Do You Know the Score?

Every small business owner needs a trusted mentor from time to time to help face the challenges posed by today's economy -- but it isn't always easy to know where to find one. If you haven't checked out SCORE, you should definitely see if this organization can give you the assistance you need. They have 13,000 experienced business people nationwide who volunteer their time to help entrepreneurs like you at no cost.

SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and has been mentoring small business owners for more than forty years. Their program sponsors workshops and confidential business counseling services through over 360 local chapters. The one-to-one assistance is given mostly by retired executives (although today not all their volunteers are retired, or executives), and if you contact them they will try to match you up with someone experienced in your field.

On May 18 -- in time for National Small Business Week -- SCORE launched a brand new website that allows entrepreneurs to find helpful free templates and tools online even if they are not participating in a local SCORE program. These include articles on a wide variety of key topics such as social networking, negotiating a lease, online marketing, trends and business planning.

But the best feature of the new web site is that it allows you to find a mentor online, and to pose question at any time, day or night. This free service just requires a brief registration process, after which a password will be sent allowing you access to this program. The names of specific volunteer advisors, along with their areas of expertise, are given based on your zip code.

It is also easy to sign up to become a volunteer, if you are already an experienced business owner. The registration form will ask about the areas you feel competent in, and what languages you speak. Women are particularly needed as volunteer mentors. It's a great way to get involved in mentoring someone else trying to succeed in business while still actively running your own.