All Courses

Who is this course for? Open to all

This is the first module on our Mentoring Skills Track. Listening is a process that involves receiving, interpreting, and responding to messages-both verbal and nonverbal. It is a cornerstone of communication. Over the course of this module, you will explore how listening and asking powerful questions can transform effective communication at all levels and create more successful Mentor-Client relationships.

This module includes a facilitator’s guide to conduct a group viewing and discussion of the SCORE 101 Powerful Listening and Questioning module. The document can be accessed on the Course Material Page. 

Who is this course for? Open to all

This module explores the meaning of facilitation in multiple contexts. Upon completion of this module, you will be able to identify the qualities of effective facilitators, and learn the steps and techniques for facilitating in a variety of scenarios relevant to successful Volunteer-Client relationships.

Who is this course for? Open to all

Respecting Diversity at SCORE walks volunteers through 3 reenactments of actual events that occurred at SCORE. The video shows you what should and shouldn’t happen; and offers tactics to ensure you provide a welcoming environment for all clients, as well as volunteers. 

This module includes a facilitator’s guide to conduct a group viewing and discussion of the SCORE 103 Respecting Diversity module. The document can be accessed on the Course Material Page. 

Who is this course for? Open to all

Understanding Generational Divides provides a deeper understanding of each generation, including Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, and Millennials. This context will support you in building a strong client/mentor relationship, and help you learn how to work most effectively together. 

This module includes a facilitator’s guide to conduct a group viewing and discussion of the SCORE 104 Understanding Generational Divides module. The document can be accessed on the Course Material Page.

Who is this course for? Open to all

Understanding Communication Styles helps volunteers identify their own communication style and that of their clients; and then how that mutual understanding can lead to more effective mentor-client relationships. 

This module includes a facilitator’s guide to conduct a group viewing and discussion of the SCORE 105 Understanding Communication Styles module. The document can be accessed on the Course Material Page. 

Who is this course for? Open to all. 

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for the client is listen and understand. Reflective listening skills can help mentors foster a strong client/mentor relationship. In this module, volunteers will learn more about drivers of client engagement, reflective listening, tactics for becoming a better listener, and emotional Intelligence. Volunteers will also look at a few SCORE mentor success stories that demonstrates empathy in practice.

This module includes a facilitator’s guide to conduct a group viewing and discussion of the SCORE 106 Empathy in Practice module. The document can be accessed on the Course Material Page

Who is the course for? Open to all. 

Each person is unique. Excellent client engagement requires the ability to adapt to the client’s needs. Taking the time to understand your client will help you effectively connect with them throughout the mentoring process. In this module, we’ll offer tools around: tactics for getting to know your client, ways people process information, and communication preferences.

This module includes a facilitator’s guide to conduct a group viewing and discussion of the SCORE 107 Tools for Connecting with Clients module. The document can be accessed on the Course Material Page

In this session, you’ll hear from both SCORE Headquarters staff and experienced volunteers on why SCORE is emphasizing a culture of inclusion.They will share their experiences as to why this is an important initiative for the organization, and how it
relates to our clients.

This is a session from SCORE's Volunteer Virtual Conference 2018. 

Understanding Generational Divides provides a deeper understanding of each generation, including Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, Millennials, and the newest generation on our radar – Gen Edge or Gen Z. Each generation thinks, acts, and communicates differently. This content will support you in building a strong client/mentor relationship and help you learn how to work most effectively together.

This session was recorded at SCORE's 2017 Volunteer Virtual Conference. 

In this session, you’ll gain skills to connect with clients for the long haul. Our clients tell us that having empathy, compassion, warmth, and simply being there for someone are drivers of their engagement. This session will equip mentors to build their skills to assist in this arena.

This is a session from SCORE's Volunteer Virtual Conference 2018. 

In this session, Dr. Tim Gilligan, Director of Coaching at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Excellence in Healthcare Communication will talk about what matters -- expertise vs. relationship building in delivering effective care to cancer patients.

This is a session from SCORE's Volunteer Virtual Conference 2018. 

PLANNING FOR SUCCESS: HOW TO USE THE BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS AND BUSINESS PLANS introduces participants to the concept of the business model canvas and how and when it might be used instead of or in addition to traditional business plans (marketing, financial, or a full, traditional business plan).

This was recorded at the 2017 Volunteer Virtual Conference. 

SCORE mentors can help their clients validate their business concepts using the Business Model Canvas developed by Strategizer as explored in VirtCon 2017. BMC provides a manageable way to plan their launch. The two most important elements in BMC are the Value Proposition and Customer Segments. V2 explores how to help your clients formalize their model and then validate it before moving beyond these key elements with additional investment of time and resources. 

This is a session from SCORE's Volunteer Virtual Conference 2018. 

This session is for SCORE marketing committees, chairs, or anyone with an interest in supporting their chapter’s marketing efforts. We will discuss key strategies to help SCORE and SCORE’s chapters move to the next level of building awareness for SCORE in your area. 

This is a session from the Volunteer Virtual Conference 2018. 

This session helps volunteers understand Digital Marketing practices so they can talk knowledgeably about digital marketing and the role it plays for small business now. We don’t expect to make SCORE mentors experts, but we hope the session will make them more comfortable with the topic.

This session was recorded at SCORE's 2017 Volunteer Virtual Conference. 

In this informative session, you will learn the various methods in which prospective clients submit mentoring requests, best practices when following up with clients, and how to efficiently manage mentoring requests in CORE. This will include a general overview of the following reports: Clients Not Yet Contacted, Clients Not Yet Assigned, and Clients Not Yet Counseled.

This is a session recorded at SCORE's Volunteer Virtual Conference. 

In this session you will learn more about how you can truly engage volunteers within your chapter! Director of Organizational Learning, Kathryn Kelly and SCORE’s Director of Learning Susan Fort and will present on successful strategies for recruitment and retention as well as share resources. A panel of experienced volunteers will share their best practices and experiences on this topic as well.

This session was recorded at SCORE's  2018 Volunteer Virtual Conference.