Three Pain-Free Ways to Keep Business Relationships Fresh

“You are in the relationship business. If you don’t have relationships, you have NO business being in business.”-George Fraser, author of Click: Ten Truths for Building Extraordinary Relationship

Most of us hate hearing from people when we know they are only going to want something from us. We avoid their e-mails, calls and texts. Most busy people will understand that you can’t touch basis on a daily or weekly basis. But, in the midst of growing your business you can’t allow your relationships to run dry.

My rule of thumb is to reach out to people in your network periodically. Meaning, you text, email or send them a card at least once every three months. You call or visit them if you can twice a year.

It’s a full time job making your dreams happen. USE these three effective ways to maintain your presence and relationships with your business contacts.

Use Holidays- This can be tricky because some people for various reasons do not celebrate holidays. My general rule of thumb is to use New Year’s Day as an opportunity to reach out to your network. Congratulate them on the year they had and wish them a more prosperous one. You can also use Veterans’ Day if they or their close loved-ones had served or were casualties in the military.

Use Technology- keep up with the triumphs, trials and happenings of your network with Google Alerts. This free resource will help you find out what’s happening. Shoot off an encouraging card or e-mail if someone is going through a trial or death of a loved one. Send an congratulatory email or card if someone won an award or locked down a serious piece of business. Use your Twitter or Facebook accounts to share stories about their successes with your community. You should always text, call or e-mail them with your congratulations.

Have An Event- Host a banquet, party or some type of festive event to bring your network together to socialize and catch up. It can be a Super Bowl party or Tax Day Lunch. Just create annual events to network, update and catch up.

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USEful 411! Need Copies of Your Former Tax Returns?

It's tax time! The time of year when people are searching for W-2s, Form 1040s, etc. If you can't put your finger on lost tax returns, fret no more. The IRS will give you a transcript of your tax return FREE of charge.

A tax return transcript shows most line items from your tax return (Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ) as it was originally filed, including any accompanying forms and schedules. It does not reflect any changes you, your representative or the IRS made after the return was filed. In many cases, a return transcript will meet the requirements of lending institutions such as those offering mortgages and for applying for student loans.

You can order your transcript with a Form 4506-T. You can order your transcript by phone, fax, mail or online.

Log on to http://www.irs.gov for information.

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Weekend Motivation! Get on Your Feet and Make it Happen in 2011!

I don't know about you, but, 2010 was a GREAT year for me. I am determined to make 2011 an ever better experience. I was listening to fellow Miamian Gloria Estefan's hit "Get on Your Feet" and it inspired me.



The lyrics are inspirational

"You say I know it's a waste of time
There's no use trying
So scared that life's gonna pass you by
Your spirit dying
Not long ago
I could feel your strength and your devotion
What was so clear, is now overcast
With mixed emotions
Deep in your heart is the answer
Find it, I know it will pull you through

Get on your feet
Get up and make it happen
Get on your feet
Stand up and take some action"

TODAY on It's Payday! Network Your Way Out of Unemployment!

The unemployment rate for black Americans is projected to reach an all-time high of nearly 18-percent. That means about 1-in-5 African-Americans don’t have a job. This brings the plight of the unemployed and underemployed at our door step.

Sometimes the shame of not having a job causes some people to want to hide or lie about the fact that they are unemployed. Jean Baur, the author of Eliminated! Now What? (JIST Publishing), says hiding unemployment may prolong the process of getting a job.

Baur came on It’s Payday and shared these tips to help you network your way out of the unemployment line.

Organize Your Network- The author recommends you develop a spreadsheet of contacts, friends, former-colleagues and people you can reach out to.

Talk to Your Network- Don’t be confused! This is not about people being “in your business.” This is about reaching out to your network and using their resources, contacts and tips to get another job. Your network can’t help you if they are not aware of your situation.

Follow-Up- Baur asserts, “this is NOT a vacation.” She says, “Finding a job is fulltime work.” The author points out that if someone says, “Hey I have a job or contact for you,” it’s your job to follow-up and give them the materials they need to make things happen.

01-21-11 Jean Baur Eliminated Now What Music by ItsPayday

The Workshop at Macy's Wants You!

Are you a multi-cultural or women-owned business looking to get your product on the shelves of a major retailer? If so, the Macy's Workshop might be the right opportunity for you.

The Workshop at Macy’s is now accepting applications for our Spring 2011 program. 20 qualified participants will take part in an intensive 4.5 day training course led by Macy’s seasoned pros and star partners, designed to help you prepare your business for a retail partnership with a major retailer.

The department store lauds The Workshop as " an unparalleled and unprecedented opportunity to learn how to scale your business sustainably and effectively for working long-term with a major retailer. This free program for highly qualified and carefully chosen participants will provide you with a world-class toolkit for business growth and development."

You'll learn how to build and execute an effective business strategy for your organization, present your strategy effectively to meet the needs of the organization and the Macy’s customer, how to build and present a seasonal financial and assortment strategy, and how to effectively build an ongoing partnership with, how to present to, and how to influence buyers.

Top participants in the workshop will receive additional coaching and support from the Macy’s team, as we collaborate with you on the opportunity to scale your business to the point where you could become a sustainable, successful vendor with a major retailer like Macy’s. The program counts Sean "Diddy" Combs and Lisa Price of Carol's Daughter among it's success stories.

The program has many benefits. Check out the website for more information.

