Elevate Your Elevator Speech

Track: Sales | Level: All Levels

You all have an “Elevator Speech” - your answer to the question “what do you do?” But, not everyone delivers it with focus, finesse and flexibility. You will learn how to do all that as we share “best practices” in this lively, interactive and content-rich session.

Phil Stella,
Effective Training & Communication, Inc.

Creating Your Most Unique And Powerful Competitive Edge

Track: Sales | Level: Advanced

This process teaches you how to create a plan to assess, score and realize the full value of your business relationships and tie that value to the accomplishment of your sales and growth goals. Three essential qualities are the cornerstones of the process - credibility, integrity and authenticity. Learn how they are critical components of sales success and longterm, sustainable growth for your organization.

Roxanne Kaufman,
ProLaureate Ltd.

Yes, You CAN Market Your Business with Public Speaking!

Track: Sales | Level: All Levels

Public speaking skills are important to your business-whether in formal sales presentations, networking events or presentations to employees. In this session, you will learn the three speaking strategies that successful business owners use to market their business and increase their sales.

Maia Beatty,
Maia Beatty & Associates

Networking 301: Taking Your Skills to the Next Level

Track: Sales | Level: All Levels

This session will cover strategies of networking for both the beginner and the expert that can be utilized right away. Michael will empower you by sharing different techniques based on your personality. An interactive approach will answer your toughest questions.

Michael Struk,
Director of Marketing, Buz-Land
Presentations

High Performance Sales Strategies

Track: Sales | Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Whether your sales force is one person or a team of many sellers, it’s important to implement solid strategies that spell out specific tactics and the metrics for how they’ll be measured. Learn how the development of a sales strategy with specific step-by-step plans for execution can enhance your sales efforts and dramatically increase your business performance.

Joe Mayer,
Mayer Business Group

Bringing Sales and Marketing Together = Business Survival

Track: Marketing | Level: Intermediate

When times are tough, most businesses passively retreat from marketing in an effort to save cash and weather the economic storm. Business survival demands an integrated approach, constant awareness of your surroundings, sensitivity to threats and nimble business reflexes. This point-counterpoint session explores the dialogue and interactions between marketing and sales that must occur to keep your business afloat.

Mitch Slater,
Visible Innovations
Pierre Bourgeix,
Elevated Sale, Inc

Successful Marketing Techniques for Tradeshows

Track: Marketing | Level: All Levels

Tradeshows can help drive dramatic business growth if executed correctly. Unfortunately, many organizations don’t properly plan and execute and tradeshows end up a cost center instead of a profit center. Learn how to handle pre-tradeshow marketing, tradeshow setup, sales team support, tradeshow management and follow-up to increase your tradeshow success.

Dennis Sommer,
Executive Business Advisers

Email Marketing Tactics & Strategy for a Successful Campaign

Track: Marketing | Level: Intermediate

Email marketing is a cost-effective way to add frequency to your customer and prospect communications. Review tips and tricks for the best email marketing campaigns. Learn best practices for design and content, how to use email marketing services, how to avoid the spam bucket and how to get your email opened.

Kristy Amy,
OnMark Solutions

Branding Your Business: Getting Your Message Right

Track: Marketing | Level: Intermediate

Learn how to create a powerful marketing message and an image to match. Master the core components of an effective branding strategy, including how to implement it across all your company’s marketing materials.

Benjamin and Halle Barnett,
media schmedia

How to Develop a Successful Marketing Plan

Track: Marketing | Level: All Levels

With so many tools available to marketers today, how do you develop solid strategies to grow your business? In this session you will learn a prescribed logical sequence of events designed to mitigate risk and create and implement a comprehensive marketing strategy. Whether you are marketing a product, service, business-to-business or retail, having a disciplined approach dramatically increases your chance of success.

Jack Leary,
The JPLeary Group

Start the Cash Flow/Access to Capital

Track: Money | Level: Fundamental

This workshop will provide an overview and how to on all financing options available to small businesses, including bank, SBA lending, government and foundation loans, grants and alternative/creative sources. Learn both the benefits and risks as you look to gain additional capital for your business.

John Doucette,
Westlake Capital Group
James Herron,
Cuyahoga County Department of Development
Nancy Jazwa,
MP Star Financial
Kate Kerr,
Fifth Third Bank

Emerging from the Recession

Track: Money | Level: All Levels

The recent downturn in the economy affected the way so many businesses operate. As our country emerges from the recession, learn how to adapt your small businesses to accommodate the changing economic climate and promote new growth within your business.

Michael B. Murray,
Frederick and Associates,
An Ameriprise Financial Platinum Financial Services Practice

Effectively Monitor Your Cash Flow

Track: Money | Level: Fundamental

This session will teach you the best strategies for record keeping and planning, separating personal finances from business finances, forecasting, budgeting and managing cash flow. Learn how to use the most effective financial reports to help you best run your business.

