AUBURN HILLS — The Sirolli method of harnessing the power of local entrepreneurs to bring sustainable change through Enterprise Facilitation® is being offered at the City of Auburn Hills on Monday, September 10th and the City of Novi on September 11th. The three hour session provides an overview of the model for bringing together resources and building an eco-system that bolsters small business and emphasizes the power of growing jobs by one’s and two’s as a central component to entrepreneurship in the 21st century. The sessions are sponsored by the Cities of Auburn Hills and Novi as well as Oakland Community College, Oakland County and the Michigan Municipal League and are led by Dr. Ernesto Sirolli of the Sacramento-based Sirolli Institute.
Auburn Hills City Manager Pete Auger was intrigued by Dr. Sirolli’s uncommon view of local entrepreneurship and became a believer in its viability after first seeing the Enterprise Facilitation program in 2010.
“Dr. Sirolli’s Enterprise Facilitation explores how local people within and outside of community government and civic leadership can help spur economic activity at a grass roots level. The goal is to revitalize the local economy by encouraging the development of more local enterprises,” explains Auger. “Economic development doesn’t have to follow one path. Dr. Sirolli shows there are new ways of looking at longstanding challenges to find results, namely by including the entry-level entrepreneur or entrepreneur to-be.”
City of Novi Economic Development Director Ara Topouzian concurs with Auger and says there is an audience in Southeast Michigan for Dr. Sirolli’s approach to nurturing economic development from within.
“Dr. Sirolli’s mission to teach a new way to sustain economic development at the micro level applies to a broad audience of professionals that consider entrepreneurship to be among their key business objectives,” says Topouzian. He adds that The Sirolli Approach and the Enterprise Facilitation concept are of particular interest to:
• City managers, clerks, economic development officers and other civic leaders
• Chamber of Commerce directors
• Business incubator managers
• Workforce development professionals
• Personnel who have interaction with entrepreneurs
• Individuals interested in small business
Registration Details on The Sirolli Approach Workshop
· What: The Sirolli Approach, an alternative approach to economic development at the local level and led by Dr. Ernesto Sirolli of the Sacramento-based Sirolli Institute. The program is sponsored by the City of Auburn Hills, The City of Novi, Oakland Community College, Oakland County and the Michigan Municipal League.
· Where: The City of Auburn Hills, Monday September 10th; Auburn Hills Council Chambers, 1827 N. Squirrel, Auburn Hills, 48326; the City of Novi, Tuesday, September 11th, Novi Council Chambers; 45175 West 10 Mile Road, Novi, Michigan 48375, ,
· When: Both the Auburn Hills 9/10 and Novi 9/11 sessions run from 9:00am to noon.
· Cost: There is no charge; fees have been covered by the sponsors.
· Registration: Attendees must pre-register. Register here. Questions should be directed to Karrie Marsh, kmarsh@auburnhills.org or 248.370.9440.
