Thursday, September 25, 2008

No One Can Be Disciplined For You

Business, Ask An Expert.

Discipline - - a good business strategy - if you have self - discipline in your work, and towards your goals, you will accomplish everything that you set out to achieve. There are many areas in your life where you can be self - disciplined.


It is not easy to become self - disciplined, but the rewards are great. - you can be disciplined with your thoughts. If you have thoughts of worry filling your head it chokes out productive and solution - filled thoughts. Do not let your fears carry you away. Discipline yourself so that any time a thought of worry or fear comes in, you stop it immediately. You need to practice self - discipline with your words. If a thought shouts at you, "This is useless, " discipline yourself to shout back and continue on with your work and your goals until you have achieved what you want.


Stop negative words from flowing out of your mouth all the time. - even if you did say something negative about yourself or another, cut yourself off in mid - sentence and don' t say one more word. If you have the impulse to say something negative, close your mouth. Change your words to positive. Be self - disciplined in your evaluation of yourself. Correct yourself immediately. Really look deeply at yourself.


Be honest, and thorough with your self - evaluation. - if you don' t like who you are, or the results you are getting, take steps to change your behavior, change self - defeating patterns, and discard what is not working. If you can' t be honest with yourself or you really can' t see yourself clearly, and then really, ask for help take in others' evaluations. It is not easy to hear the truth and to acknowledge it fully. Listen carefully to at least three close people and then use truth that all of them tell you. But if you want change it is because you don' t like YOU as you are now, and you MUST change to feel better inside. Do what is necessary now.


Be self - disciplined in your actions. - don' t put it off because it probably will never get done. Don' t be led off - track by an undisciplined person. Write down your goals, and check them off one by one. Most people want to accomplish great things in this life but they procrastinate when it comes to doing the nitty - gritty work: exercising, planning, learning, writing, and pushing through, phoning when you don' t see any results. I like myself much better when I' m disciplined and you probably will, too.


I speak from experience, as one who didn' t finish, often procrastinated or was intimidated by some task. - self - discipline means doing something like exercise when you don' t feel like doing it. Working diligently on your project even though you don' t know if it will succeed, or what its outcome will be. Writing on something when you don' t really see the direction that the work is taking. Putting yourself there day after day even though you are tired. Taking the time and energy to master something new. Keeping yourself fired up when there is no one there to encourage you.


Make the steps to transform your life. - we are all disciplined in some areas of our lives. And do them over and over again until you are where you want to be. I used to teach a couple of men and women who were completely disciplined when it came to going to the gym to work out. Those same students were incredible drinkers and partiers. They would run, and then would, rain or shine go to the gym for two hours no matter what. They would stay out drinking and partying until 4: 30 in the morning and then feel horrible with a hangover for the next day or two because their discipline was limited to only certain areas of their lives.


Change does not happen overnight, especially if you are coming from a lower place to a higher place emotionally, financially or spiritually. - if you wish to make any substantial changes in your life, you need to be disciplined towards your new goals. If you wish to have money for the down payment of your house you can' t keep charging on your credit card all the time. If you have dreams of being someone creative, like a painter or a writer, but you don' t know the first thing about painting or writing, you must discipline yourself to the learning and the doing of your craft. You have to be disciplined with a savings program and a not - spending program until you have what it takes to make your dreams a reality. Put yourself into a self - learning and mastery mode. Buy appropriate tools towards that goal, and then use the tools.


Read everything that you can on your new craft. - a writer becomes good by writing and writing, and editing and editing. When you are learning a new trade, be disciplined also in the control of judgmental thoughts. An artist becomes good at painting by observing and painting and working with colors, and painting as much as she can. Do not condemn your efforts. If you don' t know how to improve or to work properly go to classes with a professional.


Keep practicing, keep improving. - but don' t let the classes be your only work. Encourage yourself with your thoughts, "You can do this. Work on your own. You can figure this out. " Also visualize yourself further down the line, when you are making a good income with your new profession, working in your own space with joy and ease and comfort. Know where you are going and what you want to achieve.


That is very important in the transformation too. - but be disciplined towards your goal every day. Thirty minutes or an hour per day: that is not very much time when you think of the lifetime we live on this planet, but you could accomplish a lot with that thirty or forty minutes a day, doing the same thing year after year. If you disciplined yourself and did something for only thirty minutes per day, but you did it every day for ten years, you would become very good at what you were focused on. Turn off the TV for one hour and suddenly you have an hour free. You would be a very calm and peaceful person, and you would have a lot pages written on your story or your autobiography.


