Objectives:
- Facilitate training and business advice for 10 aspiring and established business owners
- Provide 6 learning sessions and one practice session to assist business owners in developing a final business presentation for graduation
- 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
- Measure the learning of presented information with weekly homework assignments and a final business presentation
To graduate and receive the grant, Businesses must:
- Attend all classes
- Submit all weekly homework assignments before the next class
- Meet with each business advisor twice
- Meet with the Facilitator weekly
- Give a Final 15 minute presentation on April 20, 2022 Template for Final Presentation
Facilitator:
- Business Advisory Calls with Will Holmes: https://whc.as.me/ivpspr22
- Questions for Will? Email: grow@whcusa.com
Law- Matthew L. Allison | Corporate Associate Nemphos Braue LLC
Office: 410-321-8200 | Email: MLAllison@nemphosbraue.com
Human Resources- Dr. Johnetta Thurston, PMP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Cell- 202-320-3677 | Office 301-912-4294
Email- jthurston@getjda.com | Appointments – www.getjda.com/scheduling or https://www.
Accounting- Lakia Bourne | Synergy Accounting Service
Phone is 410-571-4722 | E-mail is lakiam@synergyacctg.com | Appointments: https://www.scheduleyou.in/
After each class. we will send the recording to the group for review. However, attendance is expected in each class. No excuses, please.
LEARNING SESSIONS
Week One for Businesses
Wednesday, March 2, 2022 | 6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In for Businesses
Topic: Introductions, Program Orientation & Business Challenges
Facilitators: Will Holmes and Rennard Brown
During this 3 hour session, we will discuss the goals of the program, expectations and the final presentation. Participants will introduce themselves and share (in 3 minutes): Name; Business Name; Target Customers and 12-month Revenue Goal. We will discuss the importance of the 12 month Cash Flow Projections, which will be the foundation of planning the growth of the business.
Click here for Week One Homework
Resources:
- For budgeting and projections: 12 month Cash Flow Projections Excel Template | Use passcode dwq?H&0B for Instructional Video
- Final Presentation Template
- Spring 2022 Recording
Week Two for Businesses
Wednesday, March 9, 2022 | 6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In
Topic: Building a Sustainable Organization’s Infrastructure
Facilitator: Will Holmes and Rennard Brown
Panelists: TBD
During this 3 hour session, for the first half, 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 half, we will be joined by a panel of successful business leaders who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.
Click here for Week Two Homework
Resources:
- Podcast: Building a Sustainable Business Presentation
- 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
- Spring 2022 Recording
Week Three for Businesses
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 | 6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In
Topic: Leading People & Planning for Growth
Facilitator: Will Holmes and Rennard Brown
Panelists: TBD
During this 3 hour session, for the first half, 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 half, we will be joined by a panel of 3 successful business leaders who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.
Click here for Week Three Homework
Resources:
- Podcast Audio
- Video: Presentation- Leading People and Planning for Growth
- Video Panel Discussions- Leading People and Planning for Growth | Leading People and Planning for Growth
- Spring 2022 Recording
Week Four for Businesses
Wednesday, March 23, 2022 | 6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In
Topic: Marketing & Selling B2G, B2B & B2C
Facilitator: Will Holmes and Rennard Brown
Panelists: TBD
During this 3 hour session, for the first half, 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 half, 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
- Social Media Management Tools: Google Analytics | Hootsuite
- Email Marketing Tools: www.mailchimp.com
- Customer Demographics: www.census.gov | www.bls.gov
- Government Certifications
- Spring 2022 Recording
Week Five for Businesses
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 | 6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In
Topic: Accounting, Human Resources, Legal, Taxes & Insurance
Facilitator: Will Holmes and Rennard Brown
Panelists: TBD
During this 3 hour session, for the first half, 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 half, 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. 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
- Final Presentation Template
- Download
- Spring 2022 Recording
Week Six for Businesses
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 | 6pm to 9pm | Zoom Log In
Topic: Preparing for Capital & Essential Financial Documentation
Facilitator: Will Holmes and Rennard Brown
Panelists: TBD
During this 3 hour session, for the first half, 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 half, we will be joined by a panel of lenders, investors and accountants who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the final session.
Click here for Week Six Homework Part 1
Homework Part 2:
Business Owners must complete the homework questionnaire (part 1) and then schedule a one-on-one with Will Holmes to discuss their final presentation. You should be ready to present after our call. Use this link for a 30 minute call.
Resources:
- Audio: Podcast Preparing for Capital
- Video Presentation- Preparing for Capital
- Video Panel- Preparing for Capital
- Spring 2022 Recording
- Click here for Final Presentation Template
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 Practice Presentation for Businesses
Zoom Log In | Facilitators: Will Holmes and Rennard Brown
Click here for Final Presentation Template
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Final Presentation and Graduation
Zoom Log In
Topic: Presentations and Graduation
Facilitators: Keasha Haythe and Will Holmes
During our final 3 hour session, we will bring all the Participants together for presentations to local lenders and government agencies. 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.
Click here for Final Presentation Template