Events/Workshops

Este curso se basa en el arte de crear un plan para su negocio. El plan de negocio es un documento esencial utilizado para recaudar fondos. También comunica su misión y visión estratégica al equipo administrativo, proveedores, consumidores, y acreedores. Los 10 temas de este curso le enseña detalles y tácticas en la creación de un plan comprensivo mientras que le ayuda a evadir errores críticos de planificación que plagan la mayoría de planes de negocio. Como valor agregado, este curso incluye Activeplans, un software que le permite crear la parte narrativa y proyecciones financieras de su plan mediante la utilización de un enfoque simple que detalla paso a paso el proceso. Este software por si solo tiene un valor de $40.00. Los temas que se tratan en este curso son: Que es un plan de negocio? Diez preguntas que debe responder Determinando sus posibles lectores Elaborando su misión y visión Definiendo metas y objetivos La estructura de su plan de negocio Aspectos de la industria y sus consideraciones Fuentes de información e investigación Consolidando su plan de negocio Los errores más comunes al elaborar el plan de negocio Course Objectives Ayudarle a entender lo que es exactamente un plan de negocios. Ayudarle a decidir si necesita un plan de negocio formal y escrito, además como crearlo para persuadir a diferentes audiencias. Darle a entender las preguntas que un plan de negocio debe responder. Ilustrarlo en cuanto al contenido y estructura de un plan correctamente desarrollado. Ayudarlo a evitar los errores comunes que se encuentran en la mayoría de planes de negocio. El curso dura aproximadamente de 2 a 2.5 horas y provee más de 135 diapositivas animadas y narradas completamente.

The Entrepreneurial Strategies Topic: Managing a Business On Demand, available until December 31 Online This course describes the available entrepreneurial strategies and how they are applied in the marketplace. For anyone starting or growing a business venture, the knowledge and skills underlying the entrepreneurial strategies are an essential part of any entrepreneur's toolkit. Besides presenting the available strategies and their application, this course presents the sources of innovation and an overview of how decisions are made and how those decisions change over the course of a venture's life-cycle. Topics covered by this course include: What is entreprenuerial strategy? Begin first with the most Hitting them where they ain't Occupying a specialized niche Changing the economic characteristics Sources of innovation What makes an entreprenuer How entreprenuers craft strategy Strategic entreprenuerial decisions Social entreprenuership and innovation

This course provides the advice and strategies of the some of the leading entrepreneurs concerning what it really takes to start a new venture. Starting A New Business moves you through the important tasks of building a strong foundation for a business to the more tactical aspects concerning marketing, managing, and money. This course will also show you how to protect your ideas, how to hire employees, how to find out what licenses and regulations may apply, as well as, provide more than 50 resources of free information that are available to you in making your new business a reality. Course is approximately 3.0 hours to 3.5 hours in length and provides over 192 animated slides complete with voiceover narration.

Don't miss the opportunity to learn the basics of starting a small business. Are you thinking about getting into business for yourself? This course covers the issues that an individual should consider before thinking about opening the doors. In other words, this course 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. Topics include business structures (sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations), licensing and zoning, trademarks, copyrights, patents, insurance, financing alternatives, record keeping, and taxes.

Speaker: Eddie McGimsey

Don't miss the opportunity to learn the basics of starting a small business. Are you thinking about getting into business for yourself? This course covers the issues that an individual should consider before thinking about opening the doors. In other words, this course 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. Topics include business structures (sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations), licensing and zoning, trademarks, copyrights, patents, insurance, financing alternatives, record keeping, and taxes.

