The Small Business Webinar Series: 4 Types of People – Managing Diverse Personalities

Date: 1/6/22 Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM (MST) Point of Contact: Jason Nitschke (406) 750-0314  Location: Online Meeting (Live) 

Registration and Additional Details

Thankfully, we aren’t all alike! However, it can be challenging to understand and work well with other personality types. Discover how to identify some key differences, recognize the strengths of personality diversity, and learn tips on how to better relate with others. We will discuss informal techniques as well as offer information on the leading formal personality assessment solution, Everything DiSC®.This is a 30-minute webinar from 11-11:30am Mountain Time.

We Open Doors to Bonding

Date:  1/6/22  Time:  1:00 PM – 2:00 PM            Point of Contact:  Kelly Dixon (406) 441-1085  Location:  Online (webinar)

Limited or no bonding experience? Difficulty qualifying for bonding? Want to increase your bond limits? Learn how to obtain contract bonds up to $10 million!

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)
+1 202-765-1264,,632952297# United States, Washington DC
Phone Conference ID: 632 952 297#

Access webinar up to 5 minutes prior to start time. Click or copy & paste access link into browser to attend. Instructions for connecting to audio will be presented on screen.

Business Planning 101 Classes and Business Plan Competition

Point of Contact: Quincy Walter (406) 650-2524

Garfield County

Date: 1/12/22 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (MST) Register here Location: 444 Main St, Jordan, MT 59337, Jordan MT 59337 

McCone County

Date: 1/12/22 Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (MST) Register here  Location: McCone County Fair Grounds, Circle MT 59215  

Valley County

Date: 1/18/22 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (MST) Register here
Location: 54250 Us Highway 2, Glasgow MT 59230-1561

Roosevelt County

Date: 1/18/22 Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (MST)  Register here
Location: GNDC Conference Room 233 Cascade St # 3 Yellow Door, Wolf Point MT 59210

Daniels County

Date: 1/19/22 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (MST) Register here
Location: Friendship Room 7 West County Road, Scobey MT 59263

Sheridan County

Date: 1/19/22 Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (MST)  Register here
Location: 100 E Laurel Ave Jubilee Room, Plentywood MT 59254-1644

Richland County

Date: 1/20/22 Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (MST)  Register here
Location: Richland County Extension 1499 N Central Ave, Sidney MT 59270

Great Northern Development Corporation, Small Business Development Center is hosting a business plan competition in conjunction with the MDT Small Business Enterprise Program throughout a seven-county region in Northeastern Montana consisting of Valley, Garfield, McCone, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, and Daniels. The goal of this event is to attract new entrepreneurs and support existing businesses in Northeastern Montana by uniting communities in a common goal of economic development. GNDC and the MT SBE Program will award two prize packages of $5,000; one to a startup business and one to an existing business.

SBDC Director, Shandy Moran, will be holding business plan development classes in each of the participating seven counties in January. Entrepreneurs planning to compete in the Minnow Tank Business Plan competition are encouraged to attend a class. These class topics include business plan basics, marketing, and small business financials.  Watch the GNDC website or our monthly newsletter for the class schedule release. If you are unable to attend a class please call GNDC to schedule an appointment with Shandy Moran at (406) 653-2590 ext 203. Minnow Tank business plan submissions are due to GNDC by 5:00 PM on March 12th. Submissions can be mailed to GNDC at 233 Cascade Street or sent via e-mail to sbdc@gndc.org.

The Minnow Tank finale will be held April 12th, 2022, at 5:00 PM at the Sidney Event Center, where the finalists will present their business plan live to a panel of judges, one judge being the audience! Support your favorite entrepreneur by planning to attend; tickets will be available at the door or by calling SBDC Program Coordinator Quincy at(406) 650-2524.  See guidelines for contests at gndc.org/minnow-tank/

Power Up – January 13, 20, 27- ZOOM

Point of Contact: Shayna Blaser (406) 587-3113 Location: ZOOM, Bozeman MT 59718

Date/Time:
Session #1 1/13/22 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (MST)
Session #2 1/20/22 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (MST)
Session #3 1/27/22 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (MST)

Registration and Additional Details

This 3 session course has been specifically designed for individuals who are brand new to business, wanting to start a business, and new business owners or individuals looking to start a second business.
What you will learn:
– Clarity and fresh perspective about starting a new business
– Solid first draft of your Business Plan – In-depth understanding of your industry and competition
– Documented sales projections and marketing strategy based on industry research & geography
– Projected cash flow for one year
– Shared experience with other local entrepreneurs and subject matter experts
– Valuable resources and processes that support your business planning journey
Fees:
Non-Member $375.00, Prospera Member $300.00, 2nd Company Representative $175.00, PROSPERA CLASSES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. Scholarships may be available for this course. Apply here: https://www.prosperamt.org/scholarship-requests

Startup Roadmap

Date: 1/20/22 Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM (MST) Point of Contact: Kayla Vokral (406) 254-6014 Location: 222 N 32nd St. Yellowstone Conference Room, Billings MT 59101

Registration and Additional Details

Designed for individuals who would like to start their own business. This is a great overview of things to know about start-up costs, financing options, and business planning. A wealth of information and resources are provided free of charge.

Building a Digital Advertising Campaign

Date: 1/25/22 Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (MST) Point of Contact: Kayla Vokral (406) 254-6014
Location: 222 N 32nd St Yellowstone Conference Room , Billings MT 59101

Registration and Additional Details

Stop “boosting” posts and start creating a serious digital advertising campaign for your business! This workshop will discuss the various outlets to promote your business through digital advertising while getting the most for return on your investment. Learn how to establish goals for your campaign while reaching your ideal customer.

Link Up Business Accelerator for Women – January 25 | February 8 and 22 | March 8 and 22 | April 5

Date/Time:
Session #1 1/25/22 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (MST)
Session #2 2/8/22 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (MST)
Session #3 2/22/22 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (MST)
Session #4 3/8/22 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (MST)
Session #5 3/22/22 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (MDT)
Session #6 4/5/22 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (MDT)
Point of Contact: Shayna Blaser (406) 587-3113
Location: TBD, Bozeman MT 59715

Registration and Additional Details

Link Up: Business Accelerator for Women. Take your business to the next level by connecting with others and focusing on skills to help you accomplish your goals. Get to know other female business owners and learn from a community of new and established entrepreneurs. Carve out this valuable time for introspection about your business and growth as a leader.
Join Karen Lum for six interactive sessions- 2-hours each. Guest speakers share valuable expertise in learning sessions like marketing, product/service pricing, hiring, business law, finance & more. Each session brings new takeaways for entrepreneurs ready to:
1. Assess your current business and your needs
2. Become accountable for what you want to accomplish
3. Discover resources to support your business growth

Registration: $300 for Prospera Members, $375 non-members. This registration amount covers the whole series.
Who Should Attend: Women that own, lead or operate a Montana business and hope to:
• Take time away from the day-to-day operation of the business to focus on developing the business
• Want to connect and build a community
• Want to learn gain clarity to set goals for their business

Top 10 HR Headaches and How to Avoid Them

Date: 1/26/22 Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (MST) Point of Contact: Shayna Blaser (406) 587-3113 Location: Prospera Business Network Business Center 865 Technology BLVD Suite 1, Bozeman MT 59718

Registration and Additional Details

What you will learn:
Attending this workshop you will learn about all 10 of these HR categories and why they’re important to know if you have employees. As a bonus, each participant may choose 1 practical template to implement into their business.
• Setting Expectations with Job Descriptions
• Employee Handbooks – Advantages of Policies & Procedures
• Unique MT Employment Laws
• Recruiting – Screening & Selection
• Effective Orientations
• Retention – Compensation & Benefits Packages
• Resolving Conflict – Proper Communication
• Documentation – Discipline or Coaching
• Performance – Outstanding and Needs Improvement
• Separations – Avoiding lawsuits
Fees:
Prospera Member $250.00, Non-Member $325.00 For attendees that are not currently Prospera Members or their employer is not a Prospera Member. Second Company Representative $175.00This class includes lunch.
*We reserve the right to cancel a class if minimum enrollments are not met. In which case, all course fees will be fully refunded.

Value Proposition

Date: 1/27/22 Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM (MST) Point of Contact: Kayla Vokral (406) 254-6014
Location: 222 N 32nd St Yellowstone Conference Room, Billings MT 59101

Registration and Additional Details

Your Value Proposition is the reason why customers turn to your company over another. It solves your customer’s problem or satisfies your customer’s need. In this workshop you will work on discovering your company’s value proposition by answering these questions.
• What value do you deliver to the customer?
• Which one of our customer’s problems are you helping to solve?
• Which job are you helping the customer get done?
• Which customer needs are you satisfying?
• What bundles of products and services are you offering to each Customer Segment?

Food and Agriculture Development Cluster Meeting – January 2022

Date: 1/28/22 Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (MST)
Point of Contact: Ali Moxley (678) 789-9521
Location: 865 Technology Blvd, Ste A, Bozeman MT 59718-1552

Registration and Additional Details

The purpose of this meeting is to:
1. Provide an opportunity for key food system stakeholders to connect with each other
2. Identify common opportunities and challenges in the local food system
3. Review the Commercial Kitchen Feasibility study (2020)
4. Brainstorm ways that community and state-wide organizations can support stakeholders in the food system
5. Review funding opportunities for food and agriculture-related businesses

Build Your Brand & Network Online Course

Date: 1/31/22 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (MST)
Point of Contact: Ashley Metesh-McCoy Location:  Online

Registration and Additional Details

This online course shows women how to build authentic, strategic relationships in order to build a powerful network. A powerful network leads to specific benefits like:
• Better connections to future career opportunities for those looking for a job or a change in careers (it’s who you know- right?!).
• Quality connections to advisors, mentors, and funders for those looking to pursue a nonprofit or business idea.
• Mentor connections that develop organically and often.
• Less wasted time on events and people you dislike. The right amount of time for events and people you like.
Learning Objectives:
1. Students will learn the definition of a personal brand and how it applies to building a professional network.
2. Students will learn how to craft an elevator pitch for in-person networking events.
3. Students will learn how to strategically identify a network and how to grow it over the course of a career.
4. Students will learn from industry experts about how the concepts are applied when building a career entirely around online reputation.
5. Students will create an evergreen online binder that combines learnings and frameworks throughout the course so they can take it with them to ensure they continue to build upon their network and think about it strategically throughout their entire career.
6. Enhance student’s communication skills in written and oral forms, including how to evaluate the use of digital technologies in communication.
7. Demonstrate iterative thinking as a process of generating ideas, producing strategies for networking or brand concepts, testing the versions, analyzing results, generating refinements and adjustments, and starting the process anew,
8. Develop tiered problem-solving skills across a range of projects and appreciate the consistent roles that critical thinking, empathy, and flexibility in all successfully designed solutions.