The Ohio Small Business Development Center and The Corporate University, Kent State University at Stark offer professional development programming to entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs face challenges that are unique to business owners and innovators. The Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence offers programs to entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses and secure a legacy for the future. Each program will be held at The University Center, 6000 Frank Avenue NW in Jackson Township.

Forward-Thinking Succession Planning
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012; 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Succession planning is as much about bringing into being a professional management staff as it is financial succession planning. This session is about why it is important to plan for the professional succession of management as much as, if not more than, just financial planning. Come and learn why management succession planning needs to be a part of your business philosophy and business plan. Begin management succession planning early in the business’s life by joining others of like mind in a sharing, candid discussion about early succession planning. Learn how it benefits business growth and your personal and financial growth.
 
Using Entrepreneurial Strengths to Achieve Success
Thursday, March 8, 2012; 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Have you determined, then harnessed, then managed your entrepreneurial strengths? A bigger question: Do you really know what you do best as an entrepreneur? Which of your strengths makes your business an ever-growing one? Have you determined whether your best strengths lie in sales or are in developing and producing what you sell? If you have, do you have the fortitude to do what you do best, and then have the courage to place professionals in your organization with complementary skills? Attend this session to participate in a sharing, frank discussion about how to complement your personal, entrepreneurial best strengths by selecting a unique professional staff that ensures maximum sales and revenue growth.
 
Hire Your First Employee
Thursday, March 29, 2012; 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Are you ready to grow your business? Do you know when the time is right to hire? Attend this session to learn what you need to know to take the all-important step of hiring your first employee. The lessons in this program will form a foundation for excellent hiring practices in the future. You will learn:

• When the time is right to hire
• To scope your need for future hires
• To understand employment laws
• How to maintain payroll
• How to find and hire the right people
  

 
Registration for each program is $165 per person. To register or for additional information, call 330-244-3508 (Canton) or 330-535-3377 ext. 53508 (Akron), e-mail mzink@kent.edu or visit www.YourCorporateU.com.