Business News for July 23, 2020
As businesses continue to reopen their doors, measures that support public health remain top of mind. Today's message includes the following:

  • Dane County businesses required to post face-covering signs
  • PPP has helped to preserve jobs
  • Kiva Small Business Loan City of Madison Match Program
  • Upcoming learning opportunities
  • Lunch (Up)Date with DWD Secretary - Today (July 23)!
  • UpStart Extras
  • Leadership in the Time of COVID
  • Onboarding Right from the Start
  • Launch into Leadership - now online!
News You Need
Dane County Businesses Required to Post Face-Covering Signs
Businesses and workplaces in Dane County are required to post this sign about masks/face coverings being required that is visible upon entering.

More information about the mask order in Dane County can be found on this website , including:
  • Social media content
  • Webinars about understanding Order #8
  • How to talk to customers about the order
  • And many more resources
PPP Has Helped to Preserve Jobs
The New York Times reported that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has made a positive impact on smaller companies who were able to reduce job losses. All told, the program saved between 1.5-3.5 million jobs, as indicated by an M.I.T. study .

The effectiveness of this method - direct aid to businesses - is part of the larger discussion currently taking place as Congress discusses the components of the latest stimulus plan.

Kiva Small Business Loan City of Madison Match Program
The City of Madison announced it is committing $100,000 to match Kiva small business loans. Kiva loans from $1,000 to $15,000 will be available to qualified owners, with the City matching the amount raised at no cost to the business owner.
Kiva is an international, non-profit, crowdfunding platform for small businesses that provides zero percent interest capital to local small businesses with no fee. Businesses use the funding as working capital, then pay back their lenders each month.

Businesses endorsed by the following organizations can receive the match:
  • Madison Black Chamber of Commerce
  • Hmong Chamber of Commerce of WI
  • Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County
  • Madison Cooperative Development Coalition
  • Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)
  • Dane Buy Local
  • Madison Central Business Improvement District (BID)
If you are interested in a loan – or in becoming a Kiva lender for as little as $25 – click here .
Upcoming Learning Opportunities (general)
Lunch (Up)Date with DWD Secretary Today (July 23)
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Caleb Frostman will discuss the state's relief and recovery efforts this Thursday, July 23, for the next Lunch(UP)date, the Chamber's weekly program where you can take a break and enjoy lunch while staying connected, curious and informed.
Register here . You can submit in advance any questions you may have for Secretary Frostman or the Chamber at ask@madisonbiz.com .
Upcoming Learning Opportunities (SBDC & Partners)
UpStart Extras - Deadline to Apply is July 31
Live, Virtual Four-Course Entrepreneurship Series for Women and Business Owners of Color, supported by WARF
UpStart Extras is a virtual four-part series of classes with timely and valuable topics to help entrepreneurs explore starting new ventures or re-imagine existing businesses as a result of these evolving times.

Leadership in the Time of COVID
Live Virtual Course supported by funding from the CARES Act
Leadership is always a complex, ever-changing role. However, in the time of COVID, leadership has become even more complex and uncertain. Providing your team with strong leadership when there are still many unknowns is a skillset that can be developed - and this course can help!

This $269 course is being offered at no cost due to funding from the CARES Act. Participants must register ahead; space is limited.

New Class for Fall 2020: Onboarding Right from the Start!
Live Virtual Course supported by funding from the CARES Act
During the last few months, it is estimated that video interviewing and virtual onboarding have nearly tripled (source: SHRM &  HireVue ). That is why we have created this course - to help you with virtual onboarding of employees, even if they are joining the team entirely online. Learn best practices and how effective onboarding can save you time and money.

Learn more about  Onboarding Right from the Start,
New Supervisor? Launch into Leadership Registration Now Available!
Taking on new supervisory responsibilities is a great opportunity and challenge. Many in supervisory roles have learned either by trial and error or by following what was done by their predecessor. In most cases, this is not a very effective strategy. This one day workshop will get you going in the right direction with some fundamental skills and ideas for how to continue your growth as a supervisor and leader.

The Wisconsin SBDC Network is a proud part of the  Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship  in the  University of Wisconsin System . It is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the  U.S. Small Business Administration.