Close Your Accounting Books Fast With a Month-End Checklist .

By Wade Anderson

The month end close checklist is a system that allows a company to facilitate the end of month accounting department closing process. A comprehensive month end close checklist will contain much useful information that is exhaustive in its detail and may cover the following areas: bank reconciliation, budget versus actual, cash flow analysis, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, debt reconciliation and a host of other items.

When using a month end close checklist, it is highly recommended that most small to medium size companies prepare six binders, one each for Accounts Receivable, Sales Orders, Accounts Payable, Purchase Orders, Payroll and General Ledger. The binders should be 3 or 4 inches thick and can be obtained from the office supply stores with each binder having twelve dividers, one for each month. In each of these binders place the completed month-end checklists and month end reports as printed out by the accounting.

Once these procedures are followed diligently, the month end close checklist system will assist the company auditing department, which must provide relevant information to the IRS and to other state tax auditors. In addition, this system acts as a fallback in case of a disastrous system or backup failure.

There are two types of closing checklists. Those that pertain to year end (hard closes) and those pertaining to month end (soft closes) and each is useful in providing managers in the organization with important financial information, especially for internal use. With the growing use of computers, the month end close checklist has now found its way into software packages that automate the whole process for the current month and for the next month.

An important aspect of month end close checklists is the presence of closing process controls which can be either preventive or detective and which are used to produce company financial reports for each month. Usually companies formulate their own regulations to ensure that the procedures that they use are effective and that the reports accurately provide month end information about the financial position of the company. The checklist is there to provide a method of keeping accurate financial records that are both consistent and well maintained.

There are a number of vendors selling month end close checklists that, after a lot of research and expert advice, have been diligently prepared and which take into account all aspects of the company's accounting procedures. The checklist can also be tailored to suit individual needs as required. The cost is not more than ten dollars and the benefit to the user is tremendous as there is no need to do much more than fill in the relevant information and once that is done, the month end close checklist is ready to be used for the individual company's accounting system.

Wade Anderson is a CPA and operates DigitalWorkTools.com
Legal Forms and Business Documents. Click to view a Month End Close Checklist

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wade_Anderson

How to Start a Business - Announcing 6 Fast Methods to Jumpstart Your New Business.

Are you seriously considering starting your own business? Well, then let me congratulate you as you have taken the biggest step to get a bit closer to your financial freedom. Here are the fast methods to keep in mind if you want to get started on the right foot:

1. What type of business? The first thing that you need to do is to determine what type of business you are going to open. When deciding, consider your passion or your interests and those things that you are an expert on. Based on research and personal experience, you'll have a great shot at succeeding in this endeavor if you like the business that you are running. You'll be excited to go to work everyday because you'll find it fun.

2. Online or offline? With the advent of the internet, you now have a choice aside from running a brick and mortar business. When deciding, write down and weigh all the pros and cons. Personally, I would recommend that you build an online business as it is not as costly as an offline business. In addition, it's also profitable because you'll be able to tap the global market.

3. Do your research. After knowing the type of business that you are going to open, the next thing that you need to do is to research. Read and learn as much as you can about the business. Take advantage of relevant seminars and training programs. If possible, work together with industry leaders to obtain valuable techniques and tips. The more information you gather, the better.

4. Competition analysis. Check your competition before you totally sink your teeth into this endeavor. What you'd like to happen is to build a business where you have little or no competition at all. Check the existing supply and demand within your target niche. If the demand is greater than the supply, this will tell you that you are on the right track as you've got great chances of making a sale.

5. Permits and licenses. Depending on the type of business that you would like to run, you maybe required to secure various permit and licenses. As this process may take some time, make sure that you put this on your priority list.

6. Marketing campaign. As early as possible, plan an aggressive and highly targeted marketing campaign. It pays to know ahead of time how you can promote your products and how you can connect with your target market as this is the key to boost your sales and revenue.

Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed a brand new free guide.

Download it free here: Internet Marketing

By Sean R Mize

Do you want to learn how to use articles like this to drive targeted traffic to your site?

Click here: Article Writing Guide

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Sean Mize teaches coaches, consultants, and small business owners how to package their knowledge and sell it in high priced coaching, consulting, and online class packages, and is an expert at using articles like this to drive traffic to his website, and has taught hundreds of clients his secrets. Sean says "If you have an existing marketable service or skill that you can teach others, I can teach you to package it into a high-priced class or coaching program, guaranteed"

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize

A Guide to Modern Payment Solutions

By Gino Hitshopi

When it comes to the fluid movement of funds around the globe, there are a range of payment solutions that assist in making international commerce easier than ever. There are so many payment solutions, however, that it is difficult to decide which one is best, for which particular situation.

One of the best known payment solutions in the United Kingdom is the BACS system. This originally came about as an acronym of Banker's Automated Clearing Services. The process takes 3 days to complete; the 1st day is when the payment is entered into the system, the second day they are processed and on the third they are cleared. It is a very commonly used system, by which BACS Direct Debits and BACS Direct Credits are also implemented.

Faster Payments is a new payment solution recently introduced to the United Kingdom. As the first payments system introduced to the country for 20 years, it offers some advanced features; most notably that it can transfer funds almost instantaneously. It is set to make all manner of financial dealing considerably easier.

CHAPS is a payment solution introduced in 1984, standing for Clearing House Automated Payments System. At its inception it handled 7000 transfers a day, and by 2004 it handled a whopping 130,000 transfers - worth 300 billion pounds. 19 settlement banks in the UK use the system.

Apart from these longer established payments systems, there are a whole range of new payment solutions that make buying and selling much easier - particularly online. One of the best known is the Paypal system. Paypal came about in 2000 with the merger of Affinity and X.com. It was later acquired by eBay in October 2002.

It works by allowing payments to be made for all manner of goods and services, and is the most used method of payment on eBay (UK sellers must offer it). The person receiving funds has a small percentage based fee taken from the amount. There are thought to be 184 million accounts of which 73 million are active.

3V is another of various payment solutions that have gained prominence over recent years. It has been marketed by Alphyra and Permanent TSB - and operates in Ireland, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. It allows people to buy a voucher which in real terms is a VISA branded debit card. Anyone over the age of 16 can get one of these vouchers, which are essentially pre-paid credit cards.

They are only valid for cardholder-not-present purchase - such as those over the phone or the internet. They have the advantage of not requiring any credit checks, and so might be useful for those who have run up some bad debts, or who do not have a credit rating sufficient to get a standard credit card.

Gino Hitshopi is highly experienced in the realm of payment solutions, having worked in the banking industry for many years. For more information please visit: http://www.bemac.com/products/payment

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gino_Hitshopi

Diposkan oleh Article di 05:34

Indian SMEs Carving a Niche in Namibia

By David K Parks

Namibia's economy is characterised by its heavy dependence on mineral export earnings. One of the leading exporters of diamonds in the world, Namibia is also the fifth largest uranium producer. According to the World Economic Forum, Namibia is one of the top five competitive economies in Africa.

India maintains cordial trade relations with Namibia. India exports pharmaceuticals, transport equipment, fine chemicals, rubber, ferrous and non ferrous metals and cotton to Namibia. Alternately, Namibia exports pearls, metal ores, raw hides and skin to India.

Advantage Namibia

Over the years, this African country has implemented some important policies to promote bilateral trade and investment with India. Indian SMEs eyeing expansion abroad have thus found an attractive market for growth and expansion in Namibia. The strategic location of the country makes it an ideal gateway to the thriving South African market.

Namibia's business-friendly environment has attracted several foreign investors from across the world. Its Foreign Investment Act of 1993 provides equal opportunities of growth for foreign investors. The country also provides tax benefits and special incentives to promote foreign investment.

Sectors of growth

Prospective sectors for trade and investment in Namibia include gems and jewellery, leather, textiles, energy and telecommunications.

