Betsey is guest hosting for Dave Congalton

I will be hosting the Dave Congalton Show on Thursday, April 9th, from 5-7 pm. Newstalk 920 AM, KVEC. Topic suggestions are welcome. Call 543-8830 with your questions. Betsey

Top 10 tips for surviving a recession

12 March, 2009
By Author: Gene Lewis, Director Sales & Marketing, Intuit Global Business Division

With the current financial crisis set to continue and most small businesses preparing for tough times in 2009, you should be looking at effective ways to survive a potentially long-lasting recession. While there may not be a magic wand for ensuring survival during a downturn, Intuit has some practical advice that will aid you in navigating the stormy weather ahead and, more importantly, help you sail through calmer waters on the other side. Here are Intuit's top 10 tips to successfully steer your business through the current economic climate:

Manage cash flow --It won't guarantee you a fortune but cash flow management can unlock capital, transform your bottom line and safeguard your future in uncertain times. Look at your relationships with banks, suppliers and customers and check if you are fully aware of all payment dates and their terms. Investigate if there is anything that could be modified to help you maintain a healthy cash flow, such as moving key dates and adjusting payment terms. Also, identify potential cash flow problems by forecasting peaks and troughs in your cash balance and keep an eye on market conditions.

Track finances --As part of managing your cash, the inflow and outflow of cash needs careful monitoring. Be fully aware of how much you spend and for what. This can be achieved by making sure all aspects of accounting are in order and effectively managed. Keep on top of your bookkeeping right from the beginning. Don't be tempted to put off your paperwork, otherwise you risk forgetting crucial costs or even worse failing to invoice a customer. Don't miss payment and tax deadlines to avoid paying fines.

Keep on top of debt --Along with a healthy cash flow, good credit control is essential to any business and no company can afford to not take it seriously, especially when the availability of credit is tight. Make sure to keep an eye on your debtors and credit check new customers where you can --but do not simply rely on credit ratings, make your own assessments on their propensity to pay. Once you decide to take on a new customer, agree payment terms at the order stage and make them very clear. Printing these terms on easy-to-understand invoices that go out on time can also help prompt debtors to pay. At the same time, ensure you keep on top of any debt you may have by paying off any balances without incurring charges.

Cut costs/save money --Cutting down on unnecessary expenditure can be the difference between keeping your ship afloat or going under during these difficult times. While making staff redundancies is the last resort, it doesn't have to get to that stage if you follow some simple money-saving rules. These include curtailing the amount of tax you pay via energy-efficient company cars or bringing in a spouse as a partner, haggling when buying to knock off a few extra pennies, and slashing utility bills by shopping around and looking for the best deals.

Talk to the banks --Borrowing terms have tightened as we all know and many businesses are struggling to obtain credit or renew their credit facilities. Whether this applies to you or not, it is worth striking up or maintaining a meaningful dialogue with your bank as many look to focus on customer loyalty. Review your bank charges and ask yourself if you could switch accounts and find a better deal with a new bank or if your current bank could offer you any special deals as a long-serving customer. When it comes to rolling over banking facilities, watch out for hidden charges and factor these into financial planning if necessary or look to secure alternative forms of finance such as asset based lending.

Focus strategy --Adjusting company strategy to take into account of market conditions is essential and directing your strategy towards your business' core activities often helps during a downturn. The premise is to keep doing what you do best. Assess whether your current strategy is still valid and whether you can exit non-core activities to ensure you have sufficient cash for the principal business.

Small client/big client --During an economic slowdown, bigger players operating in the same field of that of your company's are likely to focus their resources on more important and profitable clients. As a result, some smaller clients may be neglected and not looked after as usual. Take this opportunity to reach out to new prospects and maximize on your competitors' shortcomings.

Understand customers --Paying attention to your existing customers is just as vital as trying to generate new leads. Get to know them better by showing an understanding of their issues and work with them to find affordable solutions to their needs. It would be unwise to approach your existing clients, as well as prospective customers, with the same old sales pitch.

