Occupational Training
Basic Skills
Small Business Center
Special Programs
Online Courses
NRA Courses
Contact
1011 Page St.
Troy, NC 27371
910.576.6222
Fax: 910.576.2176
Email MCC |
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The Small Business Center is a resource provided by the State of North Carolina and by Montgomery Community College to help small businesses succeed. We provide confidential business counseling services, free business seminars, free personal development seminars, and free access to vital resources and information. The Montgomery Community College Small Business Center will be offering the following seminars during the remainder of this semester. Please note that drop-ins are always welcome at these seminars, but advance registration is strongly recommended so handouts and seating arrangements can be prepared. Also, please note that seminars with less than three advance registrations will be canceled. To register for any of these seminars or to make an appointment for counseling, please contact Richard Hinson by phone at 910-576-6222 Extension 216, or by e-mail at hinsonr@montgomery.edu or by mail at Montgomery Community College, 1011 Page Street, Troy, NC 27371. Please monitor our website for schedule updates at http://www.montgomery.edu/cesbc.htm
NC Small Business Center Network:
Online Client Registration System - Request for Counseling
Search Statewide for Assistance
Small Business Center Annual Report 2009 - 2010 |
Seminar Schedule
Fall 2010 |
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Small Business Center Seminars |
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Notary Public Classes |
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Real Estate Courses |
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Small Business Center Seminars |
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How to Start a Business
Learn the basic procedures required to start your own business. Learn the best way to start a business with minimum risk and limited investment. Analyze potential opportunities to utilize your skills and resources to start a business. Learn the importance of developing a written business plan before starting your business venture.
Instructor: Wendy Berry
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
How to Write a Business Plan
Learn the basic procedures for developing your business plan on paper. Many small businesses fail each year because the owner of the business had his business plan in his head and did not ever take the time to analyze his plan on paper. Learn how to evaluate your special talents and skills and coordinate them with your basic habits and lifestyle preferences to determine if your business idea will work for you. Learn how to create a marketing plan and a cash flow analysis for your business to evaluate the potential success for your business idea. Learn how to prevent financial disaster in your business venture by starting your small business without quitting your present job to allow you to pay your bills while your business grows.
Instructor: Breon Allen
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Marketing Your Business
Learn the basic fundamentals of marketing a business. Evaluate marketing techniques and inexpensive advertising ideas that can help a business grow and prosper. Learn how to evaluate your competition and how to increase your share of the available market. Explore business marketing systems using the Internet to illustrate specific examples. Present Business Owners and Prospective Entrepreneurs will both benefit from this opportunity to discover fresh marketing ideas.
Instructor: Breon Allen
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Financing a Business Startup
Learn how a strong business plan can help you obtain financing for your business startup. Learn about various funding sources for business ventures. Learn the steps required to obtain assistance and information from the SBTDC and the SBA. Learn how to evaluate your options for financing your business startup and how to improve your chances of obtaining the funding necessary to allow you to start and operate your own business.
Instructor: Mike Bowyer
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Accounting, Financial Planning and Taxes
Learn basic business accounting procedures. Learn to analyze start-up costs, break-even points, cash flow, supply costs, equipment costs, operating costs, and profit/loss opportunities. Learn basic business tax rates, tax schedules, and tax strategies. Learn the basic advantages and disadvantages of the various types of business structures. Learn how to utilize your business plan to operate within your budget.
Instructor: Mike Bowyer
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Legal Considerations for Small Business Owners
Learn the advantages and disadvantages of the basic types of business structures, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations. Learn how much legal protection you need to conduct business in your field of operation. Learn how to design a basic contract between your business and your customers to ensure that you will receive prompt payment for your products or services. Evaluate the basic legal needs of your small business through open discussion with an experienced attorney.
Instructor: Harry Fisher
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Tax Implications for Starting a Business
Start your business on solid ground by complying with North Carolina tax laws from the beginning. Learn how to properly register your business with the state, how to handle complicated withholding challenges, how to pay the correct amount of property taxes, and how to handle sales taxes for your business. Obtain all the information you need to properly satisfy all of your state tax obligations.
Instructor: NC Department of Revenue
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Goal, Time, Stress Management and You!
In the frantic world of today, individuals and organizations need to develop effective goal, time, and stress management procedures to satisfy their demanding schedules. Effective goal setting and time management can result in greater productivity, improved results and reduced stress. Learn the keys to effective goal setting and how to apply them to your situation. Learn how to best manage your time to achieve your goals and how to manage and minimize stress that comes with time restrictions and multiple tasks.
Instructor: Breon Allen
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Job Interviewing Skills
Learn how to prepare to put the best possible “you” forward during a job interview. Learn how to evaluate your talents and how to make them work for you during a job interview. Learn what Human Resource Managers, Department Managers, and Plant Managers expect to discover during a job interview. Learn what you can do during a job interview to maximize your opportunity for getting a job offer from a prospective employer.
Instructor: Marie Blankenship
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Image, Attitude and Professionalism
Discover the practical advantages of a proper image, both personally and professionally. Learn the importance of confidence, competence, care, and concern. Learn the connection between a positive attitude and high self -esteem. Learn how to improve your performance by changing your attitude and your expectations. Learn how to practice correct social and corporate etiquette. Learn how to improve your listening skills to display compassion and to enhance productivity. Learn how to avoid procrastination.
Instructor: Bob McHone
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Basic Internet Marketing
Learn how to market any business or service effectively on the Internet. Learn how to generate traffic to your website and how to turn your website visitors into customers. Learn how search engines, free and paid advertising venues, and Google Adwords can increase Internet traffic to your website.
Instructor: Teresa Love
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Advanced Internet Marketing
Learn how to utilize advanced Internet marketing techniques to increase sales for your business. Learn how to maximize the marketing potential of your website by generating more traffic and capturing more information about your visitors. Learn how to create user-friendly web pages and how to establish effective communication links for existing and prospective customers.
Instructor: Teresa Love
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
OSHA Compliance Overview
Learn the basic OSHA requirements for workplace safety and health. Learn how these OSHA standards apply to your business and what steps are necessary for compliance with these standards. Learn which violations are strictly enforced and how to avoid costly fines and penalties from OSHA.
Instructor: Randy Gunter
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
OSHA Compliance 10 Hour Course
Learn the basic OSHA requirements for workplace safety and health. Learn how these OSHA standards apply to your business and what steps are necessary for compliance with these standards. Learn which violations are strictly enforced and how to avoid costly fines and penalties from OSHA. Learn how to read the Federal OSH regulations. Learn the procedures utilized during the OSH Inspection Process. Learn about the top ten OSH citations. Learn about OSH standards concerning lock out tag out procedures, electrical safety regulations, personal protective equipment utilization, walking and working surfaces, OSH record keeping, means of egress, forklift regulations, and machine guarding regulations. Participants will receive a certificate verifying their attendance at this 10-Hour OSH Course for General Industry.
Instructor: Randy Gunter
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Basic Household Finance
Learn how to plan your household budget to meet all your obligations. Learn how to determine whether to repair or replace a household appliance or a motor vehicle. Learn how to maintain records of all household expenses to determine tax deductions and monitor medical expenses. Learn how to manage your checkbook. Learn how to record deposits and payments to maintain your current balance. Learn how to manage automatic bank drafts and automatic deposits. Learn how to reconcile your checking account statements.
Instructor: Wendy Berry
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Living Debt Free – A Common Sense Approach
How would you like to pay off all your consumer debt, credit cards, car payments, and loans? Now is the time to start living a better life – a life without debt. During this seminar, you will learn a simple yet effective method to start the process of making yourself debt free! You will also learn about the shams and quick fixes that should be avoided and how to properly and legally deal with creditors. Bring a list of your debts with balances and monthly payments and learn how to develop your own debt elimination plan that can be implemented immediately into your lifestyle. You will learn how to control debt, instead of allowing debt to control you! Before you consider making that next large purchase or accept a new credit card, take the time to attend this life-changing seminar. Bring a calculator!
