NY Designs helps emerging and established design firms flourish with vibrant studio space, proven business training, sustainability workshops, and hands-on business counseling—all under one roof.
The following are fall '09 classes that are available. For further details on any class or to learn more about NY Designs, go to the website at: http://www.nydesigns.org/business-courses.
Fall 09: Courses for Design Entrepreneurs
BUSINESS COURSES:
1- Opening Your Design Business (October 29)
2- Guerrilla PR Tactics for Designers (November 5 - December 3)
3- Effective Proposal and Pricing Strategies (November 14)
4- Oops, I'm in Business. Now What? [Teleclass] (Nov. 5- December 17)
5- Effective Networking to Grow your Design Business (November 21)
ONLINE SUSTAINABILITY / RENEWABLE ENERGY COURSES
1) Certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE)
2) Certified Indoor Air Quality Manager (CIAQM)
3) Weatherization Energy Auditor
4) Home Energy Analyst
5) Intro to Building Energy Efficiency
6) Fundamentals of Solar Hot Water Heating
BUSINESS COURSES:
1) Opening Your Design Business
Thursday, October 15, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. ($99)
If you're like most designers, you are passionate about Designing! When it comes to starting a design business, you need more then just passion to bring it all together. In this class, you will learn how to implement all of the basic details of starting a business from the legal, accounting, and hiring of employees to understanding the demands, cost of business, and how to price your services.
Instructor: Carol Overby, Professor of Accounting and Business in the department of Design & Management at Parsons.
2) Guerrilla PR Tactics for Designers
Thursdays, November 5 - December 3 (excluding Thanksgiving Day), 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 4 sessions / $199
Ever wonder why some designers attract an avalanche of attention and publicity? Often it’s because they have identified industry “influencers” -- movers and shakers, journalists, style mavens, bloggers, conference directors, curators, and the like -- and communicated directly with them as a first step. These savvy designers know that validation from the right people in specific orbits can carry their messages so much further. This course teaches you the strategic backbone of a successful guerrilla marketing plan: how to identify the influencers who can take your name recognition to the next level, and how to engage them persuasively. Guerrilla tactics (using cleverness, not big spending) are employed.
These how-to’s will be covered: Identifying the segments of your market, articulating your competitive advantage and design “signature”, developing polished and effective press and sales materials, determining where your prospects are and showing up (aka “fishing where the fish are”), pitching stories to the press, garnering public speaking invitations, amping up networking and word-of-mouth referrals, smart ways to work a room, and how & why you should talk to strangers.
Course is intended for professional designers offering products and services in the marketplace.
Instructor: Susan Harkavy, a seasoned public relations consultant to up-and-coming design businesses.
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3) Effective Proposal and Pricing Strategies
Saturday, November 14th, 10am - 2pm $99
Learn persuasive techniques for writing winning business proposals and creating smart pricing strategies that will help you get paid what you're worth and still close the sale. You will understand how to create proposals that clearly communicate the benefits of your services, so that your prospect will want to hire you over your competitor.
Instructor: Ed Abel, business advisor and mentor. Ed is founder and senior coach of ABEL Business Institute.
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4) "Oops, I'm in Business... Now What?" [Teleclass]
Thursdays, Nov. 5th- December 17th (excluding Thanksgiving Day) 6:30pm - 7:30pm 6 sessions / $199
This no-nonsense program will transform you from a designer to a design business owner. Learn the business strategies that prevent costly mistakes and get real-world, practical solutions for your specific problems and business barriers. You will understand:
- How to attract more clients to your business.
- How to communicate effectively so that your marketing message is clearly understood.
- How to create the right relationships in order to strengthen your business.
- How to build systems that will allow for a smooth running operation.
This class includes a copy of the "Oops, I'm in Business... Now What?" Home Study Guide - Highlights Edition.
Instructor: Ed Abel, business advisor and mentor. Ed is founder and senior coach of ABEL Business Institute.
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5) Effective Networking to Grow your Design Business
Saturday, November 21, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. $99
Learn how to network effectively so that you can develop valuable relationships that lead to closed business. You will understand where to go and how to decide which events have the most value. You will stop just collecting cards by applying a step by step process for meeting, chatting with, and following up with people you meet.
Instructor: Ed Abel, business advisor and mentor. Ed is founder and senior coach of ABEL Business Institute.
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ONLINE SUSTAINABILITY / RENEWABLE ENERGY COURSES
6) Certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE)
Start Date: 11/09/2009 (32 hrs / 3 month access) - $1,000
The Certified Indoor Environmentalist Course is an in-depth program that teaches you the core skills needed to perform indoor environmental assessments of all building types. You will learn the fundamentals of indoor air quality and more advanced topics that will educate even seasoned veterans. The course is accessible for 3 months online and is Instructor supported
7) Certified Indoor Air Quality Manager (CIAQM) Online
Start Date: 11/2/2009 (28 hrs / 3 month access) - $800
Are you a facility manager, building engineer or property owner that is interested in how indoor air quality (IAQ) affects the occupants of your space? The Certified IAQ Manager course is designed to help you diagnose environmental problems in your building, correct them, and prevent them from happening again. You will learn practical steps to establish an IAQ Management Plan for your facility, and prepare for certification exams from the American IAQ Council.
8) Weatherization Energy Auditor
Start Dates: 11/6/2009, 12/4/2009 (50 hrs / 7 week access) - $800
This course will teach you Core Competencies for the Weatherization Assistance Program developed by the Weatherization Trainers Consortium. The curriculum elements are designed to train technicians involved in the field of building performance and energy efficiency, and the course is compliant with the BPI Energy Analyst Standards.
9) Home Energy Analyst (HERS)
Start Dates: 11/6/2009, 12/4/2009 (50 hrs / 7 week access) - $800
The Building Analyst and HERS Rater course presents you with a solid scientific foundation upon which you can build an accurate understanding of modern buildings as an inspector or auditor. Each topic includes an overview of technology, examples of installations and defects, audit procedures, and guidelines for retrofit analysis. The information presented covers the topic areas included in the BPI Building Certification Model, the RESNET Home Energy Rating Standards, and the WAP Core Competencies exam.
10) Intro to Building Energy Efficiency
Start Date: 11/16/2009 (35 hrs / 30 day access) - $495
This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to run an energy efficient and safe building. You will cover topics such as; Building Science, Building Shell, Heating and Cooling, Energy Usage and Energy Auditing.
11) Fundamentals of Solar Hot Water Heating
Start Date: 11/16/2009 (60 hrs / 11 week access) - $695
This course concentrates on the basics of installing code-compliant solar hot water systems. The course will be useful for people who currently work in or plan to be employed in the solar hot water industry. Student
technicians will learn practical design criteria, installation guidelines, safety issues, maintenance, and legal
considerations of solar hot water heating systems.