Let' s say that with that hour, you meditated for thirty minutes per day and with the other thirty minutes you wrote every day. - it takes a commitment to change, and a commitment to yourself and to the discipline. I know it may sound obvious, but you have to practice discipline to achieve the results that you are seeking. If you want your body to change, you must be disciplined in your exercise and your eating. No one can be disciplined for you. Be disciplined to see all phases of a project before you begin, break down the steps and the tasks and be disciplined to do each of the steps diligently.


You need to do the work and you will see the results. - one big project can be broken down into several little jobs or sections. You can accomplish a lot if you learn to become a disciplined person, and do things, and follow through consistently. copyright 2006 Yoga Kat When you have finished all the little jobs that you have determined, your project will be completed also.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Build A Team

Business, Ask An Expert.

Only time will 'sell' - "i wasted time, and now doth time waste me. " shakespeare. If you' re a typical REALTOR(R) , that' s how many hours you' ll work this year, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS(R) .


Two thousand three - hundred hours. - that' s a lot of time to get sidetracked and end up down an unproductive, frustrating and rocky road. It happens to us all. Has it happened to you? But knowing - and embracing - dollar - productive activities can keep you on the smooth, freshly - paved freeway to more profits, more efficiency and more fulfillment in your real estate career. Prospect. First, you should know that there are only four tasks that will actually make a REALTOR(R) money: List.


Sell. - when you became a realtor(R) , these are the activities you signed up for. Negotiate. The rest is time spinning down a just - flushed toilet. Has the flushing sound become a common sound in your day - to - day work? How many of your 2, 300 hours are you flushing? Putting up signs - Flush!


Setting up meetings - Flush! - making copies - flush! These are precious minutes - time that could be spent fattening your bank account and doing what you do best as a professional. Here are three easy ways: Inventory Your Time. So how do you stay focused on these four tasks to maximize your time? First, you have to know where the problem is before you can fix it.


Write out everything you' re doing now to find the flushing sounds. - inventory your time. When I first started working with one of my clients, CRS, Char MacCallum, Char MacCallum Real Estate Team in Olathe, Kan. , we broke down all her activities and assigned a dollar figure to each one. Build a Team. Then, where it was more profitable to hire someone to check listings or put up signs, we hired an, for example assistant at a lower pay rate instead of paying the high cost of Char' s time. As you can gather from what MacCallum did, a team is fundamental.


Unfortunately, and much to their detriment, many REALTORS(R) try to do it all by themselves. - if nothing else, just hiring one assistant is one of the best moves an agent can make. One of the top producers in the country admitted to me that he used to try and do it all. Now Zac meets weekly with his team to review what he needs to know - numbers, completed projects and, reports the like. "Sometimes I fall back into micro - managing, but now I have a management team that tells me' That' s not your job, '" Zac said. Zac Pasmanick, of RE, CRS/ MAX Greater Atlanta, told me he was" the CEO, CFO, GM, VP, chief brand creator, dynamic web developer, global marketing director, internal quality inspector, rainmaker, logistics coordinator, accountant, chief cook and dish washer. " We worked together to designate areas of responsibility, establish a chain of command, clarify his role as the CEO and hire a first - rate team. Zac' s advice to agents( and I agree whole - heartedly) : "Adopt a positive, pro - active mindset.


Have a Plan. - don' t wallow in problems, focus on solutions. If you don' t have a plan, you' re begging to be swept away in the frenzied current of minutia and chaos. The number one time waster comes in the form of this reactive - laden question, which I hear often from agents: "When would you like to meet? " REALTORS(R) ; need to learn how to run their businesses like a doctor' s office, with appointments that fit their schedule. A plan helps you take charge as a proactive REALTOR(R) , not a reactive one. By setting up specific times in your weekly plan when you can meet your clients this is easily accomplished. So we developed a plan that spelled out systems and tools that helped her gain control of not only her time but also her team' s time.


Agents need to learn how to say, "I can meet at these times. " I remember MacCallum telling me that she often found herself reacting to the day instead of planning for the day. "I' d get stuck in reactive mode, dealing with paper jams and phone calls instead of working a plan that would increase my profitability, " she said. - systems with detailed checklists that covered everything that happened in her business - from how the phone would be answered to how leads that came in via the internet were to be handled. Twenty - three hundredd hours. Now her business is on auto - pilot and she' s in control - and believe me, she' s flying high! Can you imagine how much more successful you could be if you spent each and every one of those hours doing what you - as a professional - do best - List, Sell, Prosepect& Negotiate? And the time is now.


The possibility is right there inside you. - i wish you the best!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Marketing Initiative Is A Broad Term That Is Used Often

Business, Ask An Expert.

