Smart Bareter

2010-07-07T08:29:00.001-05:00

Government encourages barter to fight capitalism: http://ping.fm/voGUv

2010-06-16T08:31:00.001-05:00

House Approves Small-Business Tax Incentives: http://ping.fm/7YG2b

2010-06-07T11:18:00.005-05:00

Bank of America Corp (NYSE: BAC) Pledges to Increase Small Business Spending: http://ping.fm/6uNdO

2010-06-07T11:18:00.003-05:00

A 'Magic' touch in the business world: http://ping.fm/h7xgz

2010-06-07T11:18:00.001-05:00

Small business challengers work on marketing: http://ping.fm/EgYhw

2010-06-07T11:17:00.001-05:00

Small Business Job Engine Remains Stuck In Low Gear: http://ping.fm/Vd3lQ

2010-06-07T11:15:00.001-05:00

Passing your time helping others: http://ping.fm/XvO2Q

2010-06-07T11:14:00.003-05:00

No Money? No Problem! Pay With Time Instead: http://ping.fm/TmrhJ

2010-06-07T11:14:00.001-05:00

Nevada Republican Senate primary: http://ping.fm/kJDNg

2010-06-07T11:13:00.001-05:00

The art of the barter: http://ping.fm/nhhRG

2010-06-07T11:12:00.001-05:00

Barren land barter for carbon market: http://ping.fm/fmyxE

2010-06-07T11:10:00.001-05:00

The art of the barter: http://ping.fm/bQlGf

2010-06-01T10:02:00.003-05:00

Ways your small business can help with the Gulf Coast oil disaster: http://ping.fm/pu7e7

2010-06-01T10:02:00.001-05:00

New law offers temporary aid to small firms seeking health insurance for workers: http://ping.fm/WwDDF

2010-06-01T10:01:00.001-05:00

Money Runs Out For Small Business Loan Breaks: http://ping.fm/91UMQ

2010-05-31T09:41:00.001-05:00

Three Best Ways to Expand Overseas: http://ping.fm/cO65e

2010-05-28T08:57:00.001-05:00

Join this group to find business solutions: http://ping.fm/GVpnr

2010-05-28T08:56:00.001-05:00

Join this group to barter services: http://ping.fm/zBKYH

2010-05-26T07:33:00.003-05:00

US Offers $571,000 In Loans To Small Firms Hurt By Gulf Spill: http://ping.fm/5MY5y

2010-05-26T07:33:00.001-05:00

Obama urges Congress to approve incentives for small businesses: http://ping.fm/JIKGx

2010-05-25T07:55:00.001-05:00

Front and center in the nation's food debates http://ping.fm/IjDSI

2010-05-25T07:54:00.003-05:00

Small Businesses Feel Economic Conditions are Improving, According to Capital One Small Business Barometer http://ping.fm/Z1yzH

2010-05-25T07:54:00.001-05:00

U.S. Small Businesses Can Seize Opportunities Using Lessons Learned from Their Exporting Peers
http://ping.fm/79dRJ

2010-05-24T07:15:00.001-05:00

Small Businesses Still Worried About Reform Bill: http://ping.fm/aHJMK

2010-05-24T07:14:00.001-05:00

Coverage of National Small Business Week: http://ping.fm/sDiKK

2010-05-21T09:28:00.003-05:00

The barter system: Pros and cons http://ping.fm/La47B

2010-05-21T09:28:00.001-05:00

Congress raises curtain on tax and spending bill: http://ping.fm/QMt3Z

2010-05-20T08:04:00.001-05:00

Follow this blog to receive your weekly dose of inspiration; Thank You Thursday: http://bit.ly/SjSWM

2010-05-19T07:58:00.003-05:00

What are your thoughts about bartering for health care?http://ping.fm/tMsId

2010-05-19T07:58:00.001-05:00

What have you bartered for lately? View the latest postings on Smart Bareter: http://ping.fm/wl2Ak

2010-05-19T07:43:00.001-05:00

Study: Reform will cut small business health insurance costs: http://ping.fm/H3Q6m

2010-05-18T05:56:00.001-05:00

Millions of small businesses could be eligible for health care tax credits: http://ping.fm/RsKy7

2010-05-18T05:55:00.001-05:00

FACTBOX-Obama's small business plan set to advance: http://ping.fm/4dwn7

2010-05-15T09:21:00.001-05:00

Smart Bareter is a FREE bartering & networking site for small business & entrepreneurs. http://smartbareter.com

2010-05-14T08:53:00.001-05:00

Sprint Brings 4G Power to Small Businesses in Tailored, Value-Priced Packages: http://ping.fm/VsJ0c

2010-05-14T08:52:00.005-05:00

Small business still needs capital, Obama says: http://ping.fm/nTMVK

2010-05-14T08:52:00.003-05:00

Bailout Missed Main Street, New Report Says: http://ping.fm/6I1BW

2010-05-14T08:52:00.001-05:00

U.S. Government Programs Have Yet to Boost Small Business Lending: http://ping.fm/ug9GD

2010-05-14T08:51:00.001-05:00

RT @IncMagazine 5 Tips for Hiring a CEO http://bit.ly/cDV8te

2010-05-13T08:37:00.003-05:00

Follow this weekly blog: http://ping.fm/6C8u5

2010-05-13T08:37:00.001-05:00

Companies get SBA loans after oil spill, storms: http://ping.fm/pYsDd

2010-05-13T08:36:00.001-05:00

With Cloud, Microsoft Ups Ante for Small Business http://ping.fm/ZCqgI

2010-05-13T08:33:00.001-05:00

Attention Small Employers: Health Care Tax Credit http://ping.fm/8tOAK

2010-05-12T10:45:00.001-05:00

Fla. gov: Oil spill task force to help businesses: http://ping.fm/R4cPU

2010-05-12T10:44:00.003-05:00

Small Businesses Fueling Economic Recovery http://ping.fm/fpXdX

2010-05-12T10:44:00.001-05:00

CPA Alert: Thomson Reuters Seminar 'Assisting Small Business from A to Z' Coming in June http://ping.fm/9e1Q4

2010-05-12T10:43:00.001-05:00

Survey finds small businesses slightly more optimistic: http://ping.fm/LK2QD

2010-05-11T09:10:00.001-05:00

RT @IncMagazine Some Advice on When to Take Advice http://bit.ly/a6bkDy

2010-05-11T09:09:00.001-05:00

WSJ.com - Entrepreneurs Find New Way to Grow http://ping.fm/cmr3j

2010-05-11T09:07:00.001-05:00

WSJ.com - Entrepreneurs Doing Business by Avatar http://ping.fm/cjtps

2010-05-11T09:04:00.001-05:00

WSJ.com - At Small Businesses, Hiring Still Drags http://ping.fm/RzuHv

2010-05-10T09:25:00.001-05:00

SEO Consulting Services Offered: http://ping.fm/sr48B

2010-05-10T09:24:00.001-05:00

SEO Writing Service Offered: http://ping.fm/5UXUR

2010-05-10T09:22:00.001-05:00

Biz Card Design Service Offered: http://ping.fm/1W3HM

2010-05-10T08:59:00.001-05:00

Dental Services Wanted...http://ping.fm/44Axu

2010-05-10T08:58:00.001-05:00

Massage Service Wanted...http://ping.fm/DbIwS

2010-05-09T09:27:00.001-05:00

Be thankful this day and everyday for MOMS!!! Happy Mother's Day!!!!

2010-05-06T10:52:00.001-05:00

Follow this weekly blog... http://ping.fm/xLOrY Be thankful for kind acts.

2010-05-04T08:21:00.001-05:00

Broke Artists Barter For Health Care: http://ping.fm/ddsXB

2010-05-04T07:59:00.001-05:00

What were something of the items you have bartered for?

