Overview
Our goal was to help these businesses understand and integrate essential cybersecurity measures and explore the transformative potential of AI.
This event was part of a larger initiative organized by the Cook Center at Ivy Tech in collaboration with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and funded by the ROI grant. Held at the Community Foundation of Crawford County Hall, our audience included a range of small business owners from industries such as automotive repair, real estate, freelance work, nonprofits, and franchises.
With attendees from varied professional backgrounds, the workshop was structured to be informal and interactive, ensuring concepts were accessible and practically applicable. This visit underscored HCN, the Cook Center, and SBDC’s commitment to supporting Indiana’s small business community by promoting advanced technologies and cybersecurity practices.
Agenda
Opening Remarks
We began with an introduction to the HCN Bridge Program, created in partnership with the SBDC.Our mission was emphasized: to engage with local businesses, understand their unique challenges, and demonstrate how our technical skills could positively impact their operations.
Individual Consultations
Our team split into smaller groups for personalized consultations, allowing for focused discussions with each business owner. These consultations centered on understanding each business’s specific challenges and exploring how technology could improve their workflows. We discussed potential future collaborations, providing ideas for tailored, tech-driven solutions.
Engaging with Clients
We shared insights on how integrating Cybersecurity and AI could support long-term business growth. Throughout, we assessed each participant’s interest in forming an ongoing partnership, where HCN could provide implementation support and technical guidance.
Conclusion and Follow-Up
Business owners were invited to continue the conversation by completing a feedback survey. We outlined clear next steps for those interested in partnering with HCN, ensuring they could further explore and implement the discussed solutions.
Outcome
Our visit to Marengo proved to be both impactful and well-received. The HCN team successfully introduced complex topics in Cybersecurity and AI in an accessible manner that resonated with a diverse audience.
Participants expressed enthusiasm about the session’s practical value, as well as a desire to learn more about how these technologies could enhance their businesses. The suggestion to adjust pacing for future sessions highlighted our commitment to ensuring content accessibility for all levels of experience. This experience reinforced HCN’s role as a valuable resource for Indiana’s small business community, paving the way for potential ongoing collaborations.
Testimonials
Member’s experience:
Our HCN members found the Marengo workshop both rewarding and insightful. The opportunity to interact directly with participants and tailor discussions to their unique needs made a significant impact.
One member shared, “Engaging with local business owners to provide real, actionable insights in Cybersecurity and AI was incredibly fulfilling. The experience deepened our understanding of how diverse businesses can harness these technologies to address their unique challenges.”
Client’s experience:
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Business owners appreciated the practical knowledge shared on AI and Cybersecurity, expressing how the information broadened their understanding of advanced technologies.
One participant noted, “The session gave me a clearer idea of how AI could fit into my business. It’s exciting to think about the possibilities.”
Another client mentioned, “I’m not very familiar with these topics, but the way the team explained them made it easy to follow. I’m eager to learn more!”
Overall, clients left the session feeling empowered and eager to continue learning, with many indicating a strong interest in exploring more about AI applications and cybersecurity practices in future sessions.