BizBuzz Q&A - Help for small business
BizBuzz Q&A - Help for small business
A conversation with Tom Donaldson, regional director of the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center and BizBuzz consultant.
Q: What is BizBuzz?
BizBuzz is a partnership between
the Delhi DDA and the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development
Center (MI-SBTDC), developed to help independent Delhi businesses become better,
stronger and more sustainable.
BizBuzz is a comprehensive local resource that can help your business grow and thrive. It provides a
wealth of useful information, one-on-one consultation, and solutions tailored
specifically to your business.
Q: What is the cost?
BizBuzz is available to Delhi
Township businesses at no cost as a benefit of doing business here,
thanks to support from the Small Business Administration, Michigan Economic
Development Corporation, Lansing Community College and the Delhi DDA.
Q: What types of businesses
can BizBuzz help?
BizBuzz has something to offer
virtually any type of independent business. And that’s true whether your
business is a startup, an established business, or you’re ready to expand.
Q: I think my business is
doing okay, but sometimes I wonder if I could be doing better. Can I find out
how my business compares to others in my industry?
Yes! BizBuzz can help you
benchmark your business against similar-sized organizations in your industry. We
have data to help you compare key metrics such as profit margin, inventory
turnover and more. We also have strategic planning tools to help you identify
opportunities for your business to do even better.
Q: I’d like to expand my
business but I’m not quite sure how to do it. How can I find new growth
opportunities?
Through BizBuzz, you can take
advantage of a wealth of great data––including market trends, key players in
your industry and much more––that can help you identify growth opportunities.
Perhaps most important, BizBuzz provides individualized support to help you
analyze those opportunities and take advantage of them.
Q: I need financing to grow my
business, but credit is tight out there. What can I do?
It’s true: the banking world has
changed dramatically in the past few years. It’s tougher for even
long-established businesses to maintain a line of credit or obtain a loan. Now
more than ever, it’s important to have your plans and projections in order
before you approach the bank. BizBuzz can help you prepare a strong loan package
to maximize your chances of success.
Q: Are there any government
programs available to help my small business?
The state of Michigan offers some
very innovative loan programs, specifically addressing collateral and cash flow
issues that might prevent your loan from being approved. BizBuzz can help
identify programs and lenders which may be able to help your business.
Q: I’m thinking about starting
a new business. Can BizBuzz help me?
Successful businesses typically
start with a strong plan. BizBuzz can help you develop your plan and realistic
financial projections. We can also connect you with other local resources that
can help you. The tools and support available through BizBuzz can accelerate the
startup process, save you a lot of time, and help maximize your chances of
success.
BizBuzz is ready to help
your business. To find out how to get started, call Al McFadyen at the
DDA’s Biz Buzz center, 517.699.3867, email
al.mcfadyen@delhitownship.com, or call Tom Donaldson directly at Michigan SBTDC, 517.483.1921.
Last updated: May-31-2011
