Pontiac, MI - Business owners and entrepreneurs who may have had their operations or aspirations interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic have a chance to get back on track with the help of expert business counselors from Oakland County’s small business team.
The center is offering a series of workshops as part of its June/July schedule that focus on business strategies for responding to the pandemic, including:
- Pivoting Your Business to Thrive in a New Environment
- Market Research Basics During the Coronavirus Crisis - Consumers Have Changed, Will You?
- How to Write a Business Plan in the New Economy
“We encourage business owners and entrepreneurs to take advantage of these workshops which are tailored to giving useful direction and strategies to help business owners chart a course for success,” County Executive David Coulter said. “Our economic development small business team is anxious to help you and your business through the pandemic or help you formalize your entrepreneurial vision.”
All workshops are free unless otherwise noted and require pre-registration. The June/July workshop schedule is:
A 360° Perspective on Your Business
July 9 | 11 a.m.-noon https://bit.ly/360July
When everything is important all the time, the question becomes “what do we focus on now?” In this workshop, you’ll be introduced to a suite of visual tools to help you quickly evaluate where you’re at with your business and what areas to focus on if you want to grow the company.
This workshop is designed to help existing businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required
Projecting Cash Flow – Overcoming Business Interruptions and Beyond
June 23 | 1-2 p.m. https://bit.ly/ProjCashJune
July 28 | 11 a.m.-noon https://bit.ly/ProjCashJuly
Projecting Cash Flow is designed for individuals who need a better understanding of the cash demands required to successfully manage a business before, during and after critical interruptions. The use and concepts of the Cash Flow Projection workbook will be discussed. Having a good system in place to manage cash flow will contribute to your organization’s success now and in the future.
This workshop is designed to help existing businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required
Pivoting Your Business to Thrive in a New Environment
June 24 | 11a.m-noon https://bit.ly/PivotJune
July 23 | 1-2 p.m. https://bit.ly/PivotJuly
Most often we talk about a business pivoting during the startup phase, but when something as drastic as COVID-19 strikes, even established businesses need to think about their business model. This workshop will discuss the three areas of your business that hold clues to a successful pivot.
This workshop is designed to help existing and startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required
Market Research Basics During the Coronavirus Crisis - Consumers Have Changed, Will You?
June 24 | 1-2 p.m. https://bit.ly/MRBJune
July 8 | 1-2 p.m. https://bit.ly/MRBJuly
While it’s impossible to predict what the “new normal” will look like once your business reopens during the coronavirus, understanding customer expectations, incomes, spending habits and behaviors will be key in these uncertain times. This workshop examines changes in consumer behavior for business-to-consumer establishments (B2C) as a result of the pandemic, which behaviors may stick long term and market research resources available to you to help you attract and retain customers.
This workshop is designed to help existing businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required
How to Write a Business Plan in the New Economy
June 30 | 1-2 p.m. https://bit.ly/BPlanJune
July 15 | 11 a.m.-noon https://bit.ly/BPlanJuly
This workshop is an updated instructional class on how to write your business plan and re-invent your business during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. In the new economy, there are innovative ways to market your business, your employees and yourself. Your customers will be satisfied and feel safe with your new great service, and your business will prosper now and in the future.
This workshop is designed to help existing and startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required
CEED Lending Small Business Loan Orientation
July 8 | 9-11 a.m. https://bit.ly/CEEDJuly
If your business is in Oakland County and you have a need for alternative financing, consider a CEED Lending Small Business Loan. The workshop introduces you to the requirements and process necessary to qualify for a CEED loan. CEED Lending is an initiative of Great Lakes Women’s Business Council
This workshop is designed to help existing and startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required
Startup Cash Flow Analysis – Don’t Get in Over Your Head
July 14 | 1-2 p.m. https://bit.ly/StartupCFJuly
Fifty percent of new businesses fail within the first five years. Startup Cash Analysis is designed for individuals who need a better understanding of the cash demands required to successfully start a business and how to plan them. The use and concepts of the Startup Cash Analysis workbook including estimating cash needs will be discussed. Proper estimation of startup needs is critical to the successful launch of your business. Don’t be a statistic.
This workshop is designed to help startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required