BUSINESS AND FINANCE   Blogging 101 By Wendy Suto, Search Circus, Inc.    Learn how to set up, create and manage your own personal or corporate blog, as well as tips on marketing your blog online to increase blog traffic.  Discover the brief history behind blogs, view other personal and company blogs, and hear interesting facts and stories behind one of the most powerful forms of viral and buzz marketing on the Internet today.  W/S #214    4/7    M    6-9 pm   $49/$53   SHS   How to Start Your Own Business By Jacqueline Roberts, Esq. and William Steiger, Esq.    If you’re thinking about going into business for yourself full-time or starting a business on the side, this is the course for you!  Learn all the basics such as: choosing a business organization, drafting a business plan, obtaining financing and insurance, handling tax matters and succession planning.  W/S #215   4/2-4/23   W   7-8:30 pm   $55/$59   SHS   “The class was very interesting and kept me coming back when it was nice outside!!!” . . . Bob Kastner   How to Be an Exceptional Office Assistant and/or Manager By Fran Fisher    Learn important office tips that you can immediately utilize to improve your work performance.  These proven methods and procedures will teach you how to effectively manage your time so that you can harness your workload which will lead to better job satisfaction and less work stress.  This two-hour course will also teach you how to deal with a difficult boss or supervisor as well as help you climb up the corporate ladder so that you are earning what YOU think you are worth!  This course is recommended to anyone that works in a small or large business setting.  Handouts included with fee. W/S #216   1/29    T   6:30-8:30 pm   $49/$53    SHS   Job Search Basics I:  Resumes and Cover Letters By Wendy Miller, Wendy Miller Associates    Do you have a need for a resume?  Are you putting your best foot forward with the resume you have?  Do you feel confident about your cover letter writing skills?  A successful job search requires that you market yourself effectively and professionally.  This class will provide you with the help you need to write a winning resume and to sell yourself with a good cover letter.  At the end of the two-week class, you will have a finished product.  The instructor is a National Certified Career Counselor. W/S #217   1/30-2/6    W    7-9 pm   $39    SHS   Job Search Basics II:  Job Search Strategies By Wendy Miller, Wendy Miller Associates    A successful job search requires much more than going online to search job-posting sites.  Did you know that getting a job by answering an ad only accounts for about 12% of all jobs found?  Learn about the various approaches to finding a job and put together a job search strategy that is right for you.  The instructor is a National Certified Career Counselor. W/S #218    2/13    W    6-9 pm   $29   SHS   Job Search Basics III:  Interviewing By Wendy Miller, Wendy Miller Associates    You might have a great resume and wonderful job search skills, but if you don’t interview well, you won’t get the job.  This hands-on class will help you gain the confidence you need to interview effectively.  Learn what interviewers are looking for and how to present yourself in the best possible way.  Includes an opportunity to practice.  The instructor is a National Certified Career Counselor. W/S #219   2/20   W    6-9 pm   $29   SHS   Living Debt Free in the 21st Century By Forest Wilson, CPCU, AIU, AIS, AIM    Learn a 3-step system for successfully managing your debt & expenses.  The workshop is designed for those who want to build wealth and become financially independent by eliminating debt.  Learn a linear math system that will eliminate all of your consumer debt in 1-4 years, and then your mortgage in another 3-5 years.  Learn specific powerful and proven strategies that work . . .every single time.  Bring a list of your debts with balances and monthly payments. During class, develop your own debt elimination plan.  We will also look at some simple money management techniques that will help insure that you achieve your financial goals.  Finally, we will uncover numerous strategies for spending your money more efficiently, thereby putting more money back in your pocket.  Note:  Bring calculator.  Suggested textbook available from instructor-$39. W/S #220   4/29     T   6:15-9:30 pm    $45/$49    SHS   Planning for a Comfortable Retirement By NCA Financial Planners    This course has been developed to help you learn more about planning for a comfortable retirement.  It is designed to give you the tools necessary to make more informed decisions regarding your financial future and will utilize a curriculum illustrating how time-tested financial principles can be applied to a variety of situations.  The course includes:  information you need to assess the cost associated with retirement; determine your sources of retirement income; improve your investment potential; reduce your financial risk; and preserve your estate for your heirs.  You’ll also find out how to fight the effects of inflation, avoid unnecessary taxes, and protect yourself from the potentially devastating costs associated with long-term care expenses. W/S #221    4/10-4/17     TH   6:30-9 pm        $59 (bring a guest for free)     SHS           Introduction to Web Site Design Prerequisite:  Know how to use a keyboard, mouse, browse the internet with Internet Explorer and basic PC skills. By Wendy Suto, Search Circus, Inc.    Does your business need a Web site, or would you like to start a personal family tree or hobby Web site, but you do not know where to begin?  Learn the basics of Macromedia Dreamweaver, including site architecture and design, layout tables and cells.  Create a homepage, insert objects, text, and bullets.  Includes handouts on basic HTML codes and an HTML color chart.  Learn how to publish your site using FTP or Dreamweaver, using Web hosting, too.  Text fee $10 payable to instructor at class.  Instructor is a recognized Web design expert and certified SEO consultant.  W/S #222    2/4-2/11     M   6-9 pm   $75/$79   SHS   “Wendy is obviously knowledgeable of the material.  This was a good introduction class.” . . . Christopher Cesen   Introduction to Web Site Marketing Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of how to browse the internet with Internet Explorer, and basic PC skills. By Wendy Suto, Search Circus, Inc.    Does your business have a Web site, but you do not know how to make it profitable?  Become knowledgeable at Web site marketing.  Learn how the major search engines work and how to increase your web site visibility across the major search engines, like Google, Yayoo!, MSN and others.  Discover how to increase visitor traffic, with competitive keyword rankings and link popularity building with search engine optimization.  Create a corporate blog, become an expert in your industry with article submission web sites, and learn the differences between pay-per- and natural rankings click.  Text fee $10 payable to instructor.  W/S #223   3/3-3/10   M    6-9 pm    $75/$79   SHS   The 5 Myths of  College Financial Aid:  A Parent’s Viewpoint can be found in the College Prep section.   MS Money By William March    Microsoft Money is a powerful tool that allows you to keep the management of your personal finances at your fingertips.  The program empowers you to really take charge of your financial life!  This two-week course will walk you through the navigation of the Banking, Bills, Reports and Budget modules of the program.  Come learn how managing your money can actually be fun!  W/S #224   1/22 & 1/29    T      7-9 pm    $49/$53   SHS    Telecommunicating-Working from Home! By Gary Fugere, Growth Strategies    Tired of dropping your kids at daycare and fighting bumper-to-bumper traffic-only to suffer through another day in a stress-filled environment?  What would happen if you learned the strategies of the 16 million telecommunters who work from home each day? Topics include: Kinds of telecommuting jobs most in demand-What pay/benefits to expect-How to identify telecommuting friendly companies-Skills you will need-Marketing yourself-How to become an insider-Spotting the scams.  No instant jobs here, just solid self-promotion techniques.  Read lessons, participate in exercises, and hold live interactive discussions with instructor Gary Fugere and fellow students in your on-line classroom.  Runs for 6 weeks and is self-paced.  Complete the lessons on your own timetable.  Course requirements include intermediate PC skills.  For more information visit www.gsinet.org.  Don’t forget to include your email with registration. W/S #225     1/22-3/6     Internet   $45     Click for registration information and mail-in form To receive a catalog please call:  (440) 572-7025 or E-mail:  turski@strongnet.org (please include name and address)