Exceptional resources for business growth

Twenty business owners recently graduated from a yearlong Entrepreneurial Leadership Training program offered by the Idaho Small Business Development Center at North Idaho College.

Graduates included CEOs and executive leaders leading a few employees to those with more than 200 employees. Participants represented a diversity of industries including manufacturing, service and retail.

ELT-1 is an 11-month leadership development program designed for business owners and leaders. It combines a monthly workshop covering critical business areas followed by confidential business coaching to help the leader apply key concepts.

"This unique combination of teaching, coaching and peer to peer interaction helps accelerate business leaders' learning," according to a press release.

The topics cover significant areas of business including thriving in a recession, becoming an outstanding leader and optimizing operational management.

"The follow-up coaching sessions help leaders not only gain fresh insights, new tools and skill sets but also develop and implement creative new solutions to take their business to the next level," the release said.

To date, almost 100 regional businesses have participated in the Entrepreneurial Leadership Training journey led by Bill Jhung, director of Idaho SBDC.

The ELT-1 workshops are held on the second Tuesday evening of each month from January through November at the North Idaho College campus in Post Falls.

To qualify, the business must have been in operation for at least a few years and have employees.

Information: 665-5085 or www.Idahosbdc.org.