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Good news?

2009-12-04T13:11:00.004-05:00

U.S. Economy Lost Only 11,000 Jobs in November

This headline from the New York Times today, seems like good news.

Only 11,000?

But ask any one of the 11,000 people how they feel to have lost their job during the holidays, "Isn't this great news for the economy?"

Stay focused, folks, reach out to those who have lost their job and try to help them connect with a staffing company or employer you know. It's one more way to help others by using your network!

Have a happy holiday season.

What to Say When You Are STILL Talking to Yourself

2009-11-05T07:59:00.015-05:00

When I first started in business for myself I was given the book "What to Say When You Talk to Yourself" by Shad Helmstetter.

It was perfect for me at the time: I had just left the big corporate culture in which people to speak to, and conversation with them, were abundant.

On my own, new in business, what do you say to yourself in the deafening silence?
"How do I keep my focus, outlook, and attention without any sensory inputs?"
What was I saying to myself?

Now, over 7 years later, yes, I still talk to myself. In between, the phone rings a lot, I speak publicly (next one 11/19 at AFP CT Philanthropy Day conference in Waterbury) and now I also give webinars.

Thanks to my colleague Geri Stengel at Ventureneer in NYC, I am giving my third free webinar on Wednesday November 18th from 2 to 3:15 pm ET, this time "LinkedIn for NonProfits."

As of last night we have 134 people registered. Wow. We may have hit a nerve out there: nonprofit social networking tips and techniques seems to be a hot topic, based on the registrations.

So as your webinario, I am ready to speak to the attendees that afternoon directly from my office, speaking into my headset and showing my presentation slides from my desktop. Right on your screen and into your speakers or phone.

Without the benefit of ascertaining facial reactions when I teach or make public presentations at conferences, the webinar will be the latest chapter in my continuing habit of talking to myself: 134 new colleagues will actually be listening to me as I talk to myself, no one else in my office, about something that may help them.

And...even if you cannot attend on the 18th, the webinar will be recorded and available on my LinkedIn page and Ventureneer.com. Funny: in that situation I will be speaking without even being present: my presentation coming at you 24x7x365 and I am not even talking to myself!...ah technology...

This is it (?)

2009-10-27T10:15:00.004-04:00

I have to marvel at the irony of Michael Jackson's unwittingly apt title for his last album and movie, "This is it."

I have to think the flight attendants who were rude enough to interrupt the "spirited" discussion going on in the Northwest Airlines cockpit thought: this was IT for them too: had the pilots all died?

No, the pilots were just brain dead-victims of getting lost in time and space behind their laptops.

Somehow I doubt they were just looking so intently at their workschedules...

So, finally please tell me, how come I am not supposed to use my cell phone behind the wheel of my car YET pilots can overshoot their destination while flying a multi-ton jet through US airspace, ignoring radio commands, while using their laptops?

Don't they have anything else to do up there?

Now a few words from guest blogger Doug Campbell

2009-09-21T15:59:00.006-04:00

As a CEO Coach and Business Owner, I am constantly looking for ways to make businesses more efficient and easier to operate. About 9 years we began accepting credit cards for our tutoring business (Sylvan Learning Center in Darien CT). It seemed like a big step at the time, and it was also potentially costly because our average charge is $100+. Nevertheless, it has been widely successful. Within 6 months 70% of our clients were using credit cards, and it is now close to 85%. The time spent preparing bills and mailing each month has been cut by 6 hours. The money is in the account almost immediately each month. Cash flow is less of a worry, and the rent check can go out on the 3rd of the month.

If you are a small business and still not using credit, reconsider the benefits in time, administration, and cash flow when you think through your strategies. If you are using credit, you should also periodically review your vendor – we lowered our fees substantially after 3 years with the first vendor and now receive better service. There are also incredible new tools to help you with cash flow and profitability in your business that are constantly being developed. Don’t let your competitors get a leg up on you. Make the time to talk to a credit expert – you will be surprised on the upside.

All the best.

