This is when and why business planning is the imperative next step.  Your great idea may not turn out to be as great as your dream of it was and you can discover this in your planning stage, thereby saving yourself a lot of down the road grief, had you skipped over it and plunged head first into something quite over your head, or at the very least, beyond your initial stage of interest or capital capacity.

So what exactly IS involved in business planning?  I almost always refer to this simple system, anytime I’m facing a decision.  I ask:  Who, What, When, Where, Why and How?  You probably remember these from elementary writing classes.  Soon after you learned your basic ABC’s, you began stringing together ideas and this is where your dream idea begins to take form, as your business plan.

Who? ~ Who are you?  Hopefully, you’ve done research about this already and figured out what your likes and dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, passions, etc are.  I believe knowing these things about yourself helps mold your business foundation and your underlying satisfaction in what you choose to do.  Next is who will be your potential clients?  Who will you market your products or services to, why do they want them and why will they want them from you?  Other considerations are if you are going to do it all yourself or do you need others and if so, who?  Here are a few ideas to get you started:  A venture partner, an investor, an accountant, a lawyer, graphics, web, social media specialists, employees, suppliers, manufacturers, your husband or wife, can the kids help out?

What? ~ What are you trying to accomplish?  What are you trying to sell?  The most important review here would be what is referred to as your mission and value statements.  What are you offering the public and what do you want for yourself and for others?  What will your business name be?  This too is very critical for brand recognition, web searches, competition, etc.  Pick a good name that is easy to find and tells people what you do and it helps when it comes time to design a meaningful and relevant logo.

When? ~ When do you want to work, start, open your business?  Is this your 6 month, 1 year, 5 year or life plan?  Is it a side venture or a full time commitment?  Is it short or long term?  What barriers or obstacles impact whether you can start today or do you need to transition into it?

Where?  ~ Where will you conduct business?  There are lots of options:  from your home office, an office space, warehouse, over the internet, workshops, locally, globally?

Why?  ~ Why are you considering a business?  What is the end game?  I think who and why are the most important.  First of all, I’ve always processed information from what I call a backward engineering perspective.  If you know what you want as an end result, you can then formulate a plan to get from A (the beginning) to B (the end result.)  It is also especially critical in the realm of marketing.  You need to be convincing to others and it is hard to do that if you don’t wholeheartedly believe in the products and services yourself.  It is often said, “You can’t sell to others what you are not enamored with.”  People buy most things emotionally and they need to ‘feel’ connected to you and the product.  If they don’t feel good about it, they will go elsewhere to satisfy their needs.  You will master being a great salesperson or you may have to hire one.  I believe anyone can sell anything they believe in because you are basically just sharing your enthusiasm.  People respond well to genuine information.  If you aren’t enthusiastic, that could be a problem for you in the longer term, at the very least, start with a sales person who is (or you may have also discovered this isn’t what you really wanted after all and you can begin researching other options.)

How? ~ How will you fund your start-up, spread your message, get customers?  Do you plan to be a retail or wholesale business, sole proprietor, LLC (Limited Liability Company), or corporation?  How will you handle balancing your life between personal and professional demands?  How will you cope with cash flow fluctuations, difficult days, unexpected growth or stalls, etc?

The main areas to consider when writing your business plan are: the start-up and initial operating costs and profit margins, projected income and expenses, know your customer and your competition, understand your target market, and develop a marketing plan.  My previous post, A Dream Idea listed resources to help you brainstorm, if you are still doing some of that while in your planning phase.  Here are some resources to assist you in formulating your business plan.

Business Plan Software:  http://www.businessplanpro.com/

Business Plan Pro by Palo Alto – this is one of my personal favorites.  It is inexpensive, provides numerous samples and additional resources and you can construct a very simple 5-7 page plan and a complex 50 page plan.  It is easily navigated and has tutorials to help.

http://business-plan-software-review.toptenreviews.com/  —  top 10 software reviews.

Business Structure:  Sole Proprietorship, LLC, C or S Corporation

Most people consult an attorney or an accountant (or both) for guidance and this is a good time to find one of each.  Ask relatives, friends or business associates for referrals.  Your business will also require insurance so this is also a great time to find an agent.  You will need general liability insurance and in some cases a bond.  You may also need property and workers compensation insurance.  If you hire employees you will need an employee manual, perhaps a non-compete agreement, in-house or outsourced payroll services, and you may also want benefits for health/dental insurance and/or retirement plans.

