How a Small Business Should Use Facebook

I didn’t write this … but you know how I feel about this question!  Geek=Cheryl!!

Promotion Tax Law Change in Wisconsin 9/1/11

If you are a Wisconsin based business and you want to do a “sales tax” promotion – previously you’ve been forbidden by law to do so.  NO MORE!!

B. Repeal of Law that Limited Discounts Given by Retailers (2011 Act 18, repeal sec. 77.52(4), amend secs. 66.0615(1m)(f)2., 77.982(2), 77.991(2), 77.9951(2), and 77.9972(2), effective June 8, 2011.) The law that prohibited retailers from offering discounts equal to the amount of state and local sales tax has been repealed. Retailers may now offer and advertise such discounts.

Under prior law, retailers were not allowed to advertise that they would absorb or pay the sales tax for their customers. The following advertising statements violated Wisconsin sales and use tax law, even when the retailer paid the correct amount of the sales tax to the Department of Revenue:

“Pay no sales tax!”

“We’ll pay your sales tax.”

“Receive a discount equal to the sales tax.” 

C. Products Provided Free of Charge (2011 Act 32, renumber sec. 77.52(21) to 77.52(21)(a) and amend as renumbered, and create sec. 77.52(21)(b), effective September 1, 2011.)

Effective September 1, 2011, if a retailer provides an item free of charge with the required purchase of another taxable product, the retailer may purchase the item provided free of charge without tax, for resale.

Currently, a retailer is the consumer of the items it provides free of charge in conjunction with the required purchase of another product and is required to pay Wisconsin sales or use tax on its purchases of these free items. This is true under current law regardless of whether the customer is required to purchase a separate taxable or nontaxable item before getting the free item.

Short cautionary tale …

A “don’t let this happen to you” story from Frank Kenny

Small Business Social Media Case. Business Page versus Personal Profile.

Be careful that this doesn’t happen to you.

A business came to me with this issue. The employee they hired to do the business’ social media and Internet marketing created the business’ Facebook page as a personal profile, not as a business page. Then, when that personal profile had enough “friends”, he named the profile with the business’ name.

The employee has since left the business but refuses to delete the profile and release the URL.

What a hassle for the business. You can’t have duplicate URLs so the business has a problem.

This is what the business should have done from the start.

• Have a signed policy in place stating that social media accounts created for the business remain the businesses if and when the employee departs. Those friends, followers, and fans are valuable and belong to the business. The employees can build their own FFF but not take the business’.

• The company should have adhered to Facebook’s term of service. Never create a business page as a personal profile. I am seeing this all the time still. Don’t do it.

• Once the business page is created, add a second administrator so that the business can quickly transfer the control to another employee.

What do you think the business should do at this point? The ex-employee refuses to delete the profile or release the URL.

Business travel expenses – don’t lose these expenses!

Preserving Tax Deductions for Business Travel

If a taxpayer’s trip is undertaken solely for business reasons, reasonable and necessary travel expenses, including travel fares, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses in getting to and from the destination are generally deductible on federal tax returns (subject to the 50% disallowance for meals and entertainment). Transportation, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses incurred while at the destination should also qualify as federal tax deductions. However, if the taxpayer’s trip involves both business and personal activities, a portion of the travel expenses may actually be nondeductible personal expenses rather than deductible business expenses.

If a taxpayer travels on business in the United States and while at the business destination extends his or her stay for a vacation, makes a nonbusiness side trip, or has other nonbusiness activities, the proper treatment of the taxpayer’s travel expenses depends on how much of the trip was business-related. The following guidelines generally apply:

a.  If the trip was primarily for business, the deductible travel expenses include the costs of getting to and from the business destination and any business-related expenses while at the business destination. Personal (vacation) costs incurred while at the destination are not tax-deductible.

b.  If the trip was primarily for personal reasons, such as a vacation, the costs of getting to and from the destination are personal (nondeductible) travel costs. Personal costs incurred while at the destination are also nondeductible. However, any business costs incurred while at the destination are tax-deductible expenses.

Whether a trip is primarily business or personal depends on the facts and circumstances of each case. The amount of time spent on business activities compared to the time spent on personal activities is an important factor. It is essential to note that time spent is only one factor to consider and may not be the dominant factor given the facts and circumstances. If the taxpayer would not have taken the trip except to achieve the business purpose, a strong argument can be made that the trip was primarily for business.

The proper allocation of travel expenses between business and nonbusiness categories is often difficult to determine. Please contact us to discuss specific travel expense allocation issues or any other tax planning or compliance matter.

