Events/Workshops

This topic introduces students to the steps necessary for writing up the Communications section of a Business Plan. Students learn about different aspects of communication planning, both for strategic and for tactical purposes. They are introduced to the different sections any Communications Plan should contain and work on developing each one in small groups. While students are guided step-by-step in this process, they also have degree of freedom to come up with an original Communications Plan. HP Life is a unique program that uses real life examples of business problems, and shows how using technology can help solve those problems, and in turn help small businesses grow and succeed. This program features “hands on” use of computer station, provided through a donation by Hewlett-Packard Corporation, and focuses on the business problem rather than the software.

Speaker: Mark Engle Maricopa SBDC Center Director, Kristin Slice and Nancy Sanders SBDC Business Analysts

techEDge is an intensive, technology focused entrepreneurship program. techEDge is intended for science or technology based startups who are in concepts phase, early stage or growth mode. If you are navigating the challenges that go into starting a business like acquiring funding, intellectual property protection, and marketing, techEDge will help you build an enduring, successful company with your idea as the focus. Not designed to be a lecture program, this program integrates traditional knowledge resources with a panel of Subject Matter Experts lending their knowledge and resources. First in the series is Team Building for a Technology Venture. Each session will include handouts to be downloaded from the TechEDge website, with ample time to be allowed for eating so remember to bring your lunch, networking, and questions and answers. Don’t miss these events! All Sessions will be presented live at the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation (CEI) at GateWay Community College - 275 N. GateWay Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85008 All Sessions will be broadcast to the following locations via the Internet: Chandler Innovations Incubator - 145 S. 79th Ave, Chandler, AZ 85226 AZ TechCelerator in Surprise - 12425 W. Bell Road, Building A suite 128, Surprise, AZ 85378

Speaker: Wayne Smith of NextLevel UP

This topic focuses on the business benefits of maintaining a blog to enhance communication with customers and prospects and become a part of a larger community interested in a particular issue. You will discuss different types and means of communication, be introduced to the concept and characteristics of Web 2.0, and specifically blogs and the advantages they might bring to a small business as a low-cost means of multidirectional communication. Attendees will learn how to add different types of content and media to the blog, practice tailoring graphics to match your company image and gain an understanding of what is meant by blogging management and maintenance. You will leave the class knowing not only how to start a blog but also how to promote it and keep it alive to maximize the benefits for your business. HP Life is a unique program that uses real life examples of business problems, and shows how using technology can help solve those problems, and in turn help small businesses grow and succeed. This program features “hands on” use of computer station, provided through a donation by Hewlett-Packard Corporation, and focuses on the business problem rather than the software. All software used in the program is free, open-source programs that students can use from home or with their small business.

Speaker: Mark Engle Maricopa SBDC Center Director, Kristin Slice and Nancy Sanders SBDC Business Analysts

This topic introduces students to the initial steps necessary for writing up the marketing section of a Business Plan. Students are introduced to the Marketing Mix and learn about its four components: Product, Place, Price, and Promotion. They then answer a series of questions regarding the Marketing Mix using an example business, and use the answers to build the marketing section of his Business Plan. They are also introduced to the notion of a Positioning Statement and have the opportunity to systematically think through such a statement for a example business. HP Life is a unique program that uses real life examples of business problems, and shows how using technology can help solve those problems, and in turn help small businesses grow and succeed. This program features “hands on” use of computer station, provided through a donation by Hewlett-Packard Corporation, and focuses on the business problem rather than the software.

Speaker: Mark Engle Maricopa SBDC Center Director, Kristin Slice and Nancy Sanders SBDC Business Analysts

In this session you will be introduced to the basics of website management so you can maintain and update your business websites on your own without having to rely on outside help. You'll understand all the steps involved in planning, designing, building, positioning, promoting and maintaining a website. Website Management will help you understand the benefits a website can bring to even the smallest business and you will have the opportunity to practice editing a real business website. You'll learn how to add and remove different types of content, how to organize content, how to change graphics and navigational elements. In the most advanced part of the exercise you will learn how to manage CSS styles. More importantly this topic does not cover coding or go into unnecessary technical detail. HP Life is a unique program that uses real life examples of business problems, and shows how using technology can help solve those problems, and in turn help small businesses grow and succeed. This program features “hands on” use of computer station, provided through a donation by Hewlett-Packard Corporation, and focuses on the business problem rather than the software. All software used in the program is free, open-source programs that students can use from home or with their small business.

