Portland, Oregon has seen some of the hottest days on record this week. It has been brutal for those working outside in the heat; or trying to sleep at night if your home is not equipped with air conditioning. Triple digit heat is so rare in the Pacific Northwest that the majority of homes are without central air.

But the current heat wave has been a financial shot in the arm for movie theaters, Ice suppliers, convenience stores and gas stations selling huge soft drinks. Many people have opted out of cooking this last week. A cool restaurant is much more pleasant then a hot kitchen. Window air conditioners and fans are flying off the shelves at local retail stores. Hotel occupancy has also increased this week, while others have headed for the coast. So, it’s not all bad and it won’t last much longer.

For me, I have been staying at home in the air conditioning. Yes it can even get too hot to fish! But it’s never too hot to look at your business plan and decide how to heat up your profits.

So sit back, have some ice tea and thank God that the temps will soon be back in the eighties.

As long as my boat did not melt, I will be back on the water helping clients catch fish and enjoying Oregon.

See You At The Dock

Ken Bear Cole
Fishing with Bear LLC

“Most people are willing to change, not because they see the light, but  because they feel the heat.”                 —Unknown

It seems clear that change is accelerating.  Before one thing clears, two others have arrived and you feel farther behind than ever.  Our normal response to change is to continue to do what we have always done, or we double the effort.   “Hard work will certainly solve this problem” is what we think.. 

Years ago, an English Admiral lost about seventy per cent of his fleet in the rocks off of west England.  He knew his latitude, an easy thing to do.  But he had no idea of his longitude and in  the inclement weather wandered into the rocks.  The change of course that he needed was hidden.  Later they would invent the sextant and if  he knew what time it was, the longitude becomes easy. 

When we need to change, maybe we need new resources instead of increased effort.  Doubling your speed when  you are going the wrong direction, will not be of any great help.

Consider these Stages of change (listed by Anne Riches)

1. Disbelief or denial —“it won’t happen to us”

2. Anger and blame —“we’ve worked our butts off and this is how they treat us”\

3. Reluctant acceptance —“there’s just too much to do around here”

4. The final stage —“Ok, I guess we can do it, make the best of a bad situation.”

 Note that these stages are really emotional stages.  Thus, in some senses they are irrational and the answer is in empathy, not information.  It is in clearing the feeling board by listening to those affected.  Most people really want stability and they trust others in getting it, especially if they work for you.  Thus , these require mature communication, listen to them, empathize,  don’t tell them to get over it.  Give them time to adjust, to deal with their fears, support and encourage them.   

Coach    http://cli.gs/ueyNNE

Hi All,

My wife and I packed up the dogs in the motorhome and headed to the Southern Oregon coast.  Of course, being a small business owner means I never really take a vacation.  Adding to Coaches list of four, I would add, be committed but flexible.

Looking at the weather, it looks like I left Portland at the perfect moment.  The temp here in Bandon is a nice 70 degrees!  I hear Portland is going to break a three digit temp record today?  Whew, that’s hot!

Since it is too hot for most of you to go outside anyway, why not take a moment to review your business plan and marketing strategy to make sure things are on target?  I use the camp site as a way to disconnect from the real time nature of the internet and reconnect to the basics of my business.  Then once a day I head to town to seek out a free wifi spot and catch up with business.

We all need to take breaks from time to time, but when we are the sales force, labor force and bookkeeper, it is hard to unplug completly.  Feel free to tap into your PortlandBusinessCommunity.com family and ask questions.  Bear and I are working hard to help you because we believe small business people working together makes for an unstoppable force.

I have enjoyed reading the posts of recent days.  Thank you to everyone who continues to help make this web community popular.  Google continues to send more traffic everyday and great keywords.  Those of you who have published have experienced the benefits first hand.  Those who are unsure about how to blog for your business, stay tuned–the first Tuesday in September will be our first FREE business networking and business blogging event.  More information to follow.

Happy blogging and stay cool!

Ed Bejarana
Zenith Exhibits, Inc.

Here are four steps to success as stated by Jeffrey Keller.

                     A successful corporate executive in New York was interviewed and asked to  identify his professional strengths. He came up with the following list, and I think we can all be more effective in our sales efforts if we apply them as well: 

                     1. Be consistent:  This includes not only consistency of the quality of our product or service, but also consistency of attitude (a positive one) and consistency of integrity and reliability.

