Apr 26, 2017 | Education, Small Business
Petra Marquart
What keeps you up at night? Employee engagement? Service quality? The quality of your customer service can determine your success – or failure!
Petra Marquart, President of Petra Marquart and Associates, will present a comprehensive approach to customer service at the upcoming Hawaii Small Business Conference. Marquart’s topic, “The Power of Service in Small Business Success,” covers the complex issues that affect people’s performance and dedication to work. “I will offer clear instructions on how to create a setting in which productivity, creativity and passion abound,” said Marquart. “The goal is maintaining a high-quality experience for customers.
In a case study, Michael Moore, owner of Na Hoaloha ‘Ekolu, will team up with keynote speaker Maggie Bayless of ZingTrain, Inc., to explain how strong focus on training and leadership development is key to employee satisfaction and retention. “Employee empowerment produces a shared commitment to community engagement,” Moore said. “We’ve been partnering with ZingTrain for many years now. Throughout the history of our businesses, Old Lahaina Luau, Aloha Mixed Plate, Star Noodle, Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop, and Hoaloha Farms, our focus on training and leadership development has been key to employee satisfaction and retention.”
Marquart’s case studies in customer service feature local businesses: Mama’s Fish House, Maui Soda and Ice Works, and Pukalani Superette. “We continue to value the support of our customers,” said Aric Nakashima, owner of Pukalani Superette. “Our store has endured because it has kept up with the times, yet held on to its friendly, neighborhood feel.” Karen Christenson, Mama’s Fish House owner, said, “Our motto is to provide stellar service to our customers.” Agreeing, David Nobriga of Maui Soda and Ice Works said, “Family and community service are our core values.”
On May 4, Marquart will run a 2.5 hour workshop and invites Maui business owners to bring their service and employee issues so that she can explore solutions and answers specific to their everyday challenges. For information and reservations for the 2017 Hawaii Small Business Conference, visit www.HawaiiSmall.biz.
Businesses need solutions and suggestions as to how their organizations can create environments in which people thrive; inspiring them to provide world-class service.
Petra Marquart, President, Petra Marquart and Associates
For information and reservations, visit www.HawaiiSmall.biz.
Apr 19, 2017 | Education, Small Business
Are you confused about the dizzying array of marketing options for your business?
Are you struggling with how to market your business on a tight budget?
You are not alone.
Albert Samuelian
At the upcoming Hawaii Small Business Conference, Albert Samuelian, Managing Director, OMD West and Strategy, will share his expertise on “Powerful Marketing Strategies with a Small Business Budget.” Samuelian will discuss how small businesses can use social media and marketing resources within their budgets to get the word out about their products and services. With more than 20 years of experience, including 6 years with the Hawaii Visitor’s Bureau, he specializes in combining marketing strategies using multi-media communication methods.
“My work focuses on strong integration across all forms of marketing that is consumer-focused and solution-oriented,” Samuelian explained. “I’m most excited about sharing utility-based marketing innovations that impact people’s lives in meaningful ways.”
Risk Management is another area that businesses need to consider. Drew Nagai, Assistant Vice President for Risk and Safety Management, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, will share the latest tools and strategies to assist business clients with managing their risk. “Every business is open to potential risks including the weather, fire, data loss, numerous types of theft, and a myriad of other damaging events,” said Nagai. “The goal during the session is to define, assess, and quantify what risks would most likely create an unrecoverable situation for your business.”
Hosted by Maui Economic Development Board and the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, the Hawaii Small Business Conference (HSBC) on May 3-4 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center is timed to coincide with the United States National Small Business Week. The conference will provide business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees with an opportunity to expand their expertise in numerous industry-related subjects.
First day sessions will involve a combination of renowned specialists, plenary panels, and case studies on specific subjects such as Bottom Line Change®, Dimensions of Marketing, Customer Service, Data Security, and Risk Management. The second day will consist of workshops that will dive deeper into some of the subjects, including one on Tax Strategies for Small Businesses.
For information and reservations visit www.HawaiiSmall.Biz , email smallbiz@medb.org, or call (808) 875-2300.
Guidance on integrated marketing strategies is key for all business owners and I’m excited to share these at Hawaii Small Business Conference.
Albert Samuelian, Managing Director, OMD West and Strategy
Apr 12, 2017 | Education
How safe is your business data?
Are you an easy target for hackers?
How can you protect yourself from cyber-crime?
Data Security will be a key topic at the Hawaii Small Business Conference that will help business owners find practical IT (Information Technology) solutions that fit into how their company operates and what they can afford. “We want to present people with the realities of what cyber-crimes exist now, what we can expect to see in the future, and then suggest defenses that their businesses can take to mitigate or eliminate these risks,” said Gerry Smith, MEDB Director of Business Development. “There will be insights into how clever these criminals are, examples of actual crimes that could have been prevented through awareness, plus much more.”