What is a marketing initiative? - marketing is not as simple as many may lead you to believe. That is where a good marketing initiative comes in to play. In order for your business to be effective, you need to understand what is involved in promoting what you are offering in terms of products and services.


A marketing initiative is essentially anything that is clearly defined as a marketing effort. - it is basically anything specific in your marketing plan. Simple, isn' t it? So what types of things are considered marketing initiatives? For larger companies, a marketing initiative can be a theme. Here are a few examples that may help you.


For instance, a set of commercials that use a specific character or funny situation over and over may be considered a marketing initiative. - an example of this is the geiko commercials that feature the cute talking gekko. This, would certainly be, though more common with large businesses. The initiative is to associate their car insurance services and products with a character that sticks in your head. This is why many commercials use cute, cuddly characters such as babies and puppies etc. Being cute is an added advantage. Another example of a marketing initiative is undertaking a certain method relentlessly.


If, for instance, you decide to implement email marketing with great fervor, then you can call that your email marketing initiative. - sometimes you may wish to focus your efforts solely on one method of marketing. You will outline a plan very specific to that initiative. Focusing your efforts into a sole initiative demands that you understand it intimately. And you will carry it out. You better know what you are doing if that' s the ONLY initiative you' ve got. Often, when you put all your eggs in one basket, you better have more eggs!


In addition you also need to have a backup plan in case your initiative does not come through for you as you hoped. - another type of marketing initiative you may invoke is a large scale shift in what you are doing. Though not as specific as other examples, it is certainly something that directly affects the marketing of your company. If you are going away from traditional marketing to exclusively use the internet that is a whole new marketing initiative you are putting in place. These types of initiatives are usually done parallely with your existing marketing initiatives. A marketing initiative can also be as simple as a shift in an idea.


The old initiatives are slowly phased out as the new one takes over. - you can have a new marketing initiative that simply changes the way you promote your company, or more specifically what about the company you are trying to promote. Marketing initiative is a broad term that is used often. A shift in positioning is a good example. However, if you understand what it is you will be more able to effectively put an initiative in place if you need to. So it' s important that you understand what it means in the first place. Changing or implementing an initiative is a big part of the promotion of your business.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

With Podcasts, It' S Totally Free

Business, Ask An Expert.

How podcasts can help your online business - podcasts has evolved from being just a hobby for the music enthusiasts to a serious marketing tool adopted by large multinational corporations. The reason is because podcasts is basically just an audio mp3 file which is distributed using Rss feeds. In fact, it' s evolution and transformation is tied closely to that of blogs.


Think of podcasts as your different radio channels. - initially the use of podcast was mainly done by music enthusiasts and hobbyists who wanted to share music files and audio with others. You can tune in to a classical channel, or rock channel or jazz channel and so on. Just like blogs when podcast first came onto the scene, podcast was thought of nothing more than some form of fun hobby or activity. As can be seen, what started as a simple form of fun hobby soon evolved into a powerful marketing weapon. It was not long, before companies realized the potential of podcasts. in: - building client relationship, - branding, - getting their message out there. - syndicating their content and ultimately. advertising their services and products through the use of Rss feeds, which was in - built into blogs. Podcasts is not just for the music enthusiasts anymore.


For example: Companies like General Motors and Microsoft, create podcasts that combine information and product news for people who may be interested, car, such as investors, computer buffs or industry analysts. - companies and businesses understand the power of podcast and how podcast can help their. business. News channels, put their headlines, like CNN and some of the brief news stories into a podcasts format. Museums, and historical sites, art galleries create broadcasts for users to listen to as they walk through, replacing the human guide that would do tours, and allowing an individual with a personal audio player to go through at their own pace. Radio stations have turned some of their programs into podcasts which they upload daily and make available to people who might enjoy the program but are unable to listen to it when it is initially broadcast over the airwave. The director of the sci - fi television show" Battlestar Galactica" creates a regular. podcast to tell subscribers about the behind - the - scenes effort to make the show.


Obviously it helps them with their business and bottomline! - why do you think these large multi - national companies bother to create podcasts? Let' s take a look again at how podcast or podcasting can help your online business. Podcast uses Rss feeds and with the explosion in the use of Rss feeds, this means you can submit your Podcast to many podcast directories. Podcast can grow, expand and multiply your business. Just like the way a listener tunes in to a particular radio channel, podcast listeners and subscribers will look for a specific niche podcast to subscribe to. Flexibility and repeat advertising.


This means you can reach out to new market and new consumer you otherwise would normally not be able to do with traditional forms of business advertising and promotion. - podcast, being essentially and audio file, convenience and flexibility, offers consumers choice. Think about how much it would cost you to repeat an advert? With the proliferation of mp3 players, your podcast can be downloaded, stored in an mp3 player and listen to over and over again. With podcasts, it' s totally free. Recent years have seen the gigantic and exponential growth of audio mp3 device players, especially Apple' s iPod.


