• 5 Ways to Grow Your Business
• Advanced Email Marketing Strategies
• Affordable Advertising
• All I Want for Christmas is a Big Fat Loan!
• (The) Art of Creating New Relationships
• (The) Art of Negotiations
• Bankable Business
• Cash Flow Budgeting Workshop
• Email Marketing 101
• Essential Strategies
• Expanding Your Professional Horizons with Twitter
• Financial Basics
• Franchising – Is It Right For You?
• Google Adwords
• Go-To-Market Strategies
• How to Start a Small Business
• Impact Marketing
• IRS Small Business Tax Workshop
• Launching Your Website for Success!
• Legal Aspects of Running a Business
• Legal Aspects of Starting a Business
• Market Research Made Easy
• Market Your Small Business
• Quest For Customers
• Relationship Selling
• Running Your Business by the Numbers
• Sales for the Non-Sales Type
• Sales/Marketing Strategies - Your Sales and Marketing in a “Tough Economy”
• Secrets and Characteristics of a Successful Entrepreneur
• Social e-Marketing
• Start Smart Business Plan Writing
• Using the Internet to Market Efficiently
• Websites: Getting Your Visitors To Take Action
• Writing Content That Sells
• Your Business and Real Estate
5 Ways to Grow Your Business
If you are like most business owners, you want more: more
customers, more revenue, more profit. The problem is that all three of these
factors are end results; they are not the factors that really drive your
business. Those factors are:
• Leads - how to leverage current strategies and options for new ones
• Conversion Rate - specific strategies to improve converting current leads into
customers
• Number of Transactions - strategies to address one of the most often overlooked and
productive areas to boost revenue
• Average Dollar Sale - another easily overlooked, but incredibly impactful value-adds
• Profit Margins - direct cash flow strategies
Implement just a few small changes in each of these five areas and you will see massive increases in your bottom line. Come see what strategies can be implemented in each of those areas and the difference they can make in your profitability.
Back To Top
Advanced Email Marketing Strategies
The basic purpose of all marketing is to drive action. Email is a perfect tool to test and drive action. There are many different marketing strategies that can be utilized through emails. In this workshop we will cover how to:
• Brand your emails
• Use graphics, documents and other media such as audio/video/animations in your emails
• Use social media and web 2.0 sites to market and email
• Address contact management tactics
• Use mobile devices for emails
• Assess stats and trends in emails to drive revenue
Back To Top
Affordable Advertising
During the down economy, advertising is the first budget item to be cut, but it is the major aspect to assure a business's success.
The objective of this workshop is to:
• Define advertising
• Cover the purposes of advertising
• The 5 fundamental of advertising
• Cover the methods of advertising
• Provide a 7-step test for each advertising technique to assure your maximum ROI
Back To Top
All I Want for Christmas is a Big Fat Loan!
Learn how to secure a loan for your new or existing business in the works for 2009. Make your holiday dreams come true! In this workshop, we will cover:
• The types of lending institutions
• Credit reporting agencies
• The C's & P's of credit
• Loan proposals
• SBA products
• SBA loan structure & how it works
Back To Top
(The) Art of Creating New Relationships
Networking is crucial to very business owner – as long as you know how to properly network. Networking is a process of developing and maintaining quality relationships that are mutually beneficial. By the end of this workshop you will know how to create a plan for networking that will help connect you with the right people. You will also learn what questions to ask, how to present yourself and your business, and how to follow through.
Back To Top
(The) Art of Negotiations (2 Parts)
Negotiating for Success: Negotiation is both a skill and an art.
Learn the basics of good and fruitful negotiations. Learn how to get what you deserve by becoming a better negotiator.
Back To Top
Bankable Business
Finding financing is an important step to growing your business. Is your business bankable? In this workshop we will go over the different types of financing that is available, what is required by the banks to get it, and ways to make your business more bankable. Learn ways to:
• Obtain free credit reports without hurting your credit score while improving it.
• Prepare your own loan package.
• How to shop for a loan.
• Know the different type of financing that fits your personal needs.
