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Jan31
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Know More:
What is this “grab & go bag” I keep referring to, anyway? The “grab & go bag” (or the “oh crap bag”, as in “oh crap, we gotta run!” *chuckle*) is a necessity according to most self-reliance and emergency preparedness experts. You may also hear it referred to as a 72-hour kit, based on the estimate that it will take approximately 72 hours for repair crews and such to get to you in situations like disasters. Basically, during that first three days, if you’re prepared, it doesn’t matter that you’re alone. You’ll be ready, because you’ll have 3 days’ worth of water, nutritious, non-perishable foods, at least one change of clothes, a flashlight, hand-crank or battery-powered radio and other essential supplies. This is the perfect place, of course, to store the electronic copies of your important documents and some cash as well. Don’t forget, your corporate credit card will do you no good in times of survival. Cash or an item that can be bartered…that’s what will get you through.
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Jan31
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Is your business prepared should you face a natural disaster or even a simple lengthy power outage? As I compose this entry, I am working on a laptop on battery power. Working from home has its perks, but it also...
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Jan30
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So how else does sponsoring a contest benefit your branding efforts and provide you with virtually free publicity? The exposure doesn't stop when the contest winner is chosen and notified that their prize is on the way. If the contest...
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This afternoon I was discussing branding and publicity with a colleague who is creating advertising packages for her company. As we discussed the value of the packages she plans to offer, the thought occurred to me that too few small-...
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In addition to the book titles I've already mentioned, it's important to get to know your field through periodicals and online resources. I enjoy the various types of magazines available to writers, but I've only chosen to subscribe to a...
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Several of my writing pals have asked me what resources I recommend for folks who are just starting out and are still in the "I think I can" stage. I've got a whole stack of books and periodicals I enjoy,...
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Many congratulations are going around the Know More Media Network already...and it's only Monday! First of all, George Parker of AdHurl is going to be on NBC's "Today" Show this Wednesday, 1 February! Dan Smith has blogged the news and you...
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Jan29
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After all this talk about how useful a mentor can be for a mentee, it is important that we touch on how helpful the relationship can be to the mentor himself (or herself). Successful individuals from all walks of life...
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Once you've created a list of your wants and needs, make a list of all the people you know in the business world that a) you respect and admire b) you trust already or would trust with any business plans...
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Once you've decided that the time is right for you to find a mentor to help you along your business journey, you'll want to sit down and think about what you want, need, and expect from your mentor. Do you...
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In a recent comment, Jessica asked two excellent questions about establishing a relationship with a business mentor. She asks: 1. "...What is the general amount one should expect to allocate to hiring a mentor? ..." 2. "...Are...
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I've frequently heard people say you can't use what you can't find. What good are all those wonderful books, magazine articles, files and other resources for building your business if you can't find them and take advantage of what they...
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Jan27
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I agree wholeheartedly with Scott Allen over at About.com on this one. If you are an entrepreneur, the answer is undoubtedly YES, you need a mentor! Everyone needs a trusted advisor who has a wealth of knowledge they are willing to share. ...
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Did you know that even if you're a sole proprietor, you're not alone in the business world? Okay, so you already knew you've got me here for ya *grin* but you've also got millions of other small businesses wandering around...
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As you know, continuing your education is vital to your success as a small business owner. Whether you are still in the planning stages for your very first entrepreneurial endeavor or are changing gears after years (or decades) in one...
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Watch out, travel writers! The power bloggers may be hot on your trail when it comes to scooping up comp trips and airfare. According to Shanktar Gupta over at MediaPost, the Netherlands Board of Tourism is partnering with BlogAds to...
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Jan26
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Whether you're just starting out or have decided it's time to revitalize your business (or change paths and create a new one), it's important to have a plan of attack. While I fully realize some of you are much more...
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Sorry about that, I've got that song stuck in my head! What's going on with your small business this year? Can you believe we're already almost to the end of January? Kind of flying by for me, personally. There's a...
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Jan25
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We've briefly covered how joining the local Chamber of Commerce can help you get started on the creation of a local professional network. Getting involved with your CoC, whether at a local, county or state level, is an excellent way of...
