Examine Pricing

Here is a timely article about what companies should do to evaluate pricing.  This is important for the coming year as the market is still adjusting.  Enjoy the read:

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/tips/archives/2009/11/examine_pricing.html

2nd Annual Florida-China Business Summit

2nd Annual Transit Summit: Miami-Dade County

Creating Forecasting for Business Units

It is necessary in business to take the time to forecast or project how your business will perform in the immediate and the long term future.  Here are some basic tips:

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/tips/archives/2009/11/create_forecast.html

Should Small Businesses Be Allowed to Be Bigger?

Here is an interesting article about the SBA policies related to small businesses and thoughts related to adjustments that may need to be made in the definition of a small business.  Adjustments definitely have their benefits and disadvantages.  How much growth is too much?  Read and feel free to interject your opinion in a comment:

http://blog.entrepreneur.com/2009/11/should-small-businesses-be-allowed-to-be-bigger.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+entrepreneur/dailydose+(Daily+Dose)

Establish Daily Forecasting

Managing labor and resources is especially important to small business owners in this economy.  Here is a good article on things to do to establish daily forecasts:

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/tips/archives/2009/11/establish_daily.html

Sell Value, NOT Time

One struggle that many businesses face is how to quantify the value of the product or service that they provide.  Here is an interesting article about what pricing figures should be based on; especially in services businesses.  Enjoy the read:

http://blog.smallbusinessadvice.com/2009/10/21/sell-value-not-time.aspx?ref=rss

Can States Save Their Small Businesses:

Entrepreneur.com has an interesting article about the things that states are doing in order to assist their small businesses.  Read here:

http://blog.entrepreneur.com/2009/10/can-states-save-their-small-businesses.php

Event Helping Businesses Connect to the Global Marketplace:

Make Your Business Global - Understand How Multilingual Website Marketing Can Work to Your Advantage

Here is an interesting article about some of the things that you can do to improve the online marketing that you are doing for your international business.  Enjoy the read:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Make-Your-Business-Global-Understand-How-Multilingual-Website-Marketing-Can-Work-to-Your-Advantage&id=1076615

20 of the Best Resources to Get Your Startup Off the Ground

Here is an amazing resource for startups from Mashable.com.  A lot goes in to launching a new venture and one of the benefits of the internet is that it offers access to resources that allow people to educate themselves in the industry they are working in.  This article brings a lot of those resources together:

http://mashable.com/2009/11/05/resources-for-starting-your-startup/

Finding Florida’s Export Financers

Here is information on an upcoming event for exporter and finance companies to learn about the current export finance environment:

DEAR FLORIDA CLIENTS:

We are pleased to announce our upcoming seminar on international trade finance for Florida companies.  We are working with the Florida International Bankers' Association (FIBA) to bring you this educational event where you can have all your export finance questions answered in one place.  We will also offer one-on-one meetings with representatives of banks that are seeking to finance exports for Florida companies as well as the U.S. Export-Import Bank and Small Business Administration.  Please register early and contact us no later than November 12, 2009 to schedule your one-on-one appointments.  Please note that these appointments with the bankers and financial institutions are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, with early registrants receiving special priority.

FINDING FINANCING FOR FLORIDA’S EXPORTERS
US Commercial Service and Florida International Bankers' Association (FIBA)

November 20, 2009

9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Intercontinental West Hotel - Doral

2505 NW 87TH Ave, Miami, FL, 33172

For more information, please see the attached agenda (tentative) and flyer and register at either of the links below:

www.fiba.net (Events Calendar)

http://www.fiba-events.net/eventdetails.asp?EventID=1183439955

Don't miss this opportunity to learn first-hand from experts in the field of international trade finance and credit.

If you have any questions, please contact sarah.cook@mail.doc.gov or 954-356-6640, ext 13.  We look forward to seeing you there!

10 Things You Can Do in the Next 60 Days to Market Your Business and Close More Sales

Here is an excellent article on marketing from Small Business Trends.  The holiday season offers both challenges and opportunities for marketing.  This list is a great summary of alternatives that will allow you to take advantage of the climate and build your client base.  Enjoy!

http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/11/10-things-to-market-your-business-close-more-sales.html

A Twitter Contest That Allows Businesses to Make Their Pitch to Venture Capitalists

Everyone wants access to funds.  Here is a unique contest that will allow business owners their 140 characters or less to pitch their idea.  I love when companies buy in to new media!  Here is the article:

http://blog.entrepreneur.com/2009/10/contest-lets-winners-pitch-vcs.php

International Business Networker

Here is some information on upcoming international business networking events in South Florida:

 

The First Step For A Successful Networking,

Is To Be Involved In One...

Networking con Americas Community Center

Jueves 29 de 2009

at Carlos Albizu University

2173 Nw 99th Ave

Doral, Fl. 33172

7:45 - 9:15 AM

RSVP: 9543239526

andrea@americascc.org

Small Business Lending Workshop:

Information is key in a recession and now is a great time to get information about how your company can get access to funds.  Here is some information on an upcoming event:

 

BUSINESS WORKSHOP
JOIN OUR SURVIVE & THRIVE
WORKSHOP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
CO-SPONSORED BY:
Reach Local
Thursday, Nov 12th
6:00pm-8:00pm
CITIBANK
899 W. Cypress Creek Rd,
Suite 8 Ft. Lauderdale,
FL , 33309.
(Inside the Citrix Building)
To Register:
Call (305) 807-5782
ACCION USA is a nonprofit
organization that has provided
loans and small business training
since 1991. Learn more at
www.accionusa.org
Get personalized business advice at this FREE
event sponsored by Citibank & ACCION USA.
RECEIVE FREE COACHING FROM PROFESSIONALS IN THE
AREAS OF:
• Banking for Small Businesses
• Boost sales with e-marketing
• Alternative Financing for Small Business

Upcoming Toy Drive

Business is about community.  I am a firm advocate of businesses doing what they can to commit to their communities in a broader way.  Here is an upcoming opportunity:

Live Business Radio Show Event

Please join us this Thursday, October 29^th from 6pm-8pm for a special live remote broadcast of “The Ron Mann         show” and the VIP with Tony Calatayud and Jorge Guevara

This week’s show will be broadcast live from the fabulous and always fun - Crazy Piano’s in Coconut Grove

Enjoy great entertainment, complimentary cocktails from Chivas 18 and an array of Chef’s Specialties…. 

Special Guests include:

City of Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff

former Miami Heat Player and Current Game Day Analyst – John Crotty

and as always, a few surprises..

Please join myself and my illustrious co-host – Adam (“Little Lubby”) Lubkin as we discuss the current state of the city in which we live

You can also tune into “The Ron Mann Show” live on the radio at 880AM or stream live on the Internet at www.880thebiz.com

Thursday, October 29^th 2009 6-8pm

“The Biz” is the only station in South Florida strictly dedicated to business and is quickly growing a cult-like following in the city. You can expect to hear about local and national business issues, politics, sports and as always - opinionated commentary.

Please reply with unsubscribe in the subject box to be removed from this list. We apologize for the inconvenience

Work With Firms That Are Similar to Yours

Joint venturing is an excellent way for small businesses to compete as if they were “bigger.”  A couple key elements to consider when contemplating joint venturing: 1) How healthy is the match and what are the collective goals?, 2) What protections are needed related to collective and individual liabilities or expenses?, and 3) What is the length of time and what are the conditions of the joint venture?  These elements should be thoroughly discussed by both parties in order to determine whether or not to venture together.  Here is a great article from BusinessWeek that gives further information in that regard:

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/tips/archives/2009/10/work_with_firms.html

How to Master Intercultural Communications

Here is an article that gives business owners tips on how to manage communication across cultures.  These principles of communication apply in domestic business as well as international business.  The focus needs to be on ensuring that both parties understand one another.  Here is the link:

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Master-Intercultural-Communication&id=3109094