Joanne Montager-Hull,
Your Bean Counters Inc.

How to Build and Manage your Bank Relationship

Track: Money | Level: Fundamental/Intermediate

It is vitally important to your business to have a great relationship with your bank. Keep them in the picture at all times. Ask for advice, explain your plans and make them feel ultra comfortable. Learn the best strategies for developing a solid relationship with your bank or banks to allow you to feel secure in your investment decisions.

David Merkel,
Chase Business Banking,
East Region RM Channel

Keep the Cash Coming/Credit and Collections Practices

Track: Money | Level: Intermediate

Reducing your receivables is one of the best ways to improve cash flow and increase profitability. This interactive presentation will help small companies learn how to collect their receivables more effectively.

Rob Lurie,
Javitch, Block & Rathbone

The Workplace Investigative Process

Track: Human Resources & Legal | Level: Intermediate/Advanced

How do you ensure that your employees are handling things on the up and up? From drug use to embezzlement there are times when monitoring your employees, may be necessary. This workshop will help you understand the investigative process, what you can and can’t do, and how to enlist the services of a professional firm.

Jack Kluznik, Deirdre G. Henry, Timothy R. Obringer
Weston Hurd LLP
and Shannon Gilfillan
FirstEnergy Corp.

The Right Way to Interview

Track: Human Resources & Legal | Level: Intermediate

It’s important to be sure you are using the right methods when interviewing candidates for a job. What can and can’t you say? How much should you say and how much should you ask the candidate to share? In this workshop, we explore the methods that work the best for finding and hiring the best.

Maria Gaeta,
KAFF Partners, LLC

Hiring The Best Person For The Job

Track: Human Resources & Legal | Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Is attitude or aptitude more important? What questions should I ask? What options are available to help me? Testing for the best “fit” or just simple pre-employment screening? Finding the right person who fits your culture can be challenging. Learn what you can do to make better hiring decisions during this interactive learning session.

Sonya L. Weiland, PHR,
President, WeilandWorks Consulting

Is Your Employee Handbook Working For You or Against You?

Track: Human Resources & Legal | Level: All Levels

Do you even have an employee handbook? If you do, is it comprehensive enough and legitimate? How do you know what should be in a handbook? In this workshop we’ll explore the basic areas that should be included in a handbook as well as what you can and can’t say. This session will also review the new social media policies that should be included.

Elizabeth Crosby,
Licata & Toerek

Building a Positive Culture: Maximum Impact Collaborations – Powering Business Success

Track: Human Resources & Legal | Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Culture is one of the key components to a successful – or unsuccessful company. We’ll talk about the elements of a positive culture and the steps to ensuring you have one. We’ll explore what a positive culture looks like and how anyone within the organization can impact that culture.

Christine Zust,
Zust & Company,
Lynne Meyer,
A Way With Words,
Barbara Oney,
UNcomn.tv LLC,
Dr. Rachel Talton,
Synergy Marketing Strategy & Research, Inc.
Arlene Watson,
Möbius Grey LLC

Compensation Packages That Make Sense

Track: Human Resources & Legal | Level: Intermediate

In all organizations there are guidelines to what should be in a compensation package. It’s great to offer the moon unless you can’t really afford it. In this workshop we will explore the various options that can be added to a compensation package and how to know which options make sense for your company. We’ll talk about how you can add options as the company grows, as well as how that addition can be incentive for your staff.

Rob Rogers,
Findley Davies

How the new Health Care Law will affect sole proprietors

Track: Human Resources & Legal | Level: All Levels

Since the passage of the reform bill in March, COSE has been dedicated to producing resources to guide you through the short and long-term impact on your business. This session will help COSE members learn more about the potential impact to their business from health care reform, and to have an opportunity to ask specific questions in person. This seminar is targeted toward sole proprietors.

Patty Starr and
Brian Paul,
COSE

Performance Management – Driving Results through Improved Communications, Success Planning and Performance Feedback

Track: Human Resources & Legal | Level: Intermediate

This workshop is designed to provide you with a platform for helping your employees improve their performance at all levels. You will enhance your communication and leadership skills and your employees will understand how to meet and exceed business objectives so everyone in your business can continue on a path to success.

Ron Rounick,
Global Learning Partners T.L.C.

Worker’s Compensation Group Safety Training Part I: General Industry

Track: Human Resources & Legal | Level: All Levels

The Ohio BWC requires all group rated employers that have experienced a workers’ compensation claim in the last two years to complete two hours of safety training from a certified safety professional. This course satisfies one credit hour of the BWC’s two hour mandate. Course certificates will be available for attendees immediately after the session.

Joseph VenturaSafety,
Controls Technology
Michael O’Donnell,
COSE Compensation Services

End the Spending Roller Coaster – Fixed Cost Business Computing is Here

Track: Technology for Small Businesses | Level: All Levels

Are you a SMB owner/manager that never knows from month to month how much your company will spend on computer issues? Does your business suffer from unexpected computer failures, idle staff and the resulting inability to serve your customers? Join us and learn how simple it can be to end the anxiety.

