Small Business Owners: 7 Tips for YOU

No matter type of business you operate you've got to know how to
keep your business alive during economic recessions. Anytime the
cash flow in a business, large or small, starts to tighten up, the
money management of that business has to be run as a "tight ship."

(1) Pause Before Paying

Some of the things you can and should do include protecting
yourself from impulse expenditures. We've all bought merchandise or
services we really didn't need simply because we were in the mood,
then we sort of "wake up" a couple of days later and find that
we've committed hundreds of dollars of business funds for an item
or service that's not essential to the success of our own business,
when really pressing items had been waiting for those dollars.

(2) Using Professionals

While you may think you cannot afford it, be sure that you don't
"short-change" your self on professional services. This would apply
especially during a time of emergency. Anytime you commit yourself
and move ahead without completely investigating all the angles, and
preparing yourself for all the contingencies that may arise, you're
skating on thin ice. Regardless of the costs involved, it always
pays off in the long run to seek out the advice of experienced
professionals before embarking on a plan that could ruin you.

(3) Your Financials

Your company's books should reflect your way of thinking, and
whoever maintains them should generate information according to
your policies. Thus, you should hire an outside accountant or
accounting firm to figure your return on your investment, as well
as the turnover on your accounts receivable and inventory. Such an
audit or survey should focus in depth on any or every item within
your financial statement that merits special attention. In this
way, you'll probably uncover any potential financial problems
before they become readily apparent, and certainly before they
could get out of hand.

(4) Advisory Boards

Many smaller companies set up advisory boards of outside
professional people. These are sometimes known as Power Circles and
once in place, the business always benefits, especially in times of
short operating capital. Such an advisory board or power circle
should include a lawyer, a certified public accountant, civic club
leaders, owners or managers of businesses similar to yours, and
retired executives. Setting up such an advisory board of directors
is really quite easy, because most people you ask will be honoured
to serve.

Once your board is set up, you should meet about once a month and
present material for review. Each meeting should be a discussion of
your business problems and an input from your advisors relative to
possible solutions. These members of your board of advisors should
offer you advice as well as alternatives, and provide you with
objectivity. No formal decisions need to be made either at your
board meeting, or as a result of them, but you should be able to
gain a great deal from the suggestions you hear.

(5) Joining Associations

By all means, join your industry's local and national trade
associations. Most of these organizations have a wealth of
information available on everything from details on your
competitors to average industry sales figures, new products,
services, and trends. If you are given a membership certificate or
wall plaque, you should display these conspicuously on you office
wall. Customers like to see such "seals of approval" and feel
additional confidence in your business when they see them.

(6) Free Advice

Whenever you can, and as often as you need it, take advantage of
whatever free business counseling is available. Your local chamber
of commerce or small business advisory will likely have numerous
free publications. Most local universities, and many private
organizations hold seminars at minimal cost, and often without
charge. Take advantage of the service s offered by your bank and
local library.

(7) Direction Is Everything

The important thing about running a small business is to know the
direction in which you're heading; to know on a day-to-day basis
your progress in that very direction; to be aware of what your
competitors are doing and to practice good money management at all
times. All this will prepare you to recognize potential problems
before they arise.

In order to survive with a small business, regardless of the
economic climate, it is essential to surround yourself with smart
people, and practice sound business management at all times.

Live and Work Like Your Mother is Watching... worth reading!

by Harvey Mackay
I had the great honor a few years ago of being inducted into my high school Hall of Fame at St. Paul Central in St. Paul, Minn. Previous honorees include Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts cartoon strip; Richard Schulze, founder and chairman of Best Buy; and Dave Winfield, a member of Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame.Approximately 500 selected students were invited to the auditorium for the ceremony and to hear a few remarks from this year's recipients.

I shared four ideas with students, the first three being:
1) Believe in yourself—even when no one else does
2) Don't quit and
3) There is no "I" in team.
I want to touch here on my fourth point:
4) Act like your mother is watching.