2010-05-03T14:46:00.001-05:00

Join A FREE Bartering Site, Email Me To Get A Year of Premium Services Free: http://ping.fm/hA3G5

2010-05-03T13:56:00.001-05:00

Join A FREE Bartering Site, Email Me To Get A Year of Premium Services Free: http://ping.fm/vFbod

2010-05-03T12:29:00.001-05:00

Join A FREE Bartering Site, Email Me To Get A Year of Premium Services Free: http://ping.fm/IRysh

First Phase Of Upgrades Complete.

2010-04-15T08:00:00.002-05:00

Hello All,

In the last week, we have been working hard to complete the first phase of upgrades to the Smart Bareter website. The site now has enhanced profile and and classified sections. These enhancements will allow members to network and barter better. Members now can post listings from their profile page and add additional contact information. For more informations about the enhancements, visit or join http://www.smartbareter.com today!

Courtesy Platinum Membership to our NYC event guests from SmartBareter.com

2010-04-15T07:59:00.000-05:00

April 13, 2010

Friends In New York,

As mentioned by Germaine Moody last Tuesday, SmartBareter.com has allowed us to give away free 14-month Platinum Memberships to everyone that attended our event, valued at almost $700 each. Smart Bareter is a new online social network for small business owners, business professionals and executives to barter, network, and build profitable and life-long friendships. As we are sending this message to you, the site is being redesigned and redeveloped to better accommodate the rising global batering market. Below we've included a direct link to go to so you can sign-up. We've also included a VIP Code to use as your EIN# that will activate your Platinum Membership. Here is a message from Smart Bareter CEO, Hillis Pugh:

Greetings,

I would like to welcome you to a new portal for entrepreneurial enterprises. Smart Bareter is a growing network of entrepreneurs and business owners that aides in finding resources for your business through networking and bartering. We look forward to sharing our local, regional, national, and global vision with you. Sign up today and receive 14 months of premium services absolutely free courtesy of myself, Smart Bareter and MoodTyme Events. Thank you and have a great 2010!

Hillis Pugh, CEO Smart Bareter

Registration Link:

http://smartbareter.com/Memberships/MemberRegistration/tabid/65/Default.aspx?returnurl=%2fMemberships%2ftabid%2f64%2fDefault.aspx

Quick note from MoodTyme Events:

We are considering hosting the largest holiday networking event New York has ever seen this December, with several courtesy gifts from our sponsors, courtesy appetizers from our venue, and of course endless networking, all for you. If you believe this is something you would be interested in attending, let us know by replying to this email with a simple "Yes". That "Yes" will help us in the decision making and planning process this Fall. You will also be one of the first to be notified if we decide to proceed with this exciting holiday networking event. Thanks!

Changes Are Coming!

2010-04-08T22:33:00.003-05:00

Greetings All,
During the past year of testing the site, the staff at Smart Bareter heard you loud and clear. Over the next month, the Smart Bareter Team will be implementing changes to the profile and classified sections. These important changes will make the site user friendly and easier to navigate. Some of the changes will include creating groups and building a community with your fellow entrepreneurs. We look forward to sharing our vision with you.

Smart Bareter Team

Save Money & Save Your Business

2009-11-04T17:13:00.004-06:00

There is a lot of talk about how much the recession is turning. I would agree with that, however I would suggest small business owner, entrepreneurs, and start-ups evaluate their businesses during this time and put a nest egg aside. I'm sure most have done so my now. During this evaluation process or rebooting the business, it is key to find what you need to stay a float.

You can seek out barter networks or use current relationships to bridge the gaps for your business. With this, you can build a trusted network to gain services, products and items to grow your business. Bartering and networking go hand and hand. The Better Business Bureau has a great article on this topic.

Let's go back to the olde way of doing business!

Why Pay to Barter?

2009-07-29T13:45:00.014-05:00

Bartering has exploded since the recession. This was always an excellent business practice for start-ups and retail chains in need of unloading inventory. There a numerous third party barter sites that charge an annual fee to its members. With their services, you can earn points or barter dollars to count towards a trade for a service or product needed. This is all well and good, it also takes the hassle out of looking for someone to barter with. If the service or product received was excellent you make want to contact the individual and thank or refer them to a peer. Sometimes you so have to wonder, how much more can I save as a business if I didn't have to pay someone else to do all the work.

