SMALL BUSINESS LEARNING...

Community Futures Central Alberta Fall 2013 Learning Sessions 1 | P a g e

SMALL BUSINESS LEARNING SESSIONS

September Lunchtime Learning – Preparing Your Cash Flow for Your Business Plan (Classroom Session) Learn how to create a cash flow statement for your business plan. The staff at Community Futures Central Alberta will work with you to make sense of why you need a cash flow in your business plan and why it is important to understand it for your business. Presenter: Community Futures Central Alberta Staff Monday, September 9 12:10pm - 1:00pm Cost: FREE Negotiating Commercial Leases and Renewals for Dummies This must-attend presentation will benefit any tenant leasing commercial or retail space. Learn what your landlord doesn't want you to know ... directly from the industry expert and meet the author of Negotiating Commercial Leases & Renewals For Dummies. Free leasing CD will be offered to all attendees. This session will address:

Site selection and lease negotiating fundamentals

Maximizing free rent, tenant allowance and other inducements

Effective strategies for working with real estate agents and landlords Presenter: Jeff Grandfield, The Lease Coach Tuesday, September 10 9:30am - 11:00am Cost: $15

Refocus Your Social Media Efforts Companies are now starting to realize that "being on" social media isn't enough. They're looking for new strategies and ideas to take their profiles to the next level. This session will look at developing a social media strategy, social media contesting, content planning and social media trends. Learn:

How to increase your level of social media knowledge

How to create a basic social media content plan and strategy

About new social media trends and platforms Presenter: Brian Siddle, Strong Coffee Marketing Wednesday, September 11 1:30pm - 3:30pm Cost: $30


Selling to the Government of Alberta The Government of Alberta is looking for YOU – and your goods and services. With over 2000 purchasers, they buy everything from agricultural goods to professional services and everything in between – and these opportunities are being posted daily for you to find. This session helps you to understand the Alberta Government’s buying practices, who buy what, how they are purchased, and how to get onto their electronic tendering site – the Alberta Purchasing Connection (APC). You will learn about:

Government of Alberta procurement practices

Registering your business on the APC

Searching for opportunities

Tips on how to bid for opportunities Presenter: Chelle Busch, Service Alberta, Government of Alberta Thursday, September 12 9:30am - 11:00am Cost: FREE Marketing for the New Millennium: More than Social Media Successful marketers determine an effective marketing strategy - a balanced between creative ideas, media and implementation. Social media marketing has enticed many organizations to abandon marketing methods that worked. Whether you use PR, social marketing, direct marketing, advertising, or sales, the key to creating impact is having an effective strategy. In this session, you will learn how to:

Increase the impact of your marketing efforts and build deeper relationships with your prospects and customers

Strategically combine traditional and social media

Position your concept in the customer’s mind using traditional and social media

Use your resources more effectively

Keep your competitive edge Presenter: David Saxby, Spark Communications Thursday, September 12 1:30pm - 3:00pm Cost: $15 Lunchtime Learning – Preparing Your Start up Budget for Your Business Plan (Classroom Session) Learn how to create a budget for your business plan. The staff at Community Futures Central Alberta will explain the steps to figure out how much money you will need to open your business and keep your business operating. Presenter: Community Futures Central Alberta Staff Monday, September 16 12:10pm-1:00pm Cost: Free


Accounting and Tax for Small Business If you’re a business owner who is just starting out or finding yourself growing, you’ll want to attend this session. Obtain a better understanding of the importance of strong accounting and tax planning to maximize your profits. Learn about:

• Corporate compliance

• Corporate/personal tax planning

• Growing your business and understanding your costs Presenter: Jonathan Gallo, Gallo and Company Chartered Accountants Tuesday, September 17 9:30am - 11:30am Cost: $30 Structuring Your Business for Success This session will act as a beginners guide to starting a business in Alberta and is filled with information to guide you through processes necessary to starting your business and establishing a plan that will lead to your success. You will learn valuable information on:

How to incorporate in Alberta and why it is important

What you need to consider when taking on a business partner

Identifying situations that can hurt a business and proper planning Presenter: Kevin Galandy, Bayside Associates Wednesday, September 18 10:00am - 11:00am Cost: $15 Managing Your Facebook Page This live demonstration of an actual Facebook Business page will help guide you through your own Facebook page and ensure you are maximizing its potential. Facebook pages have become an important part of the marketing mix. Companies that understand Facebook are able to build unique relationships with their customers and gain important insights into their industries. This demo will teach you about:

• Facebook insights and analytics

• Facebook advertising (high level)

