Is Your Business Bi-Polar? How to Better Manage Your Cash Flow Highs and Lows

Is Your Business Bipolar? How to Better Manage Your Cash Flow Highs and Lows

Is there a period of a few weeks and months when you feel that you are a leader in your field, your business is booming, the phone is ringing, the checks are coming in, your clients are happy and all seems right with the world? Then at other times there are weeks when you think no one ever heard of you and your great reputation, your competition seems to be getting all the goodies and you wonder if you went under tomorrow world anyone notice?

Well, those days are over. Follow the strategies in this great article to ensure that your business stays on an even keel, with steadily increasing revenue: http://www.attractclientswithease.com/articles/businessbipolar.htm

 

It’s not too late to check out the Business Breakthrough Summit, coming up May 19^th & 20^th in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can find details here: http://bizbreakthrough.com/

 

Extreme Income Explosion Summit

I’m so excited to share that I’ll be a part of the Extreme Income Explosion Summit in May! This is a great opportunity to learn the best and most profitable strategies in modern marketing from some excellent entrepreneurs.  During this fun, packed three-day summit in beautiful Utah, my fabulous co-presenters and I will share our expertise, network with you, and have a lot of fun at some exciting parties and mixers!  For more information, visit: http://www.buzzbooster.com/cmd.php?af=1428913

 

Business Breakthrough Summit

Are you ready for your business to breakthrough?

 

Are you tired of working too hard to gain each client and want clients to come to you with ease?

If you answered yes, then this is the program for you! The Business Breakthrough Summit is designed for ambitious entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, speakers, and anyone who want to build their business and stand out in a crowded marketplace. This exciting event will take place Thursday May 19^th and Friday, May 20^th in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can find details here: http://bizbreakthrough.com/

 

Need Some Inspiration?

Every year, I create a new inspiration card to give to everyone who attends my presentations. This year, I am going to re-post this periodically as a reminder on how you can Make This Day Thrive!

 

Guest Blog from Linda Lenore

Here is another great guest blog from my friend and Thriving Speaker Platinum Program member, Linda Lenore.

Feng Shui for Speakers: Energetic Environmental Elements

 

All speakers want to be conscious of environmental impacts – on you and your audience. Everything affects the energy of the presentation; from ceiling heights to lighting; from where you stand to seat arrangements.

 

Even the location where you create your presentation, whether it’s your office or conference room, will have an effect on the end result. There’s a vibrational energy to everything; the frequencies create either a discordant or harmonious outcome for your presentation.

 

As a 25-year professional speaker and Feng Shui Master, I’ve experienced the pros and cons of environments. Using knowledge from several Feng Shui trainings, here are a few tips for you, whether it’s your venue or a space arranged by facilities or a meeting planner.

 

Here are four considerations:

 

1. Low verses high ceilings – Low ceilings are good for creating a nurturing effect within a room while high ceilings allow more visioning and inspiration. Anything over 16 feet dissipates everyone’s energy leaving you and the audience drained.
2. Lighting –Turn off lights in front of a screen where slides are shown to enhance the ability to see them. Make sure the light level is bright enough and directed for the audience to see you as well as for note taking.
3. Power position presenter – The best location for the presenter is away from the main door, yet able to see it. When choosing a location, make sure there are no doors or windows behind you. A solid wall behind you helps you feel safe and supported during your presentation.
4. Straight rows verses curved – When possible, arrange seating for your presentations in curved, rather than straight, rows. Use round tables to improve visual connections attendees have with each other making them feel less isolated.

 

There are many ways to achieve the best energy for you and your audience including where you create your presentation. For information on your office, please read my post Feng Shui for Speakers – Your Office.

 

If you have specific questions, please direct them to me, Linda@GreenChiDesigns.com. I’ll share the answers with Caterina as well as answer them on my blog at: www.GreenChiDesigns.com .

 

Is Your Business Stagnant, or Evolving? A Few Questions to Ponder…

Is Your Business Stagnant or Evolving, A Few Questions to Ponder

Let’s continue our discussion on evolving your business. First, ask yourself – has your business evolved? Are you doing things differently and doing different things than when you first launched your business? If the answer is “no” your business may still be doing fine.  However it may not be giving you the same satisfaction it did when you started and it is definitely not achieving the kind of revenue that is possible. Focus on evolving your business not only for your own satisfaction and profit, but also for the betterment of the people, industry and community you serve.

An evolving business is a business that adjusts and continues to flourish with changes in the marketplace, changes in client needs and changes in technology. Businesses that do not evolve usually go out of business in the first few years with a few exceptions – like the corner deli that has been making delicious corn beef the exact same way for the last 50 years or the neighborhood hardware store that operates mostly like it did when it opened three generations ago. Their friendly, warm and knowledgeable staff is their key to long term success.

If you want your business to evolve, grow, change and adapt ponder these five key questions:

 

1. Has your business evolved from a business that provides you a living to a business that is helping you and others build wealth?

 

1. Has your business evolved from a day-to-day client-focused business to one that is also focused on making a difference in the community you serve?

 

1. Has your business evolved into an organization that operates in a socially and environmentally responsible way?

 

1. Has your company shifted from one way to generate income to now having several different revenue streams, all delivered simultaneously?

 

1. Have you evolved from a fresh entrepreneur to an innovator and expert in your field?

 

After pondering these five important questions, check out my thoughts at: http://www.attractclientswithease.com/articles/businessstagnantorevolving.htm

 

It’s still not too late to tune into the Entrepreneur Extraordinaire virtual Book Launch tele-summit. Details are available here: http://eetelesummit.com/

 

 

Networking 2.0 Early Bird Special Extended

Early Bird Special Extended for Networking 2.0 Sacramento until April 3^rd! After a sold-out presentation in January, I’ll be coming back to Sacramento for an encore presentation of Networking 2.0! Thanks to the Sacramento Business Journal for this opportunity to share valuable networking skills with novice and seasoned networkers.

 

Date/Time:

April12th, 8:30am-12pm

 

Location:

California Museum

1020 O Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

 

To Register, go to: : http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/event/67671

 

Guest Blog from Nancy Lewellen

Have you ever thought about incorporating your business, but didn’t know if you should?  Have you wondered who to talk to and find out what the pros and cons are of doing so?  Here are some common reasons my business clients give to me as to why they want to incorporate or set up an LLC.

NANCY LEWELLEN’S TOP TEN REASONS TO FORM A BUSINESS ENTITY

 

1. TAX ISSUES- Corporations, LLPs and LLCs have different tax advantages than sole proprietorships.

 

1. PERSONAL LIABILITY ISSUES-A corporation, LLP, or LLC may shield your personal assets if sued.

 

1. HEALTH CARE OPTIONS- Corporations, LLCs or LLPs can enjoy the benefits of guaranteed-issue group health insurance with 2 or more employees.

1. RETIREMENT/PENSION PLAN OPTIONS- These options are greater for various types of business entities than for sole proprietors.

1. YOU CAN APPEAR BIGGER THAN YOU ARE- Incorporating makes you appear bigger to the outside world.  Some businesses will only contract with either corporations, LLPs, or LLCs.

1. GIVES A FORMAL LEGAL STRUCTURE TO MULTI-PARTY ORGANIZATIONS.   With a corporation, LLC or LLP you must submit articles that define the organization and have an operating agreement, LP agreement or bylaws that govern how the company will run.

1. EASE OF RAISING CAPITAL. A corporation, LLC or LLP can simply sell stock, membership shares or partnership shares to raise money. These shareholders or members are not necessarily going to have any say in the company’s day to day affairs, but split the profits and/or dividends on a predetermined basis.

1. PERPETUAL LIFE.  With a corporation, LLC or LLP, you can have the company continue to stay in business after the original owner dies, becomes incapacitated or sells his/her share.

1. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS- Your profession may determine what type of entity you can have.  In California attorneys cannot be LLCs, but must be a sole proprietor, a Professional Corporation, or an LLP; doctors must be a Medical Corporation or sole proprietor.

1. ABILITY TO BUY/EXPENSE OR DEPRECIATE ASSETS. If you use the car predominantly for business, your corporation can buy the car, and can depreciate it over time, saving you tax dollars.

If you have further questions, I give a complimentary 15 minute session in person or on the phone.

 

Nancy Lewellen, Attorney and Real Estate Broker, helps individuals and small businesses set up and maintain business entities, drafts, negotiates, and reviews contracts and leases, and advises on landlord/tenant and other real estate issues.

 

Encore Presentation of Networking 2.0 in Sacramento!

Networking 2.0 is back by popular demand after a sold-out presentation in January! This interactive workshop presented by the Sacramento Business Journal, and led by me, Caterina Rando, is coming back to the Sacramento area!  This program is suited for novice networkers and seasoned veterans who want to up their game. You’ll leave the workshop with the networking skills you need to find jobs, recruit top employees, win new clients and discover investors.

 

During this 3-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to be loud and proud about who you are and the value you bring, as well as how to:

• Introduce yourself in a way that captures people’s attention to immediately engage them
• Create rapport quickly and begin meaningful conversations
• Become a resource for referrals to keep your business on other people’s mind
• Develop a networking plan that meets your goals and objectives
• Utilize simple, fast flow up techniques that build relationship online and offline
• Apply strategies to go from “just a contact” to a person of influence with your connections

 

For more info, contact Megan White at 916-558-7805 or mwhite@bizjournals.com

 

A Brief Lesson on Business Development through Strategic Partnerships

My good friend Larisa Troche of J I Martin Business Services recently shared this information on strategic partnerships.

 

Have you been approached about becoming an affiliate for businesses promoting upcoming events or a new product launch? If they’re in line with your business you may be inclined to agree. Typically the arrangement is set up to pay you a commission for each sale, which is great!

 

While you can of course do both, remember, the key feature of an affiliate partnership is that it is transactional in nature. On the other hand, becoming a strategic partner is a long-term, relationship-based partnership. As we are concerned with longevity, systems and procedures, for long-term business development we recommend forming strategic partnerships or alliances. Following are some tips on making partnerships work for both parties.

 

Before entering into an alliance, do your homework. To start with, make a list of people who are working in your area of influence, those who have the same target market, but at different points in the line of contact. Start to build relationships with these people before you ask them to partner with you.

 

It’s very important that you set some clear goals and targets you want to meet when setting up your partnerships, such as percentages or dollar values for additional sales, revenues and customers. You must know where you’re headed before you start something as important as a strategic alliance.

 

Before you approach said connection, consider ways that you can add value to their service or product. This will be a key factor in getting them to say yes to your proposal. After all this is a business transaction, so bring something to the table.

 

Finally, make it easy for your partner to promote you – write the emails or blog posts for her. Create the ads, tracking system and PayPal (or similar) payment system so everything is almost automated. Also consider setting up a special  web page with all the necessary resources for the strategic partner so all her questions are answered and all the marketing materials are readily available for immediate use.

 

Just a few reminders for your consideration. Let us know if you have additional tips or stories to share about your strategic partnerships/alliance relationships.