SCOREBOARD

March/April, 2010 - Volume 4, Issue 2

A business resource provided by the Greater Knoxville Chapter of SCORE, "Counselors to America's Small Business," providing business owners and managers with tips, ideas, and news to help your business grow and become more successful.

WHAT'S IN THIS ISSUE

Welcome to the Spring edition of SCOREBOARD.

Spring is a time for growth. Flowers and plants bloom, lawns grow, and trees transform bare branches into canopies of green.  Spring is also a great time to focus on growing your business.  That was evident from reader response to our previous issue which focused primarily on marketing and sales.  Those topics drew the interest of more readers than any of our earlier editions, so we're continuing that theme in this issue.

For our previous readers, you'll notice we're using a new format that we feel is easier to read and places more emphasis on the content itself.  Let us know what you think about this format by sending us a quick email to newsideas@scoreknox.org.

"I Need More Business"

Many small businesses have experienced decreased revenues and are looking for ways to reverse the trend.  Dave Kahle emphasizes an often overlooked strategy to accomplish this in Sales Are Down - What Do I do?

Cold Calling For New Business

In order to survive and grow, every business needs new customers. This means meeting prospects. Whether face-to-face or on the phone, this means making cold calls.  Let's face it: nobody really enjoys making cold calls.  But sparking a connection remains a crucial skill to have, and like any other skill, cold calling requires practice.  How To Improve Your Cold Calling Skills gives some advice on how to practice, acquire, and improve these skills.

You Need Leads To Get New Business

Increased sales starts with a thorough understanding of your market - who your ideal customers are, where they are, how to best reach them, and what it is you're promising them. Assuming you have a sound marketing plan Surefire Ways to Generate Leads provides guidance about what you can do right now to generate some solid, qualified leads.

Focus, Focus, Focus

The previous article mentioned "What it is you're promising them." This can be paraphrased as "What is the primary benefit you should be using to attract and keep customers?" You probably have also heard terms like "Competitive or Unique Advantage." Many businesses try to utilize a shotgun approach and wind up with a lot of "me-too" features. Jason Cohen of Smart Bear Software describes how to select one competitive advantage in Pick One And Own It!

SCORE Client on National TV Show

Last fall we told you about a new program on ABC television called "Shark Tank."  The premise for the program was for entrepreneurs to present their products and ideas to a panel of investors and convince them to invest in their firm.  One of the entrepreneurs selected to be on the program was Jill Qullen of Knoxville.  She has worked with several SCORE counselors during the past two years in developing her business and marketing plans.  Her segment aired in February, and resulted in 3 members of the panel investing in Jill's makeup product, Lipstix ReMix.  To learn more about her product, visit her website, Lipstix Remix.

Congratulations, Jill!

Upcoming Workshops

"So You Want To Be An Entrepreneur?"

Held on the following Saturdays: April 10, April 24, May 8, May 27

Sessions will be conducted at Office Suites Plus, 200 Prosperity Drive, Knoxville, from 10:00 to 11:30 AM.

Contact Knoxville SCORE office (865-692-0716) to register.

Space is limited, so call early!

__________________ 

Scott County

"So You Want To Be An Entrepreneur"

&

"Building a Business Plan"

What You Need to Know Before Starting Your Own Business and How To Plan For a Successful Business

Friday, April 16  from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM

Scott County Chamber of Commerce

12023 Scott Highway, Helenwood

Contact Stacy Kidd at (423) 663-6900 or 1-800-645-6905

_____________________

Roane County Chamber of Commerce Lunch and Learn Series

"How To Delight Your Customers"

Topics include The Value of Keeping Customers, What Are You Really Selling?, and What Are Your Customers Really Buying?

Tuesday, April 27, from Noon to 2:00 PM

Roane County Chamber Office, Kentucky Street in Kingston TN

Call 865-376-5572 to reserve your spot!

___________________________

"Getting Ahead At Work By Growing Your Value As An Employee"

A workshop series designed to help those who are in the workplace to be a more effective and valuable employee and consists of three 2 hour weekly sessions. A participant who attends all three sessions will get a letter of course completion from the Roane County Chamber of Commerce. Members of the Chamber are encouraged to register selected employees.

Tuesdays on These Dates:

June 8, June 15, and June 22, from 4:00 PM to 6 PM

Roane County Chamber Office, Kentucky Street in Kingston TN

Call 865-376-5572 to reserve your spot.

________________________ 

Claiborne County Workshop

"How To Negotiate Anything For Your Business"

A free workshop to help you get the best deals for your business.

Thursday April 29, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce

1732 N. Main Street, Tazewell TN

Call Zeka at 423-626-4149 to reserve your spot.

Visit And Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce

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

________________________________

We want to thank our sponsors.  Click on their logos to visit their web sites.

To send this newsletter to associates and other businesses, click the 'forward email' link in the bottom section.

To contact us to schedule a counseling session, please click here.

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, click here.

If you have an idea you'd like to share with us or a suggestion for future issues, click here.

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

TO VIEW PREVIOUS SCOREBOARD ISSUES
SEE ARCHIVES by clicking HERE