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The Growing Together Small Business Training Programme

The Coca-Cola Caribbean System and Barbados Bottling Company have teamed up with the National Transformation Initiative (NTI) to offer the 2023 Growing Together Small Business Training Programme.

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Classes

Mon- 9:00 am

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Wed - 11:00 am

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Wed - 6:00 pm

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What is GROWING TOGETHER?

A programme that provides training and resources on business ownership and management that supports your future decisions, creates economic growth for your retail businesses and enhances your personal development.

As part of the Coca-Cola Caribbean System,  the Barbados Bottling Company continues to grow its beverage portfolio and expand choice with products such as Coca-Cola No Sugar. They seek to enhance opportunities for customers to grow their business while marketing new, reduced calorie and zero sugar beverages.  This programme is available to customers of the Barbados Bottling Company and itinerant vendors are also welcome to apply.

The Growing Together Small Business Training programme is offered in partnership with the National Transformation Initiative.

Who is this for?

The Growing Together Small Business Training Programme targets the owners and operators of the following types of businesses:

  • Traditional shops
  • Minimart
  • Itinerant Vendors
  • Food & Beverage
  • Fruit including Coconuts

Topics covered in this programme:

The programme covers the opening and six (6) modules:

Orientation: Transforming you and Growing Together

  1. Small Business Ownership and Being a Micro Entrepreneur
  2. Enhancing My Business Through Customer Service
  3. Small Business Finances
  4. Attracting Customers and Generating Value for My Business
  5. Applying Innovation for Business Growth
  6. Refreshing the World and Making a Difference (self-paced)

Courses

Module 1 - Small Business Ownership and Being a Micro Entrepreneur

OVERVIEW

This Micro-entrepreneurship module is curriculum-
based and will introduce participants to the
fundamentals of entrepreneurship and management.
They will learn how to recognize business
opportunities and move from ideas to a successful
business, using the Business Canvas Model. They will
be introduced to the elements of a Business Plan and
learn how to present this plan orally and visually. The
overall aim is to assist local merchants\small owners
to be more efficient in the market.

COURSE TOPICS

  •  Business Planning Fundamentals
  • Managing Your Business
  • Branding Your Business
  • Using Technology, Social Media, & Online Promotional Sources
  • Doing a Business Pitch to capitalize on opportunities

Module 2 - Enhancing my Business through Customer Service

OVERVIEW

The economic impact of COVID-19 continues to take its toll on individuals and businesses of all sizes especially within the small and medium sector.

In a highly competitive and commoditized business market characterized by ever increasing customer expectations, the quality of customer service becomes a critical differentiator.

This workshop aims to equip participants with the insights and skills to consistently deliver excellent customer service.

COURSE TOPICS

  • Customer Service Traditional Trade Style
  • Determining COVID-19's Impact on Your Business
  • Why Customer Service Matters Even More Today
  • Understanding Customer Expectations
  • How Can We Delight You Today – Winning Customer Service Strategies
  • My Customer, My Guest

Module 3 - Small Business Finances

OVERVIEW

This module is specifically designed to provide small
business owners with an understanding of the basic
concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques
underlying basic financial information for managers
and internal users. Key decision areas would be to
assess the company’s economic data to manage
finances. The module will provide SMEs with the
comprehensive understanding that allows them to
utilize accounting data to make decisions related to
the business’ performance.

COURSE TOPICS

  • Fundamentals of Business Finance
  • Basic Bookkeeping
  • Managing Cash in the Business
  • Managing Accounts Receivables & Payables
  • Reconciling the Bank Statement
  • Budgetary Planning

Module 4 - Attracting Customers and Generating Value for my business

OVERVIEW

Having an idea is not enough, and that is where many entrepreneurs get stuck.

This workshop will show entrepreneurs how to simplify their business into nine (9) important compartments and develop a simple tangible go-to-market strategy.

They will learn everything from business planning essentials to the most used business strategies in sales, marketing and developing strategic partnerships.

COURSE TOPICS

  • Redefining your business’ value (Value Proposition)
  • Identifying the ideal customer
  • Sales and marketing strategies for your business
  • Tracking your success as a business

Module 5 – Applying Innovation for Business Growth

OVERVIEW

This workshop is designed to provide participants with the frameworks, tools, and perspectives needed to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively utilize the creativity and innovation process. 

