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 Dear Catapult Community, Happy Fall! As the leaves turn and the air becomes crisp, we are programmed to have a sense of new beginnings. The Fall is a time where everyone gets back to business and becomes laser-focused on the fourth quarter of the year when another push for productivity ensues. Remember the days when you would look forward to visiting Staples with your mom? Actually getting a thrill from the purchase of your new Trapper Keeper, 5-Star notebook or set of colored pencils? And let us not forget the trip to the mall where you carefully selected the key components of your back-to-school wardrobe. Ah, those were the days... Now, as young professionals, we are closing our summer festivities and pulling out our planners to set our agenda for the remainder of the year. Trapper Keepers have graduated into leather-bound appointment books and Outlook calendars. Catapult had a busy summer. We completed our strategic planning process and now are taking the next steps to achieve the initiatives set forth in our report. We are very much looking forward to "launching" our organization to the next level and hope to include you all in the process. In November we will be celebrating our three-year anniversary. Personally, I will be celebrating the people that have helped contribute to Catapult's presence and continuity, including not only our sponsors and supporters, but the great team of members that have offered their time, ideas and resources over the past three years. I greatly appreciate the commitment. Wishing you all a successful season! Warm regards, Helen Donington, Chair and Co-Founder   Haunted Pub Tour 
Date: Thursday, October 22ndTime: Please arrive around 5:30pm Location: The tour departs at 6:00pm from North Church in Market Square, Portsmouth, NH - View map Cost: Admission - $35.00 (online pre-payment required) Join us as we visit some of Portsmouth's haunted and historic taverns. Learn the history of the buildings and the folklore of the ghoulish ghosts that inhabit them. Hear about the legacy and history of the locations along with stories of hauntings that haven't been told to the general public — until now. Plus, we will go into one pub on each tour to sample the atmosphere, history and perhaps a beverage or two. Please arrive around 5:30pm. The tour departs at 6:00pm from North Church in Market Square. (Rain or shine. Please dress for outdoor weather.) Reserve your spot! Space is limited to 20 people. Stay tuned for Catapult's 3-Year Anniversary Celebration! Please join us in celebrating this milestone! Over the Summer of '09, the Catapult Board developed a strategic plan, and set initiatives for the next three years. We are committed to continuing to provide quality events and intend to build upon our existing infrastructure. In order to accomplish all of our goals, we would certainly be appreciative of help from the Catapult Community! Our birthday wish is your commitment as a member and even further to that, your time, feedback and willingness to help us launch the organization to another level. We look forward to seeing you in November as we celebrate our past three years and toast the next three to come. Stay tuned for more event details to be posted soon! CATAPULT RECOMMENDS: Speed Venture Summit When: Wednesday, October 28th Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel Time: 2-5pm - Speed Venturing 5-7pm - Business Networking  The Speed Venture Summit™ is the premier speed-dating-style event for fast-growth businesses and investors in New England, brought to you by the New Hampshire High Technology Council and the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center. In 2008, the Summit featured the first speed venturing event in New England since the halcyon days of dot.com. The first annual Speed Venture Summit whisked New England's hottest young companies together with investors for 15-minute "dates," leading to dozens of follow-up phone calls and e-mails for promising long-term relationships. Twenty-six different investor groups ranked the most compelling stories from fifty entrepreneurs, who then pitched to a feverish standing-room crowd of 325 tech leaders from throughout the region. Learn more  Red Hook Brewery Tour Catapult members enjoyed a private tour of the Red Hook Brewery and had the opportunity to kick-back after a hard day's work with a refreshing pint and friendly conversation on the Red Hook patio. Maine-ly New Hampshire Wine Tasting Maine-ly New Hampshire, the specialty gift shop that offers only New Hampshire and New England made products, hosted members for an evening of wine sampling and lively conversation. South Hampton, NH winery, Jewell Towne Vineyards, provided an educational and enjoyable tasting that left everyone with a greater appreciation for the art of wine making. Portsmouth Kayak Adventures BBQ Capping off the summer social series, a BBQ was held at Portsmouth Kayak Adventures with food provided by The Meat House. On a sunny evening by the water, members chatted in a fun and relaxed environment that only PKA could provide!
