Business Basics

UCEDC's training staff offers a variety of free business/financial literacy programs in Union and throughout New Jersey in partnership with other agencies and organizations that share our commitment to small business growth.

Look for the following programs and other UCEDC business basics workshops near you. See all of our current training events.

Your Credit & You

Content: Personal credit plays an important role in your business. Learn more about establishing and maintaining your credit as you get your business up and running.

• What are credit scores?
• How to monitor your credit
• Understanding your credit report—what it says about you
• Improving your credit

Social Networking 101

Content: Having a website is no longer enough. Everyday thousands of your customers are participating in these networks. Learn how to reach them and expand your market.

• What is social networking?
• How can it work for my business?
• Where (and how!) can I start?
• How can I manage it?

Marketing Made Real:  the Essential Steps for Small Business Success

Content: Learn the key strategies to maximize your marketing efforts.

• Identify your target customers and what drives them to buy
• Understand your competition
• Create your marketing message
• Choose the best vehicles to reach your customers

Quickbooks 101

Content: No matter the size of your operation, you need business accounting software like Quickbooks to keep you on track for small business success. It’s easy to use and will open a new world of timely and accurate information about your business.

• Get organized and save time
• Easily track your sales & expenses
• Be prepared for tax time with the click of a mouse

Understanding your Financial Statements

Content: Learn to interpret the results of your business and the financial factors that drive it. Make more informed decisions that can provide you with the financial results you seek.

• Identify the basic financial statements and how your results are recorded
• Learn where your breakeven sales point is
• Determine the future factors that can affect your finances
• Make strategic decisions that are in line with your predicted revenue and cash flow

The Price is Right:  the How-to's of Pricing your Products and Services for Marketing Success

Content: Learn how to competitively price your product or service for the market you're trying to reach. Determine the factors that go into pricing decisions.

• Understand how your cost structure affects the price of your product or service
• Link marketing efforts to your price point
• Identify when to use price incentives and loss leaders with your customers
• Learn how to use your pricing model as a tool for growth

Basics of Financing Your Business

Content: An introduction to the basics of writing a business plan and finding the correct type of lending resources.

• Learn what financing options are available
• Find the financing option that is right for you
• Learn what to take with you to the lender
• Understand what lenders look for