City of Chicago, Business Affairs & Consumer Protection FEBRUARY CALENDAR Free Workshops

The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) offers FREEbusiness workshops every Wednesday and Friday at City Hall, 8th Floor. To register for a workshop call 312-744-2086. You also can register by emailing BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org.

    
2/4     City Inspections - Ask Questions, Get Answers     
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Presented by the City of Chicago
To operate a successful business in Chicago you must know the requirements. Talk to officials from four City departments who will provide insight to operate safely, stay compliant, help prepare for inspections and point out the do's and don'ts of operating your business. Don't miss this workshop!

2/6     How to Obtain a Sidewalk Cafe Permit
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented by BACP's Small Business Center - Public Way Use Unit
Take the mystery out of the Sidewalk Cafe Permit Application process by attending this informative workshop. We will explain the application process, inform you of all the requirements, and help you get prepared to submit an application. The entire application process may take 30 - 45 days, and the 2015 Sidewalk Cafe Season begins on March 1, so make sure to reserve your seat now.

2/11    Building Better Digital Tools For Your Business 101
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.  
Presented by Rich Hankison, Early Bird MVP
Learn to how to work with developers and plan better websites, apps, and software for your business to make it easier to buy and sell to drive scaling and profiting. Many businesses have unique problems, and could do business better - and at a higher volume - with use-case specific tools, but non-technical entrepreneurs have the same questions and confusions about how the process works. We will demystify the development process, help set    expectations as to what can be built and at what price points, and to teach entrepreneurs to ask the right questions of developers. Also, we will discuss developing with local Chicago talent, and what makes sense for your business. 

2/13   Successful Marketing in the Google Ecosystem
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented by Digital Professional Institute at Tribeca Flashpoint 
Google provides a variety of tools and methods you can use to promote your business and drive sales. But how do all of these elements work together, and what are the best ways to utilize them successfully? Join Jason  Abrahams, Vice President of Marketing for Root3 Growth Marketing, as he covers the tips and best practices for navigating through some of the most powerful marketing tools in the digital world: the Google Ecosystem.Topics include: picking relevant keywords and optimizing your site for SEO, Adwords campaigns: Making the right bid, measuring results from Adwords in Google Analytics, and understanding how to use Google + for business.

2/18     Experiential Marketing: How To Apply It To Your Business
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.  
Presented by Go2Girls
This workshop is designed to teach business owners how experiential marketing lets brands show people not just what they are - but who they are. Find out how to create a deeper connection with your consumer that leads to bigger profits and better relationships.

2/20    Tax Issues for Self-Employed Individuals & Businesses
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented by Eric Sternberg of the Center for Economic Progress & Yolanda Ruiz of the Internal Revenue Service
This workshop will give an introductory understanding of common tax issues that self-employed individuals often encounter. Participants will learn when they must file a tax return, how to identify worker classification, how to prepare for an IRS audit, how to make quarterly estimated payments, and how to navigate the IRS website.  Participants will benefit from the perspectives of both the individual taxpayer and the Internal Revenue Service.

2/25    Increasing Your Business's Accessibility to People with Disabilities
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.  
Presented by Chicago Commission on Human Relations
This presentation by the Chicago Commission on Human Relations will offer a review of the protections afforded to individuals protected under the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance. The material will focus on the obligations of businesses whose facilities, services, or products available to the public are considered a public accommodation. Specifically, the Commission will review the new accessibility standards which public accommodations must comply with under the Ordinance.      

2/27    Protecting Your Restaurant: Legal Considerations    
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented by Lema Khorshid, Fuksa Khorshid, LLC
Before opening the doors to your new restaurant, it's important to be aware of legal risks that exist so that you can properly protect your business. This presentation will first explore different sources to fund your business venture and teach you some basic principles of how to protect yourself in the claws of litigation. We will also discuss intellectual property laws and provide practical approaches on how to implement a solid intellectual property plan. Finally, we will look at important employment laws as well as review restaurant space lease agreements to help demystify confusing legalese and provide tips for finding the best restaurant location.