Company News: Page (1) of 1 - 02/25/13

California Resources and Training Launches Free Online Webinars for Small Businesses

(February 25, 2013)

(PRWEB) February 25, 2013

California Resources and Training (CARAT) today announces a new online training and networking resource available free to the states small business owners. By logging on to http://www.caratnet.org small business owners can gain access to free OnDemand Webinar Videos that offer courses on a range of topics, including e-marketing, website development, e-commerce, social media, online communications, financial management, and e-procurement.

For example, the social media webinar will teach small businesses the importance and the execution of social media. The key to a robust, successful social media strategy is to build a relationship with your customer through frequent interaction. Social media is not used for selling, but relationship development and engagement.

Small businesses are the backbone of Californias economy. CARATs mission is to promote community and economic development by helping these businesses grow and thrive, especially in underserved low-income, rural and urban communities, said CARAT Executive Director Selma Taylor.

A Small Business Administration report just released this month shows California small businesses employ 51% of the states workforce. Most employ fewer than 20 people. Self-employment has surged in the last decade, with self-employed minorities growing 36.5% between 2000 and 2010, double the states overall self-employment growth rate.

This online platform provides important digital training tools to help Californias existing small businesses become more successful, and we expect it to help promote entrepreneurship and new businesses in communities of high unemployment, said Taylor.

CARAT works statewide in conjunction with 10 collaborative partners: Alameda County SBDC, Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program, Contra Costa County SBDC, California Capital FDC, California State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Coachella Valley Womens Business Center, Inland Empire Womens Business Center, Latino Business Chamber of Greater Los Angeles, and Manchester Community Technologies to offer technology-based training focusing on job creation and broadband adoption. CARAT receives funding from the California Emerging Technology Fund and other major funders such as Bank of America, Union Bank, and Wells Fargo. The online webinar platform will augment this work.

ABOUT CARAT

California Resources and Training (CARAT) is a private non-profit founded in 1994 to integrate and build technical assistance for small businesses throughout California and create relationships with lending institutions to promote economic development in low-income urban and rural communities. CARATs mission is to expand business assistance and digital training to California small businesses.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/2/prweb10462055.htm.

Page: 1

Related Keywords:economy, business and finance, economy (general), government aid, government debt, government contract, government health care, government, national government, heads of state, government departments, non government organizations (NGO), state budget and tax, church and state relations, society, American football, Major League Baseball (North American Professional) - American League, Major League Baseball (North American Professional) - National League, Major League Baseball (North American Professional) - Special (e.g. All-Star, World Series), National Basketball Association (North American Professional), African Games, interest rate, human interest, society, economy, business and finance, financial and business service, business enterprises, business (general), economy, business and finance, financial and business service, business enterprises, business (general),