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Small Business Development Center
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The SOU Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides in-depth, confidential, one-on-one guidance to businesses and prospective entrepreneurs at no fee. We can help you gather information, evaluate, plan, and create systems for your business that lead to greater profit, job creation, and job retention.
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Call 541-552-8300 for more information
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May SBDC Workshops
Smart Start Workshop
May 10 6:00-9:00 PM OR May 25 9:00-12:00 PM
Get the important information you need to know before you start your business in southern Oregon. This 3-hour workshop provides the "nuts and bolts" and more to help you succeed.
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Business Plan
WorkshopMay 17
6:00-9:00 PM Are you in the process of writing your business plan? Have you put it off because you don't know where to begin? Are you wondering, "Why write a business plan?" Attend this 3-hour workshop and get the answers.
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Small Business Networking Opportunities
Ashland Chamber Greeters Meetings
Every Friday,
8:15-9:30 am
for more information
Medford Chamber Greeters Meetings
Every Thursday,
8:00-9:00 am
for more information
Phoenix Chamber
Greeters Meetings
First Tuesday,
8:30-9:30 am
for more information
Talent Chamber
Greeters Meetings
Third Wednesday,
8:30-9:30 am
for more information
Heart of Medford Association
First Wednesday,
8:00-9:00 am
for more information
Jefferson Grapevine
Bi-monthly,
5:00-7:30 pm
for more information
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Growers Market
Now Open Saturdays! In addition to the Tuesday/Thursday Markets, the Growers Market is now open on Saturday! Help support Rogue Valley businesses by shopping at your local market!
SATURDAYS
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Ashland Saturday Market
Oak Street in the Heart of Downtown
Opens: May 5
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Medford Saturday Market
3rd & Central (1 block south of Jackson)Opens: May 12 TUESDAYS
8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Ashland Market
National Guard Armory
1420 E. Main Street
Opened: March 13 THURSDAYS
8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Medford Market
Medford Armory
1701 S. Pacific Highway
Opened: March 15 For more information, click here.
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Additional Small Business Articles _________________
Click here to learn more about us  |
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Welcome from the Director!
Whether or  not you are a client of the SBDC, I would highly recommend that you visit our statewide SBDC website, BizCenter.org One of the site's goals is to connect you with the many programs and services that are offered by the Oregon SBDC Network. For example, if you are thinking about international trade, you'll want to click on "Get Global" and make connections with our international trade counselors. Or, you may want to see if your business qualifies for the "Grow Oregon" program which provides highly specialized counseling and market intelligence.
And, if you are already an SBDC client, be sure to visit "My Dashboard" where you can find upcoming workshops and classes, and view your resource library. Many helpful documents are already in your library, but be sure to tell your counselor if there are other resources that you would like to have added.
Best regards,
Jack
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 Industry Tour: White City
May 10 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM Join SOREDI and other businesses for a "back stage" tour of some of our region's most fascinating enterprises.
The tours are designed to showcase our region's less visible, but highly innovative businesses. Some of our region's largest employers seem almost invisible!
Get on the bus to experience great networking and conversation time, good food and a whole new perspective on our valley. If you think you know what's going on in White City, you might be in for a surprise!
8:00 am: Meet at Hampton Inn Medford, 1122 Morrow Rd, to get on the bus
8:30 am: Visit Carestream Health, White City
9:30 am: Visit CertainTeed, White City
11:00 am: Visit CDS Publications, Medford
12:30 pm: Lunch at Medford's new Downtown Market
2:00 pm: Return to Hampton Inn Cost: SOREDI Members, $25/Non-Members, $40
Your registration includes lunch.
Space on the bus is limited, click here to register online.
Please wear comfortable attire and closed-toe shoes. Some locations may require the use of hardhats. |
 How to Promote Your Business with Video May 10, 2012
5:30 PM to 8:00 PM Videos on YouTube or Facebook are a great way to gain free exposure for your company by getting in front of millions of people. And, the best part... it's free! No big advertising budgets are required.
For most small business owners, the thought of creating a video and posting it on Facebook, YouTube or their website is rather a foreign concept. In this fast-moving, highly-entertaining presentation you will learn:
- Why you should include video in your marketing mix
- How to create your video and make it valuable
- How to upload your video with the right descriptions
- How to get back links to your video ... and much, much more!
Rob Wheeler is the owner of Rogue Valley IMC, an Internet marketing company that works with businesses and organizations, large and small, to build websites and social media connections, structured to create visibility, increase brand awareness and build customer relationships which leads to increased sales for clients.
Schedule:
5:30 PM Networking
6:00 PM Dinner and Introductions
6:45 PM Business Spotlight
7:00 PM Program
8:00 PM Meeting Adjourns
Cost: Members, $20/Non-Members, $25/Program Only, $15
Location:
Rogue Regency Lower Banquet Room
2300 Biddle Rd.
Medford, OR
Click here to register online or call 888-436-2338.
Deadline (online or phone) is 9:00 PM on Monday, May 7.
Men are welcome to attend all programs. Women Entrepreneurs of Southern Oregon (WESO) is a non-profit organization supporting women business owners.
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Jefferson Grapevine
May 16, 2012 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM The Jefferson Grapevine is a series of events designed to bring budding or maturing entrepreneurs together to network with volunteers committed to mentoring and coaching them, as well as identified private equity investors who might be in a position to provide funding. This month, the Jefferson Grapevine will feature the Best & Brightest from Southern Oregon University's MBA Program. The program will also be catered by the students in the Hospitality and Management Program.
In addition, Montrue Technologies, the recent winner at the Angel Investment Conference, will be commenting on their experiences with Angel Funding and a panel of "Angels" will comment on their expectations, from an investor's point of view.
There will also be open-mic time during the Start-Up & Shout-Out feature. If you are a start-up company with an immediate need, this is the opportunity to take advantage of the resources available for you in the audience. Cost: $20 Location:
Schneider Museum of Art, SOU Campus
1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520
Click here to register online.
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 Business Plan
Development Workshop
Are you in the process of writing your business plan? Have you put it off because you don't know where to begin? Are you wondering, "Why write a business plan?" Attend this 3-hour workshop and get the answers.
Workshop Topics Include:
Cost: $25
Location:
RCC/SOU Higher Education Center, Room 129B
101 S. Bartlett Street, Medford, OR 97501
Click here to register online or call 541-552-8300.
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 Ashland Business Connections Visitors Day
May 18, 2012
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Are you interested in: - Growing your business?
- Ongoing education on networking and growing your referral network?
- Increasing your word-of-mouth referral network?
Then come check out the Ashland BNI chapter and learn about the organization and how you too can increase your referral network. Space is limited so call and make your reservation today: Bunny Lewis, Ashland Business Connections, 541-292-0775 Cost: $20.00 includes breakfast Location: Ashland Elks Lodge 255 E. Main Street, Ashland, OR |
 Perfect Your Pitch
Retrieved 4/30/12 from HBR Elevator pitches aren't just for start-ups. They are helpful in job interviews, networking events, presentations, or any time you need to quickly explain your case. Instead of stumbling when asked, "What does your company do?" prepare an effective pitch that outlines win-win goals and launches a deeper relationship. Grab the listeners' attention with a smart hook, and then convince them of the mutual benefits you cold provide. End by suggesting a follow-up and converting a chance meeting into an opportunity. Speak in terms your audience can relate to. And communicate with the passion that comes from knowing that this opportunity may never come again. |
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