Event Notices From November 9
MAREC lunch series features Haworth manager: The next Grand Valley State University Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center Lunch and Learn Series will feature Haworth's Zero Landfill Waste Program. Bill Gurn, manager of facilities, will discuss how Haworth Office Furniture has changed facilities and manufacturing processes to eliminate waste. The program will take place at noon on Monday, Nov. 15, at MAREC, 200 Viridian Drive in Muskegon. The event is free and open the public, but requires RSVP by Friday, Nov. 12. The monthly Lunch and Learn Series, which began in July, is a first for MAREC. The goal of the program is to provide an educational opportunity for those interested in learning more about sustainable living practices. The last Lunch and Learn session of the year in December will feature West Michigan Regional Kitchen Incubators. For more information about the series, contact Kim Walton, education coordinator at MAREC, at (616) 331-6907 or visit www.gvsu.edu/marec.
Right Place sets West Michigan economic outlook: The Right Place Inc. will present the "2011 Economic Outlook for West Michigan," its 14th annual regional economic and employment forecast, on Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Ambassador Ballroom, Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids. Registration is $65 before Nov. 19 and $85 afterward. Presenters include George Erickcek, senior regional analyst of the Upjohn Institute, and Birgit Klohs, president and CEO of The Right Place Inc. Seating is limited, so please RSVP by Dec. 1. Contact Natalia Powers at (616) 771-0327 if you have any questions.
New effort at business growth underway in Farmington: A new initiative to grow businesses is emerging in partnership with the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce. The effort is starting facilitated groups of 8 to 12 business owners and presidents, designed for smaller businesses and focused on economic growth in the Southfield-Farmington-Novi-Commerce Township-Walled Lake area. The group members will meet six times a year, discussing problems and addressing ways to improve and grow their businesses. This will be very valuable to leaders that don't have an executive committee or board of directors; and would benefit greatly from peer advisors in a trusting and confidential setting. The group is looking for company owners with 5 to 50 employees with businesses that have been established for at least three years. The effort is kicking off Thursday, Nov. 18 with an information session from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Chamber office at 33425 Grand River Ave., Suite 101, Farmington. To RSVP, call (248) 538-8677 or e-mail murray@luminousgroup.com.
December Business Workshops Offered By Oakland County
Business owners and entrepreneurs who need assistance are invited to attend seminars in December offered by the Oakland County Business Center. Business Basics workshops are now offered in the evenings on alternating months.
Thursday, Dec. 2: Fundamentals of Starting a Business is a seminar for anyone thinking about going into business. Participants examine their entrepreneurial skills, learn how to implement their ideas and receive a list of pitfalls to avoid when starting a business. The session runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center,
2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar or call (248) 858-0783. The fee is $30. No refunds.
Wednesday, Dec. 8: Sales I: Effective Networking - You're up and running, right? And still busting your butt, but not getting the results you want? You're asking yourself, "Is this it? What am I missing?" Learn the secrets and skills that will give you a tremendous competitive edge and dramatically improve your income! Learn how to give an effective 60 second elevator pitch, learn valuable networking tips and how to network effectively and get Invited In! Presented by Denise Roberts, Sales Partners, Troy. The session runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar, or call (248) 858-0783. The fee is $40, which includes all materials. No refunds.
Thursday, Dec. 9: Pre-Business Research - Are you thinking of starting your own business and want to research your business idea? Are you a business owner who wants to understand which research sources to use for your business plan and where to find the information you need? Presented by The Oakland County Business Center, The Entrepreneur's Source, Oakland County Market Research Department, and a Business Reference Librarian. This session runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar, or call (248) 858-0783. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
Thursday, Dec. 16: Fundamentals of Writing a Business Plan is a workshop for small business owners who are developing a plan to serve as their road map to success. Workshop participants will learn what elements are commonly found in effective plans and will work on developing each of these for their own business. Assistance in the process as well as information on resources will be provided. The session runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph, Waterford Township. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar, or call (248) 858-0783. The fee is $40, which includes all materials. No refunds.
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