Free Online Business Classes From the Small Business Administration
This sounded like a good opportunity from the SBA.
If you have the time, and the inclination, and are interested in starting a business, or learning some skills to help your business grow, you might want to check this out.
Registration started today for free online business classes, through a partnership from the Small Business Administration and the Thomson Corp. (Ed2Go) at the Small Business Training Network
The classes they offer for free go to the first 2,400 people who sign up, according to a Press Release from the organizations today. There are three classes, offered at four different times during the year, and lasting for six weeks each. Course start dates are June 15, July 20, Aug. 17 and Sept. 21.
I know a lot of people who jumped head first into business, with a good idea, and very little planning. I’m a strong believer that you have to make that leap sometime, but that a good business plan can be really helpful. The first of the free classes is:
* Creating a Successful Business Plan
Work through all of the major components of a business plan and turn your business ideas into a solid plan for financing and long-term success. Committing your idea to paper in the form of a business plan increases your chances of obtaining financing and keeps your business strategically focused.
Chances are that whatever business you may want to start, or are already involved in will have you working with people. The more effectively you can do that, the better your chances of success. This class is also free if you sign up soon enough:
* Customer Service Fundamental
Develop new skills in identifying and satisfying customer needs, and become an indispensable asset to any organization. This online course will help you discover and master the essentials of customer service. You’ll learn the best ways to measure customer service, apply the principles of consumer behavior to your business, and differentiate between industrial and consumer marketing.
I don’t know how much web design, and search engine marketing and optimization you can learn in six weeks, but I do know that the more of those topics you can find out about, the better off you will be if you want to include an online presence as part of your business plan. The third free class for those quick to register is:
* Creating Web Pages
Create and post your very own Web site on the Internet in this extensive, hands-on workshop. Learn about the capabilities of the World Wide Web and the fundamentals of Web design. You’ll also learn critical and timely information on securing the best possible location in search engine listings, and powerful no-cost or low-cost Web marketing strategies.
If you sign up for, and take one of these classes, please let us know how it goes.
I looked on the Delaware SBA website and didn’t see any info. on these courses?
Hi Greg,
I’m a little surprised that they don’t talk about them there, but there is a from the main SBA site, to a PDF file that does describe them in better detail. It’s at:
http://www.sba.gov/news/05-33-Ed2Go-Classes.pdf
They look like they are worth taking.
i want to learn throuth internet
I want to know more about these classes. I need these classes to start my business. I can’t afford these classes on my own.
Hi Anisa,
You’re not the first entrepreneur on a shoe string budget! This post was originally made back in 2005.
The Delaware District SBA office has come a long way since then in terms of free resources. For online courses check out the Small Business Learning Center here:
http://www.sba.gov/sba-learning-center/search/training
There’s also a Business Resources to Help You Start or Grow a Business in Your Area on their home page near the bottom.
Let us know how it works out!
Please notify me for next business meet.