Winter 2024 SBDC Workshops
Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Your Small Business
This is a class designed to teach small business owners and entrepreneurs how to utilize Ai technology to improve various aspects of their business. The class will cover several topics, including: Learning the basics of interacting with Ai systems and how to use them to automate tasks. How to use Ai-powered tools to generate website copy, blog posts, and social media content. How Ai can help with Customer Engagement. The benefits of using Ai for image generation, and how to use Ai tools to create custom images for your business. How to use Ai to generate website code, making it easier and faster to create new pages and features on your website. This workshop was first offered in the Fall term and it left the participants flabbergasted as to what’s possible now, and available to even the smallest businesses. Come see what your business can do.
INSTRUCTOR: STEVEN WINTERS
1 SESSION | TUESDAY, FEB. 6 | 8-10AM | $25 | ZOOM
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CCB License Prep & Test
This class will prepare students to qualify for and successfully pass the Construction Contractors Board (CCB) exam required for contractor certification in Oregon. The class is taught by a certified CCB education provider and fulfills the CCB pre-exam educational requirement as stipulated by Oregon regulations. The course is unique in that participants will learn the material and take the test over the same two days. There is no textbook to purchase. Please bring a sack lunch each day.
The OCCC SBDC has presented this course, with support from the Clackamas Community College SBDC, multiple times in the past. It’s by far the most convenient and accessible way to learn the content tested by the CCB License exam, and to take that exam right here, on the coast.
FACILITATORS: DAVE PRICE & KELLIANE PARKER
2 SESSIONS | JAN. 11 & 12
THURSDAY & FRIDAY, 8AM-5PM
$450 | LINCOLN CITY, ROOM 211
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Excel Level 1: The Basics of Excel
Gain a solid understanding of the basics of Microsoft Excel. Learn how to navigate the ribbon; enter and edit data; grasp the basics of formulas and the most common functions used in the office. Dramatically increase your efficiency and effectiveness with dozens of shortcuts, tips and tricks.
INSTRUCTOR: JOSIAH DEAN
WEDNESDAY, JAN 24 | 3-5PM | $25 | ZOOM
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Excel level 2: Tips & Tricks for Intermediate Excel
Go even farther with Microsoft Excel. Get insights into new and advanced functions, show off your data with charts and graphs, and learn how to integrate Excel with other programs.
INSTRUCTOR: JOSIAH DEAN
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 7 | 3-5pM | $25 | ZOOM
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Quickbooks Online: Level 1
For QuickBooks beginners. Learn how to use the most popular business accounting
software program used by small businesses. If you have never used QuickBooks or are just starting to use the program, this training is for you. Class includes setting up company files, creating a chart of accounts, adding customers, jobs, and vendors. Also covers paying for expenses, invoicing, and receiving payments.
INSTRUCTOR: NATALIE BRONSON
1 SESSION | THURSDAY, FEB. 1 | 3-5PM | $75 | ZOOM
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Quickbooks Online: Level 2
For intermediate QuickBooks Online Users. If you have completed QB Level 1 or are slightly more than a “new user” of QuickBooks, this training will help expand your existing base of knowledge. Class includes lessons in fundamentals of accounting, reconciling bank accounts, inventory, and running reports.
INSTRUCTOR: NATALIE BRONSON
1 SESSION | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13 | 3-5PM | $75 | ZOOM
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Content Creation Lab (Monthly)
In this content design sprint, we will be learning new skills such as artificial intelligence, content scheduling, and production apps to create content for your business in class. Bring your ideas and creativity for session of fun … and leave with finished content.
INSTRUCTOR: KELLIANE PARKER
3 SESSIONS
JAN. 16 LINCOLN CITY, 208
FEB. 6 NEWPORT, 32
MARCH 12 WALDPORT, 113
TUESDAYS | 4-5PM | FREE
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Beyond Survival: Strategies for Attracting & Keeping Exceptional People
This is a powerful workshop designed to empower you with the strategies and insights necessary to attract, hire, and retain top-tier talent. Join us to equip yourself with the tools to build and keep an amazing staff whom you can confidently leave in charge because they’re equipped to deliver consistently excellent service to your customers.
