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LETTER FROM THE CHAIR Dear Catapult Community, I have kept you apprised of some activity over the past few years that has influenced how the State views young professionals; the 55% Initiative, the Task Force for the Retention and Recruitment of a Young Workforce, and now - StayWorkPlay, which has had a quiet beta launch and will be making additional refinements in advance of its formal launch. Young professionals are important to the future of our communities, which the public and private sectors of New Hampshire have come to recognize. We are preparing ourselves to be the next business and community leaders; preserving, protecting and improving upon the foundation which has been laid for us. Below is a press release from Business NH Magazine announcing a new Young Professionals Awards Program. BNH is partnering with StayWorkPlay and the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development to launch the awards program this summer. I invite you all to participate in this state-wide competition! Pump up your cool companies, dynamic YP colleagues, and support the programs that are offered to enhance the personal and professional YPs around the state. The more we engage, the easier it becomes to retain and recruit key talent in the Seacoast and the State of New Hampshire. Enjoy your summer! Very best regards, Helen Donington Chair & Co-Founder, Catapult Seacoast  NEWS RELEASE BNH & Stay Work, Play Launch Young Professionals Awards In order to remain competitive, NH needs to attract and retain younger talent and there have been several initiatives launched to focus on that - from the formation of young professionals groups throughout the state, to the University System of NH's 55 Percent Initiative, to a governor's task force on the retention of young people that led to the establishment of the Stay, Work, Play initiative. To further spotlight this important issue, Business NH Magazine is working with Stay, Work Play, the state's Young Professionals organizations and the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development to launch a new awards program recognizing outstanding young professionals, initiatives to keep them here and the businesses that go the extra mile to recruit and retain them. The Young Professionals Awards Program will bestow six awards. The first three awards will recognize companies that create outstanding workplaces with innovative programs to attract and retain young professionals. The Coolest NH Companies for Young Professionals will honor one small company (under 50 employees), one medium-sized company (51-125 employees) and one large company (126-plus employees). The Young Professional of the Year award will honor an outstanding professional 40 years old or younger who is a rising star in his or her field, has demonstrated leadership and who is committed to giving back to the community. The Young Professionals Network Program of the Year will honor an innovative program developed by a young professional group that helps to further young professionals professionally or socially and helps young professionals to become more connected to their communities. The Stay, Work, Play Leadership Award will be given to an individual, organization, initiative or program in NH that significantly supports the recruitment and retention of young professionals in the state. Applications are due by Tuesday, July 27. Winners will be featured in the Young Professionals Guide in the November issue of Business NH Magazine and feted at an awards ceremony in November. To apply for any of these awards, visit www.BusinessNHmagazine.com and click on the competitions page. UPCOMING CATAPULT EVENTS Business Speaker Series Event #2: A Night with Chase Bailey Date: Thursday, June 30th, 2010 Time: 6:00PM Location: 100 Club Admission: $20.00 online only. Walk-ins will not be permitted. Description: Catapult Seacoast continues its 2010 Business Speaker Series with speaker host Chase Bailey from Left Bank Films Catapult, the Seacoast's Young Professionals Network, is proud to announce the second event in its new Business Speaker Series! Held again at the exclusive setting of downtown Portsmouth's 100 Club, this second high-caliber event will feature guest speaker Chase Bailey, of Left Bank Films. Bailey will host Catapult members June 30th and offer a unique glimpse into how he has achieved professional success from his path at Cisco to Left Bank Films. Each Business Speaker Series event is limited to 50 Catapult members for an intimate environment promoting personalized conversations and interaction between the speaker, moderator and audience. Catapult members are encouraged to come prepared with questions. Each event will begin promptly at 6:30pm, though attendees are encouraged to arrive just before to network. Light appetizers and beverages will be provided. Business attire is required. Details of each event and tickets sales will be offered on this website prior to event dates. No walk-ins will be accepted at the door, so please plan in advance. To conclude each BSS event, Catapult will ask its signature question: "What can someone working for you do to catapult themselves to the next level?" View the first event with Paul Holloway Innovation and the Entrepreneurial Spirit Innovation Develops Entrepreneurial Thinking Date: Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 Time: 8:30-9:30 AM & 12:00-1:00 PM Location: Downtown Portsmouth, NH. Please RSVP for directions. Admission: $10.00 Online Only Catapult and Impact will co-host an event specifically for high-growth minded entrepreneurs. Catapult's mission is to facilitate connections and opportunities that help our members develop professionally and personally. Impact is a company that serves to provide opportunities for innovators with high-growth objectives by facilitating connections and opportunities for development. Impact helps you make connections, do business and strengthen the reputation of the New England region as a center of business innovation. And so for our August event we are offering Catapult members exclusive spots at the next Impact development roundtable. It's said that part of success is being in the right place at the right time, and being able to take advantage of great opportunities. Our joint conference August 18th is the right place for you to meet with like-minded people to discuss your existing business or pool together resources for launching a new business. If you have a vision you want to see become a reality, (but need that last little push to take action), this conference is the place for you. We are offering both a breakfast and lunch time meeting for this event. Advance signup will take place online only at www.MeetImpact.com. Walk-ins will not be allowed for this event. WHAT'S NEW? Get Involved! The Live Free or Die Alliance is looking for volunteers! Are you passionate about issues affecting NH or your local community? Have you been following the gambling bills, are you concerned about the budget or feel strongly about NH's "Live Free or Die" way of life? The LFDA, a relatively new nonpartisan nonprofit organization, is looking for volunteers to help grow its mission to make citizenship easier in the 21st century. Visit the volunteer section of their website to learn different ways you can help the LFDA in its mission to serve NH citizens by providing objective information about issues and candidates; promoting the civil exchange of opinions in a variety of forums, online and in person; and sharing citizen views with NH government officials. Take the latest Live Free or Die Alliance Poll! Should NH adopt a mandatory seat belt law for adults? Visit the website homepage or Facebook fan page to cast your vote! Catapult is looking for new board and committee members to join our team. Board members would be required to attend quarterly board meetings, monthly conference calls and monthly events. Specifically, we are looking for those who have experience in finance and fundraising, marketing, and event planning. Of course we are always looking for energetic professionals who can take their great ideas through to fruition, so whatever your background, if you're interested, email launch@catapultseacoast.org! IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Spring into Action! Philanthropy Roundtable Event In our 2nd annual event promoting philanthropy and the importance of social capital, Catapult hosted a diverse group of non-profits from the Greater Seacoast area to introduce their organizations and share their missions, visions and needs for involvement from the community. Each year Catapult's goal is to facilitate an event that encourages members to find an organization well-aligned to their own interests and passions; inspiring members to help the community through financial donations, by offering their valuable time or their specific skill sets and talents. This outreach in-turn strengthens social capital within the Seacoast community and the State. Social capital refers to the bonds that tie a community together - bonds that make communities safer, schools better, and people healthier. When people are invested in their communities, they are more likely to vote, volunteer and care for one another.* The Greater Seacoast is a community which we are proud of and should all share in the responsibility of supporting. Catapult would like to thank the following organizations for participating in our Spring to Action! event and for their true commitment to making the Seacoast community a better place to live:
*For more information on Social Capital, visit: http://www.nhcf.org/Document.Doc?id=86 Margaritas Social Networking Event Ninety degrees and hot - it was perfect weather for a margarita!! Catapult members inaugurated the summer season with evening cocktails at Margaritas in Portsmouth. Members made new contacts, caught up with old friends and got over the mid-week slump. Olé! MEMBERS OF THE MONTH The UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER SEACOAST DAY OF CARING - MAY 12th  Catapult members recently participated in the 2010 United Way of the Greater Seacoast's Spring 'Day of Caring' at the Great Bay Kids Company in Exeter, NH. Responsible for cleaning up the grounds, the Catapult team removed accumulated leaves and winter debris, spread new wood chips on two large playgrounds and freshened up the numerous flowerbeds located around the facility. The team had a great time working with the Great Bay Kids Company staff to give the kids the best space to play and have fun. Encouraging volunteerism is an important component to Catapult's mission and so we would like to recognize the efforts of Katie Cassidy (Keller Williams Realty), Lauren Kane (RE/MAX of New England), Craig Davis (Tranquility Wellness Services), Matt Romano (Ocean Bank), Amanda Levesque (Franklin American Mortgage Company), and Phil Lewis (Liberty Mutual) for taking time away from their normal work day to volunteer for this special all day event. Catapult thanks the team for their gift of time and encourages everyone to volunteer to help make New Hampshire an even better place to live. View pics. SEACOAST BUSINESS BRIEFS
