Small Business Development Center
At Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry
chemeketa students

Take Control of Your Time & Get More Out of Life

By Chemeketa SBDC


Do you get to the end of the day wondering what you really accomplished?

Time for a change! Time to take control and manage your time instead of it managing you!

This lively, interactive presentation on provides strategies and solutions to boost productivity and efficiency. You’ll walk away with tips you can use the same day as the training.

Come and learn how to:

• Plan and prioritize quickly to get the most out of your day

• Make better time choices to find your productivity sweet spots

• Limit distractions and interruptions in order to be more productive and focused

• Learn how to increase your time efficiency by evaluating how you use your time

• Improve focus and avoid the common productivity trap of multitasking

• Utilize valuable strategies to manage email and electronic overload

• Learn holistic time management strategies to maximize your potential

 
Bethanne Kronick is an experienced productivity strategist, speaker and consultant who has successfully helped her clients learn practical strategies to improve their systems and workflow for over ten years. Bethanne is passionate about bringing productivity, balance and wellness to people at work and in life. She will inspire you to take control of your time so you can do the things you are passionate about.

As a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) Bethanne has presented to the following organizations: Port of Portland, Portland General Electric, OHSU, AAA Oregon/Idaho, Clean Water Services, Oregon Society of CPAs, and many others.

Date: Thursday, April 25
Time: 8:30 to 10 am
Location: Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry , 626 High Street NE
Cost: $35
Registration: 503.399.5088 or sbdc@chemeketa.edu


Home-Based Business Series

By Chemeketa SBDC

Home-Based Business Series

Session 1
How to Earn Extra $Money$ with a Mystery Shopping Business

Have you ever wanted to become a Secret Mystery Shopper? Have you seen ads telling you how to become a shopper, but only if you send them a lot of money? You do not have to pay to begin your new career in this exciting field. You will learn how to start your business endeavor as well as how to:

  • Create a Mystery Shopping Profile
  • Obtain necessary equipment
  • Create a company list
  • Sign up with many Mystery Shopping Companies
  • Become a Merchandiser too for extra income

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 23, 1 to 2 pm


Session 2
$Cash$ in with a Successful Home-Based Business

Are you tired of working for someone else? Do you need to make more money? Turn your talents and hobbies into profits at home by learning how to start a home-based business.  During this comprehensive, informative workshop, you will discover:

  • More than 100 home-based business ideas
  • Mandatory legal documentation
  • Many ways to market your product/service
  • How to take tax deductions (this workshop included!)
  • FREE future Q&A opportunities

If you really want to succeed in a home business, this step-by-step workshop is a must!

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 23, 2 to 4 pm


Session 3
Make $Money$ with a Typing/Word Processing Business

If you can type, then you can make money at home using your word processor or computer. Having already learned all about home-based business success you will now discover the secrets to profits in the typing/word processing business, including:

  • How and where to find clients
  • 50 ways to advertise/market your services
  • Effective home office equipment choices
  • 100 ways to make money with a computer
  • FREE national networking information

There really is a need for your services, so why not have the freedom to be your own boss, set your own hours, and have the opportunity to make more money than you ever did before by attending this workshop.

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 23, 4 to 5 pm

Cost:
$125 for all three sessions. Space is limited so sign up today.

Instructor:
LeeAnne Krusemark is a journalist, author, and owner of an award winning southern California public relations business since 1988. LeeAnne is a Chamber of Commerce past president and has been asked to speak at a Senate-sponsored business conference as well as for the Department of the Army. Her in-person lectures are offered at more than 200 facilities nationwide, including Purdue, and her online publishing class is offered at more than 1,000 facilities worldwide, including Harvard Adult Education.

The inspiration given to others in her comprehensive workshops has even been compared in writing to Oprah! In addition, LeeAnne has performed stand-up comedy at places like the Laugh Factory and Paramount Studios, which gives her the ability to interject lightheartedness and humor into the dissemination of educational information.

Location:
Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry
626 High Street NE in downtown Salem.
Free parking available at the Marion Parkade (map).

Next step:
Contact SBDC to register your spot: 503.399.5088 or email us at sbdc@chemeketa.edu.


Maximizing Contact with Customers After a Sale

By Chemeketa SBDC

Right after your customer buys something from you is the perfect time to give them love and attention. Don’t let them fade away. Be sure to remind them how great it was to buy from you (and not from someone else) and how pleased you were to have them as a customer. Here are five ways to do that, how many more can you add to this list?

