SCOREBOARD

from Greater Knoxville

 SCORE Logo April 12 

A business resource providing business owners and managers

with tips, ideas, and news to help your business grow and become more successful.

July/August 2012  Volume 6, Issue 4

IN THIS ISSUE

Many of us have been following the Olympics the past several days. Why does it capture our attention? Perhaps it's because we can watch a myriad of sports in one venue, unlike single sport events like the Super Bowl or World Series or World Cup.  So in keeping pace with the Olympics, this issue contains information on several topics rather than one, so we're calling it the SCOREBOARD Olympics. With articles on technology, business planning, taxes, management, and market research, you're sure to find something of interest and value. We recommend that you become a well-rounded business owner and qualify for the "All-Around" award by participating in every event (er, make that reading at least one article from each section)! 

 

PS - Be sure to send articles to friends and colleagues who might need the information.

 BETTER MANAGEMENT

Small business owners have many areas of responsibility, but one that often receives less attention than others is insurance. While liability and property insurance are generally carried, The 5 Most Important Types of Insurance When You Freelance Or Are Self-Employed explains others you need to consider carrying. 

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Good customer service not only helps retain clients and customers, but satisfied customers are more likely to recommend your firm to others. The $4 Million Complaint Call tells how handling a customer's problem led to landing a huge contract.

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TECHNOLOGY

Protecting your online information and access to it is critical to the security and health of your business. In addition to anti-virus programs and firewalls, there are additional tools and actions you should consider using to protect your data and assets, and Free Tools for Improving Online Security highlights some of them - and they're FREE.

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Hackers are constantly breaking into innocent websites and using them to infect visitors with malware, to divert traffic to other sites and infiltrate databases to grab sensitive customer information. How to Make Your Website Hacker-Proof offers information to help you avoid trouble -- or eliminate it quickly -- by taking some relatively simple steps.

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BUSINESS PLANNING

Whether you're starting a business or considering adding new product lines, planning is crucial. The best way to perform this planning is by writing a business plan. But before creating a business plan, you'd be wise to first determine if the project is feasible from a business perspective. The basic steps to conduct a feasibility plan are outlined in How To Write a Feasibility Study, prepared by the Ready Planning firm.

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Once you're ready to write your business plan, it doesn't have to be 20 pages long. If you're writing it for your own purposes or as a roadmap, it can be much shorter, as Noah Parsons explains in How To Write a One-Page Business Plan.

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An important component of a business plan is the market plan. In fact, some believe a basic marketing plan should be done prior to writing the business plan. Tina Servis, a small business owner in Rochester NY, describes what needs to in a simple plan in Marketing Plan Is Vital.

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MARKET RESEARCH

Research is critical to success (see How To Write a Feasibility Study above). One way to conduct research is through surveys. several on-line firms offer free and inexpensive survey applications, such as Survey Monkey and Constant Contact. Google recently introduced "Google Consumer Surveys" that you might also consider using. Learn more about this offering and how to use it in by clicking here.

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Your customers perform searches related to your business every day - after all, that's how they find you on the Web. But are you conducting the same searches on your hunt for customer intel? If you're not, you should be! Learn how by reading Small Business Trends' Four Ways to Conduct Market Research with Google.

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For residents in the Knoxville area, be sure to utilize Knox County Library's business reference section for more resources, including Demographics NOW, a new demographic information database including data on 23 million businesses and 206 million consumers.

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TAXES

Many small business owners prepare their own Federal tax returns, but may not understand what deductions they might be able to include. What the IRS Does and Doesn't Consider a Business Expense can help you do this task the right way.

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Employee or independent contractor or consultant? Business owners need to answer this correctly when hiring and reporting expenses. When The IRS Requires You To Send In Form 1099-MISC gives some guidelines to assist you in this task.

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SCORE Is Looking For A Few Good Men And Women

The Greater Knoxville SCORE Chapter is recruiting volunteers to assist the small business community in our coverage area. If you're an experienced business owner or have managed a business and would like to counsel small business owners, we'd like to speak with you. In addition to volunteer counselors, we're also seeking volunteers with experience or talents in making presentations, performing administrative functions, and assisting in fund raising efforts. If you are interested, or know someone who fits these needs, contact SCORE at 865-692-0717 or email us at volunteer@scoreknox.org.  To see what you gain from volunteering, watch this short video.

 

PS - it is not necessary for volunteers to be retired.

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Upcoming Workshops

 

 "Should I Go Into Business For Myself?"

This is a two session workshop designed for those considering beginning their own business.

  

Sat. September 15 (Session 2), 9:00 am to Noon
Sat. September 8 (Session 1), 9:00 am to Noon

Knoxville Campus of Roane State Community College,

132 Hayfield Road, Knoxville (Off Parkside Drive)

 

Click here to view content, directions, and to register,

or call the Greater Knoxville SCORE office (865-692-0717)

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"Technology and Social Media"

How do I incorporate the latest technological and electronic communication methods into my business...and which do I choose? Here are some of the topics to be covered.

 

* Does social media matter to small businesses?

* What technologies does a small business need?

* How to plan your tech future and stay within your budget

  

Saturday August 11, 9:00 AM to Noon

Knoxville Campus of Roane State Community College,

132 Hayfield Road, Knoxville (Off Parkside Drive)

  

Click here for additional details and registration information

 ____________________________________________________________________________
" Negotiation Basics"
Getting the Best Deals for Your Business.  Topics Covered Include:  
  
  • Critical factors for successful negotiations
  •  Five prerequisites for a good negotiator
  • Negotiation gambits - when and how to use them
  • How to ensure a "win-win" outcome

Click here for additional information

 

Thursday, August 23 Noon to 2 PM

Roane County Chamber of Commerce

1209 N. Kentucky Street, Kingston

 

Lunch will be Provided.

Workshop is free for Chamber members; $35 for non-members.

 Space is limited so call 865-376-557 to reserve your spot now!

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Visit And Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce

Anderson County Chamber of Commerce   www.andersoncountychamber.org

Blount County Chamber of Commerce   www.blountchamber.org

Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce   www.claibornecounty.com

Cocke County Partnership Chamber of Commerce   www.cockecounty.org

Farragut/West Knox Chamber of Commerce   www.farragutchamber.com

Loudon County Chamber of Commerce   www.loudoncountychamber.com

Monroe County Chamber of Commerce   www.monroecountychamber.org

Roane County Chamber of Commerce   www.roanealliance.org

Scott County Chamber of Commerce   www.scottcountychamber.com
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We want to thank our premium sponsor.  Click on their logo to visit their web site.
  

First Tennessee Foundation 

 

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Did you miss an earlier issue of SCOREBOARD?   Click here to view our archived issues.
Greater Knoxville SCORE Chapter  www.scoreknox.org 
865-692-0716  Suite 450, 412 N. Cedar Bluff Road, Knoxville TN  37923