PROGRAM GUIDEJULY - DECEMBER 2015

Offices in Fort Myers · Cape Coral · Naples · Port Charlotte · Bonita Springs · Punta Gorda · Lehigh Acres · N. Fort Myers · Labelle

www.FSBDCSWFL.org

FSBDC Quick Tip Online and in-class training is available throughout the

year provided by FSBDC consultants and local experts in a variety of topic areas.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING

Best Practices of Customer ServicesDate: Tuesday, 8/21Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm - 3 hr(s)Location: Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce - 2702 Tamiami Tr, Pt. Charlotte, FL 33952Cost: $10.00Learn what you should and should not be doing to attract and hold customers in your business. We wil cover techniques to maintain customer service and provide examples of what works and what does not work. Program is formatted for existing businesses.

Getting Close to the CustomerDate: Wednesday, 10/14 Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm - 1.5 hr(s)Location: Liles’ Hotel, 27300 Old 41, Bonita Springs, FL 34135Cost: $10.00Customers, clients are the lifeblood of every business. Thoughts will be developed in a practical manner so you can take the ideas back to work this afternoon and start implementing some improvements in your customer relations work and increase sales as a result. Program is formatted for existing businesses.

Doing Business with the Federal Government SeriesDates: 7/24, 7/31, & 8/7; then 10/2, 10/9, & 10/16Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm - 2 hr(s)Location: CareerSource SWFL - 4150 Ford Street Extension, Fort Myers, FL 33916Cost: NoneParts 1 & 2 on 7/24 and 10/2 - Methods of Procurement, Contracts, Social Economic Interests, Objectives, Chapters, Parts, and Forms. Parts 3 & 4 on 7/31 and 10/9 - Solicitations, Format, Amendments, and Successful Proposal Writing. Parts 5 & 6 on 8/7 and 10/16 - Subcontracting Opportunities, Government’s Role, Payments, Pricing, and Profit

BUSINESS MANAGEMENTSurviving the Off SeasonDate: Thursday, 8/13 Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm - 2 hr(s)Location: Iberia Bank - 7580 Winkler Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33919Cost: $10.00We will be presenting ideas on how to survive the offseason. This will be directed at Retail. Program is programmed towards existing businesses.

SBRN LuncheonsDates: Thursdays7/16 - Topic: Websites and Website Opitimization for Your Business8/20 - Topic: Technology Solutions for Your Business10/15 - Topic: Health Insurance Coverage11/19 - Topic: It’s All About the Money – Securing a Business Loan!Time: 11:45 am - 1:00 pm - 1.75 hr(s)Location: Connors Steak & Seafood - 10076 Gulf Center Dr. Fort Myers FL, 33913Cost: $30 Non-members; $20 Members PER LUNCHEON

Taking Your Business to the Next Level and Working Less!!! - 3 Part Series Dates: Wednesdays, 9/16, 10/7, & 11/4Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm - 2 hr(s) (6 hrs total)Location: Iberia Bank - 7580 Winkler Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33919Cost: NoneThis is a 3-part series, be sure to register for sessions 1, 2, and 3. Learn how to take you business to the next level of growth and success. We will be presenting the ideas in the Book Emyth Revisited. Program is formatted for existing businesses.

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY AT: WWW.FSBDCSWFL.ORG

SBRN Golf TournamentDate: Saturday, 9/26 Time: 8:00 am - 1:00 pmLocation: Old Corkscrew Country Club

See our website for more details!

REGISTER

NOW

Small Business ChatDates: Wednesdays 7/22, 8/26, 9/23, 10/28Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm - 1.5 hr(s)Location: City Public Works Building Nicholas Annex Community Room - 815 Nicholas Parkway, Cape Coral 33990Cost: NoneBusiness owners gather to chat and discuss business issues and network. Program is formatted for existing businesses.

“Think Tank” Small Business MeetingDates: Wednesdays, 7/1, 8/5, 9/2, 10/7, 11/4, 12/2Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - 1 hr(s)Location: Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce - 1261 Homestead Road Lehigh Acres, FL 33936Cost: NoneThe small business owner will learn 21st Centry concepts to grow their business. They will take away benchmarks to develop personal Skills, Knowledge, & Abilities (S.K.A’s.) Program is formatted for existing businesses.

B2B LuncheonDates: Wednesdays, 7/15, 8/19, 9/16, 10/14, 11/18, 12/16Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm - 1.5 hr(s)Location: Fort Myers Incubator - 3903 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33916Cost: NoneThe luncheon is designed to bring together small Business owners to share from each other and learn products and practices that will grow their business and wealth. Topics include best practices, business planning, and details on how to utilize the County Wage Reimbursement Program for new hires. Program is geared towards existing businesses and for the business owner.

CASH FLOW MANAGEMENTMaking Your Nest Egg LastDate: Friday, 7/24Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm - 3 hr(s)Location: FGCU Punta Gorda - 117 Herald Ct Sq. Ste. 211, Punta Gorda, FL 33950Cost: NoneThe seminar will focus on strategies for sustainable income in retirement. The speaker will reveal the five key challenges in retirement and how to successfully achieve them with an income plan. Workshop is programmed and geared towards existing business and the business owner(s).