Smart Bareter is a free bartering website for small business owners and entrepernurs. Smart Bareter does offer membership services to increase it's value to members, but does not charge members to barter. Like any site we do have to have a monetary model to maintain the site, though we hope in the future to barter all site services.

I think of bartering as another form of networking. To barter with someone you have to build a relationship with them. This allows you the trader to get to know the tradee's service or product. You can use a barter agreement to feel better about the exchange taking place with the involved parties. With this knowledge, you are willing to trade with them more, possible refer them to friends and family.

With the popularity of social networking sites and social media, we have lost touch with the "personal touch". One aspect of one-on-one bartering is as a culture we can get back in touch with our peers to develop new relationships and create new vendors for services and products. I ask again why pay to barter, when there is plenty of people willing to trade products, services and ideas for free. Yes it may take a little work, but well worth it to increase cash flow and have extra money to invest in other ventures.

Happy Bartering!

Smart Bareter Press Release:

2009-05-11T15:52:00.002-05:00

Bartering Hits Mainstream With New Online Bartering Social Network
May 11, 2009

Bartering is open for business, literally, as business owners and entrepreneurs jump into the highly
anticipated trading action on the newly launched online bartering social network, Smart Bareter. Founded by
Chicago-based entrepreneur Hillis Pugh and partnered with the MoodTyme Corporation, the site offers
members endless opportunities to network, find investors, post job ads, generate partners, recruit interns,
gather executive resources, pitch business ideas, trade services & products, and more. "In today's economic
times, we must create immediate clear solutions and community-driven avenues to make sure our lives and
our businesses continue to thrive. I look forward to assisting our members reach their business goals and
individual purposes, going back to the old way of doing business", expressed Pugh. Bartering is a $6 billion
dollar industry in the United States alone. With the launch of this new virtual online hotspot able to connect
business owners and entrepreneurs from all over, Smart Bareter is sure to increase bartering's future global
success.

Reference:
www.smartbareter.com
www.moodtyme.com

Media Contact:
Josh Noble, VP & National Writer
MoodTyme Press
(213) 797-4423
press@moodtyme.com

Smart Bareter Success Story

2009-04-11T10:24:00.002-05:00

In the next thirty days Smart Bareter will official launch to offer services to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Getting to this place was learning process, but a worthwhile endeavor.

The success of Smart Bareter begun two years go as the CEO, Hillis Pugh was freelance graphic designer and marketer. The two key successes that brought Hillis to the current place of success were networking and developing relationships.

As a freelancer, he spent long hours working on various project and visited the neighborhood chiropractor frequently. At the time he had no insurance and was experiencing back pain and extreme muscles tightness due to constant exercise and working. During the visits to the chiropractor, he would mention how he could assist him in developing marketing materials and develop advertising campaigns for his practice. In exchange for this service, he provided numerous sessions of chiropractic care.

During the visits to the office, he developed a relationship with the receptionist and one of the massage therapists. The receptionist was in the midst of developing a local magazine. She was aware of his services as a graphic designer and the bartering system that was set up between Hillis and the chiropractor. She asked to see his portfolio of work, after viewing his work she set up a meeting to meet with her and business partner. Once the meeting took place and time passed, it was agreed that Hillis would assist in all direct and indirect advertising and marketing efforts for the publication. In exchange he would receive quarter page monthly ad placement in their publication. With this exchange he gained new clientele to further the business.

The final success story of the birth of Smart Bareter was a moment of clear vision. Hillis developed a relationship with the massage therapist at the chiropractic center. She offered her private massage services to him at a discounted rate and at times for free. This service was extend to me because she knew his financial situation and wanted to continue to provide me with physical therapy, after the baretering contract was over between him and the chiropractor. During one of the sessions, we were talking and through us talking the idea of having a web site exclusively trading services came to me. Though Hillis was trading services all along, but was unaware of the potential of it. The potential was then realized. He wanted to share this idea with all small business owners and entrepreneurs. This idea further developed into in the business known today as Smart Bareter.

