Program Descriptions

Business Insurance: What Kind and How Much Do You Need?

Is liability insurance all you need? What about workers' comp? Do you have enough insurance? Minimize your investment of time in this area by understanding the whole insurance picture. A good insurance plan can provide peace of mind.

This workshop will help you learn how to protect your business and personal assets and how to select the right plan to manage potential risks and contract needs. 

Topics covered include property, liability, workers compensation, vehicle, and other commercial insurance products.

The speaker will be Marc Slafsky, VP/Insurance broker with Salem Five Insurance Services.

Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Hawthorne Hotel Ballroom, 18 Washington Square W, Salem (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University and North Shore Alliance for Economic Development

Getting Your Financial Act Together

Are you a business owner? Then here is a financial planning boot camp that just might be fun!

We will cover the six main items you need to understand and review key questions to help you figure out the finances of your business.

Topics include investment strategies, how much insurance you need, setting up financial filing systems and who to turn to for help. Come with questions and leave with a plan and checklist to get you on track.

The speaker will be Dave Caruso, founding chair & managing director of the Coast Capital Group. 

Date: Thursday, April 17, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Hawthorne Hotel Ballroom, 18 Washington Square W, Salem (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Will Neely at 978-542-7528 or wneely@enterprisectr.org

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University, Montserrat College of Art, and Creative Economy Association of the North Shore

Negotiate Better

We all have to negotiate…but we don’t always feel good about the result. This program, drawn from Steven P. Cohen’s book The Practical Negotiator, focuses on issues people face daily and how to negotiate to reach the most rewarding solutions. It’s about empowerment and finding and using your “inner negotiator” to deal with the realities of a broad range of situations.

The speaker will be Stephen P. Cohen, president of The Negotiation Skills Company.

Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Hawthorne Hotel Ballroom, 18 Washington Square W, Salem (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

Social Entrepreneurship: How to Do Well and Do Good

Social entrepreneurship is a growing trend, in Massachusetts and around the world. Entrepreneurs who want to build a business AND make a social impact are beginning to spring up around Boston, and some are even registering under new 'benefit corporation' hybrid legal structures.

Come listen to three entrepreneurs who are running companies primarily motivated by the greater good. They will talk about what they are doing, why they chose to become ‘social entrepreneurs’ and offer insights for others interested in this growing trend.

The speaker will be Carter Crockett, director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Gordon College.

Date: Thursday, May 1, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Hawthorne Hotel Ballroom, 18 Washington Square W, Salem (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University and North Shore Alliance for Economic Development

How to Get Your Business in the Paper

What small, cash strapped business wouldn’t welcome free, positive newspaper publicity? But how do you get it? 

In this workshop you will hear the insights and tips from a real newspaper pro. Karen Andreas will cover how to write effective press releases, pitch stories to reporters and editors, and market and advertise your business. She has been there and still is!

The speaker will be Karen Andreas, regional publisher of the North of Boston Media group (includes the Newburyport News, Gloucester Times, Salem News and the Lawrence Eagle Tribune).

Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Hawthorne Hotel Ballroom, 18 Washington Square W, Salem (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University and North Shore Alliance for Economic Development

Marketing: Knowing Your Niche

Effective marketing – the process of identifying, reaching, capturing, and retaining your customers – is essential to business success.  This workshop will provide simple, cost effective, and practical approaches to marketing your business. Our experienced presenter will explore and discuss a wide range of marketing resources, tools and tips. 

The speaker will be Charlene St. Jean of Purple Diamond, LLC.

Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Middlesex Community College at The Career Place, Trade Center Park, 100 Sylvan Road, Woburn (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by Middlesex Community College

Hiring and Managing Employees and Contractors

Hiring, firing, independent contractors, state and federal law, time off, performance...everyday challenges for business owners and managers. Most owners list managing employees as the toughest part of their job. Learn to manage compliance, paperwork, and productivity while avoiding legal issues.

The speaker will be Laurie LaBrie of Integrated Human
Resources, Inc.

Date: Thursday, May 8, 2014
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Location: North Shore Community College, 100 Cummings Center, 181 Elliot Street, Suite 121-E (Room C01), Beverly (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by North Shore Community College and the Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce

Marketing to Millennials

They can be picky, opinionated and vocal – and they are your ideal customers. To misunderstand or ignore Millennials is to lose 80 million Americans approaching their peak earning and spending years.

This workshop will explore these complex consumers, their attitudes, their behaviors and how they can best be engaged to profit your business.

The speaker will be Paul Costello, president of Agency 180.

Date: Thursday, May 8, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Hawthorne Hotel Ballroom, 18 Washington Square W, Salem (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

Special National Small Business Week Event

MA Small Business Development Center, Northeast Regional Office presents:

Telephones: The 'New' Business Sales Tool

This workshop will help businesses understand the value of using the good old-fashioned telephone to reach out to current customers and prospects. Learn how and why other companies are successfully using this ‘business’ channel, and give yourself the chance to develop your own company’s unique telephone outreach campaign.

You will walk away with telemarketing tips/tricks and other options to use your phone successfully.

The speakers will be Denise Clancey, president of Teledirect Partners and Joanne Wills, owner of Calling Works.

Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Corporate Sponsor - Eastern Bank
Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University and the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development

Special National Small Business Week Event

MA Small Business Development Center, Northeast Regional Office presents:

Time Management Tips and Tools

We all know the problem: too much to do and too little time. But there are proven strategies that can help you take control of your time – and get control of the entire day. Learn how to improve concentration, increase your efficiency, schedule appropriately and multi-task effectively to get out of the time trap, once and for all.

The speaker will be Scott Simons, owner of C.S. Simonds Consulting.

Date: Thursday, May 15, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Corporate Sponsor - Eastern Bank
Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University and the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development

Business Legal Issues

Ensure the smooth flow of your business by choosing the appropriate legal structure, obtaining permits and licenses, and protecting business assets. Although formal legal advice cannot be offered, this workshop will provide guidelines for your new venture.

The speakers will be Jennifer Hoenig, senior associate with West Hill Technology Counsel and Megan Taylor, of counsel at West Hill Technology Counsel.

Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

Just for Vets - What Employers Want

Employers are looking to find qualified people to hire, and if they can find veterans to fill their jobs, that’s a win-win.

But veterans need to understand how to ‘package’ their skills so employers can understand them, and employers need to find the best ways to identify and connect with veterans. Too often the two sides just don’t seem to find each other.

This roundtable discussion by employers will talk about what they are doing to find vets, what works, what doesn’t and what veterans need to do to translate their military skills to civilian skills so they can be hired.

The speakers will be:

• Christopher George, VP Manufacturing - Applied Materials, Inc.
• Ivelisse Gonzales,VP Talent Acquisition - Eastern Bank
• Frank LeBlanc, VP Human Resources - Abiomed, Inc.
• Mary Sarris, Executive Director - North Shore Workforce Investment Board

Date: Thursday, May 22, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University, North Shore Workforce Investment Board, and the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development

The Power of Positivity

Surprising findings from the emerging field of positive psychology are creating a quiet revolution in the workplace. New research shows that work environments filled with positive elements like optimism and gratitude aren’t simply “nicer” places to work, they produce higher levels of success with customers, suppliers, partners, employees and even higher profitability.

In this workshop, we’ll look at demonstrated, research-based techniques for harnessing the power of positivity to help you and those you work with be more successful.

The speaker will be Karen Barth, managing director of Positive Pathways Consulting.

Date: Thursday, May 29, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem  (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

Planning for Successful Business Ownership Transitions

 Successful business ownership transitions will ensure business continuity and keep jobs! Transitions might include selling the company to management or employees, bringing in an outside investor or selling to a third party. With good planning, they help the owner increase wealth, preserve their life’s work, minimize taxes and manage family business issues.

The speaker will be Jane M. Johnson, CPA, CMA, CM & AA, CBEC with Richardson-Mauro & Johnson, Inc.

Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem  (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

Self-Publish for Greater Visibility

Publishing a book can build your business. Some authors have even launched new careers by self-publishing.

This workshop will show you how, starting with the writing process. We’ll cover all of the steps in the process—from formatting to editing, from publishing to distribution, and—last, but not least—how to market your book. 

The speaker will be Jenny Hudson, owner of Merrimack Media.

Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem  (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

How to Read Financial Statements

Financial statements are not dry documents…if you know how to read them! You can learn where your money is coming from, where it went to and, most important, what you have right now.

Every businessperson needs to understand these critical documents. This workshop will look at financial statements and how they can be your best friends in building your business IF you know how to read them.

The speaker will be Mike Wheeler, president of Beverly Cooperative Bank.

Date: Thursday, June 12, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem  (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University and the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development

Work Life Balance

Running an organization means you need time to be creative, to think about where you want to go and how to make your organization grow. The issue is how can you ‘productively compartmentalize’ your work and play so that you aren’t dealing with both all of the time and can create a true work/life balance.

Learn from three exceptional people—two who are doing (or trying to do) both and a third who is a business/life coach and entrepreneur— as they share their perspectives on what works in this real-life challenge.

The speakers will be:

•  Ted Case, CEO - Expanding Dynamics, Inc.
• Mickey Northcutt, CEO - North Shore Community Development Coalition
• Marlene Warner, Executive Director - Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

Date: Thursday, June 19, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem  (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

How to Work with Millennials

As increasing numbers of Millennials enter the workplace, they wonder how far they can go. Raised to study hard and follow their dreams, they feel overwhelmed by choices, student loan debt, and what they perceive as an outdated workplace structure and sweeping stereotypes about their generation.

This workshop by the author of You Raised Us – Now Work With Us: Millennials, Career Success and Building Strong Workplace Teams can help Millennials, Baby Boomers and GenXers respond to the opportunities that Millennials bring by offering practical recommendations for effective leadership and team development.

The speaker will be Lauren Stiller Rikleen, president of Rikleen Institute for Strategic Leadership and executive-in-residence of the Boston College Center for Work & Family.

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem  (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

Just for Vets - Vets Talk About Running a Business

Veterans are building and growing their own companies all around us. But how did they get started? Where are veteran business owners having success and where are they struggling?  Are they facing issues specific to veteran-owned businesses, or just businesses in general?

This workshop features a panel of veteran business owners, who will talk about growing a business from a veteran’s perspective and what it takes to be successful.

The speakers will be announced later.

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2014
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem  (directions)
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343 or sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University and the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development