 
Brent is the founder of Slim Famous (S.F.), a business specializing in product, brand and business development. Since it was founded in 1999, Slim Famous Original products have captured the attention of national media and retail executives including those at Warner Bros./Disney. Brent also provides clients with holistic, strategic marketing plans that are creative, penetrating, effective, unique and with proven results.- brentbeckett@gmail.com May The Best Plan Win The idea that 'no plan is the best plan' can be good when applied to a road trip or spontaneous 'walk-about'. However, when applying this concept to starting a business, "winging it" could quickly result in failure or being outperformed within the marketplace. Starting and operating a business requires a clear and concise step-by-step process outlined in a plan. Consider the experience of going grocery shopping without a list. We find ourselves walking aimlessly through aisles trying to recognize what it is we need- only to get home and realize all of the items we forgot. The list makes the process efficient, faster and successful. A business plan keeps us from wandering aimlessly while trying to recognize what it is we want to do. In addition to creating direction and focus, writing down a plan increases the chances of following through. The process of writing things down makes them more real in our minds and establishes our investment in the process, making us more likely to execute and succeed. Psychologists suggest that when we write something down it becomes more permanent, rarely forgotten and serves as a constant reminder; the proverbial cloud over our head. Despite the importance of a plan many businesses start and operate without one. In fact, many business people, including executives and marketing professionals, don't know how to write one. The basic business plan can be quite simple. Rest assured that additional plans and budgets evolve along the way to adjust accordingly to growth. All plans begin with a very specific goal and in most cases one as simple as "make money selling X". A goal should not be interpreted like the vague resume objective- someone seeking just about anything. Once the goal is established objectives are fleshed out. Three to four diverse objectives are a good and manageable way to start. Here are some objectives' examples for a new business owner who wants to launch Product X in various marketplaces;
Don't be discouraged if a business product or service already exists; it often comes down to the best business plan and strategy that determines who outperforms the other. May the best plan win. Until next time, - Brent
  Congratulations to Member of the Month Jeff McLean, a young professional who has pursued his passions, traveled the world and thinks the Seacoast is a great area in which to live, work and play!Jeff is a native of Portsmouth and recently returned to the area after spending time working in Washington, DC and Eastern Europe on an exchange program with Rotary International. Jeff received his undergraduate degree in 2005 and his M.B.A. from Quinnipiac University in December 2006. Jeff is a member of the Friends Forever Board of Directors; Friends Forever works with youth from the Middle East and Northern Ireland devastated by war. Jeff supports and promotes the mission of Friends Forever as a member of the American Ireland Boston Young Leaders Fund. Jeff is also a member of Portsmouth's Economic Development Loan Program Board. Each month, we'd like to highlight an achievement, entrepreneurial endeavor, volunteerism effort or general good news for a Catapult member. If you have a nominee in mind, please send a brief paragraph about their story to launch@catapultseacoast.org.
