At this free daylong conference you will choose from 38 workshops and seminars designed specifically for small business owners. Topics include finance, green business, marketing, technology, social media, manufacturing, procurement and more!  This year we’ll be hosting all of these sessions at San Francisco State University’s Downtown Campus in Westfield Center.

Please note that many of this years sessions have filled up and we are unable to make room for any additional attendees. We will be checking registrations at the door for all workshops that are sold out. If you are interested in other workshops please contact the local Small Business Administration office,  San Francisco Chamber of Commerce or one of the many these great small business resources!

The City and County of San Francisco’s Department of the Environment’s Energy Watch Program and Commuter Benefits Program offer employers cost saving strategies to save money and improve our environment. This workshop will provide tools and resources on how your small business can easily adopt and implement strategies at a very low cost or not cost. Learn simple ways in which you and your employees can help make San Francisco a better place to work and live.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 4, 3:20-5:00pm

Gabi Canez, Energy Efficiency Associate, San Francisco Department of the Environment
415- 355-3784, gabriella.canez@sfgov.org

Krute Singa, Transportation Demand Manager, San Francisco Department of the Environment
415-355-3734, krute.singa@sfgov.org

Biographies: Gabi Canez coordinates the energy efficiency marketing and outreach for the SF Energy Watch program at SF Department of the Environment. Through green-social marketing techniques and grassroots efforts, Gabi helps businesses in San Francisco become energy efficient. Prior to this position, Gabi helped implement a compost program at an elementary school, developed enterprise sustainability assessments, and taught environmental studies in Burkina Faso.  Gabi holds an MBA in Sustainable Enterprise from Dominican University, a B.A. in International Relations from San Francisco State University and is currently completing the Sustainability and Energy Professional Program at UC Berkeley Extension.

Krute Singa recently joined the San Francisco Department of the Environment as the manager of the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) team. The TDM team provides employers with resources and assistance in promoting alternative transportion to employees. Krute’s experience and education is in transportation and urban planning and has held a variety of positions in the public and private sectors, including WMATA in Washington D.C., Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates and most recently at California PATH (Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology) at UC Berkeley. Krute earned her Masters Master of City Planning in City and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkley.

Sponsored by:  Pacific Gas and Electric

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Recology Sunset Scavenger and Recology Golden Gate, in partnership with the San Francisco Department of the Environment, invite you to attend a lively discussion centered around reducing waste at your business. By maximizing recycling, composting, and reuse options, you can help reduce your impact on climate change, save natural resources, and improve your company’s bottom line. This interactive panel discussion will focus on the meaning of zero waste, how to take effective steps to reduce waste at your business, and will also provide you with information about the many free resources available help your business go green.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 4, 3:20-5:00pm

Bob Besso, Recology
John Hanscom, LEED AP, ESA, Renewable Resources Group
Alex Dmitriew, San Francisco Department of the Environment
Chris Levaggi, Recology

Biographies:  Bob Besso has been the Recycling Program and Waste reduction Manager for Recology’s San Francisco collection companies, Golden Gate Disposal and Sunset Scavenger, for 25 years and has been in the waste industry for more than 35 years. Bob designed, tested, implemented, and managed San Francisco’s “Fantastic 3”, the three color cart based collection program, which was the first collection program in the country to bring a comprehensive residential and commercial Food Waste Collection to a major city. He developed and managed Recology’s Waste Reduction Program, which focuses on certification and compliance of recycling and composting commodities at customer locations and Recology facilities. Bob is currently working with the Recology Zero Waste Team, which is investigating opportunities to capture more materials and energy from the garbage.

John Hanscom is an environmental planner with 16 years of experience in planning and program management, feasibility studies and community outreach. His experience as a consultant and as a public sector recycling staff person includes feasibility assessments of commercial, multi-family, organics and C&D recycling programs, writing, implementing and determining compliance with C&D debris ordinances and conducting waste characterizations and audits. Mr. Hanscom has provided recycling technical assistance in twenty-five Bay Area cities and throughout Southern California and Mexico. He is bilingual in English and Spanish, and skilled in working with diverse communities.

Alex Dmitriew is the Commercial Zero Waste Assistant Coordinator for the City and County of San Francisco’s Department of the Environment. He has been with the City since 2004 and is tasked with helping the City’s businesses achieve Zero Waste. He is also responsible for implementing and enforcing a number of ordinances regulating construction and demolition debris, Styrofoam, plastic bags and mandatory composting and recycling. Prior to working with SF Environment, Alex held a number of management positions in a privately held Southern California waste management and recycling company.

Sponsored by: Recology

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This workshop will provide information on how to become certified for the U. S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program, the Historically Underutilized Business Zones or HUBZone Program and the Woman-Owned Small Business Program (WOSB) for Federal Government contracts.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 1, 9:00-10:30am

Brenda J. Gambardella, Assistant District Director for 8(a) Business Development
U.S. Small Business Administration, San Francisco District Office
455 Market Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA  94105
http://www.sba.gov

Biography:  Brenda J. Gambardella is currently the Assistant District Director for the 8(a) Business Development Program in the San Francisco District Office of the Small Business Administration.

The 8(a) Business Development Program is named for that section of the Small Business Act created to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the American economy and access the federal procurement market.

