Organization of Choice

Are you an Ostrich

2008-03-30T10:22:00.001-07:00

Are you an Ostrich?
So let’s be honest, most of you are sticking your head in the sand on the issue of your retirement. Many of you have become aware that depending on the existing retirement options will probably leave you wanting in your golden years but are not taking the action necessary to fix the problem. You are aware that the freedom to live wherever you want and finally do all those things you have put off while you were young will continue to be financially out of reach. You have realized your social security, pension fund and 401k checks are going to be too small to diffuse the high inflation in our economy.
Well unfortunately I have some more bad news…about this time the ostriches will stop reading this so to them I wish a speedy “Good Day”. Now getting back to the bad news, unfortunately, there is no guarantee that those checks will even be there. We have all heard about the failing social security system so I won’t go into those details but I do want to share with you a recent PBS Frontline special which reminds us how risky depending solely on pensions and 401Ks can be. Please follow the links below when you have time to sit and listen for about a half hour.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/retirement/view

For now I want to recap the major points. The first two segments of this frontline special highlight how even some of the most secure pension funds have failed and left their beneficiaries having to live on as little as 70% of the amount promised to them. They are now being paid through a government insurance program. Large American companies and even cities have discovered the value of bankruptcy and restructuring to walk away from their pension promises. Pensioners are left selling their prized processions and working until death to keep a roof over their heads and food in their mouths.
The last two segments cover the pitfalls of the 401K system, the do-it-yourself retirement plan that is perpetuating many of the ills of our society. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. This special highlights the huge yield disparity between the participants in 401K plans. The high level engineer with the Masters in Business Administration is depositing and earning 5-7 times the amount deposited and earned by the equipment technician in the same company. Individuals not versed in financial planning are expected to make ongoing decisions that deeply affect their success or lack of it. When you throw in the volatility of the stock market it is a recipe for disaster for the majority of the Americans depending on this flawed system.
As a retirement pest I hope all of you will stop being an ostrich. Starting tomorrow I hope you take the time to learn all there is to learn about your options. Sit down and set an appropriate target retirement amount. Then start making the hard decisions necessary to get you to that amount.
As part of your learning process I urge you to take the time to explore the options Ace Capital Group specializes in. For over 30 years, Ace www.Ace4Weath.com has been helping individuals yield gains 2-3 times the historical average return of the stock market with much less risk. Please contact me to set up at your convenience your own personal information session to learn how.
Debra Madore 951 347 3602 or dmadore@Ace4Wealth.com

What is Redesign

2008-03-30T10:19:00.000-07:00

What is Redesign?
The latest trend in home decorating involves using what you already have. OK, I realize that doesn’t sound all that new and exciting. After all, you don’t get to buy all new furniture or accessories. You’ve had this same stuff for 20 years and now I’m telling you to live with it awhile longer. However, learning to use what you already have will allow you to make better use of the new stuff when you get around to getting it. Let’s discuss the redesign procedure and then we’ll come back to the idea of “new stuff”.
When attempting to rearrange or redecorate a room, most people make the mistake of trying to envision the new design while the old design is right in front of them. The fundamental idea behind redesign is to empty everything out of the room and start from scratch. Throw out all of your preconceptions of how the furniture should be arranged, what furniture should be in the room and how to accessorize. Start with a clean slate and create a new look.
Slowly reintroduce your furniture (largest piece first) and rearrange it in every configuration imaginable. Put the couch in places you “know” it won’t go. Why? because you need to see it everywhere. Mentally, you’ve probably already eliminated one or more locations in the room. “I’d never put the couch in front of the window.” Try it. You might be surprised. Don’t forget to try angles. Many people think putting a couch at an angle will take up space. Actually, an angle may make the room feel larger.
Once you’re satisfied with the placement, begin introducing tables, lighting, plants, art and accessories. Don’t forget to “shop the house”. It’s a lot faster and cheaper than rushing to the store for a new table, lamp or plant. Look in the garage, the attic, even outside for great “finds” that might work in your new room.
How does it look? Did you find the table you needed next to the chair? Everything works except you still need a new sofa? That’s all right. Now, you have a great arrangement. You know where you need a table and what size it should be. You won’t make the mistake of buying a couch that’s too big for the room, because you know where it needs to fit. You can be a smart shopper and buy just what you need. You won’t buy all new furnishings only to end up with a room that still doesn’t make you feel at home.
Bribe your husband or best friend to help you move furniture and give this a try. Or give me a call. I’d love to share the entire redesign process with you.

Hype, Fad, or Trend

2008-03-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

Hype, Fad or Trend?
By Cynthia Renee Frazier, Business Growth Exert
www.EnergyTourCafe.com

If you are a business owner, solopreneur, coach, author, speaker, virtual assistant, or service professional, growing your business is almost always a challenge you face. It’s what is known in the industry as working on your business rather than working in your business. (For a longer explanation of this concept read my book 101+ Proven Growth Strategies for the Small Business Entrepreneur). Of course there are a host of other challenges like getting known, building trust, filling the marketing funnel, growing a platform, and the daunting task of keeping up with the Internet.

In the process of working with clients who are looking for ways to grow their company, the hype, fad, or trend comment/question is sure to come up. “Why should I learn about the Internet? It’s all hype and it’s not going to last. Besides, MySpace is for kids anyway. I don’t see how something for kids can be used to grow my business.”
Before I tell you why this statement couldn’t be farther from reality, let me explore the difference between a fad and a trend. Most people use the two terms interchangeably. And they can mean something similar if you are referring to fashion. However, they are not really the same outside of the fashion example. A fad tends to be short lived whereas a trend is associated with long-lasting movements and progress.
So the answer to the question – why learn about the Internet as a business growth tool—because it is a trend that will have a long term success impact on your business. It is not going away.
With that said, take a moment to go back to some of the challenges mentioned at the beginning of this article. Now consider some of the trends taking place on the Internet right now—MySpace, Facebooks, Blogs, Podcasts, Twitter, and Photo Sharing. When used appropriately, each one of these can enhance your ability to get new clients, fill your marketing funnel, generate and qualify leads, and so much more. Does it take time, money, and effort to figure out? Sure it does. But don’t let that stop you! Believe me, the Internet is helping ordinary business owners experience extraordinary results. And those of you who know me, know that I too am using these cutting edge techniques to speed up my goal of building a million dollar enterprise. Not only that, clients who follow my lead are seeing similar results.
Therefore, my advice to you is to change the way you think about the Internet and your business. Learn what you can and put your knowledge to work. It is an investment that will give you a tremendous return for your efforts.
Cynthia is the Co-Founder of Energy Tour Café, the number one go to resource for women business owners looking to become a million dollar company. Get on the bus and join Cynthia on March 22 for an exclusive travel and learn experience – Marketing To Go. You will learn how to use Social Media to grow your company. Visit www.EnergyTourCafe.com for details.

