FastUpFront

[image source: Anthony Baker]

With a sputtering economy and an uncertain future, issues such as tax reform, health insurance, and worker’s benefits are weighing heavy on the minds of entrepreneurs and small business owners. For many, how the candidates for the US Presidency stand on these issues alone can be the deciding factor come voting day.

So who is the favored among small business owners?

Though both Obama and McCain have been pledging their support to established and up-and-coming small businesses, a close look at their policies reveals sharp differences in strategy and mindset.

If elected, Obama pledges to eliminate the capital gains taxes on start-up and small businesses as well as offer a $500 credit to self-employed small-business owners to offset the self-employment tax. He also plans on freezing the dreaded estate tax rate at 45% .

To encourage entrepreneurship, Obama wants to further develop a network of business incubators in communities throughout the nation with an emphasis on disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Many of Obama’s policies are actually more focused on the workers themselves. He plans on raising the national minimum wage from $6.55 to $9.50 an hour and requiring all employers to automatically enroll workers in 401(k)s or IRAs. Obama would further require all employers to either offer a health plan, contribute money to a worker ‘s health costs, or pay a percentage of payroll to a national public program. Obama also supports the right of workers to bargain collectively and strike without fear of losing their jobs.

While many of Obama’s policies may be good for the average worker, it puts an added strain on businesses that are already seeing their bottom lines erode as the price of commodities and healthcare continues to skyrocket and the financial markets limp along. Such a strategy can make it harder for small businesses to hire and hold on to talent.

On the other hand, McCain’s platform appears more friendly to small businesses.

He plans on granting small businesses an immediate deduction on the cost of new equipment and technology purchases. He also wants to establish a permanent tax credit equal to 10% of the wages spent on R&D. Further tax reforms include: Reducing the corporate income tax rate to 25% from 35%; cutting the estate tax rate to 15% and increasing the exemption to $5 million.

In the area of healthcare, McCain pledges to make healthcare coverage less employer-centric by issuing tax credits allowing individuals to purchase personal, portable health insurance that will stay with the person even with a change in job.

McCain also supports a ban on Internet taxes as well as any new cell phone taxes.

According to a recent survey conducted by Suffulk University, many small business owners feel that McCain will better suit their interests.

Who will you be voting for in November?

Climate Counts, a nonprofit organization committed to reversing climate change, recently posted their second annual Company Scorecard . The Scorecard rates 60 leading companies in nine major consumer sectors (Apparel/Accessories, Beverages, Consumer Shipping, Electronics, Food Products, Food Services, Household Products, Internet/Software, and Media) on their practices to reduce global warming.

Each company was ranked on a scale from zero to 100 based on several criteria that fall within four categories: “whether they measure their carbon footprint; what efforts they have made to reduce their own climate impact; whether they support or oppose global warming legislation; and what they disclose to the public about their work to address climate change.”

According to the study, even though eighty-four percent of the companies had made improvements in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and to promote those actions to their consumers, several major companies received a score of one or zero.

Here are the best and worst performers:

Top Overall Performers

Nike 82

Stonyfield Farm 78

IBM 77

Unilever 75

Canon 74

General Electric 71

Toshiba 70

Procter & Gamble 69

Sony 68

Hewlett-Packard 68

 

Worst Performers

Jones Apparel Group 0

Burger King 0

Darden Restaurants 0

Wendy’s Internat’l 0

Yum! Brands 1

VF Corporation 4

Viacom 4

Amazon.com 5

eBay 5

Apple 11

For up-to date information and commentary on each business’ commitment (or lack thereof) to the environment, you can check out Climate Counts’ blog.

You can make your opinion on climate change heard through the dollars you spend.

This may sound familiar… You need to make a phone call, yet are dreading the possible response. As you are dialing, you hope and pray that the other person won’t pick up –  wouldn’t it be great if you could just leave a message and avoid the whole conversation?

Now, you can!  I recently found out about a new free service offered by Boston-based MobileSphere which helps the more passive aggressive of us to avoid those unwanted responses and sticky conversations. Users can just call 267-SLYDIAL (267-759-3425) followed by any US mobile number – their call will go directly to the recipient’s voicemail.

Though the incoming call is supposed to go undetected, some users have reported that the receiving phone will ring once. (But don’t worry, when the phone is picked up, the line goes dead.) The receiver’s phone will then register that a voice mail message has been received.

This neat service can give the user a tremendous sense of power and control at a time when information overload and hyperconnectivity are considered a normal part of life.

(And anyway… shouldn’t we all be allowed a little avoidance every now and then?)

It is also easy to see how the Slydial service can make its way into the business world. Just imagine the possibilities…

• You can set up an appointment with someone and skip the awkward or time-consuming small talk.

