Microsoft, SBA team up to provide free training

Online course offers small business owners tips on technology

BY KRIS BEVILL

Apartnership between Microsoft and the U.S. Small Business Administration is bringing technology training to business owners at their own computers for use on their own time. The complimentary online course series, called Business Technology Simplified, is aimed at teaching small business owners the benefits of using modern technology to take their businesses to the next level.

“Microsoft is proud to partner with the SBA on the Business Technology Simplified e-learning course,” says Cindy Bates, vice president of Microsoft’s U.S. small-andmidsize business group. “The course is a valuable resource that guides entrepreneurs and business owners through technology considerations for business and highlights the importance of running a business on modern technology.”

The series features three course modules that provide information on a host of basic technology tools, from creating marketing materials to accounting upgrades and

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(continued from page 22) reducing hardware. Topics covered in the self-paced series include desktop technology, web-based services, how to reach more customers by extending your business online and managing your business’ sales pipeline. All three of the course modules offer audio-guided lessons and are designed to provide practical, relevant and easy-touse approaches to save time and money, reach more customers and take advantage of current business software, according to the SBA.

“We believe all business owners want to learn about and leverage technology to the benefit of their companies and customers,” says Sherree Stratton, economic development specialist for the SBA’s Minnesota district office. “Current users of the series span a range of aspiring entrepreneurs, startups and established firms looking to brush up on emerging tools and their knowledge of technology.”

The online learning series is an expansion on a print training course previously offered through SBA district offices and the agency’s resource partner network. Stratton says more than 3,000 hard copy versions of the SBA/Microsoft training series had been distributed previously to a variety of SBA small business clients. The digital version is expected to greatly expand the number of users. Approximately 4,000 users took part in the e-learning course in August alone, she says.

Participants of the course can test their knowledge through quizzes after each module. An e-book of each module is also available to download for offline reading. Those who finish the series will earn a certificate of completion from the SBA. Interested parties will have the opportunity to take part in the Business Technology Simplified online course series for at least two years. Updates and replacements to the series content will be made as necessary and will be based upon user interest and evolving technology tools. For more information, or to take the course, visit www.sba.gov/sba-learning-center/series/business-technology-simplified.

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Kris Bevill Editor, Prairie Business 701-306-8561, kbevill@prairiebizmag.com