Optivation summer courses begin May 20

Optivation, a custom college and outreach training venture operated by Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College, is offering a variety of summer courses including sessions on computer basics, communicating and building relationships with different generations in the workplace, and the basics of customer service.

Computer Basics
Computer Basics is an eight-hour course covering the basics of Windows 7, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Participants will become familiar with the features of Windows 7 and learn how to use the most common features of Word and Excel.

Computer Basics will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Northwest Indian Opportunity Industrialization Center, located at 520 4th Street NW in Bemidji. The course will be offered three times this summer, on May 20, June 3 and July 15. Participants will receive a continuing education unit from BSU/NTC and a certificate of completion. Registration for the course is $110 per person, which includes all course materials. Registration is capped at seven participants; classes with fewer than four students may be rescheduled. Register online: http://bit.ly/1khRQO7

Generations in the Workplace
The American workforce currently includes members of four distinct generations — people who share common emotions, attitudes and beliefs. Each of these generations has distinct communication styles, ambitions, priorities, loyalties and work ethics. This course will help participants to better understand themselves and others in the workplace and help them work more effectively with members of each of the four generations. The concepts can also be applied to home, professional organizations or relating to people in general.

Generations in the Workplace will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Northwest Indian Opportunity Industrialization Center. The course will be offered three times this summer, on May 27, June 17 and July 22. Participants will receive a continuing education unit from BSU/NTC and a certificate of completion. Registration for the $160 course is being offered for $79 per person, which includes all course materials, through an IMPACT 20/20 grant. Space is limited, and classes with fewer than four students may be rescheduled. Register online: http://bit.ly/R0bsLc

Customer Service
Customer Service is an eight-hour course covering basic information including how to build and maintain a customer base, how to define superior service, and basic skills for effective communication, managing a professional image, telephone and Internet usage and etiquette, handling customer complaints and dealing with difficult and diverse customers.

Customer Service will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Northwest Indian Opportunity Industrialization Center. The course will be offered twice this summer, on June 10 and July 8. Participants will receive a continuing education unit from BSU/NTC and a certificate of completion. Registration for the course is $160 per person, which includes all course materials. Optivation is offering a discounted rate to organizations that enroll eight or more participants. Classes with fewer than four students may be rescheduled. Register online: http://bit.ly/1jgHNc9

About Optivation
Optivation is a custom college and outreach training venture operated jointly by Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College. It is designed to increase collaboration between the university, the college and the business and technology sectors of the northwest Minnesota region. Staffed by veteran business and entrepreneurial professionals, Optivation delivers targeted training and education to help organizations succeed in a changing world. Through its affiliations with BSU and NTC, Optivation is able to tap into an unparalleled network of people and technology across the state of Minnesota. Learn more at optivation.org.

About IMPACT 20/20
IMPACT 20/20 is an innovative economic development consortium which includes Bemidji State University, Northwest Technical College, Northland Community and Technical College, the University of North Dakota and the University of Minnesota Crookston. Learn more at impact2020.org.

Contact
• Optivation: (218) 755-2998, optivation@bemidjistate.edu, optivation.org
• Northwest Indian OIC: (218) 759-2002, nwoicsupport@arc-2k.com, nwioic.org

Links
Optivation
Registration: Computer Basics
Registration: Generations in the Workplace
Registration: Customer Service
IMPACT 20/20