Small Business Development Center plans series of computer training courses

BEMIDJI, Minn. (July 24, 2009) — The Minnesota Small Business Development Center, housed in the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation, is planning a series of computer software training courses throughout northern Minnesota in August and September.

Microsoft Excel I
Hands-on instruction on the basics of Microsoft Excel 2007. Participants will create spreadsheets, embed charts and create formulas, and will also learn about Excel’s financial functions such as averages and payment schedules. The course will assume only basic computer knowledge.
Location: Roseau, Minn. (Roseau Courthouse); Thursday, Aug. 6. Two sessions: 9 a.m. – noon, 1-4 p.m.
Location: Thief River Falls, Minn. (Northland Community and Technical College); Monday, Aug. 10. 9 a.m. – noon.
Location: Crookston, Minn. (University of Minnesota, Crookston); Monday, Aug. 10. 2-5 p.m.
Cost: $35. Laptop computers provided for all participants.

Microsoft Excel II: Excel for Business
Advanced techniques and strategies for using Microsoft Excel 2007 to manage finances for a business. Participants will create templates to be used for budgets, performance tracking and result analysis, and special emphasis will be placed on Excel’s abilities to manage customer lists and track expenses. Participants will also create charts and learn to build pivot tables. The course will assume a basic knowledge of Excel.
Location: Roseau, Minn. (Roseau Courthouse); Thursday, Aug. 13. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Crookston, Minn. (University of Minnesota, Crookston); Friday, Aug. 14. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Thief River Falls, Minn. (Northland Community and Technical College); Monday, Sept. 14. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Cost: $75, includes lunch. Laptop computers provided for all participants.

Quickbooks Pro 2009
Hands-on instruction for QuickBooks Pro 2009 users of all experience levels. Topics will include opening and manipulating a company file in QuickBooks, creating and managing the chart of accounts and lists, entering and paying bills, setting up vendors, writing checks, invoicing, reconciling accounts and managing year-end procedures, amongst a variety of other topics.
Location: Bemidji, Minn. (Center for Research and Innovation); Monday, Aug. 17. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Cost: $105, includes lunch. Laptop computers provided for all participants. Space limited; early registration highly recommended.

The courses are sponsored by the Minnesota Small Business Development Center and the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Association, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and regional support partners.

For more information on the courses or to pre-register, please contact Lauralee Tupa, Small Business Development Center program coordinator, at (218) 755-4255.

ON THE WEB
• Course registration: http://mnsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceList.asp

About the Small Business Development Center
The Minnesota Small Business Development Centers (MnSBDC) provide no-cost, professional business consulting to small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs on a variety of business topics. Consulting services are customized to each client’s needs and are delivered in a confidential one-on-one environment.

The Northwest Regional SBDC in Bemidji supports Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Red Lake and Roseau counties and also has locations in Park Rapids, Thief River Falls and Crookston.