Seminar Highlights: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center presents 5 Social Media Strategies for Small Business. Not sure where to begin with social media OR are you using social media to promote your small business but not sure how to integrate all the outlets you use? Do you know how to properly use your Facebook page analytics and insights to gauge success? Businesses of all sizes are using online tools like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and blogs to connect with customers. We'll show you five low-cost ways social media can bolster your current marketing efforts, current trends and recent changes in Facebook and Pinterest, and you'll leave with your own social media marketing or update plan to better locate your target customers online, and what it could mean for your business if you aren't involved in social networking. The ASBTDC is able to present this seminar at no cost to Arkansas small business owners due to a joint partnership with Connect Arkansas, a private, nonprofit corporation dedicated to increasing high-speed internet and adoption throughout Arkansas. Connect Arkansas is a project of The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group (ACCG). Within the partnership, participant information may be shared with ACCG. Drinks and snacks will be provided. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED; event is free for small business owners.
Speaker: Martha Londagin, U of A SBTDC Training Coordinator
Co-sponsor: Connect Arkansas, Arkansas House-Historic Inn and Organic Cafe, Downtown Jasper AR
Seminar Highlights: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center presents Email Marketing with Constant Contact. Email marketing doesn't cost much. It doesn't take a lot of time. And it's effective! A perfect fit for small businesses! Target the customer you want to reach and get results with email marketing. Learn how to get your email opened, how to grow your list, and how to use Constant Contact software to create professional-looking email campaigns in a snap. No technical expertise is needed.
Speaker: Herb Lawrence, ASU SBTDC Director
Co-sponsor: First Community Bank, First National Banking Company, Liberty Bank of Arkansas, Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce, Baxter County Library, ASU Mountain Home, Norfork Lake Chamber of Commerce
Seminar Highlights: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center presents 5 Strategies for Social Media Marketing for the Arkansas Small Business. Not sure where to begin with social media or are you using social media to promote your small business but not sure how to integrate all the outlets you use? Do you know how to properly use your Facebook page analytics and insights to gauge success? Businesses of all sizes are using online tools like Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, and blogs to connect with customers. We'll show you five low-cost ways social media can bolster your current marketing efforts, current trends and recent changes in Facebook and Pintrest, and you'll leave with your own social media marketing or update plan to better locate your target customers online, and what it could mean for your business if you aren't involved in social networking. The ASBTDC is able to present this seminar at no cost to Arkansas small business owners due to a joint partnership with Connect Arkansas, a private, nonprofit corporation dedicated to increasing high-speed internet and adoption throughout Arkansas. Connect Arkansas is a project of The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group (ACCG). Within the partnership, participant information may be shared with ACCG. Drinks and snacks will be provided. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED; event is free for small business owners.
Speaker: Martha Londagin, U of A SBTDC Training Coordinator
Co-sponsor: Connect Arkansas and Searcy County Arkansas Chamber of Commerce
Seminar Highlights: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center presents "LinkedIn for Small Business Marketing". The presenters for this seminar are from modthink a professional social media marketing company. This seminar will teach the attendee about the history and growth of LinkedIn, how to manage your professional information and information about your business on the internet, how to find and be introduced to potential clients, customers and subject experts, how to be found for business opportunities, how to post and distribute job listings for employees, and how to gain insights from discussions with like-minded professionals in private group settings. Pre-registration is required, snacks and drinks provided, you may bring a light supper. Call for student/staff/faculty discount. Free parking in the FPL garage.
Speaker: Robbie Fitzwater of modthink
Co-sponsor: First National Bank of Rogers and Great Southern Bank
Seminar Highlights: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center presents Social Media Marketing. Not sure where to begin with social media or why you should bother? Businesses of all sizes are using online tools like Facebook, Twitter, and blogs to connect with customers. We'll show you five low-cost ways social media can bolster your current marketing efforts, and you'll leave with your own social media marketing plan. Learn which social media are a good fit for you, where your target customers are looking online, and what it could mean for your business if you aren't involved in social networking.
Speaker: Herb Lawrence, ASU SBTDC Director
Co-sponsor: Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Mainstreet Batesville, ASU SBTDC, Citizens Bank, First Community Bank, First National Banking Company, Liberty Bank of Arkansas, Merchant & Planters Bank
Seminar Highlights: Many business owners consider marketing to be just advertising and selling. They don't consider additional techniques that are available to them. In this fast-paced, idea-generating presentation, the speaker shares approaches that are not only practical and low cost, but also effective for any size business. Among the techniques to be covered are: image development, customer service, promotion, public relations, networking, advertising, and cross promoting. The seminar provides additional ideas that can be used immediately to see a difference in the bottom line. Registration is required and Paris Chamber of Commerce members receive a $10 discount.
