June 18, 2009
James T

Tim
With Obama’s Czars for everything, including business, why would anyone WANT to start a business that may, at any time, be told by the Business Czar how much they can pay employees, or even worse, how much they themselves can make, or have the Government take over the business?  Also, since the Government now owns the majority of G.M., and WE are the source for the money used to take control of G.M., when will we start getting our dividends?  Surely the money that will be made by G.M. won’t go into Government coffers, will it:-)?

Hello James,
While I agree with you that the crush of socialism is discouraging, it is CRITICAL that you do not throw in the towel.  Just think of it like a football game.  Sure, it may be the fourth quarter and you may be down by two touchdowns… but don’t quit.  Don’t give up.  Heck, take heart in the comedy of the situation.  The idea of our federal government owning controlling interest in GM makes me laugh out loud.  Just imagine a bunch of federal government employees trying to make profitable decisions in one of the MOST competitive industries in the world!  What a joke.  And yes, I realize that YOU and I will be paying for this folly.  But remember, the best weapon against socialism is “underground capitalism”… and believe it or not, but the times we’re in right NOW are offering some of the best opportunities for small business.  But if you give up, well…you’ll never even see these opportunities.
-Tim
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June 18, 2009
Mike B

Tim
In addition to being a loyal USCCA member, I’m the secretary of our local civic association.  We’re struggling with community apathy and low membership.  People only come out to our meetings when they want us to fix a problem on their own block, then we hardly ever see them again.  We want to develop some marketing strategies to increase membership.  Do you think the same principles and tactics that work for commercial businesses also apply to nonprofit, civic groups?

Hi Mike,
Short answer.  YES! Long answer.  The reason the same principles and tactics will work for business AND non-profit groups is because the common element is the involvement of HUMANS!  The human species is biologically selfish.  This is not bad or good… it just IS.  This concept is the foundation of the age-old marketing acronym WIIFM (What’s In It For Me?).  The first thing you ought to do is to educate your prospects as to WHY they might want to be more involved in the community.  What specific benefits will they experience if there was more community involvement?  Mike, have you thought about creating some sort of intra-community competition?  Also, be sure to be strategic about this.  Don’t forget that you’ll only have to really light a fire under a handful of your “front-line” activists… and these “front-liners” will lead the rest.

Give others ownership of the community, encourage and PUBLICLY praise their efforts.

Good luck!

 
Tim Schmidt