business articles business management businesses Marketing sales Technology Business finance Lean Manufacturing small business Investing articles employee health

Why teamwork is important to your business

busfriends30396999-1.jpg
Teamwork has become a buzzword in many industries; however, many businesses are overlooking the many benefits that this can bring to their organization. Studies have shown that those businesses that can make teamwork an integral part of their organization have a much better chance of success. Your employees, who are part of a team, will know that they hold an important part in the business, and this in turn fosters a sense of trust. There are many other benefits to using teamwork, within your business. Here is why teamwork is important to your business-

Continue reading "Why teamwork is important to your business"

Traits that can help your business succeed

debt19143619.jpg
You may think that just wanting to be your own boss, is enough to get your through the hard times, that come with running a business. However, while desire can take you a long way, there are other traits that you will need to be successful in running your own business. Interestingly, studies have shown that successful business owners often share similar traits. Anyone who is interested in running their own business can learn a lot from studying these traits. Here are traits that can help your business succeed-

Continue reading "Traits that can help your business succeed"

Tips to help your business succeed

charttwo30340387.JPG
Studies have shown that almost all successful businesses share certain things. These factors or characteristics contribute largely to the overall success of the business. In addition, when business owners are surveyed as to what has made their business successful, they are found to give many of the same answers. While running a business can be a difficult and at times overwhelming challenge, there are certain things that can help contribute to its success. Here are some tips to help your business succeed-

Continue reading "Tips to help your business succeed"

Tips to grow your business

graph16220798.jpg
If you are a business owner you are probably always looking for ways to grow your business. The good news is that if you are looking for ways to grow your business, there are plenty of things that you can try. There are several different factors that can directly effect the growth of your business. You can choose to focus on one or two of these things at a time, or spread your efforts over several different places. If you are looking for ways to take your business to the next level, here are some tips to grow your business.

Continue reading "Tips to grow your business"

How to hire the right employees

folder30394905.jpg
Hiring the right employees can be an ongoing challenge, for any business owner. Whether you own a small business with a just a few employees, or employ a much larger staff, hiring and keeping the right employees, is crucial to the long term success of your business. Successful business owners understand that the people, who work for them, are their most valuable resource, so they take the process of hiring very seriously. However, the good news is that there are guidelines that can help you make the right selection. If you careful follow this process you hire the right person, for the right job, and improve your business overall. Here is what you need to know about how to hire the right employees-

Continue reading "How to hire the right employees"

How to get publicity for your business

businessportrait30393821.jpg
One of the most important marketing tools, any business can use, is publicity. This is especially true if you are the owner of the small business. Using publicity wisely can keep your business, in the forefront of your customer's minds. Publicity can show your target market, what your business is doing, and most importantly what you can offer them. While many larger businesses may even have an entire department, that is dedicated to getting publicity, for their company, smaller businesses may have to be more creative how they go about it. Most the time smaller businesses can not afford to dedicate a lot of time or other resources, towards getting publicity. However, it is essential that your customers remained informed about what your business is doing. You can use publicity to show your target market, what you can offer them, educate them about new and other developments, and finally, you can use publicity, to position yourself as the expert in your field. Here is what you need to know about how to get publicity for your business-

Continue reading "How to get publicity for your business"

Should you sell your invoices for cash?

contract19160481.jpg
With the economy still in disarray many businesses are suffering from cash flow shortages. Customers do not have the money they need to pay their bills and this leaves businesses stuck as they don't have money to purchase the goods they need. It also means the business could be late on paying their bills as well. Getting people to pay especially when things are tight can be a big frustration to your company. Customers that won't pay for 60 days and vendors that want their money now can lead to a lot of problems with your cash flow and you may find that you are suffering from some very serious cash flow shortages.

Continue reading "Should you sell your invoices for cash?"

How to cut business costs

creditreport26256311.jpg
Every business owner is always looking for ways to cut the costs of doing business. Cost cutting is an integral part of keeping the finances of any business healthy. Cost cutting is especially important, for small businesses, who must be vigilant about every dollar that they spend. However, it cannot be stressed enough, that when any business owner begins to cut cost, they should do so carefully. While it is important to cut enough to keep your business running, if you cut to deeply, your business may not have what it needs. You should consider each cut you make carefully and concisely. Here is what you need to know about how to cut business costs-

Continue reading "How to cut business costs"

How to choose the right startup business for you

airplane30902462.jpg
Today, more and more people are turning to opening their own business. However, simply opening a business may not be the right choice, for you if you don't take the time to do the proper research, before choosing a business to open. You need to take the time to consider several different factors, before you put in the tremendous work it takes to open a business. Here is what you need to know about how to choose the right startup business for you-

Continue reading "How to choose the right startup business for you"

Managing payroll and expenses

brokenpiggy19109501.jpg
There are many tasks involved in the everyday running of a business and money is usually at the forefront of most activities. Although many go into business to make as much money as possible, businesses are required to pay out of cash sums.

Continue reading "Managing payroll and expenses"

How to properly manage your cash flow

manwithmoney23268183.jpg
One of the most important aspects of running a business is keeping a positive cash flow and ensuring that you cash flow position allows you to operate your business the way it has been outlined in your business plan. Checking the cash flow is something that deserves extra attention any business. Cash flow is the balancing act that balances financial assets of the organization in a way so that the organization can never suffer through financial crisis.

Continue reading "How to properly manage your cash flow"

Bookkeeping for your business

books30364900.jpg
One of the most important functions that will occur within your business is the bookkeeping. Good bookkeeping can mean the difference between a business that thrives and one that fades away. This essential business task will be what keeps track of transactions, purchases and sales. However, many business owners make the mistake of not dedicating enough time (or staff) to maintaining this vital function. This oversight has lead to the demise of many companies, who without good bookkeeping were unaware of their financial status. There are many different factors that come into play, when it comes to bookkeeping. Here is what you need to know about bookkeeping, for your business-

Continue reading "Bookkeeping for your business"

Organizing your business effectively

architect36832024.jpg
When starting a new business it can often be challenging to understand what needs to be done in order to properly organize it and to submit paperwork and other things. If you are seeking success with your business, you need to take the time to sit down and plan it out. You want to create a business that will have all of the right information for your customers and that you take time to do the paperwork correctly so you don't have trouble with the IRS. When a business isn't organized correctly it will lead to confusion, stress, and a lot of frustration. This can cause employees to look for new jobs or just simply become disgruntled and to go through the motions instead of putting their hearts into their jobs.

Continue reading "Organizing your business effectively"

Is your content unique

officesafety_4801010.jpg
What are you doing to provide valuable information to your customers when they come to your site? Are they able to see content that is fresh and original? With a lot of plagiarism online, your customers need to turn to a site they know they can trust and one that will provide them with quality content. You must be able to continue to do this and to do it often in order to keep your customers interested in your organization. Search Engine optimization will be able to help you create desirable content for your customers and for the search engines. Google is one of the major search engines and they have stated multiple times that they favor the websites that have unique content. Unique content brings in visitors and keeps them interested in the organization. As you get people to keep coming back, the more Google will favor your site.

Continue reading "Is your content unique"

Creating the perfect landing page

document23265159.jpg
Are you starting an online business? Are you looking for ways to attract new customers? Would you like to create more of a presence online? No matter what your needs are, you should devote some time to optimizing your website. This will allow you to generate more traffic to your website so you can bring in new customers but also establish a large online presence. As you do this, you will be able to create an online reputation that you can be proud of and your customers will know what type of consistent information your company will generate. So how can you start building your online reputation? It comes down to search engine optimization by creating effective landing pages.

Continue reading "Creating the perfect landing page"

Creating the perfect branding strategy

clip71731932.jpg
What is it about certain companies that draws you to them? Why do you trust some companies enough to continue purchasing from them? What makes some companies popular and draws in attention? The answer lies in the reputation they have been able to build for their company with proper branding. Branding is one of the most important elements to a good marketing strategy. Branding comes down to so many different aspects including the following:

  • Consistency

  • Customer service

  • Durable products

Continue reading "Creating the perfect branding strategy"

Creating a strategic plan

chessgame_1249442.jpg
A strategic plan can help any business to succeed. There are a lot of different ideas out there for how to create the perfect strategic plan, and each of them have merit in some way or another. However, the perfect strategic plan can't be made from a template. It is unique to your business, your goals, and your available resources, and thus should be created with each of these things in mind.

Continue reading "Creating a strategic plan"

How using a business coach will benefit your business

perparingforboxing33338232.jpg
All successful business minds have advisors.From Kings to government to business owners, having trusted and intelligent advisors who can keep your best laid plans in place while still seeing the big picture from an objective view is an important piece of success.

Continue reading "How using a business coach will benefit your business"

Time management for managers

clock63312045.jpg As a manager you are constantly doing multiple things at once. If you feel as though you are being pulled in every direction it is time for you to sit down and work on a list of responsibilities and to define how much time you can devote to each task. Time management is crucial for managers and unfortunately not too many people actually focus on it. Here are some great time management techniques you need to try out:

Continue reading "Time management for managers"

Small business management

bills39158685.jpg Managing a business is not easy, which is why there are so many consulting firms and software programs out there to help you. When you are managing a small business you are expected to work on so many different job responsibilities that it can be really difficult for you. Where are the areas within the business that you really need to pay attention to? For most small business managers it comes down to the following areas:

Continue reading "Small business management"

How better business management can grow your business

graphpresentation16486405.jpg If you really want to make your small business into a success you need to start focusing on the end result of the company and to start setting goals for the future. You cannot rely on your staff alone or a single product to move the company into the future. You have to implement a successful business management plan that will be able to strengthen the company and to help it move into the future. What are some of the things you can do? Here are the business management tips that you need to work on:

Continue reading "How better business management can grow your business"

Helping you with the decision making process

interview26236689.jpg Becoming a business manager is a monumental task to undertake as you will be faced with new challenges and obstacles daily. How you handle these roadblocks will say a lot about you as a person and a manager. One of the areas in which you need to work on is your ability to make sound decisions. The decision making process is one that is a struggle to some people because they panic and simply do not trust their abilities and what they are able to bring to the table. Here is a guide to help you make better decisions and to make them in a timely manner:

Continue reading "Helping you with the decision making process"

Staying in touch with your social audience

groupofcoworkers32012584.jpgAre you focused on staying in touch with your customers on social media sites? You have to do a lot of work in order to let them know you are interested in the social media sites and that you are focused on listening to them and their needs. Staying in touch with your social audience is a vital part of sustaining an online marketing campaign. Think of social media like your extended family, if you don't make the effort to stay in touch with them, you can easily lose those relationships.The good news is with the right social media marketing campaign; you can break down your management of it into smaller steps.

Continue reading "Staying in touch with your social audience"

Blogging and Business promotion

accountant37004113.jpgOne of the offshoots of social media networking is blogging. This form of self expression has become a powerful tool, for attracting customers and promoting businesses. Savvy business owners have found that blogging has become an effective tool to get their message out to the online world and create a big impact, all at the same time. Best of all using blogging in your online social media marketing mix is both a cost and time effective tool. Consumers are seeking out blogs, for information and help, for a variety of problems and needs. It is important however that business owners understand that the key to successful blogging is making sure they are offering their potential customers something of value. Here is what you need to know about blogging and business promotion-

Continue reading "Blogging and Business promotion"

Forecasting and budgeting help for your business

broker19160449.jpgThere are a number of things to concern yourself with as you are running a large or small business. Forecasting and proper budgeting is one of the most important skills to have in order to successfully run your business. Quality and accuracy with your forecasting and budgeting will allow you to know when to order large product volumes, hire new employees, and many other things. Without a budget or accurate forecasting, you will have issues with your profitability, cash flow, expansion plans, hiring, and acquiring financing.

Continue reading "Forecasting and budgeting help for your business"

Ways to market your business

manoncomputer30342716.jpgMarketing is the keystone to making sure that your business is successful. Savvy business owners understand that marketing function of any business is also the lifeblood. Consider this-if no one knows about what your business offers, then how will customers know where to find you?

Continue reading "Ways to market your business"

How to help your business succeed for the long term

coworkers23120152.jpgIf you are a business owner, then you are most likely constantly on the look out, for ways to make your business succeed. Whether you are a new business owner, looking to grow your business, or have been in business for several years, you will be looking for ways to keep your business successful, in the years to come. Those business that care constantly looking for ways to improve and have owners who are willing to change with the times, are the ones that are most likely to remain successful, for the long term. However, all business owners must realize that succeeding with your business, require a proactive approach. This is not something that will simply happen just because you have a great product or service. You must be willing to put in the time and effort that it will need, in order to maintain a successful business. You should also make sure that you are focusing your efforts where they are most likely to produce the results you are looking for. Here is what you need to know about how to help your business succeed for the long term-

Continue reading "How to help your business succeed for the long term"

How to use your company blog for marketing

manoncomputer30342716.jpgBusiness blogging has become a popular part of social media marketing. Businesses are finding that they can use their blogs, to keep their customers informed about what is happening with their products, services, pricing and promotions. Savvy business owners are finding that when a blog is done effectively, it shed favorable light on your business, bring in new clients and inspire higher degrees of customer loyalty. In fact, when a blog is done effectively it can not only have more people buying your product or service, but will help to foster word of mouth advertising that will bring others in. However, it is important that just like any other social media tool, there are dos and don'ts when it comes to business blogging. Remember that having a business blog can pay off in increased profitability, for your company, if you are willing to devote the needed time and energy to it.Here is what you need to know about how to use your company blog for marketing-

Continue reading "How to use your company blog for marketing"

How to successfully use social media marketing

businessmeeting26252755.jpgSocial media marketing has literally become an explosion, in the world of business promotion. Businesses of every size are coming to understand the need to expand their marketing onto their social media sites. If the premise of good marketing is to go where the people are, then taking to your business marketing to social media sites is a good idea!However, there are certain factors that should keep in mind when using social media. Here is what you need to know about how to successfully use social media marketing-

Continue reading "How to successfully use social media marketing"

How to have a successful Facebook campaign

laptop30767380.jpgBusinesses are just beginning to realize the importance of social media in their marketing plan. This is especially true when it comes to using Facebook, to promote their product or service. Facebook as become a new center for information and reviews, as consumers go online more and more to find what they are looking for. Savvy business owners find that using Facebook to market their product or service is a profitable way to add to their bottom line, if it is done correctly. It is important to understand that now matter what type of business you are marketing that there are certain factors, if they are done correctly and implemented into your overall marketing strategy, will up the likelihood of your Facebook campaign being successful.If you fail to follow certain guidelines, your Facebook campaign can do serious Public Relations damage to your company's reputation. Here is what you need to know about how to have a successful Facebook campaign-

Continue reading "How to have a successful Facebook campaign"

What you need to know before selling your business

contract19160481.jpgMany business owners find that selling their business, is their best exit strategy. This is usually done when there are no successors who want to continue the business; or it was always the business owner's plan, to convert the business into liquid assets, at a certain point. However, if you are a business owner, who is looking to sell their business, there are certain things you should take into consideration. Here is what you need to know before selling your business-

Continue reading "What you need to know before selling your business"

Rules to make your small business successful

chair30393486.JPGGetting a small business up and running can be both stressful and overwhelming, for a new business owner. However, there are certain rules that can make the process, far more manageable. Decades of business experience has led small business owners to be able to identify what can help your business succeed. By following these rules (many of which seem based in common sense), you can help your small business grow and flourish. Here are some rules to make your small business successful-

Continue reading "Rules to make your small business successful"

Mistakes to avoid when starting your small business

broker19160449.jpgSo you have a wonderful idea that you think would make a great business. You are sure that your idea will be the next "big thing". So you print some brochures, some business cards, and take out an ad in the Yellow Pages, you pay $500 for a website and a domain name that tells everyone about your amazing credentials and experience, and you think you are ready to go. You distribute your fliers at a local grocery store, and then nothing happens. You may be amazed to learn that you have just committed one of the most common mistakes when it comes to starting a small business. Here are some other mistakes to avoid when starting your small business-

Continue reading "Mistakes to avoid when starting your small business"

Marketing your business

businessmeeting30381062.jpgWhen it comes to the success of any organization, marketing your business is one of the key components you need to have. It can take upwards of a year before you are able to get your business up and running into a successful organization. This is where marketing your business correctly will allow you to gain the customers you need to create a strong business in the future.

Continue reading "Marketing your business"

How to be cost effective when marketing your small business

manwithdatebook23291499.jpgTo many small business owners look at marketing their business as simply an expense, when the reality is that marketing your small business is an investment. The bottom line is that your small business will fail (no matter how good your product or service), if you cannot get the word out to your target market.However, you want to do that in the most cost-effective way as possible.

Continue reading "How to be cost effective when marketing your small business"

How to make attending a trade show profitable for your small business

clip71731932.jpgTrade shows can be a highly effective promotion, and sales tool, for small businesses. However, if they are not utilized correctly, they can also be a complete waste of time, and money. Whether attending a trade show is a success or failure, for your small business will depend a great deal on your advance preparation. Here are some tips on how to make attending a trade show profitable, for your small business-

Continue reading "How to make attending a trade show profitable for your small business"

Understanding small business CRM

clip71731932.jpgBuilding long-term small business stability is an enormous challenge. Most small business owners have their short-term business plans thought out but they don't always consider the long-term plans and growth for the business. If you aren't focusing on CRM (customer relationship management) it will leave your business in disarray with your customers as you won't have strong relationships with them. If you don't know what CRM is and how you can implement it into your business, here are some tips to help you get started.

Continue reading "Understanding small business CRM"

Staying out of the red with accounts receivables factoring

graph16220798.jpgIf you have customers that are slow to pay their bills, it can leave your business in a dangerous position. You may find that your cash flow is suffering and that you are unable to acquire the money you need to pay your bills on time. In order to stay out of the red, one option you have is to use accounts receivables factoring. What is accounts receivables factoring and how can it benefit your business?

Continue reading "Staying out of the red with accounts receivables factoring"

Marketing during slow times

groupofmenatlunch30338711.jpgThere are always times when a business will go through slumps. Marketing during slow times can be difficult but it is necessary to draw in the business you need in order to stay afloat. When times are slow, here are some simple marketing tips to try that will help you find your customers again and build a strong cash flow to get you through this challenging time.

Continue reading "Marketing during slow times"

How to make your company great

businessmeeting26668232.jpgIf you want your small business to stay around for many years to come, you need to take an active role in helping the company reach this potential. As a manger, you need to reach out to your employees and foster strong working relationships. When you build an environment focused on trust and respect, you will have an easier time reaching out to your customers. Customers that become loyal to a company are a wonderful asset to any business because they will provide you with the financial needs for your cash flow and for your business to stay afloat.

Continue reading "How to make your company great"

Effective and efficient management

businessmeeting33030027.jpgNo matter what type of business you are running, you must focus on strengthening your management in order to make the business run effectively. Training seminars can provide you with a wonderful opportunity to develop you management skills and reach out to your employees. Here are some things you need to focus on in order to develop effective and efficient management skills:

Continue reading "Effective and efficient management"

Dangerous cash flow mistakes to avoid

moneydownthedrain24709202.jpgRunning a business is filled with a number of challenges, but none may pose the risk to the financial health of your organization like your cash flow does. Businesses commonly make cash flow mistakes here and there but you can easily fix them in a hurry if you know what you are doing. Here are some dangerous cash flow mistakes to avoid in order to keep your business running properly:

Continue reading "Dangerous cash flow mistakes to avoid"

Creating a small business strategic plan

bills39158685.jpgA company that has lack of planning eventually leads to failure and numerous problems. In order to prevent your business from failing, you need to have all the right strategic planning tool in place. Strategic planning is not that difficult to do as you really just need to focus on the basics.

Continue reading "Creating a small business strategic plan"

Showing employees you value them

busfriends30396999-1.jpgYour company can only run effectively when you have a happy and productive workforce. It is important to your business to show your employees you respect and appreciate their hard work and service. You must show your employees that you value them and you can do this with some easy tips. This article will guide you through simple ways to show your employees you value them and to keep them on staff for many years.

Continue reading "Showing employees you value them"

Different types of business communication

cupsofcoffee37472685.jpgBusiness communication is one essential ingredient you need in order to keep your organization running effectively. Without business communication, it will be impossible to keep strong relationships with your employees and with your customers. There are a few different types of business communication, each having a large impact on your business.

Continue reading "Different types of business communication"

Different types of advertising

dotcominbriefcase19157840.jpgFinding different ways to advertise to your target audience can be a bit of a challenge. To help you find a way to reach your target audience, we have put together a simple guide that will help you find an advertising style that works best for your business:

Continue reading "Different types of advertising"

Ways to improve your business

graphpresentation16486405.jpgEvery business owner knows that in order to grow their business you have to keep improving.This is true no matter how large or how small you business is. It is important to realize that no business is static. You should realize that your business is on an upward track or on its way down. Making improvements to make your business better is a conscious choice that the savvy business owner will be constantly focusing on. It is important to realize that not only must you balance your time but choose the right area of business that will make the biggest impact. Here are some ways to improve your business-

Continue reading "Ways to improve your business"

Social marketing tips

businessportrait30393821.jpgIf you are ready to connect with your customers on a personal level, you need to create a page on social media web sites. Social media is all the rage right now in the business world and in the social world. People can quickly connect with their friends, family, colleagues, and businesses all over the world. Perhaps the most attractive feature of social media is that it is free. Social marketing is one of the most popular marketing strategies right now. All you need to do is create your own page, join discussion boards, and stay active on your page and you will start to generate interest from your customers. Here are some tips to use when you begin a social marketing campaign:

Continue reading "Social marketing tips"

How to maximize business networking

groupofmenatlunch30338711.jpgOne of the most tools in the business owner's arsenal is the ability to network. Business networking is defined as the process of meeting other people and exchanging resources for mutual gain. Business networking often forms the basis of business relationships. Many different kinds of businesses rely heavily upon effective networking practices to win important investors, customers and partners. It is important to remember that your ability to network well is one of the factors that may not only differentiate your business but also ensure its survival. The good news is that it has never been easier to network so here is what you should know about how to maximize business networking-

Continue reading "How to maximize business networking"

How to become more productive

manatstartingline30898062.jpgPractically every employer is concerned with employee productivity. We all want to make sure we are getting the most work out of our employees because we are paying them to do jobs that we just don't have the time to do anymore. Employee productivity may not be as high as your individual productivity and this is often because employees do not have as much time and money invested in the company. They are just working for the company, not fighting to keep it alive like you are. How can you become more productive and encourage your employees to become productive? Follow these tips:

Continue reading "How to become more productive"

Great tips for small business owners

accountant37004036.jpgThe key to being successful as a small business owner lies in your ability to advertise. Your target audience needs to learn about your business and the only way to gain their undivided attention is to advertise to them and teach them about your small business. Some of the advertising opportunities available for small business owners include listing your advertisement in the yellow pages along with classified ads. It's a simple way to gain some exposure but there are many other advertising opportunities out there for small businesses.

Continue reading "Great tips for small business owners"

Creative thinking helps advertising

businessmeeting26251473.jpgAnyone that would like to brand their business must have the ability to use creative thinking skills. Great slogans are made from people that have the ability to think outside the box. Take a look at some of the companies that have made a name for themselves through solid branding: Nike and "Just Do It", M&M's "Melts in your mouth, not in your hands" and the Boy Scouts of American and "Be Prepared."

Continue reading "Creative thinking helps advertising"

A guide to simple advertising

contract19160481.jpgWhy do you spend money on advertising? Advertising is used to attract customers to your business. You want to create a name for yourself by making a statement with your products and services and without advertising, there will be no way to let your target audience know what you have. If you are tired of the same old advertising campaigns, here is a guide that can help:

Continue reading "A guide to simple advertising"

Why international outsourcing is not always a smart financial move

handshakeoverflags32166713.jpgOutsourcing a portion of your business operations can be very appealing.Looking at the price that some international entities charge for what appear to be the same services, it seems like a no brainer; pay less by having a company in a different country handle some services for you.Some figures estimate the number of international employees hired by American companies to be more than 2 million in number.

Continue reading "Why international outsourcing is not always a smart financial move"

What is performance management?

airplane30902462.jpgPerformance management involves analyzing the performance of all of your employees as a whole. You need to look upon them as a team and look for different things they can do to improve and what they are doing right. Managers must be able to help their employees set obtainable goals and to constantly strive to accomplish them.

Continue reading "What is performance management?"

What do you do when your top executives have poor management styles?

womaninoffice32013222.jpgAs most people know, your top executives have a large influence over the way your employees work. What happens when your have poor management skills? It will trickle down to your employees and they will not have a strong devotion to your business and before long your company will fail. When your customers notice the lack of customer service and poor management, they will not have a strong desire to continue supporting your company. Poor managers often have a problem with being selfish. They are concerned with promoting themselves instead of focusing on their employees and the effects their performance can have on their customers. If you have top executive with poor management skills, there are some things you can do to make your company better and to improve your overall customer satisfaction.

Continue reading "What do you do when your top executives have poor management styles?"

The customer comes first

manonphone19205470.jpgA business will be able to succeed if they work hard to learn that the customer comes first. Since your business is fueled by your customers it is important to learn how to understand different ways you can work hard to please your customers and to develop rapport with them. You want your customers to not only enjoy their experience with your company but you want them to talk about your company to their friends. When you are able to achieve this type of rapport, you will develop loyalty with your customers and your marketing efforts will not need to be as extensive.

Continue reading "The customer comes first"

Smart ways to find success

businessmeeting30396676.jpgWith the invention of the internet and all the web sites that have come with it, business managers have a handful of different responsibilities. What may have worked for you 10 years ago probably won't work as well now. Customers expect instant service and they expect only the best, even if they pay very little. A manager must be able to keep up with the times and lead the way for their employees, even if their employees may have recently come out of college and know more about technology.

Continue reading "Smart ways to find success"

Making your business more innovative

businessmeeting26251473.jpgInnovation has been one of those cachet key words in business for a long time and many people are concerned about being innovative just for the sake of it.But innovation can provide lots of benefits to you and your business and can open up possibilities you never thought existed.And just because you aren't a high tech business doesn't mean that you can't be innovative.Here are some ideas of ways you can make your business more innovative regardless of what you are doing right now.

Continue reading "Making your business more innovative"

Making smart decisions

broker30347317.jpgA manager is required to make a number of tough decisions. The position as a manager is one of the most coveted positions in many companies. A manager not only oversees employees, they are in charge of making sure the business is running smoothly. There will be a number of different questions you will face as a manager. You will have regular discussions about hiring new employees, opening a new location, creating new products, and how to get the most bang for your buck. The trick is learning how to make smart decisions that will lead your company into the future and have your employees loving you all along the way.

Continue reading "Making smart decisions"

Human Resource management for your small business

businessmeeting26668304.jpgIf you are the owner or manager of a small business you are keenly aware of the unique challenges your company faces.This includes the opportunities and challenges that come with Human Resource management within a small organization.It is important to understand that while some of these challenges are unique others are shared with businesses of any size.The good news is that there is information and practices that can be put into place to help the small business manager find proven solutions to the troublesome issues you may face with your human resources programs, policies, and approaches. Here is what you need to know about Human Resource management for your small business-

Continue reading "Human Resource management for your small business"

Handling cutbacks

accountant37004036.jpgOne of the worst responsibilities you have as a manager is handling cutbacks. It is terrible to let a person know that they no longer have a job with your company and no matter how delicately you try to put it, someone is going to be hurt. Cutbacks aren't too bad if you have some employees that are underperforming but it can be quite painful if you have to lay off some of your best employees due to budget cuts and a bad economy.

Continue reading "Handling cutbacks"

Features of human resource management

office23648847.jpgHuman resource management focuses on an organization's most important assets, which are its employees, but it does not do so in a simple manner. There are many different features that are included in the human resource department, but all of the features deal with a specific aspect of the employees. Human resource management actually refers to the processes that are involved with managing all of the people in the business, which includes employing and training employees, but also refers to monitoring their progress and rewarding them for their performance.

Continue reading "Features of human resource management"

Expanding your business

contractor30905267.jpgKeeping your business alive and functioning can be a challenge in any economy.Expanding business and improving your business can be even more difficult.But there are things that can be done regardless of where you are in your business to expand and make things run better.Here are some ideas of things you can do to expand your business.

Continue reading "Expanding your business"

Creating a vision for your employees

ladypresentaion30392759.jpgIn order for a business to become successful, the manager must be able to lead them in the right direction. As a manager, it is your responsibility to create a vision for your employees to give them something to work toward. To create a vision, you first need to describe what it is you would like your employees to accomplish and them show your employees what they need to do to see this vision become a reality.

Continue reading "Creating a vision for your employees"

Choosing the right human resource management system for your business

accountant37004036.jpgHuman resource management is an important aspect for every business because it costs more money to recruit and train a new employee than it does to retain and further develop an existing employee. Human resource management is important for every business because it focuses on the employees, which are an important aspect to any business, without employees you might not have a business.

Continue reading "Choosing the right human resource management system for your business"

Business management tips

buisnessmeeting26238539.jpgGood business managers work their way through the day while successful business managers know that there are tips that will help them accomplish their goals.These tips can help you better utilize your time in order to be successful and show your boss how indispensable you are to their company.Here are some Business Management tips-

Continue reading "Business management tips"

Business management 101

groupofmenatlunch30338711.jpgIf you are trying to choose a career or perhaps get onto a different career path you may be wondering if Business management if for you.It is important to realize that Business Management is a wide ranging field with lots of diversity but there are certain basic principles that apply to almost every aspect.Here is a brief overview of Business Management-

Continue reading "Business management 101"

Building your business identity

copyright9951803.jpgAny small business manager knows the importance of working hard to establish their own business identity. Since small businesses are typically bombarded with a number of different challenges, establishing a business identity is one of the best ways to gain credibility in your customer's eyes.

Continue reading "Building your business identity"

Achieving good customer service for your business

handshake30344237.jpgThe backbone to any successful business is that degree of customer service that it offer.Savvy business managers understand that need to constantly be improving their customer service. Here are some tips for achieving good customer service for your business-

Continue reading "Achieving good customer service for your business"

5 ways your business can make more money

chair30393486.JPGNo matter if the economy is great or sluggish businesses are always looking for ways to make more money.Successful business managers will implement several options that can diversify their income stream.This is especially true in tough economic times.Businesses that survive an economic downturn are the ones who understand that the key to successfully increasing your business income is to be sure the cost of diversifying is not making the profits negligible or nonexistent. The key to being able to do this often resides in a manager's ability to think outside of the box. Here are 5 ways that your business can make more no what the economic climate currently is-

Continue reading "5 ways your business can make more money"

Open-Book Management

folder22474997.jpgEveryone looks for the ideal management style that will allow them to give their employees a career that is filled with desire and a commitment to the company. Quite often companies hold back the finances from their employees and they only show them bits and pieces of the puzzle. While this can work for some companies, other companies are adopting an open-book management style. This article will explain some of the information you need to learn about open-book management.

Continue reading "Open-Book Management"

Office organizing tips

businessmeeting33030104.jpgOffices can quickly become cluttered with stacks of paper, pens, keyboards, staplers, and a handful of other things. If you aren't working on keeping your office clean and organized all the time, it can quickly become cluttered and this can decrease your productivity.

Continue reading "Office organizing tips"

Management tips for the new manager

businessmeeting33030027.jpgCongratulations, you have been promoted to your first management position. As a new manager, you have a number of new things to become familiar with and it will be one of your most challenging responsibilities yet. Here are some tips to help you with your new role as a manager:

Continue reading "Management tips for the new manager"

Leading your employee ahead after your company has dealt with layoffs

businessportrait30393821.jpgWith the ups and downs in the economy, thousands of people have been laid off and the employees left behind have been forced to pick up the extra work and try to fill the shoes of those that have been fired. After you have laid off some people, it can be difficult to find a way to lead the rest of your employees and to keep their trust. These individuals may be naturally worried about being laid off too and the psychological effects of losing their friends can often be a bigger burden than employers realize.

Continue reading "Leading your employee ahead after your company has dealt with layoffs"

Naming your products

laptop30349514.jpgWhen it comes to getting your business up and running, an important thing you shouldn't overlook is naming your products. The names you choose for your products are important because they serve to do several things, including:

  • Set your product apart from the products of your competitors

  • Can involve the benefit or appeal of the product (for example, "No-Skid" or "Silky Smooth" can be parts of your product name)

  • Motivate customers to purchase the product

Continue reading "Naming your products"

The value of an expression of interest letter

laptop30349514.jpgIf you have been in business for awhile, one document you should be familiar with is the expression of interest letter. An expression of interest letter simply introduces your business to other companies or investors to tell them why they should be doing business with you. Companies that are looking for financing often use their letters to help take their business to the next level.

Continue reading "The value of an expression of interest letter"

Guidelines that will help you make successful business decisions

happyman19220291.jpgManagers are in charge of making important business decisions that can impact the future of the company. From the hiring of employees to the purchasing of raw goods, managers must learn how to make successful business decisions if they want to keep their job. Here are some guidelines that will help you make successful business decisions:

Continue reading "Guidelines that will help you make successful business decisions"

Five objectives you need to satisfy customers

coworkersaroungacomputer22990951.jpgSuccessful businesses are built around their customers. If you want to stay in business for a long time, you need to learn about your customer's needs and how to keep them satisfied. We live in a economy that is driven by consumers and if you don't spend time researching your customers needs, you will quickly find yourself out of business. Here are five objectives you need to satisfy your customers:

Continue reading "Five objectives you need to satisfy customers"

Customer satisfaction, the key to your companies success

cellphone30362662.jpgAlmost every business manger will agree that the key to a successful business starts with the satisfaction of your customers. For a business to become successful, you need to understand who your customers are and you are meeting their needs. Customers want to find products that not only fit their needs, but they want to work with a company that makes them feel valued and needed. So what can you do to improve your customer satisfaction? Here are some helpful tips that have worked for many businesses:

Continue reading "Customer satisfaction, the key to your companies success"

Establishing rules for your business

womanstickynotes32015147.jpg

As the business owner, one of the most important things that you will do is to establish rules for your business. When it comes to creating rules for your workplace, you want to be careful with what rules you create. The reason for this is that bad rules can be inefficient; they can also oppress your employees and confine them. If you create good rules for your business, you will avoid any confusion and conflict on your employees' part because they will know exactly what is expected.

The rules that you establish for your business is going to vary based on the type of business you have. No matter what type of business you run there are some general rules that will need to be established just to run a successful business. Here is a look at the general rules that need to be established at every place of business.

Continue reading "Establishing rules for your business"

How to analyze your competitors

bikerace19288371.jpg
Most companies have some type of competition in the market place. And the majority of these companies want to be the leader and be ahead of their competition. They want to offer better goods and/or services to their target audiences. For a business to gain advantage over their competition they need to analyze their competitors. This article will discuss how a business can analyze their competitors.

Who they are and what they offer

Before a business can analyze their competitors, they need to know who they are. So the first step for a company who is looking to analyze their competitors is for them to discover and list any competing companies so that they can proceed to gather information about them.

Continue reading "How to analyze your competitors"

How to make small business into big business

business_1.jpg
Making a small business into a big business is very difficult.In fact, it is only a small percentage of businesses that stay in business past the first year, let alone make themselves into big businesses.The most common problem with turning your small business into a big business is turning a small amount of money into a larger amount of money.Certainly this process is easier said than done.Nevertheless, it is possible.Below is a list of common methods that small business use to grow into big businesses.

Capital - Capital is the money that you have when you start your company.A venture capitalist in someone looking to invest capital in a company and who expects to see a return on their investment as your company grows.Selling yourself and your business ideas to a venture capitalist or any other party willing to contribute to your cause can give you the valuable income that you need either to start your business or to make it grow.

Continue reading "How to make small business into big business"

Where do I buy business cards at a discount?

givingabusinesscard37880902.jpg
If you depend on business from your business cards, you will want to have a card that stands out above the others.You will want a card that is more than just a piece of paper with contact information on it.You will want your card to stay around a while and not just get thrown in the garbage when the recipients' pockets get emptied.

Business cards are a powerful tool to help you expand your business.It is the most proven offline advertising medium available.Small details in your card can make or break your efforts.There are many tips that you can find on the internet and in books that will help you to design a card that best fits you and your business.Some of the things you will have to consider are:

Continue reading "Where do I buy business cards at a discount?"

I keep hearing about internet business - can people really make money online?

cellphone30365260.jpg
Many have asked if people can really make money online.The answer is simply and positively, yes!You must be careful as you look for the right business to run on the internet because there are many frauds and scams that are also used on the internet.However, with a little due diligence you can find a good business.This article will give several examples of businesses based on the internet that can make you money.

First, most businesses are enhanced by the internet and are not based solely on the internet.Few companies are completely internet based.Some could argue that Ebay is completely based on the internet.However, you could also argue that it is just an auction that is done over the internet.Many other businesses are learning to do a lot of their business over the internet like Ebay.

Continue reading "I keep hearing about internet business - can people really make money online?"

How can I qualify for business grants for women?

womanatdesk30344550.jpg
Using a business grant is a great way to start a new business. If you are a woman or group of women starting a business then you may want to know how to qualify for these grants.Much of the qualifications depend on the specific grants, but you should understand the basics for most grants or setasides.

Government grants have been an area that has seen a lot of fraud.Because of this the qualifications have risen and become very stringent in some cases.The red tape has been lengthened and the qualification process can be very lengthy and timely.If you want to qualify for a loan be prepared to fill out a lot of forms and be persistent in the process.It is often very difficult to qualify even if it appears that you easily meet all of the requirements.

Continue reading "How can I qualify for business grants for women?"

Crafts

drinks60514724.jpg

Business Description

Home businesses based around crafts generally consist of creating crafts to sell at either craft conventions, local markets, or over the internet.Crafts range from decorations for home, car, locker, etc, to apparel accessories such as hair clips, bracelets, necklaces etc. along with everything in-between.

Materials Needed

The materials needed for a home business centered around crafts will depend largely on the type of crafts being created.However, some general materials will be necessary no matter the type of craft being made.For those who hope to sell their crafts to local vendors may need to create a pamphlet outlining each of the crafts available.People who hope to sell crafts at a local farmers market or convention will need to way to transport their items.Based on the size and quantity of the craft, this could range from a car with a good sized trunk to a full-sized truck.Also, if anyone is planning on selling their crafts over the internet, they will need internet access, a computer, and likely a few methods of shipping their crafts to buyers.

Continue reading "Crafts"

Business bankruptcy, what are your options?

pastdue22475866.jpg
The topic of this article is business bankruptcy.If your business is filing for bankruptcy, what exactly are your options?How do you go about filing for bankruptcy?What should you do?Is bankruptcy really the only way out?

