Spring & Summer 2012 Small Business Center Seminars & Classes

Transcription

1 Spring & Summer 2012 Small Business Center Seminars & Classes

2 We are Moving! June of 2012 Our new address will be: 1451 S. Elm Eugene Street Greensboro, NC (Formerly the Carolina Steel Building) 2

3 SBC CAMPUS LOCATION & CODES HPPL Percy H. Sears Applied Technologies Center 601 High Point Road, Jamestown, NC High Point Public Library 901 N. Main Street High Point, NC Con. Ed. Center 3505 E. Wendover Ave Greensboro, NC Yanceyville Street Greensboro, NC Greensboro Greensboro Public Library Main Branch 219 N. Church Street Greensboro, NC Greensboro Embassy Suites 204 Centerport Drive Greensboro, NC Greensboro Chamber of Commerce 342 North Elm Street Greensboro, NC Greensboro Cultural Arts Center 200 North Davie Street Greensboro, NC If you need driving directions to any of these locations, please visit **For Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship - the entrance is on Revolution Mill Drive - at the green canopy awning. New location starting June 2012, see previous page for new address. SMALL BUSINESS CENTER The Small Business Center at Guilford Technical Community College provides services and support to small business owners, their employees and people interested in starting and operating a small business. Small Business Courses Free Business-Related Seminars Resource Center Free Confidential Counseling Referral Services Counseling is by appointment only. Make yours today on the web or by calling. From Greensboro: (336) x From High Point: (336) x

4 FAQ S 1. I want to start my own business. Where do I start? We recommend you start with our free seminar series. This will help you to determine if this is the path you truly want to take and answer most of your general How To questions, then into the 4 week How To Start Your Own Business class for more detailed specific information. 2. How do I register for these FREE seminars? Best way to register is or you can send an to dkfinch@gtcc.edu with your contact information and the seminars/dates you wish to attend. If you don t have access to the internet or , please call with the same information. From Greensboro: (336) x From High Point: (336) x Which campus of GTCC are you located? We are not located on any of the GTCC campus locations. We are inside the Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship (NCFE), in Greensboro. The NCFE is a Small Business Incubator designed to help small businesses grow. The actual building is the former Revolution Mill Factory off of Yanceyville Street. See the location code for address information. 4. Do you offer one-on-one couseling? Yes. We do confidential counseling, by appointment only. You may go online to request counseling at: and click on the Online Request for Counsling link or you may call: From Greensboro: (336) x From High Point: (336) x I don t see some of the same seminars that I know you ve offered in the past. Will you offer them again? We offer seminars every week of every month (exluding holidays & December). We alternate monthly betweek Greensboro and High Point with our free seminars. Most of our seminar series is offered every month, some of our specialty seminars are offered a couple of times a semester or perhaps only a few times a year. 6. Where can I find additional local resource? is a great website with local resources and community calendar of events for business seminars, workshops and classes. 7. Why should I go to the Small Business Center? We are here to help you. We are part of the NC Community College System (NCCCS) Small Business Center Network (SBCN) which is comprised of 58 directors statewide. These SBCN directors make up the only certified small busines developement network in NC, with an active Credentialing Program. Please take a look at our website: for more information about us and check out our Small Business Simulation to try your hand at operating a virtual lemonade stand for a day or two. 4

5 SBC SMALL BUSINESS SEMINAR SERIES Thinking of Starting Your Own Business Are you thinking about getting into business for yourself? This seminar covers the issues that an individual should consider before thinking about opening the doors. In other words, this seminar is the starting point on your journey into business ownership. Learn how to identify critical issues and make the right decisions as you prepare to start your business. Co-Sponsored with the Greensboro and High Point Public Libraries and the SBTDC. Apr 24 Tue NCFE 8:30 am - 10:30 am Seth Young Free May 29 Tue NCFE 8:30 am - 10:30 am Seth Young Free Jun 26 Tue NCFE 8:30 am - 10:30 am Seth Young Free Jul 31 Tue NCFE 8:30 am - 10:30 am Seth Young Free Fast Facts on Starting a Business This lively seminar, a prelude to the four-week course on starting your own business, provides an overview of the basic requirements of starting and successfully operating a business. Co-Sponsored with Greensboro and High Point Public Libraries. May 1 Tue GBPM 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free Jun 5 Tue HPPL 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free Jul 10 Tue GBPM 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free Aug 7 Tue HPPL 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free Financing Your Small Business There are different sources for financing representing various opportunities. This seminar will tell you about some of these opportunities and the best method for increasing your chance of securing a loan. The program will also bring clarity to what financing opportunities the Federal Government offers through the Small Business Administration. Co-Sponsored with the Greensboro and High Point Public Libraries. Apr 10 Tue HPPL 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free May 8 Tue GBPM 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free Jun 12 Tue HPPL 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free Jul 17 Tue GBPM 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free Aug 14 Tue HPPL 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free How to Write a Business Plan The business plan is a key component for success in your entrepreneurial venture, especially if you need financing. Your idea for a business needs to make sense on paper and be a convincing statement. You will leave with the tools and resources to immediately begin to build your business plan. Co-Sponsored with Greensboro and High Point Public Libraries. Apr 17 Tue HPPL 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free May 15 Tue GBPM 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free Jun 19 Tue HPPL 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free Jul 24 Tue GBPM 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free Aug 21 Tue HPPL 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free 5

