Small Business workshops by Jewish Vocation Service--Chicago

BUSINESS WORKSHOPS


August 1, 2, 3 and 4

Core 4® Small Business Planning Boot Camp:This 10-hour business planning course will give you the information and skills that you need in the four “CORE” elements of planning and sustaining a business: Plan for business success; Plan your business to meet the needs of the market place; Plan for your business cash flow needs; and Plan how your business will operate. JVS Chicago, 216 W. Jackson, Suite 700, Chicago. Cost $50 which includes all 4 sessions, textbook and a Certificate of Completion. 3:30p.m.- 6:00p.m. To RSVP call: Kim Valente (312) 673-3429 or email sbdcdumancenter@jvschicago.org.

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New titles at Evanston Public Library

Check out these new titles to jumpstart the creative process where you work:

Brainsteering: A Better Approach to Breakthrough Ideas, by Kevin Coyne, c2011. (650.1 Coyne.K)  The concept underlying "brainsteering" is to encourage users to focus, to look into an idea deeply rather than ricocheting around it, brainstorming-style. 

Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity, by Josh Linkner, c2011.  (650.1 Linkn.J)  A 5-part process that will transform your organization or your career into a non-stop creativity juggernaut.  It shows even the stuffiest corporate bureaucracies how to cultivate creativity in order to become more competitive in today's shifting marketplace.

Tell to Win: Connect, Persuade, and Triumph with the Hidden Power of Story, by Peter Guber, c2011. (658.45 Grube.P)  "Former chairman of Sony Pictures and current CEO of Mandalay Entertainment Group, Guber illustrates how powerful storytelling-about yourself or your product-can be the ultimate tool to get the meeting, engage the listener, and close the deal." (PW)

Ten Steps Ahead: What Separates Successful Business Visionaries from the Rest of Us, by Erik Calonius, c2011. (658.409 Calon.E)  Drawing on recent insights from neuroscience about the roles that intuition, emotional intelligence, and courage can play, Calonius reveals what makes visionaries tick and how they develop and use their extraordinary powers.

Invest Evanston to provide low-interest loans

Lending for Evanston and Northwestern Development, (LEND), is a non-profit student group at Northwestern University that is applying the principles of microfinance to help alleviate poverty within the Evanston community. On Monday, they launched a campaign, Invest Evanston, which will allow the group to use those same principles to finance entrepreneurs in the Evanston community. Donations from Northwestern students will be used to fund these low-interest loans for small business owners.  In the next two weeks, Invest Evanston hopes to raise at least $5,000, according to co-founder Sahil Mehta, a McCormick junior.  The full story can be found in North by Northwestern.  LEND is part of the Kellog Venture Community, 2169 Campus Drive Evanston IL 60201-2927; Phone: 866.867.3820, Email: info@kelloggventurecommunity.com

BizyDeal offers local small businesses great deals

Now that Groupon has become a household name, it's time for a "hot deals" website that targets Chicago area small businesses.  That website is Bizydeal.com, which launced on March 28.  The owners are planning to showcase “provocative” deals to drive attention to BizyDeal over its first two weeks (Ford Motor Co. offered a discount for its Transit Connect light van on opening day), and then will eventually settle into more traditional offerings like online payroll and janitorial services.

Find great deals for your business, and find out how your small business can offer great deals on Bizydeal.com.

Doing Business with the City of Evanston

The City of Evanston invites Evanston businesses to attend a seminar on how to do business with the city on Thursday, April 28, 2011 from 6-9 p.m. at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave. 

This is a great opportunity for local businesses to see what other larger-scale and smaller purchase opportunities there are available with the city. Don't miss out on this opportunity on learning how to do business with the City of Evanston

SCORE Chicago

SCORE Chicago, the local chapter of America's Counselors to Small Business, has made a series of videos available for the benefit of small business owners.  Check them out now, and find tips on business planning, naming your business, marketing your company, managing your social networking tools, and  much more.

