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Having The Right Attitude To Earn An Online Income.

Most people fail to make any money running a home based business simply because they have failed to lay the right foundations right at the start.

This article gives some straight forward advice on how you need to have the right mindset to acheive success running a home based business.

Keywords:

home business, making money from home

Article Body:

How much do you really want to make money online? Do you want to develop a business which can make money for you 24 hours a day 7 days a week almost automatically?

I am sure you do...Or else you wouldn't be reading this article right this minute. I have good news...and bad news for those of you desire this for yourself.

The Good News is...YES, you can make money online. Many others have created full-time incomes while only working part-time online. It is within your grasp. Plus, many of them have started with little or no money!

The Bad News is...Many of you will need a change of attitude before you will be able to reach your goals.

Yes...Even with the right information and the right foundation, many people have still failed in their online ventures just because they did not develop the right attitude. An old statement that comes to mind right now for me is "Your Attitude determines your Altitude."

Your success in life cannot bypass your attitude about life. If your mindset is that you are poor and always will be poor, it will show itself in anything you do. No matter what you do, your results will be poor in your online business.

Having a positive mentality about yourself and about your business is a part of this right attitude, but that is not what I want to focus on in this section. I want to focus on your reasons and vision for your online business.

If your vision for your online business is to just make enough money for a little extra income or to just produce a full-time income for yourself, you will be severely limiting your results. If that is you, you need a change of attitude.

Those who are the most successful people in online business are the ones who LOOK for problems and develop solutions to them. They have a vision which is bigger than just to make a little money. They have a vision to solve problems for others.

YES, you need to learn about Internet Marketing Techniques and about how to write killer ad copy. Yes, you need to know how to produce sales, BUT what is it that you are selling?

Are you selling just another product OR are you selling a SOLUTION to people's problems. Are you just in business to make a little money or do you honestly care about helping other people? The ones who become the most successful in their online business are the ones who find a NEED and fill it. They develop the answer that people need.

This factor is true and can be applied no matter what type of online business you are in. For example, if you run a network marketing site, are you just trying to hype people up in your program OR are you becoming a source for information on how they can succeed through this method of distribution.

LOOK for problems...
People are frustrated with learning how submit to search engines!
People are frustrated with learning how to use certain software!
People are frustrated with not being able to produce sales!
People are frustrated with health problems!

Look for these types of problems and frustrations and develop or find products which have the answers. In other words, DON'T just try to think of new ways to make money...Think of ways to solve more problems for more people! Then, the money will come once you learn the marketing side of the equation.

Too often we want someone to just hand us a completely developed business or a business-in-a-box. The truth of the matter though is that most of the time, these types of plans just don't exist. Any type of online business you get involved in will require you to begin thinking of new ways to advance it if you want to be as successful as possible.

The Good News is that all you have to do is start changing your attitude over to being a problem solver. What problems are still out there in your specific market? What problems do people have when they order from your competition? What can you do to make your product or service a better answer to people's needs?

When you ask yourself these types of questions you are often taking the first step to success. You are recognizing the problem. Now, with the right attitude, you can start looking for the solution. You have the question. Now, Apply the thinking, brainstorming, research, and work to find the answer.

Finding The Right Expense Management Solution For Your Company

Keywords:

expense management solution,ems,expense management

Article Body:

In recent times, initiatives such as the Sarbannes Oxley Act in the US have dramatically raised the profile of compliance within the corporate world. As a key element of any corporate compliance policy, expense management has shared some of the limelight. As a result, an Expense Management Solution (EMS) is now critical to any business concerned with corporate compliance. But what is an Expense Management Solution (EMS)? Does your company need one? And where do you find a good one? Just as importantly, how do you successfully implement and integrate an Expense Management Solution (EMS) into your corporate environment. This article sheds some light on these issues.

What is an Expense Management Solution (EMS)?

The term “expense management solution” has been used to describe quite different commercial products and services. In the context of this article, an expense management solution is defined as a technology based system that processes:

(i) transaction records received from a credit card issuer (detailing employee use of corporate credit cards0; and

(ii) cash reimbursement claims originated by an employee.

In practice the target application is Travel and Entertainment expenditure. A robust Expense Management Solution (EMS) will also support procurement (pCard) activities as part of a broader strategy of effectively managing lower value, high volume business-to-business transactions.

The three core steps of any expense management process are:

1. the acceptance/input of validated source data;
2. the application of predetermined rules of handling expense records; and
3. the posting of transactions to a corporate repository such as an ERP system.

What is the purpose of an Expense Management Solution (EMS)?

The objectives of an expense management solution implementation should include the following:

1. to automate the preparation, submission, approval, and auditing of travel & entertainment claims, thus improving the productivity of account holders and reducing the time and cost of accounts staff;

2. to support the implementation of a standardized best practice method of managing high volume expenses through the use of corporate credit cards; and

3. to increase the transparency and enhance the governance of financial transactions conducted on behalf of the enterprise.

Sources of Expense Management Solutions

Australian and international organizations now have access to a range of quality expense management solutions which are well suited to driving down administration cost whilst meeting corporate compliance requirements. There are essentially three sources of “expense management solutions”:

1. ERP systems;
2. systems offered by card issuers; and
3. best-of-breed solutions.

Each will have their own merits and will suit organizations in different circumstances.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems

ERP sourced expense management has the attraction of being fully integrated within the financial suite of software, therefore offering a standard look and feel to all users of the ERP. With ERP sourced expense management functionality, the ERP supplies the core software, and the enterprise needs to customize and configure the system to reflect its own structures and rules regarding the management of staff expenses. If you're considering the option of using their ERP for expense management, you need to be conscious of a number of factors, including:

• the actual functionality available within their specific installed ERP system;
• the backlog of work on the ERP system accumulated for the IT department; and
• the deployment time and the cost of the project (which will usually be substantial).
License costs can be an issue if an enterprise if your company has not paid a license fee that will cover all card account holders and cash claimants.

Card Issuer Systems

Some card issuers promote “expense management” solutions which can range from a computer generated report through to an online system with some embedded workflow concepts. The attraction of card issuer expense management solutions is that they are offered as part of a card deal, sometimes (apparently) for free. If you're considering a card issuer expense management solution, you need to know:

• will you be 'locked in' to the card issuer?; and
• will you be able to configure the expense management solution to adequately reflect internal requirements?

Best-of-Breed Solutions

Best-of-breed expense management solutions from specialist providers can be relatively seamlessly interfaced to an organization's internal systems such as HR and ERP, but will not present a common look and feel to the ERP system. You would usually choose a best-of-breed expense management solution if you want:

1. your company to be independent of a particular card issuer;
2. to achieve a fast implementation; and/or
3. to configure the solution to its own unique rules and policies of expense administration.

