Small Business Trends

Washington, DC (November 3, 2008) – SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” has created a free 24-page workbook, 10 Simple Steps to Finding Customersand Delivering the Goods, presented by The UPS Store. This valuable resource will help small businesses with marketing outreach and order fulfillment.

The guide covers some of the most important aspects of customer relations and satisfaction, including:

Defining your target market
Building your brand identity
Creating your marketing strategy
Building a Web site & using the Internet
Fulfilling orders & handling shipping

10 Simple Steps to Finding Customersand Delivering the Goods is free and available at SCORE’s 389 office locations nationwide. Find the nearest SCORE office using your ZIP code or city and state at www.score.org/findscore.

SCORE CEO Ken Yancey says, “SCORE mentors can help small businesses with a variety of marketing, management, finance and technology issues, especially during an economic downturn.” Yancey adds, “This new workbook will help give small business owners the tools and resources they need to reach new markets and satisfy their customers so their businesses stay strong.”

“As small business owners themselves, our franchisees understand the challenges and opportunities of running a business,” says Stuart Mathis, president of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., a UPS company, and franchisor of The UPS Store. “Franchisees use their experiences to ease the struggles and stresses of their small business customers, often becoming an extension of their customers’ personal staff,” adds Mathis.

With more than 4,300 locations nationwide, The UPS Store network offers convenience and expertise in shipping and business services, including: full-service packing and shipping through UPS and other carriers; mailbox services; black-and-white and color duplications; finishing services; office/packaging supplies; and notary services. For more information, visit www.theupsstore.com.

Since 1964, SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” has helped more than 8 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling and business workshops. More than 10,500 volunteer business counselors in 389 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneur education dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small businesses.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, call for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Visit SCORE on the Web at www.score.org and www.score.org/women.