October 2011

The Grapevine Newsletter    

IN THIS ISSUE
Networking Events
Jumpstart Your Business
Networking Tip
Newsworthy...
Extra, Extra!

 Richard Associates specializes in results-oriented marketing efforts. 

 

 

NETWORKING EVENTS

  

 

Lower Bucks Chamber
Percolator Meeting
Thursday, Oct. 13
8-9:15 am   
RSVP: LBCCC 
 

Lower Bucks Chamber

Business Card Exchange

Wednesday, Oct. 19

4:30-6:30 pm

RSVP: LBCCC

 

Central Bucks Chamber

Business Card Exchange

Thursday, Oct. 20

5-7 pm

For more info: CBCC

 

PA Conference for Women

PA Convention Center 

Tuesday, Oct. 25

7:30 am-5 pm

For more info: PAConf  

  
Day for All Women Conference
 BCCC Newtown Campus
Saturday, Nov. 5
7 am-3 pm 
For more info: DFAW

 

QUICK LINKS

Greetings!

 

The weather is getting cooler and the leaves are changing. It's time to join in the fall rituals...football games, festivals, pumpkins, mums, and Halloween.

 

It's also 4th quarter and time to start refining your business goals and planning for next year.

 

I've been working on our new website, along with Lenore Suhanec of Pink Sky Studios. It's bright and colorful, and will be easier to navigate. Look for the launch in the next few weeks!

 

The new seminar series presented by Richard Associates covers networking, marketing and other business topics to help you succeed. Mark your calendar! Our seminars will be held on Oct. 18, Nov. 3 and Nov. 15. The details for these presentations are outlined in the Newsworthy section below. I hope you will be able to join us!

 

At Richard Associates, we specialize in business and image consulting as well as marketing program execution to help make your business as effective and successful as it can be.

 

This newsletter includes ways to manage your time more effectively. There's also a list of local networking events, a networking tip, some extras, and details about our new seminar series. Enjoy!

 

Best regards,

Susan Richard
 
P.S. Our seminar series is focused on networking, marketing and other business topics to help you succeed. Register today!
Jumpstart Your Business


Time Is Money
 

 

Do you feel like you never have enough time in the day? As you know, time is money. So if you're not using it in the best way possible, you may not be as wealthy as you'd like.  "Wealthy" could mean having the money to do what you like, or the freedom to do what you love. Try some of the tips for time management outlined below. And, maybe it's time to hire someone to help.

 

Organize Yourself

Start out by organizing yourself and your surroundings. Create daily to-do lists that include both personal and professional tasks. Then, fill-in your calendar. There's only so much time in the day. Develop timelines or schedules for your business prmoneyojects to stay on course. 

 

Clean and straighten your desk and shelves. Organize files by client or vendor and label them consistently, so they can be easily accessed. Create templates for processes that are done frequently. As a visual cue, color-code priorities such as red for urgent items, green for financial, blue for items to be done by the end of the week.

 

Plus, don't forget to keep receipts organized in a box or envelope for your tax records.

 

Bundle Tasks

When developing your work plan, try to be as efficient as possible by bundling tasks. Only check emails every half-hour or hour, not each time a new message hits your inbox. This will keep you focused on your project. Set time aside to make phone calls, so that you get in a rhythm of talking to clients or vendors. Assign certain times of day for project work and block it out on your calendar. Schedule multiple client visits in the same area, so that your travel time between appointments is minimal. Try to do the same for your errands, so that you are going to the gas station, supermarket, and bank all in one trip.

 

Delegate Work

When possible, assign work to others in the office or hire outsourced resources for tasks that may not be your core business, such as accounting, graphic design, marketing, or website development. As a business owner, you can't always do everything yourself.

 

Reward Yourself

After you've worked hard, reward yourself. Do difficult tasks first while you have the energy and mindset to tackle them. As each portion is completed, take a break, go for a walk, or call a friend. Overall, take care of your health. Be sure to fit exercise into your daily schedule, and sleep 6-8 hours every night to be well-rested. If you're restless, keep a pen and paper next to your bed for random thoughts.

 

By increasing your productivity and efficiency, you put yourself in a better position to increase your wealth. 

Networking Tip

Cheers

beer glass

When you go to networking events, does it seem that everyone knows your name? While that means you're probably doing a great job of meeting people and creating relationships, it also means it's time to go to some new events and get out of your comfort zone.

 

Take time to research different organizations, chambers, and professional associations that take you to another town, county or city.

 

Don't be like Norm from Cheers and just stay in one place. Challenge yourself and try new venues for networking!

Newsworthy 
Seminar Series
Richard Associates has created an engaging seminar series focused on networking, marketing and other business topics.

 

Join us for:

 

Networking II: Making Connections and Building Your Referral Network

 

Do you know how to make connections that last and create a no-cost sales force that keeps business at your door? Susan Richard, MBA will show you how to use your time most effectively to find and connect with people who will help you succeed.

 

You will learn how to:
1. Find the best opportunities
2. Make quality connections
3. Create a referral network
 
Make the right connections today! Join us!

 

Tuesday, Oct. 18
Doylestown Hospital Health and Wellness Center, Warrington, PA
7:30 a.m. Registration
8:00-10:00 a.m. Program
$49 per person
$39 early-bird registration

 

Save when you register early!

 

          ________________________________________

 

Networking I: Successfully Promoting Yourself and Your Business
 
How do you walk into a room full of strangers and successfully promote your business? Susan Richard, MBA of Richard Associates Marketing Consulting will provide step-by-step directions to improve your networking skills and maximize your efforts.

 

You will learn how to:
1. Present yourself and your company
2. Create a "30-second commercial"
3. Make a favorable impression

  

This seminar is ideal for new grads, job seekers, entrepreneurs, and established businesspeople. Join us!

  

Thursday, Nov. 3
Doylestown Hospital Health and Wellness Center, Warrington, PA
7:30 a.m Registration
8:00-10:00 a.m. Program
$49 per person
$39 early-bird registration

 

Save when you register early!
 

              _______________________________________ 

 

Target Marketing: The Power of One-to-One Advertising
 
Is your advertising working for you? Get the most out of your marketing budget by knowing who your ideal customers are. Susan Richard, MBA of Richard Associates Marketing Consulting will discuss the key elements of target marketing and communicating with your customers effectively. 

 

You will learn how to:
1. Define your target markets
2. Focus your promotional efforts
3. Evaluate your target markets as your business changes

 

This seminar is ideal for new entrepreneurs and established business owners. Join us!

 

Tuesday, Nov. 15
Doylestown Hospital Health and Wellness Center, Warrington, PA
7:30 a.m Registration
8:00-10:00 a.m. Program
$49 per person
$39 early-bird registration

 

Save when you register early!

 

Enhance your skills...Improve your business!

Extra, Extra!
Relax 
Can you believe it? There's an app for that! Take a look at this Wall Street Journal article on apps that allow people to reduce distraction and relax.

 

Creativity and Failure 
The most successful creative people also fail the most. Read more about enhancing innovation in the workplace in this WSJ article.


Richard Associates...Your Marketing Partner

At Richard Associates, we provide customized marketing services to help you succeed. From advertising that works to seminars designed to enhance your professional skills to business consulting that focuses on your goals, our services are developed with your needs in mind.

 

We understand that marketing is an investment in your business. And, you'd like a return on that investment. That's why we focus on results-oriented efforts that measure your success.

 

We build client relationships into marketing partnerships. Working with you.

 

Call 215-595-8959  ·  Website www.richardassociates.net