Why do I need a Durable Power of Attorney ?

Jun 6, 2009 – 8:48 pm

Most people think that Estate Planning is planning only for death. That means, selecting a Guardian to take care of your minor children, and making sure that your Beneficiaries receive your assets when you die.

Estate Planning is more than planning for death.  A good Estate Plan will protect you at incapacity.  You -not the courts- keep control of your assets and decisions about your medical care when you are still alive but no longer able to handle your affairs.  This is why you must include a  Durable Power of Attorney and an Advanced Healthcare Directive in your Estate Plan.

For more information, please visit http://www.conswellambyrd.com
By Conswella Byrd | Posted in EBAR BNI, EBAR BNI Presentations | Comments (0)

It’s Mid-2009, Are You Sticking To Your Business Plan?

May 26, 2009 – 11:25 pm

What business plan you ask? I’m talking about the business plan that you wrote at the beginning of the year. You know, that document that outlined your financial goals, your 2009 vision, and the action steps that you would take in order to accomplish those goals.

Where did you put it?

If you do not have a business plan, how do you  know  when you have accomplished your goals? How do you measure the results of your business? How do you stay organized? Most important, how do you reach the point of being satisfied with the success that you have created in your business?

I’m here to help you see the importance of developing a business plan so that your best thinking is captured onto a written document. When you create a business plan, you’ll never have to guess what your goals are. You won’t have to guess how much money you need to make. You will stay on track with your goals and make adjustments when necessary.

The main thing is “knowing” the outcome of all these things. Do you know any entrepreneurs who are running their business on auto pilot? There is a problem with allowing your business to “just happen”.  The problem is, unpredictability. You went into business so that you can have control over a few things:

  • Your money
  • Your time
  • Your choices

There is a lot at stake here. If your business is left on auto pilot you may end up in dangerous territory.  You will allow your financial situation to “just happen”. Your client and prospect database will fizzle away. The goals that are left in your head will remain mere dreams.

I want to help you avoid this unnecessary problem. It is my life’s goal to help you stay focused in your business and reach the success you deserve.  Look at some of the questions that I will help you to answer about your business:

  1. What are you building?
  2. Why does your business exist?
  3. What results will you measure?
  4. How will you build your company?
  5. What is the work to be done?

These five powerful questions will open up thought patterns about your business that you didn’t know existed.  You will develop a fresh perspective and gain new excitement about your business! Are you ready to receive a burst of vigor that will shine new light on your way of life?

Allow me, The Business Mentor to help you to add value to your business by designing an effective, results driven business plan!

You have six months left to accomplish your business goals for 2009. I’ll take you there.

Wil Hart is a business coach that helps his clients get what they want and expect from their business. He has extensive training as a certified Book Yourself Solid marketing coach. He is also a certified One Page Business Plan consultant. Wherever you business goals point you, Wil gives you the tools to take you there!
By Wil Hart | Posted in EBAR BNI Presentations | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

EBAR BNI Visitor Day May 14th

Apr 30, 2009 – 5:33 am

You are cordially invited to an exclusive Visitors Day brought to you by the East Bay Abundant Referrals (EBAR) Chapter of Business Network International, Inc. (BNI), on Thursday, May 14th, from 7:30am – 9:30am in Oakland (contact us at contact@ebar-bni.com for location details.)

Trey McAlister, BNI Director and Professional Business Trainer, will be sharing information about BNI and about why BNI is the number one referral organization. He will demonstrate how your business can increase by as much as 50% through “word-of-mouth” marketing.

