FGCU’S Regional Economic Recovery Initiative
Good health makes good business, so it makes sense for FGCU’s Lutgert College of Business
and Marieb College of Health & Human Services to unite to mobilize their expertise
and resources, along with those of our local partners, to help businesses respond
to the impact of COVID-19 on their operations, work forces, vendors and customers.
Learn about Seal of Confidence recipients
The initiative includes the following components:
The RESTART SWFL Seal of Confidence: A campaign to bring a renewed sense of confidence and prosperity to the region through which business owners pledge to adhere to a set of four standards involving health, business and ethical practices and to participate in two business- or health-related discussions to earn the seal.-
Earning the seal is a two-step process: Get Pledge Details
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RESTART Resources
Statistics show that 40% of businesses forced to close because of a disaster never reopen. To help businesses regain their footing and thrive, the SBDC offers a range of services that include recovery plan assistance, cybersecurity training, risk assessment and other invaluable tools at little to no cost. The center has recently added staff members in anticipation of greater need. For details, visit fsbdcswfl.org.
Lutgert College’s Regional Economic Research Institute conducts monthly surveys of 950 executives from Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties to track the impact of COVID-19 and the progress of each community currently and through the coming months. These ongoing surveys help business owners see how the region is recovering over time, the demand for loans and employee willingness to return to work.
RESTART SWFL Web-Based Discussions
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Subscribe to RESTART SWFL Event News
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Panel Discussion on Nonprofit Leadership During Uncertain Times
A special collaboration event with The Water School
3p.m. Thursday, September 10, 2020
Join CEOs from four local organizations. Open to students and the public!
Good Health Makes Good Business: Public Health Strategies to Ensure Responsible Business
Operations
Recorded May 26
Panelists: Marieb College of Health & Human Services Dean Dr. Ann Cary, moderator and participant; Dr. Rosann Spiegel, Nurse Anesthesiology Program Director; Dr. Jayanta Gupta, Public Health Program Director
Content: A discussion of health initiatives that businesses need as they reopen.
Business Survival: Managing for Success
Recorded May 28
Panelists: Lutgert College of Business SBDC Director Lois Knox, moderator and participant; Dr. Craig Randall, Assistant Professor; Dr. Trip Knoche, Assistant Professor; Dr. Joe Leah, Assistant Professor; Dr. Diana Fandel, Instructor
Content: Lutgert College of Business management professors with extensive private sector experience will provide insight and strategies for running your business during times of crisis.
Leading Heroically and Ethically in the Coronavirus Era
Recorded June 9
Panelists: Lutgert College of Business Professor and Uncommon Friends Endowed Chair in Ethics Dr. Eric Dent, moderator and participant; Michael Wynn, ’05 MBA, President of Sunshine Ace Hardware; Gail Markham, Founding Partner of Markham Norton Marsteller Wright & Company, P.A.; Dawn-Marie Driscoll, Emeritus Executive Fellow at Hoffman Center for Business Ethics, Bentley University
Content: COVID-19 has changed the social contract between businesses and their customers and employees. Join SWFL experts as they discuss how to lead heroically and think about the mindset shift needed to thrive during times of unprecedented crisis management.
Business Survival: Accounting for Success
Recorded June 23
Panelists: Lutgert College of Business Accounting Department Chair Tanya Benford, CPA, moderator; Accounting Advisory Board Chair Jeffrey M. Tuscan, CPA; Assistant Professor Elizabeth Johnson, CPA; Professor Raymond Placid JD, CPA; Professor Ara Volkan, CPA
Content: Lutgert College of Business Accounting Advisory Board chair and accounting professors with significant private-sector experience will address accounting questions frequently asked during times of crisis and provide insight on practical strategies for moving forward.
Restaurants and COVID-19: Assuring Safety while Delivering Value
Recorded July 7
Panelists: Kelly Livingston, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Food Safety and Sanitation Trainer; Jay Johnson, Owner of Bubba’s Roadhouse and President of FRLA Lee Chapter; Fred Malone, VP Sales and General Manager of Fort Myers Brewing; Laurie Farlow, Owner of Farlow’s on the Water (Englewood) and VP, Restaurants for FRLA Gulf Island Coast Chapter; Veljko Pavicevic, Owner of Sails Restaurant (Naples); Michael Collins, Associate Professor of Resort & Hospitality Management in the Lutgert College of Business, will serve as moderator
Content: Restaurant owners, operators and a food sanitation expert discuss the industry’s response
to, as well as the lasting impact of, the COVID-19 pandemic on the restaurant industry.
This event is cosponsored by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.
Managing Stress and Anxiety Among Employees and Self
Recorded July 21
Panelists: Marieb College of Health & Human Services Dean Dr. Ann Cary, moderator and participant; Dr. Tom Felke, Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Social Work; Dr. Suzanne Dugger, Chair and Professor, Department of Counseling
Content: This session will assist participants in understanding COVID-related stress employees may experience, recognize implications of this stress for the work place, and identify strategies for helping employees manage COVID-related stress and anxiety.
40%
Closed businesses won't reopen
91%
Decreased demand due to COVID
93%
Decline in sales revenue
56%
Have no contingency plans
LEARN MORE ABOUT IMPACTS FROM COVID-19