6 SMALL BUSINESS SEMINAR SERIES continued The Financial Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together What is a balance sheet or income statement? What do the numbers mean? Do you know how to read these numbers to truly understand the condition of your business? You will learn basic financial terminology, what numbers you need to understand most and what role an accountant should play in helping you grow and control your business. This program is especially helpful for non-financial managers. Co-Sponsored with the Greensboro and High Point Public Libraries. May 22 Tue GBPM 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free Jun 26 Tue HPPL 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm SourceHorizon Free THE SMALL BUSINESS CONSORTIUM The Small Business Consortium: Connecting Business Advisory Services to Entrepreneurs City of Greensboro M/WBE: Downtown Greensboro, Inc.: East Market Street Development Corporation Greensboro Chamber of Commerce: Greensboro Public Library: GTCC Small Business Center: x Guilford Merchants Association: NC A&T - ICEEB NC Biotechnology Center NC Entrepreneurship Center at UNCG NC Military Business Center x Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship: Self Help Credit Union: Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE): Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC): UNCG Career Services: U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center U.S. Small Business Administration Women s Resource Center: For a Full List of Consortium Members, please go to Change brings opportunity. Embrace it and enjoy the ride. ~ Nido Quebin Success in business requires training and discipline and hard work. But if you re not frightened by these things, the opportunities are just as great today as they ever were. ~ David Rockefeller 6

7 SBC MARKETING & TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPING YOUR CORE MARKETING MESSAGE Before you start promoting your business and networking with prospects, it s important to do your Marketing Homework. Developing a core marketing message is crucial to effectively communicate your business purpose to your target audience and establish your brand. That message can then be used in all your marketing and advertising strategies. At this workshop, Renea Myers Marketing will help you craft a primary marketing message for your business and work on your elevator speech. Co-Sponsored with the Greensboro and High Point Public Libraries. Jun 21 Thu HPPL 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Renea Myers Marketing Free Jul 26 Thu GBPM 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Renea Myers Marketing Free PLANNING AMAZING EVENTS Whether it s a grand opening for your new business, an anniversary celebration, or a speaking engagement... event planning can be challenging! Come learn the basics of developing and promoting fun, effective, creative events that are almost stress-free! You ll receive an event planning checklist and some great publicity ideas. Let Renea Myers Marketing help you navigate the event planning minefield. Co-Sponsored with the Greensboro and High Point Public Libraries. Jun 28 Thu HPPL 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Renea Myers Marketing Free TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY BEM Interactive and Microsoft are co-sponsoring the Technology Thursday series with the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and GTCC Small Business Center. These programs are designed to introduce you to current topics and trends in technology and on-line security. These free, fun and informative programs are brought to you the 3rd Thursday of the month, at the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, 342 North Elm Street, 8:30 am - 10:30 am. For program date, descriptions and registration, go to Calendar of Events, or call GTCC Small Business Center at x ***May 17th Technology Thursday will be held during the Piedmont Triad Business Showcase at the Greensboro Coliseum, Special Events Center. 7

8 *NEW OFFERINGS Credit 101What is In this seminar with a SBA representative, you will learnthe basics about credit, why you need good credit, how it can effect your life, personally and professionally and go over ways you can re-establish your credit. Co-sponsored with SBA. May 24 Thu NCFE 9:00 am - 11:00 am April Gonzales Free Break the Rules and Make More Sales Are you a Compliant? Do you play by the rules? Are you a Contrarian? Do you break the rules while still playing fair? Let Joes Kaczmarek with Sandler Sales Institute teach you haw and when to break the rules to improve your sales. Co-Sponsored with the Greensboro and High Point Public Libraries. Jul 19 Thu GBPM 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Joel Kaczmarek Free MARKETING PLAN WORKSHOP Theory is great...but hand-on work actually gets a business started. At this 3 hour workshop, you will spend quality time with a marketing consultant and a market research expert ot begin a draft of your customized marketing plan. Under the direction of the facilitators, you will hone your core marketing messages, explore marketplace viability for your business, uncover competitors, describe your target market and develop marketing strategies. After this workshop, you will be well on your way to completing a dynamic marketing plan for your company. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required via , dkfinch@gtcc.edu Jul 31 Tue GBPM 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Renea Myers Marketing Free LOOK FOR THESE COMING IN THE FALL How Social Media Can Change Your Business Facebook Basics for Small Business LinkedIn for Small Business Pinterest for Small Business Prezi for your Business Presentations Building Success from the Inside Out 8

9 For more information contact Greensboro (336) High Point (336) Mark Hagenbuch Dial extension DarLinda Finch Dial extension