How a Brand Strategy is Born

2008-03-06T20:28:00.000-08:00

How a Brand Strategy is Born
Gail Guge & Jim Hughes, Brand Strategists
Wilkin Guge Marketing, Inc.

While speaking to a group of CEOs recently, we asked how many of them share their business plans with their advertising agencies. Only a small number raised their hands.

It’s not surprising. It seems agencies and clients are equally at fault for this “separate camps” mentality. The important strategic business stuff never leaves the corporate office, and agencies tend to get caught up in the creative execution of assignments to promote sales. The result is that businesses seldom see their agencies as valued strategic partners. What a waste, and here’s why. A company’s business strategy has a far greater chance of success if it is aligned with the company’s brand strategy. The really great advertisers get together with their really great agencies and make really great brands. So why can’t smaller advertisers and agencies benefit from working this way also? Well, often the business doesn’t have a written business plan. Or, the CEO, president, COO, CFP and VPs shut themselves in a room and brainstorm a business strategy, then they pass it down to marketing for a plan and execution. What a waste of good perspective. Most agencies can offer incredible external insights and bring critical customer data into the mix to make for a better plan. Here’s an example of a terrific business strategy perfectly aligned with a brilliant brand strategy. In the early seventies, BMW held a miniscule share of the European luxury car market and an even smaller share of that audience’s mind. Mercedes-Benz outsold BMW 3 to 1, establishing its foothold on the U.S. market by promoting its “European Engineering.” However, if you talked to BMW designers, they’d tell you their cars had far superior engineering than Mercedes-Benz’s cars. They would also suggest they designed and built cars with much greater responsiveness to a driver’s actions, providing a better sense of the road beneath and offering greatly enhanced control. Mercedes, according to BMW, had a smoother ride.

However, BMW’s tighter feel and enhanced responsiveness gave drivers the sense they were in complete control, something no other brand of automobile offered. This handling advantage was greatly appreciated by sports car aficionados and car enthusiasts.

Thus, a business strategy was born. “At Bayerische Motoren Werke, we will build highly engineered automobiles and market them to performance-minded enthusiasts.” This new strategy was communicated to all of the company’s employees, strategic partners, suppliers, distributors, customers, sales teams andmarketers. And, at this point, with BMW’s agency (Ammirati & Puris) involved in every step of the strategy development, a brand strategy was carefully crafted and aligned for the purpose of advancing an overall corporate message: “BMW, the ultimate driving machine.”

This message was also delivered to the same employees, strategic partners, suppliers, distributors and customers. In three decades, BMW’s business strategy and brand strategy alignment have driven the company to the top of the category, and today, BMW outsells Mercedes-Benz 3 to 1.This strategy alignment should never be ignored. That is, the two should never operate exclusively, nor should C-level executives and their agencies. We believe combined intelligence, know-how and experience can be of great value to all. Our brand discovery process provides the perfect link. When we facilitate a branding session, we recruit a company’s CEO, COO, VP of marketing, marketing managers, sales managers, folks from operations and someone in the field with a clear pulse on the buyer. Then, we spend half a day in an information-distilling process, identifying simple facts to possible unique selling points and absolute USPs.

And, our proprietary process includes a built-in delivery mechanism to assure the company’s newly discovered positioning is deliverable constantly and consistently. The outcome is the new or revisited business strategy, the basis for the development of a crystal clear and memorable brand positioning statement and, ultimately, the company’s internal and external brand communications strategy.

For all the reasons just mentioned, we always say, “Brand development is not a marketing initiative; rather, it is a corporate initiative.” It must start at the top and permeate from the president to the guy sweeping the floor in the factory, and that’s before we start talking to customers and prospects.

To take this alignment further, let us suggest it can also surface and highlight other issues worthy of exploration... things such as “What’s our business model, our channel strategy, now that the business and brand strategies are one?” and “Should our vision for the future stay intact, or should we revisit it?”
Here’s the typical scenario: A client wants growth and increased sales (1). (see figure 2.) The agency responds with an ad campaign or some creative execution as the solution (2). This happens all the time; we agencies are famous for it. But, the smarter agency will come back with an insightful argument (like BMW) for business and brand alignment initiatives before any ads are written (3&4). From the outcome of this discovery process, the client, agency and other strategic partners can re-evaluate its distribution strategies, communications, sales networks and processes (5) and even take a fresh look at the company’s vision (6). With this new, linear perspective, sales and growth can now increase, creating a smoother ride to greater success.

So remember, to propel your brand forward, share your business plan with your agency and brainstorm collaboratively with it as your partner. You’ll find the agency will bring a vital external perspective to your strategic thinking and this team approach will lead your company to increased profits.

10 Effective Tips to Market & Grow your Business

2008-03-06T19:57:00.000-08:00

10 Effective Tips to Market & Grow Your Business:

Marketing your business is the key to your success; however marketing can be costly if you try to do everything at one time. We all need to talk about our business, passion and vision because who knows it better than we do? This article will give you effective ways to get you business out there in the public’s eye without draining your checkbook.

Marketing is much more than running an ad or buying time on a billboard. Marketing is engaging with people and giving back to them. We are responsible as business owners to connect with people, find out their needs and then meet them. People do not care what you do or what you know until you show you care or are interested in them. So let’s get into the 10 Most Effective Ways to Market and Grow Your Business!

Website: Don’t spend an arm and a leg getting one started if you do not already have one. Websites can run you anywhere from $199.00 (and it looks like $199) up to $6000 +. The key to an effective website is one that generates you traffic, ranks you on Google and Yahoo. Most companies will charge you additional money to get this pre-web page, it can run you an additional $2000. We have found a cost effective and quick company to help you get up and running in as little as 2 days, www.ticklemewebsites.com you can fill out a questionnaire and be on your way to an inexpensive marketing tool that will rank you on the major search engines, you own the website and it can be up and running in as little as 2 days.

