Events/Workshops

This session of the Contractor's Training Institute will cover Project Management. At the end of the sessions you will have a thorough understanding of the process of project management, obtaining the skills and competencies required for relationships with contracts and suppliers of goods and services. Contractual Relationships, The Written Contract, The Essential Elements of Contracts, Types of Construction Contracts, Contract Documents between Owner and General Contractor, Analysis of Basic Owner Contract Agreement and Provisions of General Conditions, Selecting and Contracting with Sub-Contractors. Sessions will be on March 3, 10 & 17, 2015.

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in obtaining the essential skills for producing professional work with the Microsoft Office Excel. Topics of discussion will include: Understanding the basics of spreadsheets, Creating a spreadsheet with a chart; and Using Formulas in Excel.

This session of the Contractor's Training Institute will cover Bidding and Estimating. At the end of these sessions you will have a thorough understanding of the importance of bidding and estimating properly. Software training will be including in these sessions. Sessions will be on March 24 and 31, 2015.

This session is designed to familiarize the attendees with the operation of a basic software program such as QuickBooks. There will be an initial overview/review of some basic accounting principles. This will be followed by an introduction of the software package with a presentation of recording vendors’ bills, check payments, sales invoicing and recording of customers’ payments. Also, there will be a review of financial reports available in the software.

Speaker: John Sandidge, CPA - SCORE Northshore

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. Representatives from Capitol Once Bank will also discuss 5 C’s of Credit and talk about financing programs for small businesses, including SBA guaranteed loan programs.

Speaker: Louisiana SBDC at Southeastern Louisiana University, Capitol One Bank

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in obtaining funding and determining what documents to take to the bank. Understanding the loan process will improve your chances of meeting lender expectations, therefore increasing your chances of obtaining a loan. Topics of discussion will include: -Key Questions the Bank Wants Answered -Documents Most Lenders Require -Writing a Business Plan -Developing Financial Projections

Speaker: Mike Pennison, Business Consultant

This workshop is for aspiring entrepreneurs and new ventures. Topics will include: what is a business plan, written vision and mission statement, marketing plan segments, and financial template.

Speaker: Cooper Cochran

Information on a program offering matching funds ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 to support business growth will be presented. The businesses must be located in the 70801, 70805, 70806 or the 70807 zip codes and must provide services or goods to individuals residing in those four zip codes. A total of $40,000 is available for the matching funds and will be provided on a reimbursable basis. The number of businesses approved for the matching funds will depend upon the size of the individual business awards. Applications will be made available after the presentation. Program representatives will be available to answer questions. Limitations on use of the funds will be discussed during the presentation. The program is sponsored by the Southern University Center for Social Research (Housing and Urban Development- HUD) and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center.

Identifying and securing the financing you need to grow your business can be a daunting task. Learning how to put together a winning funding proposal can make the difference between No and Yes! Learn what to do before approaching a lender. Knowing what the lender is looking for and the questions the lender wants answered will demonstrate your preparedness and improve your chances of obtaining the financing that your business needs.??In this seminar, you will learn: • To identify and assess the financial needs of your business • To identify sources of capital • How to prepare the essential documents for a lender or investor • How to answer the key questions lenders ask Who should attend this workshop: Business owners who are looking for financing to start or expand their business, who want to develop a winning funding proposal, who have been told by a lender to develop projections and a business plan before applying for the loan, and who have been declined for a loan by a bank.

Speaker: Mike Pennison, Business Consultant

Identifying and securing the financing you need to grow your business can be a daunting task. Learning how to put together a winning funding proposal can make the difference between No and Yes! Learn what to do before approaching a lender. Knowing what the lender is looking for and the questions the lender wants answered will demonstrate your preparedness and improve your chances of obtaining the financing that your business needs. In this seminar, you will learn: · To identify and assess the financial needs of your business · To identify sources of capital · How to prepare the essential documents for a lender or investor · How to answer the key questions lenders ask Who should attend this workshop: Business owners who are looking for financing to start or expand their business, who want to develop a winning funding proposal, who have been told by a lender to develop projections and a business plan before applying for the loan, and who have been declined for a loan by a bank.

Speaker: Michael Pennison, Business Consultant

This workshop is a faith based forum for empowering people to build wealth. This workshop will cover FACTS: F- Financing Funding Sources A - Activating Enhance Revenue Streams C - Contracting $500B in Opportunities T - Training Business Development S - Strategizing Growth. At the end of this workshop, you will have an understanding of the roadmap to economic development and entrepreneurial success.

This workshop is offering Small Business Owners ways to manage their own personal finances. It is said for continued success, having your finances in order will put you a step closer to building an empire for generations to come. Learn the Five Step Process: Create a budget, Emergency fund, Proper protection, Eliminate personal debt, and Save for retirement. Furthermore, this workshop will provide tips on how taxes impact the type of business you have ( LLC, Sole Proprietorship, Corporation, etc.), and how to defend your business against the IRS. Come join us for business knowledge you can put to use TODAY!

Speaker: Jayson Calhoun & Fritz Niswanger

Women-owned small businesses can begin taking steps to participate in the federal contracting program. At the end of this session, you will have a thorough understanding of the requirements for certification. For more information on Women-Owned Small Business Certification, visit www.sba.gov/wosb.

