This program features Disney Institute professional development. You’ll learn about Disney’s leadership excellence and people management practices that lead to its world renowned success and enable them to attain repeat business, spur profitability and rise above the competition.

You’ll also discover how to adapt Disney’s strategies and methods to your own business. Learning is enhanced by stepping into Disney’s “living laboratory” for field experiences and an exclusive “Business-Behind-The-Magic” Tour.

By starting early and extending the morning session into the early afternoon we’re utilizing your most productive hours while also providing time for Resort activities.  Play a round of golf on one of Disney’s four PGA Championship golf courses; visit the Theme Parks with your Family; or simply relax poolside in the Florida sun.  Go ahead, you’ve earned it!

Seating is LIMITED for this exceptional program. Watch a short video about the program and visit our website for complete program and pricing details or contact Christina Hitchcock at (570) 342-7711.

This program may be a tax deductible business expense.  Check with your tax adviser.

Award nominations are currently being accepted for:

Nomination forms, instructions and judging criteria is available at www.MetroAction.org and www.scrantonchamber.com.  For more information, please contact Christina Hitchcock or Nicole Barber at (570) 342-7711 or chitchcock@MetroAction.org and nbarber@scrantonchamber.com.

MetroAction can help!  We have unveiled our brand new webinar series designed specifically for those who want to attend seminar and training programs, but can’t make it to our on-site programs.

MetroAction has converted some of our most popular seminars to launch the webinar program.  They include:

• Business Basics
• Financing Your Business
• Marketing 101
• Applying for a Small Business Loan
• Writing a Business Plan
• Submitting Your Business Planning Templates

And, we’re planning on offering more topics this fall, such as Facebook for Beginners, Grant Writing 101 and Building Better Credit.

There is no special equipment required.  All you need is an internet connection and a phone line.  It’s really that easy!

Stay tuned for more details!

Marketing Mastery will show you how making small changes will lead to big results and will help you make the most of your limited marketing budget! In this 8-week program you will:

• Identify your target market
• Build successful marketing messages
• Develop marketing materials that work
• Leave with a comprehensive marketing plan for your business

The Marketing Mastery program will be held in Scranton on Thursdays, Aug. 5 through Sept. 23, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

“The Marketing Mastery program hit on everything a business needs to know. I wish this program was offered before I burned up so much money,” attests Cheryl Kaiser, owner of Kaiser Fine Photography, Carbondale.

The Small Business Institute will show you how all of the pieces of your business work together. In this 2-day program you will:

• Learn what makes a business successful
• Understand cash flow and financial statements
• Develop a marketing strategy
• Leave with a customized business plan for your business

The Small Business Institute will be held in Tannersville on Aug. 5 and 6, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Both programs are perfect for start-up or existing businesses or any business that wants to be more competitive in today’s economy! Cost is $149 each and includes text books and materials. Hurry! Classes start soon and space is limited! Call 341-0270 or visit www.MetroAction.org to register.

Beginning August 2,  award nominations will be accepted for:

• The Award for Excellence in Professional Development

• Best Practices Awards for:

1. Customer Service
2. Human Resources & Leadership
3. Technology & Innovation
4. Community Involvement

• Green Practices Award
• Healthy Workplace of the Year Award
• Hometown Star Award
• New and Emerging Business of the Year
• Nonprofit Organization of the Year Award
• Pride and Progress Award
• Small Business of the Year
• Solo-preneur of the Year
• Woman of Excellence Award
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Nomination forms, instructions and judging criteria will be available beginning August 2 at www.MetroAction.org and www.scrantonchamber.com.  For more information, please contact Christina Hitchcock or Nicole Barber at (570) 342-7711 or chitchcock@MetroAction.org and nbarber@scrantonchamber.com.

Marketing 101

In today’s changing economy, businesses need to rethink how they are doing business and be more creative with their marketing.  In response to this need, MetroAction presents its Marketing 101 program.  Topics covered include:  packaging your business; creating cost effective marketing materials; communicating your message and avoiding common marketing mistakes.

Marketing 101 Wilkes-Barre:

Wednesday, July 21

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre

7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre

Marketing 101 Scranton:

Wednesday, July 21

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce

222 Mulberry Street, Scranton

Cost for Marketing 101 is $10 and includes materials.  Pre-registration is required by visiting www. MetroAction.org or calling (570) 341-0270.

Marketing Mastery

Put marketing to work for your business with MetroAction’s Marketing Mastery series.  The eight-week program treats marketing as an integrated system.  At the core of the system are strategies that any business, regardless of size, can use to produce major returns.Topics include:  packaging your business; creating marketing materials; attracting clients; marketing budgets; developing a marketing plan

Marketing Mastery Scranton:

Thursdays, August 5 – September 23

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

222 Mulberry Street, Scranton

Cost for Marketing Mastery is $149 per person and includes all course materials.  Pre-registration is required by visiting www. MetroAction.org or calling (570) 341-0270.

“Bank of America’s support lets us offer training and loans and help small businesses and entrepreneurs who do not meet traditional bank lending criteria,” says Kristine Augustine, vice president of business and community development for MetroAction .  For more information about MetroAction’s lending programs and service area, visit www.MetroAction.org or call (570) 341-0270.

For more than 30 years, MetroAction has stayed committed to our vision of community prosperity by lending more than $3 million to small start-up businesses, as well as to existing small businesses.

The past year has been an extremely successful one for us and the diverse businesses we have helped.  And though we have expanded our services and programs to include more opportunities than ever before, MetroAction is dedicated to furthering our mission of assisting small businesses so they may grow and prosper in our own region!

MetroAction would like to extend a special thank-you to Independent Graphics who has so graciously sponsored the printing of this year’s report!

This article is provided by the Greater Scranton Area SCORE Chapter.

A popular American tradition is the family business. It gives spouses, parents, children, and others a chance to share a dream that can continue to grow and prosper generation after generation.

But without proper planning and management, family businesses can also be the source of contention, acrimony, and even irreparable harm to once-loving relationships. That’s why it’s important for aspiring entrepreneurs to fully understand the pros and cons of going into business with relatives and in-laws. The needs of the business may not always be compatible with family harmony, resulting in a situation that handled improperly, can jeopardize the survival of both.

When bringing family members into a business for the first time, especially as investors or in a startup situation, you should consider putting the business relationship in writing. Family members sometimes buy into the excitement of a business startup without a clear idea of their role once the business is underway.

In an ongoing family business, it’s important to treat family members fairly. While some experts advise against hiring family members, that sacrifices one of the great benefits of a family business. Countless small companies would never have survived without dedicated family members. But avoid favoritism. Pay scales, promotions, work schedules, criticism and praise should be evenhanded between family and non-family employees.

Don’t become the employer of last resort for every distant relation who calls. Base employment on the skills or knowledge they can bring to the business. If your kids will be joining the business, make them get at least three to five years business experience elsewhere first to help them gain perspective of how the business world works outside of a family setting.

Problems and differences of opinion are common in a family business, so it’s important to keep lines of communication clear. Weekly meetings to assess progress, air differences and resolve disputes work well for many family firms.

Just as solo entrepreneurs and non-related partners need to separate their business and personal lives, owners of family businesses need to prevent work-related issues from dominating family activities. While it may be difficult to totally confine shop-talk to the workplace, make it a standing rule not to discuss work and business issues at social gatherings or at designated “family times” where the focus should be on other things.

For additional planning help for your small business, contact SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business.”  SCORE is a nonprofit organization of more than 10,500 volunteer business counselors who provide free, confidential business counseling and training workshops to small business owners.  Call (570) 851.1608 or visit www.scorescranton.org to contact the Greater Scranton Area SCORE Chapter.

Ultimately, his turtle selling business was shut down by his teachers.  But, that didn’t dampen his entrepreneurial spirit.  With MetroAction’s help, in 2005, Chris and his father, Gerhard, launched Corporate Buyers Guide (CBG), an internet service that provides unique comparisons of industrial equipment based on the buyer’s criteria.  Chris says, “Our proprietary software is like the Consumer Reports for businesses looking to buy manufacturing, distribution or warehouse equipment.”

Chris worked with many area organizations, such as CANDo, CANBe and NEPIRC to fund his new business but there were gaps in his funding.  “I remembered attending a presentation by MetroAction a few years earlier,” recalls Chris.  He continued, “MetroAction stepped in to provide us with working capital while our other investments were being secured.”