Cost is $15.00

You must RSVP to attend this event. Please email us contact@ebar-bni.com

Among others, we are looking for the following positions:

  • Photographer
  • Caterer
  • IT Support Consultant
  • Bookkeeper
  • Pet Sitter/Trainer
  • Dentist
  • Architect
  • Videographer
  • Senior Services
  • Wardrobe Consultant
  • PI Attorney
  • Property Manger
  • Moving Company
  • Geriatrician/ Geriatric RN
  • Attorney / Elder Law
  • Assisted Living
  • Divorce Attorney
  • Commercial Insurance Broker
  • Editor
  • Marketing Agency/Consultant
  • Printer
  • Illustrator
  • Educators – Admin, Counselors, Teachers

    •  

    By Michael Waters | Posted in BNI, EBAR BNI, Networking | Tagged | Comments (0)

    Rebuilding Together Oakland, 2009

    Apr 28, 2009 – 7:35 am

    On April 18th, EBAR BNI teamed up with the good folks at Rebuilding Together Oakland to help refurbish a home of an elderly woman in Oakland.

    We came into the process a little late this year, but Tim & Koy from Fitzgerald Abbott & Beardsley had put in a lot of work prepping the house and planning the 3 weekend long renovation process. However me made great progress and helped make some improvements and move the project along towards it’s desired goal of improving Ms. T’s home.

    One Man Wrecking Crew

    One Man Wrecking Crew

    A Note from One of the Team Leaders:
    “Dear RTO Volunteer Team,

    The last challenge: Attempting to convey the depth of appreciation for the time, effort and heart you gave to Ms. T and her family. Here goes…

    THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

    We started this RTO project over 2 months ago with a tight budget, a general plan and a lot of dreams for how we could transform 8712 A Street.

    With your help, we achieved our general plan which was to repair all broken windows, paint the exterior and interior, repair Ms. T’s front gate, and put molding on the kitchen cabinets. In addition, some of our dreams became reality! We completely tore down and removed an old garage in the backyard, improved her front garden and laid new comfy carpet in her 2 bedrooms and the living room. We also connected Ms. T with several Bay Area home experts that may be able to help her with other issues very soon.

    It was a joy to see you all smiling and laughing as you put in so much hard work. And it was great to witness new friendships being made and old friendships being strengthened during the process.

    I hope you all enjoyed your RTO experience as much as we enjoyed your participation. Ms. T and her family are extremely pleased and thankful!

    Thank you again, and we hope to see you next year – same time, different place!

    For more images, please visit Flickr

    By Michael Waters | Posted in EBAR BNI, Volunteer | Comments (0)

    Do You Have a Shaky Foundation?

    Apr 16, 2009 – 12:58 am

    If you built your own house, what would be the most important part of the structure. Before you break ground would you start thinking about dressing the windows. Or, would you start shopping for fancy faucet fixtures? I doubt it. What comes first? It the foundation.

    If the foundation of your house is pretty important, what about your business? If you are running your business haphazardly, you may no longer have a house to live in. Let’s talk about keep your business alive. What is more, let’s make it strong by focusing on your marketing foundation. 

    When it comes to marketing your business, do you find it to be a topic that you shy from? What are the elements to having bedrock, solid marketing foundation? There are four things that need to be clear so that you can have a focused marketing effort that will serve you for years to come.

    The FOUNDATION FOUR:

    1. Identifying your ideal client

    2. Choosing a target market

    3. Understanding why people buy what you are selling

    4. Know how to talk about what you do.

    Ideal Client:

    Identifying your ideal client is important if you want to build a business that you absolutely love to run. What is an ideal client and why is it important to identify him?

    An ideal client is a person that possesses certain qualities that resonates with you. Have you ever had a client that you liked so much, that you couldn’t believe you were being paid to work with him? That is an ideal situation. We’ve all had a client that we wish would just pay us and we didn’t have to work them. Even worse, you have probably had clients that you’d pay to get rid of. That is less than ideal.

    Target Market:

    You may say, “I don’t need a target market. My products and services are great for EVERYONE.” Not so! When you pick a target market, you become known as the expert that can solve the problems of a certain group. That is a nice thought, being a force to be reckoned with. It’s difficult to be such a force if we try to be all things to all prospective clients.

    Why People Buy:

    When we know why people buy our products or services, we can position ourselves as the problem solver when they need us. Having a target will expand your marketing efforts because your able to understand the urgent needs and compelling desires of a specific group. Customer purchase our services because they are either moving away from something they don’t want, or moving towards something they truly want. This knowledge is a prize possession for your marketing efforts.

    How To Talk:

    You now know who to talk to (ideal client & target market) and you know why they buy from you. Now, you need to know what to say so that they will recognize you as their go to person. Clearly identifying whom you serve and what you do for them will allow those who hear your message to resonate with your words.

    So how strong is your marketing foundation? Learn how to build an unshakable marketing foundation by contacting Wil Hart. I am teach entrepreneurs, namely design professionals and virtual assistants how to attract ideal clients. I do this by teaching my clients how to have effective business conversations. To learn more click here.

    By Wil Hart | Posted in EBAR BNI Presentations | Comments (0)

    Do You Want New Clients, Really?

    Apr 2, 2009 – 5:24 am

    If you were given gifts to improve your business, would you take advantage of the gifts or toss them to the wind? I’ll do you one better than simply asking a rhetorical question. Click HERE to receive 4 gifts that are bound to improve your business.

    Marketing is a wonderful activity. Many find it scary, degrading and slimy! How do you feel about marketing? If you really think about it, we are always marketing.  If we aren’t marketing ourselves, we are promoting someone or something else.

    Have you ever tried to explain how and why your favorite restaurant is worth the $4 toll to cross the (S.F/Oakland) Bay Bridge? Think about your favorite restaurant (wherever it may be).

    See the sites! Smell the scents! Hear the sounds! Most important, taste the flavors of your favorite dish.  Do you have these things solidly fixed in mind? Read More »

    By Wil Hart | Posted in EBAR BNI Presentations, Networking | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

    Identifying Core Values

    Mar 25, 2009 – 6:55 pm

    One of the topics I often discuss with my coaching clients has to do with their core values.  The American Heritage Dictionary defines values as, “A principle, standard, or quality considered worthwhile or desirable.”

    Other ways to think about values:

    What you consider to be important to you in your life

    What gives your life meaning

    A framework for how you make choices

    May change somewhat at different stages of your life.

    By identifying your values, you are able to pursue what matters. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

    In the book, The Power of Full Engagement, Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz, write about how the city of Orlando, Florida planted a long line of trees along the highway. During the first storm with heavy winds, the trees blew down. After each storm the city sent workers out to prop up the trees with external sources of support, which continued to not be effective.

    “It never seemed to occur to the folks in charge that if trees are to survive in a high-wind area, they must have a deeper root structure.  It did occur to us that we were observing in nature a phenomenon that characterizes many of our own lives. Because we so often lack deep roots-firm beliefs and compelling values-we are easily buffeted by the prevailing winds. If we lack a strong sense of purpose we cannot hold our ground when we are challenged by life’s inevitable storms. Instead, we react defensively, blaming the storm or simply disengaging and ceasing to invest our energy.”

    One way to begin to understand and live deeply your core values is to look at a list of values and to identify those that hold the most meaning to you.

    If you would like a list of Values, please email me (sue@oak-communications.com) and I will email a PDF handout to you.

    After making a list or circling the words on a provided list, of those most important to you, identify the top 3 – 10. You may want to group words together in a string of values that go together for you.

    Do your top values reflect how you currently spend your time? Are you living and working in terms of what matters most to you? If for example, generosity is a value for you, are you living generously? How can you transform your values into virtues?

    You may want to reflect on the following questions. Jump ahead to the end of your life. What are the three most important lessons you have learned and what makes them critical? Think of someone you respect. Describe the qualities that you most admire in this person.

    How can you incorporate what you have learned from these reflections into your own daily life and work? I recommend making your list of top values visible on your desk. Refer to them regularly and especially when you have a choice or decision to make.

    To explore values further as well as other topics, please visit my website.

    Sue Schleifer
    Oak Communications, Coaching and Consulting www.Oak-Communications.com

    By Sue Schleifer, M.A. | Posted in EBAR BNI Presentations | Tagged | Comments (0)

    What is a Reverse Mortgage?

    Mar 24, 2009 – 4:44 am

    For most of our adult lives, many of us strive to achieve the American Dream – owning a home.  Our homes are a symbol of achievement as well as a source of independence, comfort and a sense of control.  Now you can use your home to support you!  Reverses Mortgages are for those of us who are 62 or older and will allow us to tap the equity in our home to live mortgage free and pay you a monthly income for life.  Reverse Mortgages allow you to live with the grace and dignity you deserve.

    The advantages of Reverse Mortgages:
    You have no monthly mortgage payments
    You can live in your own home as long as you desire
    You retain Title to you home/the bank does not own your home!
    Use the money for whatever you choose
    All proceeds are tax-free
    No income or credit qualifications

    You can:
    Pay off your Mortgage and have no mortgage payments
    Help cover costs of Healthcare and In-Home Care
    Use the money to improve your quality of life
    Gift to your children, grandchildren or favorite charities while you are still living
    Reduce your estate taxes

    Congress Enacts New FHA and Stimulus Packages Reforms for Reverse Mortgages!

    New Temporary Lending Limits for Reverse Mortgages: for 2009 Congress has approved a new lending limit increase of $625,500 for Reverse Mortgages.  Get more money when you apply for or refinance a reverse Mortgage!
    Congressional Legislation reduces HECM Origination Fees! The new formula for maximum origination fees – 2% of first $200,000 of Principal Loan Limit, plus 1% of the balance above $200,000, to a maximum $6,000 – will become effective with the new HECM loan limits. This is the beginning of lowering the fees, one of the sole complaints about reverse mortgages.
    Allows for HECM for Home Purchase: You can now purchase the Retirement Home of your dreams with a Reverse Mortgage. You must be 62 years or older and have a substantial down payment such as the proceeds from the sale of a current residence.  Unlike a traditional mortgage, no repayment is required until the home is sold or the owner permenantly moves out.  No income or credit scores required!
    HECM for Co-ops is also part of this new legislation and is probably a few months away before being implemented. This adds one more property type to the list of eligible properties.

    Payments for Counseling Effective within thirty days, lenders will no longer be permitted to pay for HECM counseling.  The borrowers will be responsible for the payment; this insures the objectivity of the counselor! New counseling improvements will also be implemented this Fall.

    Cross Sales of Financial and Insurance Products Reforms: The new legislation requires HECM lenders to have “safeguards and firewalls,” to assure that originators (sales people) have no incentives for cross-sales of other financial or insurance products.
    The money you receive from a Reverse Mortgage can come in the form of a lump sum payment, a line of credit, a monthly payment or a combination of these options.
    For your free Reverse Mortgage Handbook or to see how much money you can receive; call me at 415-464-8209 or e-mail at : mbottari@allcalifornia.com.

    Many of Us Plan to “Age In Place”

    A recent study found that the majority of seniors intend to remain in their home for retirement and for those homes that are appropriate, many seniors are planning on staying indefinitely.  Simple changes to one’s home can make a living environment more comfortable and safe for older adults as they age.  Some of the things that make a home more comfortable for aging-in-place are:

    Installing a shower stall or seat
    Installing grab bars
    Installing walking ramps
    Installing medical response devices

    While most of us recognize these needs, a major concern is how do we pay for them?  Now seniors can turn the equity in their homes into tax-free cash!  The Reverse Mortgage is a loan that allows you take equity out of your home and live in it for the rest of your life.  Like a home equity loan, you get the money to use any way you wish, you don’t loose control of you home but unlike a home equity loan, there are no monthly mortgage payments during the life of the loan. You don’t pay back a Reverse Mortgage, if you don’t want to, until you move out of your home, sell it or pass away.  Only then must the loan be repaid.  Seniors use Reverse Mortgages for a variety of needs:

    Reverse Mortgages are Not Just in the US
    The growing popularity of reverse mortgage is expanding past the United States.  Other countries are discovering the benefits reverse mortgages have on the aging population.  Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore and New Zealand are all offering reverse mortgages.  India is also looking to offer these in the near future.
    Australia: reverse mortgage have been offered in Australia since the 1990’s, lack of demand caused them to be removed from the market but they have now been re-launched.

    United Kingdom: they are known as Lifetime Mortgage.  They began offering this mortgage in 2005.

    Canada:   has a reverse mortgage called the Canadian Home Income Plan (CHIP) and it was introduced in the mid 1980’s.

    Singapore: decided to offer a reverse mortgage product in expectation of the age shift of the next 6 to 24 years.  In 2030 one out of every 5 residents will be a senior citizen.

    India: introduced the reverse mortgage concept in its 2007-2008 budgets.
    New Zealand: doubled their reverse mortgage market in 2006.

    Learn more at:

    www.bottari.net/mortgage-talk

    Additional resources:
    NRMLA – National Reverse Mortgage Lender’s Association
    AARP – www.aarp.org/money/revmort
    Fannie Mae – www.fanniemae.com
    The National Council on Aging – www.ncoa.org

    By Marge Bottari | Posted in EBAR BNI Presentations | Comments (0)

    So, “What Do You Do?”

    Mar 18, 2009 – 7:21 am

    The NUMBER ONE warm up question at networking events (and in life) is – “What do you do?” The operative word here is ‘do’. The most popular answer to this question is “I am …” Sir, are you listening to me? I asked “what do you DO”, not ‘what ARE you’. 

    Many still play the old game of ‘labeling’ themselves, instead of really talking about what they do for people.

    Shall we analyze this a bit further? In order to become more relevant and more referable, entrepreneurs must develop and effective way of talking about what they DO. A few key elements should be highlighted in your reply when having this discussion.

    Key Elements:

    • ‘Who’ you serve (target market)
    • ‘What’ you do for them (your job function NOT a label)
    • Highlight some deep rooted benefits that your clients receive from working with you

    The next time someone asks you, “what do you do”, please tell them what services you actually perform and the type of clients with whom you work. It will be much easier for your listener to go through their mental rolodex and seek a good contact for you.

    This worked well for me recently (as it always does).  I was at at a networking event. The room was filled with people who did not know me. I met one nice woman and she asked, “So, what do you do?” I replied, “I teach web developers and graphic designers how to get ideal clients. Guess what she said! “Oh, I have someone that you have to meet.” She marched me over to the table where her graphic designer friend was sitting and said, “I think you need to meet this guy, he may be a good contact for you.”

    You already know what happens next, right? My new friend (the graphic designer) asks, “What do you do?” I repeated my winning reply and she said, “I know a group of people who could possibly use your help, let’s get together soon.” 

    Are you beginning to see the effectiveness of not labeling yourself? Tell your listeners 3 things: 1) whom you serve, 2) what you do for them and 3) some of the benefits they receive from working with you, it is easier to become more relevant and referable. The third part comes naturally as the conversation progresses, but you always need to keep those benefits in mind.

    What will you say the next time a person asks, “So, what do you Do?”

    Wil teaches web developers and graphic designers how to get ideal clients. Check out his blog and receive 4 gifts that will improve your business and help you to acquire not just any client, but ideal clients http://www.GetIdealClientsNow.com

    By Wil Hart | Posted in EBAR BNI Presentations, Networking | Comments (0)

    Top 5 Search Engine Ranking Factors

    Mar 13, 2009 – 10:53 pm

    Short presentation to my BNI group about the top 5 search engine ranking factors.
    Download presentation: studio678_rankingFactors.pdf 500kb

    The results were extracted from a report created by seomoz.org.

    By Michael Waters | Posted in EBAR BNI Presentations | Comments (0)