City of Chicago: Free Business Education Workshops.
The City of Chicago, Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, (BACP) offers FREE business workshops every Wednesday and Friday at City Hall
Located at 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 805 unless indicated otherwise. You can register for a workshop by emailing BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or by calling 312.744.2086. ALWAYS call first to confirm. Workshops subject to change and cancellation. I have attended several of these workshops and they are all excellent. I would advise arriving early because the workshops fill up.
2/22 What You Need to Know About Your Business & Taxes 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Topics include: Are you required to file a tax return? Is your worker an independent contractor or an employee? What will the IRS request during an audit? Are you required to make estimated tax payments? What resources does the IRS have for small business owners?
2/27 How to Use Customer Service to Unlock Business Success 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
One element of every successful business is Customer Service. It’s importance should never be underestimated. Nor should it be assumed employees understand it. This presentation by the Better Business Bureau uses the latest research to help businesses understand how customers themselves view customer service, and how a “better business” is defined by customers.
3/1 Ask the Experts: Workshop 1 of BACP’s “Hear Us Roar” Women’s Workshop Series 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. 11th Floor, Room 1103
Join us for an open dialogue with leading women business owners as they share their entrepreneurial journey in BACP’s “Hear Us Roar” Women’s workshop series. We will kick off the series with Stephanie Hart, Owner and CEO of Brown Sugar Bakery, Olga Camargo, Owner and CEO of Antigua Construction and Dorothy Muszynska of DM Marketing Group.
3/6 City Inspections – Ask Questions, Get Answers 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
To operate a successful business in Chicago you need to know what it takes to maintain compliance. Officials from several City departments will provide insight on how to operate safely, stay compliant, help prepare for inspections and highlight the do’s and don’ts of operating a business.
3/8 What Makes Up a Good Website? 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. 11th Floor, Room 1103
Your website visitors should only see the tip of the iceberg of your website. This lecture dives into the 7 unique parts of a website needed to ensure a website can generate leads. We will discuss SEO, Content, Design, Development, QA, Maintenance & performance tools to help you create a compelling website that generates leads.
3/13 Everything You Need To Know About Business Insurance 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
In this session, attendees will learn the coverages needed for their business. We’ll discuss the right questions to ask your insurance professional and how to protect yourself and your business against lawsuits.
3/15 How to Obtain a Sidewalk Café Permit 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.11th Floor, Room 1103
Come learn about the Sidewalk Café Permit Application process by attending this informative workshop. We will explain the application process, inform you of all the requirements, and help you get prepared to submit an application to take advantage of the new year long sidewalk café permit. The entire application process may take up to 30 days and the 2019 Sidewalk Cafés Season begins on March 1st.
3/20 Employee Classification & Compensation Concerns 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Presented by Charles Krugel, a Management Side Labor, Employment and Human Resource Attorney
This workshop will be a discussion of the legal and record keeping issues concerning the independent contractor & employee classifications, as well as hourly vs. salaried compensation & overtime.
3/22 What You Need to Know About Your Business & Taxes 11th Floor, Room 1103
Topics include: Are you required to file a tax return? Is your worker an independent contractor or an employee? What will the IRS request during an audit? Are you required to make estimated tax payments? What resources does the IRS have for small business owners?
3/27 Meaningful Goal Setting – How To Stay Motivated And On Track Through Decision Making 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
When you run your own business it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the work you can do, and the decisions you have to make. Too often as business owners, we either just stop taking action or do too much. Either way, you are left stressed and exhausted. This workshop will discuss a decision making strategy that you can use to stay motivated and efficiently work toward your goals.
3/29 Navigating a Commercial Real Estate Transaction for Business Owners 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. 11th Floor, Room 1103
Are you interested in leasing commercial property for your business? This is a tough real estate market – know how to navigate your way through commercial leases. You’ll gain an abundance of knowledge and practical tips from her as you learn how to locate the ideal property, negotiate the right lease for your business and understand the pitfalls in commercial leases, all while she teaches you how to save money.
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