Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC)
     

 

 

Business Workshops

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Northeast Regional Office conducts free or low-cost workshops addressing a wide range of concerns for both start-up and existing businesses. Many of these programs are cosponsored with local chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, community development organizations, trade associations, banks and corporate sponsors.

All workshops are held in Massachusetts and offered free of charge (unless noted otherwise). Pre-registration is required.

audio 

We have audiocasts available from some of our previous workshops. Click here to learn more.

     
snow    Weather Cancellations: If a host school closes due to inclement weather, SBDC workshops at that location are canceled. If possible, we will try to reschedule workshops. Please refer to the host school websites for schedule changes and weather alerts 

For a complete listing of SBDC seminars offered throughout
the state, please visit www.msbdc.org.

                        

2010 Calendar of Events
Cancellation Policy                          Updated: 08/20/2010
  SEPTEMBER
 9 Your Business Plan: Soup to Nuts (Salem)
10 So You're Thinking About Starting a Business (Salem)
14 Cash Flow Your Way to Breakeven (Woburn)
16 Marketing Basics (Lawrence)
21 Mastering the Sales Process (Salem)
28 Social Networking Bootcamp Series: Setting Up and Using LinkedIn (Salem)
30  Your Business Plan: Soup to Nuts (Beverly)
 
  OCTOBER
 5 How to Get a Loan for $5,000 to $50,000 (Salem)
14 Marketing Basics (Salem)
19 Financing Your Business: Do You Qualify? (Woburn)
19 How to Get Paid When Customers Delay (Collecting Those Overdue Payments) (Salem)
21 Pricing Your Products and Services (Beverly)
21 How To Be a Successful Importer (Salem)
21 Internet Marketing (Lawrence)
26 Social Networking Bootcamp Series: Setting Up and Using Facebook Groups, Fan Pages, Ads and More (Salem)
 
  NOVEMBER
 5 Art Marketing For Artists (Salem)
 9 Cash Flow Your Way to Breakeven (Salem)
 16 Social Networking Bootcamp Series: Maximizing Other Social Media Networks (Salem)
 18 Financing Your Business: Do You Qualify? (Beverly)
 18 The Art & Science of Sales (Lawrence)
 
  DECEMBER
 7

Financing Your Business: Do You Qualify? (Salem)

 9

Put It In Writing: Shaping Your Business Through Words (Salem)

 

 

 

**Program Descriptions**

Your Business Plan: Soup to Nuts

Learn an easy approach to developing a business plan to manage all aspects of your business, including marketing, finance, operations, personnel,  and overall strategy. Existing business owners and pre-ventures will learn to test the feasibility of a new company or a new direction, and discover how to use their plan to raise capital. Participants will receive a copy of the SBDC Business Planning Guide.

The speaker will be Michael Salach of The Bay State Consulting Group, Inc.

Date: Thursday, September 9, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location:
Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State College

So You're Thinking About Starting a Business

Business ownership can be an exciting and rewarding career path, but entrepreneurship is not for everyone. If you're thinking about starting a business and have never started or run a business before, this workshop is for you. What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? Do you know if you have the "right stuff"? Do you know where to begin? This workshop will help you take the first steps toward startup and ownership. 

The speaker will be Connie Komack, owner of LifeWork Enterprises.

Date: Friday, September 10, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location:
Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State College

Cash Flow Your Way to Breakeven

Why do bankers say "cash flow is king?" How is cash flow different from profit? This workshop and its  simple but realistic class exercise will help you understand cash flow, assess when you will need capital, and position your business for bank financing.

The speaker will be Jane Johnson, CPA and CMA, B2B CFO.

Date: Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: The Career Place, 100 Sylvan Road, Woburn (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Marketing Basics

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 David Maloney, instructor of Marketing and Sales at Northern Essex Community College.

Date: Thursday, September 16, 2010
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Northern Essex Community College, Riverwalk Campus, 360 Merrimack Street, Building 9, Lawrence (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Mastering the Sales Process

Confidence is the path to closing the deal.  In this workshop, you'll get more comfortable with the idea of selling, break down the sales process, improve your communication skills, and generate practical strategies to build your business. 

The speaker will be Keith Boudreau, owner of The Growth Coach.