Ready market, to the tune of millions waiting to be tapped. - there are millions of loyal ipod totting fans out there. You can serve these lucrative niche markets by offering niche podcasts. They are constantly searching for audios to download. These are just some of the many examples how podcast and podcasting can help your online business. With such a big potential and the technology being in it' s early unsaturated stage, this is truly the best time to leverage on podcasting technology to grow and multiply your online business.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Your Responsibility Is To Enjoy Your Life

Business, Ask An Expert.

Stop robbing yourself: get rid of your job! - ahhh, the great american dream. Hey, wait a minute that all sounded pretty good up until that last part.


White picket fences, a beautiful wife, puppy dogs and children, good friends and a great job. - from birth, we have been brainwashed that the optimal value of our lives is determined by our vocation. We feel like real mature adults when we' re in high school working diligently. We are thrilled when we' re finally old enough to get our first paper route. We work our way through college so that we can call ourselves educated and get a better job. The first question that most people ask each other is, "Where do you work? " or" What do you do for a living? " Enough! There, we spend the rest of our able - bodied lives working away.


It' s time to break the mold! - here are 10 fantastic reasons to get rid of your crappy job today: 1 having a job limits your development both personal and professional. Working our lives away until we' re too old to enjoy life is for the birds! If you spend all of your time working for" the man" , then you will never get to be the person that you want to be. 2 Working your life away works the life right out of you. When you spend your life working for others, you lock yourself into poverty. People give the most healthful years of their lives to their jobs. 3 Having a job assures you that you will never really have any money.


You have to learn to do your own thing for the benefit of yourself and your loved ones. 4 People who think that hard work is the only way to success are simply misled or perhaps mentally challenged. - think about it: if you wake up every day and go to work for 50 weeks straight, then you get two weeks for yourself and your family. There are incredible ways to generate loads of cash and have more free time than you know what to do with. 5 You deserve more vacation time than one or two weeks every year. Most times, those two weeks are spent just trying to wrap your mind around the next 50 that are coming up again. 6 If you believe that all you are ever meant to be is an employee, then you will probably be a great one. Helpfulness, yes. However, that' s all you' ll ever be. 7 There is no honor in servitude. Giving, yes.


How many of them have you achieved or seen come to fruition? - slavery, no way! 8 think about all of the dreams that you had throughout your life. The reason that people don' t achieve their goals in life is because they' re too busy working at their jobs. 9 Do you wake up every morning feeling really excited to be alive? Hmmm, why don' t you do something about it? 10 People claim that it is the responsibility of an individual to work. Are you full of anticipation about getting to the office because it' s such a thrilling experience? Nothing could be further from the truth. It' s the only one that you have!


Your responsibility is to enjoy your life. - begin living your life the way that you choose to. Hard work does not accommodate or bring about happiness and success. There are many ways to successfully replace your job and generate more cash than you ever thought was possible. On the contrary, working your life away is exactly what will cause your great misery. Become your own champion!


Take control of your own destiny! - realize that your job is killing you and then do something about it.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Take Your Time And Develop A Solid Business Plan

Business, Ask An Expert.

Home - based business: five secrets to developing a successful home - based business - there is an international trend to develop home - based businesses. If you are one of these people, then you need to realize that over 95% of home - based business lunches fail miserably within the first year of operation.


It seems that everybody wants in on this modern phenomenon. - you do not have to add to the statistics! Here are five tips to get you moving in the proper direction: 1 Develop a mindset of unfaltering success within yourself. There are proven methods that will make your home - based business one of the few that succeeds. Without having the proper attitude, you will not succeed in anything in life especially business. Do not make the mistake of thinking that you can set up a home office, throw out a few ads, sleep in late every day and rake in the cash.


When you employ a positive and healthily competitive mindset, you raise yourself to new levels of success potential. 2 Home - based businesses are real businesses in every sense. - the rules for making a business succeed remain constant regardless of its center of operation. Begin with your education. You have to consider issues such as: advertising, funding, accounting, insurance, customer service, demographics, profit margins and healthcare to name a few. 3 Diligently commit to growing your business. Begin exposing yourself to and assimilating the rules that govern business. Don' t just blindly jump in and go for it.


Take your time and develop a solid business plan. - that' s how most people fail. 4 embrace the idea of utilizing the services of a professional business mentor. There are professional mentors available. If you want to succeed, you will soon find out that running a successful home - based business can be overwhelming. It is wise to employ their services. They do it every day. These are professionals who have been where you are and have overcome the obstacles that you face now.


