Small Business Week Calendar

May 1

Kickoff Breakfast

Small Business Administration/Rural Missouri Inc. will recognize top-producing small-business lenders for the 2005 fiscal year at 7:30 a.m. at Ryan’s, 2501 S. Campbell. The cost is $6.40, payable to Ryan’s. To register, or for more information, call the SBA branch office at (417) 890-8501.

Business-to-Business Connection

A special edition of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s networking event, designed to help small-business owners/managers build their referral base and increase their company’s visibility, will be held noon–1:30 p.m. at the chamber, 202 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway. The cost is $10, which includes lunch. To register for the event, visit www.springfieldchamber.com.

Networking Power & Marketing Support

This event, facilitated by V. Betty Lorton, business specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, teaches the use of humor in networking and marketing, with tips from The Skinny Improv’s Jeff Jenkins. This two-hour event begins at 1:45 p.m. at University Plaza Hotel, 333 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway. The cost is $10. For more information, call (417) 862-9284, ext. 23.

May 2

Introduction to Lean Manufacturing Concepts

Attendees will learn the basic concepts of lean manufacturing, identifying and eliminating nonvalued activities. This free workshop, 8–11 a.m., will be held at the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell. To register, call (800) 956-2682.

Understanding Financial Statements (Class I)

Missouri State University’s Small Business Development Center presents this first installment of a three-part series that teaches attendees how to use financial statements as effective management tools. The course is 9 a.m.–noon in Glass Hall (west entrance) on MSU’s campus. The cost is $89 for Class I and $237 for the three-part series. To register, call (417) 836-5685 or visit www.sbdc.missouristate.edu.

May 3

Good Morning, Springfield!

This event is a special small-business-focused edition of the chamber’s monthly breakfast meeting for business professionals, to be held 7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m. at Oasis Inn & Convention Center. The $12 cost includes breakfast. Register at www.spring

fieldchamber.com.

Buying and Selling Businesses Workshop

Buying or selling a business is complicated, and it requires specialized knowledge. Score: Counselors to America’s Small Business, will lead this event, to be held 5:30–8:30 p.m. in the Harrison Room of the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell. The cost is $30; to register, call (417) 890-8501.

How to Write a Business Plan

This course, offered by the MSU SBDC, is a six-hour series that runs 6–9 p.m. May 3 and 4 in Glass Hall on MSU’s campus. Attendees will learn how to translate knowledge and ideas into formal business plans. The cost is $129, which includes a book. To register, call (417) 836-5685 or visit www.sbdc.missouristate.edu.

Strategic Planning for Future Success

This course from the MSU SBDC runs 9 a.m.–noon May 3 and 4 in Glass Hall (west entrance) on the MSU campus. Attendees will learn about creating and managing profitable change for their companies. The cost is $159, which includes a book. To register, call (417) 836-5685 or visit www.sbdc.missouristate.edu.

W. Curtis Strube Small Business of the Year Award

Join the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce during this luncheon, which honors small-business achievement in the Springfield area. The luncheon will be held noon–1:30 p.m. at the Oasis Inn & Convention Center, 2550 N. Glenstone Ave. Tickets are $25 per person, and must be purchased in advance by calling (417) 862-5567 or visiting www.springfieldchamber.com.

May 4

Fighting Fraud: How to Protect Your Business

Jeffrey R. Roberts, a certified fraud examiner and member of BKD’s forensic and dispute consulting division, presents this professional development workshop highlighting the essentials of fraud prevention. He also will address ways to protect company assets.

The workshop, noon–1 p.m., will be held in the Hawthorn Room at the chamber, 202 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway. The cost, which includes lunch, is $3 in advance or $5 at the door. To register, call (417) 873-6863 or visit www.drurysife.com.

May 6

How to Really Start Your Own Business

Members of Score: Counselors to America’s Small Business, will present a detailed workshop on the steps necessary to start a business, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Brentwood Library, 2214 Brentwood. The cost for the workshop is $30. Free private counseling will be arranged. To register, call (417) 890-8501.