Are you a Little Giant?

To seek out and reward innovative small businesses like yours, Rockland Business Digest has just announced its first annual Small Business Excellence Awards.

The Little Giant Award honors small businesses that represent a spirit of innovation, a dedication to the county, and a willingness to improve not only their own bottom-line, but the business community, as well.

These awards will give excellent exposure to Rockland’s Small Businesses, which make up nearly 85% of the total businesses in the entire county.

Awards will be given in seven (7) categories:

1. Family-Owned Business: Recognizes exemplary performance in a solely owned and run family company or organization.

2. Minority-Owned Business: Recognizes outstanding performance in a MWBE business.

3. Micro-Business (Less than 3 employees): Recognizes innovation in running a sole-proprietorship or true micro-enterprise.

4. Best B-to-B Business: Outstanding service and products which help other businesses to reach their objective.

5. Business Community Supporter: Recognizes a company, which understands the importance of a strong business core.

6. Most Innovative Business: Recognizes risk takers with bright ideas.

7. Best to Work For: Provides outstanding work environment and opportunities for all employees.

A select panel of judges, which will be announced in the next issue of Rockland Business Digest, will choose one winner in each category. Companies may be nominated by a third-party or you may nominate yourself or your company for the appropriate category.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS...

• Must have a physical presence in Rockland County, NY

• Less than twenty employees

• Must have been in business for at least one (1) year

• Gross revenues of less than $4 million in 2006

• Able to be available for a short interview with judges

WINNERS RECEIVE...

• An interview and follow-up article on your business to appear in a future issue of Rockland Business Digest.

• Beautiful Plaque

• The admiration of the entire business community

The application process is now open and will be until April 15, 2008. For questions about the Little Giant Awards, or how to apply online, please visit our website, www.RBDigest.com.

Solutions for 2008, by Ken Mahoney

Solutions for 2008, by Ken Mahoney Judy Martin has been featured in the pages of RBD for her great work with work/life balance.

We go to her blog quite often when we feel that work/life is out of balance.

Here is one of her most recent entries:

A winter freeze has taken residence across parts of the country. The snow is falling, people are staying indoors and a storm is brewing outside (and in the markets) as I write these words. Although the wicked weather is a frightful mix of whipping winds, gray skies and the occasional snowflake, a rather large crowd took to the treadmills, weights, and steam room this afternoon at my local gym; myself included.

This is really the time to turn up the heat and put more effort into removing holiday pounds. And with December's job numbers (fewer jobs were added than analysts forecast) at a low not seen since after Katrina, it's also a time to turn up the heat at work or in your career.

Talk of recession might spark some jitters in job stability moving forward in 2008 due to the housing market mess and other fallout from the subprime crunch. It really depends on the sector in which you work. And while the poor job numbers might be a signal to Federal Reserve Chief Ben Bernanke to lower interest rates, it's not going to put a huge dent in the perception that we might have a rocky road ahead. So, it's not such a bad idea to pump up the volume on your image at work or in business. Here's a few ideas to get you started:

Reassess your WorkLife Profile for 2008: Examine your working conditions. What can you do to change your productivity levels? A change in working hours, more worklife balance or flexibility, or perhaps a de-stressing routine might boost your productivity and status. You can read more about this in my recent post on WorkLife Strategy in 2008.

Identifying your strengths: What are the work tasks that you excel at, come easy to you, or you are most passionate about. It might not be such a stretch to take on a bit more responsibility in that area or a project. This is a good way to stand out, without burning out.

Go beyond your comfort zone: When is the last time you met a new colleague for lunch or had a friendly chat with your manager? This is subtle networking which puts you on the radar screen beyond water cooler conversation. Learn a new skill: In our 24/7 working environment there are always new ways to do business. You might take a training course in a new computer program, enhance your current skills with new certifications, or even learn a new language. Share your accomplishments: There are subtle ways of informing your boss of your accolades. Whether it be an award or landing a new client. What communication works in your workplace atmosphere? It might be a simple e-mail or a quick dropping of the news at a lunch break.

New business: There's no better way to draw attention than to bring in new business. Check out older leads, perhaps there is repeat business with existing clients that can be explored. Examine your strategy and by taking a conscious look at what has worked and hasn't worked in the past.

Tax rebate in the mail? by Ken Mahoney

by Ken Mahoney, RBD The economy has been slowing lately and there are two ways in which the government can help the 'slow down'.

One of the ways is through Monetary policy, that is is raise or lower the discount and fed fund rates. This week, the Federal reserve cut rates by 3/4 of a percent.

Another way the government can help the economy is through Fiscal policy. Fiscal, refers to how the government taxes and spends.

