TRAINING & EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Business Builder Virtual Training Series & Resource Center

Our Business Builder Virtual Series kicked off in late winter of 2021 and covered topics including financial health, business planning, team building and marketing. This winter (2022) we will be hosting trainings on the first and third Wednesdays through February, March and April. Check out the schedule below. Recordings of the 2021 trainings, including supplemental resources on those topics are also available below.

March 16, 2022 – Local Search Engine Optimization

Is your business found on page one of local searches? 75% of people never visit the second page on a search engine’s results page (SERP), and if you’re not on page one, your business is missing out. In this March 16th Business Builder Training Series: “Local SEO,” a digital marketing expert, Katie Jenkins, will explain how your business can be found on page one. SEO isn’t magic—it’s a science. Katie and her local team of digital marketing experts take a scientific approach to SEO to maximize results by staying on top of Google’s changing algorithms. In this series, she will cover the best practices for Local SEO that can help your business get found in Local Search results. Click the icon to the right to watch the presentation. Click here for a PDF of the presentation, which includes several links to helpful websites to gauge your page’s SEO effectiveness. And please visit JTech at https://jtech.digital for a myriad of other helpful tools. 

March 2, 2022 – Effective Social Media Marketing 

Join us for another dive into effective social media marketing strategies that can help any business. In a world that’s ever changing, it’s useful to know current trends in social media. In this presentation, Erika Malo, Montana State University Extension’s External Relations and Social Media Coordinator, will update us on trends for 2022, as well as teach us how to use multi-layered stories in social media to connect with customers. Learn how to tell your story through the basics of social media and build a plan to engage with existing and new audiences. Click the icon to the right to watch the presentation. Click here for a PDF of the presentation and click here for a transcript of the video.

February 16, 2022 – Financial Health

Jay Rigler, proprietor of Practically Independent, shares the steps required to take absolute control over your business finances. Running a small business is hard enough. But, if you don’t have control over your own cash flow, it is nearly impossible to be successful. This presentation is ideal for anyone in the business world: starting up, at it for years, or just looking for any fresh tips on efficient and effective money management. Click the icon to the right to watch the presentation. Click here for a PDF of the presentation

February 17, 2021 – Financial Health 

Andy Turner, from American Bank, will cover the “must haves” for your financial portfolio, including balance sheets, profit and loss statement, and cash flow projections. Click the icon to watch the presentation. Click here for a PDF of the presentation.

February 24, 2021 – Business Planning

Tom Walker, from On The Rise Consulting, will talk about the importance of a business plan and why it’s a powerful tool no matter where you are in business. Click the icon to watch the presentation. Click here for a PDF of the presentation.

March 3, 2021 – Building Your Team of Professionals 

Cyndy Rigler, from Western Home Mortgage, will talk about the importance of an attorney, accountant, banker, and others experts on your team, why they are invaluable, and how they can save you time and money. Click the icon to watch the presentation. Click here for a PDF of the presentation.

March 10, 2021 – Strategic Marketing

Kris King, from Buzz Media, will cover key components of a successful marketing strategy, including your web presence, social media, and some simple tactics to raise your visibility and following to turn more profit. Click the icon to watch the presentation. Click here for a PDF of the presentation.

March 17, 2021 – Business Planning in Action

Julie Jaksha, Headwaters RC&D, will engage participants in a workshop that covers specific components a business plan. If you don’t have a business plan, this is a good opportunity to get started. If you already have a plan, this is your chance to test out pieces of it and modify as you see fit. Click the icon to watch the presentation. Click here for a PDF of the presentation.

March 24, 2021 – Applying Financial Tools

Rosie Barndt, Rosie Barndt CPA, will dive into the nuts and bolts of specific pieces of your financial portfolio including balance sheets and profit and loss statements. This is your opportunity to work through these essential tools as related to your own business, ask specific questions, and receive feedback. Click the icon to watch the presentation. Click here for a PDF of the presentation.

March 31, 2021 – Leadership and Team Development

Katie Weaver, MSU Park County Extension, will cover why strategic investment in professional development and leadership for your employees and team is a smart investment. We will share some easy-to-use tools and strategies that you can start implementing immediately. Click the icon to watch the presentation. Click here for a PDF of the presentation.

April 7 & 8, 2021 – QuickBooks Desktop Workshop Series

These sessions will be led by Wendy Weissman, QuickBooks® ProAdvisor and Shannon Hahn, Small Business Supportive Services Specialist with Montana Department of Transportation DBE Program. This workshop series will be held in person at the MSU Park County Extension office in Livingston. Day 1 is geared towards beginners and will focus on the basics of QB. Day 2 will dive into more intermediate level tasks like running reports. Half hour appointments are available during the afternoon of each day for anyone interested in a one-on-one with Wendy. Space is limited so please RSVP today at park@montana.edu. Click on our event flyer for more information.

April 14, 2021 – Branding Your Business

Megan Eubank, Eubank Creative, will share examples of successful business brands and logos, discuss the importance of establishing an integrated brand for your business, and what you should keep in mind when developing and marketing your business’s brand. Click the icon to watch the presentation.  Click here for a PDF of the presentation.

April 21, 2021 – Making the Most of Social Media

Kascie Herron, PLDC, will share some tricks of the trade and helpful hacks to make social media work for you no matter how much time or energy you have to give to your social marketing strategy. Click the icon to watch the presentation. Click here for a PDF of the presentation. 

May 19, 2021 – Creative Community Marketing

Join us for a special panel discussion on creative and innovative marketing techniques in preparation and inspiration for a busy summer season. Terese Petcoff, Executive Director for the Gardiner Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Information Center, will facilitate the discussion. Click the icon to watch the panel discussion. 

Panelists include:
Kelly Burns – Recruitment Marketing Specialist – Yellowstone National Park Lodges
Sarah Ondrus – Owner & Operator – Paradise Adventure Company, Yellowstone Raft Company, and Yellowstone Tipis
Kitty Rubicam – Gil’s Goods, Livingston, MT

Want to learn about another topic?

Complete our short survey and let us know what other training topics you’d like to see that aren’t covered here.