Calendar of Events

Workshops

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

The WBDC offers a variety of special workshops throughout the year. Here is a list of those that appear more often on the calendar giving you an opportunity to find one that fits your schedule.  For information regarding registration, location, and cost go to our Calendar of Events and click on the date the workshop is offered.

If you find that there is no date listed for a workshop you wish to attend, send us an e-mail at wbdc@wbdc.org for more information.


GENERAL 
 
E-MARKETING SERIES 2011

Many small business owners feel overwhelmed by the sheer vastness of electronic marketing possibilities.  The WBDC’s new e-Marketing Series is designed to provide building blocks for businesses that need to establish a basic online presence, and targeted assistance for more advanced entrepreneurs looking to grow in specific skills areas.  This series will help business owners at any stage design a better online presence to target and reach the markets that will benefit their business the most. 

Website Development for Naked Businesses (e-Marketing Series)
In the Digital Age, the absence of a strong website is a missed opportunity to connect with both potential and current customers.  This workshop will discuss the basics of designing and developing a website.

By the end of this session you will be able to:
• Work with a graphic designer to design your business’ website
• Build a site map
• Determine your “must have” web-pages
• Know how to select an appropriate website host that will serve you well

Driving Traffic to Your Website: SEO and Copywriting (e-Marketing Series)
Having a website is important, but even more important is the ability to get people to find and stay on your website long enough to build awareness and even buy something.  Learn to build benefit and value for your customers through the words you choose to describe your product/service.

By the end of this session, you will be able to:
• Describe your product /service in terms of its value to the customer
• Know what Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is and how to maximize it
• Plan your SEO strategies

Online Storytelling: Business Blogging & Email Newsletters (e-Marketing Series)
Got news?  Have great advice to give or a good story to share?  Learn how you can use blogs and email newsletters to reach your audience in a way that moves them into action.

By the end of this session, you will be able to:
• Create a blog and understand the logistics behind incorporating it into your website and/or social media pages
• Write posts in blog style
• Create email newsletters with optimized frequency and effective content for the customer
• Plan blogging and e-newsletter strategies

Reputation Management and Analytics (e-Marketing Series)
Managing your business’ online reputation and measuring the impact of your online efforts are important tools in any business’ e-Marketing kit.  Do you know how to create buzz around your business name in order to create relationships that lead to revenue?

By the end of this session, you will be able to:
• Build a solid plan for online lead generation
• Manage online negative feedback about your business
• Measure the impact of your e-marketing tools and the return on your investment

Online Stores & Places You Can’t Ignore (e-Marketing Series)
Want to have an online business but aren’t sure how to set one up? This workshop will discuss what you should look for in hiring an outside consultant to develop your online store, and will help you identify important online sites which can be key to your success. 

By the end of this session, you will be able to:
• Know your customers and your market better using social listening systems
• Identify 5 online places your business can’t ignore in 2011 for prospecting, business conversations, client management and promotion

Workin’ the Social Media Beat:  Your Online Marketing Plan (e-Marketing Series)
Does your online presence yield the best bang for your buck?  Without a plan and goals for using social media, many small business owners invest a lot of time without gaining the desired results from their efforts.  Join us to learn how to create a social media plan to grow your business.

By the end of this session, you will be able to:
• See how social media planning fits in your overall marketing plan
• Identify your messages and target audiences
• Plan content, strategies and tactics to make your plan a reality
• Use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to achieve your goals
• Measure your social media results


WISDOM, WINE AND CHEESE
A session that helps prospective and established business owners clarify their needs and learn more about our resources.  
 
FASTTRAC PLANNING
An in-depth 12 Week Business Development Program resulting in strategic business plan. Click here for details
 
MARKETING 

REACHING YOUR MARKET STRATEGICALLY – PART OF THE JUMPSTART SERIES 
You will learn how to:distinguish between selling and marketing, identify features and benefits of your products/services, develop at least three strategies for marketing, identify key forms of media that will help you market your business, identify elements of effective website design, understand the benefits and cautions of using social media for marketing, outline your plan of action and budget to build the marketing part of your business plan
 
CLOSING THE DEALS: PLANNING SALES STRATEGIES - PART OF JUMPSTART SERIES
Once you have targeted your Market and figured out how to reach them, you need to plan your sales strategies and conversations. you will be able to: understand and use sales process terms, understand the sales process and sales funnel, articulate solutions using your product/service, differentiate yourself and establish credibility, understand how to qualify leads and build credibility through effective questions, prepare for calls, execute a sales call and follow-up, ask high value questions in each part of the process, start tracking and analyzing leads, outline your plan of action to build a sales strategy.
 
HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE GOVERNMENT
Learn how to market your business to government agencies, identify contract opportunities in your industry, and how to qualify to supply these customers with your product or service. You will have a chance to discuss the advantages of WBE, MBE, DBE, SDB, 8(a), and HUBZone certification with our specialist.
 
IS CERTIFICATION RIGHT FOR YOU? 
Learn about certification from one of our resident experts. Local, state and federal certifications will be covered, along with the private certification offered by the Women's Business Development Center.

FINANCE 
TAKE THE MYSTERY OUT OF OBTAINING FINANCING FOR YOUR BUSINESS 
Learn the criteria lenders and investors use to evaluate your business.  Equip yourself with the tools you'll need to prepare a financing package attractive to a bank or potential investor.
 
FINANCIAL SMARTS FOR BUSINESS STARTS: PART OF THE JUMPSTART SERIES 
Learn the importance of analyzing the sources of your business revenue.  Learn how to project sales and find out how your target market’s characteristics can impact cash flow and sales projections.
 
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS - BUILDING YOUR FINANCIAL MUSCLE WITH THE EXPERT – PART OF THE JUMPSTART SERIES 
Learn how to interpret financial statements, determine start-up and expansion costs, and create projected cash flow- and income- statements.
 

CHILD CARE 

DEVELOPING YOUR CHILD CARE BUSINESS   
This comprehensive series of 12 workshops in 12 weeks provides the tools to launch and sustain a child care business.  Participants follow a step-by-step process to develop a business and marketing plan, policies and procedures, a parent handbook and a sound understanding of business financials.
 
DEVELOPING YOUR CHILD CARE BUSINESS OFFERS:  
  • Expert instruction in operating a child care business
  • Comprehensive and practical resource materials
  • The opportunity to complete your business plan
DEVELOPING YOUR CHILD CARE BUSINESS COVERS:
  
  • Legal aspects of organizing and operating a business
  • Market research and analysis
  • Managing your money, record keeping and taxing
  • Budgeting and sources of financing