Elizabeth Cusulas
Details In Retail

I just read a great blog post by Robert I. Sutton on the downside of what he refers to as “Big, Hairy Goals.”  It’s an interesting discussion of how a narrow focus on huge “distant horizon” goals can interfere with recognizing – and celebrating – daily accomplishments.   

This got me thinking about how small business owners often contribute to their own burnout by setting inflexible – and therefore unrealistic – goals. 

Yes, you’re in business because you have goals…you have dreams.  But sometimes the very best business strategy is to LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS. 

I’m not saying you grind to a halt and give up all your aspirations.  I’m saying sometimes you need to acknowledge those big reality slaps that the world provides and give yourself some breathing room.

I start each holiday weekend with a list of tasks that could only be achieved through superhuman feats.  Three whole days always seems like ample time to accomplish everything.  Of course it never works out that way.  In my younger days, this made me crazy.  Now that I am older and wiser – and slower – I’ve made a deal with myself.  If I accomplish anything – anything at all – on my list of things to do, then that’s a good day. 

The same applies to business.  Sure I have goals.  I also have deadlines to meet, clients to accommodate and “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” to dodge.  Speedbumps and impediments to success should be factored into your business plan.  The important thing is to not let your long-term goals overshadow your short-term achievements.  If you have only one measure of success, then you’re setting yourself up for failure. 

One longtime small business owner I know is always amused when people ask her how “how’s business?”  Her response lately is “well, it’s great…by today’s standards”.  The fact is, she’s generating less income than she did 10 years ago – and working harder to do so.  But she’s chosen to adjust her expectations to reflect the current economy.  If she didn’t, she wouldn’t have ANY good days where business was concerned.  Instead, she’s realigned her perspective for 2010.  By temporarily lowering the bar, she’s able to feel good about her current business achievements again.   That’s not to say she’s given up.  She’s added new products and ramped up her marketing.  She still has goals, they’ve just been adjusted and downsized to fit the current reality.  Her willingness to do this is one reason she’s been in business for so long. 

As you work toward your long-term goals, but be sure to relish each daily victory and success – no matter how small.  That’s what keeps a small business owner in love with their business – and loving your business is vital to your success.

—

“An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises.” ~ Mae West

Coverups, scams, cons - the world is full of intentional lies and liars.  Always has been – always will be. 

But lately I’ve noticed a massive upswing in a more subtle form of lying – people who just don’t live up to their promises; the ones who don’t put any value on being true to their word.  I know they’ve always been around but there used to be a stigma attached to being one of them.  Now it’s passed off as just the way things are in our busy world.  We all do it.  We’re all guilty.  That’s particularly dangerous thinking for small business, because the backlash can be just as subtle and stealthy as the lie. 

It comes down to this.  We’re becoming confused about the difference between promises and lies.  People hate to be lied to, so it’s important to know the difference.  It’s really simple.  If you promise to do something and you don’t – that’s a lie. 

Let’s review:

When you promise your customer that you will call them and you don’t – that’s a lie.
When you promise you will do something today, and don’t – lie again. 
When you promise an employee a new office, raise or some other perk and don’t deliver – another lie.

Many of us will try to retrofit lies back into promises by means of the handy and versatile tool known as “excuses”.  Yes, there are times when excuses are valid.  Life happens – even in business – and excuses to buy time to correct oversights or explain errors are dandy, as long as there’s follow-through and completion afterward.  Otherwise, excuses are just icing on the “lie cake”.  Covering lies with sugar does not make the steaming pile more delicious.  Do not think for a minute that your customers, employees and co-workers are not aware of this. 

What’s the antidote for promises that are really “lies in disguise”?  Small business owners – you set the tone for the way your business runs.  Follow through. Be true to your word.  Be accountable.  All day, every day.  You’ll find it’s contagious.  Your efforts really will pay off.  If you don’t think so, you’re lying to yourself.

—

Elizabeth Cusulas
Details In Retail

As a small business owner, you’re intimately connected with the daily survival of your business.  You make the decisions, you write the checks, your focus is the driving force behind your success. It can be wonderful having your life so tightly interwoven with your business.  But what if some important life event took you either physically or mentally out of the game for a while?  Would your business survive?

We’re all told that we should have an emergency plan for our homes in case disaster strikes; a supply of food, water,  batteries and cash, a planned fire escape route, a place to meet in case communication lines are down.  We take it for granted that we must prepare for the unexpected.

Then we go to work and pretend that nothing ever would, or could, interfere with our business. The truth is, for small business, every event that affects the owner could prove to be a fatal distraction for the business.

I’ve seen several first-hand examples recently:

You’re a one-person pet sitting business and you’re diagnosed with cancer.  What’s left of your business when you finish multiple surgeries and six months of chemo? 

You’re a sales rep and your mother becomes ill and dies.  Understandably, your focus switches from work to family – but all your clients see is that you aren’t returning calls.  How will your clients know you aren’t just ignoring them?

You’re a craft business owner, making your living at weekly art fairs and you end up on crutches all summer.  How do you reach your customers to tell them you’ll be back, and how do you make up for losing your entire peak season?

You’re a business owner who juggles everything and never delegates. You keep everything “in your head”. Your personal life takes a turn for the worse.  How will you keep all those balls you have in the air from crashing to the ground?  Who can step in and handle things until you are able to get your mind back on your work?

How will your business function if you’re in the hospital, lose a family member, have a baby, need to care for a sick relative or get a divorce?  Every personal crisis, every illness or injury, every major life event, has the potential to topple all that you have built - unless you take time to develop an emergency plan before things spiral out of control.  You need a backup plan – and money set aside to keep your business alive during any temporary slow-down or shut-down.

Some things to consider for your emergency plan:

• Could your business survive if you were injured?  If you’re renting a storefront or office, could your business income cover the rent if you’re not able to handle your usual workload for a while?  Could you afford to hire a temporary replacement to handle your work? Find out what you can insure and set up and emergency fund for the rest.
• How would you keep from losing your client base?  What would you tell your clients if their goods or services disappeared for a while?  Figure out what you might do to cushion that blow.
• Who would pay bills and handle payroll if you are not able to?  Who could handle deciding what to do in the event that the bills and payroll can’t be paid?  Make sure someone else has the ability to access your business funds in an emergency and the authority to make whatever financial decisions are necessary. 
• Could you run your business long-distance if you need to?  Make sure you can access your calls, your e-mail and your mail – or find someone who can if you aren’t able.  Business owners who don’t travel for business often forget this important step, but what if you need to travel for a family emergency?
• If you have employees, is there a clear chain of command that would allow one of your employees to step in? Someone else should have the access and authority to carry out your emergency plan, and you’ll have to clearly define, in advance, when they would be allowed or expected to step in.
• Is your communication pipeline in place?  Could you quickly inform all your clients, employees and vendors of an emergency situation?  Have e-mail or phone lists prepared in advance.  Keep the people who are vital to your business survival in the loop and they’re more likely to still be there when the dust clears.
• Most important of all, accept your own limitations.  As the owner of a small business, every personal crisis affecting you also affects your business.  If you are not able to mentally focus on your work, or physically able and available to do your work, have someone ready to pitch in to help you stay on track.  

We all need a little help now and then.  Don’t add to your woes by letting your business suffer while you are piecing your life back together.   Take the time to put together an emergency plan now.

—

Elizabeth Cusulas
Details In Retail, Inc.

There’s a business killer that we all battle every day – every small business owner, every budding entrepreneur, every freelancer.  It’s more destructive than a down economy, lack of funding, bad unhappy clients and bad marketing combined.

Procrastination kills from within.  It will suck the life out of your company. It will break you.

You procrastinate about starting a business at all.

Not the right time…Maybe when things settle down…When the kids are older…When the economy is better…
When I have a little more money saved…

Procrastination can effectively kill your business before you even begin.

You procrastinate about getting a lawyer or an accountant or insurance because there’s no need to spend the money right away.

Build your business on a shaky foundation.  You can always shore it up later, right?

It’s always cheaper and easier to avoid problems than to fix them.  Just one misstep with your insurance, tax or payroll setup can cost you enough time and money to shut you down.

So there you are, a small business owner trying to do it all - with no time and no money. Now procrastination becomes your business model.

In the mad rush, the urge to shove “little things” aside becomes a daily habit.  You’ll just set that aside for “later”.

