In This Issue
Featured Workshop
Download the KU SBDC e-Book
New KU SBDC Blog
Featured Article
Upcoming Workshops
How to Start a Business
Simple Steps Part I
Business Planning Part I
How to Start and Operate a Small Business
Simple Steps Part II
Business Planning Part II
Simple Steps Part III
Business Planning Part III
Certification Made Simple
 

Featured Workshop for September 

9/21/11, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

 

This live webinar highlights the SBDC process, learning resources, and we will direct you to the SBDC services you need.

Some topics covered are:

  • Funding of the SBDC
  • Owning a Small Business
  • Business Structures
  • Legal Issues
  • Business Financing
  • Business Planning
     

     

    The outcome of the session will be a clear understanding of your next steps to take. REGISTER NOW TO START THE PROCESS -YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR MISSION

     

    Cost: Free

     

    Click here to register

     

  •  

    Download the KU SBDC's first e-Book

    Social Media eBook 

    Solving the Social Media Puzzle: A Guide to Building Buzz, Finding your Niche, and Making your Voice Heard

      

    The Kutztown University Small Business Development Center is pleased to announce to launch of its inaugural eBook.  To celebrate this accomplishment, the eBook will be free to download from this website until 10/15/11. 

     

    Download your copy today. 

     

     

    See the all-new KU SBDC Blog

     

    The Success Connection e-Newsletter is not the only thing that received a make over this summer.  The KU SBDC blog is all new and full of articles for small business.  Feel free to browse, comment or follow the blog to get new posts sent directly to your email inbox.

     

    Visit the KU SBDC Blog here.

     

    Featured Blog Article

     

    Six SEO Tools Every Business Needs to Use 

     

    Your business can have the most interactive, state-of-the-art website, but that can be all for nought if no one can find your website. SEO, or search engine optimization, plays a vital role in maximizing a website's online presence and giving it the visibility it deserves. There are a lot of theories out over which techniques work and which ones don't, as many people don't know where to get the facts. But in this article, Jason Hennessy, the CEO of Everspark Interactive (a full service SEO agency) parlays what he believes to be the six best SEO tools to use.

     

    Read the Full Blog post or join in on the conversation here.

     
    Quick Links
     
     
    Welcome to the all-new Kutztown University Success Connection e-Newsletter.  We have updated the style of the newsletter and added features to connect you with the latest business news and resources. 
     
    We have kept many of the elements that you are used to as well.  Information on upcoming events and workshops will still be making their way to you inbox each month.  We hope you enjoy the updates and continue to find the Success Connection a valuable resource for your business.
     

    Upcoming Workshops and Events

    9/12/11 - How to Start Your Own Business - Reading, PA

    6pm - 8pm, Reading Area Community College, 10 South Second Street, Reading, PA

     

    This is an 8 part series held for 8 consecutive weeks.

     

    This is the American dream. Many people aspire to become entrepreneurs but don't know how or where to begin. Developed and taught by a panel of SCORE counselors and local business professionals with direct, small business experience, this workshop provides strategies and insights on how to get started and how to sustain commercial momentum.

     

    The curriculum is designed to help the budding entrepreneur grasp the practical aspects of basic business principles, vitally important to both start-up and newly established enterprises - business organization, sales, marketing account finance legal insurance e-commerce and the Internet and business plan structure.

     

    Cost: $130.00 (a workbook is included)

    Registration: Contact: RACC, Continuing Education Department at 610-607-6232

     

     

    9/14/11 - Simple Steps part 1- Lancaster, PA

    6pm - 9pm, SCORE Lancaster Learning Center, 313 West Liberty Street, Liberty Place, Suite 231, Lancaster, PA

     

    Part 1 of a 5 part series. These workshops can be taken individually or as a series of 5 workshops.

     

    This workshop focuses on the basic business processes critical to business start-ups. For a start-up business, reviewing these processes is a reality check - a no-nonsense look at the requirements and challenges of starting a business. "Start-up Basics" is also a useful learning experience for new business leaders.

