WASHINGTON
- Entrepreneurs can take advantage of new, free online training and other resources
offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to assist them during
this period of economic recovery.
The SBA offers a variety
of online courses to assist small businesses in more effectively managing their
firms in the current economy. The new course topics, available directly at www.sba.gov/services/training/onlinecourses,
include revising business plans to reposition with current conditions, winning
customers in a slowing economy, restructuring existing debt, and diversifying
your customer base with federal contracts.
The most recently
added course is "Downshifting in a Slowing Economy: A Business Planning Guide."
This course is designed to help business owners reorganize and streamline their
business strategies. Other related business tools include a new automated business
plan template, and an assessment and strategies guide for surviving in a slowing
economy.
“The SBA is helping small businesses with
the resources and tools they need in the current business cycle,” said Jeff
Andrade, Associate Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development. “In addition,
SBA offers a variety of resources and referrals to small businesses uncertain
about what to do in the current economy on its Web page on Economic Recovery at
www.sba.gov/helpingmainstreet.”
Each
free course is self-paced, and provides practical guidance on how to stay on top
of economic conditions. These and other courses can be accessed from the SBA’s
Web site at www.sba.gov/training.
To access them, click on “Free Online Courses,” then make a selection
under the header “Surviving in a Down Economy.”
The
SBA can also help to find local agency offices and lenders. Business owners can:
talk with an SBA representative about financing options and identify local, participating
SBA lenders; learn about SBA’s Loan Guaranty Program using an electronic
guide with audio and many targeted links; and train with expert counseling and
mentoring services by talking with an SBA representative or resource partner about
management assistance.