  RedHook BreweryRedhook Ale Brewery has been at the forefront of the domestic craft brewing segment since the company's formation in 1981. Redhook brews eight styles of craft beer, including: Long Hammer IPA, Redhook ESB, Slim Chance Light Ale, Blackhook Porter, and seasonal offerings Copperhook Spring Ale, Sunrye Summer Ale, Late Harvest Autumn Ale and Winterhook Winter Ale. Redhook beer is brewed in its breweries - one in the Seattle suburb of Woodinville, Wash., and the other in Portsmouth, N.H. Redhook's specialty beers are available in both draught and bottles and are distributed nationally through a network of wholesale distributors. For more information, visit www.redhook.com.  Mainely-NHMaine-ly New Hampshire is Portsmouth's only gift store specializing in New Hampshire made products. Here at Maine-ly New Hampshire you can find quality products of the "cottage industry". We have many unique items; like our wine stoppers from New Hampshire lilac, maple and apple trees. We also feature a wide selection of New Hampshire wines and 26 unique teas from the Portsmouth Tea Company. In our body care section we carry the entire Sweet Grass Farm line of products. In addition, our store has the honor of being the exclusive seller of Flag Hill's Tawny Port. Located on Deer Street in downtown Portsmouth, NH. www.mainelynh.com  Portsmouth KayakPortsmouth Kayak specializes in bringing the adventure and fun of kayaking to everyone. Professional guides will instruct you in the basics of the sport and escort you on an adventure through the diverse seacoast waterways. The lush New England ecosystem provides a unique setting in which to explore kayaking in an area rich with natural beauty and nautical history. The kayaks are stable and safe for ideal novices and no prior experience is necessary. www.portsmouthkayak.com  The Meat HouseEstablished in 2003, The Meat House was founded by Justin Rosberg and Jason Parent, childhood friends, who are dedicated to operating a butcher shop that focuses on quality, consistency and customer service. In addition to offering their customers a wide selection of premium meats, poultry, veal, pork , exotic meats and Boar's Head Deli products, all of their butcher shop locations carry more than 200 varieties of wines from around the world, fine cheeses, fresh produce, breads, side dishes, desserts, pastries, and other gourmet grocery items to make every meal memorable and delicious. www.themeathouse.com  Wondering how your business can reach the over 1200 young professionals that make up Catapult? Become a sponsor today! Catapult offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities to local businesses who want to become part of one of the most successful networking groups of young professionals in the Seacoast. For more information, please contact sponsorships@catapultseacoast.org.
 6 Leadership Traits YOU (the Employee) Need to Develop On-the-Job September 22, 2009 by sparktalk By CAREEREALSM-Approved Expert, Debra Wheatman 
What makes for a great leader? Are leaders born, or can they be molded? Whether or not someone has the capacity to be a great leader, they still need to be molded and nurtured. Which means, EVERYONE, even if their job doesn't have a leadership component right now, should consider developing their leadership skills.
What are the traits that define leadership anyway?
You asked. So, in a nutshell here they are:Vision: Leaders have a clear vision of where they want to go, specifically related to an organization, how they will grow it into a well known business with a recognizable brand that differentiates it from its competition. However, vision alone is not enough. Leaders not only have this vision but are able to develop and implement a plan for success. Passion and drive complete the picture; leaders are also able to share their vision and generate support from others to fulfill the goal. Focus and Discipline: Strong leaders are disciplined. They set priorities and single-mindedly create a set of actions that they fulfill. This focus enables them to drive action and achieve results. You can spot a good leader because they are so focused on the goal while inspiring and encouraging others to participate. Trust and Values: At the core of every true leader is a trust and value system that hinges on integrity. Leaders display a genuine character and never sway from a truthful path. Leaders do not take short cuts that have the potential to harm the business. They would rather take a bit longer and ensure that integrity is maintained rather than pursue a less righteous path. They are honest, forthright, and controlled to ensure that others feel comfortable in approaching them with information and ideas. This ability to build trust generates followers that are highly loyal. Shared Success and Shared Failure: Great leaders share success with others, and also failures as well. They have the ability to credit others with success and also take responsibility for failures. The ability to take the good with the bad and share it all is the hallmark of a leader. Humility: "We are all human." Leaders recognize and embrace this. They do not put themselves on any pedestals but treat others the