FASTTRAC New Venture Flyer.pub - Georgia Small Business ...

FastTrac® NewVenture
An In-Depth Program Developed By Entrepreneurs, For Entrepreneurs
The road to successful entrepreneurship begins with passion about an idea, a business plan based on research and
analysis and the persistence to pursue the vision. Whether you have always dreamed of being an entrepreneur or recent
circumstances triggered thoughts about starting a business, FastTrac® NewVenture is designed to introduce
you to the key elements of successful entrepreneurship. Written by entrepreneurs for aspiring entrepreneurs, Fast-
Trac® NewVenture offers essential business information to help you develop your entrepreneurial skills and develop
your business on a strong foundation. Opportunities to network and learn from your peers, as well as from seasoned
entrepreneurs and professionals who work with small businesses are a key part of the experience.
FastTrac® NewVenture is…
• Comprehensive
◊ 30+ hours of class time covering all areas of business start-up, planning &
management.
◊ A hands-on, interactive program working with peers & successful
entrepreneurs, you will develop a business concept & take it through each step of the
business planning process.
◊ Through readings, research, & action steps, you will plan & analyze your
entrepreneurial vision by creating a thoroughly researched & tested business plan.
• Unique
◊ Facilitated and coached peer interaction promotes sharing of best practices
◊ Long term one-on-one consulting with SBDC professionals.
Program Dates & Information
Phase I—Concept Analysis
Oct. 16—Exploring Entrepreneurship
Oct. 23—Identifying & Meeting Market Needs
Oct. 30—Setting Financial Goals
Phase II—Effective Business Planning
Nov. 6—Planning the Product/Service
Nov. 11—Researching & Analyzing the Market
Nov. 13—Reaching the Market
Nov. 18—Building the Organization & Team
Nov. 20—Planning for a Profitable Business
Dec. 2—Monitoring Cash Flow & Seeking Funds
Dec. 11—Implementing Next Steps
Times: 6:00 PM—9:00 PM
Location: 2296 Henderson Mill
Rd. Training Room—Ste 105, Atlanta,
GA 30345 (Near Northlake Mall)
Cost: $495, or qualify for full or partial scholarship.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE
WHO QUALIFY
CALL 770-414-3110 FOR INFORMATION
“In 2005, the year I took the
training, we increased gross
profit and net income by
15%. By 2006 our revenues
had nearly tripled. In 2007
net income increased by
more than 60% over the previous
year. This growth spurt
put us on the Atlanta Business
Chronicle’s list of 50
Fastest Growing Private
Companies in 2007.”
- Eugene “Gene” Carlton,
GC Electrical Solutions
Presented By
Statewide Sponsor

FastTrac® NewVenture Modules
Module 1: Exploring Entrepreneurship
Participants explore entrepreneurial realities and the qualities common to successful entrepreneurs. They identify their
own entrepreneurial traits and create a personal vision which they will use to evaluate the compatibility of a business
concept with their personal and professional goals.
Module 2: Identifying and Meeting Marketing Needs
This module helps participants recognize opportunities and identify which are worth pursuing. The second part of the
module is devoted to market research - appreciating the need for research, determining what research is relevant to
their business concept, and knowing where to find it.
Module 3: Setting Financial Goals
Module 3 concludes the business concept analysis portion of this program. Participants will identify personal financial
goals to determine the financial feasibility of their business concept. In addition, they will consider start-up costs and
potential funding sources.
Module 4: Planning the Product/Service
Participants begin the development of their Business Plan by focusing on their product/service. They learn to describe
their product/service in terms of its benefits and to identify their competitive advantage in the marketplace. They also
learn to protect the intellectual property of their business.
Module 5: Researching and Analyzing the Market
Based on their market research, participants will create a profile of their industry, competition, and target market. They
will then identify their competitive advantage, target market, and pricing strategies. As a result of this market analysis,
participants will be able to position their business to compete effectively.
Module 6: Reaching the Market
Participants create an image or brand identity for their product or service to help them reach their identified target
market. They consider strategies to promote and sell their product or service to their target market, including advertising,
publicity, promotions, and personal sales.
Module 7: Building the Organization and Team
Key factors influencing the selection of a legal form of business are examined. Participants identify roles and duties of
the organization’s management team. They consider ways to establish company culture, interview and hire employees,
and build a network of advisers.
Module 8: Planning for a Profitable Business
Participants will estimate sales, inventory, and expenses using
the electronic Financial Template, which automatically produces
financial statements and ratios. They will compare their projected
Income Statement to their financial goals and make adjustments.
Module 9: Monitoring Cash Flow and Seeking Funds
Using the Financial Template, participants explore the cash flow
the business needs to operate and grow as projected.
Participants investigate potential funding sources to determine
the most realistic opportunities for funds. They also explore ways
to monitor ongoing cash needs using various tools.
Module 10: Implementing Next Steps
Participants apply the finishing touches to their Business Plan,
evaluate it for feasibility, and compare it to their personal vision.
During the final session, participants present their plans, discuss
next steps, reflect on the value of the business planning process,
and celebrate their accomplishments.

FastTrac® NewVenture Program Overview
Georgia Small Business Development Center Network
FastTrac NewVenture is a course that maps out the steps needed to plan and launch a new business.
Target Program Participants
FastTrac® programs target individuals who are considering self employment. Participants should:
• Desire a comprehensive program to help plan a successful business
• Have identified a specific business idea that will be analyzed in the program
• Be motivated to attend all sessions and complete the exercises in the text
All persons who fit this profile are encouraged to apply, and special effort is made to recruit businesses
directly affected by military base and plant closings. Students may pay self-pay tuition, or scholarships may
be available to those who are adversely impacted by the base or plant closings.
Program Objectives
The goal of FastTrac® NewVenture is to develop the entrepreneurial skills necessary to plan and launch a
new business. This is accomplished through facilitated interaction of the participants in which they share
research ideas and experiences with peers and through presentations from guest speakers who are experts in
their fields.
Program Structure
A maximum of 30 students participate in each class session. Classroom time is approximately 40 hours
covering the 10 FastTrac® NewVenture modules. For additional information about the program content, see
the following course outline or visit www.fasttrac.org
Each participant receives the following FastTrac® materials:
• FastTrac® textbook for background reading, planning formats, and action items.
• Access to web-based templates and tools helpful in the planning process. To review the on-line
resources, go to www.fasttrac.org/toolkits .
Program activities that make FastTrac® unique include:
• Facilitated Training – provides participants an environment to network, and to share problems,
success, and best practices.
• Prominent guest speakers – provides focused, practical insights on the topic of the day.
• Small group activities – participants work together to complete workbook exercises and develop
strategies for their individual businesses.
• One-on-one consulting – SBDC staff works with all participants individually, providing
management assistance and applying the class concepts to each participant’s business.
Program Outcomes
Participants leave FastTrac® NewVenture training with:
• A feasibility analysis and business plan focused on the successful start-up of their business
• An improved understanding of the functional areas necessary to operate a new business
• A library of excellent business resources
• A network of entrepreneurial peers

Georgia Small Business Development Center Network
DeKalb Office
2296 Henderson Mill Rd. Ste 105, Atlanta, GA 30345
Tel: 770-414-3110 Fax: 770-414-3109
Application for FastTrac ® NewVenture
Times:
Location:
(Attach additional sheets if necessary)
Last Name ______________________________________ First Name_____________________________________
Mailing Address________________________________________________________________________________
City_____________________ State_______ Zip_______ Phone (____) ______________Fax (____) ___________
Email ________________________________
2008 Program Dates & Information
6:00—9:00 PM
2296 Henderson Mill Rd.
Training Room—Suite 105
Atlanta, GA 30345
Dates:
Oct 16 Nov 6 Nov 18 Dec 11
Oct 23 Nov 11 Nov 20
Oct 30 Nov 13 Dec 2
Description of Proposed Business __________________________________________________________________
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Describe any economic hardship or adverse events that have caused you to seek self employment:
______________________________________________________________________________________
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Other information ________________________________________________________________________
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