tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83125498433112410702024-03-12T18:00:35.487-07:00Small BusinessAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-78009851999617348872013-11-26T11:29:00.001-08:002013-11-26T11:29:24.115-08:00Small Business Government Contractors - Sorry No Pity Here<div style="text-align: justify;">
Indeed, I have been amazed that during the government shut down how the media and Democrats in congress try to tell us how it is having such a dire effect on small businesses. Well, it may have a big effect on those with government contracts, or those with nearby businesses to government facilities, installations or buildings, but I'd say overall, it doesn't hardly affects small businesses the way it affects big corporate welfare. Let's talk, because I think the small business community is being used to score political points with the public.</div>
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You see, the approval rating with smaller companies in America enjoys a rate of 70%, whereas the US Congress and this administration have dismal rates of approval. I bet you didn't know but if you are going to run for office the best title to put under your name is "Small Business Owner" and that automatically garners you more votes and likability. No one in the US wants to see our small time entrepreneurs and businesses hurt, the public feels their pain, and 10% of us are in that smaller company owner category, while we employ including ourselves 70% or more of the population.</div>
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Now then, in the past my various companies and sub-brands have had many government contracts (to clean vehicles, facilities, and equipment) for agencies and quasi-government organizations. One thing I always noted was when I lost a big to secure a service contract with the government, invariably the company that beat me out on the solicitation to get awarded the contract had extremely poor ethic when it came to labor exploitation. Low wages, poor if any benefits, and lousy working conditions. Sure they were the low bidder, but more often than not they were not following the rules of the contract.</div>
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In that case, I am not the least bit moved when I heard these smaller firms crying in their milk because the government bureaucracy has shut down. In fact, maybe they should have thought about diversifying their customer and client base rather than attempting to sponge off the government through some "politically correct" mandate that allowed them a bid advantage.</div>
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Further, for us to believe that our elected representatives who get handsome campaign contributions from corporate lobbyists really care about the little guy small business is ridiculous. Oh sure, they might care a little, but they surely care more about their big campaign funders who soak even more taxpayer money in corporate welfare. So, basically, I don't want to hear that excuse for a reason to allow the socialists in our government a blank check or unlimited debt ceiling credit card.</div>
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If you'd like to debate me on this - bring it on - because, I personally know of 100s of real examples to back up what I've just said here today. So please consider all this and think on it.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-54964612311228914362013-11-26T11:28:00.003-08:002013-11-26T11:28:46.593-08:00Is This an Ugly Marketing Tactic?<div style="text-align: justify;">
Imagine you own a menswear store. You might be positioned in a Mall or shopping area were there are many other menswear stores. You sell shirts, trousers, ties, socks, t-shirts and jeans just like every other menswear store. And if you are a small business, you likely don't have thousands of dollars to spend on a marketing campaign.</div>
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You need to attract more customers to your store. Word-of-mouth may be good for you and you may even have a database of clients to whom you send an e-news every week. But you need NEW customers too. You can't rely on the customers you already have.</div>
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What do you do?</div>
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You need a strategic communication solution. One that is compelling, memorable, relevant and cost-effective.</div>
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Max owned a menswear store. He had the same problem suffered by many retail stores - not enough customers and no enough money to spend on a big marketing campaign - a campaign that would put a huge dent in the problem.</div>
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His solution? Max developed 'The Ugliest Tie Competition'. It started small to begin with as Max put up a sign in his shop window, posted on Facebook and invited customers to bring in their ugliest tie. The winner would receive a $500 voucher to send in Max's store.</div>
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Customers thought this was a fun idea and word spread. People were coming in to Max's shop just to see the growing collection of ugly ties. Customers were telling friends and pretty soon the local media picked up on the story. It was different and would make for an interesting local news item. Max was interviewed on television and the story spread even further - and it didn't cost Max a single cent for the extra 'public relations' coverage.</div>
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Max attracted hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people to his shop who had never stepped foot inside his door before. And Max didn't just rely on the uniqueness of his competition, he leveraged all the promotion. He asked people to sign up to his e-news because they would receive information on new clothing lines, sales and special customer events. He was able to show customers that he provided great customer service, had terrific clothes, and he started raising the brand profile of his store. He started changing people's perceptions of his store. He was building his brand.</div>
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The competition ran for three weeks and the media even covered the 'award ceremony' when the ugliest tie was announced. This fun, relevant and memorable event cost Max virtually nothing, plus the $500 voucher - although the 'real' cost to Max was much less.</div>
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How can you broaden the scope of YOUR communications? What will enable you to gain more confidence about the marketing messages you are sending? Can you develop a competition or generate free media publicity like Max did?</div>
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And please remember, your strategic communications should align with your business plan to ensure consistency.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-65812679028296063152013-11-26T11:28:00.001-08:002013-11-26T11:28:18.648-08:00Email Marketing: Is It Dead or Complementary?<div style="text-align: justify;">
With all the attention on social media, have you given up on email marketing to build relationships and grow? Do you view them as an either-or strategy for your business? If so, you might want to re-think this When they work together, the combination is far more effective. Here's why.</div>
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It's all about the customer! Some prefer email, some prefer social media - and yes, some prefer both so they can choose each week or month. By eliminating one of the channels of communication, you may actually do more harm than good.</div>
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Why Together is Better</div>
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Subscribers vs. Likes or Contacts. With permission based email, subscribers choose to receive your emails - and will continue on your list if you deliver quality content that meets or exceeds their expectations. Not all social media contacts or likes actually receive your feeds - so building up those likes on your business page may give you a false sense of delivery. According to Facebook, about 15% of your 'likes' receive them. They need to opt-in for this, it's not automatic. By doing both you reach more people using the channel they prefer.</div>
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Targeted vs. Mass Distribution. Email marketing is typically more targeted if you allow for various list options at sign-up. Social media has the potential for mass distribution through search engines and sharing. Most email marketing programs allow for expanded reach through simple or automatic sharing on social media and friend forwarding. Depending on your purpose, they can complement each other and improve your marketing efforts.</div>
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Amount of Content. Email marketing allows you to provide more information to encourage subscribers to act - in most cases, visit a landing page. Social media is designed to be brief; it's a tickler to entice people to click for more information like a blog post or offer. When used together properly, they can draw more visitors to your website or business.</div>
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Quality of Content. Consistently poor content is a killer regardless of the channels you use. Think helpful and relevant to build relationships and eventually sales! Email marketing tends to work best with unique content at a regular frequency - determined by you and your subscribers! Social media requires a lot more posting to be effective. But by design, social media allows you to combine your unique content while sharing helpful tips and ideas from others. You are not under the gun to create ALL the content you use on social media. This can be a time-saver if done right.</div>
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Reporting. A good email system provides plenty of information down to the subscriber or contact level which can be a valuable learning and improvement tool. While some social platforms provide sharing, click and reach data, you have difficulty finding your advocates - those who viewed and shared posts on your Facebook business page? But using what you learn through email marketing can help you improve the other.</div>
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Video, Surveys and Events. All are very popular today - and both platforms allow for use of them. Whether you utilize email, social media or both will depend on your goals and who you want to reach.</div>
