Boost Your Business Knowledge

Looking for a way to help your business? The Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering the following workshops in November:

Thursday, November 01, 2018

Boot Camp: Steps to Owning Your Business

Time: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM

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!)

During Veteran’s Entrepreneurial Week (10/29-11/2/2018), all SBDC workshops are FREE for veterans! Please use promo code VET.

Taking the first step to starting your business can be difficult! This workshop will be a realistic starting point for all budding entrepreneurs. The two-hour workshop will be PACKED and FAST PACED. At the end, you will have a good feel for the level of effort and commitment it will take to make your business successful. If you’re serious about starting a business, you don’t want to miss this workshop. This is a Lunch ‘n Learn…Feel free to bring your lunch!

Monday, November 05, 2018

Introduction to SBDC

Time: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Webinar: Online Pikes Peak SBDC, Facilitated by Pikes Peak SBDC

Fee: No Cost

NOTE: In respect of the speakers’ and other attendees’ time, please e-mail us at least 24 hours in advance should you need to cancel your registration.

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 webinar 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.

Monday, November 5, 2018

Developing and Optimizing Your Business’ Website

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Webinar: Online Pikes Peak SBDC, Facilitated by Pikes Peak SBDC

Fee: No Cost

In respect of the speakers’ and other attendees’ time, please e-mail us at least 24 hours in advance should you need to cancel your registration.

Tuesday, November 06, 2018

Understanding Financial Statements to Manage Your Business

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 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!)

Your small business’s day-to-day operations depend on having accurate financial data, and the success of your business depends on you understanding your business’s financial documents. This interactive round-table will provide a top-line view and understanding of the key financial statements that need to be understood to be a successful business owner, including:

Profit & Loss (Income Statement)
Balance Sheet
Cash Flow Statement
Check Book
Inventory Valuations

Wednesday, November 07, 2018

Where’s The Money?! Funding Options for Starting or Growing Your Business

Time: 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

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!)

Whether you are just starting your business or need more funding for an existing business, finding the money for your venture is one of the most tricky hurdles to overcome. There are a variety of ways you can find funding, and a variety of organizations, people, and resources available to you. What options are right for you? Where should you even start? We designed this course to be an insightful overview of the various options available to you — including traditional bank loans, microlending, SBA loans, venture capital, angel investing, grant-funding, crowd-funding, bootstrapping, etc.

Thursday, November 08, 2018

Sole Proprietorship, LLC, or Corporation? Choosing an Appropriate Legal Entity

Time: 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

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!)

This workshop is designed to help you make an informed decision about which legal business entity is best for your business. We will discuss the differences between a sole proprietorship, LLC, and S-Corp. This workshop is taught by an attorney with additional experience in taxation, so you will learn the practical legal and tax implications of each type! The workshop also includes Q&A time.

Thursday, November 08, 2018

Cybersecurity Simplified: What Your Small Business Needs to Know

Time: 01:00 PM – 02:30 PM

Location: Tri Lakes Chamber of Commerce, 166 Second ST

Fee: No Cost

NOTE: Please pre-register for this workshop to reserve your spot. This workshop is free.

You may think cyber-attacks only happen to the corporate giants. But as a small business owner, you are actually 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.

Friday, November 09, 2018

Women Informed Training Series: Success with Minority Certifications Panel

Time: 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Location: Pikes Peak SBDC Training Site-Catalyst Campus, 555 E Pikes Peak Ave

Fee: $10.00

NOTE: Lunch from The Picnic Basket included!

During this engaging panel event, you will have the opportunity to hear from local businesses who have utilized their minority business certifications successfully. Learn how they navigated the system and overcame obstacles to make it!

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Telling Your Story

Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 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!)

In this seminar you will have to ask yourself: “What makes me relevant?” and “What is the compelling reason for people to buy from me and disrupt their normal habits?” We will discuss the trials and tribulations that every business owner encounters while developing their marketing plan and trying to tell their story. The goal of this workshop is to give you actionable steps to take your marketing campaign and strategy to the next level!

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

QuickBooks (Online Version): Introduction (Part 1)

Time: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Location: Colorado Technical University, 4435 N Chestnut St

Fee: $75.00

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!)

Are you considering using QuickBooks Online (QBO) for your business? Or maybe you already use it but know that you’re not using it to its fullest potential? Then plan to take our “test drive” hands-on workshop facilitated by a local QuickBooks ProAdvisor certified in QBO!

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Building A Business To Sell

Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Webinar: Online Pikes Peak SBDC, Facilitated by Pikes Peak SBDC

Fee: No Cost

NOTE: In respect of the speakers’ and other attendees’ time, please e-mail us at least 24 hours in advance should you need to cancel your registration.

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 5 years.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

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: $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!)

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, November 20, 2018

Tax Prep Essentials for Small Businesses

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Ent Credit Union, 7350 Campus Dr.

Fee: No Cost

As a small business owner, you may be thinking about the taxes you’ll owe with a significant level of uncertainty. “Where do I even start?!” “What does the IRS need from me this year?” 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 and mastery over their business taxes.

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

QuickBooks (Online Version): Mastering (Part 2)

Time: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Location: Pikes Peak SBDC – Training Site – Colorado Technical University, 4435 N Chestnut St

Fee: $75.00

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!)

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

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 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!)

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Developing Your Online Marketing Strategy

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 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!)

In today’s market, your online presence is quite often your “first impression” to potential new customers. This workshop is a big-picture overview of strategies for improving your business’ visibility and reputation online. We will discuss recommendations for approaching your online visibility and determining which aspects are most important for your particular business. Start your “online marketing plan” as we review the options you have – including website, online reviews, optimizing Google My Business, general SEO tactics, and social media. You will leave this class with some practical takeaways for developing your online marketing strategy.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Cyber CYA Series: NIST 800-171 & GDPR Compliance

Time: 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Location: Pikes Peak SBDC – Training Site National Cybersecurity Center

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!)

So you missed the NIST? How compliant are you with NIST SP 800-171? Not only are you now responsible for NIST SP 800-171 compliance if working with the Department of Defense (DoD), but a new regulation has come out called the GDPR which affects business working with the European Union Consumer Data.

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Introduction to Business Model Canvas

Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

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!)

Learn how to use this world-renowned tool for developing and visualizing your business model. BMC methodology allows you to describe, design, challenge, invent and pivot your business model. Great for people writing business plans, strategic plans, or wanting to document/describe existing business models!

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.

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