Business calendar | Charlotte Observer

Changes are in the works for business listings on Google Maps, so make sure your business is properly registered. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College hosts this free special session that will help you verify your business and make sure your information is complete and accurate. The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association has partnered with Google to conduct this free workshop. Bring your laptop or tablet. Three sessions: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. at Cabarrus Business & Tech Center, Room 9281, 660 Concord Pkwy N., Concord; 6 - 7 p.m. at Rowan-Cabarrus at N.C. Research Campus, Room 234, 399 Biotechnology Lane, Kannapolis; and Nov. 13, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., North Campus Building 400, Room 4214, 1333 Jake Alexander Blvd., S., Salisbury. For details and to register: www.rccc.edu/sbc, or call 704-216-3534.

Knowing how to correctly use digital media helps to ensure that your business reaches and secures as many new customers as possible. This three hour seminar provides an overview of digital media such as YouTube, and provides tips for creating effective media you can use to promote your business. Free. 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Location: Catawba Valley Community College Small Business Center, 2664 Highway 70 SE, Hickory. Register at bit.ly/1KF3r3V.

Charlotte SCORE – a volunteer organization with free assistance to individuals wanting to start or expand their small business - is sponsoring Simple Steps for Starting Your Business seminars this fall. Free. 5:45-8 p.m. on Nov. 17 and Dec. 22 at Packard Place, 222 S. Church St. For details: 704- 344-6576 or go to www.charlotte.score.org.

Luncheon keynote speaker Sunil Erevelles of the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte will speak on “The Future of Business: Innovation or Death.” Cost: $50-$100. 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Mint Museum - Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St. Details at www.lacccharlotte.com.

Are you looking to consolidate all your social media accounts into one spot? Or schedule your marketing Tweets, Facebook posts, and LinkedIn updates weeks in advance? Learn how to use Hootsuite, the popular, free social media management tool designed to make your social media communications simple and consistent. Free. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, North Campus, Room 4133, 1333 Jake Alexander Blvd., S., Salisbury. For details and to register: www.rccc.edu/sbc.

Learn how to network strategically and effectively, whether you are a new college grad or a CEO looking to expand your circle. Charlotte entrepreneur Terri DeBoo hosts a three-class bootcamp on Dec. 1, 9 and 16. Fee: $300. For information and to register: www.networkingsherpa.com or 704-756-5113.

Learn about federal certifications: Woman-Owned Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Veteran & Service Disabled Veteran Program, 8(a) Business Development Program, and the HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program. Free. 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Location: SBA District Office, 6302 Fairview Road, Suite 300, Charlotte. For more information, contact Erin Connell at 704-344-6590.

HP Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (HP LIFE) is a global program that offers aspiring entrepreneurs and small business-owners valuable business skills. The N.C. Small Business Center Network, in partnership with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, is offering this program to North Carolina entrepreneurs and small business owners free of charge. Online. Register at bit.ly/1Oqam6W.

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