Let me tell you a true story about Professor Bonk who taught chemistry at Duke University. One year, three students were taking chemistry and all earning a solid "A" going into the final exam. The weekend before finals, they decided to go to another school to party with some friends. They didn't make it back to Duke until early Monday morning, in no shape to take the final.

They explained to Professor Bonk that they had been away for the weekend and had planned to come back in time to study, but they had a flat tire on the way back and didn't have a spare, so they didn't get back to campus in time.

Professor Bonk agreed to let them make up the final on the following day. What a relief! They studied all night. When they arrived for the exam, Professor Bonk placed them in separate rooms, handed each of them a test booklet, and told them to begin.

They saw the first question was simple, worth 5 points. Piece of cake! Then they turned to question 2, worth 95 points: "Which tire?"

Unfortunately the business community does not get stellar grades for ethics the past few years. Too many companies have tried to fool the public.

Ethics and integrity must be the cornerstone of your existence. If you want your employees to tell the truth, a company better start by being truthful with their employees.

Let me tell you about our mission statement at MackayMitchell Envelope Company, which is: "To be in business forever."

What does that mean? It stands for no hidden liabilities ... no cutting corners ... no small print under the small print ... no red flags.

We in the business community need to set a good example for our young people. Surveys show that a disturbing number of students cite recent corporate and political scandals to justify their dishonesty.

It's critical to use good judgment so that you aren't hauled up before a court. And I'm talking about the court of public opinion as much as any court of law. If you don't use good judgment, you're already judged—especially in business.

A mother was invited for dinner at her son Brian's apartment. During the course of the meal, Brian's mother couldn't help but notice how beautiful Brian's roommate, Jennifer, was.

Brian's mom had long suspected a relationship between Brian and Jennifer. Over the course of the evening, while watching the two interact, she started to wonder if there was more between them than met the eye.

Reading his mom's thoughts, Brian volunteered, "I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you Jennifer and I are just roommates."

About a week later, Jennifer came to Brian saying, "Ever since your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the beautiful silver gravy ladle. You don't suppose she took it, do you?" Brian said, "Well, I doubt it, but I'll send her an email just to be sure."

So he wrote: "Dear Mom: I'm not saying that you 'did' take the gravy ladle from the house, I'm not saying that you 'did not' take the gravy ladle. But the fact remains that one has been missing ever since you were here for dinner. Love, Brian."

Several days later, Brian received an email back from his mother that read: "Dear Son: I'm not saying that you 'do' sleep with Jennifer, I'm not saying that you 'do not' sleep with Jennifer. But the fact remains that if Jennifer were sleeping in her own bed, she would have found the ladle by now. Love, Mom."

Mackay's Moral: Never lie to your mother ... or anyone else.

-- Harvey Mackay

Leaders are Not Born but Created

Anyone can be a leader, yes, even you!

Here's a small list of traits of a leader:

• Leaders make daily, weekly, monthly actionable goals. And take action on their dreams and inspirations.
• Leaders are inspired daily and give inspiration to others, others happily follow a leader who is inspiring and who walks the talk.
• Leaders think big and do big things. They want big things, living a life and dream without limits.
• Leaders believe they can achieve, without question. They don't listen to naysayers and dream stealers, as they are simply a waste of precious time and energy.
• Leaders make affirmations a habit. Meaning they say positive things to themselves daily, reinforcing their belief and their future inspired direction.
• Leaders pay thyself first. This must be as there is no person who is more excited and concerned over your goals than yourself. Pay yourself first, and you will be able to enjoy giving to those you love and those who also follow you. Too much fun to give!!
• Leaders love to give, love to help others achieve similar results, as long as they are taking action and are also on the path to becoming a leader.

How to be Interesting on Twitter

Twitter is extremly popular, used by many, many people. How to be interesting on twitter goes through the steps of becoming interesting. First, you must make your interesting profile and name, then you will want to follow interesting people and then you will need to tweet interesting things about yourself only 10% of the time, interesting news items or pertinent to your followers, and then retweet. Most times, retweets are followed with a follower. Plus, it's a great way of providing interesting information to tweet about. Be fun, be interesting and you will get many followers on Twitter. Find me, Drivendesire, on twitter. Find me on Youtube: frannjean.

