Professional Development
2019 Professional Development Calendar
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Thinking of Starting a Business? Apply for CO.STARTERS!
Apply for the 2019 CO.STARS Program Here
CO.STARTERS is a 9-week program that equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn business into action. The classes will be held at the Mercer University Douglas Campus.
In Douglas County, CO.STARTERS will be implemented and facilitated by the Mercer University’s Douglas Campus. The nine-week CO.STARTERS program will kick off in August and finish with a celebration open to the community in October. The program is sponsored by the Douglas County Chamber, Douglas UnitE3, BB&T, and Regions Bank. Cohort participants will receive high level training weekly on Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m. at Mercer’s Douglas County Campus located at 975 Blairs Bridge Road in Lithia Springs.
For more information, contact the Chamber at 770.942.5022.
Generate Business: Join the Chamber Connections Leads Groups
Expand your sales force by over 20 people – join Chamber Connections!
All Chamber members are invited to join Chamber Connections, which focuses on members connecting with each other for leads generation and business enhancement. Members of both Connections Groups consistently receive a number of qualified referrals. Only one business per industry is allowed in each of the groups. There is no charge to participate in this group for Chamber Members.
Chamber Connections is compiled of three unique networking leads groups that meet the second and fourth Fridays of each month. Two groups meet 8 – 9:30 a.m. and another at 10 a.m.
Good Morning Connections meets at the Douglas County Chamber.
B.I.G. (Business Improvement Group) meets at West Georgia Technical College
Infinite Leads Group meets at the Douglas County Chamber.
For more information on joining a Chamber Connections Leads Group, contact Ruby Byers at 770.942.5022.
“I have been participating in the Chamber Connections group for several years. The leads I have received and the business I can attribute to the leads group more than pay for my Chamber membership! This small group within the Chamber allows us to get to know each other more personally and allows us to develop closer friendships within the Chamber.
“I have been a member of the Good Morning Connections Leads Group fir the last two years. This opportunity has afforded me the benefit of building important relationships through getting to know a select group of business owners, that are experts in their own fields on a more personal level. The understanding of these companies through the Chamber Connections meetings has allowed me to expand my business. The end result for my business is many new clients and the ability to service established much more effectively.”
Take Your Business to the Next Level: Small Business Sustainability Program
The Douglas County Chamber sees the value in helping businesses through all phases of their growth. We successfully provide resources for businesses looking to open their doors and have decided to take the next step in helping those who are looking to take their business to the next level.
The Chamber offers the Small Business Sustainability Program – a program designed for businesses that have been in operation for more than two years and are looking to create a plan for sustaining their organization.
Program Structure
Participants in the Small Business Sustainability Program will complete an application and interview process. Upon selection, an orientation is held to assist companies in identifying their specific goal for the program. Each business will be paired with a “coach” who will meet with them monthly throughout the program to guide them to their end goal.
Program Completion
Completion of the program will be based on the following criteria:
- Participant attends orientation and all sustainability workshops.
- Capstone project completion and presentation – based on the goal identified by each business, a Capstone portfolio will be created outlining the plan for sustaining your organization in a certain area (ex. E-commerce site for increasing sales). The Capstone will feature a step-by-step plan of action in regards to all areas of sustainability covered in the workshops. The project will be presented to the Advisory Council at the end of the program.
Sustainability Center
The Chamber houses a Small Business Sustainability Center in conjunction with the program launch. The Center is located in the Chamber office and is available to Sustainability Program participants for meetings, consultations, or for any other purpose. The Center will feature a workspace, meeting space, resources, and audio visual materials.
“The Small Business Sustainability Program was a great program to be a part of – as we have tried to build our business into full-time operations, the SBSP made sure that we focused on the “big picture”. The capstone project was a really great resource that we needed to build and has been a tool that we have been able to utilize over and over again. This program was of great value and I was thrilled that the Chamber offered this opportunity to their small business members.”
