August 1, 2008  

A BUSINESS NEWSLETTER from SBA's resource partner.Also at e-news.

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ASK SCORE® - Cedar Rapids

BUSINESS AS USUAL AFTER A FLOOD?

Not likely.

Business as usual after a flood? Not likely. Depending on your location and the amount of flood damage you suffered, you may not even be able to carry on any business activity now, more than a month after the disaster.

The after-effects of a disaster like this can cause depression. Thinking becomes tougher. Pessimism sets in, even if you used to be an optimist. Your first impulse might be to give up, accept defeat, and go out of business.

But, wait; you love what you do. Your business was beginning to show profits—before it all went down the river, so to speak.

SCORE® assists when things get tough.

SCORE® counselors are experienced business people who have the skills to help you make the right decisions now. SCORE® counselors are trained to act as your mentors and provide the sounding board you need to work through the challenges you face. You can lean on us.

We listen to your concerns, ask the right questions, and make suggestions that may make the difference between salvaging your business and giving up.

We can help think things through.

• For example, it may be time for you to rethink your business plan or make one if you didn’t have one before. Perhaps it’s time to take your business in a new direction. SCORE® can help with that.
  
  
• Perhaps part or all of your inventory was lost. Now is the time to reevaluate. Take a long look at what sold and what never sold, what was profitable and what was not. Find ways to improve your accounting records. SCORE® can help with that.
  
  
• It may also be necessary to think about your location. Can you return to your pre-flood location? Is that your best choice? Now is the time to make those decisions. SCORE® can help with that.
  
  
• The challenges for flood-affected businesses may extend into marketing and operations as well. You may need to revise your marketing plan to let people know you are still in business and where.
  
  
• You may need to evaluate your employee roster and practices. SCORE® can help with that, too.

Bottom line?

With free assistance from SCORE®, you may find solutions that make your business even better than before the flood. They say every cloud has a silver lining. We’re here to help you find it.

Call SCORE® for an appointment (319-362-6405, extension 2005) or drop in at our office at 2750 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52402. Our office hours are weekdays from 10 am to noon and from 1 pm to 3 pm or by appointment for other times. SCORE® can help you with your business questions. Our counseling services are free and confidential.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE, IT IS AS SIMPLE AS GOING TO: www.scorecr.org

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Brought to you by the Cedar Rapids chapter of SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business," a nonprofit association and resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. SCORE is dedicated to entrepreneurship and the formation, growth and success of small businesses nationwide. Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 7.5 million entrepreneurs.

Copyright 2007. SCORE Chapter 227. All rights reserved.

SCORE® Ch. 227 c/o SBA, 2750 First Avenue NE, Ste. 350,
 Cedar Rapids IA 52402-4831
(319) 362-6405 Ext. 2005

Office hours:  10-12 and 1-3  --NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED