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Seminar Descriptions
Seminars are sponsored by the Small Business Center Network and are free to the public.
GETTING STARTED
Start Your Business Now SBX 7525
What do you really need to start your own business? Much more than luck! This popular seminar is packed with valuable information to help you start off right and increase the odds of your business being successful. Learn the key aspects of marketing, sources of financing and legal issues.
Choosing Your Legal Structure SBX 7812
Which legal structure is best for your business—sole proprietorship, S-Corporation, partnership, LLC? Choosing the right business entity is an important step in setting up your business. Know the right questions to ask when choosing a legal structure and understand the benefits and disadvantages of each.
Business Plan Basics SBX 7805
Turn your business ideas into a solid plan for financing and long-term success. Attending this seminar will only be the start of a process that will help commit your great ideas to paper. It will provide you with a good general overview and basic understanding of the components of a typical business plan, how marketing, operations and finance are inter-related and more.
Site Selection: Lease or Purchase? SBX 7890
Choosing the right commercial business premises can be a critical decision for your business. Whether you are starting up or expanding, it can have a major impact on your bottom line! This seminar will look at the option of lease vs. purchase and also examine the relevant factors you should consider when negotiating your purchase or lease contract.
From Corporate World to Entrepreneur: How to make the transition SBX 7892
From your corporate desk have you ever daydreamed of running your own business? This seminar outlines the path from corporate America to entrepreneurship. What is it really like to run a business? How do I decide the best business for me? How much money is it going to take? Where do I find the financing I need? How much money can I potentially make? These questions and more will be answered in the seminar.
You have a Great Idea … What’s Next? SBX 8003
Everyone has a great idea; yet, creating innovative ideas is just the start. How do you transform a great idea into a great product? And, how do you create a product that provides an economic return? This discussion will shed light on how to examine an idea before investing a dime. You will also learn what 5 questions you should ask before attempting to take your great idea to the next level.
FUNDING YOUR BUSINESS
Fundraising SBX 8007
Nonprofit organizations, school systems, sports teams and others need to cultivate multiple revenue streams through sound financial planning. If your organization has never developed a fundraising plan or calender, this class is for you. It provides an overview of the components of a fundraising plan. You'll learn how to develop a case statement, identify fundraising partners and prepare a fundrasiing plan and calender.
How to Fund Your Start-Up SBX 7529
This seminar will review the various forms of equity and debt financing including conventional bank loans, SBA guaranteed loans, private loans, venture capital, factored receivables, credit cards, and supplier trade credit.
MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS
Marketing in a Down Economy SBX 8006
A Focused and efficient marketing strategy can help your business to survive and thrive in a down economy. Come and explore the key elements that will enable you to create a results driven marketing approach that will allow you to effectively communicate your unique message on a limited budget.
What's New in New Media SBX 8008
Find out the very latest tips, tools and platforms you can use that will make your marketing easier, more effective and more manageable. We'll look at the latest and greatest tools for your website, e-mail marketing, blogs and social media applications, including Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Low Cost, No Cost Methods to Create an Effective Web Presence SBX 7880
How do you get your website to rank high on search engine result lists? Today a web presence is a necessity, but to be valuable you must know how to use and market your website effectively to boost your business. Learn best practices for SEO and how to take advantage of free online tools.
Market Research Tools SBX 7813
Market research isn’t just for startups; it’s an important ongoing process for every small business. Discover the variety of market research tools such as statistical websites, questionnaires, focus groups, and observational research that will give you critical information about potential opportunities and threats in your industry. Get the data you need to test the feasibility of a new business or interest in a proposed new product or service.
Easy Steps to Create Your Marketing Plan SBX 7817
Marketing can make or break a business, which is why a marketing plan is considered one of the most important parts of your business strategy. Learn what should be included in a marketing plan and why, and where to get the information.
Multi-Cultural Marketing SBX 7816
With the Charlotte area population becoming more diverse each year, one size does not fit all when it comes to marketing. Understand some of the key cultural differences, ideas, trends, and sensitivities to appeal to audiences that can result in more customers, more dollars, and more growth for your business.
Demystifying Google Adwords & Analytics for Small Business Owners SBX 7898
Use the power of the Internet to create a low cost online advertising campaign to increase your prospects and resulting sales. Learn how to effectively create and manage a Google Adwords account by using best practices for account set up, bidding and campaign management strategies. This seminar will also teach the best practices for using Google’s Free Analytics to analyze your website traffic.
