Targeted to small businesses
Small businesses have a hard time getting past their first five years, at least according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, but fortunately there are many resources which help entrepreneurs get past that hurdle. One of the programs that the SBA suppurts is SCORE, a non-profit association that has been helping small businesses grow and succeed since 1964.
SCORE offers inexpensive and free workshops both in-person and through webinars, business tools and templates, and volunteer mentors. However, in some parts of the county, it’s difficult to find mentors who are local. SCORE and Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation have teamed up to study how virtual mentoring assists small businesses.
Virtual connections
Video mentoring takes advantage of technology to give small business owners more options in receiving the support they need to thrive and grow.
Last year, SCORE helped more than 350,000 small business owners, mostly through face-to-face contact in offices.
With the changing face of business, it can be difficult to connect with another person during a normal business day. SCORE and the Ewing Marion Kaufmann Foundation hope to change that.
Make a request for a mentor
Go to SCORE’s website to sign up for video mentoring. You have the option to look for mentors in different industries and with different expertise. Find a mentor who understands car repair and maintenance and has finance experience or one with restaurant and hospitality experience with a focus on IT services. SCORE even offers video mentoring in different languages. Although the majority of the video mentors speak English, Spanish, German, Arabic and five other languages are available.
Once you select a mentor, you will see their expertise and experience. Be prepared to give some information about your business when you sign up for a mentor. Have a specific question your mentor can answer. Email and video communications are both available. Check out SCORE mentoring on Facebook. Find the resources your business needs to move forward.
