Native Edge Institute - Washington

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Welcome

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Strategic and Operational Planning for Native American Small Businesses

• Discuss operational strategy for business transformation across industries.
• Enhanced operations strategies that drive efficiency, cost benefits, & competitive advantage cross industry expertise.

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Pivoting in a Pandemic- Accessing Capital for Your Business

• Learn more about financing for tribes and individual small businesses.
• Education on loan programs that help facilitate financing for borrowers.
• Helping you to secure reasonable interest rates and reduce risks.
• Bridging the gap for lenders and borrowers for all to prosper.

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Empowering your Business: Technical Advice that can Help Sustain and Grow your Business

• Learn about how the PTACs provide local, in-person counseling and training services for you, the small business owner.
  • They are designed to provide technical assistance to businesses who desire to sell products and services to federal, state, and/or local governments.

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM: Limit Turnover and Retain Employees- Leadership Styles Needed in the Workplace

• The importance of culture and the impacts of culture in retaining employees.
• How companies manage their infrastructure to keep employees safe, manage pandemic leave, and more.
• Leadership’s impact in hiring a successful team.
• Leadership and relationship building of Tribes and assisting small businesses.

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM: Government Contracting & Business Development Updates

• Training on nascent federal contractors regarding the benefits of participating in various small business contracting and set-aside programs.
• Eligibility criteria, affiliation concerns, program benefits, and how to maintain eligibility.
• Small Business Contracting Programs for 8(a) Business Development, HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Women Owned Small Business, and Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business Programs.

2:45PM–3:45PM: Small Business Owner Panel – Q & A/ Tips for Inspiring Colleagues

• Briefings by the small business leadership responsible for Native American small businesses.
• A review of agencies’ forecasts, policy updates, and program processes to position your entity for success.
• Discussion on ways to navigate business ownership through networking and leadership.

3:45PM–4:45PM: Avenues of Economic Development - Partnerships that Work

• Discussion on ways the small business owner can harness and grow their business through networking, leadership, and their economic strengths and assets.
• Economic development is the necessary and beneficial tool that allows communities and states to flourish in a fast-paced world.
• Avenues of promoting economic development, sometimes in unexpected and surprising ways.