Small Business and Technology Development Center offers January seminars

Jan. 8, 2009 -- The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) of Arkansas State University-Jonesboro will present seven three-hour seminars on various topics of interest to the small business owner and entrepreneur during the month of January.

The first seminar, “Generational Marketing:  Spanning the Generations,” is set for Wednesday, Jan. 21 from 9-noon at the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce Building, 201 Hazel Street.  The guest speaker is Susan Glasgow, ASU SBTDC training coordinator.

The “Generational Marketing” seminar will teach business owners how to recognize the true marketing potential of their business by learning about generational marketing.  This workshop also gives demographic information about each generation, what influences buying, and ways to target each generation within the specific market.  It is designed for anyone considering starting a business or operating an existing small businesses.  The cost is $35 per person and chamber of commerce members will receive a $10 discount.  Cosponsors are the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce and the Newport Economic Development Commission.

The second workshop, “Marketing Research for Small Business”, is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 22, from 6-9 p.m., in Mountain Home at the Baxter County Library, 424 West Seventh Avenue.  Herb Lawrence, ASU SBTDC director, will be the speaker.

Industry analysis, customer segmentation, financial benchmarking and direct and in-direct competition are topics covered in the workshop.  Participants can learn how entrepreneurs apply simple market research techniques to help foster business growth as well as marketing research tools and assistance that help businesses improve revenues.  Registration is $35 per person.  Mountain Home cosponsors are the Baxter County Library and the Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce.

This seminar will be offered again Jan. 29 from 1-4 p.m. at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, 2005 White Drive, Batesville.  The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, White River Planning and Development District, and the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville are the cosponsors.

The workshop will be presented for the third time from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the ASU Technical Center, 5504 Krueger Drive in Jonesboro.  Cosponsors are the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce and East Arkansas Planning and Development District.

The third training offering, “Web Page Design I - Basic”, will be held Monday, Jan. 26, from 6-9 p.m. at the ASU Technical Center, 5504 Krueger Drive, Jonesboro.  The seminar is part of Arkansas Entrepreneur Week, which runs Jan. 36-30.  Jim Bryant, President of IT Associates, LLC, will be the guest speaker.

Participants will develop a basic small business website and professional quality pages using hypertext markup language (HTML).  Participants should have a working knowledge of word processing and Internet browsers.  A comprehensive workbook is included in the fee.  Registration fee is $49 per person and space is limited.  Cosponsors are IT Associates, East Arkansas Planning and Development District, and the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Two sessions of "Starting a Business in Arkansas," are slated. The first workshop will be held Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 6-9 p.m. at the ASU Technical Center, 5504 Krueger Drive, in Jonesboro.  The guest speaker will be Susan Glasgow, ASU SBTDC Training Coordinator.

Simultaneously, “Starting a Business in Arkansas” will also be presented in the Batesville area.  The seminar will be from 6-9 p.m. in IH 204 at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, 2005 White Drive.  Herb Lawrence, ASU SBTDC center director will be the guest speaker.

This workshop, designed for anyone considering starting a business, provides practical advice for the planning stage and determining the feasibility of the business idea. Participants will study the major steps crucial to starting a business, key issues that affect business success, and start-up requirements.  Also on the agenda are licenses, permits, taxes, and financing.

Registration is $30 per person, and veterans may attend at no charge.  Cosponsors are the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, White River Planning and Development District, and the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville.  East Arkansas Planning and Development District and the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce are the Jonesboro cosponsors.

Arkansas Entrepreneur Week winds up with the last workshop, “Growing Your Business in Tough Economic Times,” to be held from 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, 2005 White Drive.  The seminar will be in IH 204, and the guest speaker will be Herb Lawrence, ASU SBTDC center director.

With gas prices fluctuating, consumer spending dropping, and the housing market floundering, business survival in difficult times is becoming more challenging every day.  Small business owners will learn about the basics of recessions and the effect on their markets.  Discover what businesses can do to survive, even grow and prosper, during a recessionary period.  Topics will include keeping cash flow healthy, easy marketing techniques to use, and even how to go against the grain to thrive in a recession.

Registration is $35 per person.  The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, White River Planning and Development District, and the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville are the cosponsors.

All of the Jonesboro workshops are cosponsored by East Arkansas Planning & Development District and  Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce.  Advance registration is requested.

For more details or to register, contact the SBTDC at (870) 972-3517, or register online at http://sbdc.astate.edu.  

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