Date: Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Brockton Career Works, 34 School Street, Brockton
Cost: Free
Contact: Brockton Career Works at 508-513-3400

Sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration & SCORE

Marketing Strategies Using Social Media

Join us for a free workshop where you will learn a basic overview of social media tools to include: search engine optimization (SEO), blogging, social networking (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and Pinterest), and E-newsletters. 

Date: Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Fairfield Inn & Suites New Bedford, 185 MacArthur Drive, New Bedford
Cost: Free
Contact: Register online or contact Alison Moriarty at 508-673-9783 ext. 10

Cosponsored by First Citizens' Federal Credit Union

Certified Global Business Professional Series

The NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) designation is the only nationally recognized professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s competency in international business. Join us for this comprehensive seminar series specifically designed to help individuals prepare for the CGBP exam while providing practical, real-world information on all aspects of international business. Participants who complete the entire series will receive a certificate of completion issued by the Massachusetts Export Center.

Individuals will have the opportunity to take the CGBP exam starting in June. The registration fee is $100 and the exam fee is $295, and is not included in the Massachusetts Export Center seminar fee. Those passing the exam will receive the CGBP designation and may use the credential logo and wordmark on resumes, business cards and other collateral identifying them to the public as individuals proficient in global commerce. Space is limited, so early registration is strongly encouraged!  

Dates:  Fridays - May 4, 11 and 18; May 25 (optional)
Time:  Registration 8:30 a.m.; Program 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Holiday Inn, Taunton (directions)
Cost: $450 for entire series or $175 per individual session (includes breakfast, lunch and seminar materials; does not include exam fees)
Contact: Massachusetts Export Center at 508-999-1388  

Note: Eligible candidates for the NASBITE CGBP credential must have completed at least two years of college-level classes OR worked in the international trade field for at least two years. Even individuals with existing international trade experience will benefit from supplemental studying in areas to which they do not have day-to-day exposure. This series is not recommended for those without some international trade experience, and is not intended to be the sole means of preparation for the CGBP exam.

 
International Sales, Marketing & Global Business Management (May 4)

This session will cover: global risk assessment; global business plan development; international market research methodologies and strategies; overseas market evaluation and selection; methods of market entry; development of international marketing strategies; working with overseas sales and distribution partners; international intellectual property protection; international contract law and dispute resolution.

Speakers include:  

• Maryanne Burke, Senior International Trade Specialist – U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service
• Nancy Lowd, Senior International Trade Advisor – Massachusetts Export Center
• Stephanie Perini-Hegarty, Esq., Managing Attorney – Perini-Hegarty & Associates, P.C.
• Derek Perkins, President – Perkins Associates
  

 
Global Supply Chain & Logistics Management (May 11)

This session will cover: the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and global trade product classifications; global trade documentation; AES; export regulatory compliance; shipping under free trade agreements; tariffs, tariff calculations and non-tariff barriers; duty drawback; customs brokers, freight forwarders, 3PLs and other service providers; Incoterms; landed cost calculations; carnets; transportation modes and costs; export packing; cargo insurance principles; export regulatory compliance and supply chain security; international product certifications and standards.

Speakers include:  

• Richard Bridges, Vice President – Roanoke Trade Services
• Paula Connolly, Esq. – Law Offices of Paula Connelly
• Kathleen Kinahan-Newell, International Market Research & Trade Compliance Manager – Massachusetts Export Center
• Maurice Mitchell, International Account Manager – UPS
  

 
Global Trade Finance & Banking and Exam Review (May 18)  

This session will cover: foreign commercial and political risk assessment; foreign partner credit analysis techniques; methods of international payment, including letters of credit, documentary collections and other payment instruments; foreign exchange risk mitigating techniques; export quotations and pro forma invoices; export credit insurance; and export financing. This session will also feature a CGBP exam review and include a discussion on test preparation strategies.

Speakers include:    

• Eric Hunter, Vice President – MassDevelopment
• John Joyce, Regional Manager, U.S. Export Assistance Center – U.S. Small Business Administration
• Donna Murphy, Director of Sales and Marketing – Export Insurance Agency
• Carla Winfield, Senior International Trade Advisor – Silicon Valley Bank
   

 
CGBP Exam Study Group (May 25 - optional)

The Massachusetts Export Center will host an optional two-hour study session to  review the exam content. This session is open only to participants of the Export Center’s CGBP seminar series who will be taking the national exam on the June test dates. Preregistration is required.

Location for this session only: Massachusetts Export Center, State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor Conference Center, Conference Room 4, 10 Park Plaza, Boston

 
New CGBP Exam Procedures 

Registering for the CGBP exam involves a few quick steps, including participant registration, payment and exam date selection.  

NASBITE is offering four test windows in 2012. The window for the NASBITE Exam that will follow our CGBP series is June 4-16, 2012. Registration for this test window opens on April 9 and closes on May 11. Please note the deadlines as late registration is not allowed! Candidates who miss the registration deadline will need to register for the next test window which will open in July.

For further details, visit the NASBITE website at www.nasbitecgbp.org.

Back to the Future - A Guide to Using Today’s Direct Mail to Grow Your Business

So you have a Facebook page, an email campaign, a website, you have done search engine optimization and you are still disappointed with the business you are getting. What you may need is an offline strategy that drives people to your website, Facebook page or store location.  