Best-of-breed expense management solutions are typically deployed as either an ASP (Application Service Provider) or self hosted solution. Although exceptions are common, small to medium enterprises tend to appreciate the lower up-front cost of an ASP expense management solution, and larger enterprises are attracted to the control available through a self-hosted expense management solution. ASP expense management solutions are typically paid for on a per statement per month basis, and self-hosted expense management solutions have a range of options available from up-front license fees to monthly license rentals.

Overcoming the Cultural Resistance to Expense Management Solutions

Some Finance Directors still have an aversion to corporate credit cards. It's not uncommon to hear a finance director say “if I give everyone a card, they'll spend us broke!”

However, the benefits of an Expense Management Solution are apparent as soon as the Finance Director considers the difficulties of controlling the expenditure behavior of thousands of employees using a manual system of reimbursements which is largely based around a set of uncoordinated spreadsheets. Basic activities such as enforcing travel policies, calculating tax implications, reconciling, posting to a chart of accounts at a detailed level and auditing, are so difficult as to be more honored in the breach than the observance...

Viewed from a different perspective, a company with revenues of $700m $50m in EBITDA, and $20m in annual employee business expenses, can make a dramatic impact on its bottom line using an expense management solution without increasing revenue. If automation reduces these expenses by only five per cent in the first year, the savings alone have the same impact on the bottom line as $14m in new revenue. It isn’t surprising that the return on investment of an expense management project is often achieved within its first 12 months of operation.

Expense Management Solutions also play a vital role in Fraud Control. “Fraud” in this context takes many guises, not all of which are the sort that land perpetrators in court. Information taken from our own customer experience and from publications of the USA Association of Certified Fraud Examiners identify the top four categories of fraud:

1. Mischaracterized expenses
2. Overstated (exaggerated) payments
3. Fictitious expenses
4. Multiple reimbursements

Research in the USA has pointed to as much as 1% of company revenues being lost to employee expense mismanagement. Expense Management Systems will not, in their own right, eliminate this but they are a vital tool in creating an environment that drives down the level of mismanagement.

Conclusion

Over the past 18 months, our company has observed a change in motivation for expense management projects. Whereas formerly expense management solutions were an exercise solely in the reduction of administration costs, now governance is equally a driver to implement technology based controls around high volume expenditure. The Sarbannes Oxley (SOX) act in the USA has captured the attention of any enterprise active in the USA. However, inside or outside the USA, the senior executives must warrant that their company has implemented adequate financial controls that prevent fraud and give a true and correct record of the enterprise’s financial activities. As a result, the Corporate Travel Manager who pitches a proposal on expense management to the senior executive team currently finds a willing audience.

Choosing the Right Prepaid Calling Card in Making Calls

If you are a student, travel a lot or living abroad and you would like to always keep in touch with family and friends, there will be no better way but to give them a call. How enjoyable it is for you to hear their voices and share things with them.

Keywords:

prepaid calling card calling card international communication telephone tips advice buying buy sell call

Article Body:

If you want to keep in touch and to do long distance calls, prepaid calling cards are the answers. With the use of prepaid calling card, you can save money and can cut your phone bills in half and it can help you track your calls.

Indeed, using prepaid calling cards have lots advantages. In using prepaid calling card, you can stay with your budget. You also won’t be stressed out in thinking about the money you owe a company. With prepaid calling card, you can say goodbye with monthly bills and worries about the money that you need to pay for company for your accumulating outstanding balance.

There are so many prepaid calling cards in the market nowadays. But you do not have to simply buy one and use it without actually knowing the information about the prepaid calling card. There are some prepaid calling cards that come up with very cheap rates but you will be surprise with the surcharges and taxes midway. Many customers were lured with cheap prepaid calling cards, so be careful, do not let this happen to you too.

So how can you find the right prepaid calling card that can give you convenience and satisfaction? So just read on in order to have the answer.

If you do not want to waste your money in checking out the right prepaid calling card that can suit your needs, you can ask for referrals or recommendations from family and friends. Of course, these people will very much willing to help you out; they are open to criticism and also in giving you the best one for you.

You can also try to do simple research in finding it for your own you can use the internet in finding the right prepaid calling card. The best thing to do is to find a reliable company or site first. You can check out its reliability if the company or site can give you the necessary information or details about the prepaid calling card.

As soon as you find the right company or site, you can start searching for prepaid calling card. So if you are eyeing for a particular prepaid calling card, you can make an assessment in order to check out if it is the right one.

You can also try out the prepaid calling card by buying a small amount and find it for yourself if it is a good one, if it can give you the satisfaction and convenience you need.

If you could only give some of your time and effort in finding the right one, soon you can conveniently make calls any time and any where with the use of your prepaid calling card.

Earning the Right Recognition

Brochures can help businesses became well-known and showcase themselves effectively.

Keywords:

brochures, printing, services

Article Body:

Its 11:00 on a Saturday morning, in the frantic world of people trendiness, time is almost running out. With a fistful of dollars in their pocket, they start their search for a new face at a sunglasses rack in a crowded suburban shopping mall. What are they really looking for? What do they want?

With the rapid advancement in fashion, technology and in almost everything around these days, people have become fussier and more careful in what they buy and what they avail of. Even with a few dollars in their pocket they set out to find the best that they can buy with their money. For this reason, competition has become stiff and almost all businessmen do just about anything to get attention and be recognized by many customers. But there are a few business owners who fail to recognize the need to improve their marketing strategy. Some because of a big sale in the past few months feel assured that sales would continue to improve; hence, they assume that there is no need to strengthen their marketing strategy. But this too much confidence often results to a distressing failure.

If you are a business owner ask yourself – who are the biggest name in your line of business? Who are considered as experts with maximum credibility in your line of work? How did you get to know about these other people’s business? Did you read an article about them or learned about them through a brochure you saw on a visit in a hotel in your locality? The point is that these distinguished businesses became well-known because they were able to showcase themselves effectively. And perhaps they were able to do this through their brochures.

If you need to inform or promote new or existing products, you can do this through your brochures. You can have them printed in two colors or four colors depending on your need. You can also choose from a variety of styles, from clean simple classical brochures to the most impressive, detailed and technological full-colored designs. If it is the cost that you are concerned about, there are many print shops today that can do your project at affordable prices. It is good to know that modern technology has enabled printers to do print projects at competitive prices. This can greatly benefit businesses and other individuals who have printing needs.

