Indiana Small Business Development Center



 

 



SBDC Services and Network Resources
The SBDC is very proud of the Services we offer and the Resource Network we have established. It is our goal to help our clients "help themselves" by leading them to resources with which they might not normally be familiar. They can, in turn, incorporate these resources into their strategic plan for start-up or growth of their businesses.
To better understand our Services and the Resource Network, click on or hold your cursor over any of the areas below to review the explanations.
SBDC Services and Network Resources
  SERVICES
"As an entrepreneur, the SBDC has offered extensive advice and invaluable
guidance to assist me..."   B. Hamilton, The Spa at Colfax, South Bend, IN
Business Advising:
   At the core of SBDC services is individualized business advising. Clients can meet privately with an advisor, or a team of advisors if need be, to learn more about their particular concern, whether it be starting a business or growing an existing one. For clients who are starting a business, these sessions are usually scheduled after the client attends a core of workshops designed to address the fundamentals of start-up. There are no fees for these sessions and clients are encouraged to establish a relationship with their advisor that will span over several months/years-focusing on their changing needs as the business grows.  Contact Us to schedule your appointment.
     
Seminars, Workshops, & Courses:
 

The SBDC offers a variety of learning opportunities for our clients. We have classes that will help clients learn everything from start-up fundamentals, writing a business plan, to how to use QuickBooks. The tuition varies with the length and depth of the particular class.  View Training descriptions.
     
Business Planning Software
  Navigator:  Business Plan Edition (a web-based tool to develop a business plan and/or a strategic plan) provides the resources, step-by-step guidance, and examples you'll need to get started. Visit www.smallbiznavigator.com to take a tour. To set up a Navigator account, call us at 574.282.4350 x0.
     
Market Data/Research:
  Since market research is so important to the success of a business, the SBDC has access to the two leading compnay information database resources: Dun & Bradstreet Million Dollar Total and Reference USA. Some of the services we can provide include generating business prospect lists, reviewing customer buying habits, and providing demographic information based on a particular site location.
     

Financial Statement Analysis & Review


   Developing and refining strategic planning initiatives from financial statements has long been a time consuming challenge. Today there is an easier way to develop powerful strategies from your latest financial data. Optimist is a financial diagnostic and strategic analysis tool that provides graphic representations of your business finances. Work one-on-one with your Business Advisor to learn how the management of your business has affected your current financial situation. Industry benchmarks built into Optimist make it easy to compare your operation to direct competitors in the same industry and of the same size.
     
Financial Statement
Analysis & Review:
   Through the use software program called BizBench, the SBDC can generate reports, based on a client's financial information, which will help analyze internal data in comparison to previous years and/or a particular industry.
     
Business Planning Software
  Navigator:  Business Plan Edition (a web-based tool to develop a business plan and/or a strategic plan) provides the resources, step-by-step guidance, and examples you'll need to get started. Visit www.smallbiznavigator.com to take a tour. To set up a Navigator account, call us at 574.282.4350 x0.
     

Published Reference Materials:

  The SBDC Library is a great place to find business periodicals, books, and other resources as you research information for your business. These resources are not available for checking out but library time can be scheduled so that you can spend time in a quiet environment performing the research that is needed.
 
NETWORK RESOURCES
"Networking opportunites that the SBDC has afforded me are priceless..."
S. Peterson, Peterson Media, South Bend, IN
 
Attorneys:
  
Several area attorneys work closely with the SBDC to offer assistance to counselors when working with a particular client and, in some cases, offer reduced rates for SBDC clients. The SBDC maintains a list of the attorneys with whom we work and it is made available to clients as requested.
     
Accountants:
   There are accounting firms in the area that support the SBDC through program sponsorship as well as providing assistance to clients indirectly through their advisors and directly, on a fee-for-service basis. The SBDC maintains a list of the accountants we work with and it is made available to clients as requested.
     
Bankers:
   Since financing a business venture is often the focus of a client's visit to the SBDC, we have established solid working relationships with area bankers. We work closely with these bankers in order that we may help clients prepare loan documentation that will meet each bank's lending criteria.
     
Prospective Customers:
  With all the clients we see, and the constant contact with our Resource Network, SBDC staff has a good idea of the needs of members of the business community. Oftentimes, a client produces the product or offers exactly the service they need and we help make those connections.
     
Prospective Suppliers:
  SBDC clients, as well as our Resource Network, represent thousands of products and services needed day-in and day-out. We make it a priority to help identify suppliers, both in and out of our Network to help meet the needs of those with whom we have contact.
     
Other Small Businesses:
  Oftentimes, small businesses find it helpful to network with others who share their challenges. The SBDC offers several opportunities for this networking to occur.
     
