Success Connection


 

August 2011
 
                           Issue XCV                                August 19, 2011                
 

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work ."

 

Thomas Edison


 

Featured Workshop for August 2011

 

How to Export: Your Start to Greater Sales and Profit$

 

The International Committee of CREDC invites you to participate in a FREE, interactive seminar on exporting your products and services co-hosted by the World Trade Center of South-Central PA and the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center.

 

Use the workshop to network and get answers to your questions on how to launch or expand exports. The session will feature presentations by a commercial banker and perspectives from companies who are currently exporting.

 

AGENDA

9:00 - 9:30 - Getting Started - How & Why

9:30:00 - 10:00 - Finance & Mitigating Risk Panel
*Presented by: US Small Business Administration, Citizen's Bank and Fulton Bank

10:00 - 10:20 - PA Export Assistance

10:20 - 11:00 - Panel Discussion from 3 Exporters - How and Why They Export

11:00 - 1:00 - Individual Company Meetings with the Presenters

 

Where: Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, 3211 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17110-1342

When: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Cost: Free

 

Click here to register for this session. 

 

Click here to view the event brochure.

In This Issue
How to Export: Your Start to Greater Sales and Profit$
Responsive and Responsible Bidding
Certification Made Simple
Business Planning Part I
How to Start and Operate a Small Business
Business Planning Part II
Business Planning Part III
Business Planning Part IV

Coming Soon

 

Be on the look out for a very special edition of the Success Connection.  On August 29, 2011, we will launch the Success Connection in its new format that will feature a new graphic design, small business articles, commentary from industry experts and an expanded list of workshops.  We will also be launching our new Blog and our first ever eBook for you to download. 

 

This will be one Success Connection you will not want to miss.

Quick Links...
   
 
 
 
Responsive and Responsible Bidding
 
    

Are you a small business owner who would like to be more successful at contract bidding? At this workshop, presented by the PA Department of General Services, you will learn:

 

·Definitions of terms used in proposals & bidding
·Key steps to take before you begin estimating
·How to review & break down the material in a proposal
·How to package a bid

 

In this workshop participants will be supplied with many forms that make estimating & bidding easier.

 

Presenter: Elizabeth Bowers, PA BMWBO Sponsors: KU SBDC PTAC, Dept. of General Services, Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC 

 

Where: Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, 3211 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110  

When: August 23 from 9 a.m. - noon
Cost: $0


To register, click
here. 
 
Certification Made Simple
 
  

This workshop is offered monthly. It guides participants through the application process for state certification as either a Minority or Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE). It is presented by Curtis Burwell of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, Bureau of Minority and Women Business Opportunities (BMWBO).  

 

Where: Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, 3211 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110  

When: September 7 or October 5 from 9 a.m. - noon
Cost: $0



To register for the September 7th session, click here.

 

To register for the October 5th session, click here. 

 
 
Business Planning (Part I) - Business Plan for Success

 

In this course, you will learn a personal business plan model that gives you step-by-step guidance in researching and writing your business plan.

 

This workshop's topics include: getting in "shape" to start a small business, target marketing, descriptions of products and services, and what makes a good business plan. You have access to an excellent business planning online course that you can use in conjunction with the workshop series.

 

This is the first workshop of a four part Business Planning Workshop Series that will end on October 6. Registration is available for each workshop or for the entire series.
 
Where: Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA
When: September 15 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Entire 4 part workshop series - $80
         Individual Workshop - $25


Click here to register for the entire 4 part series and save 20%.

 

Click here to register for Part I of the series only.

 
How to Start and Operate a Small Business  

 
If you are in the early stages of thinking about starting a small business, this workshop is for you. In fact, even if you have started your business and are realizing that you missed a few things, this workshop is still right for you.


This workshop will provide an overview of the things you need to know and the skills you need to have to manage a small business. Subjects include: legal and accounting issues, organization, and management. The workshop offers you the opportunity to practice networking with other entrepreneurs. Existing business owners can use this workshop as a "checkup" on their operations. This workshop is presented in partnership with the Small Business Assistance Center.

Where:
Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA

When: September 21from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Cost: $15

 

Click here to register for this workshop.

 
Business Planning (Part II) - Marketing Your Product, Service and Company

 

This workshop covers important marketing concepts such as: What is marketing? What does marketing include? And what makes your product and/or service unique? Other topics include pricing strategies, market information resources, market "positioning," marketing communications, the difference between features and benefits. You have access to online marketing courses that you can use before or after the workshop.

 

This is the second workshop of a four part Business Planning Workshop Series that started on September 15 and  will end on October 6. Registration is available for each workshop or for the entire series.

 

Where: Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA
When: September 22 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Entire 4 part workshop series - $80
         Individual Workshop - $25


Click here to register for the entire 4 part series and save 20%.

 

Click here to register for Part II of the series only.


 
 
Business Planning (Part III) - Financial Projections

 

This workshop uses exercises to help you better understand financial concepts. Using a hands-on approach, you learn how to use our financial model to forecast sales revenue and build solid pro-forma financial forecasts.

 

This is the third workshop of a four part Business Planning Workshop Series that started on September 15 and  will end on October 6. Registration is available for each workshop or for the entire series.

 

Where: Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA
When: September 29 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Entire 4 part workshop series - $80
         Individual Workshop - $25


Click here to register for the entire 4 part series and save 20%.

 

Click here to register for Part III of the series only.

 
Business Planning (Part IV) - Financing the Business & Feasibility Decisions 

This is the fourth and final workshop of the Business Planning Workshop Series that began on June 3rd. Registration is available for each workshop or for the entire series.

 
Where: Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA
When: October 6 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Entire 4 part workshop series - $80
         Individual Workshop - $25


Click here to register for the entire 4 part series and save 20%.

 

Click here to register for Part IV of the series only.

 
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read our newsletter. We appreciate your participation in the KU SBDC community.
Sincerely,
 

Ernie Post, Director
Kutztown University Small Business Development Center