NEW INFORMATION STATION: WRIM

Greetings-

There's a new station on the positive information dial----WRIM.

WRIM stands for a new approach to thinking about who we have been as Rhode Islanders and what we could be again.

WRIM is Why Rhode Island Matters!

You'll be hearing about this and the title of my book---WHY RHODE ISLAND MATTERS!---in the next few days and over the next few months.

It was written to remind ALL Rhode Islanders why our state has been a leader in so many areas throoughout history, and why it can be again.

As a native Rhode Islander, I have always been excited and impressed by my state---its natural beauty, its history, its vision in the fields of industry, art and innovation, and most of all, by its people and the families they are part of. I wanted to tell and re-tell some positive Rhode Island stories and share them with everyone.

WHY RHODE ISLAND MATTERS! will be released on August 25th.

The first limited signed and numbered edition of 500 copies of the book is being sold on a first come, first served basis at $10 per book (includes postage and handling to your home) and can be ordered direct by clicking on the BUY NOW button above my photo to the right of this blog or by sending your address and a check or money order for $10.00 to:

Shoreline Press
P.O. Box 555
Jamestown, RI 02835

All of the proceeds from the first edition will help provide free educational workshops on the subject of this book to students in middle and high schools around Rhode Island.

You'll want your own copy of this first edition book for yourself, your family, and your grandchildren.

Order a few copies for your friends in Florida and Arizona too.

If you'd like a copy, please order it today---!! It will be shipped to your home or office upon its release on August 25th.

Stay tuned for a list of presentations, talks and readings I'll be making about the book at venues statewide over the next 6-8 weeks.

Want to reserve a book or need more info?

Call me anytime at 401-667-0971. (Leave a message if I'm out.)

Here's wishing you a successful week-

Ann Marie

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

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

Boost Your Gross Revenues in 2010

January is over already!

As you make your plans for February and beyond, now is the time to create a strategy for increasing your gross revenues. This is the idea of maximizing every selling and service opportunity and monetizing those opportunities.

First, you need to set a sales goal.

What are your gross sales goals for each day, week, and month?
Remember: If they're not written, they're not real.
Write your sales goals. Read them out loud. Make plans to succeed.

Second, review your list of products and services that offer the possibility for increased sales. What are you overlooking that could help produce new revenues?

Third, come to our Coffee Conversation this Thursday, February 4th at 8am at Updike's NewTowne Cafe and join us to discuss how you can meet your sales goals and your business's need for growth in 2010.

I can help keep you focused on your goals.

In the meantime, call me anytime at 401-667-0971.

Best wishes for a successful week-

Ann Marie Marshall

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