So show off yourself and your business to attract more and more of these modern day trendy people. But showing off doesn’t have to sound like “Hey, look at me. Aren’t my business great?” It doesn’t even have to look like you are bragging. There are a lot of appropriate ways to let a wider audience know how good your business is without ever saying so. Thus, if you want to spend less effort and money on marketing yourself, start by letting your prospective customers know how good you and your business really is.

Do You Have The Right People To Organize Your Event

Keywords:

online booking, event managment,booking mananger, booking, registration

Article Body:

Jenny Jones would never have considered she had any skill when it comes to running seminars. She was just quietly and competently doing her job when she was asked to organize an event to help promote the services that her company provides. Fortunately for her, she recognized instantly that she did not have all of the necessary skills herself and, by borrowing some tips from her recruitment experience, amongst other things, she saved herself from a great deal of stress and put together a team that delivered the goods, and more.

Almost before doing anything else, she recognized that, as the event organizer she should draw up a list of the numbers and types of people she needed in order to deliver the seminar. Against each job, she noted the competencies that are important for success in that role and any other traits that she felt would enhance the potential for crowning glory.

You'll note that Jenny did not produce a list of names. That can be an easy trap to fall into, especially if yours is a large organization. Instead of deciding what you need for success, you will be working out who not to offend by leaving them off the list. The formal process of defining people specifications, which is what Jenny was doing, actually gives you a viable and mostly acceptable reason for using only the most appropriate people.

If yours is a small organization, like the one Jenny worked in, and you don't have the luxury of choice, specifying the people may actually highlight the need for outside help rather than muddling along with the skills that you have inside the business.

Here are a few examples of people specifications:

Presenter : Good communicator, good impact and influence, technically knowledgeable, acceptable to director level delegates, good attention to detail

Course Administrator : Confident, excellent customer focus, good planning and organizing, good influencer, good initiative

Booking Administrator : Good information gatherer, good organizer, excellent customer focus, good initiative

Supplier Co-ordinator : Good planning and organizing, good influencing, good directiveness, good team worker

Jenny chose what she believed to be the five most important characteristics in each job and checked with a few of her management colleagues whose opinion she respected to ensure that she hadn't missed anything critical. She explained what she expected the people to do and was open-minded to the feedback that she got.

Selecting and briefing the event team

If yours is a large organization, you may want to advertise formally to ensure that you get the best people on board. Many will see this type of project as an opportunity to pick up new skills and experience and will be willing to compete for a place on the team.

The tougher your selection process is, the easier it is for rejected candidates to accept your decision. If you base your selection on a five minute chat in the company restaurant, you may be accused of nepotism and worst of all you may not end up with the best people to help you.

Always insist on evidence of your candidate's skills and competencies. As a rule of thumb, the more recently they have done something similar, the better the chance that they will be able to do the same for you without climbing the learning curve again. If you have the time, it may be useful to set them a task that will demonstrate to you that they can fulfill the role. When you are faced with twenty people all claiming they are the best, this is a great way to compare their actual capabilities.

If, like Jenny, you are unable to fill key roles from inside the organization, there are many consultancies and service organizations only too willing to help out for a fee. They are capable of doing everything from managing the entire event right down to administering your bookings or providing project co-ordination services. Some online booking organization can also manage telephone bookings on a 24 hour basis, will manage the payment process and can conduct post-event evaluation on your behalf.

Arrange a time when you can get your team together to talk through the purpose of the event. Please DO NOT just hand them a copy of the purpose document and expect them to understand everything that you know about it. They will all have very pertinent questions to ask from their very different perspectives and they should all be keen to make sure that they understand what is expected from them.

Brief job descriptions would not be out of place here as they will define boundaries of responsibility and accountability and will avoid unpleasant finger pointing if anything should go badly wrong at a later stage. Have them write their own job descriptions under the headings of:

* Scope
* Key Responsibilities
* Measures of Success

Not only will this give you a good idea of their understanding, it provides you with a motivational tool to recognize their excellence throughout the project.

Jenny Jones used this approach; put together a highly skilled team to deliver her company seminar and added a new skill to her CV - Event Organization.

Finding the Right Data Entry Jobs

There are many data entry jobs available today on the Internet. Many companies are growing and wishing to further expand, and as a result are hiring people from around the globe to help them with their work load. It is, however, advisable to be careful which jobs you accept.

Keywords:

Data Entry Jobs,Home Business,Work At Home

Article Body:

Data entry jobs are among he most prevalent positions available. Found in almost every profession, they are both crucial and necessary to any business, as they are a way of entering important information for record keeping purposes. Medical practices use data entry to keep track of patient information and appointments, while stores use it to note inventory and pricing information.

The Internet has also made it easier for people to acquire such jobs without actually living in the location of the company. Many sites advertise these positions to anyone interested in making money from home.

The "home business" has also become a popular means of making money. This is primarily because it provides a way for people to make money without leaving the comforts of their own homes. All you need is a computer, an Internet connection, and the drive to succeed. There are, however, some things you should be aware of if you are searching for a data entry job on the Internet.

In more recent times, if you were searching for a job, you saw the listing, called to inquire, then went in for an interview. Data entry jobs were advertised like any other job, and if you accepted such apposition, you got up every morning, went to the office, worked your eight hours, and then went home. Now, however, companies are finding it easier to hire people from all over the world via the Internet. This has made it easier on employees, as it means you may not have a specific time to work every day, and you don't have to pay the cost of driving to work every morning. While this may sound enticing, be careful which jobs you accept; they may not always be as they appear.

There are many jobs posted on the Internet for data entry people needed. They make it sound easy and almost painless, explaining how you are going to make a lot of money. Beware of such postings. Be careful for companies that use tools such as Adword and Click Bank. Remember, if it sounds too easy, it probably is.

Make sure you understand who you are working for, and exactly what you will do for them. If something doesn't sound right, ask questions. Often times the job will be real, but will actually be a ploy for you to sign up for something else that company has to offer. In these cases, you will be assigned a little work, but expected to fill out information about yourself that will entitled you to receive some sort of benefit from the company, sometimes at your own expense. Once they have your bank account information, it is easy for them to continue drawing money out every month for that benefit you actually signed up for, and that may be difficult to cancel.

If you are looking for a data entry job over the Internet, here are some things you might check out. Make sure the company is reputable. Call them, and call others who have heard of them. Some companies require employees to work within a certain mile radius of their company. That isn't a bad idea.

Learn as much as you can about the company: what do they do, who do they serve, exactly what will they expect you to do, and what is the pay? Also, remember if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Finding the Right Online Source for Christmas Cards and Holiday Cards

Whether you send personal greeting cards, business holiday cards, or both, buying them online has several distinct advantages.

