The Underdogs Solution How To Break Into And Conquer Any Industry Online

Writen by Simit Patel

While the Internet has created entrepreneurial opportunities for the likes of both Fortune 500 companies and sole proprietors working out of their basement, the fundamental entrepreneurial dilemma still remains: how can entrepreneurs break into an already established market?

In this article, we'll outline the steps that entrepreneurs need to follow to break into and conquer any industry online. To reinforce the power of this formula, we'll use industry giants Google and Apple as case studies.

Step #1: Identify The Reigning Champ.

If you're going to break in and conquer an industry, you need to know who you're looking to take it from. Don't be afraid to aim for the biggest champion; if you don't you'll never get there.

Example: Entrepreneurs who wanted to take over the search market would identify Google as the reigning champ. Likewise, entrepreneurs looking to conquer the digital music market would look to Apple as the current market leader.

Step #2: Identify the Champ's Powers and Priorities.

To understand how to beat the champ, you have to first understand how the champ works. To do this, entrepreneurs need to focus on the reigning champion's powers and priorities.

Powers are what resources and skills the firm has. A firm's powers are critical to understanding how the firm gained dominance in the first place. Note that many firms -- especially those that have a very strong foothold on an industry -- have multiple powers. To help keep things simple, focus on identifying the champ's most important powers.

Priorities are what values the firm has that dictate how it proceeds. Priorities are generally closely associated with how the company earns revenues: whatever it does to earn revenue is a priority, as that's what allows the company to stay in business and grow.

Below is a look at the powers and priorities of Google and Apple.

Google Powers: Their biggest skill is the amount of text-based information they have in their database. Their specialty is delivering breadth of information so that its users can quickly find even the most obscure facts.

Priorities: How does Google make its money? Primarily by people clicking on the sponsored links on its search page. So, getting users to click on ads so that advertisers can pay them is a top priority for Google.

Apple Powers: With respect to digital music, Apple's key power is the iPod. The iPod far and away is the firm's competitive advantage, and they have demonstrated skill in creating portable music devices that have mass appeal.

Priorities: Just as Apple's key power is its iPod and its ability to make portable music hardware, it's key priorities are selling those devices. While the firm does make money selling mp3s, the true cash cow for its digital music division is the mp3 player. So the firm's priority is to make and sell hardware for digital music.

Step #3: Identify the Right Power for You.

Even if you are immensely talented and sure of the fact that you have far and away the best product, success is unlikely if you are trying to build your business around the same powers that the current champ wields. If you try to develop the same powers the champ has, you'll be competing with them directly on many fronts -- not just on acquiring customers, but also on dealing with suppliers, marketing venues, and employees. Because of this, you should place a big emphasis on cultivating powers that are different than what the champ has. In fact, the ideal scenario is to cultivate powers that are complementary to the current champ's powers so that you can partner with them. Google itself employed this strategy as they partnered with Yahoo! -- the champ Google was looking to dethrone -- to power Yahoo! search results from October 2002 to February of 2004. This partnership allowed Google, the underdog at the time, an ability to gain a critical partnership that allowed the firm to expand and eventually overcome the champion they initially befriended.

Example: Google's primary power is its ability to deliver text-based information. But what about non-text based information, like audio and video files? Search engines like AudioFind, SingingFish, and PicSearch are all engines that are cultivating powers in non-text search.

Likewise, Apple's primary power is hardware. An underdog looking to take down Apple should aspire to cultivate different powers, such as strong partnerships with music labels to deliver content, and/or flexible programs that provide users with more of the kind of music they are looking for. Rhapsody, Napster, and Yahoo! are some firms that have wisely taken this approach.

Step #4: Have Different Priorities.

Just as you want to have complementary powers, you can also benefit from having different priorities. The rationale for having different priorities is the same as why different powers are needed: you want to avoid competing directly with the reigning champ as much as possible. Essentially, the idea is that it's easier and far more feasible for an underdog to defeat the champ if he/she takes a "back door" approach rather than taking on the champ head on. What you're really competing for is not the powers or priorities, but rather the attention of the end user. In other words, to beat Apple at the digital music game you don't need to roll out a better mp3 player; rather, you need to find a more compelling way to get the end user -- who, in Apple's case, is a consumer of digital music -- to give you his/her attention.

Example: Snap.com, an underdog search engine looking to take down Google, has established different priorities by creating a new way that they can attract revenue from advertisers. Instead of getting paid per click from a sponsored listing on their search results page, they plan on getting paid when the user actually completes an action on an advertiser's site (such as making a purchase). This will cause the company to prioritize getting users to complete actions on their advertisers site -- not just getting them to click on an ad.

Likewise, Napster plans on taking the digital music market not by prioritizing the sale of hardware, but rather by making the sale of digital music a priority.

Step #5: Attack The Champ's Powers.

The way to attack the champ's powers is NOT by trying to be better than the champ at the champ's own powers. Instead, the idea is to devalue the champ's powers in the mind of the end user, and thus shift the basis of competition in the market to what your power is.

How can this be done? The most effective way to do this is to imitate the champ's power in the cheapest way possible. If you compete on price, you are bound to attract some clients -- perhaps those who do not value the service much at all or those that simply cannot afford it. In this way, you can attract some of the champ's audience, and convert them into utilizing the powers that you have to offer.

Example: Could Napster benefit by partnering with a low-cost mp3 manufacturer and distributing an mp3 player as cheaply as possible? In doing so, it could help to commoditize mp3 players, and thus shift the basis of competition in the digital music market back to content.

The search engine industry is slightly different, but the idea is still very much applicable. Search engines often sell their technology to web portals who need to offer search to their users; as a result, an underdog search engine could freely distribute a text-based search engine to attack Google's power.

The Tough Part: Identifying Powers and Priorities

Clearly, this five step formula to success is fairly simple and straightforward. The true challenge is in correctly assessing what the reigning champ's powers and priorities are, and then coming up with viable powers and priorities of your own that will help to debunk the champ. Once that can be done, knocking off the champ will be surprisingly easy.

Simit Patel is the Managing Director of The ActoNetwork, a company devoted to helping small businesses succeed on the web. The ActoNetwork publishes a free 102 page Internet Marketing eBook and has a free Internet Marketing Workshop for online entrepreneurs.

Incorporating Investor Feedback Into Your Business Plan

Writen by Dave Lavinsky

Investors, like the rest of us, have different tastes. One investor may love a concept and/or business plan while the next may hate both. It is important to understand this as business plans are working documents and are always undergoing iterations.

Management teams must not rush to incorporate each potential investor's comments. Instead, have several investors, partners and other business colleagues review the plan and provide feedback. Then incorporate common concerns and probe other comments to determine if they are valid.

Always try to understand the rationale behind an investor's comments. For instance, an investor may poke holes in a business plan if it doesn't have enough funds to fully fund the opportunity. In this case, the investor's criticism is solely for them to save face.

However, if you are hearing the same feedback from multiple investors, it is probably valid. In such cases, be humble. Tell investors that you appreciate their feedback and modify your strategy and plan appropriately. You may then be able to re-approach these investors with great success.

Many investors have significant operating and investing experience and can quickly and expertly find potential flaws in a business plan. Seek out investors who have such experience, and be open to their suggestions. Just don't take one point of feedback and blindly follow the advice. It is also important to note that even the most successful and largest public companies have Boards that provide similar feedback and advice, so don't take criticism and feedback as a sign that something is wrong with your venture. Rather, use it as a launching pad for an even stronger business.

Since its inception, Business Plans by Growthink has developed over 200 business plans. Growthink clients have collectively raised over $750 million in financing, launched numerous new product and service lines and gained competitive advantage and market share. Growthink has become the firm of choice for venture capital firms, angel investors, corporations and entrepreneurs in the know. For more information please visit http://www.growthink.com or visit our venture capital placement site at GT Venture Capital.

