Event Notices From July 29 - Aug. 8
Netarx To Show Off Smart Board Collaboration: Netarx is hosting an event Wednesday, Aug. 17 for business professionals, where they can learn how Smart business solutions can transform your workplace into a dynamic interactive collaboration space where teamwork and productivity can thrive. Attendees will learn how Smart's interactive collaboration can enhance the way your business can share and work with digital information resulting in overall cost savings through improved meeting productivity. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Netarx headquarters, 3252 University Drive, Suite 200, Auburn Hills. To RSVP, email aharrington@netarx.com.
Compuware Sets Web Site Peformance Webcast: Compuware Presents Live Webcast: Detroit-based Compuware Corp. (Nasdaq:CPWR) has announced a live Webcast that will highlight best practices to help organizations exceed customer expectations for a positive online experience. "Is Your Website Performance Impacting Your Customer's Online Experience and Conversions?" will take place Thursday, Aug. 11 at 1 p.m. Eastern time with presenter Steve Trimbo, a Compuware principal application performance management consultant. Register at http://bit.ly/pYHmW8.
C/D/H Offers System Center Configuration Manager sneak peek: So you're excited about the new System Center 2012 solutions? So are we! One of the most notable releases is System Center Configuration Manager 2012. In this session, we'll walk you through the new product, show you how it can ease management of your environment, and save your company money. The session will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 15 Ionia SW, Suite 270 in Grand Rapids and Thursday, Aug. 25 at 1000 Town Center, 19th Floor in Southfield. The cost is $25. More at www.cdh.com.
C/D/H offers SharePoint workflows event: With the release of InfoPath 2010, electronic forms have never been easier. But don't be confused... InfoPath is not limited to only forms. SharePoint 2010 now allows you to replace list forms with InfoPath 2010 forms, providing better look-and-feel and data validation control. InfoPath also allows you to connect to line of business (LOB) systems and present data not already in SharePoint. Combined with SharePoint Designer, workflows in InfoPath can quickly become your go-to tool for customizing your environment. Come learn how InfoPath 2010 can enhance your SharePoint implementation! Don't forget to bring your questions. And if you have a tricky workflow, bring that too! The event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 15 Ionia SW, Suite 270, Grand Rapids, and Thursday, Sept. 22 at 1000 Town Center, 19th Floor, Southfield. The cost is $25. More at www.cdh.com.
C/D/H Offers Seminar On Microsoft Lync: Instant messaging. Email. Telephone. All very convenient. But it can be expensive and time consuming to manage. Microsoft Lync provides you a single interface that unites these applications. And there's no need to 'rip and replace' legacy applications. Lync can actually add functionality to existing telephone systems and business applications, like SharePoint and Exchange! Join us and find out how Lync can save you money, increase productivity and streamline communications, whether you're down the hall, across continents, or constantly on the go. The event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 15 Ionia SW, Suite 270, Grand Rapids, and Thursday, Oct. 20 at 306 S. Washington, Suite 212 in Royal Oak. The cost is $25. More at www.cdh.com.
C/D/H Provides A Look at Project Server Vs. Excel: Have you ever used a knife to stir or a shoe to pound a nail? We use these things because they're convenient. But when we see a chef cooking or carpenter building, they always use the proper tool. We fall into the same trap managing projects with Microsoft Excel. Why? Because it works for what we need at the time, and, as clients like to tell me, "it's better than doing it on paper." But for the best results, we need a tool set that supports collaboration and provides flexible work management solutions. Join us and find out why Microsoft Project and Project Server is the right tool combination for managing your projects – no matter how big – or how small. The session will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 15 Ionia SW, Suite 270 in Grand Rapids, and Thursday, Dec. 15 at 306 S Washington, Suite 212 in Royal Oak. The cost is $25. More at www.cdh.com.
September Business Workshops Offered by Oakland County
Business owners and entrepreneurs who need assistance are invited to attend seminars in September offered by the Oakland County Business Center. Business Basics workshops are now offered in the evenings on alternating months.
Thursday, Sept. 8: 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 division, and a business reference librarian. The session runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 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.
Tuesday, Sept. 13: Social Media Marketing Part 2 - Establish your Footprint and Get Your Customers Talking! Learn the core strategies and tactics businesses are using to get customers talking through social media. You'll also learn how to respond ethically and effectively to brand supporters and detractors. Topics covered will include: creating your social media strategy, how to integrate word-of-mouth marketing and social media into your overall marketing campaign, and more. Pre-requisite for this class is Social Media Marketing Part 1. This is Part 2 of a three part series. 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.
Wednesday, Sept. 14: Working for Yourself…Becoming a Contractor, Service Provider, etc. - Are you an experienced professional with valuable-defined skill sets, looking for a new career avenue? Think about taking your expertise and becoming an independent consultant, a contractor, or a service provider. Explore the steps to form your business (LLC or other), market yourself and your services, create an action-oriented business plan, and define your client engagement. Take away from your experience a 1-2 page action-business plan to help you start, build, and sustain a successful service-oriented business. 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.
Thursday, Sept. 15: Fundamentals of Starting a Business – A seminar for anyone thinking about going into business. This 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. 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 $30.
Wednesday, Sept. 21: CEED MicroLoan Orientation – 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. Program presented by the Center for Empowerment & Economic Development (C.E.E.D.). The session runs from 9 to 11 a.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, Sept. 22: Fundamentals of Writing a Business Plan – A workshop for small business owners who are developing a plan to serve as their road map to success. Workshop participants learn what elements are commonly found in effective plans and work on developing each of these for their own business. Assistance in the process as well as information on resources is provided. 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.
Tuesday, Sept. 27: Social Media Marketing Part 3 - Advanced Social Media: Create and Launch your Social Media Campaign. In part 3 of this training series, you will learn advanced strategies and tactics for building a long-lasting online community and explore ways to take social media beyond marketing. Discover how to grow your base of followers and engage participants across all social media channels, ensure a reasonable rate of return on your social media investment, and more. Pre-requisite for this workshop is Social Media Marketing Part 1 and 2. This is part three of three sessions. 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.
Wednesday, Sept. 28: Keys to Achieving Fiscal Fitness – Fiscal management tools for the non-financial manager. This workshop provides the business owner an in-depth look at the essentials of using financial information to make effective decisions about improving their business performance. Topics include Ways to improve your company's cash flow, How to use the balance sheet and income statement to diagnose business problems and opportunities, how breakeven analysis helps you make better pricing and business decisions and How to insure you have enough working capital to support growth. The session runs from 8 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 $25.
Thursday, Sept. 28: QuickBooks Essentials – This introduction to small business financial management provides an overview of accurate recordkeeping, report interpretation and utilization, and management of the variety of tools provided in this system. Presented by Kildal Services LLC. Session 1, from 9 to 11:30 a.m., teaches basic accounting terminology, new company file setup, customizing forms and letters and working with bank accounts. Session 2, from 12:30 to 3 p.m., teaches invoicing customers, receiving payments and making deposits, entering vendor bills, paying vendor bills, and using credit card accounts. The sessions will be held 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. Each session separately is $40. Both together are $75. The session includes a 30-day QuickBooks software demo. Bringing a laptop is highly recommended.