Speaker: Eddie McGimsey

Positioning starts with a product. A piece of merchandise, a service, a company, or even a person. But positioning is not what you do to a product. Positioning is what you do to the mind of the customer. That is, you position the product in the mind of the prospect. Strategy is therefore planned in the mind, not the marketplace. Marketing then becomes a battle of perceptions not products. All successful positioning strategies must start with the mind of the consumer and then work backward. This is true because the answer is not contained within the product or service itself. No amount of creative thinking or analysis will result in the insights needed to successfully position your company, product, or service. The answer rests instead in the mind of your customer. You must begin with what’s already there and then work backwards--outside-in--to create your strategy. There are only a few generic positioning strategies you can employ: Getting into the mind first--finding the niche, positioning yourself to the leader, or repositioning the competition. This course describes each of the three strategies and tactics used to bring them to life. Topics covered by this course include: What is positioning? The assault on the mind The ladders in your head Getting into the mind Owning a word in the mind The positioning of a leader The positioning of a follower Repositioning the competition The line extension trap A positioning case study Course Objectives To define what positioning is and how it works as a communications tool in marketing. To put forth and describe the available positioning strategies including the positioning of a leader, the positioning of a follower, and the tactics for repositioning the competition. To present the easiest way of getting into the prospect’s mind. To help you prevent the most common positioning mistakes including the line extension trap. Course is approximately 2.0 hours to 2.5 hours in length and provides over 108 animated slides complete with voiceover narration.

Pricing is the moment of truth--all of marketing comes to focus in the pricing decision. And yet, pricing is one of the least understood of all the activities in marketing. Evidence of the eclectic approach taken by entrepreneurs can be found in an Inc.com executive survey which polled CEOs from across the county. More than half of the respondents said they incorporated the cost/plus method for pricing, while 40 percent said they simply matched what their competitors charged, and 9 percent admitted they "guesstimated." The difference between successful and unsuccessful pricing strategies lies in how they approach the process. The entrepreneurs who squeeze the maximum profits out of their businesses are the ones who make pricing an integral part of strategy, not merely an after-thought. Strategic pricers do not ask, "What prices do we need to cover our costs and earn a profit?" Instead, they ask, "What costs can we afford given the prices achievable in the market, and still earn a profit?" You should not ask, "What price is the customer willing to pay?" rather, "What is our product worth to this customer and how can we better communicate that value, thus justifying the price?" From the fundamentals of pricing to advanced discussions on psychological theories focused on pricing formulation, this course is essential to anyone responsible for making the price decision. Topics covered by this course include: What is value? Costs Customers Competition Generic pricing strategies Segmented pricing The marketing mix Pricing psychology Life cycle pricing Specific pricing tactics Course Objectives To explain what value is and why its better to set prices on value rather than cost. To discuss the 3Cs that influence price: Costs, Customers, and Competition. To present the generic pricing strategies and techniques for segmented and lifecycle pricing. To study the effects of pricing psychology and the elements of your marketing mix. To present specific industry pricing tactics from the best entrepreneurs. Course is approximately 4.0 hours to 4.5 hours in length and provides over 232 animated slides complete with voiceover narration.

Every new venture has to work the complex decision of what legal structure to choose for the business. This course breaks down this decision into its essential characteristics simplifying the decision -making process. An in-depth discussion is presented about the pros and cons of such structures as the sole proprietorship, partnership, "c" or "s" corporation, and the limited liability company (LLC). As part of this course, a legal structure wizard ranks the best structure to choose for your business based on a series of questions that account for risk, complexity, types of ownership, and so forth. Once you have selected the best structure, the course then presents each of the forms that are necessary to file and set up your business from a legal requirements perspective. A final section of the course deals with employees and the legal implications surrounding this important responsibility. Each of the forms needed to successfully hire and manage employees is presented. Topics covered by this course include: What is a legal structure? The different types of legal structures The sole proprietorship The general partnership The "c" corporation The "s" corporation The limited liability company (LLC) Selecting your legal structure The forms that you will need Employee issues and requirements Course Objectives To help you understand the different legal structures that are available when starting a business. To help you understand the advantages and disadvantages between the different legal structures. To help you choose what legal structure is most appropriate for your business. To provide you with the forms that you need for the formation of your selected structure. To inform you about employee issues and provide you with the forms that every employer needs. Course is approximately 2 hours to 2.5 hours in length and provides over 129 animated slides complete with voiceover narration.

Understanding Intellectual Property defines exactly what a copyright, trademark, and patent are and what kinds of protection they might afford your business. The process of establishing such protection is presented for each kind of property. Also discussed are international intellectual property protection issues, as well as, important legal documents such as non-disclosure agreements. A primer concludes this course which details the prior details to prepare before meeting with intellectual property attorney.

This course is about the craft of creating a plan for your business. The business plan is the essential document used to raise money for a business and communicate your business vision and strategy to your management team, suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders. This ten-part course walks you through the details and tactics of creating a comprehensive plan while helping you avoid the critical planning mistakes that plague most business plans. As an added bonus, this course comes with Activeplans Business Planning Software which helps you create a plan narrative and financial projections through a simple step-by-step approach--a $40.00 value by itself! Topics covered by this course include: What is a business plan? The questions you must answer Determining your audience Crafting your mission and vision Setting goals and objectives The structure of your business plan Industry aspects and considerations Sources of research information Bringing the plan together The most common mistakes Course Objectives To help you understand exactly what a business plan is. To help you decide if you need a formal, written business plan and how to cater it toward different audiences. To give you an understanding of what questions a business plan must address. To illustrate the content and structure of a well-developed plan. To help you avoid the common mistakes most business plans make.

Buying A Business is a comprehensive course on how to buy the right business at the right price. Developed by entrepreneurs who buy businesses for a living, this course offers advice and wisdom in such areas as: the key questions to ask of any seller, the due diligence process, valuing a business and determining the offer, negotiation steps and tactics, and sample legal agreements. Course is approximately 3.5 hours to 4.5 hours in length and provides over 221 animated slides complete with voiceover narration.

This course presents a media-by-media discussion of the tips and tricks used by marketing professionals when advertising a product or service. Learn how to set an advertising budget, learn why it's better to run two smaller ads than one larger one, learn how to correctly position your product and how to best design an effective marketing message, and learn what you need to know about selecting media for an ad campaign. This course also presents an overview of public relations tactics and internet marketing practices. At its conclusion, this course details specific measures how to assess the success of your results. Topics covered by this course include: What is advertising? The audience, objectives, and platform Determining the advertising budget The positioning and message Using print media Using radio and television Direct marketing options Promoting internet websites Public relations and publicity Evaluating your advertising plan Course Objectives To explore the nature and types of advertising. To become aware of the major steps involved in developing an advertising campaign. To create a positioning strategy and promotional message. To help select the best marketing media for a campaign. To explain the public relations process and how it’s used in promoting a business. To help in evaluating and measuring your advertising results. Course is approximately 2.5 hours to 3.0 hours in length and provides over 166 animated slides complete with voiceover narration.

A comprehensive ten-part course on the tactics of how money is really raised for small business formation. The course examines the sources of available capital and an overview concerning the difference between debt and equity. The course walks you through the maze of financial terms and tactics necessary to successfully identify and secure money for a new business venture.

Finding and Attracting an Investor examines the peculiar nature of investment capital. The course presents practical tactics on how to identify and secure different types of capital including seed capital, angel capital, and venture capital. The process used by different kinds of investors is presented and the tools for completing the fund-raising process are presented. Special focus is given to the federal and state laws that govern the capital and securities process. Topics covered by this course include: What is an investor? The investment process Obtaining seed capital Obtaining angel capital Obtaining venture capital Creating a business plan Legal considerations and concerns Criteria for a new company Investor presentations and pitches Where to find investors Course Objectives To define what an investor is and how they operate. To examine the different kinds of investors and what they look for in a deal. To provide a detailed look at what the investment process usually entails. To coach you on presenting your company to prospective investors. To help in the process of finding and locating investors. Course is approximately 2.0 hours to 2.5 hours in length and provides over 138 animated slides complete with voiceover narration.

Creating A Loan Package details the exact set of steps necessary in preparing a comprehensive loan package request. Each of the forms and requirements are explained and included. From initial readiness tests to help with advanced topics such as U.S. Small Business Administration loans, this course lays it on the line concerning what a lender is really looking for and how they evaluate loan requests. Simply understanding the way a lender thinks can more than double your effectiveness in raising money for your business. Topics covered by this course include: What is a loan package? Are you ready for a loan? How much should you ask for? Offering collateral and security Obtaining your credit report The personal financial statement Creating a business plan The financial projections SBA guarantees and applications Bringing the loan request together Course Objectives To help you understand the role a loan package plays in the lending process. To help up you self-assess your readiness to obtain a commercial loan. To teach you how much you should ask for when preparing your loan request. To help you understand what personal and business documents need to go into a loan package and how to properly complete them. To demonstrate how lenders evaluate loan packages so your request will best meet the criteria.

