Oakton to host three small business workshops in May

Presented by Workforce Solutions at Oakton Community College, Oakton will host three Tuesday small business workshops from 8 a.m. to noon on May 16, 23 and 30, at its Skokie campus, 7701 N. Lincoln Avenue. The workshops examine digital marketing, human resources recruiting and business finance.

“Small businesses are looking for the edge,” says Director of Continuing Education, Training and Workforce Development Ruben Howard II, Ph.D. “Our three workshops in May can add value to any business that is looking to improve their marketing, talent pool, or finance options.”

Randy Hlavac, an integrated marketing communications professor from Northwestern, will engage attendees on the full array of social media and which are most important to business at his May 16 “Digital Marketing” workshop. The workshop also includes budget setting, how to track and evaluate response and how to calculate return on investment. Hlavac also provides guidance about how to find the best and most affordable resources for website development, email marketing and social media support.

Joan Richards brings more than 30 years of experience in human resources leadership in the manufacturing and service industries to her May 23 workshop, entitled “Attracting Top Talent.” She provides instruction about how to develop a staffing strategy linked to overall business strategy and provides guidance to successful staffing, including planning and preparation techniques, sourcing candidates, selection techniques to yield the best employees and training for success in reaching business goals.

With 20 years’ financial experience focused on business valuations of private companies, Susan Gould will provide insights into “Financing Your Business” at her May 30 workshop. Attendees will receive information about developing a budget and long-term financial plan, how to prepare accurate financial statements, best practices in applying for and securing loans, communication strategies with partners and investors in addition to the latest developments in crowdfunding.

Each workshop is $119 and includes a continental breakfast. Contact Beverly Projansky at bprojans@oakton.edu for more information or to register.