Class Descriptions              

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ARE YOU AN ENTREPRENEUR?
Thinking About Starting a Business? Decide if entrepreneurship is right for you. Participants will evaluate their skills and readiness for business ownership and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of starting a business.

BOOKKEEPING & ACCOUNTING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Experienced business owners and start-ups alike will learn how to keep accurate business records and will be introduced to basic bookkeeping techniques including QuickBooks™. Learn to recognize patterns in financial records for better planning and management of your business.

BUDGETING 101
Learn the skills needed to plan and stick to a budget. This class is for people interested in budgeting for the first time or people who want to review their current budgets.

BUDGETING ON A SINGLE FAMILY INCOME
Raising a family with a single income can be difficult. Learn from this workshop about different spending and savings strategies which can be used to help you and your family stretch your dollar.

BUILDING A BRAND FOR YOUR BUSINESS
A brand is far more than a logo or tag line. It is the identity, personality, and “essence” that speaks for you and your business. In this class, you’ll learn what branding is, why it is essential for your business or product’s success, and specific ways to create a brand strong enough to dominate your niche.

BUSINESS FINANCING SEMINAR
Learn about a variety of financing options and the steps necessary to apply for a loan. Participants will meet representatives from several traditional and alternative financing agencies to learn which program will best suit their business financing needs.

BUSINESS LOAN INVESTIGATION LUNCH
Have you ever wondered what to expect when applying for a business loan? Meet a WWBIC loan officer and find out the answers to your questions over an informal lunch. Find out what loan officers and financial institutions are looking for in a good business plan. Gain a better understanding for what your strengths and weaknesses are so you can prepare yourself to apply for a loan. Bring your own lunch and your questions!

CAN WE TALK?
Receive a free business assessment and gain a thorough understanding of financing options available to you for business start-up or expansion. Discuss your business plan and financing needs one-on-one with a WWBIC representative. (Appointment & Business Plan Required).

CERTIFICATION FOR WOMEN & MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES?
Discuss benefits of local, state and federal certification programs for your small business. Learn how certification can lead to new customers & more business. Should your business be certified?

CONTABILIDAD BÁSICA DE SU NEGOCIO/ Basic Business Recordkeeping
Hablaremos sobre la contabilidad y como mantener documentación precisa sobre los gastos y pérdidas del negocio para que podamos contestar la pregunta: ¿En dónde está "la plata"? Este curso es ofrecido en español.

DESIGNING WEBSITES & DEVELOPING ONLINE STRATEGIES
Explore the issues related to designing websites for your small business and discuss business strategies behind the use of websites.

DEVELOPING YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Learn how to effectively formulate, express, and sell your ideas to others, and identify how to persuade or recruit the energies of others. In this interactive workshop, you will discover the six dimensions of leadership, assess your current leadership skills, and learn ways to become a better leader.

FINANCIAL EDUCATION SERIES
How do I clean up my credit? Where does all my money go? I am living check to check, with no end in sight – what do I do? If these are questions you are asking yourself check out this FREE 6 week course on money management.

FUNDAMENTALS OF INTERNET MARKETING
Learn the keys to building a successful web marketing strategy. We’ll discuss the primary ways that businesses generate qualified website visits focusing on search engine marketing. Also, we will review ways to improve your website to convert more of your web visits into leads and sales. Whether you already have an online strategy, or if you are just getting started, you will leave with actionable information to grow your business.

HOW TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Thinking About Starting a Business? Decide if entrepreneurship is right for you. Participants will evaluate their skills and readiness for business ownership and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of starting a business.

IMPROVING YOUR CASH FLOW
Learn how to develop and manage realistic revenue and expense projections for your business. Understand how various financial statements can be your most valuable business tool. This is a hands-on opportunity to work with projection worksheets.

IMPROVING YOUR CREDIT
Your credit score impacts all aspects of your life. There are smart ways to begin improving your credit. Learn how to read your credit report, how to start working on outstanding issues & how to make sure you are moving forward in a way that will keep your goals for better credit on track.

KEEPING THE BOOKS
Experienced business owners and start-ups alike will learn how to keep accurate business records and will be introduced to basic bookkeeping techniques including QuickBooks™. Learn to recognize patterns in financial records for better planning and management of your business.

MAKE YOUR MONEY TALK / Personal Money Management Series
This series is designed as a guide to personal money management, covering such topics as creating a personal budget, developing a savings plan that works for you, and dealing with past and future credit. All Dane County class participants who complete the full series will receive a $50 savings bond to kick off or add to your savings plan!

MARKETING IN A TOUGH ECONOMY
This hands-on workshop explores a wide range of marketing strategies and tips used to get the word out about your business, attract and retain new customers, operate in a competitive marketplace, and fuel business growth. Topics include: low-cost promotion ideas, the three steps of a cost-effective marketing plan, and how to obtain free publicity.

MONEY MATTERS FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS
As an entrepreneur or business owner, you understand the value of having first-rate money management skills ~ both personally and professionally. However, life sometimes gets in the way of doing things right. Join us for this interactive workshop to discuss practical solutions to managing money at home & at your business.

¿PIENSA COMENZAR SU PROPIO NEGOCIO?
¿Alguna vez ha pensado en ser dueño de su propio negocio, pero no sabía como empezar? En este curso usted aprenderá a evaluar sus habilidades y podrá determinar si está preparado para ser propietario de un negocio. Este curso es ofrecido en español.

