Shift Happens Seminar
There is still time to register for the Southwestern Oregon Community College Small Business Development Center (Southwestern SBDC) and DFM Consulting, Inc. one day seminar entitled “Shift Happens.” When business leaders learn to SHIFT their perspective from problem solving to solution finding they engage with their workforce, customers and community in new ways that lead to solutions that may have been elusive. A solution finding perspective leads away from demoralizing and limiting beliefs to possibility thinking that results in improved bottom lines. This seminar is designed to provide participants with a new framework, philosophy, techniques and tools which can be used immediately and will have an immediate impact on the work environment in their business establishment. Participants will leave with a renewed sense of excitement and possibility so they can take their businesses to the next level. Shift Happens will be taught by Deborah Maher. With over 30 years of experience of coaching individuals and consulting with organizations using her humor, expertise, insights and powerful questions, Maher helps her clients achieve their desired goals. Her rich background in a range of settings from the corporate, nonprofit and public sector enable her to meet the needs of people at all levels of an organization. She believes that leadership resides at all levels and calls on the best everyone has to offer to create truly enlivened and engaged workplaces. Maher has an extensive background in public-private partnership development in economic development projects around the country and in the Pacific Northwest. She is currently a Planning Commissioner on the Bandon City Planning Commission and most recently she was invited to write a regular column on positive change in The World newspaper. She has presented workshops at the Regards to Rural Conference in Corvallis, Oregon and at the Chinook Institute in Turner, Oregon. She has both an MBA and a Masters in Public Administration as well as certifications in project management, facilitation, and change management. She is a certified Appreciative Inquiry practitioner from Case Western University and is affiliated with the Coaches Training Institute. A fee of $95 per person will be charged for this day long business improvement seminar. Preregistration at www.BizCenter.org is required to ensure seating availability and materials. The workshop will be held in Coos Bay at Southwestern Oregon Community College Empire Hall, room Lakeview E & F on Saturday, April 12, 2014 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Contact the Southwestern SBDC at 541-756-6866 or email Mary Loiselle at mloiselle@socc.edu for more information.

Ready, Set, Start Your Business Offered Weekly at the SBDC
Southwestern Oregon Community College’s Small Business Development Center (Southwestern SBDC) is offering people a chance to explore their dreams of starting a business. The Southwestern SBDC is offering a workshop titled “Ready Set Start Your Business” each week in April 2014. The two-hour workshop provides information on important steps that can contribute to a new venture’s success. Participants learn about licensing, business structure, financing, business planning, a personal readiness checklist, business resources and more. Handouts are informational and provide all the contact information needed to register a business and get started. The workshop is designed to answer general questions. If, after completing the workshop, you are interested in pursuing your new business idea, the Southwestern SBDC can set you up with a business advisor to discuss specific questions you may have that pertain directly to your venture. The “Ready Set Start Your Business” workshop is scheduled on a variety of dates and times throughout the month. Participants can choose from any one of the following dates: • Wednesday, April 2nd from 9:00am-11:00am; • Thursday, April 10th from 10:00am-12:00pm; • Wednesday, April 16th from 6:00pm-8:00pm; • Friday, April 25th from 9:00am-11:00am; • Wednesday, April 30th from 10:00am-12:00pm. A fee of $20 per person covers materials. Preregistration is required. The workshop will be held in North Bend at The Business Center (2455 Maple Leaf) and live stream from anywhere you have internet capability. Contact the Southwestern SBDC at 541-756-6866 or email Mary Loiselle at mloiselle@socc.edu for more information and to register.