Hartman Inventory Blog

Our son thinks of us even when he's on vacation

2009-07-09T08:49:00.000-04:00

Our youngest son is vacationing in Alabama with his family and enjoying the beach, pool and 100+ degree weather. Here's a voice mail he left on my phone a couple days ago ... "Hey mom and dad, Jill and I are watching the news and there's an Allstate Agent, Scott Soulant, on Fox 10, telling people how they need an inventory." (Yes, Brian is that detailed when he tells stories. He even spelled out Soulant in case we wanted to look him up.)

He went on to say, "This agent said you need to have pictures and a written list of the items in your house in case of a disaster; he even said you should write down the serial numbers and model numbers. It sounds like he's talking about you guys. Just wanted you to know that even insurance agents are telling people they need an inventory. Sorry I missed you, see ya in a few days. Oh! One more thing...thanks for doing our inventory of our house, and for bugging me to get the updates to you. We'll do that when we get back."

Oh, the friends we meet

2009-07-08T11:01:00.000-04:00

When we provide our home inventory service, we quite often feel that we have made new a new friend. But last week we developed a special fondness for Wilson.

When we arrived, he welcomed us with such enthusiasm you'd think we were long lost friends! We took time for our normal pleasantries and he seemed to really enjoy that. When it was time to get to work, he followed us throughout the house, watching everything we did. We don't mind that, and always invited our customers to be with us the entire time. Wilson was very quiet and never got in our way. Most of the time he just sat and watched as we moved about documenting the personal property, logging serial numbers and model numbers, counting the clothes, the CDs, the DVDs, etc.

It can be quite boring watching us work, and a few times we saw him taking a cat nap. But, once we headed to another room, along he came. A couple hours later, when it was time for us to leave, he walked us out the front door and even onto the sidewalk! I was beginning to think he was just going to come home with us. So, we stopped walking, said goodbye once more, and started towards the car. Again, he started walking with us!

At that point, though, his owner called him back to the house. We gave Wilson one more pat on the head, knowing this time, for sure, we have a new-found friend!

If you haven't done it by now...

2009-07-07T07:48:00.000-04:00

Our guest today is Bill Suffel, owner of Bill's Alignment and Automotive Service. Since 1989, he has been known for his excellent customer service. An extremely busy man, Bill also is the owner of a second business and is an elected Speedway, Indiana, Town Councilor.

Without the help of the inventory records Hartman Inventory provided for me, the insurance settlement would not have been close to what I received.

I was burglarized and really struggled remembering what I had. I spent months walking through the house, trying to remember what - if anything - was missing from each room. I'm still remembering items that weren't part of the claim.

I knew the only way I'd ever get a reasonable insurance settlement if I had another loss was to inventory all my items. Since my time is spent running two businesses, I knew I would not get around to doing the inventories for both companies and my home any time soon. So that’s why I called the Hartmans. Had I waited until I had the time to do it myself, it would have been a huge mistake!

A few months after my inventory service, I was burglarized again. This time, it was much easier to remember what was missing. The task of filing the claim took just a few hours instead of the months it took me the first time. My time is valuable, and so are the things I own. The inventory documents saved me time, and helped me recover financially!

I can tell you, if you haven't done it yourself by now, you probably won't. Call them before you are the one spending months trying to receive an acceptable insurance claim.

Bill's Alignment and Automotive Service - 2950 Formula Alley Way 46222 - 317.923.2757

Business exit plan: Paul Simon had the right idea

2009-07-06T07:15:00.004-04:00

T. Ray Phillips graduated in 1991 from De Pauw University with a Bachelors of Arts Degree and a major in Economics. He spent 4 1/2 years in the field of health insurance sales after graduation and consistently finished among the top 25 producers nationwide for Reserve National Insurance, Co.

Mr. Phillips shifted his practice to investment and insurance portfolio analysis and design associated with the Indianapolis Financial Group in 1996. In December 1998, the company that is now The Family Business Legacy Co, LLC was created to work primarily with the privately held and family-owned business. In 2002, T. Ray earned his Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation, and in 2004 became the first person in Indiana and one of less than 500 individuals nationwide to earn the Certified Family Business Specialist (CFBS) designation. Concurrent with the CFBS, he also earned his Graduate Certificate in Business Succession Planning. All of these designations are from the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA. In 2007, he earned the Accredited Estate Planner designation (AEP) and is currently finishing his Board Certification in Estate Planning (BCE) designation.

