WELCOME

Hello from MBA's Chair of the Board
Welcome to the second issue of MBA's new e-mail newsletter - AR Online. At MBA, we're excited about the benefits of this new publication. (Responses from many of you indicate that you are pleased as well.)

But, as with most things new, we've discovered some "kinks" to work out and some areas we need to improve. Probably the biggest difficulty found was for readers who were viewing this newsletter through a website such as Comcast or Hotmail. Seems the titles of our articles disappeared in the first issue for these readers. We're working to fix this. If you're still having trouble…click here to view the newsletter properly. You'll also notice we've added a link at the top of the page to view the newsletter correctly.

In the meantime, we look forward to working out these trouble spots and making this a useful, information-packed tool for MBA members. As always, we ask that you keep the comments flowing, so we are meeting your needs.

Watch for the next issue of AR Online in April. Until then, look for the print edition of The Alliance Report in your snail mail box in March. So you can keep track, the distribution schedule for the AR Online will be twice a month in the months of April, June, July, August, October and December. The print edition will be snail-mailed in the AR Online's off months.

Very truly yours,
Libby Beatty, Chair
MBA Board of Directors

NEWSWORTHY

Mark Your Calendar and Check It Twice
This year daylight savings begins on March 11. Yes, that's earlier than we're used to…three weeks to be exact. And it's actually going a week longer until November 4.

If you haven't heard yet, most of us will have to mark this in our Microsoft Outlook calendar and other online schedule-keepers. That's because this change was enacted by a 2005 law, so pre-2005 software and devices don't know about our change in law.

That spells trouble for us as well as our computers and software which may become an hour off between March 11 and April 1 (when the change to daylight savings was originally scheduled to take place) and once again in the extended week in November.

Software updates to correct this problem are probably available through your software provider's website.

For example, Microsoft is offering different fixes for different programs and program versions. Click here for the answers to your Microsoft questions.

NOTE: You may want to take this as an opportunity to begin or reaffirm your commitment to the practice of confirming the time of meetings scheduled. After all, you never know if your associates have updated their calendars.

Postage May Be Changing
For those who have heard the rumor…We'd like to confirm that the Postal Rate Commission is considering a proposed three cent increase on a .39 stamp. Here are a few other changes to watch for as spring approaches...

If the proposal is approved, the shape of the mail piece will play a larger role in the pricing of first-class mail. Instead of the same price for letters, flats (large envelopes) and parcels, prices will vary based on the mail piece type and the attendant processing costs. For example, using a letter-size envelope instead of a 9 x 12 inch envelope may save 20 cents because it's more affordable for the post office to process.

Also being considered is a reduction in the additional ounce rate. A decrease is being suggested from 24 cents to 20 cents for letter size envelopes over one ounce and large envelopes over 6 ounces.

Changes are also being considered for those who pre-sort their mail or use a mail house for cheaper postage rates. The good news…The additional ounce charge may decrease from 23.7 cents to 15.5 for letters. The bad news…You may say goodbye to discounts received for sorting by carrier route.

Lastly, there's the proposal for a "forever stamp" that is a non-denominated, non-expiring stamp that would be purchased at the going first-class rate, but that would be accepted regardless of the actual rate on the date the stamp is used. Buy these and you'll never have to buy another 3 cent stamp again…

Want more info? Visit www.usps.com.

Get Inspired for FREE!
If you have spring fever and are in need of some help to re-ignite the excitement in and around your business, Microsoft's free Small Business Summit may offer just the spark you need. From March 19 through 23, Microsoft is broadcasting their summit online for business professionals across the country.

Sessions will offer insight and inspiration from Microsoft's own in-house experts as well as other successful business leaders. Summit sessions will cover the subjects of computer security and support; sales and marketing; productivity and mobility; financial management and business start up.

You may pick and choose which sessions to view. Some sessions may require you to download Microsoft programs. Registration and the required downloads are free.

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MARKETING

Picture Your Company's PhotoStamp
Because Congress amended a law prohibiting advertising on postage stamps you never know who or what's going to pop up on the upper-right hand corner of your incoming mail.

Why not take advantage of this extra "advertising" space and personalize stamps for your business too? Businesses who use custom postage claim that the stamps have helped to strengthen their corporate identity as well as catch a few extra eyes along the way.

Visit www.photostamps.com or www.zazzle.com to upload your logo, ad or other creative corporate image. Then wait for your stamps to arrive about a week later.

Want to print custom postage from your printer? Visit www.endicia.com. If you have a mail machine through Pitney Bowes, you can also often customize your postal indicia. Check your reference materials to learn how.

Link Your Business Website to Success
Websites gain higher rankings from top search engines by including a number of "quality" web links. Here are a couple of techniques to gain new links and move your business's website up a few levels:

Link Exchange: Create links to other websites and allow them to do the same in turn. Be sure that these sites have tangible associations with your site through either product or purpose. For example, if your business is landscaping, you can offer links to other companies in your industry. These may include plant nurseries, tree surgeons, etc. Another idea is to include links to MBA's association site.

Free Content: If someone is hesitant to link with your site, offer them free content to post on their site to benefit their clients. Perhaps you have an informational article that can be donated complete with your site's link.

YOUR FINANCES

Local Firm's Research Opens Door to Unfair Competition
A recent study by a Philadelphia business projected that tax abatement on real estate in the region could cause a boom in construction. Why does that help you if you're not getting the abatement?

It is projected that a construction boom will increase both commercial and residential construction. More homes and offices equals more people closer to your place of business which equals more potential customers.

Our opinion? Those new businesses filling those buildings are also your competitors. You don't need to give them a leg up. We'll pay taxes while they don't? Let the mayor do the right thing and significantly lower all business taxes so that small businesses can take care of themselves and their own houses.

SSA Help Online
The Social Security Administration (SSA), like most government service branches, has a website that provides access to a wide range of information. SSA even provides a free electronic newsletter titled W-2 News that is exclusively aimed at small business owners. Visitors to the website can also find other government newsletters with specialized subjects pertaining to specific regulations and laws. Go to www.ssa.gov and type "newsletter" in the search tool to get started.

Free Advice from the IRS
The IRS Publication 910 or The IRS Guide to Free Tax Services is downloadable from www.irs.gov. Found within the publication are toll-free numbers for expert advice, guides, forms and newsletters that give you tips for saving on your taxes. Small businesses can also obtain a CD full of tax forms and publications for a little over $20.

Visit www.irs.gov for full details.

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HUMAN RESOURCES

Boomers Bookin'?
Statistics show that 83,000,000 (yes 83 million) baby boomers are approaching retirement status. While this generation obviously has no intention of going quietly, it is time to consider the impact of a great diminution of available workforce in the near future. Small business owners stand to be affected to a greater degree by the loss of this generation of skilled workers.

Next month, MBA is offering a human resource seminar to offer guidance concerning staffing issues and other personnel problems faced by a growing business.

DWT…Just as Bad as DUI When it Comes to Liability
Statistics show that all drivers (including your employees) are 300% more likely to be involved in an auto accident when using a cell phone. Driving while talking is a serious concern. In addition to the natural concern for your employee, you also need to consider policy and regulations for all employees who drive on the job for any reason.

If an accident happens on company time, your risk of exposure is severe. Perish the thought, but consider the impact if your employee on company business and driving his car or a company car hits a school bus while talking on the phone. Can your business survive? Small businesses would face real liability and community challenges.

Review your liability policies carefully. Have a written policy stating that employees are strictly forbidden to use the phone while driving, and seek legal counsel for a formal position on the matter.

