Division of Continuing Education
Small Business Development Center
Are you thinking about starting your own business? Or aiming to expand on your current success? Classes provided by the Small Business Development Center offer the tools you need. Short, focused, and designed to accommodate your schedule, these classes are available either at the Higher Education Center in Medford or online. [Online classes are denoted with the
logo.] To register, go to www.sou.edu/takeaclass.
Smart Start Your Business: A Business Primer [700016]
This three hour workshop provides the "nuts and bolts" and beyond, for starting a business in southern Oregon. The session begins with a discussion of why businesses succeed or fail, and what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Topics include: writing a business plan, legal structure options, state and local rules, regulations, and licensing requirements, marketing, cash flow projections, record keeping basics, and more. Extensive handouts will be provided including the Oregon Business Guide. This workshop is strongly recommended for anyone who is considering business counseling with the Small Business Development Center.
Business Plan Development Workshop [700017]
The Business Plan Development Workshop provides the tools and guidance necessary for the participant to complete a business plan. The workshop is held in one 3-hour session and will teach the essential elements needed to develop a business plan, including mission and objectives, operations, marketing, financial aspects, and management. The goal is to provide the essential foundational information, formats, and guidance that are needed to complete a professional business plan.
Profit Mastery: Financial Intelligence for the Business Owner
The SOU Small Business Development Center is a licensed facilitator of Business Resource Services, Inc. Profit Mastery® seminars designed to “give business owners the tools needed to take financial concepts and turn them into powerful decision-assist tools.” The seminar is delivered over 16 hours of classroom training, and teaches financial intelligence through peer-to-peer interaction, financial discussions, and hands-on problem solving through case studies. The seminar objectives are to teach the business owner how to: 1) use financial statements as management tools, 2) implement the use of effective costing and pricing strategies, 3) understand cash flow, 4) effectively manage growth, and, 5) deal successfully with banks.
Effective Selling [950003]
The goal of Effective Selling is not to teach you how to make a sale today, but to help you discover how you can easily convert a potential customer into a long term asset. Effective Selling will help you lay the groundwork for repeat business and your future success. In sales, there are no quick fixes. However, with the knowledge, planning skills, communication techniques, and the understanding of human nature that you will gain from this course, your sales will grow as if by magic.
Professional Sales Skills [950001]
Today, there are no shortages of opportunities for skilled salespeople. In good times or bad, companies never stop looking for sales representatives that can help them meet their financial goals. If you've always dreamed of becoming successful in sales, this course is exactly what you need. You'll learn how to turn prospects into buyers, how to provide proper customer service, how to develop a sales plan, and more!
Creating a Successful Business Plan [960005]
Turn your business ideas into a solid plan for financing and long-term success. Committing your idea to paper in the form of a business plan not only increases your chances of obtaining financing, but also in keeping your business strategically focused. With the support of your instructor and a network of like-minded students, you'll work through all of the major components of a business plan and emerge with your first draft in hand. And most importantly, you will have completed the first--and most difficult--step on the path to small business success.
Marketing Your Business on the Internet [960009]
Find out how you can affordably market your business on the Internet from an e-commerce expert. In this practical, hands-on course, you'll learn little-understood secrets about the types of businesses that thrive on the Web. Then, you'll discover proven methods that will help you establish an Internet presence and build an online brand identity. You'll even learn several low-cost promotion strategies that you can use to drive visitors to your site.