HG Business Consulting - Latest Blog Entries

Restructuring for Growth

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:07:00 -0600

HG Business Consulting is Transitioning.

Over the past two years, I have seen a lot of growth with my business, and to see that valued growth continue, I have needed to reassess and restructure.

Every business needs to reevaluate from time to time. Where we now, what direction are are we headed, where will it take us, and do we want to go there?

Along with the economy and the dramatic changes we have all witnessed in the past 18 months, there is also the change of values and perspectives that eventuate from personal growth and development. (Some call it aging!)

The Path is Always Unknown

No matter how hard we plan, how we strategize, how clear we are about our goals – Life happens while we are busy making those plans.

I suppose I thought that by now, I would barely “work” and mostly work/play with my artistic inclinations. When it dawned on me a few years ago, that life didn’t seem to be following me down that path – I got resentful and resisted.

Of course, a whole lot of nothin’ follows that kind of energy. But 6 months ago or so, I got re-tuned, re-focused and truly energized to use my business acumen to help others and enjoy what I do. I have always loved science and art, and with more emphasis on internet marketing, search engine optimization, generational marketing and the Triple Win Strategy, I am able to focus on things I love (lots of science and art in the technology world) while I make money. It’s my own triple win strategy.

What You Will See in the Future

I will be moving this website to a new home on a wordpress site. I help so many of my clients build wordpress sites and I love them. Why wouldn’t I do the same? Besides, I do have a host of affiliate marketing sites built on wordpress also. It’s time for this site to migrate.

I will be launchingInternet Marketing Savvyand using that site to focus on helping small businesses to learn internet marketing for their business, and the search engine optimization techniques they need to drive traffic to them for little or no money. Paid search marketing will also be covered as well as hundreds of resources. I will be offering classes both on and offline on the subjects as well as providing extensive written material.

I have a business directory that will be public soon and a small business answer to questions site, so the network keeps building.

What about HG Business Consulting?

On this site, (even after the migration), the focus will be on trends affecting small business, generational marketing, and promoting the triple win strategy. (By 2011, there will be a site dedicated to triple win strategy.) My consulting practice will evolve from these topics and of course, internet marketing.

I value my readers and appreciate your patience over the past month while I worked to design a business growth strategy. In fact, that is what I would challenge any business owner to do. With the economy reshuffling our priorities, it is vital that we take the time to examine our direction and determine if the destination feels like paradise or a pair of dice, and luck is all we’ve got!

5 Trendy 2010 Business Ideas

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:50:00 -0600

Small Business Ideas for 2010

Based on the extensive data available on social trends, copious opportunities are available for business in 2010 and beyond. You will need some imagination, courage, financing where appropriate, basic business strategy, and a network of people smarter than you to assist you when needed.

Hip Trends with Big Opportunity

Rentals
Copy Cats
Do it for yourself (DIY)
Everything is Green
Upscale Discount

Rentals

The shortage of credit available coupled with North American’s present mood to avoid more debt means consumers are buying less. Rental options have become a great way to meet the need for basics and beyond.

Now buyers can rent designer handbags for a weekend, gowns for events, baby equipment for their holidays, GPS units to keep them going in the right direction or impressive furniture for their next party.

If they can’t buy it, they still want to enjoy it short term.

What can you offer? Do a keyword study with one of the free tools online and find out what people are searching to rent in your area. If the demand is right, and the competition reasonable, you may want to give it a go.

Copy Cats

The recession has given a new meaning to the word KNOCK OFF. It’s hip to be thrift, so offering “look alike”, or dummied down versions of the real McCoy, can yield returns.

Do it Yourself - DIY

In a recent article I mentioned a student of mine that is launching a business targeted to would-be mechanics. The customer will bring their badgered auto to the garage, so they can fix it themselves.

Of course, there will be a mechanic on site for advice, and peers up to their elbows in grease, sharing one another's burden. Essentially, they are renting the shop, the tools, the expertise, and maybe sharing a beer.

There are DIY art studios, grocery check outs. even do- it-yourself hotels and serve yourself pubs. What could you simplify, thereby reducing costs, and allowing your customers to be self-sufficient, save money and cultivate their creativity?

Sexy Green

You are a sensual, sexy, savvy individual if you eat, wear, dispose of, clean with and drive green. Green is the new COOL.

There are new products on the market everyday for items that protect or respect our natural environment. To name a few:

You can recycle your old vinyl albums – into serving bows, picture frames and coasters. What could you do with milk jugs, discarded light bulbs, used batteries?
Industrial Artifacts takes cast offs from manufacturers and recreates something useful.
Commit to Care for An Acre of Land. The Nature Conservatory encourages buyers to purchase an acre for preservation in endangered rain forest areas. Could you sell sponsorship for care of a block of city streets? What about selling shares for community expanding recycling stations? Some new business models are built entirely on collaboration.
There are green septic tanks, children’s toys, clothes and furniture, office equipment, eco-friendly travel, and water bottles.

Do you remember what we thought when someone first put WATER into bottles and wanted to charge us for what had always been free? Who could have dreamed that the industry would grow to global usage of 188,776.6 million liters in 2007 with a compounded annual growth rate of 7.6%?

To add insult to injury, the largest manufactures of bottled water, Coca Cola and Pepsi, use municipal water.

Who will make the new water pill popular? What if a handy dispenser was available that you could carry in your pocket or purse? Filled with tiny pills that effectively oxygenates the water while cleaning up the unwanted up toxic residue? Possibly, they are displayed in local grocery stores next to the mints and gum.

The new fashion would be to carry designer “green” water bottles with us and fill them up anywhere (using the same municipal water no doubt). We then pop the pill into the bottle as mindlessly as we would a piece of gum into our mouth, and bam, purified water that doesn’t pollute as a result.

