Project OPEN Training

In Partnership with Kansas State University- Salina and Salina Area Chamber of Commerce

 

Winter 2023 Course Offerings 

These courses should be taken together as they are meant to walk entrepreneurs and start-ups through the process of creating a full business plan.

 

Basics of Marketing, Management & Strategy: Tuesday, Feb. 7 | 5:30-8:30pm | Kansas State-Salina      REGISTER HERE

Financial Basics & Tools: Thursday, Feb. 9 | 5:30-8:30pm | Kansas State- Salina                        REGISTER HERE

 

    1. Basics of Marketing, Management, and Strategy

      – Focused training on essential information to assess the feasibility of your ideas to start or grow your business. Those completing this step will have the base knowledge of the components of a standard business plan.
      Includes the following concepts:
      • Your mission: What you do, who you serve, and why
      • Your vision for the future: A picture of your business in 5 years, how you will get there
      • Your Team
      • Knowing the options: How to structure / organize your business;
      • External and internal environment: customers, competitors, regulatory environment
      • The 4 P’s of Marketing: Product, price, place; promotion
      • What is your target market; how will you communicate with prospective buyers
      • Who are your competitors and what is your competitive advantage;
      • Potential for growth

    2. Financial Basics and Tools

      – Training geared to accurately calculate future sales and costs, determine working capital needs, and prepare for the future needs of new and existing businesses.
      Includes the following concepts:
      • Conducting break-even analysis;
      • Forecasting sales, costs, assets, liabilities;
      • Understanding tax compliance;
      • Exploring financial statements;
      • Determining working capital needs;
      • Define funding needs.
      • The Go No-Go Decision
 

If you have any questions regarding our training courses or eligibility for Project OPEN, email us at open@salinakansas.org 

Instructional Team

Training will be delivered by the team of Kathy Brockway, Fred Guzek, and Sue Guzek; all three faculty members of Kansas State University- Salina. They bring substantial commercial experience and strong academic credentials to the program. All three have served as consultants to Fortune 500 clients as well as smaller businesses, and offer a total of over 60 years of business experience and over 40 years of teaching experience to our program.

Sue Guzek

Sue Guzek holds a B.A. in Modern Language, a Graduate Certificate in Proactive Leadership, and an M.S. in International Project Management.

Fred Guzek

Fred Guzek holds a B.S. in Earth Science, a Master’s in Public and Private Management, and a Ph.D. in Business Administration (Marketing).

Kathy Brockway

Kathy Brockway holds a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.S. in Accountancy, and has earned certifications as a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, and Certified Financial Manager.