Back To Top
Cash Flow Budgeting Workshop
Cash is the fuel that runs your business. Do you know how much cash your business needs to operate on a monthly basis? Do you have enough cash on hand for your business' rainy day? If the answer is no, then this workshop is for you! This workshop is designed for new or current business owners, managers, accountants, and consultants who need to know how to turn cash flow management into a useful management tool. In this workshop you will learn how to create, maintain, and improve a healthy cash flow budget for your business. We will cover ways to increase the inflows and ways to decrease the outflows of your cash budget. Bring your calculator and pencil. This will be an interactive workshop.
Cash Flow Budgeting Workshop Outline:
• Class Introduction
• Class Objectives
• Define Cash Flow and Cash Flow Management
• Define Importance of Cash Flow Management
• How To Develop, Monitor, and Maintain a Cash Flow Budget
• Tips on Improving Cash Flow, including Ways to Increase Cash
• Inflow & Ways to Decrease Cash Outflow
• Hands-on class exercise
• Wrap Up and Evaluation
Back To Top
Email Marketing 101
Is your company or organization looking for a better way to reach your target audience--at a fraction of the cost of conventional advertising? Whether it is to generate new sales or to follow-up with existing customers, "E-marketing" gives businesses of all sizes access to mass markets at an unbeatable price! This seminar covers the basics of email marketing, why it works, and how to use it to get results for your business.
Back To Top
Essential Strategies
If I build it, they will come! It's not enough to just have a website. You have to make it work for you. This work shop will show you the importance of creating and maintaining a great web site. You will learn how to:
• Create Actionable Web Sites
• Improve Your Natural Search Engine Optimization
• Find and Create Social Media Sites and How They Work
• Tips for Effective Online Article Writing
Back To Top
Expanding Your Professional Horizons with Twitter
This course will look at the latest online phenomena, Twitter, and provide insight for the small business owner. The course will cover a general overview, tips and tricks, external tools, and general guidance for leveraging the most you can out of microblogging.
Back To Top
Financial Basics
Understanding Financial Statements will help the business person appreciate the value of financial statements to efficiently manage, diagnose and improve their business. The course will speak in laymen’s terms to translate what your financial statements can tell you about your business. Attendees will learn how to read their statements and apply what they learn to their business. Real life examples will emphasize how you don't have to be a "number-cruncher" to effectively manage your business' financial aspects.
Back To Top
Franchising – Is It Right For You?
So you want to start your own business, and would like to consider franchise opportunities? This class explores the basic concepts of franchising, the nuts and bolts of franchising, and will address issues of which you may never have thought. After attending this class you should be better able to answer the question: “is franchising right for me?”
Back To Top
Google Adwords – Pay Per Click Marketing
Google Adwords is the most recognized search engine based advertising program available today. This class is goaled at providing a basic overview of the system and its related tools as well as tips for being successful. There is no need to bring a computer to this course as it will be driven by an instructor-lead presentation. If you are new to Adwords or are already running a campaign, this course will have something for you.
Back To Top
Go-To-Market Strategies
In Marketing Management, Go-To-Market strategy encompasses the channels that a company uses to connect with its customers/business and the organizational processes it develops (such as high tech product development) to guide customer interactions from initial contact through fulfillment.
A firm Go-to-market is the delivery mechanism for their unique value proposition. That value proposition is based on the choices the business has made to focus on and invest in markets and solutions that they believe will respond positively to the increased attention. Marketing Strategy involves WHO the firm will go after and WHAT it will offer them. Go-to-market Strategy is a component of the overall Marketing Strategy and is concerned with HOW the firm will make it happen.
In this 1.5 hour workshop we will:
• Use techniques to quickly identify strength and weaknesses of existing marketing
and sales strategy from lead generation to fulfillment.
• Use brainstorming tools to determine additional and alternative strategies to
obtaining more and better leads and more sales.
• Determine steps to affirm new systems and accomplish goals to implement new
strategies, identify potential obstacles to fulfillment and success.
Back To Top
How to Start a Small Business
It’s back to basics! If you want to start a business but don’t know where to begin, then this class is for you. This class will address many of the questions you should ask yourself before beginning the process of starting a new business.
Why start a small business?
• What are your goals?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your values?
• How do you work?