Their advice is invaluable. 5 The business that you will want to develop is not necessarily the one that seems the most obvious. - you have to consider the area that you' re in as well as the resources that you have available to you and your ability to efficiently utilize them. Just because you are attracted to certain ideas or products doesn' t mean that they are sellable. You don' t have to be an expert at sales although it helps, but you do need to be smart about your choices of which you are selling and who you' re trying to sell it to. Owning and operating a home - based business of any type can be a wonderfully - rewarding experience. If you take your time and make every move with diligent intention, then you will have already defeated most of your competition.


You just need to remember that most often it is an experience of humiliation and failure. - there' s a lot more to learn too, but this is a good start. Overcome the issues that do most new entrepreneurs in by utilizing the techniques described here. Educate yourself and develop that winning attitude. Give your home - based business a fighting chance!

People Helping People Are What The Programs Are All About

Business, Ask An Expert.

Cash gifting: which cash gifting program is right for you? - cash gifting is a wonderful way to help others as well as to induce benefit into your own life. Religious orders across the world hold close the concept of giving wholeheartedly.


Gifting has been a concept embraced by humanity since the beginning of time. - to give is good. There are quite a few legitimate programs available to choose from. Giving gifts to others is also 100% legal in the United States and Canada just to name a few countries. How do you know which one is right for you? Some don' . 2 You need to make certain that the program that you are considering is one of integrity.


Here is a list of some helpful considerations: 1 If your intention is to engage in a cash gifting program online, then you need to make sure that the program allows for online promotion. - there should be program administrators and software applications that track all activity within the plan. Commonly, the programs are based upon the amounts of: $500, $1500 and$ 350Of course, the benefits are greater when it is your turn to receive if the initial gift is higher. 4 You need disallow yourself from being overly suspicious. There should be a proven track record of success. 3 Before beginning a program, you need to consider how much money you' re willing and/ or able to gift. Suspicion is good. When you give the gift of cash to somebody in need, it makes you feel nice. However, when you are overly suspicious to the point that you are afraid to move forward in life, you will miss out on many potentially wonderful opportunities.


A warm feeling is generated within yourself by knowing that you have helped somebody less fortunate than you. - there is certainly nothing wrong with receiving either. These programs benefit thousands of people every year by helping them to get out of debt, send their children, purchase a home to college and start businesses of their own. When you are part of a private group of likeminded individuals that are giving and receiving their cash to one another, it provides you with a sense of security. You have given first. When you receive your gifts, there will be no guilt. People helping people are what the programs are all about.


Explore the realm of cash gifting today! - just assure that you' re dealing with a legitimate and valid plan.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Nurses Are Often In Key Management Roles Within Health Services

Business, Ask An Expert.

Nursing, lucrative course? - nurses work in a variety of settings ranging from the hospital to outpatient clinics, community health centers, emergency rooms, visiting nurse agencies, work places, schools, nursing homes, and the military. Some nurses have even started their own businesses as consultants or advanced practice nurses.


Nurses work in a variety of roles - staff nurses, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, clinical specialists, nurse educators, nurse researchers, nurse midwives, and nurse managers. - nursing continues to develop a wide body of knowledge and associated skills. Indeed nursing is classified into three whereas they differ with the year they are taken and also the job they will be specialize with. Nurses are often in key management roles within health services. Licensed Practical Nurses( LPNs) is usually have eighteen months to two years of training in anatomy and physiology, and practical patient, medications care. Registered Nurses( RNs) are professional nurses who often supervise the tasks performed by LPNs, and nursing assistants, orderlies. And in some states, it is commonly known as Licensed Vocational Nurses( LVNs) .


Advanced Practice Nurses( APNs) are registered nurses with advanced education, skills, knowledge, and scope of practice. - nurses are considered to be the heart and soul of healthcare settings and independently standing, the front line caregiver to clients. Nursing is a career for a lifetime. Supporting nurses through their critical entry into the profession is not only good for the development of the nurse and the employer, but it is most important to the good of the patient. Regulation implies the intervention of the government to accomplish an end beneficial to its citizens. In the modern world, there are a large number of specialties within nursing.


As a matter of fact, the estimated average, Last May 2006 annual income for registered nurses in the U. - in addition to that, bonuses, attractive salaries, and job security are also proposed for the advantage of nurses. S. was$ 59, 710 and the average hourly wage was$ 27Aside from that, many hospitals provide signing bonuses and offer generous continuing education benefits for nurses who want to continue their education beyond the associate and bachelor degrees. Remember - nursing is about caring for people. Indisputably, nursing is a profession and indeed, it is extensively spreading!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Business Continuity

Business, Ask An Expert.