I am going to start this article by saying that you should visit a credited and credible business credit counseling service, if you are considering bankruptcy.A lot of the time these credit counseling services-if they are legitimate-can help you come up with a plan to pay off your debts and your bills and save your company.However, if you have already tried credit counseling or for various reasons you prefer to file for bankruptcy, keep reading, and we will discuss your different options.

Continue reading "Business bankruptcy, what are your options?"

Promoting From Within vs Hiring From Outside - When is Each One Better?

planningmeeting32337730.jpg
As a company grows, expands, and experiences turnover, it becomes necessary to create new positions or fill already-existing ones. One dilemma many hiring managers face, however, is whether to promote someone from within the company or hire an external applicant from the outside.

Promoting From Within

At first glance, it seems to make sense to promote someone from within to fill an open position. There are a number of reasons for this, including:

Continue reading "Promoting From Within vs Hiring From Outside - When is Each One Better?"

How to choose a sales force automation company

womanpondering63313193.jpg
You own a sales-related business.You and your employees spend much of your time working on the actual sales of your company.A huge portion of your profits go to pay your employees for their time spent working on individual sales, when they could be working on other projects that need more time and attention than simply tracking a shipment or printing up a bill of sale.So in order to decrease frivolous costs, as well as try to increase profits, you decide that you would like to fine a sales force automation company.

But where do you begin your search?There are many companies out there that claim to be the best choice for a sales force automation company.But how do you know which one is the most appropriate for you?What should you look for in a sales automation company?

Continue reading "How to choose a sales force automation company"

Business Plan Development

businessmeeting30381062.jpg
Business plan development is a critical part of starting off any business.Entrepreneurs all across the world struggle with how to start their plan and begin developing their dream business.While the process is long and hard there are many ways to help in the process.If you are starting to create your business plan, several programs, books, people and tips can help you.

Continue reading "Business Plan Development"

Outsourcing

menonphonewithmap32202351.jpg
Now more than ever, some companies are opting to outsource certain aspects of a business, or transfer management of that area to an external company that specializes in that area. Some forms of business that are typically outsourced include information technology, tech support, accounting, call center duties, or property management.

Outsourcing has a number of benefits, depending on how you look at it. Many companies opt to outsource to foreign markets because the cost of labor is so much cheaper, and they can save money by outsourcing rather than paying a higher salary to employees in-house. In fact, companies who outsource spend roughly 40% less on training employees than do companies who do not. Even companies who outsource nothing but say, their technical staff, will save a larger amount of money in the long run.

Continue reading "Outsourcing"

How to Listen to Your Customers

ladywithheadsetsmiling30342942.jpg
One of the most dangerous things a business or organization can do in regards to customers is assume. Many companies assume that just because they have not received negative feedback from their customers, they must be satisfied. Or they may assume they know exactly what their customer needs or wants. However, this is not always the case, and if not remedied, can result in big problems for an organization.

One of your main goals as a company or organization is to determine what your customer wants, and then make sure you go about delivering. However, there is no need to assume a customer's satisfaction level if you strive to find out what your customer thinks of your services, and there are a number of marketing tools anyone can use to help them better serve their customers.

Continue reading "How to Listen to Your Customers"

How to Write a Business Letter

letter19151188.jpg
A business letter is an essential form of communication within the corporate world. It is a formal means of communication between two people, a person and a corporation, or two corporations. Unlike a personal letter or an email, a business letter follows a specific format.

Although styles and formats can vary and still be acceptable, the most widely-used format of business letters includes the following:

Continue reading "How to Write a Business Letter"

How to get an 800 number directory

directory7597460.jpg
The topic of this article is how to get an 800 number directory.An 800 number directory is basically one of the best resources that your business can have.It lists every single 800 number, toll free number that is out there.This means that as a business or as an individual you can instantly find the exact 800 number for any of those vital services that you need just at that moment.

What exactly is an 800 phone number?800 numbers, along with numbers that begin with 866, 877, and 888, are toll free numbers.Toll free numbers are numbers where the call recipient-the business-pays all of the charges.This is a great courtesy service to customers.It also gives you a chance to get great publicity because you can customize your 800 number.800 numbers must be prefixed with a 1 for the toll free service to be initiated.Even though 800 toll free numbers were invented over 30 years ago, they became particularly popular in the 80s.800 toll free numbers are now an indispensable part of the marketing plan of any business or entity.Polls and studies have shown that about 90% of the U.S. population uses 800 toll free numbers.Over half of the U.S. population uses 800 toll free numbers on a regular basis.

Continue reading "How to get an 800 number directory"

How to avoid ERP failures

businessmeeting33030027.jpg

What is ERP?

ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning. This is an information system that integrates all manufacturing and related applications for an entire enterprise.

An ERP is a great idea for manufacturers if it is done right. ERP failure on the other hand is a big problem as it involves great money. However, ERP success makes great money. In order to avoid ERP failure you should know what causes it:

Continue reading "How to avoid ERP failures"

How to maximize your company's publicity as a manager

peoplegesturing7622291.jpg

It is very difficult to be successful in business without your company having a good public image. Customers are the life blood of your company. Without customers, how can your company make money? How can you have customers if nobody knows about your company and your company's product? The publicity your company gets, the exposure that your product receives, the good reviews it gets from the press, and the public acceptance and word of mouth advertising are crucial to your company's survival.

It is the job of everyone in the company to help give the public a good image of the company and the company's products or services. As a manager, it should be part of your job to do whatever you can to get the word out to your existing and potential customers concerning your company and its product. A manager doesn't always have control over the whole company or its resources, but he can still have a lot of influence by taking advantage of opportunities, many of them inexpensive or free, to give the company positive exposure and increase good will with the public. Here are a few suggestions of things you can do to publicize your company, influence the employees under your supervision, and use the media to the company's advantage.

Continue reading "How to maximize your company's publicity as a manager"

How to increase sales through product improvements rather than new products

graphpresentation16486405.jpg

Increasing sales through product improvements rather than new products can give you a head start in the industry. You already have regular, well established customers from whom you have collected information in order to identify their buying habits. The key is to keep your existing customers, and convince your new ones to buy more of your existing product lines. Your established product market share is truly the goose that lays the golden egg.

If you own a small store or a kiosk, present the new and improved products to your front line and make them stand out from other products. Make sure you place them in a way that they are appealing, attractive, affordable and very accessible.

Demonstrate what the improved item can do and couldn't do before. Demonstrate it in many ways in front of the customers. Show pictures of the old and the new and improved item. Display it so the customers can see what it looks like and be prepared to answer questions. More importantly, point out all the changes made to improve the product along with some additional advantages the item offers. Show how easy your customers can own one, and how that nobody should be without one. Show them what a great value it is. You can also throw a discount of 10 percent for the first 50 people that buy the new and improved item.

Continue reading "How to increase sales through product improvements rather than new products"

How to implement supply chain management (SCM)

manoncellphone30334009.jpg

Are you interested in learning and implementing supply chain management into your business?Supply chain management (also known as SCM) is a process of planning and implementation to help meet the customer needs quickly and efficiently.A lot of businesses are looking towards supply chain management to help them to work to their highest and fullest capacity.A large part of supply chain management depends on the implementation of the SCM planning.Sometimes it can be easy to make SCM plans, but then it is difficult to actually implement these plans and put them into practice.Here are some ways to implement supply chain management:

  • Make sure that you have good supply chain partners:One of the important things before you can truly implement supply chain management is to make sure that you have good supply chain partners.If you do not have good supply chain partners, then your work will never get implemented correctly!The supply chain management system is based on the idea of less control and more supply chain partners -- supply chain management is supposed to build up trust and collaboration between these supply chain partners.This trust and collaboration is supposed to help improve the amount of inventory that is produced and the amount of time it takes to produce inventory.However, if you don't have good supply chain partners, then your work will get hung up in different parts of the chain.

Continue reading "How to implement supply chain management (SCM)"

How to develop a strategy for your business

twowomanhighfivingeachother22990915.jpg

Do you want to develop a strategy for your business?Business strategies are also known as business plans.Through strategies and plans, you will be able to decide what you would like to focus on with your work.Developing a strategy is very important, because it helps you to push yourself and get your business to succeed.Strategies help you to also decide what you need to do in order to improve and develop your business.Without a strategy or a business plan, you could just end up at a standstill.Your business will not improve and succeed efficiently and effectively without a strategy.Here are some ways that you can develop a strategy for your business:

Continue reading "How to develop a strategy for your business"

5 Steps To Grow Your Business

f5alone.jpgDid you know that there are five and only five things you can do to build your business?

And that, if you do these five things correctly, the results not only add upon themselves, but that the results multiply, with each one building on the others?

So that, if you only increase your business by 15% with each strategy, your business will actually double?

Yes, it works.

I did just one last week and results to date indicate that my business will be up 34% over this month.

3 hours work by my virtual assistant, and business is up 34%!

Not bad.

You can do the same.

This site teaches you how

Go there, watch the video, and you'll be amazed at the results you'll get this year.

And join me in choosing to not participate in the recession.

How to find your company's critical success factors

manwithmoneyfan34926870.jpg Your business entails a lot of people, money, time, and decision making in order to succeed. Many businesses have adopted programs that help the company to achieve growth and success. Critical success factors take a look at the activities your business undertakes that allow it to succeed. Critical success factors related to quality, money, customer satisfaction, and your overall strategic plan.

Continue reading "How to find your company's critical success factors"

Improving your Business Management Leadership Skills

oldermanstanding26239732.jpg
Being a good business management leader is more than just having people listen to you or doing what you tell them. It requires you to have clearly defined goals for the company and good listening skills. A manager looks at their job as a day-to-day career; a leader wants and needs people to follow them into the future. Your employees need to look to you for trust. First, they need to respect you and this isn't always easy if you have fallen flat on your face in the past and didn't make strong efforts to recover. Second, give your staff a reason to follow you. Let's look at these two topics a little closer.

Trust
Establishing trust is one of the most difficult things a business leader faces. Trust involves feeling that you can depend upon another person to achieve a common goal. You know how people feel about you and how you feel about them. If you have had past incidences with employees and they have formed a negative opinion of you, it will be difficult to change their minds. Change the way you treat people and start pointing out their achievements and telling them why you appreciate them.

Continue reading "Improving your Business Management Leadership Skills"

Establishing monthly reporting procedures

planningmeeting32337730.jpg
For most companies, having monthly reporting procedures in place will allow for a smooth, effective working environment. Good organizational skills go a long way in developing proper procedures to be followed by your employees. You will need to sit down and determine every part of your company you would like a monthly report from. Here are a few reports you need to know each month.
-

  • Finance reports

  • - Sales Reports

  • - Marketing Reports

  • - Human Relations reports

  • - Distribution Reports


Finance Reports

Your finance department should always be one of the top things on your list. You need to be aware of your day-to-day cash flow information and make sure you are maintaining a positive cash flow. Your finance report should include the following:
-
  • Salaries

  • - Receipts and payments

  • - Opening bank balance

  • - Closing bank balance

  • - Excess receipts that may put you in a negative cash flow situation

Continue reading "Establishing monthly reporting procedures"

How to preserve your trademark: Extended Entry

logo14505133.jpg
If you are going to take the time and energy to obtain a trademark and properly register it with the federal government then you are going to want to make sure that you preserve your trademark. One of the best things about trademarks is that they are protected for life, but you do need to make sure that you renew the trademark on occasion by filing a trademark renewal application. One thing that you need to know about renewing your trademark is that the protection is good for about a period of ten years, which means that every ten years or so you are going to need to renew your trademark to maintain your protection. This process will help to preserve your trademark, but you are also going to need to make sure that you constantly use your trademark. The reason for this is in order for your trademark to be protected and in order to renew it you have to give the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office proof that the trademark is being used, otherwise they can cancel turn the trademark into a generic trademark because of abandonment.

Continue reading "How to preserve your trademark: Extended Entry"

How to create training programs for customer service centers

manwithphone19160846.jpg
The customer service center plays an essential role in maintaining a positive reputation for any company.They deal with customers with an array of concerns and questions.Many times customers are seeking information, wishing to resolve a problem with a product or service, or need help operating a new product.

In many cases, a customer service representative must deal with frustrated or angry customers and must find a way to help those customers feel like they can continue purchasing from the company.Creating a training program for a customer service center must take all of this into consideration.

Continue reading "How to create training programs for customer service centers"

Benefits of business management training and seminars

teamwork23109832.jpg
Companies always want to ensure that their managers are both up to date with regards to management and business strategies as well as confident in their training and ability.Many CEOs look to trainings and seminars in order to educate and motivate their managers.Their hope is that an increase in manager know-how and morale will lead to an increase in workforce productivity.Here is a breakdown of some of the benefits to business management training and seminars.

Increase Teamwork

In basketball, a team will perform at its best when all of the players learn together, practice together, and play together over the course of certain period of time.If the players never learn together, it is unlikely they will all be on the same page when it comes time for the game.The same is true in a corporate setting.When employees are sent in groups to management training and seminars, they will be learning together.As a group, they will be able to figure out how to best apply the new information they have learned to their specific division or department thus making it more effective as a whole.

