Success in business has nothing whatsoever to do with salesmanship, little to do with a knowledge of your company’s products or services.
It is owing to some far more basic fundamental principles which will determine your success or failure at anything you do in life.
They are your A,B,C’s, Attitude, Belief and Consistency. Taking them in reverse order.
Consistency
We get up every morning, we brush our teeth wash, get dressed have breakfast. We are consistent in our actions. We do it every day. We need to do the same in being consistent with our tasks associated with our business for the days that we have chosen we are going to work, be it 1 or 7 days a week. We need the 6 marbles in our left pocket or left side of our bag and transfer 1 marble to the other side every time we have carried out a positive action i.e. seeing a customer, talking to someone about the business, etc. etc. We need to do it consistently. We need to have transferred all 6 marbles (better still 10) by the end of the day. We need to concentrate on the actions not on the result. I’ll repeat that, we need to concentrate on the actions not on the results.
When we go mountain climbing, if we would continually look at the summit we would soon trip up and fall. We need to concentrate on every step at a time, one after the other and as surely as the sun goes down we will reach our summit.
Belief
An absolute and genuine belief in our business, it’s products and services and what it can give it’s customers.
Attitude
Possibly the most important of these three but useless on its own. It’s no good having the best attitude in the world if one’s sitting on one’s own in a closed room not talking to anyone. So what is attitude apart from how one feels about oneself and others. I describe it like this.
Your face is transparent, totally transparent and your attitude shines through whether it’s positive or negative. The first second that a prospective customer sees you maybe even before you see him, your attitude comes through. The customer sees it, maybe only subconsciously and will react accordingly. We all know that the first thing any salesperson has to sell is themselves even before they open their mouth. If they can’t sell themselves they might as well turn round and go home and go back to bed. If they can’t sell themselves they wouldn’t be able to sell packet of peanuts or a Mars bar.
Another description of attitude, when I took my 14 year old daughter recently to Disneyland Paris we went one evening to an aquatic circus. Very unusual, people diving, dancing and somersaulting on water. It was a spectacular show. What made it even more enjoyable (we were sitting on the front row) was the fact that all the performers without exception were obviously really enjoying themselves. They were loving every minute of it and gave it their all. Their attitude really shone through like a beacon and this made our enjoyment total.
So when we get up in the morning and do our consistency things let’s get a really big warm smile from within feeling good about ourselves and keep that all day. When we go about our business we need to keep out good attitude with us. If we can’t also be in the place where we are physically there’s no point being there in the first place. It’s easier to ride a horse in the direction that it’s going.
So those are my 3 all important ingredients that determine one’s success or failure at anything in life.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
The Risks of Entrepreneurship
The "spark" for many entrepreneurs is seeing an opportunity that doesn’t yet exist. Ted Turner, for example, launched CNN because he perceived that people wanted more television news than they were being offered. It took a lot of patience on Turner’s part to realize the vision, but he had read the market in a way that few "experts" did at the time.
In realizing the promise of CNN, Turner demonstrated another facet of the entrepreneurial spirit, persistence. There are a lot of bright ideas that never reach fruition; taking a "raw" idea and converting it into a successful business model is very hard work.
And that work never stops. No matter how innovative your idea, the competition is always just behind you. With anything less than constant creative effort on your part, they may not stay behind you.
Are you still with me? Here is where I reveal why everyone isn’t an entrepreneur:
No opportunity is a sure thing, even though the path to riches has been described as, simply "...you make some stuff, sell it for more than it cost you... that's all there is except for a few million details." The devil is in those details, and if one is not prepared to accept the possibility of failure, one should not attempt a business start-up.
It is not indicative of a negative perspective to say that an analysis of the possible reasons for failure enhances our chances of success. Can you separate failure of an idea from personal failure? As scary as it is to consider, many of the great entrepreneurial success stories started with a failure or two.
Some types of failure can indicate that we may not be entrepreneurial material. Foremost is reaching one's level of incompetence; if I am a great programmer, will I be a great software company president? Attitudinal problems can also be fatal, such as excessive focus on financial rewards, without the willingness to put in the work and attention required. Addressing these possibilities requires an objectivity about ourselves that not everyone can manage.
Other types of failure can be recovered from if you "learned your lesson." A common explanation for these is that "it seemed like a good idea at the time." Or, we may have sought too big a "kill;" we could have looked past the flaws in a business concept because it was a business we wanted to be in. The venture could have been the victim of a muddled business concept, a weak business plan, or (more often) the absence of a plan.
When small businesses fail, the reason is generally one, or a combination, of the following:
* inadequate financing often due to overly optimistic sales projections;
* management shortcomings,
-- such as inadequate financial controls, lax customer credit, inexperience, and neglect, and;
* misreading the market,
-- indicated by failure to reach the "critical mass" required in sales volume and profitability,
-- usually due to competitive disadvantages or market weakness.
In a recent Wall Street Journal article titled "Why My Business Failed," Ken Elias cautions that "even if the concept is right, it won't fly if the strategy is wrong." Still, on being asked whether he would start another business today, he answers: "Absolutely. The experience is fabulous, exciting and the possibility of success is always there."
In realizing the promise of CNN, Turner demonstrated another facet of the entrepreneurial spirit, persistence. There are a lot of bright ideas that never reach fruition; taking a "raw" idea and converting it into a successful business model is very hard work.
And that work never stops. No matter how innovative your idea, the competition is always just behind you. With anything less than constant creative effort on your part, they may not stay behind you.
Are you still with me? Here is where I reveal why everyone isn’t an entrepreneur:
No opportunity is a sure thing, even though the path to riches has been described as, simply "...you make some stuff, sell it for more than it cost you... that's all there is except for a few million details." The devil is in those details, and if one is not prepared to accept the possibility of failure, one should not attempt a business start-up.
It is not indicative of a negative perspective to say that an analysis of the possible reasons for failure enhances our chances of success. Can you separate failure of an idea from personal failure? As scary as it is to consider, many of the great entrepreneurial success stories started with a failure or two.
Some types of failure can indicate that we may not be entrepreneurial material. Foremost is reaching one's level of incompetence; if I am a great programmer, will I be a great software company president? Attitudinal problems can also be fatal, such as excessive focus on financial rewards, without the willingness to put in the work and attention required. Addressing these possibilities requires an objectivity about ourselves that not everyone can manage.
Other types of failure can be recovered from if you "learned your lesson." A common explanation for these is that "it seemed like a good idea at the time." Or, we may have sought too big a "kill;" we could have looked past the flaws in a business concept because it was a business we wanted to be in. The venture could have been the victim of a muddled business concept, a weak business plan, or (more often) the absence of a plan.
When small businesses fail, the reason is generally one, or a combination, of the following:
* inadequate financing often due to overly optimistic sales projections;
* management shortcomings,
-- such as inadequate financial controls, lax customer credit, inexperience, and neglect, and;
* misreading the market,
-- indicated by failure to reach the "critical mass" required in sales volume and profitability,
-- usually due to competitive disadvantages or market weakness.
In a recent Wall Street Journal article titled "Why My Business Failed," Ken Elias cautions that "even if the concept is right, it won't fly if the strategy is wrong." Still, on being asked whether he would start another business today, he answers: "Absolutely. The experience is fabulous, exciting and the possibility of success is always there."
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
We are all self-employed
Many people equate being self-employed with being an entrepreneur. We suggest that few of us are entrepreneurs, but all of us are self-employed. To make the distinction, let us explore the requirements of entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship is generally characterized by some type of innovation, a significant investment, and a strategy that values expansion. The entrepreneur is often quite different in mindset from a manager, who is generally charged with using existing resources to make an existing business run well. The roles of entrepreneur and manager are not necessarily incompatible, but entrepreneurs are seldom patient enough to be good managers.
Mindset of an entrepreneur
It is often instructive to analyze the experiences that have formed our attitudes toward entrepreneurship. A recent study showed that 70% of business startups were by a person who had an entrepreneurial parent.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has developed a
Checklist for Going into Business that leads the prospective entrepreneur through a skills inventory that includes supervisory and/or managerial experience, business education, knowledge about the specific business of interest, and willingness to acquire the missing necessary skills. A commitment to filling any knowledge or experience gap is a very positive indicator of success.
Personal characteristics required, according to the SBA, include leadership, decisiveness, and competitiveness. Important factors in
personal style include will power, and self-discipline, comfort with the planning process, and with working with others. Can you objectively rate yourself in these dimensions?
Peter F. Drucker, author of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, says that anybody from any organization can learn how to be an entrepreneur, that it is “systematic work.” But there is a difference between learning how to be, and succeeding as an entrepreneur. When a person earns a degree in physics, he becomes a physicist, says Morton Kamien, a professor of entrepreneurship at Northwestern University. But if you were to earn a degree in entrepreneurship, that wouldn't make you an entrepreneur.
We are all self-employed
The reasons commonly given for people going into business
for themselves are: freedom from a work routine; being your own boss; doing what you want when you want; boredom with the current job; financial desires, and; a perceived opportunity. Which of these might be sufficient to get you to take the risk?
Several “yardsticks” have been proposed for measuring whether a person is a likely candidate to be a successful entrepreneur, but the real challenge is in accurately applying them to ourselves.
We are all self-employed; even as employees of a firm, we are still primarily personal career managers. Trends toward downsizing and outsourcing will almost certainly lead to smaller companies utilizing networks of specialists. Fortune magazine suggests that “Almost everyone, up through the highest ranks of professionals, will feel increased pressure to specialize, or at least to package himself or herself as a marketable portfolio of skills.”
How marketable is your portfolio of skills? Many think they have several years’ experience, when what they really have is one year’s experience several times. Are you continuing to learn, and keeping up with developments in your field? The best approach to preparing for an entrepreneurial career is often to find some aspect of your field in which you can become expert.
Entrepreneurship is generally characterized by some type of innovation, a significant investment, and a strategy that values expansion. The entrepreneur is often quite different in mindset from a manager, who is generally charged with using existing resources to make an existing business run well. The roles of entrepreneur and manager are not necessarily incompatible, but entrepreneurs are seldom patient enough to be good managers.
Mindset of an entrepreneur
It is often instructive to analyze the experiences that have formed our attitudes toward entrepreneurship. A recent study showed that 70% of business startups were by a person who had an entrepreneurial parent.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has developed a
Checklist for Going into Business that leads the prospective entrepreneur through a skills inventory that includes supervisory and/or managerial experience, business education, knowledge about the specific business of interest, and willingness to acquire the missing necessary skills. A commitment to filling any knowledge or experience gap is a very positive indicator of success.
Personal characteristics required, according to the SBA, include leadership, decisiveness, and competitiveness. Important factors in
personal style include will power, and self-discipline, comfort with the planning process, and with working with others. Can you objectively rate yourself in these dimensions?
Peter F. Drucker, author of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, says that anybody from any organization can learn how to be an entrepreneur, that it is “systematic work.” But there is a difference between learning how to be, and succeeding as an entrepreneur. When a person earns a degree in physics, he becomes a physicist, says Morton Kamien, a professor of entrepreneurship at Northwestern University. But if you were to earn a degree in entrepreneurship, that wouldn't make you an entrepreneur.
We are all self-employed
The reasons commonly given for people going into business
for themselves are: freedom from a work routine; being your own boss; doing what you want when you want; boredom with the current job; financial desires, and; a perceived opportunity. Which of these might be sufficient to get you to take the risk?
Several “yardsticks” have been proposed for measuring whether a person is a likely candidate to be a successful entrepreneur, but the real challenge is in accurately applying them to ourselves.