Selling your business - why use a business broker - perhaps the most important business transaction you will ever pursue is the sale of your business. The purpose of this article is to answer the questions - Why would I use a business broker and what am I getting for the fees I will pay?


Many business owners attempt to do it themselves and when asked if they got a good deal, many respond with" I think so, " or" I got my asking price, " or" I really don' t know, " or" It was a disaster. " Often times these very capable business people approach the sale of their business with less formality than in the sale of a home. - confidentiality. Employees, suppliers, customers, and bankers all get nervous and competitors get predatory. If an owner tries to sell his own business, that process alone reveals to the world that his business is for sale. The business broker protects the identity of the company he represents for sale with a process designed to contact only owner approved buyers with a blind profile - a document describing the company without revealing its identity. That generally eliminates the tire kickers and deters behaviors detrimental to the seller' s business. In order for the buyer to gain access to any sensitive information he must sign a confidentiality agreement.


Business Continuity. - the business owner is already performing multiple functions instrumental to the success of his business. Selling a business is a full time job. By taking on the load of selling his business, many of those essential functions will get less attention, sometimes causing irreparable damage to the business. Time to Close. The owner must maintain focus on running his business at its full potential while it is being sold. Since the business broker' s function is to sell the business, he has a much better chance of closing a transaction faster than the owner.


Large Universe of Buyers. - the faster the sale, the lower the risk of business erosion, employee problems and, customer defection predatory competition. Business brokers subscribe to databases of businesses that enable them to screen for buyers that are in a certain SIC Code and have revenues that would support the potential acquisition. Marketing. In addition they maintain databases of high net worth individual buyers and have access to private equity groups databases that outline their buying criteria. A business broker can help present the business in its best light to maximize selling price. Higher EBITDA= higher selling price.


He understands how to recast financials to recognize the EBITDA potential post acquisition. - he understands the key value drivers for buyers and can help the owner identify changes that translate into enhanced selling price. The value of a business is far more difficult to ascertain than the value of a house. Valuation Knowledge. Every business is unique and has hundreds of variables that effect value. The best way for a business owner to truly feel comfortable that he got the best deal is to have several financially viable parties bidding for his business. Business brokers have access to business transaction databases, but those should be used as guidelines or reference points.


An industry database may indicate the value of your business based on certain valuation multiples, but the market provides the real answer. - most business owners that act as their own business broker get only one buyer involved - either another business that approaches him with an unsolicited offer or a referral from his banker, or outside attorney, accountant. An industry database, can not put, for example a value to a particular buyer on a key customer relationship or a proprietary technology. Just look at the additional billion plus dollars of value created for MCI shareholders because of the competitive bidding between Verison and Quest Communications. Most corporate buyers have acquired multiple businesses while sellers usually have only one sale. Balance of Experience. In one situation we represented a first - time seller being pursued by a buyer with 26 previous acquisitions.


The inexperienced seller will be negotiating in the dark. - buyers want the lowest price and the most favorable terms. To every term and condition in the buyer' s favor the buyer will respond with, "that is standard practice" or" that is the market" or" this is how we did it in ten other deals. " By engaging a business broker the seller has an advocate with a similar experience base to help preserve the seller' s transaction value and structure. Business brokers can save the seller significantly on professional hourly fees by managing several important functions leading up to contract. Maximize the Value of Seller' s Outside Professionals. His compensation is usually comprised of a reasonable monthly fee plus a success fee that is a percentage of the transaction value.


In the absence of the business broker that sometimes - exhaustive negotiation process would default to the outside attorney. - the business broker and seller negotiate with the buyer the business terms of the transaction( sale price, seller financing, down payment, etc. ) prior to turning the purchase agreement over to outside counsel for legal review. It is not his area of expertise and could result in significant hourly fees. The sale of a business is an emotional process and can become contentious. Maintain Buyer - Seller Relationship. The business broker acts as a buffer between the buyer and seller.


Often buyers want sellers to have a portion of their transaction value contingent on the successful performance of the company post closing. - this not only improves the likelihood of the transaction closing, but helps preserve a healthy buyer - seller relationship post closing. Buyer and seller need to be on the same team after closing. The eventual selling price averaged over 20% higher than the first offer. Our experiences with businesses that engaged our firm as a result of an unsolicited offer from a buyer have been quite instructive. In no case was the business sold at the initial price.


The business broker led sale helps maximize sales proceeds by involving a large universe of buyers in a competitive bidding process. - to conclude, the business broker helps reduce the risk of business erosion with improved confidentiality while allowing the owner to focus on running the business. Finally, the business broker can improve the likelihood that the sale closes by buffering buyer - seller negotiations and by balancing the experience scales.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

A Good Example Is Bluetooth Technology

Business, Ask An Expert.

