Archive for the 'Barter News' Category

Todd Gerry, Sr. VP of Marketing for Tradebank International, discusses with Steve Gross, a founding organizer of HLB Gross Collins, P.C., how Tradebank International, Inc. is revolutionizing the barter industry making business owners worldwide more profitable by incorporating barter into their business model.  Tradebank  brings new, incremental business to their clients and in turn uses this new found revenue on variable expenses where the client is currently spending cash, thus improving cash flow and increasing cash profits…(show originally aired 5/19/10)

Tradebank Revolutionizing The Barter Industry – Gross Reality Radio Show

In this issue…

Tradebank of Oklahoma City opened its doors this past week to offer local businesses new ways of saving cash by utilizing barter. Andrew Muchmore of Edmond, is the Regional Owner of Tradebank International’s newest region. This announcement was made by Todd Gerry, President of Franchising for Tradebank International Franchising Corporation, who oversees both the daily management of Tradebank’s franchising operations and the company’s 54 regional franchise offices across the U.S., as well as international operations in Canada and East Central Europe….

http://www.poncacitynews.com/templates/business/301770417063038.bsp

Larry England, the owner of four local Cartridge World stores, once bartered a country ham in return for chiropractic services, back when he used to do some part-time farming in his native Claiborne County.

That seems “so 20th-century” to England now that he’s a five-year client of “Tradebank,” an indirect bartering service with more than 270 member businesses in its Tri-Cities franchise.

Indirect barter, which allows members to sell on trade to one member but purchase from a different one, may have saved a local job, or even a handful of them, during the recession. Local Tradebank franchise owner Mark Willis is pretty sure the practice might even have saved a small business.

The exchange of goods or services without using money probably goes back beyond the Stone Age, but barter has entered a new era with services like Tradebank.

“We are barter on steroids,” says Willis, whose franchise is one of more than 50 nationwide. “We take the negatives of bartering and we refine it.”

His clients earn trade dollars by selling their goods and services in exchange for other members’ trade dollars (all with plastic Tradebank debit cards). Because the system is an indirect one, though, they can spend those trade dollars at any participating business, even outside the Tri-Cities trade area. Willis has two brokers, one recently hired, whose sole job it is to find what clients are looking for within the network…….

http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Business/article.php?id=75868

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 26, 2010) Tradebank of Oklahoma City opened its doors this week to offer local businesses new ways of saving cash by utilizing barter. Andrew Muchmore of Edmond, Okla., is the Regional Owner of Tradebank International’s newest region. This announcement was made by Todd Gerry, President of Franchising for Tradebank International Franchising Corporation, who oversees both the daily management of Tradebank’s franchising operations and the company’s 55 regional franchise offices across the U.S., as well as international operations in Canada and East Central Europe. 

Muchmore is looking forward to educating local businesses on how to barter for products and services they would otherwise pay cash for. “There is always a need for barter representation in any city as it helps create an additional stream of income for businesses,” he stated. Previously a real estate manager and 11-year owner/operator of a bowling center, Muchmore realizes now how bartering with a trade exchange would have benefited him in those endeavors. “If I knew what I know now about barter when I was building the bowling center’s business, I would have been very active in it,” he said. “I had tried one-on-one barter, but it was cumbersome and I found that I’d often settle for products or services I wasn’t really in the market for. With Tradebank, bartering is favorable for both parties.” 

“Tradebank of Oklahoma City will work closely with successful neighboring franchises in Kansas (Topeka, Wichita, and Lawrence) and NW Arkansas (Bentonville) as well as the other regions within Tradebank,” commented Gerry. “Andrew is coming into a great situation and we foresee much success in his endeavor because we know he will deliver world-class service to our clients.”  

Muchmore grew up in Ponca City and earned a degree in journalism from Oklahoma State University. He now lives in Edmond and is married with four children. Besides growing barter in his new region, Muchmore is also excited to find a trade client to help him restore his 1969 Corvette. Businesses can contact Tradebank of Oklahoma City by calling 405-315-7455 or e-mailing to amuchmore@tradebank.com.

More About Tradebank
Tradebank International Inc. (Tradebank) is a privately held international trade exchange founded in 1987. Headquartered in Lawrenceville, Ga., Tradebank operates in more than 70 regions within 15 states in the U.S., Canada, Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. More than 11,000 Tradebank clients barter their products and services. Tradebank earned the Consumers’ Choice Award for 2009 in the “Barter and Trade Exchange” category and received the 10 Year Gold Award in 2009 for earning the award ten times. Tradebank International Franchising Corporation is the entity that was formed for franchising the Tradebank International Inc. concept. www.tradebank.com.

As cash is becoming harder to come by for a large amount of us bartering is fast rising in popularity due to it’s benefits and straightforwardness of transaction. Bartering helps you exchange goods or services at once, without money. It has no limits and can be done both on a very small-scale and on an exceedingly larger-scale. What it needs is your talent and of course the understanding of the products you want to address. Likewise, you also must have a better discernment of the companies working with bartering.

