Events & Course Offerings

Title: Business Resource: Lawyer in Residence

Program Start Date: July 31, 2024

Program End Date: [will run the last Wednesday of every month starting on July 31]

Course Presented By: Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Hub at Walsh College

Course Code: SBSHWC_24034

Program Event Link: n/a

Program Summary: One day per month, businesses can access a lawyer in residence that will hold office hours in person at Walsh College (Barry Center, 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083) or by zoom, for 30 minutes of support. Services include counseling on business law questions encountered by most businesses, offered by an experienced attorney from Ethan Baker Law, who is licensed in Michigan.

Program Information: This business resource is available virtually or in person at Walsh College the last Wednesday of every month from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Businesses using this service will get help and answers to routine business law questions including regarding contracts, partnership agreements, employee agreements, family business/estate planning, and intellectual property (trademark, copyright, trade secret). This resource is available at Walsh College by appointment.

This resource would be beneficial to owners, CEOs, CFOs, and managers.

Program Has Additional Requirements? No

Location: Via zoom or at Walsh College (Barry Center), 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083

Virtual/in-person: Both options available

Pricing: n/a, $0

Is it for grant participants only? Yes

Presenter details: Ethan Baker, ebaker@ethanbakerlaw.com

Title: Business Resource: Marketing, Prototyping and Simulation Core (The “EPIC” Lab)

Program Start Date: August 15, 2024

Program End Date: [Project based by appointment starting August 15]

Course Presented By: Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Hub at Walsh College

Course Code: SBSHWC_24035

Program Event Link: n/a

Program Summary: Businesses looking to incorporate deep tech, such as virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) and artificial intelligence (AI), into their marketing materials and sales campaigns will have access to cutting edge software development and 3D printing / prototyping resources at Walsh’s EPIC Lab, in partnership with csiSIM (www.csisim.com).

Program Information: This business resource is project based, available by appointment starting August 15, 2024, by submitting a 1-page request defining the scope of services desired.

Businesses using this resource will obtain tech-enabled marketing, sales and prototyping services and products, created on a contract basis after an initial product-scoping meeting. They may request up to 8 hours of project-based development services and software access valued at up to $2,500, in areas that include:

• Deployment of VR and AR to enhance existing marketing materials
• Addition of AI to websites or creation of AI-enabled customer service avatars on business cards and fliers, as well as a means to improve processes around customer service
• Assessment of effectiveness of marketing campaigns, including social media, using neuromarketing tools to assess customer impact.
• 3D printing and prototyping of products or marketing materials

This resource is available at Walsh College’s EPIC Lab; more information can be obtained by emailing the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at cie@walshcollege.edu.

This resource would be beneficial to CMOs, engineers, marketing and sales managers and designers.

Program Has Additional Requirements? No

Location: Walsh College (Barry Center), 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083

Virtual/in-person: In-person or virtual for scoping meeting

Pricing: n/a, $0

Is it for grant participants only? Yes

Presenter details: Jacob Ennis, Jacob.Ennis@csiSIM.com; Dindy Fenske, Cincy.Fenske@csiSIM.com

Title: Business Resource: Social Media and Podcast Studio

Program Start Date: August 15, 2024

Program End Date: [Project based by appointment starting August 15]

Course Presented By: Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Hub at Walsh College

Course Code: SBSHWC_24036

Program Event Link: n/a

Program Summary: Businesses looking to create Podcasts or video campaigns will have access to a state-of-the art production studio, the Creator Lab, at Walsh College. Competing with other businesses requires a strong social media presence and compelling marketing materials. The Creator Lab studio at Walsh offers just that, with an experienced team to help companies produce quality video and audio marketing content.

Program Information: This resource is project-based and by appointment starting August 15, 2024, at Walsh College (Barry Center), 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083).

Access is on an appointment basis, with up to 3 hours of production services offered at no cost to qualifying businesses. Businesses simply submit a request by describing their desired campaign or project scope and script, and someone from the Creator Lab will reach out for next steps. Mini grants will cover the cost of production projects. Businesses using this service will get access to video and audio Podcast or related recordings, to be used in marketing campaigns.

This resource is available at Walsh College by appointment, by emailing buildingrentals@walshcollege.edu; or for more information, email: cie@walshcollege.edu

This resource would be beneficial to CEOs, CMOs, and marketing and sales representatives.

