BROWN BAG LUNCH SERIES

Brown Bag: Financing for Small Business 101

Do you need a small mount of money for your business, but you don’t want to write a full-fledged business plan or put up your home as collateral? This lunch-time workshop is designed to familiarize businesses with micro-lending; loans to businesses under $15,000 that are rarely collaterized. SBDC Director Beth Pratt will review the options for first-time financing with emphasis on the SBA micro lending program.

 

The Brown Bag Series: Brown Bag lunch trainings are the perfect quick- solution for getting the foundation you need to successfully launch your business. Start-up Business owners are encouraged to take the Business Start-up, Marketing 101, Recordkeeping 101, Business Planning 101 and Financing 101 to get a healthy foundation.  Participants who successfully complete all five trainings will receive a Napa Valley College SBDC Start-up Certificate.

#56113 Tue, Jul 22, 2008
SBDC Office
$20, 12-2pm, Pratt

Brown Bag: Marketing 101

Kick start your marketing plan. Join SBDC Marketing Business Advisor Jerry Jinnett, author of Target Marketing for Small Businesses, as she provides the guidelines for developing your business marketing plan. Emphasis will be on market research, utilizing demographics, and developing a marketing strategy for your business venture.

 

The Brown Bag Series: Brown Bag lunch trainings are the perfect quick- solution for getting the foundation you need to successfully launch your business. Start-up Business owners are encouraged to take the Business Start-up, Marketing 101, Recordkeeping 101, Business Planning 101 and Financing 101 to get a healthy foundation.  Participants who successfully complete all five trainings will receive a Napa Valley College SBDC Start-up Certificate.

#56109 Thu, Jul 17, 2008
SBDC Office
$20, 12-2pm, Jinnett

Brown Bag: Record Keeping 101

Get your business financials organized. In Recordkeeping 101, Ray Kimball will help start-up business owners with the framework of recordkeeping and budgeting. Emphasis at this bring-your-own lunch workshop will be on setting up a profit and loss statement, organizing records for your business and exploring options for on-going bookkeeping and taxes. Participants who successfully complete all four trainings will receive a Napa Valley College SBDC Start-up Certificate.

The Brown Bag Series: Brown Bag lunch trainings are the perfect quick- solution for getting the foundation you need to successfully launch your business. Start-up Business owners are encouraged to take the Business Start-up, Marketing 101, Recordkeeping 101, Business Planning 101 and Financing 101 to get a healthy foundation.  Participants who successfully complete all five trainings will receive a Napa Valley College SBDC Start-up Certificate.

#56114 Thu, Jul 24, 2008
SBDC Office
$20, 12-2pm, Kimball

Brown Bag: Basic Business Planning 101

We don't plan to fail, we just fail to plan. Get your business plan -- the Roadmap to Your Success- going with this lunch time training that covers the key elements of a basic business plan. SBDC Business Advisor and Author of Anatomy of a Business Plan will walk you through the critical parts needed for a business plan, whether your seeking funding to launch your business or looking at plan that will help you stay on course.

 

The Brown Bag Series: Brown Bag lunch trainings are the perfect quick- solution for getting the foundation you need to successfully launch your business. Start-up Business owners are encouraged to take the Business Start-up, Marketing 101, Recordkeeping 101, Business Planning 101 and Financing 101 to get a healthy foundation.  Participants who successfully complete all five trainings will receive a Napa Valley College SBDC Start-up Certificate.

#56114 Thu, Jul 24, 2008
SBDC Office
$20, 12-2pm, Jinnett

BUSINESS PLANS

How to Write a Business Plan

Do you need help writing your business plan?  Does your existing business plan need re-tooling?  This is the workshop for you!  Attendees will receive a copy of the comprehensive workbook “Your Business Plan”, a workbook that guides you through the planning process in an easy to understand, step-by-step, fill in the blanks, process. We provide the expertise - you ask the questions!  This workshop gives the road map you need for continuing operations or loan applications.  Booklet and software included.

