SCORE and Verizon Launch New Online Business Training at www.SCORE.org

NEW YORK - Small-business owners across the country now have access to free online training in the use of technology for marketing, e-commerce and business efficiency through workshops created jointly by Verizon and SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business.”

The two new online courses at www.SCORE.org provide entrepreneurs with instruction for using technology and proven practices that will lead to business growth. SCORE and Verizon plan to expand the range of free learning tools on the SCORE Web site in the coming months. New online workshops will include some designed specifically for women and minority entrepreneurs.

“SCORE appreciates Verizon’s support in helping provide entrepreneurs with valuable online tools that offer real-world applications,” said SCORE CEO Ken Yancey. “These and future workshops will help serve the needs of many small-business owners who seek to better understand technology, marketing and business-growth issues.”

Michael McLaughlin, director of marketing for Verizon’s small-business team, said, “Smart use of technology can help small businesses become big businesses. Verizon has a long track record of providing the tools for e-commerce and effective business communications, and our alliance with SCORE allows entrepreneurs to put them to the best use.”

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving 60.7 million customers nationwide. Verizon’s Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. More than 10,500 volunteer counselors provide individual counseling and business workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. Counselors work with entrepreneurs through every phase of their entrepreneurial venture: generating and assessing ideas, preparing a business plan, raising capital and managing the operations and finances of the growing venture. SCORE has assisted more than 7 million Americans with online and face-to-face small business counseling. The SCORE Association was formed in 1964. For more information, visit www.score.org.