joanne chalom, coms, ed.s.. how many hats do you wear?

JoAnne Chalom, COMS, Ed.S.

JoAnne Chalom, COMS, Ed.S.

How many hats do you wear?

Attendees will

◦Understand similarities & differences An employee A private contractor

Attendees will

◦Access resources to develop a business plan An emerging Or established business

Attendees will

◦Understand the benefits of social media marketing Emerging business Established business

Think Time

◦Presentation◦Questions◦Wrap-Up

Private contractors typically have contracts for ◦ A set time period◦ A set amount of money

Typically a school board employee’s salary is based on a◦‘School year’ ◦Ten months long

A new orientation and mobility specialist may need to accept a lower fee structure

This may be similar to a beginning salary for a recent graduate

Comparison between◦A veteran orientation and mobility

specialist◦Long-time employee at the top of the

pay scale

Wear and tear on School Board Employees' car is not typically reimbursed

Contractors would typically use their car and may or may not be reimbursed for their travel time and expenses

A school board employee benefit ◦The use of the company vehicle for work

related travel ◦Reimbursement for mileage

School Board employees also have benefits

It may include◦Medical◦Dental◦Retirement

What fringe benefits are provided to employees?

Are they as prevalent for private contractors?

Contractors can access health care coverage through other means that may include

◦The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)

Pension Plans

Group Errors and Omissions Coverage

Paid time off (sick or personal)

Paid Holidays/Leaves or Sabbaticals

Group Health Insurance

Groups Dental Coverage

Group Life Insurance

Professional Errors and Omissions Liability insurance

General Commercial Liability Insurance

Business coverage for your vehicle

A private contractor would need to consider expenses such as◦Gas◦Vehicle maintenance◦Office supplies◦Other expenditures

Congratulations, you have decided to go out on your own and become self-employed

Give yourself a pat on the back

Now exhale (after you have figured out what you have just done)

Take a moment to say good bye

◦Dependable paychecks

◦Fringe Benefits

◦Paid time off

Paperwork ◦Oh what fun………..

All licenses required to have a business must be kept current ◦City◦County ◦State

Monthly deposits ◦Federal taxes◦State taxes◦State employment taxes ◦(Formerly unemployment taxes)

Insuring that invoices are paid in a timely manner

Insuring that business expenses are paid on time

◦When is it worthwhile to give some of your responsibilities to another professional like an accountant?

When you spend more time completing these tasks when you could be providing services to clients and earning money

Research and think about your business in a systematic way◦Financial backing◦Loans ◦Investors

It helps you to think things through thoroughly

◦Study◦Research-If you are not sure of the facts◦Review-Look at your ideas critically

Mission Statement

Vision

Goals

Mission Statement◦ Brief statement◦ 30 words or fewer◦ Explaining their reason for being ◦ Guiding principles

Vision/Business Philosophy

What is important to your business?

To whom will you market your services?

Goals-destinations

Objectives-progress markers

Industry description- What changes do you foresee in the industry, short term and long term?

Will your company be poised to take advantage of them?

Describe company strengths and core competencies.

What factors will make the company succeed?

What do you think your major competitive strengths will be?

What background experience, skills, and strengths do you personally bring to this new venture?

Legal forms of ownership Sole Proprietor (DBA) Partnership Corporation Limited liability Corporation (LLC)

Services Describe your services in depth What factors will you give? Advantages ? (level of quality) Disadvantages ? What are the fee structure of your

services?

Market Research◦Know your niche market

Primary research◦Collecting your own data

Secondary research Newspapers Trade journals Census data Demographic information Social Media

Economics Size of market Current demand (niche) Trends Growth patterns

Other factors Competitive analysis Customers Strengths and challenges Operational analysis

Other factors Narrowing your niche How big a piece of a business can you

accommodate? As a new or established business owner

are you biting off more than you can chew?

Score (http://www.score.org/) (retired entrepreneurs)

◦Free or low cost ◦Mentoring◦Workshops◦Webinars

Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) ◦Free◦Mentoring◦Workshops

◦http://www.aptac-us.org/contracting-assistance

Topics offered…◦Finance ◦Money◦Management ◦Technology

Minority Business Owner◦A business that is owned, managed, and

controlled by a person who qualifies as a minority

◦At least 51% owned by a minority

Women Owned Business◦A business that is owned, managed, and

controlled by a woman ◦At least 51% owned by a women

Small Business Enterprise◦A business that meets criteria from the

county or city◦Financial restrictions apply

Small Disadvantaged Business◦At least 51 percent owned by one or

more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged

Small Disadvantaged Business Whose management and daily business

are controlled by one or more such individuals

Logo◦How do you want your brand visually

represented ?

Tag line◦It’s more than a few simple words and it

must be very succinct

Blogs◦To blog or not to blog that is the question

Logo◦Does your logo look professional and

does it relay an image you would like associated with your company ?

◦Yes, many free images are available, but sometimes you get what you pay for

Tag line◦What does it mean to your

clients/customers?◦It provides a clear and indelible mental

image of your primary business product.◦ It answers the unasked question’ what

makes your business unique?’

Blogs are:◦Another representation of your

professional image◦A two way street type of Pandora’s Box You are only in control of outgoing

messages You can not control messages

Once a blog is posted◦It is posted forever◦You cannot control the comments

readers post under your blog

Know when to contact a professional who excels in areas that are not your area of expertise

Know when to invest your time wisely

Website Development◦Professional presence◦An extension of your business’s vision

Brochures◦Know your purpose◦Is it a giveaway or a marketing tool◦Limit fonts used

Create a clean cut media presence◦Clear◦Concise◦Not cluttered

To maintain and accentuate your theme include the same◦Tag line◦Logo

Use a consistent theme across all marketing media◦Website◦Brochures◦Business Cards◦Blog ◦Advertising

Social Media◦Facebook◦Instagram◦LinkedIn◦Twitter◦Google+

Similarities & Differences ◦ Contractor vs. Employee

Your Business Plan

Social Media Marketing

Spend time putting your thoughts on paper

Create a document that can be referenced if you lose focus

Slow down and think about the business you are creating

Be willing to knock down barriers to create the type of business that reflects your philosophy and vision

SCORE formerly known as Service Corps of Retired Executiveswww.score.org

Business Planning and Financial Statements Template Gallery http://www.score.org/resources/business-planning-financial-statements-template-gallery

The U.S. Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov/

Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers

http://www.aptac-us.org/contracting-assistance/

Terms to Know

http://www.frbatlanta.org/about/atlantafed/procurement/supplier_classification.cfm

JoAnne Chalom, COMS, Ed.S.

In Focus Mobility, Inc.

www.infocusmobility.com

jchalom@infocusmobility.com

(954) 261-9226