Cybersecurity Awareness Month: How to Get your Business Involved

Virtual

Since, 2004, Cybersecurity Awareness Month has been a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure that businesses have the resources they need to protect their critical information. Over 3000, companies, schools’ governments and non-profits joined the 2020 campaign as Champions. Join us to learn how you can be part of the 2021 campaign and receive free resources to help educate your employees, customers, clients, vendors and partners about cybersecurity awareness.

Proposal Writing Tips & Tricks

Virtual – Zoom

This session will present some common sense tips on how to write an effective state or federal contract proposal.

Coffee with CIT GAP Funds

Virtual – Zoom

Join CIT GAP Funds and fellow entrepreneurs on Friday at 9AM for virtual coffee via Zoom to discuss growing your company and funding opportunities. We'll follow the panel discussion with optional small group breakout sessions. Please let us know if you'll be participating in a breakout session below. Registration required. After completion of registration, you will receive a Zoom link via email the day before the event, as well as in a day-of reminder.

DOD SBIR/STTR Proposal Planning & Prep WEBINAR

Virtual

The Department of Defense and its participating components award over $1.7B annually in SBIR/STTR funding. This three-hour webinar recording presents proposal preparation tips for those targeting a DOD SBIR/STTR submission. Topics covered include: Proposal Basics -- What is a proposal, how proposals are scored (not read), and how to write to the DOD SBIR/STTR evaluator; How to Make a Bid/No Bid Decision -- evaluating the DOD topic requirements, determining if a topic “wired”, understanding potential competition, resources needed to submit; Pre-Solicitation ideas for “next time” -- tips on getting a topic idea inserted into future opportunities; Passed the ROI test and ready to bid -- The true cost of bidding, bid prep tips, developing an elevator pitch, project plans, and commercialization strategy; Preparing the Proposal -- Following directions, understanding the topic description, understanding the agencies objectives, what goes into the proposal (from outline to specific content). This event is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Presented by Randy Simpson, TechOpp Consulting Cost: Virginia based companies & Virginia University: $25 All Others: $75 per person Duration: 3 hours

VetBizLadyStart Program

Virtual

Penetrating the government contracting industry can be a challenge, but women veterans have the experience and leadership it takes—they just need a place to start. To help women who are transitioning out of military service into business ownership, several regional partners have collaborated to create a free, 14-week training program. This program will provide the information, tools and connections needed to start a small business and position it for success with federal contracting opportunities. Successful women contractors will serve as training experts, teaching participants about a variety of business topics, such as products and services, pricing, processes, funding and marketing. Classes begin on September 20 and meet weekly for virtual instruction plus additional networking and mentoring opportunities. Hurry! Class size is limited and participants must register by September 13. 

Setting up Backups Workshop – Protect Your Critical Information Series

Virtual

Do you regularly backup your data? If you answered NO or if you are unsure then your business is vulnerable to cyber attacks. Virginia SBDC Cybersecurity advisor, Tom Stamulis, will show you how to implement the processes and techniques in a how-to workshop to help protect your critical information. This workshop will cover: Backup solutions for both Mac and PC Using external and cloud solutions Backing up Office 365 How to automate your backups Each 45-minute workshop is limited to 15 people. This workshop is set up for small group interaction and discussion. To protect the sensitivity of the information shared, these sessions will not be recorded.

How to Generate Leads Using Digital Marketing Tools

Virtual – Zoom

Turning online activity into sales can boost your revenue and profits. In this roundtable event you will hear from other local business owners about how they use digital media to grow their business. They'll share what tools and process helped them increase the number of prospects in their sales funnel. This live session will cover: What B2B techniques work to attract large enterprise buyers How B2C, social selling and influencers can increase retail sales How to use a customer relationship management system and curated content to merge lead generation and in person prospecting How to use paid social media for special event marketing. Join our panel of SBDC advisors and clients to learn how you can leverage these same tools to drive growth and profitability in your own business.

Encryption Workshop – Protect Your Critical Information Series

Virtual

Do you encrypt your data? If you answered NO or if you are unsure then your business is vulnerable to cyber attacks. Virginia SBDC Cybersecurity advisor, Tom Stamulis, will show you how to implement the processes and techniques in a how-to workshop to help protect your critical information. This workshop will cover: * Encryption solutions for both Mac and PC * Benefits of encrypting critical information Each 45-minute workshop is limited to 15 people. This workshop is set up for small group interaction and discussion. To protect the sensitivity of the information shared, these sessions will not be recorded.

Attracting, Retaining and Reskilling Talent

Virtual

FINDING AND KEEPING THE TALENT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED ‘Attract, Develop, and Retain Quality Employees’ is the mantra of successful CEOs and HR people across the US. Small business often has difficulty in each step of this process. This webinar will help you design an effective hiring process that is easy to use and results in better applicants and smarter selection tactics. Whether your area is dealing with low unemployment or you have not been able to find the right skills, it offers tips and tactics to succeed. We will cover ways to enhance your current employees’ knowledge and skills as well as to offer re-skilling to address new needs. Retention is a product of hiring the right people up front, then providing them with the coaching and development to succeed and grow. We will cover all of this plus some basic information for those considering allowing remote or hybrid work options. Along with other resources, a link to free “The Small Employers Guide to Effective Hiring” will be included.

Dept. of Defense SBIR/STTR “Tips Before you Submit” WEBINAR

Virtual

This special 1.5 hour webinar is designed to help those who are planning a submission an upcoming Dept. of Defense SBIR/STTR deadline. The next DOD SBIR & STTR BAA's open on Aug. 25, will begin accepting proposals on Sept. 21, and closes Oct. 21. This session will briefly cover the key elements of a DOD SBIR/STTR that make the proposal most competitive, followed by plenty of time for Q&A with the instructor! This session is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Instructors: TechOpp Consulting COST: Free for Virginia based small tech firms $35 for all others

Use YouTube to Grow Your Business

Virtual – Zoom

Let's talk about YouTube! Are you thinking of creating a YouTube Channel? Are you currently using YouTube for your business? Not sure how to get started or how to build your channel? This is the webinar for you. Get best practices for creating a YouTube Channel and compelling video content that promotes your products and services and drives engagement with your brand. In this workshop we’ll discuss best practices for: Why you should have a YouTube channel How to set up a YouTube channel What's important to fill out when uploading a video Making good creative, and how to target and measure the results

Virginia SBDC: VPN Setup

Virtual – Zoom

Do you use VPN for remote workers? If you answered NO or if you are unsure then your business is vulnerable to cyber attacks. Virginia SBDC Cybersecurity advisor, Tom Stamulis, will show you how to implement the processes and techniques in a how-to workshop to help protect your critical information. This workshop will cover: Dangers of Open Wifi How a VPN works How to set up a VPN Commercial VPN options Each 45-minute workshop is limited to 15 people. This workshop is set up for small group interaction and discussion. To protect the sensitivity of the information shared, these sessions will not be recorded. Registration: Tuesday, October 5 at 4pm https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=900410068 Wednesday, October 6 at 12pm, https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=900410067

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