The workshop will also cover the process of starting a business:
Starting a business
• How to analyze feasibility of your idea
• How to prepare business plan
• Selecting legal form
• Sources of capital
• Business licenses and permits
• Sources of information
Back To Top
Impact Marketing
A good marketing campaign is crucial for success in business. In today’s economy, it is essential that businesses are able to utilize as many low cost, high impact marketing techniques as possible. In this workshop you will learn:
• Learn about low-cost marketing ideas that produce high dollar sales.
• Understand the different web optimization strategies.
• Know the importance of internet marketing (PR, blogging, etc.)
• Learn to embrace and use social networking (FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn. Etc).
• Pass the “KISS” test for each marketing campaign.
Back To Top
IRS Small Business Tax Workshop
Do you know your tax responsibilities as a small business owner?
This workshop is designed as an awareness seminar to inform business owners of their tax obligations. Tax information for each of the small business structures is provided along with a review of independent contractors versus employees, and an introduction to tax forms required from a small business.
Back To Top
Launching Your Website for Success!
Learn from an expert the most proficient and economical way to launch and/or enhance your company's web presence without making mistakes that could cost your business time and money. Topics include:
• Choosing the right domain name
• Web security
• Design options
• Design do's and don'ts
• Web hosting
• Ecommerce
• Internet marketing (including Search Engine Optimization)
Back To Top
Legal Aspects of Running a Business
Wondering whether you should have employees or independent contractors? How much and how often should you pay your employees?
How do you protect your business assets? This class will address:
• Hiring and Firing Practices
• Independent Contractor v. Employee
• Paying Employees – Salaried v. Hourly
• Confidentiality and Non-Competes
• Employee Handbooks
• Policies on Technology Use
Back To Top
Legal Aspects of Starting a Business
Thinking of starting a business but don’t know where to start? Confused by all the different types of entities you could form for your business and wondering which type will be best? This class will address:
• How to Effectively work with your Attorney (and save $$$ doing it)
• Choice of Entity & Documents Required
• Minimizing Liability
• Assumed Names (Doing Business As)
• Financing the Business – loans, angels & VC’s
• Intellectual Property –
→ Trademarks, Copyrights, Trade Secrets & Patents
Back To Top
Market Research Made Easy
Whether you sell a tangible product or an intangible service, in the end it all comes down to a product that your customers choose to buy from you or a competitor. Market Research Made Easy will help you to understand:
• Who are your customers?
• Why would they buy your product or service?
• How will you find them?
• How will they find you?
• Who are your competitors?
• How will you differentiate yourself from your competitors?
Back To Top
Market Your Small Business
All marketing should be based on underlying needs. It is important to determine how many potential customers you might have, and what kind of competition you will face. When it comes to persuading customers to purchase your products or services, they want to know what is in it for them, why they should believe you, and what makes you and your product/services different from your competitors.
Back To Top
Quest For Customers (2 Parts)
You can market your business inexpensively and effectively by first developing your Marketing Action Plan - your MAP - and then acting on it. By applying simple marketing analysis Mind-Mapping® techniques, your MAP will emerge showing you "How to Grow Your Small Business!"
Back To Top
Relationship Selling
Do you detest selling? You know you need to do it to grow your business. This class goes beyond the stereotypical "salesman" and gives you insight into what sales are really about. You will walk away with a selling style that is easy even for people who despise selling. The class will outline techniques for customer-focused selling and how to sell benefits as well as discuss strategies and processes to build relationships with customers which in turn nurture and develop customer loyalty.
• How to get and keep customers long term
• How to make your company stand out from your competition
• How to tailor your message to make the most impact
• How to make great contacts
Back To Top
Running Your Business by the Numbers
We will examine how people make business decisions; how business owners can and should use statistical analysis (numbers) to make most of their business decisions; introduce the concept of Six Sigma - a system of evaluating processes in business to find defects and flaws in how things are done; what numbers business owners need to be able to read and use in running their business; and, we will take class attendees through some exercises so they can practice using the concepts being taught to make (hypothetical) business decisions. Attendees will learn:
• How your price and profit work together.
• How to make the right decisions for your business based on numbers not emotion!
• What financial statements are and what they mean to your business.
