Simple Steps is a comprehensive program offered by the SCORE
Lancaster-Lebanon Chapter with the goal of assisting and equipping small
business entrepreneurs with the tools needed to develop a successful
business plan. The program will help business entrepreneurs start and
grow their business. The program consists of five 2+ hour sequential
classes.Who should attend? Individuals or business partners considering
starting a business, buying a business or small business owners who want
to enrich and grow their business profitably.
This 5-WEEK program carries a $100 fee payable to SCORE. Please visit here for details or to register.
March 11 - SIMPLE STEPS SESSION 1: Starting a Business An
introduction to the SIMPLE STEPS Program including steps an entrepreneur
needs to know to start a business or run a new business. This session
provides:
Introduction to SCORE and entrepreneurial colleagues also starting a business– Myths and realities of entrepreneurship– Critical success factors– Types of Businesses– Overview of key business planning components to be addressed in detail in upcoming sessionso Components of business ownershipo Legal considerations (structure, licensing, taxes) Business and Marketing plan overview Financial Plan overview including cash management and funding
March 18 - SIMPLE STEPS SESSION 2 : Business Planning This session focuses on business planning. It discusses how to develop the business idea/concept, create the business model and data collection of core information to create a professional and viable business plan.– Developing your business concept– Elements of a Business Plan– Identifying customers and competitors– How and where to collect the information to complete a Business Plan
March 25 - SIMPLE STEPS SESSION 3: Marketing This session provides an overview of a marketing plan and guides the participants on the steps necessary to build a successful plan. The discussion will touch on product definition, pricing strategy, competition, target markets, marketing strategies to reach customers and costs elements as related to marketing plan choices.– Define your product or service and the benefits they provide – Define and target your customer and the benefit you provide them– Differentiate your product or service – Promote your product or service – Place your product in the marketplace (retail store, website, mail order, etc.)
April 1 - SIMPLE STEPS SESSION 4: Financial Planning and Projections This session focuses on financial planning for a successful business. The session is intended to take the mystery out of the“numbers” and provide a clear financial framework and tools for understanding and tracking business performance. Participants will learn how to create:– Forecast of revenue and expenses– Cash Flow Statement and Balance Sheet – Profit and Loss Statement – Break Even Analysis and Benchmarks for your company compared to industry norms
April 8 - SIMPLE STEPS SESSION 5: Funding and Financing and Panel Discussion with Key Resources
This session discusses financing your business. The discussion includes
sources of funds, financial statement analysis,accounting and
bookkeeping systems, the six C's of credit, banking relations, ratio
analysis, monthly preparation andreview of financial statements. A bank
loan officer will provide an inside view of how a banker assesses the
merits of business plans and loan applications.In addition, a panel of
key resources every small business should know will be available to
answer questions on why and how to get started. Resources include:
Banker, Insurance Agent, Lawyer, bookkeeper and SCORE Mentor.
