Brooklyn's Progress
June 2003

WASHINGTON - Small business owners can now access an online virtual classroom of business courses, workshops, information resources, learning tools and counseling assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration's E-Business Institute Web site.

"As America's small business resource, the SBA is committed to offering the best in online educational programs to small business owners," said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto.  "Our course selection will continue to grow, adding to our small business training, education and information assistance capabilities."

The E-Business Institute is a virtual campus offering free tutorials, workshops and educational resources.  It offers a range of online business training and counseling tools to assist entrepreneurs with business start-up, from developing marketing strategies to effective employee management.  It also provides valuable information for existing small business owners.  The E-Business Institute is an easy-to-use tool that provides 24-hour access to business courses via the Internet.

The E-Business Institute was designed with small business entrepreneurs in mind to provide interactive business guidance on a range of topics.  There are 16 training categories with more than 70 interactive courses and electronic guides to provide educational tools and resources on entrepreneurship.  Many of the courses include audio sound bytes, quizzes and feedback.  They can be accessed online at www.sba.gov/training.

The online courses make the SBA's business management resources available anytime and anywhere.  The E-Business Institute also features a virtual library with more than 200 free E-books and publications, links to the top business magazines and national newspapers, direct links to colleges and universities that offer online business courses and programs, and a section for young entrepreneurs to pursue their business interests.

By the U.S. Small Business Administration

For more information about SBA's programs for small businesses, call the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800 U ASK SBA or TDD 704-344-6640 or visit the SBA's extensive Web site at http://www.sba.gov/. 

The SBA, in co-sponsorship with Staples, has introduced an online newsletter SBA Solutions.  For a free subscription, go to http://web.sba.gov/list and select New SBA Solutions Newsletter.