A Fond Farewell to Rita Albrecht
The Center for Research and Innovation bids a fond farewell to Rita Albrecht as she takes on new challenges as Bemidji’s Assistant City Planner. Rita worked as a graduate assistant at the Center for Research and Innovation for 2 years, but filled a much larger role. Her many talents will be missed at the CRI and we wish her the best in her new position.

Seven Complete Professional Development Certificate Program
Congratulations to Harry Farris, Heidi Pachel, Amanda Sande, LeeAnn Shogren, Lori Theis, Jane Walk and Sara Zimmerman who recently completed the Certificate in Human Resources Management offered by Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation. Course content included affirmative action, discrimination and harassment, job applications, recruiting and hiring, performance management systems, coaching performance, creating employee handbooks and more. One of the graduates commented,”...the timing of this course couldn't have been better. I applied for, and was awarded, a job in HR that I didn't think I had a chance to get. I credit a large part of my getting the position to earning this certificate from CRI.” This certificate program will be offered again this fall. Contact the Center for Research and Innovation for more information.

Winning Ticket will Develop Efficiency and Quality in your Workplace
The Center for Research and Innovation is partnering with Alexandria Technical College and Northland Community and Technical College to provide the Winning Ticket Training Series. Businesses can purchase season tickets for seats in each of the 9 classes. The business then selects the best people to attend the various sessions, allowing up to 9 different people from the organization to attend the 9 different sessions. Topics include value stream mapping, communication, conflict resolution, tools of quality, lean office, teambuilding, customer profiling and more. The series will begin September 8. More details are available by contacting the Center for Research and Innovation.

Customer Relationship Management Course Offered
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a combination of business strategy, marketing focus, and technology that allows organizations to better understand and target customers. This course will weave the CRM vision with the GoldMine technology and familiarize those individuals interested in strengthening customer relations. The objectives of this course include; 1) Familiarize individuals with the business concepts and philosophies related to Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and 2) Relate the CRM business concepts and goals with hands-on training using the technology GoldMine 6.5. The course will be offered Tuesday, August 9 from 9am-4pm at the Center for Research and Innovation. Click here for more information.

Does Your Company OSHA Training Program Meet all the Requirements?
This month’s Northern MN Safety Council discussion will be regarding OSHA Training Requirements. The discussion is scheduled for June 15, from 11:30am-1pm. Join Mike Krieger from the MN Department of Labor and Industry Workplace Safety Consultation to verify your company is in full compliance with OSHA training standards. A $20 registration fee will be charged to cover the price of materials and lunch. Advance registration is encouraged. If you have ideas for the group or would like to be added to the Council’s mailing list, contact the CRI by email at cri@bemidjistate.edu or phone 218 755 4900.

News From the Natural Resources Consortium
”What Good are Mosquitoes?”
Find out the answer to this question and more at a 3 p.m. natural resources presentation June 20 at the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation. Presenting will be Heather Rickerl, Naturalist and Community Program Coordinator at The Outdoor Campus, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. With Rickerl will be Jen Hatton, a biology instructor at Isle, MN schools. The presentation is free and open to the public. The schedule of upcoming events is available on line.

CRI Partners with Leech Lake Tribal College, Leech Lake Reservation, and the Small Business Development Center to Offer FREE Business Courses
The Leech Lake Tribal College Center for Career Development is hosting a series of courses for anyone interested in starting their own business. Topics include Introduction to Business, Finances for the Non-financial Person, Marketing your Business, and Uses of a Computer in Your Business. Click here for more information.

Employers! And those who advise employers!
If you own or operate a small business and want your questions on requirement and regulatory changes answered by federal and state agency experts, this is the workshop for you! Click here for more information.

Learn how to do Business with the State of Minnesota
This workshop will provide an overview and some details about professional/technical service contracting with the State of Minnesota. Professional/technical services are unique and have special requirements. Click here to learn more .

NW Regional SBDC Aligns with BSU College of Professional Studies
We are pleased to announce the alignment of the Northwest Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC) with Bemidji State University's College of Professional Studies. The SBDC program has been developed in the past four years at the Center for Research and Innovation and this new change will bring increased resources from the Business and Accounting Departments. For more information and contact information, click here.

Events and Links

• If you are a small business owner or want to start a small business, The Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) may be able to help!  You can create a business plan, research potential markets and marketing ideas; discuss management issues with experienced business specialists.

• Interesting in doing business research?  One of Minnesota's finest institutions is now available online.  The Hill Research Library has thousands of articles as well as access to a number of premier data bases for YOU to access. Additionally, The Hill Library offers comprehensive research assistance if needed.  Check them out at http://www.hillsearch.org/.