Sunnyvale Public Library Podcasts

More and more business software applications are being made available online. There are many considerations for a small business when assessing whether to use online hosted solutions, also known as Software as a Service. This class will help you make the right business decision by teaching you what to look for in an online application, how to assess whether it will provide the right return on investment, and what some of the common pitfalls of relying on hosted services are. Presented on Thursday, November 29, 2007.

Presented by Ray Mausling, Silicon Valley SBDC Technology Advisory Program (TAP)

 Ray Mausling: Using Online Apps to Manage Your Business [132:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally presented on Monday, November 19, 2007 as part of the Business Workshop Series.

Representatives of a bank, a credit union, a nonprofit lender, and the U.S. Small Business Administration explain how to access financing programs available for small businesses. Learn how you can finance the startup of a new business, or the expansion of an existing business. Find out what the are looking for.

Panel Members:

Steve Bangs, U.S. Small Business Administraion

Niki Wong, United American Bank

Jeff A’ana, KeyPoint Credit Union

Maryam Akbaryar, Lenders for Community Development

 Panel of Lenders Workshop [85:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally presented on Friday, November 16, 2007 as part of the Business Workshop Series

This FREE seminar is for anyone interested in starting a new business or would like to expand their existing one. Business planning is the most important component of the process. Learn what your thought processes and considerations should be in the business planning process. Outline the steps you should take in developing a business plan and why.

The program will be led by Darlene McKinnon, Deputy District Director for the San Francisco District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Ms. McKinnon has reviewed hundreds of business plans at the SBA and developed quite a few of her own. She has taught business planning seminars and university courses for the past 15 years.

 Developing A Business Plan [175:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally presented on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 as part of the Business Workshop Series

Are you looking for a major change or opportunity in your life? Entrepreneurship may be just the answer!

This seminar discusses the personal characteristics and capabilities that are needed to succeed in business. We discuss “Questions to ask yourself” for you to evaluate if you have what it takes to be a business owner. We also discuss the business climate of today and steps to starting a business. Suggestions for preliminary market research and methods to determine the financial feasibility of your business ideas are offered. Requirements to succeed in business and the SCORE resources for getting advice and help are also provided in this two hour seminar. This seminar may be the start of a new and exciting adventure for you. Workshop narrated By Marty Schwartz from SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business.

Topics of the seminar:

· Today’s business climate and the role of the small business

· Personal characteristics & capabilities to help you succeed

· Requirements to succeed in a new business

· Preliminary market research & planning for a new business

· Examples of businesses you might start

· Steps to getting started in business

· Determine if the business is feasible and the business plan makes sense

· Advice and help available from SCORE

 Should I Start A Business? [113:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally presented on Monday November 5, 2007 as part of the Business Workshop Series.

Part five features Rhonda Pryor from NOVA@CONNECT! Business Services.

 Rhonda Pryor [20:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally presented on Monday November 5, 2007 as part of the Business Workshop Series.

Part four features Gail Buettgenback from Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center.

 Gail Buettgenback [23:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally presented on Monday November 5, 2007 as part of the Business Workshop Series.

Part three features Linda Snook from Anew America Community Corporation.

 Linda Snook [17:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally presented on Monday November 5, 2007 as part of the Business Workshop Series.

Part two features Guy Thompson from SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business.

 Guy Thompson [18:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally presented on Monday November 5, 2007 as part of the Business Workshop Series.

A workshop where small business owners and prospective small business entrepreneurs will learn how the programs of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can help them start, manage, and grow their companies. Expert speakers from SBA and its resource partners will provide practical information on SBA’s three main program areas: management training and counseling, access to financing, and access to federal government contracting oppertunities. Program benefits, eligibilty requirements, and application procedures will be covered. If you are thinking of starting a small business, or simply want to expand your existing business, this workshop is for you!

Part one features Michele Devito from SBA Programs and Services.

 Michele DeVito [27:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Dr. Monica Ranes-Goldberg, an expert on stem cell research, discusses different types of stem cells, which diseases could potentially be treated by stem cells, the challenges of stem cell research, and why it is controversial. Monica Ranes-Goldberg has had a wide and varied career. She received degrees from UC Berkeley and Harvard and has taught courses on Immunology, infectious diseases, and cancer biology, as well as working on medical diagnostics in Bay Area biotechnology companies.

 Standard Podcast [54:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Author-expert Jennifer Roberts talks about what green means when it comes to the kitchen, the nation’s most frequently remodeled room. Roberts is the author of three acclaimed books on green homes: Good Green Kitchens, Redux and Good Green Homes. Learn about techniques, materials and products being used today to create kitchens that are beautiful, healthier for people and easier on the planet. Co-presented by the City of Sunnyvale Public Works and Library Departments.

Note: Viewing video from this page requires a current browser, Quicktime plugin and high-speed Internet connection. To view on Google Video, follow the sidebar link to “Video Downloads.”

