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Presented in
partnership with:
"In three years,
FastTrac helped us
take the business
from a struggling
start-up to a mature
industry. We went
from a 300 sq.ft.
abandoned building
and 3 employees to
an 11,000 sq.ft.
facility and 40 em-
ployees. I attribute
it to the fact that we
applied everything
we learned in
FastTrac."
Michael Richards
Founder, Candleworks
National Small Business
Owner of the Year Award
Welfare-to-Work, 1997
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NEW!
Spring 2011
NewVenture™
Schedule!
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Join the FastTrac® business planning training program. In the FastTrac environment you can step back and look at your whole business: - Shore up your financials.
- Improve operational efficiency.
- Explore emerging markets.
FastTrac provides the expertise and structure to help you achieve your business goals.
What is FastTrac?
FastTrac is a practical, hands-on business development program designed to help entrepreneurs hone the skills needed to create, manage and grow a successful business. As a FastTrac participant, you will work on your own business ideas or ventures throughout the course – moving your ventures to new levels of performance.
What You Get
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| Entrepreneur's Manual |
| Ten training sessions |
| Ten guest speakers |
| One-on-one counseling |
| Review of your business plan,
or feasibility study |
| Access to FastTrac on-line
business toolkits |
| Action Steps templates for
each module |
| Activities and worksheets tied
to each module |
| Streaming video & audio tips
by successful entrepreneurs |
| Links to web sites, books &
information to develop
entrepreneurial skills |
In a series of ten weekly three-hour sessions, and in one-on-one coaching meetings, you'll work on your business, instead of in your business. You'll identify your competition, how to penetrate your market, and the legal aspects of operating a business. You'll look at all aspects of your company and be able to write a business plan to address present and future needs.
Through FastTrac, you'll study with a group of peers – entrepreneurs like yourself – who are working to improve their businesses. You'll work with certified instructors with real business experience who understand the challenges of operating and growing small businesses. In this supportive environment, you'll incubate new business ideas, uncover areas that need reinforcing, and establish a foundation from which to make decisions.
FastTrac is offered in three versions:
- FastTrac GrowthVenture™ for established businesses that want higher-level performance;
- FastTrac TechVenture™ for companies with protectable intellectual property seeking funding;
- FastTrac NewVenture™ for entrepreneurs who want to analyze the feasibility of their business idea before investing in it.
What does FastTrac cost?
FastTrac participation is FREE! Some classes charge participants for the book ($150); in other classes, books are also free! And when two people from the same company can share a book, they get to share what they learn with each other, doubling the benefits. Everyone is welcome to try it first! Attend your first session free, without obligation. Sign up today!
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FastTrac GrowthVenture:
Grow The Bottom Line
What do you get out of FastTrac? Control of your business and your life. Graduates say FastTrac helps entrepreneurs streamline business processes, analyze strengths and shortcomings, and achieve balance in their work and personal lives.
Working closely with other entrepreneurs in the intensive FastTrac environment, you'll share ideas, strategies and successes. You'll hone business skills that will shape your business for years to come. Through FastTrac, you will:
| Learn a successful business planning process. |
| Write a business plan focused on growth strategies and effective management. |
| Understand your market opportunities. |
| Gain insight on how to use resources to your best advantage. |
| Network with entrepreneurial peers. |
| Create valuable mentor relationships. |
| Understand key business concepts: marketing, market position, financial statements, customer relations and operations. |
| Access a library of tools, including financial projection templates, to help you build a better business plan. |
* All sessions are at Town of Gilbert, Municipal Office Building II, Room 100, 90 E. Civic Center Dr., Gilbert, AZ 85296 (Map) on Tuesdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
FastTrac GrowthVenture
Gilbert, Arizona* | Winter
2011 |
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|
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| Taking Action |
| 4. Using Financial Tools | 02/15 |
5. Strengthening the
Product/Service | 02/22 |
| 6. Seizing the Market | 03/01 |
| 7. Leading the Organization | 03/08 |
8. Managing Operations
for Growth | 03/15 |
9. Charting Financial
Performance | 03/22 |
| 10. Making it Happen | 03/29 |
* All sessions are at City of Maricopa, 45145 W. Madison Ave., Maricopa, AZ (Map) on Thursdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
FastTrac GrowthVenture
Maricopa, Arizona* | Winter
2011 |
|
|
|
| Taking Action |
| 4. Using Financial Tools | 02/17 |
5. Strengthening the
Product/Service | 02/24 |
| 6. Seizing the Market | 03/03 |
| 7. Leading the Organization | 03/10 |
8. Managing Operations
for Growth | 03/17 |
9. Charting Financial
Performance | 03/24 |
| 10. Making it Happen | 03/31 |
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FastTrac TechVenture:
Communicate Your Investment Potential
The goal of FastTrac TechVenture is to enable you to develop your business plan, "elevator pitch" and investor presentation. You will learn to communicate effectively your market opportunities, business concept, financial plan, management team and investment potential.
FastTrac TechVenture is designed for entrepreneurs in technology or life sciences. It focuses on the specific needs of entrepreneurs with protectable intellectual property, helping you to:
| Develop your technology to meet market needs. |
| Protect your intellectual property assets. |
| Understand the markets for your technology. |
| Project the market and business potential of your technology. |
| Develop and practices your pitch to potential investors. |
| Create a business to make money from your technology through any combination of licensing, sale, manufacturing or marketing. |
** All sessions are at Terralever, 425 S. Mill Ave. (@ E. 5th St.), 2nd floor, Tempe, AZ 85281 (Map), on Mondays, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
FastTrac TechVenture
Tempe, Arizona** |
Winter
2011 |
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| Business Planning |
5. Entering & Capturing
the Market | 03/07 |
6. Planning for Finanical
Success | 03/14 |
7. Building & Compensating
Your Organizational Team | 03/21 |
8. Protecting the Business &
Your Intellectual Property | 03/28 |
9. Identifying Funding and
Working with Investors | 04/04 |
10. Managing Cash and
Operating Your Business | 04/11 |
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FastTrac NewVenture:
Test the Water
Before you quit your job or invest your life savings, wouldn't it be nice to know if your idea has merit? In FastTrac NewVenture, you'll study your venture's feasibility, strengths and weaknesses, examining your idea from every angle.
You'll also work closely with other aspiring entrepreneurs sharing ideas and strategies, laying the groundwork for future business relationships. Through FastTrac NewVenture, you'll discover whether the life of an entrepreneur is right for you! You will:
| Practice a feasibility planning process. |
| Write a feasibility plan to refine your idea and assess your venture's viability. |
| Learn research skills you can apply to any venture. |
| Understand the plusses and minuses of common business entry strategies. |
| Network with entrepreneurial peers. |
| Develop valuable mentor relationships. |
| Gain a sense of yourself as an entrepreneur. |
| Access a library of business reference materials, including an electronic feasibility planning template you can apply to other ideas. |
* All sessions are at West Mesa Community Development Corporation, 567 W. 10th St., Mesa, AZ (Map), on Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon..
| West Mesa Business Incubator |
FastTrac NewVenture
Mesa, Arizona* | Spring
2011 |
|
| Concept Analysis |
| 1. Exploring Entrepreneurship | 04/06 |
2. Identifying & Meeting
Market Needs | 04/13 |
| 3. Setting Finanical Goals | 04/20 |
|
| Business Planning |
4. Planning the
Product/Service | 04/27 |
5. Researching & Analyzing
the Market | 05/04 |
| 6. Reaching the Market | 05/11 |
7. Building the Organization
and Team | 05/18 |
8. Planning for a Profitable
Business | 05/25 |
9. Monitoring Cash Flow
and Seeking Funds | 06/01 |
| 10. Implementing Next Steps | 06/08 |
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Take Charge, Now!
Consumed with day-to-day operations, many entrepreneurs push planning to the back burner. But that may not be what your competitor is doing. Make an investment in your business and your life, and start accruing the benefits of FastTrac today.
"FastTrac forced my partner and me to have some heads-down meetings on our business, looking at all aspects of it from finances and marketing to operations. It forced us to step back from our business and plan. Three years ago, we were taking shortcuts and not giving certain areas their due. today, we are much more conscious about focusing on all aspects that are key to running our business. FastTrac is certainly part of what is making us successful."
Adrienne Lumpkin, President, Alternate Access, Inc.
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Program
Leaders
Phillip
Blackerby
Program
Facilitator
Dr. Francine
Hardaway
Business
Counselor
Ed Nusbaum
Business
Counselor
"There's a
wonderful
sharing of
information
and ideas from
the other people
in the class. In
FastTrac, you
realize you
aren't alone in
dreaming. You
realize there
are others
out there who
have wonderful
ideas." |
Anne-Merelie Murrell
Pres., Giroux Glass
Inc. Top 100 Inner
City Co's.
FastTrac Co. of the Year, 1998 |
"The tuition for the
FastTrac class was
the best money our
company has ever
spent. We emerged
more focused, more
confident, and with
a great business
plan. We would
enthusiastically
recommend this
course for any
serious
entrepreneur." |
Dan Dye, Co-founder
Three Dog Bakery |
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