Business Library: Articles for Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs

These articles have been selected by Portland SCORE to provide information on subjects relating to the starting of and running of small businesses. This Business Library is a compliment to the Web Resource Links and together you will find much of the information that you need to successful start and run a business.

Our sincere thanks to the authors, both from within SCORE, and from the business community at large, who so graciously gave permission for SCORE to host these articles.

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Ask SCORE columns

Ask SCORE, April 2009 - Press Releases
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I operate a petsitting business and plan to expand the territory that I serve. Without a large budget to advertise, how can I get the word out?

Ask SCORE, April 2010 - Communicating with Employees
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I’m an interior designer who has worked on my own for the last three years. The business has now reached the point where I need to expand and hire staff to assist me. I’ve never been a “boss” before; can you offer me some tips on how to do it successfully?

Ask SCORE, August 2009 - Alternative Financing
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I’ve worked as a house painter for a number of years and have decided to start my own painting business. While the start-up costs aren’t huge, neither is my bank account. I’ve approached a couple of banks regarding a loan, but in today’s credit market no one is willing to fund a first-time business owner with limited assets. How can I get this off the ground? I’m confident I can make it a success.

Ask SCORE, August 2010 - Internet Advertising
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I have a business that helps people trace their genealogy. Most of my clients find me via Web searches that direct them to my website, and I’d like to expand on that by doing some Internet advertising. What’s the most effective way to do this?

Ask SCORE, December 2009 - Collecting What You're Owed
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I own a successful janitorial/office cleaning business. Over the past year or so, we’ve begun to experience collection problems, which I assume is a function of the economic slowdown. How can we do a better job of getting the money we’re owed?

Ask SCORE, February 2009- Marketing Your Business
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I’ve operated a successful one-man handyman business for seven years, working in people’s houses doing everything from fixing a stair tread to building small additions. All my jobs have come from word of mouth referrals and I’ve never lacked for work. Since the economy has slowed down, however, for the first time I’m experiencing holes in my schedule, so I want to do some marketing. Where do I start?

Ask SCORE, February 2010 - Avoiding Burnout
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I own a very successful small commercial printing business. I’ve been at it almost five years, have lived, eaten and slept the business since the start, and think I’m beginning to experience burnout. What can I do restore some sanity to my life?

Ask SCORE, January 2009 - Outsourcing
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I own a small, successful plumbing business. Since the beginning seven years ago, my wife, who was at home with our young children, did the bookkeeping. Now that the kids are in school, she’s planning to go back to work full-time in her field of training, psychology. We’re not large enough to need a full-time bookkeeper, so I’m considering outsourcing. Any tips you can offer?

Ask SCORE, January 2010 - Improving Cash Flow
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I own a small, successful architectural firm and, despite the economy, we’ve got a decent backlog of work. However, for the first time in our history, cash is a problem. What can I do to improve cash flow?

Ask SCORE, July 2009 - Planning For Growth
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I started a catering business about two years ago. We did very well initially, exceeding my expectations, but our growth seems to have stalled in the last six months. While it’s easy to attribute that to the overall poor economy, I have a nagging feeling there’s more to it. I’d appreciate any advice you can offer.

Ask SCORE, July 2010 - Branding
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I’ve run a successful secretarial service business for a number of years. I think I understand marketing and do a fair amount to promote my business, but recently I keep hearing about “branding.” What exactly is branding and how do I do it?

Ask SCORE, June 2009 - Protecting Your Data
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I own a successful industrial manufacturing firm. Though not huge, we employ almost 100, including plant, office and sales staff. I constantly read about companies having their IT systems compromised by hackers, wreaking havoc with their business. What can we do to prevent that from happening to us?

Ask SCORE, June 2010 - Networking
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I recently started a financial consulting business and will be attending a number of conferences where potential clients are likely to be. How can I best take advantage of these opportunities?

Ask SCORE, March 2009 - Surviving Tough Times
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
Like most businesses these days, my florist shop is feeling the pinch of reduced revenues. What can we do to survive the recession?

Ask SCORE, March 2010 - Building Customer Loyalty
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I run a small, independent tax preparation service. Though my competition is the large, well-known national chains, I can’t compete on price. However, I offer more personal service and individual attention to my clients. What can I do to retain my clients and communicate the benefits of doing business with us?

Ask SCORE, May 2009 - Business Insurance
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I started a medical records transcription service about six months ago, which I operate from my home. Business has been very good. Recently, a client brought up the subject of business insurance. Do I really need it and, if so, what type of coverage?

Ask SCORE, May 2010 - Trademarks and Intellectual Property
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I own a beauty salon and have developed a small line of hair care products. I’m currently only selling them through my own shop, but am thinking about marketing them more widely. Do I need to trademark the name and, if so, how do I go about doing that?

Ask SCORE, November 2009 - Planning
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I started a lawn irrigation company two years ago, and despite a challenging economy, we have done quite well. Everything seems to be running smoothly, but I’d like to know what I should be doing to ensure that continues.

Ask SCORE, October 2009 - Growing Your Business
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I run a small and quite successful marketing/public relations firm. Recently, we’ve been approached to take on several new and larger-than-usual clients. I’d love to work with them and grow the business, but I’m also a bit wary of the impact doing so may have. Am I overreacting?

Ask SCORE, September 2009 - Competing Against The Big Guys
by Southern NH SCORE, from The Union Leader
I’ve owned a decorating store (paint, wallpaper, window coverings, etc.) for more than ten years. Though we’re operating at a profit, it’s getting harder and harder to compete against the large home improvement retailers. Am I fighting what is inevitably a losing battle?

Business Library: Articles for Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs

Ask SCORE columns

SCORE In The News

Book Reviews

Business Management

Business Planning

Counselor Interviews

Exit Strategies for Business Owners

Financing Your Business

Franchising

Helpful Templates to Download

Internet and E-commerce

Marketing

SCORE Workshops

Starting a Business

Tax Documents

Time Management

Website Articles by CS Wurzberger