Namibia's burgeoning tourism industry is also an ideal segment for Investment Guide. In recent times, Namibia has become a popular tourist destination in Africa. The government of Namibia is thus focusing on upgrading its infrastructure to boost tourist inflows. Indian SME in the hospitality segment can make inroads into the industry by catering to the increasing demand for luxury hotels, spas and resorts in the country.

To increase economic cooperation between the two countries, the Indian government has initiated its 'Focus Africa' policy. It has also announced financial aid for Namibia through the recently formed association - New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

The Indian government is also considering setting up SME clusters in Namibia to provide an impetus to Indian SMEs targeting Namibia for trade and investment. With total trade between India and Namibia growing at around 63% per annum1, Indian SMEs can look at making a mark in this African country in the near term.

1 Ministry of Commerce, Government of India

David Parks is a well known author and has written articles on IT Companies Directory B2B Portal, Home Appliances Manufacturers suppliers, Manufactures and many other subjects.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_K_Parks

How to Use Barcodes to Track Your Inventory.

By Neil T Jones

Every business has a stock or inventory of goods and products that it deals with. Inventory management helps to ensure that the stocks maintained help in providing customers with the goods they ask for in the quickest time possible. This will help in enhancing customer satisfaction, but can work effectively only if the entrepreneur is able to predict his customer's future requirements. This can be done manually but would prove to be an extremely complicated system. An efficient system of inventory management helps all businesses give better service to their customers.

Tools of Inventory Management

Inventory management is possible by using various types of tools like mobile computers and barcode printers. These help improve the productivity levels of the labor force and extremely accurate records can be maintained. The tools are also inexpensive and easily usable to provide quick solutions to customer requirements. Efficiency is the buzzword of this system of inventory management.

Mobile Computers are useful for receiving orders from customers, tracking inventory and the final picking up of the required product. The problem solving process in inventory management gets easily with the aid of computers. On receiving an order, the computer is able to track all the relevant customer information and the product details for the order.

Barcode Printers bring far more accuracy into inventory management and are able to eradicate errors that may crop up at any step. The barcode printer is equipped to print clear and crisp receipts in no time. This facilitates the process of stock verification with the required accuracy.

Both mobile computers and barcode printers enhance levels of accuracy and efficiency by issuing receipts, labels and invoices, along with details about orders like delivery dates, all of which can be useful as reference tools. The label formats can be varied and sizes of barcodes can also be modified depending on the purpose they are supposed to be used for.

The information stored by the two is convenient for maintaining business efficiency and helps in providing customer support facilities. The coordination between the sections taking orders, dispatching the product and delivering it to the customer also becomes easier and can be easily monitored. Time saving is a natural consequence and a streamlined process can be put in place more easily.

Mobile computers and barcode printers as tools of inventory management fit in perfectly with technology-driven systems that allow precision, efficiency, time-saving and accuracy. In short, they assist in creating a smooth functioning base for businesses.

Asset Management and stock control is vital in making any business work today, any management team must know exactly how much stock is on hand and how much that stock is worth. Buying and selling stock is at the heart of most businesses today and is essentially how most make their money, having inaccurate stock figures can have a detrimental effect on your end of years figures.
Mobile computers are becoming more and more popular as they allow for more functionality than an ordinary barcode scanner and they will allow you to make changes to inventory and stock levels on fly.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Neil_T_Jones

Minority Business Grants - How to Get Free Government Money You Never Pay Back.

By Austin Warty

Starting a business is an exciting time, but lining up all of your financing can be stressful. With minority business grants, individuals who are starting a new business or expanding an existing business can obtain as much as $50,000 to help their business succeed. As a result, minority business owners can reduce their financial risk and give back to the community by launching a profitable venture that could provide jobs, attract competition and bring in more tax dollars to the state.

The biggest advantage of obtaining minority business grants over traditional loans is that the money that is obtained never has to be paid back. Grants are provided by government agencies and private foundations as tax-free cash awards with no repayment terms, regardless if your business succeeds or not. To get approved, however, you better be sure you have a solid business plan in mind that can turn a profit.

While minority business grants may only be one of the many financial resources you'll need to tap into in order to make your business a success, any money you can obtain through grant funds can help with future profits. Private funding and traditional venture capital, for example, often requires giving up some ownership of your business, which puts your profits and control of your company at risk.

But by searching and applying for free minority business grants, African American, Hispanic, and Asian American citizens can obtain the money they need to lease office space, hire employees, buy new equipment, or source their products. These programs are provided to help American small business succeed and should not be overlooked as a real opportunity to partner with the government and put your tax dollars to good use.

Get minority business grants and find the money you need to start a new business or expand your existing business. Apply and and you could you could have your cash grant in as little as 7 days.

=>> Grant for Minority Businesses

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Austin_Warty

Business Development - Uncover 5 Compelling Development Tips For Your Business

By Sean R Mize

Do you want to grow your business exponentially? Here's what you need to do:

1. Widen your reach. Don't be content with the number of your potential clients. Identify additional group of people who might be able to find your products and services appealing or useful without major development or design changes.

2. Keep yourself posted on the every-changing needs and demands of your customer base. Invest on research to discover new market pain/problem that can easily be converted to great product/service idea. However, make sure that your prospects are willing to spend their precious dimes on your new offerings before you go to the development and production stage.

3. Improve the quality of your products. Buyers simply love it when they get what they pay more. Continuously improve the quality of your offerings to make them more useful and more enticing to the eyes of your potential clients. You may include new features or make them more user-friendly.

4. Check on your competitors. Make it a habit to check on your competitors on a regular basis. As an entrepreneur, you need to know what these people are doing so you can easily device a plan on how you can outplay them.

5. Marketing strategy. Don't stop looking for ways on how you can effectively promote your products and services without burning your pockets. If you are operating online, I recommend that you use free but efficient online marketing tools that are guaranteed to help you capture the attention of your potential clients. These include article marketing, blogging, social media marketing, forum posting, email marketing, and ezine publishing.

Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed a brand new free guide. Download it free here: Internet Marketing

Do you want to learn how to use articles like this to drive targeted traffic to your site? Click here: Article Writing Guide

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Sean Mize teaches coaches, consultants, and small business owners how to package their knowledge and sell it in high priced coaching, consulting, and online class packages, and is an expert at using articles like this to drive traffic to his website, and has taught hundreds of clients his secrets. Sean says "If you have an existing marketable service or skill that you can teach others, I can teach you to package it into a high-priced class or coaching program, guaranteed"

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize

Why Would You Need a Industrial Office Cleaning Contractor?

By Steve S Rosen

Standard office cleaning contractors can keep your place of work clean, which would save you time and allowing you to focus on your business. They keep the toilets, kitchens and cubicles presentable for all who pass through them. But, daily, weekly, and monthly routines are not enough sometimes. There are situations that require the services of industrial cleaning contractors to do specialized jobs. Let's look at some instances when you might need to use the services of this type of provider.

They can provide heavy duty floor cleaning services. They should have experience and know-how for deep cleaning vinyl, wood, and ceramic floors. These floors usually have wax buildup over time and need to be stripped and thoroughly scrubbed periodically. They should also know the correct methods for doing this in order to protect the flooring.

Detailed cleaning of light fixtures is a tedious but necessary job. They accumulate insects and dust and if not cleaned at regular intervals can present a hazard to those with allergies. They are experienced in protecting areas where they will work on the lighting so as not to contaminate work cubicles with dust and debris.

Tile cleaning is necessary to get areas missed in daily cleaning jobs. Daily cleaners don't have the time to clean toilet and kitchen tiles. Tiles mostly require the grout to be cleaned because this is an area where mold and mildew accumulates and presents an allergy hazard for employees.

There are instances of the need for special waste removal. While most office environments do not need hazardous waste removed, there are special situations where an industrial cleaning expert might be needed. For example, if an office replaces all of its computer equipment, it would need the services of a contractor that specialises in the environmentally safe way to dispose of these items.