Program Has Additional Requirements? No

Location: Walsh College (Barry Center), 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083

Virtual/in-person: In-person

Pricing: n/a, $0

Is it for grant participants only? Yes

Presenter details: Jay Kruger, cie@walshcollege.edu

Title: Business Resource: Coworking Space

Program Start Date: July 15, 2024

Program End Date: [By appointment starting July 15]

Course Presented By: Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Hub at Walsh College

Course Code: SBSHWC_24037

Program Event Link: n/a

Program Summary: Michigan businesses can use the coworking space at Walsh College, to access Walsh on-site resources such as the EPIC Lab, the Lawyer in Residence and the Creator Lab (Podcast studio). Interested businesses can reserve space for remote work as well as for extended on-site usage of the Walsh resources at no cost.

Program Information: This resource is available by reservation starting July 15 at Walsh College (3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083).

Michigan businesses can use the coworking space at Walsh College, for 1-4 employees to do remote work, and to use on-site resources for businesses, such as the Creator and EPIC Labs and the Lawyer in Residence. Businesses that use this resource will be able to spend extended periods of time working with engineers on site to create software, prototype via 3D printing, do neuromarketing research, or create Podcast or other video productions.

This resource is available at Walsh College by appointment, by emailing buildingrentals@walshcollege.edu; or for more information, email: cie@walshcollege.edu.

This resource would be beneficial to companies using other BIG Hub cores and CIE resources or companies with limited space or need for remote work options in the Troy and greater Detroit area. It will be most useful to marketing staff and engineers, as well as project managers overseeing outsourced projects.

Program Has Additional Requirements? No

Location: Walsh College (Barry Center), 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083

Virtual/in-person: In-person

Pricing: n/a, $0

Is it for grant participants only? Yes

Presenter details: Daniel Sem, cie@walshcollege.edu

Title: Walsh Leadership Academy (WLA): Authority to Lead

Program Start Date: August 8, 2024

Program End Date: August 8, 2024

Course Presented By: Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Hub at Walsh College

Course Code: SBSHWC_24038

Program Event Link: n/a

Program Summary: Unleash the leader within you! Walsh Leadership Academy is offered monthly for businesses looking to build skills on their team in leadership, so they can build an empowered team as they grow. In this session you will learn about the principles of leadership and influencing teams for action.

Program Information: This series will be held in-person at Walsh College (3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083) every month from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. The course minimum is 5 people, and the capacity is limited to 30 people.

WLA will be held monthly over the next six months. Sessions will include:

• Authority to Lead
• Empathetic Leadership
• Power Problem Solving
• Making the Dream of Work
• Rules of Engagement
• Take Control and THRIVE

Authority to Lead: Talent. Drive. Strategy. All of these things are necessary to be an effective leader, but ultimately will not matter unless you possess one crucial ingredient. If you’re currently struggling – or worried that you will have difficulty – influencing others in your organization to action, this session will help you identify what you’re missing and help you correct it.

Participants can choose the topics and sessions they would like to attend. All sessions are not required. In this session you will learn about the principles of leadership, and the authority that enables it.

Details on what can be learned at the various sessions can be found at the WLA website: https://walshcollege.edu/walsh-leadership-academy/. Participants will learn cutting edge leadership skills and strategies, in what are very applied and engaging sessions.

This course would be beneficial to CEOs, presidents, founders, business managers, and upwardly mobile managers.

Point Value: 4

Program Has Additional Requirements? No

Location: Walsh College, 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083

Virtual/in-person: In-person

Pricing: n/a, $0

Is it for grant participants only? Yes

Presenter details: Tom Petz, tpetz@walshcollege.edu

Title: Business Program: C-Level Mentors and Fractional CXOs

Program Start Date: September 1, 2024

Program End Date: [Matchmaking by appointment beginning September 1]

Course Presented By: Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Hub at Walsh College

Course Code: SBSHWC_24039

Program Event Link: n/a

Program Summary: As small businesses grow, their C-level leadership needs grow as well. The BIG Hub will provide access to fractional C-level executives to work with companies for short periods of transition or growth, to either upskill members of the existing team, or to assist in the transition and decision to expand the leadership team.

Program Information: Walsh College will work to match participants with a mentor beginning September 1, 2024.

This resource will help businesses as they grow, perhaps needing a fractional or full time CFO, CMO (Chief Marketing Officer), COO, CIO, CTO or other more experienced C-level executive. The BIG Hub will provide access to fractional C-level executives to work with companies for short periods of transition or growth, to either upskill members of the existing team, or to assist in the transition and decision to expand the leadership team. This program will begin in fall of 2024 by providing access to fractional CFOs and mentors, drawing upon Walsh College’s extensive alumni base in Michigan, and expanding into other C-level executives in 2025.