Whats The Point Why Hire Consultants And How Can You Get The Best Out Of Them

Writen by Karen Otazo

Moving from organizational life to consulting life didn't seem like a big deal to me. I'd been doing internal consulting for more than a decade. I'd been bringing consultants into my organisation as an "extra pair of hands" or as experts to present programs or coach executives. What I found as an internal customer was that hiring a consultant can be tricky. Through a trial and error process of discovery I found that the nature of the consulting relationship is the key to whether the company is going to get what it needs or throw money down a consulting black hole. Although a company is "borrowing" talent, not "buying" it the way they do when they hire someone, it's still a major financial and time commitment. I spent a lot of time managing consultants. I figured "What's the point?" if I didn't get the best out of them. And .for the consultant, the consulting assignment has both a financial and reputational impact. Why not make this arrangement a win-win?

To do that I found we had to learn to trust each other. The approach to low trust by the organization is often a "taxi driver" approach. The consultant is paid by the hour or day. This is a contractual relationship versus a relational contract. The consultant does what he or she is told. The good news is that this is a good way to use "one-trick ponies." When you have a speaker who can do a great presentation about what they know best this is the best way to use them. If you want any in-depth work from a consultant it's best to try the partnering approach. As one client said "We are depending on you to get our bench-strength ready for their next jobs. His approach was to put me into a relational contract where I was committed to his company's expected outcomes.

"Taxi driver" approach or partnering approach

One of the nicest compliments I ever got was "You don't think like a consultant." I realised that I see myself as partnering with my clients, almost as if I become part of their organisation for a period of time. When clients want to hire me by the hour, or minutes, I find it very strange. At one point, I was contracting with a prospective client who came out of a supply chain background. He spent the contracting period penny pinching me in all the aspects of the contract. For me, he was concentrating on the wrong aspects. When I tried to concentrate on the outcomes rather than the specifics of the process, he just didn't "get it." He was so used to taking farthings off widgets that he just couldn't focus on the end results. The "taxi driver" approach didn't engender enough trust for me to continue the contracting. I pulled myself out of the process.

I try not to work like a "taxi driver." I have found that thinking of consulting as day labour gets me, and other consultants too , to act that way. I prefer thinking like a partner in the project's success. It's vital for a company to think this way too. Partnering is a trust builder. There is a mutual commitment to success.

Consultant partnering trust occurs when there is both personal and professional trust. Personal trust is each party doing what they say they'll do, when they say they'll do it. Professional trust is demonstrating the talent, expertise and an understanding of the consultant's craft and of human behaviour that enables a consulting relationship to work.

Create a contractual relationship or a relational contract?

"Relationships of trust depend on our willingness to look not only to our own interests, but also the interests of other." Peter Farquharson, Early 20th century English cricketer

Even if you're hiring day labourers, a company wants its money's worth or more. Although many consultants are hired on a short time scale, their organisational "fit" is essential. One of the best ways to ensure fit is by knowing the company and its needs as well as the needs of the project or intervention that the company needs. When a company insists on a detailed contract they often get just what they negotiated and nothing more. My belief is that it's vital to keep your "eyes on the prize." What is it that the company and the specific client(s) want to get out of the relationship? Contracting is where you ensure that the commitment and professional expertise are there. There's an old American saying that could apply to contracting, "Good fences make good neighbours." By setting up the parameters in contracting the participants are then free to do more but not less.

It is vital that those who are doing the consulting be part of the contracting phase. If the person who initiates the engagement is the "finder" but doesn't do the work it may not be a good idea. That also goes for having a "minder" and a bunch of "grinders" whom you don't know well. If you contract with the experienced folks there is not enough pay-off from the rookies. It's vital that you get to know the consultant(s) you're using before, during and after the consulting engagement. Though the consultant(s) may not be employees they should be treated as if they are personally responsible. As an independent consultant, and previously as a corporate buyer of consulting services, I have found that independents are often the best choices. There have been at least a dozen situations when I've been called in after someone from a consulting firm hasn't delivered what was expected. Don't forget that you are hiring the person and not the company.

The way that a consultant (firm) approaches contracting is revealing. Are they happy to spend as much time as it takes in this phase? The time that it takes to contract and work with the company representative who is doing the contract is part of the big "bucks" that consultants charge. Part of the contracting should be a negotiated "package", or programme price. Part of the package price is that the consultant should not be charging for every small cost like taxi fares for local work.

