND, Director of Marketing & Sales, OnDemand Energy Solutions OnDemand is part of COSE’s expert team of small business resources behind the COSE Energy Program. Third Party Electric Suppliers – Are the Savings Worth the Switch? ASK THE EXPERT i 30% 2nd generation 12% 3rd generation 3% 4th generation and beyond Phil Orend, Director of Marketing & Sales, OnDemand Energy Solutions Above: The Space Apps Challenge hackathon was held at NASA Glenn on April 10-12. Below: The annual Best of Tech Awards were presented on April 16.
