Initiate Business Retention Training Series
Small businesses across the state now have access to new tools and resources to help them launch and grow in Michigan. MEDC’s Community Development and Capital Access teams have partnered with Northern Initiatives to offer an online learning portal that gives small businesses access to valuable resources to help them grow and thrive in today’s economy. These resources cover topics such as money, marketing and management issues, and COVID-19 reopening resources.
In order to make the best use of this portal, MEDC has launched a training series for local units of government, downtown development authorities, main street organizations and other downtown management organizations that support small businesses within their districts. In addition, the program is available to financial institutions and other resource providers who utilize MEDC’s Capital Access Program.
The training series will focus on how to use the portal and how to assist a small business owner in navigating the available resources. The programming available on the portal supports the community’s desire to retain businesses within their district, offer resources to their local entrepreneurial ecosystem, and help staff work with business owners to assess areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.
MEDC’s support of new and existing small businesses, small business resource providers, and the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, helps foster a supportive business climate and provides tools and resources that are accessible statewide to aid in small business success.
Trainings are available at no cost but registration is required. A complete training list, description, and link to register for each session is listed below. These trainings should be taken sequentially as each session builds on another. Additional training for small business owners on how to utilize the portal will be forthcoming.
June 30, 2020 at 10 a.m.
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In this training, we introduce you to Initiate, an online learning portal with more than 100 resources on money, marketing and management to support the launch and growth of small businesses. Also, we will share an assessment tool you can use with local businesses to help them evaluate their skills and align corresponding resources.
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July 14, 2020 at 10 a.m.
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In this training, we will discuss case studies based on top challenges businesses face and how to utilize the tools highlighted in the “Getting Started with Initiate” training to address them. We will have an interactive discussion to answer your questions as you have started exploring Initiate and the assessment tool.
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September 9, 2020 at 10 a.m.
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In this session, we will reflect on the first three months of utilizing the Initiate platform and associated tools. We’ll review progress to date, share best practices and highlight updates to the platform and new tools to support local small businesses.
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September 24, 2020 at 10 a.m.
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As we near the last quarter of the year, it’s crucial to help businesses to prepare to end the year strong and plan for 2021. We will explore tools in Initiate that will help them to create projections, plan for cash flow, market their services and more.
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To learn more about MEDC’s Community Development Small Business Services, please contact Suzanne Perreault at perreaults@michigan.org or visit https://www.miplace.org/small-business/.
For information about MEDC’s Capital Access Program, please contact Chris Cook at cookc@michigan.org or visit https://www.michiganbusiness.org/services/access-capital/.
About Northern Initiatives:
Northern Initiatives is a Community Development Financial Institution. They provide loans and business services to small business owners and entrepreneurs who create jobs and enable the communities of Michigan and neighboring Wisconsin to thrive.
