Seminar offers tips to business owners
Operating one’s own business can be a rewarding experience, but the stress of increasing profitability in a declining market can be frightening for the small business owner. And unlike the larger businesses that often have significant corporate support, small business owners often feel they have nowhere to turn.
“Isolation and loneliness for business owners could be just as deadly as weak sales,” said Bill Jhung, the regional director of the Idaho Small Business Development Center.
That is why Jhung, who has a master’s degree in business administration with a focus in finance and entrepreneurial management, is offering his support to business owners in both Bonner and Boundary Counties. On Feb. 25, Jhung, along with several ISBDC business coaches, will present a seminar, “5 Steps to Improve Your Business Profit.”
Free of charge, the class will focus on giving business owners the knowledge they need to not only survive, but to thrive during the current economic downturn. In his presentation, Jhung will focus on the importance of being proactive when it comes to improving one’s business and will present five steps aimed at increasing a business’ profit.
“Businesses will spend hundreds, thousands, or even millions of dollars for conferences and training and can overlook the free and low cost resources in their own backyard,” said Amy Little, executive director of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. “Bill Jhung has a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to share with business leaders, and we are so grateful to him and his staff’s willingness to share their expertise with our business communities.”
The Idaho Small Business Development Center is associated with North Idaho College and its function is to assist small business owners with training and provide them with resources that will ultimately result in an increase in productivity, obtain greater access to profitable markets and maximize growth.
The seminar will be Feb. 25 in Panhandle State Bank’s Community Room in Sandpoint. Attendees are welcome to arrive at 7:30 a.m. and enjoy a no-host breakfast at the Tango Cafe. People can pre-register online at www.sandpointchamber.org; however all are welcome to attend whether or not they pre-register. Little encourages attendees to arrive prior to 8 a.m. to take advantage of a great opportunity to meet with the ISBDC coaches.
The seminar is sponsored by the Bonner Business Center, Bonner County Economic Development Corporation, Downtown Sandpoint Business Association, Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, ISBDC, and Ponderay Community Development Corporation.
According to Little, this workshop is the first in a series planned by the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, and is a much needed service to the business community. She adds that it is the responsibility of the Chamber and these other organizations to do what they can to help keep the small businesses open.
“Small businesses are a huge part of our chamber membership,” said Little. “Two thirds of our members have seven or fewer employees. Now more than ever, we need to find ways to help our small businesses succeed.”