This resource would be beneficial to CEOs, Presidents, managers, or founders that are understaffed or under-skilled at the C-level.

Point Value: 5 per 2 month mentoring commitment

Program Has Additional Requirements? No

Location: n/a

Virtual/in-person: n/a – will be decided by the mentor/mentee

Pricing: n/a, $0

Is it for grant participants only? Yes

Presenter details: Daniel Sem, cie@walshcollege.edu

Title: Partnering Event: Healthcare and Biotech Company Growth via M&A, Partnering & C-Level Consulting for Earlier-stage Businesses

Program Start Date: September 10, 2024

Program End Date: September 11, 2024

Course Presented By: Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Hub at Walsh College

Course Code: SBSHWC_24040

Program Event Link: n/a

Program Summary: Michigan biotech and healthcare companies are struggling to grow, add products to their portfolio and raise investor capital. One solution is to partner with or in-license technology from startups. This event aims to pair startups with small healthcare and biotech businesses and to explore growth solutions in supply chain or M&A/in-licensing.

Program Information: This workshop and networking event will be held in-person at Venue by 4M (1919 S. Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor, MI 48104) on September 10, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, and at Bamboo Coworking Space (200 S. 1^st St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104) on September 11, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. The event minimum is 5 people, and the capacity is limited to 100 people.

The workshop and networking event will profile some of the top healthcare and HealthTech startups in Michigan and present a strategy for in-licensing, partnering with or acquiring these early-stage businesses in mutually beneficial opportunities for your business growth. There will be keynote speakers as well as speed dating/matching sessions between established companies looking to grow and promising startups looking to be acquired, as well as C-level executives looking to help these startups.

This workshop and networking event will be in partnership with a regional biotech and life science networking group in Ann Arbor (A2 BioSocial) on September 10, following up with in-person meetings on September 11 at Bamboo Coworking Space near the University of Michigan, for more intensive partnering discussions. Startups at the event will include some that are participating in the Renaissance Ventures UnDemoDay on October 2, which are being vetted by top venture capital firms to provide an early look at accessible cutting-edge technologies that could help your business grow.

Businesses that participate will get access to technology they can in-license or acquire, to grow their business. Interested CEOs, CTOs, and CFOs can also participate in mentoring for these startups as a way to give back, to experience and support the entrepreneurial world, as well as to explore mutually beneficial strategic partnerships or M&A opportunities. Businesses can likewise get access to student interns, if needed, to add value to and facilitate partnerships.

Point Value: 2

Program Has Additional Requirements? No

Location: Venue by 4M, 1919 S. Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (Sept 10); Bamboo Coworking Space, 200 S. 1^st St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (Sept 11)

Virtual/in-person: In-person

Pricing: n/a, $0

Is it for grant participants only? Yes; but, others are invited also

Presenter details: Daniel Sem, cie@walshcollege.edu

Title: Walsh Leadership Academy (WLA): Take Control and THRIVE

Program Start Date: September 12, 2024

Program End Date: September 12, 2024

Course Presented By: Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Hub at Walsh College

Course Code: SBSHWC_24041

Program Event Link: n/a

Program Summary: Unleash the leader within you! Walsh Leadership Academy is offered monthly for businesses looking to build skills on their team in leadership, so they can build an empowered team as they grow. In this session you will learn to take control and THRIVE as a leader in a sustainable manner.

Program Information: This series will be held in-person at Walsh College (3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083) every month from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. The course minimum is 5 people, and the capacity is limited to 30 people.

WLA will be held monthly over the next six months. Sessions will include:

• Authority to Lead
• Empathetic Leadership
• Power Problem Solving
• Making the Dream of Work
• Rules of Engagement
• Take Control and THRIVE 

Take Control and THRIVE: Too often leadership trainings are not successful in producing long-term lasting change, both for the leader and the organization. That’s because they rely too heavily on conscious mind theories and principles. And, while these can be useful when applied for a period of time, the problem is making sure these strategies can effectively take root with the leader and with the organization, in order to see positive change. In this leadership session, we’ll empower you with evidence-backed, neuroscience-based tools that you can apply right away to take back control and THRIVE in all areas of your life.

Participants can choose the topics and sessions they would like to attend. All sessions are not required. In this session you will learn about the principles of leadership, and the authority that enables it. Details on what can be learned at the various sessions can be found at the WLA website: https://walshcollege.edu/walsh-leadership-academy/. Participants will learn cutting edge leadership skills and strategies, in what are very applied and engaging sessions.

