![\"Tatjana](\"http:\/\/financenewmexico.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Tatjana-Rosev-LANL.jpg\")
<\/a>Tatjana Rosev, Los Alamos Nat’l Lab Communications Office<\/p><\/div>\n
The most successful entrepreneurs recognize the benefits of networking with external experts \u2014 service providers, industry consultants, venture capitalists, business coaches and successful CEOs \u2014 when starting or building a company, especially when the economic forecast is uncertain and entrepreneurial confidence is at an ebb.<\/p>\n
But there\u2019s more to effective networking than passing out business cards and attending seminars to meet and interact with influential others.\u00a0It also requires connecting with individuals locally and nationally who have a vested interest in helping entrepreneurs take their companies to the next stage.<\/p>\n
Wise Counsel<\/strong><\/p>\n Business coaching is a powerful, collaborative relationship between an entrepreneur and a coach\/consultant who is more versed and better established in a particular industry or discipline than the business owner and has better access to human and financial resources.\u00a0Being trained by a coach how to identify, evaluate and overcome obstacles to growth can help the entrepreneur achieve his or her goals faster and more effectively.\u00a0Northern New Mexico Connect\u2019s Springboard program offers free coaching to technology entrepreneurs in Northern New Mexico whose companies are at various stages of development. Suppose someone wants to introduce a new product but doesn\u2019t know where to start.\u00a0Springboard can help an innovator identify his or her selling advantages, start the enterprise and create a solid market position.\u00a0A business owner who wants to expand but lacks the financial know-how to do so can find and often obtain the right kind of funding for his or her type and stage of business by working with Springboard.<\/p>\n For a business that isn\u2019t growing as quickly or effectively as it should, Springboard coaching sessions can promote growth by identifying obstacles to success and helping a business owner overcome them.\u00a0Springboard can even help those who have lost the vision and passion that drove them to start a company in the first place by boosting creativity, motivation, and assertiveness and inspiring self-starters to branch out into new, economically viable areas.<\/p>\n How it works<\/strong><\/p>\n The Springboard program is modeled on a similar initiative at the University of California at San Diego.\u00a0It is a free, interactive coaching and network-building process designed for technology companies with high-growth potential.<\/p>\n Springboard candidates are business owners who want to identify and overcome obstacles to growth.\u00a0Candidates submit online applications and meet with Northern New Mexico Connect staff members to determine if they\u2019re eligible.\u00a0Those accepted into the program receive several weeks of coaching culminating in a presentation to a hand-picked panel of experts including current and former CEOs, investors, serial entrepreneurs, and service providers (legal experts, technical experts and marketing\/public relations executives).\u00a0Each panel is tailored to a particular company\u2019s specific needs.<\/p>\n The entrepreneur\u2019s presentation provides panelists with a comprehensive overview of the company\u2019s mission, vision and challenges.\u00a0After listening to the presentation, panelists provide detailed feedback, insights and recommendations designed to help the entrepreneur meet his or her goals.\u00a0Participation in Springboard also offers entrepreneurs opportunities to connect with local, regional and national networks of business leaders, financial experts and service providers.<\/p>\n The benefits of a program like Springboard ultimately require the willingness of the individual entrepreneur to be coachable and act upon the advice given and to leverage the networks the process makes available.<\/p>\n For further information, contact Northern New Mexico Connect Springboard coach Doruk Aytulu at 505-667-5315 or duruk@lanl.gov<\/a><\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Download 45_Springboard Supports Entrepreneurs PDF<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" LANL’s Springboard program, designed to assist technology entrepreneurs, is explained. Continue reading
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