We are all self-employed; even as employees of a firm, we are still primarily personal career managers. Trends toward downsizing and outsourcing will almost certainly lead to smaller companies utilizing networks of specialists. Fortune magazine suggests that “Almost everyone, up through the highest ranks of professionals, will feel increased pressure to specialize, or at least to package himself or herself as a marketable portfolio of skills.”
How marketable is your portfolio of skills? Many think they have several years’ experience, when what they really have is one year’s experience several times. Are you continuing to learn, and keeping up with developments in your field? The best approach to preparing for an entrepreneurial career is often to find some aspect of your field in which you can become expert.
Monday, June 27, 2016
Why Entrepreneurs Fail - By Bill Scheessele
In my 25 + years working with professionals in Business Development, universally I've discovered that they have learned to think like entrepreneurs. This is what has allowed them to rise to the top of their profession. Each would tell you that along the way they have learned how to think differently.
True entrepreneurs struggle with their business opportunities for a variety of reasons. Among the most obvious are a lack of capital, lack of understanding about marketing, and personnel issues. However, from my own entrepreneurial experience and knowledge of others, there are three major reasons individuals fail in entrepreneurial ventures.
They tie the success of their business with their own self worth.
They neglect to set realistic goals and plans for themselves and their business.
They are not prepared to pay the price of success.
True entrepreneurs with the right thinking prevail over a period of time. They have learned to understand the axiom Roles, Goals, and Tolls.
Roles
Successful entrepreneurs, in contrast to those who struggle, have learned to separate their roles in life from their self worth or self-identity. They understand that role performance or failure with their own venture is not a judgment of them as an individual. People who tend to equate their self-worth to their composite role identity are inherently risk-adverse and look to maintain the status quo. Being able to differentiate these two identities allows them to be risk prone vs. risk adverse, a key ingredient to success as an entrepreneur. Individuals who have risked failure, experienced it, and learned from it, have not only learned how to differentiate their role identity from their self-identity, they have learned the lessons of risking and failing. They understand that early failure in ventures is a natural part of successful startups. They are able to embrace those experiences, learn from them quickly and move on. This is critical to success as an entrepreneur. They must be willing to face and deal with early failures in order to prevail over time.
Goals
Even though much is said and written about goals and plans being necessary for success as an entrepreneur, few people learn the mechanics of successful goal setting and planning. It’s not the plan but the planning that is important, and the goal setting process allows them to develop the confidence to take risks and fail. Successful entrepreneurs are not only goal driven and goal oriented; they have learned to execute the process of strategic and tactical goal setting and planning. Visualizing goals, writing them down and putting together a detailed plan for achievement provides the confidence and motivation to prevail. More than just business or operational plans, they have goals and plans for all the important roles in their life. They have learned early that if they aren’t working their own plan they are probably part of someone else’s goals or plans. They chart their own destiny, embrace risk-taking leadership positions, make adjustments as required and prevail over a course of time.
Tolls
Finally, entrepreneurs understand that there is a toll to pay. To be successful in any role in life you must be prepared to pay full price one time. There are really no overnight successes as an entrepreneur. In fact, I‘ve heard it said that overnight success generally takes 15-20 years. One of the early tolls that entrepreneurs are quite often forced to face is the “re-making” of themselves that can include growing beyond their current circle of contacts. Since most people tend to stay within their own psychological comfort zone, they begin to lose identity with the risk taker. They are comfortable with the type of person who is more like them. Quite often the entrepreneur moves on to a different circle of associates who understand the journey. Stepping out, being your own person and venturing into the risk prone unknown is lonely by itself. Consequently, there can be a newfound stress in old relationships. It’s been said before that pioneers get shot in the front and the back, and only through a process of differentiating role performance from self-worth, being risk prone, prevailing through adversity, sticking to your goals, and adjusting your plans will you be prepared to pay the daily toll.
An entrepreneur has much to learn in order to be successful, including the day-to-day mechanics of running a business, producing products, delivering services, making money and dealing with people. The biggest challenge of all is developing an understanding of themselves. They come to grips with what they want and what motivates them; this sustains their willingness to prevail over the long term against adversity. Successful entrepreneurs have learned to transform their thinking, allowing them to prevail where others fail along the way.
Bill Scheessele is the President, Founder and CEO of Mastering Business Development, Inc., a 25-year Business Development consulting and training company. MBDi consults with firms in the energy, nuclear, engineering, pharmaceutical, IT, and other highly technical service industries helping them build proactive Business Development teams. He can be reached at 704.553.0000 or info@mbdi.com.
True entrepreneurs struggle with their business opportunities for a variety of reasons. Among the most obvious are a lack of capital, lack of understanding about marketing, and personnel issues. However, from my own entrepreneurial experience and knowledge of others, there are three major reasons individuals fail in entrepreneurial ventures.
They tie the success of their business with their own self worth.
They neglect to set realistic goals and plans for themselves and their business.
They are not prepared to pay the price of success.
True entrepreneurs with the right thinking prevail over a period of time. They have learned to understand the axiom Roles, Goals, and Tolls.
Roles
Successful entrepreneurs, in contrast to those who struggle, have learned to separate their roles in life from their self worth or self-identity. They understand that role performance or failure with their own venture is not a judgment of them as an individual. People who tend to equate their self-worth to their composite role identity are inherently risk-adverse and look to maintain the status quo. Being able to differentiate these two identities allows them to be risk prone vs. risk adverse, a key ingredient to success as an entrepreneur. Individuals who have risked failure, experienced it, and learned from it, have not only learned how to differentiate their role identity from their self-identity, they have learned the lessons of risking and failing. They understand that early failure in ventures is a natural part of successful startups. They are able to embrace those experiences, learn from them quickly and move on. This is critical to success as an entrepreneur. They must be willing to face and deal with early failures in order to prevail over time.
Goals
Even though much is said and written about goals and plans being necessary for success as an entrepreneur, few people learn the mechanics of successful goal setting and planning. It’s not the plan but the planning that is important, and the goal setting process allows them to develop the confidence to take risks and fail. Successful entrepreneurs are not only goal driven and goal oriented; they have learned to execute the process of strategic and tactical goal setting and planning. Visualizing goals, writing them down and putting together a detailed plan for achievement provides the confidence and motivation to prevail. More than just business or operational plans, they have goals and plans for all the important roles in their life. They have learned early that if they aren’t working their own plan they are probably part of someone else’s goals or plans. They chart their own destiny, embrace risk-taking leadership positions, make adjustments as required and prevail over a course of time.
Tolls
Finally, entrepreneurs understand that there is a toll to pay. To be successful in any role in life you must be prepared to pay full price one time. There are really no overnight successes as an entrepreneur. In fact, I‘ve heard it said that overnight success generally takes 15-20 years. One of the early tolls that entrepreneurs are quite often forced to face is the “re-making” of themselves that can include growing beyond their current circle of contacts. Since most people tend to stay within their own psychological comfort zone, they begin to lose identity with the risk taker. They are comfortable with the type of person who is more like them. Quite often the entrepreneur moves on to a different circle of associates who understand the journey. Stepping out, being your own person and venturing into the risk prone unknown is lonely by itself. Consequently, there can be a newfound stress in old relationships. It’s been said before that pioneers get shot in the front and the back, and only through a process of differentiating role performance from self-worth, being risk prone, prevailing through adversity, sticking to your goals, and adjusting your plans will you be prepared to pay the daily toll.
An entrepreneur has much to learn in order to be successful, including the day-to-day mechanics of running a business, producing products, delivering services, making money and dealing with people. The biggest challenge of all is developing an understanding of themselves. They come to grips with what they want and what motivates them; this sustains their willingness to prevail over the long term against adversity. Successful entrepreneurs have learned to transform their thinking, allowing them to prevail where others fail along the way.
Bill Scheessele is the President, Founder and CEO of Mastering Business Development, Inc., a 25-year Business Development consulting and training company. MBDi consults with firms in the energy, nuclear, engineering, pharmaceutical, IT, and other highly technical service industries helping them build proactive Business Development teams. He can be reached at 704.553.0000 or info@mbdi.com.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
What Makes A Successful Home Business Entrepreneur?
Studies have shown that successful entrepreneurs and home business owners possess the following characteristics. Do you?
1. Do you have Self-confidence?
This is the magical power of having confidence in yourself and in your strengths and abilities. This isn't bravado or braggadocio but an unshakeable belief in yourself.
2. Are you Achievement Oriented?
Results are gained by focused and sustained effort. You concentrate on achieving a specific goal, not just accomplishing a string of unrelated tasks.
3. Are you a Risk Taker?
There is a chance of loss inherent in reaching for any goal, yet you have the confidence necessary to take calculated risks to achieve your goals.
So which of these three main characteristics is the most important? Believe it or not, it is self-confidence.
Without self-confidence, nothing else is possible. If you don't believe in your abilities, then the first challenge that arises may knock you off the path to achieving your goals. Here are a few things to keep in mind for maintaining a higher level of self-confidence.
* Positive Thinking
It all starts with a positive attitude! Believing that something good will happen is the first step.
Negative thinking is just not allowed (so stop it right now). You must truly believe that there are no circumstances hard enough to deter you from reaching your goals.
Try the exercise created by French psychotherapist Emile Coue - every morning repeat "Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better." You might be surprised that this simple exercise has been getting results since the early 1900s!
Remember too, that positive thinking can be contagious. When positive thinking spreads, it can open doors to new ideas, customers, friends, etc.
* Persistent Action
All the positive thinking and believing in the world is useless if it is not applied towards a goal. You have to take action, no excuses allowed. This action must also be persistent. Trying once and then giving up is not going to be enough. Keep at it one step at a time. If you can't get by a certain step, then find a creative way to try again or go around it.
Entrepreneurs are people who make decisions, they take action and control their own destinies. They are often motivated by a spirit of independence which leads them to believe that their success depends on raw effort and hard work, not luck.
As Ronald Regan pointed out: Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States.
Look ahead and see yourself where you want to be, maintain a strong belief in yourself and your skills, stick with it, and never give up. If you can do that, you're already half way there!
We'll leave you with a couple of quotes from Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965):
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else."
Onwards!
1. Do you have Self-confidence?
This is the magical power of having confidence in yourself and in your strengths and abilities. This isn't bravado or braggadocio but an unshakeable belief in yourself.
2. Are you Achievement Oriented?
Results are gained by focused and sustained effort. You concentrate on achieving a specific goal, not just accomplishing a string of unrelated tasks.
3. Are you a Risk Taker?
There is a chance of loss inherent in reaching for any goal, yet you have the confidence necessary to take calculated risks to achieve your goals.
So which of these three main characteristics is the most important? Believe it or not, it is self-confidence.
Without self-confidence, nothing else is possible. If you don't believe in your abilities, then the first challenge that arises may knock you off the path to achieving your goals. Here are a few things to keep in mind for maintaining a higher level of self-confidence.
* Positive Thinking
It all starts with a positive attitude! Believing that something good will happen is the first step.
Negative thinking is just not allowed (so stop it right now). You must truly believe that there are no circumstances hard enough to deter you from reaching your goals.
Try the exercise created by French psychotherapist Emile Coue - every morning repeat "Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better." You might be surprised that this simple exercise has been getting results since the early 1900s!
Remember too, that positive thinking can be contagious. When positive thinking spreads, it can open doors to new ideas, customers, friends, etc.
