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Complacency - A Business Killer!
Complacency is a known problem and must be clearly recognized as a causal factor in killing sales and business success. It can kill entire organizations. Complacency makes people fear the unknown, mistrust the untried, and abhor the new; especially the new. In the face of complacency, Business Owners and employees resist change.

Now is the Time to Plan for 2010!

I am totally blown away by the many business owners who do not actually have a business plan. We know the quote "Those who fail to plan, plan to fail." However, with every client that I coach and consult with one of the first things I ask them is what goals do they have for their business. The business strategy plan is the tool that will help you stay on tasks. It is basically your compass to make sure that you are reaching your goals.

Why do we put off the really important things?

You're busy all the time, too busy. And yet, there are many really important things you never seem to have time to get around to. I'm a NY Business Coach and entrepreneurs and business owners use me regularly to: organize their business, help them manage their time efficiently, make better decisions, and, yes, make much more money. Have a look at my article and see if you, like so many of the rest of us, often fall into the "Not Urgent, But Important" trap.

Fico Score - What is it and How Does it Affect Me?

Your Fico Score, a.k.a. Credit Score, is important and there are many simple ways to improve it. We'll cover those in a minute but first, what is a good credit score? Do you know what your credit score is? Why does the finance company look at your personal credit but they tell you the financing will be in the business name? These are some common questions that business owners ask when it comes to understanding their Fico Scores.

Discovering A Work At Home Career
A growing number of successful entrepreneurs are busy developing work at home careers into the lifestyle of choice. Aided by the use of the internet, the potential to maintain a successful full time home business has become reality for people around the world from all walks of life.

Mortgages for Self Employed – Finding Viable Options

About one out of every five income earners in Canada are self employed. This is a fairly large demographic, and the statistics suggest it is continuing to grow. This promotes any self employed person to ask why it is so challenging to obtain mortgages for self employed workers through charter banks. The reason is because business owners who work for themselves subtract expenses from extra income, which is not something many banks recognize. What you need if you are looking for mortgages for self employed workers is a lender that will look at your credit history rather than a combination of your business finances and taxes.

Successful Executives Take Inspired Action and Ship
Seth Godin outlines a winning formula for artists, that can also be applied to executives, entrepreneurs, and business owners, about how to accomplish goals and realize dreams

Outsourcing Online Marketing: When and Why?
Outsourcing online marketing activities becomes easier every week, it seems, as freelance services and marketing companies rush to profit from the flood of new online business owners. Does easy access to outsourcing mean that it is necessary for your business? The answer is...

Closing Your Business? Out Of Business? Start Over With a New Internet Business Model.

Business owners faced with closing their doors, liquidating their inventory and going out of business may be confused about what their next venture will be. As traditional business models and out-dated marketing methods are failing to produce profits in this troubled economy, a new internet business model has emerged. I faced many challenges and eventually closed my small chain of home decor shops. In this article I share the solution I found.

Advice for New Entrepreneurs And Business Owners
Thinking of being an entrepreneur? Starting a new home business? Here's a bit of advice from Bruce Wood, an entrepreneur who has launched many businesses.

What Do Quarterbacks and Business Owners Have In Common?

It's that time of year when there is a lot of football on TV. Everything from college bowl games to professional playoffs. No matter which games you watch, it quickly becomes evident which team's quarterback (i.e. "QB") is better than the other, and usually that is the team that wins the game. How are you doing as the QB of your team (i.e. your company)? How do you measure up against all those other QBs (i.e. business owners)?

Why Is It OK To Plan A Vacation But Not Your Business?

I had two people tell me this week that they were taking a day to pack for a vacation. I mean, they were only going away for a long weekend, or maybe even a week. And they spent the entire day packing. They probably spent some time prior to this planning the trip as well. Why is it that we'll easily spend several hours (and sometimes even days or weeks) planning for a vacation or for a wedding, yet when the word planning is mentioned in business, business owners usually have an extremely adverse reaction?

FAQ’s of Social Marketing Answered
There are many questions new online business owners ask when it comes to Social Marketing. Here are a few of the questions I get asked most frequently.

Three Steps to Business Survival . . .a 4Q 09 Action Plan
It's all about timing. As business owners and managers, we find ourselves in scary times. This article gives you three clear steps to take in the 4th quarter 2009 to prepare to survive and thrive in 2010.

Marter Your Game: Put a Shine on Your Leadership

As business owners, leaders and managers, we play a huge role in the collective health and wealth not only of our business, but of society. The quality of our leadership directly impacts the people in our organization and ultimately the financial results. The more successful we are personally, the more successful our organizations will be, increasing our ability to create greater abundance in society. Each of us has a choice about our ability to make a difference.

How do I sell my business

How do I sell my business is often asked by business owners and can be answered by using the following check-list: 1. Price it right - do NOT over value your business. This might be an obvious point to make and just like selling a house with business sales, if the price is set too high you will probably not even get any viewings and will certainly not sell. Valuing a business to sell is not as easy as valuing a house and the only true value is where you end up with a willing buyer and a willing seller. However, having said that you will need to have it valued and to do so you will probably use a business broker - which leads nicely onto my next advice.

Involve your employees in your business

You may be saying - but I do involve my employees in my business...but do you? Of course your employees to do the work of the business and the employees, with the right direction, make any business great as it expands, but there are not many business owners that involve their employees in helping with important decisions. I would suggest that you ask them their opinion on various expansion ideas or where you are looking at introducing new products or services get their input on this. Also, ask them how to improve on customer service, especially those employees that are on the front line, as it were...as these are the ones that are dealing with the customers directly and are therefore likely to give you some of the best feedback.

Learn how to delegate tasks in your business

In order to have a good business you need to learn how to delegate tasks to your employees. Delegation is one of the hardest things for business owners to do - the thought of relinquishing control and allowing someone to do your work is out of the questions - surely? In fact it is not hard at all and is one of the best things you can do in business. There is a saying that even if your employees do things at least 80% as good as you do then this is better than you doing it 100% right. Take a look at your work for the following week and decide on which day you want to take off every week and then stick to that. Then take a look at the tasks you would need to delegate from your work load so that things will not fall behind because you are now only there for 4 days instead of 5 (don't tell me you work 7 days or even 6 days)...

Make it easy for your customers to buy!

If you want your customers to spend with you why not make it easy? This may seem obvious to you, but it is not always obvious to most business owners and I would like to get you thinking a bit here. Let me explain by example... I have just got back from a break myself and the guy that owned the apartments also owned the small supermarket down the road. The apartments were self catering so it would be good for the owner if the people staying there were to cook food and purchased from his shop. When we arrived he took time to mention his shop so that we would visit, which we duly did and I am sure you are waiting for the but here...and there is and not just one the way I see it.

A positive work-out for your brain for business owners and would-be business owners alike

There are many of us that go to the gym to give our bodies a work-out, but how many of you give you mind a work-out too? I would hazard a guess that not many people give their brain a physical work-out; there are those of you that have bought the "Nintendo Brain Tease", which is said to help our brains and our memory. However, this is not many people that even do this and what I have in mind is to change your thinking to a positive mode of thinking, so here goes my idea for a brain work out: 1. Each day you wake up make sure you "Think in a positive way". Begin your day with a big smile and take your mind off to a lovely place, a special place you would love to be. This could be a Caribbean Island or by your favourite lake, it does not matter, all that matters is that when you think about this place it makes you feel really good.

Surviving the recession

There is no doubt that the recession is hitting everyone and as a result there are not many businesses that have not been affected so far. This is the time for the "Survival of the Fittest" and if you want to survive the recession you need to take action. Most businesses are stuck with the idea that the only way to increase profits is to increase prices and some think that the only other way is to increase their customer numbers. Both of these two actions will increase your business profits if they are done in the right way, however, they are by no means the only ways in which to grow your business. In fact I have listed that there are actually 7 Ways to Grow Your Business. When I have spoken to most business owners they usually say "We can't possibly increase our prices!" "We will lose our customers!".

The Ever Enticing Direct Marketing Opportunity
The direct marketing opportunity continues to be the number one choice for marketing entrepreneurs because of the lucrative immediate profits as well as residual income. While the direct marketing opportunity provides the best income potential for marketing professionals it also produces an unparalleled educational experience.

2007 Online Retail Expansion Tips

This year may see some new expansion in online retail and more business on the net as people are more comfortable due to past experience and the ability to save time in purchases they have researched rather than wasting time in a store or maybe gaining misinformation. The expansion of online retail will go beyond, books, CD's, information to more hard goods this year because more technologies are accessible and a wider variety of solutions are available to online business owners.

One Minute Quiz for Business Owner's Only
This One Minute Quiz for Business Owners Only will provide answers and insight into the most important question every business owner must answer in order to maximize and obtain the wealth locked in their business.

You Can’t Be Fired But Neither Can You Quit

Facing the issue of succession or the sale of one’s business is very much akin to addressing the need for life insurance. Neither subject is addressed with much enthusiasm by the average person. The prudent address the inevitable and prepare. Although only one eventuality exists for us as individuals, three exist for our business: Transfer to family, sell to outsider, or close down. This article is meant to shed light on the contrast betwenn business owner's expectations regarding the transfer of their business and the reality of what really happens.

Improve chances of success when buying or selling a business

Business owners and buyers chances of success appear to be about 2% if acting on their own without proper preparation or education. Chances of success improve with level of preparation and understanding buyers and sellers have of the unique environment surrounding private company sales. § Business owners and buyers do not understand how to buy or sell a business and we had to show them how § Rate of success increased in direct proportion to the preparation and guidance we provided both buyer and seller § Successful brokers/intermediaries are educators first and salespeople second § Buying a business does not follow the usual buying/selling protocol § The process of Buying/selling a business is unique yet straight forward

Tips for More Effective Networking
Business Owners and job seekers often avoid attending networking events because they find them overwhelming and they are not quite sure what to do. Since networking is often a big part of a marketing plan, it is important for the job seeker or business owner to get comfortable with this marketing activity. Here are some tips to make your networking more effective.

10 Tips For More Effective Networking
Networking is important to both business people and job seekers. Networking takes time. You will want to do it effectively to maximize the contacts you do make. Here are some tips to make sure you are networking efficiently and effectively.

Growing Your Business - 7 Tips to Gracefully Manage the Awkward Stage
Although growing a business is not for the faint of heart, you can still enjoy the process. This article gives you 7 tips for gracefully moving through the awkwardness of financial uncertainty and personal vulnerability which business owners typically face. If you like dancing or sports, this is for you!

Work At Home Dads
Work at home dads with the right online business opportunity can earn extra income or become full time entrepreneurs capable of generating substantial wealth. The career path once made famous by stay at home moms is serving up lifestyle transformations for the entire family.

Too Busy Being Busy

Have you ever been so busy, being busy that you never got anything done? Come on, be honest, we all have. As a Professional Business Coach, the number one issue that I continually help business owners and executives alike with is time management issues, and it is a big issue and much too complex to tackle here. But here are 6 tips that can get you started on the right track and if you're in the mood to really make a difference in your life in a big way; if you think you really are capable of having strength and discipline...then this simple idea could make the difference in a so-so life to a life of success and wealth.

5 Steps to Writing a Compelling Article
Here are 5 Easy steps to take the anxiety out of article writing!

Celebrate The Opportunity

As entrepreneurs and business owners, itâ€™s incredibly important for us to stay attune to the worldâ€™s financial news. The recognition of trends, niche opportunities and the anticipation of economic movements are nothing short of necessities. However I personally, and Iâ€™m sure this resonates with the majority of you reading this, have grown tired of the incessant negativity that is spoon fed the masses daily.

Learn Positives from your Negatives
So how did he turn that disorder into a positive. He shored up his weaknesses by learning how to rely on others. Building a team is something you are forced to learn how to do out of necessity. Many would be business owners fail to that well. They are very self sufficient in their area of expertise that they forget the team aspect.

Take Control and Increase Growth – Article 3

The purpose of this article is to help business owners understand the key daily decisions that influence dependence on external funding and either limit or expand the growth potential of a business. There are essentially 4 decisions: 1. cash; 2. people; 3. strategy; and 4. execution. This article (#3) addresses strategy, which is the primary driver of growth. If you are not growing in the top tier of your industry segment you have a strategy problem. In this article are ideas to help you develop your strategy.

Business Networking Strategies: Are Memberships and Dues Worth It?
Many business owners and leaders spend a significant amount of money, time, and resources on memberships to various organizations and continually wonder if it’s worth it. This article is going to discuss ways to make sure you are investing your networking time and money wisely.

Take Control and Increase Growth - Article 1 of 4
The purpose of this article is to help business owners understand the key daily decisions that influence dependence on external funding and either limit or expand the growth potential of a business. There are essentially 4 decisions: 1. cash; 2. people; 3. strategy; and 4. execution. Article 1 of 4 will focus on cash.

Take Control and Increase Growth Article 2 of 4

The purpose of this article is to help business owners understand the key daily decisions that influence dependence on external funding and either limit or expand the growth potential of a business. There are essentially 4 decisions: 1) cash; 2) people; 3) strategy; and 4) execution. This article (#2) addresses how your decisions about people affect growth and identifies 6 ideas for growing your business.

HOW DO I BUILD A VALUABLE BUSINESS

If you would like to learn how to build a valuable business and get top dollar for your efforts, read further. Many business owners spend years building and working in their business with little or no thought about their value creation. One of my responsibilities at a Fortune 500 company was building one of its divisions through acquisition. While we successfully grew the division from $400 million to $600 million in revenue, I am most proud of the fact that we received almost $1 billion when selling it. This price was 38% higher than anything imagined internally or by investment banks we hired to explore alternatives. This had everything to do with how value was created.

My Give a Damn’s Busted!
Is it possible that your employees are singing “My Give a Damn is Busted”? A common complaint of many business owners is that their employees lack motivation. However, the real problem is that employees are under-engaged, and there is plenty of research to support this.

7 Things Small Business Owners Should Know About Payroll Tax Problems
Learn how to avoid severe IRS penalties, huge tax debt and federal criminal investigation!

Biggest Mistakes Small Businesses Make When Faced with Delinquent Payroll Taxes and IRS Penalties

Payroll tax problems can close a business overnight and lead to criminal sanctions including prison time. As the IRS grows increasingly aggressive in their collection attempts for past due payroll taxes, struggling business owners with delinquent payroll taxes need to know how to protect the future of their businesses. Don't let the IRS levy your funds and take control of your cash flow - find out how you can resolve payroll tax penalties and avoid the long-term devastation they can cause your company.

It's All About Value
Cost plus pricing, the method of pricing where a business adds on a specific amount over the cost of their products and services to give themselves a profit margin and to ensure all costs are covered. It is easy to implement and the most used method of pricing in the business world today. It is also a hugely flawed methodology

Profit Crisis Exposed Report Released...Can it Help You?

The Profit Crisis Exposed Report is the result of my working with, and helping, business owners around the world grow their businesses and increase their profits. Through my first company David Flannery Consulting and now its successor the greatly expanded Profit Growth Dynamics International I have worked with and continue to work with a great number of business owners in Australia, Ireland,The United Kingdom and the United States.

How to Deal with Financial Pressure in Your Business
Most business owners go through some type of financial pressure. After working with several thousand clients, I’ve found out that most can’t handle money stresses during payroll time, paying their vendors and covering overhead costs when they are due.

The Power to Influence Your Employees
I am honored to be a business coach for over 10 years, working with different companies, small business, mid size, and fortune 500 companies. The most common denominator I have found with countless sessions with business owners and employees is the power of influence

Attracting Your Target Audience
Business owners should always be following the best techniques to outsource for new clients and there is no better way than to use the internet. It allows businesses to easily reach out to their targeted consumer base allowing for a profitable success. This is mainly due to the number of people who will have access to your company's online marketing objectives.

Power of Positivity Online
The tough economic times can effect companies not only from a profit perspective, but the negativity in the air can also make business owners lose their sense of focus. The idea is to follow some of the simple steps to maintain a positive mindset because it will give your business the boost to succeed.

Secure Your Financial Future

Currently in this economy many businesses are struggling to stay afloat and increase their profits. Online business owners, on the other hand, are at an advantage during these times. There is reasoning behind the way online business entrepreneurs are able to strengthen and secure their finances for the future. Any entrepreneur should consider an online business modification that will assure a positive and profitable future for the business.

Twitter for Traffic

The current phenomenon of social networking is Twitter. Its creation has sparked a revolutionary way to communicate a message to a large targeted audience. Online business owners are especially at an advantage as not only does their company exposure increase, but so does their website traffic. The number of people that can be directed to your website is immense if you know how to correctly use Twitter to your business' advantage. Three easy techniques below will give you the knowledge to hit those website numbers through this free online marketing tool.

Web 2.0 Tools Drive Traffic
The term 'Web 2.0' has been around for quite some time now, but it is not often clearly defined and there are still many online business owners who are yet to take advantage of its many marketing tools and gadgets.

Buyer's Remorse: What is it? And How Do You Avoid It?
Buyer's remorse is a phenomenon that occurs more often then business owners would like. It is the cause of about 35% of all returns to a business. Buyer's remorse occurs when a customer is sold something they do not need, go home with the product, and then after a couple of days thinking about it actually feel remorse even anger that they were sold the item, and return it.

5 tips on achieving better work-life balance

The success of the new generation of entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals and business owners implies 24/7 accessibility, especially for those in the service and competitive sectors (and who isn't these days). The line between "Not now I'm working honey" and "I'll be right there after I send this last email" gets blurrier and blurrier at home and affects the quality of lives of millions hooked up to perma-technology. In this article, you will find useful, simple and affordable tips to make the best of both worlds and gain a sense of control over your business; why not enjoy yourself more and be fun to deal with! Remember the rested,organized and satisfied mind is a productive, creative and profit generating mind!

Kentucky Fried Wisdom
His friends often ask when he plans to retire, and his response is “retire to what?” These older business owners are proving that age and accomplishment does have its privileges, challenges and rewards!

To Blog or Not to Blog? The Business Owner’s Zillion Dollar Question! (Part 1)
At a recent business coaching gig for the KBN Ashgrove Network I talked about blogging. So many business owners think they ‘should’ blog but in truth have no idea of where to start, why they are doing it or how to have their blog generate results.

The Business Owner's Challenge: Manager or Practitioner?
One of the most common challenges I see with practitioners and technicians who own a business is that they actually love being the practitioner! All of the beautiful advice from the e-Myth stands completely at odds with their greatest strengths and desires. So what to do?

Creating a Long Term Marketing Action Plan
Many entrepreneurs and business owners think of marketing as an extra, an afterthought, something to focus on when there is extra money to spend on incidentals. The truth is that for a company to be successful (first and foremost) marketing matters. It is a business essential. The question should never be if a company should market, but how.

Why Should I Incorporate My Business?

Many business owners wonder why they should bother incorporating their business. They believe that it is just a waste of money and time and/or their business has been running smoothly despite not being incorporated. What business owners need to know is that incorporating their business has many perks and is an investment in their business that could, among other things, protect them and their families down the road.

Small Business Coach - Do Your Pricing Strategies Maximize Your Profits?

Pricing strategies are often the last marketing mix tactic that most business owners consider important, but the first to get attention the moment sales decrease! Maybe you've never considered how your pricing strategies can maximize your profits. This is the first of a series of articles on using pricing strategically to maximize your marketing results. So, we'll start with some basics - here's seven pricing options you can consider when initially setting your prices.

Is Your Business Delivering The Lifestyle You Desire?
A recent survey of almost 2000 small to medium Australian businesses by Quest Newspapers has highlighted that 71% of business owners are in business because of lifestyle factors such as following their passion, creating better work/life balance and being their own boss.

How to File an Insurance Claim for Business Losses

Do you know how to file an insurance claim if your business experiences a disaster? Unfortunately most business owners don’t think about their insurance coverage until a loss occurs and they need to file a claim. However, the time to analyze your insurance is before you need to file a claim: Preview is always nicer than review. According to Ron Reitz, President of San Diego-based Quality Claims Management Corporation, "If you do suffer an insured loss, you need to be very familiar with certain aspects of your claim. Here are the three areas that cause the biggest business insurance disputes with insurers."

Small business success

Small business success is all about taking the right action and following some simple steps to increase your business profits! Small businesses are the backbone to most world economies and anyone that has run or is running a business will know that it is not always easy and when presented with additional challenges, such as a credit crunch, business owners need some help. Often times people think that the only way to increase profits is to either increase prices or to get new clients, whereas this is just not the truth. Another aspect of your business to consider is its "USP" or "Unique Selling Proposition" and it is not always to a good thing to have this as "your prices are cheaper" or put another way that you are offer the best prices compared to the competition.

Creating a Business Plan Includes Creating a Marketing Plan
Creating a business plan includes creating a marketing plan because without first looking at our business from the customer’s perspective we’ll never reach them.

Live Consultant Thinking: Looking at Honest, Confidence and Integrity
We talk about things like honesty, respect, confidence and integrity. You and I are enough alike. Yet, with our individual minds, we see nothing precisely the same. It is important to business owners and their managers that everyone see the big picture, to better understand the business goals. I think it is equally important to question the big picture, to question and study what we are seeing.

5 Reasons Why a Small Business Should Hire a Photographer

Many small business owners don't realize the importance and value of having photography that best represents their company brand. Images, in the form of still shots or made into videos or slide shows, can be extremely effective in showcasing a company, particularly in these days of social media and online marketing. This is the first of two articles in this series so please check out the second article for continuing tips, whether you're a franchise owner, a manufacturer's dealer or a stand-alone small business. In the meantime, make your own list of reasons why your company should have an image bank. You'll be surprised at all the benefits and how having available photography that represents your brand can help your business gain visibility and grow substantially.

Delegating Diligently
Are you enjoying running your business or is your business running you? Too many business owners and other leaders try to control work outcomes by doing everything themselves. Burnout and personal and staff ineffectiveness is the result. This article outlines the proven benefits of being proactive by delegating diligently. Read on to learn about 8 tips you can use for delegating effectively.

Four Key Principles for Small Business Success
Someone asked me recently, “if you were talking to a group of small business owners today, what would you say to them about finding success in this economy”? I thought through a range of responses, but the one thing I keep coming back to is this, be smart! Hidden in that simple response are four key principles of small business success.

People Are Your Greatest Asset

People are your greatest asset. This is always true, but it is even more important during times of economic stress. The right people doing the right jobs can make the difference between success and failure. I think most business owners already understand this principle, but finding the right people, keeping the right people, and getting people to perform at their highest levels are constant concerns for business owners at all levels.

Five things you should do right now to keep your small business growing

This has been one tough year for business. The economic storms have hit virtually every industry and every market and taken a heavy toll. But still, there are plenty of businesses who are doing well, and some are going strong. What is it that makes those businesses so successful in trying times like these? Certainly there are many factors, but here are five common factors that you are likely to find in every one of those standout businesses. Learn these five and your chances for success will go up.

Leasing Equipment versus Outright Purchase - New 2010 Example
This article covers the changes in the tax allowances that are now available to business owners in the United Kingdom. Significant changes recently came into force regarding how much can be offset against pre-tax profits,

Typical Flowchart Explaining How a Vendor Finance Deal Works for a UK Supplier - From Start To Finish

This is a behind the scenes flowchart designed to let you as the UK business owner better understand the typical processes involved when writing a finance deal via your vendor finance scheme. It will be useful for any business owner who has not yet considered offering finance options to their customers because they didn't understand the process involved, or for those business owners currently considering offering finance options but wanting a better understanding of how things would work.

Financing a Subway Franchise in the United Kingdom

A guide to securing franchise finance in the UK. The guide discusses the benefits of franchise finance in the United Kingdom for one of the most popular franchises currently out there - The Subway Franchise. Subway is growing at an extremely fast rate in the United Kingdom, and many business owners choose to fund their Subway restaurant via a competitive franchise finance package, allowing them to keep their much-needed capital at the bank during the early start-up phases of their new franchise. Al Shea discusses the benefits of franchise finance in general, as well as Subway Franchises.

Working Capital Financing Canada – Canadian cash flow solutions
Information on working capital financing solutions in Canada from a short term and long term perspective - What solutions are available and how can Canadian business owners assess which solution best meets their needs .

Step-by-Step Process to STOP Wasting Money On Your Online Marketing

So it's been a touch over two months since I posted my rant on the "posers" in the online marketing world. Believe it or not I am still fired up over the "hacks" that swindle business owners out of their money for services they are less than qualified to provide. I am quite sure I'll continue to be irritated because this type of junk will never stop. Rather than go off on another tangent, I want to provide some value and equip you with a step-by-step process I promised to post if enough of you asked for it. Well, I received several requests and although it's been awhile ... here you go!

Simple Systems That Can Set You Free
Would you like to see your business running like clockwork while you’re off vacationing at the beach, the mountains, or overseas?

Seven Reasons Why Everyone Needs a Website
According to Cisco Innovators Forum guest blogger Audra Hajj, the selling world today has turned upside down. How can you broaden your exposure as business owners and take your business to the next level? Here are the top 7 reasons why you need a website:

Lost in the Jungle
How can a business coach help in a moment of a business owner's dilemma over falling profits and demoralised team? Using a Question & Answer (Q&A) approach, here's Michael's analysis of the situation and coaching direction for the client.

10 Inexpensive Ways to Market Your Business and or Yourself
Marketing does not have to be expensive to be effective. A business owners just want to be memorable so that the potential customer or referrer will remember them when they or someone they know has a need for the product or service the business owner offers. Here are 10 ways to market that are relatively cost free.

Ten Ways to Make Achievable Goals
Business owner need to have a set of goals that they are working on. Those goals help them to make the business to grow. Ask business owners about their goals and you are likely to find that they are in their heads but not in their heart. Business owners need to be connected in their bodies to the goals they wish to achieve. How is this done?

Using Social Networking Websites to Promote Your Business
There are ways to promote your business for free. Do you know there are online social networking websites that focus on friendships and then there are sites that are designed for business owners? Promoting your business using both venues can be worthwhile.

How to Avoid or Resolve a Tax Audit and Protect the Future of Your Business
With IRS audits on the rise, knowing how to avoid or resolve tax problems could save you money and protect your financial future. For anyone planning to start and/or grow your business, it is more important than ever to know what triggers an audit, how to avoid being audited and how to get tax help if the IRS is after you.

The Demand for Ethical Behavior
Surveys indicate that business owners are not well respected. We must fix that preception and following ethicals standards is a must in achieving our better reputation.

Are You Incorporating Your Business in the Wrong State?
For small businesses, three major factors should impact your choice for the state of your business incorporation formation...

Should You Hire Family Members?
There are many business owners who hire their spouse, children or other family members to work in the business. Often, this works out very well. Other times, it causes problems. Let's look at the pros and cons.

Tax Tips for Professionals and Business Owners

As an entrepreneur, dealing with the day to day operation of your business, not to mention trying to plan for the future, consumes a lot of your time. Paying less tax, although important, may not always be top of mind. There’s no time like the present to ensure you are taking full advantage of all the tax minimization strategies available to you. As you review these key tips consider how you may be able to apply one or more to you and your business...

Fuzziness is Rampant
I’m going to intend that this article nips part of a problem in the bud. I’ve been talking to many business owners and solopreneurs over the last several weeks to identify next steps for them to up level their profits and make it fun.

News Angles that Attract Media Attention
One of the biggest challenges that new businesses face is standing out from the crowd. Business owners often don't know how to attract media attention because they don't know what makes news. This applies to print, online and broadcast media.

Advice for Buying an Established Small Business – Does your business due diligence checklist confirm the business sellers’ financial claims?

When buying an established small business, it is imperative to have a business due diligence checklist to ensure the sellers' financial claims are accurate. Remember to take your time and do not be persuaded to rush through any part of your due diligence checklist. This is a big decision and your future financial situation is at stake. If you have covered absolutely everything at every stage of the process there will be far less room for mistakes or even regrets. Educate yourself on buying an established small business by talking to other business owners and professionals who have had years experience and can offer sound, honest information to help you make an informed decision about your future.

BlackBerry Jones No More
When we hire employees to interact with the public, we’re entrusting our image to them. The guidance, direction and even nurturing of our employees is often the best investment business owners can make.

Where And When To Begin Marketing
Guerrillas are never stopped by analysis paralysis. Don’t let it stop you.

How Long Till Marketing Works?
Whatever you do, don’t hold your breath while waiting for marketing to take affect. Instead, hold your horses because it’s not gonna happen instantly.

Follow-Up or Fall on Your Face

Guerrilla marketing preaches to the skies the importance of customer follow-up and prospect follow-up if you have even the vaguest notion of succeeding in business. Why do most businesses lose customers? Poor service? Nope. Poor quality? Nope. Well, then why? Apathy after the sale. Most businesses lose customers by ignoring them to death. A numbing 68% of all business lost in America is lost due to apathy after the sale.

The Entrepreneur As Dreamer
I have written so many words on this subject, but it never seems enough. How to describe in a way that you can feel it, what it means to dream an enterprise into existence?

360 Degree Marketing
Here's the problem: Your prospects and customers have short attention spans and millions of businesses attempting to attract their attention.

Guerrilla Caring
All business owners care about their customers, but guerrilla marketers prove they care. Here are twenty ways that they prove it.

Life time value, now there’s a number I love
I’m a marketing guy, so, like many marketing guys, I’m not so much a numbers person. I know I should be, but, there you have it.

What Are You Afraid Of?
Fear is the most basic of human elements and plays a major role in business success and failure.

Guerrilla Persuasion
Marketing is persuasion at its core. You must persuade individuals or groups to part with one of their most prized possessions: -- their money.