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT Thank you to the following sponsor(s) who have made our events possible.  Wentworth by the Sea - A Marriott Hotel & Spa Wentworth By the Sea commands the island of New Castle, NH's oldest settlement, next to the Distinctive Destination of Portsmouth, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The 161 guest rooms & suites blend historic elegance with 21st century convenience. Portsmouth NH conferences, meetings, and events appreciate the 10,000 sq. feet of flexible space including the original Grand Ballroom and the Treaty Boardroom. The meticulously restored grand hotel gleams with the glamour and grace that have drawn guests here for over a century. Intimate restaurants with imaginative cuisine, tranquil spa services, indoor and outdoor pools, nearby ocean beach, fitness and business centers, WiFi and an unwavering commitment to guest service make the Wentworth Marriott one of the great resort hotels of NH, New England and the world. http://www.wentworth.com/  Margaritas Mexican Restaurant Against the backdrop of a sun-soaked village in Central Mexico, surrounded by the texture of centuries-old heritage, the Margaritas restaurant concept has been carefully crafted and thoughtfully prepared for import to the United States. Margaritas has become an experience warmly embraced by people looking for a place to visit as well as a place to enjoy delicious Mexican food. Every visit to Margaritas is an individual journey, constantly evolving, always surprising and open for interpretation and discovery. Much like the subtle nuances that differentiate each hand-painted ceramic sculpture in our restaurants, no two Margaritas are identical and no two experiences are exactly the same. But every visit is undeniably Margaritas. Festive and fun! http://www.margs.com/  Lightfin Studios Lightfin Studios was founded in the spring of 2006 by a group of experienced visual designers, usability experts, developers and professional service specialists. Backed by years of experience in the industry, they set out to start a company that was truly customer-centric. Since day one, Lightfin has tried to meet that demand in every way possible. "Everything you" means entrenching themselves in your industry, your brand, your messaging and your vision. The magic happens when they take that knowledge and craft it into effective and powerful communication tools. www.lightfin.com  JBC Communications JBC Communications' vision is actually quite simple. To tell our clients' stories in an impactful way so that their strategic goals are achieved. www.jbccom.com Becoming a Sponsor Wondering how your business can reach the over 1,400 young professionals that make up Catapult? Become a sponsor today! Catapult offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities to local businesses who want to partner with one the most successful networking group of young professionals on the Seacoast. For more information, please contact sponsorships@catapultseacoast.org ENTREPRENEURIAL ADVICE FROM 
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.comGood Ideas Don't Always Equal Good Business: Think Before You Leap This past month I had the privilege of judging original product ideas created by teams of high school students as part of the 'Imagination Station' portion of the New Hampshire Business Conference. Two ideas in particular left me thinking that those individuals were onto something until I thought more about the elements needed to turn their creative idea into a viable business. I also had the opportunity to speak about entrepreneurial opportunities on FM 107.7 The Pulse radio and speak with a variety of people who have product and business ideas they aspire to turn into businesses. I mention these two experiences because despite being presented with a few dozen great ideas, it was my opinion that after figuring out the necessary ingredients, only one of the ideas I heard could actually be a recipe for success. Just because you like to cook doesn't mean you should open a restaurant. In the context of following your entrepreneurial dream, this statement means that not all good ideas make for good business decisions. Through my own experiences of evaluating entrepreneurial ideas, I have learned to recognize some of the challenges and deterrents that spoil the chance of an idea becoming a successful business venture. Outlined below are a few worth noting. COMPLICATED CONCEPT: Consumers want to buy simple products. If the consumer doesn't understand what your product does without a lengthy explanation or demonstration it creates an obstacle in the purchase process. This obstacle can be overcome, but time, energy and money will be needed to