In The SwingBy CliveGolf BallsI used to tease the heck out of my Dad for using old golf balls when hitting over water. But he did it anyway. Parents never listen. My Dad would get to a water hole; a hole where the shot needed to carry a pond or a creek. Into his bag he would go and out would come the oldest, the yellowest, the flakiest golf ball you could ever imagine. The only way it could have

I would like to introduce you to a new contributor to the blog. Clive, a golf instructor for nearly 20 years, who now writes full time about the game. He will be submitting a weekly column - in the swing. Advice and tips for all you avid golfers.You too can be a contributor of helpful advice. Send me an email from the contact form on tjkfinancialaccounting.com with details about your

It's all about you!

You can have the best employees in the world but the reason most clients will start to do business and stay with your business is because of you. This business was your brainchild, is your heart and soul, you who makes or loses money...no one should be more invested in your business than you. But sometimes, it's not just working hard. It's working smart.







For example, you could try to save your business some extra dollars by doing all of the office work yourself. But if you are out in the barn, instead of in the office, you can connect with clients and employees. Checking in with clients may result in additional lessons, training or showing and can certainly result in more revenue for your business than whatever you'll save working in the office. You don't have to hold big parties or give great Christmas gifts. It can be as easy as taking a couple of photos of great moments in a lesson and e-mailing them to the student (or student's parents) later on.







Clients want to be treated "professionally". By dressing appropriately and focusing on your clients' needs, you show that you value the time and money that they are spending on your business.







You can also create goodwill by being approachable when you are away from home. Potential clients frequent the rail to watch how you interact with your students and horses in training. But be sure that potential clients can identify who you are by jackets, saddle pads, etc with logos that are easily readable from a distance. Check with your showing association to see what is allowed.







Try to find high exposure opportunities to which you can donate your time - clinics to benefit a cause, speaking at your breed or show association, etc. The return on your time will be rewarding to your business in terms of good PR and eventually, in dollars of revenue as well.







In the end, EVERY business decision you make (and remember, not making a decision is really making a decision not to act) effects the bottom line of your business. Represent your business well and work smart and you'll get monetary as well as personal satisfaction from your career.

Even the most diligent employees won't watch over your money as carefully as you do. So if you aren't responsible for all of the purchasing decisions at your farm, you need to create incentives for employees to make cost-conscious purchases. The easiest way to do this is to set an annual budget for each type of recurring purchase - feed and grain, supplies, maintenance, etc. The budget should be attainable and realistic and there should be some reward to the person responsible for purchases (e.g. barn manager) for coming in at or under budget. Suggest possible strategies for reaching the budget goals - purchasing in bulk, buying generic rather than name brands, etc. Require that any major changes be subject to your review before making the change. You want to save money but you don't want to replace a satisfactory product with an inferior one.

Another way employees can help save you money is by following established safety procedures. Accidents or injuries due to an employee neglecting to follow established safety rules will be reflected in increased rates for your workers compensation and general liability insurance. If your worker is injured, it will cost you money in the form of additional labor costs, possible reimbursement of medical costs and even potential lawsuits.

Is it possible to utilize your workers to do some of non-income producing work that you currently do? If you could be producing income but are instead stuck behind a desk, that's a lost opportunity cost. For example, if you can find a suitable substitute, you can hand over responsibility for monthly invoicing of clients and start teaching more lessons yourself. Finding a suitable substitute may mean hiring a part-time bookkeeper at an hourly rate less than what you'll be making teaching lessons. You'll be making more than you are spending for the bookkeeper and you'll be interacting with clients, where you belong.

Ask your employees for suggestions for cost-saving measures. They may notice poor quality or waste that is costing you money. They see a side to your business that you may not and can be a great source for ideas. Also, including your workers in the decision-making process is great for team-building and instilling a greater sense of responsibility.

Your employees can be a drain on your business or a resource for your business. It's up to you to create a work environment to benefit you both.