• Posting options Presenter: Brian Siddle, Strong Coffee Marketing Wednesday, September 18 1:30pm - 3:00pm Cost: $15


Doing Business with the Government of Canada-WEBINAR (ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY) Interested in selling your goods or services to the federal government? Not sure where to start? The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) offers information to businesses interested in learning about the procurement process and how to sell goods and services to the Government of Canada. Topics include:

• Overview of the contracting process • Registering in supplier databases • Searching for opportunities on BuyandSell.gc.ca and tips for bidding on those

opportunities Presenter: Darlene Chuka, Office of Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of Canada Thursday, September 19 9:30am - 11:00am Cost: FREE Start-Up Seminar Series #1 September 23-25 See seminar package details on page 16 & 17. What Not to Web-WEBINAR (ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY) Is your website like your favourite pair of jeans - familiar, comfortable but a decade old and almost worn through? Like fashions, the web is constantly changing and evolving. With a ten-year-old website, you might be committing some Internet faux-pas, that you don't see, but your customers do. Watch as marketing strategist and art director Randy Brososky, and digital marketing expert Dana DiTomaso take a local small business owner through an honest and thorough consultation of their website. What works. What doesn't. What can be built on and what needs to be thrown out before more customers are exposed to it. Presenters: Randy Brososky, Group of Rogues & Dana DiTomaso, Kick Point Thursday, September 26 1:30pm - 2:30pm Cost: $15 Introduction to QuickBooks Friday, September 27 See QuickBooks details on page 26.


Lunchtime Learning – Preparing Your Marketing Plan and Market Research for Your Business Plan (Classroom Session) Learn how to create a marketing plan and how to gather market research. The staff at Community Futures Central Alberta will explain what is needed for a marketing plan and why you should do market research before going into business. Presenter: Community Futures Central Alberta Staff Monday, September 30 12:10pm-1:00pm Cost: FREE

October

Online Marketing Double Header Webinars October 1 See seminar package details on page 17 &18. Bookkeeping Essentials Webinar Series October 2, 9 &16 See seminar package details on page 18 &19. Grow Your Business with Email and Social Media Marketing Focus on how small businesses can grow by leveraging email and social media marketing and address how setting marketing goals and objectives will help them determine the best targeted channels to push out their social and email campaigns. There will be interactive exercises throughout the sessions that will leave attendees with actionable steps that can be used to build out the framework for their next great campaign, and ultimately, achieve their goals. Learn how to: • Build a marketing framework that really works

• Maximize impact with both email + social

• Get messages read, opened, shared, and socially visible

Presenters: Brandon Klayman & Shane Lamotte, Conscious Commerce Wednesday, October 2 1:30pm - 3:30pm Cost: $30 Rural Business Webinar Series October 3, 10 & 17 See seminar package details on page 20 & 21.


Lunchtime Learning – Business Plan Questions & Answers (Classroom Session) Are you having trouble with your business plan? The staff at Community Futures Central Alberta will be available to answer any questions you might have or any areas that you are struggling with. Presenter: Community Futures Central Alberta Staff Monday, October 7 12:10pm-1:00pm Cost: FREE Getting to Know Your Industry and Market This session will provide an overview on the wide range of data products Statistics Canada offers business owners. Gain a basic understanding of selected standard geographic and industry classifications. Learn how to conduct basic market and industry research on Statistics Canada’s website, specifically:

Demographic and socio-economic characteristics of local population

Household spending patterns

Population projections

Size and sales of an industry

Number of businesses with an industry

Trends of selected industries Presenter: Pamela Borland, Statistics Canada Tuesday, October 8 9:30am - 11:00am Cost: FREE Make Customer Focused Service Your Finest Asset Customers demand outstanding service and reward you with their loyalty. Learn to see what customers see. What do you communicate without speaking? Is your attitude contagious? Can you handle your toughest customers? In this session, you will learn:

How to listen powerfully, direct the conversation, read body language, and hone your phone tone

About customer satisfaction indexes (CSI) and what motivates customers to come back again and again!

Presenter: Jim Spiers, Microbusiness Training Centre Tuesday, October 8 1:30pm - 3:00pm Cost: $15 Beginner QuickBooks Training Friday, October 11 See QuickBooks details on page 27.


