Be Strategic
Work on your business, not just in your business.
Maximize your potential by focusing on your business strategy, not just the day-to-day operations. If you are serious about growing your business, our Be Strategic program is for you. It’s time to work on your business instead of just in it.
What is Be Strategic?
The Be Strategic program provides a unique opportunity for local, non-competing businesses to work alongside one another to create a strategic business plan for growth, make meaningful connections, and improve their business within a supportive group setting.
Who is it for?
- Designed by Entrepreneur Fund business advisors, Be Strategic is for growth-oriented business owners in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.
- Ideal participants have been in business for a couple of years, are ready to take the next steps in growing their business and are willing to be held accountable to reach their goals.
- Interactive sessions are facilitated by a local EFund business advisor one night a week for 6 weeks.
What is the cost?
The cost of the course is $600 per business.
- Grant funding will cover the cost for 2023 Be Strategic participants located in Wisconsin
- Scholarships may be available for Duluth and Iron Range classes.
Fall 2023 Dates/Locations
- Iron Range (Eveleth) – Mondays – Sept. 11 through Oct. 16
- Duluth (Lincoln Park) – Mondays – Sept. 18 through Oct. 23
- Central, MN (Mora) – Tuesdays – Sept. 19 through Oct. 24
- Spooner – Mondays – Oct. 2 through Nov. 6
- Ashland – Tuesdays – Oct.10 through Nov. 21 (No class on Oct. 31)
- Hayward – Tuesdays – Oct. 17 through Nov. 28 (No class on Oct. 31)
No classes being offered in your region this fall? Join our email list for updates on when new classes will be offered.
How to apply?
We are now accepting applications for Fall 2023 courses across our service region.
“It’s a think tank on every aspect of your business with other business owners. You’re strategically thinking about where you’re at and what you want to do. It’s strategic planning and most business owners don’t do that because they just don’t have the time. So, you are setting aside the time and being intentional about all those things, from marketing to finances to HR, that you just don’t get to think about on a day-to-day basis. It was fantastic and invaluable.”
– Nick Olson, 2022 Be Strategic graduate and owner of Anderson & Hammack Construction Co., Superior, WI
BE STRATEGIC Overview
Week 1: The Big Picture
Define your mission, vision and core values. Create a SMART 10-year target.
Week 2: Navigating Business Trends, Tools & Hot Topics
Identify the trends in your industry, complete a SWOT Analysis, and dive into accounting, HR and e-commerce tools.
Week 3: Making Sense of Your Financial Statements
Review bookkeeping basics, analyze the different types of financial statements and create cash flow projections.
Week 4: Marketing Strategies for Growth
Identify your brand, define your target audience, and create a marketing plan.
Week 5: Management
Refine your 10-year target, break it down into shorter, reachable goals and create a scorecard of the measures that will give you a pulse on your progress.
Week 6: Sharing Your Plan
Present your strategic business plan to the group. Be creative, be honest and be ready to receive constructive feedback.
