0816_TOEFL-Test-and-Score-Manual-1997

Management Strategies ● 27
One turnaround consultant I know told me he found $60,000 worth of
checks tucked inside the desk drawer of a panicked controller. The moral of that
story is: when your business is spinning out of control, it’s tough to think clearly.
One caution: If you hire a turnaround consultant, you will have to
relinquish day-to-day control. You can’t disappear, though. You have to be
available to answer questions and provide information.
For less severe problems, schedule some free or low-cost counseling
at a Small Business Development Center (SBDC). There are about 1,000
centers around the country, jointly funded by the U.S. Small Business
Administration and private organizations, usually colleges or universities.
You can find the closest SBDC by visiting www.sba.gov.
And don’t forget the free help offered by the Service Corps of Retired
Executives (SCORE). SCORE has thousands of experienced businesspeople
available to help you sort out any problems in person or online. Their services
are free and their workshops affordable. Find a counselor who knows
your industry at www.score.org.
Ignoring your problems is a sure way to kill your business. Send up a
flare and save your company before it’s too late. (Check the resource section
at the end of the book for more ways to get help.)
GREAT
Hire a Great Lawyer
One person who can help you in good and bad times is
IDEA
an experienced attorney. Save money when you can,
but don’t scrimp when it comes to getting solid legal advice.
Once you set up your business structure, you’ll need a savvy lawyer to
buy or sell real estate, form a partnership, create job applications, and write
employee handbooks. (See the tip box on pages 28–29 for diversity tips.)
Working with a good small business attorney will help you avoid legal
troubles involving staff, vendors, and customers. He or she can also prepare
books and records when you are seeking outside investors or applying for
a bank loan.
Finding a good attorney is not as challenging as you may think. There
are about a million of them in the United States. The best way to find a