Business & Professional Development

Smart Start
Do you have a business idea or looking to purchase a business? This workshop will guide you through what you need to know to launch your business and be successful. Hear from a local entrepreneur about how they started their business and lessons learned along the way. Learn how to create a business plan, conduct market research and estimate costs, prepare for a bank loan, legally organize the business and other license/permit requirements, record keeping and taxes, marketing ideas, and what financing options are available. Receive a business plan template, step-by-step guide to opening your business, and other resources available to help you succeed! Class sponsored by America's SBDC Iowa.

101058
W, Feb 5
6 - 8 pm
$19
SCC CBIZ 112
J Clover
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QuickBooks Q & A Workshop
Have QuickBooks questions? Bring them to this interactive one-hour workshop! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, get guidance on common challenges, explore solutions, and discover tips to streamline your bookkeeping. Participants should access their QuickBooks accounts during the workshop.

101743
W, Feb 12
Noon - 1 PM
$19
Zoom
S Yasenchok

101744
W, May 14
Noon - 1 PM
$19
Zoom
S Yasenchok
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Know your Numbers, Know your Business
Congratulations! You have started a business, have a solid customer base, and everything seems to be going great except the bookkeeping! While not the most exciting or creative aspect of running a business, business bookkeeping, record keeping, and knowing what the numbers are telling you, is SO important to business survival and is a critical part of business operations. In this course you will learn the importance of record keeping, what records to keep and how long, why financial reports are important and better yet, how to read them! Learn tips and tricks to manage the cash flow for your business. Review examples of financial statements to determine what can be done to improve the situation, hear real life stories of what to do and not to do, and walk away with a much better understanding of what the numbers are telling you about your business. All materials are provided.

101060
M, May 19
6 - 8 pm
$19
SCC CBIZ 111
J Petersen
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Understanding Your Businesses Taxes

Income tax, sales tax, payroll tax, and the list goes on for taxes your business pays. Discussion will center on the various business taxes, forms and ways to file and pay the taxes, and things you can do in your record keeping system to better understand and lessen your tax burden. Participants will receive all materials and are encouraged to bring specific questions.

101053
W, Apr 2
8 - 11 AM
$99
SCC CBIZ 111
J Clover
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Accounting Basic Concepts

Designed for the non-accountant bookkeeper, office manager or owner of a business. Learn basic accounting terms including revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities. Learn to build and read the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows. Become familiar with accounting debits and credits as you learn how to record transactions in this hands-on course.

101056
M & W, Feb 24 - Mar 12
8 AM - Noon
$449
SCC CBIZ 110
D Trejo
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QuickBooks Online Software

We make it easy to get comfortable with QuickBooks®. This course will address setting up your chart of accounts, customer and vendor files, recurring transactions, and products/services you sell. Learn how to manage money coming in including sales, invoicing, and deposits, and money going out by paying bills, booking credit card expenditures, and tracking expenses. You'll learn how to reconcile accounts, track loans and loan payments, book fixed assets, and use reports to understand your business, track sales trends and profitability, and prepare for tax time. You'll leave knowing that you're doing a good job and can handle whatever QuickBooks sends your way.

101052
M & W, Mar 24 - 26
8 AM - Noon
$339
SCC CBIZ 110
S Yasenchok
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Payroll Accounting

It's a fact of business-if a company has employees, it has to account for payroll, fringe benefits, and payroll taxes. This comprehensive course will guide you through processing a new employee, calculating payroll and payroll taxes, payroll tax reporting, periodic and year end payroll reporting to the government.

101057
M & W, Apr 7 - 16
8 AM - Noon
$425
SCC CBIZ 110
D Trejo
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Supervision Survival Skills

This training program is designed for new managers and non-managers interested in or identified for promotion. Knowledge gained in this program will enable you to avoid some of the hard lessons that come from on-the-job learning. Applicable in manufacturing, service, and retail organizations, this seminar presents the fundamental leadership and communication skills and techniques required to manage employees effectively. Content of this training covers the first two modules of the Supervision Certificate.

101069
W, Feb 26 & Mar 5
1 - 4 pm
SCC CBIZ 112
$299
D Trejo
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Supervisory Certificate

Leader, manager, supervisor, team leader - no matter what your official title, you're expected to get the job done through others. This course provides new and experienced supervisors with the tools and skills for building personal confidence in their leadership role. You will see the relevance of the training, rapidly acquire the skills, and quickly put them to use on the job. Attend all twelve modules and earn a certificate in Supervision. Our program is designed for anyone who manages people in manufacturing, retail, or service industries.

