Is Your Brand Failing?

Just because you built a brand doesn’t mean you can sustain a brand. Going into the weekend, you want to ask yourself if you have any of these three signs related to danger. If so, your brand is failing and you need to regroup.

Sign number one: The phone isn’t ringing. If your business used to have tons of phone calls, inquiries, and flat out business and now the phone isn’t ringing- your brand is in trouble.

Sign number two: You are inconsistent. What do I mean by this? Well, either you are spread too thin to focus on your brand or your trying to accomplish too many things at once.

Sign number three: Your social media accounts don’t reflect your company’s message. Yes, I mean your personal accounts. If you own a company understand people will look YOU up and not just your company. Don’t have a professional website and then photos of you in the club on your Facebook page. It scares investors and possible customers.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Hey DC, I Need YOU!

Working with Uncle Sam!

Ever wonder how hard it is (or easy) to get a government contract? Let me provide you with the tips to obtain (and maintain) the government's business!

First off, visit https://www.fbo.gov/ because there are usually (on average) 25,000+ contracts available at any given time. Know what is available and what you (or your company) or truly qualified to bid on.

Next, don't dismiss the 25,000+ contracts as reserved for major players. The government sets aside contracts for small businesses, women owned businesses, minor owned businesses, etc. Basically, you are set up to fairly compete with the big boys!

Consider subcontracted work. A good way to get your foot in the door is to perform subcontracted work through a provider that already has a government contract. Who has the current contracts you ask? Click here! https://www.supplier-connection.net/SupplierConnection/index.html

Lastly, understand that paperwork is the major part of the process. And, there is a lot of paperwork! Start with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) http://www.osdbu.dot.gov/related/ccr.cfm . In order to do business with the govermennt (and start the paperwork for consideration) you must be registered with the CCR. Bonus: The CCT lets you review what companies are retaining contracts and how. It can help you become more competitive with your bids!

Twyla N. Garrett

Are Your Business Ideas Profitable?

I recently received a request to write about testing business ideas. While we can prepare for and plan our businesses around concepts and data, there is no real way to test if we're going to be successful or not.
There are some ways to double check if you are or are not on the right path when it comes to business. Here are my top three tips to see if you are on the right path to projected success;

#1. Focus on goals, don't just have them.

I know many people who write goals down. They have a goal for every part of their life. What they're missing is a plan. You need to have a goal followed by a plan and work at it daily.

#2. Be reasonable with your time frames. Don't plan to be a millionaire at the end of two years. If only life were this easy. Make sure you have a realistic timeline to compliment your goals and your plans.

#3. Make profit your number one goal. Don't think about expansion, second offices, etc. until you actually have a solid profit coming in. You can't just think big, you have to grow a profit to get big.

I will back with a new blog series this upcoming Monday, January 5th. Until then......

Happy New Year!

Twyla Garrett

Budget Issues & Homeland Security

Homeland Security has budget issues attached to the Department. I know, it's shocking. The truth is, when the Department of Homeland Security was formed- finances and long-term plans were truly an afterthought. And, unlike America’s past wars, the battle against terrorism will not allow demobilization. It is going to be an ongoing thing for the rest of this country's existence.

The terrorist threats the nation faces today are the new normal and homeland security will be an enduring task, so every effort from here on out has to be sustainable. The government could simply impose across-the-board percentage cuts, but how does this happen without significantly increasing risk? This is the challenge we are up against daily as citizens of this great nation.

I don't have the answers. I have recommendations, but no single person can solve the issue of DHS budget requirements and needs in the blink of an eye. What I do know, and what I think every person in Congress may actually agree upon, is that we have to update and retool our efforts. Things have changed since 2001. Our process and our budgets haven't- at least for the better.

I'm hopeful today's topic can create an exchange of ideas on Twitter of Facebook to discuss what the public perception of the DHS budget is and how we should move forward, especially since the election was just two days ago!

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett of IME.

1 Valuable Life Lesson for Business

Someone recently asked me if I had a valuable life lesson that translated to business growth. I do! I wanted to share it on the blog today to help many people understand why I brand my company, IME, as "the company that cares."

My mantra and life lesson is to take everything personally. I hate when people say, "it's not personal, it's business." You are your business as an entrepreneur, therefore everything is personal. If you don't treat everything you do in life and business with a personal investment, what good is it? It you are personally invested in something, you tend to take it more serious. Business means money. Business means your reputation. So, why wouldn't you take it serious?

The most valuable life lesson I have that can translate to business is not taking one specific business deal personally. I had viewed a deal as not "good enough" for my standards. It was just business, not an opportunity. So, I didn't take it personally. I missed out on a great opportunity because I treated the pitch as business. Had I treated it like a personal investment, I probably would have gave it more consideration and would be reaping those rewards today.

My point here is to take everything personally and act from the heart- even in business!

Until next time,

Twyla N. Garrett

Two Problems Associated with Focus!

Alright business owners, I'm talking to you here. Focus is an issue when you own and run a business. I'm sure you already know how it feels to be in charge of many things at once. So, what are the two major issues associated with remaining focused? Let me tell you.

First, stress. Are you laughing? Good! You need to laugh more because stressed business owners are ill-focused people who make poor decisions. It is hard not to stress when running a business. So, how can you defer stress? Set aside fifteen minutes of quite time. Shut down the cell phone, walk away from the office, and just be quite and still for fifteen minutes. This will help deplete your stress and regain your focus.

Don't go online! Seriously. This is the next step to remaining focused. A recent study cited that people who work on a computer change their screen 40 times an hour. How can someone focus on a specific task with all this bouncing around between screens, email accounts, online interests, etc.? Solve this issue by making it appoint to ONLY do one task at a time. Don't keep email open on your screen and place your phone on silent so you can't hear the "ping" of new emails coming in. This simple task will help you stay focused and perform better!

Do you have focus issues? Maybe suggestions to help others stay focused?

Let's continue the conversation on Twitter!

Twyla