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This popular workshop provides a complete overview of business start-up and planning considerations, oriented to those planning a venture as well as existing small business owners. Topics include the entrepreneurial lifestyle, feasibility, business strategy, business plan preparation, marketing, financing and additional resources. A free workbook is provided.
These seminars are offered free of charge.
Sessions are held at various locations throughout the Boston area.
> Click here for complete listing of dates,
times and locations.
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Cost:
Free |
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How to Become a GSA Federal
Supply Schedule Holder and This free one-day workshop is held monthly in Boston. This workshop, designed to encourage and support small businesses interested in obtaining a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract; learn more about contracting opportunities, the procurement process and resources available. Not sure which solicitation applies to your product or service? Refer to GSA's Schedules e-Library website in order to view or download solicitations. You can also view and download solicitations by visiting the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. Before attending the workshop, please
review the
GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program and the
GSA Vendor Tool Box. Please direct any questions regarding the GSA
MAS Program to the GSA MAS Helpdesk (National Customer Service Center)
by phone at
Dates: Monthly on Wednesdays -
May 22, 2013 and June 26, 2013 Cosponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Government Contracting |
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General information will be provided on the following programs and services:
This free two-hour program is offered on various dates and locations. Please contact the appropriate agency to register (see chart below for details). Cosponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration
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Free Legal Clinic (offered monthly)
On the second Friday afternoon of each month, you can meet with one of Partridge Snow & Hahn’s attorneys to discuss general legal questions such as corporate structure, leases, contracts, insurance, employment, franchising, etc. Appointments are free and confidential. Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP (www.psh.com) is a full service business law and litigation firm with offices in Providence, RI and New Bedford and Westborough. Any business participating in the clinic will be expected to sign a general waiver regarding conflicts, etc. Dates: Ongoing monthly
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Learn the whole nine yards of starting a business. This free workshop, presented by Allen B. Kronick, senior business advisor with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network Western Regional Office, will focus on business fundamentals, from start-up considerations to business plan development and funding sources. It is designed for owners of existing businesses as well as those who are planning to start one. The workshop will help entrepreneurs write a business plan and provide structure to starting/managing their venture. Topics will include:
Oreste Varela, Springfield branch manager of the U.S. Small Business Administration will also present, The SBA Advantage: An Overview of SBA’s Programs and Services. This presentation will help you gain a better understanding of the various SBA programs and services available to prospective or current entrepreneurs who need assistance in starting or expanding their businesses, and will include capital, counseling and contracting information. This free workshop is held on the first Monday of the month in Springfield and the first Thursday of the month in Greenfield. See chart below for dates, times and locations. The Greenfield workshops are cosponsored by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. Cost:
No charge
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STEP Grant Application Webinar Join us for this free webinar to learn about the Massachusetts State Trade and Export Promotion Grant Program ("STEP"), which is available to eligible Massachusetts small businesses for the purpose of increasing export sales of their goods and services. The Massachusetts STEP Grant Program is administered by the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment, in collaboration with the MSBDC-Massachusetts Export Center, through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. This webinar will discuss the parameters of the Massachusetts STEP Grant Program and walk participants through the STEP Grant application process. The webinar will provide guidance on completing the application and discuss specific elements that are critical for successful applicants. The webinar will also provide tips on assessing export readiness and planning international marketing activities in support of the STEP application. Those applicants who have demonstrated a strong commitment to exporting with a well-planned export strategy will have the best likelihood of success! For further details on the STEP program, visit www.mass.gov/export/step. There is no charge for the webinar, but pre-registration is required. Registration closes at 8:00 a.m. on the day of the webinar, so please plan accordingly. Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 |
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Pursuing a Business Loan: The Big Picture Are you an entrepreneur looking to access financing? This workshop is designed to give you tips and strategies on how to make your business loan-ready. Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 Cosponsored by ACCION USA |
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Maximize Your Company’s Presence Using Google Products & Tools
Please join us for this informative workshop which will cover simple strategies to help small businesses make the most out of Google's products and tools. Force 4 Photography, Google Trusted Independent Photographers, will give you the tools to help navigate the many layers of Google. Topics include search optimization, setting up and managing a Google Places/+Local page, and Google Apps for Business (a cloud-based suite). Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 Cosponsored by the Fall River Office of Economic Development |
