Greater Knoxville Chapter









 

SCORE Learning Center

SCORE, America's Counselors to Small Business, has a library of over 50 articles to help get your business on the right track. All articles are available free of charge and are Printer Ready (click and read printer ready for details)

The following articles are currently available:

Starting a Business

Startup Workshop Read about the details on how to start a business.
Franchising What should be done prior to buying a franchise.
Three Phases of Business Read about the three natural and essential phases to go through when trying to decide whether to form a business.
Your Business License
When do I need to get a business License and Why.
Business Licenses A listing of the local offices where you may obtain your business license.
Handbook For Employers A description of the handbook available from the Tennessee Department of Employment Security and how to obtain one.
Lawson McGhee Library The Lawson McGhee Library can help with your business.
Tennessee Requirements How to obtain all those numbers for legal business operation.
Top Ten Mistakes The top ten mistakes in forming a business and how to avoid them.
Free Assistance Find out where to receive free business assistance.

Financing

Borrowing Money Read about how to avoid the natural pitfalls of borrowing money.
SBA Pre-Qualify on Loans How to pre-qualify on an SBA loan and who to contact.
Tech 2020 SBA Micro Loans How to qualify on an SBA Micro loan and who to contact.
PTAP Check out the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) if you wish to sell to the government.
STEP Small, low-interest loans to qualified entrepreneurs who cannot obtain traditional (bank) financing.
Loan Assessment Business Loans from the Banks point of view.
Vocational Rehabilitation How to obtain vocational rehabilitation funding and the limits.
PASS Plan for Achieving Self Support, a Social security Program.
ABC's of Borrowing Terms you need to know and information the bank will require.
Credit Scoring Understanding how credit scoring works.
Credit Counseling Many entrepreneurs seek funding, but are unable to obtain bank financing if their credit is not strong.
Loan Qualification Do I qualify for a loan?.
SBIR Small Business Innovation Program?
Additional Resources Read about the many other resources available through SCORE.

Legal

Finding a Lawyer Finding a lawyer through the Knoxville Bar Association.
Legal Structure Deciding the correct legal structure for your business.
License Requirements There are licensing requirements and supplementary regulations, new businesses need to be aware of.

Insurance

Home Business Insurance Getting the correct insurance for your home based business.
Health Insurance How to obtain reasonably cost efficient health insurance.
Insurance Types The different types of insurance you may wish to purchase.
Unemployment Most employers are liable under the Tennessee Employment Security Law.  An employer's liability is based on criteria set by federal law.
Surety Bonds The four types of bonds and descriptions of the process.

Marketing

Marketing Strategies Read about strategies and try the Competitive Analysis Matrix.
Business Cards What to include when making a business card and how to effectively use them as a marketing tool.
Business Marketing How to efficiently market your Business and Products.
Media Contacts TV, Radio, and Newspaper contacts for Greater Knoxville area.
Marketing Worksheet A marketing plan worksheet to help you gauge your business.

Business Plan

Business Plans Why do you need a business plan? The answers are given here.
Planning What should I include in my business plan?

Human Resources / Employees

Employee Cost
 What the real cost of an employee is.
Display Posters How and Where to obtain government mandated posters.

Non-Profits

Non Profits Forming a Non Profit Organization.
Charter Application How to obtain a charter for a nonprofit corporation.
Available Assistance Assistance available to non profits.
UT Transportation Aids for Nonprofits UT offers three major programs to help meet the needs of
nonprofit organizations.
Marketing Mission Based Marketing for Non-Profits
Volunteer Liability The Volunteer Liability Act of 1997
Board Job Descriptions Your Nonprofit Organization’s Board of Directors
Advisory Board What is and do you need an Advisory board
New Board Members How to make a new board member feel welcome
Governance A general synopsis of how a board should be run
Board Retreats What is a Board Retreat and why you may need one
Finding Grants How to find non-profit grants
Grants Writing a Grant Proposal
Insuring a Non-Profit Several common types of coverage for Non Profits
Serving Serving on a Nonprofit Board of Directors
Evaluating Programs Which of our services are producing adequate results?
Fundraising Your nonprofit organization is a BUSINESS! (You must look at sponsors, partners and donors as investors).
For Profit versus Non Profit Is there a reason for the existence of non-profit organizations? Yes!
Registering Organizations that intend to solicit donations must register with the state
Develop your Business Plan Each organization has to determine the best way to develop its own Strategic Business Plan
Business Plan Steps Planning is the key to success for any venture, including your nonprofit organization

Accounting / Financial

Financial Statements What financial statement figures can tell you about trends in your business.
Payroll Services How payroll services can maintain complete payroll records for you, possibly helping you avoid tax problems.
Choosing an Accountant What the responsibilities of an accountant are.
Financial Management Why your company needs financial management.
Accountants Some local accountants with free preliminary interviews.
Profit and Loss Statement A guide to filling out a profit and loss statement.
Balance Sheet A balance sheet with item descriptions.
Cash Flow Sheet A monthly cash flow sheet with item descriptions.
Quick Books Is Quick Books right for my business?

Web Information

Creating a Website The advantages of marketing on the web and how to properly do so.
Important Websites Links to State, Federal and Non Profit Sites from SBDC
Useful Web Links Links to useful information provided by SCORE and SBDC
Web Things to Consider When Creating Your Web Site

Chambers of Commerce

Joining a Chamber Why should your business join a Chamber of Commerce?
Joining Loudon How the Loudon Chamber of Commerce can help your business.
Knoxville Chamber See what the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership has to offer you.
Blount County Chamber How the Blount County Chamber can help your business.

Other

Economic Ventures Listing of financial programs offered
Consultant Needed? Do you need a business consultant? How SCORE counseling can fit that bill for free.
Inventions How to protect, test and promote your invention.
Cosmetology How to obtain training in cosmetology.
Manicure/Pedicure How to obtain training in and licensing in Manicure/Pedicure.
Massage How to obtain training in and licensing in Massage.
8a and SDB Certification Qualifications and differences in 8(a) and SDB certification.
Buying a Business The Pros and Cons of buying an existing business.
Child Care Facilities Opening a child care facility.
Selling the Business How to prepare for the sale of your business.
Authoring Advice for Authors
Leasing Property Leasing Space for Your Business
Business Continuity The decision to continue, sell, or liquidate your business is a very important one.

 

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