Manage: Professional Phone Tips

When answering the telephone:

The person who answers the telephone in the business represents the company’s image. Anyone who answers the phone should always do so in the most professional mannar. If a message is taken, make sure to get the full name of the caller, his/her phone number, the reason for calling and the best time to return the call. An example of what can be said:

“Thank you for calling (name of company) this is (name of employee) how may I help you?”

When leaving a message:

• Always speak slowly and clearly when leaving a message
• Say the phone number with pause between the numbers
• Speak loud enough so the message can be heard
• Always leave your name, phone number, a brief reason why you called and the time you called and the best time to call back
• Always make it easy for people to reach you or the best time to call.
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After playing telephone tag a few times and when you finally have the person on the phone, take notes about what the conversation is about so that you can follow up in the future. Get an email address, as well, to put in your data base. Oftentimes, email is an easier way to communicate as people today are so busy.

Julie Brander, New Haven SCORE
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Manage: ‘Tis the Season to Get the Help You Need

Don’t Go It Alone. Ask SCORE for Advice.

With the holiday rush upon us, the new year a few weeks away and tax season immediately following, there’s a lot for a small business owner to do.

This time of year can cause stress and burnout for many entrepreneurs, but it doesn’t have to. The business mentors at SCORE are here to help you not only survive, but thrive.

• Find SCORE to search for an office near you.
• Ask SCORE online to get quick answers to your business question.
• SCORE’s online community also provides help from out business mentors.
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SCORE Association, SCORE
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SEO: Do’s & Don’ts to Boost Web Traffic

Web Tips for Your Business

Your web site is an intregal part of your small business. There are many things you can do to increase the number of people that visit your site. One key strategy is optimizing your site so that it will appear on the first few pages of a search engine, such as Google or Yahoo!. This is known as search engine optimization (SEO). Below are a few SEO do’s and don’ts. Click on the articles below to view more information on each topic.

Search Engine Optimization Do’s

From, ”Marketing Your Business on Search Engines.”

• Use the right keywords: Knowing the terms customers use when
  they search is the starting point for any SEO effort.
• Put keywords in the right places: Your site is full of hotspots that
  search engines check regularly for keywords. Make sure they
  show up in context in headlines, subheads and the body text of
  your pages.
• Keep keywords in context: Integrate keywords as naturally as possible into your copy. A simple list of keywords won’t work–they have to be in context.
• Keep your content fresh: Frequently updated, relevant content
  can have a positive impact on your site ranking.
• Build links: Reputable, relevant sites.
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Search Engine Optimization Don’ts

From, “SEO Tricks: What Not to Do.“

• Cloaking: This refers to code changes that indicate one thing to search engines, but provide totally different content to users. Even if your business is legitimate, this can get you banned.
• Keyword stuffing and hiding copy: Don’t stuff your site full of irrelevant keywords–the search engines catch on fast if copy isn’t written in natural language or if totally unrelated keywords are used.
• Using a competitor’s name:
  Don’t overload your site with the names of major companies or competitors in order to divert some of their traffic to your site.
• Snaking content: It’s never a good idea to “borrow” text or copy from another site. Not only does this often violate copyright laws, it will also get you kicked out of search engine rankings.
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What SEO tips have you found that work well for your business?

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Contest: Does Your Biz Need a Makeover?

Avaya’s Small Biz Communications Makeover

Want to win a communications makeover and new IP office system? Then, enter Avaya’s Small Business Communications Makeover Contest. Submit a short video or written entry online. The topic should be about communications “disconnects” that cost your businesses pain, time and money.

Avaya will be visiting 20 small businesses—organizations with 10 to 50 employees—and giving them FREE communications makeovers. They’ll help design and install solutions specially tailored to each company’s specific needs.

Click here to enter the contest.
Deadline is October 15, 2009.

