SpringBoard is a learner-centered, activity-based curriculum designed to enable you, in the context of a group of peers, to discover for yourself what makes good business planning. By completing the learning tasks, you use your creativity, think for yourself, and practice group and individual problem-solving. The curriculum is also designed to create a safe atmosphere for learning, in which you and every group member is not “put on the spot,” “quizzed,” or otherwise made to repeat negative experiences that you may have had in earlier educational situations.
SpringBoard is perfect for individuals interested in starting a new business or growing an existing
one. Believing in yourself and your business idea along with the desire to work hard and persist in
spite of difficulty will determine your success.
Springboard’s program offers basic tools, information, practice, access to financing, and support groups.
The curriculum covers eight three-hour sessions, devoted to the following areas: business planning, applying for financing, and marketing.
Session 1(1/19): Welcome, Introduction, Licensing and Legal Structures, Personal Budgeting
Session 2 (1/26): Personal Credit, Start-up Costs, Overhead Costs
Session 3 (2/2): Sales Unit, Break Even Point
Session 4 (2/9): Sales and Profit Goals, Cash Flow, Review
Session 5 (2/16): Target Markets, Market Research, Mission Statement, Marketing Message
Session 6 (2/23): Target Markets, Market Research, Competition, Pricing, Marketing Goals and
Methods, Time Line
Session 7 (3/1): Financing Sources, The Loan Process, Review
Session 8 (3/8): Presentation of Business Plans, Certification, and sendoff
Other resources include:
Chapter 9: Additional Information Section
Chapter 10: Worksheets
Chapter 11: Loan Documents
Chapter 12: Sample Business Plan
Chapter 13: Resource Lists
Chapter 14: Glossary of Business Terms
SpringBoard is offered Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 pm starting on January 19, 2012 at the Roane State campus at 2567 Cook Rd., Crossville. The price for all eight sessions is only $99 (scholarships are available). Space is limited to 15 participants. For more information contact: Brad Fox at the CBI - 931-456-9880 ext. 4173; or foxbj@roanestate.edu [1]
