People management and leadership has become a major topic of conversation in today's market place and have assumed mythical qualities. Managing you people is not that difficult if you are willing to invest one thing in their development; YOU.
The emotional cost and some simple training and mentoring can see you be a successful leader and manager.
As a previous CEO of companies (before starting Biz Momentum) I proved this time and time again and often baffled and confounded those that wanted to make the whole leadership thing complicated!
What's it all about!!
1. Managing your people is largely COMMON SENSE
2. Leaders don't wait for others to show the way.
3. Leaders participate in the workplace and are seen doing the hard yards, leading by example we used to call it.
4. Leaders inspire other people through authenticity (Random Acts of Kindness, Mentors not Tormentors)
5. Leaders know their people - Mother Teresa took the time to know her 700 sisters? It's all about choice. As for your people, do you now their partners and children's names? do you know what is important to them?
A Metaphor - Motor Vehicle - How do you treat your car?
Most people put more positive effort into servicing their motor vehicles than taking the time to fine-tune their employees.
Get to know your car
Get used to driving it
Servicing it
Recognising the different noises - timing chain
Know when its time to replace, upgrade or keep it
A. What has this to do with employees?
Sign the Contract Ensure you employees have a valid Employment Contract
Fuel the Car - Empower your people A comprehensive 'job description' and let them do the job
Take out Insurance Induct your employees - let them know their responsibilities and rights
Insurance - might have 'an excess' - MULTI-SKILL
Maintenance Show genuine interest, Develop Listening Skills
Regular Service Conduct regular performance management appraisals that are highly interactive and positive? Take the time or do the crime. Neglecting to performance manage you employees takes the agenda largely out of your hands and into theirs in times of strife.
Regular Inspection Being a peacemaker not a peacekeeper. A peacemaker makes peace! A peace keeper constantly keeps warring side apart - there is no peace just the appearance of peace.
Go for a Joy Ride Celebrate successes and Learn to have fun in your business.
THE LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
(Phil's law of unintended consequences) You don't intend to fail; however, the choices you make today will determine where you are placed tomorrow. Each choice builds on another and all of a sudden you have a foundation - good or bad - your decision my decision.
You cannot escape your responsibility to manage your people or they will manage your time and you.
People who feel and are genuinely valued are priceless and add great value to your business.
The ball is in your court!
For more helpful information visit http://www.biz-momentum.com - www.biz-momentum.com you can sign up for our free monthly newsletter.
Philip Lye is Director of Biz Momentum. Philip has considerable international and cross cultural experience. He works with small to medium businesses to help them cut through the maze of people matters. Clients get specific actionable strategies to protect their business interests. For more information on Philip, visit http://www.biz-momentum.com - http://www.biz-momentum.com and subscribe to his free monthly newsletter.
Home » Archive for May 2016
How Leaky is Your Sales Pipeline?
Does your Sales Pipeline leak? If you answered no, you don't even understand the question. Every business' Sales Pipeline leaks to some extent. The question is: Have you done everything you can to ensure that it does not leak excessively? Do you even know what your Sales Pipeline looks like?
Very simply, a Sales Pipeline starts with an initial enquiry and ends with a sale. While the Sales Pipeline looks different in each business, there are still some similarities between them. In all businesses, there is a need to generate enquiries. This can be done through advertising, cold calling, public relations or word of mouth. This enquiry may be a phone call in response to an ad. Or, in retail, a customer may walk in your front door attracted by your shopfront marketing. This is the first step of the Sales Pipeline for any business. However, there are usually a number of steps from receiving an enquiry to generating a sale.
The next step might be getting an appointment with the prospect to establish their needs. In a retail situation, the sales staff will ask: Can I help you? Once need is established, a second appointment may be made to present a proposal, or a quote may be provided. The final step in this generic Sales Pipeline would be to close the sale.
It is essential that every business owner understands their Sales Pipeline and where it leaks. Using the generic pipeline above, what percentage of enquirers agrees to an initial appointment? How many of those agree to receive a formal proposal or ask for a quote? And finally, how many who receive a formal proposal or quote, are converted to sales? By understanding each step in your Sales Pipeline, you can measure the success in moving prospects along the pipeline, and spot where your sales process needs to be improved.
No Sales Pipeline is leak proof. In fact, there are some people who you don't wish to become your customers. They may be the bargain hunters, the time wasters or people who are poor credit risks. So there should be a screening process to remove people who are not qualified to become your customers. To be effective, this screening process should remove unqualified prospects early in the pipeline, before you have invested too much time with them. But if you are turning away a high number of unqualified prospects, you should be looking at your enquiry generation strategy. If you sell luxury cruises, advertising in a tabloid newspaper will probably produce mostly unqualified enquiries.
All other prospects, however, are by definition, qualified. And their loss is one that you wish to minimise. If there is a large loss in getting that initial appointment, perhaps a script needs to be developed for staff to turn that initial enquiry into an appointment. If the losses are large in getting a request for a proposal or quotation, sales training on establishing rapport and need, creating desire and building value should be considered. If proposals (or quotations) have a low rate of acceptance, there could be a problem with the offer, or the way the sales person tried to close.
Put in place monitoring systems to measure the movements of prospects through your Sales Pipeline. Analyse the losses at each stage. By understanding your Sales Pipeline, you will understand what you are doing well, and where your pipeline leaks. Only then can you start plugging those leaks!
Very simply, a Sales Pipeline starts with an initial enquiry and ends with a sale. While the Sales Pipeline looks different in each business, there are still some similarities between them. In all businesses, there is a need to generate enquiries. This can be done through advertising, cold calling, public relations or word of mouth. This enquiry may be a phone call in response to an ad. Or, in retail, a customer may walk in your front door attracted by your shopfront marketing. This is the first step of the Sales Pipeline for any business. However, there are usually a number of steps from receiving an enquiry to generating a sale.
The next step might be getting an appointment with the prospect to establish their needs. In a retail situation, the sales staff will ask: Can I help you? Once need is established, a second appointment may be made to present a proposal, or a quote may be provided. The final step in this generic Sales Pipeline would be to close the sale.
It is essential that every business owner understands their Sales Pipeline and where it leaks. Using the generic pipeline above, what percentage of enquirers agrees to an initial appointment? How many of those agree to receive a formal proposal or ask for a quote? And finally, how many who receive a formal proposal or quote, are converted to sales? By understanding each step in your Sales Pipeline, you can measure the success in moving prospects along the pipeline, and spot where your sales process needs to be improved.
No Sales Pipeline is leak proof. In fact, there are some people who you don't wish to become your customers. They may be the bargain hunters, the time wasters or people who are poor credit risks. So there should be a screening process to remove people who are not qualified to become your customers. To be effective, this screening process should remove unqualified prospects early in the pipeline, before you have invested too much time with them. But if you are turning away a high number of unqualified prospects, you should be looking at your enquiry generation strategy. If you sell luxury cruises, advertising in a tabloid newspaper will probably produce mostly unqualified enquiries.
All other prospects, however, are by definition, qualified. And their loss is one that you wish to minimise. If there is a large loss in getting that initial appointment, perhaps a script needs to be developed for staff to turn that initial enquiry into an appointment. If the losses are large in getting a request for a proposal or quotation, sales training on establishing rapport and need, creating desire and building value should be considered. If proposals (or quotations) have a low rate of acceptance, there could be a problem with the offer, or the way the sales person tried to close.
Put in place monitoring systems to measure the movements of prospects through your Sales Pipeline. Analyse the losses at each stage. By understanding your Sales Pipeline, you will understand what you are doing well, and where your pipeline leaks. Only then can you start plugging those leaks!
How Does Outsourcing Help Companies in Rationalizing Their Costs?
The supporters of outsourcing are primarily those motivated by the desire to cut costs and streamline their business processes while those against outsourcing are those primarily affected by their job...
The supporters of outsourcing are primarily those motivated by the desire to cut costs and streamline their business processes while those against outsourcing are those primarily affected by their jobs being given to others. Whatever may be said about the topic, the fact remains that in these days of heavy competition, it's become a necessity to outsource certain components of a business in order to remain competitive.
For all those against outsourcing, they should realize that if their company supports them and doesn't outsource, their company will be the first one to lose and they will consequently suffer from the company's inability to remain competitive. Outsourcing makes companies more competitive and this in turn benefits the end-consumers in the country.
How does outsourcing help companies in rationalizing their costs?
Companies only need pay for what they need
In most businesses, the amount of work comes in cycles. Sometimes there's a lot of work and sometimes there's none. Outsourcing in times of need helps in balancing for lack of resources. It's not possible for companies to hire and fire at their will. It makes more sense outsourcing.
Getting an objective overview of the business
The service providers have been around and they know what's been tried, what works well, and what doesn't. They are usually able to offer a fresh and valuable perspective on what kinds of solutions might work.
Getting projects done within the given deadlines.
When the deadlines are looming and there just doesn't seem to be anyway to get everything done that needs to be done, service providers prove themselves to be more than useful.
Higher level of expertise and experience brought to the table
Many service providers have the experience and possess the expertise in completing projects in specialized areas. This allows to companies to take advantage of that experience without budgeting for new full-time employees and accounting for training time and other costs involved.
No investment required in manpower or infrastructure
Unless you need a service provider to work onsite, you'll find that most service providers work from their own offices and possess the necessary infrastructure and the required professionals to do the job. The same infrastructure and manpower would otherwise involve a huge investment if the job had to be done in-house.
Cost-effective way to increase resources
The bottom line is that for many projects, outsourcing to an external service provider will often result in higher quality work for less money than doing it in house.
In spite of the benefits mentioned, the benefits of outsourcing will be fully realized only when careful due diligence has been given to the service provider and a solid understanding of the services being outsourced are obtained before the signing of any contract.
The supporters of outsourcing are primarily those motivated by the desire to cut costs and streamline their business processes while those against outsourcing are those primarily affected by their jobs being given to others. Whatever may be said about the topic, the fact remains that in these days of heavy competition, it's become a necessity to outsource certain components of a business in order to remain competitive.
For all those against outsourcing, they should realize that if their company supports them and doesn't outsource, their company will be the first one to lose and they will consequently suffer from the company's inability to remain competitive. Outsourcing makes companies more competitive and this in turn benefits the end-consumers in the country.
How does outsourcing help companies in rationalizing their costs?
Companies only need pay for what they need
In most businesses, the amount of work comes in cycles. Sometimes there's a lot of work and sometimes there's none. Outsourcing in times of need helps in balancing for lack of resources. It's not possible for companies to hire and fire at their will. It makes more sense outsourcing.
Getting an objective overview of the business
The service providers have been around and they know what's been tried, what works well, and what doesn't. They are usually able to offer a fresh and valuable perspective on what kinds of solutions might work.
Getting projects done within the given deadlines.
When the deadlines are looming and there just doesn't seem to be anyway to get everything done that needs to be done, service providers prove themselves to be more than useful.
Higher level of expertise and experience brought to the table
Many service providers have the experience and possess the expertise in completing projects in specialized areas. This allows to companies to take advantage of that experience without budgeting for new full-time employees and accounting for training time and other costs involved.
No investment required in manpower or infrastructure
Unless you need a service provider to work onsite, you'll find that most service providers work from their own offices and possess the necessary infrastructure and the required professionals to do the job. The same infrastructure and manpower would otherwise involve a huge investment if the job had to be done in-house.
Cost-effective way to increase resources
The bottom line is that for many projects, outsourcing to an external service provider will often result in higher quality work for less money than doing it in house.
In spite of the benefits mentioned, the benefits of outsourcing will be fully realized only when careful due diligence has been given to the service provider and a solid understanding of the services being outsourced are obtained before the signing of any contract.
How An Executive Can Spot Creative Potential in Others
Sir Jon Weaver has published many books on subjects ranging from generating ideas, to parrots to business creativity. Visit his site at http://www.BetterBusinessManagement.com - http://www.BetterBusinessManagement.com
One of the most important responsibilities any executive must handle is seeing that his company gets "the most" from its workers. This is particularly so when it comes to creativeness- the production of the ideas upon which the company is dependent to make money, or to operate efficiently and at a profit.
Most of us, in our everyday lives, make the mistake of oversimplifying our classifications of others. We say someone is "likable" or "not likable." We call him a "pessimist" or an "optimist." We decide a certain worker is "responsible" or "irresponsible." A man is either "loyal" to the company or he is "disloyal." Our definitions are all black or white-we have no "gray scales" for in-betweens.
However, most people, upon careful analysis, fall into the gray area between black and white. And this complicates the job of the executive who is trying to make certain that his company is making the most of the creative potential at its disposal.
The problem of spotting creative potential is also complicated by the fact that people do not always think up to their capacities. It is relatively easy to spot the highly creative person who is using his ability actively and conclusively to its fullest extent. But what do you look for when trying to spot a creative person who is not living up to their potential?
It has been said that "Creativity is best revealed by what it creates." There is certainly a great deal of truth in this. But the practice of looking only at achievement for determining creative potential can cause an executive to overlook many potentially good creative workers who have never had either the inclination or the opportunity to reveal themselves as being creative.
Most suggestions for informal observing and testing to spot creative potential are based on the outward signs of the basic creative characteristics and the thinking patterns of creative people. This puts quite a responsibility upon anyone trying to screen people for creative potential, because so much is dependent upon the observation and correct interpretation of the basic "signs." However, here are some general personality traits to look for:
1. The Observant Person. Generally, a person who is highly alert to what is around him, who sees details and relationships that others miss, has a great advantage in developing creative potential.
2. Knowledge. New ideas are usually combinations of old ideas, or old ideas in new forms. The greater a person's knowledge about his field, the greater his potential creativeness. Remember that field knowledge may be acquired through related experience or on-the-job instruction-it does not necessarily have to be from schooling. It is relatively easy to determine a person's knowledge of his job, field, company, or industry.
3. A Good Memory. This is a part of the acquisition of knowledge, but becomes more important in the less formal types of knowledge. The man who can remember an odd-shaped piece of metal he saw in the storage room at just the time such a piece is needed, may be indicating the kind of "odds-and-ends" memory that frequently typifies a creative mind.
4. The Curious Person. This is an easy-to-spot trait and a key one to be alert for in another person. Chances are anyone without curiosity will not have a very high degree of creative potential. It is important, however, to distinguish between true creative curiosity and the idle type of questioning that only serves as conversation. ("How's the weather outside?" or "Where did you have lunch today?")
5. The Skeptic. In evaluating this quality, it is important to evaluate the quality or motivation of the skepticism. The creative skeptic doubts many things-particularly the obvious things that everyone else accepts perhaps too readily. The noncreative skeptic has destruction or belittlement as his motivation. The two can usually be distinguished by an adroit question or two. The non-creative skeptic will usually assume that things are going from bad to worse and nothing can be done about it, so why try? The creative skeptic normally feels that no matter how bad or how wrong something is, it can always be made better. He may even have some ready suggestions for betterment.
It should also be remembered that few of these "types" of personalities will ever be found in a "pure" state. They have been set out as individuals here to make it easier to distinguish among them. But many people will be mixtures and composites of any or all of these to varying degrees. The mere presence of one such trait, then, is probably not enough to immediately classify a person as "potentially creative."
The detection of several or many such traits, however, should at least give the executive cause to go out of his "way to really get acquainted with the worker. The result of further acquaintance may be the happy discovery of still another mind capable of coping with the company's problems in an imaginative way.
Article Tags: Spot Creative Potential, Spot Creative, Creative Potential
One of the most important responsibilities any executive must handle is seeing that his company gets "the most" from its workers. This is particularly so when it comes to creativeness- the production of the ideas upon which the company is dependent to make money, or to operate efficiently and at a profit.
Most of us, in our everyday lives, make the mistake of oversimplifying our classifications of others. We say someone is "likable" or "not likable." We call him a "pessimist" or an "optimist." We decide a certain worker is "responsible" or "irresponsible." A man is either "loyal" to the company or he is "disloyal." Our definitions are all black or white-we have no "gray scales" for in-betweens.
However, most people, upon careful analysis, fall into the gray area between black and white. And this complicates the job of the executive who is trying to make certain that his company is making the most of the creative potential at its disposal.
The problem of spotting creative potential is also complicated by the fact that people do not always think up to their capacities. It is relatively easy to spot the highly creative person who is using his ability actively and conclusively to its fullest extent. But what do you look for when trying to spot a creative person who is not living up to their potential?
It has been said that "Creativity is best revealed by what it creates." There is certainly a great deal of truth in this. But the practice of looking only at achievement for determining creative potential can cause an executive to overlook many potentially good creative workers who have never had either the inclination or the opportunity to reveal themselves as being creative.
Most suggestions for informal observing and testing to spot creative potential are based on the outward signs of the basic creative characteristics and the thinking patterns of creative people. This puts quite a responsibility upon anyone trying to screen people for creative potential, because so much is dependent upon the observation and correct interpretation of the basic "signs." However, here are some general personality traits to look for:
1. The Observant Person. Generally, a person who is highly alert to what is around him, who sees details and relationships that others miss, has a great advantage in developing creative potential.