Hallelujah! Small Business Revival: Free Seminar To Explore 11 Key Principles To Turning Your Concept into Cash

I don't know about you, but, I am attending the Small Business Revival. I will join via conference call as Entrepreneurial Evangelist Andrew Morrison spreads the gospel of business empowerment. Here is his press release for the Small Business Revival:

Many top financial and businesses experts agree that a recession can be the best time to start or grow a business. This proven concept is the underlying theme in Andrew Morrison's free 3-night Small Business Revival held from Jan 18-20th at the International Palms Resort in Orlando, FL.

According to Morrison, who is the founder of Small Business Camp: "There's never been a better time to grow your business."

He continues, "Sometimes it just takes just a nudge to steer us in the right direction. It's my hope that my 3-night event will be the nudge many small business owners need to help breathe life back into their passion and show them how they can grow their business even during these tough economic times."

Morrison's Small Business Camp provides high-impact marketing strategies for entrepreneurs, executives and non-profit leaders. He has trained thousands of entrepreneurs from Hawaii to Nigeria, and he has even appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show.


ABOUT THE SEMINAR

Title: 3-Night Small Business Revival

Date and Time: Tues Jan 18th, Wed Jan 19th, and Thurs Jan 20th from 7-8pm ET. Doors open each night at 6:30pm ET and seminar starts promptly at 7pm ET

Location:
International Palms Resort
6515 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819

Cost: Free

RSVP: Register online at http://sbcorlando.eventbrite.com
(Attend in-person or register to listen via the telephone)

To learn more about Andrew Morrison and Small Business Camp, visitwww.smallbusinesscamp.com.

TODAY on It's Payday! How to Get Better Jobs In A Down Economy!

"Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!" That's the request of millions of unemployed people trying to keep their homes and put food on the table. As the Obama Administration announces another month of sustained job growth, for millions of African-Americans it's not enough.

The employment report does not show a clear picture of the economic plight of the underemployed. Underemployed people have a job that keeps the lights on and puts food on the table. However, many underemployed people are not in jobs that are in their skill sets or at their ideal salary. Economic analyst Keith Reed of http://www.keithreedsmoneycorner.com/ came on the show to talk about getting better jobs in a down and recovering economy.

01-14-11 Keith Reed Job Opps Music by ItsPayday

You can follow this die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan on Twitter at @K_Dot_RE

Should You Invest in Retirement or Your Child’s College Education?

According to the 2010 Ariel Investments/Charles Schwab Black Investors Survey, African-Americans are more likely to invest in their children's college education as opposed to their own retirement. This happens for many reasons. One reason is because we tend to defer our well-being for the hope of a better future for our kids. Though this sounds like a benevolent plan it may lead you toward the poor house in your golden years. Here are two reasons why investing for your retirement is the best choice.

You Can’t Finance Retirement- Colleges, banks, institutions and governments finance college education through grants, scholarships, work-study programs and loans. Your kids can earn a scholarship. Apply for a grant. Secure financial aid. Or, get a loan. You cannot finance your retirement.

You Income Is Limited In Retirement- After graduation, your child’s earning power has unlimited growth potential. In retirement, your income is limited. There is no guarantee that you child will help you out in your golden years the way you did when they were getting educated. It’s likely that when you enter retirement, your child will have a family of their own and they won’t have much extra cash to pay back the favor.

Don’t get me wrong. Investing in your child’s education is a great opportunity, if you can afford it. But, if you have to limited financial resources, securing your retirement is the best choice. The best gifts you can give your children is not having to financially depend on them and teaching them sound financially principles.

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TODAY on It's Payday! Do YOUR Thing in 2011!

This is the time of year where millions of people (including yours truly) reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the next year. I must admit that last year was the first time in my adult life that I achieved the majority of my "resolutions" for 2010. My plan was multifaceted. First, I wanted to deal with my physical and mental health. Second, I wanted to work diligently to increase the ItsPayday brand. Third, I wanted to eliminate as much stress and drama from my life as possible. Here are a few tips to help you achieve your goals.

Write the Vision- writing down your goals is very important for two reasons. First, it gives you a clear picture of what you are trying to achieve. Second, it gives you a reminder for your weak times. Use that reminder to stay focused on your goal. For example, let's say you are trying to save $2500. When your friend invites you out for dinner, you look at your plan and say, "I can't go, I'll catch you next time. Then, you tell yourself, "Hey, I'm committed to saving $2500 and I won't be able to do that if I'm spending money to eat out." From time to time, evaluate your progress. Make adjustments by increasing what works and eliminating what's not working.

Invest In Yourself- Motivational speaker Dr. Tina Dupree, my mentor, says,"you've invested countless dollars,time and resources in other things and people. It's time to invest in yourself." You are the majority shareholder in your dreams. Nobody is going to invest more energy, passion or resources than you. You will need in invest in services, training and resources that will help you expand and achieve your goals.

Maintain and Improve Health- If you don't have your health you don't have anything. Plus, you will need a lot of energy to act as fuel while you go for your dreams. Besides, it's hard to be productive when you feel like crap.

Feel the Pain- Use the possibility of failure and what it might cost you as fuel to achieve your dreams. For example, you might say, "I better cut back on eating because if I don't lose the extra weight that might lead to a stroke, heart attack or even death. Or, if I maintain a bad credit score I might not get the job of my dreams." Use the pain you might feel as motivation to handle your business.

Ignore Your Haters- You don't have time to address and defend yourself against people hating on you for having a dream. Use your energy and focus to achieve your goals. We already talk about this.

Follow these simple rules and you 2011 will be your year.

01-07-11 New Years Resolution by ItsPayday