On New Year's Eve each year, thousands line up at fish counters across Hawaii to buy blocks of raw tuna, hoping that eating it will bring good luck and prosperity in the new year. This year, the long tradition may get a little more difficult to observe. For the first time, federal regulators are expected to prohibit the catching of bigeye - Hawaii's favored tuna variety - in waters west of the islands once the fishermen hit their annual catch limit.
They're on course to do that around the first or second week of December.
The potential for a shortage has produced anxiety here among consumers, fishermen, wholesalers and retailers, leaving them to wonder if they'll be able to get hold of the tuna, or ahi.
"We may not have as much fish. In terms of quality, I don't know how it's going to compare to what we normally have," said Brooks Takenaka, assistant general manager at United Fishing Agency, which runs Honolulu's fish auctions. "Those are questions nobody has any answers to right now."
The tradition began with Japanese immigrants who arrived here a century ago to work on the sugar plantations but has since spread to the numerous other ethnic groups. The custom in Japan is to eat tai, or sea bream, for good luck. But this fish isn't found in waters around Hawaii so the immigrants substituted ahi.
Clarence Gonsalves said he hasn't had a New Year's without tuna before. "It's a tradition in Hawaii. No matter what the price is, you'll have it," said the 76-year-old retired supermarket meat cutter. "We've never run out of it."
This year the outlook is not so clear. Although everyone agrees there will be tuna on the shelves, they're not sure how much or what kind. That's because those responsible for managing fish stocks believe fishermen must curtail their bigeye catch to protect the species, which is prized around the world for sashimi, or Japanese-style raw fish.
Environmentalists say people are catching so much bigeye in the Western Pacific that the fish are close to the point where they won't be able to reproduce fast enough to replace what's caught. The situation is already that dire in the Eastern Pacific.
Last December, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, an international body that regulates commercial fishing from Indonesia to Hawaii, concluded the bigeye catch must be slashed 30 percent in its waters.
To do their share, the 130 boats in the Hawaii-based longline fishing fleet must slice their bigeye yield by 10 percent compared to what they caught in 2004. That means they're only allowed to take 3,763 metric tons in 2009. As of early November, they had already caught 3,119 metric tons.
The National Marine Fisheries Service is monitoring the fleet's logbooks to keep track, said Tom Graham, a fisheries policy analyst with the National Marine Fisheries Service in Honolulu. The agency will give anglers seven days notice before it prohibits taking more bigeye, Graham said.
Hawaii's longliners hope to limit any market upheaval by staggering their return to port once the fishery is closed, said Sean Martin, Hawaii Longline Association president. This will prevent all their tuna from landing on the market all at once.
"Coordinating fishermen is kind of like herding cats. But we're trying to coordinate our production side to continue to provide some consistency to the supply," said Martin, whose company POP Fishing & Marine operates five longline boats.
Martin noted longliners will still be allowed to fish in waters east of Hawaii, an area governed by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. The Hawaii-based fleet's annual catch limit in this area is 500 metric tons this year and it's not close to being met.
Handline fishermen may also continue to fish in waters west of Hawaii.
Traders will likely try to fill any supply gaps by importing bigeye from outside Hawaii. Many locals, however, prefer the ahi caught by the Hawaii-based fleet because the fish isn't treated with carbon monoxide to preserve its color like some of the fish delivered by air freight.
"We need the local longline caught fish. That's what a lot of Hawaii wants," said Guy Tamashiro, vice president of Tamashiro Market. Meanwhile, he's hoping for the best come New Year's Eve.
"I got my toes crossed, too," he said.- AP
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Calligraphy Business
Way to Start a Calligraphy Business
Hobby of doing calligraphy might turn it into a small business on the side if you want. Calligraphers are in demand to address wedding invitations, write names on certificates and hand letter various poems and phrases for people. You may follow the steps below and you will be on your way to a nice part timeBUY SOME CALLIGRAPHY PENS AND LEARN SEVERAL CALLIGRAPHY ALPHABETS. I like to use cartridge pens which are available in office suppy stores or craft supply stores like Michael's. Get a book on calligraphy and practice several different alphabets.
MAKE SAMPLES UP OF YOUR WORK. Buy some nice envelopes and do sample addresses. Take an interesting poem and do it in calligraphy. Make sample placecards. Do samples of anything that you might want to sell.
DECIDE WHAT SERVICES YOU WILL OFFER AS A CALLIGRAPHER AND MAKE UP A PRICE LIST. Addressing wedding invitations, birth announcements or any celebration cards are good services to offer. You can also offer to write names on certificates. You can do place cards for parties or weddings. You can offer to do a poem or saying in calligraphy. You can letter a menu for a restaurant or letter invitations. Set a standard price for each type of calligraphy service that you will provide. Use the price list to distribute to potential customers.
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS. Put an ad on Craig's list or other online classifieds describing your service. Put an ad in a local newspaper. Make up business cards and/or flyers and post them on community bulletin boards. Visit some stores in your area that sell invitations and let them know you are available to do calligraphy and leave business cards with them. Set up a table to advertise at Wedding shows, community events or craft shows.
SET A PRICE FOR THE JOB. Request payment of half of the total cost at the time the order is placed. Have the customer pay the balance when they pick up the project.
Manera de iniciar un negocio de Caligrafía
Hobby de hacer caligrafía podría convertirlo en un negocio pequeño en el lado si quieres. Calígrafos en la demanda para hacer frente a las invitaciones de boda, escribir nombres en los certificados y la carta de la mano varios poemas y frases para las personas. Usted puede seguir los pasos de abajo y usted estará en su camino a una buena parte de tiempo
COMPRAR ALGUNOS CALLIGRAPHY PENS Y CALLIGRAPHY aprender varios alfabetos. Me gusta usar las plumas de cartuchos que están disponibles en la oficina de connexion tiendas o almacenes de artesanía, como de Michael. Consigue un libro sobre la caligrafía y la práctica de varios alfabetos diferentes.
Hacer muestras de tu trabajo. Comprar algunos sobres de Niza y no las direcciones de la muestra. Tome un poema interesante y lo hacen en la caligrafía. Hacer portavasos de la muestra. Hacer muestras de todo lo que es posible que desee vender.
Decidir qué servicios que van a ofrecer como calígrafo y completar hasta una lista de precios. Hacer frente a las invitaciones de boda, tarjetas de nacimiento o cualquier tarjeta de celebración son un buen servicio a ofrecer. También puede ofrecer a escribir nombres en los certificados. Usted puede hacer tarjetas de lugar para fiestas o bodas. Usted puede ofrecer a hacer un poema o decir en la caligrafía. Puede una carta de menú de un restaurante o invitaciones carta. Establecer un precio estándar para cada tipo de caligrafía de servicios que va a proporcionar. Utilice la lista de precios para distribuir a los clientes potenciales.
ANUNCIAR SU NEGOCIO. Ponga un anuncio en la lista de Craig o de otros clasificados en línea que describen su servicio. Ponga un anuncio en un periódico local. Hacer las tarjetas de visita y / o folletos y los publicará en los tablones de anuncios de la comunidad. Visite algunas tiendas en su zona que venden invitaciones y hacerles saber que están disponibles para hacer la caligrafía y deje las tarjetas de negocios con ellos. Ponga una mesa para hacer publicidad en los matrimonios, eventos comunitarios o exposiciones de artesanías.
Fijar un precio para el trabajo. Solicitud de pago de la mitad del coste total en el momento del pedido. Pida a los clientes pagar el saldo cuando se elige el proyecto.
Schedule Preparation for You Home Business
Schedule?
Working from home is a great way to make money and spend time with the family. The time can get confusing if you do not have a schedule. A schedule will help you keep your work at home business productive, and profitable.
Purchase an organizer that has a weekly and monthly calendar. You will need both, because you should plan in advance.
Write down all appointments you have for the week and month. Include any time that you will spend doing things with your family. This will show you exactly what days and times you have available to work.
Determine how much work has to be completed for the week, the how much time you will need to do it.
Begin to fill out your weekly calendar with your work times. Be sure to write down exactly what you need to do during that time. The schedule should not be vague, it should remind you of exactly needs to be accomplished.
If all of your work can not be put into the time you have, find ways of fitting in extra work. You may have to cut things, or add time to your work day.
Look at the schedule at the end of each week. Look to see if anything need to be changed for the next week. You schedule will change weekly, so it should be adjusted weekly.
Steps to Make Money Online
Many people are looking to make money from home even though it can be difficult. What you have to do are :
Find a legitimate online business
There are many legitimate online business, but there are even more that are not. Before you sign up for any business, do some research.
There are many legitimate online business, but there are even more that are not. Before you sign up for any business, do some research.
Make goals for your online business
Goals are important to your business, it gives you something to keep you focused. Every successful business owner makes goals.
Goals are important to your business, it gives you something to keep you focused. Every successful business owner makes goals.
Put together an action plan
You have your goals in place, now make an action plan to reach these goals. This plan should give set out your steps for reaching all of your goals.