This course would be beneficial to CEOs, presidents, founders, business managers, and upwardly mobile managers.

Point Value: 4

Program Has Additional Requirements? No

Location: Walsh College, 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083

Virtual/in-person: In-person

Pricing: n/a, $0

Is it for grant participants only? Yes

Presenter details: Tom Petz, tpetz@walshcollege.edu

Title: Networking Event: Healthcare Innovation Pitch

Program Start Date: October 1, 2024

Program End Date: October 1, 2024

Course Presented By: Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Hub at Walsh College

Course Code: SBSHWC_24042

Program Event Link: n/a

Program Summary: The Michigan Healthcare Innovation Pitch event will connect established healthcare and biotech small businesses to healthcare innovators. Innovative healthcare and HealthTech startups will present their innovations, which are potential in-licensing or M&A opportunities for Michigan small businesses in the biotech and healthcare sectors.

Program Information: This pitch and networking event will be held in-person at Walsh College (3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083) on October 1, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, as part of preparation for Renaissance Ventures’ UnDemoDay. The networking event and program minimum is 10 people, and the capacity is limited to 120 people. Businesses in the healthcare vertical can learn of smaller businesses innovating in drugs, diagnostics, devices and software, as potential partners as well as in-licensing or acquisition target.

This networking and pitch event would be beneficial to CEOs and CSOs in healthcare and HealthTech, business development, supply chain and in-licensing directors in healthcare and biotech companies, investors, and healthcare innovators. Businesses that participate will get access to technology they can in-license or acquire, to grow their business; and, if desired, can also access additional C-level expertise and support for their business. Interested CEOs, CTOs, and CFOs can also participate in mentoring for these startups to give back, to experience and support the entrepreneurial world, as well as to explore mutually beneficial strategic partnerships or M&A opportunities.

Point Value: 2

Program Has Additional Requirements? No

Location: Walsh College, 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083

Virtual/in-person: In-person

Pricing: n/a, $0

Is it for grant participants only? Yes; but, others are invited also invited.

Presenter details: Daniel Sem, cie@walshcollege.edu

Title: Economics for Business Leaders: Practical Economic Tools to Grow Your Business

Program Start Date: November 12, 2024

Program End Date: November 13, 2024

Course Presented By: Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Hub at Walsh College

Course Code: SBSHWC_24043

Program Event Link: n/a

Program Summary: This course opens with an evening reception at the Detroit Federal Reserve. It will educate executives on aspects of economics so they can understand how to navigate business market forces. It will provide post-election economic trend analysis from the Federal Reserve’s beige book to guide businesses as they navigate the macroeconomic landscape.

Program Information: This course will be held in-person at the Detroit Federal Reserve (1600 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, MI 48207) with an opening banquette on November 12, from 3:00 – 6:30 pm and an all-day workshop on November 13, from 8:00 am – 4:15 pm. The course minimum is 10 people, and the capacity is limited to 50 people.

Participants will be given actionable economic trend data for Michigan small businesses, based on the Federal Reserve beige book. These data will empower Michigan businesses to navigate macroeconomic forces in 2025 and provide an analysis of factors learned from business leaders that advise the Federal Reserve (for their beige book), as well as trends expected after the presidential election. These are data that businesses need to compete and navigate a changing macroeconomic landscape, and this workshop will provide the data as it is released (the Federal Reserve beige book advisory committee meets on November 12).

This full-day course will also educate business executives on practical aspects of economics so they can understand how to navigate business market forces more effectively. This course has been offered in-house as leadership development for companies such as Uline and is taught by the nationally recognized authors whose content is used in the course.

Purpose

The goal of this short course is to present the fundamental concepts of practical economics that can help local business leaders to grow their businesses.

The objectives of the course are to:

1. Learn of macroeconomic trends in Michigan that will affect your business in the coming months.
2. Learn how the economic way of thinking – with its stress on choices, costs, incentives, systems, and gains from trade – can contribute to making better business decisions.
3. Recognize how understanding basic economic institutions is fundamental for all businesses and citizens to participate successfully in our economy.
4. Identify tools that improve understanding of the regional economy and basic economic statistics that can help business leaders understand the context for growing their business.
5. Discern how the concepts and principles that enable business leaders to explain to employees and others how the operation of largely free-market economies contribute to the common good.

This course would be beneficial to CEOs, CFOs, founders, and presidents.

