Greetings All!
If you are like most people, you have a set of new year's resolutions in mind. Think back to last year, did you change overnight and stick with your resolution for this year?
Most people did not.
I want to share a video with you about goal setting - http://www.internetmarketing.com/2009-goals/873283. Disregard the underlying sales pitch for their service and focus on the method they share for goal-setting. (NOTE: I do recommend the products and services that they advertise, however, the focal point is goal-setting.)
What resolutions/goals do you have for 2009?
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Recommended Reading: Financial Guru
Dave Ramsey, financial Christian, is a writer and radio host. When rebuilding from the pit of debt, he recommends saving $1,000 emergency money BEFORE paying off credit card debt, etc. This will shelter you from life's curve balls as you attack your debt.Learn more about Dave and his method for financial wellness in "The Total Money Makeover".
Friday, December 19, 2008
Help Me, Help Others
As you may know, I work for a ministry out of Orlando, Florida called L.I.F.E. Ministries. L.I.F.E. Ministries is a ground-breaking organization that helps people trapped in an addiction involving sexual immorality; prostitution, extra-marital affairs, pornography, compulsive masturbation, and other un-healthy sexual acts.Back in 2002, I started with L.I.F.E. as their webmaster. Today, I lead the development of ministry programs, manage the Ministry Team and their projects, & continue to serve their communications needs.
In 2008, L.I.F.E. finished authoring its workbook resources (now available for men, spouses, women, teens, and couples), expanded its reach on the internet, and continued expansion of facilitator resources (for facilitators of L.I.F.E. support groups found in churches across the globe!).
L.I.F.E. Ministries needs more of my time in 2009 to further outreach efforts; unfortunately, as with many non-profits, finances are tight – especially in this economy.
If I were to raise $8,400 in tax-deductible contributions, I could double my hours with L.I.F.E. Ministries in 2009.
I feel that after 6 months of doubled hours, I can increase the ministry’s income enough to support compensation for my extra hours!!!
Therefore, I want to raise $4,200 so that I can beginning working twice as much and accelerate L.I.F.E. to the next level – reaching more people drowning in this addiction!
Would you prayerfully consider a one-time, tax-deductible donation of $100? Would a monthly contribution fit your pocket book better?
Help me support L.I.F.E. and continue their mission of freedom from this addiction.
If you have any questions or comments, please call my cell phone at (225) 378-0551; or email me at brockwellb@freedomeveryday.org.
I can send you a DVD about the ministry so that you fully understand where your investment is going, or you can watch online at www.freedomeveryday.org/donations/brockwell.
Thank you in advance for your support,
Brockwell Bone
Director of Development
L.I.F.E. Ministries
24 Hour Pre-Recorded Information (866) 408-LIFE
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Recommended Service: Mass Email Management
I recently had a client that needed to change from their free mass email management system to one with more capacity. After researching several providers, and even testing another, I found that iContact had what they needed.
iContact had a feature that others did not have, they allowed us to import all the email addresses into their system without their staff reviewing them and potentially not allowing them.
] Check out iContact
iContact had a feature that others did not have, they allowed us to import all the email addresses into their system without their staff reviewing them and potentially not allowing them.
] Check out iContact
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Does Your Business Have a Umbrella?
Does your business have an umbrella? Are you making it in the economic conditions of our country? Did you have a plan or are you, like many others, "winging it"?
As a small business owner, I work on my business and I work for my business; many of you do the same. Working for your business and working on your business reviewing the books, answering phones, and planning the next tradeshow rarely leaves any time for proper business planning.
Some business owners set a point from here to their goal and start going, usually without a list of steps to get there. Would you agree that this method generates less than efficient results - I would!
The new year is upon us! What do you want for your company in 2009? A profit increase of 10%? Two new employees? Three new computers?
Setting these types of goals are only half the battle! Proper business planning also develops the requirements, financials, strategies, and other steps to get from where you are now to your goal.
Take time this December (or even beginning of January - I'm a realistic guy) and layout your goals and the steps to get there. A few hours of planning now could help you pass your goals later!!!
To your success,
Brockwell Bone
PS - If you would like assistance planning your year, need another brain to pick, or advice, please do not hesitate to schedule a consultation.
As a small business owner, I work on my business and I work for my business; many of you do the same. Working for your business and working on your business reviewing the books, answering phones, and planning the next tradeshow rarely leaves any time for proper business planning.
Some business owners set a point from here to their goal and start going, usually without a list of steps to get there. Would you agree that this method generates less than efficient results - I would!