Douglas Campbell III "The Success Coach"
203-975-0320 cell 203-952-1161
www.thesuccesscoach.com

Speaker * Author * Entrepreneur * Executive & Career Coach

Coaching Top-Performing Executives & Business Owners to Achieve Even Higher Levels of Success

The Success Coach on Networking (7) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boKH8yfYFNk

Business Conference Speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b61rV19JAk

The Success Coach, Business Expert, for Wells Fargo Bank on Onboarding New Employees

https://wellsfargo.imaginationdigitalmedia.com/business-insights/?episode=C7 (5)

Author Where To Go From Here: Reinventing Your Career, Your Business, Your Working Life (2009). It is available through Amazon, at Barrett Bookstore (Darien), Elm Street Books (New Canaan), and through the author as a book or ebook.

Will paper check acceptance at retail locations become a thing of the past?

2009-09-22T07:19:00.003-04:00

Whole Foods is a leader in the retail food industry They may stop accepting checks at the point of sale-does this mean checks will become a dinosaur someday? This story in the LA Times may predict our future.
What do you think?

Mary Travers, we will miss you

2009-09-17T19:44:00.001-04:00

The coo of Mary Travers' voice singing "I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane" was one of the most memorable tunes of my teenage years and one of my first 45s.

Her musical activism against the Vietnam War and racial inequality was a defining characteristic of the protest movement of 1960s. The history and the change she saw! She will be missed and the music will be treasured even more than before.

Why are some people so RUDE?

2009-09-15T16:50:00.005-04:00

What a week!

Obama is heckled and called a liar in the Capitol by an elected official! Imagine!

Pity the young singer at the music awards ceremony accepting an honor for her musical talent only to be interrupted and preempted by a rude and obnoxious celeb upset his favored singer did not win. At least the honoree kept her cool.

Not so in Flushing Meadow. Did you see the tennis player explode in anger and unsportsperson-like language on the US Open tennis court? $10K and an apology later, it's all but forgotten.

Today a former client called to let me have it, for nothing I did wrong. It was entirely her fault and she can't come to grip with the fact that she messed up. A shame.

Finally a friend was just laid off from her job and given 1 hour to clear out. No warning.

I sometimes feel like the world has gone mad and taken formerly polite people down with it. We all want what we expect is ours, and we want it now, in just the way we expect it to result. Dealing with our errors and disappointment is tough. But there is a proper way to do so, and with grace. Let's all try to find that grace.

Myself included, I suppose...

blog block

2009-09-02T17:38:00.005-04:00

From time to time people create new phrases that actually describe something I have witnessed yet searched for a term for its correct and concise description.

Blog block.

In the meeting this morning some of my colleagues expressed a reluctance to start their own blog as a means of marketing themselves. As if they were not capable of this (not the case), they had a block preventing them from starting, like the dreaded "writer's block."

My blog block comes from time to time. But in my case I want to express something and keep a regular schedule blogging but don't know quite what or how to say it in virtual words. Or I know I can't say it completely effectively and then just move on to something else more tangible.

Blog block.

I wonder if some of my colleagues and fellow bloggers also experience this, as misery LOVES company--do you ever get blog block?

Sage advice

2009-08-26T11:38:00.003-04:00

Aim with your heart, adjust with your head, and always, always, always, do all you can.

A new client sent this to me; thanks, Linda! It epitomizes what we all need to do better, continuously, in our business and personal lives.

No soapbox ranting form me. The words themselves say it all. Let's all practice this!

Optimistic

2009-08-13T20:21:00.003-04:00

Daughter moving to Seattle, spreading her wings. Anyone know any architecture or urban planning jobs out there?

Many irons in the fire for a busy August/September. Waiting...

4 speaking engagements booked for September alone.

Fall coming, change in weather, change in perspective.

Optimistic that new developments bring new experiences.

Twitter for Business 101

2009-08-07T08:23:00.007-04:00

The whole world seems a-flutter about Twitter and I have been a bit of a sitter on the sidelines, at least until now. I have been tweeting for a few months but am always looking for new ways Twitter can help my business.

Mashable ran a piece called Twitter 101 which is a great guide to ideas on how Twitter can benefit your business. Here it is in hopes it helps you somehow.

Let’s follow each other: I am @marchalpert

Optimists meet! Hope abounds!

2009-07-28T08:42:00.004-04:00

Can you imagine such a newspaper headline?
Or a talking head on TV saying "Optimists meet! Hope abounds! News at 11."

Well, it indeed happened last night, at a social event held by the Optimists' Tribe, in which a diverse group put names to faces and verbal promises of deeds to accomplish in 2009 that will make world just a little better place.

Sixteen quality people met, each with a view of the present and the future as bright and hopeful, in the spirit of social cause networking.

