While you may have already started, or even finished, spring cleaning your home, it’s the perfect time to “spring clean” your business, as well. This is something you should do every year, no matter how large or small your company. You cannot gauge the effectiveness of any changes you’ve made throughout the year without analyzing the benefits and bottom line.

This event isn’t easy, but I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t believe 100% that it was worth every muscle ache and injury (tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, pinched nerve, oodles of blisters), weary nights in a little pink tent (too hot, high “are we going to wake up in Oz?” winds, pouring rain and way too cold—all over a two-night span!) and other interesting experiences that would be considered TMI to share here!

Check out my slideshow from the 2009 Washington DC 3-Day walk here.

Breast Cancer Facts:

• Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of death among women worldwide.
• More than 1.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer globally each year.
• More than 465,000 die from the disease each year.
• A woman dies from breast cancer every 68 seconds.
• Incidence rates are increasing five percent annually in low-resource countries.
• Susan G. Komen for the Cure partners or funds programs in 50 countries to end suffering from breast cancer.
• Komen Founder and CEO Nancy G. Brinker, a Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control for the U.N.’s World Health Organization, is urging global health officials to include cancer in global health agendas.

Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Facts:

• The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure is a 60-mile walk for women and men who want to make a personal difference in the fight to end breast cancer. Participants commit to raise at least $2,300 and spend several months training to prepare for the event. They devote the entire three-day weekend to the cause.
• Since its inception in 2003, nearly $500 million has been raised through Komen 3-Day for the Cure donations, contributions and sponsorships.
• 3-Day for the Cure net proceeds help pay for vital global breast cancer research and local community programs supporting education, screening and treatment.
• Komen for the Cure paid for half a million breast screenings in 2009–part of a nearly $1.5 billion commitment to research, advocacy and community programs since Komen was founded in 1982.
• 3-Day for the Cure participants walk an average of 20 miles a day during the event. Participants are provided meals, snacks, drinks, shower facilities, tents, safety guidelines and 24-hour medical support–all resources needed for a safe and memorable experience. A crew of volunteers spends the entire weekend with walkers and staff to make the event possible.

The 2010 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Series includes events in:

Arizona (Nov. 12-14)
Atlanta (Oct. 22-24)
Boston (July 23-25)
Chicago (Aug. 6-8)
Cleveland (July 30 – Aug. 1)
Dallas/Fort Worth (Nov. 5-7)
Denver (Aug. 27-29)
Michigan (Aug. 13-15)
Philadelphia (Oct. 15-17)
San Diego (Nov. 19-21)
San Francisco Bay Area (Oct. 1-3)
Seattle (Sept. 24-26)
Tampa Bay (Oct. 29-31)
Twin Cities (Aug. 20-22)
Washington, DC (Oct. 8-10)

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, we have invested more than $1.5 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.

Many small-business owners know where their money comes from, but are not as clear on where it goes. This can have a significant impact on their businesses’ cash flow.

It’s important to review your expenses regularly – every quarter if possible – so you can accurately manage your outgoing expenditures and look for ways to save.

Demos Parneros, president of U.S. stores at Staples Inc., provides the following suggestions to save your business money:

• Buy last year’s model. Furniture, computers, PDAs – there is always something new. This also means that there is always something old. If you wait until the end of the year or for sales throughout the year, you can save on your office needs.
• Buy in bulk and buy ahead. By buying commonly used items in large quantities, you can save a lot. Replenish your supplies before you run out. Thinking ahead, and thus buying ahead, gives you a chance to comparison shop and take advantage of sales.
• Buy products that save money. Consider quality alternatives to national brands. Staples ink and toner products, for example, offer consumers quality products at a 15 percent to 20 percent cost-savings per cartridge.
• Take advantage of discounts. Professional and trade associations often offer their members discounts on insurance, travel, shipping and other common expenses. Similarly, some credit cards, like the American Express Corporate Card for Small Business, may get you discounts as well.
• Save on mail costs. Mail costs for your business can add up fast. To save money, use postcards or consolidate shipping. You also can buy or lease a postage meter or get a mail scale to eliminate overpaying.

By following these five tips small business owners can help manage and control business expenditures.

