Thursday

Legislative Agenda Task Force:

The Task Force will meet to set the Charlotte Chamber’s legislative agenda, dictating what issues the chamber will advocate for on behalf of the Charlotte business community. Voting is scheduled for Tuesday. 7:45-9 a.m. at Charlotte Chamber – Belk Action Center, 330 S. Tryon St. Registration: www.charlottechamber.com/events.

Professional Women’s Network:

The featured speaker at the Professional Women’s Network (PWN) meeting will be Mooresville police officer Lauren Childers, who will discuss women’s safety. 8-9:30 a.m. at Springhill Suites, 121 Gateway Blvd., Mooresville. Cost: $5, includes breakfast. Reservations: 704-664-3898.

Friday

Annual Legislative Breakfast:

Recently elected state and local officials will provide the business community a glimpse into the coming year’s legislative priorities. Keynote speaker will be North Carolina’s state treasurer, Janet Cowell. Cost: $20 for members; $30 for nonmembers. 7:45-11 a.m. at Old Cabarrus Bank Building, 201 West Ave., Kannapolis. Details: 704-260-8101; www.cabarruschamber.org.

Tuesday

Diversity & Inclusion: Why It’s Important to Your Business and How to Implement:

Join Charlotte Chamber’s SouthPark Chapter to learn why Charlotte companies embrace diversity and inclusion and how these concepts can be incorporated into day-to-day business. Panelists will include Compass Group, Belk and Carolinas Healthcare System. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Maggiano’s Little Italy, 4400 Sharon Road. Details: www.charlottechamber.com/events.

Simple Steps for Starting Your Business:

SCORE presents an introductory workshop focusing on the basics of testing business ideas and identifying key factors that influence start-up success. Cost: $25. 1-4 p.m. at the SCORE Office, 6302 Fairview Road. Details: http://charlotte.score.org/events.

Cause Something:

Sheila Neisler, founder of Catalyst Marketing, will discuss how cause marketing can accelerate your business success at the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) monthly meeting. 5-7:30 p.m. at Byron’s South End, 101 W. Worthington Ave., #110. Cost: $40-$65; register today to avoid late registration cost. Details: www.nawbocharlotte.org.

LACCC Tapas:

Join the Latin American Chamber of commerce for networking and tapas. Cost: Free for members; $10 for nonmembers. 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Carnitas Guanajuato, 5534 Albemarle Road. Register: www.lacccharlotte.com

Setting Up a Home-Based Business:

Find out what you need to know about home-based businesses. Get the latest on tax implications; discover ways to save money, tips for organizing your paperwork, how to separate home life from work life and how technology can help you run your home business smoothly. Free. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, #49643 Room 11, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis. Details: www.rccc.edu/sbc/courses-and-seminars.

SocialNet Monthly Networking for Social Entrepreneurs:

The Queen City Forward SocialNet is a group of purpose-driven entrepreneurs who meet monthly to learn, share and grow as leaders and change-makers. Join facilitated discussions and build your personal network. Cost: $5 for members; $15 for nonmembers. Packard Place, 222 S. Church St., Suite 100. Details: http://queencityforward.org.

Jan. 9

Meet & Greet:

Maximize connections at this Charlotte Chamber speed networking event. Free for Chamber members; $25 for nonmembers (includes continental breakfast). 7:30-9 a.m. at Costco, 500 Tyvola Road. Details: www.charlottechamber.com/events.

What You Need to Know About Human Resources for 2013:

Charlotte Chamber’s Survive & Thrive breakfast will address issues relevant to a small business and provide educational resources. Panelists will provide insight on healthcare updates, hiring and firing practices, retaining valuable employees, and the importance of drug and background checks. 7:30-9 a.m. at Charlotte Chamber - Belk Action Center, 330 S. Tryon St.

2013 Economic Outlook:

Join Charlotte Chamber’s East Chapter for an in-depth presentation by Tim Quinlan, Wells Fargo Economist. This session will provide a general overview of the U.S. economy and examine the drivers of economic growth, while considering prospects for balancing the budget and avoiding the fiscal cliff. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the VanLandingham Estate, 2010 The Plaza.

Getting to the Core of Business: The Inside Scoop:

Get details about the CORE strategic development program, designed for existing business owners. Offered exclusively at CPCC, this program walks through exactly how to build a strategy to successfully market and run your own businesses. Free. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at CPCC Central Campus, 1112 Charlottetowne Ave. Reference #SBX 8034, Section 501. Details: 704-330-4223; www.cpcc.edu/einstitute.

Jan. 10

Start Your Business Now:

Learn how to start off right and increase the odds of your business being successful. Free. 5:30- 7:30 p.m. at University Library, 301 E. WT Harris Blvd. Reference #SBX7525, Section 501. Details: 704-330-4223; www.cpcc.edu/einstitute.

Jan. 15

Business Start Up:

Get step-by-step instructions on how to start a small business and increase the odds of success. Free. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Room 4213, 400 building, North Campus, 1333 Jake Alexander Blvd., Salisbury. Details: www.rccc.edu/sbc/courses-and-seminars.

Business Plan Basics:

Turn your business ideas into a solid plan for financing and long-term success. Get a general overview and basic understanding of the components of a typical business plan. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at CPCC Central Campus, 1112 Charlottetowne Ave. Reference # SBX 7805, Section 501. Details: 704-330-4223; www.cpcc.edu/einstitute.

Jan. 16

Getting to the Core of Business: Strategic Development Program:

Efficio’s Getting to the CORE of Business Strategic Development Program is a systematic process that teaches how to integrate, implement and execute a focused growth strategy. Designed for entrepreneurs who want to expand an existing business and need the skills to make it grow. Cost: $595; partial scholarships may be available. 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 16-May 1 at CPCC Central Campus, 1112 Charlottetowne Ave. Reference #SBX 7353-01. Details: 704-330-4223; www.cpcc.edu/einstitute.

Nonprofit Trends:

There have been significant changes in the nonprofit sector, and as a result, the changes have raised questions about how organizations will operate and maintain their infrastructure. Free. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at CPCC Central Campus, 1112 Charlottetowne Ave. Reference #SBX 7884, Section 501. Details: 704-330-4223; www.cpcc.edu/einstitute.

Jan. 17

Funding Your Business:

Review the various forms of equity and debt financing including conventional bank loans, SBA guaranteed loans, private loans, venture capital, factored receivables, credit cards and supplier trade credit. Free. 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Beatties Ford Road Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road. Reference #SBX 7529, Section 501. Details: 704-330-4223; www.cpcc.edu/einstitute.

ABC’s of Starting a Small Business:

Discuss aspects of small business management, including licensing (federal, state, and local), as well as how to start a business. Free. 6:30-9 p.m. at Gaston College, room KCC114B, Kimbrell Campus, 7220 Wilkinson Blvd., Belmont. Details: 704-922-6447; http://startabiz.gaston.edu.

Social Media Lab for Small Business Owners: All About LinkedIn:

Presenter Holly Czuba will show how to use LinkedIn for your business. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Room 9206, Cabarrus Business & Technology Center, 1531 Trinity Church Road, Concord. Details: www.rccc.edu/sbc/courses-and-seminars.

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