Business Adviser Vol 1. Issue 4 by CODESM

From the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce W

ith a fresh approach, fresh design and fresh content, The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce has joined forces with one of the premiere business publications in South Texas to bring you the Business Adviser, our new monthly magazine. Each month, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll receive a new issue packed business advise news about our members, upcoming events and programs. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great opportunity to get know some of your fellow Chamber members a little better. Members, we invite you to send us news about your business to include in upcoming issues. We are looking for information on new hires and promotions, ribbon cuttings/grand openings, awards and accomplishments, upcoming community events and other news about your business. We also want to know what types of stories you want to see. Email your news and feedback to us at info@badviser.net

John Amour David Armstrong Alonzo Cantu Alfonso Cavazos Janet Cavazos Enrique Garza Marco Garza Javier Hinojosa Albert Lopez Dr. Arturo Lopez Shavi Mahtani George Myers Dr. Teofilo Ozuna Carol Schmitt Danny Smith Andrew Yoo Maggie Yoo

Jose Orona (Texas Nexus)

“THIS PUBLICATION HAS BEEN AN EXTREME ASSET TO MY TEAM”

The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce is a contributing member of Business Adviser Magazine.

HOW GOLF AND BUSINESS ARE PLAYED

15 STEPS ON HOW TO WELCOME YOUR NEW EMPLOYEES

13 26

10 20 38

WHO NEEDS A BUSINESS ADVISER

THE ART OF GIVING BUSINESS CARDS

LOCAL NETWORKING EVENTS

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: 8. SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE: NECESARY OR NOT. 9. 5 EASY WAYS TO GET YOUR CREATIVITY JUICES GOING. 11. THAT’S A GREAT IDEA! BUT

WILL IT WORK?. 21. SUBLIMINAL ADVERTISING: HOW TO USE IT. 24. THE GREATER MISSION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTINGS. 28. GOING PAPERLESS: YOUR ROUTE TO THE EFFICIENT OFFICE. 30. ARE ROUTINES HOLDING YOU BACK?. 31. ANYTHING BUT TEAM BUILDING. 32. MAYOR CHANGES COMING TO BUSINESS TANGIBLE PROPERTY TREATMENT: WHAT EVERY BUSINESS OWNER NEEDS TO KNOW. 42. CENTENNIAL WORKPLACE SOLUTIONS THE WORKPLACE OF THE FUTURE. 44. GOMISSION DISCOUNT CARD PROGRAM. 49. FUNDACIÓN SONRISAS POR SIEMPRE. 50. TOP 6 REASONS YOU NEED A WEBSITE.

Supplemental Insurance:

Necessary or Not?

uke was seven years old when his parents heard those sobering words. His diagnosis of lymphoma took him to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, for chemotherapy Monday through Saturday. Luke’s mom missed work to be in Houston with him. Dad and Sister made the 5-hour trip from Kenedy County every Friday, then back again on Sunday for work and school. This was the family’s reality for six long weeks. The American Cancer Society tells us cancer will occur in three of four families, without discriminating by age, gender, or class. One in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer, most commonly, prostate and breast cancer. Heredity definitely plays a role, but 90% of the 1.6 million new cases each year can be attributed to lifestyle and the environment. According to the American Heart Association, every 34 seconds, someone suffers a stroke, and every 40 seconds, someone suffers a heart attack. Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in the US, strokes are the 3rd leading cause of death, and 1 million Americans will suffer a heart attack this year. Accidents are also a major cause of time lost from work, and most disabling injuries occur off the job, meaning employee disability benefits are not payable. Luke’s family has health insurance through his dad’s job in the medical field, and his mom’s income contributes to the family’s financial well-being. When they were offered a supplemental insurance plan seven months before Luke’s diagnosis, their good health at the time was the main reason they decided to pass on the supplemental plan. Cancer (heart disease/accident) steps in and drastically changes your life. Suddenly, there is one income earner instead of two (or zero instead of one!), but none of the monthly expenses have gone away. There are also unanticipated expenses, which may include child care, special

foods, special equipment, modifications to the home, and whatever health insurance does not cover. Travel expenses like gasoline, meals away, lodging, and parking are not in the monthly budget. Co-pays really add up when there are doctor visits every week. While 20% doesn’t sound like a big deal, what about 20% of hundreds of thousands of dollars? Does an employee disability plan cover a parent unable to work because a child is in cancer treatment? What percentage of income does it replace, and for how long? Now, imagine being enrolled in a supplemental plan with a company that pays benefits to clients, directly into your checking or savings account, so that you can use that money in whatever way you need. What is that kind of peace of mind worth? Then, imagine that your family never confronts a catastrophic illness like cancer or heart disease, and after a specified period of time, you get all of your money back! That’s Family Heritage Life. So is supplemental insurance really necessary? It depends on your answers to the above questions. If this piques your interest, contact a local Family Heritage Insurance Representative, who can assess your family’s qualifications and need, and find a plan that best fits your family budget.

Family Heritage

3900 N Jackson Rd Pharr, TX, 78577

www.familyheritagelife.com

Contact: Lee Sarver (956) 537-7012

Easy Ways

To Get Your Creative Juices

riting an article doesn’t just mean putting down thoughts into words then typing and writing it. You have to capture the interest of your readers and get them to keep on reading. To send your message across you have to get the attention of the reader and have a firm grasp of their interest and pique their curiosity. The main ingredient in baking up an article is a large dose of creativity. While creativity may come natural to many people, some just gets into a block or something to that effect that can drive someone crazy. Many writers have literally torn their hair out when they get writers block and just can’t seem to get their creative juices flowing. Putting words into images in the readers mind is an art. A clear and crisp depiction requires a certain flair that only creativity can provide. Similes and metaphors help a lot, but the way an article gets entwined word for word, sentence by sentence then paragraph by paragraph into a whole article develops the essence of the article. So just what do you have to do when nothing comes to mind? There is no surefire ways to get the perfect ideas but there are easy ways to get your creative juices flowing. No one can guarantee you of having the perfect mindset but many methods may aid you in achieving that state of mind. Here are five easy ways for that.

