Legislative Updates   Federal and State resources that are available to small businesses as a result of new legislation and the affect on current and future business environment.

SBA Loan Programs  SBA representative will discuss financing for small businesses with a focus on the new rules as a result of the stimulus legislation.

Planning for Profits: The Benefits of a Business Plan  This session will focus on creating and updating your business plan to reflect the changing business environment.  You will learn what elements are commonly found in effective business plans and how you can work on developing each of these for your own business.  Listen to tips on what investors are looking for in business plans. 

Increasing Profits With Your Website   Marketing is part science, part art, a bit of logic and a passion for your business.  Learn the four "E's" of classifying your retail, hospitality or tourism businesses in order to design an effective website.  Whether you design your own website or use a professional, this seminar will help you better understand your website message and how your customer perceives it.  You will determine the effective methods to promote your company and build deep relationships with customers to increase retention and build that word-of-mouth referral rate.  See examples of existing businesses who implement this strategy.  This session teaches you the four types of strategies for creating value, provides you the tools to assess the value, outlines how to communicate the value through your website and provides you tools to evaluate the value of your website.

Career Center Services  Missouri Career Center services for businesses will be explained, including:  internet posting of job orders, job seeker recruitment and referral, pre-screening of applicants and labor market information.

Leading the Way for Your Business  Effective leadership skills.

Outstanding Customer Service  Communicating with power.

Marketing Tactics on a Shoestring  Take a look at ten low-cost marketing tools and tactics under $10 that will help boost your business in 2009 and beyond.  The following topics will be covered during this session:  inexpensive marketing tactics, partnering, networking, word-of-mouth marketing.  You should attend if you are looking to enhance your marketing capabilities for the coming year and if you want to implement cost effective tactics.