There are numerous laws that affect the formation and operations of a small business. This workshop will help you understand and satisfy the legal requirements facing your business, and avoid legal liabilities that might otherwise damage your business

Speaker: Steven A. Jayson, Esq, The Jayson Law Group LLC, Union, NJ

This program addresses how critical credit issues impact the achievement of important and complex personal & business financial aspects and will cover: 1) How to understand one’s credit situation/status based on what your credit report reveals 2) How credit scores are calculated; determined; impacted; manipulated and navigated. What factors impact the scores and how you can navigate/manipulate options to make them better work for you 3) How personal & business financial statements and tax returns impact/effect strategies developed to enhance a credit rating 4) How to disable the myth about personal and business financial issues not being interwoven and /or integrated has been disabled and 5) How investors, lenders and creditors use credit bureau reports to assess business capacity.

Are you considering entrepreneurship as a career option but want a proven business model to get to your goals more quickly and safer? Would you like to run a business of your own that will provide greater autonomy and independence, but are not sure how to find, or choose the right business for you. If you have answered “YES” to either of these questions, then the franchise workshop is for you! Presented by one of North America’s Top Franchise Consultants.

Speaker: Alison Warner, FranNet of NJ/NYC

If you are an entrepreneur who is planning to start or has recently started a small business, this course is for you! Examine the legal forms of ownership, how to register the business, setting up bookkeeping records, taxation, and understanding financial statements, money needs, payroll, insurance, and licensing.

Our team of professional speakers will cover topics including Business Modeling, Funding, Breakeven Analysis, Financial Issues, Marketing, Business Structure, Market Data, Branding and Liability. The clinic will be held at the Bergen Community College in The Ciarco Learning Center located at 355 Main Street in Hackensack, NJ. If you have any questions, contact the SBDC at 201-489-8670. The event is FREE but registration is required.

Speaker: Vince Vicari, Regional Director NJSBDC at Bergen Community College

This 8-hour workshop provides participants with a framework for creating, implementing and evaluating a customized Marketing Plan; How to do market research and interpret research information to inform marketing decision making; Marketing Plan & Implementation which includes developing their marketing plan, goals, objectives and strategies and learn about cost effective marketing tactics, how to define the budget they need to implement identified tactics, as well as execute their market plan, monitor its performance, and assessing return on investment

The Intro to Entrepreneurship Q & A sessions provide opportunities for those interested in starting a business to address start-up issues or questions: Starting with The Finish Line In Sight. Pre-registration required. This workshop is offered twice a month and will cover topics on doing business in New Jersey such as: Online Business Registration; Legal Structuring of the Business; Getting a Federal ID; Registering for taxes with the NJ Department of Revenue; Financial Sources and Resources; Preparing for Certification; General discussion on other specific topics related to the participants’ business questions and needs. This Introductory Session will be provided in Spanish as well.

This workshop is designed specifically for the individual thinking of starting a business and to give them the necessary tools to follow a logical approach to assess the viability and profitability of starting a business. They will learn the workings of an economic model, a feasibility and breakeven analysis, along with market research and resources skills. A question and answer period will follow concerning any question pertaining to a new venture.

Speaker: Vince Vicari, Regional Director NJSBDC at Bergen Community College

Topics cover using QuickBooks: which version is best for your business and how to use it; financial planning; understanding a chart of accounts, financial statements - balance sheet; profit and loss statements; managing cash flow; assets; liabilities; equity. In addition, clients will use financial analysis software to analyze their financial performance against industry comparison and get a take away report with recommendations and strategies. Each client will be taken through the initial startup phase of QuickBooks. Post-training financial counseling can be made available. The QuickBooks Workshop will also be Provided in Spanish

Even the most skeptical banker can be persuaded positively with a convincing business plan. Comprehensive plans include sales forecasts, market identification, resources, personnel, cash flow, and income projections. Learn how your finished plan should look, what’s to be included, which language to use and what information to present and in what format your plans are clearly convincing.

Does your business provided products and services to other businesses? LinkedIn and Google+ are social networks that focus on business and professional connections. In this workshop, participants will learn the basics and benefits to creating a presence on these two platforms. An overview of best practices and ample time for Q&A and how to demonstrations will be provided. -

As a small business owner, every minute and dollar counts. You need reporting tools that will help you make informed marketing decisions. Google Analytics is a powerful, free reporting tool you can use to measure the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. Learn how to set up Google Analytics to measure website visitor traffic, collect data from your online marketing campaigns and social media activity.

Interested in starting a business or expanding an existing business? Need financial assistance? This workshop will address these issues by providing information on determining money needs, SBA loans, venture capital, working with local banks, use of a business plan to secure financing, services provided by the Small Business Development Center.