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This seminar is full. Everyone is blogging! Are you? Blogging is a great way to keep people coming back to your site and to improve your visibility with search engines. No wonder this workshop was a winner the first time around! Is there a right or wrong way to blog? Does the commitment to keep on blogging seem overwhelming? Whether you want to get started or blog better, this workshop is the place to ask questions and boost your blogging IQ. The speaker will be Jennifer Powell, principal of The Excellent Writers Group. Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University, Montserrat College of Art and Creative Economy Association of the North Shore |
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Peer Behind the Curtain: What Do Bankers Look for in Small Business Applications? Topics to be discussed include:
Presented by Gary Besser of First Niagara Bank. Date: Wednesday, May
22, 2013 |
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Small Business Time Management: How to be Productive in a 24/7 World For all small business owners, there never seems to be enough time in the day. You're always juggling all the hats you wear. Add in social media, mobile devices, and there never seems to be down time. Join us for this workshop to learn techniques and tools small business owners can use in today's 24/7 environment. Jen Vondenbrink is a business consultant, educator and professional speaker with 25 years of entrepreneurial and corporate experience. She uses her expertise to bridge the gap between businesses and their ever changing environment. Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 Cosponsored by Downtown New Bedford Inc. |
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Export Control Reform Implementation
On April 15, 2013 the Departments of State and Commerce published major final revisions to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). These final rules definitively establish the structure, provisions, and definitions for a positive control list and mark the start of the transition of many items from the ITAR to the licensing jurisdiction of the EAR and control on the Commerce Control List ("CCL"). Join us for a two-hour webinar to discuss the new "600 Series" ECCNs; the new definition of "Specially Designed"; de minimus requirements; licensing requirements; license exceptions; and the overall export control reform initiative. Gain perspective on how these revisions will affect your export control program and licensing requirements in the near future! Speakers include:
Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 |
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The Business of...Theatre and Film There's more to working in theatre and film than just acting,
and this is the place to This workshop will feature a panel discussion among professionals who work in regional theatre and film. They will take you behind the glamour and mystique that surround this field and talk about what they do, how they work with performing artists, how to promote your career and what opportunities exist in Massachusetts. The speakers will be Julie Hennrikus, executive director of StageSource; Tug Yourgrau, president/owner and co-founder of Powderhouse Productions; and other speakers representing North Shore Music Theatre, American Repertory Theatre, Powderhouse Productions, and the Massachusetts Film Bureau. Date: Thursday, May 30, 2013 Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University, Montserrat College of Art, Northshore Alliance for Economic Development and Creative Economy Association of the North Shore |
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Date: Thursday, May 30, 2013 Cosponsored by SEED Corporation & Eastern Bank |
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SEED Basic Entrepreneurial Workshop: Session II: Understanding and Preparing Financial Statements
Date: Thursday, May 30, 2013 Cosponsored by SEED Corporation & Eastern Bank |
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Starting a Business? You Need Financial Systems 101 Your new business has an awesome logo and a sweet website. But how much time have you spent on your financial systems? Poor planning here can create major headaches later, especially at tax time. Do you need an accountant? A separate business bank account? Which expenses are tax deductible and how do you track them? This workshop on money basics for businesses answers the questions and provides examples of how to do it right...and what to avoid. The speakers will be Leslie Jorgensen, founder and CEO of Supporting Strategies and Stephen Schultz, COO of Supporting Strategies. Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2013 Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University, Montserrat College of Art and Creative Economy Association of the North Shore |
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Facebook for the Business Professional (with a "shot" of Instagram!)
This Facebook for Business workshop will teach you how to harness the power of this social network. Learn how to grow your fan following, increase conversions and engagement, and communicate more effectively with customers online. We will also check out how small businesses are using Instagram to increase brand awareness and engage with their customers! It is preferred that attendees have a working knowledge on how to use Facebook in a personal capacity before registering for this workshop. Date: Tuesday, June 4,
2013 Cosponsored by the Fall River Office of Economic Development |
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Laying the Foundation for Your Business Join the Marshfield Chamber of Commerce and the Marshfield Selectmen in a workshop designed to help our local businesses succeed. Representative James Cantwell will introduce a wide array of organizations, led by the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network, an organization that helps small businesses. Each speaker will discuss the various services they offer. Secretary Gregory Bialecki, of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, will be joining us as the keynote speaker. Date: Tuesday, June 4,
2013 Cosponsored by the Marshfield Chamber of Commerce |
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Export School Fast Track Certificate Program & CGBP Review
This one-day, fast-paced version of our Export School will offer three tracks on all major components of the export process: international sales and marketing; export logistics and banking; and export regulatory compliance and legal issues. This comprehensive, hands-on seminar will offer "one-stop-shopping" for all of your export questions! In addition, the program will feature a "resource table" highlighting a wide range of government programs that assist exporters, as well as an optional CGBP exam review session at the end of the program.
