Carmen Gaddy, owner of Contours Gym in Snellville and a member of Women of Gwinnett, fought bravely against cancer but passed from this world in her sleep on Saturday, November 29, 2008.
We made a group donation to the American Cancer Society in Carmen's memory in December, 2008 in the amount of $30. Thank you to those who donated.
If you would like to make an individual donation to the American Cancer Society, just visit www.Cancer.org. Donations directly to Cancer.org are tax-deductible.
How to Successfully Navigate Your Business through an Economic Downturn by: Terry H Hill
An economic downturn is a phase of the business cycle in which the economy as a whole is in decline.This phase basically marks the end of the period of growth in the business cycle. Economic downturns are characterized by decreased levels of consumer purchases (especially of durable goods) and, subsequently, reduced levels of production by businesses.
While economic downturns are admittedly difficult, and are formidable obstacles to small businesses that are trying to survive and grow, an economic downturn can open up opportunities. A well-managed company can realize the opportunity to gain market share by taking customers away from their competitors. Resourceful entrepreneurs capture the available opportunities, from an economic downturn, by developing alternate methods of doing business that were never implemented during a prior growth period.
The challenge of successfully navigating your business through an economic downturn lies in the realignment of your business with current economic realities. Specifically, you, as the business owner, need to renew a focus on your core clients/customers, reduce your operating expenses, conserve cash, and manage more proactively, rather than reactively, is paramount.
Here are best practices that will help you to successfully navigate your business through an economic downturn:
Goals: The primary goal of any business owner is to survive the current economic downturn and to develop a leaner, more cost-effective and more efficient operation. The secondary goal is to grow the business even during this current economic downturn.
Objectives:
• Conserve cash.
• Protect assets.
• Reduce costs.
• Improve efficiencies.
• Grow customer base.
Required Action:
• Do not panic… History shows that economic downturns do not last forever. Remain calm and act in a rational manner as you refocus your attention on resizing your company to the current economic conditions.
• Focus on what YOU can control… Don’t let the media's rhetoric concerning recessions and economic slowdown deter you from achieving business success. It´s a trap! Why? Because the condition of the economy is beyond your control. Surviving economic downturns requires a focus on what you can control, i.e. your relevant business activities.
• Communicate, communicate, and communicate! Beware of the pitfall of trying to do too much on your own. It is a difficult task indeed to survive and to grow your business solely with your own efforts. Solicit ideas and seek the help of other people (your employees, suppliers, lenders, customers, and advisors). Communicate honestly and consistently. Effective two-way communication is the key.
• Negotiate, negotiate, and negotiate! The value of a strong negotiation skill set cannot be overstated. Negotiating better deals and contracts is an absolute must for realigning and resizing your company to the current economic conditions. The key to success is not only knowing how to develop a win-win approach in negotiations with all parties, but also keeping in mind the fact that you want a favorable outcome for yourself too.
Recommended Best Practice Activities:
The Nuts and Bolts… The following list of recommended best practice activities is critical for your business' survival and for its growth during an economic downturn. The actual financial health of your particular business, at the outset of the economic downturn, will dictate the priority and urgency of the implementation of the following best practice activities.
1. Diligently monitor your cash flow: Forecast your cash flow monthly to ensure that expenses and planned expenditures are in line with accounts receivable. Include cash flow statements into your monthly financial reporting. Project cash requirements three-to- six months in advance. The key is to know how to monitor, protect, control, and put cash to work.
2. Carefully convert your inventories: Convert excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory items into cash. Consider returning excess and slow-moving items back to the suppliers. Close-out or inventory reduction sales work well to resize your inventory. Also, consider narrowing your product offerings. Well-timed order placement helps to reduce excess inventory levels and occasional material shortages. The key is to reduce the amount of your inventory without losing sales.
