Business Plan Experts Explain Their Thinking

http://northcoastsbdc.org/

SANDY NEAL, expert on business plans is a mentor at the NORTH COAST SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER

I began visiting Sandy Neal when I built my first website. After multiple visits to the office and several websites later, he remains one of my favorite resources when I have a business question.
MOLLOY: What is the purpose of a business plan?
NEAL: Do you want the short answer or the long one?
MOLLOY: Can we do medium? I need some meat on the bones, but it is a short blog format.
NEAL: OK, the idea of a business plan is to explain to yourself and others, potential financiers, family,...how you expect to actually make some money with your idea.
MOLLOY: I  know you teach courses and classes, can you sum up for me?
NEAL: I have an 8-step approach.
1) It is a path to your success
2) It is a framework for your research, & an aid to identify target markets
3) It will help formulate marketing strategies
4) It will identify & assess competitors
5) It will create risk analysis & mitigation
6) It helps to develop assumptions for sales projections
7) It is the foundation for financial statements
8) It will determine your potential profit

Several years ago the North Coast Small Business Resource Center had a workshop of Women Entrepreneurs. One of the guest speakers was Rhonda Abrams, an author who was a gracious person with several successful books on consulting. I found her on facebook, & asked her how she got started.

www.facebook.com/rhondaabramssmallbusiness

MOLLOY: What triggered the writing of your first book on business planning?
ABRAMS: I was a business plan consultant when I was approached about writing a guide to developing business plans. This was before the Internet and it was hard to find info (still is tough to find really good, qualified info!) and the few books on business plans were terrible. There was, I believe one business plan software package that was a "fill in the blanks" approach that didn't help entrepreneurs grow SUCCESSFUL businesses. So I wrote a book that I wanted when I started out. 
I wanted to help entrepreneurs understand their strategic, competitive position - what would make them succeed and last over the long run. I'm THRILLED that my book has helped millions of people launch businesses - and I hear from so many about their successes.

Rhonda Abrams has been guiding entrepreneurs and small business owners for over 20 years. As CEO of her own small business, THE PLANNING SHOP, she's sold over one millions books.
Titles include: SUCCESSFUL MARKETING,  Secrets & Strategies  and SIX-WEEK START-UP  

                  
 

Civility Promoted Through Ballroom Dance

PortDevaDesigns

Civility
Promoted
Through
Ballroom 
Dance 

Lessons taught in Ballroom Dance Class then translate to how we behave in society. (An interview with Debbie Weist & Peggy Molloy)

MOLLOY: When did you develop an interest in social dancing?

WEIST: I discovered Ballroom dance as a Dance Major at the University of Northern Colorado.

MOLLOY: How do you approach teaching etiquette within the bounds of your classes?

WEIST: Social dancing requires respectfulness with your partner in order to move smoothly and effectively. Also the dance starts with the invitation and includes how you move together on and off the dance floor, which involves social etiquette. I include this in all my classes when appropriate.

MOLLOY: Are you developing local (Humboldt County) teams that could compete?

WEIST: I am starting a Youth Ballroom class this month that could lead to a competitive team. I currently have an adult performance team.

MOLLOY: It is often difficult to find a trained male partner.

WEIST: I am fortunate to have an excellent male dance partner, Justin Golnik, to demonstrate classwork. His background includes team and solo competitions and cotillions in Los Angeles. 

MOLLOY: I know you have a website. Could you tell me the range of dance styles now available?

WEIST: American style tango, waltz, foxtrot, rumba, cha cha, samba, bolero, merengue, 'on one' salsa, East & West coast swing, hustle, and nightclub two-step.

Weist & Golnik

   Http://www.dancewithdebbie.biz  

Speaking of talent, grace is a manner of moving but can also be witnessed via a person's state of mind. Cultivating ourselves brings us reading to enhance our journey.
Recently a friend mentions THE TALENT CODE as a format to manifest the gifts we have been given.

"This is a remarkable--even inspiring--book. Daniel Coyle (author) has woven observations from brain research, behavioral research, and real-world training into a conceptual tapestry of genuine importance."...Dr. Robert Bjork, Distinguished Professor and Chair of Psychology, UCLA.

