Online Training Modules Now Available
Alabama's small business community now has 24/7 access to a variety of online training and business start-up classes thanks to the Alabama SBDC Network.
SmallBizU: A
collection of twenty-two online courses designed to teach entrepreneurs
the “3Ms"—Money, Marketing, and Management. This is done through a
no-frills curriculum that provides small businesses with real world
tools and information.
It provides you with the management fundamentals needed to fund, market,
and grow a business. Its online delivery method allows you to progress
at your own pace and is delivered just when you need it.
Pitch-Then-Plan:
A business planning technique that quickly translates business ideas
into business plans. The process starts with a
ten-slide business “pitch” which covers the essentials of the business
and how it operates. The next step is to complete the “plan.” The plan
takes each slide of the ten-step pitch and drills down to the next layer
of detail. Finally, the process is completed by taking the money
assumptions from each of the slides and creating a financial projection
for the business. It provides you
with a sense of clarity about the few things that matter most. By
limiting the discussion about the business, the process forces you to be
clear, concise, and concrete about what know and what you will do.
Money
Training Academy: This certificate training program teaches
new small business owners the basics of money—where to find it, how to
get it, and how to manage it. After each course is
completed you have the opportunity to take two practice quizzes and one
test. The test must be passed with an 80% or higher in order to pass the
course. This training provides you with an increased level
financial literacy. You will receive a certificate of completion when
you complete four of the seven courses and their respective tests (which
are favorably viewed by banks and investors).
Veterans Turn to Alabama's SBDC Counselors for Business Success
Over the last two years, the Alabama SBDC Network has assisted over 900
veterans
with their small businesses. Whether you want to start a new business,
acquire financing through the Patriot Express program, or pursue government
contracts, the Alabama SBDC
Network gives you direct access to a team of experienced and certified
professionals.
SBA Loans to Alabama Companies Jump 65%
Government-backed loans given to Alabama's small business community
increased 65% during the fiscal year (ending 9/30/11) to $178.7 million,
from $108.2 million the previous fiscal year. Many lenders and borrows
took advantage of an increased guaranty rate of 90% and temporarily-waived
loan fees. This article
from the Birmingham Business Journal is just one example of how SBA loans
and the Alabama SBDC Network can help small businesses.
The Alabama SBDC Network helped its clients gain access to over $40 million in loan and equity financing during the last fiscal year. If your business needs financing for survival or growth, or you need working capital for exports or government contracts, contact one of our finance specialists today!
2011 State Star Award & Counselor Accolades
Procurement Specialist Judy Callin, SBDC at Troy University, was named the 2011 State Star for the Alabama SBDC Network. This award is given annually to a business counselor with exemplary performance and significant contribution to the small business community. Read what Judy's clients had to say about her efforts in the wiregrass region.
One of the most valuable assets that the Alabama SBDC Network has is our talented and experienced staff of counselors, and we'd like to share a few of their recent accolades with you. To tap into the wealth of knowledge that our business counselors, procurement specialists, and international trade specialists have to offer, contact the center nearest to you.
Is Franchising for You?
Do you want the freedom and control of owning your own business? Have you
ever thought about hte advantages of operating your own franchise?
The 2011 Franchise Expo
was held on October 12
at the Cahaba Grand
Conference Center; Over 140 people attended the event.
Featured
franchises included leaders in the categories of Personal Care, Cleaning and
Maintenance, Senior Care, Staffing B2B, Pest Control/Home Services, Security
and Investigations, Digital and Imaging/Signage & Graphics. Our
consultants can help prospective owners find a brand that best suits their
financing, skills and goals.
Want to learn more about franchising opportunities? Contact the
Alabama SBDC Network's State Office at 205-348-1582 or email
ASBDC@ua.edu
Alabama Launchpad: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference, Sept 23
Alabama built the rockets that took man to the moon. Life-saving discoveries are being made in Alabama institutions. New patents are being filed across the state. So where do we go from here?
Economic
Development Partnership of Alabama Foundation, presented the inaugural
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference, a
"Launchpad" to bring together and engage the various groups seeking to
grow Alabama's entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, on
September 23rd. Innovation and entrepreneurship is vital to Alabama's economic development efforts, and the Alabama SBDC Network is committed to facilitating forward momentum for the development of these activities within the state.
Disaster Assistance & Business Continuity:
Preparedness, Recovery, Financing Options
If your small business or private, nonprofit organization has suffered economic injury (lost customers, lost contracts, etc), regardless of physical damage, and is located in a declared disaster area, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Alabama SBDC Network counselors can help you with disaster loans and recovery plans.
- Overview, Fact Sheet, Filing Deadlines
- Fact Sheet for Businesses of All Sizes
- Fact Sheet for Homeowners and Renters
-
Allowable use of proceeds
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan Overview
- NEW: Disaster Resource Guidebook
- Disaster Assistance Resources
- Alabama SBDC Network Locations
- Managing Employees After a Disaster
- IRS Publication: Disaster Loss Kit for Businesses
- Small Business Disaster Preparation: What you can do before a disaster
- Sample Business Emergency Plan
SBA's 2012 Small Business Exporter of
the Year:
Coming soon!
SBA Loans are a Bright Spot in Gloomy Economy: Wall Street Journal
SBA-backed
loans in the past have made up only a small portion of overall small-business
loans—around 7% to 8% according to the SBA's estimations. But thanks to
stimulus-related measures, SBA loans this year could be "pushing 10% to 15%,"
according to industry expert Bob Coleman, who keeps a pulse on SBA lending
through his independent publication, the Coleman Report.
Read
more about SBA loan growth>>
New Technology Guide Helps Entrepreneurs Grow Their Businesses, Create Jobs
The U.S. Small Business Administration and Microsoft have teamed up to
develop this free, comprehensive guide on how technology can improve the
small business owner’s chances for success. The Business Technology
Simplified guidebook includes fundamentals on the importance of technology,
and on how it can be used to achieve a business’s goals. In the guidebook’s
foreword, Earvin “Magic” Johnson writes about his
journey in developing a multimillion dollar company and the value of
technology to remain competitive.
Learn more about the
SBA/Microsoft Technology Guide, and how your small business can take advantage. >>>>
Are You Export-Ready?
- Take the free Export Readiness Assessment from the Alabama International Trade Center to find out! Are you ready to tap into export markets to find additional sales in this down economy? Need guidance on do's and don'ts of international trade? Take the Export Readiness Assessment today, or contact one of our trade specialists.
- Export Readiness Assessment
