SBA SF Business Seminars and Workshops – July 16 to 27th 2012
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a variety of classes for business owners in our Entrepreneur Center, located at 455 Market Street, Suite 600, in downtown San Francisco. View the San Francisco SBA online calendar at: San Francisco SBA online calendar
Registration for all our classes is required. To ensure a printed handout for review along with the instructor during the class or to be notified if the class is cancelled, please register at the SF Small Business Development Center registration site: Small Business Development Center unless otherwise indicated.
Events: July 16th to 27th, 2012
Basic Bookkeeping (3 part series)
07/16 – Monday 5:00PM to 8:00PM in SAN JOSE
Introduction to Intellectual Property
7/16 – Monday 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Patents, trademarks, trade dress, copyright, trade secrets – what’s it all about? If you have a new invention, original artwork, a logo to create brand recognition, or a unique secret formula, you may have some rights to protect them from being tarnished or knocked off by a competitor…but how do you do that affordably on a tight budget? This workshop will introduce you to different types of intellectual property in plain English terms, and provide you with self-help resource information to start guarding the crown jewels of your business plan! This class does not constitute legal advice.
Employment of Foreign Nationals – What Every Employer Needs to Know About U.S. Immigration and Employment Laws
7/16 – Monday 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
This presentation will explain U.S. work visa and green card processes, as well as related employment law issues including, at-will employment, offer letters/agreements, independent contractors, good HR practices, and strategies.
Herramientas Financieras (Spanish)
7/17 – Martes Hora: 9am-11am in SAN JOSE
Doing Business with Chevron
7/17 – Tuesday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Learn the procurement process and opportunities for doing business specifically with Chevron in this informative presentation by a representative of the company.
Understanding Your Competition
7/17 – Tuesday 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
As a startup business owner, you can market your business more effectively the more you understand about your competition and the customer they are targeting. Topics include uncovering the competition’s strengths and weaknesses, understanding who they are targeting and why, their marketing message to their prospects, what makes their business attractive to prospects, and determining what competitive advantages you might have compared to them.
Maintaining Tax Records
7/17 – Tuesday 3:00 PM–5:00 PM
Learn the money-saving tax strategies of the pros in this fun interactive course, and learn how to effectively create the tax records necessary for proper IRS reporting. Receive a valuable overview of how to use technology to simplify your life with online banking and QuickBooks. $25 registration fee. Presented by SF SCORE.
Quickbooks- Fase II (Spanish)
7/17 – Martes Hora: 6pm-8pm in SAN JOSE
Marketing Made Easy
7/17 – Tuesday 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
This class is a good introduction or serves as a refresher for entrepreneurs who want to take their marketing plans to the next level. You will better understand the variety of marketing tools available and the information will help you focus on choosing and mastering tactics for your target market. Topics will include: identifying your target market; establishing a framework for evaluating and monitoring your marketing efforts; designing signature marketing tactics and building systems.
Small Business Fundamentals
7/18 – Wednesday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm in SAN JOSE
Federal/State Basic Payroll Tax Seminar
07/18 – Wednesday 10:00AM to 4:00PM in SAN JOSE
Small Business Resources Available at the MLK Library
07/19 – Thursday 10:30AM to 12:00PM in SAN JOSE
Basic Bookkeeping, Part Three
7/19 – Thursday 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Topics include developing a budget, statement of cash flow analysis, and developing a cash forecast. Participants should have complete Basic Bookkeeping Part I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar. $30 registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.
Creating and Using Your “Elevator Pitch”
7/19 – Thursday 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
All entrepreneurs need to have a clear and engaging elevator pitch. Learn how to have people listen to you, understand you and be compelled to help you or seek assistance from your business. Learn the how’s, why’s and word choice to include in your pitch and most importantly, practice saying it. In this interactive class, attendees will stand up and read the elevator pitch written, try to memorize it and then they ultimately work towards delivering it with confidence.
Setting Up a Successful Online Business
7/20 – Friday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
An extensive session to help you strategize, setup and execute your own online business. You will learn to: design a strategy for your online business; define business model and commercial model, execute an online business and market an online business. $25 registration fee. Presented by SF SCORE at (415) 744-6827.
