From the desk of Bob Meyer... 02/11/2014

"The world is better than it has ever been."

– Bill Gates

According to the world's richest man and renowned philanthropist, "By almost any measure the world is better than it's ever been. People are living longer, healthier lives. Many nations that were aid recipients are now self-sufficient. You might think that such striking progress would be widely celebrated, but in fact, many people think the world is getting worse."  

To read Bill Gates interesting and informative take on today's world, click here.

Facebook Forms Small Business Council

The world's largest social network has won over 1 million of the smallest companies, which are regularly using Facebook in their marketing efforts. In March, a dozen small - and medium-size business representatives will attend Facebook's Menlo Park headquarters for its first Small and Medium Business Council meeting.

Facebook sees this market of small businesses as a potential moneymaker, given that some 25 million active businesses are on its site. Yet the lion's share of the business community is not yet spending ad dollars on Facebook.

Digital Currencies Usage Will Grow In Poor Countries

Digital money (Bitcoin) has been getting a lot of ink in the press for a variety of reasons. But the practical reason why digital money usage will grow is because of low transaction fees. In Kenya, for example, M-pesa is being used for almost half of all transactions. Their low transaction costs are great for the poor because they need to do financial transactions with small amounts of money. Over the next few years digital money will play a significant role in India and Africa.

Earning Are Widest In 48 Years

The growing value of a college education (despite tuition costs) is growing according to the latest findings. The Pew Research Center says those without a bachelor’s degree in today's economy are more likely to live in poverty and be dissatisfied with their job, if not unemployed. Young adults with just a high school diploma earned 62% of the typical salary of a college graduate. This earnings gap between young adults with and without college degrees is at the widest level in 48 years.

Simple Ways To Show Your Customers You Care

Showing appreciation for your loyal customers can go a long way toward cementing a positive relationship with them. A couple of low cost ideas might include: making phone calls to show your gratitude; forming a VIP club where you offer incentives and discounts; acknowledging their contributions on your website.

All back issues of "From the Desk..." can be accessed by clicking here.

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Do you remember when?

Barter Relied Upon To Move Massive $100 Billion Inventory

It's hard to imagine today, but back in 1991 the S&L banks in the U.S. were in great trouble and had to be bailed out by Congress. Lewis Seidman, chairman of the Resolution Trust Corp. (RTC), was the man selected to solve the problem. It was his responsibility to dispose of the bad loans, flawed junk bonds, and the myriad real estate assets that made the S&L crisis the most expensive financial debacle in our nation's history.

In BarterNews (issue 24) we reported on how RTC used barter as the financing technique to entice the nation's top eligible investors to get involved. It was done through cash-flow financing, which enabled the investors to trade on their expertise and credibility rather than upfront cash investments.

Seidman moved 80% of the $100 billion hard-to-sell commercial real estate and loans by trading large portfolios of assets; in exchange accepting a share of the earnings (the cash-flow generated) from the office rents, hotel revenues, and loan collections.

"It is, in effect, a partnership ... it puts us (the government) at risk for longer. We'd prefer to get cash and walk away from the properties," Seidman explained, "but the market isn't there to do that." In short, he admitted that a barter-type arrangement was the strategy necessary to move the assets that the government had been unable to sell in the conventional manner.

Is Your Trade Exchange Missing Out On Valuable New Business?

If your barter company's listing on BarterNews.com isn't current, you are definitely missing out on new business. The web site BarterNews.com receives heavy traffic -- with over 150,000 page-views every month. Entrepreneurs and corporate executives check the thousands of articles, the weekly "Tuesday Report," and the "Contacts Section" of our site. They use the latter to find barter companies with which to do business.

Is your barter company's listing up-to-date?

To keep your listing current is very easy. See the links below to (A) update any changes to your company's listing, such as new location, phone number, web site or other information, and (B) if your company has not been listed.

Here's how to get on board:

To make changes to your listing click here.

For new listings click here.

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The Olympic Creed

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part. Just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

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* * ANNOUNCEMENT * * We have packages of back issues still in print, approximately 30 issues in all. To order: Click here

It's The Experience ...

The latest economic theory says we’re moving into an emerging experience economy. This new model provides an escape from the "commodification" trap, in which businesses are finding it harder and harder to differentiate their products from others of a similar nature.

Joe Pine and Jim Gilmore, co-authors of the book, The Experience Economy: Work Is Theatre & Every Business A Stage, contend the economy's next competitive battleground lies not so much in selling goods and services, but in staging experience! Beyond altering the art of retail, they venture that the experience economy could transform the entire practice of work.

Consider these staging possibilities:  interviewing becomes auditioning, casual Fridays become chances for costuming, and hum-drum meetings are viewed as guerrilla street theatre. In a full-blown experience economy, they argue, businesses will benefit from the change.

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How To Hold Meetings That Produce Optimum Results

Here are five questions to ask when you're invited to a meeting:

1) Where is the agenda?

A meeting without an agenda is like a journey without a map...it will waste time. The agenda must include most than just a list of topics. It should describe the issue, the approach for resolving it, and a time-line.

2) What is the goal?

Is the chair seeking an agreement, solution, or plan? Knowing the goal gives you a head start on participating effectively. (Be cautious of meetings held just to discuss something, they seldom accomplish anything.)

3) What is my role?

Make sure your participation adds value to the meeting. If you're needed to work on only part of the agenda, ask if you can attend only that part of the meeting. Avoid meetings where you have a superficial role.

4) How should I prepare?

Make sure that you know about any research, readings or surveys required to participate. Ask about expectations for the other participants because this could influence your preparation.

5) What should I bring?

Should you bring a laptop? Will you be asked to give a presentation? Should you bring reports, data or other information? Then ensure you have enough time to obtain the tools and materials needed for effective participation.

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The Growth and Use of Secondary Capital (New Money) Creates Unprecedented Wealth In Today's New Age Of Possibility

There are many forms of secondary capital — which can be defined as any financial instrument that measures and communicates value in a common language. Would you like to see and learn more about the many forms of secondary capital?

 We have 70 free, informative and inspiring, articles for you in our "Secondary Capital Section."

Check it out... www.barternews.com/secondary_capital.htm.

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Get New Money-Making Ideas And Valuable Contacts!

You can obtain useful, informative ideas and contacts in every available back-issue of BarterNews.

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Every barter company in the world is listed on our web site, click through to our Global List of Barter Companies.

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We welcome your comments, questions, and observations.

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