SBA Launches New Online Training Course: "How to Win Federal Contracts"

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration today launched a new online training course to help strengthen access to contracting opportunities for small businesses, including those owned by women, minorities, disadvantaged individuals and veterans.

The training course, "Recovery Act Opportunities: How to Win Federal Contracts," is part of a federal government-wide initiative announced last month by President Obama and being led by SBA and the Department of Commerce.

"Government contracts can play a key role in helping small businesses turn the corner in terms of expansion and job creation," SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills said. "But make no mistake, the benefits the government receives are equally as impressive � working with small businesses allows the federal government to work with some of the most innovative companies in America, often with direct contact with the CEO."

"The SBA online training course can help businesses access the federal purchasing system and position themselves to compete for the commercial opportunities offered by government contracting," Mills continued.

In announcing the government-wide initiative, President Obama reiterated his Administration's commitment to providing "our Nation's small businesses with maximum practicable opportunity to participate in federal government contracting." As part of the initiative, federal agency procurement officers are participating in more than 200 events over the next several weeks to help connect small businesses with contracting opportunities. Additionally, SBA and Commerce are expanding their outreach to contracting officials across the federal government to ensure they have the tools to meet their annual contracting goals and increase opportunities to small businesses, including those owned by veterans, women and minorities, as well as those in designated HUBZones.

As part of the outreach to small businesses, the comprehensive online course uses both audio and script to provide information about the federal marketplace, contract rules and, most importantly, how to sell to the government and where to find contract and Recovery Act opportunities. The new training portal is a free online training course designed to assist entrepreneurs during this period of economic recovery. This self-paced, instructional guide provides an overview of the federal procurement process.

The Recovery Act Opportunities course is available on SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov or directly at www.sba.gov/fedcontractingtraining. The course is indexed by subject matter to allow ease of use, and it includes multiple direct links to additional contracting resources.

The Recovery Act Opportunities course includes direct links that highlight the best contracting resources and engages small business owners in the contracting process. The course also includes practical and fundamental steps to engage business owners in the federal contracting arena.

It is one of more than 24 online tutorials offered by the SBA, and is available 24/7.

For more information please visit www.sba.gov.

Greater Princeton Area SCORE Launches a Monthly Hands-On Quickbooks Workshop in July

Starting on July 17, Oria Gonzales, a Senior SCORE Counselor and QuickBooks expert will be conducting a Free, hands-on workshop on the third Friday of every month to people who want to learn how to use QuickBooks more effectively. These workshops are being offered on a first come, first serve basis, and will be limited to only four attendees at each two hour session, so that each participant will be able to get the personal and individual attention they need. This workshop will be helpful both existing business owners and start-ups. To reserve a seat, call 609-393-0505 or e-mail .

SBA Launches New 100% Guarantee ARC Loan Program to help struggling small businesses

Small businesses suffering financial hardship as a result of the slow economy may be eligible to receive temporary relief to keep their doors open and get their cash flow back on track through a new loan program. Effective June 15, 2009, the SBA will guarantee ARC loans of up to $35,000 to established, viable, for profit, small businesses that need short term help to make their principle and interest payments, on existing qualifying debt. ARC loans are interest free to the borrower, 100% guaranteed by the SBA, and have no SBA fees associated with them. For more information, visit the SBA site at www.sba.gov.

Greater Princeton Area SCORE Small Business Fair a smashing Success

Our Small Business Fair attracted more than 500 small business owners and emerging entrepreneurs who wanted to start a business on April 4, 2009, at the Princeton Public Library. The twenty two exhibitors at the Fair provided helpful information, tools, and advice for attendees during these troubled economic times. Gauging from the enthusiastic response and attendance at this year�s Fair, a first for our chapter, we are planning with the Library to have another one next year on Saturday, April 10, 2010.

Greater Princeton Area SCORE presents first Award for Excellence to Catherine Harper of the Princeton Public Library

This annual award will be given to an individual in the greater Princeton area who has made substantial contributions to the small business community and the Greater Princeton Area SCORE Chapter 631, as determined by the Chapter�s Executive Board. Lou DeLauro, Chapter Chair and President, announced the decision to give this award to Catherine Harper, saying �There were more than a dozen possible recipients for this award, but our Executive Board determined that she was most deserving. She not only provides ongoing services to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners and executives at the Library, but has been instrumental to our Chapter�s use of the Library for SCORE Counseling, Seminars, Workshops, Meetings, Training, and Small Business Fair.�

SCORE Association Reaches Milestone—8 Million Clients Served
as more entrepreneurs continue to seek business counseling and coaching during this severe economic crisis.

Washington, DC— SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” recently helped its 8 millionth client by offering business expertise and training to help small businesses succeed. SCORE offers in-person and online counseling and chapter workshops that help aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners plan for the success of their business. SCORE, a non-profit resource partner of the SBA has more than 11,000 volunteer counselors and about 389 chapters across the nation.

Both start-up and existing businesses call on SCORE as a sounding board for information and advice. Recently, SCORE provided nearly half a million total services, including:

• More than 220,000 face-to-face counseling sessions
• More than 100,000 online counseling sessions
• More than 135,000 attendees at nearly 7,000 workshops

The Greater Princeton Area SCORE Chapter served approximately 2500 clients last year. A 44% increase over the previous year. This FY 2009 is running 51% YTD over last year, from October 1, 2008 through the current period.

Lou DeLauro, president and chair of the local SCORE chapter in the greater Princeton area which includes all of Mercer County and the southern parts of Middlesex County, says “We have over 40 experienced and talented volunteer business executives, small business owners, and professionals who are enthusiastic about working with local entrepreneurs to help them start and/or improve the performance of their business—at no cost to the local business person.”

DeLauro adds, “SCORE counseling is confidential and offered to entrepreneurs at no charge. The seasoned volunteers who offer their business expertise are working and retired small business owners and corporate executives. Our Chapter also provides seminars and workshops each year for entrepreneurs, and admission is Free.”

Also, he announced that “his chapter will be hosting a Small Business Fair, partnering with the Princeton Library, bringing together many of the key governmental, community organizations, lenders, and for-profit businesses which are dedicated to helping the small business community in Middlesex and Mercer Counties.” For additional information about the Fair, go back to home page for “Small Business Fair.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment with SCORE counselors, call the Princeton Chapter at 609-393-0505 or send an email to .

“In these difficult economic times we’re seeing more clients whose businesses are struggling to survive, or people who have lost their jobs who are thinking of opening their own business” says Lou DeLauro, Chapter Chair and President of the Greater Princeton Area SCORE Chapter. “Fortunately, we’re in a position to help them succeed, and that’s what gives our talented volunteers the most satisfaction.“

A new business can use the most advanced technology available, but without fundamental business sense, today�s entrepreneur may struggle to stay in operation tomorrow. Starting a business requires planning. Starting a successful business, however, requires much more. Successful entrepreneurs understand that the learning curve is steep and take advantage of SCORE�s free small business counseling and low-cost educational training workshops.

According to a study by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, at any given time, 10 million Americans are thinking about starting a business. Entrepreneurs who succeed in turning their dream into reality understand that information is power. They seek help and advice from SCORE�s business professionals, who have time-tested knowledge and expertise. These counselors bring vast experience from owning their own businesses, to managing Fortune 500 corporations, to serving as managers in manufacturing or service companies.

Starting a new business can be time-consuming, overwhelming and a serious gamble. Learning from the experience of others is a smart way to avoid making critical mistakes. And, asking for help is the surest way to correct a problem before it grows. SCORE �Counselors to America�s Small Business� can be your guide along the path to business success. SCORE works by matching business management counselors with current and prospective small business owners in need of expert advice. With more than 11000 working or retired volunteers in 389 chapters nationwide, SCORE has experts in virtually every area of business management. SCORE counselors are ready to assist small business owners or aspiring entrepreneur with business plans, loan applications, marketing tactics and more. All counseling services are free and confidential.

On the national and local level, SCORE supports small business success. SCORE counselors work with entrepreneurs to streamline operations and develop contingency plans to face the potential challenges of reduced cash flows. Across the country, SCORE plays a crucial role in helping small businesses thrive. SCORE �Counselors to America�s Small Business� is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small businesses nationwide. SCORE provides free information and online counseling on the SCORE Small Business Web Site at www.score.org. In addition, call 1-800-634-0245 and request a free brochure, “Make SCORE Your Best Business Decision.”

Finally, if you’re from Mercer or Middlesex County, call SCORE in the Princeton area at 609-393-0505 to make an appointment to meet with your business counselor and coach.