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One Is An Empire:
Forget the hiring headaches, managing problems, and added paperwork of running a business with employees. The Census Bureau reports small business without payroll makes up more than 70 percent of America's 27 million companies, with annual sales of $887 billion.

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A Small Business Revolution:
The face of entrepreneurship is changing from the white middle-aged college educated male to a new class consisting of immigrants, women, baby boomers, and the younger digital generation. These groups are better prepared for success.

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ASK SCORE Library of Small Business Information

Running a small business requires a focus on daily operations, i.e. a focus on the present.  Sometimes planning ahead seems like the least likely task to undertake.  Though, in order to succeed you need to know what lies ahead so that you can better avert possible pitfalls.  Today's business climate presents plenty of challenges that could impact your small business in the future. But you're not the only one to have walked the challenging tightrope!  Others have gone before you; others will follow you.

This section of the Northern Illinois SCORE site contains many questions that others have asked when they began their business venture, and many answers that SCORE volunteers have provided to those questions.  Use those questions and answers as stepping stones to your success.

In the "mix" of topics to address when establishing a small business, some things are "old" and some things are "new".  Change is inevitable; but some things never change!

Examples of topics that seem like they never change, or the need for executing them doesn't change much:

  • the need for business planning
  • the need for a written business plan
  • the need for sound accounting and tax planning strategies
  • the need to know and understand your target market(s)
  • the need for a clear mission statement
  • finding good employees
  • and many, many more

Examples of topics that have radically changed in the last part of the 20th century, and first part of the 21st century:

  • the application of "Just In Time" principles
  • the need for solid cash management skills
  • challenging and motivating employees
  • the role the Internet plays in your business
  • communicating and connecting with your suppliers and business partners
  • keeping abreast of technology
  • communicating and engaging with your customers
  • providing great customer service

In  the world of product development, it is often said that "the pioneers are the ones with the arrows in their backs".  Those who are 2nd or 3rd often learn from the trials of the pioneers.  Or at least they should have.

SCORE hopes you find the Ask SCORE pages useful.  Click on the major categories below to access each section of articles.  If there is topic you would like added, feel free to let us know using the Contact Us page.

"Ask SCORE Small Business Article Categories"
Business Operations & Accounting Business Start-Up, Planning, and Investor Funding Human Resources
Marketing & Sales Internet Marketing, Social Media, and Web Site Other
In the EIGERLab 605 Fulton Ave. Rockford, IL 61103 Office: 815-962-0122 FAX: 815-962-0122  Email: info@NorthernIllinoisSCORE.org
At Belvidere Chamber of Commerce 130 So. State Street, Suite 300 Belvidere, IL 61008 Phone: 815-544-4357 FAX: 815-962-0122 
Copyright Symbol2009-2010 SCORE Chapter 574 SpacerLast Updated February 19, 2010