Learn how to better commercialize ideas that lead to enhancements to existing products, or to bringing new, innovative, and customer-oriented products and services to the marketplace.

COURSE TOPICS

  • What is innovation?
  • The importance of innovation to your business
  • The product and service process
  • Using innovation as a competitive strategy

Module 6 – Refreshing the World and Making A Difference

OVERVIEW

We believe that each one of us can make a difference in the communities we live and work in. 

This module will focus on how community involvement can bring about positive, measurable change to the communities in which local vendors operate and the resulting impact on their business. 

It is self-paced learning module.  It’s completion is mandatory to concluding the Growing Together training programme.

Coursera Courses that complement your Growing Together training

Module 2 - Me As A Micro-Entrepreneur
Module 3 - Managing My Business From My Social Skills
Module 4 - Managing My Finances
Module 5 - Attracting Customers
Module 6 - Innovating to Grow My Business
Module 7 - From My Store to Your Home
Module 8 - Refreshing the World and Making a Difference Together

Learn with Ease

  • Courses are available free of cost to the people of Barbados.

  • You learn at your own pace which means that whenever you have free time, you can make use of the course materials and you can review the materials as many times as you need to.

  • There are course materials accessible for all types of learners at levels ranging from beginner to advanced.

  • You learn from experts across the world that you normally wouldn’t have access to on a wide range of subjects.

  • There are no data charges when you use the Coursera App, plus you can work from the app offline.

Start Your First Course and 
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Frequently Asked Questions

I'm a bit lost. How can I get help?

You’re not alone on the NTI-Coursera platform. If you feel stuck or need help at any point, contact us here or contact our e-learner support desk at (246) 232-8566.

How can I find enough time to study?

One way to commit to your free Coursera online classes is to make a schedule that includes a reasonable amount of time to focus on studying. Here’s something we like to try: Give up that favourite series or social media scrolling for just 30 minutes a day. Start with that, see how much you can get done in that time, and adjust your time accordingly. You can even set a reminder on your phone daily or weekly so that you don’t miss your window to study.

How do I collect my certificate when I finish a course?

All course certificates are easily downloadable after completion. You can save them to your computer, share them on your social media pages, or print them to have them handy to showcase the achievement of your new skills.

I'm interested in joining the programme, what is required?
  1. You must be an active customer of Barbados Bottling Company (BBC) to participate in the programme. All BBC customers must provide the name of the programme participant, business name and address, and seven (7) digit customer number assigned by BBC.  The customer number is required to participate in any special promotions offered through the Growing Together programme.

  2. If you are an itinerant vendor and not a BBC customer, please include your name, business name and address on the registration page.  A special code has been assigned to itinerant vendors: 0010000.
How can I sign up?
  1. You need to complete the registration form included at the top of the website.  Please ensure that you include the name of your business, unique customer number or itinerant vendor code. 
How long does the programme last?
  1. The programme will run for 4 weeks.  Each required session is approximately 90 minutes with 4 sessions in total.
  2. There is a self-paced module called “Refreshing the World and Making a Difference Together” that will introduce you to the Coca-Cola System social, community and environmental priorities.  It addresses how each one of us can make a difference  in the communities we live and work in. This module is mandatory and can be completed it at any point during the programme. We suggest completion before the end of the programme.
Do I have to have a computer and internet to take the classes?
  1. The programme will be offered on the ZOOM on-line platform. You will need an internet connection and either a computer (mobile or desktop) or mobile device of your preference (tablet, cellular phone).
If I only take 2 modules, will I be considered for the graduation activities and special promotions?
  1. To graduate from the Growing Together training programme, you must complete all 6 modules.
  2. With completion of all modules, you will receive an accredited certification and participate in a graduation event.  BBC customers must provide their seven (7) digit customer number to have access to special programme promotions.
Can I finish in less time than the stipulated?
    1. The programme is managed on a set schedule by NTI instructors.
I’m a business owner, but I want my employees to sign up too… Am I able to do this?
  1. If an employee is involved in the daily management of your business, please feel free to enroll them. A separate registration form is required for each individual from your business participating in the programme.

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