Speaker: Mark Engle Maricopa SBDC Center Director, Kristin Slice and Nancy Sanders SBDC Business Analysts

In this session you will be introduced to Facebook and other social media tools used for online marketing. You will have the opportunity to discuss different types of social media platforms in general, and talk about Facebook in particular. You are encouraged to think about the advantages that social media tools can bring to small businesses, particularly in the context of low-cost marketing. In the practical part of the topic, students learn how to create a Facebook account and a Facebook Page for a small business. Attendees will have the opportunity to practice customizing the page and adding different types of content to it, including posts, pictures, videos, and links. You will leave class with an understanding of the etiquette related to using social media tools for business purposes, have the chance to discuss how best to integrate social media marketing into their broader marketing strategy, and understand the steps and best behaviors you will need to follow in order to have an effective company presence in the social media sphere. HP Life is a unique program that uses real life examples of business problems, and shows how using technology can help solve those problems, and in turn help small businesses grow and succeed. This program features “hands on” use of computer station, provided through a donation by Hewlett-Packard Corporation, and focuses on the business problem rather than the software.

Speaker: Mark Engle Maricopa SBDC Center Director, Kristin Slice and Nancy Sanders SBDC Business Analysts

techEDge is an intensive, technology focused entrepreneurship program. techEDge is intended for science or technology based startups who are in concepts phase, early stage or growth mode. If you are navigating the challenges that go into starting a business like acquiring funding, intellectual property protection, and marketing, techEDge will help you build an enduring, successful company with your idea as the focus. Not designed to be a lecture program, this program integrates traditional knowledge resources with a panel of Subject Matter Experts lending their knowledge and resources. Fourth in the series is Intellecutal Property: Strategic Patent Management. Each session will include handouts to be downloaded from the TechEDge website, with ample time to be allowed for eating so remember to bring your lunch, networking, and questions and answers. Don’t miss these events! All Sessions will be presented live at the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation (CEI) at GateWay Community College - 275 N. GateWay Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85008 All Sessions will be broadcast to the following locations via the Internet: Chandler Innovations Incubator - 145 S. 79th Ave, Chandler, AZ 85226 AZ TechCelerator in Surprise - 12425 W. Bell Road, Building A suite 128, Surprise, AZ 85378

Speaker: Damon Ashcraft, Snell & Wilmer

A full day program provided by SBDC Technology Counselors and subject matter experts. Includes panel participation by venture capitalist, angel investor and patent attorney.

Speaker: Various

PDF Presentations from Corporate Turnaround and the Small Business Development Center at NPC on managing business debt.

Speaker: Online PDF presentation and Quiz

Four day course - May 15th, 17th, 22nd and 24th. Profit Mastery will help you achieve your profit goals! Learn about: * The seven steps to business success * The difference between "being Profitable" and "having cash" and how to do more of both * How to develop a profit plan and cash budget forecast to improve the financial health of a business * How to Manage Profits and Improve Cash Flow * Analyze your business and benchmark it against your peers in the industry * How to be prepared to get what you need from financing partners Fee includes materials plus six months of unlimited access to online support resources.,

Speaker: Maricopa SBDC Business Analyst Michael D' Hoostelaere

techEDge is an intensive, technology focused entrepreneurship program. techEDge is intended for science or technology based startups who are in concepts phase, early stage or growth mode. If you are navigating the challenges that go into starting a business like acquiring funding, intellectual property protection, and marketing, techEDge will help you build an enduring, successful company with your idea as the focus. Not designed to be a lecture program, this program integrates traditional knowledge resources with a panel of Subject Matter Experts lending their knowledge and resources. Second in the series is Tax Credit Programs. Each session will include handouts to be downloaded from the TechEDge website, with ample time to be allowed for eating so remember to bring your lunch, networking, and questions and answers. Don’t miss these events! All Sessions will be presented live at the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation (CEI) at GateWay Community College - 275 N. GateWay Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85008 All Sessions will be broadcast to the following locations via the Internet: Chandler Innovations Incubator - 145 S. 79th Ave, Chandler, AZ 85226 AZ TechCelerator in Surprise - 12425 W. Bell Road, Building A suite 128, Surprise, AZ 85378 ,

Speaker: Randy Eickoff, CPA, Acena Consulting.

Get introduced to an online email marketing tool available free of charge. Learn how to build a professional-looking email marketing campaign for a business by inserting and editing graphical and textual elements. You will also be introduced to the importance of contact lists and learn how to create and import them into the email marketing tool. The more advanced section of the exercise focuses on creating segmenting lists in order to run more targeted campaigns and introduce students to building sign up forms and autoresponders. You will leave the class with a full understanding of the series of steps they need to take in order to build a professional email marketing campaign. HP Life is a unique program that uses real life examples of business problems, and shows how using technology can help solve those problems, and in turn help small businesses grow and succeed. This program features “hands on” use of computer station, provided through a donation by Hewlett-Packard Corporation, and focuses on the business problem rather than the software.

Speaker: Mark Engle Maricopa SBDC Center Director, Kristin Slice and Nancy Sanders SBDC Business Analysts