2. Knowledge. New ideas are usually combinations of old ideas, or old ideas in new forms. The greater a person's knowledge about his field, the greater his potential creativeness. Remember that field knowledge may be acquired through related experience or on-the-job instruction-it does not necessarily have to be from schooling. It is relatively easy to determine a person's knowledge of his job, field, company, or industry.
3. A Good Memory. This is a part of the acquisition of knowledge, but becomes more important in the less formal types of knowledge. The man who can remember an odd-shaped piece of metal he saw in the storage room at just the time such a piece is needed, may be indicating the kind of "odds-and-ends" memory that frequently typifies a creative mind.
4. The Curious Person. This is an easy-to-spot trait and a key one to be alert for in another person. Chances are anyone without curiosity will not have a very high degree of creative potential. It is important, however, to distinguish between true creative curiosity and the idle type of questioning that only serves as conversation. ("How's the weather outside?" or "Where did you have lunch today?")
5. The Skeptic. In evaluating this quality, it is important to evaluate the quality or motivation of the skepticism. The creative skeptic doubts many things-particularly the obvious things that everyone else accepts perhaps too readily. The noncreative skeptic has destruction or belittlement as his motivation. The two can usually be distinguished by an adroit question or two. The non-creative skeptic will usually assume that things are going from bad to worse and nothing can be done about it, so why try? The creative skeptic normally feels that no matter how bad or how wrong something is, it can always be made better. He may even have some ready suggestions for betterment.
It should also be remembered that few of these "types" of personalities will ever be found in a "pure" state. They have been set out as individuals here to make it easier to distinguish among them. But many people will be mixtures and composites of any or all of these to varying degrees. The mere presence of one such trait, then, is probably not enough to immediately classify a person as "potentially creative."
The detection of several or many such traits, however, should at least give the executive cause to go out of his "way to really get acquainted with the worker. The result of further acquaintance may be the happy discovery of still another mind capable of coping with the company's problems in an imaginative way.
Article Tags: Spot Creative Potential, Spot Creative, Creative Potential
How a Small Business Can Build a Customer Base
Building a solid customer base is a necessity of any small business. Often times these smaller businesses cannot compete effectively with larger companies in terms of resources. For example, Tom's mini-Mart is not going to be a match for Farmer Jack's Grocery Chain. The later will beat them in parking, prices and variety every time! Therefore, there must be something more than just price to attract and retain customers. The good news is that many small businesses have benefits that larger companies don't have. They thrive in the realm of the "something else" that larger companies simply can't accommodate.
The first step in building a customer base is to define who your customer is. This is called a psychological profile. Take a piece of paper and write down the qualities that many of your customers have. Make sure to include hobbies, personality, income, employment states, distance from store, etc. Then go through and circle the qualities that seem to fit the majority of your customers the best.
The next step is to use the psychological profile to develop a marketing plan on how to reach your population in the most cost effective manner. For example, if many of your customers live within the same neighborhood, have children engaged in local sports and are pressed for time then your marketing plan should try and appeal to them. You may decide to stop by the local baseball game and give away free drinks, offer local delivery, give discounts for family members, or send flyers door-to-door. Once you know who your customer is and how to reach them you must determine how to write your advertisements. For our busy neighborhood consider the following, "Mom's we know you are busy. That's why Tom's mini-Mart wants to give you a break. Call us and we will deliver your supper groceries in less than 30 minutes. If you don't feel like cooking, then we will send you a family size delicious homemade meal fresh from our deli department." The object is to write the advertisement so that it helps solve the problems of people in your market. If it makes them feel sad, happy or more convenient then you have done well. Small businesses can compete because they are more convenient. Many times customers avoid large chains because they take so much time to navigate. Small business also has the ability to truly give good customer service. If you are unsure of how to maximize your marketing efforts then hire a good small-business consultant that charges reasonable fees.
The first step in building a customer base is to define who your customer is. This is called a psychological profile. Take a piece of paper and write down the qualities that many of your customers have. Make sure to include hobbies, personality, income, employment states, distance from store, etc. Then go through and circle the qualities that seem to fit the majority of your customers the best.
The next step is to use the psychological profile to develop a marketing plan on how to reach your population in the most cost effective manner. For example, if many of your customers live within the same neighborhood, have children engaged in local sports and are pressed for time then your marketing plan should try and appeal to them. You may decide to stop by the local baseball game and give away free drinks, offer local delivery, give discounts for family members, or send flyers door-to-door. Once you know who your customer is and how to reach them you must determine how to write your advertisements. For our busy neighborhood consider the following, "Mom's we know you are busy. That's why Tom's mini-Mart wants to give you a break. Call us and we will deliver your supper groceries in less than 30 minutes. If you don't feel like cooking, then we will send you a family size delicious homemade meal fresh from our deli department." The object is to write the advertisement so that it helps solve the problems of people in your market. If it makes them feel sad, happy or more convenient then you have done well. Small businesses can compete because they are more convenient. Many times customers avoid large chains because they take so much time to navigate. Small business also has the ability to truly give good customer service. If you are unsure of how to maximize your marketing efforts then hire a good small-business consultant that charges reasonable fees.
Honest Employees?
The proverbial "disgruntled employee", typically considered the source of most employee theft, may also be very good at disguising his or her complaints about the company. In fact, that same person is very likely to be your best worker.
The proverbial "disgruntled employee", typically considered the source of most employee theft, may also be very good at disguising his or her complaints about the company. In fact, that same person is very likely to be your best worker.
Executive Security Group, LLC. Of New York / New Jersey and Florida, a security-consulting firm has compiled information over the past twenty-five years of operation through personnel experience and with data from the Uniform Crime Report of the FBI. Along with various personal and other studies on theft in the work place, produced many findings about the pervasiveness of theft on the job. Some of the studies involved anonymous questionnaires to employees in a sample of industries, and follow‑up interviews with employee representatives to determine their perceptions of theft and their reactions to the employee assessments. We have found that the typical dishonest employee falls into particular areas. Some of the findings and conclusions are:
Most employees claim that they do not steal, but thefts been reported in every one of the employer locations sampled.
The greater the opportunity for theft the greater the likelihood of theft.
Young employees steal more and more frequently. (This finding correlated findings in the shoplifting and retail store theft studies.)
Those Concerned with advancement and achievement in their careers are apt to steal more then others.
The employee who is satisfied on and with the job is less likely to steal from the employer.
Theft volume is inversely proportional to the perceived possibility of detection. The greater the fear of detection, the Less the theft.
Concerted efforts to reduce theft by the employer will achieve theft loss reductions.
Following a security audit and the establishment of an expressed management policy prohibiting theft was sufficient in Some cases to reduce incidence.
About one‑third of all employees reported stealing. (This has correlated with findings from field tests in the use of paper‑and‑pencil honesty‑type tests.)
Lack of prosecutorial policies and lack of vigorous prosecution efforts tend to encourage theft. Actual dismissal from
Employment of the threat of dismissal, alone, is not effective deterrents, particularly for the young employee.
"Internal theft occurs on all employment levels". Many of the cases Executive Security Group has investigated were
Initially uncovered by a security survey, where employers could not pinpoint the cause. "In every case, the employer
Was surprised to learn who the culprit was". His advice: "Take no employee for granted, refine Inventory control,
Restrict Key access, background investigations, don't be too demanding, and conduct regular security Investigations or Surveys".
In summary, theft is a widespread work place problem. It is not reduced or controlled without specific policies and programs. It is greatest where opportunities are great and perceived that the likelihood of detection is least. Industrial discipline ‑ "firing" ‑ is not, by itself, an effective control.
You can contact Marvin Badler at: mailto:mb@implexsecurityproducts.com - mb@implexsecurityproducts.com
The proverbial "disgruntled employee", typically considered the source of most employee theft, may also be very good at disguising his or her complaints about the company. In fact, that same person is very likely to be your best worker.
Executive Security Group, LLC. Of New York / New Jersey and Florida, a security-consulting firm has compiled information over the past twenty-five years of operation through personnel experience and with data from the Uniform Crime Report of the FBI. Along with various personal and other studies on theft in the work place, produced many findings about the pervasiveness of theft on the job. Some of the studies involved anonymous questionnaires to employees in a sample of industries, and follow‑up interviews with employee representatives to determine their perceptions of theft and their reactions to the employee assessments. We have found that the typical dishonest employee falls into particular areas. Some of the findings and conclusions are:
Most employees claim that they do not steal, but thefts been reported in every one of the employer locations sampled.
The greater the opportunity for theft the greater the likelihood of theft.
Young employees steal more and more frequently. (This finding correlated findings in the shoplifting and retail store theft studies.)
Those Concerned with advancement and achievement in their careers are apt to steal more then others.
The employee who is satisfied on and with the job is less likely to steal from the employer.
Theft volume is inversely proportional to the perceived possibility of detection. The greater the fear of detection, the Less the theft.
Concerted efforts to reduce theft by the employer will achieve theft loss reductions.
Following a security audit and the establishment of an expressed management policy prohibiting theft was sufficient in Some cases to reduce incidence.
About one‑third of all employees reported stealing. (This has correlated with findings from field tests in the use of paper‑and‑pencil honesty‑type tests.)
Lack of prosecutorial policies and lack of vigorous prosecution efforts tend to encourage theft. Actual dismissal from
Employment of the threat of dismissal, alone, is not effective deterrents, particularly for the young employee.
"Internal theft occurs on all employment levels". Many of the cases Executive Security Group has investigated were
Initially uncovered by a security survey, where employers could not pinpoint the cause. "In every case, the employer
Was surprised to learn who the culprit was". His advice: "Take no employee for granted, refine Inventory control,
Restrict Key access, background investigations, don't be too demanding, and conduct regular security Investigations or Surveys".
In summary, theft is a widespread work place problem. It is not reduced or controlled without specific policies and programs. It is greatest where opportunities are great and perceived that the likelihood of detection is least. Industrial discipline ‑ "firing" ‑ is not, by itself, an effective control.
You can contact Marvin Badler at: mailto:mb@implexsecurityproducts.com - mb@implexsecurityproducts.com
Home Computer Desks: A Variety of Options
Working on the computer has become very common, hence increasing the importance of having a comfortable computer desk and chair. Fortunately, home computer desks are now designed to fit into any place in the house, even into the smallest corner.
Home computer desks can have a casual and friendly look. Though they need not look as classic or stylish as office computer desks, nevertheless, they have to blend in with the décor of the rest of the room. Home computer desks may be corner, u-shaped, curved or just straight. Similarly, they can be roll-top, modular, or just practical. They can be made of wood, oak, glass, metal or fiber. They can be fitted with all kinds of shelves or storage racks or they can be just plain with the minimal drawers and shelves. The surface can be topped with durable and stain-resistant finish to endure daily scratches and spills.
Home offices have become very common. They should be designed to look exactly like a formal office, and professionally designed furniture like computer desks play a very important role here. Since computer desks are being designed modularly these days, they can be flexibly adapted to suit the requirements of an office. They can be fitted with a whole lot of attachments and changed in size and shape as per specifications. Besides, their ergonomic design makes working for long hours much easier and comfortable.
They can also be fit with matching pieces such as bookracks, cabinets and credenzas. With these options and technological accommodations, home computer desks are getting as professional and as utilitarian as possible.
Home computer desks can have a casual and friendly look. Though they need not look as classic or stylish as office computer desks, nevertheless, they have to blend in with the décor of the rest of the room. Home computer desks may be corner, u-shaped, curved or just straight. Similarly, they can be roll-top, modular, or just practical. They can be made of wood, oak, glass, metal or fiber. They can be fitted with all kinds of shelves or storage racks or they can be just plain with the minimal drawers and shelves. The surface can be topped with durable and stain-resistant finish to endure daily scratches and spills.
Home offices have become very common. They should be designed to look exactly like a formal office, and professionally designed furniture like computer desks play a very important role here. Since computer desks are being designed modularly these days, they can be flexibly adapted to suit the requirements of an office. They can be fitted with a whole lot of attachments and changed in size and shape as per specifications. Besides, their ergonomic design makes working for long hours much easier and comfortable.
They can also be fit with matching pieces such as bookracks, cabinets and credenzas. With these options and technological accommodations, home computer desks are getting as professional and as utilitarian as possible.
Home Cleaning Business Plan
How to Make $1,000 and more each week in the Home Cleaning Business. Nine cleaning business owners reveal their closely guarded trade secrets. Plus step-by step advertising and marketing advice from John.
Until about 10 years ago, business advice guru's used to say that the best business to be in was the one you knew most about!That statement is disputable. And, even if it were true then, it certainly is not true today! Here's why:
No matter what skills you have or what trade or profession you are in, the amount of money you can earn is severely limited by the number of hours in the day you can work. Aha!So now we can say:
A better business is one in which you can recruit and train others to do what you can do. This leaves you free to manage and grow the business,Even so, we still can't say that it is best business to be in. We can't say it because some trades and professions have much higher billable hourly rates than others.
Copywriting, and especially direct-response copywriting, is undoubtedly one of the highest paid professions in the world!Copywriters tend to be pretty smart. A copywriter and an attorney are discussing fees:
Lawyer: "My fees start at $150 an hour.
"Copywriter: "I charge from $1 a word.
"Lawyer: "Wow! I can't think of any word worth a $1.
Gimme an example?"Copywriter: "Gimme a $1.
"Lawyer: "Okay. Here's your $1.
"Copywriter: "THANKS!"So, is copywriting the world's best business to be in?I say NO!I say Info-Marketing on the Internet is undoubtedly the world's best business to be in!It doesn't necessarily have to be an e-book that reveals copywritingsecrets and a list of words that sell. Although that would sell well to abusiness-2-business market. But it does have to be an info-product that's designed to satisfy the needs and wants of a specific niche market.
Simple, huh?Well, not exactly. If it were that simple, everybody with a how-to info-book and a direct-response website would be rich.
As I see it, only about 5% of Internet sites make millions. The remaining bunch of hopefuls is still struggling.
Jeff Walker, Product Launch a leading Internet marketing expert, says:
"Everyone has heard the story of the Internet being paved with gold... but only a precious few are bringing home that gold. There are thousands of websites that won't even break even. Most of those sites are moribund... sitting there with products that don't sell. They will wither away, and then get blown off the Internet like some dried-up piece of tumbleweed.
"Internet marketing expert, Cody Maya, Private Label Books, says,"The average cost of a copywriting project is $5,000--and that's just for one sales letter. You need three things to succeed on the Internet:
#1. You need a great product.
#2. You need to be able to get traffic to your site.
#3. You need to be able to convert those prospects into customers.
"Internet marketing is great. It is not cheap. It is not easy and the learning curve for the average Joe Schmoe is mind-boggling.
It takes a high degree of sophistication, and a lot of money to buy the kind of tools that will enable you to put your business on Auto-Pilot, "while you lie on the beach in Hawaii with your laptop and make a ton of money even while you sleep.
"Yanik Silver, one of the top guns in Internet Marketing told me he spent nearly $50,000 (a ton of money) on new products and doing research last year!So, I need to qualify what I said earlier about selling an info-product on the Internet. Here's my revised statement:
"Selling an info-product on the Internet to a well-defined niche market is the world's best business to be in--for those who know what they are doing and have the money to do it.
"So, you can't just fly into flying.
You think big but you start small!You have to learn to walk before you can learn to run!Some 30 years ago, self-made multi-millionaire Joe Karbo stated a very simple truth:
"Most people are too busy working to makea living to ever make more than just a living.
"In his book, "How to Be Rich," the late billionaire J. Paul Getty said that the only way to get rich is to start your own business and work at making yourself rich, rather than your employer!For over 20 years I have been searching to find an "idiot proof" business that could be launched by the average Jack or Jill--and with no previous business experience and little or no capital to invest.
I managed to identify seven businesses that fit that bill.
Here's my list--not necessarily in order of merit or profitability:
1. Home and Office Cleaning2. Handy Person Service3. Window Washing Service4. Publishing a Local Ad Magazine5. Computer Instruction and Repairs6. Painting and Decorating7. Leaflet Distribution8. Mobile Haircutting and Beauty Service9. Lawn Cutting and Yard Maintenance10. Taking Care of Snowbird Vacation HomesI have written a how-to business instruction plan for each of the above.
Here's what I have to say about the Home and Office Cleaning Biz:
You could be your own boss--starting today!"10 Powerful Reasons Why Home and Office Cleaningis One of the World's Best Businesses to Be In"1. Low start-up cost.
2. You can work part-time or full time.
Keep your day job if you have one. Work evenings and weekends. Don't quit your day job until you are sure you can make more working for yourself than your employer.
3. No Hard Selling InvolvedThe service virtually sells itself because 98% of housewives hate housework so much they jump at the chance of having a "maid" come in to the do all the dirty work.
4. Unlimited Demand For the ServiceToday, as more and more women go out to work, they have less and less time to do housework and look after a husband and a family. If they can afford it, they jump at the chance of hiring a trustworthy and reliable home cleaner.