Jay Mellon,
AtNetPlus

Don’t Get Lost in the Cloud – INTERNET-Based Solutions for Growing Your Business Safely

Track: Technology for Small Businesses | Level: All Levels

Interactively learn the methods, advantages and pitfalls of implementing Cloud (Internet based) solutions and creating a virtual working environment. Find out what different virtual solutions exist and how they can help your business grow. Also learn the dangers that exist and how to protect yourself and your company as you change from a traditional method of business to the new virtual paradigm.

J. Kenneth Fanger, MBA, and Charlotte Feldman,
Solar Systems Networking, Inc.

Save Your Business with Business Continuity – Backup, Recovery and Security

Track: Technology for Small Businesses | Level: All Levels

Would your business survive if your hard drive crashed, your laptop was lost or stolen or your office was destroyed by a fire or flood? What would you do during an extended power outage or loss of internet connectivity? What would you do if your email was attacked or hacked? This session addresses various aspects of business continuity planning as well as email, internet and computer security as they apply to small and home based businesses.

Steve Giordano,
TeamLogic IT

Stop Settling and Start Achieving the Extraordinary

Track: Personal & Professional Development | Level: Intermediate

Whether you’re a business owner, a manager or an employee, everyone has a common objective… success (however you define it). What separates those that succeed from those that fall short? It’s simple - it’s the choices you make, it’s the thoughts you have, it’s the values you live and it’s the actions you take. Learn empowering motivational skills for overcoming setbacks, aligning with your purpose and achieving the extraordinary.

Jeff Nischwitz,
Think Again Coaching

Flipping the Switch: How to Get Out of Your own Way

Track: Personal & Professional Development | Level: All Levels

If anyone spoke to you the way you speak to yourself, there would probably be a fight. “Flipping the Switch” focuses on your thoughts and words and how YOU are often the only reason you have not accomplished something you say you want. Changing your vocabulary can change your life. This is an interactive and honest presentation about removing your self-imposed labels and getting out of your own way. When we put down our stop signs, we thrive!

Robin Sacks,
WAY Coaching

Multi-Generational Workplace

Track: Personal & Professional Development | Level: All Levels

Learn how to better understand people, your co-workers, and your boss in today’s workplace. We will show you a more current way to view behavior, being that this is the first time in history that there are four generations in the workplace!

Leslie G. Ungar,
Electric Impulse Communications, Inc.

Create and Sustain an Organized and Efficient Office Space

Track: Personal & Professional Development | Level: All Levels

Whether you work in an executive office, a cubical, or from home, this session will teach you tips to make you more efficient, effective, and productive. Other than a complete makeover, what organizational systems and procedures can you implement to help you better utilize your office space and workflow? Learn creative ways of organizing, filing, and leveraging what you have to better increase the organization of your office, cubical or department. You’ll learn tips for how to work more efficiently, productively, and cost effectively based on what works best for you.

Tracey Kastelic,
Organize My Office Space

The Most Popular Social Media Tools

Track: Social Media | Level: Fundamental

Join us as we take a glimpse into the hundreds of Social Media tools available. The goal of this session is to explore the different venues, discuss demographics and learn how social media can boost and enhance your internet presence.

Natalie Morris,
Morris MC, ltd.

Maximize Your Media: Do you Need a Social Media Plan

Track: Social Media | Level: Intermediate

As a business owner you have plenty of activities to fill up your day. And social media can seem like just one more thing to add to the list. You may ask, ”What’s the point? Is there enough value for to our company to participate and where? Is Facebook or Twitter worth my time?” Social media is not just one more hat to wear. It is a business game changer. Not participating could be your company’s worst nightmare. This workshop covers not only questions you should be asking, but also delivers tools and guidelines to determine how your company should engage in this arena.

Tracy Smuts,
Capstone Media

Developing a Strategic Plan Around Social Media

Track: Social Media | Level: Intermediate

Social media is the newest craze allowing businesses to reach customers quickly, effectively and creatively. Learn how to create and implement a social media strategy and plan to optimize your exposure.

Diane Helbig,
Seize This Day Coaching

Use Blogging to increase your business’ brand awareness and brand image

Track: Social Media | Level: Intermediate

Learn how to effectively participate in blogs in order to promote your business. Learn how to establish your own blog, how to control the content and the participation level and the commitment required, in order to make the blog a revenue producing sales tool.

Tiffany Lardomita,
Inervu

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) & Building Commissioning

Track: Ohio Energy Education Conference | Level: All Levels

Learn how and why to be certified and how to blend commissioning into a LEED project. Based on well-founded scientific standards, LEED emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Commissioning ensures systems are designed, installed, functionally tested and capable of being operated and maintained to perform in conformity with the design intent.

