Program Manager Resources

Recruitment Plan

Contents

Recruitment Overview

In order to participate, business owners can use the Application Portal to submit their applications. The program managers (PMs) will then review the applications and schedule interviews with qualified applicants to determine program acceptance.

The Application Portal can be accessed at https://sbathrive.smapply.io
The eligibility form and application questions can be viewed here.

Once applicants have completed and submitted their application, program managers will assess and evaluate the applications and schedule interviews with those who meet the qualifications for the program to determine final acceptance. The goal of the interview is to determine if the individual is the right fit for the program based on their personality, business situation, etc.

To ensure a thorough and fair interview process, program managers should utilize the Interview Guide, which will provide guidance on important questions to ask, selection criteria, and a scoring rubric.

Criteria for Potential Program Participants

  • A small business – meets annual revenue requirements

  • Revenue range is $250K–$10M, but it can be adjusted based on your target population
  • The program is targeted towards small businesses poised for growth because they play an integral role in local communities and the national economy

  • An established business – beyond the start-up stage, in business for at least three years

  • Research shows that most support resources focus on start-ups, providing few resources for existing businesses
  • The program is geared toward existing small businesses that are ready to achieve second-stage growth and with sufficient infrastructure to allow the owner to dedicate time to working on (not in) the business

  • An employer – has the equivalent of at least one full-time employee on the payroll besides the owner(s)

  • The program focuses on helping employers increase capacity so they can hire more employees and create more jobs in their communities
  • The curriculum is intensive and requires the participant to be able to delegate to other employees on staff
  • The curriculum includes sessions focused on human resources that would not be applicable to those without employees

  • A decision maker – CEO or owner

  • The CEO or owner has to be invested in creating and executing the growth plan for it to be most effective
  • The individual needs to know and have access to all company information and have decision-making authority
  • Sometimes a future owner can be a good participant, but they have to be vetted carefully

Program Format

Required Components

Core Curriculum
  • Format: Online (THRIVE Connect)
  • Completion: Required
  • 8 modules during the 6-month period (June 18–December 10, 2024)
  • Module Duration: 2–4 weeks
  • Group-paced model
  • Led by Subject Matter Experts


CEO Conversation Sessions with Business Strategy Coaching
  • Format: In-person
  • Attendance: Required
  • 8 in-person sessions during the 6-month period
  • Session Duration: 4 hours
  • Peer-to-peer CEO conversations moderator guide
  • Micro Groups with module relevant case studies
  • Led by CEO Moderator and Business Coach

Optional Components

Live Q&A with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
  • Format: Online
  • Attendance: Optional
  • 8 SME office hours during the 6-month period
  • Session Duration: 2 hours
  • Led by Subject Matter Experts


Surge Sessions (available for customized business needs)
  • Format: Online
  • Attendance: Optional
  • 4 Surge Sessions during the 6-month period
  • Session Duration: 2 hours
  • Led by Small Business Experts

Participant’s Time Commitment

The SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined program runs June 18 through December 10, 2024.

Required

Core Curriculum

  • 8 Modules
  • Format: Online
  • Time Commitment: 4–6 hours study time per module

CEO Conversations

  • 8 Sessions
  • Format: In-Person
  • Time Commitment: 4 hours per session

Optional

Live Q&A w/ SMEs

  • 16 Sessions
  • Format: Online
  • Time Commitment: 2 hours per session

Surge Sessions

  • 8 Sessions
  • Format: Online
  • Time Commitment: 2 hours per session

Target Demographics

The SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined program is for the highly motivated small business owner who:
  • Can commit to completing the full program, including the 8-module online curriculum, submitting assignments, participating in in-person sessions, and reaching out for help.
  • Is coachable, ready to be challenged and supported, and willing to put in the necessary work to accelerate growth.
  • Is open-minded, collaborative, and open to new ideas and opportunities.

Avatars

Target small business personas based on the top-performing participants of 2022
"I'm doing it tough at the moment but I really want my small business to grow."

Crissy Nolan

"I really want to grow my business, and I know I have a good idea – I just need the right type of support to keep me going."

Kelvin Williams

Meet Crissy – the hardworking small business owner

Crissy owns her own small business and is interested in finding out about government initiatives that may be able to help grow her business.
"I'm doing it tough at the moment but I really want my small business to grow."
Name: Crissy Nolan
Age: 41
Location: Greater Houston
Marital Status: Married
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration
School: C. T. Bauer College of Business, University of Houston
Small Business: Bakery & Cafe
Industry: 722515 – Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars
Position: Owner & CEO
Revenue: 500,000–750,000
Years in Business: 7
Employees: 12
Interests
  • Government initiatives
  • Local government support 
  • Business growth
  • Management & leadership
Challenges
  • Her bakery & cafe just recovered after covid but revenue is not growing as she expected it too. 
  • High turnover in her small business 
Motivation
  • Motivated by building her business and providing for her family
  • Motivated by getting a more constant level of revenue
Sources of Info
  • Subscribed to SBA’s email newsletter and in touch with government organizations supporting small businesses.
  • Online news
  • Social Media
  • Word of mouth

