San Francisco: SBA Classes Jan. 11-Jan. 22
TRAINING AT SBA
The Small Business Administration offers a variety of classes for business owners in our Entrepreneur Center, located at 455 Market St., 6th Floor in downtown San Francisco.
Registration for all our classes is required.
To register for classes, go to http://sbatraining.eventbrite.com/
For more information, please contact Gary Marshall at (415) 744 6771 or gary.marshall@sba.gov
The SBA training program is made possible by the generous support of our volunteer teachers and presenters. We appreciate their time and expertise; however, these presentations do not represent an endorsement of their views, opinions, products, or services by SBA. All SBA programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance. Contact: Gary Marshall at 415 744-6771.
From Kitchen to Market: Selling Your Specialty Foods
1/11
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
This class will focus on the planning and production process, contacts to help you get started, capitalization options, marketing strategies, the distribution network and more. $30 registration fee. Sponsored by the SF SBDC.
The Effective Goal Setting & Motivation Workshop
1/11
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Every wonder why so many people make resolutions at the beginning of the year and never keep them? Why some people can actually lose weight or gain new employment? They set attainable goals – and reach them! In this interactive, PowerPoint based workshop, you will learn how to address and resolve issues like procrastination, lack of focus, and weak motivations which are known to create barriers which prevent people from reaching their goals.
Building Marketing Awareness and Driving Sales
1/12
9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Understand the fundamentals of marketing strategy and how good market planning can have a meaningful impact on your business. Learn how to develop a valuable and cost-effective marketing plan, execute the plan, and measure its effectiveness. We cover vital topics such as pricing, branding, promotion, internet marketing, positioning and strategy, lead tracking. Presented by SF SCORE. Registration fee: $35.
Small Business Taxes
1/12
3:00 PM-5:00 PM
Save money on your taxes by learning the IRS rules and regulations that apply to small-business owners, and ask your tax questions in this informative, interactive, live seminar covering tax deductions, incorporations, LLC, and commonly used tax strategies. Presented by SF SCORE. Registration fee: $20.
Selling in a Down Turn
1/12
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Selling success today requires special skills. Your usual buyers are stripped of all budget decisions and budgets are with the executives and not middle managers. Learn the steps to sell to executives, quantify your benefits, and create urgency. Winning is very possible when you learn these strategies and tactics.
Marketing Planning 101 – Step by Step Instructions for Creating a Low Budget Marketing Plan
1/13
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Are you at a loss when it comes to marketing? Do you simply avoid marketing because you just don’t understand where to start? Do you think you just can’t afford it? It is a very common phenomenon for small business owners to not have a marketing plan. The daily activities of running a business and the financial constraints often make it challenging to develop such a plan. This class will teach you all the marketing basics you need in order to develop your low budget marketing plan and help you increase your bottom line. At the end of this class you will understand the marketing basics relevant for small businesses and you will have an outline for developing your own marketing plan.
Basic Bookkeeping, Part Two
1/14
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
We’ll cover balance sheets, incomes statements, cash flow and working capital. Participants should have completed Basic Bookkeeping, Part One, or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar. $30 registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.
Selling Savvy, Sell Smarter Not Harder!
1/14
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Come to this workshop and learn tips and techniques from a seasoned veteran in sales and marketing. Find out how the professional salesperson uses positioning, network, referrals and cold calling for success. $25 Registration Fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.
Maintaining Tax Records
1/19
3:00 PM- 5:00 PM
Learn the money-saving tax strategies of the pros, in this fun interactive course, and how to effectively create the tax records necessary for proper IRS reporting. Receive a valuable overview of how to use technology to simplify your life with on-line banking and QuickBooks. Presented by SF SCORE. Registration fee: $20.
Secrets to Buying a Business or Franchise
1/19
6:00 PM–8:30 PM
Learn how to reduce your risk and improve your chances of success in buying a franchise or an existing business. Topics include Options for Financing; Choosing an Existing Business versus a Franchise; Where to Find a Business or Franchise; Working with Brokers. Presented by SF SCORE. Registration fee: $20.
Employee or Independent Contractor?
1/20
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
EDD representatives will explain how to determine if someone providing services to your company should be treated as an employee or independent contractor for tax purposes.
How to Deal with Difficult People
1/20
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
What is the cost to your business when you are submerged in conflict, dealing with difficult people? This workshop will examine the reasons why conflict exists and tools you can use to align yourself for so you can reduce conflict and create opportunity. Group and individual activities will be incorporated as exercises throughout the workshop.
