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.

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

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

Building [Greater] Success in 2010!

Our weekly Coffee Conversations at Updike's NewTowne are getting noticed and people are excited!

We'll meet there again this Thursday morning, January 28th 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.

THIS WEEK'S FOCUS
Building greater sales success in your business includes helping your present customers increase their purchases. There are numerous ways to do this, but two old fashion strategies seem to work best:

1- Listening more to, and better understanding your customers' needs;
2- Communicating to them more clearly about your capabilities and
ability to help solve their problems

We'll take up these issues 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.

REMEMBER: 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 business 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 third 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