Ready to Be a Business Owner?

Wheather you start a new business, buy an existing one or decide on a franchise, you need to be ready to be a business owner. A total commitment to your venture is a MUST and that means spending the time necessary to make it successful. You also need to be a problem solver and not let setbacks ruin your attitude and persevance to attain your goals.

You also need to be a leader to your employees, your customers and even your suppliers. You will earn valuable trust and loyalty by your leadership skills. You will also need to acquire creative marketing abilities to make your business grow. Owning a business is really a major undertaking and the sooner you understand and accept it the more successful you will be.

Before You Sign a Business Lease

.Are you paying for usable square feet or rentable square feet?
.Did you measure yourself to be sure it's correct, 20% of the time there's an error?
.Did you negotiate any owner paid utilities?
.Do you get to see the figures that determine any double or triple net expenses?
.Do you have access 24/7 or only limited hours?
.Is there a maintenance person on site or on fast call?
.Did you negotiate a month or two free rent in the beginning?
.Can you sublet if you need to move before the end of the lease?
.Will you have any recourse if you have noisy neighbors?
.Did you talk to the neighbors about their relationship with the landlord?
.Is there adequate dumpsters for use by all the tenants?
Barry is available for speaking engagements, go to idealetter.com

Unusual August Holidays

Use these real but different holidays in your business for fun and profit.
1. Sport's Day
3. National watermelon day
4. National sister's day
6. National fresh breath day
10. Garage sale day
13. National left-handers day
16. Joke day
19. National aviation day
20. Our moon's birthday
24. Strange music day
25. Kiss & make-up day
31. National Box car day

Seminar.. Writing Your First Book

It's been said that everyone has at least one book inside them waiting to be written, what's yours about? I will present a seminar on Tuesday August 3,2010 called WRITE-PUBLISH-PROMOTE at my office from 6:30 to 8PM (Colorado Cards, 5585 Erindale Dr #203, Colo Spgs, CO). I have 5 published business books and 1 more on the way. You'll learn how to come up with a catchy title, layout chapter outlines, plan for the correct number of pages and words, write the first draft, edit, search for a publisher and agent, submission guidelines and accept rejection. Find out the difference between a mainstream publisher, print on demand, self-publishing, e-books and which one is best for you. Then promoting your book after it's published using many different ways is just as important. Attendance is limited to the first 12adults at $22.00 per person. Nothing else will be sold at the seminar. Next seminar is Tues August 19th 6:30-8PM. The space is limited and past seminars have been selling out so please call 719-268-1322 or email: idealetter@aol.com to reserve a seat.

Email Marketing

This is the great new way of promoting your business in the 2000's. The cost is minimal and with the right message you get read and maybe even acted upon. But the message and the offer must be of "value" to the receiver so it's not quickly deleted. If you waste their time once you may not get another chance so be sure of what you are emailing before you hit the send button. Each time you email the same person the copy should be a little different or at least change the subject line. You should also give them a way to unsubscribe because you don't want anyone unhappy with you whether a customer or not. You can find many articles on email marketing and how to do it but if you follow the advice above you will always be more successful.

International Web Sales

If you sell products or services all over the world, why not reach out to your international prospects. For a minimal cost you can probably translate your most common message into several languages. English is spoken everywhere but for many it's a second language. Make them more comfortable with at least one link page in their native language. Pick 2 or 3 of the most spoken like Spanish, Japanese, Chinese or German and have a link to a page for each one. Contact a local college and ask a student to translate each language for $20-$30 and load it on your site. The international marketplace is much bigger than just our North American customers. By reaching out in their language it will make foreign customers feel that you are a larger company and have other international customers. Create that little comfort zone for them and it should increase worldwide sales for your business.

Have You Thought of This?

You spend money with your accountant, dentist, printer, lawyer and cleaners, so what are they doing for your business? Buy a few small clear plastic literature racks from the office supply store to put in their reception area. Put some of your business flyers and brochures in these racks for a chance at business referrals. They should all agree to do this for you in return for your continued patronage. Check the racks periodically to refill and make sure they are neat and orderly. Never pass up an opportunity at marketing especially if the cost is next to nothing.

Questions Your Banker Will Ask

.Can you repay the business loan?
.Can you repay the loan if the business fails?
.Does the business collect it's invoices on time?
.Does the business pay it's bills on time?
.What inventory controls are in place?
.Are owners/officers committed to the business?
.Are sales & gross profits growing?
.Does the business have a profitable history?
.Do officers control the business expenses?
.Is there enough cash flow to pay employees & expenses?
.What is the outlook for the industry?
.Who are your competitors?
.How will you use the loans proceeds?

Reasons Why Business Loans are Rejected

.Uncompleted loan proposal
.Unrealistic expense forecasts
.Lack of adequate collateral
.Underestimated capital requirements
.Applying at too many lenders at the same time
.Little or no business experience
.Overstated revenue/sales projections
.Cash flow projections that don't support repayment
.Keep arguing with the lender representative
.Poor dress or presentation
.Poor communication skills
.Can't support documentation figures
.Trying to enter a dying industry
.Unable to explain use of capital

10 Rules of Life

1. Never give yourself a haircut after drinking 3 alcohol beverages.
2. You need only 2 tools: WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should use WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't use duct tape.
3.The five most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship are "I apologize" and "You are right".
4. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
5. When you make a mistake, made amends immediately. It's easier to eat crow when it's still warm.
6. If she says you are too good for her, believe her.
7. If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance.
8. Living well is the best revenge to all your problems.
9. Be very nice to your friends and family. You never know when you will need them to empty your bedpan.
10.Never pay your bills on your deathbed.

Customer Satisfaction

Keeping your customers happy and satisfied is a challenge to say the least. But it is one of the most important parts of marketing for any business that wants to stay in business and grow.
.Ask customers what they want and try hard to give it or provide it
.Surprise them with service that they don't expect
.Reward frequent customers often
.Solve problems quickly and fairly
.Provide value that exceeds the price
.Have empathy for their special needs
.Only hire employees that care about your business
.Be ready to make changes at any time they are needed

Be a Successful Entrepreneur

.Commit to your goals and do something every day to get closer to them
.Never stop learning by seminars, reading and asking questions
.Be an expert in your industry and make it known
.Believe in the Golden Rule and teach your employees to follow it
.Share your knowledge by speaking, writing or teaching
.Look for the positive in people and situations
.Exceed your customers expectations in value and service
.Keep all your promises

Writing Your First Book seminar

It's been said that everyone has at least one book inside them waiting to be written, what's yours about? I will present a seminar on Tuesday August 3,2010 called WRITE-PUBLISH-PROMOTE at my office from 6:30 to 8PM (Colorado Cards, 5585 Erindale Dr #203, Colo Spgs, CO). I have 5 published business books and 1 more on the way. You'll learn how to come up with a catchy title, layout chapter outlines, plan for the correct number of pages and words, write the first draft, edit, search for a publisher and agent, submission guidelines and accept rejection. Find out the difference between a mainstream publisher, print on demand, self-publishing, e-books and which one is best for you. Then promoting your book after it's published using many different ways is just as important. Attendance is limited to the first 12adults at $22.00 per person. Nothing else will be sold at the seminar. Next seminar is Tues August 19th 6:30-8PM. The space is limited and past seminars have been selling out so please call 719-268-1322 or email: idealetter@aol.com to reserve a seat.

Make Mistakes

In business, as in life, most of us learn from doing. Someone once said that experience is a great teacher. But how much can you learn if you don't take some risks and make some mistakes? If you always take the safe route, your risk-reward will be low. Not every risk will turn out bad, many will reap great rewards. Most of the super rich people today were calculated risk takers during their exciting journey to success.

Making mistakes along the way to your successful business goals will teach you lessons that you won't find in texbooks. Street smart knowledge is important to a small business person who deals with the public every day. But don't let your mistakes get out of hand, make the necessary corrections when you can. No one is going to be perfect unless they do nothing. And nothing gets you nowhere.

A Bigger Impression

Here are some ideas to make your new business look bigger and more established than it really is. Instead of starting your invoice numbers with 0001 or 1001, try using 5 digits and a starting number like 22001. It looks like you've been in business for a while and have a lot of customers. If you have delivery trucks, number them Van #6 or #12, even if you only have one. It give the impression that you have a fleet of vehicles and a track record for your business. Give your first few customers a fantastic price in exchange for a testimonial on your products and service that you can show future prospects. These testimonials are better than any advertising that you can buy. No one like to be a guinea pig when there's no track record for the busines. Try to give a bigger impression, even if you're new, that you already have satisfied customers.

It's New - Now What?

When you have a new idea that has developed into a product or service that you think will change the world step back and analyze your market first. Innovation is great but will it provide the ROI that you expect? Ask these questions before you jump in with both feet.

.Is it an original idea?
.Is there a broad need for it?
.Will buyers understand it?
.Who will buy this product?
.How often will they but it?
.Is the price affordable?
.Can you afford the marketing cost?
.What if demand gets big?
.Will you offer a guarantee?
.Who will manufacture it?
.What are your profit goals?
.What if it doesn't sell?

When you know the answers to these questions you may be ready to patent & test your new product. Once you have made the commitment give it 100% of your effort.

Too Good to be True?

We have all heard that saying and most of us are careful how we spend or invest our money. But the people out there that want to take advantage of us are always dreaming up new plans to make us all RICH is we only spend.... The slow economy always brings new ones out of the shadows to entice us and probably cheat us. Always check out thoroughly anything you will invest money in. If you have to "Do it now or forget it" take the second choice. Success and riches come from great ideas & hard work over a period of time. Most of the get-rich-schemes make someone else rich, be careful and smart.