Memberships Can Save Your Business Money

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Many of you business owners out there will love this money saving tip. You probably have it sitting in your wallet. It’s called a membership card. The one I’m talking about may have been given to you after graduating college or completing the training needed to learn your trade. It is a membership to a professional organization.

Go ahead. Look in your wallet. Snag that Alumni Association card or the Plumber’s Union membership, or even that Women Writers of the Midwest card. Chances are, many of you haven’t looked at these outside the yearly tax deduction taken each year. Don’t worry, that will change today.

It is simple really. That little laminated or paper card is your key to some great benefits. In these economic times, such benefits can help to save your business a great deal of money. They can also introduce you and your business to a new world of like-minded people. Here’s just some of the perks.

Five Ways to Save Using your Organization Discounts

From Alumni Associations to Union and Club memberships, all professional organizations offer its members specials on certain products or with certain vendors. Although these discounts are sometimes viewed as minimal, they can be a godsend when you are having trouble making ends meet. That extra 20 percent off on office supplies comes in handy when you need toner but haven’t made the revenues to pay the entire delivery bill.

Vendor Discounts are are usually provided through the places that you will frequent most in your profession. An example is a home improvement store discount for professionals in an electrician’s organization.
Buy in bulk. Some associations also come with a discounted membership to wholesale retailers like Costco and Sam’s Club. These stores are great places to restock when you can’t afford to go to your regular vendor.
Universal benefits like hotels and car rental discounts are another perk. Save on that next business trip or conference by using your association membership discounts.
Group benefits are another way that professional association discounts can save you money. Yes, this includes insurance—health, auto, life, etc. For a small business owner, this is a must because individual policies are often much too expensive.
Discover the participating vendors by looking at your organization’s website.

Three Ways to Get Free Advertising

Professional organizations have monthly newsletters that keep members updated on their professions and fellow members. This periodic report is also used to showcase the businesses of members, especially those doing something unique in that particular industry. The result is free advertising for the lucky business.

Actually, it isn’t luck at all. The information gathered by the newsletter comes from news reports and word of mouth news as well. Here are some ways to get your business in the “news”.

Just write simple letter to the association telling about your new marketing strategy or successful cost cutting or even an anniversary.
If you are on MySpace or Facebook, add the association as a friend and send out bulletins when you have news. This is another way that the association gathers news for the newsletter.
You can also write an article of your own, touting your business throughout of course. This may also net you some extra cash as some newsletters pay for articles.

Using that professional association membership to save money is just one of many ways to take resources and turn them into benefits and opportunities.

Posted on November 24th, 2009 at 10:53 am

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Economy Marketing, General, Small Business

Get Optimum Output from Your Customers’ Input

Your most valuable asset is often your customers output. Your customers opinion should be the very thing that shapes your business after all why are you in business if not for your customers? Finding out what your customer is thinking is not always so easy, naturally they will not hesitate to tell you when they are not satisfied. If you have disappointed them or somehow in their opinion not delivered what you promised then good lord will you hear about it! Unfortunately it is not always that easy to get them to tell you when they are happy about something or what they like about your business.

Surveys

Surveys are an excellent way to find out how your customers feel about a new product, service, location, store policy or virtually anything that’s important to your business. A survey will tell you what your customers expect of you and your company, and clearly express how you are performing in their eyes.

The typical survey will run you about $3,000 to survey a large segment of your customer base. While this may seem like a lot, in most cases you will find that it is well worth the investment.

Tips For An Effective Survey:

1. Know what your objectives are

In order for a survey to be effective you need to have a clear goal, such as how your regular customers feel about a particular aspect of service. This may help you find out why someone who was once a steady customer is now shopping elsewhere.

2. Make it worth their time to respond to the survey

A good way to get a customer to fill out a survey is to provide a special discount or even a raffle entry form with the survey. While the prize does not have to be lavish a nice prize will attract your customers to return the survey and the raffle entry. This can also be a great tool for attracting new business. Also by returning it in person you can take the chance to personally thank them.

3. Ask questions that are about important issues to them

Let the customer know that their opinion is important to you and that you value what they say. The more the survey pertains to issues that matter to them the more likely they are to return it. Make the questions about specific points; do not make the questions too general. Your survey should be fun to fill out, not something they just set aside with intentions to get to “some other time”.

4. Keep it simple!

Limit the number of questions to about 10 or 12. If the customer thinks it will take a lot of their time they will usually just throw it away.

