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4 Ways To Tell If Your Product Is Truly Disruptive

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OCTOBER 09, 2013As forward-thinkers and innovators, many entrepreneurs are ahead of their time when it comes to creating state-of-the-art products. Those small-business owners who attract attention and interest in their revolutionary concepts can attain exponential exposure and sales.

Philip Bourgeois is an industrial designer and founder and CEO of Studio RED

, a design consultancy that opened in 1983 and has managed more than 5,000 product development projects for a wide range of organizations, including entrepreneurs. In 2000 his company designed the TheraSense, Inc. Freestyle Tracker Diabetes Management System, the first glucose monitoring device to require a small amount of blood from parts of the body less painful than the fingertip, such as the arms or legs.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]“The meter acceptance was significant,” Bourgeois says. “It captured a 15 percent share of a 20-year-old market dominated by [competitor] LifeScan, and in its fourth year it was purchased for $1.2 billion by Abbott [Laboratories] and became the beginning of their diabetes division.”

Not For The Faint Of Heart

While the payoffs and rewards are potentially substantial when your ahead-of-its-time concept hits the big-time, the process of selling cutting-edge products is challenging, says Vinay Tannan, a U.S. patent agent and founder and CEO of Taan Consulting

, an intellectual property strategy and business development agency.

“Revolutionary ideas and products are essentially disruptive innovation,” says Tannan. “Such concepts are not incremental or expected by the market, but rather something that changes the way the game is played. The prospect of selling disruptive innovation is fraught with challenges, including establishing a market demand for something that people often don’t yet know they need and developing a competitive edge around your innovation that positions your company for long-term growth and success.”

When cultivating and selling your revolutionary concept, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

Do Your Homework

Before you jump in and pitch your idea to potential investors, retailers or manufacturers, research the industry and competitive landscape to make sure your product is truly innovative and a large enough market exists.

“Conduct a freedom-to-operate analysis of the patent landscape to determine if the practice of your innovation might be infringing on someone else’s patents, and survey the potential customer base to make sure that your innovation is addressing one or many pain points,” advises Tannan.

Having a solid idea of how big the potential market is and how much of the market you can capture is critical and often requires substantial, time-consuming research and development. “To create a unique product requires a visionary management team with an appetite for innovation and the willingness to pay for the development it takes to achieve new, breakthrough solutions,” says Bourgeois of Studio RED.

“This development may take the form of deep design research to find new product opportunities, multiple engineering mock-ups and test cycles to overcome initial approaches which don’t hit the mark—all the way to investments in manufacturing methods that have never been applied to this new product category.” Bourgeois adds.

Highlight Your Market

Once you’ve completed thorough research, present the idea within the framework of the target market, says Bourgeois. “We learned early on that you can’t just show a series of concepts to a product manager, manufacturer or retailer,” he says. “This part of the process shouldn’t be done in a vacuum. It’s important to present the product within the context of the competitive landscape. Explain how the product fits a particular zone in the competition and speaks to a specific demographic, as well as supports the company’s vision and branding strategy,” he says.

Educate, Educate, Educate

Focus on educating your listeners regarding why your product is ideal for them and how it will change their lives, says John Scherer

, founder of the Video Professor, which produced tutorials for computer-related subjects in the late 1980s. He is now CEO of the Canless Air System

, makers of the Canless Air O2 Hurricane.

“In selling this revolutionary product, we inform the consumer that the 02 Hurricane is safe for the environment, as it replaces dangerous canned air and offers new cleaning options,” Scherer says. “Explain exactly how your product can help the intended user live an easier, more enjoyable life.”

Trust Your Gut

“When an idea is right, you’ll know and feel it,” Scherer says. “If your presentation flows from the heart, then consumers are likely to buy your product.”

Building a business around a disruptive innovation takes confidence and persistence.Tannan adds, “Be prepared for people to tell you that your product is stupid, that it won’t work and that nobody will buy it. Stay focused and believe in yourself, and you will succeed.”

A freelancer since 1985, Julie Bawden-Davis has written for many publications, including Entrepreneur, Better Homes & Gardens and Family Circle.

Read more articles on innovation.

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Cash Flow Analysis: The Key To A Healthy Company

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OCTOBER 04, 2013 For a small business, having adequate cash is critical, allowing you to operate, expand and get credit. Keeping tabs on the amount of cash you have moving in and out of your company at all times is essential. To do this, it’s necessary to perform a cash flow analysis. While it doesn’t determine your company’s profitability, it does show its liquidity, and is a key indicator to the health of your company.

Elements Of Cash Flow Analysis

A cash flow analysis statement contains a list of incoming cash, such as the sale of company goods, services and assets and loans and lines of credit. The document also lists the results of outgoing cash, including operational expenses such as purchases and loan payments. It groups all financial activities, detailing the inflow and outflow of money, into three main sections:

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1. Operational activities. This section shows how much money the company received from business operations. It doesn’t include investment income. This portion is calculated by taking the net income from the income statement and adding in one-time charges, depreciation expenses, accounts payable, deferred taxes and accounts receivable.

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2. Investment activities. This portion of the cash flow analysis statement adds and subtracts all money generated from or spent or lost on investments. Such activities include money made selling shares of stock to the public, dividend payments to shareholders and purchase of equipment and property.

3. Financing activities. This part of the statement shows financing, including the inflow of loans received and the outflow of loan payments made.

Free Cash Flow

Analysis of a cash flow statement will indicate the presence or absence of free cash flow, which is the amount of cash a company has on hand after all expenses have been paid. The free cash flow amount is considered a more accurate reflection of a company’s financial health than the earnings statement, which, because of the addition of items such as depreciation, may not show a true picture of how much money a company has on hand.

Consistent negative free cash flow is an indication that your company may be spending too much or not bringing in sufficient cash to cover expenses. Free cash flow is the financial health indicator that investors will study closely.

Create A Cash Flow Budget

A cash flow analysis is best used to create a cash flow budget, which enables you to project the cash and cash equivalents you expect to come into your business and the cash outlay you can expect to pay out. By analyzing your cash flow statement, you will also identify periods when you tend to have cash flow deficits and those times when there tends to be free cash flow. This will help you better prepare for such times and make plans for borrowing and investing, depending on the availability of cash.

Predicting budgets isn’t a guaranteed science, but monitoring the inflow and outflow of money can help you make wiser decisions. Using a cash flow analysis will help you keep your financials on track and prepare for the future.

A freelancer since 1985, Julie Bawden-Davis has written for many publications, including Entrepreneur, Better Homes & Gardens and Family Circle.

Read more articles and see exclusive videos in OPEN Forum’s special section on Managing Your Money.

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Avoid Bankruptcy Over Healthcare Expenses – DebtHelp

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Avoid Bankruptcy Over Healthcare Expenses”][vc_single_image][vc_column_text]With the ever-rising cost of medical expenses, an inability to pay health bills is now the top reason for personal bankruptcy. According to estimates by consumer advocacy group NerdWallet Health, in 2013 1.7 million Americans will declare bankruptcy because of an inability to pay medical bills.

Don’t expect the new medical plans offered through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to bail you out if you experience a healthcare crisis, either. While Obamacare premiums are likely to be lower, your out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-pays and deductibles, are expected to be higher. One catastrophic or ongoing medical condition can potentially put you on the edge financially.

Knowing your rights and having a plan in place in case a costly medical issue does arise goes a long way toward helping you avoid bankruptcy.

Medical bills don’t affect your credit rating

Thanks to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPAA), the privacy law protecting your medical data, your medical bills can’t be reported on your credit report. Bill collectors can call you, but no calls will be made to the credit reporting agencies. This means that it’s important to avoid charging medical expenses on credit cards. If you put a hospital stay on your credit card and have difficulty paying it, this can end up on your credit report, because it is a credit card bill.

Negotiate payment terms

As with any debt, your best option is to talk to the medical organization where you received treatment and negotiate payment terms that work for your budget. By communicating with the hospital or doctor’s office, you prevent them from sending your bill to collections, which makes negotiating repayment more difficult. Call as soon as you get the bill to work out a payment plan that involves no interest.

Check your bills and dispute any errors

Medical practitioners are only human, and your health charges aren’t set in stone. Inspect your bills line by line to ensure that you weren’t overcharged for anything. On a hospital invoice, for instance, several items or services listed that you never received can add up to a substantial amount of money.

Direct what you save in premiums to a health savings plan

Put the savings you get from lower premiums that will come with the ACA in a medical savings account. If you’re employed, you can open a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), which both allow you to save money before taxes to use toward healthcare. Even if you don’t have access to such plans, open a savings account for healthcare expenses.

If you’re faced with high medical debt, bankruptcy doesn’t have to be your only option. Keep these tips in mind, and you’re likely to find debt help that is less financially damaging.

About the Author:

Julie Bawden-Davis is a Southern-California-based writer specializing in personal finance and insurance. Since 1983, her work has appeared in a wide variety of publications, including Family Circle, Ladies’ Home Journal, Parenting, Entrepreneur and The Los Angeles Times.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Add a Haunted Touch to Your Home at Halloween

Dying to decorate for Halloween but not excited about storing boxes of ghost and goblin decorations the rest of the year? Add a spooky, yet sophisticated touch to your home by using non-Halloween items to create a holiday feeling.

Try these “tricky” decorating treatments.

Highlight linens

Black and pumpkin-colored tablecloths lend a Halloween air to the table. Try a black tablecloth as a base and top it with autumnal colored table runners. Outfit the bathroom with black and orange towels. And cover your sofa with a black throw topped off by orange or rust colored toss pillows

Do the disposable route

Not a fan of black and orange linens? Pick up some disposable, one-time only tableware entertaining kits with Halloween themed dinner and dessert paper plates and napkins.

Go with pumpkins and gourds

Pumpkins are an ideal decorator item that can be used throughout November as well. As long as you don’t cut pumpkins, they will generally last for two months or longer. Instead of carving pumpkins for an outdoor display, draw scary faces on one side, which allows you to turn the pumpkins and hide the faces once the holiday passes. Gourds will last indefinitely and fit a wide variety of seasonal décor themes.