Promotions: Creating Buzz for Your Biz on a Shoestring Limited budget? Want to create a buzz about your product, service or company? Join us to learn cost-effective and often free promotional tips and techniques. Find out how to effectively promote using traditional and electronic methods for a wide range of products and services. In this session:

Understand how promotion differs from advertising

Discover often forgotten promotional techniques

Learn how to identify new opportunities

Find out how to leverage online technologies to increase your visibility Presenter: Greg Gazin, Gadget Guy/Parallel 2000 Corp. Thursday, October 17 1:30pm - 3:30pm Cost: $30 Business Dating? Networking in the Age of Social Media During this interactive conversation about social media and networking, we will share tips and techniques that you can use to improve your networking skills in person and online. Learn about:

The limits of social media

The advantages of having part of your networking approach take place online

What it means to engage an audience over time Take home techniques and insights to conducting the type of networking best suited to your type of business. See what it means to 'date' in the world of business in an age of social media. Presenter: Randy Boissonnault, Xennex Inc. Wednesday, October 23 9:30am - 11:00am Cost: $15 Building Your Business on Customer Referrals-WEBINAR (ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY) Getting clients by referral is one of the most enjoyable experiences to be had in business. Knowing that people are talking about you and sending their family and friends to you is a wonderful feeling. It doesn't just happen by chance though. Building your business around referrals takes effort and a definite strategy. In the end, it is all dependent on the strength of your business relationships. Explore how to:

Create lasting business relationships

Follow-up in a powerful way

Get referrals coming in! Presenter: Cliff Turner, Mobile Minds Thursday, October 24 9:30am - 11:00am Cost: $15


Payroll QuickBooks Training Friday, October 25 See QuickBooks details on page 27.

Lunchtime Learning – Preparing Your Cashflow for Your Business Plan (Classroom Session) Learn how to create a cashflow statement for your business plan. The staff at Community Futures Central Alberta will work with you to make sense of why you need a cashflow in your business plan and why it is important to understand it for your business. Presenter: Community Futures Central Alberta Staff Monday, October 28 12:10pm - 1:00pm Cost: FREE Start-Up Business Essentials Webinar Series-WEBINAR (ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY October 29-31 See seminar package details on page 21 & 22. Accounting and Tax for Small Business-WEBINAR (ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY) If you’re a business owner who is just starting out or finding yourself growing, you’ll want to attend this session. Obtain a better understanding of the importance of strong accounting and tax planning to maximize your profits. Learn about: • Corporate compliance


• Growing your business and understanding your costs

Presenter: Jonathan Gallo, Gallo and Company Chartered Accountants Wednesday, October 30 1:30pm - 3:30pm Cost: $30

November

Lunchtime Learning – Preparing Your Start up Budget for Your Business Plan

(Classroom Session)

Learn how to create a budget for your business plan. The staff at Community Futures

Central Alberta will explain the steps to figure out how much money you will need to

open your business and keep your business operating.

Presenter: Community Futures Central Alberta Staff Monday, November 4 12:10pm-1:00pm Cost: Free


Business Growth Essentials Webinar Series November 5-7 See seminar package details on page 22 &23. Selling to the Government of Alberta The Government of Alberta is looking for YOU – and your goods and services. With over 2000 purchasers, they buy everything from agricultural goods to professional services and everything in between – and these opportunities are being posted daily for you to find. This session helps you to understand the Alberta Government’s buying practices, who buys what, how they are purchased, and how to get onto their electronic tendering site – the Alberta Purchasing Connection (APC). You will learn about:

Government of Alberta procurement practices

Registering your business on the APC

Searching for opportunities

Tips on how to bid for opportunities Presenter: Chelle Busch, Service Alberta, Government of Alberta Wednesday, November 6 1:30pm – 3:00pm Cost: FREE Refocus Your Social Media Efforts Companies are now starting to realize that "being on" social media isn't enough. They're looking for new strategies and ideas to take their profiles to the next level. This session will look at developing a social media strategy, social media contesting, content planning and social media trends. Learn:

How to increase your level of social media knowledge

How to create a basic social media content plan and strategy

About new social media trends and platforms Presenter: Brian Siddle, Strong Coffee Marketing Tuesday, November 12 1:30pm - 3:30pm Cost: $30 Services and Resources for Employers Alberta Works has 59 offices across the province with people, resources and services to help employers. They have the knowledge and skills to assist employers with worker attraction and retention services, publications, occupational health and safety and employment standards developed by the Province to support employers. You will learn:

How to access employer events closest to your home community

How to select online or printed resources that will provide you with information on the HR series and Employment Standards

Presenter: Leigh Bornn, Alberta Works, Department of Human Services Wednesday, November 13 9:30am - 10:30am Cost: FREE


Doing Business with the Government of Canada

Interested in selling your goods or services to the federal government? Not sure where

to start? The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) offers information to

businesses interested in learning about the procurement process and how to sell goods

and services to the Government of Canada. Topics include:

• Overview of the contracting process • Registering in supplier databases • Searching for opportunities on BuyandSell.gc.ca and tips for bidding on those

opportunities Presenter: Darlene Chuka, Office of Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of Canada Wednesday, November 13 1:30pm - 3:00pm Cost: FREE Videos and Podcasts for Your Business Videos and Podcasts have become valuable tools for many businesses way beyond simply being a means of advertising. You no longer need to be a Fortune 500 company to afford them or a Hollywood director to create them. You literally have the power in the palm of your hands. In this session, you will:

Gain a better insight about the power and value of videos and podcasts

Learn how and when to use each of them to get your message out and position yourself as an expert

Step you can take and tools you will need to create them

Understand the value of iTunes and YouTube

How to integrate your creations with your Social Media accounts Presenter: Greg Gazin, Gadget Guy/Parallel 2000 Corp. Thursday, November 14 1:30pm - 2:30pm Cost: $15 Introduction to QuickBooks Friday, November 15 See QuickBooks details on page 26. Lunchtime Learning – Preparing Your Marketing Plan and Market Research for Your Business Plan (Classroom Session) Learn how to create a marketing plan and how to gather market research. The staff at Community Futures Central Alberta will explain what is needed for a marketing plan and why you should do market research before going into business. Presenter: Community Futures Central Alberta Staff Monday, November 18 12:10pm-1:00pm Cost: FREE


The Power of Effective Networking Most opportunities are found in the people around you. Knowing how to create and maintain lasting business relationships is key to finding and capitalizing on those opportunities. In this session, you will learn how to:

Initiate contact in a memorable way

Maintain relationships through effective follow-up

Become the central hub of a valuable network Presenter: Cliff Turner, Mobile Minds Tuesday, November 19 9:30am - 11:00am Cost: $15 Managing Your Facebook Page-WEBINAR (ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY) This live demonstration of an actual Facebook Business page will help guide you through your own Facebook page and ensure you are maximizing its potential. Facebook pages have become an important part of the marketing mix. Companies that understand Facebook are able to build unique relationships with their customers and gain important insights into their industries. This demo will teach you about:

• Facebook insights and analytics

• Facebook advertising (high level)

• Posting options Presenter: Brian Siddle, Strong Coffee Marketing Wednesday, November 20 9:30am - 11:00am Cost: $15 Negotiating Commercial Leases and Renewals for Dummies-WEBINAR (ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY) This must-attend presentation will benefit any tenant leasing commercial or retail space. Learn what your landlord doesn't want you to know ... directly from the industry expert and meet the author of Negotiating Commercial Leases & Renewals For Dummies. Free leasing CD will be offered to all attendees. This session will address:

Site selection and lease negotiating fundamentals

Maximizing free rent, tenant allowance and other inducements

Effective strategies for working with real estate agents and landlords Presenter: Jeff Grandfield, The Lease Coach Wednesday, November 20 1:30pm - 3:00pm Cost: $15


Help Wanted! Hiring the Right People-WEBINAR (ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY) As your business grows, the need for additional resources increases. More growth and resources mean more risks, costs and challenges. How will you know when to hire people and how to properly evaluate them? In this session, you will learn:

How to write up a job description and job posting

Inexpensive and no expense applicant resources/widening the talent pool

How to evaluate candidates on paper and in person, and tricks of the trade Presenter: Tonya Syvitski, Dialog Thursday, November 21 9:30am - 12:00pm Cost: $30 Start-Up Seminar Series #2-WEBINAR (ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY) November 26-28 See seminar package details on page 24 & 25. Beginner QuickBooks Training Friday, November 29 See QuickBooks details on page 27.

December

Lunchtime Learning – Business Plan Questions & Answers (Classroom Session) Are you having trouble with your business plan? The staff at Community Futures Central Alberta will be available to answer any questions you might have or any areas that you are struggling with. Presenter: Community Futures Central Alberta Staff Monday, December 2 12:10pm-1:00pm Cost: FREE How to Keep Good Staff A common theme with all employers is how to keep staff. The root of staff retention challenges for a small business is often related to lack of resources. This session will discuss the issues that are common but not discussed, and innovative solutions and approaches to the issues. You will discover:

• Common challenges and their root causes

• Innovative solutions to these challenges • Tools and resources available

Presenter: Tonya Syvitski, Dialog Tuesday, December 3 9:30am - 12:00pm Cost: $30


Accounting and Tax for Small Business If you’re a business owner who is just starting out or finding yourself growing, you’ll want to attend this session. Obtain a better understanding of the importance of strong accounting and tax planning to maximize your profits. Learn about:

• Corporate compliance


• Growing your business and understanding your costs Presenter: Jonathan Gallo, Gallo and Company Chartered Accountants Wednesday, December 4 9:30am - 11:30am Cost: $30 Presentation Skills for Small Business During this session, you will learn how to speak effectively in front of an audience and leave them wanting to buy your products and services. You'll learn how to overcome your fears and how to incorporate speaking as part of your marketing program. The seminars industry is a great way to promote yourself. By the conclusion of the session, you'll have the skills to put together a presentation that truly sells and places you as the "go to" expert in your field. Learn how to:

Open and close your presentation

Use PowerPoint and flip charts

Strengthen your presentation by using stories and analogies Presenter: Martin Presse, Booya Seminars Thursday, December 5 1:30pm - 3:30pm Cost: $30 QuickBooks Training-Year End &T4’s Friday, December 6 See QuickBooks details on page 27. Lunchtime Learning – Preparing Your Cash Flow for Your Business Plan (Classroom Session) Learn how to create a cash flow statement for your business plan. The staff at Community Futures Central Alberta will work with you to make sense of why you need a cash flow in your business plan and why it is important to understand it for your business. Presenter: Community Futures Central Alberta Staff Monday, December 9 12:10pm - 1:00pm Cost: FREE


Getting to Know Your Industry and Market This session will provide an overview on the wide range of data products Statistics Canada offers business owners. Gain a basic understanding of selected standard geographic and industry classifications. Learn how to conduct basic market and industry research on Statistics Canada’s website, specifically:

Demographic and socio-economic characteristics of local population

Household spending patterns

Population projections

Size and sales of an industry

Number of businesses with an industry

Trends of selected industries Presenter: Pamela Borland, Statistics Canada Tuesday, December 10 9:30am - 11:00am Cost: FREE Sources of Capital and their Pros and Cons This session walks you through the life cycle of a company - from idea to fully mature company and the sources of funding available at each stage. From "love money" to grants, to private investment, to banks to venture capital - what is good and bad about each type of funding and when should a company seek each source out? You will learn:

When are certain types of financing available to companies?

What are the pros and cons of each type?

What do investors and bankers look for and what are the differences between the two?

Presenter: Corey Keith, Keith and Associates Wednesday, December 11 9:30am - 11:30am Cost: $30


Time to Move from Intellectual to Actual! Perhaps you’ve been told you need to write a book, produce a video, or create physical or online products. This, they tell you, will help you succeed, make lots of money, and even make you famous. Perhaps? Perhaps NOT! Join prolific author and publisher Bob 'Idea Man' Hooey as he explores and outlines what you need to know before you begin your writing or publishing. You can successfully publish products that take your intellectual property into actual products. In this webinar, you will learn:

The 6 questions you need to answer before you begin your writing or other project

Pitfalls and best practices used by top selling, successful authors

Creative and cost effective approaches to bringing your product into reality Presenter: Bob Idea Man Hooey, Ideas At Work! Thursday, December 12 1:30pm-3:00pm Cost: $15 Lunchtime Learning – Business Plan Questions & Answers (Classroom Session) Are you having trouble with your business plan? The staff at Community Futures Central Alberta will be available to answer any questions you might have or any areas that you are struggling with. Presenter: Community Futures Central Alberta Staff Monday, December 16 12:10pm-1:00pm Cost: FREE


SEMINAR AND WEBINAR PACKAGES

Start-Up Seminar Series #1 - September 23-25 $99 package or $45 each Start Your Business! This is one of Alberta’s most informative small business seminars. It’s packed with valuable information to help you start off right and increase the odds of your business being successful. The session will address:

Reasons for starting a business

How good business ideas are discovered and evaluated

Why and how business plans are developed

Important marketing aspects to consider

Financing sources available

Pros and cons of the three common legal structures of business Presenter: Jay Krysler, NAIT, JR Shaw School of Business Monday, September 23 9:00am - 12:00pm Cost: $45

Preparing a Business Plan Preparing a good business plan will require a significant investment of time and research on your part. Attending this session will only be the start of a process that will lead to developing your own business plan. It will provide you with a general overview and basic understanding of:

The purpose and the components of a typical business plan

The use of a business plan as an ongoing tool for business success

How marketing, operations and finance are inter-related

The importance of finding further information for your plan Presenter: Jim Ewing, The Business Link Tuesday, September 24 9:00am - 12:00pm Cost: $45


