Posts Tagged ‘Shah Center’

Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce Gets LinkedIn

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: April M. Williams

Cyberlife Tutors

847-207-7412

april@cyberlifetutors.com

Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce Gets LinkedIn

Social Networking Connects Business Community

ALGONQUIN, IL, July 1, 2010 – Networking means time, often taking us away from our business and family. Most business owners face the same problem. How can I be more effective in my networking to build my business?

Recognizing the need to connect with others to build business, twenty members of the Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce expanded their business networking skills with the “I’m on LinkedIn, What’s Next?” LinkedIn class. The session led by April M. Williams of CyberLife Tutors was co-sponsored by the Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce and Shah Center for Corporate Training.

“The enthusiasm of the class was contagious!” said Barbara Mikula, Branch Manager at Allied Home Mortgage Capital Corp. “We are so excited to be able to connect with other chamber members to promote growth in our businesses in a relaxed and fun environment!”

The “I’m on LinkedIn, What’s Next?” session provides business owners with the tools to create a LinkedIn presence that attracts clients. It focuses on updating your LinkedIn profile to make a positive first impression.

Monica Hamann, Branch Manager at McHenry Savings Bank in Richmond, had this to say about the session: “I liked it a lot, great marketing tool. The class was very informative and easy to follow.”

About CyberLife Tutors:

CyberLife Tutors, located in Algonquin, Illinois, specializes in integrating social networking with traditional marketing for McHenry County businesses. April’s book, Social Networking Throughout Your Career is available on Amazon.com.

More information on upcoming classes available at the following link: http://www.cyberlifetutors.com/blog/?p=606

EDITORS: If you would like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview with April M. Williams, please contact April at 847-207-7412 or email April@cyberlifetutors.com.

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Social Networking Classes

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Student feedback for the recent social networking classes in McHenry has been fabulous. We have a whole new set of LinkedIn users, Facebook friends, Twitter Tweeters and bloggers out there.


This four class series ran three times in McHenry at the Shah Illinois Small Business Development (ISBD) Center.

After the class, students were invited to join our LinkedIn group to share learnings and best practices with each other. If you attended one of my social networking classes and would like to join this group, send me an email and let me know the class you attended.

If you missed on the session in McHenry, you still have time to register for classes in Elgin. Check our events page for the upcoming events.

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Last Minute Class Openings

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

Are you a McHenry County business interested in social networking? Are you hearing all the buzz from your fellow business owners who have attended these sessions at the Shah Center and are now using social networking to attract new business?

We have a couple of open spots for the social networking classes at the Shah Center in McHenry. These new sessions on Facebook, Twitter and blogs were just added to the schedule as the previous sessions sold out in record time.

Designed with a business focus, these classes focus on attracting prospects, increasing Google search results, building relationships and making your business top of mind for local consumers.

facebook
Creative Commons License photo credit: rafeejewell

If you are interested in these sessions, do not wait to sign up. Seating is very limited. Each student is assigned their own workstation in this new computer lab.

  • May 5
  • May 10
  • May 17

For additional information and registration for these classes, contact the Shah Center directly by phone at (815) 455-6098.

Other class titles are available later this summer. Sign up for my newsletter so you do not miss out.
See our events page for a full calendar.

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Shah Center McHenry

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

I am going to let you in on the best kept secret in McHenry county: the Shah Center. If you are part of a for profit business in McHenry County, I encourage you to find out more about the center and how your business can benefit from their services.

The Shah Center offers workshops, seminars, assessment and on-site, customized workforce training to help your business stay ahead of the competition.

As an adjunct teacher for the site, I have the pleasure of teaching social networking classes (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and blogs) in their new technology class rooms. Each student has their own work station for hands on learning. In these sessions, local businesses learn how to use social networking sites to build relationships, identify partners and connect with loyal customers.

The Shah Center is located at 4100 W. Shamrock Lane in McHenry, Illinois 60050.

You can find out more information at

www.shahcenter.mchenry.edu

Phone: (815) 455–8593

Email: shahcenter@mchenry.edu
See our events page for a full calendar.

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Richmond Spring Grove Chamber LinkedIn Class

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Watch for information on the upcoming Richmond Spring Grove Chamber Mixer dinner and LinkedIn training event.

Thank you to the Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce for inviting me in to talk about using social networking in your business and community. We had a full house for the event overlooking the scenic country club. It was fun to connect up with the owners of businesses I have visited through the years.

Many of you asked for a follow up session and we listened. We are planning a June dinner with hands on LinkedIn training co-sponsored by the Richmond Spring Grove Chamber and the Shah Center in McHenry, Illinois. The event will include dinner, networking and hands on training in the computer lab. Before the session, create a free LinkedIn profile then bring your user ID and password to the class.

Contact the Chamber at 815.678.7742 for more information or to register.

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Social Networking Shah May

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

During April and May I am teaching hands on social networking classes at the Shah Center. These session will focus on the business use of social networking. Classes include two hour hands-on learning sessions on each of the following tools: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and blogs.

facebook
Creative Commons License photo credit: rafeejewell
Create a free LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter profile before the class. We will create our blog profiles and post our first blog posting together during the class. You will need access to your web email account (Yahoo, Gmail, etc.) during the class.

Due to overwhelming demand, the Shah Center is opening up new social networking classes during May.

Dates for these new classes are:
May 5
May 10
May 17

For additional information and registration for these classes, contact the Shah Center directly by phone at (815) 455-6098 or email at sbdc@mchenry.edu.

The Shah Center, located in McHenry, Illinois, is a part of the Illinois Small Business Development Center and McHenry Community College.