The reason for targeting small businesses and entrepreneurs is because of the level of difficulty to start and maintain a business. Hillis learned through his own experiences and knew he was not the only one have trouble maintaining the business on a monetary level. Hillis found trusting partners to aide in realizing a dream to better the community of small business owners and entrepreneurs to bring them closer together and work as one cohesive unit.

A Sign Of The Times...

2009-01-09T17:24:00.002-06:00

It's been a while since I posted a new article, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As economic times are changing so is the small business owner. An article posted by Business Week a few moths ago caught my eye. It's an article about small business owners finding new ways to tighten their financial belts as lines of credit are being reduced.

Bartering may reduce cash flow, but it does increase product and service exchange between business owners as well as creditability among networkers. Building creditability with other entrepreneurs enhances any network. As a suggestion I would offer entering a bartering contractual agreement to secure the products or services needed during these tough financial times.

As times change so does the savvy business owner and entreprenuer. Keeping ahead of the curve can secure a financial furture.

How often should you barter?

2008-08-13T07:44:00.001-05:00

This is a question I've seen a lot of in recent weeks. No really knows how often or how much you should barter. In my opinion you should do it as often as possible.

The reason why I say you should bareter as often as possible is because you never know when a good deal is coming. You build creditability within the network in which you bareter and the possibility to expand the network. You invite others to trade items or services with you. I guess you can say it the law of attraction, law of the universe or whatever you want to call it. For the abundance of benefits of baretering, see previous post.

There are a lot of people in the world that have services, items and ideas they are willing to trade for. Remember bartering is the equivalent to money. What ever you are bartering or bartering for make sure it's of value to the trade.

Happy Bartering!

Bareter is Money, Baretering is Negotiating

2008-07-25T09:51:00.001-05:00

Bartering is more valuable than money in the world of small business. As a business owner or entrepreneur, you can grow your business by setting up an exchange system with someone you trust that is offering a service or item of value to you. Smart Bareter a site launching summer ’08 can help fostering relationships between entrepreneurs, business owners, and self starters.

The art of negotiation is also baretering. To exchange services, items and ideas for something equivalent in value is bartering, but to get what you want for it is negotiation. For example if you want advertising for the business and offer graphic design services, you search for the best vehicle to advertise and offer a proposal to begin negotiation for the service or advertising wanted.

Baretering is very simple and worth it, especially if you build a relationship with another entrepreneur, business owner or self starter.

Making A Good Deal

2008-07-09T15:27:00.000-05:00

Here are a few tips to ensure you are making a good deal:

1. Make a complete list of all items and services you are willing barter for.
2. Make a complete list of all items and services you are looking for.
3. Add an estimated cash value to your items of services offered.
4. During the barter process, explain the benefits of the item or service, also include the age if you are offering an item. If you are a entrepreneur you may want to put together a proposal. This will increase your chances of a successful trade transaction.

This is just to get the ball rolling to have an abundance of trading transactions. Remember baretering will save you money in the long run of services and overhead. It will also allow you to offer your services or products at a more competitive price. This is the time separate yourself from the competition with one little secret, barter!

Make list, what are your services worth, save money, build relationships by bartering!

Bareter Included In A Business Plan

2008-06-29T20:35:00.000-05:00

Has anyone included bartering in a business plan?

I think it's important to have if you are start-up with limited or no capital.

When I was freelancing, I found myself bartering to gain clients and trade for services, such as advertising and chiropractic and massage therapy. I understand a business plan is meant to keep track of high level goals, objectives and to show venture capital investors. When bartering is included in in a business plan, it shows that an business owner is willing to make concessions to grow the business without sacrificing its integrity. Including bartering in a business plan can also cut cost on important services, such as advertising, marketing and some overhead cost. This can be most effective with the proper networks and relationships.

There can be two business plans one detailed one for personal business records and a high level one for venture capital investors. This is help keep focus on short and long term business goals. The plan can be updated to reflect the growth and progress of the business. What most important is to achieve business goals in the most economical way to raise capital to further the business, see a ROI to invest back in the business and profit to build a trusting staff to run the business.

