When: Saturday, August 21st, 2010. Informal drop-in information session from 12:00 noon -3:00p.m. Formal charette will take place from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
___________________

7 Reasons Businesses Fail
click here for the answers!
Bill Cosby
Thursday, Apr 1 (2010) 6:30p
at Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, West Palm Beach

America's Treasures
Our National Parks
Solar Power 101 for Home and Business Owners
Learn all about solar options that help home owners reduce their carbon footprint, protect the environment and save drastically on their electric bills. Find out about Florida State and Federal Govt incentives that offset up to 70% of the cost and available financing options. Presented by Solar Power Works 561-213-9590

School Supplies Drive Please drop off at the Library West Palm Beach Lake Worth Party in the Plaza CULTURAL PLAZA BETWEEN LAKE AND LUCERNE AVE WHAT TIME: 6pm-10pm www.partyintheplazalw.com   This weeks hot band... Blind Dog Aussies The SCENE welcomes the and Lake Worth's new Chamber members! Stay tuned for some great upcoming Lake Worth events!

Lake Worth Full Moon Drum Circle
Click here for the website

The original Lake Worth full Moon Drum Circle still happens only in Lake Worth at the beach! but on the grass during turtle nesting season. (May through October). The Lake Worth beach is a favorite nesting beach for many species of sea turtles, and will be the nursery for hundreds of turtle nests.

NOTICE OF DRUM CIRCLE TIME CHANGE: 8:00 til 12:00
The Lake worth city council has reached a consensus re our special purpose use with regard to the long standing tradition of drumming and dancing at the beach.

With turtle-nesting a primary concern, the city council has agreed to permit us to use the park until midnight if, during the turtle-nesting season, we (drum circle participants) do not walk, drum, dance or use the dry sandy areas of the beach.

Turns out that lights present the primary interference of turtle-nesting, ergo all the lights on the beach are turned off.

Second is human interference, DON'T GO THERE! The primary reason we have moved our drumming activities to the grassy area on the dunes is to not interfere with natural nesting behaviors. This is why we must ask everyone who participates in drumming, dancing or spectating to refrain from using the dry sandy areas of the beach in any way at our Full Moon Drum Circle.

It has been determined that noise is the third most important element of interference and that the drumming sounds we make are far enough away from the beach that they do not present a significant problem in this area.

Let's thank all of our organizers and activists as well as the city council members, parks department and sheriffs who worked diligently and doggedly to resolve the turtle-nesting protection issue in an equitable manner. We are all in this together, you, me and all the turtles.

The original Lake Worth full Moon Drum Circle still happens only in Lake Worth at the beach! but on the grass during turtle nesting season. (May through October). The Lake Worth beach is a favorite nesting beach for many species of sea turtles, including the endangered species leather-back turtle, and will be the nursery for hundreds of turtle nests.

The purpose of this meetup is to celebrate the full moon high energy with drumming and dancing. A human tradition that cuts across all nations and all ethnicities. The tradition is older than the written word. And, Primordial vibrations are very cool. Come celebrate with your human brothers and sisters.

PLEASE NOTE: We are working with LW city council to keep the park open until midnight, we'll keep you posted:-)
This month the full moon occurs at 12:06 P.M. EASTERN TIME
What: LAKE WORTH FULL MOON DRUM CIRCLE
When: Tuesday August 24th 2010, 8:00 PM - 12:00 MIDNIGHT
Where: Lake Worth Municipal Beach look for the tiki torches ~ listen for great drumming
Who: Hosted by Peter Detore and friends

Directions: Head east on Lake Avenue over intracoastal bridge.
Bring drums, chair, blanket, snacks, water, juice and non vicious pets
This is an event with a ten year tradition. Be prepared to have a lot of fun.
All levels of experience are welcome. Bring your percussion instruments.
Typically, 100 to 200 people celebrate the full moon at this gathering.
This is an open to the community drum circle everyone is welcome.

Hosted by Peter Detore and friends
Directions: Head east on Lake Avenue over intracoastal bridge.
Bring drums, chair, blanket, snacks, water, juice and non vicious pets.
This is an event with a ten year tradition. Be prepared to have a lot of fun.
All levels of experience are welcome. Bring your percussion instruments.
Typically, 100 to 200 people celebrate the full moon at this gathering; last month we counted 135 people. Look for the tiki torches. Listen for great drumming. This is an open community drum circle everyone is welcome.