* Persistent Action
All the positive thinking and believing in the world is useless if it is not applied towards a goal. You have to take action, no excuses allowed. This action must also be persistent. Trying once and then giving up is not going to be enough. Keep at it one step at a time. If you can't get by a certain step, then find a creative way to try again or go around it.
Entrepreneurs are people who make decisions, they take action and control their own destinies. They are often motivated by a spirit of independence which leads them to believe that their success depends on raw effort and hard work, not luck.
As Ronald Regan pointed out: Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States.
Look ahead and see yourself where you want to be, maintain a strong belief in yourself and your skills, stick with it, and never give up. If you can do that, you're already half way there!
We'll leave you with a couple of quotes from Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965):
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else."
Onwards!
What it Takes to Succeed in Business!
Business if tough in today’s world! Most small businesses go bankrupt or are closed abruptly in the first five years. Over the course of the next five years many of the remainders also “pack up” shop and lock their doors. Why do so many businesses fail?
The reasons lie in three main spheres. Those spheres of influence can be labeled personal, customer, and operations.
The Personal Sphere deals with the owner’s personal motivation to start a business. For example, if an owner wants to start their own business, but isn’t willing to make the sacrifices necessary to make it thrive, then they are at a disadvantage when compared to other motivated businesspeople. When a business starts for the first time often it doesn’t have a lot of money. Owners are required to sacrifice time, money, and happiness to succeed. If you can’t do that, it is unlikely that such a business will flourish. Many times owners thought they could handle the hardship but once the novelty of “being your own boss” wears off they close the door.
The Customer Sphere is one of the most important components of your business. Without customers you do not have sales, without sales you do not have money and without money you do not have a business. Many factors go into generating a good customer base. In the beginning you must have a cost effective marketing strategy that targets your intended buyers. This can be done by developing a psychological profile of your customer and then advertising in those places that they frequent. Because it is more expensive to get a new customer than it is to keep one you must make sure they are satisfied with your business and product. Keep in touch with them by sending them a follow-up letter with a survey.
The Operations Sphere is only second to the Customer Sphere. In operations you must have an appropriate method of reducing costs, keeping track of paperwork, and maintaining improvement. Operations can also take into effect the tax paperwork, accounting, scheduling of workers, benefits or any non-producing functions.
If all of these three components are well thought out and are appropriately designed you will increases your chances of survival. Failure to understand the integral details of your business and what it takes to succeed may mean failure in the long run. If you are having difficulty putting all the pieces together then consider a small business consultant.
The reasons lie in three main spheres. Those spheres of influence can be labeled personal, customer, and operations.
The Personal Sphere deals with the owner’s personal motivation to start a business. For example, if an owner wants to start their own business, but isn’t willing to make the sacrifices necessary to make it thrive, then they are at a disadvantage when compared to other motivated businesspeople. When a business starts for the first time often it doesn’t have a lot of money. Owners are required to sacrifice time, money, and happiness to succeed. If you can’t do that, it is unlikely that such a business will flourish. Many times owners thought they could handle the hardship but once the novelty of “being your own boss” wears off they close the door.
The Customer Sphere is one of the most important components of your business. Without customers you do not have sales, without sales you do not have money and without money you do not have a business. Many factors go into generating a good customer base. In the beginning you must have a cost effective marketing strategy that targets your intended buyers. This can be done by developing a psychological profile of your customer and then advertising in those places that they frequent. Because it is more expensive to get a new customer than it is to keep one you must make sure they are satisfied with your business and product. Keep in touch with them by sending them a follow-up letter with a survey.
The Operations Sphere is only second to the Customer Sphere. In operations you must have an appropriate method of reducing costs, keeping track of paperwork, and maintaining improvement. Operations can also take into effect the tax paperwork, accounting, scheduling of workers, benefits or any non-producing functions.
If all of these three components are well thought out and are appropriately designed you will increases your chances of survival. Failure to understand the integral details of your business and what it takes to succeed may mean failure in the long run. If you are having difficulty putting all the pieces together then consider a small business consultant.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
What Does It Take To Be An Entrepreneur?
Over the years countless institutes and individuals have asked the million dollar question. What makes an entrepreneur an entrepreneur? What traits or characteristics are inherent to a successful entrepreneur and is one born with those traits? There’s great news! Successful entrepreneurs are born every day!
Some people believe an entrepreneur is born while others believe an entrepreneur can be taught. Some believe an entrepreneur is like an artist - either you have it or do you don’t. Some see entrepreneurs as leaders that are focused, disciplined, competitive, and charismatic, while others see them as huge risk takers. And all of these analogies are right to some degree.
It’s true all successful entrepreneurs share a few qualities and skills that allow them to be successful. These inherent qualities can be taught; but they often seem to be an inherent driving force that sends individuals down the path of being in business or formally training to for a career in business.
Entrepreneurs see the world differently. They have the ability to see the world as a system. They have the ability to see something in its entirety and as an integrated unit, and they seem to possess the ability to see opportunity within the global picture. They are what is called a system thinker.
There are other characteristics they possess. Entrepreneurs possess an overpowering need to achieve and tend to be very competitive against themselves. They are continuously trying to outthink themselves and others and they are constantly looking for the edge. This is a process that occurs as naturally as breathing and is a driving force behind most entrepreneurs.
They have the determination and dedication to follow through with commitments and they always appear confident and in control. You’ll notice they also possess a positive atmosphere. They are of the mindset “I can,” and “I will.” They are not afraid of failure because failure is not in their vocabulary nor is it an option.
They are objective but have the ability to weigh risks realistically within the big picture. They have an uncanny ability to anticipate developments which gives them the edge on many competitive situations. Entrepreneurs seem to feel right from their gut, call it instinct. They are a resourceful group that possess excellent problem solving skills and are able to diligently work through obstacles as they occur.
Entrepreneurs are excellent communicators and recognize how important clear and concise communication is to their success. They also possess a sound working knowledge of the business they are involved in.
When it comes to successful entrepreneurs it’s a question of what came first, the chicken or the egg. Is it inherent qualities that we are born with that lead us to be entrepreneurs or is it when we choose to become an entrepreneur that we develop the skills and qualities of success? That’s a question we shall leave to the great debaters to resolve.
What is for certain is that successful entrepreneurs are born every day and that you too can be a successful entrepreneur by developing the skills of success.
Some people believe an entrepreneur is born while others believe an entrepreneur can be taught. Some believe an entrepreneur is like an artist - either you have it or do you don’t. Some see entrepreneurs as leaders that are focused, disciplined, competitive, and charismatic, while others see them as huge risk takers. And all of these analogies are right to some degree.
It’s true all successful entrepreneurs share a few qualities and skills that allow them to be successful. These inherent qualities can be taught; but they often seem to be an inherent driving force that sends individuals down the path of being in business or formally training to for a career in business.
Entrepreneurs see the world differently. They have the ability to see the world as a system. They have the ability to see something in its entirety and as an integrated unit, and they seem to possess the ability to see opportunity within the global picture. They are what is called a system thinker.
There are other characteristics they possess. Entrepreneurs possess an overpowering need to achieve and tend to be very competitive against themselves. They are continuously trying to outthink themselves and others and they are constantly looking for the edge. This is a process that occurs as naturally as breathing and is a driving force behind most entrepreneurs.
They have the determination and dedication to follow through with commitments and they always appear confident and in control. You’ll notice they also possess a positive atmosphere. They are of the mindset “I can,” and “I will.” They are not afraid of failure because failure is not in their vocabulary nor is it an option.
They are objective but have the ability to weigh risks realistically within the big picture. They have an uncanny ability to anticipate developments which gives them the edge on many competitive situations. Entrepreneurs seem to feel right from their gut, call it instinct. They are a resourceful group that possess excellent problem solving skills and are able to diligently work through obstacles as they occur.
Entrepreneurs are excellent communicators and recognize how important clear and concise communication is to their success. They also possess a sound working knowledge of the business they are involved in.
When it comes to successful entrepreneurs it’s a question of what came first, the chicken or the egg. Is it inherent qualities that we are born with that lead us to be entrepreneurs or is it when we choose to become an entrepreneur that we develop the skills and qualities of success? That’s a question we shall leave to the great debaters to resolve.
What is for certain is that successful entrepreneurs are born every day and that you too can be a successful entrepreneur by developing the skills of success.
What is Entrepreneurship?
In discussing entrepreneurship and writing articles on the subject, I have found that it aids understanding when we begin by agreeing on exactly what the word means to us.
Entrepreneurship is the process of creating or seizing an opportunity, and pursuing it regardless of the resources currently controlled. The American Heritage Dictionary defines an entrepreneur to be “a person who organizes, operates, and assumes the risk for business ventures.
These are rather abstract concepts for a person just beginning to consider whether they ought to start a business rather than take a job, or leave a secure job for a chance at greater self-fulfillment. Let us try to refine our understanding of entrepreneurship by asking some more specific questions.
Is everyone who runs a business an entrepreneur? Many would not consider the newspaper carrier, shoeshine person, and grass cutter entrepreneurs, though these are often the youthful pursuits of those with an entrepreneurial bent.
Does it matter whether the business is merely part-time? Whereas some part-time activities are basically hobbies, or undertaken to supplement income, some entrepreneurial ventures can be tested in the marketplace on a part-time basis.
The path to an entrepreneurial venture might begin by earning a salary in the business one expects to enter, while learning more about it, and waiting for the opportune time to go out on one's own. This time can be used to develop a support network, professional and personal, and generating ideas to “bounce off” people whose opinion one respects.
At what scope does self-employment become a venture? The primary objective of many self-employed people is merely to employ themselves (and others if necessary) at a moderate to good salary; some are even willing to eke out a living to do what they enjoy. This approach is often referred to as a “lifestyle” business, and is generally accompanied by little, if any, plan for growth.
These questions are intended, not to develop a precise definition of
entrepreneurship, but to help us understand our attitude toward its many forms of expression. We may each answer these questions differently, yet all answer appropriately within our own frame of reference.
Entrepreneurship is more an attitude than a skill or a profession. Some of us may prefer a corporate or public service career path, but many would choose an entrepreneurial opportunity that “feels right.”
Would you consider a person who inherits a business an entrepreneur? From the point of inheritance on, it is their own money and financial security at risk. They could possibly sell the business, invest the proceeds in blue-chip stocks, and live off dividends. Some might consider managing a personal stock portfolio for a living as an entrepreneurial venture.
Would a person who inherited a small or marginal business, then took it to new dimensions be considered an entrepreneur? The inheritor could have tried merely to keep it going, or even to pace the business’ decline to just carry them to retirement. In a family-held business, long-term success is often a central goal.
Are franchise owners entrepreneurs? Many feel that, for those who have access to the large up-front investment, franchises are sure things. For many, operating a franchise is similar to investing in “blue chips,” a relatively sure thing with generally unexciting returns.
Entrepreneurship is the process of creating or seizing an opportunity, and pursuing it regardless of the resources currently controlled. The American Heritage Dictionary defines an entrepreneur to be “a person who organizes, operates, and assumes the risk for business ventures.
These are rather abstract concepts for a person just beginning to consider whether they ought to start a business rather than take a job, or leave a secure job for a chance at greater self-fulfillment. Let us try to refine our understanding of entrepreneurship by asking some more specific questions.
Is everyone who runs a business an entrepreneur? Many would not consider the newspaper carrier, shoeshine person, and grass cutter entrepreneurs, though these are often the youthful pursuits of those with an entrepreneurial bent.
