July 31st, 2008 10:49am
Marion Wilke
Tom Mann has been elected chair of the Northern Illinois Chapter of SCORE. He will take office Oct. 1, at the beginning for the next fiscal year.
Also elected were Vern Wanner and Marion Wilke, vice chairs; Ann Radcliffe, secretary, and Bob Christianson, treasurer.
SCORE meets the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at Eigerlab, 605 Fulton Ave., where the chapter maintains a desk to make appointments for free, confidential counseling. For more information, call 815 962-0122.
July 31st, 2008 10:35am
Marion Wilke
By Jim Dehler
(Note: This information replaces all previous information about workshops on the Ask SCORE blog.)
SCORE presents a series of workshops during the year to help small businesses with a variety of information. Some of these workshops are offered at no cost and others have a small cost to help cover expenses. Workbooks and appropriate handouts are provided. You can enroll on our website, www.NorthernIllinoisScore.org or e-mail us at info@NorthernIllinoisScore.org or call us at 815-962-0122. Payment can be by check, cash or PayPal. Counselors are usually on duty weekdays after 9 a.m. Free counseling sessions are available by appointment.
Following is a brief listing and description of our most popular workshops.
Starting a Small Business – an overview of starting a business with emphasis on fundamentals. Topics include: steps for starting a small business, start-up costs, defining your business, business management and marketing. Cost is $40 in advance, $50 at the door.
Writing a Business Plan – an overview of business plan writing and its critical elements. Topics include: your company and competitive analysis, strategic planning, financial analysis, secure financing, and business plan format. Cost is $40 in advance, $50 at the door.
Funding Your Business – How to finance your business. Topics include: financial life cycle, sources of capital, approaching a lender, and what the lender expects. A local banker will be present to discuss financing options. This is a FREE Workshop.
Managing Your Business for Profit and Growth – a comprehensive 3.5 hour course to help your business prosper. Topics include: management, financial planning, credit control, staffing, mentoring, delegation, marketing, promotions, pricing, profit and distribution. Attendance limited to 15. Cost is $55 in advance, $70 at the door.
The workshops are presented at Rock Valley College’s Woodward Technology Center. The current schedule is:
Starting a Small Business – Thursday, Sept. 11, from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Writing a Business Plan – Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Funding Your Business – Thursday, Oct. 16, from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Managing Your Business for Profit and Growth – Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
July 10th, 2008 09:58am
Marion Wilke
By Bob Christianson
My client was the recipient of several properties and was overwhelmed as to her financial position. It was a new venture for her.…
SCORE reviewed each property as to its income and expense and recommended the action to consider for each property.
SCORE has provided several counseling sessions regarding the clients circumstances and the client has taken the appropriate action.
The client is now happy with the returns and has a good handle on how to monitor future returns and when to make appropriate changes.
My client wishes to remain anonymous. If you would like verification of the client, we can and will provide it with a signed confidentiality agreement.
If you would like SCORE to help you with your investment properties, call 815-962-0122 for an appointment.
May 12th, 2008 11:52am
Marion Wilke
SCORE counselors win plaudits
Five counselors from SCORE have helped non-profit organizations win monetary prizes for their business plans in a contest sponsored by Rockford College’s Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence. The businesses were expanding their outreach in the community.
The counselors are Duncan Brown, Al Keegan, Art Pulford, Ross Rolander and Bob Schmitt, and the organizations they assisted with developing a business plan were WomanSpace, Harlem Community Center Day Care and Chip Alumni.
Among the business start-up needs addressed were start-up cost, product or services cost and pricing, distribution, forecasting, purchasing procedures, marketing, accounting, organizational structure, management experience and financing.
Congratulations to the winners. Your business can be a winner, too, with free, confidential counseling offered by SCORE. Either log on to the web site – www.NorthernIllinoisScore.org - or call (815) 962-0122 to set up an appointment.
April 18th, 2008 03:31pm
Marion Wilke
Running a business takes a lot of “more” things, including:
· More time. There never are enough hours in the day to see to all the necessities, from sending invoices to drumming up more customers to keeping up with current trends.
· More money. If you need to expand physical space or increase staff, an initial influx of cash would help until the start-up expenses are met by increased productivity and income.
· More energy. Working extra long hours, worrying about cash flow or finding just the right way of dealing with your payroll taxes can sap your strength – especially when it seems like the problems never end.
· More help. Take the time to talk with your lawyer, accountant and insurance agent when questions come up. Correct advice will prevent a disaster in the future.
What are some of the problems you are facing? SCORE counselors are ready and willing to help you with some fresh insights and different perspectives.
It’s easy to find SCORE:
· By phone, call (815) 962-0122 in Rockford or (815) 544-7110 in Belvidere.
· By internet, log on to www.northernillinoisscore.org
· By email, write to info@northernillinoisscore.org
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