More great info brought to you by our friends at Hawkins, Ash, Baptie, Co.  –  thanks so much!!

Happy Birthday America – and many many thanks!

Today is the celebration of America’s Declaration of Independence (let’s not quibble about the official date since there were some details!!), but today, rather than waxing about patriotism etc., I want to pay tribute to those 56 men who risked so very much for their families, their countrymen and, ultimately, for 300 million people they’d never ever know – us.

When was the last time you read and really thought about the words in the Declaration?  College?  High school?  Middle school?  Elementary school?  Ever?

I challenge you to do so.  Right now.  Before you go buy more fireworks, or start the BBQ, or put your flag out.  Read the following words.  Slowly.  Carefully.  And with all the thought and consideration of those who wrote them.. Happy Birthday America!

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. –Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity.

We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Signers

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman
Samuel Huntingtonv William Williams
Oliver Wolcott

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney
George Read
Thomas McKean

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett
Lyman Hall
George Walton

Maryland:
Samuel Chase
William Paca
Thomas Stone
Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock
Samuel Adams
John Adams
Robert Treat Paine
Elbridge Gerry

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett
William Whipple
Matthew Thornton

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton
John Witherspoon
Francis Hopkinson
John Hart
Abraham Clark

New York:
William Floyd
Philip Livingston
Francis Lewis
Lewis Morris

North Carolina:
William Hooper
Joseph Hewes
John Penn

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Franklin
John Morton
George Clymer
James Smith
George Taylor
James Wilson
George Ross

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins
William Ellery

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge
Thomas Heyward, Jr.
Thomas Lynch, Jr.
Arthur Middleton

Virginia:
George Wythe
Richard Henry Lee
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Harrison
Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Carter Braxton

Wanting to STAY in business?

A recap!  Tuesday was trends in business; Wednesday was customer service tips; yesterday tax implications of opening a small business, and today is an important topic to help you stay in business.  After all, isn’t that the point?

In my current life, I run a non-profit.  A note on non-profits.  “Non-profit” is a tax status, not a business model; or as a mentor of mine used to say, “with no margin, there is no mission.”  In other words, even non-profits have to have some!  But, most of you reading this are in business to actually MAKE a profit.  Doing so isn’t easy – not in any time frame; but you have to plan to make a profit.  The adage of “most businesses don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.”  Today’s entry is about one aspect of planning, knowing your break-even point, brought to you by our friends at Fluidity Business Planning Group.

Business Environment

One of the most common remarks we hear is that business owners seem to be waiting for the economy to return to 2008 levels, the way things used to be. We hate to burst the bubble, but that is not going to happen! Our economy has changed, and those businesses that are going to survive now understand they need to adapt to the new economy or close their doors.

Many business owners found ways to reduce costs and overhead to retain employees. They wanted to demonstrate they were more concerned about their people than profits, and that was a smart move as they hoped to hold on until the economy improved and down-sizing could be stopped or reversed. Now the realization is settling in that an economic turn-around may be a long time coming. Other action needs to be considered, such as expanding product lines or adding services to meet changing demands.

Tough choices are being made every day, and if the business has trimmed to the bare bones already, it is now a matter of what moves are the wisest to make. Banks need to see business plans and roughly 20% collateral before they issue or extend loans. Gas prices and consumer prices are increasing, raising concerns about inflation. Tax scenarios are changing and incentives are becoming more stringent. Yet some businesses succeed while others fail.

Cash is ruling the economy through the first quarter of 2011. Cash flow is the major concern for accountants, bankers, and business owners. Expect more aggressive pursuit of delinquent accounts than we are already seeing in the consumer marketplace. Companies can ill afford to carry accounts past 60 days. They are getting pressure from creditors to stay current on the other side of the equation. Cash is King!

One of the best ways we have found for business owners to understand their position is to get a firm grip on their break even status. It is part of the planning process and involves knowing what your expenses are (rent, utilities, insurance, labor, inventory, interest payments, etc.) so you have an accurate picture of what goes out on a monthly basis. If you operate five days a week, you divide those costs by 20 work days a month to come up with your daily break even numbers.

This does two things: 1) it tells you what you need to generate in revenue every day to break even, and more than that means profit; and, 2) it clues you in to the potential changes you need to make if you fall short on a daily or weekly basis. It is important, too, to be honest with yourself. You are in business to make a profit, and a price increase may be in order so you can continue to serve your customers and fulfill your dreams for being in business.

