Western Michigan University

Schneider Hall

Haworth College of Business

Statistics show that one of the leading causes of business failure is poor management and lack of planning. Those who spend six months or more planning their business will significantly increase their success rate. Creating a business plan helps you set goals, determine the resources needed to carry out your plan, and foresee problems. A comprehensive business plan will determine if your business product, service or idea is feasible. This three-hour course will discuss each section of a business plan: Company overview, Operations, Marketing, Sales, Financials and Executive Summary. Pre-registration and payment is required. Please register on-line at www.misbtdc.org/region11.

Statistics show that one of the leading causes of business failure is poor management and lack of planning. Those who spend six months or more planning their business will significantly increase their success rate. Creating a business plan helps you set goals, determine the resources needed to carry out your plan, and foresee problems. A comprehensive business plan will determine if your business product, service or idea is feasible. This three-hour course will discuss each section of a business plan: Company overview, Operations, Marketing, Sales, Financials and Executive Summary. Pre-registration and payment is required. Please register on-line at www.misbtdc.org/region11.

Statistics show that one of the leading causes of business failure is poor management and lack of planning. Those who spend six months or more planning their business will significantly increase their success rate. Creating a business plan helps you set goals, determine the resources needed to carry out your plan, and foresee problems. A comprehensive business plan will determine if your business product, service or idea is feasible. This three-hour course will discuss each section of a business plan: Company overview, Operations, Marketing, Sales, Financials and Executive Summary. Pre-registration and payment is required. Please register on-line at www.misbtdc.org/region11.

Will you be seeking bank financing in the near future? Get the inside scoop from the SBA and local financial institutions on what criteria they are looking for from you! Have your questions answered directly by a team of experts. This course covers how loan applications are analyzed, what bankers require for approval and how banking regulations affect decisions. If you are opening a business or looking to grow your business, this is the workshop for you! The SBA will also discuss the status of lending in Michigan and different types of loan programs. Pre-registration is required. Register on-line at www.misbtdc.org/region11. This course is designed for new and existing small business owners, and lending professionals in the bank financing industry, who are interested in learning about lending in today's market.

Fiscal Fitness – Sponsored by Fifth Third Bank – Cost Free This workshop gives small business owners an in-depth look at the essentials of using financial information to make effective business decisions. Topics include how to: improve cash flow, use balance sheets and income statements to diagnose problems/opportunities, understand breakeven analysis and make better pricing/investment decisions, ensure you have enough working capital to support growth and keep your banker on your side. Presented by Teresa Sickles, CPA and MI-SBTDC Business Consultant. Date: September 16 (Thurs 9-12) at WMU Haworth College of Business-Schneider Hall

Please join us for an informative evening with experts in the areas of business lending, human resources, legal matters, taxes and insurance that will provide attendees with information on pertinent small business updates and topics for today’s savvy small business owner. Pre-registration is required. Please contact the MI-SBTDC at 269-387-6004 for more information.

10 week start-up entrepreneurial program: FastTrac® New Venture™ is a practical, hands-on business development workshop to help entrepreneurs hone the skills needed to create, manage, and grow a successful business. FastTrac® New Venture™ participants don't just learn about business, they live it. Participants learn in a variety of ways including standard classroom lecture, small group activities, guest speakers and individual counseling from MI-SBTDC facilitators. Attendees work on their own business ideas/ventures throughout the program--moving their ventures to reality or new levels of growth by creating a business plan and learning about the core fundamentals of how to create a successful business. FastTrac® is one of America's leading entrepreneurial training programs and remains on the cutting edge by providing programs that are written by entrepreneurs, facilitated by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs. Dates: September 15– November 17, Wednesdays from 9-12 noon FastTrac Eligibility: Each attendee is required to participate in the following to receive the MEDC workshop discount: (1) Attend the FTNV Orientation session on either August 16 from 9-11 AM or August 25 from 2-4 PM. (2) Attend one MI-SBTDC class for business start up prior to the FTNV class start date of September 15. MI-SBTDC classes can be located on the MI-SBTDC web site under the training tab. www.misbtdc.org/region11