[ Archive of Chart Your Course Entries ]

Vision & Planning Strategies May 2013

Monthly ideas, terms and trends to help make your business more successful.

BUSINESS TRENDS OWNERS NEED TO KNOW: RISE

For other terms, go to the BSC Pricing Glossary available as a download from our free Business Resources section.

Last month I talked about Business Conflicts of People vs. Technology. (Go here to find the April 2013 Chart Your Course Archive)

This month I want to talk about RISE, Relationship and Information Series for Entrepreneurs.

Created five years ago for and by entrepreneurs, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn how to start and grow a business from experts all over town and all for free. It was recently named a “Must-Attend 2013 Conference for Entrepreneurs” by Forbes. Dan Diener and I have been presenters since the first year. Starting in year two, we began to bring in colleagues to talk on various topics.

This year, we set up a “Business Success Center Sales and Marketing Initiative Series”. It consists of 15 sessions that focus on the areas of business that contribute or cost the most when it comes to business development and long term success. These 90 minute sessions are NOT the basics. They are for established businesses and are either at the intermediate or advanced levels.

Our sessions are Monday-Friday, May 13-17, at Noon, 2PM, and 4PM at our offices. We encourage you to go to riseglobal.org or our eventbrite page to sign up. Seating is limited to 25. Rise 2013 Handout

Our colleagues for our 2013 sessions include Bob Villhard, Kathy Tremmel, and Jenny Allenbaugh (attorneys), Kelly Jackson, Parker Short, Kevin Benz, Nicole Torres-Cooke, Jeff James and Jon Beck (PR and marketing), Chad Jewell, Trish Williams, Bill Coon, and De Humphries (space and design), Michael Grant, Karen Parker, and John Russell (national & international development), Kent Cummins (management), Curt Finch and Michael Hayes (software system developers). Presenter Biographies.

We believe in Networking at every opportunity. In addition to learning something and asking questions, you will get an opportunity to introduce yourself and we will have a resource table for you to put your business cards out. Only cards, please (one small stack) because of space limitations.

We’re also pleased to once again have as our partners: PREManagement, GoLocal, and Black River Trading Co. As always, we’ll provide light refreshments and door prizes. You might also win our biggest prize, a Business Growth Assessment ($500 value).

Come. Stay. And bring colleagues, prospects and clients.

Ask the BSC Experts: Positive Conflict™

Not all conflict is bad. Without conflict businesses can make stupid mistakes that impact their short term and long term success. Read about the 7 ways conflict improves business in my post. It’s also the topic for the next “Ask the BSC  Experts Online” on May 9. RSVP.

Financial Matters — May

The following are some of the important tax filings for this month. They are taken from the IRS Tax Calendar for Small Business. We recommend you consult your tax professional for their applicability to your business, additional filings you may need to make, and advice.

Due May 10:
Employers: Employees are required to report to you tips of $20 or more earned during April. File form 941 for the first quarter if you timely deposited all required payments.

Due May 31:
File form 730 and pay the tax on wagers accepted during April. File form 2290 and pay the tax for vehicles first used during April.

Small Business Regulations

Read about proposed key Federal legislation that requires all online sales to pay a sales tax to the state where purchased. This bill is called the Marketplace Fairness Act. Check out other important information on proposed and new legislation on H-2B Visas, home office deduction changes, health insurance minimum value, the US/EU treaty in our Politics section of the website.

Early voting for Travis County Clerk is now through May 7. Regular election date is Saturday, May 11. More information at traviscountyclerk.org.

Business & Entrepreneurs History

(from Where Did She Get All those Dates Anyway by Michelle Carlson)

• May 1 1st American newspaper ad appears (1704)
• May 2 1st US airline passenger service begins (1919)
• May 3 National Public Radio founded (1971)
• May 5 Alan Shephard 1st American in space (1961)
• May 8 Men’s 100% man-made Dacron suits introduced (1951)
• May 14 Vaseline trademarked (1878)
• May 15 1st Air hostess  — served 11 passengers (1930)
• May 24 1st Major league night game played
• May 26 Immigration quotas set by Congress (1924)
• May 27 Piano patented (1796)

Check out this month’s business anniversaries

Congratulate them on a job well done. You’ll find the list in our Client News Section.

Business URLs Worth Bookmarking

Thomas.gov — Federal Legislation

Texas Legislature Online — Proposed state legislation

Governor’s Office of Economic Development & Tourism — Texas Business Research Data

Here’s to your success!
Jan Triplett, CEO