Meet Kelvin – the Enthusiastic small business owner

Kelvin runs his own tech business. He lives in Miami and is putting all his time and money into his business.
"I really want to grow my business, and I know I have a good idea – I just need the right type of support to keep me going."
Name: Kelvin Williams
Age: 34
Location: Miami, Florida
Marital Status: Single
Education: Masters Degree
School: Florida Institute of Technology
Small Business: Bakery & Cafe
Industry: 722515 – Computer Systems Design Services
Position: Owner & CEO
Revenue: 250,000–500,000
Years in Business: 4
Employees: 7
Interests
  • Networking
  • Government initiatives
  • Local government support
  • Business growth
  • Technology
Challenges
  • He is putting all his time and money into his business
Motivation
  • Motivated by new technologies and finding ways to monetize it
  • Motivated to grow his business and get funding
  • Want to be more organized
Sources of Info
  • Social Media
  • SBA Website
  • Subscribed to SBA’s email newsletter and in touch with government organizations supporting small businesses
  • Online news

Value Proposition

Why – The Benefit

To transform a small business into a thriving enterprise

What – The Offer

An intensive executive education program – The U.S. Small Business Administration’s T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined curriculum

Who – The Target Audience

For aspiring small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to improve their business performance and impact

How – The Approach

  • Online curriculum taught by experienced SMEs, industry experts and thought-leaders
  • A mix of virtual and in-person sessions
  • Customized learning tracks for small businesses’ unique needs
  • Curated group coaching with the best business coaches in the United States
  • Peer-to-peer cohort sessions with business owners in local city
  • 3-year strategic growth plan reviewed by business experts
  • A cohort of accomplished peers with diverse perspectives and life experiences
  • A nationwide business network for life

What Participants Will Gain

On completion of this course, small business leaders will walk away with the following

Strategies and Practices

A comprehensive understanding of creative strategies and practices to accelerate their business growth.

Industry Knowledge

Coveted industry knowledge from a market-driven curriculum designed and delivered by small business experts.

New Skills and Support

Acquisition and retention of new skills supported by an intuitive learning platform, individual and team-based programming, and success coaching.

Powerful Network

A powerful professional network from building connections with a nationwide cohort of small business owners and leaders.

Growth Plan

A three-year strategic growth plan designed to help map out their business growth and leadership goals.

Certificate of Completion

A Certificate of Completion issued by the Office of Entrepreneurial Development at U.S. Small Business Administration.

IGS Recruitment & Outreach Plan

IGS is committed to executing this program and promoting it to our target audience effectively. Our recruitment plan leverages a combination of digital and traditional marketing channels to ensure maximum reach and engagement, ultimately leading to a successful program launch and increased participation from small business owners across the country.

Objectives

Increase program awareness
  • Increase program visibility through social media marketing, email marketing to reach a wider audience of potential small business owners. Implement tactics such as content marketing, PR and targeted advertising campaigns to increase program visibility and reach. Monitor metrics such as website traffic, social media engagement, and email open rates to track the success of the awareness campaign.
Boost Application Numbers
  • Increase the number of applications for the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. 2024.Focus on increasing the number of qualified applications for the T.H.R.I.V.E. program by implementing targeted outreach strategies, utilizing social media and other digital marketing channels, leveraging existing partnerships and networks, and creating compelling content to encourage small business owners to apply.

Marketing Channels

  • Social Media

Marketing Tactics

Social Media Marketing

Our recruitment plan for SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. includes a robust social media marketing strategy, which will utilize both organic and paid advertising approaches to effectively reach and engage with small businesses. By leveraging social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we aim to increase program awareness and generate interest from potential participants.

Our team will employ a targeted advertising approach to reach small businesses in the specific cohort locations, while also developing compelling organic content to foster engagement and drive traffic to the application portal.

Social Media Content & Advertising 
As part of our comprehensive recruitment plan for SBA T.H.R.I.V.E., we will be utilizing a variety of social media posts and tactics to encourage small business owners to apply for the program. Our approach will include a mix of question-based and value-based posts, testimonials, testimonial videos, as well as messaging that creates a sense of urgency and drives application submissions.
  • Question-Based Social Media Posts & Ads
  • Value-Based Social Media Posts & Ads
  • Testimonials
  • Promo Videos & Testimonial Videos
  • Create Urgency: 1 week left to apply
  • Create Urgency: Portal is closing today


By using a range of content formats and strategies, we aim to effectively reach and engage with our target audience, ultimately driving increased participation and success for the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. program.

Email Marketing

In addition to our social media marketing efforts, we will also be leveraging email marketing to reach out to small business owners and promote the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. program.

Nationwide
With a database of 30,000+ small business contacts available, we will be utilizing email marketing to create awareness in the market and encourage participation in the program. Our email content will highlight the benefits of the program, including the opportunity to gain new insights and strategies, connect with other small business owners, and drive immediate results in their business.

Cohort Location-Targeted
To maximize program exposure and increase participation, we will be conducting location-specific outreach efforts as part of our recruitment plan for SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. By targeting the specific cohort locations, we aim to effectively reach and engage with small businesses in those regions and generate interest in the program. We will work to tailor our messaging and content to resonate with small business owners in each location, highlighting the unique benefits and opportunities of the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. program. 

Email Outreach

As part of our recruitment plan for SBA T.H.R.I.V.E., we will be conducting targeted email outreach efforts to promote the program and encourage participation.

Website Email Subscribers
We have a database of approximately 1,400 email addresses from website subscribers who have already shown interest in the 2024 program. We will utilize this database to send targeted emails highlighting the application period and encouraging them to apply.

Program Alumni
Additionally, we will leverage our network of program alumni to help spread the word about the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. program. With approximately 8,000+ contacts available, we will reach out to program alumni and ask them to share information about the program with their networks. By tapping into this existing community of program graduates, we aim to generate increased interest and participation in the program.

Small Business Organizations & Community Groups
In addition to our digital marketing and email outreach efforts, we will be conducting targeted outreach to small business organizations and community groups to promote the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. program. Through partnerships with local chambers of commerce, business associations, and other small business organizations, we aim to reach a wider audience of small business owners and generate interest in the program.

We will also reach out to community groups, such as local economic development organizations and community centers, to promote the program to their members and constituents.

LinkedIn Outreach

As part of our recruitment plan for SBA T.H.R.I.V.E., we will be conducting targeted outreach efforts on LinkedIn to promote the program and encourage participation. LinkedIn provides a unique opportunity to engage with business professionals and decision-makers, making it an ideal platform to reach and engage with potential program participants. We will also use LinkedIn advertising to target small business owners and entrepreneurs who are likely to be interested in the program.

LinkedIn Advertising

We will be utilizing LinkedIn advertising to promote the program and drive applications. Our approach will include targeting small business owners and entrepreneurs with relevant job titles and industries, as well as those who have previously engaged with our content on LinkedIn. LinkedIn Advertising offers a variety of options to reach and engage with potential program participants, including:
  • Sponsored Content: allows us to promote our content (e.g., blog posts, videos, infographics) to a targeted audience.
  • Sponsored InMail: allows us to send personalized messages directly to the LinkedIn inboxes of our target audience.
  • Text Ads: allows us to create small ads that appear on the LinkedIn feed of our target audience.
  • Programmatic Display Ads: allows us to place display ads on third-party websites and mobile apps using LinkedIn's audience data.


By using these options and targeting small business owners and entrepreneurs with relevant job titles and industries, we can effectively promote the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. program and drive applications from qualified candidates.

Facebook Advertising

As part of our recruitment plan for SBA T.H.R.I.V.E., we will be utilizing Facebook advertising to promote the program and drive applications. Our approach will include targeting small business owners and entrepreneurs with relevant interests and behaviors, as well as those who have previously engaged with our content on Facebook. We will use various ad formats, such as sponsored posts and carousel ads, to deliver targeted messaging and encourage participation in the program.

Press Releases & Media Outreach

Sending out an official press release is an important tactic that we will be utilizing as part of our recruitment plan for the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. program. Our press release will be distributed through a variety of channels, including online distribution services and targeted outreach to relevant media outlets. We will also utilize our existing networks and relationships with industry associations, chambers of commerce, and other business organizations to amplify the reach of the press release.

Recruitment Process

Join the Waitlist Phase

In January 2024, we initiated the "Join the Waitlist" phase, aimed at potential participants who are eager to be part of our upcoming program. This phase is a preparatory step before the formal opening of our application portal. 

Small business owners can submit their interest on our website: sbathrive.com

This proactive step ensures interested individuals are kept informed and prepared, facilitating a smoother application process. It allows the program to engage with potential participants early and assess interest levels. The initiative emphasises continuous communication and efficient transition to the formal application process, ensuring a seamless experience for interested business owners.

Recruitment Phase

The recruitment phase of the program is the first step in the process of selecting business leaders to participate in the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. program. The recruitment phase is scheduled to take place between February 15, 2024, and April 28, 2024. Business leaders who are interested in participating in the program can use the online portal to submit their applications. To participate, business leaders will need to create an account and verify their email address on the application portal.

As a program manager for the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. program, your role is crucial in helping us to recruit a diverse and talented group of small business owners to participate in this amazing program. By leveraging your existing networks, you can help us to spread the word and identify qualified applicants who can benefit from the resources and training offered by the program. We understand that your network is extensive, and your connections are valuable. Therefore, we encourage you to utilize your reach and help us spread the word about this program.

How You can Help Reach Potential Applicants

We appreciate your support in helping us recruit the right participants for this program. Thank you for your efforts in making this program a success.

Send Out Email Blasts

We would appreciate it if you could send out email blasts to your network, highlighting the program's key benefits and the application process. This would help to ensure that potential applicants in your network are aware of this opportunity.

Host Informational Webinars

We encourage you to host informational webinars to promote the program and answer any questions that potential applicants may have. By doing so, you can provide a more in-depth understanding of the program's benefits and the application process.

Reach Out to Local Communities & Organizations

We encourage you to reach out to local communities and organizations that serve small business owners. By doing so, you can help us identify potential program applicants who would benefit from the program.

Reach Out to Media Outlets

To maximize the reach of your recruitment efforts, you should also be getting in touch with local media outlets. This can include newspapers, radio stations, and television networks. By leveraging these outlets, you can reach a wider audience and generate more interest in the program.

Post on Social Media

We would appreciate it if you could use our marketing materials to post on your social channels. This would enable us to reach a broader audience, increasing the program's visibility and awareness.

Interview Phase

The Interview Phase is the second step in the process of selecting business leaders to participate in the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. program. This phase is scheduled to take place between March 4 and April 28, 2024. During this phase, program managers will review the applications received during the Recruitment Phase and shortlist qualified applicants based on the eligibility criteria.

  • The PMs will then schedule interviews with the shortlisted applicants to determine program acceptance.

It's important to note that the last day of interviews is April 28, 2024. After the interviews are completed, program managers will make the final decision on which applicants will be accepted into the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. 2023 program.

Applicant Selection Phase

During the Applicant Selection Phase, PMs will review the results of the interviews and evaluate each applicant based on their qualifications, experience, and potential for growth. PMs will then select the top 25 applicants who will be offered a spot in the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. 2023 Program. PMs will have from May 6 to May 20, 2024, to review the interview results and select the final 25 applicants for the program.

  • On the last day, May 20, 2024, PMs must finalize their selections and submit the list of 25 chosen applicants to IGS.

Once the selection process is complete, automated notification emails will be sent to all applicants who were not selected for the program. This will be done by the IGS team on June 6, 2024.

Onboarding Phase

The Onboarding Phase of the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. Program starts on May 27, 2024 and ends on June 24, 2024. During this phase, the selected applicants will receive a Invitation Kit that includes a "Congratulations: You have been selected" letter and agreements to be signed. The applicants will have until June 3, 2024, to either sign or decline the offer to participate in the program. Reminder emails will be sent to the applicants on May 29 and June 1. IGS will send the final list of participants who signed all agreements to each cohort between June 3 and June 6, 2024.

  • The PM will then host the Orientation Meet & Greet in-person at the cohort location between June 18 and June 20, 2024. The Orientation Meet & Greet will be attended by the PM, coach, and participants.

During the in-person Orientation Meet & Greet session, the SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. program participants will experience the Technical Onboarding focused on the introduction to THRIVE Systems through a pre-recorded video. This session, supported by the Program Managers (PMs) and Coaches, will replace the originally planned Virtual Onboarding session, providing a more interactive and personal introduction to the program's eLearning platforms.

Finally, on June 24, 2024, there will be a Virtual Launch Party that will be attended by the PMs, coaches, participants, SMEs, SBA officials, and IGS.

Recruitment Timeline

February 15–April 28

Recruitment Phase

February 15
Application Portal Opens
February 15–April 28
IGS/PM Recruitment & Outreach Activities
April 28
Application Portal Closes
March 4–April 28

Interview Phase

March 4–April 28
Shortlist & Interview Applicants
April 28
Last Day of Interviews
May 6–May 20

Applicant Selection Phase

May 6–May 20
Select 25 Applicants for the Program
May 20
Last Day to Select Applicants
May 27
Notification Emails Sent to Applicants
May 27–June 24

Onboarding Phase

May 27
Welcome Kit Sent to Selected Applicants
May 27–June 3
Selected Applicants Sign or Decline
May 29
Reminder Email #1 Sent to Selected Applicants
June 1
Reminder Email #2 Sent to Selected Applicants
June 3
Last Day for Selected Applicants to Sign or Decline
June 6
Final List of Participants Sent to Each Cohort
June 18, 19, or 20
Orientation Meet & Greet
June 24
Virtual Launch Party
June 24
Online Curriculum Starts (T.H.R.I.V.E. Connect)

Restricted Page

This page is only accessible to authorized users. To access the content on this page, you must first sign in using your email address and THRIVE Connect password. This ensures that only authorized users can view the information and ensures the privacy and security of our platform.