The Center is strategically linked to every business development program in the State of RI through the Every Company Counts initiative. Additionally, we have access to all of the business development programs which have been created by every other Small Business Development Center in the nation. Our staff members and consultants have years of experience in almost every kind of business and business related issue. All of this experience is at your disposal!
The positioning of the Center at Johnson and Wales University, America’s Career University allows for access to best business practices, state of the art technology and business information. Johnson and Wales University's undergraduate and graduate programs are intrinsically linked to provide the RI business community with the best business assistance available.
Contact any one of the Center offices listed in the "Directory of Offices/Staff." Our regional directors are readily available to explain all of our programs and how we can best serve your needs. We have provided a description of all of our services on this web site, and recommend that you review them to see how we can best serve your needs.
Nothing! These services are at no charge to RI clients.
The Regional Director will review your inquiry and provide you with the necessary guidance. The Regional Director can assign a consultant from our extensive list of consultants to work with you on a more specific basis. The Regional Director might also recommend that you attend one of the workshops/seminars which we present throughout the year to obtain more specific assistance. If appropriate, he or she will connect your business project with Johnson and Wales University faculty and students for intensive business development support.
Many of our seminars and workshops are presented at no charge. Some have a nominal charge to cover the cost of materials provided during that session. A complete list of the seminars and workshops (and any related fees) can be obtained at "Seminars & Workshops".
If you and the Regional Director agree to use the services of a Center consultant, you will be requested to complete a "request for assistance" form which will identify the terms of the consultant services being provided. The Regional Director will select a consultant and/or a Johnson and Wales associate and/or student team to work with you, and will engage that project manager to work with you on a specific topic for a specified number of hours. The consultant/ university personnel is contracted directly by the Center and will counsel you at no charge. Our consultants are contracted by and paid for by the Center. You and the consultant will schedule your own appointments with each other, and will work on your business issues with each other. The consultant is required to complete a client report each time they meet with you. This report is forwarded to the Regional Director.
Because of the overwhelming demand for consulting services, initial consultant assignments must be limited in time. Your Regional Director will be able to give you an estimate of the first assignment after discussing your particular request. Assignment extensions are granted by the Regional Director on a case by case basis if such an extension is warranted.
If more than one problem/issue needs to be addressed, the Center frequently assigns more than one consultant to deal with each specific business issue. It is possible to have a marketing consultant and a financial consultant assigned to work with you at the same time.
All client information discussed by the client with Center personnel and Center consultants is confidential. Center consultants are required to sign confidentiality statements and cannot discuss proprietary information about your business with anyone other than Center personnel or persons you so designate.
Yes, there are restrictions. Your Center consultant is contracted by the Center to provide you with pertinent counseling and advice. They cannot act as one of your employees or business representatives. Center consultants will provide you with the best counseling and advice necessary to meet the business needs being addressed. All of our consultants are highly skilled in a specific business area(s).
Although certain consultants will be able to provide you with excellent ideas on how to restructure a specific department within your business, or how to address business issues regarding that department, they cannot "manage" that department for you.
Some of our consultants are skilled in the development of business plans. They are able to provide you with excellent advice on how to write a business plan, and will assist in reviewing draft and final copies of your business plan, but they cannot write it for you. You will find that the computers & software for business plan development at the Pawtucket and Warwick Business Resource Centers are extremely valuable resources if you need to write a business plan. There are Center staff members, SBA staff members and SCORE volunteers available at these Centers to provide you with even more assistance! Additionally, the Center frequently conducts seminars and workshops on Business Planning.
Some of our consultants are skilled in preparing loan applications and are experienced with all of the SBA guaranteed loan programs. They can assist you with all of the necessary forms andidentify all of the information which needs to be compiled to ensure that your loan application is a viable one. They can guide you and assist you, but they cannot act as your official representative when presenting your loan application to the bank.
RI Small Business Development Center at Johnson & Wales University
270 Weybosset Street, 4 Floor, Providence, RI 02903
T: 401-598-2702 F: 401-598-2722
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