April 6th, 2010


Is There a Carry Back in Your Future?

From a recent, very informative, Money.com article: "Sick of sending big checks to the IRS? For some business owners, this tax season will bring a rare reversal: A stimulus-fueled tax change is putting cash back into the pockets of qualifying entrepreneurs...Hewitt took advantage of a tax maneuver called "loss carryback." When a business books a profit, it pays income tax on its earnings. But if the business then turns a loss in later years, tax rules allow the business to "carry back" its loss and deduct the money from earlier profits. By filing an amended tax return for the earlier, profitable year, the business can claim an immediate refund on the taxes it paid."  

Please see: Carry Back - Money.CNN Article



First Impressions


Sales/marketing, public relations and executive training gurus advise that "You never get a second chance to make a good first impression." In the world of e-marketing, that translates to: "Remember, the subject line of your e-mail is the first thing the recipient sees. It should be a tiny summary of what's in the body of the e-mail. Anything else and your message might get overlooked, passed over, or just plain ignored."

Please see: Email Marketing Tips - PCWorld Article

Action Item: Call (813) 321-1300 today for help with Email Marketing strategies.



Know and Nurture Your Primary Customer

"With great challenge comes great opportunity and as a small business there are many advantages to surviving and succeeding during recession. Small businesses are agile and able to move and respond to the times much quicker and more efficiently than larger businesses. The question is where to focus first and what to do as a business owner. First of all, and this certainly holds true during any economy, before looking into how to position and rebrand your business and offerings, ensure you have a solid understanding of your primary customer. This does not mean stop at the surface by understanding general trends such as geographic reach and general household income, but take the time and effort to understand what your customers face during this time, how they are affected and how their habits may have shifted and changed. With this insight, you can reach out to your customer in a much more meaningful way and gain increased awareness of how you can position your business to stay relevant."  This relatively brief article offers a number of very practical suggestions regarding how to frame and present your product(s)/service(s) message for maximum customer/client impact.

Please see: Positioning Your Brand - BizJournals Article

Action Item: Call (813) 321-1300 today for help with Branding strategies.

Marketing and Advertising in the Current Environment

When the going gets tough, maybe it is time to adjust your marketing strategy and/or tactics. Steve McKee, president of a firm that specializes in helping stalled companies rekindle growth, is the author of the new book, When Growth Stalls. It has received favorable reviews from successful people in a wide variety of businesses.

Please see: When Growth Stalls - BusinessWeek Article

Action Item: Call (813) 321-1300 today for help with Marketing and Advertising strategies.

Read Any Good Marketing Books Lately?

In a recent BusinessWeek article enitled "Essential Reading for Marketers" a regular contributor to BW, and self-made President of a firm that specializes in helping stalled companies rekindle growth, lists the business books that were most influential in his branding, marketing and advertising self-education. Some are very well known standards and the others may surprise you.                  

Please see: Essential Reading for Marketers - BusinessWeek Article

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