Wednesday

‘Business Plan Basics’

Turn your business ideas into a solid plan for financing and long-term success at this seminar, which will provide a general overview of the components of a typical business plan. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at CPCC Levine Campus, 2800 Campus Ridge Road, Matthews. Free. Details: 704-330-4223; www.cpcc.edu/sbc. Reference course # SBX 7805, section 503.

‘BB&T Distinguished Leaders in Action’

Join , director of leadership initiatives for the McColl School of Business, for a conversation on leadership with Michael McGuire, national managing partner of industry and market development with Grant Thornton LLP, a global tax advisory organization serving public and private companies in more than 100 countries. 5:30- 6:30 p.m. at Queens University of Charlotte’s Ketner Auditorium, Sykes Learning Center. Free. Registration: www.queens.edu.

Thursday

‘Small Business Management – All in the Family and Beyond’

Ronald Norelli of Norelli & Company and Kimberly Eddleston, professor of family business management at Northeastern University, lead a discussion on succession planning and other management strategies for small and family businesses. 4:30 p.m. at Northeastern University’s graduate campus in the 101 Independence Center. Details: www.northeastern.edu/charlotte.

Business After Hours

Matthews Chamber will host a networking event with live music. 5:30-7 p.m. at Allison Love’s Jewelry, 10605 Park Road. Free. Details: www.matthewschamber.org

‘Opportunity Exploration’

This seminar will explore ways to quickly identify unmet market needs and use scanning skills to evaluate what could be the next big thing. Free. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at CPCC Central Campus, 1112 Charlottetowne Ave. Registration: http://cpcc.edu/einstitute. Reference course #SBX8031, Section 501.

Friday

‘Matthews Fall Business Summit - Planning for Success in 2013’

Jim Dunn presents “How to Have Your Best Business Year Ever,” a networking meeting for local business owners. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Matthews Town Hall, 232 Matthews Station St, Matthews. Free, a boxed lunch will be served. Reservations: 704-847-4411, ext. 224; www.matthewschamber.org

Saturday

‘Charlotte Business Guild Gala’

The Charlotte Business Guild, a business and professional organization for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, is hosting a 20th Anniversary Gala from 6:30-11:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark Hotel, 5501 Carnegie Blvd. The gala will also include the presentation of the annual Charlotte Business Guild Community Service Awards, which recognize outstanding service to the local LGBT community. Registration: $65 per person, www.charlottebusinessguild.org.

Tuesday

‘IT-ology Charlotte – IT Rallying Challenge’

Charlotte regional IT organizations come together to launch IT-ology, a non-profit collaboration of businesses, academic institutions and other organizations dedicated to growing the IT talent pipeline and advancing the IT profession. With messages from Mayor Anthony Foxx, NC Speaker of the House Thom Tillis and City of Charlotte CIO Jeff Stovall as Master of Ceremonies. 5:30-8 p.m. Wells Fargo Auditorium at Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. Details: http://it-ology.org.

‘Legislative Agenda Task Force’

The Task Force will meet to set the Charlotte Chamber’s legislative agenda, determining what issues the Chamber will advocate for on behalf of the Charlotte business community. Task Force meetings are scheduled for Dec. 4, 11, 13, 18 and Jan.3, with voting on Jan. 8. The current meeting is 7:45-9 a.m. at Charlotte Chamber - Belk Action Center, 330 S. Tryon St. Registration: www.charlottechamber.com/events

‘Why Do Large Employers Do Business in SouthWest Charlotte?’

Charlotte Chamber’s SouthWest Chapter Luncheon will host a panel discussion lead by southwest-area employers addressing growth of their companies, new ideas and technology, their workforce and why they selected the Southwest footprint to do business. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Charlotte Marriott Executive Park, 5700 Westpark Drive. Details: www.charlottechamber.com/events

‘Zoning Rules for Small Business’

This session will teach you about the different types of forms, license, permits, ordinances and inspections that will keep you in business and in compliance with the City of Charlotte’s zoning rules and regulations. Free. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at CPCC Central Campus, 1112 Charlottetowne Ave. Details: www.cpcc.edu/sbc. Reference course # SBX 8056, Section 501.

Send us your news

Want your networking event listed? Email us at shoptalk@charlotteobserver.com by 5 p.m. next Wednesday.