The Dept. of Business Affairs and Consumer Protections (BACP) offers free business education workshops or webinars every Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning. All programs are currently being offered as webinars. Topics include business licensing, operations, financial resources, marketing, and more. Programs are free and open to the public and taught by industry professionals, not-for-profit agencies, and government agencies.
To register visit www.chicago.gov/businesseducation
Wednesday, 12/13 at 3:00 PM
Building your Value Proposition
Presented by Score Chicago
Without a value proposition, it is difficult to cultivate a market and to develop a business model to deliver the value of the business.
The Business Model Canvas is a powerful Business planning tool that helps entrepreneurs to strategize and execute. The 9 modules form an agile snapshot of key business domains that lay the foundation for viability. Among these modules, the Value Proposition is one of the most important. During this presentation, you will be introduced to the Business Model Canvas and be led through an exercise to articulate your own Value Proposition.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category: Business Planning, Technology, Marketing
Register for the 12/13 Webinar
Thursday, 12/14 at 9:30 AM
Overview of Chicago’s Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance
Presented by Miguel Campos, Assistant Director, Office of Labor Standards
On November 9, 2023, the Chicago City Council passed the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance (the “Ordinance”). The Ordinance guarantees up to five days of paid time off and five days of paid sick leave for all of Chicago’s workers. Employers and workers are encouraged to join this webinar for an overview of the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance, topics discussed will include eligibility, accrual rates, potential payouts, carryover, employee usage, and employer paid time off policies. In addition, there will be a Q&A session at the end.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category :Business Planning, Business Operations, Elective
Register for the 12/14 Webinar
Jueves, 12/14 a las 11:00 AM
Descripción General de la Ley/Ordenanza de Ausencia Pagada Y Tiempo Pagado de Enfermedad y Seguridad de la ciudad de Chicago.
Presentado por Miguel Campos, Subgerente de la Oficina de Normas Laborales
El 9 de noviembre de 2023, el Concejo Municipal de Chicago aprobó la ley/ordenanza de Licencia Pagada y Licencia Pagada por Enfermedad y Seguridad (la "Ley/Ordenanza"). La Ley/Ordenanza garantiza hasta cinco días de licencia pagada y cinco días de licencia pagada por enfermedad para todos los trabajadores de Chicago. Se anima a empresarios y trabajadores a unirse a este seminario web para obtener una visión general de la Ley/Ordenanza de Licencia Pagada de Chicago y Licencia Pagada por Enfermedad y Seguridad, los temas discutidos incluirán la elegibilidad, tasas de acumulación, pagos potenciales, traspaso, uso del empleado y políticas de tiempo libre pagado del empleador. Además, habrá una sesión de preguntas y respuestas al final.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category :Business Planning, Business Operations, Marketing
Registrarse para el seminario web
Thursday, 12/14 at 2:00 PM
Empower Hour: Christmas Everyday
This month’s Empower Hour will feature BACP Commissioner Ken Meyer chatting with Cassandra Lewis, President of Christmas Every Day.
We shine holiday spotlight on Christmas Every Day, a local nonprofit that is a participant on the BACP Nonprofit Capacity Building program. Christmas Every Day's mission is to share benevolence year-round, lighten and lift heavy hearts, bring smiles to sad faces, and comfort those in need of hope. One gift bag of joy at a time. Our vision is to restore families and communities by continually providing essentials that will better their daily living in desperate conditions.
The candid conversation will cover the start of the nonprofit, nonprofit operations, nonprofit capacity building, and utilizing resources. The webinar will end with a Q&A for attendees to ask questions.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category: Elective
Register for the 12/14 Webinar
Friday, 12/15 Webinar at 9:30 AM
How To Better Engage And Expand Your Customer Base in 2024
Presented by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) members Faith Hurley and Stacy Callighan, the Co-founders of PinPoint Collective
It’s no longer enough for us as founders, business owners, or leaders to make vital business decisions based on mere assumptions about what we THINK people want. As we gear up for 2024, regardless of your industry or whether you offer products or services, start the year by getting to know your audiences better. Join us in this session, where we will talk about understanding your consumers' 'why,' driven by their authentic and individualized concerns and needs - the things that genuinely matter to them and fuel their purchasing behaviors. Use these insights to mold your branding, services, offerings, and messages to engage and expand your audience base.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category: Business Planning, Business Operations, Marketing
Register for the 12/15 Webinar
Reminders and Resources:
Tips to Protect Chicago's Businesses
The City of Chicago is working diligently to ensure that our business community is prepared for the potential for events, large demonstrations, protest activity and civil unrest. You can view the proactive steps businesses can take to stay protected which include signing up for ChiBiz Emergency Alerts, joining Chicago's Public Private Partnership Initiative, and staying alert.
Neighborhood Business Development Centers
Chicago-based chambers of commerce and business support organizations, often referred to as Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC), assist in the development of small businesses in Chicago, serve as liaison between local businesses and the City of Chicago, and provide neighborhood business development services. They have have a strong neighborhood network and coordinate efforts with local aldermen, the City, and other community partners. They can help start-up entrepreneurs and existing business owners. Find your local NBDC by visiting chicago.gov/NBDC.
Business Education Resources:
To view upcoming webinars, visit www.chicago.gov/businesseducation
To view past webinars, visit www.YouTube.com/ChicagoBACP