Newsletter, July 2004

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear SBBA Members:

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer and what sun we have had so far.

I wanted to be certain that the members are aware of the fact that all job postings are and have been going to everyone for the last 6 months now. The job postings were limited to those attending the meetings because we were trying to encourage attendance and participation from the members and especially from those who have joined and we have not met. It is the purpose of the SBBA to exchange information, increase our contacts and educate ourselves through our peers. We are not a job placement agency. It is a benefit of membership that we can build our businesses through the job postings. It is not our focus. If you are looking for more work/clients please contact me directly so that I can further assist you. And as always any questions or concerns please feel free to email me, jen.loren@cox.net. I am grateful to be able to volunteer for the SBBA.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Loren

SECRETARY'S MINUTES

The regular monthly meeting of the Santa Barbara Bookkeepers' Association was held on Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at Mulligan's Cafe.

President Jennifer Loren opened the meeting and asked visitors and new members to introduce themselves.

Maureen Turk thanked Vicki St. Martin for taking on the duties of Treasurer for SBBA.

The Referral list was being circulated. Members were asked to verify their information.

Maureen won the free lunch next time.

For information about a Tax Seminar at Archibald & Spray, see Jennifer Loren.

Everyone was asked to respond to Brenda Richter's survey.

Karen Mora was the speaker at this meeting. Her topic was on EFTPS -- Electronic Federal Tax Payment System and she included information for filing with the State of California. Informational worksheets were distributed to everyone. Karen has used the system successfully and encouraged all to do so.

Paula A. Mauro, Secretary SBBA

don’t forget to rsvp if you’re coming to July meeting

E-mail to Jennifer Loren jen.loren@cox.net - be sure to put RSVP in the subject line of your e-mail. She must receive your response no later than the Friday before the meeting. For July that means July 16. This month’s meeting is a social.

Listed on our website (www.sbbaonline.org) you will find descriptions of the duties of each officer. If, after reading the descriptions, you’re ready to make the commitment to serve in one of these capacities for the next term, please give your name to our Nominating Committee as soon as possible.

If you have questions about the duties of officers and/or committee members, feel free to call or email any of the current officers.

Please send check no later than July 9^th, 2004 payable to QB Users Group, P.O. Box 3302, Santa Barbara, CA 93130 for $15.00 to reserve seat (food included).

Topic to be discussed will be “Customized Reports” please bring your most useful customized report to share with the group. See you there!

The Group is for ALL levels of QB users open forum for users to share experience, knowledge & support.

Adding value is the best way to gain a competitive advantage without sacrificing your profits.

Here are five quick tips for adding value to your customers’ business experience:

Routinely, ask your clients how you could better service their needs, find out what they want and respond to their suggestions.

Publish a newsletter to keep past and current clients informed of your offerings. Include valuable information that will keep it interesting.

"Try before you buy." Offer your customers samples of your products or services to give them a taste of what is available.

After sales follow-up. Find out if the customer is happy with their purchase. Offer additional services such as training or a maintenance warranty.

Let your customers or clients share their skills, tips, experiences with one another. Host a monthly forum and feature a guest speaker.

In an attempt to promote SBBA to the local financial professional community, The August 17, 2004 SBBA meeting will be “Bring a CPA to Lunch.” Each SBBA member may bring one CPA, EA (Enrolled Agent) or CFP (Certified Financial Planner.) Each member will pay for his or her own lunch and the “guest’s” (CPA, EA or CFP) will be free (SBBA will pay for the “guest’s” meal.) Each member and “guest” will briefly introduce themselves to the group. Members may come alone. The current referral list will be distributed at this meeting with hopes that we will make the CPA’s, EA’s and CFP’s once again aware of SBBA and increase referrals. The menu will be upgraded a bit and will feature a stuffed chicken breast, spinach salad and a nice dessert. Due to room capacity, there will be a limited number of seats and that the first people to respond will be allowed to attend. RSVP’s will be made via email to Jennifer (the email memo line must read “RSVP”) and the deadline will be August 5, 2004. Watch your mailbox for your special postcard invitation and RSVP quickly – hope to see you there!

The Santa Barbara Women's CPA Lunch Group has set an extraordinary event for August, and we feel that the members of SBBA would find great value in attending the event. Ron Baker, CPA will be the featured speaker.

Ron Baker, CPA is known throughout the world as a driver of change in the accounting profession. He is one of the founders of Verasage Institute, a think tank dedicated to professionals around the world. He is a frequent speaker and consultant to professional service firms on implementing Total Quality Service and Value Pricing. CPAs across the country and chartered accountants in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK are following Ron's teachings. He is also author of the bestselling (at one time it was number two on Amazon.com in New Zealand) marketing book written specifically for the professions, The Professional’s Guide to Value Pricing, now in it's fourth edition.

The August event will be focused on this book. While some of the primary focus is for CPAs most of Ron's concepts can be universally applied to all professional services, including CFPs, bookkeepers, corporate trainers, and other business consultants. So please consider attending this uniquely special event to learn how to change your strategic pricing model, as well as the opportunity to rethink the relationship you have with your CPA.

It is truly extraordinary to have someone of Ron's caliber to come to Santa Barbara.

The Firm of the Future a Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Other Professional Services

For anyone who loves puns…………

A highway patrolman pulled alongside a speeding car. He was astounded to see that the driver was knitting. Realizing that she was oblivious to his flashing lights and siren, the trooper cranked down his window, turned on his bullhorn and yelled, "PULL OVER!"

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: Sandy Stites prepared this month’s newsletter. Thank you as always for all your submissions! Next months newsletter will be prepared by Monica Dittrich.