Eventually, it all comes crashing down and you realize that all those little tasks you set aside are now a huge pile screaming for attention.  And you start finding things festering in that “later” pile – things like forgotten follow-up calls, missed deadlines and lost opportunities.  That’s when those once little things suddenly become priorities – diverting energy and attention that should be focused on important business matters.  You’ve shut your  business down.

Remember, everything you put off can end up taking twice as long to do once you get around to it “later”, because when “later” finally comes you’ll have to dig for the information and deal with damage control as well.

Save yourself.  Save your business.  If there’s a task you can do right now - just do it right now.

Start your business, there is never a perfect time.  Just do it – NOW.

Take your business seriously.  If you don’t, no one else will.   Spend the time and money necessary to build your foundation and assemble the support team you need (legal, insurance, accounting, etc.).  Just do it – NOW.

In the bustle of small running a small business, “I’ll do that later” can quickly become a dangerous habit.  What you put off today has the potential to strangle your business down the road.  Either do it immediately or set a deadline for completion. Call them back, file it, update your calendar, answer the e-mail, pass that information along -   whatever it is, take a minute and DO IT NOW.

You’ll thank me “later”.

—

As we start a new year and a new decade, we all must look forward and make changes in our lives. These changes will effect our personal lives, our families, and our nation. On a recent business trip to China, I was truly amazed by what that country has accomplished. While China amazed me, the contrast to the condition of our country truly outraged me. China’s growth reflects the growth the US had in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s.

We must ask ourselves, what happened to our great country? Why is our middle-class becoming a non-existent class? It’s easy for each political party to point fingers at one another – it’s always easier to blame the other guy. Well, let’s stop this BS and take a deeper look into this problem.

Greed was the number one problem. Many Americans lived for today and never really thought about tomorrow. Millions of Americans used their homes as if they were ATM machines. One big problem: the machine ran out of money and the value and equity in these homes became negative. Americans borrowed money and charged their futures away. Charge card companies cut credit limits – then raised rates to give the consumer a second slap in the face. Payday advance companies popped up everywhere. It wasn’t bad enough that Americans were living paycheck to paycheck – we had to take an advance on our next paychecks.

Americans must step up to help themselves and this great country of ours. During the Olympics we cheer on our American teams. Whatever happed to cheering on American companies? Whatever happened to supporting local merchants and local products? Whatever happened to customer service - why do we have to call a foreign call center to bitch about an American company? What manufacturing companies are left in the United States? America cannot survive just by our service industries alone. We must manufacture goods in this country. Many younger Americans have little or no work ethic at all. Many get out of college and expect to receive a big fat paycheck for sitting in front of a computer screen.

Here are a few of my thoughts. First, each and every of us has the ability to change our lives. Bitching and living in the past gets us nowhere. Let today be the start of a new beginning. America is still a country where you can become anything you want to be, and you can start up and build any kind of company you want to create. Corporate America is broken. Try to name one company that can guaranty you a job for life. The first cuts companies make to reduce expenses are the employees – both white collar and blue collar – that helped these companies reap their fortunes.

We must all take a look back to the past to find the solutions for the future. Start thinking about our parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. What did they start with? Many came to this country with nothing more than a suitcase. One thing they did have was a dream, and they knew that America was a country that allowed them to work hard and make that dream a reality. This opportunity is still there today.

There are over 15 million Americans on the unemployment lines. Sorry to say, there are not enough jobs to cover this number of unemployed people. But let’s take another look at this number. Let’s adjust our attitudes, and think of the opportunity that lies out there for these unemployed Americans. There are currently 12.6 million Americans considering starting a new business venture of their own; as simple as a small home based business, or as large as a manufacturing business. Large or small, the opportunity still exists in our country. People need to take advantage of this economy before it’s too late. Yes, you heard me right, take advantage of this economy. Adjust your crappy attitude; look at the opportunities that lie out there. Many of America’s largest corporations started in a down economy, Hyatt Corp, Burger King, IHOP Corp, The Jim Henson Company, Fed Ex Corp, Microsoft Corp, CNN, GE, and HP, to name a few. These companies all started with a dream. We hold ourselves back by not dreaming, and if we dream we may dream too small. Americans must start dreaming again. Americans must adjust their attitudes. Americans must look forward , but also take a look back and remember what built this great country of ours. Open your minds to the opportunity that lies out there.