Statistics are that 97% of new business is coming from the internet.

Networking: If you want people to know what you do you have to tell them. You have to connect and show-up at different networking events and talk to people. Be sure you bring your business cards and handouts. The key to the success at large networking events is asking what they do first. Show interest in their business which gives you the okay to share yours. This will help you engage in conversation and see what they need that fits your business or a strategic business partners business. Be sure to get their business card and make notes on the back so you will remember their needs. Follow-up with an email telling them it was a pleasure meeting them…

Email Campaign: Again electronic is where the money is right now, however don’t just send an email step it up with a contact manager program. Our favorite is www.contantcontact.com it is FREE for 60 days so you can try it out. Create a newsletter so you can keep your name in front of those contacts on a monthly basis. Be sure when you create the newsletter it contains more than just a “Buy Me” from you. Include in it a story about the holiday of the month, a recipe or a household hint. Maybe add a testimony from a recent client. Make your newsletter something they can’t wait to receive. Constant Contact also allows for them to opt out if they do not want to receive the newsletters anymore and it has a SPAM check so you can see if your content is high risk.

Affiliate Programs: Look for other businesses that have products that will enhance what you do. For example we have signed up as an affiliate for the Goal Guru. They take what we teach to the next level with tools. As an affiliate your name will be linked to them and you will receive a percentage of whatever you sell. You sell their product by having a link on your newsletter and the client goes to buy, you get a check. This cost you nothing to participate and if you select your affiliates to complement what you do you will appear to be more of an expert in your field.

30 second elevator story: You need to develop a story to capture a potential client’s attention in 30 seconds or less. The way to think about this fantastic and powerful tool is, you are riding in an elevator and the person next to you says hello, now you have 30 seconds to pitch your story can you do it? This takes practice and practice and still more practice. A few key elements to a successful elevator story: start with a question or a quote to engage their mind. Second, who are you; state your name and business name. Third, what problem can you solve regarding the question or issue.

For example here is one of my 30 second stories (yes I have more than one depending on the crowd and my attitude for the day) “Do you know that 97% of people will never reach their true potential?” I am Robin Hardy Certified Professional Speaker and Life/Action Coach. I engage your mind to help you reach your dreams and goals, What may I coach you on? I am Robin Hardy President of The Moosey Group.

Try writing your own and practicing it, you will be amazed at the results next time you network!

Write an Article: This is a fantastic way to become the “Expert” in what you do. You can publish your articles on websites like Amazines.com and Ezines.com for FREE. They allow you to link your website to your article so you can generate business from people searching for your topic.

Write an E-Book: Okay do not panic, it can be an e-booklet or article. Take your expertise and start writing you will be amazed that you can create an e-book in as little as 30 days. The key to this is write the time in your calendar to sit and write. Once you have written your e-book print it for a friend to read and comment on before sending it out to the public. Then you can create your newsletter to announce the new book or a press release. Save your e-book as a PDF so you can email it to the person. You can do e-books as a free gift or sell them on your website. You can do this even if you are in a MLM or direct selling business, you would do them as your name recommending the product. Yolanda Levy (membership chair in Murrieta For You Network) is a great example of this, she has overcome some great health issues and is now representing Isagenix. She has also written a book that started as an e-book and is now published. The key is just do it!

Press Releases: I thought those were for big events in the newspapers…wrong. A press release is a way to announce something new; a new business, a new book, a new product… Once you have created your e-book or articles go to www.prweb.com and submit a press release. Be sure you have your website mentioned somewhere in the press release (hint this will also move you up on Google/Yahoo). If you are creating product you need to boast and get the word out, this is a free and effective way to get it out.

Create your BLING: What is a BLING? A BLING is something that catches the interest of an individual that makes them want to look for more or search your website. We were asked this question recently and I could not answer I did not have the BLING. This is where “Follow The Moose” came from, I guarantee people are hitting our website quite a bit right now wondering what is this about. Then we created stickers like you see below and when they ask what is Follow The Moose we respond you’ll have to go and see. They are intrigued and will go to the website. So what is your BLING? There is a computer repair man who uses “The Computer Doctor, the Doctor is IN”. So start thinking now, what can you do?

Ask for the Referral: The biggest thing most forget to do is ASK. If you have taken care of your client and they are happy you are the hero right now so ASK. Who do you know that I could provide the same service/product for? You will find most clients are willing to talk about you if you ask. Send them a gift card if you get a close on a referral, guess why…they will send you more business. It is all about just ASKING.

Robin Hardy
Certified Professional Speaker
Certified Action/Life Coach
www.FollowTheMoose.com
Robin@TheMooseyGroup.com
951-789-6648

The Rhino Principle

2008-03-06T19:53:00.000-08:00

The Rhino Principle

Life has many rules. I have found one that I consider worth mentioning. It applies if and when you’re confronted by change, crisis and fear. I call it the Rhino Principle.

My friend the Rhino is not a gentle animal, nor is he subtle or clever, however he does possess a ‘heavy weighted’ desire to succeed! His body armor alone is worth mentioning when it comes to armor. The Rhino is one of those animals when progressive design is taken into account, should have been eliminated. He is still here. What does that say about his character?

Why was he not eliminated? Well, there is single mindedness, focused and very perceptive attitude about him. When he needs to make a decision, he will check out all the options, and when the decision is made, it is made with finality that we humans don’t readily posses. When the decision is made to move forward, he does it with all his might, no holding back. Charge! is the call. When the forward thrust is complete, everything before him is flattened! Then my Rhino friend finds the grass and begins the grazing action again, awaiting another call.

Few people I’ve met think much about a Rhino except that he is big, slow and can’t see. How wrong they are! I have learned a great deal studying him and being the “charming Pink Rhino’ gal that I am, take great stock in his strong behavior, willingness to move, the awesome ability to focus on his target…then Charge towards the goal. A Rhino will not just charge without knowing why, so studying the field ahead is his nature, thus I adopted that as well. I move quickly when all is right and things are in place.

Kenny Rogers has a song, “Know When to Hold em’, Know When to Fold em’” (that may not be the title) I hold fast to that as well. If you put that saying and the Rhino together you have a powerful team!

These principles can be applied to many other aspects of life, not just your personal life. When an entrepreneur (like us ladies) has an object in his line of vision, he should dismiss all other considerations from mind, and then abandon all other activity and charge directly at the object. Continuing to charge until the goal has been secured. Aggressive, single-mindedness and courage are his politics.

Time after time in our history we see where concentrated pursuit, with clear and definite aim was applied, great success came. Thinking of our history there was Columbus, Thomas Jefferson, even a current day Ali Sahabi (Dos Lagos dreamer) made history through diligence, hard work, focus and strength of character. Charging forward and not stopping, committed to the goal.

Ladies, I’m a Rhino! I invite you to take a second look at this magnificent animal and join me in the charge forward to the goal! You’re worth it; time has laid the plans for us! Just consider it……..

Kathleen Moon,
Motivational Speaker/Trainer/Consultant
The Pink Jungle (Rhino Style!)

Janet Steiner

2008-02-09T08:19:00.000-08:00

Janet Steiner
President
Thoro Packaging
1467 Davril Circle Corona, California 92880
Email: jsteiner@thoropkg.com
Phone: 951-278-2100
Fax: 951-278-2100
__________________________________________________________________

Executive Profile

Janet Steiner has been President of Thoro Packaging since 1982 when her father stepped down as President because of failing health. Held in high regard and recognized as a leader in the paperboard packaging industry, Janet Steiner is at the helm of one of the most innovative folding carton companies today. Janet has led Thoro in meeting or exceeding customer requirements with exemplary customer service and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities for approximately twenty-five years. Janet’s success is driven by her father’s vision of quality and customer satisfaction.

By establishing a quality culture that attracts and retains talented employees, Thoro can boast that about half of their personnel have been employees on an average of eight years. Some Thoro employees are approaching their twenty and thirty-year anniversaries. As the 1995 President and current member of the Pacific Coast Paper Box Manufacturers’ Association, Janet is also a current member of the Board of Directors of the Paperboard Packaging Council, the Corona Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Corona Manufacturers Council.

With over two decades of pioneering achievements, Janet Steiner sets no limits to the capabilities of her employees and Thoro Packaging. She has the ability to be a visionary and to stay two steps ahead of the latest business trends.

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Networking is a Garden

2008-02-07T19:04:00.000-08:00

Networking is a Garden
By Amy Boyd

Networking is like planting and tending a garden. As a small business owner you can choose to play it safe and stay in your comfort zone, but just like a garden that is shaded and protected the business cannot grow to its full potential. Networking is a way to bring your small business out into the warmth of the sun and succulence of the rain so it can establish a strong root system, spread its leaves and grow into an abundant garden with substance.

Think of the business cards you give out and receive from others as seeds and seedlings that help you establish your garden. Attending regular networking events lets you water those seeds as you build relationships with the individuals that you meet. Without a regular supply of water a garden will wither and die.

Your business also needs nutrients and fertilizing just as you need to feed a garden. Setting up meetings, having coffee or lunch with individuals you have met through networking events not only helps you learn more about the other individual’s business, but it gives you an opportunity to tell them more about your business. Asking and answering questions helps clarify your business and theirs so that you learn how you can work together to grow each other’s business.

Weeding is also essential to the health of your garden. As you gather business cards from other individuals you may find that you have so many cards it’s a little overwhelming, just like the weeds choking your garden. Sort though your cards identifying those that are ideal strategic partners or provide services you and your business may need. Toss out any cards that just take up space and provide no value to your business.

Topics presented at many networking events are like adding ladybugs to your garden. They help keep your garden healthy and free of various forms of parasites, whether it’s establishing a personal brand, wading through complex employment law, or optimizing your website. And don’t forget the butterflies. These are individuals that may not work directly with you or your business, but they have had the opportunity to get to know you at the networking events and are out there germinating your plants by telling others about you and your business.

So come to the next NAWBO-IE meeting and help your garden grow.By Amy Boyd

Networking is like planting and tending a garden. As a small business owner you can choose to play it safe and stay in your comfort zone, but just like a garden that is shaded and protected the business cannot grow to its full potential. Networking is a way to bring your small business out into the warmth of the sun and succulence of the rain so it can establish a strong root system, spread its leaves and grow into an abundant garden with substance.

Think of the business cards you give out and receive from others as seeds and seedlings that help you establish your garden. Attending regular networking events lets you water those seeds as you build relationships with the individuals that you meet. Without a regular supply of water a garden will wither and die.

Your business also needs nutrients and fertilizing just as you need to feed a garden. Setting up meetings, having coffee or lunch with individuals you have met through networking events not only helps you learn more about the other individual’s business, but it gives you an opportunity to tell them more about your business. Asking and answering questions helps clarify your business and theirs so that you learn how you can work together to grow each other’s business.

Weeding is also essential to the health of your garden. As you gather business cards from other individuals you may find that you have so many cards it’s a little overwhelming, just like the weeds choking your garden. Sort though your cards identifying those that are ideal strategic partners or provide services you and your business may need. Toss out any cards that just take up space and provide no value to your business.

Topics presented at many networking events are like adding ladybugs to your garden. They help keep your garden healthy and free of various forms of parasites, whether it’s establishing a personal brand, wading through complex employment law, or optimizing your website. And don’t forget the butterflies. These are individuals that may not work directly with you or your business, but they have had the opportunity to get to know you at the networking events and are out there germinating your plants by telling others about you and your business.

So come to the next NAWBO-IE meeting and help your garden grow.

The Balancing Act

2008-02-07T19:03:00.000-08:00

The Balancing Act

When I first decided that I would venture out on my own, far away from the security of a regular paycheck from Uncle Sam, I spent a considerable amount of time determining what values would form the foundation of my new business venture. It’s important to recognize, identify and intentionally form colorful connections – always surrounding yourself in business and in life with people who want what is truly best for you and tell you what you need to hear, not necessarily what you want to hear.

When the design was complete and the concrete was being poured, the foundation of Upside Thinking, Inc. rested on three solid principles – 1) Prioritize Your Life with Health & Self first; Family second and Work third; 2) Everyone desires happiness, success and meaning; 3) You are…where you choose to be. Throw a little quantum physics in there and you’ve got the secret recipe for Upside Thinking, Inc. When I determine whether to work with a client, I make my decision based on whether they are in agreement and alignment with those principles.