Does it matter whether the business is merely part-time? Whereas some part-time activities are basically hobbies, or undertaken to supplement income, some entrepreneurial ventures can be tested in the marketplace on a part-time basis.
The path to an entrepreneurial venture might begin by earning a salary in the business one expects to enter, while learning more about it, and waiting for the opportune time to go out on one's own. This time can be used to develop a support network, professional and personal, and generating ideas to “bounce off” people whose opinion one respects.
At what scope does self-employment become a venture? The primary objective of many self-employed people is merely to employ themselves (and others if necessary) at a moderate to good salary; some are even willing to eke out a living to do what they enjoy. This approach is often referred to as a “lifestyle” business, and is generally accompanied by little, if any, plan for growth.
These questions are intended, not to develop a precise definition of
entrepreneurship, but to help us understand our attitude toward its many forms of expression. We may each answer these questions differently, yet all answer appropriately within our own frame of reference.
Entrepreneurship is more an attitude than a skill or a profession. Some of us may prefer a corporate or public service career path, but many would choose an entrepreneurial opportunity that “feels right.”
Would you consider a person who inherits a business an entrepreneur? From the point of inheritance on, it is their own money and financial security at risk. They could possibly sell the business, invest the proceeds in blue-chip stocks, and live off dividends. Some might consider managing a personal stock portfolio for a living as an entrepreneurial venture.
Would a person who inherited a small or marginal business, then took it to new dimensions be considered an entrepreneur? The inheritor could have tried merely to keep it going, or even to pace the business’ decline to just carry them to retirement. In a family-held business, long-term success is often a central goal.
Are franchise owners entrepreneurs? Many feel that, for those who have access to the large up-front investment, franchises are sure things. For many, operating a franchise is similar to investing in “blue chips,” a relatively sure thing with generally unexciting returns.
Friday, June 24, 2016
How Playing Poker Teaches Business Skills
I have fun playing Texas Hold 'Em with friends. Did you know that playing the game or watching shows like World Tour Of Poker can help you succeed in business? I didn't realize that while I was learning to play, I was gaining valuable business skills that have translated into money in my pocket. No, not by gambling money away. :) Let me show you what I mean. I learned four things from playing poker.
First, I learned how to make the best of the cards I was dealt. I learned when to play a hand, when to take risks, and when to throw the cards away and wait to act with better ones. This kind of discernment helps a business owner make sound decisions about working with assets and when to cut a project loose if it's not producing good results. I found that when starting your own business, you will invest 2 assets—your time and your money. Depending on where you start, you'll use one of these assets more than the other. A realistic understanding of which asset you're working from can help you make the most of what you've got.
The second lesson I learned from poker is that you've got to use a strategy to win. Good players spend years learning from each other and developing a strategy that's right for them. Their strategy is reliable and flexible enough to adapt to new situations. They learn something new from each game, and they actively look for the lessons when they lose a hand. They know how much they're willing to bet in an evening, and they aren't pushed off course by setbacks because their strategy takes the slow time into account.
The third lesson I learned is that while I must understand the cards I've got, I must watch my competition and adjust what I'm doing accordingly. If I have a solid straight in my hand, I still need to watch my fellow players because one of them might have a straight flush. If you only focus on your hand, you may end up broke in no time flat. Even if you've got an awesome product, don't fool yourself into thinking you've beaten your competition. In business, there are always going to be people who want to move into your market. People are actively creating new products and services, and yours could be left in the dust if you aren't paying attention. The difference here is that you may find that good strategies include partnering with your competitors and funding joint ventures. Unlike poker, you both can win.
The last and most important lesson I learned from playing poker is that risk isn't the four-letter word! Risk is a good thing if you have studied your competition and know you have a good hand. The reality of business is that you will have to do some things you've never done before or that make you feel nervous. This is a good thing because you become a better person once you push through your fear of taking a risk. I used to worry about what would happen if I lost a bet. I played to prevent losing instead of playing to win. There's a big difference between those things. Playing to win means putting yourself out there, letting people know you've got a good product or service. Playing so you won't lose usually results in you losing or barely breaking even because you can't do the very things that cause your business to sky rocket to the top.
In summary, I learned to use my assets well, implement a winning strategy, to respond to my competition, and to push past the fear of losing. Think about other activities you've done over the years. What skills did you learn? How can you use them to build your successful business?
First, I learned how to make the best of the cards I was dealt. I learned when to play a hand, when to take risks, and when to throw the cards away and wait to act with better ones. This kind of discernment helps a business owner make sound decisions about working with assets and when to cut a project loose if it's not producing good results. I found that when starting your own business, you will invest 2 assets—your time and your money. Depending on where you start, you'll use one of these assets more than the other. A realistic understanding of which asset you're working from can help you make the most of what you've got.
The second lesson I learned from poker is that you've got to use a strategy to win. Good players spend years learning from each other and developing a strategy that's right for them. Their strategy is reliable and flexible enough to adapt to new situations. They learn something new from each game, and they actively look for the lessons when they lose a hand. They know how much they're willing to bet in an evening, and they aren't pushed off course by setbacks because their strategy takes the slow time into account.
The third lesson I learned is that while I must understand the cards I've got, I must watch my competition and adjust what I'm doing accordingly. If I have a solid straight in my hand, I still need to watch my fellow players because one of them might have a straight flush. If you only focus on your hand, you may end up broke in no time flat. Even if you've got an awesome product, don't fool yourself into thinking you've beaten your competition. In business, there are always going to be people who want to move into your market. People are actively creating new products and services, and yours could be left in the dust if you aren't paying attention. The difference here is that you may find that good strategies include partnering with your competitors and funding joint ventures. Unlike poker, you both can win.
The last and most important lesson I learned from playing poker is that risk isn't the four-letter word! Risk is a good thing if you have studied your competition and know you have a good hand. The reality of business is that you will have to do some things you've never done before or that make you feel nervous. This is a good thing because you become a better person once you push through your fear of taking a risk. I used to worry about what would happen if I lost a bet. I played to prevent losing instead of playing to win. There's a big difference between those things. Playing to win means putting yourself out there, letting people know you've got a good product or service. Playing so you won't lose usually results in you losing or barely breaking even because you can't do the very things that cause your business to sky rocket to the top.
In summary, I learned to use my assets well, implement a winning strategy, to respond to my competition, and to push past the fear of losing. Think about other activities you've done over the years. What skills did you learn? How can you use them to build your successful business?
How to grow a money tree
They say money doesn't grow on trees, but I think you can grow it on something even better! Your home computer. To make your money tree grow, you will need to give it a home and a place to grow. You can do this by creating your own website. Here are some basics steps to creating your own website:
1.Pick a domain name. Make sure the name relates well to the information on your website. If you can, make it short and easy to remember.
2.Create your web site using a web site creator, hand coding your own html, or a combination of both.
3. You will need to sign up for a hosting account to get your website online.
Next you will need to plant the money tree seed by developing your product so it can grow:
1.The fastest and easiest way to create a product to sell on your new web site is to create a information product (e-book, audio, etc.). Its very low cost or free to create, and everything is automatic and electronic. That means there is no overhead and no products to ship!
2.You may also want to consider borrowing some seeds while you make your own. You can do this but signing up with other companies that sell information products and selling their products for a commission. This is a great way to get started and test the markets to see whats selling. You also build relationships with companies and that very well could be a marketing advantage after you finish your product.
Finally you will need to nourish your tree by watering it with traffic.
There are three main way to get traffic to your website
1.Your can buy traffic through sites like google. With this method you pay each time someone searches for your key words and they click on your link to your site. Through google you will be paying $.05 each click and up.
2.You can email you mailing list you made over time. Send out a promotional email and and get your previous traffic coming back. Just be careful not send out too many, or they will become annoyed and turned off to all your other emails.
3.Partner up with your competition. You can get your competitors to send out your promotional emails by offering them a commission. Your competitors can become one of your best assets!
Maintain your tree by watering it with plenty of traffic, and give it plenty of love by updating your material! Fallow these easy steps and your money tree should be ready for harvest in no time.
Best Wishes!
1.Pick a domain name. Make sure the name relates well to the information on your website. If you can, make it short and easy to remember.
2.Create your web site using a web site creator, hand coding your own html, or a combination of both.
3. You will need to sign up for a hosting account to get your website online.
Next you will need to plant the money tree seed by developing your product so it can grow:
1.The fastest and easiest way to create a product to sell on your new web site is to create a information product (e-book, audio, etc.). Its very low cost or free to create, and everything is automatic and electronic. That means there is no overhead and no products to ship!
2.You may also want to consider borrowing some seeds while you make your own. You can do this but signing up with other companies that sell information products and selling their products for a commission. This is a great way to get started and test the markets to see whats selling. You also build relationships with companies and that very well could be a marketing advantage after you finish your product.
Finally you will need to nourish your tree by watering it with traffic.
There are three main way to get traffic to your website
1.Your can buy traffic through sites like google. With this method you pay each time someone searches for your key words and they click on your link to your site. Through google you will be paying $.05 each click and up.
2.You can email you mailing list you made over time. Send out a promotional email and and get your previous traffic coming back. Just be careful not send out too many, or they will become annoyed and turned off to all your other emails.
3.Partner up with your competition. You can get your competitors to send out your promotional emails by offering them a commission. Your competitors can become one of your best assets!
Maintain your tree by watering it with plenty of traffic, and give it plenty of love by updating your material! Fallow these easy steps and your money tree should be ready for harvest in no time.
Best Wishes!
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Finding Your Nook and Cranny
Online or off, a time tested method of succeeding in business is to focus on an unexploited area. You are probably wondering how. Here is your answer.
Finding Your Nook and Cranny
When we talk about a nook, we are simply identified a very focused area of business. There are a zillion sites selling movies, but very few selling French movies from the 1960s. If there is sufficient interest in such movies, you could build a business around selling such classic movies. This concept applies to any business area regardless of whether you are selling products or offering services.
You need to do some daydreaming. Most people make the mistake of focusing on a subject that they think will make a ton of money. Problems can occur with this approach because if you have no inherent interest in the area besides money, you will eventually grow disillusioned with it. If you are going to start a business, you want it be enjoyable. If it is just another job, you have made a bad mistake. This brings us back to daydreaming.
You need to give serious thought to your interests, and not just your interests today. What have you always been interested in? Don’t worry about how you will make money, just focus on the subject matter. Remember the cliché – find something you love and the money will follow. This is exactly what you want to do. Once you have an idea, it is time to figure out how to make money off of it.
For a web business, you want to focus on something known as keyword research. Keyword research is crucial because you can type in a phrase and see the exact phrases people have used to search on Google, Yahoo and MSN that incorporate the world. Even better, you can see how many people use the phrase each day. Doing keyword research lets you determine if there is enough interest in your area and the exact phrases your prospects are using to find things in the area. It doesn’t get much better than that!
There are a variety of tools you can use. Overture offers a free tool that will give you a general idea, but is not the most accurate. Wordtracker is much better, but will set you back a few bucks. Keyword Discovery is similar, but runs a few more dollars yet. Regardless of your choice, make sure to use one of these for keyword research.
Once you identify the phrases used by your prospects, you can determine if there is enough interest in your nook. You can also identify the exact phrases they are using and tailor your site and marketing to those phrases.
Finding Your Nook and Cranny
When we talk about a nook, we are simply identified a very focused area of business. There are a zillion sites selling movies, but very few selling French movies from the 1960s. If there is sufficient interest in such movies, you could build a business around selling such classic movies. This concept applies to any business area regardless of whether you are selling products or offering services.
