TYRELL ALBIN Staff Writer—Lawton Constitution Photo by Jeff Dixon ~ Staff ~ Lawton Constitution The firefighter training program at the Great Plains Technology Center will be going adults-only in August. The program, which started in 2000 primarily for high school juniors and seniors who wanted to...

Oklahoma Tax Commission Workshops – Business Taxes February 2, April 5, 9 AM – 12 Noon, Room 656 Bldg 600 Designed for new business or individuals thinking about setting up business in Oklahoma.  Workshop offers information on formation, business structures, and steps for formation types such as...

Learn the keys to building healthy relationships at the workplace at a free December 9th workshop sponsored by Great Plains Economic Development Center.   The workshop is free but reservations are needed.  Phone or e-mail Debbie Reed at 580.250.5551 or dreed@greatplains.edu.  “Winning the Workplace...

Making the Transition From Entrepreneur to Employer So you think you want to be an employer?  This is a critical crossroads every entrepreneur must negotiate as they grow their business from a home-based or Mom & Pop, and it can be a killer. In order to transit this crossroads successfully, the...

We have all been there. We spend our time running from one fire to another. Some of these fires deal with closing that next deal, making the next sell, and getting money into the bank so we can make this week’s payroll. Of course, Karl Marx and Warren Buffett would be happy with the amount of Capitalism...

Describe the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the business Strategic Analysis (SWOT Analysis) Prior to the acceptance of mission and vision statements, we recommend the conduct of a strategic analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) A frequent...

Have you ever been asked to participate in one of those “national polls” used to predict everything from presidential elections to the latest trend in fashion?  No?  Me either – I have never been asked to participate in a poll but somehow they sure are able to accurately predict elections,...

How does your business see quality?   If a product or service is produced within the specification limits … isn’t that good enough?   If we promise to deliver that pizza within 15 minutes and it arrives at the customers table in 13 minutes that is good enough … right? WRONG.  Here are three...

A good system is easy to use, provides essential information in a timely manner and has an appropriate level of detail for the type of operation. Components of a record keeping system include: A business checking account and/or credit card to handle all business transactions An income ledger to keep...

You want to start a business, but you’re not sure what it should be.  One approach is to try to find a niche market – a small sector of an existing market in which you can specialize.  This may take some very creative thinking. A couple of examples:  You like the idea of a clothing store, but...

The Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network provides marketing and technical assistance to Oklahoma businesses interested in selling products and services to federal, state, and local governments, and other highly structured markets.  The primary purpose of OBAN is to create jobs and expand the economy in Oklahoma...

T L C – we have all heard that phrase before and it has meant “tender, loving care” for a variety of situations in our lives.  There has been that plant in the garden that needed some “TLC” to regain vigor with the green leaves or flowers for everyone to enjoy.  Maybe, it has been that stray...

Have you ever been working on your computer and then dun dun dun –your computer freezes?  Maybe your computer crashes altogether? You may have lost family photos, music collection, or some paper/project that you have been working on for the past 3 days. The majority of us have had to endure the frustration...

We’ve all had multiple opportunities to hear about the Generation Gap, the Veterans, Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y.  And if you are gritting your teeth over the characteristics of the Gen Y workforce, just wait till you hear about Gen Z, born between 1994 and 2004.  They are already in our workplace to...

Don’t you hate to get the answering machine?  Your customers or prospects are not any different when they call your number and get the same tired message that you are away from your desk or on another call, please leave a message.  Many office telephone systems have some features that are rarely...

Welcome to the inaugural edition of EDC 360, a weekly blog focusing on economic development in southwest Oklahoma! Great Plains Technology Center has served the educational needs of high school and adult students for over 40 years. These services are well known and trusted in our community. But Great...

Hello to all my fellow readers.  Graduation season is upon us, particularly mine.  After two years of hard work in the Radiology Technology program at Great Plains Technology Center, I will be entering the workforce as a fully competent employee.  Looking back at the last two years, it seems as though...

I guess I’ve had a little bit of writers block lately; with college decisions and AP studying running my life lately any extra creative writing has temporarily been suppressed somewhere within my brain.  As I sat down to write this, I primarily looked at a blank screen for a couple of hours. This...

May is finally here, and for me that means a lot of changes.  In my last blog I talked about what I had to look forward to in the job field and topics along those lines.  This week I want to discuss what a typical day at clinicals and the hospital setting for my job training is like.  I also would...

In my last blog I focused on radiation and different aspects about radiation safety. In this blog, I wanted to discuss changes I will be going through as I transition from a student to a working professional, as well as opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for me as a registered Radiology Technologist....