SCORE presents business workshops in Pontiac

In a workshop series for small business, Detroit SCORE Chapter 18 presents The Business Plan Series. The program runs from Dec. 3-6. Prospective entrepreneurs are provided with a complete course from planning their business through the process of writing a Business Plan. This four part program starts with the organization and research that is a part of any new business.
The four part series will be presented at Future Help Designs, 91 North Saginaw, Suite 105, Pontiac.
All workshops are 8:45 a.m. to noon.
Business Plan 101: Creating Your Business Plan(s) is Dec. 3. This is the introduction to creating a successful business plan. It provides the necessary first steps in the organization and research needed for the entrepreneur’s unique business opportunity.
Business Plan 102: Marketing, Promotion and Sales is Dec. 4. We use the four “C’s” approach for creating a successful marketing plan. The program covers traditional and newer methods of promotion such as social networking. A key takeaway is a Sales Plan for annual revenue projections.
Business Plan 103: Business Plan Financials and Budgeting is Dec. 5. We use a case study approach to describe startup costs and the three main financial statements. Attendees will be introduced to break-even analysis and instructed in how to use SCORE’s financials template. Electronic versions of the template are included.
Business Plan 104: Writing a Successful Plan is Dec. 6. Business plans are critical for entrepreneur’s funding initiatives.  This workshop includes instructions and helpful hints on how to write a successful business plan for commercial loan or micro-loan applications, or private capital solicitation.
Visit www.detroit.score.org or call 313-226-7947 to register. The series costs $100. Workshops may be taken individually. Veterans can get a coupon that pays for the program at www.vetsfastlaunch.org.

Women in Communications discuss gender speak

Nov. 27
SOUTHFIELD—The Association for Women in Communications (AWC) - Detroit chapter presents a discussion on gender communications with Laurie Horvath at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, at Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, at One Towne Square, Suite 600 in Southfield. The presentation is Women and Men: Communicating in the Workplace, Exploring the Differences in Gender Communications.
Learn tips on how to communicate better with your coworkers, those who report to you, and your boss. What are you saying non-verbally is as important as your words. See how others can have an entirely different perspective of what was communicated. Learn how to interpret reactions different than yours and better understand a situation.
With more than 20 years of public accounting experience, Laurie Horvath leads the not-for-profit industry practice at Baker Tilly. She is a frequent speaker and presenter and has served as an adjunct faculty member at Walsh College for more than 10 years. The evening will begin with networking and light refreshments, followed by the program. The cost is $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers. 
 Attendees are requested to bring peanut butter and jelly for the food pantry at Lighthouse of Oakland County.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.womcomdetroit.org/UpcomingEvents.htm/ or call 866-385-1784.

Stress and how to deal

Stress at work is sometimes good, because it motivates. However, there are times it can overwhelm a worker so they become less productive. I remember working as a waitress when I was in high school and the busier the restaurant became, the more stressed the workers. It was fine because it made us move faster and accomplish more. But then as more and more customers arrived, we reached the peak, when the body cannot move faster or work harder or smarter. That's when dishes got dropped, orders became lost in the shuffle and customers had to wait too long. We would start rushing mindlessly, not doing a very good job and if the situation didn't improve, we would eventually burn out and not care. Here are some tips I hope are helpful for stress management.
 
Dealing with stress
 Walk away - Sometimes the answer to stress is to just walk away for a few minutes. That's why breaks are so important. It's important for desk workers as well as restaurant staff.
"Take a breather" - This is a phrase that a former supervisor of mine used. She was smart. If you can't walk away, breath in and out slowly for a minute.
Delegate - Share your work if you can. Think of it as being generous with your coworkers. 
Assertiveness - Tell people no if you are overwhelmed. They can ask someone else to help them.
Caffeine - Cut down if you can stay awake on the job, Caffeine increases stress.
Eat right - Eat healthy, include fruit and vegetables in your diet. Avoid salty and high cholesterol foods. Request reduced sodium and lower cholesterol menu items when dining out.
Exercise - Daily exercise is helpful for your body and mind.
Relax Max - Take time for yourself, to relax, get organized and do things that interest you. Hang out and talk to your friends, family and coworkers. Meditate, pray, do yoga, get a massage and take a warm bath are other ways to relax.
Laugh - If you find yourself getting worked up over something, try to put it into perspective. Recently, I was worrying about something relentlessly, and then I thought about it and realized it was very trivial. That made me laugh, not just because I had been silly, but also because I was able to step outside of myself and see how unimportant the worry had been.
Wine - Okay alcohol is not the answer, but a glass or two of wine once in awhile can be quite therapeutic. Alcohol can cause sleeplessness though, so don't drink too much or you'll be more stressed the next day.

Workshop on how to identify bullying scheduled

Denha Media and Communications in conjunction with Raven Writing Solutions, Inc. is hosting a workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Denha Media and Communications, 5779 West Maple, West Bloomfield Township to help identify bullying in the workplace.
Attendees will learn to increase productivity by decreasing toxicity in the workplace.
For information, email info@denhamedia.com.

Meet the Press in Birmingham on Saturday

 The Meet the Press Business Summit is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10 at Seaholm High School 2436 W. Lincoln Birmingham.
 With the increase in technology many business owners have taken on the task of writing their own press releases as well as trying their hand at public relations. National and local media personalities and other business professionals will speak on gaining media exposure.
The Meet the Press Business Summit topics include hobnobbing with media, press release writing and distribution, media alerts, why public relations is necessary and more.
Tickets are $25 and available online (includes lunch.) For more information, visit www.getmediaattentionnow.com.

Michigan Tax Conference slated

NOVI—The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, in partnership with the State of Michigan Department of Treasury and State Bar of Michigan Taxation Section, will host the sixth annual Michigan Tax Conference, Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 6-7 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. On the first day of the conference, Glenn White, Deputy Treasurer, State of Michigan Department of Treasury, will provide an insider’s look into what the Treasury is working on. The first day, which includes optional and free early bird sessions for conference attendees, will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by a networking reception. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The second day of the event will begin with a “Pure Michigan Tax Update” with State Treasurer Andy Dillon. The second day begins at 8 a.m., ending at 4:50 p.m. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The cost is $249 for members of the State Bar and the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants and $349 for nonmembers. The cost is $650 for nonmembers for both days. For registration information, visit www.michcpa.org/  or call 248-267-3700.