Keywords:

christmas cards, business christmas cards, holiday cards, business holiday cards, greeting cards

Article Body:

As the mornings turn crisp and the days get shorter, it's time to begin thinking about the upcoming holiday season. While you may not be ready to start your gift shopping, it's not too early to consider how you are going to express holiday greetings to friends and family, business associates, and customers and clients.

Why Buy Greeting Cards Online?

Christmas cards and holiday cards serve purposes ranging from giving you the opportunity to update family members and friends about life events to marketing your business to customers and potential customers. But whether you send personal greeting cards, business holiday cards, or both, buying them online has several distinct advantages.

The first such advantage is selection. Whether you're looking for business Christmas cards, Thanksgiving cards, or other holiday cards, you'll find many more choices online than you will at a local card store. The second advantage is the ability to save money. Because online greeting card stores don't have the overhead expenses of brick-and-mortar stores, they're able to pass along the savings to their customers. Third, online stores typically offer personalization, both in the form of printing your family's name or the name of your business on the cards, and in printing your return address on the envelope. Fourth, you can usually get steep discounts if you order your Christmas cards early (by mid-October), before the holiday season is in full swing.

What to Look For When Buying Greeting Cards Online

While there are many online businesses that sell holiday cards, you need to choose the right one. You don't want to take the risk that your business Christmas cards will arrive at the end of December, or that the personalization is incorrect. Here are some services to look for when selecting an online source for holiday cards:

1. Longevity and Satisfied Customers. Look for a company that has been in business for at least three years and that can point to a loyal following of individuals and businesses that are happy with their products and services.

2. Quality and Pricing. If you're ordering in quantity, the company should offer bulk discounts. They should also offer an "early bird" discount if you place your order early. The company should be willing to send you sample cards so you can verify the quality of the card. They should also offer high-quality, coordinating envelopes, such as foil-lined envelopes.

3. Personalization. Look for a company that offers several forms of personalization. You should, for example, be able to select from among several different verses for the inside of your cards. They should also include up to four lines of imprinted text on your holiday cards at no extra cost, and allow you to choose from among at least four colors of ink.

4. Customer Service. The company you choose should make it easy for you to order. This means giving you the ability to order online, as well as the option of printing out an order form. They should also have live customer service representatives who can help you place your order and answer any questions you may have.

It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas cards and holiday greeting cards. Once you find the right online source for your needs, you'll never look back!

Getting To “Yes”: Asking The Right Questions

Keywords:

sales, questions, financial issues, solo 401k

Article Body:

See how many of the following questions you can adapt to your own sales efforts.

Situation : Despite making a good sales presentation, the customer remains uninvolved.

Your Question: "Based on the data, it looks like you can save $90,000 a year with this solution.
What needs to be done before you are completely comfortable with this?"

Situation: The client agrees that there are still a number of items that need to be cleared up
before he can make a commitment.

Your Question: "Before we get into this in any depth, can I get your agreement on the data results?
Will you look at the facts and decide for yourself if they make sense?"

Situation : The customer says he is considering one of your competitors.

Your Question: "Yes, that is a good company. But we are different.
Would you like to know why?"

Now, before you move on to pricing, you must have a commitment from your client that there is nothing other than affordability that would prevent them from saying YES. Never omit this step.
I realize that this is the scariest thing to say to a client because you are often unsure of the answer.

You are nearing the end of your presentation now and it's time to tie everything together. This process begins with reiterating the client main issues.

Ask yourself:

1. What have you found throughout the presentation that excites your client the most?
2. What is their most painful problem you can solve?
3. What are their deepest desires?

The answers to those questions are what you will cover here. If you have done a thorough presentation. You should have the answers to all of those questions

Get Agreement

Once the client is fully engaged, it's time to get the final agreement. Once again, we reach this agreement with commitment questions. Here the questions may be more open ended where you allow the client to give a fuller answer than just agreeing with you.

Open-ended questions give the client a chance to fully express why they feel that your product is right for them. They will be saying to you many of the things you have said to them during the presentation if you have done a good presentation.

When you ask these questions it will either be time to finish the sale or the client will come up with an objection you will need to address. Either way, this is another time where you need to be very conscious of the personality type of your client.

Situation : You have come to the end of the sales presentation.

Your Question: "What question should I be asking that I'm not asking?"

Any Objections?

Depending on the way your company markets, you may have clients that are already predisposed to wanting your product. Even with this high degree of interest, you may still encounter objections.

Doing an in-depth investigation of your client's needs and desires in the beginning of your presentation is key to not having objections at the end of your presentation.

The better you know your client the more likely it is that you will cover any potential objections
before they even come to the mind of your client.

Don't forget to continually ask ‘why” when you get an initial answer to a question. That one word can make a world of difference in you getting to the real needs of your client.

Objections decrease as you become more proficient at covering possible objections in the body of your presentation so they never come up at all.

Situation: The sales presentation is over. It is time to ask for the sale with one last question.

Your Question: "Why don't you give it a try?"

YES, they want to move forward with your product. Congratulate them on taking the one action that will improve their life this year.

They should thank you for taking your time to show them exactly how your product will work for them.

You have provided a valuable service to your client and that should make you proud.

Be Prepared--Not every client will say YES.

Situation: Client declines your product or service.

Your Question: “What is there that we can do to make it work for you?”

Now it's their turn to brainstorm your solution to their own problem.

Business can save money by selecting the right job consultancy

For most business recruiting staff can be a costly and time consuming process so why not make sure you make the right decision when instructing a recruitment consultant for your business.

Keywords:

jobs, careers, recruitment, watford,london

Article Body:

Which agency to choose?

There is generally little benefit in working with more than one agency. In fact it can be detrimental as relationships are built on trust.

Also it makes it a lot more difficult to manage the process and keep up to date with where your candidates are coming from, which agency is dealing with which company, different people calling you about different roles etc.

It's far preferable to find an agency who can therefore manage the whole process in a more efficient way for you.

The first thing to do is ask around for personal recommendations. Clearly you can't openly ask your accountant or business consultant whom they would recommend but there may be other actuarial friends or discreet colleagues who could give some feedback on agencies they have used.

Some agencies employ actuaries as recruitment consultants. This adds extra value to the process in that the actuary has the technical background to fully understand your business needs, and particularly what your transferable skills are if you are looking to go in a slightly different direction. In dealing with professional people you can be confident of a quality and confidential service.

A key consideration is to not be swayed in your choice of agency by a sales led consultant as this can often mean the sale is more important than building a long relationship with the business.

Using instinct

After you have been passed lots in cv's and the interviews begin then it is a case of using your experience and instinct in selecting the right candidate for the position.