Financial Software:  Your internal processes need accountability and you need a system to keep track of your income and expenses.  I believe this is part of the initial planning phase and should not be avoided or put off until some later date.  Owners who do not keep good records from the start usually find themselves in trouble later.

QuickBooks –  http://quickbooks.intuit.com – can usually get a little bit better price at Office Depot or Costco.  Easy to install and setup, good tutorials, decent support.

Sage 50 (formerly Peachtree)  —  http://na.sage.com/sage-50-accounting-us  – Similar to QuickBooks, designed for persons with a greater understanding of accounting concepts.

Excel  — http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/  – usually bundled with MS Office, good program for small businesses with minimal income and expenses, create a template to track items.

More Information:

http://www.score.org  —  Service Corps of Retired Executives Association – free counseling.

http://www.sba.gov  —  Small Business Administration – information, loans and grants.

http://www.sba.gov/content/small-business-development-centers-sbdcs  —  Small Business Development Centers – information, free counseling, classes and workshops.

Business Statistical Data  —  when writing your plan (especially if attempting to get a loan) you will need to know how your business compares to its competitors, market infiltration, etc.  These sites help you with relevant industry statistical data.  Here are two sites that provide data.

http://www.census.gov/econ/industry

http://www.sba.gov/content/statistics-specific-industries

Federal Tax Info  —  http://www.irs.gov  —  Internal Revenue Service – Federal tax forms and publications.

State, City Tax and Licenses  —   search Google for (your state) and Department of Revenue, and (your city) and Business License.

RMA reports  —  these can be obtained from your local banker for free.  Banks use these as guides when evaluating your business for a loan.  The reports are broken down by industry and financial statistics covering assets, liabilities, income and expenses.  These are a very useful tool for planning and analyses.

Chamber of Commerce  —  local chambers provide leadership development and networking events – search Google for (your city) and Chamber of Commerce.

Be Well and Prosper!
Lisa Sudo, The Mistress of Money
and Executive Director of both
Action Biz Concepts & Action Bookkeeping Co
www.actionbizconcepts.com

As humans we have come a long way from tribes and cave persons, to farms and forests and eventually toward cities and corporate towers.  Our primary goal has always been to survive and thrive in our ever changing environment.  As the human race has evolved so too has business.  People continue to seek out new opportunities to earn their way and provide for their livelihoods.  Business, like our lives, is not a static circumstance.  You need to accept and recognize it requires nurturing, dedication and commitment.  Like farming, it requires skill, tools, training and above all, a bit of faith, compassion, understanding and patience.

I’m a bit wary of giving advice as I’ve long upheld ‘The Desiderata’ as my personal mantra.  It states, “Be wary of giving advice, wise men don’t need it and fools won’t heed it.”  Therefore, I won’t liken this to an advice column but rather a series of articles where we share a conversation.  A conversation I have had from the dining table in my home to a plethora of desks and cubicles to meeting rooms and neighborhood coffee shops.  If the information I have acquired can help someone, somewhere, then the effort proves itself valuable to me, and perhaps others.  One of the most important things I have learned about being in business is if you provide value to others, you have loyal clients, friends and followers.

So let’s begin already, okay?  I’m blogging about what I have learned which I am calling the ABC’s of Business.  Every journey begins with a single step.  Even this one, for me, begins here.

One of the first things you are taught when you enter school is your ABC’s.  Everyday you practice, over and over until you can say them without thinking and then you learn to write them, eventually stringing together sentences so you can communicate your message effectively.  Business works in much the same way.  You have a message, product or service you want to share with the world.  In order to do that effectively, you begin at the beginning.  It is a much easier way to navigate through the concourse although many try to skip some of the steps in between.  When that happens they often find themselves returning full circle to attend to the things they glossed over earlier.  Let’s not do that!

A potential business owner begins with ‘A Plan.’  It starts as A Dream, which leads to An Idea, which will require A Plan that initiates Action, followed by Accountability, and ultimately Achievement.  This is the A of your business.  Most businesses begin with a dream and dreams are awesome but without a plan, even a basic one, it remains just a dream idea.  The development of your plan doesn’t have to be a complicated or painful process but it does need to be vetted through good research.  Basically, I am suggesting that you do your homework.  You need to develop your idea with an unbiased and knowledgeable amount of facts and figures to determine if it plausible to pursue.  By plausible, I mean have you thought out the idea long enough and in depth enough, to know it is really a business idea you want?  Many of us are attracted to bright and shiny objects only to let them die and dull over time.  Alternatively, many launch their business only to lose interest or momentum shortly thereafter and often their shirts and pants as well.  In our society, this process is deemed failure and because it is such a pervasive word, the damage to your health, your finances, your family and your self esteem can last for years.  While we may not be able to avoid that circumstance nor its associated drama trauma, we can assess and minimize the risk by investing in research and development upfront.  This investment generally requires much more time than monetary resources, so I suggest it is a beginner’s imperative.

Below you’ll find a list of resources to assist you in getting started, future blogs will expand on a variety of these and what I have found out about them in my own business pursuits.  My next blog will delve into various components of researching and writing a formal business plan.

Briggs-Myers Personality:  Who are you and what do you like to do? http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp

This free test is based on Carl Jung’s and Isabel Briggs Myers’ typological approach to personality.  Upon completion of the questionnaire, you will:

• Obtain your 4-letter type formula according to Carl Jung’s and Isabel Briggs Myers’ typology, along with the strengths of preferences and the description of your personality type
• Discover careers and occupations most suitable for your personality type along with examples of educational institutions where you can get a relevant degree or training

Mind Mapping:  This is a great tool for brain-storming, problem solving, rational analysis, and decision making.  Here are links to a couple of free programs.

EDrawSoft:  http://www.edrawsoft.com/freemind.php

FreeMind:  http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Download

Can you be an entrepreneur?  Do you want to?  Here are a couple of good sites for information, articles, advice, etc.  www.entrepreneur.com  www.Forbes.com   

Be Well and Prosper!
Lisa Sudo, The Mistress of Money
and Executive Director of

Action Biz Concepts & Action Bookkeeping Co
www.actionbizconcepts.com

While pondering what could ignite a new passion, I realized two things which have been around since my childhood days.  I thought I’d be a teacher and Myers-Briggs testing showed a good personality match.  I was enamored with English (all language and semantics, actually), literature and creative writing.   It may have been my niche but hard to get a job and harder still once you have it!  I looked into it a couple of times but it didn’t seem to fit so I stayed in the business realm.  Aside from teaching, as far back as I can remember, I’ve been a writer.  I’ve written poetry and stories and random thoughts that fill up my head.  I attend seminars and meetings and take copious notes.  I’ve written manuals and standard operating procedures.    I think and talk on paper and computer screens.

When a person has done much of the same thing for most of their life, a change appears challenging.  Some people don’t like it, others cherish and welcome new things.  I think I’m in the latter pool.  I knew I needed something different to do but it took my a while to figure it out.  Some people believe each person is born with a purpose and their own unique gifts to share with the world.  Many of us spend our lives trying to determine what that means and how to apply it.  I did a bit of introspection,  took an inventory of skills and capabilities, and explored dreams and desires.   What gift can I share?  Finally, I came to a conclusion or two.  For now, I’ve decided to begin a series of business posts sharing relevant information and random thoughts from the world of small business and what I’ve learned being an life-long entrepreneur.

For over thirty years, I’ve worked for and with small business. I learned my way through cubicles to corner offices. Much of what I do, I’ve taken for granted. When you start at the bottom as the Xerox girl and wind up as Vice President, a lot of the things you’ve learned come naturally to you but I’ve realized this isn’t the case for everyone and I have so much to share.

I have always been curious and I think this helped me a lot. When you’re super inquisitive, you ask a lot of questions and get a lot of answers. Throughout the years my mentors have taught me so many things. I guess it is now my turn to pass this knowledge on to others. I’m bored with learning so maybe it is time to teach. I hope the information I present is relevant to you in one way or many. What I can say is that a lot of people ask to pick my brain so there must be some thoughts or ideas or experience floating around in it which is useful to others.

Please check back periodically. My intent is to post a couple articles each month covering the “ABC’s of Business.”  This is  one of my dream projects and it’s finally time for it to come forward.

Be Well and Prosper!
Lisa Sudo, The Mistress of Money
and Executive Director of both
Action Biz Concepts & Action Bookkeeping Co

www.actionbizconcepts.com

Myth: Most entrepreneurs make a lot of money.
Reality: Most entrepreneurs make less money than the average employee.

Myth: Most entrepreneurial ventures take a lot of capital to get started.
Reality: Most businesses are started with $25,000 of an entrepreneurs savings.

Myth: 90 percent of all new businesses fail within a year.
Reality: Half of all businesses last 5 years.

From a toothless cowboy poet to an entrepreneur who sold his business for $500 million, SHINE introduces you to the people at the heart of the American Dream.
A small film has turned into a big film, including interviews from Bruce Livingstone, the founder of iStockphoto, and Scott Shane, a leading expert on entrepreneurship and author of Illusions of Entrepreneurship.

The producers estimate it will cost $50,000 to make SHINE the extraordinary film it deserves to be.

They’ve created a way for YOU to help ~ Click here to find out more about the project ~ http://biznik.com/shine

Here’s a recent look at information compiled from government statistical reporting sites. March and April 2009 reports. I don’t mean to frighten you. Anymore than you may already be. However, if you’re not concerned, you are either not paying attention or in denial. Even though these statistics look dire, mark my words, it will probably get worse before it gets better. We need to start mobilizing now to head off how bad it could get, if we don’t band together and start conserving our resources, building a foundational support network and reaching out to others.

I won’t elaborate on the banking industry as we’ve all heard more than enough news. The real estate/construction market is showing virtually no growth for the next 2-3 years. Housing vacancy rates may increase to 20% by the end of the year; approximately 15 percent were vacant 4Q09. These three trends combined, indicate a strong potential shift toward multi-generational family living situations.

Fifty percent of all auto manufacturers will probably be out of business in the next few years.

As of April 2009, unemployment rose to 13.7 million + another 2.1 million which appear as no longer looking; these figures reflect an overall increase of approx. 6.1 million in the last twelve months; 38% increase from a year ago. This figure is far more staggering than the 14% we’ve been hearing.

It is relatively common knowledge that 95% of workers account for about 5% of the nation’s wealth while 5% of the self-employed account for about 95% of the wealth.

But were you aware that 95% of American households are in debt though only 85% are homeowners; others are in debt for consumer goods; spending beyond their means which has now snow balled into severe economic hardship for a huge number of people.

So what? What do these numbers mean to you and me?

It’s time for an American Revolution!

What are the problems? Anyone can look around and see.

As fewer jobs are available, the offerings are: declining wages, benefits and job security. Business as usual, isn’t working; trends in industry are changing. Revealing decades of increasing dissatisfaction with traditional employment leading to: Depression, Divorce, Childhood Delinquency, Violence and Sustainability concerns.

We are being guided to rethink how we work, live, play and learn.

Those that survived the Great Depression, made changes.

If we are to head off this Recession, we too must make changes.

I believe the revolutionary catalyst is up to us!

It is time to once again stand for Freedom and Free Enterprise. Your satisfaction in life, shouldn’t be determined by someone else. We will become collaborative communities. Utilizing the power of networking, internet and e-commerce. Forming mini stock markets supported by our own associations. New industries are forming to create new opportunities. Work based on values of family, community, cooperation. I believe Self Employment is our new future. We can and should empower what we possess. Intellectual Capital and a Wealth of Resources. We must utilize them as best we can. Your greatest opportunity for wealth lies in Self Employment. Working for someone else is never going to meet your needs. And contrarily, is showing signs of deficit everywhere. Bigger TV’s and overflowing landfills won’t satisfy you. Building a community of avid supporters, can.

Conversely, we have social and intellectual capital. I believe we are shifting toward greater responsibility for our lives and the lives of others. Common communities, self employment, empowerment and enhanced awareness. This great shift requires guidance, concern for others, a sense of community, education and motivation. Most of us didn’t learn those skills from traditional work places. Instead we learned complacency, stifled creativity; we became discouraged and too self serving.

Building a Tribe

Networking, Social Networking, Classes, Seminars, Workshops abound. While many advise that these programs are helpful, I have to wonder how effective they really are. People are spending money to participate but aren’t fully capitalizing on the tools. My recent observations indicate most people (95%!) don’t follow up with the contacts they meet. Nor are they implementing the programs they’ve paid for; books and tapes sit idle on bookshelves. I conclude, a tribe based, word of mouth, referral marketing concept is a better option.

Win-Win Marketing Plan ~ Playing It Forward

This is my idea for a stimulus plan ~ How can I help you? How can you help others?

We’ve been taught that small business owners must wear a variety of hats to succeed. Yet, we came from employment where we specialized our efforts, learning to do less and less. Many small business owners don’t have experience in many of the foundational structures necessary for success and often don’t have the time to learn them either. Usually, the cost in lost time and money toward this effort is exponentially higher than hiring someone else to do it. I contend that focusing is more critical to your success than trying to learn everything yourself. I suggest utilizing your networking efforts to build a tribe who compliments and supports what you do.

Here’s a practical example: A restaurant owner makes money selling food and that is what he should work on. If he spends an hour doing his own bookkeeping , he is wasting his valuable time. Instead he could write a new ad campaign that would bring in business. Let’s say his average ticket price is $35 and with the ad, he brought in 10 new customers; he made $350. Paying a bookkeeper instead, costs him around $45. It’s a smarter way to work. In turn, he can also gain another customer. The bookkeeper, now a part of his network tribe, gets offered a 10% discount and becomes a reciprocal alliance. While I’ve used bookkeeping as an example, it is easy to apply this concept over a multitude of models. The most successful entrepreneurs focus on their product and hire others for the rest. Also, you can offer and utilize barter to build your network and grow your business. This creates a win-win for everyone!

Large numbers of previously employed persons are entering the marketplace uncertain where they will go next. It is up to us to help them make the transition. Support small business, talk to them about the opportunities, inspire their creativity and reignite their motivation. Let create a sustainable economy ~ we can do it, one business at a time.

“We” own this country and proudly so. If you won’t fight for it now, when will you? Difficult times call for leaders. Will you stand up and be counted? Are you willing to make a difference? What can YOU do today to make the world a better place? What can you do to help rebuild our economy? I think the answers are many and hope the leaders are too. The time is now. We are dependent upon and counting on every bit of effort you can muster.

As I previously mentioned, I study trends and have a good sense of making sense of them. I hear a lot of people talk about the recession as being something we shouldn’t spend much time worrying about. They claim that they’ve lived through one before and they will get through this one. And while I appreciate the positive attitude, it is a little too rosy-colored for my eyes. I’ve also mentioned how I can readily see the similarities between the Great Depression and our current recession.

For the first time in American history our economy has declined in three major sectors: 1) The Financial World 2) Construction/RE and 3) the Auto Industry. During any previous recession, only two were impacted. We now have instability in three of them and many other major corporations are failing as well. As seventy-five to ninety percent of your income filters through these sectors, whether you truly realize this or not, these changes are affecting you and are projected to continue to do so, in very significant ways.

The world of finance is revealing the worst crisis since 1930. Housing markets project statistics which remain flat for the next several years. It is further speculated that within the next two to three years, twenty percent of homes will be vacant and we will move back into multi-family living situations. General Motors, the second largest auto manufacturer in the world, lagging only slightly behind Toyota, is in dire economic instability. And it is further predicted that roughly fifty percent of all auto manufacturers will phase out in the next few years. It is also projected that many large corporations will also close their doors. Most of the shopping malls in America are owned by three large corporate entities, of which one, is already folding.

Unemployment is being predicted (by top economists whom for the first time in ages, agree in unison) to increase by another 78-80 million by year end! Do you realize that is twenty-five percent of the US population? And for those that are currently employed, ninety-five percent of the population is in debt. Depression, Divorce and Violence are also statistically on the rise.

Four or five months ago, our economic recession was projected to last four to five years. Seven or eight months ago, it was seven or eight years. As of last month, the projection has climbed to a twelve to fifteen year period and there is talk of our economy going into another depression.

I realize we don’t want to hear anymore. But we must listen up! We are by nature, resistant and afraid to make changes. The unknown can be scary but it can also be a time of great opportunity. The structures with which we have learned to live in, are no longer serving us well. We cannot continue to wait for something to happen. WE have to begin making changes.

Recession can also be a good thing, as it thins out the garden. Some of the greatest things happen in decline. Innovations and new opportunities present themselves out of a necessity for survival. We got lost along the path we rode through the Golden Ages. It’s time to create a new path to walk on.

We are a country that stands for freedom and free enterprise. Jobs do not support either of these premises, not really, not anymore. When was the last time you worked for someone else and honestly believed you were paid what you were worth?

So in looking back, we can use that information to forge ahead. How did we pull out of the depression? We shared, we sacrificed and we invested in our people. We had a mind set of a shared stake. We collaborated for a common cause. Our Nation.