If it makes sense to barter to grow, then by all means do so.

Multiple Trades

2008-06-29T18:12:00.000-05:00

The concept of baretering is not just limited to two parties. Bartering can happen with multiple parties. For example if one person has or is able to acquire an item or service of value that another desires, acting like a middle man to acquire this item or service for trade of equal value. This is when building relationships comes into play.

Networking is the most important element of bartering, this is something can't be stressed enough. Everyone has something of value. This can range from common items such as CDs, DVDs, video games, cell phones, clothes, and household items to professional and medical services. Anything can be bartered.

This concept of multiple trades is made up of a network of bareters. The trust is built on the level of service offered as well as integrity of the item and service traded. Remember just because an item or service is out of reach, doesn’t mean someone else can't acquire the item or service for you.

Build a strong network and barter!

Reduce Overhead Costs

2008-06-18T20:27:00.000-05:00

When building a business from the ground up with little or no capital it's very difficult to accomplish goals and work. When work gets a little overwhelming from working on your business and working a full time job, burnout sets in. Business owners tend to outsource or find interns to complete projects or fulfill basic job functions. However, both ideas are great, personally I would choose interns to reduce any costs. My preferred option would be to barter.

Why bareter to reduce overhead costs? You can barter to create and develop meaningful relationships, gain clients, free advertising, build trusted resources and most importantly get something out of the deal to build the business.

This can be set as an ongoing trade to reduce any future overhead costs. There are so many advantages to bartering, such as increasing cash flow, profit and revenue. Start earning equity in your business today and bareter.

Essential Items and Services to Bareter For

2008-06-17T19:09:00.000-05:00

Today I came across an interesting blog about items you should bareter for before buying them. It was a list of 10 items and is as follows:

1. Information Products
2. Advertising Space
3. Web Hosting
4. Software
5. Writing/Editing
6. Accounting/Bookeeping
7. Consulting
8. Copy writing
9. Merchant Accounts
10. Internet Access

You can get more information from the blog.

The items listed above are essential items or services to run a business. If you are a start up and don't have the capital to pay for these services, baretering is is the best way to go. There are several business or bartering social networking sites to gain the services mentioned above for other services. The best way to ensure an equal trade is to do a little research on the service or item up for trade and add price value to it. As long as both parties agree on the value and terms of trade, you can barter for anything.

Happy Trading!

Corporations Are Bartering

2008-06-11T19:22:00.000-05:00

As we all know the economy is suffering and with it comes slow spending on all fronts. This results in slow moving merchandise or inventory. In order to unload excess inventory the corporations use bartering companies and sites. They exchange these items for advertising or other valuable services.

Exchanging for advertising is very popular especially if you are a start-ups or small businesses. Baretering is popular with hotels, retailers, printers, restaurants, and service oriented jobs such as doctors, lawyers and contractors. This creates a trusted network of professional barters.

This bartering among corporations helps to save money and cut loses on inventory. Here is a link to an article I saw on U.S. News and World Report : 7 Keys to Smart Bartering. (http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/your-money/2008/06/10/7-keys-to-smart-bartering.html)
I found it very useful and inspiring for the entrepreneur and small business owner.

In short I would like to thank the economy for bolstering baretering efforts across America.

The World is Ready to Barter!

2008-06-05T18:53:00.000-05:00

This is so amazing, I recently joined a small business online community and raised the question about bartering. I got a nice response from people saying that they are interested in bartering, but not enough reliable resources are available to bareter. My assumption is if you barter for a service or product, you are not taken seriously, but the economy is changing people's reaction to a great service.

There are small pockets of entrepreneurs who bareter to build relationships, a solid reputation and receive the goods or services for a mutual exchange. For example, here is an excerpt from an article I saw today on Entrepreneur.com. "As the cash economy cools, the cashless economy is heating up. These days, more entrepreneurs are experimenting with barter."

We all know the basic principal of trading of goods or services. So I say let's get out there and bareter!

A Noble Deed....

