Hello , how are you? Welcome to the The Target Advocate.

January 15, 2008

Volume 3, Issue 2

In This Issue

	A Note from Beth
	Holiday Cards … Not just for the traditional holidays anymore
	Featured Network Partner: James D. Burnham of GO! Accountants, Inc.

In Other News

The Empower Hour

I love to help entrepreneurs empower their small businesses. This year, I am going to begin The Empower Hour where for one hour a month, I will be available on a conference call answering different questions regarding their business. Anyone can call in to listen to me provide marketing support on a variety of topics and I will answer as many questions as I can within that hour. I think the best way for this to work is for those interested in assistance to email me their questions and I can schedule a time later this month. Email your questions to bsilver@doubetllc.com.  

Ready, Set, Network!  The  Small Business Summit - February 11, 2008

In case you have not heard, the Small Business Summit 2008 is on February 11, 2008.  Please join me and hundreds of other small businesses that come together to learn about cutting edge technology and business solutions, as well as make connections and learn from each other. “This year’s theme is Business & Technology: It’s Time to Reinvent Your Business”. There’s a terrific list of speakers, panels, giveaways and prizes. I really believe Ramon Ray, Marian Banker and the rest of their team have outdone themselves this year. There is an early bird discount through February 1, 2008, http://smallbiztechsummit.com. See you there!

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A Note from Beth

Dear Friends:

Happy New Year! I can’t believe it’s already 2008. I wish you all a wonderful and happy New Year and hope that you’re on track to accomplishing all your goals for 2008. I have a few resolutions this year, one being to send out the first issue of the Target Advocate earlier than I did last year. 

This month, I am focusing on holiday cards and just how great they can be. I am also working on the next generation of my website, as well as some new programs. Stay tuned.

Thanks to all who sent me a card this year. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing your families, learning about your philanthropic efforts, and hearing about the successes you celebrated in 2007.

See you soon!

Beth

Holiday Cards … Not just for the traditional holidays anymore

As I walked through the city the past few weeks, I saw red and green lights draped all around. Children were balled up patches of snow in Central Park and every other song on the radio was a holiday jingle. It reminded me that ‘Tis the season … to send and receive lots of holiday cards.

Each November, I begin to think about holiday cards. I send two different cards out, one from my family and one from Doubet. With the abundance of card designs, it’s not as easy as I hope it will be. And, this season, I received some of the nicest cards ever and thank all of you who thought of my family and me. I have a lot of creative thinking to do for next year.

This year, I looked at Doubet’s holiday cards a bit differently. My intentions with the cards were twofold: Firstly, as a considerate way to wish well those I have come in contact with over the year. Secondly, I wanted to send a card to those I have been thinking about, but have, unfortunately, not been in contact with. It seems I’ve achieved this purpose, as I have received seasons greetings and well wishes from many people I haven’t spoken to in quite some time in response to my card. It was really interesting. I received the following responses within a three hour period, "Dear Beth, I just received your Christmas card and wanted to say thanks. Happy Holidays to you as well and may the new year bring you joy, luck, happiness, and whatever else you desire!"  and then "Just got your holiday card. Thank you so much! How very sweet of you."

Now, lets be honest, I had been thinking about these two people, but was surprised just how warm they were in return. From their emails I truly felt that they wanted to reestablish our lines of communication. It got me to thinking how many people overlook the opportunity the holidays provides, allowing you a comfortable gateway to remind both friends and acquaintances (even those who may have turned down your business in the past), that you are thinking of them under the auspices of season’s greetings.

Although the stretch from Thanksgiving to Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanza is the most popular time to send a holiday card, it is an effective networking tool year-round. Being a marketer and someone who used to market greeting cards, I look to leverage other important days in one’s business. For example, an accounting firm may want to send out a card to former and current clients on April 15th, congratulating them on filing their tax returns. (If the former clients haven’t gotten their returns out yet, it may make them reconsider their current tax preparer). Environmental Printers may want to send a card with an environmental focus on Earth Day using environmental/green-oriented paper.

I know what you are thinking: It takes a lot of work to get holiday cards out to clients and friends. Well your right, but you now have 11 months to think about it. A few weeks ago, a woman mentioned to me that when she enters someone in her Outlook, she puts the person in her Christmas Card category. That way, in December, she just has to filter and print. I use an Excel spreadsheet, but thought this technique may be a great compliment to my system. Who knows if it will work, I will let you know next year. If you have any techniques for sending your cards, please let me know. I will post them in the next issue.

Featured Network Partner: James D. Burnham of GO! Accountants, Inc.

This month, I would like to introduce you to James Burnham of Go! Accountants. Go! Accountants is not just an accounting firm, it serves as its clients’ business partner by understanding the issues needed for businesses to achieve their desired growth.

As the first person in my family NOT to grow up to be an accountant, I understand the importance of a great accountant. My father and grandfather taught me that in order to be a great resource to your clients, you need to proactively find effective solutions to achieve business growth (both from a financial and operations perspective.)  When I met Jim, I saw that he got it (at least from the definition I was always taught) and I became excited. Not only does Jim and his team provide accounting expertise, they look for the resources to help their clients achieve all of their goals.

If you have not heard of Go! Accountants, Inc., I recommend that you to check out the website and learn more. He can be reached at 212.931.8024 and JBurnham@GoAccountants.com