     

    Many SS1 participants enroll in the remaining 4 workshops to complete the series. Who should attend? Participants considering starting a business or buying a business or a small business owner that wants to learn how to evaluate new business ideas.

     

    What you will learn? Valuable information on: Start up Myths and facts, Self Assessment, Legal structures, Licensing and taxes, How to establish a legal name, Introduction to book keeping basics, Introduction to Marketing and Finance

     

    Cost: Early Bird $25 or Regular Price $30

     

    Click here to register.

     

     

     

    9/15/11 - Business Planning Part I- Exton, PA

    6:00pm - 8:30pm, Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA 19341

     

    Part 1 of a 4 part series. These workshops can be taken individually or as a series of 4 workshops.

     

    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.

     

    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.

     

     

    9/21/11 - How to Start and Operate a Small Business- Exton, PA

    6:00pm - 8:30pm, Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA 19341 

     

    You have come to the right place if you are in the early stages of thinking about starting a small business. In fact, even if you have started up your business and realized you missed a few things, this workshop is still right for you. Starting a Small Business: If you are thinking about "becoming your own boss," this is a chance to get an overview of the things you need to know and the skills you need to have. Subjects include: legal issues, accounting issues, organization, and management. The workshop allows you 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.

     

    Cost: $15

    Click here to register for this workshop. 

     

    9/21/11 - Simple Steps part II- Lancaster, PA

    6pm - 9pm, SCORE Lancaster Learning Center, 313 West Liberty Street, Liberty Place, Suite 231, Lancaster, PA

      

    Part 2 of a 5 part series. These workshops can be taken individually or as a series of 5 workshops.

     

    You will learn: - The essential elements of a good business plan - Why a good business plan is a critical success factor in your business - How to use an on line business planning software program - How to structure your business - How to enroll your business - How to gather critical information on customers and competitors - Where to find sample business plans

     

    Cost: Early Bird $25 or Regular Price $30

    Click here to register. 

     

    9/22/11 - Business Planning Part II- Exton, PA

    6:00pm - 8:30pm, Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA 19341

      

    Part 2 of a 4 part series. These workshops can be taken individually or as a series of 4 workshops.

     

    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.

     

    Cost: Entire 4 part workshop series - $80 Individual Workshop - $25

     

    Click here to register for all 4 workshops in the series and save. 

    Click here to register for this workshop only.

     

    9/28/11 - Simple Steps part III- Lancaster, PA

    6pm - 9pm, SCORE Lancaster Learning Center, 313 West Liberty Street, Liberty Place, Suite 231, Lancaster, PA 

     
    Part 3 of a 5 part series.
     
    These workshops can be taken individually or as a series of 5 workshops. You will learn how to: Define your product or service and the benefits they provide. Define and target your customer and the benefit you provide to them. Differentiate your product or service, Promote your product or service, Place your product in the marketplace (retail store, website, mail order, etc.)
     
    Cost: Early Bird $25 or Regular Price $30
     
     

    9/29/11 - Business Planning Part III- Exton, PA

    6:00pm - 8:30pm, Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA 19341

      

    Part 3 of a 4 part series. These workshops can be taken individually or as a series of 4 workshops.

     

    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.

     

    Cost: Entire 4 part workshop series - $80 Individual Workshop - $25

    Click here to register for all 4 workshops in the series and save.

    Click here to register for this workshop only.

     

    10/5/11 - Certification Made Simple- Harrisburg, PA

    9am - 12pm, Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, 3211 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17110-1342

      

    Looking for help with state certification? Attend this free, informational session where a representative from the Department of General Services, Bureau of Minority and Women Business Opportunities (BMWBO), will:

    ·Discuss and review the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) certification application. ·Guide participants step-by-step through the Application for Certification as a Minority or Women Business Enterprise.

     

    Presenter(s): Curtis Burwell, Dept. of General Services Co-sponsor(s): Dept. of General Services

     

    Cost: Free

     

    Click here to register for this free event. 

     
    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