Upcoming Events Archived Events Before and After: July 20 - June 22 - June 10

SME Morning Seminar & Luncheon

Location: Metropolitan Ballroom, 5418 Wayzata Blvd. Minneapolis
Directions: www.damicocatering.com

Morning Workshop: "How to Build a Business Through Partnerships"
Career or business in the doldrums or are you feeling out of sync with the latest trends? Tap into this double-header workshop and discover powerful marketing secrets that are putting careers and business on a track for success. Partner and profit!

Part I: "Building a Business with Partnerships: How one entrepreneur is growing his company through collaboration, not competition"
Paul Duncan, Founder and CEO of Vezone – providing content, contacts and community for Minnesota businesses online at www.vezone.com.

In every industry, from finance to manufacturing to technology, today's customers expect more for less. You can try to go it alone, or you can broaden and deepen your capabilities by working with other companies – even your "competition". Find out how developing strategic partnerships can help you deliver comprehensive and cost-effective solutions that will strengthen your business and enhance your bottom line.

Paul Duncan won the Small Business Journalist of the Year 2000 award from the Minnesota Small Business Administration in his previous role as Editor of Ventures, the multiple-award-winning magazine for growing companies. His many local business community activities include serving as an advisor to the Governor’s Working Group on Minority Business Development (2000); and as a judge on Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year program (2001). Paul is a member of the Minnesota High Tech Association’s new Technology Growth Committee and the American Israel Chamber of Commerce Information Technology Committee.

Paul has 25 years’ experience as a reporter, editor and designer for local, national and international publications, including the Financial Times in London and China Daily in Beijing. He has also worked as a consultant for publications and media organizations around the world, from Tanzania to Tonga.

Part II: "Partner or Perish: Why strategic partnerships are mission critical in your career and business development"
Willis Turner, CSE, Sr. Vice President & Managing Director, Sales & Marketing Executives-International, Inc. and President, Old Clayburn Marketing & Management Services Inc.

In a fast-changing transition from the old economy to the new, strategic partnerships allow individuals to leverage powerful collective strengths to manage those changes effectively. Willis Turner looks at trends and challenges of the transitionary economy and the ways that partnering can overcome unexpected hurdles and further develop your career and business success.

Willis Turner has gained international recognition for his work in developing strategic partnerships as the Sr. Vice President & Managing Director of SME-International. Willis also volunteers in many capacities including 4 years as a director of SME Vancouver (currently as President) and heads the information technology portfolio for SME-International. Willis received his accreditation as a Certified Sales Executive in September 1999.

Luncheon Presentation: "The Value of a Real Partnership"
David Kristal, CEO of Embers America and FoodStreetplus.com

New opportunities and, at times, crisis, drive innovation. That's the story of Embers America Restaurants. But innovation only gets you part of the way there. Strategic partnerships that promote discovery and cooperation, and pool talent, knowledge and experience, are critical to success in today's complex business environment.

This session focuses on the meaning of a "real" partnership. It presents specific criteria that can be used as building blocks to create mutual value in most partnerships today. A real collaborative effort levers economies of scale, optimizes partnership resources, and encourages a free flow exchange of creative ideas that support growth and better than expected results.

David Kristal is the CEO of Embers America and its co-founder. Embers America is a bold new restaurant concept which combines the benefits of large scale franchising with the charm and hometown experience of independent, family-owned restaurants. His most recent initiative is an internet start-up company called FoodStreetplus.com. Mr. Kristal is a graduate of both the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, and Stanford University’s School of Law.