OCBin http://www.ocbin.org A Guide to the Orange County Business World Sat, 27 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 More sun leads to higher productivity in business meetings http://www.ocbin.org/2011/08/27/more-sun-leads-to-higher-productivity-in-business-meetings/ http://www.ocbin.org/2011/08/27/more-sun-leads-to-higher-productivity-in-business-meetings/#comments Sat, 27 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.ocbin.org/&p=55 The power of the sun extends much further than many realize. The sun has the power to directly affect the mood of most people, and when it is in abundance, can lead to higher productivity in business meetings. The reason this occurs is simple. Sunlight naturally causes people to be in a better mood, be more alert, and feel more energetic.

Imagining this is not hard. Simply consider how you feel on a rainy day to how you feel on a sunny day. Clouds and rain cause most people to feel sleepy and lethargic. It is not completely understood why this occurs, but many attribute it to confusion that is caused to the brain when a time of day that should otherwise be accompanied by bright light is instead dark.

While it is not possible to control weather conditions, it may indeed be wise to hold business meetings in locations that get more sunlight. The reward for doing this will be a group of people that are feeling more upbeat, alert, and energetic. These factors should be taken into account by anyone that wishes to start a business, or relocate and existing business. When these feelings are present, there is little that cannot be accomplished.

]]> http://www.ocbin.org/2011/08/27/more-sun-leads-to-higher-productivity-in-business-meetings/feed/ 0 Fun, Sun, Jobs??? How relocating your business to Orange could save your business http://www.ocbin.org/2011/08/15/fun-sun-jobs-how-relocating-your-business-to-orange-could-save-your-business/ http://www.ocbin.org/2011/08/15/fun-sun-jobs-how-relocating-your-business-to-orange-could-save-your-business/#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.ocbin.org/&p=54 Many business owners are finding Orange County, California the ideal location to work and play. Not only is the area filled with lots of sunshine but a growing population as well. A steady increase in residents has created a boom in business opportunities as well as jobs being poured into the area. Local restaurants are seeing a steady increase in patrons willing to spend money on fine fare. Great news for anyone considering opening a restaurant or those interested in jumping into the food industry.Didn’t catch that? This explains it. Clothing retailers are also seeing a noticeable increase in sales as the population increases so does the need for shopping locations.

Business owners looking to save their current business may experience growth in Orange county, California as sunnier days provide the perfect climate for outdoor activities. Other interesting business ventures include street vending or smoothie bars. Heavy foot traffic in the area promises local attention, which may increase sales and cashflow. With an increase in business comes the opportunity to create jobs for local residents seeking employment and more time for you to spend with your family and loved ones. Matching your business with the needs of the city will help you decide if Orange is the best place to settle.

]]> http://www.ocbin.org/2011/08/15/fun-sun-jobs-how-relocating-your-business-to-orange-could-save-your-business/feed/ 0 Building an Empire: Join the construction of the Midway City Street and the Storm Drain Improvement http://www.ocbin.org/2011/07/16/building-an-empire-join-the-construction-of-the-midway-city-street-and-the-storm-drain-improvement/ http://www.ocbin.org/2011/07/16/building-an-empire-join-the-construction-of-the-midway-city-street-and-the-storm-drain-improvement/#comments Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.ocbin.org/&p=49 The Midway City Street and Storm Drain Improvement project is part of Orange County’s continuing commitment to positive economic growth and quality of life for its residents. This project greatly improves infrastructure: the base of local economic development.

Although residents are temporally inconvenienced, ultimately this project will increase the value of their properties. For the greater community it opens doors for business growth and investment.

Just in the construction phase the projects brings 9.8 million into the county. Supervisor Janet Nguyen knows the value of this project to the First District. Her work moving the project forward makes Midway City a big winner. Improving flood control, water and sewer restoration, fixing sidewalks, driveways and alleys, then new trees and landscaping, sets the stage for positive growth beyond the project area.

Every county is in a competition to attract new businesses. Municipal improvements garner attention and highlight the positive aspects of any community.

As the project moves forward community support is vital. Outside investors look for communities that are open to growth, and they are looking at the quality of life. The project will demonstrate, with public and private support, the cities of the County understand the meaning of “business friendly.”More info here: Lions International’s New Charter Club, Orange County Vietnamese American Lions to host their Charter Launch Celebration and Fundraiser

]]> http://www.ocbin.org/2011/07/16/building-an-empire-join-the-construction-of-the-midway-city-street-and-the-storm-drain-improvement/feed/ 0 Buying a Foreclosure in the OC http://www.ocbin.org/2011/06/25/buying-a-foreclosure-in-the-oc/ http://www.ocbin.org/2011/06/25/buying-a-foreclosure-in-the-oc/#comments Sat, 25 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.ocbin.org/?p=48 Everyone knows California was hit hard by the real estate bust and nowhere more so than Orange County. If you’re considering buying a foreclosure in the area here are a few things you’ll want to do first:
Check with a realtor: It’s easy to get excited over the prospect of a foreclosure sign but you’ll want to check with an Orange County realtor before you buy up properties. Knowing what’s on the market can make it easier to make a sound financial decision.
Consider the taxes: Many foreclosures mean huge tax implications both good and bad so do your due diligence to make sure you won’t be in the hole before you even get started.
Call a contractor: If your foreclosure needs work you’ll need to find out what it will cost. Contact sears kitchen remodeling to find out about cabinets and appliances and talk to everyone from a landscaper to a deck refinisher to get an accurate cost.
Foreclosures in the Orange County area can be a great investment and make great homes to live in, just do your research beforehand to make sure you don’t get burned!