Today is the day to start thinking and dreaming. Today is the day to take control of your life. If you hate your job or your career, you have the ability to make this change. I’m not saying quit your job today. I’m not telling you to go tell your boss to go shove it. I’m saying open your minds, adjust your attitude and explore all the opportunities. Start your own new venture, buy an existing business, or even buy a franchise. Don’t make up excuses like “I have no money” or “I don’t know how to start”, and don’t listen to the naysayers around you. Where there is a will there is a way. Don’t be afraid of failure – over 40% of the world’s successful businessmen have gone bankrupt in business at least twice. Each time they fall, they pick themselves up and learn from their mistakes. The only way to succeed to is to try. I would rather see someone try and fail, than have never tried and then wonder, “what if?”

Today is the perfect time to start a new venture. If you need an office, warehouse, or a retail store front, rents are very affordable. If you need employees, the talent pool has never been better. When the time comes to market your business, advertising rates are at a very affordable rate, and with social marketing, even the little guy can afford to jump into the marketing race. Social marketing puts the little guy on the same playing field as the large corporations. Many large companies have failed – opening up opportunities for new and small companies.

America was built by small business and entrepreneurs. It will – and must – happen again. Let’s all start today! Call your local newspaper, your local TV station, your local radio stations and ask them to highlight a small business in your area, to report more upbeat stories, to bring us more information on business start ups. Stop showing long lines at job fairs, where thousands of people are in line for just a couple dozen jobs. Start helping America and Americans dream again. Our great country is down, but not out. Please share this message to all your friends. Let’s start growing America and the American spirit again! Let’s adjust our attitudes – and the attitudes of the people around us. Let’s tell our families that everything will be OK. Let’s make the next decade a decade that will change America’s future – starting right now in 2010. Let’s rekindle the great American spirit. We have no choice but to make this change.

May this year be the year that starts bringing smiles back to American faces. Let Americans and America lead the world to a brighter future. May this be the year and decade that allows anyone, no matter what age, race, or religion, the opportunity to better their lives. May the world’s economy grow. And most of all, may there be peace on earth.

Happy New Year,

Paul Bensman

—

If you’ve ever thought buying a franchise was something you’d like to consider, you owe it to yourself to talk with an expert like our affiliate, Mark Cory from FranNet.  Mark is one of the professionals who make Details in Retail the one-stop shop for starting, buying or marketing a business in Metro Detroit. 

Mark presents free seminars every month to help would-be entrepreneurs explore their options and make the decisions that are right for them.  If you’ve ever wondered about whether buying a franchise is the right career choice for you, sign up for one of Mark’s seminars or webinars – or contact him by phone or e-mail for a personal consultation.  Here’s a little more about what Mark offers:

“Many of Those That Thought About it in the Past Have Decided That NOW is the Time to Plunge Into Business Ownership” Mark Cory

Free Seminar in Troy

Sure, economic times are tough here in Michigan, but astute entrepreneurs are realizing that NOW could be the best time to start a business. Seeing glimmers of hope for a recovery, and the availability and affordability of labor and real estate, they’re deciding that action beats waiting. This leads a lot of folks to the free local consulting services offered by Mark D. Cory of FranNet Detroit. He works with over 100 pre-screened franchises in a variety of industries and investment levels (starting at $50K), and he helps individuals make the right franchise choice based on their own personal criteria. Cory also presents free seminars to educate audiences on franchising basics, and enlighten them as to the array of choices and how to safely research viable options and select the right one.

Arlene Dalida, who with her husband, Michael, just launched an Aussie Pet Mobile (home pet grooming services) franchise in western Wayne County, decided that 2009 was her year. “Mark Cory has been a great resource and network contact for me for several years,” said Dalida. “I first met Mark while researching business opportunities after a corporate downsizing event.  While I did not move forward with a franchise business at that time, we stayed in touch, and I recently came back to Mark to revisit the franchise market.  This time, I decided to make the move to entrepreneurship. Mark Cory is a consummate professional, working through a genuine desire to help others find career options appropriate for them.  He has an ability to help one build self awareness, critical when making life-changing decisions, and demonstrates high integrity in his approach to his clients and his franchise businesses partners.  Working with the deep franchise network offerings in the FranNet organization, he can match interests, skills, and financial needs to provide many entrepreneurial options. His impressive corporate credentials bring a broad business knowledge that help navigate the discovery process, coordinating next steps and keeping the process true to the client’s timetable.”