Brenda’s federal service started more than 25 years ago in the Federal Government contracting arena with the Environmental Protection Agency. She has held various positions in Federal Government contracting including technician, contract specialist, instructor, procurement and business analyst, team leader and supervisor.  Before coming to the U.S. Small Business Administration, she was a contract specialist/instructor with the U.S. General Services Administration in Washington, DC.

Brenda graduated from George Mason University, Fairfax, VA in l977 with a B.S. in Education.

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The basics of the import-export business, including locating overseas suppliers, marketing to customers abroad and the processes used in importing and exporting.  Includes an overview of financing international transactions and using the services of forwarders and customs house brokers.  The discussion will also include a list of valuable references for follow up purposes.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 1, 9:00-10:30am

Hank Weiner, Counselor, Eastbay Score
www.eastbayscore.org, 510-273-6611

Biography:  Hank Weiner has over 35 years of experience in international trade.  He has lived in Guam, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines and has worked in virtually every market in Asia as well as Germany, England and Denmark.  He left his position as Vice President, Asia for one of America’s largest international trading companies to form a joint venture company in Taiwan representing manufacturers in that market as well as nearby countries.  His experience includes developing and executing marketing plans for both consumer and industrial products, establishing joint venture companies and locating sources of supply for American importers.

In addition to his work experience, he has served as President of both the American Chamber of Commerce and The American Club in Taiwan and as a director of the American Chamber in the Philippines.  He has also testified before the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress on trade related matters.

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PR Specialist David Perry, owner of David Perry & Associates, a full service strategic communications, marketing, public and media relations firm based in San Francisco, and Ken Stram, founder of 2Bridge Communications, a consulting firm that helps small and growing businesses reach the next level through brand positioning, public relations, business development, and marketing services, will lead a lively discussion geared toward helping you build a Marketing and PR strategy for your business.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 1, 9:00-10:30am

David Perry, owner of David Perry & Associates
Ken Stram, founder of 2Bridge Communications

Sponsored by:  Wells Fargo

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This workshop provides you with basic requirements and steps to help your business get started by contracting with the local San Francisco government.  Upon completion of this workshop you will understand the certification qualifications and application process and it will help you decide if the government marketplace is the right customer for your company.  You will learn how to understand the government customer, evaluate the government market and assess your capabilities, how to increase your chances of submitting wining bids, how to make contacts with government.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 1, 9:00-10:30am

City and County of San Francisco
Paul Pendergast, Pendergast & Associates

Sponsored by: Small Business Commission

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You’ve heard it said a million times, “You have to have a good web site to effectively market your business.” Is that true? What determines effective? Does an effective web site need to have all the latest technologies to be effective? How do you build an effective web site on a small business budget? These and many other questions will be explored in this workshop. At the end of this class you will know how to define what is effective for your business specifically and the steps you need to take to make it happen. As with most of Steven’s classes there will be a lot of interaction as he looks to give specific recommendations to each attendee about their unique business requirements.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 1, 9:00-10:30am

Steven C. Toy, co-Founder, Beema Inc.
toy@beema.com, 408-341-1590, www.beema.com

Biography: Steven C. Toy is the co-Founder of Beema Inc., a digital marketing company serving primarily small and medium size companies. In addition to helping companies develop and execute their digital marketing strategies Steven is a frequent speaker about digital marketing issues and a popular presenter at the SBA. Steven combines over fifteen years of digital marketing experience with a public speaking background that ranges from political lobbying to stand-up comedy which combine to make programs that are both informative and entertaining.

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In this interactive session, we will explore why identifying the right seats, with the right people, doing things right, are critical to the success of your organization. First, you will have the opportunity to review your current organization and identify your needs moving forward (the right seats). Then you will learn the best practices for hiring “A” players and the key to coaching and retaining them (the right people). And finally, we will review how to develop a scorecard of competencies and accountabilities for each position (doing the right thing). This session promises to deliver a working plan and tools to move your business forward.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 1, 9:00-10:30am

Kirsti Tcherkoyan – Owner – Diablo Business Solutions
415.796.2544 or kirsti@diablosolutions.net

Biography: Diablo Business Solutions is a San Francisco based consulting firm focused on small to mid-sized companies. DBS helps organizations create cultures that treat people fairly, build team loyalty, and produce solid results. With creativity, humor, and fun, DBS encourages leaders to lead, model and develop a sustaining company culture that believes in people’s ability to accomplish the extraordinary.

Kirsti is a Gazelles International Business coach and contract Chief People Officer with more than 20 years of experience building companies. Kirsti brings solid business acumen to organizations focused on strategy, execution, people, and cash. Her down-to-earth, common sense style helps business leaders achieve excellence with their organizations.

