LSBDC at University of Louisiana Monroe: Main Office

Administration Building

*Monroe

This workshop will address a number of ways individual entrepreneurs who want to go into business can identify possible business opportunities for them to consider starting.  Group participation can be expected to generate several ideas during the course of the workshop.  Topics of discussion include conduct an inventory analysis, analyze the market, search available literature, look and listen, record your ideas, evaluate the alternatives, and assess each remaining opportunity. 

Speaker: Dr. Paul Dunn

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in determining the feasibility of their business idea, planning to start or have recently started a small business, expanding their business, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about planning. Topics of discussion will include entrepreneurial readiness, writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

Cash is the king!  If you can't pay your bills when they come due, you have a problem.  There are many sources of cash flow problems - starting with under capitalization, spending too much in or on the business, and personal uses of cash.  Cash inflows are another source of cash flow problems including inadequate sales, poor pricing practices, credit and collection problems.  Cash flow also involves time issues such as when you get cash and when your bills are due.  All these and other issues will be addressed in the workshop.  Time will be available to address specific problems individual businesses are having.    

Speaker: Dr. Paul Dunn

Personal selling is an extremely important factor in the success of many small business firms. This workshop will provide participants a working knowledge of selling process and how to build a sales presentation. The objective is to help small business people add value to their products and their business

Speaker: Dr. Henry Cole, ULM

Effective marketing communications is no longer reserved for companies with big advertising budgets. This workshop will show how small- and medium-sized businesses can leverage non-traditional and Web-based communications to reach customers and prospective customers. Participants will learn how to use news releases, blogs, viral marketing, and social media marketing to achieve marketing goals on a limited marketing budget.

Speaker: Dr. Laurie Babin, Abell Endowed Professor of Entrepreneurship, ULM