Cogster.com is easy. It allows you to speak your voice and use your money while doing so. Plus, it brings you together with many others in your community. If enough of you want something to happen, Cogster facilitates your collective ability to speak with authority. And, to put your Money where your Mouth is.
Cogster is not just about giving money. It’s also about getting something back. It’s called Social Dividends. You deserve to reap rewards for the choices you make and the risks you take. Cogster Loyalty Campaigns are all about providing a new, social platform for you to direct financial resources to Mom and Pop businesses located on Main Street, USA. Often, the Social Dividends you receive may be 1.5, or even 2 times the amount you pay to join a Cogster Campaign. All you have to do to redeem those dividends is go shop at the businesses you decide to support.
You matter to those businesses. Your money matters. Your Will matters. What you want to accomplish is up to you. Cogster now makes it social and fun to add power to your voice.
Local businesses need capital and customers to stay in business. Now you have a way to provide both of those resources. You don’t have to spend a lot to get involved, either. Cogster aggregates your show of support with that of other citizens who want to join a specific Merchant’s Cogster Campaign too. I’ve seen most individual amounts range from $20 to $50. It’s really easy. When enough people do it, the dollars add up pretty fast to help the local merchant’s business.
How does it all work?
Cogster.com allows you to register and manage your very own Account. It sends email reminders to update you on your Dividend Cash Certificates, when they’re about to expire and when new Dividend amounts are available to you. Plus, it allows you to print out your Dividend Cash Certificates right from your home or office. They’re as good as cash. No blackout dates; no fine print. The Merchants agree to honor those stipulations prior to opening their Campaigns. Those merchants want you in their shops and stores; they need you to keep coming back. So, please enjoy Cogster.com. It is a brand new tool your community now has in its tool-kit to help power-up the local economy and help businesses STAY in business.
For Businesses
16
Jul 10
You Matter
11
Jun 10
French Fries and Beer, with Mandy Sergent!
Mandy Sergent, a local yoga therapist and instructor, is one of the coolest local business owners using Cogster.com right now! She’s always posting exciting promotions and information about her hip yoga studio located in the heart of downtown Boalsburg, PA. One of my newest members, Kristina Giambra (we call her “Tia”), recently stopped by to visit Mandy and this is what Tia had to say:
“…Today, I stopped in at Mandy Sergent’s yoga studio. It’s located right in the basement of her house and when I arrived she was very cool — she made me feel so welcome. As we walked into the studio, I immediately started to feel healthy! Not only does Mandy teach yoga, but she’s also a Holistic Health Counselor. I have no idea what that means, but I do know it has something to do with teaching others how to make smarter food decisions and control portion size. Mandy told me her counseling has less to do with simply dieting to eliminate carbs and sugar – and more to do with maintaining a lifestyle of patient eating. She even said, ‘I eat french fries and drink beer like everyone else, but I also spend a great deal of time preparing my own meals and living a consistent lifestyle.’ Mandy’s customers will tell you she’s nice and thin; that says something for her health and also for her frequent yoga workouts. The studio has dimmed lighting, creating a relaxing atmosphere to perform yoga and the space provides just enough size to accommodate 9 students at one time. Most of her classes are offered in the evening to accommodate her customers’ schedules. In addition, she also offers individual sessions, by appointment. Overall, a great vibe and an impressive local operation. I highly recommend it.”
You can find out more about Mandy Sergent on Cogster.com at http://cogster.com/business/view/33. We’re a huge fan of Mandy’s and we recommend you check out her “Deals of the Week.” Plus, give her a call or stop by to see her. People like Mandy make our community a special place to live.
8
Jun 10
Susquehanna Business Life
Cogster is a big fan of Susquehanna Business Life, a Central Pennsylvania business magazine originating from the part of the State where I grew up. The magazines feature articles telling fascinating stories about thriving Central PA businesses, ranging from start-ups to family-run enterprises that have been around for generations.
I enjoy flipping right to the Publisher’s Letter every time I receive a new issue. It is written by Erica Shames, a rather impressive and energetic force in the Susquehanna Valley. While I’ve not yet met her, I’ve heard great things about Erica from many colleagues who know the area and her work.