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As an advocate for integrated marketing - using a variety of methods to get the word out - I recommend you use both email and social media within your marketing mix. They build off each other and work together to drive traffic to your website so prospects can learn more about your company or offers and take the actions you want to make them a customer!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-78299953191651636292013-11-18T23:21:00.003-08:002013-11-18T23:21:38.297-08:00Growing Funds Along With Your Business<div style="text-align: justify;">
It isn't an exaggeration to say that funding is the life energy of a business. If you own a small or medium sized business, then you must deal with cash flow issues day-in and day-out. It can be frustrating if you struggle to maintain your company's cash flow and are unable to cover ongoing operating expenses. At the same time, your company's invoice aging report shows that there are a significant number of outstanding invoices. You can't wait for 15, 30 or 45 days or more for receiving payments from customers. You need money to manage payroll, to fund infrastructure costs and to afford other expenses. Trying for a loan isn't always feasible since chances are good that banks will not approve your application due to stricter lending regulations. Even in this dismal scenario, you can get the required cash quickly through a flexible financing option known as accounts receivable financing.<br /><br />With available funds, your business will always be ready to take on any kind of financial challenges. You can meet your regular business obligations or mobilize the business towards expansion.<br /><br />How Accounts Receivable Financing Works?<br /><br />A/R financing works following a simple methodology. When you already have a good number of invoices, you can sell them to a factoring company that will pay you an advance amount (between 40% and 90%) less a discount fee (ranging from 2.5% to 7.0%). The percentage of the advance amount will depend on the invoices' amount and their aging. Once you receive the cash, you need not pay it back as you do in the case of a loan. The factoring company will collect the invoice amount from your customer as per the invoice terms in 15, 30, 45 days etc.<br /><br />In the entire process of factoring you will be using your outstanding invoices as collateral. After having financing on your receivables, the cash flow to your business will gradually grow along with the invoiced sales. Some of the biggest advantages of factoring are:<br /><br />• It has quick turnaround time. No processing delay.<br />• It is based on the creditworthiness of your customers, not your business' credit history.<br />• You won't be incurring any debt like a loan since you are selling your assets (invoices).<br /><br />Your invoices can get you the required cash conveniently and affordably, and in as short a time as four days. You can have complete control over your cash flow going forward.<br /><br />How Can Your Business Qualify A/R Financing?<br /><br />There are no strict eligibility criteria to get accounts receivable financing. Regardless of the size of your business, credit history can qualify your business as long as you have outstanding invoices. Businesses ranging from manufacturing, telecommunications, consulting services, logistics, subcontracting and even supply businesses can avail factoring services. Therefore, you need not depend on a bank as you can get need-based funding through invoiced sales.<br /><br />So, if your growing business is running into problems due to lack of working capital or because of your customers' late payments, you can easily overcome it by increasing your business' line of credit or long-term financing to pay your ongoing expenses or deploy the company's growth strategy.<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-12695601249463545762013-11-18T23:20:00.006-08:002013-11-18T23:20:47.044-08:00Grapes: Varieties and How They Promise Unlimited Business Prospect<div style="text-align: justify;">
Figuring out the characteristics of grapes, you may be quite amazed to learn that they exist in more than six hundred varieties and are found in green, red or white shades. Many of these varieties are specifically used for producing wine. This diversity and multifaceted use makes grapes an exceptional business prospect and naturally tempts many people to enter into grapes trade. However, it should be ideal to gather some brief knowhow about the assortment and geographical availability of 'potentially rich' fruit.<br /><br />Factors effecting good quality of grapes<br /><br />Let's first brainstorm the factors that facilitate best quality of grapes. Prime aspect to consider here is your purpose and mull over the utilization and benefits you anticipate. This is imperative because grapes are consumed worldwide in numerous the forms; they make a regular fruit, are a food ingredient, and have got plethora of medicinal usages, in addition to be a major wine component. Every form of grape has its own merits and is known for its efficacy in producing one thing or other. Further, grape's compatibility to explicit geographical conditions is another substantial aspect, knowing that grapes are quite susceptible to different environmental conditions. So, you must think over your possibilities in view of your climatic conditions and look for the feasibility accordingly.<br /><br />Grape growth in view of environmental conditions<br /><br />Countries with usually dry climatic conditions and a hot weather are known as extremely fertile in growing table grapes. But their growth needs to be sufficed with densely irrigated soil and therefore, you must have plentiful of water. For that reason, California, Arizona and Mexico are predominant producers for table grapes in US. It is not that just different types of grapes grow in different geographical spreads, but this peculiarity can also be seen in their nurturing during different seasons or months of a year.<br /><br />Prime grape variants<br /><br />You would like to know some interesting facts associated with the cultivation of grapes in different parts of the world. Well attuned to cold surroundings, Flame is a seedless variant of grapes and is known to extract best quality of red berry. Another type of seedless grape that produces superior class berries is called Blush seedless and this too grows in frosty surroundings. A particular form of white grape is known for its anti-ageing benefits and additionally, it is also used to produce wine with a fruity flavour.<br /><br />But if your focus is specifically on grapes that produce red wine; you must know that Pinot Noir is the best grape variant for that purpose. This is another quality of grapes that is favoured in colder climates. Though it can be grown in other locations of the globe yet is not an easy to cultivate grape denomination. Again, Pinot Noir produced wine is absolutely premium but its production process is too painstaking and demands high level of expertise.<br /><br />In a nutshell, applicability of grapes is as much as its varieties known to the mankind. Owing to the fact that this tiny oval shaped fruit has a large impact on the global economy, you got numerous reasons to hunt for business prospects with grapes!<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-19052633678341570862013-11-18T23:20:00.002-08:002013-11-18T23:20:12.110-08:00Four Essential Elements of Online Marketing - Child Care Marketing<div style="text-align: justify;">
One incredibly important key to drive inquiries and build enrollment in your child care program is your online marketing plan. There are four "must-haves" in online marketing that will strengthen your digital presence, allowing you to easily be found by your big target market, the "millennials" (those born in the early 1980s to early 2000s). Let's dig in!<br /><br />1. Effective Website<br /><br />There are numerous elements to an effective website but some basic elements to start with are:<br /><br />• Easy navigation<br /><br />• Look and appeal (easy on the eye)<br /><br />• Instant communication of your unique benefits<br /><br />• Great pictures or graphics of kids<br /><br />• Compelling to parents<br /><br />• Social media icons that link to your social media sites<br /><br />The best practice in website design today is to use a WordPress based website so it can be easily and quickly updated. Many websites that were built in the late 90s are still using Flash for graphics and images, which now just show up blank on any Apple device, such as an iPhone and an iPad. Really take a look at your website and evaluate if you are putting your best face forward in terms of professionalism and ease of use, as well as your message. I recommend cruising around the web and looking for websites that appeal to you to get some ideas on how to give your website a facelift.<br /><br />2. Google Maps<br /><br />It's important to have a presence in online search results and it's especially important to have a top listing in Google Maps, the geographic listings under the Google search results page with the red pushpins. Where do you come up when people type in keywords like daycare centers, daycares, child care centers, preschools, infant care, etc. in your town and state? You should get yourself on the first page! If you're not, you're being overlooked, and there are a lot books and resources available to help you.<br /><br />3. Business Facebook Page<br /><br />Moms are on Facebook in huge droves, networking with other Moms, so it's important to create a social media presence where your target market is already hanging out. It's fairly simple to create a Facebook business page but first you need a personal Facebook page. Your personal information won't show up on your business page, it's simply a way to authorize yourself as an administrator to your business page. Then just go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/create and follow the step-by-step instructions to create your page. After that is complete there are many resources on optimizing your Facebook page.<br /><br />4. Directory Listings<br /><br />Listing yourself in child care and business directories allows you to link back to your website, strengthening the Google search results for your child care website. List yourself on places like care.com, momtrusted.com, greatschools.org, daycarematch.com, daycare.com, Yelp, etc. In some cases you need to purchase a listing, sometimes it can be free. Set a goal to list yourself in two or three directories every week or delegate it to an employee. This will build your online presence and if you have listings on sites such as Yelp you can get on there and see what people are saying.<br /><br />Now you have some basic tactics for strengthening your online presence! I have some more "ninja" strategies I'll teach in the future but if you focus on the core basics and stick with them over time you will see more inquiries and ultimately more enrollments at you child care center. If you would like more in-depth information, one great resource which offers step-by-step instructions on online marketing is a new book by my husband Devin Murray called Child Care Marketing Online. It's the definitive guide to attracting more families to your child care center, daycare, or preschool by building your online presence.<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-85029403504404317492013-11-18T23:19:00.006-08:002013-11-18T23:19:44.346-08:00Hard Work Can Kill - Finding Work Life Balance<div style="text-align: justify;">
