Workshops & Events
Want to improve your messaging? Need to create a strong marketing or development plan that delivers more revenue? Just contact us or come to a workshop. Need a great speaker? Just send an email. Here's what one participant said about a recent seminar:
"After taking your seminar last week, I couldn't resist telling you how much I enjoyed your delivery. The content is invaluable; still, it was the way you energized the material that captured me."
Can't make one of the events? Click here to sign up for our soon-to-come periodic tips & tricks for growing your business (don't worry, you can cancel at any time, and we'll never give out your information).
Upcoming Workshops & Events |
August 11, 2010 9.30am - 11.30am Washington, DC | WORKSHOP: Fill Your Development Budget Gaps with Fee-for-Service Revenue As you review your development goals from the past year, do you see any gaps? The new fiscal year is yours to shape; fill those gaps by improving your fee-for-service programs! We'll discuss which of your services are the most marketable, who will want to buy your services, how to determine costs and set pricing, how to craft messaging, and how to leverage existing resources and relationships to cost-effectively market and sell.
Not for the faint-of-heart; participants will need an open mind and passion for increasing sustainability. Please register through the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. |
| August 26, 2010 3pm - 4pm ET | WEBINAR: How to Build Your Presentation for Investors Ready to talk to a bank or investor? Create a strong presentation and compelling pitch to close the deal. We’ll step through exactly what you need to know in order to get the investment your business needs. Designed for small business owners with a proven history of success. An event of Women Accessing Capital series for Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). Registration information will be posted on WIPP's website.
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September 1, 2010 10.45am - 11.30am Bethesda, MD | PANEL: Financing Strategies for Growing Established Small Businesses If you are an established small business owner (3+ years) serious about finding capital to grow and invest in your business, this highly interactive session is for you. Our expert team – a banker, marketer and lawyer – will talk you through challenges in legal structure, business practices and profitability, using a mini case study to illustrate key points. We’ll provide concrete examples of best practices in how to work with a bank, use business plans and profitability strategies effectively, and mitigate risk – and increase return – with good legal practices. Part of The Power Conference on 1 Sep. Please register through The Power Conference. |
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| Previous Workshops & Events |
| June 23, 2010 noon - 2pm Charlottesville, VA | WORKSHOP: Marketing Strategy for Successful Growth A highly interactive workshop packed with practical strategies and tactics for the budding entrepreneurs at UVA's Darden Business Incubator. |
| June 22, 2010 3pm - 4pm ET | WEBINAR: Putting Your Business in Order: Increasing Profitability Get your business in financial shape. We’ll discuss how to focus on the best customers for your business, rethink your marketing tactics to deliver higher return on investment, and rework pricing and discounts to bring in more cash. An event of Women Accessing Capital series for Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). Registration information is posted on WIPP's website.
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| May 4, 2010 3pm - 4pm ET | WEBINAR: Putting Your Business in Order: The Business Plan What do banks and investors really want to see in your business plan? Write a strong, marketable business plan to win the investment you need. Not for startups, this webinar is designed for small business owners committed to expanding their businesses. An event of Women Accessing Capital series for Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). Registration information is posted on WIPP's website.
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| April 29, 2010 9.30am - 11.30am Washington, DC | WORKSHOP: Increasing Revenue From Fee-for-Service: Development Done Different
Back by popular demand: Take control of your organization's revenue stream - by doing more of your mission. We'll discuss which of your services are the most marketable, who will want to buy your services, how to determine costs and set pricing, how to craft messaging, and how to leverage existing resources and relationships to cost-effectively market and sell.