Stay above the radar --No recession lasts forever so when the economic upturn finally arrives, the name of your business should be at the forefront of people's minds. To achieve this, maintain a proactive approach to your marketing activity, investing in quality rather than quantity. The world that we live in now throws up a whole host of cheap and even free marketing opportunities so take advantage of the internet and networking at forums and events.

Spend right -- Despite the downturn, you cannot afford to stop investing in technology, in particular IT. Not only is it important strategically but it can help your business stay competitive and innovative. You don't have to go out and get the latest in cutting edge technology but purchasing some simple accounting software could go a long way in streamlining your business and separating you from the rest.

The coming year will be one of uncertainty and opportunity. While there is not much you can do to control the economy or how much your customers are spending, follow these simple steps to ensure your business stays in good health and that you set yourself up to take advantage of the upturn when it comes around.

Betsey Nash, SPHR

Human Resources Consultant

United Staffing Associates

805.269.2677 x 23

805.269-2687

Career builder: Free Social Media Webinar

Hi all – I MC’d a big social networking training event last Friday and learned how little I know. I thought you might want to “attend”. If you cannot I will be happy to “report” on what I learn. April 16 – 2pm PDT.

Bets

Betsey Nash, SPHR

Human Resources Consultant

United Staffing Associates

805.269.2677 x 23

805.269-2687

It's True! SBA Temporarily Eliminates Guaranty Fees.

SBA will temporarily eliminate the upfront guaranty fees on 7(a) loans approved by SBA on or after February 17, 2009.  Prior to this change to the 7(a) program (one of SBA’s most popular programs), guaranty fees ranged from 2% – 3.75% of the guaranteed portion of the loan.  For perspective, the guaranty fee on a $200,000 loan was $4,500, and $11,250 on a $500,000 loan. 

 

For eligible loans approved through SBA’s 504 program on or after February 17, 2009, SBA will temporarily eliminate Third-Party Participation Fees and CDC Processing Fees (typically 1.5% of the loan amount).  The 504 program is often used to purchase commercial real estate of which the borrower’s business must occupy at least 51%. 

 

Depending on loan volume, SBA estimates that it will be able to eliminate these fees through December 31, 2009.

 

Call Lisa Mumford, Commercial Lender at Founders Community Bank, at 543-6500 for more information.

 

 

Clever Ducks invites you to IT Professional Social Hour

TechBrew Registration

The next Tech Brew will be April 13. It will be held at Mother's Tavern, SLO from 5-7:00.

Unleash your inner Dr. Frankenstein (cue the lightning flash and crackling thunder) or Nutty Professor (watch out for the flying flubber!). At the next Tech Brew mixer, come experiment with Experts Exchange as Mike Phares of Experts Exchange leads us in an exercise aimed at getting to know better the technology question and answer site that is Experts Exchange. We'll recreate the Experts Exchange model in our midst and test our effectiveness against the real thing. You'll see why they've successfully solved more than 2.4 million tech problems. There will be some freebies for attendees and a prize for the person whose question gets answered. Experts Exchange, your technology problems... solved.

Keep up on what's new on the Central Coast in a casual, social atmosphere. Join us for a cash bar, appetizers and lots of time to talk to other technology professionals.

Check out pictures from the last Tech Brew when Kyle from iFixit demonstrated how to replace the battery in an iPod.

For more information, e-mail us or call Clever Ducks 805.543.1930.

 

Wealth Health Radio Goes 21st Century

AIG Bonuses - Recession - Financial Crisis - Huge Government Deficits - Even Bigger Government Budgets - Deflation - Foreclosures.

These are all problems that affect each and every one of us.  These are also all problems that could have been easily avoided IF there were a minimal amount of financial and economic literacy.  It is not too late.  We can pull out of this and build a better future for our kids and grandkids, but we Must Start Now.

