WHAT IS THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAM?

Transcription

1 2009 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAM WHAT IS THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAM? The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) initiated the Business Development Training Program (a component of the Workforce Development Training and Placement Program), which is coordinated and managed by Prism Technical Institute, to build the capacity and capabilities of small, women, minority, emerging and disadvantaged enterprises in order that they may better compete for and successfully complete MMSD contracts and other construction industry projects. In collaboration with various established businesses and mentors and through participation in customized training, assessment, coaching and mentoring, Program participants will prepare and plan for business improvement, increasing the likelihood of thriving in their industries, and thereby increasing their own success and creating opportunities for others to do the same. Small, women, minority, emerging and disadvantaged business owners and managers can enroll -- at no cost. An 8 month commitment to this enriching training/mentoring experience will yield benefits for years to come. PROGRAM COMPONENTS Customized business development training at no cost Professional and business development support from mentor-protégé relationship with experienced business/individual Networking and social events with additional activities organized by mentors Competitive grants awarded for firm development needs Computer software programs provided to participants who complete training 1

2 PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA One year in business, or must provide a business plan Employs at least one employee Certified SBE, MBE, WBE, EBE, DBE by at least one Wisconsin entity Written commitment to participate fully, attending training classes mentorprotégé meetings and coaching session(s) MUST BE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: Business owner or operating partner Operating officer or executive manager Critical decision maker for the firm A MAXIMUM OF TWO INDIVIDUALS FROM THE SAME FIRM MAY PARTICIPATE FACULTY Program faculty will be comprised of business development trainers, subject matter experts and a host of presenters, coaches and mentors. SELECTION PROCESS Interested applicants must complete and submit the enrollment application by May 8, Applications will be reviewed by representatives or designees of MMSD and Prism Technical Institute. A selection of applicants may be interviewed prior to final Participant selection. CURRICULUM Please see the following two pages for the planned curriculum. 2

3 ANTICIPATED 2009 SCHEDULE Class Title Class Description Date Time Welcome / Self Assessment 1 Self Assessment 2 Participants are introduced to the Program and one another; using Human Synergistics / American Management Association techniques and materials, participants assess their strengths, weaknesses and motivations, learning how to best use their tendencies to achieve success. Building their work in the previous sessions, participants assess their manner of interacting with others (colleagues, employees, clients, etc.), learning how to best engage with others to achieve success. Monday, June 1 Saturday, June 6 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Certification and Assistance Financial Statement Basics and Understanding Yours Managing Risk: Bonding and Insurance Understanding the MMSD Bid Process Don't Be an Accidental Nonprofit Basic Computer Literacy Computer Literacy 2 Computer Literacy 3 Keeping it All Above Board Representatives of various units of government and private sector certifying entities discuss how and why to get certified, and the various programs financial and otherwise available to growing businesses. Financial Statements (Income Statements, Balance Sheets, Cash Flow Statements, etc.) will be discussed including: what do they tell you, how do you use them, and why they are so important. Participants will receive books related to the topic. The need for bonding and insurance will be discussed, along with information about how to secure the required levels. Insurance paperwork will be explained. MMSD personnel from procurement, legal, engineering and more will be present to discuss bidding on MMSD work and answer questions. Obtaining and recovering change orders will be discussed in detail, along with related issues. For those with little computer experience, we explore basic computer literacy issues, including use of internet browsers, business applications, , project management sites, and more; each participant will utilize a computer. Basic use of Microsoft Office, Excel and Word are discussed; each participant will utilize a computer and engage in training activities to make them more comfortable with these essential programs; basic to intermediate users will benefit. Microsoft Excel is explored in more depth; participants will utilize computers and learn several simple formulas and tactics to make this commonly used spreadsheet program more accessible and useful. Ethical expectations, dilemmas and consequences will be discussed. Thursday, June 11 Thursday, June 18 Thursday, June 25 Monday, June 29 Thursday, July 09 Saturday, August 08 Saturday, August 15 Saturday, August 22 Thursday, August 27 6 pm to 9 pm 3