Keep a diary or a journal with you always. Ideas can be triggered by anything you may hear, see, or smell. Your senses are your radar in finding great ideas. Write all of them into a journal and keep it with you for future reference. You may also write down anything that you have read or heard, someone’s ideas could be used to develop your own ideas and this is not stealing. Remember that ideas and creativity can come from anywhere; it’s the development of the idea that makes it unique.

Going

Relax and take time to sort things out. A jumbled mind cannot create any space for new ideas. Everyone must have a clear mind if one wishes to have their creativity in full speed. Get rid of all obstacles that can be a hindrance to your creativity. If you are bothered by something, you cannot force your mind to stay focused. Try to relax every time that you can and think about your experiences and interactions with others. Your experiences are what shape your mindset and your opinions which could be reflected on your writings. Try to discover yourself, find out what triggers your emotions. Discover what inspires you and what ticks you off. You can use these emotions to help you in expressing yourself and your ideas, with this you can grow creatively.

Surround your working place with objects that makes you happy and relaxed. You may put up pictures, or scents, objects that inspire, or anything that can get your creativeness cranking. A clean and well organized workplace also rids of distractions and unwanted hindrances. With a good working place, you can work in peace and never notice the time pass by.

There are many ways to set the mood. Some writers have been known to use alcohol, a little sip of wine to stir up the imagination. Some would like some mood music while others let the lighting of the environment create the mood.

Create a working place that can inspire your creativeness. Your working place can be quite a hindrance if it doesn’t make you feel happy or relaxed. Creativity comes from being in a good state of mind and a messed up workplace that causes distraction won’t be conducive in firing up your creative flow.

Set the mood. Setting the mood requires you to just go with the moment or to induce your self to feeling what makes your mind works best. Finding out what makes you tick could help you find ways to get your creative juices flowing. Set the pace and tempo for your mood and everything else will follow.

Go on a getaway and just do something unlike crazy. Letting yourself go and have fun produces adrenaline that can make your imagination go wild. Take an adventure or a solemn hike. Whatever it is that is unusual from your daily routine can take the rut out of your schedule. In no time at all, your creativeness will make use of that experience and get your imagination to go on overdrive.

WHO NEEDS A

Business Adviser? The simple answer to the seemingly complex question of “Who needs a business adviser?” is… everyone responsible for operating a business. That’s right. The Fortune 50 CEO to the oneperson show needs an adviser.

he CEO of a public company has mentors as well as a board of directors to turn to. They often don’t have a choice of who their advisers are but small business owners do. Unfortunately, with this choice of advisers comes another choice that is often made instead. That choice is to not get any help at all. Not getting any help at all is very often the cause of the business failure statistics we hear so much about. The small business owner will often claim that they don’t have the time or money for an adviser. Think about that comment. How can you not have the money to get help from someone that can potentially save or make you more money since you obviously are not getting it done on your own? Or how about that time you are lacking? Maybe if that owner sat down for an hour with an adviser, they would be able to see why they don’t have time and do something about it with the help of someone who has already been in those shoes. A coach or adviser gives to small business owners something most of them don’t have; a sounding board and a board of directors to turn to for advice. These are two great resources to use when trying to avoid “trial and error” decisions and processes. I’m not knocking trial and error as the way to learn things. I’ve personally used that method and faired well in many cases. But that is a case-by-case basis, not for on-going daily concerns. Don’t forget that this method is also very costly and time consuming. Why not ask someone who has probably already faced the problem? What many business owners do not realize is that they rarely go through any trials and tribulations that someone else has never dealt with. Not to mention that about 70-75% of their business is the same as every other business including HR, finances, sales, marketing and funding. The other 25-30% is industry specific. Small to mid sized business owners take away much more from an adviser than big businesses. This, if for no other reason, is the case because the smaller companies have owners that wear a lot of hats. Many of those hats take time away from the things the owner actually needs to make a priority to see their company succeed. Things they should be doing that they don’t have time to get to or things they are taking care of that they have no experience in doing. These situations take away from them doing what they do best. That’s a problem. The question now is how to find an adviser. There are many types of business advisers out there. Some are purely “coaches” and others are true developers and implementers that will roll up their sleeves with you when asked to. It’s up to you to pick the type of person you want or need.

Here are a few things to think about: Do they click with your personality? There are many good advisers out there but if they don’t click with you as a “business friend”, don’t bother with them because you will end up fighting them even when you agree on the advice. Have they owned a small business before? Gray hair does not equal business ownership knowledge. I promise you that the ex-CEO or Senior manager from a huge company knows very little about successfully operating a small business. These are two significantly different worlds. Don’t worry if a potential adviser doesn’t know your specific industry. Remember that a lot of your troubles have nothing to do with your industry. It would help though if the adviser had contacts/resources for you in your industry for when specific problems are addressed. Look for flexibility. A potential adviser that pushes for more than 20 hours a month of your time from day one is probably out for money. Until they start working with you, there is no way of knowing that they need that much time per month to meet your goals and timelines. A good adviser will understand that you have made a commitment to get back on track just by the fact that you are talking to them. They shouldn’t need to try and get a ridiculous time/money commitment from you if they want to help. Make it a local thing. This suggestion is a two-part issue. First, the adviser should agree that when face time is needed that they come to you. Second, there is absolutely no reason why a small business with locations in one state needs a business adviser that must fly in or travel more than 2 hours to see them. These companies somehow find suckers to take their so-so advice and huge reports full of fluff and also pay for travel costs. There are plenty of advisers local to every company in this country. Yes, even in Hawaii. Once you made the very intelligent decision of getting help in making your business a success, keep a few things in mind. You should really commit to working with your adviser for a good 6 months. Nothing gets fixed overnight. Also, since you are paying for it, please do yourself a favor and be open to suggestions, bring important things to your adviser for help in making a decision and make the use of your time with the adviser a priority. Don’t forget that an adviser or coach should never make a decision for you. It’s your company, they are there to make suggestions and guide you. Working with an adviser can be a very enlightening experience. You will start to see the forest from the trees and not feel like you are the only person on the planet going through tough times as a business owner. All business owners eventually need help. The successful ones put aside their pride and desire to be at the center of all aspects of the company and get the help. Do yourself and your company a favor and be one of the truly successful business owners. Get an adviser and get all you can out of them. If your adviser loves what he/she does for a living as such as you love what you do, you can’t go wrong.

