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 WELCOME
On behalf of the MBA board and staff, I hope your holidays, whatever way you celebrate, will be full of good things.
Because I'm not in my twenties (or thirties or forties), I didn't grow up with a Fisher Price toddler computer, Super Mario or XBox and, therefore, I admit to still being a little anxious when learning all-things electronic. But the advantage of online shopping without traffic and heavy packages is such a draw that my knowledge is improving faster and faster.
So whenever I discover a new product or advantage or discovery to the computer, I make an effort to learn more. How about adding a map to your website, with location markers and information windows? See If You Build It below. There's always something new.
Besides shopping, there are loads of new ideas now that we are all entrenched in cyberspace. I'll try to keep an open mind.
Libby Beatty, Chair
MBA Board of Directors
NEWSWORTHY
Get an Employer Identification Number Online in Minutes
The new Web-based EIN Assistant instantly processes requests and generates Employer Identification Numbers in real time.
Simply answer the interview-style questions and receive your EIN immediately after the information is validated. You can even download and print the EIN confirmation notice.
The Tax Man has been Held Off for Seven More Years
 The House voted on October 30, 2007 to extend the Internet Tax Moratorium for seven years. The moratorium prevents states and localities from levying taxes on Internet service.
The bill, signed by the president, also expands the definition of Internet access to include ancillary products and services like e-mail and instant messaging that are provided independently or not packaged with Internet access.
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MARKETING
Technology has Marketers
Looking for Conversation Starters
 A recent study showed the most popular technologies used by Internet users as instant messaging tools, price-comparison sites and social-networking sites.
These findings indicate that in order to target today's online customers, marketing must adjust its focus from the mass audience and initiate conversations with individual customers.
Modern Marketing Strategies
Tired of scripting press releases with nothing to show? Maybe it's time to abandon your press kits and try some modern marketing strategies. Here are four techniques to get you started:
Think Locally: Most local weekly or monthly publications have repeat readers, so consider contacting local editors about contributing with a regular column that offers helpful industry advice and exhibits your business expertise.
Your Own News Center: If you have a website, consider creating a press room where you can present company information plus other industry specific news or statistics. Then use this feature in your promotions to drive potential customers to your site.
Get with the Times: Today's journalists scour blogs, podcasts and websites for stories and research so if you're not online and not networking over the web, get to it. Start a chat room or a site dedicated to issues that surround your industry and its specific challenges.
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YOUR FINANCES
Top Tips to Improve Your Biz in 2008
Here are some tips to help keep your eyes on the road to success…
Build a Capable Management Team: As your company grows you will find yourself having to delegate important responsibilities to employees. Create a management team based on their ability to understand how and why you want your business run the way you run it.
Become Tech Savvy: Like it or not, IT is an integral and progressive part of business. And more software can be found for free at open-source sites designed to be accessible for IT explorers. So get on the tech train or jump off, but it's already moving.
Green Office
 Here are a couple of tips that will allow your business to conserve its financial resources while helping to prolong those of the environment that sustains our businesses and our lives:
Air/Furnace Filters: Instead of wasting money and energy on disposable filters for office or building air conditioning units and furnaces, you can buy permanent filters (most have lifetime warrantees) that can be washed and reused indefinitely.
Computers: Office computers should be set to power management modes. By simply enabling the low-power sleep modes, businesses can save $75 on average a year in electricity.
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HUMAN RESOURCES
Presenteeism vs. Absenteeism
Which Would You Prefer?
As a business owner, it may be annoying to hear your raspy-voiced employee on the phone telling you he is much too sick to come to work (absenteeism). Maybe it should be the other way around. The annoyance should occur when an employee decides to bring his germs to work and infect others (presenteeism). That result is decreased productivity and employer dollars.
The growing incidence of presenteeism in employees can be caused by 1) little or no sick days 2) saving sick days for when children are sick 3) concern over the appearance of being less committed to the job.
To correct the problem of presenteeism, an employer should develop a workplace policy to educate employees on the value of good health and safety. Some companies combat the issue by sending sick people home. Paid sick leave and flu vaccinations are also options.
Meeting company goals and fostering a healthy work climate will go a long way to promoting the well-being of employer and employees.
How to Set Salary
 Determining an employee's salary requires walking a thin line between making an attractive offer and not eating into your company's profits. Here are some tips for deciding what a fair and attractive offer is to a potential employee:
Review your own salaries: Go back and see what precedents you have set in the past. Then compare the value of the job with what's in your budget. Avoid discrimination by being mindful that new salaries should be on par with present employees' salaries.
Research: Do your homework and research classified ads, government and media sources or conduct a survey to find out what the competition's wages are like. Then define the job description, and do your best to match it with your research.
Balance Pay with Perks: Money is always important to an employee, but perks are just as much a consideration in today's competitive marketplace. Be sure your employees are aware of all that you offer. For instance, as a member of MBA you AND your employees are eligible for free benefits such as credit union membership, business seminars, coaching sessions and other discounted services.
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IT
If You Build It They Will Come:
Zing for Your Website
If your business includes a store(s) or home-based business, and your goal is to draw customers to your location, consider a graphical map on your website. Try Google Maps API which allows you to embed maps in your own web pages with JavaScript. This free beta service is available for any web site that is free to consumers.
Backup from a Distance
Nowadays, Internet service is so fast and cost-effective that almost every business can afford to back up their systems to remote locations. Here are a couple of sites to help you reduce this once-arduous task to a couple of clicks.
Mozy: MozyPro automatically detects and backs up new and changed files every two hours. Licenses: $3.95 each per month per computer. Storage: $0.50 / GB per month.
Accounts are billed monthly, annually or biennially. Get one month free with annual subscriptions or three months free with biennial subscriptions.
Carbonite: Carbonite online backup software is always looking for new data on your PC. The moment you add or modify files, Carbonite backs up your data. Try Carbonite for 15 days free. Then buy one year for $49.95 ($4.16 / month) or buy two years of service for $89.95 ($3.75 / month).
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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
Want to Start
Your Own Business?
Be careful…It’s Not an Entry Level Position
A Seminar
for New
and Seasoned
Business Owners
While the freedom of being your own boss is appealing, to do so you will need to use your savings, get a loan, risk your home or your severance check…and finding initial funding is only the beginning.
Learn why your trade isn't all you need to know. Topics to be discussed include:
1) Incorporate? - There are more options than there used to be.
2) A business plan - It’s a must-have, but not without additional support.
3) Financing - The money won’t come from sources you might expect.
4) Competition and Marketing – “SIPS” helps determine
who you are and how to promote your business.
5) Ownership skills – Do you have what it takes? Surprisingly it takes different strengths for different types
of businesses.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
6 PM - 8 PM
MBA Conference Room -
Broomall, PA
Free for MBA members,
$25 for non-members
Click here for more information
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 a spot at the next networking adventure, and give Instant Intros a try. Participation is limited to one representative of each industry
so call today.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
7:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Papa Rays Sports Bar-B-Q -
Newark, DE
$25 for MBA members and non-members with a
full breakfast buffet included
Click here for more information
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Sponsors of MBA's AR Online Newsletter
(610) 325-6037
Experience The Difference
(610) 485-2960, extension 284
Offer a great employee benefit
(302) 563-6679
Providing creative organizing services for
small businesses and residential clients
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.
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