To help businesses sharpen the skills needed to develop, manage and grow a successful business, MetroAction, is offering their Small Business Institute starting Thursdays, September 1- September 22, from 9:00AM- Noon at the Chamber. This course shows how to:  create a strong marketing plan, understand business financials and prepare for business growth.  The cost is $99 which includes a textbook and materials. Training grants are available for certain businesses. Contact Alicia Tompkins.

MetroAction has the training programs to help you make the most of your marketing budget!  We have marketing seminars scheduled throughout northeastern Pennsylvania over the next several months.

Marketing 101

Marketing 101 is a two-hour seminar that offers simple and effective small business marketing techniques that focus on real world, proven strategies.  This seminar will help start-up and existing small businesses gain a competitive advantage by discussing:

• Packaging your business
• Cost effective marketing materials
• Your marketing message
• Networking and strategic relationships

Marketing 101 will be offered as a seminar and webinar from 9:00 – 11:00 AM in the following locations:

• Tunkhannock: Tuesday, March 8 (not available as a webinar)
• Honesdale: Friday, March 18
• Carbondale: Monday, March 21
• Scranton: Thursday, April 7

Cost is $10 person.  Space is limited, so visit MetroAction or call (570)341-0270 to register today!

Marketing Mastery

Marketing Mastery meets weekly for four sessions and will also available in an accelerated one-day format in the near future.  This seminar will show you how making small changes will lead to big results.  Marketing Mastery will help start-up and existing small businesses gain a competitive advantage by:

• Identifying your target market
• Building successful marketing messages
• Developing marketing materials that work
• Creating a comprehensive marketing plan

Marketing Mastery will be presented in Scranton on Thursdays, April 14 through May 5 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and is also available as a webinar for those unable to attend.

Cost is $99 per person.  Space is limited. So visit MetroAction or call (570) 341-0270 to register today.

All of MetroAction’s training programs are perfect for start up or existing businesses or any business that wants to be more competitive.

Upcoming programs include:

Small Business Institute demonstrates how all of the pieces of a business work together. Participants will learn what makes a business successful, understand cash flow and financial statements, create a marketing strategy, and develop a customized business plan.

Marketing Mastery will show how making small changes can lead to big results and help make the most of a limited marketing budget.  Participants will identify a target market, build successful marketing messages, develop marketing materials that work, and create a comprehensive marketing plan.

To make it easier for business owners to attend, these programs are available at multiple locations and dates throughout our service area.

If you or someone you know, is thinking about starting a business, or if you just want to learn more about managing your business, you should attend our Small Business Institute or Marketing Mastery programs.  These comprehensive training programs will help you strategically plan in your business so that you make the most of your limited budget.

If you can’t make it to our seminars, we have webcasts on topics such as, applying for a loan, submitting a loan application, writing a business plan and applying for a loan.

Be sure to checkout our small business planning guide and checklist to get you started in the right direction. We have helpful information available about required licenses, taxes, and permits for your small business, too.

Of course your new venture will require financing, so we have the tools you’ll need to do financial projections such as cash flow, break even analysis, a budget, balance sheet, and a profit and loss statement.

Marketing Mastery shows how making small changes will lead to big results and will help make the most of a limited marketing budget. This program is available in four-week or one-day format and teaches participants how to:

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

The Marketing Mastery program will be held at The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Thursdays, April 14 – May 19, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and at The Greater Carbondale Chamber of Commerce during May at a time and date to be announced.

The Small Business Institute shows how all of the pieces of a business work together and teaches participants:

• What makes a business successful
• Cash flow and financial statements
• Marketing strategy

Participants will leave with a customized business plan. The Small Business Institute will be held at The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Thursdays, March 3 through March 24, 9:00 a.m. to Noon and at the Innovation Center at Wilkes-Barre, Thursdays, February 17 and February 24, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Do you have any clients that need some training?  Contact us today!

Marketing Mastery shows how making small changes will lead to big results and will help make the most of a limited marketing budget.  The eight-week program teaches how to:

·         Identify target market

·         Build successful marketing messages

·         Develop marketing materials that work

·         Leave with a comprehensive marketing plan for a business

The Marketing Mastery program will be held at the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Thursdays, August 5-September 23, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The Small Business Institute shows how all of the pieces of a business work together.  The two-day program teaches:

·         What makes a business successful

·         Cash flow and financial statements

·         Marketing strategy

Participants leave with a customized business plan for their businesses.  The Small Business Institute will be held in Tannersville at Community Bank and Trust, August 5 – 6, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Both programs are perfect for start-up or existing businesses.  Classes start soon and space is limited!  Call 341-0270 or visit www.MetroAction.org to register.

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.

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.

MetroAction, certified through the PA Department of Public Welfare’s PA Keys to Professional Development program, provides training opportunities eligible for professional development credits through the Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS).  The program is a statewide initiative designed to address professional development needs of practitioners by providing skills necessary to create clear pathways for future success.

“I learned so much from the Small Business Institute and enjoyed coming to class.  The program showed me how many layers are involved in creating and operating a successful business. This program will help our business in every aspect,” describes Elizabeth Keiper-Aguirre of Freckles and Frills Daycare, Scranton

The Small Business Institute provides practical, hands-on skills needed to develop, manage and grow a successful business.  From organization planning …to marketing …to understanding your financials … the Small Business Institute helps business owners understand how all of the pieces of their business work together and is available in two formats: the full, 8-week version and an accelerated, 2-day version held through eight NEPA counties.

“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,” concludes Ms. Keiper-Aguirre.

Since creating their child care initiative in 2005, MetroAction’s programs have impacted thousands of area children throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. As part of its commitment to improving the quality of affordable child care throughout northeastern Pennsylvania, MetroAction continues to provide comprehensive resources to area child care providers.
MetroAction offers scholarships to eligible child care providers to attend the program for free.

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.