Small business enterprises all across the landscape are being overwhelmed with what to do next, how to do it, and worry about the ability to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. As has become tradition, they have a solid partner in the team of the Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance, this time in the form of a series of free webinars.
The WBC at Cornerstone has received additional funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide enhanced education, training, and business advice to small businesses on how to overcome the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the grant, the WBC will host free webinars featuring subject matter experts on a range of topics that will provide businesses with best management practices and key information on how to operate effectively now and post pandemic. Information regarding the new webinars can be found at the link below:
Stephanie Scott-Sims, Director of Entrepreneurship and Placemaking at Cornerstone Alliance, says, “Since the pandemic began, Cornerstone Alliance has been in recovery mode, working diligently to connect our small business community with available resources. With the SBA COVID-19 grant award, our WBC will now provide free webinar programming to prepare businesses for reopening and operating in the ‘new normal.’” She adds, “We look forward to providing the most up-to-date information to guide individuals through these uncertain times.”
The first webinar will take place next Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at 9:00 am featuring Meegan Holland, Vice President of Communications and Marketing with the Michigan Retailers Association. She will discuss ways to help Michigan retailers navigate through the new normal. Meegan will cover four areas of focus:
- Your store
- Your employees
- Your vendors
- Your customers
Those who attend will receive insight on how to safely and effectively continue running their business during COVID-19. You can register to join the free meeting by using this link.
Meanwhile, many employers are now preparing to return employees to the workplace and resume operations. The next webinar opportunity to look forward to will be a day later on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 10:00 am featuring Barbara Moore from Varnum LLP, which will focus on the key legal issues small employers should consider as they plan for the future. Topics will include:
- Employer-provided PPE requirements
- Recalling employees to the workplace
- Best practices in managing requests for leave and accommodation
- Managing employees who have tested positive for COVID-19
- Implementing social distancing guidelines in the workplace
Register for this free webinar through this link:
Later this month, Warner Norcross + Judd, LLP attorneys, Kelly Hollingsworth and Jeffrey Segal will discuss Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Concerns Amid COVID-19 on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 2:00 pm. Data privacy and cybersecurity can pose a challenge for small businesses that have emerged as a result of the current pandemic. Other issues can arise as businesses continue to work remotely, such as data security and e-commerce concerns, as well as those that surface as employees return to work, such as employee privacy and the collection of health information. Kelly and Jeffery will explore important regulatory and legal concerns as well as ways to help mitigate the potential risks as businesses are forced to adjust to changing operations. Register for the free session with the link below.
Cornerstone Alliance is a non-profit, investor-governed economic development organization primarily focused on increasing employment opportunities, private sector capital investments and the local tax base in Michigan’s Great Southwest; with specialized business services offered in economically distressed areas.
Cornerstone Alliance Small Business Services provides technical, business, and financial assistance to small businesses with an emphasis on income disadvantaged and women owned businesses. The Women’s Business Center and Cornerstone Alliance and the Microloan Program are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