Understanding $ Money in My BusinessDate: Wednesday, 11/18 Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm - 1.5 hr(s)Location: Liles’ Hotel, 27300 Old 41, Bonita Springs, FL 34135Cost: $10.00Reading Financial Statements causes many business owners to have headaches. This session will make the stuff understandable and we will learn where to find comparative information to help decide if we are making the right money moves. Program is formatted for existing businesses.

NETWORKING COMMONSCAPE CORAL

LEHIGH ACRES

NORTH FORT MYERS

International Trade ExpoThursday, October 8th, 2015

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Holiday Inn, Fort Myers Airport9931 Interstate Commerce Dr,

Fort Myers, FL 33913

NO COST!Attendees will be able to meet one-on-one

with international trade experts, banks, and logistic experts and discover how to take their business global.

Access to Technology FairWednesday, September 23rd, 20158:00 am - 12:00 pm

NO COST!Attendees will be able to meet one-on-one

with network and other technology experts to find out how to best leverage new and

existing technology.

Holiday Inn, Fort Myers Airport9931 Interstate Commerce Dr,

Fort Myers, FL 33913

NO COST!Holiday Inn, Fort Myers Airport9931 Interstate Commerce Dr,

Fort Myers, FL 33913

Friday, August 7th, 20158:00 am - 12:00 pm

Access to Capital Fair

WHAT IS THE SBDC? The Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University is a dynamic community-based resource, helping small business owners take advantage of new opportunities to grow their business through a diverse collection of programs and services. The SBDC is located in FGCU’s Center for Leadership & Innovation, the external administrative unit of the Lutgert College of Business, providing a unique collaboration between the College of Business faculty, students and small business owners. The Center serves a five-county area and provides business assistance through various partner locations in Southwest Florida.

MISSION STATEMENT We are a customer driven organization of business professionals, dedicated to helping small businesses succeed by enthusiastically providing creative solutions which exceed customer, employee, and stakeholder expectations.

The Florida SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service network funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. State Designated as Florida’s Principal Provider of Business Assistance [§288.001, Fla. Stat]

OUR RESOURCE PARTNERS

WEBINARS - ONLINE LEARNING

Library SeriesDates: Mondays7/27 - Enhanced Marketing Using a Free WordPress.Com Site – What it is and how to create your own!9/28 - Understanding Financial Statements; P&L, Balance Sheet, Forecasting and Cash Flow11/6 - Existing Business - Get Contracts with Lee CountyTime: 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm - 2.5 hr(s)Cost: NoneLocation: Fort Myers Regional Library - 2450 First St., Fort Myers, FL 33901

FORT MYERS LIBRARY

Facebook for Business Parts 1 & 2 - Cape CoralDates: Tuesdays 7/7 & 7/14Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm - 3 hr(s)Location: FSBDC Office - 1020 Cultural Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 33990Cost: $10 PER SESSION

Facebook for Business Parts 1 & 2 - Bonita SpringsDates: Wednesdays 7/8 & 7/15Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm - 3 hr(s)Location: The Liles’ Hotel - 27300 Old 41, Bonita Springs, FL 34135Cost: $10 PER SESSION

Facebook for Business Parts 1 & 2 - Fort MyersDates: Tuesdays 10/13 & 10/20Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm - 3 hr(s)Location: Renaissance Center - 8695 College Pkwy, #1256, Fort Myers, FL 33919Cost: $10 PER SESSION

Attendees must register separately for each part. In these classes, we will take a step by step approach on how to establish a more personalized and interactive presence for you and your business. Please bring your laptop as this is a hands on class. Program is formatted for existing businesses.

MARKETING & SALES

Build Your Own Wordpress.com Website & Blog for Low to No-CostDate: Wednesday, 9/16Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am - 2 hr(s)Location: The Liles’ Hotel - 27300 Old 41, Bonita Springs, FL 34135Cost: $10Learn the basics on how to get started with your own low to no-cost website and blog using WordPress.com We will explore the basics of set up and how to tie your WordPress.com site to the most popular social media channels. Program is geared towards both new and existing businesses.

The Business of Social MediaDate: 8/11 Time: 9:00 am to 11:00 am - 2 hr(s)Location: Renaissance Academy of FGCU, 1010 Fifth Avenue, Naples, FL 34102Cost: $25.00If you have been considering whether or not to pursue social media as an avenue of promoting your business, come get the ABC’s and 123’s of this dynamic and exciting phenomenon! Workshop program is geared towards existing businesses.

Webinar: Build Your Own Wordpress.com Website & Blog for Low to No-CostDate: Thursdays, 7/9 & 11/5Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am - 1 hr(s)Cost: $5 PER SESSIONLearn the basics on how to get started with your own low to no-cost website and blog using WordPress.com We will explore the basics of set up and how to tie your WordPress.com site to the most popular social media channels. Program is geared towards both new and existing businesses.

“The Ask” WebinarsDates: Tuesdays8/11 - What are some of the Best Marketing Practices that Generate Repeat Sales?9/8 - How do I Start a Business?10/6 - What Do I Need To Do To Access Capital for My Business?Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am - 1 hr(s)Cost: None