Social Media Sensation: Creating Buzz for Your Bottom Line

Social media is becoming a key ingredient in the marketing recipe for your business. There are opportunities and measurable results for businesses of all sizes, and companies are taking notice. According to current research, social media marketing is set to increase at an annual rate of 34% over the next five years, outpacing all other forms of online marketing. In fact, the expected growth rate for social media marketing is nearly double the average growth rate for all online mediums. There's a reason so many companies are increasing their social media budgets - it's proven to be a very effective tool for reaching customers on a new level. Having an active social media presence can help your bottom line, and there are a host of other benefits:

• Interact with your customers directly: Social media gives you a chance not only to engage your customers one-on-one, but you can also hear what they say about your company online. Make sure you take advantage of that opportunity, but don't react harshly to criticism you may see. Every action you take online will be seen and remembered. A great reputation can be spoiled with one misguided post made in the heat of the moment. Build trust for yourself and your brand by consistently adding valuable content, and handle your following with a PR-friendly voice.

• Own your company's social presence: If you don’t already have your own Twitter and Facebook accounts, get them before someone else does. If people make their first contact with your brand online, be sure that you have control over the message. 

• Look like you're "with it": On Facebook alone, there are over 400 million users spending over 500 billion minutes per month on the site, and those numbers are consistently growing. Your target audience is becoming more and more likely to have social media use as an integral part of their daily lives. Customers are twice as likely to do business with someone they identify with. If you're not on Facebook, your customers might wonder if you really "get it".

• Get great feedback on your business: Better than the results of any survey you could send out to your clients is listening to their reactions online following the release of a new product. With social media, you don't have to solicit for responses - something that can often result in misleading data. If you're engaged in social media forums, you'll have your fingers on the pulse of what is really going on with your business, and how people are reacting to it.

• Establish yourself as an expert in your field: Your company profile is a fantastic opportunity to post about your company's activities, as well as relevant news and trends occurring within your industry. By gaining lots of followers and displaying your expertise, people will begin to identify you as a "guru" in your field. This will ultimately lead to people being more likely to trust you (and therefore do business with you!).

Christine McDannell is Co-Founder and President at Social Starfish. Find out more at www.socialstarfish.com  Christine will be presenting at NAWBO-IE's January 19, 2012 meeting.

NAWBO-IE Hosts Holiday Mixer December 6

Be sure to register at: http://nawboie2011holidaymix.eventbrite.com

Proven Strategies to Build Powerful Business Relationships

Building strong business relationships is an important aspect of any successful business. Yet, it is usually an area that is overlooked or doesn’t receive a lot of attention due to busy schedules. But business relationships can make or break your business, especially in a down or “different” economy. One of my business colleagues recently pointed out that those businesses that survived the recession tended to have deep and committed relationships with their clients and colleagues.

When I think about my business today, I am grateful for the business relationships that I have, and many of them have grown into friendships. When I was working in the corporate world, we were taught to keep a high-level “professional relationship” with clients and colleagues. We didn’t talk about being authentic or really connecting with our clients, we were just taught to close the sale. When I started my own business, I quickly realized that the corporate attitude wasn’t going to sustain me. Plus, being in business can be lonely, so I quickly reached out to others and started to build long-term business relationships.

Recently a business colleague reached out to me through LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a social networking tool that allows you to build your network of business relationships online. I’ve been building my LinkedIn account for years and have just recently passed 500 connections. When this new colleague reached out to me, he pointed out that he was impressed with my 500 connections. While the number was great, I was even more excited about the fact that those 500 connections represent business connections with individuals that I value at a deep level. Unlike Facebook where I have some contacts that I barely know, LinkedIn holds my treasured group of business relationships that have helped me grow my business to where it is today.

Those relationships have lead to incredible synchronicities and opportunities that I only dreamed of when I first started my business. Your relationships are like an invaluable asset that just keeps growing as you invest your time and energy. I have found that there are five key strategies to easily and effortlessly build strong business relationships-with intention.

