 WELCOME
A Pizza Party? Sure.
Recently I found myself thinking of ways that small businesses keep the orders flowing. Here are a couple of thoughts that occurred to me:
1. Find ways of keeping you and your employees in touch with your customers. Perhaps a phone list you keep on your desk that reminds you to make ten calls per week. Keep your employees in touch too. Clients think of the overall experience when they think of working with your company. And that means referrals.
2. Find ways to show your employees that customer service is important. If a client compliments your company or a staff member, let them know, have a pizza party. hang posters, or whatever you think will illustrate how you value customer service. A better business means a lot of work. But if you keep your eye on your customers and what makes them happy, that should make your business happy too.
Libby Beatty, Chair
MBA Board of Directors
NEWSWORTHY
A Warning from the IRS:
A flood of e-mails and phone calls have  been reported claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. The message usually comes in the form of the IRS needing information to process a tax return or refund. The e-mail contains links or attachments to a bogus IRS website or another IRS site. Of course, these scammers are after your information to steal your identity.
IRS will never send an unsolicited e-mail asking for your sensitive personal and financial information.
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INSURANCE
The Administrators, Inc., Midlantic Business Alliance’s endorsed insurance administrator, has supplied the following article:
Seasonal Flu
 The recommendations for the 2011-12 flu season from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices include flu vaccinations for all people six months and older, especially pregnant women, children younger than five, adults 50 and older, and anyone with a chronic illness.
This year, the seasonal flu vaccine has been combined with the H1N1 flu vaccine, so only one vaccination is required for adults. For more information about this year’s flu vaccine, visit the CDC’s flu website.
Source: ibx.com
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MARKETING
Sizing Up Your Target
Having limited resources in a growing business makes deciding which jobs to take a challenge. Some believe that with effective scheduling you can accommodate any and all orders, but in reality, each business has different resources and goals. Here are some approaches to help you decide what works best for you:
Aim for Exposure: This approach means doing your best to handle jobs both large and small in order to maximize your market exposure. Practically speaking, if your focus is exclusively on large accounts and  one is lost, the damages may be irreparable.
The Mean: Like the Buddha counseled – avoid the extremes and aim for the middle. This means targeting mid-sized accounts, accommodating larger ones when they arise and filling the gaps with smaller accounts in between.
Small to Large: Focusing on smaller accounts and employing a transparent pricing system allows you to offer customers more customization. These help to pay the operational expenses of your business while large orders help you bolster growth over time.
Dealing with Rising Costs
The costs of your products and services has likely seen an increase in the past few years causing you to change production and pricing strategies. Here are some suggestions for how to implement these changes without turning away customers:
Entry Prices: If raising your prices is the only option, try introducing lower-priced items. Aside from diverting attention from price increases, it gives existing customers options other than taking their money and needs elsewhere.
Production Location: Rising fuel prices has no doubt increased the cost of shipping, materials and production across the board. To offset these costs, try looking for manufacturers or suppliers that are geographically closer than your current ones.
Varied Offerings: Seasons, trends and holidays are good reasons to also alter products without losing your following. More than anything customers appreciate honesty, so marketing changes around availability and demand help to cushion the blow.
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FOR THE HOME-BASED BIZ
Making the Most of your Home Office
Many entrepreneurs have dreamed of the freedom of working from home but haven’t found their groove. Whether it’s lack of organization or just a  need to reevaluate an approach, the following tips will help you pull your new home office together:
Office Space: Having a home base is very important. Instead of shooting from Wi-Fi spot to spot in your town, commit to setting up a home space where you are comfortable and focused. Then create a schedule that works for you and stick to it.
Organization & Priorities: The freedom of working from home can be overwhelming unless you have an organized system. A planner, whether electronic or a notebook, is a powerful ally. Look for e-mail tools that can help you prioritize correspondence, as this can be one of the most time draining activities in your day. Try Teambox if e-mail is challenging you.
Outsource: Whether you need a bookkeeper an accountant or both, outsourcing can free your time so you pursue new clients and develop your business. Another great way to get inexpensive or even free help is to hire a high school or college student as an intern.
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HUMAN RESOURCES
Keeping Cool with Challenging Employees
As the manager of a small business, you will likely have to deal with employees that test your patience. Before you lose your cool, take the following tips to heart before approaching a challenging employee:
Spot the Problem: The employee may be a loud-mouth or a complete chatterbox. He may never complete his work on time or, perhaps, disrupt the workplace with rumors and drama. If these or similar signs are catching your attention, you have a potential problem employee.
Time to Act: Don’t react in the moment unless it is absolutely necessary. Instead, cool down and try to evaluate the situation when your head is clear. Conversely, approach the employee as soon as possible when you are ready to act and have thoroughly considered your approach.
The Setting: Be sure to approach your employee privately. Try to create a situation where the setting is neutral and you are both relaxed and on even ground. For example, instead of pulling her into your office, take them for a coffee, at lunch or after work.
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IT
Your Business App for Free
In the spirit of keeping your business in step with the times, it may be time to consider creating a Smartphone app for your business. An app can be a great addition to your marketing platform when it serves a specific need.
For example, maybe you are looking for a way to stay connected with customers/clients and would like to offer them something like news, tips or ongoing sales. You can build a custom app online for free with  applications like Appsbar.
Appsbar is an easy-to-use app builder that utilizes a tutorial interface that helps create a customized app with tons of editing options. Appsbar also leads you in the process of publishing your app so that it can be offered through any popular app store. The apps work across Smartphone platforms and are free from advertisements.
Apps to Smooth out Business on the Go
The following free or inexpensive Smartphone apps can help you collect business contacts, bill clients and track your expenses – check them out:
Hours Tracker: This is a great app for service providers who bill clients and projects at different hourly rates. You can clock in and out, see how much you’ve earned and add notes to track the work you did that day. Cost: $2.99
Pay Anywhere: Now you can get paid on the spot by swiping your client’s card right on your phone. The service is free without any processing charge, so you keep all the profits. You can also track invoice numbers and keeps an inventory of items and services offered.
Cost: Free
Expensify: This expense report-generating app can sync with your credit cards and bank accounts to log your expenses. It also scans paper receipts with your phone’s camera and can even record your travel mileage combining all your expense data into one easy-to-view report:
Cost: Free
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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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MBA EVENTS OF INTEREST
Business Boosting Networking Event
Thursday, October 13, 2011
8:30 A.M to 10:30 A.M.
Marple Township Building
(bottom floor of library)
Rt. 320 ( 220 S. Sproul Road)
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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.
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