101070
W, Feb 26 - May 21
1 - 4 pm
SCC CBIZ 112
$1495
D Trejo
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Time Management

There are never enough hours in the day, but you can learn to be more effective with the ones you are given. This session will provide you with knowledge of how to make more effective use or your time, implementing measurable action steps that will allow you to take control of your day and make sure you are unleashing all of your productive potential. We will cover managing time, wasting time, personal time study, planning and tools, the Eisenhower Matrix, meetings, and unruly email.

97341
T, Jan 21
8 - 10 am
$179
SCC CBIZ 103
R Curry
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Documentation Basics

A habit of creating meaningful documentation is an essential tool for any successful leader, providing an essential tool for people management while protecting and minimizing company liability. This session will provide the fundamentals of good documentation practices - including good versus bad documentation, tools and methods, and retention requirements. We will also workshop different scenarios highlighting the importance of strong documentation practice.

97342
T, Jan 21
10:30 - Noon
$139
SCC CBIZ 103
R Curry
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Employment Law Basics

This session will provide a general overview of basic employment law and compliance issues that provide the foundational framework for any business owner, helping avoid legal pitfalls while helping create and sustain a welcoming and equitable environment. In this session we will discuss the basics that apply to most businesses such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). We will discuss the relationship between these laws and handbooks, job descriptions and overall good people management.

97343
T, Jan 21
1 - 3 pm
$179
SCC CBIZ 103
R Curry
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Communication Skills for Managers

Participants will discuss how to be a better listener and how to coach an employee to change their performance to meet expectations. Practice giving feedback to employees through role-play. Whether communicating to your team members, peers or your own manager, this course will help you hone both your communication and influencing skills, helping you deliver the right message for winning outcomes.

97316
T, Mar 4
9 am - 4 pm
$495
SCC CBIZ 103
D McKee
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Handling Conflict

One of the most difficult and most avoided topics in every company and relationship is that of conflict. We all learn from our past in how we handle conflict with others. Some of us have great examples and others, not so much. Everyone experiences some degree of workplace conflict; therefore, we all deserve training on how to handle it most effectively, focusing on great results and best teaming relationships. You will focus on conflict do's and don'ts. Pay close attention to a conflict roadmap that will allow a productive strategy for encouraging and following through with healthy conflict. We will take a closer look at each individual's natural conflict style to increase awareness and become better able to effectively navigate more effective conflict situations.

97308
T, Apr 15
9 am - Noon
$239
SCC CBIZ 103
H Woody
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Leading Change in the Workplace

When faced with change, you have one of three choices. Lead, follow or get out of the way. Choose to lead! This course will help managers deal with change in the workplace - both personally and as a leader of their team. Topics include understanding both positive and negative effects of change, learning personal response to change, helping to lead employees through change, seeing change as an opportunity, and communication during change.

97318
Th, Jan 30
9 am - 4 pm
$595
SCC CBIZ 103
T Westbrook
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Emotional Intelligence

Your emotions play a vital role in our work and personal lives. Channeling your emotions, either positively or negatively, can make or break your professional relationships. We will gain insight into how to use our emotions to create positive workplace results. Through discussion, we will uncover techniques that will allow you to set aside emotions that sabotage your own effectiveness.

97310
T, Feb 11
9 am - Noon
$239
SCC CBIZ 103
H Woody
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> HR Legal Issues for Managers

Learn about the human resource function and legal issues that impact a manager's role. Get an overview of the major employment laws and work with case studies to apply the principals learned.

97313
Th, Mar 27
9 am - 4 pm
$895
SCC CBIZ 103
M Hudson
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Effective Performance Appraisals

Learn to write measurable performance expectations and evaluate nontangible skills. Learn to evaluate employees' current performance and write performance objectives they can follow. This course covers when employees do not meet expectations and disciplinary action that must be taken; as well as progressive discipline including written performance plans.

97315
Th, Apr 17
9 am - 4 pm
$495
SCC CBIZ 103
D McKee
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Business Mentoring & Coaching

Learn a coaching strategy to supplement your leadership and management strategies. Understand the qualities of great coaches, leadership coaching strategies and coaching skills. You will have the opportunity to practice being coached with fellow participants.

97311
Th, Apr 17
9 am - Noon
$239
SCC CBIZ 103
H Woody
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Evaluating Executive Presence

Leaders at all levels are often asked to strengthen their executive presence yet don't always understand how executive presence translates into everyday behaviors. This workshop will focus on a 4-part executive presence framework including: 1) how you show up; 2) how you deliver; 3) how you manage emotions; and 4) how you inspire. Leadership strategies will be shared, that when put into action, elevate executive presence, strengthen confidence, and accelerate impact.

