Generations and marketing subjects of business seminars at VGCC Main Campus


The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center has scheduled a pair of free seminars for Tuesday, April 28, at the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. Both are presented by Emily Ballance, a professional speaker and entrepreneur who has owned, operated and marketed two small businesses for over 25 years. 

The first seminar, “Understanding and Working with Different Ages and Generations,” will be held from 1 until 4 p.m. in room 7107 (Building 7), while “Market Your Business by Networking in Your Local Community” will follow from 6 until 9 p.m. in the same location.

“Many of us struggle to understand why people of different ages and generations think and act the way they do,” Ballance said of the first class. “Part of the reason is that people born at different times are influenced by the events, values, changes and struggles of a specific time period. The better we understand other people, the better our chances are of communicating effectively and connecting with them.” Ballance said that generational differences affect customer service, employee morale and relationships in general.

Participants will examine four generations: Millennials, who are now ages 15-34; Gen-Xers, 35-50; Baby Boomers, 51-69; and Traditionalists, 70-90. 

In the second seminar, participants will consider how to build relationships and make connections locally. “Recently, there’s been such an emphasis on social networking that people sometimes forget the importance of face-to-face networking,” Ballance said, “but if you want to get business in your local community, you must invest time in both. Fortunately, face-to-face networking is low-cost and can be very effective, if you know the right way to approach it.”  

Since the seminar itself offers a chance for networking, Ballance encourages participants to bring their business cards if they already have them, but she also invites entrepreneurs who are just starting out.

Ballance speaks on business related topics at Small Business Centers throughout the North Carolina Community College System. She has been awarded the Certified Speaking Professional designation, the highest earned designation awarded by the National Speakers Association. 

For more information and to reserve a seat in one or both of these free seminars, contact Small Business Center director Tanya Weary at smallbusiness@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3240. Registration can be completed online at https://www.ncsbc.net/center.aspx?center=75530. The deadline to register is Friday, April 24.