#56116 Sat, Jul 26, 2008
Community Ed Ctr, Napa
$50, 9am-3pm, Stelter

BUSINESS START-UP

Business Start-Up Orientation

This comprehensive orientation is designed to be a starting place for those considering jumping into business for the first time. The workshop will provide you with a start-up booklet, as well as a general overview of things to consider when starting a business such as:

  • Business Licensing Requirements
  • Business Taxes You Are Required To Pay
  • Legal Form of Organization
  • Components of a Business Plan
  • Marketing 

 

#56101 Thu, Jul 10, 2008
UVC, St. Helena
$10, 2-4:30pm, Jinnett

#56121 Thu, Aug 14, 2008
Napa Chamber of Commerce
$10, 6:30-9pm, Stelter

CUSTOMER SERVICE

CSA: Customer Service

“Customer Service” is designed to provide the participant with the necessary skills and attitudes to effectively meet and exceed customer expectations. Participants will define exceptional service, become familiar with external and internal customers, enhance customer service communication techniques, learn how to handle customer complaints in a positive manner and understand key elements of customer satisfaction and retention. Participants will also develop a customer service action plan to take home or to their place of work.

 

The NVC Customer Service Academy "CSA" is an award-winning training program designed to train employees in the critical skills needed for your business’ success. The program delivers quality energetic training by certified CSA trainers in areas from communicating in the workplace, team-building, and the very popular 8-hour module on customer service. Trainings are interactive and cost-effective, many costing only $50-$80 per participant for a 3 or 8-hour module, and conveniently offered at either the Napa Chamber of Commerce or the Upper Valley Campus.  Organizations that have more than 12 employees can opt to customize a training delivered at their business location.

#56100 Thu, Jul 10, 2008
Napa Chamber of Commerce
$80, 8:30am-12:30pm, Cremen

#56100 Thu, Jul 17, 2008
Napa Chamber of Commerce
No Fee, 8:30am-12:30pm, Cremen

CSA: Organizational Time Management

The Customer Service Academy module on “Organizational Time Management” is designed to provide participants with strategies and tools to make maximum use of your limited time.  The training will cover how to prioritize, identify time wasters, delegation techniques and goal setting. In addition, Professional Organizer and Business Advisor, Sandy Stelter will help participants get a handle on clutter, filing, record-keeping and emails.

 

The NVC Customer Service Academy CSA is an award-winning training program designed to train employees in the critical skills needed for your business’ success. The program delivers quality energetic training by certified CSA trainers in areas from communicating in the workplace, team-building, and the very popular 8-hour module on customer service. Trainings are interactive and cost-effective, many costing only $50-$80 per participant for a 4 or 8-hour module, and conveniently offered at either the Napa Chamber of Commerce or the Upper Valley Campus.  Organizations that have more than 12 employees can opt to customize a training delivered at their business location.

#56111 Tue, Jul 22, 2008
Napa Chamber of Commerce
$50, 6-9pm, Stelter

CUSTOMER SERVICE ACADEMY

CSA: Attitude in the Workplace & Team Building

The blended Customer Service Academy module focuses on “Attitude in the Workplace & Team Building”.  The first 4 hour training is devoted to conquering negativity, improving performance & enhancing productivity in the workplace.  The second 4 hours is designed to provide participants with an understanding of how teams work together, common problems teams encounter and how to solve them. The training will cover effective strategies to teamwork, avoiding common team obstacles, and emphasizing internal customer service to get the job done. 

 

The NVC Customer Service Academy "CSA" is an award-winning training program designed to train employees in the critical skills needed for your business’ success. The program delivers quality energetic training by certified CSA trainers in areas from communicating in the workplace, team-building, and the very popular 8-hour module on customer service. Trainings are interactive and cost-effective, many costing only $50-$80 per participant for a 4 or 8-hour module, and conveniently offered at either the Napa Chamber of Commerce or the Upper Valley Campus.  Organizations that have more than 12 employees can opt to customize a training delivered at their business location.

#56119 Thu, Aug 07, 2008
Napa Chamber of Commerce
$80, 8:30am-12:30pm, Cremen

#56119 Thu, Aug 14, 2008
Napa Chamber of Commerce
No Fee, 8:30am-12:30pm, Cremen

HOSPITALITY INSTITUTE SERIES

HIS: HR Essentials

Employee relations are often the most difficult single issues facing business owners. From the employee side, the single most desired response has been the need for a consistent and predictable workplace. This workshop identifies how to utilize policy books, job descriptions, evaluations and training materials to create and implement systems within your business. These systems are vital to providing a consistent, predictable and legal work environment. 

