http://wealthmethod.com Business and Wealth Creation Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:13:28 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/dependable-direct-marketing-techniques-for-restaurants-2/ http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/dependable-direct-marketing-techniques-for-restaurants-2/#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:13:28 +0000 Admin-Eric http://thoughtsearch.com/Dependable-Direct-Marketing-Techniques-for-Restaurants/98357/967.html Title: Dependable Direct Marketing Techniques for Restaurants

Article: There are many direct marketing techniques that a restaurant owner could choose from, but why not use the tried and true - - and the most dependable. The reason the strategeies described below have survived the 'test of time' is both because they work and because they provide a return on your investment of time and money. Perhaps the oldest of these techniques is mail, although in today's Internet vernacular it is often referred to as 'snail mail'. Snail mail enables direct communication via colorful brochures, well-crafted letters and flyers as well as special coupons. Although these pieces are static, they have response rates that vary from 1% to 3% and sometimes up to 5%. Mail campaigns can be expensive because of the print costs, the cost and time involved with stuffing envelopes, and the postage. Additionally, there is a lot of waste because recipients just discard the mail package and generally don't take the time to send a request to be removed from the distribution list. Rapidly gaining on snail mail is electronic mail, or email, because it has several significant advantages. Costs are lower, graphics can be included, and consumers generally opt-in to the list thereby giving you permission to market to them. Opting in conforms with most of the anti-spam laws as long as you provide info on who the email is from, a physical address, contact information, and, most importantly, an easy way to opt-out of the email campaign. If a consumer unsubscribes, this becomes a real benefit because it ultimately leaves you with a highly qualified email list. Email is now becoming a very dependable way for a restaurant to reach it's customers. Related to snail mail is traditional fax marketing. Faxes come as black-and-white documents, typically one page, that the receiver can choose to either accept or discard without ever reading them. As with snail mail, there is a lot of waste because recipients just discard the Fax and generally don't take the time to send a request to be removed from the distribution list. It is important to note that many states have some very strict rules and hefty fines for sending unsolicted faxes making it neccessary to only fax to a permission-based list. We have all received the dinner time telemarketing call that is incredibly annoying. It is annoying because it is ill-timed and also because you know it is a sales pitch for something that oftentimes you have no interest in. More successful is a different type of telemarketing call that is permission-based, educational and makes an offer for a 'no strings attached' program, service, book, coupon, complimentary meal or seminar that is directly related to your interests as a result of previously having done business with the company making the call. When done right, telemarketing can strengthen the relationship with your customers because of the personal contact component that an impersonal mail piece simply doesn'y have. The importance of using a commercially available restaurant management checklist to serve as a guide for managing your restaurant's operations cannot be overstated. With such a tool, you greatly enhance your ability to provide consistent customer service, meet your financial objectives and be focused and organized as well as operate your business more efficiently. Jim O"Donnell of Jaguar Consulting, Inc. in Kingston, NH provides marketing and business development services for small business and has developed a Restaurant Self-Assessment Checklists designed to help restaurant owners and managers achieve a higher level of growth and profitability. He can be reached at (603) 642-8338, JimODonnell@JaguarConsulting.com, or http://WWW.Checklists4Business.com to view all available checklists.

Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com]]> http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/dependable-direct-marketing-techniques-for-restaurants-2/feed/ 0 http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/digital-signage-content-may-be-king-but-whos-doing-the-coronation-part-ii/ http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/digital-signage-content-may-be-king-but-whos-doing-the-coronation-part-ii/#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:13:28 +0000 Admin-Eric http://thoughtsearch.com/Digital-Signage-Content-May-Be-King-But-Who-s-Doing-The-Coronation-Part-II/128547/967.html Title: Digital Signage: Content May Be King, But Who\'s Doing The Coronation? -Part II

Article: Fresh content is critical to the communications effort if viewers are to keep coming back to the sign for more. In media shorthand, this boils down to the often used expression: "Content is king." But if content is king, who's doing the coronation? In other words, who is creating the content that gets elevated to this regal stature? Here, I examine solutions that go beyond the obvious answer of hiring someone like a full-time graphic artist or ad agency -two steps many small business owners are likely unprepared to make. While no individual suggestion solves the entire problem, several taken together should come close. Before reviewing the tactics, however, keep in mind that the success of any digital sign relies on having a clear understanding where the sign will be located, who's typically watching and what is trying to be accomplished. These sorts of larger, strategic issues play into selecting which of the following tactics make the most sense for creating the content that's desired without diverting too many precious company resources into feeding the insatiable content appetite of digital signs. In this column, I offer five of 10 tactics. In my next column, I'll lay out five more. Tactic 1: Create and use eye-catching templates that can easily be populated with regularly used data. Templates reduce the complexity of creating digital signage content. They can be constructed to accommodate nearly all of the information -whether its menu items for a restaurant or special event listings in a hotel lobby- that a digital signage user needs to display. Once created, templates also minimize the time that must be devoted to the communications process because they can be used over and over again. Additionally, one template with a certain graphical theme can be spun off into other graphically similar templates that satisfy specific communications requirements while at the same time creating a consistent visual theme that helps to reinforce the identity of the small business. Tactic 2: Select digital signage software that automatically imports data from other business systems to relieve staff from re-keystroking data into the digital signage page. For example, a hotel might rely on management software to track reservations, meeting room bookings and other business events. With the right digital signage software, it's possible to identify pieces of that data that could populate a digital signage template automatically without intervention by the hotel staff. For instance, meeting room booking data, such as the name of the party renting the room could populate a text field in a template built for use on a digital reader boards outside individual conference and ballrooms. Tactic 3: Leverage existing marketing, promotional and advertising materials to minimize the amount of original content that must be created. Existing content, including company logos -both the small business's logo and those of their vendors- TV commercials, supplier video and conference video can be reused on digital signs when appropriate. Tactic 4: Use RSS feeds to keep a stream of fresh content constantly crawling across the screen. Depending on the small business and the application, Internet RSS feeds from different sources can provide fresh, new content to attract viewers and hold their attention. Tactic 5: Rely on a traditional television channel. Some digital signage systems are available with optional television and cable television tuners that allow TV to be imported into a digital signage layout. Integrating TV relieves much of the burden of creating a lot of fresh content. However, there are a few caveats to keep in mind. The cable or satellite TV source may not allow retransmission of its programming without first paying a licensing fee. Another is possible competitive conflicts. For instance, how would the owner of a used car lot feel about unintentionally displaying the commercial of a competitor on his digital sign? Relying on these five tactics can help small business owners create the content that gets and holds the attention of viewers without taking on a new employee or vendor. In my next column, I'll offer five more tactics that can be used to create content worth of coronation. David Little is a digital signage enthusiast with 20 years of experience helping professionals use technology to effectively communicate their unique marketing messages. For further digital signage insight from Keywest Technology, visit our website for many helpful tips and examples.

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Article: Marketing your restaurant is something where you tend to turn your sites to the external. You think of signs, billboards, and radio and TV advertisements. But you might want to look inside as well; your restaurant staff could be attired in such a way that it builds up brand identity. In addition to increasing productivity, uniforms will boost your brand awareness. Take an example: the Starbucks barista. As soon as I said that (assuming you're familiar with Starbucks), an image probably flashed through your mind of forest-green on kelly-green with white trim and the mermaid logo. That's what the baristas wear at Starbucks: smart, green-and-white uniforms with an energetic design. You could take the barista outside and recognize her anywhere. As soon as you see this uniform, you think of Starbucks. While you're in Starbucks, your eyes automatically zoom to the barista when you're ready for another order. Starbucks just wouldn't be Starbucks without that uniform. There are now more than 1.2 million restaurant locations in the United States, which tells you that restaurant competition is tighter than ever before. What your staff wears adds a lot to the experience. A well thought out uniform will enhance the brand identity of your business, because your staff is the personal face of your company. As they represent you and your establishment, they should radiate competence and confidence to your customers, no matter if the kind of atmosphere you have is casual or formal. Even in a casual sidewalk short-order grill, people want to see some uniformity. Perhaps because it promotes professionalism and it shows you care. For some sub-conscious reason, uniforms put your customers at ease. They identify the person in charge, and the good thing about somebody else being in charge is that it's not you. The pressure's off; you're in good hands! Just place your order, and the helpful, friendly staff person will take it from there. Restaurant uniforms also help to keep the atmosphere of your establishment consistent. We have the tuxedo uniform, or waiter jacket and gloves combination, which can create an exclusive, "special occasion" atmosphere that makes the customer feel important and fancy. People have a psychological urge to spend big and tip big when in the presence of formal-dress staff. But then, the casual restaurant also keeps its own brand identity when they have a heavily-themed or fun atmosphere. Think broad red-and-white stripes on a collared polo shirt, a snappy little black bow tie, and suspenders and you have a host or hostess at TGI Friday's. Happy day, it's party time! Time to unwind after work, relax, order a hearty, simple meal, and have a few laughs with your friends. You knew it as soon as you saw the outfit - of course you do! You're a regular, you come here all the time, right? Likewise, an ethnic theme is a popular source of inspiration for restaurant staff uniforms. Whether Mexican, Chinese, Italian, Cajun, Samoan - any country you can name, the ethnic specialty of your restaurant can be creatively expressed by your staff's attire. For other kinds of theming, a creative and smart look can add to your restaurant's atmosphere of an exotic tropical outpost, a Greek amphitheater, or a suave and sultry beach-side resort. Attractive and tasteful uniforms also help your staff's morale. It makes sense that if you would have to wear the same outfit every day at work, you'd at least want it to look good. No matter what the situation, being well-dressed imparts a sense of confidence, because people tend to treat you with more respect when you look like a million smiles. The branding becomes complete with the addition of a corporate logo, or other trim or accessories which echo the style and theme of your establishment. At that point, the link is made in your customer's mind between your restaurant and the staff's service. Of course, you will not want to dress each staff member identically - it doesn't make sense to dress the chef exactly like the waitress. So you'd want to design a general theme, color scheme, and branding, then modify it so it's adaptable to the different needs of your different staff members. This is where your creativity comes into play; keep the design that you select standard enough to be easily branded and recognized, while also being flexible enough to accommodate different staff duties. Don't forget to include a variation for seasonal change, if it applies in your area. Here's a great idea to firmly anchor your restaurant uniform scheme in your customer's mind: at your restaurant's Grand Opening, get the whole staff dressed up in their fresh uniforms and have them pose in front of your establishment for a group photo. Then frame this photo and hang it on the wall somewhere where your patrons will see it on their way out. The image will stay with the patron, and it's kind of like the whole staff thanked them for coming and told them to come back soon! It will help tie in the entire scheme together with the experience of being your happy, soon-to-return guest. Freelance writer for over eleven years. Looking for a discount on your restaurant uniforms and accessories? You might want to check out these sites. Discount Uniforms Restaurant Uniforms Dickies Medical Uniform Scrubs

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Article: Copyright (c) 2010 Valery SatterwhiteThere are what seems to be an infinite number of books that provide a formula for success. They will tell you to work hard, pay your dues, earn advanced degrees in your education. The Empowering Formula for Success, however, is a bit contrary to many of those strategies and quite simple.There are 3 Essential Empowering Factors in the Formula for Success: Authenticity: Who You Really Are & What You Want to Achieve Confidence: Self-esteem and Intuition Alignment: Mindfully Speak & Act in the Direction of your Highest GoalsTo apply this formula you must first acknowledge where you currently are and get clear on what success looks like for you. What would make your heart sing? If you don't know the answers to these initial questions you may be on a path that is not your own.Do you even know who you REALLY are? Do you show up in your life authentically? Or have you become who you "SHOULD be" or are "SUPPOSED to be"? Are you expressing your authentic self each and every day or have you learned to express who you were conditioned to be from an early age? If you are chronically tired or feel unfulfilled then you're probably living through your conditioning instead of who you came into this world to be, your natural self. If you have a lot of energy and feel good about who you are and what you're doing then you are living as, or very close to, your true self, your true nature.How you feel will tell you whether or not you are led by your Inner Critic or your Inner Soul, Higher Self, Heart Center or what I playfully call the Wizard Within. Your Inner Critic is the conditioned voice that speaks through self-doubt and fear. The voice of your Inner Wizard is the voice of your truth, your intuition and deepest desires.If you believe your conditioned self is your true self and make life decisions based on that false view you set yourself up for a lifetime of struggle. You've empowered your Inner Critic and become it's victim.To achieve, maintain and enjoy success you have to stand centered in the truth of who you are as you live and breathe. Confidence is the factor that convinces you that you are capable of achieving whatever goals you set for yourself. Self-esteem is rooted in how you value yourself. If you have high self-esteem you know you are worth whatever effort it takes to achieve your goals and realize your dreams.Without a healthy self-esteem, you will just buy the books, attend the seminars, buy the gym memberships, make the New Years resolutions and so on, and never follow through. Your Inner Critic will continue to lead your life's direction. You've already been there, done that.To the extent that you have not yet achieved your dream is the extent to which you have allowed yourself to fall into the trap set by your Inner Critic to keep you safe in your current comfort zone. If, however, you tap into your own intuition you will be guided by inner wisdom to propel you forward. You will naturally focus your energy and intention upon your deepest desires. You will pay attention to your gut feelings - you know, the voice you said you should have listened to instead of making the decision or taking a step that didn't end well.The third factor for success is to speak and act in alignment with what it is you long to achieve. Mindfully pay attention to your words, your thoughts and your actions. Do they move you closer to or away from your goals? Do they support success or limit your ability to triumph? If how you think and feel goes against what you intend to create then reach for a newer and better perspective. You must rise above unconscious unsupportive self-talk, procrastination, limiting beliefs and any actions that only serve to hold you back. Even a decision to not do something, such as public speaking, is an action that keeps you from success if getting out in front of people will move you up a few rungs on the proverbial ladder to success.Once these three empowering success factors are actively in place, your success is guaranteed. You will naturally and intuitively work tirelessly and joyfully as you turn your dreams into reality. You will continue to grow and expand your vision of what it possible for you to achieve reaching higher and higher levels of achievement you wouldn't consider possible todayYou and you alone are responsible for the quality of your life. You have the inner resources to be the deliberate creator of your life experience. By disarming your Inner Critic and empowering the Wizard Within, you will get out of your own way as you succeed in the passionate and authentic pursuit of your deepest desires. Valery is an Inner Wizard Mindset Mentor & Coach who teaches people how to be the hero of their opportunity instead of the victim of circumstance so they can fully invest themselves in their creative endeavors. Become the hero of your opportunities instead of the victim of your circumstance. Empower the Wizard Within http://www.InnerWizard.com Free tips!

Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com]]> http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/3-step-empowering-formula-for-success/feed/ 0 http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/learn-from-the-school-of-hard-knocks-to-gain-business-career-success/ http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/learn-from-the-school-of-hard-knocks-to-gain-business-career-success/#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:13:22 +0000 Admin-Eric http://thoughtsearch.com/Learn-from-the-School-of-Hard-Knocks-to-Gain-Business-Career-Success/37311/1006.html Title: Learn from the School of Hard Knocks to Gain Business Career Success

Article: One of my college roommates had a brother who was a graduate business student and often visited our rooms. Since one of my possible career choices was to work in business, I asked this business student many questions about his studies and career choices. Everything he said expanded my knowledge and made me more interested in a business career. This information meant a lot to me because I grew up in a small city where there were only two large employers, the Santa Fe Railway and the U.S. Air Force. Neither organization provided opportunities to learn about executive success in a large corporation. When I began graduate business studies, I was pretty smug, thinking that I knew just what needed to be done: Get a prestigious degree and wait for highly attractive employers to bid for my services. Talking with the other business students made me realize that I had a lot to learn about career success. I didn't even understand what executives did in different industries. My complacent eyes were opened wide one day when a management consultant from the famous McKinsey firm made a presentation. At the end of the discussion, I asked one of the other students who got to do what this presenter did for a living. My classmate quickly responded, "Strategy consultants." I asked, "What's a strategy consultant?" He responded that these were people who worked for McKinsey or The Boston Consulting Group. I remembered those answers and later applied to both firms, not quite knowing what to expect. Even with all of this knowledge, I was totally unclear about how you went from being a management consultant to having a successful business career working for a large corporation. I guessed that someday a client might hire you. And that's what did happen to me after I became a strategy consultant. The key lesson from my experience is that you can have a wonderful education at a university and still lack important knowledge about the most fundamental elements of developing your business career. Students typically prefer to get information about potential careers from fellow students and professors, but research shows that students and professors provide incomplete information. It's better to also speak with people who have been developing a career for a decade or so to find out what lessons they learned in the school of hard knocks. I was recently reminded of this source of information to make more effective business career plans when I corresponded with Dr. Robert Hartinger, a banking executive in Germany who is a Ph.D. graduate of Rushmore University. Dr. Hartinger kindly agreed to share his career experiences and lessons with me so that I could pass them along to you. Dr. Hartinger started off presuming that the quality of your education was very important to career success. After graduating from his business program at a German university, he soon learned that you have few occasions to apply any of the theoretical knowledge that most schools provide. As a result, new graduates are stuffed full of knowledge and theory that has little relevance to what their employers need. Instead, degrees qualify people to be considered for certain jobs. Many employers pride themselves on hiring from certain schools and restricting top jobs to those with the most advanced graduate degrees. Traditional schooling provides few insights into what various industries and types of jobs are like. If students aren't careful, they'll seek a type of work that they won't like. There are two alternatives available: 1. Examine industries and jobs carefully to set the right objectives. 2. Study at a school where you get practical experience in applying theoretical knowledge which gives you a sense of what a career doing that work might be like. Dr. Hartinger doesn't rule out the first alternative, but he's confident that the second one is essential. If possible do both, but at least do the second. From what you learn, he also recommends that you focus on just a few opportunities. Otherwise, your attention and energies will be too widely scattered. A lot of business success depends on your personality. That's something that graduate schools often ignore. Outgoing people with pleasing, helpful personalities will do a lot better than grumpy, self-absorbed geniuses who rarely talk to anyone. Many studies show that the ability to connect to other people in the organization greatly helps both job effectiveness and advancement. Why? It's simple: You can't know all of the answers, but with help from others you can do a great job. But it's not enough to simply be a connection point within the organization. You also need to add skills that improve your effectiveness. Here's where online learning can make a difference. People don't care where you learn a skill; they are just pleased when you add one that's relevant to your situation. Today, many companies offer financial assistance for those who wish to learn new skills. When that assistance is provided over the Internet, costs are reduced and you can take more courses than those who enroll in classroom-based courses. In addition, learning while you work allows you the chance to apply what you are learning. In that way, you can sift through lots of theoretical knowledge to get just what you need. Dr. Hartinger also notes that if an online school offers flexibility in designing courses, your skill improvement can be even greater. Donald W. Mitchell is a professor at Rushmore University. For more information about ways to engage in fruitful lifelong learning at Rushmore to increase your success, visit http://www.rushmore.edu .

Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com]]> http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/learn-from-the-school-of-hard-knocks-to-gain-business-career-success/feed/ 0 http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/ensuring-business-success-4th-quarter-publicity-1st-quarter-prosperity-2/ http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/ensuring-business-success-4th-quarter-publicity-1st-quarter-prosperity-2/#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:13:22 +0000 Admin-Eric http://thoughtsearch.com/Ensuring-Business-Success-4th-Quarter-Publicity-1st-Quarter-Prosperity/43280/1006.html Title: Ensuring Business Success: 4th Quarter Publicity = 1st Quarter Prosperity

Article: As the year starts to wind down, many businesses and entrepreneurs are making plans and budgets for the year ahead. Those plans could include anything from setting up goals for new products to preparing marketing, sales and PR/publicity campaigns. When it comes to your publicity plan, WHEN you launch your campaign can be just as important to what and how you launch. HOLIDAY PUBLICITY OPPORTUNITIES: If your product/business lends itself to increased holiday sales, the next few weeks are a perfect time to get a publicity campaign launched - given the right media targets. Many holiday issues are already been laid out for magazines, and many other media outlets are feverishly seeking information/pitches on innovative stories for the holidays. Some media outlets even reorganize or beef up staff around the holidays to allow for an increase in stories on products. PLANTING PUBLICITY SEEDS NOW FOR 1ST QUARTER RESULTS: Some business owners may be of the mindset: "I think we'll wait to launch a publicity campaign until after January 1st." The problem is -- if you wait to launch your publicity campaign until the first of the year hoping for a quick media interest blast in January, you may be in for a quiet month. Keep in mind most media outlets have editorial lead-times of a few weeks to 6 months. Also what some entrepreneurs don't realize is this. Because of the increasing number of publicity pitches media outlets receive, anything you send out is subjected to what I call the "media digestion period" -- simply put, that is a period of time (sometimes weeks, sometimes months) that it takes media outlets to: #1) see/understand your release and decide if they are interested; #2) find space/time in their editorial calendar to place the article/news story/show segment. The potential placement is also directly dependent upon how quickly and efficiently your publicist or PR agency can help the media secure the placement. Media relations is crucial. Your publicist's job is to make the reporter/editor/producer's job as easy and as effortless as possible - which will lead to quicker and more numerous placements for your business. When it comes to publicity pitches, the facts are: placement is totally up to the discretion of the particular media outlet; and very few media responses are immediate. I have in fact had media outlets respond even before the media release seemed to settle in the fax machine tray. Conversely, I also had one media outlet that responded 17 months after a pitch. (I had to ask the reporter what the YEAR was on the release!) NO placement is guaranteed, but you can definitely increase the odds. Even if your product/business if a dead-on perfect match for a media outlet's editorial profile, you are not guaranteed placement without some hard work and media relations. That's why timing of your publicity pitch is so critical. Have your publicist get your pitch to the media, allow the editorial staff to digest it, and strategically and professionally rattle the cage over the next several weeks to generate as many placements as possible. What we are trying to do is plant seeds in media outlets' editorial garden so they will bear fruit -- in the form of articles/show placements -- continuously over the next several weeks and months. Like the plant that comes from a seed, publicity placements can also grow roots and lead to other arterial media placements in other media outlets. Given the right tending, the publicity seeds you plant over the next few weeks/months will indeed germinate and you'll reap a wonderful harvest for your business well past the first quarter of next year. Todd Brabender is the President of Spread The News Public Relations, Inc. His business specializes in generating media exposure and publicity for innovative products, businesses, experts and inventions. http://www.spreadthenewspr.com todd@spreadthenewspr.com (785) 842-8909

Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com]]> http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/ensuring-business-success-4th-quarter-publicity-1st-quarter-prosperity-2/feed/ 0 http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/real-estate-investing-mistake-2-inspections-and-repairs/ http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/real-estate-investing-mistake-2-inspections-and-repairs/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:11:32 +0000 Admin-Eric http://thoughtsearch.com/Real-Estate-Investing-Mistake-2-Inspections-and-Repairs/155029/409.html Title: Real Estate Investing Mistake #2: Inspections and Repairs

Article: The only real solution for real estate investing mistakes is consistent action! You've got to stick with it and realize that part of learning process. You WILL make mistakes... and you will continue to make them for as long as you choose to invest.The key is to learn from each and move on. Add it to a policy and procedure manual so to speak! And avoid that particular real estate investing mistake in the future!When I first started in real estate, I would document every real estate deal in detail. I would be sure to document: (1) What went well, (2) What didn't go well!, and (3) How to improve on the next deal.In this article series, I've highlighted 17 mistakes that I made early on and share with you what you can do to avoid making the same real estate investing mistakes I made...Real Estate Investing Mistake #2: Assuming the repairs and maintenanceThis is a biggie early on for real estate investors. They assume that properties have been maintained and/or that the owner is telling them the "whole story" about everything. I know that some will tell you it's a waste of time and money to have inspections done on all of your deals.When I got started in real estate investing, I primarily rehabbed properties, and because I had ZERO construction knowledge going into it all, I had a formal inspection on every single property I purchase. And without fail, 100% of the time, I made the inspection costs back in renegotiations with the homeowner.Think of your home inspection costs early on as a invaluable education! People will spend 10s of 1000s of dollars on home study courses, but will balk at $200 on a home inspector that will literally give you on the job training.On my very first deal, I assumed that everything was in good working order because I knew the owners. They were related to my business partner! Well, needless to say, I was VERY wrong! Fortunately, things worked out in the end, but this "mistake" SHOULD have cost me nearly $5000. And it was something a home inspector would have easily caught! Sure the obvious stuff stood out on this real estate deal... things like the rotted wood siding and the "pond scum green" pool! But I didn't know the first thing about what to look for in terms of plumbing, roof, electric, structure, etc.How to Avoid Real Estate Investing Mistake #2First and foremost, the key to avoiding this real estate mistake is to LEARN the majors of rehab!These include:1. Roof2. Structure (Including the foundation)3. Electrical4. Plumbing5. HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioner)These are the items that can cost you (or your retail buyer) BIG dollars on a deal... and these are things that will make or break a deal in a matter of minutes. In some cases, they can take you right out of the real estate investing game (I've got lots of stories of deals - some good and others... a good learning lesson). These are things that can literally make or break a deal and you certainly don't want to turn into a motivated seller yourself!These items might seem scary when you're first getting started in real estate, but in reality, a little education goes a long way. And the best type of education is hands-on. I asked questions and got involved. I also worked closely with my home inspector as I took on more and more rehabs in the beginning of my career.After I negotiated the contract, I always got a professional inspection. This has earned me thousands and thousands of dollars in my real estate investing career. After simply having a third-party expert do the inspection, I found it's virtually always possible to renegotiate the price of the contract and receive credit for repairs. To Avoid Making the 17 Most Common Real Estate Investing Mistakes, Claim Your FREE eGuide Entitled: "17 Mistakes New Real Estate Investors Make" at http://www.RealEstateTrainingAcademy.com/Mistakes . Inside, you"ll learn the 17 most common mistakes and, more importantly, how to avoid them!

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Article: Once you realize you need a team you are probably going to want to get started quickly. That's how we work as entrepreneurs, an idea gets in our head and we leap forward. Typically we rush to bring a new team member on board because we need help now. How can you fix this? A few key elements can easily remedy about 85% of common hiring mistakes. 1. Create a vision statement. Make sure you have written out what you want your life and business to be like when you hire the person. Don't skip this step - it really is crucial to attracting the right people to co-create the experience you want. 2. Develop a job description. Map out exactly what you want the person to accomplish for you. This will also help with estimating the number of hours to plan for. 3. Identify your standards, values and vision for your company. If you don't communicate them up front, how will you know if they share your standards, values and vision? If your standard is to respond to phone calls within 24 hours and your VA's is to return calls within 5 days, you could have a problem. 4. Create a checklist of skills, work style preferences and resources team members must have. Do they need to have experience in your particular trade/ industry? Do you use Microsoft Outlook and need to be compatible? Do you prefer to work with self-starters who need little guidance or want to be intimately involved in the day to day operations with them? 5. Take time to interview and check references. Interview at least three to five candidates. Ask questions like, "Tell me about a time when you didn't know how to complete a job, what did you do?" or "How did you learn how to perform your duties at your last job?" Once you get the basics down, here are two quick-start strategies to build your team: 1. Delegate Your Weaknesses If you know what you do well and not as well, then you can determine what to delegate first. The reason why this is a first good strategy is that when you stop doing the things you aren't good at, not only do you have more time but you will also have more energy. There is something very freeing about letting go of things you don't do well. When pulling a team together, you add to your team people you need to be hiring to strengthen your strengths and never to strengthen a weakness. By knowing what your unique ability is, you can strengthen what you are really good at. When you're doing what you love doing, you never feel overwhelmed, you are energized. Find people whose unique abilities complement your weaknesses. There are people who just love to email or call people to answer questions. They find creativity in these areas that may seem mundane and overwhelming to you. The right person in the right spot will strengthen your team. The right person in the wrong spot can never be a good team member and you will dilute all your efforts. 2. Clone Your Talent The second way to build a team is to find people who can do what you do - but cheaper. It's like reproducing yourself into a bunch of "Mini-Me's" who help you serve more clients. At a certain point, when you get more clients than you have time, this is an excellent option. Michele PW, a top-notch copywriting specialist, had a huge breakthrough in her business when she began to outsource her writing jobs to other copywriters who didn't want to spend a lot of time marketing and selling. They just wanted to write. The beauty is that she is doing them a big service - getting them jobs without their having to market themselves. Building a strong, quality team of owners (not just task managers) can have a significant impact on your sanity and your bottom line. Do it right in the beginning and you'll reap the rewards for years to come. Melanie Benson Strick is the Million Dollar Lifestyle Business Coach. If you"d like to learn more about how to get out of your own way and stop hijacking your success, you can download her new report, The CEO Factor Manifesto at http://www.TheCEOFactorManifesto.com.

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Article: With the economy in its current shambled state, investing may seem like the last thing you would want to do with your money. But in fact, investing in a growing company could be a good source of alternative income while you are trying to get through things financially. All you need to do is consider a series of factors that will determine whether you have invested wisely or if you are just throwing your money down the drain. Before you invest in a company or other venture, you need to be reasonably sure that the company will still be around a year from now. For example, year after year people invest in restaurants that might do not last very long. There are several reasons why a business of this nature could fail. Location and population are very important factors. If the location of such a business is far and out of the way, then there is a slim chance of there being thriving business. If the population of the town you choose is very small, then there may not be enough consumers to keep your business afloat. Another consideration is that when times are tough, eating out is one of the first luxuries consumers will cut out of their budget. The next thing to consider is if the business you are investing in is a growth industry. In other words, if the business you are investing in is not going to immediately catch on, what are the odds that it will? For example, technologies come and go year after year. So, if you were to invest into something technological, you need to be sure that you are investing in what is going to replace the previous generation of technology. If you were to invest in such a field, it is a good idea to keep an eye on that market, as competition can be fierce. Another factor to consider when investing is to make sure you are not being scammed. Year after year many would be investors are taken to the cleaners by people who set up good presentations that turn out to be scams. It is important that if you do invest, to look into the person or persons you are giving your money to and what you are investing in. Make sure there is no doubt in your mind about their reputability. If possible, find other people who are investing and see what they have to say about the matter. Remember, investing can be a big undertaking and there is almost always at least some risk involved, so do not put up money that you can not afford to lose just in case you were to. Visit Aydan Corkern"s 1 hour cash and one hour payday loan sites for fast help.

Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com]]> http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/things-to-really-consider-before-you-invest-your-money/feed/ 0 http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/how-to-organize-office-clutter-5-tips-you-can-use-today-3/ http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/how-to-organize-office-clutter-5-tips-you-can-use-today-3/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:10:34 +0000 Admin-Eric http://thoughtsearch.com/How-to-Organize-Office-Clutter-5-Tips-You-Can-Use-Today/60530/989.html Title: How to Organize Office Clutter: 5 Tips You Can Use Today

Article: If you work in an office or have a home office, you know how clutter can hurt your productivity. The key to keeping your workspace free of distractions is to have a plan. When you make a concerted effort to organize your office space, you'll likely notice a big difference in your ability to handle your workload. 1. Start by looking at the surface of your desk. Chances are that you have a lot of things on your desk that you don't actually need there. Excess paperwork, notepads, mail that needs to be opened and meaningless knick knacks can really take away from what your desk is meant to do. You should try to remove as much from the surface of your desk as possible so that you can focus on your work. 2. If you don't have an organized filing system in place, your paperwork is going to be a major contributor to your clutter. Start by dedicating certain folders to different types of paperwork. You'll need separate files for different accounts or different bills. Having a specific place for everything will help you fend off clutter ahead of time. 3. Place all the paperwork on your desk in the right spot. When you receive new paperwork, handle it only once. Don't open a letter and then let it sit on your desk. Put it in the file it belongs in, whether that file is for permanent storage for a client's account or it's an action file for bills that need to be paid. If you stick to the rule of immediately filing paperwork, you won't have it build up on your desk. If you have paperwork that you need to access on a daily basis, consider getting a desk letter organizer. This way the paperwork that you need will always be handy, but it won't waste a lot of space on your desk. 4. Another important rule to follow is to de-clutter your desk at the end of the work day. Don't leave files out on your desk. This is a surefire recipe for starting a pile of paperwork on your desk. Clean up after yourself and you'll never let your paperwork get out of control again. 5. Another place in your workspace that gets cluttered quickly is the top drawer of your desk. This often becomes a catch-all for everything that you want to hide from the surface of your desk. Make sure you have a top-drawer organizer which will keep your paperclips, pens, post it notes and other desk accessories organized. Don't put anything in the top drawer that you don't actually need. If you haven't used it in six months or more, throw it out to make more space in your desk. As long as you have your organizational systems in place, it should be fairly easy to keep your workspace clutter-free. Stay on top of the clutter by putting things away each day. It's a lot easier to tackle clutter a little bit at a time then to let it build up until it takes over your desk. Get the latest office supply discounts and coupons, including any current offers for $30 off $150 coupons.

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Article: Over the years I have been online, one of the most common emails I get from downline members and prospects in general goes something like this: "Hi Mal What's happening? I have been working my ass off this past week and a half and things just aint happening. I've bought some leads and sent out two articles but not one sale. I'll give this a go for another week or two and if I don't see results I'll have to move on." Have you received any like this? Maybe you've written one similar in your early days;-)? It saddens me that people come into a business opportunity with the idea that they are going to attain instant profits. Not only because of the explaining I have to do to prospects, but because I know the frustration they are going to inflict upon themselves unless they change the mindset with which they have entered this business. The most I, or anyone like me can do for those of you who ARE finding it difficult to find success is show you some direction and share our own experiences. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES and in my experience NO SECRETS. This may be a hard pill to swallow but it is the truth. My expereince of running an online business from home is that it takes time and hard work and YES a lot of frustration, upsets and setbacks along the way. If you surmount the obstcales along the way you will have proven yourself ready to attain success and you WILL get a breakthrough. It is vitally important that you formulate a plan and budget your money accordingly. You must be prepared to go for at least a few months without making a profit. If you do get into profit with a month or two then this will be a bonus, but be prepared for the long haul. Another big gripe I hear is that people are spending a fortune on product after product and leaving themselves penniless. This is another main reason for their ultimate failure. Why would you do this to yourself? You MUST discipline yourself, set a monthly or weekly budget and DO NOT go over it. If you enter the online business arena keeping in mind the points outlined above, I promise that you will have a realistic chance of succeeding. I and others are certainly on hand to answer your questions and to afford you the support to facilitate YOUR success. Mal Keenan is editor and publisher of Home Business Tips Newsletter.
For An Online Home Business You Can REALLY Believe In Check Out: Top Rated Home Based Business

Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com]]> http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/home-business-reality-is-a-hard-pill-to-swallow-3/feed/ 0 http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/tips-for-creating-an-enjoyable-and-functional-home-office-2/ http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/tips-for-creating-an-enjoyable-and-functional-home-office-2/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:10:34 +0000 Admin-Eric http://thoughtsearch.com/Tips-for-Creating-an-Enjoyable-and-Functional-Home-Office/139287/989.html Title: Tips for Creating an Enjoyable and Functional Home Office

Article: An enjoyable work place has a huge influence on our success as well as our emotional and physical health. Perhaps the most important reason for placing such importance on this is the influence it will have on your stress level. There is compelling evidence everywhere that stress damages our bodies as well as our relationships which, in turn, diminishes our productivity and success. Finding the ideal location for a home office is sometimes not easy since it requires enough space to move about comfortably and have the necessary equipment to operate efficiently. Some entrepreneurs combine a guest bedroom and their home office. If you do not have a lot of overnight guests, this could work very well. Adding a desk, small filing cabinet and bookcase are often all that's needed to turn a guest room into a functional office. Other possibilities are a small area in a family room, dining room, etc. Depending on your climate, even a small area in your garage would work to get you started. And, if you have an extra room in your home just waiting for "someone" or "something" to claim it - there you go! That would be the ideal situation. Here are some recommendations for your home office. 1. One thing that is absolutely necessary and can fit into any office location is a comfortable and supportive desk or office chair. This is imperative because you will spend many hours a day in your office, and if you end up being uncomfortable or get a backache, you will avoid spending time there, and your productivity will surely go down. 2. If you do a lot of your business by phone, you MUST have a good-quality cordless telephone system with at least two additional handsets located throughout your home. That will prevent missing that all-important phone call, and you won't need to run to your office to answer your phone. 3. A good headset for your phone will save you a lot of frustration, will make you more comfortable and more conversational. There are many choices out there. When I was looking for a good headset for my business phone, I tried MANY different models - all the way from $30 to over $200. I finally found the perfect one for about $40 and recommend it to all my team members. When you are choosing the right headset for yourself, make sure you can exchange or return it if it doesn't meet your expectations. 4. A temporary desk often works well for awhile; however, you must always have your computer keyboard at a comfortable level that works for you. After you have decided on the location for your home office, it is then time to look for permanent furnishings. In addition to office supply stores, check out the consignment shops. There often are great bargains there! 5. When you have moved into your permanent home office, be sure to put pictures on the wall, bring in a plant or two and make room someplace for your "Vision Board." There you will build your dream life by putting up magazine clippings, photos, etc., on a cork wallboard - anything that represents the life you are working towards. Most importantly, keep that stress level down by enjoying your surroundings!! Do you want business success tips, tools, and info sent directly to your inbox? Subscribe to the Powerimage.com Business Success e-zine and receive lots of free tools, tricks and resources to help you achieve your goals and become the person you were meant to be. Sign up at: http://www.powerimage.com/sign-up.

Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com]]> http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/tips-for-creating-an-enjoyable-and-functional-home-office-2/feed/ 0 http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/how-to-use-a-request-for-proposal-to-get-exactly-what-you-want-3/ http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/how-to-use-a-request-for-proposal-to-get-exactly-what-you-want-3/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:10:33 +0000 Admin-Eric http://thoughtsearch.com/How-To-Use-A-Request-For-Proposal-To-Get-Exactly-What-You-Want/462/725.html Title: How To Use A Request For Proposal To Get Exactly What You Want

Article: Every time the government, military or a commercial agency wants to make a substantial purchase, they begin by issuing a request for proposal (RFP) which spells out a number of requirements that need to be satisfied for the proposal to be accepted. Suppliers, in competition with one another, will then submit proposals that specify how many of the requirements have been complied with and at what price, in case the proposal gets the acceptance of the agency issuing the bid request. In other words, a request for proposal is an invitation to suppliers via a tender process to make their bid for a specific product or service. An RFP constitutes an important part of the overall enterprise sales process. The commercial environment is not bound by any hard and fast rulebooks or laws that cause an RFP to be written in a specific way. There is first of all the need to clearly spell out the requirements of the project and this leaves ample space for creativity. But, the document does not wholly revolve around just the price factor. It certainly needs other important inputs such as basic company profile, history, financial information (is the company solvent enough to deliver?), technical capability and expertise (especially in cases where the product or service is technology driven), product information such as the quantity of stock available, expected completion date and customer references to establish the credentials of the company and ascertain its suitability for the contract. Most RFPs include the specifications of the item, project or service for which the proposal is requested. It is of vital importance that these specifications be very clear, concise and specific as this will enhance the possibility of putting across a more accurate picture of what is required. In turn, the bidder has to submit the proposal by a specific date and it is at the discretion of the client whether to accept late submissions or not. The proposal is the basis of assessing the suitability of the supplier, vendor or institutional associate. A round of discussions may follow with regard to the proposals submitted, clarifications of technical competence and to thrash out any errors contained in the proposal. It is common practice for most companies to not have any RFP guidelines, procedures or props. These companies may draw heavily upon their past history as well as on RFPs that already exist within the company from previous projects. However, it is advisable for these companies to obtain guidance from competent sources, such as consultants. The request for proposal holds some very important information including the name of the proposal, the name of the company and a reference number. Also mentioned is the name of the manager of the project, the anticipated start date and the estimated date by which the project will be completed and the location of the proposed works. The form also has the name, addresses, state, zip code and telephone and fax numbers of the client as well as the contractor. In addition, the type of contract has to be mentioned, e.g., lump sum, services, combined or if it is a fixed price then that amount needs to be specified. The nature and scope of the work has to be mentioned. Any good RFP will have a breakdown of the quoted price that shall detail time and material in units, quantity, rate per unit and the total cost. This will hold true for labor and material as well. In addition, all expenses like airfare, local travel and other expenses will have to be furnished. Finally, the signature of the contractor and the approval by client is necessary for the request for proposal to be completed in accordance with set procedures. Wade Anderson is a CPA and operates DigitalWorkTools.com Legal Forms and Business Documents. Click to view a Request For Proposal

Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com]]> http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/how-to-use-a-request-for-proposal-to-get-exactly-what-you-want-3/feed/ 0 http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/the-qualities-of-an-effective-executive-summary-3/ http://wealthmethod.com/2010/09/the-qualities-of-an-effective-executive-summary-3/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:10:33 +0000 Admin-Eric http://thoughtsearch.com/The-Qualities-Of-An-Effective-Executive-Summary/349/725.html Title: The Qualities Of An Effective Executive Summary

Article: A good executive summary should encapsulate all the basic objectives of a business plan. It details the exact capabilities of the company and sets out the complete road map about the company's intentions as well as its strengths. It unambiguously sets out the content of the business plan, expounding on why the company is best suited for entering into a business partnership. It is a concise synopsis, usually at the beginning of a report, about the findings and recommendations contained within the report. In case one is preparing a report relating to the physical or financial aspects of the business, the executive summary should highlight the main points of such reports. It will normally include the past and present accomplishments of the company along with recommendations made which will form a part of the conclusions so drawn. The brief history about the company should spell out all the details, right from inception to its present standing. Every bit of information about the structure of the company is sure to be included in the executive summary. It will also include details about how the company is managed and what is the business organization of the company. A brief study of an executive summary should be enough to give the complete picture relating to the business entity without the need of going into the entire detailed report. The document will draw on available marketing data to chart out a map of the expected market demand of the product as compared to the company's projected output. This will help form a better picture of the direction in which expected sales will be moving and how the corresponding output performance of the company will enable meeting this projected demand. Through conduction of surveys help may be taken to further obtain profiles of buyers and thus target production to match these profiles. In addition, the demographic setup of buyers may help the company target customers according to the region where sales are bound to be maximized. It should say a word about the types of strategies that need to be devised to better meet customer demand. With the advent of the Internet, newer and more effective means of advertising products have come into focus. With no need to travel to a physical shop, the Internet brings the product to the customer right into their very homes. This is an effective marketing strategy that new companies should exploit. The strengths, weaknesses as well as threat perceptions of the company will direct the future course of action for the business entity. To actively play on the strengths while downplaying its weaknesses will enable the company to flourish in its business. Availing of business opportunities as and when they present themselves and avoiding any and all pitfalls along the way will galvanize the company into reaching greater heights. To sum up, in all the available information contained in the executive summary there is sure to be mention about unit costs, inventories and capital expenditures of the company. As a matter of fact, all this information gives this document a professionalism which enables the reader to gain an all-encompassing picture about the business entity. Putting together a good executive summary is of great importance to the success of your company. With the ready availability of pre-defined executive summaries, it is easier and more advisable to use such a document (by simply completing them) without having the additional hassle of writing one from scratch. Use of a professionally designed executive summary is sure to save time, energy and money in almost all cases. So before writing one from scratch, be sure to check out those that are available off the shelf. Wade Anderson is a CPA and operates DigitalWorkTools.com Legal Forms and Business Documents. Click to view an Executive Summary

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Article: Copyright (c) 2010 Randall MauldinSupply chain management enables organizations to maximize resources when sales are down and costs are rising. Below are a few benefits of an effective supply chain management program:1. A 2.5% reduction in procurement costs produces the same amount of profit as a 10% increase in sales as indicated by The Institute of Supply Management2. Companies engaged in process standardization are able to manage complex value chains and are 73 percent more profitable than organizations that do not use standards according to Ramakumar and Cooper (2004) stated in "Process Standardization Proves Profitable," published in Quality.3. A 40 percent return on investment can be realized by lowering costs, improving productivity, and increasing opportunities with supply chain analytics as stated by Marabotti (2003) in "Build Supplier Metrics, Build Better Products," published in Quality.The optimization of independent but interconnected parts allow a supply chain to achieve efficiency. Leading companies realize the benefits of an effective supply chain, so all organizations should analyze how to obtain resources and provide customers with value. Through analysis, those with leadership responsibility can take steps to employ metrics that enable problems to be identified and solutions implemented. Although supply chains can be complex, the tools and techniques used for management are relatively easy to employ with the appropriate knowledge.Qualitative and quantitative analysis are the basis of the techniques used. Qualitative analysis seeks to identify how the process works through interviewing people and reviewing reports to discover critical points of success. Quantitative analysis evaluates the critical points through the collection of data, then analyzes the data to produce actionable information. The tools used to employ these techniques can be as simple as a spreadsheet or as complex as an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software Solution. An organization's unique situation would determine the appropriate tools.Supply chain management is more than purchasing or procurement. The intricacy of the modern supply chain requires a broad range of knowledge to understand and manage the fourteen functional areas: purchasing, sourcing, logistics, quality management, inventory control, material management, transportation, disposal, warehousing, distribution, receiving, packaging, product/service development, and manufacturing supervision. Therefore, procurement professionals should aspire to be a Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) through the Institute of Supply Management. The CPSM certification is an internationally recognized credential that tells the world a person understands the different areas of supply chain management and remains current in best practices. For information about preparing for CPSM certification visit http://cpsmtraining.com For information about developing or improving a supply chain for your organization visit us at http://jackquinnsolutions.com

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