Instructor: Bob Moore
Date: October 30
Time SAT, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Fee: Free
Room: 105
How to Raise Your Credit Score to Over 740 Points
A good credit score is now considered to be 740 points or higher. Should you have one credit card or four? Should you pay off your balances every month or carry a balance? Should you carry a credit card even though you have not used it in years? The answers to these questions may surprise you when it comes to increasing your credit score. Now more than ever, having good credit is important in being able to obtain a loan. Your credit score is also important in determining the interest rate of your loans, your insurance premiums, and your deposits required for phone and utility service. As of October 1, 2005, every adult in North Carolina has been able to receive a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies. Do you understand these reports and how to read them? In this three-hour seminar we will discuss the history of credit scoring, how to read a credit report, and what factors are used in calculating your FICO or Beacon score. You will learn the legal tricks credit bureaus do not reveal on how to raise your score simply by the way you use your credit cards, treat inquiries, make your payments, and carry balances. This seminar will also include information about the importance of maintaining good credit and the positive financial consequences it produces. Using several proven methods, your credit score could increase by 50-100 points or more within 60 days. Make plans to attend now!
Instructor: Bob Moore
Date: October 30
Time: SAT, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Fee: Free
Room 105
Fifteen Common Mistakes That Will Undermine Any Business
We have all heard the old saying “learn from other’s mistakes.” Opening and operating a small business normally involves a great deal of time and a substantial financial investment. During this two-hour seminar, you will learn the fifteen most common mistakes made by entrepreneurs that ultimately undermine their business. Regardless of whether you are opening a new business or operating an existing business, regardless of the size of your company, this seminar will prove to be extremely valuable in helping you form a legal, profitable, and growing business. Make a solid investment in the future survival of your business by attending this seminar!
Instructor: Bob Moore
Date: November 13
Time: SAT, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Fee: Free
Room: 105
How to Improve the Performance of Your Computer
Learn how to maximize the performance of your computer by utilizing routine maintenance procedures to organize your files and remove unnecessary clutter from your computer. Learn how to maximize the performance of your Internet connection by setting your Internet options properly and utilizing Web accelerators. Learn how to protect your computer from viruses, spyware, adware, and pop-up ads. Learn how to minimize your chance of losing data by periodically defragmenting your hard drive and backing up your files.
Instructor: Gary Scott
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Buying on Ebay
Learn the basic procedures for buying merchandise on Ebay. Learn the best strategy for placing your bids for items on Ebay, so you can buy what you want at the lowest possible cost. Learn how to navigate Ebay websites, how to use Ebay online Help, and how to evaluate Ebay item descriptions, prices, and payment options. Learn how to evaluate the credibility of Ebay vendors by reviewing their Ebay record concerning their total transactions and their level of customer satisfaction. Become familiar with the procedures and the rates for using the Ebay online payment method, PayPal, to purchase items on Ebay. Learn how to recognize identity theft schemes that disguise themselves as legitimate email from Ebay or PayPal.
Instructor: Jerry Maslowski
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Selling on Ebay
Learn the best procedures to use for selling merchandise on Ebay. Learn how to accurately describe your items on Ebay with text and digital photos. Learn the various marketing methods and strategies available for selling your merchandise on Ebay. Learn how to utilize Ebay websites, how to use Ebay online Help, and how to create effective Ebay item descriptions, prices, and payment options. Learn how to evaluate the credibility of Ebay customers by reviewing their Ebay record concerning their total transactions and their level of customer satisfaction. Become familiar with the procedures and the rates for using the Ebay online payment method, PayPal, to sell items on Ebay. Learn how to recognize identity theft schemes that disguise themselves as legitimate email from Ebay or PayPal.
Instructor: Jerry Maslowski
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
How to Buy and Sell on Craig’s List
Learn the basic procedures for buying and selling merchandise on Craig’s List. Learn the best strategy for placing your bids for items on Craig’s List, so you can buy what you want at the lowest possible cost. Learn how to navigate Craig’s List websites, how to use Craig’s List online Help, and how to evaluate Craig’s List item descriptions, prices, and payment options. Learn how to evaluate the credibility of Craig’s List vendors by reviewing their transaction records and their level of customer satisfaction. Become familiar with the procedures and the rates for using the online payment method, PayPal, to purchase items on Craig’s List. Learn how to recognize identity theft schemes that disguise themselves as legitimate email from Craig’s List.