Light up with candles

Give guests a ghoulish greeting by flanking your front door with pumpkins surrounded with black candles. On the dining room table or fireplace mantel, create an eerie focal point by mounting orange candles on a black candelabra, or lend a light and fun feel to the atmosphere by decorating with pumpkin-themed luminaries containing battery-operated candles. Candy Corn or Pumpkin-Patchscented candles add a festive aroma and mood to the air throughout several holiday seasons.

Try bottles

An arrangement of old apothecary bottles gives the illusion that you’ve been mixing secret potions. In the bathroom, fill such bottles with soap and lotion and do the same at the kitchen sink. Use wide-mouthed jars for Halloween treats and label them with creepy names like eel eyeballs for chocolate balls and monkey teeth for candy corn.

Decorate everyday items

Easily add Halloween flair to common items in the home using techniques such as wrapping black and orange ribbon around bannisters and attaching it to mirror borders. Perch a decorative black cat on top of the television set and wrap banisters on the stairs or welcome your trick or treaters with orange string lights. Or add some color and a festive tone with flameless paper lanterns.

Adding a sophisticated, spooky touch to your home at Halloween is so easy and fun, it’s scary.

By Julie Bawden-Davis

CASH FLOW STATEMENT: WHERE THE MONEY IS

OCTOBER 02, 2013Your company’s cash flow statement is an indispensable tool that reveals the liquidity of your business and its ability to pay bills. This financial report shows over a specific period of time the amount of cash and cash equivalents that have entered and left your company as a result of operational, investing and financing transactions.

The cash flow statement is not the same as your income statement, which includes non-cash items such as depreciation.

If your company is publicly traded, the SEC requires that you prepare a cash flow statement quarterly. Even if your company is private, it’s still a good idea to do a regular cash flow statement, as it measures the flow of cash in and out of your business, showing you where your money is coming from and how you’re spending it.

Importance Of The Cash Flow Statement

The cash flow statement gives an accurate view of how well your company is actually doing, because it indicates how much money your company has actually generated and spent. This gives you, your creditors and investors a good idea if you’re able to handle cash well, meet your financial obligations and comfortably finance growth.

If the cash generated from your operation is generally greater than the net income, the company is considered to be doing well, whereas if the opposite is true, then the company is most likely not doing well.

Inadequate cash on hand to pay bills can jeopardize a company’s solvency. Companies with sufficient cash are more likely to remain viable and are more attractive to stockholders, because owners are able to pay bills, increase dividends, reduce debt, buy back stock and expand.

Your current cash flow statement can also assist you in predicting future cash flow, which enables you to devise a realistic budget.

Contents Of A Cash Flow Statement

Cash flow statements became required for publicly traded companies in 1987. Various rules stipulate how information is to be recorded on the statements. The documents are organized into four general categories.

First is cash from operations, which constitutes cash brought in from daily operation; second is money from investing, encompassing cash used for investments and money from the sale of assets; third is cash from financing, including cash paid out or received from borrowing money or lending it, and dividend income; and fourth is supplemental information, including record of payment of income taxes and interest.

Specifically, the cash flow statement contains the following items: cash on hand, cash sales, receivables income, income from investments, interest on loans and asset liquidation, total income, materials and merchandise, direct labor, overhead, marketing and sales, including salaries and commissions, research and development, general and administrative labor expenses, taxes, except payroll, capital and loan payments.

Total expenses are derived from the cash flow statement by adding up the cost of direct labor, overhead, materials, marketing, sales, general and administrative expenses, research and development, capital, loan payments and taxes. Cash flow is then determined by computing the difference between total income and total expenses.

Decreases in cash from the previous cash flow statement period are bracketed on the current cash flow statement, whereas increases are left un-bracketed.

Negative Cash Flow

A negative cash flow isn’t always an indication of an unstable company. For instance, if you’re expanding your business in order to grow in the future and make more money, or if you landed a large contract and haven’t yet been paid, your cash flow statement will reflect limited cash. In such situations, it’s important that cash flow statements from prior periods are analyzed to get an accurate picture of how your company has performed over time.

A freelancer since 1985, Julie Bawden-Davis has written for many publications, including Entrepreneur, Better Homes & Gardens and Family Circle.

Read more articles and see exclusive videos in OPEN Forum’s special section on Managing Your Money.

Photo: iStockphoto, Thinkstock

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: HOW TO CREATE TOP LEADERS IN YOUR BUSINESS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013Few leaders are born with top-notch leadership skills. The smartest leaders understand this and know the importance of leadership development—for themselves, their employees and their businesses.

According to Bersin & Associates, a human resources research and advisory services firm, U.S. companies increased leadership spending 14 percent in 2012 to approximately $13.6 billion. The research reveals that companies are even more focused on leadership development to remain competitive and to improve employee retention. After all, without a solid and effective leadership strategy, your business can quickly find itself in trouble. It takes effective, proactive leaders to guide a company to success. And that’s where leadership development comes in.

Types of Leadership Development Programs

There are many different types of leadership development programs—some are suited for business owners while others are more tailored for the leaders that help run your business. Programs range from company-sponsored programs to hands-on outdoor experiential programs. In addition, various universities offer leadership development training, including Stanford, Harvard, Yale and Columbia. Many large companies such as AT&T, Raytheon, GE and Lockheed Martin use such programs to train future leaders.

One way to improve leadership skills is via a rotational program that provides potential leaders with targeted cross-training in various departments with the idea that they will be better able to lead when they’re well-versed on all aspects of the company and its inner workings.

Another key aspect of leadership development training is to use ongoing mentorships with current company leaders. Through example and guidance, existing leaders exhibit the various attributes required to be an effective leader, including responsibility, accountability, vision and responsiveness.

When considering different programs, remember the best ones are action-oriented, rather than focused solely on theory. While explanations are helpful, those programs that give employees a chance to react to real-life leadership challenges and make decisions are the ones that help inspire leaders to grow.

Creating A Program

Developing a leadership development program for your company gives you the opportunity to identify and develop existing talent. Such a program also allows you to take a close look at your company’s leadership needs and sharpen your own skills in this area. When you design and implement your own program, you can ensure that key elements are included, such as your company’s corporate culture.

If you want to experience the benefits of a leadership development program for your company, consider the following steps to get you started.

Determine the appropriate leadership style. Pick the right one for your business given the corporate culture. Take a close look at your own leadership style and that of all successful leaders within your business.

Pinpoint desired leadership changes you want made. Are there gaps in leadership? Are there changes you’d like to make that require a change in how the company is led?

Identify potential leaders. Choose employees who could benefit from leadership development. Determine their specific leadership needs.

Develop a program plan. Based on the leadership skills required by employees, decide on a format for your program, which could be anything from a rotational program for specified employees to a classroom type development program that lasts several months to a weekend workshop or retreat.

Ask for evaluations from participants. Once the program is complete, ask those who received training to rate the experience and share if they feel that their leadership skills have improved. Revisit the employees on a quarterly basis with similar questions to see how the training they received affects them on a long-term basis.

Be Patient

No matter how good your leadership development program, not everyone is cut out to be a leader. Rather than trying to force leadership on employees who obviously don’t want the responsibility, identify those who are interested and give them the training and freedom to lead. And when it comes to your own leadership skills, don’t take those for granted—you can learn a lot, too.

Read more leadership articles.

Photos: Thinkstock

Coffee Quiz: 8 Coffee Myths and Truths

How savvy are you about your daily cuppa? See if you can separate truth from myth–and get a few great ideas for making the most of your beverage–when it comes to the coffee statements below.

1. The freezer or refrigerator is the best place to store your coffee.

Myth: Contrary to popular opinion, the cool air of the refrigerator or freezer doesn’t keep coffee fresher longer. High moisture levels in this environment can actually cause coffee oils to break down faster, and the coffee soon takes on flavors from surrounding foods.

Store your coffee beans and grounds at room temperature in a dark, cool, dry place like a closed pantry. Once the bag is open, transfer the contents to an airtight glass or ceramic container and use within one to two weeks.

2. For the freshest taste, grind coffee beans immediately before brewing.

Truth: Whole beans lock in volatile oils. Once beans are ground and exposed to light and air, the coffee’s aroma and flavor dissipate quickly. Store coffee beans whole and grind them right before you brew a pot.

3. The size of the coffee grounds affects taste.

Truth: The texture of your grounds greatly affects coffee taste. Generally, bitter coffee is an indication that the beans have been ground too fine; if the coffee tastes flat, you’ve probably not ground the beans enough to extract the full flavor, according to the National Coffee Association USA.

When grinding, use quick, short bursts. Holding the button down and grinding continuously tends to create too fine of a blend and can overheat the coffee, which negatively affects taste.

4. Coffee made in a French press is best.

Myth: While the French Press method is definitely an excellent option, you can get great coffee from drip, percolating, and vacuum brewing too. The most important factor in making coffee is that the water temperature reaches 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit, says Coffee Research.org.

5. Coffee stunts your growth.

Myth: Because of studies conducted some years ago on the elderly, whose diets were low in calcium, the myth started that coffee stunts growth. More recent studies focusing on adolescents found no direct link between coffee consumption and slow growth. According to Kidshealth.org, no connection exists between a child’s height and his or her caffeine consumption.

6. The kind of water you use to make coffee alters its taste.

Truth: Water quality greatly affects the flavor of your coffee. Heavily chlorinated tap water, for instance, creates poor-tasting coffee. Distilled and softened water are also not good choices, as they lack certain minerals that bring out coffee’s full flavor. Your best bet is filtered water or bottled water.

7. It’s important to clean your coffee machine.

Truth: Lingering residue in your coffee machine from previously brewed coffee imparts a stale or even bitter taste to your java. Wash the pot and plastic parts with soap and warm water after every use, and about every 15 pots, brew a solution of half water and half vinegar to clean out the interior of the pot, followed by a pot of plain water.

8. Caffeine is addictive.

Myth: Caffeine is a mild stimulant but doesn’t fit the addictive category, according to The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Your body may become accustomed to caffeine, so it’s best to cut down on coffee consumption gradually, rather than all at once.

TEAM BUILDING EXERCISES THAT BOOST PRODUCTIVITY

SEPTEMBER 25, 2013The adage “no man is an island” is certainly true when it comes to running a business, which is why it’s so important to keep your whole team working productively together. How do you do that? Incorporate team building exercises into your corporate routine. The small-business owner who can build a culture around cooperation and collaboration enjoys more success.