Review of WebSimpleMoney = Top Notch Opportunity

Scottsdale, AZ 04/14/2009: WebSimpleMoney as part of the Reverse Funnel System
works, and works very well for everyone who takes action. A real estate agent, auto sales, work at home mom, previously laid off and the list goes on and on. Why does it work so well? Because this is a system that was created with all the good of network marketing and none of the bad. No prospecting or selling, and no human factor! The inventors found that the human factor was the one thing that got in the way of success, so they took out selling and replaced it with a proven system and a top notch back end sales and support team. The only thing that every business, including this, has in common is the need for advertising. Knowing this, the masterminds made sure that all the business owners receive plent of marketing training, advice, coaching, support, and they are even supplied a variety of marketing sites and more. All combined, the system is the answer to many work at homers. No more calls in the middle of the night, no more marketing questions unanswered. Just money coming in, in $1000 increments!! $3-5K a week is very real, especially in a bad economy!! www.websimplemoney.com

REALLY COMMIT to Win

“Success is focusing the full power of all you are on what you have a burning desire to achieve.” by Wilfred Peterson.

Let's really be clear on what commitment is... commitment is then putting your whole being, every thought, every desire, and all your creativity into your burning desire. No one can pull you away from your focus on your burning desire, no one can change your mind. Your mind and body are connected with you commitment to achieve your burning desire. In your heart, you know that you will achieve success and therefore, committing fully only makes perfect sense. You are excited while you visualize it, therefore, commit daily more and more as you know you are all the closer to reaching your burning desire. You see success will affecting many facets of your life and it is so exciting.

So how do we REALLY COMMIT to Win?

1. Be clear on what is important to you and I will give you a hint, money is not important. Money only becomes important because it can buy you what is really the most important and most valued in your life.
2. Have a total belief in yourself and take responsibility for your results. It's no one's fault that you are getting or not getting results. You must be responsible! And you must believe that you can do it.
3. Know that there is no way out - this is the only way to reach your goal. Therefore, there is no other way. For example, jumping out of an airplane.. you are fully committed to the jump, there is no other way!
4. Be a student of personal development. You can find personal development products and books everywhere, on and offline. You will find yourself more and more enriched, and will be able to tackle the day to day issues that crop up.
5. Surround yourself with positive influences. Be part of a business mastermind group, for example. And get rid of negative influences, such as TV and media and the "ugly stepsister" or whoever.
6. Be real - yes, anything good takes time. Run the marathon, not the sprint and you will be committed for the long haul.

Go for it! Be committed and win everyday!

Proud member of the mastermind group, the Inner Circle.

Success Culture is the Winner

Let's go against the grain for a moment. Notice how many people want their own blog, want their own business, want to create and recreate a business, so that they can make money. But... what if that system is already created, already proven success that all you have to do is plug in, join the community and do what successful people are already doing.

Coming from a background and drive towards leadership, this thinking actually goes against the grain. It's great to come up with the next best thing, but think for a moment what your day to day will look like. You will have to be creative daily, you will probably be working alone, hoping that this great idea will pay off, and you will probably be lonely, which will lead you to hire a coach to assist your business goals.

If you plug into a system that has already stood the test of time, already made money, has training and marketing materials, then you won't be alone, won't be confused, and most likely, will be making money sooner than if you created your own next best thing!

• Look for the track record.
• Look for simplicity.
• Look for support.
• Look for the success culture.

If you hang out with people who are six figure earners and do what they do, you will receive the same one day - proven over and over. I enjoy masterminding with the inner circle. We have a blast and make money too!

