SomerCor and the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development provide a comprehensive overview of the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) program. Grant funds can be used by small businesses and certain non-profits for permanent building improvements. Residential projects are not eligible. TIF Districts scheduled to open in May 2024: 119th/I-57 47th/Ashland Lawrence/Pulaski Wilson […]
In celebration of National Small Business Week and the 40th anniversary of the Illinois SBDC Network, let’s work together in our focused one-hour workshop to unlock the core of your business identity. This session is specially designed for startups and businesses in the scaling phase. It emphasizes identifying fundamental values and creating strong mission statements. […]
McKinsey & Company reports that improving your pricing by just 1% can result in an over 8% increase in operating profits, proving that pricing decisions can significantly influence your bottom line. This session dives into strategies essential for profitability and competitiveness. It emphasizes the crucial role of the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), as it […]
Food service is a notoriously low margin business, but research indicates that restaurants optimizing their menus witness an average sales increase of 16%. Join us for this collaborative session with experts from Grubhub and Sysco, outlining strategies for ingredient procurement, pricing, menu development, multifaceted product usage, and tools to elevate your restaurant’s profitability in the digital age. Additionally, discover the advantages of partnering with a third-party platform, and learn […]
In Part 2 of the Financial Management Series for Small Business Owners: Join this workshop to understand the development of a short-term budget. Use practical approaches to develop a draft annual budget. Who Should Attend: Small business owners that are unsure how to read financial statements or are uncertain of the content within them should […]
Whether you're looking to make new business connections or just want to exchange ideas with other small business owners, Coffee & Commerce is the perfect opportunity to enhance your professional network. Come sip, share and succeed at Coffee & Commerce, the third Wednesday of every month, at 8:30 a.m. Grab your favorite morning brew and […]
In today’s dynamic market environment, effectively positioning your brand is essential for standing out amidst competition and resonating with your target audience. From defining your unique value proposition to understanding consumer perceptions, we’ll explore the key elements necessary for creating a distinctive brand and where it fits in best in a sea of categories. Designed […]
In Part 3 of the Financial Managment Series for Small Businesses: Understand how the Five Dimensions of Pricing can be used by business owners to strengthen their pricing methodology for products and/or services sold. Who Should Attend: Business owners interested in enhancing their pricing structures to grow their bottom line. What You Will Learn: Participants […]
Sales channel management is essential for sustainable growth and a competitive advantage. Learn from industry expert, Kelly Behr, on how to identify the right sales channels for your brand and how to drive products off shelves with a strong promotional plan and selling tool kit. This class will explore various sales channels, tips for working with distributors and […]
In Part 4 of the Financial Management Series for Small Business Owners: Financial forecasting involves predicting a company’s financial future by examining historical trends and incorporating assumptions about the future. By having a forecast available, owners can better position the business to navigate good times and bad. Who Should Attend: Small business owners looking to […]
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*We reserve the right to publish events on an individual basis. All events must be business related, non-sales with a focus on educating and benefiting the business community.