4 Project Management & Productivity Project management and productivity strategies, tactics and tools will be discussed. Participants will receive books related to the topic. Saturday, September 05 Project Management Software 1 Project Management Software 2 Project Management Software 3 Microsoft Project, a well regarded and often utilized project management software program, will be explored in detail over the next few sessions. Participants will learn how to manage a project from start to finish in the program, and will utilize computers to practice. Participants will also learn how to incorporate Microsoft Excel files into Microsoft Project files. Those who attend the vast majority of these sessions will receive copies of Microsoft Project. Thursday, September 17 Thursday, September 24 Saturday, October 03 Government Regulations Financial Resources for Your Business Legal Issues: Know Your Rights and Those Owed to Others Keys to Growing Your Business How to Not Lose Money Before You Start Government Regulations, including OSHA, Unemployment, and more will be discussed; government representatives will be on hand to answer questions. Various financial resources will be discussed, and contacts made, including bankers and nontraditional financing companies. Topics will include building banking relationships, factoring, financial planning and cash flow. Legal topics of interest to participants will be discussed, including contracts, liens, employment law and more. Marketing, networking, responding to RFPs and more will be discussed. Topics explored will include estimating, project accounting and scheduling. Thursday, October 08 Saturday, October 17 Saturday, October 24 Thursday, October 29 Thursday, November 05 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Good Help Needn't Be So Hard to Find Personnel Management: Hiring & Retention; Secession Planning. Thursday, November 12 Getting Your Point Across Impressions Count Preserving Your Sanity What Does it Mean to Be Green Effective Written, Verbal and nonverbal communication; communication and jobsite policies; working with difficult clients; dressing the part. Etiquette in dining and other social and business situations will be discussed. This class will take place at a local restaurant. Stress management and creating a work life balance will be explored. Growing and marketing your business through green initiatives and processes. Saturday, November 21 Thursday, December 03 Thursday, December 10 Thursday, December 17 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm 4

5 2009 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAM Enrollment Application Name of Applicant Company Name Title or Position Year Business Started Business Street Address City State Zip Code Business Telephone ( ) Business Fax ( ) Business Address How often do you check your ? Several Times Per Day / Once Per Day / A Few Times Per Week / Rarely Business Website Address Residential Telephone ( ) Mobile Telephone ( ) Personal Address Company Sales in 2008: $10,000 or less / $10K - $50K / $50K 100K / $100K - $250K / $250K - $500K / $500K - $750K / $750K - $1 million / $1 2 million / Over $2 million Do you have a bank line of credit? If so, how much? $ / Number of employees: Who does your books? You / Spouse / Employee / Accountant / Lawyer Do you use accounting / financial software? If so, what product(s)? What is your level of proficiency with the following software programs? (Circle one for each program) MS-Word: None / Have used / Use often and am comfortable / Advanced user MS-Excel: None / Have used / Use often and am comfortable / Advanced user MS-Project: None / Have used / Use often and am comfortable / Advanced user What is the highest level of education you have completed? Did not finish high school / HS diploma or GED / Apprenticeship / Some trade or tech. school / Some college / Journeyman or Associates Degree / BA or BS Degree / Graduate School or Degree How Is Your Business Certified? (Please circle all that apply and attach a copy of at least one certification): MMSD: SBE / State of Wisc.: MBE / WBE / City of Milw.: EBE / Milw. County or WisDOT: DBE / SBA SDB / SBA 8(A) 1

6 REFERENCES: Please list below one business and one personal reference. (BUSINESS) Relationship NAME COMPANY NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP PHONE FAX (PERSONAL) Relationship NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP PHONE FAX APPLICANT INFORMATION Complete the following information (Attach additional pages if necessary) A. Company Summary Please Provide a Brief Synopsis of Your Company s History and the Type of Work that Your Company Does B. Construction or Construction-Related Work Experience List and describe 2-3 construction (or construction-related) contracts that you have completed in the past 3-5 years; also describe any work done for MMSD at any time 2

7 C. Construction Contract Clients Indicate all major current and past firms (or governmental entities) with whom you have contracted. D. Related Professional Development and Continuing Education List any professional development and/or continuing education (i.e. licenses, certifications, training seminars) you have completed related to your field. E. Skills and Talents Identify your professional skills and personal talents that are particularly valuable in working in your business. 3

8 F. Professional / Personal Development List personal and/or professional skills that you want to develop or improve. G. Program Interest / Suitability Describe why you are interested in the MMSD Business Development Training Program and what makes you an ideal candidate. H. Strengths / Weaknesses Describe your business s strengths and weaknesses. What makes your firm better than your competitors? What is keeping your firm from becoming a greater success? What could you be doing better? 4

9 Attach the following to your application: Literature/information about your company Résumé or statement of your background, experience, etc. Copy of at least one Certification: SBE/WBE/MBE/EBE/DBE Business Plan (Must submit if in business less than one year; optional for others) Please note that all individuals chosen for participation in the 2009 MMSD Business Development Program will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU will state that the Participant agrees, at minimum, to attend a Protégé Training Session and scheduled classes and to share certain financial, technical and market information with the Program Manager. Such information, which is necessary to gauge company needs and Program effectiveness, will be kept in the strictest confidence. By signing below, the Applicant affirms the truth of all information submitted in this Application and acknowledges the requirement to sign a Memorandum of Understanding in order to participate in the Program. Signature (Required) Submit all application materials to: Lafayette Crump PRISM TECHNICAL INSTITUTE 6114 West Capitol Drive Suite 200 Milwaukee, WI FAX: Application deadline: May 8, 2009 Additional Applications will be available at in early Questions? lcrump@prismtechnical.com, see or call x 103 5