September 18, 2004

Speaking of Change

I'm sure you've noticed this is the first issue of Solutions since the beginning of the year. As many of you already know, Eva and I have dissolved our marriage as well as our consulting partnership. All projects involving the two of us have now been completed.

I will continue to offer Solutions, and will continue my consulting and writing under the name Lane Baldwin's Business Solutions. Eva will continue to serve her existing clients but, for the time being, will not be accepting new clients. Please note the new web address - www.lanebaldwin.com - and new e-mail - lane@lanebaldwin.com.

This Spring I relocated to Gunnison, a wonderful little town on the Western Slope of the Colorado Rockies. It has been a wonderful and exciting change for me. I've made many new friends, joined the local Rotary chapter and been engaged by several new clients in the area.

Please accept my apology for the lack of newsletters this year. However, with everything that has happened in the past eight months, I have not had time to offer a quality newsletter. In keeping with my philosophy of excellence, I decided it was best to do nothing rather than doing it halfway.

My thanks to those with whom we have continued to work during this trying time. Also, my sincerest appreciation to the many who have expressed their concern and well wishes for both Eva and I as we begin a new chapter in our lives. I look forward to continuing to provide the finest in consulting and writing/editing services to all of you.

In the next issue we'll look at marketing for small business.

Resource - Book

Time Management for Dummies, 2nd Edition
Jeffrey J. Mayer, 1999. IDG Books

Mayer may well be the world's foremost authority on cleaning up clutter and time management. The author of numerous books on time management, he has consulted to numerous Fortune 500 companies. In this book his basic principles are outlined in an easy-to-follow format with a casual tone. Don't be put off by the name; this book is worth every penny for those of us who are "organizationally challenged."

Quick Tip - Clean Up Your Act!

There are far too many desks in the business world masquerading as disaster areas. The major problem is the time wasted by all this mess. Think about: How much time do you spend looking for files, notes and forms that you need? If your desk is a mess, chances are you're wasting several hours every week. If you lose just one hour per week, that's more than a full (40-hour) workweek you've lost. Stop it! Take two hours to go through every piece of paper on your desk and either 1) recycle it (or throw it away) 2) file it where you can find it or 3) pass it along to the person that really needs it. You'll be glad you did.

You've Got Questions

Q: I'm considering relocating. How can I go about it without going out of business?

A: There are several important considerations. First and foremost, you should have at least six months worth of estimated expenditures in the bank beforehand. You are basically starting a new business when you move more than a short distance. Don't plan on any income for at least a month or two, and give yourself the time it takes to get back up to speed.

Make a list of all clients and current projects. Any that cannot be moved with you should be completed before moving. Make note of the clients that are portable, and those that aren't. For the first group, plan how you will tell them of your move and encourage them to stay with you. However, for planning purposes, don't expect any income from them until you start to see checks in your mailbox. The second group deserves fair warning of your impending change to allow sufficient time to replace your services.

Once relocated, treat it as a new business. This means that, once again, your main job will be marketing to a new community. You'll need a new marketing plan and you'll need to work it consistently. As I've said before, if you aren't actually doing business, you should be working on finding business.

Thought for the Day:

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will allow my fear to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone I will turn my inner eye to see its path. And where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
The Bene Gesserit litany against fear -- Frank Herbert, "Dune"

End of Solutions V2004 #1, A Publication of:
Lane Baldwin Business Solutions
Our business is improving yours.™

Copyright by Lane Baldwin Business Solutions, 2004. Reprinting or republication of Solutions is prohibited without prior approval.

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