FinditLocal411 Blog
March 11th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
 Let’s face it, the business goes on despite the slowdown. Your office furniture and equipment remains functional as well. These business necessities don’t heed the slow economy. However, your equipment budget does. Many small business owners are finding themselves in need of new office furniture and equipment and without the funds to buy new. The ones who have the budget are hesitant to make the expenditures because no one knows what turn the economy may make next. Fortunately, there’s a solution.
Furnishing A Business the Unconventional Way
As past generations have learned, in an economic downturn, one must get creative. Here are five ways to find furniture and equipment for your business at a fraction of the original price.
1 – Government Surplus
The U.S. Government Surplus Agency or GSA will become your best-kept secret. This is the agency that takes all of the seized property (equipment, vehicles, real estate, etc.), overstock, and leftover items (from an upgrade or renovation of a government office) to sell to the public. The GSA holds auctions similar to eBay. You must register, but anyone can buy from the GSA auctions—from private citizens to corporations.
One thing to remember, however, is that you may have to pick up the larger items after the auction, so try to bid only on local items and read the fine print. The GSA sells everything from large lots of desk chairs to a gross of printers. The auction all start at fraction of the cost. See www.gsa.gov for more information.
2 – Craigslist
We all know that you get just about anything on Craigslist. Very few think to look to the site for business equipment. You must look at the items carefully, but one can find office furnishings here and eclectic pieces that would work well in an office setting.
3 – Wholesale Furniture Dealers
Wholesalers buy equipment and furniture straight from the manufacturer in order to sell to the public. Their prices are much lower on new items because the distributor and retailer are out of the purchase process. However, an inspection of the items is necessary before buying as wholesalers often buy “irregular” items to sell at a discount. Look for wholesalers who sell items leftover from hotel and restaurant renovations. They may call themselves liquidators.
4 – Bankruptcy Auctions
Another option is the bankruptcy auction. Businesses sell of their assets at auction in order to liquidate per court order. This is an opportunity for you to find a bargain. You’ll find most auctions in the legal section of your newspaper.
5 – eBay
 Yes, eBay!
It is the best place to find a bargain. Look for wholesale lots, furniture, and equipment that are pickup only. These often sell at lower price and have the least bidders because online buyers rarely want to pickup anything.
As you would any item purchased for the business, check for signs of extreme wear and test the item before you take it to your business. Only eBay offers safeguards against buying items that do not work according to the ad. The others usually have a no return policy.
Your search may take some time, but it will be well worth the savings when you get a replacement desk that cost your pennies on the retail dollar.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Not all businesses require a brick-and-mortar office to become successful. As the masses of entrepreneurs grow, there are several types of companies that would work well as an Internet Business for both product and service industries. If prospective business owners begin by understanding how to market this type of business as well as how to most successfully compete with companies that actually have office space, you can learn how to start an internet business.
Step 1 – Get Official
It’s a huge misinterpretation that an Internet Business doesn’t have to jump through the same legal loops and a brick-and-mortar company. There is a very real requirement for any type of business to file with the state for both tax and employment purposes. Just because no one sees your business on Main Street doesn’t mean that you don’t have to exist to both the federal and state government. Your local small business association will help you find and complete the paperwork you need to make your business official.
Step 2 – Put a Face on Your Business
It seems a little redundant to say that an Internet Business needs a website. However, because your website IS your business, you need to be very careful to consider the following points when creating it:
- Use a reputable web designer Be cautious in who you choose to design your site. Have an Intellectual Property attorney look over the contract before you sign to ensure that the site you pay for belongs to your company and includes all the aspects you want for your business.
- Keep SEO in mind in your layout and site building. If your web designer doesn’t know how to include these points, see about finding a web marketing expert to help get your site off the ground the right way.
 Step 3 – Build your Brand
Use Social Media Marketing tools to build your online brand to your target market. Sites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn offer powerful tools to business owners looking to connect with their consumer base. Targeted, inexpensive and traceable, they are a vital part of any business marketing plan.
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:50 am
Have you worked in the corporate sector for many years and found that the rat-race isn’t exactly your idea of the perfect work environment? The job world is drastically different from the scenario our grandparents and parents faced. There is no longer a gold-watch waiting for you at the end of a few decades of service to one company.
