Training
Sleigh bells already, CENTS friends?
Upcoming SOON:
TRAINING COURSE: "Getting Down to Business" starts January 17
Our business "bootcamp" is on the calendar for its winter session...
WORKSHOP: "Marketing with Facebook and Twitter (Social Media 101)" - January 13 & 20
Put the power of social media to work for your biz...
WORKSHOP: "Introduction to Marketing" - January 25
Learn the fundamentals, and take the world by storm...
More more MORE workshops coming up:
"Business Tax Tune-Up"
"Getting Found Online"
"Intro to Entrepreneurship"
And MORE:
December Business of the Month:
Make It UrZ !
FREE income tax preparation at Alternatives
File your taxes-- and optimize your refund-- for FREE, with the nicest tax preparers on the planet...
Business CENTS E-news December 2011
Winter "Getting Down to Business" course
When: Tuesdays, January 17 through March 13
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Where: Alternatives' 2nd floor conference room
Cost: sliding scale, $80 - $300
Registration required: contact Alison
**Registration will close at 5:00 pm on Friday, January 13 (or sooner, if class becomes full)**
The calendar is winding toward the end of the year, and registration for our winter course is well underway! "Getting Down to Business" is our comprehensive business planning course, covering all major aspects of business start-up and management. We'll address bookkeeping and financial feasibility, financial statements, business taxes, marketing strategies and foundations, legal issues for small businesses, banking and financing, and more!
"Getting Down to Business" is designed for people who:
- have a definite business concept that they are committed to, AND
- are ready to move forward with their business planning process, AND
- expect to get their business off the ground within the next 6-12 months, if the business is not already operating.
*Class participants must be able to commit to an intensive, nine-week course with outside research and homework. It takes time and dedication to create a successful enterprise!*
Marketing with Facebook and Twitter (Social Media 101)
When: Fridays, January 13 and 20
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Where: Alternatives' 2nd floor conference room
Cost: $20
Registration Required: contact Alison
Social media's explosion shows no signs of letting up! Businesses large and small leverage media like Twitter, Facebook, and other online networks. Is this just a new way of broadcasting advertisements, or can you engage with your clients and potential customers? How much time and resources will you need to commit, and what kind of return can you expect on your investment?
Join guest trainer Matteo Wyllyamz, a.k.a. @mouselink, for a practical discussion of what social media can and cannot do for you. Learn hands-on how to use these popular forms of rapid communication to raise awareness of your brand. Class time will include mentions of LinkedIn, Google+, Foursquare, Instagram, and more, but the workshop will focus principally on Facebook and Twitter, with a a full session devoted to each of these two mainstream social networks.
Requirements: basic familiarity with Microsoft Windows and how to use an internet web browser is helpful. Participants will be encouraged to establish their Facebook and Twitter accounts before the first session. The workshop includes an optional introductory hour on Facebook for those who have never or rarely used this social network previously.
Introduction to Marketing
When: Wednesday, January 25
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 pm
Where: Alternatives' 2nd floor conference room
Cost: $20
Registration Required: contact Alison
Join guest trainer Bob Steinkamp of Ithaca Public Relations for a special workshop designed for people who've invested time into starting a small business and want to understand the basics of marketing. You've got a great product or service, but marketing concepts and practices such as promotions, advertising, brand strategy, public relations, and even social media seem a little overwhelming. This workshop will give a broad overview of marketing and provide you:
- An understanding of marketing terms and definitions
- An overview of best practices and marketing concepts
- A blueprint for developing a marketing plan for your business
- An online tour of websites and resources to help you learn more about marketing.
And MORE workshops coming up!
Business Tax Tune-Up - Thursday, February 9
Time's flying, and before you know it, Tax Man will be knockin!
Getting Found Online - Fridays, February 10 and 17
Having a great website is only useful if customers can find you-- learn how to make that happen!
Intro to Entrepreneurship - Wednesday, February 22
Think you might want to start a business or work for yourself? This workshop will show you what it takes...
Full information at www.alternatives.org/cents_seminars.html
Business of the Month
Make It UrZ is more than just a service; it's a concept. Owners Malinda and Rob Chuvala see their laser engraving business as a vehicle for self-expression and individuality in a mass-produced world. Using a high quality Trotec laser-engraver, Malinda and Rob create distinct and original products out of ordinary, mass-produced items. They can put your ideas, logos, artwork, or photos onto virtually any item made of all types of materials.
For increased business exposure, Make It UrZ can logo-engrave all kinds of promotional items. They'll turn your cell phone or laptop or even your car into a truly unique-to-you item. Whoever you are-- sales person, interior designer, parent, volunteer coordinator, student-- and whatever your need, Make It UrZ can help you to make it special, to make it yours!
Want to know more? Visit Make It Urz at www.makeiturz.com, on facebook at www.facebook.com/MakeItUrz, or contact Malinda or Rob directly at makeiturz@gmail.com or 646-820-MAKE.
Alternatives Community Tax Program opens its 2012 season
Since 2003, Alternatives has run a free income tax program, sponsored by the IRS, to provide an alternative solution to predatory tax preparation companies. To date, we've prepared over ten thousand tax returns and returned over $18 million to the pockets of low-income working people.
Our program is one of very few that prepares tax returns for self-employed / small business owners (filers of Schedule C). If you are single and earn less than $30,000 (net profit from your business-- not total sales) or a family earning less than $50,000, we can help you prepare your Federal and State income tax returns.
The Community Tax Program is also a wonderful place to volunteer! An hour of your time can mean $5,000 or more in additional income for a working family. No experience or tax knowledge is needed. Tax preparation volunteers receive great training beforehand, and many other volunteer positions are available as well.
More information about the tax preparation service, eligibility, and volunteering are available here, or contact Community Tax Program Director Brian Zapf.
Human Services Coalition: Leadership Training
For more information open files below.
