WELCOME

As we all know, advertising and marketing are necessary small business expenses. It is for that reason that MBA is always on the lookout for ways to help our members promote their businesses in the most cost-effective manner possible.

See the article below for free and low-cost ways to use your association to move your business forward. The MBA directory lists your business and a description line, both free to members. There are discounted ads and upgrades to your listing available as well. If you don't have an ad to submit, we can help you with that too.

Our members are what makes the MBA engine run - contact us anytime with your ideas and needs.

Libby Beatty, Chair
MBA Board of Directors

NEWSWORTHY

Bureaucracy Breakdown

Business.gov recently expanded its offerings with additional services to help small businesses cope with government regulations.

The site's newest features include Permit Me which provides instructions for obtaining federal, state and local permits and licenses for businesses.

Business.gov's main page also now includes regularly updated Featured Topics which address common business concerns.

Reserve Your Spot in the 2008 Directory Now

Production has begun on the 2008 MBA Member Directory. Watch your mailboxes for your 2008 Membership Directory Information Form. These forms are mailed every year to verify that each member's business information will be listed correctly. If you'd like to offer a discount to fellow members through the directory, please be sure to check the appropriate box on the form so we can highlight your business.

Stand out from your competitors by reserving an ad. There are substantial member discounts for all ads. You can also enhance your free listing by purchasing a bold or boxed upgrade for as little as $25.

Or take advantage of a special offer which includes a half-page ad PLUS your dues renewal for 2008.

Contact Hazel Smarowsky at (800) 533-3732 ext. 103 for pricing or more information.

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MARKETING

Know Before the Show

Here are some questions to ask before committing to your next trade show booth:

• How is the show being marketed?
  
  
• Are attendance figures audited?
  
  
• Who are my neighbors?
  
  
• Are there speaking opportunities available?
  
  
• What are the exhibiting hours?
  
  
• Will my booth be secure or cleaned at night?

By asking these simple questions, exhibitors can avoid the pitfalls of over-bearing neighbors, damaged or stolen belongings and missed opportunities.

Get Results from Online Surveys

Surveys are always an invaluable source of customer feedback - if designed correctly. Here are some pointers to keep in mind when putting together your next online survey.

Know what you want from your survey, so you ask for it in the most effective manner - simple and direct always work best.

Your timing is also integral to the process, so be sure that the survey is presented appropriately - perhaps following a sale or service issue.

When examining the data remember to give responses equal and unbiased weight, so you gain a realistic perspective of your customers' feedback.

YOUR FINANCES

Annual Business Insurance Review Can Pay Off

Getting an annual business insurance checkup allows you to effectively manage your business's changing needs.

Insurance experts instruct businesses to review their policies with their agent to get a range of suggestions. Remember, reviewing your policy means asking about new products and packages to ensure that your business is getting the most value from every dollar.

Key coverage areas that should be reviewed are liability, commercial vehicles and coverage of drivers, property, business interruption, directors and officers, life and disability on key people and workers' compensation.

Also, a business's coverage may need to change:

• if there have been changes in revenue
  
  
• if inventory or products change
  
  
• if there is an increase or decrease in the number of employees.

Best for Building Business Overseas

If you're interested in expanding to foreign markets but you're not sure where to start, take it from the World Bank Group's Doing Business project. World Bank Group has ranked 178 countries based on their simplicity of conducting business.

Here are the topics that were considered: starting a business, dealing with licenses, employing workers, registering property, getting credit, paying taxes, protecting investors, enforcing contracts and closing a business.

Some of the top countries listed included: Singapore, New Zealand, United States, Hong Kong, Denmark, United Kingdom and Canada.

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HUMAN RESOURCES

Time Off Bumps
Cash Bonuses

Year-end bonuses have been a traditional form of employee appreciation but now time off is becoming a part of the norm. Companies both big and small are replacing cash bonuses with time off.

Bonuses work well as immediate awards based on performance, but since year-end bonuses come to be expected, time off can serve as an equally appreciated bonus that serves both the company and the employee. Time off is tax-free for your employees and can be amended to suit your company's needs.

E-Verify Helps with Form I-9 Compliance Responsibilities

E-Verify is a free government service to verify, via the Internet, the employment eligibility status of newly-hired employees. E-Verify (formerly known as the Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification Program) is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration.

The goals of E-Verify are to reduce unauthorized employment, minimize verification-related discrimination, be quick and non-burdensome to employers, and protect the privacy and civil liberties of employees.

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IT

Website Warnings

In 2006, the Council for Better Business Bureaus in Arlington, Va., received 1,971 complaints against web design companies, more than doubling 2003's count of 603. Here are some ways to ensure that you are not the next victim.

Register Yourself: By registering your site's domain name in your name or the name of your business you can ensure that your site is legally your property and not that of the designer's.

Hire Local: Sometimes you need to meet face-to-face to iron out the kinks in your project, and for the sake of future updates. As a result, it's better to establish a relationship with someone whose hand you can shake. (Currently in the market for a web developer? MBA's Member-to-Member network has a company who will offer a free half-hour of advice. Or browse a current list of members in this category through our online marketplace.)

Contract Clause: Be sure that there is a clause in the contract that gives you the right to display, reproduce, distribute and modify the information on the website.

Shadow Site: See if your developer will create a shadow site on their server that will enable you to view the site before it goes web-bound.

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NEW MEMBERS

When our member base increases there is more of everything: more creative networking, more benefits and more experienced, enthusiastic business owners. All move our members toward growth, success and the entrepreneurial spirit.

Click here to meet our newest small business partners.

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MBA EVENTS OF INTEREST

Enchanted Evening of Networking

Join Midlantic Business Alliance and Sun East Federal Credit Union at Whole Foods Market - Devon for a magical night of trick-or-treating - BusinessLink Style.

The trick…bring your business cards, brochures or whatever helps promote your business. The treat…new business contacts, connections and customers.

Come dressed as the most creative ghost, goblin or ghoul and snatch up a prize for the best costume. It’s sure to be a ball…

Thursday, October 25, 2007
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Whole Foods Market - Devon
Free for MBA members & non-members

Click here to learn more

Instant Intros: “Speed Dating” for Businesses

“Speed dating” is nothing more than marketing, and Midlantic Business Alliance (MBA) felt a new marketing concept in one area of society
suggested it would work in business…so we did it.
It worked and 22 companies sat down with each other in face-to-face meetings and started doing business.

Reserve your spot at the next networking adventure, and give Instant Intros a try.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007
7:30 AM to 9:30 AM
The Country Squire Diner
Cost: $25 for MBA members and non-members

Click here to learn more

Participation is limited to one representative of each industry so reserve your spot now.

MBA Luau Thanks

Be sure to visit the online photo gallery from our networking luau which includes pictures of our door prize winners. After winning a free weekend car rental from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, member John Back from Survival Essentials, LLC is planning a special motoring weekend with his wife and business partner Jean.

Thanks also to the following members for their generous support. The Administrators, Inc. gave a $250 gift card, Sun East Federal Credit Union a portable DVD player, Cruise Planners and Sisters In Crafts each donated a beautiful gift basket, Independence Blue Cross an umbrella, sweatshirt and overnight bags, and Ken Abrams who donated two books of interest to the business community. Our members are the best.

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Sponsors of MBA's AR Online Newsletter

Cruise Planners

(610) 628-9664
Land & sea vacations / fundraising for non-profit organizations

LAD Enterprizes

(610) 429-3122
Your business technology advisor

Sun East Federal Credit Union

(610) 485-2960
Offer a great employee benefit

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.