Information on social networking sessions at the Fox Valley Business Center in Elgin will be posted in our newsletters. Sign up here so you do not miss an edition.

See our events page for a full calendar.

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I Don’t Need Social Networking

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Social networking has been embraced by some businesses. Others are taking a “wait and see” attitude while still others are not interested in getting involved. Here are six reasons business owners tell me they are not using social networking, and my responses.

* I have run my business just fine without social networking.

Yes. We did fine before cars and refrigerators also. New fangled things can make our life easier. The world is evolving and your audience is moving to social networking sites. Go where your audience is.

* These sites are just for kids.

Who is your target audience? There are 400 million active users on Facebook. If only 1% of these members are your target audience – that is still a lot of people. “Facebook saw a 276% growth in 35-54 year old users.” Almost 38 percent of LinkedIn and 23% of Twitter users earn more than $100,000 a year.” says IStrategy Labs.

* What’s in it for me?

Your audience is there and they are talking about you. Listen to what they are saying. People believe online reviews to be true. Be responsive and contribute to the conversation.

* It will take too much time.

Yes, if you are lured into Mafia Wars or Bejeweled, you can spend much of your day on these sites. My advice – stay away from these distractions. Get your feet wet then create a plan to achieve your goals. You can easily manage your social networking strategy in less than 15 minutes a day.

* Social networking costs too much money.

Did I mention that most of the features on these sites are free? Search engines love the frequently updated content on these sites. The value of FREE Google search results? Priceless.

* I do not know how to get started.

Start small with just one of these tools. Find a mentor or teacher to get you started.

I will be teaching classes on social networking for business at the Shah Center in McHenry on Wednesdays April 27 – May 18. Learn how LinkedIn, Facebook, blogs and Twitter can build your bottom line. Details.

For another perspective, check out this short video “Social Media Revolution”

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Social Networking April 2010

Friday, February 26th, 2010

*** Update: These classes are sold out and the Shah Center has added additional sessions. Contact the Shah Center directly for available openings, dates and times.

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The Shah Center and Illinois Small Business Development Center hosts social networking for business classes April – May 2010.

Are you thinking about social networking for your business but not sure where to start? Are you on Linkedin and not getting the most out of it? Do I really need to tweet? Can I do business on Facebook? What is a blog anyways?

You will get answers to these questions and more during these sessions. April M. Williams gives you real examples of how you can use social networking to conduct business.

Who should attend? Business owners, entrepreneurs, marketers, job seekers who want to show potential hiring managers understand current trends.

These social networking for business classes are sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center in association with McHenry Community College. Class are open to the public. Register and pay for these sessions through the Shah Center.

Capacity is limited for these small enrollment classes to provide time for discussion and your questions. Register early to reserve your seat.

Sessions will be held 1-3PM at the Shah Center  located at 4100 W. Shamrock Lane in McHenry, near Centegra Medical Center.

For more information or to register, please contact the Illinois Small Business Development Center at (815) 455-6098 or sbdc@mchenry.edu.

• Apr. 27, 2010 I’m on LinkedIn, Now What? In this session learn how to build effective connections, get recommendations, get introduced to others, find customers and partners, use groups and stay in touch with other pestering your contacts. Create a free LinkedIn account before the class.

• May 04, 2010 Facebook for Business. Learn how to leverage connections to build relationships for business. Learn about group and fan pages. Create a free Facebook account before the class.

• May. 11, 2010 – Blogging Basic: Curious about blogging but you do not know where to start? In this session you will create your own blog and post your first online message. NOTE: To participate in the session, you’ll need access to a web based email account such as Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, etc.

http://www.Twitter.com
http://www.Twitter.com

• May 18, 2010 -- Tweet for Profit: People are looking for your business on Twitter. Are you there to talk with them? Learn how to make the most of this micro-blogging tool. Create a free Twitter account before the class.

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Social Networking Feb 2010

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Are you thinking about social networking for your business but not sure where to start? Are you on Linkedin and not getting the most out of it? Do I really need to tweet? Can I do business on Facebook? What is a blog anyways?

You will get answers to these questions and more during these sessions. April M. Williams gives you real examples of how you can use social networking to conduct business.

Who should attend? Business owners, entrepreneurs, marketers, job seekers who want to show potential hiring managers understand current trends.

These social networking for business classes are sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center in association with McHenry Community College. Class are open to the public. Register and pay for these sessions through the Shah Center.

Capacity is limited for these small enrollment classes to provide time for discussion and your questions. Register early to reserve your seat.

Sessions will be held 8-10AM. All classes are held at the Shah Center. The McHenry County College Shah Center is located at 4100 W. Shamrock Lane in McHenry, near Centegra Medical Center.

For more information or to register, please contact the Illinois Small Business Development Center at (815) 455-6098 or sbdc@mchenry.edu.

• Feb. 17, 2010 – I’m on LinkedIn, Now What? In this session learn how to build effective connections, get recommendations, get introduced to others, find customers and partners, use groups and stay in touch without pestering your contacts. Create a free LinkedIn account before the class.

• Feb. 24, 2010 – Facebook for Business: Learn how to leverage connections to build relationships for business. Learn about group and fan pages. Create a free Facebook account before the class.

http://www.Twitter.com
http://www.Twitter.com

• Mar. 10. 2010 – Tweet for Profit: People are looking for your business on Twitter. Are you there to talk with them? Learn how to make the most of this micro-blogging tool. Create a free Twitter account before the class.

• Mar. 17, 2010 – Blogging Basic: Curious about blogging but you do not know where to start? In this session you will create your own blog and post your first online message. NOTE: To participate in the session, you’ll need access to a web based email account such as Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, etc.

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