Peter should determine what the chamber could do for him.

• It would look good for his immediate reputation to be a board member.
• It would be great for his company, because at some point their newsletter will mention what he's done for them
  Customers and Unions: The Proof is in the Pudding
  The Proof is in the PuddingWoe is me but I like to shop at Wal-Mart. Where else in the Valley is the customer the boss. Everything possible is done to make shopping a customer friendly and pleasant experience. Their "Ten-Foot Attitude" means that associates greet each person they see. Their "Satisfaction Guaranteed" refund and exchange policy allows customers like myself to be fully confident of its merchandise and quality. Heck, what's to complain about?Let me illustrate with just one vignette. The other day, I went to their camera section and wanted 14 photos scanned onto a disk. The price was 19 cents per photo and $2.78 for the disc for a total of $5.44. Now if you take those same photos
  Peter (not his real name) is a member of a few organizations, including his local Chamber of Commerce. He owns a company that performs business services such as copywriting, newsletter publishing, advertising expertise, and marketing consultations, even writing business and marketing plans.

  His chamber -- like many chambers -- runs on a shoestring, usually doesn't make much money for lunches or events, and works their board's fingers to the bones. They desperately need to pay someone to do what he does so, of course, they asked him to join the board. When he asked how many hours it would take, he was told four or five per month. He knows he was asked only because he's the first in his field to do what he does. And he really doesn't want to attend so many meetings and do so much work without being paid what the job deserves.

  Maria Answers

  First of all, it's OK to say "No" to a Chamber of Commerce or other such group. While being on the board is a nice thing to have on your "resume," it isn't mandatory. He could say, "I appreciate the offer, but at this time I prefer to decline." If his "no" is not accepted, he can repeat the sentence. Remember, when we say yes, no one asks for a long explanation or tries to change our mind. "No" is a complete sentence. Above everything, don't give a reason for not doing it. Why? Because you're giving them an excuse, and they'll try to come up with solutions to it. If you've been in that situation, even in your personal life, you know what could happen here, don't you?

  Now, if Peter wants to do something for the chamber, here are some things I suggest to help him make an informed decision and determine if a win-win is in sight.

  • He's right to think that if anyone says something will take 4 hours and it's a not-for-profit group, he should double that time -- to 8 hours in this case. That's 96 hours for one year, equal to 3 weeks of work! So, at his $200-per-hour rate, the money he won't be making that year while volunteering is $19,200, NOT including travel time.
  • Peter has estimated that if the chamber were his client, the cost of the work done away from the meetings would be an additional $10,000 over the next 12 months. So the total "cost" of volunteer work is $29,200.
  • On another note, it's usual that people on the board are "in the know" business people -- the movers and shakers in the business community, and getting to know them better, well, that's surely worth a lot!

  Peter should determine what the chamber could do for him.

  • It would look good for his immediate reputation to be a board member.
  • It would be great for his company, because at some point their newsletter will mention what he's done for them
    One of the Secrets of a Great Customer Experience
    A few weeks ago we conducted our annual “Customer Experience Study Tour” in London England. This is where we take delegates to visit a number of leading Customer Experience companies for a behind-the-scenes look at how they approach the task of building a great Customer Experience. Companies include Pr?t-a-manger, Virgin Atlantic, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, Dell Computers, T-Mobile, Lexus Cars, AOL and Microsoft. As we travelled around these companies on the luxury coach, I pondered what the common traits are of companies who provide a great Customer Experience. Undoubtedly one of these traits is “attention to detail”.So let’s give you an insight to what some of these companies did. Pr?t-a-Manger to
    . When he asked how many hours it would take, he was told four or five per month. He knows he was asked only because he's the first in his field to do what he does. And he really doesn't want to attend so many meetings and do so much work without being paid what the job deserves.

    Maria Answers

    First of all, it's OK to say "No" to a Chamber of Commerce or other such group. While being on the board is a nice thing to have on your "resume," it isn't mandatory. He could say, "I appreciate the offer, but at this time I prefer to decline." If his "no" is not accepted, he can repeat the sentence. Remember, when we say yes, no one asks for a long explanation or tries to change our mind. "No" is a complete sentence. Above everything, don't give a reason for not doing it. Why? Because you're giving them an excuse, and they'll try to come up with solutions to it. If you've been in that situation, even in your personal life, you know what could happen here, don't you?

    Now, if Peter wants to do something for the chamber, here are some things I suggest to help him make an informed decision and determine if a win-win is in sight.

    • He's right to think that if anyone says something will take 4 hours and it's a not-for-profit group, he should double that time -- to 8 hours in this case. That's 96 hours for one year, equal to 3 weeks of work! So, at his $200-per-hour rate, the money he won't be making that year while volunteering is $19,200, NOT including travel time.
    • Peter has estimated that if the chamber were his client, the cost of the work done away from the meetings would be an additional $10,000 over the next 12 months. So the total "cost" of volunteer work is $29,200.
    • On another note, it's usual that people on the board are "in the know" business people -- the movers and shakers in the business community, and getting to know them better, well, that's surely worth a lot!

    Peter should determine what the chamber could do for him.

