What Works: Building Businesses One Job at a Time

Jobs and an improved economy are at the top of every community’s wish list. At U.S.SourceLink, we are committed to helping communities discover and implement strategies that create jobs and improve their economies.

Ideas that work

We like to celebrate success when we see it. So we’ve decided to search throughout the U.S.SourceLink network of 4500 small business resource providers to find what works. We’re looking for innovative, creative projects that are making a difference in communities. Think you’ve got the next big idea? Put it on display, share your excitement with others and win a $2500 cash prize.

We’re asking that you send us a short presentation (video, audio, PowerPoint) about what’s working in your community to grow businesses and create jobs. We’ll post all those presentations at ussourcelink.com, and then spread the word throughout our network of affiliates. We will invite website visitors to vote for their favorite idea, and we’ll recognize the “people’s choice” at our annual U.S.SourceLink conference in Kansas City April 23-24, 2012.

In addition to conference recognition, the top pick from the online voting will receive a $2500 cash prize. If you win, we’ll highlight your idea on the U.S.SourceLink website and in our newsletter and host a webinar about your project with U.S.SourceLink affiliates.

The contest is open to any 501c3, 501c6 or government entity that assists startup and growth entrepreneurs and business and is affiliated with the U.S.SourceLink network.

How to enter:

  • Create a two-minute or shorter presentation (video, audio, PowerPoint) highlighting a program or practice that works in helping small business owners and entrepreneurs create jobs.
  • You must also send us your name, organization name, contact information and a short summary of your program (no more than 500 words.) Please include things like what market you serve, what results you’ve seen, why the program is innovative and how you are funded. You must also include the U.S.SourceLink program with which you are affiliated.
  • Send the presentation or YouTube link to info@ussourcelink.com. Deadline for submissions is March 23, 5 p.m. Central time. You will not receive a notification of submission of your contest entry.
  • Voting begins April 1, 2012 at 8 a.m. and closes April 15, 2012, 5 p.m. Central time.
  • Each individual IP address can only vote once.
  • Email questions to info@ussourcelink.com.

Contest rules:

  • Presentations must be no longer than two minutes.
  • Presentations must be original creations and must not infringe on a third party’s rights. Entrants are responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions. No copyrighted music, video or images may be used without proper permission.
  • Only one presentation per organization.
  • By submitting a presentation to this contest, you give U.S.SourceLink a perpetual royalty-free license to copy, distribute, modify, display and perform publicly and otherwise use, and authorize others to use, your presentation for any educational purpose.
  • Videos posted to YouTube will be subject to YouTube’s privacy policy.
  • Presentations must not contain violence, profanity, sex, images of a prurient nature or direct attacks on individuals or organizations. Entries deemed offensive will be disqualified.