Business Boot Camp plus
The Flagler County Chamber of Commerce and SCORE, the national nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses grow through one-on-one counseling and education, have teamed up to help local businesses by offering “Business Excellence Boot Camp Plus.”
Many of our members work in their businesses, but don’t have the time to work on them. This program addresses that challenge by offering interactive training in fundamental areas, along with guidance from experts to grow and expand their operations. And with a potential for funding assistance, time is the only necessary investment business owners will need to make.
This five-week interactive Boot Camp provides business owners an intensive course in business fundamentals, leadership and management. The program will be limited to 16 participants, and each will receive a Certificate of Accomplishment.
Certified SCORE “coaches” with hands-on experience in business counseling, training and management will lead the program. There are two Boot Camps each year, one in the spring and one in the fall.
The topics include:
• Knowing your business and creating an actionable plan for growth
• Supercharging your marketing and sales strategies
• Optimizing your financial planning and management to optimize revenues
• Providing the best overall customer service
Boot Camp participants meet five consecutive Tuesday evenings at the Chamber.
The inaugural Boot Camp series ran from April to May and had thirteen Flagler County business owners that actively and enthusiastically participated. The program was led by SCORE certified mentors, who shared their practical experience in business counseling, leadership and management. These mentors are part of SCORE’s Flagler/Volusia Chapter.
The feedback from the participants, provided by evaluation forms, comments and testimonials, was extremely positive. Each participant rated the presenters and the material covered as outstanding. They indicated that the Boot Camp helped them develop a better understanding of their business and provided practical insights and knowledge that will be valuable in helping them manage their business more effectively and efficiently in the future.
The “Plus” associated with the Boot Camp comes after the program, when participants have an opportunity to receive free and confidential counseling from SCORE mentors in areas where they need help.
“Building on the success and positive feedback we received on the first Boot Camp, we plan on hosting another Boot Camp this fall,” said Rebecca DeLorenzo, Chamber president and CEO. “We’ll also keep in contact with the most recent class to see how much of an impact the program had on their businesses over time. All in all, we’re grateful to SCORE for partnering with us to offer a program that will help our members thrive.”
2015 BOOT CAMP DATES
The five-week fall Boot Camp Plus session dates are: April 7, 14, 21, 28 & May 7, 2015 from 6-8pm and cost to participate is $97.00.
To reserve a space or for more information, please contact Jean Santiago at 386-437-0106 or register here.
Inaugural Business Boot Camp Plus Participants
Back Row L to R: Mark Boos, David Fowler, Steven Nobile, Irina Samurin, Tom Helman
Front Row L to R: Melissa Cousley, Cindy Dalecki, Julie Guimond, John Rothwell, Samuel Ayodele, Ryan Campbell Not pictured: Trish Giaccone, Renee Rothwell, Tatyana Kalmukova
Participant Feedback
“This Boot Camp was amazing. I have learned so much. I was almost afraid to talk about some things in my business and the people from SCORE made it easy and invited us to come to their office for individual help. This Boot Camp gave me so much and I am excited about the future for my business.”
“I feel the training provided is valuable to almost any business of any size. The core of the training focused on areas of success, such as marketing, customer satisfaction, and financial management, which are crucial areas that most businesses could improve for long term growth. I think SCORE and the Flagler County Chamber hit a home run and many businesses will continue to gain valuable education and training from future Business Boot Camps.”
“As a small business owner, I know what needs to be done, but with my busy schedule, those important tasks don’t always get done. The Business Boot Camp forces you to sit down and think about applying these techniques and skills to help grow and improve my business.”
