Iowa Western Community College

Wednesday, March 26, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Explore strategies for expanding to new locations, including site selection, staffing, and maintaining brand consistency. This class provides a framework for growth while ensuring operational success.
 

Thursday, March 27, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Learn to create actionable, SMART goals that align with your business objectives. Participants will develop clear benchmarks and step-by-step plans to achieve them.

Monday, March 31, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
A great customer journey is the roadmap to lasting success. This class teaches business owners how to understand and design every stage of the customer journey—from first impressions to building loyalty. Participants will identify key touchpoints, create a customized journey map for their business, and learn strategies to optimize each stage for a seamless and memorable customer experience.

Wednesday, April 2, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Difficult conversations don’t have to be dreaded—they can be opportunities for growth, clarity, and stronger relationships. In this practical class, leaders will learn how to navigate challenging discussions with employees, customers, and other stakeholders. Participants will explore proven frameworks, practice handling challenging scenarios, and leave equipped to communicate with confidence and empathy.

Wednesday, April 2, 2025  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Goals give you direction; tracking progress keeps you on course. This interactive class teaches new business owners how to set meaningful goals, measure what matters, and use Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools to drive consistent growth. Participants will gain a clear understanding of essential metrics, practical goal-setting strategies, and the tools needed to monitor and improve their performance.

Thursday, April 3, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Learn strategies to maintain healthy cash flow, including effective invoicing and managing receivables. This class equips participants with tools to ensure business stability and growth.

Wednesday, April 9, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Discover how to turn ideas into market-ready products. Participants will brainstorm concepts, conduct market research, plan pricing, and draft a marketing strategy for a new offering.

Wednesday, April 9, 2025  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Your pitch should do more than inform—it should inspire action. In this interactive session, business owners will learn how to craft pitches and proposals that focus on solving problems, use storytelling to connect emotionally and follow best practices for effective presentations. The workshop will culminate in building and delivering a concise, impactful 5-minute pitch.

Thursday, April 10, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Gain insights into your competition to refine your strategy. This class covers competitor research, SWOT analysis, and tools for understanding market dynamics.

Monday, April 14, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
What sets your business apart? In this interactive class, discover how to identify and communicate your unique qualities to stand out in a crowded market. Participants will explore the three elements of differentiation—product, process, and personality. Develop their unique value proposition through hands-on exercises, and learn to share their story in a way that resonates with customers. A bonus framework will guide participants in finding their niche by combining passion, skills, and market demand.

Wednesday, April 16, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #022
Great customer service doesn’t just happen—it’s built into every step of the customer journey. This class equips new business owners with the skills to deliver exceptional service from the first interaction to post-sale follow-ups. Participants will learn how to create memorable experiences, handle complaints with grace, and foster loyalty that drives repeat business.

Thursday, April 17, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Get hands-on with free accounting tools like Wave or QuickBooks to track transactions, generate reports, and manage business finances with confidence.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Master hiring essentials, from job posting to onboarding, designed for growing businesses. This class focuses on crafting effective job descriptions, interviewing techniques, and streamlining the onboarding process.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Customers don’t buy products—they buy solutions to their problems. This class will teach new business owners how to frame their product or service as the answer to their customers' most pressing challenges. Participants will explore problem-focused sales approaches, practice identifying pain points, and craft messaging that resonates with their audience.

Thursday, April 24, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Understand the basics of financial forecasting to plan for future success. Participants will create simple revenue and expense projections and learn to manage cash flow scenarios.

Monday, April 28, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Promises are powerful—when done right, they can transform hesitation into action. This session will guide new business owners through the art of crafting an inspiring promise or guarantee that not only reduces buyer risk but also sets their business apart. Using real-world examples and hands-on exercises, participants will learn how to create a promise they can consistently deliver, boosting customer trust and loyalty.

Wednesday, April 30, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Fostering a community around your brand isn’t just a feel-good effort—it’s a powerful way to build loyalty and trust. This interactive session teaches new business owners how to authentically connect with their audience, create meaningful listening opportunities, and leverage social media to amplify their efforts. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to turn customers into advocates and followers into a thriving community.

Thursday, May 1, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Explore practical approaches to setting prices that maximize profit while staying competitive. Participants will analyze various pricing models and develop a customized strategy.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #010
Create a professional-looking website with user-friendly tools like Wix or Squarespace. Participants will cover design principles, content creation, and basic SEO for an impactful online presence.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025  1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #010
Objections don’t have to end a conversation—they can open doors to new opportunities. In this class, you will learn how to anticipate and address objections, use active listening to create meaningful dialogue and develop strategies for negotiating deals that build trust and deliver value to both parties.

Thursday, May 8, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #010
Build a concise, one-page business plan outlining your vision, goals, and strategy. This practical session helps participants define their value proposition and key milestones.

Monday, May 12, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Strong processes and a positive culture aren’t just internal tools—they’re the foundation of a successful business that delights customers and engages employees. This hands-on class teaches business owners how to create systems that promote consistency, involve employees and vendors in shaping a shared culture, and understand how culture directly impacts the customer experience. Participants will leave with actionable steps to build a culture and processes that fuel growth and satisfaction.

Wednesday, May 14, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Your reputation is more than what you say about yourself—it’s what others say about you when you’re not around. This class will equip you with the tools and strategies to build, protect, and manage your business's reputation. From encouraging positive reviews to gracefully handling negative feedback, participants will learn how to cultivate trust and credibility. Bonus: Discover tools to monitor your online reputation and maintain a positive image.

Thursday, May15, 2025  10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Council Bluffs Campus – Looft Hall #023
Prepare your business for tax season with essential steps for organizing finances. This class covers tax obligations, common deductions, and tips for efficient record-keeping.