Looking for a way to boost your own knowledge while helping your business? The Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering the following workshops in October:
Tuesday, October 08, 2019
Women Informed (WIN) Series: Managing Your Growth
Time: 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation: 2550 Tenderfoot Hill Street
Fee: $10.00
NOTE: Pre-payment for the class is REQUIRED! (If you are unable to attend, you will not receive a refund unless you cancel 24 hours in advance. Thank you for your cooperation!) SBDC Partner discount codes do not apply to this event.
Register: https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70390141
Is your company growing? Are you concerned about your ability to meet increased demand for your products and services? Learn how to handle this tipping point in your business by tracking:
- Financial readiness
- Personnel readiness
- Inventory readiness
Understand how to plan, meet your demand, and understand your numbers to take your business to its next level of growth. A light lunch will be included!
Thursday, October 10, 2019
WEBINAR – Cyber CYA Series: Policies for Personal Use, Managing Devices on Your Network
Time: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Location: Online
Fee: No Cost
NOTE: Pre-payment for the webinar is required. Please click on the button below to first register and pay through the SBDC. You will receive a confirmation email from GoToWebinar one day prior to the training date with a link to join the webinar. (If you are unable to attend, please note that you will receive an email afterwards where you can watch the recording.)
For On-Demand Registrants: After you register, please click “Continue,” and it will take you to a GoToWebinar page. Once you register on that page, please note that the webinar will start automatically, and you cannot fast-forward or rewind. (However, an email with the recorded video is automatically sent 1 hour after the webinar, where you can save, fast-forward, and rewind from there.)
Register: https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70390187
Many organizations do not invest in mobile technology for their employees due to the expense and difficulty of managing accountability of the devices. The strategy for many businesses is to allow their employees to use personal devices on the organization’s WIFI network. While this strategy may be advantageous, it does bring risk to the organization. Managers should ask a few questions before allowing this type of access. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategies should include formalized policies that address acceptable use of approved devices and roles and responsibilities for users interfacing with certain types of organizational information and data. The presenter will look at several case studies and discuss implications that the audience should consider before implementing a BYOD program.
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
WEBINAR – Leveraging LinkedIn For Small Businesses
Time: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Location: Online
Fee: $20.00
NOTE: Pre-payment for the webinar is required. Please click on the button below to first register and pay through the SBDC.
IMPORTANT! For On-Demand Registrants: After you register, please click “Continue” in order to get the webinar link and/or watch the webinar. Once you register on the GoToWebinar page, please note that the webinar will start automatically, and you cannot fast-forward or rewind. (However, an email with the recorded video is automatically sent 1 hour after the webinar, where you can save, fast-forward, and rewind from there.) If you are logged out, please sign back in and your webinar link and copy of the slides will be available on the event page.
Register: https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70390191
LinkedIn – A network with 65 million business professionals around the world. The average LinkedIn member has an average annual household income of $109,000. Nearly 50 percent of LinkedIn members have decision-making authority for their companies which is why LinkedIn is considered the world’s largest audience of influential, affluent professionals in one place. In this workshop you will learn about how to use LinkedIn to improve your company’s visibility, generate leads, and effectively market your small business!
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Tax Prep Essentials for Small Businesses
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Pikes Peak SBDC – Training Facility – Tri Lakes Chamber of Commerce, 166 Second ST
Fee: No Cost
NOTE: Thanks to a sponsorship by Ent Business Banking, this class is free!
Register: https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70390132
As a small business owner, you may be thinking about taxes with a significant level of uncertainty, especially with new tax laws in effect. “Where do I even start?!”, “What does the IRS need from me this year?”, “Will my business taxes be easier?” and “How can I be better prepared next year?” are common questions. Don’t fret! This workshop is a realistic starting point for small businesses wanting to strengthen their understanding over their business taxes.
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Business Plan in a Day
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Pikes Peak SBDC, 559 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Ste. 101
Fee: $25.00
NOTE: Pre-payment for the class is REQUIRED! (If you are unable to attend, you will not receive a refund unless you cancel 24 hours in advance. Thank you for your cooperation!)
Register: https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70390196
During this workshop, we will begin the task of putting together a very basic strategic plan that will act as a roadmap to building your business plan. Would you begin to build a 43-story skyscraper without a blueprint? Then ask yourself this, what does your business look like three to five years from now? These methodical steps are the beginning of a process that will enable you to move forward with purpose, passion, and precision; profitability will present itself when you have followed your own direction. The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise and is not preceded by a period of worry and depression! Join us to begin the process of strategically mapping your business through a simplified business plan that you can then continue to build upon. This workshop is for both startups and existing businesses!
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Cyber Awareness & Implementation Series (8-Week Course)
Time: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Pikes Peak SBDC, 559 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Ste. 101
Fee: $695.00
NOTE: 8 sessions ending Tuesday, December 17
Register: https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70390190
The Cyber Awareness & Implementation Series is an annual 8-week course that provides small businesses with cybersecurity education, consulting, guidance, and solutions to fill the gaps and risks found in each participant’s business. At the end of 8 weeks, participants will have a Business Risk Assessment Report, a Cyber Implementation Plan, and eligibility to earn the new BBB “Cyber-Aware Business” Badge!
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Effective Market Research for Small Businesses
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Pikes Peak SBDC, 559 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Ste. 101
Fee: $30.00
NOTE: Pre-payment for the workshop is REQUIRED! (If you are unable to attend, you will not receive a refund unless you cancel 24 hours in advance. Thank you for your cooperation!)
Register: https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70390201
Business research is essential for companies that wish to stay in business. Brush up on your secondary research skills and discover the wealth of free information available through your public library, local universities, and other resources. We will discuss online sources and other easily accessible databases full of statistical data that can help your business make knowledgeable decisions. These resources will help you understand and define the market for your product or service, find your competition, explore demographics, find industry benchmarks, and keep up on industry news.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Developing and Optimizing Your Business’ Website
Time: 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Location: Pikes Peak SBDC, 559 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Ste. 101
Fee: $20.00
NOTE: Pre-payment for the class is REQUIRED! (If you are unable to attend, you will not receive a refund unless you cancel 24 hours in advance. Thank you for your cooperation!)
Register: https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70390200
Your website is often the first impression someone may have of your business, and it can be a vital tool in generating leads, developing customer education, or turning potential customers into paying customers. This workshop will be 1) an overview of some popular website platform options and determining which one is best for you, and 2) a discussion on optimizing your website’s content and layout, addressing common issues, and giving tips on creating the most effective website for your business.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
WEBINAR – Building A Business To Sell
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Location: Online
Fee: $20.00
NOTE: Pre-payment for the webinar is required. Please click on the button below to first register and pay through the SBDC. You will receive a confirmation email from GoToWebinar one day prior to the training date with a link to join the webinar. (If you are unable to attend, please note that you will receive an email afterwards where you can watch the recording.)
For On-Demand Registrants: After you register, please click “Continue,” and it will take you to a GoToWebinar page. Once you register on that page, please note that the webinar will start automatically, and you cannot fast-forward or rewind. (However, an email with the recorded video is automatically sent 1 hour after the webinar, where you can save, fast-forward, and rewind from there.)
Register: https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70390194
Whether you’re just starting a new business or actively looking to sell it’s never too early to begin positioning your business for sale. In this workshop you’ll learn the steps you can start taking now to maximize your business value and prepare for your exit strategy. We’ll cover topics such as financial records, market valuation, the acquisition team, the presale audit, customer concentration, intangible assets, etc. We’ll also cover current market trends and the economic outlook for small business over the next five years.
Friday, October 25, 2019
2nd Annual CYBERSECURITY SUMMIT FOR SMALL BUSINESS
Time: 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Location: Pikes Peak SBDC, 1775 East Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard
Fee: $25.00
Register: https://pikespeaksbdc.org/what-we-do/events/cybersecurity-summit-for-small-businesses/
Join us for our 2nd Annual Cybersecurity Summit for Small Businesses! Don’t miss interactive sessions for all levels of business and all industries throughout the day. Choose from a track that best fits your needs. Throw out the intimidation—the summit is meant to educate and support your business and questions. Leave with takeaways to immediately implement in your business. You will also have the opportunity to hear from two nationally recognized keynote speakers, access to cybersecurity consultants for free one-on-one consulting and a host of cyber for small business resources and exhibitors. Your registration also includes a continental breakfast, boxed lunch and happy hour hors d’oeuvres.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Small Businesses
Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Location: Pikes Peak SBDC Training Site – Ent Credit Union, 7350 Campus Dr.
Fee: No Cost
Register: https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70390129
As you know, digital marketing is an essential part to owning a small business in the Pikes Peak Region. At the top of the digital marketing realm is search engine optimization (SEO), easily the most important … arguably the most confusing. In this workshop, we will simplify the basics you need to know about making your business visible on Google in today’s market. We’ll cover:
- Keys to successful ranking in search engines
- SEO techniques that are working for local small businesses
- Optimizing your digital presence for both humans and computer algorithms
- Making your business visible online (ads, social media, Google Maps, etc.)
- Q&A Session
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Cybersecurity Simplified: What Your Small Business Needs to Know
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Pikes Peak SBDC, 559 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Ste. 101
Fee: $20.00
NOTE: Pre-payment for the workshop is REQUIRED! (If you are unable to attend, you will not receive a refund unless you cancel 24 hours in advance. Thank you for your cooperation!)
When you register, you will be asked to fill out our full request for assistance. Thank you in advance for your patience in completing this form. You will only have to complete the form ONCE with us and for no future workshops. The form helps us count our attendance numbers towards our federally-mandated goals and helps us continue to provide our free consulting and low-cost training.
Register: https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70390205
You may think cyber-attacks only happen to the corporate giants. But as a small business owner, you are more at risk than all of them! The issue of cyber security has become a central focus of companies, big and small, across all industries. As more individuals and small businesses become increasingly dependent on our networked and interconnected infrastructure, cybercrime and cyber criminals have become much more sophisticated in their techniques for stealing identities and using them to extract funds and make fraudulent purchases. Join us in this session to understand how your small business may be at risk and what you can do to protect your customers and your assets.
In addition to many individual workshops and sessions, the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers multiple tracks. Tracks are a tailored series of workshops focused on a particular subject. Although many of these tracks began in January, workshops that are part of the track are available.
The Start-Up Track, offered every other month, is for business owners just getting started of those who are thinking about it: www.pikespeaksbdc.org/startup.
The Financial Track, offered quarterly, is aimed at empowering entrepreneurs to manage business finances: www.pikespeaksbdc.org/financial.
The Marketing Track, also offered quarterly, is focused on determining the relevance of businesses in today’s market: www.pikespeaksbdc.org/marketing.
The Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center and the Colorado Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) are located at the Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation at 559 East Pikes Peak Ave., Suite 101, in downtown Colorado Springs. The Pikes Peak SBDC offers business consulting and training to assist existing and new small businesses in El Paso, Park and Teller counties. For more information about the SBDC and services it offers, visit www.pikespeaksbdc.org or call 719-667-3803.