 

The goal of the Napa Valley College Hospitality Institute is to enhance and expand the existing training resources available to restaurants & wine-hospitality related businesses. These trainings include customized workshops specific to the hospitality industry. Our challenge is to create a sustainable Institute chartered to provide training resources and counseling to meet the needs of our hospitality businesses in the Napa Valley, from restaurants to wineries and hotels to bed and breakfast as well as spas and caterers.  Look for the Hospitality Institute to roll out dynamic training programs for entry-level employees to supervisors to owners, all with the goal to improve both our area’s labor force and the experience that guests of the Valley receive. 

#56117 Tue, Jul 29, 2008
Napa Chamber of Commerce
$30, 2-4:30pm, Monahan

HIS: Restaurant Marketing Strategies

In this workshop, the elements of successful marketing are explored. Participants are introduced to target markets, assessing the competition, marketing strategies and how to turn these elements into an action plan. We will cover guerilla-marketing activities such as birthday and loyalty programs, as well as effective email and direct mail marketing. The workshop utilizes the classic elements of marketing, however emphasizes restaurant specific language and examples.

#56104 Tue, Jul 15, 2008
Napa Chamber of Commerce
$30, 2-4:30pm, Monahan

HIS: Start-up Restaurant Roundtable

Starting any business is always a challenge. A restaurant can prove to be both challenging and confusing due to all the different things that need to be done. It is a lot of hard work, and it’s not always obvious what needs to be done and when. If you are planning (or even just dreaming) of opening a restaurant, this workshop could be the difference between failure and success. Your odds of succeeding are greatly increased when you develop your ideas into a plan. The restaurant start up round table will address:

 

  • The restaurant opening checklist
  • How to determine the feasibility of your ideas
  • How to write a restaurant business plan
  • How to finance your restaurant
  • And more!

The goal of the Napa Valley College Hospitality Institute is to enhance and expand the existing training resources available to restaurants & wine-hospitality related businesses. These trainings include customized workshops specific to the hospitality industry. Our challenge is to create a sustainable Institute chartered to provide training resources and counseling to meet the needs of our hospitality businesses in the Napa Valley, from restaurants to wineries and hotels to bed and breakfast as well as spas and caterers.  Look for the Hospitality Institute to roll out dynamic training programs for entry-level employees to supervisors to owners, all with the goal to improve both our area’s labor force and the experience that guests of the Valley receive. 

#56120 Tue, Aug 12, 2008
Napa Chamber of Commerce
$20, 2-4:30pm, Monahan

HIS: TiPS - Training for Intervention Procedures

Instead of taking chances, take TiPS training! TiPS is a certified program providing the skills to help servers, sellers, and consumers of alcohol how to prevent intoxication, drunk driving, and underage drinking.

 

What TiPS training includes:

v         Recognizing signs of intoxication

v         Spotting underage drinkers

v         Intervening quickly and assuredly in potential problem situations

v         Understanding the difference between people enjoying themselves and those getting into trouble with alcohol

v         Handling alcohol related situations with greater confidence

v         Using proven strategies to prevent alcohol-related problems

 

TiPS is a skill based training. By building on individual’s fundamental “people skills”, TiPS provides the knowledge and confidence they need to recognize potential alcohol related problems and how to effectively intervene to prevent alcohol related tragedies.

 

TiPS Benefits:

v         Compliance with state and local regulations

v         Protection from alcohol liability lawsuits

v         Decreased penalties for alcohol violations

v         Better bottom line through lower insurance premiums

v         Improved customer service and satisfaction

v         Increased staff professionalism.

A test will be given at the end of the class and certificates are presented upon completion of training.

 

The goal of the Napa Valley College Hospitality Institute is to enhance and expand the existing training resources available to restaurants & wine-hospitality related businesses. These trainings include customized workshops specific to the hospitality industry. Our challenge is to create a sustainable Institute chartered to provide training resources and counseling to meet the needs of our hospitality businesses in the Napa Valley, from restaurants to wineries and hotels to bed and breakfast as well as spas and caterers.  Look for the Hospitality Institute to roll out dynamic training programs for entry-level employees to supervisors to owners, all with the goal to improve both our area’s labor force and the experience that guests of the Valley receive. 

