New monthly “Community Building Community” small business sessions, beginning tonight, will include guest speakers, presentations and speed-networking opportunities.
While networking might seem like a long and winding road for many small business owners, the inaugural session of a new series at COCC’s Small Business Development Center, beginning Thursday, October 12 at 5:30pm, aims to teach ready techniques for this all-important aspect of business — and provide networking opportunities while doing so.
The monthly “Community Building Community” series, with prices beginning at $29 and held at COCC’s Bend campus, will offer sessions that combine skill-building, strategizing and a social space for business owners to connect with their peers. Current Small Business Development Center clients can attend for just $10 per session for the first two sessions. Each month’s gathering includes a complimentary beverage and appetizers.
“Some of these sessions will include guest speakers and presentations, others will simply be a get-together or ‘speed-networking’ opportunity,” explained Sue Meyer, assistant director of the Small Business Development Center. “We know that entrepreneurs can feel isolated in their own headspace and need to share ideas and connect, and that’s part of the reason why coworking spaces can be so successful.”
The first session, “Networking Made Easy,” draws on the expertise of Jeff Schneider of Portland-based Schneider Training Solutions and includes 45 minutes of coaching and 45 minutes of interactive practice. The next session, “The Win is Within,” is set for November 14. Future topics will include branding, marketing and business efficiencies.
Thursday, October 12
5:30-7pm
COCC Cascades Hall, Bend Campus; $29*
*Only $10 for current SBDC Clients
If you are a current SBDC client and have not already received a coupon code, please call us at 541-383-7290 or email sbdc@cocc.edu to obtain your special discount!
