WELCOME

Your company may be months old and still in the baby stages or, like MBA, approaching 30, an age I look back upon fondly. Whatever your business's age, it's never too late to learn.

MBA recently looked into a method of improving communications with members and prospects, developing greater productivity and establishing plans to ensure success.

Sounds like a tall order, doesn't it. Fortunately, we have accomplished our mission. At least we're well on the way.

MBA members Darrell L. Browning and Diane Dudley from BrowningLaFrankie, suggested their half-day Strategic Planning and Development workshop which is now being offered to members at half price. That's $750 to put you and your team on the path to future success. (I know this sounds like an advertisement which I try not to do in this column, but the value of the MBA experience necessitated a tip to members.)

The staff's initial "eyebrows up" kind of skepticism quickly evolved into an enthusiastic mindset of planning, strategizing and analyzing. I'll keep you in the loop on our progress.

In the meantime, please see Darrell's article below.

Libby Beatty, Chair
MBA Board of Directors

NEWSWORTHY

Important Message from MBA

Soon you will be receiving your annual MBA report and proxy card for the election of MBA directors. We would greatly appreciate your vote in this election. All you have to do is sign and return the proxy card that is enclosed along with the report.

The proxy is a pre-paid postcard so no postage is necessary to mail it.

You may also fax the proxy card to the attention of MBA at 610-604-0588.

Please return your proxy card as soon as possible.

We thank you for your participation in this upcoming election.

Small Business Lending Gets a Boost

The Obama Administration has announced its plan to help small businesses weather the economic climate. Assistance comes as reduced small business taxes, reduced loan fees and a purchase made by the U.S. Treasury for up to $15 billion in securities backed by SBA loans to make lending more desirable for banks.

The hope is that by enabling lenders to sell their existing loans on the secondary market, SBA lending to small businesses will increase. Breaks on loan fees like the up-front fees on 7(a) and 504 loans will be temporarily suspended. Borrowers and lenders that were charged fees on transactions since February 17 will be eligible for refunds.

Surveys of the first three months of the program show that SBA lenders will be increasing lending as a result of the government-guaranteed loan program that is part of the Economic Stimulus Package.

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MARKETING

Why You Need to Plan for Business Success
By MBA Member Darrell L. Browning

Most companies intuitively realize competition requires action, yet few know what to do when the economy drops off and you need to strategically refocus your efforts towards getting more business.

Many companies are engaging in efforts toward keeping or developing current customers while others simply seek new sources of revenue. The big question is: how does a company do that? Well, you need a plan.

Most companies don't put much stock into planning. Most business experts claim nearly 80 percent of companies don't plan for success-especially after they have attained a foothold in their markets. And that is their downfall. When the phone stops ringing is not the time to act. Do it now.

A strategic plan isn't rocket science. You need to:

• Analyze current business conditions. Various options are available: consider a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis.
  
  
• Determine specific goals in response. Realistically decide what you can do in response to your current situation.
  
  
• Develop action plans assigning both individual and group accountability to ensure you actually meet your goals.

For more information on strategic planning, read the full version of Why Your Company Needs Strategic Planning.

Darrell L. Browning is with BrowningLaFrankie, an organizational development firm. Call (215) 627-4811 or e-mail dbrowning@browninglafrankie.com.

Share Your Company's Kudos

Customer testimonials are a great way to promote your business. Often, however, the challenge is getting them and then getting them seen by prospective customers. Kudosworks.com is a free online tool that makes this easier.

To collect testimonials, you need to sign up and add a link to your site that directs customers to a testimonial submission page on Kudo Works. The submission process is simple and fast for reviewers. Customers simply provide their information and the e-mail of someone with whom they'd like to share their testimonial. The next step is to create the testimonial.

Each time you receive a testimonial, Kudo Works informs you and gives you the option of having it posted - so you decide what gets seen.

To learn more go to Kudosworks.com where you can sign up for a free trial period.

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YOUR FINANCES

The Many Factors of Small Business Grants

Seeking grant money to help your business is a challenging and time-consuming endeavor. If you decide to proceed, you may want to begin with the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). The CFDA is a 2,205 page list of government projects, services, and activities that are available to the American public.

Consider the following questions before you start your research: Do you have the time and resources to apply? Can you afford to hire a consultant or will you brave the application process alone? Can your business wait as long as a year for grant approval and disbursement?