The new year is upon us! What do you want for your company in 2009? A profit increase of 10%? Two new employees? Three new computers?
Setting these types of goals are only half the battle! Proper business planning also develops the requirements, financials, strategies, and other steps to get from where you are now to your goal.
Take time this December (or even beginning of January - I'm a realistic guy) and layout your goals and the steps to get there. A few hours of planning now could help you pass your goals later!!!
To your success,
Brockwell Bone
PS - If you would like assistance planning your year, need another brain to pick, or advice, please do not hesitate to schedule a consultation.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Quote of the Month
Friday, December 5, 2008
Weathering Economic Declines
It is no secret that our nation is in a recession. While I do not believe that it is as bad as the media portrays it, I see and hear about how this recession is affecting business in different areas of the country.
Cash is king right now. If you do not have it and your sales are down, you may have taken up nail-biting, or even drinking. During a recession, you want to save as much money as possible – I should say, as much cash as possible. Cash is the best floatation device a company can have.
Many financial gurus suggest to individuals that they have 3-6 months of expenses in savings for an emergency. Why should businesses act any different? Make it a plan to reserve as much cash as possible until you have 3 months or more in the bank in case sales dry up before this economic situation is over.
Did you ever see Mr. Mom with Michael Keaton? At the end of the movie, which took place during an economic downturn in the auto industry, Teri Garr convinced her boss to lower the price of their product for a limited time. The marketing around this announcement was fantastic! The boss himself appeared on the TV commercial in patriotic colors and explained that they were reducing the cost of their product during these troubled times, and that they would return to normal pricing when the economy gets better.
This is a risky move – I hear ya! We do not know how long this recession will last! So, why don’t we put a spin on this and give discounts to cash customers and larger discounts to pre-paid customers? If cash is king, this is a great way to get cash.
This last idea is a difficult one for me to discuss because I do not have a lot of experience with employees – easier said than done moment. If it comes down to it, you can have an employee meeting and share any situations and the short-term future of the company. Notify employees now if you are expecting a drop in sales. Tell them that until the economy gets better, there will be no raises.
If your situation is dire enough, you may need to devise a temporary wage reduction or “savings” program. This program would ask employees to take lower pay in exchange for continued hours.
Another idea is an employee investment savings program where your employees pledge up to 20% of their paychecks to remain in the company. The company uses that money to float and, in return, the company gives them 2% interest on the money they let the company “borrow”. You will not get a loan rate that low, they will not get an interest rate that high – you both win.
A recession can be extremely scary to business owners. I hope that these ideas have helped or generated new ideas for you and your business. What other ideas do you have?
Cash is king right now. If you do not have it and your sales are down, you may have taken up nail-biting, or even drinking. During a recession, you want to save as much money as possible – I should say, as much cash as possible. Cash is the best floatation device a company can have.
Many financial gurus suggest to individuals that they have 3-6 months of expenses in savings for an emergency. Why should businesses act any different? Make it a plan to reserve as much cash as possible until you have 3 months or more in the bank in case sales dry up before this economic situation is over.
Did you ever see Mr. Mom with Michael Keaton? At the end of the movie, which took place during an economic downturn in the auto industry, Teri Garr convinced her boss to lower the price of their product for a limited time. The marketing around this announcement was fantastic! The boss himself appeared on the TV commercial in patriotic colors and explained that they were reducing the cost of their product during these troubled times, and that they would return to normal pricing when the economy gets better.
This is a risky move – I hear ya! We do not know how long this recession will last! So, why don’t we put a spin on this and give discounts to cash customers and larger discounts to pre-paid customers? If cash is king, this is a great way to get cash.
This last idea is a difficult one for me to discuss because I do not have a lot of experience with employees – easier said than done moment. If it comes down to it, you can have an employee meeting and share any situations and the short-term future of the company. Notify employees now if you are expecting a drop in sales. Tell them that until the economy gets better, there will be no raises.
If your situation is dire enough, you may need to devise a temporary wage reduction or “savings” program. This program would ask employees to take lower pay in exchange for continued hours.
Another idea is an employee investment savings program where your employees pledge up to 20% of their paychecks to remain in the company. The company uses that money to float and, in return, the company gives them 2% interest on the money they let the company “borrow”. You will not get a loan rate that low, they will not get an interest rate that high – you both win.
A recession can be extremely scary to business owners. I hope that these ideas have helped or generated new ideas for you and your business. What other ideas do you have?
Monday, December 1, 2008
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