Not for the faint-of-heart; participants will need an open mind and passion for increasing sustainability. Please register through the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. |
April 22, 2010 12pm - 1.30pm Washington, DC | PANEL: 85Broads Access to Capital Mary Ellen participates on a panel of experts on how to get the funding needed to successfully expand your business. Please RSVP through 85Broads. |
April 16, 2010 2pm - 5pm Charlottesville, VA | EVENT: Judging Panel for the Darden-UVA Business Plan Competition We are thrilled to serve on the judging panel for the Darden-UVA Business Plan Competition. Four competitors will win prizes; the winner walks away with $10,000. Congratulations to the six great business teams who made it to the finals, and to the fojol bros. of merlindia for the win. For more information, see the Darden Business Plan YouNoodle group or Darden Entrepreneur program webpage. |
| March 31, 2010 6.30pm - 8.30pm Washington, DC | WORKSHOP: Effective Marketing for Your Business Webster defines marketing as the process of promoting a product or service. What it doesn't tell you is 'how.' Mary Ellen will redefine marketing for the real world and show you how successful marketing includes looking at your business from the inside out. She will show you how to use competition to your advantage, set pricing, and clearly communicate your company's unique benefit. An event of the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF). |
| March 24, 2010 1.30pm - 3.30pm Washington, DC | WORKSHOP: Marketing for Business Success Mary Ellen will walk you through the practical steps of creating a marketing plan to increase short- and long-term revenue. You'll leave knowing how to identify your best customers, cost and price to increase profitability, and use competition to your advantage. You'll create a draft marketing plan, including marketing tactics that work. Come to this interactive session ready to grow your business! An event of the Enhanced Business Information Center (eBIC), DC Department of Small and Local Business Development. Please register through eBIC. |
| February 22+23, 2010 7pm - 9pm Washington, DC | WORKSHOP: Business 101 - A Crash Course for Political Consultants A highly interactive crash course on how to launch a successful consulting business (or how to successfully freelance). We'll cover the fundamentals of going out on your own, from forming a business entity and taking care of taxes and health insurance to email, contracts and business cards. Together, we'll walk through how to craft a basic marketing plan, including identifying the best clients, determining costs and setting price, and successful marketing and sales tactics.
You'll leave with a practical understanding of exactly what you need to do - tomorrow - to set up a successful business, and with a basic marketing plan. We'll specifically address marketing in tough economy and how to ensure that your business continues to grow. Bring any questions you have, and get ready to have a good time learning how to get started! An event of the Graduate School of Political Management Alumni Association at The George Washington University for students and alumni. Register here. |
| January 22, 2010 9am - 5pm Arlington, VA | EVENT: Judging Panel for the Council on Foundation's Communications Awards We are honored to serve on the judging panel for the Wilmer Shields Rich Awards for Excellence in Communications. Awards will be presented at the Council’s annual conference in April. More information is available on the Council’s website. |
| January 12, 2010 9.30am - 11.30am Washington, DC | WORKSHOP: Increasing Revenue From Fee-for-Service: Development Done Different
Take control of your organization's revenue stream - by doing more of your mission. We'll discuss which of your services are the most marketable, who will want to buy your services, how to determine costs and set pricing, how to craft messaging, and how to leverage existing resources and relationships to cost-effectively market and sell.
Not for the faint-of-heart; participants will need an open mind and passion for increasing sustainability. Please register through the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. |
July 15, 2009 9.30am - 11.30am | WORKSHOP: How To Beat The Economy Through Better Branding and Marketing This practical, highly interactive session will focus on assessing and increasing the effectiveness of your branding and marketing efforts. We'll discuss how to determine your marketing's alignment with strategic objectives, ensure consistency of branding and marketing strategies, calculate and maximize return on investment of marketing programs, tailor messaging and communications, and screen and make decisions on opportunistic advertising and marketing offers. Workshop includes concrete examples of how small to mid-size organizations have effectively used these techniques. This is a Center for Nonprofit Advancement event; just click the link to register. |
| June 16, 2009 6.30 - 9pm | PANEL: MIT Enterprise Forum Startup Lab Two startup businesses ready for next-stage funding, OTraces and Legal River, present their business plans. Mary Ellen will participate on a panel of experts to critique the plans and advise on how to improve the businesses' marketing strategies. The panel is hosted by the MIT Enterprise Forum of Washington DC and Baltimore; just click the link to register. |
February 13, 2009 9am - 4.30pm | WORKSHOP: Creating a Marketing Plan
Learn how to craft a marketing plan that will help you grow your brand or business - even in today's economy. Mary Ellen will walk you through the steps of creating a plan to increase short- and long-term revenue. You'll leave with an understanding of marketing and branding fundamentals, as well as a basic marketing plan for your business. We'll specifically address marketing in an economic downturn and how to ensure that your business continues to grow.