Bill Doty,
Doty & Miller Architects

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District: Once Gray Now Green

Track: Ohio Energy Education Conference | Level: All Levels

Over the next 30 years, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District will invest billions of dollars in infrastructure improvements to protect our great natural resources and public health. Learn about these innovative, multi-million dollar green infrastructure projects – and what opportunities exist for small businesses – as the Sewer District goes green.

Kellie Rotunno,
Director of Construction & Engineering, NEORSD
Tiffany Jordan,
Contract Compliance Manager, NEORSD

Lighting Innovations

Track: Ohio Energy Education Conference | Level: All Levels

Energy efficiency efforts can produce significant cost savings and have even been shown to increase worker and business productivity. Lighting technology is changing at an explosive pace due to many of the factors affecting the present day conditions throughout the world. We will provide you with information on the custom options available for small businesses looking to become more efficient and sustainable. Among the topics discussed will be our new Lighting Retrofit Program. We will concentrate on the “green environment” as well as new developments having impact on exterior lighting and how LED technology is bringing about major changes. You will learn how to receive a lighting evaluation, COSE preferred vendors who can carry out the retrofit, how to secure financing for the upgrade, and how to receive rebates for your investment through the government’s EPAct program.

Jeff Lyon,
Eco Engineering
Kurt Allerman,
Lighting Services, Inc

Implementing Energy Efficiency in an Economic Downturn

Track: Ohio Energy Education Conference | Level: All Levels

This workshop will present proven strategies for the identification, evaluation, and implementation of energy efficiency projects in the face of the current economic downturn. Facility owners and vendors/contractors alike will benefit from this session. Information will be included regarding financial incentives available from the FirstEnergy business energy efficiency program to support project implementation.

David Gibson, PE,
LEED

Renewable Energy in Ohio: Wind and Solar Energy

Track: Ohio Energy Education Conference | Level: All Levels

Solar power in Northern Ohio? Absolutely! Learn what solar photovoltaic is, its applications, cost and net metering. Learn how to make hot water from the sun – whether it is for domestic hot water, process water or space heating. Also, solar means day-lightning. Learn how to harness the sun to light your building. Solar power opportunities are boundless, green and practical.

Wind energy is the fastest growing energy production technology in the world. Is wind right for you? Learn why to consider wind energy. Learn how to implement a wind energy project. Learn how a wind energy project can benefit your bottom line, your corporate image and provide an energy inflation hedge against future price hikes and carbon tax legislation. Although we will discuss utility scale projects, this session is focused on end user applications.

Glen Ginesi,
Engineered Process Systems
Charles Newcomb,
NexGen

Compressed Air

Track: Ohio Energy Education Conference | Level: All Levels

Often referred to as the fourth utility, compressed air costs you more than you think. Are compressed natural gas vehicles viable? Yes. You will learn the energy costs of your air system, the pros and cons of oil-free systems, how new VSD technology is best applied, how to reduce air demand, air system control management and techniques of drying, storage, and piping as well as enhancing system air efficiency, quality and reliability. Energy savings and air improvements are only two of the many benefits you will learn about implementing a best practices compressed air program.

Trey Donze,
Air Technologies

NEOSA: Selling To The “C” Level

Track: COSE Business Networks | Level: All Levels

Engaging the highest levels in an organization is no easy task. They’re strategic thinkers with unique issues, challenges and views of their company. Positioning yourself and your company’s solutions requires an understanding of the C-level mindset. Our panel of C-level executives will expand on the presentation they made at the 2009 Small Business Conference with more detail on not only getting executive level attention, but closing deals too.

Timothy Corman,
Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co. LPA
Kevin Weidinger,
Weco Group Unlimited
Christine Kuwamoto,
Decision Point
and David Hunt
Skylight Financial Group

NEOSA: Lead Generation and New Media Advertising

Track: COSE Business Networks | Level: All Levels

The next generation of the Web offers a plethora of marketing opportunities for the savvy tech firm. Interactive sites, integrated social media, targeted SEO, pay-per-click advertising, mobile marketing and other avenues are just a few of the options available. But tying these efforts into your company’s prospecting and sales system is the “golden ticket” to success. Learn how to do just that from a veteran, new marketer and from a local tech firm successfully implementing these strategies.

Joel Goldstein,
Goldstein Group Communications, Inc.
Ronald-Stephane Gilbert
Keithley Instruments

Arts Network: Branding and Communications for Artists

Track: COSE Business Networks | Level: All Levels

Branding and communications are important areas to consider when trying to both understand and reach your customers, clients, art consumers and the general public alike. Two of our region’s experts will lead a discussion examining how to build and leverage a brand, create a comprehensive communication strategy and relate the personalized story of your arts business to the world.

