Community Engagement & Collaboration

Community Engagement & Collaboration – Maintaining Partnerships Small Business Center at Forsyth Technical Community College Allan Younger, Director Email: sbc@forsythtech.edu Phone: 336-757-3810 Location: 525 @ Vine Innovation Quarter Winston-Salem NC 27101

Starting and Operating a small business is hard work. Forsyth Tech’s Small Business Center provides: Confidential one-on-one business counseling/mentoring Small Business events: seminars, clinics and roundtables LinkedIn discussion group Online resources including online entrepreneurship education Resource center and meeting space Interested persons should register and obtain additional information by visiting: www.forsythtech.edu Type “Small Business Center” on search line, calling 336-757-3810, or emailing sbc@forsythtech.edu

Small Business Center Events We are pleased to provide a variety of educational opportunities.  We strongly believe that all current and prospective small business owners should commit to on-going opportunities to enhance their skills.  

Session - Rules of Engagement Please turn off (silence) your mobile devices. If you must leave the session early, please do so as discreetly as possible. Please avoid side conversations during the session.   Thank you for your cooperation!

Community Engagement We are constantly seeking the most effective ways to stay connected with our community partners. These partners include:   Chambers of Commerce Small Business Service Providers Colleges and Universities Minority Support Groups City of Winston Salem

Community Engagement Community Engagement includes: Maximizing the ways that we connect with potential and existing clients Maintaining those connections after they are established Developing them into excellent long term relationships Staying aware of needs and activities

Method 1…Social Media Our social media strategy for community engagement includes a number of social media tools.   College Website Weekly Newsletters via Constant Contact LinkedIn Group Facebook Page Instagram Twitter Account

Method 2…Co-Sponsorship Our co-sponsorship strategy for community engagement includes a number of partners. Each month, we invite partners to co-sponsor our educational events.   Chambers of Commerce (5 local Chambers) Hispanic League Urban League Better Business Bureau They promote selected events to their members/newsletter recipients. They benefit by being noted as co-sponsors.

Method 3…Participation Our participation strategy for community engagement includes attendance at numerous events and activities.   Board of Directors of Chambers of Commerce (3 local) Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau Goodwill Business Advisory Council Networking Groups Business Before and After Hours Ribbon Cuttings and Annual Meetings Special Events

Two Examples of Collaboration   Entrepreneurial Ecosystem of Forsyth County since April 2015 Venture Innovation Café 2015 and 2016 Venture Café Winston Salem Emerging Entrepreneur Funds since April 2017 Six colleges and universities Launch Challenge

Small Group Exercise & Call to Action In groups of three of four: Discuss ways to use social media to increase engagement and collaboration Discuss ways to use co-sponsorships to increase engagement and collaboration Discuss ways to use participation to increase engagement and collaboration