Microaggressions are subtle verbal or behavioral slights and indignities based on membership in a social group. They are a form of discrimination and are significantly harmful to the individuals and groups targeted and the organization as a whole even though they are sometimes unintentional or presented in a joking way.

The goal of Microaggression Prevention and Response Training is to help build awareness of the common types of identity-based microaggressions and offer methods for effective early intervention and response. Skillful intervention in response to bias at the microaggression level can have the effect of shifting group culture and preventing escalation into more overt verbal and physical harassment.

This 2-hour training will explore types and examples of microaggressions, barriers to intervention, elements of safety assessment, and the 6 Ds of intervention: Direct, De-escalate, Distract, Delegate, Delay, and Document. Participants will also gain tools for managing adrenalin in stressful situations, ways of using facial expression, body language and voice in effective communication, and practice interventions in real scenarios which have impacted people across the state. Each training uses verbal and physical activities, discussion, and small group work to engage participants and create a supportive and creative learning environment.

Conscious Revolution offers transformative coaching, consulting, and community experiences that invite leaders to tune into their hearts to share their authenticity and coherence with the world.
Learn more at https://www.consciousrevolution.com

Build your network in the global market with assistance from resourceful partners.

Maine International Trade Center will highlight 3 key export resources for deciding next steps!

We'll spotlight funding opportunities for small businesses and offer insight into Maine's international trade support system!

Register Today!

Join us for each the session of SBA Export Week. Click the links below to learn more and register:

SBA Export Week Day 4: Expand Your Horizons: A Primer on Exporting for Small Business

Are you a small business owner looking to boost your visibility and attract new customers? Join us for a webinar by Maine SBDC Business Advisor Eric Treworgy that will show you how you can leverage press releases as a powerful tool for small business growth. Whether you're launching a new product, announcing a milestone, or sharing industry insights, press releases can help you amplify your message and achieve your business objectives. Eric will provide practical strategies to help you create compelling stories that attract attention and maximum media coverage of your business.

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. SBA. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact mainesbdc@maine.edu

The Summit brings together businesses, government, nonprofits, and individuals committed to limiting climate change and preparing for a future for Maine. It is the state's largest gathering of people who are focusing on how Maine is changing and how climate change will reshape our economy.

A touchstone before we shift into summer - whatever summer means for you.
Summer can be many things - the busiest time for your business, the growing season, vacation and visitors, a shift in schedule for your family, a quieter time for your work, or many of these things all at once.

This 4.5-hour workshop, facilitated by Leigh Tillman, you'll recognize the seasonal shifts in your business and align your plans accordingly while maintaining focus on your overarching business goals. This workshop aims to support the continuity of your business planning, so that come September, you have moved your goals forward and are ready for the fall.

Through group discussions, pair conversations, and individual focus time, we will:

Consider what wisdom this past winter has offered us,
Identify and hone what goals and threads we want to carry through into the rest of the year,
Establish a plan for maintaining your goals and,
Determine a realistic approach to these plans through the coming summer and beyond!
After this session, you will walk away with:

a clearer picture of the annual cycles in your business,
an array of perspectives on what other entrepreneurs are considering in looking at these seasonal shifts, and
an individualized framework for working with your overarching business goals in mind for future seasonal shifts.
This workshop is for Maine-based female entrepreneurs who have been in business for at least 6 months.

Location: Coastal Enterprises Inc., 30 Federal St. Brunswick, ME 04011

Light refreshments will be provided.

REGISTER TODAY!

Fee: $ 15.00

Email: wbc@ceimaine.org

The Maine Small Business Development Center and CEI Women's Business Center business advisors will walk through various tools to help small businesses identify target markets and strategies to start exporting products.

Join this session to gain hands-on tips on the initial steps to embark on international trade as a small business!

Register Today!

Make plans to join us for a discussion around informed urban planning. We will aim to layer in information on utilizing historic tax credits, condo legislation, ReCode, etc.

Doors Open – 12:00 PM (Lunch will not be provided.)
Registration – 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Program: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Cocktail Hour: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Full event details can be found by visiting www.mereda.org.

From social media management to decision-making support, AI can help in so many different areas of business operations, from organization to accounting and decision-making to social media. In this workshop, we will cover a spectrum of AI solutions designed to elevate your small business, and cover some of the reasons AI might not work for you.