Understanding how equity financing affects your business is an important step if you want to expand. This seminar will demystify the concepts of asset based financing and alternative equity financing that includes angel investing, venture capital and private equity. Knowing the expectations of investors by understanding the 5 stages of alternative financing will help prepare you for that first investor pitch

Best Practices and Productivity Measurement As your company grows and evolves you must review and redesign your operational procedures to stay competitive. Do you know how to measure your operational efficiency and profitability? This class will cover the five stages of operations development (chaos, routine, documentation, measurement and best practice optimization) and introduce you to better organizational development, job design and change management techniques (3 hours). Course fee: FREE CRN 60197 Wed Mar 25 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Crowdfunding: A New Alternative to Raising Working Capital Crowdfunding has become a great alternative for small business owners to raise working capital for their business ventures. Our workshop will help participants understand the principles associated with building successful crowdfunding campaigns and will show you how to use crowdfunding to finance your goals (6 hours). Course fee: $99 CRN 60142 Fri Mar 27 10:00 am - 4:00 pm To register go to www.sbdcrvcc.com

QuickBooks for Small Businesses Learn how QuickBooks can simplify the accounting process for a small business. Set up a business, record transactions, understand the reports generated from QuickBooks and the components of financial statements. Prerequisite: Accounting Fundamentals or a good working knowledge of accounting principles (6 hours). Course fee: $119 CRN 60118 Mon & Tue Mar 9 & 10 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

QuickBooks Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable In a simulated real business environment learn how to manage both the Customers/Sales and Vendors/Expenses capabilities in QuickBooks. Perform and practice Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable transactions and reporting. Prerequisite: QuickBooks for Small Businesses and a good working knowledge of accounting principles (9 hours). Course fee: $159 CRN 60119 Tue/Thu/Tue Mar 17, 19 &24 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Continue learning about QuickBooks with this class by learning to create and customize forms and templates. Learn to work with Asset, Liability and equity accounts. Work with and customize QuickBooks reports and graphs. Explore the Payroll tracking features in QuickBooks including tax liabilities. Explore Job Costing, time tracking and estimating.

Speaker: M. Adelman

This course is 15 hours spread over 2 days. For both days, we will meet from 8:30am to 4:30pm with a 30-minute break. The dates are Tuesday, September 17, and Wednesday, September 18. Are you a wreck prepping records for your accountants? Is your bookkeeping a mess? Are you concerned your federal or state business taxes might have some accounting gaps? Are you afraid it is too hard to learn because you are so busy? Once and for all QuickBooks is your answer. Get your books quickly in order and spend more time on your business than drowning from it. In the first 5 hours, we will concentrate on ACCOUNTING FUNDAMENTALS, including terminology, GAAP, the four steps of the Accounting Cycle, an overview of major financial statements, a discussion of financial ratios and more. At each step, the Accounting Fundamentals theory is interspersed with demonstrations of and direct comparison to the QuickBooks software. In the second 5 hours, the attendees will be trained on all steps of QUICKBOOKS SETUP. This will include the tutorial East Step Interview, setting up a company file, learning to do backups, evaluating the scope of Preferences, and establishing the relational databases. During the final 5 hours, the attendees will learn the entire business processing of financial information, or TRANSACTIONAL QUICKBOOKS, starting with accounts payables/vendors, issuing purchase orders, receiving inventory and paying bills. Students will also learn accounts receivables processing, how to issue estimates, issuing invoices, receiving payments, deposit processing, and an overview about the full complement of reports available through the development of databases in QuickBooks. Questions are encouraged during the lecture, and you will be working in a computer lab for hands-on learning. You can attend this course as a for-profit or non-profit small business, and our instructor will make certain to cover the course in a way that meets your specific needs and focus. You will be given a binder containing copies of the class materials, and we encourage you to use these documents as checklists and guidelines for using QuickBooks. More Information: 609-771-2947, info@sbdcnj.com or http://www.sbdcnj.com Online Registration: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5195349430

Speaker: Carla Fallone - CEO of Fallone Business Resources, adjunct professor for The College of New Jersey, QuickBooks instructor for 10 years, entrepreneur for 23 years, and founder of highly successful food services corporation.

NJ Division of Revenue & Taxation Small Business Tax Workshop The Small Business Tax Workshop is provided by the Division of Taxation at no cost to the participants. Division personnel will explain proper procedures for collecting and remitting various New Jersey taxes. A focal point of each workshop is the sales tax responsibilities of small businesses including the description of taxable and exempt sales and services. Discussions will also highlight different types of business ownership and the tax consequences of each one (5 hours). Registration is required. Course fee: FREE CRN 60193 Wed Mar 11 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Learn directly from the New Jersey Division of Taxation the various State tax-related responsibilities and exactly how to handle them. Questions are welcome! Seminar Agenda includes: Reporting Business Income and Expenses Filing Sales and Use Tax Returns; Types of Business Ownership and the NJ tax consequences for each Meeting Employer Responsibilities; Registering Your Business with the NJ Division of Taxation And … Your Questions

