Starting a Business in Northern Michigan
Would you like to own your own business? Learn essential strategies for starting and managing a successful business, including how to develop a business plan, reach your market potential, and access start-up capital. Find out about local, state, and federal financing programs, hear guest business owners, and discover resources available to help you start and grow a successful business. The cost of this course is partially underwritten by SBTDC.

Option 1: 3 Mon., Oct. 5-19 
6-8 p.m., University Center Rm. 215
Code: 5679

Kalkaska Option: 3 Mon., Nov. 16-30
6-8 p.m., Kalkaska Michigan WORKS! Center,
North Conference Rm. (103 Third St.)
Instructor: Chris Wendel
Code: 5681

Cost: $59 each option

Starting an Online Business
If you are considering an online business or have recently launched your own enterprise, this crash course in the “essentials” is a positive next step. Explore the risks, rewards, methods, and special challenges of setting up shop online. What products lend themselves to internet sales? How do you establish a webstore, a shopping cart, and a merchant account? And what about handling accounting, inventory management, packaging, and shipping? Learn the fundamentals of online selling including marketing, search engine optimization, and other key elements for getting your products out in front of potential buyers. Consider do-it-yourself solutions vs. professional support. And, yes, there will be time for questions and discussion. Register for this course and Technology of Online Selling and save $7.

2 Tues., Oct. 13 & 20, 6-8:30 p.m.
Oleson Center Rm. B
Instructor: Jordan Lindberg
Cost: $65         Code: 5682

Selling Online: Technical Solutions
Master some very powerful but simple ecommerce technology in this fast-paced hands-on course designed for people who are ready to start selling. Learn about a free way to create a professional-looking web store in minutes. Develop an understanding of who is visiting your site by deploying the power of Google Analytics. Reach out to prospective buyers with a direct marketing campaign using Constant Contact. With a little creativity and a few hours of work, you can be effectively selling online. No specific online selling experience is necessary. Starting an Online Business is helpful, but not required before taking this course.

2 Thurs., Nov. 12 & 19, 6-8:30 p.m. 
University Center Rm. 103
Instructor: Jordan J. Lindberg
Cost: $65        Code: 5704

Business Plan in a Day
Having a solid business plan is a key element for success in obtaining financing through a bank or investor and in thinking through the various aspects of a viable business endeavor. You’ll give yourself an advantage with this one-day, quick-paced seminar where you will work through the essential elements of a usable, comprehensive, and professional plan. Topics include your target market, competition, marketing and sales, operation, management, development, financial projections, and key descriptions and summaries. You’ll leave with a good start on your plan and the know-how to wrap it up.

Option 1: Mon., Sept. 28 
10 a.m.-4 p.m., University Center Rm. 219
Code: 5710

Kalkaska Option: Sat., Dec. 5
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Kalkaska Michigan WORKS! Center,
North Conference Rm. (103 Third St.)
Instructor: Chris Wendel
Code: 5713

Cost: $99 each option, includes lunch & text

Payroll Taxes, Record Keeping, and Reporting
Designed for small business owners and bookkeepers and those who have never prepared payroll tax returns or need assistance with the process. Learn to prepare all the required federal and state quarterly and annual payroll tax forms, payroll tax registrations, deposit requirements, and record keeping systems. Bring a calculator. The cost of this course is partially underwritten by SBTDC.

Tues., Oct. 20, 1-5 p.m. 
University Center Rm. 215
Instructor: Donald Herrmann
Cost: $45       Code: 5965

Bookkeeping for Small Business
Learn accounting principles and record keeping for the preparation of essential financial statements. In this age of computerization, we’ll work with the basics that do not change—whether you use a computer or not (yet it is excellent preparation for beginning a computer accounting program). You will learn to summarize the activities of a business through journal entries and understand and prepare income statements and balance sheets. The cost of this course is partially underwritten by SBTDC. Required text, “Bookkeeping Made Simple”, is available at NMC Bookstore (995-1285).

Option 1: 2 Mon. & Wed. 
Sept. 21-30, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Aero Park Campus, M-TEC Rm. 218
Instructor: Jim Bertoldi
Cost: $79 (does not include text)
Code: 5714

Kalkaska Option: 2 Mon. & Wed.,
Oct. 26-Nov. 4; 6-8 p.m.,
Kalkaska Michigan WORKS! Center,
North Conference Rm. (103 Third St.)
Instructor: Jim Bertoldi
Cost: $79
($14 for text due at registration-
text provided at class)
Code: 5715

Breakthroughs for Small Businesses
If you are like most entrepreneurs, you reach a point where you run out of time, money, or resources. In a down economy, all three become more finite. Considering new and different ways of running your business may be in order. In this laser-focused workshop guided by entrepreneurs Nancy Ballinger (Ballinger Coaching and Consulting) and Kris Kruid (Jacques Torres Chocolate) gain insight into what a few small changes can do to increase efficiencies, decrease waste, and increase sales. If you are passionate about your product or service, you are willing to do what it takes, and you have run into some obstacles you are not sure how to overcome, this workshop will provide you with fresh insights and the tools you need to move forward.

Thurs., Oct. 1, 1-5 p.m.
University Center Rm. 204
Instructors: Nancy Ballinger & Kris Kruid
Cost: $79          Code: 5717

Sales Training to Improve Profitability
Small businesses and one person offices with limited resources and mentoring opportunities are on the rise leaving many to feel they are in it alone. Learn professional sales techniques that will improve your company’s profitability. Become a more effective communicator and find out how to deliver effective sales presentations that offer value to customers. Explore the negotiation process using proven techniques to win sales and convert quotes to orders. Additional session with a SCORE counselor to ramp up the success of your business is included and scheduled on your own.

2 Wed., Oct. 7 & 14, 6-9 p.m. 
Oleson Center Rm. A
Instructor: Marshall Persky
Cost: $69       Code: 5723

Understanding Your Company’s 401k
Are you a small business owner or HR director that wants the best 401k for your employees? Are you a plan fiduciary but unsure what that requires of you? Reduce your risk by understanding your fiduciary responsibilities and obligations. Understand how to determine if fees paid are reasonable. Discover ways to reduce plan fees and expenses by as much as 50%. Learn how to eliminate plan conflicts of interest and reduce your risk of being sued. Explore ways to provide a better investment experience and increase employee participation and savings rates.

Thurs., Oct. 8, 1-4 p.m.
University Center Rm. 214
Instructor: Mark Folgmann, ChFC
Cost: $45 (includes book—$15 value)
Code: 5724