INSTRUCTOR: SAMANTHA IRWIN
1 SESSION | MONDAY, JAN. 29
8-9:30AM | $25 | LINCOLN CITY, Room 211
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Digital Media & Branding
Learn to promote your business using various social media platforms, create effective online ads, and learn how to efficiently buy ad space on social media sites, and manage your company’s promotion using Google Business Profile.
INSTRUCTOR: Kelliane Parker
1 SESSION | THURSDAY, FEB. 8
9-10:30AM | $25 | NEWPORT, RM. 151
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How can you Profit from the Blue Economy?
Whether you are an individual or a small business, macro trends can affect us in ways we can’t predict, unless we have the tools to understand, manage, and capitalize on them. Especially important to people and businesses on the Oregon Coast, in this workshop we will study the emerging Blue Economy and its macro trends and uncertainties, and how understanding them can benefit your career or small business. You will learn specific techniques on how to manage your business or career that take advantage of these trends in ways that are both profitable and rewarding.
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK TOOMBS
3 SESSIONS | MONDAYS, FEB. 12 & 26, MARCH 11
1:30-3:00PM | $75 | NEWPORT ROOM 151/HYBRID
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Strategic Branding for Your Business
Branding is more important than ever. As media has become more efficient and pervasive, strategic branding decisions can be some of the best investments a small business can make. In this class you will learn what makes a brand great and how you can leverage your core strengths to build a brand with exceptional lifetime value.
INSTRUCTOR: CHUCK TOOMBS
3 SESSIONS | MONDAYS, FEB. 26, MARCH 4 & 11
10:30-12PM | $75 | LINCOLN CITY, ROOM 211/HYBRID
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Doing Business in Lincoln County
The SBDC’s “start-here” class for would-be business owners, Doing Business in Lincoln County is a great workshop for anyone considering launching a business in this beautiful, seasonal, challenging, and rewarding market. You’ll learn some of the fundamentals of Oregon Coast business ownership, as well as something about what it takes to be a successful owner of a small business.
INSTRUCTOR: GREG PRICE & KELLIANE PARKER
1 SESSION | TUESDAY, MARCH 12
9-11AM | $25 | NEWPORT, ROOM 151
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Inventory Management
You need to re-order your best sellers, but your inventory is tied up with slower movers. Learn how and when to liquidate inventory with creative solutions, how to maximize sales with star products, and learn how to determine how much and how frequently to buy. We will also cover loss prevention and how to identify and correct employee theft and waste.
INSTRUCTOR: KELLIANE PARKER
1 SESSION | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13
9-11AM | $25 | NEWPORT, Room 140
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Biz Plan Basics
Business plans aren’t simply tools to present to a banker for a loan. They can certainly help secure capital (loans from banks or relatives, or equity in investments from outsiders), but their value is much greater. Creating a thoughtful – and living and breathing – business plan, one that grows and changes with your business, can help you track your progress, check assumptions, and identify areas for growth and improvement. Everyone can dive into business planning – whether they are pre-venture, and just planning a future business, or they are established business owners and operators.
INSTRUCTOR: Kelliane Parker
1 SESSION | TUESDAY, MARCH 19 | 9-11AM | $25 | LINCOLN CITY
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Small Business Make-Over
This class is for existing businesses who are experiencing slower sales or fewer customers, and even some sagging reviews. Learn ways to make your business fresh again, without spending money. You will learn how to make a great first impression (again!) and how to manage your reputation by learning about how customer expectations have changed. Workshop participants will be provided with audits they can use to view their business with fresh eyes.
INSTRUCTOR: KELLIANE PARKER
1 SESSION | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
9-11AM | $25 | NEWPORT, ROOM 15
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