The Forum is designed to encourage business owners to share ideas and develop strategies for revenue growth. Forum members are focused on improving the performance of their businesses through shared experiences and knowledge.
The SBG Forum was formed by SCORE Orange County to help small businesses succeed and grow. This program is specifically for organizations whose annual revenue is between $500,000 and $999,999. (If you have revenue of $1 million or greater, check out our CEO Forum Program.) The Forum is designed to encourage business owners to share ideas and develop strategies for revenue growth. Forum members are focused on improving the performance of their businesses through shared experiences and knowledge. Each SBG Forum group is comprised of 10 to 12 business owners from non-competing businesses who meet monthly as an ongoing team.
The monthly, half-day problem-solving and skills development meeting is facilitated by two experienced SCORE mentors. Each forum is an opportunity for the group to work through their specific business issues and develop a personal plan for growth using a proven process. In addition, periodic guest speakers present ideas and solutions of interest to our members.
The SCORE meeting leaders become integral members of each group. The backgrounds of these leaders include retired senior executives from Fortune 500 firms, as well as entrepreneurs who have launched, bought and sold businesses.
What Will the SBG Forum Do for Me?
The SBG Forum program will enable you to become a better leader, make better decisions and achieve better results by:
- Learning key steps to growing your business and improving revenue
- Connecting you with others to share ideas
- Gaining better insight into your own business as well as the economy at large which will help you to compete and excel
- Acquiring new perspectives to stimulate fresh ideas about your opportunities and challenges
- Learning enhanced skills to facilitate ongoing learning and performance improvements
- Utilizing a confidential sounding board comprised of experienced executives for both everyday and strategic decisions
You will have the opportunity to move into SCORE’s CEO Forum program with larger firms as your firm grows.
What is the Criteria for Participating in the SBG Forum?
The minimum requirements to participate in the program are:
- You must be responsible for the full operation of a qualifying business (e.g. Owner, CEO, President, etc.)
- Your company should have been in business for at least two years
- Your company must have revenues between $500,000 and $999,999 in the current year
- You are looking to grow your business by hiring employees in the near future
Individual groups will not include any competitors and each member will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement
How Much does it Cost to Join a SBG Forum?
There is a charge of $170.00 per month. This payment covers a continental breakfast and buffet lunch and the cost of the meeting room and speakers.
How Can I Learn More?
If you complete and submit the Briefing Invitation Request Form, you will be invited to a luncheon briefing on the program. Note: This is considered confidential information and will be shared only if you become a member and only with your specific forum members.
