New To Us, News To You : New To Us, News To You

Friday, February 20, 2009

A penny for your thoughts…

Doesn’t everyone have a jar filled with pennies? Or haven’t you used pennies to teach your children or grandchildren to count? Better yet, done the coin rubbings with the side of a crayon? I can think of a million things to do with a little penny and the fact that they do add up – only 100 and you have a dollar!

On February 12^th, 2009 a new penny was released into circulation. It’s the first in a series of 4 commemorating the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. The recently released penny shows Lincoln’s birthplace, a log cabin in Kentucky. The remaining 3 pennies, to be released on a quarterly basis, will show Lincoln as a rail-splitter, Lincoln in front of the Illinois State Legislature and the United States capitol without a dome – a symbol of the civil war that divided the nation when he was president.

In 1909, the 100^th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, a new penny was released showing a side view of Lincoln on the front and the back showed two stalks of wheat. This was the first time in US history a president’s image was used on a coin. Later in 1959, the 150^th anniversary, the back of the penny was changed to show the Lincoln memorial.

It costs 1.4 cents to make a penny. It seems odd that we would produce a coin that is worth less than it costs to make it but the cost actually covers 4 components,

Metal
Fabrication
Labor / overhead
Transportation

If a penny were used one time then thrown away it would be a horrible waste for American taxpayers. But, as we all know, a penny can be used hundreds, thousands, or even a million times before dropping out of circulation. That helps ease the sting of the 1.4 cents to produce it.

I know many people feel pennies are worthless and throw them away! What happens if you have one of the elusive 1943 all copper pennies that could be worth $80,000, or more, and you toss it in the trashcan or in the street? Can any one really afford to throw away money?

Just like an $80,000 penny sometimes a small investment can reap a big end result. Looking at an HRA for your small business can be a small investment in dollars and time but reap great tax savings in the end. Our average HRA client can save $3800 a year! That is a lot of pennies!

Laura Radebaugh
BASE Administration/Adjudication Specialist

Posted By Nina Easley At 4:33 PM •

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Networking

"Networking is vital to the success of any business" – would you agree?

Think about it, networking is one of our oldest skills. How many pictures have you seen of the "Caveman" (meaning no offense to any Geico spokespeople) that have these early folks sitting outside their cave door around a blazing fire? What were they doing? What did they talk about? I’m not entirely sure that it matters; the point is since the earliest of times man has been drawn to his fellows to discuss, to mull over, to exchange thoughts.

Through the years, the process has refined itself. We have become quite skilled at networking with a pre-screened population, as opposed to whoever happens to not be fighting a dinosaur at the time.

BASE spends a considerable amount of resources and time attending tradeshows and events. This is a form a networking that I particularly enjoy. On the path of the American Dream, how many times can you walk into a room knowing that everyone in the room is 100% aware that you have a sales message for them, and they are going to waltz right by to hear it? It is capitalism at its prime!

Oh sure – I may have a biodegradable pen, tantalizing tootsie roll, magical magnet, or the world’s newest and most advanced yard stick to entice you – but nonetheless – when you make your approach for my magical trinket you know I’ve got a message you’re gonna get to hear!

Now then, let’s flip the coin. If you are a person (and you know you are) and you are tied to one profession or another, get out there. Seek what is available. Find events that suit you, that can enhance your knowledge and you can grow your business!

There are associations, chambers, commerce groups, cities, counties (the list could get very long) that are all putting forth the effort to gather everyone you need to network effectively. Talk, learn, chat, mill about – however you want to do it. Get yourself to an event where people are offering you the tools and trades you need to improve your world. Professionally or personally you have a need, and someone wants to fill it – I could almost guarantee it. To sit within the confines of your office, never inviting interaction with your peers…well, suffice it say, you are missing out.

If you attend tradeshows this year, for whatever reason, look for me.

I’ve got something to tell you.

Nina Lorimor-Easley, Marketing

Posted By Nina Easley At 8:42 AM •