“I can assure you, if you do not continue your education/training, your competitors will. Enrolling in finance classes, management classes, supervisor training, new equipment/methods for improvement…all those things are important. Certificates? Not so much unless of course your vocation or profession requires certification. Bottom line—improving yourself, your employees, and your processes help as long as you stay true to your business needs.” —James Beeler, independent consultant

“I met Kevin Monahan from SBDC UNF at an event and found out more about the small business programs they have. As a potential business owner, I can see value in the educational programs. An experienced business owner offered that she put her employees through the classes as training to understand the process and as a teaching tool. I already added this to my to-do list.” —Dave Bachansingh, merchandise marketing manager

“Today’s consumers are more demanding and most have less money to spend, so continuing your education to ensure you are more knowledgeable about your products and services may sway a customer to do business with you rather than your competitor. Additional certifications may make you more marketable, but you’ve got to have the knowledge and convey this to the consumer.” —Mary Habres, accredited home stager, paint color consultant, and interior redesigner; decorating and staging speaker

“Additional certifications are absolutely vital to a small business owner. They give more confidence to the general public who are your customers. Getting the Certified Managerial Account designation is on my to-do list for 2012.” — Keith Johnson, principal, Keith E. Johnson CPA PA

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“When we stop learning, we stop growing and get stuck in our ruts. We start thinking, “This can’t be done” and so forth. It’s why I believe in being a part and product of the process and hired a coach, even though I am a certified coach. We rarely see our own blind spots. I believe you will always get some nugget from any continuing education or new certification program!” —Kathryn Hatcher, owner, Key Coaching Associates

“I think continuing education is critically important. I’ve had many clients who get so involved in day-to-day activities that they forget that if they don’t keep up, they’ll find their business down as people begin to think they are out of date. Besides, any type of class will stir your brain so you find yourself with new ideas for your business. If you learn one new thing out of a class, it was worth the effort. Education is salvation.” —Luann Allen, business and marketing expert, and author

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“After 5+ years, I’m opening an office; adding specialized marketing, branding and consulting services, and more interns; and partnering with trusted colleagues on items I am not always able to work on, but some clients may ask for. So excited and ready for great things in 2012!” —Camille Clement Gregg, CEO, chief excitement officer at Outside The Box Consulting, LLC

“2012 policies and procedures are all around digital media and online communications. We will be helping more small businesses (SMBs) implement social media guidelines and online monitoring programs, as well as building out social media campaigns this year. I see SMBs doing a lot more in this space in 2012, but they first have to be informed about the possibilities of engaging with buyers online. What’s held them back to date is a sense of overload, in particular fear of the resources required to meet the expectations of social media users.” —Ilona Olayan, marketer, researcher, strategist, and social media zealot

“For 2012, I will be focusing on client communication—especially making sure clients get called back, which is always a challenge for me. My New Year’s resolutions are to simplify and recover.” —Keith Johnson Principal, Keith E. Johnson CPA PA

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“I have a number of new implementations, but since I am fairly fresh out of the gate owning my own business (no solicitors please), there are plenty of implementations I need to continue working on.”—Tommy Hobin, digital marketing consultant at Mind Jar Media

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“We will be implementing social media for 2012.” —John Gray, human resources director at England-Thims & Miller, Inc.

“I will ensure that all calls to clients will be returned within a 24-hour period.” —Pat Council, host of “Designing Your Life, Today” Radio Show at True Thoroughbred Enterprises

If you have no client/customer contact then I do not see the harm in relaxing it somewhat. However, if you will be interacting with clients on a regular basis, then flip flops (the beach, less-dressy type) or tank tops are just a little too casual. This statement coming from a girl that grew up at the beach and wears flip flops in ice rinks!—Ashley Lyon, administrative assistant, Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce

I think the dress code should fit the workplace. For those with close face-to-face client contact, a “smart” business casual could be appropriate. However, beyond deciding a dress code for the summer is setting an appropriate company culture that ensures the right mindset from the employees year round. If companies spent more time empowering and engaging employees, productivity would naturally increase and there would be less worry about a dress code.—Chad Sorenson, president, Adaptive HR Solutions, LLC

