Events/Workshops

The Venture Forward orientation session will cover the outline and format of the eight-week workshop. Meet with course facilitators who will answer questions and discuss your workshop small business strategy for growth.

FastTrac NewVenture is a practical, hands-on business development workshop to help entrepreneurs hone the skills needed to create, manage and grow a successful business. FastTrac NewVenture participants don't just learn about business, they live it. Attendees learn in a variety of ways including classroom lecture, small group activities, guest speakers and individual counseling from MI-SBTDC facilitators. Attendees work on their own business ideas throughout the program--moving their ventures to reality by creating a business plan and learning about the core fundamentals of how to create a successful business. Workshop is free to Veterans

Venture Forward is an in-depth eight-week program to help you move your business forward. Designed for existing businesses, it will help you build a strategic plan that is compelling, with sound industry research, marketing strategy, comprehensive financials, and a platform for growing your operations. This workshop fee has been reduced from $700 to $180 thanks to the MSU BTOP grant award. Workshop is free to Veterans. Please pay via the online charge system prior to workshop start date.

This is an instructor-led, hands-on course. Each participant will have their own computer and class size is limited to 20 people to ensure a high-quality learning environment. This QuickBooks class is designed for someone who has not set up or used QuickBooks. By the end of the course, the attendee will be able to navigate and prepare initial setup of a QuickBooks file and understand the functions of each center within QuickBooks. Participants will learn how to properly set up and manage QuickBooks files, set up a new chart of accounts, set up user preferences, cover utilization of company and customer centers and utilization of vendor and banking centers. Instructed by a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and CPA. Cost $90 per person. Includes a QuickBooks Guide and free WMU parking. All attendees are required to pre-pay online via charge card. Class is free to Veterans.

This course is designed for someone who has proficiently used QuickBooks that would like to expand their knowledge of the program and learn advanced functions. Get your questions answered by a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and CPA with a wealth of knowledge using the program. This is an instructor-led, hands-on course and each participant will have their own computer. Class size is limited to 20 people to ensure a one-on-one learning environment. Participants will learn to prepare invoices & receive payments, enter and pay bills, reconcile a bank statement, customize invoices, sales and purchase orders, and provides an overview of the payroll and report centers. Class is free to Veterans. Cost $90 per person. Includes a QuickBooks Guide and free WMU parking. All attendees are required to pre-pay online via charge card. Class is free to Veterans.

Are you a proficient QuickBooks user who wants to learn how to properly run reports in QuickBooks? This session is for you! In two hours, learn how from a QuickBooks ProAdvisor and CPA. Get all your report questions answered in this efficient two-hour session. Learn about what reports are available in QuickBooks, discuss when reports are needed and how to interrpt the reports you run. Cost $60 per attendee. Includes a QuickBooks Guide and and free WMU parking. All attendees are required to pre-pay online via charge card. Class is free to Veterans.

Fiscal Management Tools for the Non-financial Manager -- This workshop provides the business owner an in-depth look at the essentials of using financial information to make effective decisions about improving their business performance. Who should attend: CEOs of businesses with at least three years of financial history who want to have a better understanding of how financial statements can inform their business decisions. Topics include: Ways to improve your company's cash flow, how to use the balance sheet and income statement to diagnose business problems and opportunities, how breakeven analysis helps you make better pricing and investment decisions, how to ensure you have enough working capital to support growth, and how to keep your banker on your side.

This course is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting their business. Delivered in a workshop format, this introductory session helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products/services. The basics of business ownership are introduced, along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan.

Speaker: Kellie Hanford, Certified Business Consultant

Are you an experienced professional with valuable-defined skill sets, looking for a new career avenue? Think about taking your expertise and becoming an independent consultant, a contractor, or a service provider. Explore the steps to form your business (LLC or other), market yourself and your services, create an action-oriented business plan, and define your client engagement. Take away from your experience, a 1-2 page action-business plan to help you start, build and sustain a successful service-oriented business.

Speaker: Meri Dembrow

The Business Start Up Workshop helps individuals assess their readiness for opening and operating a business. Each individual will complete an entrepreneurial assessment, walk through the steps of determining a strong business concept, learn about writing a business plan, establish a strong action plan for next steps, and discuss with others the ins and outs of running a successful business. Determining the feasibility of a strong business concept is crucial to the success of the company beyond the start-up phase. Participants will discuss the importance of creating a cost analysis, conducting market research, determining break-even points, and reviewing industry and market trends. This workshop is offered regularly. For more information or to register, call 231.922.3780.

