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Investing in Your Business Means Investing in Yourself
One of the things I hear regularly from business owners and leaders is that there is never enough time.
There are customers to serve, employees to lead, deadlines to meet, and problems that need solving. Finding time to step away from the day-to-day operation of a business to learn something new can be difficult.
But I also believe some of the best investments we can make in our businesses are investments in ourselves and our teams.
That's why I'm excited about a new partnership between Shawnee Forward and Oklahoma Baptist University to provide professional development opportunities throughout the year for our members. Our goal is simple: bring practical, relevant education to the business community that gives you something you can actually take back and use in your organization.
And we're starting with a topic that seems to be everywhere right now: artificial intelligence.
Don't Be Intimidated by AI
AI is changing quickly, and I know some business owners aren't sure what to make of it. Maybe you've experimented with ChatGPT or another AI tool. Maybe you're already using it regularly. Or maybe you've avoided it altogether because it feels overwhelming, risky, or simply like one more thing you're supposed to learn.
Wherever you are, this session is for you.
On September 14th, Dr. B. R. Dunk, associate professor of business at Oklahoma Baptist University, will lead Practical AI for Small Business: What Works, What Doesn't, and What to Disregard.
Rather than spending an hour talking about the latest technology or trying to turn everyone into an AI expert, B. R. will focus on specific, low-cost ways small businesses and nonprofits can put AI to work right now. He'll also address an equally important part of the conversation: what AI cannot do, what you should be cautious about, and the standards businesses should use when handling data and verifying AI-generated information.
My encouragement is simple: don't be intimidated by AI. Come learn.
You don't have to understand the technology before you walk through the door. That's the entire reason we're offering opportunities like this.
Our role is to help connect our members with information, resources, and people who can help their organizations succeed. Through this partnership with OBU, we have access to faculty expertise that can help our businesses better understand topics ranging from technology and cybersecurity to other challenges they face every day.
Upcoming Professional Development Sessions
October 13 | Cybersecurity 101
Dr. Timothy Darr, Associate Professor of Computer Science
November 10th | Cellphone Photography
Speakers: Paul Bross and Ben Baxter
These professional development sessions are a benefit of membership for Shawnee Forward members, but registration is required.
If you're a member, I encourage you to take advantage of them. Register and bring a member of your team. Encourage an employee who could benefit from the topic to attend. Your Chamber membership isn't limited to the person whose name appears on the invoice. These opportunities are here to help strengthen your organization and develop your people.
And if you're not currently a Shawnee Forward member but regularly read this newsletter, I'd love to have you become part of our business community. Professional development is just one of the ways we're working to provide greater value to our members and help businesses throughout our region connect, learn, and grow.
Register for our upcoming sessions and invest an hour in yourself, your team, and your business. You never know which idea you hear today could make a difference in your organization tomorrow.
Keep connecting. Keep learning. Keep moving Shawnee forward.
~Daniel
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