We cannot and should not sit by and hope or expect government to bail us out. By and large, we don’t agree with corporate bailout so why should we expect a bailout plan for ourselves? It isn’t possible and it isn’t the role of government. We must create our own efficient markets and insist upon our independence. We must enact local movements and mobilization strategies to take care of our country and its citizens. It is again time to support our country’s entrepreneurial spirit and invest in free enterprise and each other. Corporations have been in control because we let them. We supported them by showing up to work every day. We traded our control and freedom for a diminishing paycheck and a few benefits. They made huge profits and paid their stockholders handsomely while we continued to work for less and less. We need to choose freedom. We must create the solutions we need to sustain our economy.

It is time for an economic revolution! Every individual in America needs to do their part to help keep our country, the greatest country in the world. We have the resources and intellectual property to do it and we need to do it now!

I just joined this great new website, called Dibspace. It’s like bartering but 1.5 billion times better. Dibspace is designed to help small businesses thrive, even in this economy.

1. Fill out your profile
2. Add some offers (Get 10 Dibits per offer listed)
3. Dib some offers

Please use the link below so they know I referred you!

https://www.dibspace.com/?referral_code=e244b212d652b856fcf0bb72a0edb132ceac4e45

We live in a time of massive institutional failure, collectively creating results that nobody wants. Climate change. AIDS. Hunger. Poverty. Violence. Terrorism. Destruction of communities, nature, life – the foundations of our social, economic, ecological, and spiritual well-being. This time calls for a new consciousness and a new collective leadership capacity to meet challenges in a more conscious, intentional, and strategic way. The development of such a capacity will allow us to create a future of greater possibility. (Taken in part from Theory U: Leading from the Future as It Emerges; Cambridge, MA: Society for Organizational Learning, 2007)

We are being sensitized by the impact of mass media’s bombardment of doom and gloom which is streaming into our lives. I perceive the current malaise and its accompanying anxiety to be our call to action. I sense we are moving toward a great social shift. Many of you, feel it too. We are being called to take immediate corrective steps in the way we connect ~ socially, economically, ecologically and spiritually. We all rationalize that social change takes time yet I cannot help but respond by envisioning an immediate revolution. And aren’t most revolutions imparted upon because of our intrinsic desire to survive?

If we are to survive our current economic climate, we are mandated to make changes. And I think we are being called upon to do them swiftly. We cannot wait for someone else to take the lead. Our current situation is calling upon us, even those that never ventured to lead before, to do it now. We must proactively create a new system of economy built on community and earth friendly values. We can re-create economies of scaled proportions that are far more beneficial to society at large. I contend that by focusing in on specific directives and banding together with others that share your interests, we can live more meaningful and productive lives. Therein, societies have the potential to become healthier overall.

So, how do we do that? We must be willing to take risks. We must be willing to give. We must be willing to ask for and accept help. We must be willing to work with others. And we must comprehend and embrace the essence of knowing that our survival depends upon the survival of others. It is this new collaborative and collective society which begs our attention.

We are purportedly the richest country in the world. If this is in fact true, there is no lack of resources but rather, I conjecture, a potential lack of spirit. And I personally believe this our greatest hindrance. Have we become so disconnected in our individual pursuits of success, that we have failed to sustain others and thereby ourselves as well?

Is it in fact a calling for a new social order? I believe it is. What do you think? What can you do to make a difference? And will you do it?

Eighty years ago…The Great Depression was a worldwide economic downturn starting in most places in 1929…It was the largest and most important economic depression in the 20th century, and is used in the 21st century as an example of how far the world’s economy can fall. The depression had devastating effects in virtually every country, rich or poor. International trade plunged by half to two-thirds, as did personal income, tax revenue, prices and profits. Cities all around the world were hit hard, especially those dependent on heavy industry. Construction was virtually halted in many countries. Farming and rural areas suffered as crop prices fell by roughly 60 percent. Facing plummeting demand with few alternate sources of jobs, areas dependent on primary sector industries such as farming, mining and logging suffered the most. However, even shortly after the Wall Street Crash of 1929, optimism persisted; John D. Rockefeller said that “These are days when many are discouraged. In the 93 years of my life, depressions have come and gone. Prosperity has always returned and will again.” Excerpted from Wikipedia.

Meanwhile…Roosevelt created the New Deal to provide relief for the unemployed, recovery of the economy, and reform of the economic and banking systems, through various agencies, such as the Works Project Administration (WPA), National Recovery Administration (NRA), and the Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA). Excerpted from Wikipedia. Interesting.

