I give workshops through SBDC centers in Northern California, as well as public workshops and on request for individual companies and organizations. Currently scheduled workshops are listed below.
Contact me if you would like to schedule one of these workshops for your business or discuss other related topics.
American Canyon Annual Small Business Conference
May 4, 2018
8:00 am – 2:30 pm
SpringHill Suites Napa Valley
This year’s theme is Power Up and I am honored to be the opening speaker and talk about the Power of Story. Adams Tegeler of The Light Digital will speak on the Power of Social Media and Dave Delaney of FutureForthwill represent Google will speak on getting your business online. There will be a B2B Charging Station Vendor Fair where you will have the opportunity to learn from and network with a variety of small business resource providers.
I would love to see you there!
Click to learn more or Register ($100 for non American Canyon Chamber members)
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Workshops
Napa-Sonoma SBDC
The Recipe for Sticky Customers
Are you trying to crack the code to attracting the right customers and keeping them coming back for more?
Are you envious of the rabid fans of Apple, Harley Davidson or Tesla —and feel you could never do the same?
A big budget is no guarantee of success. Ask Coke about their failed introduction of New Coke. Or Ford Motor Company about the Edsel. It isn’t about having the best product or service. It isn’t about your price. It isn’t about your Facebook page.
Success is not based on the traditional four pillars of marketing– your mix of product, price, position and promotion. So what does determine success?
The secret is understanding how to create emotional connections with your ideal customers. These emotional connections create brand zealots for Nike, Star Trek, or even the local taco truck. You can create the same customer stickiness regardless of what you sell, the size of your budget, or your marketing experience.
The Recipe for Sticky Customers workshop explores:
- the 6 critical elements of building a sticky brand
- how these elements work together to create an emotional glue
- how to create your unique recipe for sticky customers
Worried that you are already overwhelmed with no time to add more to your plate? Even time-challenged business owners will learn that it isn’t about doing more, it is about doing what you do with an awareness of your brand recipe.
During the workshop you will work on mindmaps for your brand elements and a roadmap for implementation. You will find you can start small and grow at your own pace. The only requirement is to come with a mind open to the possibilities of emotional connections for your customers. Regardless of the size of your business or your resources, you will discover ideas for creating sticky customers.
Wednesday, April 11
6-9 pm
Economic Development Board, Santa Rosa
Marketing Basics
Wednesday, June 13
6-8 pm
This is the place to start if you have a business (or plan to start a business) but have no marketing plan. Marketing can seem overwhelming and many small business owners do not have a marketing background. The result is wasted time and money. Without a plan you are less likely to succeed. Using the successful Business Model Canvas process each participant will work on their one page marketing plan. This introduction to marketing is the perfect place to start for the new business owner and also appropriate for someone in business who needs a refresher to make their marketing more successful.
Location
Sonoma County Economic Development Board Conference Room, 141 Stony Circle, Ste 110, Santa Rosa CA 95401
Marin SBDC
Web Site Best Practices for Beginners
ThursdayApril 5
6-9pm
- Is your web site a success? Is it bringing you new customers and the right customers?
- Are you worried you don’t have enough text on the page? Or too much text? Are your images helping your web site conversions or hindering them?
- Do you make site decisions based on what you like or think might work without an understanding of proven web site best practices?
You will avoid frustration, save time and create a more effective site once you learn the basic principles of web design. And you do not need a web or technical background to do it.
The first half of the class is a discussion of best practices and common errors in web site design. In the second half we discuss individual questions and look at web sites of attendees.
This workshop is for small business owners who are developing or maintaining their own web site and want to understand the basic principles of effective web site design. This is not a technical class nor do we discuss advanced search engine optimization. It does not require any specific background and we will avoid technical terms as much as possible so that everyone can understand.
This workshop is a non-threatening place to learn basic principles you can use to improve your web site. You will leave with a checklist for web site design and a list of free resources you can use to audit your own site.
College of Marin, Kentfield Campus
More Information and to Register
Mendocino SBDC
No scheduled workshops at this time.
