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If your business is ready for growth, SBDC GrowSmart gives you the tools and strategies to reach your goals. GrowSmart was developed by the UGA SBDC to meet the needs of growing businesses. Combining the latest ideas with timeless principles, GrowSmart will propel your business forward! UGA SBDC training has helped thousands of business owners build a foundation for growth. GrowSmart is the product of our experience and commitment to Georgia’s small businesses.

This program gets results! In full or half day weekly sessions, learn to analyze and manage your business like a seasoned CEO.

• 35 hours of class time covering all areas of business operation
• Evaluate your business, competition, and target markets
• Hands-on, interactive program promotes sharing of best practices
• Expert speakers add insights to the topic of the day
• Step-by-step development of your company’s strategies for growth

Combined with long term one-on-one consulting with SBDC professionals, learn to apply course principles and build a business for today’s challenging times. SBDC GrowSmart is a dynamic program for owners and senior managers of growing businesses.

To see topics covered as well as upcoming dates, click the links.

Whether you’ve been in business for twenty years or two years, SBDC GrowSmart™ can align your vision for your business with the steps to get you there. Create a framework to improve the performance of your business and shape the success of your business for years to come. Work ON your business, not just IN your business!

• A step-by-step evaluation of your business and markets.
• A hands-on, interactive forum that promotes sharing of best practices.
• Tools to build your business, both now and for the future.

SBDC GrowSmart™ graduates gain:

• A strategic business plan with a long-term vision and strategies.
• A mastery of key business concepts.
• A network of entrepreneurial peers and professional resources.

In full or half day weekly sessions, learn to analyze, plan and manage your business like a seasoned CEO.

The program is designed for leaders of companies with:

• At least two years of successful operation
• Annual revenues of $300,000 or more
• The opportunity and desire to grow

GrowSmart recognizes the need for flexibility and agility in today’s rapidly changing environment. Using a one-page strategy map designed specially for this program, participants identify their company’s goals and the strategies to achieve them. GrowSmart was developed by the UGA SBDC and builds on our extensive experience with Georgia’s growing businesses!

MODULE 1: Planning for Growth

Making strategic decisions requires careful consideration of internal and external factors. You will examine your operating environment, document company vision and goals, and develop growth strategies based on a thorough assessment of your company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

MODULE 2: Marketing: Research, Planning and Implementation

Thoroughly analyze your core competencies and competitive advantages—matching them to needs in the marketplace. Learn to protect your business from competition and develop strategies for effective, profitable pricing. Connect with customers using the latest marketing and communication tools.

MODULE 3: Leadership & Management

Focus on your changing role as the leader of your company. Identify people resources and leadership strategies that will be necessary to achieve your growth plan. Explore proven methods for hiring, compensating, and motivating your team.

MODULE 4: Financial Analysis, Tools & Resources

Learn how to analyze your company’s financial condition and develop strategies to improve profits and cash flow. Create a financial plan that quantifies the results of your marketing and management strategies. Determine how much money it will take to grow the business as well as how to fund it.

MODULE 5: Operations & Implementing Your Plan

Documented, consistent processes are a key to building a scalable, well managed company that has lasting, transferrable value. Assess your current operations and learn methods to document and streamline processes. The program concludes with a short presentation of your one page plan—and a challenge to put the program’s lessons to work in your business!

Georgia Power has sponsored UGA SBDC programs for growing businesses since 2002. Through their support of SBDC GrowSmart™, over 2,000 of Georgia’s small business leaders have acquired the tools to take their businesses to higher level.

• Coastal Area District Development Authority
• Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council
• The Home Depot
• Georgia Mentor Protege Connection

• Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• AGL Resources
• Greater Women’s Business Council
• The Coca-Cola Company

• AT&T Foundation
• AFLAC, Inc.
• Guardian Bank of Valdosta
• Kinetic Credit Union