Effective team building exercises help cultivate trust, support and respect among the group, positively affecting the work environment. These exercises can also help to shine a light on the strengths and weaknesses of participants, which gives management a better idea of job fit.

When You Need To Use Team Building Exercises

Many small-business owners know when business is not progressing as well as it could. When you see persistent problems—such as decreased productivity, conflict, lack of cooperation or involvement, hostility, apathy and complaints about favoritism—it’s in your best interest to look at team building as a way to restore camaraderie and a positive work environment.

Determine Your Team Building Needs

Team building exercises aren’t effective in a vacuum. In order for your company to benefit from these exercises, you must be clear on exactly what you’re trying to accomplish. Identify your reasons for the team building exercises and share them with your employees.

What are some of the most common reasons? A need to improve problem-solving skills and communication, develop creativity and build trust. Once you know the qualities you want to encourage, you can choose the team building exercises designed to accomplish your goal.

5 Team Building Exercises

Five main categories of team building exercises exist. They consist of activities that build communication, promote problem solving and decision making, encourage adaptability and the ability to plan, work to build trust, and develop a cooperative spirit. The team building exercises that promote these various skills are meant to be enjoyable and instructional.

Depending on what you want to improve on your team, you can try some of the following activities:

1. Build communication.

Activities that develop open lines of communication and listening increase communication. Try games like telephone, where you sit in a circle and one person whispers a scenario into the ear of the next person, such as how an important report was not delivered to the president in time. The “telephone” chain continues until the last person, who announces what he or she heard. Generally, by the end of the chain the story has been altered substantially. This gives employees a chance to discuss how the story changed along the way and methods they could use in the future to improve communication.

2. Promote problem solving and decision making.

Used often in science fairs, the egg drop is a particularly effective activity for promoting problem solving. Split the employees into two groups and have them rig up a package that ensures a raw egg doesn’t break when dropped from a distance. Make it more challenging by timing them and limiting the types of materials they can use to protect the egg.

3. Encourage adaptability and planning.

Survival scenarios work well to encourage planning and adaptability. Announce a survival situation, such as the fact that everyone will be deserted on an island indefinitely. Instruct the group to come up with a list of 15 items they must bring with them in order to ensure their survival. The process of choosing will require that they adapt and plan for the unexpected.

4. Build trust.

One of the most efficient ways to test the trust between two individuals is to have them protect one another physically. This can be done by having one person close his or her eyes and fall backward into the arms of another. Or, you could have employees stand facing each other in pairs; with their elbows bent, they place their palms together, leaning toward each other and moving their feet back further and further until they’re supporting each other. Such exercises quickly highlight trust issues and help everyone learn to believe in one another.

5. Nurture a cooperative spirit.

Assigning employee teams to volunteer with charitable causes is the best way to encourage cooperation. When people work on a cause that the team cares about, they will bond. The opportunity to give back to those less fortunate often creates a charitable, cooperative attitude among everyone involved.

Armed with these ideas for team building exercises, you can create the best working culture for your business.

Read more articles on company culture.

A freelancer since 1985, Julie Bawden-Davis has written for many publications, including Entrepreneur, Better Homes & Gardens and Family Circle.

Photos: Getty Images

How to Make Candy & Caramel Apples

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Home Office Essentials: Office Lighting

When you think about ways to improve your work productivity, changing up your lighting might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But the quantity and quality of lighting for your home office can have a big impact on your ability to get things done.

But no single light can create the ideal illumination for every job at hand. To ensure your office is well-illuminated, you’ll need multiple lighting sources. Mix a few of the following lighting types together to create a great place to get things done.

Overhead Lighting

Also known as ambient lighting, overhead lights illuminate your entire office space. They provide sufficient light to work and ensure your ability to move around safely while creating a bright, welcoming space. Common sources of overhead lighting include ceiling-mounted fixtures using incandescent bulbs or fluorescent lighting tube fixtures.

While ceiling-mounted fixtures do a good job of illuminating a space, they tend to cast shadows and may not provide the brightness required for detail-oriented jobs, which is why you shouldn’t rely only on your ceiling light in your home office.

Task Lighting

As its name suggests, task lighting gives you focused, intense illumination so you can perform specific jobs, such as reading, writing, and working on the computer. Task lighting options include desk lamps, floor lamps, and pendant lights.

Proper positioning of task lighting is the key to its effectiveness. When you’re doing paperwork, for example, shine the light directly where you will be working. But avoid placing a task light where it will cast light directly onto your computer screen, as this can cause glare and eye strain.

Task lighting should not be used in lieu of overhead lighting, particularly if the room lacks natural light. That extreme contrast can tire your eyes.

Accent Lighting

Spotlights, decorative light fixtures and wall sconces may not provide a great deal of usable light, but they do lend atmosphere to your home office and can add to the room’s overall design. Dimmer lighting switches are included in this category and can be adjusted according to the task at hand. For instance, if you are talking on the phone in your home office and don’t need a great deal of light, you may want to rest your eyes by dimming the lights and using the accent lighting.

Natural lighting

If there are windows or skylights in your home office, plan to use the light they bring into the room to your advantage. First, arrange the room so that your computer monitor won’t get glare from the light coming in, or choose window treatmentsthat will let you control how much light you’re exposed to during the day (this is particularly important for windows with unobstructed southern or western exposure, whereas northern or eastern exposures can often get by with sheer curtains or adjustable blinds).

Now that you know the secrets to lighting up your office space, use these illumination tactics to create an eye-catching, productive work environment.

What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to arranging your home office?

Julie Bawden-Davis

Don’t Defer! 5 Ways to Pay Student Loans Off Early

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2584″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With classes to attend and homework to complete, you probably haven’t thought much about paying off your student loans.

Deferring payment until after graduation is common practice and easy, but putting off repayment can be costly.

Loan capitalization costs

If you have an unsubsidized student loan, which starts accruing interest as soon as you take out the loan, waiting until after graduation can mean paying significantly more over the life of the loan.

For instance, according to Sallie Mae, if you have a $5,500 loan at 6.8 percent interest and make no payments for four years and during the six-month post-graduation grace period, you’ll end up owing an additional $1,500 in accrued interest.

Your amount owed jumps to $7,000 because of capitalization. As the loan’s unpaid interest accumulates and increases the overall loan, you pay even more interest.

When you start paying after graduation, your monthly payment is much higher than it would have been if you’d paid interest while in college, which on the loan mentioned here is about $31 per month.

Pay even more toward the principal, and you can graduate owing less than the original loan.

Of course, making loan payments as a starving student isn’t easy.

Try these five tips for coming up with the necessary cash.

1. Shave 10% from your monthly spending

With a lean student budget, it’s likely that you don’t have any big ticket items you can cut in order to make a monthly loan payment.

You may be able to slice a small percentage from your overall budget, though, and redirect the savings to your student loans.

If you’re living on campus with a meal plan and are spending $50 a week on items like entertainment, supplies and gifts, for instance, try shaving $5 off per week, which amounts to just 72 cents per day.

Use the resulting $20 monthly savings to pay down your student loan debt.

2. Make it automatic

Rather than waiting until the end of the month to come up with a chunk of money to pay toward your student loan, which can be challenging, automate frequent small savings withdrawals.

For instance, every Wednesday, have $5 withdrawn from your checking and deposited into your savings account, or have the $5 automatically posted to your student loan account.

Many student loan providers will lower your interest rate by about .25 percent if you set up automatic payments, and paying weekly means you make 13 months of payments per year.

3. Earmark cash gifts

When you get a cash gift from family members like your parents or grandparents, who may encourage you to buy or do something fun with the money, stay focused on your goal of not graduating in deep debt and immediately apply the cash to your student loans.

4. Collect spare change

Spare change may seem insignificant, but it can quickly add up to a student loan payment. Find 50 cents a day, and you’ll have $15 towards your loan at the end of the month.

Save your change throughout the week, and ask your parents to start collecting theirs. When you explain that it’s for the worthy cause of paying off your student loans, they’ll probably agree.

Use whatever change you save each month to make a payment toward your loan.

5. Earn extra cash

A wide variety of opportunities exist for students to earn money for paying off student loans, and in some cases you don’t even have to leave campus.

Try tutoring, participating in studies and surveys, donating blood and plasma, re-selling used textbooks, babysitting and finding a job in your department.

Use these savings tips to pay student loans off early while you’re in school, and you can look forward to an easier financial future when you graduate.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Have You Seen West Orange School

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What is now the City of Orange was once several different communities. One of them was West Orange.

West Orange grew up around the Southern Pacific railroad depot, established in 1877 near Flower and La Veta. There was never a store or a post office, but as more and more ranchers moved into the area, they did get their own school, so local children wouldn’t have to walk all the way to downtown Orange.

The original West Orange School was built in 1890, not far from the depot. It was a one-room schoolhouse, where a single teacher taught all five grades (with the littlest kids sitting in front and the older kids behind, so everyone got to hear every lesson several times over). It operated until 1905, when attendance dropped and the school was closed.

In the 1920s, residential neighborhoods began to pop up along the new state highway through West Orange (running east on Chapman to Main Street, where it turned south towards Santa Ana). In 1924, about the time the area started annexing into the City of Orange, a new West Orange Elementary School opened along Almond Avenue, a little east of Bush Street. It was a six-room brick building, built around a central courtyard.Lotta Brandon served as principal (and one of the teachers) from 1924-44.

In 1949, a kindergarten building was added on the west side of the brick school. It still stands, and is the oldest classroom building still in use in the Orange Unified School District. As the area began to grow even faster, West Orange School was often on double-session in the 1950s and ’60s until a new campus was built in 1965, facing Bush Street. The old brick school was torn down, but a few of the bricks were used to build a planter box outside the office, which still survives.

A historical plaque, placed during the U.S. Bicentennial celebration in 1976-77, is located outside the 1949 building. It mistakenly lists 1886 as the date of the original school, but school board minutes and the local papers all prove it was 1890.

Published in the Sep/Oct 2013 edition of the Old Towne Orange Plaza Review

Written by Phil Brigandi, Photo courtesy of Pat Hearle
Colorized by the Old Towne Orange Plaza Review

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6 Steps For Giving A Great Media Interview

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SEPTEMBER 03, 2013Media interviews are a priceless opportunity to get the word out about your business. One well-placed article, blog post or radio show filled with your pithy quotes can quickly spread the news about you and your company to thousands of readers or listeners.