• Congratulate them. Better than thanking them, a congratulatory “wow, you made a great choice!” or “congratulations on your new membership” lets them know not only that you appreciate their purchase, but that you approve of their decisions.

• Send a thank you that’s interesting and different. Instead of a regular thank you card, use something else that can be sent through the mail such as an envelope containing puzzle pieces. Or a small box with a surprise in it. Make the thank you memorable in some way.

• Ask another staff member to come over and thank the customer at the point of sale. A manager is best here, but any other staff member will do. This lets the customer know that the whole team appreciates the purchase.

• Create ways for customers to let their friends know about the purchase. This is easy these days with social media. But you can go beyond that by having a wall (a real one or a virtual one) where customers can post pictures of themselves with your products. Or space on your website for customers to pose with you and your service providers. Think of ways you can make your customers the stars of their own shows (and yours).

• Have exclusive events that only your best customers are invited to, and make sure they know that not just anyone has been invited. Offer tasty snacks and entertainment.

Please email me your great ways to keep contact with your customers post-sale, and I’ll write them into another column soon.

Marcia Bagnall is Director of the Chemeketa Small Business Development Center and instructor of Small Business Management Program . The Small-Business Adviser column is produced by the center and appears each Sunday. Questions can be submitted to SBDC@chemeketa.edu. Visit the SBDC at 626 High Street NE. in downtown Salem or call (503) 399-5088.


The Power of Email Marketing

By Chemeketa SBDC

More than 475,000 businesses use Constant Contact to help grow their business! Learn how to build relationships that are the key to the success of your business with easy, inexpensive and highly effective email marketing. Together, we’ll explore the basics of what email marketing is, why it works so well, how it easily integrates with social networking sites, and how to use it in your business planning and marketing strategy to achieve your business goals.

You’ll learn how to master email marketing communications with a comprehensive look at best practices and winning strategies for getting and keeping quality subscribers, increasing deliverability and open rates, writing good headlines and content, saving time, and getting readers to take action:

  • Reach more people with your message
  • Create email campaigns that get results
  • Get your emails opened and read
  • Write compelling subject lines and copy
  • Interpret email campaign results (open-rates, bounce-rates, click-thru rates)
  • Examples of successful email campaigns

This session is suitable for all experience levels. Anyone interested in learning more about email marketing. Participants do not need to be a Constant Contact customer to attend. All information provided can be applied regardless of the system or service you are using for Email Marketing.


Find the Franchise that is Right for You

By Chemeketa SBDC

Start a franchised business using a proven system.  Come and get the answers to the following questions:

■ What are the top executive style franchises to purchase now in today’s economy?

■ Are there good business to business franchises?

■ How do I make a safe decision in purchasing a franchise?

■ What is the right franchise for me?

■ What local resources are available to me?

■ What are the best financing methods for today’s economy?

■ What does it cost to buy a business or a franchise?

Date: Tuesday, April 23
Time: 10 to 11:30 am
Location: Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry , 626 High Street NE
Cost: $35
Registration: 503.399.5088 or sbdc@chemeketa.edu

Blair M. Nicol, CFE is the President and Owner of FranNet for the Pacific Northwest and Southern California. He is a classic example of a modern day entrepreneur who is living the American Dream and benefits of owning his own business and he wants to help others do the same.

Blair graduated  from Colorado State University with a degree in Finance and Real Estate. He is also a licensed Real Estate Broker for the state of California as well as has earned the premier designation in the franchise industry as a Certified Franchise Executive.


Supervisory Success for Small Business

By Chemeketa SBDC

Supervision is vital in any business organization. It is the most important link between management and employees which is aimed at overseeing work in an effort to meet goals and achieve success. Many in this role have learned by trial and error which is not a very effective strategy.

This series is packed with solid tools and skills to help you maximize your role and provide you with new ideas to manage and motivate your team. Whatever your supervisory experience you can benefit from new ideas and skills that keep you at your peak performance. Topics include:

■ Hiring and retaining the right employees

■ The roles and responsibilities of a owner/supervisor

■ Improving your communication

■ Building a successful team

■ Legal responsibilities, hazards, and law changes

■ Employee/supervisor performance partnerships

■ Separating ways when necessary

Who should attend

■  Small business owners supervising employees

■  Newly promoted or hired supervisors

■  Candidates for upcoming supervisory positions

Benefits of attending this program

■  Reduced stress associated with supervision

■  Increased confidence in your leadership ability

■  Improved team performance

■  Focus on the most important things as a business owner/supervisor

■  Learn best  practices and practical application

Instructors:

Dan Blair, JD
Dan has provided employee relations and HR compliance assistance to employers in the Pacific Northwest and California for more than 12 years. He has worked with employers on a broad range of issues including development and application of policies, job performance standards, leave of absence administration and disability management.