Because I’m often asked about principle #1 by many of my faith-based friends who argue that God should come first on my list, let me explain that after 18 years of parochial schooling and participating in ministry work for most of my adult life, my spirituality and faith journey are part of who I am and cannot separated from the self category. It’s like saying I failed to include breathing on my list of priorities. To further define principle #1, if you don’t take care of your health and put your self first, you can not properly give to your family (or your work). If you have unmet needs in your family, you cannot adequately give to your work. And, if you ignore the work/life balance, self, family and/or work will suffer.

How often do you or one of your loved ones work more than 45 hours per week? Long work days and little or no vacation has become commonplace in the United States. Many Americans are “unbalanced”, believing their work is an investment in their future, hoping to retire earlier or reward themselves later. However, regardless of your socio-economic standing or family background, each one of us receives the same 24 hour allotment per day. Additionally, there is no guarantee that “later” will ever arrive and, if it does, it may not be packaged the way we might have expected. Therefore, treasure each moment and understand it is a gift – that’s why it’s called the present!

Life is a balancing act. I encourage you to think about where you are spending your quality time – the best hours of your day -- and financial resources, as this will determine what you value and have made a priority in your life. If you don’t like where you are, make the decision to do what it takes to make the necessary changes in your life right now. Start small and ask someone you trust to hold you accountable. You don’t know who to ask? Then, hire a coach to guide and assist you in your transformation. Remaining balanced is an investment with an immediate payoff, not just for ourselves but for our family and friends – everyone within our sphere of influence -- and the rewards are the joy peace that come from being truly centered.

(Excerpt from Lisa Marie’s book Designing Your Destiny: Achieving Personal and Professional Success through Upside Thinking)

Over 30? Questions You Should Ask Yourself

2008-02-07T19:02:00.000-08:00

Over 30? Questions You Should Ask Yourself

Could you retire comfortably on $1,250? Unfortunately, Social Security statistics show that Social Security provides 89% of the majority of retirement income with the average income only $13,500 per year. Only 2% will be self-sustaining. 23% will still be working, 30% will be partially dependent on charity, and the remaining 45% will be partially dependent on relatives.

Should I depend on Social Security to fund the majority of my retirement? I was asked that question the other day. As a REALTOR® who helps people build wealth through land banking, I had to answer emphatically “No”! The prognosis is bleak for the social security fund. On the front page of our semi-annual statement it clearly states:
Ø 2017 – The agency will begin paying out more in benefits than it collects in revenue.
Ø 2027 – The agency will have to tap the principal in its “trust fund” to meet its monthly obligations.
Ø 2041 – The trust fund will be exhausted, at which point the agency will be able to pay only about 75% of promised benefits.
Need I say more!
How much would I need to be self-sustaining in my retirement?
Everyone should take a hard look at what they want out of retirement, whether it is time with the grandkids, travel, and/or the pursuit of all those fun hobbies and sports you never had time for. Then add in all the basics: food, lodging, medical expenses, transportation, etc. Try to calculate your life span. You do not want to out live your money! From there you should be able to come up with an estimate. Once you have a monthly figure the following numbers should help you estimate the funds you would need to accumulate by retirement
Assuming a 4% return annually on cash
Ø $1,200,000 would return an average net monthly income of $3,000
Ø $2,000,000 would return an average net monthly income of $5,000
Ø $2,800,000 would return an average net monthly income of $7,000
Ø $4,000,000 would return an average net monthly income of $10,000
Of course you also need to allow for inflation, see below for help to calculate this.

What will my dollars saved today be worth when I am ready to retire? We have all heard of inflation, it erodes the value of our dollar everyday. The sad mostly unknown fact is that the annual inflation rate calculated by the government does not include food and energy. If they were to include those items the inflation rate would average two to three points higher. This is what to expect from inflation on the buying power of your dollars. Remember to include the extra points for food and energy, both essential to survival, don’t you think?
Ø An inflation of 3% doubles the cost of your living expenses in 23 years.
Ø An inflation of 5% doubles the cost of your living expenses in 15 years.

How long will it take my money to grow?
Most people don’t realize that growth is the key to investment potential. Everyone should look at how much they have already put aside, how much they are currently able to contribute each year and how long before they retire. Then they need to take a good long look at the growth rate of their current investments. The growth rate makes all the difference. If you are averaging10% growth a year, it will take seven years for your money to double. However, if your growth rate is 20% it only takes 3.6 years for your money to double. Growth is the key to investment potential, in this case the old adage “time is money” does not apply---“time is money lost” is more appropriate.

Should I make some changes in my retirement plan?
At this point you are either patting yourself on the back for already have planned and built a retirement portfolio or you are scared to death. Either way, speaking to professionals and examining thoroughly all the investment options in this changing market is always the best choice.

Utilizing federal tax rule 408B and rolling your IRAS, ROTHs or 401Ks into self-directed accounts and buying carefully selected California Real Estate is one of those investment options. As a real estate broker representing the land portfolio of the 34 year old company, Ace Capital Group, I help individuals utilize a better growth vehicle for long term appreciation. I would love to meet with you, review your current situation and give you all the details of what has been working extremely well for our over 10,000 clients. Please do not hesitate to email or call me with questions. To examine these issues in depth please set your own private appointment. I am available at your convenience.

Debra Madore, REALTOR ®
Ace Capital Group
DMadore@AceCapGroup.com
Cell 951 347 3602
Fax 951 734 7152