How a Small Business Becomes a Big Business

A nice write up for long-time north suburban company, Abt Electronics, appeared in the New York Times blog on December 22.  Some of the reasons for their success, according to the author, include moderate, but sustained annual growth, customer service, and continuing to have only one physical location. 

Better Business Blogging in 2011

Download a free, 24-page ebook, Better Business Blogging in 2011, and learn the following: how to market your blog in 35 different ways; how to blog with search engines in mind; how to use social media to find new readers; and how to recruit guest blogging for your business blog.  This ebook also contains several case studies of social-media-savvy organizations, offering real life examples that you can apply to your own blog. 

The volume is edited by Jeff Ente from Who's Blogging What,  and contains contributions from marketing and social media professionals who have launched successful blogs of their own, such as Joe Pulizzi of Junta42 Content Marketing, Ann Smarty of SEO Smarty, and others.

Free Small Business Counseling at the Evanston Public Library

SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business, will provide free counseling every Friday, from 2 to 5 p.m, in the Small Community Meeting Room at the Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Avenue.  Sessions begin on December 3, 2010.  Appointments are required and can be made by visiting SCORE's website, or by calling 312-353-7724.

SCORE counselors are executives and business owners who have achieved success in their fields and now, as volunteers, want to help you do the same.  Take advantage of this great opportunity to get help devising fresh marketing ideas to adapt your business to changing circumstances; fixing cash flow problems; reviewing business plan and startup activities, and so much more.

For the YOUNG entrepreneur...

Is it true that you can be too young to start a small business of your own?  Here are some books whose authors would definitely say you're never too young!.  So whether you're a kid, a teen, or a parent of a budding entrepreneur, check these out!

Beyond the Lemonade Stand, by Bill Rancic, one of the winners of television's The Apprentice, and Karen Soenen.  This title includes 20 ideas for your own, or your kid's, kid business, a build-your-own-business worksheet to help get you started, stories and advice from Rencic and from other celebrities. 

Better than a Lemonade $tand, by fifteen-year-old Daryl Bernstein, describes fifty-one of Daryl's favorite small businesses.  He gives tips on supplies, time needed, how to advertise, and even what to charge. 

Starting a Business: Have Fun and Make Money,  by Carla Mooney.  In this book you will learn the basics of starting a small business, including writing business plans, doing market analysis, setting up a budget, and figuring out taxes. 

Be Your Own Boss: Small Businesses, by Ernestine Giesecke.  Part of the Know It: Everyday Economics series, in this book you will learn some of the reasons people start small businesses and how they choose what business to start.  You'll also learn the value of keeping good records, and writing a good business plan.

Web design for your small business

In the 2010 Small Business Technology Survey, the National Small Business Association (NSBA) found that while 86% of small businesses have a website, only 26% of those surveyed actually sell their goods or services via the internet.  If you need ideas about building or improving your website, Small Business Trends ran a great article in August about free website builders for small businesses.  Sites they mention include Doodlekit, Wix, Moonfruit and more.  The criteria Small Business Trends used in selecting their favorite website builders are whether the tool lets you build a site, for free, in less than an hour, and publish it to create at least a basic presence online.


You can also find books in the Evanston Public Library collection that will help you build an effective website for your small business.  Some titles you may want to try are Lori Culwell's Million Dollar Website, John Heartfield's Make Your Small Business Website Work, and Poor Richard's Web Site Marketing Makeover, by Marcia Yudkin.

New titles at Evanston Public Library

Wild west 2.0 : how to protect and restore your online reputation on the untamed social frontier,  

Fertik, Michael. American Management Association, c2010.  [ 659.2 Ferti.M]

"The book contains tools to help perform an online reputation audit as well as have false information removed from websites. There are a good glossary, informative chapter notes, and lots of additional information available on the book's official website. There are no comparable works, since the technology referred to changes so rapidly.This accessible book would be great for anyone interested in having a personal or business presence on the Internet and for those interested in the sociological impacts of web 2.0. " (Library Journal review)

Companies on a mission : entrepreneurial strategies for growing sustainably, responsibly, and profitably.  Russo, Michael V.  Stanford Business Books, c2010. [658.408 Russo.M]

"The book strikes a good balance between well-researched scholarship (including charts, graphs, and many footnotes) and real-world examples that enhance the readability and keep readers interested...A well-written and informative business book that provides valuable tips and background for anyone interested in starting up or managing a socially conscious company."  (Library Journal review)

The Wall Street journal essential guide to management : lasting lessons from the best leadership minds of our time.  Murray, Alan S., 1954-.  Harper Business, c2010. 