(317) 208-6312 ~ trphillips@finsvcs.com

According to Paul Simon, there are 50 ways to leave a lover. Not being as creative as Mr. Simon, we’ve only come up with eight ways for owners to leave their companies.

Transfer the company to a family member;
Sell the business to one or more key employees;
Sell to key employees using an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP);
Sell the business to one or more co-owners;
Sell to an outside third party;
Engage in an Initial Public Offering;
Retain ownership but become a passive owner; and
Liquidate.

Given the right circumstances, one of these paths may be the appropriate for you. The process of determining exactly which path is best may present an obstacle that many owners may choose to avoid. If, however, you wish to "leave your business in style," you should work through a three-step process of selecting your path. During this process you will synthesize or harmonize your exit objectives with the characteristics and capabilities of your company as well as with the external realities of the marketplace. Establishing thoughtful objectives is the first step of your Exit Plan. Doing so well in advance of your departure gives you and your advisors the time necessary to help make your goal a reality. In essence, you need to “Take Inventory” of where you are and where you want to go.

Choosing a Path - Step One. First, you, as an owner and with the help of your advisors, identify your most important Exit objectives. These objectives are both financial - "How much money will I need from the transfer of the business to assure my and my family’s financial security?"- and non-financial -"I want the company to stay in the family," or "I want to remain involved." Internal and external considerations impact an owner’s choice of exit path. For example, the owner who wishes to transfer the business for cash, but is unwilling to throw his company's and his employees' fates on an unknown third party, may decide that an ESOP or carefully-designed sale to his key employee group is the best exit route. External considerations that may impact the choice of exit path are: business, market or financial conditions. For example, the option of selling your business for cash to an outside buyer may be eliminated because of the anemic state of the M&A market.

Step Two. As you develop consistent objectives and motives, you then must value your company and determine its marketability. This analysis usually provides further direction and can eliminate potential exit paths. Once again, a detailed “inventory” of your business that creates it’s value is critical. For example, if the value of a company is high and its marketability is low (perhaps because of the depressed state of the M&A market), an owner may decide that a sale of the business to an outside party is impractical. Instead, selling to an "insider" (co-owner, family member or employee) may be a better option.

Step Three. The final step in choosing a path is to evaluate the tax consequences of various exit paths. This evaluation will include factors such as form of business entity as well as any changes that must be made. Again, if a sale to a third party would likely mean a sale of assets and the company is a "C" corporation, the adverse tax consequences indicate a sale via an ESOP might be an appropriate choice. Using this three-step process, owners can help narrow the list of exit routes. If more than one route remains, owners and their advisors must conduct open and frank discussions based on realistic possibilities to determine which path to take and when. Make sure your Team of Advisors knows the pros and cons of each exit path.

As you’ve noticed, I’ve referenced “inventory” throughout the article. That parallel reference is intentional as it relates to what Hartman Inventory should be doing for your business and home. Continuity planning is key in times of surprise events. Entrepreneurs have very little time to spare. Without an updated inventory of what you or your business owns, when an insurance claim hits (storms, floods, fires, theft, etc), a lack of a valid inventory can cost you thousands of dollars of your money in addition to lost time trying to “prove” what you owned to insurance adjusters. Keep time on your side!

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article is general in nature and is not legal advice. For information regarding your particular situation, contact an attorney or tax advisor. This newsletter is believed to provide accurate and authoritative information related to the subject matter. The accuracy of the information is not guaranteed and is provided with the understanding that none of the providers of this newsletter, including Business Enterprise Institute, Inc., is rendering legal, accounting or tax advice. In specific cases, clients should consult their legal, accounting or tax advisors.