The solution is to TALK about Money - be able to have a healthy conversation, learn what we don't know and share what we do with others.  It is not in our best interests to treat money as a taboo subject and ignore the implications of our daily financial decisions.  We will wreck this world for our kids if we keep that up.

WEALTH HEALTH RADIO - A Weekly Conversation About Money - Now on the Web

After a year on a local AM radio station, we have decided to move Wealth Health Radio into the 21st Century by bringing it exclusively to the web.  Beginning this Saturday (3/21/09) at 9am you can be a part of a weekly conversation about money just by being near your computer.

We are embracing VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) web-casting technology to not only bring you top quality audio, but pictures (using a webcam) and graphics like powerpoints, drawings and links to websites.  You can take part in the conversation if you have a web-cam or even a microphone attached to your computer, or you can ask questions using our messaging system.  This is all available to you at no cost through our web-conferencing software.

There is no registration needed.  Simply go to www.WealthHealthRadio.com, click on the link to download the client software, get connected and join in the conversation.

Since this is our first week "flying solo" I would appreciate it if you could spread the word.  Tell your friends.  Post it on Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace or Linked-In.  Send an email to everyone you know.  If you thought my 20-minute presentation was interesting, wait till you hear this show.

John

John D. Buerger, CFP®
Wealth Coach
ALTUS Wealth Solutions
805-476-0333 (office)

Get Control Over Your Money ...
... Before it Takes Control of Your Life!

Professional Networking Core Values

• Service – to be of service to our customers, communities and each other through our commitment to helping others succeed;

• Accountability – maintain a level of accountability to each other and to the growth of our businesses;

• Leadership – determination to expand our members positions as top players in their respective fields;

• Ethics – maintain the highest levels of ethics in all of our personal and professional relationships.

Professional Networking Bylaws

BYLAWS
OF
PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING


ARTICLE I
GENERAL

1. Name. The name of this organization is "Professional Networking" (the "Organization").
2. Vision Statement. "We are proactive business executives committed to assisting fellow members grow and expand their businesses through quality lead generation, strategic relationships and education."
3. Core Values. The members are dedicated to upholding the following "Core Values":
a. Leadership: determination to expand our members positions as top players in their respective fields;
b. Ethics: maintain the highest levels of ethics in all of our personal and professional relationships;
c. Accountability: maintain a level of accountability to each other and to the growth of our businesses;
d. Dedication: to our local business community and the strength of our group; and
e. Service: to be of service to our customers, communities and each other through our commitment to helping others succeed.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP

1. Dues and Organization Expenses. The Organization shall not collect any dues as a privilege of membership from any member. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each member shall promptly pay before delinquency their share of all out of pocket expenses of the Organization, including but not limited to meeting room expenses, lunch costs, and printing costs for forms, agendas, business card indexes, and similar out-of-pocket expenses (collectively, “Assessments”). Each member shall promptly pay their respective share of all Assessments when billed by the Organization on a weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly basis and the Assessments shall be non-refundable. The Board of Directors shall have the option to prorate over a 12 month period and/or collect in advance any Assessments before the out-of-pocket expenses are due and payable to any third party. If any member fails to pay when due their share of any Assessment, then that member may be fined up to $10 per week and/or the Organization shall have the option to reconsider the delinquent member’s membership in the Organization.
2. Privilege of Membership. All members are expected to: (i) uphold the Core Values of the Organization; (ii) invite qualified prospective members to the Organization’s meetings; (iii) serve on the Board of Directors when requested by the Board of Directors or any nominating committee; (iv) use best efforts to attend all weekly meetings (for example purposes, more than six absences in a six month period could be considered excessive); and (v) sign the Bylaws as amended of the Organization and agree to uphold the Bylaws and any other rules agreed upon by the Organization. Any member’s failure to comply with this Section, including but not limited to excessive absences over a period of time may be cause for the Organization to review the member’s privilege of membership. When unable to attend meetings, members may send a substitute from the same place of business at their discretion but the absence will still be recorded. Any dismissal of a member shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members at an Organization meeting, following notification of the member in question.
3. Membership Qualification. Each prospective member and member shall be considered for membership as an individual person and not the business or entity for which any person owns or is employed. There shall only be one person in the Organization per profession. The Organization prefers each member applying for membership to have at least two (2) years of direct experience in their field and two (2) years of business experience as an executive/manager/owner. If any member changes occupations or companies, the individual must submit an application and re-apply for membership.
4. Application for Membership Process. Any prospective member must be invited by an existing member of the Organization and the member inviting the guest must complete and deliver to the Board of Directors a Prospective Membership Form that provides the guests name, occupation and any other information reasonably requested by the Organization at least one week prior to the first meeting that the prospective guest is to attend. All breakfast fees shall be paid by the member inviting the guest. After the guest attends their first meeting, if the guest would like to apply for membership in the Organization, the guest must return the Membership Application by email or fax to the Board of Directors no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Friday after the first organization meeting the guest attends. The Board of Directors or a nominating committee shall review the Membership Application and contact the guest’s references before the guest attends their second Organization meeting whereupon the Organization shall vote on the guest’s application for membership. The guest shall be requested to speak before the Organization on why they are applying for membership and what the Organization can expect from the guest if they are admitted as a member. If the Board of Directors and/or nominating committee are unable to interview the guest and contact the guest’s references before the guest’s second meeting, then the guest will be notified and the Board shall request that the guest attend the meeting the following week whereupon the Organization shall vote on the guest’s application for membership. Each member shall be admitted as a member only upon a 70% vote of the members of the Organization present at the meeting.
ARTICLE III
MEETINGS

