"By his own count, Kendall, 81, wrote a total of 740 columns for the two Daily Herald Media Group publications. His "On Small Business" columns focused on guiding small business owners and entrepreneurs through complex issues. He tapped into the expertise of suburban experts, many times sharing their personal stories of how they were able to overcome obstacles." Richard Klicki wrote in the Daily Herald today. Rich Klicki, a great business columnist in his own right, wrote a nice article in the Daily Herald today:

https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20200726/daily-herald-business-columnist-jim-kendall-dies?cid=search

I (Tom Gosche) enjoyed his articles through the years. He focused on interesting topics AND businesses in the Suburbs of Chicago. In 2017, Jim contacted me after getting my newsletter about questions you need to ask when buying a business. He later wrote an article featuring those questions and quoting me!
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171022/BUSINESS/171029971?cid=search 

He looked everywhere in the suburban business community for ideas.A week after 2015 Business Taxes were due, he reminded everyone to look forward to 2016 taxes. Below is an interview with our CPA Greg Galla in 2016 discussing Business Taxes:

https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160320/BUSINESS/160329985?cid=search

As today's article states:

"He is survived by his wife Sharon, daughter Tracey, son-in-law Robert, and granddaughters Melinda and Gretchen. He was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Mary Kendall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Kendall's name may be made to the Bradley Fund, Bradley University, Peoria, IL, or to the Friends of the Wheaton Municipal Band, Wheaton, IL. Granddaughter Melinda is a member of that summer band."

Just over half way though the year, it is always a good time to check on how you are doing compared to your business plan. This year is a bit different then other years. Things happened beyond your control, but as things over up, grab your plan and make sure you are doing what you did earlier to become successful.
 
It is said doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. Yet business owners continue to do business as usual year after year.

Business planning is very important to help change the status quo. Whether you are having a great 2020 or not, putting together a business plan is a big part of making those changes.

It starts with asking yourself some questions.

Where are you now? Actually writing it out what the situation you are in currently helps you to see and read the situation better. It is easy to keep the information in your head and know where you are however, once you write it, you can realize where you are. You can also share it, so you can get help from others.

Where are you 5 years from Now? Go crazy and dream big with this. When someone has trouble thinking about this, I ask them to imagine they are at a banquet in their honor 5 years from now and someone is introducing them as “Person of the Year.” What are they saying?

What are your strategic objectives? This is more specific then the above question. They can be financial or growth goals. It could also be specific strategies you want to have implemented in your business or life.

What are your Strengths? This is what you are currently good at doing well. Maybe you are good at getting appointments with prospects. It could be you are great with financial analysis. List them and write about them.

How can you build on those Strengths? We are already strong enough to overcome any obstacle by working on improving what is already strong. It is easier and more fun to become better at something you are already good at doing. If you wake up in the morning dreading what your weaknesses are and working on improving that, you tend to not work as hard. If you wake up in the morning and know you are already good at something and you just want to get better, you tend to do it with more enthusiasm.

This is just the beginning of can become a great workable business plan.

​In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its effect on small businesses, the Village of Schaumburg has created a small business grant program. The objective of this grant is to help businesses retain employees at pre-COVID-19 levels. The village is offering small business owners in Schaumburg a 50% match of operating expenses for two months (up to $10,000 total for each business) to help retain employees. The village has allocated $100,000 to this program, with funds available on a first come, first served basis.
 
Businesses must:

• Be located within the Village of Schaumburg
• Demonstrate that the COVID-19 outbreak caused a decrease in revenue
• Employ between 1-5 employees/contract employees (not including owner/s) in total across all locations
• Have less than $1.5 million in gross annual revenue
• Have been in operation for at least 1 year
• Have no outstanding tax liens or legal judgments
• Not receive, or have received, assistance through other programs intended for this purpose such as the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program or PPP

Commit to maintaining pre-COVID-19 employment levels for a minimum of 6 months upon receipt of grant. If commitment is not met, grant must be repaid.

​The village is maintaining a webpage with links to several resources available through federal, state and trade organizations. New resources are being added regularly as they become available. Click on the link below to access the Village of Schaumburg Business Resource Page.

What is a "Typical Situation" people are in when they realize they need help? 

• They are growing and are unsure if they are legally complaint.
• Employees appear to be unhappy or have high turnover of staff and don't know what to do.
• They feel they have been "winging it" for too long and want to formalize processes.

What is something someone might say that would lead me to think of you? 

• “If I could do this without employees I would.”
• “I feel like I've lost control of what people are doing - one person wants one thing and the other something else. I don't know what to do.”
• “My employees need someone to talk to that isn't me. Why do people come to me with their issues.”

What (Specifically) do they do?
Uncomplicate the people side of business. Help business owners success through and with their employees.

How do they do it?
Sitting down with the business owners to understand their needs and concerns. Create an action plan in order to achieve goals. Provide on-site support as needed so we are the go-to person for the employees and the owner. 

Matching Ideas with Resources