The example provided is hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. It includes fictitious names and does not represent any particular person or entity.
Financial Planning, Securities, & Investment Advisory services offered through MML Investors Services, Inc. 900 E. 96th St., Ste 300, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Phone (317) 469-9999. Please do not leave trade instructions over e-mail, as they cannot be processed.
Circular 230 Disclosure: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS under circular 230, we inform you that any U.S. Federal tax advice contained in this communication, unless otherwise specifically stated, was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (1) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (2) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any matters addressed herein.
C 2006 - 2009 Business Enterprise Institute, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Unfortunately, most take our freedom for granted

2009-07-04T10:01:00.003-04:00

Unfortunately, most of us (I must admit I am one) often take our great fortune of living in the United States for granted. It takes Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Flag Day and the 4th of July to remind us of the price of this freedom.

This rendition of God Bless America, and the video with it, brought tears to my eyes - tears of joy, tears of pride and tears of sadness for those who gave their life so we can celebrate this day.

Please take a moment to view this; I hope it gets the fire burning inside your heart like it did for me. I send out a big THANK YOU to those who have served and are serving us now.

4th of July trivia

2009-07-03T14:00:00.002-04:00

This weekend we will be celebrating the 4th of July. Picnics, fireworks, parades, barbecues, mini-vacations. It's a time to relax, enjoy family and friends, rejuvenate, and also remember exactly how important this day is.

Since we make lists of things for a living, of course we've created a list of interesting facts related to Independence Day (Census Bureau):

2.5 million: Estimated number of people living in this newly independent nation in 1776
304 million: Nation's population on July 4th, 2009
31: places with “liberty” in their name
31: places named "eagle"
12: places that have "independence" in their name
9: places adopted the name "freedom"
5: places in the country named America
1: place named "patriot" (Patriot, Indiana w/a population of 192

We are fortunate to live in this country that is not torn with war, that we can travel from state to state without barriers, that we can speak out against our government without being arrested (or worse). Our forefathers fought for this freedom, and gave us this independence, generations ago.

Let us all remember, while celebrating, that many people have given their life for our freedom in all the years since. May we all celebrate it, showing the respect and appreciation they each deserve!

"... and crown thy good with brotherhood; from sea to shining sea!"

Happy Independence Day!

Look at all that stuff!

2009-07-02T11:46:00.000-04:00

I was reading the contents of an estate sale recently. Some of the items were 19th Century Straight Razor Form Trade Sign, Tiger Maple Candle Box, Sword, Early Apothecary, Rare Treenware, Cast Iron Oil Chandeliers, Queen Anne Dining Chairs, Huge Mahogany Pedestal Table ...

I'm guessing you don't have many - if any - of these items in your home. But that doesn't make what you DO have less valuable to you. Think of having a disaster and not having a list of what you own. Would you be able to say how many clothes you have? What about listing your electronics, collectibles, appliances - even just your every day items? If you won't (and I'm positive you can't), then you'll not file a complete insurance claim.

Bottom line, you won't recover financially the way you should. Then, especially in these economic times, where will you get the money to replace what your insurance settlement didn't? Credit cards? Pull money from a retirement account? Kids' college fund? Ouch, ouch, and ouch again.

The holiday weekend is coming up. You'll probably have some down time. Create your inventory! Better yet, call us to provide the inventory service for you. Then, while you're partying, celebrating the 4th of July, or just relaxing in the back yard, we'll do your inventory for you. How's that for celebrating?

The mortgage is paid off!

2009-07-01T09:26:00.006-04:00

If you're one of the lucky ones who has paid off your mortgage, congratulations!

We have been asked if people still need homeowners insurance once they've paid their house off. The reason for the question is that there is no longer a mortgage company "demanding" you have insurance.

My answer is an emphatic "Yes, you still need insurance." When your car is paid off, you still need insurance. The same goes for your house.

The reason you should continue to insure your home is that you need to protect your investment. I'm confident that a tornado, hurricane, flood or fire will not only choose houses and businesses that have insurance!

The other part of the your homeowners policy is insuring the contents inside your home. You'll want that covered, too. And as you're deciding to keep your insurance, think about how much you are insuring. Don't have any idea what that dollar amount should be? An inventory will help you know so you aren't over- or under-insured. An inventory will also help you remember and prove ownership of your belongings if you do have that disaster.

