College of Business Administration

Small Business Certification Program
Business Planning ~Financial Management ~
Human Resources ~Marketing ~ Sales & Service
International Trade  ~ Other Events

Business Planning

How To Write A Business Plan:  The Path To Success  Register Online  

Preparation is the key to success in any business venture.  Whether you are starting a new business, growing an established business or launching a new product or service, a solid business plan will prevent unexpected problems and help you realize your dreams.  Using examples and worksheets, we will show you how to translate your ideas into a written plan.  This plan can then be used to improve your business management efforts, to attract partners or suppliers, and as a tool for obtaining financing.

Topics include:

• Factors of a successful business
• Five steps to a great business plan
• The necessary components of a business plan
• Sources for industry and customer information
• Collecting and analyzing financial data
• How to make a financing proposal
• Using the plan to manage your business

Dates & Times:
August 3 & 5, 2004 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
September 14 & 16, 2004 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
October 5 & 7, 2004 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
November 2 & 4, 2004 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
December 7 & 9, 2004 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
January 11 & 13, 2005 - 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
February 1 &3, 2005 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
March 1 & 3, 2005 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
April 5 & 7, 2005 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
May 3 & 5, 2005 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
June 7 & 9, 2005 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
July 12 & 14, 2005 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
August 9 & 11, 2005 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
September 13 & 15, 2005 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
October 4 & 6, 2005 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
November 1 & 3, 2005 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
December 6 & 8, 2005 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Instructors: 
Lyle Wright, SBDC Coordinator - West Plains &
Rayanna Anderson, SBDC Assistant Director

Place: 
Missouri State's Glass Hall (west entrance),
SBDC Office 

Fee: 
$129.00 per person (includes book) &
$89.00 for a second person from the same business (Book not included with the lower fee)

Strategic Planning for Future Success Register Online 

To be successful, companies need to know how to create and manage profitable change.  Strategic planning is the best way to determine where you want to go, what will keep you from getting there, and how to gain more control over the future through your decisions.  By focusing your activities and your employees, you turn ideas into reality.  Strategic planning does not need to be complicated and learning a few basic steps can make a big difference in your business.

Learn to:

• Create a vision of your future
• Identify your Critical Success Factors and Change Agents
• Find the Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to beat the competition
• Build a strategic road map through Performance Audits that identify Gaps
• Create Action Plans to channel your resources more effectively
• Build contingencies to add flexibility
• Implement your Strategic Plan successfully

Dates & Times:
November 9 & 11, 2004 - 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
May 4 & 5, 2005 - 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
December 7 & 8, 2005 - 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Instructor: 
Julie Short, President, J.P. Short & Associates, Inc.

Place: 
SMSU Glass Hall (west entrance), SBDC Office 

Fee: 
$159.00 per person (includes book)
 

What's The Best Business Structure...for You? Register Online 

Should you operate your business as a sole proprietor, a corporation, a limited liability company, or form a partnership?  In this seminar you will learn the basic knowledge of the various business forms, how they are taxed, how they can be set up, how the federal and state governments regulate them, and what their advantages and disadvantages are for someone in your particular situation.  Learn which legal business structures you cannot or should not use, along with the steps you should take to protect yourself from incurring government agency penalties, i.e. state, local, and federal (most notably the IRS).  At least as important as the tax consequences, you need to understand liability scenarios for each type of formation.  Whether you’re just setting up a business or you’ve already established one, this class will help you determine the best form of organization for your company, and key factors for businesses that are already underway.

Topics include:

• Sole Proprietorship
• Partnerships (General and Limited)
• Corporations
• Limited Liability Companies (LLC)
• Sub--Chapter S Elections for Corporations

Dates & Times:
October 21, 2004 - 5:00-8:00 p.m.
January 20, 2005 - 5:00-8:00 p.m.
April 21, 2005 - 5:00-8:00 p.m.
July 21, 2005 - 5:00-8:00 p.m.
October 20, 2005 - 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Instructor: 
Glenn P. Green, Lowther & Johnson,
Attorneys at Law, L.L.C.

Place: 
SMSU Glass Hall (west entrance),
SBDC Office 

Fee: 
$79.00 per person 

“Very informative.  Great info.  All new small businesses should take this class.  It will save them money.  (comment about the 'What's The Best Business Structure...for You?' seminar)."– Seminar attendee