March business workshops offered by Oakland County

Business owners and entrepreneurs who need assistance are invited to attend seminars in March offered by the Oakland County Business Center. Business Basics workshops are now offered in the evenings on alternating months: --Pre-Business Research Are you thinking of starting your own business and want to research your business idea? Are you a business owner who wants to understand which research sources to use for your business plan and where to find the information you need? Presented by Oakland County's Business Center Market Research Division, and an Oakland County Public Library business reference librarian. This program will be offered Thursday, March 1, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This workshop is free but pre-registration is required. --CEED Microloan Orientation Many small business owners face obstacles when trying to obtain a business loan. The recognition of the serious need for working capital for existing businesses, start-up or expansion, equipment purchases, and job creation is not the priority it once was. If you have a need for alternative financing consider the MicroLoan Program. Discover the requirements and process necessary to apply and obtain a microloan. Program presented by the Center for Empowerment & Economic Development (C.E.E.D.) This program will be offered Wednesday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This workshop is free but pre-registration is required. --Fundamentals of Writing a Business Plan A workshop for small business owners who are developing a plan to serve as their road map to success. Workshop participants learn what elements are commonly found in effective plans and work on developing each of these for their own business. Assistance in the process as well as information on resources is provided. This program will be offered Thursday, March 15, from 9 a.m. to noon. The fee is $40 and there are no refunds. --QuickBooks® Essentials This introduction to small business financial management provides an overview of accurate recordkeeping, report interpretation and utilization, and management of the variety of tools provided in this system. Presented by Kildal Services LLC. Session I includes: * Basic accounting terminology. * New company file setup. * Customizing forms and letters. * Working with bank accounts. Session II includes: * Invoicing customers. * Receiving payments and making deposits. * Entering vendor bills/paying vendor bills. * Using credit card accounts. This program will be offered Thursday, March 29, Session One from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and Session Two from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. Session One costs $40 a person. Session Two costs $40 a person. Both sessions cost $75 a person. A laptop is highly recommended. All programs take place at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, in Waterford. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit the website at oakgov.com/peds/calendar or call (248) 858-0783. Published: Wed, Feb 8, 2012