Business Plan Briefing, 2007 Jan 16 Walking the Walk

If the images aren't showing, be sure to check your browser bar.
Odds are that images are blocked until you enable them.

If a friend forwarded this to you, and you would like your own subscription,
CLICK HERE

TOP OF THE BRIEFING JUMPING ON THE MINORITY BANDWAGON
It's easy to say, "Let's cater to the Hispanic community, or the Filipino community" or to any other community. Banks all over the place are jumping on the bandwagon to do just that. Good heavens, even I push you to look to the niches. But, truthfully, folks, it's a lot harder to do it than to say it. It means a whole lot more than hiring a Spanish speaking person as a teller. Case in point: A few years ago a lady friend of mine got fired from a position because she didn't call in and tell her supervisor she wasn't coming to work. Maria was in tears. "But I told her," Maria said. "Just what did you tell her," I tried to ask very tactfully. "I told her my sister's son was being baptized here on Saturday." Now, in Maria's mind that meant logically only one thing: at least three days of cooking and cleaning and getting reading for the ceremony, PLUS entertaining all the relatives who would be in town, and cleaning up afterwards. She knew full well she would be off work for at least four days, but that was fine with her. Family was more important. Her manager hadn't a clue that the communication really meant anything at all. As far as the supervisor was concerned, it was idle chatter. Moral of the story: When you reach to serve a niche community, hire someone who (1) speaks the language, and (2) knows the differences in culture well enough to communicate them to you. Without adapting to the culture, the language just won't bridge the gap.
NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT STILL NEW ON THE NET
A colleague asked me about the possibility of starting an internet business targeted to people who want a home business. Mmmmm, I thought. Sure, I said, go for the internet business idea, but niche it down. (You're getting tired of that phrase, aren't you?) Two years ago the internet was wide open for sites aimed at people who wanted to work at home. Now there are tens of thousands of those websites out there, perhaps even hundreds of thousands. The competition is ferocious. But I don't see any sites for teachers who want a home business. Or for accountants who want a home business. Or for sales people who want a home business. So go get 'em. Right now the internet is wide open. Claim you niche and make it your own.
TOP FREEBIE DON'T WRITE THAT BUSINESS PLAN!
This isn't only free. It will save you huge amounts of time, effort and money. Go to your local public or university library. Ask to see the January 9, 2007 edition of the Wall Street Journal. Find the Small Business page. Read the article "Do Start-ups Really Need Formal Business Plans?" Nearly every business plan website has a section titled "Why You Need a Business Plan", and touts the notion that every business must plan, plan, plan. We don't. And never have. There's a place for a business plan. And mostly it's when need money. For those looking to do it on their own, we really promote Bootstrapping as a very viable option.
BUSINESS BRIEFS .
$58.6 million went to green industries last year, a 30% jump over the previous year. This is still the hottest growing area for venture capital. And New England is the fastest growing region. It hasn't overtaken Silicon Valley yet, but it may. Maureen Kelly of Tarte Cosmetics has been named Entrepreneur's Woman of the Year. Women Angels, a Milwaukee based angel investment group, has made its first investment. Women Angles was founded over a year ago and investigated nearly 20 companies before selected TrafficCast International, Inc. as its first company. Women Angels will be expanding to the Fort Lauderdale-Miami, Florida area in 2007. The Small Business Administration has scheduled a series of free consultations in January and February to help small business owners on O'ahu, Kaua'i and the Big Island in Hawaii. The 30-minute confidential consultations will provide small-business owners with information on resources including, loans for working capital, developing management skills, technical assistance and business development through government contracting programs and certifications. BA Venture Partners said that it's renaming itself Scale Venture Partners as the firm launches a $400 million fund that's stepping away from its former parent, Bank of America Corp.
YOUR FREE BUSINESS PLAN SAMPLE GUM SHOE BRIGADE
Being a private detective may not be all it's cracked up to be, but it still ain't bad. Take a look at a business plan to develop your own agency.
We appreciate your supporting our sponsors .
SiteSell -- the web host that judges its success by your success. Take a look at some SBI clients that have made it to the top 1% of all sites. Why incorporate your business? You can’t afford not to! PROTECT your Personal Assets. SAVE on Self-Employment & Income Taxes. It’s quick and easy with The Company Corporation® "So whatever you want to do, just do it. Don't worry about making a damn fool of yourself. Making a damn fool of yourself is absolutely essential. And you will have a great time." Gloria Steinem, Writer and Feminist
That's it for now. Remember, if there is anything you want to see in this ezine, let me know (I've got a bit of influence with the editor!)