You need to do some daydreaming. Most people make the mistake of focusing on a subject that they think will make a ton of money. Problems can occur with this approach because if you have no inherent interest in the area besides money, you will eventually grow disillusioned with it. If you are going to start a business, you want it be enjoyable. If it is just another job, you have made a bad mistake. This brings us back to daydreaming.
You need to give serious thought to your interests, and not just your interests today. What have you always been interested in? Don’t worry about how you will make money, just focus on the subject matter. Remember the cliché – find something you love and the money will follow. This is exactly what you want to do. Once you have an idea, it is time to figure out how to make money off of it.
For a web business, you want to focus on something known as keyword research. Keyword research is crucial because you can type in a phrase and see the exact phrases people have used to search on Google, Yahoo and MSN that incorporate the world. Even better, you can see how many people use the phrase each day. Doing keyword research lets you determine if there is enough interest in your area and the exact phrases your prospects are using to find things in the area. It doesn’t get much better than that!
There are a variety of tools you can use. Overture offers a free tool that will give you a general idea, but is not the most accurate. Wordtracker is much better, but will set you back a few bucks. Keyword Discovery is similar, but runs a few more dollars yet. Regardless of your choice, make sure to use one of these for keyword research.
Once you identify the phrases used by your prospects, you can determine if there is enough interest in your nook. You can also identify the exact phrases they are using and tailor your site and marketing to those phrases.
For Those Who Are Really Sick Of Their Jobs Working For Others
Short description
The majority of people are trapped in the rat race having jobs working for others but do not know how to get out. This article offers a way to achieve freedom through earning passive income. Internet business is recommended because it is exciting, rewarding and best home based business. Tips are given that are designed for professional business working from home.
If you’re given a choice of making $500 as a one-time payment OR getting only $100 but paid this amount every month for 20 years if not for life, which would you choose?
If you work only once and get paid many times over, you’re earning a RESIDUAL INCOME. Of course you’d choose the latter.
Elvis Presley today “continues” to earn residual income even after death because his records continue to “work” for him due to continued demand from his fans.
Therefore it goes without saying that in order to build wealth, you need to tap into RESIDUAL INCOME.
Very often this is also referred to as “PASSIVE INCOME” because you could afford to be passive or non-active (i.e. not having to work) and still continue to receive income.
If you're like most people, you've been conditioned your whole life to think about income as a process of trading time and effort for money. Like the majority, you have been brought up to have only one major objective in life – JOB! Incidentally, if you don’t already know, to many, JOB stands for “Just Over Broke”.
You work hard in schools so that you could get good grades to advance to colleges and universities where you work even harder so that you could get a good and secured JOB. Once you’ve got the jobs you want, you continue to work very hard in order to maintain them and to climb the so-called organizational ladder of success.
As a result, many have fallen into the trap of the RAT RACE and you know very well you can’t afford to stop because if you did, so would your income!
Although some of us could be drawing quite a handsome income, we’re not truly “wealthy” because we’re not free to do what we want and when we want with our money.
I’ve heard of many sad stories of “rich” EMPLOYEES not being able to spend badly needed valuable time with members of their families who’re sick in hospitals because they could not afford to be away from their place of work for too long as their services are urgently required by their employers. Doctors could not even really relax and enjoy a long vacation for fear of the loss of income or patients while their clinics remain closed.
Can I really have PASSIVE INCOME? You might ask. Indeed you can!
About 60 million people have access to the Internet - and yet it is still in its infancy. Every month millions of newcomers and thousands of businesses are reported to be setting up online. With this huge and expanding audience coupled with the fact that marketing and advertising can be done on the Internet so easily and at only a fraction of the costs of traditional methods, we now have a fantastic opportunity to be successful in online business.
Many companies have now aligned themselves with the Internet which has created many new paradigms in the past few years. Residual Incomes are made available to people from all walks of life. You can now make money online with simple and proven formula used by many to earn multiple streams of residual income.
However don’t believe what you’ve heard or seen in the Internet. Scepticism is encouraged because there are some dishonest people creating a lot of hype, unfulfilled promises and scams going around the Internet.
Fortunately however, these are the exception, rather than the rule. You must be able to feel absolutely confident about using the services offered by “Internet Business Gurus” to help you make money online before you sign up. If you have any slightest doubt at all, drop it and move on to another.
There’re many who belong to reputable organizations such as iCop™ and Better Internet Bureau™ as part of their commitment to uphold the highest business and ethical standards possible.
Many programs are designed for newbies who have no time or interest to learn HTML, Java, PHP and ASP. With a simple Control Panel, you’re only a few clicks away from having a complete and professional website to start your online Internet home-based business!
You need not have sleepless nights worrying about programming, web or graphic design, scripts, or content and product creation. Further more, with some programs such as AFFILIATE PROGRAMS, all the order processing is handled behind the scenes on your behalf. This includes credit card authorization, order fulfilment, product shipping, and customer service.
Also, there's no worry about inventory. There’s no staff to hire and pay, no merchant accounts to set up, and no costly and time-consuming application process for licenses and permits to go through.
You have a website which sometimes could be created free of charge. It captures visitors automatically and follows up with them 24 hours a day and 30 days per month for 365 days a year! Your visitors’ names and email addresses are automatically recorded for you and follow-up automatically with a pre-written email marketing campaign.
However, like any ventures earmarked to be successful, you need some planning and consistent effort.
To help you in this effort, here are a few guides you can follow in order to develop good habits for achieving your goals:
PLAN YOUR WORK AND WORK YOUR PLAN
Like any other forms of work, you must have a plan for your Internet business. Set an achievable short term, medium term and long term objectives, prepare a budget and stick to them as far as possible. Carry out periodical checking to determine any deviations from the plan and take the necessary remedial actions.
BE ORGANIZED
You need to download a lot of software, ebooks or PDF books from specific individuals or organizations for your continued education. You’d have a lot of contacts which could be your potential leads or customers. Chances are that you’d belong to many membership sites that require passwords which are first cited in their "Welcome" letters.
You therefore need to have a systematic procedure to keep all these vital information and data in the right and proper folders for quick and ease of retrieving. This would prevent loss of time and undue frustration.
You could create a simple HTML home page of your own with hyperlinks to all the important websites. This could be kept in your desktop for easy access
BE FOCUSED WITH CONCENTRATION:
Although this is a home based business with all the freedom in the world, it’s prudent to have some form of discipline.
Once you’ve decided to sit in front of the computer to start working online, you must stay focused and do not allow any distraction to affect your concentration. Treat it as your business and not a hobby. It’d be nice to stick to a schedule which is also made known to other members of your family so that they’d know when to leave you alone.
However do not get carried away and spend too much time in front of your PC because your loved ones, including your pets also deserve your attention and time.
BE CONSISTENT
You’d be tempted with countless of seemingly very attractive offers and promises from the Web to help improving your business. Do not fall into the trap of some of these promises. Just stay with a handful of strategies that work and stick with them.
For example, if you're submitting articles to drive free traffic to your sites and it’s showing positive dividends, stick to it and continue with this strategy while improving and fine-tuning others.
IF FAILED TRY AGAIN
Like any other conventional businesses, there’d be time when you’d encounter failures and disappointment. Do persevere as this is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It takes time to see the fruit of you effort although it’d definitely come. Use any failures to your advantage by learning from them. See success in every failure and opportunity in every threat.
”Intention decides what you want but action determines what you get”. Please persevere with your action and don’t give up.
I wish you all the best in your Internet journey towards the continued flow of PASSIVE INCOME!
The majority of people are trapped in the rat race having jobs working for others but do not know how to get out. This article offers a way to achieve freedom through earning passive income. Internet business is recommended because it is exciting, rewarding and best home based business. Tips are given that are designed for professional business working from home.
If you’re given a choice of making $500 as a one-time payment OR getting only $100 but paid this amount every month for 20 years if not for life, which would you choose?
If you work only once and get paid many times over, you’re earning a RESIDUAL INCOME. Of course you’d choose the latter.
Elvis Presley today “continues” to earn residual income even after death because his records continue to “work” for him due to continued demand from his fans.
Therefore it goes without saying that in order to build wealth, you need to tap into RESIDUAL INCOME.
Very often this is also referred to as “PASSIVE INCOME” because you could afford to be passive or non-active (i.e. not having to work) and still continue to receive income.
If you're like most people, you've been conditioned your whole life to think about income as a process of trading time and effort for money. Like the majority, you have been brought up to have only one major objective in life – JOB! Incidentally, if you don’t already know, to many, JOB stands for “Just Over Broke”.
You work hard in schools so that you could get good grades to advance to colleges and universities where you work even harder so that you could get a good and secured JOB. Once you’ve got the jobs you want, you continue to work very hard in order to maintain them and to climb the so-called organizational ladder of success.
As a result, many have fallen into the trap of the RAT RACE and you know very well you can’t afford to stop because if you did, so would your income!
Although some of us could be drawing quite a handsome income, we’re not truly “wealthy” because we’re not free to do what we want and when we want with our money.
I’ve heard of many sad stories of “rich” EMPLOYEES not being able to spend badly needed valuable time with members of their families who’re sick in hospitals because they could not afford to be away from their place of work for too long as their services are urgently required by their employers. Doctors could not even really relax and enjoy a long vacation for fear of the loss of income or patients while their clinics remain closed.
Can I really have PASSIVE INCOME? You might ask. Indeed you can!
About 60 million people have access to the Internet - and yet it is still in its infancy. Every month millions of newcomers and thousands of businesses are reported to be setting up online. With this huge and expanding audience coupled with the fact that marketing and advertising can be done on the Internet so easily and at only a fraction of the costs of traditional methods, we now have a fantastic opportunity to be successful in online business.
Many companies have now aligned themselves with the Internet which has created many new paradigms in the past few years. Residual Incomes are made available to people from all walks of life. You can now make money online with simple and proven formula used by many to earn multiple streams of residual income.
However don’t believe what you’ve heard or seen in the Internet. Scepticism is encouraged because there are some dishonest people creating a lot of hype, unfulfilled promises and scams going around the Internet.
Fortunately however, these are the exception, rather than the rule. You must be able to feel absolutely confident about using the services offered by “Internet Business Gurus” to help you make money online before you sign up. If you have any slightest doubt at all, drop it and move on to another.
There’re many who belong to reputable organizations such as iCop™ and Better Internet Bureau™ as part of their commitment to uphold the highest business and ethical standards possible.
Many programs are designed for newbies who have no time or interest to learn HTML, Java, PHP and ASP. With a simple Control Panel, you’re only a few clicks away from having a complete and professional website to start your online Internet home-based business!
You need not have sleepless nights worrying about programming, web or graphic design, scripts, or content and product creation. Further more, with some programs such as AFFILIATE PROGRAMS, all the order processing is handled behind the scenes on your behalf. This includes credit card authorization, order fulfilment, product shipping, and customer service.
Also, there's no worry about inventory. There’s no staff to hire and pay, no merchant accounts to set up, and no costly and time-consuming application process for licenses and permits to go through.
You have a website which sometimes could be created free of charge. It captures visitors automatically and follows up with them 24 hours a day and 30 days per month for 365 days a year! Your visitors’ names and email addresses are automatically recorded for you and follow-up automatically with a pre-written email marketing campaign.
However, like any ventures earmarked to be successful, you need some planning and consistent effort.
