New feature: New Service Menu with Programs Tracking + longer notes

You can now easily track one or multiple programs that clients are enrolled in, plus track individual session time for each program on GrowthWheel CRM.

We’ve added a new 'Services' menu to GrowthWheel Online, where you’ll find the submenu for 'Programs' – and if you report to the SBA. You will also see the 'Training' menu for your 888 tracking is moved to this new menu

If you head to the new Programs submenu, center managers can now create a list of programs with names and start dates. Later you will be able to add more details to programs.

Once managers have created a list of programs, advisors will be able to select a program for each interaction to do time-tracking per program. You will also be able to filter the client list by program. 

Additionally, we’ve extended the note limit for all clients to 3,000 characters. 

We hope this update helps you easily track multiple programs for clients and their sessions, as well as add more detailed notes to their profiles.

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Updated feature: Existing clients are recognized on Intake Forms

Avoiding duplicate clients in your CRM system has never been easier.

Clients often fill out multiple forms when requesting counseling or signing up for training sessions, leading to duplicate entries in the system.

With this recent update to the intake forms in GrowthWheel Online, the system will recognize if users are already registered, eliminating the need for them to re-enter their information.

Clients will still be able to see their point of contact, ensuring they can easily reach out if needed.

Business Advisors will receive an email notification every time a new or existing client submits an intake form, whether it's for a counseling request or training registration.

Existing counseling clients who register using the training intake form will remain in their current client list, ensuring that counseling and training-only clients are kept separate and organized.

If a training-only client registers for counseling, they will be automatically transferred from the training menu to the pre-client tab, allowing an advisor to contact them regarding their counseling request. Advisors can reach out to clients directly after they've submitted their intake forms.

We hope this feature update will make it easier for clients to register for counseling or training without creating duplicates or having to fill out multiple intake forms.

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In this short video, you will see how to use this new feature

New feature: New Training Intake Form for SBA Advisors

If you are a WBC or a SBDC reporting to the SBA, accurately reporting your client’s 641 information during training is essential.

With the new training intake forms, you can now effortlessly collect client information when they register for a training session.

This feature introduces a new training menu under your client list, allowing advisors to easily identify clients who have registered only for training services.

If any existing counseling clients also register using the training intake form, they will remain in the client list they currently are. This ensures that counseling clients and training-only clients are not mixed up in your client list.

Whether a training or counseling client submits a training intake form, a ‘Training’ tag will automatically be associated with their profile.

And if a training-only client registers for counseling, they will automatically be transferred from the training menu, to the pre-client tab so an advisor can contact them about their counseling request. 

We hope this update helps business advisors collect all necessary information for training clients and properly identify them on their client list.

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New feature: Change the Primary Advisor for clients

From time to time, clients move from one advisor to another, and you want to keep track of this on GrowthWheel Online.

Now, you can change the Primary Advisor for each client with a click.

You can do it from the client's profile, on the Team page under the Business Profile menu.

In the Advisor Team section, search for the advisor you want to add to this client. Now, simply click the three-dot menu and choose ‘Make Primary Advisor’.

This will automatically assign this advisor as the new primary advisor for your client.

We have also added the option to revoke access if you no longer want this advisor to see this client on their advisor list.

If you choose this option, you are revoking the advisor's permissions for these clients, so they will not be able to view or add any information.

If you are part of a network, changing the primary advisor for your clients can transfer the client from center to center, depending on which center the advisor is associated with.

We hope you find this update helpful when changing the primary advisor for your clients.

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In this short video, you will see how to use this new feature

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We made a User Guide PDF for you to access at any time. Download it below and learn how this new feature works:

New Growth Journeys: Digital Transformation & Profitability

The Seventh Journey: Digital Transformation

In today’s day and age, every business is a digital business with point of sale systems, inventory logs, websites and social media accounts, and online bookkeeping tools.

Rather than gritting their teeth and pushing through tasks “old school,” clients need to use software and technology to streamline their processes and save themselves time.

We curated this package of Decision Sheets to help clients that are thinking about having a digital transformation on their business:

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The Eighth Journey: Selling

Profitability is the fuel that drives any business’s growth. Whether clients focus on increasing sales or on reducing costs, they need to think through their pricing, sales pipeline, and inventory management. 

We curated this package of Decision Sheets to help clients that are thinking about improving their profitabilities strategies:

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In this video, Elizabeth shares more about the Growth Journeys and how to use them:

2023 in Review: The Newest Features on GrowthWheel Online

2023 was yet another year with monthly software updates — as always based on requests from the community of GrowthWheel Certified Business Advisors.

In 2023 we released 10 new features and services in addition to various backend features in the software. Check them out below or see them in action on GrowthWheel Online.

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Release overview

New CRM feature: Email with Meeting Minutes Generated Automatically!

We made it easier to send meeting minutes to clients after each meeting - automatically

You might have been asking yourself if there was an easy way to put items from the 30-60-90 Action Plan into an email with a summary of the meeting.

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Improved Design for Celebrating Client Outcomes!

We re-designed the Outcome feature so you – and your clients – have an even better experience when recording and celebrating small or big wins – or tracking economic impact.

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Easier Client Tags with Suggestions

With this update we improved the Client Tags feature so you now have suggestions and standardized tags.

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Create Outcomes directly from Ambitions

Now Ambitions can be converted to Outcomes with a click, making it faster than ever before to keep track of the client’s journey and celebrate achievements.

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Introducing GrowthWheel AI 30-60-90 Days Plan

With our new GrowthWheel AI, you can now generate 30-60-90 days Action Plans – automatically. It feels like magic!

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Introducing: Business Advisor Certificate (BAC)

We are launching a new GrowthWheel Professional Development Program for Business Advisors focused on interpersonal skills to become a trusted advisor!

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NEXUS Implementation on GrowthWheel Online for SBA reporting

For the past 6 months, we've been working closely with SBA's NEXUS team to ensure that GrowthWheel NG is compatible and meets the new requirements.

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Customize the Client invite email template to GrowthWheel Online

With our recent software update, you can now customize the email template for client invitations to GrowthWheel Online!

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New trainings on GrowthWheel Academy for Certified Users

We improved our GrowthWheel Certified OnDemand Academy. With these updates you can have an even better learning experience.

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New Growth Journeys: Help Clients Launch Products and Services!

As business advisors you want to help your clients the most in their growth journey.

There is a lot to take care of in a business but the real problem is not having the proper resources ready to use with clients.

So we created 8 different Growth Journeys where clients can expand their business and you can help them do so one tool at a time!

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That's all for 2023! 

We will continue in 2024 with more updates from our community to help you be the best business advisors you can be.

Update: New trainings on GrowthWheel Academy for Certified Users

This month we improved our GrowthWheel Certified OnDemand Academy. With these updates you can have an even better learning experience.

Here's a quick overview:

1. Case Studies: Newly added Case Studies, offering practical insights to enhance your advisory skills.

2. GrowthWheel Certification Course: Explore the GrowthWheel Certification Course, now organized into modules for easier learning. Stay tuned for regular updates as we continue to enrich the content.

3. Continued Education Workshops: Access our ongoing workshops for Certified Advisors to stay ahead in the dynamic world of advisory.

4. Mastering the Tools: New "Mastering the Tools," courses where you can explore our variety of Decision Sheets designed to empower your advisory journey.

Discover these updates and more on our updated Certified OnDemand Academy today!

New feature: Customize the Client invite email template to GrowthWheel Online

With our recent software update, you can now customize the email template for client invitations to GrowthWheel Online!

As business advisors, you always want to share relevant information with your clients—especially when introducing a new tool like GrowthWheel.

When inviting clients to GrowthWheel Online to work on their business, you now have the option to add or edit any information in the invitation email.

This will enable you to ensure that your clients have all the information they need to get started with your services and GrowthWheel.

This feature is now available in the 'My Profile Settings' top menu under 'Email Settings.'

New Update: NEXUS Implementation on GrowthWheel Online for SBA reporting

For the past 6 months, we've been working closely with SBA's NEXUS team to ensure that GrowthWheel NG is compatible and meets the new requirements.

True to our beliefs, we have created a beautiful and user-friendly system to assist business advisors in easily tracking SBA impact information and more.

This software update encompasses a series of updates, including data requirements from the SBA and enhancements to our system's user experience, ensuring advisors can efficiently track all client information.

Some of the NEXUS updates include the following specifications:

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New fields and selection options have been added to the client 641 intake form:

1. Intake demographic fields now include options for individuals to "Prefer to self-describe."

2. A new field has been introduced for "Business verification" and "Reportable Impact" on counseling records.

3. Additional certification options are now available under counseling (e.g. DBE, WOSB).

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Removed fields from the user interface on all forms:

1. Type of client on 641 intake form. 

2. Preferred appointment on 641 intake form. 

3. Counseling history field on interactions. 

4. Program format, attendee fee, and gross income fields on the 888 Form

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888 training fields removed and some others re-organized:

1. New demographic categories for Total number trained: LGBTQ, Active Duty, Spouse of Military Member, Total Underserved Trained, North African, and Middle Eastern.

2. A new type of training field.

NEXUS updates will be available in early January 2024 for all our SBA-funded business advisors.

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For any questions related to NEXUS please reach out to nexus@growthwheel.com

Introducing: Business Advisor Certificate (BAC)

We are launching a new GrowthWheel Professional Development Program for Business Advisors focused on interpersonal skills to become a trusted advisor!

As business advisors, you may already have access to training in technical skills for business advising. However, is a challenge also getting training in interpersonal skills.

A fact is, all business advisors would like to be a trusted advisor to their clients!

Therefore, it is important that professional development programs also offer training focused on developing or enhancing interpersonal skills.

Our new educational program, The Business Advisor Certificate (BAC), is an additional certificate available for $750, that business advisors can earn by completing three certified workshops. 

This training is designed specifically to help business advisors build trust and lasting relationships with clients.

This new training program is available to all business advisors, whether they're GrowthWheel Certified or not.

Being GrowthWheel Certified grants advisors access to our monthly Continued Education workshops without any additional cost. These workshops are focused on enhancing technical skills on how to be the best business advisor they can be.

