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Institutional Effectiveness Plan: Small Business Center

Mission:

To provide instructional programs, counseling services, and referral services to help local residents start and succeed in small businesses.

2009-2010 Assessment Outcomes & Use of Results

College Goal: Develop and implement instructional programs and services, both traditional and distance learning offerings, consistent with the assessed needs of the constituent groups in the College’s service area and with state and national standards, including training and retraining of the workforce.

Department Goal: Meet training needs for current and expanded employment opportunities of the service area as a result of changing workforce demographics.

Objectives: Provide prospective business owners with practical knowledge concerning the basic procedures for starting a business and earning a profit.  Visit local businesses and determine their educational needs to expand their markets and improve their profit margins.

Action Plan: Provide SBC seminars for present and prospective business owners to improve their business skills and expand their markets. Visit local business owners to help them improve their business skills and expand their markets. Provide Ed2Go online courses covering a wide range of topics. Provide Notary Public Courses for local citizens. Provide Real Estate Courses for local citizens.

Assessment Strategy: SBC seminars offered. Local businesses visited. Ed2Go Courses administered. Notary Public Courses offered. Real Estate Courses offered.

Assessment Outcomes: SBC has offered 72 seminars this year. SBC has visited 25 local businesses through May of 2010. SBC has administered 43 Ed2Go Courses through May of 2010. SBC has offered 10 Notary Public Courses this year. SBC has offered 4 Real Estate Courses this year.

Use of Results: Local entrepreneurs were provided with opportunities to improve their business skills and to increase their knowledge of various business topics by attending SBC seminars. Local entrepreneurs were provided with opportunities to discuss their business plans, to express their business concerns, and to identify their educational needs. Ed2Go online students were allowed to study a variety of subjects at their choice of time and location. Local citizens were provided with the opportunity to take Notary Public Courses at the MCC Campus. Local citizens were provided with the opportunity to take Real Estate Courses at the MCC Campus.

College Goal: Utilize technology to provide information services that support quality, personalized instruction.

Department Goal: Meet training needs for current and expanded employment opportunities of the service area as a result of changing workforce demographics.

Objectives: Provide present and prospective small business owners with knowledge to help them utilize the latest technology to help their businesses succeed.

Action Plan: Utilize a part-time office technician to maintain Datatel records of SBC seminars and to help market SBC programs. Utilize the SBCN Client Management System to maintain records of SBC clients counseled and to monitor the economic impact of assistance provided. Promote SBC programs with MCC semester tabloids, local press releases, promotional flyers, mail, email, and the MCC web site. Assist SBC clients with the development of their business plans.

Assessment Strategy: Evaluate Datatel records for SBC seminars generated and marketing results achieved by the part-time office technician. Evaluate the SBCN Client Management System records generated for SBC client counseling sessions and the total clients counseled. Evaluate the effectiveness of each marketing program utilized for promoting SBC seminars. Evaluate the impact of the SBC on local entrepreneurs.

Assessment Outcomes: The Datatel System was successfully utilized to create records concerning SBC Contracts and Student Registrations. The SBCN Client Management System was successfully utilized to maintain SBC Counseling Records for 30 SBC Clients through May of 2010. SBC Seminar Evaluations were analyzed to determine that seminar participants learned about SBC programs in the following ways: 40% from SBC email messages; 10% from SBC mailings; 0% from MCC semester tabloids; 20% from the MCC Web Site; 10% from local press releases; and 20% from friends. Semester tabloids were not utilized this year due to budget restraints. The SBC has assisted 18 clients with the development of a business plan through May of 2010.

Use of Results: The Datatel System provides network access to all records concerning SBC Seminars. The SBCN Client Management System provides network access to all records concerning SBC Client Counseling Sessions. Marketing Analysis reveals that email and mail contact with present and past SBC Clients represents a very effective marketing method for promoting SBC seminars that should be continued. The MCC Web Site and SBC press releases are also effective marketing tools that should be continued. Attendance suffered this semester because semester tabloids were not utilized.  Semester tabloids should be used next year to improve the marketing of MCC programs. Word of mouth advertising from students who have benefited from SBC seminars remains a very important marketing tool. SBC Clients who develop a business plan can determine whether their business idea has a chance to succeed or not before they destroy their economic resources. If their business plan shows that they cannot possibly succeed, they can abort their business without losing any money. Nationwide statistics show that people who start a business without a business plan fail in their business venture within the first year 80% of the time. Through May of 2010, 6 SBC Clients have developed a business plan and have pursued funding for their business venture and 12 SBC Clients who worked on a business plan have decided to pursue other business ventures.