101103
T, Feb 18
9 AM - 4 PM
$845
SCC CBIZ 103
T Prosek
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Strategic Impact: How to Transform Your Organization Strategy into Greater Impact

The ability to transform strategy into impact is what separates great leaders from good managers. Any good strategy should lead to better decision-making, more focused leaders, better engaged employees, more productive work, and happier customers. But how do you turn organizational strategy into daily, actionable work? Join us for Strategic Impact as we help you: -Contextualize your strategy in light of your desired organizational impact -Turn your organization's strategy into actionable daily tasks -Identify specific ways your team needs to develop to achieve your organizational objectives -Workshop your most pressing strategic challenges -Create a plan to improve your strategic leadership.

101161
Th, Mar 13
8 AM - Noon
$745
SCC CBIZ 103
S Ott
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Building an Engaged Workforce

People leaning into their work, bringing ideas to improve, delivering consistently great results and being people that we all want to work with is a tall order, but one that is achievable. Each individual taking ownership of how they choose to participate and the consequences of those choices is an essential secret sauce for building an engaged and responsible workforce. Leaders who do all they can to clear the path so that team members can win are necessary. All of this takes intentionality, focus, pursuit and purpose. In this session, we will take a closer look at how to create, lead and participate in building an engaged workforce.

101159
Th, Apr 3
9 AM - Noon
$445
SCC CBIZ 103
H Woody
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Coaching Strategies for Effective Leadership

Unlock the potential of your team through impactful coaching! This interactive workshop is designed for leaders who want to enhance their coaching skills to drive individual and team performance. Participants will explore proven coaching techniques to foster employee development, strengthen accountability, and build a culture of trust and collaboration. Learn how to deepen connections with team members by understanding what truly matters to them. Discover and apply three key coaching processes to help employees overcome barriers and provide effective, in-the-moment guidance.

101160
T, Apr 22
8 am - Noon
$895
SCC CBIZ 103
M Gnida
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Career Development: Empowering Your Employees
Employees today are seeking career development support, and their managers and organizations aren't always equipped with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to help them. Stewart Leadership's "Lead Your Career" framework will be introduced allowing you to try out some of the tools that can be utilized in your development and career conversations with employees to support them in figuring out what they want to do, why they want to do it while putting a plan together to get there. Lead Your Career provides a practical, step-by-step system to guide individuals to professional fulfillment, from career planning and personal branding to building a strong network and preparing for the next role.

101158
Th, May 15
9 am - Noon
$475
SCC CBIZ 103
T Prosek
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Building a Culture of Positivity, Accountability, and Performance at Work and on Your Team
Improving attitudes and driving performance are challenges all leaders face. This course focuses on fostering a positive workplace culture as the foundation for team and organizational effectiveness. Participants will explore key factors that shape culture, including climate, and effective communication. Focusing on the importance of setting clear expectations to drive accountability and learn to address problem-solving situations that enhance team dynamic. Real-life scenarios and practical applications will ensure participants leave equipped to nurture a culture of positivity, performance, and accountability beyond the training.

101688
Th, Jun 12
8 am - Noon
$595
SCC CBIZ 103
C Peerman
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Business Ethics & Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace
Business Ethics - Principles and Practices; Welcome to the New Era Participants will learn about honesty, truthfulness decision-making, environmental responsibility, social responsibility and the relationship between Artificial Intelligence and ethics. The session will discuss real-life case studies, ethical frameworks, and the role of artificial intelligence in ethical business practices. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming every facet of our lives-whether it's "re-composing" Beatles songs, devising algorithms that predict purchasing behavior with stunning precision, or enhancing the recruitment process to identify the most suitable candidates for your business. In an environment where rapid technological advancements are commonplace, leveraging AI is becoming not just an advantage but a necessity for companies aiming to stay ahead. By the end of the session, participants will understand how ethical practices can enhance reputation, manage risks, and contribute to sustainable business success.

101063
T, Apr 29
8 am - Noon
$279
SCC CBIZ 103
R Curry
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Developing a Future-Ready Workforce
As the future of work continues to evolve, organizations must focus on developing a workforce that is not only skilled but also adaptable and resilient. This session emphasizes the importance of identifying future competencies and fostering a culture of continuous learning and inclusivity. Leaders will explore strategies for creating a workforce that can thrive in a rapidly changing environment, where diversity is leveraged as a strength and agility is essential for success. By understanding the skills and mindsets needed for the future, participants will be equipped to build teams that are ready to meet tomorrow's challenges..

101113
T, Jun 24
9 - 11 AM
$279
SCC CBIZ 103
R Curry
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Mental Health

This is a class that will study the signs and symptoms of mental health . It will also discuss how to guide assistance to someone with a mental health crisis and discuss de-escalation techniques to assist with a mental health crisis or every day situations.

