TAMIU SBDC Offers Classes Aimed at Sharpening Business Management Skills

Texas A&M International University Small Business Development Center (TAMIU SBDC) will offer a four-course series aimed at sharpening business management skills in December for business owners and managers.

Courses will be presented by experts in each field and will include Motivational Language, Business Etiquette, Hiring Best Practices, and Time Management, said Michael González, TAMIU SBDC director.

Each course is open to the public, can be taken separately and have individual registration fees, he added. All courses will be offered at TAMIU.

“These courses are designed for business owners and managers who wish to improve their business skills in preparation for the new year,” he said, “We have gathered experts in each area to deliver the course in an engaging format that will both engage and inform participants.”

Classes, schedules, locations and descriptions are as follow:

Motivating Language - Thursday, December 7, from 1- 4:30 p.m., Student Center Room 231, Registration Fee: $125. Instructors: Dr. Jacqueline Mayfield, TAMIU professor of Management and Dr. Milton Mayfield, TAMIU professor of management. Course Description: This course will provide participants with cutting-edge tools and strategies, known as Motivating Language, that they can use today to better communicate with their staff, business partners, and stakeholders. This course is taught by the Mayfields, originators of the theory and authors of a book entitled, “Motivating Language Theory: Effective Leader Talk in the Workplace.”

Business Etiquette – Friday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Student Center, room 231, Registration Fee: $100. Instructor: A.B. Barrera, CO-CEO of PMDG Marketing Communications. Course Description: Business Etiquette is essential for business success. Business Etiquette includes more than just a proper handshake, it also consists in knowing how to introduce clients at work, being sensitive to the culture one’s clients are pursuing and when to write a thank you note. This class will introduce participants to these concepts.

Hiring Best Practices – Thursday, Dec. 14, from 1-4 p.m., Student Center, room 231, Registration Fee: $100. Instructor: Deirdre Pattillo, project manager for Employer Services for the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network Procurement Technical Assistance Center, UTSA Institute for Economic Development. Course Description: A key skill for great small business managers and owners is the ability to hire well. This course will provide an overview of the hiring process for small businesses as well as the latest hiring best practices to implement in businesses.

Time Management – Friday, Dec. 15, from 1-4:30 p.m., Student Center, room 231. Registration Fee: $100. Instructor: Salvador Mercado, Value Engineering expert and engineer. Course Description: A business person’s most valuable resources is his or her time. Time is money, but do people know how to get the most of their time? This course will introduce participants to the concept of time management and provide them with tools they need to manage their time efficiently. It will also help participants understand how proper time management can benefit their business.

 For registration information, please contact the TAMIU SBDC at 956.326.2827, or visit the TAMIU SBDC website at sbdc.tamiu.edu.