Speaker: Representatives of New Jersey Division of Taxation, Trenton, NJ

Using Social Media to Promote Your Business Learn the essential steps every small business owner should follow to introduce and manage a brand online. Evaluate how the major social networking sites (i.e., LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google+) promote business (3 hours). Course fee: $59 CRN 60146 Wed Mar 4 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm To register go to www.sbdcrvcc.com

Advanced Constant Contact© Email Marketing This advanced Constant Contact© training class is not offered anywhere else. Learn how to grow your email marketing list with all options available including growing your Facebook fan base. Discover Constant Contact’s survey tool. Pre-requisite: Participants should have a basic working knowledge of Constant Contact’s Email Marketing Tool and an active Constant Contact account (2 hours). Course fee: $39 CRN 60191 Wed Mar 4 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm To register go to www.sbdcrvcc.com

This 15-hour comprehensive overview covers the complete marketing functions of a business. Learn about the marketing process, essentials of effective marketing, and the marketing mix as well as the essential elements of target marketing, marketing segmentation, types of competition, databases, and internal analysis. Identify how to position the business in the market in order to develop a marketing plan that focuses on goals and strategies. Discover how to use numbers to effectively analyze the current marketplace in creating valid pricing. Investigate how to create a customer database to help manage your business and explore how to create a viable marketing mix for your small business through advertising, promotions, and sales. This seminar ties together the entire marketing mix into a usable format for growing companies.

This presentation will provide a deeper look into the importance and effectiveness of why email marketing with social media engagement can drive action. At the heart of small business marketing are the campaigns that drive action – collections of marketing activities that help a small business or organization to achieve its goals and objectives. Newsletters and Announcements have become a core component of those campaign choices. Email is more important than ever – to the communication efforts of businesses and nonprofits everywhere; and to the customer, donor, client or supporter of those organizations. This session will reveal some simple but effective best practices and considerations for the small business or nonprofit seeking to make their email newsletters more effective

Speaker: Marie Semple/The ProspectFinder

Prospecting on a Shoestring Budget Learn how to leverage local resources that will assist you in prospecting new business opportunities. Find out how to access online databases without spending any money and learn techniques for leveraging your LinkedIn account for prospecting (3 hours). Course fee: $59 CRN 60192 Wed Mar 11 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Negotiation does not separate the winners from the losers. For negotiation to work effectively, you need to create WIN-WIN situations or at least conditions that both sides can live with. This workshop will help you to discover your strengths, the areas of compromise and the art of convincing the “other side” that they’ve won something too. Negotiation is both an art form and a science. We’ll show you how!

Speaker: NJSBDC Staff

Negotiation does not separate the winners from the losers. For negotiation to work effectively, you need to create WIN-WIN situations or at least conditions that both sides can live with. This workshop will help you to discover your strengths, the areas of compromise and the art of convincing the “other side” that they have won something too. Negotiation is both an art form and a science. We’ll show you how!

Speaker: NJSBDC Staff

Generational and Word-of-Mouth Marketing Learn how to harness and implement a profitable WOM marketing plan that will overcome the challenge of a five-generation marketplace. Explore a variety of methods to create, encourage and facilitate word-of-mouth communication to influence the buying behaviors of the target audience you serve (3 hours). Course fee: $59 CRN 60166 Tue Mar 17 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Creating Video for Your Website From planning to production to distribution, learn the basic skills and tools you’ll need to create professional video content to promote your brand and publish it online (3 hours). Registration is required. Course fee: FREE CRN 60162 Wed Mar 18 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Maximize Your Trade Show Investment Don't underestimate the value of trade show and event marketing– the most powerful tools in your marketing mix for uncovering and landing new business opportunities. Find out what you don't know about trade shows and how to choose your exhibit space, budget time and resources, promote your participation (before, during and after), increase booth traffic, capture the interest of those passing by (in less than 7 seconds), qualify visitors, and get the best follow-up results (3 hours). Registration is required. Course fee: FREE CRN 60195 Tue Mar 24 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Can I really improve my profit margins through a pricing strategy? Won’t I just lose customers? In this workshop you will learn how to increase your pricing, improve your gross margin and positively impact customer satisfaction. Yes all three objectives can be achieved simultaneously. Effective pricing is part financial and part marketing. Learn how to strike the right balance and become more profitable by implementing effective pricing strategies.

Speaker: D. Stammer

Out-of-the-Box Marketing Gain the multiple exposures you need to gain brand recognition and trust within your target market. Design and launch the best tactics to achieve the repeat and referral business you need to achieve your goals (3 hours). Course fee: $59 CRN 60168 Thu Mar 26 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm To register go to www.sbdcrvcc.com

Can I really improve my profit margins through a pricing strategy? Won’t I just lose customers? In this workshop you will learn how to increase your pricing, improve your gross margin and positively impact customer satisfaction. Yes all three objectives can be achieved simultaneously. Effective pricing is part financial and part marketing. Learn how to strike the right balance and become more profitable by implementing effective pricing strategies.

Speaker: D. Stammer