But not everyone is comfortable with the press, and too many small-business owners mishandle such opportunities. Make the most of the chance to share your knowledge and promote yourself and your business by keeping the following six steps in mind for giving a great press interview.

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1. Thoroughly Prepare

Given the fact that everything you say in a media interview can, and may, be shared by the journalist for posterity, it’s important to make sure you are completely prepared. If possible, ask for interview questions ahead of time.

Familiarize yourself with the show and host or reporter and publication, says author, teacher and speaker Dr. Kevin Ross Emery, an expert in the ADD/HD field who has done hundreds of radio interviews and hosted his own show for three years.

“Find out key information such as the focus of the show or the content of the publication,” he says. “What are the demographics? Why are they choosing to interview you? It’s equally important to be prepared physically and emotionally for the interview. Don’t just jump on the call or pull into the radio station five minutes beforehand. Have time to center, have water and make sure you’ve eaten within a reasonable time prior to the interview.”

Even if you’re not prepping for an interview, you need to be ready to toot your own horn when the opportunity presents itself. Create a 20-second sound bite that succinctly describes what your company does and how good your company is at what it does. Be prepared to effortlessly share your mini commercial.

2. Effectively Market Your Business

Most media people are willing to help you promote your business when appropriate. The key to getting the word out about your company is to know what to say and when, says Merilee Kern, owner of the PR agency Kern Communications. She has been an interview subject and has facilitated hundreds of online, print and TV interviews for clients.

“If the interview is about a topic synergistic to your expertise, but not about your business itself, do not answer with self-promotional information about your company, product or service—as tempting as that may be to parlay more ‘publicity value’ from the effort and exposure,” Kern advises. “Unless the journalist expressly asks about your business, keep the conversation on the topic at hand and strive to provide insights that represent your unique point of view. Aim to share new information, such as contrary viewpoints on the topic. This will add dimension to the interview and spur a deeper conversation with the journalist, often leading to more coverage for you in the piece.”

3. Show Your Passion

Explain why your business is so exciting to you, says David Roddenberry, who has done many media interviews. He is cofounder of HealthyWage, a company that organizes weight loss contests.

“You have poured blood, sweat and tears into getting your business going,” he says. “Share with the interviewer why, for instance, you gave up a stable career and took enormous risks to start your business. The reporter will pick up on your passion and excitement, and it will spill over into the article.”

4. Stress Facts

Opinions are much more effective and credible when bolstered by facts, figures and study findings. “Add value to the article, blog, radio or television interview by citing topic-relevant data points from reliable and trustworthy sources,” Kern says.

Journalists also find it helpful if you supply them with relevant sources of information to provide context, such as industry organizations and academic studies, Roddenberry says. “As a small-business owner, you know your market,” he says. “Make it easy for reporters to get up to speed by connecting them quickly with appropriate sources.”

5. Embellish With Anecdotes

Liven things up by adding some color to your interview with real-life anecdotes. “If you’ve had a direct, personal experience of particular interest where a clear and germane lesson of some sort was learned, do share the story with the journalist,” Kern says.

6. Offer Supplemental Materials

The end of the interview for a print publication is the appropriate time to ask the journalist if he or she would like any additional information about you and your business, such as a bio, company backgrounder, head shot photo or other press kit resources that can help educate the journalist about your business and expertise and keep you as the top-of-mind expert source for suitable assignments, Kern says.

Most radio show hosts will give you a few seconds at the end of the show to share company information, such as your website.

Now that you know the key steps to interview success, you’ll be ready when someone from the media calls.

A freelancer since 1985, Julie Bawden-Davis has written for many publications, including Entrepreneur, Better Homes & Gardens and Family Circle.

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How Will Obamacare Affect Your Finances?

After more than three years of discussion over the most sweeping healthcare reform in decades, the Obamacare federal health care law and the resulting health insurance will soon be a reality.

Known as the Affordable Care Act, the healthcare plan requires most Americans to get health insurance and is supposed to provide cheaper insurance options for millions by offering the low- and middle-income subsidies to buy private insurance.

While the dramatic changes in the healthcare system are far-reaching, one thing is certain: The mandated healthcare is likely to affect your pocketbook, in some cases offering you debt solutions.

Penalties for not participating

One of the most publicized aspects of Obamacare is the penalty levied on those who choose not to have insurance. The fine excludes those who would have to spend more than 8 percent of their annual income on insurance, but otherwise requires that each adult pay $95 per year and $47.50 per child or 1 percent of the family income in 2014. This jumps to $325 per adult or 2 percent of the family income by 2015, and in 2016 it’s a $695 penalty per adult or 2.5 percent of the family income.

Premiums depend on your health status and age

If you’ve had serious health problems, like cancer or heart attacks, the plan is likely to save you money. You’ll find it easier to get affordable coverage through Obamacare, as the program doesn’t allow excluding less healthy patients or charging them more. Because of this decrease, healthier individuals are likely to see insurance costs rise.

Older insured individuals will also experience a decrease in rates. While it’s currently common for insurance companies to charge this group five times more than younger people, this will be limited to just three times more, once again causing younger individuals to see premium increases.

Gender will affect your insurance costs

Men currently often pay less than women for insurance, because they don’t go to the doctor as often. That will stop with Obamacare, which may mean a significant increase in your insurance premiums if you are a male between the ages of 25-36.

Potentially increased taxes

The tax credits offered through the Affordable Care Act in 2014 are available on a sliding scale to individuals with an income of $45,960 or less and $94,200 or under for a family of four. The eligibility is likely to change each year, so if your income goes up, you may have to pay back your overpayment on your next tax return.

The next several months as Obamacare takes effect promise to shed even more light on how the insurance plan may offer you debt help.

About the Author:

Back to School: How to Prepare Your Family

With lazy summer days dwindling (how did it get to be August already?!), and busy school days looming, it’s time to prepare for the back-to-school transition. Try these stress-free steps for easing kids back into a school schedule.

1. Re-establish a School Routine

You’ll all have more energy for the first day if you don’t try to change your sleeping schedule all at once. Try going to bed and getting up a little earlier each day for a week, until you hit your school year bed- and wake-up times. You can also use this week to re-establish any school-day routines that you put on hold during the summer, like specific bath-times or nightly bedtime rituals like reading.

This gradual approach can help you ease into your morning schedule too: When you get up in the morning during this transition week, you can stay in your pajamas, but eat breakfast according to your school-day schedule.

Read our tips for making bath time fun for kids!

2. Get Organized

As the first day of school approaches, help your kids set up their own systems of organization. Pre-pack backpacks together, and making sure that the most-used items (e.g., pencils, erasers, lined and graph paper, glue, rulers, and calculators) are easy to access. Then, prepare a quiet location in your house dedicated to homework: Stock the space with necessary supplies and make sure it’s well lit.

3. Plan Nutritious Meals

Itzy Ritzy® Lunch Happens™ Bento Lunch Box - Rock N Roll — Itzy Ritzy® Lunch Happens™ Bento Lunch Box – Rock N Roll

Studies by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics show that healthy breakfasts and lunches lead to better learning. Guarantee that your children eat well by working with your kids to find the best meals for them before school starts. Involving your children in the choice and preparation of breakfast and lunch leads to a higher likelihood that they’ll eat what you make. You can also establish a routine with your children of packing their lunchboxes together before bed, which gives you a chance to talk about the upcoming day and makes the morning rush easier.

4. Talk up the Transition

Get kids mentally prepared for heading back to school by discussing all of the benefits, such as seeing old friends and meeting new ones and getting involved in activities like sports and clubs. Take the opportunity to discuss the good times they had last year and their new school schedule, including the various classes and activities your children look forward to.

Happy New (School) Year!

START A BUDGET: 5 STEPS TO A FINANCIAL ROAD MAP

AUGUST 09, 2013The key to a successful business is a clear financial road map, and the best way to determine where you’re headed is to start a budget for your business. When you start a budget, it highlights where all your hard-earned money goes, allowing you to make necessary adjustments and anticipate future expenses.

Take the following five steps to start a budget for your business:

1. Set a budget time frame. Before you start a budget for your business, decide what time span you want to cover. Most budgets encompass 12 to 24 months of business operation, with 12 months being the most common. Whichever format you decide on, break your budget into months and leave space for estimated and actual totals, so you can fill in the budget on a monthly basis as the year progresses.

The budget can be done on paper or with one of the many budget software programs on the market.

2. Calculate projected sales and revenue. The first piece of your budget is your planned sales and revenue, which, for budgetary purposes, is your income. If you are already in business, get this amount from past sales figures. For instance, if you’ve been in business for eight months, use your sales totals to calculate your projected sales and revenue for the whole year.

If you’re a new business yet to generate revenue, estimate your income by researching how much similar companies earn monthly and yearly.

Once you have your projected sales and revenue totals, reduce them by 25 percent in order to be conservative, which is especially important during recessionary times.

3. Estimate operating expenses. Next, determine the total cost of operating your business and producing and delivering your services and products to your customers. Add up all your fixed expenses that don’t tend to change from month to month, such as salaries and wages, rent, utilities, insurance and taxes. Then add in variable expenses, which often change monthly, such as shipping and packaging costs, sales commissions, inventory, postage, travel, marketing and advertising and the costs of producing or purchasing products.

Once you’re done adding up your operating costs, be conservative and increase them by 25 percent in order to anticipate unexpected expenses that generally arise.

4. Figure out your gross profit margin. You can begin calculating your profit margin after one month of business. This step determines the amount of money left from revenues once expenses are met. To determine your profit margin, subtract your operating expense total from your actual sales and revenue total.

Keep in mind that your profit margin will naturally fluctuate from month to month, as some months you’ll have more profit than expenses and vice versa. With time, your aggregated profit margin gives you a good indication of the financial health of your company. If your business consistently spends more than it makes, for instance, this indicates a need for cutting expenses or generating funding. And if your business shows a profit, this gives you a chance to earmark funds for savings and future expenses.