Speaker: Annie Shetler, MI-SBTDC Small Business Consultant & Agricultural Specialist

If you are considering opening a restaurant for food service small business, this workshop was designed for you! Discover what it takes to start and run a restaurant or food service business from setting the culture to setting up a cash flow. Topics to be covered include a review of licensing requirements, buying equipment, creating a menu and what to consider when looking for a space and the costs of building out the space and much more. Presented by Mr. John Schmitt, MI-SBTDC Senior Business Consultant and former restaurant owner. Please register online and pay via charge card on MI-SBTDC Google Pay. The Google Pay account you establish is only for the MI-SBTDC online payment system. You are not signing up for Google. Please contact our office with any online payment questions or concerns. Class is free to Veterans.

• Are you thinking of starting your own business and want to research your business idea? • Are you a business owner who wants to benchmark your profit margin and other measures against similar size businesses in your industry? • Do you want to know about market trends and opportunities to grow your sales? • Are you looking for new customers or to diversify your market base? Takeaways: • Find your ideal customers • Find new customers • Find your competitors • Perform competitive analysis • Identify new site locations • Target direct mail campaigns • Reveal untapped markets • Expand into appropriate new markets

Speaker: Oakland County Business Center, Oakland County Research Department and an Oakland County Public Library

As an introductory session delivered in a workshop format, the course helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products. The basics of business ownership are introduced, along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan.

This course is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting their business. Delivered in a workshop format, this introductory session helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products/services. The basics of business ownership are introduced, along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan. Macomb County Residents attend Free, all others pay $30.00

Speaker: A certified business counselor.

This course is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting their business. Delivered in a workshop format, this introductory session helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products/services. The basics of business ownership are introduced, along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan.

Designed for persons thinking of starting a business or in the early stages of startup. The "Fundamentals of Starting a Business" workshop is the first step for many in MI-SBTDC assistance, which may be followed by additional training or no-cost, one-on-one counseling. Course content: Readiness to be in business, market research and making sure there is market potential for your product or service, detail on the steps and process of starting a business, and will provide information and tools to start writing a business plan.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Staff

You have a passion ... a hidden talent. Do you know what it takes to turn that skill into a successful business? This seminar is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting their business. You will be introduced to the key characteristics of successful business ownership, and what it takes to start and run a thriving business. Plus, you will be provided with available resources to help launch new ventures in Michigan. Get focused, motivated and ready to go! Who should attend this seminar? Entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, and 'closet' business owners. Offered multiple times across the region. Cost: Free!

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Certified Business Consultant and Grace A Dow Memorial Library Reference Librarian

Designed for persons thinking of starting a business or in the early stages of startup. The "Fundamentals of Starting a Business" workshop is the first step for many in MI-SBTDC assistance, which may be followed by additional training or no-cost, one-on-one counseling. Course content: Readiness to be in business, market research and making sure there is market potential for your product or service, detail on the steps and process of starting a business, and will provide information and tools to start writing a business plan.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Staff

Discover resources available that can help you make informed decisions about your business’ future. The Portage District Library will share how to use their business collection to locate market research information. Learn how to determine your target market, estimate the size and locate your competition along with other information that will impact your business. Business research classes are presented by Nicolette Warisse Sosulski, Business Librarian at the PDL.

Fundamentals of Starting a Business: This course is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting their business. Delivered in a workshop format, this introductory session helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products/services. The basics of business ownership are introduced, along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan. There is no fee for residents of JEBA's service area: St. Jean to the west, Alter and the Detroit border to the east, Charlevoix to the north and the Detroit River to the south.

You have a passion … a hidden talent. Do you know what it takes to turn that skill into a successful business? This seminar is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting a business. You will be introduced to the key characteristics of successful business ownership, and what it takes to start and run a thriving business. Plus, you will be provided with available resources to help launch new ventures in Michigan. Get focused, motivated and ready to go! Who should attend this seminar? Entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, and ‘closet’ business owners.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Business Consultant; Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library Representative

Are you thinking of starting your own business and want to research your business idea? Are you a business owner who wants to benchmark your profit margin and other measures against similar size businesses in your industry? Do you want to know about market trends and opportunities to grow your sales? Then plan to attend this business research workshop. AGENDA -Overview of available business research resources -Using census data -Benchmarking financial performance versus your industry peers -Picking a Location: comparing market size, spending habits, and traffic counts. -Using IBIS to identify trends and help with business planning -How Lifestyle Analyst can help you market better

Speaker: Tom Donaldson, Regional Director

Learn the beginning steps to start your own business! This two-hour workshop, taught by a MI-SBTDC Business Consultant, answers basic questions regarding starting a business. Topics include: Legal entities, filing a DBA, EIN and taxes, along with discussions about marketing, financials, operations and writing a business plan. The Guide to Starting and Operating a Small Business in Michigan is provided.

