Dates & Time

The 2025-26 SBM program will be held second Thursday of the month, September - May, 9am - 12pm. 

Topics

Mission, Vision, Values & Goal Setting
Establish the core of your business by clarifying your purpose, values, and long-term goals. These foundational elements guide decision-making, build consistency, and drive intentional growth.

Systems & Processes
Learn why well-documented systems make your business more valuable, scalable, and less dependent on you. Explore simple tools to map workflows and create operational clarity.

HR: Hiring, Managing, Coaching & Firing
Master the full employee lifecycle—from recruitment and onboarding to performance management and terminations. Learn to build team culture, navigate compliance, and manage with confidence.

Bookkeeping & Accounting Essentials
Understand how to track income and expenses, organize records, and reconcile accounts. Learn to read financial reports (like income statements and balance sheets), plan for taxes, and monitor profitability.

Branding, Marketing & Social Media
Discover how to define your brand, identify your ideal customer, and use modern marketing tools to connect and grow. Includes content planning, engagement tracking, and strategy building.

AI & Cybersecurity
Explore how AI can streamline operations and marketing. Understand the basics of protecting your business against data breaches, scams, and online threats.

Business Legal Considerations
Covers essential legal topics including contracts, employee law, intellectual property, and compliance. You'll gain clarity on how to protect your business and know when to seek legal guidance.

Business Insurance
Learn the types of coverage that protect your operations—like liability, property, and workers’ comp—and how to assess risk to build a more resilient business.

Access to Capital: Lending & Banking
Explore funding options like loans, grants, and lines of credit. Learn how to build lender relationships, prepare financial documents, and use capital strategically.

Building Business Resilience
Develop strategies for navigating setbacks, managing uncertainty, and planning for sustainability. Topics include financial forecasting, contingency planning, and innovation.

You’ll walk away with a stronger grasp of your financials, operations, and team, clear tools and systems to improve how your business runs, confidence in your leadership and a community to support you, and a plan for long-term, sustainable growth.

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Location

Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry
626 High Street NE
Salem, Oregon

Small Business Management (SBM) Schedule 2025-26