BGAP OBJECTIVES:
- Facilitate training and business advice for 10-15 aspiring and established business owners
- Provide 6 learning sessions and 1 preparation session to assist business owners in developing a final business presentation
- Facilitate learning sessions where participants are introduced to topics and practical information necessary for running the day-to-day operations of a growing business
- Develop interactive learning sessions where participants hear from and interact with the facilitator who shares practical information on business management and then, from a panel of experienced subject matter experts with various perspectives and different backgrounds
- Facilitate opportunities for participants for hands on learning, interaction with other participants and interaction with practitioners and subject matter experts
- Create environments for learning with participants at similar growth points
- Ensure business owners understand their pricing model, profit margins, monthly expenses and revenue and sales goals
- Ensure business owners are better prepared to speak with a lender or investor in regard to funding and the scaling of their business
- Measure the learning of presented information with weekly homework assignments and a final business presentation in week 8
- Attend and participate in each class
- Submit weekly homework assignments before the next class
- Meet with Will Holmes or Rennard Brown each week for an Operations call
- Meet two times with each of the Law, Accounting and HR mentors
- Present Cash Flow during week 6 one-on-ones
- Give a Practice Presentation in week 7
- Give a Final 15-minute presentation in week 8
WEEKLY OPERATIONAL CALLS
Each Business Owner is required to have a weekly call with Will Holmes, Mr. Brown or one of our designated Operations Consultants. Here is the schedule:
- Week One- Business Owner meets with the Mentor to set up Version 1 of the cash flow projections. Business Owner should be prepared to discuss expenses and potential revenue opportunities. After this session, the Business Owner should work on refining the cash flow projections before the next call. (Mentor options: Will Holmes or Mr. Brown)
- Week Two- Business Owner presents Version 2 of the cash flow projection explaining expenses and discusses revenue opportunities, capital needs and time frame to the Mentor. (Mentor options: Mr. Brown)
- Week Three- Business Owner revised Version 2 of the cash flow projections, adding additional expenses and income and discusses profitability with the Mentor. (Mentor options: Mr. Brown)
- Week Four- Business Owner and the Mentor have a discussion on marketing. (Mentor options: Mr. Brown or Jason Bass)
- Week Five- Business Owner and the Mentor have a discussion on operational growth strategy. (Mentor options: Mr. Brown or Dr. Rhonda Farrell)
- Week Six- Business Owner presents Version 3 of the cash flow projections to the Mentor. (Mentor options: Mr. Brown)
- Week Seven – Business Owner presents practice presentation to the Mentor. (Mentor options: Mr. Brown)
- Week Eight- Business Owner presents practice presentation to the Mentor. (Mentor options: Mr. Brown)
Mr. Brown: https://whc.as.me/mrbrown | rabrown2010@gmail.com
Will Holmes: grow@whcusa.com
One Meeting During the Program
Jason Bass (Marketing/ Branding): https://calendly.com/jasoncbass/15min
Dr. Rhonda Farrell (Operations/ Strategy/ Leadership): https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=20072226&appointmentType=40160972
Meet Twice with the Law, Accounting and Human Resources Mentors!
Each Business Owner is required to meet with the Law Mentor twice, the Accounting Mentor twice and the Human Resources Mentor twice during BGAP. Here is their contact info:
- Legal Mentor- Sahmra Stevenson SahmraSSLaw@gmail.com | Schedule a meeting: https://whc.as.me/saslaw15
- Accounting Mentor- Catherine Wright catherinewright@wrightwaytax.com | Schedule a meeting: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17202201&appointmentType=33559471
- Human Resources Mentor- Dr. Johnetta Thurston Jthurston@getjda.com | Schedule a meeting: http://Getjdascheduling.as.me/CharlesCounty
Your Mentor will complete a summary of your conversation and you will receive a copy via email after your meeting. If you do not receive it, contact that Mentor right away.
Essential Tools
8 LEARNING SESSIONS
After each class we will post the recording here for review. However, attendance is expected in each class. No excuses, please.
Week One for Businesses
6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In for Businesses
Topic: Introductions, Program Orientation & Business Challenges
Facilitators: Lucretia Freeman-Buster, Rennard Brown and Will Holmes
During this 3 hour session, we will discuss the goals of the program, expectations and the final presentation. Participants will introduce themselves and share their greatest business challenges. We will discuss common challenges and the importance of the 12 month Cash Flow Projections, which will be the foundation of planning the growth of the business. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.
Click here for Week One Homework
Resources:
- For budgeting and projections: 12-month Cash Flow Projections Excel Template | Instructional Video
- Recording of 3/17/22 Class
- Recording of 5/19/22 Class
- Recording of 7/21/22 Class
- Download of Week One Presentation
- Recording of 1/5/23 Class
Week Two for Businesses
6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In
Topic: Building a Sustainable Organization’s Infrastructure
Facilitator: Will Holmes
Panelists: TBD
During this 3 hour session, for the first hour, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the Participants’ greatest challenges and how to address them with market research, customer segmentation, infrastructure, technology, planning and coordination of people and processes. During the second hour, we will be joined by a panel of successful business leaders who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. During the 3rd hour we will discuss current business challenges and homework. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.
