What Yael and Jason have done is travel around the world, and adapt world cooking to a kosher kitchen.  However as a working couple, they have managed to keep the recipes simple and quick!

I was very impressed!

The book is not available in stores.  It can be ordered from their website,

http://newlywedkosher.com/

I know they are in the process of researching for their next book.  I for one cannot wait!

This is a call to action!  The Cultural Center of Puerto Rico needs your help!  They have a facility in Kissimmee, FL which provides various services for local residents in Osceola and Polk Counties.  They feed the homeless, help people get jobs, a resource center for people in need of basic necessities, healthcare, and other needs.

The entire structure is built on donations by the members.  There are no salaries.

They are in need of sponsors!

There is more information available by calling (407) 575-1300.

I am starting to acquaint myself with more social media.  Please follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/ sleichner. I don't tweet alot.  I use it to update my followers when I have posted a new blog entry.  Or if I need to get out a mass message quickly.

Communication is still the lifeblood of business!

Steve

This has been an exhausting week!  Universal Studios, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT!

It's always great when family comes to town.  My brother and sister and their families arrived last week and we have been non-stop since.

I should mention that I suffer from chronic Peter Pan Syndrome.  This means that I won't grow up! 

If you spend all of your time working, you will throw your life out of balance.  I just spent 4 days in the parks playing.  Physically, I am exhausted.  Mentally, I am renewed.  There is a lot of work to be done, and I am ready to face it.

All work and no play makes me a dull boy.  Work hard and play hard!  It is really important to get in the play time, to help your business grow!

This advice may seem trite, but it is one of the secrets to my business running successfully for over 20 years.

Do You Have A Plan???

Building a business is like building a staircase.

To build a staircase, you start with a general concept .  You then inspect your current space. You figure out if the staircase will fit into the space.  You have an engineer draw an architectural rendering of how it will look.  You figure out stress points, strengths and weaknesses in the structure.  You figure out the materials and labor needed. You set a work model.  You build the staircase. You periodically check for loose stairs and flaws and fix them.

To build a business, you start with a general concept.  You look at the current environment.  You figure out if the new venture will fit into the environment.  You create a business plan.  You do a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Threats & Opprotunities) analysis.  You do a marketing strategy. You do an implementation strategy.  You open/modify your business.  You periodically check your progress and adjust as needed.

In other words,

Create a Business Plan!

Here we go!  The ball dropped less than 48 hours ago, and life is back to "normal!"  I am knee deep in websites, accounting, marketing and all of the other wonderful services my companies provide.  The post office has me on hold for API shipping issues.  My bank has me on hold for Quickbook issues.  My printer has me on hold for marketing issues.  I can't wait til Monday to get everything going!

Today I had an experience with a construction company which I need to share.  I am working on replacing a bathroom (busted pipe) and am looking for quotes.  On Friday, I set up an appointment with a contractor who claimed his company could do the entire job.  Today, I got a call to confirm. Very professional so far.  Then they asked the question I didn't expect.  "Will all three of you be there?"  At the time I booked the appointment, I told them it would just be me.  Well, they then proceeded to tell me that we would have to reschedule (after I booked my day around them!)  I told them that this was not acceptable, and that if they wanted the opportunity to work with me or my clients, they would need to meet with me solo.  They said no.  I told them I guess they don't want the business (probably $5K - 6K.)  I have shared this story with a number of friends, aquaintances and colleagues, including the company name.  I can tell you that they have gotten at least 25 direct negative referrals from me so far.

The reason I bring this up is that I want you to start the new year with a bang.  Please remember to be flexible and adaptable.  Remember the old adage:

If you want to walk away from a customer, do it in a professional manner.  A negative will travel 20 times faster than a positive!

Let's all be successful in 2011!

It's about time I sat down to write again.  Can you believe it is already the new year?  Have you taken time to reflect on 2010?  What a crazy year it was.  On the homefront, my grandson is growing like a weed.  All health issues are behind us.  On the business front, we refuse to participate in the ec0nomy.  Business is growing. New clients, new adventures.  On the political front, I will quote the Who from the song Won't Get Fooled Again. "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss."

What are you going to do in 2011 that will stand out? Do you want to stand out?  Do you want your business to grow? Do you want to grow as a person?  Is your family life everything you want it to be?

DO YOU WANT TO HAVE AN IMPACT?

Be optimistic!  Realize your potential!  If you do the same things as in the past, you will probably have the same results.  If you are happy, keep it up!  If not, shake things up!

Have a Happy, Healthy New Year!

I'm at it again!  I'm almost fully recuperated.  This experience has given me time to reflect on the state of the world, the country and the little part of Florida I call home.

The world has taken an interesting turn.  Europe, the birthplace of social justice and progressive thinking, has come full around!  France has raised the retirement age from 60 to 62 (can you imagine!)  Germany has declared multi-culturalism a failure!  England is ready to start making social services cuts.  Greece and France are full of riots by workers unions!  All of the Euro countries have come to the conclusion that capitalism and a free market economy will help them weather the economic storm.

Here in the US, we seem to have gone the other direction.  This country was built on the principals of inalienable rights endowed by our creator.  The growth of our nation was through capitalism and a free market economy.  Now, the current administration (or ruling class :-) ) has decided that we are a nation of dolts (ala Homer Simpson) and in need of their care and guidance.

Here in Florida, we have a tourism based economy.  Everybody inherently understand that to stabilize, we need to move to a more business based economy.  Because of the fear that small businesses are disliked by our current federal administration, along with the fact that we have some of the nastiest politicians (eg Alan Grayson) representing our state, growth is stagnant and declining.

The only way we individuals can have an impact on the state, the government and the world is to vote!