The workshop is part of the Community Business Partnership's Women's Business Center Small Business Toolkit Series. Register online at www.cbponline.org. Click on "Class Registration" under Training in the left column, scroll down to and select Toolkit 4 - Creating a Marketing Plan. If for any reason the links aren't working, just contact the WBC at 703-778-9922. The WBC doesn't discriminate - men are always welcome. |
February 11, 2009 6.30 - 8.30pm | PANEL: Innovative Customer Service - Expanding and Retaining Your Best Customers Interested in retaining the customers you have? How about gaining some new ones? Learn how to delight your customers and clients through innovative customer service.
This is a Washington Area Community Investment Fund event. For more information, click here. The panel is being held at 1800 Martin Luther King Avenue, SE, Washington, DC. There is plenty of on-street parking, and no charge for the event. |
| January 29, 2009 6.30 - 8.30pm | PANEL: Women in Business - Making It Work In this economy, more and more women are starting businesses. Learn more about the resources you can leverage to be successful, and what common pitfalls to avoid.
This is a Washington Area Community Investment Fund event. For more information, click here. The panel is being held at 961 H St, NE, Washington, DC. There is plenty of parking in the off-street lot, and no charge for the event. |
| January 6, 2009 noon - 1pm | WORKSHOP: New Year, New Marketing Plan: Practical Marketing Tips For A Fast Start Mary Ellen provides fast, easy steps to start the year right. Springfield Chamber of Commerce and Community Business Partnership hosts this one; all details are here. |
December 12, 2008 9am - 4.30pm | WORKSHOP: Creating a Marketing Plan
Learn how to craft a marketing plan that will help you grow your brand or business - even in today's economy. Mary Ellen will walk you through the steps of creating a plan to increase short- and long-term revenue. You'll leave with an understanding of marketing and branding fundamentals, as well as a basic marketing plan for your business. We'll specifically address marketing in an economic downturn and how to ensure that your business continues to grow.
The workshop is part of the Community Business Partnership's Women's Business Center Small Business Toolkit Series. Register online at www.cbponline.org. The WBC doesn't discriminate - men are always welcome. |
November 18, 2008 8am - 9.30am | WORKSHOP: Sharpen Your Marketing Skills: How to Apply Brand Management Fundamentals to e-Marketing We'll discuss brand management fundamentals and how to use them to shape smart e-marketing programs for nonprofits, including how to select the best e-marketing tools and tactics, make your website work harder for you, effectively build email lists and engage participants, and use no- or low-cost online tools and tactics to raise awareness and communicate more effectively.
Attendance is limited to members of the DC Young Nonprofit Professionals Network's Executive Director Roundtable. To find out more about YNPNdc, including more great professional development and networking opportunities, go to YNPNdc. |
September 26, 2008 9am - 4.30pm | WORKSHOP: Creating a Marketing Plan
Learn how to craft a marketing plan that will help you grow your brand or business. Mary Ellen will walk you through the steps of creating a plan to increase short- and long-term revenue. You'll leave with an understanding of marketing and branding fundamentals, as well as a basic marketing plan for your business.
The workshop is part of the Community Business Partnership's Women's Business Center Small Business Toolkit Series. Register online at www.cbponline.org. |
| September 19-20, 2008 8am - 8am | EVENT: CreateAThon® Branding and Design Marathon
CreateAThon® is a 24-hour branding and design marathon for good causes: nonprofits in need. Qualifying nonprofits can apply to win essential branding, design and consulting services, all provided pro bono. Mary Ellen evaluates and advises on marketing, development and communications plans and programs during the event. |
June 27, 2008 | Creating a Marketing Plan, 9am - 4.30pm
Learn how to craft a marketing plan that will help you grow your brand or business.