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Just about all of us have figured out that joining the local Chamber of Commerce can be beneficial for the small- or home-based business owner. After all, where's the first place you should start creating your network of colleagues? Locally. ...
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Jan24
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As promised, here are the other two titles I found today that are of interest to the small- or home-based business owner. Small Time Operator: How to Start Your Own Business, Keep Your Books, Pay Your Taxes and Stay Out...
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It's official: Today was Tuesday. Okay, so you already knew that. But you know, sometimes when you work from home, it's a little easy to lose track. As I mentioned last week, Tuesday is "library day" for me and the...
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Jan23
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Trying to pull together your office on a budget? Most of us, whether home-based or in a leased space, would rather invest our funds in the necessities of the business than into a single fancy wingback for the sitting area. ...
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Jan20
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Yes, folks, it's that time of year again. Tax time is on the way. (Stop running away...you can't hide. Sorry. Nice try though!) It's almost the end of January, which means that some of you are just beginning to pull...
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Where are you getting your tips and tricks of the trade when it comes to marketing your products or services? Large or small, every business needs a business plan, to include a marketing plan. Some of my favorite resources are...
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Are you an independent businessperson working as a sales consultant for a company like Tupperware, Avon, etc? If so, keep an eye on IMN's new e-mail tool, called "Party Pulse". My colleague Anissa DeGrasse caught my eye today when she...
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When I was significantly younger (I won't admit how long ago, so don't ask), I knew I wanted to be a writer. What I didn't know at the time was what that really entailed. Even as a youngster I was...
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Jan19
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One of the most important investments you can make in your company is to invest in your own continuing education. As you've seen from just the few resources I've already suggested for your perusal, there's a lot to choose from. ...
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What else did I enjoy (or not) about the December.January 2006 edition of PINK Magazine? Read on: "Woman's Work" (pg. 37) featured B-52 bomber pilot Capt. Andrea Jensen. Maybe it's because I'm an Army brat, living in a predominantly military...
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In response to my recent post about resources for women in business, Jessica over at TheHomeCast pointed me toward MediaPostPublications' "Magazine Rack" entry about PINK Magazine. As I mentioned in my reply to Jessica, I both agree and disagree with reviewer...
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Jan18
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Some of you visit SmallBizMentor because you're already operating a small- or home-based business...others are in the planning stages (or even just mulling over the concept). One thing we all have in common is that entrepreneurial spirit that makes us...
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Jan17
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As a business owner I'm sure you know the importance of establishing a schedule. One of my own priorities as a work-at-home mom is to create pockets throughout the day and the week where I can not only spend time with...
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Jan16
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The marketplace for business resources is huge and full of options and niche opportunities. As the number of women creating or in control positions in business has grown, so too has the number of organizations and resources made available...
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Whether you're a writer or a bookseller, you'll be interested to know that Sony recently unveiled their new e-book reader at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. According to Publishers Weekly, the new reader weighs in at just over...
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As we just discussed, owning your own business can actually be quite good for your bottom line. The most obvious asset is being in control of your company's assets, of course. One of the easily forgotten benefits (perks?) of being...
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Are you still in the investigation stage when it comes to creating your small- or home-based business? While the advantages to being your own boss are many, one of the "pros" of the situation seems to surprise a lot of...
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Jan14
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Did you create resolutions for 2006? How are you doing so far? I won't admit to making it very far on my own personal resolutions, but one of my professional ones was to get my office in order! This is...
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Jan13
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So we've already discussed why freelance writers should consider creating a website just like any small- or home-based business operator would. But the questions went deeper than just "should I? Why should I?" Eleanor also asked for low cost ways...
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Jan11
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Welcome back to Small Biz Mentor! I'm thrilled to see that our dialog has already begun. Eleanor has asked some great questions regarding marketing for freelance writers, but I believe the answers apply to any business these days. Let's take...
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Jan10
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I'm your hostess, Melonie K. Murray. I was going to introduce myself as the "hostess with the mostest", but that would be corny and we all know that folks who run small- and home-based businesses are never corny. Right? Well...we'll...
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