Help your small business clients get to the next level. Refer an upcoming MetroAction training program! A few seats still remain for our Small Business Institute and Marketing Mastery classes, starting August 5. (more…)
If you want to take your business to the next level, MetroAction has training programs to help! A few seats still remain in our Small Business Institute and Marketing Mastery classes, starting Aug. 5. Click here to listen to our promo!
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:
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:
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.
Every business is prone to two things- ups and downs. The fluctuations depend on the type of industry you are in. But eventually a time will come when business is not flowing like it used to and it seems like more money is going out than coming in. The last thing you want to do when a slow season appears is to panic. MetroAction has some suggestions!
Work on Your Marketing Budget: When money is tight everyone thinks to cut corners. A slow period in business doesn’t necessarily mean that it is time to tighten the reins. You will want to keep an eye on your spending. But that simply means reallocating funds to where they are most needed. Cutting your marketing budget is a bad mistake that many a business has made. When you cut your advertising, you decrease your presence in the places that can make a difference in your business. If you disappear, no one will know to look for you when things begin to pickup. Whatever you do, resist the urge to do anything less with your marketing campaign. It always works against you in the end. If you need more tips on how make the most of your marketing budget sign up for MetroAction’s Marketing Mastery program at http://scrantonchamber.com/chamber_calendar.php.
Maintain Pricing on Products and Services: In an attempt to change the slow season, many businesses cut their prices to make a sale. This seems like it would work. But look at it from a customer point of view. Across the board price cuts make it seem like you are going out of business. If you are not going to be around, customers may decide to buy from someone else who will be. Cost cutting like this eats into profits. The business may get a boost for a time. But what happens when business is back on the upswing? Do you raise the prices again on the same items? There are other ways to stimulate demand besides cutting the prices. Doing so undermines your own business. Investigate other ways and consider talking with a MetroAction staff member about small business loans that can help you manage your cash flow. Or visit http://metroaction.org/loans.html for details.
Learn a New Skill: Every business begins with a great idea. We play to our strengths. But, there is always more to be learned. Diversifying your business will increase profits. If a client can get more than one service from you, that makes your business more attractive than the competition who only offers one. MetroAction’s Small Business Institute is perfect for new and existing entrepreneurs. It provides practical, hands-on skills needed to develop, manage and grow a successful business. Sign up for the institute today at http://metroaction.org/seminars.html.
Use these tips and think of your slow period, not as a setback, but as an opportunity!
Child care providers know how to get a 3 year old to eat broccoli. They know how to get 15 two year olds to nap at the same time. And, they are pros at teaching preschoolers their ABCs and I23s. But, often times, they don’t have the entrepreneurial skills to effectively manage the business side of their business. That’s where MetroAction comes in. Child care providers attending MetroAction’s Small Business Institute can earn professional development credits recognized by the PA Keys. (more…)
From organization planning …
to marketing …
to understanding your financials …
MetroAction’s Small Business Institute is what you need for your business to thrive in today’s economy!
Aspiring and existing entrepreneurs are invited to participate in this two day program that provides practical, hands-on skills needed to develop, manage and grow a successful business. Participants will:
• Develop key business insights and skills
• Determine business strategies
• Tap into entrepreneurial resources
• Build a business, and much more!
Attention Child Care Providers: MetroAction is a PQAS approved organization that provides professional development training recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
Small Business Institute 8-week Program
Location: Wilkes-Barre
Date: Thursdays, October 1 – November 19
Time: 9 am – 12 pm
Cost: $149 per person
Presented by: Community Bank and Trust Co, Bold Gold Media Group, The Wilkes University Small Business Development Center, The Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre
Small Business Institute 2-day Accelerated Program
Location: Jim Thorpe
Date: Thursday & Friday, October 1 & 2
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Cost: $149 per person
Presented by: Bold Gold Media Group
Small Business Institute 2-day Accelerated Program
Location: Honesdale
Date: Thursday & Friday, November 5&6
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Cost: $149 per person
Presented by: The Honesdale National Bank and Bold Gold Media Group
The 2-day accelerated program provides all the award winning Core Four® curriculum presented in our traditional Small Business Institute eight-week program, in just two days!
More than 100 entrepreneurs have already experienced and found success with the Small Business Institute. Here’s what some of our graduates had to say:
“Training for the actual business side of the business in my industry is non-existent. The Small Business Institute has given me a new outlook on the overall management of my business. This program was extremely helpful.”
