Maui Business Brainstormers Announce Think Tank

By Maui Now Staff

“The grill has been demolished and the new think tank installed,” announced the volunteer hosts with Maui Business Brainstormers.

Starting in March 2015, Business in the Think Tank will replace Business on the Grill.

Since February 2012, MBB members meet every month to discuss, share and learn about topics related to starting, running and growing a business. Spirited discussions result in the exchange of informative hints and tips, education and fun.

Attendees contribute their knowledge and experience in the featured segments:

1. Get to Know your Neighbor: An opportunity to interact with new faces and strengthen your own ability to communicate succinctly with others in fast-paced situations.

2. Featured Business in the Think Tank: This is a 20-minute segment in which a business is featured for focused brainstorming with the group. Owners of start-ups and small businesses benefit from this activity. The business qualifies for this special feature if the business concept is fully researched and planned but questions or obstacles remain. The business also qualifies if it is already in operation with sales, but faces challenges to achieve further growth.

The business owner needs to be an MBB member (membership is free). To be featured in the 20-minute case study “Think Tank,” members must fill out and submit the online form describing your business challenge. On the day of the meeting, the candidate chosen presents a five-minute overview of the business, including the current challenges. The audience then brainstorms ideas to address the problem with the “build it, measure it, learn from it, improve it!” spirit.

“We find that these brainstorming sessions provide mutual benefit both to the business in the Think Tank as well as to the participating business owners–everyone takes away a lesson or two!” said the volunteering team hosting Business in the Think Tank.

3. Five-Minute Think Tank: Attendees have the opportunity to present a challenge they are experiencing in their own business for ideas and suggestions from the group. No prior information needs to be submitted for this session. Simply come to the meeting with your ideas and questions in order to help others and be helped to achieve your own success.

“Business in the Think Tank” is free and hosted once a month in two locations–Central Maui and West Maui.

To attend, make a reservation online.

For more information, email [email protected].

About Maui Business Brainstormers
MBB is a nonprofit group that began in January 2012. The group offers value and integrity via educational events for Maui individual, micro and small businesses, and those who want to make a start. Its current membership totals 700. Its all-volunteer team of organizers includess, David Kapaku, John Hau‘oli Tomoso, Trisha Anderson, Gylian Solay, Ed Gazmen, Margaret DeStefano, Molly Balzano, Carmel Patterson and Grace Fung.

In addition to “Business in the Think Tank,” MBB hosts special events featuring invaluable topics presented by top notch professionals who accept MBB’s invitation to share their knowledge and donate their time. Guest presenters have included Alan Pollock, David Fisher, Paul Brewbaker and Howard Dicus.

MBB is also behind the Maui Small Business Week, a free, five-day business education event scheduled from May 4 to 8, 2015, with the support of Maui County and other government agencies as well as private organizations.

MBB’s “Win Big with Smart Online Marketing” special event at the Fairmont Kea Lani. Photo courtesy MBB.

MBB Think Tank meeting attendees. Photo courtesy MBB.

MBB Think Tank Meeting in West Maui. Photo courtesy MBB.

MBB Think Tank Meeting in West Maui at Lahaina Senior Center. Photo courtesy MBB.

MBB Think Tank Meeting attendees warm up for the meeting with MBB organizer and meeting facilitator Trisha Anderson. Photo courtesy MBB.

MBB Think Tank Meeting attendees and Gylian Solay (yellow jacket), MBB organizer and owner of “Organize Your Life.” Photo courtesy MBB.

MBB Think Tank Meeting featured business segment with Penny Dant, owner and originator of Maui Mini Aloha shirt ornaments. Photo courtesy MBB.