WELCOME

MBA Announces Next Step

At a time when small businesses are suffering and every spending decision is a calculated one, MBA instituted an extreme plan; one that will not only let each and every member know that they are valued, but also one that will lend a hand. The first step in the plan recognized the fact that line items on members' P & L's were going to be deleted. So, in spite of dues already being the lowest in the region, MBA went even further. Dues now stand at $25 per year.

Today, MBA is happy to announce Step #2. For over 30 years, MBA members have been paying dues to support their association. Now, it's our turn. MBA has broadened its definition of communication and is announcing the launch of a brand new website at www.mbainc.org. We believe that this interactive tool with resourceful content, intelligent commentaries and all kinds of practical information will be a meaningful aid to members' everyday business dealings.

Want a sneak peak? Just visit www.mbainc.org. Our AR Online subscribers, as always, get the news first, thus the sneak peak. An announcement to all membership is going out today along with user names and passwords for the members-only section.

Although there's been a little bit of hand wringing as the site has taken shape, it's now standing tall, with content being added every day. Please bear with us, however, as the site will be developing on a continual basis. Consider us a work in progress, like small businesses everywhere. Additional features soon to come include webinars, podcasts, member forums, discounts and business-related political content.

Please take a moment to look over our new site and tell us what you think.

Libby Beatty, Chair
MBA Board of Directors

Starting with this issue, Commentary, by Stephen Markowitz, returns. Mr. Markowitz wrote for The Alliance Report, MBA's printed newsletter, for 15 years. Sure to make you clap or grit your teeth.

NEWSWORTHY

The Ripples of Rendell's New Healthcare Legislation

Last month, Governor Rendell signed two healthcare bills with the intention of extending coverage to uninsured Pennsylvanians.

Mini-COBRA Law Out of Bag for PA Small Biz
The new mini-COBRA law took effect July 10, 2009 and applies to companies, employing between 2 and 19 employees, that offer health insurance. Mini-COBRA requires employers to continue coverage for nine months after a qualifying event occurs.

Coverage Extended to Adult Children up to Age 29
At the discretion of each employer, this new law allows parents to continue coverage for their adult children up to age 30, under certain conditions. This law goes into effect six months from June 10, 2009 and coverage will be available on a rolling basis as contracts renew in 2010.

July Minimum Wage Increase

Both federal and Pennsylvania minimum wage rates will increase on July 24, 2009 when both rates go to $7.25 per hour.

Various minimum wage exceptions apply under specific circumstances to workers with disabilities, full-time students, youth under age 20 in their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment, tipped employees and student-learners.

Be sure your workplace postings include the up-to-date wage with free federal and state signs.

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MARKETING

Give Your Bootstraps a Break and Market with Your Sandals

Summer is the time to shed layers, so use it as motivation to restructure your marketing budget and use what you already have to sell your sizzle.

Media Connections: Put the "me" back in media by using previously-published quotes to show consumers that your business is a leader in the public eye. Previously-published quotes can add power to your summer ad campaign.

Survey Says…Press Release: Share results from your customer surveys with media contacts. Reporters love stories with numbers and customers are often curious to read how their opinions compare. You can also write your own article with your survey findings and post it on your website or a local business blog.

Video Shorts: Create a succinct and captivating video that tells the story of your business and what it does. Place that video on your landing site and any other video-sharing communities that you can. The ability to tell your story or show your products/services in action is invaluable.

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YOUR FINANCES

The 8(a) Program

The 8(a) Program gives socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners (woman-owned, minority-owned, service disabled veteran-owned), the chance to bid on government contracts.

But before you attempt the challenge of filling out and filing the necessary applications, the Small Business Administration offers a self-assessment test to help you evaluate the degree to which a firm meets the basic qualifications for the 8(a) Program.

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FOR THE HOME-BASED BIZ

Home Business Home Wreckers

Sometimes operating your business out of your home can give you an unrealistic sense of security, causing you to take a relaxed approach to normal business protocol. Here are two hints on how to avoid common home business blunders:

Keep Receipts: Not only is it important to keep track of your business expenses to have an accurate view of financial health, but receipts are necessary to claim tax deductions.

Accept Credit Cards: More payment options mean an increased chance of making a sale. Not accepting credit cards to avoid fees is short-sighted considering the reliance most consumers have on credit cards. HINT: MBA offers a discount to members for their merchant card processing services.

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HUMAN RESOURCES

Continuing Education for Employees

Providing employees with a continuing education program can be a great benefit for them and your business. Employees will be grateful for a chance to further their education while their new skills can enhance their productivity and the success of your business. Sounds win-win, right? If you decide to implement a program be sure to consider the following:

Reimbursement: Decide how far the benefits extend. Clearly outline the parameters of your program including what types of coursework or classes are eligible for reimbursement - technical, vocational or professional. Will you cover the cost of supplies, class materials and course-related fees? Some companies offer reimbursement based on the employee's course grade, while others offer partial reimbursement regardless of the outcome.