Market Research 101 Market research is for every stage of your business development. Whether you are exploring a potential venture or growing operations, our team of dedicated research staff have tricks and tips for you! Discover the internal research resources available from The Business Link. Gain insights on how to find the best information available on the Web quickly and freely. In this session, you will learn:

What market research is

Why you need to conduct market research

How to conduct market research

How market research can help to complete or update a business plan

Sources for secondary market research data

How to find information on consumers, businesses, industries and international markets

Presenters: Andrea Steinhauer & Meredith Perich, The Business Link Wednesday, September 25 9:00am - 12:00pm Cost: $45

Online Marketing Double Header Webinars – October 1 $22 package or $15 each The Power of Email Marketing Permission-based Email Marketing is the most cost-effective, targeted, trackable, and efficient way to build and maintain relationships, and drive business success for all types of business and organizations. This information-packed seminar will communicate the latest best practices and proven strategies, and encourage participants to combine email with social media marketing to maximize their reach and engagement. In this session, learn how to:

• Become a trusted email sender in the eyes of your prospects, customers, and members

• Build your list! How to find and keep email list subscribers • Target your communications – how to get the right message to the right people at

the right time Presenter: Brandon Klayman, Conscious Commerce Tuesday, October 1 9:30am - 11:00am Cost: $15


Social Media Marketing Made Simple This information-packed session offers a basic review of the essential strategies and best practices to get you started with social media marketing. The webinar will cover:

What social media marketing really is and why it’s important

Various social media networks and tools: how they interact, ways to leverage their strengths, and how to evaluate them for best use for your business

How other businesses are using these low-cost tools to gain visibility, develop relationships, and drive sales and engagement

How to incorporate social media marketing into your business life without losing productivity

You will leave with real-world insights and knowledge that you can put to work immediately, to help your business succeed. Presenter: Shane Lamotte, Conscious Commerce Tuesday, October 1 1:30pm - 3:00pm Cost: $15

Bookkeeping Essentials Seminar Series – October 2, 9 & 16 $66 package or $30 each

Bookkeeping Tips and Techniques – Part 1 In this session, you will learn basic bookkeeping and payroll procedures, record-keeping requirements and different methods of recording transactions. Gain tips on how to manage the paperwork and get the results you need. You will learn:

• How to keep track of your income and expenses including payroll, GST, and shareholder investment

• What record keeping information does Canada Revenue Agency need • From pen and paper, to spreadsheets, and software… what should I use?

Presenter: Jackie Bernal, Bernal Business Services Inc. Wednesday, October 2 9:30am - 11:30am Cost: $30


Bookkeeping Tips and Techniques – Part 2 There’s more to bookkeeping than just the basics. Here we will take a more in-depth look to avoid some of the costly mistakes, and often misunderstood aspects of record keeping for your business including payroll, office-in-home, automobile use, employee or subcontractor, employee benefits & allowances, and more. In this session, you will learn:

• How to handle staff bonuses, meals, gifts, training, etc. • When an individual is a sub-contractor vs. an employee, and the consequences

of getting it wrong • Tips for recording automobile use, office-in-home expenses, non-deductible

expenses, and more Presenter: Jackie Bernal, Bernal Business Services Inc. Wednesday, October 9 9:30am - 11:30am Cost: $30 Bookkeeping Tips and Techniques – Part 3 Congratulations! You have learned the basics about recording your profit or loss; gained a more advanced understanding of payroll and labour costs: and learned what to watch out for when recording automobile, office in home expenses, and more; but now what? Is the only purpose of bookkeeping to pay the tax man? Find out why your Financial Statements are a treasure trove of information. You will learn:

• What are Financial Statements and how they relate to each other • What they can tell your banker, accountant, and Canada Revenue Agency about

your business • What they can tell you about your business

Presenter: Jackie Bernal, Bernal Business Services Inc. Wednesday, October 16 1:30pm - 3:30pm Cost: $30


Rural Business Webinar Series – October 3, 10 & 17 $33 package or $15 each

Advertising and Sales Strategies for Rural Business Something has happened in the past five years in advertising, have you felt the shift? An ad that used to have customers banging down your door no longer generates any buzz. Small business owners are asking questions, because they realize marketing is crucial to the success of their organization. What they want to know is:

• How do I get a better response from my advertising? • How do I know my advertising is working? • Consumers are empowered in whole new ways through technology, how do I

create new and novel ways to reach them? • Social media has opened up a direct line of communication for consumers to

express their likes and dislikes with brands on an interpersonal level, how do I leverage that?

