Training Seminars & Events
The
Western Region offers a full calendar of business training.
All training is currently offered at no charge unless otherwise
noted. This calendar is
subject to change. Pre-registration is required for all events.
Please review our training policies at
the bottom of the page. For information on other
Massachusetts SBDC training offered throughout the
state, visit the Massachusetts SBDC's statewide training calendar at
www.msbdc.org.
We would like to thank the following agencies for cosponsoring our training events.
Platinum Sponsors:
Gold Sponsor:
Silver Sponsors:
Freedom Credit Union | Granite
State Development Corporation | Greenfield Northampton
Cooperative Bank |
Holyoke Credit Union | Monson Savings Bank
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2026 Training Calendar |
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| Unless otherwise noted, training is offered online. | |
| Apr 01 | Is Your Business One Phone Call Away from a Security Disaster? |
| Apr 23 | The Art of Pricing Your Product with Don Lesser |
| May 06 | Your Data Gone in 60 Seconds! Is Your Business One Bad Monday Away From Losing Everything? |
| Jun 03 | Friend or Fraud - How to Put AI to Work Without Getting Burned |
Program Descriptions
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Various topics that we will cover:
Whether you are tech-savvy or just getting started, "Tech Talks with Rob" will provide you with the knowledge and tools to leverage technology for your business’s success. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn, grow, and secure your business in the digital marketplace. During each session, Rob will present a brief 15–20-minute introduction to the topic at hand, followed by an interactive discussion and Q&A period. This series aims to create a welcoming environment where participants are encouraged to ask questions. Remember, there are no bad questions. Date: Typically held on the first Wednesday of the month - click on date below to register
Your employee just quit — and they still have your business email on their phone. Your tablet with QuickBooks was stolen at a trade show. A staff member's personal phone — the one they use to text customers — just got hacked. If any of these scenarios make you nervous, this webinar is for you.
Customer records, invoices, years of work — wiped out by a ransomware attack, a failed hard drive, or a flood. It's not a question of if it happens to small businesses, it's when — and 43% of businesses that experience major data loss never reopen. This month's Tech Talks with Rob tackles the topic most business owners know they should deal with but keep putting off: Backup & Disaster Recovery: Your Business Lifeline. In just 20 minutes, you'll learn the 3-2-1 Rule (the one backup strategy every business needs), why Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Drive are not backups, how ransomware silently destroys your backups before you even know you've been hit, and free tools already sitting on your computer waiting to be turned on.
You've heard about AI for two years. You might even be using it. But here's what nobody is telling you — the same AI tools that can save your business 15 hours a week are being weaponized against businesses just like yours right now. This month's Tech Talks with Rob cuts through the noise with "Friend or Fraud: How to Put AI to Work Without Getting Burned" — a no-jargon, no-hype, 20-minute session that covers both sides of the AI story. You will learn which free and low-cost AI tools are actually saving small business owners time right now (writing, customer service, scheduling, bookkeeping), what data you should never put into an AI tool and why, how voice cloning and deepfake video calls are being used to trick employees into authorizing wire transfers, the one protocol that stops AI-powered payment fraud cold, and how to write a one-page AI use policy for your staff in a single afternoon.
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The Art of Pricing Your Product with Don Lesser There is an art to setting a price for your work. Apple rarely offers discounts. Clothing stores often build their initial prices with a plan for a series of discounts. Consulting firms employ various techniques to avoid quoting an hourly rate, while law firms typically provide an hourly rate and adhere to it. How do you determine the right rate to charge for your time? If your rate is too high, you may scare clients away; if it's too low, clients might undervalue your work. On one hand, you need to consider a livable rate for your work, and on the other, you should be aware of the range of rates in your market. Do you offer discounts? How do you price a job, and how do you accommodate add-ons or changes? Do you have different rates for various types of clients? What about providing services for free? How do you negotiate rates with potential clients? This workshop will guide you through the process of determining your rate and sticking to it. The speaker will be Don Lesser, former president of Pioneer Training, Inc. Don was in business for 30+ years, owning three separate companies, as well as working for Dataviews Corporation in Amherst. Don's companies grew and shrank over the years, and the nature of the businesses changed to meet client demands, but he was successful at it. Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
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 Training
Policies:
Training events are supported by federal taxpayer funds. By registering, you certify that you are legally authorized to receive services funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars, in accordance with applicable federal law and regulations. The Massachusetts SBDC reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a training session. Seminar materials are for attendees only. |
Join
us for "Tech Talks with Rob" an enlightening webinar series designed
specifically for small business owners looking to navigate the
complex world of technology. Each session, hosted by tech expert Rob
DelMastro, will delve into critical topics that are essential for
running a modern business in the digital age.