05/10/12 ci

HAYS, Kan. -- The Kansas Small Business Development Center at Fort Hays State University will sponsor multiple classes in Russell, Hays and Bird City, in recognition of Small Business Week, May 21 to May 25.

The KSBDC is a government-funded agency located on the FHSU campus and serves as the regional center. It is a free support agency that helps point entrepreneurs in the right direction with their business goals. The KSBDC is funded by FHSU, the Small Business Administration and the Association of Small Business Development Centers.

The first of the classes will be on May 22 at the Deines Cultural Center, 820 N. Main, Russell. "Marketing: Developing a Workable Plan," at 9 a.m., will cover core marketing principles and identify the steps and different stages of marketing.

Starting at 10:30 a.m., "Marketing: Developing Your Strategies and Tactics" will address marketing vs. selling, understanding the management role in marketing and looking at why people buy.

"Labor: Understanding Regulations, Forms and Reports," at noon will discuss unemployment insurance tax liablities, misclassified workers, and the steps for filing tax returns and closing accounts.

Two classes will be held May 23 in Custer Hall, room 109, on the FHSU campus. At 8 a.m., "Business Plan Essentials" will give participants insight into what it takes to start a small business. Those who attend will receive tips and resource contacts, learn how to choose their legal form of business and receive a start up kit. Another class, "Labor: Understanding Regulations, Forms and Reports" will be held at noon.

Two more classes will be on May 23 in Bird City, 313 S. Bird. "Marketing: Developing a Workable Plan" begins at 4 p.m.

At 5 p.m., a website building workshop will present participants with an introduction into creating a professional-looking website. No HTML is required, and the tools are simple to understand.

The classes are free, but advanced registration is required by Friday, May 18, due to limited space. To register for any of the classes at any of the locations, go to ksbdc.ecenterdirect.com/ or contact the KSBDC at 785-628-5615.