Sponsored by:  Wells Fargo

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Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn how you can grow your online visibility traffic. We’ll share tips and tricks to take explicit advantage of free online tools and social media platforms without dipping into your marketing budget. Find out more about:

• Easy ways to build quality content and get more traffic for your business
• Understanding how to build your brand and meet more customers
• Why online business directories and socail media sites are additive to your online presence and not competitive to you own website
• How increasing connections improves your visibility on search engines
• How to use keywords effectively

We will share real case studies of successful merchants who have made free services work for their businesses.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 1, 9:00-10:30am

Robyn Hannah, Merchant Circle
www.merchantcircle.com

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After attending “Why Salespeople Fail,” your view of selling will never be the same. Most current selling systems, and sales management efforts, have many deficiencies that hurt sales numbers and forecasts. The Sandler Selling System® methodology completely replaces the tone of sales encounters with an honest, no-nonsense, dignified approach to selling. Whether you are a salesperson, sales manager of business owner, you will gain new insight on how to regain control of your customer relationships, increase productivity and exceed sales goals.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 1, 9:00-10:30am

 Register for this event

First, learn about the rise in interest and awareness of sustainable business practices and how companies can embrace the Triple Bottom Line. Participants will also receive tips that both small and medium-sized companies can implement to help them increase their efficiency, decrease waste and save money at the same time.

Then, learn about the interrelation of climate change and our energy use. From California’s Cap and Trade with AB32 to San Francisco’s Existing Commercial Building Benchmarking Ordinance, learn what impacts climate policies will have on your business. Find out how to save money and reduce your business’ footprint by managing your energy use.

Next, we’ll show you how to offset your carbon footprint by participating in PG&E’s ClimateSmart Program. The ClimateSmart program is a simple, voluntary and tax–deductible way to balance out these greenhouse gas emissions through environmental conservation, restoration and protection projects – all within California.

Finally, the panel will share about Federal and local programs that focus on increasing the innovation economy and supporting small businesses, such as the recently launched Startup America and SBA Impact Fund. These organizations, (and others) are providing funding and technical assistance for startups to scale. The speakers will explain programs, funding, new legal structures, and trends in social enterprise within the San Francisco economy for socially responsible business.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 3, 1:30-3:00pm

Matthew Sturm, Sustainable Communities – San Francisco, PG&E
415.973.8141 mwss@pge.com

Dean Kunesh, Sr. Business Segment Manager for PG&E’s ClimateSmart Program
415-973-3153 d1kb@pge.com

Nikki Pava, Founder, EcoTuesday
415.572.1466, nikki@ecotuesday.com

James Hanusa, Founder, Change Collective
415.235.9640, james.hanusa@gmail.com

Biographies: Matthew Sturm is a sustainability professional with a unique array of experiences greening businesses and communities. As Community Energy Manager for PG&E, he works on sustainability projects on the city scale as well as supporting energy efficiency projects for San Francisco businesses. Previously, Matthew certified Fair Trade coffee and wine for Fair Trade USA. As director of the Business Council on Climate Change, he brought local business leaders together to take action on climate change. Matthew holds an MBA from HEC, Paris, during which time he built a Fair Trade store in Ghana. He is originally from Denver and has a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Colorado.

Dean has been a Marketing Consultant and Product Marketing Manager for Fortune 500 Enterprise Technology companies. His product expertise includes; services, software, solutions, and support marketing of storage, servers, networking and semi conductor devices. He holds a BS in Industrial & System Engineering from San Jose State University with MS graduate work in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.

With a diverse range of talents and skills, Nikki brings leadership, strategic vision, and management experience to mission-driven organizations. She is deeply passionate about providing services that support clients in reaching their sustainability goals. She has an MBA in Sustainable Business from the Presidio School of Management and has substantial (experience in business consulting, sustainability, marketing, project management, facilitation, writing, sales, corporate social responsibility and public relations.

Nikki has worked in a strategic capacity with Fortune 500 companies, small- and medium-sized businesses, and non-profits to develop strategic plans and coordinate teams to reach specific and measurable goals. In 2007, Nikki founded EcoTuesday, the sustainable business leaders networking forum that takes place each month in 10 cities across the nation. The event brings together hundreds of sustainability professionals and has made a positive impact on business in several local communities.

James Hanusa is a business consultant and environmental advocate. His focus is on innovation, community engagement, organizational development and social media. He is a green economy advisor to the Stakeholder Forum organizers of the Rio+20 Earth Summit on Sustainable Development and a Fellow of Global Urban Development. He holds and MBA in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and a B.S. in Marketing from Arizona State University.

Sponsored by: Pacific Gas and Electric

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This workshop will provide the nuts and bolts of how to start a mobile food business in San Francisco. Whether you want to operate a pushcart or mobile truck, you will learn from industry experts and City agencies what you need to know from government regulations, permits and licenses, food preparation, what to consider when purchasing a pushcart or truck, and the capital needed to start your mobile food business. Plus, learn about other resources that are available to run your operation.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 1, 9:00-10:30am

Matt Cohen, Off the Grid: San Francisco/SF Cart Project
Nick Elsner, Department of Public Works
Imelda Reyes, Department of Public Health
Martha Yanez, Office of Small Business
Caleb Zigas, Executive Director, La Cocina

Sponsored by:  Small Business Commission

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Effective goal setting is essential for the long-term health of a business. Interestingly, most of us know how to set goals for our personal life. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs have not been able to apply this rigor of personal goal setting to their professional lives and business success. In a round table conversation, professional coach Gary Purece from Lee Hecht Harrison, one of world’s largest talent management organizations, and serial media entrepreneur Todd Sotkiewicz, formerly of Wired, Lonely Planet and other organizations, currently at 7×7 and California Home + Design, will discuss what they have seen work and how they apply goal setting to their successes. You will leave this session inspired to set goals. They will share their individual approaches, which you can then apply, to your own business goal setting.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 1, 9:00-10:30am

Todd Sotkiewicz,  President of 7×7, 7×7.com, California Home + Design, CHDResource.com

Gary Purece, Senior Executive Career Transition Consultant, Lee Hecht Harrison; Board Member, Northern California Human Resources Association.