1. You start your business for the wrong reasons.
Would the sole reason you would be starting your own business be that you would want to make a lot of money? Do you think that if you had your own business that you'd have more time with your family? Or maybe that you wouldn't have to answer to anyone else? If so, you'd better think again.

2. Poor Management
Many a report on business failures cites poor management as the number one reason for failure. New business owners frequently lack relevant business and management expertise in areas such as finance, purchasing, selling, production, and hiring and managing employees. Unless they recognize what they don't do well, and seek help, business owners may soon face disaster. They must also be educated and alert to fraud, and put into place measures to avoid it.
Neglect of a business can also be its downfall. Care must be taken to regularly study, organize, plan and control all activities of its operations. This includes the continuing study of market research and customer data, an area which may be more prone to disregard once a business has been established.
A successful manager is also a good leader who creates a work climate that encourages productivity. He or she has a skill at hiring competent people, training them and is able to delegate. A good leader is also skilled at strategic thinking, able to make a vision a reality, and able to confront change, make transitions, and envision new possibilities for the future.

3. Insufficient Capital
A common fatal mistake for many failed businesses is having insufficient operating funds. Business owners underestimate how much money is needed and they are forced to close before they even have had a fair chance to succeed. They also may have an unrealistic expectation of incoming revenues from sales.
It is imperative to ascertain how much money your business will require; not only the costs of starting, but the costs of staying in business. It is important to take into consideration that many businesses take a year or two to get going. This means you will need enough funds to cover all costs until sales can eventually pay for these costs.

4. Location, Location, Location
Your college professor was right -- location is critical to the success of your business. Whereas a good location may enable a struggling business to ultimately survive and thrive, a bad location could spell disaster to even the best-managed enterprise.
Some factors to consider:

* Where your customers are
* Traffic, accessibility, parking and lighting
* Location of competitors
* Condition and safety of building
* Local incentive programs for business start-ups in specific targeted areas
* The history, community flavor and receptiveness to a new business at a prospective site

5. Lack of Planning
Anyone who has ever been in charge of a successful major event knows that were it not for their careful, methodical, strategic planning -- and hard work -- success would not have followed. The same could be said of most business successes.
It is critical for all businesses to have a business plan. Many small businesses fail because of fundamental shortcomings in their business planning. It must be realistic and based on accurate, current information and educated projections for the future.
Components may include:

* Description of the business, vision, goals, and keys to success
* Work force needs
* Potential problems and solutions
* Financial: capital equipment and supply list, balance sheet, income statement and cash flow analysis, sales and expense forecast
* Analysis of competition
* Marketing, advertising and promotional activities
* Budgeting and managing company growth

In addition, most bankers request a business plan if you are seeking to secure addition capital for your company.

6.Overexpansion
A leading cause of business failure, overexpansion often happens when business owners confuse success with how fast they can expand their business. A focus on slow and steady growth is optimum. Many a bankruptcy has been caused by rapidly expanding companies.At the same time, you do not want to repress growth. Once you have an established solid customer base and a good cash flow, let your success help you set the right measured pace. Some indications that an expansion may be warranted include the inability to fill customer needs in a timely basis, and employees having difficulty keeping up with production demands.If expansion is warranted after careful review, research and analysis, identify what and who you need to add in order for your business to grow. Then with the right systems and people in place, you can focus on the growth of your business, not on doing everything in it yourself.

7. No Website
Simply put, if you have a business today, you need a website. Period.
In the U.S. alone, the number of internet users (about 70 percent of the population) and e-commerce sales (about 70 billion in 2004, according to the Census Bureau) continue to rise and are expected to increase with each passing year. In 2004, the U.S. led the world in internet usage.
At the very least, every business should have a professional looking and well-designed website that enables users to easily find out about their business and how to avail themselves of their products and services. Later, additional ways to generate revenue on the website can be added; i.e., selling ad space, drop-shipping products, or recommending affiliate products.
Remember, if you don't have a website, you'll most likely be losing business to those that do. And make sure that website makes your business look good, not bad -- you want to increase revenues, not decrease them.
When it comes to the success of any new business, you -- the business owner -- are ultimately the "secret" to your success. For many successful business owners, failure was never an option. Armed with drive, determination, and a positive mindset, these individuals view any setback as only an opportunity to learn and grow. Most self-made millionaires possess average intelligence. What sets them apart is their openness to new knowledge and their willingness to learn whatever it takes to succeed.

Contact The SCENE for your custom website, from as little as $99!!