Little scares entrepreneurs as much as pricing. We all know that if a prospect eagerly becomes a new client with little questions that we may have just given away the farm. When a prospect doesn't call back after being told the price - and this not on the first or second meeting - we've probably charged too much.
I just read an amusing and informative article on Fast Company about pricing. The article is geared to big business, but there are always lessons even if you're a one-person shop.
Another blog post over on Fast Company by Alison Yama talks about pricing in a depression, and her approach is very relevant to small businesses. In fact, I shared her article in my class on pricing and distribution for entrepreneurs at the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center.
I found this nifty tool that will calculate your gross profit margin at Bankrate.com
Enjoy!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
SBA Report: Women-Led Businesses Contributing $3.6 trillion
While this is a self-serving press release from Aetna, the information is pulled from data from the U.S. Small Business Association. Go entrepreneurs!!
Here's the text from the Aetna press release ----
Women Led Businesses Continue To Fuel Growth In A Tough Economy
Aetna unveils new resource to help women entrepreneurs manage the health of their business, well-being of their employees
October 06, 2009 — According to the Small Business Administration, there are 9.1 million women owned businesses in the U.S., employing 27.5 million people and contributing $3.6 trillion to the economy. Aetna a leading provider of health care solutions to small businesses, understands the unique needs of this growing business segment and in response has developed a robust resource to help women business owners manage the health of their business, the well-being of their employees and their personal life. The website, www.aetnawomenatwork.com, features pertinent information, videos, events, education courses, and more, to help women balance their often dual roles as business and family caregivers and decision-makers.
“Female leadership of companies is changing how businesses are organized, managed and insured,” said Mary Claire Bonner, head of Local and Regional Business, a combined organization that includes Aetna Small and Middle Market Business. “Our work with women-led companies has taught us that the idea of communities – places where different people come together to share interests, goals, and values – is central to their success. This is how we have developed the benefit plans and tools needed to serve the health and well-being of companies led by women.”
The site content is built around three core areas: Healthy Business, Healthy Family, Healthy Life – three themes that resonate with women business leaders regardless of their industry.
Healthy Business
This section is designed to help women business leaders manage the health of their business and the well-being of the people who help make it succeed with links to:
* Aetna’s Small Group portfolio
* Online tools and resources such as Aetna Navigator®, Aetna’s easy-to-use, self-service member website
* Wellness information for the workplace
Healthy Family
When families share the value of health, the benefits are experienced by everyone—parents, children, colleagues, and employers. This section of the site is designed to help people get engaged in their health with the tools and information they need to make smart, healthy decisions, including:
* How health benefits can help save money
* Screening tests every family should consider
* Creating Personal Health Records for everyone in your family
Healthy Life
Aetna promotes health at every phase and stage of life —from guiding people through using their health plans, to promoting healthy eating tips and finding time for fitness. This area of the site offers information intended to improve the lives of women business owners, the lives of their employees, and their families, including:
* How to find doctors in your area
* How to get more from your insurance coverage
* How to plan for retirement
“We understand the unique challenges facing women led businesses, and small businesses in general,” said Bonner. “Aetnawomenatwork.com is another tangible example of our commitment to developing health and wellness solutions that deliver real value to this business segment.”
Source: Aetna
Here's the text from the Aetna press release ----
Women Led Businesses Continue To Fuel Growth In A Tough Economy
Aetna unveils new resource to help women entrepreneurs manage the health of their business, well-being of their employees
October 06, 2009 — According to the Small Business Administration, there are 9.1 million women owned businesses in the U.S., employing 27.5 million people and contributing $3.6 trillion to the economy. Aetna a leading provider of health care solutions to small businesses, understands the unique needs of this growing business segment and in response has developed a robust resource to help women business owners manage the health of their business, the well-being of their employees and their personal life. The website, www.aetnawomenatwork.com, features pertinent information, videos, events, education courses, and more, to help women balance their often dual roles as business and family caregivers and decision-makers.
“Female leadership of companies is changing how businesses are organized, managed and insured,” said Mary Claire Bonner, head of Local and Regional Business, a combined organization that includes Aetna Small and Middle Market Business. “Our work with women-led companies has taught us that the idea of communities – places where different people come together to share interests, goals, and values – is central to their success. This is how we have developed the benefit plans and tools needed to serve the health and well-being of companies led by women.”
The site content is built around three core areas: Healthy Business, Healthy Family, Healthy Life – three themes that resonate with women business leaders regardless of their industry.
Healthy Business
This section is designed to help women business leaders manage the health of their business and the well-being of the people who help make it succeed with links to:
* Aetna’s Small Group portfolio
* Online tools and resources such as Aetna Navigator®, Aetna’s easy-to-use, self-service member website
* Wellness information for the workplace
Healthy Family
When families share the value of health, the benefits are experienced by everyone—parents, children, colleagues, and employers. This section of the site is designed to help people get engaged in their health with the tools and information they need to make smart, healthy decisions, including:
* How health benefits can help save money
* Screening tests every family should consider
* Creating Personal Health Records for everyone in your family
Healthy Life
Aetna promotes health at every phase and stage of life —from guiding people through using their health plans, to promoting healthy eating tips and finding time for fitness. This area of the site offers information intended to improve the lives of women business owners, the lives of their employees, and their families, including:
* How to find doctors in your area
* How to get more from your insurance coverage
* How to plan for retirement
“We understand the unique challenges facing women led businesses, and small businesses in general,” said Bonner. “Aetnawomenatwork.com is another tangible example of our commitment to developing health and wellness solutions that deliver real value to this business segment.”
Source: Aetna
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
The Worldwide World
Are you a small business making a difference in the world as part of the way you do business? On eBay, lots of sellers donate a portion of their proceeds to a local or international cause. If you are a business that does something like this, no matter how small or large, I'd like to hear from you.
In the meantime, why not take this Global IQ Test, from President Bill Clinton's foundation?
In the meantime, why not take this Global IQ Test, from President Bill Clinton's foundation?
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