Business owners and entrepreneurs who need assistance are encouraged to attend seminars offered by the Oakland County Business Center. Unless otherwise noted, all programs take place at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph in Waterford. For pre-registration and location map, visit www.AdvantageOakland.com/expand or call 248-858-0783.
Business Research: Feasibility to Expansion
May 1, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Thinking of starting a business and want to research your business idea? Do you want to identify market trends and opportunities to grow your sales? Are you looking for new customers or to diversify your market base? Business Research shows you ways to find your ideal customers, your competitors, perform competitive analysis and more. Presented by Oakland County Market Research and an Oakland County Public Library business reference librarian.
Fee: This workshop is free but pre-registration is required.
Writing a Business Plan
May 8, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for successful self-employment, the course covers business planning in detail. Specifics of marketing and finance, legal and regulatory issues, operations, and information-based planning and management are key components of the workshop. The first steps for creating a business plan draft are included along with a demonstration of the MI-SBTDC online business plan tool.
Fee: $40 per person
CEED Microloan Orientation
May 8, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Many small business owners face obstacles when trying to obtain a business loan. The recognition of the serious need for working capital for existing businesses, start-up or expansion, equipment purchases and job creation is not the priority it once was. If you have a need for alternative financing consider the Microloan Program. Discover the requirements and process necessary to apply and obtain a microloan.
Fee: This workshop is free but pre-registration is required.
Venture Forward
May 10, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. through June 19
Venture Forward is an intensive, 11-week program designed for owners, CEO’s and top management team members of businesses with at least two years of operating experience, revenue of at least $100,000, and a minimum of two full-time employees.
Focused on issues most important to business health and growth, attendees gain knowledge to make critical decisions about their business and strategy, investigate next-stage growth and opportunity, plan for strategic growth, build and maintain a competitive advantage and maximize cash flow for profitability.
Fee: $140 per participant. Thanks to sponsor support, the cost is reduced from $700.
Advanced Legal Series: Protecting Your Intellectual Property
May 14, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Participants will learn the differences between the various state and federal registration protections (patents, copyrights, trademarks), and learn the specific requirements for the “contractual protections” available to Michigan businesses, and more.
Fee: $40 per person
Women’s Business Enterprise Certification Orientation
May 22, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Learn about the benefits and process of becoming a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE). Benefits include certification to private sector WBE’s and access to procurement opportunities with major national companies. For additional information, visit www.miceed.org.
Fee: $25 per person
New Class!
Small Business Money Smart Forum
May 23, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Learn about funding sources and valuable resources available to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with bankers to discuss specific business financing needs and learn about banker member products and services. The focus is specific to start-ups and second stage businesses.
The special guest will be Martin Lavelle, Senior Associate Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Detroit Branch.
Sponsored by the Oakland County Community Reinvestment Act Association.
Fee: This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
Team SBA Financing
May 30, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Before you apply for a business loan, we recommend that you first attend a Team SBA Financing Roundtable. This is a free loan orientation conducted by a business banker, a business consultant from the SBAs network of Small Business Development Centers, and an SBA representative. Learn how the lending process works and what is expected of you and you will understand how the SBA can assist with our SBA Guaranteed Loan Program.
Fee: This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
Upcoming Workshops
June 2013
5: Marketing Your Business
6: Business Research – Feasibility to Expansion
6: QuickBooks Essentials (Parts 1 and 2)
11: Venture Plan 10-week Series
12: CEED Microloan Orientation
12: Facebook for Business (Beginner)
13: Starting a Business
19: Facebook for Business (Intermediate)
20: Writing a Business Plan
26: Facebook for Business (Advanced)
July 2013
10: Business Research – Feasibility to Expansion
17: Writing a Business Plan
17: CEED Microloan Orientation
30: Legal & Financial Basics for Small Business
About Tom and Ann Gendich