Four what!?? 7 Reasons Why Small Businesses Should Take a Look at Foursquare

I’m going to be brutally honest and admit I’ve really struggled with Foursquare.  A few days ago when blogging about Twitter, I shared the reason we’ve used the Chamber logo instead of my photo at Twitter is because I don’t want it to be about me.  Foursquare, to me, was the ultimate in “all about me.”

If you don’t know what Foursquare is, I’ll give you my thumbnail description:  Foursquare is a self-identified personal “where are you now” service.  Kind of like “Where’s Waldo” without the red striped shirt.  You check-in where you are, Foursquare tells everyone and, well, stuff happens.

If I didn’t get Twitter at first, I *really* didn’t get Foursquare.  Honestly, if people don’t care that I’m getting coffee, then they definitely don’t care I’m getting it at Luna Cafe! Plus, I love my Blackberry and have no immediate desire to get an iPhone (though I love my MacBook Pro and seriously covet an iPad2!) and with Blackberry you have to proactively login to Foursquare and check-in each time you go somewhere.  Typically, I have seventeen things going on in my head at the same time (remember the shiny I mentioned yesterday about blogging?) and having to *remind* myself to tell the world I’m at the grocery store is JUST not a priority.

BUT!  BUT! As I keep saying, it isn’t all about me and there are some really good reasons to use Foursquare, both personally and for business.  Today’s guest article explains it FAR better than I can!  The article comes from ducttapemarketing.com another hidden gem of  site I found via Google.  (No!  I don’t own stock … don’t I wish I’d be that smart!?)

From John Jantsch:

In an end of the year prediction post I wrote for OPEN Forum, I listed location aware social media tools as something that would get big time attention in 2010. (See: 5 Trends that Will Shape Small Business in 2010)

The idea behind location awareness is that people will use the GPS capabilities in today’s mobile devices to check-in, tweet, review, and refer and add their location while doing so. Today I would like to talk about what I think is one of the first location aware services that is already beginning to impact small business.

The service is called Foursquare and while it’s receiving lots of hype from the bleeding edge social media types as the next Twitter, it may be totally foreign, or at least nonsensical, to many small business owners. While I want to use this post to introduce you to Foursquare, keep in mind that my primary point of view is that of the small business marketer and what I believe Foursquare has to offer, and not really the Foursquare user per se.

Having said that I do first feel the need to give you an overview of Foursquare.

The big picture

Foursquare is a location enabled service that allows users to “check in” when then stop at a bar, restaurant, park, bookstore or really anywhere they want to list. The service further allows users to connect with friends and alert them of your location if you choose. There are other services that have tackled this basic function, such as Loopt, Brightkite, Gowalla, and even Google Latitude, but Foursquare also turned this activity into a game: a point that I believe led to its current role as a leader in this evolving space. (I’m also keeping an eye on Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey’s location play in private beta called Square)

Foursquare is self-described as – “Think: 50% friend-finder, 30% social cityguide, 20% nightlife game.”

Users compete with check-ins to earn points for their city, badges for various types of activity and to become mayor of frequented spots. Just like Twitter back in early 2007 none of this makes much sense until you play with it a while and until you have some folks to follow and connect with. (In fact, it doesn’t really make that much sense then, but there’s something sort of addictive about it.)

Users also add and update information about businesses, write tips and make suggestions for anyone to consume. This rating and reviewing function treads on the turf of services such as Yelp! and acts as another data point for people trying to locate a good pizza on the Upper East Side for example.

Foursquare is set-up around cities and enhances the kind of neighborhood, hyper-local, branding and community building that is so important to local type small businesses. The service is currently available in a growing list of cities and is driven by iPhone, Android and Blackberry apps. Check out the Foursquare help page for some more detail.

OK and now on the real reason I’m writing today. I’m not ready to suggest that every business rush to Foursquare as the next red hot thing, not yet anyway, but I do want to point our a handful of reasons that many small business should start paying attention to this growing force, even if you don’t get it.

Below are seven reasons why I think Foursquare may hold promise for small business

1) Hyper local, tech savvy, evangelists – Foursquare user are people that really love their neighborhoods, getting out and evangelizing the businesses they love. This tech savvy, early adopter is exactly the kind of consumer business should kill for as they often influence large circles. Embracing Foursquare and giving these tech leaders the tools to promote your business is just plain smart business.

2) Online offline – I’ve been writing a lot about this lately, but Foursquare is yet another way for local business to use the efficient online tools to drive more in-person, offline activity. People are physically checking in to your business and talking about online in what can turn into a tremendously effective one-two punch.

3) Make offers – On a recent trip to Chicago I checked into my Marriott on Foursquare and immediately received notice that three nearby businesses had a special offer for me. Currently Foursquare allows just about any business to use their platform to offer deals and promotions to users. You can visit the Foursquare business page to get your business signed up. It’s free for now, but I’m guessing this is big revenue piece for them in the future.

4) Track and reward – Foursquare’s gaming functionality allows businesses to create special promotions for mayors and badge earners and in effect setting up a competition among their most loyal fans. The image below comes from a special promotion hosted by blynk organic, a restaurant in North Carolina. By creating and communicating Foursquare’s tools and platform you can begin to educate customers and create Foursquare advocates for your business. Some bars and restaurants routinely promote free offers for mayors.

5) The power of making it a game – One of the most intriguing aspects of Foursquare is the game. It’s amazing what some folks will do in order to win a game, come in first or, in this case, be the mayor of a popular spot. Gaming and entertainment are huge money winners (video games rival the movie industry in sales) and any small business that can find ways to add gaming elements tied to patronizing a business may just find a real competitive edge.

6) Automated CRM data – So many small businesses have little of no way to track customer behavior. A coffee shop may have a patron that comes in daily for years, but they have no way to track anything other than a face and friendly smile. Every business should find ways to capture everything they can about a customer. Obviously email is a great tool and can be very effective for follow up marketing. Foursquare usage however goes far beyond that. Foursquare can provide business owners with check-in stats for users. What this means is that the customer that comes in every day can now be tracked and even incentivized to get a free cup of coffee for every tenth check-in. It’s like the digital/social version of the loyalty card. Please tell me you see this as huge potential.

7) Sync with Twitter and Facebook - Like all good social media platforms Foursquare understood the need to integrate with platforms that others already use. Foursquare users have the option to tweet or add a Facebook status update every time they check-in. What this means is that a Facebook user with a few hundred friends might expose your business by way of a Foursquare check-in to thousands of Facebook walls. While many of those folks on Twitter or Facebook may not be in your part of town, I’m thinking it’s still a pretty good thing for the brand.

While I’ll caution again that Foursquare might not be the highest priority for many businesses, it’s something that is coming and will be put to use by businesses outside of the retail and entertainment world (I can already imaging how real estate agents could use this.) Businesses that get how to use, stimulate adoption and promote Foursquare now could hold a significant advantage when and if Foursquare becomes the next Twitter.

A word from your sponsor… okay, it’s just Cheryl again!  Changing voice when writing and everyone is in the first person is tricky!!  I am VERY sporadic with Foursquare and really only use it well when I’m on vacation, probably because my “to do” list in my head is much quieter then.  I do have some other reservations rooted in privacy and personal safety, but, I’d say be smart, be judicious .. but check it out. You may love it personally, there are deals out there to be found and if you are a retail, bar/restaurant or other consumer based business that needs word-of-mouth and foot traffic; you *really* should check out Foursquare!

The last post for this week of social media tomorrow will be on overall social media marketing essentials & strategies.  See you tomorrow!

Community!!

PostsMost of you who know me (and probably those who have never met me have probably garnered by now) know I’m all about community.  I describe myself as a passionate community developer.  Today, I bring you an opportunity to help an organization with a mission I feel *very* strongly about … women & girls.  Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay has a mission of “Empowering Women – Inspiring Girls.”

One of the organization’s main fundraisers is this fall, “The Power of the Purse,” which is a great event, but also has a way for you to honor someone (or someones!) with an acknowledgment in a very public way.  We all have that person in our life that means so much to us but is IMPOSSIBLE to shop for! If you have someone in your life that you want to recognize, congratulate, honor, show them how much you care, thank them or more, consider purchasing a tribute from the Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay.

The Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay is a group of women working together to help empower local women and inspire girls. The Women’s Fund, a fund of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, raises dollars to help support leadership and self-esteem initiatives right here in the area. So far, the Women’s Fund has raised an endowment of nearly $1 million and granted more than $100,000 in partnership with donors to programs that are making a difference.

Tributes are one of the highlights of the Power of Purse Luncheon. Each tribute will get a special place in the luncheon’s unique “purse” program, which doubles as a calendar for year round use. The luncheon is attended by more than 800 guests who come together to share in the power and company of fellow, inspirational men and women.

Each tribute is $500 and supports the Women’s Fund of Greater Green Bay / Fund for Women and Girls, a fund of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. All tribute gifts are tax-deductible and go directly to this endowment fund.

For more information regarding Women’s Fund tributes, visit www.womensfundgb.org or call The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation at (920) 432-0800.

Tribute information and payments must be received by July 1, 2011 to womensfundgb@ggbcf.org.

Also!  The event almost naturally includes a silent auction, but this one has the theme of purses!  Again, if you know me, you know I’m *all* about the accessories.  If this event added shoes, I’d say they designed it especially for me!  But, I do love the purses and there are great ones here.  Another way for you to help is to donate a purse or a purse-based gift package.

Donate a Purse
What to donate?
Almost anything goes as long as “a purse” is the central theme!  Examples from prior years include unique individual purses that speak for themselves and theme collections (purse + a few accessories) such as a Night on the Town, a Day in the Garden, Soak up the Caribbean, Teen Dream Purse, Grandma’s Girl, etc.
Keep in mind, a purse must be the container… no baskets please.
Big or small your contribution will make a difference in our community; donated silent auction items have ranged in value from $25-$400.

How do I donate a purse?
Complete a Purse Silent Auction Donation Form
Estimate the value of your auction item for tax purposes for the purchaser.
Provide a description of the purse and contents to aid in the marketing of the items.
Deliver the purse and completed form and you’re done!

Dates to remember:
·       All donation forms are due by Friday, August 12, 2011 – mail, fax or e-mail them to:
o   Jill Dequaine, Schenck SC, 2200 Riverside Drive, Green Bay, WI, 54301
o   Fax:  (920) 224-1712
o   Email: Jill.Dequaine@schencksc.com or kfitt@wipfli.com
·       Deliver your purse to Schenck SC by Friday, September 9, 2011 –  (Note: Schenck closes at 1:00 pm on Fridays from Memorial Day through Labor Day)

You know you can count on me to bring you updates on how you can improve our communtiy!!

Call for applications for the Stevie Awards for Women in Business

The Stevie® Awards

The Stevie Awards were created to honor and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and business people worldwide.  Beginning with The American Business Awards in 2002, The International Business Awards in 2003, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business in 2004, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service in 2006, our mission is to raise the profile of exemplary organizations and individuals among the press, the business community, and the general public.  In short order the Stevie has become one of the world’s most coveted awards.

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business are governed by a Board of Distinguished Judges & Advisors that features many leading figures in business.

All organizations and individuals worldwide may submit nominations to the Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

Request your Entry Kit for the 2011 awards – it will be sent to you by email right away.  The early-bird entry deadline is July 27 and entry fees are discounted.

The final deadline is August 31. Late entries will be accepted through September 30.

Note: there entry fees:  The early-bird entry fee is $105 per entry per category.  After July 27 the entry fee is $135 per entry per category. After August 31 add a $35 late fee to the entry fee. There is no entry fee for the Employee of the Year category.

But!  This is great recognition that you deserve – enter the Stevie Awards for Women in Business.  For full details: visit their website.

Best of luck in the competition!

P.S.  This is not sponsored by nor affiliated in anyway with the De Pere Area Chamber of Commerce

How to Make Your Business Run Better and More Profitably

This week from Barbara Wold — don’t we all want this??

1.  Take action. Taking action will probably move you forward on some significant goal.
2.  Know your customers. Look back at the misses and successes of the last two
years and use that data to help you reassess your idea of your real customers/clients and prospects.
3.  Speak your customers’ language. Remember that you are not selling your products or services, you are meeting the needs or solving the problems of your prospects and clients/ customers; package and market your products/services in a way that addresses that need or problem.
4.  Some revenue is better than none. Don’t stall your success because you are afraid partnering will reveal your secrets to a potential competitor.  Find a Business Buddy, create a business partnership..
5.  Put it in writing. If you put the specifics of every agreement and arrangement in writing you will save yourself time, money, agony and broken relationships.
6.  Make marketing a priority. You should develop a schedule of marketing actions, put them on your calendar and carry them out — just as you would any product or service development and delivery for a customer/client.
7.  Avoid spending time “getting ready” instead of “doing.” If there is something you do not really want to do or are not comfortable with, there is the risk of avoiding it by getting trapped in the preparation phase.

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“In your quest for new and better ways to please customers, make sure you don’t overlook that very thing you already do better than anyone else.”
– Marc Compeau, business columnist, writing for Forbes

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