EGC

 

DUSBDC Blog

 



 
     Workshops
       
 

Specialized Tracks

The cornerstone of the Entrepreneur’s Growth Conference is the acclaimed line-up of workshops that feature timely topics relevant to today’s business climate.

All workshops are led by successful entrepreneurs and experienced business experts and include presentations, handouts and a question and answer period where entrepreneurs can address their specific concerns and questions.

 

HANDOUTS

The presentations used during the workshops are available on the handouts page.

Workshop Powerpoint Presentations

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KEY

The EGC features more than a dozen different workshops, organized into three distinct tracks:

(NV)
  New Venture
(G)
  Established Growth Company
(T)
  Technology Business

**Please note, workshops are subject to change.

BUSINESS PLANNING/RAISING MONEY/FINANCE

  • Got Money?: An A-Z Guide to Debt, Equity & Government Financing (NV,G,T) (10:10-11:15 am) Take the mystery out of raising money. Learn the various sources of capital that might be available for your business and how to get your share of these valuable financial resources. Maximize your appeal to banks, investors and local, federal and state programs and find out which source is the right one for you.

  • Pitch Then Plan: Tips From Top Coaches for Crafting and Articulating Your Best Business Plan (NV) (11:20-12:30 pm) Your business plan and your elevator pitch are two powerful weapons for getting a new venture off on the right track. But how do you create a business plan that will put you on a path to success (and help keep you there) and a pitch that sells your business in seconds to key influencers? Hear expert advice and winning strategies from top business plan and pitch coaches.

  • Making More Money: Secrets from Top CPAs To Lower Taxes & Improve Cash Flow (NV,G,T) (2:10-3:15 pm) Learn the top tax-saving tips from seasoned CPAs, including the latest tax breaks for small businesses and money-making strategies.  Learns methods and tips for improving your overall cash flow, control tax outlays and build wealth. 

  • Small Business, Big Thinking: Legal Strategies that protect your business, help you stay focused (NV,G,T) (11:20-12:30 pm) Attend this workshop to learn valuable legal strategies that will protect your investments of time and money, so you can focus on the big picture and growing your business. What are some of the most critical legal issues that pertain to small businesses? What are common problems that entrepreneurs face? Learn the steps to take to protect your business and your future.

MARKETING, PR & SALES

  • Marketing Like It’s 2009?: How to Blend Traditional Marketing with Online Outreach (NV,G,T) (10:10-11:15 am) Have your marketing practices kept up with the changing times? What are the latest market research tools, tested strategies and marketing mediums that are available—and affordable—to business owners today? What traditional marketing strategies make sense? How can you exploit digital mediums today, including your own websites and social networking? And how should your budget reflect traditional and online activities? 

  • Extreme Makeover: 7 Steps For Making Your Business Irresistible (NV,G,T) (11:20-12:30 pm)This workshop will reveal the underlying principles of the "I Want It" drive that induces thought leadership, buzz and business success. Learn the 8 P.E.R.S.U.A.D.E. principles and how to apply them to your marketing strategies so you can take the lead in your market, maximize sales and be irresistible.

  • An Entrepreneur’s Guide To Google: Building Your Brand & Revenues with Adsense, Adworks and Analytics (NV,G,T) (2:10-3:15 pm) Are you looking to maximize your marketing investments, drive more business online and improve your website conversions, monetize your web content and attract new customers from targeted local and regional locales?  Hear how savvy business owners are capitalizing on the power and reach of Google to raise profitability and brand awareness.

  • Are You Sociable?: Strategies for Promoting Your Business Through Social & Offline Networking Part I and II (NV,G,T) (11:20-12:30 pm) Are there opportunities for your business hiding in plain sight?  The value of building your social networks (online and in person) and making connections cannot be overstated. Learn how top pros use online communities and traditional offline connections to advance their business, connect with key targets, build their brand and encourage word-of-mouth marketing.  Get strategies to open doors in-person, online and around the world and catapult your business to new heights.  Learn a step by step method that will enable you to locate, recognize and cash-in on thousands of opportunities that exist in your marketplace.

  • From Cold Call to Customer: Top Tips for Advancing The Sale (NV,G,T) (2:10-3:15 pm) Get tips from top experts on how to rev up your sales success, including strategies to handle gatekeepers, voicemail, objections and stalls.  How do you break the 30 second barrier on a prospecting call? What questions will get you invited in?  How do you stage your first meeting over the phone?  Learn the practices used by top sellers to close more deals.   