To help you in this effort, here are a few guides you can follow in order to develop good habits for achieving your goals:
PLAN YOUR WORK AND WORK YOUR PLAN
Like any other forms of work, you must have a plan for your Internet business. Set an achievable short term, medium term and long term objectives, prepare a budget and stick to them as far as possible. Carry out periodical checking to determine any deviations from the plan and take the necessary remedial actions.
BE ORGANIZED
You need to download a lot of software, ebooks or PDF books from specific individuals or organizations for your continued education. You’d have a lot of contacts which could be your potential leads or customers. Chances are that you’d belong to many membership sites that require passwords which are first cited in their "Welcome" letters.
You therefore need to have a systematic procedure to keep all these vital information and data in the right and proper folders for quick and ease of retrieving. This would prevent loss of time and undue frustration.
You could create a simple HTML home page of your own with hyperlinks to all the important websites. This could be kept in your desktop for easy access
BE FOCUSED WITH CONCENTRATION:
Although this is a home based business with all the freedom in the world, it’s prudent to have some form of discipline.
Once you’ve decided to sit in front of the computer to start working online, you must stay focused and do not allow any distraction to affect your concentration. Treat it as your business and not a hobby. It’d be nice to stick to a schedule which is also made known to other members of your family so that they’d know when to leave you alone.
However do not get carried away and spend too much time in front of your PC because your loved ones, including your pets also deserve your attention and time.
BE CONSISTENT
You’d be tempted with countless of seemingly very attractive offers and promises from the Web to help improving your business. Do not fall into the trap of some of these promises. Just stay with a handful of strategies that work and stick with them.
For example, if you're submitting articles to drive free traffic to your sites and it’s showing positive dividends, stick to it and continue with this strategy while improving and fine-tuning others.
IF FAILED TRY AGAIN
Like any other conventional businesses, there’d be time when you’d encounter failures and disappointment. Do persevere as this is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It takes time to see the fruit of you effort although it’d definitely come. Use any failures to your advantage by learning from them. See success in every failure and opportunity in every threat.
”Intention decides what you want but action determines what you get”. Please persevere with your action and don’t give up.
I wish you all the best in your Internet journey towards the continued flow of PASSIVE INCOME!
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Entrepreneurs May Have Irritating Syndrome SASS
Know one of those brilliant brains that can't have a sustained human conversation because their mind races too fast? They may suffer from a not-so-rare disorder. And you hold the cure - if you print out the following article and hand them a copy.
Entrepreneur SASS
(With permission from Utah Valley Business Q)
We may have an epidemic among us. At the next networking meeting you attend, wash your hands immediately afterward - maybe five times for good measure. Despite medical evidence to the contrary, a previously thought incommunicable disease is spreading faster than copies of Who Moved My Cheese?
The disease is Short Attention Span Syndrome, or SASS.
Perhaps someone you know and love is affected. Perhaps you yourself have noticed some of the following symptoms.
-Shifting in your seat and coughing just a little too loudly during a boring meeting.
-Saying to your significant other, I'm sorry, honey, could you repeat that? I wasn't paying attention.
-Going to sleep while mentally rifling through a mile-long to-do list
Many with these symptoms joke, "I must have ADD!" However, only 4 to 8 percent have the genetic condition referred to as ADD - more correctly termed ADHD, - which is present from birth and, while treatable, is permanent. The dreaded disease of SASS, on the other hand, develops over time.
Symptoms begin to appear around the teenage years and slowly accelerate until they become a frenzy of activity and mental noise. SASS is viral. It passes from manager to employee, from spouse to spouse, from parents to children and from children to parents.
Most common is the passing of SASS from entrepreneurial types: business owners, risk-tasking executives, sales professionals, visionaries. Entrepreneurs develop SASS themselves, typically in the incubator of their own ever-changing minds. While most everyone has a lot to do, entrepreneurs have the tendency to pick up a lot more "To-Dos" than the average person. They then pass the virus on to those around them.
Entrepreneurs pass SASS to their employees in the form of altered objectives, multi-tasking, bold initiatives, training meetings, revised agendas, organizational restructuring, innovation after innovation, and of course, more meetings. They pass it on, unable to listen to the comments of others as they continue to create more to-dos in their mind.
Then they return to the quiet of their own homes and continue to think about more changes and more To-Do's deep into the night. They are often oblivious to the peas and carrots on their plate and the 8-year-old wanting to play Bob the Builder.
There is hope. SASS is a curable condition. Those afflicted by SASS usually have developed an altered sense of reality. Recommended therapy is as follows.
First, have the subject look in a mirror. Ask them, How many of you are there? Sometimes, the SASSy individual thinks outside the box to the point that they insist there are two of them. In this case, have them repeat 50 times the phrase, "There is only one of me. There is only one of me."
Second, have the subject look at a clock. At the beginning of a minute, ask the subject to count each second as it passes. At the end of the minute, as them how many seconds there were. If the number is anything other than 60, repeat this exercise 59 times. At the end of the hour, ask them how many minutes there were. If necessary, repeat this exercise another 23 times and ask them about hours in the day.
Finally, find the subject’s calendar. They may have more than one calendar. Explain to them that, since there is only one timeline in the real world, they can only have only one calendar. Next, look for double-bookings. Again, explain to them in a firm but loving tone that, since there is only one of them, they can only be in one place at a time. If travel time is not properly scheduled, explain to them that, since faxing one's self has yet to be invented, they will be unable to magically teleport from location to location.
As therapy continues, SASSy entrepreneurs will gradually overcome their delusion that their disease makes them more productive. They will come to learn the truth of the proverb, "man who chases two chickens catches none."
There is hope for the SASSy entrepreneur. With your help and the help of professionals, they can and most often do come back to reality.
Entrepreneur SASS
(With permission from Utah Valley Business Q)
We may have an epidemic among us. At the next networking meeting you attend, wash your hands immediately afterward - maybe five times for good measure. Despite medical evidence to the contrary, a previously thought incommunicable disease is spreading faster than copies of Who Moved My Cheese?
The disease is Short Attention Span Syndrome, or SASS.
Perhaps someone you know and love is affected. Perhaps you yourself have noticed some of the following symptoms.
-Shifting in your seat and coughing just a little too loudly during a boring meeting.
-Saying to your significant other, I'm sorry, honey, could you repeat that? I wasn't paying attention.
-Going to sleep while mentally rifling through a mile-long to-do list
Many with these symptoms joke, "I must have ADD!" However, only 4 to 8 percent have the genetic condition referred to as ADD - more correctly termed ADHD, - which is present from birth and, while treatable, is permanent. The dreaded disease of SASS, on the other hand, develops over time.
Symptoms begin to appear around the teenage years and slowly accelerate until they become a frenzy of activity and mental noise. SASS is viral. It passes from manager to employee, from spouse to spouse, from parents to children and from children to parents.
Most common is the passing of SASS from entrepreneurial types: business owners, risk-tasking executives, sales professionals, visionaries. Entrepreneurs develop SASS themselves, typically in the incubator of their own ever-changing minds. While most everyone has a lot to do, entrepreneurs have the tendency to pick up a lot more "To-Dos" than the average person. They then pass the virus on to those around them.
Entrepreneurs pass SASS to their employees in the form of altered objectives, multi-tasking, bold initiatives, training meetings, revised agendas, organizational restructuring, innovation after innovation, and of course, more meetings. They pass it on, unable to listen to the comments of others as they continue to create more to-dos in their mind.
Then they return to the quiet of their own homes and continue to think about more changes and more To-Do's deep into the night. They are often oblivious to the peas and carrots on their plate and the 8-year-old wanting to play Bob the Builder.
There is hope. SASS is a curable condition. Those afflicted by SASS usually have developed an altered sense of reality. Recommended therapy is as follows.
First, have the subject look in a mirror. Ask them, How many of you are there? Sometimes, the SASSy individual thinks outside the box to the point that they insist there are two of them. In this case, have them repeat 50 times the phrase, "There is only one of me. There is only one of me."
Second, have the subject look at a clock. At the beginning of a minute, ask the subject to count each second as it passes. At the end of the minute, as them how many seconds there were. If the number is anything other than 60, repeat this exercise 59 times. At the end of the hour, ask them how many minutes there were. If necessary, repeat this exercise another 23 times and ask them about hours in the day.
Finally, find the subject’s calendar. They may have more than one calendar. Explain to them that, since there is only one timeline in the real world, they can only have only one calendar. Next, look for double-bookings. Again, explain to them in a firm but loving tone that, since there is only one of them, they can only be in one place at a time. If travel time is not properly scheduled, explain to them that, since faxing one's self has yet to be invented, they will be unable to magically teleport from location to location.
As therapy continues, SASSy entrepreneurs will gradually overcome their delusion that their disease makes them more productive. They will come to learn the truth of the proverb, "man who chases two chickens catches none."
There is hope for the SASSy entrepreneur. With your help and the help of professionals, they can and most often do come back to reality.
Facing Your Fears As An Entrepreneur
Everyone I have ever talked to that is an entrepreneur has had to come face to face with their fears. I have had to as well. I want to share with you some of the techniques that I have used to face them. The first step is not to be in denial. You have fears even if you don’t readily acknowledge them. They sometimes take the form of that chatter in the back of your head that says you can’t do it.
Fear is such a huge issue preventing people from becoming entrepreneurs. I have heard from the CEO of a real-estate based network marketing company that even though he has people packing out company seminars, that maybe 2-5% of people will actually go out and apply the knowledge by putting offers on real estate. He is convinced that the rest are paralyzed by fear.
Here are some of the techniques I have used as I learned them from the entrepreneurs I know:
Think about what you do want. When you find yourself spinning the wheels in your mind over and again about your worst case scenario, turn it around and focus on what you DO want. Visualize yourself getting what you do want. See the new house. See yourself talking to the interested person as they become a part of your business. You get what you focus on.
Change the voice. When you hear yourself telling you that you’re not good enough – you’re going to fail. Just change the voice from yours to that of Mickey Mouse or Jim Cary or something that would hold little weight with you anyway! Who cares if Mickey Mouse thinks you’re not good enough? Is Mickey Mouse an entrepreneur?
Voice them to a trusted friend or associate. Hopefully you have been able to find some level of support from at least one other entrepreneur. Ideally, you have a significant other that supports you. If not, then you should have some kind of support network from your team, up-line, or corporate that you can talk to. Some people may tell you that it is silly you could even believe that you’re not good enough. For me, my wife has been a constant source of support. However, don’t go looking for support to all those people who doubted you and told you it was crazy to go out on your own. They will never understand the entrepreneur.
Have a personal development library. I draw tremendous support from my library. It is not just filled with how to resources, but also stories of others who conquered their fears. I couldn’t begin to list the many sources I have, but if you email me I can recommend something based on your own description of your circumstances.
Go ahead and do it. Sometimes just making the smallest step will help get you going enough that the fear of not doing something can go away. An example would be neglecting to write an article such as this one out of fear of failure. Just starting it can create enough momentum to see it through.
Visualize the result, but make the action the goal. There is a subtle difference here for the entrepreneur. Of course you want the result, but maybe that’s not in your direct control. Visualize the result in your mind, but make your goal the consistent and persistent action of the entrepreneur. The action will eventually produce the result and you can certainly achieve that goal.
Never, ever quit. I hate to even use that q word. If you do quit, you cease to be an entrepreneur – otherwise you’re not beaten, you are moving ahead!
Fear is such a huge issue preventing people from becoming entrepreneurs. I have heard from the CEO of a real-estate based network marketing company that even though he has people packing out company seminars, that maybe 2-5% of people will actually go out and apply the knowledge by putting offers on real estate. He is convinced that the rest are paralyzed by fear.