5. Update and review your budget regularly. As a barometer for your business, a budget is an especially useful tool, providing you take advantage of it. This financial report gives you a bird’s eye view of exactly how well you’re doing with sales and if you’re consistently finishing months with a profit, loss or breaking even. This true snapshot of your business finances alerts you when business is slowing down and you need to cut expenses or make changes in operations. Your budget also indicates when business is increasing and it’s time to add inventory and start hiring.

Calculate your gross profit margin at the end of each month, and annually, to get a clear view of the financial health of your business. Use your annual budget to create projections for the following year’s budget.

Now that you know how to start a budget for your business, it’s time to get out your calculator and start planning.

Read more articles and see exclusive videos in our special section on Managing Your Money.

A freelancer since 1985, Julie Bawden-Davis has written for many publications, including Entrepreneur, Better Homes & Gardens and Family Circle.

Photos: Thinkstock

Ready, Set, Launch! 6 Steps to Teaching Your Teen Financial Responsibility

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2581″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Parents of teens often wonder if the sage life advice they attempt to impart rubs off on their children.

Your kids may not listen to you about brushing their teeth or driving too fast, but their ears are likely to perk up when you talk cash.

Take advantage of this interest in finances by teaching your teen some valuable money management lessons, and you’ll do yourself and your child a favor.

With some direction, your son or daughter will make a sound financial launch and be less likely to call home for cash after leaving the nest.

Here are 6 steps to teaching your teen financial responsibility:

Develop a budget

All sound financial plans start with a workable budget.

The fact that your teen most likely has a small amount of money to manage is a benefit, as any mistakes made will have minimal impact but teach lifelong financial lessons.

Review your teen’s income sources, such as allowances, monetary gifts, or a part time job, as well as expenses, including spending money and savings.

Have your child subtract the expenses from the income and discuss the results.

If there is a surplus, can your child save more for something he or she really wants? And if there is a deficit, discuss ways of cutting expenses.

Budgeting can be done on paper or use one of the many online budgeting toolsavailable.

Discuss savings options

If your child already has a standard savings account, now is the time to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of more complex savings vehicles and perhaps open up such an account.

Explain the differences between regular savings, money market accounts and certificates of deposit and their various uses.

If your child is two years away from college and CD interest rates are attractive, for instance, this may be a good time to open a 24-month CD and deposit college savings money.

When your teen has a job, also teach long-range financial planning by opening up a retirement account in his or her name, such as a minor Roth IRA.

Teach price consciousness

Since teens are used to parents paying for everything, it’s often eye-opening when they see how much things really cost.

Have your child pay bills with you a few times, and when you’re grocery shopping, have your teen help you meet your budget. This requires examining prices and making choices.

When your child wants a big ticket item, such as an upgraded cell phone, use this opportunity to teach how to research prices and together determine how long it will take to save enough money to buy the phone.

Open a checking account

In order to prepare for the eventual task of paying bills, your teen needs a checking account.

A custodial checking account gives you a chance to show how to monitor the account and balance it.

Checking accounts generally come with a debit card, which is a good precursor to a credit card.

Start building credit

Once kids have proven themselves with debit cards and reach 18, they are eligible to open a credit card account, which is one of their first steps toward building a credit history.

Whether teens are ready for this responsibility depends on various factors, including how well they’ve done with a debit card and if they’ve managed to save money.

Use the opportunity of opening a credit card account to discuss credit scores and how credit standing affects your life as an adult.

Stress financial freedom

While it’s good to warn teens about the perils of overusing credit and not saving, it’s best not to overstate the negatives.

Take a positive approach and give your child something to aspire to by pointing out young adults who live financially responsible lives and are reaping the benefits.

For instance, share the story of a young person who amassed savings and as a result was able to take the summer off to travel around Europe.

Have them follow a few personal finance blogs (like MintLife!) for more real-life tips and stories.

Now that you have a plan of action, you can get started teaching your teen to live a financially rewarding life.

“Read, Set, Launch! 6 Steps to Teaching Your Teen Financial Responsibility” was provided by Julie Bawden-Davis is a staff writer for SuperMoney. Her mission is to help fight your evil debt blob and get your personal finances in tip top shape.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

THE NUMBER-ONE REASON ENTREPRENEURS FAIL

AUGUST 05, 2013Early in his career, Daniel C. Steenerson accompanied another insurance broker on a sales call, but found himself excluded from the transaction because he lacked a certain financial services credential. That experience prompted him to take the required exams, but he initially failed every one.

“The feeling of failure was terribly uncomfortable,” says Steenerson, a leading authority today in the disability insurance field and president and CEO of Disability Insurance Services. This feeling of discomfort is the hallmark of what Steenerson considers one of the biggest hurdles to experiencing success as an entrepreneur: the all imposing “middle mile.”

“Using a marathon as a metaphor, there are two really exciting times during the development of a business: the starting line and the finish line,” he says. “At the starting line, you’re eager and focused on your goals. Near the finish line, you are exhausted but elated, and it’s easy to stay motivated.”

Between the starting line and the finish line is where you do the hard work and burn the most energy. It’s also where you encounter steep inclines, fatigue and setbacks, such as cash flow shortages, hiring issues and burnout. During this middle mile, there’s a huge temptation to quit, which Steenerson believes is one of the reasons roughly 60 percent of businesses fail in the first five years.

Here’s how to make sure you make it through the middle mile and cross the finish line to wild success.

Avoid getting stuck at the starting line. A surefire way to failure as a business owner is to be all talk and no action, says Craig Gussin of Auerbach & Gussin Insurance and Financial Services. “So many business owners fail because they get stuck at the start line and fail to follow through.”

You can dream and plan and set goals for yourself all day long, but if you do nothing tangible to see those goals through, you’ll simply spin your wheels.

Embrace discomfort. “Some business owners fail because the terrain is too treacherous, they become winded, or they simply don’t have the fortitude to continue,” says Steenerson, who eventually passed his CLU exams after rising two hours early every morning before work and then hitting the books again every night.

“To gain something, you have to be willing to give up something,” he says. “Foregoing sleep to study was difficult, but it was the only way to meet my goals and grow. Nobody likes to be uncomfortable, and it’s a natural inclination to avoid discomfort, but it’s necessary to be successful. This can mean working late to ensure deadlines are met or making lifestyle changes in order to be able to invest in a new venture. Either way, sacrificing comfort now can mean success later.”

Stay on course. Entrepreneurs who falter can get overwhelmed by the daily demands of business and the rigors of that middle mile. When they become physically and mentally tired, they can become complacent and settle for good enough.

“Head in the right direction by focusing on excellent service and high-quality products,” Gussin says.

While giving your all, keep putting one foot in front of the other, no matter how rocky the course, and you will reach your goals.

Simplify whenever possible. Like marathoners, successful small-business owners determine how to achieve maximum results with the least amount of effort, Steenerson says.

”Working hard is important, but deploying your resources in the most effective way possible is even more critical,” he says. “Simplifying processes makes it much easier to accomplish more in less time. It also makes it quicker and easier to share your knowledge and bring team members up to speed when necessary.”

Never stop visualizing the finish line. Keeping your eye on the prize can help ensure you reach your goals. “Remind yourself why you started your journey and allow your destination to inspire you,” Steenerson says. “Many business owners fail because they simply lost sight of the finish line coming up around the corner.”

And as you trudge through the middle of the course, believe that your efforts will eventually pay off.

“Small businesses rarely progress at an even, regular pace,” Steenerson says. “You can work very hard for three years seeing only gradual progress and then suddenly experience a big surge in revenues or profits. Although the surge appears to happen in a moment, it is a cumulative result of many small steps.”

Now that you know some of the common hurdles entrepreneurs face on their ways to success, you can survive the middle mile and reach your small-business goals to the sound of cheering.

Read more articles on leadership.

A freelancer since 1985, Julie Bawden-Davis has written for many publications, including Entrepreneur, Better Homes & Gardens and Family Circle.

Photo: Thinkstock

CREATING A PITCH: 7 STEPS TO GETTING FUNDING

AUGUST 02, 2013Creating a pitch to get funding so you can start a business or keep your existing company on track has the best chance of success when you have a detailed plan of action. By following a few key steps when creating a pitch, you can convince investors that your business is a sound investment.

Keep the following guidelines in mind, and you’ll soon find yourself with a welcome cash infusion.

Engage your audience while introducing yourself and your business.

Yes, you want to give potential investors facts and figures regarding projected revenue, but doing this the moment you open your mouth will cause their eyes to glaze over. First, make them care about you and what you’re attempting to accomplish with your business. Tell an entertaining story that relates to your product and service and shows how your business fills a need in the marketplace. Point to examples of your success for such stories, which will help establish the credibility and uniqueness of your product or service.

Keep in mind when creating a pitch that investors are not only investing in your idea, they’re investing in you. The more dynamic and likable you appear, the more likely you are to get funding.

Reveal your target market.

Now is the time to present the statistics. Investors want to know the potential for sales and customers your service or product can attract. Avoid making sweeping statements regarding everyone being a potential customer. Instead, give a realistic view of the market you will target and the portion of that market you can actually reach.

Outline your marketing plan.

Savvy investors know that marketing can be more than half the battle when it comes to running a successful business. When creating your pitch, be clear about how you plan to reach customers and your budget for doing so. Prove the viability of your marketing plan by sharing the successes you’ve had so far reaching your target market, including sales and contracts.

Cover your competition.

Investors are more likely to invest in your business if you give a realistic view of what your competition offers and how your product or service is better. Present this information in an easy-to-understand format. For instance, show a chart of benefits and features, with your business standing above your competitors. Also be sure to convey a detailed understanding of the competitive landscape, which assures investors that you are well aware of the playing field and any possible land mines.

When presenting, make your value proposition clear, outlining how your competitive edge makes your business the most attractive to potential customers and how you plan on achieving a sustainable differentiation in order to stay competitive. This is especially important in trend-oriented businesses gaining momentum.

Detail your revenue model and share financial projections.

Investors are obviously extremely interested in how you plan to make money and how much. Show that you understand costs associated with conducting business by clearly outlining your business revenue model, specifying the creation and delivery of products and services, as well as pricing.

Also provide financial projections per product over the next three to five years. Investors gravitate toward businesses with the highest sales potential, but avoid overestimating your profit. Make certain all of your supporting numbers add up and are clearly explained. Include profit-and-loss and cash flow statements.

State your funding needs.

Be clear about how much money you require and exactly how you will use it. Include how much money has already been invested and by whom, as well as ownership percentages. And indicate if you will require financing in the future.

Introduce your team.

Given that they are investing in you and your people as much as they are investing in your product, it’s important to let investors know who makes up your team. Seeing that you have all the key people in place shows you know what it takes to run a successful business and are likely to make good use of their investment.

Now that you know all the key ingredients of creating a perfect pitch, you can put together your proposal and get that funding you need.

Read more articles on funding.

A freelancer since 1985, Julie Bawden-Davis has written for many publications, including Entrepreneur, Better Homes & Gardens and Family Circle.

Photos: Getty Images

5 Body Language Poses That Can Sabotage Success

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AUGUST 01, 2013 As a licensed private investigator, Efrat Cohen is well aware of the power of the non-spoken word. The owner of Global Intelligence Consultants pays close attention to actions and the messages they send, so she was surprised to find her own nonverbal communication gave an unintended message.

After meeting with a communications coach, Cohen found that her habit of shallow breathing and waving her hands around made a negative impression.

Diminishing Poses

Cohen is one of many businesswomen who inadvertently engage in diminishing poses and gestures at the expense of their careers, says Sharon Sayler, an executive coach specializing in verbal and nonverbal communication, owner of Competitive Edge Communications and author of What Your Body Says (and how to master the message): Inspire, Influence, Build Trust, and Create Lasting Business Relationships.“

Businesswomen will ask why they aren’t being taken seriously … and it’s often because their body language communicates ‘little girl,’” Sayler says. “Many of these poses, while acceptable in social situations, make women in the business world look small and unimposing.”

Physiological Effects of Body Language

When a woman takes a confident, can-do stance, it not only positively affects her image in the eyes of others in the boardroom; it initiates positive physiological changes for her. Cohen points to research by Amy Cuddy of the Harvard Business School, who has found that a woman’s body language has a profound impact on her body chemistry.“Little-girl poses elevate the stress hormone, cortisol, making a woman feel less confident, whereas a power stance like the ‘Wonder Woman’ pose changes her body chemistry so that she feels more confident and successful,” says Sayler, who doesn’t suggest using the Wonder Woman stance in public, as it’s too aggressive. However, she does coach clients to take the stance in private to bolster confidence before important events.

Make sure you’re not squelching your chances of success by employing any of the following five poses.

1. Crossing your ankles while standing:

Women cross their ankles while standing because it is more comfortable, especially if they’re wearing high heels, but it is not a good idea, because it sends the message that you are shy and insignificant, says Sayler.

A confident pose is to stand with your back straight and your ankles uncrossed. If you are unable to stand this way in high heels, Sayler suggests wearing flats.

2. Fig leaf pose with hands while standing:

What Sayler calls the fig leaf pose consists of holding your hands over your groin area as if your hands are a fig leaf.

“Women and even men strike this pose, which gives the impression that you are unimportant,” she says. “The best option is to simply let your arms hang naturally by your sides. Another solution that sends a message of high expectations is to bend your elbows and keep your hands parallel to the ground while lightly clasping them together. You can also hold a tablet or book, but not a cellphone, as that suggests you don’t have time.”

3. Tipping or tilting your head:

Many women tip or tilt their heads when listening to someone speak as an acknowledgement of hearing and understanding the other person, but this gesture may suggest to others that they are confused or agree with what the speaker says, when they really don’t.

Sayler suggests keeping the chin parallel to the ground, which helps avoid this gesture, and if you feel the need to acknowledge that you are listening, nod very slightly.

4. Coy eye contact:

When a woman drops her chin and looks out high up in her eye sockets or up over her glasses, this is a submissive gesture that spells coy. “Flirty gestures may be fine in social situations, but such a message is not okay in the business world,” Sayler says. “We tend to drop our chins when we feel insecure, but the more we do that, the more insecure we feel.”

Instead, keep your chin parallel to the ground and make good eye contact, which communicates that you are an intelligent person sincerely interested in what the other person has to say.

5. Nervous habits:

Nervous mannerisms such as fidgeting, picking lint off your clothing, playing with your jewelry or smartphone or twisting or throwing back your hair are all signs that you are nervous and not confident, and these gestures make it likely you won’t be taken seriously. Sayler’s advice for curtailing a nervous habit is to concentrate on your breathing.

“Nervous habits tend to come out when you’re breathing rapidly,” she says. “Train yourself to breathe low and comfortably, and your nervous twitches will disappear.”

Now that you know what moves to make, you can take a stance that can help you succeed.

A freelancer since 1985, Julie Bawden-Davis has written for many publications, including Entrepreneur, Better Homes & Gardens and Family Circle.

Photo: Getty Images

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The Sorry State Of Student-Loan Debt

A well-paying job goes a long way toward helping you gain financial fitness, and achieving at many professions requires a college degree. Ironically, the student loans many take out to finance an education are burying them in debt. Currently, there is $1 trillion in student debt outstanding in the United States and with the increasing cost of college this figure is likely to rise.

Stafford Loan interest rates

Recently, the cost of new student loans got even steeper when Stafford Loan interest rates doubled from 3.4 percent interest, which it’s been for the last two years, to 6.8 percent interest, meaning thousands of dollars in additional money owed by graduates for the same amount of money borrowed.

The student loan interest rates rose on July 1^st because, despite debating the issue for months, lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on the subject before the rates were set to rise. This means that if you recently got a Stafford loan, you currently owe the higher interest rate.

New legislation will be considered

Fortunately, a new bipartisan bill is under negotiation that would retroactively lower the interest rates. The proposal, which is set to be voted on soon, would tie rates for undergraduate Stafford loans to the 10-year Treasury note plus 1.8 percent. This would feature an annual interest rate cap of 8.25 percent and mean that current undergraduate loans would drop to 3.61 percent. Graduate loans would pay the 10-year Treasury rate plus 3.6 percent, capping at 9.5 percent. And parent loans would feature 4.6 percent plus the 10-year Treasury rate and cap at 10.5 percent.

While the news is potentially positive regarding the retroactive lowering of interest rates, they may rise as soon as two years. It’s also important to remember that, for the most part, you can’t escape repaying student loans, not even by filing bankruptcy.

In order to avoid a student loan debt load that may cloud your financial future and require that you seek debt help, understand exactly how much you’re going to owe before you take out a student loan, and only borrow the bare minimum of what you need.

About the Author:

Home Canning: How to Get Started

If your summer garden is overflowing with more produce than you can eat (hello,bumper crop of tomatoes!), then you might want to give canning a try. Don’t worry–it’s easier than you think.

Canning fruits and vegetables is a time-honored cooking method that allows you to preserve just about any type of produce and enjoy it throughout the year. The process of canning involves heating foods in jars to high temperatures, which kills microorganisms and drives air out of the containers and creates a vacuum seal.

Here’s how you can get started.

Canning Gear

Safe, effective canning requires the following supplies.

Pressure canner. Also useful as a pressure cooker, this culinary tool provides the safest way to can, as it allows you to heat your jars and their contents to high temperatures. This heavy pot has a lid that locks when the pressure builds in the pot. Many pressure canners come with a cooking/canning rack, which holds the mason jars inside the canner. Quality models also possess dial gauges for accurate pressure control.

Jars and lids. Mason and Ball jars and their two-part lids are designed for home canning and are your best choice.

Canning utensils. Also include in your canning supplies a jar lifter for removing jars from hot water, a jar funnel, which helps you pack the jars, a magnetized lid wand for removing jar lid bands from hot water and clean cloths to wipe down jars and lids.

Getting Started

Wash jars by hand and then sanitize them by boiling them in a large pot of hot water along with the lid rims for 10 minutes. Don’t boil the lids themselves, which are sensitive to heat. Instead, wash them in lukewarm water.
Use the canning funnel to pack the jars with the food you’ve chosen to can. If you are canning fruits such as peaches and apples, cook them beforehand and then add water or syrup when you place them in the jar. Stop filling the jars when you have about ¼ inch between the top of the food and the top of the lid, which is known as the headspace.
Clean the rims of your jars with a clean cloth or paper towel, making sure to remove any drips or crumbs that attached to the rim when you filled the jars. If these particles aren’t removed, they may affect the integrity of your seal.
Place the lids and rims on the jars, securing so that they are finger tight, but not too tight or they may not seal correctly.
Fill the pressure canner with water according to manufacturer directions. Heat the water to boiling and process the jars for the time recommended for the food you are canning.
Remove jars from the pressure canner when the cooking time is up and place them on towels or cooling racks. Wait 12 to 24 hours and then check the seal by pressing down on the center of each lid. The top center of the lid should be concave and not give when you press on it. Or try tapping the lid with the bottom of a teaspoon. A high-pitch sound indicates it is sealed correctly, while a thud means it is not sealed properly.
If you discover that a jar hasn’t sealed properly within 24 hours, you can remove the lid, add a new lid and reprocess.
Label the lids of your jars with the contents and date.

Storage Tips

Canned goods stored in a cool, dry, dark area such as the back of the pantry last for at least a year. Avoid placing the containers near warm areas such as hot water pipes, which will cause the contents to lose quality more quickly.

Now that you know the basics for creating your own canned goods, you can enjoy summer-fresh produce any time of year.

Julie Bawden-Davis

Must-Know Facts For Buying A Ceiling Fan

By their very nature, ceiling fans are more than great tools to circulate the air–hanging above your room, they also become focal points of your decor. Here’s what you need to know to choose a model that’s perfect for both jobs.

1. The Fan’s Location

The first question is: Are you using it inside or outside? Most ceiling fans are for the interior, but there are some models designed for outdoor use. Such a model will have a UL damp or wet rating, which means that it can be exposed to the elements without sustaining damage like warped blades.

In- or outdoors, fans should be installed no lower than 7 to 8 feet from the floor. For rooms with low ceilings, that means you’ll need a low-profile or “hugger” fan with a close or flush-mount. That will help keep the fan as high as possible.

On the other hand, high ceilings may call for a ceiling fan with a long downrod (that’s the pole that the fan hangs from), which will bring the fan closer to the floor. Sloped ceilings need special treatment with an angle mount and a downrod.

