How To Say Goodbye to a Good Employee

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Staff Editor

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye! The Sound of Music certainly made it seem easy to say goodbye if you use a jaunty little tune to accompany your adieu, but the reality is often very different when a beloved employee is moving on from their current job position to another place for various reasons. They might be retiring. Maybe they need to relocate for family or for a bigger salary. They might even be an intern who finished up the semester and is planning to intern at another position afterward.

No matter what the case, you can’t help but feel the sad sentiment creep up inside of you. You worked alongside this person on projects and deadlines and bonded over silly inside joke emails and group meetings. You probably got lunch together at some point and maybe even hung out outside of the office. They were a stable and dependable part of your life- and the business. That employee brought their own special touch to help aid the company in an invaluable way and ultimately left behind an imprint on your life and most likely the lives of others in the office who worked with them.

Here at MyCorporation, we value our associates and the energy and talent they bring to the office each day. Creating strong relationships together as a company unit as well as outside with our customers is important to us. There is a saying that many hands make light work and beyond just hands, many unique voices and personalities make companies light-hearted as well as trustworthy and down to earth. When you work with a great person who gives their all and goes above and beyond to shine, every day becomes an adventure together. Whether you’re breezing through the shining days together or weathering a storm of complications, you know you wouldn’t be able to do it all on your own.

Here’s how to send off that associate with all the best wishes.

Get together for a goodbye lunch Depending on how pivotal the role of the employee to the company is and the size of your company, you may want to invite the entire office along or at least those who worked within their department. If you are a fairly small business, you may just want to have lunch be a one on one session between the CEO and employee on the way out. Make the affair light-hearted while out together and recall great times together with plenty of laughter.

Offer to send along a written recommendation You can use a letter if you want, but these days it’s best to request for one to be used on your LinkedIn account. Future associates and employers (hey, you never know just how many career transitions you might have!) will be able to read that recommendation and see the type of work you are both capable of and the personality you bring along to the table.

Communicate often There aren’t many employers who appreciate unprofessional farewells from employees. For these situations, it truly does depend on the type of relationship the pair had together though. In many cases, the employee might believe they’re leaving with a bang by swearing at their former bosses and quitting on the spot, but in truth for many employers all it does is burn bridges. You never know whether or not you might encounter this person again later on in your life, so it is best to keep your emotions in check and exit as gracefully and dignified as possible. If your relationship together was strong, be sure to stay in touch. Email often, friend one another on Facebook, and check in with the others’ life as much as you can. An employee never has to wait for their boss to initiate the connection either- a little “how are you doing” email sent on the spur of the moment never fails to put a smile on your face!

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Awesome Affiliates: Hayley Hoverter of Sweet SerenDipItTea

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Staff Editor

Think back to when you were a sophomore in high school. Sneaking into the latest rated R flick seemed like the biggest venture in your life—what else could derive so much passion out of your young soul than sinfully indulging in an older activity? Hayley Hoverter, now 16 years of age, is an entrepreneur finding her way in the world of business with her inventive version of the sugar packet.

Feel bad about wasting your time sneaking in the back door of your local cinema? Yeah me too.

It is our pleasure to welcome the ever-promising Hayley in sharing her sweet, sweet story:

My LLC, Sweet SerenDipItTea, is a sales and marketing eco-friendly product company for soluble sugar packages. The product is sold to help eradicate the paper waste in cafes that would otherwise feed into landfills and contribute to pollution.

One of the biggest challenges that I have faced in starting my business is convincing people that I, as only a sophomore in high school, will be able to take on the “giants,” such as Splenda and Sugar in the Raw. From the beginning, I worried that I would be fighting an uphill battle.

However, I have a personal connection to my product that my competitors lack. When I was about six years old, my mother worked an opening shift at Starbucks. I went with her to work before school started. It seemed so clean and chic; business looking people would come in and order their drinks. I thought it was a representation of the trendy adult world. But I also remember that Starbucks’ popularity generated a never-ending flow of bags and bags of trash that had to be ushered out the back door. I remember that, next to the self-service station, trash was always taken out quickly, as if to keep it a secret from the customers.

