Event Notices From March 5
Tata Technologies Sets Open House, To Reveal New EV Concept: Tata Technologies will hold an invitation-only media Open House at its new North American Engineering and Innovation Center 800 Tower Drive, Suite 200, Troy, on Thursday, March 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Included in the event will include the reveal the re-imagining of its electric MObility (eMO) study, first revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2012. The ground-breaking EV study incorporated "right size" engineering, interior space for four adults and a reduced carbon footprint achieved through an innovative approach to manufacturing, assembly and other associated processes; designed to go to market at a disruptive price point. The next generation of the study addresses an important commercial market segment with an intelligent and innovative vehicle that combines performance, function, eco-responsibility and an equally disruptive low cost of ownership and price-per-mile pioneered by technology and packaging demonstrated on eMO.
Supply Chain Conference Coming To GR: The 10th Annual Midwest Supply Chain Management Conference, titled "Working together to drive business value," will be held Thursday, March 14 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Grand Valley State University Eberhard Center, 301 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids. Regular registration is $250, group registration of three or more from the same company is $195 per person, and student registration is $35. Students must be enrolled full time at a university. Call (616) 771-0327 by Friday, March 8 to register. Individuals with responsibility for product design or engineering, procurement or sourcing, manufacturing or operations, distribution or logistics, customer demand management, human resources and IT should attend. The Midwest Supply Chain Management Conference is a comprehensive supply chain management education and networking event. This year's conference will include leaders from industry, consulting and academia who will share practical experiences in the areas of operations and logistics, growth and innovation, global perspective, and leadership and development. Contact Natalia Powers at powersn@rightplace.org or (616) 771-0327 if you have any questions or would like to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
Merit Network, Michigan Cyber Range Announce Michigan Cybersecurity Industry Summit: Merit Network and the Michigan Cyber Range will host the first annual Michigan Cybersecurity Industry Summit. The Summit will take place Tuesday, May 14 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Ann Arbor. The theme of this year's Summit is Building Michigan's Cybersecurity Industry. It will feature expert speakers from government and industry. In addition, a demonstration of the Michigan Cyber Range's capabilities will introduce attendees to the education, training and testing capabilities that will help launch Michigan's cybersecurity industry to the forefront of the global marketplace. The Summit will feature David Behen, CIO of the State of Michigan; Dug Song, founder of Duo Security; and Craig Labovitz, CEO and co-founder of Deepfield. More at www.merit.edu/cyberrange/industrysummit.php.
Business Improvement Team Sponsors Sheridan Speech: The Business Improvement Team, a network of businesses advisory firms offering high quality consulting services, announced that Rich Sheridan, CEO of Menlo Innovations, will serve as the keynote speaker at "Business Strategies for Success" on Thursday, March 14. Sheridan is famous for the success behind his company, Menlo Innovations, in Ann Arbor. After only two years in business as CEO, Sheridan and his company were the Forbes Magazine cover story, "Hire Yourself," highlighting his choice for choosing entrepreneurship over unemployment. The next year, it was a Wall Street Journal article on the unique office Menlo uses for software design and development. Within six years, Menlo had become one of Inc Magazine's.500's fastest growing, privately held firms in the United Staes. The event is co-sponsored by the Business Improvement Team and Hennessey Capital, a division of Hitachi Capital America Corp. It will be held at the Somerset Inn, 2601 West Big Beaver in Troy from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. There is no cost to attend. To register, visit http://bizimpteam.com/events, call (248) 641-8400 or email event@BizImpTeam.com. "Business Strategies for Success" is the formal kick-off for the Business Improvement Team's Business Performance Improvement 3.0 Series. Highlighting the many facets in today's business, the series features new and innovative methods to accelerate business growth and innovation featuring real-life success stories and professional advice from members of the Business Improvement Team. Topics for upcoming 2013 events include business ownership, problems and solutions, avoiding common mistakes and pitfalls, legal issues, taxes, raising capital, getting started, and operating a business successfully. Sessions are designed for business owners, COOs, CEOs, CFOs and VPs. Business Improvement Team member firms are Absolute Engineering & Consulting LLC, Clear Vision Strategy LLC, Expense Reduction Analysts, Franklin CIO Services LLC, Glass Retirement Strategies, Hennessey Capital, Taligence Inc., Tobias, Vandeputte & Skulsky CPA's PC and Virtual Interactive Agency.
April 2013 Business Workshops Offered by Oakland County
WATERFORD TOWNSHIP -- 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.
Marketing Your Business
Wednesday, April 3: Oakland County will offer a class on marketing your business April 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. 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. The 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. A strategic, well planned approach to marketing is demonstrated with several examples of effective hands-on marketing techniques.
Fee: $40 per person
Small Business Loan Workshop
Thursday, April 4: Oakland County will offer a small business loan workshiop from 9 a.m. to noon 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. Getting a small business loan can be a challenging process. Learn the "5 C's of Credit", how to develop a winning loan proposal and what you need to know to position your business to be "bankable" before you meet with a lender. Fee: $20 per person
Business Research - Feasibility to Expansion
Tuesday, April 9: Oakland County will offer a class on business research from 9 a.m. to noon at the Rochester Public Library, 500 Olde Towne Road, Rochester. For pre-registration and location map, visit www.AdvantageOakland.com/expand or call 248-858-0783. 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. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
CEED Microloan Orientation
Wednesday, April 10: Oakland County will offer a CEED Microloan Orientation from 9 to 11 a.m. 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. 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. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
Starting a Business
Wednesday, April 10: Oakland County will offer a workshop on starting a business from 6 to 9 p.m. 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. 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. Fee: $30 per person
Writing a Business Plan
Wednesday, April 17: Oakland County will offer a workshop on writing a business plan from 6 to 9 p.m. at the 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. 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. Fee: $40 per person
Legal and Financial Basics for Small Business
Tuesday, April 23: Oakland County will offer a workshop on legal and financial basics for small business from 9 a.m. to noon at the 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. This workshop provides new and existing Michigan entrepreneurs an understanding of the "key" legal and financial considerations when starting and operating a business in Michigan. The program addresses "how to" select the best legal entity for your business, "how to" protect your business interests when dealing with customers, suppliers or independent contractors and important information and guidelines for establishing short and long term succession plans for your business. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