FranNet is presenting Franchise Ownership seminars in December, open to the public, to help people decide if NOW is the time, and to lay the groundwork for a safer approach to making the right decision:

Wednesday, December 9 (10 a.m.-12 p.m.) at the offices of Derderian, Kann, Seyferth, & Salucci (DKSS), CPAs in Troy (3001 W. Big Beaver, Ste. 700; SW corner of Coolidge & Big Beaver). Mark Cory of FranNet will present “Careers in Franchise Ownership”. Attendees will learn franchising basics and a safer approach to the search and selection process. This seminar will also feature, Bill Bork, Tax Manager at DKSS, discussing business start-up and tax tips. FREE.  To register for the event, call Mark Cory at 313-821-5060 or e-mail mcory@frannet.com.

A brief outline of the topics covered in the “Careers in Franchise Ownership” seminar:

1. General discussion of the reasons that compel individuals to start their own business in the first place.
2. How franchising can provide a desirable alternative to traditional employment by reducing the risk of ownership to an acceptable level through proven business systems, comprehensive training and ongoing support.
3. Basic information on franchising, including the range of industry categories, investment levels and fees.
4. The legal regulations governing franchising that protect the buyer.
5. A strategic approach to defining your personal business model, quantifying your returns and safely researching and selecting the business opportunity that’s right for you.
6. A brief overview of FranNet’s no-fee, no-obligation consulting service is also provided.

              
FranNet, the world’s oldest and most respected group of franchise consultants, has been helping people find the right franchise fit for over 22 years and is franchise system itself! Mark Cory, owner of the Detroit area franchise, was been elected by his peers to serve on Franchise Advisory Council, and recently completed a two-year term. FranNet is the ONLY group of franchise consultants who operate solely in their own protected territories, uniquely qualifying them to serve the people of their communities.

Since its inception in 1987, FranNet has enjoyed an ongoing relationship with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In fact, the SBA and FranNet recently created and co-sponsored an online franchising training course, making FranNet the first and only franchise consulting group to partner with the SBA in franchise education initiatives. The introduction to franchising course, Franchising Basics, is a free online seminar which provides three key sections that examine more than 10 essential areas relating to franchising, including category options, strategies for growth, and pitfalls to avoid.  Course participants will be able to better understand franchising and decide if it is the best small business option for them.
 
Mark Cory, who brought more than 25 years of business management experience to the FranNet Detroit office, knows that investing in a business can be a fearful decision, so he has designed local seminars that will help attendees determine if business ownership is the right path for them, and to discover the wide range of investment levels and categories. Audiences will learn how franchising can reduce the risk of business ownership, thereby providing a desirable alternative to traditional employment. They will also receive plenty of facts and insight on small business, the benefits of franchising, the breadth of opportunities available, the range of start-up costs, and the safe process for investigating and determining which franchise best matches their own personal vision and preferences.

“Assisting the people of Michigan in achieving their dreams of business ownership and an improved lifestyle is extremely rewarding,” says Cory. With many franchise opportunities to choose from in a multitude of industries, I am able to guide clients through the process of finding the right fit based on his/her interests, goals, and resources,” Cory added.

As owner/operator of FranNet Detroit, Cory has successfully helped dozens of aspiring entrepreneurs discover the best franchise fit for them.

Cory is also available, by appointment, for one-on-one consultations with those who are serious about taking the next steps toward finding the RIGHT franchise fit. His services are provided on a no-fee, no-obligation basis.

Before joining FranNet, Cory served as senior vice president for Olympia Entertainment, Inc., the management company for Joe Louis Arena, Cobo Arena, the Fox Theatre, The Second City-Detroit, Hockeytown Cafe, Comerica Park and various restaurant and retail establishments, including several franchise concepts. His duties included oversight of finance, information services, marketing, public relations, group sales, new media/publishing, creative services, and new business development.

