Roundpeg On-Line Education for Small Business Owners
Most small business owners will admit they have a lot to learn about business planning, marketing, web design, social media, pr and networking. However, with the day in, day out challenges of running a business, there isn’t really time to take off for a seminar. And when you do, there is always so much information to digest and act upon.
I know this is true, because I run a small business.
So I have developed a series of FREE on-line courses on Marketing, Business Planning, Web design, and PR/Social Media Each program includes emails, blog posts, worksheets and the occasional podcast or video.
From Random Strangers to Raving Fans workshop
I’m excited to be team-teaching a course with my sales coach, Matt Nettleton of Sandler Training Trustpointe. The class is called “From Random Strangers to Raving Fans: Using a system to create the right messages for the right people at the right time.”
We’re going to talk about how important it is that your sales and marketing support each other. After all, the best marketing plan in the world won’t help you if you can’t seal the deal, and the best sales strategy won’t help you if you don’t have leads in the first place!
Check out the details below. Hope to see you there!
March 25, 8:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Sandler Training Trustpointe Offices, 6666 East 75th Street, Indianapolis
Fee: $29.99 Seating is limited, so be sure to register soon. Click here
Build a Better Website in Seven Weeks
These days, a website is an integral part oft he marketing plan for every small business! You probably have one, but is your website doing it’s job? Is it representing your brand, attracting visitors, and converting those visitors to qualified prospects or even customers.
Do you know how your website stacks up against your competitors and do you have a plan to improve?
To help small business owners answer these questions, and many more, we are launching a FREE even week program designed to help you build a better website.
Interested? Simply fill out the form below to get started.
This is part of our FREE On-Line Education Program. When you finish this class, we will send you a link to the others in the program as well.
Episode 22 – But it is My Business
I am interrupting my series on small business planning, to include an interview with my friend, Laina Moloski dropped by the other day to talk about all the new changes at C & S Consulting which include her new books, and new web site. 
In this first podcast we focus on her new book: But it is My Business in which she shares tips and realistic ideas for small business owners.
From ideas on how to terminate employees to tips on sales and planning, Laina approaches the process of owning a business with humor and serious advice.
The book will be launch on March 30, but it is available now for preorder at http://candsconsulting.biz/
Episode 15 – Marketing by The Numbers with Howard Cox
I am excited about teaching Marketing by the Numbers with Howard Cox of Somerset CPA’s later this month. And so when Howard came in to talk about the program details, I thought it would be fun to put together a quick podcast to give people a feel for what we would be covering in the program. 
One of the reasons I am so excited about team teaching with Howard is that I have always felt good marketing is all about the numbers. While the creative execution is emotionally based, the decisions of how much, when and where should be financially based.
Click here to listen to the interview.
If you would like to Join Howard and I for the FREE seminar on January 26th fill out the form below. When you do, you will also be given an opportunity to download our LifeTime Value of a Customer worksheet.
Free Introduction to Business Planning
Would you set out on a long trip, without a map? Of course not. The same is true for your business. You need a Business Map, and that map is your business plan.
It doesn’t have to formal, or very long, but it does need to answer some basic questions about where you are and where you are going
Not sure how to get started? Join me for a FREE overview of business planning – How to Avoid the Ten Planning Mistakes Business Owners Make.
In this lively ninety minute workshop, participants will learn the elements of a good business plan, as well as tips and strategies on how to get started, and make planning an integral part of your business operation.
The next sessions are Wednesday, April 14, and May 12 at 8:30 at the offices of Trustpointe – 6666 E. 75th Street, Suite 150, Indianapolis, IN 46250.
There is no fee to attend, but reservations are required. You can register by filling out the form below.
And as an added bonus when you register, you are enrolled in the free eCoulrse: How to Write a Business Plan in 10 Weeks
To take advantage of one or both of the FREE offers simply fill out the form below.
Ten Business Planning Mistakes Most Business Owners Make
Every business is different. So it makes sense that their plans would be different as well. However, I have noticed many owners make some or all of these mistakes as they develop their plan
- No Plan - It is easy to put off writing a business plan until you have no choice because your r banker, investor, or potential landlord requires it. Unfortunately, that is the worst time to try and write a plan.
- No Clear Audience - Why do you need a plan? Are you writing for the banker in hopes of getting a loan, or a potential investors or simply to guide your business. While the outline is the same, the amount of detail required in each section varies depending on the audience.
