The Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce has once again sold out its free Small Business Development Academy training program this fall, but at deadline had yet to do so for its Norwalk Leadership Institute that, for a fee, brings local managers up to speed on municipal issues.
Norwalk is one of several cities that offer such programs to area businesses, along with Stamford, Danbury and Bridgeport.
“This is a really great program for people who are up and coming in their companies, or who may be new to the area,” said Ed Musante, president of the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce. “People get introduced to all the movers and shakers in our area (and) all the challenges.”
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The Small Business Development Academy kicked off Sept. 23, scheduling a talk by Cliff Ennico, a Fairfield attorney who is the former host of “Money Hunt,” a PBS program for entrepreneurs. The evening program also featured Douglas Campbell, managing director of the Darien-based Success Coach.
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Subsequent academy sessions will address business plans, raising capital, marketing, maximizing profits, using technology, and customer service. The sessions are scheduled Wednesdays through Nov. 11 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Doubletree Norwalk Hotel at 789 Connecticut Ave.
While the Norwalk Leadership Institute carries an $800 tuition, the chamber will consider waiving the fee for nonprofit workers; and has been soliciting corporations to provide gifts in that amount so it can deliver full scholarships to those who cannot otherwise afford the fee.
On the eve of the program, a few slots were still open, according to Brian Griffin, vice president of the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce.
Nearly 500 people have participated in the Norwalk Leadership Institute since it was established in 1981, and the program is set to begin anew Sept. 30 for an eight-week run though Dec. 9. This year”™s chairman is Richard Clemens II, a senior vice president of Fairfield County Bank.
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The Norwalk Leadership Institute commences with a bus tour of the city guided by Tad Diesel, Norwalk”™s director of marketing and business development; and a boat tour led by Michael Greene, director of planning and zoning.
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Subsequent session topics are to include economic development, education, local government, work-force development, and principles of leadership, and will include speakers like Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia; Norwalk Hospital CEO Geoffrey Cole; Stew Leonard”™s Inc. CEO Stew Leonard Jr.; and News 12 anchor Tom Appleby.
Griffin expects the topics of the recession and federal stimulus impact on municipal services to be brought up during the seminars.
In addition to shepherding participants through the maze of municipal agencies, the Norwalk Leadership Institute also carves out time for group projects. Last year”™s group organized a green expo held this past February at Norwalk Community College. Stephen Arena, a Northrop Grumman Corp. employee who participated in last year”™s program, said he found organizing the expo to be the most rewarding activity, helping businesses and homeowners track down financial incentives for energy and environmental savings.