5. High Hourly RatesThe standard minimum age is a miserly $5.
15 an hour. The average hourly rate for cleaners is $25 an hour. That's more than four times the minimum wage. Average means that some cleaners charge a low of $20 an hour and others charge a high of $30 an hour.
6. No Special Skills or Training RequiredEither you know what to do or the house owner tells you what she wants done.
7. The Target Market is Local and Very Easy to Contact8. Hot Prospects are Easy to IdentifyPeople who can afford to hire a cleaning maid live busy lives. They own large homes with two or more garages. They reside in up-market suburban areas.
9. Very Simple and Inexpensive Marketing PlanThe three best ways to get new customers as regulars are:
One: Referrals from existing customers.
Two: Leaflet Distribution.
Three: Using a tested and proven telephone script designed not to sell the service, but to make an appointment to call and give a free estimate. Done right, the level of acceptance is a high 86%.
10. Unlimited Growth PotentialWhile you can make $1,000 a week doing two, four-hour jobs a day forfive days a week, the way to make really big money is not to do any ofthe work yourself!The trick is to hire others to do all the cleaning work.
This leaves you free to concentrate on managing and growing the business.
As the Holly Noble, owner of a San Diego based cleaning business, says,"You can't be soliciting new customers when you are cleaning a toilet.
"John's "Home Cleaning Business Plan" is a fact-packed, step-by-step,do-it-by-the-numbers guide that tells you all you need to know about starting up and succeeding in a home-based business of your own.
While it includes a lot of his own advice on how to promote and managethe business, the real value of the Plan is that it contains in-depth interviews with nine successful cleaning business owners who revealed their most closely guarded trade secrets.
Until about 10 years ago, business advice guru's used to say that the best business to be in was the one you knew most about!That statement is disputable. And, even if it were true then, it certainly is not true today! Here's why:
No matter what skills you have or what trade or profession you are in, the amount of money you can earn is severely limited by the number of hours in the day you can work. Aha!So now we can say:
A better business is one in which you can recruit and train others to do what you can do. This leaves you free to manage and grow the business,Even so, we still can't say that it is best business to be in. We can't say it because some trades and professions have much higher billable hourly rates than others.
Copywriting, and especially direct-response copywriting, is undoubtedly one of the highest paid professions in the world!Copywriters tend to be pretty smart. A copywriter and an attorney are discussing fees:
Lawyer: "My fees start at $150 an hour.
"Copywriter: "I charge from $1 a word.
"Lawyer: "Wow! I can't think of any word worth a $1.
Gimme an example?"Copywriter: "Gimme a $1.
"Lawyer: "Okay. Here's your $1.
"Copywriter: "THANKS!"So, is copywriting the world's best business to be in?I say NO!I say Info-Marketing on the Internet is undoubtedly the world's best business to be in!It doesn't necessarily have to be an e-book that reveals copywritingsecrets and a list of words that sell. Although that would sell well to abusiness-2-business market. But it does have to be an info-product that's designed to satisfy the needs and wants of a specific niche market.
Simple, huh?Well, not exactly. If it were that simple, everybody with a how-to info-book and a direct-response website would be rich.
As I see it, only about 5% of Internet sites make millions. The remaining bunch of hopefuls is still struggling.
Jeff Walker, Product Launch a leading Internet marketing expert, says:
"Everyone has heard the story of the Internet being paved with gold... but only a precious few are bringing home that gold. There are thousands of websites that won't even break even. Most of those sites are moribund... sitting there with products that don't sell. They will wither away, and then get blown off the Internet like some dried-up piece of tumbleweed.
"Internet marketing expert, Cody Maya, Private Label Books, says,"The average cost of a copywriting project is $5,000--and that's just for one sales letter. You need three things to succeed on the Internet:
#1. You need a great product.
#2. You need to be able to get traffic to your site.
#3. You need to be able to convert those prospects into customers.
"Internet marketing is great. It is not cheap. It is not easy and the learning curve for the average Joe Schmoe is mind-boggling.
It takes a high degree of sophistication, and a lot of money to buy the kind of tools that will enable you to put your business on Auto-Pilot, "while you lie on the beach in Hawaii with your laptop and make a ton of money even while you sleep.
"Yanik Silver, one of the top guns in Internet Marketing told me he spent nearly $50,000 (a ton of money) on new products and doing research last year!So, I need to qualify what I said earlier about selling an info-product on the Internet. Here's my revised statement:
"Selling an info-product on the Internet to a well-defined niche market is the world's best business to be in--for those who know what they are doing and have the money to do it.
"So, you can't just fly into flying.
You think big but you start small!You have to learn to walk before you can learn to run!Some 30 years ago, self-made multi-millionaire Joe Karbo stated a very simple truth:
"Most people are too busy working to makea living to ever make more than just a living.
"In his book, "How to Be Rich," the late billionaire J. Paul Getty said that the only way to get rich is to start your own business and work at making yourself rich, rather than your employer!For over 20 years I have been searching to find an "idiot proof" business that could be launched by the average Jack or Jill--and with no previous business experience and little or no capital to invest.
I managed to identify seven businesses that fit that bill.
Here's my list--not necessarily in order of merit or profitability:
1. Home and Office Cleaning2. Handy Person Service3. Window Washing Service4. Publishing a Local Ad Magazine5. Computer Instruction and Repairs6. Painting and Decorating7. Leaflet Distribution8. Mobile Haircutting and Beauty Service9. Lawn Cutting and Yard Maintenance10. Taking Care of Snowbird Vacation HomesI have written a how-to business instruction plan for each of the above.
Here's what I have to say about the Home and Office Cleaning Biz:
You could be your own boss--starting today!"10 Powerful Reasons Why Home and Office Cleaningis One of the World's Best Businesses to Be In"1. Low start-up cost.
2. You can work part-time or full time.
Keep your day job if you have one. Work evenings and weekends. Don't quit your day job until you are sure you can make more working for yourself than your employer.
3. No Hard Selling InvolvedThe service virtually sells itself because 98% of housewives hate housework so much they jump at the chance of having a "maid" come in to the do all the dirty work.
4. Unlimited Demand For the ServiceToday, as more and more women go out to work, they have less and less time to do housework and look after a husband and a family. If they can afford it, they jump at the chance of hiring a trustworthy and reliable home cleaner.
5. High Hourly RatesThe standard minimum age is a miserly $5.
15 an hour. The average hourly rate for cleaners is $25 an hour. That's more than four times the minimum wage. Average means that some cleaners charge a low of $20 an hour and others charge a high of $30 an hour.
6. No Special Skills or Training RequiredEither you know what to do or the house owner tells you what she wants done.
7. The Target Market is Local and Very Easy to Contact8. Hot Prospects are Easy to IdentifyPeople who can afford to hire a cleaning maid live busy lives. They own large homes with two or more garages. They reside in up-market suburban areas.
9. Very Simple and Inexpensive Marketing PlanThe three best ways to get new customers as regulars are:
One: Referrals from existing customers.
Two: Leaflet Distribution.
Three: Using a tested and proven telephone script designed not to sell the service, but to make an appointment to call and give a free estimate. Done right, the level of acceptance is a high 86%.
10. Unlimited Growth PotentialWhile you can make $1,000 a week doing two, four-hour jobs a day forfive days a week, the way to make really big money is not to do any ofthe work yourself!The trick is to hire others to do all the cleaning work.
This leaves you free to concentrate on managing and growing the business.
As the Holly Noble, owner of a San Diego based cleaning business, says,"You can't be soliciting new customers when you are cleaning a toilet.
"John's "Home Cleaning Business Plan" is a fact-packed, step-by-step,do-it-by-the-numbers guide that tells you all you need to know about starting up and succeeding in a home-based business of your own.
While it includes a lot of his own advice on how to promote and managethe business, the real value of the Plan is that it contains in-depth interviews with nine successful cleaning business owners who revealed their most closely guarded trade secrets.
Home Business Ideas
Take the kids to school….clean the house…..pick the kids up from school and take them to soccer practice. These are some of the daily chores a Mom and Dad face, so how is she to have time to have a career as well?
An hour and a half drive in traffic to work…………a completely demanding boss……an hour and half back home……these are some of the problems a faced when trying to spend more time enjoying family. So what does you do?
Well…the answer may be opening your own home based business. Whether it's to spend more time with your family or simply to have greater freedom and flexibility, more Americans are longing to run their own home-based business. With new technology emerging everyday and the evolution of the Internet, home base businesses are becoming more and more viable. In fact, there are numerous franchises across the country that is seeking to capitalize on this desire.
The number one franchise in the country does not stray far from the duties of an everyday mom. Executive cleaning services are by far the most popular home based franchises in the country. There are numerous companies which make up this popular home business trend. Some of these companies are; Jani-King (which has 10,932 franchises), ServiceMaster Clean (4,418), Jan Pro franchising international (3,915), CleanNet USA (2,963), and Coverall Cleaning Concepts (8,415).
Another fast growing business is lawn care services. Lawn care services are needed in just about every area of the country. Some of the companies that are making huge growth progress in this area are as follows; the #1 franchise is LawnDoctor (460 francshises, at an average start-up cost of $80,000), WeedMan (281, start-up costs approximately $50,000), and Scotts Lawn Service (75, start-up costs are approximately $80,000).
The last business I wanted to mention is the home inspection business. This has taken off in the past few years and is presenting great opportunities for home based business success. The # 1 franchise is Pillar to post (457 franchises, with a start-up cost of $30,000), Americspec (385, approximately $30,000 in start-up costs), The Home Inspection Service (350, approximately $20,000 to start), World Inspection Service (182, approximately $40,000 in start-up costs.)
You may have your own ideas as to what business you want to start. In order to be successful in any business venture you must do ample research into the market conditions in your area, as well as prepare a business plan that will serve as a guide for you to follow. When preparing to start your own home business, it is always a good idea to contact a professional business consultant or incubator, who can help your prepare for success!
© Copyright 2004-05 by http://www.motivatedentrepreneur.com - www.motivatedentrepreneur.com
An hour and a half drive in traffic to work…………a completely demanding boss……an hour and half back home……these are some of the problems a faced when trying to spend more time enjoying family. So what does you do?
Well…the answer may be opening your own home based business. Whether it's to spend more time with your family or simply to have greater freedom and flexibility, more Americans are longing to run their own home-based business. With new technology emerging everyday and the evolution of the Internet, home base businesses are becoming more and more viable. In fact, there are numerous franchises across the country that is seeking to capitalize on this desire.
The number one franchise in the country does not stray far from the duties of an everyday mom. Executive cleaning services are by far the most popular home based franchises in the country. There are numerous companies which make up this popular home business trend. Some of these companies are; Jani-King (which has 10,932 franchises), ServiceMaster Clean (4,418), Jan Pro franchising international (3,915), CleanNet USA (2,963), and Coverall Cleaning Concepts (8,415).
Another fast growing business is lawn care services. Lawn care services are needed in just about every area of the country. Some of the companies that are making huge growth progress in this area are as follows; the #1 franchise is LawnDoctor (460 francshises, at an average start-up cost of $80,000), WeedMan (281, start-up costs approximately $50,000), and Scotts Lawn Service (75, start-up costs are approximately $80,000).
The last business I wanted to mention is the home inspection business. This has taken off in the past few years and is presenting great opportunities for home based business success. The # 1 franchise is Pillar to post (457 franchises, with a start-up cost of $30,000), Americspec (385, approximately $30,000 in start-up costs), The Home Inspection Service (350, approximately $20,000 to start), World Inspection Service (182, approximately $40,000 in start-up costs.)
You may have your own ideas as to what business you want to start. In order to be successful in any business venture you must do ample research into the market conditions in your area, as well as prepare a business plan that will serve as a guide for you to follow. When preparing to start your own home business, it is always a good idea to contact a professional business consultant or incubator, who can help your prepare for success!
© Copyright 2004-05 by http://www.motivatedentrepreneur.com - www.motivatedentrepreneur.com
Home Business Exposure on Yahoo!
This article discusses getting exposure on Yahoo through the new podcast searching feature they have added. You can be in at the beginning of a huge trend and get lots of traffic to your site with Yahoo!
Everyone who has ever been on the internet has heard of Yahoo! If you haven't, then quit reading and go visit now. Yahoo is such a popular site that my website ranking toolbar from Alexa shows a number "1" under website ranking…that's popular. So it would probably be a good idea to get some exposure on Yahoo! for your home business.
Here is a great way to get in at the beginning of a trend. If you've never heard of a podcast, then you should definitely get up to speed on what they are. In brief, they are archived audio files usually in mp3 format that you can download into your player such as an iPod. Hosting those files is called podcasting. People can listen to you whenever it is convenient for them.
Podcasting is in its infancy as of late 2005. Yes, there are a lot of podcasts, but users are very few compared to the total number of internet and iPod users. So how does Yahoo! fit in? Well, one of the things about podcasts is that they have usually been hard to find or search for. None of the major search engines had done much with them as of this writing.
Enter Yahoo! You can now go to podcasts.yahoo.com and search for whatever you want. Many of the podcasts are vocal in nature such as instruction or the old teaching tapes. Here is your opportunity - home business is a very frequently searched topic on any search engine, so it is only a matter of time until it is frequently searched on the Yahoo! podcast site as well. You can get traffic to your site by making your own podcasts and submitting them to a site that Yahoo! searches such as iPodder.
There probably won't be an incredible amount of competition for your home business for some time. Meanwhile, you have the opportunity to be a step ahead and be seen as an expert. You will be an expert by the time everyone else figures out that they should get into podcasting too. There is a great article on how to get started in podcasting at the website MCPromotionsPress.comThis time in podcasting is like the times in the mid 90's when you could easily get great search engine ranking with just a little effort. Your home business can get some great exposure - Don't miss the ride!
Everyone who has ever been on the internet has heard of Yahoo! If you haven't, then quit reading and go visit now. Yahoo is such a popular site that my website ranking toolbar from Alexa shows a number "1" under website ranking…that's popular. So it would probably be a good idea to get some exposure on Yahoo! for your home business.
Here is a great way to get in at the beginning of a trend. If you've never heard of a podcast, then you should definitely get up to speed on what they are. In brief, they are archived audio files usually in mp3 format that you can download into your player such as an iPod. Hosting those files is called podcasting. People can listen to you whenever it is convenient for them.
Podcasting is in its infancy as of late 2005. Yes, there are a lot of podcasts, but users are very few compared to the total number of internet and iPod users. So how does Yahoo! fit in? Well, one of the things about podcasts is that they have usually been hard to find or search for. None of the major search engines had done much with them as of this writing.
Enter Yahoo! You can now go to podcasts.yahoo.com and search for whatever you want. Many of the podcasts are vocal in nature such as instruction or the old teaching tapes. Here is your opportunity - home business is a very frequently searched topic on any search engine, so it is only a matter of time until it is frequently searched on the Yahoo! podcast site as well. You can get traffic to your site by making your own podcasts and submitting them to a site that Yahoo! searches such as iPodder.
There probably won't be an incredible amount of competition for your home business for some time. Meanwhile, you have the opportunity to be a step ahead and be seen as an expert. You will be an expert by the time everyone else figures out that they should get into podcasting too. There is a great article on how to get started in podcasting at the website MCPromotionsPress.comThis time in podcasting is like the times in the mid 90's when you could easily get great search engine ranking with just a little effort. Your home business can get some great exposure - Don't miss the ride!
Holding Effective Meetings Can Be Easier than You Think!
Poorly run meetings - those held for the wrong reasons, that don't involve the right participants, or that don't use a disciplined meeting process - can waste the time, resources, and money of a business. Not only are they a financial drain, they have the potential to make participants feel perpetually frustrated and unproductive. Yet making simple changes to the protocols for running meetings can shift the dynamics into a highly effective mode.
I'm sure you've experienced those typical "headache" meetings! You know the kind I'm talking about - the ones where the key players are running late, no one knows exactly why the meeting was called, and there's not a single agenda in sight. Everyone's sitting around wondering, "Will this last 20 minutes or will we be here all day?" It's impossible to tell!
Then, once the meeting finally gets off the ground, the real pandemonium starts. For instance:
You may hear some people yak incessantly on the sidelines, or one or two folks might jump on a soapbox and dominate the discussion.
The meeting topics can bounce back and forth so many times that no one can keep track of what's actually being discussed.
If a decision results, no one knows whether it was ever recorded or even whether anyone agreed to it.
To counteract these frustrating problems, this article reveals four techniques for running great meetings and following up afterward.
First, How Big Is the Problem?
What are the consequences of holding ineffective meetings? Meetings held for the wrong reasons, that don't involve the right participants, or that don't use a disciplined meeting process can waste the time, resources, and money of the business.
Not only do they have the potential to make the participants feel perpetually frustrated and unproductive, they're also a financial drain. Just in the area of cost, have you ever tried to calculate the expense of holding even a single unproductive meeting?
If you multiply the number of people sitting in a room by an average hourly rate, and add the cost of employee benefits (overhead), you'll see what I mean. And that's the average cost for a holding a single meeting, not including expenses for any related travel, food, or equipment.
