A New Learning Journey in Ascent—SBA's Free Online Learning Platform for Women Entrepreneurs
See what the new "Managing Sales" Journey can do for your small business!
Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the launch of a new educational module on the Ascent online learning platform, "Managing Sales." This module outlines strategies to build and strengthen your sales process and team.
Ascent offers a user-centered, customizable learning experience, with the flexibility to take entire courses within a topic or short micro-lessons to accommodate busy schedules. It uses a multimedia approach with videos, worksheets, infographics, self-assessments, and more, covering the skillsets entrepreneurs need to grow their businesses.
Ascent's Journeys
Ascent is divided into major topics/modules called Journeys, developed by experts in women's entrepreneurship. Within each Journey, you'll find Excursions with the tools you will need to master the Journey. Each excursion includes a time estimate for completion. You're the boss of when and how to apply these tools to your business.
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Journey 1: Disaster & Economic Recovery
Tools to help business owners understand the impacts of a disaster, help in developing a response plan, and explore ideas and insights on how to support staff.
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Journey 2: Strategic Marketing
Develop a value proposition, define your ideal target market, and learn how to promote your business.
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Journey 3: Your People
Build the skills to attract, hire, develop, and retain exceptional employees.
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Journey 4: Your Business Financial Strategy
Strengthen your financial skills, from understanding cash flow statements to creating balance sheets and practicing financial forecasting.
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Journey 5: Access to Capital
Explore the when, why, how, and who of capital sources, including traditional loans, crowdfunding, and angel investors.
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Journey 6: Government Contracting
Understand the government as a customer, evaluate contracting and subcontracting opportunities, plan for Federal contracting certifications, analyze the federal solicitation process and General Services Administration (GSA) schedules.
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Journey 7: Entrepreneurial Leadership
Understand the economic power of business owners. Position your business for growth by building and refining your leadership skills.
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Journey 8: Partnerships
Identify the value of business partnerships. Seek out, create and maintain partnerships that drive growth. Consider opportunities for joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions.
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Journey 9: Managing Sales ←✴✴✴ NEW! ✴✴✴
Outline strategies to build and strengthen your sales process and sales team.
In 2021, the SBA’s Ascent platform launched and has assisted nearly 50,000 businesses and young entrepreneurs write business plans, with business legal education, access to capital, the move into government contracts, and much more!
About Ascent
The U.S. Small Business Administration, the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau, and the Department of Treasury collaborated to develop this platform, leveraging the best of government resources and entrepreneurial perspectives.
Ascent offers nine essential journeys to assist women business owners with strategies toward growth and success, including Disaster & Economic Recovery, Strategic Marketing, Your People, Your Business Financial Strategy, Access to Capital, Government Contracting, Entrepreneurial Leadership, Partnerships, and Managing Sales. Additional topics will be added over time. For more information, go to ascent.sba.gov.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
SBA New Mexico District Office
- For more information on SBA’s programs and services, visit sba.gov.
- We are here for you! Contact us if you need assistance with your New Mexico small business.
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