Ten Things You Didn't Know About Facebook
Jesse Stay is a social media guru. He is the co-author of I'm on Facebook--Now What???: How to Get Personal, Business, and Professional Value from Facebook with Jason Alba. This book helps individuals and business owners better manage their lives through Facebook The-New-Faces-at-Facebook . I asked him to provide ten Facebook power tips:

What a Business Makes
I’ve owned my business now for over twenty years, I love it, wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve worked very hard to make my business what it is, but I’ve finally come to the conclusion that, after years of hard work in this endeavor - you don’t only make a business in this process; a business makes you.

Answer Questions Get Search Traffic
Keyword research tool Wordtracker recently added a cool free tool called Keyword Questions. I think this has some great SEO potential for small business marketers.

Graphic Design Goal
Graphic design is based on objective goals, not subjective opinions like "I like red!" The design of your ads, brochures, newsletters, proposals, and web site should be determined by the image you want to communicate.

Is Your Purpose Patent Still Pending?

Lots of business owners sit around the office tinkering with the notion of that one great innovation to be patented on the road to riches. Well, I think we’ve all got a patent in us but, for many, that patent remains forever pending. The patent I’m referring to is the “purpose patent” – your personal connection to work the serves a deeper purpose. That patent doesn’t need approval from the USPTO, it only needs approval from you.

Receivable Factoring – The Two Things You Need to Know !
Information on how business owners and financial managers in Canada can focus on separating myths and fallacies about factoring and receivable financing . How To Pick the right Factoring and Receivable Financing partner

The Art of Delegation for Business Owners
There will come a time in your business (for most business owners, this comes sooner rather than later) when you feel overwhelmed. You may find that you have too many tasks to accomplish without enough time to get them done. It is when you come to the realization that delegating the small or low-priority tasks to an assistant would make your life a whole lot easier, that it is time to do it.

Whether you want to Buy a Business or Sell Your Business - Let me ask you, have you ever wondered how to value a business?

Have you ever wondered how to value a business? Business valuation methods vary depending on whom you ask. Many business brokers use the common multiple method. For those who are searching for a business to buy or business owners looking to sell their business, valuing a business can be somewhat confusing. To gain a better understanding how business brokers value a business, I have provided an example. See why there is so much confusion and how you can overcome it yourself.

Are Your Eggs All In One Basket?
From a business perspective, diversification stems from spreading sales across multiple product lines with several suppliers, and marketing to varying geographies. Small business owners whose net worth is concentrated in operations that consist of a small basket of product offerings or regional exposure must also prudently manage risk.

Motivating Staff – (Empty) Words Are Not Enough!

In the course of my somewhat chequered career in marketing and sales, I worked for a range of small – medium businesses. One of the oft quoted platitudes from business owners was “we’re family here” – mostly said to entice employees to work enormous hours for no extra cash, to make unreasonable demands rather than requests and to create a general sense of guilt – as in: ‘we gave you a job…you owe us everything’ . This approach is often coupled with vague promises of future rewards.

What is Internet Branding?

What is Internet Branding? Internet branding is one strategy that business owners can employ to establishing their position in the marketplace. Even well-established companies are investing on creating an online brand reputation since internet branding strategies have also produced massive impact on a brand's effort to expand. This is most important these days wherein the internet has taken on a significant role in the everyday lives of the consumers. Hence, you need to utilize it as one of the means that you can communicate your message to them.

Are You Shortening Yourself on Your Invoice

If you sell services, you may be working for free. When I’m working with self employed business owners who sell services, I nearly always find that they are not billing for some part of their work. That is, their invoices are missing what they could get paid. These lost billings can be the difference between making a living and having money for business and family security, expansion, and retirement.

Email Marketing: The Importance To Small Business

An offline business should consider email marketing as one of the key foundations for its marketing campaign. Many business owners are wary of using email to market to prospects due to the SPAM legislations that exist and the perception that email marketing may leave with prospects. These are, indeed, very valid concerns however, by approaching email marketing in the correct way, it is possible to increase business and improve customer retention. This article provides valuable tips on how an offline business can create an email distribution list to begin with and ensure that the email marketing campaign creates the right perception with the customers.

Small Business: Creating Life Long Customers

When sales and marketing people talk about the sales funnel, they are really talking about the number of prospects they have that MAY convert to sales. This is a pretty common term in these circles and there is a fairly well defined process of qualification that moves suspects to prospects to qualified buyers to lifelong customers. It's important for all business owners to understand this process - even if they aren't involved in the sales process directly - as they will be able to better support their sales professionals in acquiring new business.

Why Should I Care About the SBA? - Mash Bonigala

Most business owners know that SBA stands for Small Business Administration, but I wonder how many of us know more than that. The SBA mission statement is to “to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by enabling the establishment and viability of small businesses and by assisting in the economic recovery of communities after disasters." Well, that sounds all fine and good but how do they accomplish that goal and how can they help me overcome my business challenges? The SBA is organized into many different offices and each of those offices has the directive to complete the mission of the SBA as a whole. Here is a list of the different SBA offices:

Three Common Marketing Mistakes
All businesses make marketing mistakes. By identifying some of the most common mistakes, you will be more likely to avoid these mistakes in your business.

60-Second Commercial
At some point during a networking event, you will have a chance to talk about your business - whether it's a formal part of the event where you speak in front of everyone or it's during informal one-on-one conversations. You need to have a 60-second commercial prepared and memorized before attending the event so that you can easily, calmly, and succinctly talk about your business.

Appreciating Your Team
Recognizing your team members for their contributions is an important part of leadership. When people are properly recognized, they are likely to continue engaging in business with you.

Are You Building Bridges of Influences?
There is a good chance that you already know who your target market is and that you are already attending networking events to find that target market. Though, many business owners who I work with fail to pay attention to events where they will find people who can be their Bridges of Influence.

ARE YOU GUILTY OF THESE 7 BIG TIME KILLERS? by Ed Abel
There are plenty of ways to fritter away the day, that’s for sure. And after years of experience building my own businesses and then helping others build theirs, I found the following seven suspects guilty of killing time.

Collect Your (Good) Marbles
When two companies are similar, it's the little things that differentiate them. If your company is similar to your competitors, things such as smiles, warm greetings, or eye contact might just tip the balance in your favor.

Confessions of an Accidental Entrepreneur

I'm going to tell you a story about an Accidental Entrepreneur. The accidental entrepreneur was a highly skilled intravenous nurse who thought he could do a better job administering Intravenous Therapy services than the organization he worked for. So he borrowed $5,000 and started his own business providing intravenous services to patients in their homes. Because he took the risk of starting a business, he believed he was an "entrepreneur."AE

Customer Loyalty and Chinese Food
A little story about customer service.

From Complaint to Raving Fans
One of the hallmarks of world-class customer service is how your company manages customer service failures. When a customer speaks up with a complaint, it's time to listen. Think of the complaint as a gift, and you will see it as an opportunity to learn rather than something to avoid or resist.

Getting Your Horse (Customers) to Drink Water
You may have heard the old adage of marketing and sales. Marketing is leading your horse to water. Sales is getting your horse to drink. The question we all want to know is how to get your horse to drink.

How Does Your Service/Product Benefit Your Client?

In order to be successful with your marketing and sales efforts, you must be clear and confident in knowing, discussing, and delivering the benefits of your services or product. Many sales people and business owners know their facts and features very well. Unfortunately, those alone will not always lead to a sale. To ensure more sales, you must also be able to communicate the benefit of the product or service.

Knowing Your Products and Services

Your products or services are the heart and soul of your business; without them, your business cannot exist. Much like the human body, a healthy heart is imperative to a healthy body. Although there are other organs and appendages that carry out the bodyâ€™s functions, none of those can be completed without a functional, intact heart. As the business owner, you must become in tune with every facet of your business. Letâ€™s apply this to your business:

Product Differentiation: "A Success Story"
Just how did Howard Schultz pull of selling a cup of coffee for $3 to millions and millions of people?

Run Your Business; Don't Let it Run You
One of the most important principles of being a business owner is to run your business; don't let it run you. To run your business is to create a vision of what is possible - a vision that's bigger than doing the day-to-day work associated with your skill or trade.

Seven Fundamental Marketing Principles
Marketing is defined as a suite of principles and strategies you use in your business to persuade your target market to contact your business. Marketing is beneficial to your business because it:

Summer is Ending...Are You on Target to Boost Sales?

How are your summer sales? Are you moving forward or have you become a victim of summertime sales slowdown? Sure, customers and clients go on vacation, you go on vacation, and life in general slows down during the summer. But to boost sales this fall, you need to do some work nowï¿½even if your sales are up. (You want to increase sales, donï¿½t you?) Here's the one thing small business owners must do before summer ends...

Taking Aim with your Business
At the start of a new year, it's a good idea to take stock of your business by reviewing your Vision, Mission, and your Main Business Goals.

The 5 Practices of Wildly Successful Entrepreneurs by Ed Abel
It's Time to Face the Truth. Are you an "Entrepreneur" or a "Skillpreneur"?

THE 5 REASONS SUPERSTAR ATHLETES' HAVE A SECRET WEAPON-AND WHY YOU SHOULD TOO!

Question: What is the one thing Superstar Athletes have in common? Answer: A COACH ! Actually, they have a number of coaches, as well as advisors, to handle the different aspects of their personal and professional lives. Can you image Derek Jeter doing his taxes, negotiating his contract, or acting as his own financial expert? I'm not saying Jeter's not informed, what I am saying is that he hires experts, so he can focus on and practice what he does best: play baseball. If you want to play in the "big leagues" and build a superstar business, do what professional athletes do: get coached. Professional athlete or small business owner, here's what a coach can do for you:

The Evolution of Your Business
Your business has evolved, and it will continue to evolve, as long as you let it. It is part of the evolution of who you are and what you are becoming. It is part of the evolution of your skills, knowledge, experience, beliefs, purpose, and dreams.

The Keys to Business Success
Dun & Bradstreet reports that "businesses with fewer than 20 employees have only a 37% chance of surviving four years (of business) and only a 9% chance of surviving 10 years." The Lessons in this article, The Six P's of Success, are dedicated to helping you thrive, not just survive in your business.

What You Need to Know About Marketing!
If you're like most small business owners, you have a basic understanding of marketing and why you need to do it. However, most small business owners these days are forgetting the basic goal that effective marketing will archive and are reducing their marketing efforts because of an "economic downturn."

Money Mindset for the Small Business Owner
Making money is probably a big part of why you are in business. In business, as in life, money matters. With it, you can make a difference; without it, youâ€™re limited in what you can do.

How to close the deal with an effective Sales Conversation
Sales are a key component to building a thriving business. However, many people who start businesses are not natural sales people. If you find yourself in this category, try following the below step-by-step sales process. Though you'll need to adjust it for your particular business, it will provide you with a framework to closing more sales.

Keeping Customers when Things Go Wrong - Five keys to turning upset customers into fans

When attempting to resolve customer complaints, most business owners and managers believe the myth that money back guarantees and/or exchange policies will fix the problem. In reality, money back guarantees and exchanges may fix the problem, but they do nothing to fix the relationship. Policies don't fix relationships -- people do. To create true customer loyalty then, front-line employees need to be equipped with tools for repairing both the problem and the relationship.

Risky Business - How repeat customers may jeopardize your future

When I speak at conferences and corporate meetings about customer service I often hear managers reminding their team members about the importance of repeat business. The assumption is that if customers keep spending their money with you, they must like you. But is that really true? Many business owners and managers are unaware of the harsh reality that some folks who spend their money with your organization may not enjoy doing business with you at all. The consequences of this can be staggering. Consider the example of my local video store...

Asking For Marketing and Networking Help

Whether you are looking for a new job or in business for yourself, being comfortable asking for help is essential. Job seekers and career changers need to ask friends, relatives, co-workers and anyone else who can help if they know people to help them with their search. Business owners, career changers and solo professionals must be comfortable asking family, friends and colleagues for networking and marketing help.

Top Ten Ways to Market Your Business By Doing What You Love To Do

Most business owners get so involved in the work of the business that there never seems to be enough time to do the necessary marketing. Even when business is good the owner must continue marketing because if he/she stops, the business eventually will stop too. Marketing your business simply means to nurture good relationships with your customers and potential customers so that they will buy from you again or they will refer you to others. Think about the kinds of things you enjoy doing and then use those activities in your marketing efforts. It is a great way to leverage your time.

Think Like a Leader
As most of you already know, my mission is "transforming business owners into business leaders". As the economy moves into the next phase of recovery, it will be those who think and function as leaders who will be the winners. Leaders will have identified pertinent opportunities and prepared themselves for advantage as things improve. Are you thinking like a leader? Let's see.

The Power of Questions to Attract Ideal Clients
Business owners realize that some clients are easier to work with than others. It is possible to have a practice or business full of clients or customers that are perfect for you. Asking the right questions before you ask for the business will help you do that.

Ten Ways to Manage a Rapidly Growing Business
While some new business owners face the issue of not enough customers, others face the issue of too many customers/clients. Both are serious issues and must be dealt with carefully. There are many lists on how to find new customers/clients. Here is a list of 10 ways to deal with a rapid influx of new customers. The goal is a steady flow of just the right customers/clients.

Believe in Yourself
The key to success is in oneself and what you have to offer. This is extremely important in business and lack of self-confidence can make or break a business. Having faith in who you are and what you have to offer is a key trait for business owners. If you don’t have faith then how can you expect clients or employees to believe in you?

How to Connect With Your Leads
Connecting with your online business leads is fantastic way to build momentum that will lead to sales. If you do it in the correct manner, you will have customers who buy more than once over the years.

How to Start a New Business Without Going Broke
It is the American dream to own your own business, to be your own boss. Many people have tried it, some very successfully. Many people in the future will be starting their own business. Unfortunately the majority of business owners will fail or close their doors within a 5 year time frame. How do you avoid being this statistic?

Startup Financing for Small Businesses

It is never been very easy to obtain financing for small businesses. The credit crunch that began with the mortgages has now spread to consumer and small business loans. It should be no surprise to small business operators that banks have tightened up their lending requirements. Small business owners now have to become more creative in obtaining financing for their business venture. They now have to look for alternatives.

The Art of Making and Keeping Friends
There is an art to making and keeping friends that all business owners should master. Becoming an expert at this art form will lead to more sales in your online pipeline.

Do You Delegate To Attract Into Your Life What You Desire?
Do you delegate or try to do everything yourself? I find that many business owners think they have to do it all themselves or that only they can do it right so they can’t give it away.

Is your business protected?
The saying goes that in business, no one is indispensable. But business owners are often the exception to this rule. So, it's worth taking a moment to think about whether your business and family are protected from a worst-case scenario.

Why Should I Care About the SBA?

Is your business ready for the next move?
The recession, from which we now appear to be emerging, has been unlike anything we've seen before. The drivers of the classic entrepreneurial business - easily available bank lending, steadily increasing sales, burgeoning M&A activity, a buoyant stock exchange and low taxes on exit - have all been severely undermined.

Cashing out, but staying in

We see a lot of business owners wanting to take cash out of their business, but without selling up or losing control. At the moment there are many owners who had planned on selling their businesses by now, but as a consequence of the recent difficult times, it just hasn't happened - the clocks have been forcefully turned back. So, instead of selling, they may want some liquidity to provide security for themselves and their family. Another scenario where cash may need to be taken out is when, for example, there are two shareholders and one of them is retiring. Unless personal funds are available, the shareholder who is staying in may not want to be left with burdensome debts when his partner is safely out, so may also like some cash.

Using Entrepreneurs
Using the right entrepreneurs is the key for a successful business. Know the qualities of an entrepreneur that business owners are looking for.

Sustainability Coaching: How to Realize Long Term Productivity Gains in Business
Business owners and company executives want an optimized company, which means that productivity is at its peak. To achieve these, failure proofing by addressing these three factors is key. Productivity gains are sustained through simple but effective project planning, incorporating benchmark change management strategies and being passionate about the productivity goal and following through.

Five Strategies to Help you Break Free of What is Standing Between You and Your Success
Mindset traps plague many business owners, but there are strategies to break free of them. Over the course of the next several articles, you will learn five strategies to help you break free of whatever stands between you and your desired success.

Unleashing the Expert Within...
This isn’t kindergarten any more kids! Are you at the stage of business development where you can step up as an expert and really shine? After coaching hundreds of people, I have identified some of the stages that business owners move through. See if you can identify where you are.

A Virtual Assistant Can Help You Write and Publish Your E-book
Most business owners have way too much on their plates. Their to-do lists are endless and oftentimes frustrating. And frankly, launching an e-book, even if the draft is ready, is no small task. But do you know that you can outsource much of the e-book creation and distribution to your Virtual Assistant?

One Great Way to Increase Email Productivity and Social Networking Connectivity

Many people struggle with spending too much time in email and not enough time working on meaningful projects or income-producing work. Complicating the issue is the integration of social networking sites and increasingly making connections there that will eventually pay off for sales or other purposes. Many sales and marketing professionals and business owners are looking for ways to increase productivity without sacrificing time that could be better spent elsewhere. We've found that Microsoft Outlook and Blackberry users can increase productivity and save time by using an add-on tool called Xobni. The functionality of Xobni goes beyond saving time but actually helps to make connections and communicate with people in the way that they prefer, whether on Facebook, Skype, LinkedIn or Twitter.

A Recipe for Gravity Suck and Staying Stuck
You hear a lot of advice from the so called experts. Defy Gravity! Be forward thinking! Be innovative! But what if you don’t want to? What if you like things just the way they are right now, and have no desire to make stratospheric leaps in your business or increase your results?

Entrepreneurs OpportunityFranchise Ownership
Are Entrepreneurs missing out on the exploding franchise industry?

Sources of Funding For Your New Business
You have decided to start a business, but require some form of financing. What are those sources. Where can you go to obtain funds. This article identifies the most common sources of funds for new business owners.

Financial Analysis: A Tool that Each Business Owner Needs to Use
Did you know that there are several tools you can use for financial analysis? These tools can help business owners and their executives! Whether they are a small or large firm, these tools allow these individuals to identify where his money went.

Three Must-Follow Rules to a Successful Blog
In the current age of Web 2.0 marketing strategies, business owners must be available to their customers. Gone are the days of the untouchable CEO, especially if you’re trying to do business online. You’ve probably heard it before, but here it is again: People do business with people they like.

Tweet Yourself to Success – Why Twitter is Valuable to your Business Marketing Plan
In order to achieve success with Twitter, it is important to learn different ways this site can be used. After all, the site doesn’t attract millions of successful business owners and celebrities for no reason. It is no doubt that this social networking tool’s tweet is bigger than a lot of people may realize.

Why Small Business Owners Are Valuing Their Own Business and Avoiding Business Brokers

Selling your small business for its true value and at the very best price is definitely challenging, however surprisingly straight forward. More small business owners are becoming aware of just how simple it is to sell their own business without having to share the profits with a business broker. Small business owners should keep track of the true and realistic value of their business periodically, if possible from the day they open their doors for business, so that when the inevitable time to sell comes, they are not caught unawares. Here are 5 reasons why small business owners are valuing their own business and selling fast without a business broker!

It’s an Economic Recession! Have you called your VA Today?
Whether or not we’re in an economic recession, a Virtual Assistant can prove to be an asset to business owners and solo entrepreneurs alike. By providing service on an as needed basis, a Virtual Assistant will save on the costs, time and valuable office space often associated with hiring onsite staff.

Social Media Small Business Crash Course: Part 1

The trouble is that although most business owners and entrepreneurs know that blogging and social media are essential marketing tools, thatâ€™s often where things stop. In this and upcoming articles, Iâ€™ll be doing a quick overview of points to consider when implementing a social media campaign. The first thing to keep in mind is that any social media campaign is greatly enhanced with the addition of a strategic, well targeted public relations effort. Appearing in the media gives you, your business, and/or your product and validation and credibility of being featured in the news, and gives you interesting topics to post, Tweet and share. Each site is different and has a unique focus and audience. For now letâ€™s look at Twitter.

The Secret to Sales Success and 5 Key Reasons Why This IS So Important
Are you wondering why your promotional and marketing materials don’t pack the punch you had hoped they would? Keep reading to learn the secret to sales success.

How Planning the Work (and then Working The Plan) Can Catapult Your Marketing Success
A marketing plan is vital to the success of your business. Without a plan, even the best intentions may never be realized. You must plan the work and then work the plan, or your goals will not be accomplished. They key is to not only have a plan but to implement that plan. Here’s how.

Branding and Business Identity - Image is Everything!
How the public perceives your brand and the experience they have with you all comes down to what your image is comprised of.

Audio & Video Visibility to Support Your Brand Integrity
Are you using audio and video to build relationships, increase sales and support your brand integrity?

Are You Selling What Your Customers Want to Buy?
How to make sure your customers know you have what they need.

Advertising Keeps Commerce Alive
A first-hand look at the inner workings of an advertising agency.

How To Make 2011 Your Best Year Yet
So what are you going to do to make 2011 better than 2010? What plans or goals did you have in 2010 that you thought would make it better than 2009? Did you stick with them? Did they work? What are you going to do differently in 2011?

3 Steps to Better Protection of Your Online Income Business
Have you ever thought about the outside factors that could destroy your online income business? When getting started with a business online was still a pretty new concept, there were some gray areas that allowed business owners some room to maneuver how they could control the outside variables.

Create the Mindset for Business Growth
Opportunities to expand are dependent on your focus, whether present, past or future. Consider your goals imagining how you would be different, how your business would change and how your life will be affected. Allow yourself to step into that vision now, as if it had already happened. Notice how you are feeling as you are doing this. Tune into the details. What you see and feel is important.

Use Facebook Pages to Market Your Online Income Opportunities
At the last count Facebook had something like 500 Million users worldwide the majority of whom live in the USA. This social site is rapidly becoming Google’s biggest rival with Facebook advertising getting ready to take a lot of business away from Google Adwords. Because of this Facebook has become too big for any serious online business marketer to ignore.

The Ignorance Factor and Achieving Your Company's Revenue Goals
What do the 12 sales consultants and trainers and 4 new clients have in common with Michael Oher? They are ignorant too. Not about life or business as Oher was, but about sales forces.

Home Based Business Opportunity Can be the Best Decision for you in Tough Economic Times
A home based business opportunity during difficult economic times is the best option as opposed to a traditional job. This article provides general information to get you started. Read more...

When Bad Things Happen to Good Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
Stuff happens. As a business owner and entrepreneur, the more successful you become, the more you open yourself up to criticism, negative feedback or just plain being attacked. Here are 4 ways to help you deal with it.

Article Marketing - A Highly Effective Marketing Tool
Article Marketing is a highly effective marketing tool that all business owners should be taking advantage of. It positions you as an expert in your field and builds one way links to your website which is why it is one of the top marketing methods used today.

Is it Really Possible to Make Money At Home?
Is it really possible to make money at home? What does it take make money from home? Can I really earn money from home? What is involved? Here are some answers to your questions about making money from home.

How to reform from MLM lead stalker to Professional Attraction Marketer

I want to tell you a true story about my former MLM life. I am a reformed MLM lead stalker. I have to admit, it didn't last more than a year. I absolutely hated it. The truth is, it just wasn't me. After doing some research, like you, I stumbled onto new information about how I could generate my own leads, and have the internet work for me 24/7. This system was like a gold mine, and I haven't looked back.

Transform Your Small Business Marketing
I regularly interview small and solo business owners who call my coaching company looking for help. After getting a sense of what their business is all about, what their biggest goals are, and what lifestyle they are trying to create, I ask them what their biggest challenges are. Nine times out of ten, it’s getting more clients and the problem is marketing.

Business Opportunity - Computer Safeguards

Business Opportunity Owners need to take special precautions to safeguard their business data on their computers. Establishing your Business Opportunity requires more than just taking measures to grow and maximize profits. After you have maximized your business for profit and efficiency, your work is not over. Potential cyber attacks require you to also safeguard and protect yourself and your business opportunity.

Transitioning From an Employee Mindset to a Business Owner Mindset

"Most of my 30 years as an employee in the corporate job culture was spent helping business owners run and build their businesses. In corporate America, you work hard and do your best for your entire career. You commute, work long hours, ignore your family, acquire excess stress, work to ensure that you keep your job AND that you save for the future of your family and your retirement. All of a sudden you find yourself asking - what am I doing here? And how can I build a better life financially for myself and my family?"

Marketing Rx
The biggest marketing mistake small businesses make is using hunches to improve their business without first diagnosing their problems.

Watch who you let near your mind

With the Sub-prime market issue in the US and its effects on countries and the world’s stock markets featuring as a daily major news item at present who can blame people for getting a bit nervous and worried about the future. You can see it with the panic selling of shares and so forth. However if we let this and other issues get to us and allow ourselves to blow things out of all proportion we can, in turn, create our own demise. Whilst it is critical for business owners and sales people to keep abreast of market changes and challenges we can let real and, more often than not, perceived threats get the better of us.

Sustainability – the new criteria

What is your position on SUSTAINABILITY? What community improvement activities is your company involved with? These are questions, among many others, that my team and I are responding to for a Request For Proposal (RFP) document for a sales training project with a large Australian Corporation. This is the first time we have been asked to respond to these questions in a formal manner and legitimise our position on ‘sustainability’. As sales people and as business owners, not only are we being asked to legitimise our product offering, our service standards, etc. we are now required to articulate our stand on ‘sustainability’.

How to Compete with Discounters

If you manage a small to medium-sized business, chances are you encounter pricing pressures from some version of a large discounter. Large competitors may have more money to spend to attract new customers, more buying-power to undercut your prices, and more resources to outlast you in a price war. If they’re from overseas, they may also have cheaper labour. That’s why when chambers of commerce and associations bring me in to speak to business owners on competing with price discounters, my advice: “Don’t be better – be different.” In other words, don’t even try to beat their prices. Instead, be different in these three areas…

Locating Prospects

In the sea of information that is the internet and the ever growing networked communities we live in, you could essentially get a sales lead from anywhere. In principal this sound great. You always have someone to call on or prospect too. However having too many choices can often lead to feelings of being overwhelmed by too much information. And when you have too much information this can lead to indecision and subsequently inaction. And inaction is the NUMBER 1 killer of any sales prospecting strategy.

Why An Internet Marketing Business for Entrepreneurs Makes
The internet as a marketing medium offers several advantages to business owners over the traditional business. In this article, we will look at some of the ways business owners can benefit from using the internet as a marketing medium.

START YOUR BUSINESS CORRECTLY AND CONTINUE IT FOR YEARS

Start your business in the correct manner and you will be able to make money for years once it is up and running. It is smart to not only have goals, but also a well-laid out plan of action that you will be able to follow. As a matter of fact, running your business and your life in this manner will allow you to prosper in each of these areas. Simply put, if you know where you want to finish, you will be able to arrive at that location with less issues. It is no different from driving. If we want to drive to a given place, it makes sense to have the directions before we leave or we will end up getting lost. In the same way, online business owners without a plan will fail because they do not know where they are headed and have no direction.

Quash Your “Employee” Mindset To Propel Business Growth

Is your employee mind restricting your business’ growth? Learn how to overthrow your employee mentality, step into your CEO shoes and enjoy a surge in your development! Many small (and large) business owners find themselves in a difficult position when transitioning from seeing themselves as the craftsman or solopreneur to a owner of a business capable of generating more than six figures, and that is that you just can't seem to crush that "employee" mindset when approaching your business.

Firing a Client: Two Different Types of Female Entrepreneurs and How They Handle Breaking it Off
When it comes time for a business owner to break ties with a client, different types of business owners will handle the situation in different ways. Nobody likes to reach a breaking point, but handling it well can provide insights and improvements for the future.

Creative Ways to Market Your Business…
Marketing your business has become more important more than ever in this tough economic climate. I constantly hear business owners cutting costs to operate on a tighter budget. One of the biggest mistakes is cost cutting marketing costs. Marketing helps bring revenues in the door and this is the last area to cut. Below are some traditional and creative ways to market your business.

Home Based Business - Lateral Thinking
Lateral thinking is a systematic approach to thinking. It teaches you to think out of the box or expand your horizons and to think creatively. Thinking laterally is a critical skill for all business owners, especially Home Based Business Owners.

Practical Tips to Turn Around A Failing Business
I have witnessed numerous companies go belly up. But what should have prevented them from being a ruin.

Five Steps to Finding the Right Keywords For Your Website - Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Keywords and phrases are the foundation of search engine optimization. To find out which keywords will be most important for your service business in Denver, ask one powerful question: What do people type in the search box when they look for companies like yours? It doesn't look that powerful when written on paper. In fact, it's a very simple concept to skip over, but as you drill down to what people really put in that little box, you'll see all kinds of things pop out at you that you may not expect.

9 Components of Good SEO - How to Help People Find Your Service Business on the Internet
Millions of people search for service businesses every month. When they conduct those searches, they aren't looking in newspapers or ads in the hard-copy Yellow Pages. Over the last fifteen years, the Internet has become the dominant technology for local service business searches.

Improving Customer Experiences - Is It Still Important Or Is Price The Only Thing That Matters?
Many have questioned the importance of the overarching customer experience... Has the economic downturn minimized its importance?

Women Entrepreneurs And Their Greatest Starting Lineups: How To Hire a Champion Team
As a business owner, hiring a team can mean several different things. It can mean delegating. It can mean sharing. It can mean expanding. But it also can mean balancing several personalities, keeping tabs on what everybody’s up to and making sure things get done without micromanaging. So how do women entrepreneurs do it?

How You Can Sell A Business Yourself - No Help Needed
What you need to know to sell your business - The decision is made and you are keen to put your business on the market. What is the next step? What do you need to know about selling a business successfully? Here are some general tips to help you gain a better understanding of the process of selling your own business:

10 Ways to Combat Stress and Increase Your Energy
One thing we do as entrepreneurs is work hard, follow our passions and keep on going even when we’re tired. We often push ourselves and can easily lose momentum because we’re not taking the best care of ourselves; even the most seasoned business owners who swear by exercise, diet and rest can fall off the treadmill. Find out what you can do to protect your most precious asset - YOU!