Dan regularly assists employers address disciplinary situations, including the termination process. He also helps employers navigate those tricky situations where HR practice and legal concerns (OFLA, FMLA, ADA, etc.) collide.  Dan has performed investigation services for employers on a range of issues including discrimination and harassment complaints. He has also assisted employers in union bargaining, grievance administration, and arbitration hearings.

Deborah Jeffries, PHR, CPC
Vice President, HR Answers, Inc.

Deborah Jeffries serves as Vice President for HR Answers, Inc.  She has 27 years  experience in the human resources field (21 in consulting), focusing on employment, employee relations, and training.  Currently Deborah directs the organization’s Advantage Plan Program (retained HR services), spends time on business development/marketing, as well as offering consulting and training assistant to clients.  Additionally, she is the editor of multiple newsletters for HRA, clients and several Northwest Associations. 

Deborah’s past experience includes recruiting, training, education, sales and marketing, as well as HR in retail, restaurant, staffing, and manufacturing environments.  She holds a BS in Psychology and a teaching certificate from Willamette University, and is a Certified Professional Consultant (CPC). 

Clients often comment on her no nonsense practical approach, as well as the positive attitude and her humor she brings.  Those that know Deborah have described her as energetic with a quirky sense of humor, a passion for HR, and a contagious laugh. 

Date: Wednesdays, April 10 – June 19
Time: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Location: Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry – 626 High Street NE
Cost: $395
Registration: 503.399.5088 or sbdc@chemeketa.edu


Social Media Series

By Chemeketa SBDC

Have you been wondering how different social media tools might be helpful for your business? Learn more in our short-and-sweet seminars!

Pinterest: A virtual pin board that lets users collect interesting images from the Web and share them with friends. Find out how to use it to promote your business!
Tuesday, February 5

LinkedIn: A world-wide virtual networking meeting and resume combined. Find out how to use it in your business!
Tuesday, February 12

Google + : A social media tool that is a little like Facebook and a lot useful for your website exposure. Come learn how to use it to increase exposure to your biz!
Tuesday, February 19

Time: 1 pm to 2:30 pm
Cost:  $35 each or $110 for all three
Information and Registration: 503.399.5088


Achieve Your Dreams in 2013!

By Chemeketa SBDC

Busy entrepreneurs in the Salem area

Do you set goals for the new year, but run out of steam by spring?

Even with the best of intentions, it’s easy to lose sight of the results you want in your business. Between putting out fires, distractions, and unexpected surprises, your goals and best intentions can fade like a distant dream.

Don’t let your business flounder! With the right kind of planning, you can stay focused and motivated throughout the entire year. And in our upcoming class, discover how!

Achieve Your Dreams in 2013:
The 90-minute kick in the pants your business has been waiting for!

Although we won’t literally kick you in the pants, we will give you the best techniques for maintaining focus on your business goals and a jolt of motivation for the new year.

What you’ll get from Achieve Your Dreams:

  • Clarity: Determine what you want and how you’ll get there
  • Motivation: Get a burst of energy from this unique planning process
  • Momentum: Lasting motivation that will carry you through the year
  • Results: With clarity and momentum come results in every area of business

What we’ll cover:

  • Goals: Your short- and long-term goals for 2013
  • Increasing reach: Widening your influence and marketing reach
  • Strategies: Time-saving and effective systems
  • Quality of life: How to stop working to create even more energy
  • Cash: Generating the income you’ve always hoped for

Date:

  • Tuesday, January 22, 2013
  • 12:30pm – 2:30pm

Taught by:

  • Marcia Bagnall, director of Chemeketa Small Business Development Center and founder of Bryce Vineyard
  • Jennifer Hofmann, owner of Inspired Home Office and advisor at Chemeketa SBDC
  • Lori Cegon, owner of Creative Results and Small Business Management program director
  • Marie Trucco, director of the Greater Independence Business Incubator
  • and others TBA

Cost:

  • $13 per participant
  • Call 503-399-5088 to reserve your spot!

