The Value of S.C.O.R.E

[color="DarkSlateBlue"]This article was written by Connie Butler of SCORE, and published in the Sept. 06 SMF Newsletter

The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is in a volunteer organization of over 12,500 working and retired business executives who counsel and mentor new entrepreneurs and existing owners of small businesses regarding starting a new business or solving business problems within existing businesses.

Each SCORE Chapter is responsible for a specific geographical territory. Each Chapter has members with business skills to handle almost any business related problem. Occasionally a SCORE Counselor we will call on one of the over 12,500 members in the Score Association to help with an unusually difficult task.

Being able to call on this talent pool is a major benefit to the budding entrepreneur or the person operating a small business. If you have hired a professional Consultant lately you know first hand the value of being able to call on this pro bono and professional consulting service Based on a conservative estimate using today’s business consultant fees, Score provides, pro bono, a monetary value in each case in excess of $12,000.

For an entrepreneur starting a new business, SCORE will provide a team of seasoned, successful business consultants to:
[LIST]
* Evaluate the product or service idea or
* Inventory the skills of the entrepreneur
* Recommend solutions
* Assist in preparing a business plan
* Develop and implement a Funding Plan
* Remain with the entrepreneur until breakeven.
[/LIST]

For existing business operators SCORE will:
[LIST]
* Help Evaluate the business problem
* Assist in developing a solution
* Help update the business plan including:
* Sales forecasts
* Cash flow schedules
* Profit improvement plan
* Remain with the business operator until the business is operating as per the plan.
[/LIST]

If you are interested in starting a new business or need help in your present business, call the nearest Score Office, visit our web site at www.score.org, or email Connie Butler directly at connie@cbutlerandco.com[/color]