Financing continues to be a challenge for many small business owners. Questions range from, Who will give me money for my business idea and what do they need from me? to, How will this business make money and will it be enough to pay back a loan or attract an investor? Get to the heart of business financing in this seminar that answers your questions. Explore the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of funding sources and how to choose the right one for your needs. Discover the keys to financing success. Get answers to: Are there grants available to start my business? What is factoring and is it a good financing tool? How do I apply for a loan? Are banks' lending to small businesses? What is an angel investor? Are venture capitalists willing to invest in a non-technology related business? How much can I borrow from a micro lender? How do I ask family and friends to invest in my business?

Speaker: Eddie McGimsey

This course presents the fundamental devices used in crafting a strategy for a business venture. The course puts forth the innovative mechanisms of internal and external strategy which are based on the findings of a new body of research into the strategy-making processes of successful growing ventures. In addition to showing you how to craft a mission, visions, goals, and strategy for your business, this course also shows you how to best present and execute your strategy through strategic stories, the act of organizing genius, and tipping point leadership tactics. As an added bonus, this course comes with Activeplans Strategic Planning Software which helps you create a strategic plan through a simple step-by-step approach--a $40.00 value by itself! Topics covered by this course include: What is strategic planning? Knowing your purpose and mission Defining a vision Forming goals and objectives The two kinds of strategy Crafting internal strategy Crafting external strategy Presenting strategy as story The secrets of organizing genius Tipping point execution Course Objectives To present the strategic devices of mission, vision, goals, and strategy and demonstrate exactly how they are created. To show that the way a strategy is presented is different from the way it is crafted. To reveal the secrets of how great entrepreneurs execute strategy through the formation and organization of a great group. To provide a case that details the four tipping points of successfully implementing your strategy within an organization. Course is approximately 3.5 hours to 4.0 hours in length and provides over 183 animated slides complete with voiceover narration.

An overview of the essential processes of managing employees. Includes best practice on the hiring process, employee forms you must file, wage and hour regulations, taxation and privacy issues, health and safety standards, benefit and retirement plans, discrimination and termination processes, and more. Topics covered by this course include: The hiring process Employee forms to file Wage and hour regulations Age laws and requirements Taxation issues Privacy issues Health and safety standards Benefits and retirement plans Discrimination and termination Required posters and other standards Course Objectives To help you understand the process of hiring and managing employees. To raise awareness on regulations involving wage minimums, age laws, health and safety issues, and other workplace standards. To guide you through the initial hiring and tax forms you will need to file when you have employees. To make sure you meet federal and state requirements regarding employees. Course is approximately 3.0 hours to 3.5 hours in length and provides over 155 animated slides complete with voiceover narration.

Take command of a bookstore and coffee bar and see how money moves in and out of a business learning the fundamentals of accounting at the same time. This course provides an in-depth look at each of the primary accounting transactions used in a business demonstrating how "the language of business" works. Without using any accounting jargon to begin with, the course demonstrates how to keep score in a business through a simple scorecard approach. When you are finished, you are shown that each of your scorecards represents one of the three primary financial statements used in managing a business. Topics covered by this course include: The language of business Keeping score in a business Money coming in Money going out Money owed to you Money you owe Handling cash and large costs The balance sheet The income statement The cash flow statement Course Objectives To discuss the three fundamental "scorecards" for keeping track of money in a business and to show you how each operates. To present the basic transactions that any business encounters including: money coming in, money going out, money owed to you, and money you owe. To present ways to manage cash and its flow through your business, as well as, dealing with large costs. To show you how to create and understand the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statements. Course is approximately 3.0 hours to 3.5 hours in length and provides over 149 animated slides complete with voiceover narration.

QuickBooks 4 shows participants how to use the payroll feature in QuickBooks to create paychecks, pay tax liabilities, process payroll forms and produce reports. This seminar is designed for the small business owner or prospective owner.

Speaker: Marlene Houk - QuickBooks Certified Consultant/Trainer

QuickBooks is one of the most widely used accounting software packages for small business today. QuickBooks 1 gets participants started using QuickBooks, setting up a company file and chart of accounts, navigating the home page, and using QuickBooks lists and forms. This seminar is designed for the small business owner or prospective owner.

Speaker: Marlene Houk - QuickBooks Certified Consultant/Trainer

QuickBooks 2 shows participants how to set up their products and services in the QuickBooks system, manage their accounts receivable and accounts payable, receive payments on invoices, pay outstanding bills, and track payments/expenses. This seminar is designed for the small business owner or prospective owner.