Draws the best from the existing body of knowledge and research, and summarizes it in a simple, clear, and useful way. Focusing on classic and contemporary works that have been recommended by members of The Wall Street Journal CEO Council-all chief executives of large and successful global companies-it is an invaluable reference and essential tool for every manager, new and experienced alike.

IRS releases draft of form to Help Small Businesses Claim New Health Care Tax Credit

On September 7, the IRS released a draft of the form 8941, that will be used by small business owners to claim a tax credit under the new health care law.  The final version will be available later this year.  The credit is designed to encourage small employers to offer health insurance coverage for the first time or maintain coverage they already have.


If you have any comments on this draft form, you can submit them to the IRS on their web site.  You may make comments anonymously, or you may include your name and e-mail address or phone number.  Due to the high volume of comments they expect to receive, they will not be able to respond to each individual.  However, they will carefully consider each suggestion.  Comments should be sent within 30 days from the date the draft was posted.  Be sure to include the words DRAFT  and Form 8941 in your response.

Brown Bag Lunch Workshop for Small Business Owners

Bring your lunch and join Neil Gardner of Edward Jones, Inc. as he presents Financial Solutions for Business Owners on Thursday, September 23, at noon, in the Community Meeting Room of the Evanston Public Library.  Mr. Gardner will provide ideas for putting the banking, retirement and insurance tools available to business owners to work, to build their wealth and protect their businesses.  Registration is requested, but not required.  If you would like more information, please call the Reference Desk at 847-448-8630.

New Titles at EPL for Small Business Owners

Here are some new titles to check out at the Evanston Public Library.

19 ways to survive : small-business strategies for a tough economy, Spry, Lynn.   (658.022 Spry.L)
"This is not a book on economic theory. It's a practical guide for small business owners demonstrating hands-on techniques and ideas that you can start using today...Readers will be presented with the nuts-and-bolts basics on how they can turn their small business around today using inexpensive tactics to gain and retain customers."

Accounting savvy for business owners : a guide to the bare essentials. Goodman, Philip B.  CPA911 Pub, 2010.  (657.9042 Goodm.P)
Addressing a common problem for small business owners, this accessible handbook is the key to understanding the ins and outs of accounting. Demonstrating how to correctly maintain records and apply bookkeeping rules, but avoiding complex jargon, this guide demonstrates how to keep track of financial matters and monitor the overall health of any business.

Win government contracts for your small business, DiGiacomo, John.  Toolkit Media Group, c2010.  (658.804 Digia.J 2010)
Government contracts under $100,000 are targeted to small businesses. This title-now in its fifth edition-will show you how to get in on the action in just 10 easy-to-understand steps. By following the author's practical advice, you'll be listed accurately in the federal procurement system, allowing you to start receiving bid leads for lucrative federal contracts.

Sidewalk Sales

The Central Street Business Association's annual SIDEWALK SALE takes place today, Thursday July 15 through Saturday, July 17th from 10am to 5pm each day. The businesses located between the 1900-2100 blocks of Central Street will be putting their wares out on the sidewalk at heavily discounted prices.  

Next weekend, you can visit the SUPER SIDEWALK SALE.  Close to 200 Evanston merchants in both downtown Evanston and the Chicago/Dempster district will be participating.  The Super Sidewalk Sale runs Friday, July 23 - Sunday, July 25, 2010; times vary with each business.

Show your support for Evanston's retail businesses by visiting one of these great sidewalk sales!

Evanston/North Shore Networking's e-B.A.S.H.