As the squeeze is being felt by business due to the current economic climate they are relying on specialist service sectors like recruitment agencies to deliver high quality staff for their business needs.

If in doubt about a candidate's ability to undertake work, why not ask them to run through a case or file with you during second interview? If they are a conveyancing solicitor, ask them to run through the procedure they would take on a file or if they are a graphic designer then ask to see some of their work.

Having a test or assessment is perfectly acceptable as this tests the candidate and allows you to make a balanced judgement on their ability.

After you have made a decision on the right candidate then ensure a written offer is made to confirm your intent and then insist a written reply of acceptance and this can save a lot of wasted time.

Contract Manufacturing: Choosing The Right Way To Go

Keywords:

contract manufacturing

Article Body:

Choosing the right company to handle your needs for contract manufacturing is the difference between doing well and doing less than well at your project. The good news is that there are some excellent quality companies out there that will serve your needs effectively from the start. Here are some things to think about when hiring contract manufacturing companies to assist you.

• Consider how well they communicate with you. You have ideas, needs and plans that need to be effectively communicated to the company that you work with and they then need to implement them into their finished product. If they can not communicate well with you from the beginning, who is to say that they will down the line when it is even more important for them to be on the same page?

• Consider the range of scope that the company offers as well. A company that offers many services and many fields of service is nice for convenience and quick turnaround, but a company that specializes may offer a more thorough project for you as well. Determining what fits your needs the best is important.

• It is of course wise to consider budgets and financial information as well. There is no telling the amount of need you have here, so doing a little leg work will help you to find the right cost for your needs as well.

When it comes to contract manufacturing, you will find excellent individuals and companies to do the work you need them to do effectively right here on the web. As the best place to locate the contract manufacturing companies out there, the web is the best place to turn for your need.

Try googling for “contract manufacturing” and you will be surprised by the abundance of information on the subject. Alternatively you may try looking on Yahoo, MSN or even a decent directory site, all are good sources of this information.

Finding A Home Business That’s Right For You

Finding a Home Business that's right for you is not an easy task. This article outlines steps designed to help in making those decisions.

Keywords:

starting a web business, work at home, internetmarketingusa

Article Body:

Making a bazillion dollars on the internet. It’s as easy as doing a few Google searches, getting your own website and you are up and running. The only real issue is how to find the time in your leisure activities to make it to the bank to cash all the checks! Yeah, right. Stop dreaming, it just doesn’t happen that way. In fact according to statistics, more internet marketers end up “in the hole” after investing significant resources (time and money) only to give up in dismay and disappointment. But why, what went wrong?

More times than not, many of these efforts fail before they even get off the ground. This most commonly is caused by a failure to establish a solid foundation with which to build upon in your efforts. How does on do that? Simple, start out be a careful and thoughtful evaluation of oneself. What are you good at? What do you like doing, for fun, business, or pleasure? It is really remarkable the amount of successful web-owners and marketers who are successful in doing something they really love or are good at. Some call it finding our “forte”. The “trick” then becomes finding “your niche” and then structuring your efforts and resources with your internet business around those interests.

This then enormously helps the next aspect which is to learn everything about your product, inside and out. Becoming a “guru” of your given niche ensures you set yourself apart from the crowd, makes you and your products, your advice and opinions – desirable and sought after by others. Even beyond the “snake oil salesmen” who could sale anything, gaining this level of expertise propels us along the way to financial freedom.

Beyond our words, people will be able to tell if you believe in your product or not. So if you are looking at a network marketing company, try being their customer for a couple of months before you join the business. Once you try the product or try the service then you will know how you feel about it. This first hand perspective of your ability to understand the product becomes an invaluable resource in helping you deal with customer issues as well as better prepared to address sales/marketing strategies.

Now that you have selected a business that amplifies your strengths and a product or service you can believe in you have to determine resources and funding for your investment. Remember that most home businesses take months before you begin seeing profits. Therefore, establishing and carefully following a strict budget is vital.

No matter how enticing and beneficial a promotional opportunity/program may seem – the reality is you have to pass on those items that are not within your budget.

OK now you have your business, our product, and your budget now you are ready to start your business. Just remember that it is a business and should be treated as such. For some, running a home based business can be more difficult than running a traditional business. Be very careful about all the many distractions; kids, TV, the couch, etc.

To begin a business from home is a serious commitment of time and money. You must keep this perspective in mind and keep it running as a business. Hobbies are hobbies, business is business! If you do not take it seriously you will just be wasting money and wasting time and since how most people start up home based businesses to have more time and more money you would be defeating the purpose. Whenever possible, try to make yourself a home office area, set aside for the disruptions and distractions whenever possible.

You have your business up and running, the website looks great, the products are hot and ready to go. But where are all the people? You can not forget about the marketing and advertising necessary to bring traffic “in the doors”. Whether it is a traditional brick and mortar building or an internet storefront, this reality is one that we all have to embrace, understand and overcome.

The good part is; there are many mediums with which to “diversify” our advertising efforts. These included newspaper ads, flyers for local areas, mailing lists, pay-per-click methods, and many others. More than any other single area, marketing is the one place where budgeting is a must. The amount of funds for marketing can go from a few dollars, to half the national debt. Sticking to a strict budget in this area is critical for your financial well being! Best advise - diversify your efforts, do not put all your advertising dollars in one medium. This technique will pay off in the long run.

There you have it. These are the “basics” to finding a home business that is suited to your uniqueness, with a greater chance at being successful.

Get The Fundamentals Right

To succeed in business on the Internet, or in the off-line world, requires an understanding of the fundamentals of business and using them to your advantage.

Keywords:

small business, home business, business fundamentals, business success

Article Body:

To succeed in business on the Internet, or in the off-line world, requires an understanding of the fundamentals of business and using them to your advantage. In this article, I will outline what I consider the fundamentals of business success are.

Believe in Your Product or Service

First, you need to believe in your product or service. If you don't believe in it, you will have a great deal of difficulty selling your product or service to other people. You also need to have confidence in your ability to provide and promote your product or service. An old saying sums this up best by stating: "All things are possible to he who believes".

Aptitude for the Business

Secondly, you need to have an aptitude for the business. You will also need the motivation to acquire at the very least basic skills and experience before you start your business. If you were to set yourself up as a web designer but did not have any skills or training in this area, then you will almost certainly fail. However, if you are employed as a bookkeeper and you enjoy the job, then setting up your own bookkeeping service would be a sensible choice with a greater chance of success.