The cleaning of duct should not be overlooked. The air ducts in most office buildings are not easily accessible for standard cleaning and require the services of a specialist. Air ducts are susceptible to the buildup of bacteria and other contaminants. Employees are at risk of respiratory illnesses if they are not cleaned periodically.

If the office has a computer room, it definitely requires a specialist for proper cleaning. Daily cleaners in many cases are not trained in the cleaning of computer equipment. For example, you should never clean the insides of computer servers with a standard vacuum cleaner because the static electricity could harm delicate electronic components. Computer rooms (also known as computer suites) typically have raised floors for the purpose of running cables and ventilation. The space underneath these floors accumulates dust and other debris that can be harmful to the adequate ventilation of computer equipment.

They are experienced in the requirements for toilet deep cleaning. Sinks and toilet bowls typically become stained over time and industrial cleaners have chemicals that can remove them. However these chemicals can be extremely toxic and should only be handled by these experts. Other aspects of toilet deep cleaning include removal of graffiti and calcium deposits from standing water.

Steve Rosen is the managing director at Streamline Facility Services Ltd, a professional London office cleaning company.

We are a team of experienced office cleaners in London, and together we provide a wide range of cleaning services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_S_Rosen

Business Culture - Answer These Questions to Know the Culture of Your Organisation

By John Jeffreys

Let me define culture as "the way things are done around here". If your organisation has existed for some period of time, there will be "war stories" that will be repeated about how it copes with various issues. These war stories, which are probably repeated from time to time by both owners and employees alike, describe the attributes of the organisation through the way that it has dealt with a particular situation.

Sometimes these are stories of success and describe, say, how the business improved its sales or its relationships with a customer. In other situations it may be a story about how a customer was lost and how the organisation dealt with the loss according to its culture. Or, perhaps, the enterprise did not deal with the matter in a way that was in accordance with "the way things are done around here". From these accounts of past events, new employees learn how the organisation goes about its business. Further, it reinforces the accepted attitudes and behaviour of the organisation to those who already work in it.

I have been a partner in four accounting firms. Two of those were very large accounting firms (including one of the big four). Three of those firms had strong cultures and one did not. It was no surprise to me that three of those firms had good profitability and one did not. The three firms with a strong idea of who they were knew what they were about and had a clear focus on how they conducted themselves in front of clients and in the community in general. They knew the formula of how to make money and they made sure their people conducted themselves according to the organisation's standards.

However, having a distinctive culture is not always a guarantee of profitability and success. An organisation can have an attitude of not caring or laziness. It can have an overly social feel about it that does not promote productivity. These attitudes can be quite strong and can be very difficult to change.

Typically, in order to change these types of organisations into more profitable enterprises, an outside person is brought in who has no "investment" in the existing way things are done. This person then tries to implement change. Sometimes that is done (or attempted) very quickly and dramatically. Other times, it must be a long slow process. The person undertaking that change must determine which is the best approach.

Here are some questions that you can ask yourself about the culture of your organisation.

What are the more frequently repeated war stories of your business?
Is it focused on customer service?
Is the customer truly king or queen in your organisation or is that just something that people parrot as something that they should say?
Do people in your organisation enjoy coming to work?
Do they feel motivated and inspired to do a good job no matter what it is?
Do people in your organisation freely make suggestions for improvement?
Do your people recommend your business as a place to be employed to other people?
Is "the way things are done around here" obvious to suppliers and customers?
If you were to ask your customers or suppliers the key thing that they noticed about your people, what would they say?
Do your staff know the rules, both written and unwritten, about the way that they should conduct themselves in certain circumstances?
Is there a sexist or racist attitude, even to a small extent in your organisation?
What kind of poor or bad behaviour do you tolerate?

Your answer to these questions will reveal a lot about "the way things are done around here".

Wishing you easier business.

John Jeffreys

John Jeffreys wants you, the business owner or manager, to have an easier life. John Jeffreys helps you to achieve this by drawing on his 30 years business experience as a Chartered Accountant and partner in major accounting firms. For instant access to videos, audios and software products, visit http://www.businessease.com.au

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Jeffreys

Textile Industry Assortment

By Adam Ray

The variety that the textile industry offers is exhaustive and is ever mounting. With so many uses of fabric, there come so many types of fabric that are used by people in their everyday lives. Albeit, garment manufacturing is the priority, yet cloth is used in many other ways.

Textile industry offers an array of products that range from everyday use to luxury and to business. Apart from clothing, fabric sees high usage in the manufacturing of shoes. Shoe industry is increasing its prospects by offering the customers quality shoes made from fabric. Thus, the textile industry gives variants of its products to the vast array of customers and prospects. And the business is not limited to particular region or country. With large number of populace turning into customers, textile is seeing import and export too. Large looms of raw and readymade fabric is transported in and outside countries. And this is happening for all kinds of fabric.

Every single garment manufacturer is witnessing huge profits in the business. People have increasing demands of all types of fabric resulting in flourishing of the textile industry. Talking of garments, cotton is all time favorite for the summers. Winters are seeing a comeback of tweeds and corduroys. Printed fabric is liked in all types of weathers and prints keep on changing according to style.

When decorative material is talked about, upholstery fabric also has huge variety to choose from. Prints matter here too, depending up on the on-going style. The kind of furnishings people want is a decision which they take with much contemplation and it is after seeing innumerable fabrics that they settle at one. People feel that their house or office gives an impression of their taste, status and standard of living. So, they give much thought to deciding what all things they will make use of as home or office décor. This again may not just contain curtains, but bed and sofa linens, wall to wall carpet and the like. Some are even particular about the book binding cloth in their office or study.

All of the already mentioned things are more or less known to all, but there are things like election canvassing material which also forms part of the textile industry, though a different kind is applied here.

Also, defence material like tents and other equipment is also a part of the same industry. And all this makes it very clear that the textile industry has a lot to offer.

The finest of garment manufacturer is entering the velvet industry.With increasing business and avenues it is also ready to capture the shoe industry

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Ray

Barcode Labels, Reading Between the Lines.

By Neil T Jones

Barcodes were a novel addition to merchandise a few years ago and were closely observed initially. Today they are a fixture on every product and are a distinguishing feature as well. But no one stops to observe the difference anymore. Barcodes are treated as a set of parallel black lines, a combination of thin and thick lines with some numbers written with the lines. There is some discriminating feature in these lines and each set of lines or a barcode stands for a distinct identifying code that is associated with a particular product. The barcode holds a lot of information pertaining to the identification number of the product, its price, date of acquisition and other numeric data. Each time the barcode is scanned, this information comes on the computer screen and can be used for various purposes.

The most commonly found barcodes are on daily groceries and perishable products, but they have specialized uses as in the publishing industry where barcodes are useful for purposes of coding. Manufacturing companies use barcode for batch identifications as well. Any product or service requiring a unique identification will get it from a barcode.

As a result barcodes are very much in demand and barcode labels are among the most saleable items today.

Printing Barcode Labels

Barcode labels are printed with the aid of the latest technology available. Information about this is amply available on websites dealing with barcodes. Reading this information will give even the layman a fair idea about how barcode labels are printed. Individuals needing assistance for barcodes can also browse on the Internet for their specific requirements.

Given the size of the barcode market and the rate at which it is expanding, a wide variety of barcode products are available and they fit into various price and quality levels. While it is always advisable to print original barcodes, but sometimes when quality is not a concern, one can opt for cheaper ones. But even then, they must adhere to the required standard so that there are no quality related issues at a later date.

The best barcodes come out from good quality barcode printers. However, barcode printers also require quality inputs to provide best results. If the supply of inputs is not of the required standard, the barcodes printed will also be of an inferior quality. The barcode printer then depends on the best quality labels, ribbons, ink and print heads.

There are countless makes and models of Label printers available today, and the price range can vary greatly depending on the amount and quality of prints you will need every day, Even though there are many different makes and models available, some manufacturers have risen to become the market leaders, these names include Zebra, Intermec and Sato and of these 3 brands a Zebra printer has become the standard in many industries.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Neil_T_Jones

In a Global Market Does it Pay to Go Local?