Basic Bookkeeping II: Small Business Financial Analysis
07/23 – Monday 5:00PM to 8:00PM in SAN JOSE
Choosing the Right Retirement Plan
7/23 – Monday 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
With new Department of Labor regulations taking effect, don’t be left behind with an expensive and inefficient plan. Learn about the differences between ERISA Retirement Plans and how the various fee structures affect your company and employees. New transparency laws set forth by the Department of Labor are making it easier to uncover the truth. Find out what to look for and how to find it in this interactive seminar. Come learn how large of an impact hidden fees and expenses can have on your retirement lifestyle!
Cancelled…..Understand the Financial Structure of Your Business
7/24 – Tuesday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Success in business requires sound financial planning and the establishment of realistic goals. This seminar enables you to develop an understanding of the financial parameters of your company and provides the tools for making the best financial and planning decisions. The following topics will be covered: Startup Costs; Sales Forecasting; Operating Expenses; Cash Flow; Breakeven Analysis; Financial Reports. $45 registration fee. Presented by SF SCORE.
Legacy Planning
7/24 – Tuesday 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Retire from your small business. Use your financial success to create a family and/or philanthropic legacy. Give some thought to how you want to retire and come with your questions.
Corporations and LLCs Offer Different Options
7/24 – Tuesday 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Learn how to make the best use of your corporation or LLC to save money and shield yourself from liabilities. Learn the compliance details of when and how to properly set up your entity, including medical insurance plans, compensation strategies for tax planning, records management, and banking. $25 registration fee. Presented by SF SCORE.
Marketing on the Internet
7/24 – Tuesday 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm in SAN JOSE
How Tablets and Smartphones Can Help You Run Your Small Business Better
7/24 – Tuesday 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Learn how to be more productive and organized, save time and ultimately run your business better by fully utilizing the power of your tablet and smartphone and their applications. Productivity, task management, printing & faxing, document signing, time tracking, invoicing, accounting, payments and much more: get tips and two or more app recommendations for each topic to start transforming the way you work.
Secrets to Buying and Selling a Business or Franchise
7/24 – Tuesday 6:30 PM–8:30 PM
Learn how to reduce your risk and improve your chances of success in buying or selling a franchise or existing business. This workshop covers the steps necessary for you to succeed working with professionals, and using simple research and qualification techniques. Topics include: Choosing the Right Franchise or Business, Positioning Your Business for Sale, Buyer and Seller Financing. $35 registration fee. Presented by SF SCORE
Building Marketing Awareness and Driving Sales
7/25 – Wednesday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Learn the fundamentals for developing a marketing plan and strategy to increase sales. We will cover how to determine the market opportunity for your product or service, creating value for your customers, using promotional and social media strategies to reach your target customers, measuring the effectiveness of promotions, and best practices for reaching new customers and keeping existing ones. Vital topics include: Pricing, Branding and Positioning, Social Media Tools & Strategies, Website Tips, Lead Tracking, Internet Marketing Registration Fee $45 Presented by SF SCORE
Foundations of Business Planning
7/26 – Thursday 9:00am – 11:00am in SAN JOSE
HUBZone and WOSB Program Certifications
7/26 – Thursday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
This workshop will explain provisions of the HUBZone Program and the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program. Eligibility requirements, application and certification will be explained.
SBA 8(a) BD Certification Workshop
7/26 – Thursday 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
This workshop is for small firms owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals interested in being certified for SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program.
Advanced Social Media Techniques
7/26 – Thursday 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Choosing a Retirement Solution for Your Small Business
7/26 – Thursday 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
The U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will provide a presentation focused on choosing a retirement solution for your small business. To ensure a financially secure future, it is critical to make the right choices. We can help you start today.
QuickBooks Introduction
7/26 – Thursday 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM
This overview will discuss setting-up, updating and running financial reports, and efficient procedures for entering your accounting data. This is a hands-on workshop. Participants should have complete Basic Bookkeeping Part I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that workshop. $60 Registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.