• Cancel a meeting with a client or co-worker or call in sick to work without having to delve into the details of your excuse.

• Discretely contact potential clients or co-workers at a time when you know they are busy.

• Convey a difficult message to an upset customer while still being personal.

Have any other creative ideas? Post in comments…

This August marks the first birthday of the Fast Up Front Blog.  Over the past year we have written on average about three posts per week covering a wide range of topics of interest (hopefully!) to the small business owner.  I’d like to highlight some of the topics we covered, and our evolution as a blog to becoming the FastUpFront Blog that we are now, in August 2008.

• August 2007

We began very focused on financing side of things – looking at factoring, loans, government grants and other alternative financing options.  (Bank Loans vs Leasing vs Cash Advances) We covered some tax issues and other topics specific to finance/accounting and small businesses.

• February/March 2008

In early spring we gave the blog a makeover, taking the other extreme.  We gave the site a “cooler” less “stiff” look and wrote on lighter topics suitable to a much wider audience.  Rather than focusing on financing, we wrote about more general topics.  Some of these were only related peripherally to business, (6 Successful Business that Prove Society is in Trouble) and very rarely to financing.

• June 2008 – Present

Around June we decided that we wanted to create a sort of hybrid between our earliest style of blog and the more recent style.  We still like to include jokes, but they tend to be finance related (The Multi-Millionaire and the $5000 Loan); we even added comics (Secured Loans from Hell).  On the other hand, we tried to gear our focus back to our primary clients: small business owners.  Posts have been focused on topics as broad as marketing (Changing the Logo for your Small Business), and as specific as menu design for restaurants.  Posts are written to generally be a bit heavier than they have been, but still light enough to be enjoyable.  Our goal: to be fun and useful.  We want to help you to run your business in the best way possible, and to have fun doing it!

Let me know if you miss something from one of our previous  “incarnations” – I’d love to hear from you.  In the meantime, Gary and I will keep writing, and hope you keep reading.  I wonder what I will write about this coming year when I look back on it next August….

Staying ahead of your competition is not always easy. Life as a business owner can become increasingly difficult if your market is divided by your competition or your competition’s offer renders your product or service obsolete.

I created this comic for those small business owners who understand this best from experience…

Summer-time tends to bring many things, among them: new office dress codes.  What’s the connection?  When employees start wearing flip flops and tank tops into the office, many employers decide that it is time to clarify just what is meant by “casual” attire.  The reasons to clarify a dress code are many, including: legal accountability, aesthetics for customers, distractions for employees, and simply maintaining a positive workplace environment.  A positive workplace environment is best maintained if you make a dress code and publicize it, so that no one employee feels singled out.

Many businesses have different dress codes for different types of employees.  There will be different expectations  for client/customer facing employees vs those that customers don’t interface with face-to-face.  Also, those working in “blue collar” hands on work will need to wear clothes appropriate for their work, including any safety requirements.

Shoes and Legal Issues.   Remember, even a receptionist who has a ream of paper fall on her toes can sue you for not telling her to wear closed toed shoes.  All the more so, those involved with heavier and more regular lifting (warehouse workers) should be required to wear steel toed shoes/boots.

Race Sensitivity.  Many business include in their dress code rules regarding small braids in the hair, such as “cornrows”.  Be aware that African-American employees may find this rule offensive and racist.  Professionally braided hair is neat and attractive.  On the other hand, people who do not use a professional to braid their hair, or who have thinner hair, can look much less professional in braids.  These employees might cry “foul” if others are allowed braids and they are not.  I recommend thinking carefully, and perhaps consulting a lawyer, before saying “no” to braids in your dress code.

Aesthetics/Business Image/Positive Working Environment.  Legal issues aside, most small business owners who institute a dress code do it for reasons of aesthetics, creating the proper business image, or as an attempt to create a more positive and productive work environment.

DRESS CODE CATEGORIES

• The bare bones dress code usually requires closed-toed shoes and bans cut offs, shorts and skirts shorter than mid-thigh, tank tops and halter tops.  Sleeveless shirts which are not tank tops are usually accepted.  T-shirts are OK, but only if they don’t have anything offensive written on them.

• The business casual dress code generally does without shorts all together, and bans T-shirts all together.  Polo-shirts and button down shirts are acceptable for men, and blouses or polo-shirts are acceptable for women.  Many companies will specify “no facial jewelry”, and no visible tattoos.  This is the most popular dress code for most businesses today.

• Business Professional is another step up.  It requires slacks and ties for men, often a jacket as well.  For women, it is more vague, but professional attire includes pantsuits, blouses with tailored skirts or something of a similar caliber.  This dress code is usually referred for client facing professional, or others who are representing the business to the outside world.

