San Francisco: SBA Classes Nov. 30-Dec. 11
TRAINING AT SBA
The Small Business Administration offers a variety of classes for business owners in our Entrepreneur Center, located at 455 Market St., 6th Floor in downtown San Francisco.
Registration for all our classes is required.
To register for classes, go to http://sbatraining.eventbrite.com/
For more information, please contact Gary Marshall at (415) 744 6771 or
The SBA training program is made possible by the generous support of our volunteer teachers and 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. Contact: Gary Marshall at 415 744-6771.
How to Start and Manage a Small Business
11/30
8:30 AM – 5 PM
This is a comprehensive and unique one-day seminar for both prospective and current business owners who want to gain a better understanding of what they need to know and do to succeed in their business. Learn best practices and insider tips as a moderator and six experts guide you through the basics of Business Plans; Insuring Against Risk; Accounting; Legal Structures; Sales & Marketing; Financing. $50 registration fee in advance; or $60 on day of event. For information, contact SCORE at (415) 744-6827.
Restaurant Series: Customer Service – Good is Minimum
11/30
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
To make your restaurant a success you need employees who deliver great customer service. Learn how to hire, motivate and train your employees to meet the service demands of the industry. Also learn how to define and share responsibilities between owners, managers and employees to achieve your service objectives and run a successful restaurant. Presented by the SF SBDC. $30 registration fee.
Get Organized!
11/30
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Do you want save time, money, and be more effective in your small business? Learn how by getting more organized! Our organizing expert will teach you effective ways of managing your space, your “stuff,” and your time, to maximize your productivity and comfort.
Basic Website Skills for Small Business
12/1
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
This overview of websites will cover template-based versus custom design websites; website hosting; registering your website; guide to building a professional website; promoting your website and more.
Basic Bookkeeping, Part One
12/1
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Learn basic accounting and bookkeeping terms and processes. Topics include cash vs. accrual accounting, proper accounting data flow processes, the importance of budgeting, the purpose of different financial reports, the differences in computer accounting systems, cash management, and more. $30 registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.
Build a Strong Consulting Brand: Create Strong Messages that Potential Clients Need to Hear to Hire You
12/1
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
For consultants looking to grow their business, especially those new to consulting and those transitioning from full time employment to consulting. In this interactive workshop you will learn to: Better understand and define your ideal clients — who they are and what they need; Effectively segment your market; Develop clarity about your brand’s competitive advantages (which you may be overlooking); Create simple, strong messages that communicate your unique value to the clients that want it most.
Attorneys: How to Pick Them and Pay Them
12/1
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
When the economy dumps, businesses are more likely to get sued. Join us to gain risk management tips on how to avoid lawsuits and if needed, how to find the right attorney for the right price. Bring your questions and your sense of humor.
Free and Low Cost Resources for Your Business
12/2
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Representatives from SBA, SCORE, the SF SBDC, the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, and the San Francisco Public Library Small Business Center will discuss the resources available.
Starting a Business in San Francisco
12/2
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Hear directly from San Francisco officials. How do you obtain permits? How do you register your business name? Learn what the City can do for you in this one-stop seminar.
Financing Your Business
12/2
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Discover the right way to seek financing for your business. We will discuss loan proposal requirements, financing options and SBA programs.
Business Law Basics
12/2
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
An experienced business lawyer will discuss Choice of Legal Entity (corporations, LLC, partnership, etc.); Intellectual Property; Employee issues; and Real Estate issues. This class does not constitute legal advice.
Business Planning with Your Vision, Your Values
12/2
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
This workshop demonstrates how to weave your unique vision and values like integrity, purpose, meaning, and work-life satisfaction into such practical challenges as product development, financial management, marketing, sales and operations. Abundant resources include tips from the growing spirit in business, sustainability, and conscious capitalism movements.
Successful Designers Tell Their Stories – Fashion Business Inc.
12/2
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Come hear from a panel of apparel and accessory designers who will share their journey from start-up independent designers to successful business owners. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear several real life case studies and gain invaluable knowledge and inspiration. Cost: $30. Sign up at www.fashionbizinc.org
Getting Started with Government Contracting
12/3
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
We’ll discuss the certification qualifications, benefits and application websites for SBA programs and State of California certifications. Presented by the SF SBDC and The Federal Technology Center.