2. Its Style

The electric ceiling fan was invented in 1882, and today, ceiling fans come designed in just about every style that’s been in vogue since then: traditional, Victorian, Asian-inspired, Mission, Craftsman, and contemporary. There are even theme-specific ceiling fans for children’s rooms.

Another style question you should consider is whether you want your fan to do double duty and serve as a light fixture as well.

3. The Ceiling Fan’s Size

You can find a fan to fit just about any space in the home. The key to selecting the right size fan for a room is to match the room’s dimensions to the fan’s blade span, which refers to the size of the fan from blade tip to blade tip.

A 32-inch fan will cover up to 80 square feet; a 42-inch fan, 80-120 square feet; a 44-inch fan, 120-144 square feet, and a 52-inch fan works well for 144 or more square feet. In rooms larger than 300-square feet, you’ll require two or more 52-inch fans to generate sufficient air circulation. And in very small rooms, the fan should be small enough that the blade tips are at least 15 inches from all walls.

4. How Energy Efficient It Is

Energy efficient ceiling fan models with the ENERGY STAR seal of approval can save 20 percent in energy costs. If the fan has a light that is also energy efficient, it will conserve even more. Most ceiling fans also have a reverse motor feature that allows you to adjust the fan during the winter months so that it circulates warm air.

5. How You Turn It On and Off

Rather than operate with pull cords like older ceiling fans, newer models generally feature wall controls that enable you to turn the fan on and off and adjust its speed. Some fans also have a remote control that allows you to make adjustments from anywhere in the room.

Now that you’re armed with all of the facts regarding buying a ceiling fan, you can choose the best model for keeping you cool and comfortable.

Julie Bawden-Davis

Is Debt Settlement Right For You?

If you are buried in debt and see no way out but prefer not to file bankruptcy, debt settlement may be your best option. Such programs involve a settlement company negotiating on your behalf with creditors to allow you to pay a lump sum that constitutes less than the full amount you owe.

To determine if debt settlement is right for your financial situation, keep the following factors in mind:

Debt settlement benefits

An effective settlement can significantly lower your monthly payments and reduce your overall debt, allowing you to dig out of debt more quickly.
When you finish with the program, you can funnel the money you’ve been using to pay off debt to savings.
Settlement also helps you avoid bankruptcy.

Debt settlement drawbacks

Settlement programs usually require that you deposit money into a special savings account for at least 36 months prior to settling your debts, so that the settlement company has payoff money to offer creditors. Such mandatory payments can prove difficult, so make sure you can handle this ongoing expense prior to attempting such a program.
You have no guarantee that your creditors will agree to a settlement, and chances are some of them may not.
Settlement companies generally encourage you to stop sending payments to your creditors, which negatively impacts your credit rating until you pay off your debts. During settlement negotiations, late fees and penalties continue to mount.
Savings you eventually get after a settlement is reached are considered income and taxable.

Choosing a debt settlement company

Reputable companies set you up with a 24- to 36-month program and are clear about the fees involved. They will also have you send your debt repayment money to an account with an independent third party that will make payments to your creditors once settlement is reached. Avoid companies that offer unreasonable claims about paying off your debt.

When you determine this option is right for you, debt settlement is a viable method for paying off debt and moving toward financial freedom.

About the Author:

Coax strawberries throughout the year

Like hot chocolate in winter or pumpkins in autumn, strawberries and summer go hand in hand.

However, author and expert gardener Julie Bawden-Davis knows how to make the juicy red berries a year-round delight. Bawden-Davis will share her secrets and tips about strawberry gardening during a demo and book signing in Old Towne Orange on Saturday morning.

Attendees will find out how to plant the berries and which plant varieties bear fruit year-round in the Southern Californian climate. Bawden-Davis’ sister, Amy Bawden, will join the presentation, forming a dynamic duo of gardeners. The sisters also will talk about the best ways to attract butterflies, which can help pollinate plants and make gardens look more magical.

The Orange County Farm Supply also will be present, handing out sample products that could help spur organic gardening methods.

The first edition of Bawden-Davis’ book, “The Strawberry Story: How to Grow Great Berries Year-Round in Southern California,” has sold more than 5,000 copies. Bawden-Davis has since updated her book and released a second edition, which she will sign at the event.

When: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13

Where: Old Towne Orange Farmers and Artisans Market, 304 N. Cypress St., Orange

Cost: Free

More information: Visit orangehomegrown.org

Outdoor Fireplaces: 5 Must-Know Facts

When the sun sets and a chill descends over the back yard, you don’t have to rush indoors. If you had an outdoor fireplace, you could just hang out by a backyard fire instead.

An outdoor fireplace makes it easy to warm up and enjoy the drama of open flames in the great outdoors. You can even use it to enjoy tasty favorites like toasted marshmallows for s’mores too. Ready to buy one? Here’s what you should consider.

1. What it burns. Most outdoor fireplaces are designed to burn wood, but some have hidden built-in propane tanks that allow you to enjoy the warmth without worrying about stoking the fire.

2. What it’s made of. Outdoor fireplaces come in several materials, including high-temperature-rated steel, which is attractive, sturdy, and long-lasting. Cast-iron is durable, but be aware that it can rust. And while aluminum models stand the test of time, they may not hold up in the looks department. Copper fireplaces start out shiny and attractive, but will green and tarnish after just a few uses, so be sure that you like that patina if you go the copper route.

3. Its capacity. The larger the fireplace bowl, the more wood you can burn, and the warmer your toes will be. Unless you have a small space to heat, opt for a fireplace that can burn at least two to three logs or pieces of wood at once.

4. Safety considerations. Open flames bring potential danger, so it’s important that you choose an outdoor fireplace that is enclosed, or features an effective sparks-cover or screen. If the one you’re considering doesn’t have a screen, buy one separately.

5. Whether it has a cover. Protect your outdoor fireplace from the elements and prolong its life by choosing one that also offers a custom cover.

Do you have a favorite way to warm things up while you stargaze?

Julie Bawden-Davis

Setting an Outdoor Table

Dining alfresco is one of my favorite things to do in the summertime: With Mother Nature as a backdrop, food just seems to taste better and conversation is relaxed and flows more smoothly. And although having a meal outside is usually a more casual experience than a dinner party indoors, that doesn’t mean it’s less special. In fact, with the right set-up, it can be downright magical.

Here’s what you need to create an outdoor table with a great vibe for celebrating good food, friends, and family.

Candlelight

Pictured: Fleur de Lis Lanterns, Black Sphere-Shaped Iron Lantern, Frosted Shell Lanterns

Since candles are the ultimate mood-setter, including them on your table is a no-brainer.

Of course, using candles outdoors requires special care: They need to be sturdy, and heavy enough not to tip over easily. They should also have enough protection from the wind that they won’t blow out in breeze. That makes lanterns a great candle option. Use a single lantern if you’re dining as a couple, or group several on the table if you’re hosting a larger group.

For the safest flicker, of course, you can always opt to use flameless candles on your table.

Linens

Pictured: Mystic Stripe Indoor/Outdoor Tablecloth, Spring Flower Cutwork Tablecloth and Napkin, Quilted Reversible Placemats and Reversible Napkins

Adding linens elevates the dining table from a basic picnic to certified-event status. And there are so many options for table coverings beyond your basic gingham: You might choose a fiesta-bright tablecloth in a vinyl or a durable indoor-outdoor material, but, weather permitting, you don’t have to: You can also bring out a traditional tablecloth for a more romantic feel. Or layer your old-faithful vinyl outdoor tablecloth with pretty place mats for a more bohemian vibe.

Dishes

Pictured: Oenophilia Greenophile™ 100% Sugar Cane Entertainment Plate, Zak Designs® Urbana Melamine Dinnerware, Reactive Dinnerware Collection. Zak Designs® Fronds Melamine Dinnerware

Outside, you can choose any dishes you want–from eco-responsible sugar-cane plates to easy-care melamine dishes (which can have a more refined look than you might imagine), right up to stoneware or your wedding china (not advised if you’re hosting an event with kids and/or rambunctious pets around!).

Your goal is to choose a few pieces that really match the mood you’re trying to set, whether it’s whimsical or completely sophisticated. That might mean a free-wheeling luau look, an exotic abundance of floral style, or clean, bold stoneware.

Serving Gear

Pictured: Beachcomber Tray, Lemonade Drinkware Serving Tray, Patio Beverage Tub, Acrylic Vino Gondola Party Tub

Nothing kills a laid-back mood faster than being forced to run in and out of the kitchen half-a-dozen times for food or drink refills. Make things easier–and give the table’s set up a little flair–with servingware that fits with the meal and your menu.

You can also serve water and drinks like lemonade in clear drinkware sets that include a serving pitcher. And rather than offering guests mixed drinks, wine and champagne in plastic glasses, serve in style with a worry-free shatterproof glassware collection.

Now all that’s left to add is a few friends, a fun menu, and some tunes. Enjoy!

Julie Bawden-Davis

What do you use to make an outdoor table where guests will linger well past the final course?

7 Self-Publishing Mistakes That Can Sabotage Your Book

Julie Bawden-Davis

Writer/Author/Publisher/Speaker, Garden Guides Press

JUNE 20, 2013When Scott Cameron Smith and Darren Tunstall decided to write and self-publish a book, the entrepreneurs worked hard to make the book as successful as possible. Their efforts paid off.

Soon after publication, SOLD! A Proven Social Media Strategy for Generating Real Estate Leads, became an Amazon number-one bestseller, resulting in increased visibility for the authors, including speaking engagements.

Self-publishing a book is a great way for small-business owners to promote their brands and add to their income streams, says Linda Scott, owner of eFrog Press, whose company is a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs who want to self-publish. “Books are considered the new business card. They give small-business owners a way to establish themselves as authorities and connect with potential clients.”

While it’s never been easier to self-publish in e-book and print formats, many authors make some common mistakes that can get in the way of preventing their books from being successful. The following seven mistakes will sabotage your best efforts.

1. Bad Cover Design

“Covers are more important than ever now that so many books are sold online,” Scott says. “Your cover needs to attract a reader in the thumbnail view, which means it’s important to understand concepts like typography and color palettes. Always preview your cover in a small size, like 150 pixels width. Make sure you can read the title and author name and recognize the images. If the cover looks squashed and the words are unreadable, consult a graphic artist specializing in book covers.”

