Make Money Easy: 2008

Business in Spain - The Spanish Notary Public

By Dennis H Lewis

Hi! I've been living in Spain for almost twenty years. My wife is Spanish, my colleagues are Spanish, my customers are Spanish and by businesses are Spanish. Over these years I think I've learned quite a bit about "being Spanish".

If you want to get into the under-exploited fast-growing Spanish market, you need to know more than just how to speak Spanish. You need to understand Spanish customs, Spanish etiquette and Spanish business culture. Otherwise, you'll just be another American trying to "sell Spanish".

One of the most important business institutions in Spain is the public notary.

Unlike in the United States, where almost anyone can become a Notary Public (my Mom was one), in Spain not only must you possess a law degree, but you must pass a very stringent access exam. Only then can you opt for a position of "Notario".

In fact, the Spanish notaries are actually a strange mix of independent professionals and civil servants. The number of notary positions in a municipality is determined by the central government and their fees are set by law. However, once granted the right to open their office, the notary basically acts as any professional. They are responsible for hiring and maintaining there own staff and attracting there own customers.

The principle purpose of a notary in Spain is to witness, register and guarantee the legality of legal documents. However they also generally assume the responsibility of explaining the legal implications of the document to be signed assuring that all parties are well informed.

The following is a partial list of the proceedings which must be formalized by a notary:

Redacting and registering wills and final testaments.

Constituting a corporation or limited liability company.

Buying or selling properties which require a deed.

Prenuptial agreements.

Signing a loan or credit from a bank.

In Spain being a notary is a prestigious and very well-paying profession. The competition for passing the access exam and gaining a position is very fierce. Many law graduates spend between three and five years studying before presenting themselves for the exam.

Dennis H. Lewis has been living in Alicante, Spain with his wife and two children for almost twenty years.

He currently runs three successful companies entirely in the Spanish market.

If you would like to extend your business to the Spanish-speaking world, learn more about [http://www.empresa-de-exito.com/spanish-market.html]Spanish business culture or find marketing opportunities in Spain you must contact us.

If you need an [http://www.empresa-de-exito.com/spanish-translation.html]English-Spanish translator who understands business, we're the experts.

If you read Spanish have a look around our website and you'll be able to see for yourself the absolute quality of our team members.

You'll be speaking with genuine business people with hundreds of years of collective experience making money in the Spanish-speaking markets.

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Risks in International Business

By Sidney Okolo

Just as there are reasons to get into global markets, and benefits from global markets, there are also risks involved in locating companies in certain countries. Each country may have its potentials; it also has its woes that are associated with doing business with major companies. Some of the rogue countries may have all the natural minerals but the risks involved in doing business in those countries exceed the benefits. Some of the risks in international business are:

(1) Strategic Risk

(2) Operational Risk

(3) Political Risk

(4) Country Risk

(5) Technological Risk

(6) Environmental Risk

(7) Economic Risk

(8) Financial Risk

(9) Terrorism Risk

Strategic Risk: The ability of a firm to make a strategic decision in order to respond to the forces that are a source of risk. These forces also impact the competiveness of a firm. Porter defines them as: threat of new entrants in the industry, threat of substitute goods and services, intensity of competition within the industry, bargaining power of suppliers, and bargaining power of consumers.

Operational Risk: This is caused by the assets and financial capital that aid in the day-to-day business operations. The breakdown of machineries, supply and demand of the resources and products, shortfall of the goods and services, lack of perfect logistic and inventory will lead to inefficiency of production. By controlling costs, unnecessary waste will be reduced, and the process improvement may enhance the lead-time, reduce variance and contribute to efficiency in globalization.

Political Risk: The political actions and instability may make it difficult for companies to operate efficiently in these countries due to negative publicity and impact created by individuals in the top government. A firm cannot effectively operate to its full capacity in order to maximize profit in such an unstable country's political turbulence. A new and hostile government may replace the friendly one, and hence expropriate foreign assets.

Country Risk: The culture or the instability of a country may create risks that may make it difficult for multinational companies to operate safely, effectively, and efficiently. Some of the country risks come from the governments' policies, economic conditions, security factors, and political conditions. Solving one of these problems without all of the problems (aggregate) together will not be enough in mitigating the country risk.

Technological Risk: Lack of security in electronic transactions, the cost of developing new technology, and the fact that these new technology may fail, and when all of these are coupled with the outdated existing technology, the result may create a dangerous effect in doing business in the international arena.

Environmental Risk: Air, water, and environmental pollution may affect the health of the citizens, and lead to public outcry of the citizens. These problems may also lead to damaging the reputation of the companies that do business in that area.

Economic Risk: This comes from the inability of a country to meet its financial obligations. The changing of foreign-investment or/and domestic fiscal or monetary policies. The effect of exchange-rate and interest rate make it difficult to conduct international business.

Financial Risk: This area is affected by the currency exchange rate, government flexibility in allowing the firms to repatriate profits or funds outside the country. The devaluation and inflation will also impact the firm's ability to operate at an efficient capacity and still be stable. Most countries make it difficult for foreign firms to repatriate funds thus forcing these firms to invest its funds at a less optimal level. Sometimes, firms' assets are confiscated and that contributes to financial losses.

Terrorism Risk: These are attacks that may stem from lack of hope; confidence; differences in culture and religious philosophy, and/or merely hate of companies by citizens of host countries. It leads to potential hostile attitudes, sabotage of foreign companies and/or kidnapping of the employers and employees. Such frustrating situations make it difficult to operate in these countries.

Although the benefits in international business exceed the risks, firms should take a risk assessment of each country and to also include intellectual property, red tape and corruption, human resource restrictions, and ownership restrictions in the analysis, in order to consider all risks involved before venturing into any of the countries.

Dr. Sidney Okolo is a professor, consultant, strategist, and Africa expert. He is affiliated to several universities, the Managing Director of International Business Associates, a management consulting firm, and also the CEO of Global Education Support, an education assistance program.

Among other things, he engages in all aspects of learning, knowledge, organization and human change. His focus is on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, profit engineering, human potential, excellence, achievement, business strategy, research and development. Product management, change management, conflict management, athlete management, marketing, business development and operations. He works with clients to adapt to change due to change in factors of production, technology, goods and services. He engages clients in training, retraining, development, skills enhancement, association, behavior modification, ways of thinking, and attitude adjustment. In addition to his work in the United States, his focus is also on developing countries in the continent of Africa, their leadership, culture, economic and market structure, community planning and development, and his created four letter word, "PIES", which stands for: poverty, instability, ethnicity, and sectarianism.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sidney_Okolo http://EzineArticles.com/?Risks-in-International-Business&id=1331702

US Merchant Account For Foreign Businesses

By Joe Cole

In order to open a US-based small business merchant account, your company has to have legal presence in the United States. You don't have to live in the States but your business has to have at least a subsidiary, that is incorporated in any one of 50 the states. You will also need a physical address and a domestic bank account into which your funds will be deposited.

So as you see, if a foreign business wants to open a merchant services credit card processing account in the US, it will have to be prepared to invest a certain amount to cover the legal and procedural expenses. It also will need a locally-based officer to represent the company before the US authorities.

Clearly, it is a good idea that a foreign business should consider all available credit card payment processing options before deciding to open a US merchant account. Other possibilities are a third party credit card merchant processor, such as PayPal, and an offshore credit card processing account. Both alternatives have their advantages and disadvantages and may be suitable under certain conditions.

Third party processors offer credit card processing service accounts that are easy to establish and maintain. If your card volumes are going to be low, this is probably your best choice. The processing rates that these accounts offer, however, are substantially higher than a direct merchant account's. After the break-even point, the cost of establishing a domestic account will be offset by the savings that will come with the lower credit card processing rates.

Offshore credit card processing companies provide the convenience of a direct merchant account processing solution, without the hassle of dealing with the US legal and procedural requirements. The downside, however is a substantial rate premium that you will be charged, much bigger than the premium, charged by third-party processors. Processing rates, charged by offshore companies, are more than twice higher than the ones that domestic processors charge. [http://www.unibulmerchantservices.com/payment-processing/]Payment Processing [http://www.unibulmerchantservices.com/apply-online/credit-card-merchant-services/]Credit Card Merchant Services

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Brazil Has More Areas of Profitability Potential

By Bince Mandapam

Foreign investors who seek out investments in promising markets like Brazil are set to put up the biggest profits as entry costs are affordable, with property prices hovering on the brink of a boom. House prices are rising at a rate of twenty per cent; further growth is still likely. The increase of more sturdy domestic demand is also boosting property prices. This means that property owners stand to benefit from capital appreciation as demand continues to go up.

Brazil's tourist industry is currently growing at a rate of 7.2 per cent per year and the appeal of the country among holidaymakers is having a knock-on effect on its housing market. This is mainly due to the fact that many traditional European destinations are on the brink of an economic recession, which has made many holidaymakers opt to visit a cheaper country this year. Brazil is said to offer "tremendous opportunities" for growth in tourism-related real estate development.

Brazilian property market has recorded positive growth as Brazilian property loans have quadrupled in the last three years. The private financial sector has executed flexible measures for increased real estate financing and increased the time periods permitted for financing. According to Brazilian Association of Real Estate and Savings Institutions (Abicep), Only 53,787 real estate loans were made nationwide in 2004 but in 2007 it was catapulted to 195,900.

Brazil has firmly established as one of the most popular emerging market destinations for overseas property investment. The professionalism of domestic players in the real estate sector, a reliable and clear regulatory framework and a healthy macroeconomic environment offers unparalleled opportunities for overseas investors. The shortage between supply and demand of property in Brazil's urban market is calculated to be eight million units. Brazil's housing scarcity has made the country's real estate enormously attractive to those looking at property in Brazil.

Furthermore, foreign investors who have been priced out of the domestic housing market are looking for possible opportunities in Brazil. The first-time buyers from many European countries particularly from UK are increasingly snapping up buy-to-let properties in areas such as Natal. This is because foreign property investors can enter the market at a price which compares very favourably with those in their native countries.

The IMD's World Competitiveness Yearbook has stated that Brazil is placed in the 43rd place compared to last year's ranking of 49th place. According to the Latin Business Chronicle reports, Brazil leapt 11 places in the business efficiency category to 29th. Property investors considering property purchase in Brazil could be interested to take notice of the country's booming economy has become more competitive as it suggests the financial buoyancy will continue.

Latest real estate news and [http://www.estatesbrazil.com/]Brazilian property market trends. Find [http://www.estatesdubai.com/]Dubai Real Estate reviews.

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Billing Methods in Shipping

By Manan Kumar

Some of the important terms regarding shipment and billing methods involved in it are described over here. The most common trading terms used in shipment of commodities used worldwide are :-

1. Freight on Board or free on Board also know as F&B - This means that exporter delivers the goods or commodities at his own expense at location specified.

2. Cost and Freight, commonly known as C&F, CFR, and CNF - In this case exporter pays the ocean shipping and air freight to the specified location. Many of major shipping carriers offer guarantee on their delivery time i.e. if the packages are not delivered on time then customer will be entitled to a refund.

3. Cost Insurance and Freight or CIF - Insurance and Freight are all paid by the exporter to the specified location.

Regardless of the many variables in shipped commodities and locations, there are simply three basic types of shipments: land, air, and sea. Shipping is physical procedure of transporting commodities and consignment. Almost every manufactured good ever made, bought, or sold has been affected by shipping.

On comparing these shipment procedures i.e. shipment through land or ground with air and sea, each type of shipment has its own uses and drawbacks. Shipment through sea is normally done though trucking which actually the most popular form of shipping. Still in air and water shipments, ground shipment is still be used to take the commodity from its source to the airport or seaport and then to its destination and Trucks is also much faster than ships and rail transport but slower than air planes.

But actual shipping is done through Sea. An individual nation's fleet is called merchant navy and is fundamental to the world economy because of hauling the bulk of international trade.

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Tips on Import-Export Dealings For Agents!

By Kirthy S

If you are aspiring to be an import export agent, drive home one fact, that it's a lucrative profession. Across the world, there have been great success stories about import export business. At the same time, some have faced defeat as well. However, the failure stories get concealed quite often.

Many people actively participate in trading or work as agents to major exporters and importers. It is all based on the products that are dealing with, your financial ability and the country you are trading with etc.

How different are the marketing strategies from export business?

It is often said that, the strategies of marketing involved in local marketing is not very different from the export market. Every country perceives products differently and hence makes use of different marketing strategies. It is usually the distributors who take care of the type of marketing strategy that is employed.

If you are trading with other countries, learn about its license requirements if any. Some countries have no license requirements for particular products. Certain high risk products like chemicals, liquor, medicines, arms, articles etc may demand a license. However, products like consumer goods are of low risk and can be traded well without any risk. Trade products with no barriers and is simple.

Ensure for the smooth running of the distribution and production channels. Look at your stock positioning, brand positioning too. Stock positioning is nothing but moving the stocks from a country which has it in excess to a country where there is a scarcity. Where there is a demand for the product moving it there makes more sense. Save out on money too! Create a domain of your own, to promote the products.

You as an import export agent is not known by all. Before you take a plunge on your import export business set your marketing strategies rightly. Ensure that your products are of good quality. Follow up with good quality control measures. Promote your products well, as you are not well known in the market yet. Build up enough credibility for your product. Choose the right medium for advertising your products. Get a search engine friendly website, build up your web pages with sufficient search engine optimisation done to your site, off page optimisation is also important to gain traffic from other sites too, thus boosts up the ranking of your site and you gain visibility. For more tips on import export, search online.

Kirthy Shetty, Platinum author

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The Rise of Unions in Japan

By Lance Winslow

Is organized labor about to destroy Japan's industrial might and efficiency strength? Most people in the United States believe that organized labor has every right to organize and use their numbers to protect against exploitation, maintain worker safety and to get paid a fair wage. In Japan, it would be considered dishonorable for a company not to be fair to their workers and thus, a union is not needed.

Employees have extreme loyalty to the corporations they work for and in years past have worked their all their lives, as have many of their families. Today, Japan is under considerable economic stress due to an aging population, one of the problems that the US and Europe will also face as the Baby Boomers retire and the Baby Busters continue to pay into the system. [Futurecast - Robert Shapiro].

Now, something unprecedented is taking place in Japan, there are actually labor arbitrator courts, something you would have never expected in Japan, a society that works well on such an authoritative level. In the past talk of such things would have been considered the words of Revolutionists or Guerillas. But times are changing in Japan and the untouchable loyalty is dwindling.

Will these labor unions that are forming break the back of Industrialized Japan? Will this cause a further decay of World-Wide market share at a time when low-cost competing products in China are hitting the free-markets in such quantity? If worker demands outpace the profit potential of Japanese Manufacturers and Corporations, will Japan in-turn end up subsidizing businesses to keep them afloat?

Is Japan turning a corner that could cost her the edge in advanced technology and manufacturing efficiency? Some worry about these prospects, and the Online Think Tank is constantly assessing what this means for Japan's future.

"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.bloggingcontent.net/]Blog Content Service

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What is the Suppliers' Price Trick?

By Vivian Lin

China has played a more and more important role in the world trading as economy develop. China surpassed the US as the world's second-largest exporter in the middle of 2006, according to data published Thursday by the World Trade Organization, and the emerging economic giant is pulling further and further ahead.

In 2007, China's trade with Japan, the world's second-largest economy, surpassed U.S. trade with Japan for the first time since World War II. Export growth of China outpacing all other major trading countries.

"Made in China" label may be found on many products from all over the world. It is difficult to find a shop in the West that does not sell products with a 'Made in China' label. China has overtaken Japan in the last decade to become the largest manufacturer and exporter of consumer goods. It is now the world's number one producer for more than 100 different consumer products. As most of people know, the products which made in China are usually cheap and of high quality.

Many foreign buyers search for China's providers at B2B websites to compare the price until they get the lowest one. Many SOHO and small business owners play trick. They use lowest price to attract customers first and ask them to pay deposit. After order confirmed, they make fraud during the process, such as slight changes in materials or the increase in the sample charge when making models. However, many of Chinese foreign trade enterprises and individuals SOHO have no ability to afford compensation to the buyers for their losses.