Speaker: Ronda Hawkins, ASBTDC
Co-sponsor: Paris Chamber of Commerce, First National Bank of Paris
Seminar Highlights: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center presents "Communicating with Customers: Achieving Best in Class Results." Presenter of this seminar is Arthur Matthews, J.D., visiting professor at Walton College and owner of Matthews and Matthews Consulting, a multi-purpose human resources firm serving private, not-for-profit and public sectors of the business community. This seminar will help the attendee business to learn that in order to achieve a competitive advantage each internal stakeholder must understand the critical role that an effective customer service process plays in the daily operations of an organization. The five P's of customer service will be articulated as well as the importance of looking at the cost benefit analysis and return on investment dynamics of embracing a sound customer service initiative. Participants will view vignettes depicting situations that will serve as case studies for discussion and analysis by the class participants. This seminar will benefit not only the small business owner but valued employees who come into contact with your customers each day. Pre-registration is required. Call for student/staff/faculty discount. Free parking across the street in Harmon Ave. garage.
Speaker: Arthur Matthews, J.D., Matthews and Matthews Consulting
Co-sponsor: First National Bank of Rogers and Great Southern Bank
Seminar Highlights: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center presents "Exceptional Customer Service." Any business can provide basic customer service, but not every business owner wants or has the knowledge to get to the next level - exceeding your customers' expectations. In this program you will learn what it takes for employees to work as a team to deliver service that will keep your customers coming back again and again. FREE thanks to special funding from OPED!
Speaker: Julia Nipper, SAU SBTDC Training Coordinator
Co-sponsor: CABS
Seminar Highlights: Any business can provide basic customer service, but not every business owner wants or has the knowledge to get to the next level--exceeding your customer's expectations. In this program business owners and their employees will learn what it takes to work as a team to deliver service that will keep customers coming back again and again. Seating is limited and registration is required. Clarksville Chamber of Commerce members receive a $10 discount!
Speaker: Ronda Hawkins, ASBTDC
Co-sponsor: Clarksville Chamber of Commerce
Seminar Highlights: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at SAU presents "Big Time Marketing, Small Time Budget: The Benefits of Social Media." Not sure where to begin with social media or why you should bother? Businesses of all sizes are using online tools like Facebook, Twitter, and blogs to connect with customers. We'll show you five low-cost ways social media can bolster your current marketing efforts, and you'll leave with your own social media marketing plan. Learn which social media are a good fit for you, where your target customers are looking online, and what it could mean for your business if your aren't involved in social networking.
Speaker: Julia Nipper, SAU SBTDC Training Coordinator
Co-sponsor: UACCH
Seminar Highlights: The University of Arkansas Small Business and Technology Center presents "Legal Issues of Today for the Technology or Innovation-Based Small Business or Entrepreneur and the Lean Canvas Start-Up". Innovation/Technology-based small businesses and entrepreneurs face a myriad of special issues in regard to areas such as intellectual property rights , licensing, patents, copyrights and trademarks, partnership and operating agreements, contracts, privacy rights, and unique employer/employee relationships that are specific only to the technology/innovation community. A "Lean Startup" relies on validated learning, scientific experimentation, and iterative product releases to shorten product development cycles, measure progress, and gain valuable customer feedback. In this way, companies, especially startups, can design their products or services to meet the demands of their customer base without requiring large amounts of initial funding or expensive product launches. Presenters are Jamie Fugitt, attorney at law of the Little Rock firm Williams & Anderson and Jeff Amerine, Director of Technology Licensing for the University of Arkansas in the newly formed Technology Ventures office. Jamie Fugitt represents entrepreneurs, emerging companies and technology and internet startups. He is a Harvard law graduate, graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas having studied as a J. William Fulbright Honors College Fellowship at Oxford and Cambridge. His legal practice is limited to comprehensive representation in the areas of business formation and management, intellectual property, venture and private investments, internet and software matters, technology licensing and employment law. Jeff Amerine is a self-described serial entrepreneur who joined the University of Arkansas Technology Licensing Office in February 2008 after enjoying a successful eighteen year career building technology businesses. The U of A Technology Ventures office was created in 2012. His role at the University is to implement effective strategies and methods that lead to commercialization of world-class research by assisting all campus researchers to move their discoveries in the lab to the marketplace. In addition, Jeff teaches Entrepreneurship at the UA Walton College of Business. Jeff is also a staff advisor to Innovate Arkansas. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Science and holds a Master of Science in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas. Pre-registration is required. Call for student/staff/faculty discount. Free parking in the FPL garage.
