IBSA, Inc.

IBSA Entrepreneurship Training Components

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q.What type of services are IBSA participants receiving?
A.Participants receive general business training and graduate on to more specific training elements. Participants are assigned a business counselor and are offered multiple individual business counseling sessions.

Q.What topics are covered in the general training elements section?
A.Topics include marketing, business management, constructing a business plan, and business mindset.

Q.What topics are included in the specific training elements?
A.Topics include cash flow, financing, legal requirements, insurance, bookkeeping, and taxes.

Q. How do these training elements fit together?
A.All of these items culminate into the construct of a viable business plan. The business plan serves as the entrepreneur's roadmap to implementing and running his or her business. The business plan also serves as the primary document from which loan decisions will be made.

Q.What is an individual training account (ITA)?
A.An ITA is the method by which training funds are accessed in the one-stop center. Enterprise Training is an allowable training activity under the Workforce Investment Act.

Q. What are needs-related payments?
A.Needs-Related Payments are a permissible local employment and training activity. Eligibility for such payments is determined on a case-by-case basis. Needs-related payments are subsistence level payments to program participants while in training. We encourage the use of such payments for those who have not qualified for unemployment compensation and unemployment insurance (UI) exhaustees.

Q.What type of community outreach is taking place?
A.Community outreach includes public service and local media announcements, fliers, town-hall meetings, focus groups, community advisory panels, a toll-free number, brochures, and posters. We are exploring all avenues of community outreach, and through the town hall meetings, we are receiving feedback on the best ways to engage the local community.

Q. What is the phone number for all IBSA program information?
A. The number is (913) 240-6247.

Entrepreneur Assistance:

Such assistance shall include the following:

(1) Conducting of small studies and research, and the distribution of information generated by such studies and research, on the formation, management, financing, marketing, and operation of small businesses concerns by disadvantages entrepreneurs.

(2) Provision of training and counseling to disadvantages entrepreneurs concerning the formation, management, financing, and operation of small business concerns.

(3) Provision of management and technical assistance to the owners and operators of small business concerns regarded international markets, the promotion of exports, and the transfer of technology.

(4) Provision of assistance and information to disadvantage entrepreneurs regarding procurement opportunities with federal, state, and local agencies, especially such agencies funded in whole or part with Federal funds.

(5) Establishment of an informational clearinghouse to collect and distribute information, including by electronic means, on the assistance programs of Federal, State, and local telephone numbers, mail and electronic addresses, and contracting and subcontracting opportunities.

(6) Provision of Internet or other distance learning academic instruction for disadvantage entrepreneurs in business subjects, including accounting, marketing, and business fundamentals.

(7) Compilation of a list of small and minority business concerns owned and controlled by disadvantages entrepreneurs that provide products of service that could be produced by local and state government and delivery of such list to each department and agency upon request. Such list shall be available in hard copy and electronic form and shall include the name and address of each such small business concern and the products and service that it provides.

Entrepreneurial Development:

Entrepreneurial Development will provide orientation and assessments. The ongoing series of consolation will allow our students insight to acquiring financing, positioning, marketing, business incentives, and investing opportunities. Planning assistance is pursuant to the type of business the individual is interesting in developing, whether profit or nonprofit. Organizational plans and guidance to secure proper permits is provided. Utilizing on-site and online software to instruct program participants in the following areas; business plan development, managing account’s payable/receivable, inventory, purchase orders, scheduling. Creating professional correspondence, drafting proposals, business cards, etc. identifying the target market to which services or products will be provided. Acquiring City County and State Government contracts as a result of being added to their vendor’s list. How to file for and receive state Certification as a Disadvantaged, Woman or Minority Business. Identify business that supports Women/Minority/Disadvantaged Contracting programs and helping to secure placement on their vendor lists and contractual relations. As the entrepreneur’s business grows, how to invest back into the business which will include ideas and consultation on investing capitol in an investment portfolio.

This includes guest speakers from the areas of banking, accounting, marketing, human resources and financial management.