Here are some of the techniques I have used as I learned them from the entrepreneurs I know:
Think about what you do want. When you find yourself spinning the wheels in your mind over and again about your worst case scenario, turn it around and focus on what you DO want. Visualize yourself getting what you do want. See the new house. See yourself talking to the interested person as they become a part of your business. You get what you focus on.
Change the voice. When you hear yourself telling you that you’re not good enough – you’re going to fail. Just change the voice from yours to that of Mickey Mouse or Jim Cary or something that would hold little weight with you anyway! Who cares if Mickey Mouse thinks you’re not good enough? Is Mickey Mouse an entrepreneur?
Voice them to a trusted friend or associate. Hopefully you have been able to find some level of support from at least one other entrepreneur. Ideally, you have a significant other that supports you. If not, then you should have some kind of support network from your team, up-line, or corporate that you can talk to. Some people may tell you that it is silly you could even believe that you’re not good enough. For me, my wife has been a constant source of support. However, don’t go looking for support to all those people who doubted you and told you it was crazy to go out on your own. They will never understand the entrepreneur.
Have a personal development library. I draw tremendous support from my library. It is not just filled with how to resources, but also stories of others who conquered their fears. I couldn’t begin to list the many sources I have, but if you email me I can recommend something based on your own description of your circumstances.
Go ahead and do it. Sometimes just making the smallest step will help get you going enough that the fear of not doing something can go away. An example would be neglecting to write an article such as this one out of fear of failure. Just starting it can create enough momentum to see it through.
Visualize the result, but make the action the goal. There is a subtle difference here for the entrepreneur. Of course you want the result, but maybe that’s not in your direct control. Visualize the result in your mind, but make your goal the consistent and persistent action of the entrepreneur. The action will eventually produce the result and you can certainly achieve that goal.
Never, ever quit. I hate to even use that q word. If you do quit, you cease to be an entrepreneur – otherwise you’re not beaten, you are moving ahead!
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Entrepreneurs - You Might Want To Drop Out Of College
Young entrepreneurs and business owners are often times faced with the choice of which road to take. On one hand, there is the more conservative route of staying in college and getting a degree. On the other hand, many have thriving businesses that are making more money than their degree will ever get for them. Is college simply a hindrance? Or is it a valuable resource that should be continued at all costs. Many college business owners don't even realize they have the choice of dropping out. Knowing this option is there could be vital to the success of their future business. If you are in college and are an entrepreneur or business owner you must ask your self this question: should I drop out of college?
The answer to this question often comes in many forms from many different people. I was recently at an entrepreneurial conference and had the opportunity to discuss this matter with many rich entrepreneurs. The answers I was getting from them were vastly different from those that my family had given me. On the one side I was being told that college is only useful if you are getting something out of it, and that if I was serious my businesses should take priority over schooling. From the family side I was being told to stay in school no matter what, put schooling at the forefront - there will always be time for business and it will be good to have a safe backup. Both of these answers have their merits, but which one is right?. It became clear to me that it was my decision- not the other wealthy entrepreneurs, and not your family.
Why are you in college?
This question is the fundamental element in the decision to drop out of college. Entrepreneurs must figure out the reality of why they are in college before making a decision to drop out. Some business owners are in college because their parents told them to go there, or because they didn't realize they had the choice. Other young entrepreneurs are in college because they find the information valuable and want to continue learning while they expand their business. Even more still had childhood dreams of one day being an engineer or architect and want to follow through with their early ideals. You must answer this question truthfully and honestly if you are going to make a choice about running your business full time or staying in college.
Why Do You Want to Drop Out?
It is very important to understand exactly why you want to drop out. Many business owners and entrepreneurs have vastly different reasons for dropping out of college and it is key that you understand yours. I have often fielded this question in conversation, and many times a young entrepreneur will want to drop out of college on pure speculation. This is never a good idea without a solid business plan. I recommend having a solid business plan and some backups in the least, as well as some plans for continued learning of business skills. Dropping out is a risky decision - entrepreneurs will understand and easily accept this fact. Understanding and accepting risk is part of being an entrepreneur and starting new businesses. I have also talked with many entrepreneurs who already have million dollar plus income, and are thinking about dropping out in order to focus more on their business. This instance presents an entirely new set of questions. Whatever your reasoning make sure that you understand and research your position.
Here is the Secret to Making the Decision
It all comes down to balancing the two sides of the argument. If you've figured out both your reasons for being in college and your reasons for dropping out and starting a business, then you can easily make a decision. The trick is to look at a list of both sides: your reasons for being in college and your reasons for going out and becoming an entrepreneur. If either side has reasons that aren't your own, or that have doubt in them, then you will most likely pick the other side. Here is an example situation, look at the two lists and decide what the student should do.
Student A - Reasons to Stay in College:
- My parents are paying for it, and they would flip if I left
- Everyone I know is in college, it would be weird to leave.
- A degree might give me some security later on.
Student A - Reasons to Drop Out and Pursue Business
- I have a solid business plan and have been working on it for months
- My income is almost half of my parents already
- Having more time to work on business would let me expand faster
I think it is fairly clear in this setup that we have an entrepreneur at heart. There is doubt in the reasoning behind college, and he also doubts that he will even need the security of a degree. The second list is much more profound and certain. This student knows he will be successful as an entrepreneur and he only wants to build his business more. There is certainty and understanding in his tone. With this situation it seems very likely that the student would be far better off dropping out of college and pursuing his business goals.
The case is almost never as cut and dry as the situation above, most young businessmen have far more complicated setups. Even with the complications, the end result is always the same. Follow the path that you are sure of in your heart. If you are an entrepreneur in the right position then you will know exactly why you want to drop out and that it will be better for you. Or, you will know that staying in college will teach you more about business and let you grow faster out of college. I will leave you with one last thing.
Listen to your own thoughts, and pick the path that you know is better for you.
The answer to this question often comes in many forms from many different people. I was recently at an entrepreneurial conference and had the opportunity to discuss this matter with many rich entrepreneurs. The answers I was getting from them were vastly different from those that my family had given me. On the one side I was being told that college is only useful if you are getting something out of it, and that if I was serious my businesses should take priority over schooling. From the family side I was being told to stay in school no matter what, put schooling at the forefront - there will always be time for business and it will be good to have a safe backup. Both of these answers have their merits, but which one is right?. It became clear to me that it was my decision- not the other wealthy entrepreneurs, and not your family.
Why are you in college?
This question is the fundamental element in the decision to drop out of college. Entrepreneurs must figure out the reality of why they are in college before making a decision to drop out. Some business owners are in college because their parents told them to go there, or because they didn't realize they had the choice. Other young entrepreneurs are in college because they find the information valuable and want to continue learning while they expand their business. Even more still had childhood dreams of one day being an engineer or architect and want to follow through with their early ideals. You must answer this question truthfully and honestly if you are going to make a choice about running your business full time or staying in college.
Why Do You Want to Drop Out?
It is very important to understand exactly why you want to drop out. Many business owners and entrepreneurs have vastly different reasons for dropping out of college and it is key that you understand yours. I have often fielded this question in conversation, and many times a young entrepreneur will want to drop out of college on pure speculation. This is never a good idea without a solid business plan. I recommend having a solid business plan and some backups in the least, as well as some plans for continued learning of business skills. Dropping out is a risky decision - entrepreneurs will understand and easily accept this fact. Understanding and accepting risk is part of being an entrepreneur and starting new businesses. I have also talked with many entrepreneurs who already have million dollar plus income, and are thinking about dropping out in order to focus more on their business. This instance presents an entirely new set of questions. Whatever your reasoning make sure that you understand and research your position.
Here is the Secret to Making the Decision
It all comes down to balancing the two sides of the argument. If you've figured out both your reasons for being in college and your reasons for dropping out and starting a business, then you can easily make a decision. The trick is to look at a list of both sides: your reasons for being in college and your reasons for going out and becoming an entrepreneur. If either side has reasons that aren't your own, or that have doubt in them, then you will most likely pick the other side. Here is an example situation, look at the two lists and decide what the student should do.
Student A - Reasons to Stay in College:
- My parents are paying for it, and they would flip if I left
- Everyone I know is in college, it would be weird to leave.
- A degree might give me some security later on.
Student A - Reasons to Drop Out and Pursue Business
- I have a solid business plan and have been working on it for months
- My income is almost half of my parents already
- Having more time to work on business would let me expand faster
I think it is fairly clear in this setup that we have an entrepreneur at heart. There is doubt in the reasoning behind college, and he also doubts that he will even need the security of a degree. The second list is much more profound and certain. This student knows he will be successful as an entrepreneur and he only wants to build his business more. There is certainty and understanding in his tone. With this situation it seems very likely that the student would be far better off dropping out of college and pursuing his business goals.
The case is almost never as cut and dry as the situation above, most young businessmen have far more complicated setups. Even with the complications, the end result is always the same. Follow the path that you are sure of in your heart. If you are an entrepreneur in the right position then you will know exactly why you want to drop out and that it will be better for you. Or, you will know that staying in college will teach you more about business and let you grow faster out of college. I will leave you with one last thing.
Listen to your own thoughts, and pick the path that you know is better for you.
21st Century Business Women
When the first generation of women
entered the workforce in earnest in the 1970s, they succeeded in the only way
they could – by imitating men.
Authoritarian leadership and tight control was the hallmark of that day’s
businessman, and women were not exactly welcomed into the ranks of
management. Well ladies, that was
yesterday, and today is today!
Forget what your mama or your boss
told you, because following the rules can be bad for your career. Today’s CEO/entrepreneur can no longer tap
his/her company’s full potential using a “command-and-control” style. The 21st century business woman
needs to be able to build a vision based on the awareness of economic
transformation, then help her partners and staff fulfill that vision. She must draw on a wide range of skills to
get to the top and stay there. Following
are 7 Key Characteristics that are essential:
1. Sell
the Vision: A leader with a fresh, independent plan for her company’s growth
and future has a distinct advantage in luring and keeping great talent and
investors. Vision is not some lofty
ideal, but an obtainable concept that is easy to understand and will make the
company grow to another level.
2. Reinvent
the Rules: While women have
traditionally been socialized to please others, the 21st century
leader knows that good girls rarely post great returns. The strong managers/owners today not only
anticipate change, they create entirely new organizations that respond to
shifts and search for innovation.
3. Achieve
With A Laser Focus: Go where others fear
to tread! Being aggressive and ambitious has long been considered male traits,
but they are key qualities for new leaders.
Today’s business woman has the ability to home in on opportunities that
others may simply not see, and then excel in that uncharted territory.
4. Use
High-Touch in a High-Tech Era: When a
number of leaders are conducting business by e-mail, voice mail, passwords, and
PINs, the female entrepreneur succeeds because she guides with a strong,
personal, bed-side manner. Today’s business woman is just as technologically
savvy as her peers, but her skill with staff and customers is “high-touch”
which gives her a critical edge and separation from the “pack”.
5. Challenge
or Opportunity ? – Women are great at turning a
challenge into an opportunity instead of using the “slash-and-burn”
approach. They are able to make bold
strokes, but they also win the cooperation of others in the organization in
making any transformation a success.
6. A
Customer Preference Obsession: In this
information age which makes it easier to shop around for the best “whatever”,
businesses must work harder to give people what they want before their
competitors do. There is no substitute
for spending time with clients to become expert at their businesses and learn
their demands. Female leaders are almost
intuitively adept in doing just that, and without the client even suspecting.