Advisors can get higher certification levels annually by completing the required three workshops for each level, alongside an annual Re-Certification to keep the knife sharp!

All GrowthWheel Certified Business Advisors, get a special 50% discount on The Business Advisor Certificate (BAC) using the code “GW50” at checkout.

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Outlined below are the different educational program paths offered by GrowthWheel, catering to both GrowthWheel Certified and Non-Certified Business Advisors around the world

How the Business Advisor Certificate (BAC) Works

The workshop program currently consists of six certificate workshops, covering all the key skills to become a trusted advisor to clients and build lasting client relationships.

3 workshops are required to earn the certificate, which can be taken monthly Live Online, or In-Person at selected industry events throughout the year.

Pricing Details here.

The Business Advisor Certificate (BAC) is valid for one year. 

This gives an opportunity to stay committed to ongoing professional development during the year and keep your skills updated to date. Continuously learning with and from other advisors. 

Every year advisors can take 3 new workshops or re-take and refresh previous training topics! It’s up to the advisor how they want to design their professional development path with the workshop offerings we have.

New Growth Journeys: Promotion & Selling

The Fifth Journey: Promotion

So often clients approach their advisors looking for assistance with marketing and promotion.

What company doesn’t want to be better known in their marketplace? But clients need to think through their marketing strategy from their target market customer persona,, the marketing messages, the channels of communication, and how it relates to their brand.

We curated this package of Decision Sheets to help clients that are thinking about promoting their products and services:

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The Sixth Journey: Selling

Every client would welcome more sales.

Clients need to think through their sales chain, customer pipeline, create a sales activity plan, and think through customer objections.

We curated this package of Decision Sheets to help clients that are thinking about improving their selling strategies:

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In this video, Elizabeth shares more about the Growth Journeys and how to use them:

New Growth Journeys: Getting Investors or Business Partners & Expanding Your Team

The Third Journey: Getting Organized

It’s hard to grow when the entrepreneur is the only one who can complete pivotal tasks.

Clients need to create and document processes so others can contribute. From legal documents, to documents for the lender, documenting the value chain and key processes, your clients can use this curated package of Decision Sheets to help them organize their business processes and internal operations:

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The Fourth Journey: Team Growth

Expanding the company’s team can be a great way to grow a company, allowing the business to stretch their volume and capabilities.

Clients need to think through those new team members, how they fit into the business, what training they will need and how to make sure those employees are a good investment.

We curated this package of Decision Sheets to help clients that are thinking about expanding their team and hiring new positions:

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In this video, Elizabeth shares more about the Growth Journeys and how to use them:

New Growth Journeys: Help Clients Launch Products and Services!

As business advisors you want to help your clients the most in their growth journey.

There is a lot to take care of in a business but the real problem is not having the proper resources ready to use with clients.

So we created 8 different Growth Journeys where clients can expand their business and you can help them do so one tool at a time!

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In this video, Elizabeth shares more about the Growth Journeys and how to use them:

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The First Journey: Product Launch

Releasing a new product or service into either current markets or new markets can be daunting.

Clients need to think through the value, the pricing, and the right market or customer segment for this new offering.

We curated this package of Decision Sheets to help clients that are thinking about offering a new product or service:

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The Second Journey: Market Entry

Entering into a new market or customer segment is as exciting as it is overwhelming.

Clients need to think through this new market - how are they similar and/or different from their current customers, how should products and services be priced, and who is the competition in this new space?

We curated this package of Decision Sheets to help clients that are thinking about entering a new market or expanding to a new city/country:

New feature: Introducing GrowthWheel AI 30-60-90 Days Plan

With our new GrowthWheel AI, you can now generate 30-60-90 days Action Plans – automatically. It feels like magic!

As business advisors, you need to help clients make complete action plans to achieve their ambitions – and keep them accountable.

However, one thing is to think about what decisions and action items are needed. And a complete other, to write them down to create a plan with timelines. 

You can certainly come up with action items yourself, but with AI helping you, you can do it much faster. 

The real magic happens when you add your expertise by reviewing and refining the text the AI generates.

It works like this:

1. Create an ambition or a goal for a client.
2. Make it smart by making it specific, measurable, and on a timeline.
3. Click "Generate Action Plan" and see the first 7 suggestions.
4. Click again to get as many suggestions as you want
5. Refine by editing and deleting before you share with your client.

New update: Create Outcomes directly from Create Ambitions

Now Ambitions can be converted to Outcomes with a click, making it faster than ever before to keep track of the client’s journey and celebrate achievements.

As a business advisor, you want to track your client’s outcomes to see economic impact and take the opportunity to celebrate their progress.

That’s why you want to keep a list of outcomes whenever an ambition has been achieved.

With this recent update, you can now easily convert Ambitions into Outcomes:

• Click the three-dot button located to the right of the achieved ambition(s)

• Select the ‘Convert to Outcome’ option

• Proceed to provide any additional information in the Outcomes dialog

With this new feature, you can now track the client’s journey much faster, and at the same time help clients make a more convincing GrowthPlan to lenders showing the progress that has been made.

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In this short video, Elizabeth Binning will show you how to use this new update: