WELCOME

Great Gift Idea for Your Customers!

Shameless promotions are always a good thing. If you're shy and think you shouldn't bother your prospects, then it's time to hire a coach or at least practice your promotions in front of a mirror.

My shameless promotion is for Midlantic Business Alliance. For only $25 per year, you can buy your best customers a full year's worth of benefits and services. Wouldn't your client appreciate an online small business newsletter or free access to legal information from a member lawyer? How about seminars, networking events and access to group health insurance?

I could go on and on. Small business owners can make new contacts, save money with member discounts and, best of all, become part of a community. In these difficult times, it's natural to join together as a formidable group worth noticing.

Click on the ad below to buy your gift memberships. We'll gift wrap the certificates and send them along to the destinations you provide. Let your customers know that you appreciate them. Then we'll do the rest.

Libby Beatty, Chair
MBA Board of Directors

NEWSWORTHY

OSHA Website has Swine Flu Info

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently implemented a new web page full of information that will help businesses prevent and protect themselves from the swine flu.

The fact sheet lists "common sense" precautions that will help to reduce the chance of employee exposure in the workplace. It also provides more extensive advice for jobs that involve a higher risk of infection.

The information is currently available through OSHA.gov, and will be updated as more information about the virus becomes available.

MBA Teams up with Marines

There's a big, empty cardboard box in the lobby of Midlantic Business Alliance. MBA, an official collection point for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, is hoping to fill it to the top.

Here's how you can help: As you're buying gifts for children on your list, how about picking up some extras and dropping them in the box at our office at 867 Sussex Boulevard in Broomall on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The toys should be new and unwrapped.

When the toy box is full, a Marine will pick it up and deliver them as Christmas gifts to needy children in our community. What could be better?

BACK TO TOP

MARKETING

Season's Greetings for Sales

The holiday season is upon us, so it's time to shift gears with your marketing and ad campaigns. Here are some tips to get you started:

Greeting Cards: Sending holiday cards to your clients and potential clients is a great way to get seen and to market your holiday sales and events. Greeting cards are a good way to get a coupon into your customer's hands.

Holiday Party: Throwing a party can help you deepen relationships with current clients and prospects. It is also a good time for your staff to celebrate and socialize, helping to strengthen your team's bond.

Gifts: Show your clients how much you appreciate their business by gift giving. Remember, it's the thought that counts - small and inexpensive can work as well as a budget buster. Gift certificates and preferred customer discounts are a couple ways to say "thanks."

BACK TO TOP

YOUR FINANCES

Where Shall Financing to be Found

The increasing difficulty of securing a traditional loan is making alternative methods of financing for small businesses more attractive. Although more expensive, these methods are becoming more popular as means to sustain businesses in troubled times:

Inventory on Consignment: Your business is not the only one feeling the pinch. Manufacturers and suppliers are also looking for ways to get their products on your shelves. See if your suppliers are willing to offer merchandise on consignment. If you get the products moving, they are practically guaranteed to get a return on their investment.

Alternative Finance Companies: These companies deal in asset-based lending, factoring and merchant cash advances. These avenues are typically more expensive, but the economic climate has severely limited the options of many businesses. A recent survey released by the Federal Reserve stated that even when the economy turns the corner, credit will remain tight.

BACK TO TOP

FOR THE HOME-BASED BIZ

Your Home Business Attorney

Running a home business means that you probably perform most business tasks on your own, but when it comes to legal advice it's safer to use a professional.

Here's what you need to consider when using an attorney for home-business advice:

The Search: Find a lawyer who already has experience in your field/industry and can offer you references from previous clients. Screen candidates by checking the state bar association for certification and any blemishes on their record. Hire only after a face-to-face meeting.

The Advice: Create a list of potential needs and advice that you will require. A list prepares you for the call, thus less of your time (money) spent.

The Cost: Some attorneys charge flat rates for common tasks while others invoice you on an hourly basis, so do as much of the work that you can and leave the rest to them.

Be sure to contact MBA Member Services at (800) 533-3732 for a free half-hour of legal advice from our consultation network. This is for members only and is restricted to on-the-phone advice.

BACK TO TOP

HUMAN RESOURCES

Your Employee Communications Strategy

There's a difference between your employees getting the job done and doing a great job. That difference depends on how often and how clearly you communicate the needs of your business.

Here are some ways you can keep your team on track:

Meetings: Meetings are great for making announcements and introducing the implementation of new office protocol. The challenge is getting everyone together at the same time which may mean an off-hours meeting. Hardcopies of announcements should be dispersed so your staff can refer to and be accountable for new duties/operations.

