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The most important thing for you to determine for either
your existing business or a new start-up is: What is required for the
business to succeed?
For SCORE counseling to be helpful in determining
this, it is important that certain basic information be provided. We
request that, if possible,
before your first counseling session you take
the time to fill out this worksheet. If there are questions that you do
not understand just leave them
blank and the counselor will help you.
Remember, SCORE counselors are bound by a code of ethics to treat all
information in strict confidence.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS OR IDEA:
THE FIRST QUESTION TO EVALUATE IS: DOES THE BUSINESS OR
IDEA FOR A PRODUCT OR SERVICE,
HAVE SUFFICIENT UNIQUENESS TO BE
COMPETITIVE IN THE MARKET PLACE?
IS IT NOW OFFERED BY
ANYONE ELSE?
DOES IT SATISFY AN UNFILLED NEED?
DOES IT OFFER A CONVENIENCE NOT NOW AVAILABLE?
DOES IT CREATE A TREND?
IS IT ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE?
DOES IT PLAY TO THE CUSTOMERS SENSE OF VALUE?
DOES IT OCCUPY A SPECIAL NICHE?
CAN IT BE PATENTED?
IS THE MARKETING STRATEGY DIFFERENT?
IS THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DIFFERENT?
DOES IT UTILIZE SPECIAL TALENTS OF THE CLIENT?
OTHER COMMENTS?
THE SECOND QUESTION IS: DO YOU POSSESS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF AN
ENTREPRENEUR TO MAKE THE BUSINESS SUCCEED?
DO YOU HAVE DRIVE, ENERGY AND TOTAL COMMITMENT?
ARE YOU: SELF-CONFIDENT?
A REASONABLE RISK TAKER?
INNOVATIVE?
COMPETITIVE?
DO YOU: SET HIGH STANDARDS TO MEET?
WANT TO CONTINUALLY IMPROVE YOUR INCOME?
CONSIDER DOLLARS AS A MEASURE OF SUCCESS?
DO YOU HAVE THE JOB SKILLS FOR YOU BUSINESS?
ARE YOU WILLING TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW?
CAN YOU MANAGE: PEOPLE?
CAN YOU MANAGE: MONEY?
THE THIRD QUESTION IS: WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL SITUATION AS IT RELATES TO
THE VENTURE?
DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE JOB SECURITY?
WHERE DO YOU CURRENTLY WORK?
WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION?
DO YOU HAVE OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME?
ARE THEIR POTENTIAL SOURCES OF INCOME - CAN SPOUSE WORK?
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE JOB PROSPECTS VS GOING INTO BUSINESS?
IS THE VENTURE SUPPORTED BY THE FAMILY?
WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF YOUR HEALTH?
CAN YOU AFFORD TO BE SICK?
DO YOU HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE?
THE FOURTH QUESTION IS: WHAT IS YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION AS IT RELATES
TO THE VENTURE?
SOME CLIENTS ARE RELUCTANT TO PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION BUT BE ASSURED
THAT IT WILL ALL COME OUT IF YOU PLAN TO OBTAIN FINANCING. THE INFORMATION
IS VITAL FOR THE SCORE COUNSELOR TO HELP YOU PUT TOGETHER A FINANCIAL
PACKAGE THAT WILL MEET YOUR NEEDS.
IT IS ALL CONFIDENTIAL.
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF YOUR CURRENT ASSETS?
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF YOUR CURRENT PERSONAL DEBT?
HOW MUCH DOES THIS COST YOU PER MONTH?
WHAT IS THE OUTSTANDING DEBT OF YOUR BUSINESS?
HOW MUCH ARE THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR THE BUSINESS DEBT?
ARE YOU BEHIND IN PAYMENTS FOR YOUR PERSONAL DEBT, IF SO, HOW MUCH?
ARE YOU BEHIND IN PAYMENTS FOR YOUR BUSINESS DEBT, IF SO, HOW MUCH?
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN PERSONAL OR BUSINESS BANKRUPTCY?
HOW MUCH PERSONAL INCOME DO YOU NEED?
OTHER COMMENTS:
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