Date: Tuesday September 21, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location:
Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State College

Social Networking Bootcamp Series:  Setting Up and Using LinkedIn

Promote your business and develop a strong system of contacts and referrals through LinkedIn, the premier business social media network. Find out how to set up an account and how to leverage your relationships to further your business goals. 

The speaker will be Patrick Agostino, owner of Resolve IT, Inc.

**Notes: Please bring your laptop and learn hands-on how to harness the power of social media. Due to space constraints, only 30 registration spots available. Laptops must have wireless capability. No refunds!

Date:  Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location:
Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost:
$25 - Please pay at the door with cash or a check payable to the Enterprise Center or register and pay via PayPal with link below.
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu.

> Register online

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State College

Your Business Plan: Soup to Nuts

Learn an easy approach to developing a business plan to manage all aspects of your business, including marketing, finance, operations, personnel, and overall strategy. Existing business owners and pre-ventures will learn to test the feasibility of a new company or a new direction, and discover how to use their plan to raise capital. Participants will receive a copy of the SBDC Business Planning Guide.

The speaker will be Michael Salach of the Bay State Consulting Group, Inc.

Date: Thursday, September 30, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: North Shore Community College, 100 Cummings Center, 181 Elliot Street, Room C01, Beverly  (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

How to Get a Loan for $5,000 to $50,000

Approaching lenders can be intimidating and frustrating -- especially in this economy where traditional bank funding is often out of reach for small businesses. Come find out what it takes to qualify for a microloan and gain some much-needed financial momentum.

The speakers will be Sheri Lane, a loan consultant with ACCION USA/New England Lending and Tom Daniel, Economic Development manager with the Salem Department of Planning and Community Development.

Date: Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location:
Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State College

Marketing  Basics

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 David Maloney, Instructor of Marketing and Sales at Northern Essex Community College. 

Date: Thursday, October 14, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location:
Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State College

Financing Your Business: Do You Qualify?

Learn from a banker and a consultant how a lender looks at your loan request. Credit quality, cash flow and collateral are key. This presentation will focus on preparing your existing business or startup venture for financing. Sources of capital, including SBA guaranteed bank loans, will be discussed. 

The speakers will be Jane Johnson, CPA and CMA, B2B CFO, and a banker.

Date: Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: The Career Place, 100 Sylvan Road, Woburn (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

How to Get Paid When Customers Delay (Collecting Those Overdue Payments)

Collecting accounts receivables from clients who are slow to pay is delicate work under the best of circumstances. In these difficult economic times, it can come down to the survival of your business. This workshop will offer persuasion tips and proven methods for getting paid with alienating the clients you need.

The speaker will be Jim Smith, president of CRS Cash Recovery Specialists.

Date: Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location:
Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: $10 - Please pay at the door (cash or check to the Enterprise Center) or by PayPal with link below.
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State College

Pricing Your Products and Services

Learn about pricing concepts, the role of pricing in a company’s strategy and an easy four step process to determine pricing for your services or products on the basis of costs, customer goals, trends and competition. 

The speaker will be Michael Salach of the Bay State Consulting Group, Inc.

Date: Thursday, October 21, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: North Shore Community College, 100 Cummings Center, 181 Elliot Street, Room C01, Beverly  (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

How To Be a Successful Importer

Are you running or thinking of starting an importing business? Learn the ins and outs of working with international companies to import products and/or services. Discover the opportunities at this workshop that covers importing for resale and distribution, materials and logistics, government regulations, as well as how to provide your services internationally.

The speaker will be Jim Logan, owner of Logan Marketing,

Date: Thursday, October 21, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location:
Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: $10 - Please pay at the door (cash or check to the Enterprise Center) or by PayPal with link below.
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu.

> Register online

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State College

Internet Marketing

Proven online strategies can help you launch your company's web presence, email newsletter or blog, and help you sell goods or services online. At this workshop, you will learn how to track your marketing and sales progress through web analytics. The workshop will touch on natural and paid search engine marketing, developing keywords, shopping carts, web graphics and building your email list to reach your target market.

The speaker will be Carol Sanger of the Web Division.

Date: Thursday, October 21, 2010
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location:
Northern Essex Community College, Riverwalk Campus, 360 Merrimack Street, Building 9, Lawrence (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Social Networking Bootcamp Series: Setting Up and Using Facebook Groups, Fan Pages, Ads and More

Facebook can be a highly effective tool for promoting your brand, sharing information, and earning your customers' trust. Learn how to post a business page, a fan page and how to capitalize on the influence of your fans.

