Why you should anyone consider publishing a book in an eBook format? As a business person, do you have a message and a passion? Is there something you need to say to consumers, coworkers or the community as a whole?

I chose to publish my latest work, Saddling Dragons, as an eBook. For me the answer came from my background in the music and publishing businesses.

I worked in the music industry for most of the 1980s. During that time I saw cassette tapes replace eight-tracks, and compact discs overtake vinyl LPs in sales. It is worth noting that the passing of long play records was much different than eight-tracks. Eight-tracks lingered for years, despite sagging sales. As a result, they filled bargain bins well into the 1990's. Having learned from that, record companies moved more quickly when it was determined LPs would no longer be the preferred music vehicle. Companies stopped pressing the records and they disappeared almost overnight, although, a very small niche market still exists for vinyl records today. Twenty years later digital music is taking a serious chunk out of CD's market share. For many consumers, CDs are already a thing of the past.

Book sales and book sellers are struggling to maintain margins and profitability. A bright spot in book publishing has been e-readers. Amazon.com recently declared that eBook sales for their eBook device surpassed the sales of hardback books. The Apple iPad is, among other functions, a device for reading books, magazines and newspapers that are delivered in digital form, and they have sold millions of them. Additionally, advances in smart phone technology have caused many users to make a phone their first choice for consuming all types of media.

I worked for wholesale magazine and book distributors for most of the 1990s and the 2000s. Paper books have a wonderful, if nostalgic, tactual appeal. However they are limited by the production and distribution channels to produce them and get them to the right place for the right consumer. A factor that most people don't consider is that 50% to 70% of each title printed winds up as recyclable materials, being returned to the supplier by the seller if it is not sold. The price for shredded paper has dropped, but there was a time when my employer made more from the shredded books and magazines than they did from selling whole ones to customers. The wasted carbon and trees from traditional publishing's production and distribution has made electronic publishing a serious environmental consideration.

There are special challenges to alternative publishing. More books are produced today than ever before. Most of the volume increase is due to POD (print on demand) and eBooks. The downside of that is that the checks and balances the publishing industry once managed are gone from the new media publications. Large publishing houses may no longer control the people that can get into print, but there also is no one doing quality control. The amount of poorly produced product has resulted in new media being considered a lower caste.

The best way to change that stereotype is for quality writers to produce, distribute and promote high standard product through the new channels.

Considering your computer, phone or other electronic devices, you probably already have a gadget for reading eBooks. Is it reasonable to think your readers have similar equipment? Might they want to read what you write on one of those gadgets?

Another downside of alternative publishing is the lack of financial support for marketing and promotions. However, social media may offer the best potential for overcoming that obstacle.

Choosing to publish my latest and perhaps most important book of my life as an eBook was easy.
• I have a small base of support established.
• The costs were negligible.
• The potential market reach is near limitless.

There are hundreds of companies that publish eBooks. It is fairly simple to search them out on the internet. I chose to go with Smashwords.com. I was referred to them by a source I trust. There are no upfront costs and the response is immediate. If you choose to use them, I do recommend you read their publishing guides and materials carefully and repeatedly. Preparing the manuscript is easy, but certain unique details must be met.

For business people it is an affordable and efficient way to make information available to and expand your intellectual footprint to a worldwide audience. It might also be a way to add life back into titles you have previously published.

Write well, often and always from your heart.

Chrystine Julian is workshop leader, business consultant, performer and poet based in the Inland Empire. She blends creative talents and professional experience to offer a unique and memorable blend of excitement in her Mystic's Guide to Dragon Riding, Team-Tribe team building with percussion, Talking Your Power public speaking sessions and other programs. More information about Chrystine is at http://www.ChrystineDrums.com or she can be reached by e-mail at ChrystineJulian@aol.com

In my Practical Business Radical column this week, I discuss the thing that many people say they fear more than death: public speaking. It took me a long time to find my sweet spot with public speaking - I went through a lot of trial and error before I got to the point where I feel like I can give a speech that the audience will enjoy. My column talks about the different techniques that I've tried over the years, but doesn't get into the specifics of how I prepare for speaking now.

Here's what I do to prepare for a short speech that is not supported by PowerPoint or other A/V stuff:

I write my entire speech out, formulating the best way to get my ideas across. I think better when I write, so that's why I start there.

After I've typed my ideas out and edited and revised them, I print them out. I then read them out loud to myself at least 4 or 5 times.

Then I put my notes away. I start reciting the speech from memory and force myself to get through as much of it as I can without looking at my notes. If I truly screw something up or totally forget what I wanted to say, I will look at my notes for help, but quickly put them away. I try, by the fourth or fifth time of going through the speech to make it all the way through from beginning to end without looking at my notes. I'll do that as many times as I need to feel comfortable.

And that's it. Not a technique that would work well for an hour-long speech, but for a lot of what I do, it works great. Keep experimenting until you find your sweet spot. It is possible for public speaking to move from being something you hate to something you love.

Email marketing isn't just throwing in your newest products or services into an email and click send. It takes planning and lots of thought. You need to know when and how often you will be sending out your e-newsletters, what they will look like and what valuable content you will be sharing with your readers.

Here are 12 content strategies you should be using while building business relationships with your readers:

1. One of the reasons you send out regular e-newsletters is to stay top-of-mind in your reader's thoughts. Be consistent in your branding by designing your e-newsletter templates to resemble, as closely as possible, to look like your website, business card, and blog (do this for all your marketing materials). Strong branding will shape your business for success!

2. Keep your e-newsletters crisp and clean. This is one of the times where less is more. Too many different colors, images, multiple fonts and font sizes can be confusing to read.

3. People read 25% slower online than they do in print. With this in mind, the general rule is to use a white background with a black font, such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Georgia. Your font size should be either 10pt or 12pt, depending on the font you are using and the point you want to get across. There are, however, exceptions to the rule.

4. In line with the fact that online reading is slower, chunk down your content into smaller, 2 to 3 sentence paragraphs. It's easier on the eyes and it makes reading quicker and more enjoyable.

5. Add a table of contents to keep your e-newsletter organized and easy to navigate.

6. Images should always be related to the content. Link the images to your blog, website or other resource site for better Search Engine Optimization.

7. Your content should reflect what your subscribers want to read. It should inform and educate. Share industry news, give your readers hints & tips, and also add links to other resource sites. Adding your upcoming events or community events is a great way to keep people informed about what is happening locally.

8. The best way to have someone unsubscribe from your e-mail list is to always promote your business. Create soft sell content to help subscribers understand the benefits of your products and services.

9. When you do promote your business; offer specials if the recipient acts today. Add a coupon for your loyal readers and entice prospects with money off deals or other added value items. Everyone is looking for a deal these days!

10. Use Spell Check and review your grammar. As a second opinion, consider having someone else reading your e-newsletter before sending it out.

11. Ask your readers to forward your e-newsletter to their friends and colleagues and provide them a special link to use. Your current subscribers are your best source of referrals. Also add a subscriber sign up box.

12. Give your recipients what they signed up for. If you promised monthly e-newsletters then don't send them out weekly. If you promised to send out motivational content, then don't send advertising. Here too, there are exceptions. Just don't abuse the exceptions or you will see a people opting out of your list or even reporting you as spam.

Success,

Eydie :)

Eydie Stumpf is a virtual assistant based in Corona who specializes in creating an Internet presence for business owners using social media and e-mail marketing platforms. Visit her website at www.eydiesoffice.com and email her at eydie@eydiesoffice.com.

