Boomer Business Launcher

"Suit up and play again" as an Encore entrepeneur

Bill Clinton celebrated his 65th birthday this summer. But he's not ready to embrace a life of leisure in retirement. Instead he is urging boomers to reject retirement as an aspirational goal and to replace it with a commitment to "Suit up and play again" to work toward insuring a better world for future generations.

For the decades between middle age and old age, "Suit up and play again could be our mantra, the centerpiece of a new, encore stage of life," writes Phyllis Segal, Vice President of Civic Ventures, in an article published today in Huff/Post 50.

After serving as President, Bill Clinton has used his time to create a global initiative that may arguably have a bigger impact on improving the lives of more people than did his two terms in the White House.

Many other boomers have also changed course after their primary career to follow a passion, pursue an ideal and make a contribution. Whether in the local neighborhood or on a larger scale, an encore career is defined as a time in life to make a contribution of time and talent for the greater good.

One way to do this is to become an Encore Entrepreneur by creating work that creates a positive impact  and also generates a stream of income for this stage of life.

Here's the recipe. Take a few resources, combine well, add a helping of experience and enthusiasm and stir until you've created a new business to address a societal problem. Serve. Notice a feeling of fulfillment as your work makes a difference.

Are you an encore entrepreneur?  What inspires you to become one?  Share your comments.

 

Start-ups aren’t just for recent grads

In Sunday's print and online edition of the Boston Herald, business columnist Jennifer Heldt Powell interviewed me for an article on the growing trend of older entrepreneurs. 

 Learn how AARP is supporting this trend with scholarships for entrepreneurs who are over 50.

Start-ups aren’t just for recent grads.

 

Do you have an example of a boomer entrepreneur? Share your comments.

I think you'll enjoy this video...

 

 

Do you have a good idea for improving your community?

Have you identified a way to improve your community in the area of education, social services, environment, health care or helping others engage in a second-half of life career that combines purpose, passion and a paycheck? If so, consider entering a contest to gain support for your idea or fledging project.

 Today Civic Ventures is announcing its new Launch Pad contest, which is designed to discover five inspiring people 45 and over with ideas to improve their communities. Each winner will receive $5,000 and resources and support from the Encore.org community to put his or her idea into action.

In January, Civic Ventures will name 25 Launch Pad semifinalists. From January 17 through February 14, people will be invited to vote online for the idea they'd like to see realized. 

Submit your idea!

 

.

 

An interview with Mike Sableben, founder of BlitzTime

 On Wednesday, March 31 at 12pm ET, I'll be interviewing Mike Sachleben, founder of BlitzTime.com. Learn how "speed networking for business" - over the phone - works and why it is such a convenient and effective way to build your business network.

Mike will be sharing news about upgrades in the pipeline for BlitzTime to make the user experience even better. He will also share tips and case studies for making the most of this innovative platform for networking that spares you the need to travel, pay for a meal or dress up to attend a meeting.

If you have not experienced BlitzTime, this is an excellent opportunity to see how it works. I'll interview Mike for about 20 minutes and then we will go into five consecutive 6-minute 1-on-1 networking conversations. If you are at your computer, you will see a profile of each person you are speaking with. The profile provides a great springboard for each conversation. Even introverts say they like networking with BlitzTime. 

The only way to really understand how BlitzTime works is to try it.

Register now.

Build your business skills and build your network in one highly productive hour.

Who will you be networking with? Other home-based business owners. Make new connections for referrals, joint venture partners , and prospective clients.

Business Development Grants for the Self-Employed and Micro-Businesses

 You may be relying on your savings, credit cards, family and friends to finance your  business. Here's another source to check out...

The National Association of the Self-Employed (NASE) has been awarding business development grants to its members since 2006. Over this time period they have awarded more than $400,000 in business development grants. NASE is a 501 (c) nonprofit organization. Its mission is to serve the self-employed and micro businesses.

If you have a specific business need and a clear focus on how you would use money to meet this need need, consider applying for an NASE Business Development Grant. Your first step is to join NASE, since the grants are awarded to its members. After joining, your next step is to fill out their application.

NASE Winners

In 2009 NASE awarded over $95,000 to 20 NASE members. Winners include:

• Lesley Rackowski of Pillowcasegram - specializing in making fun custom-made pillowcases for every special occasion.

• Janna Piper Housesitting - a full service house sitting and pet sitting business that also offers dog walking and pet taxi.

• Elizabeth Stultz of Elizabeth Stultz Photography - specializing in weddings, portraits and other special occasions.

Is 2010 your year for an NASE Business Development Grant?

 

Use Video Marketing in 2010.

Online video is hot! Video marketing will see huge growth in 2010. Companies of all sizes are planning to use video as their top marketing method. (See chart below.)

Learn about video marketing, over the phone, when I interview Lou Bortone, video branding and marketing specialist, on Wednesday, January 6 at 12:00 pm ET. During the event you will also have the opportunity to network one-on-one with other business owners and professionals during this BlitzTime event.

Register to get the call-in number.

Why you should be using video to build your business:

1. Video adds impact to your website. Strengthen your brand with personal messages.

2. Video adds value at the beginning of a sales presentation. Videos can engage and entertain while demonstrating product features and conveying emotional benefits.

3. Video helps you to retain customers and enhance the user experience. Short training videos can increase usage and customer satisfaction.

4. Video is more persuasive than text in online advertising. According to a study by the Online Publishers Association, 52 percent of people viewing an online video ad took action.

These and other tips and resources are available at one of my favorite blogs, Mashable.

So, ramp up your use of video in 2010.

Join the conversation and learn tips and techniques this Wednesday:

"How to be an Online Video Rock Star. Build Your Business and Boost Your Profits with Video"

Save your spot and get your telephone call-in number.

3 Top Values for the Next Decade for Home-Based Business Owners

As we move into the next year, three values seem to me to be more important than ever in attracting business and achieving greater personal happiness. As you create your business plan for 2010, consider the importance of the following three values:

1. Building Trust. People do business with people they trust. People partner with people they trust. People purchase products they trust. Building trust is the foundation upon which to build loyalty with your customers, your colleagues, your employees, your vendors and your financial stakeholders. We've been through a tough year and when people want less risk, trust becomes a more important factor in making choices.

2. Learning Continuously. This year we have experienced widespread changes in business strategy. Just look at the transformation in marketing methods with the rise of social networking tools - FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube - and new formats such as BlitzTime. The rate of change will only increase. What will you want and need to learn in the coming year to keep up with technology, with your industry, and with your competitors?

3. Leading with Purpose. There have always been visionary companies that lead with their values. But in the coming decade,  making a living while making a difference will be the business model that will be widely embraced. Profit and a greater purpose can coexist - and customers are attracted to businesses that stand for more than the single-minded pursuit of profit. What does your business stand for?

Delegate it or do it!

Do you ever get stuck or bogged down?

If so, it may be time to delegate.

Here are some tips:

Delegate if it doesn’t require:

·    your specific skills

·     your personality

·     face time with clients

Get Support:

Start by delegating one area where you're being held back:

·    Identify the skills you are seeking, such as administrative, writing, editing, website design, marketing, etc.

·    Find the appropriate specialist and create a collaborative relationship

·    Start with one small task or project and micromanage at the beginning

·    Once this is working well, look at other tasks to delegate

Delegate it or do it!

Once you start to delegate, you'll notice how much more quickly you can grow your business. Free your time to do what you do best to get better results and have more fun!

 

Keep working after retirement to stay healthy

If you ever imagine that retirement...a time without work...will be blissfull, you may want to reconsider.

According to new research, published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, people who keep busy with full-time or part-time work after retirement enjoy better health than those who stop working.

Tara Parker-Pope, in an article for The New York Times , cites this and other research findings that indicate that working into your 60s and 70s contributes to better health and greater longevity.

You'll get the greatest health benefits from work that is low in stress.  But if working for someone else is stressful, you can consider self-employment. Working for yourself can keep you busy, engage your mind, maintain your skills, and allow you to design a flexible schedule that includes enough time for family and leisure activities.