Point Value: 5

Program Has Additional Requirements? No

Location: The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Detroit District, 1600 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, MI 48207

Virtual/in-person: In-person

Pricing: n/a, $0

Is it for grant participants only? Yes

Presenter details: Scott Niederjohn, scott.niederjohn@cuw.edu

Title: Walsh Leadership Academy (WLA): Power Problem Solving

Program Start Date: November 14, 2024

Program End Date: November 14, 2024

Course Presented By: Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Hub at Walsh College

Course Code: SBSHWC_240344

Program Event Link: n/a

Program Summary: Unleash the leader within you! Walsh Leadership Academy is offered monthly for businesses looking to build skills on their team in leadership, so they can build an empowered team as they grow. In this session you will learn key problem-solving strategies for your business.

Program Information: This series will be held in-person at Walsh College (3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083) every month from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. The course minimum is 5 people, and the capacity is limited to 30 people.

WLA will be held monthly over the next six months. Sessions will include:

• Authority to Lead
• Empathetic Leadership
• Power Problem Solving
• Making the Dream of Work
• Rules of Engagement
• Take Control and THRIVE

Power Problem Solving: Problems. You’ve got them. Your organization has them. The leaders around you have them. But, what if the solutions to your problems are closer than you think? In this session, you will learn key problem-solving strategies and work on developing the resiliency you need to face down your toughest challenges.

Participants can choose the topics and sessions they would like to attend. All sessions are not required. In this session you will learn about the principles of leadership, and the authority that enables it. Details on what can be learned at the various sessions can be found at the WLA website: https://walshcollege.edu/walsh-leadership-academy/. Participants will learn cutting edge leadership skills and strategies, in what are very applied and engaging sessions.

This course would be beneficial to CEOs, presidents, founders, business managers, and upwardly mobile managers.

Point Value: 4

Program Has Additional Requirements? No

Location: Walsh College, 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083

Virtual/in-person: In-person

Pricing: n/a, $0

Is it for grant participants only? Yes

Presenter details: Tom Petz, tpetz@walshcollege.edu

Title: Artificial Intelligence and LLMs for Business – Challenges and Opportunities for Growth

Program Start Date: November 19, 2024

Program End Date: November 19, 2024

Course Presented By: Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Hub at Walsh College

Course Code: SBSHWC_24045

Program Event Link:

Program Summary: AI is promising to transform how business is done, making processes more efficient, leveraging existing workers, and even enhancing customer-relationship-management and marketing effectiveness. This course will explore pros and cons of AI and help businesses navigate this inevitable change.

Program Information: This course will be held virtually and in-person at Walsh College (3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083) on November 19, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The course minimum is 5 people, and the capacity is limited to 50 people.

AI opportunities are also balanced by challenges in how best to implement the technology, as well as moral and ethical dilemmas and concerns about bias, and AI “hallucination.” This course will explore pros & cons and help business navigate this inevitable change that is coming. Businesses taking this course will learn how to integrate AI into their business to improve the efficiency of processes, as well as to add creative new marketing strategies (e.g. customer service avatars trained with AI).

This course would be beneficial to CEOs, CMOs, IT directors, and marketing and sales managers.

Point Value: 5

Program Has Additional Requirements? No

Location: Walsh College, 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083

Virtual/in-person: Virtual and In-person options will be available

Pricing: n/a, $0

Is it for grant participants only? Yes

Presenter details: Daniel Sem, cie@walshcollege.edu

Title: Walsh Leadership Academy (WLA): Empathetic Leadership

Program Start Date: December 12, 2024

Program End Date: December 12, 2024

Course Presented By: Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Hub at Walsh College

Course Code: SBSHWC_24046

Program Event Link: n/a

Program Summary: Unleash the leader within you! Walsh Leadership Academy is offered monthly for businesses looking to build skills on their team in leadership, so they can build an empowered team as they grow. In this session you will learn the important role that empathy plays in leadership.

Program Information: This series will be held in-person at Walsh College (3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083) every month from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. The course minimum is 5 people, and the capacity is limited to 30 people.

