Business Accelerator Series
Tools to manage, grow, and protect your organization brought to you by the Brookline Chamber of Commerce in partnership with BU.
The program kicks off in March and consists of eight monthly sessions, each including a one-hour webinar and a one-hour in-person workshop to implement the skills learned in the webinar. In-person workshops will be at the Courtyard Marriott in Brookline, except for the 5/8 workshop, which will take place at a BU classroom in COM.
The series is open to businesses in Boston and Brookline, with sessions led by BU professors including Amy Shanler and Kim Dolan and other industry experts covering key topics:
There are 8 sessions total – you decide which are important for you to attend. The first week of every month, we’ll offer two options for a webinar (early morning and evening), and then one in-person workshop for some hands-on practice. Webinars are on Mondays at 6 PM and Tuesdays at 8:30 AM each month. Attendees can only attend one. Followed by the in-person workshop later that same week.
Brand Strategy - 3/3 or 3/4 webinar, 3/6 workshop
In a world of fierce competition, understanding your unique value is the only way to stand apart. This session will focus on defining (or redefining) what the brand is and how to use it as a competitive advantage. You’ll also craft a compelling positioning statement and memorable brand story for your current and prospective customers.
Digital and Traditional Marketing - 3/31 or 4/1 webinar, 4/3 workshop
Reaching prospective customers is complicated - especially when you aren’t an experienced marketer. We’ll focus on how to create easy, consistent campaigns that drive prospective customers to your site or store. You’ll learn to engage and influence potential customers with the right content and platforms.
Public and Media Relations - 5/5 or 5/6 webinar, 5/8 workshop
Including media and public relations strategies unlock promotional and brand awareness opportunities that will grow your reputation and improve your standing in the minds of consumers. You’ll explore simple, cost-effective ways to build trust and gain visibility.
Human Resources - 6/2 or 6/3 webinar, 6/5 workshop
Recruiting, retaining, and managing talent has never been more important. The focus will be on how to craft the right job descriptions, provide fair compensation, training and development programs, and file the right paperwork to remain compliant.
Accounting - 9/8 or 9/9 webinar, 9/11 workshop
Making sound decisions for your business means improving your comfort and confidence in financial analysis. In this session, you’ll learn (or relearn) the importance of setting up your accounting system in a way that helps you understand your business, interpret your financial statements, and align it with your strategic goals.
Banking / Funding - 10/6 or 10/7 webinar, 10/9 workshop
Whether you are at the start, growth, or expansion stage, there are many options and sources for funding your business. But who and how to approach funding decisions is overwhelming. In this session, you’ll dive deeper into smart ways to manage cash flow and how to support your business with the right funding relationships.
AI to Streamline Your Business - 11/3 or 11/4 webinar, 11/6 workshop
Explore concrete examples and best practices for using AI to solve business challenges. Learn how you improve productivity, find customer insights, ideate new product and service offerings, and generate marketing campaigns
Leadership and Management - 12/1 or 12/2 webinar, 12/4 workshop
In this workshop, you’ll focus on you and your strengths. How do you articulate your vision, collaborate effectively, navigate conflict, make good decisions, and inspire others to work to make your vision a reality?
Amid today’s uncertain business climate, the Business Accelerator Series is an opportunity to learn new skills, strategies, and connections to help you grow, manage, and protect your business.