Presenters: Ranchelle Alexander & Tricia Dey Twomey, Alexander Twomey Business Consulting Thursday, October 3 1:30pm - 3:00pm Cost: $15 Eight Common and Costly Social Media Mistakes Rural-based companies understand the importance of utilizing social media for their businesses but are still afraid of entering their brands into the new media age. In this session, you will become more comfortable with social media and overcome your fears. You will learn:

• Which social media channels are most effective for your industry and your rural community

• How social media will help even if you’ve already invested in local advertising media

• How to measure your results, as time is money and you don’t want to waste it • How to manage negative feedback, not fear it

Presenters: Ranchelle Alexander & Tricia Dey Twomey, Alexander Twomey Business Consulting Thursday, October 10 1:30pm - 3:00pm Cost: $15


Recruit and Retain Motivated Staff for Rural Markets If you are a manager or owner, you understand how difficult it can be to have staff quit and to begin the hiring process. Even more frustrating is the struggle to accommodate staff who appears to be unmotivated. Have you ever wondered how that happens, or what happened? You will learn the answers to these common dilemmas:

• Your star employee suddenly becomes the least productive and appears to have had a serious change in behaviour

• You have staff leaving your company for another and telling you it is because of the money or the benefits

• Your team is not functioning the way they used to and you can’t figure out why • You are a new manager or owner, inherited a team and are struggling to connect

with them Presenters: Ranchelle Alexander & Tricia Dey Twomey, Alexander Twomey Business Consulting Thursday, October 17 9:30am - 11:00am Cost: $15

Start-Up Business Essentials Webinar Series – October 29-31 $33 package or $15 each Basics of Business Planning-WEBINAR (ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY) This fast-paced session will provide you with a high-level overview, introducing you to key elements that need to be considered for your business plan. In addition to reviewing the outline of a typical business plan, you’ll be introduced to a process and flow that turns data and information into a usable guide for your business. That guide will become your business plan! You will learn about:

A typical business plan outline

Understanding your value proposition

Establishing your business footprint

Key business relationships for success Presenter: Jim Ewing, The Business Link Tuesday, October 29 9:30am - 10:30am Cost: $15


Market Research for the Business Plan-WEBINAR (ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY) Are you working on your business plan? Discover the internal research resources available from The Business Link and the free research resources available to help you complete your business plan. Learn about market research sources to help you develop your industry profile, marketing plan, staffing plan, operations and financial plan. Presenter: Andrea Steinhauer, The Business Link Wednesday, October 30 9:30am - 10:30am Cost: $15 Business Start-Up 101-WEBINAR (ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY) Starting a business is simple...but it's not easy. There are a number of important steps that you need to complete in order to successfully launch any new business venture. Learn the basics behind business structure, registration, licensing, taxation and other start-up considerations. In this webinar, you will learn:

A practical, "how to" approach to new venture creation and business start-up

To understand the main steps you need to address before you start your business

Various tips and a checklist to starting your business with ease Presenter: David Bayda, The Business Link Thursday, October 31 9:30am - 10:30am Cost: $15

Business Growth Essentials Webinar Series – November 5-7 $33 package or $15 each Refine Your Marketing and Increase Your Sales! Now that you’ve established a client base, how do you take your business to the next level? When growing your business, you’ll need to be more in tune with meeting consumer demands. In this webinar, we will review how to refine your marketing strategy so you can increase sales and better serve your clients – current and new. You will learn:

How to evaluate the 4 P‟s of marketing (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) to ensure you’re meeting client demands

How to manage your growth so you don’t create demands you can’t meet

Some tactical tips to market your business Presenter: Cherie Klassen, The Business Link Tuesday, November 5 9:30am - 10:30am Cost: $15


Putting the Customer Back in Customer Service Customers choose to purchase a product or service based on quality, price and the level of service that is provided. If you are a new or small business, chances are that you may not be able to compete on price and if the quality of your product or service is the same, you better be leading the way with exceptional customer service. In this webinar, you will learn:

To understand how customers make their purchasing decisions

What customer service is and more importantly, what it isn’t

Why customer service is a planned focus Presenter: Brent Bushell, The Business Link Wednesday, November 6 9:30am - 10:30am Cost: $15 The Ebbs and Flows of Being an Employer When you start small, your success is you and your product or service. When you grow though, your product and services suddenly require more than just you, and you go from being a one man shop to more. Your success at this point will be completely intertwined with your people; your people will also become your Achilles heel. In this webinar, you will take away tips on how to ensure you start out on the right foot to deal with the people you want and to keep the ones you have got. Learn how to:

Hire the right people

Set your staff up for success

Manage your staff Presenter: Tonya Syvitski, Dialog Thursday, November 7 9:30am - 10:30am Cost: $15


Start-Up Seminar Series #2 (November 26-28) $99 package or $45 each Start Your Business! -WEBINAR (ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY) This is one of Alberta’s most informative small business seminars. It’s packed with valuable information to help you start off right and increase the odds of your business being successful. The session will address:

Reasons for starting a business

How good business ideas are discovered and evaluated

Why and how business plans are developed

Important marketing aspects to consider

Financing sources available

Pros and cons of the three common legal structures of business Presenter: Jay Krysler, NAIT, JR Shaw School of Business Tuesday, November 26 1:00pm - 4:00pm Cost: $45

Preparing a Business Plan-WEBINAR (ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY) Preparing a good business plan will require a significant investment of time and research on your part. Attending this session will only be the start of a process that will lead to developing your own business plan. It will provide you with a general overview and basic understanding of:

The purpose and the components of a typical business plan

The use of a business plan as an ongoing tool for business success

How marketing, operations and finance are inter-related

The importance of finding further information for your plan Presenter: Jim Ewing, The Business Link Wednesday, November 27 1:00pm - 4:00pm Cost: $45


Market Research 101-WEBINAR (ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY) Market research is for every stage of your business development. Whether you are exploring a potential venture or growing operations, our team of dedicated research staff have tricks and tips for you! Discover the internal research resources available from The Business Link. Gain insights on how to find the best information available on the Web quickly and freely. In this session, you will learn:

What market research is

Why you need to conduct market research

How to conduct market research

How market research can help to complete or update a business plan

Sources for secondary market research data

How to find information on consumers, businesses, industries and international markets

Presenters: Andrea Steinhauer & Meredith Perich, The Business Link Thursday, November 28 1:00pm - 4:00pm Cost: $45


QUICKBOOKS TRAINING SESSIONS

All of our courses use QuickBooks 2012, which is installed on our computers. If you choose to bring your own laptop, please have the 2013 Pro version of QuickBooks loaded. If you are using our computers, please bring a flash drive so you can take a copy of your work home with you. You will be provided with handouts of the information you are learning at each class. In order to attend any of the QuickBooks classes, you must have basic knowledge of bookkeeping. For example, you must know what the following functions are:

Chart of Accounts

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Payable

How to prepare a bank reconciliation

The difference between a debit and a credit If you are not confident in your ability, we suggest that you take the Bookkeeping Essentials Seminar—Part 1 (at a minimum). This seminar is offered on Wednesday, October 2nd. Introduction to QuickBooks-Offered on September 27 and November 15. This course costs $179.00 or $299.00 for the package deal, which includes both the Introduction to QuickBooks and QuickBooks for the Beginner. Learn how to get organized and started in the software. Specifics about what you will be learning are:

1. Learn how to set your QuickBooks file up properly

Initial file set up and activation

Setting up your Chart of Accounts

Setting your Preferences for the company

Setting up your customers and vendors 2. Learn how to maneuver in QuickBooks 3. Backing up and restoring your file


QuickBooks for the Beginner-Offered October 11 and November 29. This course costs $179.00 or $299.00 for the package deal, which includes both the Introduction to QuickBooks and QuickBooks for the Beginner. This course will begin after your file is set up and you want to begin processing your bookkeeping documentation. You will be taken through the accounting cycle covering sales, payables/payments, banking and GST. Basic accounting topics will be discusses as well. The following is a detailed outline:

1. Sales Transactions: sales receipts, create invoices, credit memos, receive payments from customers, apply discounts and credits, create statements

2. Accounts Payable: enter bills, pay bills, printing cheques, enter credit card charges, pay the credit card, enter bills you paid personally and reimburse yourself

3. Bank and other reconciliations: how to prepare reconciliations 4. File a Sales Tax Return 5. QuickBooks reports: how to find the basic reports you might want to view

QuickBooks Payroll-Offered October 25. This course costs $179.00. Learn how to set up the basic payroll file in your QuickBooks. You will learn how to do payroll item setup, employee set up, basic payroll processing, how to pay your CRA remittances and how to prepare ROE’s. A subscription to QuickBooks Payroll is required to perform this function on your personal computer. This is available with Pro versions of QuickBooks. Prepare Your Bookkeeping for Year End and T4 Processing-Offered December 6. This course costs $179.00. This will show you what your accountant wants to see when you bring your year end in and what you need to prepare your T4s.

SMALL BUSINESS LEARNING...

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