It's HUMP DAY! Time to go to a restaurant. Here are a couple of choices.

Families: Family day at Fine Kettle 'O' Fish - $16.99 for fish & chips for the family. A great deal!

Seniors: Senior's Day at The Spice of Life - Save 20% if you've survived 55 years or more!

Enjoy!

The Spice of Life Restaurant in Port Dalhousie is gearing up for Valentine's Day - one of the most popular times of the year at this fine dining establishment.

Because of demand, Valentine's Day dinners are being served February 12, 13 and 14. There is also a special Valentine's Day brunch being served from 9:30 ~ 2:30.

Reserve early!

What do you do if you're in an industry that focuses only on price? Your potential prospects focus on the lowest price and your competitors focus on price - even if it's to their detriment. If your prices are higher - and for good reason - what do you do?

I think this is the time to reinvent your brand around value.

As my business coach (Dennis O'Neill - The Business Growth Coach) says, there's a simple equation to define value.

VALUE = (Need + Trust)/Price

If your price is higher, then you have to built up the sense of need and the sense of trust.

I met a prospect who needed a website. He had been burned by another web developer who walked off with his deposit and did not trust web developers as a result. I worked on building trust by referring him to a collections specialist who got his deposit money back. As a result of this and other efforts I gained his trust and got the business. At the beginning the need was high but the trust was non-existent. At the end the need and trust were high and the perceived value of my services was high despite my price being close to twice what the previous developer had quoted.

Clearly identify and illustrate your prospects' needs. Demonstrate your trustworthiness. Do these things and price will become less of an issue as you will be seen as offering more value.

If you're looking for a stress-free Valentines Day present for your significant other, you'd be making a smart choice by choosing a mobile spa package from Spa In Motion - Niagara's mobile spa service.

Packages for Her, for Him and for Couples are available. Check out the website at www.spainmotionniagara.com

Open auditions for Garrison Little Theatre's production of "Perfect Wedding", a romantic comedy by Robin Hawdon will be held Thursday, February 25, 2010 starting at 7:00 at the Italo-Canadian Club, 1101 DiPietro Street, Fort Erie.

For information, please call Darka at 905-991-8856.

We just welcomed MOST Accounting to The Niagara Guide. This is important because for years I have hated numbers and bookkeeping hasn't been one of my strong points. With MOST Accounting, I am poised to make more money and pay less tax. Who wouldn't like that?

So, why am I saying "nothing" is important?

Consider this: 0

Yes. Zero. What does it represent?

Nothing.

Except for the fact that there is an enormous difference between the following:

.0001
.001
.01
.1
1
10
100
1000

The only difference here is the presence and position of a 0 in the number.

Would you rather have profits of $9 or $9,000,000?

I thought so...

Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that there's a love position named after Niagara's best known landmark.

No - not the Brock monument...

Thank you Cosmo, for introducing to the world Niagara Falls (link NSFW). Forever changing the way I think about bathtubs and shower attachments.

Then again, with the Niagara Romance expo coming up soon, what better timing?

It's also ironic that many, many people (usually Americans) spell Niagara as NIAGRA. Only one letter away from being the blue pill.

Have a happy Thursday!

How do you feel when you're stressed? Like you just want to scream, yell and whack somebody in the head with a stick? How would you like to do that for real?

Introducing: Kendo: the art of Japanese Fencing. I can't think of another place you'll get to scream until your lungs are empty and whack people in the head with a stick.

Of course, it's rather more complicated than that, but you get the idea.

Kendo is a very good stress reliever. VERY good. After a workout you'll be quivering like jelly with all your stresses replaced, at least for a while, with a comforting sense of calm. During a workout you don't have time to think about your troubles because you'll be focusing on your posture, breathing, footwork, technique and the person who's about to be swinging a stick at your head. There's nothing like the latter to make you focus on the NOW.

For more information, visit the Hayakawa Kendo Club at http://www.kendoniagara.com.

Below is an example of sparring in Kendo. Watch for the points!

While out and about I noticed a business person has chosen to drive an H3, complete with their contact information and company logo on it.

What do you think about people who choose to drive vehicles that are perceived to be environmentally unfriendly?

We live in an increasingly eco-conscious society and many people try to make "green" choices whenever possible. Going green is the hallmark of a responsible citizen is it not? So what about this businessperson? What could one possibly guess about their character, either positive or negative?

I'm curious about your opinion so I haven't put forward my own to see where the discussion goes.

It is my pleasure to welcome Carl Lascelles from Cornerstone Carpentry to The Niagara Guide family of advertisers.

When it comes to renovations, Carl can do it all, and if not, he knows someone who can. Drywall. Roofing. Building. Framing. General carpentry. Doors. Windows. Decks. Additions. If you need something built or repaired around the house, Carl's your guy.

Check out his website at http://www.cornerstonecarpentry.ca or call him today at 905-734-4470 and start Building Your Way to a New Beginning.