Events/Workshops

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has some excellent online course offering. Click the SBA links to learn more.

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, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about business planning. Topics of discussion will include writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

Speaker: Cooper Cochran, director

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, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about business planning. Topics of discussion will include entrepreneurship readiness, writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

Speaker: Zachary McNeal, Consultant for LSBDC at UL Lafayette

Este seminario le llevara a determinar si usted puede comenzar un negocio internacional. Le ayudara a identificar las necesidades de su empresa, productos, países y temas técnicos relativos al financiamiento, a los precios, al transporte y la logística. Al terminar este seminario estará listo para decidir si quiere llevar a cabo este tipo de negocio. Entonces podrá participar en la serie de seminarios intensivos que ofrecemos periódicamente.

Speaker: Ruperto Chávarri, Consultor

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 recommended for individuals exploring business ideas, planning to start, have recently started, or want to expand a small business and those seeking a small business loan. Topics of discussion include business feasibility, business planning, sources of funding, small business resources and required licenses.

Speaker: Mr. Kyle ARdoin and Ms. Fran Fontenot, Business Consultants for the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University

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, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about business planning. Topics of discussion will include writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

Speaker: LSBDC Technology Center at LSU Staff

Proper licenses and permits are necessary to operate a business. This seminar teaches how to obtain tax ID numbers, permits, and licenses. The seminar examines the differences between "C" and "S" Corporations, sole proprietorships, partnerships, and LLC's. Elements that business structures are based on are discussed such as taxes, ownership, responsibility, control, risk, operations, and employee requirements. -Advantages & Disadvantages of each Legal Structure -Legal Structure Quiz -Filing Forms for Selecting an Organizational Structure are Provided

Speaker: Winston Williams, Business Consultant

Este seminario informara a los empresarios como preparar y desarrollar un buen plan de negocios, de igual manera identificará las necesidades financieras para empezar un negocio. El seminario abarca: • Promoción del negocio; ¿Está listo para llegar a ser un empresario?; • Capacidad financiera

Speaker: Ruperto Chávarri, Consultor

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.

A written business plan enables you to control your business. This seminar covers the detailed parts of a thorough business plan. This seminar is for aspiring entrepreneurs but also serves to create direction for existing owners. • What is a Business Plan and what is it used for? • Full Business Plan Planner Workbook • Worksheets for Financial Projections

Speaker: Youlander Fulton, Business Consultant

A written business plan enables you to control your business. This seminar covers the detailed parts of a thorough business plan. This seminar is for aspiring entrepreneurs but also serves to create direction for existing owners. Topics Covered: • What is a Business Plan and what is it used for? • Full Business Plan Planner Workbook • Worksheets for Financial Projections

Speaker: Jerre Madere, Business Consultant

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, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about business planning. Topics of discussion will include writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

Speaker: Cooper Cochran, director, Louisiana Small Business Development Center at LSUS

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, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about business planning. Topics of discussion will include entrepreneurship readiness, writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up and expansion, small business resources, and required licenses.

Speaker: Zachary McNeal, Consultant for LSBDC at UL Lafayette

Are you thinking of starting a business and don't know how to get started? Or are you in business now but could benefit from some redirection and helpful resources? On Tuesday July 27th and Wednesday, July 28th, business consultants and trainers will be available to assist you wth FREE intensive educational seminars. Topics will include:"Starting and Financing a Small Business" , "E-commerce and Social Media", "Working with Your Bank to Get a Loan", and "Business Retention" just to name a few. Each day begins at 9am and will go until approximately 4pm; you can sign up for one day or both days, or chose any seminar(s) you'd like to attend.

Several workshops will be presented over two days on starting or expanding a small business. Workshops are: Aug. 3 Starting & Financing Your Business, How to Get a Bank Loan, Marketing 101, Customer Service Aug. 4 Professionalism in the Workplace, Business Retention, Starting a Business Online, Interviewing Skills for Teens Call for exact times

Speaker: Various business trainers from Louisiana Business & Technology Center, Louisiana Small Business Development Center, LSU AgCenter and others

This seminar will provide entrepreneurs with information on establishing and developing a successful business plan as well as determine funding needs for the start-up. Seminar covers: • Financing Options • Business Ownership • Funding Sources

Speaker: Mike Oden, Business Consultant

Learn what to do before approaching a lender. This seminar will help identify and assess business' financial needs, identify sources of capital, and prepare the essential documents for a lender or investor. Knowing what the lender is looking for, and the questions the lender wants answered, may improve the chances of money that the business needs. Participants will receive helpful forms to use in preparing a financial package. • Key Questions Lenders Want Answered • Worksheets to Determine Start-up Costs, Personal Financials, and Budgets • Resource Directory

Speaker: Ruperto Chivarri, Business Consultant

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center in conjunction with the Vidalia Chamber of Commerce present "Lunch and Learn", a series of informative and educational seminars aimed at assisting small business owners. In this first workshop, in addition to discussing coping with the current Economic Downturn, we will provide strategies for dealing with Business Continuity Issues as well as Planning for Disasters.

