Rhode Island Can Be No. 1 Again

This editorial appeared in today's edition of North East Independent.

Twenty-one year old Englishman Samuel Slater left England in September 1789. Dressed as a farm laborer, he didn’t arouse any notice from the British troops and customs agents guarding the seaports against the illegal export or larceny of valuable manufacturing plans. The most important were plans based on British advancements in the field of water-driven textile machines. The American textile industry was offering bonuses of $100 ($2,510 in 2009) for technical knowledge of manufacturing machinery. Slater arrived in New York City in December 1789.

Though young, Slater had been apprenticed to work in a cotton mill at the age of ten, learning about machines, technology, operations, and factory management. At the conclusion of his apprenticeship, Slater left England to pursue greater fortunes in the land of opportunity. Less than a year later, Slater’s skills, experiences, and entrepreneurial drive led him to Obidiah (Moses) Brown in Pawtucket where he improved and expanded Brown’s fledgling cotton mill. An experienced young man, a skilled merchant and industrialist, and some natural water resources were joined together to establish Rhode Island as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Rhode Island offered the right place, the right people, and the right time. Rhode Island mattered and was a national leader.

Rhode Island still matters and it could be a national economic leader again with many of the same successful Rhode Island keys that drove and supported vital innovation 220 years ago. Here are three things we can do now to make our state number one.

+ First, encourage all students to gain real skills and get practical work-style experience before they finish public school.
+ Second, match successful business owners and managers with the new generation of inventors, scientists, and innovative thinkers.
+ Third, turn every public library in every Rhode Island community into idea and new business incubators.

When we support our state’s most important 21st century resource---people---we can achieve great success and show the world once again that Rhode Island Matters!

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*Adapted from Why Rhode Island Matters! First in Independence, Industry, Art & Innovation (Shoreline Press, 2010), by Ann Marie Marshall, Economic Gardener for Exeter & North Kingstown. She writes the weekly business blog, http://rieconomicgardener.blogspot.com. She is a Republican candidate for House District 31.

GROWING OUR ECONOMY!

The middle of Summer 2010 is near---but much lies ahead!

Growing our economy, but more importantly setting the stage for solid, strong and positive growth, is now our first priority. As an Economic Gardener, I am constantly preparing the soil and setting the stage for all those who dream to build on the vision of our founding fathers and those brave entrepreneurs who came before us.

In the next few months, I will continue meeting and joining with the leaders of the next New Frontier in the Towns of North Kingstown and Exeter to build on the business education and civic pride of our business owners, their families, and our residents to create the basis for growth of our existing businesses, the creation of new businesses, and the education of the next generation of entrepreneurs who will lead us forward.

Are you interested in transforming the present into something even more exciting?

Please call me at 667-0971 or email me at annmariemarshall8@hotmail.com to begin a conversation, take action, and speed the plow that will till the soil to unearth exciting new possibilities for business and economic growth in our South County communities.

BUILD YOUR BUSINESS THIS WEEK!!

Today is the day with the most daylight hours all year!

The weather is getting much better, much warmer, and delightful---maybe except for the humidity---and that means that business too will begin to heat up as we move into the second half of the year.

This week we'll talk about adding customers to your client roster.

The main criteria for success in this effort is to identify those potential clients and businesses that have a problem you know how resolve. By focusing on clients with problems, you will be 85% of the way to increasing your customer base.

This Thursday we'll learn how to grow your business by adding clients and cross-selling products and services to improve your overall sales renenues.

If you have questions in the meantime or simply want to get a jump on the competition, please call me anytime at 401-667-0971.

Please mark your calendar to attend my next Coffee Conversation at Updike's in North Kingstown on Thursday morning, June 24th at 8:00am.

See you again soon-

Ann Marie

YOUR BUSINESS PLAN 1-2-3

Summer Weather Greetings!

Summer weather is finally here and since the real-life unemployment rate in Rhode Island is over 20%, I'll bet you've been thinking about finally starting your own business.

You've got a great idea. You think it will work. But everyone says you need to write a business plan first.

I know what you'll say---you don't have time or energy (or time) to write it.

I say---Why wait till you have a business plan written to start developing your business?

The business professors and the SBA people will argue with me about this advice, but most of them (almost ALL of them) have never ever started their own successful business!!

Let's press on!!

Here's a quick and easy way to figure out---in 3 easy steps---if your new business idea has a chance of succeeding without spending any money:

Get an answer to the following three questions:

1- What problem(s) will your business solve?
2- Who needs to have the problem solved (and can pay for the solution)?
[This can be people or a business or a combination of both.]
3- Find three people/businesses that will agree to pay you to solve the
problem you have proposed solving.

Get positive answers to these questions and you will be on your way to having a successful business before you spend any money [or lose any money]. If you can't answer the preceding three questions to your satisfaction, either change your idea, find another problem to solve, or keep looking for buyers.

We'll discuss these strategies and more at our weekly Coffee Conversation meeting at Updike's Coffee Shop in North Kingstown this Thursday morning at 8am.

If you need some ideas or help in the meantime, please call me at 401-667-0971.

See you soon-

Ann Marie

MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES!

The sun is shining this week!

Time to get out there and do
some harvesting!

As they always said at the farm,
it's time to
make hay while the sun shines!

Everyone knows that the best time to
harvest hay is when the sun is shining.
Wet hay is hard to cut and bale and
ends up rotting.

Same goes for sales.

When the sun is shining,
people are happier,
more productive,
and more
open-minded.

I'll bet you're already
happier and
more optimistic.

Let's meet this week at
Updike's Coffee Shop on
Boston Neck Road in
North Kingstown.

We'll talk about how to make
good things happen
in your business
and in your life!

The sun is shining!

SEE YOU THIS THURSDAY MORNING
APRIL 15TH AT 8AM!!

Got questions?
Call me at home
401-667-0971

Ann Marie

NATIONAL SMILE WEEK

Spring arrived yesterday (Saturday), and since then it has been just glorious! Warm weather means warm clients and marks the end of the doldrums of winter.

I am calling this "National Smile Week," only because I think this is the time to smile and be more friendly and use this action to keep your business moving forward.

Your smile is a great tool for disarming the sourpuss, entrancing the mildly awake, and standing out in every opportunity to set yourself apart from the numerous sad sacks that seem to dominate in every situation. Attiude matters. Your winning smile can make all the difference between great success and abject disappointment.
Just smile.

This Thursday we'll talk about how your internal attitude is made obvious to clients by how they perceive your outside appearance. Key among all these outside characteristics is your smile.

Bring your best smile and your positive attitude to our Coffee Conversation this coming Thursday morning. We'll talk about how to turn your smile into more business.
Btw, smiling is the greatest low-cost, no-cost tool your business has!

If you have questions in the meantime or simply want to get a jump on the competition, please call me anytime at 401-667-0971.

Please mark your calendar to attend my next Coffee Conversation at Updike's in North Kingstown on Thursday morning, March 25th at 8:00am.

See you again soon-

Ann Marie

INCREASING YOUR CUSTOMER BASE!

The weather is getting better, warmer---except for all the rain---and that means that business too will begin to heat up as we move toward the middle of the year.

This week we'll talk about adding customers to your client roster.

The main criteria for success in this effort is to identify those potential clients and businesses that have a problem you know how resolve. By focusing on clients with problems, you will be 85% of the way to increasing your customer base.

This Thursday we'll learn how to grow your business by adding clients and cross-selling products and services to improve your overall sales renenues.

If you have questions in the meantime or simply want to get a jump on the competition, please call me anytime at 401-667-0971.

Please mark your calendar to attend my next Coffee Conversation at Updike's in North Kingstown on Thursday morning, March 18th at 8:00am.

See you again soon-

Ann Marie

Reduce Your Costs of Operation

OUR FOCUS
One sure way to increase your profits is to reduce the cost of operating your business. It is one of the two not-so-secret keys to the success of Wal-Mart.

In these times, the quicker you evaluate and review every single cost of doing business, the faster you can free up cash in your business and boost your profits.

Ask yourself three questions about everything you are currently paying out each week or month to operate your business:

1- Is this expense absolutely necessary for the survival of my business?

2- If it IS necessary, is there a cheaper alternative I can use, either another supplier or another service company?

3- Can I reduce the use of a needed product or service by even ten percent and thereby save money, lower my operational expenses, and boost profits?

