• Accounting & Bookkeeping
• Business Plan Development
• Business Structure
• Cash Flow Projections
• Commercialization
• Customer Service & Satisfaction
• E-Commerce
• Feasibility Analysis
• Financial Analysis
• Government Contracting
• Human Resources
• Inventions
• Loan Packaging
• Management Issues
• Marketing & Advertising Plans
• Market Research
• New Venture Analysis
• Organizational Development
• Regulatory Assistance
• Start-Up Options
• Tax Issues

Click one of the following for valuable assistance:

Business Consulting
Technology Connections
TechHelp™
Research & Development Money
Starting Up- Business Information Center
SCORE

Consulting is available to individuals or businesses in two areas:

1. Preliminary review to assess specific needs.

2. Professional assistance in areas such as business planning, marketing and advertising, management and finance.

ISBDC capabilities include a wide range of services. Professional staff, higher education faculty, private sector professionals and students are available to help you with your specialized business needs.

• Business Plan

• Marketing Plan

• Advertising Plan

• Cost Analysis

• Cash Flow Projections

• Loan Assistance Information

• Market Research

• Organizational Development

• Purchase or Sale of Business

• New Venture Analysis

If your North Central Idaho business needs to use these or any number of other consulting, training or research assistance programs, contact the ISBDC office nearest you or call 792-2465 for assistance.

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... to experts in government, academic & private research centers:
Through our affiliation with NASA's Far West RTTC we can obtain referrals to experts in virtually any field of interest. We also have connections with the universities in-state, directories of research center specialties, etc.

...to local consultants or practitioners:
ISBDC has experience with specialists in many fields and maintains references to others. We can usually help solve problems through networking.

... to tap specialized databases:
Again, as NASA's Idaho affiliate, we have access to nearly a thousand databases -- everything from A to Z: agriculture to economics to health care to science to zoology... And more.

...for low-cost problem solving by federal lab personnel:
Your ISBDC has done the hard part of contracting with Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Laboratory on behalf of small businesses to receive up to 40 hours of scientist/engineer time, analysis, advice, and perhaps incidental equipment to resolve a specific defined problem that can't reasonably be addressed by the private sector. Currently there is no charge for this service. Other labs with different specialties, like Jet Propulsion Lab, Pacific Northwest Lab, Sandia, Los Alamos, etc., are also accessible.

...for long-term or project-oriented partnerships:
Most federal labs and research centers are eager for private sector partners to commercialize existing technology, license patents or develop new technologies. We can help with technology matching and introductions. Ask.

...for innovation assessment and coaching to commercialization:
With experience, consultants, and the backing of NASA and other federal labs, your ISBDC Technology Connection can likely assist in getting worthy projects to market. 

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TechHelp™ is a resource for small to medium size manufacturers in Idaho. We are a part of the network of Small Business Development Centers with field engineers located in three offices around the state. Though the public name may vary from state to state, TechHelp™ is part of a network of Manufacturing Extension Partnerships that team federal support with state and local organizations to help manufacturers become more competitive. 

Each local office works directly with client firms to address their needs in areas such as: production techniques, technology application, workforce training and in many cases, improving their business practices. You can contact our offices from anywhere in the state at 1-888-IDTEKHLP. Visit our website http://www.techhelp.org for more information.

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General Comments
Because of the high risk, private capital is hard to find for taking an idea through the development stages and into the marketplace. To find non-government sources, success depends on obvious merit in the idea, evidence of extensive pre-venture effort and commitment and the persuasiveness of the presentation of the idea. Even with apparent strength in all three of these areas, VERY FEW individuals (except family and friends) will be willing to leave you in control and just take the financial risk until development is well along. Large foundations and government sources are more likely to invest in your ideas that are in the public's interest and that have demonstrable merit -- IF you can persuade those who hold the purse strings.

Foundation Grants
We know of no better way to search for foundation grant money than through your public librarian. Some libraries have built substantial grant resource sections with knowledgeable librarians to help. Specialists in grant application writing present a five-day workshop in Lewiston for a fee.

Small Business Innovation Research
This provides federal money for research and development that is in the nation's best interest or leads to a vital product that the government wants to buy.

ERIP, INNCON, NICE3, TRP
These are other federal programs currently funding innovation, including:

• The Energy Related Inventions Program (ERIP), by U.S. Department of Energy, for energy conservation projects.

• The Innovative Concepts (InnCon) Program, by DOE, for energy efficiency or renewable energy projects.