Since I go to a business magnet high school, one of my electives this past school year revolved around a business plan competition. It was sponsored by NFTE, the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. I tried to channel my exposure to the ugliness of consumerism when I was younger into developing a business plan that demonstrates social awareness. As I was affected by the excessive waste in coffee shops, I felt that the class was my calling. I wanted to be the person who corrected this wrong.

Despite my drive and dedication to what my product was fighting for (saving the environment), I was shocked that I ended up winning four consecutive competitions. My success is greatly attributed to my mentors, who helped me discover my potential and “entrepreneurial spirit.” Brent Freeman, the founder of Roozt.com, was unyieldingly encouraging throughout the development of my business plan. His and others’ optimism helped me gain confidence in my abilities as a businesswoman and a philanthropist—which is the best gift I could have ever received. The expression “your network is your net worth” is relevant to me; it sums up my experience as an entrepreneur thus far.

I will be advancing to NFTE’s national competition in October of 2011 in New York City. I have a chance to win $10,000 (1st place) and to meet Obama. If I were to win 1st place, the money would go to starting up my business – making the first sales, covering overhead, etc.

I am grateful for this tremendous, enticing opportunity to learn about my community, businesses, and—most of all—myself.

Roozt.com is an online platform that connects socially responsible companies with highly interested consumers. Roozt partnered with NFTE and MyCorporation to teach and empower social entrepreneurs to start their companies and achieve their dreams.

Interested in becoming an affiliate with MyCorporation? Contact Cindi Sokoloff, Affiliate Manager at MyCorporation at (818) 746-2264 ext 320. Want to contact Hayley? You can reach her through Roozt and address your request to Melissa Levick- Business Developer.

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Stay Cool: Tips for How Offices Can Beat the Summer Heat

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Staff Editor

Calling the weather outside ‘hot’ is not a descriptive enough adjective anymore. More accurately we’re at a place somewhere between so scorching to the point where your face might melt off and Dante’s Inferno. All throughout the country, the temperatures and humidity keep raising the stakes to the point where the mere thought of leaving home is exhausting. Especially for those who awake to 80 degree temps already and only see them continue to keep rising throughout the afternoon…101…105…110…

Offices everywhere have been running their air conditioners nonstop and keeping cool environments available for sweaty employees, but for one pretty penny. With several cities suffering from power outages, overworking the thermostat has been discouraged in saving both power and money. Without sufficient AC, employees will undoubtedly be upset about the sticky situation at hand, but there are ways to cut down on the cost and stay relatively comfortable. Everyone think winter thoughts…

Stay Hydrated

Keeping plenty of water on hand is an absolute must. Many companies also feature ice machines in their fridges and freezers to further chill drinks with. While it’s easy to visit Starbucks and pick up a latte as a ‘wake me up’ morning perk, it’s better for your body and all-around disposition to get in those 8 daily glasses of crisp, cold water.

Fan Out!

Keep a stand-alone or desktop fan at your workstation if you happen to work in a crowded space or one that is tremendously hot. Real Simple magazine advises to also keep a shallow bowl of ice in front of your fan for an even cooler breeze- the melted ice that evaporates will be sure to bring you just enough frostiness for the long afternoon.

Go on a Field Trip

Take your office on an impromptu field trip out for some ice cream or frozen yogurt- ours does and it’s a big thrill for the entire office! And if you can’t take everyone out for sweet treats, bring them to the office and keep them in the freezer for everyone to enjoy on their breaks.

Dress Light

Hotter temperatures call for more relaxed and looser fitting clothing. If you have a fairly strict dress code, lighten it up for the summer. Bring on the shorts, skirts, sandals, and cotton shirts- remember cotton breathes and will allow your skin to feel cooler! But don’t use a lighter dress code to bare all. Keep it conservative when in the workplace. Use summertime to bring out shades of coral, lavender, and turquoise- punch it up at work with punchy shades!

Close the Blinds

Working next to a big window where the sunlight is zeroing in on you like a microscope? Close the blinds or drapes to keep the temperature of the room less stifling.

Let Your Computer ‘Sleep’

Don’t forget about your computer in the office! Depending on the size of the fan they have, you’ll find it smart to put your computer on sleep mode when you aren’t using it. On sleep mode, the computer will use less heat and won’t be at as much risk of overheating. Shut down your computer at the end of every day too, not just only on the weekends when you know you won’t be in the office.

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Awesome Affiliates: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished- 8 Things Every Nonprofit Should Know About The Laws In Soliciting Charitable Contributions

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Staff Editor

Count your financial blessings-this week’s affiliate is awesome for the money they save countless companies. Far too many small businesses pay far too much come tax season. We welcome Kent Seton, the founder of the Center for Nonprofit Creation, to share some tax savvy tips:

The Center for Nonprofit Creation has over 13 years of experience providing services to tax exempt organizations. The Center for Non Profit Creation is now the exclusive provider of customers for MyCorporation to help its clients get 501(c)(3) tax exempt status from the IRS and to comply with charitable solicitation requirements. But don’t forget that even after you obtain tax exempt status, there are laws that every charity should know about soliciting charitable contributions:

1. Your organization must be approved and registered by the IRS as a 501c3 organization in order to receive charitable funds. To do this, you must complete IRS Form 1023 – it typically takes 2-6 months to get approved.

2. In every state in which your organization actively solicit funds, you must comply with that state’s laws concerning charitable solicitations. This may mean registering with the state’s Attorney General and/or applying for tax exempt status with the state’s tax board. But remember that for most states, before you can even take these steps, you have to qualify to do business in that state with the Secretary of State (this is just like filing the Articles of Incorporation, but your organization will be filing as a “foreign” (i.e., out of state) organization).

3. More than 40 states require your organization to register with their Attorney General PRIOR to soliciting funds. This generally requires your organization to qualify to do business with the Secretary of State and then file an application with the state’s Attorney General. Remember to do this ASAP as many states charge extra for filing after you start soliciting charitable funds.

4. A state that requires your organization to register with its Attorney General may also require your organization to file annual renewals regarding your charitable activities. Such renewals vary by state, so do not forget to check with the state’s Attorney General to ensure you know any and all such requirements, and the filing deadlines associated therewith, up front!

5. In many states, charities must complete and file a report with the Attorney General PRIOR to conducting a raffle. Make sure you know your state’s requirements long before you are planning on holding a raffle as the filing times vary in each state and holding a raffle without registering could get your organization in big trouble.

6. Many states have their own taxes. Thus, you may be required to seek exemption from state business taxes in addition to the federal tax exemption. And if your organization is planning on engaging in sales, you should check whether your state requires a separate application for sales tax exemption too!

7. Many municipalities require that you get a permit PRIOR to engaging in any fundraising campaign. For example, in the City of Los Angeles, you must register with the L.A. Police Commission prior to engaging in a campaign or fundraising event. Make sure to check with your local agencies prior to an event to ensure you are in compliance with local laws.

8. You must provide each donor with a charitable receipt detailing information such as the amount and date of the donation, your organization’s EIN and full legal name, and the nature of the gift, among other things. But remember that your organization should never give tax or legal advice and reminding your donors of that in writing is always a good idea!

Our trusted partner, Center For Nonprofit Creation, can help you with the Secretary of State, Attorney General and state tax board filings mentioned above. Please call them at 310-557-0804 or visit their website at www.npcreation.com.

Interested in becoming an affiliate with MyCorporation or finding out more information about the Center for Nonprofit Creation? Contact Cindi Sokoloff, Affiliate Manager at MyCorporation at (818) 746-2264 ext 320

The information contained herein is not legal advice, please consult a legal professional for more information. Nothing herein shall be construed as constituting an attorney-client relationship.

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Summertime and… the Kids are Bored

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Staff Editor

Many states have begun to swelter underneath the summer sun, and it is around now that suburbanites and urbanites alike begin to see a long welcomed sight on their street corners; lemonade stands. Most parents will agree that kids always seem to need money, so it makes sense that the younger generations are looking at all possible avenues when trying to earn a little bit of spending money for the summer.

The Simpsons - "Lemon of Troy"

But some parents are a little hesitant. When is it the right time to let their kid start looking into starting a lawn mower business, or a lemonade selling operation? A lot of parents hope to raise children that know the value of a dollar, but it is understandable that some are apprehensive to push their kids out of the door to learn life’s hard lesson that money does not come easily. However, time and time again it has been seen that these little forays into the world of entrepreneurship typically do more good than harm. A recent article in the LA Times explored the benefits of teaching business skills to younger kids. Along with sharpening their skills with addition and subtraction, a summer foray into the business world can also teach public speaking, marketing, and give young business owners a boost in confidence as they see their idea take off.

Keep in mind that they don’t have to go into this alone either. If your kids want to sell some lemonade out of the family’s cooler, take it as an opportunity to work together as a family towards a particular goal. Set an amount you want to aim for; even if you are absorbing the initial costs of the low-revenue operation, having a defined point you want to reach, and passing it, gives kids something to be excited about and a reason to continue trying to sell five cent cups of lemonade to neighbors.

If your child is a little older and is trying to follow another avenue to untold riches, try to help out where you can. Offering to buy gas for the lawn mower, or soap to wash cars, can mean a lot when there isn’t a lot of money to be made to begin with. The initial groups that most entrepreneurs ask for funding from are the 3 F’s; Friends, Family and Fools. From a lowly lawn mowing business to a potential billion dollar silicon valley start up – everyone needs help when they are getting started. The trick is to offer support when it is needed, and step back when it is not.

While an allowance is good enough to get the house cleaned, starting a business, no matter how small, has a lot more weight behind its lessons. It isn’t you giving your kids money, it is your friends and neighbors paying them for a service. There are plenty of people, if asked, who will give their own stories about summertimes spent trying to scrape together a bit of money by doing odd jobs in that awkward time between it being socially acceptable for them to sponge off of their parents and when they were expected to find an actual job over the summer. So give your own kids a little push in the right direction, and bask in the new found wealth you will have once they stop asking for money to go to the mall.

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"Monday morning. Time to pay for your two days of debauchery…"

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Staff Editor

Happy Monday everyone. As I sat here wondering what to write this blog post about, I reflected on an episode of The Simpsons I watched wherein Homer, in his new position as food critic, cries out “Aaw! it’s so hard to get to 500 words…” while attempting to write a review. I then realized how useful much of what Homer has said and done can be when applied to small businesses. So, as some easy reading this Monday, here are five business tips courtesy of Homer J. Simpson.

1. A good assistant can make all the difference – “Simpson and Delilah”

Karl:
You don’t belong here. You’re a fraud and a phony, and it’s only a matter of time until they find you out.
Homer:
Gasp! Who told you?
Karl:
You did. You told with me with the way you slump your shoulders, the way you talk into your chest, the way you smother yourself in bargain-basement lime-green polyester.

There are two great lessons we can learn from Homer’s foray into hiring an assistant. The first is that a lime green suit looks good on no man, regardless of how much hair is on his head. The other is to know what you need in an employee. Before you call in all of those potential applicants, draft up what you want to see in them.

Dynamic? Focused? A little withdrawn? A multi-tasker?

Homer needed someone to push him towards his potential, and hopefully you have an office environment that encourages the same thing. While your new hire probably shouldn’t mock what you are wearing, a little bit of pre-interview prep can make all of the difference in choosing your next employee.

2. Sometimes, you just need to step back and crack open a Tab – “King-Size Homer”

Homer:
[reading screen] “To Start Press Any Key”. Where’s the ANY key? I see Esk, Catarl, and Pig-Up. There doesn’t seem to be any ANY key. Woo! All this computer hacking is making me thirsty. I think I’ll order a TAB. [presses TAB key] No time for that now, the computer is starting.

Homer’s excellent comedic timing sometimes shadows the pearls of wisdom created by his reactions to the world around him. Mr. Simpson may not completely understand how to use a computer, but he does not panic. Instead, he takes a step back and collects himself. Analyzes his situation, every possible move being weighed in his mind, like a grand-chess master hoping to corner his opponent. And then, when he can find no path, he steps back and decides to crack open an arguably delicious Tab Cola.

It is that reaction away from the problem that brings Homer to its solution. Whenever you are sweating a deadline, or are hung up on a project, take a quick walk to your kitchen and grab something to drink. A few seconds away from the stress can do wonders to unclutter your mind.

3. You can always take the time to improve yourself – “Homer Goes to College”

Homer:
Woo-hoo! I’m a college man! I won’t need my high school diploma any more! I am so smart! I am so smart! I am so smart! I am so smart! S-M-R-T! I mean, S-M-A-R-T…

Homer is in his mid to late thirties, depending on the season and the writer; well past what we would consider the “college going age.” But here he is in all of his glory, destroying his GED, which has gotten him jobs ranging from Kwik-E-Mart part timer to Astronaut, as he prepares to embark on a quest for a college degree.

Homer was simply not satisfied… and was being threatened with termination from the nuclear plant. At any rate, he shows all of us that it is never to late to try and improve ourselves, or our business. Your company may be wildly successful in its field, but you shouldn’t just settle on that. If you can, look to expand to other shores and other products in an attempt to make your business even better.

4. Know the power of a Name – “Homer to the Max”

Homer:
[Homer is buying a shirt] … And I want the monogram to read “M-a-x P-o-w…”
Store Clerk:
Sir, traditionally, mongrams are just your initials.
Homer:
Max Power doesn’t abbrieviate! In his name, each letter is as important as the one that preceded it. Maybe even *more* important… No, *as* important.
Store Clerk:
Fine.
Homer:
And if there’s any room left, add a bunch of exclamation points and a pirate flag!

When Homer changes his name to Max Power after a TV show destroys all the credibility and goodwill attached to Homer Simpson, he heads into town to get his new title forever emblazoned on a new shirt. And he isn’t willing to simply settle on two simple letters; he knows he has to push his brand. Max Power. And a pirate flag with some exclamation points.

Homer knows the power of a name, and so should you. Your company’s name and logo is its brand, and with them comes all the hard work you put into marketing and establishing trust with your customers. While I wouldn’t recommend any pirate flags or gratuitous punctuation, you should follow Homer and try to get that brand more recognition. Also, be sure to protect your company with a trademark or a copyright, or else you too may have to think of something new, and it may not be as cool as Max Power.

5. Find love in your work – “Das Bus”

Marge
Is that my good butter?
Homer
Can’t discuss that now, Marge! I have to write another delicious memo!
(Homer takes a pencil from the butter and licks it.)
Homer
Mmm… memo…

Finally, Homer reminds us to love our work, or at least find the small things that make life enjoyable. Memos are terrible, monotonous little reminders of work that have to be carefully formatted and edited. But Homer, in his wisdom, links the headache of paperwork with the deliciousness of pure butter.

It really is the little things that get us through the day. You should enjoy your work, and enjoy what you do. So grab a nice cold Tab, some monogrammed shirts, a bit of butter and a donut with some purple in the middle; after all, purple is a fruit.

Have a great week everyone!

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Clearing the Clutter: How to Feng Shui Your Workplace

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Staff Editor

As the social media manager here at MyCorporation (oh hey there readers, I’m the one who works at keeping the blog updated every week, nice to meet ya!) I recently had a problem at my desk. I really like Post It notes and use them on a daily basis to keep myself reminded of what I need to do. For a couple of months, it was Post It city all over my desk. Pinned on the corkboard, taped next to my laptop, stacked into a pile when I finished a certain task. But then they started to trail down from my business card box to my tape and staplers, to my cup, and finally all the way down next to my computer. In some cases, they found their way on my computer screen. Post Its everywhere.

It wasn’t just Post Its though. I had pins, pens, Sharpies, and paper clips holding papers together everywhere. For someone who is known for being pretty neat and tidy, it was a weird transformation. So much paper. If you didn’t see my BlackBerry and iPod jutting out on top of the paper clip box, you’d think it was the 1990s up in here.

On Wednesday, I was working on a blog post when the clutter just overcame me. I’m not sure what spurred it. I think I looked over at my affiliate pile and saw an old one from a month ago still there. On the top. Immediately I stopped what I was doing and in the words of Prince, I decided to go crazy because I had to get through this thing called life. Life in the workplace needs to be organized and pulled together and in my life, it also needs to be aesthetically pleasing and easy to relocate.

For the next couple of hours, I took to my desk. I dusted all of the dusty crevices and tidied up like none other. Old docking stations I didn’t use I unplugged and filed away. Thumb tacks were gathered up and tossed into a bin container. And those Post Its were both thrown out, with the tasks I still needed to work on written up on a larger Post It version. It was feng shui at its finest- the space was now open and airy, with a better, lighter energy flowing through it. Once I finished there, I took organization to internal heights by going through my entire Outlook system and filing everything I had into the proper folder. The end result? I could now see significant chunks of my desk. It’s brown apparently. Okay, it wasn’t that cluttery but still. Having all of my materials filed away and organized to open up the desk allowed me to focus a bit more without being distracted by a tiny piece of Post It hanging off my laptop screen or an elbow landing into a pile of notebooks.

Feng shui itself is the art of spatial arrangement that positions objects to receive a better flow of energy. I’m no expert on the precise balance of yin and yang for achieving pure energy aura in the workplace but here were a few tips I took to cleaning out my clutter.

If You Don’t Need It, Throw It Out

Simple as that. You know the term pack rat? Someone who hoards and hangs onto every single note and paper scrap ever? Highly impractical for millennials to really partake in anymore with our world slowly phasing out paper in favor of Word documents. I use the Post Its because they are small but after you’re done with a task, feel free to toss them out. I imagine the majority of the important information you need is mostly kept in your email inbox- and this rule applies there too. Throw out all old junk mail or emails that you truly do not need anymore. A digital pack rat is still the same as a regular pack rat.

Bring in Some Color and Personality

I make collages. They are my version of framed photographs of loved ones. My loved ones are all editorials from fashion magazines, cut and styled to look like a new kind of advertisement. My collages currently hang in front of my laptop and off to the side is a pile of magazines, fanned out where I and my interns have had articles we’ve written published. I keep them handy in case anyone asks to see some of our published work. I do a similar thing with my business cards.

Some jobs don’t allow for you to jazz up your desk, but the majority of them don’t have a problem with it so long as it work appropriate. Bring along a framed photo of your best friend in a fun frame. Use Post Its in tropical shades and thumb tacks in see-through Day Glo. If you prefer a more nuanced look head in that direction with lighter shades. Bring yourself to work- what you like and what motivates you! Keep business cards at the ready to hand out to clients and if you happen to have them, fan out magazines whenever possible- makes it easier to reach out and pull one free without causing a mess.

If You Know There’s A Mess, Fix It. Now.

Don’t wait on this one. It’s one thing to be messy in the privacy of your own home but at work? You’re representing the company and the brand- step it up and stay on top of your game. If you wait on it, your mess will only grow and garner some unwanted attention from both coworkers and bosses alike. Taking the time to clean up means that you care about the place you work in and want it to look groomed and well put together. Organize everything the way that you would best be able to work with it too- this is not the time to model yourself after the employee of the month. Staying on track and functional are both key at being successful at work- and a line of Post Its like ants won’t help you get there.

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Awesome Affiliates: Olivier Lemaignen of BlackDiamondSearch.com

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Staff Editor

This week, we are lucky enough to have a contributed post from Olivier Lemaignen of BlackDiamondSearch.com who, along with being the founder of Black Diamond Search and an excellent marketing strategist, also has the distinction of being the winner of our Facebook iPad giveaway. In his post, Olivier shares what life was like after being laid off, despite having helped the company he worked for become a shining example in the Search Marketing industry, and charging into the unknown in order to create his own business. Even if your own company is in an entirely different industry, the snags, solutions and advice he gives is easily applicable to anyone hoping to build their brand and their business.

It was a Matter of Circumstances

I was asked recently why I decided to start my own company. At first I really didn’t know what to answer other than “it was a matter of circumstances.” To help you understand what I mean, I’d have to take you back a couple of years. I had been working at a major ($3 billion+ in revenue) Silicon Valley software company for seven years, had been handsomely rewarded for my performance and even recognized with a “Marketer of the Year” award presented by the founder. This award was specifically for my contributions in the field of Search Marketing, having taken the company from laggard to a recognized thought leader in the industry. To make a long story short, new management came in, decided to “throw out the old” and… there I was, being laid off despite an impeccable record. This whole experience really made me question whether, in the long run, I wanted to depend on the whims and politics of a corporation versus take my future a touch more into my own hands.

Thankfully, I had a new job lined up before my previous employment ended. The benefit of working hard, delivering results and never burning bridges was brought to life in a very tangible way. To me, these three topics are linked respectively to a strong work ethic, skill in your craft and the understanding that people are key when it comes to your career. After all, you probably spend more time with co-workers than with your family so your professional relationships matter (LinkedIn’s recent IPO is a testament to just how much your professional network matters). Contrary to common belief, “burning bridges” is not something you do with a company. It’s something you do with some or all of the people who work there. And the majority of these people will likely work somewhere else eventually, quite possibly at a corporation where you’ll be seeking employment (or new business) in the future. The question to ask yourself BEFORE doing something that will burn a bridge (yes, it was quite tempting to me too) is this: how do your actions reflect on your character and how will people remember you?

A couple of folks on my team had similar thoughts about wanting to break free from politics and we decided to start Black Diamond Search. We felt strongly that our experience delivering outstanding results for multiple business units of a large and diverse company was not that different from delivering outstanding results for multiple smaller businesses. We had the fundamentals nailed, had proven results, brought over 5 decades of direct response to the table, and had a passion for search marketing.

So we took the plunge.

Step 1: Find a name for our company.

This sounds easy but it’s not. We started out with a company name that sounded good to us but made our first potential client chuckle during the introductory call. That experience triggered the search for a new name which brought us to Black Diamond Search (or BDS). I was speaking at Mediapost’s Search Insider Summit in Park City, UT at the time. I’m a downhill fanatic and that’s how BDS came to be: a name that conveys both complexity and the skill needed to master it (for the non-skiers out there, “black diamond” indicates the steepest and most technically challenging downhill ski slopes.)

Here are some tips on “pressure testing” a name for a new business:
- Put yourself in the shoes of your first client, banker, accountant, or employee – how would you react to your company’s name?
- Do you have a story behind how you came up with the name? It makes for a good ice breaker and the question is bound to come up eventually.
- Avoid “cute” and “filled with testosterone”, unless it applies to your type of business.

Step 2: Get the LLC formed.

I had worked with my previous team on MyCorp’s Paid Search and SEO efforts so I already knew about the company. In the process, I had been exposed to their passion for helping new businesses with all the legalities of getting started. Plus, the price was right… so choosing MyCorporation was a no-brainer. This was my first experience starting a company and one of my business partners took care of most of it, but I was surprised by how fast the process went with MyCorporation and then how long it took with the State. My tip: start early and be sure that your name is available PRIOR to investing in steps 3 through 5. Otherwise, you’ll waste both your time and your money.

Step 3: Create a brand identity

This was a fun experience! It was a step that made us feel we had something tangible, more than typed words on a legal document. We had a logo, a font type, a PowerPoint template and business cards – physical proof that we now owned a business! Starting a company is serious business, but we also chose to focus on the fun elements. We drew energy and enthusiasm from these moments, which we then turned around and re-invested into other to-dos. To have our logo and collaterals created, we turned to the referral from a designer friend. We instantly felt comfortable with the recommendation and were able to focus on the task at hand rather than second-guessing the decision.

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Monthly Archives: July 2011

How To Say Goodbye to a Good Employee

Awesome Affiliates: Hayley Hoverter of Sweet SerenDipItTea

Stay Cool: Tips for How Offices Can Beat the Summer Heat

Awesome Affiliates: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished- 8 Things Every Nonprofit Should Know About The Laws In Soliciting Charitable Contributions

Summertime and… the Kids are Bored

"Monday morning. Time to pay for your two days of debauchery…"

Clearing the Clutter: How to Feng Shui Your Workplace

Awesome Affiliates: Olivier Lemaignen of BlackDiamondSearch.com