You can multiply that figure across the entire company to estimate the cost of meetings held per month and per year. As you can imagine, holding meetings, especially unproductive ones, can be an expensive proposition!
How Can You Turn Your Meetings Around?
In contrast to the chaotic, unplanned encounters, at well-run meetings, participants collaborate to produce a valuable outcome. They also leave the meeting feeling that their time was really well spent. Making simple changes to the protocols for running meetings can shift the dynamics into a highly effective mode.
To achieve excellent results, try the following:
1. Be sure you really need a meeting before scheduling it.
Respect your colleagues' busy schedules. Don't schedule a meeting unless:
You really need the cooperation of several people at once.
The attendees must contribute to, or will be affected by, a vital decision.
You want various people to listen and respond to what others have to say.
2. Send out a meeting notice and agenda well in advance.
Give your attendees plenty of advance notice - for example, at least a week. Also consider whether any of your invitees are likely to be unavailable on that date. If so, you may want to postpone the meeting or seek alternates.
Be sure your meeting notice includes all of the key information: Include the 1) meeting date, 2) starting and ending times, 3) purpose, 4) attendees, 5) location with directions or access instructions, and 6) the proposed agenda. That way, everyone will know exactly what to expect, what to do, what their time commitment is, and what's in it for them!
3. Conduct the meeting using good facilitation techniques.
Here are some of the most effective techniques professional facilitators use:
Start on time; don't reward latecomers by waiting for them.
Decide on times for each topic and stick to them.
Follow the agenda; avoid hopping around.
Discourage side discussions.
Set a "no interrupting" rule.
Stop, repeat, and clarify the points people are making.
Test for closure before moving on to the next agenda item.
Record decisions, action items, and due dates for each topic.
Summarize the key decisions and action items before closing.
End on time.
4. Follow up afterward with summaries and action items.
After you've completed all of that hard work, you can avoid having everyone's ideas and decisions simply melt away because no one sent out a good summary or bothered to track the agreed-upon assignments.
A summary doesn't have to be fancy or very detailed to be effective, but it should contain enough substance to inform the people who weren't there, for example.
The summary should list: 1) each topic, 2) the key points of each topic discussion, 3) all decisions made, and 4) action items and due dates. At the end, it may include the next meeting's 5) proposed agenda, 6) date and time, and 7) location, if known.
With a little fine-tuning, you can convert your meetings from profit stealers into profit boosters. The process will transform the quality of group collaborations and breathe new life into your morale and productivity!
I'm sure you've experienced those typical "headache" meetings! You know the kind I'm talking about - the ones where the key players are running late, no one knows exactly why the meeting was called, and there's not a single agenda in sight. Everyone's sitting around wondering, "Will this last 20 minutes or will we be here all day?" It's impossible to tell!
Then, once the meeting finally gets off the ground, the real pandemonium starts. For instance:
You may hear some people yak incessantly on the sidelines, or one or two folks might jump on a soapbox and dominate the discussion.
The meeting topics can bounce back and forth so many times that no one can keep track of what's actually being discussed.
If a decision results, no one knows whether it was ever recorded or even whether anyone agreed to it.
To counteract these frustrating problems, this article reveals four techniques for running great meetings and following up afterward.
First, How Big Is the Problem?
What are the consequences of holding ineffective meetings? Meetings held for the wrong reasons, that don't involve the right participants, or that don't use a disciplined meeting process can waste the time, resources, and money of the business.
Not only do they have the potential to make the participants feel perpetually frustrated and unproductive, they're also a financial drain. Just in the area of cost, have you ever tried to calculate the expense of holding even a single unproductive meeting?
If you multiply the number of people sitting in a room by an average hourly rate, and add the cost of employee benefits (overhead), you'll see what I mean. And that's the average cost for a holding a single meeting, not including expenses for any related travel, food, or equipment.
You can multiply that figure across the entire company to estimate the cost of meetings held per month and per year. As you can imagine, holding meetings, especially unproductive ones, can be an expensive proposition!
How Can You Turn Your Meetings Around?
In contrast to the chaotic, unplanned encounters, at well-run meetings, participants collaborate to produce a valuable outcome. They also leave the meeting feeling that their time was really well spent. Making simple changes to the protocols for running meetings can shift the dynamics into a highly effective mode.
To achieve excellent results, try the following:
1. Be sure you really need a meeting before scheduling it.
Respect your colleagues' busy schedules. Don't schedule a meeting unless:
You really need the cooperation of several people at once.
The attendees must contribute to, or will be affected by, a vital decision.
You want various people to listen and respond to what others have to say.
2. Send out a meeting notice and agenda well in advance.
Give your attendees plenty of advance notice - for example, at least a week. Also consider whether any of your invitees are likely to be unavailable on that date. If so, you may want to postpone the meeting or seek alternates.
Be sure your meeting notice includes all of the key information: Include the 1) meeting date, 2) starting and ending times, 3) purpose, 4) attendees, 5) location with directions or access instructions, and 6) the proposed agenda. That way, everyone will know exactly what to expect, what to do, what their time commitment is, and what's in it for them!
3. Conduct the meeting using good facilitation techniques.
Here are some of the most effective techniques professional facilitators use:
Start on time; don't reward latecomers by waiting for them.
Decide on times for each topic and stick to them.
Follow the agenda; avoid hopping around.
Discourage side discussions.
Set a "no interrupting" rule.
Stop, repeat, and clarify the points people are making.
Test for closure before moving on to the next agenda item.
Record decisions, action items, and due dates for each topic.
Summarize the key decisions and action items before closing.
End on time.
4. Follow up afterward with summaries and action items.
After you've completed all of that hard work, you can avoid having everyone's ideas and decisions simply melt away because no one sent out a good summary or bothered to track the agreed-upon assignments.
A summary doesn't have to be fancy or very detailed to be effective, but it should contain enough substance to inform the people who weren't there, for example.
The summary should list: 1) each topic, 2) the key points of each topic discussion, 3) all decisions made, and 4) action items and due dates. At the end, it may include the next meeting's 5) proposed agenda, 6) date and time, and 7) location, if known.
With a little fine-tuning, you can convert your meetings from profit stealers into profit boosters. The process will transform the quality of group collaborations and breathe new life into your morale and productivity!
History of Infomercials
Infomercials are television commercials, often referred to as "paid programming," which are typically aired during off-peak hours, such as late at night or early in the morning. The word "infomercial" is in fact a combination of the two words "information" and "commercial." Unlike standard commercials, however, infomercials typically have vibrant, and often famous, hosts promoting a product or service.
It all began in the 1980's. Ronald Regan was president and one of the many controversial things he did in that office was to deregulate the TV industry. Why did he do it? Well, as a conservative Republican he lived and breathed by the "free market rule," which stated that the government didn't belong in business, and businesses should live and die by the success or failure of their own practices and market forces.
At the same time, cable TV was just starting its expansion into the American television marketplace, and that opened up a huge broadcast venue which simply didn't exist beforehand. Anybody with any experience in the broadcast industry was starting his own channel and pretty soon cable channels were commonplace. The most successful channels at the time were religious based channels which were basically used for fundraising purposes. There were literally hundreds of them, from local, small time reverends and ministers with dubious backgrounds, to nationally broadcast spiritual and religious shows, utilizing well-known religious figures.
At this point, two things happened. For one, many of the young, fledgling channels and networks who counted on ad revenue to keep themselves afloat attracted less than stellar ratings and starting going under. And at the same time, the religious channels started to realize that their fundraising efforts were failing miserably in the late evening and wee hours of the morning.
Cheap broadcast space was born! And enterprising businessmen, more like vultures than saviors, swooped down and began to chew on the dying carcasses of the young cable industry, buying up blocks of cheap, late night, off peak broadcast time and running 30 minute or 60 minute, inexpensively produced commercials refashioned as entertainment programs.
Pretty soon there were infomercial superstars. Celebrities, as well as a cast of unknowns, found fame and fortune in the newly created infomercial industry. There was Jane Fonda who captured lightening in a bottle with her exercise tapes simultaneously boosting the video business along with the infomercial business. There was Ron Popeil, who marketed every gadget and device people didn't even know they needed and made the switch from printed contact to electronic contact so successfully he's still doing it today. And there was Kenny Kingston who made the Psychic Hotline into one of the largest businesses in the world without even having anything to sell! Only in America and only in infomercials could such overwhelming success happen so quickly.
Soon, everybody with an idea was trying to come up with the next big thing. As is always the case with any new industry, immediately following the initial success there comes a huge wave of imitators and innovators trying to cash in. And as always happens - most fail. There was such a huge crush of wannabes flooding into the business that production rates skyrocketed and broadcast time became more and more expensive and less and less available. Almost overnight, the infomercial industry went from nothing to today's enviable haul of billions of dollars annually. And that's just in America. Successful infomercials, like Hollywood movies are translated into foreign languages and played all around the globe especially when they are celebrity driven.
The newly created infomercial industry was the precursor to the Home Shopping Network and QVC which are essentially 24 hour mini infomercials, product driven, price driven and celebrity driven. And now we have The Infomercial Channel - 24 hours a day of infomercials. Gone are the days of loud mouthed hucksters, snake oil salesmen yelling into the camera, hawking the latest "it slices! it dices!" home improvement device. Today, infomercials are slick, expensive and if they work, highly profitable.
It all began in the 1980's. Ronald Regan was president and one of the many controversial things he did in that office was to deregulate the TV industry. Why did he do it? Well, as a conservative Republican he lived and breathed by the "free market rule," which stated that the government didn't belong in business, and businesses should live and die by the success or failure of their own practices and market forces.
At the same time, cable TV was just starting its expansion into the American television marketplace, and that opened up a huge broadcast venue which simply didn't exist beforehand. Anybody with any experience in the broadcast industry was starting his own channel and pretty soon cable channels were commonplace. The most successful channels at the time were religious based channels which were basically used for fundraising purposes. There were literally hundreds of them, from local, small time reverends and ministers with dubious backgrounds, to nationally broadcast spiritual and religious shows, utilizing well-known religious figures.
At this point, two things happened. For one, many of the young, fledgling channels and networks who counted on ad revenue to keep themselves afloat attracted less than stellar ratings and starting going under. And at the same time, the religious channels started to realize that their fundraising efforts were failing miserably in the late evening and wee hours of the morning.
Cheap broadcast space was born! And enterprising businessmen, more like vultures than saviors, swooped down and began to chew on the dying carcasses of the young cable industry, buying up blocks of cheap, late night, off peak broadcast time and running 30 minute or 60 minute, inexpensively produced commercials refashioned as entertainment programs.
Pretty soon there were infomercial superstars. Celebrities, as well as a cast of unknowns, found fame and fortune in the newly created infomercial industry. There was Jane Fonda who captured lightening in a bottle with her exercise tapes simultaneously boosting the video business along with the infomercial business. There was Ron Popeil, who marketed every gadget and device people didn't even know they needed and made the switch from printed contact to electronic contact so successfully he's still doing it today. And there was Kenny Kingston who made the Psychic Hotline into one of the largest businesses in the world without even having anything to sell! Only in America and only in infomercials could such overwhelming success happen so quickly.
Soon, everybody with an idea was trying to come up with the next big thing. As is always the case with any new industry, immediately following the initial success there comes a huge wave of imitators and innovators trying to cash in. And as always happens - most fail. There was such a huge crush of wannabes flooding into the business that production rates skyrocketed and broadcast time became more and more expensive and less and less available. Almost overnight, the infomercial industry went from nothing to today's enviable haul of billions of dollars annually. And that's just in America. Successful infomercials, like Hollywood movies are translated into foreign languages and played all around the globe especially when they are celebrity driven.
The newly created infomercial industry was the precursor to the Home Shopping Network and QVC which are essentially 24 hour mini infomercials, product driven, price driven and celebrity driven. And now we have The Infomercial Channel - 24 hours a day of infomercials. Gone are the days of loud mouthed hucksters, snake oil salesmen yelling into the camera, hawking the latest "it slices! it dices!" home improvement device. Today, infomercials are slick, expensive and if they work, highly profitable.
Hiring the Perfect Fit Through eLance.com
If you have a project that you need to outsource but don't know where to turn, Elance might be your solution. Elance connects businesses with a pool of professional providers from around the globe. When you post a project on Elance, providers compete against each other to give you the best price and service. You can choose either an open bid where all qualified Elance professionals can bid or an invitation only bid where you can peruse portfolios and choose which providers you'd like to invite to bid on your project. Signing up with Elance is easy and it's free. Here's a step-by-step guide to start you on your way to finding the professional that's right for you.
Go to Elance.com and click on the "Buy Services" tab located at the top of the page. This will take you to the next screen.
On this screen you'll be presented with three choices: "Post Your Project", "Search For Providers" or "Get Project Review". For this guide we are going to focus only on posting a project for open bid. So, click on the first button, "Post Your Project." (You can always come back later to investigate the other options.)
Here, you'll need to enter your contact information. If you do not already have a username and password, click on the "click here" underline next to the password box to get to the next screen. If you have a username and password, enter it now and skip to step 5.
You'll see a screen with eight empty boxes. You'll need to create a "username" and choose a password. Enter each within the assigned boxes. Re-enter your password in the "Re-enter password" box. Remember to choose both a username and a password that you'll remember. Next, enter your e-mail address, first name, last name and phone number. You'll also need to re-enter your email address for verification purposes. Then, click "continue".
Choose the category which best suits your project needs. There are 11 categories to choose from. These include: Administrative Support, Architecture & Engineering, Audio, Visual & Multimedia, Graphic Design & Art, Legal, Management & Finance, Sales & Marketing, Software & Technology, Training & Development, Website Development and Writing & Translation. Once you choose your main category, you'll be asked to choose a subcategory. This allows you to receive bids that better match your project. After choosing your subcategory, you'll be taken to the next screen.
On this screen there are three main boxes of information to provide. In the first box, you'll need to Choose a Title for your project (e.g., 12 Business Articles), describe your project in detail (how many words, project deadlines, etc.), choose how many days you will allow providers to bid on your project, choose an estimated start date, a projected budget and attach any files that may be relevant to your project. The more detailed you are in describing your project, the easier it will be for qualified providers to give you detailed proposals regarding your project.
In the next box, you'll be asked if you want providers to able to seek clarification on your project via the private message board. If so, check the box. If not, skip to the next box.
Finally, you'll be asked to choose how you receive your bids. The Select Level will provide you with higher quality providers. Providers will give you more competitive bids as Elance charges providers a higher rate to list as a Select Provider. You'll also be seen as more serious about your project if you choose this level. The lowest amount you can receive for your project is $250 and you also must pay a refundable $25 deposit to post your project. If you choose not to go this route, you can pick the Basic level which allows you to post your project without a deposit but you'll still need to be credit card verified (so that Elance knows you can pay for projects you award.) After filling in the required information in each of the boxes, click "Continue" to move to the next screen.
Here, you'll need to provide your credit card information. Unless you chose Select providers you won't be charged. If you want to pay your provider with a credit card through Elance, you'll need to verify your credit card. Elance will make two small posts against your card and then refund them once you've posted your project. Once you supply the required information, click on "Continue".
On the next screen, you'll confirm the information you supplied regarding your project. If you need to make any changes, this is the place. You can either click on "Post Project Now" to make your project active or on "Save & Post Later" to post the project at a later date.
Now that your project is live, bidders can bid on your project. When you receive a number of bids, pick the provider best suited to your needs and your project is on it way to being completed.
Go to Elance.com and click on the "Buy Services" tab located at the top of the page. This will take you to the next screen.
On this screen you'll be presented with three choices: "Post Your Project", "Search For Providers" or "Get Project Review". For this guide we are going to focus only on posting a project for open bid. So, click on the first button, "Post Your Project." (You can always come back later to investigate the other options.)
Here, you'll need to enter your contact information. If you do not already have a username and password, click on the "click here" underline next to the password box to get to the next screen. If you have a username and password, enter it now and skip to step 5.
You'll see a screen with eight empty boxes. You'll need to create a "username" and choose a password. Enter each within the assigned boxes. Re-enter your password in the "Re-enter password" box. Remember to choose both a username and a password that you'll remember. Next, enter your e-mail address, first name, last name and phone number. You'll also need to re-enter your email address for verification purposes. Then, click "continue".
Choose the category which best suits your project needs. There are 11 categories to choose from. These include: Administrative Support, Architecture & Engineering, Audio, Visual & Multimedia, Graphic Design & Art, Legal, Management & Finance, Sales & Marketing, Software & Technology, Training & Development, Website Development and Writing & Translation. Once you choose your main category, you'll be asked to choose a subcategory. This allows you to receive bids that better match your project. After choosing your subcategory, you'll be taken to the next screen.
On this screen there are three main boxes of information to provide. In the first box, you'll need to Choose a Title for your project (e.g., 12 Business Articles), describe your project in detail (how many words, project deadlines, etc.), choose how many days you will allow providers to bid on your project, choose an estimated start date, a projected budget and attach any files that may be relevant to your project. The more detailed you are in describing your project, the easier it will be for qualified providers to give you detailed proposals regarding your project.
In the next box, you'll be asked if you want providers to able to seek clarification on your project via the private message board. If so, check the box. If not, skip to the next box.
Finally, you'll be asked to choose how you receive your bids. The Select Level will provide you with higher quality providers. Providers will give you more competitive bids as Elance charges providers a higher rate to list as a Select Provider. You'll also be seen as more serious about your project if you choose this level. The lowest amount you can receive for your project is $250 and you also must pay a refundable $25 deposit to post your project. If you choose not to go this route, you can pick the Basic level which allows you to post your project without a deposit but you'll still need to be credit card verified (so that Elance knows you can pay for projects you award.) After filling in the required information in each of the boxes, click "Continue" to move to the next screen.
Here, you'll need to provide your credit card information. Unless you chose Select providers you won't be charged. If you want to pay your provider with a credit card through Elance, you'll need to verify your credit card. Elance will make two small posts against your card and then refund them once you've posted your project. Once you supply the required information, click on "Continue".
On the next screen, you'll confirm the information you supplied regarding your project. If you need to make any changes, this is the place. You can either click on "Post Project Now" to make your project active or on "Save & Post Later" to post the project at a later date.
Now that your project is live, bidders can bid on your project. When you receive a number of bids, pick the provider best suited to your needs and your project is on it way to being completed.
High cost of Not - doing
Managers have their eye on cost in product development and HR issue. But these can only reduce at one point. They hardly see at waste of not doing anything of their workforce and machines. Read how these factors affect the bottomline of any business.
9/11, 2001 has hit a whole lot of business. But the most badly hit was air industry. US airlines were virtually on the ground for most of time rather than in the sky. As old adage says. Planes are safer at the ground. But they are built to fly and that where they should be all the time. Almost whole aircraft industry was badly hit by being grounded. Million of jobs evaporated and billion of dollar went under drain. All these were due to not doing anything. Peter Drucker, in his book 'Managing for result' defines the cost point in the whole supply chain.
Productivity cost
Support cost
Policing
Waste or Idle time.
Drucker accept that to some point all three cost centre productivity cost, support cost, policing cost are imperative to any business. It takes massive investment to produce something and market it successfully. A corner cutting here and there can be welcomed but you can't remove any of these three cost centre at all.But waste rarely needs to be analyzed. It is usually quite clear that this or that cost cannot produce results; whether we can do anything about it is another thing.But waste is very hard to find.
These fact are hidden the accounts book only. The normal available account will not show this. You need to dig hard to find these unacceptable costs to your product and services,In it services industry or any knowledge intensive industry, major concern of any top management people in 2001 was the bench period. As industry defines it as a time when your know ledge worker are sitting idle in the absence of project. This cost awesome money to any organization and pull it into big trouble. Lucent technology faces the similar effect in 2001-02.
Although to avoid these waste effort and tools are totally outside of conventional approach to cost control and cost cutting. They required major, prolonged efforts, but the fact is most cost cutting, let alone the across-the-board cut, does not even touch waste. Yet, in business waste is real cost centre. It required a lot of systematic planning and organized effort to recognize a waste in the supply chain and get rid of it.Any Manager Job is to keep the ship running tight to produce the greatest value for the constituents.
9/11, 2001 has hit a whole lot of business. But the most badly hit was air industry. US airlines were virtually on the ground for most of time rather than in the sky. As old adage says. Planes are safer at the ground. But they are built to fly and that where they should be all the time. Almost whole aircraft industry was badly hit by being grounded. Million of jobs evaporated and billion of dollar went under drain. All these were due to not doing anything. Peter Drucker, in his book 'Managing for result' defines the cost point in the whole supply chain.
Productivity cost
Support cost
Policing
Waste or Idle time.
Drucker accept that to some point all three cost centre productivity cost, support cost, policing cost are imperative to any business. It takes massive investment to produce something and market it successfully. A corner cutting here and there can be welcomed but you can't remove any of these three cost centre at all.But waste rarely needs to be analyzed. It is usually quite clear that this or that cost cannot produce results; whether we can do anything about it is another thing.But waste is very hard to find.
These fact are hidden the accounts book only. The normal available account will not show this. You need to dig hard to find these unacceptable costs to your product and services,In it services industry or any knowledge intensive industry, major concern of any top management people in 2001 was the bench period. As industry defines it as a time when your know ledge worker are sitting idle in the absence of project. This cost awesome money to any organization and pull it into big trouble. Lucent technology faces the similar effect in 2001-02.
Although to avoid these waste effort and tools are totally outside of conventional approach to cost control and cost cutting. They required major, prolonged efforts, but the fact is most cost cutting, let alone the across-the-board cut, does not even touch waste. Yet, in business waste is real cost centre. It required a lot of systematic planning and organized effort to recognize a waste in the supply chain and get rid of it.Any Manager Job is to keep the ship running tight to produce the greatest value for the constituents.
Here Today Gone Tomorrow
Here Today Gone Tomorrow By Sylvia ... a matter of here today, gone tomorrow at the moment with Google so don't get ... if you are on the first few pages of the ... Its great, you a
Here Today Gone Tomorrow
By Sylvia White,
Its a matter of here today, gone tomorrow at the moment with Google so don't get complacent if you are on the first few pages of the searches.
Its great, you are making money and think now you can relax and forget about it for a while. No chance, Keep up with linking and adding the odd page every week or two or you will disappear in a twinkling.
Here is one instance, No names mentioned that wouldn't be ethical, but my daughter emailed a webmaster whose website was no1 on Make Money Online and no 1 on Work at Home, She explained very nicely that she could not find her link on his site and she would have to remove his if it wasn't replaced within two weeks.
The webmasters response was, Go ahead and take it off, I am doing very nicely thank you and making a good living.
One week later the site was nowhere to be found on either search. It cheered my daughter up immensely as she is working hard to get her own website up in the searches and she thought that was a very selfish reply.
Always be civil to fellow webmasters, If you are asked for a reciprocal link exchange but you do not think the site is suitable, or it is not up to standard, then just answer politely and explain the reason you will not link.
A few tips will not go amiss as it is probably someone new trying to make money like you are doing.
Talking about linking Are you one of those webmasters that turns his nose up when someone asks you for a reciprocal link and his site has no PR.!
Think carefully before your refusal. In a few months it is almost certain those websites will be 4 pr or even higher as their owners are working just as hard as you did to get their websites in the searches. You may even want them to link to your next new website.
Article Tags: Here Today Gone, Today Gone Tomorrow, Here Today, Today Gone, Gone Tomorrow
Here Today Gone Tomorrow
By Sylvia White,
Its a matter of here today, gone tomorrow at the moment with Google so don't get complacent if you are on the first few pages of the searches.
Its great, you are making money and think now you can relax and forget about it for a while. No chance, Keep up with linking and adding the odd page every week or two or you will disappear in a twinkling.
Here is one instance, No names mentioned that wouldn't be ethical, but my daughter emailed a webmaster whose website was no1 on Make Money Online and no 1 on Work at Home, She explained very nicely that she could not find her link on his site and she would have to remove his if it wasn't replaced within two weeks.
The webmasters response was, Go ahead and take it off, I am doing very nicely thank you and making a good living.
One week later the site was nowhere to be found on either search. It cheered my daughter up immensely as she is working hard to get her own website up in the searches and she thought that was a very selfish reply.
Always be civil to fellow webmasters, If you are asked for a reciprocal link exchange but you do not think the site is suitable, or it is not up to standard, then just answer politely and explain the reason you will not link.
A few tips will not go amiss as it is probably someone new trying to make money like you are doing.
Talking about linking Are you one of those webmasters that turns his nose up when someone asks you for a reciprocal link and his site has no PR.!
Think carefully before your refusal. In a few months it is almost certain those websites will be 4 pr or even higher as their owners are working just as hard as you did to get their websites in the searches. You may even want them to link to your next new website.
Article Tags: Here Today Gone, Today Gone Tomorrow, Here Today, Today Gone, Gone Tomorrow
Help Wanted: New President for General Motors
When you are a manager or business operator with poor results, it's always easy to find reasons beyond your control to use as justification. But this "Blame Game" is for amateurs. The author provides 3 suggestions which will improve performance in your business almost immediately.
The recent news of General Motor's expected loss of over $1.1M in the first quarter of 2005 surprised many observers. It reminded me of something GM's previous chair, John Smale, had told me back in 1994. We were having breakfast in Toronto when he made some observations about business which have stuck with me ever since.
Smale was a brilliant guy and the former chairman of P&G before GM. He understood brand marketing and managing huge operations. I was privileged to be able to spend time one-on-one with him and remember it well. He'd remarked that large corporations, in addition to making money, have an obligation to other stakeholders as well. I took that to mean that he felt it was inevitable that an org like GM would occasionally have periods with losses, and that during such times it had to keep as many other commitments to employees, or suppliers, or other stakeholders, as was feasible. I believe his comment was enlightened. It bears consideration again for the world's largest automaker.
In my experience, there are 3 key opportunities that business managers and operators miss when they fail to achieve maximum returns and benefits from their investments. As both a business success coach and a management consultant; I see these overlooked repeatedly It's almost ironic, given that one of the most frequent complaints I hear from business operators is about their perceived inability to optimize resources due to a lack time to get everything done each day. Here are 3 quick ideas which, if dealt with effectively, will give many business managers an immediate lift in their results:
1. Don't Buy a Dog and Then Bark Yourself
This problem impacts all managers; but it can be less obvious in large corporations where the large headcounts make poor delegation skills less likely to cause a business to fail.
Over and over again I see managers hiring 'in their own image'. I think it's based on the idea that, "there's nothing wrong with this operation that more of me couldn't fix".
Let me be clear on this - Don't! It's a waste of money; and even if you like having 'yes men' around you - it's a waste of everyone else's time. When hiring, always try to find someone smarter than you. Look for someone who brings new skills to your team, someone with fresh perspective. And then let her or him loose on the tasks at hand.
Don't micro manage your new hire and tell her/him how to do their job. It will only cause 'reverse delegation' with all decisions and needs being sent to you before any action is taken. And if you're the one making every decision; you've just lost a big part of the benefit of bringing in new talent. Your time management ability for other issues is worsened as well.
2. Do an ROI Analysis on Every Spend
By now we've all heard that most new businesses fail because of under-capitalization issues.
For all enterprises, effective use of working capital is critical to success. However, if you are running a small operation with limited funding, poor usage may be the principal reason why you're trending toward failure.
Many business operators just don't make the effort to review the results of investment spending adequately. The importance of an objective analysis of what - if any - return came as a result of their spending is critical for any future business planning - and yet it's continually ignored or postponed to a time when it's no longer valuable. I recognize it's difficult to determine (for example) what marketing activity actually caused increased traffic; or what discount offer caused your phone to ring, or if adding 3 bodies actually improved company output. But failure to determine whether your investment was appropriate will only result in further blind spending.
Management-by-gut-feel often results in no positive outcomes. Test yourself.
3. Usually, Your Results Aren't Due to the Economy
When I first became involved in the franchising business back in 1985, the biggest problem I saw was that small business operators didn't understand the effects that the global economy could have on any business dedicated to consumers. Today, it seems it's just the opposite.
I frequently hear business operators justifying their lack of success on everything but internal company issues. I don't believe that most businesses fail to make their numbers because of some prognostication from the Federal Reserve Chairman.
Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in global issues that we forget why our customers came to us in the first place. We forget that they will continue to spend and grow regardless of what happens in Japan or Poland.
Deal with the issues that are really creating your current results.
Unless your operation is doing everything to the best it can be done, look in the mirror before you start blaming the economy, or issues outside your control for your lackluster results.
And by the way, Toyota's making more money and growing its market share in the US despite all being faced by those obstacles cited by GM's management this year. It's not the economy.
If you thought this article was worthwhile, you many want to take a free 7 part mini coaching course, "7 Secrets of Leadership Success" by signing up at http://www.BusinessSuccessCoach.net - http://www.BusinessSuccessCoach.net
The recent news of General Motor's expected loss of over $1.1M in the first quarter of 2005 surprised many observers. It reminded me of something GM's previous chair, John Smale, had told me back in 1994. We were having breakfast in Toronto when he made some observations about business which have stuck with me ever since.
Smale was a brilliant guy and the former chairman of P&G before GM. He understood brand marketing and managing huge operations. I was privileged to be able to spend time one-on-one with him and remember it well. He'd remarked that large corporations, in addition to making money, have an obligation to other stakeholders as well. I took that to mean that he felt it was inevitable that an org like GM would occasionally have periods with losses, and that during such times it had to keep as many other commitments to employees, or suppliers, or other stakeholders, as was feasible. I believe his comment was enlightened. It bears consideration again for the world's largest automaker.
In my experience, there are 3 key opportunities that business managers and operators miss when they fail to achieve maximum returns and benefits from their investments. As both a business success coach and a management consultant; I see these overlooked repeatedly It's almost ironic, given that one of the most frequent complaints I hear from business operators is about their perceived inability to optimize resources due to a lack time to get everything done each day. Here are 3 quick ideas which, if dealt with effectively, will give many business managers an immediate lift in their results:
1. Don't Buy a Dog and Then Bark Yourself
This problem impacts all managers; but it can be less obvious in large corporations where the large headcounts make poor delegation skills less likely to cause a business to fail.
Over and over again I see managers hiring 'in their own image'. I think it's based on the idea that, "there's nothing wrong with this operation that more of me couldn't fix".
Let me be clear on this - Don't! It's a waste of money; and even if you like having 'yes men' around you - it's a waste of everyone else's time. When hiring, always try to find someone smarter than you. Look for someone who brings new skills to your team, someone with fresh perspective. And then let her or him loose on the tasks at hand.
Don't micro manage your new hire and tell her/him how to do their job. It will only cause 'reverse delegation' with all decisions and needs being sent to you before any action is taken. And if you're the one making every decision; you've just lost a big part of the benefit of bringing in new talent. Your time management ability for other issues is worsened as well.
2. Do an ROI Analysis on Every Spend
By now we've all heard that most new businesses fail because of under-capitalization issues.
For all enterprises, effective use of working capital is critical to success. However, if you are running a small operation with limited funding, poor usage may be the principal reason why you're trending toward failure.
Many business operators just don't make the effort to review the results of investment spending adequately. The importance of an objective analysis of what - if any - return came as a result of their spending is critical for any future business planning - and yet it's continually ignored or postponed to a time when it's no longer valuable. I recognize it's difficult to determine (for example) what marketing activity actually caused increased traffic; or what discount offer caused your phone to ring, or if adding 3 bodies actually improved company output. But failure to determine whether your investment was appropriate will only result in further blind spending.
Management-by-gut-feel often results in no positive outcomes. Test yourself.
3. Usually, Your Results Aren't Due to the Economy
When I first became involved in the franchising business back in 1985, the biggest problem I saw was that small business operators didn't understand the effects that the global economy could have on any business dedicated to consumers. Today, it seems it's just the opposite.
I frequently hear business operators justifying their lack of success on everything but internal company issues. I don't believe that most businesses fail to make their numbers because of some prognostication from the Federal Reserve Chairman.
Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in global issues that we forget why our customers came to us in the first place. We forget that they will continue to spend and grow regardless of what happens in Japan or Poland.
Deal with the issues that are really creating your current results.
Unless your operation is doing everything to the best it can be done, look in the mirror before you start blaming the economy, or issues outside your control for your lackluster results.
And by the way, Toyota's making more money and growing its market share in the US despite all being faced by those obstacles cited by GM's management this year. It's not the economy.
If you thought this article was worthwhile, you many want to take a free 7 part mini coaching course, "7 Secrets of Leadership Success" by signing up at http://www.BusinessSuccessCoach.net - http://www.BusinessSuccessCoach.net
Having your sandwich and eating it; a Business Students guide to securing a Placement
Introduction
Many sandwich degree students can secure a placement through their universities dedicated placement office. However even with the universities support there is much onus on the student to actively secure a good quality placement and to stand out from crowd.
The value of the Placements year
The placement year is a very valuable experience, particularly if the student hasn't had much experience of work before. At university even having a part time job can help students understand their studies better. Secondly it gives the student an indication about what they may like to do after graduation. However, importantly it helps the student secure a better job after graduation. Obviously the value of the placement depends very much on the quality of the placement. Whilst many students find their placement year a positive experience, their may be a small minority who feel they had an unconstructive placement.
Job Fair's
Although a universities placement office can provide invaluable advice, support and a number of contacts, students have a better chance of securing a good quality placement if they were to be proactive in independently seeking a placement. One way they can do this is to attend recruitment or Job fairs.
When attending Job fairs, students should ensure they take with them an ample number of CV's and covering letters. One advantage of job fairs is that students may have the opportunity to apply for those companies which are advertising more than one job. This is aided by organisations which have one application form for a number of job roles.
