I was on a nice direct flight from Phoenix to Chicago yesterday and was able to listen to a great book called "The Go-Giver" by Bob Burg...what a great book!
How many times have we seen a person at work that just seems like they have it all and are going to be greatly successful but never quite get there? Maybe you've seen it in your children? I know I have and still struggle with one of my children that just hasn't quite given in to the ways of the world yet. The premise of the message in "The Go-Giver" is that you must be willing to receive in order to get and "receiving" is required in order for "giving" to even happen. Remember the message "It's better to give than to receive"?
I don't know about all of you, but I think we could all use a reminder every once in a while, ok maybe its more of a kick in the butt! In either case Bob Burg does a fabulous job of "waking you up" in this short but powerful book. Do yourself a favor and read this NOW. You, your students, family, friends, clients, staff and everyone around you will benefit if you do a bit more than just read it too. I know you all will, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this. In case you like to listen to books there's a link to the audio book from itunes on Raendrop.com
Good luck today, go make a difference in someone's life!
Victor
Showing posts with label business strategy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business strategy. Show all posts
Monday, November 2, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Virtual Office - Save Thousands!
I am absolutely amazed at the quality & pricing of some great applications/services out there that allow you to setup a business and operate as if you had a complete staff and had invested tens of thousands of dollars in infrastructure.
I've been in business for over 2 decades. In that time I have setup or help setup dozens of companies and offices. Where does the majority of investment go? Well outside of the physical location (leasehold improvements) and the product (assuming you're selling one), it goes to infrastructure and marketing. You know, a phone system, fax, flyers, brochures, lead lists and services and of course the salaries for the people to answer your phones, send your faxes and contact and track your potential customers.
For all those people that find themselves without a job and considering starting up their own business, allow me to introduce some applications and services that might allow you to open your own business for much less than you were originally thinking
1. If you don't need a physical location don't get one (this is just common sense, no application or service). Setup a website at either 1and1 or Go Daddy. It's very inexpensive and very easy to create and edit.
2. Phone System - most people have a cell phone and that's great but you have no help this way. Try Give the Impression of a Large Corporation with Virtual Call System! Toll Free 800 Number
which gives you all the services of a normal phone system (PBX) and a receptionist for next to nothing and you can pay monthly.
3. Fax System - this one is easy. Just get an eFax Annual Subscription
and be done with it.
4. Contact Management - So this has never been my strong point but this product is amazing. Please evaluate this, you will be doing yourself a favor. Free Trial of iContact
5. Legal Entity - don't forget to protect yourself. If you need a complex structure because you will have partners or outside financing, go see an attorney and get it done properly. If you're going at it alone, you can do it yourself at Legal Zoom
For your convenience I've put banners to these sites just to the left of this blog. Just click and evaluate. These are also located on my personal website www.raendrop.com.
Good luck to you all,
Victor
I've been in business for over 2 decades. In that time I have setup or help setup dozens of companies and offices. Where does the majority of investment go? Well outside of the physical location (leasehold improvements) and the product (assuming you're selling one), it goes to infrastructure and marketing. You know, a phone system, fax, flyers, brochures, lead lists and services and of course the salaries for the people to answer your phones, send your faxes and contact and track your potential customers.
For all those people that find themselves without a job and considering starting up their own business, allow me to introduce some applications and services that might allow you to open your own business for much less than you were originally thinking
1. If you don't need a physical location don't get one (this is just common sense, no application or service). Setup a website at either 1and1 or Go Daddy. It's very inexpensive and very easy to create and edit.
2. Phone System - most people have a cell phone and that's great but you have no help this way. Try Give the Impression of a Large Corporation with Virtual Call System! Toll Free 800 Number
3. Fax System - this one is easy. Just get an eFax Annual Subscription
4. Contact Management - So this has never been my strong point but this product is amazing. Please evaluate this, you will be doing yourself a favor. Free Trial of iContact
5. Legal Entity - don't forget to protect yourself. If you need a complex structure because you will have partners or outside financing, go see an attorney and get it done properly. If you're going at it alone, you can do it yourself at Legal Zoom
For your convenience I've put banners to these sites just to the left of this blog. Just click and evaluate. These are also located on my personal website www.raendrop.com.
Good luck to you all,
Victor
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Share The Knowledge
One of the most important things we can do to help our organizations, associates, employees, and any one else we care about is to share what we know with them. After all, that is what teaching is. At R&A we have recently taken this to a new level. Just this month, our efforts in an international collaboration with other CPA firms went "live".
R&A is a member of an international organization that teaches CPA firms how to provide consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses. This group provides us with phenomenal training and "best practice" tools and techniques to deliver these services. With Ran One's
assistance, a group of about 12 CPA firms from across the globe launched a new website to assist business all around the world during the horrific economic crisis. Please visit the site at http://www.economicrecoveryresourcecenter.com. The information on this site is as valuable as you can find any where.
Keep the American dream alive, stay focused and use the resources around. We are all in the same boat, and we all need each other to make it through to better days!
Victor Puchi, CPA
Managing Shareholder
R&A CPAs
www.RandAcpas.com
Friday, February 20, 2009
Position for Tomorrow
If you watch any news channels, ready any newspaper or just listen to the chatter at the water fountain at work, you are going to hear the bleakest news of the US economy since the Great Depression.
Owners and executives of businesses both small and large and working day and night to manage through this crisis. Businesses are streamlining operations to conserve cash (major layoffs), and cutting back in every expense category possible. This isn't enough. Crisis time is also the best time to reposition your business for the needs of tomorrow.
The strong get stronger during difficult times because they know how to get ready for the turnaround. Study your markets and find the niche that has been created by the new crisis or that will exist when the turnaround comes. If you can't find one then make sure you are ready to handle the increase in business when the economy stabilizes. Invest in keeping the great people in your organization, improving your processes and communicating your efforts to your clients. Keep your ear open to your clients, they will tell you if you should be doing something differently or different things.
During these times, basic business management techniques are critical. Keep your operation simple, manage inventories, manage accounts receivable, collect, collect, collect and watch the key performance indicators for your business http://economy.aicpa.org/business-industry/.
Make sure you keep your staff involved and informed of your plans and how they can help. Your staff can be the best resource for ideas and the extra energy needed to make it through these tough times. They are more loyal than most realize. Stay positive and keep the focus. We are a great nation and the capitalistic nature of the American people will prevail. You are that people...Good luck!
Owners and executives of businesses both small and large and working day and night to manage through this crisis. Businesses are streamlining operations to conserve cash (major layoffs), and cutting back in every expense category possible. This isn't enough. Crisis time is also the best time to reposition your business for the needs of tomorrow.
The strong get stronger during difficult times because they know how to get ready for the turnaround. Study your markets and find the niche that has been created by the new crisis or that will exist when the turnaround comes. If you can't find one then make sure you are ready to handle the increase in business when the economy stabilizes. Invest in keeping the great people in your organization, improving your processes and communicating your efforts to your clients. Keep your ear open to your clients, they will tell you if you should be doing something differently or different things.
During these times, basic business management techniques are critical. Keep your operation simple, manage inventories, manage accounts receivable, collect, collect, collect and watch the key performance indicators for your business http://economy.aicpa.org/business-industry/.
Make sure you keep your staff involved and informed of your plans and how they can help. Your staff can be the best resource for ideas and the extra energy needed to make it through these tough times. They are more loyal than most realize. Stay positive and keep the focus. We are a great nation and the capitalistic nature of the American people will prevail. You are that people...Good luck!
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