Noelle Celeste,
Branching Out LLC
Carolyn Jack,
The Genius Group LLC

Home Business Network: Time Management for the Home Business Owner

Track: COSE Business Networks | Level: All Levels

Together we will explore time management concepts and skills required to increase personal and professional productivity. You will discover the true definition of productivity, where your time goes, the four quadrants of time, and how to set goals and write action plans to accomplish those goals. You will have the chance to assess your current situation and also look at what you might want instead.

Darla Klein,
LeaderSHIFT, Inc.,

Building a Strategic Plan – Hope is Not a Strategy

Track: Sales | Level: All Levels

The key to creating an integrated organization that is excellent at strategic development and deployment is following a process to ensure that everyone in the organization is working toward the same goals. This session will take your business through an activity that will help you in defining your organization’s vision, and then scoping out the necessary work for accomplishing this vision.

Eric Kurjan,
Six Disciplines

Using Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Track: Sales | Level: Intermediate

Understand how you can use a customer relationship management system to manage current and prospective customers. The proper approach can help you get there. Learn best practices and determine which method will work best for your business and your team to create a solid strategy.

Mark F. Mizenko,
Insurance.com

Four Keys to Small Business Advertising Success

Track: Sales | Level: All Levels

Do you use a “Ready-Fire-Aim” advertising plan? It’s nearly always a net loss, and eats into your retirement. Use these proven marketing principles to find and attract your best prospects so you can have profitable advertising, thrive in hard times, and retire on schedule.

James Perry,
James Perry and Associates

Growth Triage - Selling Strategic Value to Produce Sales Growth

Track: Sales | Level: Advanced

In this transformed economy, customers only care about the value you can produce for their business. They want you to help them make money rather than taking it. Customer-partnered selling positions you as a trusted advisor rather than as another vendor, differentiating you from your competitors and earning your customers’ trust. This process builds enduring customer relationships and generates sustainable business growth.

Bob Schultek,
GrowthPointe Group

Effective Lead Generation and Follow Up

Track: Sales | Level: All Levels

You know how to get your foot in the door. Learn best practices to take your lead generation to the next level. Identify new techniques, and gain insights into what works and what doesn’t.

Matthew Minarik,
Hi-Q group

Growth Through Global Trade PART I

Track: Sales | Level: All Levels

Economic growth in emerging markets presents a significant opportunity for American businesses. In today’s high-tech, high-efficiency world, customers across borders can be reached just as easily as customers next door. This seminar will give you the tools needed to think beyond borders and reach the global market place. You will learn how to recognize and reduce risk, ways to identify new international business opportunities, resources to locate suppliers, buyers and other overseas partners, tools to avoid customs errors and delays, efficient ways to manage export inventories, and techniques to increase your business reach through improved search-engine rankings.

Jim Beach and Chris Hanks,
The Entrepreneur School

Sales Techniques in a Challenging Economy

Track: Sales | Level: All Levels

This workshop will review the realities of selling in a tough economy and explore why people buy, where those prospects are, how to find them and how to close the deal. Learn specific strategies to grow your business as we emerge from the recession.

Thomas Scully,
Sandler Training

Doing Business with the Government

Track: Sales | Level: Intermediate

The federal government is currently spending billions of dollars in contracts to small companies as well as large. Learn the ins and outs of government procurement. This workshop will review the procurement process, business certification, proposal preparation and what happens once you get the bid.

John Renner,
U.S. Small Business Administration

Growth Through Global Trade PART II

Track: Sales | Level: All Levels

Economic growth in emerging markets presents a significant opportunity for American businesses. In today’s high-tech, high-efficiency world, customers across borders can be reached just as easily as customers next door. This seminar will give you the tools needed to think beyond borders and reach the global market place. You will learn how to recognize and reduce risk, ways to identify new international business opportunities, resources to locate suppliers, buyers and other overseas partners, tools to avoid customs errors and delays, efficient ways to manage export inventories, and techniques to increase your business reach through improved search-engine rankings.

Jim Beach and Chris Hanks,
The Entrepreneur School

Optimizing your Web site

Track: Marketing | Level: Intermediate

Turn your Web site into a cash churning sales machine (lead generation and ecommerce) with search engine marketing. Learn the latest and best techniques to drive prospects to your site, including Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Pay Per Click (PPC). You’ll discover strategies for key phrase development, link building, content strategies, blogging and much more. We’ll cover campaign organization and strategy to landing page testing. You will leave this session with the tools needed to implement an effective and searchable Web site with a smooth conversion flow and an understanding of your best opportunities now. Business to Business (b2b) and Business to Consumer (b2c) will benefit.

Leslie Carruthers,
President, The Search Guru

Big Business Marketing on a small Business Budget

Track: Marketing | Level: All Levels

Tight budgets need creative marketing solutions. Learn clever, low-cost and even free ways to market your business. Learn how to use cost-effective marketing and sales automation tools to increase sales and compete effectively against bigger companies for name recognition and market share.

