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The New Rules of Doing Business for Women Entrepreneurs
The summit will help women entrepreneurs thrive in the new economy with real advice, biz coaching and networking opportunities. More info and register today.
Join us at the American Express OPEN Women’s Business Summit.
Date: Wednesday, February 17 – Thursday, February 18, 2010
Place: JW Marriott Houston, Houston, Texas
NEW! Pre-Conference Workshop, Wednesday, February 17, 10:00am – 1:30pm
Give Me 5% Special Training Program: Navigating the Federal Market Place
Learn how to navigate the federal market place from women who have succeeded in Federal Contracting.
This multi-track summit offers:
- Critical advice for growth in today’s changing economy
- One-on-one small business counseling from SCORE professionals
- New business ideas for opportunity-rich markets like government contracting
- Tips on leveraging social media to grow your bottom line
- Contacts with an inspiring community of successful women business owners
- Inspiration and expert advice from the Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition
- Speakers and resources from our partnering women’s organizations
- This multi-track Summit offers:
Don’t miss this special opportunity! Register today.
Christine Banning, SCORE
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February 3, 2010
Get Balanced, Get Organized
It’s still January. Take four hours today for these four action items. You’ll feel more relaxed, more focused and ready to conquer the day.
1. Update Your Active Files: We are not a paperless society, just yet. Create color-coded files and label them. These are the active files you want quick access to on a routine basis. For example, leads, training, marketing plan, business plan
2. Create Master Folders on Your Hard Drive: Organize your major business categories: Planning, Marketing, Finance, Sales, Clients and keep all files in a folder. If you have a client folder, keep all documents related to that client in that specific folder.
2. Create Email Folders & Organize Messsages: There are two schools of thought. One is no folders, just use the search function to find email messages. Yes, it works, but what a long list of email messages. If that bothers you, then create working folders that make sense for your business. For example, prospects, partners, clients, media, mentors and CPA. If your main interaction is by categories of people this can be an effective folder system.
3. Update Your Electoronic Contacts List: Don’t just hold onto business cards. Log them into whatever contact management system you use, so you can access the data quickly and easily. Note: you can always use a card scanner or hire a temp to handle the data entry for you.
Christine Banning, SCORE
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January 27, 2010
Make the Most of Mentoring
Make 2010 your year to shine. Don’t let the economy get you down. Look for opportunities. And, look for advisors to help you plan ahead.
A mentor can help you look past the trees to see the bigger picture & how the broader landscape may give you insights into creating your success.
If finances are on your mind, check out this free download, by SCORE and Visa: Financial Management Workbook.
If you’re making a new year’s resolution, then focus on getting a great mentor. SCORE offers mentors to help you with cash management, setting sales goals, pricing strategy and more.
Be positive. Be realistic. And, surround yourself with trusted advisors.
You can Ask SCORE online today.
Christine Banning, SCORE
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January 20, 2010
Jump Start Your Success in 2010
It’s time for a hard look at your sales, expenses and net profits from 2009. With the new year here, really think about what this year could bring.
Okay, everyone has had enough of the general gloom and doom in the news. If you’ve tuned it out, then tune in to some of your own research. Is your industry growing or shrinking? What does that mean to your sales projects.
1. Call SCORE to find an office near you for a Small Business Check-up. Schedule a personal mentoring session. Get a free and confidential review of your business in 2009. Call 1-800/634-0245 or Find SCORE Online.
2. Do Some Research. Use Google search to find out general industry trends. If you’re in retail, how much is retail down right now? What sectors are doing better or worse. This is the news you need–specific to your industry with an impact on your business. If you see an industry holding steady, growing or contracting, your plans for 2010 should take that into account.
3. Tune up your business plan. Really take a hard look at sales projections and expenses. You can break the plan into quarters, this way you may plan revenue and expense based on slower sales earlier in the year and a pick-up in volume a little later in the year. It’s too late after the fact. Now, you have the chance to set budgets based on expectations–and that is the management tool that helps you in 2010.
Christine Banning, SCORE
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January 13, 2010
Now’s the Time for Year-End Tax Planning
Thanks to the Wall Street Journal’s online site wsj.com, Entrepreneur.com and Kiplinger.com for bringing such current and valuable tax information to the Web. Find six favorite resources below:
1.Tax Center: New to Small Business
Get a start here. Learn about taxes.
2. WSJ Tax Blog
Great tips and info. Check it out.
3. Smart Year-End Tax Moves
Own a business? This link will help you make those December tax decisions and act now.
4. Tax Filing for Freelancers
Are you a freelancer? If so, plan ahead for taxes and prepare to pay what you owe on Schedule C.
5. Most Overlooked Tax Deductions
Tax deductions you don’t want to miss. Tax deductions for 2009.
6. Deducting Charitable Gifts
Charitable giving is a wonderful way to support the community and causes you believe in. Plus, there is a tax deduction benefit. By the way, SCORE is a charitable organization. If you would like you can donate to SCORE. Learn about documenting a charitable donation deduction.
