2010 Best Practices Series
April 15
Using Technology to Drive Revenue & Profits
June 18
What is My Business Worth & How Will I Be Able to Sell It when I Want To?
September 9
The Art & Science of Changing Your Business
October 28
How Do You Create Great Employees?
December 3
“Hello, Mr. Johnson? Your Building Is On Fire.”
About Linda Laitala
Linda Laitala is the president of Inner Circle of Central Minnesota and owner of the Marketing Circle. She specializes in helping growing businesses achieve greater success. With over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience under her belt in three different industries she brings a unique perspective to her roles as a small business coach, advisor and facilitator.
Laitala’s unique experiences include:
Owner and Partner of Job Masters Inc, Minneapolis: Linda recruited and trained employment counselors, created incentive programs and developed key accounts.
As President of Raven Machine & Tool in Mora, MN she received accreditation from the State of Minnesota and the SBA as a Woman-Owned Business. Raven supplied machined parts and assemblies to Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders including Tennant, OTC, Dana (later Parker Hannifin), FMC Northern Ordnance Division (BAE Systems), WABCO, Numberex and Honeywell. Over the course of 23 years Raven Machine & Tool expanded beyond Minnesota to major industrial cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee, Aberdeen and Kansas City. The company worked with over 150 industry leaders.
Under Laitala’s guidance the company was recognized as the Small Business of the Year by the local Chamber of Commerce and was featured in an article by Star Tribune columnist Dick Youngblood. As a result she was appointed by Governor Arnie Carlson to the Minnesota Technology Board of Directors. Linda also served on the boards of Minnesota Quality Council, Minnesota Cooperation Office, and Minnesota Investment Network.
Today Ms. Laitala owns Inner Circle of Central Minnesota, and facilitates five groups of entrepreneurs. Businesses represented in her circles include manufacturing, printing, real estate, consulting, retail sales, as well as non-profit organizations. They range in size from under $200,000 to over $100 million in sales.
Linda also owns the Marketing Circle bringing business owners together to provide fresh new ideas and perspective on how to reach more customers and land more business.
Linda’s hard work, dedication and skill at identifying the critical success factors needed by companies to succeed and grow, led to her appointment to the RAIN Source Capital Board on which she serves today.
Laitala was elected to and serves on the Board of East Central Energy, the third largest electric cooperative in Minnesota, as well as the Minnesota Rural Electric Association Board of Directors. Laitala chairs the ECE Strategic Planning Committee and serves on the Finance and Policy Committees.