SEMINARS

Small Business Basics Series

Small Business Basics - determining if self-employment is for you...

Description

Who Should Attend

Session Details

Are you thinking about starting up a business, but you aren't sure it's for you? Have you recently entered the world of business and uncertain about what to do next? Save yourself money and time by taking this course! As an attendee you will:

	understand your own strengths, passions and motivations for going into business, learn how to get beyond your fears and weaknesses, push your belief systems and expand your confidence;
	discover profitable current and long-term trends to maximize your business ideas;
	identify the basic components of a business plan to save time and money on your start up;
	learn how to define and locate your most profitable target market;
	determine the business structure right for you;
	learn how to create a basic budget and read a balance sheet;
	fully understand the realities of owning and running a business;
	build an action plan of "next steps" for your business.

This program is excellent for:

	those considering a small business start-up, purchasing an existing business or franchise;
	new business owners;
	anyone wishing to explore self-employment or business ownership.

Format
Combination of lectures, workshops and out-of-class assignments.

Class Size: Maximum 20

Five Session Program
Monday 6 - 9 pm
Tuesday 6 - 9 pm
Wednesday 6 - 9 pm
Thursday 6 - 9 pm
Friday 6 - 9 pm

Three Session Program
Friday 6-9 pm
Saturday 8 am - 5 pm
Sunday 8 am - 5 pm

Cost
$479.00 plus GST

	Includes the "E-Myth Revisited" book by Michael Gerber.
	Coffee, tea and water will be provided.
	Lunch will not be provided on weekend program (one hour lunch break provided - restaurants near by - lunch room available).

Requirements
Attendees are required to:

	read E-Myth Revisited prior to the first session;
	fill out and submit a business questionnaire one week prior to the start of the session;
	have a general idea of what business they are interested in starting up.

Determining Profitable Customer Profiles - identify your most profitable target markets...

Description

Who Should Attend

Session Details

Knowing who your customer is and where to find them is critical to your business's success. By focusing on a responsive target market, you'll experience greater success and increased profits. As an attendee you will:

	identify your primary and secondary customers;
	build a full customer profile of demographics and psychographics of each customer;
	discover how Customer Relationship Management (CRM) can increase sales;
	examine case studies of successful target marketing;
	create a usable plan of how to find your ideal customers.

This program is excellent for:

	current business owners;
	start-up business owners;
	not-for-profit marketers;
	any marketers wishing to focus on an existing market or identify a secondary target market.

Format
Combination of lecture, workshop and overnight assignment.

Class Size: Maximum 20

Two Session Program
Monday 6-10 pm
Tuesday 6-10 pm

One Session Program
Saturday 8 am - 5 pm

Cost
$239.00 plus GST

	Coffee, tea and water will be provided.
	Lunch will not be provided for the one session program (one hour break provided)

Requirements
Attendees are required to:

fill out and submit a business questionnaire one week prior to the start of the session with a focus on current target markets.

Tapping into the Trends - maximize your business opportunities and profits...

Description

Who Should Attend

Session Details

Fads come and go, but trends provide solid business opportunities for existing and start-up businesses to enhance their products and services. Increase your profits by tapping into the current trends. As an attendee you will:

	explore the difference between flash in the pan fads and lucrative long term trends;
	case study companies that are profitably integrating trends into their every day business;
	identify money-making trends to incorporate into your own business;
	expand your business creative thinking ability;
	create a usable plan for your business to incorporate lucrative trends.

This program is excellent for:

	current business owners;
	start-up business owners;
	not-for-profit marketers;
	any marketer wanting to profit from current and long term trends.

Note
Attendees will benefit most from this session if they have a clear outline of their primary customer - attending the "Determining Profitable Customer Profiles" session will be a definite asset, but not a prerequisite.

Format
Combination of lecture and workshop.

Class Size : Maximum 20

One Session Program
Weeknight 6-10 pm

Cost
$129.00 plus GST

Coffee, tea and water will be provided

Requirements
Attendees are required to:

fill out and submit a business questionnaire one week prior to the start of the session.

ABC's of Business Branding - create a holistic brand customers will respond to...

Description

Who Should Attend

Session Details

Branding is more than creating a logo. It's about the image you project and the feeling you and your team convey to your customers resulting in profits. As an attendee you will:

	explore the components of an effective brand;
	identify what your brand promise is;
	case study companies that back up their brands or let their customers down;
	learn how to develop an effective brand for your company;
	create a usable brand plan for your business.

This program is excellent for:

	current business owners;
	start-up business owners;
	not-for-profit marketers;
	any marketer wanting to build a solid brand;
	students interested in brand development.

Note
Attendees will benefit most from this session if they have a clear outline of their primary customer - attending the "Determining Profitable Customer Profiles" session will be a definite asset, but not a prerequisite.

Format
Combination of lecture and workshop.  

One Session Program
Weeknight 6-10 pm
or Weekend

Cost
$129.00 plus GST

Coffee, tea and water will be provided.

Requirements
Attendees are required to:

	bring samples all business collateral materials;
	fill out and submit a business questionnaire one week prior to the start of the session.

Shameless Self-Promotion - get into the minds and hands of your customers...

Description

Who Should Attend

Session Details

Promoting your product or service takes know-how and more than an ounce of courage. Discover how to get noticed to increase your sales. As an attendee you will:

	uncover the steps to securing publicity;
	case study successful publicity campaigns;
	identify an attention-getting angle;
	determine the features and benefits of your company;
	create a winning press release;
	build an action plan for your next campaign.

This program is excellent for:

	current business owners;
	start-up business owners;
	not-for-profit marketers;
	any marketer wanting to refresh or upgrade their publicity skills.

Note
Attendees will benefit most from this session if they have a clear outline of their primary customer - attending the "Determining Profitable Customer Profiles" session will be a definite asset, but not a prerequisite.

Format
Combination of lecture and workshop.  

One Session Program
Weeknight 6-10 pm
or Weekend

Cost
$129.00 plus GST

Coffee, tea and water will be provided.

Requirements
Attendees are required to:

	submit a written press release and 30 second elevator pitch for their business one week prior to the session;
	bring 21 business cards to the session;
	fill out and submit a business questionnaire one week prior to the start of the session.

Strategic Ad Planning - make the most of your ad dollars...

Description

Who Should Attend

Session Details

Choosing the right advertising with a limited budget is crucial to the success of your business. Create a profitable plan that you are confident with. As an attendee you will:

	explore the many methods of advertising to reach your customer such as print, electronic, internet, outdoor and alternative;
	identify the value proposition of your company;
	discover how to create an effective advertisement;
	learn how to read a rate card and negotiate your buy;
	create a working advertising plan for your business.

This program is excellent for:

	current business owners;
	start-up business owners;
	not-for-profit marketers;
	any marketer wanting to build a solid advertising plan;
	students interested in advertising.

Note
Attendees will benefit most from this session if they have a clear outline of their primary customer - attending the "Determining Profitable Customer Profiles" session will be a definite asset, but not a prerequisite.

Format
Combination of lecture and workshop.  

One Session Program
Weeknight 6-10 pm
or Weekend

Cost
$129.00 plus GST

Coffee, tea and water will be provided.

Requirements
Attendees are required to:

	submit current ads used for promoting their business one week prior to the session;
	fill out and submit a business questionnaire one week prior to the start of the session.