SEMINARS & TRAINING

SBDC courses, seminars and conferences provide up-to-date, practical information on a wide variety of business topics and are designed to educate entrepreneurs about management procedures. Programs teach basic business skills as well as more advanced and specific business management. These low cost workshops feature experts and leaders from industry, government, higher education, and professional association.

The SBDC offers The First Step as a required seminar for those who are willing and motivated to start a business venture. The First Step will cover personal issues, financing, marketing, business planning, business structure and licenses and registration. Sessions are offered free of charge for two hours bi-weekly. 

For Registration and Information call the SBDC at (570) 408-4340

Fall 2008 Business Management Seminars 

 * If taking both eBay classes the total cost for both classes is $60.

New seminars are added on a regular basis.  Check back periodically for updates.

MetroAction, SBDC and Chamber Team Up to Bring Award-

Winning Business Training Program to Luzerne County

The Wilkes University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has teamed up with Metro Action and the Wilkes-Barre Chamber to bring iMetroAction's successful Small Business Institute program to Luzerne County this fall. The Small Business Institute will be held at the Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre on Tuesdays, October 7th to November 25th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

The institute is an intense 2-month training program that utilizes the award winning Core Four® curriculum, including success, market, cash flow, and operations planning. This hands-on, common sense approach to small business development was designed to offer an entrepreneurial educational program like no other in this region.  Over the past three years, the program has graduated more than 75 entrepreneurs and managers.

“The Small Business Institute helped me to better understand all of the aspects of running my business,” stated Yvonne Alu, owner of Hansel & Gretel. “As a non-financial person, the program helped me better understand the financial side of my business.   I would highly recommend it to any business looking to gain a competitive edge for long-term success.”

Challenges are abundant when it comes to developing and maintaining successful businesses. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, roughly 50% of small businesses fail within the first five years.

“Small business owners, both potential and existing, should have as many tools for success as possible, particularly in this very competitive economic environment,” states Ruth Hughes, Director of Wilkes University’s SBDC. “The Small Business Institute is an excellent way for entrepreneurs to gain valuable information and training in the areas that will give their businesses better chances for success.”

The Small Business Institute, sponsored by Community Bank & Trust Company and Bold Gold Media Group, takes place on Tuesday mornings, October 7 through November 25, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre. Cost is $149 per person. 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, contact MetroAction (570) 342-7711 or chitchcock@metroaction.org or The Wilkes University SBDC at  (570) 408-3336 or dorothy.lane@wilkes.edu.

FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO INC. MAGAZINE WHEN YOU ENROLL IN A SEMINAR WITH A FEE OF $10 OR MORE!  Applicable registration fees for courses include a one-year subscription (12 issues) to Inc. Magazine, valued at $10. To activate your subscription or to receive a refund from Inc. Magazine for the value of the subscription, please see the class moderator on the day of the class for full details.

For Online Learning Visit Small Biz U

To access the courses below, click on

 the link below:  
http://www.smallbizu.org/pawilkes/

Course Choices Include:

-         Crafting A Business Plan

-         Activeplans Business Plan Software

-         Strategic Planning and Execution

-         Starting a new Business

-         Choosing a legal Structure

-         Buying a Business

-         Hiring and Managing Employees

-         The entrepreneurial Strategies

-         Small Budget Marketing

-         Market Insight and Research

-         Positioning

-         Pricing Strategy and Tactics

-         Advertising and Promotions

-         Marketing 101 : the Fundamentals

-         Understanding Intellectual Property

-         Finding Money to Start a Business

-         Creating A Loan Package

-         Finding and Attracting Investors

-         Creating Financial Projections

-         Accounting 101: The Fundamentals

-         Tax Seminars and Workshops