Grow Your
 Business

Business Plans
The best way to grow sales, cash flow, and profit, and to run your business more efficiently.

Online Tools

• Check out how well your company is performing at The Kaufman Business EKG, a free financial benchmarking service provided by the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. The Kauffman Business EKG provides a comprehensive assessment of your company’s financial vital signs. You will discover insights about your company’s financial well being and how you compare to the “best of the class” in your industry. The assessment requires only a few minutes and will give you ideas and strategies for improving your company’s long-term financial health.
   

• SBA Online - Expanding Your Business

• SBA On-Line - Develop a Marketing Plan

• SBA's Online Women's Business Center offers women information about business principles and practices, management techniques, networking, industry news, market research and technology training, as well as information about the many SBA services and resources available.

• Check What's Available in SBA's Online Library.

Training

• SBDC Classes at WSU/Spokane

• SCORE Planning and Management Series Workshops

• Small Business Tax Seminars - find out what taxes you are responsible for as a small business person in Washington State, and what taxes you must pay as an employer.

• Area Calendars of training and events

• Check for Training Opportunities from SBA, SCORE, SBDCs, and other regional organizations as well as Online Classes (including classes on certification and government procurement!

Electronic Commerce and Government Procurement

• Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) Vendor Forums - Bechtel National Inc. invites you to join them at their monthly  Vendor Forums to learn about doing business with the Waste Treatment Plant Project. Upcoming procurement opportunities will be presented for the design and construction of the Waste Treatment Plant. Space is limited to the first 150 registrants due to room capacity. Register by e-mail. Location: Auditorium, 3000 George Washington Way, Richland, WA., Visit the Bechtel web site to register as a potential supplier. Procurement Opportunities are also listed on the site.
  

• SBA's PRO-Net is an electronic gateway of procurement information-- a Procurement Marketing and Access Network for Small Business. The BIC now has a tutorial on CD to show you how to use this resource. PRO-Net and CCR Merger Frequently Asked Questions
   

• SBA's Procurement Assistance On-Line Resource Page Find out how to prepare bids and proposals, assistance, how the government buys and general information.
  

• SBA's HUBZone Program stimulates economic development and create jobs in urban and rural communities by providing contracting preferences to small businesses—that are located in a HUBZone and that hire employees who live in a HUBZone.
  

• Women Business Owners looking to sell to the Government have a new online resource - WomenBiz.gov. This site is a gateway to find business opportunities, resources, forms and best practices to help you do business with the government profitably.
  

• SBA’s VENDOR IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM - Providing Small Businesses with the Competitive Edge !!
  

• Business LINKS is a Procurement Technical Assistance Center in Richland, Washington and provides procurement assistance for all of Eastern Washington as well as business development assistance, advanced business management courses, and manufacturing extension services for established businesses.
  

• Doing Business with Washington State - offers resources of interest to people doing business in and with the state of Washington. You'll find procurement announcements, supplier registration and more at this site.
   

• Additional Procurement Resources

Franchises

• SBA's Is Franchising for Me? On-Line Workbook
  Describes franchising and has activities to help you decide if it is for you.
  

• International Franchise Association
  You will find information on acquiring a franchise, franchising your own business, the Franchise Opportunity Guide® On-Line, franchise resources, publications, trade associations, and reviews.
  

• SBA's On-Line Franchise Workshop
  Learn more about Franchises.

Resources

• Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Locations throughout the Inland Northwest offer counseling and classes.
   

• BIC Resources:

BIC Library Resources on "Management"
"8 Great Management Ideas "
"9 Tips for Using Technology"
"10 Tips for Better Computer Security"

• Taxes:
  In Washington, you can save time by filing your taxes online by using ELF - Electronic Filing through Washington's Dept. of Revenue. Go to the Web site, or call 1-877-FILE-ELF (1-877-345-3353) to see if you qualify.