You have your goals in place, now make an action plan to reach these goals. This plan should give set out your steps for reaching all of your goals.
Learn Time Management
Your online business should be ran like any other. You should set a schedule for yourself. This schedule should include all aspects of your business; personal, goals, and projects. Everything should be scheduled out.
Your online business should be ran like any other. You should set a schedule for yourself. This schedule should include all aspects of your business; personal, goals, and projects. Everything should be scheduled out.
Stick to your plan
There are times when we get discouraged or disappointed. This is the times when we have to have self discipline. Keep focused, and find inspiration. Stick with your plan and you can succeed.
There are times when we get discouraged or disappointed. This is the times when we have to have self discipline. Keep focused, and find inspiration. Stick with your plan and you can succeed.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Egypt to apply for first Arabic Internet domain name
Egypt will apply for the first Internet domain written in Arabic, its information technology minister said Sunday at a conference grouping Yahoo's co-founder and others to discuss boosting online access in emerging nations.
Tarek Kamel said Egypt on Monday would apply for the new domain _ pronounced ".masr" but written in the Arabic alphabet - making it the first Arab nation to apply for a non-Latin character domain.
The effort is part of a broader push to expand both access and content in developing nations, where the Internet remains out of reach for wide swaths of the population.
The registering of the domain "will offer new avenues for innovation, investment and growth, and hence we can truly and gladly say ... the Internet now speaks Arabic," Kamel said at the start of the Internet Governance Forum - a U.N.-sponsored gathering that drew Net legends like Yahoo Inc.'s Jerry Yang and Tim Berners-Lee, known as one of the Internet's founding fathers.
"It is a great moment for us," Kamel said of the domain name, which translates as ".Egypt".
The new domains stem from a decision taken at the end of October by the board of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, a key Internet oversight agency, to develop a "fast-track" mechanism for domain names in languages such as Chinese, Korean, Arabic and others that do not use the Latin alphabet.
The decision marks a key step in the Arab world, where a mixture of censorship, limited content and access have stymied efforts to boost Arabic-language content on the Web.
The dearth of content has opened new market opportunities for Internet companies, with Yahoo, for example, recently acquiring Arab online community Web site Maktoob.com.
Yang said that while there are over 300 million Arabic speakers in the world, less than 1 percent of the content online is in Arabic.
As part of the company's push to boost access in Arabic, Yang said Yahoo would offer its mail and messenger service in Arabic next year.
He did not provide an exact date.
Yang said there are approximately 325 million Internet users in emerging markets - a figure expected to grow 19 percent yearly through 2012.
In all, about 75 percent of the world's population is still not online.
The prospective new users in developing nations face a number of challenges, ranging from monetary constraints to restrictions on their liberty - as evidenced by an announcement in Iranian media Saturday that officials were deploying a special police unit to sweep Web sites for political material and prosecute those deemed to be spreading lies.
The move reflected the influence the Web had in mobilizing Iranians - and informing the outside world - during the country's disputed presidential election in June - a vote that brought tens of thousands of Iranians into the streets in protests of what President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's opponents claimed was massive fraud.
It also underscores the challenges Internet companies face in some countries and in hosting content deemed by some governments as subversive.
Many of the new users from emerging markets "will need Web content, and want more content, in their native language and still others won't just be bound by language and barriers, but have other challenges such as reading, liberty," Yang said.
The challenge "isn't just about getting as many people online as possible, but making sure that once they get online, they have something productive to do, something to gain, something meaningful to experience." - AP
Tarek Kamel said Egypt on Monday would apply for the new domain _ pronounced ".masr" but written in the Arabic alphabet - making it the first Arab nation to apply for a non-Latin character domain.
The effort is part of a broader push to expand both access and content in developing nations, where the Internet remains out of reach for wide swaths of the population.
The registering of the domain "will offer new avenues for innovation, investment and growth, and hence we can truly and gladly say ... the Internet now speaks Arabic," Kamel said at the start of the Internet Governance Forum - a U.N.-sponsored gathering that drew Net legends like Yahoo Inc.'s Jerry Yang and Tim Berners-Lee, known as one of the Internet's founding fathers.
"It is a great moment for us," Kamel said of the domain name, which translates as ".Egypt".
The new domains stem from a decision taken at the end of October by the board of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, a key Internet oversight agency, to develop a "fast-track" mechanism for domain names in languages such as Chinese, Korean, Arabic and others that do not use the Latin alphabet.
The decision marks a key step in the Arab world, where a mixture of censorship, limited content and access have stymied efforts to boost Arabic-language content on the Web.
The dearth of content has opened new market opportunities for Internet companies, with Yahoo, for example, recently acquiring Arab online community Web site Maktoob.com.
Yang said that while there are over 300 million Arabic speakers in the world, less than 1 percent of the content online is in Arabic.
As part of the company's push to boost access in Arabic, Yang said Yahoo would offer its mail and messenger service in Arabic next year.
He did not provide an exact date.
Yang said there are approximately 325 million Internet users in emerging markets - a figure expected to grow 19 percent yearly through 2012.
In all, about 75 percent of the world's population is still not online.
The prospective new users in developing nations face a number of challenges, ranging from monetary constraints to restrictions on their liberty - as evidenced by an announcement in Iranian media Saturday that officials were deploying a special police unit to sweep Web sites for political material and prosecute those deemed to be spreading lies.
The move reflected the influence the Web had in mobilizing Iranians - and informing the outside world - during the country's disputed presidential election in June - a vote that brought tens of thousands of Iranians into the streets in protests of what President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's opponents claimed was massive fraud.
It also underscores the challenges Internet companies face in some countries and in hosting content deemed by some governments as subversive.
Many of the new users from emerging markets "will need Web content, and want more content, in their native language and still others won't just be bound by language and barriers, but have other challenges such as reading, liberty," Yang said.
The challenge "isn't just about getting as many people online as possible, but making sure that once they get online, they have something productive to do, something to gain, something meaningful to experience." - AP
Merchants can’t impose fees on users of credit cards
Credit-card users who are told to pay extra if they use their cards instead of cash should be aware that merchants are not allowed to impose merchant fees on users as stipulated in the card associations’ operating regulations.
“Under the Bank Negara credit-card guidelines, banks are required to display prominently on the credit-card application forms their fees and charges table,” said Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) executive director Chuah Mei Lin. “Banks are also required to print on the monthly billing statements to credit-card holders information on the various charges imposed on the oustanding balances and method of computation of such charges.’’
A comparison of rates charged by banks can be obtained from the bankinginfo.com website.
RHB Bank head of retail banking, Renzo Viegas, said banks would act on complaints from cardholders on “unacceptable practices by merchants’’.
“For example, cardholders should not accept any imposition of surchange, report such incident to the bank or go to other merchants that do not impose surcharge,’’ Viegas said.
At Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), merchant activities are continuously monitored to curb incidences of surcharge.
“Appropriate action is taken on merchants who flout the rules,’’ said Lim Hong Tat, Maybank’s senior executive vice-president and head of consumer banking.
On leakage of customer information, Chuah said: “We wish to reiterate that member banks treat customer information with the greatest confidentiality and not sell or use information indiscriminately outside the confines of the banker-customer relationship.
“Banks will not hesitate to take disciplinary action and report employees who breach laws, regulations and policies.’’
In fact, members of the public are encouraged to contact the ABM in respect of any suspected breach of confidentiality on the part of member banks, Chuah said.
Education in card acceptance procedures is especially important in cases where merchants face high staff turnover. There is inhouse training and continuous education on adhering to charges and security issues
“Under the Bank Negara credit-card guidelines, banks are required to display prominently on the credit-card application forms their fees and charges table,” said Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) executive director Chuah Mei Lin. “Banks are also required to print on the monthly billing statements to credit-card holders information on the various charges imposed on the oustanding balances and method of computation of such charges.’’
A comparison of rates charged by banks can be obtained from the bankinginfo.com website.
RHB Bank head of retail banking, Renzo Viegas, said banks would act on complaints from cardholders on “unacceptable practices by merchants’’.
“For example, cardholders should not accept any imposition of surchange, report such incident to the bank or go to other merchants that do not impose surcharge,’’ Viegas said.
At Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), merchant activities are continuously monitored to curb incidences of surcharge.
“Appropriate action is taken on merchants who flout the rules,’’ said Lim Hong Tat, Maybank’s senior executive vice-president and head of consumer banking.
On leakage of customer information, Chuah said: “We wish to reiterate that member banks treat customer information with the greatest confidentiality and not sell or use information indiscriminately outside the confines of the banker-customer relationship.
“Banks will not hesitate to take disciplinary action and report employees who breach laws, regulations and policies.’’
In fact, members of the public are encouraged to contact the ABM in respect of any suspected breach of confidentiality on the part of member banks, Chuah said.
Education in card acceptance procedures is especially important in cases where merchants face high staff turnover. There is inhouse training and continuous education on adhering to charges and security issues
Friday, November 13, 2009
Playing Your Cards Right
Lenders have good reason to be interested in the small business owner- owners represent an estimated $75 to $100 billion market. Choices such as cash-back incentives, free additional cards for employees, and free online account management are all perks that indicate increased interest in the small business segment.
