Consulting Services

The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers provide low-cost to no-cost consulting services to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Whether you need help identifying local markets for your business, are developing a business plan and want a second opinion, or have compliance issues you'd like to clarify, SBDC consultants are ready to help you grow your business.

Pennsylvania SBDC Consulting Services

Business success requires both sufficient capital and the knowledge to use it wisely. SBDC consultants help entrepreneurs develop the planning, management, and financial skills necessary to make their business thrive.

The SBDC’s one-on-one management consulting emphasizes education and guidance in finding practical solutions to business problems. Consulting is confidential and provided at no charge by a staff of skilled professionals. Services cover a range of topics relevant to small business owners including:

Accounting
Bookkeeping
Business Plan Development
Capital Acquisition
Computing Applications
Customer Service
e-Commerce
Energy Efficiency
Environmental Management Issues
Feasibility Analysis
Financing and Loan Packaging
Financial Analysis
Franchising
Government Marketing
Home-based Business
Human Resources
International Trade
Legal Issues

Management
Manufacturing
Marketing and Advertising
Market Research
Minority Business Development
Product Development/Engineering
Public Relations
Personnel
Product Development/Engineering
Public Relations
Retailing
Regulatory Assistance
Strategic Planning
Taxes
Technology Commercialization
Women’s Business Issues
Worker Health and Safety Issues

In-Depth Services

	Environmental Management Assistance Environmental consultants offer confidential compliance assistance with environmental and health and safety regulations, onsite assessments to look for opportunities to cut costs through pollution prevention and energy efficiency, and assistance developing and marketing environmental technology. More information about the Environmental Management Assistance Program may be found at www.askemap.org.
	Procurement Technical Assistance To help companies sell to federal, state, local and quasi-government agencies, the Kutztown, Lehigh, Temple and Widener Small Business Development Centers provide procurement technical assistance to businesses located in southeastern Pennsylvania. Services include a computerized bid lead program as well as assistance with marketing products and services to government agencies, proposal preparation and contract compliance. Firms in other areas may contact their local SBDC for help.
	Technology Commercialization Assistance Technology consultants assist high growth and technology firms with sophisticated business management issues including alternative financing, human resources, patents and trade marking, intellectual property, and product commercialization. Cooperating with their host institutions, consultants also help struggling U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) contractors locate markets outside of the DOD. In addition, Engineering Development Services provided by the Bucknell University Small Business Development Center helps entrepreneurs bring products to market by offering services early in the development cycle.
	International Business Assistance To help companies export Pennsylvania products and services, International Business consultants help companies in assessing their company’s trade readiness; evaluating their products or services for export potential; identifying the best foreign market opportunities; developing strategic and marketing plans; identifying foreign sales agents and distributors; planning market entry strategies; explaining international trade procedures and regulations; providing information on technical standards and export/import documentation; determining sources of trade financing and risk management; identifying trade mission and trade show opportunities; and determining import restriction, duties and tariffs.