Speaker: Marlene Houk -QuickBooks Certified Consultant/Trainer

QuickBooks 2 shows participants how to set up their products and services in the QuickBooks system, manage their accounts receivable and accounts payable, receive payments on invoices, pay outstanding bills, and track payments/expenses. This seminar is designed for the small business owner or prospective owner.

Speaker: Marlene Houk -QuickBooks Certified Consultant/Trainer

Financial projections are a collection of statements that present a numerical model of your business. Any good business plan must pass two separate tests: the story test and the number test. The story test asks, "Does the story make sense?" The number test asks, "Does the story add up?" A well-prepared set of financial projections helps to address that indeed the story does add up, but it also does much more than that. The projections reveal the entrepreneur’s basic assumptions which are usually synthesized together in their mind only. It doesn't matter whether you're applying for your first bank loan or your fifth, or whether you're seeking venture capital or debt financing. Sooner or later, you'll have to prepare a set of financial projections. Lenders will look for a strong likelihood of repayment using your projections. Investors will calculate what they think is the value of your company based upon these numbers. Constructing a set of projections allows you to play with your business model in a safe environment. Playing on paper is a valuable form of prototyping that can raise many questions before you make a decision. Under most conditions, fast learners are going to outperform even the most brilliant planners. The key is not to think of your numbers as a "plan" set in stone, but as a learning environment where you can test out different scenarios and decisions. Topics covered by this course include: What are financial projections? Your assumptions Budgeting your fixed expenses Determining your variable costs Calculating your breakeven point Creating a sales forecast The income statement The cash flow statement The balance sheet The dos and the don'ts Course Objectives To understand what financial projections are and to describe what comprises a good set of projections. To discuss the need for assumptions and the different kinds of assumptions you need to address. To create a projected fixed and variable expense budget. To learn how to create a projected income statement, cash flow statement, balance sheet, and breakeven point analysis. To learn what the dos and don’ts are for creating such financial projections. Course is approximately 3.0 hours to 3.5 hours in length and provides over 149 animated slides complete with voiceover narration.

This webinar will cover many of the important issues that new business owners need to know, including: Is it a Business or Hobby? Selecting a Business Structure Understanding Business Taxes Recordkeeping Requirements How to Choose a Tax Preparer Where to go for IRS help

If you are a self-employed person, be sure to view the IRS webinar “Business Taxes for the Self-Employed: The Basics.” Here are some topics included in the webinar or on IRS.gov that you should know: • Accounting Method. An accounting method is a set of rules about when to report income and expenses. Many small businesses use the cash method. Under the cash method, you normally report income in the year that you receive it and deduct expenses in the year that you pay them. Find out more in IRS Publication 538, Accounting Periods and Methods. • Business Taxes. There are four general types of business taxes. They are income tax, self-employment tax, employment tax and excise tax. You may need to pay self-employment tax as well as income tax if you make a profit. Self-employment tax includes Social Security and Medicare taxes. With estimated tax payments, you pay taxes at various times during the year to ensure you don’t have a large tax bill when you file your tax return. Use IRS Direct Pay, the fast, easy and secure way to pay from your checking or savings account. • Tax Forms. There are two forms to report self-employment income. You must file a Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business, or Schedule C-EZ, Net Profit from Business, with your Form 1040. You may use Schedule C-EZ if you had expenses less than $5,000 and meet other conditions. See the form instructions to find out if you can use the form. Use Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax, to figure your SE tax. If you owe this tax, make sure you file the schedule with your federal tax return. • Allowable Deductions. You can deduct expenses you paid to run your business that are both ordinary and necessary. An ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in your industry. A necessary expense is one that is helpful and proper for your trade or business. View the webinar “Small Business Owners: Get All the Tax Benefits You Deserve” to learn more. • Business Use of a Vehicle. If you use your car or truck for your business, you may be able to deduct the costs to operate the vehicle for the business use. Refer to IRS Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses for details.

Learn about defining “Employee”; the three control factors; key vendor characteristics; the Voluntary Classification Settlement Program. Online with 50 minutes of content plus additional resources.