Amy Ghirelli, owner of Headquarters Salon & Coconut Grove Tanning, Scranton
“I am better prepared now, after participating in the Small Business Institute, than I was 10 years ago. I would definitely recommend this program to other entrepreneurs. It’s a great way to get started.”
Bill Goodman, owner of Goodman E-Commerce, Tunkhannock
“The Small Business Institute was very interactive. We shared and learned a lot of creative ideas to help in our businesses. I would definitely recommend this program to other entrepreneurs. I now have a better sense of my business and feel more confident.”
Mike Straub, owner of Michael Straub Photography, Mt. Pocono
“The sessions were interesting, informative, educational, well facilitated and most of all fun. No matter how long you are in business, you need to keep it fresh. I would definitely recommend this program to other entrepreneurs.”
Paul Nardone, owner of Outrageous and Anthology, Scranton
Seating is limited and registration is first-come, first-served and expected to fill quickly. For more information or to register for the Small Business Institute, visit www.MetroAction.org or contact Dara Coslett Granza at 341-0270 or dgranza@MetroAction.org.
As part of MetroAction’s commitment to improving the quality of affordable child care throughout northeastern Pennsylvania, MetroAction will award four $500 MicroGrants and three scholarships to MetroAction’s Small Business Institute program. On September 1, child care providers in NEPA may submit grant applications for projects that focus on teaching financial awareness to children or applications for scholarships to attend the Small Business Institute.
The Small Business Institute provides comprehensive training designed to help business owners sharpen the skills needed to develop, manage, and grow a successful business. Participants incorporate their own business experiences throughout the program, developing the building blocks for success. In addition, MetroAction is certified through the PA Department of Public Welfare’s PA Keys program. Child care providers attending the Small Business Institute earn professional development credits.
Scholarship applications must be received by 4:00 PM on September 16, 2009 and MicroGrant applications must be received by 4:00 PM on October 2, 2009. For more information, or to download an application package, please visit www.MetroAction.org.
To assist eligible providers complete their applications, MetroAction will host a free help session teleconference on September 11 at 12:30 PM. The session will provide a program overview, tips on what the review committee looks for, and sample projects. To register, contact Desiree Ranella at dranella@MetroAction.org or call (570) 341-0270.
Since the launch of MetroAction’s Child Care MicroGrant program in 2003, over 30 providers across seven counties have received funding that has directly impacted more than 1,300 local children.
At today’s final SBI session, the class had the opportunity to participate in an engaging panel discussion with other small business owners, reps from the SBA, SBDC and SCORE and business lenders. (more…)
During our last Small Business Institute class, we discussed the importance of cash flow projections as a tool for business management. We discussed how a business owner would go about determining the figures in their projections and what the results of the projections actually mean.
Ruth Hughes, Director of the Wilkes University SBDC, provided two templates that can be used to develop cash flow projections or pro formas. The first version is for one year of projections and the second version contains two years of projections. You must have Microsoft Excel to use these templates. (more…)
MetroAction has teamed up with the Wilkes University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Wilkes-Barre Chamber to bring its successful Small Business Institute program to Luzerne County this fall. The Small Business Institute will be held at the Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre. on Tuesdays, October 7th to November 25th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
The institute is an intense 2-month training program that utilizes the award winning Core Four® curriculum, including success, market, cash flow, and operations planning. This hands-on, common sense approach to small business development was designed to offer an entrepreneurial educational program like no other in this region. Over the past three years, the program has graduated more than 75 entrepreneurs and managers.
“Training for the actual business side of the business in the beauty industry is non-existent,” states Amy Ghirelli, owner of Headquarters Salon & Coconut Grove Tanning, Scranton. “The Small Business Institute has given me a new outlook on the day-to-day structuring of the business. This program was extremely helpful.”
Challenges are abundant when it comes to developing and maintaining successful businesses. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, roughly 50% of small businesses fail within the first five years.
“Small business owners, both potential and existing, should have as many tools for success as possible, particularly in this very competitive economic environment,” states Ruth Hughes, Director of Wilkes University’s SBDC. “The Small Business Institute is an excellent way for entrepreneurs to gain valuable information and training in the areas that will give their businesses better chances for success.”
The Small Business Institute, sponsored by Community Bank & Trust Company and Bold Gold Media Group, takes place on Tuesday mornings, October 7 through November 25, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre. Cost is $149 per person. Seating is limited and registration is first-come, first-served and expected to fill quickly.
Register today for this comprehensive training program!