Leading Edge Business Seminar in Alamosa, Colorado
Leading Edge Course Gives Lessons in Proven Business Methods
How can I manage my business like a true business professional if I don’t have any formal business training, and I don’t have time to go to take classes at a college?
How can I plan for the growth of my company? How can I explain to my lender my need for financing and increase my chances of getting the loan approved?
If you have asked yourself questions like these, or you are an entrepreneur with a great idea for a business but no idea where to start, then you may want to consider enrolling in the Small Business Development Center’s Leading Edge course.
Leading Edge uses local business experts as speakers and the NxLevel© curriculum and is one of the best and most affordable entrepreneurial training programs on the market today. It aims for these results:
1. Provide basic business skills training, including preparing a business plan.
2. Provide practical guidance in marketing, financial projections and negotiating with lenders.
Over 600 communities in 48 states use the NxLevel© training material, with an average graduation rate of 65%. Existing businesses that have completed the program see a 28% increase in sales, and on average, create one additional job within one year of graduation. Of those graduates not in business, 40% go on to start a new venture.
From a recent San Luis Valley participant’s evaluation:
“If someone has an idea about starting a business, this is the class for you. You have to start somewhere. I know I am going to start a business soon; I am thankful for the Leading Edge Course because it got my wheels turning.”
Schedule for the Spring of 2011
Class will be facilitated by Donna Wehe. To register, contact Donna Wehe at 719-587-5151 or
donna@slv-sbdc.com.
Classes will be on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Colorado Welcome Center/Train Depot in Alamosa, Colorado, located at the intersection of State Avenue and 6th Street (Hwy 160 East).
The 12 week seminar costs $250 per business. Up to 3 people per business may attend. Scholarships may be available.
The following schedule is subject to change:
February 9 Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Understand business ownership, develop goals, objectives and mission statement
February 16 Planning and Research - this class will be at the Adams State College Library in Alamosa
Use the resources at ASC to learn more about your industry, trends & demographics
February 23 Legal Structure and Tax Management
Learn from an attorney and CPA how the legal structure chosen for your business may help mitigate tax and other liabilities
March 2 Marketing Analysis and Effective Signage
Use market analysis to develop your customer profile and analyze the competition
How to incorporate a SWOT in your business plan
Watch and discuss a 20 minute video about effective signage
March 9 Marketing and Sales Strategies
Realize the importance of business image; learn what influences price/quality relationship, and examine tools used to promote your business
Learn effective sales techniques from an experienced business owner
March 16 Financial Overview
Gain an understanding of the basic financial statements and how they are used, how to calculate break even, and pricing your product strategies
March 23 Managing Money Strategies
Learn how budgets, sales forecasts and other tools provide performance feedback
Develop cash flows (hands on activity to understand profit and loss statement)
Develop a pro forma balance sheet
March 30 - take a break from class and work on your business plan
April 6 Cash Management and Risk Management
Learn about internal operation controls over cash and tax issues that face business owners
Understand all the different types of insurance requirements for small business owners and employers
April 13 Financial Statements and Business Ratios
Learn to calculate and use ratios in financial statement analysis
Learn from an experienced business owner how projections and ratios can be used to make decisions
April 20 Financing Your Business (Lender Panel)
From Angel Investors to traditional commercial loans, discussion with a panel of experts over ways to finance your business
April 27 Green Business
Learn the necessity of "going green," available resources and understand the importance and lingo of the "green business" market
May 4 Future Growth/Graduation
Now what? Growing pains that face businesses and how to handle them; hear the succes story of a local small business and how they got there