Click here for Week Two Homework
Resources:
- Podcast: Building a Sustainable Business
- Video: Presentation- Building a Sustainable Business
- Video: Panel Discussions- Building a Sustainable Business | Building a Sustainable Business
- Video: Use passcode dwq?H&0B for Budgeting, Pricing and Business Model
- Contact Jamie at ADP for reduced payroll services Jamie.Hyman@adp.com
- Download of Week 2 Presentation
- Recording of 3/24/22 Class
- Recording of 5/26/22 Class
- Recording of 7/28/22 Class
- Recording of 9/29/22 Class
- Recording of 1/12/23 Class
Week Three for Businesses
6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In
Topic: Leading People & Planning for Growth
Facilitator: Rennard Brown
Panelists: TBD
During this 3 hour session, for the first hour, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the Participants’ greatest challenges and how to address them with effective techniques for assessing the needs of the market, identifying organizational goals and creating win/ win situations with team members to ensure success. We will also discuss pricing, operational strategy, basic project management and allocation of time, people and resources. During the second hour, we will be joined by a panel of 3 successful business leaders who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. During the 3rd hour we will discuss current business challenges and homework. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.
Click here for Week Three Homework
Resources:
- Podcast Audio Planning for Growth
- Video: Presentation- Leading People and Planning for Growth
- Video Panel Discussions- Leading People and Planning for Growth | Leading People and Planning for Growth
- Recording of 3/31/22 Class
- Recording of 6/2/22 Class
- Recording of 8/4/22 Class Use passcode Y.*^1^fH
- Recording of 10/6/22 Class
- Recording of 1/19/23 Class
Week Four for Businesses
6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In
Topic: Marketing & Selling B2G, B2B & B2C
Facilitator: Will Holmes
Panelists: TBD
During this 3 hour session, for the first hour, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the Participants’ greatest challenges and how to address them with effective market research, identifying target customers, lead generation, business development, proposal writing, strategic partnerships and relationship building. During the second hour, we will be joined by a panel of representatives from government procurement offices and local anchor institutions who want to do business with smaller companies. They will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. After the panel, we will have a discussion on social media strategy and management. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.
Click here for Week Four Homework
Resources:
- Podcast Audio
- Podcast Audio
- Video Presentation- Selling B2G, B2B & B2C
- Video Panels- Selling B2G, B2B & B2C | Selling B2G, B2B & B2C
- Customer Relationship Management Tools: www.zohocrm.com | www.salesforce.com | Monday.com
- Social Media Management Tools: Google Analytics | Hootsuite
- Email Marketing Tools: www.mailchimp.com
- Customer Demographics: www.census.gov | www.bls.gov
- Government Certifications
- Recording of 6/9/22 Class
- Recording of 8/11/22 Class
- Recording of 10/13/22 Class
- Recording of 1/26/23 Class
Week Five for Businesses
6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In
Topic: Accounting, Human Resources, Legal, Taxes & Insurance
Facilitator: Will Holmes
Panelists: TBD
During this 3 hour session, for the first hour, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the Participants’ greatest challenges and how to address them with better compliance and internal controls. We will examine best practices in Human Resources, Accounting, Contracts, Taxes and Insurance. During the second hour, we will be joined by a panel consisting of a HR consultant, accountant, attorney and a financial advisor. They will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. During the 3rd hour we will discuss current business challenges and homework. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.
Click here for Week Five Homework
Resources:
- Podcast Audio
- Video Presentation- Accounting, Human Resources, Legal, Taxes & Insurance
- Video Panels- Accounting, Human Resources, Legal, Taxes & Insurance
- Free Accounting Tool: www.waveapps.com
- Contact Jamie at ADP for reduced payroll services Jamie.Hyman@adp.com
- Download
- Recording of 6/16/22 Class
- Recording of 8/18/22 Class
- Recording of 10/20/22 Class
- Recording of 2/2/23 Class
Week Six for Businesses
6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In
Topic: Preparing for Capital & Essential Financial Documentation
Facilitator: Will Holmes
Panelists: TBD
During this 3 hour session, for the first hour, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the Participants’ greatest challenges and how to address them with accessing capital from various sources and preparing the financial documentation and narratives necessary to attract funding. During the second hour, we will be joined by a panel of lenders, investors and accountants who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. During the 3rd hour we will discuss the final presentation. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.
Click here for Week Six Homework Part 1
Week Six Homework Part 2: Discuss your cash flow projections during your one-on-one!
Resources:
- Audio: Podcast Preparing for Capital
- Video Presentation- Preparing for Capital
- Video Panel- Preparing for Capital
- Recording of 8/25/22 Class
- Recording of 10/27/22 Class
Week Seven for Businesses
6pm to 10pm | Zoom Log In
Topic: Practice Presentations
Facilitator: Will Holmes
During this 3 hour session, the Facilitator will review the final presentation template and take questions from the Participants. Then the participants will present their draft slides for feedback from the Facilitator.
Week Eight for Businesses
6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In
Topic: Final Presentations and Graduation
Facilitators: Lucretia Freeman- Buster, Rennard Brown and Will Holmes
During our final 3 hour session, we will bring together all the Participants for final presentations. Due the number of Participants and limited time, we will separate into smaller groups in virtual breakout rooms to hear the presentations. Participants can cheer on the presenters and ask questions about their growth plans. After the presentations are complete, we will have a graduation ceremony. Certificates of Completion will be sent digitally to all Participants who completed the program.