7. Courage
Under Fire: Show me any career woman or
female entrepreneur today that isn’t able to “stand-the-heat” in any tough-call
situation. Their decision-making skills
are rooted in a high level of confidence, because they’ve had to weather and
surpass any and all “corporate” storms they’ve encountered over time.
It takes a certain mind-set and bravado for anyone to start
their own business and succeed, but it’s even more difficult for a female
entrepreneur. Let’s face it,
ladies! We’ve always had to be
twice-as-smart and twice-as-confident as any male counterpart in the corporate
world. After all, if we can bear and
raise the future generation, how can running a successful business scare us?
Monday, June 20, 2016
MAKE MONEY WORKING FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME!
How many times have you heard
that phrase, pitch, advertisement, or
whatever? Lots, I'm sure. It is used so much because
marketers know that
staying home and making money
is the fondest dream of millions of people.
And why not? Did you know that the majority of fatal heart
attacks happen
at 9 a.m. Monday morning? It's true.
It seems a lot of people would
rather die than get back to
the old grind after a weekend of freedom.
So when someone offers an
opportunity or plan for you to take your job and
shove it, yet still make
enough money to live and pay all your bills, it
sounds blissfully
irresistible.
Of course, bliss and reality
are always two different things. Is it
really possible to run a business
from your own home that is more than a
hobby or source of part-time
income? Can you get rich working out of
your
own home? Can you really trade your cubical and necktie
for blue jeans and
the comfort of your own den?
Well, for your information,
home-based businesses are one of the fastest
growing kinds of enterprises
in America
some 15 million Americans are
doing at least some form of work out of their
homes, and the numbers are
rising rapidly. According to the U.S.
Department of Labor, as many
as 25 million people will be working out of
their homes in the year
2020. Government studies have indicated
that as
much as 75% of all work done
in this country could eventually be moved
home.
The overwhelming majority of
home workers, however, are not exactly getting
rich. The average work-at-home American earns less
than $15,000 per year.
That may not be bad as a
supplement to a spouse's full-time income, but
let's face it, fifteen grand
in and of itself is not much better than poverty.
As master marketer and author
Dr. Jeffrey Lant said: "Frankly, I
never saw
any benefit to staying home
and being poor."
Lant, without so much as a
business card, became a work-at-home
millionaire, and is a perfect
example of what truly can be achieved if you
are serious about chucking
your day job, staying home, and not settling for
peanuts in exchange for your
freedom. You can have it all -- you can
stay
home and make as much -- and
more -- money than your current job provides
you.
In this report, we are going
to outline and discuss five key rules on how
to work at home and make big
bucks, no matter where you live. After
these
five rules, we'll talk about
the most important aspect of any business,
whether it be home-based or a
giant factory -- cash flow. Starting
your
own business out of your home
is all about attitude and inspiration, but
all the attitude in the world
won't help you without money!
1. It Takes Commitment
Is it any secret in America
after study proves that most
people simply dread going to work Monday
morning, and they live for
the freedom of the weekend. But even
that
freedom is not pure because
we know that it is only temporary. It's
hard
to enjoy a Sunday evening
when the Monday morning alarm clock is just a few
hours away.
It makes sense that people
hate their jobs. Everyday, there is a
lot of
butt kissing that needs to be
done. There are endless meetings which
usually accomplish
nothing. There are pointless interruptions,
a lot of
drifting this way and that,
and lot of idiot supervisors who do nothing but
waste your time and then dog
you for not accomplishing your share of work.
There are co-workers you
hate, and who would stab you in the back in a
minute if it meant a raise
for them instead of you.
When you work for someone
else, you live a regimented life. Your
body may
not want to get up at 7 a.m. , but you have to be at work by 8 a.m. so you
lurch out of bed with a head
full of sleep.
People who choose to work at
home are doing more than just escaping the
yoke of their master; they
have made a deep, firm, life-altering decision
which says that health,
happiness and prosperity depend vitally on the
freedom to work for
ourselves, and in doing so in the comfort of the home.
We want to really emphasize
that fact that to be successful in a
work-at-home situation, you
have to be nothing less than a fanatic; a
zealot, who is utterly
committed to making work-at-home not only a
successful venture, but a
profound commitment for life. You must
be
convinced that a return to an
outside office job would be the equivalent of
a spiritual death sentence.
Many people hate their office
jobs, but they have made an inner compromise
with themselves. They have convinced themselves that their job
is "not so
bad," pays the bills,
and that they can stick out because they have to.
If you want to be truly
successful at quitting your day job, there cannot
be any room for such
compromises in your soul. You have to
take the
attitude that to work any
longer at your hateful job is akin to fouling
your inner being with a
spiritual cancer the will sicken and kill you.
2. Eliminating the
Home-Office Mentality
To move our work home,
however, does not mean we eliminate every single
thing about the traditional
American office. Rather, we should
select what
is useful and what is not.
It's a mistake to quit your
job and go home with a "home-office" mentality.
By this we mean thinking
small, and believing that you will automatically
sacrifice a decent income in
exchange for your freedom. Please! Do not
think small!
To quote Jeffrey Lant
again: "Too many home-based
practitioners fail to
understand the benefits that
accrue because of the professional style they
have selected. They focus on the "home" part of
the business rather than
the "business"
portion, and as a result are doomed to small incomes."
Working at home provides many
benefits. We can save a lot of time
because
we don't need to commute and
we have more control over our schedule.
We
can save a lot of costs
because we don't have the overhead requirements of
larger businesses. We can cut our stress -- and so have more
energy --
because we avoid many of the
characteristic problems of life in the late
20th-Century office. We must work these advantages to our profit.
3. Your International Headquarters
The German philosopher
Immanuel Kant said that if you sit at home alone at
your empty kitchen table,
eventually, the "whole world will come to you."
Well, today you don't need
the great mind of a philosopher to make the
entire world come into your
living room. What you need is a phone
jack.
We live in a unique time in
history. Satellites, fiber optics, the
integrated circuit and other
communications miracles means that you can be
just about anywhere in the
developed world and establish communication with
anyone.
The telephone, the fax
machine, the computer, the modem -- all of these are
not only affordable by any
middle-class citizen; they are the key to
eliminating your need to
drive a hectic freeway everyday to get to a place
of business outside your
home.
With these devices at our
disposal, we should allow ourselves to "think
globally." Too often, home-based businesses focus on the
narrowest market,
the neighborhood, the county,
the city or state. This is fine if you
are
providing a local service and
are content with a certain moderate level of
income. But if you want the big bucks, you should not
think small. Also,
you should not believe that,
just because you are home-based, you cannot
compete with the big guys.
The purpose of any business
is to seek assess and seek out every possible
market for its products and
services, to ascertain whether these markets
have the ability to buy these
products/services, to determine whether there
is sufficient profit in these
markets to warrant approaching them, and,
once positive assessment has
been made, to launch a sustained marketing
campaign that gets a
significant percentage of this market to purchase the
product or service in
question.
Your home telecommunications
machines will not only enable you to do this,
but they can also help you
overwhelm larger, more cumbersome traditional
businesses that are your
competition.
As a home-based entrepreneur,
you will not have all of the disadvantages of
your more traditional
competitors: no office rent, equipment
or expense;
no employees to pay salaries
and fringe benefits for; no time wasted on
meetings, employee problems,
paid sick leave, etc.
All the money your
competitors spend on heating the office and buying
furniture could better be
spent on the actual marketing itself.
As a home-based business, you
will be already positioned where the
traditional business is
currently struggling to move: toward the lowest
possible overhead and the
greatest possible concentration of dollars on
products/service development
and product/service marketing.
So, a home-based business
takes full advantage of three major goals of
modern business success:
(1) Vastly reduced overhead
(2) Easy access to a global
market
(3) Full advantage of
telecommunications.
To not have the basic
telecommunications toys -- computer, modem, fax, and
telephones is impossibly
stupid. Still, even in this day and age,
many of
people strongly resist the
one element that is undoubtedly the heart and
brain of any successful home
business -- the computer. The computer
is so
important in fact, we have
made it a category all itself.
And remember, learning to use
a modern computer is easier than learning to
drive a car, so you have no
excuse not to plunge forward.
4. The Computer
You should pay close
attention to what computers can do for you in your
plans to escape your job and
make your work-at-home dreams come true.
People who want to run a home
business usually have a very small staff -- in
fact, a staff of one --
yourself! The rest of your needs are
handled by
independent contractors,
depending on the kind of business you are in and
the services you need.
To run a serious, truly
global home business, a computer is as necessary as
oxygen is to life on
earth. Those who try to fool themselves
into thinking
they will ever make a serious
go of their home-based business without a
computer are sadly mistaken.
Computers give you two
primary advantages:
(1) They enable you to store
large amounts of data and to sort by data
field so that you can easily
get the information you need.
(2) They enable you to
develop a pattern document for every situation
you'll ever be in in your
business. To run a home-based business
successfully, you must anticipate
just what situation will emerge and
prepare accordingly.
A business is based on a
characteristic series of situations and a
characteristic set of things
that happen -- or that do not happen.
You
must be prepared with the
proper document for each situation. Once
you
have established all the
protocols, and have experienced all the situations
associated with your kind of
business, the time will come when running your
business is, in large part, a
repetition of certain key tasks.
Computers
are all about handling
repetition swiftly and efficiently.
But the computer is much
more. Today, by connecting a computer to
the
phone line with a modem, your
machine becomes more than a data storage
system and repetitive task
handler. It becomes a multi-task, multi-level
communications processing
center that connects you to the globe.
Such things as e-mail,
on-line services, the Internet, the Web and more
can't help but revolutionize
the way business is done. If you do not
become a part of it today,
you certainly are going to suffer for it greatly
in the near future.
If there is an effective way
to market products on the Internet or any
other on-line venue, no one
has truly discovered it yet. The only
people
making money on Internet
marketing are the people who are selling the
concept of doing it. If you have a product or a service and expect
to
reach millions of buyers
through computer screens, you are sadly mistaken.
The Internet is definitely
where a lot of innovative things are happening.
It's a great place to
exchange ideas, find out what hot, what's not, and
stay on the cutting edge
whatever your particular business is.
5. Your Business Hours
If you've been paying
attention to the first four points, you're well on
your way to becoming a
successful home-based business owner.
Now we don't
want you to blow it by
thinking you can keep banker's hours.
The global market is a
24-hour per day market, and a 365-day per year
market. Let the others sleep late on Saturdays and
take Sundays off.
Those times could be your day
to move and corner loads of customers that
the others miss.
You should get up earlier and
quit work later. You should be open for
business on holidays and be
available 24-hours a day either personally or
through your answering
service.
"But wait a
minute!" you might be thinking at this point! "I thought that
working at home was all about
freedom and an end to drudgery. This
sounds
like nothing but endless work!"
Well, here's the thing. For most of you who quit your regular jobs to
go
to work for yourself, you'll
discover something magical. You'll
discover
that when you are working for
yourself, when you are building your own
business, a lot of what you
does not seem like work at all.
The great writer Jane Roberts
said, "Inspiration is its own motivator."
Running your own business is
all about being inspired 24-hours-a-day.
When
you stop selling your body
and soul to some company or corporation and
start giving your energy to
yourself, work has a way of turning into
inspiration and play.
The perfect work for you is
that which you don't think of as work, yet
doing it makes money and
provides you with the bread and shelter of life.
You'll see what it's like if
you make a true commitment to being self
employed, put all your energy
into it, and stick with it for the long run.
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