    • It would look good for his immediate reputation to be a board member.
    • It would be great for his company, because at some point their newsletter will mention what he's done for them
      Factoring Financing For Canadian Companies
      Running a business in Canada has always had its particular set of challenges. One of the biggest challenges has always been finding the right business financing. The market has been dominated by banks and institutions, which have very tough and strict lending criteria. Obtaining a business loan or almost any other type of business financing in Canada in pretty difficult. However, that is changing. Quickly.Recently, Canada has seen an increase in the number of independent financing companies that specialize in business financing. Some offer business loans, but the majority have focused on offering invoice discounting (also know as invoice factoring). Although a relatively young industry, the Canadian f
      cline." If his "no" is not accepted, he can repeat the sentence. Remember, when we say yes, no one asks for a long explanation or tries to change our mind. "No" is a complete sentence. Above everything, don't give a reason for not doing it. Why? Because you're giving them an excuse, and they'll try to come up with solutions to it. If you've been in that situation, even in your personal life, you know what could happen here, don't you?

      Now, if Peter wants to do something for the chamber, here are some things I suggest to help him make an informed decision and determine if a win-win is in sight.

      • He's right to think that if anyone says something will take 4 hours and it's a not-for-profit group, he should double that time -- to 8 hours in this case. That's 96 hours for one year, equal to 3 weeks of work! So, at his $200-per-hour rate, the money he won't be making that year while volunteering is $19,200, NOT including travel time.
      • Peter has estimated that if the chamber were his client, the cost of the work done away from the meetings would be an additional $10,000 over the next 12 months. So the total "cost" of volunteer work is $29,200.
      • On another note, it's usual that people on the board are "in the know" business people -- the movers and shakers in the business community, and getting to know them better, well, that's surely worth a lot!

      Peter should determine what the chamber could do for him.

      • It would look good for his immediate reputation to be a board member.
      • It would be great for his company, because at some point their newsletter will mention what he's done for them
        The US Justice Departments Little Lie
        The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Division’s Franchising Group is not well known by consumers or the citizenry. Franchising in the United States Accounts for one-third every consumer dollar spent and 400,000 outlets or stores. The Federal Trade Commission over sees the franchising industry. Some franchisors believe the FTC desperately needs turn over at the franchising division. Some attorneys who make money suing franchisors on behalf of franchisees and vendors like things just the way they are and realize any change would tip the balance and they would lose income in a highly litigious and good paying sector of law.One attorney we interviewed said in an email: “Well, I have to, very respectful
        decision and determine if a win-win is in sight.
        • He's right to think that if anyone says something will take 4 hours and it's a not-for-profit group, he should double that time -- to 8 hours in this case. That's 96 hours for one year, equal to 3 weeks of work! So, at his $200-per-hour rate, the money he won't be making that year while volunteering is $19,200, NOT including travel time.
        • Peter has estimated that if the chamber were his client, the cost of the work done away from the meetings would be an additional $10,000 over the next 12 months. So the total "cost" of volunteer work is $29,200.
        • On another note, it's usual that people on the board are "in the know" business people -- the movers and shakers in the business community, and getting to know them better, well, that's surely worth a lot!

        Peter should determine what the chamber could do for him.

        • It would look good for his immediate reputation to be a board member.
        • It would be great for his company, because at some point their newsletter will mention what he's done for them
          Portrait of a Portfolio Career: An Answer to the Perfect Job?
          Do you cringe when you look at your resume through the eyes of a prospective employer, afraid the wide range of jobs listed will disqualify you? Or have you put together a single-track career record but secretly long for more variety, more outlets for your varied interests and abilities?If so, perhaps you’re the perfect candidate to welcome a new identity: a portfolio careerist.While describing her new business over lunch the other day, Christine included some details of the career journey that brought her to it. Starting out doing debt consolidation for friends while tending her young children, she was catapulted into full-time work in Human Resources following a divorce. Moving fro
          e next 12 months. So the total "cost" of volunteer work is $29,200.
        • On another note, it's usual that people on the board are "in the know" business people -- the movers and shakers in the business community, and getting to know them better, well, that's surely worth a lot!

        Peter should determine what the chamber could do for him.

        • It would look good for his immediate reputation to be a board member.
        • It would be great for his company, because at some point their newsletter will mention what he's done for them. And in this case, what he does will be seen by the members and may end up in newspapers.
        • They have no money to pay him.

        Other variables can help Peter make an informed decision are:

        1. He can determine what he really wants to do as a volunteer. He could consider:

        • Maybe this year is NOT the year for him to be on the board.
        • Maybe it's the year to be on the board but not in a position that requires 8 hours a month plus the extra work.
        • Maybe he'll reconsider because of the credibility the board position can give him in the community.
        • Maybe he wants to volunteer in some way that can help him and his business the most - but NOT be on the board.

        2. He can find non-cash ways to be paid and present a proposal to the organization.

        • Ask for payment -- it shows that he values what he does.
        • Ask them to pay his membership fees for the next 5 years. (For a home business, this can range from $80 per year to $350 per year, depending on where he lives.)
        • Ask them to let him use their conference room for meetings for the next 5 years when it's available. (Figure $20 per hour for meeting space.)
        • Ask them to put a business-card ad in the newsletter for the next five years. (Usually the cost is $25 per month, or a discount per year of $200. Again, cost depends on the size of the chamber.)
        • Ask them to put a flyer in their newsletter "x" times a year. Of course, he'd have to pay for the printing of the flyer, but including the flyer in the newsletter usually costs an additional $50 to $100 per issue.
        • Ask them to sponsor an event without charging him the sponsor fee.
        • Ask them to change his membership to sponsor level, which is worth $500 to $2,500 per year.
        • If they have events where members pay for tables, he could ask for a table in a good area at no cost for the next five years.

        As you can see, it wouldn't be difficult to give a blanket "yes" and end up over your head in volunteer work. But there is a balance to be found between giving back to the community and making sure you're taking care of yourself.

        How did I learn to hel