College Goal: Provide facilities for student learning that capitalize on state-of-the-art instructional applications.

Department Goal: Meet training needs for current and expanded employment opportunities of the service area as a result of changing workforce demographics.

Objectives: Collaborate with the Montgomery Economic Development Corporation, local businesses, local government agencies and local schools to hold SBC programs at various locations other than the MCC Campus.

Action Plan: Offer SBC programs at the Highland Center, Brutonville, and other community locations for the convenience of local businesses and local citizens. Provide desktop computers and business software for use by SBC clients in the SBC Resource Center.

Assessment Strategy: SBC seminars offered at community locations. Utilization of the SBC Resource Center by SBC clients.

Assessment Outcomes: SBC Seminars were only offered on campus this year due to travel restrictions. A total of 18 SBC Clients have utilized the computers in the SBC Resource Center through May of 2010.

Use of Results: SBC Seminars should not be offered off campus again until travel restrictions are removed. SBC should continue to provide 2 desktop computers equipped with printers, access to high speed internet service, and business software for use by SBC Clients in the SBC Resource Center.

College Goal: Insure that services are provided to industry, small businesses, and other community initiatives to facilitate economic growth.

Department Goal: Meet training needs for current and expanded employment opportunities of the service area as a result of changing workforce demographics.

Objectives: Provide assistance to present and prospective small businesses through education, training, and counseling.  Encourage the development of written business plans to rationally evaluate all proposed investments of time and money.

Action Plan: Assist present and prospective small business owners with the development of written business plans for their businesses. Provide assistance to local small business owners as necessary to evaluate their needs and their opportunities. Work with the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), JobLink, the NC State University (NCSU) Extension Program, the NC Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), and the US Small Business Administration (SBA) to assist present and prospective small business owners.

Assessment Strategy: Small business owner and prospective owners assisted with business plans. Small businesses assisted to help improve profit margin and expand markets. Evaluate small businesses assisted through collaborative efforts.

Assessment Outcomes: SBC provided 30 SBC Clients with Business Plan Development Materials and advice concerning their business idea. SBC provided technical assistance in finalizing business plans to 6 SBC Clients. SBC referred 6 SBC Clients to the SBTDC for assistance in procuring financing for their business venture. SBC referred 1 SBC Client to the Women’s Business Center for assistance in procuring financing for her business venture.

Use of Results: SBC Clients whose business plans did not show favorable results were encouraged to pursue other business ventures. Completed business plans were utilized to seek financing for business ventures. Relationships were strengthened with the SBTDC through joint counseling efforts with 6 SBC Clients. Relationship with the Women’s Business Center was strengthened through joint counseling efforts with 1 SBC Client.

College Goal: Provide an environment that supports employing and retaining a quality faculty and staff and promotes enhanced student learning, achievement, and development.

Department Goal: Maintain a high level of instruction and job performance by providing access to continuing professional development activities.

Objectives: Enhance instructional faculty and staff performance through appropriate professional development opportunities.

Action Plan: Participate in Professional Development Programs provided by the SBCN to satisfy the SBCN Director Certification Program guidelines. Participate in Professional Development Programs provided by MCC, NCCCS, and NCCCAEA. Participate in Professional Development Programs provided by the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, the NC State University Extension Program, the NC Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), and the US Small Business Administration (SBA).

Assessment Strategy: SBCN Professional Development Programs attended and SBCN Certification Levels achieved. MCC, NCCCS, and NCCCAEA Professional Development Programs attended. EDC, NCSU, SBTDC, and SBA Professional Development Programs attended.

Assessment Outcomes: All SBCN Professional Development Programs were canceled this year due to budget restrictions. Participated in Professional Development Programs provided by MCC, since NCCCS and NCCCAEA events were canceled due to travel restrictions. Participated in Professional Development Program titled Energizing Entrepreneurship (E2) provided by the NC Rural Center.

Use of Results: None. Utilize MCC Professional Development Programs to enhance knowledge base. Relationships were strengthened with the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation and local government officials through participation in the NC Rural Center E2 Workshop.