How To Effectively Research So You Can Write Powerful Sales Copy
One of the biggest mistakes many business owners make is to focus more on their product than their marketing. The greatest product in the world will not sell without great marketing. Marketing is a major requirement in the success formula of a business and a huge part of that is copywriting. Therefore, you cannot run a successful business online without good copywriting.

Website Domains: 7 Things Your Web Marketer or Designer Might Not Tell You

Most businesses who hire a web marketing company or designer to put up a website are more interested in results than process. Take the time to understand the steps your consultant or designer wish to take, and speak up if something just doesn’t seem right. Know what will and will not be attached to your name, your business and your reputation when the transaction is complete. You are still your best advocate for the welfare and protection of your business’ web operation, and reputation.

Detect and Respond: the new business reality
Speed and agility are the name of the game if you want to beat your competitors or stay out front. The key to instilling speed and agility into an organization lies with its leaders. How do they make decisions?

10 Ways for Managers to Prepare for Interviewing a Job Candidate
Many business owners start interviewing people for a job without clearly understanding what kind of person would best fit into the organization. Hiring is done out of urgent need. Good hiring decisions are made with planning. Here are some ways to prepare before you start to interview.

Expectations or Incentives
"I've tried every incentive program imaginable and the only thing I've accomplished is creating divisiveness in my organization." Business Owner

Best Online Home Businesses - 4 Models To Follow
The best online home businesses need to offer more than everybody else. Rather than look at specific business opportunities we will talk about four business models that you can follow to create an online income for yourself.

Free Advertising Techniques For The Internet Home Business
Besides Optimization, advertising techniques are quite excellent in increasing the production sales. For business owners who run their own business domain, they can capitalize on the free advertisement being offered. Here are some of them.

Free Online Advertising Techniques
Conceptualizing your advertising techniques is a skill that only few business owners have mastered. The advertising campaign is an integral part of your marketing strategy. There are many ideas to advertise your business.

Spiritual Marketing For The Business Atheist
You are losing your mind! You want to commit but where's the guarantee??? All you know is you can't spend another year promoting ineffective strategies.

4 Steps To Hypnotize Your Business Prospects

As business owners, our fantasy is to be able to cause our prospective customers to do exactly what we tell them, when we tell them: buy our products, refer more business to us, increase the frequency of orders, blog about their experience with our company, etc. Many people are constantly searching for the magic system that will easily bring piles of riches to your door easily, regularly, and automatically. We love hearing about the latest get-rich-quick guru success stories and dream that maybe this guru has our missing piece of knowledge. We are ready, willing, and able to be hypnotized by their promises. Why not use this same skill to improve your own business?

Easing out of Recession not so Easy for Small Service Companies
Very recently, several of my clients have begun sharing that their sales have turned up over the last couple months. Yeah, finally! Since I talk to business owners every day, and no one has expressed that sales are getting worse, this constitutes a trend, albeit an unscientific one. But, hey, any good news brings a sigh of relief at this point.

OFFLINE BUSINESSES NEED YOU MORE THAN YOU KNOW

Are you in a bind right now in your career or personal life? Are you so broke that you can't even pay attention to the words that you are reading? If either of those statements describes the state of your current existence, it is time that you put on your online battle gear. I am referring to the type of armor that will enable you to fight your way out of the difficult situation that you are facing. A fast way to earn money by using the skills that you have as an internet marketer is by calling those people who own a business in your city or town. Often times, we take for granted the words that we have learned over the years as online experts and business owners.

The Different Types of Advertising Techniques
Advertising has become an integral part of every corporate and business. Owners and executives spend a considerable amount of money to promote their products and services. Through different advertising techniques, the consumers are informed of the nature’s products and services including the benefits they can gain.

Online Business Opportunities And How To Promote Them Using Autoresponders
If you are looking for an efficient way to promote online business opportunities an autoresponder may be the answer. The reason why many business owners do not get the maximum benefit out of them is because they simply do not know the best ways to use autoresponders to generate sales and attract customers and clients to their business.

Billable Hours - Strong Business Credit Options
BILLABLE HOURS While the term "billable hours" is most commonly associated with law professions, this concept should be used by all business owners. It's important to set the minimal hourly rate you want to earn as a bottom line.

Maximizing Home Values and Appearances- How Home-Improvement Franchises Answer the Call

As the crisp fall air hints at the colder weather that’s to come, many people’s thoughts turn to preparing their homes for winter’s return and completing any last-minute home improvement projects. In addition to safeguarding their homes’ against winter’s wrath, growing concerns over a tumultuous stock market have led many homeowners to look for ways to preserve, protect and increase the value of their most significant asset- their homes. From landscaping concepts, to building and remodeling businesses, a wide-range of trusted home services franchises are answering the call- and providing aspiring business owners with the chance to become part of the in-demand home improvement industry.

My commitment to win the "Free SEO Networker mastermind scholarships"
In 8 days, yes 8 days "SEO Networker is giving away 2 mastermind scholarships" to 2 lucky business owners. If you have been wondering how you can get your business in front of the millions of people searching for internet business opportunities everyday,then here is your answer.

Here’s 5 Immediate Solutions for working capital financing for your cash flow business needs!
Information for business owners on 5 different methods of achieving working capital financing for cash flow business needs . One or all of these solutions can be effective in your cash flow needs .

Can You Walk the Walk if You Can’t Talk the Talk? Improve Your Financial Vocabulary

Accounting is the language of business. Getting more information from your accountant than just pages of numbers in the form of monthly reports requires that you know the language. For many owners, that means acquiring a new vocabulary complete with terms like “gross margin,” “key performance ratio,” and “break-even analysis.” Unfortunately, many business owners are intimidated by the language or choose to ignore it altogether. They ignore the financial performance of their company, delegate it to an employee, or outsource it. Understanding the fundamental financial concepts gives owners a much better chance of prospering in today’s challenging economic environment.

Complete Contact Page Goes a Long Way In Credibility
Establish string credibility with new visitors to your web site.

3 Reasons Sales Training Doesn’t Work
The fact sales training doesn’t work isn’t exactly a news flash. Neil Rackham uncovered this fact years ago. Yet sales people and business owners continue to invest millions of dollars a year on sales training in the hopes...

How directors can prevent themselves being liable for their company’s debts

The reason most start up business owners decide to form a company is to protect themselves in the event that their business goes belly up. The so called “limited liability” protection offered by the company structure may psychologically persuade us to take more business risks than if we were trading on our own account. However, in times of hardship, limited liability may not be all its cracked up to be and business owners could end up being personally liable for their company’s debts if they fail out to carry their duties as a director properly.

How to Stop Your Overheads Killing Your Profits
Many business owners falsely believe that the more work they have, the more money they make. Because they are ‘busy’ and get more help to manage the workload they think they must be making more money which is not necessarily true.

Improve Yourself, Improve Your Business
For your business to be better, you need to be better, and you don’t get better by doing nothing! To do this you may have to get right out of your comfort zone and join a coaching program, go along to seminars where you meet other like-minded people or those playing at a higher level of business than you.

Lifting the Hood of Your Small Business Engine: An Introduction to the Business Diamond Framework

Entrepreneurs need to understand their small businesses in order to fix problems and optimize their companies for greater profitability. However, when most business owners view the engine of their business, they see a complicated mess of moving parts. In this article, you will learn about the Business Diamond Framework, a strategic tool for small business success that helps business owners understand their business.

Start A Business - Out Of The Comfort Of Your Own Home

Everyone dreams of starting their own business, but surprisingly few people actually go through with it. This is uncalled for, because it is now easier than ever before to start a business and live the lifestyle that you have always dreamed of. With the internet offering more opportunities than ever before to start earning the money that will exceed many expectations, giving people the chance to have more free time, travel, and set their own hours without the demands of a boss or manager. This greatly increases one's quality of life and leads to a decrease in stress.

Online Business Opportunities - Information Products
When it comes to online businesses that are profitable I like ones that offer information products. There are numerous reasons why selling information is a great way to develop an online income.

Ooooh! Another Bright Shiny Object!
If you are someone who has a business, you can be, rather you ARE, inundated with mail, email, Facebook and Twitter announcements, etc. about the “best,” the “newest,” and the “be-all-end-all” programs that will answer all your business needs. There always is a new bright shiny object dangling in front of you.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving!
What will be your company year end gift? What about teachers gifts? Try the girt that keeps on giving.

Internet Marketing Home Based Business and the Importance of Patience and Persistence
Impatience and a lack of persistence are serious problems for a lot of new internet marketing business owners. Sometimes it is exacerbated by extraordinary claims of earning potentiality and speed of achievement by companies which use very hypey sales techniques. Perseverance is the make or break factor in internet business.

Why Web Content is King
Many business owners feel that it's good enough for their company's web site to use a great design and well written content to inform visitors about the company and its products. Having an effective web site is important, but it is wasted if your customers can't find the site when they search for your company on the internet. That's where web content comes in.

Practical Solutions to Help Business Owners Solve Their 5 Biggest Challenges Part 1

Leverage Your Time - Leveraging time seems to be the top challenge with most business owners. We have identified resources that will make it easy for you to put in place some simple systems that will help you free up time, reduce your stress level and get your business working harder for you. Business owners work 50 percent more than employees of large companies. The average business owner holds five "jobs" within his or her own company and many entrepreneurs must invest their time as "sweat equity" because they are funding their own business. Successful owners have created leverage and found more time to do the things that were most important to them by:

How To UN-Frustrate Your Steps To A New Home Based Business
Are you frustrated with finding the right Internet business, or trying to understand the business model you are currently associated with? I would like to share a very simple process that will help you understand Internet business from a new and different point of view.

How building a Website helps in Internet Marketing
Without your own website, Internet Marketing would be a naught. In a world where almost everybody uses the virtual world to do almost anything, making your business available for online internet marketing reaps lucrative fruitage.

Social Media: Should you or shouldn't you for your business?
After speaking at a recent Womenâ€™s Network Australia event in Brisbane, and watching everyone take lots of notes, I decided to put some of my talk down into a paper. There is a lot to cover in this sphere, so here are some points to help people utilise social media more effectively.

Internet Business Opportunities: What’s Hot and What’s Not - Don’t Get Taken In
Goggle for internet business opportunity and you will come across all sorts of businesses. Many people have been taken for a ride with various online ventures due to their lack of knowledge or their desire to get rich quick. What should you look for?

Franchising And the Art of Selling Change

I recently got onto a plane, settled in with my computer case at hand, my ipod Touch at the ready - my Bose headset set up and my computer in my pre-planned position to swipe it out of said aforementioned case. Then came the flight attendant. He looked at me, grinned and asked if I would "be so kind" to switch seats with a husband who was needed by his wife so the two of them could keep their baby from exploding onto the passengers in and around where she was currently seated. Now, here I am. I am comfortable. I have perfected my environment. And this clown disrupts my mental zen. Further it will require some deliberate focus and nurturing to get me back on track once I have settled into my new digs.

Closing the Sale: Assume the Close, But Never the Reason
There are certainly many techniques and approaches involved in completing a sale, but closing is not a stand-alone activity. Even worse, a seller who attempts to "close the sale" too aggressively without properly executing the entire selling process can do more harm than good. This mistake is often due to one dangerous assumption...

Group Coaching For The Business Professional
Group Coaching Programs are topic specific, goals oriented, and totally focused on providing the client, tangible and sustainable results.

Online Webinars - Events Worth Putting on Your Calendar
Online webinars are internet based events. Events in and of themselves have advantages for the business owners that promote them. An event like a webinar has a set schedule. Anything with a set schedule is more likely to draw in people with a higher level of commitment.

Got Team?

As an entrepreneur, you wear a lot of hats in your business, don't you! You're smart. You know you need to have the right help so you can be super productive and profitable in your business and you are probably already outsourcing certain tasks and responsibilities. That's a great start. But let me ask you, how well is it working for you? Do you have an ideal team in place? Is it easy and almost effortless for you to work with your team and together create awesome results? Here's what I've discovered. Most entrepreneurs and business owners aren't having ideal experiences with creating their own strong team".

5 Good Reasons to Not Go to a Seminar
There's a plethora of great seminars out there. How do you decide if you should sign-up? Here's 5 ways to help you make the best decision.

Types of Home Based Businesses: Which One Is Right For You?

With the ups and downs of the economy the past few years, more people are exploring their entrepreneurial possibilities. With the explosion of the internet, these possibilities have become real, lucrative home business opportunities that can be implemented right from the home office, or even the kitchen table. Home based businesses come in many shapes and sizes and with the advent of the “google” era you can find both legitimate as well as questionable opportunities offered to you online. So which idea might fit your needs? How do you decide?

Gaining Market Leverage
Whether you have an established business or are developing a home based business in your spare time the ability to market and sell your product or service is the key to profitability and growth.

Where do you live on the net? The importance of a good address.
So many times, we see a small business with an email address that leads to hotmail and the like, or the free ones that come with your Internet connection provider so the hosts name is involved e.g. "yourname@hostname.com." This makes you look like an amateur or a business that's not serious.

Incorporating Outsource Staff into the Routine of your Office

Incorporating Outsource Staff into the Routine of your Office Business owners who grow their businesses with outsource staff (including freelancers, consultants, and virtual assistants) enjoy many benefits to this arrangement but face one critical challenge: Businesses run better when everyone gets along and collaborates with good rapport. So, how do you build that among virtual staff when they are separated by many miles?

Is Your Disorganisation Destroying Your Health, Your Business and Your Relationships?
Did you know that 60-90% of all doctor visits are for stress-related illnesses? Stress is costly in terms of your health, relationships and performance.When you're affected by too much stress your body wears down and you get sick. Highly disorganized people seem to be more susceptible to sickness as they are always under extreme pressure, running from one disaster to another.

Get More Done with On-Call Help

Get More Done with On-Call Help - How do you successfully grow your business out of the "one-person-show" mode? Hiring employees can be a costly risk, even if it seems to be the right answer. However, there is another answer – an intermediate step – that business owners can use as an opportunity to scale up their business without blowing their budgets. In this article, you will read about that intermediate step and why it is advantageous to you.

Profitable Online Business Ideas To Make Online Income
To help you get started, here are some profitable online business ideas that anyone can make online income with.

Online Business? Why Do We Need One?

A few years ago, the economy was roaring. Stock prices were going up, interest rates were staying low, the online business industry was booming and unemployment was down. A year later and those indicators were all going in opposite direction. It is difficult to know if the turmoil is over but we have to have faith. We have to be optimistic that the current situation is a short-term one and we have to believe that long-term prospects of growth and good times are just around the corner. But that doesn't mean that there won't be downturns, along the way. We have to ask ourselves: 'are we ready to take advantage of the good as well as the bad times - are we ready to start an online business?'

Is an Online Business a Real Business?

I suspect that far too many people fall into the trap of thinking that an online business is easier to start and run than an offline business. It is possible that an online business could require less money up front to start but I’m not convinced less work is an option – unless you have that so-called “magic selling” product. Most people starting out with an online business probably do not fully understand what they are getting involved with. They understand the internet,

Demographic Profile of an Average American Millionaire
Bullet points from the book "The Millionaire Next Door" by Thomas J. Stanley.

Where to Find Growth Money For Your Business
Here are a number of unique ways to raise money for your struggling business.

IS YOUR BUSINESS PUTTING YOUR ASSETS AT RISK? BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS: THE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

Most states provide for a variety of business forms. The form you choose for your business will influence the time and money needed to form and maintenance your business. Most importantly, it controls the extent to which your personal assets are available to your creditors to satisfy business debts and obligations. This article is the third in the series that explores the differences between business forms. It is easy to read and understand. The information is a great starting point in your investigation and will prepare you for further discussions with your attorney, accountant, or advisor.

4 Tips for Developing an Employee Handbook

Company policies are often determined in a reactionary or even ad-hoc fashion and may change to suit certain situations. This is especially true for small organizations. This is a risky strategy and may lead to unwanted litigation from disgruntled employees if they feel that they are not being treated fairly by management. It is important to set the company’s ground rules for conduct and the best way to do it is with an official employee handbook.

MLM vs. Top Tier Direct Sales Marketing

MLM businesses are a dime a dozen in today's highly competitive world. Many MLM business owners are struggling to find new reps to sign up for a number of reasons. On the other hand are top tier direct sales marketing businesses, where a onetime payment is made rather than long term residual incomes. Which is the better option? For many who are facing the struggles of the MLM market, top tier direct sales are a better option.

Leadership is about the Leader's Character
Regardless of your industry, here are some leadership virtues that you want your employees to be able to imitate in you

Independent Contractor vs. Employee
Many business owners have used independent contractors when appropriate and especially when the needs are part time and/or irregular hours. Using independent contractors can save the business owner on payroll taxes and can be a plus if the need is occasional.

Business New Year's Commitments – For Leaders and Lawyers
With another year quickly coming to an end, I started thinking about New Year's Resolutions and what enlightened business owners and solo entrepreneurs can resolve to change and be more successful next year. The following are my top twelve tips in no particular order to help you and your business thrive in the New Year.

The “Karmically Correct” Way to Lay Off an Employee
For anyone in the unlucky position of having to fire an employee, here is the “karmically correct” way to lay off an employee:

Cold Calling for Business Owners
Simple networking practices for business owners and managers.

(11) Questions To Answer Before Starting A New Business!

What is your intention for your business? One could say to be successful and make money of course. How do you intend to do this? How does it happen? How much time will it take? Who will you become in the process of building your business? This is the important question and the answer. Let’s assume you have never owned a business yet, you really have this burning desire to work for yourself. You have done your research and decided on a business to build, yes build.

How to use article marketing to generate leads
Article marketing is one the best kept secrets on the net. Why don't more business owners know about this? This article explains how to write an effective article that you can distribute in an Article Marketing Strategy.

7 Habits for Franchisee's
Owning a franchise doesn't qualify you as a better entrepreneur. What might be the things that provide you with the right foundations to succeed in your business and other businesses in the future? Let me suggest 7 Habits you will find quality franchisee's practicing.

Life without Leaders
A discussion on how leadership makes a difference and what makes a leader.

Simple Marketing Tips to Do Marketing the easy way in 5 minutes a Day
Business owners are all aware of the importance of marketing to their business. Still many find it difficult to set aside time to do marketing. Here is a simple way to make marketing fit into a busy schedule and keep the flow of clients coming.

It Takes More Than A Resolution to Achieve Your Dreams In the New Year

Business owners you know that New Year’s resolutions don’t last! It’s been proven again and again. So why do we keep setting them? I think we really want each new year to be different, and better than the last for our small businesses. I want this year to be my best year ever. So what can I do to make sure that happens? Setting SMART goals is part of the secret to success, but it is not enough. Add a measurable action plan and partner with a business coach or mentor and your chances of success will hit their peak.

How to Clean out the Clutter and Pump Up Your Profits
Have you ever felt totally overwhelmed because you were surrounded by clutter? When you work in a cluttered environment it crowds your thinking and easily distracts you. Not only that clutter wastes your time and your money.

Make No Mistake, We Should Make More
Mistakes are anathema in our business culture, and actually our culture-at-large. Unfortunately, they are also a critical element of most successes, especially entrepreneurial ones. This article examines why and how we should embrace mistakes. Make no mistake, we should make more.

Working Online - - Endless Possibility
Starting an Internet based business has never made more sense. Traditional brick and mortar is quickly becoming a notion of the past as entrepreneurs look at new ways of marketing themselves that get superior results.

Marketing strategies: Procrastination and the Fear of Failure
Is procrastination one of the things that gets in the way of your success? This article gives you some great tips on how to overcome those non-productive habits.

Strategic Alliances

Strategic Alliances are a strategy for getting what you need for your small business without necessarily incurring further debt. This happens when two or more companies form an alliance while retaining their own identity; in certain cases, a separate legal entity or “joint venture” can be formed to accomplish the same purpose. Each company agrees to commit resources for common business objectives.

What are the 2 Missing Links that Guarantee Sales Strategy Failures?
Have you ever wondered why so many hopeful business owners fail in spite of having a good product or service to sell? The reason isn’t location. It isn’t even insufficient start up cash.

Ten Ways To Improve Sales On A New Business Website
There are two major obstacles to make a profit with a new business website. The first is attracting targeted traffic to the website, and the second to to turn those visitors into paying customers or subscribers. This article discusses the second step and includes some proven ways to convert your traffic into customers.

Leadership - The Art Of Being one of the 3%

As parents, coaches, and business owners, we must develop and posses leadership qualities if we want our children, team members and business to succeed. Whether our desire is to be a leader or not, there are specific skills that must be developed. Leadership styles will differ according to various personalities but main qualities must exist for excellence. Below are six key traits of successful leadership.

Match Your Message To Your Market - A Unique Selling Proposition
When some people hear the term unique Selling Proposition (USP), they think of their company slogan or tag line or something trite. What a lot of business owners don't realize is that a good USP can make or break a business. It goes much deeper than a few words in an ad.

How To Start A Business With Low Overhead
Most traditional businesses cost thousands, if not tens of thousands to get started. The time it takes to have a positive return on investment is usually around 3 - 5 years. You can start a business with low overhead with high returns in your first year. I know because I have done it.

One of the Most Important Sales Skills
When it comes to selling your services many find it a frustrating experience. You are after all virtually selling thin air.

Public Relations Success Stories
What makes public relations so fascinating are the unexpected perks. While you’re reaching your target market and promotional goals via public relations that press coverage can also lead to other money making ventures and career opportunities.

Top Five Reasons Why Your E-newsletter isn’t Getting Responses
Whether you're currently sending an e-newsletter that isn't getting results or are considering starting an e-newsletter, there are five techniques that every e-newsletter sender MUST know in order to make their e-newsletter successful.

Marketing In A Poor Economy
Don't stop spending on advertising and marketing; this is a death sentence as sales are tied directly to advertising. Be creative - use Twitter, initiate special campaigns, revamp your website, make a You Tube video. Talk to your customers and find out what you can do for them that they need right now. Be able to adjust to market trends but stick to what you know.

Is Info-dumping killing your conversions?
Keeping the content on your website simple & specific.

Revamp to Revenue: 5 Ways to Turn on the Profits for your Website
Setting goals for your website is just one of the ways you what you want your visitors to do and in order of priority. From this you can then make certain elements more prominent, and minimize others.

One Thing You Could Do Today to Instantly Increase Your Sales
If you listen to some business owners, even some sales trainers you would think one day sales will just happen. Individual sales do just happen, on occasion. Consistent sales never just happen.

HONK If You Need More Clients NOW!
If you need more clients now, don't waste any more time or money on efforts, experts, or programs that don't work. Read this article twice. Once for understanding... and once for IMPLEMENTATION. Marketing success, guerrilla marketing, business survival, business success, business growth, more clients NOW.

Three Business-Building Ideas To "Steal"

One of the great joys of our work is meeting a wide range of successful local business owners. Each has a wonderful story to tell about how they created and developed their firm, and each has special challenges. Each owner has a set of talents that make his or her business unique, and some valuable lessons for all of us on what has worked for them. On the principal that it’s easier to follow someone else’s best practices than spend time and effort making up our own, here are some lessons we can all apply from business people right in our own neighbourhood.

Young Guns: TheFearless Entrepreneur’s Guide too Chasing Your Dreams and Breaking Out on Your Own by Robert Tuchman
Part of the American Dream is to own your own business. Millions of people have done this – but we also know that many people fail in business every year, many in the first years. So, is there a secret to succeeding as a new entrepreneur? There are a number of factors and Young Guns by Robert Tuchman is a very good place to get started.

Discover Why Sometimes Switching Web Hosting Providers is a Good Idea
When it comes to service providers online business owners will not hesitate to drop any service that is not giving them the results they want. For some unexplained reason though, web hosting providers seem to escape this fate.

Where the Bible teaches us how to improve our cashflow

No cash means stunted business growth, worry and sleepless nights wondering to how you are going to pay your bills. So you're lying there at night, eyes wide open, thinking how you are going to face your creditors the next morning. In this situation, many business owners (religious or not) would plead for some kind of divine intervention. Well believe it or not, one strategy for getting your customers to pay on time is actually sitting there in the bible. You just need to know where to look…

Add dollars to your bottom line by hiring well
Many business owners don’t take the time to calculate the cost of hiring the wrong person against the benefits of hiring the right one. Get it right and you can make your business a substantial amount of money. Get it wrong and watch those dollars disappear – literally.

Healthy Salespeople - Healthy Sales Results

As I have stated previously, sales is a demanding profession. Top performers know that to sustain a high level of performance, they need to keep fit and well - both physically and psychologically. They are self disciplined, self managed and take good care of themselves. You only have to look at them and know they are healthy. Their skin is clear, they have a vitality about them that is fresh, their attitude is positive and they are keen to learn. What sort of sales culture do you encourage? Is it one of health and wellbeing or a boozy, extreme living on the edge culture?

How To Create a Reputation for The Best Place to Work
For those business owners looking to avoid high turnover at a time when business starts to turn around, here are 3 cost effective tips that will help you keep your teams together and your talent intact.

More Millionaires Were Created During The Great Depression Than In Any Other Period. Will History Repeat Itself?
Find out what it takes to become a millionaire during times of a recession or even a depression

14 Ways to Collect Cash Faster
In this new era of difficult credit, cash is the life blood of your business. In this series of articles, we’ll look at bringing in cash faster, keeping cash longer, and increasing cash holdings.

The 3% Solution for Business Success ~ part one

We've long known that true financial independence only occurs for about 3% of the population. Similarly, I believe, that only 3% of all registered businesses ever achieve their potential greatness and success. Some businesses let small issues take over while others become mired with a lack of focus. Some even let world economies dictate their prosperity. An elite group of entrepreneurs and business people chart their own path and create their own success. This group practices what we call "3%" behaviours. These behaviours separate them from the other businesses in their industry and create unparalleled success.

Feeling Out-Twittered?
The secret is to keep it simple.

Small Business Leads to Keep You Going and Growing
A search engine on the internet has led you to this article. You found it. I didn't go looking for you. I strategically placed this content where I knew only those I cared to reach would find it. "The right prospect, at the right time and the right place is looking for you."

Selling and managing are not the same
I wrote recently about sales burnout and the challenges many SME business owners have of being all things to all people including, usually, the main sales person and sales manager. Like many people, I have known that selling and managing are not the same thing. They are two very distinct jobs with different demands and expectations.

The cost of poor sales selection
Have you ever done the math on how much sales recruitment costs you, especially when you get it wrong? If you are like most managers then chances are you haven't. So let's consider the costs, overt and covert, involved in sales recruitment. If you don't know it already, sales recruitment is one of the toughest assignments around.

How To Get Client Testimonials When You Want Them
Just about every service business relies on some form of ‘proof’ that they can deliver what they offer. And client testimonials are among the most sought after marketing weapons for business owners to have in their arsenal. But how do you go about getting a client testimonial that is worded well enough that you can actually use it? Do you find it difficult to be bold and just ASK for it?

Overcoming Corporate Disconnect
Corporate disconnect is the major contributor to every one of your challenges, problems or negative issues that undermine your growth, profitability and effectiveness as an organization.

Work At Home Trumps Having A Job Every Time

Work at home is a growing trend among people who want to create and control their own income. Work at home trumps having a job every time. A job is defined by the employer. You are hired because you have the skill sets that match the scope of the tasks needed for the job. You will always be limited by what the employer needs to move his company forward. It does not matter how good you are at your job, you will never exceed the expectations of the employer. It is possible to be rewarded for exceptional work with a promotion and higher pay. The opportunities for advancement are limited and the competition can be fierce. No matter how high you climb the corporate ladder you will never reach the top. You can turn that around when you become the owner of your own home based business and are committed to work at home.

Telemarketing Victory - 10 Rules: Use The Phone, Let 'Em Moan, Retain Client Confidence

Ever had good clients and customers walk away and never understood why? Is it possible they're so disgusted they're refusing to respond to your email or take calls from you? Ever felt powerless to change the outcome? How did it come to this? Whether they slip away silently and imperceptibly by degrees or create a commotion on the way out, for some business owners and directors it's a bitter blow they never fully recover from. The good news is that in the vast majority of cases it can be avoided. Often, it's the telephone that provides us with the answer to the problem of losing clients and customers.

Business Cards From Hell
Business cards often present the first impression about you and your business. Yet many businesses continue to use incomplete, hard to read business cards that may be doing more harm than good. Here's what you need to have a business card that works for you and not against you.

Learning Required to Grow Your Business If You Wish to Increase Sales
Are you learning enough to increase sales? For some, knowledge deficit may be the obstacle to business success.

Financials for Business Owners: More Than A Look In The Rear View Mirror

Financial reports are the least understood piece of business information for most business owners. Yet everyone expects a business owner to understand his financial reports. Banks want them and they're needed to prepare tax returns. If you're not an accountant, you probably don't know how to use them to manage your business. Accounting is the language of business. The reports tell the story of how well your business is performing. Once you know what your financial reports can tell you, your accountant can provide the information in a format that makes sense and is quick and easy to read, even for a non-accountant! This is the first in a series of articles that will put business owners back in control of their company and reduce the stress that comes from not being certain how well your business is performing.

Simply Speaking Increase Sales By Remembering Qualified Sales Leads Are a Two-Way Street
Do you belong to a formal networking group? Not getting enough referrals? Possibly the answer is that you are traveling a way one street.

Are You Throwing in the Towel Too Soon? More Musings from the Marathon
Why would knowing how to finish a marathon have to do with your business? Because you might be having the same problems in your business -- demons coming out to play when you get close to the finish line and you throwing in the towel too soon and not seeing the success you deserve. Here¹s some ways you can get beyond that.

7 Key Simple Points to Turn Ineffective Sales Scripts to Effective Ones to Increase Sales
In the rush to increase sales, some organizations are returning to the old tried and true sales scripts. Yet, these well intended business owners to sales managers have forgotten several key points and one very critical key aspect when using a sales script.

How Failing Business Etiquette #101 May Be Your First Obstacle to Increase Sales
If you want to increase sales, then are you demonstrating the right business etiquette? Possibly, you are failing one of these every day behaviors and this maybe why you are still achieving your sales goals?

Increase Sales Means You Must Confront Those 800# Gorillas
What 800# gorillas are you avoiding to increase sales? I believe now is the time to discuss one those gorillas. Possibly, the avoidance of these 800# gorillas contributes to the high failure rate of small businesses where for each one that opens another one closes. (Source: Small Business Administration)

Equity Splits
I’ve been working with a couple of clients recently on how to give equity to other people coming into the business, and it’s definitely a recurring theme which causes a lot of debate and difficulty.

5 Top Income Producing Tasks For Your Internet Home Based Business

If you have decided to work at home, congratulations. It's definitely a great choice. However, it is very easy to procrastinate and deal with distractions when you are working from your home. If you want to make sure that your home business produces income, there are a variety of things you are going to need to do. Here are five of the top income producing tasks you need to do for your internet home based business.

Marketing Strategies for Building Customer Relations
As business owners, we all want to sell more of our products and services to new and existing customers. But before we can achieve this goal, it is imperative to understand a few basic marketing strategies for creating interest, trust and desire.

Step By Step Branding Is Your Company Logo Important Enough To Make Or Break Your Brand

Some people will tell you that your logo is everything when it comes to branding your business. However, that is not really true. A good logo is important, a great logo is even better; but neither one is even remotely vital to your success. Why? Because when all is said and done, a logo is a visual image that will remind people of your company. The greatest logo in the world will do nothing at all for your success if it just serves as a reminder of a company that people neither like or trust.

Improve Your Health to Enjoy Your Wealth

What good is being successful in your business if you have such poor health you cannot enjoy it? I know it is hard to get the adequate sleep we need when building a business. It is difficult to treat exercise as a necessity as compared to researching the best keywords for your Google AdWords campaign. You see immediate need in what you are doing right now, yet ignore the things you need to do (not just want to do) to stay healthy for yourself, your business, and your family. So just as you did with your personal and business goals when you first started your business, go ahead and take out a sheet of paper and start writing down the following goals you need so you can improve your health to enjoy your wealth.

Revisit the Past to Increase Future Sales
Would you like more sales now than last year? Then you may need to revisit a marketing and sales skill set that was developed during your high school days even if you never took a business course.

Taxes The Good News and the Bad News For Increasing Business Productivity
Cost to do business extends far beyond the standard fix costs of rent, utilities, insurance, etc. How you address these costs has a direct bearing on your sales to profits to employee retention.

Harness the Power of ‘Free’ Marketing
No doubt the title of my article caught your attention! The question is - are you gaining enough attention from your customers/clients? And, do you want to maintain their attention?

No Guarantees
No Guarantees is one of the cornerstones of Free Market Economics. There are no guarantees. Business success happens through methodical, daily efforts. Healthy competition in all sectors ensures that even the greatest company on earth can be quickly humbled by the next small, innovative enterprise to come along.

Business Website Design
Article emphasize upon the importance of web designing in business website. The article talks about important points that can help you create a right kind of professional website layout.

PR Peeves
There are some pet peeves that arise again and again - not only for me but for many journalists - in dealing with publicists. So here are a few "do's and don'ts."

Defining Success
Achieving success is defined by most as setting and meeting goals. The goals can be financial, productivity based or related to company growth goals. Goals as well as what is considered success, vary from business to business.

Does Your Business Have What it Takes To Be A Successful Franchise?
There are 5 ‘Success Keys’ that must be in place if a business is going to transform into a successful franchise – Profitability; Uniqueness: Proven Sales and Marketing Strategies; Systematic Approach to Business; An Owner with Vision.

Listen to What Your Prospect is Saying to You
Occasionally, you will come across a prospect who asks questions or offers objections that you have never before encountered, so you don’t have an ideal way to deal with them. Even so, you need to respond to your prospect appropriately. If you ignore their questions or statements, you will end up with a prospect who is seriously annoyed.

I've got a business idea - what's next?
One question I get asked a lot goes something like “I’ve got an idea for a business. I need to get finance from the bank, buy stationery and equipment and do some research. I’m not sure how to plan everything that I need to do.”

Filling the Sales Pipeline?
The bottom line is that if you want to be able to sell consistently, if you want to have those million dollar and beyond sales careers, if you want to avoid major frustration and wheel spinning, blanketing the earth with emails, voice mails or even phone calls is not the answer.

A Credit Catch-22: When lenders and lawmakers disconnect
I operate a small business marketplace that connects entrepreneurs to financing options. Recent legislation has created an impression that the credit markets are softening and business loans are growing on trees. Not so fast - what's really going on down on mainstreet? Here's a story from today's local credit markets.

Affordable 800 Number Service Provides Effective Marketing
Having an 800 number for your business is one way to improve your professional image and inspire customer confidence.

Change Nothing...Expect the Same or Less
Can you change nothing given the present economic climate, and still expect revenue gains? Tough economic times have always opened new doors for the open minded and enabled business owners/leaders to not only survive, but also end up thriving as a result of new economic forces. Read about a new and innovative approach to remaining successful inside this new world economy.

Disruption Breeds Opportunity
Between 1831 and 1840 there were 14 Americans born who each went on to amass billions of dollars in wealth. Some of their names were Rockefeller, Carnegie, and Morgan. They came from all walks of life but had one thing in common. Read the full article to find out what it was.

How to REALLY Connect With Your Customers on Their Terms to Build Relationships and Generate More Sales
Knowing how to engage your readers with attention grabbing headlines is important and at the same time, it's not enough to really create a relationship, build trust and eventually win a customer or client.

Writing For Conversions - Testing New Content
Our exploration of utilizing content to increase conversion rates began with analyzing statistics to uncover opportunities for improvement, followed by how to create and implement good content to compel visitors to take action.

Successful Entrepreneurs - Know How to Grow Your Business, but Need a Push?
Often, successful entrepreneurs fail to implement their own great ideas and strategies, ones they know would take their business to higher levels of revenue and profits.

The Beauty of Search Engine Optimization Phobias

It is a common belief among many web business owners that once they submit their website to a search engines they're on their way to financial success. Yes submitting your site is important. But simply informing the search engines that you exist (which is all you are doing) is not enough because they reaction you may get is "so you're out there, so what." Today web pages need to be optimized in order for search engines to take them seriously.

Fail Quickly To Succeed Fast

Almost every business owner has a continual supply of new ideas. But most of them never follow through on even one of those ideas. It's like they leave what could be the key to their future success locked up in a closet somewhere - never letting it see the light of day. Over the years, my experience has been that business owners are so reluctant to try out their new ideas because they don't have a simple way of testing them in an easy and low-risk manner. They (wrongly) believe that they would need to make significant changes in how their business runs in order to test an idea. And if that idea proves to be less-than-ideal, they are scared they will have hurt their business. But it doesn't have to be that way. They can apply "quick-failing" tactics to easily and safely test new ideas

Online Business Success: Advisory Board Primer (Part I)
Would you like to have industry leaders give you FREE business advice on a regular basis? Read this article and learn all about the power of advisory boards.

Online Business Success: Does Your Business Need An Upgrade?
Do you know how to upgrade your business for increased business attraction? Read this article and learn seven quick and easy ways to get started now.

Recession Rescue -- Lessons Learned from Dan Kennedy
Don't panic. Yes we're in a recession. Yes the government is doing crazy things. Yes we have pirates and pig flu and everything else. But you shouldn't be panicking because it's very possible for us to not just survive but thrive.

Internet Based Home Business - Why More People Are Starting One
Perhaps a lot of online business owners these days would express their great appreciation to the advent of the internet, as many of them have managed to set up and nurture an internet based home business even on a shoestring budget through this modern medium.

Why Your Financial Statements Are Important

In today's business financial market, it is important to understand what bankers and other financial sources require of business owners. When accessing capital through traditional sources such as banking institutions, they must have specific financial documents from the party seeking to borrow their funds. Alternative Sources require said documentation but can take a different approach based on the borrower's situation.

Access To Alternative Financing for Small Businesses
Many small or startup business owners seeking financing are caught between a rock and a hard place. Are you going to let this stop you? Are you going to give up on your dream of owning your own business or growing the current one?

5 Things Every Startup Business Owner Must Know
Start-up business owners are not always aware of financing options outside the banking industry. They are more likely to be turned down by the banks, especially if they have not been in business for at least two (2) years.

3 Keys to Income Acceleration
How to Boost Your Bottom Line This Week

Small Business Growth: Recession Rescue Strategies

This week alone, I have heard from two business owners going "under"... literally closing their doors and, of course, blaming the economy. I must say that both of these companies started out with overwhelming debt, and neither had shown a month of profit since opening their doors. They were both open BEFORE the "recession" hit. Both invested heavily in traditional marketing. Both inquired about hiring a business coach, but never felt it worth the investment. THIS is the Darwinian-like "thinning of the herd" that we will continue to observe in "tough times". But you don't have to be one of those eliminated... So, what can you do NOW to rescue your own business today?

Small Business Survival Tips For THIS Economy
Has the turbulent state of the economy got you and your business down? Why not change your perception and start CREATING instead of REACTING. Your business can not only survive in THIS economy, it can thrive! You can be "tougher than the times".

Blogging for Business
True or false: blogs are never going to be an effective form of marketing for small businesses

To Share or Not to Share? What a Question!

As successful business owners and corporate executives, many of us struggle with finding a good balance between being fierce leaders and taking the glory and profit of our hard work versus sharing the profit and the responsibility of the risk. This is one of the hardest of dilemmas for business owners and for top executives, often restricting the potential for growth. Here are some suggestions that will hopefully assist you as you are making the big decision on whether to expand on your own project or to seek for cross-collaborative opportunities or business associations...

The Importance of Layout to the Success of an Online Business
First impression is the best impression and this is very true in the case of online business too. I have come across many onsite business owners complaining that their website is not delivering the expected results in spite of employing good Search Engine Optimization (SEO) methods.

Franchising vs. Licensing
Frequently entrepreneurs look to licensing as a way to accomplish their expansion goals, thinking that it is less complicated and less expensive than franchising, but they should look carefully before thinking that licensing can accomplish the same thing as franchising.

Franchise Sales in the First Year
Franchisors should carefully consider how and where they are going to sell franchises in the first year that they offer franchises.

Getting Paid
Accepting payment today is becoming more complex. Entrepreneurs need to plan their payment acceptance strategy.

Do You Always Have Trouble Closing Sales?
Do you sometimes feel like you always have trouble closing? Are you looking for the 'magical' closing question that will close every piece of business. Forget it! Focus at the beginning and closing will just fade away.

How To Increase Your Opt-In Rate By 33%
Everyone wants a larger and better list of prospects. Here's how to get more of your visitors to opt-in when they visit your site.

To Thine Own Self Be True - It's Better for Business - What Arthur Andersen Would Say to His Company
What Arthur Andersen would have said about the ethics scandal that destroyed the company he founded...and why saying no to the wrong client or request can jumpstart your business. As a child, you probably heard, "to thine own self be true."

What to do with all your business cards?
How many business cards have you gathered since you’ve been in business? I’ve seen business owners with hundreds if not thousands of business cards stored in card boxes, in jacket pockets, stapled to diaries and contact details scribbled on bits of paper.

How to use Search Engine Optimization in your PR Programs
The new tool for internet visibility is utilizing Search Engine Optimization. Learn how to use this in your PR program to increase internet traffic.

How to grow your Ideal Clients by 25% with zero cost of sales
We are big fans of “growing loyalty” among Ideal Clients over pretty much any other business building tactic—it’s the lowest cost sales activity you will ever engage in, since you are already doing business with them, you already know what they want and need, and you can easily find out if they are being wooed by someone else. How easy is that?

How to Thrive in Times Like These
The “R” word is coming up a lot, of course. How bad will it be? What should we do? How worried are you? Maybe surprisingly, in those coffee shop gabfests, we’ve heard some fabulous ideas and success stories along with the questions and worried looks. So this article is about how we can all cope, maybe even prosper, in Times Like These.

Build A Healthy Corporate Culture
Building a healthy corporate culture is key to the success of your business. In today's society, everyone wants their work environment and employees to be like family. While this is a great idea, your business should be careful with approaching this concept. You want to build a happy and successful family, not a dysfunctional one. "How do I go about doing this," you ask? Well read on!

Best Ways To Grow Your Online Business Offline
Whether you're online business has been around for some time, or is just starting up, turning potential contacts into actual clients is a top priority. Many online business owners wonder how effective offline marketing really is.

Stop Chasing The Money
You've probably heard it many times before, but it's the same advice I give all of my clients, friends and family members when they ask me how I've made so much money online. I tell them, stop chasing the money. Once you decide to stop chasing the money and actually do what you love, the money will follow!

The Barter System -- Overlooked and Underrated
The barter system is one of the most overlooked and underrated forms of business development available today. Bartering is one of the fastest ways to BENEFIT your business almost overnight.

More New Clients
Getting more new clients is an ongoing challenge. These marketing tips will help you get prospects interested what you offer and do.

The Small Business Grant Misnomer
Business owners seeking grants for their businesses must understand the process. Grants, just like other methods of financing, have their unique qualities. Knowing how and when to access grant funding is important in not wasting time and money, then not winning the grant.

Keep Cool, Calm and Connected with your Bank Manager!

Professionals and bank managers alike cannot recall a crisis of this scale, consequently they lack experience in managing such distress. Recently, the majority of my counselling has been for couples and business owners who are having difficulty meeting their loan repayments. If this includes you, here’s an effective plan, but you’ll need to take urgent action to minimise the chances of becoming victim to the current crisis.

Spring up your selling skills to improve your business!
Do you sell solutions or products and services? There is a big difference between the two. Most people today only want to deal with sales people if they can provide solutions to their problems or opportunities to improve sales, operations and lower costs.

How to Increase Sales and Profits Without Spending a Cent!
Here's the strategy I've used to double, triple and even quadruple profits in months, sometimes even weeks!

How to make your business thrive in a floundering economy

It's no secret that today's economy is struggling. People are losing money, and businesses are scrambling to keep costs low and sales high, while the consumer is spending less than normal. Your business could possibly have taken a hit as well these days, and you are scaling back operations in order to keep afloat. But if you implement "smart marketing", you CAN make your business thrive in a floundering economy. Here's how...

How to explain what your business does
About 6 months after I started in business, I remember attending a sales course. I had one specific question and to my utter frustration, it wasn’t answered on this course. You see, I had been attending a lot of networking events and the favourite question there is “so, what do you do?”

Marketing on a Shoestring
Marketing doesn't have to be costly, but it is a necessity. Here are some overall tips for getting the most out of your marketing.

Play the Full Table
During uncertain times (like today!) most leaders and business owners play it safe. This means that if you want to distinguish yourself during tough times, the bar is pretty low. Now is the time to play the full table! Don't restrict your strategies to the sure shots. While your competitors are playing it safe, try new shots, explore the edges of the table.

Planning The Future Of Your Business. Expansion Challenges and Franchise Solutions To Grow Quickly, Organically.

Most small and medium sized businesses face huge challenges to get to the next orbit. Business owners are predominantly too involved with the day to day operations or have scarce resources, limiting their vision to working from inside the business, rather than strategizing its future growth. Most of them are generally aware of the challenges, and what they foresee, as they must do to survive or to grow to the next level, but are unable to action it. They often reach out to professional business consultants who work alongside their business and help them evolve. The business article below poses the most common business challenges, and what they must do, to take it to the next level. How they can grow their businesses into a successful franchise with multiple business units across various geographies.

The Problem With Free Publicity
The truth about free publicity and what you need to know to make it work for your business.

The Secret to Getting Press
Public relations enables you to build sales and get third-party credibility you simply can't purchase. But how do you get mentioned in the press? Find out as the secret is revealed!

A Secret to Closing More Sales
Do you know who your most ideal client is? Do you know how to find out that information? Read about three easy and effective ways to do market research.

Self Assessment...Do You Really Need An Accountant To Deal With This??

This article examines what benefits are gained by using a qualified professional to handle your tax affairs for you. Not using an accountant for your tax matters is akin to doing your own minor surgery on yourself to save the cost of a surgeon. I hope you would never dream of doing that - so why then would you risk getting into strife with the Tax Office just to save a few quid. Any accountant can more than justify his fee and can save you money on your tax bill that you will never have thought of. After all...if you were expert in tax you would be a tax consultant - not running the business that you are.

Use Two-Step Direct Response Advertising and Stop Wasting Your Ad Money
Have you wondered why some companies continually advertise? It's because they know how to develop direct response advertising. This article will show you how to do it.

5 Proven Strategies For Online Business Success
We read too often of the many people that fail to make online income. Their reasons for online business failure are varied. Take these 5 proven strategies and increase your chances of joining the ranks of the successful online business owners.

What If There Was a Recession And No One Came? 3 Tips to Increase Your Biz Right Now
It's easy to get caught up in a cycle of negativity right now but if you want to succeed you absolutely MUST rise above it. People are still going to buy no matter what the economy is doing. It's YOUR job to position your products and services as the ones they buy.

Achieving Success
So what does it take for you to get your business to the next level, to grow it to where you have reached your definition of success, and/or to leave a legacy or success story that others can tell?

Are You Delivering?

So are you really providing a superior product or service or experience? When is the last time you checked on this? How you do you find out? If you are saying ABSOLUTELY…..then I’m double daring you to prove it. If you aren’t sure, then congratulations, you have a realistic and healthy outlook on your business. If you are pretty sure you DON”T have a good product or service, then it’s time to make some drastic changes NOW or GET OUT of what you are doing.

5 Deadly Home Party & Direct Sales Recruiting SINS Exposed!!!
direct sales consultants home business presentation skills : Here are some direct selling tips and ideas on how to boost home party and direct sales!

Things to Look for In a Coffee Franchise

Building a business isn't necessarily an easy task to pursue. Many people go the franchise route when building their businesses so that they may build upon the successes of others rather than learning things about building a business the hard way. A coffee franchise is a good business for most would be business owners. The problem is that very few who are interested in owning a coffee franchise actually put pen to paper and decide what they find attractive about the various coffee franchises that are available to them.

What are the Benefits of a Coffee Franchise?

Building a business from the ground up can be an intimidating, back breaking, and bankrupting process for many would be business owners. Most businesses fail miserably after the first year and even those that hang on often fail to do much more than break even (if that) during their first three years in existence. For this reason we are seeing a growing trend among those who are interested in owning a businesses in franchise purchases and ownerships.

How Does networking RAISE your Revenue?
As they get more successful in business, it is said that people's networks grow. This happens through word of mouth from satisfied customers. But how did they get their customers in the first place. Apart from the usual ways of finding customers, like mail shots, advertising and cold calling, a lot of people engaged in "networking".

Mars and Venus – Part V. Buyers and Sellers Want to Close the Sale for Different Reasons.
Do you remember that last significant sale you made? Do you remember the buzz you felt from the exhilaration of closing? So what did your buyer feel at that stage? Do you know precisely why they felt the way they did? If you can not tell me for certainty, the real reason they finally made the decision to purchase, then maybe this article could help you close significantly more sales.

What is your product really worth?
The secret of selling is the art of value visualization. A natural sales person will lead the buyer through a series of structured questions, whereby the buyer will actually “see” what the product will enable them to do. The Sales person then will encourage the prospect to put their own value on that capability.

How to create and deliver truly effective customer presentations!
What is a truly effective sales presentation? I would define it as one that generates a call to action that eventually leads to a sale. Is there an underlying theme, across all products and their respective target audiences, on how to deliver this presentation? The answer is a definitive yes. This article tells you how.

7 + 1 Criteria, business owners should use, when selecting Sales & Marketing Consultant

What makes you different? How do I know I will get value from your services? Why should I use your services, as opposed to someone else? These are questions that I get constantly. I am sure that in your business you get equivalent questions. This article objectively looks at criteria you should use for choosing services like my company's. I would strongly advise you to use this as a template for the products and services that you sell. Do they have a passion to succeed in their own business, which will reflect on what they do for my Business?

Imagine SuperCharging client meetings
I don't know if you have ever been in the scenario where you are about to walk into a meeting, you know that this guy you are meeting has the potential to give you an order that will take you to the next level.

Write Proposals that Win Business
The Magic Formula of Success.

7 Golden Rules for Recession Survival
During good times in ancient China, surplus food and wealth was stored in great strong houses to provide succour for future famines and droughts. Are you one of many business people left wondering what will happen next, now that the Celtic Tiger has passed on and the winter of recession and customers with tight wallets is upon us?

7 Key Tactics For The Small Business Owner
For most folks, owning your own business is a dream come true. The freedom of being your own boss and succeeding to the best of your ability are facts of life for the small business owner.

Rise and Shine
In today’s uncertain times, I constantly hear people gripe about how “business is slow, nobody’s buying” and “everybody’s cutting back.”For too long, many salespeople and business owners have been on the proverbial “gravy train.” Supply was less than demand and people got away from effective business basics. Besides, why should anyone hustle when business is lined up?

Offline Strategies for Driving Traffic to Your Website
Online business owners are all familiar with the typical online strategies for driving traffic to a website - pay per click marketing, like Google's adwords; article marketing; giving away free gifts to build your database of contacts, etc. But what about the offline marketing strategies that can actually drive traffic to your website?

Is Your Business Tough Enough to Survive Recession?
The economy is playing havoc with a lot of businesses, but many small businesses are thriving despite the recession. Ask yourself these ten questions and make your business tough enough to survive recession.

Three Questions To Make Sure You Are Doing the Right Things
Business owners know that doing things right is only half the battle. If you want to succeed at the highest level, you need to know you are doing the right things. In the day to day operation of a business it is easy to lose sight of what those right things are. This article offers you three simple questions to help you keep focused and on track working on the business.

Three Questions To Make Sure You Are Doing the Right Things
Business owners know that doing things right is only half the battle. If you want to succeed at the highest level, you need to know you are doing the right things. In the day to day operation of a business it is easy to lose sight of what those right things are. This article offers you three simple questions to help you keep focused and on track working on the business.

Death by Marketing & The Emergence of Retro Service

If you want to succeed, simply do the opposite of what unsuccessful people do! I’ve always liked this maxim, as it makes perfect sense when you think about it. So to learn how to be successful in business we must first establish how to be unsuccessful. To experience a fast but painful business death, there are many roads one can explore. However one of the quickest and surest routes is to engage 'Traditional Marketing' and a Balance Sheet Business strategy.

Why Small Businesses Don't Survive

There are more than 30 million small businesses nationwide. Approximately 65 percent of small businesses are grass-root small businesses, and unfortunately don’t survive because they are not fully equipped or prepared to do business and compete in the marketplace efficiently. They have great intentions, a vision, and a big dream. Many start their business with true purpose-to help others through the use of their products or services. However, most often a new business owner believe they can run a business without a plan or strategy, not considering the unforeseen and possibilities which could influence the outcome of the business.

Want to Be A PR Success story? Think Like the Media
Want to be interviewed by Oprah, CNN, People, Time, the New York Times and other media outlets? Don’t pitch what you think is interesting. Create, develop and pitch stories that meet the media’s needs. Put yourself in the place of the various editors and producers. Discover what it is they need and pitch those stories.

Dwindling Cash Flow is a Big Problem
Business owners today are tapping into whatever available cash reserves they have. This is not always the best thing to do but they might not have an option. Survival is the primary reason entrepreneurs are using their cash reserves. It is vital to stay afloat and be able to come through our current economic situation that is affecting many.

Is cold calling right for my business?
Cold calling or telemarketing is seen, by a lot of business owners as a good way to market and promote their business. It’s one of those marketing methods that many people try some with great success and others with no results at all. When success occurs though, all business owners want to give it a go, thinking that success can occur for their business too.

A Website Is More Than A Shopping Cart

I had the pleasure of interviewing Christina Hills "The Shopping Cart Queen" in a live teleseminar for Wonderful Web Women. I asked Christina what were the most important things people should consider when setting up a shopping cart on their web site. Her answer showed why she has earned her reputation as an authority on using this software not just to set up a shopping cart but to build a strong business.

Business coaches aren’t for everyone
A personal decision not to use a business coach

How do you do what you do?
Give people a short discription of what you do.

Insurance Programs and You
Discussing the benefits of group insurance coverage for health/dental, home and auto insurance and professional liability Insurance.

How to Make Your Entrepreneurial Dream a Reality

How to make your entrepreneurial dream a reality - Many people desire to become entrepreneurs. Some are bold enough to make the leap on their own. Others are "forced" to do so because of circumstances (such as job layoffs). But starting and running a business isn't easy, primarily because we may possess some of the skills necessary to create a productive and profitable enterprise but we probably lack all of the skills necessary. And, we probably lack the time, too. In this article, you'll read about one way you can improve your entrepreneurial efforts – whether you're just starting out or you're looking to grow.

Can your customers be as loyal as a big brown dog?
Because most businesses monitor new sales as the key measurement of healthy, existing customers are often forgotten about until they "shop" again. While focusing on new business is important, so is building a relationship with those you've already sold. So, how does a business foster loyalty with its customers? Take a lesson from from the dogs...

7 steps to Systemising and increasing sales
These days too many business owners are spreading their focus too thin by doing everything and anything, working in the business not on the business. In this article find out why systemising the sales process is crucial to the bottom line.

The Secrets to being wealthy
The most effective pathway to achieving wealth is by owning your own business. In the book "The Next Great Bubble Boom" by Harry S. Dent he tells us that, “The best single way to build wealth is to own your own business, especially one that can be systematically expanded or sold.” So what does it mean to own your own business?

Creating A Successful Online Sales Strategy

You have a website, and perhaps you're even a professional salesperson, and as such you know that the best way to sell someone something is face-to-face, but have you seen the price of gas lately? So whether your customers are local, national, or international, the cost of getting to them is just too darn high to make any money. You could call them on the phone or email them, but with voice mail, spam filters, and all manner of gatekeepers, it is literally impossible to get to people, even when they're waiting for your call. It's never been easy to sell, but in today's jaded, cynical, frustrated business climate, the job is even harder.

Be Googled Or Die
Companies who don't know the importance of SEO and Google will fade off from the scene in no time.

What do you do?
What do you do? And how do you answer that question? Develop a Conversation about your business that has the other person interviewing you and asking you about, well, YOU!

Online Networking For Business Success
Business owners need to build trust with people in order to have sales. As a business owner you need to figure out ways to do this. There are many ways to make the trust building process easy and successful but one way is to do online networking.

What is Social Media Marketing?
As a marketer, I find this topic overwhelms and confuses many business owners. Quite frankly, even in the marketing world - the jury is still out on the trends. But rest assured - social media is not going away. As our children grow up and take over corporate North America, the names of the tools may change, but the overall usage will only become more and more in use.

Increase Sales by Giving Them What They Want

Customers are looking for very specific solutions to their problems and if you can provide it you’ll struggle less, save on marketing expense and sell more. The market place is becoming more “niched”. By that I mean that there is so much competition and there are so many choices that people look for very specific solutions. For example, if you need heart surgery would you go to a general surgeon or a general practitioner? Of course not, you’d go to a heart surgeon.

How to Develop Organizational Culture in an E-Business

How to develop organizational culture in an e-business - Many businesses have staff but not all businesses have in-house staff. If your business uses freelancers, consultants, virtual assistants, or other outsource professionals, it can be tough to get everyone on the same page. In this article, you'll read about a few ways that you can improve communication and productivity among your outsource staff

How to even out the peaks and troughs in your business
Do you ever get times in your business where you’re really busy and then other times when you’re really quiet? Annoying isn’t it and frustrating? Wouldn’t it be much easier if you had business constantly coming in and never faced the really quiet times?

The Wave Of The Future May Be Logo Imprinted Products
Does the effectiveness of an advertisement depend on where you see it: in the newspaper, online, or in your own hand? The wave of the future may be logo-imprinted products, which have proven to be a better value than either newsprint or online advertising.

Home Party Plan Selling Tips How To Increase Home Party Sales Ratios For More Direct Sales Profits
Need more cash? In my last article, An Open Letter To : Direct Sales Consultant, Direct Selling Business Owners On How To Triple Home Party Sales we laid the foundation for improving direct selling ratios . Today we are going to focus our minds of increasing and improving home party sales ratios. This will lead to more home party sales and direct sales profit!

Open Letter To : Direct Sales Consultant, Direct Selling Business Owners On How To Triple Home Party Sales
Need extra cash? Most people who choose to get involved in a direct sales business do so because they are tired of having a 9-5 job! The idea behind a home party business is that you get to control your paycheck. Then you know exactly how more home party sales you will have to close to get you the amount you want.

How to Decide on Outsourcing Accounting Services
Companies must consider many factors when deciding if accounting services are beneficial or a waste of money. There is no one answer for everyone, but there is a logical answer.

Home Party Sales Is Simple: 4 Tips to Sell Your Way Out of This Direct Sales Business Recession
What separates the struggling, frustrated, heartbroken, cash-poor Home Party Plan Business Owner and direct sales consultants...from the confident, pink Cadillac driving, white Mercedes Benz owning, obviously clued-in home party plans marketers pulling in huge numbers and results EVEN in this chaotic, soul-sucking economy?

Not everyone is the same in marketing
Have you ever heard a business owner talk about a marketing activity they’ve been doing and thought ‘if I try that it will work for me too’? Perhaps someone has tried cold calling or sending out sales letters and has found it has worked particularly well for their business – maybe you’re thinking about doing the same to see how well it works for you.

How to Be Different in a Homogeneous Business World

It's hard, isn't it? Making your service business stand out from the rest is a challenging task. When it comes down to it, every realtor helps people buy or sell property. That's it. Every consultant offers advice that will either help people avoid pain or increase pleasure. Every doctor diagnoses illness and prescribes a remedy. Every salesperson offers a product that is strikingly similar to the competition's offering. What do you need to do to stand out?