The package should include written information that is necessary for the process to work. That might mean something in writing that can serve as a roadmap for clients to follow as they work with consultant. A report at the end of the consulting process is not one of the worthwhile things to pay for. When the consultant has left, the report is rarely of use. It may feel good to get one but often goes on a shelf after the consulting engagement is finished.

Most of all, I believe in generosity of spirit on the part of the consultant and the company. That means giving more than the contract stipulates when it's needed. That means consultants occasionally giving more consulting time, without extra fees, for those who need it and the company staying supportive and flexible with the needs of the consultant. In other words, the parties involved should be responsive to the other's needs. Over time, this kind of attitude breeds trust.

Being a consultant is a bit like being an employee for a period of time. Just the way employees "hold" the needs of their job and the needs of their company in their consciousness, an excellent consultant "holds" clients and their needs and the work in their thinking time outside of the actual assignment time. I am constantly surprised when a client says that a workshop I gave was only six hours so they that they should not have to pay for the entire day of eight hours. How amazing is that? It may have taken days to prepare the work which may, or may not have been remunerated. Moreover, when a consultant is at one company for six hours there is no way that two more hours can be squeezed into that day. That is one of the reasons why daily fees don't make sense for excellent work. The other is the thinking time that involves "holding" the client in your thoughts and plans.

Be careful with one-trick ponies and "consultant creep"

"The people I distrust most are those who want to improve our lives but have only one course of action." Frank Herbert , 20th century science fiction author

A company usually hires consultants for their expertise. In their area of expertise they need to be role models. I once hired a consultant who was superb at educating and empowering personal assistants to maximise their potential. When she was asked by an executive to work out a conflict among a group of personal assistants she overstepped her expertise and failed miserably. It's not uncommon for this kind of thing to happen since expertise is often specialised.

It's also the responsibility of the consultant to keep the company representative informed of every potential consulting request that the consultant gets to do additional consulting. Someone in the company needs to keep track to avoid "consultant creep," or consultants running amok around the organisation. I find that someone to vet each request, and the appropriateness of the consultant(s) for the request, is the only way to ensure the trust that you have the right person in place.

Trust comes from bringing in consultants who don't come in with a prepared idea of the issue and the solution. Consulting companies that have "models" that they use can be guilty of this approach.

Consultants need guts rather than glory

It's too easy for consultants to be sycophants rather than speak what they believe needs to be said to individuals of power and authority. This is not the place where executives should be told what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear and learn. It is important that a consultant, beyond an "extra pair of hands," be responsible for moving individuals, or the culture, to take action. The trick is that the "push" needs to be strong enough to show action and gentle enough not to cause reactive "push back," or organisational resistance. This is a major area of trust!

On the whole, mature consultants who are beyond wanting their own days of personal glory make some of the best choices. If the consulting work isn't satisfactory it's time to give the consultant(s) feedback. The way that they accept and respond to feedback without defending tells you a lot about their professional trust. I love adapting as a consultant. It's wonderful to get feedback and have a chance to adapt to the needs of the company and the individual(s) involved.

Consultants who need a lot of kudos and strokes can be trouble. A consultant can be a bit like a catalyst. They can have enormous impact for positive change yet not be part of the end result. If they need the glory they are not mature enough for this kind or work.

See more about Dr. Karen Otazo at the following
http://www.globalleadershipnetwork.com
http://www.otazo.com - Executive Coaching

Dr Otazo is an author, consultant and global executive coach. She worked in multi-nationals in US, China, Indonesia, India, France. http://www.globalleadershipnetwork.com http://www.otazo.com

Office Space

Writen by Kent Pinkerton

Many of us work in small cubicles, with nothing to look at but our computer monitors and piles of papers scuttled on our desk. Turning back, we see our colleagues scooped up the same way and facing the other side of the wall. Drab working conditions create stale minds and people get suffocated in their offices. Well, if you are not one of them, you are very lucky.

However, there are simple ways to beautify office spaces, making your working hours more pleasant and bearable. A flower or a plant on your desk will be a visual relaxation from the monitor radiation. Placing the desk near a window or a door, so that you face an opening will also refresh your tired eyes and brain. Add a picture or painting to this, and you will have a good office space.

