BUSINESS CAN 'SCORE' SUCCESS

Some of the nation's small businesses have scored success partly on the advice of volunteer business counselors.

The counselors are part of a group called SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives.

The 13,000-member volunteer association is sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Since its inception in 1964, the organization has given free counseling to more than 3.5 million Americans.

Most SCORE volunteers are retired business owners and executives, although some members still work.

Jim Buckenmyer, a business management professor at Southeast Missouri State University, volunteers his time and expertise to help small businesses.

He is one of five SCORE business counselors in Southeast Missouri.

Buckenmyer is vice-chairman of the SCORE chapter, which is based in Poplar Bluff.

Nationwide, there are 388 SCORE chapters that offer assistance in almost 800 sites throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

Volunteers provide management counseling to small-business owners and first-time entrepreneurs.

They meet with clients at a SCORE chapter office, an SBA office or at the client's place of business.

The Southeast chapter annually counsels about 50 potential business owners in the region.

Buckenmyer said the Southeast chapter wants to expand the number of volunteer counselors and client businesses.

"Basically, this is an opportunity for a retired businessman to keep involved and share their knowledge," he said.

Despite its track record, the Southeast Missouri chapter of SCORE isn't well known to many in the business community.

"We don't publicize ourselves enough," Buckenmyer said.

The counselors with the Poplar Bluff chapter meet monthly in Dexter.

Business people approach the counselors directly or are referred to them by SCORE's St. Louis office.

Poplar Bluff resident James Carson, a retired public-service agency supervisor, does most of the counseling.

Carson, who retired in 1995, has been counseling businesses for 29 years.

He said the effort is worth it. "I realize that business is the backbone of the whole community. As business goes, so goes society," said Carson.

Buckenmyer said he enjoys helping people succeed in the business world.

He said that helping somebody get over the hump is a rewarding experience.

SCORE volunteers aid a variety of business ventures, ranging from service firms to manufacturing operations.

Buckenmyer said most of their clients fall into one of two categories: Those that are establishing new businesses and need help in setting up business plans and businessmen whose firms are experiencing financial problems.

In addition to counseling, SCORE also can aid clients in securing Small Business Administration guaranteed loans to expand existing businesses or start new ones.

Buckenmyer said a little advice can help new entrepreneurs succeed with their business ventures or in some cases convince people not to start a business.

People who want to start new businesses may not know how to market the product or service. "We guide the people through it," Buckenmyer said.

Succeeding in small business isn't easy. Some 80 percent of new small businesses fail within five years, but with smart planning, the success rate improves dramatically, the business professor said. "If they do a business plan, the survival rate is 80 percent."

A businessman typically can't get a bank loan today without a business plan, Buckenmyer said.

He has some advice for business people: Don't be afraid to ask for help and seek advice from business counselors sooner.

SCORE Card

Facts about small businesses in the United States

Of 23.3 million small businesses:

8 million are owned by women

Nearly 772,000 are owned by Hispanics

Nearly 621,000 are owned by blacks

Small businesses:

Employ 53 percent of the private work force

Provide 47 percent of sales

Create 55 percent of innovations

Generate 51 percent of private sector output