3. Timely collection of your accounts receivable: This asset should be converted to cash as quickly as possible. Offer prompt payment discounts to encourage timely payments. Make changes in the terms of sale for slow paying customers (i.e. changing net 30 day terms to COD). Invoicing is an important part of your cash flow management. The first rule of invoicing is to do it as soon as possible after products are shipped and/or after services are delivered. Place an emphasis on reducing billing errors. Most customers delay payments because an invoice had errors, and therefore, will not pay until they receive a corrected copy. Email or fax your invoices to save on mailing time. Post the payments that you have received and make deposits more frequently. The key is to develop an efficient collection system that generates timely payments and one that gives you advance warning of problems.
4. Re-focus your attention on your existing clients/customers: Make customer satisfaction your priority. A regular review of your customers' buying history and frequency of purchases can reveal some interesting facts about your customers' buying habits. Consider signing long-term contracts with your core clients/customers which will add to your security. Offer a discount for upfront cash payments. The key is to do what it takes to keep your current customers loyal.
5. Re-negotiate with your suppliers, lenders, and landlord:
i) Suppliers: Always keep your negotiations on the level of need, saying that your company has reviewed its cost structure and has determined that it needs to lower supplier costs. . Tell the supplier that you value the relationship you have developed, but that you need to receive a cost reduction immediately. Ask your supplier for a lower material price, a longer payment cycle, and the elimination of finance charges. Also, see if you can buy material from them on a consignment basis. In return for their price concessions, be willing to agree to a long-term contract. Explore the idea of bartering as a form of payment.
ii) Lenders: Everything in business finance is negotiable and your relationship with a bank is no exception. The first step to successful renegotiations is to convince your lenders that you can ultimately pay off the renegotiated loan. You must point out to your lenders why it would be in their best interest to agree to a new arrangement. Showing them your business plan and your action plan that includes your cost-savings initiatives, along with "the how" and "the when" of the implementation of your plan is the best way to achieve this goal. Explain to them that you will need their cooperation to insure that you can survive, as well as, grow your business during the economic downturn. Negotiated items include: the rate of interest, the required security to cover the loan, and the beginning date for repayment. A beginning date for repayment could be immediate, within several months or as long as a year. The key is to realize that your lender will work with you, but that frequent and continual communications with them is critical.
iii) Landlord: Meet with your landlord. Explain your need to have them extend the term of your lease at a reduced cost. Make sure you have a clause in the lease agreement that entitles you to have the right to sublet any or all of the leased space.
6. Re-evaluate your staffing requirements: This is a very critical area. Salaries/wages are a major expense of doing business. Therefore, any reduction in the hours worked through work schedule changes, short-term layoffs or permanent layoffs has an immediate cost saving benefit. Most companies ramped up hiring new employees in the good times, only to find that they are currently overstaffed due to slow sales during the economic downturn. In terms of down-sizing your staff, be very careful not to reduce your staff to a level that forces you to skimp on customer service and quality. Consider the use of part-timers or the current trend of outsourcing certain functions to independent contractors.
7. Shop for better insurances rates: Get quotations from other insurance agents for comparable coverage to determine whether or not your present insurance carrier is competitive. Also, consider revising your coverage to reduce premium costs. The key is to have the right balance-to be adequately insured, but not under or over insured.
8. Re-evaluate your advertising: Contrary to the other cost-cutting initiatives, evaluate the possibility of increasing your advertising expenditures. This tactic realizes the advantage of the reduced "noise" and congestion (fewer advertisers) in the marketplace. The downturn period a great opportunity to increase brand awareness and create additional demand for your product/service offerings.
9. Seek the help of outside advisors: The use of an advisory board comprised of your CPA, attorney, and business consultant offers you objectivity and provides you with professional advice and guidance. Their collective experience in working with similar situations in past economic downturns is invaluable.
10. Review your other expenses: Target an across-the-board cost-cutting initiative of 10-15%. Attempt to eliminate unnecessary expenses. Tightening your belt in order to weather the downturn makes practical, financial sense.