Let’s relax a little more when it’s 90+—a logo short sleeve shirt or logo polo with dress slacks for men or skirt for the women along with a nice pair of shoes. Wear a light weight navy blazer or conservative sport coat when meeting clients or out in public. Slip the jacket off when working in the office or in meetings. No shorts, T-shirts or flip flops.—Jack Manilla, president/owner, Portofino Pools and Technical Institute

It depends on the industry you are in and whether you are in an office environment, warehouse environment, etc. Flip flops are not appropriate in the workplace, unless you are selling flip flops. Then there are safety issues to take into consideration, too. Our employee manual clearly states what is appropriate and what is not. If an employee is inappropriately dressed, the appropriate dress needs to be discussed with them. Your employees are a direct reflection of you and your business and sometimes they will push to the limit what is approved for your business.—Patsy Underwood, owner, Atlantic Laser Office Products

My brand image is when someone thinks of me they should automatically see me in their minds eye wearing a long sleeve dress shirt, tie and suit coat. I did try wearing a polo shirt for two months as a test. At the end of the two months I put the suit and tie back on and met with the people that know me. I asked them what they thought the last time they saw me in the polo. It was 100% confirmation that this looks better and it is who I am.—Thomas McKay, MSM, owner/manager, McKay Financial Solutions, LLC

Depending on the client, I usually wear dress slacks and a logo’d polo. I believe this still conveys professionalism without sacrificing creditability. Nothing was worse than when I was a pharmaceutical rep and would see other male reps walk into an office pouring in sweat because their manager made them wear a dark suit (jacket always on) when it was 100 degrees outside.—Shaun Salari, Merchant Services Brokerage & Consulting

I am an old-timer, but I still feel that I perform better when I dress the part of a professional. As long as I am wearing a tie and a shirt, I feel that I am “in the mood” to do business and that I transmit that feeling to my clients as well.—Haim Cassorla, independent insurance agent, Aflac

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Lord yes, especially with folks who do outside sales. The people we call on in Jacksonville Florida (the home of the PGA Tour) generally wear nice looking shorts with a golf shirt. It looks odd when you walk in to a business with a shirt and tie and the person you are talking to is in shorts. You don’t look like you identify with your customer. I agree that flip flops, tank tops, and short shorts are not appropriate in the work place, nor does it look professional. I do believe that you need to be on the same playing field with your customer. One of the smartest bosses I’ve ever had in sales told me that a customer thinks the smartest people in the world are people who think just like them.—Rob Nicholson, director of sales, EIG Productions

Sometimes the old saying of “give an inch and they’ll take a mile” can come in to play. It also depends on where you work and the type of job you do. If you are in a clerical position and never see customers, a casual dress code is appropriate, without going too far (SHORT shorts, etc.). As a front-line employee or outside salesperson, use common sense. I don’t think you can ever overdress. Be smart. If I walk in to meet with a potential client and I have a coat and tie on and they are dressed for their tee time, I would take my jacket off and put it on the back of the chair. I might even make a comment or a joke about my formal attire and how I wish I was dressed as casual that they are.—Darrin Franz, consultant

While there are some casual clothing pieces that may be appropriate, tank tops, short shorts, flip flops, short skirts, or any other revealing article of clothing are not appropriate at any time in a professional office.—Lucille Ferry, CEO, The Foxglove Foundation Inc.

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In 1999, as the director of HR operations at BlueCross BlueShield of Florida, I was challenged to create and coordinate a revised “dress code” to bring the company into the new millennium. After much research and thorough coordination across a fairly large business (10K+ employees), we decided it was easier to define what was out than what was in in terms of attire. At the time, flip flops, tank tops, collarless shirts (for men), short shorts for women, sandals, for men, etc., were out. The various studies about the impact of “dressing down” are mixed in terms of the impact, albeit anecdotal, of allowing employees to “dress down.” Of greater importance, perhaps, is the leadership culture that is present in the first place. I also believe that wearing a suit to a client meeting provides some credibility until one opens his or her mouth. Then, the suit doesn’t matter as much anymore. What matters is the relevance/quality of the advice as perceived by the client or prospect relative to what they have received from your competitors.—Brian Mickley, vice president & COO, Petros Estate & Retirement Planning/Woman’s Worth, LLC

