Grow Your Existing Business
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Strengthen and Grow Your Existing Business
Businesses that have made it through the start-up phase often have unique issues that need to be addressed if the business is to achieve its optimal size and sustained growth. This phase of the business life cycle is full of transitions and requires changing roles and management styles. Successfully navigating this challenging period requires business owners to develop new skills, competencies and capabilities.
Client Testimonials
“The WBDC Assessment Tool was so helpful when I was identifying the strengths and weaknesses of my business while updating my company’s strategic plan. I have a realistic and achievable plan for the future that I am really excited about!”
“The work that I did as part of the Accessing New Markets program to ‘qualify’ my sales prospects has made me much more effective in managing my sales process. This will be a key aspect of the way that I do business from now on. "
“The one-on-one counseling sessions that I received at the WBDC to use my financial statements to strategically evaluate and grow my business have been awesome! I used to avoid the numbers because I didn’t really understand them, but now I don’t know how I ever managed my business without this knowledge.”
Who Can Benefit?
- Businesses that are interested in achieving the next level of growth and profitability
- Business owners transitioning from being a “doer” to being a “manager”
- Businesses whose initial growth in revenues and profits has flattened and are looking for new revenue-generating opportunities
- Businesses that have reached a point where they need to establish and implement formal policies, procedures, and systems
How We Can Help You
Business Assessment
Sales Presentation Critiques
Sales Prospect Evaluations
Advisory Panels
Referrals to Specialized Business Professionals
Accessing New Markets
Certification as a Woman Owned Business
Marketing to Government and Corporations
Financing Your Business
Get a Loan
Secure Equity Financing
Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference
Targeted Workshops and Seminars
One-on-One Business Counseling
Business Assessments
The Business Assessment process utilizes analytical tools to help the entrepreneur to assess their business, create a plan for strengthening various aspects of their enterprise, and envision new opportunities.
The goals of the assessment process are to:
1. identify issues that may be inhibiting growth or affecting profitability;
2. pinpoint root causes of the problems;
3. provide suggestions for dealing with issues identified, and
4. develop strategies for leveraging them into new opportunities.
If you are interested in qualifying for the business assessment service, call Sara Shifrin at ex. 13 or at sshifrin@wbdc.org
Sales Presentation Critiques
The WBDC will assemble a three-person panel to evaluate the sales presentation that you are using to promote your company’s products or services. The panel will provide suggestions to fine-tune the presentation and enhance its effectiveness. If you are interested in qualifying for this service, contact Sara Shifrin at ex. 13 or at sshifrin@wbdc.org
Sales Prospect Evaluations
Do you need help determining how to prioritize your sales efforts? Do you know the revenue that your company can realistically expect to generate from your sales pipeline? The WBDC will work with you to ‘qualify’ your sales pipeline. If you are interested in qualifying for this service, contact Sara Shifrin at ex. 13 or at sshifrin@wbdc.org
Advisory Panels
The WBDC is a key sponsor of the Athena Powerlink® mentoring program, which has been designed to foster business growth. The program assists women owned businesses that meet certain criteria by connecting the business owner with an advisory panel for a twelve-month period. The panel is made up of volunteer business professionals who are recruited to meet the specific needs of the business. The business owner meets with her panel at least quarterly and receives advice at no charge. Athena Powerlink® acts as an incubator of ideas, strategies and best practices, as well as a catalyst for growth.
To qualify for the Athena Powerlink® program, a business must meet the following criteria:
- It must be 51% owned and actively managed by a woman or women
- It must have been in operation for a minimum of two years
- It must have at least two full-time employees (including the business owner), or a number of employees whose total work hours add up to two-full time positions
- Annual revenues must be at least $250,000 for a retail or manufacturing business
- Annual revenues must be at least $100,000 for a service business
- The owner must have clearly defined objectives and specific reasons for seeking an advisory panel
To discuss the program or find out how to apply, contact Sara Shifrin at ex. 13 or at sshifrin@wbdc.org
Referrals to Specialized Business Professionals
The WBDC has a database of professionals with expertise in a variety of disciplines, including accountants, lawyers, graphic designers, sales consultants, among others, who are willing to work with small and medium sized businesses. For more information contact the WBDC at 312-853-3477, x0 or wbdc@wbdc.org.
Targeted Workshops and Seminars
The WBDC offers a variety of workshops and seminars throughout the year that are geared for existing business owners.Click here to view the schedule of workshops and seminars. If you need assistance determining which workshops most closely match your needs; contact Sara Shifrin for assistance at (312) 853-3477 ext. 13 or sshifrin@wbdc.org.
One-on-One Business Counseling
WBDC counselors work with clients on an individual basis to work through issues, discuss and develop strategies, and enhance managerial skills. Contact Sara Shifrin at ex. 13 or at sshifrin@wbdc.org
so that they can determine which WBDC counselor is most appropriate to work with you on your specific business needs.
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