2008-06-01T09:43:00.000-05:00

I read about more and more people trading on a daily basis. People are recognizing the value of baretering everyday. I read blogs and articles abut people trading all kind of services, everything from gas to massages. Yes people found a way to barter for gas. The details of the trade wasn't disclosed.

There was one article I found interesting. The article was about a dentist and his staff bartered there dental services for items such as watches, baseball cards, cupcakes and cookies, artwork, a journal entry, a bike, and even a dog. The dentist and staff saw 60 patients in this day, double of how many normally seen. The service was extended to those without insurance.

Since the recession, there has been a rise in unemployment and the cost of living in the US. Also the local free clinics has seen a rise in patients and fortunately in volunteers as well. But to people like this dentist and sites like craigslist, people have been able to receive medical treatment and downsize their lives. Since 2006 the postings for bartering on craigslist have tripled.

This is a true sign that times and people are changing and acknowledging their own self worth. We can add so much to this world by giving freely of self. Helping others is helping your self.

Bartering Sites

2008-05-27T20:13:00.000-05:00

An article posted at entrepreneur.com poses the question to entrepreneurs "are barter sites right for you?" To answer this question I say yes, please refer to my previous post.

Anyone can use a baretering site to grow and develop their business, whether it's finding items or trading services. There are ton of sites, I could go down the list and name them all, but it will take all day. I will say there is a bartering site for everyone, just be sure to do your research or each site to make sure it's for you.

Is Bartering Catching On?

2008-05-26T13:24:00.000-05:00

This is a great question to ask. Once again came across another interesting article. Seems that craigslist.com is an internet portal to bartering. You can practically trade any item or service you want as long as both parties are satisfied with the outcome.

This article is filled with people trading services or items. This goes back to one of my earlier post "A Life of Baretering."

To answer the question "Is Bartering Catching On?" I would have to say yes. And we have the economy to thank for that. There are still some people out there that prefers the almighty dollar, or should I say the weakened dollar. No matter the preference, money or trading services as long as end result is what is desired.

However, I will add to save money and finding quality people to trade with is well worth it.

Cash Flow and Bartering

2008-05-25T13:37:00.000-05:00

I was talking to a co-worker the other day, we some how got on the subject of cash flow. I really didn't understand cash flow. I though cash flow was the same as profit, but I was wrong. A lot of first time business owners and entrepreneurs make this mistake.

Over this Memorial Day weekend I came across the article about cash flow. We, meaning business owners and entrepreneurs are so busy coming up with ideas and products to sell, making payments, and investing in the business, we tend to associate profit with cash flow. To my understanding cash flow is the constant inflow of money to accomplish all the things mentioned above.

Also to avoid cash flow problems, have good customers and take advantage of various sales tool. But knowing that there will always be a few people slowing down the cash flow. The article suggest and I suggest it as well is those that present problems or show any signs of slowing down the cash flow, bareter with them.

You can barter goods or services to sure up cash flow loses or improve baretering relationpships. With barting you can improve cash flow, build realtionships and establish creibility in your business.

A Life of Baretering

2008-05-22T16:02:00.000-05:00

Here is a interesting story I ran across today about a woman named Catherine Chipman who made a life of baretering. http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/apr/18/lets-make-a-deal/

I've always believed in barter with other business owner and rising entrepreneurs. This give us other opportunities to grow a great idea and develop a working, trustworthy and on-going relationships and create possible partnerships. Bareter itself is great advertising, the most basic actually, word of mouth.

There are many blogs, niche or micro social networking, and classifieds sites like craigslist.com. Strangers exchange, barter or giveaway items all the time. In a time of a recession it's no wonder why baretering has not caught sooner. There are a plenty of people from graphic designers to real estate agents to massage therapist baretering.

This old time tradition is a testament of time itself and how sound the economy of today's society or world truly is. Bartering is more about giving freely of yourself, gifts, talents, hand me downs, time and a passion. Money isn't everything, though it helps to have, but having something of value someone else wants is worth a lot more.

Like the old saying goes "Another person trash is another person treasure."