Speaker: Mr. Jim Kilcoyne, Acting Center Director, Business Consultant and Ms. Heather Conoboy, Business Continuity Consultant

Can your business survive a short term disruption or a major disaster – no matter what the cause? In the wake of the BP Deepwater Horizon rig explosion and in the face of the 2010 Hurricane season, shouldn’t you take every precaution to protect your assets? No business is too small to be affected by disaster. This FREE seminar will introduce you to risk management and continuity planning. In addition, it will provide you with: •Tools to prepare your business, family and employees for possible hurricane evacuation and recovery •Information and guidelines to assist you, if your business is impacted by the BP Oil spill, including: oHow to assess and document your losses oHow to file your claim for damages (BP Oil spill) oHow to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan or deferment on existing SBA loans oWhere to find other community resources for emergency assistance

Speaker: Jerre Madere, Business Consultant

Can your business survive a short term disruption or a major disaster – no matter what the cause? In the wake of the BP Deepwater Horizon rig explosion and in the face of the 2010 Hurricane season, shouldn’t you take every precaution to protect your assets? No business is too small to be affected by disaster. This FREE seminar will introduce you to risk management and continuity planning. In addition, it will provide you with: •Tools to prepare your business, family and employees for possible hurricane evacuation and recovery •Information and guidelines to assist you, if your business is impacted by the BP Oil spill, including: oHow to assess and document your losses oHow to file your claim for damages (BP Oil spill) oHow to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan or deferment on existing SBA loans oWhere to find other community resources for emergency assistance

Speaker: Jerre Madere, Business Consultant

This intensive, four-session training program is designed for individuals wishing to start their own export or import business, as well as for new employees with companies already engaged in international trade. Included in the program is free consulting in the areas of: •International Market Research •International Banking and Finance •International Logistics •International Legal Matters The dates and titles for the four seminars are as follows: Tuesday August 17: The Export and Import Business Thursday August 19: Pricing, Terms, Quotations, and Customs Entry Procedures Tuesday August 24: International Banking, Financing, Transportation, and Documentation Thursday August 26: International Marketing Plans

Speaker: Ruperto Chavarri

FastTrac Listening to Your Business is an intensive hands-on workshop designed to provide business owners and managers with critical evaluation tools and action steps they need to maximize the growth and profitability of their business. The program provides a four-step evaluation and action process designed to enhance your company's performance now and into the future including: Setting your 3 year vision Taking a snapshot of your business Evaluating where you are in the planning process Translating your goals into action steps

Speaker: Bryan Greenwood, Director LSBDC Technology Center at LSU

Learn QuickBooks from the ground up during this workshop. A certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor will teach you basic uses and features of QuickBooks including: setting up & getting started, working with QuickBooks list and bank accounts, entering sales, invoices and receiving payments, creating reports, graphs and analyzing financial data.

Speaker: Winston Williams

Business owners and their key employees need to make sense of commonly used financial statements and discover what they really mean. This seminar is designed to show you, in a clear and concise way, how to read, understand, and use financial statements when making decisions in your small business.

Speaker: William Joubert - Southeastern Louisiana University

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

This workshop provides an overview of the purpose of budgeting, types of budgets and the elements to a sucessful budget. The program includes a process for creating a budget; ways to analyze and compare budgets and important guiedlines ti apply during the budgeting process. Skills gained from this woekshopinclude: •5 Purposes of Budgeting •Various Types of Budgets •Elements of a sucessful budget •5 methods for Analyzing Budget Information •Guidelines to Remember During Budgeting Process

Speaker: Winston Williams, Business Consultant

The LA Small Business Development Center at UL Lafayette will provide up-to-date training on 2010 tax regulations for small businesses. This is a condensed version of the LSBDC's usual tax seminar. Some business issues addressed from a tax standpoint will be: *Documenting Daily: Avoiding "Receipt Overload" *"Is that legal?" - Tax Avoidance Schemes *Business Expenses: What Qualifies? *Employee vs. Independent Contractor This training can be very interactive, so please bring your small business tax questions and experience to be shared.

Speaker: Faye Touchet, EA

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

Word of mouth (WOM) is the most powerful form of promotion, but perhaps the most misunderstood marketing strategy. Learn the keys to successful networking, and tips for planning, interacting and following-up. You will be surprised to find what networking really is . . . and is not! • Networking Know-How • Tips for the Shy Guy • Articles and Ideas to Expand Your Network

Speaker: Youlander Fulton, Business Consultant

Who’s in control? Prospects are fond of taking control and don’t hesitate to seek “free consulting”, commodity pricing and extra time to “think it over”. You'll leave knowing how to: 1. Maintain control of the sales process while creating mutually beneficial relationships. 2. Identify "tire kickers" quickly saving you time and money. 3. Grow revenue with effective methods for cold calling, networking and referral marketing.

