HIGH TECH + HIGH TOUCH = HIGHER PROFITS
 
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many of us to go digital in an effort to avoid physical contact as much as possible. As the Caribbean tourism industry shifts into the future, many hotels are figuring out how to use technology to their advantage while maintaining a warm and memorable guest experience. Listen to our expert panelists for their experience and insight into:
 
  • New industry innovations you can apply to your business
  • How to make the guest experience as seamless as possible
  • Helping staff understand how to use new digital tools
  • How to decide how high-tech you want to go
  • How to deepen customer engagement and satisfaction while improving your bottom line
 
Your property’s technological tools can be as simple as a QR code for a menu or as high-tech as a completely contactless check-in. It comes down to this: What guest experience are you trying to achieve and what’s your budget? Match the two to get your desired result.
  • VI SBDC Webinar Tuesday with SBA on Nov. 9 at 11 a.m.. To help provide a level playing field for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people or entities, the government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the 8(a) Business Development program. Join SBA USVI Senior Area Manager Wayne Huddleston for information on how to qualify for this program. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. Register here.
  • Basics of Entrepreneurship for Veterans in the USVI on Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. Join PR/USVI SBA Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Outreach Specialist Juan Marrero for resources USVI Veterans need to prosper. This informational webinar is designed to help veterans who are entrepreneurs or small business owners utilize their skills developed in the military to benefit them in entrepreneurship. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. Register here.
  • AARP VI Entrepreneurial Webinar Series - Growing Your Business: Money is NOT the only issue on Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. Join us for free Entrepreneurial workshops sponsored by AARP in the Virgin Islands in collaboration with the VI Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC). You will learn from small business experts the steps to start and grow a successful business. In the beginning an entrepreneur's focus is on the launch of their business. That quickly changes to economic survival after the firm is launched. If the business is able to successfully navigate its first few years of existence, the founders then turn their focus to growing the firm. By “growth” the founders typically think of selling more of the product or service they are currently offering. That could be done IF we just had more money for marketing or more money to increase product inventory, etc. Founders typically believe that more working capital is the only thing holding back the business’s growth. Are you sure? Most businesses are market constrained -- there are a limited number of people interested in buying the firm’s product or service. That is especially true in the territory. How do you possibly grow a business that is market-constrained? It is possible, but the answer is NOT simply more money for marketing. This presentation will show you how to discover what is limiting your business’s growth and develop approaches for addressing those issues. Register here.
  • USVI Grow with Google Webinar Series: Connect with Customers and Manage Your Business Remotely on Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. The VI Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC) in collaboration with Grow with Google present this series of three webinars to help you take your business to the next level. In this presentation, learners will discover Google tools that can help business owners work and manage their business during this time of uncertainty. Register here.
  • VI SBDC Webinar Tuesday with SBA-USVI HUBZone Certification on Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. Join SBA USVI Senior Area Manager Wayne Huddleston for a live Q&A session. Register here.
  • USVI Grow with Google Webinar Series: Make Better Business Decisions with Analytics Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. The VI Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC) in collaboration with Grow with Google present this series of three webinars to help you take your business to the next level. In this presentation, learners will discover best practices and analyze trends about how customers engage with your business online, then turn these insights into well-informed, actionable decisions. Register here.
  • VI EDA Farmers and Fishers Loan Program on Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. The Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (VI EDA) has financial resources available for commercial farmers and fishers. Attend this workshop and learn more about the eligibility and requirements for the Farmers and Fishers Loan Program. Register here.
  • VI SBDC Webinar Tuesday with SBA: COVID-19 Relief Program Updates on Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. Join SBA USVI Senior Area Manager Wayne Huddleston for updates from the SBA on the Covid-19 Relief Programs. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. Register here.
  • USVI Grow with Google Webinar Series: Launch Your Business with Customer-Focused Marketing on Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. The VI Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC) in collaboration with Grow with Google present this series of three webinars to help you take your business to the next level. As a new entrepreneur, you’ll need more than good products or services to grow your business. It’s also important to have strong customer-focused marketing strategies to reach your audience and turn them into loyal customers. In this presentation, learners will visit customer-focused marketing for their small business. Register here.
  • VIEDA Wednesday Webinar: Q&A with VI State Historic Preservation Office Director on Nov. 24 at 10 a.m. The Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (USVIEDA) in partnership with Virgin Islands State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will host a free informational webinar titled, “Q&A with SHPO Director Sean Krigger." Register here.
  • VI SBDC Webinar Tuesday w/ SBA: Marketing Research Utilizing the Dynamic Small Business Search Tool on Nov. 30 at 11 a.m. The Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) collects and displays Small Business Profiles registered in SAM.Gov (System for Award Management). In this webinar with SBA’s Senior Area Manager for the USVI – Wayne Huddleston, learn how small businesses can utilize the DSBS to ensure their business profile is up to date, uniquely differentiating and effective in connecting with government buyers. Register here.
  • VI SBDC Webinar Tuesday w/ SBA: Preparing for the Next Disaster on Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. The SBA will provide information on Preparing for the Next Disaster. A question and answer segment will be included. Register here.
  • Customer Service: The Importance of Soft Skills in the USVI on Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. Learn how local small businesses, Entrepreneurs, Non-Profits, Government entities, and other service providers (Restaurants, Retail, Lodging, Entertainment, etc.) can get a better understanding of how critical Soft Skills are to any work environment, thus making it essential to both employer and employee. Soft Skills help small business owners find, attract and retain clients. This informational webinar will serve as a refresher to the USVI Small Business Community during the holiday season to reinforce our commitment to economic prosperity. There will be a live question and answer segment towards the end of this webinar. Register here.
  • VI SBDC Webinar Tuesday with SBA: How to Secure an SBA Business Loan (5 C's) on Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. Are you in need of a loan to start or grow your business? This webinar will cover what it takes to qualify for a loan, how you can connect with the right lender, and assistance available to help you secure a loan approval for your needs. Join SBA USVI Senior Area Manager Wayne Huddleston for the presentation which will be followed by a Q&A session. Register here.