Rugger Owned Update

Here's a couple of updates to the Rugger Owned business list. We're a very diverse bunch, and obviously smart and talented, as evidenced by the variety of businesses that ruggers own and operate.

John Scheef III is one of the senior partners in a Dallas, Texas based law firm called Scheef & Stone, LLP. They have 34 attorneys and are a general business law firm. John is also a retired, non-playing member of the Dallas Harlequins RFC and President of the Dallas Harlequins Foundation which is a charitable organization supporting the Dallas Harlequins.

Joe Ting's company is called RampageRugby. The concept is aimed at improving and helping everyone involved in the game, be it players, Coaches, Refs and promoting the game in the not so main stream rugby countries, i.e. Spain, Portugal etc.. His site includes an injury clinic, which is specific for rugby injuries.

Good luck guys!

Giving Back - A Guest Post

Today is a big day for Let's Talk Business! We have our very first Guest Blogger. Jeff Thomas of Ideal Computer Systems, Inc. wrote the following article titled The Benefits of Investing in Your Community. It is a timely article because during the last interview I did for my upcoming book the gentleman I spoke with talked about how his company donates resources to the city and state Civil Defense organizations and why that's good business.

Here at Let's Talk Business! we (meaning me, since we is me) don't try to sell you anything or endorse any products or services for personal or monetary gain. This article fits in well with the focus of this blog so I am happily posting it. Plus, Wendy over at Your Scrumhalf Connection has several guest bloggers and interns and if I can make any small progress in making my blog as good as hers, I'll give it a try. Thanks Jeff.

Here's Jeff's article:

The Benefits of Investing In Your Community

We’ve all seen them: the small print shop that is sponsoring this summer’s Little League team, the bakery that donated bread and muffins for the town’s Walk for Breast Cancer, or the record shop that puts on free concerts every weekend for local teens.

As a small business owner, you’re in a unique position to really give back to the community you live in. Sure it feels great to do something good for your town. But can it pay off?

The good news here is that yes, it can, in several different ways. If you go about it the right way.
One of the greatest benefits to being involved with your community is that people will start to recognize your business. And in their minds, your business name will be tied directly in with the good feeling of charity. The two concepts, your business and goodwill, are directly linked. When it comes to name recognition and customer loyalty, this is a very good thing.

Another benefit to investing in your community is the sense of satisfaction you get from doing it. You can’t measure the feeling of giving back in dollars and cents, but it’s amazing the boost it can give not only to you, but to your employees as well.

Many large companies, like Google and Tom’s of Maine, give their employees one paid day per month to volunteer however they like. This is a huge perk in those companies, and the employees say it’s a big morale booster.

If you want to make sure your customers know about your involvement then make sure you advertise it. If you send out a monthly newsletter, then showcase what you did and include plenty of pictures.

Another way you can highlight your efforts is to call your local paper. For example, many businesses will donate a portion of their sales for a month to a local charity, and newspapers love to run these features. This is free publicity for your business.

If you become involved in a larger event, then make sure your business name is displayed as prominently as possible. Invest in banners and t-shirts, and have plenty of brochures on hand to pass out to people.

Community involvement is a great way to give back, feel great about what you’re doing, and get some publicity for your business in the bargain. And don’t forget, most of the time you can write off your expenses as a tax deduction.

Guest post by Jeff Thomas of Ideal Computer Systems Inc. http://www.idealcomputersystems.com/

Someday I'll Be Famous

I have a column in this new Supply Chain magazine in Vietnam, Vietnam Supply Chain Insight. I just received the first two issues. Of course, I can't read my own articles, but that's my name there. I can't read the Russian edition of my book either. Is there a trend here?

I title the column The Supply Chain Begins With You, but I really have no idea if they use that or not.

I wish the magazine great success, and I hope I can contribute to that success. The magazine is very well done. It looks very good. I wish I could read it.

And doesn't that fellow on the cover of the first issue look suspiciously like me?

Hawaii Youth Rugby Update

It looks like Hawaii Youth Rugby is really picking up steam. Just received an update today:

Starting December 17th we will have games in Maui against the U17 California All Star team, Honolulu on Saturday Dec.19th and the Big Island (TBA).

Saturday, February 13th ..... Papakura HS. from New Zealand vs Hawaii U17's

March 14th til the 20th .... St Marys and St Johns HS from Canada are here in Honolulu.

Tuesday, April 13th ..... Napier HS. from New Zealand vs Hawaii U17's

... a possible 3 mainland teams to play in the Hawaii Youth Rugby Invitational, March 24th to the 27th 2010.

Hawaii Youth Rugby season on Oahu starts January 9, 2010.

Keep up the good work everyone!


*pinched this photo off the web from some blog.

Just keep getting better

I just keep getting better. I've moved up from the boring wooden plaque to this lovely crystal sculpture award. Though they still can't get the PPR right.

Go me!

The Best?

Apparently, I'm the Best! All I have to do is pay and somebody will list me somewhere. I like the "framed" certificate.

Update

Got another Rugger Owned Business to add to the list. Group 2112 is a furniture dealer in New York City. They serve the city and surrounding areas and even around the country. Their website looks good. Check them out.

I've also updated my photo, in case you haven't noticed. This is my good side (according to me).