This webinar provides small business owners with the basics for effective conversations with their accountants, they will learn more about legitimate tax opportunities that are available to them. Online with 60 minutes of content plus additional resources.

Online Webinar 60 minute duration Discussion Topics will include the following: Simplified and Regular Option for claiming the home office deduction Requirements for qualifying to deduct expenses Types of expenses you can deduct and how to figure the deduction ...and more

Depreciation is an income tax deduction that allows a taxpayer to recover the cost or other basis of certain property. This video will help Individual taxpayers and small business owners to properly claim this tax deduction. Online content of 60 minutes with additional resources. Webinar Description: What property can be depreciated What property cannot be depreciated When depreciation begins and ends Methods for depreciating property Basis of depreciable property How to treat repairs and improvements Electing the Section 179 deduction Claiming the special depreciation allowance Figuring depreciation under MACRS Additional rules for listed property, and Basis of assets

Learn about the tax benefits available to you and how best to avoid common mistakes small business owners may make. IRS representatives will also be available for a question and answer session directly after the presentation.

Webinar Description: Learn about business expenses and deductions What is a business depreciation deduction? Find out which business tax credits are available for your business Get the latest facts about the American Taxpayer Relief Act What are the qualifications for the Earned Income Tax Credit?

This online course summarizes IRS resources for small business owners using the following media: (1) On the web at IRS.gov, (2) Tax Publications, (3) Videos and (4) Social Media. It also provides specific resource information for the Recordkeeping and Understanding Gross Business Receipts issues. This is a self-paced course that you will immediately have access to a series of training videos, resources, and tax tips supplied by the IRS. There is also a PDF file with links to various other services provided by the IRS. Hello everyone and welcome to Small Business Taxes: The Virtual Workshop. We designed this workshop to help you, a new business owner, understand and meet your federal tax obligations. This workshop is constructed so that the first three lessons... What You Need to Know about Federal Taxes and Your New Business, What You Need to Know about Schedule C and Other Small Business Taxes and Tax Forms; And How to File and Pay Your Taxes Electronically are for everyone, no matter what kind of business you have or whether you have employees. Then, in What You Need to Know When You Run Your Business Out of Your Home and How to Set Up a Retirement Plan for You and Your Employees, we'll discuss some information that may be relevant to you now-- or that may become relevant once your business has become established. The final four lessons... What You Need to Know about Federal Taxes when Hiring Employees or Independent Contractors, How to Manage Payroll so You Withhold the Correct Amount from Employees, How to Make Tax Deposits and File a Return to Report Your Payroll Taxes. And Hiring People Who Live in the U.S. but Who Aren't U.S. Citizens, ....are for those employers who already have, or who are thinking about hiring, employees. Because this is a virtual workshop, you can choose the lessons that apply to you.

Speaker: IRS

If you are a self-employed person, be sure to view the IRS webinar “Business Taxes for the Self-Employed: The Basics.” Here are some topics included in the webinar or on IRS.gov that you should know: • Accounting Method. An accounting method is a set of rules about when to report income and expenses. Many small businesses use the cash method. Under the cash method, you normally report income in the year that you receive it and deduct expenses in the year that you pay them. Find out more in IRS Publication 538, Accounting Periods and Methods. • Business Taxes. There are four general types of business taxes. They are income tax, self-employment tax, employment tax and excise tax. You may need to pay self-employment tax as well as income tax if you make a profit. Self-employment tax includes Social Security and Medicare taxes. With estimated tax payments, you pay taxes at various times during the year to ensure you don’t have a large tax bill when you file your tax return. Use IRS Direct Pay, the fast, easy and secure way to pay from your checking or savings account. • Tax Forms. There are two forms to report self-employment income. You must file a Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business, or Schedule C-EZ, Net Profit from Business, with your Form 1040. You may use Schedule C-EZ if you had expenses less than $5,000 and meet other conditions. See the form instructions to find out if you can use the form. Use Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax, to figure your SE tax. If you owe this tax, make sure you file the schedule with your federal tax return. • Allowable Deductions. You can deduct expenses you paid to run your business that are both ordinary and necessary. An ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in your industry. A necessary expense is one that is helpful and proper for your trade or business. View the webinar “Small Business Owners: Get All the Tax Benefits You Deserve” to learn more. • Business Use of a Vehicle. If you use your car or truck for your business, you may be able to deduct the costs to operate the vehicle for the business use. Refer to IRS Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses for details.