Changing of the Guard – The Nomad
The average employee lasts three to five years in one company before moving on for more money, or before the company is forced to “downsize” to improve budgetary standing. Three to five years wouldn’t have gotten three links on that gold watch, but then again, the term “downsizing” was not a regular part of vocabulary 30 years ago either. Therefore, it’s not terribly difficult to understand the boom of online entrepreneurship happening, but what are the specific factors driving the online business boom?
Corporate Insecurity
It’s no surprise that corporate businesses have been struggling of late – just look at the recent bailout programs and business buyouts for proof. With this in mind, many business people have found themselves out of work. They have the skills and they have the experience, but with a flooded job market, the competition more fierce than many expect. Going the route of the entrepreneur and starting an online business can be often done with minimal starting capital and networks forged through the corporate sector.
Low Overhead/Global Access
If your service can be done online, or your product can be sold globally, then beginning an online business, even as a part time venture, offers many people a low-cost way to bring in extra income while opening up their market base to the entire world.
Great Office Space
Ever dreamed of working from home? Online business owners can work from their home office, their sofa or their porches. They can work in their pajamas and at their own set schedule. Keep in mind however, that the hours can be just as long when working from home. Many online businesses work with clients all around the world, so their schedules become your schedules in some instances.
Time to Act!
Entrepreneurs are notorious for recognizing a great opportunity when they see one. We certainly agree with that statement and urge you to recognize the opportunity before you now. There are a number of success stories in this sector — from college students who wanted control of their careers, to executives offering consulting services. Whatever your scenario, you can find a way.
December 17th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
As you celebrate your patent for your new business product, you may experience an overwhelming thought. Don’t worry…that should be happening. Holding the patent isn’t enough. The standard plan is to promote it to retailers, consumers and distributors for both direct sale and licensing agreements. It’s a daunting task, but there are several routes you can take involving social media, PR and memberships with trade organizations.
Social Media Promotions
LinkedIn is a powerful Business to Business (B2B) social media site that allows business product sellers to connect with businesses that would be interested in their products as direct sales reps or distributors. We suggest this tactic with caution though; cold-contacting LinkedIn users isn’t recommended. You must first build a relationship or start a conversation before jumping into the nuts and bolts of sales representation.
By creating a business profile on LinkedIn and joining groups within your niche as well as those that would include the businesses you plan to market to, you have the ability to directly promote your product to the key members of your target market.
For example, if you are selling a drink-related product, researching groups targeted to the beverage industry and retailers or distributors within that niche is a great way to start. Once you have joined these groups, take the time to introduce your product directly to your target market.
Public Relations: It Still Works!
Public Relations is not going anywhere. The vast influx of social media and search engine optimization isn’t replacing the PR industry, it’s merely adding more tools to the field. Press Releases are still a viable form of promotions to keep your industry and market aware of goings on with your business and news about your business product. Using both online and print media as a vehicle for information about your business is an effective way to build brand awareness and attract potential buyers.
ASI – Advertising Specialty Institute
 As a business product supplier, the easiest way to get your product in front of thousands of potential buyers and distributors is by joining the Advertising Specialty Institute or ASI. Boasting connections with more than 130,000 distribution sales people, this organization is the largest marketing organization in the specialty product industry. Membership opens up contact potential to all their members and is the easiest way to open up the floodgates for your products distribution.
Little Steps, Big Gain
Whatever technique or strategy you choose to implement, know that getting the word out is vital to the success fo your patented product. Anytime you make a connection with a peer or sales representative, think of it as a step in the right direction. Each tiny step is part of one big leap.
December 8th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
In business, there is absolutely nothing more vital than understanding your Business Market. This means you not only need to understand what your target clients want and when they want it, but how to sell it to them and make a profit. Many business owners understand the importance of knowing what their clients want, but they often forget that the key to a successful business is to increase the profit margin over time so continued growth is possible.
Profit Margins
In the recent economy, increasing a business’ profit margin has become increasingly difficult, which has driven mane businesses to make some hasty decisions regarding the profitability of the business that they are taking on. They understand that many other businesses are feeling the pinch in their profits too, so have reduced their prices to make up the difference and keep business coming in. However, to truly understand your Business Market, you also need to keep in mind that if you are known for a specific price setting, you may have grave difficulty returning to your normal rates once the economy levels out. If you charge cut rates for too long, then you will not see the profit margin growth you need to stay in business.
Communications
 Besides your pricing, you also need to consider how your Business Market expects to be communicated to by your company. Are most of your clients’ online businesses? Do you spend long hours on the phone with clients and prospects? Do they expect immediate responses or is the timeline a little more relaxed? Knowing the path to take for communications can be the difference between happy clients or losses in business.
Evolve
One final facet of knowing your Business Market is understanding how they evolve. What changes can affect their needs? New technologies? New tools or software? Keep apprised of the latest trends and technology available in your business niche to be at the forefront of the company’s offering them to their clients.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:53 am
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.
November 10th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
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
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.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:26 am
Despite the gloom and doom stories being reported, Michiana is surviving the tough economic times. An entire website is devoted to the area’s economic health, especially that of Elkart, IN after the so-called collapse of the RV industry. Although Indiana and Michigan are in the red on every site that mentions foreclosures, job loss, and unemployment, we aren’t all standing in Depression Era bread lines.
Although many communities in the area have been hit hard by the economy, there are just as many pulling through with little damage. A few are even thriving! Furthermore, despite the dramatic push to paint Indiana and Michigan as destitute victims of fading industry, there are a number of bright spots that show Michiana pulling out of this slump.
3 Places Where Michiana is Showing a Comeback
1. Tourism
Tourist towns are thriving. For example, the small town of New Buffalo, Michigan, the population of 2,200 recently received a portion of a six million dollar revenue share from the hometown Four Winds Casino owners. That share was only two percent of the profits from the Four Winds. In addition, the town is a tourist magnet for its beautiful Lake Michigan coastline. New Buffalo is best known for its vacation rentals, pleasure boating and boutique shopping.
Although tourism is taking a hit in this economy, my recent weekend in New Buffalo and the small Michiana communities around Lake Michigan revealed a tourist town that is still bustling. There are several other Michiana towns experiencing a similar tourism boost.
2. Industry
Daniels Governor Daniels announced the arrival of seven companies to the Northern Indiana area silencing the talk of Indiana’s dying manufacturing sector after the RV industry collapsed. These companies include a plastics molder, a casting maker, a bathroom fixtures maker and a wire and cable manufacturer. These companies will come to the area with over 500 news jobs and over $22 million in investment dollars. Soon, Northern Indiana will be knocking the rust off its section of the Rust Belt.
3. Restaurants and Retailers
Despite the bleak economic outlook, some major restaurant and retail chains are expanding into Michiana. Red Robin, known for its specialty burgers, is opening a restaurant in Mishawaka in 2009. Olive Garden and Dunkin Doughnuts also expanded (into Michigan City) in 2009. The retailer Big R Stores is developing an abandoned Michiana building while mega-retailer Wal-Mart has plans to add jobs to its stores in Michigan. In May 2009, the chain showed its support for the state by launching its 90-day, $10 prescription supply program there.
Some Encouragement
The sectors discussed above are not in the clear just yet, but there’s no reason to abandon ship. For many in the area, such encouragement means that reality in the rust belt is much less bleak than that posed in the media.
September 14th, 2009 at 10:58 am
You protect the important things in your life. A house-security system for your family, a doctor for your body, and so on. But how do you protect your car? It can also be very expensive to maintain and care for, but if you find the right auto-mechanic, the price can be worthwhile.
So how do you choose a mechanic?
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Referral
In most situations, asking around and finding someone through word of mouth is your best bet. You should ask about quality, price and possibly turnaround.
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Communication.
A mechanic should be able to explain to you what is wrong with your car in everyday language, so that you understand. If you are not a car expert, you might not know what is wrong; you must be able to rely on that person to take care of the problems. Question suspicious diagnosis before accepting a quote.
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Certifications.
Many people understand a car engine and can fix a car without any certifications. However, there are extensive trainings that can keep their knowledge up to date. As you may be aware, technology and cars are constantly changing, these trainings keep the mechanic current with the best techniques. Additionally, in getting this extra training, it shows that the mechanic values the job, the cars and their quality.
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Fees.