 Podcast Video [47:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Learn how to find information on launching, financing and managing a small business, writing a business plan, finding company performance data, and performing competitive analysis. Also covers resources for protecting and researching the intellectual property of a business. Taught by Librarians Marjory Cameron and Joan Jackson.

 Standard Podcast [114:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Sunnyvale author Robert Balmanno talks about his first published novel, September Snow. In the world of September Snow, global warming and climate change have been rife for decades. Gaia, a new religion, originally devoted to preserving the Earth, has been perverted. A draconian regime controls everything, even the weather. September, a woman of intellect and physical prowess, leads a rebellion. She seeks to save the planet from a corrupt system, so the Healing Process of Earth can begin. A futuristic, dystopian story where mankind and the physical life of the planet are on a collision course.

 Standard Podcast [74:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Sharleen Kilgore of Project Sentinel, a non-profit agency which helps people resolve housing issues, describes what you need to know about reverse mortgages.

 Standard Podcast [36:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Bob Balmanno relates life as it was in the 1950s as a boy growing up on Vine Street, then on the edge of the edge of Sunnyvale, a City with 9,000 people and growing fast. “There wasn’t a single commercial or residential area except for a couple of old houses and the Donut Wheel in Cupertino” on the seven mile stretch of road between Sunnyvale and Saratoga.”

This story was made possible through a Library Services & Technology grant from the California State Library. The goal of the Sunnyvale Voices project was to record and provide access to the early history of Sunnyvale as told by Sunnyvale residents. A compilation video of all stories recorded for this project, titled “Sunnyvale Voices: From Settlers to Silicon,” is available for checkout in the Library collection.

 Standard Podcast [6:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Mathilda Sousa remembers life in early Sunnyvale on her family’s four acre ranch, spending time with her sister doing the things she loved. “We picked prunes, and we cut apricots, and we loved it! I cannot believe every time I think of it I hear people saying how ‘we hated to pick prunes, and how we hated to cut apricots.’ And I say, ‘you know, we thought it was fun.’”

This story was made possible through a Library Services & Technology grant from the California State Library. The goal of the Sunnyvale Voices project was to record and provide access to the early history of Sunnyvale as told by Sunnyvale residents. A compilation video of all stories recorded for this project, titled “Sunnyvale Voices: From Settlers to Silicon,” is available for checkout in the Library collection.

 Mathilda Sousa - Memories of early Sunnyvale [8:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In the first of two podcasts, Vince Cala recalls his time in Sunnyvale before and after World War Two. “The whole neighborhood could hear all day- the firing, and the soldiers marching back and forth. During the time that they were there, when they’d leave, we’d come down as kids and the lead would hit the targets and fall on the ground. We’d pick up the lead; we’d actually fight for the lead.”

This story was made possible through a Library Services & Technology grant from the California State Library. The goal of the Sunnyvale Voices project was to record and provide access to the early history of Sunnyvale as told by Sunnyvale residents. A compilation video of all stories recorded for this project, titled “Sunnyvale Voices: From Settlers to Silicon,” is available for checkout in the Library collection.

 Standard Podcast [6:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In part two of Vince Cala’s story, Vince talks about the move his family made from Sicily back in 1920 and why the orchards disappeared throughout the years.

This story was made possible through a Library Services & Technology grant from the California State Library. The goal of the Sunnyvale Voices project was to record and provide access to the early history of Sunnyvale as told by Sunnyvale residents. A compilation video of all stories recorded for this project, titled “Sunnyvale Voices: From Settlers to Silicon,” is available for checkout in the Library collection.

 Vince Cala - Family and Farm Life [5:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this first of three podcasts, Denise and Nancy Alexander recall their impressions of Sunnyvale when they first moved here in March of 1960. “We remember Sunnyvale looking a lot different than it does today. We came here and lived in this house and my father landscaped and put in these bricks and everything. As a child here it was a lot of fun because the neighborhood ended right over here and it was just orchards. That was our playground, where the orchards were.”

This story was made possible through a Library Services & Technology grant from the California State Library. The goal of the Sunnyvale Voices project was to record and provide access to the early history of Sunnyvale as told by Sunnyvale residents. A compilation video of all stories recorded for this project, titled “Sunnyvale Voices: From Settlers to Silicon,” is available for checkout in the Library collection.

 Sunnyvale Voices - Coming to Sunnyvale [5:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In part two of Denise and Nancy Alexander’s story, the two recall what life was like living in downtown Sunnyvale. “Our house was the last house on the block. So it was kinda neat, we’d come out here and play baseball and everything. Beyond our house here was a cherry orchard and across the street, that was a huge field and you had to walk through the field to get to the next block over.”

This story was made possible through a Library Services & Technology grant from the California State Library. The goal of the Sunnyvale Voices project was to record and provide access to the early history of Sunnyvale as told by Sunnyvale residents. A compilation video of all stories recorded for this project, titled “Sunnyvale Voices: From Settlers to Silicon,” is available for checkout in the Library collection.

 Sunnyvale Voices - Living in Sunnyvale [4:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download