Opening address: Cultivating and rewarding entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship and innovation are the cornerstone of Carlene Cassidy’s role as CEO of the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation supporting 24 programs and donating more than $24 million to foster new business growth and economic opportunities. Based in Annapolis, the Ratcliffe Foundation provides funding to institutions in non-traditional business fields such as skilled trades, arts & design, and aquaculture and environmental sciences. CCBC’s Center for Business Innovation is proud to partner with the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation to produce B’More BOLD Business Conference for Entrepreneurs and Innovators.

Speaker: Carlene Cassidy, CEO, Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation

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The secrets of team building from Baltimore Ravens “Wizard,” Ozzie Newsome Jr.

Legendary GM of the Baltimore Ravens, known affectionately as “The Wizard,” Ozzie Newsome Jr., reveals how leaders can build winning teams using the same tactics he used that helped the Ravens win two Super Bowls. Ozzie Newsome’s legacy is unlike any the game of football has produced. Learn how he evaluates talent, determines who would be a good fit, recruits for key positions, and how to apply the same strategies to create a winning team in your organization.

Speakers: Ozzie Newsome, Former Executive VP, Baltimore Ravens

Emerging growth opportunities for Baltimore’s entrepreneurs & innovators

Where will the economic growth occur over the next 3-5 years? What sectors are likely to soar? And which might languish? Join Baltimore Economist Anirban Basu, one of Maryland’s 50 Most Influential people and Baltimore’s 20 most powerful business leaders, reveal his economic forecast so you can position your business for the best growth opportunities. Considered one of the Mid-Atlantic’s top economists, Anirban Basu unveils his outlook and how local economic trends will impact area entrepreneurs and innovators.

Speaker: Anirban Basu, Ph.D., Chairman & CEO, Sage Policy Group & host of WYPR’s Morning Economic Report

How to Pitch Any Idea, Anytime, Anywhere – and Win the Deal!

Life is one big pitch. We’re always selling, whether it’s any idea, a product or a service. But that doesn’t mean we always do it effectively. Join Keith & Rebecca Klein Scott as they give you the 3 steps to craft an effective pitch so you will (1) Grab someone’s attention, (2) Win their hearts and minds, and (3) Go for the “ask” – confidently and boldly! Even the most experienced pitchers will want to tune in and take back the same strategies that have yielded more than $1 million in investment deals for clients.

Speakers: Keith & Rebecca Klein Scott, Founders, TALLsmall Productions

Profit First: How to Apply the Most Powerful Principle to Grow Your Business

If you’re like most business owners, profit is often considered last. It is the money remaining after paying expenses to hopefully pay yourself a salary and cover your taxes. Kwame Kuadey, owner of Thrive Company and star of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” reveals a powerful principle to turnaround your business by focusing on your profit margin first – not last! – so you can sustain and enjoy your business. You get the same principles others are using to increase profits 25%, pay themselves a regular salary and fall back in love with their business. Find out:

— 3 Key Ratios every business owner must focus on.

— Simple systems to ensure you’re paying your most valuable employee (that’s you!), first!

— Principles you can apply to maintain your profit margins, sustain your cash flow, and grow!

Speaker: Kwame Kuadey, CEO & Founder, Thrive Company 

How to Apply a 3-D Strategy for High-Performing Teams

As a business leader, your worst days are focused on fixing problems and your most productive days are spent trying to increase sales, improve profit margins, and find reliable partners, just to name a few challenges. Yet, your team is the #1 asset you have to grow and sustain the business. In this session, you will learn the 3-D Strategy of High-Performing Teams so you (1) Direct the vision, (2) Determine who will do what, and (3) Develop the skills of your key people. Those companies that do, see lower turnover, more creative problem-solving and increased productivity. Find out how you can apply the 3-D Strategy for High-Performing team whether you are working in-person, online or using a hybrid model.

Speaker: Rod Bourn, CCBC, Project Director, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. 

Fail Forward: 5 Strategies to Overcome Setbacks & Think BIG!

Quit thinking small. It’s time be BOLD. Think BIG and turn the fear of failure into a powerful tool to minimize your risks, overcome setbacks and grow! Frank van Vliet, who works closely with entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into scalable businesses reveals the 5 steps anyone can use to take their ideas to the next level. Plus, you get 10 Tactics to maximize your entrepreneurial success.

Speaker: Frank van Vliet, Senior Lecturer & Executive-in-Residence, University of Baltimore

Launch it! How to Turn Any Idea into a Sustainable & Profitable Business

Turning an idea into something real is part art and part science. Dennis Sullivan has launched more than 100 products and services generating more than $150 million in sales with a step-by-step plan that can be used to turn any idea into a business. Join this lively and interactive session and find out how you can apply the same principles he has used to generate leads, convert prospects into buyers and get your idea off the ground. Plus, every attendee gets the One-Page Breakthrough Start-Up Plan you can use to launch your next big idea.

