WELCOME

Unless you've been hiding under a rock somewhere, you've been hearing about the upcoming fall and winter influenza season. The predicted flu and its nasty counterpart, H1N1, are causing concern not only in the home, but in the workplace as well.

As an employer, your responsibilities should include prevention and response actions. You should be up to speed with flexible policies and specific plans for anyone becoming sick at work. Even a one-person business needs to be mindful of plans to respond.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have outlined the status of the flu and its potential severity with advice for businesses such as:

• Sending sick employees home
• Covering coughs and sneezes
• Improving hand hygiene
• Encouraging employees to get vaccinated

See the article below,Rx for Small Businesses to Prepare for the Flu, which announces various government agencies' involvement in this widespread health threat. Visit www.flu.gov and www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu for the most up-to-date federal information.

Libby Beatty, Chair
MBA Board of Directors

NEWSWORTHY

RX for Small Businesses to Prepare for the Flu

As widely publicized, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) anticipates that the addition of the H1N1 flu strain will increase hospitalizations and deaths during the 2009-2010 flu season.

In an effort to promote awareness and preparedness in the small business community the CDC, the Small Business Administration and the Department of Homeland Security have united to create A Preparedness Guide for Small Business.

The guide outlines 10 practices that small businesses can employ to help minimize the risk of occurrences. Among the most important advice offered, however, is the need for each business to create their own individual prevention plan and begin its implementation as soon as possible.

BACK TO TOP

MARKETING

How to Sell the Sizzle of Your Free Trial Offer

Just because your business has a free offer doesn't mean it will sell itself. "Free" will work to lay the scent, but new customers are often skeptical and need to see some substance before they bite.

Here are the right ingredients to get potential customers to take advantage of your free trial:

Simple & Risk-Free: Ask new customers for minimal information - like a name and e-mail address. People are skeptical about giving away too much personal information too quickly especially if they are unfamiliar with your business.

Feedback: Inform customers that their experience will be recorded and their suggestions used to create an "improved" service. This may be more of a motivator. Meanwhile you reap the benefits of valuable customer data.

Trial Length: The "30-day trial" is the classic for a good reason. Research has shown that it takes approximately three weeks for a person to adopt something new into their routine.

BACK TO TOP

YOUR FINANCES

Making the Most of Your Accountant

Your accountant is good for more than recording and evaluating your business figures. If you haven't set aside time to press your accountant for advice about your businesses finances, now's the time. Here are some possible avenues to explore:

Projected Taxes: Knowing the estimated cost of your taxes for the next two years gives you an indication as to whether you should defer or take your income. It also helps you to pace and schedule your spending for the remainder of the year.

Client Strategies: Ask what kinds of strategies other clients are implementing and if they are applicable to your business.

Excess Inventory: Ask your accountant if you are eligible for deductions in excess inventory. Generally, goods sold at full-price are ineligible for deductions, but if you can prove that you've been offering the products at a discounted rate you might be able to claim it as a write-down.

BACK TO TOP

FOR THE HOME-BASED BIZ

Sharing Your Business Space

If you are considering making a move out of your home business, sharing space can be an effective way to save money and present a professional atmosphere.

Here are a few of the benefits of sharing office space:

• A shared space will reduce your expenses like rent, electricity and heating.
  
  
• An office mate with no direct involvement in your business can act as an unbiased sounding board, a partner for brainstorming or an outlet for advice.
  
  
• Office mates can keep you from feeling isolated from the business community and can serve as a valuable contact for marketing and networking.

Be sure that before you sign a lease that you and your potential office mate can co-exist peacefully and your businesses and work styles are complimentary.

BACK TO TOP

HUMAN RESOURCES

Straight Talk for Tough Times

Being open and honest with employees is always a good policy as far as building trust and inspiring involvement. When times are tough, it's even more important to keep these lines of communication open. Here's how:

Be Open Often: Sharing real facts and figures with employees can give them a realistic view of the situation. Make sure to offer regular updates - even if it's bad news. Your honesty will reinforce your trust in them and their importance as part of the team.

Employee Temperature: Not only is it important to answer questions, you should be asking them too. Let employees know you are concerned about their well-being by asking them how everything is going. Remind employees that your door is open if they have concerns.

BACK TO TOP

IT

Tech Tools to Talk About

Here's another helping of online tools that can keep your business competitive and in the public's eye:

Word Press: This widely used blogging platform offers users a lot for nothing. With your free subscription you get a blog space; a variety of themes; visitor stats; the ability to embed videos and photos and more. Sign-up takes only a couple minutes - this is a no brainer.

Google Insights: This free tool allows you to view the current trends in search terms which can offer valuable information about positioning your website in search results.

BACK TO TOP

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.

BACK TO TOP

MBA EVENTS OF INTEREST

Business Boosting Networking Event

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

Wednesday, October 7
8:30 to 10:30 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 register

View the photo gallery from our last networking event

Seminar: Marketing

The New Marketing 101
Doing More By Spending Less

Presented by: MBA Member Brian Leatherberry, Leatherberry Consulting

Thursday, October 22
8:30 to 10:30 AM
MBA Conference Room - Broomall, PA

$10 for MBA members,
$25 for non-members,
$35 for non-members includes seminar & MBA membership
(all non-members must pay in advance)

Click here to register

BACK TO TOP

Sponsors of MBA's AR Online Newsletter

Timand Productions
(610)724-7388
Add a touch of Magic to your next meeting/event!

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.