Regional Agencies:
  The SBDC works closely with SCORE, the regional offices of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to bring counseling and training services to the small business community.
     
Economic Development Organizations:
  The SBDC's focus is growing the regional economy one business at a time. We work very closely with area LEDO's (local economic development organization) to insure our services are part of each county's small business development strategic plan.
     
Chambers of Commerce:
  Local Chambers are intent on growing their local communities by assisting small and large businesses alike. Since 97% of the businesses in our region have 1-99 employees, and this is primarily who we serve, the Chambers work very closely with the SBDC to develop programs that will enhance assistance opportunities.
     
Colleges & Universities:
  The SBDC offers a unique opportunity to clients through our Collegiate Management Assistance Program. We have partnered with area colleges and universities to pair college business students with our clients who are in need of special assistance. For example, clients can work with student teams on a strategic plan, a feasibility study, and/or international marketing-just to name a few. All projects are coordinated through the SBDC as part of the counseling process.
     

 

 


Several area attorneys work closely with the SBDC to offer assistance to counselors when working with a particular client and, in some cases, offer reduced rates for SBDC clients. The SBDC maintains a list of the attorneys work with whom we work and it is made available to clients as requested. There are accounting firms in the area that support the SBDC though program sponsorship as well as providing assistance to clients indirectly through their advisor and directly, on a fee-for-service basis, to the client. The SBDC maintains a list of the accountants we work with and it is made available to clients as requested. Since financing a business venture is often the focus of a client's visit to the SBDC, we have established solid working relationships with area bankers. We work closely with these bankers in order that we may help clients prepare loan documentation that will meet each bank's lending criteria. With all the clients we see, and the constant contact with our Resource Network, SBDC staff has a good idea of the needs of members of the business community. Oftentimes, a client produces the product or offers exactly the service they need and we help make those connections. SBDC clients, as well as our Resource Network, represent thousands of products and services needed day-in and day-out. We make it a priority to help identify suppliers, both in and out of our Network to help meet the needs of those with whom we have contact. Oftentimes, small businesses find it helpful to network with others who share their challenges. The SBDC offers several opportunities for this networking to occur. The SBDC works closely with SCORE, the Minority and Women Business Development Office (MWBDO), and the regional offices of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to bring counseling and training services to the small business community. The SBDC's focus is growing the regional economy one business at a time. We work very closely with area LEDO's (local economic development organization) to insure our services are part of each county's small business development strategic plan. Local Chambers are intent on growing their local communities by assisting small and large businesses alike. Since 97% of the businesses in our region have 1-99 employees, and this is primarily who we serve, the Chambers work very closely with the SBDC to develop programs that will enhance assistance opportunities. The SBDC offers a unique opportunity to clients through our Collegiate Management Assistance Program. We have partnered with area colleges and universities to pair college business students with our clients who are in need of special assistance. For example, clients can work with student teams on a strategic plan, a feasibility study, and/or international marketing-just to name a few. All projects are coordinated through the SBDC as part of the counseling process. At the core of SBDC services is individualized business advising. Clients can meet privately with an advisor, or a team of advisors if need be, to learn more about their particular concern, whether it be starting a business or growing an existing one. For clients who are starting a business, these sessions are usually scheduled after the client attends a core of workshops designed to address the fundamentals of start-up. There are no fees for these sessions and clients are encouraged to establish a relationship with their advisor that will span over several months/years-focusing on their changing needs as the business grows. The SBDC offers a variety of learning opportunities for our clients. From 2-hour seminars and workshops to 12-week courses, we have classes that will help clients learn everything from start-up fundamentals to how to write a strategic plan. The tuition varies with the length and depth of the particular class. Since market research is so important to the success of a business, the SBDC has purchased various software programs to help clients with this often overwhelming task. Some of the services we can provide include generating business prospect lists, review customer buying habits, and provide demographic information based on a particular site location. Through the use of a software program called BizBench, the SBDC can generate reports, based on a client's financial information, which will help analyze internal data in comparison to previous years and/or a particular industry. The SBDC is very proud of the 12 regions in Indiana and we often share resources in order to bring the very best services to our clients. We sell three software programs that have been developed by members of the Indiana Network. These programs are: Active Ventures (everything you need to start a business), Active Plans (a web-based tool to develop a business plan and/or a strategic plan), and Wayfinder Business Feasibility (to help you determine if a business venture makes sense). The SBDC Library is a great place to find business periodicals, books, and other resources as you research information for your business. These resources are not available for checking out but library time can be scheduled so that you can spend time in a quiet environment performing the research that is needed.