SALEM — "Small businesses are a great strength of the region," said Christine Sullivan, director of Salem State College's Enterprise Center. According to Sullivan, 88 percent of companies in Essex County have four or fewer employees, and the owners of those companies need help.

That is where the Enterprise Center comes in. The center offers a variety of free workshops covering all aspects of running a small business, from hiring and firing to juicing up a Web page.

The center just wrapped up a successful Tech Month, which featured a number of ways small businesses can use the Web to their advantage. Sullivan said owners learned, "you can go a long way on a little money."

So what's in store for those seeking training and resources in the coming months?

June will feature a workshop devoted to a new trend — the virtual business. "Running a Virtual Company" will help owners who do not operate in the traditional office atmosphere and instead have employees working independently at different locations. The workshop will teach entrepreneurs how to manage contractors, recruit top talent, and communicate effectively by arranging conference calls and occasional face-to-face meetings. The program is scheduled for Thursday, June 5.

The center also helps owners take management to the next level. "Making the Transition from Business Owner to Business Leader" is a workshop offered on Tuesday, May 5. It is described as "a down-to-earth take on how to become the leader your business needs." Jack Wilson, president of JWA/Video will be the presenter.

For business owners who think lecture-style workshops are too much like school, Sullivan said there are other options. Every Wednesday the center offers one-on-one meetings with experts in a variety of fields. Anyone interested can call the center and sign up for a free, one-hour consultation.

For those who are against face-to-face contact all together, podcasts of the workshops are available on the center's Web site, www.enterprisectr.org.