97300
Th, Jan 16
6 - 9 PM
$45
CBIZ 112
B Carper
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SHRM Essentials of HR

Sharpen your HR Skills to face today's HR issues. SHRM, the leading global HR professional organization, has developed the SHRM Essentials of Human Resources course, which teaches the HR knowledge, skill, and competencies required for overall business success. Whether you are new to HR, or it's one of the many roles you fulfill at your company. In less than 20 hours of training time, you can cover the issues you need to reduce potentially costly lawsuits. The straightforward format ensures that HR concepts can be mastered and applied to real-life situations. This course is a partnership with North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC).

101156
Th, Jan 9 - Feb 6
6 - 9 PM
$699
Virtual
Call for the next class offerings 319-208-5375
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SHRM Certification Prep

Commit to Your Career. HR professionals like you are facing new and larger challenges each day due in part to a changing workforce, shifting legislation and regulations and so much more. Ensure you're prepared for these changes and anything else thrown your way with SHRM's global HR credentials, SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP. Unlike memorization-based certification credentials, SHRM certification measures an HR professional's most critical skill: the ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations. No other exam compares. By becoming SHRM certified, you prove your knowledge, competency and value to colleagues and to employers looking for a competitive edge in today's global economy. Wherever your career takes you, your SHRM certification will define you as an HR expert and leader. Network and collaborate with peers to share real-life examples and bring HR knowledge and competencies to life. The tuition includes the cost of instruction and the SHRM learning system (online and printed material). This course is provided through a partnership with North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC).

101157
Th, Feb 20 - May 22
6:30 - 9 PM
$1345
Virtual
C Peerman
Call for next class offering 319-208-5375
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Early Childhood Certificate Level II

In this certificate students will learn to develop curricula to support the development of each child, implementing evidence-based practices while being mindful of the impact of each child's family life, culture, language, and abilities. Students also learn to create appropriate learning opportunities, interactions, and environments for children to experience dramatic play, art, music, and fine and gross motor play; ultimately, students will be able to use assessment to analyze and guide children's behavior.

Early Childhood Guidance

This course focuses on developmentally appropriate, evidence-based approaches and positive guidance strategies for supporting the development of each child. The course emphasizes supportive interactions and developmentally appropriate environments while using assessment to analyze and guide behaviors. Students will learn the impact of family and each child's culture, language, and ability on child guidance. This course is approved for the Early Childhood Level II Certificate.

101061
T & Th Feb 4 - Mar 13
5:30 - 9:30 PM
$1075
SCC CBIZ 111
N Theodore-Moad
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Early Childhood Curriculum I

This course focuses on the development, implementation and assessment of appropriate environments and curricula for young children ages birth through eight. Students prepare to utilize evidence based practices in a context of children's family, culture, language, and abilities. An emphasis will be placed on understanding children's developmental stages and developing appropriate learning opportunities, interactions, and environments to support each child in the following areas: dramatic play, art, music, and fine and gross motor play. This course is approved for the Early Childhood Level II Certificate.

101062
T & Th, Mar 25 - May 1
5:30 - 9:30 pm
$1075
SCC CBIZ 111
N Theodore-Moad
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Paraeducator Certificate

This certificate will provide students an opportunity to develop skills and strategies to enhance communication and professionalism when working with colleagues, children, and families. Students will learn to support and maintain safe environments, as well as strategies for educational activities, team interventions, and technology interventions. Overall, these courses will help students to support and maintain the positive social, emotional, and behavioral development of children. This course is a partnership with Great Prairie AEA. Classes held virtually or in Ottumwa.

Roles & Responsibilities
This is the second course in the Paraeducator Certificate program. The student will develop skills and strategies to assist, support and maintain safe environments, educational activities,team interventions, and technology integration when working with colleagues, students, parents, and others. This course is approved for the Paraeducator Certificate.

98084
T & Th, Jan 9 - 23
5 - 10 AM
$218
Virtual
Great Prairie AEA
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Behavioral Improvement
This is the third course in the Paraeducator Certificate Program. The student will gain knowledge, skills, and strategies to assist, support, and maintain the positive social, emotional, and behavioral development of children. This course is approved for the Paraeducator Certificate.

98085
T & Th, Feb 6 - 20
5 - 10 AM
$218
Virtual
Great Prairie AEA
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Facebook for Business

Still think Facebook is a fad? Advertisers of all shapes and sizes are finding ways to leverage the social media giant's 1.2 billion users. You know you don't need to reach everyone on Facebook, but engaging even a teeny-tiny fraction of users who live in your corner of the world could do a lot for your business. Learn how to use Facebook's advertising tools to reach, engage and motivate your customers. Also learn tips on what to say, how to say it, and when to say it.

97326
T Feb 4 - 18
5 - 7 pm
$79
SCC CBIZ 110
M D'Souza
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