Published: October 09, 2009 08:53 pm      

10-10 Business: in brief

EDMOND — SBA, Dun & Bradstreet present webinar

The U.S. Small Business Administration and Dun & Bradstreet will present a 30-minute, interactive webinar on how small businesses can succeed through innovation at 1 p.m. Wednesday. This unique opportunity is free and open to all small businesses.

During the webinar, small business owners and business experts will discuss how to innovate in a live interactive session utilizing videos, online polling and a Q&A session. Several small businesses included in the webinar demonstrate how using innovative ideas have helped them to thrive.

SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills is featured in the webinar along with savvy business experts, including Stephen Key, an inventor and founder of inventRight.com, and Steve King, founder of Emergent Research and author of a major study on small business. Discussion will focus on: How to recognize innovation when it occurs in your business; the habits of highly successful business owners; new tools to help you stimulate innovation; and how to improve your competitive position in the coming decade.

Small businesses may register for the webinar by visiting D&B’s Small Business Portal at https://dnb.webex.com/dnb/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=713748772.



Oklahoma College Savings Plan management opened for competition

Management of Oklahoma’s 529 college savings plans has been opened for competition, State Treasurer Scott Meacham announced today.

Started in April 2000, the Oklahoma College Savings Plan currently contains more than $300 million in more than 42,000 accounts. The Oklahoma College Savings Plan is a direct-sold plan, meaning parents and grandparents make their contributions directly to the program manager.

Also open for competition for management services is the adviser-sold OklahomaDream 529 Plan, a college savings plan started in March of this year that is sold through investment advisors and brokers. It currently contains about $3.8 million in almost 700 accounts.

“The 529 market is highly competitive,” Meacham said. “We look forward to using this opportunity to ensure the Oklahoma College Savings Plan remains the best option available for Oklahoma families to save for college.”

Currently, TIAA-CREF manages the direct-sold plan through a contract with the Oklahoma College Savings Plan Board of Trustees, chaired by the state treasurer. Allianz Global Investors manages the adviser-sold plan through a subcontract with TIAA-CREF.

Both plans exclusively offer Oklahoma families a state income tax deduction of up to $20,000 per year.

The contract expires in April 2010. Companies that wish to bid on the business can download the official Request for Proposals at the treasurer’s Web site, www.treasurer.ok.gov. Responses are due by Nov. 12.



Oklahoma tax extension deadline approaching Oct. 15

Oklahomans can pay their taxes before the Oct. 15 tax extension deadline by paying online at http://Taxes.OK.gov. The online service, provided by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, enables taxpayers to securely pay a number of taxes online, including: Individual income tax, individual estimated tax, corporate income tax (corporate, partnerships, fiduciary and small business), corporate estimated tax, business registrations, sales tax, sales tax permit renewal, use tax, withholding tax, franchise tax, mixed beverage and waste tire tax.

“More Oklahomans have turned to paying their accounts online,” said Paula Ross, Oklahoma Tax Commission spokeswoman. “The online payment system is a quick and convenient way to ensure payments are received by our agency in a timely manner while giving the taxpayer peace of mind in knowing that their confidential information is kept secure.”

OTC currently accepts payments via credit card over the Internet or by telephone. Accepted payments include Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and debit card payments. The payments are processed through a secure payment engine, which applies rigorous policies and procedures to ensure that citizens and businesses can be confident that their payments are safe, private, and secure. OTC’s online payment options are a product of a partnership between the Oklahoma Tax Commission and OK.gov, Oklahoma’s Official Web site.



Call for entries for new Product and Process Fair in Oklahoma City

Entrepreneurs young and old alike are encouraged to enter the New Product and Process Fair scheduled for Dec. 12 on the campus of Moore Norman Technology Center, 13301 S. Penn Ave., Oklahoma City. The application deadline is Nov. 20. Official rules and regulations are available in an easy-to-navigate format at www.newproductsfair.com.

Founded by former Congressman Wes Watkins more than 20 years ago, the Fair is an excellent way for schools and institutions of higher education to encourage their students to think out of the box, ignite their creativity and showcase their entrepreneurial talent. It also will be an opportunity for students to develop problem-solving skills, expand their research abilities and help them cultivate communication and presentation skills.

But, you don’t have to be a student to enter the fair. There are six divisions of competition: Elementary Student (grades 3-6), Secondary Student (grades 7-12); Adult Student (enrolled in one of Oklahoma’s Technology Centers); Collegiate Student (Oklahoma college students, undergraduate or graduate status); Small Business (currently producing and/or selling a product or process) and Open Class (entrants not qualifying in the other divisions). Top entrants will be invited to display their prototypes at the fair and will compete for $11,700 in cash prizes.

Entries are judged by a panel of judges selected by Fair sponsors. All entries will be judged on innovation, presentation and potential for commercialization.