"business acumen" assessment

[Community Development Banking List]

Original message from: rose@tedcnet.com

I represent a small CDFI in Oklahoma. Does anyone use a behavioral
assessment that also measures business acumen for prospective small
business owners? If so, please share. Many thanks.

Rose Washington Rentie
TEDC CreativeCapital
rose@TEDCnet.com


Progressive Lending for Promising Businesses.

The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain confidential or privileged
material. Any review, distribution, or other unauthorized use of the
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[Community Development Banking List]

Original message from: Lackerman@alternatives.org

Hi Rose,

I'm the director of a small business development program at a CDFI credit
union. I'm very skeptical of the practical usefulness of "do you have what
it takes to be a business success?" type personality/behavioral assessments
or quizzes. Thumbs down, IMHO.

That said, I think it IS very important for a prospective entrepreneur-- as
well as the consultant/trainer who is assisting him or her-- to sit down
for an honest and comprehensive look at their situation and the challenges
(both internal and external) that s/he will face-- this is the "reality
check" at the beginning of their process.

We have all new clients complete a business concept questionnaire that asks
a variety of questions about both the client's business and his/her
personal situation (finances, work, etc.). The questionnaire is often an
eye-opener for the client, and for our staff it sometimes raises concerns
or challenges that we can discuss at an initial consultation with the client.

In the classroom setting of our 9-week business planning course, we spend
time in our first session discussing the skills, characteristics, and
abilities needed by successful entrepreneurs. The objective is to get each
participant thinking about their own situation and what they feel is most
relevant; what are their personal strengths and weaknesses and how can they
use their strengths and work on their weaknesses, so that they can stay on
track as they develop and grow their businesses?

I'd be happy to forward you my questionnaire and/or teaching notes from our
classroom discussion.

Good luck!
Leslie


===---==---==---==---===<<<>>>===---==---==---==---== Leslie Ackerman
Business CENTS Director
Alternatives Federal Credit Union
125 N. Fulton Street, Ithaca, NY 14850-5431
(607) 216-3423 fax (607) 277-6391 www.alternatives.org
===---==---==---==---===<<<>>>===---==---==---==---==



At 12:37 PM 2/2/2010, Rose Washington wrote:
I represent a small CDFI in Oklahoma. Does anyone use a behavioral
assessment that also measures business acumen for prospective small
business owners? If so, please share. Many thanks.

Rose Washington Rentie
TEDC CreativeCapital
rose@TEDCnet.com


Progressive Lending for Promising Businesses.

The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain confidential or privileged
material. Any review, distribution, or other unauthorized use of the
information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is
prohibited. If you received this communication in error, please contact
the sender by replying to this email or calling 918-585-8332 and delete
the material from any computer.



CDB list instructions http://www.runonthebank.net/cdblist.htm ('http://www.runonthebank.net/cdblist.htm')

[Community Development Banking List]

Original message from: jml@ceimaine.org

Hi All,



I am trying to help one of my IDA clients research available mortgage
products that would be Muslim (Shari'aa) compliant. I know the
Minnesota State Housing Authority has created a product - but that
doesn't help him in Maine.



What I am wondering is... has anyone heard of "American Finance House
LARIBA" - good, bad or indifferent? They are located in California, but
state: ..."LARIBA is able to serve clients in ALL states either directly
or through our affiliate, the Bank of Whittier, N. A."



Any information would be helpful!!!



Thanks,

Jill Lorom



Jill Lorom

IDA Program Coordinator

Coastal Enterprises, Inc.

PO Box 268

Wiscasset, ME 04578

(207)882-7552 ext. 186

(207)882-4455 fax

jml@ceimaine.org



"Lack of income means you don't get by; lack of assets means you don't
get ahead."

Poverty is More Than a Matter of Income, Ray Boshara, NY Times, 9/29/02



From: bounce-5128614-5282821@list.cornell.edu
[mailto:bounce-5128614-5282821@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Leslie
Ackerman
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 1:09 PM
To: CommunityDevelopmentBanking-L@cornell.edu
Subject: Re: "business acumen" assessment



Hi Rose,

I'm the director of a small business development program at a CDFI
credit union. I'm very skeptical of the practical usefulness of "do you
have what it takes to be a business success?" type
personality/behavioral assessments or quizzes. Thumbs down, IMHO.

That said, I think it IS very important for a prospective entrepreneur--
as well as the consultant/trainer who is assisting him or her-- to sit
down for an honest and comprehensive look at their situation and the
challenges (both internal and external) that s/he will face-- this is
the "reality check" at the beginning of their process.

We have all new clients complete a business concept questionnaire that
asks a variety of questions about both the client's business and his/her
personal situation (finances, work, etc.). The questionnaire is often
an eye-opener for the client, and for our staff it sometimes raises
concerns or challenges that we can discuss at an initial consultation
with the client.

In the classroom setting of our 9-week business planning course, we
spend time in our first session discussing the skills, characteristics,
and abilities needed by successful entrepreneurs. The objective is to
get each participant thinking about their own situation and what they
feel is most relevant; what are their personal strengths and weaknesses
and how can they use their strengths and work on their weaknesses, so
that they can stay on track as they develop and grow their businesses?

I'd be happy to forward you my questionnaire and/or teaching notes from
our classroom discussion.

Good luck!
Leslie




===---==---==---==---===<<<>>>===---==---==---==---== Leslie Ackerman
Business CENTS Director
Alternatives Federal Credit Union
125 N. Fulton Street, Ithaca, NY 14850-5431
(607) 216-3423 fax (607) 277-6391 www.alternatives.org
<http://www.alternatives.org/> ('http://www.alternatives.org/>')
===---==---==---==---===<<<>>>===---==---==---==---==



At 12:37 PM 2/2/2010, Rose Washington wrote:

I represent a small CDFI in Oklahoma. Does anyone use a
behavioral assessment that also measures business acumen for prospective
small business owners? If so, please share. Many thanks.

Rose Washington Rentie
TEDC CreativeCapital
rose@TEDCnet.com


Progressive Lending for Promising Businesses.

The information transmitted is intended only for the person or
entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential or
privileged material. Any review, distribution, or other unauthorized
use of the information by persons or entities other than the intended
recipient is prohibited. If you received this communication in error,
please contact the sender by replying to this email or calling
918-585-8332 and delete the material from any computer.



CDB list instructions http://www.runonthebank.net/cdblist.htm ('http://www.runonthebank.net/cdblist.htm')





CDB list instructions http://www.runonthebank.net/cdblist.htm ('http://www.runonthebank.net/cdblist.htm')