SBC Network Luncheons are held the second Thursday of each month at various locations. 

This month's luncheon will be held at the TAU Bearcat Clubroom of the Events Center on the Binghamton University Campus and is sponsored by Empower Federal Credit Union.

Connect with Chamber colleagues at our monthly SBC Network Luncheon.  Don't miss out on the chance to network with 60-70 Chamber members, promote your product/service to a room full of people, and hear more about important chamber programs and upcoming events.  At the luncheons, members are given the opportunity to introduce themselves and tell about their products or services and other events they may be participating in that are of interest to the community. 

Members are urged to bring their brochures, flyers, business cards, etc. 

Registration is Required:  Contact Kathy Murphy at 607-772-8860 or kmurphy@greaterbinghamtonchamber.com

Fee:  Member Advance:  $17.00/Member At Door:  $19.00/Not-For-Profit Advance: $13.60/Not-For-Profit At Door: $15.20

Tioga County Chamber of Commerce offers FREE

 Small Business Counseling

The Chamber is host to both SCORE and the NYS Small Business Development Center (SBDC) advisors. 

SBDC advisors are available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY on the first Thursday of each month. 

*To schedule an appointment with a NYS SBDC advisor, contact the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce at 687-2020

SCORE COUNSELING IN BROOME COUNTY

SCORE offers FREE OF CHARGE small business assistance by appointment only in the Broome County area to those interested in starting a new business, assistance with creating a business and financial plan for new and existing businesses, ongoing assistance to start up businesses, and assistance with businesses concerns for existing businesses or those wishing to expand. 

SCORE Counselors are all experienced, professional business people who volunteer their time, unpaid, to assist the business community of our area.  SCORE has no ties to any banking or educational institution.  All counseling and discussions are strictly confidential per the US Government Small Business Administration (SBA) requirements. 

SCORE has been in existence since 1964 and is a nationwide business help group of 390 Chapters across the US and has about 11,000 unpaid volunteer counselors. 

Counseling Days and Times - Year Round:

• 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Tuesdays @ 10:00 AM - Call for location
• 1st and 3rd Thursdays @ 6:30 PM - Greater Binghamton Chamber Offices, Metro Center, 2nd Floor, Binghamton
• 2nd Thursdays (starting September 2009) - Broome County Library, Ahearn Center

All SCORE Counseling sessions are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY - Call 607-772-8860 and ask for an appointment w/SCORE.

Binghamton University's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosts monthly

Women Business Owners (WBO) Roundtable Meetings

This month's program is:  Secrets of a Millionaire Mind

Gerri Harrison of Gerri Harrison Financial Services will teach us a way to organize our finances without spending an extensive amount of time.  We will also learn how to achieve financial freedom.  Best yet - we'll find out tips to put our finances on automatic so they will work without thinking about them.  Gerri Harrison's career has always focused on financial education, as it is an excellent path to financial independence.  She has also been preparing tax returns and providing small business counseling for over 25 years.  In addition, Gerri has added to her list of services, financial planning, debt management, financial coaching and college financial aid assistance.  You must attend this meeting if you want to grow and succeed in your businesses and personal lives. 

FEE;  $10.00 per person payable at the door and includes breakfast

ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Call SBDC at 607-777-4024 or e-mail SBDC@binghamton.edu to register. 

~~All attendees are encouraged to bring business cards and brochures to share~~

TC3.biz is hosting a one-day workshop on

Lean Office in Today's Environment

• Is your office trying to more with less?

• Are you looking for ways to eliminate unneccessary steps in your operation or reduce waste and costs?

• Do you want to learn how you can identify and eliminate duplication and "work arounds" while increasing value for your clients or customers?

  "Lean" is frequently thought of as a manufacturing initiative, and although it started in manufacturing, it has proven to have a much broader application for all types of organizations.  Healthcare, banking, sales, engineering, not-for-profits, and manufacturing all have processes to achieve their mission.  Most, if not all, processes are rife with waste.  Not because the processes were designed poorly, but because waste creeps in over the years.  Duplications, work arounds, extra processing rework, scrap, excessive handling, etc. all eat away at the ability of an organization to be effective, efficient, and profitable. 

Lean Office presents the waste elimination tools used so effectively to specifically address office and manufacturing environments.  The lean toolkit helps you dramatically reduce waste, coste, and poor quality. 

