Competitive Positioning Topic of County Business Workshop

Maui Business Brainstormers meet for business networking at the MCBRC. Photo courtesy of MCBRC.

By Sonia Isotov

This month the Maui County Business Resource Center (MCBRC) will host eight small business workshops in November, including one on competitive positioning and how it can help small businesses succeed in a tight market.

Every month, local business experts share a wealth of knowledge and experience at the free workshops and topics vary by month but usually focus on starting, financing, and growing a small business.

The MCBRC is a division of the County of Maui Office of Economic Development and also has free business counseling with business executives in the US Small Business Administration’s Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE) counselor program. SCORE is a federal program and the Maui Chapter is lead by long-time SCORE counselor and certified public accountant, Richard Kehoe.

Maui County Business Resource Center is located at the Maui Mall in Kahului across from IHOP.. File photo.

Unless otherwise specified, the workshops run from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Maui County Business Resource Center in the Maui Mall. The November workshops are as scheduled:

“The 2012 Internet Marketing Workshop” by Steve Zuwala – Thursday, November 1 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Learn why and how to get your current website to the top of a Google search. Learn how Zuwala, a country music recording artist, studied and used internet market and design to increase his own popularly and album sales. Using these skills, Zuwala has achieved seven #1 international songs, a Dove award, a Grammy Selection award, two Hawaiian Music Awards, and other more.

“Business Succession Planning” by Gretchen G. Voxland – Tuesday, November 13
Gretchen G. Voxland, owner of Horizon Financial, LLC and instructor at UH Maui College, discusses the various transitions that a business may encounter and what to do about them: selling your business, passing the business on to children, death, disability, and retirement.

“Sales Skills 101 – Communicating Your Way to a Better Future” by TJ Anderson –  Wednesday, November 14
Anderson will discuss the importance of communication in the fine art of selling. He will share his sales skills, and draw on his experience as a national sales-leader for a fortune 100 company, and a sales manager for several companies. Anderson is the owner of No Ka Oi Nut Company, a gourmet Bavarian-roasted nut company here on Maui.

Richard Kehoe, MBA, CPA is a long-time SCORE counselor, and the lead SCORE representative on Maui. Courtesy photo.

“A Competitive Positioning For Your Small Business” by Mike Kern – Friday, November 16
Attendees will receive an 8-part tutorial with more depth than can be covered in a single workshop. Learn how to position your company by examining your ideal customer and strategically assessing your competition.  Mike Kerns owned many businesses in multiple industries, usually selling to larger corporations or completing an IPO.  His specialty is business finance, marketing and sales, and operations.

“Maui Business Brainstormers Monthly Meeting” – Monday, November 19 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The public is invited to attend this regular business networking group featuring business introductions, mingling, complimentary light refreshments, expert coaching, and more. To attend, RSVP at www.meetup.com/MauiBusinessBrainstormers.

“Harry & Jeannette Weinberg Pono Center – How Can It Help Your Small Business” by Susie Thieman – Tuesday, November 20
Susie Thieman, the interim executive director of Lokahi Pacific, discusses how the Pono Center in Wailuku can help small businesses who need a training facility, conference room, office space or a commercial kitchen, and other services.

“Understanding Your Credit and Scores” by Jason Hall – Tuesday, November 27
Learn how to improve your credit scores in this 60-minute crash course. Learn how to deal with collections, tax liens, judgments, late payments, foreclosures and short sales on a credit report.  Find out how this information can possibly be removed in less than 7 years to improve a score.  This workshop will be presented by Jason Hall, a credit consultant and former loan officer.

“Got Conflict? How To Work With A Conflict Management Professional to Bring Peace to Your Workplace” by Sunny Gutierrez –  Wednesday, November 28
This workshop will provide an overview of the benefits of working with mediators and alternative dispute resolution professionals in the workplace. Topics include recognizing the cost of unhealthy conflict, differences between a mediator, facilitator, and conflict coach, and why current attempts to resolve conflict in the workplace are not working. Gutierrez is a mediator, trainer, and facilitator with a master’s degree in negotiation and conflict resolution management.

Interested persons should call the MCBRC at (808) 873-8247 to reserve a seat at one of the workshop.