Market research is the systematic process entrepreneurs use to gain insight into market problems and opportunities. The term market includes not only customers, but all players who are responsible for bringing certain products and services to market including suppliers, competitors, producers, wholesale distributors, retailers, logistics, and so on. To conserve time and money, successful entrepreneurs minimize the resources they devote to researching their ideas. Unlike the corporate world, the entrepreneur only does as much research and analysis to justify the next action or investment. This course presents scores of best practice concerning how entrepreneurial research is actually implemented. Answers to questions about market segments, consumer and business markets, market size, and sales forecasts are all addressed through step-by-step processes. Any entrepreneur should want to know as much as possible about any market they participate in. This course provides the guidance and resources necessary to develop just such a working knowledge. Topics covered by this course include: The market research process The market environment Researching your industry Market segmentation and targeting Researching consumers Researching business customers Estimating market size Creating a sales forecast Customer survey techniques Consumption chain analysis Course Objectives To provide the process steps of conducting market research and the how the process differs for a small entrepreneurial venture as compared to a large corporation. To provide the tools used to explore the external market environment, segment customers into target markets, and define the consumption chain for a customer segment. To provide the secondary market data available for researching your industry, customers, industry size, and sales potential. To provide the primary market research techniques used to answer specific marketing questions. Course is approximately 3.0 hours to 3.5 hours in length and provides over 161 animated slides complete with voiceover narration.

Speaker: Small Biz U

Creating Buzz is one of the most comprehensive courses on how marketing is actually executed in a small business. Your marketing agenda as an entrepreneur is vastly different than that of a member of the Fortune 500. Some of the principles may be the same, but the details are different. The theory of creating buzz is that your primary investments should be time, energy, and imagination. In other words, you are shooting for a high return on imagination as opposed to return on investment. But buzz just doesn't happen by itself. Instead, it must be carefully cultivated and strategically crafted with an underlying architecture. Most of today's marketing still focuses on how to use advertising and other tools to influence each customer individually, ignoring the fact that purchasing is part of a social process. The most expensive marketing expenditure for any organization usually comes in educating your market-in placing your message into the targeted group of consumers you have chosen. Yet, your customers have already self-organized themselves into networks at the micro level. By tapping into these self-organized networks you can inject your message directly into the bloodstream of your targeted market. What you are really trying to do when you are marketing a concept is to have it spread in much the same way as an epidemic does through a network. Networks have properties, hidden in their construction, that limit or enhance our ability to do things with them. Creating Buzz details exactly how customer networks operate and how to select and leverage your marketing weapons to best turn your message into action. Creating Buzz is packed-full of hundreds of strategies, checklists, and tips across the realms of network theory, positioning, advertising media, word-of-mouth campaigns, publicity, and public relations. From informal, easy-to-do tactics to full-fledged formal marketing plans, the lessons taught in this course are paramount to anyone growing an organization. Topics covered by this course include: What is buzz and how does it spread? Understanding networks Hubs and connectors Your positioning and message Choosing your marketing weapons Word of mouth tactics Return on imagination From message to action Public relations and publicity Creating a marketing plan Course Objectives To help you understand how marketing activities are actually conducted in a small business. To convince you that buzz and word-of-mouth don’t just happen, instead it must be carefully cultivated and strategically crafted with an underlying architecture. To help you become a master of self-organized customer networks by leveraging hubs and connectors. To help you choose and maximize the right marketing weapons for your message. To help you achieve a high return on imagination as opposed to return on investment. Course is approximately 3.0 hours to 3.5 hours in length and provides over 185 animated slides complete with voiceover narration.

This course describes the fundamentals of the most important aspect of any business: marketing. Learn the concepts taught in college-level courses in just a few hours including the "5Ps"--Product, Promotion, Price, Place, and Positioning. At the end of this course, you will be able to create a comprehensive marketing plan for business that encompasses a creative plan, a positioning plan, and a media marketing calendar--the essentials of any good marketing strategy. Topics covered by this course include: What is marketing? Conducting market research Analyzing the market environment Selecting your target markets Market positioning Designing products & services Pricing products & services Placing products & services Promoting products & services Creating a marketing plan Course Objectives To help you understand what marketing is. To help you learn how to conduct market research. To help you understand how to analyze your market environment and determine your target market. To help you determine how to position your product. To educate you on the 4 P’s (product, price, place & promotion) and how to apply them to marketing. To show you the basics on how to create a marketing plan. Course is approximately 2.5 hours to 3 hours in length and provides over 152 animated slides complete with voiceover narration.

