Kingston, TN - Roane County Chamber of Commerce President Leslie Henderson today announced the launch of a new series of high-powered lunchtime workshops designed to help area business owners - and offered free of charge to all Chamber members.

Henderson explained that the workshops, labeled "Lunch and Learn Workshops" are to help business owners become more successful. The first one will be specifically geared toward addressing today's economic concerns and is titled, "How to Make it in Tough Times".

"These workshops will be taught by some of the smartest folks in the business,' Henderson said of the SCORE counselors who will be conducting the two-hour seminars. "One counselor, for example, is a turn-around specialist who in one instance - and in very short order -- helped a company move under a half a million dollars in annual profit to more than $7 million a year."

Chamber Board Chair Gary Goff said, "When the Chamber first considered a series of workshops we knew we needed someone to create and present them.  We immediately thought of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), a volunteer service organization of retired and working business executives.  Our previous experience with SCORE activities in counseling area businesses and presenting workshops led us to approach them with the concept. 

"We presented the idea to Dana Peterka, a Chamber Board member and current Chairman of the Greater Knoxville SCORE Chapter, and he readily agreed it was an excellent way to reach a greater number of businesses and cover several topics of interest to small businesses."

SCORE has been a partner in The Roane Alliance for several years, providing counseling to small businesses at no charge.

The first workshop in the series is titled "Surviving in Tough Times by Growing the Profitability of Your Existing Business."  Peterka, who has significant experience in marketing and developing competitive strategy, explained that "In today's tough economic times of increasing energy costs and tougher financial criteria, it can be difficult to grow your business. This workshop is designed to examine a business's cost structure so they can take steps to improve profitability." 

The workshop will be held Thursday September 25 from noon to 2 pm and conducted by Peterka and Don Griffin, a SCORE Counselor from Cumberland County with extensive business turn-around experience. 

Henderson explained that additional workshops on different topics are being planned for the fall.

ORNL Federal Credit Union is sponsoring the workshop, which will be held at The Roane Alliance building at 1209 North Kentucky Street in Kingston from noon to 2 pm.  SCORE representatives will be available to answer questions after the workshop.  Lunch and refreshments are included.  Seating is limited, so reservations are required even though there will be no cost to Chamber members.  If there is room, non-Chamber members may also attend with the payment of a $35 fee, which will include lunch. Contact the Roane County Chamber at 865-376-5572 for information on Chamber membership or to reserve a space for the workshop; the slots for the workshops will be assigned on a first come, first-serve basis, with preference given to Chamber members.

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