If you are a company looking for new office space, you need to plan your requirements before shopping around for sites. Apart from simple additions like those mentioned above, you need to determine the working area you need, the number of offices, the seating types and arrangements for your employees, and amenities like lunch rooms, coffee bars, etc. that you would like to have in your office. Choose and plan your requirements to suit your business purposes. If you are a customer service company, each employee should have office space that facilitates easy and friendly interactions with customers. But if your company is basically running projects, cubicles for employees are a better option than elaborate office spaces.

Before you start planning, visit sample office spaces and search the Internet for space calculators and other requirements. Or contact professional office planners and decorators who will help you set up your office spaces to suit your business needs.

Office Space provides detailed information on Office Space, Corporate Office Space, Temporary Office Space, Office Space For Lease and more. Office Space is affiliated with Discount Office Supplies.

How To Avoid Cashflow Problems

Writen by V Selman

Cashflow problems are the main reason why more than 70% of UK businesses go under in their first year. Although this statistic is fairly shocking, the reassuring fact is that there is a lot that companies can do to manage their cashflow effectively.

We have put together our top tips to help you avoid cashflow problems and become a business success story.

1. Always run credit checks on companies that you do business with

Many people forget or think that it's not important to vet companies before doing business with them. However, doing so is an important method of avoiding cashflow related problems further down the road.

If you have not checked up on a potential new client, you expose yourself to the risk of not being paid.

There are a number of ways to run credit checks such as ordering an online credit rating from credit reference agencies or checking your potential customer's payment record.

2. Encourage prompt payment

You will have to pay your suppliers even if you have not been paid by your customers. Encouraging your customers to pay you promptly is therefore an effective way to avoid cashflow problems.

Try offering favourable payment terms to people who pay early and refer to the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act of 1998 on your invoices. This legislation allows companies to charge interest on overdue amounts.

3. Manage your budget carefully

It might sound obvious but good budget management is a key step to good cashflow management. Do not be tempted to spend money on promotional activity that has not been accounted for in your marketing plan.

Before you do allocate funds, make sure you know what the return on investment is likely to be and ensure that you can afford to spend the money in question.

4. Manage your accounts carefully

Do you know who owes you what and when payment is due? Keeping an invoice book detailing when invoices were sent out and to whom, as well when they were paid is a simple yet effective way of keeping on top of your finances and avoiding cashflow problems.

On Stop runs a unique service which allows its members to check potential customers' payment record and encourage prompt payment in order to help them avoid cashflow problems

Envelope Printing

Writen by Mic Pedretti

Practical mailing solutions for home and business are a must for just about all of us. Very few of us enjoy to hand write envelopes when it comes to bill paying time. Even fewer when we are business owners. Worrying if addresses are written legibly and correctly can waste precious time better spent on other things. However with a simple computer and a printer with ink, the process can become much more simplified and accurate. A practical and economical application for envelope printing can be easily utilized by any business owner, big or small.

Any kind of business demands many mailings for paychecks, bills, catalogs, etc. The most realistic manner of accomplishing this drawn out process can be as simple as printing envelopes and addresses from a computer. Using compatible software (i.e., Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Word) an entire database of names and addresses can be printed onto envelopes and even mailings. The most commonly known software application to accomplish this is Microsoft Word with a feature known as Mail Merge. The mail merge function can work in conjunction with Microsoft Outlook, or with Microsoft Access to draw out the names and addresses of the clients and/or employees to be sent to. Using this software in the proper process of Mail Merge, hundreds, even thousands of preprinted envelopes can be produced within mere minutes, as opposed to hours when done by hand. The usefulness of printed envelopes does not stop here however, there is still a practical solution for the average home user as well.

Any average person has a range of bills to pay, and always plenty of envelopes to address, mostly by hand. This process involves looking up addresses, writing checks, addressing envelopes by hand, and double checking to make sure the information on the envelope is accurate and legible. The solution to a chunk of these problems, is the same for the average home user as it is for the average business user. With the simple process of mail merge, and stored list of commonly paid bills an average person no longer has to wonder or double check to see that the envelopes he or she has written are accurate and legible. Rather they would have the assurance that they are. To cut down the time even more, the average home user could consider using a check-writing program such as VersaCheck, or competitors to write his/her checks for them. With these simple processes, any user can simplify their lives and wind up with more free time to do what they love.

