Business Consulting

The Center serves individuals or companies interested in starting or expanding a business in the five Florida Parishes of Washington, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Livingston and St. Helena. The Center provides free confidential one-on-one consulting services to potential and existing business owners. The center typically assists with the following:

• business plans
• feasibility studies
• advertising plans
• cash flow projections
• accounting systems
• location studies
• inventory control
• loan proposals
• marketing plans
• financial analysis
• financial projections
• buying/selling a business
• sources of suppliers
• cost analysis

Product Commercialization

Bringing a product to market can be a difficult task. It takes more than just a good idea; it takes an understanding of the various stages of commercialization that a product must evolve through. Commercialization typically includes, research and development, prototypes, market evaluations, cost estimates, patents, trademarks, licensing agreements, distribution channels, packaging, advertising, venture capital, angel capital, bank loans, and proper planning to name a few.
The professionals at the Center can evaluate a product and determine what stage of commercialization it is in. Utilizing a commercialization model, our consultants can plan the critical path to commercialize the product. Understanding the steps in the commercialization process and “plotting a course” can save you time, and avoid costly mistakes.

Business Research

Southeastern’s Business Research Center serves the area community by providing information on economic and business conditions in the local economy. Working in partnership with Southeastern’s researchers, the center conducts economic impact studies, and industry studies, and can research a wide variety of issues for business and government, addressing various business issues such as taxation, real estate, and new markets.

Technology Transfer

Universities and federal programs including government labs and military all have innovative technology. Most of this technology can be made available to businesses that want to commercialize it or need a high-tech solution to a problem they are having in their business. Some of these agencies have grant money available to help develop or transfer technology to the private sector. Consultants at the Center work with various agencies and programs that aid in the technology transfer process. Call the Center for more details.

Regional and Community Planning

Southeastern’s planning initiative expands the Center’s capacity to assist communities and the region with technical advice on planning for future growth. Planning assistance and support typically includes advice, input, and review of plans and projects, initiation of regional plans and projects, as well as help with securing grant funding.
Through this initiative, Southeastern seeks to bring coordinated planning concepts to the Northshore. Proactive planning will enhance our Northshore community and make it an excellent place to invest and to live.

Meeting Facilities

The Center has several conference rooms and a large 1,300 square foot training facility available for businesses meetings and conferences. These meeting facilities can help make a meeting or conference successful by providing courteous, professional reception for guests, ample parking, photocopy and fax service, presentation equipment, telecommunications, internet access, and catering in a professional corporate environment. Call for availability and pricing.

Business Incubator/Transitional Space

An incubator helps new firms get started and survive at times when they are most vulnerable. The primary goal of a business incubator is to produce successful “graduates,” and businesses that can grow and expand the area’s economy. The incubator offers affordable shared services, access to equipment, flexible leases, and expandable space.
Southeast Louisiana Business Center offers qualifying firms both low cost space and a wide range of development services that they may otherwise be unable to attain or afford. The Admissions Committee will review and judge a company in the following areas:

1. a realistic business idea;
2. reasonable credit history;
3. adequate financial resources to remain in business for at least six months;
4. a strong management team with at least one full-time person working in the business;
5. a match between the needs of the company and the resources available within the incubator;
6. no direct competition with other incubator clients, and
7. appropriateness for a university sponsored incubator.

Workforce Training

The Center offers a wide range of training designed to improve the skills of the area’s workforce. These include customized employee training programs, certificate training programs, pre-employment training, industry-based certifications and continuing education credits. Training for employees may qualify for state or federal programs reducing or eliminating training costs. Call the Center for more information.

Capital Formation

Finding and matching the right business with the right financing is both challenging and critical for success. The Center assists startup and expanding businesses find the capital they need. Utilizing highly successful business planning tools and a network of banks and equity programs, the center consultants can structure traditional bank financing, angel capital or venture capital.

Entrepreneurial Training

Individuals who want to start a business or are exploring the possibility of starting a business can attend seminars that will help them through the start-up process. The Center works closely with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana Economic Development, Louisiana Small Business Development Center, area Chambers of Commerce, and the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) to provide the training.
Approximately 30 to 40 low-cost training seminars covering a wide range of topics are offered each year for small business owners and those looking to start a business.

Job Placement

Southeastern Louisiana University’s Office of Career Services provides a wide array of job placement assistance services to employers including: a large annual, university-wide career fair each fall semester; individualized interviews; videoconference interviews; job vacancy postings; internships, student employees; and a resume referral service.
Career Services assists a full range of employers, from local sole proprietorships to Fortune 500 companies to non-profit and governmental agencies. Companies can arrange interviews at the Office of Career Services on campus or at the Center.