Voluntary Benefits Provide Options Amid Rising Health Care Costs

2008-02-07T18:59:00.000-08:00

Voluntary Benefits Provide Options Amid Rising Health Care Costs
Women represent 51 percent of the population in the United States and nearly 47 percent of the labor force. As of 2006, there were an estimated 10.4 million privately-held firms in the United States in which women were half or majority owners. Women businesses account for 70 percent of all new businesses opened over the past decade. They generate $1.9 trillion in annual sales, employ 12.8 million people and spend an estimated $546 billion annually on salaries and benefits.
Despite this growing financial success among women, the increasing cost of health care, can be a major concern for female consumers as they look for ways to balance routine expenses with the rising price of medical treatment. The apprehension of coping with mounting living expenses is not limited to employees alone. Business owners may also distress over how to handle rising costs, so they too are searching for options that will reduce their operating expenses. An overwhelming concern for women in both groups is the continuing spike in health care costs.
For more than 50 years, Aflac has provided guaranteed-renewable insurance policies for millions of people worldwide. Aflac’s voluntary benefits can offer two major advantages for businesses and their employees. First, we all know employees who have switched jobs for the same pay but greater benefits. Adding voluntary benefits can help recruit and retain employees by bolstering benefit packages at little to no cost to the business. Second, Aflac policies can provide added-value for businesses of all sizes from small companies with as little as three employees to large corporations with a huge workforce.
Voluntary benefits provide a cost-efficient way for employees to cope with rising health care costs while also presenting them with more options for obtaining quality medical care and covering their routine expenses in case of an untimely medical event.
Few American workers have the recommended three months of personal savings to cover living expenses in case of a rainy day. Making Aflac’s voluntary benefits available to your employees is not only a great way to assist in recruiting top talent, it can also help your workers with financial planning, allowing them to be better prepared to handle expenses incurred from an unexpected health emergency.
Aflac’s voluntary benefits are paid directly to the policy holder and can be used toward expenses like co-payments, mortgage, groceries, and car payments while employees are away from work recovering from an injury or illness. And the policies are portable, which means policyholders can take the same benefits at the same premium if they change jobs.
Whether a new entrepreneur recruiting your first employee, or a seasoned businesswoman looking for ways to enhance your benefit offerings, Aflac products can help you in managing health care costs while providing added-value for your workforce.
Janice Baxter is an Aflac Agent in the Southern California region. For more information about voluntary benefits, please call Aflac’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-992-3522 or (909) 225-0806, or visit aflac.com.

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau

Business Fashion Tips That You Can Use Now

2008-01-06T18:23:00.000-08:00

Business Fashion Tips That You Can Use Now
By Michele Broad

The transition to business wear can be pretty tricky sometimes especially for the female entrepreneur. You have made the move from employee to business owner so now what do you wear? You want to make a stylish impression on your clients without going overboard.
It is important to remember that not all casual clothing is appropriate for business wear.
In order to do this effectively, the sophisticated entrepreneurial woman needs a few basic
business wear essentials for business and business related events.
First, you’ll need a simple pair of black slacks. Black slacks are versatile and can be dressed up or down as the situation calls for. An additional pair of neutral slacks is also advisable for mixing and matching options.
A must have is a few straight skirts hanging just below the knees. These skirts
are flattering and can be worn with a multitude of tops. Mixing and matching gives you endless options and saves you lots of money. Casual skirts that are split at or below the knee are acceptable in most business settings.
Mini-skirts in the business world are not advisable.
You’ll need both a sleeveless and a sleeved fitted dress that can be worn with or without a cardigan.
Brightly colored tops can be worn with either pants or skirts to reveal a pulled together fashion statement.
A black cardigan is chic and easy to wear and a definite wardrobe must have.
A sexy shell in a neutral color looks chic under a jacket.
A few crispy white long sleeved or short sleeved shirts are always a smart look.
Your wardrobe should also have a black or grey coat or in warmer climates a sweater or shrug is acceptable.
Black and neutral pumps with an elegant heel can compliment just about any
outfit. Flip-flops, slippers and flashy athletic shoes are not acceptable
in the business world.
A simple black or neutral purse also compliments most
outfits.
Remember that clothing that reveals too much cleavage, back, chest, feet,
any of your stomach or underwear is not appropriate for the business world.
Jeans are also not appropriate for the business world no matter how dressy they may be.
All clothing should be pressed and clean. No torn, dirty or frayed clothing
is acceptable. The only picture or words that are acceptable on attire is
your company logo.

Michele Broad
Fashion Consultant
Weekenders USA Fashion Line
If your fashions are becoming to you …you should becoming to me
www.weekendersusa.com/fashiondoctor

You've Got To Know In Order To Gow

2008-01-06T16:28:00.000-08:00

You’ve Got to Know in Order to Grow! Joining a membership organization is a great strategy when you are looking at ways to grow your business. But the buck doesn’t stop there. To see results from your membership, develop a plan before you join. All too often, business owners walk away disappointed at the organization when it was their own lack of purpose that caused a lack of results. Here’s what I mean by that. Many small business owners don’t take the time to understand the mission of an organization or who its members are in advance of joining. Moreover, many business owners have no clue as to who their own most profitable target market is and how to service them. It’s not uncommon to hear a hair stylist, for example, say their target market is “anyone with hair”. Well, even obnoxious, mean spirited people have hair. Do you want to service people with obnoxious personalities or mean spirits? Knowing your most profitable target market is critical because you will need to articulate this information to the other members of the organization you plan to join. Instead, many women business owners focus on their offering. They’ll say something like, “I am a graphic designer” or “I am a coach”. That’s fine, but in order for others to provide qualified leads and referrals to you, they need more information. And if you can’t give them that information in a clear, concise, quick fashion, you lose out. Take some time to develop a marketing plan. Doing so will assist you in identifying who your most profitable target demographic is and even more importantly, what their needs are. Also, take some time to understand the needs of the organization and how you can help fulfill those needs. Now, you can grow your business by stating what niche you serve and what you can do to meet the needs of your niche, and what you can do to serve the needs of the organization. A win-win indeed!

By Cynthia Renee Frazier, Author of 101+ Proven Growth Strategies for Small Business Entrepreneurs, and sponsor of Walk the Walk for Financial Freedom Virtual Growth Summit. To learn more about the author, visit www.EnergyTourCafe.com.

TAX SAVING TIPS

2008-01-06T16:23:00.000-08:00

No question, the federal tax law is complex. And the law has become even more complicated as a result of all the new tax legislation enacted over the last several years. Complexity leads to opportunities for taxpayers to reduce their taxes – but planning is essential.

It’s smart to approach your tax planning effort from several directions. On the income side, your focus might be to be to find ways to defer taxes on your income or to have income taxed at a favorable rate. As for expenses, you can look for ways to reduce your taxable income by increasing deductible expenses.

