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Alabama Small Business Development Center Network
The Alabama SBDC Network is an Accredited Member of America’s SBDC.

Accreditation

Why does this matter, and what does it mean?

No other publicly-funded program undergoes the accountability examinations and review that SBDCs receive to ensure management strength, financial accountability and economic impact. Accreditation is critical for the Alabama SBDC Network to continue to partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. It is also essential for America’s SBDC Network to be recognized as a high quality small business assistance and economic development organization.

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The accrediting committee is comprised of 20 state and national SBDC directors and associate directors who examine SBDCs against a comprehensive set of standards that determine a quality program. This review process helps to eliminate inconsistencies between nationwide network of 62 programs, and creates a standard that defines excellence while providing an approach to achieve high performance. Accreditation sets SBDCs apart from other providers of small business assistance.

The criteria (standards) are derived from the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. The standards are used to assess and then improve performance on the critical factors that drive success. The SBDC is evaluated in seven key areas:

  • Leadership
  • Strategic Planning
  • Customer & Stakeholder Focus
  • Measurement, Analysis, Knowledge Management
  • Workforce Focus
  • Program Delivery & Management
  • Results & Outcomes

To learn more about the accreditation process, or how your business or organization might benefit from following the Baldrige criteria for performance excellence, please call us at 877-825-7232.

SBDC Accreditation Certificate
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