Dan Cricks,
Results Marketing, LLC

Developing Your Marketing Strategy in a Technology Driven World

Track: Marketing | Level: Intermediate

Web 2.0 has leveled the playing field for many organizations. It’s no longer about the size of your marketing budget, or how many impressions you can generate. It’s about how intelligent and innovative you can be in adopting emerging online technologies like blogs, forums, optimized press releases and social networks. By concentrating on the activities that build inbound links, drive Web site traffic and convert visitors into leads, your organization can grow smarter and faster than the competition.

Jim Tabaczynski,
JPT Group, Inc.

Optimizing your Media Coverage

Track: Marketing | Level: All Levels

Seeing your story in the news requires more than sending a press release. Learn how to effectively communicate with the media to generate attention for you and your business.

Carolyn Jack,
Geniocity.com

Market Research 101

Track: Marketing | Level: All Levels

Gain an understanding on how to target industries for new customers, market for a new product or new market entry of an existing product. We will also review the best way to create a prospect list to increase sales and how to learn more about a potential customer for increased sales or a competitor for strategy formulation.

Erica Cikanek,
Strategic Marketing Initiatives, LLC

IRS Updates for small businesses

Track: Money | Level: All Levels

This session will encompass recent tax law and related procedural changes relevant to you, the small business owner.

Anthony Palmer,
Internal Revenue Service

Succession Planning for the Small Business Owner

Track: Money | Level: Advanced

You’ve spent a lifetime building your business – now find out how to continue to benefit from your business after you stop working in it. Also, learn financial planning strategies you should put into place early on to get the most out of your succession strategy. This session should also address any changes to small business taxation that may affect a retiring business owner.

Charles Conrad,
Szarka Financial Management
Charles F. Adler, Esq.,
Schneider Smeltz, Ranney & LaFond

Access to Credit

Track: Money | Level: All Levels

It is vitally important to your business to have a great relationship with your bank. Keep them in the picture at all times. Ask for advice, explain your plans and make them feel ultra comfortable. Learn the best strategies for developing a solid relationship with your bank or banks to allow you to feel secure in your investment decisions.

Matthew Wyner,
KeyBank

Invest Like a Pro: Avoid Bear Markets & Catch a Bull

Track: Money | Level: Fundamental

You work hard. If your investments don’t, you’re not getting ahead. Come meet with an active Registered Investment Advisor, and we’ll show you nine free internet indicators that will help you save your nest-egg in the next meltdown.

Ian Abbott,
Abacus Financial Services, LLC

Motivating Employees with Non-Monetary Rewards

Track: Human Resources & Legal | Level: Intermediate

In our current economy, employees everywhere are feeling overworked and underpaid, but how can you keep them focused on a bright future? You can use non-monetary rewards to make employees feel important and energize your workforce. It is important to continually revisit your recognition program and strategy to ensure they remain effective. Learn the differences between individual and team recognition, and how it can lead to higher profits for your company.

Amy B. Shannon,
Pinnacle Leadership Solutions

Ten Legal Tools Every Small Business Owner Needs to Survive

Track: Human Resources & Legal | Level:

This presentation provides small business owners with tools they can use to protect themselves and their businesses from liability, protect their assets, and save money. It emphasizes preventative, proactive steps a business owner can take to avoid legal challenges.

Louis J. Licata and Sharon L. Toerek,
Licata & Toerek

Are You Ready for the Workers’ Compensation Changes?

Track: Human Resources & Legal | Level: Intermediate/Advanced

No matter what your firm does or how many employees you have, there are aspects of the Workers’ Compensation system that you should be aware of, including ways to reduce your rates. From a drug free environment to safety programs, you can implement programs that create a safer, better work environment and decrease the odds of having a workers’ comp claim. In this workshop we’ll discuss the discounts available to you as well as programs you can implement to ensure you receive the lowest rates.

Rebecca Kopp,
Port Wright Morris & Arthur LLP

Liability Issues from Hiring to Firing

Track: Human Resources & Legal | Level: Intermediate/Advanced

When it comes to dealing with employees, there are actions you can and cannot take. Find out where you may be at risk from a legal standpoint and how to handle situations correctly. This workshop will address how to protect yourself, your employees and your business.

Tim Dimoff,
SACS Consulting and Investigative Services

Integrating Diversity Into Your Workplace

Track: Human Resources & Legal | Level: All Levels

Learn how to begin practicing diversity and inclusion within your office environment or workplace. This workshop will discuss appropriate strategies and the many benefits of embracing diversity within your small business.

Eric Lutzo,
Plexus, Chamber of Commerce for the LGBT Community and Allies

How the new Health Care Law will affect employers

Track: Human Resources & Legal | Level: All Levels

Since the passage of the reform bill in March, COSE has been dedicated to producing resources to guide you through the short and long-term impact on your business. This session will help COSE members learn more about the potential impact to their business from health care reform, and to have an opportunity to ask specific questions in person. This seminar is targeted toward employers.

