June 2, 2008

How to escape "must-opia" when starting your business

When you're bombarded with well-meaning advice considered "critical" for new start-ups, it's hard to know what will help your bottom line. Here are 10 "musts" that are really "maybe's" when starting your own business.

1. You must have a unique idea. You can be creative and have a successful business without re-inventing the wheel. Try:

a. a high-end or cheaper version of a current product/serviceb. improving a current product/servicec. a different spin on a current product/service. One company re-packaged work boots and tool belts to target women - by making them pink!

2. You must have a complete business plan. A brief outline of your services, ideal clients, marketing plan, operations and budget is usually enough for a sole proprietor to get started. 3 - 6 months later you can make changes - which you would do anyway with a completed business plan.

3. You must do everything yourself. You'll probably have more time than money at first, but you can still use both wisely. Find new technology, free resources and/or hire a virtual assistant to dedicate as much time as possible on marketing and billable tasks.

4. You must make cold calls to get clients. If you hate cold calling, don't do it! Out of 50 marketing techniques, put enthusiasm into the remaining 49. Focus on your strengths and track the results for the most profitable activities.

5. You must spend 1,000's of dollars on a logo and business cards. Start off with more affordable materials that still look professional and allow you to start up quickly. After 6 months you'll be clearer on your services, target market and position in the industry; even your business name may change! Waiting a few months allows you to make a wiser investment.6. You must advertise where your competitors do. Your competitors already have the advantage of name recognition. As a new business, advertising may turn out to be expensive with low results. Promote your business in unexpected ways to help you stand out from competitors.

7. You must be in business for years to charge the market rate. Large companies can afford to under-cut the market price; small businesses rarely profit with this approach. Start pricing in the mid-range or slightly higher, leveraging the benefits of your smaller size. Putting more emphasis on your value and less on the price builds a better business.

8. You must offer discounts to get clients. Why cheapen your brand just as your building it? Here are other ways to build clientele:

a. Offer a bonus as a "limited-time offer" to add value rather than reduce your feesb. Do a small free job for a high-profile company. Their testimonial goes a long way in attracting quality clients. c. Target a higher end of clientele. They may have a "you-get-what- you-pay-for" mentality that sends them running from low prices.

9. You must offer as many options/services as possible. Just because you can provide 20 different services doesn't mean you should! Go "wide" with one or two services to many industries, or go "deep" with several services to a few industries. Either approach is a great start.

10. You must take every client who approaches you. Prospects who are overly demanding yet ask for discounts, pump you for information yet haven't hired you, or are rude or seem shady aren't worth the trouble. Trust your judgement and pursue clients you can take seriously.

Your #1 priority is to prospect for business and provide the best service you can at a profitable rate. Follow advice that works for you and the rest will fall into place!

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©Copyright 2008 Sheryl Mitchell, Joe Startup. Sheryl Mitchell is the Director at Joe Startup - Helping small businesses start up without slowing down!

Joe Startup combines your vision, the needs of your clients and our expertise to create distinct marketing pieces - taking your business from the start-up level to the blow up level! Choose from all-in-one launch packages or individual services geared to entrepreneurs and freelance professionals.

Sign up for free tips, trends and techniques for building your business at http://www.joestartup.com!

How to escape "must-opia" June 2, 2008 info@JoeStartup.comPage 2 of 2 www.JoeStartup.com

April 18, 2008

Is your business card costing you business?By Sheryl Mitchell

Your business card is the most practical and personal tool to promote your product or service. Here are 15 unspoken ways your business card can hurt your business.

1. DIY business cards. Perforated edges, thin card stock and ink that bleeds say "amateur" before your card is even read. Invest in professional printing and have your business taken more seriously.

2. Unique card stock. Cards made of plastic, highly-textured materials and other unique materials are eye-catching, but if they are oversized or you can't write on them, that cool card may be discarded.

3. Colour selection. Too many colours with too much contrast overwhelms your information. Choose colours that harmonize and are appropriate to your industry.

4. Font uses. Too many fonts styles, sizes and formats take away from a professional image. Try to limit your fonts to no more than two for a polished look.

5. Typing errors. Spelling errors imply you don't pay attention to details! Have someone proofread your card - and test your email and phone number too! You may have looked at it too often to notice errors.

6. Irrelevant images. If the image doesn't connect with your client, convey an attribute of your service, or have some relevance to you or your business name, it's time to change it!

7. Cluttered info. Too much information takes the eye everywhere and nowhere at once. Use an attractive, flowing layout with "white" space for a greater impact.

8. Missing tagline. A benefit statement captures your offer and distinguishes you from your competitors. Give people a reason to choose you over all the others!

9. Business type is unclear. Unique business names are great for branding, but a business card without a description of your services, industry or tagline, your company may be forgotten.

10. Multiple businesses on one card. It's great that you design websites AND manage investments, but having both on the same card can discredit you. Invest in your livelihood and create separate business cards.

11. Missing email address. Even if you aren't web savvy, some of your best clients might be! Make it as convenient as possible for everyone to contact you.

12. Written info. Manually updating your card with a pen or label is convenient for you, but implies you take short cuts in your business! Instead, request their contact info and send a fresh one by mail - and throw in a brochure as well.

13. Recycling cards. Saying "Ignore what I wrote - I no longer need it" doesn't make anyone feel special! Everyone you meet deserves a clean card.

14. Stained or dog-eared condition. If your wallet is stuffed out of shape, keep your cards pristine in a business card holder. Take pride in your business!

15. Nothing of value to the recipient. Referring to a free article, a list of benefits or some useful tips on the back of your card encourages people to make that first call.

Details stand out more than you think! Just like a sharp suit and clean shoes, your business card should convey a positive image. Use these tips to create a card as professional as you are!

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Sheryl Mitchell c/o RubyBloom

Positive Relationships - Positive Attitude - Positive Change

www.exceleducationalgroup.com

Ph: 416-274-9494

10 SIGNS YOUR CHILD

IS SMARTER THAN YOU THINK Eleanor McIntosh, Founder of Excel Educational Group

Not all challenges in school are academic. There could be avoidance issues,

internal/external distractions, different learning styles or unresolved challenges that

hamper your child's success.

Regardless of their current level at school, your son or daughter may not be reaching

their highest potential. Here are a few signs to watch for:

1) GRADE REPORTS BELOW THE MINISTRY STANDARD

Poor achievement on evaluations (i.e. tests,

assignments, projects) that is a "D", Level 1 or lower

are 2 levels below the Ministry of Education

standard and is a sign that a child needs additional

help. Not only does this limit their admission to

college, university and other schools, it limits their

career choices and ability to function in society.

Do whatever you can to equip children with the

foundation they need to pursue their goals in life.

2) PUTTING OFF ASSIGNMENTS

Many kids dislike homework, but is your son or daughter putting it off because

they'd rather play, or because they feel they can't do it? It's hard to tell without

researching further. Regardless - avoidance undermines their success. Make

sure your children have the right tools to tackle their assignments year round and

beyond.

Positive Relationships - Positive Attitude - Positive Change

www.exceleducationalgroup.com

Ph: 416-274-9494

3) BEHAVIOURAL CONCERNS AT SCHOOL

You may know a child that acts up in class - but do you know why? A major

reason for disruptions is their lack of understanding the content and material

presented. Combined with a child's initial lack of interest in a subject and an

energetic personality, a few random outbursts can lead into a long-term habit;

often involving other students as well. Continuous office referrals and phone calls

home can be minimized with a bit more guidance and one-on-one attention.

Get to the root of the problem and watch your children flourish!

4) NO HOMEWORK/HOMEWORK IS ALWAYS DONE

Some subjects definitely require less homework than others, but unless your son or

daughter already has a high aptitude for that concept, continuous learning

benefits everyone regardless of their level of achievement. Follow up more often

with your child to see if in fact the homework is complete, or if there is some

other reason why they may appear to avoid assignments outside of school hours.

5) THEY RESPOND WELL ONE-ON-ONE

Large classroom sizes, study groups or tutoring

"classes" can make it difficult for your child to get

the attention they deserve. Even one setback in

one part of the curriculum limits their progress for

the entire term and discourages them from

trying. Children that respond well in private

sessions have their mistakes corrected quickly

and ultimately have better long-term results.

6) BLAMING THE TEACHER FOR THEIR LACK OF SUCCESS

Believing the "teacher does not like them" is one way a child may confuse the

true reasons why their marks are suffering. Children may say things like "they

don't teach well", "the teacher is boring" or "the teacher picks on me". Your son

or daughter's learning doesn't have to begin and end with their teacher! Take

the time to speak with your child, their teacher and/or a tutor to look beyond the

personal remarks and work through the main issues slowing down their progress.

Positive Relationships - Positive Attitude - Positive Change

www.exceleducationalgroup.com

Ph: 416-274-9494

7) POOR PERFORMANCE IN MULTIPLE CLASSES

If your child is performing poorly in several classes, there may be some learning

difficulties, self-esteem issues or other internal/external barriers affecting their

ability to learn. This is impossible to determine without

further exploration. Teachers and/or tutors from the

past may have been able to get your child through

one test or one class, but may not have had the time

or expertise to get to the root cause. Ensure your

child is getting the right treatment for the right issue -

before it gets worse.

8) POOR ATTENDANCE/SKIPPING CLASS

Ongoing attendance issues and/or limited class participation are signs that

changes are needed. This is extremely damaging for your child's education as

the teacher cannot assess or guide children that don't show up!

Your son or daughter may respond better to a more engaging

and interactive delivery style than a classroom of 30 students

can provide. Some children may have ineffective note-taking

skills or difficulties concentrating, increasing the chances they'll

skip examinations and assessments. On your child or student's

next report card, check for poor attendance that correlates

with low grades. Private tutoring can help weed out this

behaviour and launch your child's success.

9) THEY SEE THEMSELVES AS A FAILURE

Childhood is wrought with hurdles; even one challenge can seem

insurmountable to a child. When they see themselves as a failure, they see

everything else through this lens of disappointment. Identifying areas that can

be improved is a major step towards building their self-esteem, which in-turn

helps them excel in school. As a parent or teacher, take the opportunity to

help; they're much smarter than they think!

Positive Relationships - Positive Attitude - Positive Change

www.exceleducationalgroup.com

Ph: 416-274-9494

10) EXCELLING IN OTHER AREAS

Children are very much like adults; they do well

in what they love, and they love what they do

well in. Your child can dismantle and re-build

the VCR, recite Shakespeare or follow a map like

an expert, yet refuse to open their math book.

It's not about pushing them to be experts in

everything - it's ensuring that they're competent

enough to compete with their peers. Often it's

not the subject or your child that's the problem -

it's the approach.

Is hiring a tutor really a luxury? Failing to address symptoms as they arise only creates

more struggles in the next grade, the next school or the next job.

Addressing distractions, approaching learning creatively and providing a strong

foundation for learning are some of the many ways Excel Education Group can release

your child's potential.

With the right guidance from our experienced, personable tutors, we can take them to

the next level - and give them the tools to stay there.

Invest in their future and call us today at 416-274-9494. Put your child

on their own road to success!

Eleanor McIntosh B.Sc., B.A., B.Ed

Founder and Consultant

EXCEL EDUCATIONAL GROUP

eleanor@exceleducationalgroup.com

© 2008/2009 Excel Educational Group

Not to be copied, reprinted or quoted without express written consent.