2010 Season
Our low cost workshops and free seminars provide useful, practical small business information on a variety of topics important to your business. A description of each upcoming workshop and seminar is given below. It is suggested that you review these descriptions first. Clicking on the blue button below will show the upcoming workshop and seminar schedule. This schedule will show the date, the time, the cost, the location and workshop or seminar subject for each upcoming event. The schedule web page also describes how to register for a particular event.
| How To Effectively Use Marketing & Sales In A Small Business |
| Description Most people think sales ability is God given. Not true! Selling can be learned. This workshop will present a process that can create effective sales people - a must for the small business! With effective marketing and sales, you will see your small business grow. Taught by a practitioner who served with a large company in the sales and marketing fields for many years as a regional sales manager and vice president of sales and marketing, and by the person who developed and patented the process that will be taught, this workshop will provide the attendee with the knowledge and skills to help the small business grow through effective marketing and sales. All business owners and managers, as well as any employees who come into contact with customers should attend. |
| How To Manage Cash For Business Success |
| Description From a financial perspective, managing cash flow should be the number one priority of any business - especially a small business. Cash is king! Without cash, a business will fail. Most business owners know of a business that had a solid income statement, but the business failed because it didn't have enough cash to continue operations. Taught by two SCORE members with extensive backgrounds in cash flow management, this workshop will equip the attendee with simple but powerful methods for forecasting and managing cash flow for business success. One of the presenters successfully operated two separate businesses, and the other presenter is a retired bank president. |
| Using Social Networking To Grow Your Business |
| Description Do you understand how to use google or facebook or twitter to grow your business? How about utilizing the next great social network software as soon as it is released? Research shows that those businesses that use social networks to advertise are more successful than those that don't. Taught by an expert in social networking, this workshop will give the attendee the skills needed to market their business via social networks to successfully grow their business. |
| How To Protect Your Business Idea |
| Description Do you have an idea for a product? Do you have a logo or a name that you think will give your business an advantage? Does your idea need a patent to be protected properly? A copyright? A trademark? How do you go about getting one? How much will it cost? Presented by one of the leading Intellectual Property Attorneys in South Carolina, this workshop will answer those questions, as well as all the questions you could possibly have about patents, copyrights and trademarks. |
| How Do I Plan My Business For Success |
| Description Should I develop a plan for my business? What is a Business Plan? What are the parts of a Business Plan? Does a start up need a Business Plan as well as an ongoing business? Why do I need a Business Plan? Are all Business Plans the same or do they vary to fit the need? Should I expect to see any benefits in my business after I develop a Business Plan? What kind of benefits? This workshop will answer these and many other questions. Taught by three SCORE members with extensive, diverse business backgrounds, this workshop will give the attendee a comprehensive understanding of of why they should have a Business Plan, an overview of how to prepare a Business Plan, and knowledge of how to use a Business Plan for business success. The three presenters each have extensive business experience and come from diverse backgrounds - different industries, different sized companies and different disciplines. |
| How To Plan A Non Profit For Success From A Business Perspective |
| Description In our society, we ask non profit organizations to fulfill several important responsibilities, from providing public benefit and serving the underprivileged to reducing the burden of government. We also expect non profits to operate on a higher, nobler plane than other organizations, and we insist that they focus on public good rather than private gain in accomplishing their goals. The role of this "third-sector" of our economy has become a vital part of our national culture, and non profits have proven to be effective instruments for addressing social needs outside of government. To perform effectively, however, they must be able to adapt to changing requirements. This means they must be in a position to recognize that requirements are changing, must be free to take risks, free to try new approaches and able to invest in solutions as they see fit. So developing the strategies and skills to build the capacities to serve their communities, to become self-sufficient, and to compete for resources needed to achieve their mission is basic. Unfortunately, even in normal times, most non profits do not engage in such strategic planning. Because they are expected to operate on a higher, nobler plane, non profits typically think they are different than for-profit businesses, and do not engage in the sound business practices normally utilized by for-profit businesses. This deficiency is magnified during times of turbulent change, such as is currently occurring. During these turbulent times, the need for sound strategic planning is even greater, but the inclination to do it is less. This workshop will give a non profit group processes it can use to lead their organization through these turbulent times to success. |
| How To Successfully Buy Or Sell A Business |
| Description Taught by three SCORE members with extensive backgrounds buying and selling businesses, this workshop will explain both the necessary legal and regulatory steps in the process as well as the "secrets of the trade" that come only from experience. Attendees will come away with an understanding of how to prepare for success in their personal process of either buying a small business of selling their existing business. The three presenters for this workshop have extensive and varying backgrounds in buying/selling transactions. One presenter started a small business, operated and grew the business for many years, and sold it to a national chain. He will present the steps that are necessary to prepare a successful business to be sold. A second presenter bought, successfully operated, and sold two different businesses. He will present the buy/sell process from an insider's viewpoint from both perspectives. The third presenter was an officer in a large, multinational corporation responsible for acquisitions. He bought and sold many businesses for his company over the years. He will present how to conduct due diligence properly, both from the perspective of the potential buyer and also from the perspective of the seller getting the business ready to be sold. |