Tom Sclafani, spokesperson with Open for American Express, says that Open: The Small Business Network, offers a variety of features specifically relevant to the business owner, including online account management and discounts from partner vendors. “With Open, cardholders receive automatic discounts from Open partners which include Staples, AT&T, and FedEx.”
Open also offers expense reporting tools and online account management for all the credit cards tied to the account. Says Sclafani, “not only does this allow the owner to manage cash flow and budget, they are able to compile expenditure information to leverage with their suppliers.”
CitiBusiness Mastercard offers an "Ask the Experts" business consulting program. Owners can ask specific business-related questions and within two business days receive a personalized answer that includes information, ideas and suggestions.
(These are just a few of the incentive offers and business management tools offered. For more information on these and other business cards, visit the business credit section of CardRatings.com.)
Tom Sclafani, spokesperson with Open for American Express, says that Open: The Small Business Network, offers a variety of features specifically relevant to the business owner, including online account management and discounts from partner vendors. “With Open, cardholders receive automatic discounts from Open partners which include Staples, AT&T, and FedEx.”
Open also offers expense reporting tools and online account management for all the credit cards tied to the account. Says Sclafani, “not only does this allow the owner to manage cash flow and budget, they are able to compile expenditure information to leverage with their suppliers.”
CitiBusiness Mastercard offers an "Ask the Experts" business consulting program. Owners can ask specific business-related questions and within two business days receive a personalized answer that includes information, ideas and suggestions.
(These are just a few of the incentive offers and business management tools offered. For more information on these and other business cards, visit the business credit section of CardRatings.com.)
‘It’s not personal. It’s just Business.’
Tee Dunn, a small business owner for four years and a member of CreditBoards.com, says that like many, she utilized her personal credit cards in the early days of her business. As her business grew and continues to grow, she finds her needs changing.
“It was becoming hard to gauge how much money I was making while using my own credit cards and cash; I needed to separate my business and personal cash flow,” she says.
There are distinct advantages to having a credit card in your business’ name.
· Build credit history in the business’ name
· Capacity to account for expenditures accurately, and to
· correctly gauge income
· Easy itemization for tax purposes
· Vendor discounts
· Concierge services offered by the lender
· Financial consulting services
According to Gerri Detweiler, a credit expert and author of “The Ultimate Credit Handbook", unless the business has been incorporated for at least two years, has about 25 employees, and a large revenue (around $2 million per year), then a business credit card will have to be personally guaranteed. This means that the issuer will base its decision in large part off the credit history of the person signing for the credit card.
What this means for most small business owners is that they have to start small and build a credit history for their business. For those trying to re-build their credit, a credit card secured by and equal to a collateral deposit may be necessary.
Much like her business, Tee built her business credit line from the ground up. She started small by applying for a card from Office Max with a $250 limit; she also obtained lines of credit from Federal Express and Staples. While some of these credit cards did require a personal guarantee to prove her ‘credit-worthiness,’ Tee has quickly managed to establish credit for her business. With good credit management, she reports offers coming in from larger lenders within six months – some offering credit limits of $10,000.
Tee states, “The perks are great, too. With a business credit card, you get discounts from wholesalers who wouldn’t give a second glance to a personal credit card.”
There are many other perks afforded to business card holders, including travel accident insurance, collision coverage on rental card, free or inexpensive additional cards for employees, individual credit lines on each card, and detailed monthly, quarterly and annual transaction reports.
“It was becoming hard to gauge how much money I was making while using my own credit cards and cash; I needed to separate my business and personal cash flow,” she says.
There are distinct advantages to having a credit card in your business’ name.
· Build credit history in the business’ name
· Capacity to account for expenditures accurately, and to
· correctly gauge income
· Easy itemization for tax purposes
· Vendor discounts
· Concierge services offered by the lender
· Financial consulting services
According to Gerri Detweiler, a credit expert and author of “The Ultimate Credit Handbook", unless the business has been incorporated for at least two years, has about 25 employees, and a large revenue (around $2 million per year), then a business credit card will have to be personally guaranteed. This means that the issuer will base its decision in large part off the credit history of the person signing for the credit card.
What this means for most small business owners is that they have to start small and build a credit history for their business. For those trying to re-build their credit, a credit card secured by and equal to a collateral deposit may be necessary.
Much like her business, Tee built her business credit line from the ground up. She started small by applying for a card from Office Max with a $250 limit; she also obtained lines of credit from Federal Express and Staples. While some of these credit cards did require a personal guarantee to prove her ‘credit-worthiness,’ Tee has quickly managed to establish credit for her business. With good credit management, she reports offers coming in from larger lenders within six months – some offering credit limits of $10,000.
Tee states, “The perks are great, too. With a business credit card, you get discounts from wholesalers who wouldn’t give a second glance to a personal credit card.”
There are many other perks afforded to business card holders, including travel accident insurance, collision coverage on rental card, free or inexpensive additional cards for employees, individual credit lines on each card, and detailed monthly, quarterly and annual transaction reports.
Business Credit Cards: Comparison Shopping Tips
The freedom to be the boss is just one of the perks sought after by business owners. But along with this freedom comes the concern of fulfilling responsibilities to customers, employees and lenders. Chief concerns are usually those dealing with money.
Small business owners frequently borrow funds and often use credit cards to get their business off the ground. The most frequently used kinds of credit were personal and business credit cards, lines of credit and vehicle loans according to a study published in 2003 by the Small Business Administration. In fact, 46% percent of small firms used their personal credit cards and 34% used business credit cards to help in their business matters.
While it is sometimes necessary to utilize personal credit cards during the start-up phase of a business, continuing to use a personal credit card may not be the wisest choice once a business is established.
Small business owners frequently borrow funds and often use credit cards to get their business off the ground. The most frequently used kinds of credit were personal and business credit cards, lines of credit and vehicle loans according to a study published in 2003 by the Small Business Administration. In fact, 46% percent of small firms used their personal credit cards and 34% used business credit cards to help in their business matters.
While it is sometimes necessary to utilize personal credit cards during the start-up phase of a business, continuing to use a personal credit card may not be the wisest choice once a business is established.
21 Most Rapid Ways to Maximise Business Growth
Most of you are business owners, why did you get into business? What was the core reason that you went into business?
Delegates give reasons
Forced situations, to gain some improved lifestyle, to gain more financial independence those sorts of Reasons? To gain more control over your destiny and your time. Better quality of life, the link into lifestyle again. In many experience the key reasons, apart from forced situations, the key drivers are wanting financial independence, wanting control and also wanting some fulfilment that is not being achieved already through what you are already doing.
Also in some experience, order to achieve those passions and visions of what you want to achieve for the future – that better lifestyle, that more control – then you and your business need to be working for you rather than you working for it. What you want to do in this session is focus on understanding all the dimensions within a business both from an external perspective as well as an internal perspective. Most business owners just get caught up with the internal matters, getting the production of the business working, getting customer acquisition working and getting the actual business done, the technical work.
However, not so much time is spent focussing on the other core elements. So, what writer would like to do is to share with others a number of principles that will enable you to separate these different dimensions and understand them more clearly. It will give you ways, very sure sure; of helping you to create new customers but also maximising the return that you are getting from your existing customer base.
In addition to that, a passionate believer in systematisation within a business and will explain what mean by that, and finally there are important people issues (that we have already discovered today) that impacts dramatically on the effectiveness of your business.
There are certain elements that the business experts have identified as survival requirements for business. There are two key factors – Firstly the business needs to produce results for customers. Throughout this referring to everyone as customers but you may refer to them depending on whether you provide a product service or treatments, clients or patients. But referring to everybody as customers.
The key is that word ‘result’. An analogy here, if you were to go and buy a pot of paint, the result is not just buying the pot of paint and happily going home with it and storing it in a cupboard that is not the result. The result is obtained once you actually apply the paint, put it on the walls and you then see the benefit. So that’s what mean by achieving results.
Delegates give reasons
Forced situations, to gain some improved lifestyle, to gain more financial independence those sorts of Reasons? To gain more control over your destiny and your time. Better quality of life, the link into lifestyle again. In many experience the key reasons, apart from forced situations, the key drivers are wanting financial independence, wanting control and also wanting some fulfilment that is not being achieved already through what you are already doing.
Also in some experience, order to achieve those passions and visions of what you want to achieve for the future – that better lifestyle, that more control – then you and your business need to be working for you rather than you working for it. What you want to do in this session is focus on understanding all the dimensions within a business both from an external perspective as well as an internal perspective. Most business owners just get caught up with the internal matters, getting the production of the business working, getting customer acquisition working and getting the actual business done, the technical work.
However, not so much time is spent focussing on the other core elements. So, what writer would like to do is to share with others a number of principles that will enable you to separate these different dimensions and understand them more clearly. It will give you ways, very sure sure; of helping you to create new customers but also maximising the return that you are getting from your existing customer base.
In addition to that, a passionate believer in systematisation within a business and will explain what mean by that, and finally there are important people issues (that we have already discovered today) that impacts dramatically on the effectiveness of your business.
There are certain elements that the business experts have identified as survival requirements for business. There are two key factors – Firstly the business needs to produce results for customers. Throughout this referring to everyone as customers but you may refer to them depending on whether you provide a product service or treatments, clients or patients. But referring to everybody as customers.
The key is that word ‘result’. An analogy here, if you were to go and buy a pot of paint, the result is not just buying the pot of paint and happily going home with it and storing it in a cupboard that is not the result. The result is obtained once you actually apply the paint, put it on the walls and you then see the benefit. So that’s what mean by achieving results.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Study says APEC is as good as free trade area
The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation may be a non-binding trade forum but being a member of the group is comparable to being part of a free trade agreement, according to an analysis by economists released Monday.
The analysis by an independent group of economists is the first such look at APEC's relevance since it came into existence 20 years ago.
It analyzed trade data from 1989 to 2007 for 19 of APEC's 21 members and used mathematical models to come up with its findings.
The study was released at the start of APEC's annual meetings, which will culminate in a summit on Nov. 14-15.
At the table will be President Barack Obama, Chinese President Hu Jintao and leaders of Japan, South Korea and Russia and others.
The main finding of the analysis is that APEC members trade with each other more than they do with other free trading agreement partners and much more with trading partners who are both members of APEC and members of the World Trade Organization.
This demonstrates the high level of de facto integration between members of APEC, even under non-binding arrangements, says the study.
The study was conducted by Policy Support Unit, which is based at APEC's secretariat in Singapore but hires independent experts not answerable to their governments.
Policy Support Unit's director Paul Gaetjens said the analysis did not try to determine whether APEC's membership was the main reason for the increased trade.
But the statistical analysis would suggest that was the case, he said.
"Because of forums like APEC, it is almost a given that free trade is good," he told The Associated Press.
"This provides analytical evidence that APEC achieves results. It shows that regional integration is strong and has prospered under a voluntary and non-binding approach to enhancing trade."
The study took into account the usual factors that influence trade, such as the size of economy, geographical proximity to each other, free trade agreements and WTO membership.
It then found that APEC members are three times more likely to export to another member than to a non-member and two times more likely to import from another member than from a non-member.
Statistics also showed a five-fold increase in trade within APEC since its establishment in 1989 and that 67 percent of APEC's total trade is intra-regional.
This is comparable to the European Union, where 66.7 percent of exports and 63.4 percent of its imports occur among EU members.
Of all trade by North American Free Trade Area economies, only 51.3 percent of exports and 34.1 percent of imports occur among each other.
The figure for Association of Southeast Asian Nations is much lower at only 24.3 percent for exports and 23.7 percent for imports.
APEC is a forum for countries with a common commitment to free and open trade and investment.
The 21 member economies - it includes Hong Kong and Taiwan - account for more than 54 percent of world gross domestic product and more than 40 percent of the population.
APEC accounted for 45 percent of world exports and imports in 2007, an increase of approximately 41 percent above 1989.
The forum is now exploring the possibility of turning itself into a free trade area, but the goal is many years away.
The analysis by an independent group of economists is the first such look at APEC's relevance since it came into existence 20 years ago.
It analyzed trade data from 1989 to 2007 for 19 of APEC's 21 members and used mathematical models to come up with its findings.
The study was released at the start of APEC's annual meetings, which will culminate in a summit on Nov. 14-15.
At the table will be President Barack Obama, Chinese President Hu Jintao and leaders of Japan, South Korea and Russia and others.
The main finding of the analysis is that APEC members trade with each other more than they do with other free trading agreement partners and much more with trading partners who are both members of APEC and members of the World Trade Organization.
This demonstrates the high level of de facto integration between members of APEC, even under non-binding arrangements, says the study.
The study was conducted by Policy Support Unit, which is based at APEC's secretariat in Singapore but hires independent experts not answerable to their governments.
Policy Support Unit's director Paul Gaetjens said the analysis did not try to determine whether APEC's membership was the main reason for the increased trade.
But the statistical analysis would suggest that was the case, he said.
"Because of forums like APEC, it is almost a given that free trade is good," he told The Associated Press.
"This provides analytical evidence that APEC achieves results. It shows that regional integration is strong and has prospered under a voluntary and non-binding approach to enhancing trade."
The study took into account the usual factors that influence trade, such as the size of economy, geographical proximity to each other, free trade agreements and WTO membership.
It then found that APEC members are three times more likely to export to another member than to a non-member and two times more likely to import from another member than from a non-member.
Statistics also showed a five-fold increase in trade within APEC since its establishment in 1989 and that 67 percent of APEC's total trade is intra-regional.
This is comparable to the European Union, where 66.7 percent of exports and 63.4 percent of its imports occur among EU members.
Of all trade by North American Free Trade Area economies, only 51.3 percent of exports and 34.1 percent of imports occur among each other.
The figure for Association of Southeast Asian Nations is much lower at only 24.3 percent for exports and 23.7 percent for imports.
APEC is a forum for countries with a common commitment to free and open trade and investment.
The 21 member economies - it includes Hong Kong and Taiwan - account for more than 54 percent of world gross domestic product and more than 40 percent of the population.
APEC accounted for 45 percent of world exports and imports in 2007, an increase of approximately 41 percent above 1989.
The forum is now exploring the possibility of turning itself into a free trade area, but the goal is many years away.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Govt scraps plan for mandatory vehicle checks
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has agreed to pull back the introduction of an “end of life” policy for vehicles after taking into account views and feedback from the people.
Since the announcement of the plan, the Government has been receiving many complaints from the people who were generally not agreeable to the mandatory annual comprehensive inspection as a requirement for road tax renewal for vehicles aged 15 years or older, a statement from the International Trade and Industry Ministry said Friday.
On Oct 28, the ministry had announced the new National Automotive Policy (NAP) which included the “Vehicle End Of Life Policy” which would have seen the introduction of a mandatory annual check-up of cars 15-years and above as a requirement for road tax renewal. -- Bernama
Since the announcement of the plan, the Government has been receiving many complaints from the people who were generally not agreeable to the mandatory annual comprehensive inspection as a requirement for road tax renewal for vehicles aged 15 years or older, a statement from the International Trade and Industry Ministry said Friday.
On Oct 28, the ministry had announced the new National Automotive Policy (NAP) which included the “Vehicle End Of Life Policy” which would have seen the introduction of a mandatory annual check-up of cars 15-years and above as a requirement for road tax renewal. -- Bernama
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Convert An Extra Bedroom Into A Home Office
An extra bedroom if you have would be a great to become your home office. Follow below guides to help you in converting your bedroom into a home office.
1. To ensure you have the proper wiring. A home office may need more things than a bedroom, so check to see what you have.
Things you may need:
-Phone line
-Cable outlet
-Electrical outlets
You probably have these, but check to be sure.
2. If you need to paint, now is the time. You want to paint the walls before you put everything in the room. Pick a neutral color, that you can coordinate items with.
3. Put your desk into the space first. Your desk will be the main focal point of the room, be sure it is in the proper location.
4. Now you can put everything else into your office. You may want to purchase a little more storage, or office supplies. Put everything it the space that is convenient for you.
Remember that this is your space. Make it comfortable and inviting. You can add decorations, flowers, candles, or other items that will make it comfortable to you.
1. To ensure you have the proper wiring. A home office may need more things than a bedroom, so check to see what you have.
Things you may need:
-Phone line
-Cable outlet
-Electrical outlets
You probably have these, but check to be sure.
2. If you need to paint, now is the time. You want to paint the walls before you put everything in the room. Pick a neutral color, that you can coordinate items with.
3. Put your desk into the space first. Your desk will be the main focal point of the room, be sure it is in the proper location.
4. Now you can put everything else into your office. You may want to purchase a little more storage, or office supplies. Put everything it the space that is convenient for you.
Remember that this is your space. Make it comfortable and inviting. You can add decorations, flowers, candles, or other items that will make it comfortable to you.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
First Steps in Starting a Business
Wanna start business but yet do not know what to start, where to start and how to start . All these thing always worried us... Well in this article will tell you the basics to get your own going.
First you have to come up with an idea for a business. If you don't already have one in mind, think about a problem in society that you think you can fix. Solutions to problems are usually one of the most common reasons a business gets started.
If that doesn't work, find something your good at or enjoy doing and form a business around that.
If that doesn't work, find something your good at or enjoy doing and form a business around that.
Once you have your idea for your business, the next thing you'll want to do is create a feasibility analysis. What a feasibility analysis does is runs through your idea and tells you whether or not its feasible and to go to the next step with your idea. If its not feasible try reworking it to see what the issue is or find a new idea and do another feasibility analysis. For a feasibility analysis template go to http://tinyurl.com/yj8jmyu and use that form.
If your business checks out in the feasibility analysis, then the next thing you'll want to do is create a name for your company. Make sure its creative and something you think would attract your customers. Search around the web to make sure you don't see any conflicting competition for the name you've chosen.