The Talent Code, written by Daniel Coyle, Published by Bantam 2009.
Http://thetalentcode.com 
 

ARTS MANAGEMENT UNIVERSALLY DONE

GOETHE INSTITUT PAKISTAN

arts management network
an interview with dirk heinze & peggy molloy 

MOLLOY: After receiving your newsletter for several years, I would like to ask you where your firm "Arts Management Network" is located?

HEINZE: We are located in Weimar, Germany. Our company was founded in 2002/2003.

MOLLOY: What is your company's story? (Http://www.artsmanagement.net)

HEINZE: Our company would not exist without the Internet. Our services are all designed to function online.

MOLLOY:  What are the basics?

HEINZE: We have three basic services on a subscription basis, online advertising, or digital journalism at two electronic magazines and two websites.

MOLLOY: What has been the most significant trend you have witnessed?

HEINZE: The most significant trend is the recent shift from one-way-communication to prosumption with the Web 2.0.

MOLLOY: Please explain.

HEINZE: The users themselves create content, and as we do the same, the result of sharing this content permanently at a global stage, is the added value of an online community.  

MOLLOY: May I have an example?

VERLANG DER TAGESSPIEGEL  BERLIN

HEINZE: We had a cultural management conference in Berlin. Academics, industry, society and
politics fuse together with new trends with new stakeholders in the process.

MOLLOY: I noticed another notice from an organization called MUSIC CHINA.  It appears you have arts-related news from the entire globe. The article states that Music China is Asia Pacific's leading music event. 

There are many different notes to choose from including an article about THE RESOURCE ALLIANCE, which is an international fundraising congress. Editing has become a clearer discipline for anyone putting out information.

As an observer, it appears that most editors and web mavens believe that they are in a fast forward mode and everything and everyone needs to catch up to them, it is possible that the digital trend-setters are just now able to catch up to our ancient global language that the visual and performing arts represent.

John Naisbitt, author of MEGATRENDS has a new book out titled HIGH TECH HIGH TOUCH.
For those of us who believe in a spiritual knowledge based upon universal principles of sacred and ethical living, Naisbitt's examination of the fabulous and the devastating are perched within the framework of contemporary technology. Again, religious people have been aware of a higher order for centuries, to be understood by technocrats in their terms,... is what makes this news. 

 Http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2012/05/book-review-high-tech-high-touch-customer-service

Future of publishing industry lies in technology

www.schillerinstitute.org

                                                                                               
BUG PRESS
is well-known in Humboldt County 
as the printing shop of choice. Established is 1972, it is privately held. 
Bug Press features commercial printing & lithographic services. 
ROBERT ARENA, owner, is highly articulate making him a great interview candidate.

MOLLOY: What is the biggest shift in the industry that you have noticed since you began?

ARENA: The technology and methods of delivering messages has changed with the advent of the internet and digital printing. While there has been democratization in this delivery, the education toward effectiveness is lacking.

MOLLOY: In your opinion, what does the future hold for the publishing industry?

ARENA: Publishing would deal with books and magazines. These materials now can be made in editions of one in print or just as interactive electronic documents.  We are in our infancy, only starting to see how this new paradigm will open possibilities.
It is very exciting. There is a rising need for individual books that can not be met by video displays, a push back to our increasingly impersonal technological world.

MOLLOY: What projects are you currently working on?

www.bugpress.com

ARENA: Up on the wall right now we have the program for "The Nutcracker Suite", an annual for the NORTH COAST DANCE. We also print up specialty jobs for local artists. The artists may not be able to sell a larger piece, but they can always sell a beautifully made card, printed on good stock, with a print-on-demand agreement. 

MOLLOY: I know of several fine art photographers who are dedicated to your diligence to give a good product. Thank you for doing such a great job on the program of the Eureka Symphony, in which I had placed an ad.

I had the opportunity to tour the Bug Press facilities located in Arcata, CA. Arena was a gracious host and stressed how much he enjoyed having visitors come by and check out the process.

For my own edification I searched Http://www.thedocumentacademy.org. 

Should a writer, artist, or group in need of a program, book or online marketing feedback for direct mailing efforts, Bug Press is sure to please. It is pleasure to watch a business develop and prosper knowing it had endured so many growing pains, shifting its emphasis and services as the industry has changed.