Clearly the advantage goes to the technology to save time and money for any user, either big or small. With the confidence that bills can be paid on time, and never having to double check for accuracy, piece of mind comes standard. The only worries these confident users have are if they have the necessary amount of envelopes and ink in their printer to finish the job. The only question to remain in anyone's mind is "Why didn't I do this much sooner?"

Our Printing Directory is dedicated to the printing industry. Find more information and other printing topics on our Envelope Printing resource page.

Machinery Vibration Warning Lights

Writen by Lance Winslow

Machinery preventative maintenance is paramount in today's factory. A machine going down can be catastrophic to the assembly line and many times specialized parts are not even available. Often such catastrophic failure or damage to a piece of machinery can be avoided thru early warning detection of the problem. Sometimes sensors do no pick up every problem or fail. We always hear about faulty lights in airliners when the aircraft has to return only to find out that a light was out. In machinery some warning lights go on, if their light goes out and others show nothing and then when there is a problem no light?

Most machinery give off tell tale signs premature of the failure whether or not a light is warning available or not. A really good mechanic, ship engine room technician or factory maintenance expert can tell when things are not running right, but not all. I propose a vibrational warning system, either with an automatic shut off or a light, which shines into the operations room like a beam from a pin-light night vision pointer or construction high tech surveying level. This can be done by shining the beam onto a mirror connected to the warning light, which is bolted to the base of the machine. By early detection we can prevent a bad mounting bolt, or internal problem causing a vibration from destroying bearings, internal or exterior parts by an automatic shut down and/or a warning light alerting the team that there is a major problem.

Machinery of this type is much to expensive to risk to a faulty switch or power problem so the warning light should be lighted using electromagnetic induction technology to charge a capacitor instead of the lights working off a battery or power source.

Currently there are some nifty micro-flashlights being used which you can buy which use a similar technique and are available thanks to the Everlite Flashlight technology research lab. These smaller flashlights work by shaking them for about thirty seconds and shine for about 6 minutes and they shine quite bright since they use a very bright LED light. Here is a link to this home use flashlight:

http://demo.physics.uiuc.edu/LectDemo/scripts/demo_descript.idc?DemoID=1138

http://www.modernoutpost.com/gear/details/ee_shakelight.html

Such vibrational warning lights can be used to monitor from long distances, whether the equipment be a short or long distance from view. Additionally these warnings systems have hundreds of application for portable system where mainstream power grid energy is not available. Think on it.

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Has The Time Come For A Reconditioned Forklift Fleet

Writen by Frank Sterner

Every industry has its accepted truths. These are the things that everybody knows - the obvious answers. The problem is that yesterday's truths may be out of date, and things that appear to be common sense on the surface may be a lot more complicated when you look a little deeper. When the question is a potentially expensive one like the purchase and maintenance of your forklift fleet, it's a good idea to examine both possibilities. The industry is changing, and old truths should be re-examined. In addition, your options have grown, and the old easy answers may no longer be the best solutions.

The single Manufacturer Fallacy

Most operations that run a large fleet of forklifts select a primary new truck manufacturer (for example, Toyota or Hyster for pneumatic/cushion trucks, Crown or Raymond for electrics). It's more convenient, dealing with a single company when arranging purchase or lease agreements, but that is not the primary consideration. The big issue is maintenance.

Full service leases are supposed to cover maintenance costs up front. Ideally, they allow you to plan maintenance schedules and costs, and then forget about it for the duration of the lease. There are two problems with this pretty picture. For one thing, most full service leases do not cover repair costs on the failure of components that are out of factory warranty, or on the failure of wear items such as brakes, etc. You can never be absolutely certain what maintenance costs will be.

On the face of it, this is an additional argument for selecting a single supplier, since it means that you will only have to stock one set of parts and train your people on one machine (or at least machines from a single manufacturer). True, this will save you a little, but at what cost?