By William Milton

I'm a small local businessman in Hemel Hempstead, England and building the local economy is my passion. There you go, I've let my dirty little secret out the bag. Talking with my friends in the UK, both business and non-business people, one thing has become abundantly clear - we are all losing faith in the big boys.

In the UK, our government has misled us over the war in Iraq and we are embroiled in a war in Afghanistan that we don't quite understand either. Lately our politicians are scurrying for cover, and the exit doors, as their fiddling of expenses becomes public knowledge. The banks have been seen to have been acting with naivety at the best and dishonestly at the worst and have also lost our confidence. Big businesses are laying people off and our economy is really struggling. What are we to do?

Well, I want to suggest that we go local! This is an unprecedented opportunity for our small to medium sized businesses to support each other and, not just ride out the recession, but positively thrive during it. But, we need to support each other in our local areas which for me is Hemel Hempstead in England. Its not that I'm against big businesses but if I sell someone locally my services then I'll jolly well work harder to make sure that I deliver on my promises than I would if I just worked for a big multi-national where I'm relatively anonymous.

The business I own is based right at the heart of Hemel Hempstead and I see my clients every day as I walk down the street. I care about them deeply! I want them to succeed because without them I don't have a business. So I craft advertisments for them that attract the local people, I hold networking events so that we can encourage each other and exchange leads, I organise door drops to 30 000 homes to publicise the local businesses - in short - I try to make a difference locally.

Now if every neighbourhood did this our economy would soon be on the road to recovery and our local towns and cities would be regenerated. Sure, its a slightly selfish outlook in life but how else are the small guys going to compete against the massive internet companies with all their billions of pounds in resources.

I'm sticking my stake in the ground and unashamedly supporting Hemel Hempstead local businesses whilst at the same time acknowledging that we also need to use all of the fantastic resources afforded us by the internet - blogging, newsletters, EzineArticles, social websites and so on.

So if you want to give me a bit of affirmation here then visit my website and drop me an encouraging email. My website address can be found in the resource box below.

William Milton is a married man (30 years) with 2 children and a dog called Swizzle. He owns a web business called CityLocal/HemelHempstead which seeks to promote and harness the power of local people and local businesses. He spends a lot of his time networking and encouraging the small to medium sized businesses in the area. William lives near London, England.

To visit my website go to http://www.citylocal.co.uk/hemelhempstead

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Milton

10 Practical Tips For Running a Successful Home Based Business.

By: Dominic Boykin

Operating a successful home based business requires being able to earn an income from home and separate your home and family life. It also requires a firm grasp on your niche and the knowledge of how to advertise your business. The following is a list of 10 practical tips for running a successful home based business.

1. Find your niche. Every home based business is based off of a central idea. Discover your niche, what you can add to the market and how you can set yourself apart from the competition.

2. Find your target audience. Do your research to discover who will be buying your product or services. Get the demographics down so you know who to advertise the business to and the type of products they are interested in.

3. Be creative. Whether you are deciding on the type of business you want, designing your website or choosing a business logo it’s important to be creative so you appear unique and fresh to potential clients.

4. Design a killer website. A business website needs to appear both professional and fun. It needs to be creative, yet user-friendly and functional. Take the time to make sure your website meets these requirements. Does it appeal to a mass audience? Is it unique? Does it sell your product or services effectively?

5. Set financial goals. A successful home based business requires a certain level of dedication. It may mean working 10 hour days to get the business off the ground. Create a business plan that includes financial goals to strive for.

6. Provide stellar customer service. One thing that sets business apart is their commitment to customer service. Following up is crucial to expanding your business.

7. Track your sales. The history of your business will help you determine the future success of your home based business. Find out where your leads are coming from to maximize your advertising efforts and get more sales.

8. Use Internet marketing strategies to increase sales. Use the Internet wisely to spread the word about your home based business. Establish yourself as an expert within your niche topic by providing useful articles and answering customer questions. Become a regular on forums where your target audience interacts. Start a pay per click advertising campaign. Using these tactics will allow you to get more traffic and more sales without spending a lot of money on advertising upfront.

9. Separate work and home life. Family is important and it is likely one of the reason you want to start a home based business. Family and work don’t mix well, however. Set clear goals for work and your family life. Don’t take calls from friends and family certain times of the day, for example. Create sacred hours that are set aside each day exclusively for getting work done.

10. Put in the time and energy. A successful home based business doesn’t just happen. You need to make it happen. Your business is what you make of it and is a direct result of the time and energy you put into it.

These tips are a basic list of things to consider when starting a home based business. Learning as you go is part of the process, but if you do enough research you can learn from the mistakes of others and maximize your profit from the start.

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Emotional Intelligence Steering the Business World.

By Kiran Bala

I have no doubt whatever that most people live, whether physically, intellectually or morally, in a very restricted circle of their potential being. They make use of a very small portion of their possible consciousness...much like a man who, out of his whole bodily organism, should get into the habit of using and moving only his little finger...We all have reservoirs of life to draw upon, of which we do not dream! - William James

People often wonder, what emotions has got to do with intelligence? If one is intelligent, he/she is intelligent, why would someone like to get into emotional nitty gritties and complicate life? Aren't emotions for the weak minded? Well, am sure many of us do feel like that. Someone once told me, if you meet people in high school reunions, you would realize that the ones you considered the smartest might not be doing that great in life and the ones, who were popular, got along with people and were positive about life in general irrespective of their grades, are doing amazingly well in life. So what is it that sets these people apart?

The most distant roots of this puzzle can be traced back to Darwin's early work on the importance of emotional expression for survival and adaptation. In 1920 E. L. Thorndike at Columbia University, used the term social intelligence to describe the skill of understanding and managing other people which he believed is reason for performance and success.

The term emotional intelligence was coined by Salovey and Mayer in 1990 however it gained popularity after Daniel Goleman published his famous book "Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ" in 1995. Since then the term have been used more commonly than ever.

Previously it was assumed that emotional intelligence, cannot be measured since it revolves around emotions which themselves can never be quantified or be ever measured in any tangible form. By definition, "Emotional Intelligence (EI), often measured as an Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ), describes an ability, capacity, or skill to perceive, assess, and manage the emotions of one's self, of others, and of groups". It is a relatively new area of psychological research. The definition of EI is constantly changing.

Context of EI in workplaces is again a new area which is gaining popularity. Managers often think they should be impassive and unemotional, and encourage their employees to be the same. But emotions drive performance, and bosses who don't acknowledge their own and others' temperaments can't inspire the best work from their staffs -- or even motivate themselves. This view was recently corroborated by Wall street journal under the article 'Business is Personal', and indeed it is, because whether we like it or not, face it or not, we don't leave behind our emotions in a suitcase, we carry them all the time. Its now, slowly companies are realizing the power of emotions in steering an organization towards its goal of sustainable business growth.

As Zuboff says, People have to stop thinking of their feelings as irrelevant and messy and realize that they are in fact highly differentiated nuance patterns of reaction and noble sources of information. We will only know what to do by realizing what feels right to us; attention is our most precious resource. Feelings are the body's version of their situation; everything that we want to know about our situation is revealed. The switch for business people comes when they realize what they thought was soft is hard and what they thought was hard is often arbitrary! In this sense feelings are guides to the big issues like where am I going?

The field of Emotional Intelligence was always under the skeptic's radar since there were no tools to measure it. However last two decades have seen explosive work in this field and there are now very comprehensive tools being developed to measure the same. However one must remember., at the end of day, its not magic, its emotions- it would require slow and steady approach, but once you do improve in various EI competencies, the benefits would be substantial and ground breaking, unlike any other improvement programs..