Edward Arias
The presentation on Data Security and Small Business by Edward Arias, FBI Special Agent, Cyber-Crime Squad, Honolulu Division; and Matt Freeman, Senior Manager, IP & Managed Services, Hawaiian Telcom, will offer insights on how to sharpen your understanding of risks with your online ventures. “Arias will explore data-security from the perspective of the criminal, outlining the vulnerabilities and ‘holes’ in security that make many businesses perfect targets,” Smith noted. “Freeman will approach it from the opposite perspective, concentrating on what a small company can do to prevent being a victim of cyber-crime.”
“For the last several years, my focus has been on building Information Security programs for businesses,” Freeman said. “I spend my days — and nights — helping business owners prepare their own individual defenses. I am confident I can provide conference participants with an interesting perspective for defense than aligns with Arias’s insights on attacks.”
The first-ever Hawaii Small Business Conference at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on May 3-4 offers innovative specialists and leaders in all sectors of the business community. Hosted by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) and the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, the two-day conference will offer keynote speakers, case studies, workshops, networking, and product and service exhibits.
For information and reservations for the 2017 Hawaii Small Business Conference, visit www.HawaiiSmall.Biz.
Con artists are targeting people. At the Hawaii Small Business Conference we will share what you can do to prevent scams and hacking and increase your online security.
Edward Arias, FBI Special Agent, Cyber-Crime Squad, Honolulu Division
Apr 5, 2017 | Education, Small Business
On May 3–4, 2017, Maui Economic Development Board, in collaboration with Maui County’s Office of Economic Development, will present the first-ever Hawaii Small Business Conference. The theme, Design, Protect, Engage: Small Business Strategies for Success, aims to provide business stake-holders with a rare opportunity to sharpen their professional expertise and skills.
“This year’s theme aptly describes what attendees will gain from this empowering two-day event,” said Teena Rasmussen, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. “Not only will entrepreneurs, owners, and employees of new and established businesses learn how to take their business to the next level, but also they’ll gain insights on how to stay ahead of the competition.”
Maggie Bayless
Conference attendees will network face-to-face with innovative business leaders and hear their insights, best practices, and tricks of the trade on a variety of topics. They can also take advantage of workshops and exhibits while promoting their goods and services. The first keynote presenter, Maggie Bayless, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, ZingTrain, will explore the elements of leadership and employee behavior that improve the performance of an organization in some meaningful way. Bottom Line Change®, her company’s training framework for teaching key principles of business, is a simple and clear practice for creating change. “At ZingTrain, we show how to strengthen every aspect of the business, based on five key elements: teaching, defining, living, measuring, and rewarding. Then we show the steps to great customer service: find out what the customer wants; get it for them accurately, politely, and enthusiastically; and go the extra mile. Outstanding methods are central to our own businesses and are the template for much of our training work.”
You can’t over-communicate,” Bayless explained. “People need to hear something many times to really take it in. All this communication pays off when they understand what they need to do and are able to make good decisions based on new information. Since most of our businesses are hitting their goals, this tells me we’re doing at least a few things right.”
ZingTrain instruction begins with a long-term vision, defining where you are going, what success looks like, and how to get from here to there.
Maggie Bayless, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, ZingTrain
Mar 29, 2017 | Environment
Art Thomas’ Kona Ice business operates two unique shaved ice trucks on Maui that cater to parties, fundraisers and events of all types. Thomas, a technology teacher at Kalama Intermediate School, owns trucks that are not only fun to look at: they serve the coolest shaved ice around. “In our six-plus years, we are proud to have raised over $100,000 for local student organizations,” said Thomas. “It’s essential to establish team scholarships for players based on financial need. I grew up in a poor household and received generous donations to participate in sports programs. Because I was afforded that opportunity, I want to give back.”
Most of Kona Ice’s business is done at youth sports events. Once proper paperwork is approved with the county, the trucks show up at the events and give 20 to 30 per cent of the profits to the organization. “It’s the perfect snack that meets all of the federal nutrition guidelines for schools and is one of the easiest ways to reward students and raise some funds at the same time,” said Thomas.
Kona Ice has been a key contributor within the Maui soccer community as well as to robotics and engineering programs, Hawaiiana clubs, and more. “Through its vending at Hawaii Soccer Federation (HSF) leagues and events, and then giving back a portion of its proceeds, Kona Ice has been providing sweet memories and financial support towards the development of youth on Maui,” said Vernon Kapua’ala, HSF President and CEO. “In the past two years, HSF’s leagues and programs have expanded to include more players, teams and programs, on Maui, Kauai, the Big Island, and Oahu. Kona Ice’s support of HSF has helped to empower that growth. This stems from Thomas’ understanding of community, and the idea that giving back is an integral part of producing a community that thrives. We send many mahalos to the Thomas ohana for their service to our youth organizations, and hope our partnership and friendship continues for many years to come!”
We are committed to giving back to the youth in our communities. It’s not an afterthought, it’s who we are!
Art Thomas, Kalama Intermediate School Technology Teacher, Kona Ice Owner
