Ten Questions and Answers About SCORE
What is the SCORE Association?
The SCORE Association (Service Corps of Retired Executives) "Counselors to America's Small Business" is a nonprofit association comprised of more than 11,500 volunteer business counselors throughout the U.S. and its territories. There are about 400 SCORE chapters in urban, suburban and rural communities. SCORE members are trained to serve as counselors, advisors, and mentors to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. These services are offered at no charge, as a community service. SCORE was formed in 1964 and nearly 4.5 million Americans have utlized SCORE services.
How can this web site help me?
This site offers practical "how to" information to help your run your business. You can also get free and confidential business advice from SCORE with Get Email Counseling. Use Find SCORE in your community to find the location, and even a map of the location of your nearest SCORE office.
How can SCORE help me in changing economic times?
In times of economic change, you must be diligent in preparing your plans. Begin developing a business plan with realistic sales projections and a plan to hold the line on costs. SCORE can provide advice to help you develop or update your plan. Our counselors can also assist in analyzing your current results. Clients tell us some of the best ideas for their business flowed from discussion with a SCORE counselor. You can Get Email Counseling right now through the SCORE Web Site.
Can I contact SCORE via email?
Yes. This Web site offers a special feature called Get Email Counseling . You can go to email counseling and pose a business question to one of the SCORE business counselors who have joined the SCORE CyberChapter to provide you with email answers to business questions. You choose from a list of counselors with expertise in the business areas that interest you and write a question to the counselor who is the best match for your business or industry.
What is email counseling?
Email counseling is an email exchange between you, a soon-to-be entrepreneur or small business owner and a volunteer, SCORE business counselor. Email counseling gives you the opportunity to send email questions about small business to a SCORE counselor anywhere in the country. Just Get Email Counseling to get business advice. Send a questions and your SCORE counselor will reply with his or her answer. Keep the dialog going as long as you have questions for your business counselor.
What qualifies SCORE to give business advice?
The key qualification SCORE counselors bring to clients is real-world experience. SCORE business counselors have general management and specific industry experience that can benefit your business. SCORE business counselors may be working or retired business owners, business executives or operations managers. All SCORE counselors receive specialized training in counseling and mentoring.
What kind of counseling does SCORE provide?
SCORE's experienced business experts provide general business advice on everything from how to write a business plan, to cash flow management, to developing a small business advisory board. Assistance for aspiring entrepreneurs may involve investigating the market potential for a product or service and assessing the capital needs to start a business. Counselors can provide insight into how to start a business, operate a business, buy a business or franchise and sell a business.
Are business secrets safe with SCORE?
Yes. All SCORE business counselors honor the client's right to proprietary and confidential information. Client information remains confidential. All SCORE counselors abide by an association Code Of Ethics, which includes protecting the confidences between client and counselor. Each year, counselors reaffirm their commitment to the Code Of Ethics.
Does SCORE offer other services?
Yes. SCORE offers low-cost workshops and seminars. Workshop fees generally range from $45 - $95 depending upon the program. Workshop topics have included: How to Start and Stay in Small Business and "MARKETING: The Key to Growing Your Business"
How can I contact SCORE for assistance?
You can contact SCORE a number of ways. You can call us at (919) 856-4739 and make an appointment for face-to-face counseling. You can use Find SCORE to locate a chapter near you, complete with address, phone number and a map you can print right now. Or you can Get Email Counseling to send an email message to a counselor and begin electronic counseling.
Does SCORE help with financing?
SCORE does not provide loans, grants or any direct access to capital. It can help you develop a business plan and suggest options as to where you can go to get financing.
The SBA has a number of loan guarantee programs to assist business start-ups and existing businesses. The loans are obtained through preferred and other lenders approved by the SBA. For more information on specific loan programs visit the SBA website.
Do I need a business plan to obtain financing?
While banks have different requirement, most lenders require a complete business plan describing your business idea, sales potential, management experience, marketing plans and financial outlook. Existing business's may be permitted to complete the application and rely on the financial history of their business.
Can SCORE help with taxation or legal issues?
No, SCORE does not do the work of practicing professionals like attorneys and accountants but we can guide you as to how you can effectively use their services. |
