Greetings!
The biggest shopping season of the year is just around the corner – what an excellent time for us to be reminded of the importance of supporting our local businesses!
WHY should we support small business? Small businesses create jobs; did you know that if just 1 in 3 small businesses in the US hired an unemployed worker, we could put an end to unemployment?
HOW can we support small business? NOW is the time to make a conscious effort to support retail stores, artists, microenterprises, and other small businesses by purchasing goods and services locally. After all, these businesses are owned by our family, friends, and neighbors. If we commit to patronizing our local small businesses, they can continue to grow and create jobs right here in the Merrimack Valley.
This holiday shopping season, make a conscious effort to … Shop SMALL
to provide a
BIG investment
in the Merrimack Valley!
HOW does the Small Business Assistance Center support small business? Here at the Center, we have proudly provided technical assistance for the last 12 years, helping small businesses strengthen, expand and grow to create jobs in the Merrimack Valley. In fact, studies show that investments today in business development equates to long-term survival as 80% of small businesses that receive technical assistance are still in business after five years. Be sure to check out our
upcoming workshops and give us a call if we can support your business.
Sincerely,
Stacie Hargis
Director
ANNOUNCEMENTS Downtown Lowell Come downtown to support local shops and the arts. WHEN: Saturday November 26th
City of Lights Parade & and Buy Local Day
WHEN: starting Nov 26th, Tues-Sat 11-4 & Sun 12-4
Holiday Marketplace at the Brush Gallery beginning
WHEN: Dec 3-4 & Dec 10-11 12-5pm
HolidayOpen Studios at Western Avenue
MORE INFO: http://www.cultureiscool.org/city-of-lights *************************************************************************************************************** Women’s Works UMass Lowell’s Center for Women and Work (CWW) invites you to the fourth annual Women’s Works event to celebrate the creativity of UMass Lowell women and other talented regional women artists. CWW is an interdisciplinary center dedicated to advancing knowledge about the relationship between gender and work. Women’s Works will be part craft fair, part art show, part performance art, and large part fundraiser for the Center for Women and Work.
WHEN: Thursday December 1, 2011
2:00 pm to 7:00pm
WHERE: UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center
50 Warren Street, Lowell, MA 01852
MORE INFO: http://www.uml.edu/centers/women-work/ 978-934-4380
*************************************************************************************************************** The Money Conference: Financial Empowerment for Individuals & Families Join State Treasurer Steve Grossman's Office in conjunction with Community Teamwork, Inc., and other community organizations in the Lowell and surrounding communities of the Merrimack Valley for a conference on money. This event will offer lessons in how to convert your income into smarter spending and savings - and then protecting that income, savings and any assets from predatory financial practices. This Money conference is for individuals and families challenged with earning enough to make ends meet. Adult attendees of all ages, racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds, and levels of financial knowledge are encouraged to attend.
WHEN: Saturday, November 12th 2010
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
WHERE: UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center
50 Warren Street, Lowell, MA 01852
MORE INFO: www.themoneyconference.com *************************************************************************************************************** Workforce Training Fund Info Session The Workforce Training Fund is a state fund enacted into law in July 1998 and financed entirely by Massachusetts employers. Its purpose is to provide resources to Massachusetts businesses and workers to train current and newly hired employees. A business or labor organization can apply for a grant to train their workforce. Come to this training session to learn more.
This event is cosponsored by the Lowell Small Business Assistance Center, Middlesex Community College, Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Lowell Workforce Investment Board.
WHEN: Thursday, December 8
8:30 am -10:30 am
WHERE: Middlesex Community College
FederalBuilding, 50 Kearney Square, Lowell, MA 01852
MORE INFO: Here *************************************************************************************************************** Lowell Green Restaurant Committee WANTED: Green-minded professionals to launch the Lowell Green Restaurant Certification Program. Are you a guru in energy efficiency or water conservation? Do you work with green products? Do you have expertise in recycling and composting? Are you involved in the local foods movement? Then YOU are just who we’re looking for! The Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce is seeking qualified individuals to serve on the Lowell Green Restaurant Committee to administer the new Lowell Green Restaurant Certification Program. Over a one-year timeframe, Committee members will work with select restaurants in Lowell to achieve certification as a green restaurant. Applications are due on December 16, 2011.
MORE INFO: http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1101705686659-297/GRC+Call+for+Members+-+Nov+11.pdf *************************************************************************************************************** Free Computer Literacy classes Learn important computer skills for free.
WHEN: Wednesdays, 1-2:30pm
The following is a list of classes and dates:
11/16– Microsoft Office Word and Typing Techniques
11/23 – Microsoft Office PowerPoint – Professional Presentations
11/30 – Microsoft Office Publisher – Business Cards and Flyers
12/7 – Microsoft Office Excel
WHERE: Community Teamwork, Inc.
Rm 307, 3rd Floor, 155 Merrimack St.
MORE INFO: 978-654-5722 or
malexanderkearns@comteam.org
SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOPS CALENDAR 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. The Center reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a workshop or class due to insufficient enrollment or weather. Financing Options Thursday, November 17, 2011 / 6:00 -8:00 pm This workshop is offered in partnership with the Small Business Administration, Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, and Eastern Bank. 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: Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, 3
rd Floor Conference Room, 305 Essex St., Lawrence, MA 01840
RSVP:
shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
Reach NEW Markets by Doing Business with the Government 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
Right Start Entrepreneurial Training 6-class series runs every Wednesday night from 6:00 – 9:00 pm
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
Energy Efficiency 101 for Retail and Restaurants - Save Money! Monday, December 5, 2011 / 6:00 -8:00 pm Energy is a key utility expense for all businesses. During this course, you will learn the opportunities a retail or restaurant business has to save on energy costs. We will also look at sources of information and programs that can help reduce the cost of energy efficient equipment. We will also discuss what information you will want to collect to show your progress in greening your business while you save money.
This workshop is taught by Stephen Greene of Howland GreeneConsultants LLC, an expert in environmental issues, product stewardship and sustainable practice. His experience and expertise can help your businesses turn environmental challenges into strategic advantages.
COST: $10
LOCATION: The Center, 88 Middle St., 2
nd Floor, Lowell, MA 01852
RSVP:
shargis@comteam.org, 978-322-8400
The Small Business Assistance Center Open House Thursday, Dec 8, 2011 / 10:00 -11:00 am Join us at our Open House to learn more about the Center and what we have to offer small businesses. We provide technical assistance, workshops, training and financial assistance. Meet with staff to learn more about how we can help you develop your business idea and help you achieve all your small business dreams. We also can assist existing businesses to grow to the next level with our Microloan Fund. If you can’t make the open house, please call to arrange a meeting any time that works for you!
COST: no fee
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, December 12, 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
The Importance of Time Management In Your Business Wednesday, December 14, 2011 / 6:00 - 8:00 pm 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
Social Media Thursday, December 15, 2011 / 2:00 -4:00 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
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