Twitter for Small Business by PartnerUp

Twitter is one of the fastest-growing social media tools out there right now. The free service is used by millions of people everyday and continues to grow in popularity.
Twitter is an online tool, similar to instant messaging, that allows users to submit updates on themselves of 140 text-based characters or less. These updates, called "tweets," then get displayed on the user's Twitter page, where other Twitterers can "follow" what the person is up to and even comment if they'd like.
More recently businesses have begun to realize the potential of Twitter as a point of contact with their customers and have joined the site, using it in multiple ways. News outlets, like MSNBC, typically use the service to disseminate breaking news. Whole Foods uses it to release up-to-date product information. Comcast has received a lot of coverage for using it to solve customer service issues. Twitter is a great vehicle for businesses to create a dialogue and keep in close contact with many of their customers. Here are some additional ways you can use Twitter for your small business.
1. Announce new offers, deals or sales.
2. Announce news relevant to your industry or business.
3. Provide short tips or useful information.
4. Ask for suggestions or feedback.
5. Announce recent press coverage.
6. Report on live events you're attending.
7. Keep track of your name and brand and what people are saying about it.
8. Alert your followers when you have a new blog post.
9. Attract new clients by thoughtfully adding to conversations surrounding your industry.
10. Share valuable tools or resources.
Getting your business on Twitter is easy. Just go to Twitter.com and choose a username that relates to your business or is your actual company name. Then start searching for people who are interesting or might be interested in you. Start following them and start adding to the conversation. Keep in mind that you'll get out of it what you put in to it, so put some time and effort in to staying engaged.
For right now Twitter is free to all users, commercial or non-commercial, but Twitter co-founder Biz Stone announced last month that this might be changing for business accounts. It's been widely publicized that Twitter is having issues with monetization, and Stone sees charging businesses a sort of membership fee for their use of Twitter as a means of generating revenue. How much these fees will be is still unknown, but Stone indicates that sooner or later they will be coming.
Nonetheless, the point of Twitter is to connect people, and it can certainly connect you with your customers or potential customers. All you have to do is be engaged and provide users with information that is valuable and interesting.

Connect with me on Twitter! Connect with our business!

Burning Desire Fuels Your Business

Before you go any further in your business, you must have a huge goal that can be named, your burning desire. The burning desire is what you will not live without, a new life, a more comfortable life, and maybe a trip. What do you really want to achieve through your business? Why did you choose to go into business? Most importantly, once you know what you want to buy or the life you want to have, be sure to put a price tag on it. You will fix that monetary value in your mind as your goal for the month, for the year or your longer term goal. You will know that is your measuring stick and will strive to reach it. Not only will the goal be on your mind all the time, it must be on paper in front of you. It must be visualized. It must be talked about in that there is no doubt this is happening, that you are indeed on the right path to enjoying the life or thing that your burning desire wants so badly. Finally, you must be exciting about being on the path to reaching your goal. Knowing that your goal will become your reality is exciting and powerful. You will have a different life, a fun time, or a high priced item that your burning desire wanted for a long time. Your excitement will flow to all you do and people will feel this excitement through any contact with you: emails, verbal, ads, articles, anything!

Here's a short burning desire or goal setting action list:
1. Be clear and very specific on your burning desire or goal. What do you really want?
2. Set a monetary value to what you want - monthly, yearly, longer term.
3. Write the goal out on paper, in a paragraph and a short sentence to be viewed everyday.
4. Tell people about your goal. Be sure to tell the people who believe in you first and foremost. Forget about the usual naysayers in your life.
5. Visualize it: sit down and run a movie in your mind of what your new life or thing will look like and most importantly, how you will feel.
6. Be excited and know you are on the path!

Be passionate about your burning desire and you will reach it!

Your Perception is Your Reality of Choice

You choose your reality every day by choosing your perceptions. A strong statement but think where your thoughts come from to form your perceptions. They come from your beliefs. And your beliefs not only form your perceptions, but also form your attitude that you show others.

You have a choice in how you see things. For example, marketing is challenging and I'm not good at it or marketing is fun. When you perceive yourself not good at something, your mind will search for a way to prove it. You will probably avoid marketing since you are not good at it, rather check emails, and rather do anything else. And finally, at the end of the day, you might get to it. But since you are tired and not happy about it, you will perceive it as drudgery and further confirm that you are not good at it and that everyone is so much better than you. What if you thought marketing was fun? You would do it first and be excited about the results you will get. Understand, that your perception forming a daily task will form the outcome or results.

