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Open for (small) Business

emmajane's picture
Submitted by emmajane on Mon, 06/30/2008 - 20:15.

Session recording

Attached files

Placement
Session time: 
08/27/2008 - 15:00 - 08/27/2008 - 15:45
Conference booklet summary and bio
Article for conference booklet: 
In this session I will show you how to create a small business network on a multi-site Drupal installation. I will be using the small business network within my own community as an example. In small-town Canada we have seen an increase in the "cottage industry" as people in their 50s cash out of urban centres and move to the country. These micro-enterprise businesses often have only the owner (and their partner) as staff. Although the businesses offer a huge range of services, they have one thing in common--very small budgets. Individually these businesses can rarely afford expert technical support, sophisticated Web sites and beautiful Web design--but with a Drupal-based business network, small businesses can now afford to look like pros on-line. (1) The Clients * developing your client roster (my network includes: farmers, a gourmet restaurant, a bookshop, a naturopathic doctor and a retreat centre) * creating self-sufficient clients: training materials; Drupal help nights (my group has nicknamed themselves "The Drupesters") * managing expectations (their budget and your time) (2) The Business Model * you are now a business coach, congratulations! * how and how much to charge: tips on appropriate prices * reduce, reuse, recycle: you must become efficient (3) Technical (Drupal) Information * Drupal modules your clients will want * using template designs * tips on creating and using a multi-site Drupal installation By the end of this session I hope that Drupal enthusiasts will see how they can turn too-small-for-me clients into a potential source of income. Please come with your stories about how you've used Drupal in your (small business) community.
Bios for conference booklet: 
Emma Jane Hogbin lives and works in a small town in Canada. As the founder of a community consultancy, HICK Tech, Emma gets people excited about using open source software. She is also an avid crafter and chronicles her adventures at emmajane.net.

Overview
In this session I will show you how to create a small business network on a multi-site Drupal installation. I will be using the small business network within my own community as an example.

In small-town Canada we have seen an increase in the "cottage industry" as people in their 50s cash out of urban centres and move to the country. These micro-enterprise businesses often have only the owner (and their partner) as staff. Although the businesses offer a huge range of services, they have one thing in common--very small budgets. Individually these businesses can rarely afford expert technical support, sophisticated Web sites and beautiful Web design--but with a Drupal-based business network, small businesses can now afford to look like pros on-line.

Agenda

  • The Clients
    • developing your client roster (my network includes: farmers, a gourmet restaurant, a bookshop, a naturopathic doctor and a retreat centre)
    • creating self-sufficient clients: training materials; Drupal help nights (my group has nicknamed themselves "The Drupesters")
    • managing expectations (their budget and your time)
  • The Business Model
    • you are now a business coach, congratulations!
    • how and how much to charge: tips on appropriate prices
    • reduce, reuse, recycle: you must become efficient
  • Technical (Drupal) Information
    • Drupal modules your clients will want
    • using template designs
    • tips on creating and using a multi-site Drupal installation

Goals
By the end of this session I hope that Drupal enthusiasts will see how they can turn too-small-for-me clients into a potential source of income.

Resources
Please come with your stories about how you've used Drupal in your (small business) community.