We're having a heat wave...kinda.  

It's above zero degrees both temperature and wind chill.  A quick breather before the snow starts. 

While we plan all type of events, fundraisers are our favorite.  We like doing our part in helping worthy and worthwhile organizations raise funds for their services and programs.  The galas and golf outings we're apart of are often the major fundraising events of the year for our clients.  In planning these events there are many moving parts and to handle them all requires: planning, creativity and a great team.  The team is not just Danico nor the client.  It includes vendor partners.  Our vendor partners help us to help our clients, create a GREAT event.  

You're starting to feel defeated and unsure. You've questioned, researched and developed possible solutions, but have not moved forward with implementing any of them. You're mind is filled with even more questions. The questions could cover strategic direction, client impact or other. For example: Is it a good opportunity? Is it the right opportunity? Is it in the right industry? Does it fit my niche market? Does it solve the right problem? Is it the right solution? and lastly.. Are the right people involved? And so on…

Nothing quite like a quote from Oprah...

About a month ago I started reading about the Internet Sales tax sometimes referred to as the Amazon Internet Sales Tax. One of the proposed benefits of this proposed tax is to help with the state budget shortages. Senator Durbin's bill known as the Main Street Fairness Act, covers New York, Illinois and Connecticut. New York is looking to add the nearly 4% and Illinois 6.25% sales tax to all online purchases.

hbr.org | Harvard Business Review | HBR Blog Network | Michael Watkins | June 27, 2013 | Making Virtual Teams Work: Ten Basic Principles

Here's the next installment of our reading list.  In addition to some of our favorite online sources, based on suggestions from readers like you, we've added a couple new ones to the list.

Enjoy!

portent.com | Portent Inc | Company Blog | Ian Laurie | June 6, 2013 | You Are Not Stupid

projecteve.com | Project Eve | Susan Young | May 16, 2013 | 12 insights on the emotional marketing revolution from Seth Godin

Why I like it:

I love reading Seth Godin.  The powerful simplicity of the message in the entertaining package.  I've read a number of Godin books savoring each word.  My favorite still today is The Purple Cow.  I've read many others but I still come back to that one.  I am sorry that I missed the webinar but thankful for the recap.

solstice-mobile.com | Solstice Mobile | Kelly Manthey | Company Blog | May 7, 2013 | Is Mobile Making Us More Productive?

Why I like it:

I saw this and had to read it as I love streamlining-process-improving-getting-more-done-in-less-time.  To Kelly's point there is more opportunity to complete tasks on the go.  I don't recall where I heard it but, the other day I heard about "mobile blinders".  Basically, the assertion was that because of the mobile device, the candy, gum, magazine sales at the checkout counters is far lower since we are checking mail, updating social media or like Kelly, balancing our checkbook while we wait.

National Small Business Week

May 20th began the sixth year of the National Small Business Week (NSBW) hosted by the Small Business Association (SBA).  This event honors and empowers small businesses nationwide.

entrepreneur.com | Entrepreneur Magazine | Stephanie Vozza | Jan 2, 2013 | Forget Your To-Do List: The 3 Lists Every Entrepreneur Needs

Why we like it:

We admit it, we are addicted to productivity tools - especially lists.  Paper or electronic, all-inclusive or segmented, we try them all.  So naturally when we saw the title we had to read it.  What we especially liked is the reminder of the things that bog us down and should not be on the list.

Flipping channels, I paused the remote long enough to see an initial interview with a sales guy and a new client on some reality show. The sales rep kept saying something to the effect that there are a lot of options - over and over and over. Followed by repeatedly asking the client if they liked any of the options set before them. I sat there thinking, "You need to give them something to react to".

Here's to a great 2013!

uxmag.com | UX Magazine | Tania Lang | December 3, 2012 | Content Sharing and Social Networking Buttons : How do users distribute what they like? 

Why we like it:
We receive questions all the time from clients about levering social media and typically we circle around on the "how".  We focus on user experience with an eye on SEO.  This article follows that approach as well.

Last week the media outlets were buzzing with news about the trial between Apple and Samsung.

While I am a consumer of Apple products (iPhone, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPod), I also have PC products (Acer netbooks, Dell computers).  Until this year, I was also a Nokia and Blackberry consumer.  So, I think I have a pretty balanced view.

I am always amazed when a company's customer service staff is ... helpful.  Sorry to say, but the occurrence is so few and far between, I no longer have the expectation that asking for help will result, in well, help.  Today, my faith was restored. Here's what happened.

As a small business owner, spending time on paperwork is not where you'd want to send your energy.  I told you about the legislative changes being discussed that would mean just that - more paperwork.  Let me back up a sec.  As we know when using 1099 workers anytime the amount paid is more than $600 a 1099 is to be issued.  The new legislation added issuing a 1099 when

It is the fourth quarter and for many it is time to for strategic planning for the coming fiscal year.  Like your business plan, your strategic plan should not be written and placed on the shelf.  For that reason, the strategic plan should

So it's that time of the year where PC meets not-so-PC and everyone is stressed.  This time is otherwise know as the holidays. Winter Solstice, Hanukkah,Christmas, Kwanzaa, Festivus...whichever is your pleasure, now is the time.  The time, for parties, gifts, obligations, lack of sleep, and ....

Just a quick note on the Small Business Jobs Act.  Looking to add staff to meet the growing needs of your company, this Act is designed with you in mind. At least that is how it is being presented.  This act

Often I hear about work-life balance in terms of parents, most often MOMS. As Father's Day has just passed there are a number of posts about work-life balance in terms on DADS.  It is not hard to see why, the "traditional" roles are not the norm.  Internet search on "work-life balance dads" and you will see what I mean.  Here are a couple that I enjoyed reading, what are yours?

Harvard Business Review, How to Prevent Daddy Wars in the Workplace by Sylvia Ann Hewitt

Social Media should be considered as part of the marketing strategy.  I hear this often.  While social media outlets may be free to use, they are not free.  There is sweat equity needed to keep them current, to keep them relevant.  Yeah, I know, we are one to talk.  Well we are.  We know that time has to be put into keeping content relevant for our readership, client, etc. yet we fell down on the job ourselves.

Reading this post from Tim Berry, in Planning Startups Stories titled: Social Media is Littered with Business Carcasses we received a much needed kick-in-the-pants.  Thanks for hanging in there with us.

The other day when I took delivery of the special gift I created for some dear friends, I was struck by the little symbol that sat unassuming on the bottom backside of the simple packaging. It was a universally recognized reminder of the vendor responsible for creating my most recent masterpiece.

That was the inspiration behind today's article - branding. Everyone knows it when they see it and all businesses long to create one - Danico included.

How to get things done?

That is a question heard and stated often.  There are people and companies who make a living advising others on just that.  Even in my business, I am often asked for suggestions.  One thing that is obvious is that there is no one-size-fits-all.  That can be frustrating for those who have yet to find what works from them.

Sometimes it seems that the little guy, in this case small business gets the raw end of the deal with each new policy change.  This time it is hard to argue that we are not.  CNNMoney reported on the latest policy change regarding the issuance of 1099s.  The policy today is any worker that is paid $600 or more is issued a 1099.  A worker is in person typically not apart of company (think independent consultant) that is not an employee for which withholding tax is held.  The new rule slated to go in 2012, requires

It's that time of the year where marketing campaigns are reviewed, revised and revamped.  With the emphasis on healthy living, some companies consider water bottles as promotional items.  Check out this article by contributing writing Kat, Plastic Water Bottles... Are they worth the risk?