Published May 17, 2012
LSU Alumni Association and BRAC Agree to Partnership
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) and the Louisiana State University (LSU) Alumni Association recently announced the execution of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will facilitate the promotion of BRAC’s talent development program among LSU graduates. The agreement states that the alumni association will distribute information about the program to its members and chapters and provide BRAC the opportunity to partner with the association at chapter events in order to promote the Capital Region and the availability of job openings within it. In turn, BRAC will work to identify career opportunities for out-of-region LSU graduates and provide the resumes of alumni members interested in returning to the Baton Rouge area to companies with open positions. The MOU’s goal is to grow the number of resumes included in BRAC’s talent database. Those interested in being a part of the database can find more information on the “call for resumes” and confidentially submit a resume here.
BRAC Opposes Southeast School District Due to Lack of Information
BRAC has announced their opposition to legislation proposing the formation of a new southeast Baton Rouge school district due to insufficient planning and lack of information regarding the impact of the district separation on fiscal status, student capacity, and school choice across district lines. The new district would be created by severing a portion of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. BRAC has posed key questions that the organization believes must be answered before proceeding with ISDs. To answer these questions, BRAC and the Baton Rouge Area Foundation have jointly engaged James Richardson, PhD, a professor with Louisiana State University, to conduct a full feasibility analysis of independent school districts in East Baton Rouge Parish. BRAC is encouraging the legislature to delay action on forming additional independent school districts until these key questions regarding the future of education in East Baton Rouge Parish can be fully examined.
DMC Carter Chambers Expanding in Baton Rouge
DMC Carter Chambers Inc. is investing $10 million to build a new Highland Road headquarters to consolidate its existing corporate office and the Gonzales and Prairieville locations into a new 90,000-square-foot-facility. The company expects to create 80 new jobs over the next nine years, while retaining 128 existing jobs. Annual salaries for the new jobs will average $74,000, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) estimates the project will result in an additional 115 new indirect jobs in the region. Construction of the company’s new facility will begin this year and the expansion will be completed by fall 2013. In addition to corporate offices, DMC said the new headquarters will be home to seventeen employees moving from the company’s Gonzales distribution center and twelve employees moving from the Prairieville filtration center. Altogether, DMC Carter Chambers oversees 486 employees in multiple states.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
BRAC and Congressman Cassidy Present to Latin American Firms
BRAC wishes to thank Congressman Bill Cassidy for presenting to the managing partners of four Latin American corporate law firms in Washington, DC last week. BRAC’s business development executive director Iain Vasey was in DC to meet with international lawyers representing companies considering operations in the United States. Congressman Cassidy joined Vasey in presenting an overview of the Louisiana and Baton Rouge energy sector, the commitment of the region to promoting economic development, and the momentum achieved so far. The four senior lawyers represent large companies in four Latin American countries, and their practices specialize in representing energy and chemical sectors. This is part of BRAC’s ongoing flagship initiative to establish an international presence and promote investment in the region from overseas companies.
Korean Trade Mission to Louisiana
The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) was established in 1946 with the objective of advancing the Korean economy through trade. Currently it is the largest business organization in Korea with over 71,000 member companies. Representing the interests of Korea's global traders, KITA serves a diverse range of roles including: providing hands-on support to trade companies, drawing trade cooperation from the private sector, formulating new trade strategies, nurturing trade professionals, and building trade infrastructure. Louisiana will host KITA Chairman Han and a delegation of senior Korean officials on June 21-22, 2012 in New Orleans. This is an opportunity for BRAC investors to engage with a high ranking Korean delegation. If you are interested in meeting with the delegation or being a part of the events, please email Ashley Dugas at BRAC.
BRAC BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER
Job descriptions are imperative to your business because they define job responsibilities and expectations. They can be used in a number of ways. First, a description will help a candidate decide if the job is of interest. Second, the description will help you interview the candidate to decide if the candidate is right for the position. The job description can help you in training new employees. Finally, the description forms the backbone of your evaluation and review process. Click here to learn how to create the best job descriptions for your business.
Five Ways to Boost Your Creative Power
For entrepreneurs, creativity is not simply a luxury. It is an essential survival skill. There are simple steps that entrepreneurs can take to increase their creativity and avoid common pitfalls. Understanding how to approach a challenge is essential. Innovation is more than just coming up with a new idea. Instead, it’s a process with many components and many players. Click here to learn the process.
How to Protect Your Product or Idea When Pitching It to a Company
Many people have great ideas for new products or services but don’t have the means to get them to market and often look for a larger company to help them. If your idea is so unusual that it’s patentable, before you show it off, you’ll want to have that company sign a nondisclosure agreement promising it won’t steal the idea. The best way to protect yourself is by being extra cautious about whom you share your idea with. To read more about protecting your product or idea, click here.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Tech Tuesday Presented by Cox Communications
Network with the region’s top technology professionals
@ LSU Business Education Complex, Baton Rouge
5:30pm–7:30pm
Free admission
More information and online registration »
Presenting Sponsor
Premier Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors
Small Business Education Series Presented by Teknarus
Don't Leave Money on the Table: Incentives for Businesses
@ Boudreaux's, Baton Rouge
11:30am–1:00pm
$25 BRAC investor or $30 non-investor (with pre-registration); $35 investors and non-investors (day of event)
Lunch provided
More information and online registration »
Presenting Sponsor
Premier Sponsor
Innovation Take-Out Presented by Phelps Dunbar
Interactive meetups accelerating good ideas
@ The Lyceum, Baton Rouge
6:00pm–8:00pm
Free admission
More information and online registration »
Presenting Sponsor
Monday, May 21, 2012
Volunteers In Public Schools Annual Meeting
Amy King presents Through the Eyes of a Teacher: From the Boardroom to the Classroom
@ Louisiana Resource Center, Baton Rouge
11:00am–1:00pm
Free admission
More information »
Better Business Bureau's B2B Trade Show
Secure a booth now for this day of face-to-face networking for small businesses
@ Marriott, Baton Rouge
8:00am seminar, 10:00am–6:00pm trade show, 6:00pm B2B after hours
Booths are $395 BBB accredited members, $500 non-BBB members
More information »
Red, White & Blue: The Arts & You!
A benefit for Manship Theatre and LSU Museum of Art
@ Shaw Center, Baton Rouge
6:00pm
$65 adults or $35 children (twelve and under)
More information »
To see a more extensive list of Baton Rouge area events, visit the Creative Capital of the South® website here.