As a result of attending the workshop, participants will use Value Stream Mapping to identify processes in place.  They also will articulate current and future states, list five pitfalls of the mapping process to avoid, define a "Nike" solution and what to do with it, list the steps for planning a successful Kaizen event and the three things to avoid, and use the follow-up planner to ensure changes from the VSM and Kaizens "stick". 

Facilitator:  Gary Irland, consultant and trainer

Fee:  $299.00 - includes materials and text

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Register by calling 607-844-6586 or online at www.TC3.biz

TC3.biz is hosting a 2-session workshop on March 25th and April 1st

Greater Customer Connections

The proper handling of customers during front-line service and sales transactions often determines opportunities for future customer relations and sales.  During this workshop, we will discuss several proven methods for improving this point of customer contact, based on concepts from the persenter's nationally published book, Greater Customer Connections. 

Topics inlude the mechanics of successful customer transactions, principles for handling tough customer situations, how to manage all types of customer circumstances, specific problem-solving techniques for addressing customer needs at the first level to eliminate customer problems, customer satisfaction skills to deliver top-notch communication, and service.  

During guided practice, you will work with extensive case studies, team exercises, and role plays taken from real-life situations.  Plan to share some of your own experiences with the group. 

Facilitator:  Rich Gallagher, consultant and trainer

Fee:  $149.00 - includes materials

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Register by calling 607-844-6586 or online at www.TC3.biz

Broome Community College is offering a 2-session workshop on

Introduction to Organic Market Gardening

Monday, March 29th, and Wednesday, March 31st

Turn your gardening skills into cash.  Local demand for top-quality organically grown vegetables, herbs, and small fruits is increasing.  Expanding local farmer's markets need additional growers and there is a strong demand for more Community Supported Agriculture projects.  Small-scale vegetable farming or market gardening is the perfect way to cash in on this growing market.  Market gardening requires only a small plot of land and a relatively small start-up investment in tools and supplies.  It also provides a quick return on your labor, generating income wtihin a few weeks or months.  Income potential in the $25-30,000 per acre range is a demonstrated fact. 

Discover some of the innovative marketing and production techniques that can make your small plot of land more productive and profitable.  Learn intensive management techniques that can triple the output of your garden and stretch your harvest and sale seasons.  Check out specialized tools and techniques to save labor and boost productivity.  Analyze the profit potential and labor demands of each crop and learn the critical skills needed to bring a top-quality product to market.  These lessons are valuable to the serious home food gardener as they are to a commercial grower. 

**Students without organic gardening experience should also enroll in Course Number MN192 - The Family Food Garden.  It is also recommended enrolling in Course Number CS206 - The Small Farm Dream is Possible to prepare for this class. 

Facilitator:  Mike Kane, organic farmer and gardner of Shamrock Hill Farm, shares his 30+ years of experience growing gourmet-quality vegetables and serving local, high-value markets. 

Fee:  $39.00

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Register using your VISA or MasterCard by calling 607-778-5012

Broome Community College is hosting a 2-session workshop on

Let's Write Your Business Plan

Tuesdays; March 9th and 16th

If you are planning to become an entrepreneur, you have probably heard bankers, investors, business people and others say "You need a business plan!"  Begin to put the pieces of your business plan together under the direction of a small business expert.  Ginny Robert, author of Let's Write Your Business Plan and Building Your Future in Self-Employment, guides you through the key components of your business plan.  When ou finish the course, the marketing analysis, product/service detail, corporate structure, forecasting, financial analysis (and more) portions of the plan are well understood and in progress.  An optional textbook is available for purchase from the instructor. 

Facilitator:  Ginny Robert

Fee:  $74.00

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Register using your VISA or MasterCard by calling 607-778-5012

BCC is hosting this 3-hour workshop as part of their Marketing Intensive Institute on March 6th from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.

NEW!  How to Create Your Own Blog

This introductory course is perfect for entrepreneurs, organizations and anyone else looking to share their news, information, product or service tips, opinions and/or simply just thoughts on the world-wide web.  Cheryl showcases several free and low-cost online services for hosting, building and publishing your blog, as well as step-by-step, hands-on computer instruction for setting up your blog and publshing content in a matter of minutes.  All you need is basic computer and interest skills, a little self-confidence, and an idea for a blog.  Leave class having published your first blog and armed with your own manageable action plan!

Instructor:  Cheryl A. Fabrizi, marketing coach

Course Number:  EX 142

Course Fee:  $29.00

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Register using your MasterCard or VISA by calling 607-778-5012.  **Register for all 6-sessions of the Marketing Intensive Institute which includes this course and 5 additional courses (Build Your Own Website; B2C & B2B Direct and Interactive Marketing; NEW! Navigating the Online Social Network Jungle; How to Ensure Website Success; and Email Newsletters at the same time (Course Number EX 138) and pay only $145.00**

BCC is hosting this 3-hour workshop as part of their Marketing Intensive Institute on March 13th from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.

NEW!  Navigating the Online Social Networking Jungle

Facebook, Twitter, Ning, eBlogger and others...oh, my!  Get up to speed on how to create online buzz via the ever-changing and always growing online world of social networking.  This course is an essential for entrepreneurs, businesses, organizations, and anyone else looking to attract more customers, build brand awareness, and generate sales via the Internet.  This hands-on computer instruction includes exploring online examples, evaluating free and low-cost online services, and development of manageable interactive marketing plan. 

Instructor:  Cheryl A. Fabrizi, marketing coach

Course Number:  EX 141

Course Fee:  $29.00

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Register using your VISA or MasterCard by calling 607-778-5012.  **Register for all 6-sessions of the Marketing Intensive Institute which includes this course and 5 additional courses (Build Your Own Website; B2C & B2B Direct and Interactive Marketing; NEW! How to Create Your Own Blog; How to Ensure Website Success; and Email Newsletters) at the same time (Course Number EX 138) and pay only $145.00**

BCC is hosting this 3-hour workshop as part of their Marketing Intensive Institute on March 20th from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

How to Ensure Website Success

Search engine marketing the leading marketing strategy to assure customers find your website when they are online.  When a website is properly optimized, it increases your overall marketing success.  Learn how to implement four main marketing tactics - natural or organic search, pay-per-click search, paid /sponsored listings, and paid inclusion.  How to develop an overall search engine marketing strategy to measure your success is also discussed. 

Instructor:  Cheryl A. Fabrizi, marketing coach

Course Number: EX 144

Course Fee:  $29.00

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Register using your VISA or MasterCard by calling 607-778-5012.  **Register for all 6-sessions of the Marketing Intensive Institute which includes this course and 5 additional courses (Build Your Own Website; B2C & B2B Direct and Interactive Marketing; NEW! How to Create Your Own Blog; NEW! Navigating the Online Social Networking Jungle; How to Ensure Website Success; and Email Newsletters) atthe same time (Course Number EX 138) and pay only $145.00**

BCC is hosting this 3-hour workshop as part of their Marketing Intensive Institute on March 27th from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Email Newsletters

Email marketing is a cost-effective way to market your business, products and services.  Discover how to create, implement, and manage successful email newsletters and email campaigns.  This course is designed for anyone who can create a Word document and spreadsheet with a computer.  Since various templated marketing solutions are used, no website programming or coding experience is required.  Come with a draft of your initial ideas for a newsletter for evaluation. 

Instructor:  Cheryl A. Fabrizi, marketing coach

Course Number:  EX 139

Course Fee:  $29.00

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Register using your VISA or MasterCard by calling 607-778-5012.  **Register for all 6-sessions of the Marketing Intensive Institute which includes this course and 5 additional courses (Build Your Own Website in a Few Hours; B2C & B2B Direct and Interactive Marketing; NEW! How to Create Your Own Blog; NEW! Navigating the Online Social Networking Jungle; How to Ensure Website Success) at the same time (Course Number EX 138)and pay only $145.00**

The Gas Industry is Coming, Are You Ready?

Small Business Development Program - Tioga County

Tioga County Economic Development & Planning and Broome Community College Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP) is sponsoring a FREE OF CHARGE five-session Small Business Development Program in Tioga County. 

Do You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?  Do you see an opportunity to service the coming gas industry or think you can filled a needed niche?  If development or expansion of a small business is one of your goals, register for this 15-hour, five-session dynamic, interactive program to learn what it will take to be successful. 

The sessions will cover:

• The Advantages and Disadvantages of Self-Employment
• Evaluating the Feasibility of Self-Employment:  Self-assessment/Your Business Idea

• Overview of the Business Plan - Purpose, Content and Format
• Get Started Writing Your Business Plan: Market Research and Analysis
• SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats)

• Evaluating and Analyzing Financial Feasibility
• Developing Your Financial Statements
• Financing Options: A Panel Discussion

• Developing an Effective Marketing Plan - Purpose, Contents, and Format
• Promoting Your Business: Tips, Tricks and Traps

• Best Practices: EAP Graduates Present their Winning Business Plans
• Mastermind: Discussion of Participant Progress to Date
• Q&A Session on Any Topics Covered in this Program
• Presentation of Completion Certificates and Program Evaluation

TC3.biz is hosting a 4-hour workshop on

Business Ethics and Professionalism

Thursday, March 18th, 1:00 - 5:00 PM

A great business is an ethical business - no exceptions.  Ethical business behavior begins at an individual level and affects all levels within an organization.  This workshop will explore the basic tenets of solid ethics and business practices, providing the framework for making sound business decisions.  You will be presented with numerous real-life situations from a variety of industries, including hospitality, to discuss and resolve. 

Instructor:  Robert Stezzi, consultant & trainer

Fee:  $119.00 - includes materials

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Register by phone at 607-844-6586 or online at info@TC3.biz

TC3.biz is hosting a 3-hour workshop on

Email: Tricks, Traps and Trepidation

March 10th - 9:00 a.m. - NOON

How are your e-mails perceived?  During this workshop you'll learn the "Do's", as well as the "Don'ts" of using e-mail so you can reply with confidence.  Your future e-mail will be perceived as effective and professional. 

TOPICS INCLUDE;

• Structuring e-mail conversations that are effective, to the point, and answer your sender's questions politely and professionally
• Responding to customer service requests and expectations

Learn to develop e-mail cover letters when sending electronic proposals, negotiations, resumes, and more. 

Instructor:  Moralyn Masselink, professor and trainer

Fee:  $99.00 - includes materials

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Register by phone at 607-844-6586 or online at www.TC3.biz

TC3.biz is hostinga 3-hour customer service workshop on

What to Say to a Porcupine: Customer Service in Prickly Times

March 9th - 9:00 a.m. - NOON

What do a demanding colony of porcupines, an upscale restaurant run by Hyenas, and a famous medival knight have in common?  They all are a part of a fun training on how to create excellent customer service.  This program is based on instructor Rich Gallagher's nationally published book, What to Say to a Porcupine: 20 Humorous Takes That Get to the Heart of Great Customer Service.  These stories touch real lessons about the mechanics of good service and are aimed at the same audience as business fables such as FISH! and Who Moved My Cheese.  Come prepared to laugh, learn, and create your own customer service story. 

Instructor:  Rich Gallagher, consultant and trainer

Fee:  $119.00 - includes materials

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Register by phone at 607-844-6586 or online at www.TC3.biz

TC3.biz is hosting a 4-hour management session on

NEW! Supervisors and HR Law

March 5th - 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Get an overview of the primary employment laws affecting supervisors at all levels.  Supervisors will have increased confidence in handling everyday employment situations, be able to better safeguard the employer and themselves from legal actions, be able to better identify legal red flags, and be aware of when to defer to HR for guidance.  Several laws will be covered, including Title VII, sexual harassment, ADA, FMLA, and the FLSA. 

Instructor:  Gary Evans, instructor and human resource consultant

Fee:  $79.00 - includes materials and text

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Register by phone at 607-844-6586 or online at www.TC3.biz

TC3.biz is hosting a 2-session workshop on how to

Boost Your Google Page Rank

March 29th & 31st , 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Every web site needs more traffic.  Determine how to analyze and develop optimal site, page, and code design to increase site traffic.  You'll learn how to focus on your target audience, and determine keyword density to increase your Google hits.  Gain the specific knowledge you need to analyze, design, structure, and code.  Some HTML experience is required. 

Facilitator:  Matthew Wyllyamz, consultant and trainer

Fee:  $179.00 - includes materials.  Students should bring a flash drive to class

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Call 607-844-6586 or visit www.TC3.biz to register.  For additional information, call 607-844-6586 or e-mail info@TC3.biz

TC3.biz is hosting a 2-session workshop on

PowerPoint 2007 Level I

March 4th and 11th, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Liven up your presentations with PowerPoint 2007 in this MOS preparation workshop that will teach you how to explore PowerPoint and learn the new 2007 PowerPoint window, as well as deleting formatting slides, drawing objects, graphics, tables and charts, and more. 

Facilitator:  William Vernola, consultant and trainer

Fee:  $109.00 - includes workbook

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Call 607-844-6586 or visit www.TC3.biz to register.  For additional information, contact 607-844-6586 or e-mail info@TC3.biz

Alliance for Manufacturing & Technology (AM&T) is sponsoring a half-day workshop on

Leveraging a Legacy

Success Strategies for Family-Owned and Closely-Held Businesses

March 23, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. - NOON

(Sign-in & Continental Breakfast @ 7:30 a.m.)

This half-day workshop covers six practical steps a family-owned or closely-held business can take to increase the success, trust, harmony and productivity in the organization.  Challenging economic times can often cause confusion and serious concern about how to manage effectively and ensure the sustainability of the company.  Discover how family-owned businesses can capitalize on their flexibility and responsiveness to weather the current storm. 

Lise Stewart, Managing Director of Galliard Group, a consulting firm specializing in working with family-owned and closely-held businesses, will draw upon her 20+ years of experience to share some practical advice for ensuring the sustainability of a family business as it passes from one generation to the next. 

In addition, Lise will discuss the various steps that any family-owned or closely-held business owner should undertake to plan for their future - including the key components of an exit strategy, incorporating the family plan into the business plan, and when to consider outside management or other options for non-family management of the business.  Lise offers case studies, humor, and practical, non-nonsense activities that make the information accessible and realistic for audience members. 

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:  Participants will learn 6 practical steps a family-owned or closely-held business can take to increase the success, trust, harmoney and productivity in the organization. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:  Owners, Family members, & Managers of closely-held businesses; Consultants who work with them

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Contact Norma Cushner @ AM&T - 607-774-0022 ext. 302 or ncushner@amt-mep.org.  You can also register online at www.amt-mep.org/events/family_business.htm

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  MARCH 16, 2010

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  Contact Michael Meador at 607-342-3208 or mmeador@amt-mep.org

FEE:  $75.00 ($60.00 for AM&T Associate members)

The Cornell Cooperative Extension's South Central NY Dairy Team is hosting an agricultural workshop on March 11th from 1:00 - 3:00 PM

"Transitioning to the Next Generation"

The workshop will address the process by which ownership and management of a family's farm business is transferred to the next generation. 

TOPICS WILL INCLUDE:

• Transfer strategies
• Writing a transfer plan
• Setting Goals and following through

REGISTRATION/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  Contact Sharon Van Deuson at 607-753-5078

Southern Tier Opportunity Coalition (STOC) Networking Cafe  

"...the Premier Academic/Private Sector Partnership Driving Economic Growth in Greater Binghamton, NY"

Every 2nd Monday of the month.  Free refreshments/Cash bar available. 

Fee:  FREE OF CHARGE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Program/Speaker:  Chuck Schwerin, CEO of SONOSTICS.  Vibromyography, a technology that converts muscle vibration to absolute force.  For further information, please visit our website - www.stoc-ny.com

RSVP:  Natalie Czabala, STOC Administrative Assistant, 607-772-8863 ext. 5 or nczabala@gmail.com

Blogging, Facebook & Twitter -

How Can Social Media Impact My Business?

Steve Gorney of S-go Consulting will provide an informative presentation on how Blogging, Facebook & Twitter can impact your business or organizations in positive or negative ways.  Social media is all about conversations and the ability to steer current and future clients to your business. 

Fee:  $15.00 for Chamber Members/$20.00 for Non-Chamber Members - Fee includes lunch: soup and a sandwich, dessert, beverage, tax and tip. 

Reservations and Payment are due prior to the event.  Final Date:  March 15th.  Cancellations received after the stated deadline will not be eligible for a refund. 

Payment Information:  Call the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce at 607-687-2020 for payment with credit card or mail payment to Tioga County Chamber of Commerce, 80 North Avenue, Owego, NY  13827

 **BACK AGAIN BY POPULAR DEMAND**

Alternatives Federal Credit Union BUSINESS CENTS®
(Community Enterprise Networking and Training Services) is hosting a 2-session workshop on Fridays; April 2nd and April 9th from 1:00 - 4:00 PM

"BUSINESS MARKETING WITH FACEBOOK AND TWITTER"

Increasing numbers of businesses both large and small are marketing in new and powerful ways through free social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook.  How can you take advantage of this exciting and pervasive trend?  How much of your time and resources do you need to commit, and how can you tell if your efforts are effective?  Learn the ins-and-outs of how to use these new and extremely popular forms of rapid communication. 

This hands-on workshop includes two sessions of three-hours each, one spent on Facebook and one on Twitter.  Skills needed to provide the best experience: basic computer skills and some internet experience are essential.  Some Facebook experience helpful, but not required.  No Twitter experience required. 

FEE:  Based on a sliding scale - $30.00 - $60.00

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Contact Alison:  alison@alternatives.org