bridge the gap and sometimes these variables are factors that diminish the margin and therefore making it a tough sell. SHORT PROFIT MARGIN: What lies between cost and price point is your profit margin. The goal is obviously to create the largest profit margin possible. Some products are not suited for large price points and therefore will have short margins making volume necessary. A product that has a 5% profit margin means that millions will need to be sold in order for financial success to be achieved. Products such as this typically need massive distribution and the development of that takes a lot of time and in some cases money- often leading to a failed venture. SATURATED MARKET: I am always quick to say don't be afraid of starting a business that already exists. Capitalism is based on a free and competitive market and quality, price and promotion usually win the war. However, if the market is already saturated with a particular product or service, entering into the 'war' will prove challenging and require a lot of capital to differentiate yourself from what already has a head start. Most businesses fail during this catch-up phase. MANUFACTURING: It can be easy to imagine a product made from moon rock, but how to get the moon rock can be more complicated. Certain materials and mechanisms needed for a product can often be its demise. Finding a manufacturer for certain products can also prove to be an idea killer. It is always best to create or provide a product that is readily available and reasonably manufactured. Ambition, enthusiasm and motivation are three necessary ingredients needed to drive the start of any business, but unfortunately they are not the only things needed to ensure success. Encountering any of the situations above can quickly squash any brilliant concept proving some things are better ideas than businesses. CAREERALISM WITH J.T. O'DONNELL What Jerry Maguire Can Teach You About Job Searching By CAREEREALISM - Approved Expert, Laura Labovich Earlier this week, I received an email from an acquaintance of mine, asking me (and about 75 others also copied on the email) for help in his job search. Recently laid off, he had the right idea; to reach out to his network to seek help, asking his former colleagues, friends, neighbors and anyone else who would listen if they had any contacts that could benefit from a smart guy like himself. First, he inquired if anyone had any contacts at DC-based PR firms (given that his first priority was to work in a PR agency); next, he asked if they had any contacts at any companies that hired PR professionals in any capacity anywhere on the East Coast (as the email wore on, he became a bit more anxious and did not want to rule out a move). I Was Rendered Helpless... As I read the email, it was as if an actual question mark found its way to my head. Of course I know people in PR at companies, and I know people who do other things in the PR industry, and I know a lot of people at a lot of companies on the East Coast. Wouldn't that include almost every company from here to Timbuktu? I wanted to help him, but I didn't know how. I was reminded of a quote from the 1996 classic "Jerry Maguire," when Tom Cruise says to Cuba Gooding Jr. "Help me help you;" that we realize how little this Sports Agent can do without a little help from the other party. His hands-like my own-were tied! E-mail Was Well-Intended, BUT Not Effective So, how did a well-meaning cry for help go off track? It is simple. Read More |
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IN THIS ISSUE:  Letter from the ChairNews ReleaseUpcoming Catapult EventsWhat's New?In Case You Missed ItMembers of the MonthSeacoast Business BriefsSponsor SpotlightEntrepreneurial Advicefrom Brent Beckett Careeralism with J.T. O'Donnell CATAPULT RECOMMENDS
FRIENDS OF CATAPULT   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  The LFDA provides a comprehensive, interactive and nonpartisan venue to inform New Hampshire citizens and to stimulate their interest and engagement in the issues facing our state and communities. The Alliance encourages a civil exchange of information, ideas, and trust to forge a new relationship between New Hampshire citizens and their government. 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  Catapult endorses NH Businesses for Transportation and Infrastructure's initiative to bring rail to NH. Learn More  Stay Work Play NH, Inc. (SWP NH) was established as a nonprofit organization in April 2009 to further the 55% Initiative, support and advance several recommendations made by the Governor's Task Force on Young Worker Retention in the spring of 2009, and serve as an independent organization to run a website and associated marketing effort geared at providing comprehensive information on what New Hampshire can offer to the 20-30 year old demographic in terms of staying, working, and playing here. 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  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 2010? Click Here. We welcome your input! Share ideas on what you would like to see from Catapult in 2010. 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.   Catapult eNews June 2010 Volume 4, Issue 3 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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