Extension > Community > Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities Initiative > Workshops
Extension's Workshops for the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities Program
All across the state businesses are using the Internet to:
- Expand their MARKETING efforts beyond their local area,
- Enhance their capabilities in SELLING their products and services to a wider audience,
- Enable them to become more effective in CUSTOMER SERVICE,
- To more creatively and effectively COMMUNICATE with their customers both current and potential, and
- Become more EFFICIENT in their internal operations: HR, purchasing, marketing, etc.
Minnesota businesses have countless opportunities to be more successful in an increasingly global and mobile economy; an economy where someone in Akeley or Jackson can complete just as effectively as a business in Santa Clara, California to sell a product or service.
And for businesses who provide hospitality, tourism, entertainment, recreation, or food services success can be measured by how “visible” they are on the Internet where new and existing customers can find them.
The practical reality is that if you don't have a digital presence on the Internet new customers will never find you.
These workshops approach the challenges all Minnesota businesses face from a strategic standpoint; they are business classes not “computer classes.” The Internet is one potential solution to business challenges; Twitter, a web site, Google Places, or a WordPress blog may be solutions where appropriate. The workshops will feature a number of different approaches – simple to complex – that businesses can use to improve their marketing, sales, customer service, and operational efficiencies and become more profitable. There are four groups of workshops: an introductory series called “I’m Connected” and three advanced series of workshops: “Reaching New Markets,” “Customer Focus”, and “Digital Efficiency.” They encourage businesses and communities to think and act effectively in this new world, to take a greater degree of control of their future.
I’m Connected Introductory Workshop Series
The goal of “I’m Connected” is to get businesses online in at least one way. It consists of a set of workshops to introduce businesses to the potential business uses of the Internet and highlights all the ways other businesses are successfully using the Internet. Topics include using blogs and social media (Twitter and Facebook) to promote a business, when a website might be appropriate, the options for selling online, and security. Participants who have completed one or more of these introductory workshops will then be able to choose which advanced series of workshops best fits their business goals and needs.
Included in this series is a “Doing Business Online” presentation – 45 minutes – suitable for a gathering of local businesses such as a Chamber or Rotary meeting.
Workshop titles:
- Doing Business Online
- Using Social Media in Business
- Roadside Advertising in a Digital Age
- Websites: DIY (Do It Yourself)
- Business Websites Simple to Complex
- Blogging for Business
- Google Tools for Business
- Marketing Your Website: Getting Higher on Google
- Introduction to Selling Online: From Craig's List to Shopping Carts
- Easy Options for Putting Your Business Online
- Blogs: Telling your Business Story
- Who is Visiting My Website?
- Understanding How My customers Shop Online
Reaching New Markets Advanced Workshop Series
This advanced workshop series is focused on helping businesses and communities market their product, services, and/or community beyond their local area. The current workshop(s) in this series:
- Mobile eMarketing - how to effectively reach customers using mobile devices
(Additional workshops are under development. Inquire if you have a specific need in this area.)
Customer Focus in the Digital Age Advanced Workshop Series
In an increasingly competitive marketplace businesses differentiate themselves and gain competitive advantage by HOW they interact with their current and potential customers. This series will help businesses understand the strategies and tactics of working with their existing customers and attracting new customers using the Internet. The current workshop(s) in this series include:
- Customer Service Online
(Additional workshops are under development. Inquire if you have a specific need in this area.)
Digital Efficiency: Working Smarter with Broadband
This workshop series looks at strategies and tools that businesses can use to become more efficient in their internal operations and their relationships with suppliers, financial institutions, advisors, etc. The first workshop in this series is:
- Using the Cloud for Business
Doing Business Online: Webinar Series
A series of online webinars to teach small business owners and managers about using various online tools strategically and having a more effective online presence. Registration is $20 which allows you to attend as many webinars as you like from the list below. The webinars will be recorded in case you miss the live sessions. Click here to register.
Webinar Topics:
- Mobile eMarketing
Wednesday, March 28; 11am–12pm
Mobile devices like iPhones and Androids are generating the bulk of internet traffic these days. Attend this webinar to learn strategies for connecting with the mobile crowd with such tools as mobile websites, mobile apps, QR codes, and digital coupons. - Getting found on maps
Wednesday, April 11; 11am–12pm
From Google Maps to Yelp, people are relying on location based services to find goods and services. Attend this webinar to learn about the different ways people are findings places to go, and how to make your business a destination. - Facebook for business
Tuesday, April 24; 11am–12pm
You have a facebook business page but are struggling to make good use of it. Attend this workshop to learn examples of strategies and tactics various small businesses are using to engage with customers. - Using Pinterest for market research
Tuesday, May 8; 11am–12pm
Pinterest is the hottest new social media tool. Find out how and why people are using it. We will explore several ways businesses can use Pinterest to discover market trends and for marketing. - Getting high on Google (Basics of SEO)
Tuesday, May 22; 11am–12pm
How easy is your business to find on Google Search? Attend this workshop to learn some straight-forward ways to get higher on Google search
(Additional workshops will include online research resources, the use of online banking, resources for competitive intelligence, training, and continuing education, tools for HR and benefits management, and how to communicate effectively globally (Skype, Adobe Connect, DropBox, etc.). If you have specific needs in this area please contact us.)
These workshops are offered without charge in the eighteen communities participating in the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities program and are open to all Minnesotans. Please consult the workshop schedule for locations and dates.
Please contact the program director should you wish to offer one or more of these workshops in your community.
Contact Hans Muessig, Program Director: hmuessig@umn.edu Thoughts on our website? Fast feedback form
