A man in a hurry taking his eight-year-old son to school made a turn at a red light where it was prohibited.
"Uh-oh, I think I just made an illegal turn!" the man said.
"It's okay, Dad," the boy said, "The police car right behind us did the same thing."
The Latest News - Moms Vote Does Matter
Only 18 Days Left for State Children's Health Insurance Program!
SCHIP
will expire September 30th unless Congress and the White House take
action. Ten years ago, Congress created the State Children's Health
Insurance Program (SCHIP) to cover kids whose parents work but can't
afford health insurance on their own.
Thanks to SCHIP,
millions of children can now see a doctor when they are sick and get
the care they need to stay healthy. But there are 9.4 million more
children--more than the total number of kids enrolled in the first and
second grades in U.S. public schools--still living without health
coverage. This year, Congress must reauthorize SCHIP for it to
continue. Congress has the opportunity to cover millions more uninsured
kids, ensuring they, too, get the care they need. Tell Your Representatives How You Feel About Healthcare
Senate Passes Bill to Reduce the Cost of College!
The
College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 will provide the single largest
investment ($20 billion) in higher education since the GI bill. It will
do so at no new cost to taxpayers, by cutting excess subsidies paid by the federal government to lenders in the student loan industry.
This
new investment is critically important. College costs have grown nearly
40 percent in the last five years. Students are graduating from college
with more debt than ever before. And many would-be students are
holding off on going to college, or skipping it altogether, because
they don't believe they can afford it. This bill will:
-Cut interest rates in half on subsidized student loans over the next five years.
-Make student loan payments more manageable for borrowers by
guaranteeing that borrowers will not have to pay more than 15 percent
of their discretionary income in loan repayments, and allowing
borrowers in economic hardship to have their loans forgiven after 20
years.
-Increase federal loan limits to provide borrowers with
additional assistance in paying for college and to help them rely less
on costlier private loans.
Did You Know?
Each month we give away a free gift to our members?
If you are a member of either Moms In Business Network OR The International Association of Working Mothers, be sure to log in and sign up for a chance to win this month's great gift!
This months gift -"The Complete Woman" Gift Bag from Barefoot Parties - Includes:
The Complete Woman Sterling Silver Charm Bracelet
The Permission to Play CD
Plus some extra little fun mystery items!
Marketing Tip
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5 Tips on Establishing a Presence in Your Community
1. Create an advisory board representative of your customers (even
if they're kids) and publicize it. Listen to the board's ideas.
2. Publish a newsletter about your business for customers and
potential customers. Send it via regular mail or email and post it on
your Web page.
3. Make your values clear. One couple
promotes their commitment to family-sometimes closing their store early
to attend soccer games when their children or employees' children are
competing.
4. Make donations that represent your business.
If you have a garden supply business, for example, contribute seeds and
simple tools for a community garden.
5. Serve as a volunteer
in your community and encourage your employees to follow suit. Let them
contribute some hours on company time.
Negotiate
a Change with Your Current Employer. Progressive employers recognize
the value of good employees, and many are willing to find ways to help
current employees deal with short-term or permanent changes caused by
family situations. The changes can include flextime, job-sharing,
telecommuting, or part-time employment. The key to success is to
organize your pitch.
Your first step is to research your
employer's policies and methods of handling previous requests. Then go
to your boss armed with information and a plan that shows how you will
be an even more valuable and productive employee if you can modify your
current work situation.
Business Tip
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5 Tips for Effective Business Planning
1. Clearly define your business idea and be able to succinctly articulate it. Know your mission.
2. Examine your motives. Make sure that you have a passion for owning a business and for this particular business.
3. Be willing to commit to the hours, discipline, continuous learning and the frustrations of owning your own business.
4. Conduct a competitive analysis in your market, including
products, prices, promotions, advertising, distribution, quality,
service, and be aware of the outside influences that affect your
business.
5. Seek help from other small businesses, vendors,
professionals, government agencies, employees, trade associations and
trade shows. Be alert, ask questions, and visit your local SCORE office.
Sales Tip
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5 Tips for Business-to-Business Selling
1. Listen well. Let your customers talk so you can learn their
needs and determine how your products or services can help them.
2. Learn as much as you can about your prospects' industry. You
may come up with ideas to help them that they haven't thought of before.
3. Make yourself a part of their team. Demonstrate that you are there to help them increase their bottom line.
4. Emphasize the benefit of your products or services. Show how
you can help customers cut costs, increase profits, or beat the
competition.
5. Follow up. Keep customers coming back by
making sure your products or services work well for them. If not, show
concern and fix things cheerfully.
Moms Making A Difference
Ms. Jenkins Goes to Washington!
Leanna
Jenkins, mortgage consultant with Cornerstone Mortgage and mother of
one son, has been a devoted member of Moms In Business Network from the
beginning, but recently she has stepped up to speak out.
Leanna
has taken on the big task of bringing MIBN of Nevada to the next
level. Yes, you read right, Nevada (the whole state). She's also
stepped up as the Public Policy Leader representing the moms of Nevada
politically.
In just a few short weeks, Leanna will be flying to
Washington DC where she will be meeting on behalf of the uninsured of
Nevada with Nevada Senators and Congressional Representatives to
educate them on how the healthcare crisis is affecting the business and
the people of Nevada.
Leanna was first motivated to join MIBN
because she's a mom and a business woman- what she has unexpectedly
found is an even greater sense of purpose and impact on her community.
Leanna
has already had a big impact on her local MIBN Circle by leading her
team to create a whole new event schedule that better meets the needs
of its members, and she, with the help of Asst. Circle Leader, Barb
Trznadel, pulled off the first community "town hall meeting" of moms in
business to discuss healthcare with the people that take this
information to Washington.
Leanna sees a grand vision for
Moms In Business Network of Nevada, and part of that vision is taking
the steps necessary to finally create a healthcare system that works
for everyone.
Did You Know?
