WELCOME

MBA's Dues Are How Much??

By now, I hope all MBA members are aware of the drastic drop in the association's dues structure and, hopefully, the reasons why have become apparent. I'm mentioning this important change in this column again only to emphasize that MBA continues to advocate and work hard for its members. The business world has not been an easy place lately. I also want to offer a last-minute idea for holiday gift shopping.

I'll start with the second thought. With annual dues at $25, membership in the largest small business association in the region is now affordable as a gift for almost anybody on your list. Your recipient does not have to be a business owner to join, just someone who's interested in furthering a business career by accessing thousands of buying members. Seminars, events, discounts and consultations await your friend, relative or business associate. Your gift will reflect your creativity and thoughtfulness.

Let us know how many gift memberships you would like by clicking here. We'll send out a personalized gift pack with all the information needed to start your friend's membership.

We're also updating the MBA website. Members will now enjoy a more sophisticated, professional and easy way to access business articles, webinars, benefits, networking and cutting-edge technology to move your business forward. Look for that in early 2009.

Libby Beatty, Chair
MBA Board of Directors

NEWSWORTHY

Tis' the Season:
You Better Watch Out

The unfortunate truth is that the holiday season doesn't just mean increased sales; it also means an increased chance of fraud and theft. Keeping a sharp eye behind the register is important to protect yourself from accepting counterfeit bills.

New security features make it easier for you to check the new $5 bills and the other new bills you receive. Hold your bills up to the light to check these easy-to-use features:

Watermarks: There are now two watermarks on the redesigned $5 bill. A large number "5" watermark is located in a blank window to the right of the portrait replacing the previous watermark portrait of President Lincoln found on the older design $5 bills. A second watermark - a column of three smaller "5"s - has been added to the new $5 bill design and is positioned to the left of the portrait.

Security Thread: The embedded security thread runs vertically to the right of the portrait on the redesigned $5 bill. The letters "USA" followed by the number "5" in an alternating pattern are visible along the thread from both sides of the bill. The thread glows blue when held under ultraviolet light. In older design $5 bills, the security thread was located to the left of the portrait.

For more tips on spotting counterfeit bills and information on how to report them go to the websites of either the Secret Service or the Department of the Treasury.

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MARKETING

Treat Your PR Like Your Marketing

Getting good PR is not as simple as writing a press release, submitting it to a random journalist and having it published on the front page.

Your PR campaign should be treated like a marketing campaign and be based on research and preparation. To have your newsworthy announcements heard you need to get to know the journalists who can help you. Here's how to begin:

Make a List. Research and create a list of journalists who are likely be interested in your industry or story.

Read Their Work. Use Google to research your list of names for their published works and areas of specialization.

Get involved. Check to see if the reporters interested in your industry have blogs. If so, become an active participant. Also, look for podcasts or e-mail updates about upcoming articles.

Become a Source. Consider sending your insights or information about your industry (that only you can access) to the journalists who specialize in your trade.

Are You Getting the Most of the Web?

There are many overnight success stories about making money on the web, but more often than not, making the most of it takes time and effort. Here are some suggestions to help build your web-based business:

• Use e-mail and online chats to offer customers your professional, personalized consultation services.
  
  
• Organize classes online to share your expertise and attract and educate prospective customers about your product or service.
  
  
• Sell products from other companies through banner and pop-up advertising or sponsorship opportunities on your site.

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YOUR FINANCES

Get Unlimited Minutes and Save

If your company's cell phone bill contains extra charges each month, you might want to take advantage of an unlimited calling plan. Verizon has an unlimited plan for $99 a month, and it has sparked similar rates among competitors.

If you are under contract with your current carrier, see if they are offering any unlimited promotions and make the switch.

Do You Know the FTC?

The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is the organization that sets the rules and regulations for any business that provides a service or a product to consumers. In order to better understand the rights of the consumers that your business serves, check out this list of divisions of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection:

Advertising Practices protects from deceptive or unsubstantiated advertising.

Enforcement protects through law enforcement activities including: court-ordered compliance, investigation and prosecution and enforcing guidelines.

Financial Practices enforces consumer credit statutes.

Marketing Practices investigates fraudulent marketing practices.

Planning and Information collects and analyzes data to ensure the activities of the FTC's mission of consumer protection.

Office of Consumer and Business Education plans and implements public education campaigns.

Privacy and Identity Protection safeguards consumers' financial privacy.

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FOR THE HOME-BASED BIZ

You're Not Alone in Your Quest for Success

If you've been an employee and now are a business owner, you know that the process of starting and maintaining a home-based company can be a struggle. One of the biggest mistakes an owner will make is to try to do it all alone.

Rest assured that whatever project is in front of you at the moment, it's been done before. Try investing some time to research what others have successfully accomplished and mirror your efforts from what you learn.

For instance, marketing is one of the most important aspects of a business, home-based or otherwise. For a one-person shop, it's not a good idea to spend hours and hours trying to reinvent the wheel. Study other successful businesses and see what works for them. Subscribe to online newsletters (such as this one) that offer tips for creative marketing.

Focus on the uniqueness of your product or service and take the entrepreneurial step to learn from others' mistakes and successes. Take the time to study what creates interest in other companies, and then model what they do. Read your free newsletters and incorporate those ideas into your plan. Spend your valuable time doing what you do best.

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HUMAN RESOURCES

Share the Training, Share the Load

Have you ever had an employee unexpectedly unable to work and that employee was the only one qualified/trained to perform their duties? If you answered "yes," then you understand the business value of cross-training employees.

Depending on the type of business you're running, ensure that all of your employees have a basic understanding of your products and services.

If your customer service or sales departments are ever shorthanded or overly busy, your cross-trained employees can pitch in and help answer customers' (or prospects') general questions.

To make it easier for employees to lend a hand, create a Frequently Asked Questions fact sheet that they can use as a reference.

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IT

New Web Tool Bar Helps You Print Green

Printer company Lexmark has recently released a web toolbar that gives users the option of blocking images and ads from print documents which saves paper and ink. This new tool can also turn all print into black and white format and remove excess images from so-called "printer-friendly" images.

Versions of this tool are available for both Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Mozilla's Firefox. The Firefox version is more for the technically inclined, including the option of removing links and forms from printed materials.

Get Off the CRM Fence

CRM (customer relationship management) software is often viewed as a business advantage afforded only to big businesses. To challenge that notion, Concursive is offering a free year of its open source software for businesses to sample.

The ConcourseSuite is a hosted platform that is a combination of customer service, marketing and online presence management - in addition to website authoring and content management.

The suite requires no hardware and is easily accessed via the Internet by common log-in prompts. Also included in the free year is technical support in the form of e-mail and group forums.

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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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Sponsors of MBA's AR Online Newsletter

Sun East Federal Credit Union

(610) 485-2960, extension 217
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.