TAMIU-SBDC Offers Diverse July Workshops

The Texas A&M International University Small Business Development Center (TAMIU-SBDC) will sponsor several workshops during the month of July.

Friday, July 10: "All About Google," a full-day workshop for small business owners, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Dr. Billy Cowart Hall, room 114. Learn how Google works at this seminar targeted to small and medium businesses looking to start and/or develop online marketing. The workshop is taught by Alejandro Quetzeri, owner of WSI Internet Marketing Consulting. It is focused on teaching small business owners the tools, tactics and strategies to be more successful in Google. The current economic conditions, combined with the high ROI available from online marketing, are driving the change from traditional marketing.

Wednesday, July 15: "The Art of Starting a Business: Basic Business Essentials," a free of charge workshop will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Instructor Angelo Piccirillo, SBDC business economic/development coordinator, will present this practical workshop that helps businesses to avoid common pitfalls, evaluate strengths and weaknesses, and the skills needed to succeed. Participants will also explore initial paperwork, assessment process, legal structures and importance of the business plan. Workshop will be held in TAMIU’s Anthony J. and Georgia A. Pellegrino Hall (PH), room 116.

Friday, July 17: "Managing Cash-The Small Business Owner's Guide to Financial Control,” a workshop scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the TAMIU Student Center (SC), room 120. A $20 fee includes a workbook. Cash flow is what comes into and goes out of a business. Gaining financial control by understanding cash flow is crucial to business success. Tina Rodríguez, business advisor will review: Cash–The Fuel that Runs your Business; Maximizing your Cash Flow; Tools for Speeding up Cash Collections; Overdue Invoices; Three Tools for Helping with Accounts Receivable; Cash Flow Statements; and Four Short Term Financing Solutions.

Thursday, July 23: SMLS Human Resource Management Workshop from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in WHTC room 125. Gladys Rangel will cover the seven-step process on how to avoid most of the commonly observed people problems. People are a critical asset, a critical resource within the business. It is essential to make sure that this resource is used to its maximum advantage. A $20 fee will include workbook.

Friday, July 24: "Business Planning and Financing Options," a workshop from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in SC 120. Fee for the seminar is $20, and each participant will receive Linda Pinzon’s “Anatomy of a Business Plan: a Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Business and Securing your Company’s Future,” a $50 value. Instructor Angelo Piccirillo explains that planning is the map to success in the business world. One needs to write a business plan when starting or buying a business, financing or refinancing a business or raising debt or equity capital.

Wednesday, July 29: "Understanding Credit and Budgeting," a workshop will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in SC 120. A $20 fee will include workbook. Tina Rodríguez, business advisor, will go over credit reporting myths, disputing inaccuracies, rebuilding credit and debt management.

Thursday, July 30: "Understanding Financial Statements," a workshop will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., in SC 120. A $20 fee will include a workbook. Gladys Rangel will help you understand your financial statements. One statement cannot diagnose a company's financial health, but by putting several statements together, one can make smart financial, investment and management decisions. For lending purposes, statements will help to determine if one can afford to pay a loan, the loan amount, the loan term (number of years), which assets one should buy versus which assets should be financed and what collateral is available to secure a loan.

Friday, July 31: "Think like a Marketing Guru" will be offered from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in SC 120. Fee is $20. Learn what is a marketing plan and why is it so essential to the success of a business. Instructor Norma Rodríguez will define components of a marketing strategy.

For more information or to register for any of these July workshops, call the TAMIU SBDC office at 956.326.2827 or e-mail: sbdc@tamiu.edu. Register online at http://sbdc.tamiu.edu

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu