Our Current Workshops being Offered are:
"How to Start Your Own Business" RACC Course ID # ZCAR 303-012
DESCRIPTION
This is the American dream. Many people aspire to become entrepreneurs but don't know how or where to begin. Developed and taught by a panel of professionals with direct, small business experience, this workshop provides strategies and insights on how to get started and how to sustain commercial momentum. The course curriculum is designed to help the budding entrepreneur grasp the practical aspects of basic business principles, vitally important to both start-up and newly established enterprises - business organization, sales, marketing account finance legal insurance e-commerce and the Internet and business plan structure.
Where: Reading Area Community College, 10 South Second Street, Reading, PA
When: Beginning Monday March 10, 2008
Time: 8:10 - 10:10 PM
Fee: $100.00 (a workbook is included)
March 10, 2008 You and Your Business, Business Model and Keys to Success
March 17, 2008 Business Entities & Legal Issues, Business Insurance & Liability Issues
March 24, 2008 Sales & Sales Management Issues
March 31, 2008 Marketing and Marketing Tools, Pricing Strategies, Borrowing Money
Apr. 7, 2008 General Accounting Issues, Pricing Strategies
Apr. 14, 2008 Your Business & the Internet, Organizing Your Finances
Apr. 21, 2008 The Business Plan and Structure, Cash Flow Analysis
Apr. 28, 2008 Small Business Owners’ Roundtable
"Improving Financial Performance for Small Business" RACC Course ID # ZCAR 309-013
DESCRIPTION
If you own a small business, you know how much hard work and dedication are required to keep it running. Sometimes your energy is so focused on day-to-day operations that you forget to step back, look at the big picture, and gain valuable perspective. This three-week course is a must for small business owners who want to get to the next level of performance, either through sales growth, increased profitability, cost containment, or operational efficiencies. Taught by a local SCORE counselor with a financial background as CFO, this course will help small businesses better understand their current operations, set realistic goals for tomorrow, and provide operational insights and critical financial performance measurements to achieve these goals.
Where: Reading Area Community College, 10 South Second Street, Reading, PA
When: Beginning Wednesday April 2, 2008
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Fee: $65.00 (a workbook is included)
Apr. 2, 2008 Performance Improvement – I Where are you today?
(Understanding existing operations - Review existing operations through the basic financial
statements and the various financial / operational performance measurements. Integration of these indices with your business plan, marketing and sales strategy, operational plan, staffing projections,etc.)
Apr 9, 2008 Performance Improvement – II Where do you want to go?
(Defining realistic and achievable goals - Review operational and sales objectives and aspirations, including such indicators as production levels, sales forecasts, employment levels, expense budgets, inventory, debt structure, working capital, supply / contractor arrangements, etc.)
Apr. 16, 2008 Performance Improvement – III How do you get there?
(Option development and execution - Examine the wide range of methodologies and alternatives available to improve the administrative, operational and marketing efficiencies that will lead to improved financial performance. Additionally, examine various performance metrics to realistically monitor your business goals, dependent on your business status and strategies selected).
"Developing a Comprehensive Business Plan" RACC Course ID # ZCAR 305-014
DESCRIPTION
Planning is your map to success in the business world. This three-week course is a must for anyone starting a small business, and / or buying, financing, or refinancing one. Taught by local SCORE counselors, this step-by-step process will help you (1) move ideas from your head to paper in an organized, clear, and convincing manner; (2) identify those key points that can make or break your chances of success; (3) discover what critical points commercial lenders typically focus on; and (4) avoid the most common mistakes in business planning and analysis. Textbook included.
Where: Reading Area Community College, 10 South Second Street, Reading, PA
When: Beginning Monday May 5 , 2008
Time: 8:10 - 10:10 PM
Fee: $65.00 (a workbook is included)
May 5, 2008 Business Plan – I (Getting Started)
What’s a good Plan (Standard Outline); Description of Enterprise (Legal entity, owners, licenses and permits, what sell, customer base); Description of Operations and Management Team (Services / products being offered, employees and experience base); Initial Assessment (Competition, sales projections, monthly expenses, and start-up costs).
May 12 , 2008 Business Plan – II (Gathering Information and Forecasting)
The Business You’re In (Industry Analysis); The Market You’re In (Market research and competitive analysis); Forecasting the Future (Developing a realistic sales forecast and expense budget).
May 19 , 2008 Business Plan – III (Numbers Tell the Story)
Financial Analyses and Linking the Numbers (Balance sheet, income statement, cash flow, and break-even analysis).
REGISTRATION Call: RACC, Continuing Education Department
or Rosemary Vorgity at 610-607-6232
Mail: Office of Continuing Education
Reading Area Community College
Post Office Box 1706, Reading, PA 19603