• Uniforms are another option for dealing with the dress code issue.  Many businesses as varied as restaurants, medical offices, retail stores and machine shops, use uniform to help make staff readily identifiable, professional and fit in with the company image.  Many uniforms are simply a polo shirt with the company logo, or a vest or jacket which can be put over regular clothes.  With this option, many businesses will request that employees wear a particular style/color of pants as well.

HOW TO CREATE, IMPLEMENT AND ENFORCE A DRESS CODE

1. Think for a while about your goals in creating the dress code, and your vision for what your work force will look like.  Weigh in how they will feel about various points and how it might effect their morale.  Think about what image you want to present to your customers and what role your employees’ dress plays  in that image.  These musings should lead you to a general category of dress code (see above for categories).
2. Research the legal issues.  I just touched on a few issues here – more are discussed in this great article on the legalities of various dress code requirements.  However, legislation does change, and it is best to check with a lawyer who specializes in human resources before finalizing your dress code.  The information here is a great guide for getting started.
3. The next step is to publicize the dress code through internal memos, an employee handbook and email.  It is best to have a signed dress code on file, in case an issue arises.  Also, make sure that you mention the dress code when interviewing new candidates.
4. Enforcing the dress code is even more important than having one.  This is because an unevenly enforced dress code can cause resentment amongst employees, and can even be cause for a legal complaint.  Make sure that it is written in the dress code itself the consequences of not meeting the dress code (warnings, sent home as a non-paid day, etc).  However, remember that some individuals require special accommodations due to religious, medical or other reasons.  Be fair and reasonable, but don’t ignore those who are not complying and have no excuse.  Point out why they don’t comply, what they need to do to fix it, and what will happen if it happens again.

Another boring day at the office? Is tension at work running high? Are you tired of staring at the same four walls of your cubicle? If so, check out these wacky gadgets to lighten and brighten your office.

• Nabaztag Wi-Fi Connected Rabbit. This little creature can provide you with a lot of information so you don’t have to check your computer.

“Basically Nabaztag/tag is a desktop companion that utilises Wi-Fi technology to fetch information from the Internet and convey it in various charming ways. Confused? You won’t be, because you’ll soon be relying on this cute little critter to tell you the time, wake you up, read the news, read you messages from friends, check the stock market and give you tomorrow’s weather forecast today. Nabaztag/tag can even communicate with fellow bunnies and get married.”

• Funky Key Caps. Lighten up your keybaord by adding a panic button and other amusing keys.

“Tickle your funny bone with Computer Keys Set — hilarious novelty computer keys stuck to your computer or anywhere else you need a byte of humor! Each has a double-sided tape base so it sticks to any surface. Sold as a colorful set of 8 — assorted sentiments: Panic Key, Any Key, Beer Key, duh Key, $ Key, Oops Key, Eject and Smiley emoticon face Key.”

• Baguette Wrist Pad. Don’t use this wrist pad on an empty stomach!

“Soft, pliable foam shaped like a baguette cushions your wrist and makes working at your computer more comfortable—and fun. Lunch, anyone?”

• Animated-Desk Set. Brighten up your desk with these colorful office supply holders.

No need for a boring desk set. Here you have a Gumby-style Elvis holding your tape, Dimitri the weightlifter holding your CDs, and Dionis, your scissors. These fun characters make your desk a far more interesting place to pass the hours at work.

• Mini Desk Top File Cabinent. The perfect place for your business cards.

“Holds Business Cards & Tells Time! Desk-top conversation starter is a scaled down replica of an office filing cabinet! Complete with LCD clock/calendar and A-Z index cards (included) to organize over 800 business cards in two drawers.”

• The Lock Cup. Prevent your co-workers from using your coffee mug. The cup comes with an open hole that can only be closed with the owner’s key. This neat invention hasn’t actually been manufactured yet, but it is a great concept!

“A cup that is designed for people who share workplace facilities such as a kitchen. The cup has a hole which prevents people from using it. Only the owner of the cup can use his shaped key to close the hole, our the coffee and enjoy the drink.”

• The Tri-Link Alarm System. Use this toy defense system to keep your cubicle tightly secured.

“…we brought forth this three stage system to help protect everything in your cubicle – and beyond. Each unit has an ever-watchful motion sensor. The first line of defense is lovingly referred to as Alarm 1. When Alarm 1 is tripped two very important things happen. First, it flashes and klaxons to signal an intrusion. But (and this is the kicker) it also arms Alarms 2 and 3 using invisible wireless signals. Alarm 2 also has an audible alarm, but it is louder than Alarm 1. It also will spot the varmint with a red light beam. Alarm 3 is the coolest; when it is tripped two safe (but surprising) missiles will be launched at the now-fleeing interloper. You valuables will be safe, your cubicle will be secure, and your foe will be embarrassed enough to leave your stapler alone for good.”

