Unless you are “buying IBM” for fear of losing your job for a bad decision you will be paying for bloated overhead, on-the-job-training of newer personnel, and sacrificing innovative thinking.

So why go with a small, boutique communications agency? Well, for starters there’s the concept of personal service. Many times when a big agency “comes a courting” they will bring the principals of the company who will wow you with their years of experience, their beautiful suits, and their big vocabularies. Take it all with a grain of salt because that’s probably the last time you’ll be seeing these people. Once your contract is signed (which will likely be a hefty monthly retainer) you will be relegated to teaching the junior jump-ups at the agency all about your business. You are paying for their education so be sure you are getting your monies worth.

Small firms offer:

Scalability without high overhead (strategic partnerships are key to taking on larger projects)

Minimal layers (decision-makers are part of your account team)

Better thinking (out-of-the-box solutions and ideas)

Personalized service (a core team will get to know you, your company and your products)

Responsiveness (flexibility and a willingness to partner where needed)

Financial flexibility (while retainer agreements are typically the best way of ensuring focused attention on your company the smaller firms may be more
flexible in the payment terms and retainer amounts)

Give the Davids of the world a chance and give your business an opportunity for fresh thinking and outstanding client service.

Read more: How David Beats Goliath. When underdogs break the rules. by Malcolm Gladwell
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/05/11/090511fa_fact_gladwell#ixzz0f
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“Ping.fm is a Tulsa start-up success story. They showcase that great ideas can be discovered and funded and location is not a deterrent for success. The Collaboratorium team and members are proud and wish them the best in the next chapter of the Ping.fm story,” said Sean Griffin, Collaboratorium Chair.

McCullough and Duffy have been members of the Collaboratorium, an entrepreneurial resource center located in downtown Tulsa since it’s opening in May 2009.

“The Collaboratorium played a critical role in our success. The dynamic and supportive environment allowed us to focus our business model and create greater value for our customers and investor. We look forward to giving back to the Collaboratorium and the City of Tulsa as we continue down our entrepreneurial journey,” said Sean McCullough, Ping.fm co-founder,

Ping.fm’s founders Adam Duffy and Sean McCullough will join Seesmic as full-time employees and continue to work on Ping.fm. For more information about Ping.fm and Seesmic, visit seesmic.com

2009 Tulsey Winners Are:
Civic – George Kaiser, George Kaiser Family Foundation
Emerging – Melanie Henry, 918moms.com
Entertainment – Ben Sumner, Up Late with Ben Sumner
Franchise – Chester Cadieux, QuikTrip
Green – Libby Auld, Elote Café and Catering
Interactive – Natasha Ball, Tasha DoesTulsa.com
Legend – Charles Kingsley, Coney I-Lander
Restaurateur – Blake Ewing, Joe Momma’s Pizza
Serial – Gavin Manes, Avansic
Young – Jonathan Conneely, Bootcamp Tulsa
Tulsey Entrepreneur of the Year – Blake Ewing, Joe Momma’s Pizza

The Mayor’s Tulseys culminated the end of Tulsa Global Entrepreneurship Week.

2009 Tulsey Sponsors included: Tulsa Technology Center, Tulsa Community College, University of Tulsa, Tulsa Metro Chamber and the Lobeck Taylor Foundation. Special Media Sponsor: Tulsa Business Journal

Part-Time Pros, who connects degreed, experienced professionals with part-time and contract employment took 2nd place and Cog Togs Inc., came in 3rd place with a social site that lets kids trade personalized beads with their friends then connect online to a social. Part-Time Pros received a check of $5,000 and Cog Togs Inc. received a check of $2,500, both provided by Spirit Bank.

A special award new to the business model competition this year is the Skunk Whisperer Award, named after the 2007 third place winner of the Spirit Award, Ned Bruha the Skunk Whisperer. During the 2007 Spirit Awards, money was not given to second and third place winners. Although Ned didn’t receive any money, he has credited the Spirit Award as a catalyst in growing his business through the coaching and promotion received as part of his award.

The 2009 Skunk Whisperer Award recipient, Elote Café and Catering, received a six month advisory board made up of Spirit Award judges and coaches. Elote also received a visually driven game plan process graphically facilitated by Chair of the Spirit Award, Sean Griffin. Elote Café and Catering is known for their fresh innovative Mexican food in the heart of downtown Tulsa with use of local ingredients and sustainable practices.

Celebrating its third year, the Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award is designed to promote small business growth in Tulsa by providing networking and other business opportunities to area small businesses. Mayor Taylor announced that Tulsa Community College will be spear heading the Tulsa Spirit Award going forward as part of their ongoing commitment to growing entrepreneurialism in Tulsa. SpiritBank also announced that they would continue to sponsor the Spirit Awards going forward.

Let’s all congratulate the final seven finalists:
Blue Label Bartending, CogTogs, Inc., Elote Café and Catering, Filters4me.com, Part-Time Pros, Real Time Rehab and Target Solution Foods.

Prior to the final pitch, the seven finalists will have the opportunity to be coached in two main areas: business model and pitching techniques, and connect to resources and expertise to help polish their business plan and pitching techniques for the final round of judging.

The 2009 Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award winner will receive a check from SpiritBank for $30,000, second place with $5,000 and third place with $2,500. The top three will be announced during the Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award ceremony that will be held during Global Entrepreneurship Week at the TCC Center for Creativity on Tuesday, November 17 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.

For more information about Mayor Taylor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, please visit the Web site at www.tulsaspiritaward.com.

With an online nomination and voting process, local entrepreneurs have the opportunity to be nominated in ten categories including: Civic, Emerging, Entertainment, Franchise, Green, Interactive, Legend, Serial, Young and the new category for 2009, Restaurateur. All entrepreneurs nominated in the public voting process will automatically be entered into the Entrepreneur of the Year

Starting Wednesday, September 16, nominations can be made through the Tulseys website, www.thetulseys.com, until Wednesday, October 7. Voting for the nominees will begin on Wednesday, October 15 and will end at midnight on Wednesday, November 4.

The Tulsey Award winners will be announced at the Tulseys celebration on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the world-famous Cain’s Ballroom from
7 – 11 p.m. Sponsorship packages are available for the event. For more information, visit www.tulseys.com

Formerly the home of American Institute of Medical Technology, the facility’s forward-thinking concept incorporates sustainable materials, modern design elements, and noteworthy highlights aimed to merge efficiency with creativity. The building features multiple high-tech conference rooms and meeting areas, a photo studio, two indoor racquetball courts and a 2,000 sq. ft community room. The building also includes full-service executive suites available for lease.

“We now have a beautiful building with offices for our growing team, including a child care center. One thing I am especially proud of is our new Community Room. We have set aside space for non-profit and community organizations to gather with up to 60 people for training or educational sessions, workshops or meetings. This is our gift back to a community that has been very supportive of Properties Plus,” Prrpsaid Greg Williams, President and CEO of Properties Plus.
Properties Plus celebrated its new location with a grand opening event and ribbon cutting with the Tulsa Metro Chamber on Thursday, June 25, 2009.

ABOUT PROPERTIES PLUS, INC: Properties Plus provides commercial and residential sales, leasing and management services throughout the Tulsa region. For more information visit www.propertiesplus.com.

On Thursday, July 9th, Sustainable Tulsa is bringing together local restaurants, vintners and brewers for a special taste of Tulsa’s best. The 2009 Eat Local. Bite of Tulsa event will be held at the Greenwood Cultural Center, located near OSU-Tulsa, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Local restaurants include Eloté Café and Catering, The Coffee House on Cherry Street, The Living Kitchen Farm and Dairy, Lava Noshery, Cosmo Café, Local Table, Blue Dome Diner, Luna Bread, Mershon Catering and Bodean’s.

Local wineries and brewers include: Nuyaka Creek Winery, Sparks Vineyard and Winery, Summerside Vineyards and Winery, and the Marshall Brewing Company.

In addition, the evening will include enjoyable sounds from Three Penny Upright, Scott Aycock and Friends and George and Linda Barton. A raffle will be held for donations, including an overnight stay at the Canebrake resort.

Tickets are $20 and are available at the door or website, www.sustainabletulsa.org. All proceeds will benefit Sustainable Tulsa, a non-profit dedicated to responsible economic growth, environmental stewardship and quality of life for all. Sustainable Tulsa has distributed over 20,000 Tulsa Area Green Directories, promoted local foods through education and local foods events and is co-chairing the Greening the (918) series with Mayor Taylor’s Green Team.

For more information, visit www.sustainabletulsa.org or call 918.808.6576

Over 85 submissions were made to this year’s business plan competition and the top 25 are announced. They will now submit their full business plan and have a chance to present a seven minute pitch on July 8th and 9th to the panel of judges, which is comprised of area business leaders and entrepreneurs.

After the pitches are presented, the judges will identify the 12 business models that will continue on to the semi-final round. The 12 semi-finalists will then coached by area business leaders and entrepreneurs, and connected to resources and expertise to help polish their business plan and pitching techniques.

“This year the quality of entrepreneurial and small business endeavors submitted is going to challenge the judges to identify a winner. It is exciting to see the diversity of business models starting up in Tulsa and wish everyone who made it to the Top 25 great success.” Sean Griffin, 2009 Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Chair and Judge said.

On November 17, Mayor Taylor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award winner will receive a check of $30,000, second place with $5,000 and third place with $2,500 each provided by SpiritBank. For more information about the Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award sponsored by SpiritBank, please visit the website at www.tulsaspiritaward.com

Congratulations to the Top 25.
4BrooksDesign
Aeroleaf
Allen Athletic Consulting LLC
Beaute Purpose
Blue Label Bartending
Bootcamp Tulsa / JJC Enterprises
Cog Togs Inc.
Diaper Departure LLC
Elote Cafe & Catering
Filters4Me.com
Green Growers, Inc
Guru-YOU!
HOAtoday
Inventory Optimizations
iParkFree.com
Kids on the Clock
LTC Education Station
MintJar LLC
Mr. BodyFat LLC
NexGenData
Part-Time Pros
Reading Remedy
Real Time Rehab
Target Solution Foods
TulsaPets Magazine

Ihloff Salon and Day Spa announces the opening of its new full-service salon in Bookhaven Village in Norman, OK, located at 36th St. NW & Robinson.

The 2,300 square-foot Aveda Lifestyle Salon and Spa is Ihloff’s fourth opening since 1980. The new salon and spa has 12 stations, two spa rooms and offers a full line of Aveda products. For additional information visit: www.ihloffspa.com.

About Ihloff Salon and Day Spa:
Celebrating 28 years of bringing balance and beauty to life, Ihloff is nationally renowned for its commitment to the environment, the Tulsa community and their clients’ well-being. Recognized for four years by Salon Today as one of the 200 fastest growing salons in the nation, Ihloff is a designated Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa – devoted to bringing clients back to balance with products and services based on Aveda’s pure flower and plant essences.