Big Brother Gives Small Biz a Leg Up:
Government Compliance a Click Away
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in partnership with 21 other federal agencies has created www.business.gov to help small business owners comply with government regulations. The site is the government's official resource to assist businesses to quickly find compliance information, forms and contacts from multiple U.S. government websites.

The site spans 192,000 federal regulations and can be searched by keywords, business topics and industries. Future plans for the site include even more helpful features including greater access to state and local regulatory information.

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IT

Instant Messaging for Business…
Instant messaging (IM-ing) is no longer just a way to keep in touch with your family and friends. Now it's a way of keeping in touch with your employees and clients, too. Many companies have already begun to integrate IM tools into their websites. And they're finding it to be a valuable real-time tool for keeping in touch with out-of-office employees. Other companies are offering customer service via IM to help website visitors with product information or in the ordering process.

There are now IM tools available that are designed specifically for businesses and offer increased security and more control options.

Check out free IM tools from AIM Pro and ZaZaCHAT.

Tech Talk: Questions for Your IT Consultant
Q: What happens if this project does not meet my expectations or deadlines?
A: Guarantees make people feel safe, but consider using a consultant who will give you up-to-date progress reports to truly guarantee that you are getting exactly what you want when you want it.

Q: Who will be doing the job?
A: Many firms train employees on the job. Be sure that any trainee working on your project has the proper guidance and experienced supervision backing them (and your project).

Q: Can you supply a range of different products?
A: Ensure that your consultant is focused on providing you with IT services and not acting as a salesperson for a specific distributor.

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MBA EVENTS OF INTEREST

FACTA, HIPAA, Gramm-Leach-Bliley, and Your Business Seminar
The ABC's of Privacy Laws and How They Affect Your Company
As a business you may be required to comply with certain laws and regulations. At this seminar we'll discuss what these laws mean to you, what happens if you don't comply and how to implement an Affirmative Response Defense System.

You'll learn: the stats behind identity theft and why it is such a hot topic, what legal threats does your business face due to your interaction with personal information, how to protect your employees' and customers' private information and what a reasonable security program involves for your business.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
MBA Conference Room
867 Sussex Blvd., Broomall, PA
Free for MBA members, $25 for non-members, includes credit towards membership (must be paid in advance)
Sponsored by Sun East Federal Credit Union
Reserve by Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Click here to register

Presenter: Eugene Bell is a regional vice president, group benefits specialist and identity theft consultant with Identity Theft Shield. He has assisted hundreds of individuals and businesses in developing proactive measures against potential fines, fees, lawsuits and a myriad of problems that can arise from identity theft.

HR in the Growing Business Seminar
Employees are the single largest expense in nearly all companies - and the greatest asset. Yet, government regulations, a more diverse workforce and increasingly competitive compensation offers make managing and maintaining talent more and more complex for business owners. Learn the secrets behind successfully finding, keeping and managing the right talent for your business.

This information-packed seminar will address: how to find, keep and manage top talent; regulatory requirements as your business grows; today's best HR practices, policies and procedures; competitive compensation and benefit strategies and more.

Thursday, March 8, 2007
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Heaven On Earth Café
314 Main Street, East Greenville, PA
Free for MBA members, $25 for non-members, includes credit towards membership (must be paid in advance)
Sponsored by Sun East Federal Credit Union
Reserve by Friday, March 2, 2007
Click here to register

Presenter: Dick Cipoletti of RCC Associates, an HR consulting and training firm, has trained over 50,000 supervisors & staff nationally and teaches in the MBA & HR programs at DeSales University. He is a published author and former television host.

Mr. Cipoletti has also recently partnered with the Midlantic Business Alliance to provide members with low-cost personnel services. Contact MBA Member Services at (800) 533-3732 to learn about the HRPlus benefit program.

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Unless specifically indicated, MBA does not intend mention of companies, products or services discussed in this publication to be construed to be endorsements. The information in this publication is offered as examples that may be useful to our small business readers. Please consult with an industry professional before implementing any of the tips or subscribing to any of the services described above.