Mary Ellen will walk you through the steps of creating a plan to increase short- and long-term revenue. You'll leave with an understanding of marketing and branding fundamentals, as well as a basic marketing plan for your business.
The workshop is part of the Community Business Partnership's Women's Business Center Small Business Toolkit Series. Register online at www.cbponline.org. The WBC doesn't discriminate - men are always welcome. |
April 25, 2008 | Creating a Marketing Plan, 9am - 4.30pm
Mary Ellen walks you through the steps of creating a marketing plan that truly drives revenue. You'll leave with an understanding of marketing and branding fundamentals, as well as a basic marketing plan for your business.
The workshop is part of the Community Business Partnership's Women's Business Center Small Business Toolkit Series. Register online at www.cbponline.org. The WBC doesn't discriminate - men are always welcome. |
March 19, 2008 | Creating a Marketing Plan, 9am - 4.30pm
Mary Ellen walks you through the steps of creating a marketing plan that truly drives revenue. You'll leave with an understanding of marketing and branding fundamentals, as well as a basic marketing plan for your business.
The workshop is part of the Community Business Partnership's Women's Business Center Small Business Toolkit Series. Register online at www.cbponline.org. The WBC doesn't discriminate - men are always welcome.
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November 29-30, 2007 | Write A Marketing Plan For Growth, 6 - 9pm, Thursday and Friday Mary Ellen walks you through the steps of creating a marketing plan to drive growth in the new year. You'll leave with an understanding of marketing and branding fundamentals, as well as a basic marketing plan for your business. Workshop will be held at Arlington Economic Development, 1100 N Glebe Rd, Suite 1500, Arlington, VA. Register here. |
September 21-22, 2007 | CreateAThon CreateAThon is a 24-hour branding and design marathon for good causes: nonprofits in need. Qualifying nonprofits can apply to win essential branding, design and consulting services, all provided pro bono. Mary Ellen evaluates and advises on marketing, development and communications plans and programs during the event. |
August 24, 2007 | The One-Day Marketing Plan, 9am - 4.30pm Participants clamored for more time and we listened! Mary Ellen walks you through the steps of creating a marketing plan that truly drives revenue. You'll leave with an understanding of marketing and branding fundamentals, as well as a basic marketing plan for your business. The workshop is part of the Women's Business Center Small Business Toolkit Series. |
June 29, 2007 | Marketing Essentials: Branding & Planning, 1.30 - 4.30pm Mary Ellen walks you through the marketing fundamentals and the essential steps of creating a marketing plan that drives revenue. You'll leave with an understanding of marketing and branding basics as well as a head start on your plan. The workshop is part of the Women's Business Center Small Business Toolkit Series. |
April 27, 2007 | Write a Winning Marketing Plan, 1.30 - 4.30pm Mary Ellen walks you through the steps of creating a marketing plan that truly drives revenue. You'll leave with an understanding of marketing and branding basics as well as a head start on your plan. The workshop is part of the Women's Business Center Small Business Toolkit Series. |
April 18, 2007 | 2007 Community Business Partnership Business Plan Contest We were honored to be on the judging panel for this year's plans. Congratulations to the winners - Nail Taxi, ImagineMore and Skating is My Life! |
March 22, 2007 | Marketing Your Message: Tailoring Your Message to Your Target Audience, 8.30am - 12.00pm We'll work in teams to help you better define your organization's products or services, direct competition, target consumer and brand positioning. You'll be able to immediately apply what you've learned to your organization's marketing. Please bring any examples of marketing materials you currently use. This workshop is a part of Leadership Arlington's Leadership Skills series. Register online at www.leadershiparlington.org/events.php. |
| February 23, 2007 | Write a Winning Marketing Plan, 1.30 - 4.30pm
Mary Ellen walks you through the steps of creating a marketing plan that truly drives revenue. You'll leave with an understanding of marketing and branding basics as well as a head start on your plan.
The workshop is part of the Women's Business Center Small Business Toolkit Series.
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