Continue reading "Benefits of business management training and seminars"

How to manage a family business

siblings41819717.jpg
According to Family Firm Institute's Family Business Review, there are currently 24 million family businesses in the United States. Family businesses have been around for hundreds of years and many people enjoy the freedom of working for themselves. Running a family business is a time consuming job and often can be stressful if your relatives are your employees. Here are a few tips for managing a family business:

Keep Family and Business Separate

This is a hard area for many family businesses. Most people are good friends and have known each other from the time they are born. It is hard for some people to take orders from their uncle who was at their house last night for a BBQ. Make sure to draw a line between family and business. Set the boundaries at work that personal life is not to be involved in work life. People should not take it personally if they are chastised for their work by their father, mother, or brother who is their manager. It will help if you can have family members report to non-family members. Other employees at your company should be responsible for overseeing other family members instead of you overseeing them. This will help eliminate any personal bias you may have and alleviate hurt feelings or grudges that could arise.

Continue reading "How to manage a family business"

Non-profit business management

Most non-profit organizations have small staffs and small budgets to work with. Many non-profit organizations rely on private or public donations or grant money to support the cost of running the business. With small staffs and small budgets you are likely to have management and leadership problems. Most business managers look at a non-profit organization as a stepping stone to boost their managerial skills on their resume. Most business managers are over-worked and retain little career development, therefore causing turnover ratios to be quite high. Of course, this can be a large set back for a non-profit company who has had a manager with certain expertise and leadership skills. Let's look at a few ways you can be a better business manager in a non-profit organization.

Proper training procedures are the number one things a non-profit organization must have laid out for business managers. If someone is thrown into the company without any assistance or direction, chances are they won't last long, or they may go in a different path. The non-profit world is an entirely different world of business. Looking for funding is typically the primary concern for most business managers. Many non-profit organizations preach "devotion" to their cause and expect their employees to feel the same way.

A business manager should step into their role as a leader to the staff. Have a plan for the future set in place and make sure everyone at the organization is on board with your ideas. A good business manager learns to take on several different roles: human resources, marketing, community outreach, financial planning, and day-to-day business operations. As you can tell, a business manager in a non-profit world encounters many responsibilities and can quickly become burdened and over-worked.

Continue reading "Non-profit business management"

Happy holidays or Merry Christmas - which used more frequently?

In today's politically sensitive world, one of the key lightning rods is how people refer to the December holidays - do they use terms like "holidays" or "Christmas?"

You know what term you use, but have you ever wondered what term others actually use? Watch this video to learn more, I can almost guarantee that you'll be surprised by the results, especially what happened in 2007!

Just click the > symbol to play!

How to make work time more productive


If you would like to be more productive at work, avoid engaging in office politics. Making work time more productive is quite easy when you focus on your work instead of focusing your energy on the office drama. There is far too much energy, as well as time wasted on office negativity. Becoming more productive at work is the easy part, the hard part is not being involved in office politics. Here are some tips to help you avoid office politics which will result in higher productivity levels.
1. Make it a point to observe the rules and regulations of the company. Perform your work with dedicated interest and loyalty, it will show.
2. Avoid bragging about your achievements. You will be setting yourself up for failure by continually bragging to co-workers. Let your hard work speak for itself. Your hard work will be noticed and appreciated.
3. Learn to work with people that you do not like. Get along with people who appear to not like you as well. You do not need to be the most popular or liked person at work to perform your job duties effectively.

Continue reading "How to make work time more productive"

Tips for becoming a better leader

As a manager it is your prerogative to encourage success in the people you manage. When those under you do well, you in turn do well. Everyone should encourage success to anyone that they meet.Everyone should be encouraged to meet their goals.As a manager or a leader you should always encourage the success of the team that you are leading not just for your own good, but for theirs as well.The success of your team ensures your success not only for you job but your success as a leader.When you encourage success in your team they will strive harder to reach their goals because they will feel that not only do they care about what they are pushing for but that someone else does too.There are many ways that you can encourage success.Let's go over some tips that you can use to encourage success.

If you want to encourage success, you need to get to know your employees or team members.When people feel like they are recognized and that you know and care about them, they won't feel so in the dark about things and they will push to always be heard and seen.When you know all of your team members you can encourage success verbally.Say things that will help motivate.Saying something like "You almost have it just keep trying,"this lets someone know that by continuing to try and do well will eventually help them excel.Knowing what people `s personal struggles are will help you to guide them with more efficiency.

Continue reading "Tips for becoming a better leader"

A look at e-commerce strategies

There are different strategies for different businesses depending on what type of business it is and how it is ran and what the business is selling. When it comes to e-commerce there are some different strategies that are taken. Here is a look at e-commerce strategies.
If you do not know what e-commerce is it is the buying and selling of services and goods on the internet especially the World Wide Web. E-commerce is so new to the web that the strategies that are being used are not as affective as they could be. 30% if e-commerce sites don't have a search capability that actually works. People want to be able to find product quickly and efficiently. The e-commerce merchants should used speed for marketing so when people are shopping online they don't end up just getting everything but what they are looking for.

Continue reading "A look at e-commerce strategies"

Charting office progress and goals is a necessary part of organizing your office so that you can achieve particular project goals, office goals, and different company goals.

However, charting your office and your project's progress along with your goals can be more difficult than you think that it is.You have to carefully think about what your goals are and what the best options would be for organizing your own charts.

When you are charting your office and your project progress and goals, a good way to do in order to effective and comprehensibly chart them is by using organization charts.While organization charts are often used to demonstrate the way that the actual company is organized, you can also use an organizational chart as a way to demonstrate the progress of your organization's and your project's goals.

Continue reading "Charting office progress and goals is a necessary part of organizing your office so that you can achieve particular project goals, office goals, and different company goals."

How to choose your corporate gifts

One of the most difficult and puzzling, and even terrifying, questions that every employee and particularly manager or business owner most face is how to choose your corporate gifts.A corporate gift is no ordinary gift.Giving the right corporate gift can have serious ramifications for your company.These repercussions can either be positive, meaning that the recipient of the gift is impressed, flattered, and feels inclined to continue business with you or to start business with you, or, if you really screw up, it could sour relationships with partners and clients.So, choosing the right corporate gift is really something that you need to think about carefully so that you send the right message to whoever you're giving the present to.

The first thing that you need to consider when thinking about how to choose a corporate gift is the message that you want to send and the image of yourself and your company that you want to project.First of all, you want your corporate gift to let the recipient of your corporate gift know that you are professional.If you are giving a corporate gift to a client or a potential client or a partner, then you want them to see your company and business as being professional.This means that the corporate gift that you give has to be somewhat impersonal and very classy.You should not give jewelry, you should probably not be giving perfume, or anything else that connotes a personal or intimate relationship with a person.

Continue reading "How to choose your corporate gifts"

Can I get any advantages if my business is located in a depressed area?

As a business owner, you should always be looking for any help, or advantages you can get. One question you will want to ask is: Can I get any advantages if my business is located in a depressed area?

The answer is usually Yes! In most cities, if you build or expand your business in a depressed area, the city will be more than happy to help you out some with a few of the taxpayer's dollars. However, there are specifications that have to be met, and a process that you must undergo to get this help.

Continue reading "Can I get any advantages if my business is located in a depressed area?"

Can Roth IRA contributions be offered as a benefit?

The topic of this article is whether or not Roth IRA contributions can be offered as a benefit to your employees.This topic is especially pertinent today, as more and more people are exploring different options of saving for their retirement.Social Security is not a sure thing, and even if it were, the money that it gives you is not nearly enough to live on in any sort of humane way.More and more options for saving for your retirement are available, and sometimes it can be incredibly confusing to both employees and employers.

First let's go over what exactly a Roth IRA is.For a long time, lots of people have counted on traditional IRAs to help them plan and save for their retirement.But Roth IRAs actually might be a better way to go.This is why.A Roth IRA lets you possibly receive tax-free distributions of your retirement funds if you choose to make your contributions now nondeductible.Contributions will be nondeductible no matter what your income level is, or whether or not you participate in a retirement plan that is sponsored by your company.

Continue reading "Can Roth IRA contributions be offered as a benefit?"

How can I use disintermediation as a business strategy?

The world of business can be a complex world full of people racing to the top. It is not a race for the fastest time; rather it is a race for success. Not the kind of success that you might think of when you hear the word success though. It is a race for financial success. You want the best product at the best price so that you will make the most amount of money. You want to make enough money to keep your business running and to keep you financially happy.

There are many tools and strategies that a business can use in their pursuit for success. One of the many out there is disintermediation. At first it sounds like a complex and a confusing word, but if you take it a part a little, it tends to make much more sense. Think of it like this, dis - intermediaries - tion, or.getting rid of your intermediaries. It simply means that you get rid of the people that stand between you and your customers. You work directly with you customers in order to save yourself money. You might get rid of distributors or retailers. It eliminates the cost of working with those people while still allowing you to maintain the revenue received from customers.

Continue reading "How can I use disintermediation as a business strategy?"

Air Craft Charter Verses Flying First Class

There are many differences between flying in a charter aircraft and flying first class.One option may be more expensive than the other, or one more convenient than the other.It is up for you to decide which method of transportation in going to fit best for your busy professional life.

Below are listed some advantages and disadvantages for both flying on an aircraft charter and in first class.It is important for you to consider these options and make a well informed decision as to what best fits your means and needs.

Continue reading "Air Craft Charter Verses Flying First Class"

What is anti-trust?

First of all, what is anti-trust? Anti-trust is the way the government makes sure that businesses don't become monopolies. A monopoly is when one business has total control over an important aspect of human life. Say, for example, that a computer company develops a tool to run programs that's quicker and more powerful than anything else around. Everybody wants one, everybody buys one. Soon, if your computer doesn't have this specific tool you're hopelessly out of date. It's not just a luxury anymore, it's a must. Well, once that certain tool becomes a must the computer company that developed it can pretty much rule the world. After all, computers run the world, and no computer can go without that tool and not be hopelessly behind and pathetic.
Now, generally the company that owns the tool wouldn't immediately start hatching evil schemes involving missiles hidden in underground silos etc. But they could, and probably would, begin to act somewhat unfairly. They might raise the price of the tool to a ridiculous amount. They might say: "Look, we'll only sell you our tool if you buy our computers, too." The could began to develop other things such as coffee machines and alarm-clock radios, and, you guessed it-make the purchase of an alarm-clock and a coffee machine mandatory for everyone who wants the tool. You get the picture.

Continue reading "What is anti-trust?"

How do I prepare for a compliance audit?

Often people get worried when it comes to getting ready for a compliance audit.It is very important that you are prepared.There are many things you need to be doing in advance so when you know you will be audited, there is less stress and worry.There are also things you need to do and remember for the day the auditors come.Here are some tips to make sure you are prepared for a compliance audit.There is no need to worry about a compliance audit if you are prepared.

Tips on How to Prepare for a Compliance Audit:
- Know the rules and regulations that you and your company are supposed to be following.Make sure you are always in compliance with the law.That is one of the most important things that you can do to prepare for a compliance audit.The whole reason you are audited, is to make sure you are in compliance with laws and regulations within your specific company.

Continue reading "How do I prepare for a compliance audit?"

How to choose your supply chain management software.

As the manager of an office or branch, or as the owner of a smaller business, one of the most important questions that you have to figure out the answer to is how you should choose your supply chain management software.
Maybe you didn't even know that such as a thing as supply chain management software exists. Whether you have heard of supply chain management software or not, if you receive supplies from anyone, then supply chain management software is an important tool in streamlining your business and improving efficiency and productivity in your office.

In essence, a supply chain is a chain of links that, hopefully when all connected together, end up making your company more profitable.The supply chain is one of the most important parts of your business.The supply chain is also one of the places where it is most advantageous to streamline production and processing and to cut costs and to improve efficiency.However, if you are trying to manage things yourself, it's easy to leave some of the most important links out of the picture.This way of going about streamlining-forgetting key parts-is no way to improve productivity.It will only do the opposite: make a bigger mess out of things.

Continue reading "How to choose your supply chain management software."

Tax Advantages of Incorporating


Incorporating a business is something any business can do, regardless of its size or number of employees. Incorporating allows business owners to separate their personal identity and financial assets from that of their business. When a company is not incorporated, creditors or partnerships can seize the business owners' personal assets, such as homes, savings, or cars. However, when a business is incorporated, only the money put into the business can be seized or lost in the event the business tanks or cannot support itself financially.

There are many advantages to incorporating. In addition to separating personal identity from business identity, incorporating gives a business credibility. A corporate business, regardless of the size, that has "inc" or "corp" at the end of its name conveys a sense of credibility. Incorporating also allows capital to be raised in an easier manner; investors are more likely to invest in a company that separates its owner's personal assets from his or her business assets.