Proactively managing your business through an economic downturn is an enormous challenge and is critical for your survival. However, through well-planned initiatives, an economic downturn can create tremendous opportunity for your company to gain greater market share. In order to take advantage of this growth opportunity, you must act quickly to implement the above best business practices to continue realigning and resizing your company to the current economic conditions.
Copyright © 2008 Terry H. Hill You may reprint this article free of charge in your newsletter, magazine, or on your website, provided that the article is unedited, and that the copyright, author's bio, and contact information below appears with each article. Articles appearing on the web must provide a hyperlink to the author's web site, http://www.legacyai.com Terry H. Hill is the founder and managing partner of Legacy Associates, Inc, a business consulting and advisory services firm. A veteran chief executive, Terry works directly with business owners of privately held companies on the issues and challenges that they face in each stage of their business life cycle. To find out how he can help you take your business to the next level, visit his site at http://www.legacyai.com To download a copy of this article, click on this link: http://www.legacyai.com/Article_Downturn.html.
About The Author
An author, speaker, and consultant, Terry H. Hill is the founder and managing partner of Legacy Associates, Inc., a business consulting and advisory services firm based in Sarasota, Florida. A veteran chief executive, Terry works directly with business owners of privately held companies on the issues and challenges that they face in each stage of their business life cycle. Terry is the author of the business desk-reference book, How to Jump Start Your Business. He hosts the Business Insights from Legacy Blog at http://blog.legacyai.com and writes a bi-monthly eNewsletter, "Business Insights from Legacy eZine." By signing up for Business Insights from Legacy eZine at http://tinyurl.com/2t4fxs you can keep abreast of the latest tips, tactics, and best business practices. You will, also, receive the free eBook, Jump Start Your Knowledge of Business. Contact Terry by email at http://www.legacyai.com or telephone him at 941-556-1299.
Insurance in Gwinnett
I just wanted to let everyone know, I took Insurance agents out of the Business & Financial category, and now Insurance has it's own area.
We have a Women of Gwinnett member who can service our insurance needs:
Please check out her website today!
Darla
We have a Women of Gwinnett member who can service our insurance needs:
Please check out her website today!
Darla
Tip: Offer your customers, free information of VALUE.
It is difficult for a prospect to take the hard step towards making the decision to become a customer. Many prospects and return customers need a little nudge. Enter Guerilla Marketing. Make that hard step a lot less hard by providing soft steps for your prospects and return customers to take. Offer your customers, free information of VALUE. This should include, free brochures, a free newsletter or a free catalog. All of the mentioned can be created and/or delivered, electronically.
Guest blog by:
Guest blog by:
Help: Identifying legitimate trade shows/expos
I have put together a list that can assist both vendors and hosts in regards to trade shows/expos.
This list will help potential vendors identify a legitimate opportunity and or help hosts validate their legitimate opportunity.
1. The trade show should have a business/industry oriented name.
2. A contact name, phone number/e-mail address should be available. Once contact is initiated, a professional with knowledge and details about the event should assist you and be able to answer any and all questions that you may have.
3. A website detailing the event is fairly optional but highly recommended. If you are a web design vendor you may want to think about exchanging your service/talent for booth/table space at the event. (hint..hint)
4. Show date(s) and time(s) should be clearly stated.
5. Expected attendees, demographics and target information should be available upon request.
6. Estimated number of exhibitors should be available upon request.
7. Show venue, location and element should be clearly stated.
8. A clear refund policy should be available in case of conflicts, weather, etc.
Guest blog by:
V~Source Marketing ~ Blogzine
The V~Source Marketing ~ Blogzine is designed to give Small, Home-Based, Virtual and Online Business Owners an informative, detailed and educational look at modern marketing trends and promotional ideas while becoming a resource.
This list will help potential vendors identify a legitimate opportunity and or help hosts validate their legitimate opportunity.
1. The trade show should have a business/industry oriented name.
2. A contact name, phone number/e-mail address should be available. Once contact is initiated, a professional with knowledge and details about the event should assist you and be able to answer any and all questions that you may have.
