Curriculum

The Baltimore Means Business Schedule and Curriculum

Build your next success with practical business education and a supportive network of advisors & peers Baltimore Means Business is a program for small business owners that links learning to action. Through the program, you will receive the tools and support to develop a customized growth plan that will take your business to the next level. The Baltimore Means Business curriculum focuses on developing skills that you can apply immediately to address the issues most critical to growing your business.

The program consists of 6 convenient online learning sessions and an evening dedicated to final presentations and graduation. To complete the program, Participants must:

• Attend all class sessions for their assigned track
• Complete assigned homework
• Give a final 10-15 minute presentation

Outside of the classes, participants must complete their homework assignments prior to the next week's class. These assignments are a key part of the program and are designed to help you improve your business while enabling you to develop your business growth plans.

The Curriculum was designed by Morgan State University Earl Graves School of Business.

• View the Curriculum and Schedule of Classes

2 Tracks

To create the most effective environment for learning and sharing of relevant ideas, we have created 2 tracks. Track 1 is for startups. Track 2 is for more mature companies with more established processes and higher revenue. Both tracks will cover the same general content but the discussions will differ based on the maturity of the companies in the room.

Curriculum

• Introductions, Program Orientation & Business Challenges
  During this 3 hour session, Morgan State University will welcome the Participants and program partners. We will discuss the goals of the program, expectations and the final presentation. Participants will introduce themselves and share their greatest business challenges. BMB Advisors will introduce themselves and meet their assigned Participants. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.
• Building a Sustainable Organization's Infrastructure
  During this 3 hour session, for the first half, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the Participants' greatest challenges and how to address them with market research, infrastructure, technology, planning and coordination of people and processes. During the second half, we will be joined by a panel of 3 successful business leaders who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.
• Leading People & Planning for Growth
  During this 3 hour session, for the first half, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the Participants' greatest challenges and how to address them with effective techniques for assessing the needs of the market, identifying organizational goals and creating win/ win situations with team members to ensure success. We will also discuss basic project management and allocation of time, people and resources. During the second half, we will be joined by a panel of 3 successful business leaders who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.
• Marketing & Selling B2G, B2B & B2C
  During this 3 hour session, for the first half, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the Participants' greatest challenges and how to address them with effective market research, business development, proposal writing, and relationship building. During the second half, we will be joined by a panel of representatives from government procurement offices and local anchor institutions who want to do business with smaller companies. They will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.
• Accounting, Human Resources, Taxes & Insurance
  During this 3 hour session, for the first half, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the Participants' greatest challenges and how to address them with better compliance and internal controls. We will examine best practices in Human Resources, Accounting, Contracts, Taxes and Insurance. During the second half, we will be joined by a panel consisting of a HR consultant, accountant, attorney and a financial advisor. They will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the next class.
• Preparing for Capital & Essential Financial Documentation
  During this 3 hour session, for the first half, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the Participants' greatest challenges and how to address them with accessing capital from various sources and preparing the financial documentation and narratives necessary to attract funding. During the second half, we will be joined by a panel of lenders, investors and accountants who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. Homework will be assigned to be submitted by the final session.
• Presentations & Graduation (Combined Tracks 1 & 2)
  During our final 3 hour session, we will bring together all the Participants in both tracks for presentations. Due the number of Participants and limited time, we will separate into smaller groups in virtual breakout rooms to hear the presentations. Participants can cheer on the presenters and ask questions about their growth plans. After the presentations are complete, we will have a graduation ceremony. Certificates of Completion will be sent digitally to all Participants who completed the program and we will announce the graduates on social media the next day. Graduates will be invited to participate in Alumni activities as they occur throughout the year.

Value to Business Owners

• An educational program available at no cost for selected participants, designed for small business owners
• Technical assistance from Morgan State University’s Graves School of Business
• Access to networks and mentors to help you focus on critical business issues and building capacity
• Networking with like-minded business owners who want to do business and grow

Next Steps

Apply now