What to Expect
As a client of the Penn State Small Business Development Center, you have certain rights and responsibilities.
As an SBDC client, you have the right to expect:
1. consulting assistance provided at no charge
Because the SBDC program is supported by funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Penn
State, and others consulting is provided at no charge to you. Fees may apply for training programs, special services (such as research), materials, and publications.
2. confidentiality of information provided
All SBDC representatives agree to abide by the Pennsylvania SBDC's Standards of Professional Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy. Information you provide will be held
in strictest confidence and will not be released to any parties outside the Pennsylvania SBDC network. Information on you will not be sold or provided to other organizations. Specific
information on you and the nature of your engagement with the SBDC will not be released without your consent. No information you provide will be used to the commercial advantage of any
SBDC representative or third party.
Exceptions:
- Information about the SBDC's service delivery is reported in aggregate to its funders and the general public. Specific information about you will not be released without your consent.
- The SBDC will collect and report in aggregate to its funders and the general public such information on you as demographic statistics; the size, location, age, and industry of your business; the general nature of your engagement with the SBDC; and impact statistics, such as financing obtained, sales increased, and jobs created.
- If you were referred to the SBDC, the center will notify the referrer that you have sought assistance from the SBDC. However, the SBDC will not disclose in detail the nature of the assistance you have requested.
3. unbiased recommendations
SBDC representatives will not knowingly recommend the purchase of goods or services from any individual or firm with which any SBDC representative has a financial,
familial, or personal interest.
4. nondisclosure of trade secrets
Sensitive trade secrets pertaining to unique facts about your business will not be used to benefit another client of the SBDC or any SBDC representative. You understand that
sensitive trade secret information is information that is not obvious, that is unknown, or that is unique and pertains to new inventions, secret manufacturing and processing procedures
or formulas, or any new innovative process. You understand that it is your responsibility to inform the SBDC of any such sensitive trade secrets, both verbally and in writing.
5. assistance, guidance, recommendations, and education
The SBDC program is an educational program. The SBDC will work with you on your specific issues to help you build your management skills and knowledge. It is your
responsibility to accept and implement recommendations. The SBDC will not:
- negotiate on your behalf
- write your business plan
- act as an employee of your business
As an SBDC client, you are responsible for:
1. participating in surveys
Because this program cares about the quality of services provided, and because it is primarily funded with public support, the SBDC undertakes a number of initiatives to ascertain
the quality and impact of services provided to you. Your candid feedback is critical to the long-term success of this program. You will be asked to participate in three surveys:
- a satisfaction survey after the completion of your consulting engagement
- an impact survey after the close of each calendar year for the next three years
- a quality and impact survey conducted by an independent firm two years after the start of your consulting engagement
2. informing legislators about the service
Consulting services are provided at no charge to you because of the financial support of the federal government and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. To ensure that the SBDC
program will be available to others, we may ask you to write to your legislators to let them know about your experience with the program.
3. accepting responsibility and waiving all claims
In recognition that you are ultimately responsible for the success or failure of your business and that all decisions pertaining to implementing plans and operating your business
are solely your responsibility, you hereby waive any claims of damages against Penn State SBDC and the Pennsylvania SBDC programs, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, based on any advice or information provided by the SBDC.
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