Writers block - ever exerience it? I certainly have. Between my weekly newsletter, blog and my weekly column for The Business Press, I'm always searhing for something to write about.

Writers block is a common condition with writers, bloggers, and e-mail marketers alike. Rest assured that going blank is definitely not uncommon even among the most famous of authors.

There are a few steps you can take to help you overcome that total blank feeling when it comes to content for your marketing emails, and even your blog. Begin with dedicating a 3-ring binder and/or a file folder on your computer so that you can begin collecting ideas for your articles. I did an internet search and found that writers call it a "swipe file".

Now, where are you going to find those article ideas to put into your swipe file? You'll find ideas in a number of places:

1. Chat Rooms / Forums / Discussion Boards: Carefully choose a chat room and forum where people might be talking about your industry. When you chat with your target audience you'll learn what they are interested in and you'll easily find a topic to write about. Try: http://chat.yahoo.com/ / http://www.ivillage.com/boards/ / http://groups.google.com/. Remember to take notes.

2. Article Directories: Article submission sites are a gold mine of articles for writers. Find and read articles which are written for your own target audience. Remember, your reading them just to get ideas - and not to plagiarize! If you do take some content for your own article, make sure you give credit to the author and provide a link back to the original article. Print the articles and put them in your binder or file them on your computer.

3. Local Newspapers: Your local newspapers will be filled with article ideas for your e-newsletter. Current events will keep your e-newsletter fresh and your audience will appreciate you keeping them updated. As you're reading, keep a notepad nearby so you can jot down notes for future articles.

4. Surveys: Survey your e-newsletter readers and ask them what they would like to hear from you. Your readers are actually the best source of article ideas. Keep all their suggestions filed.

5. Interview Others / Guest Writer: Your e-newsletter readers will love reading articles from other experts in your field. It will give them an opportunity to read something from a different perspective and you will also learn something from the experience. In addition, the person you interviewed or wrote a guest article might just ask to do the same. This will give you the opportunity to reach out to a whole new audience - and probably use one of your past articles.

6. Conferences: Visit conference sites such as http://www.allconferences.com and http://www.tsnn.com to check out conferences in your field and make note of the workshop and keynote topics.

Get started today building your swipe file by printing, filing, cutting out and saving all sorts off article topics which meets your needs and add to it on a regular basis. This will help you become more organized and you'll be certain to never run out of article ideas!

How do YOU fight writers block?

Eydie :)

Eydie Stumpf, owner of Eydie's Office, is a New Media Consultant based in Southern California who specializes in creating an Internet presence for business owners using the social media and e-mail marketing platforms. Visit her website at www.eydiestumpf.com. Eydie is a certified, independent Constant Contact trainer in "The Power of E-mail Marketing" and also writes a weekly column for The Business Press called, "Ask Eydie".

It had to happen!

Do you think your tweets should be archived? Concern is that it invades our privacy. My thoughts? Well, the moment you post something on the Internet - you've lost your privacy. Whatever you post online today, could very likely come back to haunt you in years to come. You've waived your rights to privacy once you clicked on that submit link when signing up for an account. If, however, you are concerned - then change your Twitter account to private!

What's your opinion??

Eydie :)

Eydie Stumpf, owner of Eydie's Office, is a New Media Consultant based in Southern California who specializes in creating an Internet presence for business owners using the social media and e-mail marketing platforms. Visit her website at www.eydiestumpf.com. Eydie is a certified, independent Constant Contact trainer in "The Power of E-mail Marketing" and also writes a weekly column for The Business Press called, "Ask Eydie".

Although an estimated 600,000 to 700,00 Apple iPad's were sold, there is some debate as to whether or not iPad is the right one to buy.

Depending on how you are going to use a tablet, the HP Slate seems to be the way to go if you want to access the full web. iPad is being defined as delivering entertainment media rather than a business plaform, unlike Slate, which would be geared for the business community.

Read the PC World compasison article between iPad, HP Slate.

I'm waiting for the Slate release before I make my decision on which to purchase. But with Photoshop capabilities in the Slate - I'm pretty sure I'll stick with HP!

Did you buy the iPad? What are you using it for, and are you happy with your new purchase? Write an iPad review!

Eydie Stumpf, owner of Eydie's Office, is a New Media Consultant based in Southern California who specializes in creating an Internet presence for business owners using the social media and e-mail marketing platforms. Visit her website at www.eydiestumpf.com. Eydie is a certified, independent Constant Contact trainer in "The Power of E-mail Marketing" and also writes a weekly column for The Business Press called, "Ask Eydie".

Since the advent of social media platforms, boundaries between CEOs and the general public have become almost nonexistent. Customers now have direct access to the people managing companies, and they expect them to be openly accountable. This provides companies with the unique opportunity to address a crisis situation by telling their story directly to the consumer. By acting swiftly with honesty, transparency and humanity, they can mitigate the damage and maintain their customers' trust. Below are some simple, practical tips to think about when formulating an online crisis management plan.

Make sure you have complete information.
Be sure you know who, what, when, why and how from the start. It's important to have full details of the situation so you have a thorough understanding before you take action. Never make assumptions-always check your facts.

Respond in real time
Social media exists in the now. When a crisis arises, people expect and deserve an immediate response. Don't try to hide the problem or ignore controversy. Let people know that you hear them and that you care. Explain what actions you are taking to control the issue and how you plan to prevent it from happening again in the future.

Be honest and transparent.
Be real. Be sincere. Don't try to spin flowery phrases that you think will make you look good. Keep things up front, simple, undramatic, and above all human. Be specific. If you don't know the answer to something, say so and let people know you will try to find out and get back to them. Don't try to make something up. Don't overshare, but don't gloss over important facts either.

Prepare your staff
Your employees are on the front lines of your business. They are the people your customers see and talk with every day, and the ones most likely to field questions. Make sure your staff is given the information they need to respond appropriately. Provide them with the name, contact number, and email of the person in your company who will handle news media inquiries or people who have further questions. Remember that excellent customer service and personal attention speaks louder than words. Don't leave your staff fumbling for answers.

Recruit your brand ambassadors to help get out your message
Facebook fans are a perfect example of brand abassadors--people who already are loyal to your product or service. By providing them with important information, thanking them for their support, and addressing any questions they have, you not only maintain trust but also empower your fans to spread the word in a positive way.

Problem postings within your online community
It's going to happen. Inevitably you will get the occasional person who continually posts negative or argumentative comments in an effort to rally the crowd. In this case it's best to publically address the person's comment and let her know you will be happy to personally talk with her outside of that venue if she still has questions. Always, ALWAYS, be polite and kind but firm. Most of the time members of a social media site will self-police and shut down troublemakers, especially if they see you take the lead. If the problem poster persists, again address her comment, offer to talk with her further offline, and explain that if she continues her negative behavior she will be suspended. The third time, suspend her from the site. Ultimately your responsibility is to provide a positive environment for the entire community.

Be fair, be neutral & be balanced when interacting with people in your online community
Diversity is a good thing. It makes for great conversations and ideas. As an administrator it's important to maintain a neutral stance when managing your online community. Your role is to encourage your members to actively communicate with each other. You are their cheerleader and positive reinforcement. You don't have to agree with or even like every single person, but you can always find the good in everyone and focus on that. Don't play favorites. By being fair, friendly and conversational, you encourage the rest of your community to follow your lead, making your site a safe, happy, and interesting place for everyone.

Educate your staff on potential hazards of inappropriate private postings
Can you control your staff's private online behavior? Nope. Can it reflect on your company? Yes. Can it hurt them on a personal level? Absolutely. I think it's important to educate employees on some of the potential hazards caused by the misuse of social media.

Make sure your staff understands that nothing posted online is ever truly private. Do your employees know that anyone in their personal network can take a screen shot of their private Facebook page and share it with other people? Imagine this scenario: Bob mentions to his friend Mary that he's thinking of hiring Lisa as a VP in his company. Mary is an acquaintance of Lisa's and a Facebook friend. She remembers that Lisa recently posted a rant about her current boss and complained about how much she hates her job. Mary copies the post and sends it to Bob in an email. Bob decides that if Lisa is willing to make those statements about her current job, she is likely to be a gossip, a complainer and potential troublemaker at his company as well. He dismisses her as a candidate.

Remind your staff that social media posts are like eternal billboards in the online world. Remind your employees to think carefully before they comment online or create a post. Are they comfortable with their grandma, child, spouse, boss, customers or neighbors reading this? Is this a statement they will feel good about a year from now? Five years? Ten? What if that statement was the first thing someone found out about them in a Google search? What impression would it make?

Does your company have an online crisis plan? What techniques have worked for you?

Juno Kughler Carlson is a writer, researcher, blogger, artist, online community manager, social media networker and interactive manager with a background in business management, online news media, and marketing research. You can contact her at junocarlson@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/junokughler

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "You must do that thing you think you cannot do." I share that quote in my speeches, training and in my books because I happen to agree with Ms. Roosevelt! Whenever you are afraid of doing something, or resisting doing something, that is often then thing you need to do next to move your business or sales forward.

Easy to say, not always easy to do!

In the Sales Coach Now Quantum Leap groups that I facilitate, we talk about this topic every time we get together. In the Mastermind Group, Entrepreneurs and Sales Professionals are focused on taking a leap from where they are in their business to "the next level"--whatever that might be for them. In order to do that, they often need to take a look at what they are resisting doing, being or having in their business. Once they understand what that is, they can decide that they want to make a change and then the next steps will usually show up. However, if they never make the decision to change, they will often remain stuck.

How do you know if you are resisting doing something? Simply ask yourself what it is you want in your business. More sales? More money? Then, ask yourself, "What am I resisting doing that I know would move me in the right direction?" Notice what comes up for you. Are you resisting making sales calls? Is it following up with people who are interested in what you are offering? Whatever it is, just notice it for a moment and allow it to float into your awareness. That is the first step!

Once you are aware, the second step is to decide that you want to change. When you make a decision, it must resonate with you at a deep level, and you must also close the doors to the other things you have been thinking about. For example, if you "always have a back up plan in case this doesn't work out", then you really haven't made a decision to continue to move forward and succeed in your business. Making a decision gives you laser focus on what you want.

The third step, after you've made a decision, is to pay attention to the inspired ideas that come to you. As those inspired ideas come to you, take action on them. I like the term inspired action because instead of forcing something to happen, you allow the ideas to come into your awareness and then take action. This is a much more pleasant way to allow things to unfold in your business.

Action Item: Ask yourself, "What am I resisting doing that I know would move me in the right direction?" Notice what comes up for you. Then, make a decision to close the doors on the other options and put laser focus on what you really do want.

Ms. Roosevelt was right! All of the things you want are on the other side of that thing you think you cannot do -or that thing you are resisting doing. Be brave and make a decision to move forward--you might just be surprised at what is on the other side!

What are YOU resisting?

To your sales success,

Ursula

Ursula Mentjes, M.S., ACC is the founder of Sales Coach Now, and the author of Selling with Intention. Ms. Mentjes has helped clients double and triple their sales revenue in as short as two months! If you want to do the same, then visit her web-site at www.salescoachnow.

I saw blogging guru, Denise Wakeman, use Audio Boo last week on Facebook, and then Facebook guru, Mari Smith, post a Facebook status update today! I just had to check it out!

Check out my first Boo to you!

Will YOU be using Audio Boo?

Eydie :)

10 Things I Want To Share Today Because I Have Not Posted in a Couple Weeks and I Think I Can Manage 10 Snippets:

1. A new session of Extreme Boot Camp started on Monday. I am really, really sore. Oh, curse you, hovers! 8 counts! Push-ups! Curse you. Though, it is better than my very first session when squatting to get on the toilet was pretty much torture.

2. I got lunch at Dr. Grubb's in Claremont yesterday. Can I just say, YUMMO!

3. I miss the days when I almost never had to spend time collecting A/R. Those lovely days, where I sent out an invoice and the check came in 10 days later. Collecting more money up front is a huge hassle but less of a hassle than making repeated phone calls asking for money. That's a lesson I have not enjoyed learning. The price of doing business. C'est la vie.

4. The ™ designation is for an unregistered trademark being used in commerce; the ® designation is used with a registered trademark.

5. If you've always wanted to meet me (LOL!), then I will be speaking at the KFI 640 Handel on the Law MYOB (Mind Your Own Business) event this weekend at Orange Coast College. There will be lots of (free) business resources there. Check it out!

6. The words PATENT PENDING mean that a provisional or non-provisional patent application have been filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

7. The © means that you are claiming ownership of a work and that if people want to use it they need to ask you first.

8. Another business lesson that got reinstated this week in my practice is to never be afraid to fire a client or refer them elsewhere when it's not a good fit. Sticking to something to please a client or avoid an uncomfortable situation is just not wise. It's not worth the trouble. Evaluate each client, and keep evaluating them every year, every case. Sigh.

9. I think being an attorney is way better than being a whale trainer. I love my job.

10. Dear Aleve, You are a very nice pain reliever and I find you to be quite soothing during my extreme post-Boot Camp discomfort. Sincerely, Tina Loza

Now, go and be productive and profitable.

Intellectual Property expert Tina Loza has successfully defended and protected Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and start ups. Tina Loza is an attorney based in the Inland Empire and has her own specialized legal practice for patents, trademarks, copyrights, and domain name disputes. For a free consultation, go to www.lozaip.com and call for an appointment.

If you use emails as part of your marketing mix then you will most likely agree that the most difficult part of email marketing is not coming up with content... it's coming up with the right "open me up" subject line!

Getting your emails opened can be trickier than you think. Your subject line can make the difference between a great open rate and a mediocre one. A good subject line should resonate with the recipient, giving them the notion that they will be getting something of value when they open up your email. Simply adding "ABC Company's February Newsletter" is NOT the way to get someone to open your email. It's not only boring, and not engaging, it's not telling your reader what they will find inside.

How often is your inbox filled with emails boasting subject lines such as, "Save on Auto Insurance - Get a FREE Quote". Not sure about you, but all I read is, "I'm selling to you". Or something like, "Read Carefully, and Get Back to Me Soon". Ah.... no! You're not telling me anything except that I shouldn't trust you. Where's the unsubscribe link?

Subject lines should not only reflect what's inside the email, but should tell your recipient that they will learn something new.

For example:

Plumbing Company:
•A Guide to Choosing the Best Water Treatment System.
•Qualify for a Tax Credit by Installing a Tankless Water Heater.

Chiropractor:
•Tips for Buying the Right Mattress and Get a Good Nights Sleep.
•When Work Causes Back Pain.

Accountant:
•Three Tips to Get an IRS Audit.
•First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit: Documents You Need to Receive.

Do you see the pattern? Your readers should know that by opening up your email they will receive valuable information. While you are educating your readers, you are also becoming the expert in your field. People love doing business with an expert!

Of course, you don't have to totally discard those subject lines which announce special promos and events. If you own a hair salon, think about promoting an occassional special: Wash and Cut Special - 25% Off - Thursday Only! In the same light, an massage therapist might use a subject line encouraging her customers to make an appointment: 3 Open Appointments Available on Friday - 20% off. Both offer a discount and also presents a sense of urgency for you to call and make that appointment!

Now that you have a foundation with which to start... get creative with your subject lines - don't be deceptive, be open and upfront about what you are giving your readers.

I'd love to hear about the subject lines which produced your highest open rates. What works for you?

Eydie :)

Eydie Stumpf, owner of Eydie's Office, is a New Media Consultant based in Southern California who specializes in creating an Internet presence for business owners using social media and e-mail marketing platforms. Visit her website at www.eydiesoffice.com. Eydie is a certified, independent Constant Contact trainer in "The Power of E-mail Marketing" and also writes a weekly column for The Business Press called, "Ask Eydie".

"Now, the true engine of job creation in this country will always be America's businesses. But government can create the conditions necessary for businesses to expand and hire more workers.

We should start where most new jobs do -- in small businesses, companies that begin when an entrepreneur takes a chance on a dream or a worker decides it's time she became her own boss.

...

And what keeps me going -- what keeps me fighting -- is that despite all these setbacks, that spirit of determination and optimism -- that fundamental decency that has always been at the core of the American people -- lives on.

It lives on in the struggling small business owner who wrote to me of his company, "None of us," he said, "are willing to consider, even slightly, that we might fail." 

- President Barack Obama, State of the Union Address, January 27, 2010

"...or a worker decides it's time she became her own boss." 

How much do I love his choice of pronouns?  Liberal or conservative, what I am does not matter  because I am a "she" that became her own boss and I seriously love him for saying it just. that. way. 

I sit here now knowing that when I started this practice, I was not willing to consider that I would fail, even slightly. 

I became my own boss and today, I still find it comical when the people I work with call me managing partner.  I also think it is wonderful that we are expanding and hiring more "workers".  In the next few months, we are adding attorneys.  Wow.  It started with me, with me and one client who really had no work for me to do. 

I remember networking because I had nothing better to do - meeting after meeting, handshake after handshake. 

I remember driving to a trailer park to meet a potential client.  That didn't pan out.  Surprised?

I remember picking up the phone on the first ring (on Christmas Eve) and talking to someone about how they "invented" the story of the Titanic and James Cameron stole it and how Leo told them to call a patent attorney.

We've come a long way, baby.  Determination, optimism, hard work, a kick ass partner with a vision, a wonderful team, fabulous clients.   I feel ready to work some more tomorrow.  I am inspired.

Now, go and be productive and profitable.   

Intellectual Property expert Tina Loza has successfully defended and protected Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and start ups.  Tina Loza is an attorney based in the Inland Empire and has her own specialized legal practice for patents, trademarks, copyrights, and domain name disputes.  For a free consultation, go to www.lozaip.com and call for an appointment.

Here I am, mid-debacle and I want you all to prevent this same fiasco in your lives. So, here is this week's free advice. Please TAKE MY FREE ADVICE. Follow it. Do it. Run, don't walk.

Go to this website.

Now, in the box where it says "DOMAIN NAME", enter your business' domain name.

Now, enter the security key.

Now, press search.

You will then get a screen that will show the Registrant of your domain name. If that registrant is not you or your corporation, then I want you to pick up the phone NOW and call whoever it is in the spot that says "REGISTRANT" and ask them to please change it so that you or your corporation/LLC/LLP appear as the Registrant. Say, "no offense, I totally heart you but can you put my name down as the Registrant and give me my account number and password for my records."

It should not be anyone but you or your corporation. Not your tech guy/gal, not your graphic designer, not your Uncle, not your husband, not your boyfriend, not your girlfriend, not your kid, not your dog Coco, ONLY YOU OR YOUR CORPORATION!!! Got it? Get on it. It will be the best 4 minutes you will ever spend on your business. Well, almost the best 4 minutes.

Now, go and be productive and profitable.

Intellectual Property expert Tina Loza has successfully defended and protected Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and start ups. Tina Loza is an attorney based in the Inland Empire and has her own specialized legal practice for patents, trademarks, copyrights, and domain name disputes. For a free consultation, go to www.lozaip.com and call for an appointment.

I've focused a number of my "The Practical Business Radical" columns recently on the concept of adding levity to the workplace. If you make work fun, your employees are more likely to be productive, creative and engaged. A lot of people may understand that concept, but aren't sure where to begin.

First step? No one is going to have fun if your workplace is so restrictive that people are scared to laugh. Do a policy inventory. Or better yet, do a Sacred Cow BBQ (instructions can be found here) and invite your employees to tell you what policies they find most restrictive. Can you lighten up a little bit? How many of the policies you have are truly necessary for legal protection?

Loosening your grip on policies shows your employees that you trust them and will set the stage for having more fun as an organization.

Once you redo those policies, how about supplying each of your employees with binders for the new policies and setting up craft supplies so that they can decorate their binders any way they want (yes, even the guys on your staff will like doing crafts).

Submitted by Jessica H. Lawrence. Jessica is the CEO of Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council, a non-profit serving 15,000 girls and 5,000 adult volunteers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. She can be reached at jlawrence@gssgc.org.

You've finally signed up for your first Facebook account! Congratulations! Your journey has now begun!

The coffee you had for breakfast, the phone conversation you had with Uncle Jim, the sour milk in the fridge - every moment of your day is being documented by your status updates! You're posting to the extreme - you're going postal!

Sure, Facebook is a way to connect with people and tell them things about yourself - but at what point is enough enough?

Here are some signs that you are spending too much time on Facebook:

According to Paula Pile, a marriage and family therapist in Greensboro, North Carolina,
You know you're a Facebook addict when ...

1. You lose sleep over Facebook
"If you're staying up late at night because you're on Facebook, and you're tired the next day, Facebook may be a compulsion for you," Lipari said. "You shouldn't be neglecting yourself because of Facebook."

2. You spend more than an hour a day on Facebook
Pile says it's hard to pinpoint exactly how much is too much time to be spending on social networking.

"I can't imagine that anyone would need more than an hour a day on Facebook, and probably no one needs more than 30 minutes," she said.

3. You become obsessed with old loves
Reconnecting with old friends is one of the great attractions of Facebook, and there's nothing necessarily wrong with "friending" an old boyfriend or girlfriend. But Pile warns that it can get out of hand very quickly.

"One of my clients met up with an old boyfriend on Facebook. They started spending hours and hours into the night talking to each other on Facebook. She made some really inappropriate comments about how unhappy she was in her marriage," Pile said. "Her cousin saw the comments and told her parents, and the parents told the husband, and now they're in the process of getting divorced."

4. You ignore work in favor of Facebook
"If you're not doing your job in order to sneak time on Facebook, you could have a real problem," Lipari said.

5. The thought of getting off Facebook leaves you in a cold sweat
Sarah Browne, who writes the Guru of New blog, gave up Facebook for Lent last month when she realized that she had a "mild" addiction to the site. She's come up with "Seven Signs You May Be Ready for a Social Media Detox."

Pile has her own quick test: "Try going a day without Facebook. If you find it causes you a lot of stress and anxiety, you really need to get some help."

Do YOU fit into any of the examples above? Are you addicted to Facebook?

Eydie :)

This week my husband/partner and I went to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.   Now that was a wholly overwhelming and humbling experience.  The technology is mind-blowing and my husband was pretty sure that we needed a flat screen television just about as slim as tissue paper.  We had a long talk about needs and wants.    

Anyhow, I was really happy I wore my cute new Skechers sneakers on Day 2 of CES because that is one large show!  I was exhausted.  We mainly went to see some of our clients, network a smidge, we walked around to check stuff out, we ate mediocre pizza courtesy of American Express, and we served cease and desist letters to infringers.  What?  Huh?  Fun times, people.  Fun times.  We were so popular on the show room floor.    

It was actually pretty interesting.  We got to the show and had a client up in arms about knock off goods at the show.  I e-mailed my colleague at the office who got me a first draft of a letter on my blackberry.  I retrieved it on the client's laptop, I edited it while sipping free coffee from Qualcomm, I printed it at a booth of another client, and I signed it with a blue pen.   It was weirdly easy to do that. 

It is a fun little anecdote but I guess what I want to tell you is keep them eyes and ears open at a trade show.  Look at what your competitors are doing.  Pay attention.  You should send out your people to look at other people's exhibits.  And, if they are knocking off your patent, trademark, copyright, etc. then, grab their business card while you are there.  Talk them up.  Call your attorney.  Better yet, call your attorney and tell them to get to the show with their laptop and draft you a cease and desist letter. 

Lesson:  Trade shows are not just where you display your wares; it is where you have to be aware and make others beware.

Now, go and be productive and profitable.   

Intellectual Property expert Tina Loza has successfully defended and protected Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and start ups.  Tina Loza is an attorney based in the Inland Empire and has her own specialized legal practice for patents, trademarks, copyrights, and domain name disputes.  For a free consultation, go to www.lozaip.com and call for an appointment.

How many times have you made the same resolution, year after year?  You can make a go of it for about 4 weeks, maybe 6, then you somehow forget all about it.  I usually do the "I'm going to walk more and get out of the office more".  I thought I'd investigate resolutions to see if I was missing some unknown method of keeping them.  In my pursuit, I came across some funny stuff.

How about some resolutions you might actually want to keep!   These are pretty easy to do.
• Spend more time watching TV / movies.
• Chat more over phone / Internet.
• Read less.
• I want to gain weight. Put on at least 30 pounds.
• Stop exercising. Waste of time.
• Procrastinate more.
• Drink. Drink some more.
• Start being superstitious.
• Spend more/ less time at work.
• Stop bringing lunch from home: I should eat out more.
• Take up a new habit: Maybe smoking!

 
Then I found this website...unbelievable http://www.hereinreality.com/resolutions.html

More to the point it doesn't make much difference if it's January 1st or June 30th, I need to remember to always want to be and do my best.  I was listening to a Billionaire being interviewed several days ago and his advice was to keep a positive attitude.  It's like the Little Engine that Could.  Keep saying "I can do this, I can do this".   I know the engine said "I think I can, I think I can"- some leeway, please!

So, don't worry about making those New Year's Resolutions.  Just keep keeping on and don't worry about yesterday.  All you have is what's ahead and you can make that anything you want.

Loreene Orgoralini is a Travel Professional and owner of Can I Go, Too? Travel- located in the Inland Empire.  She specializes in cruises, tours, all-inclusive resorts and works with individuals and groups of all kinds.  Loreene can be reached at www.CanIGoToo.com or  Loreene@CanIGoToo.com
 

Over the past year and a half I've been spending what most people would think as an unusual amount of time on Facebook. And I guess if I look back on the hours spent posting status updates, I might agree with some of my 'real-life' friends. HOWEVER, recently I have been doing more than just furiously striking away at my keyboard - chatting with my Facebook friends.

I've begun to take my online relationships to another level. 

Wayne, my funny Facebook friend, and I recently met at a networking event my client hosted! After a year of Facebook comments, we finally got to make that 'emotional' connection.  We hit it off and we continue to connect on Facebook, but also in emails and phone calls.  I needed some advice regarding my mortgage the other day, and since that's his industry, I felt comfortable giving  him a call. He's now part of my 'real-life'. You've got to love Facebook!

Laurie, my food, drink, and general chatter Facebook friend, have also been connected for about a year now. With every post we made, we found out that we had so much in common.  We kept telling each other that we should be living near each other rather than on different coasts (she's East Coast and I'm West Coast). This past weekend, we used the Facebook Chat feature and pretty much lost track of time. We must have been typing away for at least 2 hours...if not more!  We finally got to 'meet' each other - via Skype! We talked and talked...as if we had been best buddies since the 1st grade! We talked about husbands (well, of course we did...It wouldn't be normal for 2 grown women NOT to talk about their husbands! LOL), we talked about kids...and we talked about work. When all was said and done, Laurie might be going into business for herself... or work with me! You've got to love Facebook!

Then last night, Louise, my "I can tell her anything" Facebook Friend, and I finally got on the phone with each other. Louise lives in Ottawa, Canada. She's amazing! Louise is a  Confidence Coach, Licensed Master Practitionor of NLP and a Certified Hypnotist.  Last night, Louise gifted me with a weight loss hypnosis session! But first, we talked and talked...just as I did with Laurie - as if we'd known each other for years! We were quite comfortable with each other. It was almost 2 hours later when we finally said goodnight! You've got to love Facebook!

Then there are my friends from back east...when I lived in New York. Sure, I used to call them or write them letters and emails. But for some reason, I'm hearing from them more now that we're all on Facebook! Relationships have been re-kindled...and some of them strengthened! You've got to love Facebook!

I haven't met Barbara yet, but she and her son Chris are in my prayers every day. Chris, (early 20's)  sustained a brain injury when in a car accident more than 3 weeks ago.  Barbara has been reaching out to her Facebook friends for prayers. She posts everyday, multiple times a day. It gives her strength to know that she has so many people caring about what she and her family are going through right now. Chris is still in the hospital - please keep him in your prayers. You've got to love Facebook!

Sure, I spend lots of time on Facebook - but why wouldn't I? I've met some of the most incredible people there and I expect that I'll meet many more people along the way!

Wouldn't it be grand if everyone in the world got onto Facebook and took the time to really get to KNOW EACH OTHER BEFORE  they harmed each other? It's much harder to harm someone you actually KNOW! 

Why do YOU love Facebook?

Eydie

Eydie Stumpf, owner of Eydie's Office, is a New Media Consultant based in Southern California who specializes in creating an Internet presence for business owners using social media and e-mail marketing platforms. Visit her website at www.eydiesoffice.com. Eydie is a certified, independent Constant Contact trainer in "The Power of E-mail Marketing" and also writes a weekly column for The Business Press called, "Ask Eydie".

I had been bursting with Christmas joy and spirit until yesterday and then somehow I lost my excitement in between when I finally got to Thoroughbred Lane and Sapphire in Alta Loma to see the lights and could not drive through with my kids due to several closures and when I got severely lost with three exhausted kids because the person I was following ditched me and did not even bother to call.  Good times folks.  Good times.  Oh Christmas magic, Return to Me. 

Anyhow, I am trying to shake off my bummer mood and thought I would provide you with a lawyer joke.

Did you hear about the patent attorney who, in lieu of a fee, took stock in his client's company?   The product: Solar-powered flashlights.  (Need to give credit for this joke, it's not mine.)  

Anyhow, I get a call from someone wanting me to take stock in his/her company about once a week in lieu of a fee.  We don't do that.  Ever.  And in fact, this week I have been bombarded with bargain hunters.  I think people think that because all stores have sales, I should have one too.  Sorry, no Black Friday, buy one patent get one free deals here.  I keep my rates competitive, I give good clients discounts, I serve.  Remember, always, you usually get what you pay for. 

And on that note, I hope you paid for oodles of fun stuff that you will enjoy for a lifetime.  I hope your stockings are stuffed with a duplex and checks.  I wish you all laughter and a weekend full of making happy memories with your family.  I wish that you never receive a solar powered flashlight.  Farewell and Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas! 

Now, go and be productive and profitable.   

Intellectual Property expert Tina Loza has successfully defended and protected Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and start ups.  Tina Loza is an attorney based in the Inland Empire and has her own specialized legal practice for patents, trademarks, copyrights, and domain name disputes.  For a free consultation, go to www.lozaip.com and call for an appointment.

In order to help save a few trees, Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council decided to send e-holiday cards this year. We know that there are still lots of holiday cards out there though and one of our own Girl Scout troops came up with a great idea for recycling cards that I thought I'd share with you.

From Meghan Almeida, Leader, Troop 1054:

"We cut off the fronts (discarded the part with writing on it) and used them like postcards to leave on neighbors' doors to announce our caroling event and collection of children's clothes for a service project.  The girls had fun making them.  We used a pre-printed message and pasted it on the back. If there was room, they drew a picture too!  They worked like a charm.  We had a good number of folks home to sing to and a great mountain of clothes donated!"

Thanks for the great idea Meghan! Even if you don't have a Girl Scout troop, you could use the same technique to create postcard invitations to your next holiday party or to send thank you notes for holiday gifts.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Submitted by Jessica H. Lawrence. Jessica is the CEO of Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council, a non-profit serving 15,000 girls and 5,000 adult volunteers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. She can be reached at jlawrence@gssgc.org. 

It's that time of year when I get to thinking about what I accomplished this past year business wise; what I need to change and what worked well.   Maybe it's the weather, but when there is a chill in the air I tend to ruminate.

I belong to, subscribe to, or participate in several great mediums.  Being a professional travel agent gives me the opportunity to glean so many helpful ideas and insights from a wealth of people who have been successful not only in the travel business but in business in general.

I would like to share some of these" year end" tidbits to maybe give you some ideas of how to "rethink" your own business.

One of my favorite people is Stuart Cohen, president of Exclamation Points, Inc. a consultant and business coach.    His time management ideas are to:

1. Accept that the day is not expected to get any longer - 24 hours is all we have. 

2. Expect the "Big Surprise" every day.  Some are welcome, some not.  Make it a part of your TO DO LIST.  Label it "Big Surprise".   It will take up 20 percent of your work time. 

3. Focus on achieving 80% of your TO DO LIST.  The 20% you didn't accomplish will slide to the top of tomorrow's list.

4. Write your TO DO LIST tonight (not tomorrow morning).  Caution:  If you write your TO DO LIST in the morning, you're headed for disaster.  Emails, phone calls, etc will begin occurring immediately, which leaves you little clarity to recall what must be done.

5. (This is a BIG one for me) STOP MULTITASKING (it makes you stupid).  Sue Shellenbarger of the Wall Street Journal:  "A growing body of scientific research shows one of the jugglers' favorite time-saving techniques, multitasking, can actually make you less efficient and, well, stupider," she wrote.  Trying to do two or three things at once or in quick succession can take longer overall than doing them one at a time, and may leave you with reduced brainpower to perform each task. http://tinyurl.com/ykuyopd

6.  Stay inside your Love Circle.  Try to eliminate things that bring you down, clearing more time for things that bring you up.

Mike Marchev, author and speaker says:  Become the exception.  Stop being boring.  Start acting like the winner you can be!  Be an idea supporter, learn to laugh at yourself, appreciate and applaud others.

If you can take some classes to educate yourself or boost your overall sales, DO IT.  If you have a lull in your business, spend the time making your self more valuable.

There you have it.  Some great ideas to get you thinking for the coming year.  I'm going to try to put some of these (and lots of others I've read) into practice.   I may not get everything done I plan on doing, but I'll keep trying. 

Excerpt from one of his article on social media by another of my favorite people, Tom Ogg, speaker, trainer, and educator:

Well, gotta run. I just sold $27,000.00 worth of first class tickets to a company in Nigeria that is moving their executives from London to Capetown. The company found me on the Internet I just can't believe my luck. I also had a long lost relative leave me $1,000,000.00 that they are going to transfer into my bank account. I can't wait! I found this awesome Rolex on Craigslist for only $7,500.00 (it is a $25,000.00 watch) I have to send the money via Western Union today or I will lose the opportunity to buy it at this bargain price. I know that I shouldn't spend money that I don't have yet, but it was such a good deal and after I get my million dollars, well you know. I can't wait until they ship the Rolex to me!

Loreene Orgoralini is a Travel Professional and owner of Can I Go, Too? Travel- located in the Inland Empire.  She specializes in cruises, tours, all-inclusive resorts and works with individuals and groups of all kinds.  Loreene can be reached at www.CanIGoToo.com or  Loreene@CanIGoToo.com
 

I am in the midst of preparing for Christmas - decorating (yay!), baking (woohoo!), shopping (bleck!), wrapping (ugh!).  I am busily ordering and receiving boxes from all of the internet sites where I have shopped.  I am not a huge fan of running around and parking and dealing with germs and sales girls who don't know how to take off the anti-theft device from the clothes and thereby rip the only cute dress in my size.  So, I am thoroughly enjoying shopping on-line and then I will probably make one quick mall trip that will require deep breathing, Purell, and the focus of Pre-Philandering Tiger on the golf course.<?xml:namespace prefix = o />

With that said, I thought I would have a fun little post with some great little Christmas-themed intellectual property items to share.  Leave it to a patent attorney to dull down Christmas and share a post like this with the masses.

1.       The mark CHRISTMAHANUKWANZMADAN is currently pending before the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) in connection with greeting cards.   Seriously, how do you say this?  And if you can say it, does it offend everyone or no one?  My eyebrows furrow and I move on...

2.       The mark GRINCHMAS is registered by Dr. Seuss Enterprises in connection with note cards, greeting cards, and Christmas tree ornaments.  Oh, and MERRY GRINCHMAS is registered in connection with pencils.  Nothing like writing your Grinchmas® cards with your Merry Grinchmas® pencils.  It's the way to get in the spirit!

3.       The <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />University of Akron has registered the mark A TROPICAL CHRISTMAS in connection with sound recordings featuring music.  I am not so great at geography but isn't Akron in Ohio?  And if it is, there is not anything tropical about Christmas in Ohio.  Today, there is a high of 29 degrees in Akron, Ohio...with snow flurries expected. 

And to show that variety is the spice of life.  Let's put some patent stuff in here too.  Here are some fun issued Christmas patents. 

Cactus Christmas Tree, Patent No. D477,546.  Only purchase this if you don't have toddlers or balloons or if you typically wear armor around your house.  It would be such a bummer to bleed all over that Tiffany blue box that you've been eyeing because your cactus tree got in the way of your Christmas greed.   

How about a Christmas tree (Patent No. D578,034) for those geometrically minded folks?  My husband (an engineer first, patent attorney second) would probably totally dig this tree.  And this ornament. 

OK, so you aren't about to have some fat dude roaming your house while you sleep?  You really ought to know when someone is dropping off free stuff at your house!  How about the Santa Claus Detector (Patent No. 5,523,741)?  The abstract reads:  "A children's Christmas Stocking device useful for visually signaling the arrival of Santa Claus by illuminating an externally visible light source having a power source located within said device." 

Now, go and be productive and profitable.   

Intellectual Property expert Tina Loza has successfully defended and protected Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and start ups.  Tina Loza is an attorney based in the Inland Empire and has her own specialized legal practice for patents, trademarks, copyrights, and domain name disputes.  For a free consultation, go to www.lozaip.com and call for an appointment.

What's the difference between Online Marketing and Online Advertising?

Do you know?  My friend Saul didn't. He said to me, "Eydie, I've been in business for more than 20 years, and advertising in phone books, and newspapers have served me well all this time. Sure, my business could stand an advertising makeover, but do I really need to advertise online by being on Facebook or any of those other sites I hear everyone talking about?" 

Saul didn't understand the differences between marketing and advertising. Although businesses DO advertise online, not all of what you see is considered advertising. It's marketing! 

According to About.com, advertising is "a single component of the marketing process. It's the part that involves getting the word out about your business, products or the services you are offering." Here we are talking about placing the "non-personal" ads in the phone book, mailers, and newspapers, as well as radio and TV. 

Marketing is much more than that. About.com continues to explain that marketing is "the systematic planning, implementation and control of a mix of business activities". Marketing is the process. Marketing is everything a business does to create a presence and reach the consumer. They all must work together in order for a business to reach its goals. 

If we think of marketing as a pie we can see that there are many slices. The advertising slice is the largest. There is a slice for market research, public relations, sales strategies, customer support, community involvement, relationship building and more. 

Now that we've got the difference between advertising and marketing established, let's look at social media as the relationship building slice of pie and why businesses that don't have a presence on social sites are going to lose out. 

1. Those businesses without a presence on social sites won't have control over their online reputation. If something negative was said about your business, you're not able to do the necessary damage control and turn the situation around. 

2. If a business has a web site but nothing on social sites, they will receive less search engine traffic that those who also have social pages. Status updates on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter will help to boost your Google rankings. 

3. Businesses without social pages also lose out to possible connections with potential customer you may not normally have encountered via traditional marketing. 

4. You competition will be using social media tools to connect with consumers, leaving those businesses who don't out in the cold. They've been building relationships with your current customers as well. 

5. Younger generations (your potential clients) aren't using print media as much as they are the Web. I don't think there is one business on the planet that can afford not to build relationships with the Gen X or Y generations. 

My suggestion is to begin building your social media presence right away. The longer you wait the harder it will be to get on board. I'm on social sites every day, but even I'm having a hard time keeping up with the new while balancing the old. 

Saul now understands the difference between marketing and advertising. He also knows the importance of building relationships online. Do you? If you haven't opened up a Facebook account then do so today. Add me as one of your first Facebook friends lets get you started on your social media journey!  

Just remember, you are not advertising, you are building relationships! 

Abundance, 

Eydie :)

We just got back from a fact finding mission to Nicaragua.  We left LAX at 1:00am and landed in a rainy Panama City at 7:00am.  After running to the next plane (literally) we took off for Managua.   An hour and a half later the plane lowered through the clouds, circled Lake Managua, landed and taxied to our terminal.  I was surprised how small it looked!!  After all this was Managua, Nicaragua...the capital!!

We made our way through customs, paid our $5.00 entry fee and were finally ready to go.  After collecting our baggage we headed out the front doors.  Wow!  The heat was unbelievable.  We were dressed for the cold weather we just came from.  I had anticipated this, so I had layered my clothing and just had to take off my coat and sweater. 

A truck from Nicasa Cigar factory picked up our luggage and an SUV sped us away to Estelí, our new home for the next 6 days.  On the way, we stopped for lunch at La Fogata, an all you can eat buffet.   Maria (our hostess) needed some fruit and vegetables, so we popped across the street and shopped in the open air market.  This is a very poor country but beautiful.  Green everywhere with mountains, trees and valleys that produce some of the best tobacco and coffee in the world.  That was our mission while we were here...to plan a tobacco factory/plantation tour. 

After unpacking at Los Arcos Hotel, we headed over to Nicasa Tobacco Factory where we met the owner Frank Flores.  We took a quick tour, met some of the key people and headed off to dinner at Maria's.  Hospitality is one of the key words in this country.  Everyone was friendly and ready to help.  It was a long day so off to bed we went.  The hotel was like an oasis...beautiful rooms, tile floors, friendly employees, FREE WIFI, roof top patio, central garden, and complimentary breakfast!

The next day we visited the tobacco fields... rotating crops, barns filled with drying tobacco leaves, the nursery where they start the plants, and even being driven out into the fields to pick tobacco.  Right in the middle of that the sky opened up, so we ran for the truck to get out of the rain.   We headed back home before everything became too muddy.

At the factory, we did the complete tour.  It's a long process to get to the end result.  All the workers have their jobs, cutting, sorting, rolling, packing, labeling, banding, inspecting.....and I took photos/videos of all of it.  Including ME rolling a cigar! 

On the last day we drove to Masaya for some Flee Market shopping and then to Granada to inspect another hotel for the last day of the planned tour.  We took a boat tour of Lake Nicaragua and saw little islands people actually buy and build houses on!!  One of the islands had monkeys on it and the only way they got fed was if tourists brought cookies, etc and fed them. 

All in all it was a fascinating trip and I'm ready to take some adventurous cigar aficionados on a trip of a lifetime.  Are you going to be one of them? 

A funny thing happened yesterday here at work.  My assistant answered a phone call from a gentleman (hereinafter "MC" for Male Chauvinist) who wanted to speak to only a "male attorney."  Now, I bet you know where this is going and I fully support your imagination in this regard.  But, let me just say that although I heartily appreciate suffrage and what my foremothers did for this generation of women (working at home and working in the cold hard world), I would not consider myself a gung-ho feminist. 

In other words, women are not always well suited to every task that a man may perform as much as men are not always well suited to every task that a woman may perform.  There are times when I think it is advisable/appropriate/strategic to request a male or female attorney for a family law dispute (custody, divorce, etc.).  I can also see a similar scenario popping up for some criminal law cases and estate planning.  And though you may find me a big, fat hypocrite, my OB/GYN is a woman, by my choice (not Blue Cross'). 

With that said, MC proceeded to argue with my assistant to put him through to the male attorney for his "internet law" issue.  He specifically did not want to talk to me.  He found us on-line at our website.  Folks, go ahead and look at the attorney page on my website.  There are three women and ONE man.  I founded this firm.  I love the man, don't get me wrong.   He rocks patents up and down this lovely Inland Empire and frankly, all over the world, but I handle internet law disputes all the time.  I am the one who does this stuff day in and day out, not him.  It literally is beyond my comprehension why MC would call this firm if he required a man.  There are plenty of male infested firms in the Inland Empire and in Southern California.  If you require an XY, Y (sic) call here? 

Also, why would a male be better suited to handle an internet law dispute?  Eyebrow raise here.  Anyone got any thoughts on this?  I am baffled.  I did not lose any sleep about this last night because I was really tired and I sort of am OK with not having a guy like this on my client roster.  But, seriously, I am really glad I did not answer that call directly.  I am glad my Assistant answered that call because if it was me he would have heard the following:

10.1 million firms are owned by women (50% or more), employing more than 13 million people, and generating $1.9 trillion in sales as of 2008.  I am one of those firms.  Women are clearly thriving and surviving right alongside men in this lovely economy.  You've called the wrong place.  Hope you find a man who serves you better.

Dial tone.

Now, go and be productive and profitable.   

Intellectual Property expert Tina Loza has successfully defended and protected Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and start ups.  Tina Loza is an attorney based in the Inland Empire and has her own specialized legal practice for patents, trademarks, copyrights, and domain name disputes.  For a free consultation, go to www.lozaip.com and call for an appointment.

As we prepared for the holiday season this year, I realized that a number of our organization's own staff were in significant financial distress. Instead of doing our usual Secret Santa activity, I decided to set up a new program so that our staff could help each other - the Holiday Wish Tree.

Here are the instructions that I sent our staff for how our Holiday Wish Tree works:

Staff who are in need of assistance purchasing toys and gifts for their children, or in purchasing a holiday mail, should e-mail me a list of the items that they need. Please ask for what you truly need - you can request more than one gift per child, but the maximum value of any one gift should be between $25 - $30. You can request gift cards if those are more helpful to you.

Your need will be anonymous to the rest of the staff - the only person who will see your name connected to your wish list will be me. Your need is on your honor and please don't feel embarrassed to ask for assistance - we're not doing anything like looking at income levels  etc. - if you feel that you need support, we want to help.

On December 1, I will set up a holiday tree in the upstairs break room. This will be our Holiday Wish Tree. On the Holiday Wish Tree, I will place tags that list the exact items staff have requested for their kids (these tags will be anonymous - without anyone's names).

If you wish to support one of your fellow staff, you simply have to take a tag off the Holiday Wish Tree and purchase the gift. If you take a tag, please make sure to actually buy the gift. If you realize you can't buy it for any reason, please put the tag back on the tree.

Once you have purchased a gift or gifts, please turn them into me so that I can wrap them and quietly get them to the people who requested them. 

The rest of the week on Sapphire Princess kept me busy.   On this particular cruise line they have what's called a Champagne Waterfall.  The crew piles up 640 champagne classes in a pyramid.  The captain starts pouring champagne (it takes 170 bottles) in the top glass and it trickles down to fill the others.  You can also have your picture taken pouring the champagne.   There are lots of "photo ops" all around the ship and they are taking formal pictures every night.  I tell my clients it's really a good bargain since you don't have to buy any of the photos if you don't like them, but if you do they are very reasonable with no sitting fees.

Another fun thing they have on this cruise is Afternoon Tea.  Every day between 3:30-4:30 in one of the dining rooms they serve tea accompanied by a huge amount of delicious sandwiches, cookies, pastries, and scones with Devonshire cream and jam.  All of this is served by white gloved waiters in tuxedos.  There is just no end of possibilities to eat on a cruise.

Wine tasting is another event that you can participate in.   They had a sommelier on board so he was able to teach us about the viscosity (consistency) of the wine by identifying the "legs" on the inside of the glass (the thicker the "legs" the higher the alcohol content, sugar content or both); swirling the wine to release its aromas (fruit and/or spice); and finally tasting the wine.  Your tongue has 4 tasting parts; the front tastes sweetness, the sides taste sour and salt and the back of the tongue tastes bitterness. 

We also watched a cooking demonstration with Executive Chef Marcello Berardi and Maitre D' Hotel Giuseppe Gelmini.  They even had one of the assistants singing opera while they prepared the meal.   Then we all headed to the galley for a complete tour.  More stainless steel than I have ever seen in one spot!  Some facts about DAILY usage amounts:  500 lbs of butter, 400 lbs of sugar, 90 gallons of ice cream, 6,000 pastries, 62 gallons of coffee cream, 28 gallons of mayonnaise......I can't imagine having to put that all away!!!

The back stage tour was another great opportunity to see behind the scenes.  Not all ships let you take these kinds of tours any more.  Security has become tighter since 9/11.  We walked onstage and saw how they move things around, all the backdrops, lighting, control panels, etc, then we went behind the stage to peek into the dressing room which rises three decks high with costumes on what looks like the clothes carousel at the cleaners.  In the "wings" every costume and accessory is strategically placed in order to make the very quick changes, which can be as fast as 20 seconds.

With music, entertainment, shopping, 24 hour meals, pools, spas, sports, and fabulous ports of call, it's hard to imagine not finding something you like to do.  When my clients ask me if I had a good cruise, I always tell them - "How bad can it be if someone makes my bed, cleans the bathroom, fixes all the food and cleans up afterword".  The entertainment and ports are just extras.

Let me know when you're ready to experience REAL PAMPERING.

From the complaint department: "I was bitten by a mosquito - no-one said they could bite."

Travel Trivia: In 1945, it cost $5 a night to stay at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York; the rate was $6 a night at the Plaza a few blocks away.

Loreene Orgoralini is a Travel Professional and owner of Can I Go, Too? Travel- located in the Inland Empire.  She specializes in cruises, tours, all-inclusive resorts and works with individuals and groups of all kinds.  Loreene can be reached at www.CanIGoToo.com or  Loreene@CanIGoToo.com
 

I have a list a mile long of things I am thankful for this year.  I am very blessed and even in the thick of things I do not have to try hard to see how much I have to be grateful for.  Tomorrow, I am rising early to run the Turkey Trot in Claremont with Extreme Boot Camp, my husband, and my kiddos (in strollers, they aren't up to a 5K yet).   If you do not have anything to do tomorrow in the morning, you should get out and run or walk this 5K put on by the Claremont Sunrise Rotary.  I am thinking you will feel fabulous and ready to eat all day.  There is much less guilt in consuming several thousand calories if you've run 3.2 miles.  Then, I am going to my in-laws house for Thanksgiving dinner; I am making a couple pies.  We are all hoping that they are edible or that someone picks "back up" pies from Costco.   

And so, in the spirit of tomorrow's Holiday, I would like to share ten business matters I am thankful for this year:

10.  The magic of the internet and servers and the ability to work wherever I am, even the Dominican Republic, as long as I have my laptop. 

9.  That my commute is really, really short.  I hated driving to downtown and to Los Angeles. 

8.  That I do not have to wear a skirt suit, nylons, and heels to work everyday! 

7.  Coffee, sugar-free creamer, and a coffee pot which brews excellent coffee that I purchase from The Coffee Bean.  {Let's be real people, I need this stuff to do business.  I cannot be perky, efficient, and aggressive without it.}

6.  Being President-Elect of NAWBO-IE and working alongside Gwen Thibeaux and the Board as we unite women business owners in the Inland Empire for profit, influence, and community.

5.   Electronic files. Paper filing takes up so much space and kills so many trees.

4.  CLIENTS!!!  I have so many clients that that I like and enjoy working for, they are the best bosses ever.

3.  That I really like the team that we work with at our firm.  Heidi and Shelley are fabulous attorneys who take care of their clients and work hard.  Our paralegal/assistant/office manager, Shirley, is awesome at balancing the wearing of many hats and she is never grumpy, surly, inefficient, or late! 

2.  That I get to sit next to my partner/husband at work all day and then I get to parent with him at home at night and I still like him and love him.  He is smart, motivating, and a great Dad.  I am proud to share his last name and our office space.

1.  That I am my own employer and even though it is scary sometimes I get to handle clients my way, make my schedule work for me and my family, and enjoy my work rather than worrying about how to become partner...because I already am.

Now, go and be productive and profitable....and thankful.

Intellectual Property expert Tina Loza has successfully defended and protected Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and start ups.  Tina Loza is an attorney based in the Inland Empire and has her own specialized legal practice for patents, trademarks, copyrights, and domain name disputes.  For a free consultation, go to www.lozaip.com and call for an appointment.