CLC ustomer service classes produce results

A small amount of attention to customer service has large benefits, says a leading customer service trainer.

"Customer service classes are highly valued in the professional community," said  Fred Bayley, who writes, speaks and teaches courses on extraordinary customer service.

Bayley teaches a new online course called Extraordinary Customer Service, sponsored by Central Lakes College through Customized Training in the Business and Industry Center.

"The online course is relevant for anyone who works in customer service, and it is part of a two course online Certificate in Customer Service," says Kori Busho, Customized Training representative at Central Lakes College.

 "Most customer service courses focus only on individual skills," said Bayley. "But people also need to know how to manage customer service functions, so we include those important skills in our courses."

Bayley emphasizes his students have fun with the subject matter while taking away something they can use immediately.

Bayley has a MEd in Community College and Adult Education from North Carolina State University. He's currently a senior consultant at LERN. His former positions include: Facilitator at Leadership Rutherford, Dean of Continuing Education at Isothermal Community College, Director of Adult Education at Western Piedmont Community College, and 4-H Agent at North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service.

The next online courses begin in February and March. The course costs $145 or $245 for both courses and certificate upon completion.

For additional information about Extraordinary Customer Service or other online courses and certificates, contact Beverly Berg, Central Lakes College, 501 West College Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401, (218) 855-8142 or bberg@clcmn.edu

“Taxes and Spending: What’s Ahead for the U.S. and Minnesota?” at CLC

            The Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) at Central Lakes College, Brainerd, will present Dr. Louis Johnston with "Taxes and Spending: What's Ahead for the U.S. and Minnesota?" on Monday, Jan. 29 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Business and Industry Center.

            Taxes, spending, and the size of government are important issues at all levels of government.  In this talk, Johnston will address three questions:

• What are the current and future challenges faced by the state and federal governments?
• What are the differences between the political challenges and the economic challenges (they are not the same)?
• How can individual citizens make sense of these issues and get involved in their solution?

The fee is $6 for non-members but free to members of the Center for Lifelong Learning.

Register with a personal debit/credit card by calling (218) 855-8142 or online at http://clcmn.augusoft.net  and clicking on "courses."

Information is available from bberg@clcmn.edu.

 

 

 

 

                         Central Lakes College, a community and technical college in Brainerd and Staples, is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system of 32 public universities and colleges -- Equal Opportunity employers and educators.

                         This document is available in alternative formats upon request, by contacting Disability Services (Andria Belisle), disabilityservices@clcmn.edu or 218-855-8175.  TTY users may call MN Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-627-3529.

 

 

Small Business Development Center Offers Programs

 B & I Center to host 'Going into Business for Yourself'

To help entrepreneurs to succeed in business, Jay Bock will teach "Going into Business for Yourself" at the Business and Industry Center of Central Lakes College in Brainerd Thursday, Feb. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m.
              This session covers all areas of business start-up, helpful advice on how to get your dream off the ground and stay profitable, including financing a new venture and necessary filings with the State of Minnesota.
              Follow-up counseling is available to qualified individuals from the Small Business Development Center's team of consultants at no charge to the individual.
              Tuition is $49 per person plus $29 for each additional business partner.

              Payment is required at time of registration, and the deadline to register is Jan. 31. To register visit us at http://clcmn.augusoft.net/
              For information call (800) 933-0346 ext. 8140 or (218) 855-8140 or email jplatta@clcmn.edu

SBDC offers 'Forms of Business Structure' in series

            "Forms of Business Structure" is the second in the spring Advantage Series presented by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in the Business and Industry Center at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.

            On Tuesday, Feb. 5 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in E151 at CLC, Jay Bock will explain what form of business entity to establish.

The most common forms of business are sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, S corporation or a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Each form has advantages and disadvantages in complexity and taxation.

Choosing the right business form requires a delicate balancing of competing considerations. Learn how to select, plan, and organize the business form that is a perfect fit for you. If you are thinking of starting or purchasing a business, this session is for you.

This series will include four 1.5-hour sessions that will help you be better prepared if you are looking to start a business.  Some of these sessions will also be helpful if you're in business already.

Follow-up counseling is available from the Small Business Development Center's team of consultants at no-charge.

Watch for the other upcoming sessions in the series: Marketing Your Small Business, Accounting Tools, and Business Planning.

Admission is $30 per person for each session or $100 per person for all four in the series.

            The registration deadline is seven days prior to the class date. To register and to read session descriptions of other classes in the series visit us at http://clcmn.augusoft.net/

For information contact Julie Platta at 218-855-8140 or jplatta@clcmn.edu

Central Lakes College Persuasions Concert Postponed

Out of respect for the recent passing of Central Lakes College Theatre instructor Dennis Lamberson, the Persuasions concert originally scheduled for Saturday January 19 has been postponed.

Cultural Arts Series Producer Patrick Spradlin made the decision following Lamberson's death. "There is a memorial service being held in Dennis' memory on Friday the 18th. I just felt that the timing for this concert wasn't right. The group (Persuasions) agreed, and so we're looking at alternate dates for the concert."

Ticket holders will have the option of exchanging their tickets for another Cultural Arts Series event this season, or taking a voucher for a ticket for the rescheduled Persuasions concert. Season ticket holders will be given tickets for a newly-added event on March 1.

Questions and concerns can be addressed to the CLC Theatre Box Office at 218-855-8199 or clctheatre@clcmn.edu The Box Office staff will begin processing exchanges this Thursday, January 17th.

