Business Development Workshops

BWorkshop

Interactive Live and Online Workshops!

The Economic Opportunity and Development Division works with the Cambridge Community Television (CCTV), The Capital Network, Center for Women & Enterprise, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, SCORE Boston, Growth with Google, and local organizations to provide business development programs and services to Cambridge residents, entrepreneurs, and businesses.  

Click here for a list of previously recorded workshops and events that are now available for viewing.

Please note - Registrations close 2 HOURS BEFORE the workshop begins (unless otherwise noted below).  Classes may be cancelled or postponed due to lack of registration. Please call the Division at 617-349-4637 to check the status of a workshop.  

All workshops are free for Cambridge business owners and residents unless otherwise noted. If you have any questions about our workshops, please contact Rona Abrahams at rabrahams@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-4637.

March 

What's on the menu? Maximizing Revenue Through Menu Choice and Design

  • Date: Tuesday, March 28, 2023
  • Time: 10:00 - 11:15 a.m.
  • Location: Online via Zoom. 
  • Description: The differentiator of any restaurant is a carefully crafted menu. In many independent restaurants, menus are too big and not well-defined, leading to guest confusion and wasted resources. Your menu is the primary driver of revenue and is your greatest marketing tool – it says so much about the identity of your business! In this session, we’ll go in-depth on the three keys to evaluating an existing menu or creating a new dish: concept, market fit, and high contributions to the bottom line. We'll show you how to identify your top sellers, calculate plate costs from start to finish and decide if a dish is actually profitable. Then, we’ll share industry tips to design your menu to make those top sellers stand out. You'll also walk away with the skills to analyze your own menu to make data-driven decisions that turn each dish into a revenue center for your business. Trainer: Irene Shiang Li of Prepshift and MeiMei Dumplings. 
  • Registration is required. Register online.

  • For more information, please contact Christina DiLisio at cdilisio@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-4601.

Free Financial Education Course for Cambridge Businesses - Saving for Retirement

  • Date: Tuesday, March 28, 2023
  • Time: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
  • Location: Online via Zoom.
  • Description:  Participants will learn about retirement options available to small business owners. Presented by Cambridge Savings Bank. 
  • Register online. Once registered, you will receive a link to the Zoom session

Social Media Strategy Workshop Series 

  • Dates: Tuesdays, March 28, April 4, and April 11, 2023
  • Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. 
  • Location: CCTV, 438 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
  • Description: The Social Media Strategy Workshops Series are three workshops designed to be taken together as each one builds upon the next workshop. In this three session workshop series you'll be building your own social media strategy from the ground up, including making your own graphics with Canva, researching effective hashtags for your business, and reviewing how to post on different social media platforms. At the end of this workshop series, you'll leave with a social media plan that you can start using immediately! Learn more about this workshops series here. 
  • Registration is required. Registration for this class is closed because this class is at capacity. Thank you for understanding. 

Own Your Numbers: Creating Financial Projections

  • Date: Wednesday, March 29, 2023
  • Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Location: Online via Zoom
  • Description: It's crucial for business founders to have a good understanding of their financials and be able to tell an enticing story of their business to get funders and partners onboard. This workshop will provide instructions and tools to help founders iron out their financial projections and learn the key metrics that will get investors excited about their growth strategy and vision. Instructor: The Capital Network.
  • Registration is required. Register online by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 27. Zoom link will be provided after registration. 

April

Own Your Own Business: How to Tell a Compelling Story of Your Business

  • Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2023
  • Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Location: Online via Zoom
  • Description: Launching and building a startup is not just building a product and business, it’s also about how to tell the company’s story to get mission-aligned partners, clients, employees and investors. This workshop will help business founders turn their idea, product and business into a compelling story that will really resonate with their target audience, and ultimately convert business goals into successful deals. Instructor: The Capital Network.
  • Registration is required. Register online by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, April 10. Zoom link will be provided after registration.

May

Free Financial Education Course for Cambridge Businesses - Saving for Retirement

  • Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2023
  • Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
  • Location: Online via Zoom.
  • Description:  Participants will learn about retirement options available to small business owners. Presented by Cambridge Savings Bank. 
  • Register online. Once registered, you will receive a link to the Zoom session
  • For more information, please contact Lola Campos at lcampos@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-4616.