As the majority of placements take place in the third year of study, its best to visit job fairs in the second year. If a student wants to practice their interpersonal skills, then they could attend in the first year but the employers may see them as a time waster.
C.V's and Covering letters
The content of the majority of students CV's is often very similar. This makes it very difficult for an applicant to guarantee their CV stands out ahead of the competition. To help, applicants should thoroughly proof read their C.V to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical mistakes. Many managers complain they receive a number of applications with obvious mistakes and therefore instantly reject them.
Students should use two pages when writing their C.V and never have half pages. Often it is helpful if applicants use tables to display qualifications and other important information. It should be neat and use a formal business tone. Business students shouldn't use any pictures or colour and most importantly never lie. It's good to include a small section on career objectives and work experience linked with relevant skills gained.
A good cover letter is also essential to go with a C.V (particularly at recruitment fairs). Students can create two main types of cover letter and C.V's:
1. A general cover letter and C.V aimed at a range of job roles and companies.
2. A targeted cover letter for a particular company and/or job role.
The latter is often more desirable when viewed by employers, but not always possible.
Targeting a cover letter and C.V
If a student attends a job fair taking place at their university, the organisers (whether the university placements office or Job shop) will certainly know what companies will be attending. It is prudent for students to find out not only what companies will be attending, but also what job roles are going to be promoted and by which companies. The organiser's may even have job descriptions for specific job roles. With this information, students can target their covering letter and C.V's towards those specific jobs which they wish to apply.
If the job fair is being organised outside the university, the organisers will certainly advertise which companies are attending. If they don't or a student needs to know more information, then they should contact the organisers.
The problem with large job fairs is that many organisations won't have any specific job to offer, but are generally promoting their company and/or their graduate or placement scheme. That makes it difficult for students to target their covering letter and C.V, but not impossible. If they know the organisations which are attending they can (to an extent) research them and tailor and target their covering letter and C.V accordingly.
Researching the organisations is also very important for making a good impression when speaking to their representatives. Students will create a more positive impression if they are knowledgeable about an organisation and the sector in which they operate.
Students should also consider at Job fairs (particularly large ones), what type of job they want (.e.g. Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, Sales etc) - and target their C.V and covering letter accordingly. Students should note however that in most jobs there is always a large overlap between these areas of work.
Salary range of a placement student
A placement student's salary is usually lower than that of graduate salaries for the type of work undertaken. Currently the average typical salary in the UK is around $12,000 to $13,500 and in London and the South East students could expect to earn around $14,000 to $17,000. However a minority student may secure jobs with significantly higher salaries (up to around $22,000).
Negotiating salary with the employer
Students applying for a job should be cautious when attempting to negotiate their salary. It's probable that an alternative candidate with very similar skills and attributes would be happy to work in that job role for lower pay. Many companies (particularly larger ones) are likely to have set pay scales, and would be unable to increase the salary being offered. The only time it would be appropriate to negotiate a salary, is if a student was offered two jobs, and needed to turn one down. Then they could go to the less appealing of the two companies and inform them that unless they were prepared to raise the salary they would have to take the job with the other company. However even in such a case, it's unlikely that the company would be prepared to raise the salary.
Negotiating a salary after securing a placement.
It's probable that an organisation will have a pay scale, and any pay rise is likely to be rewarded as a result of a good appraisal. An appraisal gives a student a good opportunity to speak to their manager and justify why they should be given a pay rise. The problem that a placement student may face is that normally appraisals occur once every six months (sometime less), and a typically a work placement lasts for less than 12 months, and during the first few months of that a student will be settling in. This means it's unlikely that a student will be given enough time to prove that they are actually worthy of a pay rise, as salary reviews often happen annually.
Students shouldn't use salary as the main criteria for choosing a job. Students should take into consideration what a company can offer them in terms of personal development and opportunities. A placement year is about gaining experience and developing skills, not about the pay, although it can help to pay those debts already accumulated.
Typical Business Placement job role and responsibilities
Business students in particular can expect to apply for a wide array of jobs, as many job roles will almost certainly involve at least one area of a business discipline. The majority of business students often take up an administrative role within a wider context of a specialist area such as sales, marketing, personnel, or finance. Even if a placement involves working in a team focused towards a particular business discipline such as marketing, a student may be required to be flexible and do a certain amount of finance and budget work, as different areas of work are not mutually exclusive. This is most probably to the student's advantage.
As many placement students, have had very little previous experience of work, they cannot expect to be a manager straight away. That's not to exclude the possibility of them being given a very important task and responsibilities, but it is unlikely that they could expect to be given subordinates to manage. However a placement student can expect to help support managers in the day to day running of a department. Broadly speaking their responsibilities may include helping to manage and monitor budgets, arranging and attending meetings, liasing with external stakeholders, helping to compile reports, writing letters and assisting within presentations. Because students are on a placement a good employer may give them an insight into more senior manager's roles, and invite them to observe some more important aspects of business management.
Students may however be required to do some monotonous tasks such as booking travel/conference ticket, filing and handling stationary orders etc. However they will find that most jobs will involve some element of tedious work. Student should not however be employed simply to make the tea or do the photocopying etc.
The types of organisations which offers the best quality placements.
It's often advisable for students to apply to larger firms who run placement schemes. Larger firms are likely to offer a much wider range of experiences, and job opportunities, particularly if they are already experienced in running a placement scheme. Larger organisations are also more likely to provide better support and have certain quality assurances procedures in place for any problems students may encounter. For example if a student has a problem with their manager, they may be able to gain advice for the organisations Human Resources department, who may intervene, if required.
Larger organisations in addition are likely to provide higher quality training opportunities, as many smaller companies often haven't got the resources. This is not to completely dismiss the value of working in a smaller organisation, who may give the student greater responsibilities and more unique insight into business management.
It's worth remembering that what suites and interests one student may not necessarily interest another, it depends on what individual wishes to gain from their placement. Most business students are likely to secure a clerical or admin based job roles. If they want to work in a highly competitive environment, then a sales or marketing job would be most suitable. However if they are good with numbers, and are not very extrovert then a student may prefer a finance or accounting job role. In short it's what interests the student.
Students seeking a placement should attempt to avoid any job which employs them to be a general "dog's body," as this would not be much benefit to them.
What criteria placement Students should use to choose a placement.
Students should keep in mind the following things:
1. The training and development opportunities they will offer them. For example, are they willing to send the student on training courses, even if they are only going to be there for a year (many companies will).
2. Are they going to give the student key important tasks which are going to significantly test them?
3. Will the job role allow the student to build upon their skills and abilities? Will it give them ample opportunity to learn new skills?
4. Will they give the student more responsibility and allow them to widen the scope of their job role as their performance improves?
5. Are they willing to treat the student not just as a "normal" employee but to recognise that the placement is a learning experience and therefore encourage the student to learn wider than the scope of their job role would usually allow them.
6. Is the employer going to recognise that the student may still have study commitments and allow them adequate time to complete them and are they willing to aid in the students studies? For example support them with dissertation research and make company information available to them, where possible?
7. Although often some tedious tasks are unavoidable and part of normal work, will the student's main job role be based around fulfilling more stimulating responsibilities?
8. Is the job role something which interests the student?
9. Are there likely to be any opportunities for the student to gain full time employment from the company upon graduation? Will it get the student "a foot in the door?"
Often it is very difficult to answer the above questions properly before the student starts the job. If a student is interested in a job and believes he/she stands a good chance of securing the role, then they should carry out research to check that the job is what it appears to be. There is little value in a student taking a year away from university only to work in an organisation that wants someone to make the tea and work the photocopier.
Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author only and not necessarily those expressed by The University of Greenwich, professional bodies, organisations or any Government Departments. The author would like to remind readers to always seek professional advice before acting upon the information in this article, which they use at their own risk and judgement.
Many sandwich degree students can secure a placement through their universities dedicated placement office. However even with the universities support there is much onus on the student to actively secure a good quality placement and to stand out from crowd.
The value of the Placements year
The placement year is a very valuable experience, particularly if the student hasn't had much experience of work before. At university even having a part time job can help students understand their studies better. Secondly it gives the student an indication about what they may like to do after graduation. However, importantly it helps the student secure a better job after graduation. Obviously the value of the placement depends very much on the quality of the placement. Whilst many students find their placement year a positive experience, their may be a small minority who feel they had an unconstructive placement.
Job Fair's
Although a universities placement office can provide invaluable advice, support and a number of contacts, students have a better chance of securing a good quality placement if they were to be proactive in independently seeking a placement. One way they can do this is to attend recruitment or Job fairs.
When attending Job fairs, students should ensure they take with them an ample number of CV's and covering letters. One advantage of job fairs is that students may have the opportunity to apply for those companies which are advertising more than one job. This is aided by organisations which have one application form for a number of job roles.
As the majority of placements take place in the third year of study, its best to visit job fairs in the second year. If a student wants to practice their interpersonal skills, then they could attend in the first year but the employers may see them as a time waster.
C.V's and Covering letters
The content of the majority of students CV's is often very similar. This makes it very difficult for an applicant to guarantee their CV stands out ahead of the competition. To help, applicants should thoroughly proof read their C.V to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical mistakes. Many managers complain they receive a number of applications with obvious mistakes and therefore instantly reject them.
Students should use two pages when writing their C.V and never have half pages. Often it is helpful if applicants use tables to display qualifications and other important information. It should be neat and use a formal business tone. Business students shouldn't use any pictures or colour and most importantly never lie. It's good to include a small section on career objectives and work experience linked with relevant skills gained.
A good cover letter is also essential to go with a C.V (particularly at recruitment fairs). Students can create two main types of cover letter and C.V's:
1. A general cover letter and C.V aimed at a range of job roles and companies.
2. A targeted cover letter for a particular company and/or job role.
The latter is often more desirable when viewed by employers, but not always possible.
Targeting a cover letter and C.V
If a student attends a job fair taking place at their university, the organisers (whether the university placements office or Job shop) will certainly know what companies will be attending. It is prudent for students to find out not only what companies will be attending, but also what job roles are going to be promoted and by which companies. The organiser's may even have job descriptions for specific job roles. With this information, students can target their covering letter and C.V's towards those specific jobs which they wish to apply.
If the job fair is being organised outside the university, the organisers will certainly advertise which companies are attending. If they don't or a student needs to know more information, then they should contact the organisers.
The problem with large job fairs is that many organisations won't have any specific job to offer, but are generally promoting their company and/or their graduate or placement scheme. That makes it difficult for students to target their covering letter and C.V, but not impossible. If they know the organisations which are attending they can (to an extent) research them and tailor and target their covering letter and C.V accordingly.
Researching the organisations is also very important for making a good impression when speaking to their representatives. Students will create a more positive impression if they are knowledgeable about an organisation and the sector in which they operate.
Students should also consider at Job fairs (particularly large ones), what type of job they want (.e.g. Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, Sales etc) - and target their C.V and covering letter accordingly. Students should note however that in most jobs there is always a large overlap between these areas of work.
Salary range of a placement student
A placement student's salary is usually lower than that of graduate salaries for the type of work undertaken. Currently the average typical salary in the UK is around $12,000 to $13,500 and in London and the South East students could expect to earn around $14,000 to $17,000. However a minority student may secure jobs with significantly higher salaries (up to around $22,000).
Negotiating salary with the employer
Students applying for a job should be cautious when attempting to negotiate their salary. It's probable that an alternative candidate with very similar skills and attributes would be happy to work in that job role for lower pay. Many companies (particularly larger ones) are likely to have set pay scales, and would be unable to increase the salary being offered. The only time it would be appropriate to negotiate a salary, is if a student was offered two jobs, and needed to turn one down. Then they could go to the less appealing of the two companies and inform them that unless they were prepared to raise the salary they would have to take the job with the other company. However even in such a case, it's unlikely that the company would be prepared to raise the salary.
Negotiating a salary after securing a placement.
It's probable that an organisation will have a pay scale, and any pay rise is likely to be rewarded as a result of a good appraisal. An appraisal gives a student a good opportunity to speak to their manager and justify why they should be given a pay rise. The problem that a placement student may face is that normally appraisals occur once every six months (sometime less), and a typically a work placement lasts for less than 12 months, and during the first few months of that a student will be settling in. This means it's unlikely that a student will be given enough time to prove that they are actually worthy of a pay rise, as salary reviews often happen annually.
Students shouldn't use salary as the main criteria for choosing a job. Students should take into consideration what a company can offer them in terms of personal development and opportunities. A placement year is about gaining experience and developing skills, not about the pay, although it can help to pay those debts already accumulated.
Typical Business Placement job role and responsibilities
Business students in particular can expect to apply for a wide array of jobs, as many job roles will almost certainly involve at least one area of a business discipline. The majority of business students often take up an administrative role within a wider context of a specialist area such as sales, marketing, personnel, or finance. Even if a placement involves working in a team focused towards a particular business discipline such as marketing, a student may be required to be flexible and do a certain amount of finance and budget work, as different areas of work are not mutually exclusive. This is most probably to the student's advantage.
As many placement students, have had very little previous experience of work, they cannot expect to be a manager straight away. That's not to exclude the possibility of them being given a very important task and responsibilities, but it is unlikely that they could expect to be given subordinates to manage. However a placement student can expect to help support managers in the day to day running of a department. Broadly speaking their responsibilities may include helping to manage and monitor budgets, arranging and attending meetings, liasing with external stakeholders, helping to compile reports, writing letters and assisting within presentations. Because students are on a placement a good employer may give them an insight into more senior manager's roles, and invite them to observe some more important aspects of business management.
Students may however be required to do some monotonous tasks such as booking travel/conference ticket, filing and handling stationary orders etc. However they will find that most jobs will involve some element of tedious work. Student should not however be employed simply to make the tea or do the photocopying etc.
The types of organisations which offers the best quality placements.
It's often advisable for students to apply to larger firms who run placement schemes. Larger firms are likely to offer a much wider range of experiences, and job opportunities, particularly if they are already experienced in running a placement scheme. Larger organisations are also more likely to provide better support and have certain quality assurances procedures in place for any problems students may encounter. For example if a student has a problem with their manager, they may be able to gain advice for the organisations Human Resources department, who may intervene, if required.
Larger organisations in addition are likely to provide higher quality training opportunities, as many smaller companies often haven't got the resources. This is not to completely dismiss the value of working in a smaller organisation, who may give the student greater responsibilities and more unique insight into business management.
It's worth remembering that what suites and interests one student may not necessarily interest another, it depends on what individual wishes to gain from their placement. Most business students are likely to secure a clerical or admin based job roles. If they want to work in a highly competitive environment, then a sales or marketing job would be most suitable. However if they are good with numbers, and are not very extrovert then a student may prefer a finance or accounting job role. In short it's what interests the student.
Students seeking a placement should attempt to avoid any job which employs them to be a general "dog's body," as this would not be much benefit to them.
What criteria placement Students should use to choose a placement.
Students should keep in mind the following things:
1. The training and development opportunities they will offer them. For example, are they willing to send the student on training courses, even if they are only going to be there for a year (many companies will).
2. Are they going to give the student key important tasks which are going to significantly test them?
3. Will the job role allow the student to build upon their skills and abilities? Will it give them ample opportunity to learn new skills?
4. Will they give the student more responsibility and allow them to widen the scope of their job role as their performance improves?
5. Are they willing to treat the student not just as a "normal" employee but to recognise that the placement is a learning experience and therefore encourage the student to learn wider than the scope of their job role would usually allow them.
6. Is the employer going to recognise that the student may still have study commitments and allow them adequate time to complete them and are they willing to aid in the students studies? For example support them with dissertation research and make company information available to them, where possible?
7. Although often some tedious tasks are unavoidable and part of normal work, will the student's main job role be based around fulfilling more stimulating responsibilities?
8. Is the job role something which interests the student?
9. Are there likely to be any opportunities for the student to gain full time employment from the company upon graduation? Will it get the student "a foot in the door?"
Often it is very difficult to answer the above questions properly before the student starts the job. If a student is interested in a job and believes he/she stands a good chance of securing the role, then they should carry out research to check that the job is what it appears to be. There is little value in a student taking a year away from university only to work in an organisation that wants someone to make the tea and work the photocopier.
Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author only and not necessarily those expressed by The University of Greenwich, professional bodies, organisations or any Government Departments. The author would like to remind readers to always seek professional advice before acting upon the information in this article, which they use at their own risk and judgement.
Hardware for Computer Desks
Now-a-days, computer desks are pre-designed and pre-engineered and can be assembled easily wherever and whenever required. These modular desks are provided with custom defined components as per user requirements. They contain any number of shelves and storage racks which can be increased over time.
The height and width of the desk can also be increased with the addition of a few more components. The main advantage of modular computer desks is that, they can be designed to fit into the exact dimensions of the space provided
All the components are provided along with the nuts and bolts for easy assembling. A manual is also provided which contains instructions to assemble the desk. By following the manual carefully, even the most complex-looking computer desk can be assembled within no time. The main components in a computer desk are: the front frame, back frame, bottom rails, upper frames, back aprons, pedestal base, pedestal base sides, tip edge strips, upper and lower dust panels, drawer front, center drawer front, back and sides, file drawer sides, and backs and joiners. There are many books and resources which provide free plans for building computer desks. There are also many websites with information about building computer desks.
