Support Staff Track Details

Constant Contact

Erik Bunaes

Blue Mountain

Monday, 9:00-10:15

Program Description: The Power of the Inbox: Tips and Tricks for Successful Email Marketing

What is the first impression you give when they see you in their email inbox?

And when they see you there, what do they do?

We will go through the keys to effective email marketing:

From revealing why regular email doesn't work, to insider tips and techniques like automated list building tools and the design elements that work, this seminar will give you the keys to effective email and digital marketing.

Presenter Information:Erik Bunaes is a Constant Contact Authorized Local Expert and President of Endorphin Advisors LLC.

Erik is a corporate-trained business consultant and recognized expert in Internet marketing and business development strategy. With more than two and a half decades of experience in financial services, management consulting and entrepreneurial ventures, he provides business development, strategic marketing and online marketing services to a variety of clients.

He graduated from St. Lawrence University, earned his M.B.A. from the University of Colorado and spent 15 years working in Silicon Valley before relocating back to New York State. See more at www.endorphinadvisors.com.

Preparing for the Next Accreditation

Mary Hoffman, Associate Director, SBDC Central

Blue Mountain

Monday, 10:30-11:45

Program Description: Every five years, every SBDC state and regional program has to write a self-assessment document and entertain a visit from a review team sent by the America’s SBDC Accreditation Committee. The accreditation program is important to the SBDC program in that it sets the SBDCs apart from other entrepreneurial assistance providers by holding its members to high performance standards. The NY SBDC program has performed well in its service to entrepreneurs and small business owners, and has received consistently high marks from accreditation review teams since its inception in 1984. In this session, participants will learn how to prepare for and what to expect from the site review team.

Presenter Information: Mary Hoffman, Associate State Director of the NY SBDC, joined the program in 1998 as the Research Network Director after 20 years working as a librarian in hospitals, corporate, and environmental libraries. While working at the US Environmental Protection Agency, she developed experience working with network staff at remote locations. In 2002, Mary was promoted to her current position and began working with SBDC’s statewide committees, writing technical narratives for grant proposals and reports, and participating in strategic planning and staff development. She has developed the self-study guide for the NY SBDC Accreditation review and helped prepare the network for four cycles of America’s SBDC accreditation site visits. Mary has a BA in History from LeMoyne College and an MLS from Syracuse University.

Time Management

Myriam Bouchard

Long Lake

Monday, 2:00-3:15

Program Description: During this brainstorming participatory session, we will explore how to make the best use of your time while remaining efficient (doing things fast) and effective (doing things right) and we’ll debunk the myth of multi-tasking.

Presenter Information: Myriam Bouchard is a former Mid-Hudson SBDC award-winning certified business advisor. She has over 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur. She earned her MBA at Syracuse University and is currently the Treasurer of Re>Think Local, an organization dedicated to helping foster healthy local economies. Myriam owns her own consulting business and designs websites.

Strategic Plan

Mary Hoffman, Associate Director, SDBC Central

Lake George South

Monday, 3:30-4:45

Program Description: The NY SBDC Strategic Plan is a dynamic document that comprises vision and mission statements, and six core priorities. Every one of us is engaged in activities daily that advance the mission and achieve the vision. The presenter will discuss the components of the plan and how they align with our day to day work. She also will discuss how the programs goals, objectives and the plan itself are adjusted as program priorities and stakeholder priorities evolve.

Presenter Information: Mary Hoffman, Associate State Director of the NY SBDC, joined the program in 1998 as the Research Network Director after 20 years working as a librarian in hospitals, corporate, and environmental libraries. While working at the US Environmental Protection Agency, she developed experience working with network staff at remote locations. In 2002, Mary was promoted to her current position and began working with SBDC’s statewide committees, writing technical narratives for grant proposals and reports, and participating in strategic planning and staff development. She has developed the self-study guide for the NY SBDC Accreditation review and helped prepare the network for four cycles of America’s SBDC accreditation site visits. Mary has a BA in History from LeMoyne College and an MLS from Syracuse University.

Social Media Basics

Amelia Birdsall, Web Content Manager, SBDC Central
Curt Anderson, Business Advisor, SBDC Jamestown
Maureen Henderson, Assistant Director, SBDC Niagara

Lake George South

Tuesday, 9:00-10:15

Program Description: This is a primer on social media for those less comfortable with the tools. We will cover the basics of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, and examine how to get set up, adjust privacy and security settings and make best use of these platforms. We’ll also explore some basic tools you can use to assist your clients in their social media marketing efforts.

Presenter Information: Curt is a business advisor with the SBDC at Jamestown Communtiy College. He primarily works with clients (digital immigrants) on executing social media strategies including facilitating a social media intern program. One of the Research Network librarians, Amelia manages NY SBDC web content and social media marketing out of the Central Office. Maureen has been assistant director at the Niagara SBDC for over 8 years. She has helped to create and maintain their social media presence and has taught numerous workshops on this topic.

Wix

Adam Wozney, Community Manager, Wix

Lake George North

Tuesday, 10:30-11:45

Program Description: A representative from Wix will walk you through how small businesses can create a beautiful, professional web presence at no cost. This presentation is designed to show SBDC representatives how easy it is to build websites and teach others how to build them as well. Also discussed with be WixEd, a free on-line educational platform and the Wix Lounge.

Presenter Information: Adam Wozney manages small business partnerships, community events and social media for wix.com. Adam specializes in strategic partnerships, experiential marketing, and communications. He is also a freelance digital marketing expert with a passion for civic engagement. Previous to working at Wix, Adam worked for Google, Zooppa and other technology startups.

Staff Forum

Frances Villavicencio, Office Clerk, SBDC Central
Patricia Demarco, Secretary, SBDC Rockland

Long Lake

Part 1: Wednesday, 9:00-10:15
Part 2: Wednesday, 10:30-11:45

Program Description: The two Staff Forum sessions will contain a presentation, team building exercise and discussion of best practices. The presentation will cover the following:

Administrative support staff will be encouraged to propose topics for the best practices discussion.

Presenter Information: Frances Villavicencio, who joined the NY SBDC team at the beginning of last year, is currently the office clerk at the Central Office, and is working towards becoming the office manager. She is responsible for managing everyday office clerk duties as well as assisting State Director, James King, and Associate State Director, Mary Hoffman with a variety of projects from creating the MWBE Contractor Bond Readiness Reports spreadsheet to planning events such as Staff Training. She is also responsible for maintaining the main files at the Central Office, which includes COI, evaluations, center’s media attention, publications and guides. She has over 10 years of customer service experience and training, along with 8 years’ experience working as a manager/supervisor.

Pat Demarco, the secretary at the Rockland SBDC, worked for more than 20 years in Direct Marketing at an Account Executive before joining the SBDC in 2008. She has worked with the Administrative Support Staff Committee for several years.