Patty Starr and Brian Paul,
COSE

Telecommunications Solutions - Voice, Data and More

Track: Technology for Small Businesses | Level: All Levels

What communications solutions make sense for your business? This session will address how you can satisfy this essential business requirement most efficiently, without over-buying or spending more than necessary.

Ryan Shorts,
Warwick Communications

Windows 7 Upgrade Strategy – Why and How?

Track: Technology for Small Businesses | Level: Intermediate

Windows 7 is the latest operating system release from Microsoft. It is regarded as a major improvement over Vista, but there are always difficulties involved in migrating to a new release. Should you take the plunge?

Tim Moeller,
Cornerstone IT

Business Resiliency Planning - Achieving Core Objectives Under All Conditions

Track: Technology for Small Businesses | Level: All Levels

Business Resiliency Planning brings your essential functions together so you know how each area affects your business’s ability to withstand adverse events. Learn ways to align these areas, what to watch for, and how to better prepare to keep you open for business regardless.

Ted Kozenko,
TPComps LLC

Analytic Software – Helping Small Businesses Grow

Track: Technology for Small Businesses | Level: All Levels

Analytic software is an essential component in generating new sales growth for many small businesses. Utilizing analytics software has improved Web site conversion rates, direct mail marketing, email campaigns, cost reduction and much more. Learn what analytic software is, who provides this software, where can it be used in your business and how much effort and resources are required.

Karen Haddad Ziton,
Visualytic Solutions, Inc.,
Chris Serger
Andy Halko,
Insivia

Seven Critical Mistakes That Stop You From Being a Great Leader

Track: Personal & Professional Development | Level: All Levels

Do you ever feel like this? You’ve done a superb job of building your business, and you’ve gathered a great group of people around you who get the work done and serve your customers well. But as the company grows, you are noticing that not everyone is on the same page, morale is down, and recently your turnover has increased. This session will review some of the biggest mistakes that business leaders make – and teach you how to overcome them so you can better motivate and inspire your employees. Learn what you can do to improve communication, build loyalty, and increase trust in your organization so people want to come to work for you – and stay.

Jim Smith,
The Executive Happiness Coach

Delegation- An Underused Skill

Track: Personal & Professional Development | Level: All Levels

As we are asked to do more with less, there is little room for, “If you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself.” Learn to determine when delegation is appropriate, how to implement the necessary steps, and avoid the pitfalls of delegation.

Amanda Hershberger,
Assist NOW, the EAP Division of Recovery Resources

Managing the Stress of Producing Under Pressure

Track: Personal & Professional Development | Level: All Levels

Different facets of our business day bring different types of stress. Learn how to assess how much of your stress is self-imposed rather than externally imposed. This session includes a self-assessment of your levels of perfectionism and procrastination and a differentiation from your personality type.

Carol Ball,
C.J. Hendry & Associates, Inc.

A Little Known Secret…for Reducing Healthcare Costs

Track: Personal & Professional Development | Level: Fundamental

What do you do when the boss tells you to reduce healthcare costs… but DON’T switch insurance providers? Come and explore how humorous advance directive wellness programs will decrease emotional and financial costs in your company.

Lisa Newburger,
Discuss Directives, LLC

The Art of Follow Up

Track: Personal & Professional Development | Level: Intermediate

The success of any follow up is dependent on you making a great first impression. Learn questions to ask during your initial meeting that will create follow up opportunities. Learn how nurturing new relationships and being truly interested in others separates you from the crowd.

Donald Wayne McLeod,
LISTEN UP LLC

Leverage Social Media to increase brand awareness and brand image

Track: Social Media | Level: Intermediate

Learn the differences between the various social media sites and how to use each site to leverage your brand and increase sales. Get ideas on how to construct effective copy and how to keep your content current without becoming a slave to your site. We will discuss setting up a Fan Page on Facebook that will increase your business.

Andy Halko,
Insivia

Mastering LinkedIn

Track: Social Media | Level: Intermediate

Take your use of LinkedIn to the next level. Learn to utilize LinkedIn for business development. Review groups, events, applications and more. Learn the steps to optimize your profile to reach the top of LinkedIn search results and manage and build relationships online through LinkedIn.

Teresa Simons,
LISTEN UP LLC
Rebecca Kopp,
Port Wright Morris & Arthur LLP

Video - the new application for Social Media

Track: Social Media | Level: Fundamental

This workshop will teach you the basics of simple video tools. Determine how to integrate video into your social media plan and identify video ROI.

Kelley Hynds,
Hyndsight Productions

Electric and Gas Use and Procurement

Track: Ohio Energy Education Conference | Level: All Levels

Develop adaptive strategies in an ever-changing global environment and prepare for the end of 2010 and more electricity “re-regulation.” You can choose to be a proactive participant or a reactionary victim.