- Too Much Detail or the Wrong Type of Detail – Can you boil down the description of your business to a simple message without getting bogged down in the details? Limit your product description to an overview, focusing on the problem your product solves and its unique features/ Remember to leave out the jargon and industry slang.
- Poorly Defined Customer – Everyone is not your customer. With a clear, specific definition of your target customer, it is easier to write a clear, specific plan.
- Limited Market Research – Just because you love your product or idea, it does not mean anyone else will. (By “anyone,” I mean anyone other than your mom, spouse, or best friend.) Who are these people, and what will make them buy?
- Underestimating your Competitors – Everyone has a competitor. Even truly innovative products must deal with competing products or services which may or may not solve the same problem, but ultimately will compete for the end customer’s available resources.
- No Meaningful Goals and Milestones - What will you accomplish? Be specific. How long will it take you and how will you measure your progress along the way?
- Activities Not Tied to Goals – Your goals form the basis of other decisions. Use the planning process to eliminate activities which do not move you closer to your goals.
- Unsupported Financial Projections – Unrealistic financial projects with a hockey-stick-shaped growth curve, set up a business for failure when owners spend too much too soon without enough cash reserves to help the business through the startup phase. As you develop financial projections, consider two scenarios: a best case and a worst case.
- Inadequate Consideration of Pitfalls – Stuff happens! Things go wrong. When the worst happens, will you be prepared? Having an adequate assessment of risks is not being negative — it is being prepared.
- Failure to Communicate - I know, I promised a list of the ten most common mistakes, (but don’t you like getting the little extra from time to time? ) While not directly a part of your document, poor communication will have a detrimental affect on your business. As you write your plan, involve others. Seek advice from people you respect. Talk to employees, family members, business partners, and advisers, such as your accountant and lawyer.
If you want to learn more about this topic you have two good choices and they are both FREE. When was the last time you saw an offer like that?
- Attend one of my Executive Briefings – This one hour overview covers the topics described above and includes discussion on how you can avoid these mistakes in your business. I offer the session the 2nd Thursday of every month at 8:30 at the offices of Trustpointe – 6666 E. 75th Street, Suite 150, Indianapolis, IN 46250
- Enroll in the 10 Week Online program – How to write a business plan in 10 Weeks.
- Do nothing, and be in the same place a year from now!
To take advantage of one or both of the FREE offers simply fill out the form below:
Seminar – Marketing By the Numbers Jan. 26, With Howard Cox
Good marketing begins with a budget based on the numbers which drive your business. As 2010 kicks off, this is the ideal time to build a marketing budget for your business. To help our clients and friends start this process, Howard Cox of Somerset CPA and I will team up once again to teach Marketing by the Number
In this workshop we will show you how to build an ROI based budget. Howard will show you how to calculate the Lifetime Value of a Customer and how to use this a a starting point for your marketing budget. Then I will explain the relationship between leads and closing rates, referral percent and advertising targets to determine where you should be spending your money!
There is no fee to attend the program, but RSVP’s are required. The class will be held at the offices of Somerset CPA, 3925 River Crossing Parkway, Indianapolis, IN 46240 on January 26, 2010 from 8:30 – 10:00. Note the time change: 8:00 – 9:30!
To reserve your seat, fill out the form below.
Business Map Workshop
It is Planning Season!
As the year winds down, it is a good time to think about business planning, so I will be offering two sessions of my popular BusinessMap workshop on:
December 17, 2009 and January 21, 2010.
Each program will run from 8 am to 11 am.
Thanks to Spin Web for graciously offering to host the program at their offices located at: 8580 Cedar Place Drive Suite 116 Indianapolis, IN 46240
In this lively three hour workshop, participants will learn the elements of a good business plan, as well as tips and strategies on how to get started, and make planning an integral part of your business operation.
Business Map© will focus on How To:
- Get started, including a simple outline to use as the foundation of your plan.
- Organize information – the structure and flow of a typical business plan.
- Avoid the 10 most common mistakes small business owners make when writing their business plan
- Decide what each section should contain – where to find supplemental information.
The Fee to attend is $75.00 and it includes a copy of my BusinessMap workbook, and a CD complete with samples, plan outlines and spread sheets to build Performa Financial statements.
Seating is Limited! Register Now!
Register Now for Business Map Seminar!