As one of our customers says, "Without and inventory, your insurance premium is just another bill." Think about that for a moment. Makes sense, doesn't it?

With a contents inventory, you will be able to remember what you own(ed), prove the high end items, have serial numbers available, and ultimately maximize your claim, and recoup what you've lost. And you'll do it in a much shorter time than if you didn't have that information readily available.

Numbers, numbers, numbers

2009-06-30T11:47:00.000-04:00

We were in the middle of a home inventory at an insurance agent's house, and she was obviously listening to Mike reading off model and serial numbers to me as we documented her TV, DVD player, VHS player, CD player, digital camera and video camera. She said she never realized how many things had numbers on them.

I guess she wasn't around when we listed the numbers on the saws, drills, lawn mower, lawn trimmer, ladders, guns, kitchen appliances ... OK, you get the picture. And now, she does, too. It would be impossible to know all of this.

And that, of course, is why we do what we do.

Our turnkey package now includes professional coaching

2009-06-29T09:15:00.002-04:00

We have upgraded the Hartman Inventory Systems! Already a premier turnkey package, we have added a program that will help each Group Member achieve success even faster with their inventory service.

Often, no matter how confident someone is, there is a fear of not being successful. We want our Group Members to achieve their goals with the business and in their personal lives. So we've added a life/business coaching program.

J. Sewell Perkins, founder of Success Coaches Institute, has developed a course that is perfect for small business owners. In addition to the course, a one year membership to International Mastermind Group is included. Her personal mission statement is to make each life she touches better in some way for her having touched it. We're honored to be working with her.

We have the industry and business know-how, but J. S. will bring that other element – coaching to achieve belief in oneself, knowing what holds you back, and learning how to tackle those issues. We are extremely excited to be able to include this program, and to do so without increasing the cost of the Systems package.

In addition to the coaching program, some key elements the Hartman Inventory Systems turnkey package includes are:

hands-on training
equipment
manual w/downloadable templates
one-on-one mentoring and support
a complete marketing package (website, newsletter creation and distribution)
financing.

The personal property inventory service industry is growing. Our package allows for a quick start and continued growth. Ready to start your own business?

Global warming, climate changes - are you hot and cold about the issue?

2009-06-26T12:09:00.000-04:00

I've read articles stating that some scientists now believe that the change in the weather is not related to our life style. They reflect on the changes since the beginning of time, and believe it's just a natural happening. Based on a NASA website, the Great Lakes were created by a glacier that covered Canada and parts of the US. So, I think these scientists have a point when they say global warming is a natural progression.

But what does that have to do with inventories? No matter what we believe about global warming and the cause for the climate changes, the fact remains that we're experiencing more severe weather. Whether your home or business faces the possibilities of hurricanes, tornadoes, straight line winds, lightning strikes, wild fires or floods, there is a greater chance of it happening. Period.

This means that there is a greater need than ever to make sure you can recover properly if you experience a disaster. Our wish is that none of our customers ever need their information we documented (so far, unfortunately, 2 have). But our joy is knowing that what we do helped them file their claim faster and receive a greater settlement.

The rest of our customers have purchased piece of mind.

That warms our heart!
You won't be out in the cold financially.
It's nice to see that an inventory service is become a hot topic.
And that's a pretty cool thing, no?

I'm sure you're groaning by now.

When I invited all those firemen in

2009-06-25T08:12:00.002-04:00

"I didn't care about the clutter in my closet, the shoes all over the floor and the dishes in the sink when I invited all those firemen in to 'try' to save my house."

That was the message life and business coach J.Sewell Perkins (known as @TheSCICoach on Twitter) relayed to me a few days ago. She and I were talking about why people keep putting off the inventory once they've decided to purchase the service. The number one reason is wanting to clean the closets and cupboards first.

As soon as I made that statement, she urged ... recommended ... strongly encouraged ... and - yes - pushed me to continue to tell you why you need an inventory, and why you need it NOW. (Those of you who know her are not surprised that it wasn't just a soft suggestion.)

J.S. put off her inventory service because she didn't want others to see the less-than-perfect closet. The inventory service provider is a friend of hers, and didn't want to keep asking her "when" for fear of seeming pushy. Then, as you can imagine, she had a fire and wished she'd listened to her friend.

Her message is that there is never a right time except NOW. She eloquently told her story in our newsletter and blog a few months ago. She'll make you laugh; then pick up the phone and call so we can help you avoid the painful and costly mistake she made.

All is well that ends well

2009-06-24T07:18:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine works for a local police station. She told me of a theft report she was reading ... A man went to check on his mother-in-law's house (she was living with her daughter and son-in-law since her husband's death and was quite ill). When he arrived, he saw the back door was kick in. Going inside, it was obvious that things had been taken, because there were "empty spaces" throughout the house.

When the police asked for a list, they couldn't give them one. How could they know what was gone? How could they ever complete the police report? They realized that they could not and would face a total loss.

But wait! They remembered that her parents had an inventory completed a few years ago. Off to the bank, and sure enough, right there in the safe deposit box was the home inventory. Eureka! Police report filed. Insurance claim filed. Financial recovery!

More kudos for the insurance industry

2009-06-23T09:00:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to Janice Tomlinson, Chubb Insurance Vice President! She was recently named 2009's Insurance Woman of the Year by the Association of Professional Insurance Women.

It was interesting reading the article about her award, because we are very proud to be affiliated with this insurance company. Hartman Inventory is a preferred vendor for Chubb's policyholders!

On a personal note, I'm pleased to see a woman achieve the "C" status. She can serve as a mentor and example for other women. It's also nice to hear that she respects and enjoys working there. Why? Because all too often today, people are not happy with their work environment. In her words, Chubb is a company that "... has always had a culture of being 'supportive and collaborative, and that makes a big difference.' ”

Very nice! Congratulations, Janice!

Kudos to Traveler's Insurance

2009-06-22T06:58:00.000-04:00

In the shadow of IAG, one insurance company really stands out. Travelers Insurance (along with Cisco), was selected to join the Dow Jones Industrial Average this month, after GM and Citigroup were removed.

Travelers' financial strength and dependability were cited. Kudos to Travelers!

By the way, they recommend that people have an inventory of the contents of their home and business!

Father's Day and all the 'boy toys'

2009-06-20T08:32:00.000-04:00

Resting in the hammock, not a care in the world - this sounds like a wonderful Father's day, doesn't it?

Besides the hammock, think of all the things Dad and all the other men in your life own. The sportsmen have golf clubs, hunting equipment, racquets for tennis and racquetball. Water lovers have waterboards, towable tubes and skis. Craftsmen are proud owners of their saws (sometimes 2 or 3 of the same kind), drills, nail guns, sanders, polishers and tool chests full of hand tools. Then there's the lawn aficionado who has trimmers, edgers, seeders, clippers and a top of the line lawn mower.

While you have the camera out celebrating Father's Day, take photos and list the serial numbers and model numbers of all the 'boy toys'. But don't stop there. Keep going throughout the house, garage, and shed and do a complete home inventory.

You'll want to remember all of these items if you have a theft, fire or natural disaster. It would cost you a small (or large) fortune if you can't remember to list each on the insurance claim. Once you have that inventory completed, on Father's Day - and every day thereafter - he can rest in the hammock and have peace of mind. Now that's a gift that lasts a lifetime!

Claim time is not the time

2009-06-19T11:54:00.001-04:00

Karen Ratliff is an agent for State Farm. Her office provides Auto, Home, Life, Health and Business Insurance. In addition, they also have solutions for your financial services needs including retirement and bank. Their specialty is to provide individualized solutions specific to their client’s personal goals and dreams. They pride themselves on helping their clients become “Dream Achievers".

Claim time is not the time to start thinking about what you have lost. If someone has a claim, having a thorough inventory will be a good step in expediting the claim process. I recommend Hartman Inventory to my clients for the same reason that I hired them for my personal inventory. Many times people have the best intentions to complete their own home inventory but never get around to it or they don’t do a thorough job.

Hartman Inventory has a system in place that allows them to be very thorough and efficient. Mike and Cindy not only conducted a thorough inventory, they were also respectful of the fact that they were in my home and going through personal items. They showed great consideration. If I have the need to file a claim, I will be ready.

Wet spring can cause issues indoors

2009-06-19T07:15:00.001-04:00

Julie Hurst is the owner of American Mold Experts. They specialize in mold inspection, testing & non-destructive remediation. All staff is specially trained and holds industry certifications. The experts in the industry, their clients enjoy a 100% Money Back Guarantee so they know they will have restored comfort, health & confidence in their surroundings.

We’ve had a very wet spring here in central Indiana, which means possible indoor water issues. Though this newsletter usually discuss the many reasons you should have an inventory of the contents of your home or business, it’s important to understand the damage mold can cause to those items, and your health, as well.

Mold growth occurs and can cause damage when there is moisture from water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration or flooding. You can prevent damage to your home and furnishings, save money and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth.

Molds reproduce thousands of tiny spores invisible to the naked eye and float through your home. They produce allergens, irritants and in some cases toxic substances. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. Molds can cause asthma attacks and can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs. Those with chronic respiratory disease may experience difficulty breathing, and individuals with immune suppression may be at increased risk for infection. Black mold is greenish-black, and according to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) is responsible for over 100 cases of lung disorders.

Prevention Tips
- Keep humidity levels indoors between 40% and 60%
- Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier during humid months and in damp spaces
- Ensure there is adequate ventilation (exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms)
- Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside
- Clean bathroom with mold-killing products
- Do not use carpet in bathrooms
- Fix roof, walls or plumbing leaks
- Clean & dry out your home or business within 24-48 hours after flooding/major water leak
- Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that cannot be dried properly or quickly.

Cobbler and his kids

2009-06-18T07:42:00.000-04:00

"Cobbler's children have no shoes." My mom used that familiar saying when referring to a professional who didn't utilize his/her own services or product.

A professional who can fall into this category is insurance agents who do not have an inventory of their belongings. Most agents encourage their policyholders to create this document - photos and written record - in case of disaster. They know how difficult it is for their clients to recover without one. They know it's difficult to remember and prove what you own(ed). So why not have one? Just like most others, they just didn't have - or take - the time.

Recently we've provided our service for quite a few insurance agents' homes and offices. Some have said, "How can I expect my customers to have one when I don't have one myself?" It's called leading by example!

Our insurance agent/customers are no longer like the cobbler.

And, by the way, we count shoes!

Picking through a lifetime

2009-06-17T10:04:00.001-04:00

I read Joey Gibson's blog post titled Picking the bones at an estate sale. It's a very sad piece, noting how 2 people lived a life together and now it's come to an end. The children had an estate sale, disposing of their parents' lifetime of 'things' that had accumulated.

This can be a very tough, highly emotional time for everyone. We have a customer who just couldn't bring himself to document all the items as required for the estate settlement. Looking at, digging through and systematically listing all the contents of the house and garage was too overwhelming - and sad - for him.

Though we're known for documenting personal property for disaster preparedness, we find this other reason for a personal property inventory an equally important service. The executors have enough to do and they are relieved to have someone document the items and assign a fair market value to each piece.

We started our business with a purpose to help others recover from a disaster. Though we didn't think about estates at the time, we added this inventory service to help lessen the turmoil and emotional stress one goes through when losing a parent. We know we ease the pain just a little, and that is a great feeling!

It really bites when you have things stolen

2009-06-16T07:48:00.001-04:00

We photograph and count many unusual items when providing our inventory services. But I just had to chuckle at an article in yesterday's Indianapolis Star. It seems a Muncie, Indiana, man just can't control his temper. So, when he's mad at someone, he steals from them. In particular - their teeth!

I'm wondering if the victims of these crimes have photos of their teeth to prove ownership and help recover the right ones.

As I searched for an appropriate photo, I found this one - it's a pile of false teeth at London Transport. According to an article in the Telegraph.co.uk, if you want to recover your lost (or stolen) teeth, you're welcome to dig around and find yours.

Maybe a photo of your teeth - and everything else you own - isn't such a bad idea after all! ... Say cheese and smile!

