Don’t partner with anyone who is “just like you.”

You see, while the business relationship may be stress-free and quite enjoyable, it will almost never lead to outstanding results because the two of you will bring the same skill set to the table.

For example, if you’re a writer, it wouldn’t make much sense for you to partner with another writer because that’s a skill that you already possess.  Perhaps you should instead partner with a financial whiz or an IT guy who can complement the talent your business already has in place.

That being said, there are some things you want to have in common with your business partner, including the same level of commitment and integrity, but the items on this list are few in number.

The same advice holds true for personal relationships, but that’s the topic for another blog. 

I admit that I’m “old school”.  (But certainly not old!)  And I began my career back in the days before the Internet and social media were king and queen of the world.  “Back in my day,” as they say, if we wanted to contact a colleague, business partner or potential client, we called them on the telephone.  Odd, huh?

Sure, we also mailed letters and sent faxes, but the phone call was almost always the first method we used for reaching out — and I’m glad.

You see, with that phone call I got to know the person in a way that social media, and even email, simply do not allow.

I could hear joy, displeasure, or nonchalance in their speaking voices.

I could tell by their tones what about our conversation they found exciting and what was boring them to death.

I could “hear” them laugh, smile, and groan.  And no matter what anyone tells you, no matter of exclamation points or smiley faces or “LOLs” or frowning faces can replace that.

I dare to say that those telephone conversations were a lot more honest and spontaneous than the edited and re-edited messages we get through social media and email.

So while I understand and greatly appreciate the power of social media, I also continue to respect the power of the phone call.  Do you?  Let’s talk about it…

We will continue, for example, to do what it takes to create jobs.  That’s reflected in my budget; it’s essential,” Obama said in a released statement

The president’s budget package includes $53 billion in tax cuts and $50 billion job-creating measures. Among them are small-business tax cuts, green technology investments and transportation infrastructure programs. It also includes $30 billion in incentives for small businesses that hire new workers or increase wages.

The Obama administration is seeking an increase in the 7(a) loan guarantees to $5 million, up from $2 million in FY10.

The administration is also proposing to allow companies to immediately deduct 50 percent of their qualifying investments, another aspect of his job creation plan. The budget proposal would also allow small businesses to write off up to $250,000 of qualified investments in 2008 and 2009, a provision that would cut taxes by more than $1 billion in 2009 and 2010.

And perhaps one of the most key provisions in the administration’s plan is to permanently eliminate small business capital gains by excluding from taxation 75 percent of the capital gains for investors in small businesses who hold their investments for five years. This provision will save small business owners nearly $1 billion over 10 years. The president’s budget proposes to completely eliminate the capital gains tax on small business stock.

There’s a one-year extension of the Making Work Pay tax breaks, originally delivered as a part of last year’s stimulus package, that will cost $22 billion. The credit resulted in slightly higher paychecks for 110 million families, according to the White House. The budget would make permanent tax cuts passed during the Bush administration for all except high-income households making more than $250,000 a year.

But not everyone is convinced that the White House budget proposal will be good for business.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told CNN on Sunday that Obama’s budget would raise taxes, especially for some small business owners. “If you’re a small business and pay taxes as an individual taxpayer, your taxes are going up,” McConnell said. “So is that a great environment in which to expand employment? I think the answer is no.”

The debate has just begun.

You’re a small business owner.  You work all of the time and aren’t nearly as much fun as you used to be.  

Your business seems to have more valleys than peaks and it’s becoming more and more difficult to remember why you thought this was going to be a good idea.  

And now the world wants you to be thankful?  For what?

I think that every business owner has felt this way at one point or another, but I know of at least one thing that every entrepreneur can be thankful for — VISION.

Entrepreneurs have a vision, a goal in sight.  And we’re willing to work it, breathe it, and live it so that it has a chance to come to life.

If you’re like me, you’ve  had several chances this year to do other things.  And you, like me, may have wanted to kick yourself at times, wondering why on earth you didn’t grab hold of some of those opportunities. 

But the truth of the matter is that you didn’t go for them because those so called “opportunities” were not a part of your vision.  And, while they may have been perfect for someone, for you, they simply didn’t make sense.

So, my fellow entrepreneurs, when you consider what you have to be thankful for his year, don’t forget to give thanks for your own unique vision — and for the courage and strength you exhibit every day as you grow your business. 

Wow… that’s three things you can be thankful for!   Join the discussion and write a few more below…

I spent most of last week at the annual conference of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

While I’m not a member yet, I had a ball! And, more importantly, my attendance provided a remarkable opportunity to hang out with members of one of my major markets — seniors.  As you may know, a lot of writing is geared toward men and women who are in their in their golden years.

I was able to attend sessions with these folks and could determine some of what worries them, what brings them joy, what interests them, and what makes them laugh.

I was also able to walk the exhibit floor and got a really clear idea of what companies captured their attention and which didn’t. For example, I learned that regardless of age, women love jewelry! And, more seriously, I learned that health care is on our seniors’ minds now more than ever.

I encourage you to do what you can to get up close and personal with your customers and the people you are trying to reach.  Nothing beats spending a few days with them to figure out how to position your products and services in a manner that will make them take notice.

If you’re…

Earlier this week I attended an event that featured Bill Glazer of Glazer-Kennedy Insider Circle as a speaker and, boy, am I glad I did!

Mr. Glazer is one of the most successful marketing gurus in the world.  He’s teamed with the legendary Dan Kennedy to provide advice to small businesses all over the country, in every industry imaginable, and the opportunity to hear him speak locally was a rare treat.

Glazer’s very insightful presentation included a discussion of what he introduced as the seven steps to successful selling.  In a nutshell, they are…

1.  Sell to someone differently.  Glazer suggested that business owners expand their borders and stated that the Internet makes this very easy to do.  He also encouraged people to find a niche, and emphasized the fact that advertising yourself as a specialist usually allows you to charge more for your work.