way they expect to be treated and work to support the overall efforts of a group. They are receptive to new ideas and realize that they are not the only ones that can foster change. A good leader listens and can accept that a different way of doing things might be better than maintaining an existing situation. They do not judge but are open, establishing trust and mutual respect. Humor: Above all leaders can use humor to create camaraderie and generate support. There is nothing like a good dose of laughter to diffuse a tough situation. There is no doubt that some people are born leaders. However, those traits need to be nurtured to realize their full potential. So there is more than a dash of molding that needs to be thrown into the pot and stirred to 'produce' someone who can truly inspire, motivate and lead others to achieve greatness. If you aspire to be one of these people, then it's time to start developing your leadership skills. |
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  Letter from the ChairUpcoming EventsIn Case You Missed ItEntrepreneurial Advicefrom Brent Beckett Member of the MonthSponsor SpotlightBecoming a SponsorCareeralism with J.T. O'Donnell 
 
 Friends of Catapult  The goal of Stay, Work, Play NH is to expose more young people to the advantages of remaining in or returning to New Hampshire. Learn More  Fishnet Media is a unique, full-service, integrated marketing solutions studio combining strategic marketing, creative, and production services under one roof. Learn More  Support the initiative, share ideas on the blog and take part in a state-wide, collective -effort to attract and retain a young workforce. Learn More  Congratulations to our friends at JBC Communications for their documentary receiving exposure at the 2008 NH Film Festival! Learn about the "Graying of NH" and form your own opinions on the need for affordable housing in NH. Learn More  Networking doesn't stop at Catapult events. Get even more connected by becoming active in the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce. For nearly a century, the GPCC has been helping business leaders and citizens get connected. The Chamber's goals are to support and promote local business, influence public policy, develop tourism and improve the quality of life in the Seacoast. Learn More  Learn how Leadership Seacoast has educated and inspired over 500 people in the Seacoast community over the last 20 years. Leadership Seacoast positively impacts the communities of the Seacoast area by developing a base of effective, knowledgeable, and engaged leaders through exploration of community issues, effective leadership practices, and opportunities for personal involvement. Learn More  NHBSR aims to build and support a network of businesses committed to adopting socially responsible business practices, recognizing that people, principles and profits are inseparably linked. Learn More  The UNH Advising and Career center offers academic advising, career and internship advising, and employer services to UNH students and Alumni. Learn More  Are you a UNH Alumni living in the Seacoast? Visit the UNH Alumni site and sign on to Wildcat World. Create your own virtue yearbook page, search for friends, post a class note and learn about future events! Learn More  Catapult endorses NH Businesses for Transportation and Infrastructure's initiative to bring rail to NH. Learn More  Catapult has partnered with the United Way of the Greater Seacoast in an effort to bring the community together to identify issues that pertain to the Greater Seacoast region and work together to determine the most efficient solutions. Learn More Special Thanks to All Catapult Sponsors Your sponsorship and encouragement allows Catapult to continue working toward making a positive impact on the Seacoast by providing unique and valuable opportunities to enhance personal and professional development for our next generation of business and community leaders. We sincerely appreciate your continued support. Thank you. - Catapult Board Live in the Seacoast but work in another area of NH? Connect with other YP groups around the State: NASHUA www.iugonashua.com MANCHESTER www.mypn.org CONCORD www.concordypn.org KEENE www.keeneypn.org MOUNT WASHINGTON VALLEY www.mwvyp.org Catapult Wants to Hear from You! Interested in volunteering your time to help Catapult in 2009? Click Here. We welcome your input! Share ideas on what you would like to see from Catapult in 2009. Click Here. Have a great testimonial of how Catapult events have benefited you or your business? We want to hear it! Click Here. Would you like greater visibility for your business while helping to support Seacoast young professionals? Click Here. Found an article you think a friend ought to read? Send him or her to the online version of today's issue of catapult eNews. Connect with other Catapult Members! Join the Catapult LinkedIn Group.  
 catapult eNews October 5, 2009 Volume 3, Issue 6 We hope you enjoyed reading today's issue of Catapult eNews. Written and designed by Catapult in Portsmouth, Catapult eNews is a free email publication. Event dates are subject to change. |
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