Businesses in difficulty: don’t delay in taking action
Following the conference and discussion on 9 September, the CCISM is continuing its campaign to promote prevention and is providing business leaders with new tools to identify early warning signs, find the right person to talk to and take action before difficulties take hold.
All too often, businesses still wait until difficulties have taken hold before seeking help from support schemes, thereby reducing the scope for action before a situation leads to closure. This observation was shared during the conference and debate on 9 September and echoes a reality seen at national level: nearly 70 per cent of micro-business owners seek support when they encounter difficulties, but 60 per cent ultimately abandon their efforts because they do not know exactly who to turn to. To address this issue at a local level, the CCISM enables business owners to identify their difficulties at an earlier stage and to access existing solutions more easily.
Who should they turn to?
In practical terms, entrepreneurs can now: go online to identify the first warning signs, consult practical resources to better understand existing solutions, find useful contacts and identify the right point of contact for their situation.
The CCISM’s CARE unit serves as an initial point of contact for business owners wishing to take stock of their situation. In a confidential setting, it helps to identify the issues faced, supports the business owner through the necessary steps and, where necessary, refers them to the appropriate contacts and support schemes. CARE: care@ccism.com or 05 90 27 91 51.
COTEFI Saint-Martin is a scheme that intervenes, in particular, when a business is facing financial difficulties requiring dialogue with its public creditors. Chaired by the Prefect and run by the Public Finance departments, it facilitates – always in complete confidence – negotiations with public bodies and helps to find solutions tailored to the situation.
COTEFI: cotefi.saint-martin@dgfip.finances.gouv.fr or 05 90 29 56 51.
The prevention judge at the Mixed Commercial Court may also meet with a company director to assess their situation and provide guidance. Lawyers and chartered accountants are also key points of contact for analysing the company’s situation and providing support with the necessary steps to be taken. Further information: www.ccism.com.
