joanne chalom, coms, ed.s.. how many hats do you wear?
TRANSCRIPT
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
(954) 261-9226