WELCOME

As promised in our last AR Online, details are now available for MBA's upcoming special event, Fired. What Next? A Blueprint to Start Your Own Business.

On February 23, from 9 AM to 2 PM, MBA will address the issue that has become crucial to America's unemployed…starting a business is a more viable option than unsuccessful job hunting.

There's a logical sequence to starting a business. Our workshop sessions will help attendees implement their ideas and goals:

Starting a Business in 2010
Presenter: Stephen Markowitz, CEO, The Administrators, Inc.
Taxes and Other Money Matters
Presenter: James Scully, CPA
Marketing Without Money
Presenter: Paul Miller, marketing expert and MBA Board member
Keeping the Momentum
Presenter: Kenneth Abrams, Executive Coach

As current business owners, this might be a great refresher for you. And, please be sure to let all aspiring entrepreneurs know about this free event that could make the difference for them.

Libby Beatty, Chair
MBA Board of Directors

NEWSWORTHY

The SBA Calls Out the EPA

The Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy has called out the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for violating a federal law that protects U.S. small businesses. Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act the EPA is required to convene a panel of small businesses to review rules and regulations that would have a significant effect on American small business.

The Office of Advocacy claims that the EPA has not satisfied its obligation during the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) rulemakings under the Clean Air Act. These proposed amendments to the Clean Air Act of 1990 would impact more than 6 million small businesses.

The Office of Advocacy has submitted several recommendations with respect to the GHG regulations and contends that these regulations would be operationally and financially burdensome to small businesses.

To read Office of Advocacy's press release, fact sheet and comments to the EPA click here.

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MARKETING

Online Coupons Can Lead to Sales

More than half of the adult population uses the Internet to research purchases, so getting coupons in front of them couldn't be easier. Coupons are easy to create, and their expiration dates help to encourage customers to act. Here are a couple of ideas to help get your coupon clipped:

E-mail: If you already have permission to e-mail your customers and prospects, then you need to create something worth opening. Sending e-mails is an easy way to advertise new services or products and sale items. Including coupons in your e-mail will help promote fast action, but be sure to mention the coupon in the e-mail's subject line.

Website: Your coupon codes or print coupons should be easy to find and use. Having a space or an entire page dedicated to coupons is a great way to get online shoppers to act. You can even create a short video commercial on your site that encourages use of the coupon.

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YOUR FINANCES

It's Not Who You Know, It's What They Know

Oftentimes, trying to cut costs means enlisting the help or advice of others. Here are some simple ways to reduce your expenses:

Custom Accounting: Ask your accountant what part of the month is the slowest for them. Ask for reduced rates if you can get your numbers to them during the slower periods.

Employee Insight: Employees spend as much or more time on the front line than you do. Pick their minds to uncover wasteful practices, and challenge them to suggest ways to cut costs.

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FOR THE HOME-BASED BIZ

Bypass Common Home Business Mistakes

Sometimes home-based business owners feel cut off from the outside world and making mistakes can become commonplace. Here are some typical problems that can be overcome with minimal effort:

Time Management: The freedom of working for yourself from your home or the road can sometimes be too much to handle. By organizing and prioritizing a flexible schedule, you can benefit from the most productivity possible.

Ask for Assistance: Being secluded from a larger business community can leave you feeling detached and alone. Reach out to fellow professionals, other home-based business owners and organizations like MBA for advice, inspiration or just a good conversation.

Base Customers: Small businesses can get overzealous about building their client base while neglecting the ones they already have. Don't forget your current customers while searching for new ones. They already know and trust you which can lead to return business or referrals.

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HUMAN RESOURCES

Keeping Your Feedback Positive

Employer feedback is a valuable tool to motivate your staff as it illustrates your interest in your employees' growth. Here are a few tips for making the most of your feedback:

Well Done: Giving excessive kudos can come off as insincere and ultimately ineffective. Instead, be specific when you compliment so employees know exactly what it is that was done well. And, to reinforce the praise, deliver your compliments in front of other staff members to reinforce its value.

Room for Improvement: Being too aggressive with a critique may have the opposite effect, so approach with tact. Private, face-to-face conversations are the best way to address negative performance issues. Come to an agreement so you are both clear on how improvements will be made.

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IT

New SpiceWorks Plug-In Helps Manage Power Usage

SpiceWorks, the free service provider that helps small businesses manage their IT infrastructure, has created an add-on that can help save money and disk space. The new application is a widget that allows your system manager to automatically regulate the power consumption of networked computers and other networked devices.

There is even a display that estimates how many dollars per day you are saving by regulating networked devices. To learn more about the plug-in, including how to download it, click here.

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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

Pols…Carriers…and Americans
By Stephen Markowitz

Republican Scott Brown's stunning, come-from-nowhere victory in the Massachusetts Senate race will energize those of all political persuasions - the spinners, the sinners and the winners. Within one of those groups (you choose) will be the health insurance carriers who may feel they have outlasted health-reform initiatives.

It would be a serious mistake for the carriers to feel that way or to operate on the assumption that health-care reform will now result in a few watered-down initiatives. A part of America - Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia - has used their votes to inform the current Administration that Obamanomics is a failure.

But that does not mean that America is suddenly accepting of the chaotic state of health insurance. It is certainly not, and most will agree on starter issues such as the practice of declining pre-existing illness or by rating prospects out of contention. Or the imposition of lifetime payment thresholds. Most, including the carriers, expect those practices to go away. How that additional financial burden on the carriers plays out with regard to premium prices is a very thorny issue. Someone needs to pay for what we seek. The public option is DOA so we will need a form of government oversight on profit margins and administrative costs in the private sector. These things will happen as part of a (hopefully) well thought-out plan agreed upon by both Democrats and Republicans.

If these two parties cannot resolve their differences and begin representing Americans instead of their own agendas, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia will be just the beginning of a major housecleaning of both parties by the voters. I think those who laughed at Tea Parties and the possibility of a Tea Party party have stopped laughing.

If the insurance carriers and Congress do not resolve their differences and begin providing oversight and competitive products, the impact on our economy will result in a diminished recovery and continued financial hardship and unemployment for far too many Americans. While some see intra-state sales of health insurance as a slippery slope leading to a form of national deregulation, I believe the benefits outweigh the risks.

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.

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MBA EVENTS OF INTEREST

Fired. What Next?
A Blueprint to Start Your Own Business

Don't wait to register for this major event addressing one of the nation's most pressing issues: small businesses - start ups, keeping the momentum and succeeding.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010
9 AM to 2 PM
Marple Township Building - Broomall, PA

Click here to register or request more information.

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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.