We have been doing some research on ‘Branding’ this week. One of the best articles I found is listed below- I hope it helps you with your business! Branding: Creating and Maintaining Your Company’s Image Make no mistake. The process of developing, implementing, and maintaining a brand is a full-time job and an important one for the success of your business. “Branding” means a great deal more than simply choosing a name for your company or service. When you brand your business you create an emotional connection with your clients and customers. You must be prepared to literally live the brand in order to preserve the reputation that is its life blood. The process doesn’t occur over night and may require the sacrifice of short-term profits to cultivate.

There are TONS of fees in the credit card processing industry so now that the Durbin Amendment has gone into effect- we are happy to report that the government intervention into our industry is turning out to have one positive impact for our merchants! While the chaos and the added fees caused by the Durbin Amendment are making front page news and costing consumers lots of extra dollars, some merchants are going to see a reduction in the fees associated with the debit cards impacted by the Durbin Amendment. I say ‘some’ because A: the amendment took specific aim at cards issued by institutions larger than 10Billion and B: not all credit card processing companies will pass the reduction in interchange, down to their merchants Industry experts are

I hate to brag- but today is a celebration of ME!! WORLD SHARE A SMILE DAY! At TMC, we like to spread happiness by adding a Smiley Face Sticker to every package and envelope that leaves our office. We even have the UPS Guy and the Postal staff asking- Where is the Smiley Face? (Gotta Love It!!) Things you can do today: Change your FaceBook Picture to a Smiley Face Wear a BIG Smiley Face on your Clothing Give everyone you meet a smile Drink your beverages out of a happy face mug (You’ll Find it @ Fred Meyers!) Decorate your workspace Send Flowers Enjoy this Poem called SMILING IS CONTAGIOUS and enjoy this day devoted to yours truly and to sharing smiles all around the world! Sir

Most industries have a lot of competition. The merchant services industry, however, seems to have been dealt an extra measure! Over the years we have found that many merchants appreciate the additional service they have come to expect from our company and yet- they still have to deal with an endless supply of phone solicitors, door to door salesman and numerous mailers related to our industry. A long standing client recently called and invited me to come to his office to handle the 4 or 5 calls he often receives on a daily basis! He mentioned that “they just don’t know how to take NO for an answer” and “how come every caller promises they can save me money when they do not even know what I am

Every once in awhile you hear a fun story that speaks to the adversity we deal with in our lives- this story has a great message! Shake it Off and Step Up A farmer owned an old mule that fell into a well.After assessing the situation, the farmer reluctantly concluded thatneither the mule nor the well was worth saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and enlisted them to help bury the old mulein the well and put him out of his misery. Initially the old mule was frantic, but as the dirt kept hitting his back,something happened. It dawned on the mule that every time a shovelload landed on his back, he should SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!This he did, blow after blow. Shake it off

It is critically important that your cash flow- flows! Cheri PerryTuesday, September 13, 2011