I remember the day my boss had emergency surgery because he was over-worked. I remember saying then, that will never happen to me. Never say never - Many years later, I too had a wake-up call when I suffered severe stomach cramps and my doctor threatened hospitalization. I remembered that boss, and made a decision to change my "work-all-the-time" lifestyle, to avoid his fate.<br /><br />Over the years, as the business grew I found myself working longer hours. There just seemed to be more and more problems. I was always tired and often too ornery to enjoy my success.<br /><br />Here are 11 ways I got my life in balance:<br /><br />Release worry and anger. They consume valuable time and energy, paralyze the brain and block solutions. Most things we worry about seldom materialize anyway.<br /><br />Get clear on the underlying issue. We are often fed mis-information. Dig for the facts and make decisions only on the facts.<br /><br />Be proactive. Creating a plan puts you back in the driver's seat. Working the plan eliminates being overwhelmed.<br /><br />Get help. Your time is valuable. Identify the things you can delegate or outsource, and let others get on with it.<br /><br />Take action daily on the important things. Procrastination is the thief of time. Action creates momentum, momentum creates results.<br /><br />Be patient with yourself and with others. It's never going to be perfect. A plane in flight is constantly bombarded by external conditions. The pilot makes adjustments to bring it back on course. A business is no different.<br /><br />Avoid people who zap your energy. They often whine and complain about little things with high drama, leaving you exhausted. They are not looking for a solution just a stage to perform. Limit your interaction with them or defer them to another time.<br /><br />Celebrate the little wins. It's from the little wins, enthusiasm and creativity are spawned to bring about success.<br /><br />Schedule your day to suit YOU. Block time on your calendar for important personal activities. For example, I once had a boss who scheduled afternoon sleep-time. I thought it hilarious then, but now it makes lots of sense.<br /><br />Do something fun regularly. When you are having fun, the brain finds answers to nagging problems.<br /><br />Get exercise, plenty of water and rest. Not only to keep healthy, they also keep the mind sharp for new opportunities.<br /><br />Take time out each day to spend with you. Re-connect with the essence of who you are and how you want your life to matter.<br /><br />Be selfish, you are worth it!<br /><br />Juliet Downes, Business Coach and Consultant. I help business owners and executives who are spending too much time at work to clarify and prioritize their focus, so they can make more money, and work as little as they want.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-73482983436304586052013-11-18T23:19:00.002-08:002013-11-18T23:19:10.033-08:00Is 8a Certification A Boon For Economically Challenged Business Owners?<div style="text-align: justify;">
How do you want to fulfill your American Dream? When the guest speaker asked this question to people attending a seminar on entrepreneurship, a majority of the attendees responded by saying that, they're going to create equal opportunities for economically weak and socially segregated people in the US through their venture, which in turn would help them grow in prosperity and success, achieved through hard toil and discipline. Now, all that sounds good, in an ideal society, where there's no segregation between people based on ethnicity and race. In the United States, we are all given equal rights and opportunities to achieve success and prosperity, under the watchful guidance of the Federal Government. In spite of this, there are still economically marginalized communities in our country that are not aware of the available programs, which can transform their life for better. 8a certification is one such initiative rolled out by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the aegis of the Federal Government.<br /><br />8a Certification - An Overview<br /><br />Simply put, 8a certification is a business development program inducted by SBA that helps startups and SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) to develop their trade and grow their market presence through one-on-one training, in the form of counseling, workshops and seminars. The certification program is primarily aimed at helping people who hail from one of the several ethnic minority communities that exist in the country.<br /><br />What Advantages Does 8 a Certification Has Over Others<br /><br />• There has been several other certifications and plans executed by the government earlier but none has been that comprehensive as the 8 a certification from SBA. Why? The reason being, once approved, the 8a certified businesses get an opportunity to bag government contracts which in due course would make them potential competitors in the federal contracts marketplace.<br /><br />• America has been known the world over as 'the land of opportunity' and has attracted people from all over the world to come and settle here. Over centuries due to these multicultural settlements occurring in different parts of the country, today the American population constitutes people who hail from all parts of the world, from descendants of Africans to Hispanics and from Asians to Pacific Islanders and many more. Again, there are people who come from the American aboriginal tribes like the native Indians, the tribes of Alaska and the aboriginals of Hawaii and other Pacific islands which are under the direct administrative control of the Federal government. In order to help people from these marginalized ethnic communities the 8a certification program is adding up immense support. Firms that are owned by people belonging to these communities can apply for the 8a certified program and are given exclusive support by the SBA once they become 8a certified.<br /><br />• The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers help not only in the form of providing guidance to applicants to make them qualify the 8a program, but also assist them to compete with other federal contractors to secure business and thereby establish their business entities in a highly competitive marketplace.<br /><br />• The Mentor-Protégé program run by the SBA is a subset of the 8a certification program. It helps budding businesses that are run by people from financially weaker sections of the ethnic minority communities, to gain technical assistance and managerial expertise and run their enterprises successfully.<br /><br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-28823303492293337462013-11-18T23:18:00.002-08:002013-11-18T23:18:27.170-08:00Ziplock Bags - Why Travel Without Them?<div style="text-align: justify;">
So let me guess... which one of you out there tends to over pack for vacations? How about under packed? Have you ever damaged your belongings because your hygiene products exploded everywhere inside your suitcase? Have your luggage ever got soaked before you could get in your hotel room? Who enjoys headaches while on vacation? Who enjoys spending their travel allowance on replacing their damaged wardrobe due to leakage from liquid soaps and lotions you were carrying? How many of you have invested in priced luggage that you barely use? I'm only appealing these questions to you because I personally know about some of these circumstances from experience. What I've soon come to know is that there is always a smarter and not harder way of doing most things! I'm sure you've heard of Ziplock Bags (and many of us generally use them for our lunch items) but I challenge you today to consider their value in regards to traveling and why you should "never travel without them"!<br /><br />Advantage I- Space<br /><br />It's not about how much you have, but about how you use what you have. Large Ziplock Bags make traveling life easier because their able to house general articles of clothing such as socks, shirts, pants, under garments, shorts, t-shirts, and swimwear. The main problem with packing is organizing luggage space. Ziplock Bags maintain your folded cloths so as the bag holds them in place; your items can be easily compressed affording you more room to pack with. Alongside that option if you use the White Block Ziplock Bag version you can label items (which eliminates your kids from having cloths everywhere) and easily retrieve your things once you reach your destination.<br /><br />Advantage II- Preservation<br /><br />Ziplock are made to preserve freshness, lock and seal tightly, and organize your items. Those cosmetic and hygiene luggage bags look great but I will take performance over appearance any day (especially if I'm saving $$$ too). If you or someone traveling with you must take medications regularly, then Ziplock are ideal for organizing those meds safely. Leave the bottles at home because you can label the outside of the bag and once again save packing space. (Now back to those cute travel bags) you don't need to worry about spillage from lotions, perfumes, deodorants, and liquid soaps, 4 mil Ziplock Bags will also preserve freshness amongst your luggage because you can seal up your dirty clothing inside them, negate the odor, and keep your other clothing smelling fresh.<br /><br />Advantage III - Plentiful<br /><br />These bags are available in abundance on the online market stores. You'll be able to purchase in bulk amounts and have enough supply to cover your entire family. Ziplock Bags are airport approved and you'll save $$$ on airline fare because you won't need to check as many bags as you did in the past. If you travel by car you'll surely now have extra space and if you're similar to me (I live to snack) these bags will house and maintain freshness for your travel goodies.<br /><br />After discussing these advantages how do you feel? Do you kind of see how traveling can be made easier? What about your travel allowance, now you'll even have more to spend (which is always good). So try using Ziplock Bags on your next trip and see if this works for you (why travel without them). If it doesn't work (you can always go back to your normal way of doing things). Please comment I would like to hear your suggestions on this topic. The goal is convenience!<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-91956728955880865442013-11-18T23:17:00.006-08:002013-11-18T23:17:58.062-08:00Do You Have A Pre-Qualification System?<div style="text-align: justify;">