Yes, we seem to have a bit of a problem! Problems need solutions. The question is: where are we going and how are we going to get there?

I believe it is time for another great shift. People need to adjust and learn how to survive and thrive in this new environment. It is my vision that the new environment is smaller, local, sustainable communities of self-employed entrepreneurs. This is where business is heading and save therefrom major service providers like banks, insurance companies, ISP and software providers, etc., Corporate life as we knew it, is phasing out. No more salaries, retirement plans and jobs with benefits. Like Roosevelt, President Obama is creating similar stimulus programs and strongly advocating national health care. Quite similar to the events of the depression. Self employment is currently a growing market. And I, like JDR, believe in prosperity. And that it works on the principle of FLOW…

You cannot afford to wait for someone to fix your problems. Take charge of your life and empower yourself and the time to do it is NOW! I realize this is scary for anyone that hasn’t already taken the leap into self employment. I understand you might think that you do not have the skills or experience to do it. And like Martin Luther King, Jr., “I have a dream … We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”

I am currently putting together the Action Biz Concept and invite you to join me. I have a plan for how to get us through these difficult times. The premise is simple. How can I help you? And better yet how can we all help each other? I am building momentum and will continue to post updates. I am in search of small business owners that have a need. I support the premise that you spend more money trying to wear all the hats than you do if you focus, really focus, on the area of your expertise. Stimulate the economy by co-supporting your ‘network’ via local, personal alliance partners for consumer goods (discretionary income). I believe collectively and collaboratively, WE ARE THE SOLUTION! “I want to be the change I want to see in the world.” Quoted from Mahatma Ghandi. And I want to empower you to do it also!

Be Well & Prosper! Let Me Help!
http://biznik.com/members/lisa-hanna
http://www.linkedin.com/in/actionbookkeepingco

I have been servicing the Portland Metro area for over 25 years. I’ve had some of the best clients and mentors imaginable and I am connected to some of the most extraordinary service providers around. My network is awesome! I’ve gained a world of tips and tricks and know how to turn that information to your benefit. I am also a referral magnate!

So how does this benefit you and why would you want to meet me?

Besides being personable and cute (ha!), my life’s passion is your profits and I have the references to prove it! I partner cents and sensibility to help businesses do what they do best, better! I offer complimentary initial consultations so we can see if we mesh and determine what I can, specifically, do for you. I provide contract bookkeeping services (The Mistress of Money) and/or management consulting services. I have worked within organizations to analyze, define/design and implement strategies for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness (The Mole). But most importantly, I have the skills, experiences and resources to help grow your business, reduce costs and increase revenues and net profits! And honestly, who isn’t looking for that?

Some of my ‘feather in the hat’ accomplishments include:

helped grow a construction co from $1 mil to $2 mil in less than a year – was promoted from Accounting to Vice President

helped grow a cabinet shop from $600K to $1.2 mil in less than a year – increased revenues brought health ins to employees

saved a client $10K in insurance premiums

saved a client $40K in WA sales taxes

installed and implemented new accounting software programs ~ dozens of times; including training in-house staff on its operation

designed and implemented marketing strategies for increased revenues

brought in a $70K contract for a landscape company

developed employee and hazard communications manuals ~ many times including topics for safety meetings

helped clients put together legal documents such as Corporate Buy-Sell Agreements, Proposals and Contracts and even Wills

developed self-directed work teams

coached direct marketers to success

helped new franchisee owners setup systems for success

co-created a multi-state, multi-entity realty program specializing in helping people in foreclosure

worked in mediation for a number of years both in-house and as a community volunteer

managed a bakery from local to national in less than ninety days and cleared $100K of debt

helped individuals identify over looked tax deductions

helped households with personal financial record keeping/bill pay

~These are just highlights…I really am, uber experienced!~

I provide consulting and coaching services and will soon be expanding into classes and workshops. I can connect you to vendors that provide services at exceptionally competitive price points. And as far as referrals go, here’s a recent example: I met an associate yesterday and passed along 31 (wow!) warm, fuzzy names and numbers! This may not be an every day example but it does show I genuinely care about others’ success!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. I can be reached at Lisa Hanna 503-515-1568 or via email: info@actionbookkeepingco.com or you may even bump into me at a Biznik event. I look forward to meeting you!

Be Well and Prosper! Let me help!
http://biznik.com/members/lisa-hanna
http://www.linkedin.com/in/actionbookkeepingco