I just spoke to my friend Jennifer. She's a realtor and uses my termite inspection services for all of her transactions. I contacted her a little over a week ago in a panic when I got the IRS letter. I asked her which lender had, in her experience, been the most willing to work with someone whose credit was not stellar. This was after striking out with my own bank and several other lenders. She immediately gave me a name and said if anyone could work magic, he was the guy. I spoke with her contact the next morning and, as you know, he arranged for me to refinance my home, at a very good rate, in less than a week. To take such a transaction from opening to closing in such a short period of time is virtually unheard of. I will, of course, be recommending him to others in the future.

All of the money that I make from doing inspections for real estate transactions comes through escrow. While I was in the title office for my signing, I met several escrow officers who have been sending me checks for years. They introduced me to others in their office who were not yet familiar with my services. While it is most normal for realtors to contract for my services, many of them ask the escrow transaction coordinators to do it for them. The folks I met today can be essential in helping my business grow. Lenders sometimes require that their clients to get a termite inspection when they apply for a loan. My lender has a stack of my cards and inspection order forms. We've been added to each other's networks.

So what's the point of this? I met Jennifer through a networking opportunity a few years ago. I don't know how long she's been referring her clients to my lender, but he's part of her network, too. Each of us has our own network of individuals and companies that we do business with and serve as referrals for. Those networks overlap and new associations are made. The escrow officers who "knew" me, though we had never met face to face, increased my own network by introducing me to their fellow officers. I didn't ask them to. They did it spontaniously because I've provided them with excellent service.

This particular networking opportunity came about because of my personal business. Each of us needs to recognize and capitalize on such opportunities whenever they arise. With a business like mine (and perhaps yours) personal referrals account for more than half of my new business. To waste such opportunities would be tanatamount to shutting the door in a potential client's face.

Labels: business, friends, networking, work

I own a small business. My son is totally disinterested in my industry and will have no use for my little company once I'm gone. Hopefully I'll have retired before then anyway. There's always the possiblity that I could drop dead on the job I suppose, but, whatever scenario ensues, either I or someone else will one day be faced with the task of selling my business. Marketing a business involves a great deal more than just selling the real estate or the client list. A professional business brokering firm is needed, to assess the business and prepare it for the market. Getting the right price requires someone who knows and understands the value and potentital of the business, and who has the ability to present it to the largest possible group of qualified buyers. The smart way to Sell a Business is to do it through an online database that will reach the targeted market that is insterested in what you have to offer. A good business broker will know how to handle all that pesky red tape involving taxes and auditing and such. I've never given this much thought, but my business assets include intellectual properties and goodwill. I wouldn't have the least idea how to place a value on such things. That's why I'll look for a reputable firm like KeyMergers & Acquistions when it's time to sell my business. They're the smart folks who sponsor this post.

Labels: business, marketing, payperpost

I haven't blogged about the clutter problems in a while because it would be too embarrassing to say how little I had been doing. I've been working on it the last few days. I won't claim to have made up for lost time. Years upon years of slothful behavior can not be wiped away in mere days. However:

The guest room is clean. That nice queen-sized bed is such a convenient place to pile stuff that I've bought "for later." Also a wonderful place to spread things out when wrapping gifts. We're not talking Christmas here, folks. There was gift wrap I used last summer on that bed. The gift wrap and clutter have been put in their proper places. BONUS: I have scissors! I have tape!

Need to strip the bed & launder the linens in the next few days so it will be fresh and ready in case I ever get guests.

My office is not clean, but:
All reports are in properly labeled folders.
The reports were properly date-ordered and entered into the books.
The reports then properly alpha-ordered for filing.
Filing is still months behind.
All invoices and check receipts for the last month or so were then put into the books and filed away.
New checks opened, entered into accounts and collections.
New checks stamped, added up on deposit slip and ready to deposit.
Supplies for accomplishig all of the above are properly in their place so I don't have to search under and around months of back-filing to find the stapler & the check-endorsement stamp next time.

Okay, even listed item by item it doesn't sound like much, but you should have seen how disorganized my office was. Actually, I'm glad you didn't! I'll try to finish up in here tomorrow, then will have two rooms (guest & office) completely clutter-free. That would be a good thing!

Labels: business, clutter, just stuff

I love my job. I really do. I’ve been doing the same thing for almost twenty-seven years now and I’m very good at it. For the last seven-plus years I’ve owned my own business. I’m not very good at that. I’m fine with providing my clients with the high-quality service they expect and deserve. What I’m lousy at is the mechanics of running my business. I’m in a tight spot now with Uncle Sam because I got behind on my taxes. I never intended to do that, I’m just so sloppy with my office chores that I got frustrated and allowed myself to procrastinate. This occurred during the time that I was doing some home improvement. Since I hadn’t balanced my checkbook in years, I wasn’t keeping track of the expenses for building materials, carpenters, plumbers and electricians. About the time taxes came due last year I realized I didn’t have enough money to pay them. Uncle Sam is a really nice guy. He’s let me have a payment plan. I’ll get caught up some day. I’ve accepted the fact that my talents lie elsewhere and I'll let a professional handle my books in the future.

