Our very own, Demi Kolke contributed to a global conversation surrounding global competencies and workforce development. She presented with technical assistance provider, McRales on how to migrate your small business online.

Compiled by: Carla Picasso, Communications Intern, Global Ties U.S. | Read the full article

Migrating Your Small Business Online

CBMs: GlobalPittsburgh and Georgia Council for International Visitors

NPA: CRDF Global 

GlobalPittsburgh 

COVID-19 had a profound impact on entrepreneurs around the world and prompted the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) to respond with creative projects to address the issue. GlobalPittsburgh collaborated with Katelyn McAlister at CRDF Global on the project, “Migrating Your Small Business Online” for 12 small business owners from Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. In the process, GlobalPittsburgh discovered rock star resources whose advice and expertise deeply resonated with the participants in the group. 

Go and Grow Online (GOGO) Program is a collaboration between the URA (the economic development arm of the City of Pittsburgh) and community development catalyst Neighborhood Allies. GOGO enables entrepreneurs with an existing business and less than 15 employees to receive up to 10 hours of free technical assistance that will help their business enter the digital marketplace and receive personalized ecommerce solutions. 

GlobalPittsburgh organized an interactive workshop with GOGO and the IVLP visitors on June 1, 2021. The session began with an introduction to the GOGO program presented by Demi Kolke, Senior Program Manager of Corridor Revitalization at Neighborhood Allies. Thanks to a recommendation by Demi, the next speakers in the session were Amy McCarthy and Joe Morales of McRales, who served as one of the consulting companies assisting small business owners in the GOGO Program. McRales helps small businesses with marketing strategies, automation, and web design. 

The McRales segment of the session was an in-depth exploration of how businesses can effectively tell customers what they sell and the value of their products and services. Joe posed some tough questions to the group: “What do you provide?” and “What is your vision?”  The session methodically analyzed a variety of U.S. company websites and encouraged the participants to “create conversations” with potential clients. Joe and Amy gave both design and content advice, always sharing free tools that the participants could utilize. The session included opportunities for several of the participants’ websites to be constructively critiqued.   

The success of their June 1 session resulted in Joe and Amy being invited to meet with participants two more times during the group’s virtual IVLP project. On June 4, Joe and Amy attended the group’s informal coffee hour to complete critiquing participant websites. Additionally, on June 10, Joe and Amy conducted a “website bootcamp” for the members of the project who did not have dedicated sites for their businesses. The bootcamp was designed to introduce the group to website design using tools available at Squarespace.com. and other sites as well as design advice for the participants to develop readable and inviting content for their potential customers. 

The McRales programming was a highlight of the “Migrating Your Small Business Online” project for many of the participants. The speakers clearly connected with the group members and the marketing advice that they offered transcended traditional borders. 

IVLP Participant Sian Cuffy Young of Trinidad and Tobago, who did not have a website at the time of the project, followed up with Amy and Joe after their final session with the group to share her company’s new website. Joe provided her with feedback that incorporated what had been covered in their workshops.  GlobalPittsburgh greatly appreciated the opportunity to host this group and look forward to learning more about how their programming in our community impacted their businesses.  

– Gail Shrott, Executive Director