WELCOME

As the economy dips and jobs are scarce, it's no wonder MBA is witnessing increased interest in starting a business. Which is why this newsletter, AR Online, has provided specifics and general information about the topic. In January, a seminar was held for potential entrepreneurs and for business owners interested in a refresher course. We now will address a related topic.

A franchise is a specific type of business ownership that makes start up a bit easier and less time-consuming. Franchising is an option that allows an entrepreneur to invest in an established concept that has proven successful for others. With increases in unemployment, would-be entrepreneurs frequently look at this type of business ownership as a springboard allowing for higher success rates, less time to get going and fewer barriers.

Franchising may be the best option for you if you're interested in an alternative to starting a new, independent business. MBA invites you to attend Franchise Ownership as a Career Alternative for professional guidance and information. Hope to see you there.

Libby Beatty, Chair
MBA Board of Directors

NEWSWORTHY

PECO's Natural Gas Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

If you are a PECO natural gas business customer, in the natural gas service area in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, or Montgomery Counties in Pennsylvania, you may be eligible for a $300 rebate by doing the following:

• Replacing your current natural gas furnace or boiler or converting from another fuel source to natural gas, and;
  
  
• Installing an ENERGY STAR® qualified, high-efficiency natural gas furnace or boiler
  

High-efficiency heating saves money. Older heaters may only use up to 65 percent of every energy dollar. By contrast, those eligible for the PECO $300 rebate will use 85 percent to 90 percent or more of every energy dollar to efficiently heat your business.

For more information visit www.peco.com/bizsave or call (866) 849-9763.

Residential rebate information is available at www.peco.com/gasrebates.

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MARKETING

Marketing Muscle: Push or Pull?

In order to create a more comprehensive marketing campaign, a business should define their push tactics and their pull tactics.

Pull Marketing refers to tactics that persuade customers to buy your products or services. These include traditional promotions like buy-one get-one, discounted coupons, etc. The key for pull marketing is generating a sense of urgency for redeeming time-limited values that will get people to purchase.

Push Marketing is when you use your distributors and marketing channels to promote your business. In recent years, referral marketing programs have become a staple of push marketing. Push marketing helps convince your distributors to promote your products over others. So consider offering discounts and bonuses to customers for providing your business with referrals.

Why People Will Love Your Site

Your business website has all kinds of product/service information, cool graphics, not to mention a well constructed "About Us" page, but customers don't always want to hear about you - they want to know what you can do for them. Here are some tips to help shift your website's focus from your business to the customer:

Content: Simply put, to create contented customers, give them content! Offering informative content like expert articles, news and press releases gives value to current and prospective customers. Customers will know that you are knowledgeable and on the cutting edge of your industry or market. Another good idea is to offer book reviews of popular titles that relate to your industry.

Blog Modestly: If you use your blog to advertise or market your business, people will catch on and participation will suffer. Instead, start discussions based on customer experiences, opinions and ideas. That way bloggers can express themselves, and you can collect valuable information. Participate in these discussions with a jovial demeanor. The more approachable and likeable you are, the more likely people will want to do business with you.

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YOUR FINANCES

Financing with Private Placement

Private placement refers to money invested by a private investor, commonly in the form of stocks and bonds. Used as an alternative to taking your company public, which incurs higher costs, more time and more work, private placement financing is not required to be registered with the Securities Exchange Commission.

Typically, investors are more interested in investing in the growth of a business, as opposed to funding start-up businesses.

Investors may be found through bankers, attorneys and accountants in your network. You'll need a solid business plan, a private placement memorandum (PPM) and a lawyer with experience in private placement.

Flight Saving Solutions

Fly.com and Kayak.com are a couple of travel sites you should check out before your next trip. By simply entering the date and destination of your trip you will be presented with various options and prices. These competitors search for rates across different comparison sites like Priceline and Hotwire.

While Kayak offers more rates from additional comparison sites, Fly separates itself by supplying more detailed flight information. The flight-summary view allows the user to see the lowest and highest prices listed, in addition to seeing each airline's flight times and range.

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FOR THE HOME-BASED BIZ

Beware False Deductions

Most home-based businesses are aware of their ability to deduct certain expenses for the use of their home as their business. Included may be mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, repairs and depreciation. All types of homes are included; from apartments to mobile homes.

Keep in mind, however, that the IRS is reporting that illegal marketers have surfaced and are promoting ways to avoid taxes. The Internet may provide a way for individuals to sponsor these schemes. Many involve the use of fictitious online businesses. Personal expenses involving the use of a hobby or recreational activity have been claimed illegally as the costs of a "business."

The IRS warns that any investment scheme or promotion claiming to allow these types of deductions is suspect.

Visit IRS.gov for more information on deductible home-business expense.

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HUMAN RESOURCES

Rethinking Telecommuting

Many employers cringe at the mention of telecommuting, but a majority of studies reveals that telecommuting has a high success rate that can boost employee productivity and save money.

Increases in productivity are a result of fewer office distractions including inter-office banter that can consume nearly 20 percent of the work day. Often there's another result of telecommuting and that is the number of employee sick days dramatically decrease.

The cost of equipment often is negligible compared to the motivational increase of workers who see telecommuting as a perk that saves them time and money.

And despite popular misconceptions, telecommuters are easier to reach because they view their position as a privilege that they are eager to maintain.

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IT

LoJack for Laptops

As a small business owner you likely keep important business information on your laptop. Now, there's a service available that can help you protect your information and recover your laptop if it is ever stolen or lost.

The Computrace LoJack for Laptops program is backed by Computrace's Theft Recovery Team which works regularly with law enforcement agencies to help recover stolen laptops.

Once you purchase your program, you'll download Computrace's Agent software. When a stolen computer connects to the Internet, the Computrace Agent software silently contacts Computrace's monitoring center. The Theft Recovery Team then kicks in…

In addition to locating your computer, LoJack's Premium Service can remotely delete sensitive data from your laptop.

Computrace's Protection program costs $39.99 per year. Their Premium Protection program costs $59.99 per year.

HP Offers 0% Financing for Businesses

Hewlett-Packard is offering two programs to businesses to help ensure that their growth is not stunted by current economic conditions. The two programs, which run until April 30, 2009, offer businesses the opportunity to purchase or lease without interest.

The 12 months, 0%, a "same-as-cash" program offers a 12-month purchase option that allows you to establish your payment schedule over the year. At the end of your term you get your equipment for a $1 buyout.

The leasing option is a 36-month agreement with the option of returning or buying out the lease at a fair-market price.

To learn more about HP's Financial Services go to HP Total Financing.

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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

BusinessLink Networking Event

Join us for bagels, coffee and business, and bring plenty of business cards!

Thursday, March 26, 2009
8 AM - 10 AM
MBA Conference Room - Broomall, PA

$5 for members,
$15 for non-members to attend,
$30 for non-members to attend and join MBA

Click here to learn more or register

Seminar: Franchise Ownership as a Career Alternative

Presenter: Andy Laskey, The Entrepreneur's Source

As small businesses continue to evolve into an increasingly important part of the U.S. economy, the number of people joining the ranks as entrepreneurs grows every year.

Franchising is an option that can be rewarding and lucrative when the right business concept meets a well-defined set of lifestyle, goals and needs. This concept allows one to invest in an established type of business that has proven successful for others.

Join us to learn about franchising as a mode of business ownership and how to choose the right one for you.

Thursday, April 9, 2009,
6 PM - 8 PM
MBA Conference Room - Broomall, PA

Click to register

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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.