Speakers Include:
Date: Wednesday, June
5, 2013 |
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Using Mobile Technology & the Cloud Over 110 million Americans have smart phones, with that number to increase by another 30% by the end of next year. Did you know that a small business using mobile technologies for business can save an average 5.6 hours per week and an average of $14,000 a year? Start taking advantage of the trends in technology to improve your business' productivity and efficiency. "Using Mobile Technology and the Cloud" is designed to help you navigate the Cloud, mobile apps, mobile marketing, new social media mobile platforms and more! Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2013 Cosponsored by HarborOne U |
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The Art & Science of Sales and Marketing Innovative and practical approaches to sales will quickly improve your company's bottom line. Learn about cold calling, closing sales, getting that first appointment, making presentations and developing positive long-term relationships with customers. The speaker will be Jay Wallus of JayWallus.com. Date: Thursday, June 6, 2013 Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University |
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Exporting Temporary, Repair, Replacement and Hand-Carry Shipments
Many exporters face challenges like these and end up either swallowing the added cost or passing on the cost to an unhappy customer. This can be avoided, however, with accurate and complete annotations on export documentation; using tools such as carnets or temporary import bonds; and, in particular, the development of distinct processes for these special-circumstance transactions. This two-part webinar will provide guidance on several issues that require special attention in these cases, including: proper valuation and classification of products and repairs; documentary requirements and verbiage; handling of AES reporting requirements; Customs clearance facilitation; and more.
Speakers include:
Dates: Friday, June 7
and Friday, June 14, 2013 |
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Thinking of sourcing products internationally, but not sure where to begin? Join us for this overview of what is required to successfully and cost-effectively import products into the United States. Topics will include sourcing considerations, parties involved in the import transaction and various government regulations that can affect your import transactions. The speaker will be Paula Connolly, Esq. with the Law Offices of Paula M. Connolly. Date: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 Cosponsored by the Massachusetts Export Center, the Enterprise Center at Salem State University and the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development |
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This workshop will provide you with an overview of funding types and sources, explain the criteria used by lenders and capital providers in assessing financing proposals, review the elements of a classic loan package, assess the current resource environment, and demystify the pursuit of capital. Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 Sponsored by the MSBDC Boston Regional Office & Minority Business Center and the Somerville Chamber of Commerce |
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Many sales experts say that cold calling is crucial, yet most of us agree it can be very scary. But does it really work, and is it really necessary? The answer is "yes". So how can we improved our cold calling skills and success rate? What should we avoid? Join us for an interactive workshop and head home with a clear game plan for actually enjoying and succeeding at cold calling. Date: Thursday, June 13, 2013 Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University |
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Understanding Financial Reports If you are in business, financial statements are an essential tool. Knowing how to read your financial statements can help you understand what happened last year in your business and what is likely to happen this year. Presented by Robb Morton of Boisselle, Morton & Associates, LLP. Date: Thursday, June
13, 2013 |
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Date: Thursday, June 13, 2013 Cosponsored by SEED Corporation, Rockland Trust Community Development Corporation, U.S. Small Business Administration, New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, New Bedford Economic Development Council and SCORE |
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SEED Basic Entrepreneurial Workshop: Session II: Understanding and Preparing Financial Statements
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2013 Cosponsored by SEED Corporation, Rockland Trust Community Development Corporation, U.S. Small Business Administration, New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, New Bedford Economic Development Council and SCORE |
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Making the Most of your Online Presence: Simple Strategies that Make a Difference Are you an owner of a small- to medium-sized business who is not sure you are making the most of your online presence? Do you not have the time or budget for complicated fixes and SEO consultants? In this seminar you will learn some simple strategies that you can easily use to:
Date: Tuesday, June
18, 2013 Cosponsored by Downtown New Bedford Inc. & Force 4 Photography |
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The care of aging Americans is big business on the North Shore, in Massachusetts and beyond. But what comprises elder care? What kinds of businesses exist in this field? Are there gaps and opportunities now that the baby boomers are retiring? This workshop will feature two North Shore leaders who are well known in this field; they'll talk about the many faces of elder care and give their perspectives on what lies ahead. The speakers will be Paul Lanzikos, executive director of North Shore Elder Services; Tom Riley, president and COO of SeniorLink; and an additional speaker TBA. Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University |
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Routed export transactions are extremely common in cases where the foreign customer is paying for the shipment and related costs, and some U.S. exporters may even prefer routed transactions due to the seemingly lower level of hassle. Though these transactions may seem easier, routed export shipments often put U.S. firms at greater risk for export violations. Join us to learn about best practices in routed export transactions and tips for avoiding pitfalls that may lead to export violations. Speakers will discuss the responsibilities of each party involved in a routed export transaction, reporting and recordkeeping requirements, operational procedures, and best practices for working with routed freight forwarders. Speakers include:
Date: Thursday, June
20, 2013 |
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LinkedIn for the Business Professional (with some "Tweets" mixed in!)
This LinkedIn workshop will cover: profile building and guidelines; best practices for maximum results; company pages, groups and applications; targeting and approaching prospects and building your network. We will also check out how small business owners are using Twitter to establish a brand online, keep their customers informed and discover new ideas. It is preferred that attendees without a LinkedIn account, sign up for one in advance of this workshop. Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 Cosponsored by the Fall River Office of Economic Development |
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Come to network and take away four tips for relaxing: a beautiful summer evening (we hope!), refreshments, fun people and no agenda. If you're fried before summer even starts, this is the perfect non-workshop for you. It's highly interactive. THERE WILL BE NO SPEAKERS. Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 Cosponsored by the Enterprise Center at Salem State University |
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