Course Catalog

January – April 2009

4755 Kingsway Drive, Suite 314 Indianapolis, IN, 46205(317) 917-3266, ext. 100www.businessownership.org

Table of Contents

Welcome to Business Ownership Initiative 2

Small-Business Education Curriculum 3

Core Business-Development Program 4

Financial-Management Program 5

Legal and Tax Program 6

Sales and Marketing Program 8

Technology Program 10

Caregiver Program 11

Life-Skills Program 13

Course Planning Form 14

1

Welcome to Business Ownership Initiative!

Business Ownership Initiative and its Central Indiana Women’s Business Center program have been providing services and support to entrepreneurs in Indianapolis since 1997. We help people create and develop their own small businesses by inspiring business ownership and providing access to the information, tools and resources needed to successfully start, manage and grow a small business.

Although BOI services are available to all residents of the 10-county Indianapolis area, our special mis-sion is to provide support to individuals who, otherwise, might not have access to the business, legal and financial resources that they need. We believe that starting a business ought to be an opportunity available to everyone.

Business Ownership Initiative has assisted in the start-up or growth of more than 500 small busi-nesses — let us help you make your dream a reality too. Our integrated programs include:

Workshops to build business knowledge and skills Â

One-to-one business counseling and support Â

Assistance in understanding and locating financial resources Â

Group and individual life-skills coaching Â

Networking opportunities Â

We look forward to partnering with you to achieve success! To get started, use this catalog to learn about our workshops, and then call us at (317) 917-3266 ext. 100 to schedule a personal appointment with a business counselor and register for classes.

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the SBA. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabili-ties will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact BOI, 4755 Kingsway Dr., Suite 314 Indianapolis, Indiana, 46205-1549, (317) 917-3266, ext. 100. The Business Ownership Initiative of Indiana (BOI) is a not-for-profit organization. BOI’s Central Indiana Women’s Business Center (CIWBC) helps women and men create and develop their own small businesses by providing training and one-on-one business counseling.

2

Small-Business Education Curriculum

At BOI, we are dedicated to providing you the information, tools and resources that you need to be successful in starting and growing your business. One of the fundamental ways we do this is through our educational small business workshops, which support you at all stages of your business develop-ment. Throughout this course catalog, you will see the following symbols next to each class to desig-nate which growth phase that class applies to.

Exploring

Planning & Launching

Managing & Growing

We suggest that all new clients begin with our Core Business-Development Program, which lays the foundation for effective business ownership. For start-up entrepreneurs, these classes will help you to assess your readiness for business ownership and develop the skills you will need as a business owner. For existing business owners, our core program will help you assess your current situation and plan for your next steps.

In addition to our Core Program, you can choose from over 30 other workshops within our Financial Management, Legal and Tax, Sales and Marketing, Technology, Caregiver and Life-Skills Programs. We encourage you to make an appointment for a free, confidential session with one of our business counselors to plan the curriculum that will best fit your needs.

BOI will also periodically offer specialty seminars outside of our standard course curriculum. These seminars may be targeted to an issue of interest to a particular industry group or focus on other profes-sional-development needs, such professional image or interpersonal communication. Watch our Web site and e-newsletter for announcements of special seminars, or ask your counselor about upcoming programs.

Visit our Web site at www.businessownership.org for our complete course calendar and full descriptions and objectives for each class.

3

4

CORE BUSINESS-DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

How to Start a Business… Jan. 7, Feb. 12, Mar. 24 or Apr. 20,The Right Way 6 – 8:30 p.m. Learn about the steps required to start a new business and what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur. Examine your readiness to start a business, what kinds of business opportunities are available, and how Business Ownership Initiative can help with the appropriate next steps. Cost: Free

Analyzing Your Business Idea Jan. 14, Feb. 19, Mar. 31 or Apr. 27, 6 – 8:30 p.m. or Mar. 4, 9:30 a.m. – noon Examine your business idea to determine whether it makes sense for you personally, in the marketplace, and financially. This analysis process is essential before deciding to move forward with a business idea.Cost: Free

Business Beginnings Tuesdays, Jan. 13 – Mar. 3, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, Mar. 14 – Apr. 4, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Apr. 14 – Jun. 9, 6 – 8:30 p.m. In this 20-hour series, entrepreneurs in the start-up phase will write their business plan and learn the core business-management skills they will need to be successful.Cost: Workshop fee varies based on household income. $30 workbook is required.