                      2. Work at a very strong pace: Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher summed it up well when she said, “I do not know anyone who got to the top without hard work.”  You’ll never get maximum results from minimal effort.

                     3. Focus on the long term: Those who succeed have a vision of where they’re going and have the patience, flexibility and persistence to stay the course. 

                     4. Don’t let people get you down: No matter what you do, you’ll encounter criticism and disappointment during your career. Don’t let anyone discourage you or stop you from moving  forward.

   Submitted by Coach.  I have no idea who Jeffrey is or what he is connected with.  I have only the information above and thought it worthwhile to pass on.  Enjoy.

Coach   http://cli.gs/ueyNNE

During these stressful economic times, some business owners are considering scaling back their business and re-evaluating the business model.

You may have expanded the business a few years prior, because you needed help keeping up with your customer’s needs. So you moved the business out of your home and into commercial office space. Next came the additional cost of employees, which temporarily detracted from your profitability, but you soon were back in the black. Then there are those personal guarantees on loans for equipment.

But now business is down. You don’t need all of that office space, but you still have two years left on the lease. You certainly don’t need twenty office phones, since you have cut your staff to only five employees. So what do you do next? The overhead is killing your bottom line!

Over the past twenty years, I have spoken to business owners who have decided to dramatically reduce the size of the business. Here is what worked for them:

•    Find someone to sublet some of your office space. You can also negotiate the cost of furniture and use of equipment. Make sure the sublease spells everything out! This is not a time for verbal commitments. Remember you need to cut overhead so don’t get greedy, but clear boundaries are extremely important.

•    If you are deciding to reduce your business to return to working out of your home, you may have customer accounts, which can be sold to a competitor or someone starting out on their own.

•    Remember that this is simply a business decision. You are not a failure. It is the business, which is failing.

•    After the business is reduced, many owners are making almost as much profit as before, without all the stress.

You can survive this recession if your business practices are sound.

Ken Bear Cole
Fishing with Bear LLC

How-to Pack and Travel Light

In this day and age of traveling cephalalgia, there are a few packing tactics to employ. To cut out an extra thirty to forty minutes at the arriving airport, start with packing small luggage. Since carry-ons can not exceed a linear dimension of 45 inches, you can escape the fiasco of the baggage terminal by simply packing and traveling light. To learn how to pack all your needs into one suitcase, read more.

Use the following pithy packing tips to make your travel light:

Make a list. Compose a pack list. Be sure to coordinate shirts and blouses with bottoms. To maximize your traveling wardrobe fashion savoir faire, stick with solids and versatile basics. Rule-out any clothes that do not match other items.

Roll ‘em up please. The best way to fit all your clothes is by rolling pants and shirts. First fold each item in half. Then simply roll. To try to maintain any creases, start on the bulkiest end of the article of clothing.

Gear up. How to make an awe-inspiring impression out of a basic or mundane outfit? For the most glam appeal, acessorize with a vibrant tie (for him) or a florid scarf (for her). Multihued accessories can liven up just about any attire.

Minimize bulk. After you check for space, edit outfits – ruthlessly. Try to pack microfibers with wrinkle and stain free comfort. With most of your attire, stay in the same color scheme – in case you have to layer up for warmth.

Employ shoe smarts. For men, any leather rubber-soled shoes can make the day and night transition, easy. For woman, a pair of flip-flops, strappy sandals and comfy wedges can serve all casual – chic dressing needs.

Put under garments on the top. To reduce the embarrassment of under garments becoming the side show attraction of the open luggage scan, place all panties in a plastic bag free of any clippers, lighters or other questionable paraphernalia. For expedient security review, place the transparent bag on top of your other items so security can access the bag without ruining your efficient packing method.

Lose Extra Baggage. Leave the heavy travel guide at home. Duplicate important resources to keep your luggage free of extra pounds. Since most hotels and resorts provide irons and blow-dryers –leave yours at home for light travel.

Leave restricted items at home. If you want to make it through security extra fast, avoid any firearms, weapons, box-cutters, scissors, razors, lighters and any other item that may be used in a terrorist situation.

Written by: Holly Bentz

Good Morning All,

I am writing with an update on the link feature.  Due to a recent upgrade in software, the link tool we were going to use has a conflict with the site software.  We are working to resolve the issue and will have a link directory system online as soon as possible.