Basic Bookkeeping, Part Three
1/21
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Topics include developing a budget, statement of cash flow analysis, and developing a cash forecast. Participants should have complete Basic Bookkeeping Part I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar. $30 registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.
Maximize Your Web Site Traffic and Sales
1/21
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
In this class, learn to ensure the highest placement on search engines; how to use Web analytics to keep your customers on your site; and how to convert site visitors into paying customers. Presented by the SF SBDC. Registration fee $35 in advance, $40 at the door.
How to Build a Fearless Brand: How Your Brand Can Help You Sell
1/21
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
This highly interactive workshop gives you new tools that will teach you to sell (and market) more effectively. Learn new ways to differentiate your business from the competition; your business’s strengths and unique value (that you might be overlooking); identify your ideal clients and learn what they really need; segment your market to make prospecting and selling more efficient; create a powerful selling message that speaks to the head and the heart. While this class can be helpful to any entrepreneur building a brand, owners of service firms and consultants are particularly encouraged to attend.
OUR PARTNERS PRESENT:
a weekly feature of events offered by organizations and groups outside SBA. These events are not sponsored by SBA and are not held at our Entrepreneur Center.
Get a Loan for Your Small Business!
Sign up Now for the Next LGBT Business Plan Loan Factory Workshop Series starting on January 12, 2010.
5-week series begins on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
RSVP to Traceyw@sfcenter.org
or 415-865-5611
The LGBT Business Plan Loan Factory is a 5-week workshop series taking place on Tuesday mornings from 8 to 10 a.m.
The “LGBT Business Plan Loan Factory” is for business owners and motivated entrepreneurs who need financing to start or grow their businesses. The Loan Factory will help entrepreneurs understand what is involved in the loan application process, and it will feature leading experts who will review all of the elements of the loan package. The Loan Factory will help business owners master their financial statements, their marketplace, their competition, and their capacity for repayment. At the end of the five-week workshop series, each participant will have the opportunity to make a 10-20 minute presentation to an expert panel that includes venture capitalists, micro lenders, SBA lenders, and private sector small business lenders. Further loan packaging and post-loan technical assistance will be provided to those clients who qualify for financing.
Bonding Assistance Program
Using Recovery Act funding, the Department of Transportation is now administering a bonding assistance program called the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Bonding Assistance Reimbursable Fee Program . Under this program, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises can be reimbursed for bond premiums and fees that they incur in competing for or performing transportation infrastructure projects that are funded by ARRA. DOT will reimburse DBE’s for the bond premiums paid to surety companies, and, if the bond is SBA-guaranteed, the contractor fee paid to SBA, which is .729% of the contract amount.
The Application for Reimbursement of Bond Fees, application instructions, and additional information can be found at www.dot.gov/recovery/ost/osdbu
Urban Solutions Marketing Workshop on January 25
Urban Solutions presents their first free workshop of the year on Monday, January 25. “Marketing on a Shoe String” is designed to teach entrepreneurs how to get your business known and help your customers find you. Create a marketing plan to improve sales. Learn about the various media, advertising and public relations techniques. Join us from 4 to 6 p.m. at the West Bay Conference Center, 1290 Fillmore Street, 1st floor. The cross street is Eddy in San Francisco. For questions, contact Emily Gerth, Program and Data Analyst, at (415) 553-4433 extension 101.
Veterans Business Outreach Center, a Division of Vietnam Veterans of California
Greater Sacramento Workshops
Facilitated at 7270 E Southgate Drive
Sacramento, California, 95823
Business Planning Workshop- $80.00
1/15/10 Friday 9:00am - 2:00pm
This training is designed for individuals interested in writing a viable business plan. The workshop discusses key components and topic matter, including: purpose of plan, organizational and market objectives, competitive comparison, financial management, business environment, customer profile, legal structure, marketing strategy and analysis, business forecasting, traditional financing, personnel, and much more.
Marketing for Small Business- $30.00
1/28/2010 Thursday 5:30-7:30 pm
This marketing class will help you develop the processes of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational objectives.
Information and registration available at
Veterans Business Outreach Center
7270 East Southgate Drive, Suite 1
Sacramento, CA 95823
Phone (916) 393-1690
www.vboc-ca.org
Our mailing address:
Small Business Administration
455 Market St., 6th floor
San Francisco CA 94105