Uncover your small business technology profile - leveraging technology is a great way for small business entrepreneurs to save time and money. Learning how to use a Treo or a Blackberry can make you more mobile and efficient. You should master computers, at least enough to use EMAIL and to surf the Web to communicate with customers and to follow the latest trends in your industry.


However, if you aren' t ready for a particular technology, it can get in your way. - a way to think about this is by understanding what type of technology buyer and user you are. If you aren' t comfortable with computers or technology at all, then you should match up solutions and techniques that work for you. There is a widely accepted sociological model that was originally developed in 1957 at Iowa State University. The model uses a classic bell curve to describe the psychology of how and when particular consumers will adopt a technology throughout its useful life. Geoffrey Moore used this model in his book" Crossing The Chasm" to help technology companies understand their market. Technology companies use this model frequently in their marketing and positioning.


After all you are trying to save time and money, not add time and waste resources. - as a consumer and as a small business owner, you should try to understand where you fit. Take a good look and see where you fit: Innovators - According to Moore, these folks" pursue technology aggressively. " They want the latest technology NOW! Manuals get in their way. They are VERY comfortable with playing around with the latest and greatest. They buy and experiment first and figure out how their new gadget will help them out later.


Early Adopters - Early adopters love technology, too. - if you want to meet one, they' ll be standing in line at the apple or cingular store on june 29th buying an iphone. Unlike the Innovators, they look before they leap. But, after the initial" bugs" are shaken out, and after comparing it with their current solution, they' ll buy. They need a compelling personal or business reason to experiment with new technology. They may read a manual to optimize the technology.


Early Majority - These folks are also comfortable with technology. - they' d need a very compelling reason to replace their blackberry pearl with an iphone. They want all the initial quirks shaken out. And may not buy the second either. They don' t buy the first release. If they buy a new computer, they may ask for Windows XP rather than Windows Vista. If a technology gets adopted by this group, it will likely be successful.


But, they are the first major wave of buyers. - they have a treo on their belt and an ipod in their pocket. They actively seek it out. The people in these profiles have a natural affinity for technology. They adopt at a different pace, but they embrace technology. Late Majority - These buyers definitely wait for a clear winner or standard to emerge.


The last two profiles are more technology averse. - they will buy because it is well justified, there is plenty of support and they have many associates who are using the technology. Laggards - These buyers are technology averse. Following our PDA Phone example, Treo and Blackberry users are in this group. They avoid it until they have no choice. In business, they prefer things on paper. They were the last to have cell phones( for phone calls only, please) and an email address.


They prefer faxes to email attachments. - that' s prudent. As a small business owner you might be concerned about adopting technology too soon. Many technologies fail before they get to the Early Majority. A good example is Bluetooth technology. If there aren' t enough early adopters, companies go out of business or products are taken off the market. (Think Betamax. ) Technologies also fail when they get widely adopted, but the company or technology can' t handle the volume. It was going to make our offices totally wireless.


It didn' t" Cross the Chasm. " (The only exception for Bluetooth has been a little niche in wireless headsets for cell phones for the Early Majority. ) It' s important to recognize which one of the categories you fit into. - however, the way it works is too hard for most people and other wireless keyboard, mouse and printer technologies are much easier to use. If you are a" Late Majority" buyer, the iPhone is not for you. In other words, you will only save money and time if you match your technology to your profile. But, you might consider a Treo or Blackberry in conjunction with your Outlook calendar.

Monday, September 8, 2008

If You Don' T Have Experience With Moving, Then You Will Likely Forget Several Things In The Process

Business, Ask An Expert.

How to find a relocation specialist ? - there is so much stress when it comes to moving to a new location that it can be really hard to handle. It applies to people who are moving from one home to another and for businesses who are moving their offices or industrial services.


This is the case with many different types of moves. - although it can be stressful to move down the street, it' s even worse when you are moving out of state or out of the country. Since there are so many things to know and plan for and handle, you should instead enlist the help of a relocation specialist. With all the things to think about, it can be unwise to try to handle the moving process all by yourself. Relocation specialists are experienced in the art of relocation. Think about all of the things that you may need to do in order to move from one location to the next.


They know everything that will need to get done in order for you or your business to have a successful move. - you need to plan a way to pack everything that you own and be able to do it in a timely manner. You also need to contact all of your utilities to set up those in your new home. You have to contact movers and set up a time that they can come and pick up your boxes and furniture. Even with all of the things that are mentioned, there are even more that you haven' t already thought of. This causes a lot of confusion and stress.


