RSU Small Business Workshops Slated This Fall

Rogers State University’s Center for Economic and Community Development is hosting a series of small business workshops designed to assist area small businesses and entrepreneurs in developing successful enterprises.

The workshops are free and open to interested business owners, managers and entrepreneurs. Seating is limited and advance registration is required.

The workshops will be presented by state and area business specialists, as well as the Center for Economic and Community Development’s professional staff. The workshop schedule for the Claremore campus includes:

  • Improving Your Management Skills: The Basics for Success, 1-4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 28, Herrington Hall, Room 172. Presented by Lynn Wilson, business services coordinator with the Center for Economic and Community Development.
  • LLC, Sole Proprietor or Corporation? Choosing the Legal Business Structure that’s Right for You, 6-9 p.m., Thursday, October 13, Herrington Hall, Room 224. Presented by attorney Michael McCann.
  • Sources of Small Business Funding, 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 27, Claremore campus (call for location). Presented by staff from the Cherokee Nation Small Business Assistance Center and the Oklahoma Small Business Administration.
  • Making FRANtastic Career Choices, 6-9 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 1, Claremore campus (call for location). Presented by Bob Haefner of eAuth.com, “The Entrepreneur Authority.” This workshop will address issues related to purchasing and operating business franchises.
  • Manage Your Inventory, Save Money!, 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, Claremore campus (call for location). Presented by Jeri Koehler, business development specialist with RSU’s Center for Economic and Community Development.
  • Beyond Wow! The Service Leadership Approach to Exceptional Customer Service, 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17, Claremore Campus (call for location). Presented by business author and speaker Jeff Magee. The service leadership approach to exceptional customer service is a new behavior-based skill program to improve customer service and turn it into a strategic profit center.

In addition, RSU’s Center for Economic and Community Development will be coordinating small business workshops in Bartlesville and Miami, including:

  • Be Your Own Boss: The First Steps to Small Business Start-up, 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Oct. 1, (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami) and 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Oct. 15 (RSU’s Bartlesville campus, 401 S. Dewey Ave.) Presented by Jeri Koehler, business development specialist with RSU’s Center for Economic and Community Development. Assess your own strengths and weaknesses as an entrepreneur and discover what information you need to start a business and where to find it.
  • Writing a Winning Business Plan, 6-9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29 (NEO in Miami) and 6-9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5 (RSU’s Bartlesville campus). Presented by Jeri Koehler, business development specialist with RSU’s Center for Economic and Community Development. Learn and discuss the segments of a business plan that make it informative, professional, and successful.
  • Who Will Greet Your Customers?  Hire the Best People for Your New Business, 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Nov. 5 (NEO in Miami) and Saturday, Nov. 19 (RSU’s Bartlesville campus). Presented by Lynn Wilson, Business Services Coordinator with the Center for Economic and Community Development. The workshop will address the importance of establishing employee handbooks and company policies, conducting constructive interviews and selecting the best job candidates.
  • Putting Your Plan into Action: Tips on Managing Your New Small Business, 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Dec. 3 (NEO in Miami) and Saturday, Dec. 17 (RSU’s Bartlesville campus). Presented by Mike Reidy, technology scout with RSU’s Center for Economic and Community Development. This workshop will focus on executing your business plan, including tips on launching your business and keeping track of your progress.