Business Planning Begins with START

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Description:

Introduced in 2001, the Strategic Tracking and Reporting Tool (START) helps Neighborhood Networks center staff develop online business plans that define their centers' missions and facilitate their successes. With START, critical facets of center development can be tracked and evaluated. After providing an overview of START and highlighting recent enhancements, this session offers step-by-step guidance through the various START sections, demonstrates how to use the START Workbook and User Guide to collect information, and explains the process of submitting and reviewing START business plans. Program development staff will also be available to assist participants with completing their own START business plan.

Presenters:

Silvia Benavides
Program Development Manager
Neighborhood Networks
Phone: (301) 495-4361

Robert Ware
Program Development Specialist
Neighborhood Networks
Phone: (301) 495-4362

Silvia Benavides has been a member of the Neighborhood Networks team for seven years. Ms. Benavides serves as the manager of the Neighborhood Networks' program development team, providing direct technical assistance to Neighborhood Networks centers that are using the Neighborhood Networks Strategic Tracking and Reporting Tool (START) to develop business plans and assisting HUD staff with the completion and approval of START business plans submitted by centers. In addition, Ms. Benavides works with HUD staff to certify Neighborhood Networks centers and responds to requests for assistance with center classification. Ms. Benavides also supports the Neighborhood Networks Information Center, responding to telephone and electronic requests from Neighborhood Networks centers, HUD staff, property owners and managers and the general public. Ms. Benavides has conducted training sessions and workshops at a number of conferences and meetings, and has supported various HUD programs since 1995. Ms. Benavides earned a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Robert L. Ware is a program development specialist on the Neighborhood Networks team. In this role, Mr. Ware puts to use his more than 25 years of professional experience and provides direct technical assistance to Neighborhood Networks centers, HUD staff, property owners and managers, and the general public via the Neighborhood Networks Information Center. Mr. Ware earned a master's degree in community economic development from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis on marketing from Central State University.

Presentation