Do you want to create a business plan to source funding from banks/grants/investors? Do you want to learn how to pitch your product? Are you a small business owner in the Moreton Bay Region? Register for this FREE workshop program delivered by USC Caboolture.
This free USC workshop series will give small business owners and managers in the Moreton Bay region the chance to learn how to future-proof their success while earning credit towards a Business degree and joining a research project to monitor their progress.
Head of USC’s Caboolture campus Dr Wayne Graham, a Senior Lecturer in Management, will present short sessions over six Fridays from 16 October to 27 November.
At the end of the Moreton Bay Business Planning Workshops, each participant will give their own half-hour business pitch to a panel of experts.
Dr Graham, who coordinates the University’s MBA program and in 2018 received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, said the business planning workshops would give participants a clear understanding of the key factors underpinning their prosperity and ensuring their long-term survival.
“The workshops offer a platform for owners to strengthen their businesses by learning and implementing strategic management principles,” Dr Graham said.
“This includes the development of a customised business plan designed to source funds from banks and investors or through grant applications.
“Participants will also have the opportunity to join a research project involving post-workshop visits to their businesses to monitor and measure progress.”
He said the series could potentially open a pathway to university education, with completion of the workshops earning credit for one course in a USC postgraduate Business degree.
It will include three 90-minute ‘in-class’ sessions on campus at USC Caboolture and three 60-minute ‘online’ sessions. The workshop series will culminate with a one full-day pitch to an expert panel where business managers will present their plan in 30-minute sessions.
Mayor Peter Flannery said small business was the engine room of Moreton Bay’s economy, home to more than 28,800 businesses employing almost 150,000 locals.
“Benjamin Franklin famously said, ‘by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail’ – so these workshops are a great opportunity for our small businesses to get ahead of the curve,” the Mayor said.
“We want to help small businesses with short-term tactics to get through this pandemic, but also to plan for growth opportunities that will help our economy rebound.
“Our 2020-21 Budget is an economic and jobs stimulator, creating or supporting up to 3,000 jobs through a $220 million capital works program.
“We’ve also waived $1.56 million in food license fees to support more than 1100 businesses in the hospitality industry as part of our $33 million COVID-19 stimulus package.
“Our new Local Preference policy supports local jobs by giving Moreton Bay businesses a leg up in the market and the best opportunity to land future Council tenders.
“Council’s Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS) is currently being finalised. Together with our business community, we will chart a bigger, bolder and brighter future for our region and further diversify and develop the Moreton Bay Region economy post COVID-19.”
“We are home to fantastic businesses and entrepreneurs, and these workshops will provide many with the opportunity to reflect on their business and the current market situation and plan for success.
“I encourage everyone to have a look at the workshops and sign up quickly as places are limited.”
The workshop series is a joint initiative of Moreton Bay Regional Council, Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT) and Regional Development Australia Moreton Bay.
Dr Graham said employers based in the Moreton Bay local government area with fewer than 20 staff and have been operating for at least two years were eligible to register interest.