Instructor: Sabrina Patterson
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
FREELANCE @ ELANCE
Learn how millions of people with basic computer skills and practical office experience are supplementing their income by working from their home computer through the Elance network. Elance connects people seeking virtual assistance in a wide variety of skill categories with people who are seeking work in these fields. Virtual assistance categories available include sales, marketing, writing, translation, legal, financial, management, manufacturing, engineering, website design, computer programming, multimedia presentations, and numerous other topics. Learn how you can join this program, bid on jobs, and position yourself to be selected for the job opportunities that you are qualified to satisfy. Evaluate your potential in this exciting income opportunity through open discussion with an experienced virtual assistant.
Instructor: Lois Sutton
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Get Ready, Get Set, Get SHARP!
Are you feeling stuck in your career or your personal life? Do you need to re-evaluate your needs and wants? What is your next move? Do you have a plan? Goal setting is something most of us recognize as necessary for our success. Goal setting is a powerful way of motivating people to make a change in their lives. Goal setting facilitates success in the lives of others. Learn how to set goals that are Simple, determine How, Attainable, Realistic, and set your Pace! These steps can be applied in your personal life, in your educational life, and in your career. Make the best out of the opportunities available to you. Get Ready, Get Set, Get SHARP!
Instructor: Kiera DesChamps
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Sell to the Federal Government Now! - NCMBC Overview
The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) connects small and mid-size businesses to military and other federal business opportunities. The NCMBC will provide an overview of its services and explain how to evaluate military and other federal business opportunities. NCMBC services include: a business assistance team that finds opportunities, notifies businesses and helps them develop winning proposals; running the State’s official, FREE web portal, www.MatchForce.org, which automatically matches NC businesses to federal opportunities; and conducting strategic initiatives to position NC businesses to win future military opportunities.
Instructor: NC Military Business Center
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Montgomery County GIS Overview
Learn how to use the Montgomery County GIS (Geographic Information System) to obtain detailed information concerning specific pieces of property within our county. Each participant will have a computer with internet access so they can learn how to utilize this free web site to determine the boundaries, the legal owners, the tax value, and other valuable facts about a specific piece of property.
Instructor: Kevin Lamonds
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Customer Service – The Other Half of Your Job
Learn how to understand your role in providing quality customer service at all times. Learn how to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues. Learn how to handle difficult customers diplomatically. Learn how to resolve conflicts with customers without destroying your relationship with them. Learn how to calm upset customers and work toward positive outcomes. Learn how you can increase your business by providing the best possible customer service before, during, and after every business transaction. Satisfied customers will use your company again and they will tell their friends about you at every opportunity.
Instructor: Lin Mitchell
Date: November 18
Time: TH, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM with a one hour lunch break
Fee: Free
Room: 105
How to Survive and Thrive in Today’s Economy
Does your present business strategy meet the challenges presented by today’s economy? Will your present marketing program generate enough business to sustain your business? This workshop will address these pressing issues and allow the audience to ask questions and share their concerns and opinions. Important economic issues will be discussed as we strive to determine the best way to cope with the business concerns created by today’s economy. Please do not miss this chance to discuss these issues and share ideas on how to survive and thrive during this difficult time.
Instructor: SBTDC
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA |
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| Real Estate Courses |
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| The Montgomery Community College Small Business Center will be offering the following Real Estate Courses this semester. Please note that advance registration is required for these courses. To register for any of these courses, please contact Connie Parsons at 910-576-6222 Extension 256 or Richard Hinson at 910-576-6222 Extension 216. You can also register by e-mail at hinsonr@montgomery.edu or by fax at 910-576-2176 or by mail at Montgomery Community College, 1011 Page Street, Troy, NC 27371. Registration payments for Real Estate Courses can be made by cash or check at the MCC Continuing Education Office, by check via mail, or by Visa or MasterCard via phone, fax, or email. Please note that twelve registered students are required for these courses to run. If registration quota is not satisfied at least one day before the class start date, the course will be canceled and registration fees will be refunded. |
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Provisional Real Estate Broker Prelicensing Course
This 76-hour course prepares students to become Provisional Real Estate Brokers in North Carolina. Subjects covered during this course include Real Estate Math, Real Estate Fundamentals, Real Estate Finance, Real Estate Brokerage, and Real Estate Law. Please contact Richard Hinson for a list of required textbooks and study guides. Students must attend at least 80% of total class hours and must score at least 80% on the final exam to be eligible to take the North Carolina Provisional Real Estate Broker Examination.
