October 1, 2008  

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

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WATCH A VIDEO

PICK ONE OF INTEREST TO YOU.

There is a set of wonderful business videos prepared for your information by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Take a look at the group you can select from, and watch any one at your leisure. CLICK on the BUTTON below or the IMAGE to jump to the video options...

SPECIAL LESSON

BUSINESS PLANS: MAKING A "WINNER."

• Does the thought of assembling a business plan bring on anxiety?
• Do you question why you need one?
• Do you find yourself wondering what others expect in a Business Plan?
• Do you wonder how to start?

Constructing a business plan can intimidate many aspiring entrepreneurs. In this special lesson, we will demystify this often scary business necessity; discuss how it can be a valuable learning experience and perhaps even fun. We will walk you through four simple steps to arrive at a Plan and clarify how it vastly improves your chances of success. While there are many volumes written on the subject, we thought you might benefit from the basics that have built global businesses right here in Cedar Rapids. CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO ENTER THIS PROVEN "HOW TO."

ASK SCORE®

FAMILY BUSINESSES NEED EXTRA CARE!

The family business is an American small business tradition, one that gives parents, spouses, children, and others an opportunity to contribute to and share in a dream that can grow and prosper over many generations.

Without proper planning and management, however, family businesses can also be the source of contention, acrimony, and even irreparable harm to once-loving relationships.

Learn about how you can anticipate and avoid the pitfalls in a family business... CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO READ ON...

POST DISASTER PLANNING & TAX IMPLICATIONS

Plan for the next time?

How many times did you see a promotion for a seminar about disaster preparedness? How many times, when you saw such an advertisement, did you say, “When I have time, I will prepare for an emergency.” No one seriously thought that a flood would destroy businesses in June 2008. Check out some online destinations to help you plan for the next tough time you'll face... CLICK ON THE "FULL ARTICLE" LINK BELOW.

Tax Issues Resulting from the Flood?

It may be possible that you'll have unexpected tax benefits or obligations if you received settlements or grants following the flood. AGAIN, CLICK THE "FULL ARTICLE" LINK BELOW TO see a simple list of items to check or have checked...

Jean Kruse
SCORE® Chairperson and CPA (retired)

NEWS

LEARN WHO WE ARE

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U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR THANKS CEDAR RAPIDS

Jovita Carranza. the Acting Administrator of the United States Small Business Administration, or SBA, sent a letter of commendation to Jean Kruse, Chairman of the Cedar Rapids Area SCORE Chapter. Presented by Dick Weeks, SCORE® District Director (left, in picture), the letter extends praise for the community's help in the nations post-flood disaster recovery effort—but notably SCORE®'s efforts. Jean is most deserving, as are all the members of SCORE® and the greater Cedar Rapids business community.

This honor adds to the continuing number of national organizations thanking Cedar Rapids for setting a new standard in disaster recovery support and action.

The SBA Disaster Recovery group, the nation's “rapid response” team which assists after all national disasters, including those like Katrina, has said that they have never worked with as dedicated, competent and determined a group of people as those they encountered in Cedar Rapids after the “Flood of 2008.” We should all be very proud.

HIGH SCHOOL FOR ENTREPRENEURS - IOWA LEADS!

Perhaps the only one of its kind in the nation and certainly in Iowa, the eSeal Charter School in Sigourney, Iowa, caters to youth wishing to be entrepreneurs. It's mentors include Stanford University (California) and the University of Iowa's Pappajohn Business School.

Business folks in the Cedar Rapids area might consider encouraging our school district to establish a similar school here. It is a wonderful concept and we should support it. A great way to grow an economy!

If you wish to read about how this high school grows business people, CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE!

FREE OFFICE SOFTWARE

Small businesses often start with minimal resources. Many cannot afford the commercial and proprietary office software suites distributed by the major software companies. There is good news:

or OPEN OFFICE. ORG

One of the world's most powerful and current Office suites is free. More importantly it is "open" (meaning no restrictive licenses) and can be downloaded by anyone. It includes a powerful word processor, spreadsheet, presentation program, "pdf" export and data base. It is also compatible with the leading commercial equivalent. If you need an Office suite and cannot afford hundreds of dollars for one, check it out.

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