A good mechanic will not look for the most expensive repair procedures. Instead, he would understand that although your car is important to you, it might not be feasible to put $3,000 dollars worth of work into it. The cost of fixing the vehicle should be weighed against the benefit. You will not want to put $3,000 of work into a car that is not worth that much.
Maybe you want to bring your car into the dealership. Here are some things to consider before heading back to the dealership’s mechanic.
- Dealerships, like Sauer Automotive in Indiana’s LaPorte County, often times have more knowledge about your certain type of vehicle, whether it is a Ford or a BMW. They sell and service those cars daily, so they are very familiar with their makeup.
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A dealership may have more advanced equipment that a local mechanic cannot provide. This may not necessarily a benefit, unless it is something tailored to your car model.
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A dealership will have extra knowledge about any recalls or factory problems with your vehicle.
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A dealership may offer a rental car or shuttle service that a small mechanic cannot provide.
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An independent mechanic may be substantially cheaper. The mechanics have to market for their business much more than a dealership, so they often offer more competitive pricing.
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As for labor charges, a mechanic may consider the actual time spent working on your vehicle and not the standard industry charge. For example, the dealership might say a repair takes 5 hours and will charge you for that time, even if it takes much less.
The best advice is to shop around. Look at the shop, meet the mechanic, and consider the prices and quality you are getting. This car moves you and your life so make sure to choose wisely.
September 11th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Major brands such as IHOP, KRAFT and Fortune Magazine have shown us that a company can thrive and even re-invent itself in an economic downturn. Their success stories apply to business in Michiana?
Keeping your composure in addition to providing quality customer services –the core of any business success—will help you navigate this economic downturn. This article will guide you to the other side of the recession –the non-gloom and doom side—with ten ways to keep your composure amidst the anxiety that comes with economic downturns.
10 Do’s and Don’ts for Keeping Your Cool in this Recession
- Do not panic. The biggest mistake that businesses both large and small encounter is to decide in a panic. The sight of rising costs and falling revenues sends many managers and CEO’s, to their balance sheets with a pair of scissors.
- Do not cut your budgets. Losing employees and entire departments is the most popular decision to such decision-makers. It is also the worst. Cutting staff reduces the company’s ability to function, often leading to sacrifices in customer service and product quality…and thus a slow and painful loss of more customers.
- Keep Marketing. Advertising, public relations and marketing are the first departments to see cuts. Many companies fail to realize that a recession is the best time to build your brand name and reputation. The advertising playing field is levelled because of the companies who must cut ad budgets to stay afloat.
- Do not pull money from ads to cut costs. Businesses and organizations receiving large income from advertising dollars (such as radio stations selling commercials) have seen the inevitable cut of advertising budgets. In order to stem this income loss, companies are cutting the costs of commercials and ad space. If you are able to weather the storm, you can keep the same number and quality of ads for cheaper prices.
- Avoid A La Carte Services. If you must make cuts, try unbundling services. There are no savings in paying for a promotional bundle, when you need only one or two of the services offered in that bundle.
- Haggle for Lower Prices. Again, advertisers are slashing prices to attract and keep customers. If you are looking at having to make cuts, call up the sales rep and try to get a better deal. This also works for distributors, vendors and so on.
- Negotiate for Your Services. Discuss longer invoicing periods, pre-payment discounts and the possibility of a trade for services or products with clients. When the economy is bad, everyone is looking to keep their client list intact. Many are willing to negotiate to keep your business.
- Be Confident. Avoid sending out distress memos, pleas to consumers or any other lament over lost revenues. This gives the impression of instability. It will drive customers away and force vendors and distributors to entertain the idea of labelling your company a financial risk.
- Rely on Business Smarts. While it is important not to panic, it also unwise to maintain frivolous, unnecessary costs. Know when to hold ‘em, but also when to fold em.
- Steer Clear of Sweepstakes/Rebates sweepstakes/rebate camp. These items are just ways to disguise prices that are often out of sync with the competition. Rebates also falsely advertisement a discount when there really isn’t one. However, these are gimmicks that many companies turn to in order to attract customers.
There are more ways and reasons to keep your composure during a recession. These ten tools should give you a general idea of some of the major mistakes that prevent companies from surviving a recession.
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