Explore business startup issues and receive assistance during these orientation sessions focused upon readiness to be in business, market research, writing a business plan and obtaining financing for your small business. Learn the steps to starting a business from a Certified Business Consultant and receive answers to your financing questions from a Small Business Banker.

Speaker: SBTDC and Fifth Third

Fundamentals of Starting a Business - now offered quarterly for FREE; space is limited so you must pre-register online. You have a passion ... a hidden talent. Do you know what it takes to turn that skill into a successful business? This seminar is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or are at the beginning stages of starting a business. You will be introduced to the key characteristics of successful business ownership, and what it takes to start and run a thriving business. Plus, you will be provided with available resources to help launch new ventures in Michigan. Get focused, motivated and ready to go! Who should attend this seminar? Entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, and 'closet' business owners.

Designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for successful self-employment, or business launch, this course covers business planning in detail. Specifics of marketing, finance, legal, regulatory issues, operations, information based planning and management are key components of this workshop. The first steps for creating a business plan draft will be included. Live examples of effective business plans are used as course material.

Speaker: Kellie Hanford, Certified Business Consultant

Designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for successful self-employment, the course, covers business planning in detail. Specifics of marketing and finance, legal and regulatory issues, operations, and information based planning and management are key components of the workshop. The first steps for creating a business plan draft will be included along with a demonstration of the MI-SBTDC online business plan tool.

In this course, participants will learn the fundamentals of starting and owning a small business in Michigan and how to write a comprehensive business plan and cash flow statement. Business plans are important to help you set goals, determine resources needed to carry out your plan, and foresee problems. This three-hour course will discuss each section of a business plan: Executive Summary, Business Description, Marketing, Operations, Management, Sales, and Financials. Please register online and pay via charge card on MI-SBTDC Google Pay. The Google Pay account you establish is only for the MI-SBTDC online payment system. You are not signing up for Google. Please contact our office with any online payment questions or concerns. Class is free to Veterans.

Designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for successful self-employment, the course covers business planning in detail. Specifics of marketing and finance, legal and regulatory issues, operations, and information based planning and management are key components of the workshop. The first steps for creating a business plan draft will be included along with a demonstration of the MI-SBTDC online business plan tool.

Speaker: SBTDC Staff

An opportunity to present your business plan to local lending institutions. Who Should Attend: • Entrepreneurs Starting a Business: Needing funding to get your business started? Discover what potential lenders look for when making a lending decision. Receive valuable feedback on your business plan. • Current Business Owners: Looking to grow but struggling to find additional funding? Use this opportunity to meet with lenders and evaluate your pitch. What to Bring: Be prepared to speak with lenders. This includes bringing copies of your current business plan and knowing your credit score. Contact the SBTDC at (586) 469-5118 for assistance with your business plan.

This workshop gives small business owners an in-depth look at the essentials of using financial information to make effective business decisions. Topics include: Cash flow improvement, how to use balance sheets and income statements to diagnose problems/opportunities, understanding breakeven analysis to make better pricing/investment decisions, how to ensure you have enough working capital to support growth and why a strong relationship with your lender is important.

Topics include: Schedule C, Estimated Taxes, Self-Employment Tax and Record Keeping.

Speaker: Linda Geary, CPA of The Geary Group, Inc.

Fiscal Fitness will assist business owners understand and use their financial information to advance and grow their company. The ideal participant in Fiscal Fitness will have 2-3 years of financial history and be pursuing financing or having challenges with cash flow. Who should attend: CEOs and owners of businesses with two or more years of financial history who want to have a better understanding of how to use their financial statements to make better business decisions. Topics include how to: • Use your Balance Sheet and Income Statement in managing your business • Use breakeven analysis to improve your decision-making • Find the source of your cash flow problems • Increase your company’s cash flow • Get the banker on your side

Speaker: SBTDC Staff

This introduction to small business financial management provides an overview of accurate recordkeeping, report interpretation and utilization, and management of the variety of tools provided in this system. QuickBooks® Essentials I covers: • Basic accounting terminology • New company file setup • Customizing forms and letters • Working with bank accounts

Speaker: Stacey Kildal - Kildal Services, LLC

This introduction to small business financial management provides an overview of accurate recordkeeping, report interpretation and utilization, and management of the variety of tools provided in this system. QuickBooks® Essentials Part II covers: • Invoicing customers • Receiving payments & making deposits • Entering vendor bills/paying vendor bills • Using credit card accounts

Speaker: Stacey Kildal - Kildal Services, LLC

This seminar increases a participant's working knowledge of the accounting process and the maintenance of accounting records. In QuickBooks you will learn how to set up your company, process inventory transactions, prepare invoices, receive customer payments, write checks, enter and pay bills and work with bank accounts. Practical examples are combined with online QuickBooks software instruction. TO REGISTER CALL 517-483-9853

Speaker: Peggy McNichol, CPA

The purpose of Fiscal Fitness is to assist business owners understand and use their financial information to change and grow their company. The ideal participant in Fiscal Fitness will have 2-3 years of financial history, pursuing financing, challenges with cash flow or selling their business. Who should attend? CEOs and CFOs of businesses with at least three years of financial history who want to have a better understanding of how to use their financial statements to make better business decisions. Topics include: • Identifying problems using your Balance Sheet and Income Statement • Proven ways to increase your company’s cash flow • Using breakeven analysis to improve decision-making • Planning the working capital to support your growth • Keeping the banker on your side The $50 registration fee has been reduced to $25 thanks to support of Fifth Third Bank and is non-refundable.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Consultants: Jim Rowley and Thomas Thompson

Before you apply for a business loan, first attend a free financing roundtable. We will debunk the myths and demystify the process of small business financing. The "team" is a banker, an SBA representative, an SBA business counselor, and business owners like you. You will get first hand information on what credit criteria your banker has. The team will answer all of your financing questions and give you advice on what steps to take to achieve your goal of starting or expanding a business. We will explain how the SBA loan guarantee can work for you. The roundtables are best suited for those who have good credit, a solid business idea, and some money to invest in the business.

Speaker: Cathy Gase -SBA

An opportunity to present your business plan to local lending institutions. Who Should Attend: • Entrepreneurs Starting a Business: Needing funding to get your business started? Discover what potential lenders look for when making a lending decision. Receive valuable feedback on your business plan. • Current Business Owners: Looking to grow but struggling to find additional funding? Use this opportunity to meet with lenders and evaluate your pitch. What to Bring: Be prepared to speak with lenders. This includes bringing copies of your current business plan and knowing your credit score. Contact the SBTDC at (616) 331-7370 for assistance with your business plan. This event is part of eFest! 2012 - the lakeshore’s first festival for and about entrepreneurs. For more information visit www.e-mergewestmichigan.org.

Many small businesses face obstacles when trying to obtain a business loan. The recognition of the serious need for working capital for existing businesses, start-up or expansion, equipment purchases, and job creation is not the priority it once was. If you have a need for alternative financing consider the MicroLoan Program. Discover the requirements and process necessary to apply and obtain a microloan.

Topics include: Determine Eligibility, Form 8829 Overview and Record Keeping.

Speaker: Linda Geary, CPA of The Geary Group, Inc.

This course introduces basic accounting concepts and how to apply financial information that helps small business owners manage a business more effectively. Key documents including Cashflow Statement, Profit & Loss, and Balance Sheet are explained, using specific small business examples. The course is designed to help entrepreneurs understand accounting principles and financial statements, and work more effectively with the accounting team.

Speaker: SBTDC and H&S Companies

Team SBA is a round table session where you can learn what is required from a lender. You’ll have opportunities to meet business counselors who can help you prepare your loan request for the bank and chances to network with other business owners. Before you apply for a business loan, first attend this free financing roundtable. We will debunk the myths and demystify the process of small business financing. The “team” is a bank, an SBA representative, an SBA business counselor, and business owners like you. You will get first hand information on what credit criteria your banker had. The team will answer all of your financing questions and give you advice on what steps to take to achieve your goal of starting or expanding a business. We will explain how the SBA loan guarantee can work for you. The roundtables are best suited for those who have good credit, a solid business idea, and some money to invest in the business.

Speaker: MI-SBTDC Business Consultants, Local Bankers, SBA Loan Officers

An advanced financial planning workshop for established businesses designed to help even the non-financial business owner achieve “Fiscal Fitness”, this state-wide training program is designed to help business owners strengthen financial literacy and improve the ability to access capital needed to grow. Topics discussed include identifying problems using your balance sheet and income statement, providing ways to increase your company's cash flow, using breakeven analysis to improve decision-making, planning working capital to support your growth; and how to keep your banker on your side. Who should attend: CEOs of businesses with at least three years of financial history who want to have a better understanding of how financial statements can inform their business decisions.

Speaker: SBTDC Staff

Are you following IRS rules and regulations while utilizing all available deductions and credits? This program will provide information on tax planning and preparation. Learn about the most recent changes in the law and relevant issues on business taxes. “Knowledge is power” and we will give you the tools to prepare you now and in the future to make informed business and tax decisions. Topics to be discussed include: travel & auto expenses, sales & use tax, new Michigan Business Tax, web-based business taxes, independent contractor issues, and many more tax topics relevant to small business owners. Your presenter, Angelia McGarry of Carolan & McGarry CPA firm has over 15 years experience in business tax planning and preparation.

Speaker: Angelia McGarry, CPA

Michigan Grow Your Business Online, Discover how to get found and attract customers: Michigan businesses can learn more about Google's top tools for small businesses, including Google Search, Google+, Google Analytics, Google Alerts and Google Apps. - Learn the basics of how other people find your business online, with methods like search engine optimization (SEO), web analytics and more. - Run your business more efficiently with online tools, including applications for improving collaboration and communication.

The Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center at Tech Town is hosting 8(a) Business Development programs that help minority small businesses gain a foothold in government contracting. Upon enrollment in this program, firms receive information on finding contracts, proposal preparation, and contract administration. Monthly pre-qualification meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month from 9 am - noon at Tech Town.

Speaker: SBA Staff

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Detroit; U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC), Detroit; East Michigan District Export Council; and the Small Business Administration (SBA) come together to present Export University – Introduction to Exporting and give new exporters the information they need to begin an export initiative. Moderately experienced exporters can also benefit from in-depth information provided on preparing for export, finding new markets, logistics, export documentation, getting paid, and legal considerations while exporting.

Learn the basics and etiquette of social networking for your small business. Content will include how to leverage social networks to help grow your business while reducing your marketing costs. Benefits, disadvantages and tricks of the major social networks (FaceBook, Twitter, and Linked-In) will be discussed.

Speaker: Shannon Beeman - Business Consultant

Create and Launch your Facebook Campaign In this Advanced session of Facebook for Business you will: •Establish objectives and goals for a Facebook campaign •Create and Launch a Facebook campaign •Learn advanced strategies for reaching influencers and building a long-lasting online community •Explore ways to take Facebook beyond social media marketing •Acquire the tools you need to deputize your employees for organization-wide Facebook engagement You will also: •Build a complete multi-channel, social media-enabled marketing strategy •Integrate Facebook and traditional marketing channels to deliver a competitive advantage •Establish a social media Facebook timeline •Grow your base of fans and engage participants •Learn how to advertise with Facebook, and how to effectively target your advertisements •Learn how to run effective Facebook promotions and/or sweepstakes that meets Facebook’s rules and guidelines •Ensure a reasonable rate of return on your social media investment * *Prerequisites for this session are Facebook for Business (Beginner) and Facebook for Business (Intermediate)

Speaker: Salina Washington

This course is designed for entrepreneurs and business owners who are new to social media. Through step by step instruction and examples, attendees will learn how to get their business online using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Speaker: Rob Geer, West Michigan Kelly IT

This workshop gives small business owners an in-depth look at the essentials of using financial information to make effective business decisions. Topics include: Cash flow improvement, how to use balance sheets and income statements to diagnose problems/opportunities, understanding breakeven analysis to make better pricing/investment decisions, how to ensure you have enough working capital to support growth and why a strong relationship with your lender is important. * Fifth Third Bank clients, please contact the Livingston SBTDC office for scholarship information at 810-227-5086.