• The “3B”s of business to live by.
• Budgets – what goes into a budget, how do you create a budget?
• Benchmarking…what is it and how can it help you?
• Break-Even Analysis - how do you calculate this
Back To Top
Sales for the Non-Sales Type
Often owner/managers must become salespeople. Learn how to
• Be the kind of salesperson you can respect,
• Create more selling opportunities,
• Close more business, focusing on authenticity without gimmicks.
Back To Top
Sales/Marketing Strategies - Your Sales and Marketing in a “Tough Economy”
"Update your Marketing and Pricing Strategy" to take your market by STORM! We will look at typical pricing and marketing efforts in a strong economy; then compare and contrast a strong economy with what our country is experiencing currently and in the foreseeable future.
The class will evaluate how businesses in most industries react to a weakening economy ("hold on for dear life"). We will develop the concept of "thriving" by altering your business outlook on how to take a product or service to market: through aggressive pricing and/or revised service strategies, etc. All of these strategies ties back to the numbers in your business so you will understand how these revised strategies will affect profits and other critical margins.
Attendees will learn:
• How to determine your market to know who your competitors really are.
• How to price your products and services.
• How what your customer needs are and how to exceed them (Under Promise, Over Deliver).
Back To Top
Secrets and Characteristics of a Successful Entrepreneur
Do you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur? This class will look at many of the characteristics and qualifications necessary for making a go of it as a business owner. Multiple business owners were interviewed and studied in developing this class. Be ready to engage in some robust dialog as we examine what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur.
Back To Top
Social e-Marketing
This workshop will cover social media websites, and how they can be a useful tool to help market your business. This course will help you gain knowledge of what social media sites are out there, how to evaluate if they are right for your business, and how to set them up for marketing your business.
Back To Top
Start Smart Business Plan Writing (2 Parts)
If you think writing a business plan is too hard … think again! Start Smart Business Plans is designed to bring definition and clarity to your dreams and ideas. As you walk through each step, you will draw a map to follow on your road to success:
• Define the vision of your business.
• Identify your customers.
• Research competitors.
• Formulate financial projections.
• Create milestones to execute your plan.
Back To Top
Using the Internet to Market Efficiently
Marketing can be one of the largest but most necessary expenditures of a small business owner. The goal of this lecture is to provide information that will allow the small business owner to affordably market their products and services on the internet.
In this session, you will be exposed to real world examples that cover a variety of options and best practices that allow you to maximize marketing dollars using the Internet. The lecture will provide examples, guidelines and other useful information to startup and established small businesses.
Back To Top
Websites: Getting Your Visitors To Take Action
Websites exist so that users will interact with them. A user could be a customer, employee, partner, or potential customer. What action do you want them to take: call your company, download a document, listen to an audio file, or maybe make a purchase? This class will concentrate on how to make your website more actionable thus more effective in accomplishing your business goals for the site.
Back To Top
Writing Content that Sells
It is not enough to just send an email or
article; they have to provide the reader with something of value. This workshop
will cover effective e-mail/newsletter writing techniques:
•Super Subject Line – Get your readers attention.
•Benefit First – How to make the readers life better NOW!
•Find a newsworthy nugget and wrap yourself around it.
•Be the Expert
•Try the Letterman technique – Include a top ten list.
•Be the journalist – Interview someone with an important perspective.
•Keep it super simple – No jargon or technical lingo, and shorter is better!
•Educate – Teach the reader something.
•Entertain – Clean jokes only.
•Add a special value for your readers.
•Some discount, bonus or sale ONLY for readers of the newsletter.
Back To Top
Your Business and Real Estate
Should I have an office at home, rent commercial space, sublease or purchase a building for my business? In this class, you will learn
• Pros and cons of each.
• Can you afford it?
• How important is location?
• Legal liability for each location. Torts, city and county ordinances, and landlord-tenant
issues.
• Sharing a location, insurance, taxes.
• Tips on buying and financing, historic buildings,
public transportation, schools, and
traffic (vehicles or foot).
• How to make a home based business look more professional and bigger.
• Faking it!
In addition, learn about commercial leasing agreements and sales contracts with each issue.
Back To Top