Sponsored by:  7 x 7 Magazine

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Learn how SBA’s loan programs can help finance your business growth.  Eligibility requirements, credit underwriting guidelines, and the application process will be covered.  Access Capital:  Alternative financing sources for start-up and growing business in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 2, 10:50am-12:20pm

• Steve Bangs, Lead Lender Relations Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration,
  San Francisco District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration, 455 Market St., Suite 600, San Francisco, CA  94105-2420, r.bangs@sba.gov
• Agnes Cheung, Business Development Officer, Working Solutions, www.tmcworkingsolutions.org, agnes@tmcworkingsolutions.org, 611 Front Street, San Francisco, CA 94111

Biographies:  Steve Bangs is the Lead Lender Relations Specialist with the San Francisco District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In his present position he oversees SBA’s small business loan programs in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Northern California coastal counties. Steve works closely with the lending institutions that provide small business financing with SBA’s guarantee, and he also promotes SBA’s programs to the small business community. He has been with SBA for over 35 years.  Steve is a graduate of San Francisco State University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with concentration in accounting.

Agnes Cheung joined Working Solutions in May 2009. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Managerial Economics from University of California, Davis. Prior to Working Solutions, Agnes worked in the automotive financing industry for 7 years and she has extensive knowledge in consumer / wholesale lending and credit analysis. In Working Solutions, Agnes is responsible for client outreach, loan underwriting, and on-going business coaching for Working Solutions’ client.

Sponsored by: Wells Fargo

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Would you like to walk out of your house in the morning, go to a place where you know no one and come home with clients in the afternoon? If so, this info packed session is for you. You will learn all the reasons why public speaking is the best business building strategy, how to get started to position yourself as a speaker and get booked and what to do before, during and after your presentation to come home with clients.  When you apply what we discuss in this session your business will THRIVE!

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 2, 10:50am-12:20pm

Caterina Rando, Founder of THRIVE Publishing™ and the Sought After Speaker Summit™
www.thrivebooks.com, www.soughtafterspeaker.com, 415.688.4535

Biography:  Caterina Rando shows entrepreneurs how to build thriving businesses with public speaking, teleclasses, webinars, radio and writing.  Caterina is the founder of THRIVE Publishing, a firm that publishes multi-author books that build businesses and trains entrepreneurs on how to use their books to increase their visibility and build their expert status.  Caterina is very pro-chamber and has served on The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Board or Directors, and the Chamber’s Executive Committee.  She is also a past chair of the Women in Business Roundtable and a graduate of Leadership San Francisco.

Sponsored by: San Francisco Business Times

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Our panel consists of several very successful San Francisco entrepreneurs who are both top-ranked in their industry, and, passionate about sharing their success stories (and their challenges along the way!).

Come prepared to be enlightened, educated and entertained.  Our panelists will challenge you to to think like the professional you envision yourself becoming.  This is a fast-paced, dynamic segment that is sure to stir-up the best you have to offer and leave you feeling fired-up about the opportunities that abound.  Don’t miss this one!

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 2, 10:50am-12:20pm

Craig Ackerman, Real Estate Broker, Ackerman Realty Group
550 Battery St, Suite 814, San Francisco, CA 94111
415-730-3030, ackermanrealty.com

Biography:  Craig’s unique brand of energy and enthusiasm for residential real estate began as a child assisting his father with renovation projects.  Ranked in the top 2% of all San Francisco Realtors, a frequent presenter at Marin and SF Bar Associations, and the Treasurer of an elite group of brokers in Northern California (CRS), he is a dynamic and passionate presenter with a unique brand of directness that produces results.  Craig has taught home buying seminars for years (such as: ‘Never Kiss the Frog’ – empowering woman to become financially independent).  His experience has been that the more he follows his passion, the greater the rewards, and he takes great pleasure in coaching others to exceed theiir goals.

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This seminar will introduce strategies for managing small business cash flow and leveraging credit by using the Visa Business Card as a tool.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 2, 10:50am-12:20pm

Rishi Chhabra, VISA

Sponsored by: Visa

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This interactive workshop is designed to provide entrepreneurs with practical business law tips for setting up and running their businesses. This workshop will include the following topics: business entity formation, partners and partnering, raising money, taxes, contract negotiation and the ‘fine print’, as well as privacy and confidential information.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 2, 10:50am-12:20pm

Richard G. J. McDerby, attorney with McDerby Business Law, P.C.
415.655.3707, 100 Montgomery Street, Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 94104

Biography: Rich is a business attorney who advises clients as outside general counsel on a broad range of legal issues and represents clients in middle market corporate transactions. Rich has significant experience advising clients on complex commercial transactions including cross-border acquisitions, technology licensing, and corporate finance including private equity, venture capital and debt financing transactions.