Property Bartering

2008-05-12T20:33:00.000-05:00

About a week ago, I came across this link (http://www.propertybarter.co.za) in one of many news feeds. The name of the site is Property Barter and it's based in South Africa. It caught my attention rather quickly. I thought how can you barter property?

According to the site you can exchange assets of equal value. I thought this was a neat idea, if you get tired of something then barter it for something else. If you had your eye on your neighbor's or friend’s house, condo, apartment, or car and vice versa, wouldn't you try to trade for it? I know at one point or another we all jokingly said “I’ll take that off your hands" or “I’ll take it if you don’t want it.”

This is a really good idea for countries with poor economic value. Heck this might be even good here in America, with out weak the dollar is and the abundant foreclosures.

If there is anyone wanting to start this let me know. I'll jump on board.

What is Bartering?

2008-04-21T19:58:00.000-05:00

This is one question I've always asked myself. What is bartering? Is it simple or complex or both? In my not so professional opinion, it's both depending on the parties involved. If I'm to develop a business around this concept then I have know what does it mean and where it comes from.

Bartering, baretering (Anglo-French) or barater (Old-French) was an exchange of goods between two parties; this started in the 15^th century, well as far back as history can prove, but maybe I’m wrong. This was meant to be an active exchange, to do or conduct business transactions. Bartering was a system was used to measure the economic wealth of a community or country when the monetary system failed. Eventually money became the new way to barter to build a sound economic structure, but we all know how true that is today.

One problem with bartering is that it was only beneficial to the parties involved when they each had something of value the other wanted; hence the reason why money became mighty. Everyone wanted to have money to show their value in the community, then it lead to greed, selfishness, power, etc., etc.

To downplay the true worth of bartering, over the centuries it was devalued. Eventually bartering became well know as swapping, exchanging goods or services or simply trading.
People across the world barter every day, unconsciously. A few examples of that maybe when you ask someone to do you a simple favor or task, borrow money and many other daily task. When you exchange a service or good for something in return, it’s bartering.

There is great power in bartering and should be used more often. I think it provides an equal playing field so-to-speak. I think of bartering as an honor system, i.e. you have want I need or want and vice versa, let's do business. Bartering is an art form, like bargaining, i.e. I'll trade you this if you give me a more of those. Bartering is not seeing the short term effects or results, but the bigger picture and developing a relationship with a new business partner. This is a valuable skill to have as an entrepreneur or business owner, especially if you are just starting out.

Now that I or we have a better understanding of what bartering is, let's use it wisely to create a better world to live in!

Going Back to The Old Way of Doing Business

2008-04-20T13:40:00.000-05:00

I would first like to thank you all for visiting this blog and taking the time to read it.

I've finally succumb to the ever popular blogging. I never really understood what to say or share. Now that I am on the verge of launching a social networking site for small business owners and entrepreneurs, I have plenty to say. I have two great partners, who I’m proud to call friends. There is a bond of synergistic energy between us.

The purpose of the site is to help small business owners and entrepreneurs grow their business by the exchange or trading of services, posting jobs wanted and even enlisting the help of interns. This site was built by serial entrepreneurs for other self starters.

Most enterprisers in the beginning often have to trade business services to build a clientele list, promote services and even advertise. Being a entrepreneur myself, I've done all the above successfully. I understand the difficulty of accomplishing such small task when you are one person or even in a partnership. The rewards are great, but at what sacrifice, lack of sleep, increased stressed, uncompromising relationships, and a host of other event or elements to wear on the mind, body and energy. This was one of the sole reasons for creating Smart Bareter, set to launch in Spring of '08.

Smart Bareter is gong back to the old way of doing business, hence the Anglo French spelling of bareter. The mission or this site is to ease the daily burden of creating and establishing a business by building relationships across the world. Each entrepreneur has global aspirations and we are just making it easier for that dream of working from home and having your own business.

About 90% of the United States businesses is made up of small businesses.We have the power and reach to truly be the new voice of this nation to change, been seen and heard. No matter what it is you do or plan on doing, it will be accomplished. We are united through one common goal and purpose, with individual thoughts and ideas.

Help, learn and grow!