 WELCOME
If you've already started your home-based business, you know the beginning can be bursting with high enthusiasm and great expectations. It's an exciting time as a new business owner makes dreams come true.
But the emotional high is frequently replaced with a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, as money is scarce and periods of doubt arise.
Just remember the saying "It takes a long time to become an overnight success." Stress is an evil side-effect for entrepreneurs and being home-based doesn't help. There's an ever-present danger of becoming discouraged and irritable.
There are no substitutes for time and hard work in developing your business. But be sure to focus on the good things in life (and check out the tips below to stay on top of your game.)
I've heard that chocolate and a massage once in a while helps too.
Libby Beatty, Chair
Board of Directors
NEWSWORTHY
Get a New Gadget for Your Website
Business.gov has a new "gadget" that you can place on your website which allows you and other small business owners to:
- Search for information, forms and contacts from federal, state and local governments
- Find topics of current interest to the nation's small business community
- Get a listing of licenses and permits that apply to your business
- Watch videos featuring expert advice from successful entrepreneurs and small business owners
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MARKETING
Ads that Jump Off the Page
In order to get the most out of your print advertising you really have to know how to  make your advertisement jump off the page. Here's how to get your print ad noticed:
Create a Border: Borders catch the eye and direct movement towards the center of what is being bordered. In this case, it's the content of your ad.
Add a Coupon: A coupon is a visual indicator that there is direct and redeemable value embedded in your ad space.
Use an Image: Visual shapes or items that are associated with your business can help your ad stand out from the others that are plain text.
Headline: Include a benefit in the ad headline. It will help convince the reader to keep reading.
Contact Info: Your phone number, website or address should be in bold or larger fonts.
White Space: The use of white space helps focus the reader's eye on words or images as compared to ads with too much content.
Placement: Some people believe that ads on the right side of a page are more effective.
Trying to Make a Sale? Put on Your Selling Ears
Having extensive knowledge about your company and the products/services you provide is just part of making the sale. Listening to the potential customers is an equally important skill.
Once you start asking questions and listening to the answers you will be able to serve a customer's needs much better and make a sale that's beneficial for everyone.
Question your customers about their goals, priorities and challenges before you start to sell. Then offer suggestions how you can help.
See if there is a way you can help a client. If you show a genuine interest in working together and actually come through, the chance of making the sale rises dramatically.
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YOUR FINANCES
IRS Phone Forums Cover Small Business Tax Issues
Small businesses can get helpful tax information from monthly phone forums (conference calls) sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service. These phone forums are free and convenient - you can call in from the comfort of your home or office.
The monthly phone forums discuss topics of interest to businesses and the tax professionals who represent them. Some of the previous issues covered are powers-of-attorney, filing a Schedule C, choosing a return preparer and Form 1099. Future topics include correspondence examinations and recordkeeping for small businesses.
Information on upcoming phone forums can be found on the Business page of the IRS website. In the Search field, type in key words "phone forums" and select the link titled "Small Business Tax Workshops, Phone Forums and Webinars."
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FOR THE HOME-BASED BIZ
Home Based Businesses: Singin' the Burnout Blues
Burnout can exist for anyone, but for entrepreneurs working from home there's a special risk because of the responsibilities inherent with the job. Many factors contribute to this situation such as frustration over money and time constraints. Also one-person business owners can suffer from feelings of isolation.
Here are a few tips for fighting the Burnout Blues:
Don't procrastinate: Because all jobs are your jobs, there are bound to be some you don't like. Take the bull by the horns and just do it. Tackle those difficult, problematic issues and move on.
Exercise: Once you start a routine of exercising, you'll begin to look forward to it. Even a walk around the block will clear your mind and improve your overall health.
Eat right: A balanced diet is a must. Once a busy day begins, it's a temptation to eat on the run. Thinking rationally and clearly doesn't just happen.
Laugh: When things look bleak, try to find humor in your work-at-home stress. It relieves tension and relaxes muscles. Taking a break with your children is a good idea. They'll love a good laugh with you.
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HUMAN RESOURCES
Surprise! Paying for Performance May Not Benefit Your Company (or Your Employees)
Paying for performance is a method of  compensating employees at a rate that is lower than average, and rewarding employees with bonuses or shared profits when business is going well.
After reading that explanation you probably thought, "sounds like a good idea to me." After all, it would be nice to have employees who are as committed to the success of the company as the owner. And proponents of this system agree that the common goal of company success can provide each employee with motivation and passion to work harder.
But implementing and maintaining a successful pay-for-performance system can be tricky and time-consuming. Do a little research on the Internet, and you can read stories of some large companies abandoning a pay-for-performance system after just a few years.
Vague, unrealistic or too-specific goals were found to actually squash enthusiasm. Employees began focusing on individual goals, so teamwork was hurt and activities beneficial to the company were often overlooked. In addition, management had to continually adjust goals.
So if you're considering a pay-for-performance program, be ready to do some research and invest some time to make sure your program is actually helping your company and not hurting it.
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IT
Oh No! I Didn't Mean to Delete That!
In our past, we've all done it. In the future, we'll probably all do it again. Sometimes your finger clicks the Delete key faster than your brain can say "Stop!" Next thing you know, your Recycle Bin is empty or you've deleted a file that bypasses your Recycle Bin and goes right into the black hole of your computer.
In PC Magazine's Free Download section there's a tool to help us quick clickers possibly recover files. ExhumeIt is easy to use. Just download, select a drive to scan and put the program to work.
ExhumeIt will show you any deleted files in that drive, tell you if they can be recovered and allow you to select which files you want to restore. (It's important to know that once you delete a file, your computer may begin to overwrite it. So the faster you try to recover a deleted file - the better your chances for recovering an intact file.)
(Almost) Free Conference Calling
Need an easy way to conference call with clients, employees or even friends and family? Create a free account at freeconferencecall.com.
You'll receive a phone number and a code that you can share with your conference call participants (up to 96 of them). Normal long distance charges by each caller's carrier apply, but you (and your fellow callers) pay nothing to freeconferencecall.com.
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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
Instant Intros
What does “speed dating” have to do with MBA? “Speed dating” is nothing more than marketing, and 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. Join us for the next event…
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
American Executive Centers - Plymouth Meeting
$25 for MBA members and non-members with
light refreshments included
(All must pay in advance)
Register or Click here for more information.
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Sponsors of MBA's AR Online Newsletter
Sun East Federal Credit Union
(610) 485-2960, extension 217
Offer a great employee benefit.
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. Unless specifically indicated, MBA does not intend mention of companies, products or services discussed in this publication to be construed to be endorsements. Mention of websites should not be taken as an endorsement of that site or a verification of the safety of that site. All precautions should be taken and any decision to visit a site is solely the responsibility of the reader.
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