Partners for Self Employment Small Business Seminar:

I will be teaching at the following event-

PARTNERS FOR SELF EMPLOYMENT INC

PRESENTS

A FREE WORKSHOP BY

ROBERT ROGERS, P.A.

“LEGAL ENTITIES”

LEARN THE BEST WAY TO STRUCTURE YOUR BUSINESS

IF YOU OWN OR WANT TO OWN A BUSINESS YOU CANNOT MISS THIS WORKSHOP!

Business Entity Workshop Outline:

I. Title

a. “Understanding Florida Business Entities”

II. Discussion items

a. What are my options for business structuring in Florida?

b. What are the general tax consequences of each business entity?

c. How will each business entity protect my personal assets?

d. Learn how to use company structure to create flexibility in ownership.

e. How can I structure my business to prepare for future success and growth?

f. How can I change my entity if a different one is a better fit for my company structure?

g. Review concerns specific to small and emerging businesses regarding entity setup.

III. Sidebar Items

a. Develop a general understanding of business entities in the state of Florida

b. Gain valuable information from an attorney about how to use the Florida business entities.

c. Due to limited seating please RSVP: cornell@partnersforselfemployment.com

d. When: April 7 2010

e. 7pm-8:45pm

f. Where: 3000 Biscayne Blvd. Ste. 215, Miami, FL 33137

g. FREE PARKING AVAILABLE

DUE TO CONSTRUCTION ON BISCAYNE BLVD

PLEASE ENTER 30^TH STREET FROM NE 2d AVENUE

Personal Identity and Business Identity

The difficulty that many business owners have is separating the personal identity from the business identity. This is increasingly difficult in the new world of social media and direct line communications. There are three considerations to keep in mind when working on identity and business branding.

1) Your Industry

Each industry presents its own unique challenges based on how business interact with one another and their clients.  When determining how to create your business identity and potentially separate that identity from any personal presence that you may have in the public arena, it is first important to evaluate what the industry standard are and how similarly situation business operate.  In some industries, it is necessary for a business owner to separate their personal information/identity from the brand they are created.  This can be due to professionalism concerns, confidentiality issues or similar situations.  In other industries, the individual and business identities can become more blended as a business owner my want to establish more personal relationship with clients/customers.

2) Your Market

Also, in issues of branding and identity, it is important that a business owner know what the expectations of their market are.  Some customers or clients expect certain relationships to exist between themselves and the business provider.  This is especially true when operating internationally.  Pay attention to the culture of the market that you are operating in as well as the people with whom you are interacting.

3) Your Privacy

The last consideration you will have when evaluating the overlap of professional and personal identities is personal privacy.  This is critical relative to home contact information as well as information about family members.  In many industries, it is better to keep as much of this information private so as to protect the interests of those around you.  What is important to  remember in this regard is that many times the information that is supplied over social media sources is not private unless you specifically make a effort to make is so.

Miami-Dade Mayor’s Microenterprise Workshop

The Mayor’s Micro-Enterprise Workshop
Thursday, March 25, 2010
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
University of Phoenix Learning Center
11410 Northwest 20th Street, Miami 33172
Meet and connect with governmental purchasing
professionals from Miami-Dade County departments,
other municipalities, and various economic
development agencies.
Learn more about:
• Alternative Financing
• Business and Financial Plan Preparation
• Community Based Programs & Other Technical Assistance
• Education in the Business World
• Financial Opportunities & Information
• How to Be Green & Be Profitable
• How to Do Business with Miami-Dade County
• How to Market Your Business
• Legal Requirements of Owning and Operating a Business
• Pre-Qualification/Technical Certification & Contracting Opportunities
• Small Business Certification & Contracting Opportunities
Registration is required & space is limited. RSVP before March 22, 2010
to Lawanda Wright-Robinson at wlawand@miamidade.gov.
For more information call (305) 375-3186

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

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

Global Entrepreneurship Week in Miami-

Don't Miss GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK At the University of Miami's Toppel Career Center More than 50 Global Entrepreneurship Week events are planned at the University of Miami November 16-20, 2009 RSVP at www.thelaunchpad.org/GEW Global Entrepreneurship Week Highlights University of Miami Monday, November 16th 10 a.m.-noon: Entrepreneurship Fair, University Center 3:30 p.m.: Dana White, president of Ultimate Fighting Championship, Maurice Gusman Concert Hall 7 p.m.: Six Degrees to Success: The Art of Networking, Storer Auditorium Tuesday, November 17th 10 a.m.: Laurie Silvers, co-founder of the Sci-Fi Network, School of Communications, Shoma Hall Noon-2 p.m.: Entrepreneurs of the Internet Panel, Contemporary Judaic Studies Auditorium 4 p.m.: Romero Britto, Storer Auditorium 6 p.m.-9 p.m.: An Evening with Fashion Entrepreneurs, including Donald J. Pliner; Storer Auditorium Wednesday, November 18th 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.: Women in Entrepreneurship Day at Jungle Island; keynote speaker is Suzy Welch (panels are free; fee for luncheon) 3:30 p.m.: Watch first-round eliminations in Elevator Pitch contest, Toppel Library 5:30 p.m.: Leonard Abess, CEO, City National Bank, Storer Auditorium 6 p.m.-8 p.m.: Presentation of Ten9Eight and Q&A with filmmaker Mary Mazzio, Cosford Theater Thursday, November 19th 10:30 a.m.: Watch second round, Elevator Pitch contest, Toppel Library Noon to 6 p.m.: Social Entrepreneurship Summit, University Center Friday, November 20th 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Watch finale of Elevator Pitch contest, Toppel Library 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Gaming and Mobile Applications Fair and Summit with founders of AlienWare, Destructoid and GameRecruiter, University Center Miami Dade College Miami Dade College is hosting more than a dozen events on its campuses. Go to www.mdc.edu/business or call 305-237-0620 for a complete list. Here are a few: Wednesday, November 18th 9 a.m.-1 p.m.: Can You Sell It? A competition, InterAmerican Campus, Flag Courtyard 9:15 a.m.: Kenneth Rader, founder and CEO of the Cereal Bowl, Wolfson Campus, Room 1264 10:30 a.m.: How a Reality Show Affected My Business, Wolfson Campus, Room 1264  For more information on all of The Launch Pad's events and to RSVP: www.thelaunchpad.org/gew-calendar thelaunchpad@miami.edu 305.284.2789

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

Small Business Counselor Video Series

Here is the link to the weekly videos that I am putting together for the benefit of small business owners.  I will also post the videos as blog entries here.  Feel free to share with your friends and associates:

http://robertmrogers.snappages.com/small-business-counselor-video-series.htm

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

How Social Media Can Actually Work

Here are some good tips related to using social media in a more productive way.  The key to marketing is reaching your intended audience in a meaningful way.  A way that sticks.  Check out the tips from BusinessWeek:

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

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

Obama’s Small Bank Plan

Here is an article from Forbes.com that describes President Obama’s proposal to use some TARP money to assist community banks so that they can lend to small businesses.  This is a promising prospect to all small businesses access to capital.  Hopefully they do something that will incentivize lending so that the money will actually be lent to small businesses.  Access to capital is critical to a small business' success.  Here’s the information:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/21/loans-banking-obama-entrepreneurs-finance-obama.html

Florida International Business Tip of the Day

Engaging in international business can be exciting and lucrative but it also presents its own unique challenges.  The normal business concerns of cash flow, marketing and publicity are amplified in the international sphere because of cultural differences, communication issues and access to markets.  Because of the difficulties that a business can face, it is necessary for a business to have access to good international business resources.  Two governmental organizations that can assist businesses in Florida that operate internationally are: Enterprise Florida and the Jay Malina International Trade Consortium.  If you have any questions about opportunities, concerns or tips, reach out to those organizations and they can help guide you.  Their websites also have great informational resources and links to help you in your international business ventures.

High Impact Marketing on a Limited Budget

Included below is the tip of the day for small business readers of BusinessWeek.  These are some timely tips for businesses as marketing is critical for success but budgets are not what they used to be.  I especially agree with the first point… We need to re-connect with our communities.  Find people that are complimentary to our efforts.  Collaborate to success.  Here is the link for more information:

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/tips/archives/2009/10/high-impact_mar.html

Accountability

Written in an unapologetic manner, this interesting article in Entrepreneur focuses on the importance for small business owners to take personal accountability for the management and success of their business, even in times of economic difficulty.  A truly successful business is managed in such a way that it can weather the storms as well as sail in the sunshine.  The latter is easy to do, the former is where many businesses stumble.  Check out the pointers expressed and let me know what you think:

http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/startupbasics/article203238.html

Business Card Exchange in Miami

Here is an upcoming business networking event in Miami.  For those small businesses in the area, it is a great opportunity to meet other business owners and service providers, especially if you are interested in international business.

Today's Tip Dispelling Two Sustainability Myths for Small Businesses - BusinessWeek

For those businesses who are concerned about the environmental impact of what they do, this article in BusinessWeek gives an excellent summary of why even small businesses can be engaged in planning a more sustainable business culture.  An important element of compliance planning within any business is to be aware of progressive regulations related to the environment as well as other business legal matters.  Enjoy the insights!

Today's Tip Dispelling Two Sustainability Myths for Small Businesses - BusinessWeek

In race for stimulus dollars, we're coming in last - Business Monday - MiamiHerald.com

In this morning's Miami Herald, there was an article that outlined the stimulus money that is coming in to South Florida.  Not enough projects are being made available to small businesses.  I hope this article inspires people in South Florida to work together to create opportunities for small businesses.  Now is an excellent time to explore opportunities to collaborate and form strategic partnerships in order to succeed in breaking out of this economic downturn.  Have a read and hopefully it gives you ideas as to how to succeed.

In race for stimulus dollars, we're coming in last - Business Monday - MiamiHerald.com