"Anyone can become angry - that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not easy"- Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics

Kiran Bala is a certified EQ coach and is also pursuing her PhD in the field of Emotional Intelligence. To read more visit http://www.emotionalintelligencenow.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kiran_Bala

What is the Difference Between UPS Shipping Rates and USPS Shipping Rates

By Ruby Stein

The United States Postal Service was founded in 1775; one year before the country won it's independence from Great Brittan. For over 200 years, individuals and businesses have become familiar with this federal department of the government. Because it delivers over 40 percent of the country's non-critical mail, it is the method most people think of when they have a package that needs to be mailed. However, with raising competitors, it is important to understand that alternative carrier's rates differ from standard USPS shipping rates.

Mailing a package via the United States Postal Service has been one of the most common ways to ship small products by individuals or by businesses. While the USPS shipping rates are generally thought of as fixed rates, there are many variables. The rate is determined by the weight, dimensions and the distance that the package is traveling. There are incremental rates based on the size of the package. The weight of a package can either be its actual weight or its dimensional (DIM) weight. Dimensional rate is calculated by adding the length and girth of the box. The USPS will only ship items up to 70 pounds and a maximum overall size of 130 inches.

A similar shipping company that specializes more in business and global shipping is the United Parcel Service or UPS. UPS shipping rates are very competitive and offer some additional advantages. UPS does not have additional charges for delivery confirmation, which confirms to the shipper that a package has been successfully delivered to the proper person. Many believe that they also ship their ground or regular packages faster than the USPS. Another advantage is that they will ship heavier, larger packages. Their shipping maximums are 150 pounds and 165 inches. This is nearly double what the USPS will ship.

Because UPS ships larger packaging, they also offer cheaper cost-per-delivery mile and cost-per-dollar rates. UPS shipping rates can be calculated from the comfort of one's home or office. An account can be established which will help manage the cost and track the money spent on shipping. The United States Postal Service also has a system to figure the USPS shipping rates as well, however they do not offer account billing. They also charge additional money for many of the additional services that are offered.

One other factor that affects USPS shipping rates is that the USPS is a regulated government run establishment. They are controlled by the Post Master General. Because increased competition has started to chip away at the business that the USPS does, they have been forced to raise their rates.

UPS shipping rates have also fluctuated; however, competition has helped to keep their rates reasonable. It is important to check the rates a company charges because they do vary. A company or individual must also consider if the shipping organization offers additional services for little or no additional charge. Because the cost of shipping has an overwhelming strong influence on a business' success, it is imperative that each company reviews their shipping needs to determine that they are getting the best rate possible. Individuals also should use rate calculators to compare the cost to ship using various carriers.

Regardless of whether one ships using UPS or USPS, the first step in saving money is to make sure he or she knows both the UPS shipping rate and the USPS shipping rate for their packages. This will insure that each person is getting the best rate available for his or her particular shipping needs.

Save money by checking the best Shipping Rates available to you. There may be a small difference between the USPS Shipping Rates and the UPS Shipping Rates. But in the long run, you will save big. I've found a great place to start and they specialize in Logistics Software. Visit RateLinx.com for some great information.

How to Conduct Due Diligence

By Anne W. Brown

When a business is sold the process that normally occurs is that a conditional deal is negotiated with a few contingencies. One of the most important conditions is that the business for sale is subject to "due diligence" by the company buyer. The due diligence process entails the buyer to investigate facts and to determine that all representations are as stated and to essentially satisfy themselves that they are ok with proceeding with the transaction. It truly is the time for the buyer to check facts and do some 'homework' on the business.

During due diligence it is always recommended that buyers rely on their own professionals (lawyer, accountant and other professionals as needed).

The purpose of this article is to outline some more common activities that are on a due diligence checklist during a business for sale transaction. Please note that every deal is different - some require more thorough business investigation and some less.

Common items on a business due diligence checklist:

Financial Statements. The past 3-5 years of income statements and balance sheets. Accountant-prepared statements are preferred.

Tax Returns & Government Filings. Business income tax returns for the past 3-5 years to assist in validating the stated business financial results. Also, Ontario retail sales tax returns, GST returns, WSIB returns and other pertinent government filings should be reviewed as well as federal Canadian income tax returns too. Discuss with your accountant what is required.

Asset List. A complete list of assets included in the business sale. A proper summary should include the age, estimate fair market value and serial number for equipment and machinery.

Leased Equipment List. Similarly, there should be a list of equipment or other assets under lease that will be transferred or assumed by the buyer.

The Business Premises Lease. The buyer needs to review the premises lease and satisfy themselves with the terms and that the lease is assumable. All leases and contracts should be reviewed by the buyer's lawyer.

Employee Information. If it is not feasible to identify the employees by name then certainly by job title with information regarding job descriptions, compensation including benefits and bonuses, tenure of employment, any employment agreements or contract labour. Employee issue should be reviewed by a lawyer in order understand how best to handle employees during the transition as well as any surviving liabilities to the new owner.

Contracts. A copy of contracts with existing business customers or vendors.

Permits. A list of permits or licenses required to operate the company.

Operating Documentation. If the business has a process or operating procedures that are critical to its success, these should be reviewed during due diligence.

Lawsuits. If there are any pending or existing lawsuits that the business for sale is involved with, these must be reviewed with your lawyer.

List of Top Customers. This must be identified in order to determine that the business is not reliant on a few customers for a large percentage of its revenue. If not identified by name then these customers can be identified by a description and sales volume.

Copy of Marketing Materials. Samples of flyers, ads, newspaper inserts, etc. A buyer should have a fair degree of understanding about the company's marketing activities.

As always take the advice of a business broker so you don't miss out on anything that could cost you later but please rely on the guidance of your professional advisers - your lawyer & accountant to assist you through the due diligence process.

Business Broker

Ontario business brokerage serving the southern Ontario, Canada region from Toronto to Hamilton. Professional services to buyers and sellers of small businesses. Contact us for assistance.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_W._Brown

Purchasing Wholesale Versus Purchasing Discount

By Karen Ali Whitten

How much cash can you really save if you purchase at wholesale rates? To answer this, try to look at the income structure of the retail market.

Most retail shops will mark up the cost of their goods one hundred percent, or double their own price. In this instance, you can clearly save fifty percent of your cash if you make your purchase straight from the wholesale provider, instead of purchasing from the shop. Basically, by purchasing directly from the wholesale supplier, you're not paying any service premium to the retail shop. The retail shop can charge more than the wholesaler as it is more convenient for the purchaser to locate most items in a retail shop than to hunt for a wholesale provider that does not have a principal storefront site in the middle of town.

In addition, many wholesale suppliers will not vend products to an individual buyer; they will only deal with an established industry that will purchase in volume from the wholesaler. Usually the wholesale supplier will have minimum purchase requirements that can be as low as five hundred dollars or as high as twenty thousand dollars. Essentially, most individuals accept retail rates as a fact of life as it takes some additional time and effort to discover how to reach the wholesale provider directly, and in many instances, it is impossible to do business with the wholesaler, unless you are a real business.

Now try to look at the discount pricing structure, which is what most individuals look for in saving their cash. When a shop offers discount rates, they will not mark up the product one hundred percent; they will proffer a discount from the full retail rate of twenty to forty percent. They still have to make an income, so they won't reduce the rate fifty percent, but they're making less of an income in the hopes of getting people to deal with them.

One more point about purchasing from discount shop is that you need to be cautious about how many of their items are actually being offered at discounts. A normal strategy is to attract shoppers into the shop with big discounts of normal retail rates on some popular goods. Then when you're in the shop, many of the other products will be selling at full retail rate. In many instances, you just won't be able to tell if a product in that shop is discounted or full retail, since it is not possible to do price comparisons on each product when you are in the shop itself.

In order to make money in business online, one of the core factors determining this would be the strength of your supply chain.

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Three Kinds of Businesses That Thrive in a Recession.

By Stephanie Valentine

When we visited Cancun, Mexico this past winter for our annual 5-week R&R trip, we were amazed at how many storefronts and clubs were completely empty. Senor Frog's had virtually no business, and the shopping centers for tourists were so empty that they echoed. It was like walking through a very luxurious ghost town. Some stores in our local town back here in Colorado are starting to look the same way, but not all businesses.

There are three kinds of businesses that seem to thrive during any recession: discount stores, maintenance shops, and stores that recycle goods.

Discount Stores
Of course, Walmart is coming up roses with its low-price guarantee. The giant retailer increased its annual stock dividends by 15% in March, while other retailers are closing their doors. But other kinds of discount stores are also doing very well.

For instance, beauty schools all around the country are seeing a surge in business. People want to look good, even as the economy comes crashing down around them. At just $5-$7 per haircut and $35 for a hair color (versus $25 for a cut and $75 for a color at a regular salon), beauty schools are attracting customers like crazy. Discount stores empower consumers to stretch their hard-earned dollars, and are earning profits on their sheer volume of business.

Maintenance Shops
Drive past any new car dealer and you'll see a shiny ghost town. No one wants to buy a gas-guzzling new car in this economy. Instead, people are doing their own oil changes and trying to make their older cars last longer. Car service centers are experiencing a surge in business, with people bring their cars in for more complicated maintenance issues. Experts predict that service centers will see even more business if the price of gas stays low, as many people plan to take road trips this summer as an inexpensive way to get away. Those road trippers will want their cars tuned up before hitting the road. Other maintenance-type businesses growing include all kinds of repair shops, from shoe repair to computer repair.

Recycled Goods
When it comes to saving money, consumers are thinking thrift shops, eBay, pawn shops, and auctions. Second-hand stuff has never been more valuable, and people are flocking to second-hand venues to both buy and sell. While major retailers like Macy's are laying off thousands of employees, some thrift store chains are doubling the size of their staff. Experts are also predicting an increase in swap meets, better business on eBay and other auction sites, and a rosy future for pawn shops. Investing in recycling used goods is about to be very big business.

Does this give you some ideas for your small business?

Stephanie Valentine has been a small business owner for over 15 years. Her blog, http://www.gosmallbizblog.com, offers helpful tips on taxes, productivity, revenue generation, and more for small business owners. She also writes about online MLM marketing at http://www.gomlmonline.com/blog

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_Valentine

Catering Business is Not Only About Making Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

By Jeffrey Bossak

Have you ever thought about the key difference between failure and success? It is 'the tool' which makes a difference? Here, tool stands for the approach. In a catering supplies business, you can easily mark this factor. For instance, caterers who have expertise in varieties of dishes, ingredients and equipments for the food preparation, they can easily establish their special recognition.

Now please do mention that the above mentioned paragraph does not interpret any formulae. In a catering business, being a good cook is not enough. You may need to invest money on disposable cutlery, tableware, drink ware and so on. Of course, these are expensive stuffs and make the access bit harder in the catering profession for beginners. Here are few tips which may prove money saving tips:
• Established professionals suggest beginners to contact restaurants that are closing down or are want to get rid of old inventories. Here, you can get quality stuffs on the most economic price.
• Internet is another very good option. There is fierce competition on the World Wide Web amongst online catering goods suppliers. So, here is good chance of getting quality products on cheaper price.
• You can also team up with few other caterers and can order in bulk. You can get substantial lower price through bulk marketing.
• If you join some associations in your own business then again it may open doors of discount catering supplies.

Ask cooks about the significance of the best cooking equipment and you will know how determining it is in the successful catering career. An immaculate combination of the right equipment and supplies helps them in preparing the food in the best way. Here exposes the significance of 'business blueprint'. With the help of catering business blueprint, one can effectively execute the strategy. Even, you will get the result exactly at par the prediction. You will get the idea whether you would need financer help or not. In other words, blueprint also deals with crisis management in the quite impressive way.

In the end, how can we forget the famous quote of the famous TV character 'Aardvark Arthur'? He says, "the catering business is tough when you only know how to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches."

Growing Your Restaurant Business - Advantages of Direct Mail Advertising

By Jim Negron

Direct Mail Advertising is a great way to grow your restaurant business. Unlike newspapers, radio or TV, direct mail allows you to put your advertising dollars exactly where your potential customers live. You can target geographically by neighborhood or demographically by age, income, ethnicity, etc., or a combination of both.

Direct mail advertising also allows you to control your budget, by the size of your mailings (how many pieces) and the frequency of your mailings.

There are many other advantages, here are just a few:

• It's personal, between you and your prospect
• It's not as public as other media, your competitors won't have access to your coupons and special offers as they do in newspapers and other media
• It's limited to one mail piece per household, which means special offers will not be abused, for example, by prospects buying more than one newspaper and clipping multiple coupons
• Response is easy to track
• You can compare results by neighborhoods and determine your best market area

At this point, you might be asking yourself, if direct mail is so powerful, why isn't every restaurant in town doing it?

It's true, direct mail can play a big role in growing your restaurant business, however, it is going to take some effort and a budget. It's not just a matter of putting your menu or a few coupons together and mailing them out. A successful campaign is a bit more complicated than that. To gain some insight into the process, I suggest reading blogs and online articles such as this one, which contains ideas and tips on design, mailing lists, direct mail strategies etc.

Of course, everyone wants to hit a home run the first time at bat, but prepared for some hits and misses. Every mailing is important and provides an opportunity for you to learn more about your market area. Results will vary, even if no one responds, that is still a result (obviously not what you were hoping for) and the result, that no one or few people responded, can be used to make a course correction.

So, if you have decided to start a direct mail campaign, begin with a mailing that is large enough to establish a base line of results, usually about 2000 to 3000 pieces. Don't be tempted to save money on printing by ordering large quantities to be used in future mailings. What if your offers fall flat and don't work. Then you'll be stuck with the extras or worse, feel obligated to mail them and repeat the results.

Direct mail advertising works. It can work for you. But, unless you are prepared to stick with it, you may be wasting your time and money. It is going to take some trial and error. The good news is, that over time, with experience, results will become predictable. That's when you can expand your efforts, and direct mail advertising won't be costing you money, it will make you money.

Read our blog. It contains great marketing ideas for direct mail advertising that can be read in a minute or less.

Go to: http://www.PrintLabelAndMail.com

and Click: READ OUR BLOG

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Negron

Should You STOP Spending Money For Advertising in a Recession?

Each Business owner needs to watch every penny these days, spending money in a recession is a difficult thing to do. But, what about spending on advertising?

When difficult financial times occur, business owners need to make some tough decisions. Yet, eliminating your advertising budget may not be in your company's best interest. In many cases your direct or indirect advertising will drive sales to your company. If that advertisement is no longer in the paper, on the radio, or visible by supporting your local little league team, it can be very difficult to find additional sales.

Even in bad economic times, you still need to be in a growth push. One advantage you should have in these challenging economic times is that many vendors will be willing to negotiate cost with you. You should be able to find some good advertising deals to keep your costs in line. If your business situation is real bad, and the idea of spending any money for advertising is not possible, then wait until it is. If you need to walk away from advertising for now until things improve, then do so. When you eventually do get back to advertising, you should start slow and carefully.

There is one key point to keep in mind about advertising. Make sure you test and monitor what advertising vehicle is bringing you the business. This is important so you are not just spending your dollars on 3 or 4 advertising campaigns and not knowing which ones are working and which are not.

Thus, if you need sales, and most businesses do need to grow, then investing in some form of advertising is a good approach. Make sure to only spend what you have available in your advertising budget.

Denise Willow writes for several websites and contributes to others. She focuses on Business and Fashion items. Here is one of her websites: http://www.mylaptopcomputerbags.com Here is another: http://www.flatwallets.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denise_Willow

Experience Days - Something For Everyone?

By Gino Hitshopi

When it comes to an employer showing their appreciation for the work their staff do, it can be a challenging process. The old adage 'it's the thought that counts' has never been truer than now. Experience days offer a way to demonstrate a certain degree of thought, in a way that more traditional gifts such as Champagne and chocolates cannot really do.

But what is an experience day? The term has risen to prominence over recent years, as a way to give a memory rather than an actual gift. Experience days can often give someone the opportunity to do something that they would not normally, either because of monetary of time restraints - or indeed because they lack the impetus to do so.