Key Developments for the 2008 Tax Year

The 5% tax rate of net capital gains and qualified dividend income for the tax year 2007 drops to 0% for 2008. Capital gains and dividends that otherwise would be taxed in the two lowest ordinary tax brackets (10% and 15%) will not be subject to federal income tax. The 0% rate is scheduled to continue through tax years 2009 and 2010.
The contribution limit for individual retirement accounts (both traditional and Roth) increases from $ 4,000 in 2007 to $ 5,000 for 2008. A “catch-up” provision permits an additional contribution of up to $ 1,000 by individuals who are at least age 50 in 2008.
Distributions from certain retirement plans may be rolled over into Roth IRAs, starting in 2008. Certain requirements apply.
The “kiddie tax” provision will now apply to many college-age children with investment income.
Eligible taxpayers may elect under Section 179 of the tax code to deduct as a business expense the cost of new or used assets placed in service in 2008, as opposed to claiming depreciation, up to a maximum of $ 128,000. The maximum allowable for 2007 was $ 125,000.

Charitable Contributions

Watch out for new stricter rules for charitable contributions. For 2007, you cannot deduct any cash contribution unless you retain either a bank record that supports the donation (such as a cancelled check or credit card receipt) or a written statement from the charity that meets tax-law requirements. For cash donations of $ 250 or more, a bank record is not enough. You must obtain a charity-provided statement that meets tax-law standards. Also, you cannot deduct donations of used clothing and household items unless that are in good used condition or better. This includes furniture and furnishings, electronics, appliances, linens, and the like. Be sure to keep a list and photo (to help establish the item’s condition) of donated items.

Business Deduction Strategies

Retirement Plans for the Self-Employed

Tax qualified retirement plans provide self-employed business owners and their employees with tremendous opportunities to save for retirement while gaining tax advantages.

Eligible small employers can claim a tax credit for 50% of administrative and retirement-related education expenses for the first three plan years (maximum annual credit of $ 500).

Deducting the Cost of Business Assets

The ability to depreciate the cost of business equipment, furniture and fixtures, and buildings is a significant tax advantage. By carefully timing when your business places certain assets in service, your business can obtain larger first-year depreciation deductions.

Other Deduction Strategies

Business driving: Deductions for the business use of an automobile may be calculated using a standard mileage rate (48.5¢ for 2007 and 50.5¢ for 2008) or by figuring actual expenses, including depreciation.

Domestic production activities deduction: Manufacturers, construction contractors, and businesses involved in certain other U.S. production activities can deduct 6% of their qualified production activities income or, if less, 6% of their taxable income. The deduction percentage will rise to 9% in 2010 and later years. The deduction is limited to 50% of W-2 wages.

Energy-efficient commercial buildings: A deduction of as much as $1.80 per building square foot is available for amounts spend in 2008 to make a commercial building energy efficient. Specific energy and power cost reduction targets must be met.

Conclusion

Through careful planning, it’s possible your tax liability can be significantly reduced. The information discussed is a good way to get you started with planning, but is no substitute for personalized professional assistance. Please don’t hesitate to email or call me with questions or if you need assistance reviewing your specific situation.

Robin Massingale
Certified Public Accountant
rmassingale@jcs-cpa.com
(909)865-2177

Membership Drive Contest

2007-10-16T18:54:00.000-07:00

Uniting women business owners in the Inland Empire for
Profit, Influence and Community!

You Deserve A Break!!
NAWBO-IE is thrilled to kick off our Quarterly Membership Contest!

How to Play
The NAWBO Member who recruits the most new members between October 1st and
December 31st, 2007 will win a Rendezvous for Two to Palms Day Spa in Riverside!

The Rules
Recruit a minimum of 3 new members to qualify for this contest
between October 1st and December 31st, 2007

Win a Rendezvous for Two!
Donated by Palms Day Spa, http://www.palmsdayspa.com/

November Speaker: Don Martinez

2007-10-16T18:47:00.000-07:00

Don Martinez is an entrepreneur, Master Certified Coach and NLP Practitioner. He is the
Chairman & Founder of the Domar Group, Inc., a retained executive search firm. The Domar
Group has been recognized by Univison KMEX channel 34 & Azteca America channel 54 for work
as one of the leading search firms in Los Angeles in recruiting and placement of top level Hispanic
executives and board of directors in the entertainment, big 4 consulting, insurance and healthcare
industries. Don brings exceptional value matching career opportunities with exceptionally
talented people. He has practical knowledge of virtually all components of Human Capital
management and strategic talent acquisition management with a specialty in designing and
implementing leadership and coaching performance programs. With over 16 years of experience
in Executive Retained Search and Corporate Human Resources, he has assisted and placed more
than 1000 people in all areas and industries. He has worked for such companies as the Walt
Disney Company, CIGNA Healthcare and Boeing.
Don is an active Master Certified Coach, NLP Practitioner and subject matter expert in the area of
human development, utilizing a very unique teaching methodology to help people understand
where they currently are and what is their desired outcome for success could be. He started his
career as a design engineer working on 3D Solid Modeling and Rendering for Hughes Aircraft and
Martin Marietta. He has been an active member of ACM SIGGRAPH involved in the hand held
PDA, design set top box, gaming, animation and rendering.
Don holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from California State University Los
Angeles, a Master Certification in Human Resource Management and HR Organizational
Effectiveness, a Business Certification from Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business
and Management and a 6 Sigma Green in Belt certification. He is a member of the International
Coach Federation and the Association of International Coaches and he is ranked as one of the
Top 5 Executive Coaches in Orange County Ca. - The Paul Merage School of
Business UC Irvine.
Don is married and the father of two daughters. He is very active in the Hispanic community and
serves as the President of The Southern California Association of Hispanic Healthcare Executives,
Advisory Board Member with The National Chamber on Hispanics in Healthcare, and a former
executive board member and Treasure with the Latin Business Association. He is the Co-Founder
of CIMA Inc, and Los Angeles Corporate Diversity Celebration (501c’s).
Don is an active speaker, trainer and author. His books written are “The Art of Business”, &
“Mastering the Art of Communication.” Don’s life journey is to help change the quality of
peoples’ lives by discovering their true potential and reach.