Basic Bookkeeping, Part Two
12/3
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Designed for entrepreneurs intimidated by financial records, this course will cover balance sheets, incomes statements, cash flow and working capital. Participants should have completed Basic Bookkeeping, Part One, or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar. $30 registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.
Branding and Marketing for Service Firms: Create a Strong Brand and Messages that Attract Your Ideal Clients
12/3
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
For owners, partners and business development executives of established service firms (e.g., law, real estate, mortgage, construction, design, consulting, etc.). In this interactive workshop you will learn to define your service business brand in powerful and differentiated ways. You will learn new tools to: Better understand your clients so that you can effectively segment your market; Develop clarity about your real competitive advantages; Create simple, strong messages that communicate your unique value to the clients that want it most.
Restaurant Series: The Green Restaurant: Incentives & Resources
12/3
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Learn how to design your new restaurant or evolve your existing restaurant to incorporate sustainability advantages and rewards and moral incentives in buying fair trade products and utilizing green design. Registration $30. Presented by the SF SBDC.
Doing Business with Cisco Systems
12/8
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
This seminar will focus on how to be successful in offering your products and services to Cisco Systems. We’ll discuss Cisco’s Supplier Diversity program and look at technologies for small growing businesses.
Doing Business with Blue Shield of California
12/8
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Blue Shield of California is committed to supplier diversity by providing access and opportunity for all service providers to participate in our procurement process. A representative of the company will discuss their diverse supplier base; bid opportunities; prime suppliers and subcontracting opportunities; and goods and services sought.
Doing Business with Chevron
12/8
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Learn the procurement process and opportunities for doing business specifically with Chevron in this informative presentation by a representative of the company.
Doing Business with Genentech
12/8
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
A presenter form Genentech will discuss opportunities for contracting to sell your goods and services to this leading biotechnology company.
Leasing Commercial Space in the Bay Area
12/8
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Learn the best practices for locating and leasing commercial space for your small business. topics covered will include Common Leasing Terms and Definition; What are the best ways to locate Commercial Property in the Bay Area; Negotiating Tips; Common Timeframes.
Know Your Clients and Prospects: Find the Insights that Lead to Sales
12/8
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
How well do you understand the needs, motivations and decision-making drivers of the people who are responsible for your revenue? In this workshop you will learn an approach to interviewing (and just having conversations with) your clients and prospects to uncover what they really need and how they make decisions. We’ll look at how to segment your market based on demographics as well as psychographics, how to set objectives for the interviews, the right questions to ask, the structure and format of the interviews, and what to do with the information and insight once you get it.
Prioritizing Prospects to Increase Your Sales Success
12/9
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Learn how to prioritize which prospects are most likely to generate revenue for your business. Most small business owners make the mistake of treating all customers the same, rather than getting clear about where the money is in the marketplace. Learn to save time and energy, as well as produce greater results, by concentrating on those most likely to buy (e.g. fast vs. large purchase), repeat, or refer.
Basic Bookkeeping, Part Three
12/9
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Learn how to find out where all your cash has gone and how to forecast how much cash you will have in the bank. 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.
Setting Up Your Music or Entertainment-Based Business
12/9
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
What unique considerations should you be aware of in setting up a media-based business, as opposed to other types of businesses? What are the differences between running your business as a partnership, a corporation or a limited liability company? What are the important issues which must be addressed in putting together an effective partnership or company operating agreement? Whether you’re a part of a band, a media production business, or other creative collaboration, this workshop will cover the essential issues facing pairs or groups who aspire to work together within the music and entertainment industries.
QuickBooks Introduction
12/10
1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Learn the basics of this useful and flexible accounting & bookkeeping application. This overview will discuss setting-up, updating and maintaining customer, vendor, account, and other lists, running financial reports, and efficient procedures for entering your accounting data. Exercises include entering invoices, customer payments, deposits, bills, cash disbursements, and other transactions. Additional topics include setting-up budget, account statement reconciliation, bank reconciliation, and more. 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.
