Although I have been a PC for many years, I have to hand it to Apple. They know how to market. I especially enjoyed the most recent Mac campaign launched to combat the new Windows 7 operating system. “PC” is anchoring a newscast reporting about Windows 7, and learns from man-on-the-street interviews that people are lining up to switch to a Mac instead! Watch commercial.

Then there are the flashbacks with the visibly younger PC. “Windows Vista won’t have any of the problems XP had.” And so on.

Well, I’m happy to say that I’ve moved over to the cool side. Rather than take my chances with Windows 7, I purchased a Mac. I’m delighted with its speed and stability. No crashes or lockups during my first video project. Impressive!

It may be true that “…mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.” I decided I was done suffering. Hello Mac!

If you’re a business owner, chances are you look at your company’s financial statements regularly to see how you’re doing. I do. One thing that doesn’t show up on your balance sheet as an asset but definitely helps your bottom line is a great network of support.

Most business owners I know are not experts at all aspects of business. They are great at what they do, whether it’s fixing cars, building homes, or styling hair. Functions like marketing and accounting often get neglected. But you can’t afford to neglect either one.

Now more than ever you need to keep your name in front of your customers and potential customers. If you’re marketing strategy consists of buying the latest advertising package pitched by your local TV or radio station sales rep, STOP!

This is the perfect time of year to set your marketing strategy for 2009. Meet with a marketing consultant to discuss your goals. If you work with an experienced marketing professional or advertising agency, it should only take a couple hours of your time to develop a comprehensive plan that will guide every advertising purchase you make in the coming year. The marketing consultant you hire should be asking you the right questions:

• What are your goals for 2009?
• If “increasing monthly revenue” is your goal, by how much?
• Who are your major competitors? How are they perceived? What marketing strategies do they employ?
• What are the characteristics (demographics) of your best customers?

Armed with the answers to these and a few more questions, your marketing consultant will be able to craft an intelligent plan for 2009 that will fit into your budget and will reach the right people with your message.

This is also a great time to find a good accounting service if you dread tax preparation as much as I do!