FOSTER GRWOTH SITE HEADERS-grant funded

State Grants for Corporate and Employee Development Learning

Did you know that the government wants to invest in business learning and coaching programs for you and your people? Take advantage of a $20,000/yr grant to improve your business. This page summarizes the Express Grant program, the easy application process and FosterGrowth’s grant eligible learning and coaching programs.

See what this CEO had to say about the grant program.

“When I found myself with 20 employees and no business training, I needed to do something. The grant program really made it financially attractive. So, I just did it.” Stacey DePasquale, P.E., CEO SDE, Inc

The Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP) will subsidize your learning programs to increase your competitiveness and employment. The application process is surprisingly easy and online. It takes less than 15 minutes, and you receive reimbursement two weeks after you complete the program and submit proof of payment.

The state will grant you up to $20,000 per year if your firm has employees in Massachusetts. If you have 100 or fewer employees located in Massachusetts, the grant reimburses 100% of your cost. That means the net cost is zero!

Do it now! Go to Commonwealth Express Program to apply for FosterGrowth’s programs, and you will be ready to go. Questions? Email dreed@fostergrowth.biz

Who Is Eligible:

Are FosterGrowth’s learning and coaching programs for me? If you are a Business to Business (B2B) Service firm such as marketing, advertising, engineering, architecture, accounting, information management, or law, the learning and coaching programs listed below are for you.

Who Isn't Eligible:

A business to consumer (B2C) retail firm, or a B2B firm primarily engaged in manufacturing or product sales. Also, non-profit or government entities are not eligible for the WTFP.  You must employ W-2 employees because part of the employment insurance paid on those employees is what funds the WTFP.

Testimonial  Craig Tapley, Chief Financial Officer, Commonwealth Associates. (Planning, Consulting, and Engineering)

“Commonwealth Associates has fully committed to the Find the Lost Dollars Training Program enterprise-wide and has put two groups through the Find the Lost Dollars Program. …..

Between those groups, we’ve identified 3.5 million in lost dollars! We’ve revamped our Go/No Go Process, we have far fewer projects with write-offs, we’ve implemented a change order tracking form and have a new process to document those change orders (this alone has resulted in well over 500K). The biggest behavior changes we’ve seen in the training participants have to do with recognizing out-of-scope items and staying on schedule and budget. Find the Lost Dollars has had an impact on every aspect of our business management and our culture!”

(Workforce Grant Program #1113378)

Contact Doug Today!

Doug Reed
617-758-7000
Contact: dreed@fostergrowth.biz

Consulting Services

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Take a look at FosterGrowth’s learning and coaching program summaries below

 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR AN EXPRESS GRANT?

  • For profit companies with W-2 employees in their Massachusetts' offices. 
  • Even though your company doesn’t need to be based on MA, you do need a current Certificate of Good Standing with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. That link can be found on the Express Program and the below link.  

It is highly recommended that you request the Certificate of Good Standing now, making it available upon application approval. For the purposes of the Express Grant application the Certificate of Good Standing is only valid for 6 months.

Learning Program Descriptions-Workforce # as listed on the program site

1. STRATEGIC PLANNING: ALIGNING TO WIN WITH HIGH DEMAND SERVICES #C-1166

A business that continuously evolves its services and products to stay where demand is high performs well in both strong and weak economies. An outcome is increased revenue, hiring and career fulfillment.

Participants in this workshop will learn, analyze and test business models, customer expectations, consider competitors’ positioning, the firm’s sales effectiveness, the firm’s position, market shifts, prioritize investment, and develop a measurable and achievable plan.

Two workshops are provided. The first is to learn business growth elements and methods to analysis current and desired position. The second workshop will validate and adjust the plan to overcome barriers and develop track able metrics. This is an excellent program to identify critical strategies so a business plan, which is more tactical, is supported and clearly aligned to goals.

The duration of the workshops varies based on firm size.  They range from 4-8 hours.