1. General Administrative Support: If you ever wished you had an administrative assistant on call, a Virtual Assistant may be the perfect solution for you!  VAs can provide general administrative services such as word processing, data entry, spreadsheet and database maintenance, desktop publishing- the list goes on and on.  In fact, if you could give it to an administrative assistant, you can give it to a Virtual Assistant!

2. Online Marketing Management: A Virtual Assistant can assist you with your online marketing plan.  They can manage your pay-per-click campaigns, post  articles, submit your website to search engines, add your website to online directories, create banner ads, prepare and send email newsletters, etc.  Since VAs make their livings online, many of them keep abreast of the latest trends in online marketing.

3. Email and Voicemail Management: If you get large numbers of emails or voicemails, a Virtual Assistant can manage your inboxes.  They can sort through the spam and reply to messages that don’t require your attention, leaving you with fewer messages to wade through every day.  A VA can also provide you with a consolidated report of voicemail messages, allowing you to return a number of important phone calls from a single report.

4. Project Management: Large and small projects alike can be managed by a Virtual Assistant.  A VA can keep your project on track by organizing and coordinating resources, objectives, deliverables, etc. They can relieve the everyday stress of project management while ensuring that deadlines are met and progress continues.

5. Invoicing: A Virtual Assistant can facilitate your invoicing, ensuring that your clients receive timely, accurate invoices.  By partnering with a VA to prepare your invoices, you can gain a tremendous amount of time each month to focus on other aspects of your business that require your specialized attention.

6. Customer Response: Use a Virtual Assistant’s services to keep existing and potential customers happy and returning.  A VA can effectively and efficiently handle customer questions and complaints in an appropriate manner.  By providing your customers with a timely, helpful response, a VA can help you build a stronger relationship with your customers.

7. Event Planning: Nothing is better than a well-planned event.  Enlisting the help of a Virtual Assistant in coordinating your seminars and company functions can take a tremendous amount of burden off your shoulders, allowing for stress-free coordination of your events.  They can make arrangements for the location, speakers, catering, photography, etc- and notify the attendees, too.

8. Travel Arrangements: Whether your business requires you to travel extensively or occasionally, a Virtual Assistant can help coordinate and consolidate your travel plans.  A VA can arrange your transportation, accommodations, in accordance with the meetings and events you will be attending.  They can compile a detailed itinerary for your trip, ensuring that your travels are well-planned and hassle-free.

9. Internet Research: A Virtual Assistant can efficiently perform internet research, consolidating the information you seek and saving you both time and money.  A VA can use their extensive research skills to your benefit, providing you with incredible value by investigating requested topics and providing the results in the desired format.

10. Calendar Management: Managing a busy schedule effectively doesn’t happen by chance.  Team with a Virtual Assistant to help you stay atop of important dates, appointments, contacts and events.  They can help you stay organized and prepared each day, with minimal effort on your part, reminding you of obligations and events ahead of time.

A Virtual Assistant can provide you with customized support solutions for your small business.  By teaming with a Virtual Assistant, the unique needs of your business can be accommodated while reducing your workload and providing you more time to grow your business and achieve your financial and personal goals.

The 3-Day Flags

As most of you know I participated in the Washington DC Breast Cancer 3-Day last October. It was an adventure beyond description, which someone who hasn’t experienced can’t completely comprehend. I met some amazing friends, saw many wonderful sites in DC & the surrounding area and discovered that when I put my mind to something I can accomplish it no matter what.

During closing ceremonies, when everyone is tired and achy and still pumped full of Gatorade, a circle a breast cancer survivors walks onto the platform, and everyone takes off a sweaty walking shoe to "toast" the survivors. At a time when most really don't feel like bending over to untie their laces, the crowd reminds these survivors that they walked for them. And so someday there will be a world without breast cancer.

Although I wasn’t able to complete the entire 60 miles because of a pinched nerve in my foot, I walked nearly 21 miles on Friday, 10 miles on Saturday and the full 18 miles on Sunday. The last two miles I kept the mantra “Margaret, Jackie, Lilly” (my husband’s mother, sister and aunt that died/suffered from breast cancer) going through my head with each step to keep me going. But when we entered Closing Ceremonies I forgot all about the blisters on my toes, my unbelievably sore feet and felt powerful feelings of relief, sadness and elation; relief that the hard part was over, sadness that the walk had come to the end and elation that I accomplished something most people wouldn’t even attempt. “You are walking 60 miles in 3 days?!? You’re crazy!”