Beliefs are our view or perceptions of the world -- notice how closely related your beliefs are to your perception. We each bring our own set of experiences and histories and fears to the table. No matter what the true reality is, our beliefs are much more powerful in forming our perception of the world.

You are in charge of choosing your perception of the world. When you perceive yourself as the person you really want to be, you will start acting like that person. Here are some steps to changing your limiting beliefs about yourself and changing your perception and attitude.

1. Write down your top 3 limiting beliefs that have kept you from achieving what you really want in your life. Take some time on this. i.e. I am not good enough at .... so I can't do ...
2. How will you change your beliefs about yourself? i.e. I will work on ... so that I am the best at ... and achieve...
3. Be selective who you listen to. Even the most loving and well meaning people give us advice that is tainted. Your perception here would be you can do anything, no matter what my mom and dad say. I am the best.
4. Practice personal development to form an abundant and grateful heart.

You will find your perceptions changing about yourself as you change your beliefs. You will see yourself as the "CEO" of your company and do the actions that "CEOs" would take. You are in charge of your perception of your reality, so change your beliefs and your perception will change and your results will change too!

Positive Thoughts Generate Wealth -- Negative Thoughts Kill Any Possibilities!

Our thoughts fuel all of our actions. They tell us what to do and what not to do. They attract people or push people away. Our thought put words into marketing and sales and our product. The fuel our income producing activities. Our thoughts are powerful, don't underestimate the power of positive thought.

How would you feel if you met the following people??

Have you been around someone who tells you all the day's woes? What a downer. Can you imagine being with that person?? No way!! Can you imagine being with an upbeat person, someone who has great things to tell you and is always smiling? Yes, introduce me!!

People want to be with a positive person, a positive leader. Positive thoughts will attract people to you as you conduct your business, thus creating your wealth. Your thoughts will propel you one way or the other. When you think negatively, you will push people away and when you are positive, people are attracted to you and want what you have, no matter what it is. You could be selling anything for any price and because of YOU, you will get the sale! Pretty amazing! Don't you know of a fun, positive person who attracts people and yet, may not really have the skills or product.... Yes, he's out there, taking your business. So, outsmart him or her. Be better. Be more fun. Be more positive and be more of a leader. Be the person that can charge any price for anything - they are buying you, your leadership and your positive, fun, and on the road to wealth attitude. You will see your business flourish and grow hugely!!If we want to make money, we need to remain positive, believe in our business, and know in our heart of hearts that it will flourish.

Top 10 Positive Attitude indicators... not in any order as all are important

• fun people


• leaders - many of them but not all..


• smiles, hugs, and love


• truth


• hope


• happiness


• helpfulness


• compassionate


• blissful


• students of personal development.

Enjoy your wealth, teach others, and be happy!

Read This: The 4-Hour Workweek

This is an awesome book! If you don't get inspired by this, you never will make a move to change your life into something big and abundant. How is it possible that Timothy Ferriss could do so much that most people would only dream of? He will share with you:

• What the crucial difference is between absolute and relative income
  
• How to train your boss to value performance over presence or kill your job or company if it's beyond repair
  
• What automated cash-flow "muses" are and how to create one in 2 to 4 weeks
  
• How to cultivate selective ignorance and create time
  
• What the management secrets of Remote Control CEOs are
  
• How to get free housing worldwide and airfare at 50-80% off
  
• How to fill the void and create a meaningful life after removing work and the office.
  

He will let you know how the New Rich (NR) has abandoned the "deferred-life plan" slave > save > retire and has mastered the new currencies of time and mobility, creating luxury lifestyles in the here and now. Just think, you put 40 years of 40-80 hour work weeks and then you retire.... or put in a few hours a week, and take retirement vacations monthly. Which would you prefer? Are you scarred to take the next step? What is the worst that can happen??? Write your dreams down. Write your worst fears down. And what if you never took the first step and kept going the current path? Enjoy this book and website http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/ . You can have it all -- see how Ty did it http://www.websimplemoney.com/ . See how Franco did it http://www.bigpayitforward.com/ .