3. A website detailing the event is fairly optional but highly recommended. If you are a web design vendor you may want to think about exchanging your service/talent for booth/table space at the event. (hint..hint)
4. Show date(s) and time(s) should be clearly stated.
5. Expected attendees, demographics and target information should be available upon request.
6. Estimated number of exhibitors should be available upon request.
7. Show venue, location and element should be clearly stated.
8. A clear refund policy should be available in case of conflicts, weather, etc.
Guest blog by:
V~Source Marketing ~ Blogzine
The V~Source Marketing ~ Blogzine is designed to give Small, Home-Based, Virtual and Online Business Owners an informative, detailed and educational look at modern marketing trends and promotional ideas while becoming a resource.
Question: Can LESS be MORE in Marketing? YES!
As a marketing professional, I can vouch for the fact that high-budget marketing is not always high-impact marketing. There is no need to ring your bank account dry on marketing endeavors.
However, you do need the right techniques to reach your target audience.
Low cost marketing techniques are equally effective in creating recognition among current and potential customers. Such techniques can also assist with keeping customers loyal.
The real challenge here is not how much money you can spend, but rather, how creative you can be in finding ways to maximize results out of every penny you spend on your marketing plan.
Reference: www.marketingcrossing.com
Guest blog by:
V~Source Marketing ~ Blogzine
The V~Source Marketing ~ Blogzine is designed to give Small, Home-Based, Virtual and Online Business Owners an informative, detailed and educational look at modern marketing trends and promotional ideas while becoming a resource.
However, you do need the right techniques to reach your target audience.
Low cost marketing techniques are equally effective in creating recognition among current and potential customers. Such techniques can also assist with keeping customers loyal.
The real challenge here is not how much money you can spend, but rather, how creative you can be in finding ways to maximize results out of every penny you spend on your marketing plan.
Reference: www.marketingcrossing.com
Guest blog by:
V~Source Marketing ~ Blogzine
The V~Source Marketing ~ Blogzine is designed to give Small, Home-Based, Virtual and Online Business Owners an informative, detailed and educational look at modern marketing trends and promotional ideas while becoming a resource.
Skipping lunch can be hazardous to your business
This is a great article from AJCjobs.com
With the struggling economy and lean corporate budgets, company leaders may be tempted to pull the plug on business lunches.
"That would be a big mistake," warns Robin Jay, a Las Vegas sales expert and motivational speaker, who wrote "The Art of the Business Lunch: Building Relationships Between 12 and 2," based on her previous experiences in media advertising sales. "I've probably hosted about 4,000 client lunches now, and it caused my sales to increase by more than 2,000 percent."
READ MORE
With the struggling economy and lean corporate budgets, company leaders may be tempted to pull the plug on business lunches.
"That would be a big mistake," warns Robin Jay, a Las Vegas sales expert and motivational speaker, who wrote "The Art of the Business Lunch: Building Relationships Between 12 and 2," based on her previous experiences in media advertising sales. "I've probably hosted about 4,000 client lunches now, and it caused my sales to increase by more than 2,000 percent."
READ MORE
Saving Money with Coupons Can Allow you More Funds to Invest in your Business
"So what does this have to do with being Indie? [Independent business owner] Only everything. See, the whole idea of managing a home and a business simultaneously is that to stay afloat, you have to save more than you spend. You want to pay yourself, of course. But if you can pay yourself a little less because you are a good steward of the money your business pays you, then you'll have more to invest in expanding the business."
Create your own coupon binder or other organizing system
How to use coupons to save money I regularly save 30-55%
How to use coupons to save money I regularly save 30-55%
The Mental Beatdown - the economy and your business
I've been thinking a lot lately about how people give up on their business when they meet with challenges. As gas prices rise and people worry about the economy, we can tend to think negatively, a "well, why even bother..." type of attitude seeps in to our mentality.