 

Center for Lifelong Learning at CLC offers Courses on fitness and accounting

'Fit After 50' class Jan. 22 at CLC

            The Center for Lifelong Learning at Central Lakes College in Brainerd will present "Oh, My Aching Joints! Fit After 50" on Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in E 208.

            Come and learn about common bone and joint ailments and how to manage them by staying active. Exercises to optimize strength, signs and symptoms of Arthritis, tips for relief and possible options for care will be discussed. There are options out there to relieve your pain. Come hear about them, says Beverly Berg, CLL assistant.

            Admission is free to CLL members, $6 for non-members. Register online at http://clcmn.augusoft.net  and click on courses or call (218) 855-8142.

                         Information is available from bberg@clcmn.edu

 

 

Bock to teach accounting for non-accountants

            Jay Bock is the instructor for a two-night course, Accounting for Non-Accountants, at Central Lakes College in Brainerd Jan. 29 and 31.

            Don't know what a balance sheet and income statements are? No problem. We have designed a class for businesses and individuals looking to gain a fundamental understanding of accounting. Basic principles and terms used in the accounting process will be covered along with asset, liability, equity account types and expense account types. No prior accounting knowledge is required to take this class. Get your business started now!

            The course will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. and costs $99. Register by Jan. 22, with payment. Phone registrations are accepted with a personal debit/credit card by calling (218) 855-8142, or online http://clcmn.augusoft.net  and click on courses.

            For information, email bberg@clcmn.edu

 

 

 

 

Peter Mayer returns to start 25th Grassroots Concerts spring season

            NISSWA – Five Friday night concerts are scheduled for the Spring 2013 Grassroots Concerts season, which is the 25th year for the all-volunteer acoustic series.

The first concert is at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25 at the Live Well Nightclub and Coffee Bar in Nisswa, marking a return of the gifted Peter Mayer.

The last 25 years of Grassroots Concerts have given thousands of folks many joyful hours of listening to talented newcomers and accomplished artists. It all began with house concerts in living rooms with musicians sharing mostly original songs and an occasional cover tune.

Today's "home" is the comfortable, casual Journey Church in Nisswa, with its organic, north woods feel.

When musicians accept the invitation to play for this series they often do so as informed performers. They look at the list of fellow artists preceding them: Garnet Rogers, Patty Larkin, James Keelaghan, John Gorka, Carrie Newcomer, Billy McLaughlin, Eliza Gilkyson, Lucy Kaplansky, Richie Havens, Neal and Leandra, and Greg Brown to name a few.

Peter Mayer last performed here in April of 2004 after his local debut in 2001.

He writes songs for a small planet – songs about interconnectedness and the human journey; about the beauty and the mystery of the world. His music is whimsical, humorous, and wonderfully profound.

Mayer began playing guitar and writing songs while in high school. He studied theology and music in college and spent two years in seminary. The priesthood wasn't for him. He took a part-time job as a church music director while performing at clubs and colleges, and writing and recording his music.

In 1995, the creative juices were overflowing. He quit his job and started touring full-time. Since then, Minnesota-based Mayer has gained a dedicated, following from New England to California. He has nine CDs to his credit and independently sold over 70,000 of them.

"He is unafraid of complicated topics and always strives to look beyond the easy sentiment," said Dale Connelly, former MPR Morning Show host. "Peter does nothing less than address the very nature of our existence. Trust me, most songwriters can't pull this off. Peter Mayer does."

The rest of the spring season: Feb. 22, witty guitarist David Stoddard; March 15, step-dancing fiddler April Verch; April 12, multi-instrumentalist Drew Nelson; May 3, evocative songwriter Greg Trooper.

Admission is $10 at the door for adults and $5 for children under 12 with listening attention, when accompanied by an adult. At all shows, seating is first-come, first-served. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 6:30.

The Live Well Nightclub and Coffee Bar, 5459 CR 18, is located next to the school.

Grassroots Concerts are made possible in part by a grant from the Five Wings Arts Council through the Minnesota State Legislature. The series is a 501c(3) non-profit under the Internal Revenue Code.

The concert series welcomes your donations of non-perishable food (or cash) donations to the local food shelf. For information go to www.grassrootsconcerts.org, call (218) 839-4092, or e-mail information@grassrootsconcerts.org

SBDC to start Advantage Series with business planning

Ross Williams
Advocacy Technologies
twitter.com/rosscwilliams
www.northerncommunityinternet.org
www.grandrapidscommunityinternet.org

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Steve Waller <swaller@clcmn.edu>
Date: Wed, Jan 2, 2013 at 9:33 AM
Subject: Business news: Advantage Series starts with business planning

            Business planning tips are offered in the spring Advantage Series presented by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in the Business and Industry Center at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.

            On Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in E151 at CLC, Jay Bock will outline the important elements needed to develop a successful business plan – one that sets a company apart from those who don't have such a professional approach to operating a business.

            A business plan is important to help a business owner validate the business concept and set clear goals. It also gives investors, banks, suppliers and partners information to make decisions about working with the company. If you are thinking of starting or purchasing a business, this session is for you.

            This series will be repeated each month during the spring. Follow-up counseling is available from the SBDC team of consultants at no charge.  Watch for other sessions in the series: Forms of Business Structure, marketing Your Small Business, and Accounting Tools.

            The admission fee is $30 per person for each session or $100 per person for all four in the series.

            The registration deadline is seven days prior to the class date. To register and to read session descriptions of other classes in the series visit us at http://clcmn.augusoft.net/

For information contact Julie Platta at 218-855-8140 or jplatta@clcmn.edu