Business Calendar

May 20
WATERFORD TWP. — Firehouse Subs, a national franchise is opening its first Oakland County location at 5832 Highland Road in Waterford Township, Monday, May 20. Doors will open to the public at 11 a.m. Sevag Karadolian

May 20
SOUTHFIELD — The Detroit Economic Club is hosting a luncheon featuring guest speaker Gregory Case, president and CEO of Aon, a global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage and human resources. The event begins with a Network Cafe at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 20 at the Westin Southfield. The cost is $45 for members. $55 for guests of members. $75 for non-members. Visit www.econclub.org for more information.

May 21
NOVI — A free workshop focused on business growth through customer loyalty as part of the Revenue North Business Growth Summit is 9:15 to 10:05 a.m. Tuesday, May 21 at the Novi Sheraton at 39000 Haggerty Road in Novi. It will be led by Gerald Bricker, principal, Aadvise Consulting, LLC. Bricker is a business coach who managed leading sales organizations in the Detroit area for 30 years. The summit will include experts familiar with Southeast Michigan’s markets, culture, and economy. Experts in sales, marketing, customer retention, access to capital, planning, and acquiring and retaining A+ talent will share proven ways to grow a business. For more information and to register for this free summit, contact Gerald Bricker at info@aadviseconsultingllc.com and ask for the promo code. For more information, visit RevenueNorth.com.

May 21
TROY  — Automation Alley hosts a workshop on estate planning featuring guest speaker attorney Robin Ferriby, VP of Philanthropic Services for the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan. The event is 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 21 at Automation Alley Headquarters. 2675 Bellingham Dr, Troy. The cost in advance for members is $10 and $15 for nonmembers. For more information, visit www.automationalley.com.

May 22
AUBURN HILLS — The Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Talent Townhall event, ‘If the Job Fits’ shows how employers can plan for long-term success in hiring. Talent Townhall is a workforce development program. The event is 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22 at the Oakland University Gold Room. This educational session includes two speakers from the field: Ron Watson, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources at Oakland University and Todd Lancaster, President of YourSource Management Group. The event is open to the public. Registration is required, visit auburnhillschamber.com or call 248-853-7862. Tickets are $25 for chamber members and $35 for non-chamber members.
Learn more at www.auburnhillschamber.com

May 23
TROY — Automation Alley is hosting a conference on Doing Business in Indonesia and Singapore, two of the world’s leading nations with a high demand for Michigan-made products, services and technologies. This session is for companies looking to expand their markets overseas with an interest in attending Automation Alley's Trade Mission to Indonesia and Singapore, Sept. 6-13. The conference is 8 to 11:30 a.m. May 23 Automation Alley Headquarters. 2675 Bellingham Dr, Troy. The cost in advance for members is $20 and for nonmembers is $40. For more information, visit www.automationalley.com.

June 5 -  June 26
WATERFORD TWP.
Business owners and entrepreneurs who need assistance are encouraged to attend seminars offered by the Oakland County Business Center. The seminars will take place at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford Township. For registration, visit www.AdvantageOakland.com/expand or call 248-858-0783.

Marketing Your Business is 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 5. The course presents practical applications of marketing concepts designed to help small businesses grow. It covers basic marketing tools including market analysis and research. The fee is $40 per person.

Financial Management is 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, June 6. As an introductory seminar, the course covers the basics of financial management, including how to start an accounting system and how to apply the information from key financial statements to help you manage your business. The fee is $40 per person.

Business Research - Feasibility to Expansion is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6. It is for those thinking of starting a business and wanting to research a business idea. Presented by Oakland County Market Research and an Oakland County Public Library business reference librarian. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.

Venture Plan | 10-Week Series is 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, June 11 to Aug. 20. There is no class July 2. Your application must be submitted and approved prior to registration. Venture Plan is an intensive 10-week program that helps evaluate business opportunities and develop an action plan for owning or growing a business. This program offers essential business information to help develop entrepreneurial skills and build your business on a strong foundation or help to prepare for expansion. Due to sponsor support, the fee is $140 per participant, reduced from $700.

CEED Microloan Orientation is 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 12. Many small businesses face obstacles when trying to obtain a business loan, the Microloan program is for those who need alternative financing. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.
Facebook for Business (Beginner) is the first of a three-part series, 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 12. Introduction to social media marketing and using Facebook for business. The fee is $40 per person.

Starting a Business is 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 13. It is an introductory session delivered in a workshop format, the course helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products. The fee is $30 per person.

Quickbooks Essentials (Parts 1 and 2) is 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, June 13. This introduction to small business financial management provides an overview of accurate record keeping and report interpretation and utilization. Part 1 will cover basic accounting terminology, new company file setup, customizing forms and letters, and working with bank accounts. Part 2 will cover invoicing customers, receiving payments and making deposits, entering and paying vendor bills and more. The cost to attend both sessions is $75 per person or attend one session for $40 per person.

Facebook for Business (Intermediate) is 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. Create your Facebook Strategy. Core strategies and tactics businesses are using to get customers talking on Facebook, how to use social media management tools for Facebook and scheduling posts in advance are covered. Prerequisite: Facebook for Business (Beginner). The fee is $40 per person.

Health Care Reform and Small Business is 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, June 20. Learn about health care reform legislation and how it will affect all business owners. The workshop covers tax penalties, small business credits, small business wellness program grants (small and large wellness program grants), full-time employee status compliance and all health care reform changes that will be implemented next year. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required.

Writing a Business Plan is 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 20. It is designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for successful self-employment. Specifics of marketing and finance, legal and regulatory issues, operations, and information-based planning and management are key components of the workshop. The first steps for creating a business plan draft will be included along with a demonstration of the MI-SBTDC online business plan tool. The fee is $40 per person.

Facebook for Business (Advanced) is 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 26. This workshop discusses establishing objectives and goals for a Facebook campaign and effective Facebook promotions and/or sweepstakes that meets Facebook’s rules and guidelines. Prerequisites: Facebook for Business (beginner) and Facebook for Business (intermediate). The fee is $40 per person.

June 6
WEST BLOOMFIELD TWP. — The Chaldean American Bar Association presents its 4th Annual Anniversary Celebration & Scholarship Dinner Celebrating 20 Years, 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, June 6 at Shenandoah Country Club. Michigan Supreme Court Justice, David Viviano is the keynote speaker. The Chaldean American Bar Association will be recognizing Salman T. Sesi, Esq. of Sesi & Sesi, P.C. and Klint Kesto, State Representative of the 39th District. Sesi is a leader as one of the first Chaldean attorneys.

June 7
SOUTHFIELD — Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc. (LAD), provider of free civil legal services to low-income residents of Michigan, will conduct a free outreach clinic on civil legal services for income-eligible residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, including the city of Detroit, 9 a.m. to noon Friday, June 7 at Southfield Human Services, 26080 Berg Road, Southfield. Attendees are asked to register before 10 a.m., as a LAD attorney will assist only those persons who have done so by that time. For further information, contact Stacey Felder, paralegal at LAD's Oakland County office in Pontiac, at 248-253-1548, ext. 4005. Those seeking legal services may call 1-877-964-4700 or visit www.ladadetroit.org.

June 10
OAKLAND TWP. — The Automation Alley Annual Golf Outing is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, June 10 at Twin Lakes Golf Club, 455 Twin Lakes Drive, Oakland Township. A ticket to the outing includes 18 holes of golf at Twin Lakes Golf Club with cart, range balls, continental breakfast, lunch on the course, hors d'oeuvres reception with open bar, awards and gifts. The full 27-hole course, speed relay competitions. The cost is $175 each and $700/foursome. Sponsorship packages available. For information, email info@automationalley.com or call 1-800-427-5100.