Get On The Fast Track
By Alex R. Merriman
Generalized training may be fine for learning basic business skills. But if you want to take your small business to the next level, you’ll need to break out of cookie-cutter seminars and workshops.
That’s where FastTrac™ comes in.
FastTrac is a practical, hands-on business development program designed to help you hone the skills needed to create, manage and expand a successful business. Through the FastTrac program, you work on the specifics of your own small business as you progress through the course.
The comprehensive entrepreneurship-educational program provides entrepreneurs with:
And the FastTrac development programs and workshops are appropriate for any stage of your business – from concept and launch through growth and expansion.
Don’t think of FastTrac as a single class or seminar. It’s more of an ongoing series of products (like CD-ROMs), services and educational experiences. Specialty FastTrac programs include:
FastTrac NewVenture: Help for startup entrepreneurs FastTrac Planning: Strategies for improving an existing business FastTrac Tech: Training for technology entrepreneurs FastTrac Manufacturing: To help entrepreneurs streamline manufacturing processes and plan for future growth Entrepreneurs’ Boardroom: A program that helps business owners plan and achieve long-term success Listening To Your Business: A half-day workshop to help existing business owners develop and evaluate a strategic, three-year vision for their business
You’ll also find products like The Business Mentor™ CD-ROM.
You’ll even find FastTrac programs that are delivered by organizations whose mission is to serve the needs of the micro-entrepreneurs. For instance the First Step FastTrac assists low- to moderate-income entrepreneurs. It helps them define their personal vision and goals and determine whether their business concept is a feasible business opportunity. There’s also a Spanish version of First Step, entitled Primer Paso FastTrac.
FastTrac also offers the program Developing Your Family Child Care Business, which guides entrepreneurs through creating their business plan and parent handbook.
FastTrac programs were first launched in 1986 through the University of Southern California’s Entrepreneurship Program in Los Angeles. In an effort to expand the FastTrac program nationally and continue accelerating entrepreneurship in America, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City became the major funder and supporter of FastTrac in 1993.
The FastTrac programs have been developed by and with hundreds of successful entrepreneurs. They’ve shared their knowledge, insights and stories so that others might learn from them.
In 1998 FastTrac won the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Model of Excellence Award for Entrepreneurial Education. Simply put, FastTrac is one of America’s leading entrepreneurial training programs and remains on the cutting edge by providing programs that are written by entrepreneurs ... taught by entrepreneurs ... for entrepreneurs.
FastTrac programs are currently provided by 270 partner organizations in 49 states. More than 100,000 participants have completed FastTrac classes in the United States since 1993.
Today the various FastTrac programs are offered in both urban and rural settings. FastTrac is a success because of the strong partnerships with local organizations that have a passion for serving the entrepreneurs in their community. Some of these organizations include:
Chambers of commerce Small Business Development Centers Economic development councils Women’s Business Centers Minority Business Centers Universities and colleges Community colleges Individual consultants And others
To find out more about FastTrac, go to www.fasttrac.org. Or you can call toll-free (800) 689-1740. The fax number is (816) 235-6216.
(Posted April 2005)
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