Retail Rally - Education Series

March 3rd Schedule – WWBIC Madison
Registration – 7:30am - 8am
Networking is encouraged during intermissions
Session 1: 8am - 9am

Customer Service at its Best
How can you differentiate your store from the competition? EXCEPTIONAL OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY SERVICE! Learn how to train and motivate your retail team so they deliver memorable customer service with every sale. Find out how you can turn casual shoppers into regular patrons.

Session 2: 9:30am - 10:30am
Boosting Brick & Mortar Sales with an Online Store
Complementing your brick and mortar sales with a smart-looking and high functioning online store can not
only increase your bottom line, but add credibility to your business. Learn how to create an online “shopping
cart” that is customer-friendly, features your top sellers, and reflects your store’s visual brand.

Session 3: 11am - 12pm
Retail Panel Discussion and Dialogue
Marketing Tips, Lessons Learned, and Answers to YOUR questions!
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June 23rd Schedule – WWBIC Madison
Registration – 7:30am - 8am
Networking is encouraged during intermissions
Session 1: 8am-9pm

Retail Marketing & Branding – Are you keeping up?
There are SO many ways to reach out to your target market these days, how do you know where to put your time and money? Learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of your “brand” and how to create a marketing plan that is right for you. Learn how to get the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to investing in marketing strategies.

Session 2: 9:30am - 10:30am
Efficient Inventory Controls, Management and I.T.
Overwhelmed with the task of taking inventory every year? Are poor inventory systems keeping you from
buying right and getting strong sell-through? Learn how new software systems can make your inventory
management and purchasing decisions easier and more profitable.

Session 3: 11am - 12pm
Retail Panel Discussion and Dialogue
When to Grow Your Business, Lessons Learned, and Answers to YOUR questions!

*Coffee and light refreshments will be made available throughout the morning.
FEE $20/session – 3 sessions for $50
Reduced fee scholarships available. Please contact WWBIC at 608.257.5450 for details.

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Second Round of Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants Open for Applicants

Yesterday, the Office of Skills Development announced the second round of Grant Program Announcements for worker training grant funding opportunities made possible through the Wisconsin Fast Forward legislation signed into law by Governor Walker in 2013.

Up to $15 million was made available during the 2013-15 biennium to address employer needs for skilled workers with demand-driven workforce training.  The program encourages and enables employers to develop customized, skilled and semi-skilled labor training solutions to develop a localized workforce when the skill shortage is supported by labor market information.

This second round of Wisconsin Fast Forward Grant Program Announcements (GPAs) makes up to $7.5 million available for competitive worker training grants in manufacturing, construction, health care, information technology, financial services and transportation, logistics, and distribution occupations. In addition, $500,000 will be made available to small businesses in any industry with 50 or fewer full-time employees to develop employer-specific training programs.

Applications for the grants will be due later this spring. Employers can access the online application, along with instructions and additional details about each GPA at WisconsinFastForward.com.  DWD's Office of Skills Development (OSD) is administering the grant program and will be the point of contact for inquiries.  Additional announcements will be made in the future to address needs and opportunities presented through employer inquiries and economic research by DWD and the strategic partners.

Anyone can sign up through WisconsinFastForward.com for the program's newsletter. The newsletter will provide regular program updates, including announcements of grant awards as well as future funding opportunities.