The Craig School University Business Center (UBC) has an impressive history of serving private enterprise and public organization in California's Central Valley. Built in 1987 with donations from private businesses, it serves as an outreach unit for The Craig School of Business.
Economic Opportunities Commission
International Business Program
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Programs The UBC’s mission is to increase community economic development through providing direct services and resources to Central Valley businesses to increase job creation and business success. The UBC has an exceptional online business plan development and launch program called AcceleratorOnline (AO). AO was specifically developed to provide budding entrepreneurs and existing small businesses with anywhere, anytime access. The program has been recognized by The Aspen Institute in national publication of best practices in distance learning for micro-enterprises. AcceleratorOnline is a nine-week, online business plan development and launch initiative designed for those who are traditionally disenfranchised from university programs. Through AO, Web-based, online courses have been developed for training in business plan development. These Blackboard courses are accessible from the project’s Web site and include video-streaming and Power Point lectures. Customers apply online and receive notification within 48 hours of application. If accepted, they receive a login and password that gives them access to the curriculum. The curriculum was designed so that by the end of the program you have a completed business plan you developed with the help of the instructors. For information on enrollment or how you can launch AO in your area: Call UBC staff (559) 278-2352 or email info@accelerator.com. California Association for Microenterprise Opportunities CAMEO selected UBC to be part of their USDA funded RCDI program “Capacity Building Program for Rural California Microenterprise Development." The program provides UBC staff with free training and technical assistance in all aspects of microenterprise development. The goal of this program is to increase the level of microenterprise development services UBC has been delivering to rural areas of West Fresno County. For information call UBC staff at (559) 278-2352 Central California Small Business Development Center The CCSBDC offers specialized training programs to meet the unique needs of businesses and their staff. Training and education is also offered on topics of interest and importance to entrepreneurs, business owners and managers. These practical workshops provide companies with the competitive edge to help them survive and thrive. Workshops are held on a regular basis. The CCSBDC has a reference library with Internet access available to the public, offering publications and videos on a variety of subjects designed to assist in successfully running a business. The CCSBDC provides consulting services. Fees are paid by CCSBDC funding partners and are free to qualified clients. Areas of consulting include, but are not limited to: • Business Loan Packaging For information, contact Tom Burns, Director of CCSBDC at (559) 230-4056 or email tombu@csufresno.edu. The UBC provides specialized executive level training to several area companies. The UBC works with the company executives and CSB faculty to develop a success program that is tailor made to meet your business needs. Training can be done on-site or in the state of the art facilities at the UBC. Topics can range from general management skills such as: Leadership, Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Employment Law, Conflict Resolution, Effective & Persuasive Business Writing, Operational Cash Flow to industry specific skills such as: Agribusiness Finance, Real Estate Appraisal, Risk Management Assessment, Family Business Succession Planning. Currently the UBC is providing Supervisory Training for PELCO and is working with the Ag Lenders Society of California to deliver the 5th annual Ag Lenders Institute training. For more information on customized training please contact the UBC staff at (559) 278-2352. Economic Opportunities Commission The UBC in partnership with EOC has done extensive rural business opportunities research. The UBC analyzed survey data and complied two reports titled Microenterprise Potential of Mendota Residents and Results of the Business Interview conducted in the City of Firebaugh. Both reports are being used to increase economic activities and services to these rural areas. For information call UBC staff at (559) 278-2352. The Institute for Family Business’s mission is to provide a forum for education, resources, and community network directed to the unique needs of the family owned and closely held partnerships in the Central California area with the intent of improving and helping in the success of families and their businesses. IFB offers: • In-depth programs and seminars featuring renowned speakers, addressing topics affecting your business and related family issues. • Courses specifically designed to help your family-owned business become more successful. • Community involvement in the large network of family businesses and service providers in a non-commercial atmosphere. • Quarterly newsletters and a comprehensive web site designed to keep you up-to-date on issues and events. • An annual awards luncheon recognizing family-owned business achievements. For further information contact George Vozikis at (559) 278-3077 or email at gvozikis@csufresno.edu International Business Program The UBC and the International Business Program at the Craig School of Business are collaborating on going global, an on-line export marketing and business plan program, which was launched in spring 2004. Going Global provides student teams assigned to assist companies to conduct market research and develop export strategies. It is funded through the Department of Education's Title VI B grant, Business and International Education Program. For information call Dr. Ali Peyvandi at (559) 278-4653 or email alip@csufresno.edu
The SBIR program is funded by a federal initiative that provides more than $2 billion in grants and contracts each year to start-up companies for: • Development of innovative products based on advanced technologies The University Business Center staff can help you develop an application for these grants. For more information please contact the UBC at (559) 278-2352. |