• BRANDING: Brand Aid - How Brand Equity Can Help You



• HOLIDAY: How Small Stores Can Lure Holiday Shoppers



• LEADERSHIP: Toxicity in the Workplace: Diffusing Difficult People



• MANAGEMENT: Buy Equipment Now for Bigger Tax Write-Off



• MARKETING: 12 Innovative Marketing Techniques



• PUBLIC RELATIONS: The 6 Myths Killing Your Buzz



• STRATEGY: Reading Your Clients



• STYLE: Hot Reds for Fall - Jessee Skittrall, The KADUSGUY
  

October 3, 2008

BRANDING:  Brand Aid - Your Brand Equity Can Help You
- marketingprofs.com
 
In an article at MarketingProfs.com, Mike O'Toole explains why small businesses instinctively understand the importance of developing brand equity: "It is the quality that motivates your customers to recommend their friends or colleagues to you." And he says you don't need to be a Fortune 500 company to reap the benefits. "These are practices you don't need a billion dollar marketing budget to emulate," says O'Toole, adding: "In fact, you can start today."

HOLIDAY:  How Small Stores Can Lure Holiday Shoppers
- ecommercetimes.com
 
Call it a customer service Christmas. Consumers are expected to rein in spending this year, and the retail climate favors big-box stores that can offer bargains. But because small retailers can't win price wars, experts say independents need to leverage their biggest advantage over the chains: personal relationships with customers and the ability to deliver superior service.

LEADERSHIP:  Toxicity in the Workplace: Diffusing Difficult People
- pittsburghlive.com
 
Anywhere in life -- such as the workplace, family, a grocery store, or restaurant -- people can encounter folks who are in some way difficult to deal with and relate to, and create stress. Such people can cause anything from a mild annoyance to headaches, stomach aches and misery. Whether the difficult people are colleagues or part of your personal life, it might help to keep in mind that difficult people have difficult lives themselves – and here are some ways to cope and diffuse those difficult people in your world!

MANAGEMENT:  Buy Equipment Now for More Tax Write Off
- nytimes.com
 
Given the economic climate, small-business owners may be loath to make major purchases of new equipment or furnishings this year. But for those with money and an inclination to spend it, now is a good time to buy, as Congress enacted generous tax incentives for this year only. Businesses considering major expenditures may realize significant tax savings if they act promptly. The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 allows businesses to take an immediate write-off of up to $250,000 for equipment purchased this year, double the amount allowed in 2007. Businesses that place the assets in service this year are entitled to an additional 50 percent depreciation.

MARKETING:  12 Innovative Marketing Techniques - forbes.com
 
Getting the word out on the cheap is one of the greatest hurdles for aspiring small-business owners in any economic environment, let alone the troubled one we're in now. "In times like this, people think the first thing to do is to cut back on marketing to save money," says guerrilla-marketing expert Jay Conrad Levinson. "But that's kind of like ditching your wristwatch to save time. A down economy is not a time to become low profile, or people will forget you."
 

PUBLIC RELATIONS:  The 6 Myths Killing Your (PR) Buzz
- salonsblog.com  

You have never had more resources at your disposal for creating buzz through public relations than you have now, many at lower costs than ever before, and some for free! You will be surprised – and hopefully moved to action – when you discover the myths killing your buzz-building opportunities and how easy it is to get your PR machine moving!

STRATEGY:  Reading Your Clients - skininc.com
 
Do you want to know the big secret behind being successful in medical esthetics and cosmetic medicine? It’s more important to make your clients feel good than it is to make them look good. Intently listening during consultations is the key to defining the best treatments for clients. By recognizing some common personality types, you may better meet the needs of your clients and, in turn, grow your business.

STYLE:  Hot Reds for Fall!
- Jessee Skittrall, the KadusGuy on YouTube
 
Click on the gorgeous redhead, dead center at the link above! After you watch the ‘Curves’ video on YouTube, click on “More from KadusGuy” to the right and check out the whole library of Jessee’s videos, complete with Step-by-Steps and detailed color instruction on YouTube. A big thanks to Jessee for the picture and all of the great Kadus Color videos online!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Salon Services partnered with David Hanen, Founder and Owner of LOMA-Pearatin, to donate a dollar for each bottle of "Pink Bow" Fortifying Repairative Serum that you purchase between now and October 2008.

Proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation's annual 3-Day Walk - our own Stacy Kurtz just completed her 3-day walk. Watch your e-mail for an upcoming story about her experience in her own words - and find out how you can start preparing now to be part of the team next year!

Read about her story or make a donation online [click here].


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GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY:  PBA Tax Alert for Businesses on Stimulus Package - Professional Beauty Association
 
There is more to the Economic Stimulus Act than the rebates that most of us will be receiving this summer. Included in the Economic Stimulus Act are two provisions to help small businesses. These opportunities are only available in 2008, so if you want to take advantage you must act quickly. These provisions have not received as much press as the rebates have. But, overlooking these provisions could be a costly mistake. Here is what you need to know to take advantage of the new law.
 

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