A customized step by step integrated action plan that is essential to the success of your business.
Who should attend: Launch (businesses 0-2 years), Growth (businesses 3-5 years), Expansion Startups (businesses 5+ years)
Course Outline
Sections of a Business Plan
Format of a Business Plan
Balance Sheet
Financial Projections
Capital Equipment List
Sources of Capital
Learner Outcomes
Use the business plan tool or template that works for you.
Have a clear understanding of who your customer is.
Start with your company description and proceed step-by-step.
It?s OK if you don?t have all information for each section. You can go back and fill in missing parts later.
Start with a strong financial foundation. Projections are key! 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.'' Small businesses looking to increase sales and profit, reduce dependence on the domestic market and stabilize seasonal fluctuations should consider importing and exporting. With nearly 96 percent of consumers living outside the U.S. and two-thirds of the world?s purchasing power in foreign countries, opportunities await U.S. small business.
Go where the customers are. There is significant opportunity for small businesses to profit through importing and exporting operations.
Do you have what it takes to become a successful international business? Are you ready to make international sales? Importing / Exporting offers great opportunities but requires preparation and planning.
This four hour course is taught in two parts, by international experts from the Georgia Small Business Development Center, a resource partner of the SBA. Each part is two hours in length with a two hour break between parts.
Part one will aid you in assessing your readiness, understanding what you need to know and consider before pursuing an international strategy.
Part two will introduce you to those topics needed to develop and implement your strategy: international pricing and costing issues, proforma export quotations, payment terms, and risk assessment.
Course Outline
? Defining Your Business
? Strengths/Weaknesses Analysis
? Tools
? Building Your Team
? Knowing Industry Terminology
? Selecting a Product
? Finding Markets
? Finding Buyers
? Finding Suppliers
? How to Talk To Suppliers
? Do I need a license to Import/Export?
? How do I protect myself as a Middleman?
? Calculating Landed Cost
? Understanding INCOTERMS
? Developing a Pro Forma Invoice
? International Terms of Payment
Learner Outcomes
The workshops will help you gain the knowledge to develop and implement an international plan. You will become acquainted with the key components of an effective import / export plan. The instructors will raise questions you should answer to complete your plan and provide the resources to help you answer those questions.
Topics include:
Organizational and product readiness
Market research
Guidance for developing your strategy and marketing plan
Promoting your products in target market
Complying with US and foreign regulations Beat the competition and skew the odds in your favor by implementing a simple yet solid sales and marketing strategy that bears real results.
Owning and operating a small business or being a sales rep is not for the faint of heart.
The majority of the time, you?ll wear different hats and juggle many balls in the air to make it all work. This can be an overwhelming task but totally doable ? if you know what to do.
And this is exactly what this simple yet powerful method aims to accomplish:
Learn the secret of how successful sales reps and business owners produce great results. (Hint: You don?t have to look far to achieve this.)
Boost your sales by identifying who your ideal customers are and how to convince them to buy from you.
Learn how to use social selling to supercharge your online prospecting efforts, increase revenue, and enhance productivity.
Take advantage of everything traditional and digital media have to offer in growing your business.
Open a whole new world of exciting possibilities by expanding your sphere of influence.
Who should attend:
Small business owners looking to grow their business and expanding their market reach
Entrepreneurs planning to start a small business
Business professionals seeking to learn how to network successfully
Sales professionals wishing to become more proactive in finding qualified leads
Those interested in knowing more about proven marketing strategies and tactics
About Our Instructor
Bonnie Mauldin is a successful author, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, investor, and television producer. She is also one of the top marketing consultants in Atlanta. She recently authored ?Harmonic Messaging? and ?Look Before You Leap? business books that helps budding entrepreneurs, established business owners and corporations reach their sales and marketing goals. The DeKalb Chamber Membership Committee helps to plan and evaluate the Chamber's overall programs and membership offerings including, but not limited to, workshops, seminars, and networking events. Also works to recruit and retain current and new members by managing and auditing the Member Contact Timeline, offer innovative ideas, and ensure all members are having a valuable experience.
This committee meets monthly on the 1st Wednesday of the month from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Some meetings may have been adjusted from their original schedule due to holidays or Chamber events. 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.'' How to Do Business with Federal Government Agencies?
Understand the marketplace, specifically how the federal government buys goods and services
Identify who?s buying what you are selling
Ensure government database registrations are complete, up-to-date and active
Explore small business assistance certifications
Create and tailor capabilities statement(s) to your target markets
Build relationships
Respond to solicitations
Familiarize yourself with the federal acquisition regulations (FAR), and ensure your business complies with applicable laws and regulations In today's dynamic business landscape, securing the right funding is crucial for growth and sustainability. This specialized course is designed to empower small business owners with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex world of loan applications successfully.
Presenter Antonio Barrios, UGA SBDC Business Consultant and former loan officer, will demystify the loan application process and share insight into what lenders look for and how to present your business in the best light. Discussion includes:
the importance of risk management in the lending process
how to assess your business's risk profile
key financial concepts essential for loan approval.
This workshop will explore traditional loans, SBA loans, and non-traditional funding sources and guide you through the pros and cons of each. Join us and learn how to master the loan application process.
Course Outline
Agenda:
Key financing considerations for loan approvals
Understanding and navigating the loan process
Risk management and assessing your business's profile
Sources of capital
Finding the right financing alternative for your business
Learner Outcomes
Attendees will gain an understanding of:
The loan approval process
What lenders look for
How to assess your business's risk profile
Sources of capital and how to find the right one for you. The DeKalb Chamber Education & Workforce Development Committee develops partnerships with educational institutions and workforce development organizations in DeKalb County and Georgia to strengthen educational opportunities for the region; helps build a strong workforce making DeKalb County an attractive location for business and industry.
This committee meets quarterly on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Workshop - How to Write a Dynamic Business Plan
Webinar - StartSmart (8-class series)
Workshop - Develop an Import / Export Business
Workshop - Business Development and Lead Generation
Membership Committee Meeting
Webinar - StartSmart (8-class series)
Workshop - How to Do Business with Federal Government Agencies
Workshop - Access to Capital: Loan Application Mastery
Education & Workforce Development Committee Meeting