In this seminar, participants will learn the basics of setting up a Facebook business page as well as information about promotions, advertisements, and making a huge impact for your business.

Speaker: Matt Rudisill

In this seminar, participants will learn about different options to advertise your business using online resources. These options are often easier and much less expensive than traditional advertising. We will discuss social media advertising through major platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc as well as Google adwords and other options.

Speaker: Matt Rudisill

"In this seminar, you will learn how to get started with video marketing, how to make good quality videos with the tools you already have, setting up and promoting your YouTube channel, and spreading your message to all of your customers with a simple and easy to use method."

Speaker: Matt Rudisill

One way to expand your market is to sell products online. We will explore the features of well-known e-commerce hosts such as the eBay Store and Amazon.com, as well as other options for creating an online store. PayPal and other payment gateways will also be discussed. At the end of these sessions, you will be able to: 1) Do you need to sell online? 2) Have an understanding of your online store options 3) Understand the differences between platforms and determine what is right for you. 4) Set up your online store 5) Develop an online store marketing plan

Speaker: Matt Rudisill & Scott Mosteller

Could Amazon or Etsy be the right platforms to help you move merchandise as a business owner? Instructor Phyllis Sneed will present an overview of how to become an Amazon entrepreneur, how Amazon works and what possible cost may be present to you the business owner. Join us and learn if this may be the right fit for your business.

Speaker: Matt Rudisill & Scott Mosteller

Marketing for the 21st Century small business is more dynamic and challenging than ever. Discover how to most effectively and efficiently use the many marketing tools available. Gain insights to understand and reach your customer, analyze your industry and business environment and differentiate between branding, advertising, and grassroots marketing techniques. Explore the components of an effective marketing plan in this comprehensive seminar.

Speaker: Matt Rudisill

In this seminar, participants will learn how to use their online knowledge to grow their business and take it to the next level. We will discuss tips and tactics to use social media wisely and productively. The outcome of this class should be a social media marketing plan of action for each participant.

Speaker: Matt Rudisill

In this seminar, participants will learn the basics of setting up a Facebook business page as well as information about promotions, advertisements, and making a huge impact for your business.

Speaker: Matt Rudisill

HP Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (HP LIFE) is a global program that offers aspiring entrepreneurs and small business-owners valuable business skills. HP LIFE offers participants a path to realizing their business dreams. The NC Small Business Center Network, in partnership with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), is pleased to offer this innovative program to NC entrepreneurs and small business owners free of charge! This program is self-paced, making it possible for more aspiring entrepreneurs to participate. All you have to do is register to start.

Speaker: Various

Calvin F. Patterson, chairman and chief executive officer of Earnest Harvest LLC, will be speaking on “Managing A Non-Profit Organization.” This free seminar will focus on the guiding principles that successful non-profits utilize to be effective and some of the best practices you can implement to take your organization to the next level. Upon successful completion of this seminar, participants will be able to: • Have clear understanding of successful principles in managing a non-profit organization • Utilize best practices in leading a non-profit organization • Embrace the need for active Board participation in non-profit activies • Understand the need to develop an effective team to execute plans for the organization

Speaker: Calvin F Patterson

Workshop Description: Do individuals on your board of directors understand where their job ends and where staff jobs begin? This workshop will guide participants through conversations and exercises that clarify the roles and responsibilities of board members vs. those of staff. Because boards exist to govern an organization, this workshop will highlight key strategies for crafting/revising your organization's mission and vision statement and outline the policies and procedures all boards should consider to reduce liability and increase productivity. Order of Topics/Content: Session consists of discussion, presentations and on-line presentations, other medium: 1) Brief introductions—Small Business Center, Presenter 2) Roles & responsibilities of board Vs. staff 3) Do's and Don'ts of board/staff dynamics 4) Mission & vision statements 5) Policies & procedures all boards should consider 6) Summary – Q&A 7) Course Evaluation

Speaker: Amada Pearce