Speaker: Al Bacon, Financial Strategic Specialist of MI-SBTDC and Cathie Abad, Growth Team of MI-SBTDC

"Legal & Financial Basics" provides new and existing Michigan entrepreneurs an understanding of the "key” legal and financial considerations when starting and operating a business in Michigan. The program addresses “how to” select the best legal entity for your business, “how to” protect your business interests when dealing with customers, suppliers or independent contractors and important information and guidelines for establishing short and long term succession plans for your business.

Speaker: Carter & Affiliates, P.C.

This workshop provides an overview of how businesses can increase value through the development of a succession plan. Key topics include plan components, successor identification and skills development as well as plan implementation and communication guidelines. The training covers the key benefits and drivers which include: building organizational value and integrating long-range organizational plans with employee career plans. Designed to illustrate the difference between developing a long term succession plan and the transaction of selling a business, this course helps business owners evaluate ownership transition options long before any unexpected events may force change. Please register online and pay via charge card on MI-SBTDC Google Pay. The Google Pay account you establish is only for the MI-SBTDC online payment system. You are not signing up for Google. Please contact our office with any online payment questions or concerns. Class is free to Veterans.

Based on the principles of peer learning, PeerSpectives is a CEO roundtable system that the Edward Lowe Foundation designed particularly for leaders of second-stage companies (companies that have moved beyond the startup phase and are focused on steady, sustainable growth). The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center has had much success with existing roundtables and we are pleased to announce the development of a new table. Beginning in January 2013, PeerSpectives Roundtables will meet monthly ten times per year for four hours per session at Cabela’s Dundee Location. Meetings will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (excluding July and December) from 8:00 am. To 12:00 pm. The annual fee for this program is $1200.00. Roundtables include 8-12 business executives from noncompeting industries and provide a confidential forum where participants share challenges and experiences. An experienced Edward Lowe facilitator, experienced in peer learning will lead the group in a structured protocol that ensures a balanced discussion. Our unique process utilizes experience sharing rather than advice giving.

This course presents practical applications of marketing concepts designed to grow small businesses. It covers basic marketing tools including market analysis and research, target marketing, assessing competitors, and key marketing implementation tools. A strategic, well planned approach to marketing is demonstrated, with several examples of effective hands-on marketing techniques. Focus is on the business’s customers - creating and keeping them.

Speaker: Laura Holmes, FineLine Creative Inc.

This course presents practical applications of marketing concepts designed to grow small businesses. It covers basic marketing tools including market analysis and research, target marketing, assessing competitors, and key marketing implementation tools. A strategic, well planned approach to marketing is demonstrated, with several examples of effective hands-on marketing techniques. Focus is on the business's customers - creating and keeping them.

Speaker: Laurie Lonsdorf, Senior Business Consultant

An Attendance Wait List is available by calling 616-331-7370. Learn how to research your market, customers, and competitors in this series on market research. What is market research and why is it necessary? We will cover the basics of market research, including a demonstration of how to prepare a market profile.

Successful small business owners need to develop a unique marketing plan. The interactive design of this course will allow you to assess your current marketing initiatives and determine marketing opportunities that will drive awareness and sales. In this course, time will be dedicated to creating a strong marketing plan for each attendee’s business. *Lunch will be provided. As part of the class, a mandatory questionnaire needs to be completed before the class date. Please call the MI-SBTDC at 734-462-4438 to request the questionnaire.

Speaker: Lori Sullivan

An Attendance Wait List is available by calling 616-331-7370. Learn how to research your market, customers, and competitors in this series on market research. Learn how to use the Business Decision database to find customer demographics and how to prepare a customer profile.

Nancy Johnson of the Livingston SBTDC will be presenting “Maximizing Your Online Presence” using the new MI-SBTDC(TM) Website & Social Media Review Tool. This free tool helps business owners with their marketing strategy by providing feedback on their online visibility, improved understanding of SEO, and for use in their communications with their web designers. The five key areas that will be covered include: ¦SEO Rankings: Where your website ranks today and ability to track improvements after changes to site ¦Key Words: Understand how people find you ¦Building Inbound Links: Identify authoritative pages linking to your website ¦Creating Content: Customize content to draw traffic ¦Recommendations: Next steps and recommendations to improve online presence

Speaker: Nancy Johnson, Satellite Director of the Livingston County SBTDC

An Attendance Wait List is available by calling 616-331-7370. Learn how to research your market, customers, and competitors in this series on market research. Learn how to research your competitors using the Reference USA database and how to prepare a competitor profile.