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Business Development Workshops, Trainings, and Consulting

The Economic Development Division partners with the Center for Women & Enterprise to provide financial literacy and business development programs and services to Cambridge residents, entrepreneurs, and businesses. The Division also hires retail specialists to work with Cambridge retailers and restaurant owners to improve their establishments ’ interiors and marketing strategies.

For Residents

Making Your Money Work – a Financial Literacy Training Program

This 6-week program helps residents get their personal finances in shape to reach their personal goals including planning for retirement, saving for a college education, buying a home and starting a business. Discussion topics include how to set financial goals, establish budgets, improve spending and saving habits, understand and repair credit, and reduce debt.

Read the article about the class "Making Your Money Work – a Financial Literacy Program" For this Mother Daughter Pair, Finances are All in the Family.

Contact Rona Holmes at 617/349-4637, rholmes@cambridgema.gov.

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For Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Start-Ups

Business Literacy Workshop

Participants will discuss the importance of cash flow and financial management for a small business owner. The workshop will discuss cash flow management, small business investment and a brief tutorial on the QuickBooks accounting program.

Cambridge Business Assistance Programs

This free session presents the City of Cambridge’s resources available to assist entrepreneurs and small business owners. Find out if you meet the eligibility guidelines for free business development programs and services.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Contact Rona Holmes at 617/349-4637, rholmes@cambridgema.gov.

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Steps to Starting Your Own Business Workshop

This workshop explores the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship and discusses industry trends, market research, business operations, and much more. Participants receive worksheets, tips, and tools to help them get started in business.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Contact Rona Holmes at 617/349-4637, rholmes@cambridgema.gov.

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For Established Businesses and Start-Ups

Best Retail Practices Program - Part I Workshop

This workshop is offered free of charge for all Cambridge retailers and restaurant owners . Participants learn about consumer and retail trends, strengths and opportunities in Cambridge, and best practices in store/restaurant design and marketing to help their businesses look their best and improve their marketing strategy. This 2½-hour workshop is delivered by expert retail consultants NELSON and Clair/Stone Communications and is usually held in the spring and fall of the year. Pre-registration is required.

Pre-registration is required. Contact Elaine Madden at 617/349-4618, emadden@cambridgema.gov.

Read more about the Best Retail Practices Program, which offers Part II in-store consultations and Part III grants to eligible businesses.

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Commercial Lending and Current Trends in Bank Financing

Interested finding out about the current lending market? Want to learn more about what Cambridge local banks have to offer? At this event you will hear from representatives from Cambridge Savings Bank, East Cambridge Savings Bank and Cambridge Trust Company on their current commercial lending services. After a brief presentation you will be able to network with the bank representatives about ways to sustain and grow your business.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Contact Rona Holmes at 617/349-4637, rholmes@cambridgema.gov.

Direct Mail Strategies - a Best Retail Practices Workshop

Innovative Direct Mail Strategies To Grow Your Business - Enhance your overall advertising campaign and help grow your business. Learn about the current media landscape, recent trends in media, industry projections and new innovations in direct mail. Recommended tips will help you make sound business decisions when you use direct mail as part of your multi-channel marketing mix. The workshop will conclude with a "hands-on" review of online support available from the U. S. Postal Service.

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Financing For Your Business Information Session

This free information session discusses finance basics and ways to access financing. Participants can get answers to questions about credit reports, tax returns, and financial statements with a loan specialist. Participants will also receive information on free business workshops and consulting provided by the City of Cambridge to eligible Cambridge participants.

Upcoming Information Sessions (call to confirm dates and times):

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Contact Rona Holmes at 617/349-4637, rholmes@cambridgema.gov.

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Managing Business in Hard Times

In today’s economy, the primary goal of any business owner is to survive during the current economic downturn and to develop a leaner, more cost-effective and more efficient business strategy. Workshop topics include: how to grow your business during an economic downturn, how to conserve cash, protect assets & reduce costs; and how to improve efficiencies and grow your customer base.

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Marketing 101

Participants will learn about the basics of marketing. Topics include: understanding the “art of selling”, how to develop marketing strategies, conducting research, branding and public relations. Portion of the workshop will highlight technology-based marketing such as e-marketing and web advertising.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Contact Rona Holmes at 617/349-4637, rholmes@cambridgema.gov.

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Massachusetts Department of Revenue Small Business Workshop

The City of Cambridge and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) invite you to the Small Business Workshop (SBW). The workshop is presented by DOR and is designed for the tax novice. The workshop will cover topics such as: registering your business with DOR, meeting employer responsibilities, reporting business income, filing sales and use tax returns, sales tax responsibilities and more!

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Pricing Strategies Workshop

This new workshop provides information on ways to improve your overall business profitability. Learn about the strengths and weaknesses of different pricing strategies and explore different pricing scenarios. Discuss how to analyze your cash flows and conduct break even analysis.

Next Workshop:

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Contact Rona Holmes at 617/349-4637, rholmes@cambridgema.gov.

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Record Keeping for Small Business Workshop

Record Keeping for Small Business Workshop - Participants will learn what records should be kept, accounting definitions, understanding accounting methods and bookkeeping systems and which are best for their business, how to set up a bookkeeping system, how to read the basics of financial statements, and how to choose an accountant/CPA.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Contact Rona Holmes at 617/349-4637, rholmes@cambridgema.gov.

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Sell It on eBay

Have you shopped on eBay, and now you would like to sell and ship? This class will teach you how to start your own home based on-line business or diversify your existing storefront business by selling and shipping items online using eBay and the United States Postal Service. Presented by the United States Postal Service.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Contact Rona Holmes at 617/349-4637, rholmes@cambridgema.gov.

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State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance Information Session

A free SOMWBA Certification Information Session will be held by the State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance and sponsored by the Community Development Department. This info Session will present the requirements for state certification of minority (MBE) and the woman business enterprises (WBE) program.

State agencies purchase millions of dollars worth of products and services from MBE and WBE-certified businesses. If your business has a product or service which state agencies purchase, you could benefit from this certification.

Next Class (call to confirm dates and times):

Pre-registration required. For more information and registration call Rona Holmes at 617/349-4637, rholmes@cambridgema.gov.

For more information see the SOMBWA workshop page.

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One-on-One Business Consulting Sessions

In this new service, eligible Cambridge participants may schedule appointments to address their specific business concerns with experienced consultants through the Center for Women & Enterprise. Consultants are available with expertise in legal and financial issues, loan counseling, general strategy, marketing, public relations, business planning, information technology, e-commerce, and much more.

Appointments for one-on-one consulting sessions will be scheduled during October 2008 through June 2009. Contact Rona Holmes at 617/349-4637, rholmes@cambridgema.gov.

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For More Information

For more information, please contact Rona Holmes, rholmes@cambridgema.gov, at 617/349-4637. The Community Development Department TTY line is 617/349-4621.

 

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