Sponsored by: Wells Fargo

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This workshop will provide an overview of government contracting from the the difference between procurement vs. contracting, certification process, next steps after certification and subcontracting guidelines to how to locate government contracting opportunities.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 2, 10:50am-12:20pm

Biography: Vernita Naylor, Founder/President/CEO, Jabez Enterprise Group (JEGroup) has a diverse background from project and construction management, procurement and contracting for over 25 years with the General Services Administration; publisher and editor of two publications; creating, developing and promoting several concerts and video productions; implementing strategic marketing for high-profile recording artists and record labels; business consultant, life coach, instructor and motivational speaker for several education, media, record labels, recording artists, small-medium businesses, minority/women and non-profit organizations; previous writer for the business assistance center and SCORE and commentator for Random House Books to currently a writer for Examiner.com and AMEX Open.

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Social media isn’t the “next big thing,” you are! Get real, get in touch, and get ahead by understanding the new rules of Sales 2.0.  Social media is an easy street paved with land mines.  Make connections.  Then take your sales conversation offline and talk to people.  People do business with people, not with technology.

Join this powerful presentation and learn to leverage your connections!

• Learn about Sales 2.0, 3.0, Social Selling, and what’s next
• Recognize why Social Media is not an option
• Discover the three truths about Social Media
• Identify the links between Social Media and referrals
• Expose the myths about “qualified” leads
• Uncover Social Media activities to Start, Stop, and Continue
• Identify the signs of technology addiction
• Gather tips to manage your time with Social Media

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 2, 10:50am-12:20pm

Joanne S. Black, Founder, No More Cold Calling®
joanne@nomorecoldcalling.com, www.NoMoreColdCalling.com, 415-461-8763

Biography: America’s leading authority on referral selling and founder of No More Cold Calling®, Joanne Black, helps salespeople, sales teams, and business owners get more referrals and attract business fast without increasing costs. Discover how to turn prospects into clients more than 50 percent of the time and ace out the competition.

A captivating speaker and innovative seminar leader, Joanne is changing the business of sales. She is the author of NO MORE COLD CALLING™: The Breakthrough System That Will Leave Your Competition in the Dust (Warner Business Books). In this groundbreaking book, Joanne teaches you how to hit your numbers without hitting the phones, with less sweat and with results you can bank on.

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The Secrets of Challenger Branding. How to effectively take on better funded competitors and win.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 2, 10:50am-12:20pm

John Gumas, President, Gumas Advertising
Craig Alexander, Executive Vice President, Gumas Advertising
415-621-7575, jgumas@gumas.com, www.gumas.com

Biography: Gumas is the champion of the Challenger Brand. We are a nationally recognized and award-winning full-service marketing agency specializing in integrated branding, advertising and interactive marketing campaigns. We help Challenger Brands take on their larger, more established competitors and win. Whether your goals are branding, advertising, lead generation, effective messaging or you’re just tired of being pushed aside, we can help.

The Gumas team boasts some of the most experienced and talented branding, creative, design and interactive marketing professionals in the country. We pride ourselves on executing attention-grabbing ideas that propel our clients to great success.

Sponsored by: Recology

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Everyday, you can find a news article about China’s economic growth and the business opportunities that abound. Many US companies have done well with the expansion of their business in China, helping to not only reinforce, but grow their bottom line. However, beginning to think about how your business might be able to leverage this economic growth can be daunting and overwhelming. This session will explore some of the questions and issues with doing business in China. It will also outline some of the existing City services that can assist San Francisco-based companies.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 2, 10:50am-12:20pm

Ginny Fang, Executive Director, ChinaSF

In 2008, the City of San Francisco, leveraging its long-standing relationship with China, started a business platform to help support business in and out of San Francisco with China. This platform is called ChinaSF.

Ginny Fang serves as the Executive Director for ChinaSF, the premiere organization supporting business exchange into and out of San Francisco and the Bay Area with China. With offices in Shanghai, Beijing and San Francisco, ChinaSF is a public-private initiative of the San Francisco Center for Economic Development (SFCED), in close partnership with the City of San Francisco’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), supported by funding from private sector partners. Its goal is to attract and retain Chinese investment and business expansion into San Francisco and the Bay Area, and to also support San Francisco Bay Area businesses in their business efforts in China.

Under Ginny’s leadership, ChinaSF has developed from its November 2008 opening, into a highly effective economic development organization yielding substantial results for the San Francisco Bay Area regional economy. Between 2008 and 2011, amidst one of the worst financial crises in history, ChinaSF successfully facilitated the expansion of over 12 companies to San Francisco, and helped a similar number of Bay Area based companies make important business connections in China. In addition to the financial investment into the Bay Area, ChinaSF’s efforts have directly created over 150 jobs for our region, not counting any resulting multiplier effects and benefits.

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In this class, you will focus on key practices for managing your time effectively. You’ll learn to prioritize projects among changing and competing demands for your time.  You will also gain an understanding of how the current day workplace requires a constant re-tooling to work strategically instead of to work harder. You will learn innovative tools that can help you better align your daily activities to accomplish your goals.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 2, 10:50am-12:20pm

David Lieberman, Learn iT! Professional Development Instructor

Biography: David has over 10 years of management and supervisory experience. As owner operator of numerous businesses, David has lead teams of various backgrounds, including sales, education, training, shipping and receiving, admin, and others. As one of Learn iT’s Directors of Training, he manages a team of instructors and applies Learn iT Professional Development techniques every day. David’s educational background is in Psychology, having attended San Francisco State and Columbia University.

