Sep. 13--Earlier this year, with the economy struggling, The Eagle-Tribune teamed up with Suffolk University and four area chambers of commerce to offer the "Weathering the Storm," breakfast series.

Now, it's time for Round Two. Starting this Thursday, The Eagle-Tribune, Suffolk University, Merrimack College, and the Greater Derry Londonderry, Greater Haverhill, Greater Salem and Merrimack Valley chambers of commerce will be offering five new sessions of the breakfast series aimed at helping local business people cope with these tough times.

"Weathering the Storm Part 2: 'Has the Rain Stopped?'" will kick off with a panel discussion on Sept. 17, followed by sessions focusing on topics like when people will start spending again, Internet marketing and social media, and preparing for growth now that the economy is showing signs of a rebound.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Julie Schniewind, director of corporate learning initiatives at Suffolk University's Institute for Executive Education.

"Last fall when we started the series, things were pretty bad economically," Schniewind said. "We put together a program to help Merrimack Valley businesses deal with the economic storm in practical ways. What we want to do this year is revisit the storm. Has the rain stopped, and if so, how do you know?"

Newspaper headlines tell us the economy is on the rebound -- stocks are gaining, unemployment is declining, and consumer spending is recovering. But is the storm really over?

The panel for the Sept. 17 session, "What have we learned? Where are we going?" will consist of Bob DiRosa of Market Edge Services, Greg Eliasen of Eliasen CPA, Carter Welch of Fig Tree Group, Andy Hackett of TeamLogicIT, and Bill Coyne of Citizen's Bank.

"This panel is going to address these thoughts from each of their points of view, and those include banking, marketing, advertising, computer support, accounting and business consulting," Schniewind said. "They will offer their experience, tips and tactics to the audience.

"Our goal is to make this highly interactive. We expect half of it to be Q&A from the audience."

Future sessions, Schniewind said, will look at the big picture, featuring speakers like Thomas Kinton, CEO of Massport; Joe Cotton, chief executive of The Psychological Center; Lu Ann Reeb of Skyways Communications; Robert Cuomo, the dean of Merrimack College's Girard School of Business and International Commerce; and Michael Barretti, director of the Institute for Executive Education and Life-Long Learning at Suffolk University.

The real key, she said, is bringing together members of the business community to help solve their common and unique problems.

"The more brains engaged in figuring out new and better ways for thriving, the better," Schniewind said. "When you come to a session like this, you both learn from the panel and you learn from each other. To me the worst thing you can do is just crawl under your own rock and not ask for help."

Business people of all kinds are urged to attend these free sessions, held at The Eagle-Tribune offices, 100 Turnpike St., North Andover. (For details, please see the ad on this page.)

Weathering the Economic Storm Part 2: 'Has the Rain Stopped?'

Thursday, Sept. 17, 8 to 9:30 a.m.: Panel Discussion: "What have we learned? Where are we going?"

Thursday, Oct. 1, 8 to 9:30 a.m.: "A view from 40,000 feet", with Massport CEO Thomas Kinton

Thursday, Oct. 15, 8 to 9:30 a.m.: "When will we spend again?", with Joe Cotton, chief executive of The Psychological Center

Thursday, Oct. 29, 8 to 9:30 a.m.: Internet Marketing/Social Media -- "Where should I be?", with Lu Ann Reeb of Skyways Communications

Thursday, Nov. 12, 8 to 9:30 a.m.: Preparing for Growth -- "Ready? Set? Go!" with by Robert Cuomo of Merrimack College and Michael Barretti of Suffolk University

-----

To see more of The Eagle-Tribune or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.eagletribune.com/.

Copyright (c) 2009, The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

OTC-PINK:IMIZ, Euronext:MLSMG,

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.