It looks like both Monetary and fiscal policy are now happening:

Democrats, Republicans Reach Tentative Deal on Tax Rebates, Business Breaks to Boost Economy WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic and Republican congressional leaders reached a tentative deal Thursday on tax rebates of $300 to $1,200 per household and business tax cuts to jolt the slumping economy. The rebates would be limited to individuals whose income is $75,000 or less and working couples with incomes $150,000 or less.

The Economy is slowing, what can you do?

We are hearing (and seeing) a lot in the headlines these days about business slowing down. Is your business slowing down? If so, is it the economy or execution?

Perhaps we need to work harder and visit clients face to face as part of the solution in this economic downturn.

I came across this 'nugget' on our web site that I wanted to share with you

Ken Mahoney

There Ought'a Be a Law If they've never sold a product or service, how can they tell you how to sell yours? By Steven Powell Person-to-person. Face-to-face. That’s the only way to learn how to sell to people. Then, and only then, should they take a stab at writing marketing copy.

Webster defines marketing as: “The process or technique of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service”. With respect, this author offers a slightly different definition. Marketing is nothing more mysterious than selling long-distance.

First-rate sales people have an inherent sense of what buttons to push and how best to push them. They understand their consumers’ pain points and take great pleasure in finding new and innovative ways to “make the pain go away”.

There are so many “answers” to marketing’s never-ending questions that it’s impossible to count them all. Self-help books, audio tapes and CDs, newsletters; everyone’s got the answer. Ready for this? So do you.

If you’ve successfully sold your product or service for any length of time, then you know which messages reach out to your customers and which ones fall on deaf ears. But, when it comes to advertising, direct mail, or the other barrage of communication vehicles, you don’t trust your own instincts. But, you should.

It’s not really all that complicated to market your business effectively. Just remember, if you wouldn’t say it to a potential customer or client in person, don’t say it in your marketing materials.

A good marketer understands the importance of effective sales techniques—not just the what, but the why as well. The biggest difference? The sales person gets to say it in person, responding to the customer’s objections or questions in a real-time conversation. Not so the marketer, who must make do with a brand and a few well-chosen words.

So, how do you decide what words to use? Start at the beginning. Think about ideas. Not The BIG IDEA—not yet. Just ideas. Lots of them. Scribble them on napkins in diners. Keep an idea pad by your bed at night. Schedule an hour of your time during the work day for this. Treat it that importantly. Challenge yourself. How many ideas can you come up with in an hour? Good ones, bad ones, obvious ones, impractical ones. List them all.

Next, cross out all the obviously bad or impractical entries and make a fresh list with the “good” ones. Now, cut this list in half by having the courage to throw away anything less than exciting or funny. Be harsh. Think about it from your potential customers' point of view - not yours. Assuming these ideas truly reflect your marketing message, the only criteria remaining are potential impact on your targeted market and the practicality of an idea’s execution.

Remember, you want to grab their attention. You don’t want to offend, but you do want to disturb their sense of normalcy and forcethem to pay attention to what you’re saying. If you can do that—whether in print ads, radio spots, flyers, bumper stickers, or even sales conversations—then you have a chance at closing the sale.

After all, that IS the only point of The BIG IDEA. Grab Their attention long enough to accomplish your goals.

It’s not really all that complicated to market your business effectively. Just remember, if you wouldn’t say it to a potential customer or client in person, don’t say it in your marketing materials.

Determine your chief sales message (price benefits, quality, convenience, problem solving, etc…) and get it out there. Find that Big Idea that will grab people’s attention and force them to hear your message. Then say what you’d say if they were sitting right in front of you.

That’s the Biggest Idea of all. RBD

Rockland Business Digest on the Radio

Mondays 11:07 to 11:37AM - Rockland Business Digest Radio ShowRockland County's only business-to-business magazine is on the air! Get all the behind the scenes scoop on Rockland Business Digest's articles, expert advice columns and high profile interviews. Co-publisher Ken Mahoney and WRCR's Sophia Salis bring you the stories behind the stories you love to read. Click here: WRCR AM1300 - Rockland County's Hometown Radio Station

Rockland Business Digest Launches New Blog

Welcome to the Rockland Business Digest on-line blog!

In our magazine and web site, we help you gain insight into the county and into your business — sharing 'best practices', expert tips & techniques and strategies that are working for your peers.

Now, we’re asking you to do the same. Rockland County’s our home, but business is what RBD is all about. Please help us to foster that spirit of knowledge and sharing by contributing regularly on this board.

A blog is only as successful as its participants, so feel free to weigh in on anything related to launching, managing or growing a business that you want to mention. Go ahead - pour it on! Just be prepared to take it when somebody else calls you on it.

All the best,
Steve & Ken

http://www.rbdigest.com/