SBDC StartSmart was developed by the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center. This year?s program is tailored to being held virtually to facilitate virtual discussion, class engagement, & mastery of content. Participation in StartSmart will also allow access to online business planning software. The program is facilitated by specially trained SBDC consultants and a long-term relationship with the SBDC and follow-up consulting is available and encouraged.
Whether you are a new business (in business 2 years or less), or are still in the planning phase, building a business takes the right tools?and a lot of hard work. SBDC StartSmart will equip you to be successful!
SBDC StartSmart helps attendees to:
Evaluate & refine your business concept
Improve your knowledge of business concepts
Research markets and competition
Develop a financial forecast to improve chances of success
Develop a thorough, practical business plan
Course Outline
Eight modules cover critical issues for new businesses:
MODULE 1: Business Success ? How do we get there?
MODULE 2: Opportunity & Solutions
MODULE 3: Marketing for Success
MODULE 4: Digital Marketing & Online Strategies
MODULE 5: Navigating Human Resources
MODULE 6: Operations & Managing by the Numbers
MODULE 7: Management with a Plan
MODULE 8: Plan, Run, Review, Revise
SBDC StartSmart programs include 16 hours of instruction delivered over a period of four weeks. Sessions will be held twice a week for 2 hours each. Check your preferred location for details on when their 2021 program will be held.
Learner Outcomes
Owning your own business is the American dream. Building it to withstand the test of time requires a unique set of tools. SBDC StartSmart? provides the resources, support, and motivation to put your dream within reach.
SBDC StartSmart provides the tools to:
Evaluate your concept and develop plans to move forward.
Improve knowledge of business fundamentals.
Build an infrastructure for business operations and processes.
SBDC StartSmart graduates acquire:
An actionable business plan and access to business planning software
Access to financial and business resources.
A network of entrepreneurial peers and professionals.
Notes
A Public Service and Outreach Unit of the University of Georgia. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All programs of the UGA SBDC are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
Testimonials
''I cannot thank you enough for the stellar StartSmart program. This experience has transformed the way I do business, both now and in the future.?
''I look forward to following up with my SBDC Consultant to build on this program and continue to strengthen my business plan and practices.'' Learn how to create a search-friendly website that drives user action and supports your goals. Whether you?re launching a new website or sprucing up an old one, this workshop will help.
In this Live Online Workshop, you?ll learn the six characteristics of a great website and how to ensure your website is:
Goal-oriented to increase conversions and calls to action
Organized and easy-to-search to reduce bounce rates
Useful so visitors come back again and again
Functional, so customers see real value - leading to loyalty
Intuitive to use, on any device, so visitors stay
Findable by search engines so you show up at the right place, time, and device
About Our Instructor
Demming Bass has been an official speaker for the Grow with Google partner program since 2017. After an award-winning career as a chamber of commerce executive in NC and GA, he led Constant Contact?s marketing efforts across six states in the Southeast.
To date, he?s trained over 130,000 small businesses, nonprofits and chambers on how to be better marketers. In addition to his role with Google, Demming is also a former StoryBrand Certified Guide where he works with clients around the world to improve and clarify their brand messaging strategy. Defining your target market extends well beyond demographics (gender, age, income, etc.). In this webinar, business consultant and marketing expert, Jessica White, demonstrates ways to leverage the power of market research, data mining, and targeted content in your marketing plans. Walk away with strategies to maximize ROI from your advertising budget by navigating your target market from prospects to repeat customers.
Learner Outcomes
Attendees will gain an understanding of:
* Research: Discover Your Target Market, Audience, & Segment
* Market Analysis: Leverage Statistical Data to Define Your Marketing Strategies
* Targeted Content: Selling Features, Advantages & Benefits (FAB)
* Customer Journey: Navigate Your Target Audience from Prospects to Repeat Buyers
Webinar - StartSmart (8-class series)
Webinar - Make Your Website Work for You
Webinar - Navigating Your Target Market