It doesn’t seem like it matters what season it is, women always have more leniency in dress: open shoes including sandals and flip flops, sleeveless tops, etc., It really does not make sense any more in today’s world to wear suits and ties, but I think it should be the same for both male and female. If women can wear sandals and flip flops, men should be able to as well. It just does not seem to be acceptable no matter the dress code.—Wayne Huffman, JDE, consultant, Business Process Analysts, Inc.

The heat is oppressive, no doubt about it. But as Carol said, you have to dress appropriately with clients. In the summer I wear sear-sucker or khakis, but I always have on a tie, because at the least, I know I may not want to wear a jacket, but a collared shirt and a tie can always show a level of professionalism to prospects and customers.—Jack Bobeck, box/file storage guru, paper to paperless expert, Imaging Source and Shredding Source

We moved from western North Carolina where dress shirts and ties were the norm. Here, I think that in some service-type industries collared short-sleeve shirts or polo’s with dressy shorts and tennis shoes should be acceptable. In a more professional setting, khaki or lightweight slacks with a short sleeve dress shirt and tie should be acceptable, similar dress for women. I still don’t think flip flops or tank tops fit in business environments.—Jim Frank, president, Safe Harbor Solutions, LLC

I think that dress code should be based on industry expectations. If you are dealing with the public then dress as would be expected for your field of work. If you are not in the public, then I don’t see a problem with dressing down for the hot months. So, I guess in my case I could wear an orange apron and a pair of jeans and be a representative of what the consumer thinks a flooring salesperson should look like….haha. I’d rather send a message of professionalism here at my business. —Rene Carter, president, Family Abbey Carpet and Floor

I think the dress needs to be appropriate for the situation. Sometimes that is a jacket and tie, often not. Flip flops and tank tops clearly are not appropriate in most business settings.—Jon Cummins, CEO & president, Paramount Performance Marketing

Hmm that’s a tough one in today’s casual society. Flip flops-no, sandals-dressy ones, tank tops-no. Then how does management help staff determine what is allowed? By showing pictures and giving examples and using themselves as examples. One problem I have is that some women don’t seem to have personal pride in their dress. They allow themselves to wear blouses and shirts and tops and dresses where [cleavage] is all but falling out of what they have on top. That is not professional; that’s not even good personal female pride in one’s self. There is a time and place for everything and the work place is not the place for a woman’s breasts to be hanging out.—Anita Currier Stelling,  CEO/founder/president/owner, www.shopbestweddingsite.com

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As a property appraiser, gas prices are always a concern. Just have to live with it and combine assignments when possible. —Bruce Swearingen, owner, Swearingen Appraisal Services

My office is just minutes from home, but I also work from home frequently thanks to technology. I agree with Bruce; when there is a lot of traveling, we just need to absorb it. —Donna Shaw, broker/managing director, Platinum Realty Enterprises, LLC

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Personally, I try to coordinate my trips to make as many stops in the shortest distance. As for the business, it’s another increased expense that we must absorb. It has not seemed to have an effect on business yet. —Fred David, president, PostalExpress Direct Mail

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I use the phone and Internet more to get files. I also combine client trips if possible. —Keith Johnson, principal, Keith E. Johnson CPA PA

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Unfortunately, my business remains the same. As a print consultant, my days include driving everywhere. It has really hit my pocketbook though and I hope it changes soon. This economy cannot stand another sustained hit. —Pamela O’Toole Woodworth, print consultant, All Purpose Printing and Graphic Inc.

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I try to schedule appointments in the same area around the same time but of course that doesn’t work all the time. —Debbie Herrera, senior property manager, St. Johns Realty Group Inc.