Cory earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with Distinction, from the University of Michigan. Upon graduation, he spent three years as a CPA with Ernst & Whinney in Detroit. He has also served as a school board member and pension fund trustee. Cory is currently a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Small Business Advisory Council and Ambassador Committee.

—

“If you don’t run your own life, somebody else will.”  John Atkinson

Are you tired of someone else running your life? Learn how to take control by attending one or more of our November events. At FranNet,  we’ve designed educational seminars and a personalized consulting service to help people like you determine if franchising is the right path.

Here’s a summary of the upcoming local seminars, all offered without charge:

“Careers in Franchise Ownership”

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Offices of Derderian, Kann, Seyferth & Salucci, CPAs
3001 W. Big Beaver, Suite 700
(just west of Coolidge, south side of Big Beaver)
Troy, Michigan

In addition to FranNet Seminar, Bill Bork, CPA of DKSS, will discuss business start-up and tax planning tips!

Thursday, November 12, 2009
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Offices of Rehmann Group, CPAs
39300 Twelve Mile Road, Suite 100
(just east of Haggerty, north side of Twelve Mile)
Farmington Hills, Michigan

In addition to FranNet Seminar, a Rehmann Advisor will discuss business start-up and tax planning tips, and getting money from those who have it!

Please reserve space by calling (313) 821-5060 or e-mail mcory@frannet.com  (please include your phone number and how you learned about the event)

These “Careers in Franchise Ownership” seminars are great opportunities to get some franchising basics, including the array of categories and investment levels available (starting at around $50K), and how to go about defining your own personal vision, matching that up with viable choices, and conducting proper due diligence to make sure your selecting the RIGHT fit for YOU!

For more information, visit www.michiganfranchiseforum.com

Want to get started NOW?
Click on www.frannet.com/mcory/cq and complete your Confidential Personal Franchise Assessment. Your results will come directly to me, and then I’ll contact you to discuss the next steps in your search.

Mark D. Cory
Franchise Placement Specialist
Cory Development, Inc., dba FranNet Detroit
14950 E. Jefferson, Suite 170
Grosse Pointe, MI 48230
313-821-5060 PH    313-821-5906 FAX
mcory@frannet.com   www.frannet.com
Learn about our upcoming educational events at
www.michiganfranchiseforum.com

—

Elizabeth Cusulas
Details In Retail

You’ve just started a small business with your spouse, a friend or a few family members.  Everyone is enthusiastic and the creative juices are flowing.  You don’t want to reign in all this energy with something as “old fashioned” as an organizational chart, right? 

Wrong.

I’m currently working with a small business startup that’s a prime example of why you need to set levels of responsibility and authority from the very beginning.   This business is working with an experienced web design team.  The web site is vital to their marketing launch.  After several revisions, they have a design that all the partners have approved – except one.  Now this important project is on hold – indefinitely – while they try to resolve a basic problem: no one is in charge.  There’s no pre-defined mechanism for settling disagreements and moving forward.  They are stuck. 

In an effort to avoid conflict or potential hurt feelings at the onset, many small business owners set themselves up for failure at critical moments down the line.  They fail to address a key element in any business structure: for any task, someone has to be ultimately responsible for getting the task done and someone must have the authority to make final decisions.  Without these simple guidelines, your business will keep tripping over itself.  Even if you only have two people in your business, you still need to define who does what – and who has the final say. 

Erin Duckhorn offers excellent advice in this post on the E-Myth Blog , including these 4 tips:

Four Tips To Creating Your Organization Chart

1. There is no box on the chart labeled “Owner.” If you are an owner, you need to occupy one or more boxes on the chart and play by the same rules you would have for any other employee.
2. Every position on the chart reports to one (and only one) manager. Giving two or more managers the power to direct the activities of one employee is an invitation to miscommunication and chaos.
3. Make sure you divide up the work according to what the business needs. Don’t try to design a position to fit the particular talents of one individual. If (when) that person leaves, you’ll have to start all over with a new chart because you won’t be able to find a replacement. 
4. Instead of using titles, designate positions in terms of the results they will obtain.

Wikipedia’s  overview of Organizational Charts -  is a good resource for information on different types of organizational charts. 