If you’re ready to get results in 2013 and ready to learn some new skills to get there, sign up today for Achieve Your Dreams. Space is limited.

Call 503-399-5088 to reserve your spot!


Email and Facebook Marketing presented by Constant Contact

By Chemeketa SBDC

The Power of Email Marketing
Email is a powerful marketing tool for the business owner; a tool that, when used in the right way, will dramatically increase business growth and success. Combine your email marketing with social media and you’ve got a killer combination! Whether you’re more experienced with email and social media marketing, or just getting started, this is the seminar for you. And hey… it’s FREE!

1. Learn how to build relationships that are the key to the success of your business with easy, inexpensive, and highly effective email marketing (using an email service).

2. Explore the basics of what email marketing is, why it works so well, and how it easily integrates with social networking sites.

3. Learn how to master email marketing communications. We’ll take a comprehensive look at best practices and winning strategies for keeping existing subscribers engaged, and developing new relationships along the way:

- Reach more people with your message
- Create email campaigns that get results
- Get your emails opened and read
- Write compelling subject lines and copy
- See examples of successful email campaigns

Dana will walk through the first few steps of creating your first email campaign & will  ntroduce the Constant Contact Online Learning Center & Social Quickstarter.

Supercharging Your Facebook Marketing with Social Campaigns
If you’re like most businesses, you already see the value in connecting with your current and potential customers via social media. But the challenge is figuring out what you actually need to do with social media in order to drive real results for your business or organization.

This seminar is the “what, why, and how” of social campaigns: how to drive repeat business and amplify word of mouth by engaging your happy customers, stay top of mind to make it easy for them to share your message, and measure results. It’s divided into three core sections:

1. Plan: driving repeat business and amplifying word of mouth with a great offer!

2. Publish: sharing your message easily, to stay top-of-mind with others (engage!)

3. Promote: growing your business and measuring results

Dana will share examples of how others are using Constant Contact’s Social Campaigns to engage their current customers, gain new customers and grow their business.

Who should attend? These sessions are suitable for both the email and social media marketing beginner and for those who’ve had more experience – great hints and tips to apply to your small business marketing strategy!

Time: 10:30 am – 1 pm
Instructor: Dana Pethia, Regional Director, Constant Contact in the Pacific Northwest
Location: Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry, 626 High Street NE, Downtown Salem
Cost: FREE. Registration is required. A light lunch will be provided for those who pre-register. Seating is limited so REGISTER TODAY!

Registration and Information: 503.399.5088


Customer Awareness is Vital to Success

By Chemeketa SBDC

If your business (bricks and mortar or virtual) is going to be successful in the long run, you must focus on serving your customer’s needs and desires. The essence of marketing rests on your clear understanding of your customer and delivering a unique product that he or she cannot get anywhere else.

A Customer Analysis helps you predict which items will appeal to your customers and make a dramatic impact on how you spend your advertising dollars. Do you have answers for the following checklist?

1. Who are your target customers and what are they seeking from you?

2. Have you profiled your customers by age, income, education, occupation, etc.?

3. Are you familiar with your customers’ lifestyles?

4. Should you try to appeal to the entire market or just a segment?

5. Are there new customer segments or special markets that deserve attention?

6. Do you know where your customers live?

7. Do you use census data from your city or state?

8. Are you aware of the reasons why customers shop with you? (Convenience, price, quality products, etc?)

9. Do you stress a special area of appeal such as lower prices, better quality, wider selection, convenient location or convenient hours?

10. Do you ask your customers for suggestions on ways to improve your operations?

11. Do you know what products your customers most prefer?

12. Do you know what seasons and holidays most influence your customers buying behavior?

13. Have you considered using customer questionnaires to help you in determining your customer’s needs?

14. Do you know at what other types of stores your customers shop?

15. Do you visit market shows and conventions to help anticipate customer wants?

And, finally, what do you do with this information? Just gathering data is not enough. The answers to the above questions will now give you the opportunity to make true management decisions about your business. You now need set your business goals based on the analysis of your customer. Reminder — make all goals SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, responsible (person), and with a timeline).

Marcia Bagnall is Director of the Chemeketa Small Business Development Center and instructor of Small Business Management Program . The Small-Business Adviser column is produced by the center and appears each Sunday. Questions can be submitted to SBDC@chemeketa.edu. Visit the SBDC at 626 High Street NE. in downtown Salem or call (503) 399-5088.