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I second Ms. Toole’s response, but working as a meeting professional at a major meeting facility in northeast Florida, I’m noticing that groups want to meet in a more regionalized manor. Meaning, instead of a national meeting that would bring all of their people to one place, they will have four regional meetings around the country, for example. Of course gas (transportation) is a major factor is a lot of meetings. —Bruce Lacey, associate director of sales, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront

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I use remote desktop technology to service my clients with PC support and web design services. Most of my sales calls can be done remotely. I even send my new clients a picture of me so they can actually know who I am for the first meeting even if it’s a remote session.—Rick Kane, owner of XTREME IT, Inc.

I mark out a daily route for everything. Because my mileage is a tax deduction, I make sure that any stops I need to make are included either on my way out or on my way back in to my home. This saves on gas, time, and wear and tear on the car. —Cheri Jones, Owner, Angel Care and C. J. Services Workforce

Winn-Dixie and Shell have teamed up for a “Fuel Perks” program. You save a few pennies, but every bit counts, right? —Carlos Gil, CEO/Founder, JobsDirectUSA.com

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We also take advantage of Winn-Dixie’s fuelperks! program that gives discounts on gas purchases at participating Shell stations. It’s easy to amass discounts of 50 cents per gallon or more when doing your weekly grocery shopping. The key is using the new Customer Reward Card— it gets you discounts in the store and then gets you discounts at the pump. —W. Patrick McSweeney, APR, senior account manager, St. John & Partners

I hate to track mileage for my business, but I am forcing myself to make it a habit.   —Celesia Laymon, Owner, Jax Media, LLC

One way is to ride JTA. Once a week or more will help save on gas, save on frustration at other drivers on the road, and give you time to relax before you get to the office. —Lucille Ferry, CEO, The Foxglove Foundation, Inc.

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I am really looking at trading in my current vehicle for a more fuel efficient one. I thought 21 miles to the gallon was good, but man is it expensive (especially right now). —Kimberly Deas, director of marketing, Tioli Marketing

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I map out my destinations so I don’t burn excessive gas. I can’t do anything different concerning the cost of gas except to pray and keep God first in my life. I still have to go to work and attend business meetings, church services, and other social events. Life goes on and I continue to use wisdom in my decision making. —Victoria Poller CEO, Ms. “V”s

I combine trips and try to do a better job of targeting which meetings to attend.  —Keith Johnson, principal, Keith E. Johnson CPA PA

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I bought a used 2010 Toyota Prius. I drive 45% city/55% freeway, and I get an average of 60 miles per gallon. —Christine-Anne Platel, president/owner/life coach and voice movement therapist, Conscious Connections

I recommend scanning and emailing documents and paperwork versus site visits.  —Greg Craddock, vice president, PEO Professionals

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I am not driving as much, am carpooling more, buying gas earlier in the morning when it’s cooler outside (gas expands in heat), and only pumping the gas at half speed (keeps vapors lower). I also invested in bicycles for the whole family. We live in the Oceanway/Dames Pointe area of town, so sidewalks are sporadic; however, people have been accommodating. If it’s 3 miles or less, we bike.  —Eric Doss, channel account manager, AT&T

I think twice about how to plan my routes and only drive when necessary and I use the GAS BUDDY APP on my iPhone to find the lowest prices near me. It is great.  —Peter Gentry, managing broker, Florida Commercial Real Estate Services LLC

1. Drive the speed limit. 2. Use cruise control as much as possible. 3. Keep your cars RPMs under 2,000 as much as possible. I drive 28 miles a day to work and I get about 2.5 to 3 weeks on a 16 gallon tank of gas in a 2003 Camry. It takes patience and persistence, but it can be done.   —Jim Macdonald, Guardsmark LLC

It has definitely caused me to be more organized before I head out the door. —Heather Stockton, president, Stockton Construction

