Starting a business in uncertain economic times is risky, right? In reality, it?s financially advantageous. History tells us that the biggest opportunities await in hard times.
As you evaluate your entrepreneurial options, there are many compelling reasons to consider buying a franchise. Franchised businesses are historically proven to enjoy greater success, less risk, and significant competitive advantages compared to independent startups.
In this Live Online Workshop successful franchise experts from multiple industries will share their experiences about choosing, starting and growing franchised businesses in all economic seasons.
To be covered:
Five (5) Franchised industries to investigate now (and why)
What is required to succeed
Costs & funding opportunities
Timing & exit strategies
Resources to help you
Duration: 90 Minutes
FEE: FREE
About Our Instructors
Leslie Kuban is a nationally recognized franchise industry expert, executive education instructor, and Market President of FranNet, a franchise and small business consulting firm based in Atlanta. Her consultant team has helped over 500 individuals, families and investor groups select the best franchise for their goals and needs. Leslie's career and family business history consists of franchised and non-franchised small businesses in pack-and-ship logistics, real estate, signage manufacturing, and one-hour photo finishing.
?Greg Lard, a FranNet consultant, has enjoyed a diverse career in franchising as a unit franchisee, southeastern regional multi-market franchisee and corporate franchise development executive for emerging and large franchise organizations in pet products, food & beverage, commercial janitorial, and retail telecommunications. Along the way, he has helped 150 people also realize their business ownership goals in franchise ownership. SBDC StartSmart provides the resources, support, and motivation to put your dream within reach.
StartSmart is tailored to be held virtually to facilitate virtual discussion, class engagement, & mastery of content. Participation in StartSmart will also allow access to LivePlan, an 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 following the program.
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
SBDC StartSmart includes 16 hours of instruction delivered over a period of 4 weeks. Sessions will be held twice a week for 2 hours.
LEARN HOW 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
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 This workshop is designed to help businesses and nonprofits navigate the grant landscape.
Learn where to find funding opportunities
Craft compelling applications
Implement strategies to increase chances of success
Key areas to be covered:
Ensuring your mission statement and funder priorities align
Developing measurable goals
Preparing for application submission
Networking
Tracking and reporting performance
Structuring for sustainability
For clarity's sake:
Please be aware the great majority of grants are awarded to nonprofits.
Registrants who have for profit businesses will learn how the same steps are generally applicable to be best prepared to approach financial institutions. This 2-hour webinar is intended for businesses that are currently exporting tangible goods and seeking to grow their revenues/market penetration overseas.
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This webinar will be presented by two former export sales managers with exposure to a multitude of products covering four continents.
LEARN HOW TO:
Research, select, develop, manage, retain and how to terminate international distributors
Obtain checklist and tips covering their various business functions
Increase your revenues and promotion overseas Starting a business can be overwhelming, especially when you don?t know what you don?t know.
Whether you?re just starting to brainstorm your idea or ready to turn your passion into a profitable venture, this class will give you a roadmap to success. You?ll learn what you need to start a business in Georgia, from assessing the feasibility of your idea to marketing, finding financing, building a team, and operating legally. You?ll leave with actionable steps, essential tools, and resources to start your business on a strong foundation. Small businesses are the backbone of America; this class will help you start yours.
LEARN HOW TO:
Determine the feasibility of your business idea using market research and competitive analysis
Estimate start-up expenses for your business and identify requirements for pursuing start-up financing options
Differentiate between different legal structure options for business formation
Identify who you should include on your team when making plans and executing business formation
Navigate the steps to start your business in the State of Georgia SBDC StartSmart provides the resources, support, and motivation to put your dream within reach.
StartSmart is tailored to be held virtually to facilitate virtual discussion, class engagement, & mastery of content. Participation in StartSmart will also allow access to LivePlan, an 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 following the program.
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
SBDC StartSmart includes 16 hours of instruction delivered over a period of 4 weeks. Sessions will be held twice a week for 2 hours.
LEARN HOW 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
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 Are you ready to run your restaurant at high efficiency, lower operational cost and have more time on your hands?
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In this 90 minute webinar, learn how Al is being used across the restaurant industry today-not in theory, but through real, accessible tools and platforms that can be implemented immediately. This workshop breaks down complex technology into practical applications across labor management, food cost control, guest experience, and revenue optimization. You'll see real-world AI examples and case studies. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how to build an Al-powered restaurant operating system-without needing technical expertise.
LEARN HOW TO:
Understand AI in practical terms
Evaluate available AI Tools: top AI applications that directly improve margins
Improve operational core metrics: Labor, Cogs, Customer Service, etc.
Build an AI Tech Stack: POS > Data > AI > Execution
Implement AI Step-by-Step
Measure ROI and perfomance The DeKalb Chamber Small Business Committee assists the Chamber with recruiting, educating, and mentoring small businesses. Create and identify opportunities for growth and facilitate partnerships to improve small business programs. Help identify opportunities in the public and private sector.
This committee meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Measure the Effectiveness of Your Website and Your Social Media
Today?s consumers heavily rely on the internet to make their purchase decisions. This makes it critically important to ensure that your business is noticed online.
You cannot afford to leave your digital marketing to chance. You need to conduct a comprehensive audit to determine which of your marketing efforts work and which need to be overhauled or even scrapped.
In this Live Online Workshop, you will be guided through the use of audit tools that evaluate SEO, social media, website content, and promotional efforts.
In addition, you will learn how to:
Track your metrics
Look for gaps in your sales funnel
Assess your workflows and processes
Perform a conversion assessment
And more
You'll leave equipped with the resources and tools to strategize, execute, and adapt your audit to ensure you are hitting your goals. Evaluating a company?s financial health is an essential skill for all business owners. Learn the fundamentals of financial management with instruction on financial statements, financial analysis and cash flow management.
Find out what the numbers really mean and start developing practical strategies for improving your company?s performance. Discussion includes using a financial scorecard and dashboard that quickly and easily inform company personnel on financial performance.
Course Outline
Agenda
Components of financial statements
How to read financial statements
Financial Statement Analysis
What the numbers really mean
Cash flow management
Financial Management Tools
Financial scorecard and how to use it.
Dashboard template
Learner Outcomes
Attendees will gain an understanding of:
financial statements
financial analysis
cash flow
tools to use for financial management
how to make to make informed decisions
how to make timely corrective actions.
Workshop - Best Franchises to Buy and Why
Workshop - StartSmart (8-class series)
Workshop - Grants 101: How to Find, Apply, and Win Grants
Workshop - Mastering Global Distribution: Selecting, Managing and Retaining International Trade Partners
Workshop - How to Start a Business in Georgia
Workshop - StartSmart (8-class series)
Workshop - AI in Restaurant Operations: Driving Profit, Efficiency and Scale
Small Business Committee Meeting
Workshop - Measuring the Effectiveness of Your Website & Your Social Media
Workshop - Money Matters: Financial Management for Small Business Owners
