Event Notices From July 23
SAE Sets 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid Vehicle Event: SAE Detroit will meet to review Nissan's 2014 Pathfinder Hybrid on Tuesday, Aug. 13 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Burton Manor in Livonia. The event begins with a social hour at 5:30, dinner at 6:30 and the program at 7:30. SAE members and guests will have the opportunity to view the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid and hear a presentation from key members of the Nissan Team surrounding the development of the vehicle. Registration will close Friday, Aug. 9 at 5 p.m. There will be no onsite ticket sales or refunds after Aug. 6. More at www.sae-detroit.org.
SAE To Host GM Heritage Center Tour: SAE Detroit will tour the General Motors Heritage Center in Sterling Heights on Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. The center plays a key role in showcasing the company's rich history of success and its strong engineering capability. Every artifact at the Heritage Center inspires curiosity and respect for the people who built GM over the past century. More at www.sae-detroit.org.
Oakland County Business Center Sets August Workshops
WATERFORD TOWNSHIP (WWJ) -- The Oakland County Business Center has scheduled the following workshops during the month of August.
Thursdays, Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29: Oakland County offers Start-Up Thursdays Free Business Counseling, 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4 p.m., 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Township. Free event. Entrepreneurs who want to start a business but do not know where to begin can receive confidential, one-on-one advice from an experienced business counselor with no appointment necessary. Counselors will provide direct answers to start-up questions, suggest next steps and provide guidance on business planning tools. Sessions will be limited to 15 minutes and available on a first come, first served basis.
Wednesday, Aug. 7: Oakland County offers Marketing Your Business from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Building 41 West, Waterford Township. Cost, $40 per person. This course presents practical applications of marketing concepts designed to help small businesses grow. It covers basic marketing tools including market analysis and research, target marketing, assessing competitors, and key marketing implementation tools. More at https://www.misbtdc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=94330051.
Thursday, Aug. 8: Oakland County offers a Team SBA Financing Roundtable from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Building 41 West, Waterford Township. Free event. 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. More at https://www.misbtdc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=94330052.
Thursday, Aug. 8: Oakland County offers " Business Research: Feasibility to Expansion" from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Novi Library, 45255 W. 10 Mile Road, Novi. Free event. For a startup or existing small business looking to research their business idea or find research for their business plan. This workshop will show you ways to find your ideal customers, find your competitors, diversify your market base, perform competitive analysis and more! More at https://www.misbtdc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=94330053.
Friday, Aug. 9, continuing through Friday, Aug. 11: Oakland County offers a 10-week Venture Forward program from 9 a.m. to noon each Friday through Oct. 11 at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Building 41 West, Waterford Township. Cost $140 (reduced from $700 thanks to sponsorship from Michigan State University). VentureForward is an intensive, 10-week program designed for owners, CEO's and top management team members of small businesses with at least two years of operating experience, minimum of 2 employees, and annual revenue of at least $100,000 a year. More at www.advantageoakland.com/StartABusiness/SBC/Pages/Oakland-County-Venture-Forward.aspx.
Wednesday, Aug. 14: Oakland County offers CEED Microloan Orientation from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Building 41 West, Waterford Township. Free event. Many small businesses 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. More at https://www.misbtdc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=94330054.
Wednesday, Aug. 14: Oakland County presents "Starting A Business" from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Building 41 West, Waterford Township. Cost: $30. As an introductory session delivered in a workshop format, the course helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products. The basics of business ownership are introduced, along with resources available to help launch new ventures in Michigan. More at https://www.misbtdc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=94330055.
Thursday, Aug. 15: Oakland County offers Financial Management basics from 9 a.m. to noon at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Building 41 West, Waterford Township. Cost $40. Learn the basics of financial management including how to start an accounting system and how to apply the information to help you manage your business. Accounting language including debits and credits, preparation of the balance sheet and profit & loss statement are explained. More at https://www.misbtdc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=94330091.
Wednesday, Aug. 21: Oakland County offers "Writing A Business Plan" from 6 to 9 p.m. at
the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Building 41 West, Waterford Township. 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 will be included along with a demonstration of the MI-SBTDC online business plan tool. More at https://www.misbtdc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=94330056.
Thursday, Aug. 22: Oakland County offers "Health Care Reform And Small Business" from 9 a.m. to noon at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Building 41 West, Waterford Township. Free event. Learn about health care reform legislation and how it will affect all business owners. The workshop will cover tax penalties, small business credits , small business wellness program grants (small and large wellness program grants), full time employee status compliance and all other health care reform changes that will be implemented next year. We will also cover the health care exchanges, how to talk to your employees, the individual mandate, and what this all means for you as a business or as an individual. More at https://www.misbtdc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=94330092.