Sponsored by: Google

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Join Education & Training Manager Jill Bastian as she covers how to make social media and email marketing work together.  In this session learn the basics of email marketing best practices, a basic overview of social media, how to integrate email marking with social media, and ideas to get started. This is your chance to learn the ropes from an email marketing expert – don’t miss out!

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 3, 1:30-3:00pm

Jill Bastian, Training and Education Manager, VerticalResponse
jill@verticalresponse.com or 415-905-6890

Jill Bastian is the Training and Education manger at VerticalResponse. She has been with the company for 6 years, beginning with working in the Customer Service department. Her experience in the organization and her understanding of the product and email marketing make her a great resource for both customers and employees alike.

Sponsored by:  Vertical Response

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Come and learn what it takes to set up your own manufacturing operation.  If you are planning to produce your own products and are in the process of deciding which direction to go in, this session is for you!  We will cover key considerations including: assessing your needs and determining if setting up your own manufacturing operation is right for your business, acquiring facilities – what to look for and where to look, zoning and building permitting issues, obtaining financing and overcoming specific roadblocks and challenges.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 3, 1:30-3:00pm

Kate Sofis, Executive Director, SFMade
Janet Lees, Program Director, SFMade
www.sfmade.org

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This interactive and informative workshop will help you build the skills needed to be a great manager through analysis of case studies on typical problems that managers encounter with employees and hands-on training regarding how to deal with them.  Easy to follow guidelines will help you improve you management skills and be considered an amazing boss by your employees and colleagues.  Skills discussed will include how to recruit and hire strong candidates, communication (both oral and written), how to inspire employees, your personal appearance and conduct (i.e. how to set the right example), conducting employee performance reviews and how to give constructive criticism, dealing with difficult employees and how to handle terminations to protect you and your company.  Be prepared to walk away with practical strategies that will improve your own performance and leadership style.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 3, 1:30-3:00pm

Krista L. Mitzel, Employment Attorney & Human Resources Expert,
Managing Partner of The Mitzel Group, LLP
The Mitzel Group, LLP, 101 California Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA  94111
www.mitzelgroup.com

Biography: Krista L. Mitzel is a seasoned employment attorney and human resources expert who represents a variety of clients from diverse industries.  Krista has extensive experience advising, counseling and supporting executives and human resource professionals create preventative strategies in all areas of employment so their companies do not get sued by employees.  Key to strategic litigation prevention, Krista motivates and trains managers to thrive in high-stress environments and develop enviable leadership skills so they do not put their employers at risk with their actions.  Prior to starting her own law firm, Krista worked for various prestigious employment law firms in the Bay Area where she represented Fortune 50 clients in litigation matters and conducted leadership and management trainings for senior executives.  Krista graduated from the University of San Francisco School of Law and received her BA from UC Berkeley.  Currently, Krista is writing a book for executive employees who want to improve their management skills and secure the coveted “best boss ever” compliment.

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The presentation will focus on the changes that have taken place over the years in regards to media fragmentation. How marketing a business today now involves so many choices from the traditional media of the past. How knowing who your target market (customer) influences your advertising media choices.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 3, 1:30-3:00pm

Steve Perez, Training Manager, AT&T Advertising Solutions

Sponsored by:  AT&T

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The wording of an agreement matters a lot.  This is true whether you’re negotiating a services contract, a business partnership, or a license for intellectual property.  The words you choose will define the parties’ rights and responsibilities: namely, who owes what to whom and under what circumstances.  Because contracts are about future performance, differences in expectations about the likelihood of future events must be taken into consideration when negotiating a contract.  A key component of any contract negotiation is the use of contingencies.  This workshop will look at the pitfalls inherent in negotiating a contract and steps you can take to manage expectations about the future. You will come away with tools you can use to maximize your outcome at the contract negotiation table.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 3, 1:30-3:00pm

Terence K Hird, Founder Negotiation-International
Terry@negotiation-international.com
Negotiation-International, 6114 LaSalle #622, Oakland, CA 94611

Biography:  Terence Hird, M. B. A., has worked and owned companies domestically and internationally for over forty years. With extensive entrepreneurial and senior management experience, he has acted as both a principle and consultant on numerous mid-sized international joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions. He is the principal and founder of Negotiation-International (www.negotiationinternational.com) providing negotiation training and international business negotiation strategy consulting for companies and individuals internationally. A UC Berkeley Extension Honored Instructor for 2004, he currently teaches in various programs for UC Extension including courses in negotiation and entrepreneurship.