Advanced Social Media Techniques
7/26 – Thursday 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
This presentation is designed for intermediate users of Facebook and LinkedIn primarily along with other social media. Numerous tips and tricks will be shared along with an automated strategy to ratchet up your following and increase opportunities for results. All participants must be familiar with Facebook, LinkedIn, blogging and YouTube to benefit from this class. $35 Registration Fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.
San Jose Entrepreneur Center Classes – San Jose Entrepreneur Center
Basic Bookkeeping (3 part series)
07/16 – Monday 5:00PM to 8:00PM
What You Will Learn: Basic Bookkeeping I: Accounting & Bookkeeping (Monday, July 16): This introductory class will give the small business owner a basic overview of accounting and finance principles and the framework to make timely and accurate business decisions. Topics include: * Accounting methods * Financial statements and ratios * Break-even analysis * Budgeting, and * Cash flow management. Basic Bookkeeping II: Small Business Financial Analysis (Monday, July 23): This second session in the 3-part series will help you learn how to analyze your balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows and use them as a management tool. Topics include: * Industry ratios, * Budget variances, * Trends and more… Participants should have completed Basic Bookkeeping I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar. Basic Bookkeeping III: Small Business Cash Flow Analysis & Cash Flow Forecasting (Monday, July 30): The last in this series will help you learn how to find out where your cash has gone and how to forecast how much cash you will have available each month. Topics include: * Developing a budget, * Statement of cash flows analysis, and * Developing cash forecast. Participants should have completed Basic Bookkeeping Part I: Accounting & Bookkeeping or be familiar with the concepts covered in that workshop. All classes are 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Classes may be purchased as a series or individually based on your needs.
Presented by the Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center. Location: San Jose Entrepreneur Center, 100 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA, 95113 Cost: $79 series or $89 at door; 1 class $35/$45 For registration: http://svsbdc.org
Contact Information: Client Services Coordinator, , 408-351-3600
Herramientas Financieras (Spanish)
7/17 – Martes (Hora: 9am-11am)
Aprenda las herramientas mas importantes para su negocio y así tomar sus decisiones con mayor seguridad. Presented by the SBDC Hispanic Satellite Location: 100 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113
To register please contact: Martha at 408-248-4800,
Quickbooks- Fase II (Spanish)
7/17 – Martes (Hora: 6pm-8pm)
Practica (hands-on) organizando sus finanzas en un solo lugar, crear facturas y seguimiento a las ventas. Presented by the SBDC Hispanic Satellite Location: 100 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113
To register please contact: Martha at 408-248-4800,
Small Business Fundamentals
7/18 – Wednesday (8:30 am – 5:00 pm)
This workshop is designed for persons who are just beginning or about to start a venture. The workshop provides a comprehensive overview of what is required to begin and run a business, from planning, legal requirements, accounting, taxes, insurance, marketing and beyond. Fee: $70 To register go to Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center and click on Workshops/Seminars. Location: 234 East Gish Road, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95112
Federal/State Basic Payroll Tax Seminar
07/18 – Wednesday 10:00AM to 4:00PM
You will learn: • California payroll reporting requirements, including forms, employer obligations, reporting, and payment requirements. • About independent contractor reporting requirements. • Electronic filing and payment requirements and options. • Federal payroll reporting requirements, including Forms 940, 941, 1099, W-2, W-4, W-9, and alternative filing. No Fee. Location: San Jose Entrepreneur Center, 100 E. Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA, 95113 For more information: Emplyment Development Department
For registration: San Jose Entrepreneur Center Contact Information: Emily Navarra-Refugio, , 408-351-3661
Small Business Resources Available at the MLK Library
07/19 – Thursday 10:30AM to 12:00PM
Anyone interested in starting a small business or growing their existing business should not miss this class on how to conduct effective research for their business. Learn how to find small business resources using online databases and other library resources from San Jose Public Library’s Business Librarian. No Fee. Location: San Jose Entrepreneur Center, 100 E. Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA, 95113 For registration: San Jose Entrepreneur Center
Contact Information: Emily Navarra-Refugio, , 408-351-3661
Basic Bookkeeping II: Small Business Financial Analysis
07/23 – Monday 5:00PM to 8:00PM
This workshop will help you learn how to analyze your balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows and use them as a management tool. Topics include: * Industry ratios, * Budget variances, * Trends and more… Participants should have completed Basic Bookkeeping I — or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar.