My imagination takes me a couple years ahead when the competition for pill manufacturing has taken us to new heights. Now the water pills have vitamins in them too, or bio-identical hormones, or weight loss stimulators.

Upscale Discount

Discount is in. People still need underwear, trousers for work, kitchen tools, baby clothes, kids toys and laundry detergent, and automobiles but for the best price they find. Even though the price is cheap, that doesn’t mean consumers want to feel cheap. Feelings have a significant impact on where and what we buy.

Luxurious attitudes can make discount shopping a rewarding emotional hit. While the economy slugs through the recession and gradual growth spurts, businesses that offer great pricing, for less quality but great “feeling,” position themselves significantly in the marketplace.

For businesses in a discount-targeted business, consider adding a line of products that customers can use short term and enable them to continue to do business with you. Or perhaps, use the rental idea. Established businesses can offer discount items online, or consider trade-in options, using the trade-ins to sell through other distribution channels. Don’t hesitate to offer coupon savings, coupons are making quite the comeback!

Related Article: Trends the Small Business Owner Must Know

To our Success

Harmony Thiessen

PS. Please share if you liked what you read.

Small Business 2010 – Luxury in a Cup

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:31:00 -0600

What are the trends evidencing in 2009 that could affect your small business in 2010?

Over the next few weeks we will examine data from Google’s 2009 Zeitgeist (or spirit of the times), Hitwise, news summaries, future trend specialists, and others to determine how the next decade is poised to begin, and what your small business can do about it.

Although business owners are community leaders and stand out among the crowd as free thinkers, risk takers and entrepreneurial minded, owners are nonetheless the summary of the societies they serve. It is vital to our success that we become tealeaf readers of the times, or those who see beyond the obvious to prepare for future needs and opportunities.

Luxury is required

Skimping and saving and “making due” are getting boring to the American public.

When a society has been marinated in privilege and choice, a year or 18 months of cash flow limits is quite enough.

However, the emotional need does not reflect the economic reality.

According to Harvey Schachter, in the Jan 04, 2010 Globe and Mail, shoppers in 2010 will be well informed, research savvy and ready to shop for a bargain. All things being equal, the deciding factor for many shoppers may be the “feeling” that accompanies the hunt.

A Luxurious Cup of Java?

Look at Starbucks. The lines are long, young and old cued together with the classy and the ordinary. The middle working class from the nearby office towers, and CEO’s alike, share lattes with no foam and hazelnut flavoring. They may joke at the price they spend for their fix, but they will likely return this afternoon for latte #2.

Starbucks opened their first store in 1971. As the chain grew and matured, they found an unusual niche. Not the niche for those who loved coffee, they found a niche of people who wanted to feel ‘gourmet” at a price they could afford. People feel good about going to Starbucks. Face it. It is the emotional attachment to the self-perception, and of course, the savvy business minds that provided the environment and standards of excellence in the staff to keep the dream alive.

Sure, people who like coffee go to Starbucks. But as small business owner who leases office space at no charge (except for my coffee!) from the aforementioned, I have witnessed plenty of people who drink juice, tea and even warm milk at Starbucks.

What can you do?

The question for the business owner is not “how do I get into the luxury market. Ask rather, “how do I help old and new customers to feel like they are treated like royalty when they do business with me”?

Do you offer your customers free upgrades when what they want is not in stock?
If they are a few pennies (or dollars) short do you act as though they are so important and respected that, you toss your hand in the air and say, “not a problem!”
If they are responsible for dropping their purchase in the parking lot and you know it, are you still willing to set them up with a new product?
What environment do you provide for your “guests”? Is it trendy, savvy, or relaxing? Clearly if you sell antique furniture, you may not want trendy, but what could you do to help your guests feel like “this IS the place” where they want to part with their dollar?
Do you cater to the hours of your customers or expect them to take time off from the job they are happy to have, just to buy from you?
Do you provide extra services?

The Produce Shop That Could

Just a few blocks from where I live, is a produce market. They sell a bit of bread and deli meats, but mostly produce; FRESH, CHEAP, NO SPRAY, CLEAN, SPOTLESS produce. The store is a run down little dent in the wall, and the videos they play while you shop are from the disco music of the seventies and Russian opera. Mary, the main cashier wears hats. Wild, crazy, abominable hats. And the lines are eternal. You wait 30 minutes on a good day to get out of that store.

Why does this middle class and upper middle class neighborhood flock to Mary?She knows you, throws in free produce, makes you try new things, tells you to pay the remainder next time, sings, encourages the line to sing, and cheers people through by name.

The style is discount, the manner is luxury.

Your business can cash in on the desire of North American’s to feel special once again.

To our Success,

Harmony Thiessen

PS Look for me at a Starbucks near you!

10 Top Ways to Gift Your Staff at Christmas

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:03:00 -0600

Top 10 Ways to Say Thanks To Your Small Business Staff At Christmas

Small business owners are busy people and there is little time for shopping, even for the family. Oftentimes the staff is neglected. Here are some impractical, rude and maybe outrageous ideas to help you find that last minute staff gift.

#10 Send cards by mail, after Christmas suggesting they use the gift card enclosed to cash in on Boxing Week sales. Tell them you heard the sales would be significant and thus the reason for the scroogie $10 card.

#9 Buy the smallest pot of poinsettia you can find and gift each employee. Ask them to take good care of it until next year, when they are to bring it back to decorate the office.

#8 Engender good will with the neighbor down the street and offer to take the litter of kittens off their hands. Bam! Buy a bag of litter and offer each of your staff a kitty and a bag of litter.

#7 Dollar Stores have great buys on candles. Buy a red or green pillar candle and enclose a gift card with a link to a free download of “You Light up My Life.”

