Keep Marketing

Many smaller businesses go through slow periods at certain times of the year. Instead of not marketing at all use what resources you have to target new ideas for your regular customers. There are the people who buy from you on a regular basis and are most receptive to you. Offer special deals on slow moving products and services or other perks to keep cash flow moving in the front door. You can also test new products and get feedback on any interest in them. Your marketing during slow times will keep your message infront of any potential customers and clients who are ready to make a purchase.

Is It Time To Go?

Many people like you start and operate successful businesses for several years. They fight the negative things that come up and turn them into positives. They build their business doing many of the things that others say, "that will never work." They make a decent income and sacrifice family time to babysit their business to success. Now it's doing well and survived the Great Recession and has become sort of a comfort zone for it's owner(s). Maybe it's time to consider getting out and on to bigger and better things that offer a new challenge.

A true entrepreneur needs that new goal and challenge to make them eager to get to work every day.  Once a business has attained most of the goals they have set they should sell or turn it over to someone else and pursue new opportunities. They are many ideas you have been thinking about over the last few years and now is the time to go after them. Once you have been a success in a business it will be even easier the 2nd, 3rd or 4th time. Start that new venture and watch that big smile come back on your face as you see it grow to success. So, what are you waiting for?

Barry is a business and franchise coach that works by-the-hour only as needed, no contracts. He has helped many people start and grow successful businesses. www.idealetter.com

Doing Business in France

*Dress conservative in well tailored clothing
*French businessmen do not loosen their ties or take off their jackets in the office
*Women should avoid flashy jewelry
*The French handshake is brief with short eye contact
*Apologize if you don't speak much of the French language
*Punctuality is treated very casually in France
*Business can be conducted during any meal but lunch is preferred
*Don't speak with a loud voice in restaurants, meetings or on the street
*The French use frequent and sometimes intense eye contact, don't be intimidated

There's Nothing Like a June Wedding!

If you live North of the equator you might say June is the most beautiful month of the year. The weather is warm but not too hot yet, the flowers and trees are all showing their blooms and you see a smile on more faces than you did in the cold winter. It's also the month that many people decide to choose a partner and make a commitment to each other that they hope will last forever. Weddings are fun, exciting and yes, very expensive. But the hope is that it's a once-in-a-lifetime event so money is spent freely for everything and anything that will make the event memorable.

Having said all that, how can you business people cash in on weddings and profit from providing something special? This is one time when the wedding party will spend money without checking too many prices and go with the best they can afford. There are many products and services like THE DRESS, tuxedo, flowers, reception hall, photographer & video, invitations, limo and the list goes on. There is also a way to make money without any products by being a wedding planner. If you can find something new to offer the bride & groom you can cash in on any money left over. Just be sure it's something of value and you'll get lots of referrals after the event. Enjoy June!

Barry is a franchise and business coach that assists busineses in growing and solving problems. He only charges by-the-hour with no contracts and is available 7 days a week. www.idealetter.com

Back-up Suppliers

If you are buying products and reselling them to your customers, you may need to protect against losing a supplier or product source. They can disappear without notice like any other business and where would you be if they supplied your best selling products? They might also have supply problems and not able to ship before you completeky run out. Or they raise your cost to a level where you can no longer buy and resell at a profit.

Always have one or more back-up suppliers who fill this need if it ever happens. Have open accounts with then and give a few orders to have an ongoing relationship. This way you and they will be ready on short notice if you need product quickly. Check your costs in advance to be sure that you can resell and make some profit. Don't wait until the situation is urgent and then go scrambling to find someone, prepare for the worst in case it does happen.

Outsource More

Too many small business owners and managers try to do more than they really have time available to accomplish. What happens is that some of the tasks are rushed and not done the best way. Outsourcing is the way to grow a business faster and let other pros assist you doing what they do best. If you have more than 3 employees you should be using a payroll service who will make sure everything is done correctly and on time. If you hire and fire a lot of hourly and part time people use an HR firm to take this burden off your shoulders.

When you outsourse more you have more time to do what YOU do best and grow the business faster. Always look at what else can be outsourced but check out the company you plan to use and get references. Once you are confident that they will meet your expectations step back and let them perform. An outsourcing business is the way of the present and future and many people are providing services that are really needed and doing an expert job at it. So don't be hesitant go forward and let pros in their field take routine burdens away from you and give you more time to grow your business.

Barry is a business & franchise coach who works works with businesses in marketing and solving problems, by-the-hour, no contracts. www.idealetter.com

Advantages of Being a C Corporation.

A general or C corporation  has many advantages for it's owners or stockholders. It is a little more time consuming to get started and regular meetings and reports have to be done. Also the corporation has to pay income taxes on profits in addition to taxes by the stockholders. But here are some of the positives:

 *Personal assets of all stockholders are protected
 *Owners can be considered employees and reimbursed for expenses, travel and insurance
 *The corporation will exist after owners leave or die
 *It can merge with other corporation with board approval
 *Share can be freely transferred or sold
 *More shares can be issued with board approval
 *Shares and options can be used to entice key employees
 *If the corporation goes bankrupt it won't affect the credit of the shareholders
 *More attractive to investors because because of multi-level management
 *Ability to "go public" and sell shares to the general public
 *When shre price increases all the owners/shareholders benefit
 *May be easier to get credit from suppliers and large purchases

Check all the possible business structures before you decide on the one that's best for your situation. Barry is a business & franchise coach who has started and operated over 20 businesses. www.idealetter.com

Franchise Risk

Is there a risk owning a franchise? In one word yes! Each geographic location has it's challenges and problems based on demographics, unemployment, economic changes and customer preferences. Even the largest and best known franchise companies close some of it's stores and offices occaisionally. But with a franchise you have a partner who wants you to succeed and will help you along the way. For this help you will pay them a percentage of your sales virtually forever as royalty.

Your obligation is to follow their plan with a realistic approach and confidence. Don't be timid about calling the main office when you have questions, problems or ideas. Starting a franchise usually has a higher rate of success than starting a business on your own but is not risk free. It's best to work with someone or a coach who can assist you in the pre-contract stage to make sure it's right for you and your goals. One you sign the contract and pay the franchise fee there's no turning back. Thousands of people have relied on a franchise, just look down your main street.

Barry is a franchise and business coach who has started and operated 20 businesses of his own and helped others. www.idealetter.com