Be Responsible

Thirdly, you need to be responsible to your customers. This is achieved by only making commitments you can keep and by not engaging in misleading or dishonest advertising. If you want to build long-term success in your business, then you need to develop long-term satisfied customers. When their needs are being satisfied, customers are at their happiest.

Aim for High Quality

The next principle is that you need to have a high quality product or service. This will be your best advertisement. Inferior quality products usually generate poor customer satisfaction. A dissatisfied customer can be very dangerous for your business. Usually they tell on average about fourteen other people who will then be disinclined to buy your product or service based on the experience of that one dissatisfied person. Therefore, always aim for a top quality product or service.

Make a Profit

However, it is not enough to have a top quality product or service. You also need to have a product or service that will generate enough income to cover all your business expenses and give you a satisfactory wage. A friend of mine once said that business is only about two things: satisfying customers and making a profit. A simple statement but very true.

Sufficient Start-up Capital

You also need to have access to enough cash to set up and run your business, and enough income to meet your private expenses during the start-up phase. A major problem with many home and small businesses is that they fail to have enough money available to ensure their success. There is nothing more discouraging than having a great idea, getting it started on a shoestring, not being able to expand due to cash shortages and seeing a competitor come along and steal your market.

Start Small

Another fundamental principle of home business success is that you start small. This will enable you to minimize your overheads until you are confident of your success in the marketplace. For many of you, this would mean starting part-time while retaining your full-time income source. When you can, expand your business into a full-time venture. This is a great way of minimizing the risk of failure.

Be Well Organized

Successful businesses are well organized. They have a system for keeping track of expenditure and earnings. This level of organization in your business will help to ensure that you are providing your customers or clients with a top quality product or service. It will also ensure that you have enough information available to maximize your profitability and to satisfy your legal requirements for record keeping.

Be Prepared

Preparation is another key ingredient in your business success. This preparation will include being aware of the regulations and laws affecting small and home business. Armed with this knowledge, you should not have any nasty surprises from unintentional violations of the law.

Have a Business Plan

Finally, successful businesses have developed a comprehensive business plan. This is their road map to success. It tells them where they are going and how they are going to get there. There are a number of good resources about business planning on the Internet. Here are some:
http://www.bplans.com
http://www.businesstown.com/planning/creating.asp
http://www.bizplanit.com/vplan.htm

Conclusion

It has been said that genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. The same can be said about business success. Without having the fundamentals in place, a great business idea will usually fail. Set yourself up for success by considering each of the points raised in this article.

Due Diligence – I don’t need it (ya right)

You have been searching for various businesses for sale and now you have found that perfect business to buy. The business is represented by a reputable broker. You are comfortable with the terms, and now you wish to enter into contract and proceed with the due diligence phase. Everything you have been told by the seller and broker sounds good and feels right. So what’s next? How deep do you need to dig?

Keywords:

businesses for sale, business for sale, franchises, franchisor, franchiser, franchising, franchise opportunities, the business market, thebusinessmarket, colorado businesses for sale, california busin

Article Body:

Deep my friend. Yes, most brokers are very reputable. But remember they only get paid when the deal closes. And remember also that the broker is representing the seller, not you.

So what should you be digging for? Here is a partial list:

1) Negative business trends;

2) Negative industry trends;

3) Expected but undisclosed competition;

4) Any hint of a personal matter that would restrict the seller from selling;

5) Any partner, spouse, shareholder, or related party that would restrict the seller from selling;

6) Existing or past credit problems with banks or suppliers;

7) Any pending litigation against the company;

8) Any claims, liens, or encumbrances against the company or company real estate;

9) Unpaid income, sales, FICA, unemployment insurance, or other taxes;

10) Timely filing of all tax returns;

11) Expected but undisclosed loss of one or more major accounts;

12) A current disaster recovery plan;

13) A current management succession plan;

14) Stale or nonexistent policies and manuals (including personnel manual, training manual, safety manual, and sexual harassment policy)

15) Retention of key employees;

16) Retention of key accounts;

17) Recent bad publicity;

18) Expiring/ renewal of property lease;

19) Leases that are not assignable;

20) Restrictions on business or property expansion;

21) Capital assets that are at or near their expected life;

22) An established reserve for capital improvements;

23) Obsolete equipment and machinery;

24) Overvalued inventory;

25) Product obsolescence;

26) Expiring licenses, patents, franchise agreements, etc.

27) Difficulty in obtaining raw materials, products, or services;

28) Expiring vendor or supplier agreements;

29) Recent increases in all types of insurance rates;

30) Employee awareness regarding the business sale;

31) Customer awareness regarding the business sale;

32) Vendor and supplier awareness regarding the business sale;

33) Non compliance with safety and environmental requirements;

34) Potential labor union or other employee related issues;

35) Any web site related issues.

As you can see there are many issues that really need to be investigated. Many are very technical. You will likely need to enlist the help of other professionals for assistance. An attorney and an accountant are a must.

Just remember, when you are searching businesses for sale, think ahead. Do not trust everything the broker and seller tell you. You are making a huge decision; make sure it’s a good one.

Building sales can be a day at the beach if you do it right

You’ve put a lot of work into your business, but finding new customers is still a pain. The solution is to create systems that work over and over again to fill the pipeline with prospects and convert more of them to customers. If you’re ready attract more customers, boost sales and save enough time to take a well-needed break, read on.

Keywords:

Marketing, time-management, saving time, systems, customer relationships, CRM, web-based crm software for small businesses, sales, automated marketing, client management, referrals, testimonials, build revenue

Article Body:

After years of hard work, you’d like a vacation. Maybe even that snorkeling trip to Cozumel you’ve been promising yourself since the day you went into business. But you can’t. And business isn’t the vacation it once was either.

You put in all that hard work to get your business off the ground, but it hasn’t gotten easier, especially when it comes to finding new customers. And you aren’t getting any closer to dipping your toes in the ocean than you ever were.

The good news, however, is the trip is still possible. And so is a business that runs like a dream. You just need to stop spending so much time chasing business and let it come to you instead.

The solution is to create marketing systems that work over and over again to fill the pipeline with prospects and convert more of them to customers. And don’t forget the most important part – to get better at managing your existing customers. They’re the solid gold of your business.

One of your best tools for an integrated selling and customer management system is CRM – customer relationship management software that does it all, so you don’t have to. Just plug it in, sit back and let the automated processes reap better results than you ever managed during those 20-hour days. Because, after all, we don’t want to lose sight of that sandy beach.

Let’s take a closer look at life with a good CRM software program.

In order to fill the lead pipeline, you need to create marketing and selling systems to attract new clients. In a virtual environment, this means you enter your lead information into the software and let it generate pre-written emails and letters for follow-up.

With all that plum marketing, you’re sure to make sales. Without a system, however, that might be as far as you get – you make the sale and then the client is history. Which means you’re wasting one of the most valuable resources a small business has – the relationship. Studies show that 80% of your sales will come from 20% of your customers. Hence, it’s easier to build revenue with follow-up than by finding new customers.

To maintain the customer relationships and take advantage of the power of referrals, use CRM to create client systems that automatically communicate with your customers. For example, after each sale, the software can send follow-up pieces requesting referrals, testimonials and can, based on the clients buying history, up-sell and cross-sell your company’s other products.

Bottom line, don't try to do it all. Use software to work harder so you can hit the beach. In fact, using CRM, especially if your company is customer-focused, allows you to not only work less but get BETTER results than you ever did on the fly. Your customers consistently come to you, rather than you having to chase them down.

Choose The Right Autoresponder Service For Your Web Based Business

Keywords:

autoresponder, email follow up, internet, marketing

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Does your business find itself lacking a little in the service department? Are you getting complaints about not getting back to people or do you think that you need to use a newer fresher style of marketing? If so then perhaps it is time that you started looking into one of the many different autoresponder services that are out there. These autoresponder services can change the face of your business and help you to pull in many more sales than you have ever seen in the past. In fact, with a good autoresponder service on your side you could up your business as quickly as in one week.

When it comes to an autoresponder service you need decide on what kind you want. You can get an autoresponder service that will be a software program or one that is an actual autoresponder service. If you choose to purchase autoresponder service programs you will only have to make a one time payment to them. This is usually affordable and simple to do, you will be able to use your autoresponder service programs or scripts as many times as you want and you will never have to pay more than your initial investment.

You can also choose to get an actual autoresponder service. This autoresponder service will save you time and energy in a big way. It is so simple and easy to use an autoresponder service that there is a very good chance that you will never look back. Many people have switched form an autoresponder service to a script and then regretted it.

When you are using a script and something goes wrong you have to figure out where the problem lies and how to fix it. When you are using an autoresponder service they do all of this hard work for you. They find the problem and they fix it for free. This is a great selling point on the part of an autoresponder service, especially if you are new to the entire concept.

When you choose an autoresponder service you will also have the peace of mind knowing that they are keeping on top of all the newest and hottest developments in this industry. Bulk mailing is a growing industry and it is changing all of the time. When you have signed on to an autoresponder service you will have the benefits of getting all of the latest technology. If you are running your own script it will never change on its own and you could be missing out on some powerful autoresponder service features. Features that could change your business for the better.

An autoresponder service is a simple and affordable way for you to keep in touch with potential clients. When you are using an autoresponder service you will always know you are getting your messages out to the public and that you are making a splash, a big one. So find out more about the many great autoresponder services online today.

Choosing The Right Uniform For Your Employees

Keywords:

uniforms, business, employees

Article Body:

If you are an employer or business owner and you need to choose a uniform for your employees, there are several factors you should consider before doing so. Since changing uniforms would be an expensive, time consuming hassle, you want to make sure to pick the best uniform when you start.

Of course, you also have the option of not choosing a uniform, but instituting dress code. For example, you might require employees in your IT department to wear blue jeans, a solid color T shirt, and their corporate ID tags. Or you could have a partial uniform - just the shirt, for example.

But the focus of this article is primarily helping you choose a uniform for your employees. Here are several factors that you should consider.

1 – Function
What do you need the uniform to accomplish? Is it for looks only, or does it need to have special functionality?

2 – Wearability
What kind of wear will your employees be putting on their uniforms? Be sure that the uniform you choose will hold up well under the conditions your employees will be working. For example, most military work/battledress uniforms are made of ripstop material so they will hold up to the abuse they receive on the job.

3 – Image
What image do you want your uniforms to convey? Think carefully about the message you want you uniforms to convey – professional? Tough? Ready for work? Sophisticated? Military? Ensure that the uniform you choose conveys the message you want.

4 – Washability
If at all possible, choose a uniform that is easily washed and cared for. Few things are more of a nuisance than clothes that are a pain to wash and dry. If possible, select a material that will not need to be ironed.

Keeping these factors in mind, you can choose a uniform that will make you, your employees, and your customers happy. Good luck!

Finding The Right People For The Job

Keywords:

people

Article Body:

If you are a manager, one of the most stressful aspects of your job is finding good people to fill available positions in your company. Whether you work in a small business or for a large corporation, hiring new personnel can be a hard process to manage. There are many things to consider when you are reviewing resumes and arranging interviews, but if you attention to some key factors, you will typically find a successful match for your needs.

The first step toward finding good people to fill positions is the advertising process. You can put in ads in local newspapers and make postings on Internet job sites. Be sure to word your ad in such a way that it adequately describes the most important skills needed for the job. If the available position calls for certain communication or technical skills be sure to list those clearly, and if applicants are expected to know particular software programs make sure you say that this knowledge is required.

Once you have placed you ad, you will have to begin screening applicants. The first step is to look through all of the submitted resumes and rule out those who obviously do not have the right qualifications for the job. This process can be as lenient or as strict as you need, depending on how many people apply for the position. If you have a big stack of resumes, you will have to immediately rule out some people just for the sake of time. However, if you have little to choose from, you might consider interviewing all of the candidates to see who seems the best suited to the job at hand.

After you have narrowed your applicant field, you will have to start arranging interviews. Though scheduling can be a nightmare if you are already extremely busy with your own job, you should set aside a few days to conduct your interviews. You can spend half of every day for a week interviewing candidates, leaving the other half of each day to conduct business as usual. Once you have finished scheduling, you can begin the interview process.

Interviewing can be very stressful for both the interviewer and the people being interviewed. It is important to make your job candidates as comfortable as possible so you will be able to better judge them for who they really are. If you begin the interview with a series of tough questions, he or she may become frazzled and not be able to give you answers that illustrate his or her true abilities. However, if the available job requires grace under pressure and thinking on ones feet, it might be a good idea to test the applicants ability to deal with stressful situations.

You should cater your interview to the requirements of the job. Reiterate needed skills sets and confirm that the applicant has the skills needed to perform adequately. You can usually tell a lot about people from how they conduct themselves during an interview. If the applicant is confident even when fielding tough problem-solving questions, he or she will probably be good at doing so in a professional setting. Be sure to take notes on positive and negative qualities of an applicant so you do not forget during the course of the long interviewing process.

