Do Something With New Techniology

There were the usual speeches, lavish receptions and seminars, but this year’s National Small Business Week celebration had a decidedly high-tech bent. A futurist lauded the benefits of technology, and the Small Business Person of the Year makes “sonic” toothbrushes.

David Giuliani, president and chief executive officer of Optiva Corp. in Bellevue, Wash., said since 1992, the company has sold a million Sonicare toothbrushes. Bacterial plaque doesn’t have a chance with a tiny microprocessor driving the brush head at 31,000 sweeps a minute.

Last year, Inc. magazine ranked Optiva the second-fastest growing company in America. Optiva, with more than $50 million in annual sales and a mind-boggling 12,000 percent growth rate, is a far cry from one past national winner who made hair ribbons in Oklahoma.

By relying on a network of local vendors, Optiva is credited with directly and indirectly creating 1,000 jobs in the Pacific Northwest. Sales have taken off with the endorsement of many dentists.

“We get leverage through our reputation with dentists and dental hygienists,” said Giuliani. “They recommend it, and many now supply it as part of their practice.”

Optiva represents the type of small business that is flourishing now, according to futurist David Snyder. “Companies big enough to have credibility in the marketplace but small enough for diversity represent the role models,” he said.

Snyder said the strong U.S. economy is accelerating the technology revolution. “The news is wonderful,” he said. “We have passed through the midpoint of the technology revolution. … All of the things they promised are about to avalanche into our lives.”

Snyder challenged the state small business winners to do something with new technology. “For small enterprises, the information revolution is a boon.”

Business owners resisting technology were given a reprieve when Vice President Al Gore announced the IRS is giving small companies another six months to get ready to file their payroll taxes electronically. Without the IRS action, thousands of companies would have faced penalties for not using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System starting July 1. (Check with your accountant to see if this rule affects your company.)

“We have a gusher of good news,” Gore told the crowd before announcing the winners. “This is the best economy in a generation.”

Gore said the Clinton administration has brokered 200 new trade agreements and intends to balance the budget by the year 2002. Gore also encouraged the winners to offer simplified pension plans to employees and said free booklets are available by calling a toll-free hotline: 800-998-7542.

Hewlett-Packard, a new sponsor of the Small Business Administration’s annual event here, presented personal computers and laser printers to the state winners who submitted the best business tips. Here’s some prize-winning advice selected by this columnist:

“If the idea is gonna fail, fail fast. Then move on.” - Jeanne Voight, president of MindWare, Roseville, Minn.

“Take your morning moments in the shower to refresh and review your visions before you get absorbed in the day-to-day issues.” - Lauren Leifer, president of Industrial Audio/Film Services, Morton Grove, Ill.

“In order to be a better money manager, delay all discretionary purchases until they become critical to your operation. If the purchase never evolves to a critical need, you will have conserved one of your most precious resources: money.” - Bill McCollough, president of McHenry Associates, Charlotte, N.C.

“Search for the best control of your inventory.” - Eduardo Barea, president of Ibiley School Uniforms Inc., Miami, Fla.

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