 
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SmallBizU?
SmallBizU is the first online academy created especially for small businesses and entrepreneurs. As the largest collection of entrepreneurial training resources available on the web, this online academy seeks to instill a formal business intelligence—the capacity to solve problems, meet challenges, and create valued products.
What can be found inside?
SmallBizU teaches the “3Ms”—Money, Marketing, and Management—through a no-frills, utilitarian curriculum that provides small businesses with real world tools and information. Within SmallBizU there are over 4,000 animated slides presented across 24 core classes. Each course is delivered via the internet full of animated slides accompanied by voice-over narration, Power Point presentations, worksheets, toolsets, and access to a comprehensive knowledgebase.
What can it do?
Most people that start a business are technicians by trade. They know a skill or craft and seek to build a business around it. But, as Michael Gerber states in his book, The E-Myth, “therein lies the fatal fallacy: a technician assumes because they know the trade or craft that they know how to run a business that does the technical work.” As technicians, they have worked in their business, but not on it. Fortunately, the critical skills of entrepreneurship can be taught. As management pioneer Peter Drucker stated, “Entrepreneurship is not magic, it’s not mysterious, and it has nothing to do with genes. It’s a discipline. And, like any discipline, it can be learned and improved upon.” SmallBizU provides the necessary skills an entrepreneur needs on a “just-in-time” basis to allow them to work on their business rather than just in it.
What kinds of courses are available?
SmallBizU offers courses in the areas of Money, Management, and Marketing. These courses vary from beginner level classes such as Marketing 101 and Finding Money to more advanced courses such as Market Insight and Research and Strategic Planning and Execution.
SmallBizU offers courses in the area of Money such as Creating a Loan Package, Finding and Attracting Investors, and Accounting 101. Management courses include Crafting A Business Plan, Choosing a Legal Structure, and Buying A Business. Marketing courses include Positioning, Pricing and Strategy Tactics, and Understanding Intellectual Property.
What is the typical course format?
From its inception, the curriculum of SmallBizU was developed using a branded and unified approach applied across the design of every course. Each course moves across a continuum of ten sections. The sections move from a general description of a functional skill, to the recognized theory, to the application of the practice to a small business. A typical course ranges anywhere from 170 to 200 slides and is presented over a three to four hour period.
Does SmallBizU duplicate any services already offered?
No. SmallBizU is not meant to replace any current educational programs or support organizations that already provide such entrepreneurial training. Instead, it’s purpose is to improve the effectiveness of what is already being offered. It’s turn-key, comprehensive curriculum provides a jump-start for the design of new courses and workshops, and it also provides the perfect online compliment to existing training courses such as FastTrac or NxLevel business planning curriculums.
What is the cost?
Nothing! SmallBizU is absolutely free to NRECA member co-ops and their member-owners.
Who can help me or provide more information?
Technical support can be obtained by emailing service@smallbizu.org or by calling 800-282-7232 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST.
How can I get started ?
Click on www.smallbizu.org/nreca today to get started with your studies! You will need the following software:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Microsoft Power Point or Power Point Viewer
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
You can download and install the necessary software from the SmallBizU web site. Go to their site using the link above, click on the arrow at the lower right of the opening screen, click on the System Setup button (you may need to click on the graphic to show the buttons ). Here you can test you system to make sure it is ready for school too.
To get started you can go back to the Main Menu by clicking your back arrow in the browser or by clicking the Main Menu button in the lower right corner of the graphic. At the Main Menu you can click of the Find a Course button and select from the available courses. Double clicking on a course takes you to a summary. At the bottom is a button labeled "Take This Course". Click here and then work through the steps to create a new account or log in if you already have an account.
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