ASU Small Business Development Center offers seminars in June

May 30, 2008 -- In June, Arkansas State University’s Small Business Development Center (ASU SBDC) continues to offer informative and affordable training seminars for small business owners throughout Northeast Arkansas. These training seminars focus on current and practical information covering a wide variety of business topics of importance to any entrepreneur. Topics include financing, marketing, business and financial planning, government contracting, and computer/Internet technology.

Training seminars that will be offered throughout June are listed below:

Starting a Business in Arkansas
(Duplicate sessions offered)

First Session
Tuesday, June 3, 1-4 p.m.
First Community Bank, 1325 Harrison Street, Batesville

Second Session
Friday, June 6, 9 a.m.-noon
Baxter County Library, 424 W. 7^th Ave., Mountain Home

Many questions that entrepreneurs have about starting a business are answered in this workshop. The program prepares participants for the intensive business planning process. Find out the major steps crucial to starting a business, identify key issues that will influence business success, and discuss common pitfalls to avoid as an entrepreneur. Herb Lawrence, director, ASU SBDC, will be the speaker. Registration is $30.

Co-sponsors for the Batesville seminar are the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, First Community Bank, University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, and White River Planning and Development District.

Co-sponsors for the Mountain Home seminar are Liberty Bank, Baxter County Library, Community First National Bank, Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce, and First National Banking Company (FNBC).

Web Page Design II – Advanced
Tuesday, June 10, 6-9p.m.
ASU Technical Center, 5504 Krueger Drive, Jonesboro

This seminar teaches participants how to create online order forms and simple shopping carts. Participants will learn how to use checkboxes, radio boxes, drop down boxes, hidden fields, and more. It will also provide in-depth explanation and instruction for configuring a basic shopping cart.  The speaker will be Deanna Beshears, project coordinator, Rural Sourcing. The cost to register is $49.

How To Write A Business Plan
Tuesday, June 17, 9 a.m.-noon
East Arkansas Planning and Development Center, 2905 King Street, Jonesboro

No matter how large or small, all businesses need a business plan. A business plan will help to define business concept, evaluate the competition, determine risks, and estimate costs. This seminar will explain and illustrate the business plan format. Attending "Starting a Business in Arkansas" is recommended before attending this seminar. Laura Miller, business consultant, ASU SBDC, will present this seminar. Registration is $35.

Intro to QuickBooks 2008 I, II, and III
Tuesday, June 17; Tuesday, June 24; Tuesday, July 1, 6-9 p.m.
ASU Technical Center, 5504 Krueger Drive, Jonesboro

“Introduction to QuickBooks Pro,” a popular computerized accounting program for business owners and entrepreneurs, will be offered. These classes will be presented on three consecutive Tuesday nights: June 17, June 24, and July 1.

This three-night seminar will introduce the popular computerized accounting program OuickBooks Pro, and will provide hands-on experience for the small business owner with little or no experience with the program. Participants must be comfortable operating a personal computer in a Windows environment. Each seminar covers different aspects of the QuickBooks program. The first session will address setting up a new company, chart of accounts, check writing, and bank reconciliation.  The second session will cover inventory, adjusting and reporting inventory, invoicing, and accounts payable and receivable. The third session covers how to set up necessary information in order to use payroll features, originate paychecks, and other issues.

Linda Harvey and Sherry Hensley, certified QuickBooks instructors, will be the presenters. Cost is $75 per person per night, or $150 for all three nights. Space is limited to the first 20 paid participants, so interested individuals are encouraged to register early. Advanced registration is required for this workshop.

The workshop is co-sponsored by Jones and Company Ltd., Computer Tutor, East Arkansas Planning and Development District, and Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Arkansas Sales and Use Tax and Arkansas Business Incentives
Thursday, June 19,1-4 p.m.
East Arkansas Planning and Development Center, 2905 King Street, Jonesboro

This seminar is designed to inform business owners of current sales tax laws, help to  prevent overpayment of sales tax, and to explain the increased audit risk businesses face due to increased compliance audits anticipated in the future. Also discussed will be the state of Arkansas incentives and tax credits that are available to many eligible businesses.  Jeff Simmons, Ted Walker, and David Rickman will be the guest speakers. The registration fee is $30.

The workshop is co-sponsored by Arkansas Tax Associates, Inc.

Business Financing Options
Tuesday, June 24, 6-9 p.m., Citizens Bank Annex Building, 285 E. College, Batesville

This seminar will explain how and where to get financing for prospective and existing businesses. Credit requirements, places to go for funding and the Small Business Administration's loan guaranty program will be presented. The speaker is Herb Lawrence , director, ASU SBDC. The registration fee is $35.

Co-sponsors are Citizens Bank in Batesville, University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, White River Planning and Development District, and Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce.

From Eureka! To Commerce
Thursday, June 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Caraway Road and University Loop, Jonesboro

This seminar will describe how small businesses can use the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to fund technical research and product prototyping. It will introduce participants to issues that affect the ability to convert research results into innovations that produce business success. The SBIR program offers more than $2 billion annually to help small businesses explore their concepts for technical and scientific innovations. This seminar explores how to go from the lab to sales. Speakers are Mildred Holley, technology programs manager, UALR SBDC, and Dr. Steve Stanley, Arkansas Science & Technology Authority (ASTA). Registration fee is $49 per person.  Arkansas ASSET Initiative, Arkansas EPSCoR, Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI), and the ASU College of Business are co-sponsors.

Co-sponsors for all of the events in Jonesboro are the East Arkansas Planning and Development District and the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce.  For more information on any of these programs, to register, or to see a complete training calendar, please call the SBDC at (870) 972-3517 or http://sbdc.astate.edu/.   Advance registration is requested.

The ASU SBDC is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration through a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Arkansas State University College of Business.  The program is extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis.  SBA cannot endorse any products, opinions or services of any external parties or activities.

For more information on these seminars, contact Susan Glasgow, training coordinator, Arkansas State University Small Business Development Center (ASU SBDC) at (870) 972-3517, or e-mail sglasgow@astate.edu.

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