ECL Consulting, LLC is dedicated to informing and educating our clients about business, accounting, QuickBooks and tax issues.
Our biweekly e-newsletter provides timely articles to help you manage
your business and finances and achieve your financial goals. Please come back and visit often.
As
a small business owner you wear many hats. With all the rewards and
responsibilities of ownership, it's no wonder that paperwork often
falls to the bottom of your list, along with organizing your office,
work flow and schedule.
If
you want to eliminate misplaced paper files, know exactly where you put
that document on your computer, have a clutter-free path to your desk,
and remember important deadlines and appointments every time, contact us to put ECL's Organizing Solutions to work for you!
Better yet - call us BEFORE you get stuck to free up your time & start saving money!
Arizona Withholding Changes Effective January 1, 2010
Senate Bill 1185 amended the amounts
required to be withheld for Arizona withholding purposes. Here is the Form A-4
that is effective on January 1, 2010. Please read this Information
Sheet for a description of the changes that will occur in the future regarding withholding here in Arizona.
Dear Client/Friend of ECL Consulting,
Successful small business owners know there is a delicate balance between customer service needs and maximizing profits. In an ideal world, attracting new customers and maintaining existing relationships happens in sync with a rise in profits. In reality, a low pricing strategy may increase customer interest but result in lost revenue, while a high pricing strategy may alienate customers. For help with determining the best pricing plan for your business, read our article below.
ECL Consulting, LLC'sBusiness Coaches work with business owners and
managers in the areas of business management, administration and strategic
planning to maximize the potential of the business and help owners realize
their dreams. By coaching you through every vital part of your business,
we help create the plan, inspired action and
measurable results to achieve your vision.
How Do I Make a Profit?
The rule of thumb to increase profits is fairly straight-forward: do your
research and sell your brand.
Do Your Research
Market
research: Market researchis
essential when it comes to pricing. Look at national, regional and local
industries to determine pricing baselines for your goods and services. On the
other end, find out the ceiling price - the highest price that customers are
willing to pay for your goods and services. An honest assessment of your
pricing baselines will help inform the decision of where your prices should fall.
Start your search online, looking for industry standards and
publications.
Factor in
All Costs: Remember to factor in all costs including office space,
equipment supplies and fringe benefits
like social security and health insurance, and environmental demands like legal and
tax constraints, when deciding on your pricing policy. If the price that you
would like to set does not meet these costs demands, you may want to reconsider
your pricing strategy or figure out a way to rectify your cost needs and
pricing goals. Learn more about developing a marketing budget for your small business.
Tip: You don't
have to hire a team of researchers or subscribe to costly trade publications to
access small business data and
statistics. The government provides free access to numerous facts and figures.
Sell Your Brand
Brand
Exclusivity: What makes your product or service unique? Why should
customers buy your product or service instead of a competitor's? Unique business
concepts and services may help protect your business from falling industry
prices because customers are more willing to pay higher prices for niche goods
and services they cannot find elsewhere.
Reputation: Develop a good name and reputation for your products and services.
Customers would be willing to pay more for a brand they trust and/or are more
likely to become repeat customers. Read more about how to get the customer service edge.
Based on an article by Christine Lai
Contact
ECL Consulting, LLC
today to schedule your initial consultation with a Business Planning
Coach and start building an effective plan for your business!
Ask
An Expert
Q: Will the mileages rates change for 2010?
A: The Internal Revenue Service has issued the 2010 optional standard mileage
rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for
business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2010, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car
(also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
50 cents per mile for business miles driven
16.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
The new rates for business, medical and moving purposes are slightly lower
than last year’s. The mileage rates for 2010 reflect generally lower
transportation costs compared to a year ago.
The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the
fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and
moving purposes is based on the variable costs as determined by the same study.
Independent contractor Runzheimer International conducted the study.
A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after
using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery
System (MACRS) or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle. In
addition, the business standard mileage rate cannot be used for any vehicle used
for hire or for more than four vehicles used simultaneously.
Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using
their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.
Ever have tax, QuickBooks or accounting question, but didn't know who to ask? Now you can Ask An Expert. Send us your questions and we'll answer it here.
QuickBooks Specials
A+ Consulting, LLC is offering the following promotions:
25% off QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 10.0
Up to 40% off QuickBooks Point of Sale 9.0 software and hardware
Have you enjoyed this newsletter? Have any suggestions for things you'd like to see covered? Have a question for our resident Accounting Expert? Let us know by emailing askexpert@eclconsulting.com.
Each issue will cover different topics and have different features, so watch for us every other Tuesday.
Remember, we provide accounting and cash flow solutions for successful companies -- yours!
Have any feedback about this email or our new website? Please Contact Us with your questions or comments and we'll be happy to extend a free 1 hour consultation to all new clients!
Know
anyone who could use ECL's services? When you refer someone who becomes
a client we will give you either $25 off our services or a gift card to
one of many great local businesses. *Please see Referral Rewards on our website for more information.
ECL Consulting, LLC
PO Box 57669
Tuson, AZ 85732 Phone: 1-520-843-2092Ext 1
Fax: 1-520-843-2092 info@eclconsulting.com