WILL IT WORK?

That's a great idea! But

BY JAVIER HINOJOSA

he other day a friend told me the classic “Hey I invented that first!”. You know the one I’m talking about. It happens when you’re watching TV and a commercial comes up showcasing the item you always told your friends, family, and anyone who would listen, was the next big idea and would make you tons of money. And there it is. On TV. Making someone else tons of money.

Making a website is hard.

Whether you have the “I thought of it first” fits or the “any five year old could do that” mentality, it all boils down to the same coulda-woulda-shoulda disease. The appalling disease of inaction and envy.

The thing about the Internet is, people like to talk, and they like to give out information for FREE. So I learned just enough html to understand the underlying structure, and I used that helpful little trick of “View>Source” (on simple pages, of course… simple but better looking than mine). I googled any html code abbreviations I didn’t understand. And voila – I had a website that looked… downright gaudy. Long story short, I learned the fine art of balancing a little too much with just enough. And patting myself on the back over a job well done (at least until I can make enough money to hire pros to make my site uber-wonderful), I then ran into misconception number two.

Tired of hearing stories of so-and-so selling such-and-such on Amazon (“I could do that easily!”) or neighbor Jose making big bucks with his online business (“Didn’t I just tell you what a great profitable idea that is?”)… I took matters into my own hands and plunged into the world of online marketing and business. I’ve been building websites and online businesses since I was 13 years old, so I’ve encountered almost every misconception and false notion there is (at least in the online world). Now, there were obviously more than just a few “humps” that I had to climb over. But here are two major ones:

Well, I’m not going to lie to you and say it was peaches and cream, either. It turned out to be rather simple when I realized I didn’t need to learn any fancy new programs from the ground up. Now at days, there are a lot of online website builder tools available for free, but that wasn’t the case when I started. For real beginners, there were (and still are) free html editors that you can download from the web; and if you’ve ever typed document/essay/paper/letter in your life, you basically understand a textual layout and the things you can do to it. So fine. My first website was not very… attractive. In fact, it was rather boring. However, I had some fine power tools on my belt. I knew how to google.

If you build it, they will come. It took me a while to realize that the only ones who knew of my existence were family, who I bragged to, and my hosting site, who I’m sure will remember me on “invoice day.” You can see where I’m going with this next. Ok, I’m not going to re-hash everything you already know about bringing people to your site, nor am I going to preach to you about “conversion rates.” Let’s just say the bottom line for actually getting your website viewed, is to be creative. There have been hundreds (and will be probably millions) of e-books and the like which show you the sexiest ways to get traffic to your site, down to the simplest method like...hehe...writing an aticle. A lot of good information out there is, again, free. Ultimately marketers want to sell you something, but you would be surprised at the amount of free information on the net that is actually worth something and is more than a baited hook. Poke around, do some research, check out a few forums, download a few e-books, and above all get creative!

HOW GOLF AND BUSINESS

ARE PLAYED By John Amour

To some Golf isn’t merely a leisure sport. Golf is an avenue where business gets done. Golf can be a four hour sales call where you not only get to know your business partner or individual you are selling to on a more personal level. In my opinion here’s the biggest difference: if everyone follows them, everyone wins.

CHOOSE YOUR PARTNERS WISELY

little. Like golf itself, you’re in this for the long haul. It’s a marathon not a sprint.

PLEASE DON’T SANDBAG

Par is less important than pace of play. That seems to be a real issue lately. When a potential client says that business golf is a four hour round, that includes lunch or dinner at the club. Six hours on the course is way too long for anyone to handle.

We want to play with decision-makers. Even though they might not shoot the lowest scores they can help you a lot farther in your business world . It’s the most common question, I hear and go through myself is: to win, or not to win. Just play to your ability, fair and square. Gauge the personality of your partner and determine how intense he or she is about the game. A “tank job” can be insulting to a potential client. But in the close golf community a sand bagger is even worse.

PATIENCE

Don’t discuss business before the 5th hole or after the 15th hole. I get in trouble a lot with this. I seem to be sometimes to direct to the point. My boss constantly tells me to massage them a

PLAY READY GOLF

DRINKING WHILE YOU ARE PLAYING

Save the beers for weekend rounds with your buddies. This is business. The potential client doesn’t want to listen to some guy just running his mouth after to many beers on the course.

RESULTS

By results, we don’t mean shooting under par

and winning greeny’s and skins. Before the round, think about what you hope to get out of the day. If it’s just to build a better relationship or close the deal, make sure you know what you are going to do when the time comes. It’s a vital component to business golf, as key to good performance as a pre-shot routine.

PLAY A HOT NINE

Exactly what do I mean by that? Don’t feel like you have to have everything wrapped up by the end of the round. Sign your scorecard before you worry about signing a deal. Your first priority is making sure you are playing partner has fun. If you don’t seal the deal send them a thank you card with a gift certificate for a bucket of balls at the range or a souvenir from the course. The little things go a long way in of them to remember who and what you stand for both in business and the game of golf.

