Improve Your Business in 2010

QuickBooks, Construction law featured in inaugural session

With the New Year comes a fresh membership program for MBIA members.  A series of business improvement “webinars” will be offered on the second and fourth Thursday of each month in the months of January – April, during the lunch hour.

A “Webinar” is a seminar that is held over the internet.  All participants are able to see the instructor’s computer screen and can follow power point slides, class notes, or any other document as needed. You can participate from the comfort of your home, office, or even the cab of your truck.  All you will need is a phone, computer and internet connection.  Registration will take place through the Webinars page of MBIA website (click here to view registration page).  All classes, which are one hour long, will be taught by regional experts. 

Our webinar schedule includes eight classes, four of which will focus on a separate feature of QuickBooks, one will focus on the Google analytics/ad-words, and three will focus on different areas of Montana construction law.   Our aim is to provide short, concise educational opportunities that will clear up some confusing aspects of Montana law and help your business run a bit smoother in the New Year.

We know that budgets are tight, and as a result we have kept the cost of the webinar’s as low as possible. Accordingly, several of the classes will be free and the most expensive class will only cost $30.

The first webinar, Montana Construction Lien Laws, will take place January 14^th at noon.  There is no cost to attend.  We hope that you find these classes a good value and a worthwhile use of your time.  

2010 Webinar Schedule:

January  14^th 2010 – 12:00pm – 1:00pm

            Legal Webinar: Montana Lien Laws (Click Here to Register)

            Cost: Free

January 27^th 2010– 12:00pm – 1:00pm

            QuickBooks Webinar:  Job costing #1, worker’s comp features of QuickBooks

            Cost: $30

February 11^th 2010– 12:00pm – 1:00pm

            Legal Webinar: Contract disclosures, model contracts

            Cost: $10

February 25^th 2010– 12:00pm – 1:00pm

            QuickBooks Webinar: Job costing #2

            Cost: $30

March 11^th 2010– 12:00pm – 1:00pm

            Legal Webinar: Prompt Payment Act  for projects over $400,000

            Cost: $30

March 25^th 2010– 12:00pm – 1:00pm

QuickBooks Webinar: Customer transactions: estimates, change orders, progress invoicing

            Cost: $30

April 8^th 2010– 12:00pm – 1:00pm

            Sales: Tracking use of your website, Google analytics, Adwords

            Cost: Free

April 22^nd 2010– 12:00pm – 1:00pm

QuickBooks Webinar: Employee tracking, allocating time to jobs, fully burdening employee labor

            Cost: $30

$8,000 First Time Buyer Credit To Be Extended

(Washington, D.C) – Senator Max Baucus (D-Montana) announced legislation that would extend the $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit.  Additionally, the legislation creates a $6,500 tax credit for “move up” buyers that have owned their home for at least 5 years.  Both credits will expire at the end of April 2010.

The Legislation, titled “The Worker, Homeowner and Business Assistance Act of 2009” was introduced as a substitute amendment to the Unemployment Compensation Act of 2009.   The Senate will likely vote on the measure Monday afternoon.

“This extension is extraordinary,” said Dustin Stewart, Executive Director of the Montana Building Industry Association.  “Senator Baucus has created an amazing homeownership opportunity for thousands of Montanans.”