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Does the input of your fellow entrepreneur matter to you very much? For some, sitting in conferences and listening to Powerpoint presentations is just a distraction from the real work of running a successful small business. But for others, the input of another franchise owner can be of great value.

This might partly explain the rise of recent the business group. The advantages of this trend were laid out in a recent article on the New York Times You’re The Boss blog. Jay Goltz, the post’s author, knows a thing or two about running a small business, as he’s the owner of 5 businesses in the Chicago area. He blogs that business groups, while involving a serious invesment and money and providing a ‘mixed track record’ of results, can provide the entrepreneur with a great range of rewards.

The business groups that Goltz’s refers to provide “a forum for noncompeting businesses to share experiences and compare notes”. Obviously, these business groups will connect entrepreneurs directly with other like-minded business owners. But often times, it’s not the operational similarities that will prove enlightening, it’s the differences.

“Sometimes what you can get from a group is not advice or a lesson. It might be an observation, a different perspective, or just a better understanding. Here’s an example: In all four of the groups I’ve joined, I’ve been the only retailer. I’m not sure why. Maybe most retailers are too small, maybe they don’t want to spend the time or money, or maybe no one is calling them to join. As I was exposed to the inner workings of other businesses, I came to realize that while we did have things in common, there were some stark differences.”

If you’re looking to get closer to the small business community around you, this guide of upcoming events will from Small Biz Trends is quite helpful. Beyond that, you’ll find all of the relevant dates on the national and international franchise calendar at the Franchise Direct Expo Guide.

Today’s blog post is especially geared towards readers in urban areas. The time is running to enroll in the SBA’s e200 program for 2010.

If you’re a small business owner or a franchisor launching an expanding concept out of an inner-city area, the SBA has bold initiative for you. Its Emerging 200 program is seeking out 200 entrepreneurs with businesses that are going places. They’ll provide you with 9 months of intense business training, with 100 hours of classroom time, plus intimate sessions with some of the best business minds out there.

E200 is ideally tailored to entrepreneurs who have built their business up from scratch and could use some expert educational time to help it realize its financial potential. The SBA are rolling out 12 new Native American-centred areas to coincide with the 10 inner city areas they are already targeting.

All in all, eE200 could make that difference between you and your competitors. Especially if you are imagining success with franchising, e200 is a very inviting program.

Yesterday, we were offering franchisees free advice. Sometimes prospective entrepreneurs need a more bit more than advice to get their business dreams off of the ground, though. For that reason, we’ve compiled a list of some of America’s top online entrepreneurial courses.

For those people working full-time and raising families, yet all the awhile dreaming of controlling their financial future and owning their a franchise, doing an online entrepreneur course offers a sensible path towards a clear goal. Take an individual course or do an BA or an MBA if you like. Some of the best online opportunities are available online.

MAJORS
Washington State University: Online entrepreneurship major (info here)
“You know you have a million-dollar business concept. But do you have the knowledge and skills to make it a reality? WSU’s online major in entrepreneurship provides the foundation you need to be successful.”

Must University: Entrepreneurship major (info here)

This internationally accredited online university features an entire major based on entrepreneurship. Have your degree in three months if you have the time.

MASTERS

Northeastern University’s MBA in Innovation Entrepreneurship (info here)

Partnering with the Online Education Database, Northeastern has one of the most unique online offers. If you already have a business degree and are really looking to further your education, this course is for you. The OED also have a number of partnerships with other colleges if you are interested.

SCHOOLS

Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper Business School (info here)

Carnegie Mellon is known as one of America’s top science universities, but its Tepper Business School is world-renowned for excellence in launching the best business ideas of tomorrow. Take courses like Entrepreneurship and Business Planning  from the comfort of your home

MIT’s Sloan School of Management (info here)

MIT is a global leader in innovation, which makes some of the online offerings from the Sloane School of Management so exciting. Learn from some of the best in their intriguing Open Source education plan.

COURSES

University of North Carolina: Entrepreneurship (info here)

This online course from the University of North Carolina is one of 165 business courses that UNC offer.

Atlantic International University: Entrepreneurship (info here)
“The idea of starting a business is appealing to many people. This course will introduce the many aspects required to create a successful new venture.”

OTHER TRAINING

SBA Online Training (info here)

It’s not only America’s college and universities that are offering online entrepreneurship courses. The Small Business Administration has a solid training course as well.