The conference is free but registration is required. To register:
1) Scroll down to the bottom of this page
2) Click on the website listed
3) Navigate to the registration button
4) Click Register Today
5) Once you complete the registration form, check your email for a confirmation email with session links. If you do not see it in your inbox, check your junk folder.

The agenda is as follows:

Monday, March 11th
Tracy Knofla – True Colors Communication Styles & Personality Inventory – 10 am -noon

Program Abstract:

Color my world a shade of understanding and see how things improve. By exploring how people communicate and process information, organizations can advance to the next level and really get things done. What is your color?

True Colors is a temperament assessment tool developed by Don Lowry. The assessment uses four colors to help participants understand their own operation style as well as those of their friends, relatives and co-workers. It is particularly useful in the workplace to help co-workers identify their communication preferences and find points that connect them to others. It can also be used to assess areas of conflict and teach strategies for conflict resolution.

During a typical session, participants will review the True Colors documents and self-select a spectrum of colors which they believe closely matches their own thoughts and actions. The facilitator will then ask participants a series of questions which will help to clarify differences and similarities – toward the goal of increased understanding and cooperation.

Program Goals:

The purpose of this session is:
« To explore the four different ways that people communicate.
« To establish the four different ways people take in and process information.
« To identify personal communication styles
« To transfer this knowledge to your organization.

Program Outline:
Establish the perimeters of the True Colors personality inventory in 2 hours.
Define the role that perceptions and stereotyping play in effective communication.
Identify the four colors and have participants self select their color preference.
Do a color brightening activity to really highlight the meaning of the colors.
Provide tools to use on the job.

Elizabeth Phares Oren – Female Founder’s Roundtable – 1 p.m.

Julie Garden Robinson – Food Entrepreneurship: From Safety Considerations to Labeling – 2 pm

You have a product idea and a place to make it. What has to be on a food label for selling licensed food products across state lines? Do you have to include a Nutrition Facts label? How do you label cottage food products? This presentation and the accompanying handout will explain the ins and outs of food product labeling, from ingredient labeling through statements on packaging.

Lynn Soeth – Cyber Security Considerations for Small Businesses – 3:15 – 4 p.m.

You have a company-wide security culture. Is it a positive one? A safe security culture includes practices, policies, and attitudes that prioritize the protection of sensitive information and the well-being of team members. It involves ongoing training and creating a positive environment where everyone feels empowered to ask questions and report potential security incidents.

Using real-world situations, let’s look at how you can actively participate in and grow a safe security culture at work and at home.

Tuesday, March 12th
Molly Kocialski, Rocky Mt. Regional Director – USPTO – Intro to Patents – 10 – 11 am

This virtual workshop will provide you with an introduction to patents, trademarks, and copyrights.

Pam Covarrubias – Build An Aligned Brand – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Throughout the session, we will guide you through a series of interactive exercises and discussions aimed at helping you:
1. Clarify Your Vision and Mission: Understand how your personal vision and mission align with your brand, setting the foundation for all your business decisions.
2. Define Your Purpose and Promise: Explore the ‘why’ behind your business and articulate the promise your brand holds to your customers, distinguishing you from competitors.
3. Identify and Embrace Your Core Values: Uncover the values that represent the essence of your brand, ensuring every aspect of your business reflects these principles.
4. Uncover Your Ideal Client: Learn techniques to identify and understand your target audience, enabling you to tailor your products, services, and messaging effectively.
5. Craft Your Unique Value Proposition: Develop a compelling value proposition that clearly communicates the unique benefits your brand offers.
6. Refine Your Messaging: Understand the art of messaging and learn to craft a paragraph that speaks directly to your ideal client.

Diana Barbiani – Pricing, Relations, & Prospecting – 1 p.m.

The 3 most important aspects of running any successful business are covered in this webinar. The outcome is clarity on how all 3 areas function independently as well as how they correlate to each other.

Wednesday, March 13th
Tracy Knofla – Training Tips for the Occassional Trainer – 10 a.m. – noon

-Extensive repertoire of skills and confidence to implement this knowledge
-Training styles to match desired learning outcomes
-How to develop innovative designs for diverse training environments
-Various learning styles of adults and the impact on trainer’s style
-The impact of the training room environment on information retention
-Ways to follow-up with participants to assess the true impact of your training

Amy Longtin – The Founder’s Journey – 1- 2 p.m.

Amy Longtin is the founder and CEO of Tech4Kids, a non-profit organization that was created to repurpose used laptops, iPads, and MacBooks that will be donated to children who do not have access to technology in their homes.

Longtin is a professional leader in the field of IT. Currently, she is the IT Director at the Fargo Park District. She has a personal investment in fostering leadership among young women, equity in technology education and careers, and she is a positive role model for young women in her community.

Prof. Scot Loyd – Preparing a Keynote Speech – 2 – 3 p.m.

Scot Loyd is a passionate liberal arts educator. With his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and diversity, Scot utilizes his talents in writing, speaking, and activism to advocate for a more equitable and accepting society. As an educator and speech and debate coach he seeks to come alongside students, guiding them to find their enlightened path to a flourishing future.

Thursday, March 14th

Prof. Sean Valentine – Human Resource Management in Small Businesses – 9:30 – 11:15 a.m.

Agenda:

-Outline why HRM is important for small businesses
-Summarize the basic areas/functions of HRM that small businesses must oversee
-Highlight some of the key HR issues (opportunities/challenges) that small businesses face

Prof. Diana Lopez-Soto – Inventory & Production Control Considerations for Small Business – 11:30-12:30

In this workshop, you will learn about strategies aimed at improving production efficiency and facilitating well-informed inventory management decisions.

Marcella Lange – Succession Planning Tips with Thrivent Financial – 2 – 3 p.m.

Agenda:

-Business Succession and Continuity Planning Strategies
-Retirement solutions for your small business
-This may be limited to you or include employees
-Business Valuation
-Tax Strategies
-Other Benefits available to you

Friday, March 15th
Diana Barbiani – Introduction to Retail – 10 am – 11 am

In this webinar, we will discuss the basics of opening and operating a successful retail store, from space planning and inventory management to procurement and visual merchandising as well as customer service and store atmospherics.

Prof. Francisco Casaroti- Introduction to Corporate Branding & Design – 12 pm – 1 pm

Agenda:

Join us for an insightful journey into the world of Corporate Identity and Branding in Graphic Design. In this session, we will unravel the importance of strong visual identity and explore the multifaceted aspects that contribute to building a compelling brand presence. Corporate Identity is the face of a company, encompassing its visual elements, messaging, and overall personality. Our lecturer will delve into the crucial role that Corporate Identity plays in establishing a consistent and memorable brand image. From logos and colour schemes to typography and imagery, every element contributes to shaping a brand’s identity, conveying its values and distinguishing it from competitors.

*Having trouble registering, click here to connect with a member of our team to help troubleshoot. In the meantime, click here to view our Instructions for Submitting handout.