The NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College – serving the Monmouth and Ocean County region – recently collaborated with the College’s Academic Business and Technology Department and the Office of Foundation/Alumni Affairs to create a three minute video showing how best to engage your alumni. And, of course, the focus for the video was “entrepreneurship.” The video was entered into the 2012 Elevator Grant Competition presented by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) and the Coleman Foundation. The College and NJSBDC were just notified that the video submitted ranked number one, winning the first prize- a $10,000 grant.
The video submitted appropriately provided a vignette of efforts at NJSBDC and Brookdale Community College to engage students and the community in promoting entrepreneurship as a choice in their career path; maximizing resources to enhance learning for students, alumni and the business community.
For the past three years the College departments collaborated with NJSBDC to produce an annual event that provides students and the community with an opportunity to enrich their understanding of what it means to be an entrepreneur. “This educational session addresses the obstacles faced by entrepreneurs in starting and operating a small business,” said Jackeline Mejias Fuertes, Acting Regional Director, of the NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College. “Panelists represent industries typical to Monmouth County and the general region; restaurants, travel, printing, dance and exercise, event planning, manufacturing and consulting.”
These ‘Entrepreneurial Seminars,’ held during global entrepreneurship week, are comprised of panel members that include: Alumni of the credit and non-credit divisions of the College, local business owners, members of the College’s Business Advisory Committee, representatives of the Small Business Development Center and a student who is a business owner. Panel members also share their business experiences alluding to issues like accounting, security, health care, software development and more.
It is hoped that some of the students attending these seminars will be potential future alumni panelists at this yearly event. The events aim at not only promoting collaborations among the appropriate divisions in the College and the regional SBDC and alumni but also focuses on promoting entrepreneurship and conveying strong, positive experiences about entrepreneurship and small business ownership despite the many obstacles that may exist in starting and growing a business.
“We’re very glad that our partner, Brookdale Community College, with the assistance of our regional center headquartered at the College was able to achieve top place at this NACCE competition,” Brenda Hopper, NJSBDC CEO-State Director stated.
“Higher educational collaborations with our network’s NJSBDCs generally result in positive outcomes for our host colleges, our regional centers and the small business community,” added Deborah Smarth, NJSBDC COO-Associate State Director.
Website 101 Planning & Building
Instructor: Roland Reinhart
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012, 9 am – 12 noon
You’ve launched your new business, congratulations! Now let’s plan a new website that will work hard for you 24/7.If you’re promoting services only, or selling products online, there are significant differences you need to plan for when designing your new website. You’ll learn how to evaluate solution providers, common mistakes to avoid, and the most important best practices to follow to help you get listed in the major search engines – Google/Bing/Yahoo.
Course Code: XBUSD 075 SW
Fee:$40.00
To register online click here
For more information call 732-842-8685
Your website isn’t effective if it can’t be found by the major search engines. This Class is essential for you to learn specifically what to change in order to improve your visibility in Google/Bing/Yahoo’s search result pages. Participants learn SEO best practices to follow and have the opportunity to have their own websites critiqued during the session.
Course Code: XBUSD 078 SW
Fee: $40.00
To register online click here
For more information call 732-842-8685
Increase Your Sales with Online Video
Instructor: Roland Reinhart
Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, 9 am- 12 noon
Learn how to create impactful video content for your website and social media marketing. Engage your prospects dramatically to turn leads into sales. From plannig to production to publishing, this class pieces together the skills and tools you’ll need to create desirable content to promote your brand or organization. Workshop is especially designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs on a limited budget.
Course Code: XBUSD 083 SW
Fee: $40.00
To register online click here
For more information call 732-842-8685
Mobile Website For Your Business Instructor: Roland Reinhart
Thursday, Oct. 25, 9 am – 12 noon
Learn how to engage the mobile consumer by displaying your website correctly, enable visitors to make a transaction and provide a positive experience for prospects. This workshop will show you how to demystify all the jargon, examine the mobile user experience, evaluate different methods to “mobilize” you content and discuss whether a “native app” for iPhone or Android is right for you.
Fee: $40
To register online click here
For more information call 732-842-8685
The New Jersey Small Business Development Center network offers this specialized counseling and training and is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Adminstration, through appropriations made by the US Congress to further promote job creation and retention.
According to a survey conducted by American Express Open, the most common online marketing techniques currently being utilized by small businesses are a company website followed by social media.
The NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College is now offering e-marketing seminars to help you grow your business. Join the other small businesses who have discovered the benefits of online marketing by attending any of the up-coming seminars listed below. The seminars will be presented by highly-qualified professionals. Furthermore, all the attendees will have the opportunity to sign-up and receive FREE one-on-one counseling on the subject matter.
Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your business
Social Media Strategy for Businesses Instructor: Lisa Kanda
Tuesday, June 19, 2012, 9 – 11 am
Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, 6 – 8 pm
Participants in the workshop will create a social media strategy for their business, discover what social media networks are appropriate for their business marketing initiatives, and learn how to implement a successful social media program. Participants will walk out the door with a strategic social media plan of action.
Course Code: XBUSD 079 SW
Fee: $25
To register online click here
For more information call 732-842-8685
Intro to Facebook Business Instructor: Lisa Kanda
Wednesday, October 3, 2012, 9 am – 12 Noon
(Hands on, computer based workshop)
Do you know how to set up your Business Page on Facebook? This information packed workshop will give you tips and tricks to utilize Facebook Business (Fan) Pages as a marketing and business tool. This is an introductory hands-on workshop where you will create and work directly on your business page!
Participants will learn:
What social media is and why you need to know about it
Why you should care how this is impacting customer relationships and buying practices
The rules and etiquette of social media
How to set up a Facebook Business Page
How to secure your unique URL for your page
A comprehensive review of the “Edit Page” features
A review of the changes recently made to Facebook Business Pages
Course Code: XBUSD 074 SW Fee: $40.00
To register online click here
For more information call 732-842-8685
Intro to LinkedIn Instructor: Lisa Kanda
Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, 6 – 9 pm
(Hands on, computer based workshop)
Have you signed up for LinkedIn but haven’t completed your profile or built your connections? How can this social media tool help you build your network, get new business or find a job? This introductory workshop will teach you the basics of LinkedIn
Participants will learn:
The features and navigation of LinkedIn
How to create and optimize a LinkedIn profile
How to create status updates and share information of value
How to develop and leverage your connections
How to search and participate in groups
Course Code: XBUSD 080 SW Fee: $40.00
To register online click here
For more information call 732-842-8685
Facebook Business Pages – Intermediate Level Instructor: Lisa Kanda
Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, 9 am – 12 Noon
(Hands on, computer based workshop)
Do you have a Facebook Fan Page already? Do you want to learn how to use Facebook to build your business? Facebook provides businesses with many opportunities to find and get loyal customers, but you need to know what works for your business to achieve your goals. This information packed workshop will give you tips and tricks to utilize Facebook Business (Fan) Pages as a marketing and business tool.
This is an intermediate hands-on workshop where you can work directly on your business page! You must already have a Facebook Business Page created with at least 25 “likes” in order to participate.
Participants will learn:
How to customize a Facebook Business Page
How to use all the features within the Fan Page
A comprehensive review “Insights”
How to create content and get fan interaction
Course Code: XBUSD 077 SW Fee: $40.00
To register online click here
For more information call 732-842-8685
Intro – Twitter for Business Instructor: Lisa Kanda
Friday, Nov. 2, 2012, 9:00 am -12:00 pm
(Hands on, computer based workshop)
Are you baffled by Twitter and want to learn how to use it as a marketing and business tool? Learn how to use Twitter to establish your credibility, influence your followers, share great content and attract the types of people who need your expertise as well as your products and services.
Participants will learn:
How to set up a Twitter profile
Twitter rules & etiquette
How to write great tweets
How to find people to follow
How to get people to follow you
How to use the @ and # symbols
Using Twitter search
Course Code: XBUSD 082 SW Fee: $40.00
To register online click here
For more information call 732-842-8685
Intermediate – LinkedIn for Business Instructor: Lisa Kanda
Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, 9 am – 12 noon
(Hands on, computer based workshop)
Have you been using LinkedIn but want to take it to the next level? This workshop will help you learn about the additional features of LinkedIn and how they can help you grow your business and career.
This is an intermediate hands-on workshop and you must already have a LinkedIn profile created and completed to at least 85% and over 50 connections established.
Participants will learn:
The newest features of LinkedIn
Advanced profile options and using applications to enhance your profile
Optimizing your status updates to make connections
How to create and optimize a LinkedIn Business Page
Best practices for sharing in groups
How to create and search for events
Course Code: XBUSD 081 SW Fee: $40.00
To register online click here
For more information call 732-842-8685
The New Jersey Small Business Development Center network offers this specialized counseling and training and is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Adminstration, through appropriations made by the US Congress to further promote job creation and retention.
NJSBDC network is an accredited member of the Association of Small Business Development Centers.