Does this sound familiar? You meet a prospect and play phone tag. Months later, you arrange a meeting, you give away valuable ideas and information during the introductory meeting and you wait.<br /><br />You go through this process over and over and over. Eventually, someone does business with you. If you're lucky, about a year later, you're actually working with that new client.<br /><br />The problem with this process is that you're at a disadvantage for several reasons:<br /><br />1. You are in pursuit mode. Unless the prospect has an immediate need, you are in a position of having to convince them.<br /><br />2. You spend a great deal of time just determining if there is a good fit.<br /><br />The bottom line is your time is valuable. Setting up a pre-qualification system just makes good sense because not every call, email or referral you receive is your ideal client.<br /><br />Almost any piece of your selling process can be systematized and/or automated. With a well-defined pre-qualification system, you and your prospect can determine if there is a good match.<br /><br />Implementing a pre-qualification system may be easier than you think, too! Here are some tips:<br /><br />If you spend countless hours educating your prospects or answering frequently asked questions, use your marketing resources to help you serve them better. Include those frequently asked questions and the answers on your website.<br /><br />You may even find that you can overcome objections simply by answering a question that your prospect hasn't expressed but may have on their mind. How would you know what that concern is if they haven't expressed it?<br /><br />The answer is simple. Listen to your existing clients.<br /><br />For example, one of my clients who has a successful hypnotherapy practice discovered that one of her existing clients hesitated doing business with her. Turns out her client attended a show where she saw an audience member being hypnotized and forced to bark like a dog on stage.<br /><br />When my client discovered this perception of hypnotherapy, she addressed that very concern in a Q&A on her website. If you have a specific process, you may want to add a video which can also help explain the process you take your clients through. In the end, you will empower your prospect to make an informed decision.<br /><br />When creating your pre-qualification system, remember to also put on your customer hat. If your system is too complicated, you may lose them. Create a user-friendly process that provides continuous value.<br /><br />Begin by mapping out your entire sales process. Once you have that mapped out, consider how you can systematically and automatically pre-qualify your prospects. Then, watch as you increase your bottom line.<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-13183930004225168622013-11-18T23:17:00.003-08:002013-11-18T23:17:30.232-08:003 Ways to Increase The Efficiency Of Your Small Business<div style="text-align: justify;">
Technology has revolutionized the way we do business. It changes the way we communicate, the way that we work, and the way we collaborate with others. Productivity is crucial in business, and with technology becoming such a pervasive element in today's business, it's not uncommon for the pursuit of productivity to become quite the time waster.<br /><br />Every business owner is concerned with increasing efficiency and boosting productivity. Justin Rosenstein, one of the founders of Asana, a San Francisco-based company that develops collaborative software, said, "The crux of inefficiencies of work come down to lack of clarity." Most people spend 70 to 80 percent of their day in meetings and answering emails. It's work, but it isn't actually the work that needs to be done. Large and small businesses both encounter these problems, but they have, perhaps, more long-lasting impact on small businesses. In a small business, any time wasted means wasted money. A few hours wasted a week could mean the difference between making payroll or not being able to keep the lights on.<br /><br />The three principles developed by Rosenstein and his Asana co-founder, Dustin Moskovitz, are designed to center the work day around the actual work, instead of around meetings and emails. Having worked at Facebook and Google, they understand the atmosphere of a large corporate office, and that it can be difficult to break away from those very "corporate" things, which take up too much time and leave almost no spirit left for real work. The understand the importance of maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit. Their principles are: clarity of purpose, clarity of plan, and clarity of responsibility.<br /><br />Clarity of Purpose<br /><br />Each employee should not only have an understanding of his purpose, but also of the overall purpose. Once he understands his role in the big picture, he can make decisions and set priorities that harmonize with the needs of his position and the company as a whole. Without this kind of clarity, his work may seem meaningless and most employees will lose their drive.<br /><br />Clarity of Plan<br /><br />If every member of the team doesn't understand the entire scope of the plan, most will be unable not only to move forward, but to adequately complete the current step. By discussing and drawing up a full plan, everyone involved can give their input, ensure that every detail is covered, and keep things from falling through the cracks. When everyone knows what will have next, they can better direct their efforts and contribute to a better end result.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-36731731821774892172013-11-18T23:16:00.002-08:002013-11-18T23:16:49.896-08:00Shipping Mailing Envelopes - "They Will Help You Think Outside the Box and the Bucks"<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sometimes we can find ourselves simply just going through the motions. Other times we just wind up conforming to the norm. Why settle for less, why limit ourselves to mediocrity, why not try something new? I agree, in some cases we just feel stuck or burned out from running vigorously in the same hamster like place or we even begin to feel discouraged from what seems to be a one step forward and backwards routine. Despite all of it, I want to encourage you to achieve higher, reach further, and try harder anyhow! Whether you're and individual or commercial vendor my goal today is to enlighten you on the advantages of "thinking outside the box and the bucks". There is always a better way to do things and I hope this article will empower you and enhance your industrial shipping techniques.<br /><br />Think outside of corrugated<br /><br />My focus is not to demonize boxes but to highlight a fast thriving packaging option called Shipping Mailing Envelopes. Corrugated boxes offer certain limitations in regards to companies that ship a variety of items that are made in multiple sizes and applications. Of course boxes can handle most if not all shipping requirements, but you'll find out that they are not as versatile as Poly Mailers, Poly Bubble Mailers, Kraft Bubble Mailers, Glamour Bubble Mailers, and Clear View Poly Mailers. What I'm attempting to say is that boxes are more advantageous for large heavy weight style packages, while Shipping Mailing Envelopes are designed to ship small to large size lightweight fragile and non-fragile items. Another great attribute about Shipping Mailing Envelopes is that they are more flexible, cost efficient, and convenient to stock in your warehouse than boxes. Corrugated mailers are stiff limiting your shipment size range, but Shipping Mailing Envelopes provide a soft cushion that is able to handle all shapes and product styles.<br /><br />Think outside of fees<br /><br />Corrugated boxes and tubes just cost! When accounting for added materials such as packing tape, labor, and printing fees, you're losing on profits rapidly. Shipping Mailing Envelopes are not at all labor intensive; they secure items tightly with their self-seal adhesive strips. If your desire is to print your company's logo or name on Shipping Mailing Envelopes it will be less expensive and also more attractive for advertising. Sometimes those tubes aren't as tamper proof as they should be which in turn is costly on the company, but Shipping Mailing Envelopes are very secure. Alongside their security features, these envelopes are much lighter than boxes and tubes which also save money for your shipments.<br /><br />Don't feel stuck, burned out, and weighed down by only depending on one source of packaging equipment to successfully and properly ship your various products. Don't be afraid to try something new. Shipping Mailing Envelopes are being offered all over the internet and growing into a common shipping source. You'll never know the benefits of something until you try it. If perhaps these envelopes don't work for you... well one thing is good... It didn't cost you much to experiment! However if they do work get ready to prosper!<br /><br />So tell me, what are your thoughts regarding this article? Is there a major drawback to try to "think outside the box and the bucks"? In some cases you get what you pay for, do you think that truth applies to Shipping Mailing Envelopes vs. boxes, corrugated mailers, and mailing tubes? Let me know your thoughts, the goal is to improve!<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-91533978461503045272013-11-18T23:15:00.002-08:002013-11-18T23:15:49.907-08:00Avoiding the Common Pitfalls of Business Startups<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's quite an accomplishment to finally be ready to make a mark in the industry, and see that all the hard work will soon pay off. It is a big leap you are taking, as far as your entrepreneurial goals are concerned.<br /><br />You have everything in place - a great product or service, a dedicated workforce, a competent marketing team. You make yourself involved in every process, from serving or speaking to a customer, to doing accounting work to ensure all of it will turn out as you and your partners have hoped.<br /><br />While this happy situation definitely calls for a celebration, there are certain aspects of running the startup that you need to know in order to avoid entrepreneurial mistakes many business owners make.<br /><br />1. Lack of funding or contingency plan.<br /><br />The sufficiency of your capital often gauges how your business will be like in the next 12 months and the years after. In this regard, you need to have a sound business plan that you need to update in case your business will need additional financial help or funding. With a good business plan, you need not sacrifice or compromise your own earning or savings to keep the business going.<br /><br />2. Excessive optimism and high expectations.<br /><br />Before deciding to open up shop, you and your partners have already identified and analyzed your market, put financial planning in place, and implemented strategies to meet client demands. The mistake, however, lies in not making any room for critical market changes that circumstances may bring about. Is your market size forecasting accurate?<br /><br />3. Making "small" plans.<br /><br />Avoiding expectations that are too high should not mean refusing to make contingency plans. It is not healthy to step away from challenges, because the business in itself is a risk. Planning on how to stay competent or beat the competition is one of the most recommended steps a new business is expected to take.<br /><br />4. Ignoring the possibility of equity disputes.<br /><br />Sure, your best friends "got your back", but when it comes to serious business, equity agreements among founders must be iron clad. There should be terms relating to business equity distribution, just as agreements on profit sharing are put on paper.<br /><br />5. Not getting a lawyer.<br /><br />When starting a corporation, a limited company or partnership, getting a lawyer to is essential. Your experienced commercial attorney will help you comply with all the legal requirements and be sure your business is under the protection of the law. Learn about your attorney's experience, specialization, bar associations and clients.<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-65015149631811450862013-11-18T23:14:00.000-08:002013-11-18T23:14:35.967-08:00Goodwill To All: Charitable Outreach Ideas For Small Business<div style="text-align: justify;">
As the holidays approach, we are often reminded of those who are less fortunate, those who go without. What a great opportunity for your business to affect a change in your area and brighten the lives of those in need!<br /><br />The first thing to keep in mind is that charitable giving is not exclusively for the wealthy, or, in this case, large businesses. While they may not have copious amounts of money to plunk down in the form of a sizeable donation to the charity of their choice, there are ways that small businesses can make substantial differences in their communities during the holiday season. It's good to point out that the benefits extend to your business also, as it associates goodwill and positive action with your brand.<br /><br />Let's consider a few and think about which charitable holiday giving ideas might be a good fit for your business.<br /><br /> Organize a food drive. Your local homeless shelter will appreciate your help in keeping their pantry stocked with non-perishable items and canned goods, particularly during the holiday season when the need is even greater. Encourage your employees to contribute. Offer a discount or a small gift to customers who contribute food.<br /><br /> Collect donations for charity. Partner with a local or national charity and ask customers if they would like to make a donation to that cause. Many businesses ask for a dollar, but you can leave the option for more. Your business will benefit because of the association with the charity, as well as a possible mention of your business in the charity's newsletter, website, or other marketing materials.<br /><br /> Volunteer your time. As stated earlier, not all businesses have an abundance of funds to make monetary donations, however the gift of time to a charity can also be an appreciated donation. Consider taking a day to go as a group to volunteer for a worthy cause. Another way to do this is to allot employees a paid amount of time to donate to working at a charity with which you are partnered.<br /><br /> Offer in-kind donations. In-kind donations (gifts of your business' services, goods, or space) are a tremendous benefit to charitable organizations, and, at the same, allow people who might not normally be customers to become better acquainted with your business.<br /><br />Philanthropic gestures such as the few mentioned here afford your business positive exposure and the opportunity to link your brand with that of another in a way that reflects well on you. By promoting your ideas through your newsletters, social media outlets, and other forms of outreach, you help ensure the success of these charitable events and donations. Most importantly, your business becomes a force for good in your community and affects the lives of those who might otherwise go without.<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-20082710728779379532013-11-18T23:13:00.000-08:002013-11-18T23:13:05.513-08:00Choosing a Trusted Fund Provider That Your Business Needs<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cash flow shortages are a major concern for small businesses even when their businesses are growing. It's because such companies get busy completing new orders, though they get payments after 15, 30, 45 or more days from their customers. It results in lack of working capital to meet current operating costs. This kind of situation is particularly difficult for micro businesses since they usually don't have sufficient cash reserve to tide over the rough weather. In this context, factoring for small business can provide immediate funds offering innovative and flexible solutions to cash shortages.<br /><br />Conventional lending institutes like banks are reluctant these days to approve loans to small businesses for the following reasons:<br /><br />• Low or fluctuating profit margins.<br />• Limited working capital and cash reserves.<br />• Frequently changing collaterals which are highly volatile.<br /><br />So, when the banks close their doors, how can a factoring company help businesses during a tight cash situation? It is a rather simple process. You will just have to sell your company's outstanding invoices less a discount fee on their face value. You can sell a single invoice or multiple invoices for this purpose. In return, your company will receive cash from the factoring company in 4 days without having to wait for payment from your customers. The factoring company takes responsibility to collect the outstanding amount from the customers usually 30 or 45 days after invoices are sold and gets back the amount it paid to your company. The entire process is done in a seamless manner without affecting your relationship with your customers.<br /><br />Once you get cash from the factoring company, you can use the money to fulfill the following operational needs:<br /><br />• Meeting payroll expenses.<br />• Paying rent on factory and machinery.<br />• Buying inventory.<br />• Investing on upgraded technology for better efficiency.<br />• Capitalizing on growth opportunities.<br />• Implementing expansion plans.<br /><br />You can see how accounts receivable factoring companies help small businesses filling the ongoing cash flow gaps that typically occur when they sell products or services to their customers and actually receive payment. The funds received from the factoring company are used to manage short term obligations that effectively ease a temporary cash-strapped situation.<br /><br />Factoring companies provide a great benefit to businesses by paying upfront cash advances of up to 90% on the invoices. Due to this, businesses get breathing space and can focus on getting more customers, as well as the freedom to manage and grow their business.<br /><br />The following are the things you should be looking for in a factoring company:<br /><br />• The reputation of the factoring company and its work ethics;<br />• The simplicity of the application process, and the time the factoring company takes to approve the funding request;<br />• The guidance and support received from the factoring firm;<br />• Turnaround time between the approval of request and receiving the cash in advance.<br />• The flexibility offered by the factoring company and its keenness to build a long term business relation.<br /><br />Once you decide to take up factoring services for A/R financing, you need to choose the right firm carefully. Here, you are looking for a solution for your business' ongoing working capital issues, and the right factoring firm will take care of all your funding worries and get your business the desired stability that it needs.<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-46613873888385916602013-11-18T23:12:00.002-08:002013-11-18T23:12:19.855-08:00Selling Your Receivables for Quick Cash<div style="text-align: justify;">
Many suppliers and retailers are small-size businesses, and they usually carry heavy cash burden due to the scarcity of conventional loans or lines of credit. Furthermore, most of these small businesses usually accept their customers' request to provide lengthy payment terms. It significantly affects these businesses' cash reserves, and they are forced to take out whatever little funds available to meet the operational expenses. This fund could otherwise have been used for growth or hiring. However, you may have a significant number of invoices against which customers' payments are due. These invoices or receivables can be quickly converted into cash through invoice factoring service.<br /><br />In the current economic scenario, over 70 percent of small businesses are giving their clients extensions on payment terms, even though it aggravates cash crunch for their business. It has been observed through a recent survey that almost a quarter of small business owners feel anxious to make collection calls, even when payment terms go beyond 30, 45, or 60 days etc. Many of these entrepreneurs have even considered closing their businesses due to severe cash crunch of working capital. To resolve this situation, business owners need to think beyond the traditional lending from banks and consider A/R financing or factoring to meet their cash flow needs.<br /><br />Small and mid-sized business owners can avail services of a factoring company that will buy their invoices and provide immediate funds as an advance. Usually, the amount of advance paid ranges between 40% and 90% of the invoice value. A factoring company pays on the basis of:<br /><br />1) Aging of the invoices;<br /><br />2) Number of invoices to be used for factoring, and<br /><br />3) Credit worthiness of your customers.