FOUR

AMAZING BRANDS

ONE

EXCEPTIONAL GROUP

The Art of Giving

BUSINESS CARDS

iving business cards is an art, not only because they are needed to be considered successful or because, in fact, they represent your corporate or professional identity, but also as an opportunity to impact your existing or prospective customers, and stay in touch with them, helping you to deal confidently. The scope of business etiquette includes considerations that many professional ignore, or simply do not pay enough attention in the belief that a business card is just a small paper rectangle with a name and phone numbers to introduce yourself. Color business cards demonstrate that there is something else beyond a simple paper cut; otherwise, they simply would not exist. Certainly, all over the world business cards are used to provide information about a company and/ or the employee or professional who holds it, as well as contact information and other details such as business acquaintances or personal details. Some of them include expressly empty spaces to write certain details such as an appointment date, some others are as simple as blank

cards that come in handy when the holder has to leave a customer further details. However, those in color are undoubtedly part of a practical business strategy following refined business etiquette. In business, time is gold and every minute is important because more often an individual only has a few minutes to impress a prospective client, before someone else does it first.

Gentle manners can conquer, but accompanied with poor business cards, it is more likely the client will forget about you as soon as you live. Unprofessional business cards will not impress but will leave your prospective client with negative thoughts about your company.

even the most skeptical business contact. There is nothing more accurate that â&#x20AC;&#x153;a picture is worth a thousand wordsâ&#x20AC;? when it comes to describing the first impression left on a person who receives a business card especially crafted to achieve a predefined business goal.

On the other hand, color business cards are as attractive that catch the eye of

Color business cards and regular business cards should meet the criteria of being printed in very high quality paper, designed by professionals and never using public domain graphics or other elements that makes them look cheap. Make sure to include all personal information to your business acquaintances, and always carry enough of them with you, particularly when you are planning to attend a business meeting or social event. The art of business cards is not only in giving them away, but also exchanging and receiving. Every time you attend an event where other professionals participate, try to exchange business cards with them, particularly color business cards to better impress, and when you receive a business card, study its design and content because you can learn from them. Finally, always keep in mind that business cards are the branding tool of your company, not just a piece of paper to stay in touch with someone else.

Subliminal Advertising

HOW TO USE IT By Javier Hinojosa

Okay, let’s dissect the sales pitch, sentence-by-sentence.

What I CAN do is learn the techniques that are used on me. Then, if I want to, I can use them too, when I believe it is ethical to do so. More importantly, I can protect myself from these techniques, or at least be sold the RIGHT things.

Sentence #2 : What if it was easy? This suggests the possibility of a solution, creating hope and anticipation in the reader.

ome of us scoff at subliminal advertising techniques. We like to think our minds are entirely logical and immune to the influence of others. This just isn’t true, as any good salesman knows. After studying the subject for some time, I have come to accept that I will not just buy things, but I will be “sold” things, even by way of subliminal techniques.

Want to do the same? Would you like to learn a few subliminal advertising techniques? Start with the following sales pitch: “Does public speaking make you nervous? What if it was easy? Imagine standing at the podium, knowing exactly what to say to make them love you. Wouldn’t that feel great? Just apply our simple methods, and you’ll have that power. Use the form below to order right now.”

Sentence #1 : Does public speaking make you nervous? This gets the reader to say yes, which is habit forming. Getting a prospect to say yes is a classic old technique that still works. It also introduces the problem, for which the solution is coming.

Sentence #3 : “Imagine standing at the podium, knowing exactly what to say to make them love you.” The word “imagine,” gets the reader to do just that. Helping a prospect to create a scene in their mind creates desire for that scene to be reality, and creates good feelings too. Sentence #4 : Wouldn’t that feel great? This suggests a positive emotion and gets another yes. Questions involve a prospect more, and it is better to suggest an emotional state (by asking) than to tell a person how to feel. Sentence #5 : Just apply our simple methods, and you’ll have that power. The “and” is used to infer cause and effect (you’ll have the power because you used our product). This is subtle way of getting the reader to accept the benefits of a product uncritically. Sentence #6 : Use the form below to order right now. The last line directs the reader with “Use the form below.” The “order right now” is called an “embedded command,” because putting it in italics subtly draws attention to it, and influences a prospect without him noticing consciously. This simple paragraph uses many so-called “hypnotic sales techniques.” The idea is that by using the right words and techniques, you can put a person into a kind of “buying trance,” in which they are much more receptive to your offer.

Mention business adviser magazine to receive a 5-10% discount

Ribbon T-MOBILE

In a world full of busy and fragmented lives, T-Mobile USA, Inc., has the idea that wireless communications can help. The value of their plans, the breadth of their coverage, the reliability of their network, and the quality of their service are meant to do one thing: help you stick together with the people who make your life come alive. That’s why they are here.In a world full of busy and fragmented lives, T-Mobile USA, Inc., has the idea that wireless communications can help. The value of their plans, the breadth of their coverage, the reliability of their network, and the quality of their service are meant to do one thing: help you stick together with the people who make your life come alive. That’s why they are here.In a world full of busy and fragmented lives, T-Mobile USA, Inc., has the idea that wireless communications can help. The value of their plans, the breadth of their coverage, the reliability of their network, and the quality of their service are meant to do one thing: help you stick together with the people who make your life come alive. That’s why they are here.

Mission Doctors or Mission Health Doctors

he Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce celebrate and welcomed Dr. Hazem Kanaan of Mission Health Doctors office to the GMCC family. Mission Health is the newest medical clinic in Mission, TX. They offer the convenience of exceptional adult medical care, when you need it. If you’re sick or injured and you need to see a doctor today, just give them a call and within minutes, you’ll have an appointment with a qualified physician at a time that works with your schedule. They pride themselves in the ability to communicate effectively with their patients and provide them with an exemplary level of care, with the goal of optimizing health and well-being.

Cuttings Texas Express Deli Texas Express Deli, the newest independently owned restaurant in Mission. Texas Express Deli offers daily specials such as their Italian dip Sandwich and Chicken Melt Sandwich. All combos include: choice of soup, a side of coleslaw, potato salad, chips or fries! All for just $7.99!

Fundaci贸n Sonrisas por Siempre Their mission is to help people in low income communities regardless of their religion, sex or immigration status. They help provide services to all those in need of food, clothing, medical equipment and personal hygiene items in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties. They also offer free English and computer lessons. Their purpose is to make a change among needy families and achieve a transformation of life in our communities.

15 Steps New Employees On How To Welcome Your

Looking after a new employee during their first few weeks at work can mean the difference between their success and failure as employees as well as your success and failure as an employer, manager or supervisor. Proper orientation determines how fast the new employee can be productive and efficient in his or her new job while giving you a good opportunity to make your new employee an efficient part of your team. Below are 15 suggestions that will help you deal with your new employees during their first few weeks to help make sure that they get started on the right track. 1. Have a induction policy for welcoming and training new employees. Don’t just leave it to whoever is available. Human resources should cover the HR side of the induction with a trainer (if you have one) or a senior manager or supervisor covering the more hands on part of the job. Either way the following is a minimum of what is required. 2. Give your employee a warm welcome. Don’t just point them to the area they work and let them get on with it. Nothing makes a new employee feel comfortable more than a warm welcome.

5. Give them a brief summary about the company, its history as well as its mission and objectives. 6. If possible demonstrate your company’s products and/or services, paying particular attention to the products relating to the area in which the employee will work. This will make them more secure and confident with the work that they are going to be doing.

11. Explain the specific conditions and requirements of employment, including hours, pay, pay periods, holiday pay, sickness provisions, pension, medical benefits, lateness etc. 12. Be very clear about the safety rules, policies, procedures and regulations. Explain and show proper use of safety devices. 13. Introduce your new employee to his or her co workers along with a brief description of their jobs and responsibilities. 14. Outline opportunities for promotions and other opportunities. 15. To give them time to acclimatize give them a work buddy, a friendly experienced worker, to show them the job and work with them for the first week of two.

3. Give them a brief description about your role as a supervisor. Knowing who’s in charge and what you expect from them will make them more comfortable with you as the boss. 4. Give your new employee a welcome tour of the whole department or, if the site isn’t too big, the whole site. Make sure they know how to get to the bathroom, emergency exits, cafeteria, etc.

7. Explain to your new employee how the company works particularly if the company has any unusual working practices or a different structure than the norm. Again, this will help familiarize them with the company. 8. Tell your new employee about the company’s competitors and what is being done to make sure that the company is staying ahead of the competition. 9. Explain in detail your new employee’s responsibilities and describe their job functions. Don’t leave it to the other employees to teach them the basics unless there is a trained member of staff whose job it is. 10. Let your new employee be aware of what you and the company expect from them. This includes proper work ethics, productivity, teamwork, and appearance.

Covering all of these basics will help new employees settle in and they will be more efficient able to be contribute much more quickly compared to employees that are just left to their own devices.

GOING PAPERLESS

Paper archives have a number of serious shortcomings, which at best cost time and money, and at worst threaten the viability of an organization.

here is first of all the issue of space which is typically at a premium in most organizations. Filing archives take up an ever increasing, and non-productive, share of the workspace. Archives generally deteriorate in poor storage conditions, and become disorganized and untidy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; out of sight, out of mind usually applies. Another important issue is the time wasted in operating and retrieving from a paper-based archive, which is very often hidden in general office activity but nevertheless can represent a real cost to the organization. Locating a document or file, even in a modest filing system, can take a long time, particularly if misfiled by the previous user. Finally there is the very real concern of security. It is theoretically possible to plan for disaster recovery in a paper-based archive, either by using fireproof cabinets, or by storing photocopies of all important documentation in some remote location. The cost implications of either of these options are obviously enormous. Fires frequently cause the destruction of key files, resulting in crippling consequential losses for the organizations concerned.

YOUR ROUTE TO THE EFFICIENT OFFICE

Storing documents as electronic files overcomes all the shortcomings of paper archive in one hit. Filing space is more or less eliminated, document retrieval time is as long as it takes to key in a document or file reference on a PC keyboard, and files can be backed up either as part of existing IT procedures or on portable media such as the CD-ROM, stored in fireproof cabinets or in some remote location at very little additional expense. Starting your electronic document storage project need not be as complicated as you would think. Any piece of hard copy can be converted to an electronic file of one type or another, enabling it to be stored in and viewed by a PC or PC-based network, either individually, or as part of a larger electronic archive. Each document is then assigned a look-up key, for example Invoice Number and Supplier Code or Name, plus any other key which could usefully identify the document in question. At its least sophisticated, this would require a keyboard operation - a potentially costly element in the process if a large amount of data is to be entered against each invoice. However, there

are a number of ways in which data entry costs can be reduced, including a bar code scan from the document or the import of data through a text file. So far, we have assumed that the database files would reside on a server, making the archive available across a PC-based network. A number of systems are fully portable, and can use CDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (or DVD-ROMs) as an alternative to a server. CDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s can also provide low cost back up to a server-based archival system, for disaster recovery considerations. Some organizations prefer a web server to hold their data and this offers the advantages of extendible storage facilities and fixed preagreed costs with the web hosting firm.

Are Routines Holding You BACK? W

hat routines are preventing you from increasing your sales?

Whether you realize it or not, you are a creature of habit. Unless you do shift work, you probably get up at the same time everyday, follow the same routine to wake up and get yourself ready for the day, drive the regular route to work, do the same things once you get to work, and take the same route home at the end of the day. Once there, you probably have dinner, watch television or read the newspaper, and follow some sort of routine once it’s time to go to bed. You set the alarm for the same time and when it sounds the next day, you start the cycle over again. Don’t get me wrong. Routines can be good. They help us improve our productivity. They allow us to multi-task. They make us feel comfortable, safe, and secure. They reduce stress. Plus, when we have developed a great routine, we can often generate more business. However, the drawback is that they can be difficult to break away from. When you become accustomed to a specific schedule, it can be easy to forget changes in it. For example, if you usually schedule your first client meeting after 9:30 it is very easy to miss a meeting that was recently scheduled at 8:30. I recently encountered two situations that relate to this. The first was an appointment with my massage therapist. For several

By Kelley Robertson WWW.FEARLESS-SELLING.CA

years, she scheduled her appointments on the hour or half-hour. So when she booked my massage at fifteen minutes after the hour, she forgot about it and was several minutes late.

The second was my fault. I normally meet with my trainer early in the morning, three days a week. I had to re-schedule one workout due to a business commitment and made my appointment for a later time on a different day. Unfortunately, I arrived at the gym at my usual time only to realize that I was several hours early. The change in the schedule messed up my routine. So, how does this relate to selling? As a sales professional, you need to recognize that routines can prevent you from achieving your

full potential. However, if you persist at incorporating that new technique into your sales approach, it, too, will become part of your new routine. That’s the great thing about the human spirit and brain, it is very adaptable. The most successful people in business and in sales know that changes to their routine will cause them some discomfort. But, they are also very aware that these changes will become more comfortable and part of their routine if they work at it long enough. It can certainly be challenging to change your behaviour and routine when you are used to making a certain number of calls every day, or meeting with a specific number of clients, customers, or prospects. When you have a specific daily routine, it is usually difficult to incorporate something new. Or, when you have developed the habit of selling in a particular manner, it is very stressful trying to change your approach. I see this in my sales training workshops all the time. People can intrinsically grasp a new concept or principle but experience difficulty trying to actually implement it into the way they sell. That’s why many sales training programs don’t work; you can’t expect to change your behavior or routine immediately. The key is to keep applying the concept even though it feels uncomfortable and foreign. In fact, in most cases, you will begin to feel comfortable with the concept immediately after you experience the greatest frustration

and difficulty. Consider learning a new sport, hobby, or task. At first the movements feel uncomfortable. Your moves are not smooth, accurate or natural. And this feeling usually persists for quite some time. However, just when you feel like giving up because it has become too difficult and frustrating, something clicks and the movements start to feel more natural. You have now progressed to the stage of being able to achieve results. The same process happens when you decide to try something different when selling. Most sales people don’t enjoy cold calling because they don’t work at developing their skill long enough. They go through the motions of making their calls everyday but they don’t focus on improving their skill nor do they stick with it for the necessary period. People who do acquire the ability to effectively cold call have made enough calls to understand the dynamics, develop their skill at calling, and incorporate it into their routine. Routines are powerful. However, to get the most from them, you do need to change them regularly.

ANYTHING But Team Building

ention “team building” in almost any office or company and you will likely get long faces, groans, and maybe even some good old-fashioned heckling. People avoid voluntary team building seminars and classes like voting. You practically have to bribe them and close down the bars and liquor stores in order to get them to attend—much like voting! But, team building is an important tool that will help any organization remain competitive in this fiercely global marketplace. One of the main forces driving the increasing need for team building exercises is the changing nature of the workforce itself. At an ever increasing rate, company resources are being allocated with scarce margin for error. Companies simply are not hiring or they are doing so only after the need is so acute that it can no longer be ignored. Even then, it can take weeks, even months, before the Human Resources department can add additional personnel and get them through the process. The need for team building has become so severe because resources are so very scarce. Businesses had the luxury in years past to completely dedicate personnel to projects which arose throughout the year. In these razor thin times, the only option to contend with projects such as accounting changes, new product line launch, software upgrades and training—any issue that is out of the norm but significantly demands time and resources— is to create teams out of existing resources.

Team building is now a critical factor in Corporate America. Specialists from an assortment of departments from within the company are asked to dedicate a portion of their time to complete various projects throughout the year. The people chosen to form these teams depends upon the nature of the project itself. Different projects will demand different skills and personnel. People must constantly immerse themselves in these teams and bring their particular skill set and experience to the table and help solve the “big picture” issue. Team building training is a crucial aspect in having the quality personnel in place when special projects arise throughout the year. It is impossible to just throw together various people with different skills and expect them to cooperate and come up with a solution to a problem. People have always required addition training to acquire additional skills. Team building training gives employees the tools they need to better work together in high stress, demanding projects and complete them in the time frames allotted. Team building training needs to be continuous and updated and practiced regularly in order to keep people effective during projects. A training specialist or human resources professional should conduct all team building training as they have the skills and experience necessary to improve group productivity.

MAJOR CHANGES COMING TO BUSINESS TANGIBLE PROPERTY TREATMENT What every business owner needs to know

he IRS has issued the much anticipated final regulations for deductions and capitalization of expenditures. Most businesses will be impacted especially the retail, manufacturing, and service industries. These changes will require much preparatory work and all taxpayers must comply with the final regulations for its first tax year beginning on or after January 1, 2014, or at the taxpayer’s discretion, the former regulations may be followed retroactively back to the start of 2012.

final regulations as tangible property used or consumed in the taxpayer’s business operations that is not inventory and that is:

The purpose of the final regulations is to provide a general framework for distinguishing capital expenditures from supplies, repairs, maintenance, and other deductible business expenses. Here is an overview of the key issues that will impact businesses.

A unit of property with an acquisition cost of $100 under the temporary regulations and $200 under the final regulations

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES “Materials and Supplies” are defined within the temporary and

A component that is acquired to maintain, repair, or improve a unit of tangible property owned, leased, or serviced by the taxpayer and that are not acquired as part of any single unit of property. A unit of property that has an economic useful life of 12 months or less, beginning when the property was used or consumed. Is identified by published IRS guidance. Fuel, lubricants, water, and similar items that are reasonably expected to be consumed in 12 months or less, beginning when used in the taxpayer’s operations.

