Wilton Economic Development Commission

05/31/2026

Historically the ‘sales lead generation’ process has been characterized by the classic ‘sales funnel’ wherein the seller casts a wide net over a large group of ‘prospects’ with hopes of connecting with interested parties.

Today’s digital world and related resources provide the seller with the means to implement more effective “targeted’ marketing … with a specific ‘benefit’ message to a better-defined target market.

During the workshop we will:

Examine the ’traditional’ approach to lead generation (the classic ‘sales funnel’) and its implications and limitations.
Present an alternative, ‘targeted,’ less-costly approach to lead generation and enumerate its advantages.
Discuss the importance of ‘differentiating’ your product or service to enable you to ‘compete-with-advantages’ rather ‘competing-on-price.’
Present ways in which you might ‘differentiate’ your product / service, and provide several examples to illustrate this concept.
Provide examples of how some local businesses (large and small) have successfully ‘differentiated’ their product or service.
Discuss how to use your competitive advantage(s) to identify your best ‘target customers.’
Review the many benefits derived from ‘Target Marketing’ vs. the traditional sales lead generation techniques.

05/24/2026

Many owners believe they have a sales problem when they really have a sales process problem. Leads are not qualified well, estimates are inconsistent, proposals are unclear, and contracts do not set the next steps up cleanly. This workshop shows how to build a practical sales system that improves follow-through, reduces confusion, and creates a stronger handoff into operations. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to move from inquiry to signed contract with more consistency and less wasted time.

What you will learn:

How to qualify better before spending time estimating
What separates an estimate, a proposal, and a contract
How better sales documents improve trust and close rates
Why document management matters after the deal is signed
How a stronger sales process reduces downstream problems
How to tighten your process without sounding robotic
How to create a cleaner handoff from sales to operations

Before the workshop, think of one place in your current sales process where things tend to stall, get confusing, or fall through the cracks. It may be qualification, estimating, proposal follow-up, contract clarity, or the handoff after the sale.

Bring one example of an estimate, proposal, or contract you already use, or simply write down where the sales process feels weak. This workshop will help attendees identify where the breakdown is happening and show them practical ways to make the path from lead to signed contract more consistent and effective. If attendees would like to send a question in advance, they are welcome to email it before the session.
REGISTER NOW!

05/23/2026

https://www.wiltonct.gov/home/news/may-2026-newsletter-first-selectmans-office?shem=rimspwouoe,&fbclid=IwRlRTSAR94ZFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeh-N2wUBP0SlE_NoU6HCcIOHphKT4Rd8EJZDiwpvLyzuouli0DV7bWBjMai0_aem_YWdncwDezoc26ruRLR5hd86792LZ

NEWS FROM THE FIRST SELECTMAN'S OFFICE, MAY 2026Wilton, once again we came together as a community to decide the Town’s

05/22/2026

In today’s highly litigious society, understanding business liability insurance, how it can protect you, and how to effectively procure it for your business is a necessity. Many of us are misinformed on how insurance is marketed, priced, and functions, especially when a claim occurs. Having an accurate and basic knowledge of how the insurance industry works, insurance distribution channels, and how the industry is designed to respond to claims etc. will allow you to secure the coverage your business requires with confidence and proficiency.

In this fast-paced, experiential webinar, participants will gain a greater understanding of the concept of insurance, its purpose, what is and is not insurable (and why), and how to strategize your insurance procurement process.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Learn how the insurance marketplace works, and how to effectively access it.
• Learn how the different coverage works, and how it can be maximized for your business.
• Discover what you can do to better protect your business, and, in turn, better manage and mitigate your insurance costs.

05/21/2026

Over the past several years, many small and medium businesses have had to cope with the after effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting changes in the business economy. They have had to increase the prices of their products and services due to the rising costs of doing business. Sometimes businesses are hit with unexpected costs in their supply chains. What kind of things can be done to mitigate higher business costs? How can sound business management practices reduce the impact of financial headwinds?

The following will be covered:
• The basic elements of managing the finances for your business
• Key financial tools that can keep you focused on how the business is doing financially at any point in time
• The importance of managing cash flow, accounts receivable and inventory
• Cost-economization strategies, e.g., cost of goods, labor, and real estate
• Examples of mitigating unexpected costs
• Building a financial reserve over time
• What a business owner needs to know or do if someone else is managing the finances
REGISTER NOW!

05/21/2026

From Integration to Advantage: Making AI Work Inside Your Business

Learn how AI fits into everyday business operations and decision making, without unnecessary complexity, and how organizations can move beyond adoption to build systems for long-term growth and competitive advantage.

Attendees will learn:

• What AI integration actually looks like inside operations, workflows, and decision making.
• How to identify the right areas of their business where AI can create meaningful impact.
• How to move from isolated AI use cases to more connected and consistent ex*****on.
• Why treating AI as a system leads to better results than relying on individual tools.
• How leading organizations coordinate AI across teams to create stronger outcomes.
• What it takes to turn AI from a short-term experiment into a long-term strategic advantage.
REGISTER NOW!

05/17/2026

Whether by choice or economics, many small business owners are their own IT departments.

This Workshop will provide a checklist of things to consider.

What You’ll Learn:
• How to safely manage and secure the data, devices and network of your business
• About your legal obligations in the technology area
• How to optimize your productivity using technology that might include Ai
• How and where to find technology help

Prior to the Workshop:
• Give thought to how you currently manage safety and security for your computers and customer data
• Think about areas where you would want to use technology to be more productive
REGISTER NOW

05/16/2026

Looking to sharpen your skills, grow your business knowledge, or connect with other professionals? The upcoming weeks are filled with valuable opportunities for learning, networking, and professional development.

Upcoming programs include AI and cybersecurity sessions, SCORE workshops on e-commerce and selling on Amazon, Wilton Chamber of Commerce 3rd Annual Business & Bourbon networking event, and wellness programming Wilton Library Association.

Be sure to take advantage of these upcoming opportunities to learn, connect, and support the regional business community.

05/16/2026

05/16/2026

Many owners do not face a work problem; they face a flow problem. Work gets sold, but something slips between the contract, office, scheduling, production, and invoicing stages. This workshop demonstrates how to map the journey from sale to invoice, ensuring work moves smoothly, handoffs improve, and profit leaks are identified. It focuses on the typical contract-to-work-order-to-invoicing workflow you already use in your system.

You will learn:
• Where work usually gets stuck between the sale and the invoice
• How handoffs between sales, office, and production affect cash flow
• Why client profiles, work orders, boards, and scheduling must connect
• How missed details turn into delays, rework, and billing problems
• How to map one workflow in your own business
• Which step to fix first when work keeps falling through the cracks

Simple practical steps to get ready:
• Think of one recent job or project that went sideways after the sale
• Write down where the confusion happened
• Bring a simple example of how work currently moves in your business
• Come ready to spot the first bottleneck, not solve everything at once
REGISTER NOW!