Sponsored by: Wells Fargo

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As a startup business owner, you can market your business more effectively the more you know about the customer you are targeting. Topics include finding the customer’s key characteristics, understanding why they would buy, and determining your competitive advantage.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 3, 1:30pm-3:00pm

Cheryl Downing, President, Cheryl Downing & Associates
408-257-1049 or Cheryl@CherylDowning.com

Biography:  Cheryl Downing is a marketing consultant who teaches small business owners innovative ways to reframe their marketing and PR strategies to grow their business fast—without breaking the bank. Cheryl has over 25 years of diverse industry experience, beginning in the high tech industry where she built her skills in marketing and sales at Xerox and Control Data. Since 2001, Cheryl has provided training in marketing and market research for several Small Business Administration offices in the San Francisco Bay Area. www.cheryldowning.com

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Do you have a set plan for implementing productivity and communication tools that will help your business grow? During this workshop, engage in peer-to-peer discussions about how the use of systems and technology drive process improvements at all levels in the company. Begin outlining how to empower your business by 1) analyzing the capabilities of technologies; 2) identifying tools needed to streamline and grow product, production, and support services; and 3) evaluating the competitive impact of the technologies—for current and future growth and efficiencies.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 3, 1:30-3:00pm

Stefanie Weaver, Territory Manager, U.S. and Canada, Cisco Entrepreneur Institute
Juli Dempsey, Senior Manager, Operations, Cisco Entrepreneur Institute
www.CiscoInstitute.net, entrepreneurs@cisco.com

Sponsored by: Cisco

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You face many challenges as business owner. You are an expert in what you do and you shouldn’t have to become a computer expert. However, you do need to have a basic understanding of your technology needs. For some it is as simple as having a computer that goes to your local Starbucks office, while others have more complex needs. So, how do you approach your technology? What do you need to know when buying new hardware? How should you go about choosing services and software? And, if you need help, what should you expect of your consultant? Although one size does not fit all, what you will get from this presentation is a good foundation for moving forward with a more efficient, safe, and productive computing system.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 3, 1:30-3:00pm

Ken Maki, CEO, Syntegratek, Inc.
415-935-9961, 5214F Diamond Heights Blvd., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA  94131-2175
ken.maki@syntegratek.com, www.syntegratek.com

Biography:  Helping small businesses solve their technology issues is a passion and avocation for Ken Maki, CEO, Syntegratek, Inc. Ken has been working with computers since the mid 70’s and has been helping small businesses with their computer issues since the late 80’s. He has seen computing progress from the mainframe to the desktop and now into the cloud. His background is in corporate systems and he has a Master’s degree in Information Systems and has written 5 books and several magazine articles about computers and computing. Ken believes, “a computer is a computer. It doesn’t matter what type you have, what matters is whether or not it is doing what you need and want it to do.”

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Brand management is so 1999.

Building your community and your tribe is a whole new and different way of looking at the world and *might* be a great way to build your business and engage with your customers.

Come to this session and learn:

• How to find your customer communities
• How to engage with your customer communities
• How to create your very own community for your business or industry
• Dos and don’t in building community

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 3, 1:30-3:00pm

Edith Yeung, Founder of SFentrepreneur and BizTechDay

Biography:  ”Edith Yeung is a force of nature.” says Mark O’Leary, Comcast Regional Vice President.

Edith is the founder of BizTechDay, one the largest entrepreneur events (now in San Francisco, New York, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Beijing), founder of SFentrepreneur (one of the largest entrepreneur meetup in Silicon Valley), a lecturer at UC Berkeley International Program in Entrepreneurship and board member of the San Francisco Small Business Week.

Prior, she consulted and won multiple awards working with Fortune 500 companies including AT&T Wireless, Oracle, Siebel, Autodesk, Cisco Systems, Symantec, American Management Systems (AMS), Telstra Australia, Matav Hungary Telecom and Taiwan Semi-Conductor.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Edith moved to the United Stated by herself at the age of 16 and survived the culture shock with minimum English. Edith has led many lives: pianist, square dancer, software engineer, corporate slave, road warrior, consultant and entrepreneur. Early 2007, she left Corporate America to pursue something really meaningful to her – her entrepreneurial dream.

Edith Yeung has been featured on CBS, CNN, Examiner, ReadWriteWeb, World Journal News, Marketing Sherpa and Sales & Marketing Management Magazine, Hong Kong Economics Times and Sing Tao News.

Edith loves jazz, hiking, travelling, singing and brainstorming.

Sponsored by: Visa

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If you are producing, or planning to produce, clothing, accessories, food or building/furniture products, this session is for you!  In an interactive and supportive environment, come learn how to find, set-up, and manage successful contract manufacturing relationships, right here in San Francisco.  This session will include assessing your needs and if you should work with a contract manufacturer, information and referrals to local factories and manufacturing resources, addressing  legal issues and documentation requirements, overcoming specific roadblocks and challenges and making valuable connections with  your local manufacturing community.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 4, 3:20-5:00pm

Kate Sofis, Executive Director,  SFMade
Janet Lees, Program Director, SFMade
www.sfmade.org

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Boost Productivity – and Profits – by Getting Organized

With so many details to keep track of, running a business can be tough. How can you save time, money, and be more effective in your small business? By getting more organized! In this information-packed class, you’ll learn effective, proven strategies for managing your space, your “stuff,” and paper and your time, so you can focus on boosting your productivity and profits.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 4, 3:20-5:00pm

Joshua Zerkel, Certified Professional Organizer & Productivity Strategist, Custom Living Solutions
joshua@customlivingsolutions.com, 415-830-6345
www.customlivingsolutions.com

Biography:  Joshua Zerkel, Productivity Strategist, is a Certified Professional Organizer® and the founder of Custom Living Solutions (www.customlivingsolutions.com), the San Francisco Bay Area’s premier productivity and organizing consulting firm, and he’s the creator of the Profitable Productivity System (www.profitableproductivitysystem.com). Josh was also the 2008-2010 President of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers. Josh specializes in helping home office workers, entrepreneurs, solo service professionals and small businesses find easy ways to get control of their paper, space, information, time, and technology so they can reduce stress and boost their productivity – and their profits. Although he doesn’t consider himself freakishly organized, Josh does admit to spending some of his free time alphabetizing his comic books. Josh invites you to download your free copy of his special report “The 7 Must-Have Productivity Systems” at www.customlivingsolutions.com today!

