Small Business and Technology Development Center sets monthly seminars

Nov. 3, 2008 -- Arkansas State University’s Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) kicks off the month of November with a week-long schedule of seminars aimed at helping individuals succeed in business.

The workshops get underway Monday, Nov. 10 with “Remarkable Customer Service.” Two workshops are slated for Tuesday, Nov. 11, including “How to Write a Business Plan,” and “Starting a Business in Arkansas.” Wednesday’s (Nov. 12) installment is “Growing Your Business in Difficult Economic Times,” and “Generational Marketing” is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 13.

“Remarkable Customer Service” will run from 6-9 p.m. at the ASU Technical Center, 5504 Krueger Drive, Jonesboro. The program, with training from SBTDC coordinator Susan Glasgow, teaches how to deliver and exceed expectations in customer service. The cost is $35 per person.

The event is co-sponsored by the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce and the East Arkansas Planning and Development District.

The two Nov. 11 workshops are co-sponsored by East Arkansas Planning and Development District and the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Business consultant Laura Miller will instruct “How to Write a Business Plan,” teaching business owners organized methods of defining business concepts, estimating costs, evaluating competition, and determining risks. The seminar is from 1-4 p.m. at the ASU Technical Center, and “Starting a Business in Arkansas” is recommended before attending this seminar. Registration is $35 per person.

“Starting a Business in Arkansas” is from 6-9 p.m. at the ASU Technical Center, and costs $30. Veterans may attend at no charge. Glascow will answer questions about starting a business and help prepare participants for the intensive business planning process. Potential business owners will learn the steps to starting a business, identifying key issues that impact success, and discuss common pitfalls to avoid.

“Growing Your Business in Difficult Economic Times” is from 1-4 p.m. at the East Arkansas Planning and Development District at 2905 King Street. There is no charge and the workshop is co-sponsored by Arkansas Capital Corporation, Arkansas State University College of Business, Heritage Bank, Liberty Bank, Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, Simmons First Bank, and East Arkansas Planning and Development District.

With small business survival becoming more challenging every day in difficulty economic times, ASU SBTDC director Herb Lawrence will teach small business owners the basics of recessions and the effect on their markets. Owners will learn to read warning signs for recessionary periods and what a business can do to survive and even grow and prosper.

“Generational Marketing” runs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Newport Business Resource Center, 201 Hazel Street, Newport. Glascow will discuss how to utilize generational marketing through demographics and methods to target each generation within a market.

The fee is $35 per person. Lunch is provided by co-sponsor, the Newport Economic Development Commission. Other sponsors are Arkansas State University-Newport and the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce.

To view the training schedule, go to http://sbdc.astate.edu/Training_Calendar/TrainingCalendarNov08.html. For additional information, e-mail Susan Glasgow at sglasgow@astate.edu or call 870-972-3517.
             

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