We could all use a little creativity, don’t you think? We’ve all heard the term “Think outside of the box.” Today it’s vital that we learn to be more creative in our business and with our marketing. But just how do we do it? First of all, it’s important that all creative thinking be strategically on target. You may have a great idea or unique selling proposition, but if it doesn’t reach the person that needs your services it’s wasted. If it doesn’t show and tell what you do well it may not get the results you want. And if it isn’t on strategy, it may not evoke the right response.

Start with a Creative Strategy – the template for success.
Write down your: Target, Objective (what you’re trying to achieve with your marketing materials), Key Benefits (list at least 3 in order of importance), Support (copy points), Tone and Target Response.

Based on your written strategy, you can start to think, brew and brainstorm creatively.

Start with a good foundation.

• Be extremely knowledgeable about your product or service and your competition.
• Make sure you know how your clients use your product or services and why.

No holding back.

• Just start thinking. There are no right or wrong ideas.
• Put everything down on paper…wallpaper the room with thoughts…
  even crazy or partial thoughts.

Tools, Teams & the WEB Machine.

• Team up! With your strategy in-hand.
• Find new combinations of old ideas.
• Can computers be creative? They sure can start the wheels turning.
• Web stalking (ask questions, find answers).

Take a break.

• Do nothing. Do something. Anything but work.
• Use your subconscious mind to its full advantage.

Push yourself further.

• Hold a series of brainstorming sessions.
• Fire up your employees to take action. Get everyone thinking.
• Is there a new and better way of doing things? Or looking at things?

Step Back.

• Take a look at all the ideas you have.
• Look around to see if you’ve missed anything.
• Look between the cracks.
• Keep an open mind. Don’t analyze.

Now focus your thinking.

• Which ideas do you like best?
• What strikes a chord and makes the most sense?
• And most importantly, which ideas are on strategy? (Yes, back to that!)

Then what?

• Ideas are just the start of getting something done.
• How are you going to operationalize it?
• How do you protect your ideas?
• What are the best ways to explore new skill sets?
• What are the next steps to take?

Keep it up!

• Take the concept of creativity into all areas of your life.
• Keep a small idea notebook. Write in it everyday to train the brain.
• Have paper by your bed for those late night eureka moments.
• Do some good with your new creative talent.

Ideas will come up like tulips in the spring. Watch for them with anticipation. Be inspired. Whistle while you work. And don’t miss the upcoming business and creative workshop this Friday, Feb. 27th, 2009 — details on my website.

Linda Frothingham
Idea Entrepreneur
Frothingham Communications
www.Frothideas.com

Smart financial decisions are a must for a business to be successful. The same holds true for your personal finances. If you are considering a home renovation, what makes financial sense in these tough economic times with the current state of the real estate market? For every one of us, the answer to this question is different. Review and apply the information below to your circumstances to help determine if your proposed project is a smart financial decision as planned, should be modified in size and budget, or should be abandoned entirely.

Start the process by understanding the current market value of your home as-is and with your proposed improvements. Talk with a real estate agent who is familiar with your community. He or she can give you comparable listings on properties similar to yours that have sold in the past 6 months. Websites like www.zillow.com or www.Cyberhomes.com will also give you an estimated value for your home.

There are exceptions though, than strictly looking at the market value of your home. Are you a big or little fish on your block? Is your home large in comparison to your neighbors? If so, chances are that your home is at the high end of what the market can support in your area. If your home is smaller or in need of much work compared to your neighbors, adding on or renovating still could make financial sense. Maybe you just love the neighborhood/schools/commute to work, etc. and wouldn’t dream of moving, but can’t stand the circa 1982 kitchen any longer. You have the funds to renovate and that is your mission. There are always exceptions.

Where do you live? Some regions of California, Florida, Nevada and Florida have been more negatively impacted because of the number of foreclosures there. Ask your local realtor how the market is performing in your area, get their impression. On a related note, the website www.ziprealty.com/pdf/2008_3Q_HousingReport.pdf posts quarterly lists of hot neighborhoods in some markets based on the difference between the asking price and selling price of a home. Keep in mind though this data may just be a reflection of smart sellers who know how to price their property.

How long do you plan on staying in your home? You have a greater chance of recouping your renovation costs if you stay in your home for several years after the work is completed. Your home is like most investments, the longer you hold on to them and give them a chance to perform, the better your return on investment (ROI) will be.

Some renovation projects have a better ROI than others. Updating a bath in Chicago has a 64% recoup rate if you were to sell, compared to a 51% recoup rate for a sunroom addition. These figures, listed in the Cost vs. Value Annual Report found in Remodeler Magazine, are at www.remodeling.hw.net/2008/costvsvalue/national.aspx. Get recoup rates broken down by project type, city and national averages.

Is your project a historic preservation? Look to see if your state has a historic preservation program. For example, Illinois has a property tax assessment freeze program. The freeze begins at the start of the rehabilitation for eight years, and then the valuation is brought back to market level over a period of four years. The federal government has a Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program which provides federal income-tax incentives for the rehabilitation of historic income-producing properties. The credit may be subtracted directly from federal income taxes owed by the owner. Confirmation of program funding and eligibility by your accountant is recommended.

Your state may have incentives for smart building methods that are energy efficient. To find out what rebates exist in your state for solar panels, insulation, energy efficient appliances, etc. visit www.dsireusa.org The ROI on these types of energy efficiencies grows quickly because of continuing increases in utility costs. These energy efficiencies can also be used as a strong selling point when you do decide to move.

Work with professionals as needed. The money you spend on hiring an architect and general contractor will save you money in the long run. Their expertise will help to keep your project budget and schedule on track by minimizing problems. Work with them to make sure all details have been thought through during the preconstruction phase. This will save you money by minimizing changes which will affect your budget and lengthen your schedule.

Investigate the right financing options for your project. Is it a home equity loan, construction loan, cash-out refinance, FHA 203k loan, etc., that works best for your budget? Consider the interest rate offered, if the rate is fixed or adjustable, and the loan period. Also don’t believe everything you here in the news, there is financing available, there are loans being written.

Your due diligence regarding the feasibility of your project, along with your strong decision making skills will enable you to make a the right choice regarding your proposed project. Your personal portfolio and your personal space will both benefit from this one!

Karyl Doran
Dwell Development

What Market? Is there a market for selling your property? Yes, there is and it comes down to one thing ….price. We used to say the 3 words of Real Estate were location, location, location. Now you can say price, price, location!

In actuality there are 3 things that  do impact the sale of a property–  location, condition and price. Price is the centerpost. You can’t change a location of a home. Price on the other hand can help to make any changes to the condition of a home by spending money to fix the condition. And, of course, by adjusting to or choosing  a very competitive price that reflects the condition you can put your property in the best of selling positions. This market is very much about market price position.  Here’s an example: a seller chooses to not make any physical changes in the property. The property could have used quite a few. The location was a convenient walk to lots area. Instead they priced it at a price that reflected the cost of the updates off the list price.  It was sold within 5 weeks of listing. It also had many more showings than most of the homes in the price point range because it offered more to the potential owner. Knowing the market, using stats, lots of internet exposure and cross referencing helped this seller to put the home in its best market position.  

This market demands more of all! In order to succeed you need to compete very differently than ever before.  Those of us who have seen the up and down markets of the past know price will always drive any market…whether fast or slow or good or bad.  Another interesting area I will talk about is the use of the internet when selling or buying a home. It’s fascinating! Wait until you see the statistics…amazing indeed.  Remember if you are considering selling…and you want to sell you need to be at a need to sell price.

Maureen Spriggs
Coldwell Banker

What?  Is it really February already?  If you are like many of us, you vowed to make some changes this year. What happened to that New Year’s resolution? If you’ve made some changes, then bravo to you.  But what if they got buried in the other stuff called life-job, family, fun? 

Here is a hint on how to resurrect those goals and start to achieve them:  Discipline: as in restraint and order, not punishment! Where is that elusive discipline? That one word can be key to making those resolutions successful. 

How can you uncover your discipline (you know it’s there!) and apply it to your resolution? Think about an area of your life in which discipline comes a little easier – your job, your kid’s schedule, getting your spouse to help with the household chores. How can you translate that to an area that is more difficult like a healthy life style? Most people know what they need to do to be more fit or eat better, but the goals we set for ourselves are too vague and if the discipline isn’t there, those goals vanish.   

Start with 2 or 3 goals-that’s all the change we humans seem able to manage at once. It won’t seem like much, but you are more likely to feel confident and be successful with 2 or 3 small changes than trying for 5 or 6 and not achieving any of them because it seems so daunting. 

Once you’ve established the goals, then get specific.  Examples are: walking for 20 minutes 3 days this week or eat 2 vegetables, 3 days this week. Now, more details!! What day(s), time of day and for how long will you walk? How will you remember to eat those veggies? Schedule it or write it down as you would any other meeting. 

Questions to ask yourself:

• Who or what can help you to achieve this goal?
• How can you assemble some support?
• What will get in the way? Plan for contingencies:
  • What if the weather is bad?
  • What if your boss schedules a meeting the afternoon you plan to walk?
• How will you measure your success?
• How realistic is this goal?
• What is your confidence level on a scale of 1-10 that you will do this?  

Success fosters confidence and that can be the foundation upon which you build your new habits. 

Create accountability by stating your commitment to a friend or family member – or post it on the fridge. Write down everything you eat for 1 week. Accountability and awareness are two pieces of the discipline puzzle.

What can you be more disciplined about this week? Just 1 change….Sometimes one little spark can ignite a fire! What better investment can you make than contributing to your health? What will the benefits be to your health, your work, your family?  You are worth it!  Imagine how good you will feel when you start achieving just one goal!

Polly Wilson, RN, MS
Certified Wellness Coach