In the mean time, please create and post your elevator speech with links to your website.  Use the “Elevator Speech” category when creating your article and your article will be listed with everyone else’s along the right side menu.

Thanks,

Ed

Presented by Dominic Sitowski, CEP, LUTCF

Options, options, options … There are many misconceptions about what must be done with a 401(k) when someone leaves a company. Some people think they have to cash out their 401(k) upon leaving a job. Others think they must “roll it over” into a new 401(k). Still others believe that they must leave the 401(k) where it is. None of these are true … and none are false. These aren’t “musts”, they are options. The big question is, which option is the right option for YOU?

Leaving it where it is … If you have enough money in your current 401(k) to meet the minimum requirement, you could leave your money where it is. Should you? Well, it depends. If you feel the plan has good investment choices and the annual fees are reasonable, leaving your money there to mature could be a good option for you.

Direct rollover into a new 401(k) … If your new employer offers a 401(k), you could choose to “roll” your money into that plan, but then you will be limited to the new plan’s investment options. So should you? Once again, it depends. You’ll want to look into the structure of the new plan, the fees and the investment options.

Moving the money into an IRA rollover account… If managing where your account is held and how it is invested is important to you, this option gives you a great deal of flexibility. It also offers you more distribution options, once you are eligible. Additionally, you could open a brokerage account or purchase a CD, provided the account is titled as your IRA Rollover Account.

Cashing out your 401(k) … The temptation to get a lump sum of money can be too great for some, especially if they have just lost their job or feel that they are in some sort of financial bind. They may choose to cash out their 401(k) upon leaving a job. But what are they giving up? Well, 10% for starters. If they are younger than 59 ½ years old and cash out their 401(k), most of them will incur a 10% penalty. Additionally, they will owe taxes on the amount they cash out. But here’s what really hurts: they are giving up part of their retirement fund or (in many cases) starting over from zero.

Fighting temptation now could lead to big rewards later … For example, let’s say a 35-year-old leaves a job and rolls over $15,000 from a 401(k) into an IRA earning an average of 7% annually, letting the money mature over 30 years … by the time of retirement, that money could potentially grow to over $100,000.

Making a decision … If you’re unsure which choice is best for you, or if you’d like to learn more about your options, I would recommend speaking with a qualified financial advisor. Additionally, you may want to consider working with a tax professional if you own company stock in your previous 401(k). You’re likely to want some assistance in sorting through the IRS rules that may apply.

Dominic Sitowski is a Representative with Crown Capital Securities, L.P. and may be reached at www.domsitowski.com, 503-494-3641 or dsitowski@crownmail.net.

These views are those of the author and should not be construed as investment advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please consult your Financial Advisor for further information. Securities offered through Crown Capital Securities, L.P., Member FINRA/SIPC.

Arby’s® restaurants are giving the Portland metropolitan area an easy way to help the children in our community. From June 15 through July 26, 2009, customers who visit Arby’s restaurants may donate $1 to Big Brothers Big Sisters to help the organization match a child with a volunteer mentor. Customers who donate will receive a coupon redeemable for $1 off select Arby’s menu items during their next purchase.

Since 2002, Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest has provided professional support to children matched in a one-to-one relationship with a positive adult role model. Funds raised will support volunteer recruitment, background checks, careful matching, continuous monitoring, ongoing match support, and dedicated service to volunteers, families and children to ensure positive outcomes.

Right now, Big Brothers and Big Sisters are helping boys and girls stay off drugs and alcohol, stay in school, obtain higher grades, and refrain from violence.

To make a contribution to help change the life of children in your local community, you can donate online by visiting arbysfoundation.org.

Good Morning All,

Thank you all for helping build a great site.  For those of you who have published, PortlandBusinessCommunity.com has more visibility on Google because of your efforts.  All those who participate on this website and provide links back to your company website ALSO gain more visibility on Google, Yahoo and MSN (oh ya, now BING too!)

Save the first Tuesday in September for our first networking / business blogging meeting.  This FREE event will be your chance to meet other business people in the area, learn more about how to use this website to increase your internet visibility and possible make a few new contacts.  Stay tuned for more information!

Happy blogging.

Ed Bejarana
Co-Founder, PortlandBusinessCommunity.com, LLC
Zenith Exhibits, Inc.