“…if you want to truly have a strategic plan that is usable, the best thing to do is get a consultant. And Doug was the right person for us. Doug was very thought provoking on identifying what our goals are. Chris Mulleavey, CEO, Hoyle, Tanner & Associates 


2. PROJECT MANAGEMENT LEARNING #1113378

Top Profits are elusive for many firms.  It does not have to be.  This program leverages two learning tools, on-line learning and direct application coaching. First, an engaging and interactive on-line business learning program by AEC Business Solutions for managers and principals of A/E/Environmental Services firms. Participants learn at their own pace and schedule to secure and maintain high project profits using best practices. The second learning tool provides live real-time application of the skills to participants' real projects through group video and in-person coaching sessions with an instructor. The outcome is proficiency and permanent profit gains.  Follow on support and coaching is available but not included in the Express Grant.

“We put our entire management team through the business management training program and have seen almost instantaneous improvement in our bottom line.” Bill Zink, P.E., President, Christopher Consultants


3. BUSINESS PLANNING: YOUR WINNING ANNUAL PLAYBOOK #C-0815

 A successful business planning process clearly identifies the goals and concerns of each person that influences a firm’s performance, leverages these individual and collective strengths, and addresses the changes in markets served with an achievable action plan.

Participants will use business planning methods to analyze past organizational performance, assess the impact of market changes, conduct a SWOT analysis, identify external and internal differentiators, and resources required from human resources to technology, marketing and finance.

Participants will populate a business planning template, and work as a group to develop a comprehensive action plan. A second workshop is provided for input and guidance, and to finalize the plan.

The duration of the workshops varies based on size of the firm. They range from 3-5 hours.


4. Business Plan and Strategy Execution Techniques #C-0671

Management teams often fall short achieving the company annual and long term strategic goals.  Unbillable time is wasted and initiatives don't advance. This course uses the firms real goals and teaches those with a role in its implementation Best Practices.  This program provides a small firm with advantages often found within large firms who have an external Board of Directors and/or retained corporate advisors.

Firms who have a very small management team often struggle with non-technical business issues such as managing risks, cash flow, hiring, retention, pricing, differentiation, marketing, sales, business and strategic planning. Participants build on their business experience and become stronger leaders and business persons.

This program provides expert advice and learning over six sessions.  Usually the first is completed with the instructor on-site. Remaining sessions are completed using video forums.

Consistent profits and job growth occur when we identify what works and what does not, and make effective adjustments. What are your urgent priorities? This program focuses on helping you to remove barriers so your specific goals are achieved.

Participant choices for this program include C-Suite Executives,  the Board of Directors, the firm’s Management Team and/or Project Managers. The participants will vary based on the priorities to be addressed.

Examples of topics include strategic and tactical advice, learning business methods, emerging technology (like AI) integration, mergers and acquisition support, development of analytical tools to assess progress against goals, manage financial risks, change management, sales, budget control, business planning, key retention and hiring strategies. The learning outcome will be proficiency in the application and real world adjustments in these business topics.


5 and 6. LISTENING FOR RELATIONSHIPS #C-0241

Professional services sales are strongly correlated with client relationships. Most company employees can contribute to strong relationships by learning how to have effective conversations. Having a company aligned to this concept is a powerful business strategy.

This course teaches employees to be comfortable and motivated to having conversations with active and intended clients. Participants will gain credibility because they will fully understand the client’s concerns. With this awareness, they will be able to synthesize what is learned to position them to be seen as the client’s preferred choice.  This course is particularly useful when the client is comprised of many persons who influence your ability to do business with them.

This three hour course involves active role playing, assessments, feedback and encouragement. Class size is limited to 25 or fewer per workshop.


8. LEARN TO LOVE NETWORKING #1112066

The first stage in sales is the first connection to a prospect. Everyone in the company can and should be contributing to generating leads through their encounters at events. Yet most fear entering a room where they don’t know anyone.

This interactive, three hour role playing workshop will put people at ease and even excited at how quickly they can change their perspective and work a room creating dozens of positive first relationships. This workshop has value to every employee both in their business and personal life.

Class facilities are provided by employer. Note the minimum class size is 10 participants and the maximum class size is 25.  For more than 25, two workshops are provided.

I have been applying your fundamentals from the Learn to Love Networking over  the past month or so with good success. Last evening I had at least 20 or more conversations during my 2.5 hours at the event and made at least 10 new contacts and moved about the room continuously.  I employed a patient approach and was comfortable standing on my own and waiting for my intro or entry into another conversation. Thanks for your training class as it was very insightful and helpful and I have enjoyed applying the skills!  Jason Chrzanowski, Project Manager, GZA.  

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