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As a result of recent innovations Online Display Advertising has become a potent tool for LOCAL businesses.  Discover best practices for deploying this rapidly growing and powerful tool for your business.  We will examine the evolution of the medium and how best to harness the potential of Online Display Advertising for the SMB.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 4, 3:20-5:00pm

Onil Gunawardana, Director Product Management, AT&T Interactive

Sponsored by:  AT&T

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Market Your Business – from cold calling to promoting your business: This interactive workshop is specifically tailored to jumpstart your marketing and sales campaign with innovative tips designed to give you an edge over the competition. Learn how to be more effective on the phone and in face to face meetings with a 30 year veteran of the cold calling and sales industry.

Topics include:
- Setting better qualified sales appointments
- Perfecting your presentation
- Creating a need for you product/services
- Promote your business for little or no money
- Why you’re not closing more deals and how to turn that around

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 4, 3:20-5:00pm

Tony Wilkins, Owner, TCS IncTony Wilkins/TCS Inc.
268 Bush #2518 San Francsco,CA 94104, 415-267-4872
www.businessdevelopmentsolutionsintl.com

Biography: Tony Wilkins is the author of several books including The Single Person’s Cookbook, Telemarketing Success for Small and Mid Sized Firms and is the owner of TCS Inc in SF. He specializes in sales, telemarketing and business development consulting; is a 30 year veteran of the craft and has worked with such firms as Farmers Insurance,  SF Soup Co. and One Stop Graphics. Mr. Wilkins writes a column in the San Francisco Examiner and is a critically acclaimed writer and producer of such films as The Mo Diaries 2009 ,Zelma’s Spirit 2011,and Couples in Bolinas 2012.

Sponsored by:  Hewlett Packard

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This workshop will provide a practical overview of the on both the State and Federal regulations for disability access as it pertains to customers and employees. For Customers: Issues discussed will include who is a covered business, the basic principals of readily achievable, how the state building codes may differ from the Federal regulations, how to prevent a lawsuit and the protection provided a CASp Inspection and Report. For the employer: Issues discussed what type of disabilities qualify for protection, what constitutes reasonable accommodation and undue hardship and issues arising at the interview, hiring, employment and termination stages.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 4, 3:20-5:00pm

Regina Dick-Endrizzi, Office of Small Business

Sponsored by:  Chevron

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Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 4, 3:20-5:00pm

John H. Lundin, PhD, San Francisco SBDC
www.sfsbdc.org

Biography: John H. Lundin, MBA PhD, has a diverse and extensive information technology background. His Information Technology consulting practice enables businesses to design, plan and implement IT strategy, IT architecture, IT infrastructure, and IT tools. John has taught undergraduate and graduate courses and researched topics in the use of information technology for competitive advantage at a number of well known Universities, most recently at San Jose State University’s College of Business. He holds BS and MBA degrees from the University of Denver and a PhD in Business Administration from the University of Texas. Prior to teaching, John worked for world-class business software development, computer hardware manufacturing and information systems consulting organizations. In addition to his existing consulting practice in the area of strategic and tactical use of information technology, he advises for the Small Business Development Center’s Technology Advisory Program in Northern California (partially funded by the federal Small Business Administration). He assists business clients on ways to fix existing technology problems, on how to design information technologies into the business and with employees, on how to navigate the complex information technology environment, and how to use information technology products and services most effectively in their business.

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Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center is a 501c3 non-profit, micro-enterprise development organization dedicated to transforming the economic livelihood of its clients through entrepreneurship. Renaissance works with men and women with very low to moderate incomes, helping them to start businesses that foster self-sufficiency, and create sustainable jobs. The workshop will describe our Goods & Services, and discuss the strategies we use to empower and increase the entrepreneurial capacities of socially and economically diverse groups of men and women to contribute to the economic development of local communities and neighborhoods.

Small Business Conference
SF State Downtown Campus
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Session 4, 3:20-5:00pm

Biography: La Shon Walker, Interim Director/Center Manager, has been providing one-on-one consulting and instruction to entrepreneurs in Bayview Hunters Point and San Francisco’s southeast communities since 2007. La Shon came on board as staff in February 2009 to manage the client services and training, and to grow new programming. Since joining Renaissance, La Shon has developed a contractor education and support program, which includes mentorship for selected clients. A licensed real estate agent, La Shon’s expertise includes financial literacy and business attraction, and she provides leasing services to our clients along the Third Street Corridor. La Shon holds a Masters in Nonprofit Management from USF, as well as a Certificate in Construction Compliance.

Sponsored by:  Wells Fargo

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