• Shocking Pens. Sweet revenge for the unsuspecting pen pilferer.

“The victim will pick up the pen, and, without even a nub of conscious motion, their thumb will immediately migrate to depress the top of the pen in hopes of discovering a fine new writing instrument. Instead, as they depress, they will complete a circuit that creates a small magnetic field, which then simulates an alternating current and provides relatively high voltage to the depression point on the thumb. It all happens in a split second, as will the screech and instant profanity, but the office memories will last a lifetime…”

• Dilbert Cubicle Periscope. Let Dilbert keep an eye on your co-workers for you, while you sit in the comfort of your own cubicle.

“…Dilbert Cubicle Periscope will allow you to spy on coworkers from the safety of your cubicle walls. Comes as a simple tape assembly easy to construct. Even Dilbert’s co-workers could accomplish it–after three meetings.”

• Cubicaller- The Cubicle Doorbell. When there is no door to knock on…

“Why would anyone possibly want a doorbell on their cubicle? Typically, visitors knock loudly on the cubicle partion, shuffle/stamp their feet, or clear their throat repeatedly to get your attention. The Cubicle Doorbell provides a fun way for visitors to announce their arrival…. The unique 3-position volume selector lets you set the loudness for your particular environment. Normal (for environments with average background noises); Soft (for less active environments); Personal (extra soft for very quiet environments).”

Have any of these? Let me know if you like them. Have some other cool toy you want to tell me about? Send me a link.

Americans today are shouldering an enormous economic burden, and it might not just be having effects on our pocketbooks.  Research shows it could be effecting our health as well.

A slowing economy, rising energy and food prices, and a slump in the housing market combined with a flurry of home foreclosures and the ever-present pressure to “keep up with the Jones” are all contributing to the increase in the number of Americans falling further and further into debt. To make matters worse, according to a recent Associated Press-AOL Health poll, those who are struggling with debt are likely to report a wide range of health problems from migraine headaches to severe depression.

Of the survey respondents who experienced high levels of debt stress:

• 27 percent had ulcers or digestive tract problems
• 44 percent had migraines or other headaches
• 29 percent suffered severe anxiety
• 23 percent had severe depression
• 6 percent reported heart attacks, double the rate for those with low debt stress.
• 51 percent, had muscle tension, including pain in the lower back.

Knowing how to effectively cope with debt stress will not only help you to regain a sense of balance and well being, but can give you the emotional boost you need to get back on your feet again.

Here are four key parts to managing your debt stress:

1. Watch Your Attitude.

In every place where stress management is discussed you will hear about the benefits of having a positive attitude. After all, a person who lacks self-acceptance and positivity will not be so motivated to seek help. But for some people, or for those in particularly difficult life situations, it may be very hard to “just be positive.” If you are having difficulty maintaining a healthy attitude about yourself or your situation, look for outside sources of inspiration.  It can help a lot to surround yourself with positive people; reading inspirational stories can also be helpful.

2. Seek Out a Support System.

Even with the best attitude, it is important to have people around you such as friends, family, church members, and/or support groups.  A support system offers encouragement and assistance. Depending on how badly you are struggling, counseling may also be appropriate.  Unfortunately, it is also expensive – making it a potentially stressful option for someone who is in a financial struggle.  On the other hand, nothing is more valuable than your health.

3. Live Healthy.

It goes without saying that your psychological/emotional health is directly connected to your physical health (that’s the point of the survey). Remember, though, that the connection works both ways: by taking care of your body you can affect how you feel.

• Exercise. Focus on activities that will get you out of the house, such as walking or riding a bike. The fresh air and sun can do wonders.

• Eat well.  Even if you are not in the habit of eating healthy or don’t have much of an appetite (which is normal if you are stressed), at least make sure to eat two to three times a day (especially in the morning).

• Go to all your check-ups.  A basic part of living healthy is going to “health visits” to the doctor.  These are the checkups you go to when you are perfectly healthy.  When you see your doctor on a “health visit” they can check your general health much more effectively than if you see them only when you have the flu.  They can order any appropriate tests and give you preventative care to prevent you from developing serious disease.

• Look into alternatives.  Finally, you can research natural or holistic remedies that help with relaxation and help with creating calm and balance.

4. Make a Plan of Action.

The above tips are all important, but they are mostly symptom-focused.  The “cut it at the root” essential aspect to managing your debt stress is to improve your financial situation.  Meeting with an experienced debt counselor, consolidating your debts, and creating a budget will give you peace of mind and help to restore a sense of control.  Eventually, these steps can lead to a life absent of debt stress, due to a lack of debt.

By actively dealing with any stress that your debts are causing, you can keep your health and increase your chances of being on top of your finances once again.