• One: Connect with Intention. Connecting with intention requires active listening skills and being present in the moment. It is easy to be preoccupied with other things that are going on in our lives, but if you are always thinking about the past or the future, then it is impossible to be present. Others can feel whether or not you are present , and if they feel that you are disconnected, they pull back, stopping a relationship in its tracks. Be present, ask great questions and take the time to get to know someone.
• Two: Be Authentic. Mike Robbins once said, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” In business, there is a lot of pressure to “act a certain way” or model other’s behavior. However, I was listening to a speaker recently and she said that the more authentic she is on stage, the more her sales increase. I have found the same to be true. The more authentic I am, the more “me” that I allow to show up, the more clients and speaking engagements I receive. People sense when we are “faking it” and over time those relationships will fizzle away.
• Three: Deepen the Relationship. Once you have connected with intention and started to get to know someone, what should you do next? Unfortunately, we have short memories, and we can quickly forget about that “great person” we met at our last networking event. The truth is, they probably won’t follow up with you, even if they want to. Why? Because they are really busy and have been swept back into their business the next day. It’s your job to follow up and build the relationship, don’t rely on them to do it. Lead the way and set the next time you will meet. My guess is they will be really grateful that you took the lead. The more that you take the lead to cultivate your business relationships, the faster you will build your network.
• Four: Go Beyond Expectations. These days it’s not enough to just keep your word; that’s a given. The key to building long and lasting business relationships is to go above and beyond expectations. For example, you could invite someone to be a guest at your table for your favorite charity’s annual event. Or, you could offer to assist them with a challenge they are having in their business. There are many ways that you can go beyond expectations, just choose one and deliver!
• Five: Be Committed and Available. In a sea of emails and voice-mails, it can be difficult to stay in touch with new business colleagues. However, the beginning of the relationship is when you really need to stay in touch. If they reach out to you, respond immediately or at least within twenty-four hours (this is a great rule, anyway). Make sure that they know they are a priority to you. The more committed and available you are, the more they will trust you and you will be building a long-term, fruitful business relationship.

Action Item: Reach out to five new business contacts this week and schedule a time to meet with them. Determine who you would like to have long-term business relationships with. Then, take the lead and schedule the next time to meet!

As you are meeting new people, it’s important to recognize and filter those individuals to build a business relationship with. Not everyone is a good fit for you, but you will recognize those individuals who are willing to receive support from you and also willing to give as well. Excellent business relationships are built over time. Invest in them just like you would a 401K – knowing that they take time to build and you might not reap any rewards for a long time. However, there will be those people who will really surprise you. They will invest a lot in you and the growth of your business. And, you might just become great friends!

Sales Expert Ursula Mentjes will transform the way you think about selling so you can reach your goals with less anxiety and less effort! The Founder of Sales Coach Now, Co-Founder of Top Sales Call, as well as an inspirational speaker, bestselling author of Selling with Intention and One Great Goal and a Certified Sales Coach – Ursula specializes in Neuro-Linguistic Programming to help clients double and triple their sales FAST. Ursula also serves as President Elect of NAWBO-CA

Bidding Opportunity for Small Businesses

This information is shared by NAWBO-IE Corporate Sponsor Metropolitan Water District:

4 Tips for Marketing “Write” on Social Media

Let’s face it: we’re living in a society of likes, links, friends, fans, followers and tweets. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, then clearly there’s no wi-fi connection in the cave where you are living. And you’re certainly not running a successful business from there, so come out and get social.

According to Nielsen’s Social Media Report Q3 2011, nearly four in five active internet users visit social networks and blogs.

A study done by AOL and Nielsen found 27 million pieces of online content are shared daily in the U.S. The key to using social media effectively for your business is providing content of value. Your clients and potential customers want information they can use and share with others. Being the provider of the information, your credibility gets a huge boost and could ultimately lead to new sales or repeat business. That being said, your ability to write well is tied directly to your social media marketing success.

Here are four tips to help you write to win on social media.

1.     Write a hot headline. So you’ve got great information to share, but if you don’t get the reader’s attention, who cares? A compelling headline is your chance to hook ‘em, so pique their interest with keywords they are interested in and power words that get them motivated. Be careful not to be misleading, though. Make sure your content delivers what your headline says. Jazzy tip: Need inspiration? Check out the tabloids. Hate them or love them, they have the best headlines.

2.     Write in a conversational tone. As tempted as you may be to post pages from a technical report full of jargon (yawn) or that perfectly scripted corporate sales presentation, don’t do it. Social media is about being social, being a part of the conversation. Jazzy tip: Read your writing out loud before you hit the share or tweet button.

3.     Write information that is “scannable.” People do not read at length on social media. More often than not, they scan. So write in a way that readers can easily skim your content. Rather than a long article, present your information in chunks of text that are more manageable to read and easy for readers to digest quickly. Try writing short sentences and paragraphs, and use bulleted lists and subheads to help identify key information. Jazzy tip: Include links to more detailed information and articles, such as a link to your blog.

