Small business owners who are members of The Alternative Board (TAB) get hands-on interaction with other owners who are dedicated to solving your business challenges. By working with your peers to create, implement, adjust and stay on track to meet your goals, you will learn new ways to run your business more efficiently and effectively. With TAB, there is strength in numbers. In fact, 4 out of 5 TAB members are optimistic about their business in their local economy.   When you become a TAB member, you can expect: Different and refreshing perspectives on the common challenges all owners face Accountability to and from a board of peers to help you develop and maintain your results-driven momentum Accountability to and from a board of peers that help you achieve your personal and professional goals
Start solving your business challenges today.
Call Joe Zente today at 512-331-1822 or visit TheAlternativeBoard.com/investinyourself.
© 2008 TAB Boards International, Inc. All Rights Reserved  |  www.thealternativeboard.com  |  1.800.727.0126

Bookmark the CEO Success Blog!

Christa Tuttle is founder and president of Launch Marketing, an Austin based marketing services firm, which works with technology oriented businesses to generate leads and drive revenue. Launch’s high impact and cost effective services range from developing and implementing integrated marketing plans to completing one time projects including company or product launches, demand generation campaigns, events, websites, collateral and more. Started in 2001, the firm has over 70 clients to date ranging from early stage to public companies. In 2004, Christa was a recipient of the Austin Business Journal’s Rising Star Award and in 2008, Launch received the Silver Award for Best Integrated B2B Tradeshow Campaign by Event Marketer Magazine.

Learn more about Launch Marketing

A Client’s Bill of Rights

Three Key Points to Consider When Selecting a Firm or Consultant

Typically, a company engages a firm or consultant when it lacks time or internal resources to accomplish certain tasks. While this reasoning is effective and can deliver results, the most significant value of working with a third party is the opportunity to gain an unbiased perspective and deep subject matter expertise. Once you’ve identified the need to bring in a third party, where do you begin? How do you ensure maximum value over the lifetime of your engagement?

Launch Marketing interviewed numerous executives to discover common pain points and successes experienced when working with a third party. After analyzing the results, the following are three of the top points:

• The Right to be Understood. It is often seen that some firms ramp up for a client pitch by preparing their resume of accomplishments instead of taking the time to do the homework necessary to gain an understanding of your company, products or solutions. The best pitches ‘feel’ like the firm is part of the company, so much so that it should be seen as extensions of your company’s internal team. The further the firm is along on that path of alignment in early stages, the better your odds are that it will add value to your team.

• The Right to Accountability. As a client, you have the right to receive work from a firm or consultant that is of absolute value to your company. If a firm is running up against obstacles on a project for a client, it is the responsibility of the firm or consultant to notify the client of the situation, and proactively provide an outline of alternative solutions to implement to help achieve projected goals.

• The Right to be Number One. Most importantly, you have the right to feel like you are the only client; the top priority. Regardless of how busy your point of contact is, he or she should always be responsive and accountable to your needs. If your point of contact can’t immediately start working on your request, he or she should at least respond with a phrase such as, “I can’t get to this today, but I can do so tomorrow.” A quick response to let you know they received the message and will work on it as soon as possible is priceless.

Know Your Rights

Make sure whichever firm or consultant you choose can meet these and any other needs specific to you, your internal team and your company. The expectations you outline up front can help you build a successful and long-lasting relationship with the third party you engage. To read the expanded version of this article, visit www.launch-marketing.com/company/articles.aspx

About the Author

Christa Kleinhans Tuttle, a TAB member since 2004, is founder and president of Launch Marketing, which acts as a virtual marketing organization primarily for technology companies, and offers a range of services from developing and implementing integrated marketing plans to completing one time projects including launches, conferences, tradeshows, Web sites, print materials, online campaigns, direct marketing and more.

Bookmark the CEO Success Blog!

Following are results from TAB’s most recent Member Survey.TAB Members continue to far outpace non-TAB members in growth of revenue, profit and valuation. For further information about TAB, or to learn if YOU qualify for membership, click HERE.   

TAB Small Business Index     

July‐ August 2008  Survey Highlights 

Total  respondents:  606  

Margin  of  error:  .0398   

Economic  Outlook  

• 72%  of  those  surveyed  reported  company  revenues  either  stayed  the  same  or  increased  over  the  past  6  months  

• 69%  reported  company  profitability  either  stayed  the  same  or  increased  in  the  past  6  months

• 80%  either  added  employees  or  stayed  the  same  in  the  past  6  months  

• 93%  plan  to  increase  or  leave  their  workforce  as  is  in  the  coming  3‐6  months  

• 36%  were  optimistic  about  their  business  in  the  national  economy—however‐‐  55%   were  optimistic   about  their  business  in  the  local  economy  

• 38%  reported  being  negative  about  their  business  in  the  national  economy  and  21%  were  negative  about  their  business  in  the  local  economy  

• Most  pressing  concerns  were:  

o Sales  o Business  Operations  o Marketing  o Finances  o Managing  Growth  o Amount  of  Personal  Quality  Time   o Meeting  payroll  

• 37%  attribute  decreases  in  company  financials  over  the  past  6  months  to  the  economy.  Only  11%  attribute  increases  in  company  financials  to  the  economy.  

• Of  those  changes  made  in  the  business,  43%  of  respondents  made  those  changes  in  preparation   for  the  economy.    Top  3  changes  to  the  business  included  :  reduced  costs,   increased  prices  and  found  new  revenue  streams.    

• TAB  has  helped  members  address  areas  of  the  business  in  preparation  for  a  tough  economy  by:  

o Finding  new  revenue‐ 20%  o Reduced  costs‐ 18%  o Increased  prices‐ 17%  

• 43%  of  respondents  felt  the  economy  wouldn’t  improve  for  another  13  months  or  more.  20% felt it would  improve  in  11‐12  months.  

• 44%  of  respondents  expect  it  to  become  harder  to  obtain  required  financing  over  the  next  6  months.  

• 60%  have  increased  their  marketing  efforts  over  the  past  6  months—and  77%  plan  to  increase  marketing  efforts  in  the  next  3‐6  months.

 Bookmark the Business Blog!

Money Crisis: Business Owners Strategize (CBS Phoenix Channel 5)

Bookmark the CEO Success Blog!

Learn more about CLEAResult, Inc.

Glenn Garland’s Biography

The Alternative Board Austin would like to congratulate their superb member, Glenn Garland of CLEAResult, Inc.on his recent marriage!

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Garland!