Upcoming Seminars and Events: December 2007

Reservations required for all seminars

For more information on any of the seminars, contact the Business Development Center at 734-462-4438.

Watch your mailbox for additional seminar details or log onto our website at: http://www.schoolcraft.edu/bdc/?p=bc

SBTDC

How to Start a Small Business: From Vision to Reality

A three hour seminar designed for new entrepreneurs interested in learning a practical step-by-step process for starting a small business. It will provide you with a network and resources to utilize when questions arise. Objectives include: Understanding the basics of starting a business, the advantages of networking, and when it may be necessary to utilize community resources for the development of your business.

$30 per person
January 9, February 6, or March 5, 2008
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
OR
January 23, February 20, or March 19, 2008
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

How to Write a Business Plan: Your Roadmap to Success

Designed for new and existing business owners who do not currently have a business plan in place, this one-time seminar will provide an overview of what is included in a dynamic business plan. In addition, attendees will receive worksheet components that outline the basic items in a business plan. Ultimately, allowing you to complete the plan on your own.

Goal: To create a foundation for a well thought-out written business plan.

$40 per person
January 16, or March 12, 2008
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
OR
February 13, April 16, 2008
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

How to Grow Your Business: Effective Marketing Techniques for Small Businesses

This three-hour one time seminar will provide a comprehensive guide to re-evaluating your product or service and how to effectively price, promote and distribute it. The seminar is designed for new and existing business owners who want to get an edge on the competition and successfully compete in the marketplace. Participants will learn how to identify and retain the right customers as well as how to develop a winning annual marketing plan with supporting budget.

$40 per person
February 21, 2008
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

TEAM SBA (Small Business Administration) Financing Roundtables


If you are starting or expanding a business and need financing, plan on attending a TEAM SBA Financing Roundtable. You’ll meet with bankers, SBA loan officers, and small business consultants to discuss your financing needs. The roundtables are limited to a small number of business owners and you must register in order to attend.

No admission charge
February 7, 2008
9:00 am - 11:00 am

Certification Orientation: Women’s Business Enterprise

The Michigan Women’s Business Council invites women business owners to an orientation session to learn what it means to be certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise. If you have a product or service that you’d like to market to American corporations, here’s your chance to explore certification. The Michigan Women’s Business Council is a program of the Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED), an SBA Women’s Business Center.

For more information or to register, please call CEED at 734-677-1444.

$25 per person
date TBD
9:00 am - 11:00 am

PTAC

How to Become a Government Contractor

Federal Government Contracting 101

State of Michigan Contracting 101

What does it take to become a successful government contractor? What services and resources are available to a small business pursuing the government market? If your company has been considering the field of government contracting, this seminar will give you the insight you need. Did you know the federal government purchases more than $350 billion of goods and services a year and the State of Michigan has a diverse portfolio valued at more than $11.6 billion? Find out what it takes to sell your goods and services to the federal government and the State of Michigan. In addition, learn about the services and continuous support the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) has available to help your company with the contracting process.

$40 per person
January 17, February 21, or March 20, 2008
Registration begins at 8:30 am
9:00 am - Noon
Reservations Required http://ptacofsc.ecenterdirect.com

Registration Assistance for Government Contractors

PTAC clients looking for assistance completing their Central Contractor Registration, SBA’s Procurement Marketing and Access Network, the State of Michigan Vendor Registration, or any other online registration are invited to the PTAC for this seminar. Counselors will be available to help clients understand and complete their registrations, using the PTAC’s computer lab.

$20 per person
January 31, February 28, or March 27, 2008
Registration begins at 8:30 am
9:00 am - Noon
Reservations Required http://ptacofsc.ecenterdirect.com

Finding Your Way to GSA

GSA Federal Supply Schedules are contracts that allow federal customers to acquire more than 4 million products and services directly from more than 8,600 commercial suppliers. Mike Klewicki is a GSA expert who will educate clients on the many mysteries regarding the GSA procurement arena and Federal Supply Schedules. This class is intended for businesses that would like to learn about supply schedules, buying potential and marketing through a GSA schedule.

$40 per person
dates TBD for 2008
Registration begins at 8:30 am
9:00 am - Noon
Reservations Required http://ptacofsc.ecenterdirect.com

Marketing Your GSA Schedule Contract

General Service Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedules are contract vehicles that allow federal agencies to purchase more than 4 million products and services directly from more than 8,600 commercial suppliers. After dedicating considerable time and resources to obtaining a schedule contract, contractors find they need assistance in marketing to the federal government. The PTAC of Schoolcraft College will host GSA contractors for a morning of instruction and conversation regarding marketing GSA products and/or services to the federal government. The morning will consist of a presentation by facilitator Mike Klewicki followed by a roundtable discussion of specific issues that companies are facing. The focus will be on finding new federal customers and increasing contract sales.
*This event is intended for companies that currently hold a GSA Schedule Contract and wish to learn more about marketing their schedule and company to government agencies.

$40 per person
dates TBD for 2008
Registration begins at 8:30 am
9:00 am - Noon
Reservations Required http://ptacofsc.ecenterdirect.com