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These are all great ideas for saving gas personally but my thoughts went back to when I had a company with 42 step vans on the street every day. We had a computer system designed to route the deliveries (I am sure that would be off the shelf by now). Put a map and a GPS in each vehicle. Create limits for the deliveries you do in house, consider outsourcing delivery to someone else, develop a surcharge when fuel costs reach some pre-established level. And more than anything else train the drivers to think, the customers to be realistic, and the staff to be creative. Ask them to think strategically about how to solve these issues every day. It will be the people on the front lines who will come up with the answers if they are trained, encouraged and rewarded to think strategically.   —John Chappelear, President, Changing the Focus, LLC

I sell real estate and so I have to drive…. but I am working from home as much as possible. —Joanne Samuelson, TRC, e-PRO, CDPE, IRES, CIPS, realtor, RE/MAX Specialists

For full size pickup trucks, cargo vans, and SUVs, the rear axle differential ratio makes a difference in fuel economy. A 4:10 ratio gives you great load pulling capability but it’s not efficient at highway speeds. A 3:31 axle (ex; Ford F150) will get the best fuel economy but it won’t pull a heavy load easily.   —Robert Smith, commercial vehicle leasing agent, GT Leasing

I don’t go unless it’s absolutely necessary, drive the speed limit, use cruise control, keep tire pressure up and use 5W-20 Synthetic motor oil. I drive a Ford Fusion Sport V6 and average about 23 to 25 mpg on the road, about 17 to 18 in town. I also use the Internet to its fullest extent for public records, maps, aerials wetlands info environmental mapping, etc.   —Charles Gardner, MAI, C S Gardner & Associates, Inc.

I suggest turning off air conditioning if you can stand it and leave your windows cracked, but not all the way open—too much drag resistance. I drive a Tahoe and have noted on the average mileage calculation that air conditioning can decrease mpg by as much as two mpg. I also still see people leaving their cars idling with the ac on while they go in convenience stores. Driving 65 mph instead of 70 also increases mpg by one to two. If you’re in need of new tires, check the style to make sure you get an efficient tread design, this makes a big difference too. When I have to trade in the Tahoe, I definitely will get a smaller vehicle, more fuel efficient.  —Harry Way, southeast sales manager/chocolate specialist, Netzsch Fine Particle Technology

The Gate gas stations are selling a free, re-loadable gas card that saves you 3 cents per gallon. You simply give them the cash and they load the card. Then use the card at the pump as you would any credit card.  —Jerrell Williams, property manager, Turnkey Property Management

I also use the Winn-Dixie and Shell “Fuel Perks” from time to time. And yes, every penny you can save helps.   —Gloria Roden, private consultant

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We are taking second looks at appointments and meetings, trying to move as much as possible to online venues, not as business effective, but more cost effective.  —Jim Frank, president, Safe Harbor Solutions, LLC

Little to no recreational driving and linking trip purposes to a single trip.  —Sam Bunting, sales and marketing manager, Servpro’s of Mandarin, The Beaches, Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine

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I use my Winn Dixie card at Shell. I grocery shop for my elderly Parents and for my family. I sometimes save up to .90 cents per gallon. Always get at least 20 gallons to get the full benefit of the discount. You just have to use before the end of the month because it goes away each month.   —Rebecca Gold , special assignment officer, Supervisor of Elections

Yes, I use the Winn Dixie gas card too. Plus my wife had to buy a new car, so she purchased one with 4 cylinders instead of the 6 she had earlier, much better mileage!   —Chuck Hall, owner, Web Marketing of North Florida

My hubby & I have a SUV and a pretty fuel efficient car. As long as I don’t need to move furniture that day, we decide who will be driving more and they get the car. It’s a bit inconvenient but it is paying off!  —Christy McCarthy, owner, Interiors Revitalized

I use the Gate card and the Winn Dixie, too. I live in a rural area and work from home, so there was no reason to have two cars. I sold my car and bought a 150cc scooter. I use the scooter for running around to do small errands. When I need the car, or the weather is not good, I take my partner to work and use the car during the day.   —Susan Smith, ranger, educator, entrepreneur

Currently I am consolidating trips so that that I only drive when I have too and I am watching my RPM making sure my driving is more efficient.   —Hector Cisneros, president, Website Know How

Jobs. The new mayor has to look at how the decline in business and the economy, the loss of jobs, and the shortfall in revenue can be overcome by bringing new business, new jobs, and new growth. The economic impact would give the people something to look forward to, and something to brag and cheer about. Right now, they see a downward spiral; new growth would help them see how we can overcome and be a city with a future that is optimistic instead of pessimistic.

