Workshops Offer Business Professionals Tools for Project Management and Strategic Planning

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Global Campus and Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will offer two classes this fall that provide continuing professional education units and explore project management and strategic planning.

Registration is now open at http://sbtdc.uark.edu for

• “Project Management,” 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, in Room 202 of the Reynolds Center, at the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business. The cost is $35, and 2 hours of general recertification credit by the Human Resource Certification Institute are available.

• “Strategic Planning,” 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, in Room 1023 of the Shewmaker Global Business Development Center at Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville. The cost is $40, and 2 hours of strategic business recertification by the HRCI are available.

 “The business and human resource communities have responded favorably to the partnership between the Global Campus and Arkansas Small Business Technology Center, and they’ve encouraged us to offer more professional development courses,” said Judith Tavano, professional development program coordinator for the Global Campus. “The business world is ever-changing, and professionals are hungry for workshops that help them stay current and connected.”

Mark Tocco, an expert in project management education, will teach “Project Management.” The course will offer a strategically oriented overview of project management and will focus specifically on areas regarding managing small business entities and/or business units.

Tocco has 20 years of experience in management at Ford Motor Company, Hewlett-Packard and Arketype Consulting. He has experience in information technology project management, engineering and account management, business development, project management and compensation management.

Jeff Amerine, who holds a master’s degree in operations management and is a seven-time technology entrepreneur, will teach “Strategic Planning.” The course sets a foundation for multi-disciplinary strategic thinking and evaluation. It will review current best practices in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of strategy.

Amerine held executive positions with three Fortune 500 companies. During his career, he was a strategy consultant for a Deutsche Telekom/SAIC subsidiary called Danet Strategic Consulting. He also teaches entrepreneurship at the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is a university-based economic development program which provides assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout Arkansas via a statewide network of seven offices. As the state's premier business assistance program, the center is dedicated to helping small businesses achieve success and to promoting economic development throughout the state. Visit http://asbtdc.ualr.edu/ for more information.

The Global Campus (School of Continuing Education and Academic Outreach) partners with other university units, businesses and organizations to offer innovative learning solutions for people seeking to maintain professional certification, boost their skills, or obtain undergraduate or graduate degrees online or off-campus. The school also offers media services, conference services and facilities, and technology and pedagogy support. Visit http://globalcampus.uark.edu to learn more.