Monday Biz Tip: Making Monday productive and enjoyable

Biz tip. For those who work at home...Monday am is often a slow start for those of us who work at home.   I  gotta admit it is nice to wander around with a cup of coffee in hand and listen to traffic reports and feel very smug. 

Trouble is we loose almost a day by the time we get moving...Yes I know we worked on the weekend and we deserve a break...but we all need to do something to jump start your day. 

So what do you do to get over the Monday morning slowness? 
 How about taking some time to  thinking what you can do to let yourself ease into the week and yet be productive. 
 Here are some suggestions..if you have more please contribute.
 1,  Review your schedule for the week and  making sure you have your materials or supplies ready.
 2.  Make an appointment for coffee with another business associates you have been wanting to talk to.
3.   Send e-mail confirming  your appointments.
4.   Do the old fashion thing...write  cards and notes to people who you want to thank.


In other words you have something planned so you can enjoy the morning and still be productive. 


Make it a productive and profitable day folks.  And add your comments on what we can do to get moving on Monday Am.

Weekend Biz tip. The Importance of fathers

S. I. Business Associates

Weekend Biz tip: Encourage your children to learn about business. With Father's Day tomorrow I got to thinking how my Dad encouraged my ENTREPRENEURIAL spirit and drive. Dad would buy anything that I sold, from lemonade to cookies to calendars to kittens to Avon to...you get the drift. Thanks Dad for the encouragement. Happy Father' Day to all you Dad's and to those who have stepped into the role when needed.

Did you know? One of the largest trends in family business is the amount of women who are taking over their family firms. In the past, succession was reserved for the first born son, then it moved on to any male heir. Now, women account for approx. 11-12% of all family firm leaders, an increase of close to 40% since 1996. Daughters are now considered to be one of the most underutilized resources in family businesses. To encourage the next generation of women to be valuable members of the business, potential female successors should be nurtured by assimilation into the family firm, mentoring, sharing of important tacit knowledge and having positive role models within the business (Alderson, 2011).

Who knows your daughter may be the next "Bill Gates"

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Friday Biz tip. Financial policy, who what when, how

Biz Tip:  As a business starts to grow and go beyond a handful  of people  a company needs a financial policy.  This is the hard part.  Why? Because the owner is use to wheeling and dealing paying the bills, stretching the cash and taking what they need when they need or want it. That  method of handling money "work's" when the business is small.  But once you enter the growth path financial policies need to be established. If you do not,  then you can easily create financial and credit problems and destroy your credibility as a reliable business.  


Some questions that need to be answered are  
1.  Whose in charge of money? 
2.  Who pays the bills?  
3.  Who makes the buying decisions?
4.  Who establishes  pricing ?
5.  Who does the billing?
6.  Who collects the money?
7.  How often do you bill?
8.  Do you extend credit to your customers?
9.  What are your credit terms?
10. Who is authorized to signs checks?
11.  Do you have more than one checking account?
12.  If someone else other than the owner is signing check what is the limit?

The above is just a few of the questions that need to be answered.  Growth is exciting..but dangerous! Being in control of your money is essential. If you need to think through your financial policy gives us a call at 412-440-6969.  .  

Thurday Biz Tip. Signing Checks

Biz Tip:  When you are signing business checks as an officer of the company, make sure you also sign your title.  If you DO NOT and the company is sued some smart lawyer will use that to pierce the corporate veil and try to make you the responsible person.  Not fun when there is a lawsuit and you are being threatened financially.
  Example:  Sign check as James Doe, President, Or John Smith, Treasurer.
Tip from Diane Pearson  Legend Financial Services and guest on the Empress of Biz, Reinvent in Rugged times.  www.pplmag.com and www.talkshoe.com

Tuesday Biz Tip: ABC's of Certification Part !

Small Business Certification  Part One

Certification is a procedure that you go through to be recognized by government and corporate  organizations in certain recognized categories.  If you are seeking government or corporate business you really need to understand who, what, where,  when and how of the certification.  

Small business certifications are like professional certifications; they document a special capability or status that will help you compete in the marketplace. Unlike permits and licenses, you do not need to obtain certifications to legally operate. However, in order to take advantage of business opportunities, such as government contracts, you may need to obtain some certifications.

Certification is  offered  by many government agencies and organizations on the  local, state, federal level and  given in the following categories:

• Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) certification is gender-based for woman-owned businesses.
• Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification is required for a specific federal purchasing program that has a set-aside for woman-owned businesses. There is also a disadvantaged component to this program, which is called EDWOSB.
• The 8(a) designation is actually a business development / mentoring program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a company that has been disadvantaged, and 8(a) certification is part of that program.
• Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) certification is for businesses that are disadvantaged but are not participating in the 8(a) development program.
• Disabled Veteran (DV) certification is for the business owner who is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces and who has been disabled in action.
• Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification is race-based for minority-owned businesses.

Applying for one type of certification DOES NOT give you automatic approval in other groups.  . 

Example:  If you are certified by The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Penn Dot) your certification is not  automatically accepted by the Pennsylvania Department of General Services.  You must apply to the Pennsylvania Department of General Services and follow their procedure.  

While the standards may be similar for each  department you need to be aware of each department  individual requirements .

Stay tuned:  More information to come on the next posting. 

Information from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and National Women's Business Owners Corporation.  20012

s.

Monday Biz Tip: Thank you for...

Biz tip: A successful business does not happen all by itself. Many people  have helped along the way, employees, business associates, vendors, family, friends and CUSTOMERS. Make the time to say thank you and tell people how much you appreciate them.  Do something unexpected for them.  Does not have to be expensive..buy lunch for a friend, send a card, give a small gift, take some cookies into the office, send a thank you note, give an a couple hours off early or give an extra service just to say how much I appreciate you.  A little a thanks goes a long way.

Biz tip Sunday, June 9   Certification can be a very useful tool for small business owners. Many of my clients have used it to successfully build their business to the next level. Once you get the certification it is NOT automatic work, you have to market yourself to those are most likely to buy your product/service. Get on the phone, make appointments see as many as you can and keep in touch with your potential customers . One client increased her business by 25% and it was good profitable business. 
For more information on certification check in with us.