Castle Rock Economic Gardeners Business Boot Camp

Are you interested in growing your Castle Rock business? The Business Boot Camp has been designed for established business owners (3+ years) to be provided with business training, peer group accountability and leader mentors during a high impact workshop series.

Session 1: Creating a leadership culture - Oct 11, 2011 5pm - 8pm
In session 1, business culture, leadership, and goal setting will be presented. Business owners will learn the impact of having defined vision, values and mission statements in place, and how to effectively cultivate a healthy, thriving business culture. In addition, business owners will learn the value of setting one and two year financial and tactical goals to measure and drive company performance. Outcomes: Owners will be required to establish a leadership culture, and set business goals & objectives for the next year.

Session 2: Developing a Sales and marketing strategy - Nov 8, 2011 5pm - 8pm
In Session 2, the sales process will be explored, and owners will begin to develop a sales process for their business. Marketing, advertising, and branding will be defined and discussed as support activities to feed the sales process. Outcomes: Owners will be required to develop a sales process, define a target market, and develop a marketing strategy which includes tactics.

Session 3 a: Financial Reporting Systems: Understanding and Interpretation -
Dec 13, 2011 5pm - 8pm
In these two areas of focus, 3 a & 3 b, financial management will be defined, and owners will learn how to use financial reporting to develop key performance indicators (KPI’s). KPI’s will be defined, and developed to provide financial measurements for the business. Outcomes: Owners will be required to develop a financial dashboard for the company, and implement a financial reporting and tracking process.

Session 3 b: Understanding the income statement and balance sheet - Dec 13, 2011 5pm - 8pm
In this area, both of these financial reports will be clearly defined so that the business owner will be able to understand and interpret relevant information. In addition, you will be able to use these reports to understand how they measure revenues, expenses, profitability, assets, liabilities, and equity. Learn from these reports how you can track revenues, improve efficiency, increase profits and build equity.

Session 4: Understanding your cash flow statement and creating a financial dash board - January 10, 2012 5pm - 8pm
In this session we will review the cash flow statement so that the business owner will gain a deeper understanding of where and how cash is generated, and how it is used. You will define the key performance indicators, known as KPI’s, and create a tool that will enable you to measure your financial performance at a glance. This tool will become financial tracking system: the financial dash board.

Session 5: Information Technology/Web 2.0 - Feb 14, 2012 5pm - 8pm
In session 5, the use of IT will be explored. Internet security, customer resource management (CRM), and Web 2.0 will be discussed and reviewed. The different aspect of web design will be explored along with internet lead generation-Search Engine Optimization

(SEO). SEO and CRM processes will be reviewed and Social Media Networking will be explored. Outcomes: Owners will develop a plan to implement or improve their IT systems to drive growth, improve communications and create an electronic marketing strategy.

Session 6: Human Resources - March 13, 2012 5pm - 8pm
In session 5, Business owners will take an in-depth look at what makes a great employee, and will have an understanding of the stages of employee development. In addition, participants will learn the effective purpose and use of the job description and performance goals. A checklist of hiring procedures will be reviewed to provide a strong H/R process. Outcomes: Owners will develop a job description and performance review/expectations plan for an existing or new employment position.

Session 7: Capital Acquisition and government certification programs - April 10, 2012 5pm - 8pm
In session 6, the final session, programs for acquiring capital investment will be explored, along with planning and managing capital investments. In addition, government certification and procurement processes will be discussed, and owners will become familiar with processes to help them obtain certification. Outcomes: Finally, owners will be introduced to government programs and agents from the SBA and PTAC along with local Banking representatives.

I. Session Topics
Steering Committee will work with small groups (3-4 businesses in each group) as mentors and build accountability. During each class their will be assignments which they will work on in class with the mentors and then take homework to be completed and brought to the next session.

II. Criteria for business participation
A. Must be in business for 3+ years
B. Annual sales volume--minimum of $250,000-$5 million
C. Must be physically located in Castle Rock or nearby in Douglas County
D. The company must have at least four employees (including contractors) in addition
    to the owner.
E. The business ownership must have the desire to grow their employment base.
F. Participant must be the owner of the business--no alternates

III. Target Industries to be recruited:
A. Construction
B. Wholesale distribution
C. Manufacturing
D. Service
E. Information Technologies

IV. Class limited to 15 participants (minimum of 6 participants) two alternates will be chosen.

V. Timeline for workshops
A. 2nd Tuesday of the month, October through April
B. 5-8 pm
C. Located at the Chamber - 420 Jerry Street, Castle Rock

VI. Certification and recognition
A. Completion of the class will include a certification
B. Recognition at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet as well in publications.

VII. Commitment
A. Attending the seven workshops (one excused absence)
B. Will sign commitment agreement
C. Will participate in future follow-up and monitoring of their business’ progress.

VIII. Goal/Finished product
A. Finished strategic plan for each participant’s business

IX. Tuition Structure
A. $450 fee for seven month workshop, mentoring and materials
B. May be tax-deductible, consult with your financial advisor.

Click here to submit application