Institutional Effectiveness Plan
2010-2011

College Goal: Develop and implement instructional programs and services, both traditional and distance learning offerings, that are consistent with the assessed needs of the constituent groups in the College’s service area and with state and national standards, including training and retraining of the workforce.

Department Goal: Provide credit and non-credit programming to enhance economic development of the service area.

Objectives: Assess current programming and project new/expanded programming for emerging workforce needs.

Action Plan: Provide prospective business owners with practical knowledge concerning the basic procedures for developing a business plan and starting a business. Provide SBC Seminars for present and prospective business owners to improve their business skills and expand their markets. Visit local business owners to help them improve their business skills and expand their markets. Provide Ed2Go Online Courses covering a wide range of topics. Provide Notary Public Courses for local business and citizens. Provide Real Estate Courses for service area.

Person(s) Responsible: Small Business Center Director, Occupation Extension Coordinator

Anticipated Date for Achieving Objective: May 2011

Assessment Strategy: SBC Clients counseled SBC Seminars offered Local businesses visited and training provided. Ed2Go Courses provided Notary Public Courses offered Real Estate Courses offered

Budget Needs to Accomplish Objective: SBC funds for SBC Director Salary $15,000 for Contracted Instruction from SBC funds $600 for Local Travel from SBC funds None $1,250 for Instruction from Self Supporting funds $5,000 for Instruction from Occupational Education funds

Assessment Outcomes: Will be completed in May 2011

Use of Results: Will be completed in May 2011

College Goal: Provide facilities for student learning that capitalize on state-of-the-art instructional applications.

Department Goal: Provide facilities, staffing, and services that support educational program delivery.

Objectives: Evaluate department procedures and initiatives to ensure complete integration of all infrastructure elements as they support the educational process.

Action Plan: Utilize a part-time office technician to maintain Datatel records of SBC seminars and to help market SBC programs. Utilize the SBCN Client Management System to maintain records of SBC clients counseled and to monitor the economic impact of assistance provided. Promote SBC programs with MCC tabloids, local press releases, promotional flyers, tray liners, mail, email, and the MCC web site. Provide desktop computers and business software for use by SBC Clients in the SBC Resource Center.

Person(s) Responsible: Small Business Center Director

Anticipated Date for Achieving Objective: May 2011

Assessment Strategy: Evaluate Datatel records for SBC seminars generated and marketing results achieved by the part-time office technician. Evaluate the SBCN Client Management System records generated for SBC client counseling sessions and the total clients counseled. Evaluate the effectiveness of each marketing program utilized for promoting SBC seminars. Utilization of the SBC Resource Center by SBC Clients.

Budget Needs to Accomplish Objective: $10,000 for Part-Time Support from SBC funds None None $3,000 for Printer Supplies and Software Licenses from SBC funds

Assessment Outcomes: Will be completed in May 2011

Use of Results: Will be completed in May 2011

College Goal: Provide an environment that supports employing and retaining a quality faculty and staff and promotes enhanced student learning, achievement, and development.

Department Goal: Provide access to and guidance in professional development opportunities to strengthen instructional delivery and to prepare for accreditation initiatives.

Objectives: Make available opportunities for strengthening instructional methodologies and understanding SACS accreditation expectations/requirements.

Action Plan: Participate in Professional Development Programs provided by the SBCN to satisfy the SBCN Director Certification Program guidelines. Participate in Professional Development Programs provided by MCC, NCCCS, and NCCCAEA. Participate in Professional Development Programs provided by MCEDC, NCSU, SBTDC, and SBA.

Person(s) Responsible: Small Business Center Director

Anticipated Date for Achieving Objective: Ongoing

Assessment Strategy: SBCN Professional Development Programs attended and SBCN Certification Levels achieved. MCC, NCCCS, and NCCCAEA Professional Development Programs attended. EDC, NCSU, SBTDC, and SBA Professional Development Programs attended.

Budget Needs to Accomplish Objective: $1,250 for Registration Fees, Lodging and Travel from SBC funds $1,250 for Registration Fees, Lodging and Travel from SBC funds $750 for Registration Fees, Lodging and Travel from SBC funds

Assessment Outcomes: Will be completed in May 2011

Use of Results: Will be completed in May 2011