Business-Planning Fundamentals Wednesdays, Mar. 11 – Apr. 1, 6 – 8:30 p.m. In this 10-hour series, entrepreneurs who have been in business for one year or more will examine their current operations and learn how to write their business plan for growth.Cost: $50

Iniciando Su Propio Negocio Jueves, 19 de marzo, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Aprenda los pasos requeridos para empezar un negocio nuevo y las características de empresarios exitosos. Examine si está preparado para empezar un negocio y si tiene sentido su idea.

Costo: Gratis

5

Curso de Desarrollo de Negocios Sábados, 28 de marzo y 4 de abril, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. En este curso de 12 horas, examine los pasos de planificación de empresas y aprenda los principios de manejar un negocio exitoso.Costo: Variable – basado en los ingresos de la casa. $20 libro es requerido.

FINANCIAL-MANAGEMENT PROGRAMPersonal Money Management Thursdays, Jan. 15, 22 and 29, 6 – 8 p.m.For Entrepreneurs Wednesday, Feb. 11, 9 a.m. – noon Tuesdays, Mar. 10, 17 and 24, 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, Apr. 14, 6 – 9 p.m. Learn how to more effectively manage your personal finances in order to better position yourself to start a business or to better manage the uncertainties of self-employment income. Topics include attitudes toward money, tracking spending, living on a budget, setting financial goals, saving and managing credit. Presented as a three-part series or an abbreviated single session.Cost: $30 for 3-part series, $15 for single session.

Small-Business Record Keeping Thursday, Apr. 30, 6 – 8 p.m. Examine the essentials of record keeping for small businesses, including documentation requirements, and learn to develop a simple filing system and transaction ledger.Cost: $10

Small-Business Accounting Wednesday, Jan. 21,With QuickBooks® 6 – 9 p.m. Become familiar with a more advanced level of small–business record keeping using QuickBooks Simple Start® accounting software. Learn the principles of setting up your business accounts and recording common transactions to those accounts.Cost: $10

6

Understanding Financial Statements Wednesday, Feb. 18, 6 – 8 p.m. Examine the key financial statements of any business — the income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flows — to understand how they are generated and how you can use them to analyze your business and make management decisions.Cost: $10

Financing Your Small Business Thursday, Mar. 12, 6 – 8 p.m. Explore your options for financing the start-up or growth of your small business. Topics include the truth about free grant money, common financing sources, an overview of SBA loan products and discussion of alternative financing options.Cost: Free

Small-Business Banking Resources Thursday, Apr. 16, 6 – 8 p.m. Learn how to get the most from your relationship with your bank by identifying the various small- business banking products available to support you, including business accounts, cash-management services, merchant services and loan products. Cost: Free

LEGAL AND TAX PROGRAMMinimizing Risks in Your Business Saturday, Jan. 31, 10 a.m. – noon Recognize the various legal liabilities you face as a small-business owner, learn how to protect yourself and identify when and how to work with professional advisors. Cost: $10

7

Small-Business Taxes Wednesday, Feb. 4, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Understand the kinds of taxes you are responsible for as a small-business owner and identify ways to save money on taxes with eligible tax deductions.Cost: $10

Issues for Small Businesses Thursday, Feb. 26,With Employees 6 – 8 p.m. Learn about the additional requirements and liabilities that come from adding employees to your small business. Topics include employment contracts, payroll tax liabilities and insurance requirements.Cost: $10

Intellectual Property Thursday, Mar. 19, 6 – 8 p.m. Understand the principles of trademarks, copyrights and patents and how to protect your intellectual property assets.Cost: $10

Starting a Nonprofit Organization Wednesday, Mar. 25, 6 – 8 p.m. Learn the difference between nonprofit and for-profit businesses and what it takes to start a nonprofit organization.Cost: $10

Business Contracts and Negotiations Tuesday, Apr. 7, 6 – 8 p.m. Recognize the value of business contracts to protect your interests. Learn what to consider in developing or reviewing a contract and tips for negotiating favorable terms.Cost: $10

8

ABCs of Certification Wednesday, Apr. 22, 6 – 8 p.m. Explore options for becoming certified as a women- or minority-owned business. See if certification is right for your business by learning about the types and benefits of certification and the application process. Cost: $10

Registering Your New Business Wednesday, Apr. 29, 6 – 8 p.m. Learn about the various types of business structures and ensure you are following the legal and registration requirements of federal, state and local government and tax authorities.Cost: $10