Use The Services Of A SEO Expert To Beat The UK Economic Crisis And Increase Web Traffic And Sales Figures
With businesses concerned with the economic crisis, now could be the best time to get your website to the top of the search engines and get targeted, increased traffic to your web pages by using a UK SEO expert.

Buying a franchise during recession
In this article Nick Strong looks at the dinamic of franchise purcvhasing and recruitment during times of economic growth and during the downturn. Nick explores how, even in times of economic challenge, business format franching can offer benefits to both franchior and people buying a franchise.

Home Party Plans Tips For Marketing : Deadly Home Party Business Mistake
How does this relate to your home party business? How can a direct sales consultant benefit? Simple. Successful home party business owners are leaders go from communicating to connecting! Remember the discussion about what Oprah can teach us about direct sales and home parties success?

Direct Sales & Home Party Marketing : How Can Social Media Benefit My Business
Looking for good marketing information about party plan? May I recommend social media marketing. Direct Sales Home Party Marketing Tip: Any task you do more than once NEEDS a procedure, system or checklist!

Engagement, Performance, Retention - Where Do Your Employees Fit?
Employers need to look forward and not hunker down during an economic crisis. You do this by using all the tools at your disposal and by understanding your employees and where they fit in your organization.

How White Papers Free Reports can Turbocharge your Marketing Efforts
If you are like most business owners, you are often afraid of giving away too much information. But in fact, you needn’t be afraid. The more valuable the information you give away, the more your prospects and customers will see you as an expert and trusted advisor.

How to Create Magnificent Marketing Materials
Stand out. Get noticed. Be remembered. How do you do this? By creating marketing materials that really engage with your target audience and show them how you are different.

How to Make 2009 Your Best Year Ever
A new year, a fresh start. For some businesses they will make the leap into a new year with planning and insight. For others the new year brings stress and the unknown. How do you make the New Year a fresh start for your business. Find out in this article.

Five Steps to Creating a Simple Blog in Less than 30 Minutes

There are currently millions of blogs on the internet with just a fraction of those commissioned by business owners. There are two benefits to blogging that cannot be overlooked by business owners. The first and most obvious benefit is that your business gets exposure to a potentially huge number of prospects. The second benefit comes in the form of cash from advertisers. As your credibility grows, the number of visitors increases along with the number of clicks to the ads on your page. So how do you start a blog and, more importantly, how do you market it once it's live?

5 Ways to Increase the Credibility of Your Business Plan
What most entrepreneurs and business owners don't realize is that investors and lenders receive so many hyped-up business plans each day that it actually becomes comical to them. Here are five ways to improve the credibility of your business plan so it is taken seriously by investors and lenders.

How Can A Bookkeeper Fix Leaking Pipes
When you have a leaking pipe, you call a plumber. So Why not call a bookkeeper when you've got a problem with your cashflow? As Business Owners / operators you need to keep a handle on your finances to keep your business running. In order to do that you need to ensure that your bookkeeping is kept upto date, is accurate and you can readily access relevant reports.

Internet Marketing Business Ideas To Make It Successful
If you have an internet home based business that is struggling you will enjoy this article. We are going to talk specifically about things you can do utilizing internet marketing to promote your business online.

Focus On the Basics for Survival
When a company is facing challenges, the key to survival is a focus on a few key areas. The two most important areas for success are your staff and your performance against pre-determined key performance indicators.

Ready to Save Time?
Learn what you need to do and have in order to maximize your time...

Best Practices for Using Testimonials
How to get and use great testimonials

Be the CEO of Your Life and Your Business!
Learn how to be a leader and take control...

How to Position Your Company in the Minds of Consumers
In most industries there are no heroes, just choices. So rather than try to be all things to all people, business owners need to proactively position their company and define their points of differentiation to the consumer. Positioning draws the attention of your target market and reduces the chance that your competitors will define who you are, a situation no business owner wants to experience.

Four Marketing Ideas for Client Retention

Your success as a business owner or executive will be largely determined by how many high quality clients you can attract and retain. It is getting more and more difficult to do this because clients have so many service providers to choose from and there are less dollars to go around in a down market. Following are four sales and marketing techniques that will help you retain your clients, even in a difficult economy like the one we're experiencing right now.

Four More Ways to Market Your Business in 2009
Your success as a business owner or executive will be largely determined by how many high quality clients you can attract and retain. My last article covered four ways to reach qualified prospects. In this article I will cover four more ways to market your business to potential clients.

How to Get a Prospect's Attention with Good Sales & Marketing
Starting a business relationship is one of the most difficult tasks in sales, but it's not rocket science. The key to prospecting successfully is twofold. First, you need to know what potential clients are looking for. Second, you need to know what low-cost platforms can be used to deliver it.

Four Ways to Market Your Business in 2009
Your success as a business owner or executive will be largely determined by how many high quality clients you can attract and retain. Following is a detailed discussion about how to use different sales and marketing techniques to draw attention to your business.

Top 7 Reasons Why Business Networking Organizations Fail

Business networking is a great way to meet your business to business target market. These groups or organizations can literally become an unpaid sales force for the small to mid size business owners depending upon their industry, After being involved in several business networking groups, I have observed these 7 common traits that separate the truly great business networking groups from the failed ones.

How to recession-proof your business with smart marketing
Follow these powerful marketing tips to recession-proof your business.

How To Reduce Your Cash Flow Problems and Get Paid On Time

How often do you hear business owners complain that their clients are 'slow payers?' Before working with me, one of my clients who has a pool building business, told me that they only asked for a 10% deposit at the start of the project and then invoiced the balance at the end of it. The process of building a pool takes weeks! In the meantime her company would have to cover wages, equipment and all other costs throughout this time. What often happened at the end, the clients were slow to pay causing them even more financial stress.

What Do Small Business Owners Really Want

We had an overwhelming response to the survey we recently sent out to our database. They were asked for feedback on what their key challenges were and what they wanted to know about being more productive and profitable. Here's just a few comments we received: • How do I motivate staff? • How do I keep myself motivated (I can relate to this one) • What is the easiest way to delegate? • How do I stay focussed and not waste time on distractions? • How do I prioritise? • How do I overcome procrastination? • How do I handle time management so I can do the selling not the paperwork? • How do I keep my clients coming back? • Where do I start? • How do I make more money?

How To Manage People Effectively
I recently met up with a friend of mine who was telling me how little time he had working on his business due to the people problems he was constantly experiencing. He always complains to me that if he could run his business on his own, he would. Unfortunately this is not a reality so he constantly wastes at least 50% of his working week trying to overcome staff issues.

Entrepreneurs – Got A Great Business And Want To Capitalize As Quickly As Possible? Here’s Some Exit Strategy Ideas
Many business owners either with a new or established business are seeking to capitalize on their hard work and move onto other things. Some entrepreneurs are seeking capital from angel investors and need to provide suitable exit strategies within their business plans.

Time Management Is a Symptom of a Greater Problem
Time management continues to plague individuals from business owners to students. However, the solution begins by understanding that time management is a symptom and not the problem is the first step to making more with less time.

Small Business Success Partners Attitudes with Knowledge
Do you as a small business owner ever ask yourself "Why your business is not as successful as you desire?" or "Why your employees (provided that you have employees) are not delivering the results that you require?"

The Ezine Queens 7 Reasons to Grow Your Business with Ezines The Most Effective Online Sales Tool
Establish yourself as a credible source for information... the email newsletters or ezines is one of the best, inexpensive online sales tools...

Giving Beyond a Season An Entrepreneurs Wish
The giving that really matters is often just old-fashioned (yet, highly fashionable commendation). Hardworking entrepreneurs need lots of it to keep hanging in there when times are less than favorable for business. There is no out-of-pocket expense associated with offering praise where praise is due.

Getting Organized (An Entrepreneurs Dream)
Finding ways to organize our tasks and our surroundings is foremost on the minds of multi-tasking entrepreneurs. Organization and Time management are necessary aspects of doing business; and yet businesses often need a little push to get on the right track! SCORE offers a few tips.

Double Your Sales and Subscribers with These Simple Tactics!
I often hear business women talk about how they need to get more visitors to their business, but they miss one other aspect that is just as, or even more important - conversion. Business women often miss out conversion, so you are not alone. Before we start telling you how to drive more visitors to your business, you need to make sure you are set up to convert them. So why is this so important?

Achieve Online Home Business Success With Internet Marketing Methods That Work
To achieve online home business success requires that you become an expert at promoting something on the internet. You will need to master basic internet marketing techniques and here we discuss 4 internet marketing methods that successful online business owners use.

Is Franchising Scary?
You really shouldn't be afraid of starting a franchise development program.

Make Exponential Profits With Backend Sales-Part 1
You've spent same advertising dollars to get your customer....now learn how to make sizzling profits by adding a backend offer!

How to Greatly Increase Your Odds of Business Success By Niche Marketing
To be successful in today’s hyper-competitive, over-advertised marketplace, you absolutely must focus your business and marketing on serving a specialized niche market.

Is A Children's Small Business Franchise Right For You
Working with kids is profitable, but is it for you? Here are some questions you can ask yourself before jumping into a children’s franchise.

5 Ways to Energize Your Business for 2009
Here are 5 ideas that will allow you to leave 2008 in a great space and focus into 2009 ready to get your small business or venture going with full power!

7 KEY STRATEGIES TO BOOST YOUR BUSINESS
Learn all you can about marketing. Marketing is absolutely crucial to the success of your business and you avoid it at your peril! New business owners can think that marketing is quite a complicated process. However, it's not rocket science and the basics can easily be learned.

Understanding the Art and Science of SEO through Mathematics
For those who have followed traditional search engine optimization best practice guidelines over the years, I wanted to share several insights particularly for the business owners who are in highly competitive industries.

Is it Really Going to be a Happy New Year?
By all accounts, 2009 is going to be an "interesting" year for employers and employees alike.The question on everybody's mind should be:“Will my business flourish or flounder in 2009?”

Check With Your Company Before Marketing A Direct Sales Business Online
Do you run a direct sales business? If so, and you have been searching for ways to increase your sales through marketing options, the Internet can prove to be a wonderful avenue. The web is fast, efficient and gets your product or service in front of thousands of people who might not have had access to it otherwise.

Riding the Waves of Uncertainty
Doing business in tough times seems to be the major focus of every conversation these days. Three strategies for getting through any economic storm ahead.

SEO versus PPC – The Famous Debate
I often get asked the question: “Which is better Search Engine Optimization or Pay per Click Advertising?” The truth is that both are excellent online marketing strategies and it all really depends on your existing circumstances, goals and budget.

7 Ways to Rev' Up Your Business
How to Turn Straw into Gold

“Pink Spoon” Your Business
How to help your business in a changing economy.

How much information should you give away for free?
I’ve always been one for giving information away for free. Some people tell me I shouldn’t do it and other people say that it’s a great thing to do. I’ve tried both. Generally though, I find that giving something away for free does help my business.

What does it take to lead?
Successful business owners have some key characteristics that set them apart from the crowd.

Effective Meetings
I don't know about you, but nothing grates on my patience more than a poorly run meeting.

Are These Two Words Sucking Your Sales Dry?
There are 2 little words that currently cause YOU a TON of stress. In fact, these words make grown women hum and haw, stutter and stammer, look at the ground, look at the sky, and clear their throat a lot. Here's what else happens.

The Power of Social Networking

You’ve all heard of networking right? Most business women don’t ever use it to its full potential. One of the most common reasons is that it’s just one more thing you have to do in your busy day so it goes into the too hard basket, right! I know I used to do this. With traditional networking, you stand in a room full of complete strangers pretending to have a good time, all in the hope that you will connect with the right people. Yes, networking can be a nightmare. It can also be a great thing if you get the right environment for you. Networking is all about building relationships and now-a-days I use both online and offline networking, but I get the greatest benefit from online social networking as I can connect with more people in less time. So what is it and how can it benefit you?

How to Win More Sales by Not Being Like Everyone Else
Everyone wants more sales. Yet, some sales professionals appear to be living Aesop’s fable of the Donkey and the Grasshoppers in their quest to increase sales.

Do you want to improve the effectiveness of your web site
When it comes to websites, most business owners make the mistake of confusing glitz with effectiveness. If your primary objective is to sell, then the single most important issue is text. Not graphics and definitely not fancy flash technology. Graphic designers may disagree with me on this, but words are what count.

The Key to Rapid Growth in Network Marketing or MLM is Duplication

There is a common trait which runs through all massively and even moderately successful Network Marketers, they have all applied this very simple principle. The principle they have applied is that of ‘duplication’. Duplication is an absolute corner stone of success in Network Marketing and MLM. I will even go so far as to say that if the network marketing business does not posses the ability to duplicate their efforts, business is doomed to failure!

"I’m Just a [Insert Your Title Here] Who Can’t Say No"
In my experience, most of the people I coach are truly capable of accomplishing anything they want to achieve. They are highly talented and highly gifted in their ability to make dreams become realities for themselves and for others. However, they often sabotage themselves by trying to do too many major projects at the same time.

Should Entrepreneurship Be In Your Future
This article discusses what it takes to be an entrepreneur. If you are wondering if owning your business is right for you, this article will help.

A Culture of When Vs. A Culture of Now
One of the common threads I see with many business owners and executives is a desire to be constantly accessible to their clients and to people who call them. They feel if they are always available, it shows others that they put the customer first and are working hard. However, this creates a dilemma. If they are constantly available, how can the business leader truly get any work done?

Are Your Salespeople Selling Value Like Nordstrom's or Price Like Sam's Club?
Nordstrom's was busier than Walmart and salespeople are trying to get appointments based on low price. What does this say about the state of the economy and more specifically, about discounting and trying to win business based on price? Read the exciting details...

Strategic Planning for Contractors and Developers in Difficult Times
Advice to construction and development businesses: Prepare a strategic business plan showing a 30% or more decrease in revenue. Preparing this version will force you to conserve cash by cutting all the fat and some bone from your operations.

Spirituality in Business
A quiet revolution is currently taking place as CEO’s all over the world incorporate spiritual principles into their business practices.

The Sum of the Whole: Part I

Did you know that your marketing materials talk about you behind your back? In the business world our reputations mean the world to us and part of that is how we are perceived by the outside world. What does your visual identity (logo, stationery, collateral etc.) say about you and your business? Learn insider tips on how to tap into the power of marketing and graphic design to create more professional collateral materials to represent your business properly and to help your business be more memorable.

5 Ways to Get a Steady Stream Of Customers in The Door
Consider this -- it takes most prospects 7-10 touches (or more) before they decide to do business with you. Most business owners stop following up after 3 times. So, in essence, what you're doing is educating your prospect so when they're ready to buy they'll end up buying from your competition.

Australian Franchise Directory Challenges Decrease in Franchise Enquiries
In response to the decrease in franchise enquiries and the post-GFC nervousness of business owners across the nation, Australian Franchises has recently updated its website and added new features to its franchise directory to encourage growth within the industry.

How to protect your great business idea
One of the things that new business owners tend to be very scared of is someone else stealing their business idea. After all, they’ve spent a lot of time, effort, energy and money developing the idea and the last thing they want is someone stealing the business idea and developing it instead.

What can a Business Coach do for my company and Why Should I hire one?
In this article Phil Richardson, a Licensed Professional Business Coach and experienced Business Advisor, Consultant and Corporate executive shares with business owners and executives the "Inside Scoop" on What a business coach does and Why they might want to hire one.

One Serious Sales Tool Everyone can Use to Increase Sales
No matter what business you’re in no matter what you’re selling there is one sales tool you must know how to take advantage of. That tool is networking. The problem is far too many business owners, entrepreneurs, and even sales professionals treat it like a social event rather than the serious sales tool it should be.

Get Leads Coming to You and Get Them to Act Now
Rather than dialing for dollars and getting your name out there what you need is a steady stream of highly qualified prospects reaching out to you. This is especially true now when business owners and consumers are guarding their wallets like Fort Knox. You aren’t going to get those wallets open doing what you’re doing now.

The Marketplace is Changing, Is Your Business Standing Still?
Big shifts are taking place. What does it all mean to you and your business? The strategic planning process offers a set of tools to help you logically think through complex business choices. Read about some concrete ways on how to move forward with confidence

Are You Making this Sales Mistake?
The best laid plans of many business owners have resulted in failure because they tried to build a business around products or services no one wanted. What sounds exciting, meaningful, useful, desirable to you may have zero interest to your prospects. The only way you can know for sure is by doing your homework.

5 Tactics to Get More Website Inquiries Now (Sometimes Quick & Dirty is Good Enough)
We can’t all be usability specialists or Internet marketers, but there’s definitely some stuff that could be outsourced for relatively little money but earn potentially huge payoffs in terms of website conversion rates and getting more website inquiries to stay and connect. Let’s make those websites user-friendly.

How Not Having a Marketing Funnel Hurts Your Practice Without You Knowing It
Not having a marketing funnel in place is hurting your business in several ways – whether you are aware of it or not.

Top Five Rookie Marketing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Launching successful marketing campaigns takes creativity, initiative and perseverance. Although most business owners learn the best ways to market through experience and pain-staking trial and error, there are several common mistakes made by new owners that can easily be avoided with a little foresight and preparation. We highlight these “rookie mistakes” below to help new owners generate effective campaigns that bring in higher returns on investment the first time and every time.

Karma Keys to a Referral-Based Business
Want to build a repeatable and successful process of increasing sales to both existing customers and new prospects? Then build a referral-based business where giving referrals is just as valuable as getting referrals.

Your Chamber Of Commerce Can Help Grow Your Business
Getting involved with your local chamber of commerce is definitely a great idea. In fact, these organizations help to make up the business network on a global level, helping to improve business. When you get involved with the chamber of commerce in your area, you'll find that it can help you to grow your own business.

How to shop for a graphic design firm (be an educated consumer)
It is becoming more and more obvious to companies that design plays an enormous role in driving business. Successful business owners already know this, but for those who are just opening their eyes to the concept, how do you get started? What are the considerations when bringing on strategic design services?

The Self Promotion Piece - Bringing a Graphics Standard into the Business World

All business owners are familiar with the corporate brochure, but rarely is it utilized in the same way by companies in non-creative fields. Most corporate brochures end up serving either as extended ads (too obviously self-serving, unless the ad is the purpose), or dry company profiles (which are, well, dry). I often suggest a more creative approach to my clients… a “show” rather than “tell”.

Tips for choosing the right design firm

If ever there were an overly competitive industry with little to no regulation, it would be the commercial design industry. Any child with a computer and some basic software can market themselves as a designer, while the true industry suffers wide scale devaluation and thousands of business owners are taken for a ride by unqualified or even unscrupulous “designers”. As a consumer, how do you protect yourself and your company? The answer is more simple than you may think… all you have to do is a bit of homework.

Why Outsourcing Your Accounts Department Is A Really Good Idea!

Having an independent bookkeeper for any/all businesses has many advantages, not least the fact that the Tax Office approve wholeheartedly with the idea. Why is that??……. Well, the fact that a business owner is not doing his/her own books removes a lot of doubts about the reliability of the records. There have been many proven cases where manipulation of the records can, and has been, done by the owner. Having a different person involved doesn’t remove the general thought that things might not be as they seem, but it certainly helps a great deal.

Choosing An Accountant For Your Business
Choosing the right accountant for your business can be one of the most difficult tasks you need to complete when starting a small business. It can also be the most rewarding decisions that you can make for your financial future. There are many accountants out there it is just a matter of following the right steps to make sure you get the right one for your business.

How To Start Your Own Bookkeeping Business
Are you sick of working for someone else? Would you rather be working for yourself and making your own rules? If you are currently a bookkeeping employee, here is one way to start working for yourself.

How a Bookkeeper Can Help Your Cash Flow
Many small business owners struggle with keeping their bookwork up to date. Yet good record keeping is an essential part of any successful small business.How can you make an informed decision about your business if you don’t know where you are at financially with your business?

Group Buying Sites- A Delight for Bargain-Hunters and Savvy Advertisers Alike

Getting a bargain and the sense of urgency that limited inventory and short-lived sales create is fundamental to consumerism. So, it’s easy to see why group buying sites that create a sense of urgency- by offering limited-time offers, like daily deals and flash sales, to a limited number of individuals- and deliver deep discounts for consumers, as well as a measurable, effective marketing strategy for advertisers, are wildly popular among bargain-hunters and enterprising business owners alike. In fact, according to Experian Hitwise, a global information services company, visits to a sample of group buying websites and aggregators increased 610% between August 2009 and August 2010. And a recent study by daily deal aggregator, Local Offer Network, projects that the U.S. group buying industry will expand by 138% in 2011 to $2.66 billion.

Half Full or Half Empty?
Despite the economic turmoil opportunities exist. The challenge is to find those opportunities for your business. No matter what's happening around you, there are still things you can do to improve your results.

Want to sell your business? This is how to prepare
In our experience the majority of business owners are inadequately prepared when the time comes to sell their business and transfer ownership. But, the way to ensure that the business owner maximizes the value of their business and minimize the objections raised by a potential buyer is to have squeaky-clean financials.

Online Business Ideas To Start Making Money Online
Different and varied online business ideas to help you actually start making money online.

Building a Highly-targeted Opt in List: When Money Lies Beneath the Lists
Having a website is not a guarantee that your online business will succeed. How will you succeed if people will not realize that your business exist online? The key to marketing is to get your business noticed…

DELEGATION FOR BEGINNERS
As business owners and managers it is so difficult to give up or give over control to someone else. The very thing that makes you successful, your ability to grow, build and manage your business can quickly become overwhelming when your hard work pays off. The control freak in you doesn’t want to let go, but a few strategies may help you to feel more comfortable.

The Art of Success Journaling: Wealth Creation From Your Words

How can you use a diary or journal to unlock your authentic self and your dreams? How do you unleash your spirit so you can jump out of bed and joyfully experience life every single day? Maybe you remember moments where you felt truly inspired or divinely fulfilled in every way. If you can capture those moments, they become tools to help you understand your dreams and desires. In this way, your journal can be the magic wand that removes all limits and unlocks your heart.

The Pitfalls of Being In Business With Family Members

Working with family members can be a very tricky task. This happens when you mix personal relationships with work relationships. There are all types of problems that arise with family business relationships: marriages, divorce, battles about the job, control over shares, and decision making issues. The business can actually be at risk for possible losses if the family members are no able to get along.

How To Market Your MLM Opportunity Online
The opportunities for MLM, or multi-level marketing, have expanded in recent years. While the traditional forms of marketing are still in tact, business owners have been able to take it one step further by networking online. You can build a very large business by using the free and very affordable marketing opportunities on the internet.

Sales Coaching Tip: Widen the Why Gap between Gains and Losses to Increase Sales
Do your sales skills include the ability to widen the "Why Gap" between the potential gains and potential losses for your prospect. Learn more about this gap.

Just By Answering Your Telephone Can Increase Sales
Next to driving by more business than you’ll ever had and just asking for business, returning phone calls may be an incredible opportunity to increase your sales.

Poor Ethics Reflect Poor Business Professionalism & Potentially Poor Business Results
Have you ever considered that not returning a phone call could be a reflection of your own personal business ethics? And possibly the lack of ethics is contributing to your poor business results? Learn what dead horses and business values have in common.

The Psychology Of Vending Franchise Businesses

Although it may not seem too applicable, there is an element of psychology involved in figuring out the best way to market a vending machine business. Vending machine owners need to understand the best locations and best products to optimize profits. When everything comes together, a vending machine owner can make upwards of $70/hr, working as many or as few hours as necessary for your machines. Here is an overview of how to optimize a franchise business.

Are You Serving Your Customers Well?
Are you serving your customers well? This is a question that you should be asking yourself on a regular basis. You see, there are many business owners that end up ignoring the signs that their customer service is not what it should be. Unfortunately, this leads to problems in sales and can hurt the entire company.

A Three Step Solution to the Selling Dilemma

Recently I began working with a new client, a brand new franchisee of an outstanding franchise system, who told me, "I'd like you to know something about me right away. I've attended sales trainings before and I just won't do the 'car salesman' thing!" "Well," I replied, "Thank goodness... because that's exactly the opposite of what I'll be coaching you to do." Today's business owners are really uncomfortable with the old 1950's way of selling. And so are today's customers. The trouble is,many of these same business owners and customers have never experienced a kinder way of selling. Which is where I step in, ever so gently.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
There are ways to turn even your most difficult customers into raving fans.

Why you should go to networking events
If you’re anything like me, there are probably times when you’ve booked onto a networking event and then when the day arrives, you question whether or not to go to it. My reasons are usually around the stack of work I’ve got building up on my desk and I debate whether to stay in the office and plough through it or to make the effort to go to the event.

The EEOC Task Force Splendid Approach for Businesses
The EEO task force after evaluating best practices from leading organizations established the acronym "SPLENDID" which stands for a series of actions that conscientious business owners both large and small can take to address EEO and diversity issues for best practices.

Don’t Get Noticed By Losing Your Shirt!
Tips on how to increase your search engine rating without spending a fortune

Think Big to Get Big
Thinking big - knowing the larger purpose for which you apply yourself at any given moment - always alters how you understand your contribution and role, leads to acting with greater focus, and produces better results.

Six Simple Ways to Boost Your Business and Enjoy More Family Time

Whoever thinks that running your own business is a breeze obviously has never had one. There are so many areas you need to get right otherwise your business could end up disintegrating along with everything else in your life. You need to be organised and disciplined, a good marketer, action-taker, a great communicator, understand finances, have systems, plenty of resilience and so much more. If any of these areas are lacking in your business then you're heading for trouble. Of course you can hire other people who have these skills and attributes so you can focus on what you're good at.

Health Insurance for New Business Owners

One of the biggest hurdles of women and men who go into in business for themselves is making good choices about medical insurance protection for themselves and their families. Adding to the confusion is the fact that pricing and access varies wildly by area, most there is no standardization for medical insurance plans. For most people this can really make it it a pain to choose the right medical insurance policy and contract options.

Business Opportunities in Franchise
The franchise business has recently been attracting more and more people, everyday. After all, isn’t the idea of running your own business and being control of your own career, incredibly appealing?

Pros and Cons To Having A Business Partner
Having a successful business takes a great deal of work and effort on your part. It can be a very stressful situation, no matter what type of business you have. Some business owners say that having a company partner can help take the load off of the other person, while others say that it can be a nuisance and a dangerous risk.

The Past, Present and Future Workforce

According to business surveys, there are currently 4 generations in the workplace. Those born before 1945 (called Veterans), those born between 1945 and mid-1960 (called Boomers), those born between 1965 and 1980 (known as Gen Xers), and those born after 1980 (either Nexters or Gen Yers). This creates a minimum age span difference of at least 35 years. This may not seem to be significant by itself, but I remember when I turned 21, I thought 35 was ancient. Now that I am a part of the seasoned generation (also known as the middle of the road between the Veterans and Boomers), 35 is a youngster.

The Importance of an Effective Orientation
An orientation is merely an introduction of your company to the new employee and of this new person to your business; your clients, products and services, and the way you conduct business. Many new employees become frustrated and decide that accepting the job offer was a mistake because you, the new employer did not take the time to orient him or her to the new job.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN YOU BUY OR SELL A BUSINESS
Many business owners try to sell their business when it is not ready to be sold which makes it almost impossible for a buyer to see the real value of the business. The following article will provide guidelines on how to sell a business and how to buy a business.

The Greatest Depression
The economy is bad. Nobody is buying homes. The recession’s coming. Every time you turn around Economists predict doom and gloom. That’s enough to get you into a great depression, if you let it.In this article Billy Cox gives you specific action steps you can take to guard your mind from the negatives and keep clearly focused on the results you want to achieve.

Article Marketing Tips & Techniques
Just One Article Can Make a Difference (but don’t stop there…)

Is Your Business Card Working for You?
Using Your Marketing Real Estate Wisely.

Marketing Plans Help You Make Your Mark and Increase Success from the Start
Techniques to Help you Plan

Avoid the Downward Spiral ©
This article explores the reasons why companies get into the "downward spiral." It also notes several reasons why executives and business owners often do not keep up with the numerous changes that affect their business.

How Organized is Your Business? Part 4
Yesterday I asked you how organized your business was. Did you consider your answer? Today I'll share a thought on how you can move yourself to a business more organized. Schedule the Strategic and Evaluate Where You Need to Get Organized.

Small Business Tips: How To Turn Around A Business

No-one likes to fail. In these past few months I have watched as a few otherwise great businesses have folded. But what could have been done to turn the business around from disaster? What does the owner really want? This is the hardest part – if the owner is ambivalent at best about the business, they are not sure if they really want to be there, then no business intervention will work as well as it could.

How Organized is Your Business? Part 3
Yesterday I asked you how organized your business was. Did you consider your answer? Today I'll share a thought on how you can move yourself to a business more organized. Take Care of Yourself.

Office Clutter - Is Yours Multiplying?
Office clutter tends to multiply like bunnies or grow like weeds. It is not all about the way things look. Excessive clutter makes your business less productive and less profitable. Now, you may not be an expert at organizing, but making sure that your business is better organized should still be a strong consideration, especially if things are starting to get out of control.

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS ATTRACT INCREASED SCRUTINY

Government agencies, running record deficits, look to companies' use of independent contractors as a source for increasing revenues. Business sees independent contractors as providing much needed staffing flexibility. Taxing agencies consider independent contractors as tax cheats and force business owners to become enforcers of government tax policy. This article explores the criteria businesses need to follow to avoid a finding that your independent contractors are actually employees resulting in assessments for past taxes, penalties, and interest.

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS ATTRACT INCREASED SCRUTINY

Avoid Using Free Services For Your Business
With everything costing so much in this day in age, free is attractive to anyone, including business owners. There are a wide variety of free services available on the internet today.