#6 Christmas is for the kids. Offer to let yours come visit sometime between Christmas and New Years!

#5 Send an email to each staff member with a slide show of photos you have taken of them during the year. It shows how attentive you have been at the most inopportune moments, and allows them to be truly "seen" by collegues.

#4Go all out! Give them each a free week at the local fitness centre. You can pick the coupons up for free and maybe they will slim down and work harder in the new year. You are so smart!

#3 Get personal. Share homemade baking that has been given to you – just don’t mention where it came from.

#2 Be generous. Find the free makeover section in the department store and make appointments for the women on your team. Nothing says I love you like “you need a makeover!”

#1 THE #1 STAFF PRESENT – Go away on a great trip until Mid-January with your significant other. Send postcards of great times, photos of hunky men or sexy women, the beach, the food, the pure relaxation of it all. What better gift could you offer, than to go away so the staff can play?

To our Success,

Harmony Thiessen

Share if you dare!

2010- 5 Trends the Small Business Owner Must Know

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:30:00 -0600

If you are in charge of the marketing for your small business, you can't afford to ignore the social trends that will influence their buying decisions in 2010.

You don't have to agree with the trends or subscribe personally, but smart marketers will endeavor to meet a need or solve a problem within the trend.

Capitalism is giving way to Socially Conscious Behavior

Obvious greed is no longer palatable to society. A growing and powerful movement of socially aware and disciplined business has emerged. From “going green” to sustainable uses of energy, and charitable contributions to actual partnerships with developing countries, corporate greed has met it’s vixen in socially mindful business applications.

While no one is claiming that socially conscious business doesn’t involve greed, (didn’t we just hear about revealing emails that cast doubt on climate change?) the change of guard seems to insist that greed be curtailed at least, and that ideas with the Triple Win Strategy behind them, inspire new ways of doing business.

Worth noting is the premium example: Pepsi. Known for 23 years of Superbowl ads, with stars like Michael J Fox, and Michael Jackson, Pepsi has chosen to forego the ad in 2010. Their marketing efforts are launching The Pepsi Refresh project. Promising "Together We Can Do A Lot Of Good", Pepsi is taking their campaign online and recruiting the public to join them promising, “Every Pepsi Refreshes the World.”

Starbucks has been heavily involved in the LOVE PROJECT, challenging the world to drink coffee and buy product, and at the same time give through Starbucks to aid Africa in their terrifying war with AIDS and the rapid infiltration of the disease into African society.

Localism – people want to do business with local suppliers

Driven by economic change, environmental concerns and soaring energy costs more North Americans are buying local. From produce to clothing brands more people are choosing to keep shipping minimal and support local economies.

Unusual and most likely directed to the early adopters to date, local marketing behavior has been spotted in the local branding of international products.

Absolut City Series launched special blends of Vodka for certain cities and labels them accordingly. Starting in New Orleans, other cities with unique potions include Boston, and Los Angeles.

Even bank machine ATM’s have caught onto the consumer drive for local pride. In East London, the machines are primed with an option to read the instructions for each transaction in Cockney, if preferred.

Evidently, the online community has caught on as a quickly emerging trend within SEO, or search engine optimization, is the local search specialty.

Internet has Gone Mobile

No longer tied to the home PC with dial-up or even cable service, today’s consumer can carry a Smartphone such as the Blackberry or I Phone, and have access to the web anytime, anyplace. Mobile computing with access to applications that assist buyers to locate the best deals within blocks of where they are at the moment, will require new forms of marketing and a new paradigm to “mom and pop” businesses.

People Love Living in the Urban Centers

In North America, according to Unhabitat’s “Global Report on Human Settlement in 2009” there is currently over 80% of the North American population living in cities.

The effect will be reflected social behavior, compact living, and a new style of offline social networks that mirror their online mentors.

“And, as we've remarked here before, all things being equal, people who live in compact communities tend to keep more of their paychecks as disposable income and spend less time commuting and running errands, meaning they have more money and time to buy gadgets, experiment with innovative tools and update their systems... thus perhaps fueling more and faster innovations.” Alex Steffen with World Changing.com

Boomers Want More

Baby Boomers, or those born from 1946 to 1964, are at least 46 in 2010. In the US alone, that defines almost 76 million individuals who have the most discretionary income to spend, save and invest. Boomers expect quality, long life, and certain luxuries.

Health care, youthful appearances, relaxation, personal passion and wisdom are only a smattering of the buzzwords “50 somethings” are fond to quote.

Their desires have simplified over the years, and after the latest economic scare, they may not be as frivolous with their spending. Still, this demographic group controls the economy and their consumer demands and ingenuity will help fuel the full market recovery.

To Our Success,

Harmony Thiessen - Hey if you enjoyed this please use the SHARE below to pass along the information!

Additonal Resources of Interest:

Trendwatching.com - Very useful resource on an ongoing basis for understanding the impact of social behavior. A resource used in this article.

Top Ten Technology Trends for 2010

Social Media Trends for 2010

Local Search Marketing: Be Sure the Search Engines Get it Right

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:35:00 -0600

Local Search, or geographically targeted online searchers need to find you, or they will find your competition.

It is crucial for your business that the major search engines have the right information about your business.

You may have submitted your correct information to Google, Yahoo! and Bing, and still find the wrong information is listed when you search for your business. It can be frustrating, especially if you re-submit and see no changes.

Here are a few tips to help you rectify your situation

Always begin by registering with the major 3 search engines in their local directory. For Google: Go here For Yahoo!: Go Here For Bing: Go Here

(Canadian businesses will not be able to take advantage of Yahoo or Bing’s local listings at this time – it is exclusive to the US.)

See my articles: Are you on the Google Map, How to Get on the Google Map

Although you submit your information to the search engines, they may not rank that information as the “gospel truth” IF what you submit to the Search Engines is not the same information that they get from their major suppliers of information.

Who are the major suppliers of information to search engines?

Be sure you take the time to register your information at these major data centers. Be exact, and careful to register your industry selections properly.

It may take a bit of time to see it corrected, but you will most likely see your information corrected on your local search listing, once the search engines index from the info sites.

Here are additional information sites you can update to insure your success.

Yellowpages.com
Superpages.com
Universal Business Listing - often called the "big daddy" and there is a small fee of $30 for submission.

Bonus Feature for Your Troubles

In the process of adding information to the directories, you have also created new in-coming links that benefit your website in search engine optimization and help to move you higher in the search engine ranks.

See: Do’s and Don’ts of Page Links

To our Success,

Harmony Thiessen

The Starbucks Love Project Targets Africa and the Aids Epidemic

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:30:00 -0600

Join Millions As We Share the Love of Lattes with Africa

Here are some additional resources you might find useful:

The Starbucks Love Project

Triple Win Strategy

Aids In Africa

Add your voice the wonderful voices from all over the world!

Thanks for your support of this idea!

All the best to you as you continue celebrating the Holiday Season!

To our Success

Harmony Thiessen

PLEASE DO PASS THIS ALONG WITH THE SHARE BUTTON....

Small Business Websites Need Email Conversion Options

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:27:00 -0600

Your small business marketing dollars need to be targeted to be effective.

Imagine this: You own a neighborhood fitness studio. You are new in town, and need to get the word out to cash in on the guilt ridden fat driving folks to the gyms, yoga studios, and Pilate classes in January.

You decide to use some search marketing techniques. You purchase some pay-per-click ads using great headlines and featuring significant savings. In your ads, you direct folks to your website to get more information. Clicks go great, and you receive thousands of unique visitors to your website to learn more about “NO FAT ALLOWED Fitness Playground.” (Sure, you can use the name!)

The Cost

However, your $1456.98 spent in December on ads afforded brought in no sales and only 2 week long free trial offers.

What’s worse? You didn’t even ask for their email address. You have no way of continuing a relationship. You are like the retailer on Main Street who has hundreds of people walking by the shop with no way of building a future relationship with them.

Online it need not be so!

Your marketing efforts need never be in vain! The first conversion you want to build is your email conversion. You don’t need to make the sale the first time they visit; they may not have confidence in your product or service. If they don’t make a purchase but you offer them a way to “keep in touch”, they will revisit your website repeatedly.

Today there are plenty of choices for email software. Most all of them offer a free trial version. Here are three systems with which I am quite familiar:

Get Response allows subscribers (you, not your subscribers) to embed videos, audio and photos in your email marketing. They offer an in-house survey tool you can use on your website, making tracking easy and integrated into your email marketing.
Constant Contact – allows subscribers to use email templates, online surveys and they feature event marketing: you get easy-to-use email invitations, reminders, event homepages, and your own public events calendar. You can host an online or offline event.
AWeber – I am using AWeber right now on this website. I use the other systems on other sites. I like their latest tool: the customized email sign up box. Super easy to do, but finally it looks nice too. This does NOT require a graphics person or web designer, you can do this for yourself in an hour or less.

If you look to the right side, you should be able to see my email subscription box. They have scores of tempates to choose from and any color combination you like.

In fact, may I invite you, if you are not already receiving my Small Business Growth Report, to sign up now and receive an informative and useful evaluation checklist for your website?

Don’t waste another marketing campaign, either in organic search ,paid search, or offline marketing that directs people to your website. Get set up with one the providers above (or have someone set you up), and start building a relationship with your prospects. Give them a chance to get to know you - after all, "to know you is to love you," right?

To Our Success,

Harmony Thiessen

PS. You should know that I do have an affiliate relationship with the three providers above. That means, at no expense to you, I receive a small commission if you happen to do business with them. I appreciate if you are going to check them out that you click to their site from here.

The Collaborative/Community Business Model

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:21:00 -0600

New mindset creating collaborative small business models

WARNING: If you are over 40+ this story may be hazardous to your paradigm!

I was teaching an eager and naïve class of up-and-coming entrepreneurs earlier this week.

These students are dedicated adults who want to do something different with their lives, so they have gone to school. Their job is to learn how to start their own business.

As always, I asked each student to tell me what they want to accomplish and what they feel they need to know.

One idea really popped out

It was a diverse class with business ideas ranging from Driving Schools to Sandwich Shops. And then there was Roger. Roger’s idea sounded like a social network I visit online. Roger’s idea left me…s.t.u.t.t.e.r.i.n.g.

Roger has a business concept that is built not on a “we do it for you” model or structure, but rather, we will provide the space, the tools and the guidance, and you do it for yourself – with us.

What? A business where I come in and work alongside others and pay you to do it?

Similar to online social networks

Not unlike a social network site, the idea centers around community, sharing, working together, learning, and finally, a finished product; hopefully better than before.

I don’t want to give away his business idea, so I haven’t mentioned his concept. But, consider the implications:

A pizza place where you make your own pizza with their supplies and guidance, bake it on the premises, and take it home to the rest of your family.
A hairdressing salon that provides the color treatment supplies, but you do your own hair? ( I am nervous just writing that)
A building supply where you build your furniture along with others. Saws and sanders are passed around the room and shouts of “crap,” are shared among your peers when the hammer hits the proverbial thumb.

The idea has been germinating for awhile

I guess the first signs appeared years ago, when someone opened the first “do it yourself” car wash or Laundromat . They provide the tools and the water. They get paid and you do the work.

Artists have done this for years: someone poses in the nude and a group of artists all poised with their easel and brush, gently stroke the vision onto canvass, and pay for the pleasure.

There are scores of charible runs, walks, bikes, jumps, dances etc, where the participants do something for charity, and often not only do they raise money, but they have to pay to register to do the work.

"If I should die before I wake"

Things are certainly changing though. I don’t ever want to retire, but I must say that I will have quite a time “advising” the next generation or two about business when I dread the idea of hiring a cleaning service to come “help me clean my house”!

To our success,

Harmony

PS Related article on the subject at Examiner.com

Your comments on this subject are most welcome. Do you know of businesses that fit this idea? I want to research the topic in much more depth. Your feedback would be appreciated!

The Push or Pull for Women into a Small Business

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:56:00 -0600

CONTEST FOR CANADIAN WOMEN TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS INFO AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE!

Starting a new online or offline business has moved from the offices of "type A" go-getters into the living rooms and chat rooms of everyday people looking for a lifestyle change. Phil Heard, who heads the Vancouver Economic Development Commission, says women over 55 will lead the pack of new entrepreneurs.

Why the change from traditional employment to the risky, adventurous, and sometime turbulent lifestyles of a new business?

In the present economic winter storms, there are many reasons to consider self-employment or small business. "Would-be" entrepreneurs may benefit from a push/pull analytic assessment.

What does push/pull mean?

The term "push and pull factors," generally relate to the migration of people from one location to another.

"The push factor involves a force which acts to drive people away from a place and the pull factor is what draws them to a new location" (Matt Rosenberg: Author of The Handy Geography Answer Book)

Certainly, a new business is a change, a transition, and a migration from one place of comfort to another place of potential and challenge.

The push dynamics

Push dynamics tend to be more out of our control. The economy, the weather, the downturn of an industry etc, can provide a push that propels you into change.

Here are a few legitimate push factors that may motivate you to consider a new business:

You lose your job - a common theme in 2009.
Your lifestyle demands a change - divorce, separation, death of parents, health concerns, children's needs etc.
Job dissatisfaction - what used to be at least "okay" is not suitable to your lifestyle goals or dreams. Perhaps new management has produced a toxic environment you find intolerable. As thee old tune laments: "The thrill is gone."

What is the pull?

The pull factor is more of an internal force, rather than forced, you feel more "led" to proceed. Common pull factors into small business:

Sometimes maturity pulls women forward into unknown territory. The idea of "coming into your own power" and wanting to make your own decisions about how you invest your life can influence your decision.
The pull of under-employed skill sets. The present job skills required to satisfy employers may not demand the best of what women have to offer. Although they are usually willing to "pay their dues" in their youth, women find that with time, there is often a desire to do more, try much, fall often, and repeat the process hoping for a better outcome the next time.
A pull to fulfill personal passions. With so much inspiration and education available on the pursuit of your calling, living on purpose and living with passion, many women feel the "pull" to give their dream a shot. Women are known to finance their dream as much as possible, despite the odds, to get from where they are to where they want to be.
The pull of child-rearing. Statistics still prove that the dominant parent involved intimately with the everyday doings and goings of their children remains the mother.
Women who see the option for a lifestyle that involves or protects their interaction with their children may feel inclined to follow their heart right into a new business.

Whatever the reason, starting a new business can be a rewarding experience. Despite the rocky road of financing, Internet challenges, human resources, and operational strategies, the thrill of a business that mirrors your passions can be euphoric.

Self-awareness is a key component to a successful outcome.

Knowing your reasons for starting a business, identifying the push and pull of your decisions, mitigating the risks with your future stability and honestly assessing your strengths and weaknesses can push or pull you into a rewarding new business life.

Pushing and Pulling for your success,

UPDATE: Check out Contest for Canadian women wanting to start a business in 2010. Great prize package: fun process.

Harmony Thiessen

Harmonized Sales Tax for Business in BC

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:56:00 -0600

I posted an article today on at Examiner.com in an effort to show small business owners a variety of perspectives and expectations surrounding the proposed HST tax in BC. The proposed tax easily passed the House of Commons yesterday and appears to be unstoppable despite public distrust and outcry.

Small business will be effected. The BC government insists this is required for the profitability of big business and citizens alike, and that they have mitigated the serious side effects predicted in other sectors such as health care and tourism.

I am providing this aggregate of resources in an effort to allow the reader to surmise the actual outcomes as you will.

Your comments are welcome.

How the new HST tax will affect your small BC business – My report on the story - Looking at the issue from various positions

Globe and Mail – HST: What you should know – interviews with financial experts about the effect of the HST on business, consumers, investments, etc.

Vancouver Sun: Large majority oppose the HST, poll finds – large majority opposes the tax

The Province: Ask the Experts About the HST – a panel addresses concerns and confusion about the HST

The Vancouver Board of Trade – Letter to the BC Finance Minister, Colin Hansen

Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association - BC's HST bad news for restaurants, consumers - The position of the CRFA and what their members can do.

CBC Survey of Restaurant Owners

Facebook Fan Club - NO TO GST

Videos

HST Tax Revolt BC Canada Votes 2009 - Interview with Canadian Premier

BC HST: How to Ease the Pain

What Does the BC HST Mean to Consumers - Exemptions PT 2.: BC government response to concerns

To our success,

Harmony Thiessen

Before You Resign From Your Small Business

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:07:00 -0600

Resigning from your small business may not be the answer

Yesterday's resignation of General Motors CEO, Fritz Henderson, was announced in less than a year after his hire in March 2009. Known as "Mr. Fixit," Henderson was handed a mess, offered government loans of close to 7 billion dollars to clean it up, and failed to close the big deals to insure the company's future.

If Mr. Fixit can't do it, how can I?

Small business leaders often want to resign, even when no one's asking. The workload, skill-sets required, constant learning, hassles with HR, and taxed family relationships are only the start of the small business woes.

