Author Archive
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.
Add comment October 12, 2009
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.
Add comment October 1, 2009
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.
Add comment September 29, 2009
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
Add comment September 28, 2009
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
1 comment August 3, 2009
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
1 comment July 30, 2009
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.
1 comment July 27, 2009
Contest: Are You the Best Young Entrepreneur?
Nominate Yourself Today
BusinessWeek presents the fifth annual “Best U.S. Entrepreneurs 25 and Under” contest. The goal is to identify companies that both demonstrate a clear potential for growth and establish the talent of the young folks behind them.
The 25 best companies will be featured on the Small Business Channel on October 9 and viewers will be able to vote for their favorite. The top five most voted companies will be announced November 9. All company co-founders must be 25 or under to qualify for. Nominate yourself today.
Entry Deadline: August 16, 2009
5 comments July 13, 2009
Managing: Prepare Before Disaster Strikes
Disaster Preparedness for Summer 2009
Although hurricane season only affects certain areas of the United States, disaster can affect any business. Is your business prepared for: floods, fire, power outages and natural disasters?
Check out these tips and tools to help protect your business from disaster:
Monitor Hurricane Patterns
Attend Disaster Prep Workshops
SCORE Disaster Prep and Relief Page
Find a Mentor with Disaster Experience
What are you doing to prepare?
2 comments July 6, 2009
Contest: Win $100,000 in Cash & Advertising
Forbes Magazine “Boost Your Business” Contest
Between May 15, 2009 and June 30, 2009, submit a well written entry on your business. Entries must not exceed five hundred (500) words and must include the following:
1. a description of your business
2. a discussion of your business model
3. capitalization – how is your business funded?
4. differentiators – how is your business different from your competition?
5. years of relevant experience
6. your plan for using the prize to “boost your business”
In order to qualify businesses must:
1. have at least one salaried employee, aside from the owner
2. be incorporated for five (5) years or less at the time of entry
3. be a for-profit entity
4. have annual revenues between $0 and $5,000,000
Prizes include:
$50,000 in cash and $50,000 worth of advertisement
According to Brett Nelson Entrepreneurs Editor of Forbes Magazine, “Forbes wants to celebrate gutsy small companies navigating this recession. Buoyed by a panel of experts, our contest aims to identify sound businesses with the most promise for growth–and to educate millions of other entrepreneurs on the hunt for capital.”
See official rules and entry information at www.forbes.com/byb.
6 comments June 22, 2009
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Julie Brander
Peg Corwin
Peggy Duncan
Vernita Naylor
Betty Otte
Christine Banning
Rieva Lesonsky