Join us on the website. It's free, or if you care to make a contribution that's cool too.

Optimism and how to get more of it!

2009-07-24T15:06:00.003-04:00

It's easy to be cynical or even downright pessimistic if you read the news: religious leader and mayors arrested for corruption, etc. etc.

I am not advocating suspending your newspapers subscriptions.

But I am suggesting finding optimistic open-minded people to mingle with and enjoy their energy. I am lucky I get to do this a lot.

Today I joined a new green business group sponsored by the local award-winning SCORE chapter. There were so many intelligent and sustainable business ideas in one room!

On Monday I am attending a social gathering of the Optimists' Tribe, a newly formed group that revels in an optimistic view of the present and the future. I am looking forward to an infectious evening of new contacts and positive friends.

I will report back soon.
Optimistically,
Marc

Would you like to save $4000 a year?

2009-07-20T09:50:00.006-04:00

It pains me to meet a nonprofit to find out that their credit card rates and other online donor services are so out of the market that they could realize savings of $4000 a year, that's a 50% savings! It happened again last week in Stamford.

Not that they are foolish or asleep at the wheel; on the contrary. It's just that my trained and objective eye can find new ways to give them the same functionality (actually better!) for less.

Once a controller came up to me after a presentation meeting at which I won their business and said, "You don't realize what you've just done-you saved us enough money to take one of our staffers and make her a full time employee."

Now that's good for the employee and for the organization. And it makes me feel good too, that I am able to help out in a new way.

What can we do for you?

Guest Blogger Lesley Mattos Tells Us How NOT To Be Treated as a Client

2009-07-08T14:57:00.003-04:00

From her blog Adesso Albums entitled,

"Authorize.NOT"

Friday, July 3, 2009 by Lesley Mattos

About 11:00 p.m. Pacific last night, there was a fire in the data center in Seattle, Washington where the credit card processing company for our e-commerce site is located. It was almost 12 hours before Authorize.NOT, as I like to refer to them now, resolved the issue but it took them 9 of those hours before they reached out to their customer base through Twitter.

The scary thing about this is that the Companys back up servers were impacted by the fire as well. Now I'm a very (VERY) small business compared to Authorize.net and even I know that redundancy means more than one copy of your important data and more than one place for it to reside. For God sake, they're the #1 credit card processing company in the world, you'd think they'd know that too!

Whoever is tweeting for them is now singing the praises of their response to the situation. The "tweet" - "Been on conf. call with the team for hours now. Impressed with how calm & meticulous they have been thru this entire event." Great. Next time try communicating that you've got it all under control the instant the issue arises so your customers aren't pulling up a blank website or calling a number that says the company is closed for the holiday weekend. Communicate with YOUR customers so that they can be proactive with theirs. It's not rocket science, it's just good customer relations.

Absent any information, here's what we did for our customers who were unable to complete purchases of our unique instant photo guest books to use for their wedding guest book, baby keepsake album, birthday or wedding shower guest book:

* We checked to see who had abandoned their shopping cart since the outage

* We sent an email to each of them, informing them about the outage and letting them know that we'd contact them again when the situation was resolved

* We offered them a 10% discount on their order when they did come back

The good news (and there always is some) is that I'd bet that someone has lit a firecracker under the "calm and meticulous" Authorize.NOT team are thinking long and hard over this holiday weekend about redundancy and beefing up their crisis communication plan. Let's hope so!

Guest Blogger Howard Levy with some great tips on direct mail fundraising

2009-06-25T07:49:00.009-04:00

I get to know some dynamic people who show great expertise in their fields. One of them is Howard Levy, who hails from Orange, CT but is providing sharp branding services for nonprofit out of Red Rooster Group, his marketing design firm in NYC. Howard is sharing a posting as my guest blogger today and I think it contains great tips that make paper mail solicitations much more effective:

"I just received a direct mail piece from Audubon that I think is effective (of course I don’t know what actual results were). Here are the elements and graphic techniques that I think make this piece appealing:

1. An enticing outer envelope. First, the package gets your attention. No mailing can be successful unless the recipient is compelled to envelope. This outer envelope is printed in full color with a lush image of an egret (which appeals to their members) and has a seal enclosure that looks like a label which gives it a special caché that elevates it above other fundraising appeals (the envelope flap is actually die cut). Also, notice that the offer to “Double your impact” is on the envelope.
2. An appealing offer. Due to a Challenge Grant by a large donor (made to several organizations), all donations made will be matched. Double your donation is a very compelling offer, especially in this recession.
3. Graphic demonstration of the offer. Not only does it tell that it will double your money, it actually shows you what those amounts are to make the offer more tangible. The piece is designed as perforated vouchers with the amounts pre-printed, no doubt based on the recipients’ previous giving levels to motivate donors to give a levels that are comfortable for them.
4. Repetition of the message. The Challenge Fund is presented in an elegant seal-like crest that makes the package feel special, with the words “Match My Gift” prominent on every voucher.
5. Effective design. Overall, the piece conveys an upscale look that reinforces the positive impression that Audubon is a professionally-run organization that will put the money to good use. Instead of many different fonts, lots of indents indents and use of yellow highlighting typical of fundraising letters, in this package the typefaces are kept to a minimum and the colors are restrained to Audubon’s signature green and an accent yellow to create an upscale, consistent look.
6. Comfort for the donor. Notice the Better Business Bureau logo on each form to provide an endorsement for the charity. Every bit of credibility helps when you are competing for funds."

Thanks, Howard!

Guest Blogger Arun Sinha always has something pithy to say...

2009-06-11T14:45:00.010-04:00

...and this time it is on one of my favorite subjects, cash flow:

Cash flow blues

A friend from one of my networking groups told me about a cash-flow crunch he found himself in, through nobody's fault. He has a 3-person firm, and like many small businesses, he gets the bulk of his revenues from one client. Currently, about 62% of his sales come from his largest client.

Sometime in December 2008 he sent this client his monthly invoice via email as usual. 30 days passed, and he hadn't received his check. Since this was a huge client, my friend was treading very softly around them. He didn't ask about his payment until another 10 days.

Client said, "We never got the invoice." There had been a glitch in their email system. Some incoming emails were lost, some weren't. Guess which email was lost.

So my friend sends the invoice out again. By now it's getting close to February 09. He has depleted his rainy day fund, so he draws on his line of credit at his bank so he can make his payroll and utilities.

Meanwhile, the client's business has slowed, so they don't pay in 10 days like they used to. They take the full 30 days. Which means my friend finally gets his check a little over 70 days after emailing his invoice. Then, because it's an out-of-state check, he waits another 7 calendar days for the money to land in his account.

There are a couple of lessons from this saga: Don't rely on one big client and one big check. Things can go wrong without malice on anyone's part. You always need more in your rainy day fund than you think.

I have had the pleasure of networking with Arun for over 6 years. I value his judgment and input. Arun's copywriting skills are shown well on his website http://www.AccessConsultingInc.com and his blogs are:
Envirobuzz and AccessNotes.

Both are worth subscribing and reading. Thanks, Arun!

Guest Blogger Adrian Miller writes on How to Screw Up a Good Introduction

2009-06-05T07:30:00.012-04:00

Before I let you read the guest blog post, I have to set the stage:
Have you ever met a person who exudes so much vitality and business savvy that you are left saying to yourself, "Wow, I REALLY need to get to know that person better. I have so much to learn from him/her."

Adrian Miller is unique in these areas. I am fortunate to know her and had her come make a great sales presentation to a private group of clients. My clients loved her!

She knows some amazing people and routinely networks people. I know this personally, she has connected me to the leader of a great group of nonprofit consultants in NYC!

Recently, she has started a unique way of bringing people together in virtual network sessions she calls Adrian's Network. Check it out!

Adrian recently posted a piece on Gotham's list-serve and I wanted to repeat it on my blog. It was that good.

It's called How to Screw Up a Good Introduction and since we are all guilty of this sometime, I thought it was worth distributing on this blog. Enjoy.

How to Screw Up a Good Introduction

Networking isn’t a short-term strategy. It’s not about power selling and moving onto the next lead. Smart networkers understand this concept.

Unfortunately, there are many misguided networkers out there that thoroughly don’t “get” the give and take of networking. They only consider introductions as opportunities to sell and irritate fellow business professionals with their short-sighted, myopic view of networking. They don’t take the time to explore all of the potential opportunities and feel that is more important to lunge ahead and aggressively sell to anyone who is put in contact with them.

