Recently Crystal and Hans Bridges were dining with their good friends, Patti and Jim, at a 4-star Atlanta restaurant, when the conversation suddenly turned very interesting.   Leaning forward Patti said, “Do you mind if I ask you guys a personal question?” Read more

One of the ways to expand your marketing efforts is by contacting and partnering with other members within your trade exchange. Look for those whom you’ve met and created a rapport with (at mixers or trade fairs) as well as those offering complementary but non-competitive products or services. If you need some help, give a call to your trade broker for possible introductions. Read more

Direct trades work when there is the “incidence of coincidence”; a coincidence of wants, where each company wants what the other company has to offer, in the exact same value, at the exact same time. This is often difficult to achieve and makes direct barter a challenge. Read more

(exerpts from Barter Gal)

1. AWARD STAFF WITH BARTER BONUSES AND COMMISSIONS. Business owners are often challenged to both acquire and maintain good staff. Often there is no way that a small to medium sized business can compete in the job market with big corporations or government departments. By awarding staff with barter dollars, either by way of an incentive or as a top up to their salary, Read more

With the nation in constant yellow and red alert terror and disaster status lately, homeowners are ramping up their emergency supplies and creating survival plans for their families.  Some are even purchasing land and creating getaway retreats–just in case. Read more

You can’t turn on the TV without hearing ObamaCare, or RomneyCare… You know–the plans from politicians that hope to force companies to secure health insurance for their employees?  The downside, of course, is that this idea comes with an astronomical price tag, which has many small business owners nervous. But what if we, as small businesses, could prove to “Big Brother” that we were providing for our employees in a unique way that satisfied the needs of families but didn’t hurt the bank account?  Might that work even better?  We think so!

Tapping into an Alternate System

Take Joey Miller, for instance, who has five employees working at his flooring company.  Instead of paying their medical insurance fees of $700/month with cash ($3500/month), Joey has devised a plan to save his cash and spend the dollars he’s earned in his alternate economy–the world of barter.

In Joey’s barter exchange, he has access to dentists, doctors, urgent care centers, blood testing labs, chiropractors, eye care specialists, wellness /nutritional centers, diagnostic clinics, and the like.  When one of his employees or their family members has a medical need, they simply visit one of the medical or dental professionals in the barter group, and Joey pays the bill with his virtual dollars.  It’s as easy as that!

Where does Joey get his virtual dollars, you ask?  He’s earned them by doing flooring work for customers on barter. The only cash that goes out his door is the 6% fee he pays to the barter club for each transaction. Here’s an example of what he might spend in a given month:

Employee Service Barter Cost Cash Fee
Jane M. Chiropractic $  200 $12
Todd C. Podiatrist $  400 $24
Lee F. Dentist $1400 $84
Melinda Z. x-rays $  500 $30
$2500 $150

So, instead of paying the $3500/month in cash that a forced medical plan would mandate, Joey pays $2500 in barter bucks, plus only $150 of his hard-earned cash. In this way, Joey can afford to keep all five of his employees and not shut his doors–even in a down economy.

So what about you? Could your small business benefit by switching to the world of barter as your main medical plan? Sure, “BarterCare” won’t cover everything for everyone–and some employees will want to have a backup major medical plan–but it’s a great start for companies looking to stay prosperous and retain their staff in tricky times. And it’s a terrific way to support other businesses who have also said yes to a practically recession-proof alternative economy.

Creativity is the ability to see relationships where none exist.” ~ Thomas Disch

As I leafed through a World History book this week, I was surprised to learn that entire ancient civilizations in Asia and South America became flourishing centers of trade based solely on a barter economy.   As the centuries progressed, it seems, nations turned to cash currency for its convenience. However, according to a recent NBC news show, once again people are revisiting the concept of barter as a way to rise above a lagging economy. Read more