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

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

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:  Finance: budgeting, forecasting and obtaining financing

In Session 3, 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. Owners will learn how to budget and forecast to plan growth and maximize profits. Outcomes:  Owners will be required to develop a one year budget plan for the company, and implement a financial reporting and tracking process.

Session 4:  Information Technology/Web 2.0

In session 4, the use of IT will be explored. Website design, the internet, 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 5:  Human Resources

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 6: Capital Acquisition and government certification programs

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 who are seeking capital will be introduced to lenders who can assist business owners in the process for obtaining capital. 

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

D.   The business ownership must have the desire to grow their employment base.

E.    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 to be chosen.

V.            Timeline for workshops

A.   Sept 15^th, Oct 20^th, Nov 17^th, Jan 19^th, Feb 16^th & March 16^th

B.    3^rd Tuesday of the month

C.    6-9 pm

D.   Located at the Chamber

VI.          Certification and recognition

A.   Completion of the class will include a certification

B.    Will make the participant eligible for the new “rent reduction program”.

C.    Recognition at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet as well in publications.

VII.        Commitment

A.   Attending the six 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.   First year fee will be waived to start the program

B.    Future Sessions -- tuition will be $350-$450.

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