These statements are designed to continue to help you think about the many different obstacles that face you and your business. Again, please read each statement and track the total number that you agree with or answer “yes” to.

Sales & Marketing Issues:

1. Our sales process is not reaching the most probable customers.
2. Our sales people must be trained in their sales presentation.
3. We need to reach our customer base and direct our marketing efforts to them.
4. We need to create a sales process that can be taught to others.
5. We need to recruit and hire more effective sales people.
6. We need to create a more positive image for the business.
7. We need a sales presentation that will uncover a customer’s need.
8. Market territories must be managed more effectively.
9. Someone must track the results of our advertising.
10. I sometimes wonder if we really understand our customer's decision to buy.
11. We need to develop more profitable work for the company.
12. Sales need to develop responses to my customer's common questions.
13. Some one should monitor the performance of our sales people.
14. We need a compensation program based upon true results.

Management Issues:

15. Our work should be documented so others can be trained.
16. I have difficulty getting employees to keep their commitments.
17. We need help in prioritizing our work output.
18. We have never really defined the best organizational structure for us.
19. Training programs? We need training programs!
20. The company must be organized to operate in my absence.
21. I must learn to delegate non-managerial work so I can concentrate on my job.
22. We have never formally defined personal authority, accountability, responsibilities, and duties.
23. Managers need to become a role model to the employees.
24. Managers do not give clear instructions and monitor a project to completion.
25. We need to put the rules in writing and consistently enforce them.
26. We need to increase productivity without increasing pay.

Operational Issues:

27. Managers need to monitor work to reduce or eliminate errors.
28. Our jobs are not properly scheduled.
29. We do not track inventory turnover by item.
30. We have not used costing formulas for pricing.
31. We do not train others to do estimates or pricing.
32. We rarely meet our promised completion dates.
33. Receiving does not monitor suppliers for delivery delays.
34. Accounting does not properly control our costs.
35. Accounting does not provide me with accurate numbers.
36. I really can’t see the true profits of the business from our statements.
37. We need a better and more efficient filing system.
38. Department managers are not involved with their operational costs.
39. Too much time is spent on maintaining relationships with our subcontractors.
40. We should try forecasting workloads to keep costs under control.
41. No one is assessing current and future operational needs for our equipment.

Financial Issues:

42. We have not defined our financial goals.
43. We do not monitor the collection of slow-paying customers.
44. We have never evaluated overhead costs to set staffing levels.
45. Accounting has not identified fixed and variable expense to determine break-even.
46. Our accountant has done little to help me understand our financial statements.
47. The company needs an immediate influx of cash.

Decision-Making Issues:

48. Because of issues, we run the risk of losing our key employees soon.
49. The company is at risk of failure if we do not get immediate help.
50. I need immediate help to preempt some of our financial issues.
51. I know I need help. But I’m hesitant because I have trouble trusting outsiders.

How many statements did you answer “yes” to this time? Was it more than 10?

Among the many business owners that CornerStone has helped, we know that your situation is not unique. You are certainly not the first business owner to suffer some of the above issues, and are NOT ALONE! We really do understand the many pressures that face you and your company, and are waiting to help you.

CornerStone is standing by to help you. Won’t you please contact us today? You will be happy that you did! Contact Us

For a diagnostic report of your quiz, send results to:
CornerStone Business Support
Pre-Assessment Diagnostics
PO Box 88
Grand Rapids, MN 55744