The speaker will be Patrick Agostino, owner of Resolve IT, Inc.

Notes: Please bring your laptop and learn hands-on how to harness the power of social media. Laptops must have wireless capabilities. Due to space constraints, only 30 registration spots available per workshop. No refunds!

Date: Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location:
Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: $25 - Please pay at the door (cash or check to the Enterprise Center) or by PayPal with link below.
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu.

> Register online

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State College

 

Art Marketing For Artists

Whether you are a full or part-time artist, this interactive workshop will help you promote and sell your art work in the 21st Century.

Susan Fader, co-owner of Ditto Editions and a lifelong artist, will draw on her 30-year career in marketing and promoting fine art and consumer products. Topics will emphasize today's art marketing trends and tools. Susan is also the author of "The Artist's Giclée Handbook: Digital Fine Art Reproduction".

Date: Friday, November 5, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location:
Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State College

Cash Flow Your Way to Breakeven

Why do bankers say "cash flow is king?" How is cash flow different from profit? This workshop and its  simple but realistic class exercise will help you understand cash flow, assess when you will need capital, and position your business for bank financing.

The speaker will be Jane Johnson, CPA and CMA with B2B CFO.

Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location:
Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Social Networking Bootcamp Series: Maximizing Other Social Media Networks

There's more to social networking than the perennial favorites Facebook and LinkedIn. This workshop shows you other important sites that increase your reach even further. Mark your presence on the Web through business-focused directories such as yelp.com and merchantcircle.com, and set up an personalized blog as an outlet through which to sing your company's praises.

The speaker will be Patrick Agostino, owner of Resolve IT, Inc.

Notes: Please bring your laptop and learn hands-on how to harness the power of social media. Laptops must have wireless capabilities.  Due to space constraints, only 30 registration spots available per workshop. No refunds!

Date: Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location:
Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: $25 - Please pay at the door (cash or check to the Enterprise Center) or by PayPal with link below.
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu.

> Register online

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State College

Financing Your Business: Do You Qualify?

Learn from a banker and a consultant how a lender looks at your loan request. Credit quality, cash flow and collateral are key. This presentation will focus on preparing your existing business or startup venture for financing. Sources of capital, including SBA guaranteed bank loans, will be discussed. 

The speakers will be Jane Johnson, CPA and CMA with B2B CFO and a banker.

Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: North Shore Community College, 100 Cummings Center, 181 Elliot Street, Room C01, Beverly  (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

The Art & Science of Sales

Innovative and practical approaches to sales will quickly improve your company's bottom line. Learn about cold calling, closing sales, getting that first appointment, making presentations and developing positive long-term relationships with customers. Note: this workshop does not cover marketing. 

The speaker will be Jay Wallus.

Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location:
Northern Essex Community College, Riverwalk Campus, 360 Merrimack Street, Building 9, Lawrence (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Financing Your Business: Do You Qualify?

Learn from a banker and a consultant how a lender looks at your loan request. Credit quality, cash flow and collateral are key. This presentation will focus on preparing your existing business or startup venture for financing. Sources of capital, including SBA guaranteed bank loans, will be discussed. 

The speakers will be Michael Salach of The Bay State Consulting Group, Inc. and a banker.

Date:  Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location:
Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State College

Put It In Writing: Shaping Your Business Through Words

Though shiny new technologies have given us more ways to communicate, the basics remain the same:  Be clear, get to the point, banish meaningless buzzwords, and provide key details that convey your expertise, credibility, and professionalism to your target audience. This hands-on workshop will provide techniques for creating effective proposals, reports, business plans, memos, and investor pitches. Bring your company mission statement or description and learn a process for improving it on the spot. 

The speaker will be Kate Victory Hannisian, owner of the Blue Pencil Consulting. 

 Date: Thursday, December 9, 2010
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location:
Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem (directions)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Laurel Costello at the SBDC at 978-542-6343 or lcostello@salemstate.edu. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State College







Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received by noon the day prior to the seminar will be entitled to a refund. No refund will be given on notifications received after that time or in any no-show situation. The MSBDC reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a seminar due to insufficient enrollment. Registration fees will be returned or credited towards a future program.

 

 
     
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