If you don' t have experience with moving, then you will likely forget several things in the process. - the great thing about relocation specialists is that they already know about everything that needs to happen during a move. To find the best relocation specialist for you, you will need to do some research. A valuable relocation specialist will have a list of tasks that need to get accomplished as well as when they need to get accomplished in relation to your moving date. For example, if you know someone who has used the services of a relocation specialist before, you can get a recommendation from them. You can also find good specialists on the internet. They can also help you decide if this kind of help is right for you.


There, you can see testimonials and customer reviews, which can help you determine if they are right for you. - once you find one that sounds good, set up an interview in person so that you can gauge how good they are

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Objectives Are The Steps That You Need To Take To Reach Your Goals

Business, Ask An Expert.

Reach goals and achieve success - everyone needs a master plan. But you do need to plan something at some point, or your life will simply be one reaction after another.


Some people like to live by the" seat of their pants, " and no one would argue that a little spontaneity is great to have in your life. - there is so much written on planning these days that it' s hard for nearly anyone to argue against the value of planning. The most successful people plan their goals and are motivated to accomplish them. The non - planner will end up taking no proactive action to improve his or her life. Do you have one? You may want to build in some rewards to motivate you to accomplish them as well. A master plan should include long term goals, and objectives, short term goals.


Let' s look at each item that should appear in your master plan: Lifetime goals: The first things you should include in your master plan are your lifetime, or dream goals. - if you' re afraid of heights but have the goal of someday being a professional pilot, write it down! These are goals that you want to do at some point in your life and they shouldn' t be dependent on money, or skill, time. Create a long list by finishing this sentence: "If I had unlimited money, I would want, time and skill to. " Short term and Long term goals: Once you have your lifetime goals list, you should break it down into things that you can realistically do in the short term and in the long term. Long term goals are likely anything five or ten years and beyond. (Don' t worry yet about how you' ll accomplish them. Short term goals might be anywhere from the present to the next five or ten years.


We' ll get to that in a moment) . - objectives: once you have developed your goals, now you need to create objectives for each one. Put them in order from the things you want to do sooner to the things you want to do later. Objectives are the steps that you need to take to reach your goals. Overcome your fear of heights, Ride in an airplane, Get your commercial, Take flying lessons pilot' s license, and Buy an airplane. If you' re afraid of heights but want to be a professional pilot some day, your objectives might be to. You might look at this list and say" easier said than done! " but by breaking down all of your goals into smaller objectives.


You now have some small steps to work on to get you to the next level. - it does become easier to do. The more you break down the steps that need to be taken, the easier it will be to reach your goal. Simple: For many entrepreneurs, a long term goal might be financial freedom. What does all this have to do with e - business? Building your e - business might be one of the objectives to reach that goal. And within that" main" objective of building your business will be the smaller objectives that must be reached to do the building.

Friday, September 5, 2008

What You Want In A Settlement Company Is The Quickest Pay Out With The Highest Percentage You Can Get

Business, Ask An Expert.

Dealing with a structured settlement company - for persons who have a structured settlement, but do not want to deal with incremental payments, a structured settlement company may be the answer. First, you must investigate the company thoroughly before you ever sign any type of agreement with them.


Here are some guidelines to help you work with a company that purchases structured settlements and obtain a financial package that will be to your satisfaction. - this means you will want to check with consumer agencies and business bureaus to see what type of complaints have been logged against the company and how the issues were resolved. This research will tell you early on if you need to continue speaking with the company, or start to look elsewhere. At the same time, check online for any comments, about the way, positive or negative the Settlement Company conducts business. As part of your research, don' t forget to check for any reports to the Better Business Bureau or any formal consumer reports that may have been published about the company in question. The thing you want to make sure of is that any company you speak with is legitimate and ethical in the way they present themselves and the way they take care of their customers.


News articles about the company and its officers are also helpful if you can locate any of them online or at your local library. - should you find the structured settlement company to enjoy a good reputation and possess an ethical approach to business, you will then want to get an idea of how they go about paying for the purchased settlement. If your settlement is a large one, they may offer you a payment package that involves a lump sum up front and the remainder in annual payments. Many companies have a ceiling amount that they will pay out at one time. Since the idea is to get as much of the money at one time as possible, this may or may not be preferable to your current circumstances. What you want in a settlement company is the quickest pay out with the highest percentage you can get. Also, keep in mind that you will only realize a percentage of the total face value of your settlement.


Don' t settle for the first quote you are given, even if the deal looks like a good one. - with a little research and by taking your time, you can come to terms with a structured settlement company and get the best payment schedule as well as an excellent percentage when you sell your settlement. Get proposals from at least two more companies before you make a final decision.