Conducting a Competitive Analysis to Gain a Competitive Advantage SBX 7897
Why will customers purchase your products or services rather than your competition? Learn the steps to complete a competitive analysis of your market and your competitors to help you to choose effective strategies that will help you to gain a competitive advantage for your small business.
Using Online Profiles To Market & Promote Your Business SBX 7895
This seminar is for you if you’re interested in learning about professional and social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, ZoomInfo, Google.com, Yahoo.com and other online sites. You’ll learn social media etiquette and how to create “Online Profiles” and how “Online Profiles” can help you market and promote your business to thousands of potential clients and prospects via professional and social networking sites. You’ll learn how setting up your company profile on professional and social networking sites can help you promote your business, launch advertising campaigns and build a “fan base” to help market your “brand” to grow your revenue using “Online Profiles.”
MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS
Negotiating Skills for Your Business Success SBX 8005
In today's business world, learning good negotiation skills will help you maximize your success, whether you own your own business, work for someone else, or are just thinking about making a change. There is no time when you can't use practiced, proven negotiation skills to help you get what you want and need. This seminar will cover basic Negotiation skills that can help you better understand how to reach the best agreement or compromise possible for you and your company, with anyone, at any time, for anything.
Tradmarks, Copyrights and Trade Secrets: What Small Business Owners Need to Know SBX 7843
Coming up with new ideas to make your business unique is all part of the entrepreneurship process. But protecting those ideas has been taken to a whole new level because of the ease of technology. Find out some of the common intellectual property issues small business owners encounter. What steps should you take to protect your ideas and stay out of infringement trouble?
Businesses in Hardship (seminar – panel discussion) SBX 8002
As a result of the recent recession, some businesses are experiencing financial difficulty. Can I avoid bankruptcy? If not, should I liquidate or reorganize my business? What are the some of the tax implications to consider? Come and listen to a panel of volunteer lawyers from NC LEAP (North Carolina Lawyers for Entrepreneurs Assistance Program) discuss whether bankruptcy is necessary along with foreclosure issues, reorganization issues, and tax implications for businesses that are considering filing for bankruptcy.
How to Effectively Organize Your Small Business SBX 7896
How you organize your business can make or break your business. Why is an organization chart so important? Learn the basic elements of any business and the importance of setting goals and creating a functional organization chart. Also learn the 5 top organizational mistakes that people make when organizing their small businesses.
The New Manager/Entrepreneur: What You Need to Know SBX 7889
Do you want to learn how to manage your business to maturity? Succeed by learning the key management skills needed to get to the next level. Discover the importance of managing employees, resources, and the variety of new challenges you will face as your business moves through the stages of growth.
Healthcare Options for Small Business Owners SBX 7886
Finding affordable health insurance can be a challenge for small business owners. Come, listen, and learn from a panel of local healthcare professionals and discover what you need to know to obtain suitable health coverage. Have you wondered what types of plans are available for small business owners? Panelists will answer this question and provide information on individual and group policies, health savings accounts, and considerations for providing health insurance to employees.
Pricing Your Product or Service SBX 7887
The price you charge for your product or service is one of the most important business decisions you make. Determining the “right price” is a difficult task and involves customer, company, and competitive factors. Discover how to use these elements to establish a price that will ensure profitability!
Taxes and Record Keeping SBX 7822
The day-to-day tasks of running a small business can easily crowd out time for “keeping the books.” Learn about your tax responsibilities, recordkeeping and filing requirements and ease the time you spend filing tax reports.
Businesses in Hardship (seminar – panel discussion) SBX 8002
As a result of the recent recession, some businesses are experiencing financial difficulty. Can I avoid bankruptcy? If not, should I liquidate or reorganize my business? What are the some of the tax implications to consider? Come and listen to a panel of volunteer lawyers from NC LEAP (North Carolina Lawyers for Entrepreneurs Assistance Program) discuss whether bankruptcy is necessary along with foreclosure issues, reorganization issues, and tax implications for businesses that are considering filing for bankruptcy.
BUSINESS GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Doing Business with Central Piedmont Community College - CPCC SBX 8004
From buying office supplies to contracting for cleaning services, construction projects, professional services, furnishings, instructional supplies, technology, and much more, CPCC uses all types of small businesses. If you are interested in creating a business relationship with CPCC and learning about their vendor programs, contracting, bid opportunities, requests for propsals, quoting, and E-procurement, then this is the seminar for you. Find out what you need to know to become a vendor and how to take advantage of the numerous business opportunites within the North Carolina state systems. Gain valuable contacts and resources. It's easy once you know the basics.
