Updated with new event date.
Orange County cities will partner with business groups and nonprofits early next year as part of a program to help “100 businesses for 100 days.”
On Feb. 23, Concordia University in Irvine will host the first regional version of the program, which previously had a more limited reach. Since 2010, more than 2,000 businesses and city officials have participated, organizers said in a press release. (Patch is a media sponsor of the event.)
Buena Park, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, San Bernardino and Santa Ana hosted the earlier efforts, presented by Opis Network. The program is now open to businesses throughout Southern California and aims to help with:
- Building and leading a diverse team
- Defining a “value proposition”
- Understanding business and consumer intelligence
- Determining competitive positioning
- Natural marketing and selling
- Brand significance and loyalty
- Hosting “flash cash mobs”
According to organizers, the program gives struggling businesses the opportunity for guidance. Opis Network, based in Newport Beach, developed the program “to provide a blueprint for success and the tools to implement these business-changing steps.” After the initial event, there are three live classes and six teleseminars. Every 10 days businesses will be contacted.
No business will be turned away, the organizers say; any number can be accommodated. The "100 businesses" tagline originated from a goal in 2010.
Cities have been asked to have a council member show up or provide the city's marketing material to display and post the event on their websites, but they are not funding the program.
The February workshop and networking event is scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The $20 admission includes continental breakfast and the opportunity to participate in the successive 100-day program, which may be free to qualifying businesses.
Opis CEO Dave Naidu, major developer of the program, will be the facilitator.
For information, call 949-371-5811, visit OpisNetwork.com or email norm@opismail.com or click here to RSVP.
Concordia University is at 1530 Concordia West, Irvine.
