Business success does not occur unless a systematic approach toward this goal exists.  Too many business owners assume if they offer a good product or service at a reasonable cost to the consumer, success will follow.  In today's market place it is no longer sufficient to rely just on price and product to realize business growth.

Three important strategies in a business operation will markedly affect the level of success realized in any enterprise.  Having specific practices that can actualize positive results for each one of these variables will greatly increase the level of success realized in a business.

A. Acquisition of Customers

First, who is the customer you want to attract to become a part of your client base.  Can you define who they are, and where you are most likely to find them?  What is your value statement you want to deliver to this group?  How do you differentiate your business from others within your industry?  Have you developed marketing and advertising that will capture your desired customer's attention?  What programs for a new customer are in place that are a call to action for them to do business with you?

R. Retention of Clients

Once a customer has become a member of your client base, what do you do to keep them?  Providing just a good product and price is no longer enough to have a client continue to vote for you with their checkbook.  They expect this at minimum - what you do beyond this is what will separate you from your competitors - good is not enough...exceptional, ah-hah experiences of your clients is needed to not only keep them, but to turn them into advocates for your business.  You have already invested in acquiring them as a client - you need to continue reinvesting in your client base so that with each interaction they leave knowing they are still convinced their best interest remains in doing business with you.  Your client cannot be taken for granted - remember they are the new customer a competitor is trying to acquire.

M. Managing Relationships

How a customer feels about doing business with you - what's the relationship they have with you- will determine how long they continue as a client than what your product or price is.  People are simply human and want to feel important with those they give their money to, treated well, and given efficiency as a resepctful reminder of their time.  The most important word in the human language is two letters long  - "Me" -  and every person has this internal value of themself within.  The successful business will connect to the "me" in their clients by developing a relationship that demonstrates a real appreciation for their customer, an understanding of their needs, and endeavor to continue nurturing this relationship far into the future.

The economic downturn may have sparked the increase, where victims lost upwards of $54 billion, a 12.5 percent increase. The number of consumers hit by fraud jumped for the second year in a row, to 11.1 million adults, the highest level since records were compiled since 2003.

The defrauders, many working out of Eastern European crime rings, are using more sophisticated methods. But criminals are still targeting wallets, checkbooks, credit cards and other physical identification carriers twice as often as they use computer viruses, phishing scams or other digital tricks.

The information is then used by thieves for in-person or online purchases, and use the data to shop over the phone or through mail. Some obtain health care or buy prepaid cards with the stolen names, birthdates or Social Security numbers; Cash from ATMs or writing checks are other avenues.

Last year, the number of new credit card accounts that were opened fraudulently shot up nearly 40 percent. Many victims said their stolen data had also been used to open cell phone accounts.

Identity theft can be as close as what you have in your wallet - leaving it unattended may result in the loss of your personal informtion being much more costly than any money stolen.

Does your auto insurance extend coverage to an accident in a vehicle with recalled parts?

The short answer to the most asked question is "yes," you will be covered if you drive a recalled model and you're in an accident. The wrinkle is that your insurer likely will go after the vehicle's manufacturer to pay the damage if the wreck was caused by a recalled part.

What's the insurance industry's current position on covering drivers of recalled vehicles?

Auto insurers say if a recalled part causes an accident, your car's liability or collision insurance will cover you.

If insurance investigators determine a faulty accelerator caused the crash, the insurer will pay the claim and turn to the manufacturer for reimbursement. If the insurer gets paid by the manufacturer, customers may get all or part of their deductible returned.

Recalled parts in and of themselves do not raise premiums.  How often the particular vehicle make & model is involved in accidents, the cost to repair and vehicle's repair location are determinants in a vehicle's base premium rating.

Most companies perform a cost analysis when they examine the expense of employing a person.  However, there are some companies that don't and they automatically believe that working a temporary or temporary-to-hire person is more expensive.  Factor in, on top of the wage/salary, the Workers Compensation, Unemployment Insurance and taxes.  Using an employee from a Staffing firm could cost less or approximately the same  as it is for a permanent employee.  Also, consider the money, and time, that is dedicated to advertising, recruitment and screening for an open position.  This adds on to the financial burden and delay when hiring someone.  You can expedite the hiring proccess by simply allowing a Staffing firm to find and screen qualified candidates.  Some companies do not have the personnel to handle the task of reviewing applications and resumes'.  A local manufacturing firm advertised for 3 open positions.  Over 1,000 people applied for these positions.  I recently heard of a Janitorial service that needed "experienced" Janitors.  Many of the applicants were cooks, landscapers, and others with no janitorial experience. 

