From the desk of Bob Meyer...
11/22/2011
IRTA Will Attend
"Capacity Trade and Credit" Seminar Scheduled In London
Ron
Whitney, Executive Director of the International Reciprocal
Trade Association (IRTA), has announced that the association
will have representation at the London sponsored seminar on
Capacity Trade and Credit, scheduled on December 8.
Follow-up details on the seminar will be reported.
Sometimes Opportunities Are Missed, As This
Unbelievable Story Shows
Imagine
having an opportunity to get back more than 24 times (2400%)
your initial investment in just two years, and passing on
it. Then a few years later, as your initial investment
sours, you end up selling it for 1/15th of your
investment � a huge loss.
Here are the facts:
Rupert
Murdoch�s News Corp. bought Myspace in 2005 for $580
million. Just two years later, Murdoch had an offer to sell
Myspace to Yahoo for $12 billion (that�s billion!). He did
not sell. Then in 2011, in our ever fast-changing world, he
sold Myspace to an investment group for $35 million.
ECCO Offset Symposium Will Be Held In
Brussels
The
European Club for Countertrade & Offset (ECCO) will be
hosting a symposium on December 14 & 15 in Brussels,
Belgium.
For more
information
click
here.
U.S. Citizens Outraged By Congress�
Insider-Trading Activities
Members of
Congress, Senators and Congressmen (along with staff
members), are not subjected to insider trading rules like
the rest of America�s citizens. Their insider trading
activities were recently exposed in a �60 Minutes�
television expos� on Sunday, November 13.
In
short, a legal loophole excludes members of Congress from
insider trading rules, even though they are privy to
nonpublic information. Information which they can use to buy
and sell stock, land, etc., for their own financial gain. A
new book, Throw Them All Out, by Peter Schweizer
covers the subject in much greater detail.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
11/15/2011
Kudos To Stephen Webster
Last week
in this space we noted that Michael Mercier had held the
position of �President� in both industry associations ...
the International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA) and
the National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE).
There is
another distinguished industry veteran who also served as
president of both IRTA and NATE � Stephen Webster. Webster
played a key role in the creation of the �Certified Trade
Broker� program, as well as being a member of the IRTA
Barter Hall of Fame.
�Capacity Trade and Credit� Seminar Scheduled
In London
The city
of London has sent out invitations to various business
entities regarding their sponsored seminar on Capacity Trade
and Credit, scheduled on December 8 this year. Follow-up
details on the seminar will be reported.
IMS Barter Holds Historic Barter Expo
According
to Don Mardak, founder and CEO of
IMS
Barter, this year�s Milwaukee-area Barter Expo held at
the Milwaukee County Sports Complex was �the biggest and
best show we have ever had.� The huge venue, which houses
four indoor soccer fields, provided ample space for 250
exhibitors.
In excess
of one-thousand IMS Barter members attended the
record-setting event which included an auction of six cars,
12 big-screen TVs, and a new motorized fishing boat with
trailer. FOX television covered the Expo, and it aired
across their national network. Reportedly, nearly $2 million
of products were moved at the event.
Franchisers Expanding Their Horizons
The
International Franchise Association�s recent survey shows
that nearly 85% of 150 U.S. franchisers � including chains
with fewer than 50 locations nationwide � said they planned
to start or accelerate international operations within the
next few years. Why? Because outside the U.S. financing is
easier and there�s a hunger for American offerings.
A Worthy Cause
MatchingDonors.com is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and
the world�s largest online living donor company. To register
as a living donor go to their web site.
Economics of Land Investment Turning
Residential land values nationwide in the U.S. have fallen
nearly 70% since peaking in the second quarter of 2006,
according to a report by the Lincoln Institute of Land
Policy, a Cambridge (MA) think tank. Meanwhile the value of
U.S. cropland (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) rose close to
20% between 2007 and 2011, according to the U.S. Department
of Agriculture.
The demand
for farmland is being fueled by rising prices for everything
from corn to cotton. And we�re seeing situations where
farmers are buying back, at much lower prices, the land they
had previously sold to land developers.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
11/08/2011
Congratulations Due Michael Mercier!
The
commercial barter industry has two trade associations: the
International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA)
established in 1979, and the National Association of Trade
Exchanges (NATE) formed in 1983. Many industrious members
have served in various capacities over the years, but only
one individual can attest to having held the position of
president of both associations � IRTA�s current president
Michael Mercier. (His presidential position with NATE was
well over a decade ago.)
Effective Advertising Mediums Differ
Reaching
your customers with effective advertising is important in
these competitive times. And effectiveness will often depend
on the time of day and your target audience. Research has
found radio is king in the early-morning commuting hours,
while television shines after 5pm. By comparison, the
Internet is popular throughout the day with a range of age
groups, while newspapers are most popular with the
baby-boomer generation.
Bill Paying Delayed By Companies
Experian,
the financial data and credit scoring giant, reports that
companies of all sizes are delaying the paying of their
bills, by as much as 28.3% longer in the third quarter.
Midwest businesses are the tardiest payers averaging 10.6
days overdue, while the Northwest was the least tardy with
3.9 days on average.
Economic Bloggers Still Have Gloomy Outlook
The
Kauffman Foundation, an entrepreneurial think tank, reports
that 96% of top economic-bloggers polled have a gloomy
outlook on the American economy.
�
Two-thirds
of the respondents believe the government is too involved in
the economy
�
Only 2%
rate the economy as strong and growing
�
50%
believe and anticipate employment growth
�
A vast
majority expect the U.S. real estate market will not
stabilize for another four years
Memorable Quotation
�Computers
are useless, they can only give you answers.�
� Pablo Picasso, Spanish artist.
�All
growth is a leap in the dark, a spontaneous unpremeditated
act without the benefit of experience.�
� Henry Miller, American novelist & painter.
�The
important work of moving the world forward does not wait to
be done by perfect men.�
�
George Eliot, British writer.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
11/01/2011
Nation�s Households Are Deleveraging
The
Federal Reserve Bank of New York reports that total U.S.
household debt fell by $1.1 trillion or 8.6%, from mid-2008
through the first half of 2011. The national belt-tightening
comes as the U.S. economy struggles to fend off a double-dip
recession.
Manufacturers Are Not The Answer
U.S.
manufacturers have increased their productivity dramatically
over several decades, according to the National Federation
of Independent Businesses. In fact, it now takes less than a
fifth (1/5) as many workers to produce the same output as it
did in 1950. That�s why the manufacturing sector cannot be
expected to solve the nation�s unemployment problem.
Global Wealth Rising
The world
is getting wealthier, but Americans are not. Total global
wealth grew 14% to $231 trillion from January 2010 through
June 2011, according to the Global Wealth Report. However,
in the U.S. total net worth remains below 2006 levels.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
10/25/2011
International Monetary Systems (IMS Barter)
Stock Hits Two-Year High
IMS (OCTBB:ITNM), a business-to-business barter service, saw
it�s stock close on Friday, October 21, at a two-year-high
price of $1.95. The Milwaukee Business Journal ranked
IMS 5th on Wisconsin�s top-25 best-performing
stocks for 2011.
Greco Sees Opportunity Given Today�s Economic
Conditions
Thomas Greco Jr., well-known in the commercial barter
industry due to his numerous speaking engagements at IRTA
and elsewhere, sees encouragement with today�s unrest among
American citizens as well as those worldwide. His speaking
schedule is ambitious as he continues to tout the advantages
of private currencies. To follow his comments on his web
site
click
here.
Greco will next appear at the �International Conference On
Sustainability, Transition and Culture Changes� near
Traverse City (MI), November 10-14. For more info
click here.
Small Businesses Update
Here�s an update on a recent National Federation of
Independent Business (NFIB) survey, based on the responses
of 729 small-business owners. Nine out of ten (90%) said the
economy is on the wrong track, although, in contrast, 68%
said their businesses are headed in the right direction.
Major challenges foreseen by respondents included: economic
uncertainty, America�s debt and deficit, over-regulation and
loss of revenue. Only nine percent (9%) expect improvement
in the coming six months, and 38% expect deterioration.
Change Is Constant �
What could reinforce this �change is constant� statement
more so than the recent announcement by Gap, the largest
U.S. clothing chain? Gap plans to close 189 locations (21%
of its U.S. stores by 2013) in the U.S. and at the same time
triple the number of Gap stores in China, from 15 to 45, by
the end of 2012.
House Prices Effect Americans� Spending
According to research by the Congressional Budget Office,
Americans reduce spending by $20 to $70 a year for every
$1,000 decline in the value of their home. This �wealth
effect� is significantly larger for changes in home equity
than in the value of other investments, such as stocks,
because people regard changes in housing prices as more
likely to endure.
Newspaper Advertising For Goods & Services
Newspaper advertisers in several Canadian cities can trade
their products and services for ad space in various daily
newspapers. The newspapers will then turn around and auction
off the acquired goods and services.
For more information on this way of doing business
click here.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
10/11/2011
Steve Jobs� Succinct Advice To Entrepreneurs
�Stay
hungry. Stay Foolish.� (Steve Jobs, Apple Co-Founder)
Focus On Your Communication Skills To Build
Stronger Image
Want to
project a stronger professional image? Rita Rocker, founder
of Transformer Academy in Boystown (NE), says it will
revolve around your communication skills, because those
skills affect the way others perceive you. Effective
communication can help ensure that others take you
seriously, trusting in your ability to do business with
them.
Why 90% Of Businesses Fail
According
to Glen Stansberry, speaker on business growth, the nine out
of ten businesses that allow fear to cripple them will fail.
Innovation, he contends, is what got you started in the
first place and you should continue to invest in it. Don�t
let the fear of profitability, success, or anything else
convince you that maintaining the status quo is more
important than creating.
Marketing Should Be On-Going
Ever
notice how many (most) companies are �too busy� to focus on
marketing, especially when they have a lot of business?
Sometimes they even cut the �marketing expense� all
together. And then when they finally get around to doing
some type of marketing, it usually means they have little or
no business. This keeps their business flat and perpetuates
a feast or famine cycle.
What
strategy should be followed? Implement a system that builds
trustful relationships over a long period of time. Remember,
we can�t sell anything to anyone, we just need to be there
when people are ready to buy.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
10/04/2011
Bartering New Again, Reports Craigslist
The use of
Craigslist�s for possible barter deals is reportedly
soaring, as it�s the latest trend due to the prolonged
economic downturn. BarterQuest says it has seen a
150-percent increase in users since the recession.
NATE Eyes 2012 Convention Venue
The NATE
(National Association of Trade Exchanges) board of directors
is looking for a location to stage next year�s annual
convention. To stay abreast of what the association for
independent trade exchanges is doing
click
here.
Zuckerman Concerned About America�s Future
Mort
Zuckerman, Editor of U.S. News & World Report, says
last month was the first time in 66-years the U.S. had no
jobs created. That situation, along with a real unemployment
of 19%, is unprecedented and cannot be allowed to continue,
he contends. According to Zuckerman the way out of the
malaise is for the U.S. educational system to undergo a
massive, concentrated effort to educate our young in math
and science.
It�s That Time Of The Year Again
Trade
exchanges everywhere are gearing up for the coming holiday
season with their holiday barter expo�s. Experienced traders
know the value of attending these events to view hundreds of
products and services on display for purchase on a full
trade basis.
Major Story In
New York Times On
Greeks Turning To Barter Networks
The Sunday
(October 2, 2011) issue of the New York Times
reported in their �International Section� about the growing
interest in barter networks in Greece. The title of the
article: �Battered by Economic Crisis, Greeks Turn To Barter
Networks.�
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
09/27/2011
Barter Industry Anticipates Excellent Holiday
Sales, Given Forecast
Shoppers
are expected to make fewer trips to stores and when they do
show up, to head straight for bargains they have researched
in advance. Given such a forecast, trade exchange owners
expect to see their savvy members taking advantage of the
numerous barter offers within their exchanges this holiday
shopping season.
FedEx Sees Stalled Growth
According
to reports by the worldwide package delivery company FedEx
Corp., the U.S. economy is treading water, at best. (The
sheer volume of goods moved by FedEx makes its shipment
trends a bellwether for consumer demand and economic
growth.)
They
report that businesses continue to keep inventory lean based
on weak consumer sentiment, thus containing shipment volume
and heightening the focus on cost controls to boost profits.
Hotelier Bartered For 1/3 Of A Multi-Million
Dollar Empire
Last week
BarterNews reported on how hotelier Laurence Geller had
recently, through a string of clever deals, rescued
Strategic Hotels & Resorts and its 17 trophy hotels from the
brink of financial ruin. What we didn�t include in the
article was how the 63-year-old Englishman acquired his
empire through barter � by teaming with Goldman Sachs Group
and its partner famed real-estate investor Bill Sanders�
Security Capital, to form Strategic Hotel Capital back in
1996.
It
occurred when Goldman and Security Capital each contributed
$200 million, while the wily Geller chipped in $4 million
plus his hotel expertise for a third of the action!
Advice From All-Time Most Successful Coach
Former
UCLA coach John Wooden�s accomplishment of winning 10
consecutive NCAA college basketball championships, will
likely never be duplicated. Known for his ability to
communicate, one of Wooden�s succinct suggestions was this,
�Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.�
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
09/20/2011
BarterQuest Joins IRTA, Will Attend
Convention
One of the
International Reciprocal Trade Association�s newest members
will be making a presentation at IRTA�s 32nd
annual convention this week in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Dr.
Paul Bocheck, BarterQuest�s co-founder and developer of its
patented technology, will talk about his matching engine
algorithms to the industry�s attendees.
Investment Advisors Provide Suggestions To
Generation X and Y
A survey
of 226 registered investment advisors commissioned by
Scottrade has some strong advice to Generation Y (ages
18-26) and Generation X (ages 31-45). Their advice: start
saving for retirement now, as according to 77% of the
advisors, you�ll need at least $2 million when you stop
working, if you are to enjoy financial freedom in your
golden years.
Getting to
$2 million means at 25 years of age you�ll have to put away
$7,405 annually for 40 years at 8% annual returns. (Such
high returns are, today, difficult to realize. Historically,
however, such returns have been possible.)
Hotelier Used Barter In His Turn Around
Success
Boom-and-bust hotelier Laurence Geller has recently, through
a string of clever deals, rescued Strategic Hotels & Resorts
and its 17 trophy hotels from the brink of financial ruin.
The 63-year-old Englishman built his career clashing with
hotel giants such as Marriott International over costs for
managing his hotels and with unions.
(Geller�s
hotels include four Four Seasons, two Ritz-Carltons and a
stake in the historic Hotel Del Coronado near San Diego.)
The
company�s stock hit a low of 61-cents in 2009, and recently
traded at $5.12. Strategic�s resurgence under Geller was due
to his creative thinking, unusual restructuring, and
refinancing of their debts. As well, he recruited
deep-pocketed partners to recapitalize some of his
debt-saddled hotels.
Another deft move was to reduce his debt by buying hotels
with company stock rather than selling assets. For example,
he used stock to acquire Four Seasons hotels in Jackson Hole
(WY) and Palo Alto (CA), as well as bartering with stock to
buy out Strategic�s partner in the InterContinental Chicago.
The market value of the company�s stock is roughly $950
million after hitting a low of $54 million in 2009.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
09/13/2011
ITEX Cash Dividend Provides 4% Cash Yield
The ITEX
Board of Director�s approved a quarterly cash dividend of
4-cents per share, payable on September 20, 2011, to
stockholders of record at the close of business on September
9, 2011. The yield is 4% based on a $4-stock price. This is
the company�s 6th consecutive quarterly dividend,
which has returned $790,000 to stockholders since June 2010.
What�s Your Target?
Looking
for more motivation? Try focusing more specifically on your
goals and targets. Targets create a sense of purpose and add
meaning to even the most repetitive tasks. Without a goal to
shoot for, work is just work.
TradePal Introduced
TradePal,
a people-centric marketplace that helps users list,
discover, share and trade unique items with trusted peers,
has been announced.
For more
information on this social P2P marketplace
click here.
Observe, Listen to Others
More
success in social interaction and sales comes about by
closely observing people. Whatever they talk about the most
is what�s important to them, so listen closely. Frame what
the other person is by identifying their fears, successes
and choices. Some people may surprise you, but that means
they�ve just given you more information to incorporate into
your understanding of future encounters with them.
Think About This Suggestion
Life isn�t
about waiting for the storm to pass. It�s about learning to
dance in the rain.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
08/30/2011
IRTA Renames OAA
Ron
Whitney, Executive Director of the International Reciprocal
Trade Association, has informed BarterNews that the IRTA
Board of Directors has renamed the association�s
�Outstanding Achievement Award.� It will now be known as the
�David Wallach Outstanding Achievement Award.�
This
year�s convention slated for September promises to have its
emotional moments as Wallach, the former IRTA president,
recently passed and will be fondly remembered by many in
attendance.
For more
information on IRTA and its upcoming convention
click here.
Social Media For The Small Business Owner?
Are you
using social media in the promotion of your small business?
If so, you are in the minority. Only 12% of small businesses
say social media is a �must� for promoting their business,
according to a survey from Hiscox.
The survey
also revealed that 47% of small businesses don�t use social
media at all. Respondents said they don�t have the education
or the time needed to invest in social media.
Thinking Of Buying A Franchise? Check This
Out ...
A guide
from the
U.S. Small Business Administration lists issues to
consider before buying a franchise, as well as scams
potential buyers should watch out for.
The site
includes resources for franchise sellers, too, such as links
about disclosure requirements.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
08/23/2011
Consumers Paying Down Credit-Cards
U.S. credit-card debt shrank 5% in the second
quarter from a year ago, approaching a 10-year low.
Consumers have been tightening their belts and working
second jobs to pay off their credit-card bills. And more
consumers are setting up a savings account once they�ve
worked their way through their plastic debt. The goal for
most is having at least three months of cash to cover living
expenses and preventing emergencies from sending them back
into the red.
Non-Profit Mentors Women Business Owners
The non-profit organization Count Me In helps
mentor and grow female-owned businesses. They are behind the
movement, �Make Mine a Million $ Business,� with an ultimate
goal to get 1,000 women business owners to the million
dollar mark. The organization is coming to Philadelphia,
September 25 & 26.
For more information
click here.
Unique Trading Marketplace
A real estate and personal property barter
session is scheduled for October in Oklahoma City. It�s
where merchandise, services, real estate, boats, cars, and
excess inventory are traded via a flat visual exchange
auction board.
Thoughts To Ponder:
�The way to do research is to attack the
facts at the point of greatest astonishment.�
�Celia Green, British writer &
philosopher
�Inspiration usually comes during work,
rather than before it.�
�Madeline L. Engle, American writer
�It is as impossible to withhold education
from the receptive mind, as it is impossible to force it
upon the unreasoning.�
�Agnes Repplier, American essayist
�Friendship is always a sweet responsibility,
never an opportunity.�
�Khalil Gibran, Lebanese/American writer
& philosopher
�We are what we pretend to be, so we must be
careful about what we pretend to be.�
�Kurt Vonnegut, American writer
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
08/16/2011
Small Business Entrepreneurs Prefer Contract
Workers
In today�s
economic environment everyone is focused on controlling
costs. And that�s the major reason why small business owners
are so attracted to part-time or free-lance �contract
workers.�
Such
workers provide staffing flexibility in addition to avoiding
costly full-package employee benefits, such as retirement
and health insurance, which can cost between 20% and 28% (or
more) on top of a base salary.
Malaysia Airlines Trading Shares
Malaysia�s
two largest airlines are collaborating in a bid to reduce
competition and cut costs in one of Asia�s key economies.
The two competitors have also agreed to barter shares of
their respective companies further cementing the companies�
ties.
NATE Has New Banc Web Site
The
National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) has announced
that the NATE intercity currency, called the Banc, has a new
web site (www.NateBanc.com).
It will provide additional information, as well as a Banc
membership agreement.
NATE
members can also contact
Lauren@Natebarter.com.
The Economy, Not Credit, Is Today�s Issue
The myth
that small business can�t get credit is incorrect, according
to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).
The organization reports that two-thirds of their members
that requested loans were approved.
What members of NFIB are concerned about is the depressed
economic climate and lack of consumer purchasing power.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
08/02/2011
NATE
Announces New Banc Web Site
The
National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) has announced
that its intercity currency, the Banc, has a new web site
which will provide additional information, as well as a Banc
membership agreement.
NATE
members can also contact
Lauren@NATEbarter.com
USA New-Jobs Growth A Huge Task
A recent
McKinsey report says the U.S. needs to create 21 million new
jobs by 2020, to regain full employment. To accomplish that
feat the U.S. labor market would have to grow at the same
rate as it did in the second half of the 1970�s.
Quotes From Great Minds
�
�I have a
great belief on the fact that whenever there is chaos, it
creates wonderful thinking. I consider chaos a gift.�
Septima Clark, American Educator and Civil Rights
Activist.
�Cherish
all your happy moments, they make a fine cushion for old
age.�
Booth Tarkington, American Novelist.
�How can
you say luck and chance are the same thing? Chance is the
first step you take, luck is what comes afterward.�
Amy Tan, American Author.
�Originality is the fine art of remembering what you hear
but forgetting where you heard it.�
Laurence J. Peter, Canadian-Born Educator.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
07/12/2011
Summer Barter Expo Scheduled In Orange
County, CA.
On
Saturday July 30 TradeAmericanCard, one of the nation�s
oldest trade exchanges (35 years), will hold their summer
Barter Expo at the Business Expo Center, near the California
Angels� Baseball Stadium.
For more
information call 949-225-6000.
Small Business Pessimism Hits 9-Month Low
New NFIB
(National Federation of Independent Business) data shows
that small business owners� pessimism remains, due to weak
sales. Their index dropped to a 9-month low. Additionally,
nearly 40% of small businesses said receivables are coming
in more slowly, making it harder to pay bills on time.
Sales Calls or Business Interviews?
More and
more sales people are changing their thinking regarding
sales calls. They�re starting to think of business clients
as people rather than companies to call on. That means
getting to know clients� emotions and the preferences that
drive their decision making, finding solutions and putting
them in place.
Today few
businesses have time for a drop-in sales call. However a
business interview with advanced preparation is another
matter. Interviews are results-oriented for both parties
with a clear beginning, middle and end.
What�s The Difference Between A Bookkeeper,
Tax Preparer And A CPA?
A
certified public accountant, or CPA, is licensed by the
state�s Board of Accountancy. A licensed CPA must pass an
examination, fulfill educational and work requirements, plus
take continuing education.
A
bookkeeper typically records transactions and pays bills for
small businesses. They may be very capable and have a
business degree, although they are unlicensed.
A
tax preparer is anyone who prepares tax returns for a fee. A
preparer does not have to be a CPA or an enrolled agent,
which is a tax specialist who passes an exam that allows
representing clients before the IRS.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
07/05/2011
Florida Barter Named �Silver Sponsor� For
IRTA Convention
The
International Reciprocal Trade Association�s 32nd annual
convention at the Aventura Spa Resort in Mexico�s Riviera
Maya has received the support of Florida Barter as the
Silver Sponsor of this year�s event. The convention is
scheduled for September 19-21.
For more
information on the convention and IRTA
click here.
Upper Deck Furniture�s Blowout-Sale On Trade
The huge
sports memorabilia company, Upper Deck, recently downsized
from their large office building in Carlsbad (CA) that
liquidated 600 office chairs, desks, tables and more, in a
3-day sales blowout. The San Diego ITEX office had numerous
members making the trip to nearby Carlsbad, scoring some
exceptional office furniture buys on trade.
Americans Express Little Confidence In Banks
Gallup has
been tracking Americans� confidence in banks since 1979, and
today�s lack of confidence in banks is at an all-time high.
Even now, three years since the financial crisis, we see the
banking community prestige continuing to slip. Almost 40% of
Americans have �no confidence� in banks.
Home Workers Continue To Expand
Nearly
1-in-4 workers in the U.S. are now working at home at least
part of the time, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report.
Most of them (64.2%) are self-employed, but 23.1% of full
time (9-to-5 day) workers also take work home. And people
with college degrees (36.1%) are working, at least
part-time, from home as well.
Consumers Bombarded With Credit-Card Offers
Earn more
than $75,000? Is your credit score more than 720 (in the top
third on the 850-point scale)? Than you have probably
noticed national credit-card companies are dangling the
goodies at you, even though you probably have plenty of
plastic already. In the first quarter of 2011 credit-card
companies mailed 1.4 billion offers for new credit cards �
that�s a jump of 69%, from 826 million a year earlier!
Top
|
|
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
06/28/2011
Americans Respect & Have Confidence In Small
Business
Gallup
pollsters report that most Americans have a great deal of
confidence in small business � more so than the churches,
public schools, the police or the Supreme Court. Small
business ranks second only to the military. Gallup has been
conducting annual confidence surveys since 1993.
In the
latest poll 64% of respondents said they have a great deal
of confidence in small business, compared with 19% who said
the same about big business.
What Small Business Owners Think About The
Economy
U.S.
Bancorp found that three-quarters of small business owners
surveyed believe the U.S. economy is still in a recession
and 85% of them expect it to continue next year. The most
pessimistic owners were in Oregon and Arizona.
Fiverr's Marketplace Success A Sign Of The
Times
Just a
year in existence,
Fiverr.com
has become an international marketplace for people to buy
and sell everyday services. With nearly 500,000 listings,
almost everything can be bought in $5 increments. The focus
of the site is on small professional tasks that could take a
novice half-a-day to figure out, but an expert could turn it
around in minutes, i.e., like solving an HTML problem.
The site�s
growth underscores the shift from the traditional 9-to-5 job
to one in which outsourcing and freelancing are becoming
more commonplace. Sellers are paid only after a buyer
confirms and rates a service.
How Do You Rate These Thoughts?
�Action is
the antidote to despair.�
�Joan Baez, American musician
�Nothing
has more strength than dire necessity.�
�Euripides, Greek playwright
�If you
want creative workers, give them enough time to play.�
�John Chesse, British actor & comedian
�It�s not
your job to like me � it�s mine.�
�Bryon Katie, American speaker & author
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
06/21/2011
Half Of U.S. Businesses Operate From Home
The Census Bureau says that 51.6% of all U.S.
businesses are operated primarily from a home. Most are
small, with 93.1% having annual revenue of less than
$250,000. Of those, 57.1% have revenues of less than $25,000
and 62.9% have no employees.
Question On Last Week�s Groupon Article
A reader had a question regarding last week�s article
�Astute Entrepreneurs Know That Joining Groupon Is NOT The
Way To Go,� regarding Groupon�s pricing. The question was:
What percentage of the normal selling price does the
retailer end up with?
Here�s an actual example of a company that offers a
tour of San Francisco�s Chinatown. Groupon sells a tour
voucher for $12 (half off the normal $24 tour price). Then
Groupon takes a 50% cut � $6 from the voucher cost.
Bottomline, working with Groupon will earn the retailer 25%
of the normal retail price.
Customers Are Tradable Asset
A business can look at its customers and by
ascertaining their value (to other businesses) can construct
barter deals. For example, an enterprising business owner
trades with airlines for travel by providing access to his
client list. He also trades with marketing people for advice
and sales techniques, in return for giving them �profile�
(new leads) from his customer base.
Gift Cards May Soon Be Used To Pay Everyday
Bills
Would you like to use those gift cards received at
Christmas to pay for utility, car, or mortgage payments?
Within the next two months it will be a possibility.
New software from ChargeSmart, a San Francisco-based
online bill payment portal, and Plastic Jungle, one of the
largest gift card exchanges in the U.S., have created a
system where consumers can basically turn their gift cards
into cash (up to 92% of the full value of the card) to pay
household bills. It�s estimated that there�s an aggregate of
about $30 billion in balances on unused gift cards.
Bond Guru Says U.S. In Bad Financial Shape
The U.S. is actually in worse financial shape than
Greece and other debt-ridden European countries, says Bill
Gross. Gross is the CEO of Pimco, the world�s largest
bond-trading organization, and makes that bold statement in
reference to all the money now owed to cover future U.S.
liabilities like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid,
pensions of government workers, the military, etc. Add it
all together and Gross says the total is nearly $100
trillion.
Entrepreneurs Are Waiting In The Wings
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
entrepreneurs started 505,473 businesses in the last 12
months. It was the weakest growth since the tracking of
numbers started in the 1990s. The weak economy and
uncertainty is creating the wariness among entrepreneurs.
A Changing America � Back To The 1950s
Recent census data show that the number of Americans
ages 25 to 34 living with their parents has jumped to about
5.5 million -- a figure that accounts for roughly 13% of
that age range. Compounding this full-house phenomenon, the
grandparent generation is �doubling up� too, as the
sociological literature says.
A recent Pew Center report, �The Return of the
Multi-Generational Family Household,� chronicles the trend:
during the first year of the Great Recession, 2.6 million
more Americans found themselves living with relatives. All
told, 16% of the population was living in multi-generational
households in the 1950s.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
06/14/2011
IRTA Convention Will Be Held At Mexican
Resort
The
International Reciprocal Trade Association has announced
that the 4.5-star Aventura Spa Palace Resort in Riviera Maya
will be the site for their 32nd national convention
scheduled for September 19-21, 2011.
ITEX �New Era� Now Into 8th Year
It was
eight years ago this month that Steve White took over as the
new CEO of the ITEX organization in Sacramento (CA). He
immediately began implementing changes at the largest trade
exchange in the U.S. A focus on greater efficiency was of
foremost importance. After one year the headquarters
relocated to Bellevue (WA).
Shareholders in the publicly-traded company have done very
well under White�s leadership, seeing 100% per year gains,
on average, since 2003.
Squatter Nation �
In the
U.S., homeowners who haven�t made a payment for as much as 5
years continue to live in their homes. Nationwide, it takes
an average of 565 days to foreclose on borrowers in default
� from their first missed payments to the final auction.
NATE Convention Was Notable Success
The
National Association of Trade Exchanges annual convention
was recently concluded, with the participants returning to
their home offices having gained renewed enthusiasm for the
barter business. The event was held at the beautiful Phoenix
Marriott Mesa Hotel & Convention Center, and was hosted by
the Arizona Trade Exchange.
Some
thirty independently owned and operated trade exchange
owners and staff met, exchanging ideas and aspirations, as
well as products and services. Such annual meetings are the
ideal setting for brainstorming where exchange owners can
gather new ways to better their individual operation, as
well as furthering the commercial barter industry.
The video
ABC-coverage of the event can be viewed on their web site.
For more information on NATE
click
here.
How Long Will You Work?
Fifty-six
(56%) percent of U.S. workers have less than $25,000 saved,
while 60% percent of retirees have less than $50,000 set
aside. Additionally, some 45 million Americans are on food
stamps. People in these situations will likely be working
long after retirement age.
California Still Economic Powerhouse
Statistics
from the Bureau of Business Analysis reports that the Golden
State accounted for 13.1% of all the goods and services
produced in the U.S. last year. (They have approximately 10%
of the country�s population.) Texas was a distant second at
8.3%.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
06/07/2011
Business Jets In China Versus USA
Almost daily, the newspapers have stories relating how the
gap is closing between China and the United States. Here�s a
statistic that we came across recently that was quite
revealing, given that China�s population is four times as
large as that of America. In China there are 130 executive
business jets � in the U.S. there are 15,000 executive jets.
Pointer Sisters Charity Event Supports Battered Women
A very rare and special live charity-event for Friendly
House LA (helping women since 1951) will be held by the
famed Pointer Sisters on Monday June 27 at 7 PM at the
world-famous Roxy.
Tickets are $50, for details call 213-389-9964.
Another Reason For Wearing Your Barter Hat
The National Federation of Independent Businesses recent
report foresees a tightening for small business. It suggests
that small business credit will become harder to get once
again. The report says we are closer to very negative levels
of expectations about future credit availability, similar to
levels seen at the depths of the recession. Now�s the time
to contact your local trade exchange for credit extension to
grow your business.
Father�s Day � An Opportunity For Sales
Just a few days away, on June 19 (Father�s Day), there will
be a $10 billion business opportunity. The average shopper
will spend $100 on this day, according to BigResearch.
Huge
Atlantic City Casino Development Uses Barter To Move Forward
The Revel casino development in Atlantic City (NJ) is
nearing completion of a deal with the aid of barter. The
1,900-room resort with 19 restaurants received a commitment
from a Chinese bank for an additional $1 billion, in
exchange for using a Chinese construction company and
Chinese materials.
Notable Quotes �
�A man with a surplus can control circumstances, but a man
without a surplus is controlled by them, and often has no
opportunity to exercise judgment.�
�Harvey S. Firestone,
American Entrepreneur & Industrialist
�Our greatest weariness comes from work undone.�
�Eric Hopper,
American Writer & Philosopher
�It�s more important to know where you are going than to get
there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement.�
�Mabel Newcomer,
American Economist
Top
Business Jets In China Versus USA
Almost daily, the newspapers have stories relating how the
gap is closing between China and the United States. Here�s a
statistic that we came across recently that was quite
revealing, given that China�s population is four times as
large as that of America. In China there are 130 executive
business jets � in the U.S. there are 15,000 executive jets.
Pointer Sisters Charity Event Supports Battered Women
A very rare and special live charity-event for Friendly
House LA (helping women since 1951) will be held by the
famed Pointer Sisters on Monday June 27 at 7 PM at the
world-famous Roxy.
Tickets are $50, for details call 213-389-9964.
Another Reason For Wearing Your Barter Hat
The National Federation of Independent Businesses recent
report foresees a tightening for small business. It suggests
that small business credit will become harder to get once
again. The report says we are closer to very negative levels
of expectations about future credit availability, similar to
levels seen at the depths of the recession. Now�s the time
to contact your local trade exchange for credit extension to
grow your business.
Father�s Day � An Opportunity For Sales
Just a few days away, on June 19 (Father�s Day), there will
be a $10 billion business opportunity. The average shopper
will spend $100 on this day, according to BigResearch.
Huge
Atlantic City Casino Development Uses Barter To Move Forward
The Revel casino development in Atlantic City (NJ) is
nearing completion of a deal with the aid of barter. The
1,900-room resort with 19 restaurants received a commitment
from a Chinese bank for an additional $1 billion, in
exchange for using a Chinese construction company and
Chinese materials.
Notable Quotes �
�A man with a surplus can c ontrol circumstances, but a man
without a surplus is controlled by them, and often has no
opportunity to exercise judgment.�
�Harvey S. Firestone,
American Entrepreneur & Industrialist
�Our greatest weariness comes from work undone.�
�Eric Hopper,
American Writer & Philosopher
�It�s more important to know where you are going than to get
there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement.�
�Mabel Newcomer,
American Economist
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
05/24/2011
Small
Business Owners Have Ideas To Cut Federal Deficit
According
to a survey by the National Association for the
Self-Employed, small business owners say the government
should minimize social security for wealthy recipients and
increase the payroll-tax cap on wages in an effort to reduce
the federal deficit. And nearly 60% also chose repealing the
health care overhaul and cutting defense spending as a way
to cut costs.
Los
Angeles Food Swap Takes Place
A Los
Angeles edition of Food-As-Currency event recently took
place after similar events in Seattle and Brooklyn.
For other
food swaps in California as well as other parts of the
country see:
www.lafoodswap.com.
What
They�re Saying �
�Don�t
dream it, be it.�
�Tim Curry, British Actor
�If you
hire only those people you understand, the company will
never get people better than you are. Always remember that
you often find outstanding people among those you don�t
particularly like.�
�Soichiro Honda, Japanese engineer/industrialist
�Challenges make you discover things about yourself you
never really knew. They�re what make the instrument stretch
� what makes you go beyond the norm.�
�Cindy Tyson, American Actress
�It is the
still, small voice that the soul heeds, not the deafening
blasts of doom.�
�William Dean Howells, American author & literary
critic
ITEX Concludes 29th
Annual Convention
The
largest American trade exchange, with 24,000 small business
members across the U.S., held their 29th annual
convention in Las Vegas last week. One hundred forty brokers
and corporate staff spent four days strategizing and
socializing. The annual event is eagerly anticipated by many
as a positive way to reconnect in today�s hectic world.
Utah
Legalizes Gold & Silver As Currency
The State
of Utah has legalized gold and silver as an alternative
currency, although shop keepers/retailers have the option of
accepting it or not. The state will exempt the coins
(typically considered an investment) from capital gains
taxes. There are other states considering similar laws
including North Carolina and Idaho.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
05/17/2011
NATE Convention Coming June 2 Thru 5
Trade
exchange owners and others involved in the commercial barter
industry will be gathering June 2-5 at the Phoenix Marriott
Mesa Hotel for the National Association of Trade Exchanges
annual convention.
To
register, e-mail
Lauren@natebarter.com or go to
www.NATEBarter.com.
Small Business Owners Fearful & Defensive
Small
business owners won�t start spending again until they�re
more certain of a payoff. Today, rather than spending to
expand (as the economy improves) they are saving cash and
biding their time, just in case the economy turns south
again.
College Grads Treading Water Too
According
to job placement firm Adecco, about 60% of recent college
graduates have not been able to find a full-time job in
their chosen profession. Last year the unemployment rate for
college graduates age 24 and younger rose to 9.4%, the
highest since the labor department began keeping records in
1985.
Barter For Perks Suggests CEO
Avidian
Technologies of Redmond (WA) trades its software through
trade exchanges for employee perks, says CEO James Wong. An
example was getting 4 tickets to the Seattle Symphony for
each of Avidian�s 35 employees. (The company also traded
directly with a local restaurant for a Christmas party that
would have set them back $5,000.)
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
05/10/2011
NATE Convention Coming June 2-5
Trade
exchange owners and others involved in the commercial barter
industry will be gathering the weekend of June 2-5 for the
National Association of Trade Exchange�s convention at the
Phoenix Marriott Mesa Hotel.
To
register for the annual convention contact
Lauren@natebarter.com
or
click here.
Lombardi To Emcee At Connecticut Hall Of Fame
Debbie
Lombardi, President of Barter Business Limited, will be one
of the guest emcees at the Connecticut Business Hall of Fame
ceremony on May 20 in Hartford.
Good Sound Advice �
�If you
can give your son or daughter only one gift, let it be
enthusiasm.�
�Bruce Barton, American author, advertising executive
and politician
�To cure
jealousy is to see it for what it is, dissatisfaction with
self.�
�Joan Didion, American journalist and novelist
�Life is
change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.�
�Karen Kaiser Clark, American motivational speaker and
consultant
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
05/03/2011
International Monetary Systems Buying Back
Stock
Don Mardak,
CEO of the publicly-traded International Monetary Systems (OTCBB:ITNM),
reports that the IMS Board of Directors has authorized a
stock repurchase plan. The company intends to buy back up to
10% of its outstanding shares from time to time at
prevailing market prices. On Friday, April 29, 442,468
shares were traded.
For more
information
click
here.
Correction On Last Week�s Martin Nobler Story
Last
week�s tribute to Martin Nobler stated that he died of a
heart attack and was 69. BarterNews has since been
informed that the cause of his death is still undetermined,
and that Nobler was age 70 at the time of his passing.
The Question That Increases Sales 16 Percent
Sherri
Comstock, the owner of retail boutiques �The Cheshire Cat�
and �The Spotted Crocodile� in Grayslake (IL), always asks
visitors to her shops the question �Have you ever been here
before?� (She contends asking this single question will
expand a retailer�s sales by 16%.)
If the
visitor�s answer is �no� the staff will briefly give a
couple minute informative rundown on what brands and
products they offer. The interaction also allows tracking on
how the visitor heard about of the boutique.
Update On Social Security Benefits
The Social
Security Administration last month stopped mailing out
annual estimates of benefits to future Social Security
recipients, as part of its cost-cutting measures. (It�s a
$60 million savings!)
To obtain
future Social Security benefits information, go to:
socialsecurity.gov/estimator and click on �Estimate
Your Retirement Benefits.�
Restaurateur Bobby Flay�s Advice To Aspiring
Restaurateurs
Have twice
as much capital as you think you will need. If you think it
will take eight months to build the restaurant, realize that
it will be twice that. Expect the unexpected, it will
ultimately happen. And go slowly. Don�t try to feed 300
people on the first night. You want to be a good restaurant
for 20 years, not twenty weeks.
Going Public Takes Time
The time
it takes for a venture-backed company to reach an IPO from
its inception has increased steadily over the past decade,
to a median 8.1 years, according to data from Dow Jones
VentureSource.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
04/26/2011
Biz-To-Biz Expo
BarterFirst International is staging its �Second Annual
Spring Business Expo� for the Central Florida business
community on June 9.
For
information call Cynthia at 407-478-3156.
ITEX�s Art Kaliel To Tie-In With The Beatles
Super
salesman Art Kaliel of the San Diego ITEX brokerage, has
arranged a piggyback agreement with the San Diego Beatles
Fan Club. The day-long event is scheduled for May 21 and
Kaliel envisions a huge turnout. His goal is to introduce
barter to thousands of first-timers. Booth space on trade is
available.
For more
information call Art Kaliel at 760-613-6412.
U.S. Hotel Occupancy Rates Creeping Up
Occupancy
increased by 6.1 percent to 61.4 percent in March (year over
year), according to hospitality research firm STR. Leading
the way were luxury hotels with the highest rate of growth.
50 Year Low For New Home Purchases
The
painful turn-around process for the U.S. housing market
isn�t getting much better. Annualized new home sales in
February was 250,000, the lowest monthly figure on record
dating back to January 1963. They were down a stunning 82%
from the July 2005 peak.
Loyalty Points (Frequent Flyer Miles &
Rewards Points) A Multi-Billion Dollar Enterprise
Customer
loyalty specialists Colloquy and Swift Exchange report that
Americans rack up at least $48 billion (yes, billion) of
reward points and frequent flyer miles every year. And, they
contend, at least a third of them go unredeemed.
Noteworthy Quotes
�The unfed
mind devours itself.�
�Gore Vidal, American writer.
�The sad
truth is that excellence makes people nervous.�
�Shane Alexander, American journalist.
�On
Spaceship Earth there are no passengers; everybody is a
member of the crew. We have moved into an age in which
everybody�s activities affect everybody else.�
�Marshall McLuhan, Canadian educator, philosopher &
scholar quoted for Earth Day 2011.
�Research
your idea. See if there�s a demand. A lot of people have
great ideas, but they don�t know if there is a need for it.
You also have to research your competition.�
�Magic Johnson, NBA Hall-of-Fame and entrepreneur.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
04/19/2011
Bill Gates Newest Interest Is Global Warming
On May 10
Microsoft�s co-founder will be making a keynote speech in
Seattle for Climate Solutions, a small Seattle non-profit
organization combating global warming. Gates will be
speaking on a topic he�s been researching over the last
several years � global warming.
Gates is
known and has made a name for himself by looking at global
problems through a quantitative lens rather than an
emotional one.
To read
Gates� blog on this topic
click
here.
Interesting Perspectives
�I have
always wished that my computer would be as easy to use as my
telephone. My wish has come true. I no longer know how to
use my telephone.�
�Bjarne Stoustrup, Danish computer scientist.
�A tax
loophole is something that benefits the other guy. If it
benefits you, it�s tax reform.�
�Russell B. Long, former U.S. senator.
Are You Cross-Pollinating?
Are you
bartering with businesses that target similar demographics,
but provide different products and services? Now is the time
to trade customer lists, display each other�s promotional
materials, and offer discounts to each other�s customers.
Consider
setting up an educational session that features you and the
other business owner(s) as speakers � collect an attendee
list and share the information.
Many Seniors Financially Insecure
According
to the National Council on Aging, one in every three (33%)
seniors is economically insecure, living on an annual income
of less than $22,000.
Web Advertising Surpasses Newspaper
Advertising
Web
advertising in the U.S. rose 15% to $26 billion last year
and outpaced both traditional media and newspaper ad revenue
for the first time, according to the Interactive Advertising
Bureau.
(Ad
revenue for newspapers totaled $22.8 billion, cable TV
networks $22.5 billion, $17.6 billion from broadcast TV
networks, and $15.3 billion from radio.)
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
04/12/2011
Sun Country Makes Barter Offer
Sun
Country Airlines has a unique barter offer to travelers �
book a trip to London and in exchange for your business Sun
Country will provide a free round trip ticket for travel
anywhere it flies in the contiguous USA.
For more
information
click
here.
Greco�s Latest On Credit Clearing & Next
Stage Of Development For Cashless Trading Networks
Author and
monetary expert Tom Greco writes an important article, �Stop
Chasing the Buck and Change Your Luck.� It�s about
organizing an entirely new structure of money and finance
not controlled by banks � cashless trading networks.
To read
the article
click here.
U.S. & Worldwide Ad Spending
Advertising in the U.S. is expected to increase 2.5% to
$155.2 billion in 2011 as marketers in the financial,
retail, and automotive sectors start spending more following
the recession. Global ad spending is expected to grow 4.2%
to $470.8 billion.
(The
largest percentage-wise ad spending increases, nationally,
will flow to the Internet which is expected to grow 13%. )
SEC Looks To Change Rules For Small Companies
To Raise Money
The
Securities ad Exchange Commission (SEC) is considering
adapting its rules to make it easier for fast-growing
companies to raise money by tapping investors, through
social networks, for very small amounts of shares. The issue
is part of a wider review by the agency into whether to ease
decades-old constraints on share issues by closely held
companies.
For
example, a company looking to raise $100,000 could use the
Internet to invite interested parties to buy as much as $100
in shares per investor.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
04/05/2011
A Thank You To All
Special kudos to Ginger Gausman, BarterNews� web-master, for
all of her efforts in bringing our readers the special
editions of the Tuesday Report during the month of March.
And �thanks� to our many readers who sent notes and
expressed kind thoughts � it was most appreciated.
NATE 27th Convention Scheduled
Beginning June 2 and extending through the weekend, the
National Association of Trade Exchanges will be holding its
27th annual convention. Hosted by the Arizona
Trade Exchange, the event will be staged at the Phoenix
Marriott Mesa hotel.
For further details and registration
click
here.
IMS Barter.com Updates Website
IMS
Barter has released phase one of its enhanced website.
The initial redesign will allow for easier subsequent
improvements to the website for both public visitors as well
as IMS members.
On another front, CEO Don Mardak announced that the company
will make up to 4% in stock repurchases due to its
undervalued price.
Annual Expenditures For Attorney Services
Tops $100 Billion
Americans spent $102.5 billion on legal services in 2009,
according to the latest available data from the U.S.
Department of Commerce. Attorney services are not
inexpensive, which is a good reason to consult with your
trade exchange broker to see what attorneys are available on
trade.
An Industry Where Plenty Of Barter Occurs
According to Massage magazine, 80% of massage
therapists barter their services ... that�s up from 72% in
2009. They will barter their services approximately 12 times
a year for an average value totaling $558, according to
figures compiled by the American Massage Therapy
Association.
David Wallach Honored By IRTA
In recognition of his extraordinary efforts on behalf of
IRTA, the International Reciprocal Trade Association�s
Global Board of Directors unanimously voted to designate
David Wallach as President Emeritus of IRTA. This
prestigious lifetime honor is only given to those select
individuals who have earned the title based on their
exemplary service to IRTA, and whose advice and counsel is
still needed within the organization. Wallach is the first
person in the history of IRTA to be given the President
Emeritus title.
�We at IRTA can say with absolute certainty that IRTA has
never had, and most likely never will have again, a
president as passionate, hard working and devoted as Dave
Wallach,� stated Ron Whitney, IRTA executive director. �He
has unselfishly given thousands of hours of his time to IRTA,
and was instrumental in growing IRTA�s membership,
strengthening IRTA financially and spearheading numerous new
and innovative programs for the benefit of the modern trade
and barter industry.�
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
02/22/2011
Goodman Touts Barter As Smart Business Move
Dr. Gary Goodman, author of a book about 77 best practices
in negotiation, is a big proponent of barter. (His dad was a
radio/TV executive and involved in many barter deals.)
Goodman reasons that in any economy barter is smart. However
it�s use is especially smart in a tight market, when making
trades is a great way to reduce cash prices without reducing
one�s overall compensation.
Backyard Barter Brings Community Together
A neighborhood program in the Seattle area of Ballard was
started by local resident Anna Easer Kihara. She calls her
new idea Bountiful Backyard Barter as her program enables
participants to trade bushels of homegrown organic produce
for other produce including eggs, cheese, canned goods,
beer, or skills such as garden design or help harvesting.
Medical Clinic Establishes Barter Arm
It�s called Bono Barter Clinic, and it�s available on
Thursday�s inside Dr. John House Medical Clinic located in
Bono, Arkansas. Dr. House set it up for those in the area
who have a tight budget. On Thursday�s he accepts canned
produce, manual labor (et cetera) as payment for his medical
services.
Large Commercial Cleaning Company Joins
Barter Network
A large commercial cleaning organization�provides nighttime
cleanup for factories, warehouses and restaurants�has joined
the IMS Barter Network in the San Francisco Bay Area.
TradeAmericanCard Moving
Orange County�s largest trade exchange, TradeAmericanCard,
will be moving to a new location the first week in March
2011. CEO Mike Ames is elated about the new location which
is close to John Wayne Airport and near several major
freeways. New phone and fax were not available at the time
of publication.
The new address is:
17975 Sky Park Circle, Suite J
Irvine, CA 92614
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
02/15/2011
Olbermann New Spot Includes Barter Component
Keith
Olbermann, who left MSNBC last month, will be hosting a new
prime-time news and commentary show on public-affairs
channel Current TV. Olbermann will assume the role of
chief-news-officer of Current TV, taking an equity stake in
the company which former Vice President Al Gore founded in
2005 with Joel Hyatt.
Magic Johnson To Head Media Company
Former
basketball great Earvin �Magic� Johnson and Ron Burke�s
Yucaipa Companies are investing in Vibe Holdings LLC, the
parent company of Vibe magazine and the TV show �Soul
Train.� The transaction will install Johnson as chairman of
the media company. Johnson says the company will continue to
look for opportunities to invest in African-American media.
Black-Owned Firms Show A 300% National Growth
Rate
Entrepreneurship among blacks is expanding dramatically. The
number of businesses owned by African-American men and women
has grown by more than triple the overall national rate in
recent years. The number of black-owned businesses jumped to
1.9 million, a 60% increase from 2002, according to the U.S.
Census Bureau. (Overall, U.S. businesses grew by 18%.)
A Remarkable Statistic
Given the
economic downturn of he last few years, it is quite
surprising to learn that across the nation last year 28% of
all the homes purchased were on an all-cash basis � no
financing at all was used. This figure was supplied by the
National Association of Realtors. When the trade group began
tracking the measure in October 2008, the rate was 14%.
Anguilla Resort Gains National Exposure In
Barter Deal
A reality
show, �The Bachelor� was shot at Leandro Rizzuto�s CuisinArt
Resort & Spa on the Caribbean island of Anguilla, thanks to
a barter deal between the ABC reality show producers and the
general manager of the 90-room resort. Free accommodations
for the week were provided for the bachelor and the six
remaining lady suitors, as well as the film crew.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
02/08/2011
IMS Expanding In Connecticut
International Monetary Systems (OTCBB:ITNM) has opened
another office in Connecticut � IMS Southern Connecticut.
The new office is located at 999 Foxon Rd. #30, North
Branford, CT.
For more
information contact Jay Greene (203) 871-3813, Ext. 2.
Air Travel Up Globally
In 2010
worldwide air travel jumped 8.2% and air freight did even
better, up 21%, according to the International Air Transport
Association. After the biggest demand decline in the history
of aviation in 2009, the world is flying again.
Corporate Barter Company Receives Kudos
ICON
International, a corporate barter company located in
Stamford (CT), was selected as one of the top 25 �Best
Places To Work� in Connecticut for 2011. ICON is a
subsidiary of the Omnicom Group.
Henderson�s Take On GDP Measurements
Noted
futurist Hazel Henderson says a nation�s Gross Domestic
Product measurement provides an incomplete and inadequate
measurement of national progress. She says GDP undervalues
the real wealth, for example, of Greece, Ireland, Portugal,
and Spain by ignoring their well-educated workforces,
efficient infrastructures and productive ecosystems � all
missing in GDP measurements.
For more
information:
www.HazelHenderson.com and
www.EthicalMarkets.com.
Mileage Rates For Tax Year
With tax
season here, remember the standard mileage rate for business
use of a car is 50-cents per mile. (See IRS Publication 17,
chapter 26.)
Plenty Of Hungry People Out There
Here�s a
rather startling number � the number of people in the U.S.
relying on food stamps, according to the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, is now 43.6 million.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
02/01/2011
NATE Convention Coming In June
The
National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) is planning
to hold it�s coming national convention this June in
Phoenix. Further details will be forthcoming.
For info
on NATE
click
here. (www.NATEBarter.com)
Google�s Retiring CEO Receives Barter-Type
Award Of $100 Million
Eric
Schmidt�s decade of service to Google was acknowledged as he
shifts from the company�s CEO to chairman, where he will
work on external matters such as partnerships and government
relationships.
For his
efforts Google awarded Schmidt a $100 million equity award
that includes stock and stock options. Schmidt currently
owns 9.2 million Google shares valued at nearly $5.8
billion.
Barter Media Baron Drops Price Of Equestrian
Estate
Metro
Networks founder David Saperstein has cut the price of his
125 acre equestrian estate by 34% down to $49.5 million. The
estate is in Simi Valley, about 40 miles Northwest of Los
Angeles.
For more
on Saperstein�s business success
click here.
Ideas Worthy Of Your Time
�You only
have to do a few things right in your life so long as you
don�t do too many things wrong.�
�Warren Buffett, American investor
and financial sage
�Life is
under no obligation to give us what we expect.�
�Margaret Mitchell, American author
Michael Vick Barters With Dealership
The
Philadelphia Eagles� Pro Bowl quarterback, Michael Vick,
appeared in a TV commercial for a Philadelphia car
dealership last month. His compensation was having the use
of a Nissan sport utility vehicle.
Media, Restaurants, Printing & Travel
Lee Anne
Busman, founder of Barter Consultants International back in
1999, says 40% of her trade exchange�s business revolves
around the four cornerstones of the barter business � media,
restaurants, printing and travel. The Atlanta-based company
reportedly does $1 million a month in the barter business.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
01/25/2011
17
Radio Stations Sold For $505 Million
St. Paul-based Hubbard Broadcasting Inc. is spending $505
million in cash to acquire 17 Bonneville International Corp.
radio stations located in Washington (DC), Chicago, St.
Louis and Cincinnati. Hubbard presently operates four radio
stations, as well as twelve TV stations in Minnesota, New
York and New Mexico.
HSN Trades With Sony To Promote Movie
Sony Pictures worked with Home Shopping Network to promote
its chick-flick, Eat, Pray, Love, starring Julie
Roberts. HSN staged a 3-day shopping event showcasing more
than 400 licensed products to its mostly 5 million active
female customers in exchange for promoting the movie.
Thoughts Worthy Of Your Time
�If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself
without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you
invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of
your life.�
� Frank Lloyd
Wright, American architect
�I exhort you also to take part in the great combat, which
is the combat of life, and greater than every other earthly
conflict.�
� Plato, Greek
philosopher
�If money is all that a man makes, then he will be poor.
Poor in happiness and poor in all that makes life worth
living.�
� Herbert N. Casson,
Canadian journalist and author
�It takes people a long time to learn the difference between
talent and genius, especially ambitious young men and
women.�
� Louisa May Alcott,
American author
Cond� Nast Moves Into Restaurant Business
With Top-Selling Magazine Titles
Conde Nast Restaurants, a new division of the magazine
empire based in Hong Kong, will be capitalizing on their
brand names � beyond print � in Asia, the Middle East and
Latin America.
In Moscow the company has the Vogue Caf�, GQ Bar and Tatler
Club.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
01/18/2011
City-Run Barter Site Proposed For Bringing
Citizens Together
The
co-owner of one of Vancouver�s (Canada) internationally
acclaimed restaurants wants to create a special network with
a social conscience. Meeru Dhalwala�s idea is a city-run web
site that connects people and enables them to barter
services and favors. People using the site would be
clustered together by their postal codes.
Small Business In The USA
More than
three quarters of U.S. businesses have no employees,
generating only 3.2% of sales nationwide, according to the
Census Bureau. Firms without employees average $45,000 in
sales.
The
average business posts sales of $1.1 million a year and has
about four employees.
Thoughts Worthy Of Your Time
�Destiny
is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is
not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.�
�William Jennings Bryan, American politician.
�Don�t be
afraid that your life will end; be afraid that it will never
begin.�
�Grace Hansen, American dance director.
�One of
the striking differences between a cat and a lie is that the
cat has only nine lives.�
�Mark Twain, American author and humorist.
Mackay Says Success This Year Depends Upon
Your Goals
Small
business columnist Harvey Mackay stresses that a person
needs a specific and clear direction, and understanding of
what is wanted, before achievement is attainable. In other
words, know what you really want � be very specific. What is
your motivation for this accomplishment? Focus on one or two
areas, and be willing to take risks.
Make 2011
different by setting reasonable, measurable goals, then take
charge and move forward with determination.
Top
From the desk of Bob Meyer...
01/04/2011
Intuit 2020 Report Sees Small Business Trends
For Next Decade
Small
businesses will get even more specialized as customers will
increasingly seek customized products and services. Startups
will be lesws arduous and cheaper, as lower equipment costs
and better technology will make it easier than ever to
launch a business without a big investment.
And they
see big and small firms joining forces as collaborative
partnerships increase. Small companies will bring innovative
practices, market agility and intimate customer knowledge �
the big firms will contribute marketing and distribution
power.
BizXchange Members Help Non-Profits
Seattle-based BizXchange (see link at top of page, Platinum
Sponsor) reports that trade dollar donations from
BizXchange members to non-profit BizXchange members
increased to $40,000 this year, up from $9,000 in 2009.
Large Non-Profit Opens Trade Exchange
One of the
nation�s leading �green� non-profit organizations, Green
America, has 160,000 members. Their goal is to build a green
and just economy. And recently the organization has created
The Green Business Network, a B2B trade exchange.
For more
information
click here.
Bartering Tourism For Oil
Turkey is
going to be receiving oil from two African countries through
a barter type of payment. Turkey will be providing
(investing in) tourism, energy, health and other needed
infrastructures. The aggregate value of the barter
transaction is $1 billion.
Is Now The Time To Buy?
Is buying
commercial property now a smart move for the entrepreneur?
The CIT Small Business Commercial Real Estate Study says
this could be an excellent time for entrepreneurs to buy a
piece of property. (Only 6% of small business owners have
bought at least one commercial property.)
The study
notes that the Small Business Administration offers real
estate loans with considerably better terms than bank loans.
Two Large Media Companies Can�t Agree On A
Deal
Atlanta-based Cumulus Media (NASDAQ:CMLS) tried to buy
Citadel Broadcasting Corp. in a $2.1 billion deal, but was
rejected by Citadel�s shareholders. Cumulus is the
second-largest radio broadcaster in the United States based
on station count, with 343 radio stations in 68 U.S. media
markets.
Las
Vegas-based Citadel is the third-largest radio group in the
U.S. with 166 FM stations and 59 AM stations in 50 markets.
Bank Of America To Aid Small, Community-Based
Businesses
Bank of
America will hire 1,000 bankers nationwide in 2011 to focus
on businesses with revenue of $250,000 to $3 million a year.
The bankers will be based in local branches to focus on
building relationships with community businesses.
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