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 June:
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Millennials, Gen Xers, and Boomers: Synergistic Strategies for Your Business
Time: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Location: Tri Lakes Chamber of Commerce, 166 Second St.
Fee: No Cost
Register: https://www.chamberorganizer.com/members/evr/reg_event.php?evid=39302865&orgcode=TLCC
Generational differences and differing workplace ideals are inevitable, and it is important that we embrace these differences to create positive change. In this seminar, we will take a look at the commonalities and differences between current generations in the workplace, in an effort to understand what motivates, drives, and engages each generation and how we each can adapt to leverage those differences.
Thursday, June 07, 2018
Connect2DOT: Bonding & Insurance for Contractors
Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Mountain
Location: Pikes Peak SBDC, 559 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Ste. 101
Fee: No Cost
Register: https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70380096
Learn about bonding and insurance for contractors.
Thursday, June 07, 2018
Boot Camp: Steps to Owning Your Business
Time: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM Mountain
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=70380161
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!!
Thursday, June 07, 2018
Free Info Session: LEADING EDGE™ Course: Strategic Planning For Entrepreneurs
Time: 5:15 PM to 6:00 PM Mountain
Location: Pikes Peak SBDC, 559 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Ste. 101
Fee: No Cost
Register: https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70380167
This Info Session is free and will give insight into what the 8-week course will cover with the Leading Edge curriculum. Meet the facilitator, and find out if this course is right for you! (Course offered three times a year, in Spring, Summer, and Fall 2018).
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Social Media 101 for Small Businesses
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Mountain
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=70380101
Learn how to increase success in your business specifically through the use of social media. This workshop will get you started amplifying your business through discussing concepts and tools for utilizing social media that are relevant to all platforms.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Courses for Creatives: Artist Cooperative Panel
Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Mountain
Location: Pikes Peak SBDC, 559 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Ste. 101
Fee: $ 10.00
Register: http://pikespeakartscouncil.org/Courses-for-Creatives
A synergistic approach on how artists can work together and independently to create a successful business or project.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Business Plan in a Day
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Mountain
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=70380166
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!
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Free Info Session: LEADING EDGE™ Course: Strategic Planning For Entrepreneurs
Time: 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM Mountain
Location: Pikes Peak SBDC, 559 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Ste. 101
Fee: No Cost
Register: https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70380168
This Info Session is free and will give insight into what the 8-week course will cover with the Leading Edge curriculum. Meet the instructors, and find out if this course is right for you! (Course offered three times a year, in Spring, Summer, and Fall 2018).
Thursday, June 14, 2018
LEADING EDGE™ Course: Strategic Planning for Entrepreneurs
Time: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM Mountain, 8 sessions ending Thursday, August 09
Location: Pikes Peak SBDC, 559 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Ste. 101
Fee: $ 400.00 NOTE: Payment is not required upon registration, but is due on the first day of class.
Register: https://clients.coloradosbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70380019
The LEADING EDGE™ Course: Strategic Planning for Entrepreneurs is an 8-week business development course for current business owners (or startups who are moving from idea stage to implementation). The program is a combination of in-classroom sessions, interactive learning exercises and conversations with subject experts. Not only will you write the majority of your strategic business plan in class, you will also learn best practices and money-saving tips from your fellow entrepreneurs. Leading the course is facilitator Mark Bittle, who has built seven-figure businesses in the real estate and financial industries. His expertise, combined with that of the weekly guest speakers, will help you get to your goals faster as they share what has worked for them. As you develop your business plan, you will also prepare a presentation to pitch to lenders, investors and/or potential clients. You will develop tools to attract customers, gain exposure and become financially efficient. At the end of the course, you will have the foundation of a business plan, media kit, operations plan, sales strategy, customer acquisition plan, and financial analysis. This is a fast-paced course for the ambitious business owner who wants to get to their goals faster.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Tax Prep Essentials for Small Businesses
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Mountain
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=70380159
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, June 26, 2018
Using Facebook to Promote Your Small Business
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Mountain
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=70380165
A strategy to drive leads and promote your business should involve a Facebook component. In this course we will dig deep into which small business strategies could be effective, including strategizing your content creation, scheduling, utilizing data, etc. Additionally, considering the recent changes Facebook has made to their business model in early 2018, find out how this may affect your business and/or how your Facebook strategy may need to change. Join us for this session on how to use Facebook naturally and effectively for your small business.
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Small Businesses
Time: 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Mountain
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=70380169
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:
- Brief history of search and why it’s important to understanding today’s search
- 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
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 is located at the Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation at 559 East Pikes Peak Ave., Suite 101, in downtown Colorado Springs. It 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.