WPCC Small Business Center Hosts Networking Seminar

Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC)’s Small Business Center will host the business seminar, “Market Your Business by Networking in Your Local Community” on Tuesday, March 22 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Foothills Higher Education Center located at 2128 South Sterling Street, Morganton, NC. The seminar will be lead by Emily Ballance and is free and open to the public.

Ballance speaks on business related topics for small business centers throughout the North Carolina Community College System. She also travels the country presenting keynotes on humor and stress management and workshops on generations in the workplace, as well as other topics, which you can see at www.emilyballance.com. Ballance is a Certified Speaking Professional, which is the highest earned designation awarded by the National Speakers Association. Women who have earned this designation make up less than 8% of the organization.

“Because there’s such an emphasis on social networking these days, people sometimes forget the importance of face-to-face networking,” Ballance said, “But if you want to get business in your local community, you must invest time in both.  And fortunately, face-to-face networking is low-cost and can be very effective, if you know the right way to approach it.”

Most business owners and prospective business owners know that networking is essential to the success of any business.  And yet, many fail to invest the time and energy to do it for a variety of reasons.  It may be because they are stressed out, introverted or just do not know how to do it, according to Ballance, a professional speaker and entrepreneur who has owned and marketed two businesses for over twenty years.

“In this seminar, I’ll be offering tips on how to build relationships and make connections within your local community. I will discuss highly effective face-to-face networking techniques. Bring your business cards if you have some,” Ballance said.  “But don’t worry if you are just getting started or don’t have any.  This is a fun, informative, and interactive presentation.  It’s a great chance to meet people and…yes…practice networking!  But without pressure.”

For questions or to register for this seminar, contact Eddie McGimsey, Small Business Center Director at emcgimsey@wpcc.edu.