Workshop Schedule Spring 2012
Click for information on location, directions/parking, cost and registration.
| Title | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing The Digital Divide (Leveraging Technology to Accelerate Business Growth) |
Thursday March 8, 2012 |
Grace Conference Room |
| eMarketing Internet Tools 101 (A Basic Introduction) |
Thursday March 22, 2012 |
Grace Conference Room |
| Using Online Social Networking (To Boost Sales & Marketing Success) |
Thursday April 5, 2012 |
Grace Conference Room |
| Online Lead Generation (Using Desktop & Mobile Search, Social Media & Online Advertising) |
Thursday April 26, 2012 |
Grace Conference Room |
| New & Proven Ways To Win More Business | Thursday May 10, 2012 |
Grace Conference Room |
CROSSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
(Leveraging Technology to Accelerate Business Growth)
Thursday, March 8, 2012
8:45 – 12 noon
Grace Conference Room, Higgins University Center
It is critical for business owners to learn how to adapt and evolve to meet the ever-changing demands in the market. Digital technologies not only empower small businesses but also help level the playing field by allowing these entrepreneurial organizations to compete more effectively against companies with greater resources. Create innovative opportunities that were not previously accessible such as: making new business models, changing customer interactions, improving the identification of customer needs, and enhancing internal decision-making processes.
This workshop is designed to demonstrate the powerful role technology can play to turn facts and figures into knowledge that business owners can use to accelerate grow. The goal of the workshop is to begin to create a Technology-Enabled Business Roadmap.
Some of the business areas we will explore in the workshop include:
• Customer Research And Relationship Management Tools
• Managing By The Numbers – Your Dashboard
• Selecting The Most Powerful Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Social Media And Web Analytics
Speakers:
Beth Goldstein, Author, Consultant, Trainer, Founder
Marketing Edge Consulting Group, Holliston, MA
Sponsored by:
Bay State Savings Bank, The Harbor Law Group and Savers Bank
eMARKETING INTERNET TOOLS 101
(A Basic Introduction)
Thursday, March 22, 2012
8:45 – 12 noon
Grace Conference Room, Higgins University Center
This session is an encore presentation of a workshop that was given last spring. It was so well received last year that we have decided to have it again this spring with only minor updates.
There are a vast array of internet tools that can be used to improve customer loyalty and increase sales for small businesses. Determining which are the best techniques to use for your business and where you should start, can seem to be an overwhelming task.
This session will explain and demonstrate the basics of a variety of these options. It will include the pros and cons as well as providing some “screen shots” of the most popular tools. It is not designed to be an in-depth training for each of the “options”, but rather an overview that will help you to determine where you should begin and what “tools” you should start utilizing first. Most of these are either free or have a modest controllable cost. However, many will require an investment of time to achieve a significant benefit.
Topics that will be covered include:
• Email • E-Newsletters
• Facebook • Twitter
• Blogs • Pay per Click
• Google Location • QR Codes
Speaker:
Greg Charland, Owner/Lead Consultant,
Charland Technology, Hubbardston, MA
Sponsored by:
Fidelity Bank, Mirick O'Connell and Middlesex Savings Bank
USING ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKING
(To Boost Sales & Marketing Success)
Thursday, March 22, 2012
8:45 – 12 noon
Grace Conference Room, Higgins University Center
There are two portions to this presentation. In the first portion a marketing specialist will explain Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Social networking has taken the internet by storm and is once again changing the face of communications. Nearly 4 out of 5 internet users visit a social networking site each month. But how does this translate into success for your company...whether your goal is more traffic to your web site, enhanced awareness of your company and product brands, or increased sales? Is social networking entertainment or business? Learn how to integrate social media into your company’s marketing and sales program.
Some of the topics that will be covered include:
• Social networking tools and technologies
• Where people are spending their time
• Specific ways to drive more customers to your web site using social networking
• Tips on how to construct an effective social media program
• Examples of companies who have successfully put social media to work for them
• The role of mobile devices and what you need to take into account when building your marketing program
In the second portion of the program, Melissa Fetterhoff and Thomas Oliveri, Jr. are two business people who will explain how they use these techniques on a modest and practical level to help them improve customer relations and increase sales for their businesses.