• National Industrial Competitiveness through Energy, Environment, and Economics (NICE3), sponsored by DOE and EPA, for state and industry partnerships for projects that develop and demonstrate advances in energy efficiency and clean production technologies.

• Technology Reinvestment Project (TRP); nine (9) agencies participate; intended to help defense-dependent firms become dual-use: defense and commercial.

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The Business Information Center is uniquely designed to guide the small business owner or manager in the research and preparation of a workable business plan, the key component to small business success. The "one stop center" provides small business planning tools combined with free one-on-one counseling. 
          The full-service center offers computer technology and counseling from Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) volunteers and practicing executives who share their knowledge and expertise with the client. The center's resources include a reference library, video center, and computer hardware and software designed specifically for small business.

GATHER the facts you need
Discover a wealth of "how to" publications in our Research Library. The center's library offers a variety of publications to assist you with the development of sound business management concepts. Learn about everything from business planning and marketing to operations and financial analysis. The Center is linked to community and resource partners, available to assist you with your research needs.

LOOK & LISTEN for valuable business tips
For fun and informative business training, try our video center. Choose from a wide selection of self-help videos on business information - including exporting, business planning, marketing, promotion, customer service, and more.

RESEARCH with CD ROM Technology
Use our computers, featuring the latest in CD ROM technology, to tap into thousands of pages of documents. It's easy to find valuable information from the Dun & Bradstreet Information Services and the U.S. Bureau of the Census, including demographics, marketing and statistical data.

LEARN from the experts
Gain advantage through free business counseling provided by the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). Business executives volunteer their time to share their management and technical expertise with prospective owners and managers of small businesses. Every effort is made to match a client's need with a counselor experienced in that line of business. The free counseling is available by appointment.

ACCESS to "friendly" computers
Access a variety of computer software programs designed to assist you in the development and management of your small business. Individual computer stations provide template applications for the start-up business and existing business development needs. These applications feature Microsoft Works software, and provides word processing, spreadsheet and data base functionality.

          The Business Information Center is operated jointly by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), and the Boise Area Chamber of Commerce. The Center is a distinctive resource that offers a reference library, a computer and video center, and knowledgeable volunteer business counselors all in one location:

Business Information Center
1020 West Riverside Avenue
Spokane, WA 99201

The Center's services are FREE 
and available from 
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Call (509) 353-2800 for more details.

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SCORE is a 13,000 member volunteer program, sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The program matches volunteers with small businesses that need expert advice. These men and women business executives, whose collective experience spans the full range of American enterprise, share their management and technical expertise with present and prospective owners/managers of businesses.

          Most SCORE volunteers are retired; however, full-time, employed executives are also eligible for membership. About 20 percent of SCORE's membership are still employed.

          Helping American small businesses prosper has been SCORE's goal since the program began in 1964. SCORE volunteers are members of 390 locally organized, self-administered chapters offering services in more than 800 locations throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

          They work in or near their home communities to provide management counseling and training to small businesses and to those considering going into business. Every effort is made to match a client's needs with a counselor experienced in a comparable line of business. SCORE counseling is provided without charge; there is a nominal fee for training programs.

Assistance Offered
          Through in-depth counseling and training, SCORE volunteers help business owners and managers identify basic management problems, determine the causes and become better managers. SCORE counseling also can help successful firms review their distribution channels, evaluate expansion, modify products and meet other business challenges.

          Management counseling takes place either at a client's business, at an SBA field office or a SCORE chapter location. Counselors analyze each business and its problems and offer suggestions, ways and means whereby a client can successfully correct problems or institute changes to his or her business.

          SCORE also offers pr-business workshops as well as a variety of other workshops nationwide to present and prospective small business entrepreneurs. These workshops take place in local communities and provide a general overview of what it takes to start a business.

Eligibility
          Almost any small independent business not dominant in its field can get help from SCORE. The approach is confidential and person-to-person. Business clients don't need to have an SBA loan to participate. In fact, they don't even need to have a business. Consultation and counseling before a business startup is an important part of the service.

          To make an appointment with a SCORE representative nearest you, call your nearest SBA office at(208)792-2465.

Additional Information
          The SBA has a number of programs and services available. They include training and educational programs, advisory services, publications, financial programs and contract assistance. The agency also offers specialized programs for women business owners, minorities, veterans, international trade and rural development.

          The SBA has offices located around the country. For the one nearest you, consult the telephone directory under U.S. Government, or call the Small Business Answer Desk at 1-800-8-ASK-SBA or send a FAX to (202)205-7064. For the hearing impaired, the TDD number is (202)205-7333.

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