#56102 Fri, Jul 11, 2008
Napa Chamber of Commerce
$45, 2-5pm, Monahan

#56118 Tue, Aug 05, 2008
Napa Chamber of Commerce
$45, 2-5pm, Monahan

HIS: Winery Tasting Room Sales

Instructor, Pamela Personette, provides hands-on hospitality training designed specifically for winery tasting room staff in order to increase sales.  We conduct workshops that offer exclusive tips and proven techniques that tasting room staff can use in their daily interaction with tasting room customers.  By applying the Montessori – inspired techniques, the tasting room staff creates a memorable tasting room experience resulting in increased sales and satisfied and repeat customers. 

 

Topics include — How to Identify Different Types of Customers, How to Make the Customer Feel Special, The Power of Observation, How to Ask Appropriate Questions, How to Improve Listening Skills, How to Customize the Experience, Self-Discovery: the Key to Learning and How to Handle Mistakes.

 

The goal of the Napa Valley College Hospitality Institute is to enhance and expand the existing training resources available to restaurants & wine-hospitality related businesses. These trainings include customized workshops specific to the hospitality industry. Our challenge is to create a sustainable Institute chartered to provide training resources and counseling to meet the needs of our hospitality businesses in the Napa Valley, from restaurants to wineries and hotels to bed and breakfast as well as spas and caterers.  Look for the Hospitality Institute to roll out dynamic training programs for entry-level employees to supervisors to owners, all with the goal to improve both our area’s labor force and the experience that guests of the Valley receive. 

#56115 Fri, Jul 25, 2008
Napa Chamber of Commerce
$40, 9-11:30am, Personette

NxLEVEL - BUSINESS PLANNING

Youth Enterprise Academy Camp

Napa Valley College Announces the Napa Youth Enterprise Academy

  

The NVC NxLeveL Youth Enterprise Academy is a 5-day entrepreneurial “boot-camp” designed for high school students age 14 and older, who want to learn to start a full-time, part-time or summer business or simply explore the world of business enterprise.

 

Napa Youth Enterprise Academy is scheduled at the Napa Valley College Upper Valley Campus on, July 14, 2008. The 30-hour program is structured to offer practical and hand-on learning from Napa Valley College Certified Business Advisors and Local Business Leaders from wine, hospitality, service, technology and retail industry. An outcome of the 30-hour camp is the development of an individual or team business plan to act as a road map for start-up and future growth.

 

Napa Valley College YEA! is provided through a grant through the Chancellor’s Office Economic Workforce Development Program. The class fee is $200 and includes tuition costs, materials, and some refreshments. There are some scholarship opportunities. For more information call the NVC SBDC at (707) 253-3210

#56079 Mon, Jul 14, 2008
UVC, St. Helena
$200, 9am-3pm, Various

#56079 Tue, Jul 15, 2008
UVC, St. Helena
No Fee, 9am-3pm, Various

#56079 Wed, Jul 16, 2008
UVC, St. Helena
No Fee, 9am-3pm, Various

#56079 Thu, Jul 17, 2008
UVC, St. Helena
No Fee, 9am-3pm, Various

#56079 Fri, Jul 18, 2008
UVC, St. Helena
No Fee, 9am-3pm, Various

SMALL BUSINESS HOW-TO'S

The Business Side of Art

This workshop is tailor made for any artist who relies or wants to rely on their art for a living.  Carolynne Gamble will take artists through the business considerations of art.  Topics covered will include setting realistic financial expectations and goals and planning for success.

#56106 Tue, Jul 15, 2008
Napa Chamber of Commerce
$40, 6-9pm, Gamble

WAKE UP YOUR BUSINESS WEDNESDAY

WUYBW: How to Grow Your Business to the Next Level

Statistics show that nearly 60% of all businesses fail in the first two years. Find out how local mature, successful entrepreneurs have managed to buck the trend. A panel of local business owners will share their tools and strategies they have used to get their business to the next level of success. Panelists will reveal their successes and nightmares for handling growth and “how to run your business, so it doesn’t run you to the ground.”

 

The Napa Valley College and Napa Chamber of Commerce Business Builders Committee invites you to attend the informal workshops on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 7:30am-9:30am at the Napa Chamber of Commerce. We will provide stimulating coffee and a stimulating guest speaker. Participants provide the questions and have the opportunity to network.  

 

#56107 Wed, Jul 16, 2008
Napa Chamber of Commerce
$20, 7:30-9:30am, Panel

The Small Business Development Center is a joint partnership between Napa Valley College, the State of California and the U.S. Small Business Administration