This workshop is designed for small business owners and managers with 2 or more employees ready to increase their staff size and grow. Whether you decide to hire employees or independent contractors, you have certain legal requirements. You need to find out what these requirements are and what you need to know about the people who work for you. Topics include: -How to determine the difference between an independent contractor and a salaried employee -Your legal responsibility for your employees -What you need to do when you hire an employee -How to terminate an employee

Speaker: MaryJo Roberts, Phelps Dunbar

Many firms get lost in the "alphabet soup" of certifications: DBE, WBE, MBE, 8(a), SEBD . . . This seminar focuses on why (or why not) certification as a minority, woman-owned, or disadvantaged business may be beneficial to your company. The Do's and Don't's of certification are provided in "plain English" to help the small business owner decide which certification is right for his or her business. Then, get prepared for the certification process: learn about the various certification types as well as how and where to apply. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions about the processes, benefits and documentation required for certification.

Speaker: Erik Waters, Business Consultant

This seminar is focused on how to use financial statements to manage profits and measure growth. Program includes: • Liquidity, Leverage, and Liability Structure of the Balance Sheet • Profitability and Productivity of the Income Statement • Cash Flow Statement vs Income Statement • Apply Financial Statement to Your Business • Questions the Bank Asks • Hints & Tools to Better Manage Your Business

Speaker: Richard Melancon, Business Consultant

First impressions are lasting. Come out and learn how you can brand your business, services and look for increased sales and services. Re-branding will also be discussed in this workshop.

Speaker: Solid Ground Innovations, LLC

Your brand is your key to being recognized in a sea of competitors. How you present yourself via digital media is a crucial part of your business’ marketing strategy. As more and more people gravitate towards the Internet to do business, it is important to stake your claim in this new territory and get your brand out there. “Internet Brand Basics” takes a look at how you can use your Website Content, Social Media, Search Engine Optimization and various other tools to market your brand online. This class will give you an overview of how the Internet can increase sales through recognition of your brand as a provider of products or solutions. We will cover why content is important, how social media can generate sales, what search optimization is and how you can bring your business online with little or no cost, aside from your time. "Internet Brand Basics" is the starting point for growing your business’ presence in a growing digital world.

Speaker: Erik Waters, Business Consultant

Digital Marketing Part 1 (online advertising, social media email marketing) Just about everyone you know is doing it, but are they doing it right? How effective is digital marketing to the growth of your business and brand? What are the tools and platforms you can use to reach your audience? Small and Emerging Business Development (SEBD) Program provides the managerial and technical assistance training needed to grow and sustain a small business. Before attending the Marketing Brand Driven Marketing Class access http://www.opportunitylouisiana.com/SEBD website to apply and receive a certificate which must be presented at the session to receive a partial price for training.

Speaker: Solid Ground Innovations, LLC

Managing a small business’ communications between its employees, customers, vendors and partners can be a time consuming and costly endeavor. Acquiring, learning and configuring digital and cloud-based tools can take away from time you should be spending on profitability and growth. With easy to use, universally compatible and best of all free tools, Google Gmail and Docs are accessible on day one and immediately change the way you manage your business’ communication and documentation needs. This seminar will cover the advantages of Gmail and show you how Google Docs can increase efficiency and reduce cost as you spend more time on your business’ growth and less money than on traditional digital solutions.

Speaker: Erik Waters, Business Consultant

No one is going to sell your business better than you. Learn ways you can develop and push your company, or individuals inside of your company to the forefront through a simple, yet effective public relations strategy that anyone can do. Small and Emerging Business Development (SEBD) Program provides the managerial and technical assistance training needed to grow and sustain a small business. Before attending the Marketing Brand Driven Marketing Class access http://www.opportunitylouisiana.com/SEBD website to apply and receive a certificate which must be presented at the session to receive a partial price for training.

Speaker: Solid Ground Innovations, LLC

This seminar will provide entrepreneurs with a comprehensive overview of the steps to be taken to start a business, the essentials of business planning, and how to determine funding needs for the start-up. Seminar covers: • Items you want to know before starting a business • Preparing for business success • How to start your business • Financing options • Resources for your business

Speaker: Mike Pennison, Business Consultant

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: Al Overman, LSBDC Business Consultant Mark Jeanfreau, Phelps Dunbar

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in starting a business. At the end of this workshop, you will have a thorough understanding of the process of starting a business and will be able to implement a required checklist to start your business. The following topics will be discussed during this workshop: determining the feasibility of a business idea, planning to start a small business, required licenses, writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up, expansion and small business resources.

This workshop is highly recommended for all individuals interested in starting a business. At the end of this workshop, you will have a thorough understanding of the process of starting a business and will be able to implement a required checklist to start your business. The following topics will be discussed during this workshop: determining the feasibility of a business idea, planning to start a small business, required licenses, writing a business plan, sources of funds for start-up, expansion and small business resources.

Seminar will be held at the Kinder Community Center. Across the street from the Kinder Chamber of Commerce.

Speaker: Mrs. Susan Thibodeaux

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, and small business resources.

Speaker: Heidi Melancon, Interim Director, LSBDC at UL Lafayette

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 -Sources of Funds for Start-Up -Required Licenses -Writing a Business Plan

Speaker: Mike Pennison, 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.

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, and small business resources.

Speaker: Heidi Melancon, Interim Director, LSBDC at UL Lafayette

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: Al Overman, LSBDC Business Consultant Mark Jeanfreau, Phelps Dunbar

A day does not go by where cyber security is not in the news: Target, Home Depot, Sony, the list goes on and on. In fact, according to a recent national survey, cyber security is the number one issue on the minds of American companies. Join us Thursday, March 5th as Direnzic Technology & Consulting, LLC gives local business representatives insights into the some of the latest attacks and how the breeches can affect your bottom line!

Speaker: Ieshea Jones