Cambridge-Isanti Community Education

Identify the architecture and protocols that keep networks secure. Understand the role of routers, switches, and firewalls in network security. Tackle network security fundamentals, implementing firewalls and VPNS, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) and securing wireless networks. For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Learn the top five considerations when starting a social network as well as tips to manage an online community. Identify how to manage this influx of information created by the new media revolution. Discover what you might be doing wrong in social media as well as essential policies to have in place for your employees and company. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Certificate in Social Media For Business. Class Details Unit 1: Running a Community and Creating Your Own Social Network Using Ning Online Communities and Creating Your Own Social Network with Ning Top 5 Considerations When Starting a Social Network What Goes into Build a Great Social Network What is an online community manager What is Ning and How to Use the Platform Examples of Companies Using Ning Unit 2: What Tools to Use for Your Organization What tools and platforms will help get content on the web Readings on top new tools to consider How to select which tool to use How video fits into online marketing Organizing and collaborating with Google products How to take advantage of mobile and local in applications and search Unit 3: Integrating Social Platforms into Your Web Site Discovering how web design has changed and what is needed for true integration Understanding elements on websites that increase interaction, engagement, search engines findability Learn best practices for website usability and landing page design Discuss how your sites compare and generate next steps that will improve your business Unit 4: Developing a Manageable Work Flow: Time, Resources, Policies, and Trends Developing a Manageable Work Flow Time and Resources: How do you know where to spend your time? Target Social Media Influencers to Boost Traffic and Sales Is Your Company Ready for Social Media or Are They Holding You Back? Trends - What's Next or Are We Still Working on Last Year's Trends? Social Media Policies and Planning For A Crisis For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Learn how to develop a web course, the principals behind the adoption of technology innovation, and the nature of the online learning environment. Get tips for planning your online course, identifying resources and design guidelines. Discuss the phases of design and development, motivating student-to-student interaction and how to manage it. Get the latest information on copyright issues, assessment and evaluation. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Certificate in Online Teaching. Agenda Unit 1: Overview of the Online Instructional Environment Internet basics Principles behind the adoption of technology innovation The nature of the online learning environment Unit 2: Envisioning Your Online Course Types of web courses Preparing for the move to the Web Analyzing your current course Planning your web course Identifying resources Design guidelines Unit 3: Developing a Web course Team vs. Individual approach to development Phases of design and development Models of web courses Unit 4: Online Interaction Online collaboration Creating an interactive environment Motivating student-student interaction Managing interaction Unit 5: Issues in the Web Environment Managing email Facilitating discussions Class size Copyright For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Discover the ten (10) Project management Knowledge Areas and their support role and relationships to the five (5) Project Management Processes. With these tools in hand, take your project management skills to the next level. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Certificate in Project Management. Class Details Unit 1: Project Integration & Scope Management Integration Management Direct & Manage Project Work Perform Integrated Change Control Scope Management Control Scope Unit 2: Project Time & Cost Management Time Management Sequence Activities Control Schedule Cost Management Plan Cost Management Unit 3: Project Quality, Human Resources & Communications Management Quality Management Human Resources Management Communications Management Unit 4: Project Risk, Procurement & Stakeholder Management Risk Management Plan Risk Responses Procurement Management Stakeholder Management For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Identify the architecture and protocols that keep networks secure. Understand the role of routers, switches, and firewalls in network security. Tackle network security fundamentals, implementing firewalls and VPNS, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) and securing wireless networks. For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Develop a two-way communication and marketing strategy for your organization using social media. Learn quick, easy ways to use Twitter, blogs, and LinkedIn to engage your customers or clients and keep them interested in your organization. Discover the advantages and disadvantages of each, and learn what’s right for your work and kind of organization. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Certificate in Social Media For Business. Class Details Unit 1 Social media as a two-way communication The customer-business relationship The power of viral marketing Building customer loyalty with social media Using social media to brand your organization Unit 2 Creating, marketing and communicating using Blogs How blogs got started Writing blogs for work and business Marketing and promoting your blog Business strategies for blogs Unit 3 How to use Twitter Uniqueness of Twitter Creating tweets and messages Doing research and information gathering with Twitter Integrating Twitter with other publicity Unit 4 LinkedIn: a social media for professionals Why businesses and professionals use LinkedIn How LinkedIn distinguishes itself among social networks Getting connected with LinkedIn Case studies and examples of business and professional uses For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Learn all the basics of Photoshop to effectively work with selection and editing tools, layers, and masks to edit, retouch and enhance existing images or create your own composite digital art work. Impress your business organization, friends and family by enhancing their photos and create magazine cover quality enhanced images. Access to Adobe Photoshop software required. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Graphic Design Software Essentials Certificate. Class Details Unit 1: Getting to know the Interface and Selection Tools Interface menus Tools Panels Working with the various Selection tools Unit 2: Working with Layers and Masks Layers and layer management Non- destructive editing using masks How to type and format text Using various type formatting and style tools and panels Unit 3: Image Correction & Enhancement Photo correction and enhancement tools Crop, dodge and burn Recoloring, retouching Healing brushes Unit 4: Using the Drawing Tools How to use the Pen tool Other drawing tools in Photoshop Advanced drawing and selection File formats How to save files for print or web For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Being engaged with online learners is one of the biggest weaknesses of online teachers. Come discover how to continually engage students and build student success through your interaction, feedback and communication. You will get first hand experience as your instructor models great interaction and engagement, plus you will come away with practical, how-to tips to better engage your online learners. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Certificate in Online Teaching. Class Details Unit 1: How Continual Engagement Helps You Foster Effective Online Discussions What is continual engagement? Why is continual engagement important? Breaking down the barriers to effective continual engagement in your discussion interaction Unit 2: Building Your Students’ Success through Your Interaction Why continual engagement in online discussion is important to your students’ success Choosing your words carefully in discussion interaction Strategies to use at the beginning of your term Strategies to use as the term gets underway Strategies to use when things get hectic Unit 3: Assessing Your Students’ Performance Giving effective feedback Communicating with students about grades Some special challenges of group work and how to overcome them Unit 4: Keeping Your Communication Skills Sharp How networking with your peers can build your skills Using break times effectively Working with an assistant How online interaction enhances your face-to-face instruction For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Entrepreneurs must know how to effectively market their product or service. Learn a step by step approach to attract and keep customers, all within a realistic budget. Discover how to build a strong brand, analyze which tactics to use, and implement your marketing plan. Take away practical marketing tips and tools that you can use to improve your marketing efforts. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Entrepreneurship Certificate. Class Details: Unit 1: The Customer as the Driver Marketing Decisions Framework Positioning Your Product or Service Marketing Strategies and Goals Unit 2: Communicating Value to Customers Key Selling Messages Creating Emotional Connections Personal Selling Networking: Your 30-Second Introduction Unit 3: Creating a Strong Brand Managing the Marketing Mix Marketing on a Shoestring Budget Your Marketing Calendar Implementing Your Plan Unit 4: Building Customer Relationships Tools to Meet Your Strategic Goals Online Opportunities and Social Media Checklist Generating Buzz: Word-of-Mouth Marketing Measuring Effectiveness

Designed for non-financial managers, business owners, entrepreneurs, and other decision-makers, this advanced course will take the mystery out of money matters. Learn to assess and analyze the financial information that drives your business. Be empowered to make smart decisions when it comes to budgeting, setting goals, and assessing performance within your own area of influence. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Certificate in Accounting and Finance For Non-Financial Managers.. Class Details Unit 1: Financial Strategies 1.1 Your Role in Financial Decision Making Who is responsible for the financial decisions in your company? The Goal of Business 1.2 Understand the Language of Finance Accounting as a Language Learn the Language Visual Activity – Accounting Process Accounting and Recordkeeping Systems Self Check – Account Categories 1.3 Read the Story A Word about Financial Concepts ***Financial Concept: The Accounting Equation*** ***Financial Concept: The Matching Principle*** The Common Financial Statements Income Statement The Balance Sheet Statement of Cash Flows 1.4 The Purpose of Financial Statements Unit 2: Financial Dashboard – Introduction to Financial Gauges 2.1 Understand Basic Financial Concepts Introduction The Story Statements Tell ***Financial Concept: The Accounting Equation*** ***Financial Concept: The Profit Matching Principle*** ***Financial Concept: The Fund Matching Principle*** ***Financial Concept: Cash Basis vs. Accrual Basis Accounting Methods*** ***Financial Concept: Cash vs. Profits*** ***Financial Concept: Debt vs. Equity (Optimum Capital Structure)*** 2.2 Financial Strategies Financial strategies stem from business goals Take a Look: Example Financial Strategies 2.3 Financial Gauges Introduction to Financial Gauges Your Financial Gauges Profitability-based gauges Performance-based gauges 2.4 Reading Your Financial Gauges The Story Financial Gauges Tell Research and Analysis Unit 3: Financial Gauges - Profitability 3.1 Profitability Gauges Ratio Analysis Financial Gauge: Net Profit Margin (or) The Bottom Line Financial Gauge Gross Profit Margin Financial Gauge: Operating Margin Using Profitability Ratios 3.2 The Components of Profitability The Origin of Profits Sales and Expenses 3.3 Sales Sales Strategies Pricing Strategies 3.4 Cost of Goods Sold and Cost of Sales Cost of Goods Sold Gross Profit Margin Gross Profit Analysis and Planning Evaluate Profitability of Product or Service Lines 3.5 Expenses Budget vs. Actual Analysis Cost Management and Efficiency Unit 4: Financial Gauges - Performance 4.1 Making Money The Goal of Business Value Growth Company Resources 4.2 Taking Advantage of Assets Tangible vs. Intangible Assets Cash 4.3 Making the Most of Liabilities and Equity Liabilities Equity 4.4 Performance Financial Gauges Financial Gauge: Current and Quick Ratio (Liquidity) Financial Gauge: Return on Assets Financial Gauge: Return on Equity Financial Gauge: Debt to Equity Ratio 4.5 Financial Analysis and Planning Summary Downtown Publishing Financial Performance Analysis Summary For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Discover how to create a worksheet used to adjust account balances and prepare financial statements. Use your financial statements to measure performance, make improvements and set goals. Finally, learn how to close your books and prepare them for the next accounting period; this is done by journalizing and posting closing entries. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Bookkeeping Certificate. Class Details: Unit 1: Prepare a Worksheet What is a worksheet Columns included in the worksheet Completing each column Unit 2: The Income Statement Review the worksheet columns for the Income Statement Prepare the income statement Determine a profit or loss Unit 3: The Balance Sheet Review the worksheet columns for the Balance Sheet Prepare the balance sheet Unit 4: Closing Entries and Statement of Changes in Owner’s Equity Prepare post-closing entries for revenue and expense accounts Prepare a statement of changes in owner’s equity Applying year-end steps monthly or quarterly For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Transform your customer service into something extraordinary. Extraordinary customer service comes from focusing on the few essential elements that yield big results. Discover how easy it is to tweak your customer service from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Create a customer service plan that focuses on the key elements to get you started on your pathway to success. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 2 course Certificate in Customer Service. Class Details: Unit 1: Understanding Your Customer Why customer service is important Knowing your customer Customers are constantly evaluating you Basic customer service skills you may not have thought of Unit 2: Setting Customer Expectations Analyzing customer contacts Developing internal customer targets How to easily exceed your customers' expectations Unit 3: Developing Effective Processes What is working for your customers Re-engineering your process Ways to give the best information Handling complaints Unit 4: Marking Customer Service Extraordinary Tweaking the customer's experience Telling the world how great you are Having fun For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Advanced Excel contains tools that can help you prepare your worksheets accurately, examine your data for authentication, and find answers to your most difficult questions. Learn required business functions along with tools required to analyze data efficiently within the workplace. Save time by protecting your valuable data. Discover how to attractively visualize your data into meaningful information with confidence. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Certificate in Mastering Excel. Class Details Unit 1: Advanced Functions Used To Make Business Decisions Applying multiple criteria to functions Using And criteria Using Or criteria Using And and Or and Not criteria Advanced Logical functions Using If -Then control statements Implementing If functions with Aggregate functions Unit 2: Functions Used to Make Financial Decisions Learning basic financial functions Applying functions to perform loan calculations Computing loan payments Computing interest rate Computing number of payment periods Computing present value of a loan Working with additional functions Unit 3: Applying Different Scenarios Using Excel Data Tools Understanding Different What-If Analysis Tools Performing What-If Analysis to see how data changes outcomes in formulas Using Scenario Manager Using Data Tables Using Goal Seek Applying rules to manage cell data Implement validation rules to avoid invalid entries Entering validation rules Avoiding duplicate data entries Unit 4: Powerful Tools Used to Complete Data Implementation and Analysis Exporting and Importing Data into Workbook Protecting a workbook Making improved business decisions using pivot tables Creating an Excel Dashboard to visually display relevant data For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Expand your knowledge of Power BI Desktop to the highest level. Explore the advanced capabilities of Power Query, Data Modeling and Reports. Check for data inconsistencies, design efficient queries, create proper relationships, and write DAX code to ensure reports update quickly and accurately. Add navigation and analytical features to your reports to enable consumers to analyze the results. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Power BI Certificate. Class Details Unit 1: Power Query Utilize Column profile, distribution, and quality Perform fuzzy match Duplicate versus Reference queries Debug errors Unit 2: Data Modeling What a Star Schema is Understand relationship types Manage relationships Unit 3: DAX Understand contexts CALCULATE function COALESCE function Compute visual totals accurately Unit 4: Reports Insert Objects Create Bookmarks For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Six Sigma professionals are in demand by organizations around the world. Our Green Belt training teaches participants problem-solving skills, using the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) model. After completing this challenging course, Six Sigma Green Belts serve their organizations as a trained specialist able to work on Six Sigma projects that benefit the organization. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Certificate in Six Sigma Green Belt. Class Details Unit 1 Measure - Data & Process Analysis Process Analysis and Documentation Process Modeling Process Inputs and Outputs Collecting and Summarizing Data Data Types Data Collection Methods Data Accuracy and Integrity Graphical Methods Unit 2 Measure - Probability Probability and Statistics Valid Statistical Conclusions Central Limit Theorem Basic Probability Concepts Unit 3 Probability Distributions Binomial Distribution Poisson Distribution Normal Distribution Chi-square Distribution Student’s t Distribution Unit 4 Measure - Capability & Measurement Measurement System Analysis Process Capability and Performance Process Capability Studies Process Performance vs. Spec Process Capability Indices Short-term vs. Long-term Capability Process Capability for Attributes For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Enhance your understanding of program evaluation within the nonprofit context. Find out how to improve your evaluation planning, data collection, data analysis and data use. Special attention will be paid to the real-world challenges that organizations may face when conducting evaluation, including staff time, costs and reporting evaluation results to funders. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 2 course Certificate in Nonprofit Administration. Class Details Unit 1: Introduction to Nonprofit Evaluation & the Logic Model What evaluation is and is not Why evaluation is important to nonprofit organizations and why your funders are asking you for it Planning for evaluation begins when you apply for the grant Types of evaluation, and the approaches best suited to nonprofit programs Planning tools for evaluation – introduction to the logic model Crafting accurate, concise outcome statements Unit 2: Creating an Evaluation Plan What an evaluation plan is and why you need one Using outcomes from our logic model to create your evaluation plan Setting priorities for your evaluation (navigating barriers based on budget, funder requirements, staff time and staff capacity) Creating indicators for your outcomes Defining benchmarks and targets where appropriate Unit 3: Collecting the Data Taking stock of the data you already use Making data collection systematic Choosing and/or creating data collection tools – output information, surveys, interviews, focus groups Unit 4: Analysis, Reporting and Use – Putting it All Together Appropriate analysis of the common data collection tools covered in Unit 3 Common analysis mistakes and how to avoid them Reporting to various stakeholders (funders, donors, Board of Directors and the community) Using data for program improvement For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Acquire the fundamentals of the most popular Web 2.0 technologies. Take away a functioning web application hosted on a web server that is both accessible and Search Engine Optimized. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Certificate in Web Design. Class Details Unit 1: Javascript Expressions and Control Flow Functions, Objects, and Arrays Form Validation and Error Handling Accessing CSS from JavaScript Unit 2: MySQL Install a local testing server Use phpMyAdmin to create MySQL databases and manage users Create MySQL database tables with common field types and options Gain a working knowledge of most common MySQL statements Unit 3: PHP Structure Expressions and functions Objects and arrays Practical use Unit 4: Accessibility and Search Engine Optimization Accessibility Guidelines Accessibility Conformance Search Engine Optimization For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Whether starting a business or growing the one you have, a business plan serves as a roadmap and can help secure needed funding. Evaluate the many aspects and potential hurdles of the business and build the Business Plan, one step at a time. Uncover hidden risks and assess the business from a marketing, management, and financial vantage point. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Entrepreneurship Certificate. Agenda Unit 1 Getting Started—Refine your concept and begin your plan Prepare your concept statement—What, Who, Why, When, and How. Identify product/service features and benefits. Identify limitation, liabilities, and regulations. Write your Business Description and evaluate it against a Business Description checklist. Unit 2 Prepare the Marketing Plan Conduct an industry and competitive analysis. Perform a market analysis and identify target markets and a market penetration strategy. Identify your pricing strategy. Write your Marketing Plan and evaluate it against a Marketing Plan checklist. Unit 3 Prepare the Management and Financial Plans Identify key people and positions, duties and responsibilities. Determine funding needs and sources. Create sales and expense estimates. Write your Management and Financial Plans and evaluate them against checklists. Unit 4 Complete the Business Plan and Assess Business Feasibility Polish the plan and add final elements—Cover Page, Executive Summary, Table of Contents. Evaluate business plan against checklist and identify items in need of additional work. Assess business against feasibility checklist. Identify next steps. For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Whether you are sending out a press release, communicating internally with a memo or promoting your own skills on LinkedIn, strong writing skills are the key to success. Come away with the tools and techniques you need to improve your copywriting skills and learn how to avoid the common writing mistakes that can hold you back. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Certificate in Business Writing. Class Details Unit 1: Copywriting Essentials How to tell the difference between bad copy and good copy The art of the perfect sentence Developing your message Crafting your document roadmap Adapting your style to the audience and message Unit 2: Getting to the Point Clarity and brevity: Less is more Active vs. Passive Voice Cutting the clutter Using concrete examples and avoiding unwarranted superlatives Unit 3: Self Editing Leaving yourself time for revisions Avoiding common grammar mistakes and punctuation pitfalls Subject, verb and object agreement Fact checking The benefits of having an in-house style guide Unit 4: Creating Attention-grabbing Press Releases Writing benefit-driven copy Setting the right tone Language to use and language to avoid Writing a great headline For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Being able to write a good news story, press release or publicity notice is a skill that can set you apart in the workplace. Getting the word out is an essential activity for every organization. Acquire the skills good journalists have and learn how to craft a news story, press release or publicity notice that will get attention. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Certificate in Business Writing. Class Details Unit 1: The Skills good journalists have What journalists know how to do How to think like your audience Kinds of publicity notices Keys to successful publicity notices Unit 2: Writing a good news story The inverted pyramid The 5 Ws and H How not to bury the lead Writing a good headline for your story Unit 3: Creating the Successful Press Release The press release format Quotes, how many to use, who to quote and how How and where to highlight your organization and contact Avoiding the direct sales pitch Unit 4: Distributing Your Press Release Targeting media, journalists and audiences Email press releases Print press releases Getting attention For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Acquire the basic skills to boost your web site traffic, including how to analyze your visitor traffic, how to use search engine optimization to get greater visibility and exposure in Google searches, and how to redesign your web site copy to increase your visitors and results. No experience necessary, but if you are at an advanced level, your instructor is an SEO expert and can answer your toughest questions. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Certificate in Digital Marketing. Agenda Unit 1 Why web site analysis works Why web site managers analyze their visitor traffic Creating goals and objectives for your web site Understanding the web site visitor experience How data analysis can improve web site outcomes Unit 2 How Google Analytics functions Setting up Google Analytics accounts Analyzing traffic sources and visitor traffic Redesigning pages to improve retention Testing web site versions with Google Optimizer Unit 3 Search Engine Optimization Understanding how page ranking and positions are determined Redesigning the title bar, alt tags, heading area, and links your URL Keyword density and rewriting web page copy Strategies to improve your page rank Unit 4 Moving to Web 2.0 Generation Y and the Web 2.0 Attitude Developing user-created content Creating interactive web sites The future of web sites For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.

Get the keys to making online advertising work for you and your organization. Learn about various online advertising options. Discover how you can target local audiences. Explore how you can determine the demographics and even numbers of people you want to reach. No experience necessary. Advanced participant? Your instructor is an online ad expert and can answer your toughest questions. This course can be taken alone or as part of the 3 course Certificate in Digital Marketing. Class Details Unit 1 The evolution of online advertising From mass marketing to targeted marketing The role of search in online advertising Return on investment for online advertising Competing effectively with online advertising Unit 2 Creating Google AdWord Campaigns Determining keywords Selecting your AdWord territory Understanding pricing strategies Creating an AdWord budget and evaluation Unit 3 Improving Online Advertising Results How SEO and online advertising complement each other Testing keywords and related keywords Using Traffic Estimator to improve keyword selection Successful strategies in using online advertising Unit 4 Facebook Ads Understanding Facebook uses and users Using demographics to target Facebook Ads Setting up Facebook Ads Trends and future of online advertising For more information, visit our question and answer page - Click Here.