Continue reading "Tax Advantages of Incorporating"

Outsourcing - What You Need to Watch Out For

Now more than ever, some companies are opting to outsource certain aspects of a business, or transfer management of that area to an external company that specializes in that area. Some forms of business that are typically outsourced include information technology, tech support, accounting, call center duties, or property management.

Outsourcing has a number of benefits, depending on how you look at it. Many companies opt to outsource to foreign markets because the cost of labor is so much cheaper, and they can save money by outsourcing rather than paying a higher salary to employees in-house. In fact, companies who outsource spend roughly 40% less on training employees than do companies who do not. Even companies who outsource nothing but say, their technical staff, will save a larger amount of money in the long run.

Continue reading "Outsourcing - What You Need to Watch Out For"

Business Plans Aren't Just For Your Banker - How to Make Your Business Plan Work For You

When starting a business, most banks or investors will require a business plan, which is a detailed written summary of how a business or entrepreneur plans on organizing and then effectively running a potential business in a way that will allow it to succeed. These are often required so the investor knows the plan is well-planned for and well thought out before investing money into it.

But if you're not planning on writing a business plan because you won't be going through a banker or an investor to fund your business, you could be making a big mistake. Business plans aren't just for your banker - a business plan is an invaluable tool for you as an entrepreneur as well.

Continue reading "Business Plans Aren't Just For Your Banker - How to Make Your Business Plan Work For You"

How to Incorporate

Incorporating a business allows business owners to separate their personal identity and financial assets from that of their business. Incorporating is something any business can do, regardless of its size or number of employees. When a company is not incorporated, creditors or partnerships can seize the business owners' personal assets, such as homes, savings, or cars. However, when a business is incorporated, only the money put into the business can be seized or lost in the event the business tanks or cannot support itself financially.

There are many advantages to incorporating. In addition to separating personal identity from business identity, incorporating gives a business credibility. A corporate business, regardless of the size, that has "inc" or "corp" at the end of its name conveys a sense of credibility. Incorporating also allows capital to be raised in an easier manner; investors are more likely to invest in a company that separates its owner's personal assets from his or her business assets. Incorporating also involves tax breaks, which is a main reason many business owners decide to incorporate.

Continue reading "How to Incorporate"

Hiring a Marketer - Should You Hire Experience or Potential?

A marketer is an important part of your business. He or she is especially vital when the business is just starting out and needs to be promoted in all the right ways. That's why you need to make sure you hire the right person for the job.

When hiring a marketer, you have two options - hiring someone who is experienced in the field, or hiring someone with talent and potential but little on-the-job experience. Both have their pros and cons.

Continue reading "Hiring a Marketer - Should You Hire Experience or Potential?"

A Business Plan Check-Up - Are You On Track?

Starting a business requires a great deal of effort, money, and time. That's why it's such a good idea to have a business plan in place. Having a documented, well thought-out plan will help you to see if your plan is actually feasible or not. In addition, it will help you map out the steps you need to take in order to set up a profitable business.

When starting a business, most banks or investors will require a business plan, which is a detailed written summary of how a business or entrepreneur plans on organizing and then effectively running a potential business in a way that will allow it to succeed. These are often required so the investor knows the plan is well-planned for and well thought out before investing money into it.

Continue reading "A Business Plan Check-Up - Are You On Track?"

What to look for when buying logo-embroidered shirts for your business

Whether we like it or not, we are strongly influenced by what we see.You would not look for a fancy French restaurant between a grungy tattoo parlor and a run-down bar.You would look next to an elegant hotel or quaint boutique.You would expect the restaurant to look sophisticated and inviting from the moment you saw it.

The same is true in business attire.You want your appearance to say something about your company-the kinds of things you stand for, as well as the kind of people you are.You want to look professional, trustworthy, and educated.But at the same time, you want to look approachable, friendly and relaxed.

Continue reading "What to look for when buying logo-embroidered shirts for your business"

What to look for in a home business

Everywhere you turn from the internet to the newspaper or even to neighbors and friends, there are opportunities to start your own home business.Some claim instant money with little work, others require hours of dull and monotonous labor.The trick is to find which home businesses will be most beneficial for you, offering reasonable profit as well as a logical amount of work.The following are suggestions on the things to look for when thinking of starting a home business.

1. Look for a home business that you will enjoy and be committed to.If you're going to be spending the majority of your day working on your business, it should be something that you can put your heart into and be self-motivated to accomplish things.You must be willing to make sacrifices to achieve success.

Continue reading "What to look for in a home business"

Is a home business right for you?

Every day you wake up to the blaring of an alarm clock and promptly hit the snooze button.When you are finally able to drag yourself out of bed, you stumble to the shower, brushing your teeth along the way.You think to yourself "Another day.Another I have to spend working for someone else, making them richer and me more miserable.Another hour I have to spend listening to my rude and nasty boss when I would rather be home spending time with my family and working on my own projects."

Does this sound familiar?

Are you one of the millions of Americans who are sick and tired of working for someone else, day in and day out?

Continue reading "Is a home business right for you?"

Determining the right size for your home office

Whether you already work from home, or are thinking about creating your first home office, the first step in determining the right size for your home office is determining your office requirements.Each job requires a different style of office.What works for your neighbor who is an engineer may not work for you, the doctor, or artist, or real estate agent.The following questions may help you to determine what kind of office you need.

What kind of work will you be doing?Make a list of the activities you do on a daily basis for your type of work.Make note of how much time you spend on each task.Then rank all of your listed activities from most important to least important activity.This will help you decide the size of your office, what kinds of furniture to buy, how much work area you need, how your office should be laid out, etc, based on the importance of each task.

Continue reading "Determining the right size for your home office"

How To Choose The Best Holiday Gift Basket

Choosing a memorable gift is often a challenge.Here are some tips to help you select a gift basket that will cause the recipient to remember you positively for years!

If you're like most people, there's a gift basket or some corporate gift baskets on your shopping list this holiday season.

After carefully researching the gift basket industry, and talking to a number of suppliers within it, here are some insider tips we've discovered to help you choose a gift basket the recipient will appreciate and remember for years to come:

Continue reading "How To Choose The Best Holiday Gift Basket"

5 Golden Online/Offline Business Rules To LIVE Or DIE By

Whether online or off, if you plan on running or maintaining any type of credibility within your business, there are some guidelines that are safe to say any existing or potential customer expects if they are to do immediate or future business with you.

As an online entrepreneur for over 3 years I have found that even though I don't have the pleasure of meeting face-to-face with my customers, ones perception of you and your business can be viewed as good or bad all depending on the way you handle questions or comments posted by people interested in your product.

Here is a list of 5 MUST DO'S that any one customer will come to expect if they are to do business with you.

(1) Be Prompt - although it may be an exhausting task to keep up with all the general inquiries or questions about any one product that your visitors have, be sure to respond as soon as possible because the more time it takes for your reply, the more likely a prospect will go elsewhere to do business.

A great way to resolve many questions without having to physically type a letter each and every time is to provide a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for a potential prospect to view for quick reference.

Continue reading "5 Golden Online/Offline Business Rules To LIVE Or DIE By"

How to Start an Investment Club - Business Model

Your investment club will need to decide what type of entity you're going to adopt for business purposes. You'll have to decide whether you're going to be a corporation, a general partnership, or limited liability partnership. Each of these business models has their own advantages and disadvantages.

· Corporation. Most investment clubs will avoid becoming a corporation. This is because corporations are taxable business entities that require knowledgeable accounting skills to make them run smoothly and in accord with government regulations. A corporation generally means a lot of paperwork. This paperwork can be avoided by choosing another business model for your purpose of running an investment club.

· General partnership. This type of business model requires less paperwork and knowledge about taxes and other financial issues. Most investment clubs choose a general partnership as their choice of a business entity. A general partnership has nominal paperwork and costs associated with it because the taxes are passed to each partner's tax returns. This type of business model will let you accomplish what you need to do to run your investment club with the least amount of tax influence.

· Limited liability corporations. This type of a business model is much like the general partnership but it gives individual members of your investment group a bit more liability protection. Keep in mind that this type of business entity can be expensive and will need more paperwork.

Continue reading "How to Start an Investment Club - Business Model"

Brainstorming! The Key To Wealth

Advertising executive Alex F. Osborne first coined the word "brainstorming" in the early 1940's. Since then literally millions of ideas, products, services and solutions have been created and improved on.

Every institution from Fortune 500 companies to Universities and Government agencies have used the principle of brainstorming. They've use it to create everything from new ad slogans, and medical breakthroughs, to how to get your child to eat more peas.

Fact: For every product in your home or office, chances are a person or group of people brainstormed about it. They brainstormed on how best to create, market, sell, manufacture, advertise, or distribute it. This is how powerful brainstorming is.

One of the best things about brainstorming is that it can be used by anyone. You don't have to be a C.E.O or army general. You can gain from brainstorming if you're a housewife, janitor, student or unemployed.

Yes, you can use the principles of brainstorming for the largest project or the smallest project. You can use it to plan a million dollar ad campaign, or use it to plan what you'll have for dinner tonight.

If you simply follow and practice the following steps you will soon be amazed at the ideas and solutions your fabulous brain will give you.

Continue reading "Brainstorming! The Key To Wealth"

7 Ways To Profit From Other Peoples Products

If you don't possess the time, money or inclination to create your own hot selling product there is plenty of scope for profit by using other people's.

In this quick article I'll detail the best ways to take a third-party product and use it to fill your own bank account.

1. Resell Rights

Resell Rights let you sell a product and keep all of the money. It's an ideal way to start. Usually you'll need your own payment system to accept the money and your own webspace to sell it - but that's very cheap to do these days.

Resell Rights can be free, or cost anywhere up to $1000 and beyond. The free Resell Rights are usually not worth bothering with. You want to sell items that have LIMITED distribution - quite simply because you'll have less competition!

2. Master Resell Rights

Unfortunately these are bad news. With the Master Rights you can pass on Resell Rights yourself. This means one thing - thousands of competitors in a very short time.

3. Reprint Rights

These are sometimes confused with Resell Rights but they are usually used to describe hard-copy material. For example, printed books, tape sets, CD's or Videos.

Continue reading "7 Ways To Profit From Other Peoples Products"

Could You and Your Business Benefit from a Business Coach or a Consultant?

The surprising answer is "probably". Most individuals don't realize that a certified business coach or business consultant can add enormously to their home based or more traditional type business. Many individuals think a business coach or consultant will come into their business and tell them things that they don't want to hear.

Nothing can be further from the truth. A business coach or consultant will try to use the resources/personnel already present in a business, and will implement strategies that will enhance the interaction and productivity of all concerned.

A business coach or consultant will "steer" the business into a clearer focus, better productivity, better management, and more powerful interactions. Business coaches and consultants can assist any and all types of businesses. Business owners who want faster results for their businesses, are committed to excellence in business, who want to develop their reputations, or who are experiencing problems within their current businesses are all prime candidates for business coaching and consultation.

Here is a small checklist of benefits that may occur with the use of a business coach or consultant:

1. Increase in Clarity: Your business will draw clearer distinctions regarding present conditions and situations and have a clearer picture of the future.

Continue reading "Could You and Your Business Benefit from a Business Coach or a Consultant?"

Business Attire: 10 Tips to Perfect Your Look

Being appropriately dressed is essential in making good impressions in the business and corporate worlds. A polished image is important in business survival and can be an important factor in career advancement. Periodically, it is a good idea to take a look at your business attire and the image you are presenting. Is it the image you want to project?

1. No matter what your age your business attire should be as professional as possible. Avoid clothes that are the latest fad and choose a more conservative look.

2. Wear clothes that are comfortable, that do not itch, ride up or bind. If your clothes are irritating, having to tug, pull or scratch is not something you will want to do in public. Dress to suit your personality while keeping in mind professional standards. When you feel comfortable you will feel more at ease and will be able to attend to business.

3. Your blouse should fit well. Be sure it is the correct size, is not taut and does not gap.

4. Keep your hemline conservative, about one to two inches above the knee. This length is not only more attractive but a length that suits most women.

Continue reading "Business Attire: 10 Tips to Perfect Your Look"

The Top Ten Qualities that Allow Business Operations to Grow Easily

My husband and I were enjoying our dinner meal one evening while discussing various plans and ideas. I was sharing that I wanted to submit articles and ads to a huge number of ezines to market my eProgram in a big way, and I wanted his help to make this happen. His response stopped me in my tracks, "Can your systems handle the increased demand?"

I know that my online systems and processes are capable of handling significant transaction volumes daily - but there are still a couple manual processes that are not as smooth as they could be and at times they may not create the very best experience. With the current demand, I can tolerate these manual processes and easily get by, but the additional demand that I expect from my marketing efforts will make these tolerations intolerable very quickly. If I had moved forward without changing and extending my systems first, I would have risked some very important things - my new customers' loyalty and my sanity!

It seems like I am frequently in this push-pull situation. The need to establish the right system setup conflicts with going after the opportunities. With my strategic sense, I can see several steps ahead. I often get really excited about those steps and I'm eager jump ahead before it's time.

I see this as a challenge for both large and small businesses alike. I believe the successful ones plan their operations and implement the correct systems to properly manage the increased demand loads. The key is to take strategic steady steps forward - you need to learn to walk before you run. All businesses need a solid foundation or platform of business operations so they are able to easily handle increased business needs and growth while serving the customers well. This is fundamental. Otherwise, the business owner may easily become overwhelmed.

Continue reading "The Top Ten Qualities that Allow Business Operations to Grow Easily"

Does The Lion Test?

Are you afraid of change? Are you afraid of trying new ideas to help grow your internet home business? A lot of people who start out in online business make the mistake of putting up a website and expect to make lots of sales without any revisions or alterations to the various component parts of their websites. Either they are ignorant of the fact that they should be making and testing different approaches or are just too lazy or afraid of change.

It's really important to get the basics right whenever you run an internet home business or any business for that matter and it's very important to your long term business success that you know your customers and where they came from.Ideally you also should know what pages they click through and visit on your website and where they leave your website.

If you have this data it will enable you to modify and test new approaches to your website design, your sales copy and your headlines. For example if your website has a very low click through rate you probably need to test new headlines and/or sales copy to draw prospects further into your website. This should bring you a higher click through rate, if not test again, and keep testing.

I came across an African proverb recently and it has some relevant lessons in it, that we can all apply to our day to day lives and our internet home businesses.

Continue reading "Does The Lion Test?"

Need a New Idea? Try Changing Your Perspective

One definition of creativity states that creative people look at the same thing everyone else does, yet they see something no one else does.

But even creative people (which includes all of you, of course) can run into roadblocks every now and then. Sometimes it's not possible to see something different. Sometimes you've just been staring at a problem for so long it's now impossible to look at it in any other way.

So what do you do in these situations?

Why not try changing your perspective?

Consider this: A friend of mind who does needlepoint has a design that's mostly black. Rather than simply stitching the design on white canvas with black thread, she's using a black canvas and is stitching the negative aspects of the design instead of the positive.

She changed the way she viewed the problem. And now she has a really cool-looking needlepoint design that's different from most other ones out there.

Or what about this: An art teacher has her students turn a photograph or object upside down and paint what they see -- not a picture but an arrangement of shapes.

Continue reading "Need a New Idea? Try Changing Your Perspective"

Keep Business Reports Brief

The point of a business report is to communicate information, or an opinion, and sometimes to persuade or convince. To do this effectively the two keywords are brevity and clarity.

When you read some reports you wonder what they are trying to achieve. They are too long, too verbose, and too vague. When you get to the end you wonder what was the point of it.

Don't say in a hundred words what you can say in ten. It does not impress in a business environment. You are not trying to win literary prizes. You are trying to transfer information from one person to another. Don't use flowery phrases when you can spell it out with short and simple words.

Don't use jargon when it is not universally understood. Don't use acronyms without an explanation. Explain all specialist terms and abbreviations. Use footnotes or an appendix if this helps to prevent breaking up the flow.

Don't assume pre-existing knowledge in the reader unless you are certain of it. Don't assume that he hold the same initial opinions as you if your report builds upon them. If everything you say flows logically from an initial assumption, you need to establish the truth of that first.

Continue reading "Keep Business Reports Brief"

A Guide to Getting Started in Corporate Philanthropy

Business guru Charles Handy, writing in Harvard Business Review, summarized the value of philanthropic businesses by saying, "A good business is a community with a purpose." Here are six steps to setting up a corporate philanthropy program:

Step One: Values audit. Start from your values base. Most corporations begin with an audit or evaluation of their values, bringing together leadership and representation from the staff to identify and articulate the company's ethos and how it relates to the company's mission and values.

What does your company care about: kids, shelter, domestic violence? For example, Polaroid created a foundation, managed by a committee of employees, to increase self-sufficiency among the disadvantaged by building their business skills with computers, literacy and business comportment.

Step Two: Engage directly. Increasingly, employees look for ways to have an intense, short-term project. For example, Volunteers of America has found over the past five years that corporations often prefer an all-day or weekend-long group project, such as painting a women's shelter to the longer-term individual commitments such as being a big sister.

Continue reading "A Guide to Getting Started in Corporate Philanthropy"

How to Get Your Business Featured on Oprah

Chicago--In 1998 Robert Smith sent a letter to The Oprah Show on behalf of a client. A few days went by and then a few months and Robert never heard from the show. Then one day by accident Robert saw a show based on the volume of mail Oprah receives.

" It was crazy. She gets like 20,000 letters a week. I thought I was being smooth when I put my letter in a bright red envelope. Boy, was I wrong. There were hundreds of red envelopes," beams Smith, 30 year old president of Robert Smith and Associates PR in Rockton, IL. robertsmith.citymax.com

Smith says, "If you've ever thought about reaching a worldwide audience and promoting your business on Oprah, now is the time."

You might be thinking why would Oprah talk to me since I'm not a famous celebrity or I haven't done anything important.

The Oprah Show has 48 producers who need a constant flow of guests. You can write to the show at Harpo Productions PO Box 909715 Chicago, IL 60690.

A much faster way to contact the show is to go to www.oprah.com and about half way down her site is a link that says, Share Your Story/Be on the Show."

Continue reading "How to Get Your Business Featured on Oprah"

Street Fairs Are A Great Way to Raise Funds For Your Community

Every town and city can run street fairs and support their community through a grant or grants to non-profit organizations striving to improve quality of life for its community, or plant trees, improve parks, etc.Proceeds from the "renting" of booth space in the street can fund these programs.

The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce (MCC) has been helping over 130 nonprofit organizations for 10 years through the running of the 2nd Ave. and 3rd Ave. Street Fairs. Through its affiliate, The MCC Community Benefit Fund, MCC has contributed $1 million from 1992 to 2004, to not-for-profit community-based organizations for programs which help improve quality of life ranging from health and welfare to educational and cultural enrichment, homeless, elderly programs, etc. In addition, another $1.0 million has been raised through the CBF raffle ticket program run through the fairs increasing MCC's total contribution to $2.0 million since 1992.

These street fairs consist of one mile of great food, shopping and entertainment from 66th to 86th Streets with over one million people attending each year. This provides a unique way for New Yorkers to gain access to more than 1000 businesses and non-profits located on these blocks. The purpose of these events is to improve the local economy and to build a better community by raising money and distributing it to non-profit neighborhood groups.There are over 800 booths and entertainment stages. Each booth is actually a 10x10' space on the street from the curb out.Participants "rent" the space. Many of the "renters" are shops and restaurants on the street as well as crafters, antique vendors, etc.Local radio stations and publications take over the stages and line up children's programming, jazz, rock and roll, etc. Non-profit organizations wishing to get more visibility for their programs are offered free spaces.So it is a great mix of shopping, entertainment and community outreach!

Continue reading "Street Fairs Are A Great Way to Raise Funds For Your Community"

Six Reasons to Give

If you run a business, you undoubtedly feel many pressures on your time and money.Why would you want to add "giving to the community" to your "to do" list?Here are six reasons .....

1. It feels good. Making contributions to the community is personally rewarding. Our values are important to us - from helping kids to supporting neighborhood cleanup efforts. Charitable contributions enable us to support these values.

2. It's tradition. Local businesses traditionally have been principal supporters of many community organizations that do good work. Without the support of the local business community, many programs that serve your neediest residents would not exist.

3. It builds company morale. Contributing to organizations that are important to employees enables business owners to promote a more positive work environment and build shared pride in the company's role in the community.Providing opportunities for employees to contribute, whether financially or volunteering time, improves morale and helps reduce turnover.

4. It's good for business. Support for local causes is a good way for a business to develop a positive image, reinforce relationships with customers, and develop closer relationships with community leaders and officials.

Continue reading "Six Reasons to Give"

Top 3 Presentation Disasters of 2004

During the year we've seen some great examples from celebrities of presentation Do's and Don'ts. On the Do -side we've seen how an actor, former body builder, named Arnold, can morph into a Governor through demonstrating both charisma and confidence. We've also seen some really terrible demonstrations of behaviors that we wouldn't be caught dead doing in public.

As Shakespeare said "All the world's a stage". I'll go ahead and take it a step further and say that all the world is a presentation. How we present ourselves in the world is how we are judged. All we have to do is go off course, or off key, just once and that is what people remember.

There's some life and business lessons we can learn from these celebrities disasters and mistakes.


1. Janet Jackson's Wardrobe Malfunction

What were you thinking, Janet?

Janet Jackson says it was all her fault that the costume reveal at the end of the number was only supposed to reveal a red lace garment under the bodice."The decision to have a costume reveal at the end of my halftime show performance was made after final rehearsals," the statement, which is on the MTV Web site. "MTV was completely unaware of it.It was not my intention that it go as far as it did."

Continue reading "Top 3 Presentation Disasters of 2004"

Use Collaborative Approach - and Get Leveraged Earnings

By helping others to grow their business you ensure growth of your own business. I have seen this theory work even while dealing with competitors. This confirms one of the golden rules - you get what you give to others.

I have been involved in building and running factories to generate profit and credibility - right from constructing foundations for machines and buildings up to the point of developing customers and retaining them. In the process I have had to deal with many agencies - suppliers, customers, consultants, government officials, licensing firms and many others.

Whenever I negotiate a deal with these agencies, I always have two considerations at the back of my mind. One of them is cost reduction and the other one is the prospect of entering into long-term relationship. It is often possible to resort to arm-twisting to get a deal which appears better for you. But there is a better approach - the collaborative approach.

Collaborative Approach - Let us take the case of a supplier or a vendor. While it is possible to force a deal in your favor, collaborative approach makes that unnecessary. In this approach you actually work with the vendor as a consultant to help him to reduce his cost of sale, and then get the savings passed on to you. This creates a win-win situation, good relationship develops and long-term source of supply is ensured.

Continue reading "Use Collaborative Approach - and Get Leveraged Earnings"

7 Reasons to Host Teleseminars and Teleclasses

Entrepreneurs, Authors, Coaches, Trainers and all sorts of experts the world-over are quickly learning the value of incorporating Teleseminars and Teleclasses as a method to reach - and have a positive impact upon - current and prospective clients. You can increase your effectiveness - and your bottom line - immediately by utilizing this format for the delivery of information.

1. Reach a worldwide audience with your message instantly. Stretch beyond where you can fly, drive, or take the train on a moment's notice.

2. Perfect your public speaking skills from your home office (or current workspace). No need to invest in new clothes, no need to go anywhere.

3. Be seen as an expert and increase your name recognition. Participants in teleseminars and teleclasses have a tendency to be action oriented, interested and change-making people - excellent word-of-mouth-spreaders.

4. Test the market-place to see if a particular subject matter would be of interest with minimal time, financial and energetic investment.

5. Create another income stream without creating any new content: instead, simply recycle previously written material delivered here in a new format.

Continue reading "7 Reasons to Host Teleseminars and Teleclasses"

Does Becoming a Published Author Enhance a Business?

There is a boom occurring lately, especially in the online world. More and more business people are authoring their own print book and e-books. These materials can run the gamut from information books to personal life stories, as well as coaching materials, and life skills training manuals.

With so many doing this, it would seem apparent that this is a great way to escalate a business to the next level. After all, if a person can set themselves up as an expert by publishing materials on certain subjects, others will obviously buy more, and revenue will skyrocket, right? This is not necessarily so.

While it is an advantage in some instances, it can be a disadvantage in other instances. There are parameters that need to be followed for successful publication, and there are certain requirements that must be met for successful publication.

The advantages of authoring and publishing are as follows:

1. An individual can set themselves up as an expert in a specific field of interest, thus enhancing sales and trust with clients and customers. If a publication is effective enough, and the marketing done well enough, massive exposure will occur, and an individual can fast become a "semi-celebrity" in their chosen field.

Continue reading "Does Becoming a Published Author Enhance a Business?"

10 Things To Do When Business Slows Down Over The Holidays

I'm sure you've seen it happen every year: your business slows down during predictable times, like the summer vacation months or year-end holidays. For the self-employed who rely upon steady cash flow, this can be a disconcerting time. Should you just take a vacation until things naturally pick up again? Or should you try to find the needle-in-the-haystack business that might be out there during slow times?

This year, vow to be different! Instead of languishing in no-business-never-land, get off your butt and do something to build the foundation of your business so that natural business cycles don't affect you too deeply:

1. Clean your office. Go through all the piles of papers and magazines that have been sitting around and get rid of them once and for all. Remember the office organizing mantra: do it, ditch it or delegate it. File all your papers, dust and vacuum your office. Reorganize your desk and your office so that you can find everything you need in 60 seconds or less.

2. Take a mini-vacation from work. Walk away from your office and enjoy a day or two of renewal and relaxation. Go to a day spa. Take a weekend retreat. Go for a walk in the local park. Breathe.

Continue reading "10 Things To Do When Business Slows Down Over The Holidays"

Secret of Strategy - Part 1

A step-by-step guide to creating a growth strategy based on your current situation and future possibilities.

I'll bet you think you already have a strategy.

And well you may, but strategy as a concept is just like love: much used and little understood. Many businesses (and that includes small entrepreneurs, large corporations, non-profits, community organizations, governments, NGOs...the works) neither know what strategy really is, nor how to get one.

And even if you do, in fact, have a strategy-is it the right one? The best one? This is so important-marketing guru Jay Abraham says-and I agree-a superior strategy badly executed will beat a bad strategy well executed, any day.

It's easy to say, "This is big company stuff. We know what we need-why should we do all the extra work." While a "strategy-less" group of marketing tactics may work well and produce good results, is it taking your business in the best direction? You may be making money, but are you making the most money possible? Could another suite of tactics implementing a superior strategy produce far better results?

Continue reading "Secret of Strategy - Part 1"

The 7 Principles of Business Integrity

If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters. - Alan K. Simpson


If I were to ask you which attribute is the most influential in regard to the success of a business, would you know immediately which one is the most important? Based on my many years as a business owner and entrepreneur, I have discovered that at the very top of the list is the distinguishing quality of integrity. Without integrity at the helm of a company, a business is usually short-lived. In fact, when business integrity is present throughout the deepest layers of a company and not just at its surface, it becomes the heart and soul of the company's culture and can mean the difference between a company that succeeds and a company that falters.


The Internet's Immeasurable Impact on the Marketplace!

The importance of integrity has always existed among the business community, but in recent times has been shown as falling short. It is the Internet's immeasurable impact on the global marketplace that is now making the expression of integrity, reliability and credibility extremely important. Furthermore, the consequence of global competition means that customers will simply not consider a company that shows any less than the highest level of integrity. Since there is a wealth of competitive companies easily available and accessible via the Internet, there is in fact no need to accept anything less than the best.

Continue reading "The 7 Principles of Business Integrity"

3 High-Impact Publicity Ideas

Every business needs to get the word out about the basics of who they are, what they do and why they are special. Well-crafted, focused messages about how a prospect can use your services or products are critical marketing tools for thousands of online entrepreneurs. Why? Because both prospects and reporters need a clear understanding of how you can benefit them.

As a business owner, you can attract a substantial and continuous flow of publicity and referrals quicker than ever before- just because you know what to say and how to say it. When you know your main points, you get results faster from all your promotional methods.

The three ideas below will help you figure out exactly what to say:


1. Shop Yourself

Get into your prospect's head by role-playing. Interview yourself from your customer's point of view. Write down the questions that you imagine your customer would ask.

Answering the question "What's in it for me?" from your customer's point of view is a guaranteed `cut through the clutter' way to figure out what to say in your promotional materials.

Continue reading "3 High-Impact Publicity Ideas"

Design Your Business The Way You Want

Whether you're starting a new business or developing an existing one, if you want to build it up, first you need to design it. This design should not only attract success but 'fit' for you personally. Instead of moulding yourself to fit your business and conform to a particular way of doing business, you can design your business so that it is unique to you.

If you think you can't design your business the way you want it to be, it's possible that conventional thinking and some of your ingrained beliefs are getting in the way. Most things are possible. You just need to shift your thinking out of the box and look for possibilities. Force-fitting yourself into how you think your business 'should' be will often result in discomfort. It's like being a square peg in a round hole. Instead, design your business to be unique and personalised to you so that it enhances your life, instead of torturing you.

Too many people go into business for themselves and then find that somewhere down the road they've lost a big part of themselves to their business. The reason may be the long hours they're working or they feel stuck and frustrated by how the business has turned out. Whatever stage you're at with your business you can choose to design it the way you want. On a blank canvas, lay out the foundations, the structures and the finished result.

A key to designing your business is to get in touch with your authentic self, focusing internally and trusting yourself, then identify what you truly want from your business. When you've got it designed, you'll be ready to take the steps towards making your business as you see it. You'll need to go to work on your business, not just be working in it, to fulfil this design. Working on your business means you must stop regularly, take a couple of steps back and look at the whole of your business objectively. This gives you an opportunity to assess, evaluate and identify new improvements, possibilities and ideas.

Continue reading "Design Your Business The Way You Want"

Catch More Clients Using Strategic Networking

Is networking helping you bring in the new clients you want? If you are like most independent professionals and small business owners, you put hard work into getting your name out there and distribute your business card wherever you go. You may even attend a weekly or monthly networking group or occasional business conference where people share leads. And like most people, your time and effort isn't generating a steady stream of new business.

The problem is that most people think that networking consists of telling as many people as possible what they do, and handing out as many business cards as they can. They waste the few precious moments they have with new and existing contacts by focusing on themselves.

Its possible to meet someone in the airport, hand them your card after a brief conversation, and have them call you to request your services, but this random approach is like playing the lottery. You can't count on it to produce results. It is a Push and Pray technique: you push your information out to others and pray that they respond.

Continue reading "Catch More Clients Using Strategic Networking"

Brief Experiences on How I Started Making Money Online

I started selling different products as a mail order business in 1996, however, a month later, after buying a computer and discovering the Internet I decided to open an online store. Very soon I found out that selling books and information online in general was a hit and also a very convenient way for an extra income home business, considering that my personal life had very little money, little space, a lot of work and a family to support. Therefore I registered a domain name, I sign up for an Internet connection and then finally opened my bookstore named QualityBooks.com.

Setting up the store at the beginning was very hard, I had to design my own pages, plan and put in action my own marketing strategy, take orders, ship the books, and do by myself whatever else came up.

At first, I only had a few books for sale (approximately 20), after two months there were absolutely no orders, I even sent out a catalog by mail to possible clients with zero response. I was completely frustrated and seriously considering doing something else. I decide then to sign up for a book drop ship dealer program with the idea to increase the number of products to offer and consequently the chances of sales, and also started advertising at the pay per click search engines. That is when orders finally started coming in. But don't think that there were many, only two or three per week. However this was only what I needed in order to keep working on this project.

Continue reading "Brief Experiences on How I Started Making Money Online"

10 Ways to Develop a Great Business (Or Any Other) Strategy

As you may know, in management there are 3 main levels: strategic-, middle-, and first line management. Strategic management is the top level of an organization. Therefore, strategic management does strategic planning. Sounds logical so far? Good! Now, strategic planning pertains to the company 's performance over the next 5 or 10 years: long term, in other words.

It may be best to start out by trying to explain what a strategy is in simple terms: If you are now at point A, and you want to go to point B, then the road you choose to go from A to B is your strategy.

A ---strategy---> B

But just like everything else in management, strategies are also things that non-managers deal with all the time. After all, we are always deciding how we will go from one point in our life to the next, isn't it? Well, those are all strategies. We just don't call them that.

Continue reading "10 Ways to Develop a Great Business (Or Any Other) Strategy"

Understanding Your Importance To Your Corporate Team

Fostering teamwork is a top priority for many leaders, according to Suzanne Willis Zoglio, Ph.D., the author of Teams At Work: 7 Keys to Success, The Participative Leader. There are obvious benefits: increased productivity, improved customer service, more flexible systems and employee empowerment.

A team is a group of people working towards a common goal. Generally, the objectives that a team sets out to accomplish can't be effectively achieved by individuals. Think of it this way: TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More.

Within a business, every employee serves as a crucial member of the company's team. No matter where you are on the corporate ladder, you add intrinsic value to your organization through your strengths, talents, gifts and other assets.

Continue reading "Understanding Your Importance To Your Corporate Team"

Don't Call Me

A recent issue of Psychology Today (3/2004) reports on an experiment involving identical business negotiations between test subjects. The only difference was that half started the transactions with a brief phone call and completed it with email. The other half used only email.

The transactions beginning with a phone call turned out much better.

So we should all foster our business relationships with more phone calls, right?

Well, maybe not.

See if this script sounds familiar. You're watching Jeopardy (or whatever your favorite TV show is) when the phone rings. You answer it and get tied up with a telemarketer, your sister, your business associate, or a wrong number. It's fairly easy to get away from wrong numbers and the telemarketers. Your sister and your partners, however, require your attention for more time.

Continue reading "Don't Call Me"

How To Get 50% of Your Freelance Fee Up Front - And a Whole Lot More!

This is valuable content from my free online newsletter, the FREELANCER'S BUSINESS BULLETIN. In the April 2004 issue I shared with my subscribers the secret to getting at least 50% of your freelance fee up front, plus a whole host of other important requirements for your freelancer's business.

It was FREELANCER'S BUSINESS BULLETIN subscriber and copywriting expert Susan Fantle who asked for a discussion of this topic because she had recently encountered some difficulties with clients. In her own words:

"I've been in this business for 23 years and only in the last two years do I finally see the need to have a contract with new clients."


Continue reading "How To Get 50% of Your Freelance Fee Up Front - And a Whole Lot More!"

Find 50,000 Referrals for Your Business in Your Little Black Book

When you need an auto mechanic or an air conditioning repairman, where do you turn for help? Sure, some people turn to the yellow pages. But most will turn to friends and family and ask if they know of anyone who can do the work.

The best place for your business to be positioned is to be the business on the tips of the tongues of the people asked to make the referral.


THE 300 RULE

Preachers, funeral directors and people in a few other professions have learned "the 300 rule" through their own personal experience.

Continue reading "Find 50,000 Referrals for Your Business in Your Little Black Book"

Financial Intelligence: Age of the Pro-sumer

The Consumer
============

Fortune magazine is calling this New Millennium we are living in the "Age of the Consumer." And for good reason. With on-line shopping and the expansion of huge discount chains, prices for goods and services continues to drop daily, "saving" consumers billions and billions of dollars every year.But wait a minute! Are you really "Saving"?

Consider this, when you buy a $150.00 item at 50% discount, you don't "save" $75.00. You "SPEND" $75.00. So you not only lose $75.00 from your net worth by spending it but you lose the ability to invest that $75.00 to grow more money over time.

"Consumer-thinking = spend money."


Continue reading "Financial Intelligence: Age of the Pro-sumer"

Decrease Your Business Costs to Increase Your Profits

Henry Ford taught us that to simplify the manufacture of automobiles, that the best way to do so was to install the assembly line. That one change revolutionized the auto manufacturing industry permitting the industry to build cars at a cost whereas the average person could afford to buy one.

The lesson we should take from this is that having the ability to improve the process of getting the job quicker and cheaper, without compromising the quality of the job being done, will help catapult the person who simplified the process to the top of his/her field.

Pennies saved in your home business can turn into dollars at the end of the day, and dollars can quickly multiply into hundreds or thousands of dollars over time.

Continue reading "Decrease Your Business Costs to Increase Your Profits"

Make Ideas Your (& Their) Own: Persuade Yourself and Others

Have you ever watched a TV program where the supporting actor has a grand idea only to find the lead actor immediately repeat the idea as if it were his own?

You've probably experienced it yourself! It goes something like:

Friend: "I've got it! We should go to Sparky's for dinner!" You: "Hmm... how about we go to Sparky's for dinner?" Friend: "That's what I just said!" You: "No you didn't!"

Well, there's a reason for those common conversations. It's because the best ideas are ones we personally created and we often don't hear other ideas unless it comes from our own mouth.

Continue reading "Make Ideas Your (& Their) Own: Persuade Yourself and Others"

Writing SEO Copy - 8 Steps to Success

We all know that the lion's share of web traffic comes through the search engines. We also know that keywords and links to your site are the two things that affect your ranking in the search engines. Your keywords tell the search engines what you do, and the inbound links tell them how important you are. This combination is what determines your relevance. And relevance is what the search engines are after.

There's a lot of information around about how to incorporate keyword phrases into your HTML meta tags. But that's only half the battle. You need to think of these tags as street-signs. That's how the search engines view them. They look at your tags and then at your copy. If the keywords you use in your tags aren't used in your copy, your site won't be indexed for those keywords.

But the search engines don't stop there. They also consider how often the keyword phrase is used on the page.

Continue reading "Writing SEO Copy - 8 Steps to Success"

5 Tips For Writing Sales Letters That Sell

  • Be Focused: Know what you want the sales letter to achieve, stick to it and organise your thoughts and words to achieve just that. If you talk without an aim, you are sure not to miss your mark; Aim at Nothing, you Hit Nothing.
  • KISS: Keep It Short and Simple. Forget about all the ramblings. Say what you want to say in a short, straight forward and simple manner. Here is a little secret. When you talk too much, your audience most times have forgotten the beginning by the time you reach the end. While still being persuasive and convincing, talk straight and simple. An helpful way to getting this done is to talk one point per paragraph and write short and sharp sentences in your paragraph.

Remember, one paragraph with just three lines written in a short and powerful manner is better than one whole page which contains nothing more than ramblings.

Continue reading "5 Tips For Writing Sales Letters That Sell"
FREE: Get More Leads!
How To Get More LeadsSubscribe to our free newsletter and get our "How To Get More Leads" course free via email. Just enter your first name and email address below to subscribe.
First Name *
Email *


Get More Business Info
Business Info
Marketing and Sales
Technology
Finance
Manufacturing
Small Business
Investing


Sponsored Links
Recent Articles


Sponsored Links

Copyright 2003-2020 by BusinessKnowledgeSource.com - All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy, Terms of Use