Speaker: Jamie Fugitt, J. D. of Williams & Anderson; Jeff Amerine University of Arkansas
Seminar Highlights: Not sure where to begin with social media or why you should bother? Businesses of all sizes are using online tools like Facebook, Twitter, and blogs to connect with customers. We'll show you five low-cost ways social media can bolster your current marketing efforts, and you'll leave with your own social media marketing plan. Learn which social media are a good fit for you, where your target customers are looking online, and what it could mean for your business if you aren't involved in social networking. FREE to all who want to attend thanks to special funding from OPED!
Speaker: Julia Nipper, SAU SBTDC Training Coordinator
Co-sponsor: CABS
Seminar Highlights: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center presents "Tradeshow and Expo Marketing" presented by professional consultant Ken Abernathy of Big Hats Consulting and Arkansas Promotional Products. These opportunities are often overlooked as an effective tool for reaching target customers. This seminar will take small business owners through the steps for creating an effective tradeshow look, as well as instruct on how to effectively market your business so you stand out among the other exhibitors. Tradeshows and expos are the perfect place to make face-to face contact with potential customers and begin the process of building relationships; the key to an effective marketing plan. Attendees are encouraged to bring or email prior to the event photos of their tradeshow booths to ask the presenter to analyze and provide guidance and critique if desired. Pre-registration required, snacks and drinks provided, you may bring a light supper. Call for student/staff/faculty discount. Free parking in the FPL garage.
Speaker: Ken Abernathy, Big Hats Consulting and Arkansas Promotional Products
Co-sponsor: First National Bank of Rogers and Great Southern Bank
Seminar Highlights: Not sure where to begin with social media or why you should bother? Businesses of all sizes are using online tools like Facebook, Twitter, and blogs to connect with customers. We'll show you five low-cost ways social media can bolster your current marketing efforts, and you'll leave with your own social media marketing plan. Learn which social media are a good fit for you, where your target customers are looking online, and what it could mean for your business if you aren't involved in social networking.
Speaker: Julia Nipper, SAU SBTDC Training Coordinator
Co-sponsor: BancorpSouth, Magnolia Alliance, GTEDC and Magnolia Reporter
Seminar Highlights: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center presents "5 Small Business Strategies for Social Media." Not sure where to begin with social media or why you should bother? Businesses of all sizes are using online tools like Facebook, Twitter, and blogs to connect with customers. We'll show you five low-cost ways social media can bolster your current marketing efforts. Learn which social media platforms are a good fit for you, where your target customers are looking online, and what it could mean for your business if you aren't involved in social networking. This seminar is for business owners and employees familiar with social media platforms who need help developing effective strategies for social media marketing.
Speaker: Maradyth McKenzie, ASBTDC Training Coordinator
Seminar Highlights: Do you know what your customers are saying about your business online? Customer reviews through online sites such as Tripadvisor and Yelp are crucial to the success of a small business. Don't overlook this vital tool for marketing your small business. This seminar will lead you through the various online customer review sites, show how to create compelling business listings for the most popular sites, and give tips for getting great customer reviews. iPads will be provided to deliver this interactive session. This seminar is free to participants as part of a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration. Seating is limited and registration is required.
Speaker: Ronda Hawkins
Co-sponsor: America's Best Inn & Suites, Fort Smith
Seminar Highlights: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center presents "Using Media Tablets for Your Business." Have you seen other business owners with tablet computers? Want to get a tablet for your business, but don't know what you would use one for? Attend a hands-on workshop with the Southern Arkansas University SBTDC's new iPad tablet lab. You'll learn the basics of how to use a tablet computer. We'll also explore built in applications as well as several downloadable tablet apps that are being used with success by other small businesses. Learn how you can process invoices in the field, teleconference with employees and customers, and much more! Your fee includes a workbook and hands-on training with a tablet. FREE to Little River Chamber Members
Speaker: Julia Nipper, SAU SBTDC Training Coordinator
Co-sponsor: Little River Chamber and CCCUA/SBAE
These online learning programs require about 3-hours to complete. To register for any of the following programs, contact the ASBTDC Lead Center at 1-800-862-2040 or (501) 683-7700 or click on the Register Now button to register online.
Seminar Highlights: Take command of a bookstore and coffee bar and see how money moves in and out of a business learning the fundamentals of accounting at the same time.
This online course provides an in-depth look at each of the primary accounting transactions used in a business demonstrating how "the language of business" works. Without using any accounting jargon to begin with, this online course demonstrates how to keep score in a business through a simple scorecard approach. When you are finished, you are shown that each of your scorecards represents one of the three primary financial statements used in managing a business. more
Seminar Highlights: This online course provides a comprehensive how-to look at creating projected income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets. An essential skill in securing outside financing and in managing a business. more