Throughout the workshop, we'll candidly discuss both the advantages and challenges associated with AI adoption. While AI offers efficiency gains, data-driven insights, and improved customer experiences, participants will gain insights into potential cost considerations, ongoing development challenges, and the importance of mindful integration.

Sponsored by SCORE Maine and Startup Maine

Join us for our in-person workshop, One Page Marketing Plan for Your Business! Designed to arm entrepreneurs and small business owners with the foundational knowledge needed to navigate the dynamic world of marketing. Through this workshop, participants will craft their personalized one-page marketing plan, enabling them to outline clear objectives, identify target audiences, and strategize tactics for successful implementation.

From leveraging social media platforms, orchestrating impactful events, crafting your website, attending trade shows and conducting insightful market research, this workshop equips attendees with practical insights and actionable strategies to kickstart their marketing journey with confidence and clarity. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your business vision into a compelling marketing narrative!

The Business Funding & Resources Forum is a free event for all businesses and start-ups. This forum offers access to various funding sources, resources, and services. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from our sponsors, engage in multiple rounds of business speed networking to connect with preferred experts, and plus door prizes, refreshments, and ample opportunities for business networking. Please use the Colonial Parking lot behind the Machias Savings Bank’s Education Center or the one behind the Maine Street Business Center by the River

Join us at our signature annual event – Trade Day 2024 – for an opening reception, keynote presentation, interactive panel discussion, networking session, and inspiring annual awards luncheon.

Our theme this year is “Evolution: The Future of Maine’s Heritage Industries.” For centuries, our state’s economic growth and global competitiveness derived from Maine’s rich natural resources and hardworking ingenuity in the agriculture, forest products, seafood, ship building, and textile industries.

While these heritage industries have experienced significant changes over the last two decades through advances in manufacturing processes and improved technology, a recent acceleration of innovation is making a splash in global markets, developing new products such as clothing and packaging made from forest products and heat-resistant textiles in space.

At Trade Day 2024, our keynote speaker and expert panel will explore and discuss current and future opportunities for Maine businesses.

In today's competitive business landscape, effective marketing is essential for success, but it can be challenging, especially when you're working with a limited budget. Join us for a webinar presented by Dan Reed, an experienced marketing professional, as he shares valuable insights on how to make the most of your marketing efforts without breaking the bank.

During this webinar, you will gain a basic understanding of marketing principles and learn how to identify and target your ideal customers. Dan will also explore various advertising options and take questions about what makes sense for your specific business.

The webinar will cover essential topics, including:

- Understanding the fundamentals of marketing and its role in reaching different audiences.
- Identifying and defining your ideal customers and understanding their behaviors.
- Practical dos and don’ts based on market research.
- Exploring advertising options that align with your budget constraints.

You will also discover the power of data in making strategic marketing decisions. Dan will explain how to leverage demographic and psychographic information to understand your customers better, refine your marketing messaging, and select the most effective platforms to reach them.

Additionally, the webinar will provide practical resources and tools to assist you in conducting market research. Dan will introduce the assistance available from the local library, highlighting valuable databases and services accessible through them.

Do you ever seize up at the thought of having to sell? Suffer from imposter syndrome or a little call reluctance?This workshop will put you in a whole new headspace regarding selling. You'll see a whole new way to position yourself for the Win. From there, you'll learn ten steps to move the needle on your sales efforts within your company.

It's fun, intuitive and effective!

SCORE Subject Matter Expert Pete Nikitas shares his accumulated wisdom of a 38-year career as a sales executive. His on-the-job training as a Senior Vice President for Fidelity Investments feeds into his message for entrepreneurs across all industries.

Program Description: In this session we’ll learn about the distinguishing characteristics of masculine and feminine leadership traits, explore what leadership model you lean on the most, and discuss ways that you can intentionally integrate masculine and feminine leadership to become a whole and resonant leader for yourself and others.

This program is for individuals but can also be offered for your team. If you are interested, contact us.

Conscious Revolution offers transformative coaching, consulting, and community experiences that invite leaders to tune into their hearts to share their authenticity and coherence with the world.
Learn more at https://www.consciousrevolution.com/

This 90 minute workshop introduces the most important questions and topics to address before or while starting a business.

Topics discussed include:

-Entrepreneurial Myths
-Defining a Value Proposition
-Fundamentals: Legal, Insurance, etc
-Testing Your Idea by bootstrapping
-Financial Basics
-Business Plan