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.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
