Reaching Out and In

Friends know that I volunteer with SCORE to mentor entrepreneurs in starting their own businesses. I also help with existing small businesses deal with challenges that may be their death knell. This is exciting and rewarding work.

My specialty over the decades has been in the nonprofit sector – schools, co-ops, mutual firms, universities, churches and credit unions. I’ve even helped small medical offices run more efficiently and profitably.

In this time of COVID it doesn’t take any imagination to know what small businesses are going through. A lot of small businesses are retail shops. Some are information and service operations. The latter is salvageable with applications of technology, especially telecommunications. Retail shops, however, have a different problem. Still, they can convert their stores to virtual ‘stores’ and conduct business on-line. Liberal return policies are a must to overcome customer reluctance to buy something sight unseen. Don’t forget, buying untouched. The latter is often the clincher for a sale. I have to see something and feel it before buying it.

OK, small businesses are hurting right now. When COVID distancing went into effect early on, business came to a halt for most. Customer behaviors changed radically. Many businesses saw their sales drop to zero. So, why would anyone want to start a new business in this operating environment?

You’d be surprised. Many people have yearned to own their own business. COVID shutdown provided the free time to rethink these options. Research was done. Focused work streamlined operating plans and product and service offerings. Entrepreneurs were re-inventing themselves and coming up with solutions.

That’s when SCORE’s phones and computer applications came alive. Clients came out of the woodwork seeking help on starting a new business or re-starting an old business with a fresh approach.

An example: we offered a roundtable discussion on Zoom. Topic: how to find funding for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. We expected 8 to 12 registrations. We received 150. We pivoted and offered the same program as a webinar. 78 students actually enrolled for the session. We ran for 90 minutes and took many questions via the Zoom chat feature. Afterwards we fielded many emails from attendees. And then the client requests began a fresh surge.

The point of this is: people are inventing their futures. They are not sitting idly exploring couch potato status. Books have been read. Naps have been taken. Weight has been gained. But now? Now is the time to get busy and pick up a fresh mission.

Get out of the way! The sleeping giant awakes.

August 22, 2020