August 24, 2004
Setting and Achieving Goals in 3 Steps
8 Sure-fire Strategies for Boosting Productivity
Marketing Bargains: 7 Smart Programs You Can Start Today
Entrepreneur Boot Camp: Do You Have What It Takes?
What Do You Want to Know How to Do?
Quick Tip: Do Your No. 1 Priority First
This Month's Survey
July Survey Results
Getting Back to Business
The lazy days of summer are waning and it's time to get back to work. But how do you ramp back up and rally your team for a strong finish to the end of the quarter and the year? Socrates Nation can help.

Whether your company employs two or 250, Setting and Achieving Goals in 3 Steps will guide you in establishing and tracking both individual and team goals. If your aim is to motivate employees or market yourself, be sure to read 8 Sure-fire Strategies for Boosting Productivity and Marketing Bargains: 7 Smart Programs You Can Start Today. Finally, if in your heart of hearts you long to start your own business, find out if you have what it takes in Entrepreneur Boot Camp.

What are you waiting for? It's time to get back to business!

Setting and Achieving Goals in 3 Steps
Whether you're a landlord, small business owner or aspiring entrepreneur, your success ultimately hinges on your ability to set specific, actionable goals and then never losing sight of them. Just in time for Q4 and the fast approaching end of 2004, we outline how to determine—and realize—your vision in Setting and Achieving Goals in 3 Steps. PLUS, we've created a free Top 5 Goals worksheet for you to download, complete, and customize for your own business.
8 Sure-fire Strategies for Boosting Productivity
Now that summer vacations and long weekends are coming to an end, get your troops—and maybe even yourself—back to peak efficiency and refocused on hitting business goals by employing one or all of these 8 Sure-fire Strategies for Boosting Productivity.
Do Your No. 1 Priority First
Between everyday distractions and the ever-present temptation to knock-off easy tasks first, saving the tough ones for later, tackling your top priority can be a challenge. But if you don't do it first, you're nearly guaranteed to find yourself in the vicious cycle of moving it to the top of your to-do list day after day, week after week.
Marketing Bargains: 7 Smart Programs You Can Start Today
Detailed marketing plans and calendars are excellent tools for any business that wants to grow, and we'll cover those in future issues of Socrates Nation. But sometimes you need inexpensive tactics you can begin immediately, and so in the spirit of getting back to business now, that's what we deliver to you this month in Marketing Bargains: 7 Smart Programs You Can Start Today.
Entrepreneur Boot Camp: Do You Have What It Takes?
Starting your own business is not for the faint of heart. You need determination, persistence, and knowledge—knowledge of your market, of your motivations, of your finances. Do you have the right stuff? Are you armed with sufficient know-how to take the next step? Find out in Entrepreneur Boot Camp: Do You Have What It Takes?
What Do You Want to Know How to Do?
This is just our second issue of Socrates Nation Monthly, but already we're planning out the articles for the next six. Before we get too far along with our plans, though, please tell us, what would you like us to cover or help you learn how to do? Send us an e-mail at comments@socrates.com and let us know how Socrates Nation Monthly can help you do more yourself.
Winning Business Plans
Analyze your budget, assess your capital, create appropriate forms and write a cover letter. With this kit, you'll have everything you need to put comprehensive plan in front of key investors.


Promote Your Business Like a Pro
Get the word out about your business with this guide: Assemble an integrated marketing strategy, make the most of your Web site, write press releases, understand advertising and more.


This Month's Survey
Do you know what the No. 1 goal for your business is—and are you working toward it every day?

Yes, of course

No, who can have just one top priority?

Results of July's Survey
The question was: I've considered investing in real estate, but the thought of being a landlord intimidates me.

62% of Socrates Nation readers answered true

38% of you said false