Secrets of Business Success Symposium

Secrets of Business Success Symposium

Date and Time

Thursday Oct 20, 2022
7:45 AM - 12:30 PM CDT

Location

Business Symposium -
Microsoft Campus | 7:45 a.m.

4550 42nd Ave S Fargo ND 58104

Description

The Chamber is excited to be collaborating with the SBA and it’s regional resource partners to host the Secrets of Business Success Symposium. This event will convene small business owners from around the region to hear from business leaders, and participate in breakout sessions and roundtable discussions, which will focus on those areas that are most critical to small business success. These areas include marketing, finance, management, hiring and onboarding, succession planning and much more. The goal is to cultivate connections and provide meaningful and tangible takeaways that you can apply in your business, regardless of size, industry or location.

Keynote Speaker

Dani Gilseth
Co-Founder
Grateful Cratefulls

Grounded in Gratitude - The Grateful Cratefulls Story
How can a spark of Gratitude ignite a fire and clarify your life's purpose? Dani is excited to share the impactful story of how a life challenge turned into a business with a powerful mission. To brighten someone's day!

What started as a 500-square-foot exclusive retail location has grown into a nearly 2,000-square-foot retail and fulfillment center with complete e-Commerce and business gifting services. Staying grounded in Gratitude has helped Grateful Cratefulls business soar. Dani is going to be sharing insight and simple takeaways for you to start incorporating Gratitude into your business today!

Breakout Sessions


Jared Finkelson	Ben Gleason	Patrick Metzger	Emma McIntryre	Joe Tjosvold

Cybersecurity

Jared Finkelson, Co-Founder, Giga-Green
Don't let analysis paralysis stop you from implementing practical cyber security protections for you business! News of breaches, hacks and scams combined with a myriad of security products have made it difficult to know where to start with cyber security. It is also difficult to know what is cost-effective when the threat is so intangible. In this session, you'll learn where to start and how to make a game plan to create a cost-effective cyber security posture. We will cover self-assessment basics, incremental steps you can take and how to create a culture of cyber security.

Managing Cash Flow During Difficult Economic Times
Ben Gleason, CEO/Co-Founder, Vanna Adventure Vans
Keeping a small business afloat in difficult times is especially challenging. Many Business' are battling inflation, lower numbers, or seeing their costs of doing business skyrocketing while their customers are looking for bargains and cutting back on non-essential spending. Those companies that can adapt and manage rising costs will be in the best possible position to maintain cash flow and profits. In this breakout session, you'll learn from the owner of a growing local company some strategies that can help small businesses manage and increase cash flow.

Building a Better Business
Patrick Metzger, CEO/Founder, and EOS Implementer
Certified EOS Implementer® Patrick Metzger has successfully implemented EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System) in dozens of companies across the nation, from solopreneurs to organizations with over $200 million in revenue and hundreds of employees. A proven system, EOS helps organizations achieve more revenue, scalability and profit, while at the same time assisting business owners and their leadership teams in creating a better work/life balance. Through this presentation, you’ll identify where your organization’s key issues truly lie, as well as a multitude of new tools and takeaways to immediately add into your business, to get everyone in your organization on the same page and quickly moving in the same direction toward your vision and goals.

Solutions Based Marketing: Let's Work Smarter Not Harder
Emma McIntyre, Director of Community Development, Chezy
Joe Tjosvold, Founder, Chezy
It's undeniable there's vast opportunity for business via the digital economy (thank you, social media). Only problem - in most cases, you must market yourself to take advantage of it (and how do you even begin to make the time?). In this session, we'll talk a bit about how to use marketing to solve your team's problems and share your story. If you don't know where to start with content, hiring out projects, or maintaining your audience's attention - let's talk about it.

Roundtable Sessions
Attendees will select three tables to be a part of


Paul Smith	Bill Schalow	Shannon Full	Katie Munion	Toni Sandin


Tiffanie Honeyman	Michelle Kommer	Matt Magness	Ryan Tungseth	Rebecca Undem

Funding Your Business
Bill Schalow, MN SBDC Consultant
Small businesses drive our economy, and capital is the fuel that powers the engine. Regardless of the business stage, every company needs capital to start, run and grow. In this roundtable discussion, you’ll learn from two experts about the four primary sources of capital, when each should be used and specific programs, which can help your company get to the next level.
Paul Smith, Director, ND SBDC – Fargo & Southeast Center

Challenges with workforce
Shannon Full, President & CEO, The Chamber
It’s no secret that our region is being affected by the workforce shortage we’re seeing happen nationwide. Throughout this roundtable conversation, you’ll be able to express your concerns, share ways you’ve attracted talent and how we can come together as a community to create solutions.

Critical conversations
Katie Munion, VP of Transformation, Dale Carnegie Training of ND & NW MN
Having tough conversations with other team members is never easy. During this roundtable conversation, you’ll be able to learn ways on how to overcome the nerves, gain the confidence to speak up and come out of the conversation with a resolution. A skill we could all use!

Succession Planning - Setting your business up for success
Toni Sandin, Managing Partner & Attorney, Sandin Law
Whether you’re a new business, a start-up or have been a longstanding organization, it’s never too late or early to think of your exit plan. However, this is easier said than done. You may have questions like: “Should I be keeping my business in the family? Should I be looking within my company? What about getting bought out? Is that an option for me?” During this roundtable session, you can gain insight and get those questions answered!

Marketing: Am I doing it right?
Tiffanie Honeyman, CEO & Consultant, OpGo Marketing
Between traditional marketing, digital marketing and ever-changing social media analytics, it can be tough to know what style of marketing is right for your brand. In this roundtable conversation, you will be able to hear about best practices for others and walk away feeling confident about your strategy.

Let's talk HR!
Michelle Kommer, CEO & President, HighRoad Partners
Policies. Handbooks. Onboarding process and procedures. These are just a few of the many vital items you’ll need to have a successful HR! If you’re a new business or a business that could use a refresh on HR, this roundtable will help you navigate the importance of having these items ironed out.

The uniqueness of Family-Owned Business
Matt Magness, MN SBDC Consultant
Has your business been passed down within your family? If so, this roundtable can help you navigate the best way to continue this tradition, even during those difficult moments. Hear from others on how they navigate going from family on the way to work, to professionals opening the office door.

Embracing a remote culture
Ryan Tungseth, MN SBDC Consultant
During the pandemic, we adapted to the idea of being able to make any location a workspace. While most businesses are allowing their employees to have a hybrid option, we’re still learning how to navigate some team members being virtual, while others are in the office. During this roundtable, you’ll be able to hear and share your thoughts on working remotely and how to develop a workplace culture online.

Small Towns, Big Business - VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE
Rebecca Undem, Founder & Executive Director, Growing Small Towns
Even in small towns, business owners can be successful! During this roundtable conversation, you’ll discuss on getting connected to the right resources and finding the right support can take your business far and wide!

Presenting Sponsor