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Business owners hate to make expensive mistakes that can cost them customers, opportunities or their life savings. Nine local experts from established area businesses created an alternative to trial and error growth strategies. Until now, lack of specific business knowledge, resources and expertise had been a barrier between business owners and their success. 

Doctors, lawyers, CPA’s and published authors you can read about in places like Selling Power magazine, the New York Times and Entrepreneur magazine are donating their time and talent to help businesses start, grow and prosper through this initiative. “It’s refreshing to work with experts who care so much for the people, businesses and communities they serve” says Mason Duchatschek, the President of AMO-Employer Services, Inc in St. Louis, MO, one of the program’s founding members. 

The “Experts for Entrepreneurs” program is a collaborative outreach program, made available at no charge, on a first come, first served basis to area business owners and leaders. It is a five-part, monthly educational series offered almost exclusively by local professionals who are volunteering their time to help others.

Topics will include sales, marketing, strategic planning, process improvement, technology, financial, legal and risk management. 

Lack of Planning Leads to Failure, Local Expert Says

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) says that 50% of small businesses fail in their first year.  A local business expert suggests that proper planning could be the cure.

“Business leaders often think they are too busy to plan,” says Don Harkey, owner of Galt Consulting and facilitator of an upcoming free Strategic Planning Seminar in Springfield. “Investing in a good strategic plan helps business owners make quicker and better decisions.”  The SBA website lists several of the top reasons that businesses fail, most of which could be avoided through planning.

The first seminar, “Strategic Planning,” will be held on January 21st from 8:30 to noon. For more information about this program, visit www.penmac.com/e4e. Call our RSVP number at 417 616-6357 or email us at e4eRSVP@penmac.com to make reservations while seats are still available.