A glance at my e-mail in box reveals no shortage of corporate-sponsored programs intended to help small-business owners. But do they work? And if so, how do the owners measure success?

Jessica Johnson, a member of our business group who owns Johnson Security Bureau (the company has a new Web site), graduated from 10,000 Small Businesses, a Goldman Sachs program in September 2010. Recently, she discussed her 10,000 Small Businesses experience, including what it was like day-to-day and whether it yielded results.

Ms. Johnson was in the program’s first class of 23 business owners, which began meeting in April 2010. At the time, participants met every other Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (The meeting schedule has changed since then.) Class sessions, taught by a team that included instructors from Babson College, LaGuardia Community College and the Wharton School, were supplemented by workshops on topics like hiring and legal issues.

By the program’s conclusion, each business owner was responsible for creating a “growth plan” — defined by Ms. Johnson as a business plan that goes beyond mere maintenance. Class assignments like preparing financials or doing a supply-chain analysis built toward this plan.

Click here to read the full article.