Keep in mind; if you find a suitable grant, the criteria are usually very strict. Eligibility is often defined by factors like location, sales revenue, years in business, sex, race and purpose for procurement.

Here are some tips to increase your chances of obtaining a grant:

• Be sure that your application is completed in full. Proofread for accuracy. Incomplete or inaccurate information could significantly delay the process.
  
  
• Have a strong business plan that shows how your business will be able to achieve the desired benefits of the government agency.
  
  
• Check in regularly with your grant office in a friendly, professional manner.

Google Wants to Read Your Meter

Google is currently testing a software tool that will give homeowners useful information about their power consumption. The PowerMeter will receive information from utility smart meters and energy management devices and provide anyone who signs up access to their home electricity consumption right on their iGoogle homepage.

So far there has been no mention of outfitting businesses with these "smart meters" but interest in this potentially powerful money saver would almost certainly spark demand.

Here's where to read the full press release.

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FOR THE HOME-BASED BIZ

Finding a Financial Planner to Fit Your Needs

There are various kinds of financial planners so finding the right one for your business requires some know-how. Be sure to look for planners with professional certification and experience with small businesses in your industry.

Start your search locally. Ask fellow business owners, your attorney or accountant for recommendations.

MBA's online directory and member-to-member consultation network or the Financial Planning Association website are also great for finding a new planner.

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HUMAN RESOURCES

Creating Meeting Magic
By MBA Member Tim Mower

Lately we hear so much about eliminating company activities such as the annual picnic and training and development. This damages the morale of the employee. It is "all about business " to a certain extent, but keep in mind employees need to remain engaged and have the tools necessary to become better at what they do. One way to liven up your regular business meetings is by injecting some fun and interesting methodologies of disseminating your information.

An old Hassidic proverb states, "Give people a fact or an idea and you will enlighten their minds. Tell them a story and you will touch their souls." It is no longer enough to just roll off facts and figures at a meeting. Employees need to be captured from the beginning. Smart companies are finding ways to liven up their meetings by hiring people that can offer humor, magic or short stories to add inspiration and motivation to the corporate event. This is a welcome change to an otherwise business as-usual agenda.

These types of programs can be used as an ice breaker at the beginning of a meeting because it helps participants relax and focus. It also can be used as a nice diversion while the group is on break. It is also a wonderful way to wrap up or reinforce your product or message at the end of a meeting. People tend to retain information better when they are relaxed and laughing!

Tim Mower is the CEO, Chief Entertainment Officer, of Timand Productions. The company provides high quality magic for meetings and other events. Contact Tim at (610)724-7388 or through www.timand.com.

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IT

Surf's Up: Some Useful Sites for Small Businesses

As an entrepreneur you no doubt have many responsibilities and little free time to search the web for resources to help your business. We've done some surfing for you and have uncovered a couple of sites that can help protect you from SPAM and get in touch with some of business's big guns:

SpamDisappears.com offers a free tool that can encrypt an e-mail address before you add it to a website. Encrypting an e-mail will work on your browser, but won't be found by spammers' software programs that comb the web for e-mail addresses to use and sell.

HardToFind800Numbers.com is an alphabetical list of some well-known companies and various types of contact information.

Basecamp: A New Start for Web-based Projects

Basecamp is a web-based project collaboration tool on the Internet today. With ease, security and reliability, companies are getting organized and making important business happen by collaborating online.

An easy-to-understand interface shows all your projects and to-do lists, allows file sharing and offers message boards to offer a full-time connection to fellow collaborators and/or clients. Basecamp has multiple pay-for plans based on the number of projects you need to organize. A free 30-day trial is available.

Something worth noting: A long list of recognized companies who use the Basecamp service is available on their site. They also point out that 94 percent of customers say they would recommend Basecamp to their family, friends and colleagues.

Basecamp has multiple plans at different price levels, and offers 30 days free.

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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

Networking Event Wrap Up

Over thirty businesses got together and got down to business on the morning of March 26. Connections were made, information was exchanged, business was done and another successful MBA event has come and gone.

MBA would like to thank Sun East Federal Credit Union for sponsoring this event. Also, thanks to our event exhibitors The Administrators, Inc. and AFLAC.

Whether or not you attended the event, feel free to browse our photo gallery from that morning.

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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.