WLA will be held monthly over the next six months. Sessions will include:

• Authority to Lead
• Empathetic Leadership
• Power Problem Solving
• Making the Dream of Work
• Rules of Engagement
• Take Control and THRIVE

Empathetic Leadership: Today’s workforce is more complicated than ever. Mental health issues, over-packed schedules, social dynamics, and a host of other factors are all affecting your organization’s ability to achieve its goals and THRIVE. In this workshop, you will learn the crucial role empathy plays in helping your employees press on through tough times and how you as a leader can support growth while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Participants can choose the topics and sessions they would like to attend. All sessions are not required. In this session you will learn about the principles of leadership, and the authority that enables it. Details on what can be learned at the various sessions can be found at the WLA website: https://walshcollege.edu/walsh-leadership-academy/. Participants will learn cutting edge leadership skills and strategies, in what are very applied and engaging sessions.

This course would be beneficial to CEOs, presidents, founders, business managers, and upwardly mobile managers.

Point Value: 4

Program Has Additional Requirements? No

Location: Walsh College, 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083

Virtual/in-person: In-person

Pricing: n/a, $0

Is it for grant participants only? Yes

Presenter details: Tom Petz, tpetz@walshcollege.edu

Title: Tech-enabled Marketing

Program Start Date: January 17, 2025

Program End Date: January 17, 2025

Course Presented By: Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Hub at Walsh College

Course Code: SBSHWC_24047

Program Event Link: n/a

Program Summary: Businesses will learn to navigate and deploy cutting edge digital marketing tools, including deep tech virtual and augmented reality coupled with artificial intelligence. Businesses will learn and deploy these tools, to obtain competitive advantage. They will also get access to digital marketing interns to help them expand their marketing team.

Program Information: This course will be held in-person at Walsh College (Barry Center, 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083) on January 17, from 9:00am to 1:00pm. The course minimum is 10 people, and the capacity is limited to 75 people.

Digital marketing coupled to analytics, as well as social media, were the cutting edge; but now there are new technologies that businesses must learn to navigate and deploy for competitive advantage and growth, such as use of virtual and augmented reality and artificial intelligence. Businesses that attend this workshop will learn and build competency in all these tools.

The effectiveness of new marketing strategies can now be assessed with focus groups and neuromarketing that measures emotional reactions to different marketing content and strategies. In this course, businesses will learn and have the chance to deploy these cutting-edge neuromarketing tools. Participating companies will also be matched with marketing interns that can help their businesses with marketing strategy implementation. This workshop is a partnership with Bud Gibson at the Center for Digital Innovation at Eastern Michigan University and Beth Heiss, an expert in digital marketing including neuromarketing. Keynote speakers will include leaders from industries that are deploying VR or AR in marketing; and, businesses will get access to marketing technology and interns.

This course would be beneficial to CEOs, CMOs, and marketing and sales managers.

Point Value: 5

Program Has Additional Requirements? No

Location: Walsh College (Barry Center), 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083

Virtual/in-person: In-person

Pricing: n/a, $0

Is it for grant participants only? Yes

Presenter details: Daniel Sem, cie@walshcollege.edu

Title: Affordable Healthcare Benefit Solutions for Small Businesses

Program Start Date: February 20, 2025

Program End Date: February 20, 2025

Course Presented By: Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Hub at Walsh College

Course Code: SBSHWC_24048

Program Event Link: n/a

Program Summary: This course will help companies manage the skyrocketing cost of healthcare benefits for their employees. Speakers will include HR experts, CEOs, insurance brokers, providers and nationally recognized speakers on healthcare solutions for small businesses. Attendees get free books from author/speakers and actionable materials for affordable solutions.

Program Information: This course will be held in-person at Walsh College (3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083) on February 20, from 9:00am to 4:00pm. The course minimum is 10 people, and the capacity is limited to 120 people.

This healthcare benefit summit is designed to help companies struggling to manage the skyrocketing cost of healthcare benefits for their employees, especially as they grow. Participants will hear from nationally recognized business leaders about how they found creative solutions to rein in healthcare costs for businesses scaling from 2-50 employees, and then for businesses that exceed the 50-employee ACA threshold. Companies attending the summit will learn actionable strategies to control healthcare benefit costs, from a variety of possible solutions that include:

• Traditional insurance solutions
• High-deductible plans (private; the ACA exchange) coupled to HSAs
• Medicare/Medicaid
• Creative solutions using direct primary care coupled to high deductible or other plans
• New laws and regulations, such as the CAA that now creates a fiduciary duty for employers

This course would be beneficial to CEOs, CFOs, and HR directors looking to control healthcare benefit costs.

Point Value: 5

Program Has Additional Requirements? No

Location: Walsh College, 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083

Virtual/in-person: In-person

Pricing: n/a, $0

Is it for grant participants only? Yes

Presenter details: Daniel Sem, cie@walshcollege.edu