There are some points to remember building a computer desk. First, ensure that the desk is sufficiently close to the power points. Secondly, the wood used to build the desk should be strong and durable like oak or cherry. As solid wood expands and shrinks with changes in humidity, care should be taken to allow space for changes in dimension while attaching the main components. Maximum gluing surface should also be provided for more strength. The number of storage shelves required should be planned in advance and some space should be provided for attaching more shelves for future expansion. If the CPU is to be put in a closed space, there should be sufficient ventilation inside. Retractable keyboard trays free up space on the desk and also help to keep the keyboard free from dust.
Article Tags: Computer Desks
The height and width of the desk can also be increased with the addition of a few more components. The main advantage of modular computer desks is that, they can be designed to fit into the exact dimensions of the space provided
All the components are provided along with the nuts and bolts for easy assembling. A manual is also provided which contains instructions to assemble the desk. By following the manual carefully, even the most complex-looking computer desk can be assembled within no time. The main components in a computer desk are: the front frame, back frame, bottom rails, upper frames, back aprons, pedestal base, pedestal base sides, tip edge strips, upper and lower dust panels, drawer front, center drawer front, back and sides, file drawer sides, and backs and joiners. There are many books and resources which provide free plans for building computer desks. There are also many websites with information about building computer desks.
There are some points to remember building a computer desk. First, ensure that the desk is sufficiently close to the power points. Secondly, the wood used to build the desk should be strong and durable like oak or cherry. As solid wood expands and shrinks with changes in humidity, care should be taken to allow space for changes in dimension while attaching the main components. Maximum gluing surface should also be provided for more strength. The number of storage shelves required should be planned in advance and some space should be provided for attaching more shelves for future expansion. If the CPU is to be put in a closed space, there should be sufficient ventilation inside. Retractable keyboard trays free up space on the desk and also help to keep the keyboard free from dust.
Article Tags: Computer Desks
Handmade Beauty Business . . . Virtually!
The business of Handmade Beauty has grown exponentially in the past ten years. I have personally observed and been an integral part of enormous growth and innovation as the industry has become more well-known, and even mainstream.
As an instructor in the arts of cold-process soap-making and toiletry-making, it is amazing to talk with student after student about their newfound knowledge of creating handmade beauty products and their desire to start a business. The range runs the gamut from selling a few weeks annually during the pre-holiday craft fair season to starting a full-time business with a very sophisticated long-term business plan. I am always amazed at the passion this craft elicits and the endless possibilities, variations, and directions in which such a business could go!
I know. From personal experience, I know it very well.
What I like to share in my consultations is that anything is possible. With enough commitment, endurance, a well-thought plan, and enough cash to carry you through until you are generating the income sufficient to get by and thrive, it can be done.
That said, in my experience, from the moment you decide you are serious about being in business, it is imperative to adopt a mindset of maximizing your time and energy. One way of doing that is to hire a professional Virtual Assistant, also known as a "VA."
Depending on the experience and expertise of your VA, s/he caters to your administrative, technical, creative, and financial needs. Delegating these time-consuming tasks to the capable hands of your VA frees you to focus on what's most important: growing your business and generating revenue!
A virtual assistant is your partner in business. Aside from you, they care as much about the success of your business as anyone! They are equipped with the most updated equipment and systems. They are savvy and industrious when it comes to finding innovative ways to implement new programs or introduce new products. As you mature in business, it is not uncommon to depend heavily on the services of a VA for the superior behind-the-scenes contribution they make to your success.
Partnering with a professional Virtual Assistant will:
1. Increase your revenue.
2. Increase your productivity.
3. Save you money.
4. Save you time.
5. Save you frustration.
How does that sound? The handmade beauty business of your dreams awaits!
by Charlon Bobo, Muse works™ © 2005
You have permission to freely distribute this article provided all the text contained herein remains intact.
As an instructor in the arts of cold-process soap-making and toiletry-making, it is amazing to talk with student after student about their newfound knowledge of creating handmade beauty products and their desire to start a business. The range runs the gamut from selling a few weeks annually during the pre-holiday craft fair season to starting a full-time business with a very sophisticated long-term business plan. I am always amazed at the passion this craft elicits and the endless possibilities, variations, and directions in which such a business could go!
I know. From personal experience, I know it very well.
What I like to share in my consultations is that anything is possible. With enough commitment, endurance, a well-thought plan, and enough cash to carry you through until you are generating the income sufficient to get by and thrive, it can be done.
That said, in my experience, from the moment you decide you are serious about being in business, it is imperative to adopt a mindset of maximizing your time and energy. One way of doing that is to hire a professional Virtual Assistant, also known as a "VA."
Depending on the experience and expertise of your VA, s/he caters to your administrative, technical, creative, and financial needs. Delegating these time-consuming tasks to the capable hands of your VA frees you to focus on what's most important: growing your business and generating revenue!
A virtual assistant is your partner in business. Aside from you, they care as much about the success of your business as anyone! They are equipped with the most updated equipment and systems. They are savvy and industrious when it comes to finding innovative ways to implement new programs or introduce new products. As you mature in business, it is not uncommon to depend heavily on the services of a VA for the superior behind-the-scenes contribution they make to your success.
Partnering with a professional Virtual Assistant will:
1. Increase your revenue.
2. Increase your productivity.
3. Save you money.
4. Save you time.
5. Save you frustration.
How does that sound? The handmade beauty business of your dreams awaits!
by Charlon Bobo, Muse works™ © 2005
You have permission to freely distribute this article provided all the text contained herein remains intact.
Habits Sizzling Salespeople Have in Common
Patricia Drain, author of Sell the Sizzle, had the opportunity tointerview 177 top sales producers, both male and female, from allbackgrounds. She discovered several main points in common.
"Each of these individuals knew exactly what I meant when Italked about selling the sizzle. After interviewing them, Idiscovered that each individual followed certain daily habitsthat took them to the level of Top Producer in their profession,"says Patricia.
7 Habits That Top Sales Producers Have in Common Are:
Habit #1: Develop a PLAN. Sizzling salespeople plan their days,weeks and months.
They set goals in place and work their plan to exceed thosegoals.
Habit #2: They Create a Clear FOCUS. Sizzling salespeople ALWAYSstay focused on their specialty and their plan. They stay focusedby prioritizing each day.
Habit #3: They Ask QUESTIONS. Sizzling salespeople understandand utilize the art of asking the right questions. They list theRIGHT questions to ask when sizzle selling.
Habit #4: They SHARPEN Their Skills. Sizzling salespeopleunderstand the importance of sharpening their saws. They investin the resources needed to assure ongoing training.
Habit #5: They Understand the Power of NUMBERS. They understandthat to increase their sales, they must increase their prospects,customer base and sales volume.
Habit #6: They Know How to Stay in CONTROL. Sizzlingsalespeople stay in control of themselves to stay on track. Theyuse this control to keep a personal balance in their lives.
Habit #7: They Have a Strong BELIEF SYSTEM. Sizzlingsalespeople believe they are worthy of the highest earnings,commissions or salary, and that their time is extremely valuable.
"Each of these individuals knew exactly what I meant when Italked about selling the sizzle. After interviewing them, Idiscovered that each individual followed certain daily habitsthat took them to the level of Top Producer in their profession,"says Patricia.
7 Habits That Top Sales Producers Have in Common Are:
Habit #1: Develop a PLAN. Sizzling salespeople plan their days,weeks and months.
They set goals in place and work their plan to exceed thosegoals.
Habit #2: They Create a Clear FOCUS. Sizzling salespeople ALWAYSstay focused on their specialty and their plan. They stay focusedby prioritizing each day.
Habit #3: They Ask QUESTIONS. Sizzling salespeople understandand utilize the art of asking the right questions. They list theRIGHT questions to ask when sizzle selling.
Habit #4: They SHARPEN Their Skills. Sizzling salespeopleunderstand the importance of sharpening their saws. They investin the resources needed to assure ongoing training.
Habit #5: They Understand the Power of NUMBERS. They understandthat to increase their sales, they must increase their prospects,customer base and sales volume.
Habit #6: They Know How to Stay in CONTROL. Sizzlingsalespeople stay in control of themselves to stay on track. Theyuse this control to keep a personal balance in their lives.
Habit #7: They Have a Strong BELIEF SYSTEM. Sizzlingsalespeople believe they are worthy of the highest earnings,commissions or salary, and that their time is extremely valuable.
Gum Removal in Hotels
The truth about chewing gum pollution. Uncover cost effective methods that will help your conquer the chewing gum pollution plague and fast. Whether you have chewing gum in your home or are a commercial cleaning contractor looking for a cost effective solution to an age old cleaning problem
Gum GumGum removal in hotels is one of the more important tasks set for hotel cleaning crews. This is because the presence of chewing gum pollution in hotels greatly detracts from the comfortable atmosphere of cleanliness and welcome that most hotels strive for. And, because chewing gum is so prevalent in our society, the fact of the matter is that gum removal in hotels will remain something that is very important.
Areas that need active gum removal in hotels
Nearly every area of most hotels will require some sort of gum removal, as chewing gum soiling is common in all areas where people go. Indeed, gum is chewed quite often in order to freshen breath and even just to give the chewer something to do. Chewing gum removal in hotels is a very necessary part of a hotel cleaning job simply because people will always be bringing the gum into the hotels. Some hotels even have chewing gum machines that dispense the gum in their own hotels, thus continuing to perpetuate the problem.
Of course many of the hotel rooms need gum removal. Not only can gum get under the tables in the rooms, but it can also get in the carpets. This means that carpet cleaning of some sort is needed to get rid of the carpet stains caused by chewing gum. Other places where gum can get is in the bathroom, where it definitely needs to be cleaned up, and also even in the bed. This can be especially annoying if the gum gets into the sheets. Rather than simply washing out in the laundry, gum actually gets onto the other items in the load and can contaminate them, making a bigger mess and possibly ruining other sheets. Gum removal in hotels also involves looking very carefully to ensure that it is found and properly removed.
Another place that warrants gum removal in hotels is the lobby. Most lobbies are beautifully decorated, and the presence of gum can mar this decoration and cause people to feel disgust. If a patron has an encounter with gum, she or he may not return. This means that the hotel could lose money, all because of the presence of chewing gum.
In order to cost effectively remove chewing gum pollution, especially gum removal in hotels, a gum remover is needed that can get rid of the gum without causing a great deal of effort. One of these gum removal systems, one that costs a fraction and is as effective as commercial cleaning machines, is a product called Gum-Out. Gum-Out, which has been on the market for 20 years, is a major contribution to cleaning technology. The Gum-Out release agent is applied by a special plastic injector, which breaks the bond between the gum wad and the surface in to which it is stuck. A simple trip to http://www.chewing-gum-removal.com - www.chewing-gum-removal.com can help you find an easy way to keep a hotel gum-free. Each bottle of Gum-Out if used as directed will remove up to 125 lumps of chewing gum.
Gum GumGum removal in hotels is one of the more important tasks set for hotel cleaning crews. This is because the presence of chewing gum pollution in hotels greatly detracts from the comfortable atmosphere of cleanliness and welcome that most hotels strive for. And, because chewing gum is so prevalent in our society, the fact of the matter is that gum removal in hotels will remain something that is very important.
Areas that need active gum removal in hotels
Nearly every area of most hotels will require some sort of gum removal, as chewing gum soiling is common in all areas where people go. Indeed, gum is chewed quite often in order to freshen breath and even just to give the chewer something to do. Chewing gum removal in hotels is a very necessary part of a hotel cleaning job simply because people will always be bringing the gum into the hotels. Some hotels even have chewing gum machines that dispense the gum in their own hotels, thus continuing to perpetuate the problem.
Of course many of the hotel rooms need gum removal. Not only can gum get under the tables in the rooms, but it can also get in the carpets. This means that carpet cleaning of some sort is needed to get rid of the carpet stains caused by chewing gum. Other places where gum can get is in the bathroom, where it definitely needs to be cleaned up, and also even in the bed. This can be especially annoying if the gum gets into the sheets. Rather than simply washing out in the laundry, gum actually gets onto the other items in the load and can contaminate them, making a bigger mess and possibly ruining other sheets. Gum removal in hotels also involves looking very carefully to ensure that it is found and properly removed.
Another place that warrants gum removal in hotels is the lobby. Most lobbies are beautifully decorated, and the presence of gum can mar this decoration and cause people to feel disgust. If a patron has an encounter with gum, she or he may not return. This means that the hotel could lose money, all because of the presence of chewing gum.
In order to cost effectively remove chewing gum pollution, especially gum removal in hotels, a gum remover is needed that can get rid of the gum without causing a great deal of effort. One of these gum removal systems, one that costs a fraction and is as effective as commercial cleaning machines, is a product called Gum-Out. Gum-Out, which has been on the market for 20 years, is a major contribution to cleaning technology. The Gum-Out release agent is applied by a special plastic injector, which breaks the bond between the gum wad and the surface in to which it is stuck. A simple trip to http://www.chewing-gum-removal.com - www.chewing-gum-removal.com can help you find an easy way to keep a hotel gum-free. Each bottle of Gum-Out if used as directed will remove up to 125 lumps of chewing gum.
Guide to Selecting an Office Chair
Selecting a good office chair is an important decision. If you intend to spend a lot of time in your office chair, it's probably the equivalent of purchasing a mattress for your bed. Think about how much time you'll spend in the chair each day. It could be as much as 8-12 hours. If that's the case, you definitely want to make an informed decision. Listed below are some general guidelines to assist you in the process of selecting an office chair.
Test it first. The best way to select is good office chair is to test it firsthand. If possible, the person who will be using the chair should take it for a test drive
Check the fit.
Make sure the chair height can be adjusted to ensure your feet rest on the floor.
Is the seat cushion comfortable? Does it feel stable and balanced in a variety of positions?
Are your knees below your hips? When seated with your feet resting on the floor, you want to ensure your knees are below your hips. This is especially critical on heavy use chairs to ensure you maintain proper circulation below the knee. As a general rule, the angle formed by your torso and thighs should be between 90 and 105 degrees.
Is the chair rounded at the front? A rounded front also helps to maintain proper circulation in your legs.
How's the back? Make sure the back rest feels comfortable. Lumbar support systems vary, so make sure the fit is good.
Select a chair designed to support your usage requirements. Some office chairs are designed for short-term, infrequent use while others are designed for daily, heavy duty use. Today's chairs also come with a variety of mechanisms to control the comfort level of each user - height control, tension adjustment, lumbar support, tilt angle control, and several other chair controls. Listed below are some general categories for types of office chairs based on the amount of use. Refer to Types of Chairs to get a general feel for the type of use that will be required of your chair.
Make sure the office chair provides proper back support. Your back should be comfortably supported to maintain an erect posture. Make sure the chair can adjust to different posture positions.
Review the tilt. A good office chair should accommodate a number of different tilt options to accommodate different seating positions throughout the day. Also, check to make sure the tilting tension can be adjusted. Tilting back in an office chair should be easy, but there should be some tension. You'll need to adjust this based on your height, weight, and needs.
Check out the armrests. If the chair will be used at a desk or computer workstation, then make sure the armrests are designed so that the chair can be pulled up close to the workstation. Adjustable armrests are also a nice option. Some chairs come with armrests that extend 10 inches or less from the back of the seat. These armrests allow you to work close to the workstation while also providing a place to rest your arms.
Make sure the chair wheel casters are appropriate for the flooring they will be used on. Hard wheel casters are appropriate for carpet and some solid surface materials. However, if your chair will be used on hardwood floors or other flooring material that can be damaged, then you should strongly consider soft wheel casters.
Choose the right fabric. The fabric should be one that allows a firm seat with no sliding. It should also be a breathable fabric that allows easy cleanup of spills.
Test it first. The best way to select is good office chair is to test it firsthand. If possible, the person who will be using the chair should take it for a test drive
Check the fit.
Make sure the chair height can be adjusted to ensure your feet rest on the floor.
Is the seat cushion comfortable? Does it feel stable and balanced in a variety of positions?
Are your knees below your hips? When seated with your feet resting on the floor, you want to ensure your knees are below your hips. This is especially critical on heavy use chairs to ensure you maintain proper circulation below the knee. As a general rule, the angle formed by your torso and thighs should be between 90 and 105 degrees.
Is the chair rounded at the front? A rounded front also helps to maintain proper circulation in your legs.
How's the back? Make sure the back rest feels comfortable. Lumbar support systems vary, so make sure the fit is good.
Select a chair designed to support your usage requirements. Some office chairs are designed for short-term, infrequent use while others are designed for daily, heavy duty use. Today's chairs also come with a variety of mechanisms to control the comfort level of each user - height control, tension adjustment, lumbar support, tilt angle control, and several other chair controls. Listed below are some general categories for types of office chairs based on the amount of use. Refer to Types of Chairs to get a general feel for the type of use that will be required of your chair.
