March 2022 Upcoming Trainings and Webinars from Missouri SBDC

The current Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused anxiety, financial impacts, and political actions around the globe. Loss of life and property have been confined to Ukraine so far, but the impacts are being felt around the world economically and logistically in companies large and small.

In addition to the economic impact in the U.S., there is a high level of concern regarding cyberattacks. State-sponsored attacks on Ukraine are being used to disrupt everything from utilities to banking and communications. The tools being used to cause these disruptions are not always under the full control of the attacker. Many of the threats being released on Ukraine are capable of making their way around the world via the internet. It is also a distinct possibility that the U.S. and its allies could see an increase in targeted cyberattacks should Russia decide to retaliate against those countries imposing sanctions.

The cybersecurity community is taking this threat seriously and we would ask the small business community to do the same. There is a real possibility that any small business could become the victim of a cyberattack either directly or indirectly. To minimize the risk, small business owners should, at minimum, do the following:

Are you a small business in the construction, service or supply industries and realize that you need a surety bond to compete for new or larger contracts? What do you do? As a small or emerging business your options may be limited.

With SBA-guaranteed bonds, working capital requirements are lower – while the traditional market provides for 10 times working capital, the SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee program provides 20 times working capital. Unused lines of credit can be used as capital, and applicants have a decision in hours for projects under $400,000!

Join us on this free webinar to learn more about this program and hear directly from the SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Specialist, Tamara Murray.

The SBDC at MSSU will be sharing information on valuable resources available to small businesses through their network. Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) in Springfield, Missouri will be sharing information on valuable resources available to small businesses that are interested in local, state, and federal contracts.

Registered attendees will be sent a link to participate virtually, so make sure to register here.

QuickBooks Desktop: Utilization, Tips, and Tricks 

Wednesday, March 9, 2022 | 10:00 am – 11:15 am CST | Free event

This training will include a demonstration of QuickBooks Desktop and a discussion on how to best utilize the program and its features. This training will be a free, one hour training via Zoom. You will be sent a link to Zoom after you register for the event.

Registered attendees will be sent a Zoom link to participate virtually. Find out more and register here.

Building a Business Plan 

Thursday, March 10, 2022 | 10:30 am – 11:45 am CST | Free event

Once an entrepreneur has an idea for a business, the next step is to discover if it can be turned into a business. Participants will learn the key elements of a business plan and how to use it as a management tool. Participants will also be introduced to the Business Model Canvas, Value Proposition Canvas, Lean Canvas, and GrowthWheel.

Registered attendees will be sent a Zoom link to participate virtually. Learn more here.

Starting a Small Business: The First Steps 

Tuesday, March 17, 2022 | 10:30 am – 11:45 am CDT | Free event

In this workshop, participants will discover their target markets and gain a better appreciation of why businesses need to understand their customers. Participants will also learn about the process of registering their business with federal, state, and local agencies. Topics will also include the basics and importance of cash flow projects and various funding alternatives.

Registered attendees will be sent a Zoom link to participate virtually. Save your spot here.

Got R&D Money? Top Tips for Funding R&D with Grants 

Tuesday, March 17, 2022 | 10:00 am – 11:30 am CDT | Free event

This 90-minute live Zoom offering is designed to educate technology startups and existing businesses on how they might fund R&D through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants. This course will also cover specific directions on how to search research topics at various government agencies to determine if grants are available for your unique technology. Additionally, participants will be provided with a list of additional resources for assistance on how to apply for an SBIR grant.

Please note that this is an introduction to the topic that has been developed for companies that are new to seeking grant funding and is not a “how-to-apply” course.

Sign up here.

Looking for something different?

Webinars are being offered by all Missouri SBDC centers located across the state. Check out our events page to find more training that fits your business needs.

Visit the Missouri SBDC website, sbdc.missouri.edu, for more about their centers and training offerings.