Businesses: Join the SBM! • One classroom session each month over the course of one year, plus monthly one-on-one counseling sessions ... and much more! What gets you up in the morning? What keeps you up at night? How would you like to have your own personal business consultant to meet with every month? Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to pick up the phone or e-mail someone whenever you had an inspiration, or a challenging business question? For almost two decades, the Oregon Coast Community College’s Small Business Development Center has offered a powerful Small Business Management Program, which can help you with: money management • Determine the exact level of sales that you will need to be profitable and pay for new assets, pay existing loans and make a living. • Read financial statements, and master the 25 key words that will make you sound like you have an MBA. • Track two expense percentages which are critical to your business’ success. • Use spreadsheets and QuickBooks to help run your business to achieve positive cash flow. marketing • Collect and record the one key element to successful marketing in the Internet age. • Recognize a hidden aspect of marketing that, when mastered, can drastically improve operations and delivery. • Know the answer to the question, “Why should I choose you?” by developing your Unique Value Proposition. • Build customer trust and loyalty... and, while you’re at it, a better community for Lincoln County. human resources • Effectively build a supportive team at work and at home. • Create manuals and checklists so that you can manage effectively. • Build a business that complements your life and that builds wealth for your retirement Over the course of a three-term academic year, our participants receive: • Ten one-to-one, two-hour meetings with the SBM Coordinator • Meetings with an informal support group of a number of other SBM members • Nine SBM-I classes, plus access to more than 21 SBM Advanced classes attended by your business peers. The SBM program is open to existing businesses. Pick the one that’s right for you! Business scholarships available Many business owners don’t realize they are eligible for 100% tuition assistance for many SBDC programs. This year, Lincoln City businesses located within the city’s Urban Renewal District are eligible for 100% tuition assistance for business classes and programs, thanks to a generous Economic Development Grant from the agency. All over the county, thousands of residents – and many small business owners – qualify as “low” or “moderate” income earners, as categorized by the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. Many don’t realize that many of their neighbors, as well as their own families, may fit these criteria. For example, a family of four with an annual income of $44,800 would be defined as “moderate income,” and would be eligible for no-cost services from the SBDC, including... “OCCC is small, but a very good college.” – matthew webb Small Business Management Program $ • The 10-week entrepreneur’s course for new businesses, “Start Ups & Tune-Ups,” coming to Newport this fall term and to Lincoln City next term. • The Small Business Management Program’s SBM and iSBM programs – powerful programs that run all year, over three academic terms, with one classroom session per month and one counseling session per month, all designed to make your businesses achieve greater success. • ‘Profit Mastery,’ a powerhouse of a business education program, designed to drive the bottom line. Normally $395, the tuition for this course is eligible for 100% assistance for those who qualify as low- or moderate-income earners. Do YOU qualify? Call 541-994-4166 or email sbdc@occc.cc.or.us to find out. ron spisso Our new iSBM PrograM features in-depth technology-focused classroom instruction, and one-on-one counseling opportunities, along with traditional business education content. Led by Misty Lambrecht and Ron Spisso, the iSBM is the latest iteration of this powerful, cutting edge business education program. SBM i focuses on businesses in the early stages of development by concentrating on financial management and moving owners from a checkbook mentality to understanding financial statements. SBM ii assists growing and mature businesses by helping owners increase market share and concentrating on developing efficient systems that result in higher profit margins. The cost of the program is $900 a year. All small businesses will qualify for local, state and national scholarships that typically bring the yearly cost down anything from zero dollars, to between $200 and $400, depending on funding from our sponsors. If you would like more information about the SBM program, contact the Small Business Development Center at Oregon Coast Community College, at 541-9944166 or 541-487-4855, to apply for a free one-hour interview to see whether this program is for you. oregoncoastbusiness.com • fall 2013 • 16