National Small Business Week continues through May 4. National Small Business Day is May 10. As you know, small businesses help to drive our local economy. Small businesses employ our friends, neighbors, and other people in our community. They contribute to the commercial and civic growth that makes our communities vibrant. 

Did you know that UMKC TalentLink is also a small business? We work with small (and large!) businesses and nonprofits to help their workforce develop skills and strengthen operations. Developing and training talent is our business, simply put.

UMKC TalentLink teams with subject matter experts who have practical experience in leadership, project management, soft skills, and other skill sets. Our online and in-person training enables people, businesses, and nonprofits to achieve professional goals. 

Ready to develop and grow? Let's connect.

UMKC TalentLink
Executive Director Jake Akehurst
Business Development Director Candice Haines
Operations Coordinator Alexa Troyer
Marketing Coordinator Pete Dulin

(Above) Jake Akehurst. Photo credit: Leawood Magazine

IN THIS NEWSLETTER

• Leawood Magazine - Featuring UMKC TalentLink and our leadership workshop with Leadership Leawood
• 3 Upcoming Workshops - Register today! Fraud Prevention and Cybersecurity; Essential Pillars of Leadership Success, and Prioritizing Marketing Efforts for Small Businesses. 
• ICYMI - Photos from our recent Emerging Leader training with Wayside Waifs
• New Blog Post - Haley Grayless leads workshop with this important focus for leaders

The South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and UMKC TalentLink want to see a growing and fully equipped workforce in Kansas City.

In celebration of National Small Business Week and Day, we have partnered to offer UMKC TalentLink's upcoming workshops below for 25 percent off registration. Register today!!

South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce members - Contact UMKC TalentLink to receive the discount code for online registration.

REGISTER TODAY!

May 8 - Fraud Prevention and Cybersecurity: Protect Your Business and Customers 

Experts Krista Shelton of Focused Forensic Solutions and Sam Sapp of LockBaud present a comprehensive course designed to protect small businesses and nonprofits from fraud and cyber threats. Workshop includes a 30-minute break for lunch (supplied).

June 18-20, 9-11 am -  Essential Pillars of Leadership Success
Leadership development coach Haley Grayless covers three Essential Pillars of Leadership Success in an interactive three-session workshop. Learn the “how to’s,” takeaway tools, and best practices for being a successful leader.

Haley's course will be held at the South Kansas City Workforce Development Center, Bldg. 2, 1300 E. 94th St., Ste. 100, Kansas City, MO 64131.

July 23, 9-11 am -  Prioritizing Marketing Efforts for Small Businesses
Learn time-honored marketing strategies that business owners and their marketing teams can apply today to prioritize and develop your unique marketing mix. EAG Advertising & Marketing Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Randolph addresses this topic in a can't-mission session, bringing a wealth of industry experience and proven strategies to the workshop.

Haley Grayless Leads Workshop With This Important Focus for Aspiring and Emerging Leaders
In this Q&A, Haley discusses how her interactive workshop helps people build leadership skills with a different approach. 

Learn From Real-life Scenarios of Fraud and Cybersecurity Breaches - Focused Forensic Solutions President Krista Shelton says, “According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiner’s Report to the Nations, the average fraud case endures for 12 months and incurs a significant loss of $100,000 to the business." Shelton shares more insight on fraud and how the workshop can prepare business owners.

Minimize Cybersecurity Risks Through Preparation - “Small businesses are more often becoming the target for cybersecurity and fraudulent activities by bad actors. The reality is the businesses aren’t prepared, and they are more likely to succumb to easier tactics,” says Lockbaud founder Sam Sapp.

UMKC TalentLink is featured in the spring 2024 issue of Leawood Magazine. UMKC TalentLink and our leadership expert Warren Wandling led a successful leadership program for the Leawood Chamber's Leadership Leawood program. 

Explore the full issue: https://issuu.com/sunflower_publishing/docs/leawood24spsu-singles

UMKC TalentLink article: https://issuu.com/articles/46821010

Leadership Leawood article - https://issuu.com/articles/46821278

We valued working with the Leawood Chamber and the cohort of emerging leaders.

Need leadership training for your group, chamber, nonprofit, or company? Find out how we can help achieve your goals by contacting  Candice Haines at UMKC TalentLink.

Grant Writing and Advanced Grant Writing
Accounting Fundamentals
Effective Business Writing
Getting Started With Google Workspace
Intro to QuickBooks and Intermediate Quickbooks
Marketing Your Nonprofit
Winning RFP Responses

Explore other online courses and career training programs.

Instructor Jeremy Gray led an Emerging Leader workshop for Wayside Waifs. View more photos.

Interested in having Jeremy Gray lead a workshop session for your small business or nonprofit team? We can offer training group at the workplace or offsite. 

umkctalentlink.com