2.  Sell differently.  He said that you have to make it OK for people to purchase what you have.  The government’s recent “Cash for Clunkers” program is a good example of this principle at work.  Suddenly, it was OK to purchase cars again.

3.  Sell something different.  The point is to be responsive to your market and adjust what you offer to fit what people want to buy.

4.  Create more value.  In tough economic times like these, businesses need to be especially aware of their need to give more for less and make customers feel as if they’re getting a great deal.

5.  Have a strategic status.  This helpful tip suggests that you position yourself as an authority, an expert — and not wait for anyone to do that for you.  For example, there as a woman in the audience who sold real estate.  By following this tip, she would quickly assume the title of “the best woman real estate agent in her county.”  “Don’t wait for others to give you the status”, explained Glazer, “just take it!”

6.  Association.  Zig Ziglar said that if you hang around nine dead, broke people, you’re soon likely to be the tenth one.  Glazer expanded this thought to emphasize how very important it is to associate only with people who support your vision and challenge you to grow.

7.  Develop a of Good Direct Response Marketing System.  “Everybody’s bored and overwhelmed,” said Glazer.  Therefore, according to Glazer, our marketing materials should be “outrageous” if they are to get the attention we’re after.

In addition to these seven tips, Glazer provided additional insights and encouragement and as one of the 100+ entrepreneurs in the room, I can honestly say that attending this presentation was time well spent.

If you ever have an opportunity to hear Bill Glazer speak, I encourage you to do so.  In the meanwhile, you may want to get a copy of his latest book, “Outrageous Advertising that’s Outrageously Successful.”  Just look for a cover with a man wearing a straight jacket and a crazy expression on his face and that will be it! 

How’s that for outrageous?  LOL!

I just ran across a press release announcing a free webinar that promises to provide small business people with the basic writing skills necessary for getting your written messages across.

Titled “Writing it Right — Why the Words and Format Matter in Business,” this event will be held on Wednesday, August 5 from 1pm til 2pm ET.  Alan Siege, a small business expert who has been featured in Good Housekeeping and NY Newsday, will conduct the event.

During this webinar he will provide tips and instruction that should give you the confidence you need to do more writing, from memos and letters to emails and tweets.

According to the release, “This webinar is ideal for those concerned about the impression they make when they send written communications for their business.”

I don’t know Mr. Siege nor do I know anything about this event, but I wanted to post this because I take seriously my responsibility to share with you news and events that could help you take your business to the next level of success.

To learn more about this webinar, visit here.

Regardless of what you thought of him, you have to admit that Michael Jackson was a powerful figure.  The influence he had on our music, our culture, our country, and our world was simply amazing.

And while the media is enthralled with his personal life (and so was I for the first few days after his passing), I’ve now turned my attention to the business he built.  An icon of his magnitude was, most certainly, doing a lot of things right, and I’ve listed below just three that I’ve observed and plan to use as I continue to mind my own business. 

1.  Michael Jackson realized that his number one competition was himself.  Even once he’d proven himself as the “King of Pop” and his recordings had sold more than any others, he strived for more. 

At some point, you’d think he’d stop and say “OK, I’ve made it!  I’m at the top and no one is even close to catching up with me!”  But he didn’t.   He kept striving, even when the competition was himself.

There’s a lesson in that.

2.  Secondly, if there was something he thought was hindering him from reaching his goal, he got rid of it.  For us that could be negative people, destructive habits, or unsucessful practices we keep holding to, thinking that “one day” things will change.  Most times they don’t.

3.  And lastly, Michael Jackson taught us to be bold enough to invent something new.  If we follow his example, we won’t satisfied with the things currently around us, but we’ll have the guts to blaze a new path.  

Perhaps lke you, I’ve heard more on about Michael Jackson over the past week or so than I ever cared to know, but one thing I heard recently has stuck with me.  A musician acquaintance of his said that MJ had spoken with him about inventing a new instrument.  Michael Jackson knew what he knew about exising instruments and was creative, inquisitive, and daring enough to want to invent a new one.  That’s something!

And if you’re over 35 years of age, you may know that Michael Jackson revolutionized the way that music videos are done.  He was the first person to make them into the major productions they are today, complete with hundreds of people, changing sets, complex themes, etc.

His vision allowed him to see beyond the obvious and his talent allowed him to create what no one else had.

These three simple lessons are critical to business growth and can be found implemented by many successful businesses today.  I encourage you to take them to heart.

Rest in peace, Michael.  And thank you.

If your small business is struggling due to today’s economy, you may be in for a pleasant surprise…

The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced that starting on June 15, the SBA will start guaranteeing America’s Recovery Capital loans.   Commonly referred to as “ARC” loans, these are deferred-payment loans made available to established, for-profit small businesses that need help making payments on their existing debt. 

The great news is that the ARC loans are 100% interest free, are guaranteed by the SBA, and have no SBA fees attached to them.

“These ARC loans can provide the critical capital and support many small businesses need to make it through these touch economic times,” said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills.  “Together with other provisions of the  Recovery Act, ARC loans will free up capital and put more money in the hands of small business owners who need it most.  This will help viable small businesses continue to grow and thrive and create new jobs in communities across the country.” 

ARC loans will be disbursed within a six-month period and must be used for making payments toward principal and interest for existing, qualifiying small business debt.  This includes mortgages, term and revolving lines of credit, capital leases, credit card obligations and notes payable to vendors, suppliers and utilities.

These loans are being issued by commercial lenders, not by the SBA.

To learn more, visit http://www.sba.gov/recovery/arcloanprogram/index.html