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.'' 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. 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 Financial Fundamentals for Business Owners will aim to improve the financial decision making of small business owners. The program content is designed to educate business owners on the importance of good financial data and how to use that financial data for both tactical and strategic decision making. This program will cover the process around good recordkeeping, the tools to use, the reports to be derived, how to analyze the numbers to improve cash flow and profits. Participants will also gain a better understanding of how banks/lenders evaluate their businesses and capital requests.
Course Outline
Accounting and Record Keeping Basics
Understanding Financial Statements
Analyzing Financial Statements
Improving Cash Flow and Increasing Profits
Establishing Financial Controls
Forecasting
Becoming Bank Ready and Financing Options
Learner Outcomes
Participants will learn how to understand and interpret data on financial statements.
Participants will learn strategies for improving cash flow and increasing profits.
Participants will learn how to implement financial controls in their business.
Participants will learn how to become ''bank ready'' and gain an understanding of financing options.
Course Outline
What COVID-19 has and hasn?t changed for Small Business taxes.
Overview of accounting best practices.
Seven tax tips to help your business.
Learner Outcomes
Understand best practices in business record keeping that?ll help you all year.
Learn the top seven tips for making sure tax season is a breeze. 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.'' Are you getting the most out of your membership?
Did you realize that your Chamber membership comes with a whole host of FREE marketing tools for your business--all in one easy-to-access location? The Chamber's powerful member-focused software provides members with an event tool, a press release tool, a job posting board, and a hot deals/sales/specials tool--all free with your basic membership.
LEARN HOW TO:
Take advantage of the benefits you receive as a Chamber member
Create and update your business's Enhanced Listing in the website business directory
Appear in our Membership Matters newsletter
Create a hot deal (discount) to appear on your listing
Submit a job posting / volunteer opportunity
We'll be hosting a virtual Chamber 101 class the fourth Tuesday of every other month from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM via Zoom to teach you how to use these new features!
New and existing members are invited to attend. 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. Cash flow is the lifeline of a business and yet it remains a mystery for many and often confused with profits. For example, it is not unusual for a company to be profitable and have negative cash flow ? a situation most business owners at some time experienced and have no idea why.
The One Percent Solution will provide an overview of company cash flow and explain the seven levers that affect cash flow from operations and show how a small change in any one lever can have a large impact on company cash flow. Discussion includes using a financial scorecard and budget plan to help monitor and manage company cash flow.
Course Outline
Agenda
P&L Levers to Improve Profits and Cash Flow
Balance Sheet Levers to Improve Cash Flow
Summary
Tools
Learner Outcomes
Attendees will gain an understanding of:
elevated knowledge on financial management.
empowering tools to improve company performance.
Understand and improve business cash flow
how to improve financial management. Join the Georgia Small Business Development Center, USDA Rural Development, Georgia Department of Agriculture, and private grant writers to learn more about the USDA Value Added Producer Grant.
The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products.
Learner Outcomes
Improve knowledge on generating new products
Create and expand marketing opportunities
Build knowledge to increase producer income. 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.''
Webinar - StartSmart (8-class series)
Education & Workforce Development Committee Meeting
Webinar - Develop an Import / Export Business
Webinar - Start-Up Business - Financial Plan
Webinar - StartSmart (8-class series)
Chamber 101 - Virtual
Membership Committee Meeting
Webinar - Money Matters: The One Percent Solution
Webinar - Value Added Producer Grant Workshop
Webinar - StartSmart (8-class series)