Participate in Evanston/North Shore Networking's e-B.A.S.H (Evanston’s Business Appreciation Scavenger Hunt) on July 27, 2010, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30.   The event is a challenge (but not a race).  Participants go to predefined merchants to learn more about the products and services offered by those merchants.  They decipher creative clues and answer questions about merchant offerings, which provides the opportunity to learn the next clue on the route.

All teams that successfully complete their route are submitted for a drawing to determine the winning team.  Prizes include Cub tickets, jewelry, dining certificates and much more.  Registration is $30 in advance and $40 at the door.  Buffalo Wild Wings is the final destination, where a post-scavenger-hunt party will be held.  For more information, check out the e-B.A.S.H. website today.  Don't miss out on this unique Evanston networking opportunity!

Home-based business ideas

Evanston Public Library has books to help you find that perfect home based business idea.  There are several books that compile lists of ideas:  The complete idiot's guide to starting a home-based business (also available as a downloadable e-book); The best home businesses for people 50+ (also available as a downloadable e-book); and Home-based business for dummies. 

Or, if you already have an idea and want to find out how to make it a reality, Entrepreneur Magazine's Startup books are a good place to start:  Start your own pet business and more : pet sitting, dog walking, training, grooming, food/treats, upscale pet products; Start your own mail order business : your step-by-step guide to success; Start your own successful retail business : your step-by-step guide to success; and Start your own import/export business : your step-by-step guide to success.

Additionally, find other business-specific titles:  How to start a home-based personal chef business; The crafts business answer book : starting, marketing, and managing a homebased art, crafts, or design business; Faux for dough : the art of making a living doing faux finishes; and How to start a home-based web design business.  






Sandlin, Eileen Figure

Small Business Startups

Here's an interesting factoid, presented by the Kaufman Foundation:  the rate of entrepreneurial startups in 2009 was was higher than anytime in the previous 14 years, which includes the dot.com era... 

New small business titles

Here are some new books and audiobooks that will be of interest to entrepreneurs.  And they're available for free at the Evanston Public Library:

Your idea, inc. : 12 steps to building a million-dollar business--starting today! Abrams, Sandy.  Avon, Mass. : Adams Media, c2010.  "Founder and CEO of Moisture Jamzz Moisture Gloves, Abrams started with a business idea-and little else. She went in search of a comprehensive guide she could understand without having an M.B.A. that would teach the basics in a step-by-step fashion, but could find nothing. Undaunted, she learned the ins and outs of starting a business on the fly-and wrote the book herself. " (Publishers Weekly)

Selling in tough times : secrets to selling when no one is buying, Hopkins, Tom. New York : Business Plus, c2010.   "Hopkins...encourages readers to step back and reevaluate their positions in the economy, and to make a plan for when the climate improves...Part self-help book, part motivational guide, this book provides valuable advice for selling professionals struggling in the current economy as well anyone hoping to emerge from the recession primed for growth." (Publishers Weekly)

The next evolution of marketing : connect with your customers by marketing with meaning, Gilbreath, Bob.  New York : McGraw-Hill, c2010.  "With solid credentials supporting him (as chief marketing strategist at Bridge Worldwide, a large advertising agency), Gilbreath lays out his ideas about a marketing strategy he calls meaningful marketing. He defines meaningful marketing as the marketing itself adding value to peoples' lives. Insisting that traditional marketing is now out-of-date...he is a great proponent of marketing that offers consumers actual things to put to practical use..." (Booklist) 
Also available as a downloadable eAudiobook to Evanston Public Library cardholders.

Rubies in the orchard : how to uncover the hidden gems in your business, Resnick, Lynda.  New York : Doubleday, c2009.  " In a forest of dry marketing books, Resnick's animated debut stands out as its own hidden gem, filled with juicy real-life tales of marketing strategies that rocketed Resnick and her husband to astounding success with companies like Fiji Water, Teleflora, the Franklin Mint and Pom Wonderful, the wildly successful pomegranate juice." (Publishers Weekly) 

Also available as a downloadable eAudiobook to Evanston Public Library cardholders.