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The primary focus of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program is business
<br />development education through individual and small group advising.
<br />The Business Advisor acts as a coach or mentor, assisting clients in developing or improving their
<br />business management skills in orderto effectively manage the operations of their business. In the
<br />process, the Business Advisor maintains strict confidentiality of all client information and follows
<br />conflict of interest policies of the SBDC program.
<br />In addition to the instruction/advising component of the position, the Business Advisor performs
<br />significant outreach activities to engage the community through regular contactwith Chambers of
<br />Commerce, Economic Development Councils, service clubs and community organizations and
<br />legislators in conjunction with the Lead Office staff.
<br />The SBDC is a network of enirepreneurially minded professional business advisors with significant
<br />experience in small business who enjoy the intrinsic value of helping business owners/managers
<br />developing or improving their business knowledge and skills to effectively manage the operations of
<br />their business. In confidential, one-on-one relationships, we educate, mentor and advise clients in all
<br />areas of growing a business. The Business Advisor also must adhere to the code of professional
<br />conduct and conflict of interest policies of the SBDC program. Most advisors work independently in a
<br />community located SBDC center, yet frequently collaborate with advisors across the state who request
<br />assistance on behalf of a client with need for specific expertise.
<br />Advisors must be well organized to manage more than 90 clients annually. Business clients will be
<br />from every sector of the local business community and require. a full range of business services.
<br />Advisors must have comprehensive knowledge and experience of small business operations.
<br />Advisors must understand the client's situation, analyze the problems and guide the client in
<br />developing a solution he or she is willing and able to implement.
<br />Advisors are expected to provide in depth substantive advising which typically includes identifying a
<br />range of solutions, discussing the pros and cons of each and explaining abstract concepts with real
<br />world examples. Advisors constantly seek professional development opportunities to expand their core
<br />competencies in all areas of business, inrludinc, necessary to start, grow, sustain and
<br />transition a small business.
<br />Peer mentoring is valued within the Washington SBDC Nellwork and advisors often share their
<br />Expertise in response to queries from other advisors. Advo sors must develop and maintain a referral
<br />network within their local service areas to ensure they maintain a robust client caseload capable of
<br />delivering significant economic impacts tc the luc&l uummunit, and the stuto. Advisors must also build
<br />relationships with various and diverse stakeholders io 4 dvocate support of the SBDC program,
<br />including elected officials, funding partners, husinessor «nd mmmunity leaders,
<br />New advisors in the SBDC network wdl need to cY:r; r;c+;ily, r.nmNpte a certification program within six
<br />months of hire to become fully certified as an advisor. Cei lification is designed to allow the new advisor
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<br />prnre��, the Business Advisor maintains strirt rr,r, .r, riiiality' of rill rl!enl ir.fnrmalion and follo,4,s
<br />conflict of interest policies of the SBDC pioureiiii.
<br />In addition to the instructionradvising cornponent of sire jub, the Business Advisor delivers significant
<br />outreach to the community through regular engagement with Chambers of Commerce, Economic
<br />Development Councils, service clubs and community organizations.
<br />The Business Advisor will also develop program operational plans designed to attract growth -oriented
<br />clients; deploy marketing efforts to enhance awareness of and access to Y%fashington SBDC and
<br />partner programs; and perform research; data compilation and budget analysis for use in managerial
<br />decision making and new project considerations.
<br />Job Duties
<br />Access Requirement
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