Learning How to Manage a Business Benefits Clients Too

A successful business model directly relates to happy clients.  It helps us to take a deeper look into what our values are, what our strengths and weaknesses are, how we can work more efficiently, and how we communicate to each other and to our clients.  To learn more about managing and operating a business John Buerkle enrolled in the Urban Power to Prosper certificate course offered by the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business. The course follows the Interise StreetWise MBA™ Curriculum.  The nine-month program included four modules:

1. Business and Leadership
2. Financial Management
3. Sales & Marketing
4. Resource Management

By the end of the program John had developed a Strategic Growth Action Plan, specific to Pashek Associates, to guide us over the next three years.  Through the class John learned how to:

1. Develop a value proposition, identifying and sharing with clients how we bring value to them.
2. Identify and monitor appropriate financial indicators to monitor the financial health of the firm.
3. Expand marketing and business development opportunities through social media.
4. Identify strengths and weaknesses in his management style and identify what steps are necessary to improve his leadership skills.

The valuable information John learned through the course will help us better connect with and serve our clients.  He highly recommends the program to business owners who want to gain a better understanding of the components that go into running a successful business.  If you are interested in learning more about the program, contact Rhonda Carson Leach, rcleach@katz.pitt.edu, Director of the Urban Entrepreneurship Program, at the University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business.