Every business can find savings in their operations or their purchasing that can help the bottom line. You will, too!

I'm on vacation this week and next.
I'll have a special report for you from Florida next Sunday.

Please mark your calendar to attend my next Coffee Conversation at Updike's in North Kingstown on Thursday morning, March 11th at 8:00am.

See you again soon-

Ann Marie

Boosting Customer Counts

THIS WEEK'S FOCUS
Increasing the number of customers frequenting your retail location or viewing your web site is important for several reasons:
1- All businesses lose customers constantly, due to moving, job loss, death, change in family status, or change in lifestyle choices.
2- You need to think about how to replace lost customers and incorporate your strategy as one of your DAILY business activities.
3- Getting new customers, and MORE customers, will lead to long-term business growth, both in revenues and in the value of your business.

Interested in getting more customers?
We'll take up this subject as well as addressing your current business needs at our weekly Coffee Conversation on Thursday and begin the process of developing a plan to take you and your business to the next level.

Our weekly Coffee Conversations at Updike's NewTowne are getting noticed and people are excited! There's always room for you, too!

We'll meet you this Thursday morning, February 18th at 8am to help small business owners who want to grow their sales and profits and also help those who want to start-up their own enterprise to get started right.

Updike's NewTowne Coffee Roasting Company and Cafe is located at 7726 Post Road in North Kingstown (across from the town's main Post Office). This is the sixth in a weekly series of coffee conversations to boost businesses in our community.

Have questions? Call me anytime at 401-667-0971.

See you soon-
Ann Marie

Identifying New Paying Customers

Our first Coffee Conversation at Updike's NewTowne this past Thursday was a success!

We'll meet there again this Thursday morning, January 21st at 8am to again help small business owners who want to grow their sales and profits and also help those who want to start-up their own enterprise to get started right.

THIS WEEK'S FOCUS
One key for escaping the doldrums of recession is to expand your customer base. This means moving beyond the geographical and self-imposed limits you may have previously set for your business. There are worlds beyond South County, beyond Providence, and beyond our state and national borders.

Yes, for some businesses, retail for example, your location is vital---it is where your customers arrive and interact. But every business can and must re-examine their product and service lines and ask three important questions:

1- Do I have a product/service that people in other places might
find helpful for solving their problem or meeting a need?

2- Who are these people (and/or businesses) and where are they located?

3- How can I deliver my product/service to them?


We'll take up these questions at our weekly Coffee Conversation on Thursday and begin the process of developing a plan to take you and your business to the next level.

Only you---not government---can make your business grow. So, come with your passion and get ready to make things happen!! Join me in improving our community!

Updike's NewTowne Coffee Roasting Company and Cafe is located at 7726 Post Road in North Kingstown (across from the town's main Post Office). This is the second in a weekly series of coffee conversations to boost businesses in our community.

Have questions? Call me anytime at 401-667-0971.

See you soon-

Ann Marie

What Do You Need NOW to Grow Your Business?

There's plenty of TALK everywhere in our state about "creating jobs" and "getting the economy moving," but where is the ACTION!?

As a business owner or someone who wants to start your own business, the only thing that makes anything possible is to take some ACTION!

My work as Rhode Island's Economic Gardener is to take action, connect people and businesses, find resources, and make things happen so you can reach your business and personal goals and in the process improve our communities in Exeter and North Kingstown. With that in mind, I have a question for you:

What do you need NOW to grow your business?

It might be different results: more sales, more clients, lower costs, better suppliers, better employees.

It might be useful tools: a business plan, marketing plan, web site, online strategies, or even a personal business coach.

Finally, it might be financing or an investment in your business: building loan, line of credit, working capital loan, equipment financing, or an equity investor.

Whatever you need to grow your business, I can help you obtain it. Whatever your business goal, I can help you achieve it.

In the next week, I will launch a weekly series of business growth gatherings at local coffee shops around our two towns: Sophie's, Jitters, and others, all located in neighborhoods that are near where you live and work.

I will have my Economic Gardener Growth Checklist for you to fill out and help us get started on growing your business and growing our local economy!

Start-ups and people in transition always welcome!

Let's take action and make your business grow!!

Ann Marie