California Small Business Roundtable Honors Pacific Bell With First ``Small Business Friendly'' Certification.Business Editors LOS LOS Length of stay, see there ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 31, 2001 California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). Small Business Roundtable Business Roundtable (BRT), an association consisting of the chief executive officers of major U.S. corporations that was founded in 1972 through the merger of the three preexisting business organizations. Launches Certification Program to Enhance Relationships Between Small and Big Business The California Small Business Roundtable (CSBR CSBR Center for Sustainable Building Research ), an organization created by the California Delegates of the White House Conference on Small Business and the California Small Business Association (CSBA CSBA California School Boards Association CSBA Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments CSBA Canadian School Boards Association CSBA California Small Business Association CSBA Canadian Swedish Business Association CSBA Customer Service Benchmarking Australia ), today unveils a new certification program that recognizes large companies for extraordinary services and advocacy efforts on behalf of small businesses throughout the state. Pacific Bell has received the program's first "Small Business Friendly" certification. The CSBR program features a detailed review process and "seal of approval" for large businesses and vendors that offer exemplary service to the small business community. The program also will draw upon resources and services available from major companies in California to support small businesses during increasingly challenging economic times. "Small businesses in California have entered extraordinarily rough seas," said Betty Bet´ty n. 1. A short bar used by thieves to wrench doors open. The powerful betty, or the artful picklock. - Arbuthnot. 2. Jo Toccoli, president of the California Small Business Association and chairman of the California Small Business Roundtable. "Our goal is to provide a reliable source for information on services and vendors, ultimately saving time and money for small businesses throughout the state." Small business is a major force behind California's economy. The U.S. Small Business Administration estimates there are 2.5 million small businesses in California, accounting for more than half the state's total workforce. Pacific Bell, the first of a founding group of companies to receive certification through the new program, was granted the award for its advocacy practices, services and commitment to the state's small businesses -- all key criteria in the CSBR's selection process. Other recipient companies will be unveiled over the next several months. "The growth and success of Pacific Bell, like so many other California businesses, is directly related to the continued development of small businesses throughout the state," said Thom The surname Thom is of Scottish origin, from the city of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Angus, part of clan Stuart or Stewart and are also listed as a sept of the Clan MacThomas. Many Thoms can be found in Ontario, Canada and New York. Matson, vice president of business services at Pacific Bell. "One of Pacific Bell's top priorities is to ensure that our relationship with small business customers is collaborative in nature. We're honored hon·or n. 1. High respect, as that shown for special merit; esteem: the honor shown to a Nobel laureate. 2. a. Good name; reputation. b. that the small business roundtable has recognized these efforts." Through the program, the CSBR will evaluate services and options available to small businesses and make its recommendations available via the Internet Internet Publicly accessible computer network connecting many smaller networks from around the world. It grew out of a U.S. Defense Department program called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), established in 1969 with connections between computers at the (at www.csba.org) and 1-800 numbers. "Certified See certification. " companies are those organizations who have passed the scrutiny of the association and received the CSBR's "seal of approval." "Small businesses can realize significant benefits by utilizing these resources and drawing from a knowledge pool of companies who best serve their interests," said Toccoli. "When companies such as Pacific Bell have demonstrated quality customer service and competitive pricing, they deserve to be recognized for the stake they've taken in the welfare of the state's small business community." The program also will provide new sources of funding and support for small business advocacy, resources and education. Companies that have passed the strict screening process established by the CSBR and designated as "small business friendly" also make an investment in the Roundtable. Toccoli added that not all companies that make an investment in the CSBR will be eligible for certification. "We envision that the "small business friendly" certification program will provide an increased layer of security to business owners, and save them the hassle Hassle () is a location in Närke, Sweden, where a Celtic treasure was found in 1936. It comprises a large bronze cauldron which contained two Bronze Age swords of the Hallstatt type, a pommel of bronze, two bronze buckets with of researching which companies are their best partners in business," said Toccoli. To learn more about the California Small Business Roundtable and the Small Business Friendly Certification program, please call 800/350-CSBA. For more information on the CSBA, please visit www.csba.com. |
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