Now that you have your name you have to one check out that your name isnt taken legally in your state. You'll want to go to your states Department of State website for the division of corporations. You can do a search there to make sure your names available. Then you'll want to decide what type of company you'll have. For a list of types and a comparison chart go to http://tinyurl.com/ygq3g5y. Think about this part carefully because It can make a big difference. Recommend choosing an LLC because that way you have less liability if something goes wrong. To file your company legally you may need a lawyer to help you out but first look into your states rules and regulations.
The next thing you'll need to do is go to the IRS website and register your company for taxes. Its not fun but its required. fill out the necessary forms and you'll receive an EIN, so that you can file taxes at the end of the year.
Once you got those basic things then your pretty much set. Now your no where near done with your business but you've taken a big step in the right direction. The next thing would be to continue with your business plan/idea. Wish you the best of luck and hope your company is a success!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Good Boss!!! How ?
Everybody if have chance wanted to be a boss. The real issue is the moment you step into a management position it can be thrilling. Of course more money, more power, more perks. People suddenly recognize that your initiative and leadership skills are commendable, and at the start, you bask in their admiration and unspoken envy. The first step is fun, but every step after that is hard work. Tight budgets, diminishing resources, lack of skilled workers, and people who report to you (who think they'd do a better job than you are doing), all make management a serious challenge. Whether you're a first-time manager or a seasoned one of several years, there are some things you can do that will make your employees happier, and your job more secure.
First you have to
First you have to
Monday, November 2, 2009
MLM Business
The 7 Business Factors Test of a Multi -level Marketing Business
So many people ask the same question: Is Multi-level Marketing a REAL Business? Is it truly a business that can produce a living and income? Is it a REAL distribution business? It is a business that operates for the customer's satisfaction, and always looks to gain new customers?
Here is the answer: YES.
How and why does it qualify as a business? Every business has certain traits and functions that are needed to do business and stay in business. We have developed what we call the "7 Business Factors Test", and you have to ask these questions to see if it qualifies as a business. All businesses, no matter whether it is a traditional business or a non-traditional business, (such as MLM), answer these questions in the affirmative.
What are the "7 Business Factors Test" Questions?
So many people ask the same question: Is Multi-level Marketing a REAL Business? Is it truly a business that can produce a living and income? Is it a REAL distribution business? It is a business that operates for the customer's satisfaction, and always looks to gain new customers?
Here is the answer: YES.
How and why does it qualify as a business? Every business has certain traits and functions that are needed to do business and stay in business. We have developed what we call the "7 Business Factors Test", and you have to ask these questions to see if it qualifies as a business. All businesses, no matter whether it is a traditional business or a non-traditional business, (such as MLM), answer these questions in the affirmative.
What are the "7 Business Factors Test" Questions?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Business Card Etiquette
Different countries has its own business card etiquette.
When doing business abroad it is important to understand the local culture. Culture includes areas such as a country’s norms, values, behaviours, food, architecture, fashion and art. However, one area of culture that is important for the international business person is etiquette.
Understanding business etiquette allows you to feel comfortable in your dealings with foreign friends, colleagues, customers or clients. Knowing what to do and say in the right places will help build trust and open lines of communication.
One aspect of etiquette that is of great importance internationally is the exchanging of business cards.
Unlike in North America or Europe where the business card has little meaning other than a convenient form of capturing essential personal details, in other parts of the world the business card has very different meanings.
For example, in Japan the business card is viewed as a representation of the owner. Therefore proper business etiquette demands one treats the business card with respect and honour.
Below we have provided you with a few examples of international business card exchange etiquette that may help you on your business trips abroad.
General Business Card Etiquette Tips:
• Business cards are an internationally recognised means of presenting personal contact details, so ensure you have a plentiful supply.
• Demonstrating good business etiquette is merely a means of presenting yourself as best you can. Failure to adhere to foreign business etiquette does not always have disastrous consequences.
• When travelling abroad for business it is advisable to have one side of your business card translated into the appropriate language.
• Business cards are generally exchanged at the beginning of or at the end of an initial meeting.
• Good business etiquette requires you present the card so the recipient’s language is face up.
• Make a point of studying any business card, commenting on it and clarifying information before putting it away.
Business Card Etiquette in China
• Have one side of your business card translated into Chinese using simplified Chinese characters that are printed in gold ink since gold is an auspicious colour.
• Ensure the translation is carried out into the appropriate Chinese dialect, i.e. Cantonese or Mandarin.
• Your business card should include your title. If your company is the oldest or largest in your country, that fact should be highlighted on your card.
• Hold the card in both hands when offering it.
• Never write on someone's card unless so directed.
Business Card Etiquette in India
• If you have a university degree or any honour, put it on your business card.
• Always use the right hand to give and receive business cards.
• Business cards need not be translated into Hindi as English is widely spoken within the business community.
Business Card Etiquette in Japan
• Business cards are exchanged with great ceremony.
• Invest in quality cards.
• Always keep your business cards in pristine condition.
• Treat the business card you receive as you would the person.
• Make sure your business card includes your title. The Japanese place emphasis on status and hierarchy.
• Business cards are always received with two hands but can be given with only one.
• During a meeting, place the business cards on the table in front of you in the order people are seated.
• When the meeting is over, put the business cards in a business card case or a portfolio.
Business Card Etiquette in the UK
• Business card etiquette is relaxed in the UK and involves little ceremony.
• It is not considered bad etiquette to keep cards in a pocket.
• Business cards should be kept clean and presentable.
• Do not feel obliged to hand out a business card to everyone you meet as it is not expected.
When doing business abroad it is important to understand the local culture. Culture includes areas such as a country’s norms, values, behaviours, food, architecture, fashion and art. However, one area of culture that is important for the international business person is etiquette.
Understanding business etiquette allows you to feel comfortable in your dealings with foreign friends, colleagues, customers or clients. Knowing what to do and say in the right places will help build trust and open lines of communication.
One aspect of etiquette that is of great importance internationally is the exchanging of business cards.
Unlike in North America or Europe where the business card has little meaning other than a convenient form of capturing essential personal details, in other parts of the world the business card has very different meanings.
For example, in Japan the business card is viewed as a representation of the owner. Therefore proper business etiquette demands one treats the business card with respect and honour.
Below we have provided you with a few examples of international business card exchange etiquette that may help you on your business trips abroad.
General Business Card Etiquette Tips:
• Business cards are an internationally recognised means of presenting personal contact details, so ensure you have a plentiful supply.
• Demonstrating good business etiquette is merely a means of presenting yourself as best you can. Failure to adhere to foreign business etiquette does not always have disastrous consequences.
• When travelling abroad for business it is advisable to have one side of your business card translated into the appropriate language.
• Business cards are generally exchanged at the beginning of or at the end of an initial meeting.
• Good business etiquette requires you present the card so the recipient’s language is face up.
• Make a point of studying any business card, commenting on it and clarifying information before putting it away.
Business Card Etiquette in China
• Have one side of your business card translated into Chinese using simplified Chinese characters that are printed in gold ink since gold is an auspicious colour.
• Ensure the translation is carried out into the appropriate Chinese dialect, i.e. Cantonese or Mandarin.
• Your business card should include your title. If your company is the oldest or largest in your country, that fact should be highlighted on your card.
• Hold the card in both hands when offering it.
• Never write on someone's card unless so directed.
Business Card Etiquette in India
• If you have a university degree or any honour, put it on your business card.
• Always use the right hand to give and receive business cards.
• Business cards need not be translated into Hindi as English is widely spoken within the business community.
Business Card Etiquette in Japan
• Business cards are exchanged with great ceremony.
• Invest in quality cards.
• Always keep your business cards in pristine condition.
• Treat the business card you receive as you would the person.
• Make sure your business card includes your title. The Japanese place emphasis on status and hierarchy.
• Business cards are always received with two hands but can be given with only one.
• During a meeting, place the business cards on the table in front of you in the order people are seated.
• When the meeting is over, put the business cards in a business card case or a portfolio.
Business Card Etiquette in the UK
• Business card etiquette is relaxed in the UK and involves little ceremony.
• It is not considered bad etiquette to keep cards in a pocket.
• Business cards should be kept clean and presentable.
• Do not feel obliged to hand out a business card to everyone you meet as it is not expected.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Freelance Writers - Beat the Recession
3 Marketing Tips That Land More Writing Jobs
Freelance writers: finding it hard to land gigs? Need to bring on more clients? Wondering what you're "doing wrong?"
Well, the truth is you're probably not doing anything wrong, but there are some things you can do that are just right during a difficult economy. Following are three that can help you bring in more freelance writing jobs.
I. BULK SERVICE OFFERING: A UNIQUE WAY TO LAND MORE FREELANCE WRITING JOBS
What is meant by this? A good example is blog packs, as in, offer a month's worth to clients for one low price. Offering bulk services like this offers three distinct advantages to your freelance writing business, ie:
(i) A Stable Income: Stability is probably high on every freelance writer's wish list. If you can count on a certain dollar amount coming in each month, it lessens the pressure (just a little) to land more gigs.
(ii) Leads to Long-Term Clients: This is another form of stability. The more clients work with you, the more they rely on and trust you . . . AND give you more work.
(iii) Get More Work Via Referrals: As mentioned just above, trust inspires sales. It also inspires referrals, as in, clients refer those they like and trust.
The bottom line on bundling services is that it does a lot for your freelance writing business, beyond helping you to beat the recession.
II. GIVE DISCOUNTS: A RELIABLE WAY TO LAND MORE FREELANCE WRITING JOBS
I know, I know . . . it's not sexy, it's not new and it's certainly not exciting. What it IS is reliable . . . it works, especially in difficult economic times. So give'em. Clients almost expect them because they're probably giving them to their clients as well.
Discounts can also lead to bulk work because they encourage client loyalty . . . if they are handled the right way. And, just what is this.
How to Effectively Offer Discounts: Think long term when you give discounts. For example, instead of giving them on every job, offer them when clients order services in bulk, or try a new service, or extend a longer timeline to get jobs done.
Doing it likes this encourages something beyond the instant, one-time service. And, the longer clients interact with you, the more they trust you. And, we know where trust leads, right? (More writing jobs and referrals).
III. CREATIVE MARKETING: INVENTIVE WAYS TO LAND MORE FREELANCE WRITING JOBS
In order to get business in any economy, you have to first get noticed. And, the number of ways to go about this is only limited to your imagination.
Freelance writers: finding it hard to land gigs? Need to bring on more clients? Wondering what you're "doing wrong?"
Well, the truth is you're probably not doing anything wrong, but there are some things you can do that are just right during a difficult economy. Following are three that can help you bring in more freelance writing jobs.
I. BULK SERVICE OFFERING: A UNIQUE WAY TO LAND MORE FREELANCE WRITING JOBS
What is meant by this? A good example is blog packs, as in, offer a month's worth to clients for one low price. Offering bulk services like this offers three distinct advantages to your freelance writing business, ie:
(i) A Stable Income: Stability is probably high on every freelance writer's wish list. If you can count on a certain dollar amount coming in each month, it lessens the pressure (just a little) to land more gigs.
(ii) Leads to Long-Term Clients: This is another form of stability. The more clients work with you, the more they rely on and trust you . . . AND give you more work.
(iii) Get More Work Via Referrals: As mentioned just above, trust inspires sales. It also inspires referrals, as in, clients refer those they like and trust.
The bottom line on bundling services is that it does a lot for your freelance writing business, beyond helping you to beat the recession.
II. GIVE DISCOUNTS: A RELIABLE WAY TO LAND MORE FREELANCE WRITING JOBS
I know, I know . . . it's not sexy, it's not new and it's certainly not exciting. What it IS is reliable . . . it works, especially in difficult economic times. So give'em. Clients almost expect them because they're probably giving them to their clients as well.
Discounts can also lead to bulk work because they encourage client loyalty . . . if they are handled the right way. And, just what is this.
How to Effectively Offer Discounts: Think long term when you give discounts. For example, instead of giving them on every job, offer them when clients order services in bulk, or try a new service, or extend a longer timeline to get jobs done.
Doing it likes this encourages something beyond the instant, one-time service. And, the longer clients interact with you, the more they trust you. And, we know where trust leads, right? (More writing jobs and referrals).
III. CREATIVE MARKETING: INVENTIVE WAYS TO LAND MORE FREELANCE WRITING JOBS
In order to get business in any economy, you have to first get noticed. And, the number of ways to go about this is only limited to your imagination.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Business : Guide to choose your business
You have money and wanted to start a business but do not know what business to choose. Here are some guides and options for you to look through.
Each option involves some element of risk and reward. Whichever option you choose, however, owning your own business offers a chance at more freedom and greater financial rewards. So, you're thinking of going into business for yourself. You have several options available, and all involve some degree of risk. Do you want to create a start-up operation? Perhaps you are planning on buying an existing business. Or, you may be considering the purchase of a franchise operation.
Start-ups
If you are planning on building your business from the ground up, you are taking a bigger risk than if you were buying an existing business or a franchise. Existing businesses and franchises have some operating history that you can use to gauge the likelihood of the success of the business. By comparison, with a start-up business, you naturally think that you will succeed, but there are fewer guarantees.
Most successful start-ups don't actually begin with a new, innovative product. Instead, they begin with a proven product or service (start-up owners often open competing businesses in areas in which they are familiar) and become innovative after the new venture has generated some level of profit and success.
Because your start-up has no previous track record (even if you have had success in your field), you will first need to raise enough financing to make a go of it. Banks or investors will want to see a plan of attack before they will approve a loan for your start-up. Therefore, your first step should be to create a strong business plan.
The business plan
A well-developed business plan serves several useful purposes. It helps to organize thoughts and ideas about how the business should be developed. It also creates a plan of attack that will help you stay focused. And, it will assist you in getting financing. There are several important elements to a well-prepared plan:
Strong introduction: The cover page, executive summary (essentially an overview of the plan), and table of contents will be the first elements that potential financiers or investors will see. If these aren't strong, potential financiers may not take you seriously enough to get to the heart of your plan.
Business description: Whether you are using the business plan to get financing or create a focus of how your business should be run, you need to present a clear vision of what your business will be. The description should include how you want your business to be positioned in your industry, what will make your business unique, the products or services that you will provide, and how you plan on pricing within the industry. Do you want to be the low-cost provider, or the high-end specialist?
Market positioning: If you want to attract investors to your business, you need to convince them that a need in the marketplace exists for what you are proposing. This section needs to include details on the size of the potential market for your business, how your business can benefit through sales inside the market, and how you plan on succeeding against your competitors.
Financial objectives: This is perhaps the most important part of your business plan. Here, you need to convince your potential backers or lenders that your business will make a sound investment. You'll want to show that you have evaluated the attendant risks and rewards of your proposed business. You'll also need to project cash needs and expected income, and present a cash flow statement.
Other areas: A good business plan will also cover in some detail your marketing plan, a discussion of how you plan on developing products to bring to market (if the business is a manufacturing concern), and so on.
Buying an existing business
The obvious advantage to buying an existing business is that it has a proven track record of success. But that doesn't mean that there are no possible pitfalls that you should avoid.
Perhaps the greatest problem in buying an existing business is that you might not acquire the expertise and services of the existing owners, who have often accumulated goodwill with their customers or clients. However, when a business is bought, it is not unusual for the previous owners to stay on for a period of time to assist with the transition and to make introductions to clients in an attempt to transfer some of that goodwill.
Consult qualified professionals to properly evaluate the information that the owners of the existing business may provide you. Also, make sure that the reasons why the business is on the market are true. Is the owner really planning on retiring to Florida, or is he or she just trying to escape the crushing debt that the business has accumulated over the last few years?
Also, keep in mind that you may be taking on a heavy load of debt in acquiring the business. A business that is marginally profitable may not be able to both pay off the debt service on the loan and pay you a living wage.
Franchises
When you buy a franchise, you also buy marketing support, business strategy, name recognition, and assistance with site location (if it's a retail operation), among other things.
However, you also give up some things. You will never have the final say in all decisions, because franchisors typically retain rights to ensure that your business is run their way. Also, you won't be entitled to all of the profits of your business, because franchisors typically take a percentage as part of their fees. Finally, you may be limited in your decision-making processes (e.g., some franchisors require you to buy materials from their suppliers).
If you are thinking of purchasing a franchise, it is very important to thoroughly investigate the company. Remember, you are doing more than just purchasing a name--the franchisor is going to be your business partner. Make sure that he or she doesn't want only your money and then move on to the next potential buyer.
Franchisors are required to disclose lots of information to potential franchisees. Do your homework. Talk not only to successful franchisees but also to ones who have failed. If several former franchisees tell you that the company didn't fulfill the promises of the franchise agreement, beware.
Make sure every representation is made to you in writing before you purchase. Take notes of everything said to you, and have the franchisor sign off on them. That way, you will have a record of what was represented to you if things go wrong.
Important Disclosure Notice
The material contained herein is not intended to provide specific legal or tax advice.
It provides only broad, general guidelines and strategies that may be helpful in shaping your financial thinking about investment objectives and risk management.
Each option involves some element of risk and reward. Whichever option you choose, however, owning your own business offers a chance at more freedom and greater financial rewards. So, you're thinking of going into business for yourself. You have several options available, and all involve some degree of risk. Do you want to create a start-up operation? Perhaps you are planning on buying an existing business. Or, you may be considering the purchase of a franchise operation.
Start-ups
If you are planning on building your business from the ground up, you are taking a bigger risk than if you were buying an existing business or a franchise. Existing businesses and franchises have some operating history that you can use to gauge the likelihood of the success of the business. By comparison, with a start-up business, you naturally think that you will succeed, but there are fewer guarantees.
Most successful start-ups don't actually begin with a new, innovative product. Instead, they begin with a proven product or service (start-up owners often open competing businesses in areas in which they are familiar) and become innovative after the new venture has generated some level of profit and success.
Because your start-up has no previous track record (even if you have had success in your field), you will first need to raise enough financing to make a go of it. Banks or investors will want to see a plan of attack before they will approve a loan for your start-up. Therefore, your first step should be to create a strong business plan.
The business plan
A well-developed business plan serves several useful purposes. It helps to organize thoughts and ideas about how the business should be developed. It also creates a plan of attack that will help you stay focused. And, it will assist you in getting financing. There are several important elements to a well-prepared plan:
Strong introduction: The cover page, executive summary (essentially an overview of the plan), and table of contents will be the first elements that potential financiers or investors will see. If these aren't strong, potential financiers may not take you seriously enough to get to the heart of your plan.
Business description: Whether you are using the business plan to get financing or create a focus of how your business should be run, you need to present a clear vision of what your business will be. The description should include how you want your business to be positioned in your industry, what will make your business unique, the products or services that you will provide, and how you plan on pricing within the industry. Do you want to be the low-cost provider, or the high-end specialist?
Market positioning: If you want to attract investors to your business, you need to convince them that a need in the marketplace exists for what you are proposing. This section needs to include details on the size of the potential market for your business, how your business can benefit through sales inside the market, and how you plan on succeeding against your competitors.
Financial objectives: This is perhaps the most important part of your business plan. Here, you need to convince your potential backers or lenders that your business will make a sound investment. You'll want to show that you have evaluated the attendant risks and rewards of your proposed business. You'll also need to project cash needs and expected income, and present a cash flow statement.
Other areas: A good business plan will also cover in some detail your marketing plan, a discussion of how you plan on developing products to bring to market (if the business is a manufacturing concern), and so on.
Buying an existing business
The obvious advantage to buying an existing business is that it has a proven track record of success. But that doesn't mean that there are no possible pitfalls that you should avoid.
Perhaps the greatest problem in buying an existing business is that you might not acquire the expertise and services of the existing owners, who have often accumulated goodwill with their customers or clients. However, when a business is bought, it is not unusual for the previous owners to stay on for a period of time to assist with the transition and to make introductions to clients in an attempt to transfer some of that goodwill.
Consult qualified professionals to properly evaluate the information that the owners of the existing business may provide you. Also, make sure that the reasons why the business is on the market are true. Is the owner really planning on retiring to Florida, or is he or she just trying to escape the crushing debt that the business has accumulated over the last few years?
Also, keep in mind that you may be taking on a heavy load of debt in acquiring the business. A business that is marginally profitable may not be able to both pay off the debt service on the loan and pay you a living wage.
Franchises
When you buy a franchise, you also buy marketing support, business strategy, name recognition, and assistance with site location (if it's a retail operation), among other things.
However, you also give up some things. You will never have the final say in all decisions, because franchisors typically retain rights to ensure that your business is run their way. Also, you won't be entitled to all of the profits of your business, because franchisors typically take a percentage as part of their fees. Finally, you may be limited in your decision-making processes (e.g., some franchisors require you to buy materials from their suppliers).
If you are thinking of purchasing a franchise, it is very important to thoroughly investigate the company. Remember, you are doing more than just purchasing a name--the franchisor is going to be your business partner. Make sure that he or she doesn't want only your money and then move on to the next potential buyer.
Franchisors are required to disclose lots of information to potential franchisees. Do your homework. Talk not only to successful franchisees but also to ones who have failed. If several former franchisees tell you that the company didn't fulfill the promises of the franchise agreement, beware.
Make sure every representation is made to you in writing before you purchase. Take notes of everything said to you, and have the franchisor sign off on them. That way, you will have a record of what was represented to you if things go wrong.
Important Disclosure Notice
The material contained herein is not intended to provide specific legal or tax advice.
It provides only broad, general guidelines and strategies that may be helpful in shaping your financial thinking about investment objectives and risk management.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Be Your Own Boss
Start something to be boss on your own
When people talk about starting something on their own, the initial reaction of their listeners is one of incredulity. The listeners immediately think they heard something wrong. It just sometimes does not appear right when people who had been working for someone else talks about putting up their own business. Secondly, the next question that is apt to be asked is: What about your college degree? Are you somehow throwing it away? These are gut reactions and totally understandable from a sane point of view. However, most entrepreneurs are not totally sane people when we define sanity by our usual standards of looking for a stable job and getting employed in a firm as a career. Yes, I must agree, a bit reluctantly perhaps, that entrepreneurs are a little bit crazy for walking away from a stable job and take the risk of finally being their own boss.
Being the boss has its own rewards, primarily a psychic one. For the first time ever, the person who went through the hassles of getting business permits and printing business cards and letterheads is about to start on a remarkable journey that can lead to either greatness or failure. It is also clear from the data that most small business owners have no desire to expand their business beyond a certain size. For them, they are content to attain a certain size (number of employees, branches or outlets) and just sort of coast along. However, there are also a small but significant proportion of them who dream of getting big someday and compete with those giant firms on an equal footing. They dream of hiring both professional management and sit on their own board of directors as chairman. These types of people had retained their hunger, drive and motivation despite the passage of the years. At any rate, their sole compensation goes beyond financial remuneration and they aspire for higher things such as providing employment to thousands of workers, introducing a technical innovation to the market, give some stiff competition to larger firms or fill some perceived need of society (selling a better mousetrap).
Entrepreneurship is certainly alive and well here in the United States. Record numbers of people are putting up new businesses each day and even the profile of entrepreneurs had changed a bit too. It is no longer that surprising that there are now more women entrepreneurs than ever before. The working moms who often have to juggle home and career find putting up their own businesses is a great way to combine the demands of home and earning an income to augment the family income. Additionally, we see today there are also a greater proportion of teenagers who are still in school putting up a firm of their own, usually in the high-tech industries such as computers or digital communications. Indeed, the entry to small business is never easier than before. In the U.S., it takes an average of only 4 days to register a business and $200 for all the permits and licenses needed to establish a legal entity. Compared to Japan, for example, where eleven different procedures for putting up a business costs around $3,500 and takes 31 days, the process to be followed in the U.S. is just a breeze indeed.
With the jobless recovery of the economy, many people are looking for other ways to earn some money and entrepreneurship is one avenue they can pursue with vigor. Besides the increasing number of women and youth entrepreneurs, there is another trend noted by the Small Business Administration. It is only in this period that the numbers of part-time entrepreneurs have increased five times from prior years and constitute one-third of all small businesses in the country. These small firms sometimes go beyond the normal two-year lifetime since start-up and are even moderately successful by most of any standard measure we can use. Others go on to become industry leaders by being extremely successful. It is estimated roughly fifty percent of all employment is generated by the small business outfits today. A small firm is defined as something that is independently owned and operated for profit and one easy way to go this route is the inflatable hire business. You should try it sometime to see how it works.
When people talk about starting something on their own, the initial reaction of their listeners is one of incredulity. The listeners immediately think they heard something wrong. It just sometimes does not appear right when people who had been working for someone else talks about putting up their own business. Secondly, the next question that is apt to be asked is: What about your college degree? Are you somehow throwing it away? These are gut reactions and totally understandable from a sane point of view. However, most entrepreneurs are not totally sane people when we define sanity by our usual standards of looking for a stable job and getting employed in a firm as a career. Yes, I must agree, a bit reluctantly perhaps, that entrepreneurs are a little bit crazy for walking away from a stable job and take the risk of finally being their own boss.
Being the boss has its own rewards, primarily a psychic one. For the first time ever, the person who went through the hassles of getting business permits and printing business cards and letterheads is about to start on a remarkable journey that can lead to either greatness or failure. It is also clear from the data that most small business owners have no desire to expand their business beyond a certain size. For them, they are content to attain a certain size (number of employees, branches or outlets) and just sort of coast along. However, there are also a small but significant proportion of them who dream of getting big someday and compete with those giant firms on an equal footing. They dream of hiring both professional management and sit on their own board of directors as chairman. These types of people had retained their hunger, drive and motivation despite the passage of the years. At any rate, their sole compensation goes beyond financial remuneration and they aspire for higher things such as providing employment to thousands of workers, introducing a technical innovation to the market, give some stiff competition to larger firms or fill some perceived need of society (selling a better mousetrap).
Entrepreneurship is certainly alive and well here in the United States. Record numbers of people are putting up new businesses each day and even the profile of entrepreneurs had changed a bit too. It is no longer that surprising that there are now more women entrepreneurs than ever before. The working moms who often have to juggle home and career find putting up their own businesses is a great way to combine the demands of home and earning an income to augment the family income. Additionally, we see today there are also a greater proportion of teenagers who are still in school putting up a firm of their own, usually in the high-tech industries such as computers or digital communications. Indeed, the entry to small business is never easier than before. In the U.S., it takes an average of only 4 days to register a business and $200 for all the permits and licenses needed to establish a legal entity. Compared to Japan, for example, where eleven different procedures for putting up a business costs around $3,500 and takes 31 days, the process to be followed in the U.S. is just a breeze indeed.
With the jobless recovery of the economy, many people are looking for other ways to earn some money and entrepreneurship is one avenue they can pursue with vigor. Besides the increasing number of women and youth entrepreneurs, there is another trend noted by the Small Business Administration. It is only in this period that the numbers of part-time entrepreneurs have increased five times from prior years and constitute one-third of all small businesses in the country. These small firms sometimes go beyond the normal two-year lifetime since start-up and are even moderately successful by most of any standard measure we can use. Others go on to become industry leaders by being extremely successful. It is estimated roughly fifty percent of all employment is generated by the small business outfits today. A small firm is defined as something that is independently owned and operated for profit and one easy way to go this route is the inflatable hire business. You should try it sometime to see how it works.
What the best business to start today?
Best Type of Business to start - Consultant!
Businesses today are looking for ways to hang onto more of their dollars and find the best ways to cut costs. Often Employees are the victims, as evidenced by the numbers of lay offs today. Maybe you are one of those that have been laid off and felt; now is the time to look into Self Employment. The next question is what works today during this recession and how can I help.
During a recession, Money gets tight, business owners get nervous and employee morale is strained. If you are someone that has been a victim of corporate down sizing, you may be bringing with you very valuable information, talent and ability to market. Your background can be turned into a Successful business! The question is what type of business should you start in these recessionary times?
Consulting! How else to better the economy, than to offer your services as a consultant. The average entrepreneur today, is coming from corporate America, over 45 and has a severance or 401k available to invest in a new business. That individual brings expertize and experience, that can offer new or established businesses information and training, that they no longer can afford to pay salaries for. They may however pay a short term consultant.
Consultants come in all types. Engineering, Medical and Cost Cutting as an example of different consulting fields. My favorite type of Consulting is in the cost cutting arena, as today businesses are scratching and clawing for every dollar! What if you could put more money back into a business, without charging them anything up front. Working On A Contingency Basis is the way to go! Here are some types of Cost Cutting Services that you can offer to small to mid sized companies, that will grow their cash flow and give them more working capital.
1. Office lease auditing. A process of looking at a businesses lease and making sure that the charges are congruent with the terms of the lease. Then recovering any overcharges for the tenant.
2. Cost segregation. This is for building owners. Cost segregation is the process of separating real property assets and personal property assets, for the purpose of reclassifying them. Once reclassified, the depreciation schedule can be changed from 39.5 yrs down to 5-7 yrs and accelerate the tax benefit to the business.
3. Property Tax audits. Property Taxes should be going down not up. Auditing them and making sure they are accurate will assist a business once again with CASH FLOW!
4. Auditing of other expenses, such as telephone bills, utility bills, export taxes, and waste bills.
5. Small Business Tax reviews. Find out any over payment to the IRS and get the money back into the owners hands.
I saw a gentleman wearing a shirt the other day that said, "I am not unemployed, I am a consultant". I chuckled, as many times being a consultant means we are unemployed! Consulting is a legitimate way to help others, use your expertise and build a very timely business. Consulting is the business of choice in these recessionary times. The above services are unique and available, through Business licensing or business opportunities. You can be trained on how to do all of the above services or outsource them. You as a Consultant will put the pieces together.
Businesses today are looking for ways to hang onto more of their dollars and find the best ways to cut costs. Often Employees are the victims, as evidenced by the numbers of lay offs today. Maybe you are one of those that have been laid off and felt; now is the time to look into Self Employment. The next question is what works today during this recession and how can I help.
During a recession, Money gets tight, business owners get nervous and employee morale is strained. If you are someone that has been a victim of corporate down sizing, you may be bringing with you very valuable information, talent and ability to market. Your background can be turned into a Successful business! The question is what type of business should you start in these recessionary times?
Consulting! How else to better the economy, than to offer your services as a consultant. The average entrepreneur today, is coming from corporate America, over 45 and has a severance or 401k available to invest in a new business. That individual brings expertize and experience, that can offer new or established businesses information and training, that they no longer can afford to pay salaries for. They may however pay a short term consultant.
Consultants come in all types. Engineering, Medical and Cost Cutting as an example of different consulting fields. My favorite type of Consulting is in the cost cutting arena, as today businesses are scratching and clawing for every dollar! What if you could put more money back into a business, without charging them anything up front. Working On A Contingency Basis is the way to go! Here are some types of Cost Cutting Services that you can offer to small to mid sized companies, that will grow their cash flow and give them more working capital.
1. Office lease auditing. A process of looking at a businesses lease and making sure that the charges are congruent with the terms of the lease. Then recovering any overcharges for the tenant.
2. Cost segregation. This is for building owners. Cost segregation is the process of separating real property assets and personal property assets, for the purpose of reclassifying them. Once reclassified, the depreciation schedule can be changed from 39.5 yrs down to 5-7 yrs and accelerate the tax benefit to the business.
3. Property Tax audits. Property Taxes should be going down not up. Auditing them and making sure they are accurate will assist a business once again with CASH FLOW!
4. Auditing of other expenses, such as telephone bills, utility bills, export taxes, and waste bills.
5. Small Business Tax reviews. Find out any over payment to the IRS and get the money back into the owners hands.
I saw a gentleman wearing a shirt the other day that said, "I am not unemployed, I am a consultant". I chuckled, as many times being a consultant means we are unemployed! Consulting is a legitimate way to help others, use your expertise and build a very timely business. Consulting is the business of choice in these recessionary times. The above services are unique and available, through Business licensing or business opportunities. You can be trained on how to do all of the above services or outsource them. You as a Consultant will put the pieces together.
How to announce that you start a business
Starting New Business - How to tell people about it.
To start new busines is easy for some people but how to tell people that you have start a new business and how to attract them to deal business with you is always a problem. You also need to think how actually getting paying from clients....
Clients won't know you're starting a new business unless you tell them. So you have to start telling people right away.
Here are some tips for getting the word out:
You should have at least 50 people on your contact list. These are the people you are going to let know that you are starting a new business.
Start with family members outside of your immediate family - brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents, nephews, in-laws, cousin in-laws, sister-in-laws.
The next set of people who should know you are starting a new business are your immediate circle of friends - friends, neighbors, the parents of your kids’ friends, your parent’s friends.
Now think about where you spend your money. The people you do business with should know you are starting a new business - hopefully they will return the favor. Take out your credit card statements and bank statements. Look at all the people you send money to on a personal basis every month. some example as below;
Accountants,Attorneys,Cleaning,services,Babysitters,Contractors,Doctors,Dentists,Stock brokers,Hairdressers,Repair persons,Insurance agents,Tutors and instructors, Veterinarians
Your list will be more extensive, but this is a start to the number of people you need to tell you are starting a new business.
When you do business with companies where you have direct contact with an owner, manager or decision-maker, make sure you tell these people personally that you are starting up a business. Visit them, call them, or send them an email at the absolute minimum.
Every time you pay a bill to a local company, enclose a business card with the check. What better and efficient way to let people know you are starting a new business?
When you receive phone solicitations don't dismiss the caller. Tell him/her that you don't need their services right now but you will hold onto their information. Then proceed to tell them that you are starting a new business and ask for a referral.
Bottom Line on Starting A New Business
When you are starting a new business you need to shout it from the rooftops. Think of everyone you know and start telling them. Be creative in your approaches and take every opportunity you can think of to tell people about your new business.
To start new busines is easy for some people but how to tell people that you have start a new business and how to attract them to deal business with you is always a problem. You also need to think how actually getting paying from clients....
Clients won't know you're starting a new business unless you tell them. So you have to start telling people right away.
Here are some tips for getting the word out:
You should have at least 50 people on your contact list. These are the people you are going to let know that you are starting a new business.
Start with family members outside of your immediate family - brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents, nephews, in-laws, cousin in-laws, sister-in-laws.
The next set of people who should know you are starting a new business are your immediate circle of friends - friends, neighbors, the parents of your kids’ friends, your parent’s friends.
Now think about where you spend your money. The people you do business with should know you are starting a new business - hopefully they will return the favor. Take out your credit card statements and bank statements. Look at all the people you send money to on a personal basis every month. some example as below;
Accountants,Attorneys,Cleaning,services,Babysitters,Contractors,Doctors,Dentists,Stock brokers,Hairdressers,Repair persons,Insurance agents,Tutors and instructors, Veterinarians
Your list will be more extensive, but this is a start to the number of people you need to tell you are starting a new business.
When you do business with companies where you have direct contact with an owner, manager or decision-maker, make sure you tell these people personally that you are starting up a business. Visit them, call them, or send them an email at the absolute minimum.
Every time you pay a bill to a local company, enclose a business card with the check. What better and efficient way to let people know you are starting a new business?
When you receive phone solicitations don't dismiss the caller. Tell him/her that you don't need their services right now but you will hold onto their information. Then proceed to tell them that you are starting a new business and ask for a referral.
Bottom Line on Starting A New Business
When you are starting a new business you need to shout it from the rooftops. Think of everyone you know and start telling them. Be creative in your approaches and take every opportunity you can think of to tell people about your new business.
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