Announcements: These can come in the form of memos, e-mails or newsletters. They serve as reminders/updates or to answer specific questions posed by staff. In general, they should be used to convey less vital information since there is no guarantee that employees will read them. If you do use these methods for more important information, make sure your staff is accountable for reading and responding to them.

Paycheck Inserts: Possibly more effective than other forms of announcements, employees are more likely to see, hold and engage in material that comes with their paychecks.

BACK TO TOP

IT

Boost your E-Commerce Site with TRUSTe

A recent survey conducted by Marketing Sherpa found that 53 percent of consumers worry about sharing personal information online - specifically with small businesses.

The survey also revealed that more than half of the businesses surveyed either don't have privacy policies or simply don't know how to create and implement a professional privacy policy.

TRUSTe, a privacy company that helps protect the customers of many large businesses and corporations is expanding their reach to help small businesses create safe and professional policies.

Prices range from $49 per month to a one-time payment of $249. The basic plan will utilize TRUSTe's Privacy Policy Generator that creates an industry-compliant privacy policy that is based on your business practices.

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

COMMENTARY

Pack Up Your Medical Information…..Pakistan Awaits It
By Stephen Markowitz

Two weeks ago, MBA's Board Chair Libby Beatty, introduced the plight of American entrepreneurs working in the transcription industry. The majority of this work is medical transcription, and this may affect every one of you who has ever been to a doctor. This started me thinking about the parallels between this beleaguered group and so many of our small business clients…the writer included.

The American Transcription Association (ATA), located right here in Warminster, Pennsylvania, came into being as a response to the wholesale outsourcing of this industry's work product to the usual and customary suspects including the Philippines, India…and Pakistan. More about that below.

The transcription industry includes a great concentration of female and often single parent practitioners. Their small companies are usually their only source of income and only access to group health insurance. As a small business owner, manager or employee, you can sympathize with the usual problems associated with starting and maintaining a small business. But when is the last time you had to compete with Pakistan?

India and the Philippines are allies. So is Pakistan, a third-world nation whose alliance with us reminds me of that old quip, "Who needs enemies with friends like this?" Many doctors and some other providers send their medical transcription work to third parties. Those parties may be overseas or may be entered into working relationships with larger transcription companies in the US, who then ship overseas.

At a time when there is a nationwide concern with the shipping of our work to overseas sources who pay poverty wages and have other questionable employment practices, this seems another element in the deconstruction of our markets. At the very least an un-leveling of the playing field. This comes at a time when small businesses going under only add to our problems - more unemployment compensation, dwindling tax base, etc. There seems to be little sympathy and little progress made with government representatives regarding ATA's concern.

First they ask how many people are involved. Apparently, there are not enough thousands following the number for them to care. And many medical practices and other healthcare delivery systems under economic pressures seek only a cost-reducing alternative with no concern for the American businesswoman or man. They say they are trying to keep your hospital cost in check. Otherwise that OTC pain tablet might cost $125 instead of only $85.

What should be of equal concern to you is that your medical information is often being handled in countries that have no HIPPA requirements. The US-enforced oversight of your protected health information (PHI under HIPPA) cannot mandate laws in those countries. It is conceivable that the very people planning to destroy your country may now have found an excellent source of information. An unconfirmed report states that the Veterans Administration does (or at one time did) use outsourcing to third-world countries. I have not been able to receive a confirmation or denial of this disturbing possibility. Access to the PHI of our armed forces personnel could have catastrophic consequences.

Our own medical professionals need to consider the impact on them of the outsourcing of medical transcription work to countries not required to follow HIPPA regulations. In conversation with a prominent attorney at one of Philadelphia's larger law firms, there was discussion of the potential liability of US medical professionals or workers allowing this to happen. It was offered that they may still have complete responsibility for such information which is protected and allowed out of their control. HIPPA violations and fines now have serious financial consequences and every provider should be alerted.

On so many levels this outsourcing seems like a mistake: HIPPA, Homeland Security, individual security, liability of doctors (who are, after all, small business people also), and the destruction of small businesses. If you are concerned about the whereabouts of your medical information, by all means, ask your healthcare professional. If you are concerned about the issues mentioned above, contact your elected representatives. Especially contact those officials with military backgrounds who will surely identify with your concerns. Former Admiral Joe Sestak, Congressman from the 7th CD/PA must certainly be considered a sympathetic ear if our armed forces are in any way compromised. That makes him a good place to start.

Stephen Markowitz is 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.

BACK TO TOP

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.