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Frequently Asked Questions # 1
1.
What is the Arkansas Small Business Development
Center (ASBDC)?
The
Arkansas Small Business Development Center
(ASBDC) is a university based economic
development program which provides assistance to
entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout
Arkansas via a statewide network of seven
offices. As the state's premier business
assistance program, the ASBDC is dedicated to
helping small businesses achieve success and to
promoting economic development throughout the
state.
Consulting Services
The ASBDC provides, at no cost, one-to-one
professional consulting for business owners and
entrepreneurs. Help available includes: advice
on operating challenges in existing businesses,
review of business plans and strategies,
guidance in starting new businesses, preparation
of loan requests, financial analysis and budget
development. A "New Venture Guide", available in
the Consulting section of the website at
http://asbdc.ualr.edu/start, offers guidance
in handling new business operations and
finances. The Arkansas SBDC neither lends money
nor administers grants. However, business
consultants can assist small business owners in
meeting their operating challenges. Because the
Arkansas SBDC is a statewide organization,
consulting needs can be met even for those who
reside outside of Little Rock.
New
business owners are strongly encouraged to
attend the Arkansas SBDC seminar, "Starting a
Business in Arkansas" before meeting with a
consultant. Additionally, submitting a copy of a
completed business plan prior to the consultant
meeting will enable the consultant to provide
valuable feedback during the consulting process.
Appointments are required to meet with a
consultant and are usually able to be scheduled
within a few days of the initial phone call.
Market Research Services
The ASBDC's lead center in Little Rock
offers market research services free of charge
to our small business clients. Our capabilities
and tools are typical of those affordable only
to larger firms. We provide our clients with the
highest quality data and analysis they need to
make sound business decisions.
The
ASBDC subscribes to proprietary market research
databases and has licensed special mapping
software. These tools can give business owners
an extremely effective visual representation of
the marketplace. We can help business owners
better understand who their customers are, what
motivates their purchasing decisions, and who
their competitors are.
The
ASBDC specializes in gathering and applying
market intelligence to solve real-world business
problems. We can help clients identify the best
location for a new store, improve the
effectiveness of direct mailings, find an
underserved niche, and much more. As a member of
the university community, the ASBDC has access
to a wide range of academic libraries and
research institutes.
Training Services
Existing and new business owners can take
advantage of the ASBDC's affordable small
business training programs. The ASBDC offers
live seminars in locations throughout the state
as well as convenient and flexible business
plans, marketing, financing, technology, and
innovation.
Live seminar instructors and facilitators
include ASBDC and business professionals such as
accountants, bankers, attorneys, marketing
professionals, small business owners, and more.
Online seminars focus on the 3 M's: Money,
Marketing, and Management. There are 20 courses
offered and more than 350 tools and other
resources are available with the courses.
Register or access information about live events
and online training at:
http://asbdc.ualr.edu/training.
E-News Alerts
Web visitors who want to receive information
from the ASBDC can
subscribe
to the ASBDC's E-News Bulletins.
Biz Bytes provides general business
information, government regulation updates and
details on upcoming small business training
events.
Tech Track is focused on providing
technology news, grant opportunities, and SBIR/STTR
information to growing high-tech firms.
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