The Alternative Board - East Valley

WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

As business owners in the East Valley, we are all in this economic crisis together.  As a community of business owners what benefits one benefits all especially in these challenging times.  The Alternative Board (TAB) has benefited over 3000 businesses both locally and nationally.  The Alternative Board is where business owners help other business owners in a confidential “think tank” environment.  They work on various business concerns such as sales, marketing, cash management and personnel.  They hold each other accountable, in a way in which only peers can do.  I recognize that it may not be for you.  Believe me, I am okay with that.  At the same time, I talk to dozens and dozens of business owners every month.  Some maybe possible prospects for what you are doing.  I am passionate about helping, and if your service can benefit the local business community or one of my contacts, I will be happy to pass it along.  Regardless what you decide to do regarding TAB, each of us will have a resource if the need arrives.  Can we meet so we can discuss some of your business concerns, the Alternative Board, and get a better understanding of your business, so I can refer you when the need arises? 

NEVER WORKED HARDER FOR SO LITTLE – Isn’t it a great opportunity?

We had an interesting conversation at one of our Alternative Board Meetings this past week. All 6 business owners and I agreed that we have never worked so hard for so little monetary reward. Is this all bad? Not at all. It is teaching us how to run better businesses, and developing new skill sets or improving on old ones. For example, many businesses in the Phoenix area relied solely on referrals. CPA’s, lawyers, and a whole host of professional services never had to look for business. The market has changed, and the ones that are learning how to develop business rather than wait for it to come to their door will survive. Another example is how much has been learned about cash management and cash flow. Small businesses never really worried about this aspect of business as long as sales were coming in, it hid all the mismanagement in cash. Monthly profit and loss statements were never looked at. We had some business owners, that could not tell you were their bottom line was in previous years. Now everyone is looking daily at their cash and trying to project forward. These are lessons learned that will never be forgotten after this economy turns around. At our monthly “think tank” meetings we discuss these and many other tactics to supporting each others business. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact me. Allan Himmelstein allanh@tab-eastvalley.com 480-656-3565

CHANGING COURSE OF YOUR COMPANY

Because of the economy, many businesses must change course to survive. It may require some thinking out of the box. We have to look at this as an opportunity to improve and not a panic reaction to the economy. Here are several suggestions on how to approach changing course. 1. What is your personal biggest strength and what do you add to the bigger picture of your business? Recognize it, embrace your strength and maximize it to drive your business. This is what you really enjoy, and what got you this far in the business. We sometimes forget this in the day to day. 2. Be very realistic about the company strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. There is no perfect company. 3. Redefine your Company Vision to something that is realistic and attainable in the long term and with this economy. You must share this with your employees. They must buy into it. 4. Plan your work, and work your plan. Write a Plan which identifies what is critical to your success on the short term. Write out specific goals, strategies, and actions with time frames and review it on a monthly basis. Writing brings clarity to everything going on in your head. We pride ourselves at the Alternative Board in having the Business Assessment tools, the coaching, and the peer advisory boards to make changing course a reality and not a dream. We will hold you accountable and guarantee you success.