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Extension offers webinar to help small businesses create reopening strategies

Discussions aim to help small businesses pivot and adapt to emerge from pandemic stronger

Businesswoman presenting at an Extension business development event

In lieu of in-person events for small businesses, such as this, Extension is now offering virtual town halls and webinars for small businesses to help them through the COVID-19 crisis. Photo by Donna Morell.

Extension offers webinar to help small businesses create reopening strategies

Discussions aim to help small businesses pivot and adapt to emerge from pandemic stronger

In lieu of in-person events for small businesses, such as this, Extension is now offering virtual town halls and webinars for small businesses to help them through the COVID-19 crisis. Photo by Donna Morell.

Businesswoman presenting at an Extension business development event

In lieu of in-person events for small businesses, such as this, Extension is now offering virtual town halls and webinars for small businesses to help them through the COVID-19 crisis. Photo by Donna Morell.

As ÁùºÏ±¦µä enters Phase 2 of reopening after the COVID-19 shutdown, small-business owners need additional guidance to help them reopen their businesses and capitalize on opportunities to strengthen their business in the new economic climate the pandemic has created. Extension is offering a free webinar June 5, “Creating Your Reopening Strategy: Business Model Canvas, Marketing and Adapting.” The Canvas Model is a business model design that allows businesses to create, deliver and capture value by identifying and defining different components of their businesses.

The session is part of a series of webinars and town halls for small businesses being offered each week, in English and in Spanish. The question-and-answer “Coping With COVID-19 Town Halls” are held every Wednesday, and webinars on specific topics are held every Friday.

This week’s sessions include:

  • The town hall, Wednesday, June 3, 9 a.m. for English speakers and at 2 p.m. for Spanish speakers. Panelists include:
    • Reyna Mendez, Extension business development instructor
    • Juan Salas, Extension business development instructor
    • Mike Bindrup, Extension research associate
    • Saul Ramos, Small Business Administration deputy district director
    • Raj Tumber, SCORE mentor (SCORE is a nonprofit organization and partner of the Small Business Administration)
  • The webinar, “Creating Your Reopening Strategy: Business Model Canvas, Marketing and Adapting,” Friday, June 5, 9 a.m. for English speakers and at 11:30 a.m. for Spanish speakers. Mendez, Salas, Bindrup and Tumber will discuss:
    • Learning the Canvas Model:
      • Identifying customer segments
      • Analyzing a business’ cash situation
      • Retaining customer relationships
    • Marketing strategies for new customers
    • Pivoting and adapting businesses for crisis

The town halls begin with a short presentation on a given topic or a preview of the Friday webinar. Then, the participants network with one another and drive the discussion, with a panel of professionals and educators helping them troubleshoot challenges they are encountering. The Friday webinars provide information on specific topics to help businesses plan strategically, adapt and succeed.

“Our goal is to provide resources and educational platforms to help our small businesses, statewide, cope and retool,” said Buddy Borden, economic development specialist with Extension’s Business Development Program. “Ultimately, our goal is that as we move out of the shutdown and transition into a new normal, we can help our state’s small businesses be even stronger than they were before.”

Both the town halls and the webinars usually run about an hour. To register or for more information, go to the Extension Business Development Program website. There are also other resources at the website to assist businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. For more information, email Borden.

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