What to Look for in a Small Business Class

Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just getting started, a small business class can be a great way to develop your skills, network with other leaders, and improve your business’s operations. As a business owner, however, you’re likely busy and don’t want to waste your time in classes or business seminars that won’t help.

Fortunately, you can narrow your search and ensure you attend a class worth your time by knowing a few qualities to look for in excellent small business classes.

5 Things to Look for in Small Business Classes

Maximizing the value you receive from a small business class begins with knowing what to look for. For example, making sure the material is relevant and the instructor has relevant experience can both be ways to verify the class will be actually useful to you. As you search for a class, review the top five qualities to look for in a small business class below:

1. Material Relevant to Your Business or Weaknesses

While it might seem obvious, the first thing you should look for in a small business class is its relevance to your business. Typically, you’ll get more out of the class if you choose one that aligns with your industry or the specific challenges you face in your business. For example, a small retail business may benefit from a class that focuses on inventory management and e-commerce strategies, while a service-based business might need more guidance on client acquisition or project management.

Alongside looking for classes that focus on your industry, it can be beneficial to consider your weaknesses. For example, if you make a great product but struggle to sell it, taking a class on marketing could help you address the issue and better advertise your product to your target customers.

2. Educators With Strong Backgrounds in Your Field

A good small business class should have an experienced and knowledgeable teacher. After all, you don’t want to show up to a class only to realize that the instructor doesn’t have any real-world experience running a business.

Before you sign up for a course, read over the bios of featured speakers and educators for the class. You might also want to look them up online to learn more about their accomplishments, past business seminars they’ve spoken at, and their experience with the subject matter they’re teaching. If you can find online reviews for past versions of the class that mention the instructor’s quality, checking them can be useful for deciding if the class is worth your time and money.

3. Opportunities to Network With Other Business Owners in Your Area or Industry

Success often comes down to who you know, and a small business class should encourage you to connect with other attendees. Meeting other local business owners can help you better understand your community and create long-standing relationships that could lead to collaboration. Additionally, it can give you the chance to develop a support network of other like-minded business owners who are dedicated to improving their businesses just like you.

If the class doesn’t take place in your area, it can still be useful to meet other business owners in your industry. They can likely give you new insights on how to grow your business, attract new customers, acquire talent, and better manage your finances or operations. Since networking can be so beneficial, check if the class provides time to mingle and has dedicated networking times. In-person classes may also be more useful for networking than those offered virtually.

4. Track Record of Helping Business Owners Succeed Following the Course

Another way to verify that a class will provide you with valuable information is to see if past attendees have gained greater success after completing the class. A good class will usually advertise success stories or have a testimonials section on their website to showcase how past students have applied what they learned to their business. If the class has online reviews, review them for any red or green flags.

If possible, speaking with past attendees is a great way to get a more accurate perspective on the class. Whether it’s talking to other business owners who have taken the class or requesting contact information of past attendees from the course, doing your due diligence can be well worth it. By knowing the pros and cons of the class, you can make a well-informed decision about whether to attend.

5. Resources and Opportunities for Post-Class Support

When you’re looking for a class, see if they offer resources you can take with you after the course is over. For example, recordings of lectures, copies of PowerPoints, and any guides they’ve presented can all be useful to remind yourself of what you learned years after taking the course. You might also want to attend a class that provides additional readings and materials that you can take advantage of to learn more about the topic after the class ends.

Classes that offer some form of support after the class ends can also help you continue to apply the material you learned to your business. Post-class support might include an opportunity to meet with other past students monthly to hold each other accountable. Some instructors might also offer mentorship opportunities, which can be incredibly useful when you’re still learning the ropes.

Attend a Small Business Class at the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce

At the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, we’re dedicated to helping small business owners and entrepreneurs through a variety of classes and networking events. Our LaunchCamp and LaunchLab 101 are two programs perfect for those who need assistance starting a business. If you’re looking for help growing your business, LaunchLab Growth is a 14-week entrepreneurship program focused on accelerating a business’s growth. Scale to Excel is another flagship program that offers minority business owners the chance to receive executive education, management know-how, and a business support system.

Learn more about Launch Greensboro and our other small business advisory programs today. If you have any questions about our educational programs, please contact us.