If you don’t have an organizational chart for your business, make the time to do it now.  If you have an organizational chart, take another look and make sure it reflects your current business model.  If you want your business to run as smoothly as possible, everyone must understand their responsibilities and how decisions are made.  Your organizational chart is the first step toward that goal.

—

Mark Cory
FranNet

Web-based Seminars from the Comfort of Your Home or Office:

“Careers in Franchise Ownership”

Thursday, November 12, 2009
8:00 PM to 9:30 PM

and

Thursday, November 19, 2009
9:30 AM to 11:00 PM

Learn franchising basics, including the array of categories and investment levels available (starting at around $50K), and how to go about defining your own personal vision, matching that up with viable choices, and conducting proper due diligence to make sure your selecting the RIGHT fit for YOU!

“Spotlight: Co-Branded Auto Repair and Quick Oil Change Franchise Opportunity”

Wednesday, November 4, 2009
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Discover this co-branded opportunity which carries significant name recognition while providing a proven business and traffic generation system. NO automotive experience required. This company seeks high energy individuals who will enjoy the retail aspect of the business, and relish the concept of owning and operating a local, community-based business.

“Funding Options for Your Franchise Investment”
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Includes discussion of how to leverage your 401K/IRA funds to capitalize your business.

“Light Manufacturing Business Opportunity”
Thursday, November 19, 2009
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

This is a unique, business-to-business opportunity for marketing/sales professionals or project managers. The Company provides the training, support and operating systems, much like a franchise, yet has NO ROYALTIES and NO RULES!

 For log-on info, call 313-821-5060 or e-mail mcory@frannet.com (please include your phone number, how you learned about the events, and which of the web-based event(s) you’d like to participate in)
For more information, visit www.michiganfranchiseforum.com

FranNet has enjoyed an ongoing relationship with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) since our inception in 1987. Recently, the SBA and FranNet created and co-sponsored a brief, online franchising training course, making FranNet the first and only franchise consulting group to partner with the SBA in franchise education initiatives.

To access Franchising Basics, click here: SBA & FranNet

Franchise Network (FranNet) has been helping individuals make the RIGHT franchise choice for over 22 years. Our consulting services are provided on a NO FEE, NO OBLIGATION basis. By learning as much as we can about our clients’ background, skills, preferences, personality, goals and budget through our proprietary online assessment tool and a face-to-face consultation, we are able to match them with appropriate business opportunities, and then coach them through the research and selection process in a safe and professional environment. FranNet, a franchise system itself, is the ONLY group of franchise consultants who operate exclusively in protected LOCAL territories, uniquely qualifying us to best serve the people of our communities.

Think an existing business might be a safer bet for you? Visit our NEW website, www.resaleyourfranchise.com.

Call or Email us today!
Mark D. Cory
Franchise Placement Specialist
Cory Development, Inc., dba FranNet Detroit
14950 E. Jefferson, Suite 170
Grosse Pointe, MI 48230
313-821-5060 PH    313-821-5906 FAX
mcory@frannet.com   www.frannet.com
Learn about our upcoming educational events at
www.michiganfranchiseforum.com

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Should I Wait for Goverment Healthcare or Purchase My Own?

Some Americans are risking going without health insurance in anticipation of a Government Healthcare Plan, although forgetting that one feature seems to have escaped notice.  How long it will take for us to actually have our “government-option health insurance” once the bill passes into law?

A recent article from the October 21, 2009 National Center for Policy Analysis states “Proponents claim we need reform now to solve an immediate health care crisis, yet the current bill will not actually provide any health care until 2013 at the earliest.”

So the real issue lies in our willingness to risk our financial stability should a serious illness or accident occur, leaving us with expensive medicals bills and potential loss of income.  At least we know when to expect to get our “government healthcare” should our government pass the bill into law. 

Bottom line, healthcare reform is needed, but in the meantime can you afford to go without health insurance?

Here’s a list of typical health insurance premiums available in the state of Michigan. 

Typical  Monthly Health  Insurance  Premiums

Singles
Age 18 – 30    $60 – $155
Age 31 – 45    $85 – $225

Couples
Age 18 – 30    $105 – $250
Age 31 – 45    $160 – $340

Families & Age 45+    $185 – $450+

More information is available at www.niaagency.com, or feel free to call the company’s regional benefit advisor, Ronald Freeman, at (888) 779-3604.

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