5. Require the customer to return it in person

While this may seem like an imposition, chances are if they have to mail it they won’t. By placing a discount coupon on it you have a better chance of the customer bringing it back in the store.

6. Leave space for comments

By allowing a customer to fill out comments they can do more than just check mark a box or circle a number. This will allow the customer to provide some valuable input.

7. Test survey before mailing it

Ask some good customers to fill it out the next time you see them. Not only will they fill – out the survey but they will also give you their input on how to improve the survey. Kind of like a survey for the survey.

8. Mail to your best customers

People are more prone to take the time to fill it out if they do business with you on a regular basis. By mailing to about 2,000 valuable customers you should receive about 150 filled out surveys back. If the majority of your business comes from a select few people aim your questions at their particular needs.

9. Announce the Survey

Promoting the survey and the coupon or raffle before mailing it will alert your customers to keep an eye out on it. A brief attention-commanding announcement should be delivered a week before the survey is officially mailed.

Posted on November 19th, 2009 at 11:53 am

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General, Small Business

Beachwalk Resorts of Lake Michigan

Beachwalk

Beachwalk Resorts is a new community in Michigan City, Indiana, just one hour from Chicago. It features a family atmosphere with cottages for rent or purchases of family vacation homes. The streets are lined with white picket fences and the kids can run and play safely.

The goal of Beachwalk is to remember the simpler times when children ran in the streets, rode their bikes, played hopscotch and enjoyed the sun. However, if this is not enough there are numerous amenities to keep your family and your children happy and busy all summer.

Beachwalk Amenities

Fishing Pier
Basket Ball Court: a full court with adjustable backboards. The Resort even offers an annual 3-on-3 Memorial Day tournament.
Tennis Courts: not a pro yet, you can rent rackets and balls at the office
Central Park: having a reunion or family get together, come to the park
Putting Green
Getaway Fountain Park: a natural shaded habitat for relaxation
The Dunes: a natural sand habitat
Waterfall Park: take a romantic walk
Lake Kai Grasses: another park area that offers movies in the park during the summer
Beach volleyball: play some volleyball on Lake Kai, free volleyball available at office
Sandcastle Playground: for the kids
Treehouse Café

Along with all these great things to do, you can swim in Lake Kai. The Lake is 5 miles from Michigan City to New Buffalo. The Lake offers swimming, kayaking, paddle boats and an alligator trampoline for the kids.

Don’t like swimming in the Lake, right next to it is a swimming pool. While the children are swimming, adults can enjoy the sand volleyball courts and the café, all within the same area.

Rental Properties

Looking for a vacation, this is the place to be. Choose exactly what you need: offering a two night rental, weekly rental or a monthly rental. Choose your size. You can bring the kids or you can bring the whole extended family.

Here is just one example of the cottages you can experience. The Sun Spot is a one bedroom, one bathroom guesthouse with full kitchen. It has a deck for grilling and enjoying the sun. It has an exquisite bathroom with heated floors, heated towel bars and tub. It is fully furnished with a grill, TV, VCR and an outside shower to wash off that sand after the day at the beach.

For the bigger families, rent Alice’s Wonderland that sleeps up to 10 people. This vacation home offers 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, along with a golf cart to tour the Beachwalk area during your stay.

Events

Planning a wedding, bring the whole family. You can rent some cottages and rent The Clubhouse and have an entire weekend wedding event. The Beachwalk offers weddings on the sandy beach. The Clubhouse is used for the reception. They provide the space. You can provide outside catering, alcohol and a band of your choosing.

The Clubhouse can also be used for corporate meetings and events. They have all the amenities a business needs, including meeting rooms, internet access and catering.

If you find that you love the area, you can purchase your own home here. You can also purchase property and build your own home. There are numerous properties available all immersed within this beautiful community.

Posted on November 17th, 2009 at 11:17 am

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Michiana Businesses

A Couple’s Escape in the Midwest

Anniversary or just looking for a break from the children with your significant other, come to the Michiana area. There are many romantic getaways just waiting for you.

Relaxation:

In need of some relaxation, visit the New Buffalo Inn and Spa. The Inn is just six blocks walking distance from the beaches of Lake Michigan. The rooms are specially designed with the lake in mind and beautifully decorated. One example of a second floor suite is the ‘Snug Harbor’ suite. It has a great room looking over the backyard garden, a vaulted ceiling, fireplace and entertainment center. The bathroom has a full tub and shower and the bedroom has a bed and mirrored alcove with a Jacuzzi whirlpool.

