General & Operations Management Training

Entrepreneurial Training & Development Program

IBSA promotes three of entrepreneurial training courses: Small Business Administration (SBA), First Step FastTrac and the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship program (NFTE). Other business courses may be available online through IBSA and Gatlin Educational Services.

First Step FastTrac is a modification of the Premier FastTrac? programs which employ experiential ?how-to? learning. Founders Dr. Courtney Price and Mack Davis have been developing FastTrac over the last 15 years and have proven through research that FastTrac has a significant impact. FastTrac has been taught to over 27,000 entrepreneurs and is currently running successfully in 38 states.

As a agency certified to provide the program, our First Step FastTrac business training courses are offered
several
times each year. Students emerge from this 56-hour course with a feasibility plan for their business concept. Taught by a highly experienced team of one instructor and four business counselors, our program offers students a chance to interact with small business professionals. Class size is limited to 20. (all participants in our program must meet federal income and/or Workforce Investment Act eligibility guidelines).

In addition to training, students receive case management services that assist in dealing with personal challenges and referrals to other community resources. Child care reimbursement and transportation assistance may also
be
available from the referring agency.

Upon successful completion of either class, graduates are encouraged to participate in the Alumni Group, a self-directed network of program participants who meet regularly to network, share, and learn from each other and special presenters. Graduates may also take advantage of identified Microloan and
other community
Mentor Programs.

NFTE instructs entrepreneurship to the low-income, so they can become economically productive members of society by improving their academic, business, technology and life skills. NFTE has developed a variety of specialized curriculum products that have been designed for students, as well as educators. The curriculum covers a wide variety of topics such as return on investment, supply and demand, opportunity recognition, competition, skills for success, cost/benefit analysis, sales and marketing, ethics, and taxes.
 
Advanced Principles of Entrepreneurship offers young adults, ages 18-30, an in-depth analysis of business and entrepreneurial topics such as marketing, technology, cash flow, financial statements, and competition. Typically implemented as a 70-hour course, this enhanced curriculum utilizes case studies and is ideal for post-secondary students who are serious about starting a business venture. To date, NFTE has worked with over 96,000 low-income individuals and under-served people in programs across the country and around the world. NFTE is widely viewed as a world leader in promoting entrepreneurial literacy among youth and young adults. When people participate in our programs they begin to unlock their unique entrepreneurial creativity, have a greater understanding of the free enterprise system, improve the quality of their lives, and dare to dream for bright futures. Our agency do not specifically conduct this program but do support the curriculum and partners affiliated with it.
Program Information

Nature of the Programs:
Our entrepreneurship programs are combined to introduce basic business concepts to low- to moderate-income individuals who have little or no business experience. Classes begin at various times throughout the year. To begin the application process, participants may have to meet WIA or other income eligibility standards to attend orientation sessions scheduled before each new class.

From a staff of one qualified instructor and four business counselors, students learn how to develop a feasibility plan for a business concept or existing business. The feasibility study answers one basic question: is this business going to work given personal characteristics, the market, and the financial analysis? If the business proves feasible, a student can work with staff to develop a business plan from the feasibility study. Other business concepts such as marketing, price and profitability, and resource development are also covered.  

There will be several classes conducted by IBSA during the year and business coaching or mentoring services are available to individuals not eligible for WIA training. Call for orientation, class dates or to set an appointment.

Other services that may be available to participants:
Case management, child care reimbursement, transportation assistance

IBSA Business Training Components

Income Requirements

  Income Requirements for 2006

Number of
Persons in Family:
     Income Must Be
At or Below:

1 $ 37,350

2 $ 42,700

3 $ 48,000

4 $ 53,350

5 $ 57,650

6 $ 61,900

7 $ 66,150

8 $ 70,450

 Business Training Outline