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Boot Camp Helps America’s Veterans Enter the Business World
Nova Southeastern University announces new intensive 12-day business program

By David Harris
Nova Southeastern University

America’s military veterans are among the nation’s best and bravest. These patriot warriors, many of whom have endured personal sacrifice and hardship while serving, so richly deserve the respect and admiration of the nation. More importantly, they deserve assistance with the sometimes difficult task of assimilating back into civilian society.

It was with a resounding sense of commitment to America’s military veterans and great pride that Nova Southeastern University (NSU) recently developed a new program, The Veteran’s Business Edge, which aims to help military veterans transition from the military to the civilian business world.

“Making the transition from military life into the civilian business world can be a challenging and sometimes daunting endeavor,” said Cheryl R. Babcock, CFE, Director of Executive Education and founding director of the International Institute for Franchise Education (IIFE) at NSU.

Challenges facing veterans making their way back into civilian life include:

  • An uncertain job market, with veterans facing direct competition from civilians for limited employment opportunities
  • Women veterans experiencing higher unemployment than their male military counterparts and higher unemployment than civilian counterparts of both sexes
  • Veterans often have the mistaken impression that their skills and training hold little value in the civilian sector, when in reality the opposite is often true
  • Veterans’ lack of knowledge and skill in promoting and marketing themselves, their skills and abilities to the civilian world
  • Assimilating into the civilian business world, which can be a far different environment than the ‘go-go-go’ military world veterans are accustomed
“The Veteran’s Business Edge is a comprehensive 12-day business boot camp specifically designed to help veterans gain in-depth knowledge about the opportunities that exist for them in entrepreneurship and franchising and put them on the right path for their future,” continues Babcock.

The Veteran’s Business Edge seeks to give these military vets the skills and tools with which to succeed in business. Through the program veterans will see the true value their work ethic, discipline, initiative, and systems-based focus have in the civilian business environment. They will learn how to translate their military experience into this new world and learn how to market themselves and their skills effectively.

Many former military service personnel pursue an entrepreneurial path after retiring from service. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, senior-level military veterans are 55.6% more likely, and veterans in general 45% more likely, to become entrepreneurs than their civilian counterparts with no active-duty military service. This vet-friendly program is designed to help veterans and active duty service personnel achieve the American dream of business ownership by helping them capitalize on their skills.

In addition to helping veterans learn how to transition from the military and learn about entrepreneurship, business and sales training, the program includes two days focus on franchising as a form of business ownership. "My father, Don Dwyer Sr., founded VetFran after the first Gulf War to honor and serve our veterans within the franchising community. It's great to see this tradition grow with The Veteran's Business Edge program being offered by Nova Southeastern University at the Huizenga Business School," said Dina Dywer-Owens, Chairwoman and CEO of the Dwyer Group. VetFran is a program of the International Franchise Association and includes over 400 franchisors that offer franchising financial incentives to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Lonnie Helgerson, CFE, U.S. Army retired and President, Veterans Franchise Center adds, "I am thrilled to be able to assist veterans in discovering their business capabilities. As a veteran myself, I know firsthand the challenges of moving upward within a corporate environment. This program is designed to teach veterans how to leverage their business skills and springboard to the top of the corporate ladder through successful business ownership!" Nova Southeastern University has assembled an elite team of instructors from both academia and the business world to lead The Veteran’s Business Edge program. All instructors are experts in their fields and all have hands-on, real-world experience. However, unique to the Veteran’s Business Edge program is the core concept of ‘veterans training veterans’. Many of the instructors are former military service people who have successfully transitioned into civilian careers in academia and business. These instructors have ‘been there, done that’ and bring their first-hand knowledge and experience with them to the program, ensuring the program is highly relatable, relevant, insightful and beneficial.

“Our new program is unique in that many of our faculty members have been in the students’ shoes before and know firsthand just how intimidating it can be starting out in the highly-competitive business world,” continued Babcock. “We are looking forward to preparing veterans with the tools they need to pursue their goals.”

Included in this group of instructors, among others, are Dr. Vince Daniels, Assistant Professor at NSU, Viet Nam-era Army veteran, and recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Air Medal; Mary Kennedy Thompson, former Marine Corps major and President, Mr. Rooter Corporation; and Dena Hale, Assistant Professor at NSU, U.S. Army (ret.). The Veteran’s Business Edge is VA-approved and military education benefits may be used towards programs fees. The inaugural session of The Veteran’s Business Edge is scheduled for January 9-21, 2012 and will be held at the NSU Main Campus located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Sessions are held Monday-Saturday from 0800-1700 hours (8AM-5PM).

For more information, a complete agenda or to register for the program, visit Vets Edge or contact David Harris at 800.672.7223 ext. 25079 or email address.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Harris is the Marketing Specialist for the International Institute for Franchise Education at Nova Southeastern University. He has an extensive marketing and communications background, having worked for national and international communications and franchise-service organizations. David managed marketing communications for the launch of SUBWAY restaurant’s North America’s gift card/loyalty program, the largest retail gift card program rollout.