Past Events - 2008 | 2007 | 2006

How to Green Your Small Business

Thursday, September 25, 2008
8:30 am - 10:30 am
SF Chamber Boardroom
235 Montgomery St.,12th Flr.
*registration will begin at 8:15 am

Why is greening your small business important? Join Norcal Waste for this Small Business Program on how to green your small business. Small business owners, managers and other staff can learn the initial simple steps to green their small businesses. Taking the steps to ‘go green’ can help you:

• Save money and resources
• Meet the growing consumer demand for socially and environmentally conscious business
• Be a leader
• Protect the environment
• Help stop global warming

Presented by Norcal Waste, the program will also offer presentations and interaction with the PG&E and the San Francisco Department of the Environment. Among other things, attendees will hear how to

• Start or maximize their recycling and composting programs
• Reduce their business energy and water use
• minimize pollution
• use less-toxic products

In addition to hearing presentations from each of these organizations on what steps businesses can take to go green, attendees will hear from several San Francisco small businesses who have taken proactive steps to green their business, including Mike Zuckerman from Temple Nightclub and Leah Oblinger from Barkley Court Reporters. Whether you’re just starting out or have already put some green practices into place, these presentations will further the green conversation with the small business community!

Presented By:

With presentations by:
    

Registration is $25 for Chamber members, $35 for prospective members before September 23rd; $30 and $40 after. A light breakfast will be provided.

Register Online

You can also register by sending a check to:
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Attn: Ambassador’s Special Presentation
235 Montgomery St., 12th Flr.
San Francisco, CA 94104

For more information, contact Paula Zamudio at 415-352-8818 or pzamudio@sfchamber.com.
*Please note: Cancellations must occur 48 hours in advance to receive a refund or credit.

Advertising 101 for Small
Businesses

Tuesday, July 29, 2008
8:30 am - 11:30 am
SF Chamber Boardroom
235 Montgomery St.,12th Flr.

Join David McGrane, President of Ozone Advertising and an expert group of panelists for this very informative presentation on Advertising 101 for Small Businesses. In this presentation David and a team of experts from Google AdWords, the San Francisco Examiner and Vertical Response will take you through the basics that are so critical to the success of any advertising campaign. This information is all the more important for small businesses whose budgets may be limited, who cannot afford costly mistakes and who need every ad dollar to work extra hard.

:The agenda will include a 40 minute presentation from Ozone Advertising, and 20 minute presentations (approximately) from representatives from: Google AdWords, the San Francisco Examiner and Vertical Response. Each will each provide insightful information for small business owners regarding advertising. Attendees can expect to hear information on the following topics:

• What questions every business should ask before embarking on a campaign
• Steps for executing a successful campaign
• How to get the most ‘bang for your buck’

• Objectives of a marketer and consumer behavior
• Online spending trends
• Using AdWords for search and content
• How to measure success Traditional advertising VS google advertising

• Knowing and understanding one’s core competencies and competitive advantage
• The 3P’s of marketing/advertising
• Advertising in a multi-media world

• How to use traditional advertising to build your list of opt-in members
• How to create email campaigns that support print and online advertising efforts for an integrated approach
• How to generate more traffic to your site or location through targeted communications

Registration is $25 for Chamber members, $35 for prospective members before July 25th; $30 and $40 after. A light breakfast will be provided. For more information, contact Paula Zamudio at 415-352-8818 or pzamudio@sfchamber.

Presented By:

With guests:
    

Register Online

You can also register by sending a check to:
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Attn: Ambassador’s Special Presentation
235 Montgomery St., 12th Flr.
San Francisco, CA 94104

For more information, contact Paula Zamudio at 415-352-8818 or pzamudio@sfchamber.com.
*Please note: Cancellations must occur 48 hours in advance to receive a refund or credit.

Ambassadors Program Presents:
Strategic Networking for Success

Tuesday, June 17, 2008
4:30 – 6:30 pm
SF Chamber Boardroom
235 Montgomery St.,12th Flr.
* Registration will begin at 4:15 pm

Join this powerful special presentation hosted by the Chamber’s Ambassadors Program on Strategic Networking for Success. Learn how to fine-tune your networking skills and strategies for strategically building mutually-beneficial networks that really work - for both you and your connections. Attendees can expect to learn the following in this action- packed presentation:

• Strategies for Building a Mutually Beneficial Network
• Value of Random, Targeted, and Organization-Based Contacts
• First Impressions: The Good, the Bad and the Awful
• The Basics—and the Do’s and the Don’ts
• The Power of the Business or Career Card
• Why Just Showing Up is Not Enough
• How to Maximize Body Language While Networking – Yours and Theirs
• Solving Special Networking Issues

With no contacts but equipped with business cards, a proper handshake and experience in both creating and managing multi-million dollar national businesses in the corporate world, Pat Mayfield has built a successful business as a consultant, trainer, speaker and writer. Since 2000, she has self-published six books and is a contributing author to five books featuring Stephen Covey, Ken Blanchard, Dr. Warren Bennis and others; hosted the radio program Ask Pat; wrote the column, Business Tips and Techniques; and currently writes business articles which draw hundreds of thousands of Internet hits.

The mission of the Ambassadors Club is to effectively promote membership to the Chamber to new and prospective members, while encouraging current members to maximize their membership. Ambassador members are volunteer liaisons between members and the Chamber staff, and will achieve this mission through attending Chamber events, Ambassadors Club meetings, and having awareness about Chamber events and programs to share with other members. Each year, the Ambassadors host a special presentation, in addition to year-round Ambassadors only mixers. To learn more about the Ambassadors program visit www.sfchamber.com/ambassadors_club or contact Paula Zamudio at 415-352-8818.

Registration is $25 for members, $35 for non-members.
For more information, contact Paula Zamudio at 415-352-8818.

Register Online

You can also register by sending a check to:
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Attn: Business Success Series
235 Montgomery St., 12th Flr.
San Francisco, CA 94104

For more information, contact Paula Zamudio at 415-352-8818 or pzamudio@sfchamber.com.
*Please note: Cancellations must occur 48 hours in advance to receive a refund or credit.

Tax Preparation and Planning for Small Businesses

Tuesday, April 1, 2008
8:30 am - 10:30 am
SF Chamber Boardroom  
235 Montgomery St., 12th Flr.

Join Gerry Kelly-Brenner, IRS Senior Stakeholder Liaison Specialist and Andy Rogers, Enrolled Agent, for an insightful seminar on small business tax preparation. While most small business owners are likely hesitant to turn to the IRS for answers to assist them in business, these experts will provide key information and resources for being prepared for tax season year-around. Attendees can expect to have the following questions answered:

• Do you know the importance of recordkeeping?
• Did you know that keeping good records can actually save you money?
• Did you know that some business expenses are ordinary and necessary for some industries, but not for others?
• Do you treat workers as employees or independent contractors? Do you know the consequences for misclassification?
• If you were ever audited, would you know what the auditor was looking for?

Learn the answers to all of these questions and more in this informative presentation on how to best prepare your business for tax season year-around.

Registration is $25 for Chamber members, $35 for prospective members before March 27th; $30 and $40 after. A light breakfast will be provided. For more information, contact Paula Zamudio at 415-352-8818.

Register Online

You can also register by sending a check to:
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Attn: Business Success Series
235 Montgomery St., 12th Flr.
San Francisco, CA 94104

For more information, contact Paula Zamudio at 415-352-8818 or pzamudio@sfchamber.com.
*Please note: Cancellations must occur 48 hours in advance to receive a refund or credit.

The Secret to Marketing - it's not what you think!

Thursday, February 7, 2008
8:30 am - 10:30 am
SF Chamber Boardroom  
235 Montgomery St., 12th Flr.

Have you been looking everywhere for the marketing "silver bullet"? Small business owners, independent professionals, and salespeople will learn practical ideas and proven strategies for making their sales and marketing more effective, less stressful and a lot more fun.

In this 2-hour presentation participants can expect to learn and explore:

• The not-so-hidden secret that will solve 90% of your sales and marketing problems
• How to replace your search for the marketing Holy Grail with a realistic plan
• Building a marketing plan that fits your unique situation and personality
• Taking advantage of simple marketing ideas to produce spectacular results
• What your customers really want from you, and how to convince them you have it
• Transforming your approach to marketing – instead of waging war, market smart
  

Registration is $25 for Chamber members, $35 for prospective members before January 7th; $30 and $40 after. A light breakfast will be provided. For more information, contact Paula Zamudio at 415-352-8818 or pzamudio@sfchamber.com

C.J. Hayden is the author of the international bestseller Get Clients Now! Thousands of entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals have used her simple system to double or triple their income. C.J. has taught marketing for John F. Kennedy University, Mills College, SCORE, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. She writes on marketing for Home Business, RainToday, and About.com. You can find out more about C.J. at www.getclientsnow.com.

You can also register by sending a check to:
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Attn: Business Success Series
235 Montgomery St., 12th Flr.
San Francisco, CA 94104

For more information, contact Paula Zamudio at 415-352-8818 or pzamudio@sfchamber.com.
*Please note: Cancellations must occur 48 hours in advance to receive a refund or credit.

How to Find, Hire and Keep Quality Employees

Wednesday, Janurary 9, 2008
8:30 am - 10:30 am
SF Chamber Boardroom  
235 Montgomery St., 12th Flr.

Join Lion Goodman as he shares more than 30 years of experience as an executive coach and headhunter on the difficult - but crucial - business task of finding, hiring and keeping good employees.

In this 2-hour presentation participants can expect to learn and explore:

• Practical techniques for interviewing candidates so you can go beyond "gut feel."
  
• How to tie compensation to business performance so your employees align with your business goals, and in addition, attracts top talent.
  
• How aligning your business with your own highest values, vision, and purpose creates an environment that attracts the best people.
  
• How working collaboratively creates a culture of growth, engagement, and teamwork.
  

Registration is $25 for Chamber members, $35 for prospective members before January 7th; $30 and $40 after. A light breakfast will be provided. For more information, contact Paula Zamudio at 415-352-8818 or pzamudio@sfchamber.com

Lion has recruited and coached senior executives in entrepreneurial businesses of all sizes for 30 years and has published numerous business articles. He regularly speaks on finding, hiring and retaining quality employees. The Goodman Group subscribes to the ethical standards and guidelines of the National Association of Executive Recruiters and the Association of Executive Search Consultants.

You can also register by sending a check to:
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Attn: Business Success Series
235 Montgomery St., 12th Flr.
San Francisco, CA 94104