Failure, or the perception of failure in your venture, is a hit to any ego and can turn the edifice of self-confidence to dusting powder in short order. Failure however, is a necessary component of business success and is highly referenced by many successful small and big business celebrities.

Before you quit, think about Babe

You know the story. Babe Ruth struck out more than he landed a homer. You don't need to hit a winner everyday; you need consistent behaviors that create the winners on occasion. Consider the following hot list before you kick the entrepreneurial bucket:

Ever heard of the retail giant Macy's in the US? R.H. Macy failed 7 times before his store in New York City was successful.
Jerry Seinfeld was heckled off the stage of his debut comedy act in less than 2 minutes.
Bell telephone, a business infant, was denied their selling price of $100,000 by the Western Union who claimed; they had no use for an "electrical toy."
Lucille Ball, one the last centuries "funniest women," was turned down flat by her first director, saying she was simply too "shy" to make it on stage.
Walt Disney was fired as a journalist for lack of ingenuity and creative thought.
With 2 business failures and 8 failed elections, one might not have voted for Abraham Lincoln

While Henderson may not have a choice in the matter, most likely you do. Before you scribble your "I am outta here" note to yourself and leave it on your desk for the "boss" to see in the morning, step back and get a different perspective.

Your home run hit may be the next ball you stand up and swing at.

UPDATE: Check out What does Tiger Woods have to do with your business?

To our Success,

Harmony Thiessen

Here is food for inspiration: Failure the road to your success!

Retailers need repeat holiday shopper visits

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0600

Repeat business: the key to effective marketing for retailers at Christmas

Many retailers are looking to the holiday season for their much needed financial influx before the calendar year end. Marketing dollars are limited in a tough economy and savvy small retailers are using what marketing budget they have to find ways to create multiple shopping visits from each customer

"Stock up" on repeat business

Here are several tips you can try and amend to suit your unique situation:

Remember the early shopper, although trying to avoid stores at the last minute, will still need those last minute gifts.

Reward them for repeat shopping with a free gift with second purchase (stamp their first receipt)
Set up a "last minute table" with pre-wrapped items specifically chosen items for smaller budgets and quick visits
Have a preferred shopper happy hour from 6-7 pm on a Thursday night - serve refreshments and offer something for free, special pricing, special add-ons, etc. (Be sure to have invites inserted into every shoppers bag until the event.)
Use social media to announce daily specials the last week before Chirstmas!

Retailers with the option of shopping online can offer their clients:

Once they buy offline - customers get online free shipping for before holiday delivery.
Preferred customers, those who have made first holiday purchase, receive free gift with a second online purchase
Buy online, come in the store with receipt and receive free wrapping

Some retailers may be thinking big picture, and wondering how to capitalize on the influx of holiday shoppers in January.

Offer all purchasers online and offline special pricing in January
Offer demo days, if appropriate, and show customers how to make the most of the Dec. purchase - or gift. (be sure to have a good up-sell product available)
Start a club! Help to create customer loyalty with club membership that offers discounts and preferred products available only to members. Have them sign up online so that you have the data you need to begin an ongoing marketing and appreciation relationship.

Of course, each industry will require a unique approach however. However, retailers will share a commonality this holiday season; people will be cautious with their purchases, and shoppers are sensitive to the businesses they see as taking advantage of them in difficult times.

Show your true colors this year with the spirit of giving yourself, and see your customers back again for their next holiday purchase, and maybe with friend in tow.

Other helpful articles

Store layout for Christmas

How to make your holiday season last longer

To Our Success,

Harmony Thiessen

Thanksgiving - Say Thanks to Your Customers

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:53:00 -0600

Get ahead of the competition! Beat the Christmas rush.

Express your thanks for your present customer base during the Thanksgiving season. Watch the short video and look below for a list of ideas you can use to say THANKS to those people helping you build your business today.

Here are 10 ways to Say Thanks at Thanksgiving

1. Send a turkey - with a note.

2. Write a note - by email and more preferably on paper, with a pen and using snail mail: "Thanks for helping our business prosper this year. May your coming year be blessed with plenty."

3.Use in stock promotional items (mugs, tee shirts etc) - use them. Have the sales staff hand deliver with a card thanking them for their business. If you have time to order them in advance embed THANK YOU on the item.

4. Make a YouTube video for your customers about something they would either find entertaining, or resourceful. Send the link along with a thank you note.

5.Host a cocktail hour- at your business with wine and appies. Spend time mingling and sharing your appreciation of each customer.

6.Make donations - Choose a charity (perhaps one that shares meals with the hungry) and make small (or large) donations on behalf of chosen client list. Notify them with a note of thanks.

7.Send a Giftcard - I like Starbucks cards. Almost anyone can find something there that they want.

8. Make the call - Pick up the telephone and take time to tell people thanks.

9. Offer a discount to someone else's business. Instead of offering a discount to your own business service or product, you can offer a discount by doing a joint venture with a business in your neighborhood, or with one of your client's businesses if you sell B2B.

10. Give something away for free. Hook up with a local youth group. Have them do a car wash in your community. Give them a certain amount for every car they wash - for your clients!

For anyone who leaves a comment with another idea, I will send you my ALL TIME MOST UNIQUE AND KNOCK EM OUT OF THE FIELD IDEA!

To our Success,

Harmony Thiessen

Should You Buy/Start An Online Home- Based Business?

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:56:00 -0600

Will I Make Money or Lose My Shirt with Online Home Based Business?

There are so many opportunities online shouting out about how much money you can make and how little work it takes.

Having been a business consultant for 20+ years, I have some concerns.

Recently I posted a couple articles on the subject and found a couple more I think my readers would enjoy.

Click on any link below to find the article – Enjoy!

