SMALL BUSINESS BANNER:                                      January 2016
Did You Know?

According to NerdWallet's Aug 2015 update, the top 10 best places to start a business in GA are: Alpharetta, Doraville, Vinings, Garden City, Dalton, Cumming, Norcross, Jesup, Carrollton, Waycross

Discover resources offered by the State of Georgia: www.georgia.org/smallbusiness
Economic Outlook Breakfast
Dalton's Economic Outlook Breakfast 2016 will feature Jeffrey M. Humphreys, director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business and Sephen Kuzniak, researchers at the Terry College's Selig Center for Economic Growth.  
 
Date: Tuesday, February 9th 
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: Dalton Golf & Country Club
 

You must RSVP for this event.  Click HERE to purchase your ticket today. 

SOLVING PROBLEMS WITH EFFECTIVE EMPLOYEE TRAINING
 
January 27, 2016
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Acworth, GA
Cost: $15
 
By attending, you will learn techniques to help you: 
  • Eliminate problems related to quality, production times, and excess waste
  • Simplify training a large workforce, including inexperienced or temporary workers
  • Increase employee engagement and improve workplace culture
  • Standardize work processes to encourage company-wide improvements
Series brought to you by: 
Georgia Tech's Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Chattahoochee Technical College, Cobb Chamber, Cherokee Office of Economic Development
 
For more information or to register, click  HERE.
Manage Better, Grow Faster!
 
Whether in business for two years or twenty years, many small business owners are so busy working IN the business, they neglect working ON it. If your business is ready for growth, SBDC GrowSmart gives you the tools and strategies to reach your goals. 
This program gets results! In full or half day weekly sessions, learn to analyze and manage your business like a seasoned CEO.
  • 35 hours of class time covering all areas of business operation
  • Evaluate your business, competition, and target markets
  • Hands-on, interactive program promotes sharing of best practices
  • Expert speakers add insights to the topic of the day
  • Step-by-step development of your company's strategies for growth
Combined with long term one-on-one consulting with SBDC professionals, learn to apply course principles and build a business for today's challenging times. SBDC GrowSmart is a dynamic program for owners and senior managers of growing businesses. The program is designed for leaders of companies with:
  • At least two years of successful operation
  • Annual revenues of $300,000 or more
  • The opportunity and desire to grow
Location: Dalton, GA
Discount Codes: "growsmart" $400 off
"gschamber" $100 off for chamber members
 
For more information about the program, click HERE.
Take Advantage of these FREE Opportunities...
Provided by SCORE
Hug Your Haters: How to Retain Customers by Embracing Complaints
Thursday, January 21st at 1:00 PM EDT

With smartphones providing the means - and social media providing the outlet - critics ("haters") can now express their displeasure faster and more publicly than ever before.

However, haters aren't your problem, ignoring them is!
So if you feel like there are more complaints than ever, and that you're spending more time and money dealing with negativity and backlash, this webinar will help you embrace complaints, put haters to work for you, and turn bad news into good.  

Free of Charge: For more information or to register click HERE
Hug Free Publicity- Get Buzz and Attention in the Media
Thursday, January 28th at 1:00 PM EDT

How can your business can get the attention of local and national media? It's not hard! It just takes strategy and creativity.

Businesses who get media attention build credibility and quickly extend their brand reach faster than simple word of mouth marketing or other marketing. Attendees will leave this insightful, energized and practical presentation with specific tools and best practices to get the attention of local and national media. 

Free of Charge: For more information or to register click HERE
Classes in Your Area...
Sponsored by the Small Business Development Center through UGA.
The SBDC will be holding multiple classes in our area: 

January 28: SBA Business Loan Requirements (Atlanta, GA)
January 29: SBDC StartSMART (Athens, GA)
February 4: Certification Step by Step (Atlanta, GA)
February 5: Develop an Import/ Export Business Part 1&2 (Atlanta, GA)

 Click HERE to learn more!
Who Will Bail You Out?
By: Georgia SBDC

The word "bailout" has become a virtual household jargon considering the recent decision by congress to bailout the crippling U.S financial market.  The million dollar question is, "who is going to bail out the average small business owner?" With the current economic downturn, it is important that you consider developing a small business bailout plan as soon as possible, and the following factors must be considered when developing and executing the plan:
  • Analyze your industry
  • Maintain liquidity 
  • Business expenses
  • Management by Objectives
Click here to read the entire post. 
Contact:
100 S. Hamilton Street, Dalton, GA 30720
Made possible by Grow Greater Dalton 2.0 Investors