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JAMESTOWN — Multiple topics are slated for the virtual Women’s Business Conference which runs March 11-14, said Katherine Roth, executive director of the Jamestown Regional Entrepreneur Center. The sessions are free, and the event is being co-hosted by JREC and the North Dakota Women’s Business Network.
“We’re covering topics that are both focused on business development and professional development, personal development,” Roth said. “So we’re really trying to cover a breadth of topics that may be of interest to both the beginning entrepreneur, existing entrepreneur and working professional.”
Speakers include independent consultants from other states with expertise from Small Business Development Centers, professors from the University of Jamestown, North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota, and a representative from a nonprofit, Roth said.
“Every year I’m really excited about our lineup of speakers and … this year I think we have a wonderful agenda,” she said.
The sessions are open to men and women, Roth noted, and people can choose to attend as many as they like. On average, 100 people register for the event each year, she said, including people from smaller communities outside of the nine-county region where JREC focuses its services.
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Preregistration is required.
“… if an individual wants to attend but they’re not able to make that time, we do send them a recording as long as they’ve registered,” Roth said.
This is the seventh year that the conference has been held. This year’s event is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and First Community Credit Union.
Topics range from food entrepreneurship to an introduction to patents, cybersecurity considerations for small businesses, communication styles and training tips for the occasional trainer.
“We’re really trying to cover everything from tech to female founder journeys,” Roth said. “We do have a roundtable of female founders talking about how they got started and the challenges, advantages, just overall journey to sustaining their businesses.”
JREC holds monthly virtual workshops on a variety of topics related to small business owners, people starting a business or professional and personal development topics. It provides other assistance as well.
“We also do one-on-one technical assistance, so if someone is needing guidance in terms of startup logistics or assistance with preparing a business plan or identifying sources of financing, we can assist with those steps … ,” Roth said.
Other events include the Small Business Financing Workshop, slated for April 2, and the Business Pitch Competition.
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“We work collaboratively also with the UJ marketing department, and if a small business is interested in receiving hands-on market research assistance from a cohort of students being guided by both the JREC and the marketing professor, they can reach out to the Entrepreneur Center to learn more,” Roth said.
That market research may involve logo development, brand development and website development at no cost to the business owner, she said. This semester, there are about eight businesses taking part in the program.
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When: March 11-14
Where: virtual event
Cost: free; preregistration required, which provides the link to view the session/s if you can’t attend
Details on sessions:
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To register: https://bit.ly/48q0p4U
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Monday, March 11
10 a.m.-noon: Tracy Knofla – “True Colors Communication Styles & Personality Inventory.” True Colors assessment tool uses four colors to help participants understand their operation style and those of others. Explore the four ways people communicate; establish the four ways people take in and process information; identify personal communication styles; and transfer this knowledge to your organization.
1 p.m.: Elizabeth Phares Oren – Female Founder’s Roundtable.
2 p.m.: Julie Garden-Robinson – “Food Entrepreneurship: From Safety Considerations to Labeling.” The ins and outs of food product labeling, from ingredient labeling through statements on packaging.
3:15-4 p.m.: Lynn Soeth – “Cyber Security Considerations for Small Businesses.” Using real-world situations, look at how you can actively participate in and grow a safe security culture at work and at home.
Tuesday, March 12
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10-11 a.m.: Molly Kocialski, Rocky Mt. regional director, U.S. Patent Trade Office – “Intro to Patents.” An introduction to patents, trademarks and copyrights.
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Pam Covarrubias – “Build An Aligned Brand.” Interactive exercises and discussions aimed at helping participants clarify their vision and mission, define their purpose and promise, identify and embrace their core values, uncover their ideal client, craft their unique value proposition and refine their messaging.
1 p.m.: Diana Barbiani – “Pricing, Relations & Prospecting.” The three most important aspects of running any successful business. The outcome is clarity on how all three areas function independently as well as how they correlate to each other.
Wednesday, March 13
10 a.m.-noon: Tracy Knofla – “Training Tips for the Occasional Trainer.” Training styles to match desired learning outcomes, learning styles of adults and impact on trainer’s style, how to develop innovative designs for training environments, impact of the training room environment on information retention, assessing impact of your training.
1-2 p.m.: Amy Longtin – “The Founder’s Journey.” Longtin is founder and CEO of Tech4Kids, a non-profit organization created to repurpose used laptops, iPads and MacBooks that will be donated to children who do not have access to technology in their homes.
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2 p.m.: Professor Scot Loyd – “Preparing a Keynote Speech.” Loyd is a liberal arts educator and speech and debate coach who utilizes writing, speaking and activism to advocate for a more equitable and accepting society.
Thursday, March 14
9:30-11:15 a.m.: Professor Sean Valentine – “Human Resource Management in Small Businesses.” Why HRM is important for small businesses, summarize the basic areas/functions of HRM that small businesses must oversee, and highlight key HR issues small businesses face
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Professor Diana Lopez-Soto – “Inventory & Production Control Considerations for Small Business.” Strategies aimed at improving production efficiency and facilitating well-informed inventory management decisions.
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2-3 p.m.: Marcella Lange – “Succession Planning Tips with Thrivent Financial.” Business succession and continuity planning strategies; retirement solutions for your small business; business valuation; tax strategies; other benefits available to you.
Friday, March 15
10-11 a.m.: Diana Barbiani – “Introduction to Retail.” The basics of opening and operating a successful retail store, from space planning and inventory management to procurement and visual merchandising as well as customer service and store atmospherics.
11 a.m.-noon: Professor Francisco Casaroti- Introduction to Corporate Branding & Design. The importance of strong visual identity and explore the multifaceted aspects that contribute to building a compelling brand presence.
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