TAXES

The end of 2010 is upon us and there have been lots of tax changes. Here are some of the latest:

IRS Helps Small Employers Claim New Health Care Tax Credit; Forms and Additional Guidance Now Available on Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

Payroll Tax Cut to Boost Take-Home Pay for Most Workers; New Withholding Details now available on IRS.gov

To stay up-to-date on the latest changes, the IRS Newsroom is a great resource.

Business Development

'tis the season for training!

There are a lot of opportunities for developing your business in the coming weeks. Clark College has also released its Fall schedule.

JULY

July 29; Longview
How to Start a Business, SBDC

AUGUST

August 11-12; Seattle
Automated Export System Compliance Seminar and AESPcLink Training, US Census Bureau and Association of Small Business Development Centers

August 10; Spokane
August 12; Seattle
Marketing in the Real World of Small Business, Washington SBDC

August 12; Longview
Get HUBZone Certified; SBA, SBDC, hosted by Lower Columbia College Business and Industry Center

August 12; Vancouver
Building and Updating a Business Plan; SCORE

August 16 and August 19; Longview
Internet Marketing for Small Business, Lower Columbia College

August 21; Seattle
Franchise Opportunities Seminar for Veterans, Minorities, and Women; Washington SBDC and other partners, hosted by International Franchise Association and sponsored by Coca Cola and ExxonMobil

August 26; Longview
How to Start a Business, SBDC

SEPTEMBER

September 7; Longview
NxLevel Entrepreneur Certification (approved for SEAP); SBDC

September TBD; Vancouver
International Exporting 101, CREDC and Impact Washington

September 30; Longview
How to Start a Business, SBDC

OCTOBER

October TBD; Vancouver
Succession Planning 101, CREDC and Impact Washington

Management

Building a business plan

Don't miss the SCORE workshop on July 15 on "Building and Updating a Business Plan." The program is being offered at the Camas Library and is sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Call 360-834-4692 to register.

Another opportunity for building a business plan is being offered by Washington State University instructor, Cal Meek. Mr. Meek teaches MgmtOps 492, a Business Policy class that affords students an opportunity put their business knowledge to practical use and help a local business person create a business plan. The class will be in session from August to December 2010. Contact Cal Meek at calmeek@wsu.edu for details.

Marketing

Government Contracting 101 Seminar

If you want to increase sales by selling to the government, there is a seminar next week to help you gain tools and an understanding of that market segment. (Keep in mind the city, county, state, and federal governments buy LOTS of goods and services!)

The seminar is called "Government Contracting 101, the basics of selling to the state and federal government." It is sponsored by the Columbia River Economic Development Council and presented by the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).

Seminar location is at the CREDC, 805 Broadway, Ste. 412, Vancouver and will be held Thursday, June 10, 2010 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The seminar is FREE but there is only room for 20 people. Register soon! Call Tiffany Scroggs at 360-754-6320 in Olympia or email tscroggs@thurstonedc.com.

Human Resources

From the Washington Department of Labor and Industries

Learn workers’ comp and more at L&I employers’ workshop

Business owners! Learn to navigate workers’ compensation, contractor registration, wage & hour rules and more at a free Department of Labor and Industries workshop in Vancouver. This free workshop will be held from 9 a.m. – Noon, Wednesday, June 9 at the L&I Vancouver office, 312 SE Stonemill Dr., Suite 120.

The new “Employer’s Introduction to L&I” is geared both for new businesses and those hiring for the first time.

The workshop covers an employer’s rights and responsibilities and gives an overview of the free business services L&I provides. Employers who attend will also learn about workplace safety and health requirements, claims management strategies, risk management, and workers’ comp quarterly reporting requirements.

To register, please visit www.Workshops.Lni.wa.gov . For more information, contact Ron Langley, L&I Small Business Liaison, 1-800-987-0145.

Technology

How to Commercialize Technology

On June 14th in Seattle and June 15th in Spokane, WSU Small Business Development Center, Washington Technology Center and SIRTI are offering "How Small Businesses Can Successfully Commercialize Technology" seminars based on Foresight Science & Technology's instruction to SBIR awardees.

This will be an overview of the process of commercialization including how to: Determine entry markets; Find customers; Develop a commercialization strategy; Find commercialization partners and funding; Value your technology; Determine royalty rates; Develop a term sheet and Conduct negotiations. The presentation includes many real-world examples and attendees are encouraged to ask questions.

Cost is $25 per session. Two different sessions per day will be offered. Register online for one or both:
REGISTRATION WEBSITE: wsbdc.org/training-calendar – Please register by June 9th

International Trade

Export Training

Business owners, managers and employees, and career professionals can learn about the export process and how to overcome common mistakes made by exporters at two international trade seminars in May in Spokane.

The “Washington State Export Certification Course,” certified by the Washington State Department of Commerce, will take place May 10-11. “Exporting Under NAFTA” will take place May 12. Both courses will be at Washington State University Riverpoint Campus in Spokane, WA. Go to www.wsbdc.org to register.