The Everyman’s guide to Black Friday…

Named for the day stores and retailers start “getting in the black” or turning a profit for the year.  Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving.  It is notorious for frustratingly long lines, huge crowds, and limited discount merchandise.  Despite this, it’s a highly anticipated occasion as shoppers hunt for amazing bargains and hope they’ll get incredibly low process for more expensive items.  Here are a few helpful suggestions for surviving Black Friday:

Know what you want before heading out. 

If you have no idea what you want, question your purpose in heading out onto the crowds at the mall.  Without a plan, it will be tempting to spend money you don’t have on items you don’t really need.  It’s better to have a plan in mind or you could be using the day more constructively.

• • If you’re shopping for gifts make a list of all the people you’re planning on buying for.  You can keep track of who gets what by creating an organized shopping method.
• • If you are buying for yourself or your home make a list.  Be as specific as possible think about what you have that is out of style, ill-fitting, etc.  The same goes for home purchases.  Avoid wandering along in hopes of finding “things” to add to your kitchen or other areas of the house.  Think about what is broken, missing or that needs upgrading.

• Have a budget.  If things are tight a budget is a must.  Even if things are not tight a budget will help you control impulse purchases.  Decide how much money you have to spend and stick to that amount.

Read More “Surviving Black Friday….”

Understanding Conscious Capitalism…

The idea that a growing economy benefits all classes has a long history of acceptance. It has been embodied in political mystery for the past half-century, regardless of party, John F. Kennedy is credited with the saying, “A rising tide lifts all boats.”

Conscious Capitalism is a fast growing global movement around a business philosophy that has four key characteristics:

Higher Purpose –  Business can and should be done with a higher purpose in mind, not just with a view to maximizing profits. A compelling sense of purpose creates an extraordinary degree of engagement for stakeholders and creates organizational energy.

Stakeholder Orientation – Conscious businesses are managed for the simultaneous benefit of all of their stakeholders, represented by the acronym SPICE: Society, Partners, Investors, Customers, and Employees. A conscious business aligns the interests of all stakeholders, so that what is good for one is good for all.

Conscious Leadership – Driven primarily by service to the company’s purpose rather than by power or money, conscious leaders lead by mentoring, motivating, developing and inspiring people, not through command-and-control.

Conscious Culture –  Defined by the acronym TACTILE: Trust, Authenticity, Caring, Transparency, Integrity, Learning and Empowerment, the word tactile also suggests values of these.companies are tangible to their stakeholders as well as to outside observers; you can feel the difference when you walk into a conscious business versus one that is purely driven by a profit motive and just for the benefit of shareholders.

Above all, conscious capitalism involves integrity and higher standards.  It’s a growing and powerful movement that is becoming a norm in businesses small and large.

By Jack Stieber –  President – American Receivable