If you’re having a lack of success with your networking efforts, it’s well worth your time to explore how you are approaching introductions. Some questions to ponder:

Are You Taking the Time to Get to Know New Contacts?
Relationships of all types, including those with networking contacts, require a period of discovery. How can you begin to explore how you can help each other until you understand each others needs, wants, capabilities, likes, and dislikes?

Are You Looking For Ways to Help Them?
Only after you have a good understanding of how you can possibly work together can you begin to offer suggestions. Use the information that you’ve gathered to find logical, thoughtful ways to help.

Are You Uncovering All Possible Opportunities?
Again, networking is a process not a one-time effort. Don’t stop at one attempt to assist a new acquaintance.

Are You Making Yourself Available?
Out of sight, out of mind definitely certainly applies to networking. Keep in good contact with your new networking acquaintance and provide them with all of your contact information so that they can reach you.

Start reading her blog.

I welcome your comments and war stories, and I encourage you to reach out to Adrian and get to know her and her work. Thanks for everything, Adrian!

what NOT to do

2009-06-04T07:28:00.008-04:00

Phishing and other scams are prevalent. I receive them from time to time.
In this real life story, one very intelligent friend of mine was duped, and her mistake is everyone's lesson in what NOT to do.

She received an email from Yahoo, her email provider, asking for your password, and thinking it was official, she replied. Mistake.

Yesterday morning I received this email from her (so did ALL her other email contacts, business and personal); typos in the quoted section appear as I received it:

I am in a hurry writing you this message i am sorry i didn't inform you about my urgent trip to London, i don't have much time on the pc here,so i have to brief you my present situation which requires your urgent response actually, I had a trip to London but unfortunately for me all my money got stolen at the hotel where i lodged due to a robbery incident that happened in the hotel.I had been so restless since last night cos i have been without any money moreover the Hotel's telephone lines here got dissconnected by the robbers and they are trying to get them fixed back i have access to only emails at the library because my mobile cant work here so i didnt bring it along,please i want you to help me with money so please can you send me 1,200 Pounds so when i return back i would refund it back to you as soon as i get home,I am so confused right now and dont know what to do,Please you can have it sent through Western Union Money Transfer so will get it immediately its sent but let me know if you can help me then i will make findings.please let me hear from you so i can give you my the address and name where you can send the money to today please.Its really urgent for me as i dont know what to do right now than to leave here soonest you send it to me and i'll pay you back immediately i get home..Thanks alot for your kindness,

I will really appreciate your quick response.

Best Regards
(I deleted her name to protect her innocence!!!)

I thought that a professional writer (which she is) would do a better job writing this and her husband would have sent the money if this were indeed a real situation. Besides we knew she was home and not in London.

But the annoyance of having to admit her error and the consequences to all her email contacts ruined her day. And don't you think she felt her online security was violated? Humor: she did admit that as a result of this scam email, she never knew she had so many friends who cared so much about her...silver lining?

Even if it seems official, forward that phishing email to abuse@(your ISP).com. They will track the bad guys down if they can. If they have time to...

So tell your friends, your kids, you parents, that what appears to be a legitimate, official-looking request for your email password is actually a scam designed to find one dummy in your email list who might just send the money to help you out in a panic, and enrich a scammer.
Be safe.

It's been a while

2009-05-18T17:21:00.003-04:00

Since my last blog posting, a few things have happened that are noteworthy.

First, my daughter's college graduation, magna cum laude from Tufts. My college son is home too and between the two of them, they are on the Hawaiian time zone, asleep at 4 am and up again at 12 noon.

Second, a number of new clients in the for-profit and the nonprofit spheres, which is always a good sign. Perhaps the economy is reawakening?

Third, new products virtually for free: a wireless credit card terminal for merchants who go to the client, rather than the traditional vice-versa way, and an IP-capable desktop terminal for retailers with the latest in VOIP telecommunications.

Finally, LinkedIn is kicking! Many new contacts and new ways of gaining exposure which is crucial in this industry. I am presenting in New York City to a group of accountants early this week; one of a number of presentations I am asked to make, which is outside my normal area of expertise, but helps me meet new people.

It's always been the networking that I really enjoy at the end of the day. People helping people. Til the next installment...

The Proper Care and Feeding of LinkedIn

2009-05-01T10:09:00.007-04:00

All living organisms, and some electronic things, need proper care and feeding. The seeds I sprouted in March in the windowsill are mostly surviving, despite my too-constant watering and transplanting. Some would say compulsive...

