New Help Available for Small Businesses Through Executive Roundtables

Online, October 27, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Springfield, VA -- The Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network is launching a new program to help small businesses in the Metropolitan area. Through support from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, the SBDC is establishing an Executive Roundtable series for federal contractors. The Roundtables will provide peer coaching and expert resources in a safe, confidential forum for small business leaders.

The new Executive Roundtable series builds on the success of an SBDC Veteran-to-Veteran Entrepreneur (V2VE) Group founded last year. "The V2VE Mentoring Group was even more successful than we had hoped, and continues to meet long after the pilot program ended," said Anna Urman, director of the SBDC. "We're excited to expand our support to a broader range of federal contractors. While the SBDC is well known for serving early-stage companies, programs like this one also help businesses up to $50 million in revenue to reach the next stage."

"Research has linked effective peer mentoring and coaching with higher growth rates for member companies," said Melissa J. Smith, president of Five At Noon, LLC, a consulting firm that provides growth planning and facilitation. "Executive Roundtables like these can be a powerful tool for innovation, helping with challenges and opportunities at a critical stage in companies' growth." Ms. Smith will be facilitating and organizing the group for the SBDC.

The Roundtables will provide small federal contractors with a highly effective platform for business success, at a cost of only $99 for the entire six-month program. This group is for companies who:
• Provide products and/or services to the federal government
• Anticipate less than $50 million revenue in 2012
• Have fewer than 100 employees

Once established, the Executive Roundtables will meet twice monthly for peer-to-peer coaching and speaker presentations. There is a 15-person limit, one person per company. No direct competitors in the same group. Confidentiality strictly enforced. To participate in the program or for more information, please contact Melissa Smith at [email protected].

Come to an Open House to learn more about the program:
Tuesday, November 1, 20011, 4:00-6:00pm
TeqCorner
1616 Anderson Road
McLean, VA 22102
(703) 286-0808
Register online at: smallbusinesspeergroup.eventbrite.com/