The Takeaway: After receiving many comments, the IRS increased the acquisition cost for a unit of property as material or supply from $100 to $200 REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE The temporary regulations provided that the costs of performing certain routine maintenance activities are not required to be capitalized. Under the routine maintenance safe harbor, an amount paid is deductible if it is for recurring activities that a taxpayer expects to perform to maintain

a unit of property in its ordinarily efficient operating condition. The activities are routine only if, at the time the unit of property is placed in service, the taxpayer reasonably expects to perform the activities more than once during the class life of the unit of property. In response to comments, the final regulations expanded the safe harbor for routine maintenance to include buildings. The safe harbor applies only if the taxpayer reasonably expects to perform the routine maintenance more than once in a 10 year period. The Takeaway: A taxpayer need only substantiate their reasonable expectation the routine maintenance would occur more than once in a 10 year period, even if the maintenance activity occurs only once. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES The final regulations allow taxpay-

ers to make an annual election to opt out of expensing repair and maintenance costs if the taxpayer treats the costs as capital expenditures on its books and records. The election is made by attaching a statement to the taxpayer’s timely filed original Federal tax return (including extensions) for the taxable year in which the improvement is placed in service. Once made, the election may not be revoked. In the case of an S Corporation or a partnership, the election is made by the S corporation or partnership, and not by the shareholders or partners. The Takeaway: The election would eliminate book-to-tax differences and also circumvent the subjective nature when determining whether a particular expenditure is currently deductible as a repair or when it must be capitalized. AMOUNTS PAID TO ACQUIRE OR PRODUCE TANGIBLE PROPERTY UNDER § 1.263(a)–2 In the temporary regulations, taxpayers have general requirements to capitalize amounts paid to acquire or produce a unit of real or personal property, including the related transaction costs. Under the proposed de minimis rule, a taxpayer was not required to capitalize amounts paid for the acquisition of production of a unit of property if (1) the taxpayer had an applicable financial statement, (2) the taxpayer had at the beginning of the taxable year written accounting procedures for expensing amounts paid for property costing less than a certain dollar amount, (3) the taxpayer treated the amounts paid during the taxable year as an expense on its applicable financial statement in accordance with its written accounting procedures. The de minimis rule contained an aggregate ceiling for deductions allowed.

The final regulations replace the aggregate ceiling with a more practicable per invoice limit. A taxpayer with applicable financial statements may deduct $5,000 of the cost of an item per invoice (or per item as substantiated by the invoice). In effect as of the beginning of the tax year, the taxpayer must specify the $5,000 threshold or less in their written accounting procedure year. For those taxpayers without an applicable financial statement, they can deduct up $500 per voice/item. It must be noted that the de minimis rule is elected annually by including a statement with the taxpayer’s tax return for the year elected. The Takeaway: The advantage of the de minimis rule is apparent. Calendar-year Taxpayers should focus on having a written policy in place by 12-31-13 to qualify for 2014. These are just a few of the changes expected to impact businesses starting January 1, 2014. Due to

the ever changing tax law and its complexities, we recommend you discuss this information and your taxes with a tax professional. Sources used: 1) Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, 26 CFR Parts 1 and 602, TD 9636, Guidance Regarding Deduction and Capitalization of Expenditures Related to Tangible Property 2) Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, 26 CFR Part 1, TD 9564, Guidance Regarding Deduction and Capitalization of Expenditures Related to Tangible Property 3) CCH Tax Briefing, IRS Releases Comprehensive Repair/Capitalization Final Regulations

2300 W Pike, Ste 201 Weslaco, TX 78596 Phone: 956-963-2108 Fax: 956-968-9231 5505 S Expressway 77/83, Ste 201 Harlingen, TX 78550 Phone: 956-364-1028 Fax: 956-364-3170

2012 Builder Of The Year RGV Builders Association 956.283.5224 caribellahomes.com

LOCAL NETWORKING EVENTS H

ave you ever been invited to a networking breakfast? Or a networking lunch? These may should sort of strange to the person who has never been to one before, but these types of situations are key to moving yourself to talk with others about what you do, how you do it, and what you provide in the form of services and products. Many areas have their own type of networking events These include business meetings to talk about the economy, or business meetings to set new ordinances for the local surroundings – everywhere you have people; you have the opportunity to ‘do’ additional networking. The more people you know and talk with the stronger your network of business contacts and customer contact is going to become. The first step to successful local networking is going to involve doing it You need to get out there, and be where other business owners are, or at least where large groups of people are going to be found. Next, you need a good opening question. The best question you can ask a person when you are networking is, what do you do? This is not only going to open the door to talking with another person, but also it is going to open the door for that person in turn to ask you what you do – which is just what you want them to ask you! Networking should be done in conversation when you are in situations where you don’t know someone all that well. Business cards are often given out, and passed around. If you are heading off to a club meeting, or a networking business affair, you should also have marketing materials with you, such as a brochure or some type of printed matter to show and tell others what you do. As others find your materials handed to them, or presented on a table of information, they have something tangible to take with them, read later, and to think about later. Collect phone number, emails and information about other businesses. As you collect information about others, you will soon learn that you can use this information after you are back at the office, back at your own business. Create a marketing package for each individual that you have met. Mail out the information with a personal note from you, that it was great talking with you, and you just wanted to share some additional information about your business with them, in case they ever have a need for a product or service that you provide. This is very straight marketing, after the initial networking event, make it work for you!

Centennial Workplace Solutions The Workplace of the Future Welcome to Centennial Workplace Solutions and the Future of Work

ver the years there has been a dramatic change in the way people work, the idea of a traditional office becomes a lot more limiting. Gone are the days of a long-term lease, expensive rent, suffer the hassle of carrying and assembling furniture and making contracts for internet, electricity, water bills, telephone and other services. Forget about paying other bills! At Centennial Workplace Solutions we offer a different, simple way to have a space to work, a place where you can move into and have everything you need waiting for you at a fraction of the cost of doing it yourself.

Only in the Valley!! Work for yourselfâ&#x20AC;Ś..NOT by yourself!!!! Why work isolated at home with so many distractions, or in loud coffee place with a small table when you can have fun with a group of people who are still working independently, but who share values and are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with like-minded talented people in the same space. Co-working at Centennial Workplace Solutions is not only about the physical space, but about establishing a co-working community. Our co-working area is strategically designed to provide our customers with a work-ready, contemporary and comfortable lounge, work stations, meeting room access or private use of office space when needed. Co- working customers can also benefit from the use of the break room and service lounge, as well as personalized call answering and redirecting, mail collection.

