Session Overviews – Alexandria Amplify

The six sessions of this program are designed to give participants time to consider what gives their company a competitive edge in the marketplace and to consider how to leverage that position of strength for future growth.

Each session will be approximately 90 minutes long. The first half of each session will be dedicated to checking in with participants, discussing homework exercises and hearing from the guest speaker. The second half of the session will focus on using GrowthWheel tools to apply the concepts from the guest speaker and to discussing the homework for the upcoming week.

The first three sessions will be used to pinpoint the attributes that give each company that edge, while the final three sessions will be devoted to planning for the future.

Session 1: Getting Started and Your Mission

During this session, the facilitator will introduce the program and will facilitate an exercise so that participants get to know one another. We will cover ground rules and expectations, introduce GrowthWheel, and give participants time to reflect on the current mission of their company.

Session 2: What Makes Your Company Unique?

Participants will explore what differentiates them from their competitors. In this session, business owners will focus on their place in the market and the attributes that set their company apart.

Session 3: What is Your Brand and Who Are Your Customers?

During this session, participants will identify the core strengths of their company. In particular, the session will focus on differentiating brand attributes and core customers.

Midpoint 1:1 Check-Ins

Outside of the group sessions, participants will meet with SBDC staff or consultants 1:1 to discuss their progress and to identify any additional resources or support that they might need beyond the cohort.

Session 4: Solidifying Your Idea for Growth

During this session, participants will dive into planning for the future. They will consider their goals and will explore what a successful growth period would look like. Participants will also consider how to best leverage what their company does well to achieve these goals.

Session 5: Presenting Your Plan

During this session, participants will share their growth “pitch” with the group and will have the chance to receive feedback from their peers.

Session 6: Mapping Your Journey and Wrapping Up

During this final session, participants will put pen to paper with their growth planning. This session will focus on identifying the actions that each business owner needs to take to get from their current state to an aspired state. Participants will begin charting the course for that growth.  They will also hear more about additional resources that are available as they implement their plans. At the end of the session, each participant will be invited to sign an accountability pledge and to complete an evaluation of the program.