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End of the Year Workshops for your Business Dec 13-15

It’s that time to start wrapping up the EOY deadlines. But why stop there? Get a jumpstart on planning for next year by utlizing the no-cost, business consulting services of your local Small Business Development Center.

These low-cost, end-of-the-year seminars offer you the first step. You can sign-up for business development workshops and seminars at http://www.sbdctampabay.com/training or select your county from the left side bar on the training page.

Here are some offered in Hillsobrough:

Understanding QuickBooks, Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Where: SBDC at the University of South Florida, Tampa Port Authority Building, Tampa
When: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Topic: Business Accounting and Budget
Creating invoices, writing checks and managing customers, QuickBooks makes it all easier. This introductory class takes you through the basics of the software program. Taught be a certified public accountant, this course will get you started on making your company’s bookkeeping more simple.
Building the Ultimate Business Plan, Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Where: SBDC at the University of South Florida, Tampa Port Authority Building, Tampa
When: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Topic: Business Basics
Business planning is the foundation to starting a new venture, raising funds or growing your business. Receive all the tools necessary to complete a practical business plan, including a copy of the Ultimate Business Planner software. Our expert advice simplifies conducting necessary research to make decisions and develop financial projections. Don’t be intimidated, take the first step.
Financing Your Business in Today’s Economy, Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Where: Dade City Chamber of Commerce, Tampa
When: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Topic: Financing
Are you looking for money for your business? Are you considering a SBA loan? This seminar will help you zero in on the right funding choices for your business and avoid money scams. Our financing veteran will educate you on how to ask for a loan, get prepared for the bank and where to find money in a tight-fisted economy. You’ll explore: . SBA loans: when, where and how to apply . How to plan your financing request to banks . Which banks are making loan . Angel investors and venture capitalists . Six Cs of credit and how credit scores affect your business . The fundamentals of royalties, licensing and supplier credit . Busting the myths about small business grants . SPECIAL BONUS: Find out 88 ways to get money without going to the bank!
Speaker: Carol Hendrix, MBA, CBA
Basic Government Contracting 101, Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Where: SBDC at the University of South Florida, Tampa Port Authority Building, Tampa
When: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Topic: Government Contracting
Ready.set.sell to the federal government! This workshop provides information on registering with the federal government, how to locate federal opportunities, who to market to within the federal government, and so much more!
Starting Your Business, Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Where: SBDC at the University of South Florida, Tampa Port Authority Building, Tampa
When: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Topic: Start-up Assistance
You’ve got the idea. Now you need to know how get on your way. Starting Your Business is a class that teaches just that. From how to determine feasibility and legal structure to the type of license you will need, this class covers all the essentials that will help you get started.
Going Global: International Trade Basics, Thursday, December 15, 2011 Where: SBDC at the University of South Florida, Tampa Port Authority Building, Tampa
When: Thursday, December 15, 2011 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Topic: International Trade
International firms are more stable than domestic companies. It could benefit you to expand your market beyond the border. Find a starting point and learn the fundamentals of international trade. By providing a broad overview of the trade arena, you’ll be able to formulate a strategy, understand how to develop a viable trade plan and support your effort through readily accessible resources. Get ready to go global!
SEO: 15 Steps to Improve Your Google Rankings, Thursday, December 15, 2011
Where: SBDC at the University of South Florida, Tampa Port Authority Building, Tampa
When: Thursday, December 15, 2011 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Topic: Marketing and Sales
A major component of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is On-Site Optimization. This seminar will teach you how to develop a SEO strategy, based on methods of the Amazon best-selling book, “The Small Business Owners Handbook to SEO.in Just 15 Steps,” by industry expert, Stephen Woessner. You’ll learn how to select keywords that are proven performers, combine the keywords into site content, & boost site popularity. More specifically, attendees will master: * Basic: SEO terms * Why Google: is the only search engine that matters! * How To Use: several free SEO tools when selecting the best keywords * How to Implement: a practical 15-step process for optimizing site content & building popularity * How to Measure: results using free tools, like Google Analytics All attendees get a copy of Woessner’s, “The Small Business Owners Handbook to SEO.in Just 15 Steps.”
 

The Small Business Development Center at USF region spans a 10-county area providing free, one-on-one consulting and offering more than 300 low-cost entrepreneurial programs each year. Its Certified Business Analysts are specialized in industry-specific sectors to help small businesses make sound decisions in a complex and ever-changing marketplace. Call (813) 905-5800 for more info or visit http://www.sbdctampabay.com/training