Natural gas prices have been fluctuating wildly in recent years. What can businesses do to mitigate the impact? Learn how to effectively manage your energy costs by getting an in-depth look at the many products available that can be customized to your business objectives.

• NYMEX – what is it, how it fluctuates and what it means to you
• Natural gas market drivers to pay attention to
• An in-depth look at the variety of pricing products, such as triggers, caps, collars, floors and others
• Matching the benefits of various products to your specific operational and energy requirements

Chilled Water Systems

Track: Ohio Energy Education Conference | Level: All Levels

Chilled water, whether for space conditioning or process applications, is more than just temperature. Providing the necessary cooling requires more than an output temperature. Clean water at the proper flow is as important, if not more so, as water temperature. You will learn the secret to efficient, reliable production at the appropriate temperature of your chilled and process water requirements. Introduction of TurboCor compressor technology will show you a minimum of 30% energy savings and provide you a methodology to obtain an environmentally friendly refrigerant change-out without loss of system capacity AND energy savings. Don’t miss this if you use 100-tons or more of chilled/process water.

Felix Theys,
PE

Energy Monitoring and Management

Track: Ohio Energy Education Conference | Level: All Levels

If you don’t measure it, you can’t control it. Many of us are controlled by our energy costs. Learn to take control of your costs. Energy monitoring and management is more than reading kilo-watt-hours. Demand and time of day are critical and will become more critical in the future. Equipment should only run when required and if something operates because it is not controlled, your energy, maintenance and equipment costs soar...not to mention unnecessary pollution generation to power unnecessary equipment. Monitor. Manage. Save!

Mark Irvin and John Hladish,
Schneider Electric

Green IT as a Business Driver

Track: Ohio Energy Education Conference | Level: All Levels

Creating a more Green IT Department is not simply an environmental decision. We will discuss how Green IT solutions can cut your utilities, and streamline your business operations.

Peter Ledger,
IT Professional at Open Systems of Cleveland
Jack Wilson,
Enterprise Architect, Amerisure Mutual Insurance Company

It Pays to Go Green…State & Federal Energy-Efficiency & Clean Energy Financial Incentives, Funding, Grants & Tax Credits

Track: Ohio Energy Education Conference | Level: All Levels

Step-by-step public and private financial modeling, including local and federal grants. Learn about tax incentives and grants for private companies and public institutions. Discussions include the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREB), grants, House Bill 7, House Bill 264, and House 300 financing for colleges, universities, local governments and K-12 schools. Renewable energy credits and private venture financial modeling for public and private sectors.

Randy Monhemius,
Business Program Specialist, USDA
John Greenway,
State of Ohio Department of Development

Branding for Sustainability

Track: Ohio Energy Education Conference | Level: All Levels

No matter what the size, every organization has a brand – and that brand is its most valuable asset. This workshop blends information on how to build a brand that stands out among the competition, particularly in this era of sustainable enterprise. Attend to see how companies are becoming sustainability brand champions.

Courtney DeOreo,
Common Wealth Services, Inc.
Rosemary Breehl,
Breehl Traynor & Zehe – Brand Communications

NEOSA: Finding the Voice of Your Business

Track: COSE Business Networks | Level: All Levels

Finding and projecting the authentic voice of your business across social media, email marketing, web PR and traditional marketing vehicles is essential to your sales success. Mastering these is no guarantee of success without a focused plan and the right talk track grounded in your business and clearly articulating your value proposition. Learn how to communicate with maximum impact through social media, email marketing, web public relations, video, audio and more as you zero in on your target audience. We will explore the differences between reaching end consumers (B2C) and other businesses (B2B) and the best methods for reaching each group. You will find the voice of your business that expresses the value and impact that only your products and/or services can deliver in words, sounds and images that capture the attention and the wallets of your target markets.

Mitchell Slater,
Visible Innovations
Ted Wallingford,
Best Technology Strategy LLC

Arts Network: Intellectual Property Law for Artists in Business

Track: COSE Business Networks | Level: All Levels

Copyright and Intellectual Property are two pressing topics for anyone working as a creative professional. There are many tools available to protect you and your artistic work (copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, licensing and contracts) and this session will provide guidance on each and how to utilize them in your respective arts field.

Sharon L. Toerek,
Licata & Toerek

Home Business Network: Wellness & Stress Management for the Home Business Owner

Track: COSE Business Networks | Level: All Levels

Home business owners often don’t have a traditional end of day because you are always at your place of business – your homes. You often feel “burnt out.” This is not good for your productivity or health. This workshop will provide you with a wide range of activities to choose from to reduce stress and improve your health.

Moderator: Maia Beatty,
Maia Beatty & Associates
John Kim,
Kim’s Martial Arts
Nancy Schuemann,
Schuemann Enterprises, LLC
Michael Hall,
Personal Trainer,
Cindy Yoakum,
LightWorks Medical Intuition and Healing.