  • Media Matters: Today’s Best Practices in Public Relations (NV,G,T) (11:20-12:30 pm) Tell your unique story.  Find new customers.  Advertising and PR have changed dramatically so what are the best practices today to get noticed and get results? How has web 2.0 changed media relations practices and how can traditional and digital practices work together for bigger results? 

STRATEGIC PLANNING, GROWTH & MANAGEMENT

  • Lead the Pack:Leadership Styles & Strategies That Power Success & Sustain Growth (even in a slow economy) Parts I & II (G) (10:10-11:15 am)

    In times of adversity, great leaders can do great things and blossom during times of crisis. How are leaders different from bosses?  How can you take this economic downturn and uncover opportunities?  How do you enhance workplace production values and hire superior employees that can help take your business to the next level? 

    Find out how to be smart leader and a smart hirer to foster growth, maintain your momentum and inspire passion and creativity from your team.  

  • Are You Ready?: When & How to Hire, Manage & Motivate Your Next Salesperson (G) (10:10-11:15 am) Growing your sales means attracting the right sales talent. Are you ready for another sales rep or a manager? How do you identify the right person for your company? How do you manage, evaluate and compensate a new sales hire? Your sales representatives are often the public face of your business; learn how to ensure that they’re a good reflection on the company with the skills and motivation to drive your growth. 

  • Confessions of a CEO: Lessons Learned From the Business Frontlines (G,T) (11:20-12:30 pm) Back by popular demand, this panel of CEOs will inform, inspire and entertain you with tales from the business trenches. What were the turning points in their own company’s evolution?  What are some of the most valuable lessons learned and what were some of their biggest blunders?  If you’re looking for entrepreneurial wisdom, this panel and Q&A workshop is for you.  

  • Going Up? Real-World Case Studies of Best Practices in Tech Company Growth (T) (2:10-3:15 pm) What are the best practices in starting and growing a technology based business? This workshop, led by veteran technology entrepreneurs, will address how to address a problem to solve, intellectual property, building the right team, sales and marketing planning and execution and exit strategies. Get an insider's view of the strategies, business models, and approaches behind the successes of some of Pittsburgh's most notable technology ventures.

  • The Power of One: Advice for Growing Your Successful & Profitable Sole Proprietorship or Micro-Business (NV) (2:10-3:15 pm) Are you a solo entrepreneur or running a micro business with one or two employees? If you are then you know the importance of making the most of your limited fiscal and time resources. What are some strategies to help you better manage the day-to-day operations while positioning your business for growth? How can you compete with larger, better known players in your space? What are some organizational strategies and technologies that can keep you on task, on track and on target?  

  • Seizing Opportunity: Top 9 Consumer Trends for '09 (NV,G,T) (10:10-11:15 am) Are you ready to capitalize on the next big thing?  Marketplace experts will reveal the top consumer trends in 2009 and beyond so you can be on the cutting edge and on the path to a better, more profitable future. 

  • Assets, Advantages, Opportunities: Why It’s a Great Time to Launch a Minority or Women-Owned Business (NV,G,T) (2:10-3:15 pm) Increased awareness of opportunities and programs, coupled with changing demographic and economic trends, are leading to a jump in minority and women business ownership. What resources are available to assist these disadvantaged business owners?  How have opportunities for minority and women entrepreneurs changed? What local programs are available to help? What are some of the most notable challenges and opportunities?  What is involved with certification and securing lucrative government contracts?  

LAUNCHING A BUSINESS

  • Launching A Nonprofit vs. a For-Profit: Benefits, Drawbacks & Opportunities (NV) (2:10-3:15 pm) What are the fundamental differences between a nonprofit and a for-profit venture?  What are ownership and profit-making considerations?  Is a for-profit social enterprise a more viable option for you?  Do you have an idea that would fill a need in the community? What are the advantages of doing launching a nonprofit and how do you deal with the day-to-day challenges of competing for resources, fundraising, establishing a board and more.  

  • Dreaming Big - How To Turn What You Love Into A Winning Business (NV): (10:10-11:15 am) Do you have what it takes to turn your hobby into a profitable enterprise?  Is your idea a money-making one?  Hear how successful entrepreneurs turned their passions into profitable new ventures and what they learned along the way. If you’ve got an idea and the drive to be an entrepreneur, this workshop is for you.

  • That’s Fantastic! Finding the Right Franchise & How to Finance it (NV): (11:20-12:30 pm) Is a franchise in your future?  This workshop, led by two of Pittsburgh’s leading franchising experts, will discuss the ABC’s of franchising, including: investigating opportunities, financing options, legal issues, related costs and lifestyle considerations.  Find out if you have what it takes to capitalize on today’s hottest franchising concepts and opportunities.