AccountingParadise.com offers quickbooks bookkeeping services for people just like me. They have a number of attractive packages to choose from. For a very small business like mine, the bookkeeping fees are quite reasonable. There’s no charge for initial setup of my account, and basic services start at ten dollars a month. If you carry a payroll, full service for up to ten employees starts as low as $30.00 a month.

While you’re on their site, make sure you check out their Accounting and Payroll Blog for news and tips to help you keep your business running smoothly.

AccountingPardise.com sponsored this post.

Labels: bookkeeping, business, payperpost

As a small-business owner I frequently miss important news that can have a huge impact on my ability to operate. I subscribe to magazines and websites that keep me up-to-date on my own industry-related news, but they don’t always have the information I need as a sole proprietor. It’s obvious from their content that they focus more on large operations that have multiple locations, employ hundreds or even thousands of workers and have to deal with employee benefits, worker’s comp, insurance, tax and inventory problems commiserate with their size. I don’t have employees and I specialize in inspections, so I don't carry a materials inventory. My professional subscriptions aren’t terribly interested in the day-to-day operation of my business. For instance, I had to go elsewhere to discover that the government services inspection contracts I’ve been eyeing have a loophole that is not in my favor. This concerns the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005, which is supposed to benefit small businesses.

“Unfortunately, tucked away in the small print, and even unbeknownst to some who voted for the bill in Congress, was a little provision which stated that any business that has a contract with government at the local, state or federal level will have 3% of their payments withheld starting in 2011. And, to add insult to injury, there are even some in Congress who are now trying to push legislation to move that implementation date up.”

It’s rather disconcerting to know that laws which are supposed to benefit me will instead penalize me. Read the rest of the article and see. It's good that I found this information prior to submitting my proposal. I'll adjust my bid, but it will probably cost me the contract. Pity the business that gets it and has to lose a bite of their profit down the road because they weren't aware enough.

I’m pleased that I’ve discovered this alternate source of business advice that caters to businesses like mine, and glad that IncParadise.com sponsored this post, thus encouraging me to share the news with you.

Labels: blogs, business, payperpost, small business

Have you been watching the latest thing in business reality tv? I posted about it here a couple of weeks ago. It’s RockStartup.com and it documents the birth of PayPerPost. In Episode 1 we see Ted, our intrepid leader, sweet talk investors into three million dollars worth of funding. Britt was his able assistant on the trip, and he left her alone to set up a trade show. As a trade show veteran, I have to say that that was cruel on behalf of Ted. Brett did a fine job, but could have used a hand setting up the display panels. They’re really a two-person job, Ted, so why not help out next time?

I liked Episode 2 better. Ted and Britt passed out signboards and tee shirts to the crowd waiting outside the Today Show. You know the signboards folks hold up saying hello to their kids back home as they stand shivering in the crowd? It was a clever bit of marketing that all of the signs that day advertised for PayPerPost. Name recognition is everything, and can be hard to come by for a new player, so that move was sheer genius. Moving on to the trade show, Ted was nervous about his booth placement and a slow start to the day. Things picked up as soon as he left Britt alone to tend the booth, though. The scene where Ted and Britt play mindball is hilarious. Some more un-asked for advice from a trade show veteran: 1. Always bring at least twice as many business cards as you think you’ll need, and 2. Never, ever leave your booth unattended. You might just miss the opportunity to meet the most important contact in attendance.

The volume on the videos is poorly modulated, but they’re still a fun watch. Check them out! Episode 1 is above and you’ll find Episode 2 here.

Labels: business, payperpost, rockstartup.com

The very first post I did for PayPerPost was my Disclosure Policy. I had already decided that having full disclosure was the only way I would be comfortable doing posts for them on my blog. Every PPP post I’ve done since then has had a keyword that identified it as paid advertising for PayPerPost, and a link to my Dislcosure Policy is always on my front page. I’m 100% behind the newly announced PPP policy that now ALL posties will have the same full disclosure on their blogs, too. It’s been optional in the past, but I think it’s good for all of us, and for the blogsphere, to have total transparency.

I’m also tipping my hat today to Michael Arrington at Techcrunch. He’s had some unkind things to say in the past about PayPerPost, and many of us have had unkind things to say about him. So thanks, Mr. Arrington, for acknowledging that PayPerPost is doing something right.

Labels: blogging, blogs, business, internet, payperpost

I’ve had the pleasure of sitting through quite a few video conferences in my life. I hate them! Fuzzy pictures and poor quality sound have been so unreliable that we often ended up canceling the video conference and resorting to phone and email communications to discuss our common projects. Now there’s Video Conference equipment available with crystal clear video and high definition audio. Sounds like we’ve finally arrived in the twenty-first century!

Labels: business, payperpost, technology