Direct mail is already the "secret weapon" for large companies and marketing experts alike. Today it is easier than ever for small businesses to get involved in it.  Join us as Bob Salvas, industry expert and founder of Success Mail, shares the secrets to successful marketing including:

• Six answers to direct mail communication: who, what, when, where, why & how
• How to select a target market
• Four groups of people you should consider communicating with and why
• How to select a mailing list and what to watch out for
• New products and services that may be perfect for your business

Date: Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: HarborOne U, 131 Copeland Drive, Mansfield
Cost: Free
Contact: Click here to register online

Sponsored by HarborOne U

Social Media Trends for 2012

Today’s trends become tomorrow’s realities. While social media trends are intriguing to learn about, they should actually be an important component of your strategic thinking and planning. Learn about the top social media trends and factors that will shape your business in 2012.

Date: Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Village at Proprietors Green, 605 Plain Street (behind Roche Bros), Marshfield
Cost: Free
Contact: Register online with link below or contact Alison at 508-673-9783 ext.10

Cosponsored by the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce

Website Storyboarding

Develop a successful website with a well thought out plan. Developing the design and content is the first step in building a successful website. 

So before you embark on learning to build your own website, it’s important to give consideration to:                                                       

• Branding and Logo
• Market and Competition
• Key word driven content
• Content and Pictures
• Programs available for building websites
• Search engine optimization
• Social networks

This is an Informational Session on the process of storyboarding for to build a successful website. In this free class you will learn about the important components involved in creating and designing a website.

Date: Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: HarborOne U, 131 Copeland Drive, Mansfield
Cost: Free
Contact: Click here to register online or contact HarborOne U at 508-895-1300

Cosponsored by HarborOne U

Solving the Financial Problems of Entrepreneurs

"Entrepreneurs believe that profit is what matters most in a new enterprise. But profit is secondary. Cash flow matters most."
~ Peter Drucker, 1996 interview with Inc. magazine

Start-ups, as well as young businesses, face many financial problems that are attributed to cash flow. Whether the problem is raising money, collecting cash from customers or paying bills to suppliers, these issues are only the start of the problem solving process. Learn why cash flow problems occur and why cash flow is the financial problem that entrepreneurs will face and how this problem can be prevented.

Presented by Karl Kern, founder of Kern Analytics LLC, an advisory firm dedicated to helping businesses solve financial problems. Karl is a part-time instructor at Curry College and Fisher College where he teaches accounting, economics and finance courses, and is an active member of the Southern New England Entrepreneurs Forum (SNEEF).

Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Time: 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: HarborOne U, 131 Copeland Drive, Mansfield
Cost: Free
Contact: Click here to register online

Sponsored by HarborOne U

International Trade Rules Workshop

Find out how to avoid the common pitfalls involved in Importing and Exporting goods. Leverage free resources to mitigate supply chain risk. Learn how to become an expert in international trade yourself!

Join us for a free informational workshop regarding the rules of international trade and the role of the Customs Broker in your supply chain.

Presented by John Macisso, attorney-at-law & founder of Lateral Mark®, provider of educational and legal services to individuals and businesses involved in cross-border transactions.

Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: HarborOne U, 131 Copeland Drive, Mansfield
Cost: Free
Contact: Click here to register online 

Sponsored by HarborOne U

SNEEF: Annual Clam Boil & Networking Forum Focusing on Innovation & Entrepreneurship

 SNEEF’s famous annual Clam Boil and Networking Forum. Bill Staby, founder and CEO of Resolute Marine Energy, will describe innovation and entrepreneurship in southeastern Massachusetts through the work of his company. Resolute Marine Energy is developing technologies that produce clean energy through ocean waves.

Date: Thursday, June 14, 2012
Time: 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: UMass Dartmouth Advanced Technology & Manufacturing Center, 151 Martine Street, Fall River
Cost: Become an annual member of SNEEF at UMass Dartmouth for only $75, and attend the forum free. Event non-member cost is $20 in advance, $25 at the door, includes refreshments
Contact: Online registration is available at www.sneef.org 

Cosponsored by the Southern New England Entrepreneurs Forum

Street Smart Business Strategy

Competition is tough, the economic climate is even tougher and every business owner is facing a variety of complex challenges. Learn how to create a Focused, Forward Looking, Street Smart Business Strategy.

Join us for a FREE seminar where you will learn how to:

• Have a clearly articulated strategy to navigate your unique challenges
• Develop a business strategy that helps you identify where you want to be and how you are going to get there
• Stay competitive by using your quick instincts, common sense and intuition

Date: Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Location: HarborOne U, 131 Copeland Drive, Mansfield
Cost: Free
Contact: Click here to register online or HarborOne U at 508-895-1300

Cosponsored by HarborOne U

The SBA Advantage

This workshop will help you gain a better understanding of the various U.S. Small Business Administration programs and services that are available to prospective or current entrepreneurs who need assistance in starting or expanding their businesses. 

General information will be provided on the following programs and services:

• SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Business
• MSBDC – Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network
• BICs - Business Resource Centers
• SBA Guaranty Loan Programs: 7(a), Micro Loans, Patriot and SBA Express Loans, and CDC/504 Loan
• Government Contracting Opportunities: 8(a) Business Development, HUBZones (Historically Underutilized Business Zones), Small Disadvantaged Business, and Surety Bonding (when applicable, 2 years in business experience required)
• Disaster Assistance 

Date: Thursday, July 19, 2012
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Plymouth Career Center, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 200, Plymouth
Cost: Free
Contact: Plymouth Career Center at 508-732-5399

Cosponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration & SCORE