One of my favorite sources is Three Dog Marketing in Phoenix (www.threedogmarketing.com). Why? They always have something bright and innovative to talk about. How about this?
Kristin Slice, one of the founders of this unique marketing firm, recently put out a news release regarding the innovations found at the local Small Business Development Center (SBDC). She points out that last year (2012) more than 500 business owners attended SBDC Academy workshops. More than 40 new businesses were launched and existing businesses added more than 53 new jobs, some doubling revenues.
The SBDC is part of a global partnership with HP designed to help entrepreneurs grow businesses and create a stronger local economy. They have partnered with Google and local organizations like the Chandler Chamber of Commerce.
What makes the SBDC work? “The new SBDC Academy offers courses to help businesses and people with ideas to take to the marketplace and become successful,” said Academy graduate and Chandler business owner Laura Petersen (www.student-tutor.com) “I have an entire notebook filled with new tips and tricks that I cannot wait to implement. I feel so lucky to have come upon the program and the free classes.”
Local business owner Kristin Slice, a business analyst and program coordinator for SBDC Academy, thinks what makes the idea work is the business owners themselves. “Business owners learn from each other in an open environment with a flexible format designed just for business owners,” she stated. “We expanded a globally tested curriculum and incorporated feedback from hundreds of Arizona business owners.”
Slice noted SBDC uses technology to create a community of on-going empowerment and connection between small business owners. The next series of workshops at SBDC Academy starts in February in Surprise, Chandler and Phoenix. The Academy is free, but space is limited. Visit wwww.maricopa-sbdc.com to register.
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