Selling With Intention

2007-10-16T18:14:00.000-07:00

You know that you want to double or triple your sales this year, but you just aren’t sure how. There are ways to help you do this that are easier than you think. It’s time to change the way you think about selling and make it easier for yourself!
Changing the way you think about selling can literally transform your results. You will begin to easily attract the clients and opportunities that you desire, rather than feeling like you are being a “pushy salesperson”.
Sales techniques are great and there are many, many great books out there on how to make better cold calls, how to handle objections, etc. But most of those don’t teach you how to change the way you think so that when you make the cold calls and set an appointment, most of the work is already done for you.Most important, changing the way you think will allow you to become intentional regarding every prospect you meet, every cold call you make and every sale that you close.
Selling with intention means that you consciously choose the result that you want before you go to a networking event or meet with a new prospect. You decide!
Here are some ways to change the way you think about selling and begin to easily attract all of the clients you desire:
- Write down your sales goal for the year. Then multiply it by two. Now, look at your first number. How does it look? Small, right? Remember, sales goals are based on your perspective. When you change the way you think about your sales goal and set a much higher one, you are suddenly on your way to achieving it!
- Before you make a cold or warm call, check your mind set. What are you thinking about? Notice your thoughts. Many times we are imagining worst case scenario rather than embracing the best case possible. Take a moment and in your mind imagine exactly how you want the sales call to go. Imagine every single detail. For example, if your goal is to set an appointment, then make sure you are prepared to do that and have dates available to offer. See it happen exactly as you imagined. Once you are on the call, you have already rehearsed in your mind, so it will unfold just as you wanted it to!
- Do the same thing as I mentioned above prior to meeting with a client. Conduct your mental rehearsal and “see” everything going just as you would like it to go.
- Take an inventory of all of your thoughts about sales. What do you believe? Do you believe sales are easy or difficult? Whatever you believe about selling you will prove to be true over and over. If you want to change your belief, you must choose a new belief that you desire more, and begin using it as an affirmation every day.
- At the end of each month, check to see how you are feeling about the sales for the completed month. If you didn’t do as well as you wanted to, it’s important to let it go and focus on the new month at hand. Negative thoughts and thinking carrying from the past month can be detrimental to your sales.
- Lastly, learn to consistently manage your thoughts on a daily basis. Negative thoughts must be “caught” and replaced with positive thoughts so that you can focus on reaching your sales goals. Your prospects and clients want to do business with someone who is positive!
Changing the way you think about selling is a great way to change your sales results this year. Set your largest sales goal and go for it!

Ursula Mentjes, MS, ACC offers Business and Sales Coaching to help her clients intentionally attract the clients and opportunities they desire! Ursula has helped clients double their income and revenue in as short as two months. She coaches entire teams as well as individuals. Ursula is also the author of Selling with Intention. Call or e-mail Ursula today for a complimentary consultation regarding how YOU or YOUR TEAM can reach all of your goals this year!
Ursula C. Mentjes, M.S., ACC, President and Certified Business Coach
Potential Quest, Inc.
Office: 951.689.8002
Mobile: 951.231.3476
Ursula@potentialquest.com
www.potentialquest.com

Public Policy Update

2007-10-16T16:43:00.000-07:00

The Public Policy committee is looking for members who would like to get involved in learning about policy issues important to NAWBO, women business owners, and their local citizenships. Currently, the matters in the spotlight are employer-provided health insurance and procurement of government contracts for women business owners. AB 1645, a bill sponsored by NAWBO-CA and Assembly member Mark Ridley Thomas a few years ago, requested that the EDD perform surveys regarding the audits of businesses utilizing independent contractors and subsequent outcomes. I'm pleased to announce that the surveys have been completed. When the results have been tabulated, you'll be the first to know.

If you'd like to get involved with the Public Policy Committee, give Renée Cabourne a call at 909-542-0550 or send an email to renee@cabourneandassoc.com to express your interest.

7 Tips for Effective Meeting Managment

2007-10-16T16:40:00.000-07:00

7 Tips for Effective Meeting Management
by Gwen Thibeaux

How many times have you heard someone grumble at the mention of having to attend another meeting? Perhaps they feel that most meetings are a waste of time or unproductive. Given the endless pulls on people’s time, meetings need to be carefully planned. Before you call a meeting, make sure that the meeting is necessary, not just convenient for you. With the continuous wave of technology affecting the way we conduct business and meetings, meeting alternatives are endless. From teleconferences to web meetings, businesses and organization have a wide variety of tools to effectively implement meetings. So make sure the type of meeting you choose matches the objectives of your meeting.

Here are just a few suggestions to ensure that you create effective meetings:

1. Have an agenda. Take some time to pre-plan your meeting. Make sure you have your objectives for the meeting well planned out. List the objectives of the meeting and provide the agenda to attendees before the meeting starts. If you have documents that the group will need to review and discuss at the meeting, make sure they have those documents beforehand. This will save you time during the meeting, avoiding the need to read or review during the meeting. This will also help attendees be more prepared.

2. Break the ice. Start the meeting with an icebreaker or activity. Make the icebreaker entertaining and engaging. Get the group talking and even moving. The icebreaker should be included in your agenda and given an allotted amount of time.

3. Stay on task. Only discuss the agenda items. Don’t allow for other items to be added to the agenda that are not related the current task. Table those items for another meeting or at the end of the current meeting, if time permits. Don’t extend the allotted time of the meeting just to include those additional items. Accomplish what has been established in the agenda.

4. Involve the group or team players. If you’re having a committee meeting, getting feedback a few days before the meeting from the group regarding items they might want to discuss can help establish the meeting agenda. It will also make the group feel more involved in the meeting and its process. Be sure everyone in the group has been delegated a task to achieve by the next meeting or established deadline.

5. Location. Location. Location. If your meetings are normally held in a conference room or hotel room, think of other places to hold your meeting. Be sure that the location does not distract the meeting, but be open to other meeting spots. Thinking outside the box for your meeting location can stimulate great results and break up some of the monotony that some meetings have.

6. Good Eats. No, I’m talking about Alton Brown’s program on the Food Network Channel. Nor do I reference this because I personally enjoy good food. J Just don’t fail to appreciate the power that food can have at a meeting. Food can help set the stage for the meeting, not to mention it fuels the energy needed from your participants. Food is engaging and can also help lead into your meeting icebreaker.

7. Follow up. In order to achieve the results desired from your meeting, a follow up system has to be established. As a group/meeting leader, hold each member accountable for the items they have committed to. Have regular check ups with the team members to ensure they are progressing towards completing their task. Identify any potential road blocks or time delays and address them accordingly.
© 2007 Gwen Thibeaux