Instructor: Connie Efird
Date: September 14 – November 16
Time: T/TH, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Fee: $175
Room: TBA
Real Estate Update 2010-2011
The North Carolina Real Estate Commission requires all licensed Real Estate Brokers to take this four-hour continuing education update course each year to maintain their North Carolina Real Estate License. The entire four-hour session must be attended to receive credit for this course. Participants must bring their current North Carolina Real Estate License to this class for identification purposes. Course materials will be provided at no additional charge.
Instructor: Connie Efird
Date: February 19, 2011
Time: SAT, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Fee: $40
Room: TBA
Real Estate Continuing Education Elective – Real Estate and Taxes! What Every Agent Should Know
The North Carolina Real Estate Commission requires all licensed Real Estate Brokers to take one four-hour continuing education elective course each year to maintain their North Carolina Real Estate License. This elective course provides the real estate professional with a comprehensive explanation of property management issues and concerns. The entire four-hour session must be attended to receive credit for this course. Participants must bring their current North Carolina Real Estate License to this class for identification purposes. Course materials will be provided at no additional charge.
Instructor: Connie Efird
Date: February 19, 2011
Time: SAT, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Fee: $40
Room: TBA |
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| The Montgomery Community College Small Business Center will be offering the following Notary Public Courses this semester. Please note that advance registration is required for these courses. To register for any of these courses, please contact Connie Parsons at 910-576-6222 Extension 256 or Richard Hinson at 910-576-6222 Extension 216. You can also register by e-mail at hinsonr@montgomery.edu or by fax at 910-576-2176 or by mail at Montgomery Community College, 1011 Page Street, Troy, NC 27371. Registration payments for Notary Public Courses can be made by cash or check at the MCC Continuing Education Office, by check via mail, or by Visa or MasterCard via phone, fax, or email. Please note that six registered students are required for these courses to run. If registration quota is not satisfied at least one day before the class start date, the course will be canceled and registration fees will be refunded. |
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Notary Public Education
This seven-hour course is required for individuals to obtain a North Carolina Notary Public Commission. Both class sessions must be attended to receive credit for this course. Participants must be at least 18 years old; must reside legally in the United States of America and reside or work in North Carolina; must speak, read, and write English; and must possess a high school diploma or GED. Each notary public candidate must verify their identity by presenting a state or federal government issued photo identification document, such as a driver’s license or a passport. Each participant must purchase a Notary Public Guidebook – Tenth Edition, available at the MCC Bookstore.
2010 Fall Semester – First Offering
Instructor: Wanda Jackson
Date: October 1 and October 8
Time: F, 8:30 AM – 12:00 Noon
Fee: $35
Room: TBA
2010 Fall Semester – Second Offering
Instructor: Wanda Jackson
Date: November 8 and November 15
Time: Mondays, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Fee: $35
Room: TBA
Notary Public Update
Anyone presently commissioned as a notary public should attend this update course to become aware of the recent changes in notary public procedures. Learn about revised license renewal procedures, revised emphasis on possessing the latest copy of the Notary Public Guidebook, and numerous other revisions to the standard operating procedures previously required of a notary public. Each participant must bring a Notary Public Guidebook – Tenth Edition to class. This textbook is available at the MCC Bookstore.
Instructor: Wanda Jackson
Date: October 28
Time: TH, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Fee: Free
Room: TBA
Electronic Notary Education
This course is required for a presently commissioned notary to obtain a North Carolina Electronic Notary Public Commission. The entire class session must be attended to receive credit for this course. Participants must bring their current Notary Public Credentials to this class. Each participant must purchase an Electronic Notary Public Guidebook, available at the MCC Bookstore.
Instructor: Wanda Jackson
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Fee: Free
Room: TBA |
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To register for any or all of these seminars, please contact:
Richard Hinson
910-576-6222 ext. 216
email: hinsonr@montgomery.edu
Montgomery Community College
1011 Page Street , Troy , NC 27371
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