Low price can not say every thing, the buyers not only need to consider price, but also has to choose a good supplier. Just as RICHFORTH LIMITED, which not only have the most competitive price, but also can provide first-rate service for you. RICHFORTH is a Sourcing Center which faces to most of the small and medium-sized businesses which accept and welcome all small orders. Even its financial sector have made adequate preparation to afford the losses you may do, this is lots of Chinese foreign trade enterprises and individuals SOHO can not do and avoid the price trick.

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Start a Mini Farm Business in Your Backyard or Small Acreage in 2008

By Barbara Adams

In this new world of eco-consciousness, concern of global warming, home business and entrepreneurship, a gourmet treasury of backyard mini-farms is being born. They range from substantial extra streams of income to full-time income, and from rooftops, even apartments (!) to farms on small acreage. Out of the ashes of the farming disaster in the 1980s came a new form of organic small acreage or backyard farm, the "micro eco-farm." The Center for the Micro Eco-Farming Movement at www.microecofarming.com, there are reports of angora rabbits being raised in apartments, organic herb gardens in backyards selling herbal crafts over the internet, miniature sheep, miniature dairy cows, organic flower farms on small acreage, heirloom vegetable farms on small acreage, garlic farms on small acreage, flower seed farms from backyards, and the list goes on.

Often, they are matched with a home cottage industry, such as spinning wool products from the angora rabbits' wool or teaching cooking classes on the heirloom vegetable farm.

While most of these home businesses are farms from backyards to small acreages, some of these very small farms are within bigger farms. One operates a full time business from two acres, but lives on a 130 acre farm. Another's husband farms huge acreage owned by a corporate farm, but their own seven acres hosts her full time business of growing beautiful herb and flower gardens, growing unusual bedding plants and making gifts from her garden crops for sale in her on-farm gift shop, and hosting weddings and other special events on the farm.

Here's how it works.

In the 80s, as just one example, hundreds of smaller dairy farmers had to go out of business. Cows were injected with hormones to produce massive amounts of milk, and wholesale prices got so cheap, smaller dairy farms just couldn't earn enough from sales anymore. It was get big or get out. Each cow cost more to keep than what was returned. Plus, many of those who used to see milk as nature's most wholesome food began to question its health, and sales dropped even further.

So, how would a micro eco-dairy farm today make money with five cows on a little more than five acres? They raise the cows organically or certified naturally grown on green pasture (the health benefits of this to humans are well-documented, and astounding). With that milk, they handcraft artisan cheese, and sell this premium product often retail to upscale markets for eager buyers seeking healthy, humanely raised, grass-fed artisan cheese... cheese in which customers can even name the cows it came from! The cost to keep each cow is returned many times over. Times have changed. Today, hand-tending, handcrafting and allowing customers to reconnect with animals and nature don't work for large-scale agribusinesses, but they work for smaller parcels and have an eager market waiting.

For more information about these family-friendly home businesses that help rejuvenate the earth and our connection to it, visit the Center for the Micro Eco-Farming Movement at www.MicroEcoFarming.com.

www.MicroEcoFarming.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Adams http://EzineArticles.com/?Start-a-Mini-Farm-Business-in-Your-Backyard-or-Small-Acreage-in-2008&id=949092

Recognising the Sokal Syndrome

By Leandro Herrero

The 1996 Spring/Summer issue of Social Text, a fashionable American cultural studies journal, featured an article entitled, 'Transgressing the boundaries: towards a transformative hermeneutics of quantum gravidity". It was written by Alan Sokal, a professor of physics at New York University, and was full of absurdities. It proclaimed the most irrational of propositions and asserted conclusions of the so-called post-modernist type, that everything is relative (from morality to physics) and science - like everything else - is a social construct.

The whole article was written by linking absurd arguments using unclear or inaccurate terminology and drawing conclusions from totally unreasonable thought pathways. But it was happily published. When it was, an astonished Sokal went public declaring it a hoax. He had shown - through what he called an "unorthodox and uncontrolled experiment" - that one can get away with almost anything in these times of cultural fashion and questionable judgement.

Front pages of The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune,the UK's Observer and the French Le Monde, all carried news of the hoax. But what started as a contained provocation soon extended to a debate on the broader issue of using sophisticated language borrowed from contemporary physics and mathematics and applying it to the social sciences - a typical 'post-modernist' debate. (See Higher Superstition. The academic left and its quarrels with science by Paul R Gross and Norman Levitt, The John Hopkins University Press, 1994)

What next? A book, first in French and then in English. Intellectual Impostures (Profile Books, 198) was written by Sokal with the help of Jean Bricmont, another physics professor, this time from Europe (Louvain, Belgium). The book is a devastating criticism on 'la crème de la crème' of mainly, but not only, French intellectuals and the use of scientific terms they don't understand to pontificate on psychological/social/linguistic/political issues.

Having trained in psychiatry, I particularly enjoyed the chapter on French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan who used mathematical terminology to discuss psychological and linguistic topics. As a student, I never understood a word of what Lacan had written. For a long time I considered I had a second-class brain unable to grasp intellectual constructs of the like of Lacan. Sokal and Bricmont redeemed me.

The authors soon became heroes. Articles proliferated, both for and against them, which were consolidated in a website. But enough about Sokal and the French intellectuals. Business has its own 'Sokal syndrome', inundated by jargon and often meaningless terminology. The advantage is that guru-jargon is less pretentious and one can spot it more easily, without having to spend a lot of time debating whether or not the problem is in one's genetically limited brain. I want to propose that one of the primary roles of the modern business leaders should be to uncover 'intellectual nudity'. And we have a lot of that around.

Word playing and permutation are, of course, not the sole preserve of business jargon. They seem to have a more natural home in politics. In the last British general election, for example, the following declaration of intentions went like this: "The power of all for the good of each, ours is the passion rallied with reason." One could even get the order wrong in the reading or listening and still get 'a message'. But was it "the power of passion of each, allied to reason, for the good of all", or "the passion of all for the good of reason"? The speaker, Tony Blair, became British Prime Minister a few weeks later.

The power of rhetoric

Uncovering intellectual nudity in business life is essential if one wants to make some sense of the corporation of the future. "The guru has no clothes" is sometimes a shouting imperative but people are still reluctant to shout, perhaps worried that, like Lacan and me, they might have missed something. There are not many good management ideas of substance in the forest of management rhetoric. It is urgent to get a fresh look and crusade for plain English (or French, or Spanish) business discourse.

It would be wrong to align rhetoric with garbage. We must not dismiss the power of rhetoric. On the contrary, as the history of mankind proves, from politics to home psychology, the word matters. Business leadership must be taught in such a way that new generations can learn to distinguish between the signal and the noise. At the moment, the noise is of polluting magnitude. The power of rhetoric and its use in business history is the main theme of an old book I have read a few times and thoroughly recommend. It is called Beyond the hype. Rediscovering the essence of management by Robert G Eccles and Nitin Nohria (Harvard Business School Press, 1992).

You may not have noticed it, but perfectly reasonable people who behave normally over the weekend, talking properly to other people at the supermarket checkout for example, become aliens on Monday morning when they get to the office. Strange terminology takes over and talk of 'bottom lines', 'net-net' and 'closer to the customer' starts.

A few months ago, in a corporate meeting, I took note of each time somebody said 'we, as a team'. I had to stop because I soon got bored. Imagine talking to your neighbours in the evening over a beer and using some sort of majestic 'we, as a family, are going to buy new curtains'. The next thing I noted at that meeting was 'at this point in time'. I am sure you have lots as well.

If you are interviewing somebody who says he wants to come aboard because he 'wants to contribute to your customer-driven strategy and make a difference to your bottom-line through clear vision and enhancement of shareholder value', call 999. There is always a psychiatrist on call. In the past, people have been detained for less than that.

Don't tolerate pollution

Don't tolerate pollution. You may be one of those who are careful about fresh air and hate to be in a traffic jam, for example, inhaling fumes. It is bad for your body so you avoid it. You just don't expose yourself or your children to polluted air. Period. What you may not realise is that this is nothing compared with the jargon pollution that is impacting your brain. Avoid mental pollution as you do would the rest. Hire people who have a reasonable command of their mother tongue and show no signs of alien contamination. You must protect your mental health against 'word permutators'. Remember, infectious diseases are no joke. They have individual and social consequences. Make a point of having enough vaccine to inoculate your entire department. For example, ban the use of words such as 'empowerment', unless people explain immediately what they mean. 'We have empowered teams' is a dangerous statement unless explained because it contributes to a false sense of normality, a feeling of stability and the illusion of having a validated, model organisation. In reality, it may mean nothing or, at least, different things depending on who is saying it.

Create your own list. At your next departmental meeting, have a flip chart and spend a few minutes deciding which terms to ban. You will be surprised how quickly suggestions come up. Give people some prospect of mental freedom ad they will jump in. I did this exercise once banning the expression 'it depends' in the context of 'would you do this or that?' and I can assure you we had a completely different meeting.

Don't hire airport-business-school graduates. They have read the five laws of empowerment and the ten habits of the successful manager on the way to Chicago and think they deserve an MBA for that alone. Get on board people who can exercise judgement and speak to you in the same language they speak to their spouse in the evening (that is, when managers become normal people again). I have had managers come to me for a 20-minute meeting and start with the words: "well, the three things I want to achieve today from this meeting are..." All that, just as a starter and almost without a 'good morning'. I said to one of them, "please, relax, it's OK. No need to show me a categorical, numerical, ordinal world of 1,2,3. When you go home, do you really say, "darling, the three things I want to achieve tonight are..."?" The guy laughed and we had a normal conversation.

We are also creating a bullet-point society leading to 'The end of judgement'. In this societal model, arguments must be summarised in three bullet points and judgements condensed on the basis of a 'give-me-the-net-net' statement. It is, of course, the sound bit society that the current educational system is creating in most western countries.

Business dynamics and their theoretical/applied pillars (organisational architecture and development, human resources, strategy-systems-structure setting, operational practices, and so on) need strong cultivation of judgement plus plain English. If what is needed is to shout 'le roi est nu' (the shorter French version of 'the emperor has no clothes') so be it. Somebody on the payroll may need to stand up and proclaim: "My dear guru who is influencing our current rhetoric and business practices, you have the intellectual strength of a cream cake. Thanks for your contributions. I am going to exercise what is left of my brain." It may be just one of those revolutionary behaviours that could make the difference.

Dr Leandro Herrero practiced as a psychiatrist for more than fifteen years before taking up senior management positions in several pharmaceutical companies, both in the UK and the US. He is co-founder and CEO of The Chalfont Project Ltd, an international firm of organizational consultants. Taking advantage of his behavioral sciences background - coupled with his hands-on business experience - he works with organizations of many kinds on structural and behavioral change, leadership and human collaboration. He has published several books, among which The Leader with Seven Faces, Viral Change and New Leaders Wanted: Now Hiring!, all published by meetingminds.

All articles posted on E-zine by Leandro Herrero are copyright © Leandro Herrero. http://www.meetingminds.com - http://www.thechalfontproject.com

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Small Business Marketing Tips - Selecting the Right Marketing Tactics

By Susan Oakes

There are so many marketing tactics for your small business to choose from it can be a little daunting to know which ones will produce the best results. The good news is that there are ways to make the selection easier so that you can maximise every dollar of your marketing budget no matter how small it is.

Marketing tactics are the combination of marketing tools, activities and business decisions needed to support your marketing strategies and achieve your marketing objectives. If conducted successfully, your marketing tactics will enable your small business to retain, expand on and attract your most profitable customers, whilst continually supporting key areas of your business and overall financial goals.

The first thing you need to consider is what is the most important area for your business to focus on. Is it attracting more customers, retaining your customers, expanding your business with your existing customers or a combination?

Tactics for Retaining Your Most Profitable Customers
Any big business will tell you that retaining your customers is more cost-effective than trying to attract new ones. It is therefore essential to know who your most profitable customers are, how you can keep them loyal and most importantly how you can protect them from your competitors' activity. Marketing tactics aimed at retaining your most profitable customers most often will add value to their purchase during and after the sale. Examples include:

Premium offers which include your brand or business logo such as caps, t-shirts, coffee cups etc. These offers act as a reminder and can be used to say thank you for supporting your small business
Web newsletters that include feedback, case studies and important information which is relevant and of interest to your customers
A customer service program which exceeds the needs of your existing customers and which can used to encourage your customers to be less sensitive to price discounting from your competitors
Loyalty schemes are a simple way to retain your customers and have been implemented by many different types of small business such as coffee shops

Tactics to Expand Your Business with Your Existing Customers
The key here is to implement marketing tactics that will encourage your customers to purchase more of your products or services (up sell) or to purchase additional products and services in your range (cross sell). Examples include:

Multiple purchase discounts i.e. your customers receive a discount if they purchase a certain quantity of your product or service. Just remember to make sure you determine the additional volume you will need to generate to make up the loss in revenue from the price discount
Sampling is a good way for your existing customers to try other products and services in your range and they can always be promoted with your existing products or services
Public relations and email marketing via the web is a cost effective way of introducing new additions to your range of products and services

Tactics to Attract New Customers
Once you have identified your most profitable customer and your key point of difference the key is to ensure you attract customers who have the same or similar characteristics and encourage them to purchase. Often it is a matter of them trialling your product or service which helps to minimize the initial purchase risk. Examples include:

Cash backs are when customers send in proof of purchase after they have bought your product or service
Joint promotions with partner products or services allows you to gain awareness and trial of your product or service with another business's customers who have a similar profile to your ideal customer
Trial offers allows potential customers to learn more about your product or service for a limited time. Car manufacturers and software companies often conduct this type of marketing tactic

Although there always seems to be new marketing tactics for your business to implement, by deciding what your focus is going to be with customers makes the selection process simpler and assists you in implementing tactics that will produce the most cost effective results.

© Marketing for Business Success Pty Ltd 2008

Susan Oakes and and her business partner Bronwen Ryan are experienced marketers who developed and now sell M4B Marketing Software which enables small businesses to review, develop, implement and track their marketing plans and projects. Visit http://www.m4b.com.au and view the demo.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Oakes http://EzineArticles.com/?Small-Business-Marketing-Tips---Selecting-the-Right-Marketing-Tactics&id=930255

Finding The Right Home-Based Business

By Lisa Burkhardt

When starting to think about a home-based business, many know exactly what they are going to target. However, most individuals like you and I have no idea what direction to take when starting to brainstorm for this new en devour.

It is not enough just knowing that we want to have our own home-based business. Struggling with the important decision of what type of home-based business we want to start is how many of us approach the brainstorming.

There are hundreds even thousands of profitable home-based business ideas to choose from, which will fit every type of personality and all levels of income. Some examples: from selling products, service or information on the Internet, to typing information, etc; there is a ton of money to be made, from a variety services.

Just like anything else, it is important to enjoy what you are doing in your new home-based business; this will effect your end results with a much higher success rate. So be sure to pick that home-based business that you'll enjoy running and that will keep you motivated day to day.

When brainstorming ideas use your specialty or a special interest . Focus on this specialty or interest; such as, if you enjoy math than accounting or maybe even an income tax service might be your ideal home-based business. Do you enjoy writing? Then maybe you'd like to start your own home-based advertising agency or become a ghost writer on the Internet. Are you a sales professional, maybe network marketing would be your specialty. As you can see there are many alternatives to starting a successful home-based business with great profitability from the comfort of your home.

Maybe none of these interest but you love crafts. Craft items are hot sellers at craft shows, country fairs, and even over the Internet. This is a great way to provide yourself with a substantial income. If this doesn't interest you, then why not start a laundry service or a shopping service for the elderly. Do you love animals; why not a dog sitting or walking business?

When brainstorming new ideas for your future home-based business, keep in mind to be successful you need to provide a product or service that others will actually purchase over and over again. Satisfied customers will return again and again however you need to start with a specific targeted market. If you target your market correctly they will keep you and your home-based business in business with a nice steady income.

A list of suggestions for home-based businesses has been provided below. These are just a few ideas to help you brainstorm so you can decide on an appropriate business that fits into the life style of you and your family.

