The NAWBO Institute for Entrepreneurial Development is a 501(c)(3) that provides expert professional training for established women entrepreneurs, resulting in positive growth outcomes for NAWBO members. Over the next several years, you can expect to see many new programs and opportunities as the Institute works to grow into a globally recognized C3 organization providing education to women business owners across the world.
The NAWBO Institute’s mission is this: To provide opportunities for capacity building and organizational development for emerging and established women entrepreneurs. Through the Institute, NAWBO aims to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of women business owners and promote economic development within the entrepreneurial community so that we can build a legacy of success for the next generation of women entrepreneurs.
This mission is now more important than ever. Analysis in a recent American Express OPEN report indicates that while the number of women-owned firms continues to increase at a rate exceeding the national average and the economic clout of these firms continues to strengthen, they remain smaller than the average firm. Research and experts also suggest that education combined with venture creation equals a greater supply of entrepreneurs and higher levels of entrepreneurial performance, and that the most glaring “need” for women entrepreneurs stems from lack of knowledge on how to grow a business from point A to point B.
This is where the NAWBO Institute comes in.
Here are some interesting statistics on this “Missing Middle:”
- According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 75 percent of all firms and 84 percent of women-owned firms in the U.S. have no employees other than the owner of the business.
- A preliminary look at just those women-owned firms with one to 10 employees shows that doubling their employment would add 2.2 million jobs, increasing the total employment accounted for by all women-owned firms by 31 percent.
- And, if by so doing, the revenues of those firms increased by 50 percent, there would be a collective net increase of $109 billion in business receipts added to the U.S. economy.
So what can you expect this year? The NAWBO Institute is in the process of developing and rolling out programs and services specifically focused on helping these women business owners grow to the $1-million mark and beyond. The first new program, co-designed with Babson College specifically for members of NAWBO, that you can expect to see is PRACTICAL BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT EDUCATION: Strategies for Growth—A Digital Lab Experience. Participants in this program will be charged to lead and support their growth goals by:
- Gaining valuable skills and experiences necessary to grow their business.
- Exploring growth through Entrepreneurial Thought & Action®.
- Promoting greater innovation and “out-of-the-box” thinking.
- Recognizing value and uncovering opportunities for leveraging capital for growth and increased revenues.
- Understanding the important role women entrepreneurs play in the overall economy.
- Demonstrating greater initiative by becoming more well‐rounded leaders in their business communities.
- Effectively creating jobs for economic growth.
- Entering into an international long‐term community achieving results-oriented entrepreneurial leadership.
The program will feature these six online modules:
- Aspiration & Opportunity
- Operational Infrastructure
- Financial Management
- Leadership/People
- Brand & Marketing
- Planning Beyond
There will also be elective sessions participants can choose from, including:
- Culture
- Negotiation
- Leveraging Capital
- Insurance and Benefits
- Going Global
- Procurement/Contracting
- Expanding Production
In the future, look for even more from the NAWBO Institute, including:
- Research and publication
- Chapter leadership development and board training
- Chapter C3 administration
- Micro-lending program
- Peer mentoring program
- Scholarship and awards program
Get involved in the NAWBO Institute…make a donation here today to help bring even more education and training opportunities to women.