Small Business Week 2020
For more than 50 years, the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. As part of National Small Business Week, the Office of Business Diversity & Opportunity and the City of Birmingham would like to take the opportunity to highlight your business that helps to create 21st-century jobs, drive innovation, and increase Birmingham’s global competitiveness. Join us for a week of events and workshops that support you as a small business owner and entrepreneur. In light of everything transpiring, we cannot wait to celebrate and equip small businesses. Be on the lookout for more details for Small Business Week 2020!
For now, you can register to receive Small Business Week updates below. Space will be limited, so sign up to stay connected today!
Register to Receive Information Here
Watch to learn more about SBW2020:
What should you expect during Small Business 2020?
Monday – REV Birmingham
Ideation Workshop: Innovating your business for future growth
Simply put, to innovate is to make changes by introducing new methods or ideas that support growth. Why is innovation important to your small business? It helps you to feel more confident in the midst of change. It saves you time and energy. Innovation helps you to stay in a state of constant evolution.
How would you respond if asked?
- How will you continue to generate revenue, in the midst of a customer deficit?
- What do you do when your business has more needs than you can address?
- What new method or idea would help your business survive when there is limited personnel, time, resources, or finances?
This workshop is designed to help you innovate your business for future growth. Be prepared to exchange ideas and expand your business mind as you are equipped with new ways to solve your unique business problems.
Tuesday – Birmingham Biz Hub (BlackLSTD)
Circle Maker: How to build meaningful collaboration & engagement amongst entrepreneurs
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This speaks to one of the core values of any form of success — collaboration. Often, business owners can be apprehensive when trusting others with key responsibilities. However, closely working with collaborators is critical to your business success.
How would you respond if asked?
- Do you feel you can trust others when it comes to collaborating?
- Do you have enough time to think, innovate or grow your business?
- When was the last time you brainstormed about your business’ next step?
- What would you do if you had an extra two to three hours in your day?
This workshop is designed to help raise your confidence about working with others. Expect to build meaningful connections, while engaging with other entrepreneurs who understand the value of community and functional collaboration.
Wednesday – Black Girl Ventures & Birmingham Improv Theatre
So, you think you can pitch? How to effectively present and share your business utilizing improv techniques.
You only get one shot to make a first impression. People do not always remember what you say, as much as they remember how you made them feel. When expressing your product or service, you must not only be able to share your business story in an engaging way, but you must also be able to do so with confidence!
People buy what they believe in. But, can you clearly and confidently express WHY DO YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR BUSINESS?
How would you respond if asked?
- Do you know what your business story is? When you tell it, is it engaging? Does it move people?
- Do you know about the connection between your business story and your customer loyalty?
This event is designed to equip you with improvisation acting techniques that enhance your confidence and charisma when sharing your business story, “on the spot!” These skills are necessary when needing to sell, enhance business relationships, and build customer loyalty!
Thursday – Tate & Associates LLC & iSeek Solutions
How to scale: Build teams, systems, and processes for success
“Running my business takes too much time away from my family.”
“I do not have enough time to innovate and critically think.”
“I know I need help, but I do not know where to start.”
When talking about the status of your business, if you have ever said any of these things, chances are–YOU NEED TO SCALE NOW.
How would you respond if asked?
- You need to scale. Do you know how?
- What systems/processes are in place to handle scale?
- Do you REALLY trust others to help you grow your business?
This event is designed to not only help you to locate where you are on the startup-to-scale spectrum, but it will also give you the confidence that your business can successfully thrive and grow beyond you.
Friday – Alchemy Apparel & Footwear
Building Community x Culture x Customer Service for customer growth
“Oh my gosh, I cannot believe they handled me like that!”
“I would give that company 4 thumbs DOWN!”
“I will never visit this place again. Their customer service is HORRIBLE!”
At some point, we have all experienced poor customer service and it has made a lasting impression on us. Did you know that after one negative experience, 51% of customers will never do business with a company again? That means if you do not demonstrate stellar customer service, you could potentially lose half of your customer base.
How would you respond if asked?
- Can you describe stellar customer service?
- Do you have a loyal customer base? If so, how do you know?
- What does your customer culture look like?
An outstanding product or service can quickly be undermined by indifferent or negative customer service. This event is designed to give you the tools to establish a growing community of loyal customers. With best practices for stellar customer service at your disposal, your business will certainly make the lasting impression you desire!