SCORE Association
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Contest: A Chance to Win Free Biz Communication Makeover

Document Your Disconnect. Enter to Win a Free Business Communication Makeover

How is your business communicating? Do you want to improve your business communication tactics? Avaya presents the, “Small Business Communications Makeover Contest,” now through October 15th.

Avaya says, “What’s your disconnect? Every business has one. Let us fix yours.” To enter, either create a a video up to three minutes long or a written entry up to 500 words describing your business disconnect. In order to qualify your business organization must have between 10 and 50 employees.

Avaya will choose 20 small business organizations as makeover winners. 
Enter the contest.

SCORE Association
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Success: SCORE Salutes Small Biz Success

Zakeez, Inc.
Outstanding Woman-owned Business Award

The first-ever SCORE Awards was held on September 17, 2009 recognized excellence in and support of America’s small businesses.

SCORE honored Zakeez, Inc., an ergonomics and human factors company that specializes in research and development of innovative and unique products and services that improve the quality of life of children and help parents and babies feel closer to each other.

Yamile Jackson, a Ph.D. in ergonomics and human factors engineering and licensed professional engineer, used her personal experience, work and education to invent the award-winning “The Zaky®.”

This product is used in hundreds of hospitals and thousands of homes and child-care facilities, and by preemies, ill, healthy and special-needs children worldwide.

Just after starting her business, Jackson turned to Houston SCORE for advice and mentoring. SCORE experts have helped her develop her business plan and marketing materials, such as brochures, posters and a Web site, www.zakeez.com.

Learn more about SCORE Award winners.

 
SCORE Association
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Small Business: Grow Your Biz Event in DC on 9/29

GrowSmartBiz Conference

Want to learn how to overcome challenges that all small businesses face? Check out the Grow SmartBiz Conference in Washington D.C. on September 29. SCORE is pleased to be a conference sponsor. Hosted by Network Solutions.

The event will feature small business leaders and well-known industry experts, including keynote speaker Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief of Wired magazine.

Attendees will learn how to :

• Grow your business despite the current economy
• Market your business in a cost effective way
• Secure small business financing

 

More information.

SCORE Association
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Start-up: Are You Really Ready?

Find Great Resources for Your Business Start-up

Are you wondering if you’re really ready to start your own business and be your own boss? SCORE can help. Check out these tips, tools and resources that help you set the right course.

60 Second Guides
Business Quizzes
Business Columns
Reading Room
Resource Links
Top Five Tips

 

Talk over your ideas with a mentor online or in person.

SCORE Association
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Finance: Increase Your Cash Flow

 Improve Cash Flow & Grow

As the market rebounds, get ahead of the game. Increase your cash flow now. Help your business earn higher profits and improve cash flow to sustain business growth. Check out these finance guides to get the most out of your biz.

 

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Resources to Jump Start Your Cash Flow
Collect Payment
Establish a Line of Credit
Finance Your Start-up (Also in Spanish)
Get a Loan (Also in Spanish)
Manage Cash Flow (Also in Spanish)
Profit Planning
Trim Fuel Costs

SCORE Association
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Success: Vera Bradley Designs

From Neighborhood Trend to Global Brand

In 1987, two young entrepreneurs set out to find feminine and quality driven luggage for women. When their search was unsuccessful, Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia Miller decided to make their own. After stealing the show with neighborhood clothing displays, Baekgaard and Miller knew they needed to meet the growing demand and come up with a solid business plan. The two fashion forward women contacted SCORE in Ft. Wayne. They met with mentor George Cook who gave them the business advice they needed to grow their company into a fashion empire.

With help from SCORE, Vera Bradley Designs transformed from a neighborhood trend to a global brand. Miller says, “George never told us what to do or how to do it. He would ask questions that helped us find the solutions for ourselves. We were very lucky to connect with somebody whose business expertise complimented our creativity. I’m sure SCORE does that for everybody. They are a fantastic organization.”

Even as a global, multimillion dollar company, the two owners say they never hesitate to contact George for business advice.

Have you tried SCORE? Let us know how your mentor has helped you succeed.

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