More than half a million businesses close down each year — and Microsoft Office Live wants to help change this. A free Web seminar series sponsored by Microsoft Office Live helps small businesses discover how they can succeed in a highly competitive marketplace.
The free series gives entrepreneurs access to today’s most dynamic business leaders. During these interactive presentations, speakers will address issues and concerns that small businesses face and provide valuable insight and strategic counsel to help organizations survive and grow. Hosted by Susan Wilson Solovic, CEO and chairman of SBTV.com, the Web-based television network focused on small business, the Web seminars will feature small-business topics ranging from guerrilla marketing to leadership skills and entrepreneurship.
Today’s small business environment is very competitive. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration:
o There are more than 25.8 million small businesses in the United States.
o More than 671,000 new businesses open every year.
o Every year, nearly 544,800 close.
In addition to the interactive live sessions, businesses can access archives from previous Microsoft Office Live webcasts. Past speakers include Stephen R. Covey, best-selling author of “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” and co-founder of FranklinCovey; Jack Canfield, co-founder and creator of the successful “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series; and Marshall Goldsmith, whose book “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There” was a No. 1 business best- seller on Amazon.com.
Microsoft Office Live is a set of Internet-based services and tools tailored to the needs of small businesses. Many small companies put off getting a Web site, thinking that they lack the budget or technical expertise. But with Microsoft Office Live, it’s easy to get a professional Web presence in minutes, along with a domain name and company-branded e-mail accounts – all for free.
Who and When:
March 7 — Dick Stroud, author of “The 50-Plus Market,” reveals the secrets of Web marketing to older customers.
March 14 — Jaynie Smith, author of the top-selling book “Creating Competitive Advantage,” shares how to use competitive advantage to close more sales.
March 21 — Cliff Ennico, attorney, nationally syndicated small-business advice columnist and co-host of the popular PBS television series “Money Hunt,” provides tax tips designed to help online businesses survive tax season.
March 28 — Tom Sant, author of “The Giants of Sales,” explains how small businesses can use sales and marketing to maximize their value.
Spring 2007 — Microsoft Office Live will host additional speakers every month.
Where:
Registration for the free live and on-demand seminars is available at http://www.officeliveseminars.com/.