When we give up, we have stopped trying. When we stop trying, other people stop caring - because, why should they care if we don't care?!? If we stop marketing and selling, of course our businesses will fail. We can blame it on the economy all we want, but more of the blame is our own actions -- or rather, our choice of inaction. If you are having trouble getting your own financial needs met, then take action! Learn about how to save money so you will have more money to put toward your business expenses and so you will have less to worry about.
When we get mentally beaten down by negative self talk "of why even bother," we have doomed our business to failure.
I would like to leave you with some words of wisdom from Dr. Heartsill Wilson, who said in some of his speeches that the Great Depression was worsened not by people's inability to buy, but by sales peoples' inability to sell.
When we give up, we have stopped trying. When we stop trying, other people stop caring - because, why should they care if we don't care?!? If we stop marketing and selling, of course our businesses will fail. We can blame it on the economy all we want, but more of the blame is our own actions -- or rather, our choice of inaction. If you are having trouble getting your own financial needs met, then take action! Learn about how to save money so you will have more money to put toward your business expenses and so you will have less to worry about.
When we get mentally beaten down by negative self talk "of why even bother," we have doomed our business to failure.
I would like to leave you with some words of wisdom from Dr. Heartsill Wilson, who said in some of his speeches that the Great Depression was worsened not by people's inability to buy, but by sales peoples' inability to sell.
"This is the beginning of a new day.
God has given me this day to use as I will.
I can waste it--or use it for good, but what
I do today is important, because I am exchanging
a day of my life for it! When tomorrow comes,
this day will be gone forever, leaving in its
place something that I have traded for it.
I want it to be gain, and not loss; good,
and not evil, success, and not failure;
in order that I shall not regret the
price that I have paid for it."
God has given me this day to use as I will.
I can waste it--or use it for good, but what
I do today is important, because I am exchanging
a day of my life for it! When tomorrow comes,
this day will be gone forever, leaving in its
place something that I have traded for it.
I want it to be gain, and not loss; good,
and not evil, success, and not failure;
in order that I shall not regret the
price that I have paid for it."
Saving Some for Later
I got some business advice from a very wise person today. You see, I have been spending all of my time lately working for paid writing jobs, which is wonderful. However, I have spend very little of my time since the first of the year working on my blogs. That may not sound like a big deal since I get paid a living wage for my articles,and slave wages for my blogs. However, blogging does eventually pay off, and neglecting to work for them is the same as neglecting to put any money away for the future.
With my writing business paying off well, I have been busy focusing on now, and not my future income. If this continues, in five years, I will still be writing for six to eight hours a day or more, and making the same amount of money. If I cut back just two hours a day on my paid writing, and worked more time on my blogs, then in five years, I will be writing only two or three hours a day, and very possibly making alot more money.
Now I realize that not everyone's business works the same way I do, but in theory, anyone who owns a small business needs to spend a certain amount of time in active work, and also a portion of their time in planning, and marketing to bring in future business.
So here's where you talk back. What do you do, how much time to you spend on making income for now,and how much time do you spend working toward future income?
With my writing business paying off well, I have been busy focusing on now, and not my future income. If this continues, in five years, I will still be writing for six to eight hours a day or more, and making the same amount of money. If I cut back just two hours a day on my paid writing, and worked more time on my blogs, then in five years, I will be writing only two or three hours a day, and very possibly making alot more money.
Now I realize that not everyone's business works the same way I do, but in theory, anyone who owns a small business needs to spend a certain amount of time in active work, and also a portion of their time in planning, and marketing to bring in future business.
So here's where you talk back. What do you do, how much time to you spend on making income for now,and how much time do you spend working toward future income?
Do You Thank Your Customers?
This article discusses the importance of sending thank you cards to your customers.... If I am correct, we have a member who can actually do this service for you if you don't have the time.
Your Government Rebate Check and Your Business
When You Get Your Government Tax Rebate CheckBy [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Viola_Bontrager]Viola Bontrager
What are YOU going to do with YOUR government tax rebate check??
