Get Your Engines Started!

I am not an economist, but I have noted that there is a cautious buzz suggesting that we might be at the bottom of this economic slowdown.

As a business owner and a consumer, I'm thrilled! Of course, there are many long, tough months ahead as we hopefully dig ourselves back out of this hole, but at least there is some hope.

Now is the time to focus on how you can take advantage of the slow economy for both yourself and your business. Even if you only have a tiny financial cushion left after the last 12 tight months, now is the time to use it! Here are some options to consider:

1. Services are cheaper - although it's not universal, most service providers are more flexible with their rates - and may have even dropped their rates. Just like all businesses, service providers are anxious to do some great work for you to help boost their bottom line, and you can probably get lower rates and shorter terms

2. Labor is available and cheaper - the labor market is hungry for work, and many stellar employees have been laid off. Now is a great time to fill critical positions in your own company in preparation for increased business.

3. Rents are totally negotiable - if you have ever thought about expanding your physical space, now is a great time to do it. Many retail, office and warehouse locations have been vacant for 10+ months. Assume that the rate and terms offered are much higher than you should actually pay, and bring in a seasoned negotiator to help you if necessary.

4. Your competitors are still scared - the single greatest opportunity for you right now is to take advantage of your competitors' lowered spending. They have likely pulled back on everything from advertising to customer service, and their customers know it! Now is the time to swoop in and impress everyone with your strength and moxie: show them that your business is still around and doing great!

Give me a call if you need some help!
310.453.7008

Support Site for Small Businesses

Check out this cool new support site for small businesses: PrairieDogPros

The site offers access to endorsed experts in the following fields:

• technology
• financial planning
• small business law
• marketing (that's me!)
  
• coaching
• taxes
• small business law
• insurance
• and more…

Starbucks vs. McDonald's

Since I just wrote about Starbucks, I thought I should update everyone with the latest business news from the company. Fiscal second-quarter profit dropped 77%. Why? Because the company is going through a major restructuring and closing 123 U.S. stores.

I love Starbucks, but I wonder if this has anything to do with its faster-than-light global expansion. Perhaps even more damaging is the weak economy and McDonald's latte launch:

"Over the past 18 months, McDonald's has been steadily introducing lattes, cappuccinos and mochas in individual markets across the country. Some 80% of the company's 14,000 U.S. stores now sell these drinks, and this week McDonald's will roll out a national advertising campaign trumpeting the McCafé section of its menu." Full story: TIME magazine

Work at Starbucks

If you're like me, you sometimes (or frequently) use Starbucks as an office. In fact, I work out of a Starbucks at least three times each week, using it both for meetings and as a (usually) quiet place to do some work on my laptop.

In fact, right now I'm in a Starbucks working to the sounds of "Tall Nonfat Latte" and "Grande Chai Vanilla Iced Tea" and some mellow music. There is someone interviewing prospective employees in the corner opposite from me - she has interviewed three people since I got here. Behind me is a tutor guiding his highschool client through Calculus homework, and at least two tables are occupied by people conducting some sort of business meeting.

I think that part of Starbucks' success is based on the fact that so many people use it for business. Even though sometimes I don't buy anything at all, other times I buy breakfast and lunch, plus multiple lattes, in one day.

If you're interested in the Starbucks logo and/or mermaids, then you have to read this blog!

Get Scammed Quick

ATTENTION: You can get rich quick online with no investment and in no time at all!!! I did it and you can, too!

It's amazing to me how many people I've met recently who have been scammed online by the very same type of marketing schemes we saw on TV in the 1980s and 90s. "Get Rich Quick" schemes, wherever they are marketed and whatever they entail, might work .01% of the time, for .001% of the population, but it breaks my heart to see so many desperate people getting scammed and losing their money and their self-confidence when the promises simply don't come true.

This is like the weight loss industry promising that you can lose 20 lbs in two weeks without diet or exercise. Even if it were physiologically possible, it could not possibly last.

Lasting success is based on behavior, not trickery. No quick scheme in the world, whether for making money or losing weight, will be successful in the long-term unless you learn to incorporate daily behaviors (habits) that will maintain success.