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.'' Approximately 93% of all web traffic is via a search engine. Are prospective customers finding your site or are you missing out on revenue opportunities? By optimizing your web site for search engines, you can tap into your target market when they are actively seeking information about your product or service. Search engines, such as Google, rely upon key drivers for ranking organic listings. Learn how these key drivers affect your organic and local search results and how you can connect with customers in a digital world!
Course Outline
Agenda:
SEO definition
Site Structure
Content
Time
Links
How SEO Drivers affect traffic
Tools and Resources
Q and A
Learner Outcomes
Attendees will gain an understanding of:
Search Engine Optimization terms
What the key drivers of SEO drivers
How to use key drivers to increase traffic
Best practices for each of four key drivers 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 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. Are you ready to turn the key and unlock the capital your small business needs to thrive?
This course is designed specifically for small business owners and entrepreneurs seeking to understand and access various funding options.
The course will discuss the ins and outs of the different types of capital, including SBA-guaranteed loans, traditional bank loans, non-traditional funding sources, equity, and little-known specialty lending programs, and weigh the pros and cons of each.
The course will also highlight the financial management strategies that help owners think like a lender and ensure their business is lender-ready.
LEARN HOW TO:
Evaluate the various types of financing available for small businesses
Determine the advantages and disadvantages of the different forms of capital as it relates to your business
Implement financial management best practices
Create the BIG three financial statements and analyze them from a lender?s perspective
Become familiar with Georgia?s State Small Business Credit Initiative lending programs The DeKalb Chamber Economic Development Committee works with DeKalb County to recruit and retain industry. Its mission is to advocate, partner, and engage to ensure a vibrant business community in DeKalb County.
This committee meets quarterly on the 1st Tuesday of the month from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. In this class, you will discover the importance of teaming in the government contracting sector.
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You will learn how to collaborate with other companies to enhance your chances of securing government contracts. The course will cover various teaming structures, including joint ventures, subcontracting, and mentor-protégé relationships. Additionally, you will explore strategies for identifying, negotiating, and managing successful partnerships.
LEARN HOW TO:
Understand the Benefits of Teaming
Evaluate the different teaming models:
Joint ventures
Subcontracting
Mentor-protégé relationships
Gain insight into the legal aspects of teaming agreements
Assess potential teaming partners
Effectively manage the team to maximize performance It's time to show off your business' unique personality!
More than just a logo, in today's competitive business environment, a powerful brand is your secret weapon to get noticed and connect with your customers. This class will empower you with tools to create and communicate a brand that truly represents you and resonates with your audience. You'll uncover your authentic ''why,'' develop a magnetic brand personality that reflects your core values, and learn tactics to design a head-turning brand identity. You'll also learn how to craft a unique value proposition that tells your story and sets you apart.
LEARN HOW TO:
Hone your ''why'' and core values
Develop your business' brand personality
Design a strong brand identity that emotionally connects
Build a unique value proposition to stand out
Get people on board with your brand
Workshop - StartSmart (8-class series)
Workshop - Marketing Monday: SEO: Drive Traffic and Grow Sales
Workshop - StartSmart (8-class series)
Membership Committee Meeting
Workshop - Unlocking Capital: An Owner’s Guide to Funding a Small Business
Economic Development Committee Meeting
Workshop - Teaming Your Way to Contracting Success
Workshop - Turn Heads in Your Direction with Powerful Branding
