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Mentors Toolbox
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SCORE OKC has created this resource to provide quick access to tools you may need to support your clients. If there are additional tools/links you use that may be helpful to other mentors, contact your chapter chair, and he will be happy to add them to our tool box.

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Business Model Canvas

The Business Model Canvas PLUS is a unique 21st Century business management tool that takes the 9 building blocks of the BMC further.

View the Business Model

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One Page Business Plan

The One-Page Business Plan® will teach you how to simplify and make your planning process highly effective. You’ll learn:

  • Why the traditional business plan is dead...and why that is good news!
  • How the discipline of having a plan on a single page can significantly change your mindset and behavior!
  • How to write a complete business plan in the equivalent of 29 tweets (or less) on a single page using keywords and short phrases.
  • Three simple techniques for creating a first draft in 90 minutes.
  • Insider secrets on how to get others to polish and finalize your plan… at no cost!

View the Plan

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Business Plan Templates

Here is a link to SCORE templates for developing a client's business plan.

View the Templates

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SLATE: SCORE's Mentoring Methodology

SLATE is HOW SCORE successfully mentors their clients. It is our mentoring methodology that sets us apart from all other organizations. Using one mentoring methodology across the organization helps to ensure consistent and effective delivery of the mentoring messages. SLATE is based on extensive client research and a 50+ year history of delivering client success. For more information go to SCORE Training 005 Mentor Certification and view the SCORE Mentoring Methodology Module.

View the Article

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SCORE Operating Manual

The SCORE Operating Manual (SOM) contains organizational policies to help chapters and volunteers perform functions correctly and efficiently. It documents the approved standard processes which support SCORE services and the overall strategic plan.

View the Operating Manual

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Startup Roadmap - Mentor Guide

The Startup Roadmap outlines each step in starting a business with information and resources on the most difficult tasks. It also contains tips for working "With Your Mentor" on each topic.

View the Mentor Guide

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Engage Resource Toolkit

On this page you will find Engage toolkits for mentors, client intake coordinators, event managers, volunteer intake coordinators, chapter managers, and the Engage calendar.

View the Toolkits

SCORE Resource: Business Loans

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SCORE Resource:  Business Loans

Most of the clients coming to SCORE for help with a business loan will apply for a commercial loan from a local or online bank.  An SBA backed (or guaranteed) loan is another possibility.  The SBA does not make direct loans to businesses, but the SBA provides guarantees to lenders for the loans they make to business owners.

Loan Requirements

 In order to qualify for a business loan, a client must meet the criteria below.  If the client has a deficiency in any of these areas, the chances of qualifying are extremely low.

  1. Clients must have a good credit rating.  While the exact numbers may vary, depending on the bank, a good rule of thumb is that a client must have at least a 650 credit rating.  A stronger credit rating makes for a stronger loan application.
  2. Clients must have cash to put into the business.  Generally a lender wants 15-20% of the total loan amount to be provided by the client.  The more cash a client has to fund the business, the more likely they are to get a loan.  
  3. Clients must have a well written business plan.  Helping the client create a strong business plan is the most important service that a SCORE mentor can provide.  

The business plan must include a complete set of financial statements projected for three years.  The financial statements include a Profit and Loss statement, a Balance Sheet and a Cash flow statement. Lenders use these financial statements to determine the ability of the business owner to repay the loan so it is important for these statements to be complete and realistic. A link to these templates can be found on the SCORE Oklahoma City website (www.score.org/oklahomacity) under the heading: SCORE Chapter Members Only:  Mentors Toolbox.

  1. Clients need collateral to cover the full amount of the loan.  Collateral is additional security that assures the lender that the business owner has a secondary set of security for loan repayment. Collateral can be business assets (equipment, inventory, etc) or personal assets such as a home that is not part of the business assets.  

If you are working with a client who has a deficiency in any of the areas above, here are some strategies you can recommend so the client can work toward a stronger loan application.

  1. Contact the local consumer credit agency to get help with improving credit. Here is a link to the website: https://www.occf.org/cccsok/
  2. Work on building cash equity for the business. 
  3. Review our local podcast, “Business Insights”  interview with SCORE member and bank credit analyst, Chris Codding.. See link: Chris Codding Q
  4. Below are links to lender options:
    REI Oklahoma: https://www.reiok.org/programs/rei-business-lending/ 
    The SBA Lender Match program: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans 
  5. Link to the Startup Roadmap on the SCORE website: https://www.score.org/startup-roadmap
  6. SBA guaranteed loans may allow borrowers to pledge collateral less than the full loan amount as long as the borrower pledges all available collateral.
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318 NW 13th Street,
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Oklahoma City, OK 73103
(405) 768-3488 x101

Copyright © 2024 SCORE Association, SCORE.org

Funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

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