Pontiac, Michigan – Business owners and entrepreneurs who may have had their operations or aspirations interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic have a chance to get back on track with the help of expert business counselors from Oakland County’s small business team.

The center is offering a series of workshops as part of its August schedule that focus on business strategies for responding to the pandemic, including:

• Starting a Business
• Pivoting Your Business to Thrive in a New Environment
• Market Research Basics During the Coronavirus Crisis – Consumers Have Changed, Will You?
• How to Write a Business Plan in the New Economy

“Our economic development small business team is ready to help you and your business through the pandemic or help you formalize your entrepreneurial vision,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “These workshops give useful direction and strategies to help business owners chart a course for success. I encourage business owners and entrepreneurs to take advantage of these classes.”

All workshops are free unless otherwise noted and require pre-registration. The August workshop schedule is:

A 360° Perspective on Your Business
August 4 | 11 a.m. – noon | Register Here Cost: Free
Sometimes taking a step back is more important than taking a step forward. This virtual workshop will help you prioritize business activities when everything seems like an emergency. Get introduced to a suite of visual tools (course materials) to quickly evaluate your business and how to grow your business. This workshop is for existing businesses.

Starting a Business
August 5 | 9 – 11 a.m. | Register Here Cost: Free
Thinking about starting a business during the era of COVID-19? We can help. This virtual workshop is designed for individuals who are at the beginning stages of starting a business. Topics like startup costs, financing options and business planning are introduced along with the steps to get started. If you are ready to start your business, we are ready to help. This workshop is for startup businesses.

Startup Cash Flow Analysis – Don’t Get in Over Your Head
August 11 | 11 a.m. – Noon | Register Here Cost: Free
Get ahead of the curve, prepare for the next steps and don’t get in over your head. This virtual workshop helps new entrepreneurs gain a better understanding of the cash demands required to successfully start a business. With 50 percent of small businesses failing within the first five years, proper startup cash flow analysis is paramount to a successful launch. Concepts found in the Startup Cash Analysis Workbook (course materials) and estimating cash needs will be covered. Don’t be astatistic. Register today. This workshop is for pre-start businesses.

The Five Steps to Networking Mastery 2020
August 11 | 9 – 11:30 a.m. | Register Here Cost: $40
We have all heard that it is not what you know but whom you know. BARNACLES! It’s all about how you are known. This brief, impactful training will teach you how to become an individual to whom people want to refer more business. Consider attending if you are frustrated with your current networking; uncomfortable networking but need to do it more; or have a new position and want to increase your pipeline. The better we get at networking, the better our network. Presented by Terry Bean, founder of Networked Inc. and Motor City Connect.

CEED Lending Small Business Loan Orientation
August 12 | 9 – 11 a.m. | Register Here Cost: Free
If your business is in Oakland County and you need alternative financing, consider a CEED Lending Small Business Loan. The workshop introduces you to the requirements and process necessary to qualify for a CEED loan. CEED Lending is an initiative of Great Lakes Women’s Business Council.

Pivoting Your Business to Thrive in a New Environment
August 13 | 1 – 2 p.m. | Register Here Cost: Free
Successful businesses pivot to adjust to changing times. New business realities due to COVID-19 require that many new and well-established businesses re-evaluate their business models. This virtual workshop covers three areas of your business that hold clues on how to successfully pivot your business and stay alive. The difference between success and failure may lie in the approach itself. This
workshop is for existing and startup businesses.

Market Research Basics During the Coronavirus Crisis:
Consumers have Changed, Will You?
August 18 | 1 – 2 p.m. | Register Here Cost: Free
New customer expectations necessitate changes in business practices. This virtual workshop is not designed to predict the “new normal” but to help you understand customer expectations, incomes and spending habits during the era of COVID-19. Learn more about changes in consumer behavior for business-to-customer (B2C) businesses, identify consumer behaviors that are likely to stick long term and market resources to help reach and retain customers. This workshop is for existing businesses.

From Good Idea to Great Concept
August 19 | 9 – 11 a.m. | Register Here Cost: Free
A great idea is just the first step along an entrepreneurial journey. Learn how to take your idea and build a great business concept that you can implement. Hear how to move from idea to concept and how successful entrepreneurs adjust their concept to give themselves the best chance at creating a successful business. This workshop is for startup businesses.

Projecting Cash Flow – Overcoming Business Interruptions and Beyond
August 25 | 1 – 2 p.m. | Register Here Cost: Free
This may be the most important class a small business owner will ever take. This virtual workshop helps you gain a greater understanding of the cash demands required to successfully manage a business. Cash flow for normal, emergency and recovery scenarios are covered, including use and concepts of the Cash Flow Projection Workbook (course materials). A good cash flow management
system is paramount to the success of your business. This workshop is for new and existing businesses.

How to Write A Business Plan in The New Economy
August 26 | 11 a.m. – Noon | Register Here Cost: Free
Doing business in the era of COVID-19 might require changes in your business plan, the way you market your business and the way employees interact with customers. This virtual class i for those who need to re-invent their businesses, require a new business plan during the
COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. If COVID-19 has turned your business model topsy-turvy, this information is for you. This workshop is for existing and startup businesses.