Whats The Customer Service Buzz About Your Business
If you're a regular reader of this column you know that my number one pet peeve is bad customer service. Nothing chaps my backside more than paying hard-earned money for a product or service only to have the provider of said product or service become apathetic, obnoxious or just downright rude after the transactional smoke has cleared.

The Great American Customer Service Unawareness Campaign
I'm so sick of you so-called business experts always saying the customer is always right. This is my business, not the customer's, so I'm the one who's always right. Sure, they can have an opinion, but in the end it's up to me to decide who's right and who's not. And if the customer doesn't like it they can take their business elsewhere.

Starting Your Business By The Book

To begin, here's the best legal advice I can give you as a new business person: find yourself a good lawyer and make him or her your very best friend. Granted, your new best friend will charge you an hourly fee for chatting on the phone or talking business over lunch, but you'll find it to be money well spent. A good attorney can save you far more than the cost of his services. I rarely make any decision that has the potential to impact my business without first consulting my attorney.

Is Bad Customer Service Killing Your Business
It’s time to beat the old bad customer service drum again. I know, I’m sick of beating the drum, too, but as long as bad customer service runs rampant through so many businesses I feel it is my entrepreneurial duty to bring it to your attention. So grab a pew and prepare to listen to the sermon I’ve preached before:

How To Boost Your Bottom Line With Just Two Little Words
I hate to sound like one of those cheesy get-rich-quick commercials, but this week I am going to let you in on a little secret that is so powerful that it will immediately change the way you do business. In fact, this little secret is so powerful that you will be amazed at its immediate effect on you, your employees, and your bottom line.

Companies Stifle Intrapreneurs At Their Own Risk

I've noticed an interesting trend lately. Usually the e-mail I receive in response to this column comes from rookie entrepreneurs or established business owners seeking my input on startup matters, financing, employee relations, general management and leadership issues, policy matters, etc. Lately, however, many of the messages are coming from employees of medium-size and large companies who are interested in starting a business of their own.

Leadership Characteristics – Managing With Feeling

Many business owners feel that they need to have “hard” leadership characteristics in order to get ahead or be successful. They believe that if they show any weakness or flexibility, that staff will “pounce” and take advantage of them. When you look inside their companies, you see unhappy people (both managers and staff), all tightly hanging onto what is right in their view and making sure they get what they are entitled to.

Seven Powerful Questions to Ask Yourself and Your Clients
Questions, when phrased and timed well, entice us to go inside and look around the many rooms of our heart-mind.

Top 10 Reasons Why You Need a Coach or Mentor
The economy may be slower than we’d like, however, this is the time when people are more creative about working with others and services may be more affordable. Jump on the opportunity to work with a coach and mentor – I hope you’ll choose me – and get ready to kick off the academic year with a bang. Here are some things a coach can offer you, should you take that step.

Effective Branding for Increased Success

Business branding isn't a complicated process, but the success of your business branding relies on the relevance, quality and consistency of its design. Most business owners fall short when branding their business because they try to overcomplicate the process. However, if you follow the basics of business branding and resist the temptation to lose the focus of the message, you should be well on your way towards creating an effective brand.

Build Business with Accountability

Learning how to use accountability to build success for your business is an effective way to build a better business. Regardless of the money invested or personal passion for the business, if you don't hold yourself accountable for the success of your business, there's only a slim chance you will ever reach the level of success you have in mind. How does accountability make a positive impact on the success of your business? Take a look at the four top distinguishing factors of business owners who use accountability to get results.

If Everyday Women Can Become Empowered Entrepreneurs - So Can You!
Here are three stories about everyday women who became empowered entrepreneurs by letting their desires pull them to greater achievements. These women weren't extraordinary in the common definition, but they allowed their desire to pull them into the unknown. They did not let their fear pull them back; they just continued walking their own path - even against the critics.

4 Reasons Women Entrepreneurs Thrive

Ideals surrounding traditional careers are changing, if not completely dissolving. Today, women are taking control of their destiny and financial wealth by becoming entrepreneurs. With the focus shifting from Corporate America to Entrepreneur America, it is projected that small businesses will lift the U.S. out of the current recession into a new economy supported by entrepreneurs - not corporations. Let's talk about 4 Reasons Women Entrepreneurs will Thrive in the New Economy.

Advising a Troubled Company
Many businesses get into trouble and many others go out of business. There are many reasons for this. This article is the first in a series explaining what business owners and executives can and should do.

5 Reasons To Start A Home Based Business Franchise After Graduation
Once you receive that coveted college diploma, your next move is to head out into the world and get that high paying job that your education warrants. You could go take an entry level position somewhere and start earning experience, or why not jump start the repayment of your college loans by starting your own home based business franchise.

The Myth of Multitasking: How Doing It All Gets Nothing Done

Multitasking has become something of a heroic word in our vocabulary. Many executives pride themselves on their ability to “multitask”. Recent job descriptions that I have seen even ask that potential employees have the ability to multitask. A current national commercial sings the praises of multitasking. However, multitasking, as most people understand it, is deceptively counter-productive. Multitasking is tremendously costly. Multitasking hurts us every time we attempt to engage in it.

Productivity How Can I Achieve It
If you are an entrepreneur or business professional who wants to increase their overall productivity? This article provides 5 steps that will assist you to increasing overall productivity for yourself and team.

Great Work From Home Small Businesses For The Seasoned Entrepreneur
While many franchise businesses are designed for those with little to no business experience, there are some franchises where an experienced entrepreneur will have a definite advantage. If you're a seasoned entrepreneur, take a look at your best options for a work from home small business.

How Much to Spend on a Website Design is Not a Simple Matter

If you are about to have your website designed or possibly considering redesigning an already existing website, you probably have given thought to how much you should or want to spend on the project. Naturally, the choice isn’t easy, mostly because when it comes right down to it, how much you spend can make all the difference in the quality and the success of a website. So, how do you decide what to pay for your investment and how do you know if you are getting your money’s worth?

What if Prioritising Was One of the Main Keys to Success?
I have discovered two things that many business owners tend to find rather challenging when running a business. These are... ...So… when it comes to your priorities, 20 percent of your time spent on the important ‘stuff’ will give you 80 percent of a return on that time... In the area of customers, it is vital to identify the 20 percent who account for 80 percent of your business...

How to Keep Your Dream Team

If you’ve ever read Sir Richard Branson’s autobiography ‘Losing my Virginity’ then you’ll already know that... Now I have worked with and personally coached a multitude of business owners and their businesses and have noticed over the years that certain things come up time and time again... All business dynamics are continuously in a state of ‘fluidity’ and to get the end result of 1) and 2), you may seriously need to look at 3) first!

How to Use Your Natural Potential to Drive Your Business
Have you ever wondered at the business owner / entrepreneur who seems to have the ‘knack’ of smoothly buying, building and selling businesses and... Bearing that in mind, here’s three suggestions for tapping into your natural genius and dramatically improving your business results...

What’s your Attitude to Sales?

One of the most common areas of challenge that I come up against time and time again when working with business owners and business groups revolves around the basics of ‘getting business through the door’ It’s no wonder then (if we have grown up with an internal belief system such as this) that many of us have a bit of an issue ‘selling’ to others... People HATE to be sold to but they LOVE to buy. It’s true. We detest people who are openly selling to us. Why? Because...

How to Improve Your Time Management

One of the most common things that I come across working with people in business (especially business owners) is the comment that ‘I just have too much to do and not enough time to do it’ Now experience has shown that, on average, many people are actually working productively for only 20% of their working week until they start to focus on how they plan their week and their use of time. Effective time management is not just about productivity though – it’s essential to your health too (and it’s one of the key determinants of your business success). It is not unusual, when coaching clients, that we see a substantial increase in time management effectiveness enabling business owners to double their previous output results in quite a short period of time

Get Over Yourself and Publish Your Prices Already

Jakob Nielsen has published his annual Top Ten Mistakes in Web Design for 2007. It’s classic Nielsen—high on quality, low on filler. Number 10 on the list is my favorite by far and always sparks healthy debate amongst my colleagues. (That’s probably why it’s my favorite.) Nielsen tells us to plainly answer your user’s most burning questions. Be forthright, not mysterious. And always answer the most obvious question which is “How much does it cost?”

Breaking the sales barrier
Sales with ethics and values is the key to two critical aspects when building and maintaining a strong and productive sales team. To these values add inspirational leadership and a clear and precise product knowledge and simple sales skills and watch the sales grow.

Work Less, Earn More
How do you work less and earn more if you are paid for the time you put in? The only way is to be a business owner or sales professional. Business owners go into business for many reasons but in the end we all want to earn enough to have the freedom to do what we want, when we want.

5 Things Business Owners Must Consider During Growth or Survival Periods
Growing a business in today’s market is all about survival of the fittest. Surviving through the uphill battles of being an entrepreneur is critical. Surviving through the growth stages of the business is just as vital as when your business is in a negative cash flow period or downhill mode.

Why Micro Loans Could Be The Answer to Many Small Business Owners Financing Needs

Small business owners, if you have never considered accessing a Micro Loan, you might want to take a look at this viable financing option. Some of you might think that these types of loans are used only in Third World countries. Perhaps you have heard of lending sites such as Kiva.org, which primarily finances individuals living in countries other than the United States who are starting their own businesses.

5 Reasons Why Your Website is Important to Financing Your Small Business
Today’s small business owners have so much to do when engaging their customers. Staying hyper-focused on bringing in new customers is important. It is also important when courting a financing source, whether traditional or nontraditional. When you are in need of financing, especially if you are a start-up or small business owner, your financing source will become a vital part of your business.

Sales Recruitment and Hiring Process
Find who you want, don't just take who you get. There are plenty of great people out their looking for a place to contribute. Good people are interviewing you, so you need to be prepared, organized and professional in your approach. You can attract top quality people if your company can support them and your hiring process is attractive to them.

29 Perfect Business Card Tips That Will Make You Loads of Money
This article is intended to help business owners create and design a business card they can be proud to present – a card that will pass the trash test. The goal is to be memorable. What I want for you is for prospects to remember who you are days, weeks, and months after the networking event and for you to make loads of money because of your business card!

Sales Process
Why Your Business Needs a Sales Process A great sales process can help your sales force succeed. The benefits of a sales process

Do you really hear me? Or: why Positive Sales equals Listening

How can you sell your product or service to anyone without knowing what it actually is that they need? You shouldn't, is the short reply. Selling means not only 'making a sale' but focusing on the customer's needs, circumstances and wishes. Get to know them in order to understand them, and do it by asking and listening instead of talking and telling. Why? Because that is what effective, positive sales is all about.

How Awkward is it for You to Ask Questions?
Maybe you aren't asking the right questions in the right order for the right reasons? Asking the right questions is definitely a skill and the best sales people are very adept at it.

Networking explained
Networking is a great benefit for your business and can provide support. It can also be a fun tool to use and it's not as difficult as you may think!

How to Increase Sales for Your Service Business through Your Website
Many business owners have a common misunderstanding about what their website is supposed to be doing for their business that is costing them missed opportunities to directly increase sales. Most business owners have the misguided notion that their website is a marketing tool.

How 3 Simple "No's" Can Change Your Life and Business
Wonder why some people seem to get ahead so quickly while you feel like you’re moving at a snail’s pace? You can create a life and business you love faster, once you’ve mastered this simple change in behavior.

7 Reasons Why Business Owners Need a Business Coach
7 Reasons why your business will benefit from having a business coach. 11 Questions to ask yourself and the business coach your interviewing during due diligence. How to make the best match for one of the key business decisions you will make during the life of your business.

Risk and the Entrepreneur – 3 Ways That Risk Separates the Winners from the Rest of the Pack
Life is risky. We are taught from an early age that taking a risk is dangerous and not always worth it. Raising your hand in class when you think you know the answer could pay off, or it could lead to being ostracized. Asking someone out on a date could lead to success or it could backfire.

5 Not So Obvious Business Plan Mistakes to Avoid

Everyone knows they need one. Everyone plans on writing one, eventually. But not everyone does it. Why? Because it’s so easy to put off and it’s such a chore. I’m talking about writing a business plan. Many business owners put more effort into planning their vacations than they put into planning their businesses. This is a shame because an entrepreneur with a business plan is much more likely to succeed than one without a plan.

Acting Successful from the Start
What kind of message are you sending to your prospects? Do they see you as a competent professional or someone who doesn't believe in their own value? In order to be successful you must learn to act successful.

How To Effectively Use Business Mentoring

If you are running a small business and you get frustrated when things seem to be going wrong you’re not alone. Every successful businessperson experiences some level of frustration. The distinction between successful business owners and those that continually struggle is the way they handle their frustration. Learn how a mentor can not only help you to handle frustration, but thrive during difficult times.

5 Tips to Help You Maximize Your Small Business Profits
Most small and solo business owners don’t begin to see the profit potential in their business. If you own a small or solo business, I’m sure you had a big dream when you started. You may have seen a life of doing what you enjoy with no boss telling you what to do. You may have seen an opportunity to take a brilliant idea and turn it into an ideal lifestyle.

The Top Five Rookie Marketing Mistakes
By elements for Women

Are You Kissing Frogs Or Making Sales?
Most of us were taught "You have to kiss many frogs before you meet the handsome prince." The problem is you've probably applied this philosophy to getting business as well! When I first started selling years ago, I was told the exact same thing. My boss actually threw the Yellow Pages on my desk and said "Go Get 'Em Kid!" (I kid you not)

Small Budget Big Results
You don't have to break the bank to make your business stand out from the competition.

How to franchise your business

If you are ready to take the step to start selling your own business as a franchise, you’ll need to do a lot to make it viable. Your business is a success. You have a cadre of loyal customers, strong earnings and a steadily expanding base. At this point, many business owners look to franchising their business as the next step. Though this is a good alternative, and potentially very lucrative, selling a franchise is a vastly different enterprise than running it. You’ll need to master new skills if you want to be a success in the highly-competitive world of franchising. Here is a brief list of what you need to be aware of:

How to Find the Best Mentor for Your Needs

When someone is just setting out on a business venture, it is imperative that they find a mentor. A mentor can escalate your business, boost your self-development and improve your business know-how. To be truly effective you should look for mentors with various types of expertise so that you can learn from all of them and use the knowledge to make yourself a better person and run a more successful business.

Learn Your Way to Success

What I've noticed about very successful business owners, they are always learning and growing. The majority do not achieve their high levels of success on their own. The coach I'm currently working with is in two high-end coaching programs that she invests thousands of dollars a year to belong to. Earning a million dollars a year and growing; something is definitely working for her. For your business to be better you need to be better and you don't get better by doing nothing! You are the average of the five PEOPLE you hang around the most. Surround yourself with people whom you want to be like.

Market Your MAGIC 5 SelfMarketing Strategies for Success

The ability to market yourself internally within an organization or within your industry can boost your career and personal fulfillment. It can make the difference between people remembering you as a brilliant leader and contributor, or barely remembering you. I created a “MAGIC” formula for success, based on 5 aspects of effective self-marketing: improve your Manner (the way you walk, talk, meet people, and treat people) create Advocates (people who create “buzz” about you and your company or services.), Grow (grow in craft, market and self), get Involved (in internal and external groups, etc.), and create Commentary (speak up at meetings, write articles, etc.). MAGIC reinforces P.T. Barnum’s principle: “Without promotion, something terrible happens … nothing.” You can use my MAGIC formula to unleash your potential and achieve goals.

Lessons Learned about Planning
Lessons learned about planning.

How To Grow Your Business Through Speaking

One of the leading entrepreneurs in Los Angeles says, "If you are not getting results by speaking, you need to take responsibility as the marketing director of your business and learn how to do it effectively. The biggest problem I have seen is the resistance business owners have with spending time and money getting the entrepreneurial training needed to increase their results. TOO many business owners think they should intuitively know how to write their marketing materials, AND SPEAK IN PUBLIC. Writing advertising copy and verbal expertise is not a skill we are born with. It is a learned ability. So if you don't know how to get the networking or sales response you need, either hire someone who can do it effectively or learn how from an expert. THE CONTRARY IS COSTING YOU MORE BUSINESS THAN YOU EVEN REALIZE."

Marketing - How Much Do You Spend?
Just how much do you budget for in your marketing? Or do you even have a marketing budget?

Planning For Small Business Success
You see, successful people don’t just wait around for things to start happening…they make things happen. And not just any old things—the right things.

Did You Get Any Referrals Today?
Do you ask this question a hundred times a week? Should you? Most business owners and sales managers know in their hearts that this is the easiest kind of lead to close.

How to Recruit a Fantastic Employee Using a 3 Step System, No One Knows!
Are you working long hours? Do you have few holidays? Would you like to grow your business, but you already work many hours and don't want to work any harder? This article is for you!

The Complete Small Business Marketer’s SEO Toolkit
Business owners and marketers don’t necessarily need to become SEO experts, but they do need to equip themselves with enough knowledge, data and access to simple SEO tools to allow them to understand how and why one site ranks higher over another, what’s holding a site back and the most important ways to quickly analyze any page they land on.

5 Practical Tips for Getting More from Facebook

As the importance of Facebook as small business marketing tool continues to grow it’s important to adapt your marketing behavior in ways that allow you to gain practical benefits from the way people are choosing to use social media. Some business owners still struggle trying to learn what some might call Facebook marketing, but the key is to change the way you approach it. To me there’s no such

"How To Determine If You Should Utilize An Incentive Program For Your Company"
Let's face facts. It is hard to run a business in this day and age. Not only is money tight everywhere you look but it is getting harder to find quality employees who are willing to make the grade when it comes to sales. You need to have employees who are doing all they should be plus a little more to make your business successful in every way. The real question is, how does one make that happen?

How To Keep & Empower Employees
Smart entrepeneurs have one thing in common: they realize that every night at closing time their best asset walks right out the door. Of course, we are talking about people.

Does Your Web Design Contract Include These 5 Crucial Items?

Working with a qualified web designer can either be a fun and rewarding process - or a frustrating headache. All too often, I talk with business owners whose websites are left only "partially completed" (if they're even finished at all) - or are full of errors. Their web designer insists they finished the job, and the client is to blame. The client is upset because the web designer didn't include or detail certain things - and they now feel like they've been ripped off. What do you do in a case like this?

The Ten Keys to a Successful Business Plan
If you were to ask twenty experienced business people what it takes to have a successful business plan, chances are you will get many of these answers and more. Here is my view of what a successful business plan is made of.

Reaching Your Goals
Why do so many business owners and managers fail to meet the goals they have in mind?

Beyond Booked Solid by Michael Port

Are you a business owner who is reasonably satisfied with your business, but you're looking for ways to take it to the next level? This is the next book you need to read. Michael Port shows that he knows his topic and he's willing to have a conversation with you about the things you need to do to make your business and your personal life better. Having a busy business isn't the end of the road - learn what should come next and how you can make that happen for your business and yourself.

Construction & the M&A Market (under $25 million revenues)
A brief informal update of the status of the construction merger and acquisition market or business brokerage market as of the Spring or Summer of 2011. We conclude that the business brokerage or business sale market for construction companies, including engineering firms, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractors, is improving but still slow. Read for details.

The Top Five Rookie Marketing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Christopher Palumbo began his career as a partner in a real estate development company, where he developed branding concepts for resort communities in South Florida and the Carolina's. From there his business accomplishments grew as he orchestrated the complete turnaround of a failing national real estate developer. Soon after, Christopher changed gears and used his talents to create an award-winning World Gym concept store. Chris utilized his position within the organization to orchestrate a turnaround and capitalization plan for the World Gym™ brand. To date, he has worked with many of the largest and most reputable companies in the fitness and leisure industries, and is frequently featured in industry and national press.

The difference between a "reason" and an "excuse"
There's a million and one reasons for failure in the restaurant, or any other, business. I've heard them all, I just don't believe them all. Find out how taking accountability for your role in preventing problems in your restaurant can create the accountability necessary to compete with the chains, or to create a successful franchise of your own, by reading this article.

A Business or a Job?
The advantage of building a business, however, is that it is as an asset. It can be sold, or franchised, or licensed to other people. The systems can often be replicated, sometimes even in other industries, and that gives a business tremendous financial leverage.

Think Your Way to The Top!
Invest in your education, but just importantly, create opportunities to USE what you know in fresh and creative ways. Expand the boundaries and stretch the possibilities!

Look After Your Clients and They Will Look After You

Why are you in business? Hopefully you enjoy what you do, however is it because you want to make money so that you can have, be and do more in your life? Who pays you? Your clients do and never forget that. Unfortunately many business owners do. They take your money and then vanish off the face of the earth. And if you do hear from them you know they are only trying to sell something or business is not going well. The silly thing is, if you look after the hand that feeds you, they will look after you. Keep in regular contact with your clients, particularly the top 20% (both current and past) who have provided you with the most income. Still keep in touch with the others via newsletters etc. However the top 20% of very special clients need extra attention.

Why Hire A Designer
When you hire a web designer to do your job for you, you are doing more than just handing over the "dirty job" to someone else.

So you want to intergrate a successful employee incentive programs

In order to help ensure a well maintained business or workplace, it is very important that the business keep the morale of the workers at a high level and ensure that everyone is as content and happy as possible. This will help to improve the productivity of the business, and this works to make sure that not only is the business successful, but that the workers are happy. Everyone wins. However, some companies and businesses may be unsure of how to go about increasing the morale and thus the productivity of their workers.

You Can Juggle a Franchise and a Family
Juggling work and family is very easy with franchising, as the franchisor helps the franchisees with many things. Still, try to maintain a separate timing for business and family affairs.

Investing Time With Your Staff Pays Off Big Time

I recently met up with a friend of mine who was telling me how little time he had working on his business due to the people problems he was constantly experiencing. He always complains to me that if he could run his business on his own, he would. Unfortunately this is not a reality so he constantly wastes at least 50% of his working week trying to overcome staff issues. The problem with Gary is that he's a 'know it all'. He likes to do things his own way and believes that having been in business for 15 years, he knows all about recruitment and keeping people who will be valuable assets and contribute to his bottom-line.

Turn Your Ideas into a Profitable Small Business

The "idea phase" is one of the most exciting parts of the entrepreneurial process. You start to get a vision of how people will love the products that emerge from your idea, how they'll flock through the door, how you'll be doing what you love every day, and filling your bank account as well. You begin to see trips to exotic places, time to spend enjoying a stunning summer day– the life you want.

Can the Law of Attraction Ideas in "The Secret" Really Help You Succeed?
Actually I've been talking about the law of attraction for some time. I just called it something different–the Entrepreneurial Mind Set. It's extremely powerful, but just like anything else worthwhile, you have to work at it.

This President Is On Track To Double Sales

How often do business owners express frustration about an area of their business that appears to be blocking accomplishment of a key goal? Mr. Mario Lapointe, president of SMT-ASSY, a Montreal firm that services the electronic industry felt just that way, although he was very positive about the long-term prospects for his business even considering the increased competition from Asia. Mr. Lapointe decided to work with me to take his business to the next level, which in his words was to double sales within 12 to 24 months.

Practice Effective Marketing
Achieve a virtuous circle for your business of healthy profits, greater customer value and better meeting customer needs. Find out how...

How to Cure Your Marketing Headache
Many times business owners get stuck when it comes to marketing because they feel uncomfortable doing it. They are afraid of being seen as pushy, intrusive, or fake. What if you could change the way you think about marketing by connecting to your true intention for doing it in the first place?

To Delegate or Not?
In every business, there comes that critical time when a leader must decide whether or not to delegate some projects to other people. This decision can make or break a company; not making this decision can also make or break a company. Find out how to use this powerful sill of delegation to grow your team and business.

Decisions Decisions Decisions
Decisions between a clear right and an obvious wrong are easy, but what about the decisions that are not so clear cut?

Recession-proof PR
Hard economic times are, ironically, the best times to aggressively launch a PR campaign.

The Need for Problem Solvers
The need for business problem solvers is increasing daily. The need to reach out for help when problems occur is a natural occurance.

Why it is Important For Legitimate Online Businesses That You Re-Purpose Your Content
A problem that is common to many legitimate online businesses and something that makes these business owners unique is their entrepreneurial nature. The thing that sets entrepreneurs apart from other people is that they are always willing to do things that nobody else has done and are ready to take risks to build a solid business.

Business Success Tip: Integrity & Reputation
People talk. A negative comment to one person can snowball into multiple conversations. A message can be sent over the internet in a split second. How do you want to be known?

Importance of goals in your business
The importance of setting goals and the system that can be used.

Are You Too Smart to Succeed

When we worked in our educational consulting business in Germany many years ago, parents came to us because their kids were not able to get the grades they wanted. When working with these children we saw the following scenario played out over and over again. These children weren’t slow learners or stupid, they were actually too smart. When taking an exam these brilliant students would see so many complex ways to answer test questions that their answers were far too complicated. The teachers who evaluated their test could not make sense of these advanced answers and the students received failing marks as a result. Similar to these children many business owners do not realize how much more they can accomplish when they simplify their thinking and focus only on one idea at a time.

Exit Planning…All Good Things Come to an End

A wise sage once said, "All good things must come to an end". This is especially true for the small business owner, who’d like to exit their business gracefully. But, saying it and taking action are two entirely different propositions when it comes to making that a reality. Most small business owners are constantly consumed with the day-to-day running of their business and have precious little time for the luxuries of planning, unlike their larger corporate cousins, this activity tends to be put off till last minute or generally not done at all.

If you do what you usually do, You get what you usually get...
Or what the Universe and your Business have in common

Your customers, their Amygdala and Sabre-Tooth Tigers
The emotional buying decisions....how do your customers make up their mind and how to make your customers life easy...

The Case for Multiple Personality Disorder in Business
Or how to be the Business Owner and do the work of the business owner, not the work of the business

The world’s greatest Business Tool revealed
Or Metrics that Matter.... Continuous improvement

Slow Down to the Speed of Caring
Mindful Leadership is at the core of an engaged workforce

Solving ‘Too Many Clients – Not Enough Profit'
Steve Leach teaches us how 20% of clients provide 80% of your profits and how to solve the challenge.

5 Remarkable Benefits to Having a Business Plan

Have you ever started out on a road trip across town to suddenly realize that you have no idea where you’re going? Running your business without a Business Plan is much like the same. In this article we will look at 5 remarkable benefits to having a Business Plan. How having Direction, Motivation, Creativity, a Cohesive Strategy, and getting Results can help you can create amazing success in your business.

The Seven Deadly Business Sins
Being successful is all about making the right decisions, heading in the right direction and avoiding the things that will lead to failure. Knowing what those things are is half the battle.

Avoid Becoming Victim of a Recession

There is a lot of discussion right now about whether there is going to be a recession. The scare-mongers are in full swing and stress levels are rising for the many business owners that are buying into the stories. If a recession does in fact happen, it doesn’t need to have any affect on your business – just as long as you choose to be proactive, take responsibility for your own business and take the appropriate actions. In fact, your business can still grow.

Ready, Aim, EXIT! Why Exiting Planning NOW Will Benefit Your NOW
Exit planning is an integral part of a successful, comprehensive business plan. But most business owners are so busy growing their business that the last thing they stop to consider is their Exit Strategy. If you really want to build your company to be all that it can be and more, you need to establish right up front what you’re going for and what it means to you when you get there.

Work at Home Moms and Their Bad Rap?

Beware, this is a tad controversial. And I'm sure many readers may not like what I am going to say. It may even upset some, but I am guessing the people that get upset, are most likely the ones that are guilty of what I am writing about. It is about an issue that I feel needs to be addressed based on the conversations over the last few years with many work at home moms. These moms in business have become frustrated by how other work at home moms can seem to indirectly affect their business. Unfortunately, many work at home moms seem to fail to realize that they are business owners, and thus should be acting like business owners. Those who do not, have continued to give the term "Work at Home Mom" a bad rap.

Has Your Fire Gone Out?
Have you found that you've lost the initial excitement of having your own business? Are you second guessing your decision to become an entrepreneur? Do you find you are experiencing burn out? Don't worry. This can be a pretty common feeling when you own a home based business, especially if you are the one running the entire show.

Not Everyone will Want What you are Selling

Over the years, while working with work at home moms and dads who are home based business owners, I have noticed their unrealistic ideas as to how their business should grow. Many expect overnight success and many expect that everyone else should have the same interest level in the type of business they are involved in as they do. When you are in a home business, no matter what it is, you need to realize that not everyone is going to be as excited about what you do as you are. Everyone has different interests, different goals, and different likes and dislikes.

Make Your Business Card Work for You

I expect that many business owners don't even think about it. They get used to handing out their business cards left and right, so that people are able to get in touch with them. They are doing what they are taught and told to do; making contact, keeping their name in front of people. But, have you REALLY looked at your business card? What does it really tell people? Will they have to trigger their memory to figure out what it is that you do? When given the opportunity to be placing your business card in someone's hands, or in an advertisement, make sure you are making the most of that opportunity.

Scam Alert - Be Careful What YOU Deem as a Scam

For years now, as more and more people are looking at different ways to work from home, I keep witnessing some of these future business owners saying things like "that's a scam", "stay away from that company, they are scamming people", or "be careful, I know someone who was scammed by that company". The word scam seems to be tossed around more than Italian greens and oil before dinner. But are these businesses really "scams"?

10 Reasons To Start An Internet Based Home Business
It is well known that building an internet based home business takes time and that is why we so often hear how important it is to have a very strong reason why or a burning desire that will spur us on through thick and thin in order to succeed.

Business and Friendships: Keeping the Lines Divided

Can business and friendships happily co-exist? Certainly, if the lines are not crossed and respect is given from both sides. Much too often ill feelings can arise when friends attempt to do business with each other. One person crosses the line with their expectations of what they feel should be acceptable behavior because of their friendship with the business owner. I hear time and time again how this has happened to many business owners, especially women in business.

