3C Insider: Futureproof your business with digital tools and 3CU
According to our latest study launched this week, a vast majority (78%) of small business leaders say that digital tools are critical for their success and growth in 2023. With 75% of small business leaders using digital tools to navigate tough economic conditions, having reliable resources at your disposal is more important than ever.
3C will continue to provide continued support and resources for small businesses, and we’re thrilled to announce our newest course on 3C University: QuickBooks Online for Small Businesses. The first of four programs coming in 2023, this course will help small businesses manage accounting more confidently by covering all the essentials: organizing vendors, billing, expenses, invoicing, payments, and receipts. Participants will also learn how to save time by automating tasks, an essential function for overworked entrepreneurs.
At 3C, we don’t just offer free online courses and resources. We also bring together small business leaders from across the country to exchange insights and learn from one another through our 3C Community. This past week, we convened a virtual roundtable to discuss the challenges minority-led small businesses face in accessing capital and share advice on how others can overcome similar challenges.
We know that challenges like these and economic uncertainty can make it difficult to run your business, but 3C is here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can help small businesses thrive in the digital economy of the 21st century.
Rob Retzlaff
Executive Director
3C University (3CU)
QuickBooks Online for Small Businesses
3C University (3CU) is a free online learning platform dedicated to empowering small businesses to grow and succeed. 3CU provides innovative opportunities for small businesses to:
- Evaluate and improve digital skills.
- Discover digital tools that can optimize and grow their business.
- Share experiences and expertise with a community of fellow business owners.
- Access specialized trainings with courses taught by industry experts.
3CU’s latest course, QuickBooks Online for Small Businesses, is officially available for small businesses! This free course aims to help businesses better manage their accounting with confidence and ease using QuickBooks Online, covering essential topics such as organizing vendors, billing, expenses, customers, invoicing, payments, and receipts. You’ll also learn how to generate reports that provide insights into the performance of any business. The program is led by accounting professional and 3CU digital trainer Manny Cosme. It aims to empower small business leaders to take control of their finances and gain a deeper understanding of how their companies perform.
The 3C Community
The conversations are just starting on the 3C Community: our new private social network designed exclusively for small business leaders like you. We’d love to have you join us! Think of the 3C Community as your online hub for small business. Whether you’re looking to up your game with digital tools, stay on top of important policies, or simply network with like-minded small businesses, we’ve got you covered.
Ready to join the conversation? Click here to get started. We can’t wait to see you in the 3C Community!
I am 3C – Small Business Stories
Share your success story about how digital tools have empowered your business to help others understand their importance for small businesses. Click here to let us know if you’re interested in this great opportunity to share your story.
Fund Black Founders
Renee King’s attempt to build an artificial intelligence (AI) platform to help disabled people inspired her to start a community capital platform that ensures local Black founders and black-owned businesses have access to funding. Her team advises founders to use free and low-cost digital tools, such as Google Workspace, Facebook, Instagram business accounts, and Google Maps and Search, to help them grow their businesses.
Historically, black-owned businesses have received less than one percent of venture capital funds, and getting loans from banks and the SBA is difficult. Renee believes that making digital tools more widely available is key to giving Black-owned businesses a fair chance at success.
Your Quick Digital Fix
What’s in a name? Everything. Choosing the right company name is key to establishing a brand identity that chimes with potential customers; so, it’s important to choose the right one. Namelix’s Business Name Generator uses the power of AI to suggest short, memorable, brandable names for any small business. Check it out here.
Here are 5 more things you should know:
1. How to speed up content creation without sacrificing quality
Canva provides a useful list of advice for those seeking to inject more creativity into their content creation and speed it up. A few tips include: creating templates, using AI writing and image-creation tools, and developing clear brand guidelines.
2. Top methods to make money on Amazon in 2023
How can businesses and individuals use Amazon most effectively to earn money? JungleScout has some tips, which include selling private-label products, becoming an Amazon influencer, and joining the ranks of wholesalers on the site.
3. Chatbot vs. live chat software: what’s the right solution?
When communicating with customers, companies face a choice between using automated chatbots or employing human representatives. Each option has advantages, but the final decision should be based on a company’s priorities. Factors like consistency, personalization, and accuracy should be considered. To help determine which option is best, check out this guide from Gorgias.
4. Social media design tips to stand out on the feed
According to Hootsuite, making social media posts stand out is crucial for reaching customers. Businesses can enhance their online presence by following a few key steps. This includes creating a clear visual strategy, mastering design basics (such as using complementary colors and contrast), and avoiding copyright issues when selecting images or graphics.
5. What is customer service automation and how can companies benefit?
Automating and streamlining customer relationships can be essential for small businesses, which typically cannot field large sales teams. Mailchimp offers an intro to customer service automation paired with different strategies for taking advantage of it, such as chatbots and software that provides continuity if one sales agent must transfer a customer to another. These strategies can reduce costs, increase efficiency, and help businesses scale sustainably.
Do you have a small business story you’d like to share with us or any questions or concerns you’d like us to address? Email us at membership@connectedcouncil.org