4.     Write and then Edit! Edit! Edit! Just because it’s online content doesn’t mean you can forego the all-important step of editing. If you don’t take the time to check spelling and punctuation, prospects may not take the time to get to know your company. On Twitter you only get 140 characters to get your message across, so eliminate delete unnecessary words. Jazzy tip: When crafting your tweet, edit down to 120 characters, leaving enough room to be re-tweeted.

Bonus tip: Add images or video. On Facebook in particular, image posts receive 54% more engagement than text-only posts.

For more tips on writing for social media and to learn the dos and don’ts, register for Writing Your Way to Results” a half-day workshop presented by Joan Burke Stanford of Jazzy Pen Communications and Carolyn Ortman of CKO Marketing Group. This exciting, info packed workshop delves deep into writing content that takes your marketing efforts to the next level. Visit www.writingforresults.ezregister.com

Joan Burke Stanford, founder of Jazzy Pen Communications, is more than a professional writer/editor. She’s a communications stylist who ensures that business owners rock the marketing runway with their best words forward. She writes the content they need to get the results they want. For a jazzy article, blog post, newsletter, tagline or other communications project, visit www.jazzypen.com

5 Ways to Increase Cash Flow and Profits

Want to increase cash flow and profits for your business? Well, I’ve got five must-haves that you need to pay attention to in order to achieve these goals.

1 – BUDGET. - Do you know how much it costs monthly to run your business? Do you know how much your business’s annual deferred expenses total? Are there areas of spending within the company, that if monitored would reduce costs and increase profits?

Putting in place a comprehensive budget forces you to prepare a formal statement of financial resources that are available for carrying out the business’s operations. A budget also creates synergy between all the activities within your company. An accurate budget will have sub-budgets that will be focused on achieving company goals. For example: a marketing budget that is focused on growth or a technology budget that is focused on efficiency. Monthly analysis where the budget is compared to actual will enforce key individuals to exercise control and monitor spending.

2 - TAX PLANNING. –There are many tax saving advantages available to businesses and if you do not plan ahead, you may end up paying more tax than necessary. For example: bonus depreciation is available for new automobile purchases; however, this benefit will sunset at the end of 2011. What if you were in the market for a new company automobile but were delaying the purchase until 2012? Tax planning would allow you to analyze the tax savings available if you were to purchase the company car in 2011. This type of planning could reduce your tax bill by thousands of dollars!

3- PERSONAL PLANNING. – This really speaks to individuals who have “closely held companies”. Can you afford your personal lifestyle? Or should I ask, can your company afford your personal lifestyle? Does your company have a retirement plan in place? If so, is it tailored towards your personal retirement goals?

Retirement planning is one of the best legal tax shelters available for a closely held company. Usually for each dollar socked away there is a 40% tax savings; for every dollar contributed to a qualified plan the company may save forty cents in taxes. What a great way to secure your retirement and increase cash-flow.

4 – BUSINESS PLAN. Take the time to write a business plan. A well thought out plan will be a reference point that details the company’s growth strategy and will at minimum include: sales forecasts; the marketing plan; and a product/service mix. A business plan will set measurable milestones and deadlines keeping you focused on the big picture as you achieve the steps necessary to bring that picture to life.

So, how does a business plan create cash-flow? It will force you to think more analytically about your business. By understanding how all the different elements of the business need to “synch” you may realize you have processes in place that don’t allow for growth or need to be retooled to increase market share and profits. Also, since the plan will require you to prepare a sales forecast; a set of financials; break even analysis; and past performance analysis (if you are not a start-up), you will have an intimate understanding of the resources required. Resources will less likely be squandered since they are earmarked for greater success!

5 – PROCESSES. The biggest “time suck” and “profit suck” can be from lack of OR broken processes. Take the time NOW to write down the three processes in your business that if tooled or retooled would have one or all of the following results:

• Incrreased profits by lowering direct or operation costs
• Increased customer satisfaction
• Increased business integration
• Increased competitive edge

I personally have a few processes to be retooled written on my whiteboard.

Which profit-increasing tool will you be implementing?

Beth Bockenhauer is the owner of Beth Bockenhauer, CPA, a boutique accounting and CPA practice based in southern California. She started her career with five years of military service. She then worked for ten years as a small business owner, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Beth has worked in public accounting for the past seven years. For more information, visit www.bethbcpa.com

Choosing an Attorney: A Matter of Timing?

How many lawyers does it take to change a lightbulb?  None.  They’d rather keep their clients in the dark.

The other day I was at my daily Extreme Boot Camp class in Claremont and quite frankly, my butt was getting kicked.  This is a good thing since I still have quite a bit of baby weight to tackle.  We had run and pushed up and sat up and jumped.  You know, all the things that a Boot Camp should require. 