Coworking Coworking is a style of work that involves a shared working environment, often an office, and independent activity. Unlike in a typical office environment, those coworking are usually not employed by the same organization. Typically it is attractive to work-at-home professionals, independent contractors, or people who travel frequently who end up working in relative isolation. Coworking is also the social gathering of a group of people who are still working independently, but who share values, and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with likeminded talented people in the same space. Coworking offers a solution to the problem of isolation that many freelancers experience while working at home, while at the same time letting them escape the distractions of home.

Coworking is not only about the physical space, but about establishing the coworking community first. Its benefits can already be experienced outside of its spaces, and it is recommended to start with building a coworking community first before considering opening a Coworking space. However, some coworking spaces donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t build a community: they just get a part of an existing one by combining their opening with an event which attracts their target group. Some coworking spaces were developed by nomadic Internet entrepreneurs seeking an alternative to working in coffeeshops and cafes, or to isolation in independent or home offices. A 2007 survey showed that many employees worry about feeling isolated and losing human interaction if they were to telecommute.

Roughly a third of both private and publicsector workers also reported that they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to stay at home during work. A 2011 survey found most coworkers are currently in their late twenties to late thirties, with an average age of 34 years. Two-thirds are men, one third are women. Four in five coworkers started their career with a university education. The majority of coworkers work in creative industries or new media. Slightly more than half of all coworkers are freelancers or just founding a company. The main difference between coworking and virtual is that in coworking you can actually come every day to the center, not just a few hours a month.

www.centennialworkplace.com info@centennialworkplace.com

956 627 1600

GoMission Discount Card program. T

he Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the arrival of its new GoMission Discount Card program. This free program offers exclusive discounts that are available only to GoMission Discount Cardholders. The card entitles cardholders to receive many valuable discounts, from restaurants and accommodations to local attractions. There is no fee to participate in the program. Cardholders simply present their card at any participating business to receive discounts on a wide variety of products and services. Cardholders will receive exclusive discounts at area businesses including local eateries, clothing shops, fitness facilities, hotels and attractions. Deals currently on the card can be found at www.gomissioncard.com and brand new exclusive deals are being added every day.

merchants. Cardholders will also receive weekly e-mail blasts promoting the GoMission Card Hot Deals of the Week. The Greater Mission Chamber is pleased to offer this valuable service to our member merchants and to provide exclusive deals and smarter shopping for our cardholders. If you would like a FREE Discount Card, call or come by the Chamber office. Cards will also be available at Mission Chamber networking events, ribbon cuttings and educational workshops.

The Greater Mission Chamber is committed to creating value for our members. By taking advantage of a program like the GoMission card, our members can see a quick return on their membership investment. If you are a chamber member, and would like to offer a discount through the “We’ve been looking for new and interesting ways GoMission Discount Card Program, contact us today at to increase exposure and visibility for our member 956.585.2727 or visit us at www.GoMissionCard.com. businesses,” said George Myers, President & CEO of the Mission Chamber. “This is the kind of program makes How it works: brings real value to having a chamber membership”. The free cards are available at the chamber and some of the organization’s member businesses. Participating member businesses do not to pay to have a deal included on the card. “It offers a great amount of exposure at absolutely no cost to them to participate,” Myers said. Not only can current deals be found on the website, they can be accessed with a smartphone by scanning a QR code on point of sales displays located at participating

A variety of member businesses choose to make a discount available to GoMission cardholders. Only current members in good standing may participate in the program. The program is designed to encourage people to do business with Mission Chamber members. Cardholders must provide a working e-mail address to activate their card and to receive weekly e-mail blasts promoting the GoMission card Deal of the Week.

Fundación

Sonrisas X Siempre Inc. S

onrisas X Siempre has been helping underprivileged families in the Rio Grande Valley for the past four years. The only stipulation they have is that their recipients be impoverished and in need. They serve some of the poorest communities in the area and most of its funds are raised through local fundraising efforts. Sonrisas has helped place food on the table for over 200 families. They also help with medical expenses such as prescriptions, wheel chairs, hospital expenses, and other medical needs. Sonrisas can also help with unexpected death expenses, burial expenses of loved ones or to transport the body of a loved one to Mexico. Sonrisas has also done blanket drives to provide people with warmth in time of cold weather. Right now Sonrisas is asking your help with TOYS for children to be given on Christmas. Sonrisas was founded by America Macias in an attempt to help those in need. She also has struggled with poverty, need and despair. Her dream is to put a smile in every person’s face even when poverty is their only reality. The founder believes that children deserve a childhood and poverty should not take away their smile. They deserve to be happy, to have a meal every day and a place they can call home. With your support, you can help make it happen.

For more information you may contact America Macias at 956-599-6877

Some business owners struggle with the idea of starting a business website. Why do you really need a website? Well, there are several solid reasons why every business, small or large, should have a website. It does not matter if you sell tangible products, or you offer a service, your business will benefit from having a website. Here are a few reasons why:

Finding a good business to provide the service or product you need has never been easier for the customer. Today, it is as simple as looking up local businesses online. If you do not have a website, then you are missing out on a big piece of the marketing pie.

Since the Internet is available to everyone worldwide, you will no longer be limited to local business. Anyone can search for your product or service. Now, face to face meetings are not required in order to gain business, and you do not have to rely on customers driving by your business, or hearing a radio commercial.

Potential customers will be able to inquire about your business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no matter if your business is open, or not. If a potential customer is interested in your service, they will be able to send you an email, and then you can get back to them during the business day.

You will save time by only getting inquires from customers that are genuinely interested in your business. You will no longer have to answer customer phone calls and meet with customers, only to find out that they are no interested in what you provide. Instead, they are able to read about your business online, and then decide whether or not they are interested in doing business with you.

You can post so much more information about your business then you ever could in print ads, brochures, or on air commercials. You literally have unlimited space to work with.

Print ads, and commercials can become very expensive, and often cost each time they are ran. A website usually cost a one time setup fee, and then a minimal hosting fee per month. In fact, the majority of small businesses only pay about 30-100 dollars a month for their website after the initial cost.