Helping Small Businesses Analyze Online Opportunities

The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC) and AVID Commerce, LLC (AVID) are partnering to provide MI-SBTDC clients with new Internet-specific consulting, marketing and technology services. 

The partnership will assist Michigan businesses in analyzing the effectiveness of their Internet initiatives and appraising the market potential to grow their businesses online. “Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners receive no-cost counseling and low-cost training through the MI-SBTDC.  This new partnership strengthens the services we are able to offer small businesses in Michigan,” said Carol Lopucki, state director of the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center.

Stephen Antisdel, managing director of AVID Commerce, said: “Our partnership positions us to provide our Strategic Opportunity Analysis Report (SOAR) studies as a pro bono service in conjunction with MI-SBTDC.  The SOAR report provides immediate, tangible benefits to Michigan businesses, helping them cope with the downturn by explaining how to improve the effectiveness of their Internet presence. The report also gives them an indication of the potential to grow their business in the online channel,” said .

With Internet expertise dating back to 1996, AVID Commerce has helped companies in multiple industries achieve significant growth online. One example is WorkingPerson.com, with operations based in Buchanan, Michigan.

AVID was engaged to reengineer the WorkingPerson.com web site and online marketing in 2005.  Results have been noteworthy, including a “50 Companies to Watch in Michigan” award in 2006; they were picked for Internet Retailer “500” awards in both 2007 and 2008, (placing them among the 500 largest web retailers by revenue); the company also won a spot on the “Inc 500” last September based on a cumulative three year growth rate of over 700%.

“Our partnership with MI-SBTDC will help us find and assist other WorkingPerson.com like companies in Michigan,” said Antisdel. “These innovative businesses are going to be an important growth engine that will help pull our State out of the current economic downturn.”

The AVID SOAR study provides businesses with an independent analysis and recommendations related to their Internet initiatives, web site, online marketing and Internet strategy. Michigan companies interested in a SOAR study can contact AVID Commerce or any MI-SBTDC office for details.

About MI-SBTDC
The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center provides counseling, training and market research for Michigan's new business ventures, existing small businesses, expanding new businesses and new technology companies. The MI-SBTDC is located at the Grand Valley State University Seidman College of Business in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As host of the MI-SBTDC State Headquarters, the Seidman College of Business oversees the twelve-region MI-SBTDC network. Entrepreneurs and small business owners may access the services of their nearest MI-SBTDC by calling (616) 331-7480 or visiting www.misbtdc.org.

About AVID Commerce
AVID Commerce is the creator of proprietary e-commerce applications and related technologies employed in the design, development and marketing of high-performance, Internet properties. AVID Commerce clients have achieved exceptional results online with national recognition for growth and scale including the Inc. 500 award, Internet Retailer's 500 Largest E-commerce Web Sites award, the 100 Best Web Sites award, and others for client companies such as WorkingPerson.com, JLPowellUSA.com, ArtPassions.com, Veada.com, Foamiture.com, GreenFishSports.com, and MotoDirect.com. For details visit AVIDcommerce.com