If you are looking for more space or are traveling with other couples, you may want to look into the cottages at the New Buffalo Inn. The cottages can sleep from 5 to 8 people and are located near the inn and in the downtown New Buffalo area.

Finally, just in the small town of New Buffalo is the New Buffalo Spa. They offer a large variety of packages, along with packages including your hotel stay at the Inn and your spa specialties.

Culture:

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If you are looking for some cultural events, try the Southold Dance Theater in South Bend, Indiana, offering modern dance and ballet performances throughout the year. Along with performances of some favorites, including the Nutcracker, the Theater offers a wide range of creative dance classes.

Another possibility in South Bend is the Broadway Theater League, bringing Broadway shows to the Michiana area. The theater was established in 1959 and has featured some popular performances. Such as upcoming, it will be presenting Rain: a special tribute to the Beatles.

Outdoor Activities

If you enjoy the outdoor nature activities, there are many options, not including the beautiful lake.

One such place is the Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve. The gardens vary and change dependent on the season with daffodils and primroses in April and May, changing over to beautiful perennials in the summer. The Nature Preserve provides ponds, wildflowers and trails to enjoy.

Along this 105 acre property, there is also a conservatory and nature center. The Conservatory features a waterfall overflowing into a pond with tropical ferns and gold fish galore. In the nature center, you can learn about various birds and ecosystems, including an active beehive and local reptiles.
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During the summer months from May to September, there are classical artists performing music throughout the gardens. During the holidays or on other special occasions, special chamber concerts may be held. There are too many highlights to list, including special events, classes and even weddings being held.

Food and Drinks

Snapshot 2009-11-12 11-06-09 Just want a drink, how about a local brewery? The Mishawaka Brewing Company in Mishawaka, Indiana has been brewing its own beer since 1992. At the Pub, you can enjoy top shelf drinks, specially brewed ales or your regular bottled beers. Along with brewing beer, the Mishawaka Brewing Company has their own line of soft drinks, such as Lazy Dog Root Beer, which are served at various locations throughout the area.

So grab your significant other and enjoy some time to yourselves in and around Michiana!

Posted on November 12th, 2009 at 10:18 am

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Internet Marketing, Neighborhood Businesses

Car Repair—Consumer Tips To Deciphering the Bill

Your car breaks down. You have to get it repaired. If you do not know anything about cars, it is important to find a mechanic you trust.

There is some basic knowledge that you can still be aware of when you talk to the mechanic.

Repair Charges

Labor rates:

Ask the shop if they charge a flat hourly rate for labor or actual time. Most charge a flat rate, for example, a normal break job may take 3 hours, so they charge you for 3 hours of time. Unfortunately, if the job only takes 2 hours, you are still charged for 3.

Estimates:

If you have a complicated repair or are unsure, ask for a written estimate and get a second opinion. A written estimate should include the problem areas, the repairs needed, the parts needed and the labor charges.

Please note that state law also requires them to contact you for approval if the charges exceed a certain amount. For example, if they quote you 1,000 dollars and as they are working, the job ends up becoming 1,200 dollars, the mechanic is required to contact you for approval to continue the job for the 1,200 dollar amount.

Parts:

There are various types of parts depending on the mechanic, you may have an option to get new parts, re-manufactured parts or salvage parts. So what is the difference?

New: These can come right from the manufacturer, guaranteeing the right parts
Rebuilt: Restored to a working condition.
Salvage: Used parts that have not been altered or rebuilt, only good for some parts

Now that you have got the repairs done, you should always leave there with a complete receipt. It should have each repair performed, parts used, costs of parts, costs of labor and you can also get any parts back. For example, if they replace your hubcaps, they have to give you the old ones (not that you would want them, but state law requires they be available, if you do).

No Contracts!

Additionally, be aware of service contracts. This is usually on top of the repair prices and may be given by the manufacturer or the dealers or other companies. You should consider the price and coverage before you buy a service contact. For example, what is covered by the contact, how much is the extra coverage, how long does the extra coverage work and is this extra coverage really necessary? Again, if you just bought new hubcaps, you might not need an extra service contact.

Fighting it Out

money

Finally, what if there is a dispute over price? As with all major purchases, take notes. Remember the following:

What was the estimate?
Who did the estimate?
Did you ever talk to the shop owner when you got an estimate?
Get names of people you speak with
Document important dates and times

If you are being charged unfairly, start with speaking with the manager. If you are not successful, you should research if there is a higher owner or corporate entity. If not, you can contact the state Attorney General or the Better Business Bureau to file a complaint.

Posted on November 10th, 2009 at 1:05 pm