The Rhode Island Small Business Development Center

The mission of the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center is to assist and guide Rhode Island business as they build, maintain and increase their profitability.  Each year, the RISBDC offers counseling services to nearly 900 businesses and runs training programs that attract more than 1,800 individuals.  The National Association of Small Business Development Centers has accredited the program.

Business Leadership

The RISBDC operates in a funding partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of Rhode Island, Bank Boston, and Bryant College.  Bryant College administers this program and is one of the few private colleges in the United States to have been chosen for this honor.  The college has served in this role since 1982.  Using its Smithfield campus as a base, Bryant coordinates the activities of five sub-centers across the state.

Impact

Over the years, the RISBDC has helped more than 10,000 businesses in Rhode Island.  A recent study of RISBDC-assisted businesses showed increase of 13% in sales and 7% in employment during a period when statewide sales decreased 4% and employment fell 1%.

Programs

The RISBDC’s services include training small business owners in personnel, finance, marketing, organization, production, accounting, and technology issues.   The seminars are offered at low cost to the general public.  Typical topics for these programs include:
 

• Developing an Effective Business Plan
• Marketing Strategies to Increase Sales
• Keeping the Books for A Small Business
• Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Franchising
• Credit Basics
• Guerilla Financing
• How To Prepare Your Taxes and Improve Your Bottom Line
• Your Business Image Is Showing
• Uncle Sam Wants Your Goods & Services
• Quickbooks for Your Business (Basic and Intermediate)
• Selecting Your Accountant & Attorney
• Understanding & Managing Credit
• Marketing Minus the Money
• Guerilla Marketing
• How to Increase Business When You Don’t Like Selling
• Personal Development for Entrepreneurs
• Creative Ways To Measure Customer Satisfaction
• How to Qualify for Contract Financing & Bonding
• Choosing Your Business Consulting team
• The Innovation Factor
• How to Buy a Building as an Investment or For Your Business
• Marketing On the Internet
• Y2K: What does it mean for your company
• Y2K: Triage for Minimizing Organizational Risk
• How to Qualify for the New SBA-SDB Certification

Consulting

The RISBDC has a network of qualified business consultants to help clients find solutions to specific business problems or identify emerging opportunities.   The RISBDC consultants are experienced individuals with a variety of business backgrounds.  In addition, the RISBDC offers the services of retired executives, business faculty members and business graduate students.

Consulting services are offered at no cost to qualified candidates.  The RISBDC consultants’ typical services include:
 

• Operation Review
• Market Planning
• Business Planning
• Financial Analysis
• Sales Building Techniques
• Cost Controls
• Product Development
• Process Development
• Total Quality Programs
• New Technology Applications

Partners

The goal of the RISBDC is to facilitate cooperation among academic, government, and private agencies to promote the interests of the state’s small business community.  Working with groups, such as the Service Corps of Resource Experts (SCORE), the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, area Chambers of Commerce, numerous professional associations, and representatives of business and industry, the RISBDC creates linkages to strengthen the state’s business climate.

Learning Opportunities

The RISBDC offers a living business laboratory where individuals can learn firsthand about entrepreneurship and business development.    Under the guidance of faculty members and professionals on directed studies or internships, qualified students can enhance their classroom knowledge with real world experiences. The RISBDC works with faculty members on class projects and research initiatives.

Information

For more information, you can contact:

Rhode Island Small Business Development Center
1150 Douglas Pike
Smithfield, Rhode Island 02917-1284

You may call (401) 232-6111 or send a fax to (401) 232-6933.  Also, you can visit at the RISBDC website, www.risbdc.org.
 
 

©1999, Bryant College
Disclaimer
Last Updated: October 26, 1999