Workshop to help small businesses focus on value of services

Oakland County and its Business Forward team, the Southfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and Amazon are co-hosting a special workshop for small businesses that focuses on how to attract customers by highlighting the value of their services.

The workshop, titled “Powering Your Business Forward with Amazon,” which will include a presentation on Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator program, will take place at the Southfield Public Library, 26500 Evergreen Road, from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 28. The event is free, but registration is required. To register, visit OakGov.com/BusinessForward or call 248-931-8048 for more information.

“Our Business Forward team is committed to helping Oakland County’s small businesses succeed and thrive,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said.

The workshop’s speakers include Amazon’s Jillian Blackwell, global senior marketing, communications and change management leader for Amazon’s Global Operations Learning and Development (GOLD) team, who will discuss the importance of providing value to customers and Clawanna Etherly, sales team lead for the Black Business Accelerator program at Amazon in Detroit.

Oakland County’s Business Forward team will also provide information on its support services for small businesses, enabling entrepreneurs to access information, resources, and funding. The Southfield Chamber of Commerce will share how it creates connections that drive and strengthen businesses.

Business Forward is Oakland County’s initiative to embed business consultants in communities to provide resources and services to small businesses, with a special focus on minority-, woman-, and veteran-owned businesses.