PRICING FOR PROFIT
Practice several easy-to-use methods that can help you set prices at profitable levels. Learn techniques for introducing these new pricing levels to your customers while identifying ways to reduce your own costs to remain competitive.

QUICKBOOKS™ 101
Do you need QuickBooks to computerize your bookkeeping? Learn how to best utilize this software to track your accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, sales and use tax, and other features in this basic introduction course. This is a hands-on opportunity to work with the QuickBooks program.

QUICKBOOKS™ ADVANCED
Learn how QuickBooks takes all of your company’s information to create reports and
maintain your business’ vital information. This workshop is meant to be one step above the QuickBooks 101 workshop. Hands-on opportunity to work with the QuickBooks program.

RESEARCHING YOUR BUSINESS IDEA
Have you made the decision to go into business? The next step is to explore the potential of your business idea. We will focus on examining the feasibility of your business idea, exploring ways to market the product or service, and identify resources for starting your business including an introduction to the business plan.

$MALL BIZ ORIENTATION
If you are interested in writing a business plan by participating in our $mall Biz Business Planning series, you are required to attend this orientation session. We will outline the course format, fees, materials, and review participant expectations.

$MALL BIZ: BUSINESS PLANNING SERIES
This series provides an in-depth learning for starting a business. Participants can complete a draft of their business plans through weekly worksheets and exercises. Extensive information will be provided on business financing and ownership, market research, marketing strategies, record keeping, cash flow, business operations and management. Weekly guest speakers will include business professionals and successful entrepreneurs. Participants will tour a business library to begin their research. *Orientation session is required.

SMALL BUSINESS DISCUSSION CIRCLES
Talk with a WWBIC representative in an informal group setting about business classes, assistance programs, and information exchange. Explore a wide range of business topics such as business idea feasibility, marketing research ideas, and business planning.

SOCIAL NETWORKING FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Social networking can seem confusing and daunting but it can be a valuable tool for small business. We will discuss the basics of Facebook, Linked-In and Twitter. Learn how to incorporate these marketing methods into your marketing plan in ways that save you and your employee’s time. Keep it simple, stay on track and let these new forms of marketing work for you!

START SMART ORIENTATION
All Start Smart participants are required to attend an orientation session. We will outline the course format, fees, materials, and review participant expectations.

START SMART: BUSINESS PLANNING SERIES
This series provides in-depth learning for starting and running a small business. Participants can complete a draft business plan through weekly worksheets and exercises. Extensive information will be provided on business financing and ownership, market research, marketing strategies, record keeping, cash flow, business operations and management. Weekly guest speakers will include business professionals and successful entrepreneurs. Participants will tour a business library to begin their research. *Orientation session is required.

START SMART: BUSINESS PLANNING BOOT CAMP
One of the most important parts of starting or growing your business is writing a business plan. This abbreviated business planning series is perfect for entrepreneurs who want to get started on the business planning process. Over the course of two Saturdays and a one-on-one meeting with a WWBIC representative participants will complete a draft business plan through worksheets and exercises.

STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS
Thinking about starting a business? If you’re just exploring, attend this session to learn the personal considerations to starting your own business, where to find an idea, how to conduct market research, and how to judge if your idea is financially feasible. Plus take home a packet of great resources on licensing, regulations, and local organizations that provide classes, financing, and business assistance.

SUCCESSFUL INTERNET MARKETING
Just having a Website is not enough. You must also market it using traditional forms of advertising such as direct mail, TV, radio, print, and the internet. Internet marketing includes search engines, internet directories, pay-per click programs, and e-mail. Good marketing starts with the design of the website. This seminar will discuss the four steps needed to create and update as existing site to be an effective website. It will also discuss domain names, pre-design work, good and bad design elements, and internet marketing secrets to getting your site better ranked on search engines. Low cost vs. no cost marketing will be addressed as well as the five things search engines use when listing websites- Site Content, Text Links, Link Popularity, Site Maps and META tags.

TOP-NOTCH CUSTOMER SERVICE
Finding & keeping quality customers is key to any growing business. However, being simply “good” isn’t enough anymore with today’s educated customers. This interactive workshop will offer creative and cost-effective ways for you to increase and manage your sales, help get your employees “on board,” and fine-tune your customer service programs.

WILL MY BUSINESS IDEA WORK?
Have you made the decision to go into business? The next step is to explore the potential of your business idea. We will focus on examining the feasibility of your business idea, exploring ways to market the product or service, and identify resources for starting your business including an introduction to the business plan.

WISCONSIN SAVES CLASS
Wisconsin Saves is a social marketing campaign encouraging people to Build Wealth and Not Debt. What vehicles are available to save money? Am I an aggressive investor? These questions and more will be answered when you attend a Wisconsin Saves session. We will help you determine how and where to start saving your money whether it be for educational costs, retirement, emergency savings or a special occasion. For more information on the campaign, please visit www.wisconsinsaves.org

WWBIC ORIENTATION
Are you interested in starting a business or looking to expand your business and don’t know where to start? Attend WWBIC’s Orientation session and learn about WWBIC’s services which include business & financial education classes as well as ways of which to obtain financing through WWBIC’s loan program.
 

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