This webinar will focus on what the Affordable Care Act means for small businesses in Michigan.  You'll hear about small business tax credits, cost containment and resources to learn more.  You'll also get an update on Michigan healthcare exchanges.  Hosted by the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (Mi-SBTDC).  Free. Register online at https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=odohcovntzcf

Implementing the Affordable Care Act is no small task for employers.  This briefing will review employer health care coverage responsibilities beginning in 2014.  Topics also include who is subject to pay-or-play penalties, which employees must be covered, and minimum-value requirements for employer-sponsored coverage.  Hosted by the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, Suite 202, 380 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon.  Free, but pre-registration required.  Register online at http://web.muskegon.org/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=3356.

This workshop is for people who are thinking about starting a business, or who are in the early stages of their start-up. You'll assess your ability to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate the market and sales potential for your product or service. You'll also learn about start-up costs, financing options and business planning. Hosted by the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (Mi-SBTDC). Workshop will be held at the Grand Valley State University Holland Campus, 515 Waverly Rd. in Holland. Free. Register online at https://www.misbtdc.net/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=74330003.

This Business Briefing will explore if the new Microsoft Office suite can save you time and money, or if you are making the most of your new software.  Learn how Microsoft Office 365 works with touch, mouse, keyboard or pen, how to stream a full-featured version of Office on any Internet-connected PC with Office on Demand.  You'll also learn about special features like voice and video chat, or hosting a multi-party HD video conference.  Hosted by the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, suite 202, 380 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon.  $20 West Michigan Chamber members/$35 general admission.  Register by calling 231-722-3751 or online at http://web.muskegon.org/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=3017.

This workshop is designed for entrepreneurs and business owners who are new to social media.  Using step-by-step instruction and examples, you'll learn how to get your business online using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  Hosted by the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (Mi-SBTDC).  Seminar will be held at the GVSU Bicycle Factory, 201 Front Ave. in Grand Rapids.  Free. Register online at https://www.misbtdc.net/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70330034.

Grand Rapids Inventors Network (GRIN) is a regional non-profit organization that allows inventors, marketers, and creative people to learn and network.assists its members to further their creative ideas.  Its members include professionals, business owners and consultants who can help take an idea to the marketplace.  Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month from 6-8 p.m.  The topic for the June meeting is "Early Financials - Estimating Cash Flow and Profitability for Early Concept Companies." Meetings are held in room 119 at the Grand Valley State University Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, 301 Michigan St. NE in Grand Rapids.  Your first meeting is free, $50 annual dues applies after that.  No registration required.  For more information go to www.grinventors.org. 

This 2-part workshop will inform entrepreneurs, farmers and small business owners about the federal government's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.  These programs allow start-ups and small businesses to obtain as much as $1 million to fund research and develop their technology-related business idea.  The a.m.. session will be an intro to SBIR/STTR and is recommended for anyone who has a new technology-related business idea.  The p.m.. session will focus specifically on the U.S. Dept of Agriculture SBIR program, and is recommended for anyone who has a new technology-related business idea pertaining to agriculture.  Hosted by Ottawa County.  Workshop will be held in the main conference room at the Ottawa County Fillmore Complex, 12220 Fillmore St. in West Olive.  $50 for a.m.. session, $75 for both sessions (includes lunch).  Register by June 10 online at http://www.bbcetc.com/event/sbirsttr-overview-and-proposal-prep-for-usda/.

This workshop will cover how to set a value for your business and preparing to sell, as well as conducting due diligence and financing your purchase when you're looking to buy.  A panel of experts will lead the first part of the workshop, followed by breakout sessions for both sellers and buyers so you can examine your area of interest in more detail.  Hosted by the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (Mi-SBTDC).  Workshop will be held in room 119 at the GVSU Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences Building, 301 Michigan St. NE in Grand Rapids.  $75 (free for veterans with proof of military service).   Pre-registration is required.  Register online at https://www.misbtdc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=70330042.

