Greetings!
We are very pleased to announce that one of clients recently celebrated the grand opening of a new business. Calvin Duong has over 10 years of experience in the automotive industry and his shop, which contains the most recent in car repair equipment and diagnostic tools, reflects his dedication to providing the very best quality to his customers. Establishing the New Century Auto Collision & Service Center at 182 Middlesex Street in downtown Lowell, demonstrates Calvin’s commitment to the community of Lowell. We wish Calvin and his family the best of luck! If you stop by for car service, be sure to mention you read about him in our E-news!
On October 26
th, I hope you will join the Center at
Community Teamwork Inc.’s Community Action Awards to honor the financial sector, specifically our local banks and credit unions. Without these community partners, the Center would not be able to provide the quality of technical and financial assistance that we are able to bring to you. These committed stakeholders create and sustain programs that revitalize our economy and work diligently alongside us to provide resources for small businesses. This is an opportunity to for us to honor Lowell Five, Enterprise Bank, Jeanne D’Arc, LowellBank, Washington Savings, Eastern Bank, NMTW Community Credit Union, People’s United Bank, and Boston Private Bank and Trust. See below for more info.
We have many
workshops coming up… Be sure to RSVP to save your spot to take advantage of all the wonderful knowledge available to help you grow, sustain or start your business!
Sincerely,
Stacie Hargis
Director
ANNOUNCEMENTS Celebrating the People and Institutions Who Lead Through Action Community Teamwork, Inc.'s Community Action Awards celebrate the people and institutions who lead our community through action. This year, we are honoring the financial sector, specifically local banks and credit unions who help CTI and other non-profits create and sustain programs that revitalize our economy; stabilize individual, family and small business finances; and move us toward greater economic and social health, especially during these difficult times.
Join CTI as we partner with ARAMARK at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center where you'll enjoy inspired cuisine prepared by ARAMARK's regional team of Executive Chefs from across New England.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 26, 2011
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
WHERE: UMassLowell Inn & Conference Center MORE INFO: www.comteam.orgor call us at 978 654-5640 *************************************************************************************************************** Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Lives Breakfast Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce WISE (Women Inspiring Success and Empowerment) group presents the Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Lives Breakfast. Join the W.I.S.E. Women for a morning of inspirational stories featuring Mealea Chan-Polcari and Beecher Grogan. Both women faced adversities that many of us couldn’t even begin to imagine and turned their experiences into something positive and truly amazing.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 26, 2011
7:30 am – 9:00 am
WHERE: Meadow Creek Golf Course, Dracut
MORE INFO: Tickets are $40
Call the Chamber to purchase your ticket at 978-459-8154 or ctravers@greaterlowellchamber.org *************************************************************************************************************** Help Coach and Connect Student Entrepreneurs to Take Their Ideas to the Next Level! Calling All Area Professionals to Meet and Coach College Entrepreneurs. Student Entrepreneur Projects Include: Assistive Technology, Community Gardens, iPhone Apps, Innovative Products, Mentor and Educational Programs, and much more!
2 UPCOMING EVENTS:
WHEN: Wednesday, October 26, 2011
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
WHERE: Northern Essex Community College, Riverwalk Campus
360 Merrimack Street, Building 9, Lawrence
OR
WHEN: Thursday, October 27, 2011
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
WHERE: UMass Lowell, Coburn Hall
850 Broadway Street, Lowell
MORE INFO: Lianna@merrimackvalleysandbox.org www.uml.edu/mvsandbox/ *************************************************************************************************************** IRS Health Care Coverage Provision Join the IRS as they provide a webinar about “Reporting of Employer-Sponsored Health Plan Coverage on Form W-2” (Affordable Care Act Provision 9002) that will explain what employers and employees need to know about the provision.
WHEN: Monday, October 31, 2011
2:00 pm
WHERE: Online
MORE INFO: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/IRS/82090/reg.asp?id=82090
SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOPS CALENDAR Workshops coming up:
Please RSVP for all workshops and trainings.Fees may apply and will be due at time of class. A fee waiver may be requested, please inquire when signing up. Checks may be made out to the Small Business Assistance Center. The Center reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a workshop or class due to insufficient enrollment or weather. ******************** The Living Business Plan TONIGHT!!
Monday, October 17, 2011 / 6:00 – 8:00 pm This 2-hour interactive workshop will focus on developing and using a business plan as a living document to not only breathe new life into your business, but also as a tool to grow in a concerted effort. Participants will:
- Revisit their vision, core values, and core purpose to make sure they are on track;
- Learn simple methods to analyze and measure how their business is progressing so you can make course corrections before it’s too late;
- Fine tune their current goals and map out steps so they stay focused on what their customers really want and stop wasting time;
During the workshop, participants will draw from their own business to develop a written version of their living business plan.
This workshop is taught by Ellen St. George Godfrey, an entrepreneurial coach in the Merrimack Valley who tackles strategic planning, goal setting, finding and developing employees, and managing the stress which often overwhelm small to mid-size business owners and executives.
