BEMIDJI, Minn. (Nov. 2, 2010) — The Minnesota Small Business Development Center, part of Bemidji State University’s Optivation venture, will offer courses to teach QuickBooks Pro software, a two-day course on profit mastery later this month and an ongoing “Introduction to Business” primer workshop later this month.

Nov. 9 – QuickBooks Pro
Intuit’s QuickBooks software provides small businesses with powerful accounting tools to organize finances and manage customer, vendor and employee data in one place. The center’s course is targeted to both new and experienced QuickBooks users and will explore the features and functions of QuickBooks Pro 2010. Topics include opening and manipulating a company in QuickBooks; creating and managing its chart of accounts and lists; entering and paying bills; writing checks; setting up vendors; creating customer accounts; and invoicing, receiving and applying payments.

The course will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Optivation’s 3801 Bemidji Ave. N. campus in Bemidji. Registration for the course is $105; computers will be provided and lunch is included in the registration fee. Space is limited, so advance registration is requested.

Nov. 16-17 – Profit Mastery
A certified facilitator will be on-hand to guide a two-day workshop focused on teaching the basics of cash-flow management. The cash-to-cash cycle is explored with special emphasis placed on break-even calculations, contribution margin, inventory turns and accounts receivable collections. The workshop is delivered in practical, plain-English style to ensure high comprehension and retention.

This workshop will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 16-17, from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Optivation’s 3801 Bemidji Ave. N. campus in Bemidji. Registration for the two-day workshop is $179; lunch on both days is included in the registration fee.

Nov. 4 and Nov. 18 – Introduction to Business (GATE)
This free workshop will cover the basic steps to starting a business in Minnesota. It will focus on feasibility, the basics for establishing a business plan, legal requirements and an understanding of the aspects of financing a business.

This course will be held on the first and third Thursday of each month. The first-Thursday course will be held at the Bemidji Workforce Center, located at 616 America Ave. NW, Suite 210, in Bemidji. The third-Thurdsay course will be held at Optivation’s 3801 Bemidji Ave. N. campus in Bemidji. This workshop is offered at no charge; contact the Small Business Development Center for details.

For information on these or other programs at the Small Business Development Center, please contact Jaimee Meyer, interim center director, at (218) 755-4255.

ON THE WEB
• Minnesota Small Business Development Center: http://mnsbdc.ecenterdirect.com
• Workshop registration: http://www.nwsbdc.com/Workshops.html

About the Small Business Development Center
The Minnesota Small Business Development Centers provide no-cost, professional business consulting to small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs on a variety of business topics. Consulting services are customized to each client’s needs and are delivered in a confidential one-on-one environment.

The Northwest Regional SBDC in Bemidji supports Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Red Lake and Roseau counties and also has locations in Park Rapids, Thief River Falls and Crookston.