Attention Child Care Providers: Child care providers attending any of MetroAction’s training programs are eligible for professional development credits through the Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS), part of the PA Department of Public Welfare’s PA Keys to Professional Development program.

Program Descriptions

Search Engine Optimization for Your Small Business: Having a web site does not automatically guarantee having traffic, even if you register the site with appropriate search engines. Whether you’re a business that wants clients, or an organization that wants to get your message out, learn how Search Engine Optimization can provide your company with a competitive advantage.  As a small business owner, knowing how to properly market your company through search engine optimization is an effective way to be found on the vast Internet.

To learn more about what Search Engine Optimization is, ask questions and leave with action items that will help your business, attend Search Engine Optimization for Your Small Business, presented by Ethixa Solutions. Ethixa Solutions specializes in identifying problems in business and computer systems and developing affordable solutions to these problems.

Search Engine Optimization for Your Small Business will be presented on Thursday, February 9th, 2012 at The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, 222 Mulberry Street, Scranton at 8:30am.  Cost is $25 per person for Chamber members and $35 per person for non-members. To register, visit www.MetroAction.org or call (570)341-0270.  This program is sponsored by MetroAction and The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center.

Marketing Mastery:Do you need to grow your customer base?  Is your advertising effective?  How can you make the most of your limited advertising budget? MetroAction’s Marketing Mastery course will help you identify your target market, build successful marketing messages, develop marketing materials that work, and create a comprehensive marketing plan on a limited budget. This course is perfect for any sized business that is interested in implementing proven strategies that produce major returns!

Cost is $75 for Chamber members and $99 for non Chamber members and includes all course materials. Scholarships may be available for some businesses. Contact Alicia Tompkins at atompkins@scrantonchamber.com to see if you qualify. Reservations are due by March 7.

This program will be offered in an accelerated format at The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, 222 Mulberry Street, Scranton and is also available as a webinar.

Enhance Your Credit in 2012: Enhancing your credit score can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in interest during your lifetime.  If you've ever applied for a credit card, personal loan, or insurance, chances are someone checked your credit score.  Your credit score is chock full of information on where you live, how you pay your bills, whether you've been sued or arrested, or if you have filed for bankruptcy.

This seminar will take the mystery out of credit reports.  You will learn what a credit report is, why your credit score is important, how credit scores are calculated and how it can impact such things as insurance and interest rates.

This program will be presented by Wells Fargo Bank on March 8, 2012 at The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, 222 Mulberry Street, Scranton from  8:30 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. and is also available at the same time as a webinar. Cost is $25.00 per person for Chamber members and $35 per person for non-members and includes all course materials. To register, visit www.MetroAction.org or call (570)341-0270 by March 5th.

Three Steps to Business Success: Three Steps to Business Success is a two-hour seminar which covers specific strategies to help start-up and existing small businesses gain a competitive advantage. This seminar will address how to plan for success, effective ways to market your business, financing and finding grants, and available community resources. This program is also available as a webinar. [$10]

Marketing 101: Marketing 101 is a two-hour seminar which offers simple and effective small business marketing techniques that focus on real world, proven strategies. This seminar will help start-up and existing small businesses gain a competitive advantage by providing strategies to package a business, create cost effective marketing materials, communicate a strong marketing message, and avoid common marketing mistakes. This program is also available as a webinar. [$10]

Financing Your Business: This seminar explains the options of financing your business despite today’s difficult economy. You will learn how small business loans work, what documents and information are required, and review the requirements to qualify for small-business financing. The seminar will also explain about small business grants, what lenders look for, understanding credit and how you can improve your chances of qualifying for a small-business loan. This program is also available as a webinar. [$10]

Meet the Lender Forum: MetroAction teams up with partner locations throughout the year to provide informative roundtable discussions on small business financing opportunities. [FREE]

Applying for a Small Business Loan: This webinar explains how to apply for a MetroAction loan. The webinar discusses loan details such as amounts, rates, terms and eligibility and also discusses how to complete MetroAction’s small business loan Pre-Qualification application. [FREE]

Writing a Business Plan: This webinar discusses the basics of writing a business plan such as, information to gather, the parts of a business plan, helpful resources and how to complete MetroAction’s Business Planning Templates. [FREE]

Submitting Your Business Plan Templates: This webinar explains how to complete and submit MetroAction’s Business Planning Templates. [FREE]

Other seminars: MetroAction periodically offers other seminars and workshops to help businesses grow. Topics include customer service, financial management, strategic planning and much more! We also feature programs from renowned providers such as Dale Carnegie 1-day training programs, the Disney Institute and others. For more information, visit our news page.

DYNAMIC PRESENTERS WANTED!

If you are willing to share your expertise as a guest speaker or panelist, please let MetroAction know. We are interested in presentations on various business and professional educational topics designed for all levels of experience (beginner, intermediate and/or advanced).

If you are interested in presenting a business seminar or workshop for MetroAction, complete and submit a Seminar Presenter Proposal. MetroAction staff will contact you to discuss available opportunities.