The Small Biz Consultant

There are many different resources available for small businesses, both online and off. These can be inexpensive or very costly and cover a vast array of services. Business advice, available in the form of daily newsletters, cooperative marketing solutions, business plans, and loans through the SBA, are all available to the entrepreneur and new businesses. The Small Business Administration was created in 1953 by the Federal Government to assist and protect small businesses in their endeavors to succeed.

The Small Business Administration offers most of these services under one umbrella. The one service that an entrepreneur will probably find the most helpful is the free online training through the Small Business Training Network. Online education is offered in starting a business. You can find information on business planning and writing a business plan, business management, finance and accounting, advertising and marketing, e-commerce and website building, international trade and retirement planning. Each course generally takes about 30 minutes to complete and is self-paced. For small businesses that are just starting out, the knowledge offered by these courses is a necessity.

Loans and grants are available for small businesses and can be researched on the Small Business Administration website, located at http://www.sba.gov. In addition to a knowledge library, users will find a planner that allows them to plan everything from their startup, to their day to day operation, and even to their exit, regardless of whether they are selling out or retiring. There are also links to sites that can assist the small business owner in selecting software for their new company, information about international trade and government contracts, making healthcare choices, choosing a payroll and tax service, and form development. Networking and advertising advice is also available. There is a link to a chat room, which offers real time advice for those in need of immediate assistance.

When seeking advice, research should be done about possible sources before choosing a consultant to ensure that they are reputable and trustworthy. For small businesses, a bad decision made because of bad advice can be devastating, even lethal. There are many individuals, and even some businesses that will take advantage of new and inexperienced business owners, yet most entrepreneurs do not have enough experience to recognize this. Dealing exclusively with organizations, such as the Small Business Administration, will minimize that risk and ensure that advice received is good advice.