Alaska Small Business Development Center

Frequently Asked Questions

What are SBDC seminars?

Alaska SBDC seminars are offered statewide and are a great way to gain assistance on business related topics. Many small business owners have limited time outside of their businesses to further their education and business skills. While this is an important area in the business success formula, typical coursework may be out of the question due to limited time. SBDC seminars are a solution to these needs. They provide a group-learning atmosphere that creates interaction with other small business owners, while having skilled presenters from both the Alaska SBDC and the local community. SBDC seminars create an ideal atmosphere for condensed and effective learning in an interactive setting.

What type of qualifications do seminar instructors have?

Alaska SBDC seminar instructors are required to have a high degree of knowledge and experience in the topics covered. In addition to SBDC staff, volunteers having special skills are recruited from the local business community to discuss experiences and provide instruction and advice in specific areas of small business development. Alaska SBDC works with many attorneys, certified professional accountants, insurance brokers, bankers and marketing specialists who give back to the community of small business through volunteering their time as instructors.

Who can attend a seminar?

Anyone interested in small business learning can attend a seminar. Our seminars, by need, must serve a wide range of audience business education experience. Instructors endeavor to make business topics and theory enjoyable, practical and easy to understand. Regardless of what level of business education you may already have, a seminar should benefit you and allow you to gain knowledge that can be applied to your business.

How do I sign up for an Alaska SBDC Seminar?

It is easy to sign up for an Alaska SBDC seminar. Seminar listings will identify the local SBDC center sponsoring the seminar, and provide contact information and requirements for reserving space. It is generally helpful that you sign up early, and please call if cancellation is required. A listing of seminar scheduling for each of our centers will be updated on this website.

Does it cost a lot of money to attend a seminar?

Alaska SBDC seminars are very affordable and represent a commendable investment in the success of your business. The price of workshops may range from $25 to $75 per person. Occasionally special presenters or materials may require higher pricing. Seminars offered through special partnerships or sponsorships may be no cost, check seminar listings for your area. Visa and MasterCard are accepted at all locations.

Do I have to attend seminars only in my local area?

We encourage you to work as closely as possible with your local Center for the networking opportunities and counseling support it offers. However, you may attend seminars offered by any SBDC center.

What is my next step after having an idea for business startup?

As far as beginning, there is an old saying that money follows planning. A good business plan is built on the quality of the information provided. Your next step is information gathering. Any of the Alaska SBDC centers can provide you with an outline for business planning, a seminar to answer start up questions, a seminar in business plan development and one on one confidential counseling to continue development of a business plan. If a review of your draft plan provides you a positive view of feasibility you will be better equipped to proceed in a systematic fashion of implementing your plan. Our wish is for you to be successful. Doing research (information gathering) up front is like taking out an insurance policy, it increases your chances of succeeding by eliminating the unknowns.

What seminar topics are available?

A wide variety of topics are covered by our centers statewide. If you do have a topic not listed for your region, please contact your local SBDC director so they can assess the needs of the community in providing new seminar offerings. Seminar topics statewide include:

Business plan writing/review
Business legal issues
Starting a business
Accounting/Quickbooks
Financial projections & budget
Analysis of cost reductions/break even
Business valuation
Market research
Market data analysis/extrapolation
Marketing strategies
Pricing your products
How to develop distribution channels
Financing your business/sources of capital
Government contracting/procurement
Personnel/payroll questions and planning
Computer applications training
Technology/internet development
Technology research and development

Is my business name protected when I license my business?

No, your business name is not protected when you license your business. The State of Alaska does offer a search of business names at: www.dced.state.ak.us/licensing Business name registration can be recorded in Alaska for a cost of $25 for a five-year period. There may be additional copyrights or trademarks to well known business names and professional legal advice should be sought with questions in this area. Business name registration can be recorded with your business license through the State Division of Occupational Licensing.

Do I have to get involved with complicated research to start a business?

Yes. Most people underestimate start-up costs and start their business in a haphazard, unplanned way. Rarely will a business have customers waiting to do business with them. These customers are more often the exception and not the rule in business. Customers are wary of brand new businesses, especially those that have limited planning. Researching your customers’ present needs, how they are being met now, and how you will better meet their needs is essential to a successful plan for start up. Market research can certainly be time consumptive; however, it doesn’t need to be complicated. If you need assistance to understand your research options please schedule a counseling session at your local Alaska SBDC.