Friday, November 13, 2009

Additional Dates Added for Free Market Research Courses

The Biz Resource Center at the Bailey Libary of Washtenaw Community College & MI-SBTDC announces additional Market Research for the winter and spring 2010. Dates include February 19th and May 7th. Please visit our website for further information.

Market Research Series Part I: Researching Customer Profile

Making money in your small business comes from understanding your customer; where they live, where they shop, and what they prefer to do in their times of leisure. Building a customer database is essential to growing your small business, in this course you will use the research tools of the Washtenaw Community College's Biz Resource Center to gain an insight into your customer base. From the information gained in this session you will have an understanding of the marketing resources available to you the small business owner through WCC.

Market Research Series Part II: Researching Competitor Profile

The fast-growing skill of the small business owner is and will continue to be the use of knowledge. The more you understand about the competitions infrastructure, the more you can apply this knowledge to your benefit. Gaining an understanding of your competitor can also help you to understand the unique attributes or niche of your small business. In this course you will use the research tools of the Washtenaw Community College's Biz Resource Center to gain an insight into your competitors businesses.

Please pre-register online or by calling 734-973-3429 as space is limited.


Cost: FREE
February 19th & May 7th, 2010
10:00AM to 11:30 AM &
12:30PM to 2:00PM
WCC Bailey Library
4800 E Huron River Dr
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Ann Arbor Chamber iPhone Application Available for Free Download from the AppStore on iTunes

A2Chamber iPhone Application available for free download from the AppStore on iTunes. Through this application you can gain discounts from restaurants and retail stores to auto repair and web applications. Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce members are listed for free.

Does your business need visibility? Get it listed in the A2 Chamber's m2m (member-2-member) directory of businesses. Using the power of the iPhone marketing you can reach the on-the-go person. Complete a simple electronic form allowing businesses to update the offer, as frequently as weekly: http://www.annarborchamber.org/benefits/save_money/m2m_discounts.html
Businesses listed in m2m gain a complimentary window clingy notifying others of your participation.

Gain the free application from the iTunes App Store download page for the "A2Chamber" App:
http://www.annarborchamber.org/benefits/save_money/m2m_discounts.html

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

SBA Office of Veterans Business Development

The mission of the Office of Veterans Business Development is to maximize the availability, applicability and usability of all administration small business programs for Veterans, Service-Disabled Veterans, Reserve Component Members, and their Dependents or Survivors.

Veterans Business Outreach Program

The Veterans Business Outreach Program (VBOP) is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring, and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business. The SBA has eight organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).

Services Provided by the Centers
Pre-Business Plan Workshops:
VBOCs conduct entrepreneurial development workshops dealing specifically with the major issues of self-employment. An important segment of these workshops entails the usage of the Internet as a tool for developing and expanding businesses. Each client is afforded the opportunity to work directly with a business counselor.

Concept Assessments:
VBOCs assist clients in assessing their entrepreneurial needs and requirements.

Business Plan Preparations:
VBOCs assist clients in developing and maintaining a five-year business plan. The business plan includes such elements as the legal form if the business, equipment requirements and cost, organizational structure, a strategic plan, market analysis, and a financial plan. Financial plans include financial projections, budget projections, and funding requirements.

Comprehensive Feasibility Analysis:
VBOCs provide assistance in identifying and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the business plan to increase the probability of success. The results of the analysis are utilized to revise the strategic planning portion of the business plan.

Entrepreneurial Training and Counseling:
VBOCs, working with other SBA resource partners, target entrepreneurial training projects and counseling sessions tailored specifically to address the needs and concerns of the service-disabled veteran entrepreneur.

Mentorship:
VBOCs conduct, as appropriate, on-site visits with clients to ensure adherence to their business plans. Additionally, VBOCs review monthly financial statements to determine whether a revision of the business plan is warranted or that desired results are being attained.

Other Business Developmental Related Services:
VBOCs also provide assistance and training in such areas as international trade, franchising, Internet marketing, accounting, etc.

VetBiz Central, Inc
Edward Ronders/Matt Sherwood
711 N. Saginaw St.Suite 206
Flint, MI 48503
Phone: 810-767-8387
Fax: 810-767-8662
Email: ed@vetbizcentral.com or matt@vetbizcentral.com
Webpage: http://www.vetbizcentral.com