"(We are) free … to act for (our)selves and not to be acted upon"
2 Nephis 2:26
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About Act Now
Act Now encompasses the main set of the Academy's Programs for Financial Self-Reliance. The 25 Rules of Thumb for business success are the fundamental business principles that comprise the core of the Academy's curriculum.
The 25 Rules of Thumb are taught in the four stages of Act Now: Start Now, Grow Now, Expand Now, and Give Now. As Academy Members progress from stage to stage, they will grow their own business to a point where they can sustain themselves, their families, and give to others.
Each stage of Act Now begins with the training sessions and follows action plans that move you towards the milestone of that stage. You are supported along this self-reliance journey by participating in a local Academy Chapter.
What are the Trainings?
What are the Trainings?
Every stage starts with its corresponding training delivered by The Academy for Creating Enterprise staff. These trainings will include between 3 and 6 sessions spanning several days or weeks. These trainings are completely free for first time students.
What are the Actions Plans?
What are the Actions Plans?
You progress through the stages by following the corresponding Action Plans, each of which includes Small and Simple Goals, Business Plan, Badges, and Salary Tracking.
Small and Simple Goals: A Small and Simple Goal is the reason that you want to become more financially self-reliant. You might want to purchase better internet so your kids can do school from home, or maybe you need to replace your leaky roof. Your Small and Simple Goal is the reason you are participating in the Academy Programs.
IGA / Business / Expansion Plan: This is where you detail your plan to create a successful Income Generating Activity, grow your Business, or expand that Business. For each stage you will fill out a corresponding planning document found in the stage page.
Badges: These are the individual tasks associated with the 25 Rules of Thumb required to complete in order to complete each stage. Each badge has a set of "to-do's" to be completed.
Salary Tracking: At each stage you will record your salary in order to track salary growth from stage to stage. This information will not be viewable by any member or leaders in country, and will only be viewable by The Academy HQ.
What are the Milestones?
What are the Milestones?
Once you have completed all of the badges in in your stage, you should have been able to successfully accomplish the corresponding Milestone, which, when accomplished, shows that your business is progressing. Completing the Milestone advances you to the next stage, and awards you to the Stage Badge.
What is the Academy Chapter?
What is the Academy Chapter?
One of most impactful pieces of Act Now is the participation in the local Academy Chapter. Regularly meeting with other Entrepreneurs and learning more about the basic business principles is extremely helpful in supporting you along your self-reliance journey.
Start Now
The first step towards financial self-reliance.
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This is the beginning stage of Act Now. Here you will learn the basics of starting an Income Generating Activity with which you can replace your livelihood, provide for yourself, and live on your own terms.
You will also begin learning the faith and mindset principles necessary to become self-sufficient.
Upon completing the Start Now Training you will join an Academy Chapter in your local area. Participation in the Chapter will help you learn and grow and progress through the stages.
Training: Start Now (4-5 days)
Actions Plan: Join an Academy Chapter, IGA plan, Badges
Milestone: Successful start Income Generating Activity
Grow Now
The next step to fully replacing your salary with your own Business.
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This is the intermediate stage of Act Now. Here you will learn how to grow your IGA into a sustainable business that fully provides for you and your family.
You will continue deepening the faith and mindset principles necessary to become self-sufficient.
Training: Grow Now (in development)
Actions Plan: Regularly attend Chapter meeting, Business plan, participate in Academy Awards, Badges
Milestone: Pay yourself a livable salary
Expand Now
Self-reliance is not a destination, but a process. This Stage will help you continue along that journey.
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This is the advanced stage of Act Now. Here you will learn how to expand your business into a sustainable business that not only provides for you, but blesses the lives of others as well.
You will continue deepening the faith and mindset principles necessary to become self-sufficient.
Training: Expand Now (currently known as ACE My Business)
Actions Plan: Regularly attend Chapter Meeting, Expansion plan, Participate in Academy Awards, Badges
Milestone: Be able to hire an employee
Give Now
Use what you've learned and built to lift others.
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This is the culminating stage of Act Now. Here you will use what you have learned and built to give back to up and coming entrepreneurs.
You will mentor other Academy Members in developing their self-reliance mindset and developing their faith.
Training: Mentor Training (in development)
Actions Plan: Lead in your Chapter Meeting, Future plan, participate in Academy Awards, be an internship provider
Milestone: Mentor another member
Overview
The Pillars of Self Reliance
We believe that the three pillars of true self-reliance are: Business, Spiritual, and Mindset. Act Now is designed to help you grow in all three of these aspects.
About The Academy For Creating Enterprise
"ACE" strives to help members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and others in developing countries launch and grow successful businesses that lift families out of poverty and put them firmly on the path to self-reliance.
Founded in 1999 in the Philippines, The Academy now operates in 8 countries (Philippines, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil). There are currently over 700 support chapters and 42,000 graduates all over the world.
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