]]> http://www.ocbin.org/2011/06/25/buying-a-foreclosure-in-the-oc/feed/ 0 Orange County Businesses: A list of job opportunities http://www.ocbin.org/2011/04/30/orange-county-businesses-a-list-of-job-opportunities/ http://www.ocbin.org/2011/04/30/orange-county-businesses-a-list-of-job-opportunities/#comments Sat, 30 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.ocbin.org/&p=43 Orange County Businesses: A list of job opportunities. There are many job opportunities in Orange County, California. Some occupations that are needed in Orange County include sales associate, software engineer, certified medical assistant, teacher, occupational therapist, and athletic trainer. In order to learn more about the different job opportunities in Orange County, you can do a web search for the different businesses that require new employees. There are a variety of jobs that are offered each day, so be sure to constantly search for new opportunities in the future. Employers in Orange County are looking for people with different work backgrounds, and some employers hire entry-level workers. To prepare yourself for getting a job interview for a business within Orange County, and to learn more about the many jobs available in Orange County, you should attend a job fair. A job fair can help you learn about the different available jobs, and this provides you with an opportunity to meet the employers, to exchange resumes and business cards, and to do networking with different people and businesses. It is very common for businesses that participate in a job fair to interview prospective candidates. People that attend these job fairs should look professional, neat, and clean. Start searching now for job opportunities in Orange County, California if you are looking for a new job.

]]> http://www.ocbin.org/2011/04/30/orange-county-businesses-a-list-of-job-opportunities/feed/ 0 The real Businesses of Orange County http://www.ocbin.org/2011/04/15/the-real-businesses-of-orange-county/ http://www.ocbin.org/2011/04/15/the-real-businesses-of-orange-county/#comments Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.ocbin.org/&p=42 Despite the present economic climate, Orange County, California still exhibits many opportunities for individuals to expand economically. There are many successful business enterprises that are presently operating in the area, and many have received only very small losses in their customer base due to the recession, and in fact many businesses in the area have actually grown despite the recession.

The restaurant business is flourishing in the area, and many restaurants have actually expanded in the last few years. Part of this may be attributed to the population growth in the area, but due to the superior services offered by these restaurants, patrons are coming from surrounding areas to dine in the area. Due to more individuals dining in the area, restaurants can employ more employees, who can then spend more money with the area merchants, which in turn continues the economic growth in the area.

The success of the restaurant business in the area has helped other area merchants to increase their customer base, from the increased number of restaurant employees who shop in the area. The wage to cost of living ratio in the area is quite reasonable, which makes this a very attractive area for many individuals.

]]> http://www.ocbin.org/2011/04/15/the-real-businesses-of-orange-county/feed/ 0 OC: Tech Job Central http://www.ocbin.org/2011/01/28/oc-tech-job-central/ http://www.ocbin.org/2011/01/28/oc-tech-job-central/#comments Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000 www.ocbin.org http://www.ocbin.org/?p=38 The Orange County Register reported on December 20th of last year that the OC ranks 14th in the country when it comes to high tech jobs (as ranked in 2009) indicating that 77 of every 1000 private sector jobs were in the tech industry (based on the Cybercities 2010 report furnished by the TechAmerica Foundation).One might think that cities and regions like San Jose and the Silicon Valley would lead the pack but they in fact came in third, with the greater New York area taking top honors. The breakout is as follows for the top ten:
  1. Greater New York 317,000 jobs
  2. Greater Washington DC 293,000 jobs
  3. San Jose/Silicon Valley 225,600 jobs
  4. Boston 219,800 jobs
  5. Dallas/Ft. Worth 174,800 jobs
  6. Los Angeles 170,000 jobs
  7. Chicago 161,800 jobs
  8. Seattle 145,300 jobs
  9. Philadelphia 134,200 jobs
  10. Houston 127,800 jobs

The Orange County Register went on to report that “while Orange County may not be at the top of the list overall, it stands out in the following four sectors”:

  • Consumer electronics manufacturing: Ranked 4th with 1,100 jobs
  • Electronic components and accessories manufacturing: Ranked 5th with 9,100 jobs
  • Space and defense systems manufacturing: Ranked 3rd with 6,000 jobs
  • Photonics manufacturing: Ranked 3rd with 900 jobs

The article closed by pointing out that “tech jobs have the benefit of providing extra oomph to Orange County’s economy because they tend to be higher paid. The TechAmerica Foundation said high tech jobs here in 2009 paid 75 more than average private sector wages.”

]]> http://www.ocbin.org/2011/01/28/oc-tech-job-central/feed/ 0 New Business Activity in the OC http://www.ocbin.org/2010/10/15/new-business-activity-in-the-oc/ http://www.ocbin.org/2010/10/15/new-business-activity-in-the-oc/#comments Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:45:47 +0000 www.ocbin.org http://www.ocbin.org/?p=24 Costa Mesa is seeing new business activity in the form of several retailers opening or expanding operations within its hub. In-N-Out Burger is breaking ground on Harbor Boulevard just west of the I-405 Freeway. The 3200 square foot restaurant is laying claim to the spot that Kaplan’s Deli once held stake before it was torn down earlier this year. John Paul Mitchell Systems Inc. is planning a flagship salon at the South Coast Collection shopping center. The Beverly Hills-based company plans for not only a salon in the 14,000 square foot space but a beauty school as well that can handle around 280 students and serve in upwards of 70 customers at a time. And last, a 20,000 retail center called Gateway Plaza is about halfway complete on Bristol Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard. The plaza already has one tenant, Pat Chou Bakery. Costa Mesa definitely seems to be a hub of activity in Q4 of 2010 we’ll keep an eye on trends as we move into 2011.

]]> http://www.ocbin.org/2010/10/15/new-business-activity-in-the-oc/feed/ 0 The Best Companies to Work for in Orange County http://www.ocbin.org/2010/07/14/the-best-companies-to-work-for-in-orange-county/ http://www.ocbin.org/2010/07/14/the-best-companies-to-work-for-in-orange-county/#comments Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:45:57 +0000 mgeedey http://www.ocbin.org/?p=14 Everyone wants a job they can legitimately enjoy waking up for in the morning. While this may be hard to come by, these Orange County businesses have figured out how to make their employees happyhappy enough to be rated the best companies to work for in Orange County by OC Metro. OC Metro releases a list of the happiest workforces around in their business magazine each year. Here are the top three from this year:
  1. Arbitech: This hip server distributing, network equipment storing company earns a living by selling tier-one computers for low prices. What makes it the best place to work for the 68 employees? There’s an onsite gym with a certified trainer who teaches classes daily, catered lunches managed by a nutritionist, and a retreat every year for employees and their families to exotic locations like Puerto Vallarta, Vegas, and Palm Springs. Not to mention sponsored department trips that entail skiing, off roading, boating, and water sports.
  2. Earthbound Media Group: This company offers strategic marketing and creative communications to their clients, and paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, car washes, discounts, and three day weekends to its employees. A ‘healthy lifestyle’ is the key factor to keeping employees happy, so extended lunch breaks are preferred and laptops are provided. If that’s not enough, the office is adorned with a Nintendo Wii and arcade.
  3. Boost Mobile: Home to over 470 employees, Boost allows employees to bring their dogs to work with them, provides videogames (PacMan and Air Hockey) in the break room, and flat screens airing MTV, FUEL TV, and VH1 in the lobby for customer and employee enjoyment. The perks may make it fun, but the wall paintings make it stand out. The walls at Boost are covered by graffiti artist’s finest works.
]]> http://www.ocbin.org/2010/07/14/the-best-companies-to-work-for-in-orange-county/feed/ 0 Orange County Small Business Development Center http://www.ocbin.org/2010/07/14/orange-county-small-business-development-center/ http://www.ocbin.org/2010/07/14/orange-county-small-business-development-center/#comments Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:36:38 +0000 admin http://www.ocbin.org/?p=11 If you’re interested in launching your own small business or want to expand a preexisting small business, the SBDC-Small Business Development Center of Orange County can help you out. The best part…they offer most of their services free of charge. A member of the US Small Business Administration, the SBDC provides you one on one business assistance and team business consulting. Other programs offered by the SBDC include low cost seminars, a bid matching program, and additional business resources. The Seminars are extremely helpful. They cover important business topics including Accounting, Access to Capital, Employment Law, Marketing, Web Technology, and Government contracting. There are also training seminars offered as well as online courses for both businesses and employers.Starting up a small business takes more careful thought and consideration that you originally thought. The SBDC can help you obtain licenses and permits for buildings, score a business loan from the bank, handle the IRS tax center in both English and Spanish, and even guide you through the financing process. The staff is dedicated and trustworthy, guaranteed to provide confidential business and professional assistance. In terms of credibility, the SBDC is partnered with high profile businesses including Wells Fargo and CITD as well as a multitude of local businesses. They are also proudly associated with the Economic Workforce and Development program, the Rancho Santiago Community College District, and Fullerton California State University.Before contacting the Small Business Development Center, you’ll want to have a good idea of what you have in mind for your business and where you want it to go. The SBDC can help you reach your goals, but only after you’ve established them.

]]> http://www.ocbin.org/2010/07/14/orange-county-small-business-development-center/feed/ 0