And yes, I’m doing it again! In spite of the fact this year I know what I’m getting myself into. I signed up for the 2010 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure held in Dallas, November 5-7.  And I managed to convince my amazing friend Amy, who lives in San Antonio, to do it with me. (We are team “walksoflife”)  if anyone else out there would like to join us.) This event isn’t easy, but I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t believe 100% that it was worth every muscle ache and injury (tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, pinched nerve, oodles of blisters, lost toenail), weary nights in a little pink tent (too hot, high “are we going to wake up in Oz?” winds, pouring rain and way too cold—all over a two-night span!) and other interesting experiences that would be considered TMI to share here!

Tent City

Just in case you missed my account of why I signed up for the 2009 event, visit my personal Web page to read my story.

Yes, that DOES say Mobile Shower! Not my first choice to take a shower, but after a long, hot day walking it was heaven!

Okay now to the hard part.  I need your help. I am planning on surpassing the $3,300 that you donated so generously last time around to help end breast cancer. And to kick off my fund-raising I have a contest. Everyone that donates $75 or more to my walk will be entered to win a brand new 8 GB iPod Nano. You have to donate by March 31st, 2009 and I will announce the winner on April Fool’s Day. Tell your friends!

Just go to this link http://www.the3day.org/goto/k8thegreat_2010 to visit my personal fund-raising Web page and make a donation or download the form on the site (at the bottom of the page) to mail a donation.

If you have any questions or want to hear more about what I’m doing, send me a message. I love talking about the event. k8thegreat@thekellys.me

Thanks for all of your support. I’m incredibly lucky to have people like you in my life!–Kate

Motivational experts get paid big bucks to tell professionals, striving for success, that they must constantly examine these factors.  How do you do that?  Abide by the five tips that follow, and watch the changes.

1. Maintain a Positive Attitude – Let’s realize that life is only about 25% of what happens to us and 75% how we react to it.  We’re responsible for our own actions and attitudes, and changing them when appropriate.  When you’re around people/things that are uplifting and positive, you feel that way.  You have more confidence in yourself, and know you can change whatever needs changing. If you can make your workspace such a place, you’ll be happier and more productive. You might even find you look forward to coming to work!
2. Leave Personal Troubles Behind During the Work Day – Everyone has problems, but they don’t belong at work. Turn your attention and energy entirely to your on-the-job tasks.  This will actually be good for you because you’ll get a mental break from your troubles.
3. Create Positive Affirmations -  The reason for writing goals for your business is the same as creating positive affirmations on paper.  What your eyes see and ears hear, your mind will believe.  Try it!  After you’ve written them down, read them aloud to yourself – and do it every morning when you start work.  You’ll be amazed at what happens.  Come up with a set of new ones every month.  Statements such as, “I’m an important and valuable person,” or “I know I’ll make good use of my time today.”  Repeating them out loud everyday at a set time will help reinforce positive actions.
4. Make Sure Break Times Are Really Break Times – This is an area where most entrepreneurs fall down.  You become so intense about the project or situation you’re working on that you don’t ease up.  Thinking that it’ll be solved in the next few seconds, and then you’ll get a cup of coffee can lead you right up to quitting time.  Regularly adhering to a specified break schedule, even if you are the whole company, releases the tension.  If you work on a computer this is even a greater problem because before you realize it – you’ve been working in that same position for hours.  The best answer to this is to set yourself a reminder on your appointment calendar for every 2 hours, and let the computer reminder chime send you the alert to move around.
5. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise – I know that lately it seems that “exercise” is the cure-all to every physical ailment or your love life, but there is a lot of truth to that ugly word.  By “exercise” I don’t mean that you should go out and join a gym and spend 5-days-a-week there working out.  What is really beneficial and workable is that at those chiming alerts from your computer, get up and walk around your office or home.  Maybe go outside and get the mail and enjoy the sunlight or just get up and do a few stretches.  Concentrated, tense thinking – typing – plotting plans – or whatever the work, makes all those muscles tighten and knot up.  Then when we move we “ooh” and “ouch” because we’ve knotted up into a ball of tension. Periodic stretching, even at your desk, or just getting up and walking over to the window and getting a different view can help, momentarily transporting your mind out of work and into another place does wonders.

It only takes a little concentrated effort on your part to keep motivated and productive, which leads to success.