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Individualized Business Plan

Participants in this five week series will be guided through a self-assessment to determine what it will take to get their new business off the ground, and to identify the best approach to business planning based on that self-assessment.

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By the end of the workshop series, each participant will have completed all of the key components of the business plan they need - whether the goal is to present to a commercial lender, to apply for a grant or a government program, to share with a private investor, or for internal planning and benchmarking purposes.

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Market & Consumer Insights

Every viable business plan is a response to an identified market opportunity. Workshop participants will learn how to quantify and document a market opportunity, and will build out a realistic plan to respond to that opportunity.

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Operating Decisions

Learn how to make critical decisions about business ownership structure, and how to anticipate and plan for day-to-day and long-term decision-making responsibilities, people management needs, compliance with regulations, and risk management.

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Financial Projections & Funding

Using pro-forma income statements and balance sheets, as well as cash-flow projections, program participants will learn to think like investors and identify the best ways to finance their business. They will also gain tools to monitor performance of the business, identify challenges or opportunities, and make corrections.

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Build A New(York) Network

This workshop will connect you not only to the participants and instructors in the workshop, but also to a network of people and resources that can help you launch and grow your business. CADE connects farmers, food businesses, markets, suppliers, organizations, foundations, funders and more, with a shared goal of creating a vibrant New York food system where farm and food entrepreneurs thrive. Connecting with CADE means getting access to the breadth of resources, knowledge and research available through us and our network.

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Curriculum

 

12 lessons, organized into 4 modules:

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• Introduction to Business Planning

• Marketing

• Operations

• Financial Planning

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Program Structure

(for Instructor-Led Group Workshop)

 

Hybrid Learning

 

Participants will learn on their own schedule throughout the week in between the five class sessions using content housed on Google Classroom.

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Participants should expect to spend 5-10 hours per week in between classroom sessions, using the program’s structured curriculum of recorded videos, readings and assignments, and interacting with instructors online.

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Class sessions will bring the group together to connect with instructors, share with their peers, ask questions, and practice the application of what they have learned. You will get out of this program what you put into it! Come prepared to work, connect and progress!

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Participation Requirements

 

Participants will need computer and internet access to successfully complete the workshop. To get the most out of the program, you will be encouraged to turn on your computer’s video camera and interact virtually with the other participants and instructors.

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We realize that not everyone has equal capacity to participate in our online programs and we are committed to making our resources accessible to all who can benefit. Please contact us for other ways to access CADE resources.