This is my answer to “What are 5 things you’d teach if you had four weeks to mentor a new business woman?”

If an entrepreneur learns these two tools, one format, this jargon and this theory she will hit the ground running.

This blog is my educational financial literacy campaign to live out the advice from one of my mentors, “Help the next monkey out of the barrel.”

These concepts and their application have assisted me in giving presentations to CEOs, managing a team of 20 SEO writers at a top 10 online yellow pages company, and launch my first publication that will become the editorial arm of my nonprofit.

1. The Basics of GANTT charts. How do you eat an elephant? In small bites. Project management methodology made simple. How much time do you have to complete a project? Who do you need involved? What are the steps? What is the sequence?

2. Google Docs Pivot Tables. Master your data. Interpret your results. Switch up your gameplan and improve the performance of your marketing team, catering event, or fundraiser.

3. Business Plan Executive Summary. Organize your thoughts so that you can sell your idea to decision-makers. In addition, debunk the myth that women can’t get to the point quickly.

4. Business School Glossary. Bloomberg Businessweek does a great job using cheeky analogies in de-mystifying jargon.

5.Theory of Constraints Primer. Goldratt’s pdf is crazy good at explaining this business principle.

Note: If you like self-paced learning, use the 5 resources above.

If you prefer 1-1 mentoring, I am available for 5 hours per month on Skype. You can add me to your contacts as renee.marchol. I am accepting two proteges for pro bono mentoring for four weeks starting this March. 

To apply contact me and pitch me your audacious business or nonprofit idea as an entrepreneur. Deadline for applications is midnight is February 15, 2012.