Business News for October 19, 2021
Today's message includes the following news, best practices, and online courses:
  • Wisconsin SBDC Entrepreneurial How-To Video Series is Here!
  • Reminder: Main Street Bounceback Grants Still Available
  • Learn How to Create a Branded PowerPoint Deck

Upcoming SBDC Learning Opportunities
  • Navigating Difficult Conversations
  • LinkedIn MVP
  • Building Financial Confidence in Your Business
  • Digital Marketing & Social Media Conference
Business News, Updates, and Best Practices
Photo Courtesy of Clouds North Films
Wisconsin SBDC Entrepreneurial How-To Video Series is Here!
videos address common questions on small business law and lending
We are proud to debut the new Entrepreneurial How-To Video Series, which was developed as a long-lasting, meaningful use of CARES Act funding, made possible through the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

Current videos include:
  • The law series, which focuses on such topics as LLCs, trademarks and employee handbooks, were developed in conjunction with the Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic at the University of Wisconsin Law School.
  • The lending series introduces entrepreneurs to alternative funding sources, common ways to fund your small business, how to prepare for a meeting with a business lender, and more.

We will also be debuting a third series on accounting in 2022. We look forward to sharing them with you!
Reminder: Main Street Bounceback Grants Still Available!
support for businesses moving into existent vacant commercial properties
The Main Street Bounceback Grants program provides $10,000 to new or existing businesses and non-profit organizations moving into vacant properties in Wisconsin’s downtowns and commercial corridors. Funds can be used to pay leases or mortgages, operational expenses and other business costs related to the newly opened location. The program is open to new or existing businesses opening a new location or expanding operations in a vacant commercial space as of January 1, 2021. Grant funds are available as part of the American Recovery Plan Act and will be distributed by WEDC’s regional partners. Businesses must apply through the partner organization for the region in which they are located.

Learn How to Create a Branded PowerPoint Deck
Tool Tip from Bizzy Bizzy
Looking to brand your PowerPoint templates to make them align with your business? In this video from local Madison-area creative agency Bizzy Bizzy, you’ll learn how to make global brand style changes to a PowerPoint template.
Click the folder button below to download a .zip file from Bizzy Bizzy that includes:
  1. Brandable Pitch Deck Template shown in the video 
  2. Startup Pitch Deck Branding Guide
  3. 19 Free Tools to help you brand your startup pitch deck like a pro!

Bizzy Bizzy is a creative agency whose signature services are the 1 Day Website and the 1 Day Branding, designed specifically for founders and fast-growing companies who want to accelerate their brands.
Upcoming SBDC Learning Opportunities
Navigating Difficult Conversations
starts October 26
Whether you need to say “no” to your boss, give constructive feedback to a co-worker, deal with an upset customer, respond to a workplace bully, or conduct or receive a performance review, you will experience a conflict in the workplace. In this course, you will learn powerful models, tools, and techniques for approaching difficult conversations with confidence and composure. Navigating these conversations may never be easy, but we can make them more effective.
LinkedIn MVP
October 26
LinkedIn users spend LESS THAN 20 minutes PER MONTH on the site. However, LinkedIn is 277% more effective at generating leads than Facebook and Twitter. That is why it is essential to have a strong LinkedIn profile in order to accurately portray your work and experience to potential clients. Attend this training to walk your LinkedIn Profile through the 10 point checklist to become a LinkedIn MVP!
Building Financial Confidence in Your Business
in-person financial management series starts November 3
This four-week series provides you with in-depth instruction to help you build confidence in your accounting knowledge so you can make clear, data-driven decisions about your business.

  • Week 1: Basics of Financial Management
  • Week 2: Analyzing & Interpreting Financial Statements
  • Week 3: Budgeting & Profit Planning
  • Week 4: Managing Cash Flow
Digital Marketing & Social Media Conference
FOUR presenters! December 8, 2021
In this all-day conference, you will learn how to engage your customers and prospects online through your website and social media and track your activities so that you know what is working and what needs to be adjusted. 

This semester's presenters include:

  • How to Determine Your Social Media Mix – Sarah Best 
  • Tools, Tips & Tactics to Implement Lucrative SEO Key Word Strategies – Candy Phelps 
  • I need a Marketing Professional! – Sarah Hurley 
  • How & Why to Jump to the top of Google with Google Ads –Eagan Heath
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the UW-Madison SBDC office at sbdc@bus.wisc.edu or 608-263-2221 to request accommodations.

The Wisconsin SBDC Network is a proud part of the Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship in the University of Wisconsin System. It is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.