Speakers:
Shari Worthington, President, Telesion Technology, Worcester, MA
Melissa Fetterhoff, Executive Director, Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce, Devens, MA
Thomas Oliveri, Jr., President of both Peppercorn's Grille & Tavern and Wormtown Brewery, Worcester, MA
Sponsored by:
The Feingold Companies, George J. Isaac, CPA and Southbridge Savings Bank
ONLINE LEAD GENERATION
(Using Desktop & Mobile Search, Social Media & Online Advertising)
Thursday, March 22, 2012
8:45 – 12 noon
Grace Conference Room, Higgins University Center
The realities of the current economic environment have made lead generation the number one priority for companies. The proven effectiveness of online channels like search marketing, social media marketing and online search and display advertising, coupled with visitor-to-lead conversion on the website and landing page, make these channels a must in the mix of any online lead generation campaign.
This seminar will explore the potential of online marketing to generate business leads and how it relates to desktop and mobile search, social media and online advertising. No generalities or overview theories, just the details. And we will answer the question that everyone wants hear “How do I get more leads from the Internet?
This seminar include the following sessions:
• Desktop and Mobile Search Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Online Search and Display Advertising for Web and Social Networks
This half-day seminar will explore and show you a variety of proven local online marketing tactics that can be used to generate business leads, how to connect and keep the conversation going with your customers and prospects and how you can use these emerging channels to win.
Speakers:
Louis Rijk, Sales Executive, Thoughtwire Media LLC, Westborough, MA
Sponsored by:
Southbridge Savings Bank, Shepherd & Goldstein and United Bank
NEW & PROVEN WAYS TO WIN MORE BUSINESS
Thursday, March 22, 2012
8:45 – 12 noon
Grace Conference Room, Higgins University Center
The last session in the spring series of seminars makes the transition from branding, marketing, and using social media to promote your business to how to make sure you produce the consistent revenue you need. Come and learn what you can do more of or differently to accelerate your business to the next level.
In this highly informative session you will learn why yesterday’s sales tactics no longer work in the new economy. Perhaps you are frustrated that you are not closing enough new business. Are you frustrated that customers now talk about longer sales cycles or they need more time to think it over? Or does it seem that your proposals and presentations are being used by your potential customers as “unpaid consulting services”?
If you answered yes to any of the previous questions then you should attend this program and learn:
• How to eliminate “think it overs” and close sales
• How to establish a “trusted advisor relationship” with your clients
• How to gain commitments from prospects, avoid time wasters and shorten sales cycles
• How to win competitive business without cutting price
Speaker:
Ken Cheo, Principal, Winfree Business Growth Advisors, Braintree, MA
Sponsored by:
Commerce Bank and Webster Five Cent Savings Bank
LOCATION
All programs are held in the Grace Conference Room, Higgins University Center, Clark University
DIRECTIONS/PARKING
Take Exit 11 (College Square/Federal Square) off 290. Go straight, following sign for Federal Square/Downtown. At second traffic light take a left onto Cambridge Street (St. Matthew's Church on left and Culpeppers Bakery on right). Go one mile to the end of Cambridge Street. Take a sharp right onto Main Street. Drive down Main Street (the campus is on your left) thru your first set of traffic lights. Take the second street on your right. This is a one way called Grand Street. There are two parking lots owned by St. Peter's Church that we have permission to park in. Once parked it is just a short walk back down to Main Street, where you cross over, head to the main gate of campus and towards the Higgins University Center on your left. Download the parking and campus map in PDF format.
TIME
For all programs, registration begin at 8:45AM, and all programs run from 9AM until 12PM.
COST
$39 for the first seminar
$30 for each additional seminar or registrant (from same company)
Special - $150 for all 5 seminars
PAYMENT
To reserve your space, please mail your check made out to Clark University to:
Clark University SBDC
950 Main Street,
Worcester, MA 01610
Be sure to list attendees names and which seminars you are paying for. You can also REGISTER ONLINE but we cannot process credit cards - sorry.
Space is limited. Advanced registration required. Registration fees include materials and refreshments. The Clark SBDC reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a seminar due to insufficient enrollment. Registration fees will be returned or credited towards future programs only if the Clark SBDC cancels or reschedules a seminar. Sorry, no refunds will be given to individuals who cancel or do not show up for a seminar they have registered for.
Please contact the Clark University SBDC for more information at 508-793-7615 or via email at sbdc@clarku.edu
Corporate Sponsors
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network Central Regional Office at Clark University would like to extend thanks to the following institutions for their financial support, thus allowing us to provide quality and educational workshops at a nominal fee to the small business community.