2. Ineffective Title

A cute title may look nice on your cover, but if it doesn’t clearly spell out the topic of your book, readers probably won’t find it. Using keywords in the title that readers might use in a search can jump-start sales, according to Smith and Tunstall, who, through their company Huntington Media, assist small-business owners with content marketing for their books.

“Amazon and Barnes & Noble are search engines in addition to databases,” Tunstall says. “All of the words in our title have a purpose in terms of SEO for online booksellers and Google, Yahoo and Bing.”

3. Lack of Editing

“Misspellings, grammatical errors and typos can lead to bad reviews that cannot be removed, resulting in loss of credibility with readers,” Scott says. She suggests hiring professional editors to review content and organization, and check for grammatical errors and typos.

Smith and Tunstall are glad they hired a developmental editor as well as a copy editor and proofreader. “We had our book laid out in the manner we thought was appropriate, but the developmental editor made some suggestions on organization that really improved the flow,” Tunstall says. “The proofreading and copyediting were also important.”

4. Poor Book Description

Failing to spend time on your book description, which will appear next to your cover on all online book retailers, can have disastrous consequences.

“The description is your final opportunity to grab the attention of potential readers and convince them to click and buy,” Scott says. “Spend time on this element, or spend money on a copy editor to write it.”

You can also increase sales potential by incorporating testimonials about your book from industry leaders into the description.

5. Ignoring Author Bio and Photo

Skimping on or skipping your author biography can give a bad impression.

“Your author bio is the perfect place to establish yourself as an authority, so don’t waste it,” Scott advises. “Check out bios by your competition for ideas. Be professional and show why you are the perfect person to write this book.”

In the same respect, your author photo gives you an opportunity to make a good impression. “If you are marketing a serious book, don’t post a goofy picture,” she says. “Consider an image related to your topic. A carpenter, for instance, could pose on a ladder wearing a tool belt.”

6. Overstuffing the Front of the Book

Packing the front of your book with too many items, like a dedication, prologue, reviews and author biography, means that readers will get to view very little of your actual book when they download the free sample. Scott suggests linking such elements from your table of contents and moving them to the back so readers can sample enough pages to want to buy your book.

7. Don’t Market Your Book

All the hard work creating a book will be wasted if you don’t take the time to promote your creation.

“We followed our own advice when marketing SOLD!,” Tunstall says. “To sell your book, it’s important that you do things like create a website and blog on relevant topics.” TheSOLD! authors also suggest creating your own publishing company, which makes your book look more professional.

Keep these self-publishing tips in mind, and you’ll soon find yourself asking, “Would you like your book autographed?

Read more marketing articles.

A freelancer since 1985, Julie Bawden-Davis has written for many publications, including Entrepreneur, Better Homes & Gardens and Family Circle.

Photos: Thinkstock

Guide to Planting Warm-Season Vegetables

Growing warm-season vegetables is an enjoyable activity that results in large harvests of homegrown produce favorites like tomatoes, corn, peppers and cucumbers. To have success with your summer garden, consider these tips for how to grow warm-season vegetables. When to plant vegetables Plant your warm-season vegetable garden when the nights are above 60 degrees, which means the soil has warmed sufficiently. Depending on your area of the country, this usually means sometime in April or May. If the soil is not warm enough, the roots and foliage will be stunted, and the vegetable plants will fail to produce. Choose an appropriate vegetable planting site A successful warm-season vegetable harvest requires that you plant in the ideal location. Look for a spot with good air circulation that receives a minimum of six to eight hours of sunlight each day. Warm-season vegetables to plant A wide variety of warm-season vegetable plants exist. Some common crops to consider planting that thrive in the spring and summer months include beans, corn, cucumber, eggplant, melon, pepper, pumpkin, soybean, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, and herbs like basil, rosemary and thyme. Many of these vegetables can be planted from seed, but keep in mind that you will need an extra four to eight weeks of growing time. If it is already spring, consider buying transplants instead, and plan on getting a head start on the growing season next February by seeding your warm-season garden indoors at that time. How to grow vegetables

Prepare the planting site. Warm-season vegetables require a well-draining, rich soil. At least two week before planting, prepare the site by mixing in 2 to 3 inches of planter mix or compost, as well as a granular vegetable fertilizer. Work the amendment and fertilizer into the soil well with a cultivator or tiller until the earth is loose and easy to plant.
Provide support. Vining and climbing vegetable plants like tomatoes, cucumbers and beans require a trellis or something on which to climb. Tomato cages should be at least 3 feet high and 2 feet wide and made of a durable metal that will not bend under the weight of maturing tomatoes.
Plant. During the morning or evening when the sun’s rays are the least harsh, plant the vegetable plants, leaving 8 to 24 inches between plants. Some vegetables, such as corn, squash and tomatoes, require planting further apart so they have room to spread, whereas other vegetables like cucumbers and beans can be planted closer together.
Remove the vegetable plants from the containers by gently squeezing the bottom of each plastic pot until the plants come free. Use a hand trowel to create a hole in the ground and insert the plant roots. Back-fill the hole with soil and gently tamp down the soil around the plant.

Water Irrigate warm-season vegetable plants well after planting and keep them moist but not soggy while they become established, which you know has occurred when you see new growth.

Picking a Great Cat Toy

June is Adopt-a-Cat Month, and we’re marking it by sharing some of our favorite cat toy ideas.

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I’m not ashamed to admit that my cat, Junebug, was my first child. I rescued her many years ago before I brought my (now-teenage) human children into the world. When I went on a mission to find Junebug the perfect toy all those years ago, I only discovered catnip-stuffed mice.

Since Junebug was special (of course), she didn’t like catnip, so she turned up her nose at my find.

How things have changed: When I admire today’s array of cat toys, I’m amazed by the variety of feline entertainment available. So much so that I imagine it can be tough for a new cat-owner to choose the right ones.

That’s where we come in.

This list outlines the elements of great cat toys, so that you can choose the toy that’s best suited to your one-of-a-kind cat.

I’m sure that Junebug would approve.

Feature #1: It’s Elusive

Cats are naturally curious–even more so when something seems to be just out-of-reach. Toys that make your cat stretch, jump, and seek are sure to keep her occupied until she drops into a heap of exhaustion.

Laser cat toys (the pet version of laser tag?) are especially popular with felines—and they have the added bonus of entertainment for you, as you can watch your kitties scurry and pounce. Some are automatic, so you can set it on the floor and watch the fun; others are handheld.

Feature #2: It’s a Challenge

Toys that spark your cat’s natural inclination to stalk and hunt are sure to keep her mentally stimulated and happy.These peekabo toy boxes let you hide a ball or other object for your cat to seek.

Another great options is s remote control mouse. For best results, and to prevent feline frustration, use remote control toys on even surfaces in areas that give your cat plenty of prowling room.

Feature #3: It Offers Variety

Prevent kitty boredom from turning into naughtiness by providing cat toys that offer plenty of alternatives for fun. A kitty version of a baby activity mat gives your feline friend numerous chances for amusement, including textured areas for clawing, refillable catnip pouches for sniffing, and snap-on toys for batting and biting fun. And when she’s sufficiently worn herself out, she can curl up on the mat and take a snooze.

Feature #4: It’s Unpredictable

Cats perk up when something unexpected happens, and today’s electronic cat toys allow you to surprise kitty. Powered cat mobiles with timers, for instance, enable you to set pre-scheduled play sessions throughout the day. Kitty may be snoozing but will rouse immediately when a beep announces that a play session is about to begin.

Feature #5: It’s Interactive

Cats like to get an immediate response. Introduce toys that react when kitty takes a swat by swinging, hopping, rolling or making noise. Your cat will be delighted, for instance, when she smacks a kitty ball and it rolls across the room, and even more pleased when it responds by ringing a bell or spitting out a treat.

Feature #6: It Involves You

If you find that a cat toy entices you to get down on all fours to play, chances are that your cat will be that much more delighted (although she’ll never admit it).

Tell us about your cat’s favorite toy.

Julie Bawden-Davis

Archives: Portfolio

Not For The Faint Of Heart

Do Your Homework

Highlight Your Market

Educate, Educate, Educate

Trust Your Gut

Elements Of Cash Flow Analysis

Free Cash Flow

Create A Cash Flow Budget

Highlight linens

Do the disposable route

Go with pumpkins and gourds

Light up with candles

Try bottles

Decorate everyday items

Importance Of The Cash Flow Statement

Contents Of A Cash Flow Statement

Negative Cash Flow

Types of Leadership Development Programs

Creating A Program

Be Patient

1. The freezer or refrigerator is the best place to store your coffee.

2. For the freshest taste, grind coffee beans immediately before brewing.

3. The size of the coffee grounds affects taste.

4. Coffee made in a French press is best.

5. Coffee stunts your growth.

6. The kind of water you use to make coffee alters its taste.

7. It’s important to clean your coffee machine.

8. Caffeine is addictive.

When You Need To Use Team Building Exercises

Determine Your Team Building Needs

5 Team Building Exercises

1. Build communication.

2. Promote problem solving and decision making.

3. Encourage adaptability and planning.

4. Build trust.

5. Nurture a cooperative spirit.

Overhead Lighting

Task Lighting

Accent Lighting

Natural lighting

Loan capitalization costs

1. Shave 10% from your monthly spending

2. Make it automatic

3. Earmark cash gifts

4. Collect spare change

5. Earn extra cash

1. Thoroughly Prepare

2. Effectively Market Your Business

3. Show Your Passion

4. Stress Facts

5. Embellish With Anecdotes

6. Offer Supplemental Materials

Penalties for not participating

Premiums depend on your health status and age

Gender will affect your insurance costs

Potentially increased taxes

1. Re-establish a School Routine

Read our tips for making bath time fun for kids!

2. Get Organized

3. Plan Nutritious Meals

4. Talk up the Transition

Develop a budget

Discuss savings options

Teach price consciousness

Open a checking account

Start building credit

Stress financial freedom

Engage your audience while introducing yourself and your business.

Reveal your target market.

Outline your marketing plan.

Cover your competition.

Detail your revenue model and share financial projections.

State your funding needs.

Introduce your team.

Diminishing Poses

Physiological Effects of Body Language

1. Crossing your ankles while standing:

2. Fig leaf pose with hands while standing:

3. Tipping or tilting your head: