To Incorporate or Not To Incorporate...

The 2nd Best Way to Not Get Sued is to Incorporate:

But the best way to avoid getting sued is to be dirt poor, really. If people don't think you (or your family) have any money, they won't bother trudging down the long hard slog of a full blown lawsuit. They may threaten you, they may speak poorly of you...but words are cheap. Actually suing somebody takes a lot of work, and people expect a pot of gold at the end of their lawsuit, or they just won't have the stamina for it. They will be looking to see if you have any money.

If you do have significant assets then incorporating is a good idea. What counts as "significant assets"? About $100,000. So, yes, if you own a home, or if you have a nest egg, then you should incorporate. Also, do you come from a wealthy family that is in any way connected to (or do they talk with you about) your business? If yes, then incorporate.

If you plan on getting a line of credit from a bank, that's another good reason to incorporate.

Also, if you want to establish yourself as a vendor for a large corporation (and not a 1099 contractor), it can be easier if your business is incorporated. 

If none of these apply to you, don't bother incorporating. Being a sole proprietor is an honorable path, and an open declaration that your fate and the fate of your your business, are woven together. As a sole proprietor, your money and your business' money are one and the same.

"But wait!" you say. "I still want a corporation! Just...just because!"

Check that voice in your head. Is it saying something like, "Hey! I want Inc. at the end of my business' name just because it feels like the real deal!" If any part of you says, "Yeah! I want to feel Big Time!" then pause. Save your money for now, and go work on your brand identity or something. Incorporating to get a sense of validation is bad for business.

But, let's say you decide you do have a good reason to incorporate. What then?

Do I Get a Lawyer or an Accountant?

Don't set up your incorporation through your accountant. Accountants will try to save you a few bucks, that's their job, but a lawyer will be focused on mitigating asset risk —and that's the whole point of getting incorporated. Remember, you are only incorporating as insurance against somebody seriously trying to sue you. So if a lawsuit does show up at the door, you'll be happy you spent the extra $1,000 to have your corporate veil lined with lead...otherwise, just don't bother doing it at all.

Get a lawyer to set up your filings for incorporation, partnership agreements, and your boilerplate contracts for your clients. Don't mess around with cheap online law groups. If you're going to do do this, do it right, and get a real lawyer.

S-Corp?

What about setting up my business as an S-Corp? If you know it will only be you owning the business (or maybe you and a super solid partner to split 50/50) then you can get an S-Corp. An S-Corp will save you a few bucks, so accountants often recommend this business structure...see above. Basically S-Corps are old school, but if you aren't building anything elaborate, an S-Corp will do just fine as a way to protect your assets.

LLC?

So should I get an LLC? The short answer is...probably. LLC's are flexible creatures that can have any number of owners (called members), and you can split up profits (called units) in different ways. LLC's can even own other LLC's, as if they were fully independent people (but that's another subject entirely). So if you are unsure about who, how, or what will be owning (or be owned by) your business in the future, then definitely get an LLC.

C-Corp?

What about a C-corp? A C-corp is for the Big Time. C-corps can have different classes of stock (preferred stock, common stock) and different ways to distribute that stock. It's all very complicated, and then there's the double-taxation. Basically you'll know it's time for a C-Corp when people start asking you if they can invest in your business. That's when you know you made the Big Time, and you can start paying more taxes as gratitude for your blessings.

What's That About Taxes?

A C-corp is its own legal entity. So any money it pays out (even to an owner) is taxed as a separate transaction. That means as a business owner, your company will pay taxes on all the profits it receives first, and then you personally will pay income taxes on any money the C-corp paid out to you as an individual. That's what people mean by double-taxation. With an S-Corp or an LLC, the profits are "passed through" to the business owner, and you only pay taxes on that money once.

What's Better: 10% of Profits or 2% of Revenues?

TechDirt.com wrote a great article that perfectly illustrates this rule of thumb for negotiating contracts based on future earnings, that is...how to make sure you'll get paid. Profits are an ever moving target: is profit calculated after taxes? After paying the principals? How about the money we spend on our vacation to Hawaii afterwards, is that a deductible cost? People do this all the time.

"...the big studios set up "corporations" for each movie, specifically designed to "lose money," often by paying money back to the studio itself. Basically, the studio sets up this "company," but then charges the company a huge "fee," such that the company itself rarely, if ever, becomes profitable. Of course, hugely successful films usually still get past the threshold, but perhaps not all of them. Hugues Lamy points us to the news that the actor who played Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi is saying that Lucasfilm still isn't paying residuals, claiming that the film is still not profitable: 

“I get these occasional letters from Lucasfilm saying that we regret to inform you that as Return of the Jedi has never gone into profit, we’ve got nothing to send you. Now here we’re talking about one of the biggest releases of all time,” said Prowse. “I don’t want to look like I’m bitching about it,” he said, “but on the other hand, if there’s a pot of gold somewhere that I ought to be having a share of, I would like to see it.”

If you adjust for inflation, Jedi is the 15th highest grossing films of all time..." 

The best solution for you as a contractor invested in a projects success, but also wanting to get a fair share of that success, is to make a counter offer based on the total revenues of the project, regardless of costs. Now you can't ask for the same percentage cut, but if you ask for 2% of total revenues instead of 10% of the profits and they balk at that, you gotta ask yourself if they had any intention of paying out anything in the end.

Asking for a cut of total revenues leaves the management of the expenses for the principals and the finance people. That's their job, to make sure they make a profit. Your job is to deliver great work.

Great Article by Stew Friedman About Making Professional and Personal Life Work Together

I really appreciate the work that Stew Friedman has done to, more than just shed light on, but to also pioneer our understanding of this social issue that we live with every day -- but we have only just begun to define clearly. 

"The resonance of Anne-Marie Slaughter's Atlantic article is testimony to how far we've come since 1987, when I began talking about work and family in my Wharton School classes. Back then, many students — men and women — flat-out resented it. "We're here to learn about business, not family," they said. And when I started the Wharton Work/Life Integration Project a few years later, I got some strange looks, for it was odd to be a man talking about work and family at a business school known mainly for its strength in finance. "Why," some of my colleagues wondered, "are you focusing on this women's issue?"
But this is not a women's issue; our increasingly shared understanding is that this a critical socialissue with great economic consequences." [more]

The 22 rules of storytelling, according to Pixar

Here's an awesome article on the best elements of storytelling. 

#1: You admire a character for trying more than for their successes.
#2: You gotta keep in mind what's interesting to you as an audience, not what's fun to do as a writer. They can be v. different.
#3: Trying for theme is important, but you won't see what the story is actually about til you're at the end of it. Now rewrite.

 [more]

Networking Event: A Room Full of Referrals

Business Growth Network Presents: A Room Full of ReferralsFriday, June 1, 2012 from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM (PT)
1650 Mountain Boulevard Oakland, CA 94611

If referrals come from people, and we are constantly walking into rooms full of people, wouldn’t it be nice to know how to generate referrals from them?

Register Here: http://roomfullofreferrals.eventbrite.com

Did you know that your individual behavioral style ABSOLUTELY affects your refer-ability?

In this information- and action-packed workshop, you will not only uncover your own unique behavioral style, but also learn how to gauge the styles of your colleagues, clients, prospects, friends, and family members—and use that information to communicate more effectively with them. Dawn Lyons, Master Trainer for the Referral Institute, would like to show you how to make your networking EASIER, MORE PROFITABLE, AND MORE FUN! You will experience first-hand how this new skill-base can empower you to network successfully in ANY situation, making every room A Room Full of Referrals!

What you will receive:

• An official Behavioral Styles DISC assessment (valued at $50–$75)
• Key knowledge on how to approach each unique BEHAVIORAL STYLE
• Proven tips to keep prospective clients engaged in conversation and get an appointment with them
• Plenty of time to meet and network with Business Growth Network members and invited guests
• And more!

Questions? Contact Julie Feinstein Adams at bnibgnchapter@gmail.com

~ Registration fees are non-refundable ~

TESTIMONIALS:

A single Behavioral Styles Workshop has revolutionized the way I interact with clients and prospects. Within 1 week of taking the workshop, I'd gotten payment from a client who had resisted for 6 weeks, and I have closed business that before the workshop I felt was slipping away.

~ Tod Abbott, Almost Everything Communications     

Thank you for the $40,000. That was my immediate return on the Behavioral Styles training. Over the next few years this client will easily generate in excess of $100,000 in revenue for eSystems Design.

~ Glenn Antoine, President, eSystems Design, Inc.

Play With Your Money And Treat It Well

Money loves being attended to so count how much you are spending and making, set financial goals, and look at your results regularly.

Know where your money is coming from and where it is going...that which is tracked happens.

Yep~

10 Buddhist Maxims For Business

Business Insurance Quotes posted an interesting list of Buddhist sayings that prove useful in business.

Buddhism is an ancient philosophical system that follows the teachings of the Buddha. The system — a meditative, esoteric practice that often functions as a religious system — has an estimated 350 and 500 million practitioners and believers worldwide. Buddhism emphasizes the cultivation of mindfulness and values a spiritually minimalistic worldview, eschewing dependence and worldly attachment.
With the popularization of incorporating many multi-cultural and cross-philosophical practices in the business world, it's no surprise that some elements of Buddhism can be relevant to corporate managers, entrepreneurs, and indeed most people who share some portion of their lives with the marketplace. Buddhist business practices and maxims can be beneficial to the decision-making process in the workplace, but you don't have to be a guru in order to take away something meaningful from Buddha's teachings. In fact, you don't have to be religious, spiritual, New Age, or even seeking — these aphorisms are simply a way to rethink and reframe your qualitative skill set, and to maybe find a little zen at the office. Meditate on these ten Buddhist maxims for business, and you may achieve workplace nirvana in no time.

1. "Too cold, too hot, too late" can always be the excuses to those who do not want to work. They let their chance pass by.

This short aphorism is a reminder of two things: 1) opportunity favors the hard worker, and 2) those with a lackluster work ethic are always going to find an excuse. Whether you have a stellar commitment to productivity, or you're just looking for a reminder that your hard work matters personally, this is a good maxim to remember. If you have a good work ethic and a great attitude, very little will stand in your way. And if you're the type who always has an excuse, you can bet that opportunities will pass you by.

1. None can live without toil, and a craft that provides your needs is a blessing indeed. But if you toil without rest, fatigue and weariness will overtake you, and you will denied the joy that comes from labour's end.

This maxim, from the Dhammavadaka, is perfect for those in business, and a good reminder you can send to your favorite workaholic. It is true that life would not be so full without work, and it's always nice to read an ancient passage reminding you to be grateful for your work, and to get sufficient rest. One of the values of practicing Buddhism is a focus on centering and balance, and this passage tells you that it's OK to enjoy the fruits of your labor. It is also of great importance, reminds the sutra, to not overtire yourself. The rat race may be necessary, but it's not the only way.

1. Develop the mind of equilibrium. You will always be getting praise and blame, but do not let either affect the poise of the mind: follow the calmness, the absence of pride.

The Buddhist practice of mindfulness can be a key to good business, reducing supply costs and increasing your potential to work with compassion. This saying, from the Sutta Nipata, instructs the mind and heart to be balanced, objective, and mindful of the fog of pride. Mindfulness has benefits that span many occupations and fields, and indeed most people will benefit from adhering to the words of this sutra. Remember to be calm, and not to obsess too much about positive or negative feedback. If you do a job long enough, you are bound to have great moments of achievement, as well as great moments of failure. These are both times to learn from, and keeping the mind rightly situated can be of the utmost value — especially at work.

1. The Eightfold Path

BuddhistBusiness.com is a web portal to showcase Buddhist businesses, and also offers the first seminar examining the Eightfold Path and its relation to business. The Eightfold Path is the fourth of Buddha's Four Noble Truths (this isn't weird — think of the Ten Commandments), and a key component of behavioral practices that are crucial to Buddhist life. While you may not be looking for a new faith system, these eight signposts could prove helpful for your business dealings.

1. Prajña Ditthi — seeing reality unfiltered, and as it actually exists

1. Prajña Sankappa — the purifying wisdom and intention of harmlessness

1. Sila Vaca — saying the truth, practicing non-harm in your speech patterns

1. Sila Kammanta — non-harmful action (this applies to self and others)

1. Sila Ajiva — commitment to a non-harming life

1. Samadhi Vayama — seeking the mindful discipline to improve oneself constantly and over time

1. Samadhi Sati — awareness of reality and freedom from temptations, cravings, and distractions

1. Samadhi Samadhi — proper concentration and meditation.

1. Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.

This is an attributed quote from the Buddha, who — like Jesus and Socrates — never wrote anything down. When you're in business, it's always nice to know that your work, which can be such a big part of your own world — really matters to the outside world. Take a deep breath and remember for a moment that every action you take, in business and in life, is part of a larger journey of self-discovery. These words from the Buddha can be exhilarating and helpful to reinvigorate the waning worker, as well as an indication that what you choose to put your entire self into really does matter.

1. The most valuable service is one rendered to our fellow humans.

This phrase is found, along with more than 50 others, in Wat Phra Singh, a large Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In the temple, you can view an illustrious statue called the Phra Buddha Sihing. If you take a walk around the temple, you can find Buddhist aphorisms on signs nailed to trees that line the temple grounds. This adage tells you that your work is valuable only inasmuch as it helps other people.

What do you do for a living? Does it involve helping others? Directly or indirectly? Taking a reverent and honorable approach to your work, and finding out precisely how it produces value — to yourself and to the marketplace, but primarily to other individuals — is an important step on the way to performing your work with mindfulness. Simply being aware that your work has an audience, sells a service or product that improves lives, or involves working with the general public on some level can turn a sour mood into a grateful one — as you should maintain that what you are doing with your life is adding value to the human experience.

1. Every individual has a responsibility to help guide our global family in the right direction. Good wishes are not sufficient; we must become actively engaged.

This quote, from The Path to Tranquility are the words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself. The passage is a reminder to stay calm, and that every person shoulders the weight of responsibility to do good. And it is our good actions, not our good intentions, that accomplish the most — on and off the job.

1. Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Living in the present is of utmost importance, and it can definitely help you in your work. Do you ever have a day that you just can't quit thinking about the fight you had with your partner, or whether or not you left the oven on? These days happen to everyone, and with a deep breath and a mindful moment, you can incorporate this saying from the Buddha into your work day — and gladly turn to concentrate on the moment. One point of having work is being pointed and busy, and it is indeed one of the blessings that productive value-making brings. And that's why it's profitable to you and your business to concentrate your mind on the present. Unless you're about to burn your house down (the oven!), you can be sure that the task at hand is probably the most important thing you have scheduled, and that your mind is putting off accomplishing the task. Just a few moments of clarity and calm, and recalling this saying of the Buddha, might help you to refocus and increase your productivity.

1. You can only lose what you cling to.

This short maxim, also purportedly by the Buddha, is a gentle reminder to embrace change. Change is everywhere — constant, eternal — and in the information age, this is especially true. The Buddha wishes to communicate here that nothing is permanent, and that adaptation and flexible fluidity is paramount to happiness and avoiding disappointment and suffering. Concentrating on detachment — from dogmas, old rules, and other tired modes of thought and action — will help keep your business and your work product strong, as it is generally positive to embrace the change that you cannot otherwise escape. Roll with it. Go with the flow. Keep calm, and carry on.

1. A jug fills drop by drop.

This classic saying from the Buddha means that things happen step by step, and that methodological piecemeal work is often superior to big splashes. When you concentrate on the small things, the big things fall into place — and this is often true for the business world. Take heart, workers, and know that your small efforts can amount to great success. Namaste.

11 Industries That Benefit the Most from Social Media

Onlinecollege.org has a useful list of industries that are capitalizing on social media.

"More and more businesses these days are catching on to the fact that social media is kind of a big deal. Customers expect to be able to connect with brands they care about, and those who do this well can enjoy the benefits of what social media can do. But there are some industries that seem to take advantage of social media better than others. For some, social media is just a natural outgrowth of an already established marketing strategy; for others, they've done an exceptional job harnessing the power of social media. Whatever the reason, these industries are finding that social media is...[more]"

2hats MasterMind Group In San Francisco

(415) 515-1252
tommy2hats@gmail.com

Coming To San Francisco on February 27th 
The 2hats Mastermind Business Group

• Write a Marketing Plan
• With a team of 12 entrepreneurs
• And a professional business consultant

...Four Weeks for $175

---

When: February 27th, March 12th, March 19th, and April 2nd

Time: Mondays from 1p.m. - 4p.m.
Where:  502 Andover Street San Francisco, CA 94110

New members also receive a Free 60 Minute Private Consultation with John, covering your specific business needs.

"...what was really valuable to me was the chance to co-work and talk with other entrepreneurs who had struggles of their own, which made me feel better about my own weaknesses. Above all, having access to John for questions and guidance made the wholeprocess really empowering. I finished the course feeling like I had the tools to achieve my goals.”  — Damian Sol, Composer

Course Details:
The 2hats Marketing Group is led by John Van Dinther of 2hats Consulting. We are bringing together a dynamic group of up to 12 entrepreneurs. We will be exploring Social Media Marketing, Branding, Marketing Plans, Business Relationship Development, and Networking.

Our first meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m. on February 27th (Monday). This three hour workshop will include presentations by John, hands on group branding exercises, and networking opportunities.

We will then meet on four Mondays (2/27, 3/12, 3/19, 4/2) to support each other, brainstorm, and develop strong business relationships. Each participant will get a chance to present their marketing plan and get feedback from the marketing group members.

About an hour of each weekly session will include co-working, small groups of two or three people getting work done on our individual plans. John will visit the different groups, offering marketing plan suggestions and making sure everyone is feeling productive.

Offering:
Free 1-hour new-members coaching  session with John Van Dinther (Scheduled Individually)

Four marketing group workshops (three-hours each):

• February 27th (Monday at 1:00 p.m.) - 502 Andover Street San Francisco, CA 94110
• March 12th (Monday at  1:00 p.m. .) - 502 Andover Street San Francisco, CA 94110
• March 19th (Monday at  1:00 p.m. ) - 502 Andover Street San Francisco, CA 94110
• April 2nd (Monday at  1:00 p.m.) - 502 Andover Street San Francisco, CA 94110

Fee: 
$175

“I recently participated in one of John's month-long mastermind groups, and I am so grateful. Previous to joining the group, my business was at a real impasse. I knew I had something of great value, I just didn't know how to share it with more people.

• John's expertise helped me break down my marketing process into actionable steps.

• The group setting helped me see points I had been missing on my own.

• In my private one-hour session, John masterfully guided me into, and helped unlock, personal obstacles that had been holding me back.

This group is a great deal.  If you have a product or service you believe in, this group can really help. John is both an expert and a man worthy of trust — such a valuable asset for anyone working on their business. 

Less than a week after our group ended I signed a new client, and I was asked to give a public talk about my work. I am grateful to know John, and to have had a spot in the 2hats MasterMind Group.

I stand behind my recommendation for this group.” - James Riedy, January 2012

For more Information please contact:

John Van Dinther

2hats Consulting

(415) 515-1252

tommy2hats@gmail.com

www.johnvandinther.com

www.2hats.blogspt.com

5 Ways to Frame A Business Relationship

It's handy to categorize your business relationships, to see where people fit in terms of your business once they've stopped being Strangers: that vast army with no awareness of your business at all.

1. Prospects: They are aware of your business, they've seen your card, heard about you, etc.
2. Leads: A prospect becomes a lead when they think they might need your services, and they're in the process of self-qualification.
3. Clients: Your existing clients are your best leads. It takes less effort to thrill existing clients than to convert new clients. And thrilled clients come back for more.
4. Associates: People connecting you to their business network. They can be your client, or businesses serving the same client demographics as you do. Sometimes they're your competition, but still have good reasons for connecting you to other prospects.
5. Associations (or Events): Places where you gather Prospects...

The 2hats Marketing Guild Begins February 17th

Beginning Friday, February 17th at Noon... 
The 2hats Marketing Guild

• Ready to develop your marketing plan?
• Want to work on your plan with a support team of 12 entrepreneurs?
• Would it help if the team was led by a professional business consultant?

...how about if it only cost $175?

---

When: February 17th, February 24th, March 2nd, and March 9th

Time: Noon - 3pm
Where: 1808 Addison Street Berkeley, CA 94703

New members also receive a free 60 minute private consultation with John, covering your specific marketing needs.

Course Details:
The Marketing Guild is led by John Van Dinther of 2hats Consulting. We are bringing together a dynamic group of up to 12 entrepreneurs who are looking to develop their marketing savvy.

Our first meeting will begin at 12:00 p.m. on February 17th (Friday). This three hour workshop will include presentations by John, hands on group exercises, networking breaks, and a chance to receive peer feedback and support.

We will then meet over the next three Fridays to support each other, brainstorm, and develop strong business relationships. Each participant will get a chance to present their marketing plan and get feedback from group members.

About an hour of each weekly session will include co-working, small groups of two or three people getting work done on our individual plans. John will visit the different groups, offering suggestions and making sure everyone is feeling productive.

Offering:
One hour personal coaching  session with John Van Dinther (Scheduled Individually)

Four group workshops (three-hours each):

• February 17th (Friday at Noon) - 1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703
• February 24th (Friday at Noon) - 1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703
• March 2nd (Friday at Noon) - 1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703
• March 9th (Friday at Noon) - 1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703

Fee: 
$175

“I recently participated in one of John's month-long mastermind groups, and I am so grateful. Previous to joining the group, my business was at a real impasse. I knew I had something of great value, I just didn't know how to share it with more people.

• John's expertise helped me break down my marketing process into actionable steps. 

• The group setting helped me see points I had been missing on my own. 

• In my private one-hour session, John masterfully guided me into, and helped unlock, personal obstacles that had been holding me back.

This group is a great deal.  If you have a product or service you believe in, this group can really help. John is both an expert and a man worthy of trust — such a valuable asset for anyone working on their business. Less than a week after our group ended I signed a new client, and I was asked to give a public talk about my work. I am grateful to know John, and to have had a spot in the 2hats MasterMind Group.I stand behind my recommendation for this group.” - James Riedy, January 2012

“I came to John's mastermind group with no clear idea of how to effectively plan for business success. That problem was solved in one session where John worked backwards from success and broke it into its constituent parts. Beyond that learning, what was really valuable to me was the chance to co-work and talk with other entrepreneurs who had struggles of their own, which made me feel better about my own weaknesses. Above all, having access to John for questions and guidance made the whole process really empowering. I finished the course feeling like I had the tools to achieve my goals.”  — Damian Sol, Composer

Networking Event: Residential Design using Sustainable Building Practices

When: Wednesday February 1st (11:30am)
Speaker: Rebecca Ivans Amato
Location: 1650 Mountain Boulevard Oakland, CA 94611 (Montclair Women’s Cultural Center)

Fee: $20 (Includes Lunch Catering by Hugh Groman Catering)

This 10 Minute Presentation will be part of the 90 Minute Business Growth Network Chapter Luncheon. The presentation will focus on an architect’s personal residential remodel with creative and sustainable design solutions.

Come see how a local Oakland Architect doubled the square footage of her home near Lake Merritt and turned a traditional 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom Craftsman house into a Modern 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home. Working with a tight budget, green building principles were incorporated throughout with creative uses for remnants and scraps, second hand tiles and recycled materials. Use of solar panels, radiant floors and updated MEP systems throughout enhances the long term maintenance and sustainability of the project.

2hats Mastermind Business Group: January 13th 2012

Beginning This Friday, January 13th at Noon... 
The 2hats Mastermind Business Group

• Ready to write your 2012 business plan?
• Want to work on your plan with a team of 12 entrepreneurs?
• Would it help if the team was led by a professional business consultant?

...how about if it only cost $175?

---

When: January 13th, January 20th, January 27th, and February 3rd

Time: Noon - 3pm (By popular demand)
Where: 1808 Addison Street Berkeley, CA 94703

New members also receive a free 60 minute private consultation with John, covering your specific business needs.

Course Details:
The Master Mind Business Guild is led by John Van Dinther of 2hats Consulting. We are bringing together a dynamic group of up to 12 entrepreneurs who are looking to grow their business.

Our first meeting will begin at 12:00 p.m. on January 13th (Friday). This three hour workshop will include presentations by John, hands on group exercises, and opportunities to receive peer feedback and support.

We will then meet over the next three Fridays to support each other, brainstorm, and develop strong business relationships. Each participant will get a chance to present their plan and get feedback from group members.

About an hour of each weekly session will include co-working, small groups of two or three people getting work done on our individual plans. John will visit the different groups, offering suggestions and making sure everyone is feeling productive.

Offering:
One hour personal coaching  session with John Van Dinther (Scheduled Individually)

Four group workshops (three-hours each):

• January 13th (Friday at Noon) - 1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703
• January 20th (Friday at Noon) - 1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703
• January 27th (Friday at Noon) - 1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703
• February 3rd (Friday at Noon) - 1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703

Fee: 
$175

“I recently participated in one of John's month-long mastermind groups, and I am so grateful. Previous to joining the group, my business was at a real impasse. I knew I had something of great value, I just didn't know how to share it with more people.

• John's expertise helped me break down my marketing process into actionable steps.

• The group setting helped me see points I had been missing on my own.

• In my private one-hour session, John masterfully guided me into, and helped unlock, personal obstacles that had been holding me back.

This group is a great deal.  If you have a product or service you believe in, this group can really help. John is both an expert and a man worthy of trust — such a valuable asset for anyone working on their business. 

Less than a week after our group ended I signed a new client, and I was asked to give a public talk about my work. I am grateful to know John, and to have had a spot in the 2hats MasterMind Group.

I stand behind my recommendation for this group.” - James Riedy, January 2012

THE VALUE OF REJECTION by David Ackert

“No.” It’s our least favorite word. We don’t like to use it, and we certainly don’t like to hear it. But without it, we are left to wonder whether our relationships are genuine, whether our prospects are truly interested in our services, and whether our referral sources ever intend to send us any business.

The truth is, rejection saves us from chasing low-yield opportunities. Take this blog for example. After I write an entry, I send an email to my mail list letting everyone know that it’s available. Once in a while, I receive a notice that says something like, “Jerry Smith has opted out of your email list.” While I’m sad to see Jerry go, I recognize that he has helped to refine my mail list so that it consists only of people who are genuinely interested in hearing what I have to say.

I wish that prospective clients and referral sources had a convenient “opt-out” button so they could communicate their disinterest in us and we could refocus on productive relationships and opportunities. Instead they often string us along with vague, ambiguous communications. Apparently it’s the nice thing to do.

So, this week I encourage you to become part of the solution. Upgrade your communication from ambiguity to certainty. If you’re tired of these blogs, opt-out of my mail list. When your employee comes to you for a premature raise or promotion, give them a straight answer and tell them what it will take to earn more goodwill from you. Bow out of next week’s lunch, and simply tell them that your networking calendar has gotten too full for another meeting. Tell your colleague that you respectfully decline to join yet another board position. Tell soliciting vendors that you aren’t ready to buy, rather than ignoring their follow-up calls and emails. Give them the courtesy of a rejection so they can stop wasting both of your time. It will sting a little, sure. The truth does that sometimes. But when the answer isn’t “yes,” the most efficient and effective alternative is a clear “no.” And you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how quickly your email in-box thins out when you start to embrace the value of rejection.

--
David Ackert is the Founder of Practice Boomers®, a business development E-Learning program for professional service providers. He is also the President of The Ackert Advisory™ which provides business development coaching and training for service firms and their professionals.

David Ackert
President
The Ackert AdvisoryTM
david@ackertadvisory.com
office (818) 804-5491
cell (310) 418-9131
follow me on Twitter
join me on LinkedIn
blog: “The Smartest Way to Get More Clients”
videos: “4 Ways to Get More Referrals”

2hats November Mastermind Business Group

• Ready to build a marketing plan for your business? 
• Would working with a group help make that actually happen? 
• What if the team was led by a professional consultant? 

...how about if it only costs $125?

November Business Planning Guild, a MasterMind group led by John Van Dinther. This month we are focusing on marketing. 12 participants will learn the tools required to build an effective marketing plan.

Our first meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. on November 4th (This Friday). This three hour workshop will include presentations by John, hands on group exercises, and opportunities to receive peer feedback and support.

Each participant will also receive a one-on-one consulting session with John in which we will go over trouble spots and explore resource opportunities for you specifically.

“I came to John's mastermind group with no clear idea of how to effectively plan for business success. That problem was solved in one session where John worked backwards from success and broke it into its constituent parts. Beyond that learning, what was really valuable to me was the chance to co-work and talk with other entrepreneurs who had struggles of their own, which made me feel better about my own weaknesses. Above all, having access to John for questions and guidance made the whole process really empowering. I finished the course feeling like I had the tools to achieve my goals.”  

— Damian Sol, Composer

Offering:

• A one hour individual coaching session with John Van Dinther
• Regular accountability check-ins with the Guild participants
• Four training and productivity group workshops

Meeting Times and Dates:



    November 4th   (Friday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m
    November 11th (Friday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m
    November 18th (Friday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m
    December 2nd   (Friday) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m



Location:
 
1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703

Fee: $125


Monthly Project Focus:


     November: Marketing
     December: Financial Management
     January: Tools for Success

The 2hats Mastermind Business Group

• Are you ready to write a solid business plan in one month?
• Do you want daily support from a team of 12 peers?
• Would it help if the team was led by a professional business consultant?

...how about if it only cost $125?

Introducing the 2hats Master Mind Business Group, led by John Van Dinther of 2hats Consulting. We are bringing together a dynamic group of up to 12 entrepreneurs who are looking to grow their business.



October’s focus will be “Building Your Plan.” Each participant will write a strategic plan using the the Natural Planning model created by David Allen.

Our first meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. on October 7th (Friday). This three hour workshop will include presentations by John, hands on group exercises, and opportunities to receive peer feedback and support.

Over the course of October, we will support each other through 15 minute accountability conference calls every weekday, where each person will briefly lay out next steps for developing their plan and get feedback from group members. We will be making these calls through the conference call website: www.15minutecalls.com. Don't panic, it isn’t mandatory to be on every call, but it turns out to be useful to have the support available.

On October 14th and October 21st, we will meet in co-working crews to develop our individual plans, getting support from John and from the group. These co-working sessions will be held either at participant’s homes or at a cafe.

Each participant will also receive a one-on-one consulting session with John in which we will go over trouble spots and explore resource opportunities for you specifically.

Our October completion group meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. on October 28th, presenting and reflecting on the participants’ plans and developing practices to implement our plans.

The 2hats business group will be offered monthly, covering different topics each month. Space permitting, new participants can join for any month at the start of that month.

Offering:

One hour individual coaching with John Van Dinther: Scheduled Individually

Three hour group workshops:October 7th and October 28th

Three hour co-working crews:October 14th and October 21st

Fifteen minute accountability call crews: Weekdays in October

Meeting Times and Dates:

October 7th (Friday) 9:00 a.m. - 1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703

October 14th (Friday) 9:00 a.m. - Location TBD

October 21st (Friday) 9:00 a.m. - Location TBD

October 28th (Friday) 9:00 a.m. - 1808 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94703

Fee:  $125 per month

Project Focus:

October: Building Your Plan

November: Marketing

December: Financial Management

January: Tools for Success

For more Information please contact:

John Van Dinther

2hats Consulting

(415) 515-1252

tommy2hats@gmail.com

www.johnvandinther.com

www.2hats.blogspt.com