A recent issue caught my eye. Erica’s message to business owners: get back out and sell. Erica acknowledges the last year-and-a-half of economic challenges and shares her own story of having to force herself to get away from her passion for writing and focus on the immediately important task of “selling” advertising and reinforcing client relationships. Moreover, Erica goes on to ask, “Who better to be the face of a company than the passionate owner whose entrepreneurial spirit…., and hard work…, propelled the company where it is today.”
Right on. She’s right. Sales and business development cannot be delegated. Not now; not in this economy.
For fun articles and other words of wisdom for small business owners in Central PA, check out Susquehanna Business Life.
2
Feb 10
The 2 Pieces of Effective Budgeting
As all businesses close out the books on 2009, we now start the process of having to “stick” to the budgets we’ve set for ourselves in 2010. You know the drill: whether you own a business or work for one, there are budgets for everything. Sales, expenses, revenues, costs – everything. And, in this challenging economy, no matter who you are, you’ve probably felt the pain at one point or another.
It’s that point where budgets don’t get met and the boss gets upset. Travel gets cut, training goes away, and marketing budgets get slashed. Meanwhile, sales budgets increase, gross margin expectations soar, and everyone straps themselves in for a rollercoaster ride.
[image credit: wonderaround]
But as we begin the first quarter of 2010, let’s remind ourselves why we budget. Budgets are a management tool. They’re designed for leaders to properly allocate resources to accomplish necessary tasks. Budgets allow us to measure by using benchmarks and milestones. Why is it, then, that some organizations always fail to meet their budgets, over and over?
The answer: The best businesses in 2010 understand that the two pieces of an effective budget process include both 1) creating the budget, and, 2) executing the budget.
How many times have you witnessed a situation where the budget that was created included too many lofty goals that even the best performers could not attain? Conversely, how many times have you seen an organization fail to meet a defined budget simply because those who were charged with executing it neglected to manage, adjust, realign, and react effectively to the encounters they faced along the way?
Both are equally important. That’s the secret. And, in a way, that’s leadership.
- Number 1: Create a budget that is realistic, tied to objectives, and attainable given certain resources.
- Number 2: Execute that budget by resourcing it appropriately, checking it consistently, and adapting to contingencies quickly. The best companies will do both of these in 2010.
And remember, the term “budget” could be a “goal”, but a “goal” is not necessarily a “budget.”
24
Nov 09
3 Ways Businesses Can “Think Local”
In this video, Matt Marshall from VentureBeat stresses some great points on how important it is for a business to think local. Whether you are a large corporation looking to go global, or a small company with a single location, your business must consider the needs of your local customers and figure out creative and effective ways to satisfy those needs.
The video points out that Facebook has been unable to successfully launch in China because they never established a local strategy, or took into account the strict government regulations of the area. It is important to do your homework before entering a local market! Here are three things you steps you should take in order to improve your local business:
- Use local talent
- Think like a local
- Adapt to local customs
Cogster is a tool that can help local businesses connect with their customers on a more intimate level. You can uncover your customers needs and desires, achieve higher customer loyalty and therefore create better customer relationships that will last for years to come.
What do your customers want?
20
Nov 09
ABC’s of Economic Development
One of my old bosses always used to say “Steve, you don’t have to know everything to be good. But, you at least have to know what you don’t know.” I laughed when I first heard this advice, but I’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of this statement using it as a leader with my own team members. It’s true. You are much more effective as an individual when you can make of list of what you don’t know before approaching a certain task.
Finding money when running a local business is one of those tasks. Local business owners need to understand who’s willing and able to help them. It seems to me, however, that there are so many agencies, both community and government, that are so hard to find out anything about.
A great article in the May 2009 edition of “Voice of the Valley,” the business journal published by the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce near Selinsgrove, PA, presents a concise rundown for local business owners detailing what they might not know about accessing capital:
Click here to read the entire article.
Cogster is a member of the GSVCC, as well as Centre County’s CBICC, and although I haven’t been able to attend all of the Chamber events I’d like to, I always enjoy reading the monthly newsletters published by the excellent Chamber staffs. Chambers provide excellent business resources for small businesses and can complement your networking and fundraising mission.