SALES AND MARKETING PROGRAMMarketing 101 Monday, Jan. 26, 6 – 8 p.m. or Saturday, Apr. 25, 10 a.m. – noon Learn the principles of marketing for small business, including developing a strategy, budgeting and measuring effectiveness. Understand key terminology and learn about the many different types of marketing tactics you can use in your business.Cost: $10

Understanding the Market Thursday, Feb. 5, and Your Place in It 6 – 8 p.m. Learn the questions you must answer to thoroughly understand how to sell your product or service in the market. Identify your target market, customer needs and the unique selling proposition that differentiates you from your competitors. Use this information to develop your message and brand identity. Cost: $10

9

How To Do Market Research Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m. – noon Learn techniques for supporting your market research with quantifiable data about your industry, customers and competition, and explore first-hand various Internet research resources available to you.Cost: $10

Establishing a Business Web Site Wednesday, Mar. 11, 6 – 8 p.m. Identify how a Web site can improve the visibility of your business, how to plan for an effective site and tips for developing, launching and maintaining a new Web site. Cost: $10

Using the Internet Thursday, Mar. 26, to Grow Your Business 6 – 8 p.m. Learn how to drive people to your Web site and keep them coming back for more. Identify additional ways to increase your Web presence and build awareness of your business for free by leveraging new technologies and using social media.Cost: $10

Marketing Through the Media Thursday, Apr. 2, 6 – 8 p.m. Learn how to effectively work with the media to get the word out about your business, both with paid advertising and free exposure through public relations.Cost: $10

Building Your Business Wednesdays, Jan. 28 – Feb. 18, by Word of Mouth 6 – 8:30 p.m. In this four-part series, learn where and how to make contacts to build and maintain your network of referral sources that will help you grow your business.Cost: $60

10

Sales 101 Monday, Feb. 9, 6 – 8 p.m. Understand the difference between sales and marketing, the importance of sales to the small-business owner, types of sales and the steps in the sales process.Cost: $10

Winning Sales Strategies Mondays, Mar. 2 & 16, 6 – 9 p.m. In this two-part series, learn techniques to generate more sales, such as effective customer prospecting, drawing the customer toward the sale, handling objections, reading the customer’s buying signals and closing the deal.Cost: $30

TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMUsing Microsoft Word® for Business Monday, Feb. 23, 6 – 9 p.m. Learn hands-on how to use some advanced features of Word to create business documents. Topics include tables, headers and footers, graphics, and templates.Cost: $10

Using Microsoft Excel® for Business Thursday, Apr. 23, 6 – 9 p.m. Learn hands-on how to use Microsoft Excel to create business spreadsheets and perform calculations. Cost: $10

11

CAREGIVER PROGRAMExploring Child-Care Tuesday, Jan. 6,Business Ownership 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Discuss the opportunities for child-care businesses, determine if starting a child-care business is right for you, and identify the appropriate next steps and resources to get started.Cost: Free

Evaluating the Child-Care Market Tuesday, Feb. 3, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Examine industry trends and learn how to identify and define a target market for your child-care business.Cost: $10

Growing Your Child-Care Business Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Learn key principles of marketing in order to develop a strategy for attracting new clients to your child-care business.Cost: $10

Managing and Organizing Tuesday, Mar. 10, Your Child-Care Business 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Learn the key policies, procedures and systems that you should have in place to efficiently and effectively operate your child-care business. Cost: $10

12

Child-Care Business Operations Tuesday, Mar. 31, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Learn the importance of a business plan and parent handbook, and get guidance in how to develop both of these documents.Cost: $10

Paths to QUALITY Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 18, Feb. 24 or Mar. 18,Orientation Sessions 10 a.m. – noon Child Care Answers will present an overview of Indiana’s new Paths to QUALITY child-care quality rating program for child-care providers to learn about the benefits of the program and how they can participate. Cost: Free *Call Child Care Answers at 926-3401, ext. 300 to register for this class.

Exploring Personal-Care Tuesday, Jan. 20 or Tuesday, Mar. 17,Business Ownership 6 – 8 p.m. Discuss the opportunities for personal–care businesses, types of personal care, and Indiana’s regulatory requirements for personal-care providers.Cost: Free

Marketing Your Personal-Care Monday, Feb. 9 or Tuesday Apr. 21,Business 6 – 8 p.m. Learn key principles of marketing in order to develop a strategy for attracting new clients to your personal-care business. Cost: $10

13

LIFE-SKILLS PROGRAM BOI offers a small-group, life-skills workshop program that includes a series of four-week modules. Class size is limited, so placement in the class is by counselor referral only.