—Lucille Ferry, CEO of The Foxglove Foundation Inc.

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I have no interest in paying $10k per year for my 5 year old to go to kindergarten, but feel I have no choice with the public school system in the shape it is in. How do you intend on working with the school board to fix this problem?

—Charles B. Jimerson, Managing Attorney at Jimerson & Wilson, P.A.

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Transparency—before we can address anything we should know what we are really working with!

—Lyndah Malloy-Glover, RN, CCP, Editor/Writer, Blogger at ABYSSJazz Magazine

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Education. Without improving the quality of our schools and getting parents involved, nothing else matters.

—Keith Johnson, Principal, Keith E. Johnson CPA PA

“As a freelance copywriter, I could not do my job without the Internet, my computer, and cell phone. I remember way back when I needed to do research, I had to go to the library. Now I just click my mouse and I can become an expert on any subject. Plus, my client base is no longer restricted to a geographic area. From a writer’s point of view, I think the computer is better mightier than the pen.”

Garry Haralambou, owner, The GH Group

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“I couldn’t go without a smart phone that has access to the Internet and e-mail. As a business owner, you are not always in front of the computer using Outlook. It is nice to be able to communicate via e-mail while on the go, or at home while my wife isn’t looking!”

Jason Smith, president and CEO at GJS Consultants LLC

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“I agree with Jason Smith. A smart phone is vital in today’s time. You get your calls, e-mails, and can connect via social. It’s really kind of unfair since smart phones today have so many different functions.”

Kenny Harper, owner at Key Theory

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“MS Outlook ticklers. With a heavy volume of deadline-sensitive cases, our firm is very committed to reminders to ensure our clients rights are constantly being protected and their interests being advanced. And yes, the iPhone is pretty cool too. E-mail at all times of the day is a blessing and a curse.”

Charles B. Jimerson, managing attorney at Jimerson & Wilson, P.A.

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“For me and my team, it’s my project management system. I assume Internet and communication devices are a given. As a small business owner, with an ever-growing number of clients, having a system I can access from anywhere and on the go via a mobile app is essential for me to keep my team on task for what needs to get done and when. I use basecamp, and although for pure PMP certified project managers it doesn’t offer enough management, it’s perfectly suited to easily allow my clients in so they can interact with the team, add tasks, and review progress, which saves me time daily. Without some sort of management tool to coordinate all that, I would be swamped looking for e-mails or files on my PC.”

David McGraw, president and director of technology at Oyova Software LLC

Review, revise, and improve my marketing plan for 2011.  I plan to leverage my nomination as 2011 Small Business Leader for the Downtown Council of the Chamber. I am especially interested in expanding and developing electronic media avenues to enhance my website, such as a blog posts linking to my website and greater use of social media.

—Peter Gentry, managing broker, Florida Commercial Real Estate Services

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The one that has me excited is to make sure I’m using technology to its fullest capacity to generate more business and better manage existing contacts. I’m signing up for some continuing education classes in January and looking forward to Advantage Business’ lunch and learn on the subject on the 25th. Closely behind that, if not equal to, is to make certain my productive hours are spent pursuing the most-profitable types of clients. This time last year, I didn’t have a “rear view mirror” and now I do.

—Rebecca Walden, president, First Coast Signs Inc.

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My goal for the new year is to make Pet World a great working experience for the staff as well as being the premier shopping—puppy therapy—experience for customers. How can we impact the community with our volunteer work with animals, and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

—Lynn Lamoureux, owner, Pet World

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My New Year’s resolution for my business is better time management. I need to ensure that I’m networking at least once a week, participating in on-line social networking, reading business-related books – one hour a day, following up weekly with other networkers I have met,organizing my office daily, keeping up with my accounting and writing at least one blog post a week. How to fit all of this in while exercising regularly, maintaining my household, regularly attending church, actually doing my job of staging or decorating, and having time for family and friends will be the real challenge

—Mary Habres, owner, Encore Home Staging and Redesign

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Different goals for different lines of my business: For Thompson Writing & Editing, my goal is to seek more of the larger, high-paying projects I’d initially envisioned. For OldMaidCatLady.com, I want to build it into THE place people think of first online when they need cat supplies or any cat-theme products. For both of them, I want to get more organized and concentrate on documenting processes.

