Networking together

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The time for resolutions is upon us. Do you know yours?

If you failed on last year's resolution, so what! Reboot! Go at it, again.
This time, don't go at it alone. Independent Enterprise Networks allow you to work your own business yourself, but not alone. Here are just a few reasons you should network together with others.

1. Freedom to contract alone.
2. Freedom to contract together with others.
3. Generate income alone (1).
4. Generate revenue through own network (2).
5. Generate revenue on earned bonuses (3).
6. An ever increasing number of specialist consultants with whom to partner.
7. A growing diversity of consultant talent.
8. A local-to-nationwide network expansion capability.
9. Transact business with partners in or out of network.
10. No sales or productivity quotas.
11. Network consultants determine and set their own service provider fees.
12. Network reseller/retailers determine and set their own service recipient fees.
13. Network members are free to drive network expansion across industries.
14. Free online skills-posting for member and non-member consultants and reseller/retailers.
15. Networks enable members to create and market their own private label.
16. Network members attend monthly workshop of their choice according to their business development goals and objectives.
17. Network members brainstorm sessions produce business project opportunities.

Come to Round Rock, TX and see what IE-Networks hold for your future.

Survey: What works best for you?

You are invited to give your much appreciated input in the two surveys on the left side of this page.

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What is best time of day for meeting?

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Seasons' Greetings! Happy New Year's!

Thank you.


Gil

Identifying the local independent retailer niche market

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Local independent businesses, despite being independent, are not exempt from making the tough decisions of their bigger cousins. You can checkout the Plunkett Research Ltd company in Houston Texas for their analysis credentials in the area of apparel manufacturing and retail in America. You are encouraged to read the article in the website in its entirety. I have selected the following 6 key points to know about your niche market:

niche markets with special tastes and needs, such as Chico's FAS, which caters to 35- to 60-year-old women who want flattering fashions that suit their figures.

Speaking of figures, the well-documented expanding girth of Americans is placing new challenges upon fashion merchandisers as overweight people of all ages, tastes and income brackets require clothes in larger sizes. Designers and merchandisers face the task of developing and presenting larger clothes in a flattering light.

they have also developed a keen interest in sports apparel and workout gear to wear at the gym and in other leisure activities.

As more and more of these people become seniors, their tastes and needs will bring great revenues to savvy apparel sellers who learn how to cater to this market

Consumers have been trained to wait for items to go on sale before they make purchases

Meanwhile, a growing number of fashion companies, such as Worth and The Carlisle Collection, are enjoying success selling women's fashions in the home via independent reps-somewhat like the success of similar companies that sell cosmetics.


One would be truly challenged to find a business in America not affected by our current economic opportunity. Even if we assume most of those affected positively number in the minority it’s more likely the majority are affected in the negative.

The response to this has been reduction, cutting back or shutting down business operations and wait for fairer times. Those who elect to press on soon learn unless they have implemented or driving hard to implement a new way of doing business can expect the specter of failed business will show its face again.


1. Know the age of your niche market
Niche markets may be small and limited, but offer huge potential. China is a niche market, but wouldn’t you like in on that niche market! Sam Walton tapped into a niche market in discount retail as well as Michael Dell and we know how it turned out for them. The niche market of 35 – 60 year women represents such an opportunity. These are not fickle clients and would more likely favor a real, local retailer with whom they develop a relationship to deliver on their customer-made apparel orders.

2. Know the overweight shape of your niche market
This is a reality and the sooner you tap into it the better. These clients are likely not thrilled about the prospect of shopping store after store with increasing frustration and dissatisfaction with product and service.

3. Know the sports apparel and workout gear interests of your niche market
Your clients care not only about what they wear, but what they can do towards improving their health through exercise.

4. Know how to cater to the tastes and needs of your people becoming seniors in your niche market
Your clients may reminisce fondly about what they wore in their youth, but don’t assume they want to wear the same in the mature years. However, they may be open to some design variations on yesteryear’s style.

5. Know what and how you need to train your niche market
Department stores such as Nordstrom’s, Neiman-Marcus and Dillard’s have trained consumers to wait for the sale. What’s a major department store to do with a floor full of unsold apparel items, but to hold a sale. Local Independent Enterprise Networks enable independent retailers to avoid glutting the floor with apparel inventory because of the nature of order-on-demand local delivery by IE-Networks. Some areas in which to train clients include: providing Network consultants with pattern & material and subsequent repeat use of pattern, having consultants create a pattern for repeat use, also.

6. Know how to enjoy sales success in the homes of your niche market
The home is not just a point-of-sale, but a gossip table for design ideas and more sales from your niche market as well as the workshop of IE-Networks at-home operations.

Attend the next business presentation

A lasting story

This Christmas my hope is you are able to draw deep from Christmases past and reflect on what this time means for you. Whatever it has meant for you, whether faith, hope or love of God, friends or family; all these are present for you at all times, not just a particular time of the year.

While I can understand it may not hold meaning for some other than a time together with family and exchanging of gifts that in itself is a story which will be passed down through your family. That in itself is a powerful story of togetherness as preferred to aloneness.

I remember a few years ago when I would teach a unit on each holiday as it came up hoping to enlighten my fifth grade class kids. I thought I wanted them to understand a bit more than it being a day off from school or in later years a day off from work and picnics at the park. My fellow teachers were aghast that I was teaching the “r” subject to which I replied I was no more teaching religion than I was teaching segregation when we covered the 1960s civil rights movement. My declaration to the kids was: I am not asking if you believe it. I am not telling you to believe. I am telling you what is found in libraries throughout the world in places where the story about a baby named Jesus grew up to be crucified and resurrected to be declared the Son of God is not believed at alone, but it is preserved and taught as history as a lasting story.

When you exhange presents with your family remember:

There’s no time like the present. There’s no present like time.

Merry Christmas!!

Happy Hannukah!!

Happy Kwanza!!

Feliz Navidad!!

Take the surveys on left side.

At least 319 ways

I am reminded of the Paul Simon song.

Alright!

Come back if I just lost you.

There are now, in Texas, at least 319 ways to connect with the recycle and remarket computer business through Dell’s work with Goodwill and Reconnect.

Look for Reconnect in your state.

Make a new plan . . .
then,
Go do it!

We would love to hear about your progress in the remarket business.

Watch for December 2008 business presentation in Round Rock Texas to be announced.

Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. - Jesus

Keeping hope

Finally.
I am unemployed.
Look for December business presentation in Round Rock TX announcement in next few days.

But, hey!! Everybody!
Always keep hope alive. Expect great things.

I strongly believe the Independent Enterprise Network model is the best, most effective and efficient means for establishing, strengthening or developing local enterprise relationships between independents and retailer/resellers in computer and apparel sales.

Judging by the readership of this blog I can see the interest in states other than Texas. We know Americans are struggling throughout our nation and it is my earnest desire to expand IE-Networks nationwide as quickly as possible.

We have witnessed some extraordinary and unprecedented actions by our government in the business sector. Repeatedly, we have heard those actions were not about what was popular, likeable or party policy, but it was what needed to be done.

The IE-Network model is not nearly as grand or as top-heavy as would require government or big business involvement. It does represent an opportunity for those willing to explore other viable, legal, moral and ethical options for conducting business while building up their community at the same time.

Be of good cheer, all.

G

Affordable computers in our economy

The next billion computer users

The major computer manufacturers in America are jumping into foreign markets to compete with the local guys like Lenovo and Acer for their piece of the pie. The rush is on to great affordable computers for developing countries. Some are surprised by the quickness with which those affordable products are being taken up by the next billion computer users in emerging nations. Of course, that has only intensified their decision for a even stronger drive into those low-income markets, because the simple truth is; small revenue returns from small items from millions and millions of buyers is much better than no sale, no revenue all the more given the present global economy.

While it pleases me to know people in those developing countries including emerging BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) markets I see no less an opportunity for entrepreneurs in America. Specifically, in the low-income consumer market in America. Major manufacturers are geared too high in price and their assumptions about this market segment to penetrate and compete successfully. Some personal observations I have encountered countless times living, working and interacting with these Americans might help to elaborate on that a little bit.

The multi-billion dollar low-income consumer market in America

As many people as are quick to confirm they own a computer an even greater number confess it doesn't work or it's too slow, too old. Then, there is a large number of them who do not own a computer because the price is out of their reach. Some have no desire to own one. Others do not know what they could possibly do with one. Still, others desire to own one with some uncertainty as to what they would do with it, but they cannot afford it. Even if they could scramble the financial resources to buy one they cannot justify such a large-sum expense. The fact is major computer manufacturers know of this multi-billion dollar low-income consumer market in America. As big a market as it is it is best accessed by the smallest sole proprietor, the entreprenuer. The smallest slice of that pie could well make a considerable difference of family income for some people.

There is no bank or retailer expected to provide a loan or a layaway option for these consumers. The best, workable option is in the very community in which they live. They are in the midst of a vertible network of technical know-how individuals and consumers. How do they connect and how do they help each other while at the same time provide a boost to our economy from the bottom up?

The IPC Plan

It's not a loan or layaway plan or government subsidy, but the IPC (Individual Part-purchase Control) Plan. It represents a way to break through even the lowest retail price barrier. There is no document or contract to sign. The IPC Plan is merely a practical concept of mutual benefit between two people.

You, the technician, hobbyist, engineer, direct the consumer with "grocery list" in hand to Goodwill, other thrift store, reseller or discount electronics retailer week after week, month after month for every part required for his system. The consumer controls his weekly, monthly purchase expenses as he can afford it.

• The consumer stores components in his home individual with parts inventory list.
• The consumer and you agree on a date when you will build the system, unload and install software.
• You build the system for the agreed upon fee.
• The consumer owns his computer debt-free.
• Total control of expenses by consumer

The parts inventory list is not only a running total of parts and cost, but the consumer can exercise his freedom to take it to anyone he chooses when he is ready to contract a builder for his system should the tech change residence, decline to build it or has become overwhelmed with too many orders.

What this involves is more than the consumer can ever expect from a retailer; a relationship between two members of a community. Some minor points of education would involve safe-guarding components from static electricity discharge and other careful handling reminders. In the end, the total cost of parts and your fee could exceed the cheapest system the consumer saw at the corner retailer. No, there's nothing wrong with this picture. Your neighbor, friend or client was well aware of his financial investment in the IPC Plan. The difference between the IPC Plan and a retail purchase is the consumer was able to absorb the cost into his daily living expenses. The expenses were in his total control.

Listening to opportunity

Independent Enterprise Networks enable members to connect with other techs as well as consumers. You determine the size and complexity of your project whether a private consumer or small business owner. Like the consumer, you, the networker determine how many separate client IPC Plans you have in your portfolio at any give time. The only financial expense is made by and controlled by the consumer. A local discount retailer or reseller may not be impressed, take notice or listen to one tech, but when they see the numbers involved with networks that has a way to make them listen to opportunity.

Get your information posted on the IC-TechNetwork.

Watch for IE-Network business presentation to be annouced for December 2008 in Round Rock Texas.

Borrowing change

I want to borrow a theme word from the election 2008 campaign for my own recurring theme: Change.

Specifically, that is change in the independent consultant / retailer business model relationship. Maybe you’re feeling our current economic crisis press on you for a “survive-to-thrive-again” mindset. What comes to mind, typically? Reduce your workforce? Reduce your expenses? These measures may be good for your business despite the wrenching gut-feeling from facing workers you esteem to dismiss them. Reducing your expenses involves less direct human interaction: Stop eat-out, take-out meal, seek out less a expensive source.

Again, these measures, from the business owner’s perspective, are good. However, the problem remains: You have not increased inbound cash flow. Who said you can’t increased cash flow in a recession (Yes, it’s time to face up to the r word . . .reality, too)? You ever notice in a “down” economy there’s always someone who’s buying when others are selling in a panic? One of the noteworthy responses to the global economic crisis was significantly different than other past regional economic downturns in the world. National leaders, in past regional economic downturns, scrambled to gain an edge for their country at the expense of their neighbor.

Independent Consultant Networks survive and thrive for people and because of people who survive and thrive only by helping others gain an advantage for themselves.

It’s the familiar adage: “What goes around comes around” with a mutual benefit twist for all.

Seven key elements of a local Network of consultants and retailers partnership represents:

1. A buyer bloc for fabric, sewing supplies, sewing machines retailers, sewing instructors, designers.
2. An ever-increasing source of talent to design and produce for local retailers no-inventory, low-cost customer-made apparel.
3. A ready source of low-procurement cost from local consultants.
4. A cost-free word-of-mouth advertising source in the form of consultants and retailers.
5. An ability to create and limit own fashion styles, own label.
6. A platform for ongoing discussion of ideas related to apparel, design techniques, fashion, vendor sources and more.
7. An ever increasing source of revenue, residual income and bonuses.

Lets network together for one another's benefit in order to survive today and thrive tomorrow.

Watch for business presentation announcement in early December 2008 in Round Rock TX.

Whiteboxes in Texas

I came across this interesting article with a long thread of responses.
You all know this topic is dear to my heart, but my heart sank like a rock as I made my way down the thread.

Look at Davidt’s message: Not In Texas, unfortunately
The time got away from me to post a timely reply to his message regarding whiteboxes being illegal in Texas as of September 2008. I did a bit of research and found it’s HB2417 to which he alludes. Bear in mind I am a layman in these matters and do not take what I say as a final word.

House Bill 2417 is an environmental law which will requires recycling of computers by manufacturers. The bill addresses the problem concerning whitebox (or, “no brand”) computers, namely, that they do not bear the manufacturers name. The bill, as I understand it, is not so much that whiteboxes are illegal, but that the manufacturer must identify itself as the manufacturer in some way even if by some means other than the manufacturers name. Ultimately, the law is about ensuring all computers are disposed of in legal, proper
compliance with Texas state law. Manufacturers are required to submit a recycling policy.

My personal (what else could it be, right?) of the law is that it focuses on manufacturers, not individual sole proprietors. If you advise your neighbor in the purchase of computer components over a three month period, assemble it, load software you have just manufactured a whitebox computer. If you built it for yourself that is a whitebox you manufactured. By all means, as a responsible citizen, turn it over to Dell, HP or retailer who are collection centers for recycling at no cost to you.

The Texas business climate is favors entrepreneurs. I believe our current economic times will
have laptop buyer parents looking at desktops for a better bargain. Yes, laptops are quite inexpensive. Desktops are even more. Whiteboxes even more, still.

Go’on. Build you one.

Whitebox Wonderland

Admittedly, I feel I should have got this one to you sooner. On the other hand, I feel vindicated about what I have been posting on this blog regarding the revenue potential for independent and small business custom system builders.

Read the article, Whitebox Wonderland by Damon Poeter

What are you doing in for yourself in the whitebox market?
What are you doing in the whitebook market?

Some early posts:

http://workingmannequin.blogspot.com/search/label/whitebook

http://workingmannequin.blogspot.com/2007/09/white-box-desktop-notebook-market.html


http://workingmannequin.blogspot.com/search/label/whitebox