The Art of Plastic – The Smart Way to Accept Credit Cards
12/10
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
This course will explore who should be looking into opening a merchant account, methods of accepting payments from your customers, current trends, how you can turn a merchant account into greater profits for your business, where you can go to set up a merchant account, how the entire process flows and works, what you should consider before signing on the dotted line, merchant account terminology, and how you can save yourself money.
Product for Profit
12/10
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Discover how anyone can sell their products or inventions to the world’s largest retailers without any previous sales experience and without any existing buyer relationships. In this workshop, you will learn what it takes to get your product into major chain store retailers. You will learn simple tricks and strategies about how to get a buyer’s attention and ultimately how to get them to actually buy!
Federal and State Basics of Payroll Tax
12/16
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
This class guides participants through the basics of that preparation. Subjects include determining independent contractor versus employee, withholding taxes, deposits and completing the proper forms. Presented by the IRS and the California EDD Tax office.
OUR PARTNERS PRESENT:
a weekly feature of events offered by organizations and groups outside SBA. These events are not sponsored by SBA and are not held at our Entrepreneur Center.
Public Relations Planning Available
A faculty member at Golden Gate University is looking for small businesses that would like to have a group of graduate students develop a public relations plan for them during the upcoming trimester (January to April). The business owners would need to meet with the students in January to provide them background on their business, be available to them for questions and feedback during the term and then attend a presentation of the plan at Golden Gate University (1st and Mission) in April. There is no charge to the business and the plan will be yours to implement when it’s complete. If you’re interested, please contact Allan Mann at by the end of December.
Renaissance Entrepreneur Center and Working Solutions Holiday Gift Fair
Do your holiday shopping and support local micro-entrepreneurs at the same time!
Thursday, December 3, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
First Bank (Top Floor), 550 Montgomery Street @ Clay Street in downtown San Francisco
For more information visit our websites at:
http://tmcworkingsolutions.org/about-us/holidaygiftfair09/ or www.rencenter.org
Bonding Assistance Program
Using Recovery Act funding, the Department of Transportation is now administering a bonding assistance program called the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Bonding Assistance Reimbursable Fee Program . Under this program, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises can be reimbursed for bond premiums and fees that they incur in competing for or performing transportation infrastructure projects that are funded by ARRA. DOT will reimburse DBE’s for the bond premiums paid to surety companies, and, if the bond is SBA-guaranteed, the contractor fee paid to SBA, which is .729% of the contract amount.
The Application for Reimbursement of Bond Fees, application instructions, and additional information can be found at www.dot.gov/recovery/ost/osdbu
San Francisco Small Business Survey
The San Francisco Mayor’s Office is conducting a survey of small businesses and entrepreneurs in San Francisco to determine which services and programs are most helpful and effective. Here’s your chance to let the city know what you think! As a reward for completing the survey, you will be entered into a random drawing for a $100 gift certificate to a San Francisco restaurant or small business!
To complete the survey, visit this link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Yd4tbYaX_2fwvC4iGC_2bJr1_2bw_3d_3d
Participate on a Social Networking Panel
Are you a small business that has successfully used social networking and 2.0 tools like Facebook, Twitter, YELP, or others to boost your sales, bring in new customers, raise dollars for your small business, or set up successful special events at your business? If so, we would like to hear from you! On Wednesday, December 16th from 11am-1pm, Bay Area Local Initiatives Support Corporation is convening a panel for business district managers in the Bay Area that will cover web based marketing strategies and tools. We’re looking for a 1-2 small businesses to participate in the discussion along with a representative from YELP, the Small Business Administration and others on effective web based marketing strategies and tools. If you are interested in participating and available during for the day, please contact Johnasies McGraw at 415-397-7322 x 12 or . American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Webinar for Federal and Federally-Assisted Construction Contractors
Please join the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) – as it presents information on the equal employment opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action (AA) provisions of Federal contracts involving American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds.
Construction federal contractors are required to take specific affirmative action steps – 16 to be exact. In this webinar, Federal and federally-assisted construction contractors and subcontractors will learn about these 16 steps and what to expect during a compliance evaluation.
This webinar is approximately 1.5 hours long that includes 30 minutes of Q&A opportunities. We invite you to e-mail us your questions in advance of the webinar.
Register for a session now by clicking a date below:
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM EST
Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration with information you need to join the Webinar.
MEDIA MATTERS:
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