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| Home | About Us | Starting a New Business | Expanding A Business | Programs | Resources |
| 1. Business Assessment · Growth Resource Allocation (No Cost*) | ||
| 4. Comprehensive Training (Low Cost) | 2. Earn More & Work Less with a “Business Game Plan” (No Cost*) | |
| 3. Personalized Strategic Planning + Implementation Counseling (No Cost*) |
*Funded by SBDC's "Friends of Small Business"
"The Chessboard" Image © Copyright Agnès Dodart, www.agnesdodart.com, used with permission.
"[The Business Game Plan] gave me real life situations that would come up in my business and forced me to think through solutions and next steps. It all ties back directly to what I learned at the SBDC and really reinforces the concepts in their reality. It's also a great opportunity to network and have fun at the same time."
– Renee McNally · HR Solutions, LLC · Churchville, MD
"SBDC's Business Game Plan session taught me more in three hours than some business courses did in three days (I even had to pay for those). I learned principles that are setting me up for a lifetime of business success."
– Steven Bradley · Bradley Electric, Inc · Bel Air, MD
What are your reasons for being in business? Did you want to be your own boss, make more time for your family, have a better lifestyle or more money? If these benefits are taking longer than expected, then the SBDC can be the answer.
The purpose of working with our team of business counselors and instructors is to reduce the likelihood that you fall into common small business traps. A question we ask our clients is “Do you own your business, or does your business own you?” Our GROWsmart program will help get the income, lifestyle and time with your family that you're looking for.
Every relationship with the SBDC is different, but we offer four key services that will help you get the results you want from your business.
- Business Assessment – Growth Resource Allocation: You and an SBDC counselor discuss how your business currently works and determine what needs to be done to rectify particular issues in the business. We will create a list of items to be acted on within a specific time frame and in a sensible order, and immediately identify specific federal, state and local resources. To make an appointment, e-mail sbdc@harford.edu or call 443-412-2237.
- Earn More & Work Less with a "Business Game Plan": A 3 ½ hour session combining training and counseling to show you how to increase your profits by using SBDC's The 5 Drivers of Your Bottom Line©. Learn to work on your business while using the activity-based learning program "LEVERAGE." Invented by Australian billionaire and entrepreneur Brad Sugars, LEVERAGE, used by thousands of existing business owners around the world, gives you a hundreds of strategies and systems to build your game plan on how to be successful. To make an appointment, e-mail sbdc@harford.edu or call 443-412-2237.
- Personalized Strategic Planning + Implementation Counseling: As the business owner, you can’t structure and facilitate strategic plan development and participate fully all at the same time! That's where SBDC comes in. We structure and facilitate your planning process to create a vision for change and guide you and your team to make key decisions about your small business' future. Resources are brought to you, including market research data, accounting, cash flow management, etc.
- Comprehensive Training: To supplement our counseling, we provide the following comprehensive training to strengthen your business. See below for the comprehensive training schedule.
Town of Bel Air · City of Havre de Grace · Point Breeze Credit Union · Freedom Federal Credit Union · Web Ad.vantage
Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development · Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union (APGFCU)
Harford Business Ledger · Dryer Vent Wizard · Harford County Public Library · Susquehanna Workforce Network
Current Schedule for Comprehensive Training
Click here or call 443-412-2376 for details about registration for classes at Harford Community College.
Sessions held at Harford Community College (See above for registration information):Quick Books: Learn to automate business finances: how to enter invoices, cash sales, bills, track items bought and sold, resale items, and track expenses and income by job or client; track and pay sales tax, receive and deposit payments; print invoices, statements, payroll checks, and reports. Reports include profit and loss, balance sheets, trial balances, journals, and cash flow. Prerequisites: Knowledge of accounting and working knowledge of Windows. USB Flash Drive required.
Course: 45145M 10/18 – 11/15 6:30-9:40PM, Higher Education Center, Rm. 125
Tuition: $239, Course Fee: $39
Introduction to Social Media: Social Media websites such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn offer many interesting ways for individuals to socialize with businesses, friends, coworkers, family members, and even strangers. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of each social media website, as well as how you can promote yourself or your business in a very positive light. Learn about viral marketing and the strategy involved when it comes to using social media websites as advertisements. You will also learn unique ways to keep you (or your children) safe while using social media websites. You may also learn that there is something you are doing right now that is putting you or your family in danger. Learn how to use social media responsibly, but also learn the many ways to have a lot of fun with social media. Prerequisite: Working knowledge of Windows XP or Vista and comfortable browsing the Internet.
Course: 35417F 10/29 & 11/5 6:30-9:40PM, Edgewood Hall, Rm. 215
Tuition: $99, Course Fee: $39
Sessions held at Cecil College (To register, call 410-392-3366, ext. 605 or e-mail training4success@cecil.edu):
QuickBooks - Advanced: Apply more advanced accounting fundamentals to business finances after completing this 12-hour course. Pre-requisite: Introduction to QuickBooks or experience.
Course: CAF106-01M 11/8 – 11/29 6-9PM, Elkton Station, Rm. 315
Tuition: $145, Course Fee: $45
“The SBDC kept me going and on the right track. In the beginning, it's hard to know what to do next. They kept me focused and kept pushing me. They became the friend you needed when you felt frustrated and all alone.” – Glenn Gustafsson