Bootstraps and Band-Aids: “How to Cash flow Your Company” SBX 7893
Not all successful entrepreneurs have rich uncles, and not all businesses need outside investors. This 2-hour short-course on business finance will focus on where the money comes from to start and grow your business. When cash is tight, or the chips are down (and man, are the chips down this year!) how do you squeeze the most cash out of your company? Where do you turn when investors have turned away? Please bring a calculator and a pencil. If you have a recent (or projected) financial statement from your business, bring that too. We'll do several simple exercises to make cash flow concepts come to life.
Responding to RFP’s, RFQ’s and ITB’s SBX 7833
Get an insider’s look at what it takes to win a significant contract. Discover how to respond to Requests for Proposals and other potential opportunities. See samples of successful submissions. Learn the do’s and don’ts in writing and submitting a proposal. Understand how decisions are made. Find out how to successfully compete in the bidding process.
Become a Smart Reader SBX 7894
Come, listen and learn as the Charlotte Business Journal presents a seminar to help you become a savvy business reader. Discover how to recognize business leads within news stories, features, special publications and advertisements. The presenter will walk you though the paper and highlight how each section can help grow your business. Gain the benefit of learning about networking opportunities, how to meet key business people, and ways to quickly access specific information companies or organizations.
Greening Your Business SBX 7849
Become part of the latest “environmentally responsible” business trends. Find out what it means to “go green” and see what advantages there are by making your business more sustainable. Learn what you can do in the way you purchase, provide your service and produce your product.
Business Success: Avoiding Failure SBX 7818
Every year thousands of people start a business. Sadly, most of those businesses fail within the first five years. Why? Find out what successful businesses know and discover the five important steps to take now to avoid going under later.
Doing Business with the City of Charlotte SBX 7828
From buying office supplies to contracting for cleaning services, the City of Charlotte uses all types of small businesses. A city representative will describe vendor programs and its purchasing process models: Request for Quote (RFQ), Invitation to Bid (ITB), Request for Proposal (RFP). Find out what you need to know to locate contract opportunities.
How to Do Business with Mecklenburg County SBX 7885
Business opportunities with Mecklenburg County include purchasing opportunities, construction projects, professional services, and procurement programs. Find out how to become a registered minority, woman and/or small business enterprise (MWSBE) vendor, and how to prepare to take advantage of the numerous business opportunities with Mecklenburg County.
Advanced Job Costing with QuickBooks SBX 7831
Want to know how much your business makes on each item you sell, what costs you have not billed for, or how to invoice from bills? See how to compare estimates to actual numbers or run job profitability reports. Discover how advanced job costing features in QuickBooks can help you run your business more efficiently.
Networking: A Tool for Success SBX 7888
Networking is more than just a social hobby. It’s all about who you know and how you utilize those relationships. Effective networking is a skill that is developed by practice and can be a very rewarding tool for your business.
So You’re Thinking About Exporting? SBX 7881
Are you currently selling only in the United States? Then you are only reaching about 5% of the world’s population. Find out how to tap into today’s global economy and increase your business profitability. Gain a basic understanding of the role of exporting, the steps involved in the export process, and how to develop a strategy for going global.
Credit 101: Is Your Business Bankable? SBX 7891
Is your business ready to grow or do you need to purchase new equipment? There are many credit factors that determine your ability to qualify for a business loan. This session will discuss credit scores, reports, and the impact of your personal credit on your existing or future business. Presented by the US Small Business Administration.
Nonprofit Trends SBX 7884
Nonprofit organizations have developed and grown to be an integral part of today’s society. There have been significant changes in the nonprofit sector, and as a result, the changes have raised questions about how organizations will operate and maintain their infrastructure. Through trends, start-up and established nonprofit organizations can better prepare themselves for sustainability and growth. Staying “in the know” will be the best way to plan and prepare as a nonprofit entrepreneur.
NCDOL OSH Division Crane Standard Update SBX 7007
This workshop, presented by the NC Department of Labor will discuss new crane safety standards. The new standards are designed to protect the health and safety of North Carolina’s crane operators, construction workers, and the general public.
