Financing Options for Small Business from Northern Initiatives on Vimeo.

There are a variety of options for financing a small business - most are worth pursuing but a few require careful consideration. In this session we explore traditional and alternative financing options and provide guidance to help you fully prepare for a loan request from a lending entity.

View the video which discusses:

* Financing options to be wary of
* Financing options to research and consider
* How to prepare for a loan request
* What Lenders expect from their Borrowers
* Resources available to entrepreneurs

Social Networking to Build Your Business from Northern Initiatives on Vimeo.

Right-click this link and select "Save As" to download the presentation.

Social media sources like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter are fundamentally changing the way businesses and consumers behave, connecting hundreds of millions of people with instant communication. Social media communications can either help or hurt branding, reinforcing the need for consistent and concise messaging across all communications.

View the video which discusses Social Networking topics:

• Introduction to social media channels and why it works
• How to use social media for your business
• Utilize social media to strengthen your brand and reach new markets
• Resources for getting started

Video brought to you through the Wake Up Call Workshop Series, a collaboration between Northern Initiatives and Lake Superior Community Partnership.

For more topics to supercharge your business, click here to view the 2010 Wake Up Call Workshop Series Schedule.

Managing for Productivity ~ Wake Up Call Workshop Series Part IV from Northern Initiatives on Vimeo.

For many of our organizations, our employees are our greatest resource and our greatest expense. In today's competitive environment, managing productivity is essential to business growth and survival. Improving productivity is more than just a matter of working faster - it is about accomplishing better results with limited resources.

View the video to learn techniques and strategies for maximizing the productivity of your workforce.

• Implement a clear strategic direction for your organization.
• Align your organizational strategies and your people.
• Set expectations and goals that drive performance.

Having trouble viewing the video? Click to download the video on Managing for Productivity.

Video brought to you through the Wake Up Call Workshop Series, a collaboration between Northern Initiatives and Lake Superior Community Partnership.

Technology Solutions for Small Business ~ Wake Up Call Workshop Series Part III from Northern Initiatives on Vimeo.

Technology has become an essential support and productivity tool for your business. Software applications are varied and options change rapidly, which can be confusing and may make it difficult to decide on the right solution for you.

View the video to learn how to leverage software applications including:

• Using Microsoft Office Templates to enhance business management
• Evaluating open source and online packages
• Using customer communication and relationship management tools
• Introducing some of the free conference calling options available to you
• Privacy and security concerns

Watch the video to learn about technology options for small business.

Having trouble viewing the video? Click to download the video on Technology Options for Small Business.

Video brought to you through the Wake Up Call Workshop Series, a collaboration between Northern Initiatives and Lake Superior Community Partnership.

Managing to the Bottom Line ~ Wake Up Call Workshop Series Part II from Northern Initiatives on Vimeo.

Know your numbers - it makes all the difference. At no other time in recent history has the need to truly understand the key financial indicators driving your business been more important. A well prepared balance sheet and income statement are the tools to tell the story of your organization's financial health.

• The basics of understanding your financials
  • Income Statement
  • Balance Sheet
  • Ratios
• Using financial information to make effective business decisions

Watch the video to learn how to understand your numbers and learn how to use them to drive efficient and effective business strategies.

Having trouble viewing the video? Click to download the video on Managing to the Bottom Line.

Video brought to you through the Wake Up Call Workshop Series, a collaboration between Northern Initiatives and Lake Superior Community Partnership.