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Friends of Small Business
(Arizona SBDC Network Advisory Board)
WHAT
IS ARIZONA FRIENDS OF SMALL BUSINESS?
Arizona
Friends of Small Business (FOSB or Friends) is the statewide group
that advises the Small Business
Development Center Network. Begun in June 1996, FOSB's mission is
helping the Small Business Development Centers increase the scope
and effectiveness of the assistance they provide to current or prospective
owners of smallcompanies.
HOW
EFFECTIVE IS THE GROUP?
Friends
has received significant recognition in its short history. The U.S.
Small Business Administration honored Friends at the 1998 National
Vision 2000 Conference at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. States as
diverse as Arkansas, Wyoming, and New York have contacted us to
emulate our work. For the first time in the AZSBDC Network's history,
Arizona was invited to present a model of excellence at national
SBDC meetings. The model was Friends.
HOW
ARE MEMBERS SELECTED? WHAT ARE THEIR ROLES?
FOSB
is comprised of 25 (maximum) Arizona small business owners or senior
executives of larger companies who champion small business.
These "Business Leaders" represent the spectrum
of Arizona business. Our "Advocates" are association executives,
and governments and school representatives who support, train and
educate small business. Members volunteer for two-year appointments
with many who accept invitations to extend their tenure.
HOW
DOES THE GROUP ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION?
Friends'
three goals are: 1) to evaluate SBDC services to ensure the AZSBDC
Network delivers what new and expanding small businesses need to
prosper; 2) to advise on improvements to AZSBDC Network services;
and 3) to expand network resources to meet increasing demand. A
two-year written work plan with strict deadlines outlines possible
strategies and tactics. Each Friend selects an area of work and
commits to meeting objectives.
WHEN
DOES FRIENDS OF SMALL BUSINESS MEET?
FOSB
members attend quarterly meetings to measure successes and assess
challenges. A volunteer community college professional facilitator
guides the 90-minute breakfast meetings and ensures that meeting
time is well spent. Meeting locations rotate, so Friends meetings
are combined with a visit to a small business. SBDC clients often
host meetings at their businesses, so Friends sees firsthand the
results of SBDC work. Legislative, municipal and private-sector
leaders often attend FOSB meetings to be briefed on the concerns
of small business.
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