Christine Banning, SCORE
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January 6, 2010
Chart Your Success: Plan Your Sales for 2010
Be positive. Be realistic. Be successful. Plan now to set goals for the year ahead.
Sales forecasting is fun–really. This is the time where you look at the opportunities for your business. There are always opportunities, even in a down economy. Okay, so 2009 may not have been your best sales year ever. That makes it even more important to set realistic sales goals to help you plan. Revenue is the lifeblood of your business. Keep expenses in check. Identify your 2010 sales projections.
Here are some resources to help:
Follow this link to download 12-Month Sales Forecast.
Find Customers & Deliver the Goods, online workshop.
A mentor can be a sounding board. Ask SCORE online.
If you expect each quarter to be vastly different, set quarterly goals. When you have targets, it’s so much easier to chart a path to success.
Christine Banning, SCORE
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December 30, 2009
Tis the Season to See and Be Seen
Make the most of December. Attend holiday parties, community events and chamber of commerce events. Between now and December 15th be sure to network. Let it be known that you’re in business and connect in the community.
Have plenty of business cards. Always carry a business card. Even in social settings, you may share contact information. And, it’s a signal to people that you are serious about your business, when you do have cards at the ready.
Don’t be in the position of asking for a pen and note paper to share your contact information. Always get a business card from people you meet to add to your list of contacts.
If your business information has changed during the year, be sure to include a business card with your holiday greeting cards to business associates. Keep in touch and keep your info current.
-Christine Banning, SCORE
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December 23, 2009
Time to Wrap up 2009 Sales
By December 19th, the sales year is pretty much over for most businesses. If you have proposals waiting for approval, seek the signature and that deposit in 2009. Get some revenue on the books and some business in the door for 2010.
If you are a retailer, this is your time. Take two hours this week to look at how you’re doing for the holiday season. Make a mini-plan now to refresh your store windows every Monday between now and the new year. Foot traffic attracted by your displays can create energy and impulse buys.
To help rev up your energy:
Get tips on business vision from mighty entrepreneur Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Free to you thanks to our interview. Get Download.
Free offers are interesting. Use them sparingly, but offer something of value. In retail, this loss leader generates excitement, interest and the sense that you really get your customers & their needs.
I have a free offer for you. Visit the SCORE landing page to find out about our Free 1 Gig USB Drive. Visit page to Contact us (hint: link at end of page) to be one of 10 who get a free drive each week in December. Visit December offers.
Always free and confidential SCORE business advice. It’s what we are all about connecting you with experienced business experts as mentors. Give SCORE a try. Ask SCORE online.
Visit next Wednesday for a post on sales forecasting.
-Christine Banning, SCORE
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December 16, 2009
Support Your Community & Boost Your Biz
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, businesses can show their appreciation to their communities by giving back and garnering free publicity in the process. Big corporations have long recognized the advantages of giving back. Business like Target, Tom’s Shoes, Harpo and Microsoft are very vocal about their contributions to the local and international community. It shows their committment to the people and community that supports them. It also helps to build a brand associated with altruism and philantropy.
Small Biz Guide to Giving Back
Find out what matters most to your customers and focus your efforts.
For example, Target donates a part of their profits to schools because a large percentage of their target market are families with school-aged children. To make the best impact, focus on the issues that matter to your client base.
Decide what method works best for your business.
There are many ways to contribute. Pizza Hut offers free pizzas to students who read a certain number of books. Disney offers a free pass to indivuals who volunteer with an affiliated organization. Apple offers product discounts to students and teachers. These are just a few examples of how your business might give back.
Spread the word.
Once your program is up and running, let the public know. Put up information on your web site, place flyers in your store and update your online networks (Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter). Most importantly, pitch the story to your local media outlets. Reporters are always looking for human interest stories. Also, contact organizations that would benefit directly from your program. Ask them to include your info in their publications and on their web sites. This is a great way to get free PR and boost your business.
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Here are a few articles from SCORE to jump start the process.
Christine Banning, SCORE
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November 18, 2009
Make a Smart Start with Your Business Idea
Small businesses start with great ideas. If you have a great idea and 2010 is your year to start a small business, then plan ahead.
Now is the time to jot down your vision of where you want to be in five years. Starting a business? What kind of sales, profits, market niche and employees do you see ahead. Paint a picture of the future.
To get started, meet with a SCORE mentor and talk about your ideas for a business. In person, ask for a copy of the workbook “How To Really Start and Structure Your Business.” This free workbook by SCORE and The Company Corporation is a great resource to help you think through a small business start.
Free for Your Business
Find SCORE and make an appointment to meet a mentor in person.
Try the online workshop on putting together your Business Plan.
Take the entrepreneur readiness quiz.
If this is the beginning of your journey, don’t go it alone. Start out by surrounding yourself with trusted advisors. SCORE advice is free and confidential. Take this opportunity to make an appointment to meet with a mentor in person. Find SCORE near you.
Christine Banning, SCORE
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November 11, 2009
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