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In a fast-paced, ever-changing business world, call on University of Missouri Extension to ensure that your business remains competitive and prosperous, and to create more wealth for you and your community.

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Northeast Region Programs for June 1, 2009 through May 30, 2010

Below is a list of the programs, events and activities that MU Extension faculty plan to conduct in the Northeast Region between June 1, 2009 and May 30, 2010.  To read a description of any program on the list, select (click on) the program name.  You will be taken to the program description.  If you want to know when a program, event or activity will be conducted, go to the Extension Statewide Calendar.  Search for the program by name.  You may also search for the program by name only within the Northeast Region.  If the program, activity or event you want to attend is not on the Statewide Calendar, contact your local extension center for the information.

Business Performance: Measure, Manage and Succeed Learn to do Business on eBay
"Why We Buy" Book Discussion Predicting Future Cash Needs
Customer Service Quicken: Record Keeping Made Simple
FastTrac New Venture Starting a Small Business: The First Steps
Foundations of Marketing Starting and Managing a Small Business in Missouri
How to Control Cash Flow The Basics of Writing a Business Plan
Human Resources for Small Businesses: Avoiding the Landmines Understanding Financial Statements

Business Development Resources for Northeast Missouri

REGIONAL PROGRAMS

Quicken: Record Keeping Made Simple - Participants will gain valuable knowledge on proper record keeping for their business using the Quicken software.  Learn useful information on reports, tax information and how to properly set up your Quicken software for your specific business.  Record keeping can be overwhelming, so increase your organization skills with education and knowledge offered by the University of Missouri Extension.

Customer Service - This program uses interactive lecture and video to teach what outstanding customer service looks like.  Participants will learn how to deliver outstanding customer service by learning how to avoid and prevent some of the most common mistakes made when interacting with customers.  Customer service is often one of the few variables that can distinguish a business from its competitors.

"Why We Buy" Book Discussion - This engrossing book is a primer in the science of shopping.  For those in retailing and marketing, Why We Buy is a remarkably fresh guide offering creative and insightful tips on how to adapt to the changing customer.  For the general public, Why We Buy is a funny and sometimes disconcerting look at our favorite pastime.  After reading the book, come discuss your impressions and share your own stories with other business owners and employees.  The discussion always add different perspectives and an opportunity to learn more from others.

Learn to do Business on eBay - This course will teach businesses how to market and sell their services or merchandise using on-line auctions.  businesses now have an opportunity to find customers in a virtual community.  the curriculum covers such things as how on-line auctions work, how to research the on-line market, how to handle payment options, and understanding Internet business safeguards.

NEW BUSINESS STARTUP

Starting a Small Business: The First Steps (3 hour course) - Introduces participants to the business planning process and provides tools to assess their personal, managerial, technical and financial skills to successfully run a business.

Starting and Managing a Small Business in Missouri (8 hour course) - Targets people serious about starting a business or are already in business.  It acquaints participants with the basics of starting and managing a business by covering topics on planning, information management, financing, marketing and resources for assistance.

The Basics of Writing a Business Plan - Designed for business owners and entrepreneurs who need to know how to create a business plan for their organization so the plan can be a useful management tool.  Participants will learn the importance of business plans, the key required elements of a basic plan and data that must be included.  Participants will also get tips on writing style to make the business plan easier to understand and more professional in appearance.  Participants will leave this session with a greater understanding of what their business plan should look like and how to get started writing one.

FastTrac New Venture - This course is for anyone interested in starting a business.  An education program created by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs.  FastTrac New Venture is designed to help you evaluate and perfect your business concept.  FastTrac's hands-on program uses your idea as a case study, giving you an opportunity to "workshop" your venture in a safe and supportive environment.  FastTrac New Venture is a nine-module, 31.5 hour program.

FINANCE

Understanding Financial Statements - Designed for business owners, managers, accountants, bankers and consultants who want to learn how to turn financial statements into useful management tools.  They will learn how to capture information from the Income Statement and Balance Sheet, calculate several useful ratios and learn to make business decisions from this information.

How to Control Cash Flow - Designed for business owners, managers, accountants, bankers, and consultants who need to know how to turn financial statements into useful management tools.  During this course, participants will take a close look at where cash comes from, where it's used in day-to-day business, and learn to identify and correct cash flow problems.

Predicting Future Cash Needs - The third in a series of finance courses is designed for business owners, managers, accountants, bankers, and consultants who need to know how to use a Cash Budget to prepare future performance of a business.  Participants will learn to estimate future sources and uses of cash.  They will also learn how to analyze those predictions to make more informed decisions.  Participants will leave this session feeling more comfortable about decisions related to preparing for growth, realistic loan and financing requests, how much cash they can safely take out of the business, and making affordable purchases for the business.

MANAGEMENT

Business Performance:  Measure, Manage and Succeed - This course provides an overview of the benefits of using a balanced set of measures to evaluate the performance of a business or organization.  It then teaches a nine-step process that an individual or team can use to develop a balanced scorecard for their business or organization.  It also shows how a scorecard can be used as a management tool after it has been developed.

Human Resource for Small Businesses: Avoiding the Landmines - A class designed for small businesses on the complicated topic of human resources management.  This workshop covers regulatory compliance issues and establishing policies and procedures.  It also touches on the soft skills needed to effectively manage people.

MARKETING

Foundations of Marketing - Designed for small business owners, managers and marketing directors who are looking for workable strategies for market research, customer understanding and sales promotion.

Business Resources for Missouri

State Government sites

Note: Links to commercial websites do not imply endorsement.

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