The Generator | GoForwardPineBluff

Nurturing Innovation
Supporting Self-Empowerment

The Generator seeks to empower the makers, the doers, and the dreamers, to help them succeed and thrive, and to eliminate barriers in their way. It seeks to create a collaborative and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem – through programs and partnerships to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in Pine Bluff and Southeast Arkansas.

Human Resources Workshop Series

Presented by U.S. SBA, Arkansas Office & The Generator

Recruiting, Interviewing & Hiring

In this session, we will discuss the importance of job descriptions and position outlines as well as the best recruiting methods/sources, legally compliant interviewing, the selection process, and hiring best practices.
Take-Away: The best recruiting, interviewing, and hiring strategy for your business. You will be tasked with targeting your best recruiting method and creating an interview template to bring to Session 2.

7/9/2019
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Free
Southeast Arkansas College
Welcome Center
1900 S. Hazel Street
Pine Bluff

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Onboarding, Training & Performance Management

In this session, we will cover proper onboarding to include orientation to the business and specific job position training as well as how to create an inclusive training manual. The session will also cover the importance of Performance Reviews and Managment.

Take-Aways: Get an understanding of the necessity for orientation, training, and employee performance evaluations. You will be asked to bring a simple description of the values and culture that are dear to your business as it grows.

7/16/2019
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Free
Southeast Arkansas College
Welcome Center
1900 S. Hazel Street
Pine Bluff

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Employment Law

In this session, we will get a broad overview of the most imperative employment laws and guidelines that business owners must adhere to to avoid being subject to fines, closure of business and more severe penalties (personal and business.)

Take-Away: Proper Personnel file and I-9 completion and storage, required postings, common pitfalls to avoid, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines on harassment-free workplaces and Americans with Disabilities accommodation procedures.

7/23/2019
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Free
Southeast Arkansas College
Welcome Center
1900 S. Hazel Street
Pine Bluff

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SBA Lecture Series

David Moody, Deputy Director

Presented by U.S. SBA, Arkansas Office & The Generator

The U.S. and Arkansas Entrepreneurial Landscape

A review of the entrepreneurial landscape at the national level and the Arkansas landscape. A look at comparisons between small business nationally vs. Arkansas, including the number of businesses, employees, and industries.

7/15/2019
Noon - 1:00 PM
Free
Southeast Arkansas College
Welcome Center
1900 S. Hazel Street
Pine Bluff

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Startup, Expansion, Recovery, and Exit: SBA’s Role as Player, Coach and General Manager

A discussion of the roles of the SBA, it’s resource partners and other service providers in helping small firms at every stage of their business.

7/22/2019
Noon - 1:00 PM
Free
Southeast Arkansas College
Welcome Center
1900 S. Hazel Street
Pine Bluff

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Time, Treasure, and Talent: Lessons Learned from SBA’s Emerging Leaders Program

Emerging Leaders is SBA’s premier business education program. It has a ten-year track record of success nationally and has been in Arkansas for five years. A discussion of some of the key lessons learned and insights about the fifty businesses that have graduated from the program in Arkansas.

7/29/2019
Noon - 1:00 PM
Free
Southeast Arkansas College
Welcome Center
1900 S. Hazel Street
Pine Bluff

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Small Business is BIG Business in Economic Development

Much of the focus of economic development is on recruiting large, existing businesses from somewhere else in the U.S. or the world. This discussion will explore the alternative strategy of focusing on small businesses in economic development.

8/5/2019
Noon - 1:00 PM
Free
Southeast Arkansas College
Welcome Center
1900 S. Hazel Street
Pine Bluff

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LLCs Operating Agreements Workshop

Learn about the reasons to have an operating agreement, and the various sections that belong in an operating agreement.
An operating agreement template will be provided.

Sponsors: Business Innovations Legal Clinic,
William H. Bowen School of Law &
The Generator

4/18/2019
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Free
Southeast Arkansas College
Welcome Center
1900 S. Hazel Street
Pine Bluff

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Startup Small Talk

Get advice on the requirements, challenges, and successes of starting a business from people who have first-hand experience. Please come hear from our panel:
Jan Robinson, owner of Uptown Salon & Boutique
Valandra Oliver, owner of Bella Cleaning Services
Herb Lawrence, lender
relations specialist for U. S. Small Business Administration

Sponsors: ASBTDC & The Generator

4/23/2019
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Free
Reynolds Community Services Center
211 W. 3rd Ave
Pine Bluff 71601-4226

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Selling to the Government
An Introductory Course

Selling to the government is different than selling in the private sector. Come learn about different government contract types, state and federal procurement processes, and how you can register your business to sell products or services to the government.

This course is of special benefit to companies that have no experience in government contracting or are relatively new to the process.

Hosted by The Generator, US SBA Arkansas District Office and Arkansas PTAC

4/25/2019
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Free
Southeast Arkansas College
Welcome Center
1900 S. Hazel Street
Pine Bluff

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Getting Started with SAM
System for Award Management

In this workshop, learn how to register your business in the System for Award Management (SAM), the primary supplier database for the federal government.

This class is for business owners who are new to SAM.

Hosted by The Generator, US SBA Arkansas District Office and Arkansas PTAC

5/2/2019
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Free
Southeast Arkansas College
Welcome Center
1900 S. Hazel Street
Pine Bluff

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Mapping a Successful Startup

Sponsors: ASBTDC, & The Generator

3/19/2019
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Free
Southeast Arkansas College
Welcome Center
1900 S. Hazel Street
Pine Bluff

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Mapping a Successful Startup

Every great business begins as an idea. We will show you how to transform an idea into action using a Startup Map. At the heart of our discussion will be the critical player in any successful business, the customer. By the end of the workshop, you'll have a tangible action plan for your venture.

Sponsors: ASBTDC & The Generator

3/19/2019
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Free
Southeast Arkansas College
Welcome Center
1900 S. Hazel Street
Pine Bluff

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