Employee reviews should be motivational, learning experiences for both employees and their managers.  So why is it that we dislike or don't even conduct employee reviews?  This seminar will teach you how to simplify the process, inspire your employees, and set the stage for growth.  Hosted by The Chamber Grand Haven/Spring Lake/Ferrysburg.  Workshop will be held at the Loutit District Library, 407 Columbus Ave. in Grand Haven.  $35 Chamber members/$45 future members (fee includes lunch and materials).  Register online at https://grandhavenmicoc.wliinc14.com/external/wcpages/wcevents/eventregistration.aspx?eventID=3B2A8L0N.

This course will expose you to a set of tools that can help feed your company's innovation pipeline.  You'll learn how to facilitate innovation at your business, and how to increase effectiveness through each stage in the idea development/sales/launch process.  Hosted by the NewNorth Center, which develops proven, innovation-focused curriculum for entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, and corporations of all sizes and markets.  Workshop will be held at The Stream business incubator, 1 State Rd. in downtown Newaygo.  $85 per person.  Register online at http://www.rightplace.org/News-Media/Event-Calendar/Top-Innovation-Tools.aspx

This workshop is for people who are thinking about starting a business, or who are in the early stages of their start-up.  You'll assess your ability to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate the market and sales potential for your product or service.  You'll also learn about start-up costs, financing options and business planning.  Hosted by the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (Mi-SBTDC).  Workshop will be held at the Grand Rapids Urban League, 74 Eastern Ave. SE in Grand Rapids. Free.  Register online at https://www.misbtdc.net/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70330012 .

This workshop targets those new to website creating and marketing on the Internet.  Topics include: help with design decisions: DIY vs. contractor-created, designing a website to fit your budget, naming your site, measuring its effectiveness, the importance of content, utilizing social media, and legal issues.  Hosted by SCORE Muskegon Chapter.  Workshop will be held at the Spring Lake District Library, 123 E. Exchange in Spring Lake.  Free!  Register by calling 616-846-5770 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Learn more about Pinterest and how this social media tool can help you promote your business.  You'll hear about Pinterest stats, getting started, how to optimize your Pinterest page, how to get more followers, and how to run a contest on Pinterest.  Hosted by The Stream business incubator, 1 State Rd. in Newaygo.  Free for Stream members, $15 for non-members.  Register no later than June 24 at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 231-452-6401.

This seminar presents practical applications of marketing concepts designed to grow a small business.  You'll review market analysis and research, target marketing, assessing your competition, and key marketing implementation tools.  Several examples of effective hands-on marketing techniques will be demonstrated. Hosted by the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (Mi-SBTDC). Seminar will be held at the GVSU Bicycle Factory, 201 Front Ave. in Grand Rapids. Free. Register online at

https://www.misbtdc.net/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70330033https://www.misbtdc.net/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70330039.

This workshop is for business owners and/or key staff who want to gain a better understanding of how to use their financial statements.  Ideal candidates for this course are those who have 2-3 years of financial history and are pursuing financing, or who are having challenges with cash flow.  Specific topics include how to use your balance sheet and income statement to better manage your business, how to use break-even analysis to improve your decision-making, finding the source of your cash flow problems, and how to get your banker on your side.  Hosted by the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (Mi-SBTDC). Workshop will be held at the Grand Valley State University Holland Campus, 515 Waverly Rd. in Holland. Free. Register online at https://www.misbtdc.net/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=74330007

The Muskegon Inventors Network (MIN) is a not-for-profit inventor/marketer group for West Michigan people with creative ideas, inventors and other who may find benefit or offer support services. Featured speakers at meetings include inventors sharing their patent process, successful inventors sharing how they got their products to market, companies that offer services that could help members reach their goals, and intellectual property attorneys who are willing to offer pro-bono help specifically related to patents and trademarks. Meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month at the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center, 200 Viridian Drive in Muskegon. Your first meeting is free, $50 annual membership applies after that. For more information go to www.muskegoninventorsnetwork.org.

This workshop is for people who are thinking about starting a business, or who are in the early stages of their start-up.  You'll assess your ability to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate the market and sales potential for your product or service.  You'll also learn about start-up costs, financing options and business planning.  Hosted by the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (Mi-SBTDC).  Workshop will be held at the Grand Rapids Urban League, 74 Eastern Ave. SE in Grand Rapids. Free.  Register online at https://www.misbtdc.net/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70330013 https://www.misbtdc.net/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=70330013