Program Descriptions

Getting Started on a Business Plan

Every business needs a business plan. Start-ups need to define just what the business is, how it will work, and what funding is needed. Existing businesses need a plan to manage efficiently as well as to grow and realize goals. This workshop focuses on how to get started on your business plan.

The speaker will be Arend de Jong, cofounder of Bridge2Grow.

Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem
Cost: Free
Contact: Abby Grant at Enterprise Center at 978-542-7528 - register online at http://enterprisectr.org/programs/workshops/

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

Put Mobile Apps to Work For You

Does an app make sense for your business? How can your business benefit from mobile apps? Find out in this workshop. Learn how apps can help with reaching and engaging clients, customer service and support, promotion or e-commerce. It's time to harness the power of mobile apps.

The speaker will be Michael Kelleher, cofounder and executive vice president of Easy Mortgage Apps.

Date: Thursday, October 6, 2016
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem
Cost: Free
Contact: Abby Grant at Enterprise Center at 978-542-7528 - register online at http://enterprisectr.org/programs/workshops/

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

Tracking Your Social Media Success

Social media analytics help you measure the effectiveness of your social media promotion. Using case examples and real-time online analytics, this workshop will cover what to measure (your key performance indicators or KPIs), what makes a good analytics solution (tool time) and how to act on what you learn (storytelling).

The speaker will be Ed Alexander of FanFoundry.

Date: Thursday, October 13, 2016
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem
Cost: Free
Contact: Abby Grant at Enterprise Center at 978-542-7528 - register online at http://enterprisectr.org/programs/workshops/

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

What the New Wage & Hour Laws Mean For You

Will the upcoming changes to the Department of Labor wage and hour laws affect your business? If you have non-exempt employees, the answer is "Yes", as more employees will become eligible for overtime. Get the details before the new laws go into effect in November.

The speaker will be Megan Taylor, HR consultant and attorney with the Taylor HR Group.

Date: Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem
Cost: Free
Contact: Abby Grant at Enterprise Center at 978-542-7528 - register online at http://enterprisectr.org/programs/workshops/

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

Your Business Plan: Soup to Nuts

Sorry, this seminar is full.

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 Jim Stone, founder of the Chain Store Advisors.

Date: Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Northern Essex Community College, Riverwalk Campus, 360 Merrimack Street, Building 9, Lawrence
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343, sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by Northern Essex Community College

Design Secrets for Great Marketing Materials

What goes into producing effective marketing materials? Learn best practices for using and combining fonts, color, icons/symbols and "white space".

We'll cover proper color formatting for print vs. the web as well as using correct file formats (pdf, jpg, eps), plus software programs for creating print materials, PowerPoint presentations, websites and more!

The speaker will be Craig Grant, owner of Craig Grant Creative.

Date: Thursday, October 20, 2016
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem
Cost: Free
Contact: Abby Grant at Enterprise Center at 978-542-7528 - register online at http://enterprisectr.org/programs/workshops/

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

Email Marketing That Works

You've checked your email, read a few, but deleted many. Email marketing is an effective way to engage clients and prospects, but there is a right way and an wrong way to do it. This workshop will tell you how to look good in the inbox, including writing standout subject lines!

The speaker will be Jeannine O'Neil, owner of JO Social Branding.

Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343, sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

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 Jim Stone, founder of the Chain Store Advisors.

Date: Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343, sbdc@salemstate.edu

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

Why You Need to Know About Website Metrics

How many people are visiting your site? How long are they spending on it and on which pages? Where are they coming from?

Find out about all of the statistics and reporting available to you. Metrics are the key to determining how effective your website is and how to make it better.

The speaker will be Mike Sperling, founder and CEO of Sperling Interactive. 

Date: Thursday, November 10, 2016
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem
Cost: Free
Contact: Abby Grant at Enterprise Center at 978-542-7528 - register online at http://enterprisectr.org/programs/workshops/

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

How to Grow Your Existing Business

Business owners often make marketing and sales their priority for growing their business. But there are four other areas you need to address even before you focus on marketing and sales.

This workshop will reveal the secrets and lessons learned from 34 years of growing companies quickly and significantly.

The speaker will be Richard Langevin, managing partner with Langevin Management Advisors. 

Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem
Cost: Free
Contact: Abby Grant at Enterprise Center at 978-542-7528 - register online at http://enterprisectr.org/programs/workshops/

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

Small Business Accounting 101

Understanding your business' financial performance, including the fundamentals of accounting, is the key to your success. This workshop provides a broad view of accounting basics and, using accounting software, explores the basics of debits and credits and how to set up your chart of accounts as the foundation for your financial reports.

The speaker will be Maryann Blatsos, owner of Blatsos CFO Solutions.

Date: Thursday, November 17, 2016
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem
Cost: Free
Contact: Abby Grant at Enterprise Center at 978-542-7528 - register online at http://enterprisectr.org/programs/workshops/

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

Recruiting Guidelines to Ensure a Good Hire

Every business struggles with hiring issues. This workshop can help.

Learn what to do before you search, objectivity in sourcing, interviewing for cultural fit, background check processes and onboarding to decrease turnover. These guidelines can help ensure the right candidate is screened and, ultimately, hired as a productive and successful employee.

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

Date: Thursday, December 1, 2016
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem
Cost: Free
Contact: Abby Grant at Enterprise Center at 978-542-7528 - register online at http://enterprisectr.org/programs/workshops/

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

Access to Capital

Access to capital remains one of the most significant barriers and is too often the factor that prevents the growth of small businesses. Come listen to an experienced pro talk about how the process really works, and what can be done to overcome existing barriers.

The speaker will be Walter Manninen, senior business advisor and financial analyst with the MA Small Business Development Center's Northeast Regional Office at Salem State University.

Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem
Cost: Free
Contact: Laurel Costello at 978-542-6343, sbdc@salemstate.edu

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

Updating Your Website - What You Need to Know

Does your website need updating? Can you keep it up-to-date without total redesign?

This workshop will help you know when your website needs help, what solutions are available and how to make sure you're getting the most from what is one of your most valuable assets.

The speaker will be Donato D'Andrea.

Date: Thursday, December 8, 2016
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem
Cost: Free
Contact: Abby Grant at Enterprise Center at 978-542-7528 - register online at http://enterprisectr.org/programs/workshops/

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University

Pitch For Success

Whether you want to sell your idea, win business or get your project funded, this workshop can help you create a more interesting, memorable elevator pitch. Learn storytelling techniques and practical tips to engage your audience. Be prepared to practice your pitch out loud!

The speaker will be Jeanne Union of Union Presentation Sales Coaching.

Date: Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 106, Salem
Cost: Free
Contact: Abby Grant at Enterprise Center at 978-542-7528 - register online at http://enterprisectr.org/programs/workshops/

Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University