An experience day is a very wide term that encompasses a whole host of possibilities. You might choose to give someone the chance to go skydiving; surely there are few thrills akin to jumping out of a high altitude aircraft? For those who prefer to take their thrills at a more leisurely speed, there is always the spa day. Spa days give people the opportunity to really be pampered - and are often great ideas for experience days.

Of course, experiences are not necessarily only for giving to other people - they can be organised for yourself too. It is a great way to treat yourself or your loved ones when something important has happened. People sometimes set these experience days up if they achieve certain targets - either at work or in more personal matters.

If the experience day is revealed a little before the actual event takes place, there is a certain excitement which builds up and, in a way, is part of the gift itself. A book voucher does not hold this kind of value. But it does pose the minor problem of what to choose. There are a great many companies offering these kind of experience days, and the really good ones will offer a range of experience days, so that whoever you have in mind (or what you have in mind for yourself), there should be something to fit the bill. A company offering experience days that has a good reputation will probably provide a lot of information regarding the options available.

A hot air balloon ride is likely to provide some good memories, and offers a unique combination of a relaxed atmosphere with the thrill of gliding over beautiful countryside below. For those seeking extra thrills, you could choose skydiving or a jet fighter ride. Rally car driving is another high octane activity that is likely to top the wish lists of the adrenaline seeker.

Makeovers, facials, cooking experiences, massages, pedicures - the list of more laid-back experience days is similarly long. There are also fun ideas for younger people as well. With so many options, there is sure to be an ideal experience day for everyone.

Gino Hitshopi is highly experienced in the realm of experience days, having worked in related industries for many years. For more information please visit: http://www.totalexperience.co.nz/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gino_Hitshopi

Venture Capitalism in the Dot Com Boom Years.

By Jason Kays

During the mid-1990's, San Jose, Seattle, Cambridge and Dallas comprised the nation's top tech centers. Growth in the economy's Information Technology sector had largely driven the record numbers seen on Wall Street -- both on the Dow Jones and NASDAQ. This honeymoon period between the financial markets and innovators, while short lived at five years, was marked with unprecedented growth and investor returns. There was a Wild West, gold rush mentality behind much of the haphazard, impromptu pairing of venture capitalists, angel investors and product developers. The rush to queue up for the newfound VC largess resulted in a temerarious abridgement of the checks and balances typically integral to bringing new hardware or software to market. Often times outside engineers were not called upon to audit work. Accountants and transactional attorneys were not involved as extensively in the drafting and review of business plans -- if there was a business plan.

This resulted in the syndrome coined, "cocktail napkin to boardroom mentality", whereby a widget concept loosely fleshed out over pints at the corner bar was signed off on in a boardroom meeting of decision makers the following week, foregoing the vetting process to assess product, demand or market plan viability. The absence of traditional checks and balances attracted every manner of confidence man to the New Economy. Ponzi schemes and opportunists had free reign. It was the 21rst Century equivalent of the traveling snake oil salesman, but here charlatans permeated every facet of the industry, from product development to IPO's and the infamous penny stocks that landed the amoral financial genius Michael Milken in prison.

If the con man was one who had the unique social skills to speak both the language of the developer and the financier, he was positioned to do an inordinate amount of damage. Most engineers attempt to distance themselves from the "suits" and business end of the enterprise, just as most VC's rely on consultants for product analysis and IP valuation. VC's aren't particularly interested in what transpires in think tanks or the lab, so long as the finished product bears resemblance to the one sketched out over that pint.

Greed is one constant in human nature. So long as that is the case, there will always be opportunists to exploit that human condition.

Jason M. Kays is a published author, jazz musician and intellectual property attorney. He has had extensive hands on experience debunking con men. Please visit his site at http://www.virtualvice.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Kays

The Recession and Market Research.

By Gareth Schweitzer

Executive Summary

Much has been both said and written about the decline in consumer spending during the recession; much less is said about the opportunity that lies in a highly disrupted marketplace. While it's true that customers are more knowledgeable (and often skeptical) than ever, this recession has done what generations of marketers have tried and failed to accomplish - opening consumers' minds to new brands and new options.

A new consumer tracking study "The Changing American Consumer" demonstrates an increasing willingness to try new products even as spending declines; it's our belief this indicates tremendous opportunity to position brands to steal considerable market share in the next year, allowing for tremendous growth once the recession ends. Using research to understanding the touchpoints that appeal to this "new consumer mindset" is vital in positioning your brand for future success.

The State of the Consumer Market

As the markets crash, people panic. We believe that panic creates an "inverse bubble" -one that has precisely the opposite effect of the recent tech or real estate bubbles. Instead of artificially driving profits and prices up, the inverse bubble artificially pushes them down. But as with any other bubble, it will "pop" -and how your brand is positioned when it bursts is vital. A few questions every company needs to ask themselves:

• Did reactive pricing decisions damage the brand?

• Will you have taken advantage of disrupted purchase behaviors to win new customers?

• Do you understand what changes are temporary, and which are permanent?

• How are customer mindsets continuing to evolve?

The Opportunity: don't believe an opportunity exists during these dark economic times? A few data points should convince you:

• People Are Reconsidering: Nearly half (48%) of Americans report considering brands they haven't considered before.

• People Are Noticing: 44% of Americans report paying more attention to advertisements than they used to.

• People's Mindsets Are Changing: While eventually the recession will end and purchase attitudes will settle, some attitudes may stay; 56% of Americans see the recession as an opportunity to start living a less materialistic life.

Necessity of Market Research

New "Brand Bonding"

For many brands, this is a chance of a lifetime to grab market share - media is cheap and minds are open. In order to ensure that you are part of this new "brand bonding," market research is needed to understand precisely how the new consumer mindsets affect your brand and your category specifically, and the new communications strategy you'll need to reach them. While price is important, it doesn't -and can't -define most brands over the long term.

Relevant Studies to Consider

While the best use of research and correct methodology is highly individualized for each brand, a few studies every marketer should consider:

• Key Assumptions and Mindset Test: Every brand works off key internal assumptions about your customer. Many of those no longer hold true. Are the attributes you base your communications on still relevant? Is a different approach to similar services needed?

• Concept Tests: As more people consider your brand, it's crucial to understand how new products and services could make your brand appealing to a broader audience. What can be developed to grab as much new share as possible without alienating core consumers?

• Communications Testing: With people paying more attention than ever to communications and media available at discounted rates, now is the time to test and then invest. Whether conducting ad or communications testing, developing new stated claims or other stats that can be pitched to the media, or coming up with the precise positioning and words that appeal to a wider audience, research is a fundamental building block that ensures your media spend will be effective.

• Ethnographies and Qualitative Deep Dives: Mini ethnographies or qualitative deep dives are an excellent way to move beyond the functional and uncover emotional touchpoints that can set your brand apart. How do consumers talk about and think about your brand? How has this changed? What needs are going unmet and how can your brand capitalize on this?

Gareth Schweitzer is the Founding Partner of Kelton Research. Kelton Research is a full service market research company with offices in Los Angeles and New York, and is America's fastest growing market research firm.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gareth_Schweitzer

Advertise Your Daycare With Flyers and Postcards

By Sienna Brown

One great way of advertising your daycare business is through the use of flyers and postcards. Below we examine some of the elements of good flyer design and consider how a childcare center could go about distributing these kinds of promotions.

Flyers and postcards are a cheap and effective way of getting word out about your business. If you make them yourself at home on your PC with MS Word or by using some of the free online templates that are available you only have to consider printing costs. For a more professional design or to print postcards you will need to use the services of a design professional and a commercial printer.

Daycare Business Flyer and Postcard Design

1) Focus on headlines that draw readers into reading your entire message. Don't be the one that gets thrown straight in the trash.

2) Include a strong call to action to try and get prospects to call you right away.

3) Postcards and flyers should set out information in a clear and organized way. If it looks too cluttered consider using the reverse side for some of the less important details.

4) Double check spelling and details to make sure that they are correct and that you have included everything that a prospective parent would expect to find. You don't have to include the prices of your daycare services though.

5) Test a variety of messages and formats to see which ones get a better response.

6) Marketers think that people prefer postcards these days as they are smaller and can be easily filed away for future reference. If you do go with flyers consider attaching a business card to them to give prospects something smaller to hang on to.

7) Seek inspiration from what other service businesses in your area are doing. Borrow ideas from other industries rather from other daycare services.

Distribution

1) If you have a mailing list then you can post a flyer to everyone on your database. Aside from this method the next best approach for mass distribution is door to door. Be sure to check with your local post office to make sure that you are in compliance with any local ordinances.

2) Once your daycare has opened for business ask mothers to pass on your flyers to other families that they know that have young children.

3) Think about the places where mothers of preschoolers are likely to hang out and try to get your flyers or postcards posted on the walls and notice boards of these businesses and organizations.

4) Team up with other businesses that also target families with children in your area and do a promotion featuring several businesses at once.

Flyers and promotional postcards are still an effective advertising medium for small businesses across the country so don't listen to those who will tell you that this method is no longer effective. Test it and see for yourself.

You only need a response rate of one or two per 1000 flyers or postcards to make this method cost effective for your daycare business so definitely give it a go and see if it works well as a method of bringing targeted leads into your childcare center.

For more ideas on how to advertise a daycare business and to compare some of the top 'start a daycare' guides and startup kits visit -
http://www.StartaDaycareService.com

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Rhyming Advertising Slogans

By Susan Purcell

"Don't be vague, ask for Haig" (a brand of Scotch whisky). "Don't just book it, Thomas Cook it" (Thomas Cook is a travel company). "Nothing sucks like an Electrolux" (vacuum cleaner). Those advertising slogans have endured, and one of the reasons that they are so memorable is that they rhyme.

After all, we use rhymes to help children learn: "One, two, buckle my shoe, Three, four, knock at the door." We know that children will want to sing along, and to repeat the rhyme because it's fun. As a result, they remember numbers much more easily.

A study carried out by two psychologists from Lafayette College a few years ago found that adults, too, respond well to rhymes. The researchers read out two short phrases that were identical in meaning, but one of them rhymed and the other didn't. The phrases included "Woes unite foes" and "Woes unite enemies" and "What sobriety conceals, alcohol reveals" and "What sobriety conceals, alcohol unmasks." Respondents judged the rhyming aphorism to be more accurate than the non-rhyming version (even though both versions meant the same thing).

The psychologists concluded that the ease with which people are able to process information plays a large role in their ability to trust that information. The mind accepts rhyming phrases more quickly and thus we feel more comfortable with them. We certainly remember rhymes, even those we learned years ago. When you are unsure how to spell a word you may say to yourself "I before E except after C." When you wonder what the weather will be like tomorrow, you might recite "Red sky at night, shepherds' delight; Red sky in the morning, sailors' warning."

If you haven't yet chosen a business strapline or advertising slogan, it might be worth checking in a rhyming dictionary (you'll find several online). It's not the spelling of the word that matters, but the sound, as in 'vague' and 'Haig', 'sucks' and 'lux' above. The stress of the word is important too; 'widget' and 'forget' don't rhyme because the first syllable is stressed in 'widget', while it's the second syllable of 'forget' that carries the stress. Don't forget to take account of the pronunciation of your customers when choosing a strapline or slogan. To paraphrase Fred Astaire, it just doesn't work when "You say tom-ah-to, and they say tom-eh-to."

For more free information on words in business and brand names, please go to Susan Purcell's site, http://winningnames.co.uk/

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Ideas For Memorable Reception Furniture

By Gino Hitshopi

There is definitely a great requirement for reception furniture to look as impressive as possible in any commercial environment. First impressions really do count, so it's worth a given firm investing in this aspect of their corporate presentation. Just think, if you were coming into an office for the very first time, with the intention of doing business with the people who work inside. If you are confronted with a nasty old desk that may have been installed in the winter of 1977 - what does that say about your company?

This may be an exaggerated example, but the reality is that commerce is really all about presentation; investing in quality reception furniture might well affect the success or failure of your firm. If a business associate thinks your company doesn't even spend money on modern reception furniture, they may jump to the idea that you are a short term focused firm.

But it isn't enough to simply purchase the first set of reception furniture you clap eyes on in the reception furniture retailer. Perhaps you need to consider how this furniture will combine with the surroundings of your pre-existing reception area. Will a brand new black leather couch really fit in with that green carpet?

And of course, it's not just the way this kind of furniture appears; a chair or sofa must be nice and comfy for those who are waiting in your reception area. It is possible to have both comfort and looks when selecting reception furniture - so make sure you go and get it!

It is also commonplace to place some sort of table next to reception seating - so your visitors can put their bag on the table too. It may also offer a comforting barrier if another person is sat opposite.

In terms of the main reception desk - the focal point of any reception furniture arrangement - there are a range of suitable designs that might give the right impression to clients and potential staff alike. Glass desk surfaces look very modern, and are likely to look pretty advanced for years to come. They have the drawback of getting sweaty finger marks smeared on them easily - so the receptionist needs to keep it clean.

There are a many reception interior possibilities available, and selecting the most suitable one for your firm can really make a big difference to the overall presentation of your firm - so select wisely!

Gino Hitshopi is highly experienced in the realm of reception furniture, having worked in the interior decoration industry for many years. For more information please visit: http://www.triangleinteriors.co.uk/reception-furniture.html

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Why Cleanliness is Important to the Catering Industry

By Gino Hitshopi

Having worked in the catering industry I found that some of simplest and smallest things count for a great deal of time and labour when on duty serving a large party. These little tasks are usually in the form of a dishwasher or using glass washers. Very often people would never understand the importance of having a mechanism or device that could do the job in no time at all. Glass washers are especially beneficial for most busy bars or restaurants when they are running low on clean glasses for various beverages and cocktails.

The last thing any customer would want to see is a dirty of stained glass to drink from, which would undoubtedly put them off from coming back to the vicinity. Cleanliness is the most important thing to remember when serving people their food. Imagine walking into a restaurant and being served a glass of wine with lipstick mark around the rim, would you drink from it? Most people would not and will complain about the standard of this service.

The above scenario will be detrimental to the business and of course leave a bitter taste in the customer's mouth, in that they may never return to your services. Simple things like keeping the glass cleaned and washed at all times makes a big difference. Having the right equipment to produce the right result in maintenance of cutlery and a high standard of cleanliness, enables a smooth running of the catering service and prevents any customers from waiting.

As well as using commercial glass washers, one can also benefit from using large industrial commercial dishwashers, designed to wash dishes multiple times and in quick successions. These are also designed to prevent the dishes from chipping or fading. Sometimes equipment like these are absolutely necessary for running a busy bar or restaurant because very often the place run short of stock. Some establishments may face breakages or a shortness of glasses which would need to be replaced and would then require a backup plan.

Keeping the equipment in good working condition is also integral to using them. They can often breakdown, which on a busy Saturday night will be problematic. Unless the option to appoint a member of staff to wash glasses and dishes all night is something that you are willing to risk doing, then keeping tabs and monitoring your glass washers or dishwasher is a must to keeping up with the smooth running of ions operation. Especially in catering industries where they have been hired to wait on people at a wedding, this may add extra pressure on the agency to get every last detail right. Nothing can go wrong and there most certainly not be any mistakes in the serving of food.

Once any damage or etchings have been on glass or an expensive piece of crockery, there is no way of turning back time and removing the markings. This would need to be replaced, further spending more money and creating much more expenditure.

Gino Hitshopi has worked in the catering industry and in a bar that needed glass washers to keep all glasses cleaned and stocked up ready for a busy night. For more in the latest catering equipment visit http://www.ascotwholesale.co.uk/bar_equipment/glasswashers/cid_3/

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