IMS in the News

Back to Barter: A Solution for Struggling Paint and Coatings Companies - Paint & Coating Industry

Everything old is new again. As the paint and coatings business struggles as a result of COVID-19, the oldest form of trade - barter - is booming. However, this is not your father’s direct trade barter model. And that makes it even more appealing to cash-strapped businesses now.

Business-to-business trading has been providing an alternative method of payment that conserves cash, attracts new customers and gives businesses a competitive advantage.

Marketing Tips for Small Businesses as Stay-at-home Orders Start Easing - Carol Roth - Tough Love for Business

As stay-at-home orders begin easing, small businesses are left to navigate the challenges of this transition period, including how it affects their marketing efforts. To help make navigation a little easier, the incredible CarolRoth.com contributor network of business owners, experts, advisors and entrepreneurs have generously shared their best marketing tips for small business below, in no particular order.

You may notice some similar ideas listed, but I kept them separate, as something in the way one is framed may resonate differently with you.

Your Solution To Lowering Retirement Expenses: Start Bartering Them Away Now - Forbes

Retirement often starts like a vacation. You’re all excited and eager to begin the journey. Each day represents the beginning of a new venture.

Until it doesn’t.

For some, it becomes a pleasant, reliable schedule. For others, it’s Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. The incessant repetition begs for something completely different. That’s why you’re better off going into retirement with a handful of casual hobbies. You can rotate between them to keep things different.

What if you want something more than just the pleasure of collecting things? What if you’d really like to build something? You can certainly volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, but, for many, building something doesn’t mean physical. It means something akin to building a business.

If you fall into that group, why not turn one of your hobbies into a “small” business.

6 Out-of-the Box Ideas For Small Business Reopening - Help Squad

Small business reopening has been on everyone’s mind as the United States nears the second month of COVID-19 quarantine.

Some businesses have been weathering the quarantine with limited or no cash flow. They might have incurred debt or exhausted their savings. Some switched to remote operations, having to implement and learn new practices, such as business communications and ways to hire and interview remotely. Others had to make an instant change from brick-and-mortar to online. All had to go through some type of adjustment.

Back To Barter: A Solution For Struggling Businesses - TheSelfEmployed.com

Everything old is new again. As business bottoms out as a result of COVID-10, the oldest form of trade—barter—is booming. However, this is not your father’s direct trade barter model. And that makes it even more appealing to cash-strapped businesses now.

Just ask John Strabley, CEO of IMS Barter (International Monetary System) in New Berlin, Wisconsin. Formed in 1985, IMS has been providing an alternative method of payment that conserves cash, attracts new customers and gives businesses a competitive advantage.

“Since the abrupt economic shutdown in March,” says Strabley, “Our marketplace has hit record online purchasing volume. Our website, IMSBarter.com, has seen a tremendous increase in traffic.”

Consider These 10 Adjustments Before Making Payroll Cuts - Best Company

The economic impact of COVID-19 and related stay-at-home orders has reached nearly unbelievable proportions. As of April 10, 31 percent of Americans were furloughed or had lost their job because of virus-related events, according to a survey by Freedom Debt Relief.

But many businesses are hoping they can hang on to their employees until they can secure Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds to temporarily cover payroll costs or the economy reopens to begin the long process of recovery.

To business owners looking for every possible place to cut costs and preserve cash before initiating layoffs, there are several budget adjustments to consider.

A Small Business Guide to Bartering - National Federation of Independent Businesses

You don’t always have to pay cash. Learn how your small business can trade one product or service for another. If a client (or you) can’t pay with traditional means, it doesn’t mean anyone needs to call small claims court. Instead, what about bartering? You may be imagining old-time scenarios of doctors accepting a bushel of farm goods in exchange for medical treatment, but bartering is alive and well in the modern age.

More than 20,000 IMS Members Barter to Increase Business - CardRates

CardRates informs and educates about the world of credit cards, encouraging better credit decisions and a brighter financial future for all by highlighting how IMS Barter members increase their business and save on the bottom line.

New Buying Power, Despite the Economy - New York Times

Bartering in goods and services is making a comeback during the economic downturn.

Can't afford health care? Barter for it - CNN Money

See how IMS Barter can be a great way to pay for healthcare.

Short on cash? There's always barter - Crains New York

More businesses are turning to IMS barter first when they are short on cash.

A Christmas Exchange: Swapping Services for Gifts - AOL News

Business are using IMS Barter to purchase Christmas gifts.

Barter Can Sometimes Be Better Than Cash - Corp Magazine

IMS Barter helps businesses barter their excess inventory.

Bartering helped rid business of extra inventory - Business Journal

IMS Barter moves businesses with excess inventory and unused services.

Get Into Bartering - Crain's Chicago Business

At IMS Barter you can earn trade dollars and have the option of spending it on not just one but 16,000 barter businesses.

Bartering networks provide liquidity in cash-starved economy - Chattanooga Times Free Press

In this economic downturn, IMS Barter has helped businesses save cash by using trade.

New Berlin firm facilitates business bartering - BizTimes.com

IMS Barter allows businesses to sell their goods and services for trade dollars.

Businesses gain goods, services by bartering through exchanges - The Columbus Dispatch

A local company, a member of IMS Barter, bartered with companies that are willing to accept his services in place of cash.

A Better Barter - PMQ Magazine

IMS Barter can help restaurants fill empty tables and turn them into extra revenue.

Barter Catching On As Times Get Tougher - Hartford Business Journal

A local college uses IMS Barter to fill in their empty seats in its classrooms.

Bartering for the Bottom Line - Buyer Interactive

IMS Barter helps a local hotel owner fill empty rooms and provides maintenance to his hotels.

Apply the Benefits of Bartering - Optometry Times

The IMS Barter network allows optomotrists to trade eyecare for products or services in the same network.

Corporate barter flourishing - Stamford Times

Business is booming in IMS Corporate Barter.

Bartering Through IMS is Booming in IL - Business Image Magazine

IL business get the benefits of IMS barter as the industry booms.

Bartering Surges in Recession - Patriot Ledger

Businesses turn to IMS Barter to cut costs.

Trading Up - Fresh Cup Magazine

Local business finds new customers through IMS Barter.

A Fair Trade - QSR Magazine

A restaurant turns to IMS Barter to created more traffic and fill tables.

Barter for Meetings - Meetings Net

The economy forces business to look to other alternatives for revenue and spending, IMS Barter.

Using Barter to Boost Sales - Vows Magazine

See how IMS Barter can get your business new customers and increase revenue with spending cash.

Facing Tight Budgets, Brides Turn to Bartering - Fox Business Network

Brides turn to IMS Barter as they face tight budgets.

Don’t have cash? Consider bartering antiques - Antique Week

Antique dealer in West Haven, CT credits IMS Barter in saving his business.

Use Bartering To Conserve Cash And Boost Sales - Plumbing & Mechanical

See how IMS Barter can help your plumbing business conserve cash and increase sales.

Barterers flock to Milwaukee County Sports Complex - Fox 6 Milwaukee

Thousands of IMS Barter members barter at the Annual WI Holiday Expo.

IMS bartering for piece of the market - Daily Herald

IMS Barter gives businesses the opportunity to trade their goods and services with other members in the IMS network.

Barter Smarter - Indianapolis Woman

IMS Barter can help your business stretch its dollar.

Plastic surgeons use barter to boost sales, bring in new patients - ACDIS

Local plastic surgeons are members of IMS Barter to help them bring in new patients and sales.

Is Bartering Right for Your Practice? - Medical Office Today

See how IMS Barter can benefit your practice.

Bartering in snow & ice management - GoPlow.com

10% of local company annual revenue come from selling their services with the IMS Barter network.

Bartering For Business Growth - American Business Magazine

IMS creates purchasing power for it's members.

What Every Small Business Owner Should Know About Barter - Life Reimagined

Using IMS Barter to trade goods and services is more flexible than direct trading.

Using Barter to Boost Sales - SmallBizClub

IMS Barter sells for you.

Bartering For Growth - Retail Merchandiser

IMS Barter members' businesses grow during this tough economic time.

Using Barter to Boost Sales - Ground Report

Businesses are discovering that joining IMS Barter can help move excess inventory or unused services and get new sales.

Bartering To Boost Cleaning Sales - Cleaning & Maintenance Management Online

Businesses can trade what they have for what they need in the IMS Barter network.

Bartering May Be Effective Cost-Saving Option for Small Businesses - Small Business Digest

See how IMS Barter can be a successful cost-saving option.

Using Barter to Boost Sales - TD Monthly

Businesses can trade their merchandise through IMS Barter for full price instead of liquidating it for a reduced profit.

7 Tips for Becoming an Expert Barterer - Entrepreneur Magazine

IMS can connect a much broader array of businesses than most companies could find on their own.