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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
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
mentor-protégé meetings and coaching session(s)
MUST BE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
9 Business owner or operating partner 9 Operating officer or executive manager 9 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, 2009. 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
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ANTICIPATED 2009 SCHEDULE
Class Title Class Description Date Time
Welcome / Self Assessment 1
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.
Monday, June 1 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Self Assessment 2
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.
Saturday, June 6 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Certification and Assistance
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.
Thursday, June 11 6:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Financial Statement Basics and
Understanding Yours
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.
Thursday, June 18 6:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Managing Risk: Bonding and Insurance
The need for bonding and insurance will be discussed, along with information about how to secure the required levels. Insurance paperwork will be explained.
Thursday, June 25 6:15 pm to 8:15 pm Understanding the
MMSD Bid Process
MMSD personnel from procurement, legal, engineering and more will be present to discuss bidding on MMSD work and answer questions.
Monday, June 29 6 pm to 9 pm Don't Be an
Accidental Nonprofit
Obtaining and recovering change orders will be
discussed in detail, along with related issues. Thursday, July 09
6:15 pm to 8:15 pm Basic Computer
Literacy
For those with little computer experience, we explore basic computer literacy issues, including use of internet browsers, business applications, email, project management sites, and more; each participant will utilize a computer.
Saturday, August 08 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Computer Literacy 2
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.
Saturday, August 15 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Computer Literacy 3
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.
Saturday, August 22 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Keeping it All
Above Board
Ethical expectations, dilemmas and consequences will
be discussed. Thursday, August 27
6:15 pm to 8:15 pm
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 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Project Management Software 1
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 6:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Project Management
Software 2 Thursday, September 24
6:15 pm to 8:15 pm Project Management
Software 3 Saturday, October 03
9:00 am to 1:00 pm Government
Regulations
Government Regulations, including OSHA, Unemployment, and more will be discussed;
government representatives will be on hand to answer questions.
Thursday, October 08 6:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Financial Resources for Your Business
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.
Saturday, October 17 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Legal Issues:
Know Your Rights and Those Owed to Others
Legal topics of interest to participants will be
discussed, including contracts, liens, employment law and more.
Saturday, October 24 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Keys to Growing Your
Business
Marketing, networking, responding to RFPs and more
will be discussed. Thursday, October 29
6:15 pm to 8:15 pm How to Not Lose
Money Before You Start
Topics explored will include estimating, project accounting and scheduling.
Thursday, November 05 6:15 pm to 8:15 pm Good Help Needn't
Be So Hard to Find Personnel Management: Hiring & Retention; Secession Planning.
Thursday, November 12 6:15 pm to 8:15 pm Getting Your
Point Across
Effective Written, Verbal and nonverbal
communication; communication and jobsite policies; working with difficult clients; dressing the part.
Saturday, November 21 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Impressions Count
Etiquette in dining and other social and business situations will be discussed. This class will take place at a local restaurant.
Thursday, December 03 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Preserving
Your Sanity
Stress management and creating a work‐life balance
will be explored. Thursday, December 10
6:15 pm to 8:15 pm What Does it Mean
to Be Green
Growing and marketing your business through green
initiatives and processes. Thursday, December 17
6:15 pm to 8:15 pm
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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 E-mail Address ____________________________________________________________________ How often do you check your email?
Several Times Per Day_____ / Once Per Day _____ / A Few Times Per Week _____ / Rarely _____ Business Website Address ___________________________________________________________________ Residential Telephone ( ) ________________ Mobile Telephone ( ) _________________ Personal E-mail 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 /
REFERENCES:
Please list below one business and one personal reference.
(BUSINESS) Relationship ___________________________________________________________________ NAME _____________________________________________________________________________ COMPANY NAME __________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS __________________________________________________________________________ CITY ____________________________________ STATE _________________ ZIP ______________ PHONE _______________FAX _______________ EMAIL ___________________________________ (PERSONAL) Relationship ___________________________________________________________________ NAME _____________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS __________________________________________________________________________ CITY ____________________________________ STATE _________________ ZIP ______________ PHONE _______________FAX _______________ EMAIL ___________________________________
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
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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.
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?
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Attach the following to your application:
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Literature/information about your
company
9
Résumé or statement of your background,
experience, etc.
9
Copy of at least one Certification:
SBE/WBE/MBE/EBE/DBE
9
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 53216
FAX: 414.847.0992
Application deadline: May 8, 2009
Additional Applications will be available at http://www.prismtechnical.com/pti.htm in early 2009.
Questions?