Blow it?? Invest it?? Pay Bills??
Rebate checks could soon be coming as the government attempts to jump start the economy and minimize the impact of a recession this year. Congress and President Bush reached agreement on the size of the checks, and who will qualify to receive one.
The goal: to stimulate the economy by getting consumers to spend again. There will be a $1,200 family maximum. Most individual taxpayers will receive a $600 check, with another $300 per child. The average American will think the Government is giving them a gift. Uhhh... slightly mistaken! We will not have to pay income tax on the checks, as they are an advance on next year's tax cut.
So.... My fellow American entrepreneur.....
ARE WE GOING TO BLOW OUR TAX REBATE CHECK OR ARE WE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT???
We have several options and a lot of people are thinking of paying off debt with it, or buying all that stuff we have been wanting to get, BUT REALLY, it won't go very far in today's economy AT ALL!!
What about INVESTING your tax rebate check?? And reap returns from your investment all next year.... There are many successful home based business opportunities available , that you can get started in for anywhere from $300 - $1300. Unlike traditional businesses, where you have to invest in a building, have high overhead or inventory, most home based businesses have very low overhead, if any, and can be run right out of our home and from our computer.
The world is our market place so we have the advantages of marketing our product or services to millions of potential customers... Regardless how we look at it, by investing that money - we at least, have a chance at increasing our income this year, and if we blow it at the mall, (which is what Uncle Sam wants us to, by the way!)... we are no better off than we were AND WE WILL PAY TAXES ON IT NEXT YEAR!
Viola is an entrepreneur and home business owner. [http://montanamom5.com]Click Here to find out how how YOU can find financial freedom, through owning your own business at home!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Viola_Bontrager http://EzineArticles.com/?When-You-Get-Your-Government-Tax-Rebate-Check&id=948562
UPDATE: While the writer of this article is suggesting you put your money into her MLM business, the point I want to get across is that it may make some sense to use your rebate money to invest in your own business, or get one started.
What are YOU going to do with YOUR government tax rebate check??
Blow it?? Invest it?? Pay Bills??
Rebate checks could soon be coming as the government attempts to jump start the economy and minimize the impact of a recession this year. Congress and President Bush reached agreement on the size of the checks, and who will qualify to receive one.
The goal: to stimulate the economy by getting consumers to spend again. There will be a $1,200 family maximum. Most individual taxpayers will receive a $600 check, with another $300 per child. The average American will think the Government is giving them a gift. Uhhh... slightly mistaken! We will not have to pay income tax on the checks, as they are an advance on next year's tax cut.
So.... My fellow American entrepreneur.....
ARE WE GOING TO BLOW OUR TAX REBATE CHECK OR ARE WE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT???
We have several options and a lot of people are thinking of paying off debt with it, or buying all that stuff we have been wanting to get, BUT REALLY, it won't go very far in today's economy AT ALL!!
What about INVESTING your tax rebate check?? And reap returns from your investment all next year.... There are many successful home based business opportunities available , that you can get started in for anywhere from $300 - $1300. Unlike traditional businesses, where you have to invest in a building, have high overhead or inventory, most home based businesses have very low overhead, if any, and can be run right out of our home and from our computer.
The world is our market place so we have the advantages of marketing our product or services to millions of potential customers... Regardless how we look at it, by investing that money - we at least, have a chance at increasing our income this year, and if we blow it at the mall, (which is what Uncle Sam wants us to, by the way!)... we are no better off than we were AND WE WILL PAY TAXES ON IT NEXT YEAR!
Viola is an entrepreneur and home business owner. [http://montanamom5.com]Click Here to find out how how YOU can find financial freedom, through owning your own business at home!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Viola_Bontrager http://EzineArticles.com/?When-You-Get-Your-Government-Tax-Rebate-Check&id=948562
UPDATE: While the writer of this article is suggesting you put your money into her MLM business, the point I want to get across is that it may make some sense to use your rebate money to invest in your own business, or get one started.
