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SCORE Participates in EDC Seminar |
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Written by George Ahearn
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Wednesday, 17 March 2010 21:39 |
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The Economic Development Council of Collier County is presenting a business seminar focusing on Financing Your Business in Today’s Economy, it will be held Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Naples Daily News Community Room located at 1200 Immokalee Road.
There are a number of financing options available for qualified companies. A team of experts have been assembled to review these options and determine if a company meets the criteria to participate. Representatives from SCORE will be present to counsel CEOs and business owners who might need additional assistance or make appointments for further support.
The team of experts includes Tim Cartwright, Gulf Coast Venture Forum, to discuss venture capital; J.J. Miranda, Fifth Third Bank, to present loans available through the Small Business Administration; Don Pickworth, P.A., to provide a synopsis of the Recovery Bonds Program and revenue bond financing available through the Industrial Development Authority; and Duane Lewis, BBIF, to explain the Economic Gardening Loan Program for second stage growth companies.
Space is limited; so please register in advance by calling the EDC at 239-263-8989 ext. 105 or contact
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. The cost for EDC investors is $15.00 and non-investors $20.00. |
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LOYALTY MANAGEMENT-HOW MUCH ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS WORTH? |
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Written by Frank Friend
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Monday, 08 March 2010 09:46 |
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Part 2 of a 3 Part Series
QUESTION: I operate a local service business. What must I do to create a lasting bond with my customers and others with whom I do business?
ANSWER: In part 1 of this series we stressed that “loyal” and “satisfied” “customers are not synonymous terms. The worth of a customer is determined by a metric called Customer Lifetime Value (CLV), which is the net margin generated by the customer over the lifetime of the customer’s relationship with your company. Several factors influence the CLV, two key ones being the length of the relationship (retention) and the number of new customers referred by the customer.
Loyal customers are retained longer and refer more new customers than the average customer. For example, if the yearly sales to the average customer are $2,000 with a margin of 40%, and he/she is retained for 3 years and refers one new customer each year, the CLV would be $4,800. However, if the “loyal” customer is retained for 6 years and refers 2 new customers per year, the CLV increases to $14,400. This is a much simplified example used to illustrate the scale of difference between the average and loyal customer. A free detailed 20 page PDF on this subject can be obtained by emailing
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Uncle Sam may owe YOU money! Here is How to Claim It. |
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Written by Peggy Maltarich
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Wednesday, 03 March 2010 12:55 |
Unclaimed refunds totaling more than $1.3 billion are awaiting nearly 1.4 million people who did not file a federal income tax return for 2006, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, to collect the money, a return for 2006 must be filed with the IRS no later than Thursday, April 15, 2010.
In Florida there are 101,700 taxpayers who are owed $11,070,900 of refunds that have gone unclaimed. If some of that money is yours, here is how to claim it.
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LOYALTY MANAGEMENT – A BETTER WAY |
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Written by Frank Friend
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Thursday, 18 February 2010 15:39 |
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Part I of a III part series
Question: I operate a local service business. I try to be competitive and do the right thing for my customers but, in spite of my efforts, some choose to leave because of price or other considerations. What must I do to create a lasting bond with my customer?
Answer: Loyalty Management uniquely combines “the right thing to do” with “the profitable thing to do”. It states that a company is more likely to prosper when it forges loyalty based relationships with its customers, investors, suppliers, and employees. The ultimate objective of Loyalty Management is to increase the number of loyal customers.
Compared to satisfied customers, loyal customers stay longer with the company, refer more potential customers, buy more, are more forgiving of mistakes and are less likely to be attracted by a competitor’s offer.
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So You Want to be an Entrepreneur-Let's Check Your Idea |
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Written by Frank Friend
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Sunday, 07 March 2010 18:38 |
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Daniel Isenberg a Professor of Management Practice at Babson College has prepared a list of 17 questions to help you test your big idea – does it have “legs” or doesn’t it? – Let’s find out.
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Something New is Coming From SCORE in May |
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Written by George Ahearn
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Thursday, 18 February 2010 17:56 |
The New QuickSTART Series is HERE
Your Naples SCORE Chapter has been selected by the National SCORE organization to kick-off a new workshop series using an integrative and interactive approach to developing a business plan and bringing you to a go-no go decision for your business concept.
We will tell you all about it in a new and free Start Up Basics workshop to be held twice in April on the 17th and the 22nd and introduce you to the new QuickSTART Workshop Series. The series will be held in May on four consecutive Saturdays for a cost of $35 each. You get a 25+% discount for attending all four workshops at a total cost of only $100, which we highly recommend.
So register to attend one of the free Start Up Basics workshops in April now and find out all about QuickSTART. Call our office at 239-430-0081 or register on line at: www.scorenaples.org.
Saturday, April 17th at 9:00 – 11:30 AM – The Greater Naples Chamber Bldg.
Thursday, April 22nd at 5:30 – 8:00 PM – Naples Main Library @ 2385 Orange Blossom Dr. |
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DOING BUSINESS WITH THE GOVERNMENT |
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Written by Gray Poehler
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Monday, 08 February 2010 22:38 |
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QUESTION: I own a small contracting firm and want to participate in some of the infrastructure projects the Obama administration is funding. Where can I find information on this subject?
Donald W., Golden Gate
ANSWER: Federal, State and local governments offer many business opportunities to small businesses. Selling to the Federal Government can provide significant revenues, and the process is not as complicated as you may think. A good place to start is to visit The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) web site. It will help you understand the basics of selling to the government.
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...Your Business will involve many decisions, each one bringing you a step closer to the day it is up and running and making money. SCORE will counsel you on those decisions or point you toward the state and local offices and agencies that are best suited to help.
...Your Business begins with a dream but realizing it takes hard work. There will be setbacks, but as an entrepreneur you must persevere and devote time and money to make that dream a reality. You will need a map or plan, one that is clear, flexible and measurable and SCORE counselors can help you with it at no cost.