The Truth and Lies of Owning Your Own Business

While the trend continues to rise with millions on the entrepreneur playing field, more and more people find themselves contemplating whether starting a business is right for them. Initially there is the draw to the "romance" and excitement of carving out your own niche and creating a place of your own in the business world. But after a while, reality sinks in and this great plan you had can slowly begin to become a burden. You may discover it is not what you had anticipated. Your passion begins to fizzle and you can hardly entertain the thought of continuing on.

You Can't Do It Alone
One of the major barriers to business success is not having a coherent well thought out strategic action plan. Once this hurdle is overcome the business owner faces another equally debilitating barrier. They don’t have the time and/or resources to execute the plan.

Business Accountability Teams - they go to BAT for you

How hard it is sometimes to stay focused; to put in that extra effort to achieve the business results we want. How easy it is to be wooed by the warm day to play a round of golf when we should be making sales calls. How easy it is to rationalize that taking the afternoon off will be made up for next week. This is especially true when there is no one to hold us accountable; ah the freedoms of business ownership!

Achieving Successful Business Growth
Successful business growth is not a miracle. It is the result of business owners directing all their talents and energies to the single purpose of building a bigger business. Through our work with successful businesses we have identified 6 key actions that business owners must do if they are to successfully grow their business.

The Great Value of A Strategic Business Connector According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Powerful business connectors have the ability to open up their networks to connect their clients to virtually anyone who can be helpful to start and grow a business. With the extensive and diverse network I have established over more than 30 years, I have become known as “Your Strategic Business Connector.” A strategic business connector is able to connect entrepreneurs and other business owners to the right people. That can help them establish and grow their businesses. There is great value to being associated with a strategic business connector and that value comes from the following list of strategic accesses they can provide to entrepreneurs and other business owners.

Six Life-Threatening Marketing Problems

90% of start ups don’t make it past their first year; while 90% of the survivals don’t live long enough to celebrate their 5th birth day. I don’t want to paint a gloomy picture here, but it’s the brutal fact all entrepreneurs have to face. As an education marketer, I have dealt with hundreds of business owners struggling to promote themselves through conventional advertising, and I can honestly tell you that the #1 reason for failure is lack of cash reserve to bring product to market, in another word, it’s a marketing problem. Here’s a checklist of six symptoms, and if left untreated, could develop into life threatening marketing problems.

The Soul of Business Part One
Soul and business. Business and ... soul. You don’t often see these two words in the same sentence — especially over the last "make-it-until-you-drop-I don’t care who’s in my way” 60 years.

The Future of Business Is It Getting Personal
Given its popularity, we’re sure many of you have seen “The Apprentice” on NBC or at least heard about it. We loved it. Being in the business of business, we were downright addicted from the very first show —and never missed a single episode. It was edgy and slick. It was bold and boastful. It was visceral and shiny! We bought the “gold” lock, stock and barrel.

The Big Uneasy Clearing the Clouds of Guess
People come to us essentially because they are unable to accomplish the business success they desire. They’re experiencing what we call the Big Uneasy. It is the state of being when things are hard. They are stuck in an idea, unable to make it happen, and dreams are unfilled. Life is heavy, there’s a lack of flow… the Big Uneasy has taken over.

Setting the Rule on Your Guarantee how to Turn this Tricky Strategy into a Point of Distinction

Once you reach that place in business when you are sure of the products and services you sell, you are confident they are clearly being communicated to your customers, and sales are starting to flow in, you will come to a fork in the road, a deciding point, that sends the faint at heart fleeing: that place is a "guar*antee". Should you or shouldn't you — that is the question. The answer comes from you — and setting the rule on your guarantee.

20 Things to Blog About

Blogging has so many advantages for business owners that it's a pity so few of them do it. One of the reasons is that some people think every blog post has to be a long, polished article. But that doesn't have to be the case. Blogging is really, really important now, not only because people will visit your blog directly, but because your blog can be embedded easily into other places, such as on-line communities, Facebook pages, and even iPhone apps. So if you're not blogging yet, I hope this article convinces you that it's easy to do.

Strategic Exit Planning and Strategic Tax Planning to Save Income Taxes

Your partner, Uncle Sam, through the federal income tax and his State and Local Tax buddies (lovingly called your “Tax Partners”) are excited about getting their share of your business profits (and salary income) right about now. If you are like most business owners you are focused on legally reducing your contribution through strategic tax planning and strategic planning to your Tax Partners this year. If you are like the exceptional few business owners, you are doing your best to look at how you will reduce your payments to your Tax Partners over your life and the life of your business through strategic exit planning and strategic tax planning.

Tired of fighting for customers in the bargain basement?

Imagine for a second… Your phone wouldn't stop ringing and your inbox are inundated with emails… You diary is filled with the names of people eager to answer your phone calls and hear your sales pitch… People are rushing to your door and begging you to take their money… Wouldn’t that make your life a hell lot easier and get you to sleep better at night? However, the sad reality is that many entrepreneurs are working 16 hours a day and 7 days a week just to make ends meet. They are frustrated by the fact they work an unreasonable amount of hours, yet don't seem to make the money they deserve. Does this sound familiar to you?

Promote Your Business with Postcards
Many business owners are utilizing the internet to grow their businesses. Technology is marvelous and frankly, I don’t know what I would do without it. But just because you can implement loads of marketing strategies on-line, it doesn’t mean other methods are obsolete.

5 Fast Ways To Generate Leads On A Budget
If you are looking to fill your holistic practice you are going to have to increase your number of clients, and to do that, you need more leads or prospects. For many business owners, generating leads feels like a painful struggle...

Does it really matter WHO you sell your business too? Finding the RIGHT buyer!

How To Find The Right Buyer For Your Business! Many Business owners say "Pay me my price and I will sell to anyone" Really? After all the blood sweat and tears you put into your business to make it a success. Most Business owners want the buyer to be more than cash qualified. It is vitally important for you to find the RIGHT buyer not just the a buyer that has the cash. Many buyers have the cash... But not ALL buyers will buy actually buy. Infact out of 100 buyers there will only be 10 that are qualified to buy and only 1 that will actually come to the closing table with the money and needed resources.

Social Media Networking for Business - are you covering all the Angles?
Most business owners and marketing managers can see the value of social media in promoting a brand and engaging with customers and future customers. However, there's another side to social media that seems to get neglected that is equally as powerful as a sales tool, perhaps even more so than the traditioanl usage. This article explains more.

How can a Local Business get on the First Page of Google?
Google Places, Local business listings, and how they can help. How can a local business get on the first page of Google? This question is one of the most asked about, and at the same time, one that is most misunderstood by local business owners, so I will do my best to answer it in this article.

Your Guide To Email Marketing
If you are involved with a home business that needs a boost you will want to check into email marketing. This is something that has been successful for many other business owners.

The New Boomer Entrepreneur, Start-Ups and Start-Downs

Small business has changed dramatically since the new millennium. For starters, it's grown dramatically with 95% of all businesses in Canada and the United States being classified as small or medium-sized. Moreover, the distinction between micro and larger more established small and medium-sized businesses is widely accepted by most companies targeting the 'small business market' today. This means suppliers of all kinds of products and services recognize the significant differences in their respective needs and have created distinct offerings to suit the unique requirements of these separate and distinct groups.

Lessen the Stress for Those Employees You Manage
In a world where it seems just about everyone needs 25 hours a day to get things do, what are you doing as an employer to make sure your employees are not overly stressed on the job?

Factoring Your Small Business Receivables
Over the years I have asked business owners, “What do you know of Factoring?” Many times the answer is “I have never heard of it”. For those who answered, “I know little about it”, this is for you, too. Factoring your small business receivables is when you sell your invoices. This is considered the sale of an asset at a discount.

Are you ready for your game plan?

A 75 and 25 year old men were sitting on a bench watching a ball game. The younger one looks at the elder and with a pompous attitude, asks him the following:” I am 25, my generation built Apple air, IPods and PDA’s”. What did your generation build? The older man turns his head and with simplicity, replies:” I am 75, my generation built the Computers that helped you build the Apple Air, IPods and PDA’s”.!

Sage Wisdom About Borrowing Money For Your Small Business
"Use your credit. Your cash is always good." Sage advice about borrowing money for your small business.

How To Make Internet Income With An Online Affiliate Business
To make internet income with an online affiliate business you need to understand the different types of businesses available to you. In this article we will talk about different ways that you can make money with affiliate marketing.

Social Media: the New Cure-All for Marketing and Sales or a Waste of Time?
In this article, the author, a professional business coach, provides insight, perspective and recommendations on why and how businesses can adopt and implement Social Media to substantially improve marketing impact. The focus is on how the owner or senior executive responsible can learn and then implement the many tools, sites and software now available to achieve the maximum benefit.

Business Killer Mistakes You Cannot Afford
One advantage to thousands of years of history to look at, is there are things that work in business, and things that don't. This is not a history lesson though, it really a look business killer mistakes you don't want to make, and solid principles that will guide you to success in any economy. With the serious threat of recession looming, this is even more important.

What is a Business Broker?
A business broker is an intermediary between a buyer and a seller of a business. In most cases a business broker represents the seller in the sale of a business. It is the business brokers' responsibility to find qualified buyers for their clients.

Marketing definition
Marketing is “A management activity that identifies, anticipates and satisfies customer requirements, efficiently and profitably”.

Digital Advertising and Product Sample Marketing

Advertising and marketing online is vastly different from offline businesses. However, there are aspects that are similar for both types. Consider product sampling. While the goal is the same -- to give away free or heavily discounted items -- the methods are different for online businesses. However, many business owners of both types of businesses admit that it is easier for them to implement product sampling with their online business than their offline business.

Make Social Media Marketing Work With Retail Product Sampling
Social media marketing is very effective for attracting new customers and developing relationships with current customers. However, there are multiple ways business owners can use social media marketing to advance their business. One of those methods is utilizing product sampling, or free giveaways.

Drive Complementary Purchases Using Freebie Marketing

Freebie marketing is an old and effective way to drive complementary sales. Many business owners use freebies for different things, but major retail stores understand that you can use free items to promote other items. For example, business owners may give away a free small electronic toy, but the toy may require a special type of battery, forcing the consumer to purchase those batteries, which may cost more than the small electronic toy.

Using Freebie Marketing To Lift Retail Sales Online
Business owners are always looking for new ways to improve sales. However, some of the best methods are methods that business owners have used for years, like freebie marketing. Simply put, freebie marketing is a method where business owners give away free items to customers to help sell other items or encourage customer loyalty.

The Power of the Wolf
If you own a business or if you’re a manager or executive you’re no doubt always looking for ways to motivate your employees. Employee motivation means bigger profits; no secret there!

Weather Any Economic Climate

Do you hear the word recession and immediately begin to panic? Perhaps you start to move slower and slower when it comes to making purchases, hiring staff and investing in sales and marketing activities. You know that by being tight-fisted with your resources you are only compounding the issue, but how do you stop? Follow these three simple strategies and weather any upcoming economic climate: 1) Get real on who your Top Level Target is 2) Fortify your Existing Client Relationships 3) Balance your Marketing Pie Smart businesses know that the economy ebbs and flows at all times. They prepare themselves for any weather condition by following the three strategies above. Are you prepared?

How to attract more customers
Attracting new clients, also known as “prospects” or “leads,” is the number one priority of almost every new and existing business owner. From sole traders to small and medium-sized businesses, large corporations, and global companies, every business owner aims to increase their customer base.

5 Things That New Entrepreneurs Must Do For Consistent Business Growth

As a proud small business owner, are you able to do the balancing act of working IN your business while working ON it? Small businesses usually start when people who are specialist in some field decide to start on their own. Slowly they get so involved in the day-to-day business operations that the business cannot survive without them. This article will help you rise above the non-core business activities and concentrate on what you do best.

The 10 Commandments of Goal Setting
Setting goals personally and professionally is a crucial step to implement to ensure success. Here are the 10 Commandments of Goal Setting:

9 Steps to Succession Success

When it comes to the planning for the transition of a business, good things do not come to those who wait. Those who do often find themselves feeling the pressure of a ticking clock, caught between needing to move quickly and immobilization. Good agents understand that long-term success means more than selling insurance for immediate needs; it means keeping an eye on that clock for clients’ businesses as well as their own agencies. They begin to think of insurance in a different light: insurance for the business’ legacy. If you are thinking about, and planning for, the next phase of your – or your client’s – firm, taking the following steps will help you move quickly toward the goal, and assure smoother sailing in the process.

Self Management is the Secret to Your Success

It's been a year since my 15 year old son Trent, completed his first triathalon. What was rewarding was the journey he went on to achieve this milestone. (Hang in there with me as this story has great relevance to you and your challenges in your business and your life). You see if you had told me a couple of years ago that he would do this, I wouldn't have believed you. Back then he was 22 kgs heavier. When he entered the triathalon he looked like a completely different person.

You Don’t have to Have all of the Answers; It is okay to Seek Help Once in a While

If you are too proud to ask for help in your business, you are missing out on many valuable learning opportunities. Mentoring is an essential tool to utilise in business. Mentors, business associates, friends and family can all provide valuable insight to assist you in your business success. Mentoring is one of the best sources for quality information and business wisdom on an ongoing basis and is simple to arrange.

How to take Strategy and Turn It into Results
Nothing great has ever been achieved without strategy. Strategy is what builds skyscrapers, wins super bowls, launches space shuttles and puts companies on the Fortune 500 list. Yet if you were to ask many business owners to define strategy, they would fall short of being able to tell you what it means. The word probably exists as one of the most misunderstood words in business language.

The New Face of Business Is An Old One The REAL Secret to Excelling In Business Today

Have you ever walked into a bank and felt like a faceless “next” in line? Even if you’ve banked there for years?! Have you found yourself trying to connect with your dry cleaner, sometimes through a language barrier, just to experience something beyond your clothes? Have you found yourself on the Internet plodding through an endless maze of “opportunity” after “opportunity” only to find yourself confused or disillusioned? You are not alone! Instances like these and thousands like them have left business owners, large and small, feeling disengaged and scrambling to find the next “new” way to do business— hungering for more but not really knowing what “more” looks like. I’ve got a secret for you… that “new” way to do business is an old one and you don’t have to travel beyond your front door.

Do You Need a Business Broker to Sell Your Business?

So often Business owners think that they are able to sell their business and actually make more money! Mainly because they think they are eluding paying a commission. Reality is like the saying goes, that they are "cutting off their nose to spite their face." Most Business owners have a very small sample of buyers. This means that the buyer that they find is only bidding against themselves. How could a business owners think that they would get the best possible price and terms for their business. After years of putting blood sweat and tears into the business don't throw everything away just to save a few pennies on the dollar.

Overcoming People Problems In Your Business
I recently met up with a friend of mine who was telling me how little time he had working on his business due to the people problems he was constantly experiencing. ..... He always complains to me that if he could run his business on his own, he would. Unfortunately this is not a reality so he constantly wastes at least 50% of his working week trying to overcome staff issues.

The Stupid Mistakes Disorganised Business Owners Make

Did you know that 60-90% of all doctor visits are for stress-related illnesses? Stress is costly in terms of your health, relationships and performance. When you're affected by too much stress your body wears down and you get sick. Highly disorganised people seem to be more susceptible to sickness as they are always under extreme pressure, running from one disaster to another. What many business owners fail to realise is they constantly repeat the same stupid mistakes by not addressing the fundamental issues that are the cause of their problems and guess what that is? Their own personal disorganisation.

How to Overcome the Pressures of Running Your Own Business
Whoever thinks that running your own business is a breeze, obviously has never had one. There are so many areas you need to get right otherwise your business could end up disintegrating along with everything else in your life.

7 Keys to Successfully Work From Home
Increasing workloads are forcing people to spend more time in the office, even when the office is at home. This means that many parents are unable to stay involved in their children's lives as they develop, and are becoming mere spectators instead of loving role models. The result is an undermining of their relationships, higher stress levels, a lack of balance and a generally unfulfilled life.

How To Get More Done By Sleeping
..... Having enough quality sleep is vital if you want to stay alert and be more productive. ..... How often do you avoid the warning signs of fatigue and force yourself to carry on working yet not achieve much at all?

Retail Product Launches - Using Free Product Giveaways As A Component
One major aspect of a successful business is its ability to utilize various successful marketing methods to help drive sales. One of those methods is freebie marketing. There are several reasons why business owners should use freebie marketing in their overall marketing strategy.

CPG Marketing - The Freebies Marketing Component

When planning a CPG marketing campaign, several components must be considered. There are many great ways to market CPGs, such as product display, scent marketing and freebie marketing. While these methods, and others, are effective, business owners may have to pick what methods are the most effective, especially if they are operating on a tight budget. However, some CPG marketing methods are free, like visual displays and employee pitches.

CPG Marketing with Free Sample Giveaways
Simple marketing methods effectively further business goals. One simple marketing method that has been used for years by business owners is free samples, also known as freebie marketing or sample product marketing. There are several reasons why free samples attract such a large customer base and helps build on it.

Does Size Matter? (When selling a Business?)
When you make the decision to sell... Often times there is a question that arises once you begin the process that many business owners do not have before they started. Does it matter what size the business brokerage (M&A) firm is that I hire to sell my business? This article gives the positives and negatives of big and small business brokerage firms.

Annual Government Filings & Minutes - Corporate Maintenance and Compliance

Many new business owners are unaware of the important obligations that must be upheld AFTER they have formed a new business entity. All too often there are accounts of entrepreneurs starting a business, incorporating that business, then failing to comply with various government imposed formalities and filings. There are many ongoing government requirements that small business owners need to comply with, namely: annual government reports/returns and fees, notice of a name change, notices of change of registered office, directors and in certain jurisdictions, their shareholders. These forms are different than tax related forms such as tax returns, GST/PST filings and payroll deductions.

Consistency Saves You Time and Makes You More Profitable

Most business owners and entrepreneurs always complain "I don't have the time" or "I'm too busy''. Unfortunately they are chewing up their time with unproductive tasks and need to 'let go' of activities which fill their day and provide minimal results. By getting organised and planning your time wisely to incorporate important activities like staying in contact with your database consistently, you'll be more profitable without working any harder.

Five Things Every Business Owner Must Know About Google
Google is still one of the biggest drivers of business online. Getting that number one ranking is a goal for many business owners. How do you get to the top of the search results? Here are five things I’ve learned in my 11 years of working with clients that I feel business owners need to understand about how Google rankings work.

What does 2008 have in store for small businesses?
What does 2008 have in store for small businesses? Helen Dowling from Exceptional Thinking has a look at this topical issue.

Grow Your Facebook Fan Page With Free Samples

Business owners may wince at the word "free" when it comes to their products, but giving away freebies or discounts is a great way to introduce your product to new buyers and encourage more sales. Studies have shown that users of the popular social networking website Facebook are much more likely to "like" a Facebook page if the company offers special freebies and discounts to its fans. By generating more and more fans, businesses can increase their overall visibility on a larger scale. For example, when a person "likes" a product on Facebook, this activity is posted on their profile for the rest of their friends to see. Considering the fact that the average Facebook account holder has about 500 friends, this can dramatically spread the message of your company while also increasing its credibility.

Eight Questions to Ask Before Jumping into a Business Opportunity
This article explains why many entrepreneurs fail to separate facts from myths in their business and offers eight questions to ask before entering into any business opportunity.

The Importance of Risk Management for Business Owners
The most successful business owners have an innate understanding of risk and how to manage it. This article evaluates four different businesses in the context of risk to draw lessons about effective risk management.

Eleven Ways to Generate Leverage from Your Business

Too many businesses – even fairly large ones -- are more like mom and pop entities that take too much time to run, barely make a profit after factoring in the owners’ time, and aren’t worth much on sale. Business owners need to develop sources of leverage so that their business runs without them. That way, work becomes more enjoyable and the business becomes more valuable. This article describes eleven ways that business owners can generate leverage in their business.

Is A Work From Home Franchise Business Right For You?

If you’re interested in opening your own business, you should definitely consider the potential rewards of a business that would allow you to work from home. A home based business offers an amazing level of autonomy, and there are a surprising number of work at home franchise opportunities. In this article we will discuss some of the pros and cons of working from home as well as some of the available home based business franchises.

Time For Your Check-Up!

If you care about your health, most likely you see your physician for a check-up, at least once per year. As your coach (well, at least through my writings), I’d like to complete a goal check-up with you today. If you are like most business owners, you set some sort of 2011 goals for your business, either in late 2010 or in January of 2011. Unfortunately, if you are like most, you also haven’t paid attention to those goals much.

The 4 Cornerstones of A Successful Home-Based Business
Success in home business is built on four important cornerstones. Learn what they are, commit to dedicating time and effort to each, and create a home-based business that gives you the happiness, health and wealth you’re looking for.

Niche Marketing Fears & Reasons For Those Fears From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

There are so many businesses that are on what I would characterize as a treadmill with their marketing. They are focusing too much of their time, money and other resources on “chasing” new customers and clients with a broad “shotgun” approach. Some of the leaders of these businesses I honestly believe have never met an opportunity they did not want to “chase,” even though the opportunity represents a 0% chance for success and a 100% chance for a waste of resources. Strategic thinking applied to marketing will lead us to make a strong case for niche marketing. There are many business owners and marketing people who fear niche marketing. Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach offers a list of ten (10) major fears of niche marketing and the reasons behind those fears.

Business Coaching As A Valuable Asset For You and Your Business

The challenges facing business owners and senior mangers seem to get more complex each year. And these challenges call for additional resources and tools to deal with the challenges and to take advantage of the opportunities that lie within each challenge. One of the most valuable assets for business owners and their management team members is the strategic thinking, strategic planning and independent, unemotional and unbiased outside advice from a strategic thinking business coach. A business coach in today's business world can be a very valuable asset for business owners.

Delegate Successfully - The Four Level Rule
# Delegation is a subtle, yet vital art in business. It can work for you - but only if you use it well. And use it for the benefit of all involved. There is a vital 'ground rule' that you must accommodate. And that's around a clear 'level of authority' to act...

Professional SEO Companies: When's The Time To Hire Them?
The process of Search engine optimization (SEO) can at times be very tough, particularly if you do not have the enough knowledge, understanding and abilities that are needed in making use of it in order to make your online business successful.

Marketing Home Business More Than Handing Out Cards
For new business owners, having customers find you can be one of the many challenges in getting your business off the ground. While many believe that the internet is the best way to gain market exposure, if your business is focused on one specific geographic area, going online can be unproductive...

Is Marketing On Multiple Levels Right For You
The mere mention of multilevel marketing instantly turns some people deaf to any further discussion as they are reminded of the infamous Ponzi or pyramid schemes of the mid-20th century. With the age of computers and low employment options, multilevel marketing programs often target those looking for work from home opportunities...

Time Management for Successful Entrepreneurs

Time is an investment. There is no more to be found. No one has more than you and no one gets less. Every person is given 24 hours a day to do with what they desire. How they invest and leverage their time is the secret to successful life and professional organization. That said, I have identified four common challenges that entrepreneurs and business owners face in this goal of time management and will present solutions for achieving peace and success in this area.

I Want to Take My Business to the Next Level

If you are currently a business owner and thinking about taking the next step, franchising your business; you may want to take a close look at franchising. Franchising can make businesses very successful. Many business owners ask themselves what is the next step, business owners only ask this question when they are operating a moderate to highly successful venture. You may also feel that franchising is the natural expansion for business owners.

Considering selling your business? Here are a few things to consider

When selling a business it is important to not get side tracked. Often times business owners look for the wrong things in a business broker when trying to decide on one. From the business broker that will give them the \"highest price\" to the a business broker that has MBA\'s and fancy initials. While this is important don\'t be fooled. There is not a degree that will make you a successful business broker.

How to Enroll clients into $125K Coaching Program
Do people really pay $125K for a coaching program? The answer is YES! Most entrepreneurs market their higher cost products the most, hoping their clients and customers will start at the top and then make the smaller purchases later. Have you considered turning this approach up side down?

10 Surefire Steps to Creating Your Own Prosperous Economy

During this alleged and perceived downturn, there is a much more significant resistance amongst peers, business associates, and fellow entrepreneurs. They aren’t participating in the bad news, but are creating their own economies. Business owners and entrepreneurs have learned how to weather the storms; know the keys to capitalizing in a downturn; and get the secret to succeeding where others will fail.

How Business Owners Should Choose a Financial Planner That Will Protect Their Money & Their Future
Here is a guide and checklist of things to consider before you hire your next financial planner that meets your family's needs and goals...

Health & Business Performance
So if like me; you live and breathe for your businesses and aim to make them as successful and as profitable as possible then you need to continue to breath life into your business, you need to be healthy, strong, adaptable and full of vitality to ensure you and your business not only survives but succeeds.

The Perfect Work At Home Business Opportunity
The perfect work at home business opportunity is something different different for everyone. Discover what you are good at and build a business around that.

YOU Are Your Businesses Greatest Asset:

Whether you're in the early stages of creating a business or have been in business for a decade, it's a good idea to revisit the basics and make sure you have a strong personal foundation for your business to thrive upon. It doesn't matter how good your products or services are if you don't stay in good shape, mentally, emotionally and physically eventually, you're out of business. Statistics tell us that most small businesses fail in the first 5 years due to lack of capital. While this is true, in my experience the other reason businesses fail is from owner burnout!

What's YOUR Bottom Line?

"It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing." Mother Teresa Business owners are trained to gauge the success of their business according to the health of their "bottom line" - that is - the last line on a profit and loss statement that tells you what remains (if anything) after all your costs of doing business. This makes perfect sense - if you don't show a profit, you don't stay in business.

Empathy for Your Clients is Key in Communication
Communicating with your clients begins with learning how to do one skills well: empathize. Empathy says, “I feel your pain.” We want others to “get” us in a way that understanding alone cannot bring about. Do you know the top six ways to develop your empathy skills? Read on for details.

10 Ways to Build a Referral-Only Business In Less Than Ten Minutes a Day
While most businesses are spending enormous amounts in an effort to attract new customers, a select few use a strategy that has virtually eliminated the need for marketing. Building a business on referrals isn’t costly or time-consuming once you know the secret.

Work At Home Internet Businesses: Name No-No’s
Whether your business is a work at home Internet business or staffs several hundred in a downtown skyscraper you’re going to be online to succeed, and you’re going to have to come up with a good business name and a good domain name. Here are some things to avoid in naming your work at home online business prior to setting up your Internet site...

Ten Symptoms Of A Business Relationship Problem According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Successful business owners and managers do not take anything for granted and do not take anything at face value. Very successful business owners and managers are trained to look beyond the obvious in search of the real issues and the root causes of those issues. Looking at the health of your business relationships with your clients and customers requires this type of investigation. It is difficult to know if a client or customer loves you and your work or if they are ready to kick you out the door real soon. Sometimes the communications with your clients and customers about your relationship are subtle, while other times they are loud and clear. Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach offers ten (10) symptoms to look for that may mean you have a business relationship problem developing.

Keywords are the KEY to SEO
Search engine optimization will help increase the traffic generated by your business' website or Web page by ranking high on search engine results, and one way that this can be achieved is through the use of appropriate keywords in describing content to your website or Web page.

Entrepreneurial Determination
How do business owners cope with the ideas that are in their heads, and not become overwhelmed by the enormity of it all? There are a few common traits amongst those businesses and business franchises that have achieved a certain level of success.

Entrepreneurial Determination
How do business owners cope with the ideas that are in their heads, and not become overwhelmed by the enormity of it all? There are a few common traits amongst those businesses and business franchises that have achieved a certain level of success.

Execute Your Business Idea
Are you self-driven and knowledgeable? Have you ever thought of owning a business? I am sure that you have, most Americans have thought about owning a business. I am going to outline a few ideas and objectives, which you might want to consider when going into business for yourself.

Small Business Consulting
a discussion of the problems facing small business owners with regard to the difficulty they face in realizing the need for professional management consulting assistance.

Small Business Consulting
a discussion of the problems facing small business owners with regard to the difficulty they face in realizing the need for professional management consulting assistance.

Ten Major Reasons Why You Are Not Getting Referrals According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach strongly recommends that all business owners (especially small business owners) develop a strategic referral plan. The power of word of mouth is very strong. Prospects re relying upon the personal referral and testimonials of people they know and trust to help them make their decisions. Positive word of mouth can come in the form of a referral, a testimonial, or both. To distinguish between them, Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach defines referrals as specific names of people you receive or personal introductions made on your behalf. Testimonials are written or verbal communications that convey the confidence people have in you. If you are not getting referrals, Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach offers ten major reasons why that may be true.

Retail The Customer Centric Business
The 3 keys to retail business success!

Watch Your Business Expenses (Self-Employed)
Don't get carried away with business expense deductions. You want to keep your business afloat.

Ending poverty means abandoning charity and accepting reality
Benin Mwangi, who blogs about doing business in Africa, asked me recently: "should the discussion be about how to get the informal sector to become part of the formal sector or should it be how to cater to the informal sector?" This in an excursion into the morass of African poverty and development. The short answer is: neither; ending poverty has nothing to do with the informal sector.

Effective Lead Generation Tactics From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

A key element of a strategic marketing plan is the generation of qualified leads. No matter what type of business you have, there is the need to generate quality leads. The challenge for many businesses owners (and especially small business owners) is that they are unaware of how to generate those quality leads for their businesses that will result in clients and customers. Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach believes that generating quality leads involves the use or a combination of art and science and that it requires strategic thinking. There are many different ways or tactics that can be used to generate quality leads for your business. Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach offers the following list of twenty (20) effective lead generation tactics that businesses can use to generate quality leads in an effective manner.

Ten Deadly Succession Planning Mistakes To Avoid, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach strongly recommends that all business owners (especially small business owners) develop succession plans. And to develop them now, rather than later. Succession planning is very important to the long-term success of any business. Leadership transitions in business affect the entire organization’s continuity, employee retention, client retention and returns on investment. It is essential to create and implement a process that creates visibility, accountability and greater integration of all facets of the business. Too often, mistakes are made in succession planning efforts. Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach offers the following list of ten (10) deadly succession planning mistakes that small businesses make and that you should avoid. The ten (10) deadly mistakes are:

Work At Home Online Business FAQs
Do you have questions about working at home online or about starting a work at home online business? This article, which is based on queries and questions received from recent website visitors, may contain the answers you are looking for.

Proven Ways To Attract Targeted Website Visitors To A Home Based Online Business
We know that lots of traffic is the life blood of an online business but the quality of that traffic is vitally important. These proven traffic generating methods will continue to attract targeted website visitors to your home based online business for months if not years to come.

Free Advertising

Advertising your company is all about convincing consumers that your product has a benefit that will enrich their lives or solve one of their perceived problems. It can’t just communicate your product’s benefits. Instead, those benefits must be directly relevant to your consumers. But, how do you go about doing that in a way that doesn’t wind up costing you an arm and a leg? Is there a way to engage in free advertising or launching promotions that are both effective and within your budget? Yes, there is. Read on to find out how.

Is Perfection Hurting Your Home-Based Business?
Is perfection a good thing. Of course – but like too much of a good thing, it can also be harmful and actually hurt your chances of business success. Here's how …

Keep Your Eyes On The Horizon, But Leave The Back Door Open
Setting your sights on your goals and keeping them there is necessary to your success at home-based business. But even though you’re taught to focus on the vision in front of you, there’s something to be said about keeping that back door open.

Turnkey Business Opportunities Versus Franchises
What Exactly is the Difference Between a Traditional Franchise and a Turnkey Business?

Teleseminars Five Tips For Getting Your Moneys Worth
More and more experts and authors are offering teleseminars on topics such as business, marketing, advertising and more. Many of these subjects are of interest, but can we as business owners really learn enough to make it worth the time and expense? In short, yes. However, there are a few important steps you should take when attending a teleseminar.

9 Things Business Owners Must Know Before Seeking Capital
Business owners are always seeking ways to improve their business. These improvements can include updating equipment, hiring new staff, developing a better marketing strategy or figuring out how to improve cash flow. When cash is not flowing effectively, a business owner must take any and all necessary steps that can and will lead to financial growth.

7 Step Action Plan to Develope Your Small Business
Providing clear direction to your energy for promoting your business is vital to set yourself up for the coming year. This 7 step action plan for developing your business will help set you on the right path for your business development this year.

Are You Sabotaging Your SEO Success?
Watch for the hidden SEO dangers that no one else is talking about, that you MUST learn about.

Ten Top Tips For Staff Inspiration From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Do you have a happy and highly inspired staff in your business? Have you made a commitment to create an enjoyable and productive environment at work? If you answered NO to either of these questions, then it is time to wake up and learn some tips about how to inspire your workforce and to keep them happy. If you want to attract and retain valuable employees, then you must recognize the need to make your place of business a better, more enjoyable place to work. So what can business owners and their management teams do to keep the staff motivated and happy and achieve a better and more enjoyable place to work? Here are ten (10) top tips from your strategic thinking business coach to help you.

Strategic Thinking For Business Owners For Successful Retirement, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Small business owners know that running a small business requires constant attention. They tend to work “in their business” rather than work “on their business.” So, it should be no surprise that too many entrepreneurs and small business owners put their own financial planning squarely at the bottom of their “TO DO” lists. A survey conducted by Harris Interactive for ShareBuilder indicated that 47% of small business owners are not confident that they are prepared for retirement. The survey also shows that 60% of the business owners surveyed have NO PLANS to sell their business to help fund their retirement – but for other owners, such a sale can be a crucial part of a successful retirement plan. Here a list of actions to consider when developing your strategic retirement plan as a business owner.

Make Time For Your Life Before it's Too Late
It’s amazing to see so many people who are prepared to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their business. I’m sure you know of someone like that. They get up at the crack of dawn, drag their weary bodies out of the house and head off for another rollercoaster ride at work. Ten or twelve hours later they head home totally exhausted with all their energy sapped from their body.

You Cannot Afford to Take Your Eye Off the Ball When Managing People

Many business owners and managers will often say their personal assistant is invaluable to them yet they often treat them as if they're not. Day after day, week after week the P.A. is in the office, slogging away making sure the work gets done. In many instances it is the P.A. that holds the business together. That's scary isn't it? In my own experiences if it wasn't for the P.A., there would be no way I would do business with the company.

You Cannot Afford to Take Your Eye Off the Ball When Managing People

You are the Secret to Your Success
You are the Secret to Your Success, so do everything within your power to invest in yourself.

You are the Secret to Your Success
You are the Secret to Your Success, so do everything within your power to invest in yourself.

How To Know When To Fire A Client Or Customer, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

One of the things business owners dread most is firing an employee. Well, there is another dread of business owners that is similar to that and it is the firing of a client or customer. The issue of firing a client or customer, or in other words ”letting go of a client or customer, is a real issue faced by all business owners. And I know from first hand experience that this is true. In my 25 years of business, I have “fired” clients and I have learned the strategic value of doing so. I have realized that not every client is the right or ideal client for me and that I have tried to become much more strategic in prospecting for and selecting my clients. Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach has developed a list of twelve (12) signals that will let you know that it is time to fire the client or customer and they are:

Strategic Tips To Entrepreneurs When Considering Becoming A Franchisee, From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Many of today’s business owners are entrepreneurs and many of those entrepreneurs are franchisees. Many of these franchisees are very pleased with their experience and results, but too many others have become victims of the dynamics and realities of franchising. Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach researched the issue and found ten (10) strategic tips to share with entrepreneurs who have decided to become franchisees.

Monkey Management: 3 Simple Solutions to Reclaim Your Time, Focus, and Sanity
Do you ever feel like you are carrying the weight of a thousand people on your back? Somehow no matter how good you think you are at delegating it still feels like you have a thousand things to do. It’s a feeling many entrepreneurs, managers and business owners have. William Oncken, author of Management Time: Who's Got the Monkey, calls it “the monkey on your back.”

Well Designed Website
In order for search engines to properly view your site, your site has to be designed in a way where search engines can crawl through the code and get the correct information you are trying to show. The way your site is constructed is important, because the layout and the design of different elements tell search engines different things and gives importance to one set of words versus others.

SEO and the Entrepreneur
I wanted to write my first article for EvanCarmichael.com from the perspective of both a search engine optimization professional and an entrepreneur. When I was invited to write for the site and the community of entrepreneurs, I came to visit the site and my hero or role model in the business world was in the flash header for the site. He is Richard Branson.

SEO and the Entrepreneur
I wanted to write my first article for EvanCarmichael.com from the perspective of both a search engine optimization professional and an entrepreneur. When I was invited to write for the site and the community of entrepreneurs, I came to visit the site and my hero or role model in the business world was in the flash header for the site. He is Richard Branson.

SEO Education Why and How To Optimize
Our aim is to educate our customers why successfully optimizing your site as well as your pay per click campaign. Understanding why optimization is important and the steps to ensure a successful campaign will ultimately lead to more leads and a better ROI.

SEO Education Why and How To Optimize
Our aim is to educate our customers why successfully optimizing your site as well as your pay per click campaign. Understanding why optimization is important and the steps to ensure a successful campaign will ultimately lead to more leads and a better ROI.

A Strategic Look At Why You Should Develop A Business Exit Strategy Now!

Do you have an exit strategy for your business? I ask many prospective clients that question and find that too many do not have an exit strategy or plan; others have one that is not adequately funded or has no risk management built into the plan; or they have thought about it but never did anything about it. Michael Gerber, in his E-Myth books tells us that we create a business to sell it> Otherwise, we own a job not a business. So, I would say that whenever you create a business or something else that's interesting and useful, you create something that's worth selling. And subsequently, when you're thinking of selling a business, which is very important to you and your future well being, then it's critical to have a well-developed plan firmly in place. I have found that all strategic exit plans should identify the following:

The Lack of Basic SEO Components in Many Small Business Web sites
While professionals in some industries like Real Estate, Insurance, and Electronics have embraced Search Engine Optimization (or SEO) to market their business, many small business owners have never even heard of SEO.

Uh-Oh Marketing

“Uh-oh” is the repetitive expletive that carries with it the foreboding, stomach wrenching realization that something is wrong. “Oh-oh” - the sound of doom. All of us have been known to utter instantaneous expletives (usually four letters like “darn!” or “crap!”) immediately as something negative unexpectedly happens. But the term “uh-oh” usually follows the thoughtful and longer term realization that something is just not right.

What is the FUEL behind SUCCESS?
The same holds true about business. In the beginning – and the beginning can be as long as 3 to 10 years depending on the type of business or the speed at which you build it – there is a tremendous amount of energy that we need to put behind the ‘launch’ until we are able to position the business and have enough clients to support us financially.

Make more money, have less stress and get more time off! Really?

It's a common issue facing many small businesses. There never appears to be enough time in a day to get everything done. What does get done are the things that cry for attention - and often those things are crisis'. So instead of working towards a goal for the day or week - the business owners spend time responding to crisis' that have presented themselves because simple tasks and issues were not dealt with in a timely manner! (crisis can be anything that demands immediate attention; answering the phone, fixing a problem, last minute deadlines etc)

The Small Business Administration and Your Business

The Wall Street Journal article headline read: “Should the Small Business Administration Be Abolished?” The internet buzz is swirling with conjecture. There is, of course, no concrete evidence to this and organizations such as WIPP (Women Impacting Public Policy) are against the Small Business Administration (SBA) closing. This action would devastate many local programs supported by this government agency in many areas of the country.

The Biggest Mistake Depressed Business Owners Make And How To Avoid It
When I ask depressed business owners how their business is doing, I get one of these answers: Business is going well and I am successful. As it is hectic, I get too tired and feel like a depressed business owner. Even though I started my business with great inspiration, as my health is not in good shape, I am losing the inspiration that I initially had.

Take A Look At The Top 10 Internet Franchises And Realize Your Potential To Work From Home
Almost half of the nation’s business owners work from home, according to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2002. Moreover, internet franchises offer not only the benefits of working from home, but also the opportunity to communicate with the click of a mouse.

Too Little, Too Late, Too Busy... how to avoid marketing stress
You know what creates stress for most people? When it comes to marketing their business many people find they have to: * Make decisions without having the facts required. * Risk wasting money on tactics they don’t fully understand. * Find time to weigh up the best choices. ...all at very short notice. No wonder they find marketing stressful!

Web Site Content That Works
Figuring out what to say on your Web site can be a challenge sometimes, but it's extremely important.

The Big Advantages of Small Business
Every business needs to grow to be healthy. Small business has been accurately referred to as the backbone of the economy. Although this is true, perhaps you could benefit from a renewed appreciation of how much being a small business works in your favor.

Why Business Owners Work So Hard and Why They Shoudnt
Most business owners are well aware of the fact that they can’t take a holiday, or in many cases even a day off sick. They are very aware that in fact they ARE their business, and without them, there is no business. And they are very aware that every other area of their life is missing out, including their partners and family.

How John Got a Seachange for His Business And How You Can Too
Like a lot of people in small business today, John worked long hours. He was "hands on" and very much a vital part of producing the service his business provided. His most pressing problem, he thought, was "time". He couldn't have been more wrong .....

Are You Making These 11 Common Business Owner Mistakes
Even big businesses fail frequently. The following are common mistakes made by most business owners, large and small, which can lead to business failure if left unchecked.

Are You Making These 5 Common Pay-Per-Click Mistakes in Your Small Business?
Pay-Per-Click (PPC) is probably the greatest breakthrough to come along in advertising since the launch of television. It’s much more affordable for the small to mid-size business owner to leverage for their business. That being said, PPC is not as easy as it seems at first glance.

Are You Making These 5 Common Pay-Per-Click Mistakes in Your Small Business?
Pay-Per-Click (PPC) is probably the greatest breakthrough to come along in advertising since the launch of television. It’s much more affordable for the small to mid-size business owner to leverage for their business. That being said, PPC is not as easy as it seems at first glance.

Ten Major Mistakes To Avoid In Your Web Site Design

Business web sites are very effective business tools if they are planned and designed carefully and strategically. Too many times business owners become fascinated with all the “technological gimmicks” and forget about the content and the ease of use of the visitor to the web site. Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach wants to encourage all businesses with web sites to avoid some major mistakes and offers the following list of ten major mistakes to avoid in the design of your web site.

Don't Let That Fish Off The Hook - The Key To Converting Incoming Sales Enquiries!

It’s the dream scenario for business owners and sales people everywhere… Receiving a phone call from a hot prospect ready to give you the biggest order in your company’s history! The ultimate goal of most businesses is to get to the stage where customers are ringing them for business, and not the other way round. But all too often, when we do start receiving those sales enquiries, we fail to capitalise on them and let what should be easy business, slip through our fingers...

Think Like Your Customers To Increase Sales
One of the most well known pieces of advice in selling is that customers buy benefits, not features. Yet for all the talk, it’s unbelievable how many sales people and business owners let themselves and their fantastic products and services down by ignoring this simple rule...

Identifying Symptoms and Cures For The Problem of Politics In Your Business

A business savvy person already knows that “politics” is not limited to governmental organizations. Unfortunately, there is “company or corporate politics” that exist and create issues that cause problems, deteriorate a positive company culture and impede productivity. Business owners, executives and managers must be astute enough to recognize this when it happens and to be vigilant enough to address and resolve the “political” problems before they get out of control. Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach Here offers some insight into identifying nine symptoms and proposed cures for resolving the “political problems” in your business or organization.

Your Focus can Make or Break a Million Dollar Opportunity: A “Real Life” Story
Sometimes you don’t have to focus so much on solving problems. Use your creative energy to create opportunities that are bigger than any of your problems.

How to Combat a Slow Economy
Don't join the ranks of miserable complainers. Instead, use this time to improve your networking skills.

How to Combat a Slow Economy
Don't join the ranks of miserable complainers. Instead, use this time to improve your networking skills.

Do You See Through Your Client's Eyes?
It’s a big shock to realize that no one really cares about your business, at least in the beginning of the process. What people do care about, and want to know, is what your business can do for them.

Tracking Income From Referral Marketing
Before you can gauge the success of your networking program, you need to set goals.

Investing in Your Social Capital
It pays to take advantage of knowledge and relationships when building your business--and your bottom line.

How to Rope In Customers with Your Small Business Advertising
It never ceases to amaze me how much I learn from the mistakes of my small business clients. I’ve made some amazing ones myself and I’ve learned from them too. Making mistakes is part of the creative process of running a small business and we’re all entitled to make some!

10 Costly Mistakes To Avoid In Running Your Own Business
Are you a small business owner who is involved in every aspect of your business from being the bookkeeper, marketer, human resources manager, mediator, customer liaison officer and cleaner?

What is the Cost of Not Having a Strategic Plan
Strategic planning is a necessary element for business success. What is the cost to your business by not having a strategic plan?

Who Joins a Word of Mouth Marketing Group
Recently my Word-of-Mouth Marketing company, BNI, cooperated with Steve Brewer, a graduate student from St. Thomas University in the United States, as part of his Masters Thesis in Marketing. As a result of this research, we have acquired an interesting picture of the type of business person/entrepreneur who joins a word-of-mouth marketing group.

Who Joins a Word of Mouth Marketing Group
Recently my Word-of-Mouth Marketing company, BNI, cooperated with Steve Brewer, a graduate student from St. Thomas University in the United States, as part of his Masters Thesis in Marketing. As a result of this research, we have acquired an interesting picture of the type of business person/entrepreneur who joins a word-of-mouth marketing group.

Engage Your Staff in The Word of Mouth Process
From time-to-time, business owners ask me how to get their staff members to buy into word-of-mouth marketing as a way to grow their business. I find that many times business owners don’t even consider asking their staff to cultivate strong word of mouth for the company

Engage Your Staff in The Word of Mouth Process
From time-to-time, business owners ask me how to get their staff members to buy into word-of-mouth marketing as a way to grow their business. I find that many times business owners don’t even consider asking their staff to cultivate strong word of mouth for the company

Networking Trends Education and Technology Are Key
There are several emerging issues and trends surrounding the process of networking that are being created out of the need to find an effective way to develop business for entrepreneurs and salespeople in this new century. I’ll address three of the most prominent trends that I believe will become more important in the coming years.

Networking Trends Education and Technology Are Key
There are several emerging issues and trends surrounding the process of networking that are being created out of the need to find an effective way to develop business for entrepreneurs and salespeople in this new century. I’ll address three of the most prominent trends that I believe will become more important in the coming years.

Three Questions to Increase Sales to Improve Your Business Results and Business Success
If you could only ask 3 questions to improve your business results, what would they be?

Business Coach Shows Business Owners How To 'Let-Go' Of Their Business - And Let Their Employees Run It
Business coach. In this article I explain several concepts that will help you, the business owner, 'let-go' of certain jobs so that you can let your employees run your business.

Why Use a Business Coach for Business Development?
As business owners and managers we find ourselves thrust into our position through what is commonly referred to as “Promotion into Incompetence”. We move up through the ranks or start our own businesses based on our technical skills. Little consideration is given to the actual (non technical) skills and mindset required to manage people and run a business effectively.

How Much Will it Cost to Get More Traffic to My Website?
Small business owners just want their websites to DO something other than prettify their computer screens. So, they shop the web for a marketing expert, an "affordable" marketing expert who will dish out rankings like chowder at a soup kitchen.

Expert Business Coach Shows How To Work On Your People
Business coach. As a business coach I show business owners how to grow their business. In this article I explain what the business owner ‘works’ on – when they have employees.

Expert Business Coach Explains That Multi-Millionaire Business Owners Make Their Business Work – So They Don’t Have To.
Business coach. As a business coach I show business owners how grow their business. In this article I show you how Multi-millionaire business owners make their business work – so they don’t have to.

Top Business Coach Teaches You How To Plan Your Growth
Business coach. As a business coach I show business owners how to grow their business. In this article I show you how super successful business owners plan their business growth by preparing months, quarters and even years in advance.

Top Business Coach Teaches You How To Plan Your Growth
Business coach. As a business coach I show business owners how to grow their business. In this article I show you how super successful business owners plan their business growth by preparing months, quarters and even years in advance.

The Credibility Factor
If you want to increase your value...increase your credibility.

Reciprocity in Joint Ventures
The best and most effective way to induce, persuade and ethically bribe people to mention your name, work with you and refer loads of business to you and the ideal way to differentiate yourself in the market and create top-of-mind awareness, is to create unprecedented, massive reciprocity. Here’s the magic key to opening that profitable floodgate.

Improving the Health and Safety of Your Small Business
Despite workplace fatalities and injuries now at an all-time low, health and safety experts contend that the majority of small businesses still face significant problems in these areas.

Embezzlement: Beware of an Inside Job
Many small businesses have been victims of embezzlement by one of its key employees but perhaps what’s even more disturbing than those crimes is that embezzlers caught with their hands in the till typically aren’t prosecuted. Instead they are fired and end up surfacing at another business where the cycle perpetuates itself.

Delegationg...a Key to Your Success
The Art of Delegation… Delegation is a necessary, if often difficult skill. This is a fact I am reminded of almost daily as I work with business owners, managers and entrepreneurs.

Plugging Up Revenue Leaks

If you are like 97% of other business owners, your business is probably “leaking”. Not leaking water or fluids. But rather leaking REVENUES”. That is, your business is gaining revenues in the front end AND losing them in the back end. Regardless of whether your leak is a small crack or a gaping hole, it is costing your business revenues. Learn the simple solution to plugging up the strategic leak in your business and realizing a 100%, 200%, even 500% increase on revenues ... without spending a dime.

Winning the Success Race

Do you know what ***really*** differentiates the winners from the losers in this metaphorical race we call “business success”? Intelligence? Money? Luck? Influence? Is it ...? These assets can certainly enhance your success. Yet there is still one secret ingredient ... beyond all else ... that can and will determine whether you win or lose in the business world. Read this article and learn what that one secret ingredient is.

Stop Selling Start Positioning How Marketing Pros Thrive in the Best and Worst of Times

If you are like me, you have taken a zillion sales seminars ... learned all the “secret techniques” ... listened to all the motivational tapes of top salespeople (like Tom Hopkins) ... rehearsed your phone script with a mirror in front of you, and the bottomline is “You still hate sales”! I have been a highly successful business owner for 21 years and have NEVER gotten any business through “selling.” Read this article and learn my secret to thriving in business for the last 2 decades.

Business Plan Samples
Business Plan Samples

Strategic Planning What is your Businesses Reason for Existence

As business owners and managers we are quite often caught up in the day to day work of running our businesses, dealing with clients, managing staff, developing new products and more often than not fixing problems. After all of this “work” is done there is no time left (or more importantly no energy left) to spend on what I consider to be the most important work that we face as business owners and managers, Business Development. It is no wonder that the average business struggles to reach the size, profitability and success that urged the founder to start it in the first place. What can you do to ensure that your business remains focused?

Lessons Learned From Strategic Marketing From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Businesses need to be strategic! There are too many businesses that fail to recognize the value of being strategic in their thinking and planning and have limited themselves to less than optimum results. Today, I want to present some thoughts about strategic marketing plans. I continue to be amazed at how many businesses have no marketing plan at all, let alone a strategic marketing plan. The truth is that the only marketing plan some businesses have is one on “the seat of their pants.” Over the many years of working with business owners, their management teams and employees, there have been many opportunities to experience and capture the “lessons learned” from heir endeavors. In this article your strategic thinking business coach wants to share some of the “lessons learned” from strategic marketing.

Choosing your premises
When it comes to choosing premises for your business, it's a balancing act. You'll have to satisfy the needs of your business, your employees, your customers and your business associates. And yourself of course.

Questions to Ask a Franchisor When Buying a Franchise

So buying into a franchise system seems to make a lot of sense for those who want to be in business for themselves but not by themselves. But how do you know what questions to ask franchisors as they present their franchise system to you with the ultimate goal of asking you for a commitment to join? These questions are a start and the franchisors' willingness to answer them should help you gauge their sincerity.

The Difference Between Strategic Tactical and Why Business Owners Need To Know The Difference According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Has anyone ever told you that you need to become more strategic and less tactical in your business? Do you know the differentce between strategic and tactical? Are you confused about what is strategic and what is tactical? Based upon observations of business owners and their management teams for the past three decades, I believe there are many confused, misinformed, and/or uneducated people on the differentiation of strategic and tactical. So, let your strategic thinking business coach offer some assistance to eliminate the confusion and correctly inform and educate the reader in this matter.

The Difference Between Strategic Tactical and Why Business Owners Need To Know The Difference According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Strategic Thinking – A Wise Business Investment, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Strategic thinking is critical to the long-term success of businesses today. Yet, there are too many businesses that fail to invest time, money and human capital into planning for the future. So many businesses are concentrating only on the day-to-day activities in their business and are failing to create or remember a vision for the future. Some businesses work diligently to create strategic plans, business plans, integrated marketing communications plans, etc. only to leave these plans dormant on some shelf. They fail to remember that these plans are living documents, which warrant follow-through, review and updates. Businesses need to commit to spend more time spent on strategy on a regular basis. Here are ten (10) tips from your strategic thinking business coach to help make the best use of time for strategic thinking.

Strategic Thinking – A Wise Business Investment, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Business Start-up - Don’t Make a False Start.

Business success, in many cases, is dependant on the start that the business gets. For this reason it is critical not to make a false start in a business start up and then suffer the consequences. Unfortunately many business owners do not have the right mind set when preparing to start a business and believe that a good idea and a small amount of research is all that is required to get a business off the ground.

Business Start-up - Don’t Make a False Start.

The Dark Side of Goal Achievement: Where's the Tipping Point
Despite its many benefits, goal achievement does have a "dark side." Where's the tipping point? Read this article and learn the 3 telltale signs you are on the dark side of goal achievement. Do any of these sound like you?

Chambers of Commerce
A basic run-down of the Chamber of Commerce system, why it is important for entrepreneurs, and where to get more information.

The Dangerous Consequences of Micromanaging Your Business According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

One of the most dangerous and damaging practices of business owners is MICROMANAGING their business. And this practice is entirely too prevalent in today’s business world and it wastes valuable resources of time, talent and financial assets. It is particularly prevalent in entrepreneurial businesses. The first commitment a business owner must make is to stop acting like an employee and start thinking and acting like a CEO. A transition is necessary for the business owner to think and behave more strategically and less tactically in their role as owner. The business owner must stop micromanaging and delegate. The business owner must start reducing the amount of time they spend involved in the daily transactions of their business.

The Dangerous Consequences of Micromanaging Your Business According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Five things you can (right now) do to increase your sales and get you out of that rut!
What can you do to rev things up a little? Take a few moments to look at five different strategies you can implement that can get you out of that rut - and quickly! When you car is stuck you need tools to pull it out. The same goes with your business. And so I call these 5 tools or strategies my "Business Tow Truck!"

Think Big in Joint Ventures
The WHY is much more important than the HOW. Knowing that there is gold in the mountain and that it can make all your financial dreams come true is more important than how to mine the gold.

A Serious Warning to Business Owners
Over the past 19 years, I have worked with thousands of business owners in Africa, Canada and the United States. I foresee serious financial adversity looming for many entrepreneurs in the coming years, and perhaps a lot sooner than we may think. And before you conclude that this is mere speculation, let me share some reasons for my concern, and then allow me to offer you a solution.

A Serious Warning to Business Owners
Over the past 19 years, I have worked with thousands of business owners in Africa, Canada and the United States. I foresee serious financial adversity looming for many entrepreneurs in the coming years, and perhaps a lot sooner than we may think. And before you conclude that this is mere speculation, let me share some reasons for my concern, and then allow me to offer you a solution.

What's Holding You Back?
Einstein told us, “We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." Here’s how to break the cycle to achieve unprecedented success.

Joint Venture Potential
When we see huge potential and we have a viable, proven tool to take advantage of that potential, we get excited, then we take action, then we get rich.

Strategic Alliances Boost Sales
Closing more sales. This is a popular topic. We’ve come along way since the “hard sell” and the manipulative closing techniques and tricks that used to work so well, so long ago…

Your Greatest Asset
Most business owners overlook their greatest underutilized asset. Read this and radically improve our bottom line profits.

Joint Venture and NonDisclosure Agreements
Many business owners are intimidated by the belief that they need intricate and expensive joint venture agreements and non-disclosure agreements. They are literally held back from massive increases and profits by this erroneous perception.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Joint Venture
Smart entrepreneurs and business owners know that Joint Ventures are the fastest and most effective way to radically increase sales and profits with virtually no money and no risk, as long as its done correctly.

Joint Ventures – Your Unlimited Opportunity
Joint Ventures work when people realize that we don’t have to own skills, money, employees, inventory or other resources in order to do business, create value and make money. And it can be done VERY FAST if we use existing resources.

Time Management or Life Management
Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein. H. Jackson Brown

Beauty supply franchises
The beauty product industry has quickly developed into a lucrative and exciting sector and beauty supply franchisees could provide a strong opportunity for a skilled entrepreneur.

Insurance
Buying business insurance is among the best ways to prepare for the unexpected. Without proper protection, misfortunes such as the death of a partner or key employee, embezzlement, a lawsuit, or a natural disaster could spell the end of a thriving operation.

Choosing a Business
Finding profitable businesses for sale at reasonable prices can be difficult, as business owners often have an inflated idea of the market value of their business. There are, however, many resources for finding profitable businesses for sale.

Business Coach Explains To You How Build Solid Business Foundations
Business coach. As a business coach I show business owners how to build solid business foundations. In this article I explain how all the best business owners make sure their foundations are in place to allow them to grow

Business Coach Explains To You How To Control Your Business
Business coach. As a business coach I show business owners how to control their business. In this article I explain several concepts that will help you successfully become a switched on business owner.

The Benefits of Making Your Banker Your Friend
While every business has a bank, few have a banker. That's because bankers are too often seen as obstacles standing between an entrepreneur and the bank's vault.

The Benefits of Making Your Banker Your Friend
While every business has a bank, few have a banker. That's because bankers are too often seen as obstacles standing between an entrepreneur and the bank's vault.

Using the Business Plan

A business plan is a tool with three basic purposes: communication, management, and planning. As a communication tool, it is used to attract investment capital, secure loans, convince workers to hire on, and assist in attracting strategic business partners. The development of a comprehensive business plan shows whether or not a business has the potential to make a profit. It requires a realistic look at almost every phase of business and allows you to show that you have worked out all the problems and decided on potential alternatives before actually launching your business.

Do You Invite People To Sample Your Business?
How can your prospects know if they want what your business offers? How can they know if what you have, is what they need? A great way to let them find out is to offer a sample, a taster, of your products or services.

Growing Though Emotions
Business coach. As a business coach I show business owners how to become a better business person. In this article I explain several concepts that will help you successfully grow your business through emotions.

Customers Lining Up To Buy From You
Business coach. As a business coach I show business owners how to get customers lining up to buy from them. In this article I explain several concepts that will help you get customers. Consistently, day in day out.

USPs
A USP (or unique selling point) can also be called a unique proposition or the point of difference and it can be the reason for one business succeeding over another that appears to have as much potential. Learning about your USP could be the business lead you need.

A business without a dream is like a life without a purpose
I launched my present company, E-Myth Worldwide, in 1977 to transform the way small business owners do the work of growing their companies. Since then we have coached, trained and taught over 50,000 small business owners in more than 145 countries on how to transform their business to produce consistently better results. What we learned from those 50,000-plus owners could fill a dozen books.

Small Business and the Internet?
I have been working with Websites for a number of years and have found that for small business owners, they are so confused with how the whole system works. Most small business owners either not have a website or have a website that doesn't work.Let's take a look at some of the processes that need to be considered by the small business owners when setting up a website.

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