Fitial declares Small Business Development Month

Gov. Benigo Fitial declared June the Small Business Development Month for the 11th consecutive year in a proclamation signed on Capital Hill Monday, opening a series of management workshops for the local business community.

“I urge the people of the Commonwealth to participate in the small business workshop events and take advantage of the vital services and programs offered to our citizens” by the NMC Small Business Development Center and the Commonwealth Development Authority, Fitial said.

SBDC and CDA have partnered in presenting the four-part workshop series this month on Saipan, Tinian and Rota to business managers and supervisors. The workshops, held at Northern Marianas College locations on each island, include lessons in time management, developing a business plan, leadership skills and how to create financial projections using the computer program Excel. The workshops are free to the public.

“Even folks who are managers or supervisors, whether they are in the private sector or government, we feel they will benefit from having these workshops,” said Eric Plinske, who is presenting the workshop on business planning.

The workshops are important to the CNMI’s business community as a way of spurring new growth in light of its recent economic slump, noted NMC president Carmen Fernandez. In previous years, the workshops have proven effective in helping small business owners promote and manage their work, she said.

“This is really a very crucial time for this kind of assistance,” Fernandez said. “Given our economy’s downturn, this is certainly the most opportune time to able to provide more services to people, especially those that are interested in entrepreneurship.”

Yet despite the CNMI’s economic troubles, Fitial noted during the presentation that the pending military build up on Guam could provide an economic boon for the region’s small businesses, in particular Saipan’s tourism sector.

Saipan should “start gearing up” in anticipation of an increased demand for entertainment and “R&R,” Fitial said, noting the recent advice of a military official on the issue. The CNMI’s tourism sector could have a new “market of 8,000 people” due to the increased Marine Corps presence in the region, the governor added.
For more information on the workshops, contact Loly Kingzio at 234-5498 ext 1210 or e-mail Plinske at ericp@nmcnet.edu. (Stefan Sebastian)

FREE WORKSHOPS

TINIAN WORKSHOPS

Wednesday, June 4

“Essential Skills of Leadership” presented by Dr. Kenneth Shankweiler
8am – 12pm at NMC Tinian
“Time Management” presented by Rik Villegas
1pm – 5pm at NMC Tinian

Wednesday, June 11

“How to Develop a Business Plan” presented by Eric Plinske
8am – 12pm at NMC Tinian
“How to Develop Financial Projections Using MS Excel” presented by Wilhelm Maui
1pm – 5pm at NMC Tinian

ROTA WORKSHOPS

Tuesday, June 17

“Essential Skills of Leadership” presented by Dr. Kenneth Shankweiler
8am – 12pm at NMC Rota
“Time Management” presented by Rik Villegas
1pm – 5pm at NMC Rota

Wednesday, June 25

“How to Develop a Business Plan” presented by Eric Plinske
8am – 12pm at NMC Rota
“How to Develop Financial Projections Using MS Excel” presented by Wilhelm Maui
1pm – 5pm at NMC Rota

SAIPAN WORKSHOPS

Thursday, June 5

“Essential Skills of Leadership” presented by Dr. Kenneth Shankweiler
8am – 12pm at NMC Saipan, Building V, Room 215

Thursday, June 12

“Time Management” presented by Rik Villegas
8am – 12pm at NMC Saipan, Building V, Room 215

Thursday, June 19

“How to Develop a Business Plan” presented by Eric Plinske
8am – 12pm at NMC Saipan, Building V, Room 215

Thursday, June 26

“How to Develop Financial Projections Using MS Excel” presented by Wilhelm Maui
8am – 12pm at NMC Saipan, Building W