I have lost a few seedlings, and more tragically, some friends this past month. John was 53 and Jerry was 84. Both will be sadly missed.

The 84-year old came up with the name "The Proper Care and Feeding of LinkedIn" for a session I did for Jewish Family Services to help some folks in between jobs learn a few techniques for job searching using LinkedIn. Unfortunately he was in the hospital when I gave the session,. but would have been asking lots of questions as his mind was always clicking away...That's how I want to be at his age!

I am beginning to collect tips and ideas for an upcoming white paper for my clients, fellow consultants, friends and fellow bloggers, LinkedIn buddies called "The Proper Care and Feeding of LinkedIn."

If you have a great story, an smart tip, a savvy use of LinkedIn, a piece of business you won directly from LinkedIn, etc., please send it to me and I will pull together the top 50 (or 100) ideas and distribute to you. Insert the anecdotes into comments to this posting.

Adoption Adaption

2009-04-21T13:59:00.010-04:00

This week's spotlight is on Jewish Family Service. one of whose programs is a full-service domestic or international child adoption service.

The staff at JFS could not be more sincere in their desire to help couples adopt children. The experience was so favorable that a friend who used the JFS adoption services became a Board Member and cannot say enough about how well it all went.

Experienced, consultative, supportive and professional, JFS guides couples along the way, making a vulnerable emotional time much more enjoyable.

They remain engaged as the new parents adapt, the child flourishes and the agency has performed its mitzvah (good deed) for couples of all faiths and backgrounds.

What could be better? Encourage friends and family members thinking of adopting to contact JFS by phone at 203.366.5438 or via the website. Adoption and adaption all under one roof.

Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes

2009-04-17T09:54:00.009-04:00

Until I came in contact with Homes for the Brave in Bridgeport, CT I didn't know that:
1) that an estimated 7,000 – 8,000 female veterans are homeless in the U.S., the most in the nation’s history.
2) their numbers are expected to increase as more women return home.
3) women make up about 5% of homeless veterans, up from 3% 10 years ago.
4) a woman who has served in the military is up to four times more likely to be homeless than a nonveteran woman.
5) female veterans are more likely to experience severe housing cost burden than male veterans. They represent only 7% of veterans but 13.5% of veterans with severe housing cost burden.
6) lack of affordable housing is a primary catalyst for homelessness amongst all veterans.

Of the 8,000 soldiers from Connecticut who are deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, 25 percent of them are women. With more veterans due to return stateside, there is an extreme shortage of transitional housing for female vets in CT. “Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes” would be the first transitional living facility for homeless female veterans in the state.

The urgency for supporting these homeless female veterans is extreme and your financial support is needed. Please contact Amanda LeClair at aleclair@homesforthebrave.org or 203.338.0669.

At a theatre near us

2009-03-27T11:34:00.007-04:00

The Community Theatre Foundation in Fairfield, a gem of a cultural attraction in the midst of Fairfield, CT is this week’s featured nonprofit client. It is a foundation, supported solely by movie ticket sales at well-below market prices, and donations from the people who love it. Unfortunately its expenses exceed its donors’ generosity and in these rough economic times, its needs have ballooned. Operations and maintenance expenses are sapping its stability.

Folks, this is a different kind of place. The seats are comfortable, the moviegoers are your neighbors, and the operation is staffed by high school volunteers who are getting great work experience.

For these reasons, I really don’t think it gets any better than this; they give back to the community and now need our help.

Donations can go to https://secure.modpay.com/vterm/vterm1.cfm?an&nan&ae=1&clientcode=1C65A547.
Please help.

Moooooove your kosher meat buying online

2009-03-27T10:50:00.006-04:00

Jewish meat eaters who relish glatt kosher meat know that the periodic trip to the kosher butcher as much as 2 hours away is a major pain in the rumproast.

Now you can order glatt kosher meat online while your salivary glands start into hyperdrive just looking at the online photos; a few days later you have the meat delivered to your door. It's the low-carbon footprint way of getting your glatt kosher meat.

Passover starts the evening of 08Ap09. That's soon.
Don't delay-tell your friends who buy kosher meat to have a look at The Golden West Cattle Company, this week's featured client. Special prices are on the website ahead of the holiday. And the website is fun to read as well.
Hag sameach (happy holiday in Hebrew)