Self-Awareness Tuesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 6 – 8 p.m. Increase awareness of personal preferences and strengths that contribute to satisfying personal and professional relationships.Cost: $25

Self-Discipline Tuesdays, Feb. 17, 24, Mar. 3 and 10, 6 – 8 p.m. Adopt daily habits that strengthen and improve perseverance in reaching personal and professional goals.Cost: $25

Integrity and Setting Limits Tuesdays, Mar. 24, 31, Apr. 7 and 14, 6 – 8 p.m. Identify “true north” values that guide personal and professional decisions, including knowing when to set limits and recognizing the relationship between acting with integrity and overall life satisfaction.Cost: $25

Verbal Communication Tuesdays, Apr. 21, 28, May 5 and 12, 6 – 8 p.m. Increase clarity, brevity, authenticity and congruence in interpersonal communications.Cost: $25

COURSE PLANNING FORMJanuary – April 2009

Use this checklist to plan your schedule. We encourage you to work with your counselor to select the classes that will be most appropriate for you.

Preregistration is required for all classes. To register for classes, please call (317) 917-3266 x100 or e-mail: information@ businessownership.org. Most classes are held at the BOI offices, but some classes are held offsite. Class location will be confirmed upon registration.

Payment is accepted by cash or check in advance or at the door. We encourage you to consider our prepaid LEAP cards — attend any three $10 workshops for only $25 or any five workshops for $40.

Core Business-Development ProgramHow to Start a Business: o Jan. 7 o Feb. 12

°

o Mar. 24 o Apr. 20

Analyzing Your Business Idea: o Jan. 14 o Feb. 19 o Mar. 4 o Mar. 31

o Apr. 27

Business Beginnings: o Jan. 13 – Mar. 3 (Tues.) o Mar. 14 – Apr. 4 (Sat.) o Apr. 14 – Jun. 9 (Tues.)

Business-Planning Fundamentals: o Mar. 11 – Apr. 1

Iniciando Su Propio Negocio: o Mar. 19

Curso de Desarrollo de Negocios: o Mar. 28 and Apr. 4

Financial-Management ProgramPersonal Money Management: o Jan. 15, 22, 29 o Feb. 11

o Mar. 10, 17, 24 o Apr. 14

Small-Business Record Keeping: o Apr. 30

Accounting With QuickBooks: o Jan. 21

Understanding Financial Statements: o Feb. 18

Financing Your Small Business o Mar. 12

Small-Business Banking Resources: o Apr. 16

Legal and Tax ProramMinimizing Risks in Your Business o Jan. 31

Small-Business Taxes o Feb. 4

Issues for Small Businesses o Feb. 26With Employees

Intellectual Property o Mar. 19

Starting a Nonprofit Organization o Mar. 25

Business Contracts and Negotiations o Apr. 7

ABCs of Certification o Apr. 22

Registering Your New Business o Apr. 29

Technology ProgramUsing Microsoft Word® o Feb. 23for Your Business

Using Microsoft Excel® o Apr. 23for Your Business

Sales and Marketing ProgramMarketing 101 o Jan. 26 oApr. 25

Understanding the Market o Feb. 5and Your Place in it

How To Do Market Research o Feb. 21

Establishing a Business Web Site o Mar. 11

Using the Internet to o Mar. 26Grow Your Business

Marketing Through the Media o Apr. 2

Building Your Business by o Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18Word of Mouth

Sales 101 o Feb. 9

Winning Sales Strategies o Mar. 2 and 16

Caregiver ProgramExploring Child-Care o

°

Jan. 6Business Ownership

Evaluating the Child-Care Market o Feb. 3

Growing Your Child-Care Business o Feb. 17

Managing and Organizing o Mar. 10Your Child-Care Business

Child-Care Business Operations o Mar. 31

Paths to QUALITY o Jan. 21 o Jan. 28 Orientation Sessions

o Feb. 18 o Feb. 24 o Mar. 18

Exploring Personal-Care oJan. 20 o Mar. 17Business Ownership

Marketing Your Personal-Care o Feb. 9 o Apr. 21Business

Life-Skills ProgramSelf-Awareness o Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27

Self-Discipline o Feb. 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10

Integrity and Setting Limits o Mar. 24, 31, Apr. 7, 14

Verbal Communication o Apr. 21, 28, May 5, 12

14

NonprofitOrgnization

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

Indianapolis, INPerm

it Number 2250

4755 Kingsw

ay Drive, Suite 314

Indianapolis, IN, 46205

(317) 917-3266, ext. 100w

ww

.businessownership.org