Presented by the Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center. Cost: $35 online; $45 at door, check or cash only Location: San Jose Entrepreneur Center, 100 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA, 95113 For registration: Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center
Directions/Map Link: Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center
Contact Information: Client Services Coordinator, , 408-351-3600
Marketing on the Internet
7/24 – Tuesday (5:00 pm – 8:00 pm)
This course covers keys for creating and marketing a professional business website for visitors and search engines. The course reviews best practices for ecommerce and secure websites, social media marketing options, search engine optimization, pay per click advertising, affiliate marketing and optimal web marketing strategies based on performance testing, analytics and determining return on investment (ROI). Fee: $45 To register go to Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center and click on Workshops/Seminars. Location: 234 East Gish Road, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95112
Foundations of Business Planning
7/26 – Thursday (Time: 9am-11am)
Discover one of the most important tools before starting your business. Presented by the SBDC Hispanic Satellite Location: 100 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113
To register please contact: Martha at 408-248-4800,
Our Partners Presents…
A weekly feature of small business community events offered by our resource partners, other organizations and groups outside SBA:
East Bay Small Business Symposium – Tuesday, 7/31/12 – 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM – Hotel Shattuck Plaza, Crystal Ballroom, 2086 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA – Connect with key resources that are available to You as a Small Business. Resource providers in financing, marketing, planning, employee recruitment and training will be available to connect you with a wide range of experts who can help you manage and grow your small business. SBA’s Region IX, Regional Administrator, Elizabeth B. Echols, will be in attendance and introduce you to the opportunities available at this event. To register, go to: East Bay Small Business Initiative or for more information, contact Keith Sutton, East Bay EDA, (510) 272-3885 or email
***Tech Futures Group (TFG) – The Northern California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network has launched a new program, called Tech Futures Group (TFG), which provides strategic advisory services to technology companies that may need assistance in marketing their technology products and services or in obtaining venture capital. As a program of the SBDC network, which receives funding from SBA, Tech Futures Group advisory services are provided at no cost to the small business client. However, prospective clients must submit an online application and meet certain qualifications to be accepted into the program, such as: be a small technology-based company, have intellectual property, and have a strong potential for growth. The same general criteria must be demonstrated by a business that wants to attract venture capital. A description of the client qualifications may be found at this link: Small Business Development Centers of Northern California
***Electronic Registration (eReg) System – Starting or Doing Business Just Got Easier with eReg – The Board of Equalization (BOE) is pleased to announce eReg, a new online Electronic Registration system that is convenient, fast and a free way to register for a permit, license, or BOE account. Learn more about eReg at California Board of Equalization
***Red Cross Ready Rating Program – is a free, web-based, membership program designed to help businesses, organizations and schools become better prepared for emergencies. Members complete an online self-assessment of their current readiness level and receive immediate customized feedback with tips to improve preparedness. For more information visit: American Red Cross Ready Rating or call (877) 715-0123.
Supplier Connection: A private-public collaboration that will help small businesses strengthen their revenue streams by gaining access to more than $300 billion in combined supply chain spending by a consortium of 15 of America’s largest corporations. Supplier Connection is designed to help bridge the gap between small businesses looking for new opportunities and large corporations looking for innovative new ideas and diversity in their supply chains. Supplier Connection is a free, online portal that allows small businesses to send information about their products and services to 15 private sector companies. For more information on Supplier Connection, visit https:Supplier Connection
Central Contractor Registration (CCR) system is Going Away…..What to Expect: In late July, the Central Contractor Registration (CCR), along with the Federal Agency Registration (FedReg), the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA), and the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS), will be migrated into a new System for Award Management, or SAM. Please visit System for Award Management for more information.
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Free Small Business Counseling by Appointment…..Call or Click
SF SCORE – or Score 415-744-6827 OR SF Small Business Development Center – SF Small Business Development Center or 415-841-4050
The free classes in our local SBA training program are made possible by the generous support of our volunteer presenters. We appreciate their time and expertise; however, these presentations do not represent an endorsement of their views, opinions, products, or services by SBA. All SBA programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance.