The Rape Crisis Center of Central Massachusetts, led by Kim Dawkins, has chosen Vision Advertising to direct all marketing programs going into their 35th Anniversary year. We will be working with them on a wide array of positive programs and events such as April 2008’s “Taking Steps to END Violence Against Women & Children Walkathon.”

You really should - it’s a great idea. For those of you who’ve heard of this before, this is an update. If you haven’t, then this is new - either way, thanks for reading!

Massachusetts Green Business Association is now incorporated as World Green Business Association, Inc. We’ve structured it this way to have room for global expansion in the coming years as we grow and evolve. As we are in Massachusetts, this is where we’re going to start, with the people and businesses we know and expand outward from there.

If you are out of state and would like to join, we will welcome you with open arms and will help you to spread the good word in your locality so you will be in good company in short order.

SO many of you have approached me about this with such enthusiasm and I am humbled by the level of interest, awareness and shared passion. It’s overwhelming. I am fully committed and devoted to this cause and to see that it becomes the global force that ACTUALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE that we all want it to be.

To that end, I’ve been working in every minute of my personal time on this and the agency’s team has been behind me every step of the way. Policies are being formulated, programs are being set up and the BENNIES are being worked out. After all, mother Earth can’t be the only beneficiary to this brainchild - our members have to benefit too! I am aiming for a December 1st official launch where we will be fully equipped to accept memberships and start handing out the benefits to everyone. Anyone who knows me knows not to be shocked if it happens sooner.

Friends, this is going to be amazing!! If you have EVER in one moment in your life wanted to help save the earth (our only home) and have EVER felt even the teeniest bit helpless like you couldn’t make a difference (me), this new organization is specifically for you. We will endeavor to make the adoption of green practices EASY and the results QUANTIFIABLE.

Stay tuned - stay green.

Laura

Every now and then, someone comes in my office and says they need our services. But they can’t afford them. Hey, not everyone can, but once in a while, I get this one creative person that says they’ll give us a percentage of all future sales in lieu of payment for our services.

2 points for creativity, but… that’s not the best idea.

To date, we’ve refused every request like this. Here’s why.

1. They’re sending the message that they haven’t done a business plan and that they really don’t know what they’re doing. If they had done a plan, it would include a marketing plan (see free marketing diagram here) and would also include the financial data on how much they will practically need to invest in the first year, and thus gather, before they start their business.
2. If they fall flat on their faces, our company is going to take the hit for their lack of planning? I think not.
3. If they can’t to go to the bank and ask the bank to invest in the company and take a risk with them, why on earth would anyone else?
4. If they just don’t want to go get a loan for the business, what kind of message are they sending about their own faith in the business strategy?
5. Last, I wonder if they realize they’re asking us to invest in them - all without a solid and well-thought-out business plan? Would they approach a bank or a VC like this?

I admire the creativity of trying to accomplish X with limited resources. The majority of the worlds new leaders have all made something out of nothing. But not without a plan.

Not every business needs lots of capital to start it, run it, or even market it. There are many, actually, that require very little capital at all. However, a good business and marketing plan done with financials organized long before the business even starts is going to pave the road to success. The entrepreneur knows ahead of time what they’ll need, so they can do what they need to do the right way, the first time.

It’s never too late to do a plan. We have helped dozens of businesses create their plans and craft custom time lines for implementation.

Have you done yours?