1. General and Board of Directors. General meetings of the Organization shall take place every Wednesday except holidays and as otherwise agreed in advance by the Organization. Board meetings shall be called by the President or any other officer pursuant to these Bylaws as necessary.
2. Committee Meetings. Committee meetings may be called at any time by the Vice-President or by the committee's chair upon reasonable notification to committee members.
3. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members for all general meetings, a majority of the directors for all Board of Directors meetings, and a majority of the members serving on committees. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of members or directors at such meeting.
4. Voting. If any proceeding in which voting by members at a general Organization meeting, Board of Directors meeting or committee meeting is called, each member in good standing shall be entitled to cast one vote. A majority vote shall prevail unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws.
5. Reports and Minutes. An agenda and minutes shall be prepared for all general, Board of Director and committee meetings by the Secretary or secretary of the meeting.
6. Procedures. The President or such other officer shall act as chairperson of all general, Board of Director or committee meeting and ensure that each meeting is conducted in an orderly and timely manner. No member shall unreasonably disrupt any meeting of the Organization. If any member wishes to place an item on the general meeting agenda, the member shall contact and describe in detail to the Board of Directors at least 7 days prior to the meeting of their request so that the Board of Directors will have sufficient time to adjust the agenda.
ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. Composition of the Board of Directors. The business and affairs of the Organization shall be managed and all powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. The authorized number of directors of the Organization shall be five (5) and shall consist of the following positions: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Past President.
2. Election and Term. At the first (1st) Organization meeting in January and July, directors shall be sworn in to hold office for a six (6) month term until the first (1st) Organization meeting in the month of January/July. Each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until a successor has been elected and qualified, except in the case of the death, incapacity, resignation, or removal of such a director. No director shall hold the same position on the Board of Directors for more than one (1) consecutive full term. Except for President who shall transition into the Past President position after the conclusion of their six (6) month term, no member shall serve on the Board of Directors for more than two (2) consecutive full terms.
3. Selection and Election of Directors. The Board of Directors shall select a nominating committee of three (3) members who are in good standing in the Organization. Their duty is to present to the Board of Directors at the first meeting in November/May of each year a slate of officers as described in Article IV, Section 1 for the coming six (6) month term. The official slate will be presented to and voted upon by the general membership at the first meeting in June/December with installation of the Board at the first week of July/January of each year. Any paid member in good standing, who has agreed to run, may be nominated from the floor when the slate is presented to the membership at a general meeting.
4. Seating of the New Board of Directors. Orientation of new Board members shall take place prior to the assuming of the office at the January/July meeting.
5. Vacancies. Any director may resign effective upon giving oral or written notice to the Organization. A director who shall be absent from three (3) consecutive regular meetings of the Board of Directors and/or general meetings, may be dropped as a director unless absences are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors. A call to the President prior to the meeting to report your absence is required. If a position on the Board of Directors becomes vacated during any term, the Board of Directors may appoint a member to fill it for the remainder of the term.
6. Removal. The entire Board of Directors or any individual director may be removed from office without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Members of the Organization, following notification of the board member(s) in question.
7. Place and Time of Regular Board of Director Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any place and time that has been designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Members of the Board may participate in a meeting pursuant to this Section IV (7) or Section IV (8) through the use of conference telephone or similar communications equipment, so long as all directors participating in such meeting can hear one another. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this paragraph constitutes presence in person at such meeting.
8. Notice of Special Board of Director Meetings. Any Board of Director may call a special meeting of the Board of Directors. Unless waived by each of the directors, notice of the time and place of all special meetings of the Board of Director shall be delivered at least three (3) days prior to any such Board of Director Meeting personally, by telephone, facsimile, email or sent by first-class mail, addressed to each director at that director's address as it is shown on the records of the Organization. Notice need not be served for any regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors. The notice need not specify the purpose of the meeting.
9. Duties of Officers. The Board of Directors shall fill the officer positions set forth below. No person may serve in more than one position.
a. President. Subject to supervisory powers of the Board of Directors, the President shall be the chief executive officer of the Organization and shall have general supervision, direction, and control of the business and the officers of the Organization. The President shall preside at all meetings and act as Chairperson of all general meetings and Board of Director meetings. The President shall have such powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.
b. Vice President. In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice President, shall perform all the duties of the President. The Vice President shall also chair the nominating committee and be responsible for the introduction of guests and the application process of prospective members.
c. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of the general meetings, Board of Directors meetings, and committees meetings. The minutes shall show the time and place of each meeting, the names of those present at general, directors or committee meetings, and the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall be responsible for the agendas and member list.
d. Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer. The Chief Financial Officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Organization, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, and disbursements. The books of account shall be open to inspection by any director or any member upon reasonable prior notice. The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit all money and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Organization with such depositaries as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Chief Financial Officer shall disburse the funds of the Organization as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, shall render to the members and directors, whenever they request it, an account of the Organization’s transactions and of the financial condition of the Organization, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.
e. Past President. After the President’s six (6) month term expires, then the President shall remain on the Board of Directors as a voting advisor to help in the transition of the new Board of Directors. If for any reason, there is no Past President or the Past President is unable to serve on the Board, then the Organization shall vote to fill the temporary vacant seat with a member.
10. No Compensation of Directors/Officers. Directors, officers and members of committees shall not be entitled to any compensation for their services without an affirmative vote of seventy percent (70%) vote of the members of the Organization.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENTS

1. Amendments. These Bylaws may be amended or repealed by a vote of seventy percent (70%) vote of the attending members at a general meeting provided each member is notified either in writing or verbally of the proposed amendment at least five (5) days before the meeting at which the amendment is voted upon. All proposed amendments to these Bylaws shall be brought to the Board of Director's prior to being voted upon at any general meeting.



These Bylaws are adopted this 2nd day of August, 2006, by a vote of the Membership of this Organization in San Luis Obispo County, California.

