Networking Opportunities

The Minnesota Cup is an annual, statewide competition that seeks out aspiring entrepreneurs and their breakthrough ideas. We are looking for the next great entrepreneurial success story in our state.

This competition is for all entrepreneurs, whether your breakthrough idea is high tech or no tech, whether you are just putting your ideas into a business plan or if you've been out building your venture.

The 2012 competition will launch March 26th and entries will be accepted through May 18th. Send an email to support@breakthroughideas.org if you would like to be placed on the notification list for the 2012 competition.

For the latest news on past Minnesota Cup semi-finalists, finalists and winners, please see our In the News page.

http://www.breakthroughideas.org/

The Anderson Center has released its 2012 Forum Calendar, offering a wide variety of leadership training and professional development programs for executive-level management.

The Anderson Center provides engaging management education and leadership development forums for executives across Greater Minnesota. In Center forums, experienced participants—including owners, directors, executives, managers, advisors and financiers—debate and apply the lessons of real-world case studies guided by highly-skilled Discussion Leaders to improve their organizations.

For more information or to register for the Forums, please contact Venita Wilkes at: (320) 251-5420

"Doing Business Online 'Tourist Style'"
Does your Tourist destination have an online presence? What is an online presence? Restaurants, resorts and businesses which have tourists as customers need to be found easily online. Discover the ways to make your business's online presence known to the tourists and travelers. 

When:      9:00 am - 12:00 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Where:     ISD 318 Administrative Services Building

                Comm Ed Computer Lab

                820 NW First Avenue

                Grand Rapids, MN  55744

Cost:        $0.00 - Free!

Register:  (218) 327-5730

This training is provided through the Blandin Foundation and the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) coalition.  The MIRC coalition brings a network of resources and support to rural Minnesota individuals and communities - especially those unemployed and seeking employment, small businesses, coalitions of government entities, and local leaders.

"Using Cloud for Business"
What is “Cloud Computing”? What are “Cloud Applications and Services for Small Businesses”? Discover the different types of services offered and the potential benefits of using the “Cloud”. This workshop is designed for business managers and owners with basic computer and Internet skills and it offers general guidance and best practices for using cloud based services for businesses. It doesn’t use highly technical language, but will introduce new terms. Participants will be asked to complete a short assignment to try out a cloud computing service, prior to the second session. In the second session, business owners will learn about the key principles to use when using cloud computing services. 

When:      9:00 am - 1:30 pm on Wednesday, April 18, 2012

                Session 1 - 9:00-11:00am; Session 2 - 11:30am-1:30pm

Where:     ISD 318 Administrative Services Building

                Comm Ed Computer Lab

                820 NW First Avenue

                Grand Rapids, MN  55744

Cost:        $0.00 - Free!

Register:  (218) 327-5730

This training is provided through the Blandin Foundation and the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) coalition.  The MIRC coalition brings a network of resources and support to rural Minnesota individuals and communities - especially those unemployed and seeking employment, small businesses, coalitions of government entities, and local leaders.

"Customer Service Online"
Want to focus on providing really good customer service online? Looking to increase your customer contacts or bump up the number of times a customer returns to your site? Providing excellent customer service can get you from the minors to the major league in no time.

When:      1:00 pm - 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Where:     ISD 318 Administrative Services Building

                Comm Ed Computer Lab

                820 NW First Avenue

                Grand Rapids, MN  55744

Cost:        $0.00 - Free!

Register:  (218) 327-5730

This training is provided through the Blandin Foundation and the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) coalition.  The MIRC coalition brings a network of resources and support to rural Minnesota individuals and communities - especially those unemployed and seeking employment, small businesses, coalitions of government entities, and local leaders.

"Roadside Advertising in a Digital Age"
Make sure your business is a roadside destination in the digital world. Does your business have a sign on the digital superhighway? Can people find your business when they search an online map or a GPS device? About 50 million people use GPS units and Smartphones while even more use digital maps like Google Maps to find goods or services. Digital maps not only describe in detail how to reach a destination, but give advice on the goods or services. You will gain the know-how and learn the tools to get on digital maps.

When:      9:00 am - 12:00 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Where:     ISD 318 Administrative Services Building

                Comm Ed Computer Lab

                820 NW First Avenue

                Grand Rapids, MN  55744

Cost:        $0.00 - Free!

Register:  (218) 327-5730

This training is provided through the Blandin Foundation and the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) coalition.  The MIRC coalition brings a network of resources and support to rural Minnesota individuals and communities - especially those unemployed and seeking employment, small businesses, coalitions of government entities, and local leaders.

"Mobile e-Marketing"
People everywhere are using hand held mobile devices like iPhones and Android phones to search the Internet. It is become increasingly vital that websites are optimized for viewing through this miniaturized, but highly functional platform. Build your own mobile website or app, and discover how you can integrate things like QR codes and digital coupons into your business.

When:      9:00 am - 12:00 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Where:     ISD 318 Administrative Services Building

                Comm Ed Computer Lab

                820 NW First Avenue

                Grand Rapids, MN  55744

Cost:        $0.00 - Free!

Register:  (218) 327-5730

This training is provided through the Blandin Foundation and the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) coalition.  The MIRC coalition brings a network of resources and support to rural Minnesota individuals and communities - especially those unemployed and seeking employment, small businesses, coalitions of government entities, and local leaders.

"Websites: Do It Yourself"
Explore how easy it is to create your own website. Participants will leave the 3-hour, hands-on workshop with a workbook detailing step-by-step instructions on how to create a website on Google sites. If your business or non profit is ready to increase its web presence without investing a lot of dollars, Websites DIY is for you.

When:      9:00 am - 12:00 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Where:     ISD 318 Administrative Services Building

                Comm Ed Computer Lab

                820 NW First Avenue

                Grand Rapids, MN  55744

Cost:        $0.00 - Free!

Register:  (218) 327-5730

This training is provided through the Blandin Foundation and the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) coalition.  The MIRC coalition brings a network of resources and support to rural Minnesota individuals and communities - especially those unemployed and seeking employment, small businesses, coalitions of government entities, and local leaders.