 WELCOME
All of us are feeling the pinch. Everyone is trying to do what they've always done - with less. We have felt the pinch too, but still know that members need their association, right there with the services they're used to. So we lowered the dues. And the result has been dramatic. New members realize that they can have it all for just $25, and current members are breathing a sigh of relief.
To add to that sigh of relief, amazing progress has been made on MBA's new website. Our developer and team here at the office have recognized our organization's visions, strategies and a level of urgency to produce a site of great opportunity.
Now we're asking you to invest in your association's future too. Looking forward, there is much change; the way we communicate is probably the most remarkable. MBA is ready to equip members with tools they'll need for the future. Let us know what you would like to see included in the site.
So join the team - send us your thoughts and watch for the new site soon.
Libby Beatty, Chair
MBA Board of Directors
NEWSWORTHY
PECO's Early Phase-In Option Gets Green Light
As the power rate cap reaches its expiration at the end of 2010, PECO has  announced that it has been cleared by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to launch its Early Phase-In program to ease the transition for its customers.
Customers participating in the Early Phase-In program would pay an additional half-cent per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy use beginning in July 2009 and an additional penny per kWh of energy use beginning in January 2010. Under the program, customers will have the payments and their 6 percent interest (paid by PECO) credited to their bills from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012.
Residential and smaller commercial customers, with accounts in good standing, can choose to participate in Early Phase-In. An enrollment period will soon be announced to PECO customers.
Go Green Philly
The Greater Philadelphia Green Program is asking local businesses to increase their commitment to going green in their office practices. Endorsed by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, local businesses are encouraged to sign up and complete a checklist to show which steps their company has taken to reduce its environmental footprint.
Companies can earn a basic membership level by committing to seven mandatory measures and at least 20 elective measures. Additional measures are needed to qualify for an increased membership level.
Besides benefiting the planet, participation in the program offers networking with other green businesses as well as promotional opportunities.
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MARKETING
Freshen up Marketing in a Recession
Do you react to tough times with blinding anxiety or do you view unexpected  change as an opportunity to evolve? Those who succeed during a recession are the latter. The evolution can come from comparing your marketing tactics and those of your competition and adapting yours to the changing environment.
Marketing Materials: Do your materials clearly convey what makes your company distinct? Institute new campaign models quickly and cheaply by updating your website. Keep in mind; spend-thrift recession shoppers are likely to research you online before doing business with you.
New Approach: By observing how your competition attracts customers you may be able to exploit the vulnerability of their approach. Once you've got the angle, use your professional expertise to educate customers about your product with informative mailings and e-mails.
New Packaging: No, not the container of your product, but a high-value package of bundled services or goods. With clear pricing and packaging, customers have more options to consider and opportunities to receive more for their money.
Marketing Made Easier
HP Creative Studio serves as a resource for creating marketing materials for your business. Creative Studio offers many downloadable materials and software apps that allow you to create like a pro.
Among the most notable features are downloadable templates and resources including websites, blogs, business cards, fliers, business forms, brochures and more. There are also templates for specific industries. Resources like free online courses and how-to guides are available at a click.
Choose from three levels of service: DIY Templates offer free design templates and resources for start-ups and small businesses on tight budgets. Premium DIY Templates offer more design choices with customizable templates, but requires payment. Premium Custom Designs allows you to work with a designer who creates a custom design to meet your specifications.
Visit HP Creative Studio to learn more.
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YOUR FINANCES
Credit Card Receipt Advances
The Good, the Bad and What to Look For!
Written with the assistance of MBA Member Dick Wharton
The Good: Credit card receipt advances are a way for businesses to use their future credit card sales to get cash  quickly. The process is simple: a company will purchase your future credit card receipts for a cash advance and then take a percentage of your future credit card sales until the debt is paid. If business slows down, so does your re-payment.
The benefit is that you don't have to have great credit scores or write monthly checks as repayment. All you normally need to secure the cash is to accept credit cards as a form of payment for your business and can prove a large volume of sales, usually $2,500 or more per month. You also do not have to pledge additional collateral other than your future receipts.
The Bad: This method of obtaining quick cash is for businesses unable to secure a loan elsewhere due to credit issues or the inability to find a lender in these tight credit times. Since all the risk is born by the cash advance company, the cost of the money is more expensive. This is a good way to get cash if you are unable to obtain traditional funding and need it quickly. But beware: repayment is quick, usually 4-12 months and expensive.
What to Look for: Quality providers should offer solid, reliable customer service before and after you agree to work together. They will learn as much as possible about your business to find out how much money you need, if you can pay it back and if an advance is not in your best interest.
Dick Wharton is with RWS Business Services. Contact him at (610) 240-4770 or info@rwsbizservices.com.
Free Web Invoicing Anyone?
Nett 30 is a web-based service that makes invoicing quick and easy. The creator is a small business owner whose objective was to keep administrative duties as simple as possible.
Nett 30's most notable services include the ability to send invoices via e-mail, automate recurring invoices and allow clients to access their invoices online. Complete with a dashboard view that shows invoice status (sent/pending/overdue) and automated payment reminders, Nett 30 can be a real time-saver.
The basic Free account lets one staff person send unlimited invoices to up-to-five clients. The Standard account, costing $13 per month, lets one staff member send unlimited invoices to up-to-25 clients. The Business and Business Pro plans offer even more options.
To learn more or sign-up go to www.nett30.com.
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FOR THE HOME-BASED BIZ
Road Warrior Gives Home Business Travelers a Lift on the Road
Orbitz has recently launched a new micro-site dubbed Road Warrior. This  page is meant to serve small and home-based business travelers with the same amenities provided by corporate travel agencies. The site offers amenity locators, reviews and tips.
Here are some more features Road Warrior has to offer:
Travel Alerts: Orbitz will contact you if there is any change in flight information. They will also alert your hotel to hold your reservation if you miss your check-in time. If that fails, Orbitz will find new accommodations for you of comparable value and quality. Your car services will also be alerted to any change in your travel itinerary.
OrbitzTLC Mobile Access: This feature allows you to check the status of your travel plans in real-time from any mobile phone.
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HUMAN RESOURCES
New Technology Puts the Brake on Texting
There is a new cell phone technology that is on its way to making the roads safer and possibly helping to save money on car insurance. Textecution is a mobile phone application that disarms a phone of its texting and e-mailing abilities when it's moving faster than 10 mph.
Currently, businesses can be held liable for employee car accidents if it is a result of reading or writing a work-related text message - even if the employee is off the clock and in a non-business vehicle.
The creators of Textecution are currently lobbying for legislation that would require insurance carriers to provide discounts to businesses that use the application - similar to the discounts given to Bluetooth users.
Textecution is currently only available for T-Mobile phones, but work is in progress with major cell phone carriers to add Textecution to the carriers' available applications.
NOTE TO EMPLOYERS: Be sure to address texting risks in your employee policy manual.
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IT
Cutting IT without Cutting IT Off
Creating savings by reducing IT costs is one tactic small businesses use to cope with tight times, but knowing where to  cut is of the utmost importance. When it comes to IT, you must prioritize. Here are a few opportunities to trim expenses if you get into the details:
Equipment: Purchasing secondhand and refurbished equipment can help cut costs.
Leases: Extending your equipment lease may be a good idea instead of opting for upgrades. But plan ahead to find cheaper alternatives for your next contract.
Negotiate: There are many aspects of a contract that can be negotiated. Maintenance contracts that include free upgrades or support can often be cut - if your current program is meeting all of your needs.
Maximize Marketing Efforts with SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) can help you streamline your marketing efforts and give you an idea where you stand with the competition. Here are two free tools to get started:
ReviewMyWeb.com: By inputting your website URL and that of your competition you can get a detailed report about how you rank by comparison on the major search engines. The criterion takes into account page ranks, site content and blog coverage.
ExactFactor.com: This site performs just like Review My Web, but it gives you the opportunity to receive weekly updates and alerts to let you know when you have appeared on the first page of Google Search, when your position has moved up/down or when you competition has made a move.
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 MEMBER NEWS
Leza Raffel, president and  founder of Jenkintown-based Communication Solutions Group, Inc. has been selected by Governor Edward G. Rendell as one of Pennsylvania's "Best 50 Women in Business." Raffel, who founded her full service public relations and marketing company in 1991, focuses on the distinct communication needs of nonprofit associations, educational institutions and municipalities. For more information visit www.comsolutions.com or call (215) 884-6499.
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
Hockessin Business Connections Group Open House
Exchanging pre-qualified leads in a group setting is just about the best way to gain new customers for your small business.
Come see what Midlantic Business Alliance's Business Connections Groups are all about by attending this FREE event.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
7 AM to 8:30 AM
Cokesbury Village
726 Loveville Road
Hockessin, Delaware
For more information or to reserve your spot, call Hockessin Group Coordinator Greg Serge at (302) 383-2429 before May 4th.
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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.
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