Multi-level-marketing (mlm)

Day Care Service

Dog Walking Service

Vending Machine

Gift Basket Service

Income Tax Service

Accounting Service

Crafter

Typing Service

Delivery Service

Cleaning Service

The list can go on and on; just think about everyday things that others may need but may not be able to provide for themselves.

Any business you start from home has the possibility to develop and explode into a never ending cash flow for you and your family. Your home-based business will thrive as long as the demand it there either in your community or on the Internet. You will probably start off slow; as long as you dedicate your time to a regular work schedule and regularly pick up new clients you should have great success. Whats the worse that could happen; your business explodes and you have to enlist your family and friends to give you a hand to meet the high demands.

To your success!

By Lisa Burkhardt - Editor of [http://www.work-home-today.com]http://www.work-home-today.com; great resource for work at home ideas and opportunities.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Burkhardt http://EzineArticles.com/?Finding-The-Right-Home-Based-Business&id=930483

Six Ways to Make Your Online Business Fresh

By Scott Oliver

While it's no secret that online businesses are the wave of the future, doesn't it seem like some businesses are constantly staying ahead of everyone else, while others lag behind, looking out of date and irrelevant? When you're trying to create a successful online business, you can't afford to seem like you're falling behind the rest of the virtual 'pack,' so what can you do? Here are six ways to make sure that your online business stays current and fresh - no matter what you sell.

Have a Timeless Idea

Though you might be selling the latest popular products on the market right now, that's not always the best investment for the future. Because times and trends will change, you need to be selling something that will never go out of style or fall out of use. Of course, you can't guarantee anything, so you might want to simply try to address a timeless idea. For example, you might want to create a business that helps people save time - that's always something that a customer will pay for.

Change Up Your Website

When you change your website from time to time, you will show the customers that you are interested in being innovative - even if you simply just change the colors or the layout. Try to add new pictures or fresh articles to your website to help make the content new and different. This will keep people coming back to your business site to see what else you might have changed when they were away.

Update your Products

You don't have to change what you sell in order to be relevant, but you should try to update your products from time to time. For example, if you are selling customized beauty products, you might want to change the labeling or the packaging occasionally. You can also try taking out certain ingredients or adding new ingredients to help make your product better. Try listening to what your customers want (and don't want) in your products, and see how you can address their needs.

Focus on New Selling Points

With nearly any product, there are going to be several reasons why a customer should buy it. It might be the latest design, it might offer a lighter weight, etc. Create a list of the good qualities for each of your products and then be sure to focus on only one of those qualities at a time, then switch up your website writing to show this change in focus. This will make your products always seem new and exciting because they always have something different to offer a customer.

Take it into Real Life

By heading to a sales convention or a trade show from time to time, you will continue to show that your business is innovative and accessible to your customers. Show them new things that you are selling or simply give customers a chance to see who you are. These shows can not only provide you with access to new customers, but also to networking opportunities and ideas about how others are keeping things fresh.

Have Press Releases

When you announce big ideas about your business, your customers will see that you are always trying something new. Of course, you will need to follow through on what you release in these statements, but you can simply write up a summary of the newest innovations and post it on your website for your customer to view. This will show that you are always going to have something exciting to share - even if it's just a small change to your product line.

Scott Oliver offers free video coaching to help you build a profitable home business FAST. Get an hour of "Website Traffic Secrets" and "Minisite Creation Tactics" for FREE -- immediate access here: http://www.InstantWebsiteBusiness.com

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License to Print Money at World Internet Summit Australia 2008

By Arya Saleh

Do you know that you can make money of your own anytime anywhere you want in this entire world? This is sound ridiculous because money was print by central bank, but the truth is you can make money easily.

Internet marketing is the best business model to make money for everyone. Child, teenager, housewife, retiree, employee, and even traditional business person can benefit from this business. Thousand people around the world have achieved their dream lifestyle of freedom from their 9-5 job. They don't worry about money, time, traffic jam or their boss anymore. Maybe you will ask, how could they benefit this lifestyle when most of us could only imagine ?

The answer is simple. Internet connection cost become cheap available for most of the people. The other factor is everyone has specific knowledge of something. This knowledge can be sold in internet marketing business in digital format (pdf file, software, etc). The beauty of this format is anyone can download anytime anywhere. They don't have transportation and warehouse cost.

Everyone has knowledge which needed by other people around the world. For example, people who work at tax office must have tax knowledge which paid by employee every year. He can write information of how to save tax spending when people will buy a house or car.

Some housewife has knowledge of how to make a delicious Christmas cake. She can write the recipe and sell to other people. A teenager whose hobby is playing piano can write a simple report of how anybody can learn to play piano easily. As you can see, the knowledge is not a "NASA rocket-scientist" report.

The next million dollar question is how we utilize the knowledge to make money from internet? The answer is we have to learn from people who actually "walk the talk", people who already make money from internet. They are the "expert" of the internet marketing business. These people are already having passive income to support their life.

The internet marketing business works by provide product as solution for the "niche" problems. This product can be made by the internet marketer, or the internet marketer can sell other people's product. The marketing process of product delivery is unique because there are lots of strategies in internet marketing.

Some internet marketers use web 2.0 (social network website) to attract the niche attention. The other internet marketers make money by sell other people's product called affiliate marketing. Some internet marketers use pay per click advertising to sell the product. The others use forum to drive the traffics to his/her website.

Arya Hendrata Saleh is an expert internet marketing strategiest for beginner. His vision is to teach others to make money online anytime anywhere whenever they want. You can check his site at: http://viralurl.com/arya/World-Internet-Summit-Australia

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Website Accessibility - The Internet for All

By John Sheridan

For most people, surfing the Internet and reading copy on web pages presents no problem whatsoever, but for the visually impaired and the elderly it's another matter entirely. Unimpeded access to websites is something the rest of us take for granted, but for those with a visual disability things are not quite so straightforward.

Legal Responsibilities

The introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act in 1995 made it a legal requirement for most businesses and public areas to have disabled access and facilities as standard, and although things are moving in the right direction, there is still some way to go. However, in 1999, the law was extended to include websites as well with construction guidelines laid down to ensure that the visually impaired and elderly Internet users would find accessing and reading online content a much easier task.

Accessibility and Benefits

There are various methods employed by designers to make websites compliant. Using simple page layouts without overcomplicated use of tables will make it much easier for screen readers to use, as will the application of 'Alt' text (alternative text) on images. Traditional html sites can be built or modified to make them accessible, but one of the best methods is to build them using simple CSS code. CSS-built sites will read the text exactly as it appears on the screen and users will also benefit from ease of navigation and much quicker loading times. An added bonus for website owners is that CSS sites will generally attain better search engine positions than their html counterparts.

Potential Market

According to figures from the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind), an astonishing 3 million people in the UK cannot, or have extreme difficulty reading standard printed material. Those people encounter exactly the same problem when they attempt to read website content. It naturally follows therefore, that should they wish to purchase something online and can't read what is on the website - they won't buy, resulting in not only a staggering amount of disgruntled would-be customers but a significant amount of lost sales and income.

Equality

Accessibility is not only about online spending though; that is just one aspect to consider when building a compliant website. Another, and possibly the most important factor to take into account is that whether spending or just surfing for fun and information, visually impaired or elderly Internet users should be able to access and read websites with the same ease and convenience that the rest of us enjoy and not feel as though it's a privilege or something they have to earn.It makes good sense to have a disabled-friendly website not only from a business point of view, but because not having one means denying a minority the chance to share one of the greatest communication and information systems ever invented.

John Sheridan is a professional proofreader of hard copy items and website copy. He also writes web copy and occasionally accepts small copy-editing assignments. He can be contacted via: http://www.textcorrect.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Sheridan http://EzineArticles.com/?Website-Accessibility---The-Internet-for-All&id=931908

Reasons Why You Need A Squeeze Page For Your Home Based Business!

By Joe Okoro

Do you have a home based business? Are you getting enough sales, recruits or just downlines? If you are finding it difficult to fulfil the above business building goals, then you need to re-examine your marketing strategies to see what improvements you need to make to bring your business the desired result.

The only way you can seriously boost the results of your home based business is through the use of squeeze pages.

A squeeze page helps you to maximize the returns on your investment when you are performing any traffic generating campaigns on your business. As a matter of fact the only way you can actually generate enough database of prospects is through the use of this important element.

A squeeze page is mainly for collecting the names and email addresses of everyone who visits your website and wants to get more information from your you regarding the services or products you provide.

When you have a squeeze page on your home website, you multiply the number of times people visit your home based business opportunity website by 100 or more folds. You now have the power to drive targeted traffic to your business website as many times as possible.

Unfortunately, most networkers or MLM representatives do not implemement this business building element on their website for maximum returns. In fact they dont even know what a squeeze page is.

If you are reading this article, then I assume you already know what a squeeze page is because that may be your reason for opening this article.

Let me illustrate the usefulness of a squeeze page to your business.

Imagine you are converting 1 person out of every 100 visitors to your website to either buy or join your opportunity. At the end of 30 days, you would have approximately 30 registrations which is a good starting point.

However, with a squeeze page on your site, you can actually convert up to 35% of these people per day to subscribe to your newsletter, and later redirect them to your home website. This way, you will have about 1050 subscribers that you can follow up on at the end of the 30th day.

What of if you are able to convert 10% of these people, that is 105 people against the 30 people that you would with the same traffic. Do you get the picture now?

I have just concluded a free report that you can use to quickly build your downline and develop your home business in time. You can [http://coolcashjackpot.net/gcbizarticles.htm]Claim Your Free Copy Now!

Joe Okoro is an accomplished networker who has successfully used internet marketing to grow his downline for 3 years now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Okoro [http://ezinearticles.com/?Reasons-Why-You-Need-A-Squeeze-Page-For-Your-Home-Based-Business!&id=931231 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Reasons-Why-You-Need-A-Squeeze-Page-For-Your-Home-Based-Business!&id=931231

Retirement And Home Based Business

By Mel Anderson

In todays world of global uncertainty, with increasing costs such as fuel and energy, retirement seems to be only a dream. College expenses and mortgage issues play an important role on when and if you can retire. Corporate down turns and life's ability to throw curve balls at you sometimes make retirement difficult no matter how well you plan. The opportunity to supplement your income and/or live your dreams and the lifestyle you have always wanted to live has never been easier. You can earn a massive amount of income with the help of the internet no matter what your experiences have been. You just have to ask yourself if you are ready to make the most out of retirement and do everything you have always dreamed you would. How many times have you said when I retire I am going to Hawaii, Italy, or on a cruise. The opportunities are there for you.

Getting started is very simple and fun. Do a little research on what's out there and see what it is that interests you. There are endless opportunities in home based businesses and there is something for everyone. Find a company with a product that appeals to you and that you have some knowledge of so it creates some excitement and comfort. Being comfortable is very important to your success. It is also important to choose a company the allows you to help other people. Being a part of success to others is also very rewarding. It should be the driving force in your business.

Being involved in a team or group is also very rewarding. Working together with people of the same mindset creates fun and excitement and success. You become friends even though they may live across the country or across the globe. Due your research and educate yourself about the companies you like. It will become apparent quickly if the companies you have chosen are what you thought they were and if they operate with integrity. Very important...

There will be a learning curve in whatever company you choose. It is not any different than learning new things in your career or J.O.B. Everyone has had to learn new things over the years and with the technology today, it becomes easier and more simple to do. The opportunity to earn whatever amount of money you want or need for a retirement lifestyle you have worked your entire life to achieve is right before you.

If you are looking to greatly enhance your income on line, visit Mel at http://bigtickettowealth.com

Author: Mel Anderson is a successful on line marketer and specializes in helping others become the same

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Build Up Your Trust and Credibility by Providing Quality Content

By Shawn Lim

The number one reason people visit your website is because of the information that you provided for them. If you provide good quality information, the information that people are looking for, you will create trust and credibility. People will love your site and come back for more.

It is pretty much the opposite if your websites are full of junks, unwanted content. Many people did not know the power of having quality content in website. They thought that by simply creating a website, and put it live; people will come to their site and buy from them. All they want is just to get their website up and running. This is totally the wrong concept. An internet business is just like ordinary brick and mortar business in the real world. If you are not creating any values to your customers and prospects, they will not buy from you and you will not get any repeat sales.

In the internet, many people thought that by adding affiliate links in their content, people will click through and buy. Well, maybe you will get some sales if you do so, but this is not how it works. What you need to do first is to build trust and credibility with your visitors, readers, or subscribers. This is how a real internet millionaire makes their fortune. You will have to give before you receive. Hence, you need to provide your visitors with what they are looking for first, then only you recommend them your affiliate products, or your own products.

Don't worry if you are not making any money in the beginning, everything needs time to grow; it is the same for internet business. A business without proper customer relationship is not going to stay up long. I believe that you want to build a continuous flow of income than a short term income source. This is exactly the same just like if you want to buy a hand phone. I'm sure that before you get yourself a hand phone, you will first ask for other people's opinion such as from your friends. And this is where you, as an internet marketer come in. You should educate your visitors with related information they are looking for. Once you do this, they will trust you more, and thus, you can convert your sales better the moment you promote to them.

No one likes spam emails, because they contain full of promotional links. People can smell if you are just wanted to make money from them. So you can see now, you will have to approach your visitors in a friendly way before you start recommending good products to them. Before you want to sell something to your visitors, try to think of it from their view. If you are a visitor to your website, are you going to buy what you recommended? I believe that you will want to buy products from those who create more value to you right?

Just remember this, in the internet; you are dealing with humans, not computers. Computers are just the tools that connect between you and other human beings all around the world. So you will have to create more value to them if you want to achieve much more.

Shawn Lim, an internet marketer who make money from the net. You can grab all the success tips and money making guides here, [http://themillionairesecrets.net/]The
Millionaire Secrets.
If you don't act on this information today you may never get the opportunity to take this life changing step again. Just follow the link and start your new life today!

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Discover the Truth of an Internet Business

By Jason Pearson

Beginning an internet business sounds exciting. Everyone is doing it and it takes little effort to make millions. It's simple and convenient that anyone can do. If you have heard these claims before, take notice and hear the truth.

The truth is that many people want to believe all of this but have not yet found it true. They have also invested a large amount of time and money and have not found their internet business to be profitable for them.

The truth is that many people are frustrated and disillusioned with their plan to having a successful online business. So here is your opportunity to realize what is really happening in the online business world.

First of all, it is not as simple as many articles might insinuate. There is not just one procedure for everyone to make it happen. You do need to have skills to make an effective web site or blog. They need to be creative and attractive to draw people's attention to them. They need to inform and meet the needs of the readers to draw traffic to them. You need to be able to find new customers and to retain past customers. The web site or blog needs to be immediately effective or you will lose either one of them very quickly.

Yes, there is a numerous variety of options to gain knowledge of how to begin an online business out there. But with so many choices, where do you begin and which ones do you trust? This can be a very frustrating challenge before you even get started.

If you do get a web site or blog created, how about getting traffic to them? Again there are many suggestions you will get but which ones really work? It would be very naive to think you can beat out all the competition. It is mind boggling to realize the widespread use of the internet and all the people out there competing with you.

Every day you hear of new methods, new strategies, and unique ways to make your business succeed. Usually this only brings confusion to the beginning business owner. For those who are brave enough to try these things, they often end up throwing away their money and efforts by not becoming skilled at the first steps of building their business. Without the knowledge and experience of what you are doing, it can turn into an expensive venture.

Internet businesses can be successful and profitable, but hopefully by knowing the truth about beginning an online business, you will not be discouraged when you run into them. This may help you to persevere and make your business a success. [http://www.squidoo.com/jason-pearson/ ]Jason Pearson is an online marketing expert who wants to share his secrets with the world. To find out more... [http://www.squidoo.com/jason-pearson/ ]Click Here To Discover More About Jason Pearson

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Small Business Marketing - How To Do It Right!

By John A. Michailidis, Esq.

There are two broad categories of marketing - one appropriate to small business, and the other not so much so. Unfortunately, a large percentage of small businesses don't know the difference between the two and they waste money, and loose potential clients and customers because of it.

Two Types Of Marketing

Marketing can be separated into two broad types:

Image marketing.
Direct response marketing.

Image marketing is about YOU and your business. Direct response marketing is about the CUSTOMER and their concerns.

Image marketing is designed to impress the client with how great you are: how professional, fast, award winning, environmentally friendly, etc. It doesn't address the customer's needs and it is often filled with "fluff" that really doesn't have much to do with anything. You've seen the ads - beautiful sunsets, soft music, cute puppy dogs, a recital of how great the company is - what the heck that has to do with "selling widgets in Peoria" I'll never know!

The Best Marketing For Small Business

While image marketing "might" have a place if you are a major corporation with boatloads of cash to burn (I'd still argue that 'dollar for dollar' it isn't as effective as direct response) a small business typically doesn't have lots of cash to burn and must make every dollar count. Direct response marketing is designed to get potential customers to "do something specific that directly leads to a sale."

An effective direct response piece is ALL ABOUT THE CUSTOMER! The only thing relating to you and your business should be your contact information - that's it! The purpose of a direct response piece is to get the customer to TAKE ACTION NOW.

Making A Compelling Offer

The heart of an effective direct response piece is the "compelling offer" you make to your prospect. To do this well you must know your customers inside and out: their problems, their concerns, their desires, their aspirations. As one famous copywriter once said (I forget who), "Your ad copy should enter into the conversation that's already going on inside the head of your prospect."

This makes sense, because if you already know what your customers are looking for then you don't have to "convince" them to do anything. If you simply offer them what they are already looking for then you don't have to resort to fancy sales gimmicks and tricks.

By using direct response marketing to focus on your customers' needs and not your own, your marketing becomes an exercise in writing compelling offers and putting them in front of your prospects. If you know your clients well and your offers truly address their needs they will respond.

John A. Michailidis, Esq. is an attorney, real estate broker, investor, small business consultant, and author of the WealthLoop Series program, [http://wealthloop.com/wealth-cd-details/]Beginner's Guide to Personal Wealth Creation Learn more about [http://wealthloop.com]small business marketing and get entrepreneurial tips and ideas at http://www.WealthLoop.com

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Eight Tips to Get Your Home Business Ready for a Great New Year

By Yvette Mason

Are you ready to get your home business going in the right direction this New Year? Having a home business can be overwhelming. There is no better time than the beginning of the year to get your business back on track. Here are some tips to help you make this year the best year yet for your home business:

1. Revisit your "Why's". Your "why" needs to be big enough for you to want to go after it. Refresh your memory on the exact reason why you wanted your own business. Creating a dream board or a dream book using pictures to represent your "why" can be a great way to remind yourself daily why you're doing what you're doing. Revisit your "Why" for selecting the type of business you decided to start. Why did you join the company you chose? Why did you choose to go into a certain type of business? Include these thoughts and ideas on your dream board/book. Place your dream board/book some place where you can see it daily. This will help your "why's" become ingrained in you.

2. Reflect on what you've done so far with your business. What parts of the business have made you feel good? What tasks have you thoroughly enjoyed in your business? Do you enjoy the customer service, retailing, fundraising, developing new methods, coaching others, etc.? Think about the part of your business that really gets you going and focus on excelling on that part of your business. As a business owner, you have to figure out which hat fits and which does not and grow your business in the way that is most beneficial to you.

3. Create or review your business plan. By creating a business plan, you will know what you need to do to meet your goals. Having your plan and goals on paper enables you to see where you've been and where you're going. If you are not a goal setting person, commit to learning the art of setting goals and working towards them. Review your goals and your business plan monthly. Are you doing what you need to do to meet your objectives and goals? Update your plan as necessary and make any additions and/or deletions based on any changes in your desired goals. Remember the importance of planning - without a plan in place, decision making is very difficult-maybe even impossible. Your business plan is a work in progress. It will be ever changing as your business grows and develops.

4. Get organized. Okay THIS is the year you are going to get organized. The time savings of organization are incredible! Prioritize your tasks daily and weekly. Set blocks of time to perform specific tasks. Make sure you have your office in order. Have proper supplies and software available to you. Make your home office a place you want to spend time in. If you are unable to find things in your home office, chances are you will become frustrated and not want to spend time there.

5. Network with others in the same type of business. Agree to let yourself be known. Get more comfortable with promoting yourself and your business and let people know who you are and what you do. Check out a variety of online discussion groups and forums. Find ones you like and join up for lively discussions and advice. Find local chapters of offline networking groups in your local community. Networking with others can be a wonderful way to build your business and help others. Stay connected with others in your field of business.

6. Learn something new everyday. Subscribe to various periodicals and magazines that will keep you abreast of what's happening in your business field. Enroll in training courses and various other training options to help enhance your business and self-development skills. Networking is another way to build your knowledge. There are many gurus out there willing to mentor, guide, support and coach you as your reach your goals.

7. Market your business wisely. Plan your yearly marketing budget. Remember, marketing doesn't always have to be expensive. Some of the best marketing for your business can be referrals from your current customer base.

8. Improve your customer service. Your customers are the lifeline of your business. Strive to provide the best customer service that you can. Great customer service leads to more referrals. One of the easiest ways to grow your business is by taking care of your current customers and asking for referrals to more customers just like them. If you are providing excellent customer service, your customers will be more than happy to share their experiences with others.

By incorporating these eight tips into your business, you should be able to get your home business going in the right direction this New Year. Here's to making this the best year yet for your home business!

© 2008, Yvette Mason

Yvette Mason, is a wife to a supportive husband, a stay at home mom to 2 terrific kids and an entrepreneur! She has a beautiful daughter who is 11 years old and a spirited little boy who is 6 years old. Like many other mothers, her family is her focus in life. She has a successful home based business in a network marketing company. Her mission is to encourage and assist other mothers in creating a successful WAHM lifestyle. You can learn more about Yvette and sign up for her E-series at http://www.BeyondTheCandle.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yvette_Mason http://EzineArticles.com/?Eight-Tips-to-Get-Your-Home-Business-Ready-for-a-Great-New-Year&id=927445

Do Not Open A Merchant Account Until You Read This!

By Oliver Mupas

If you are a business owner seeking to accept credit cards as a form of payment from your clients or if you currently accept credit cards, you must read this!

Many business owners find out too late that the fees that they were presented with for their merchant account are NOT what they end up being charged. Often they do not find out until they receive their first statement! DO NOT fall into this trap.

You want to deal with a company who leads with their best foot forward the first time. When searching for a merchant account provider make sure not only are they disclosing their best deal, but they are indeed disclosing the material facts!! Every company will "guarantee" to beat their competitor's rates, but why haggle when you should be given the best offer up front?

When you shop for your merchant account, see what information they give you without you having to ask about something. Typically all you will be quoted is a rate, transaction fee and monthly fee. What about the other fees? At that point, you should feel betrayed, as they did not keep your best interest at heart.

DO NOT sign up with another company if they do not disclose the fees below! You will be surprised how many DO NOT disclose these fees up front and how much they charge without you asking.

Make sure you find out the following fees:

Application/Set Up Fees

Qualified Rate

Mid Qualified Rate

Non Qualified Rate

Transaction Fee

Batch Header

Monthly Minimum

AVS

Interchange Pass Through Credit/Debit

WATS/Auth Fee

Annual Fee

Monthly Basic Service/Statement Fee

Contract Term

If someone tries to set up your account without mentioning these fees, check your paperwork or statement closely, you'll be surprised how much you weren't told!

Oliver Mupas

United Bank Card http://www.ipsinc.ws

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Oliver_Mupas [http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-Not-Open-A-Merchant-Account-Until-You-Read-This!&id=929771 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Do-Not-Open-A-Merchant-Account-Until-You-Read-This!&id=929771

The Basics of Business

By Sean Mcalister

Business Studies, the study of the management of individuals organizing to maintain collective productivity toward accomplishing particular creative and productive goals (usually to generate profit), is taught as an academic subject in many schools. Business that have gone "public" are subject to extremely detailed and complicated regulation about their internal governance (such as how executive officers' compensation is determined) and when and how information is disclosed to the public and their shareholders. Businesses often have important "intellectual property" that needs protection from competitors in order for the company to stay profitable.

Law

Most legal jurisdictions specify the forms of ownership that a business can take, creating a body of commercial law for each type. Different structures are treated differently in tax law, and may have advantages for this reason. The relationships and legal rights of shareholders, limited partners, or members are governed partly by the charter documents and partly by the law of the jurisdiction where the entity is organized. This means that unless there is misconduct, the owner's own possessions are strongly protected in law, if the business does not succeed.

The terms of a partnership are partly governed by a partnership agreement if one is created, and partly by the law of the jurisdiction where the partnership is located. No paperwork or filing is necessary to create a partnership, and without an agreement, the relationships and legal rights of the partners will be entirely governed by the law of the jurisdiction where the partnership is located.

Services

In economics, a business is a legally recognized organizational entity existing within an economically free country designed to sell goods and/or services to consumers or other businesses, usually in an effort to generate profit. The term "business" has at least three usages, depending on the scope - the singular usage (above) to mean a particular company or corporation, the generalized usage to refer to a particular market sector, such as "the record business," or the broadest meaning to include all activity by the community of suppliers of goods and services.

Company

Many businesses are operated through a separate entity such as a corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company. Generally speaking, shareholders in a corporation, limited partners in a limited partnership, and members in a limited liability company are shielded from personal liability for the debts and obligations of the entity, which is legally treated as a separate "person. Businesses often have important "intellectual property" that needs protection from competitors in order for the company to stay profitable.

By: Sean McAlister http://CBMalls.Blogspot.Com

The fastest growing iMall on the net. Laser targeted information and booklets for the topics of your choice. eBooks, Software, Free Trials, Immediate downloads. http://CBMalls.Blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Mcalister http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Basics-of-Business&id=927936

Crystal Reports and the Business World

By Helen Cox

Designed for presentation quality, crystal reports is a proven, world standard solution that helps you to design, manage and deliver reports via the web as well as embedded in applications. It is a business intelligence application and was designed to generate reports from a wide range of data sources.

This leading software means users can arrange the data needed to complete a report in whichever format suits their business best. When the report is completed it can be saved as a file with an RPT extension, which means the report can be re-run at any time by re-opening the RPT file and refreshing the data within it by doing this it will demonstrate if any updates have been made. The report can then be previewed on the computer, printed or exported to a different file format such as PDF, Excel or a text document.

Whoever initially designed the report has the control and ability to open the report in the report designer in order to make changes and variations of the report. These variations can be saved as RPT files by modifying the file name. This software is bundled with ActiveX controls, which when embedded in GUI, can provide alternative interfaces. This feature allows reports to be deconstructed into their base objects.

Crystal Reports software helps customers to create flexible and feature rich reports. The powerful report design allows you to create highly formatted and interactive professional reports. It gives you the ability to design within the leading .NET and Java development tools. The flexible application development tool also allows cross platform support from Java, .NET and COM. As well as this HTML is also generated directly by crystal reports, allowing your focus to be on application business logic rather than having to hand code.

The report management and delivery features also means that reports can easily be published to the web and allows you to centralise the management of operational reporting. These three features; the powerful report design, the flexible application development and the report management/delivery features are the main aspects of crystal reports. They compose the three main and beneficial features.

This impressive feature rich application has set the standard for business reporting software with over five million copies of the software already sold and its no surprise as this advanced reporting software allows you to make quick but informed decisions, which can lead your business to increased profitability. It is also flexible in what it can produce:

•Standard reports

•Cross tabulation reports

•Mailing labels

•OLAP cube reports

•Charts

•Comma separated value files

•Excel files

This software can significantly improve the way in which reports are produced within your business. They give you highly informed information across all aspects of your business and can dramatically increase business decisions thanks to up-to-date information that is quick and easy to find within the well presented, documented and structured reports that crystal reporting software brings you. This advanced software could be exactly what your business has been looking for.

Helen is the web master for Synergy Technology, home to your [http://www.synergytechnology.co.uk/articles/showarticle.asp?article=29&cat=2]Crystal Report needs.

Please feel free to republish this article provided a working hyperlink remains to our site

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helen_Cox http://EzineArticles.com/?Crystal-Reports-and-the-Business-World&id=931341

The Importance of Network in the Sub Prime Crisis

By John Chng Kean Siang

The recent sub prime crisis in the financial market proves the importance of network chain in surviving the onslaught of crisis or cycles. While the global production network has been professed and the concept is not new, the recent episode of the crisis enhances the awareness of its vitality for a firm's success.

Decades ago, the influx of foreign direct investment which was mainly pioneered by North America, Western European countries and also Japan, helped the countries in the Asia Pacific region, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and others, to establish industrial bases, which are now still exist. The main reason is to take advantage of the low cost and the government protection accorded by the local governments. Some shifted because of the infrastructure, and access to market. Throughout 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s, the bases provided vital intermediate goods to the assemblers, and to the flagship companies. However, the market for vertical integration was not well established, and most of the foreign investors were mainly the sole designers, conducted their own R&Ds, and joint ventures and local partners were rare. There were many who tried to break out the monopoly or the controlling status of the flagships by joining effort to create own property, and many have succeeded. Today they produce global branded PCs and notebooks and export worldwide. The adoption, therefore, among the local industries was strong, and many now become critical partner to the flagship companies.

The success stories of these local industries are replicated and have been helping to create strong linkages among local industries. Many newly established companies tried hard to insert oneself into the linkage or network, forming a vast networks which are vital to the country's growth, turned this industry to a generative sector. Although dot.com bubble bust in 2000 and 2001 dented the sentiment, it was mainly a small hiccup and proved to be short term business cycle. Much over capacity has been cleared and the tech business in the region is now back to normal. The strong foundation and the linkages established prove itself to be useful in cushioning the impact of the financial crisis originated in US. One indicator that tells us the importance of the emerging markets is the growth and the ability to survive unscathed the recent crisis of companies which are exposed to the emerging markets, be it production, sourcing or assembling.

Although the relocation decision in the global network context seldom rests on the cost factor now, instead the decision depends on shorter product life cycle, high capital outlays on machinery and research and its short life span, constant new innovations and etc, firms exposed to these operation management strategies prove to be more sustainable and able to compete. While the crisis dampens the demand and creates worries of potential recession, firms which have lower cost of production, possess vast network of markets and sources, create many joint venture efforts, through outsourcing and global production network, have remained modestly affected.

The notion of total decoupling of Asian markets and US will be short-lived, at least not in the near future, but the many emerging markets which prove to be more potential have reshaped the business horizon. In the not very long ago, two Asian markets, China and India created large tremor among business communities of their ability to innovate and absorb excess demands. However, the race is now joined by Eastern European ex-communist countries. While the elephants and the dragon help to cushion whatever excesses in Asia and propel the region, the Eastern European countries have proven to be more resilient. Most of the manufacturing from Western European developed countries outsourced and relocated to the areas. This is due to the similar culture and the geographical proximity of these countries. Thus, the race for foreign direct investments has increased in its intensity, which in turns, explain the more importance of firms to climb up the global chain. The recent financial episode in US has soared the price of commodities, gold has become a safe heaven to hedge in view of the decreasing greenback, the flow of money to equities in the Asian Pacific region to escape the uncertainty in US, have created large upside potential for many countries to jockey for more direct funds. These paint a picture that diversification and networking in production chain are becoming more important, and firms which are more exposed to the concept will be more successful.

As long as tech industries and demand are robust, Asian markets will present themselves as hub of innovations, demands, to the networking equipments, data processing systems and etc. The foundation built in the markets, have created vast linkages which prove to be vital for the evolution of the industry. Thus, US firms which successfully inserted oneself into the network enjoy mainly lower cost of production, proximity to intermediate goods and manufacturers, which helped them to escape the crisis in the previous years. However, if the dependence on US market is unchanged, potential in the years ahead will look gloomy. This suggests an urgent need to further slim the production and operation process to remain competitive. Similarly, countries in the Pacific region have to further prove themselves useful in the network. Overall, the crisis tells the manufacturers which depend on US market to upgrade and cut the fat to become resilient in years ahead as it will become more competitive.

John Chng

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Chng_Kean_Siang http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Importance-of-Network-in-the-Sub-Prime-Crisis&id=928907

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