Calling all logos

Please send me your logos, ellen@whizbangideas.com and I will post them on the blog. Send them as low res jpegs. Thanks

my info

just sending you my email add. to be included.
lawrence

--
DrBackman.com Chiropractic
lawrence dieter dc
1171c Toro St SLO, CA
po box 15858 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
office:  805.544.0237
cell:           235.4446

Breaking News:

Professional Networking gets a new awesome blog!
Simply email articles to have them automatically posted here : )
Subject line of the email will be the headline.
Make sure there is no digital signature at bottom of email as these
post funny.

California Home Buyer’s Credit

In an effort to stimulate sales of new homes in the state of California, a new $10,000 tax credit is being offered to the first 10,000 people to purchase newly constructed homes beginning March 1 2009 and ending March 1 2010. This tax credit is paid in three equal installments over a three year period and is not limited to first time home buyers, it also has no income requirements. For a concise overview of the program, please click here.

For an example of new construction at an excellent price in SLO, please click here.
If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about this program, or any other aspects of real estate on the Central Coast, please contact me for a free consultation.

Dan Pronsolino
REALTOR
805-748-8878 TEL
805-980-3417 FAX
www.CaliforniaCoastalRealEstate.com

Recession Proof Your Business at Marketing Bootcamp

Several top nationally known marketing gurus and companies have partnered to bring you the first ever Marketing Bootcamp right here on the Central Coast. And of course, Whizbang's Ellen Curtis will be taking about "How to advertise with impact". This one day conference will include a continental breakfast, buffet lunch, all class materials, marketing planner system and all pass workshop access. Marketing Bootcamp is Saturday, May 16th from 8:00am-4:30pm at The Embassy Suites in San Luis Obispo. Seating is limited due to the location. Tickets are $99 per person or $189 for 2! Click here to see the program and order tickets.

You're Invited to Wine and Whine!

As wine label designers, marketers and genuine wine lovers, Whizbang has been wine tasting every Wednesday and posting their findings on their wine blog . Whizbang has decided to open up wine-tasting Wednesday to the public. We figure with the economy such as it is, there is plenty for us to whine about... over some wine. Please join us for "Wine and Whine" next Wednesday, March 11th from 4-6 pm. Remember to bring your business card (hopefully designed by Whizbang) as we will be having a business card exchange and you have a chance to win a bottle of wine!

Jamie Magon – Promotional Concepts

With many tradeshows coming up this spring, it’s time to start planning! Please contact us if you are either participating in or know someone who is participating in one of our local events – Mixer Showcase, Home Shows, Bridal Fairs, etc. We have many strategies to ensure that you get the most out of your investment in the show and your promotional handouts.
~Jamie Magon
Promotional Concepts
Get Noticed. Be Remembered.

John Buerger – Altus Wealth Solutions

I want to give you all the details for the Wealth Health Evening coming up Tuesday, March 31st at 6pm. This is a 90 minute mini-workshop to get people started on the road to getting control over their money. By the end of the evening folks who attend will know:
The four phases of successfully reaching any goal - especially one that involves money.
Alternatives to the emotional thrill of spending - so you can save more money, build greater wealth while enjoying a richer and more fulfilling life every day (Yes, it is possible).
Six key facts everyone should know about their current financial picture.
How to enjoy a better relationship with money than you already have.
A completely different way to approach Cash Flow that actually works (as opposed to budgets which almost never work).
The fee for this program is $10 per person attending, with 50% of all gross proceeds going to the Laureate Foundation's Financial Literacy Fund which will be used to offer summer financial literacy camps for kids in San Luis Obispo County. If you are interested in attending, call me at 805-476-0333 for more information.

John D. Buerger, CFP®
Wealth Coach
jdbuerger@altuswealth.com
www.RichAndFulfilling.com

ALTUS Wealth Solutions
3211 Broad Street, Suite 201
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805-476-0333 (office)

Get Control Over Your Money ...
... Before it Takes Control of Your Life!