What a Great Business Idea!
Being involved in Business Networking over the years, I have seen many business models that I felt would be a good idea, and even a natural fit for me. I always get that momentary feeling of "I could do that, and probably do it very well. Perhaps I should try it". I never do.
The reason I don't latch on to a business idea of someone else's is not because I am lazy or unmotivated. I don't do it because it was not my idea. I have learned over the years that people are far more successful when their business idea comes from someplace within themselves, or they are inspired by another's idea, but have a unique twist on the idea.
When someone picks up on the business ideas of another and attempts to run with it, they are often missing an unknown element unique to the person who's idea they copied. It is far better to come up with your own idea, or contact the person for their help and even pay them a franchise fee, or other fee to help get them started. The person may even help them get their first customers. This is why franchises and party plan consultants of course, are an exception to this rule.
The reason I don't latch on to a business idea of someone else's is not because I am lazy or unmotivated. I don't do it because it was not my idea. I have learned over the years that people are far more successful when their business idea comes from someplace within themselves, or they are inspired by another's idea, but have a unique twist on the idea.
When someone picks up on the business ideas of another and attempts to run with it, they are often missing an unknown element unique to the person who's idea they copied. It is far better to come up with your own idea, or contact the person for their help and even pay them a franchise fee, or other fee to help get them started. The person may even help them get their first customers. This is why franchises and party plan consultants of course, are an exception to this rule.
Take Some Down, and Pass Them Around
No this is not about beer, it's about business.
In business we often get some requests that are not in our areas of expertise. As an artist, someone may want a painting in a style that is not yours. As a writer, someone may want 1000 words on a topic that you could care less about. Sure, it may be possible for you to stretch yourself and do the job, but will you be happy with it? Will the customer? Do you want to take that chance.
If you know what I know, you will pass that job on to someone who is more naturally qualified to do the job. They person you pass the job to will be pleased. The customer will be happy. You will have made two loyal contacts. One will pass a job they can't do onto you first. The other will contact you whenever they have an assignment knowing that if you can't do it, you will know someone who can.
What come around goes around.
In business we often get some requests that are not in our areas of expertise. As an artist, someone may want a painting in a style that is not yours. As a writer, someone may want 1000 words on a topic that you could care less about. Sure, it may be possible for you to stretch yourself and do the job, but will you be happy with it? Will the customer? Do you want to take that chance.
If you know what I know, you will pass that job on to someone who is more naturally qualified to do the job. They person you pass the job to will be pleased. The customer will be happy. You will have made two loyal contacts. One will pass a job they can't do onto you first. The other will contact you whenever they have an assignment knowing that if you can't do it, you will know someone who can.
What come around goes around.
Increase in women-owned businesses
Excerpt of article by Allison Barker of BYU NewsNet
There is a demand for women entrepreneurs," Anderson said. "I think it's because over the Internet it's becoming increasing easy to start businesses from home that are profitable."
Kim Scoville, part-time faculty teaching entrepreneurship classes, said that women-owned businesses do business differently than men.
"I think women are often working odd hours," Scoville said. "They're with their families, getting dinner ready, running errands, etc. A lot of times they are working between 10 and 12 p.m. or early in the morning."
Women often like working with other women, Scoville said.
"It's more likely for women to do business over the phone and trust each other, because their experiences are similar," Scoville said. "It's becoming more common that women are comfortable with other women because they understand each other's crazy lifestyles."
There is a demand for women entrepreneurs," Anderson said. "I think it's because over the Internet it's becoming increasing easy to start businesses from home that are profitable."
Kim Scoville, part-time faculty teaching entrepreneurship classes, said that women-owned businesses do business differently than men.
"I think women are often working odd hours," Scoville said. "They're with their families, getting dinner ready, running errands, etc. A lot of times they are working between 10 and 12 p.m. or early in the morning."
Women often like working with other women, Scoville said.
