Social networking has taken the world by storm, and people from all walks of life are embracing it.  Gary Oden, director of the Small Business Development Center in Keene, N.H., is hoping to use a form of social networking to help veterans start up and manage their own businesses.
 

Virtual Vetrepreneurs

Having partnered with the 3-D virtual world, Second Life, and virtual presence design team, NETDREAMERZ, the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center has created a world devoted entirely to current and potential veteran business owners. In this new virtual world, vetrepreneurs will use their own avatars to navigate a replica of Southern New Hampshire. There, they will find counselors, classrooms, and real-life scenarios to educate them on what it takes to open their own business.

“We’re in the pilot stage with the project right now,” Oden explained. “Our ultimate goal is to receive a portability grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. With that grant, we can expand everything we are trying to do here by four.”
 

Endless Possibilities

Education through 3-D immersion may seem like it’s from a science fiction novel, but it’s really picking up a large following in professional and academic circles. Colleges and universities, large companies, and even foreign embassies have created Second Life islands to use as teaching tools and gathering spaces. These spaces can be created to anything the programmer wishes – from a giant lecture hall to a replica bank. Expanding their resources means organizations can accommodate up to 200 avatars in one classroom setting at a time. 

In addition to nearly eliminating the logistical problems of a face-to-face meeting, this ne technology offers a plethora of training activities. It offers VOB-to-VOB mentoring, where current VOBs can offer advice to potential VOBs, as well as guided tours and business plans of other small businesses. Users can also take advantage of business advisors, who are able to hold private meetings with them to discuss their ideas.

Real-Life Lessons from Role Play

Role-playing may be the most unique feature of this new program. Users practice real-life scenarios, such as applying for a small business loan, to hone their skills before going out to do it on their own. Vetrepreneurs will be able to take bigger risks using Second Life that they wouldn’t normally take in the real world. Oden said he’s confident that the technology will not be too much for veterans who are not as computer savvy as others.  The island offers an orientation center to help ease users into the world.

“It takes a little bit of learning,” said Oden.  “But it’s not a difficult learning curve.” 

Perhaps one of the more enticing aspects of the program is the opportunity it presents to disabled veterans. It adds another level of experience to those “Folks who cannot walk, can,” Oden said. “They can talk to other disabled veterans about how they’re dealing with things,” Oden said. “You almost forget you’re sitting in front of a computer screen.”
 

Coming Soon

The NHSBDC plans to launch the program in early July. It will be targeted to those in the New Hampshire area to start, but Oden is hoping that more and more vetrepreneurs will take advantage of the technology. He is also hoping that veterans will see this as an invaluable tool in helping them prepare to open their own businesses. 

“It’s sophisticated gaming,” said Oden.  “Kids learned geography playing ‘Where in the World is Carmen San Diego.’ Veterans will learn how to run their own business using Second Life.”

Second Life

*Developed by Linden Labs and launched in June 2003

*Program is free to download on the Internet

* Users, or Residents, interact with each other using avatars. To learn more visit www.secondlife.com
 

Businesses Using Second Life

*IBM

*Reebok

*BMW

*Harvard Law School

*Sony

*Comcast

*Yankee Stadium
 

New Hampshire Small Business Development Center Offers:

*Outreach program of the UNH Whittemore Scholl of Business and Economics

*Five locations throughout New Hampshire

*Counseling and educational programs to small business owners

*Full-time certified business advisors who offer one-on-one long term management counseling

To learn more visit www.nhsbdc.org

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