Make sure the office chair provides proper back support. Your back should be comfortably supported to maintain an erect posture. Make sure the chair can adjust to different posture positions.
Review the tilt. A good office chair should accommodate a number of different tilt options to accommodate different seating positions throughout the day. Also, check to make sure the tilting tension can be adjusted. Tilting back in an office chair should be easy, but there should be some tension. You'll need to adjust this based on your height, weight, and needs.
Check out the armrests. If the chair will be used at a desk or computer workstation, then make sure the armrests are designed so that the chair can be pulled up close to the workstation. Adjustable armrests are also a nice option. Some chairs come with armrests that extend 10 inches or less from the back of the seat. These armrests allow you to work close to the workstation while also providing a place to rest your arms.
Make sure the chair wheel casters are appropriate for the flooring they will be used on. Hard wheel casters are appropriate for carpet and some solid surface materials. However, if your chair will be used on hardwood floors or other flooring material that can be damaged, then you should strongly consider soft wheel casters.
Choose the right fabric. The fabric should be one that allows a firm seat with no sliding. It should also be a breathable fabric that allows easy cleanup of spills.
Gripes, grumbling and Complaining about your Place of Work
Does that go on at your place of work? Of course it does. It's very rare that it doesn't, especially where there is a lot of employees. A lot of gripes I hear about is the management and the pay. Those are the most favored of most employees it seems. Mine too as a matter of fact. Especially the pay.
I've worked for several employers in the past thirty four years counting my military service and it always seems that there is a top out limit on pay. Once I reached it, there was no more growth financially. Not even to compensate for the rising cost of living. So I enroll in classes and use a lot of my off time to get a better education to make myself a more valuable employee and still no raises or promotions. Most recently I've had to take a class just to ensure I keep the pay I already have because of pay reduction threats. A lot of my coworkers have already gotten a large drop in pay. What makes it so bad is, the corporation as a whole are making Hugh profits and the factory I work in is generating a large amount of those profits.
Well, they have a big reason to complain and they all do. But what good does it do? It does no good at all, because they are mostly complaining among themselves and not to the upper management. They fear that they will lose their jobs if they do try a little constructive complaining. Singlely there jobs will be threatened, but collectively they might do some good.
But then that will probably be considered a union by the corporation if they, or I should say we, united for the purpose of protecting our present pay.
So what else could a group of employees do? Nothing, that I can think of.
For one thing it will be like pulling teeth to get all the employees to stand against the corporation. Some of the employees just simply walked out at the first threat. Some have quit after their pay was cut. Most all of them fear that the corporation will close the doors to our place of work and move the whole thing somewhere else. As for myself I'll rather that they would close up and move before dropping my pay. Most like me have resumed their education to protect their pay. But even though we have done that we are still at the mercy of our managers and could possibly still be facing a pay cut. It's already been stated by management and management usually follows through with what they say.
I like my job, the people I work with, and the bosses aren't bad to work for either. So I'll continue working there in spite of the threats as long as they'll have me. I'll pray and hope that God will see me through it all and help me to at least maintain my level of pay if not an increase in pay.
So, what am I doing now beside taking classes to secure my level of pay?
I'm glad you asked. I've started in an Internet Affiliate Program with Strong Future International. SFI for short. They have all the tools, resources, training and websites that I use for free and guess what! They don't even charge people to sign up. Since I've stumbled onto SFI's business plan I've looked at dozens of other business opportunities that makes a lot of promises, but at the bottom of their long ads they finally tell you that you have to pay cash up front to sign up. They're trying to sell you an opportunity to make money and opportunities should not be sold. SFI not only have free sign ups, they also give you free websites to promote your products, and your affiliate program to build your downline with. They make their money by helping you build your own business. Not by selling you an opportunity. They offer free training that you can do at your convenience to help you build a strong future for yourself.
Let me ask you. Do you have to educate yourself to protect your pay? Attend classes in your off time? Having to spend more time away from home and family just to keep the pay level you have?
If you are having to do any of these than maybe its time that you start looking for others ways to insure your future. Because it just might be that your future with your company is starting to become weak or short.
Most employers now-a-days can't or even won't try to promise a secure future with them anymore. Soon more and more breadwinners will start looking at other ways to increase their income and secure their future. Many will become successful enough to quit their jobs and retire early because they decided to act on what they see going on around them. They decided to take matters into their own hands and out of the hands of their employers. Taking control of their own destiny.
I'm not being radical at all about pay-cuts and secure employment. If its not happening where you work right now, it possibly will soon. All you got to do is turn on the news or pick up a newspaper and see how the trend is going. Job losses because of downsizing, Operations shutting down and moving out of the country in favor of lower wage earners and increased profits. I very seldom listen to or read the news, but almost anytime I do I hear about pay-cuts and job losses.
No, I'm not being radical, just matter-of-fact. Corporate America is for "Corporate America and stockholders", not Americans. Even if your company is owned by a foreign corporation.
SFI can and will promise you a Secure and even a Strong Future if you're willing to put in a few extra hours of work each week. I'm not counting on my employer any longer for a dim unforseeable future. My future is brighter and yours can be too. Just sign up and find out for your self by clicking on Strong Future International . Count on yourself for your future, not your Boss. Now, is your opportunity to brighten your future and its free.
http://www.ezinfocenter.com/8817305.064/mra - http://www.ezinfocenter.com/8817305.064/mra
Article Tags: Strong Future
I've worked for several employers in the past thirty four years counting my military service and it always seems that there is a top out limit on pay. Once I reached it, there was no more growth financially. Not even to compensate for the rising cost of living. So I enroll in classes and use a lot of my off time to get a better education to make myself a more valuable employee and still no raises or promotions. Most recently I've had to take a class just to ensure I keep the pay I already have because of pay reduction threats. A lot of my coworkers have already gotten a large drop in pay. What makes it so bad is, the corporation as a whole are making Hugh profits and the factory I work in is generating a large amount of those profits.
Well, they have a big reason to complain and they all do. But what good does it do? It does no good at all, because they are mostly complaining among themselves and not to the upper management. They fear that they will lose their jobs if they do try a little constructive complaining. Singlely there jobs will be threatened, but collectively they might do some good.
But then that will probably be considered a union by the corporation if they, or I should say we, united for the purpose of protecting our present pay.
So what else could a group of employees do? Nothing, that I can think of.
For one thing it will be like pulling teeth to get all the employees to stand against the corporation. Some of the employees just simply walked out at the first threat. Some have quit after their pay was cut. Most all of them fear that the corporation will close the doors to our place of work and move the whole thing somewhere else. As for myself I'll rather that they would close up and move before dropping my pay. Most like me have resumed their education to protect their pay. But even though we have done that we are still at the mercy of our managers and could possibly still be facing a pay cut. It's already been stated by management and management usually follows through with what they say.
I like my job, the people I work with, and the bosses aren't bad to work for either. So I'll continue working there in spite of the threats as long as they'll have me. I'll pray and hope that God will see me through it all and help me to at least maintain my level of pay if not an increase in pay.
So, what am I doing now beside taking classes to secure my level of pay?
I'm glad you asked. I've started in an Internet Affiliate Program with Strong Future International. SFI for short. They have all the tools, resources, training and websites that I use for free and guess what! They don't even charge people to sign up. Since I've stumbled onto SFI's business plan I've looked at dozens of other business opportunities that makes a lot of promises, but at the bottom of their long ads they finally tell you that you have to pay cash up front to sign up. They're trying to sell you an opportunity to make money and opportunities should not be sold. SFI not only have free sign ups, they also give you free websites to promote your products, and your affiliate program to build your downline with. They make their money by helping you build your own business. Not by selling you an opportunity. They offer free training that you can do at your convenience to help you build a strong future for yourself.
Let me ask you. Do you have to educate yourself to protect your pay? Attend classes in your off time? Having to spend more time away from home and family just to keep the pay level you have?
If you are having to do any of these than maybe its time that you start looking for others ways to insure your future. Because it just might be that your future with your company is starting to become weak or short.
Most employers now-a-days can't or even won't try to promise a secure future with them anymore. Soon more and more breadwinners will start looking at other ways to increase their income and secure their future. Many will become successful enough to quit their jobs and retire early because they decided to act on what they see going on around them. They decided to take matters into their own hands and out of the hands of their employers. Taking control of their own destiny.
I'm not being radical at all about pay-cuts and secure employment. If its not happening where you work right now, it possibly will soon. All you got to do is turn on the news or pick up a newspaper and see how the trend is going. Job losses because of downsizing, Operations shutting down and moving out of the country in favor of lower wage earners and increased profits. I very seldom listen to or read the news, but almost anytime I do I hear about pay-cuts and job losses.
No, I'm not being radical, just matter-of-fact. Corporate America is for "Corporate America and stockholders", not Americans. Even if your company is owned by a foreign corporation.
SFI can and will promise you a Secure and even a Strong Future if you're willing to put in a few extra hours of work each week. I'm not counting on my employer any longer for a dim unforseeable future. My future is brighter and yours can be too. Just sign up and find out for your self by clicking on Strong Future International . Count on yourself for your future, not your Boss. Now, is your opportunity to brighten your future and its free.
http://www.ezinfocenter.com/8817305.064/mra - http://www.ezinfocenter.com/8817305.064/mra
Article Tags: Strong Future
How to Educate your Prospects
There's a saying about business that goes, "You're too close to your business and services to see them the same way others do." You might assume your clients know more than they actually do. You don'...
There's a saying about business that goes, "You're too close to your business and services to see them the same way others do."
You might assume your clients know more than they actually do. You don't want to assume they will remember things. You live for your business. You live and breathe it within your industry. Your prospects don't. They have their own lives.
You know every detail about your products and services.
They don't. You want to educate them instead of just advertising your business through conventional means.
One of the great ways to do this is through a newsletter.
It takes time for them to learn about your products and services. You may see them just once a year and although you may do a great job educating them, they're still not going to remember you a year from now. Just because your product and service is your life doesn't mean it's theirs.
If you don't have an on going product or service program in place, you should begin one immediately. This will keep your company at the top of your client's mind.
What kind of valuable information can you provide? Quite a bit. Show them extra ways, tips and techniques to use your products and services. If you constantly educate them over and over again, then they're going to feel more connected with you.
Your goal should be to get all of your customers to explain your products and services then you'd really be doing a great job. Believe me, your bank account will reflect this.
Always Give Them Something. you can mention this in your newsletter. You never want to leave a prospect or client without giving them something. You don't want to leave them empty handed.
You don't want them to walk out of your store or leave your web site without taking something with them. You don't want to leave a customer or prospect's house without' leaving them with something. You don't want to leave a meeting with a prospect without giving them something.
It can be something you sell, a small token, or create something specifically for this reason. You can create a special report. This might be an after service or after purchase report that shows them how to get the most benefits out of your product or service.
A certificate for a complimentary maintenance, tune-up, telephone conversation or something to enhance the initial purchase. a free gift such as a pen, paper weight, calendar or discount coupons fqr another purchase. You don't want to use this just for prospects, but also for customer clients. If they buy from you, they should receive something from this list also or everything off the list. Everybody likes to get a free gift. Everyone who does business with you or inquires about business with you should always receive something extra. If you constantly follow this strategy and not leave them empty handed, you will get a lot more business.
Article Tags: Don't Want, Them Something
There's a saying about business that goes, "You're too close to your business and services to see them the same way others do."
You might assume your clients know more than they actually do. You don't want to assume they will remember things. You live for your business. You live and breathe it within your industry. Your prospects don't. They have their own lives.
You know every detail about your products and services.
They don't. You want to educate them instead of just advertising your business through conventional means.
One of the great ways to do this is through a newsletter.
It takes time for them to learn about your products and services. You may see them just once a year and although you may do a great job educating them, they're still not going to remember you a year from now. Just because your product and service is your life doesn't mean it's theirs.
If you don't have an on going product or service program in place, you should begin one immediately. This will keep your company at the top of your client's mind.
What kind of valuable information can you provide? Quite a bit. Show them extra ways, tips and techniques to use your products and services. If you constantly educate them over and over again, then they're going to feel more connected with you.
Your goal should be to get all of your customers to explain your products and services then you'd really be doing a great job. Believe me, your bank account will reflect this.
Always Give Them Something. you can mention this in your newsletter. You never want to leave a prospect or client without giving them something. You don't want to leave them empty handed.
You don't want them to walk out of your store or leave your web site without taking something with them. You don't want to leave a customer or prospect's house without' leaving them with something. You don't want to leave a meeting with a prospect without giving them something.
It can be something you sell, a small token, or create something specifically for this reason. You can create a special report. This might be an after service or after purchase report that shows them how to get the most benefits out of your product or service.
A certificate for a complimentary maintenance, tune-up, telephone conversation or something to enhance the initial purchase. a free gift such as a pen, paper weight, calendar or discount coupons fqr another purchase. You don't want to use this just for prospects, but also for customer clients. If they buy from you, they should receive something from this list also or everything off the list. Everybody likes to get a free gift. Everyone who does business with you or inquires about business with you should always receive something extra. If you constantly follow this strategy and not leave them empty handed, you will get a lot more business.
Article Tags: Don't Want, Them Something
How To Determine your customer's value
This literally can be the most profitable thing you'll ever do for your business and that is to understand exploiting the actual value of your customer. It's been called the Marginal Net Worth and the Lifetime Value.
This literally can be the most profitable thing you'll ever do for your business and that is to understand exploiting the actual value of your customer. It's been called the Marginal Net Worth and the Lifetime Value.
What is the current worth of one of your customers or prospects? It's the total profit of an average customer over the lifetime that they do business with you. That includes all subsequent sales minus advertising/marketing and your fulfillment expenses.
Let's say the average customer brings you $75 per sale. They re-purchase 3 more times in a year. Their average order amount is $300. On each $300 reorder, you make $150 gross profit The average life lasts 2 years. Every new customer is worth $975.
You reach the 975 by adding the $75 initial profit to the 3 other purchases each year of $300. Only $150 is profit, so $150 times 3 equals $450. If they do that for 2 straight years, that's $900 plus the original $75.
If this is our average customer and they're worth $975 in profit and it only costs you $30 through your advertising/ marketing expenses to get them, every time you spend $30 you receive $975 back .
You would be foolish not to increase your advertising/ marketing and promotional budget to produce as many of these $30 cost customers so you would spend $30 over and over and over again to get $975 back
Theoretically, you could spend $975 to get that customer because you know they will come back and spend $975 and you will break-even. Of course, we don't want to do this. Remember, this is an average customer. Some will buy more and some will buy less This is an average number.
Now you "know you can spend up to $975. You could just as easily be spending 100% of your $75 profit just to get that first sale because that's just the first sale's profit, and you'll still end up with $975 over the next 2 years.
If you offered to give that $75 service for free and it doubles your customers, it "would double your profits over the next 2 years.
One in 100 business owners think about this You want to spend everything you can justify to bring in a customer as long as that customer costs you less than they earn you. If you can't afford to spend more than the entire profit from the first sale, remember you'll be making money just in a few months from them. Start out spending what your cash flow can justify. After a quarter or several months after their re-order profits come in, then you can step up your ad budget
Article Tags: Average Customer
This literally can be the most profitable thing you'll ever do for your business and that is to understand exploiting the actual value of your customer. It's been called the Marginal Net Worth and the Lifetime Value.
What is the current worth of one of your customers or prospects? It's the total profit of an average customer over the lifetime that they do business with you. That includes all subsequent sales minus advertising/marketing and your fulfillment expenses.
Let's say the average customer brings you $75 per sale. They re-purchase 3 more times in a year. Their average order amount is $300. On each $300 reorder, you make $150 gross profit The average life lasts 2 years. Every new customer is worth $975.
You reach the 975 by adding the $75 initial profit to the 3 other purchases each year of $300. Only $150 is profit, so $150 times 3 equals $450. If they do that for 2 straight years, that's $900 plus the original $75.
If this is our average customer and they're worth $975 in profit and it only costs you $30 through your advertising/ marketing expenses to get them, every time you spend $30 you receive $975 back .
You would be foolish not to increase your advertising/ marketing and promotional budget to produce as many of these $30 cost customers so you would spend $30 over and over and over again to get $975 back
Theoretically, you could spend $975 to get that customer because you know they will come back and spend $975 and you will break-even. Of course, we don't want to do this. Remember, this is an average customer. Some will buy more and some will buy less This is an average number.
Now you "know you can spend up to $975. You could just as easily be spending 100% of your $75 profit just to get that first sale because that's just the first sale's profit, and you'll still end up with $975 over the next 2 years.
If you offered to give that $75 service for free and it doubles your customers, it "would double your profits over the next 2 years.
One in 100 business owners think about this You want to spend everything you can justify to bring in a customer as long as that customer costs you less than they earn you. If you can't afford to spend more than the entire profit from the first sale, remember you'll be making money just in a few months from them. Start out spending what your cash flow can justify. After a quarter or several months after their re-order profits come in, then you can step up your ad budget
Article Tags: Average Customer