As you can see, there are many advantages to using a Staffing firm.  Stop wasting time and money when you need qualified/screened candidates.

More than 22 million Americans suffer from cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the two leading causes of visual loss and blindness. Because cataracts require costly surgery and treatment options for AMD are currently limited, preventive measures play a particularly important role in maintaining good eye health.

Based on research by the National Eye Institute, in addition to countless clinical trials, studies and surveys, there is a positive correlation between good nutrition and the prevention of AMD and cataracts. Studies have suggested that by eating foods rich in six nutrients -- antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, beta carotene, vitamins C and E, and zinc -- you can protect your eyes from disease. In other words, healthy eating habits can mean healthy eyes.

So, what type of foods are EYE HEALTHY? If you are familiar with the link between carrots and good eye health, then you have done some homework. Let’s explore other foods that can benefit your eyes. These are foods that contain the six key nutrients for eye health.

Most fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamin C, including oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, papaya, green peppers and tomatoes.

Vitamin E is more difficult to obtain from food sources, since it is found in very small quantities. However, good food sources include vegetable oils (safflower and corn oil), almonds, pecans, wheat germ and sunflower seeds.

Beta-carotene is present in dark green leafy vegetables (spinach!), deep orange or yellow fruits (carrots, mangos, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, apricots, and peaches), vegetables and fortified cereals.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are found together in many food sources. Dark green leafy vegetables are the primary sources of lutein and zeaxanthin (kale, collard greens and spinach), but they are also present in lesser amount in other colorful fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, orange peppers, corn, peas, persimmons and tangerines.

Good food sources of zinc include meat, liver, shellfish, milk, whole grains and wheat germ.

Eating healthy for your eyes could be the most promising means of protecting your eyes from AMD and cataracts. In addition, planning menus rich in the nutrients described above can mean better overall health for you and your family. Consider eating eye healthy foods and gain benefits for your whole body.

Jerry Hendricks, O.D.

Rockrimmon Vision Source, 1910 Vindicator Drive #104, Colorado Springs, CO  80919

719/522-9393

www.rockrimmonvision.com

Hiring a contractor for a remodeling project can  be daunting but here are a few tools:

1. Check with your local Housing and Building Association for those contractors who are accredited members.

2.  Ask friends who they have used.

3.  Check with the Better Business Bureau.

4. Interview several contractors.  Give each the same list of project requirements or the same set of plans (plans are the best bet).

5.  Ask for their references and call them.  Ask to see examples of their work.

Colorado Springs Residential Real Estate Update for the First Quarter 2010 

What to expect in 2010

·         8500 Total Units Sold

·         Good Market for homes priced under 250k

·         Tough Market still for homes priced 400k and up.

·         5000 Foreclosures started and 2000 completed.

·         Tougher Market Guidelines.

·         Higher Interest Rates. 

Month Supply

·         250k 4 months

·         350 to 400 8.5 months

·         600 to 700 23 months

·         800 and up A long time….

Days on Market

·         87-102 for Single Family and Patio Homes

·         101-125 for Townhomes and Condos

Note:  Sales price to list price comparison is currently at 97.2% with concessions at 2.8%

Mike Kunce

RE/MAX Properties, Inc.

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www.SpringsHomeExperts.com

It seems everywhere we go merchandise is labeled with the word "green". We are now aware that a "green" product is one that in some way is better for our environment. Unfortunately, as yet there are no regulations governing this label.  Anyone can claim their product is "green", or good for the environment.  It is up to us to dig deeper and ask questions.  In the interior design field there are specific questions you can ask to determine a product's claims.

How far is the item shipped?

Any product that can be bought locally wastes less energy-- and money.

Is it made from a material that is endangered?

Before you purchase an exotic wood floor make sure it is not from trees on an endangered list.

Can the product be recycled when you are done with it?

For instance on commercial jobs, if it is large enough, Armstrong will pick up old ceiling tiles when you purchase a new ceiling from them and they will recycle the material.

Is the product made with recycled post-consumer waste?

Look at content labels to find out what percentage of the material  is recycled.

Is the furniture you intend to purchase good quality?

If so, it can be reupholstered at a later date or become a treasured heirloom-- instead of landfill waste.

How is the product manufactured? 

Look into a company's policies.  If, during manufacturing, all the factory waste is flushed down our river ways it is probably not the product you need.

Eventually we will have standardized labeling to make this process easier.  Until then, have your designer help you research products you are interested in.

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