Tragedy was averted

2009-06-15T09:00:00.003-04:00

Leo Quinn distributes a newsletter full of financial advice. My friend Neil Richmund, owner of Coffee News Indy, forwarded it on to me. Since one of the initiatives of this blog is to educate by telling real-life stories, I wanted to share it with you...

Tragedy was averted Saturday morning just two doors down from my parent's house. As my father went to bed around 1AM he noticed a bright light outside. A neighbor's house was on fire. He yelled to my mother to call 911 and headed outside. There was no sign of the neighbors by the time a police officer arrived.

The officer broke in the back but was stopped by the smoke and fire. He was able to get in the front and got them out. Even though the fire burned not 10 feet from where they slept, they heard nothing. Luckily the fire was put out quickly and actual fire damage was limited to the back 1/4 of the house. Soot and smoke damage, however, was everywhere.

A couple lessons we can all take from this: 1) Make sure your smoke detectors WORK! and 2) Check your homeowners/rental insurance. Make sure your insurance covers replacement value without factoring in depreciation factor. If you need to make a claim, calculating depreciation just adds to the hassle.

I have a third item to add to his suggestions ... have an inventory of the contents in your home and/or business. This information will maximize your claim and lessen the turmoil of trying to remember and prove everything that is now gone!

First impressions

2009-06-12T10:00:00.003-04:00

We've all heard about making a great first impression, and the negatives that happen when you don't. Our clothing, spoken words, body language and attitude are all scrutinized when we meet others. And we, in turn, evaluate them. This is happening at social get-togethers, business meetings and networking events - just about anywhere you meet others.

Should you care what others think? Does it matter? Well, yes, when it comes to the business world, especially. It matters when you're trying to make a sale to a law firm and you show up for the meeting in shorts and a t-shirt, while the competition shows up in a 3-piece suit. It matters when you're a business owner and you know that your personal image ties into the business image.

But I believe that all this doesn't matter unless you give the correct 1st impression to the most important person in your life. That one person's opinion that matters more than anyone else, is you. Your impression of yourself is what will determine what happens that day!

Each day is a new day, and each day you can give yourself the "right" impression, which is determined by you. Whether you're a sales person, business owner or stay-at-home mom, you must be true to yourself. If you're being something different to impress others, or give an impression you think they want to see, you're accomplishing nothing in the long term.

You don't need another person's opinion when you know yourself. When you reach that, you have the confidence to be who you are. You'll be happy and content with what you see in the mirror each morning, and the impression you leave with others is exactly what and who you are.

But, what if someone doesn't like your clothing? What if they don't like your hair? So what? When you're happy with who you are, you're going to be OK when people don't get the "right" 1st impression. Because who says what's right and what's wrong? You won't be living by another person's standard, you'll be living by your own. And when you are true to yourself, you're giving the "right" 1st impression.

Looking at cold calls a new way

2009-06-11T13:06:00.004-04:00

Like most sales people (business owners included), cold calls rank high on the list of things we hate to do. Though most of our business comes through referrals, we do have to make cold calls also.

I have avoided making them as much as possible. Until recently. I watched a video by Bill Bartmann on iLearning Global that helped me change my thought process.

When we think of "cold", we pull in, take a defensive stand, cross arms and shiver. Now, what a way to create a negative attitude for yourself just before making a phone call! To someone you're hoping will become a customer! And we all wonder why cold calls don't work?!?

How would you like to change that "cold" attitude? Put yourself in a position of anticipation for new business! Make "new" calls. The word "new" allows you to feel open, excited and in anticipation of new things. You'll be in a much better frame of mind, and that frame of mind brings a positive attitude with it. So, as Bartmann says, think of your "cold" calls as "new" calls. It's all in your head. Change the way you look at things, and you'll change what you expect. Change what you expect, and you'll change the results.

Now, pick up the phone and make some "new" calls!

How much is too much?

2009-06-10T07:30:00.000-04:00

There are 3 major components when it comes to disaster preparedness/recovery. Insurance, an inventory and a security system. Often people are overwhelmed with all the options they have when choosing the right security system for their home or business. Being educated before talking to the security system company can be instrumental when choose what's right for YOU.

In his recent post, Rhett Cochran of General Alarm offers some great information on home and business security. Check it out.