Speaker: Carl Herrick – a 30 year sales veteran and licensed Sandler Sales Training provider

Prospects buy for three main reasons; they're in trouble, they see trouble coming or they see an opportunity to gain an edge over the competition or improve their lives. When you meet a new prospect it's just like a chess match, your first moves are critical to your success. You'll take home the following key points from this session: 1. What to say and do in the critical first three minutes to gain their interest, respect and approval to take the next step. 2. Quickly identify which "pain" they have and if it's strong enough that they'll pay you to eliminate it. 3. How to ask the right questions at the right time to gain their trust and business.

Speaker: Carl Herrick – a 30 year sales veteran and licensed Sandler Sales Training provider

Word of mouth (WOM) is the most powerful form of promotion, but perhaps the most misunderstood marketing strategy. Learn the keys to successful networking; also learn helpful tips for planning, interacting and following-up. You will be surprised to find what networking really is . . . and is not! Topics Covered: Networking Know-How Tips for the shy guy Articles and Ideas to Expand Your Network

Speaker: Jerre Madere, Business Consultant

You can't succeed in sales if you can't ask for the money! At the close of this session you'll leave ready to: 1. Confidently ask budget questions in the right way and at the right time. 2. Justify your value proposition and pricing to avoid being "commoditized". 3. Identify who the real decision makers are and stop wasting time with people who can only say no!

Speaker: Carl Herrick – a 30 year sales veteran and licensed Sandler Sales Training provider

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

The SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program, named for a section of the Small Business Act, is a business development program created to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the American economy and access the federal market. The business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s). Anyone can apply for the program; but you must unequivocally prove, through a preponderance of evidence, disadvantage due to race, ethnicity, gender, physical handicap or residence in an environment isolated from the mainstream of American society. The individual’s net worth cannot exceed $250,000 (does not include owner equity in business or value of primary residence). The business must not exceed applicable size standards for small businesses, and must have two full years of business operations (however, a 2 year business waiver can be obtained). For more information on criteria, visit http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_06/13cfr124_06.html

Speaker: Jo Ann Lawrence, SBA District Office

The HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program stimulates economic development and creates jobs in urban and rural communities by providing Federal contracting preferences to small businesses. These preferences go to small businesses that obtain HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) certification in part by employing staff who live in a HUBZone. Thirty-five percent of your employees must reside in a HUBZone in order to qualify. The business must also be 51% owned and controlled by U.S. Citizens. The company must also maintain a "principal office" in one of these specially designated HUBZone areas. To find out if your business is located in a HUBZone go to http://map.sba.gov/hubzone/init.asp#address and enter your business location. You may use this same link to determine which of your employees reside in a HUBZone.

Speaker: Jo Ann Lawrence, SBA District Office

The seminar will begin with a brief recap of the basics of federal contracting. Other topics will follow: a review of Federal Acqusition Regulations (FAR), locating federal contract and subcontract opportunities, responsing to solicitations, and marketing strategies and tools.

Speaker: Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center representatives

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: MOVING FORWARD, TOGETHER Date: July 6, 2010 Contact: Doug M. Bourg 985-873-6401 Parish President Michel H. Claudet recognizes that there is much going on in Terrebonne Parish. And in continuing with his tradition, President Claudet is announcing his 3rd series of town hall meetings, to be held this summer. The meetings will be open forum style, with a brief presentation followed by a question and answer session. The individual presentations will be tailored to the concerns of each of the locales, but will address overall parish issues like quality of life, drainage, infrastructure, environmental management, and economic development. President Claudet wants all Terrebonne Parish citizens to know that we indeed face big challenges but that the only way to continue to move forward is for us to continue working together.

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: MOVING FORWARD, TOGETHER Date: July 6, 2010 Contact: Doug M. Bourg 985-873-6401 Parish President Michel H. Claudet recognizes that there is much going on in Terrebonne Parish. And in continuing with his tradition, President Claudet is announcing his 3rd series of town hall meetings, to be held this summer. The meetings will be open forum style, with a brief presentation followed by a question and answer session. The individual presentations will be tailored to the concerns of each of the locales, but will address overall parish issues like quality of life, drainage, infrastructure, environmental management, and economic development. President Claudet wants all Terrebonne Parish citizens to know that we indeed face big challenges but that the only way to continue to move forward is for us to continue working together.

Learn how to use your money wisely. Tactics like investing your money for a rainy day will ensure a fixed income stream and protect yourself from unexpected taxes. A long-term survival strategy is relevant in today’s aggressive economic pace.

Speaker: Mohanad Mohammed, LSBDC Business Consultant, MBA, Small Business Owner

Ignorance of how your particular small business should be insured can leave you liable. Think beyond the prepackaged insurance bundle and tailor your insurance to what YOU need specifically. An insurance specialist will give unbiased tips and tricks to learning how to effectively safeguard a business. Sharing of questions and experience are encouraged at this event.

Speaker: John Lamke, Insurance Specialist with the Office of Consumer Advocacy