<br /><br />After the factoring company pays you the initial amount or advance, it will subsequently collect the same amount from your customer. Thereafter, the company will pay the remainder of the funding after deducting a discount fee (typically between 2.5% and 7.0%).<br /><br />Invoice factoring service is becoming increasingly popular among small and medium businesses. One of the primary reasons why businesses incur significant debt is because their customers want extended payment terms beyond 15, 30 or 45 days. It puts additional liability on having a regular cash flow and meeting payroll commitments. Receiving funds through factoring services revive cash flow into a business and fulfills short term business obligations.<br /><br />Following are the benefits of A/R factoring:<br /><br />1.Getting Quick Finance<br /><br />Invoice factoring is a quick way of getting funds that are being used by businesses experiencing a cash crunch.<br /><br />2.Using up working capital for business growth<br /><br />Most of the businesses have large amounts of their working capital tied up in inventory. A/R financing allows them to free up the working capital and use it for business growth.<br /><br />3.Passing off the collection responsibility<br /><br />The factoring company takes up the responsibility of collecting invoice amounts from your customers. It saves you time and effort to follow up on payments, and you can focus on more productive activities.<br /><br />If you need urgent cash for your business without taking up additional liabilities, then A/R financing could be a viable option for you as an alternative source of business financing.<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-85531196268201683762013-11-18T23:10:00.002-08:002013-11-18T23:10:07.355-08:00Lead Your Team to Victory With This Catchy Strategy<div style="text-align: justify;">
In baseball, there are special rules called ground rules. These rules are particular to each park in which the game is played. In baseball, each park is different relative to its positioning of fences, dugouts, railings, and other infrastructures. So rules are defined to handle situations where the play ball or the players interact with these objects.<br /><br />The same is true for business. There are key advantages to setting rules. As an entrepreneur, rules increase your productivity and enhance your team's interactions.<br /><br />If you have constant interruptions and need to increase your productivity, set rules that address some of the constant disruptions keeping you from top performance. If family members constantly call you for unimportant reasons during work, set a rule around personal phone calls during the day.<br /><br />If you have a team, the key to setting ground rules is to get your team involved in developing them. Assemble your team and ask each team member for input on improved ways to interact or increase productivity. Afterward, have each team member commit to those rules.<br /><br />These ground rules may include protocols to keep interruptions at a minimum, like setting an appointment with a team member before you constantly disrupt their schedule.<br /><br />Ground rules can be set specifically for running productive meetings. Common meeting ground rules include:<br /><br />Keep cell phones turned off during meetings<br /><br />Be on time<br /><br />Distribute an agenda prior to each meeting<br /><br />When setting rules, remember to:<br /><br />Keep your list in the affirmative: That is, what you want to have happen rather than what you don't want, such as "be on time" instead of "don't be late".<br /><br />Get team input and commitment. The worst thing any leader can do is dictate the ground rules. Instead, involve your team in developing the ground rules. You will have better buy in and compliance that way.<br /><br />Number the ground rules. If one is not followed, anyone on the team can simply refer to the number, saying "We need rule number 1."<br /><br />Enforce the rules. When you allow a rule to be broken, you have lowered the bar or allowed an exception. While you may have to adjust or add to your list, enforcement is key to hitting a home run with your team.<br /><br />Set your system in motion. After creating the rules, my second stage clients post their list in their conference room for a consistent reminder of their team's collective commitment.<br /><br />When you implement a systematic approach to using rules, discover just how easy it is lead your team to victory.<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-44970140369406215232013-11-18T23:09:00.001-08:002013-11-18T23:09:20.611-08:00Future Business Ideas - Staying Ahead of the Curve<div style="text-align: justify;">
The modern age that we live in today is very fascinating. The constant desire to evolve, has led us to a time, where technology is the driving force behind our development. We try to make our lives as easy as possible, so we continuously strive for solutions to everyday problems.<br /><br />So naturally, it is only common sense, that for anyone interested in making money nowadays, they need to stay ahead of the curve. The more creative and innovative your ideas are, the more rewards you get to reap later. Predicting business trends of the future can sometimes be an arduous task. But, if you can be among the first to meet the demand of a certain product or service that is on the rise, you can become very successful.<br /><br />E-commerce<br /><br />With the rapid development of technology, businesses in the future will most likely turn to the internet completely, in order to be more productive, and meet the needs of the growing market. With the proliferation of smart phones, consumers will be able to buy and pay for anything they wish, with just a touch of their fingertip. With that in mind, online retail stores are definitely a business that is bound to flourish in the future.<br /><br />Elderly Care<br /><br />In the United States, as well as other developed countries, there is an increasing demand for independent living by the elderly. With a large concentration of wealth in the hands of the aging baby boomers, any business that caters to their needs is sure to become of great relevance in the years to come. Businesses offering personal home care products and home healthcare delivery services are expected to grow exponentially.<br /><br />Outsourcing<br /><br />Presently, there is a multitude of online services, delivering outsourced business solutions, at a fraction of the cost it would take to do it in-house. In the future, the demand for these services is certainly going to increase. Many businesses are turning to outsourcing in order to be more flexible and have more time for higher level activities, such as business development and project management.<br /><br />In the future, as the marketplace becomes more accessible to the growing base of tech-savvy consumers, boundless other niches are likely to pop-up, thus creating a demand for other great products and services. The key, is to anticipate these ideas and utilize them. In order to make good business decisions for your future venture, you will always need to be one step ahead of the game.<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-59053437064476997422013-11-18T23:08:00.002-08:002013-11-18T23:08:33.168-08:00How to Qualify a Potential Wholesale Supplier<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. Do your research. Don't be fooled by a beautiful website with lots of pretty colors but no substance. Dig deep and get to the core of what the company is about and find out about the reputation they have in the industry.<br /><br />How long have they been in business?<br /><br />Do they provide a company profile or history on their website?<br /><br />Are they members of the Better Business Bureau and what rating do they have?<br /><br />Once you find a wholesale supplier that looks attractive to you either for the products or service they offer, Google the company name and see what comes up.<br /><br />Do you find helpful resources and information about the company?<br /><br />Or do you find a particularly high number of complaints and scam reports about them?<br /><br />Take the time to do your reading. Keep in mind that it is nearly impossible to satisfy 100% of customers so if you do come across one or two poor reviews, don't throw in the towel just yet. Look at the other factors like the company's growth, the information or resources they provide on their website, what people say about them on forums and blogs, and whether they are listed with the major wholesale search engines Top Ten Wholesale or Wholesale Central<br /><br />2. Buy from the source. In the liquidation industry, brokering merchandise is very common. Companies set up websites to sell other larger companies' products. This results in many companies listing the exact same lots in several places on the Internet. While it is okay to purchase from brokers, it's better to go straight to the source.<br /><br />How do you know if the company you are looking at is a broker?<br /><br />Brokers generally do not have their own warehouses or spaces. They do not own, see or touch the merchandise they sell. It gets drop-shipped straight from the supplier to the end reseller.<br /><br />Does the company provide actual photographs or videos of their warehouse and operations?<br /><br />Do they list a phone number, email address and physical address?<br /><br />If you see a physical address on their site, Google it and use the "satellite" function to zoom in on the location.<br /><br />Does it look like an apartment building or a residence? Or does it look like a warehouse space?<br /><br />If they do not list an address at all, consider that they might be "online only," and thus not in possession of the merchandise they are selling. This makes it difficult for them to accurately describe it to you and difficult for you to make sure the goods will be right for your business.<br /><br />3. What kind of service do they provide? Read their website and look for an invitation to contact them.<br /><br />Do they have contact forms? A phone number and email address listed?<br /><br />Do they encourage prospective buyers to contact them before buying?<br /><br />Do they provide many customer testimonials on their website?<br /><br />Whenever possible, make contact with the company before you place an order. Make sure there are real people behind it so that you have someone to turn to if there is ever any kind of problem with an order you place. Customer service should be a priority for any supplier you work with.<br /><br />4. Take note of their accepted payment methods. Most reliable, reputable suppliers will make it as easy as possible for their customers to purchase: they will make multiple payment methods available to you like credit card, PayPal, wire transfer, money orders, etc.<br /><br />Be wary of liquidation suppliers who require payment by wire transfer in 100% of cases. Paying for your purchases by Credit Card or PayPal gives you recourse in case a supplier does not deliver the merchandise. When you do wire money, make sure you've established a trusting relationship with a company as some dishonest suppliers may cash in on your wire and never deliver the goods. Although this is fairly rare, it does happen. Paying by Credit Card or PayPal (even though it occasionally means paying a 3-5% service charge), may avoid headaches in the future. Note that some companies only accept wire transfers for large amounts until a relationship of trust is established with their customers - this goes both ways. Do be flexible, but be vigilant as well. Do your research and know where your money is going. â¨<br /><br />5. Whenever possible, try to visit your suppliers. Seeing their physical operation and meeting them in person can enhance your understanding of the product and can enhance your working relationship with the account managers you deal with regularly. Many companies exhibit at liquidation and wholesale industry trade shows. If you can't visit them at their locations, consider attending an industry trade show. Not only will you get to meet your suppliers face to face, but you'll be in a room with thousands of other companies and may very well find additional suppliers while you're there.<br /><br />6. Be realistic in your expectations. Many people who start out in the business of buying merchandise for the purpose of reselling it expect to at least double their money on every lot they purchase. This is simply unrealistic when dealing with liquidated goods. While it CAN happen, there is a learning curve and you need to allow for a little margin of error. When you find a supplier you'll be working with for the first time, start small, test the waters and build your way up.<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-68311600757683659162013-11-18T23:05:00.002-08:002013-11-18T23:05:48.174-08:00How to Buy the Right Nursery Bedding for Girls?<div style="text-align: justify;">
Every woman dreams of having a baby in the future. Indeed, they consider a baby as a treasure and the proof of love between couples. It is a sign that a new family is being created. Of course if couples will live their lives without having a child, the feeling of contentment is quite unattainable. You can't stop yourself to envy other people playing with their children going to malls and parks, and sharing happy moments together. Indeed, it only shows that having a baby is really important to every family.<br /><br />The mother will still have to suffer extreme pain during the labor period which is truly unbearable. But when the child is born, all those pains will be put to an end. What you only have to feel is the happiness that having a child gives you. And for some time lots of things will come out of your mind. Typically women prefer to have a baby girl. Surely they would treat the baby as a princess and buy the best nursery bedding for girls.<br /><br />Going to malls or even surfing the internet you will see different styles of nursery bedding for girls. Some will prefer having the most elegant one which is somehow expensive yet if you can really afford to have it then buy it at once before somebody else might get it. Besides it is for your daughter anyways so why not spend some money from your pocket and let your little princess sleep comfortably with her bedding.<br /><br />When choosing nursery bedding for girls you have to consider several factors for you to make the right pick. With a lot of options you can choose from there is no doubt that you will find it hard to settle for a particular one. Remember that spending money for something which cannot give you satisfaction is just a waste so you have to be very careful when buying nursery bedding for girls.<br /><br />Several factors you have to consider when buying nursery bedding for girls<br /><br />• You have to make sure that the bedding will give your baby a comfortable feeling so that she can have a good sleep.<br /><br />• Choose a color which is suitable with her gender like pink, yellow, red, green, and so on.<br /><br />• Buy a nursery bedding of the right size so that your baby will have to use it for a long period of time.<br /><br />• Going for a durable type of bedding is a good idea so that you can fully maximize the functioning of the bedding.<br /><br />• If you're on a tight budget, search for the kind of bedding which is lower in price. There are nursery beddings which can last long even if it is an inexpensive one. Price doesn't justify the quality right? So there is nothing wrong if you go for lower priced nursery bedding for your baby. It's just a way of being a practical buyer especially when you really don't have the amount of money to have it.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-12455563148862488672013-11-18T23:04:00.001-08:002013-11-18T23:04:33.111-08:00A Bright Spot for Your Lean Cash Reserve<div style="text-align: justify;">
Start-up businesses usually sell products or services on credit terms to develop a large customer base. Even the businesses which are reasonably established in an industry provide extended credit terms to their customers to maintain ongoing business relations. Though in the interim, they need additional working capital to pay employees' salaries or for buying equipment or to meet some other business expenses. Even if your business is growing, it still may face cash flow shortages due to unpaid invoices. Customers would take at least 15, 30, 45 or more days to make payments. In a situation like this, you can benefit from spot factoring or invoice discounting.<br /><br />Factoring is a financial strategy that allows you to receive immediate funding from a secondary source. It ensures that you always have enough cash for regular operational expenses and other business contingencies. With factoring, you can get the much needed working capital to meet your business obligations. Nowadays, getting funds through bank loans has become quite challenging. Today's dismal economic scenario and tight lending markets has made loans difficult to obtain. Factoring services enable you to fulfill funding requirements by selling specific invoices.<br /><br />Some of the unique features of spot factoring are below:<br /><br />• There are no long term contracts.<br />• Unlike conventional loans where banks check your credit history, a factoring company only checks your customer's credit worthiness. It is not concerned about your credit history.<br />• You need not wait for 15, 30, 45, 60 or 90 days to receive payments from customers.<br /><br />Transactions through factoring can be for a single invoice or multiple invoices against which you can receive advances of up to 90% of the invoice face value. You can always avail factoring services on a "use it when you need it" basis. These services can always be structured to meet your business' ongoing cash flow needs.<br /><br />At a glance, you will get the following key benefits through invoice discounting:<br /><br />• Quick Funding - You can get funds in just 4 days if applying for the first time. In the subsequent cases, you will receive the cash in 24 hours.<br /><br />• Flexibility - There are no minimum or maximum annual volume requirements.<br /><br />• No Penalty - You need not pay any upfront penalties or credit line fees. There will only be a discount fee (typically between 2.5% and 7.0%).<br /><br />From the arguments above, it is clearly evident that Spot factoring is undoubtedly a flexible, cost-effective, quick and convenient funding option. It could be an ideal solution to your short-term cash flow needs. You can sell single invoices or several invoices. You can get funds between $10,000 and $500,000.<br /><br />A/R Financing is less rigorous and has quicker turnaround time compared with conventional financing such as bank loans. With this funding, you can always pay taxes and bills on time, improve your good credit rating, and you may be able to get better terms from suppliers. It is indeed important for businesses to incline towards flexible funding-like factoring for sustainable growth.<br /><br />I have experience in writing on accounts receivable financing, also known as spot factoring. My write-ups typically explain how accounts receivable financing factoring is a viable funding option for small businesses.<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-37796037680091540512013-11-18T23:02:00.002-08:002013-11-18T23:02:09.665-08:00How Often Should You Update Your Small Business Website?<div style="text-align: justify;">
How often you should update your website depends on your business, site content and functionality.<br /><br />During the website development stage of your small business website is when you should consider how frequently information will need to be updated. Updating your website requires time! Keep in mind, if you don't have the time to perform regular updates it might be better to not include certain aspects. The quickest way for your visitors to stop coming to your website, is for them to see incorrect or out of date information.<br /><br />Here are 3 business scenarios and their recommended Website Update Frequency:<br /><br /> A local Retail Store with Online Inventory<br /><br />Any time you offer items for sale to your website visitors you will need to update your website on a weekly, if not daily basis. Your customers will get turned off really quick if they see you haven't updated your site. Inventory changes, prices fluctuate, sales come and go.<br /><br />If it's the middle of December and you're still advertising Thanksgiving specials, it's a red flag to your visitors that you don't take your business and your customers seriously. Keep your inventory up to date and make it as easy as possible for your customers to make a purchase.<br /><br /> A local Service Company<br /><br />Most likely your services and contact information don't change very much over the years, chances are you've had the same phone number for many years. You only really have to update your website if you add a new service, change prices or if you offer a special to your customers.<br /><br />Update your services as soon as possible, including prices and any additional fees. There should be no surprises for your clients. This is one of the most crucial elements of a successful service website. To add additional value for your website visitors and for search engine optimization, you should consider adding some fresh content once a month. This could be a monthly 'update' for your customers or articles on 'Tips and Tricks of the Trade'.<br /><br /> A local Motel or Resort<br /><br />If you're in the hospitality business, then you know how important it is to have an up to date online presence. You will probably have a built in scheduler for your room availability, so you will only need to update the rest of your website once every quarter as the seasons and your local entertainment changes.<br /><br />To allure your website visitors to stay at your establishment, it's a good idea to include links to nearby restaurants, bars, theaters and other local attractions. Make sure these links are checked for accuracy on a regular basis. Nobody likes to end up on a dead end link.<br /><br />Small businesses face big challenges!<br /><br />You must balance the need to market your business with a small marketing budget. It is important that you get the word out about your products and services, but you often have very limited resources and time. You need ways to market yourself in ways that don't break the bank.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-42802791311715735392013-11-18T23:01:00.003-08:002013-11-18T23:01:36.998-08:00Keep Your Business Surging With Ready Cash<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cash flow is the biggest requirement of a business to meet various short term obligations. If it fails to flow, the growth process of a business will come to a standstill. Companies wait on their customers for cash for 15, 30, 45 days or more. In between this waiting period, businesses might need significant funding to meet payroll and other expenses. To resolve this issue, a firm can liquidate its receivables into ready cash; this is called factoring or invoice discounting. Factoring is a practical and useful alternate financing option that can free up the internal resources of a business.<br /><br />When the economy shows signs of sluggishness, it has a direct impact on the lending market. As a result, credit for business dries up since banks are reluctant to give loans and reject most of the applications citing poor credit history and low profit margins etc. This may lead to a severe financial crunch among smaller businesses as they usually don't have high cash reserves. Companies that are not ready to face such financial turmoil may find themselves on the verge of shutting down. In this scenario a business needs a creative financing method, that's where factoring comes into play.<br /><br />A reputable factoring company typically pays up to 90% on an invoice as an advance amount. Principle factoring companies provide direct financing from their own capital. The company then waits to collect payment on the invoices, and once it is collected, it takes out a discount fee (typically between 2.5% and 7.0%). After receiving an advance amount, companies that use factoring can make payment on their short term obligations.<br /><br />Here are some of the key benefits factoring or invoice discounting provide to businesses:<br /><br />1. Factoring is actually a selling of invoices; it is not same as lending. Hence, there is no liability for a company to pay back;<br /><br />2. Funding companies take the responsibility of collecting on invoice amounts from their customers;<br /><br />3. Factoring companies evaluate every invoice purchased by checking the creditworthiness of customers. Due to this, possibilities of collecting a valid invoice are quite high;<br /><br />4. Businesses can invest for their expansion plan with increased working capital;<br /><br />5. Businesses can offer extended payments to customers to consolidate business relations;<br /><br />6. Profit margins will improve along with better buying power.<br /><br />Factoring allows a company to realize a major portion of its revenue immediately by selling its invoices. It is a practical alternate financing option considering the current economic scenario. So, the next time you face difficulties in meeting business obligations, perhaps factoring or invoice discounting can tide you over by providing instant cash.<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-5450096914051289372013-11-18T23:01:00.000-08:002013-11-18T23:01:06.250-08:00Local Internet Marketing - Your Best Bet To Succeed Online<div style="text-align: justify;">
The problem is the majority of local business owners have no clue about how to go about it. Our experience has shown that by concentrating on a few good techniques it will jump start your local business marketing now and for a long time to come. The long term effects will far outweigh the costs involved.<br /><br />The Importance Of Properly Executed Search Engine Optimization<br /><br />You've no doubt seen great looking websites online but that's no guarantee they're profitable. We all know that the bottom line is increased revenue and that's why a properly optimized and promoted website is crucial to dominating your online market. This is when SEO becomes so crucial to your strategy. When you ask a typical small business owner "What is SEO?" all they know is they want their website found on the internet. They have no idea their website needs to be search engine friendly for Google to find it. Most businesses are coming to realize at least why there website needs to be on page one of the major search engines. They just don't know what it takes to get them there.<br /><br />SEO is composed of two distinct types: Off-page and On-page. Both are essential if a search engine optimization campaign is to be successful. Off-page SEO refers to obtaining inbound links from other related sites as well as social media and web directories. These are obtained by creating articles in your particular niche. A properly optimized web page will include the subject of the page in the following areas: title tag, URL and image alt text. Specifying it several times throughout text is also important. Then when your website is analyzed by search engines they will see the continuity of the content. It used to be very important to place keywords throughout an article quite frequently. That however is not the case anymore. More emphasis is being placed on synonyms and long tail keywords placed strategically throughout an article.<br /><br />Google + Local<br /><br />Another great local internet marketing tool is Google + Local, formerly Google Maps as the name implies, your business is promoted by actually giving your location out to potential customers searching for your niche online. Having your business listing there will also give them the opportunity to leave reviews about you which will help increase your page ranking.<br /><br />Pay-Per-Click (PPC)<br /><br />Many businesses choose PPC marketing to get immediate results on Google. You as an advertiser will only pay for an ad when someone clicks on it.<br /><br />When creating your ad consider long tail keywords since they will not be as competitive and can help your customers find what they really want. Then be sure that your landing page is truly based on what your ad described. That way you have more of a chance to gain and retain that client. As you have seen there is more to it than just having an impressive looking website. You just need an experienced, proven and reliable local business marketer on your side.<br /><br />At My Site Launcher we are equipped to run a successful and affordable internet marketing campaign for your business. Don't settle for what you get. Get what you need! Give us a call or email us today to get your free consultation.<br /><br />Joe Reynolds is the Owner and Local Internet Marketing consultant for My Site Launcher.com.<br /><br />My Site Launcher is a search engine placement company that offers powerful tools in managing your websites and increasing your website traffic. My Site Launcher uses advanced website promotion techniques, including search engine optimization, affordable SEO packages, and PPC advertising on Google, Yahoo and Bing. Expert Search Engine Marketing consultants will take care of all your website optimization, driving highly-qualified leads and ready-to-buy customers to your site automatically, letting you focus on running your business.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053327019261893130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8312549843311241070.post-70484094245982428942013-11-18T23:00:00.002-08:002013-11-18T23:00:32.078-08:00Score More Clients With Cadence<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have you ever been absolutely mesmerized by the rhythmic nature of a drum line? If you have, there is that defining moment when the drum line comes together to create an amazing show leaving the audience captivated by their cadence.<br /><br />As a business owner, it is important to captivate your audience. Your consistent action creates a cadence. The cadence creates a connection with your prospects. Saying it another way, you get on a roll and get noticed.<br /><br />I was honored when a fellow professional speaker remarked how much she loved seeing my blogs and the consistent messaging. That cadence left an impression on her.<br /><br />A business is a lot like a drum line. While musicians have their sheet music, which tells them when a note should be played, the next note to be played, and the end of the song, an entrepreneur has their strategic plans.<br /><br />The problem is many business owners are simply missing a step in their strategic planning process to create that cadence. They may begin the year with a plan, but they don't create a regular habit of referring to their plan. After a while, you get so far off the plan, it feels like you're part of a really bad band rehearsal.<br /><br />No matter how great the plan, nothing happens until you operationalize it. It's that consistent action of referring and executing your plan that starts the rhythmic flow.<br /><br />When you plan your work and work your plan, you have distinct advantage. When you get clear on your direction and develop consistency through the execution of it, you create your cadence. By the nature of your cadence, you create momentum. That momentum is attractive energy.<br /><br />Every year, one of the key appointments I keep on my calendar is my Strategic Planning Day. Like musicians have sheet music to guide them, business owners need to have well-orchestrated plans and consistently review those plans throughout the year.<br /><br />This is the perfect time of the year to map out what you want next year to look like. During my Strategic Planning Day, I will:<br /><br />Review the accomplishments throughout the year and compare them to the plan<br />Finalize next year's goals - and review how the following three years line up<br />Operationalize the action plans<br /><br />Adding this process to your business will do wonders for creating your cadence. When you operationalize your strategic plan, watch as you double your influence, impact, and income.<br /></div>
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