—Lynn Maria Thompson, president, Thompson Writing & Editing Inc.

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I have two: 1) Figure out the dadgum social media sites and how they REALLY work, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc., and 2) Increase billings and net client base by 10%.

—Keith Johnson, principal, Keith E. Johnson CPA PA

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To have people understand what Foxglove really is all about and why we will help any family instead of just the homeless; why we will work with any displaced worker and not just the chronic unemployed; and to get more opportunities to come to groups, organizations, and associations and talk about Foxglove.

—Lucille Ferry, CEO, The Foxglove Foundation Inc.

We are hiring account managers who have experience in home health care sales. We pay a salary plus commissions, plus bonus, and car allowance. With a 70% increase in home health care sales predicted in the next 10 years in Florida, this is an industry that has not been affected by the down turn in the economy in the last two to three years. Top performers presently make six figures a year in home health care sales, and the 70% increase in the next 10 years, makes this industry a great opportunity to reach your financial goals and have job security in sales. —Danny Stella, ConfiCare Home Health Solutions Medical Office Expert at The Associated Medical Office Experts

 Yes, we will hire a net of two FTE (current staff 5.5FTE) —Lewis Hunter, principal at ROCG Americas

 I will continue utilizing interns from local colleges and love their energy, willingness and excitement to learn about marketing. It’s wonderful since they get experience, money for school, and I do not have the cost of full time employees and large overhead. A Win-Win for Small Business!! —Camille Clement Gregg, CEO, Chief Excitement Officer at Outside The Box Consulting, LLC

 It is the slowest time of the year for us so we work on things we need to do for the upcoming tax season, like order filing supplies and folders, write out new year information letters, and get tax organizers put together to send out to our clients. We also work on getting out articles on the new year and its tax changes. We’ll be using this time to upgrade our website and networks as well. A lot of little things to do to get the infrastructure in place for a big tax season ahead.

—Keith Johnson, Owner, Keith E. Johnson, CPA PA

We’ve created a holiday gift guide that is posted on our website and distributed to our customers. In addition, I hire seasonal workers to assist in the production and delivery of our arrangements. I am also only open for limited hours on Thanksgiving Day, and am closed Christmas and New Year’s days. —Lauren Little, Owner, Two Edible Arrangements Franchises

Last year, around Thanksgiving weekend, I sat down in my office and created my business plan for the next year. The business plan gave me a roadmap for 2010 and I have stayed on course. I plan to do the same thing this year.

—Thomas McKay, Owner, McKay Financial Solutions LLC

With the right attitude and a strong cup of coffee, I begin implementing my strategy to under promise and over deliver with each customer that walks through my door. I want to create a memorable shopping experience for anyone looking for a puppy, getting their pet groomed, or just needing a little puppy love therapy. I look around to make sure my staff is feeling the love and helping me develop this fun, attractive atmosphere throughout the day! —Lynn Lamoureux, Owner, PetWorld

Being in the service business, the downtime is a perfect opportunity to perform long duration maintenance tasks. But not working is not a possibility or smart as some of these items can take days, and stopping part of the production for days is just not possible. —Robert Sexton, IT Consultant, Sexton Companies Inc.

Life crisis situations do not stop because there is a holiday so I will be working right through. —Lucille Ferry, CEO, The Foxglove Foundation Inc.

We work [extremely hard] and then close the office between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

—Lewis Hunter, Owner, Hunter & Associates PA

We generally work up until the 19th and take off until the fifth of the year to recharge and set our plans for the following year.

—Jigs McHugh, principal, Lead Generation Marketing Inc.