How to Determine if the Home Based Opportunity is Legitimate – Harmony Thiessen

How To Know If An Online Business Is Right For You – Harmony Thiessen

Home Business: A Good Idea? - Irene Rexlee and Jo Peck

Starting Your Own Business Does Not Have to Be Risky

To Our Success,

Harmony Thiessen

PS If you are considering a Home Based Business Opportunity – why not take advantage of the 30 Minute Money Solution? IT IS NOT A BUSINESS OPP! 30 Minute Money Solutions offers you 30 minutes of idea time with me and the first session is free! Consults are conducted by telephone.

A Dose of INSPIRATION for Your Business Dreams

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:06:00 -0600

Get A Fresh Breath Of Inspiration From William Kamkwamba

I am forever it seems dreaming dreams beyond myself. At times, I can get discouraged wondering how to do what I imagine. Where to get the tools? The money? The knowledge, and the right connections?

Today I received my newsblast from the Chris Voss Show. I am a subscriber to Chris's material and he included the story (from TED) which I am now including below.

If you need a dose of YOU CAN DO IT, you have come to the right place today. William Kamkwamba’s story will not only change his village and his life, but blow fresh winds of hope and determined imagination into your mind.

Listen on. Don’t multitask – his accent will demand your full attention. :-)

I would love to hear your comments afterward.

To our Success,

Harmony Thiessen

How Tweets Helped Me Buy My New Smartphone

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:18:00 -0600

My Friends Helped Me Make My Purchase

Businesses beware! Gone are the days of the slightly dazed consumers standing at your product counter asking for your help and advice on a product. Today they know about your products, and most likely you, before they ever enter your store. They are using a wide variety of online mediums to help them make their buying decisions.

Social networking better be changing the way you do business, or it will change your business!

Here is my story. I have been a Blackberry user since 2006. Back in the day, if you can believe that three years is “back in the day,” I carried the hottest technology. My Blackberry was clunky, heavy, with no camera or fancy smancy apps that all those IPhone users brag about. But I could get email, and use the phone, and keep my calendar and contacts up to date; I was happy as a pig in mud. (And addicted for a year or so, I’ll admit. Too bad I didn’t know about Crackberry back then. :-)

I carried that phone until just recently when my son chose to try the Palm Pre and passed along his Blackberry Curve to me. It’s not the latest model of curve, but it beat the bananas out of my old BB – even had a camera! I quickly got re-addicted and never left the house, or the bathroom for that matter, without my new Curve. (Hey, a girl has to hold onto whatever curves she’s got right?)

Unfortunately, I blew that Blackberry Curve into a BLACK berry. Without knowing that the cord I plugged into the car to plug into my Curve was intended for heating a hot mug of coffee and not my tender Curve, I fried its shapely circuits. And mine too!

I have been DAYS without a Smartphone. (Someone call Dr. Drew!)

But I wanted to try an experiment. Could I make that difficult buying decision using my social media strategies? The short answer is yes. And when I enter the wireless store tomorrow, I know what I want. I am an eager, ready buyer; educated and dedicated to my cause.

I chose to go with Blackberry.

My Tweeps, and Facebook Friends helped me decide. Had I had more time, I would have invited my LinkedIn colleagues to get in on the debate.

I questioned my friends on Facebook asking for their experience. People using these mediums tend to help each other out, like neighbors used to do. I had immediate responses both for the IPhone and the Blackberry.

People using these mediums tend to help each other out, like neighbors used to do.

Then I posted on Twitter the same kind of question. Nada. No response.

So I used a service called Socialtoo which provides a great little survey tool for social networks. I asked a simple question:

If you were buying a Smartphone today for use in business and some social networking, which device would you choose?

I then offered them 5 choices. I got back survey results after every reminder throughout the day.

Things were pretty even, and I was still undecided, when one of my TFam, or Tweets responded. (Meaning a "follower" of mine from Twitter)

It was WIRED magazine. Imagine that, I am getting advice from people who really knew what they were talking about. They sent me this article. Is states simply that the security around email and data on the Blackberry still out does the IPhone, although the IPhone is constantly improving in that area. It says that although the IPhone is more fun, the BB s probably more suited to my business needs. I think in the future I would like both. :-)

By the end of the day, I feel informed, sure and ready to purchase.

Point to the Story

Your customers are no different. Someone is educating them: someone online most likely. It better be you.

To our Success

Harmony Thiessen

How to Increase Retail Sales for Christmas

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:08:00 -0600

It's Christmas Retail Season

For many small retail businesses, the Christmas season provides the much-needed opportunity for increased sales and wider margins. It’s common for those precious few weeks to represent 30% or more of the year’s revenues.

How can small businesses capitalize on this festive and potentially lucrative season?Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind as you build your seasonal strategy:

1. Plan Ahead

Don’t’ wait until November to plan. Begin thinking about your Christmas season in the springtime, write out strategies in the summer, and initiate implementation in September. You will have articles to write, specific items to order, people to contact and budgets to prepare. So although you are not hanging tinsel in September, you are preparing for a great season behind closed doors.

There is hope for you though even if you didn’t plan ahead of time.

Don’t be discouraged and do nothing. Get online, search out articles or reports on Christmas sales strategies, or use some of the ones listed below. Find a few things you can do on a weekend, and get busy. Don’t get down, get determined!

2. Shop Early

Run promotions on selected specials early. Get people thinking about Christmas. You might have some fun offering a coupon you hand out with purchases made from November 5-15. They can come back in December and get a gift”, or a significant discount on a higher margin item. They shop early, and they have incentive to come back. Link it in with an email promotion and remind them in December.

3. Use Demonstrations

If you have some products you can demonstrate – invite customers back for the demo. If you are a clothing retailer, set aside an evening for your preferred clients to come for a glass of wine and early preview of Christmas stock.