Who's Eligible: Does the program extend to hourly, full and part-time employees? Many employers keep eligibility exclusive to employees whose positions require professional certification. In most cases, employers require that classes are related to the employee's job or career path.

Accommodations: Scheduling is another area where you may need to be flexible to support your employees' efforts. Allowing participating employees to work on flextime can be a great help to some, while offering telecommuting options may work better for others.

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IT

Twitter, Tweet, Talk to Customers

Twitter is a form of micro-blogging that allows you to post short messages, making it a valuable marketing tool for small businesses growing their brand. On Twitter, your posts are referred to as "tweets" allowing up to 140 characters in length.

Tweets are great vehicles to share news, announce sales and promote your website. Registering takes only minutes and it's free. Here are some tips on how to make the most of Twitter:

Image: Each post you make is accompanied by an image that represents your account. Use your company logo or an image that is familiar to your customers.

Your Following: To create a following for your tweets, create links in your website, your website search results, your blog and your e-mails.

Commit: Be sure to update your status regularly, if not every day. This gives you the opportunity to respond to your tweets. By responding in a timely manner you encourage the continued viewing and participation of your conversations. It also allows you to treat Twitter as a help line allowing customers to ask questions and get answers.

Twittfalls: This automation function will give readers the impression that there's no physical presence behind your words - hence no reason to take your posts seriously. Recognize that twittering should only represent a fraction of your marketing efforts and be used as a tool to bring cohesion to your overall marketing strategy.

Tweet with MBA to receive updates about events, benefits and other goings-on in the MBA business community.

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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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COMMENTARY

Time to Fire Back…
By Stephen Markowitz

There is no question that American small businesses are now under fire. The Obama Administration (OA) is clearly seeking to continue a tradition that precedes them…reaching as far into the small business owner's pocket as is decent and possible.

Consider the following: 1) OA wants to force all small businesses to offer health insurance. Welcome back to 1992. 2) OA wants to tax the insurance benefits of all who receive them…well not quite all, it wants to exempt union members from the tax. Sounds like a grand plan to make joining a union unavoidable for all hourly wage earners…including your employees. This has nothing to do with the millions of dollars of donations made to the Obama campaign by unions. 3) The Rendell Administration has successfully passed mini-COBRA legislation that affects you if you have any employees, not just 20 or more. 4) OA wants to have government and private sector insurance compete with each other, but the folks who brought you $700 billion in subsidies for big business, with no impact on unemployment whatsoever, will have all the oversight and regulatory privileges.

You are not without recourse. But your response has to be more proactive than writing to the Alliance and saying, "Do something!" We can begin to coalesce immediately to engage in dialogue with elected representatives and to communicate with workers and the general public about all of the good things that define the small business community. We are not the evil empire that OA tries to make of us. We are the creators of 45 percent of all jobs in the private sector. Contact MBA today to discuss joining with them to begin firing back. Your creativity and intelligence are urgently needed now and not at some later date when shutting the barn door is too late.

Seventeen years ago when the Clinton Agenda focused on mandatory small business health insurance for employees, MBA began a campaign to furlough all employees for one day as a symbolic communication about the end result of the attack on small business. This campaign was covered by The Wall Street Journal and many other publications. Perhaps it is time to once again show the general public that attacks on you will greatly influence unemployment in the wrong direction…certainly not what OA had in mind.

Welcome back to Stephen Markowitz, chief executive officer of The Administrators, Inc. His column Commentary appeared for 15 years in The Alliance Report, MBA's printed newsletter. His comments reflect his views and not necessarily the opinions of the board and staff of Midlantic Business Alliance. Contact him at SMarkowitz@TheAdministratorsInc.com.

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MBA EVENTS OF INTEREST

Bring Customers Through Your Door

We're working on our fall schedule of events and would like to help you bring customers through your door.

Host an MBA networking event and that's exactly what will happen. It's a win-win proposition. You bring prospects to your site. MBA continues its tradition of offering unique event locations to members. Plus, participation for you is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1 Select a date. Send an e-mail or give us a call to select an event date that's good for your business.

2 Promotion. Promotion. Promotion. You and your event will be featured in upcoming e-newsletters, mailings and news outlets.

3 Relax. Refresh. Enjoy the rewards. Offer some simple refreshments to your guests as they network within your walls and get to know you and your business.

Contact us today to set a date to bring new customers through your doors!

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Sponsors of MBA's AR Online Newsletter

Louviers Mortgage Corp.
(302)234-4129 ext. 41
Funding dreams into reality

The Administrators, Inc.
(800)634-4428
Making health insurance affordable

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.