Entrepreneur/Small Business Owner Workshops

DO YOU HAVE THE DNA OF AN ENTREPRENEUR?

Session Description:

The tough economy has affected the labor market in a multitude of ways.  One has been the growth of business start-ups.  Many of these new businesses are started by talented, creative people who are moving to a new phase in the lives.  What makes an entrepreneur successful? Of course, the answer is-- many things.  However, certain key characteristics of successful entrepreneurs have been identified.  Very few people have all the characteristics. The key is to diagnose your strengths and weaknesses and then put your energy in creating and implementing a plan to compensate for your weaker areas. 

Starting and maintaining a successful small business is difficult even in the best of times and as we all know these are not the best of times. In order to be successful you have to be prepared as possible to meet the daily challenges you face. Who we are, how we process information, our past experiences, current skill sets and many other factors often determine success or failure. There are also certain characteristics that have been determined to be critical to the entrepreneur's success. Identifying those characteristics is just the first step.

This training is designed to help both new and seasoned Small Business Owners/Entrepreneurs objectively examine their current skill sets and determine both strengths and weaknesses. There are direct and indirect forces that effect business success. It is critical that you truly know what you bring to the table and where you will need help.

By taking an assessment to identify those gaps you can take the second step which is to develop a proactive action plan with financial considerations to fill those gaps, so you can concentrate on your strengths to build your business. The last step will be the most important one, and all yours---GO OUT AND MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Objectives:

  Understand which skill sets are necessary to be a successful entrepreneur

  Complete and analyze gap analysis results

  Discover and define strategies to counterbalance skill gaps

MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM THE CORPORATE WORLD TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Session Description:

It is a new economy out there. Many of us who spent many years in the corporate environment, find ourselves facing new life choices which mean big changes.  Often the choice is to start a new business. Former corporate employees bring a great deal of experience as both an employees and manager to the table.  However, the transition from the corporate world to small business ownership is not without its challenges. Many of the skill sets valued in larger companies are not the same skill set necessary be successful as a small business owner. The dynamics of running a small business are very different from participating as an employee or managing part of a larger organization. As an small business owner it is vital to truly know what you bring to the table and where you need the help.

The focus of this seminar is to help the small business owner objectively examine their current skill sets and determine strengths and weaknesses.  Once the gap assessment has been completed, then priorities can be set and a proactive action plan can be developed and implemented according to need, financial and time considerations. 

Target Audience:

Start-up businesses and individuals, especially former employees, displaced workers, veterans thinking about starting a business and current small business owners looking to improve their business.

Objectives:

  Learn about all the components of running a small business

  Determine current strengths and weaknesses

  Explore various options to fill gaps

  Develop a proactive action plan for improvement

PUBLIC SPEAKING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS--IT'S NOT TERMINAL

Session Description:

In today's world, knowing how to present yourself and your product and/or service is not only a critical part of sales, but an important part of building a successful business.  Being able to present yourself and your business in a positive manner at networking events, social interactions, and other business opportunities takes a lot of though, planning and practice...practice...practice.

Fear of public speaking is near the top of almost everyone’s List of Scary Things. However, for entrepreneurs and small business owners it is imperative that they get their message out to potential clients and networking partners. Yet as those business owners and entrepreneurs we are often unprepared to make the most of those opportunities.  Having a clear message that is vocalized through various presentations, networking events, etc. that match your printed material is powerful.

Target Audience: Start-up Businesses, Individuals thinking about starting a business, current small business owners looking to improve their business

Objectives:

  Understand the key components of any presentation, no matter how long

  Learn how to connect with the audience

  Deal with the fear of presenting

  Learning to integrate fun and humor

  Finding your point and making it

THE POWER OF A FOCUSED BUSINESS PLAN

Session Description:

Often the preparation of a business plan is skipped in the process of starting a business. However, investors do not loan money on just great ideas.  They don't make money on business ideas; they make money on businesses that can implement ideas. 

A business plan provides a "road map" not only to possible lending partners, but to you, your partners and employees.

The idea of writing a business plan can be an overwhelming idea. Without any help, we can usually come up with a dozen reasons why we DON’T need one. Below are a few reasons why we DO need one. A business plan serves several purposes, but the most important ones are:

• Gives you a Dose of Reality – Putting your plan down on a piece of paper makes it a reality. However the thought process to get to that point is even more important.  The process forces you to take a critical, unemotional look at your business concept.
• Establishes a Measurement Tool – If used properly, your written business plan should set realistic goals that and objectives for your company’s performance. To be effective it must also be used as a measurement tool to evaluate and monitor your company’s performance.
• Confirms Financial Needs – The financial part of a business plan is one of the most critical and sometimes the most overlooked.  Money is the fuel that drives the engine of your business.
• It Establishes your Message-This document should establish your company’s identity to several different audiences i.e. employees, lenders and potential investors and your customers/clients. Through the process of determining your message and business plan, it will become clear if your vision is realistic as will the steps to accomplish it. It puts your thoughts into an organized, logical manner.
• Use it as a Motivational Engine – When everyone is on the same page, things get done.  If you and your team stay focused, energy multiplies.
• It becomes a Management Tool – As you develop your overall mission, you grow as a manager because it gives you practice as a problem-solver.
• It is your Road Map – Once finished you have a road map to act as your guide, not that you won’t take detours, but it is a way to control the direction of your company.

Training Session Time

This class is a series of six separate half-day classes because of the subject complexity.  The initial six training classes are scheduled one week apart and homework is assigned between sessions to create your own business plan.  The seventh and final class (although optional) may be the most crucial as it is an oral presentation and review of your business plan to the class and a panel of advisors.

Target Audience: Start-up Businesses, Individuals thinking about starting a business, current small business owners looking to improve their business