4. Support a Charity

Get involved with the Spirit of Christmas yourself. Find a local charity that contributes to the community and help to promote their cause. Show your willingness to give as well as receive.

5. Bring in Entertainment

Don’t pay the pros. Contact your local schools or kids clubs and bring in child artists, musicians, ballet dancers, and model car builders – anything related to kids. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles will follow. They tell friends and so on. Be sure you have a few items on special for just that group of customers.

There is no time like Christmastime for the Triple Win Strategy (you win, your customer wins, and someone else benefits). If you put a plan in place, think like a customer for promotions, share with others and build community, you will insure not only a more prosperous Christmas this year, but build a reputation that you can “live on” throughout the year.

To Our Success,

Harmony Thiessen

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How to Look Past the Financial Roadbloacks and See A New Route

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:15:00 -0500

Friday Afternoon and Time to Cut the Payroll Checks

It’s Friday and you’ve got a pile of bills in the office, 3 employees waiting for their paychecks and leaking tiles in the main warehouse. Small business challenges are tough, and if you’re waiting for payment from a major customer account, lack of cash flow can put a stranglehold on your optimism and leave you gasping by Friday at 4 pm.

Banks. Buds, and blessed family many not have the answers you need. In this economic environment, you would be better off finding solutions that don’t include the traditional lending solutions.

To discover new opportunities your mind has to somehow LET GO of what isn’t working now, and become OPEN to something new. Although it’s said with easily, “becoming open” (when you are internally shutting down against unyielding pressure), is not as easy as implied.

I have been here time and time again in different business situations and learned a creative strategy that has rearranged how I deal with the stress of small business:

The number one strategy - Look Away.

Do you remember when the 3-D paintings or pictures were so popular in the 1980’s? Hidden within the complex work was and entirely different picture from the one your eyes saw using your normal vision.

I remember being one the folks who would stand looking at the picture for 10 minutes saying, “ I just can’t see it!.” Kids would come stand next to me and within a minute or so exclaim gleefully, “Kewl! Man that looks awesome!”

The longer I stood the more frustrated I got. Until one day, I walked away. I quit starring at it and went for coffee, not intending to return. When I did happen to walk by the painting in the lobby, I had forgotten my frustration, and felt relaxed after chatting with my friend over java. Unwound now, I took a lingering look at the picture and noticed a slight flash of a different design. I quickly observed that if I forced my stare into it I lost it, but if I consciously relaxed my eyes and allowed the image to distort in ways my preconceptions didn’t dictate, slowly a new image materialized and I could no longer see the old one.

I have a note to myself on my refrigerator with a picture hand-drawn that says this:

LOOK AWAY.

Stop starring at what you know. Go play a game of golf, run a mile or two, visit an art gallery, go to a café and play solitaire on your computer: Change what you are looking at!

You can’t come up with the money to pay your employees starring at the cheque book and swearing at phone every time it rings. You have got to see beyond what you are staring at.

I found that I needed to relax my eyes quite a bit to allow another dimension to present itself. My eyes are trained to look a certain way. Your mind is trained to see lack of resource a certain way: BAD. In true fact, your mind may be saying you have a lack of resource when you have hidden gems all around.

It Can Get Brutal Before it Gets Better

A client of mine went through this recently. Lack of resources drove them to do something drastic that they would have put off for years due to the inconvenience – they moved location. And in doing so, they saved money, found a much more appropriate space, and enabled themselves to attract a whole new “dimension” of customers because of the new resources available.

Here’ the kicker though: IT GOT BRUTAL BEFORE IT GOT BETTER. And as long as we are looking hard, starring madly, engaged with fierce determination, it can remain brutal.

It’s no mistake today that out of the billions of words said in papers and blogs and books and videos and songs and so on and on….that you read these words – Look Away.

Don’t stay focused where there is no solution.

I close today with a list of ideas offered from various students over several years of teaching. Here are ways people have found to look away.

Play the piano
Dance naked (they didn’t say where!)
Cook something new
Play with kids
Do a puzzle
Paint anything
Take a country drive
Stare at the ocean and eat sunflower seeds
Wash the car
Clean the house

You may find that picking up the phone and calling a friend to suggest a coffee would be a great start. Get out of the business and into life. New ways of approaching your financial pressure abound – it’s YOU that needs to SEE new solutions.

Look Away.

To our success,

Harmony

PS. 30 Minute Money may be just the ticket for you!

Do's and Don'ts of Page Links

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:28:00 -0500

Everyone Wants to be a GOOGLE Star!

When it comes to websites, search engines and optimizing your presence on the internet (SEO, Search Marketing), small business owners need to insure they have good page ranks. Page ranking in Google or other Search engines like BING or YAHOO! involve several components, and links from other websites to yours is a key element.

Here is the link to a great list of DO NOT DO when it comes to acquiring links.

Links are important and it’s worth your time to build them, but you will be rewarded if they are links you earned rather than links you bought on sale at a local discount web marketer.

What Should I Do to Get Links?

Some easy ways to develop links over time would be:

Do some good content writing on your blog. Bloggers will find you and refer to you, and that is, a link. (Blogs are normally indexed by the Search Engines regularly, so you don’t have to worry if the page is indexed or not as you would on some websites.)
Ask your clients to refer you to others on their websites.
Host great resources on your website that others will find helpful. They will refer to you and that is another link for your treasury.
Press coverage, good or bad for that matter, can get you incoming links.
You can ask others to link to you, but you need to remember: reciprocating links don’t mean a lot in the scope of things, and if their content is not relevant to what you do, it could hurt rather than help you.

Maybe you can set aside 30 minutes this week to do something to your website that will aid your link bank. Let’s face it, if they help you get higher in the common searches on Yahoo! or Google, and that brings you traffic – that may well lead to business.

To our success,

Harmony