COST: $10
LOCATION: The Center, 88 Middle St., 2
nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP:
shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
******************** Right Start Entrepreneurial Training 6-class series runs every Wednesday night from 6:00 – 9:00 pm, offered Aug 31, 2011 – May 9, 2012
Current series runs now through November 16th / next series starts November 30, 2011 The Right Start Entrepreneurship Training Program provides a solid educational foundation on which to build a small business. Practical, flexible, and taught by small business professionals, this six-class series will help you learn the difference between success and failure. Starting August 31
st, this series runs continuously throughout the year so that you can either take all six classes in a row or once a month, as needed to fit your schedule. Training provides a firm foundation of practical knowledge to build your business and covers these topics: Intro to Business, Marketing, Sales, Bookkeeping and Taxes, Financing, and Business Law. Get the tools you need for success!
COST: $90 for all 6 classes
LOCATION: Community Teamwork Inc., 155 Merrimack St., (Bon March Building) 3
rd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP:
shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
******************** The Importance of Time Management In Your Business If interested, please call to find out details on when this will be offered. Effective time management is a fundamental key to success for business owners and busy professionals. This workshop will teach you how to develop goals and how to prioritize your activities to achieve those goals. You will learn to identify and eliminate time wasters and how to focus on your highest value tasks. Using technology as a time enhancer will also be discussed. At the end of the session, you will walk away with a specific plan to use your time most effectively, helping you to grow your business.
This workshop is taught by Jim “Pouli” Pouliopoulos, The Growth Coach®, a certified Strategic Mindset® business coach with over 25 years experience in a variety of industries including high-tech, medical, government and professional services. He has contributed to the success of large companies including General Electric and IBM as well as a number of successful small businesses as a marketing consultant, product manager, director of marketing and sales, spokesperson, public speaker, trainer, facilitator, market researcher and engineer. Additionally, Jim is an adjunct faculty member at Bentley University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he teaches business and marketing courses.
COST: $10
LOCATION: The Center, 88 Middle St., 2
nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP:
shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
******************** Marketing Your Business Monday, October, 24, 2011 / 8:00 -10:00 am Understanding and applying strategic marketing can help grow your business in any industry, market or economy. This workshop will teach you the four basic functions of marketing and how they impact your business operations. You will learn the five strategies to grow your business in any environment. At the end of the workshop, you will have a clear set of effective marketing plans that you can implement immediately.
This workshop is taught by Jim “Pouli” Pouliopoulos, The Growth Coach®, a certified Strategic Mindset® business coach with over 25 years experience in a variety of industries including high-tech, medical, government and professional services. He has contributed to the success of large companies including General Electric and IBM as well as a number of successful small businesses as a marketing consultant, product manager, director of marketing and sales, spokesperson, public speaker, trainer, facilitator, market researcher and engineer. Additionally, Jim is an adjunct faculty member at Bentley University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he teaches business and marketing courses.
COST: $10
LOCATION: The Center, 88 Middle St., 2
nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP:
shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
******************** Start A Home-Based Business Tuesday, October 25, 2011 / 3:00 -5:00 pm What does it take to start a home-based business? Attend this workshop to learn more about how you can turn your interests and hobbies into a money making endeavor. This workshop is taught by Terry Williams, Assistant Director of the Center.
COST: $10
LOCATION: The Center, 88 Middle St., 2
nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP:
shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
******************** Quickbooks Comprehensive 2-night Workshop Offered the following dates: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 & Thursday, October 27, 2011 / 6:00 -8:00 pm Is your accounting system really just a box full of receipts and scribbled notes? Feel like you're flying by the seat of your pants? Not doing as well as you should and unsure how to fix it? WAIT NO LONGER...HELP IS AT HAND! Quickbooks is the easy-to-use accounting program millions of small businesses use to organize their finances and provide the information they need to increase profits and grow their businesses. This class will cover basic accounting principles and is designed for beginning Quickbooks users. Learn to:
- Post Transactions
- Generate Financial Reports
- Generate Invoices
- Pay Bills
- Print Checks...and much more!
COST: $125 for both nights
LOCATION: Community Teamwork Inc. Computer Lab, 3
rd Floor, 155 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP:
shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
******************** Legal Clinic Monday, November 7, 2011 / 6:00 -8:00 pm This clinic is offered in partnership with the Economic Justice Project.This clinic is a 30-minute, face-to-face consultation with a business law attorney to discuss any legal issues you face as a small business. Space is limited, so please RSVP as soon as possible. There is a short intake process to determine your exact legal needs and concerns, so an attorney can prepare properly.
