Small Business/Entrepreneur Training Opportunities
The AAEDC in partnership with the Alexandria Technical & Community College Customized Training Center and Alexandria SCORE Chapter present the following small business/entrepreneur training opportunities for the fall of 2011:
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Spring 2012 Entrepreneur Boot Camps
Entrepreneur Boot Camp 1: Successfully Planning to Start Your Business
3/9/129 am - 4 pm
ATCC Room 209
Are you thinking about starting a small business? It could be in your home, in a commercial storefront, or in partnership with someone else. The opportunities for success are limitless and the amount of details can feel the same. If you’re thinking about starting a business or are just getting started, make plans to attend this Entrepreneur Boot Camp session. Topics covered will include: Writing a Business Plan, Selecting a Business Form, Business Startup Challenges, Identifying Your Target Market, and more!
Entrepreneur Boot Camp 2: Successfully Starting & Growing Your Small Business
3/16/12
9 am - 4 pm
ATCC Room 209
Are you in the process of starting a business or are you needing some assistance with getting back on the track for business success? If so, make plans to attend this Entrepreneur Boot Camp session focused on growing your successful business. Topics covered with include: Pricing Your Product/Service for Profit, Business Structure (Legal & Tax Implications), Small Business Marketing, and more!
Entrepreneur Boot Camp Pricing
Cost to attend one Boot Camp session: $25 per person.
Cost to attend both Boot Camp sessions: $40 per person.
Includes lunch, refreshments, all materials, and expertise on starting and growing a successful business.
Small Business Power Lunch Series
11:45 am to 1:00 pm
ATCC Room 209
Only $15 each (includes lunch!)
Small Business Financing & Refinancing
3/13/12
ATCC Room 209
Presenter: Nadene Kruize, MN Business Finance Corporation
Most businesses require some term of financing to start up and grow operations. This session will focus on methods of financing available to entrepreneurs and small businesses including SBA 504 financing, including the “NEW” 504 refinance program. Details on how to secure long term, below market, fixed rate financing for your business will be presented. With the 504 program, businesses are able to secure financing with less of a down payment than conventional bank financing.
Pricing Your Product/Service for Profit
3/27/12
ATCC Room 209
Presenter: Jim Lingor, SCORE
Pricing your product or service is one of the most critical tasks that you will make as a small business owner/manager. It will spell the difference between success and failure. If your price exceeds the customer’s perceived value of your product or service, sales will suffer and your customer’s will go elsewhere. If the price is below the firm’s cost structure, profits will suffer. In this workshop, we will review the factors to be considered when determining the final price and learn the basic strategies in selecting the right price by utilizing the basic math formulas.
Small Business HR Law
4/10/12
ATCC Room 209
Presenter: Tom Jacobson, Attorney
Attorney Tom Jacobson, who is certified as a Labor and Employment Law Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association, will give an overview of the top ten things every small business owner should know about workplace law.
Customer Service
4/17/12
ATCC Room 209
Presenter: Kris Daby, Alexandria Technical & Community College
This session will focus on easy tips for improving customer service in our business. You will also learn about measurement tools and assessments that you can use to gather data on success levels of customer service within your business.
Overcoming Generational Challenges in the Workforce
5/1/12*
10 am - 12 noon
ATCC Room 209
Presenter Tom Andert
Fee: $20
Understanding Generational Differences is an interactive class that gives attendees a better understanding of the different generational differences and how to deal with them.
*This Power Lunch session is a 2-hour session with group discussion starting at 10 am. Lunch included
Small Business Development Center Office Hours at the AAEDC
The West Central Regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be utilizing the AAEDC conference room to hold regional office hours on the fourth Thursday of each month from 9am to 1pm. SBDC consultants will meet with entrepreneurs and small business owners during this time and provide cost-free, confidential consulting and assistance services. Scheduled appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.
To schedule an appointment with an SBDC consultant, please contact the AAEDC at (320) 763-4545 or the West Central SBDC at (218) 299-3037. Information on the West Central MN SBDC and their services can be found at www.cord.edu/sbdc. The West Central MN SBDC is located at the Offutt School of Business at Concordia College (Moorhead).