Social Media is Hot, Hot, Hot right now and if you are not on the social media bandwagon you better jump on because this is where business is happening.

Twitter doubles in size every 90 days.  Facebook has over 450,000 new people sign up every day.  The fastest growing population on Facebook is the 50+ and older generation.  Isn’t that crazy?

The average person reads 6 Blogs per day. 

18-34 year olds spend 40% of their free time on Social Media.

Are you ensuring that your business is out there for all of these people to see?

Do you need to achieve business goals and are not sure how to go about it?  Try more networking! 
 
Networking is defined as an extended group of people with similar interests or concerns who interact and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support.  The goal of effective networking is, ultimately, to achieve a positive outcome.  However, sometimes it can take a while to get there.  In order to get what you want, try to remember to “give first” to others to help satisfy their goals.  It will come back to you. 
 
What can networking do for you?  It can establish new contacts, build alliances and partnerships, facilitate business transactions, help you gain insight and knowledge, provide access to needed resources, and leverage the collective purchasing power.

Some networking groups you might join are your local Chamber of Commerce, Business and Networking International (also known as BNI), Business and Professional Women (yes, both men and women can join this), eWomenNetwork, Toastmasters or other networking groups in your area.  If you do not know if these groups are established in your area, do a bit of research, and call your existing contacts in your community.  This is a great way to begin your networking, by networking for information.
 
Once you have found a networking group, always remember the golden rule “give first to others.”  Always think of others when networking.  If you know of someone who could use a certain service or product, give that person a referral and connect them.  You will be networking with others who will support you. 
 
If you are not used to networking, take small steps.  Often you are permitted to attend a networking group at least twice before you must make a decision to join.  This way you’ll have time to determine if you have a strong connection with that group.

Small steps will lead you to bigger steps that will ultimately achieve your goals.

Definition:  quality characterized by honesty, reliability, and fairness, developed in a relationship over time. Customers and clients have much more confidence when dealing with a business when they can rely on the representations made.

I heard some good descriptions of integrity this past weekend but the definition above really describes it.  Does your business have integrity? 

Make sure your business is reliable, honest and fair.  You will go farther if these qualities are engrained in you and your employees. 

If you are just starting out in your business or have been doing it for a while we all know how important bookkeeping is.  For the first few years of my business I struggled with my bookkeeping.  But I always thought “I can do this myself.”   Was that a sign of a good entrepreneur?  Always wanting to do it “myself?”  I don’t think so. 

As a good entrepreneur you must delegate what you cannot and will not do.  You see I found out that I would not keep my books.  When my new current bookkeeper asked for my daily register I said “I don’t have one.”  She about fell over!  Once she took over and showed me where my expenses were going and how I could cut certain expenses I started following her advice.  And guess what?  I do now.  I know exactly where every dollar is going and where every dollar is spent. 

For me it is some of the best money I have spent for the hiring of my bookkeeper.  Judy – shouts out to you!  Thank you for keeping me in line and keeping my finances in line. 

Are you able to say the same about your bookkeeper?  If not check into different ones and if you need a referral I am pleased to give one.

YEARS ago, we had a speaker at our event, Maximizing Success, and his name was T. Harv Eker. He shared THE JAR SYSTEM with all of us that day, and it changed many peoples’ lives regarding money. Whenever I find something that is good information AND life-changing, I think it is MY responsibility to share it.

Here’s how it works. Divide your money between 6 jars, and label the jars as follows:

1. Financial freedom account (FFA): This jar is for your financial freedom. Each month, put 10% of your income in this jar. Money you put in this jar can be used to invest, start a business, create a passive income stream, etc.
2. Necessities (NEC): Put 55% of your income in this jar for your necessities. It’s for things like paying bills, food, necessary clothing, etc.
3. Long term saving for spending (LTSS): Put 10% in this jar. You may have more than one LTSS jar. It’s for things like a plasma TV, your family vacation, contingency fund, your children’s education, etc. If you have more than one LTSS, divide the 10% between the jars according to your priority.
4. Education (EDU): The 10% that goes in this jar is for your own education. It could be used to attend seminars, buy books, etc. Basically, it’s for your continuing education and learning.
5. Play: Allocate 10% of your income for you to have guilt-free fun. Use it to go to a fancy restaurant you’ve been eyeing, or get a massage at a spa. Just do something fun. Let your inner child play.
6. Giving (GIV): Allocate 5% of your income to give to charity. If you want to allocate 10% for giving, take 5% off your NEC jar.

Many people think, ‘But I don’t have money. I’m barely getting by. How can I manage money if I don’t have money?’ If you’re one of those people, that is exactly why you need to use this jar system. If you have very little money, you can start by dividing $1 between the jars. The amount you put in the jars doesn’t matter. It’s the habit of managing money that’s important.

So find yourself a few jars, and start dividing whatever money comes in, into the jars. Mark your calendar 6 months from now–see if it changed your life and thoughts about money.

Hope you enjoy the exercise!

Patricia
www.patriciadrain.com

P.S.
Just a reminder that we will be launching lots of new products and programs soon, so watch for them.

P.P.S.
Ezine readers, I need your help…  I have a client in San Francisco that has a seasoned staffing company for sale.. Know anyone? Email me patricia@patriciadrain.com if you do.