As bartering is growing in popularity and the area of its operation is becoming wider day by day, more sophisticated forms of bartering are developing both in the national and international market. However , the arrangements are under the control of member-only associations, with credit units the channel of exchange. The organization that manages the bartering operation is identified by the terms like trade exchange, barter exchangeand countertrade exchange. To explain the channel of exchange, different terms like credits, units, barter dollars or trade dollars are being used. As the medium of exchange, the term which is mostly used is trade dollar [*SCO], the term barter dollar is also being used widely.

When we look deeper into barter deals, we are able to obviously note the huge difference between direct barterand exchange barter. In return barter, you may use your capacity, inventory or excess time to trade for goods and services you need. For such deals, you don’t need money as long as you are part of a barter group with other businesses. Here, each business earns trade dollars or barter dollars which can be employed for the exchange of the things you want. On the other hand, direct barter means to swap the service or product for the service of your seller.

if you want to define the barter dollar put simply, you can say that a barter buck is the form of currency employed by a retail barter exchange. Barter bucks can be useful when you have to make some purchases inside the issuing barter exchange, or within other exchanges with similar agreements. When we compare the value of barter greenback with the US greenback, one barter dollar equals one United States’ buck.

You can make purchases while using barter bucks accumulated as a consequence of the sales at a full retail basis. You can do the purchasing by using your barter dollars instead of cash and can pay back what you owe with what you have in equivalent retail barter greenbacks. Credit is also possible to a degree for credit worthy clients, who have to spend before they have amassed barter bucks. The credit could be paid back later with their goods and services.

Since bartering is regarded as a great way to budget and an engaging fresh way to lower costs, it is gaining much acceptance with consumers and enterprises. We are able to say that what our ancestors used to do once, we do the same in a wider form using the advance technology with barter dollar as the currency.

Article Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/currency-trading-articles/how-barter-dollars-work-for-you-1532534.html

When you exchange goods and or services without the use of money, you are bartering. Bartering is actually a very creative way to do business nowadays especially to help lower expenses. Most importantly you do not need to own a business to barter.

Due to the flexibility, barter trade has grown in popularity. It has evolved into a more sophisticated business module when compared to ancient times. However, the concept is still the same. You exchange goods and or services with something that you want or need. Unlike in the past when such trade is done directly, modern times have embraced a commercial platform for businesses to negotiate and trade.

So what are the benefits of bartering to a business?

Generate new sales, new market penetration and customers

New sales and new customers are important for a companys’ survival. The mistake most companies do is they cut-down their advertising budget once the cash flow is tight. Businesses must constantly find ways to generate new customers and new sales and through barter exchange, it helps you reach a larger client base.

How is that possible?

Members on the exchange are looking for product and or services they need so that they can spend their trade dollars. Since they are already bartering, they know the benefits of barter and the leverage they have with their barter dollars. Hence, these are captive customers you can tap on because they would rather spend their barter dollars with barter members, instead of buying in cash from someone else.

Reduce lost money from idle inventories

Every time your employees spend their time not doing anything or whenever unsold stocks sit on your shelves means money is lost. When this happens, you are forced to reduce prices just so that your idle inventories can be moved because your stocks becomes obsolete products and loses its value over a period of time. However, through a barter trade exchange, you have the ability to sell your idle inventories at full retail price on trade hence at the same time fully utilizing idle time from employees.

Cash is king….so conserve it

Our economy is formed in such a way that it is important to have cash or liquidity. Most businesses do not realize that when they barter their goods and or services, it becomes their biggest asset. This is because how much cash a business have in the bank will not restrict their purchasing power. Purchasing is done through the potential to make new income rather than from your business sales history. Every business will experience a shortage of cash and it is something not to be ashamed. However, when barter trade enables you to continue to exchange a valuable service or product that you need, shortage of cash does not become an issue. Your ability to barter will be limited by your creativity. I have business owners that barter for supplies, hotel stays, a house and even advertising that cost them next to nothing.

The above are only 3 tips on the benefits of barter trade. I address more profit strategies to help you learn how you can purchase just about anything with little or no cash. You need to understand that barter is all about leverage!

The next step you need to do is discover the 7 specific and profit certain ways to barter. Imagine what it can do to your business if you can ethically seize other businesses goods and services in high demand using barter and then convert them to fast cash? Go to Barter Trade.

After doing barter trade for almost 5 years, I can tell you that barter trade is one of the most overlooked, untapped business opportunity and you owe it to yourself to check it out at Barter Trade.

http://ezinearticles.com/?3-Reasons-Why-You-Must-Barter&id=4081113

Prior to joining Tradebank in 2007 Jeff Coen, owner of the C-Team Studios, did limited one-to-one trading in the Topeka area. His friends knew Coen understood the benefits of barter and introduced him to Tradebank which enabled Coen to take his trading to the next level. “Often, trading on my own didn’t work because I didn’t always need what they had to offer. However, as a growing company, we were always looking for ways to meet and network with other business owners. Tradebank gave us immediate exposure to over 100 local business owners (which has since grown to over 170) which was a huge shot in the arm for us. The best part of Tradebank was that we didn’t have to directly reciprocate the trade. In addition, the local Tradebank office had immediate new business for us. They were looking for someone with video production services and had a few jobs waiting to be shot. We signed up immediately. The web design and website/email hosting service we offer was an extra bonus to our Tradebank region,” explains Coen. 

He continues, “The first purchases I made with the new revenue I received through Tradebank were taking cash clients out to lunch at Tradebank restaurants. We also did what every other Tradebank client does and purchased business cards, fliers, pens and vinyl banners. In addition, as I became a more savvy trader, I purchased a flat screen monitor and a couple portable DVD players. Then I combined efforts with another Tradebank client and purchased a heavy-duty pickup truck with Tradebank dollars. For us, it didn’t take long to figure out that purchasing hard goods with Tradebank is a no-brainer if you’re patient, flexible and know where to look. We are still looking for a Nintendo Wii, Wii Fit, and a couple Tippmann paintball guns. Know of any for sale? 

My wife and I always keep our eyes and ears open for the ‘next big thing’, and a big opportunity came knocking. Our regional owner, Nick Baumgartner, told us another Tradebank client had a wide-format printer for sale. After taking a look at it, I saw three major problems. It smelled like solvent, was a little complicated to operate and was very big. Even though I was a ‘computer guy’, I was quite intimidated by this machine. Most of all, I knew my wife would never let this machine in our basement or garage. So I told Nick, I would have to pass on the deal. A few days later Nick called and said that Tradebank client, iView Security, had some warehouse space that they were looking to fill through Tradebank. The space was perfect to house the printer and we moved in the next week. Not only did we purchase the printer through Tradebank, our rent is also paid with Tradebank dollars. We felt like we really hit the jackpot! 

This machine can print on almost any material you can feed through it, so we started printing and installing full color vehicle wraps, banners and signs. A new cash revenue stream was created because off Tradebank. In addition to expanding our web business to include printing, in conjunction with another Tradebank client, Trinity Marketing Group, an advertising firm, we have created several locally produced TV shows. I couldn’t have done any of it without the networking available through Tradebank.” 

Coen and Baumgartner work together to assist one another in building their businesses. “It’s just how we do business here in Topeka. We’re a family, not just a collection of businesses. We foster and facilitate each other success,” explains Baumgartner.

Chef Rian Macdonald was introduced to Tradebank through Tradebank client and barter advocate Susan Smeelser, owner of The Bookworm Bookstore in Powder Springs, Georgia. “Last year Rian stopped in my store and told me about his just published cookbook, Taste Buds. I saw Tradebank as a great fit for Rian as a way to grow his catering business as well as sell cookbooks, so I introduced him to Ashby Green, the Regional Owner for Tradebank of Atlanta. When someone has something to sell, it is a natural progression for me to recommend barter and specifically, Tradebank. I had just completed Tradebank’s Trade University^TM where I met another Tradebank client, Bryan Menendez owner of Crepe Masters, and learned how well Tradebank had helped him grow his catering business,” explains Smeelser. Macdonald agreed, “I saw Tradebank as a long term association that would build my national exposure and expand my catering business, as well.”  

Macdonald brings strong and impressive credentials to the table. He is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale, Arizona and worked several years at the Phoenician Resort’s five star restaurant. Macdonald is currently a chef recruiter at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts of Atlanta and has shared a kitchen with celebrity Chefs Emeril, Wolfgang Puck and Paula Deen. 

On a national scale, Macdonald offers consulting services through Tradebank for restaurateurs and caterers and those looking to enter the food service industry. “We offer assistance to existing restaurant owners who are looking for ways to improve their bottom line as well as start ups. Our consulting includes the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of running a restaurant from the back of the house to the front of the house. Based on the needs of each individual, our consulting covers everything from hiring to payroll to menus to décor to inventory purchasing and management to marketing strategies and everything in between.” 

“Ultimately my first love is cooking and always will be. Although we can do large catering jobs, our niche for Tradebank is a plated event for groups of 50 or under. Whether you’re looking for classical French dishes or other worldly styles, we can work with you to design a menu perfect for your special occasion. We also offer Personal Chef services when you want to have an intimate or family dinner prepared by a Certified Chef. We can prepare anything from a three to five course meal just like you were eating in a restaurant, but with the luxury and convenience of eating in your own home,” offers Macdonald. 

Most recently Macdonald introduced a special ladies night out called “Girls Gone Wild” that takes place in the host’s home. The special includes a three to four course meal with wine and teaching session by Chef Rian as to why he chose the ingredients and how to prepare the meal. There is a choice of four menus with a price per person of T$20 to T$45 and is prepared for three to eight people. 

Chef Rian has published one cookbook and is in the process of writing his second. Authorhouse describes Taste Buds: The cookbook leads you through the world of culinary arts as if you were in a private cooking class, learning terminology, techniques, and the use of ingredients easily found in your local grocery store. Chef Rian helps aspiring “culinarians” start with easy dishes, including the prerequisites of the recipes, like knife skills, and takes them right up to the classical French delights.  Chef Macdonald insists the recipes presented in the book should be seen as guide lines upon which to “throw your own spin”. The over arching message is to have fun with cooking while improving your palate, and sharing your cooking with friends and family.