I was yapping with another lady in the class and I said, “I am not not tired.” And she said something to the effect of “typical lawyer, just say that you are tired.  Always trying to make things complicated.”

Ah, sigh.  Most lawyers totally can handle a “lawyer joke” without needing therapy.  We knew when we went to law school that our profession was mocked.  I start off every single conversation with a prospective client knowing full well that they think I am trying to rip them off somehow. 

Now, this article is not going to try to bring down a rich history of lawyer jokes and general despise of attorneys to an end.  After all, some of the jokes are funny.  But, maybe, the problem is not the profession as a whole.  Maybe it is who clients choose and the timing of when the attorney is chosen that is the problem.

In terms of the choice of attorney, I can tell you one thing after talking to hundreds of people on the phone that are looking for an attorney.  Just in my own firm - some people respond better to me, some people respond better to my partner.  We have different personalities and ways of approaching situations. For example, he is more formal; I am more casual. 

So, why do people choose attorneys that they do not like?  Do you think that if the attorney is rude they will berate your opposition into disappearing?  Unlikely.  For the most part, you want things to settle quickly and that does not happen when a jerk is negotiating on your behalf.  Spend a little time.  Even if your issue is pressing, find someone that you like. 

You can bargain shop for the best deal, but remember that you get what you pay for. Look at where they went to law school and when the attorney graduated from law school.  This is public information – www.calbar.ca.gov.  (By the way, don’t even get me started on LegalZoom.  Long, painful sigh.)  Google them! 

Interview your attorney.  Call at least three people before you decide.  Ask lots of questions if you get a free consultation. We are ready for your questions.  Ask about flat fees, ask about billable rates, ask how quickly you will get your work product.  If you do not like the attorney from the start, the attorney will not grow on you when they bill you $300 an hour.  I promise.  Find someone who is a problem solver and not just an issue spotter.  Find someone who returns your call in 24 hours.

The other reason that I believe people hate attorneys is that people choose their attorneys (most of the time) when something has already gone awry and now they are angry that they have to throw money at a problem so that they can fix it.  Why not come to an attorney before the problem?  Why not show up when you are happy?  You will probably make a better choice if you are not angry that you have to be there.  Sometimes this is not an option, for example, car accident/personal injury cases.  But usually, you could have chosen when you did not have to choose.  For example, have a business attorney read a contract before you sign it to point out problematic clauses.  You may be happy you did in six months when you need to terminate or there is a dispute. 

Anyhow, after my Boot Camp class the other day, that lady came and apologized to me for giving me a hard time.  The apology was not necessary. I totally understand the preconception.   But, maybe all you clients out there should be looking now and getting while the getting is good.  What proactive steps are you taking?  Are you waiting?  Do you think you are savvy enough to do it yourself?  Maybe calling an attorney won’t be so bad. 

And so, in closing, how do you get a bunch of lawyers to smile for a photo?  “Say Fees.”
Sorry, couldn’t help myself.

Now, go and be productive and profitable.

Tina Loza is an attorney based in the Inland Empire.  Tina and her husband have their own legal practice specializing intellectual property law (patents, trademarks, copyrights, domain name disputes, etc.).  She also has three kids under the age of 3 and lives in Pomona, CA.  For more info, go to www.lozaip.com .

The 5 C's of Credit: What They Mean to Your Business

Businesses face any number of financial challenges. Often, it's as simple as needing financing to grow and stay competitive, expand business operations, purchase assets such as new equipment or a commercial building, or even consolidate and restructure business debts.
One of the most common questions among small business owners seeking financing: "What will the bank be looking for from me and my business?"

While each lending situation is unique, many lenders utilize some variation of evaluating the five Cs of credit when making credit decisions: 

 1. Character:

• What is the character of the management of the company?
• What is management's reputation in the industry and the community?

Investors want to put their money with those who have impeccable credentials and references. The way you treat your employees and customers, the way you take responsibility, your timeliness in fulfilling your obligations — these are all part of the character question.

This is really about “you” and your personal leadership. How you lead yourself and conduct both your business and personal life gives the lender a clue about how you are likely to handle leadership as a CEO. Your character immediately comes into play if there is a business crisis, for example.

As small business owners, you place your personal stamp on everything that affects your company. Often, banks do not even differentiate between “you” and “your businesses." This is one of the reasons why the credit scoring process evolved, with a large component being your personal credit history.

2. Capacity:

• What is your company's borrowing history and track record of repayment?
• How much debt can your company handle?
• Will you be able to honor the obligation and repay the debt?

There are numerous financial benchmarks, such as debt and liquidity ratios, that lenders evaluate before advancing funds. You should become familiar with the expected pattern in your industry. Some industries can take a higher debt load; others may operate with less liquidity.

3. Capital:

• How well capitalized is your company?
• How much money have you invested in the business?

Lenders often want to see that you have a financial commitment and that you have put yourself at risk in the company. 

Both your company's financial statements and your personal credit are keys to the capital question.  If the company is operating with a negative net worth, for example, will you be prepared to add more of your own money? How far will your personal resources support both you and the business as it is growing?

If the company has not yet made profits, this may be offset by an excellent customer list and payment history. All of these issues intertwine, and you want to ensure that the lender perceives the business as solid.

4. Conditions:

• What are the current economic conditions and how does your company fit in?
• What are the trends for your industry, and how does your company fit within them?
• Are there any economic or political “hot potatoes” that could negatively impact the growth of your business?

If your business is sensitive to economic downturns, for example, the bank wants a comfort level that you're managing productivity and expenses.
 

5. Collateral:

·         Primary Source of Repayment

·         Secondary Source of Repayment

Business cash flow will nearly always be the primary source of repayment of a loan. Lenders also look at what they call the secondary source of repayment such as business assets and the strength and financial support of guarantors.

Collateral represents assets that the company pledges as an alternate repayment source for the loan. Most collateral is in the form of hard assets, such as real estate, business assets or equipment. Alternatively, your accounts receivable and inventory can be pledged as collateral. The collateral issue is a bigger challenge for service businesses, as they have fewer hard assets to pledge.

Until your business is proven, you're nearly always going to pledge collateral. If it doesn't come from your business, the bank will look to your personal assets.

Keep in mind that when evaluating the 5 Cs of credit, lenders do not place equal weight to each area. Lenders are cautious, and one weak area could offset all the other strengths you show.

Debra Murphy is Vice President and Relationship Manager at Union Bank. She works with small to medium sized business in the Inland Empire and tailors financial products and services to help businesses grow, expand, and get to the next level.

5 Ways to Increase Profitability This Summer

It is officially summer. The weather is hot, the kids are out of school and many business owners are gearing up for some time off. But while you may be thinking summer is time to relax a bit because business will likely be slow, now is actually an excellent time to evaluate profitability and figure out ways to increase it.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not telling you to give up your vacation or cancel summer plans. But after you enjoy your R&R, regroup and ensure that strategies are in place for your business to achieve the profitability you desire. Let me put it another way. It’s time to make money, reach sales goals and finish the year strong!

I’ve interacted with several incredibly knowledgeable women business owners over the past few months and they’ve shared some great ways for increasing profitability. I want to pass along five tips for boosting profitability this summer.

1.       Build profitability into your schedule.

Marley Majcher, CEO of The Party Goddess and author of “But Are You Making Any Money” says, “Look at your calendar and see what’s coming up. Block time for what gives you the highest return on investment.”

I love this tip, but if you’re like me, this may involve some shifting of a few calendar items, reprioritizing and perhaps simply saying no to requests that do not add to your bottom line. Or, as Majcher suggests, “Figure out what your goals are and get rid of garbage on your calendar.”

2.       Become more efficient.

Sounds simple but this again may require you to really roll up your sleeves and dig deep to discover the things that are making you inefficient and limiting your profitability. Majcher recommends that as business owners, we should track our time. Time, after all, is an expense. So for every project you take on, track the time spent. Another tip for being more efficient is “Batch your tasks and don’t spend all day on email,” says Majcher.

3.       Develop a rock star social brand.

Wouldn’t you like to have clients and customers clamoring for your products or services like fans enamored with a rock or rap star? According to Lisa Steadman, bestselling author, results coach and CEO of Woohoo, Inc., rock star branding is the next evolution of personal branding. To begin building a rock star brand, you need to embrace and celebrate your big mission—the premise behind your business—and then broadcast your message widely and frequently. Steadman says, “Shift your messaging to be more engaging, inviting and enrolling.”

4.       Add multiple revenue streams.

Once you’ve established a rock star brand, leverage it and create multiple revenue streams. One idea is to consider writing a book. The fastest way to become an instant expert is to add “published author” to your resume. Whether you sell one book or a million books, simply having written the book catapults your credibility and leads to more sales. Another way to parlay your brand and make more money is to do speaking engagements. You’ve shown expertise online, so why not offer it in person? Consider adding training to your platform by offering seminars/webinars and workshops. With a celebrity-like brand, people will want to learn from you.

5.       Ask for the business (or more business).

Seems obvious, but women often have an aversion to selling. We like the developing, creating, coordinating and managing, but selling, not so much. The trick is to not look at it as selling. Julie Steelman, Selling Mentor and author of “The Effortless Yes” says, “It’s a conversation and problem solving.” Your potential client has a problem and you can solve it. If the potential customer gives you an objection, don’t freak out. Steelman says, “An objection is just a vocalized thought about where the customer is in the decision process.”

I love that. And speaking of decisions, while you’re relaxing in the sun this summer and sipping fruity drinks with cute umbrellas, don’t forget to make the decision to be more profitable by year-end and put a few strategies in place.

Joan Burke Stanford, founder of Jazzy Pen Communications, is more than a professional writer/editor. She’s a communications stylist who ensures that business owners rock the marketing runway with their best words forward. She writes the content they need to get the results they want. For a jazzy article, blog post, newsletter, tagline or other communications project, visit www.jazzypen.com

HourGlass Art & Wine Open House Tomorrow

NAWBO-IE to Honor Amazing Women in the Inland Empire

Hosted by Inland Empire chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO-IE), the Amazing Women Event awards banquet is an inspiring event that honors women business owners and community leaders who have achieved the success that many only dream about. The event takes place on Wednesday, April 27 at 6 p.m., at the Eagle Glen Golf Club, 1800 Eagle Glen Parkway, Corona.

KSGN 89.7 radio personality Brandi Lanai will be the AWE Mistress of Ceremonies.

Register today at www.nawbo-ie.org

Event News: Intellectual Property Workshop Tomorrow

NAWBO-IE Corporate Sponsor Metropolitan Water District of Southern California presents “Intellectual Property and Business Law,” an exciting workshop designed for inventors that want to promote their ideas while protecting their legal rights. You'll not only learn what the differences are between patents, trademarks and copyrights, but you'll learn where each is valuable and how it plays into building your business. Networking follows the workshop.

Date: April 14, 2011
Time: 6:00 p.m. --9:00 p.m.
Location: Metropolitan's Headquarters at Union Station, 700 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA
Registration: Click here.

The workshop is part of the “Managing Your Innovation” Series is a component of Metropolitan's Business Outreach Program. The workshops and networking events were developed to provide an opportunity for business, entrepreneurs, innovators, funding community, academia, students, scientists, universities, government agencies, engineers, emerging technologies, and the general public to network, discuss ideas, gain access to the funding community, and local, state, national and international government agencies, and discover new technology on a global scale.

Exciting Lead-Generation Workshop Tomorrow

Come "Un-Wine" With NAWBO-IE

Tina Loza To Be Presented Coveted ANITA Award

NAWBO-IE is pleased to announce that Tina Loza has been chosen by chapter members as NAWBO-IE’s 2011 ANITA Award Winner! ANITA stands for: Amazing NAWBO Individual That Achieves.
The "ANITA AWARD" is the greatest honor a NAWBO-IE member can receive. The initials stand for "ACKNOWLEDGING NAWBO INDIVIDUALS THAT ACHIEVE" and was named after an outstanding past president who was instrumental in laying a solid foundation for this chapter.

Tina has definitely achieved many amazing things this year, while earning the respect of the organization's board as well as the members! She will be honored at AWE along with all of the other incredible awardees.

Congratulations to Tina on this well-deserved award!

NAWBO-IE's Annual Amazing Women of the Inland Empire Awards Banquet will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2010, 6pm, at the Eagle Glen Golf Club Corona, California. Click here to register.

Maximize Returns: Consider Tax-Efficient Investments

In investing, it’s not what you make that counts, it’s what you keep. We’ve all heard that a million times. But with today’s lower investment return rates, it becomes more important than ever. You don’t want to drag down your investment returns with taxes that you could avoid. Tax-efficient investments are those that attempt to minimize tax liability while at the same time maximizing returns. They include the following:

Tax-deferred accounts. IRAs, 401(k)s, and other types of retirement plans. These funds aren’t required to pay annual taxes on earnings.

Individual stocks. These would include both growth stocks held long-term and dividend-paying stocks. Because of the preferred tax treatment given to long-term gains and dividends, the maximum tax rate on these investments is 15% (0% on taxpayers in the 10% and 15% tax brackets).

Municipal bonds. If you purchase bonds, either individually or in a mutual fund, that are obligations of your resident state, you’ll pay no taxes on the interest generated by those bonds, possibly making your after-tax return greater than with a similar taxable bond.

Tax-efficient mutual funds. These are funds actively managed by professionals who pay attention to the tax ramifications of their trading. Generally, turnover is low, and long-term capital gains are favored over short-term gains.

Index funds. These funds mimic a market benchmark. Since they don’t do much trading, most gains are long-term, and fund expenses are lower than normal.

Exchange-traded funds. ETFs are bundles of securities that track various indexes such as the S&P 500. ETFs trade like stocks, but act like mutual funds. Since they are passively managed, they tend to have low fund expenses.

You’ll also want to remember to rebalance your portfolio at least annually to clear out your losers (and offset them against gains), making your portfolio as tax-efficient as possible.

Phoebe Vausher-Frankeberger is a partner at Frankeberger Vausher + Co., CPAs, a full service public accounting firm. She is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a MS degree in Taxation. For more information, visit www.FVCPAs.com

3 Inexpensive Ways to Grow Your Business

Everyone is watching their budget these days, thinking about how we can grow our business in the most inexpensive ways. The answer is to receive more referrals. The fastest, easiest, and most inexpensive way for you to earn a lot more money, work less, and enjoy your life is to get more referrals. So, why aren’t you getting more consistent referrals from your clients and colleagues? You probably already provide excellent customer service, offer a great product or service, and have a good reputation. The key is to leverage all of the aforementioned and employ the following three inexpensive ways to grow your business:

1) Ask for referrals. If you aren’t, it is time to get your “Ask in Gear.” When is the best time to ask for a referral? It’s when your customer says, “Thank you.” Ask that satisfied client, “Who do you know that would benefit from my product or service?” Now wait and allow some time for him/her to think about whom that will be. Ask for an introduction with a phone call… and ask them to call right then. If it’s a neighbor, ask to walk over there for the introduction in person. Asking may seem a bit awkward at first, but you’ll get over it when the referrals start rolling in.

2) Offer clients a referral incentive. If it has been a while since you have connected with your previous clients, it is time to remind them and re-energize them to refer you with your referral incentive plan. If you don’t have a plan, then it is time to create one. Offer additional products/services at a discount or for free, or some other incentive that will motivate them to remember and refer you.

3) Establish a referral partnership. Having a referral partner is an excellent method for getting referrals. A referral partner knows your business well and can be relied upon to send you a steady stream of high-quality referrals. As a partner, you reciprocate and send your partner quality leads as well.

Getting referrals is a lot like working out; you need to make a plan, be committed, and then go do it over and over again. When you experience the desired results, you’ll know it has been worth it. Remember, referrals are the least expensive and most effective way to grow your business.

Laura Bruno is a trainer, speaker, referral expert, and a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst. She is the owner of the Referral Institute SoCal. She can be reached at 951-699-2558 or visit http://www.referralinstitutesocal.com/

Unleash the Power of Color in Your Wardrobe

Did you know that most women wear only 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time?

Why is that? It probably has a lot to do with how good one feels in a particular outfit. Break that down a little more and it has to do with how good one feels in a particular style. Break that down still more, and it has to do with how good one feels in a certain color.

Color can be magical or it can be detrimental. Seeing a splash of color emerge from a mostly monochromatic group (black is so popular…) is like a breath of fresh air. But if the color is the wrong shade for our skin tones, you will likely appear sickly and sallow. Rather than projecting a put-together look, the “off” color now translates that you are not at the top of your game. Silly, but sadly true.

The Power of Color

So, let’s address the power of “color.” By dressing within a particular color palette, shopping will be easier, will save time and will prove cost effective. You will save time by not trying on every piece that catches your eye; you will only select those that actually work with you skin tones. Those colors will be your personal best because they are in your particular color palette. No longer will you bring home “mistakes” that only go with a few things, or don’t go with hardly anything at all. Every piece you purchase will coordinate with existing pieces and easily build your wardrobe.

How does color work exactly? When you wear color near your face, the light reflects it upwards. This can cast flattering shades, which creates a very healthy tone on your skin. Your eyes sparkle and radiate energy. Or, if it’s the wrong shade of color, dark shadows will appear under your eyes, your skin will appear blotchy and uneven, and sometimes your eye color practically disappears. Thus, the importance of comprehending the undertone of your skin shade and what is the best color palette for you.

Communicating Non-Verbal Messages

There is also a psychological aspect to color and the colors you wear can communicate non-verbal messages of all kinds. Soft and light tones, for example, will make you appear approachable and friendly. A red top in the right shade will help give you the confidence you need when facing a stressful situation. Conversely, wearing a color that is “not your color” or unattractive with your skin and eyes, can make you appear harsh and ever unapproachable.

Take Account Your Skin Tones

Once you know your most flattering colors, you can apply this knowledge to your jewelry and make-up. And yes, consideration of metals in jewelry does matter. If one’s skin tone is cool, select silver and pewter metal jewelry. If you have warm skin tones, gold and copper metals will look best. How do you know if you have cool or warm coloring? The expertise of an image and color consultant can easily answer that question.

What’s in your closet? Are you wearing everything in your closet or just your “feel good” outfits?

Peggy Ricks, founder of First Impression, a personal image and color consulting business, has been a California Certified Image Consultant for almost thirty years. In addition to individual private consultations, she has taught classes, given seminars to business organizations, and conducted workshops for women’s groups on the art of dressing according to a particular color palette. She graduated from Chapman University, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Home Economics, with an emphasis on textiles. She obtained her certification as an Image Consultant through the fashion institute, Upstairs Downstairs Inc.



Contact Peggy at (951) 529-6869 or visit www.idoyourcolors.com

Motivate Yourself When You Don’t Feel Like It

The football player has it easier than we do on this one. His motivation is his desire to be a starter. Other factors can play into that. Maybe he wants more money or a better contract, or more security. Or maybe he just wants the fame! That's cool. Why not? That will sure get a guy off his butt in pursuit of it!

For us (business owners), it's a bit trickier. But we can start by setting daily goals. Be realistic. You can reach five potential clients. Maybe not 25!

In football, the coaching staff provides these goals for him. But a smart coach also provides another motivator: a reward. So, motivating yourself also means rewarding yourself.

I love watching television. I've always loved it. When I started my business, I worked from home: a studio apartment. The television was right there in my “office” and I made marketing phone calls during the commercials. Today, I would never think of turning on the television during the work day. However, I am still the same person motivated by the same things. I set a goal of a certain number of calls and appointments and promise myself my favorite TV show, which I've TiVo'd, providing I meet my goals.

You need to discover what motivates you to make the calls, to do the discipline. It may be an afternoon movie, a day at the park, or a massage. Be careful if you just thought about Haagen Dazs. For some of us, ice cream is a double-edged sword. It might not be so rewarding long term.

Most of the time, you can be enthusiastic because you like what you do. But what if you don't feel like it one day? Then, what do you do?

You fake it.

You fake it ‘till you make it. It's the only way to conscious competence. This is the discipline part. What about the mornings when you get up in a negative frame of mind? Before I get out of bed in the morning, I prop up (so I don't fall back to sleep) and ask myself these five morning questions:

• What am I excited about today? Look out; the first things your mind will come up with are all the negative things you are not excited about: making the call to that person, writing that report. Thank your mind politely for sharing and ask yourself the question again. Eventually you will come up with something, even if it is: “Today is Friday.”

•  What am I proud of today? This involves looking back into yesterday's activities. Your mind will want to bring up regret, something you should have done, if only you could have done. Definitely not something you're proud of. Again, politely thank your mind for sharing and ask the question again. Remember, it can be as simple as being proud that you helped your secretary with the phones while she finished a project.

•  What am I grateful for today? More is better on this one: counting your blessings can chase the blues away.

•  What am I committed to today? This is where the rubber meets the road. You will measure your results at the end of the day. This can be challenging. Some days you just don't feel like doing anything you “should.” Sometimes the commitment is simply to do it anyway and “fake it till you make it.”

•  Who loves me? Whom do I love? I know these are two questions. I like them together. They wrap up your self-motivation session on a very upbeat note.

By the time my feet hit the floor, I have “hit the ground running.” My head is in a positive place.

In the end, convincing yourself to get started, even when you don't want to, doesn't have to be pretty. So what? Everything doesn't have to go exactly the way you see it in your mind. The process is allowed to be ugly. Football players know this as well as anyone. “Whatever works” is often heard on the sidelines. There are no points given for neatness or etiquette or style. A sloppy win is better than a pretty loss.

So even in these ugly times, someone has to score a win. Might as well be you.

  

Mimi Donaldson is the author of Necessary Roughness: New Rules for the Contact Sport of Life (2010) who empowers and assists people in realizing and achieving their full human potential. A renowned speaker, trainer and author, she’s been presenting at Fortune 500 companies for more than 20 years, energizing and motivating people on stress reduction, time management, leadership and communication. A Masters graduate of Columbia University, she previously worked as a Human Resources trainer for Northrop Aircraft, Rockwell International and Walt Disney. Mimi is also the co-author of two previous books, Bless Your Stress: It Means You’re Still Alive! (2006) and Negotiating for Dummies (1996). Visit http://www.mimidonaldson.com/ or call 310.557.0229.