"It's more likely for women to do business over the phone and trust each other, because their experiences are similar," Scoville said. "It's becoming more common that women are comfortable with other women because they understand each other's crazy lifestyles."
It's a New Year... Make Your goals and ...
Write Down Your Goals on Paper!
By: Pat Watt Every person should write down his or her goals. Business goals, personal goals, income goals, and what ever you want to achieve in your life. If you want to achieve something in your life, don't just think about it. Get a nice piece of paper and write down the goal.
Having a goal sitting in your head may not help that much. Every book says that you need to write down your goals. First thinking about the goal is a good way to start but again, you need to write it down as soon as you think about it.
What is it that you want to accomplish?
Think about this in your mind and come up with the exact goal that you want to get. For example, let's look at a person who wants to earn $1000 in the next 30 days online. Here is what he or she needs to do.
first step is to write down the goal of earning $1000 in the next 30 days. So that's done. Good.
Next what you will want to do is to write how you are going to achieve this goal. You should figure out by now that you will want to find someone who has already done this before. Having a burning desire will also help you get to your goal.
Write down why you want to achieve this goal. For some, it is just having that extra income to help them pay for a car payment. For others, it may be that they want to save money. What ever your goals are, write down why you want to achieve them.
Another point to consider is to have complete faith in yourself and your desired goals. You need to have faith because if you don't, you may not achieve your goals at all. You may have written them down, but it means nothing if you kick out your belief of achieving this goal from your "belief" system that is sitting there somewhere in your head. You need to have faith that you can reach any goal that you set.
After you achieve a particular goal, don't forget to give yourself a pat on the back. Give yourself some sort of a reward. Once you achieve your first goal, you can accomplish any of your future goals in life. It should give you some sort of motivation to write more and more goals down.
Now, what would happen if you don't reach your goal? This can happen to anyone who sets goals. The best thing that you will need to do is to learn from this situation and think what you can do next time to achieve that goal.
If you fail once, try again. If you fail the second time, then try again until you reach your desired goal. But don't take the same action. Learn what you did wrong in the first trial and try something different.
By: Pat Watt Every person should write down his or her goals. Business goals, personal goals, income goals, and what ever you want to achieve in your life. If you want to achieve something in your life, don't just think about it. Get a nice piece of paper and write down the goal.
Having a goal sitting in your head may not help that much. Every book says that you need to write down your goals. First thinking about the goal is a good way to start but again, you need to write it down as soon as you think about it.
What is it that you want to accomplish?
Think about this in your mind and come up with the exact goal that you want to get. For example, let's look at a person who wants to earn $1000 in the next 30 days online. Here is what he or she needs to do.
first step is to write down the goal of earning $1000 in the next 30 days. So that's done. Good.
Next what you will want to do is to write how you are going to achieve this goal. You should figure out by now that you will want to find someone who has already done this before. Having a burning desire will also help you get to your goal.
Write down why you want to achieve this goal. For some, it is just having that extra income to help them pay for a car payment. For others, it may be that they want to save money. What ever your goals are, write down why you want to achieve them.
Another point to consider is to have complete faith in yourself and your desired goals. You need to have faith because if you don't, you may not achieve your goals at all. You may have written them down, but it means nothing if you kick out your belief of achieving this goal from your "belief" system that is sitting there somewhere in your head. You need to have faith that you can reach any goal that you set.
After you achieve a particular goal, don't forget to give yourself a pat on the back. Give yourself some sort of a reward. Once you achieve your first goal, you can accomplish any of your future goals in life. It should give you some sort of motivation to write more and more goals down.
Now, what would happen if you don't reach your goal? This can happen to anyone who sets goals. The best thing that you will need to do is to learn from this situation and think what you can do next time to achieve that goal.
If you fail once, try again. If you fail the second time, then try again until you reach your desired goal. But don't take the same action. Learn what you did wrong in the first trial and try something different.
Pat Watt is the owner of www.workbizfromhome.com Her website is geared for people who are interested in finding an online work at home opportunity or finding the perfect home based business.
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