Speaker: Dennis J. Sullivan, MBA, Executive Director of CCBC’s Center for Business Innovation

Your WHY Matters NOW: How Some Achieve More and Others Don’t

How do people with similar skills and resources achieve more than others? Do they just work harder? Have access to more money? Make better connections? Not necessarily. The secret is aligning purpose with productivity to realize better outcomes with everyday actions. Justin Jones-Fosu, author of Your Why Matters Now, as he reveals how to discover your true “Why” and how to apply it to your work and personal life so you can be more productive, work passionately, and live “On 10” everyday. Justin delivers an energetic and refreshingly humorous approach to work with research, inspiring stories, and common-sense advice. Stop merely achieving and discover how to achieve more!

Speaker: Justin Jones-Fosu, Founder & CEO of Work. Meaningful, and author of Your WHY Matters NOW: How Some Achieve More and Others Don’t

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Top 5 Things You Can Do to Foster Positivity in Trying Times

This past year has presented several tough challenges for businesses and entrepreneurs. Business owners have experienced financial distress, fears about health, and concerns about an uncertain future. This stress can be overwhelming. According to the CDC, adults reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression is up 300% during the last 12 months. It’s not surprising that reports of substance abuse and suicide have also increased. Yet, there are practical solutions business owners can apply to foster positivity even in the most difficult circumstances. LaTanya Eggleston, a business coach and mentor for start-ups and business owners, reveals the top 5 things you can do immediately to reduce stress and increase your confidence for you and your employees!

Speaker: LaTanya Eggleston, ACC, International Coach Federation

Video Marketing – Practical Guidance to Harness the Power of Digital Branding with Storytelling

Consider these stats: Marketers who use video grow revenue 49% faster … 64% of consumers make a purchase after watching branded social videos … and Diode Digital recent found that online video is 600% more effective than print and direct mail combined. The secret is to create video content that connects and engages your target market. Find out how from master storyteller and digital branding expert, Robert Kennedy III as he shares the 5 C’s to create compelling content that generates results. Plus, find out what works and what doesn’t on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Speaker: Robert Kennedy III, Founder, Kennetik Kommunications

Creating value beyond EBITDA in 2 years or less: Top 5 Tactics to Double Your Profit When You Sell

If you want to reduce the time it takes to sell your businesses, enjoy more profits and less stress, this is the session for you. Conventional wisdom says you should plan at least 3 years in advance, prior to selling your business and it can take up to 2 more years to sell. Would you like to exit in 50% less time with greater profits and peace of mind? Join Will Ferguson and uncover the real opportunities – and threats – in an acquisition. Plus, get practical guidance for arranging financing, negotiating terms, managing due diligence, understanding goodwill and reducing your tax exposure. Buyers also learn why a business is strong and what steps they should take to leverage an acquisition for higher profitability and more.

Speaker: Will Ferguson, Senior Business Broker, Baltimore Washington Business Brokerage

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Networking in Social Media: Best Practices to Grow Your Business Without the Noise

With 3.2 billion people on social media, the question isn’t whether you should use social media, but how to use it. Join entrepreneur and former Fortune 500 executive David Gertler as he shares practical steps to build your network and develop real relationships with others that you can depend on to grow your business – no matter what social media platform you choose. The secret is NOT to encourage more “likes” with every post or generate 4,000 followers. Who has the time? You just need 40 people in your network that you would want to support – AND they would want to support you when you need to generate prospects, close sales, find talented employees and get critical guidance. These are real-world tactics you can use right away that generate results and make you feel good helping others, and your business.

Speaker: David Gertler, CEO & Co-Founder, TrebleNetwork.com

Top 4 Tactics You Must Know to Protect Your Most Valuable Assets

You work every day to build a unique and profitable business. The last thing you want is to lose everything because of an employee’s mistake or to have your intellectual property taken from you. Whether you are a start-up or an established business owner, Attorney Russell Berger shows how you can (1) protect your intellectual property, (2) create additional value with employment policies, (3) safeguard your proprietary data with employment agreements that stick, and (4) protect your business with the right insurance coverage. You get real-world guidance to ensure your business continues to operate and build value even in the worst circumstances.

Speaker: Russell Berger, Esq., Offit Kurman, P.A.

7 Keys to Close More Sales Easily & Confidently

If you’re not closing, you’re not selling. For many however, closing is the toughest part of the sales process. Getting to the “ask,” can create fear, anxiety and frustration. All salespeople want to be confident closers, but even the best can come up short and left confused as to why they didn’t close a deal. The key to closing more seals begins with calling on the right prospects and ending with connecting what you have to offer with the outcome your prospects desires. Discover how to overcome the top 7 reasons 96% of all deals fail to close using Chris McDonell’s 7 Keys to close more sales quickly, easily, profitability and consistently.

Speaker: Chris McDonell, President & CEO, McDonell Consulting Group /Sandler Training

Insider SEO & SEM Tips and Tricks Every Start-Up Needs to Grow — FAST!

Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing are NOT the same. Each has different objectives and require different strategies. Together, they form a critical lynchpin you need to get your product in front of your best prospects. Join veteran entrepreneur and SEO/SEM insider Rosie Van Schoor and discover how to leverage some of the most powerful and newest tactics you can use to rank higher in Google … gain more followers on the social media platforms … and most importantly, get more buyers quickly! Plus, get the secrets to benefit from blogging and adding metadata without spending a dime and how to use paid ads effectively and affordably.

Speaker: Rosie Van Schoor, Owner & Founder, Rosie’s Creative, LLC