Once you have interviewed all of the applicants you are considering, you will have to make the hard choice of who to hire. Even if you have several qualified people, there are usually one or two who really stand out. If you can narrow your choices to two or three candidates, you can always arrange for another interview with each. Keeping in mind the requirements of the position, you can usually figure out the best person for the job after conducting a focused second interview session. After you make your decision, be confident that you have chosen the right person to become the newest member of your team.

Guide To Choosing The Right Flight School

Keywords:

flight school,pilot school,flight training,pilot training

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Flying an aircraft is the most exhilarating activity man could ever learn, and where height is the ultimate challenge. It takes both skills and dogged determination so as to obtain a career in navigating an aircraft.

Determination is an innate quality that pilots must possess in order to endure the rigid training of flight operations.

On the other hand, skills are being learned in a flight school. That is why, it is important for a pilot wannabe to get the best flight school available so as to acquire the necessary skills needed in order to pilot an aircraft.

In this manner, it can be assumed that the skill of a pilot will be entirely dependent on the type of flight school he or she has enrolled in. It can be considered that all flight schools teach the same basic procedure in navigating an aircraft but the kind of approach they use in disseminating the information varies.

For this reason, it is a must for every aspiring pilot to deliberate upon the requisites of an efficient flight school. To determine its efficiency, here’s a checklist on what to look for in a flight school:

1. Proficient instructors

What the students learn will depend on how efficient the instructor is. That’s why, it is important to check on the capabilities and qualities of the instructors in a certain flight school so as to ensure efficient and effective training.

2. Flight course

A good flight school must have a comprehensive and innovative pilot course. So, when looking for one, you must check on the details of the course outline. It must have thorough specifications on the lesson plans, learning goals, and the date of every flying session.

Remember to check the course outline for the addition of pre and post-flight consultation and stage checks.

3. The training tools

The training tools are very crucial in the learning process. These will initiate the proper learning process. Hence, when looking for good flight schools, check if they have diagrams, computers, videos, and model training tools. It will keep your discussions more realistic and comprehensive.

4. Check the aircraft.

A good and efficient flight school must have enough aircraft to convene to your flight training needs. The aircraft should also be well equipped with different gadgets that will resemble to the actual aircraft being used. There should be a Mode C transponder and an intercom.

Check also if the aircrafts are properly maintained and well taken care of.

5. Services

Like any typical schools, flight schools must also have a comfortable, sanitary, sufficient classroom size and number. It must also have other facilities like a lounge, library, and flight planning area.

6. Payments and Refunds.

Be sure that the flight school you want to enrol in should have refund policies. Otherwise, do not pay the tuition fee in full.

So, now that you know the very essential factors that you have to consider in choosing a flight school, the next thing that you have to do is to look for a good flight school and have your registration forms ready.

But before you register, here are some things that you have to do first:

1. Gather data

Now that you have a checklist, it would be easier for you to look for a good flight school. But first, you must compile all the probable flight schools in a list. In doing so, you will have a vision on how many probable flight schools are there in your area.

2. Check on the two flight schools

Personally visit the two top flight schools of your choice. Evaluate the flight school if it is good enough for your training. Use your checklist when evaluating the school.

You can further maximize your evaluation by interviewing some students in the school and the instructors. Through their answers, you can get a hint if the flight school is good or not.

3. Decisive moment

After all of these things have been done, it is now high time that you finally decide which flight school is good for you. Just keep in mind that when choosing a flight school, make sure that it has met all the requirements you need in your checklist.

Also, it is important that you consider the tuition fee. Do not be too constraint with the high tuition fees of flight schools. Besides, you can always expect some quality training in expensive flight schools. There may come a time that even if you have chosen a cheaper flight school, you might only end losing more in the end.

When it comes to donating a car, you’ll find that you’ll be able to make more of a profit than if you sold it. You will want to keep in mind that it doesn’t matter if it is a car, a boat, or an RV. You will still be able to make plenty more on donating it rather than selling it. You will be able to see more money come in when it comes to tax return time. You’ll be able to see the benefits of donations right away.

Business success strategies – 5 Things I Did Right in 2005

Keywords:

business strategies, growing a business, business success, business success strategies, marketing, copywriting, creativity

Article Body:

All in all, I'm pretty happy with how 2005 turned out. My business is taking off. I've built a solid foundation to support even more growth (which I forecast for 2006) and I've even managed to take some time off.

I'd like other entrepreneurs and business owners to feel as good about their business as I do about mine, so I thought I'd take a moment to share 5 things I attribute to my successful 2005.

1. Attended seminars. This one is HUGE. Nothing beats getting out of your office and away from your computer and actually meeting people face to face. I've come away from these events with clients, joint venture partners, and more. (And that doesn't even include the great information I absorbed and was able to put to use in both my business and my clients' businesses.) If you only put one of my 5 tips to use, this would be the one to do -- that's how valuable I've discovered attending seminars to be.

2. Hired a coach. Again, this was another tough decision to make, but I'm really glad I did. It's difficult to see your business objectively, so having a neutral observer on your team is extremely valuable. Coaches help you get out of your own way (and believe me, that's a biggie for us entrepreneurs.) They can help you with both your inner game (your habits and mindset) and your outer game (your skills and business structure).

3. Started systemizing my business. Unless you want to be chained to your business night and day, you have got to start systemizing your business. Yes, all businesses should have systems in place, even if you don't have anyone else working for you and you primarily sell services. The best part is when you do have systems in place, your business suddenly starts running a lot more efficiently and effectively (and you can start sleeping better at night and relaxing on vacation).

4. Outsourced. For all you control freaks out there, this one is for you. If you don't start hiring some help, I guarantee you'll never be able to grow your business because you'll be constantly doing tasks you have no business doing. Do yourself a favor and get some help...NOW. I've just hired a project manager/director of client services, plus I have 2 backup writers and 2 virtual assistants. Building a team has been a big stress reliever for me.

5. Focused on my inner game. Shifting my mindset away from "freelancer" to "business owner" was another big piece of the puzzle. As soon as I made that shift, all the other four techniques fell into place because it suddenly made them easier to do.

It's tough to change your inner game on your own -- hiring a coach is probably the fastest way to do this. But there are some good resources out there if you want to begin dabbling in it first. Do a search and see what comes up, I started my journey with free ezines and articles.

Creativity Exercise -- Make 2006 the best year ever

Go back and reread my list. Now get out a piece of paper and start brainstorming ways you can integrate my tips into your business. Which one do you think will bring the quickest results? Which one will be more difficult for you to start doing? Which is the one you SHOULD be doing?

Have fun with this exercise, really play around and see what comes up. Don't censor yourself, just write down the answers that bubble up even if it doesn't seem right. You might discover something important about yourself and your business that might be the key to launching you forward faster than you ever dreamed possible.