COST: no fee
LOCATION: The Center, 88 Middle St., 2
nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP:
shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
******************** Social Media Wednesday, November 9, 2011 / 1:00 -3:00 pm This workshop is offered in partnership with the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce and Lowell Telecommunications Corporation.“The Times, They Are A-Changin”, and we know that social media marketing now plays a vital role in the success of businesses and organizations. This seminar provides an overview of various online marketing tools including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. If you are a beginner or intermediate user, you will benefit from this workshop taught by Danielle Bergeron, President and CEO of the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, who has years of experience promoting her own business through social media.
COST: no fee
LOCATION: Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (LTC) studios, 246 Market Street, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP:
shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
******************** Unlocking Profitability with Accounting Comprehensive 2-night Workshop Offered the following dates: Wednesday, November 9, 2011 & Thursday, November 10 / 6:00 -9:00 pm There are some basic business metrics that every business person should know by heart when discussing their business. Here's a list:
- What are my sales?
- What are my goals and budgets?
- What are my fixed costs?
- What are my variable costs?
- What is my breakeven point?
- What is the ageing of my receivables?
- What is the cost of goods sold percentage?
- What are my top 10 best sellers?
- How much do I have tied up in inventory?
- What does my cash flow look like for the next three months?
Don’t know these numbers? Then this 2-night workshop will help you transform from running a business to managing a business and getting the most profit out of it. In this workshop, you will learn how to:
- Increase profitability by monitoring and managing your cost of goods sold;
- Increase sales and profits through effective inventory management;
- How to reduce inventory while increasing customer satisfaction and sales;
- How to make your business more resilient in challenging economies;
- How to survive and, perhaps, even prosper in difficult times;
- Learn how to get ready to borrow.
COST: $20 for both nights
LOCATION: The Center, 88 Middle St., 2
nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP:
shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
******************** Driving Sales Growth with Follow-up Systems Monday, November 14, 2011 / 6:00 -8:00 pm Create a successful sales support system with inexpensive tools - a systematic way of networking, handling leads, and organizing contacts is key to driving sales to your business. The system does not need to be costly and complex, just effective. In this workshop attendees will learn how to:
- Develop a systematic approach to managing your sales follow-up activities;
- Transform business cards into a professional network of organized contacts;
- Plan follow-up activities that will lead to success;
- Create and implement a simple yet successful sales support system using common tools you may all ready have such as Google, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Business Contact Manager, and LinkedIn;
- Learn effective ways to increase sales by improving how you manage and store contact information;
- Track the key data needed to build relationships that create value;
- Simplify and integrate the data base function of your software tools, to support your sales efforts.
This workshop is taught by Paul R. Hutchinson, consultant to business owners, new entrepreneurs, non-profits and professional associations and individuals for over 20 years. Paul specializes in sales strategy, sales training/coaching and sales process improvement. A graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Paul currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce.
COST: $10
LOCATION: The Center, 88 Middle St., 2
nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP:
shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
******************** Networking Made Easy To Grow Your Business Wednesday, November 16, 2011 / 8:00 -10:00 am Have you ever attended a networking event and felt like it was a waste of time? Do you feel like everyone is better at networking than you are? Then this is the class for you! Join Kevin Willett, founder of the Friends of Kevin, and learn how to build trust in relationships, set networking goals, start and end conversations, and develop a thirty second commercial. This workshop is designed to offer tips to people who are new to networking as well as people who are experienced networkers.
This workshop is taught by Kevin Willet, founder of Friends of Kevin, a unique networking group that brings together business, nonprofit, and artist communities. Kevin serves on the board of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, is Treasurer of the Dracut Library Foundation, and is CEO of KMW Consulting, a business development firm that focuses on website design and computer support and repair. For more information about Friends of Kevin please visit
www.friendsofkevin.com.
COST: no fee
LOCATION: The Center, 88 Middle St., 2
nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP:
shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
******************** Financing Thursday, November 17, 2011 / 6:00 -8:00 pm This workshop is offered in partnership with the Small Business Administration. Are you ready to take that next step and get a loan for your business? Get all your ducks in a row beforehand so that the experience can be as smooth as possible. From soup to nuts, learn how to prepare basic information for a lender, get your business plan together, and hear the lender perspective. This workshop is taught by Charles Smith of Eastern Bank and Lisa Welch of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Learn how the SBA fits into the lending equation.
COST: no fee
LOCATION: TBD
RSVP:
shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
******************** Connecting Your Business to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Friday, November 18, 2011 / 10:00 am -12:00 pm This workshop is offered in partnership with Mill Cities Community Investments and the Operational Services Division (OSD) of the Massachusetts state government. OSD administers the procurement process of the Commonwealth.This OSD workshop is designed for businesses who are interested in learning how to do business with the State. This workshop includes: Where to find bidding opportunities, Bidding process for Statewide Contracts, Comm-PASS Overview, Marketing to public entities and OSD programs and services that support the business community.
COST: no fee
LOCATION: Mill Cities Community Investments at Lawrence CommunityWorks, Our House Campus, 168 Newbury Street, Lawrence, MA 01841
RSVP:
shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
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