Not all forklift manufacturers are good at everything that a forklift does in your operation. There are just too many variables. Electrics are quiet, inexpensive and nonpolluting, but of limited range. In some narrow aisle warehouse applications, turning radius can become a major consideration. In extreme cases, turret trucks may be required.

To get the most efficient vehicle for every job, you would have to determine the features and characteristics required for that job, and then buy the necessary number of trucks from the manufacturer who makes the best forklift with those features and characteristics - and then repeat the process for every job in your operation. A multi-location facility could easily end up with four or five different makes of lift truck. Is this the making of a maintenance nightmare? Not necessarily.

Remember, you are still only using one brand of fork lift for a given task, and because you have selected the brand with the best performance for that function, your maintenance for that brand is likely to go down. The periodic service requirements are the same, and component failure is less likely to occur if the vehicle is better designed for that specific application.

Keeping a larger inventory of parts may cost a little more to begin with, but maintaining that inventory over time should result in no significant additional expense. As for training, it may be possible to specialize there as well. For example, instead of training two people on maintenance for a single brand, you might train each of them on one of the brands in use - for little or no additional expense.

New vs. Refurbished

Another accepted truth that may no longer be true is that refurbished forklift trucks, while less expensive than new ones, are less reliable and therefore not a good investment.

With the ever-increasing costs of capital equipment, refurbishing used lift trucks has finally become big business. Only a few years ago, the market for reconditioned forklifts wasn't big enough to justify the expense of setting up an assembly line to tear down, inspect and re-assemble a vehicle with enough quality control to insure reliable operation in heavy use conditions.

The term refurbished means different things to different people. Before you even consider this option, make certain that the unit has been disassembled to the bare frame, sandblasted, painted and rebuilt. Even the engines should be completely broken down, refurbished and repainted to work and look like new. Purchasing used forklifts can be risky, but buying quality refurbished ones doesn't have to be.

For years, third parties have been refurbishing trucks for small users who could not afford new units. They had to do it by themselves to insure quality, and the number of quality refurbished trucks on the market was extremely limited. That is no longer true. The market for renewed trucks has grown to the point where there are now factory reconditioned forklifts available at perhaps one third the cost of new trucks. Not only that, but they are available in quantities that should be attractive to a fleet user.

The quantities are there, and the price is certainly attractive, but what are you really getting when you buy a refurbished forklift truck? Is this where you can find yourself in a maintenance nightmare? Again, not necessarily.

Renewed vehicles have had some run time, a kind of shakedown cruise after which the weak components are replaced. The result is a more reliable unit. Obviously, a refurbished truck has less of its reliable service life left than a new one, but consider the following scenario. You purchase a refurbished unit at one third the cost of a new one. You have already skipped the first wave of high maintenance cost that occurs during the run-in phase. You maintain it regularly and retire it perhaps a year earlier than you would a new unit, thus avoiding the last stage of high maintenance as it nears the end of its useful life. You have saved considerably in terms of capital investment, and your maintenance costs may actually go down as well.

Name Brands

There is one last accepted truth I would like to address related to the issue of maintaining a fleet of forklift trucks - brand name versus off-brand parts. It seems obvious that an operation running a particular brand of forklifts will be safest stocking spare parts from that manufacturer, even if they do cost a little more. Fortunately, that isn't always true.

Many of my friends and customers in the manufacturing business are up in arms over China because they have become such a tough competitor in recent years. However, the same pricing that creates this frustration with China as a competitor can be helpful to forklift buyers. Factories in China that have produced parts for other name brand trucks for years are now starting to sell direct in the United States at significantly reduced prices over name brands.

Notice that these are often the same people that made the brand name parts. The parts are not less expensive because of lower quality. They are less expensive because of the distribution strategy. There is no dealer taking a percentage off the top. There is no forklift manufacturer using overpriced spare parts as a profit center in order to lower prices on new trucks and in order to lock in brand loyalty.

With these lower prices for spare parts, there is less reason to fear the possibility of higher maintenance costs with a multi-manufacturer and/or refurbished fleet of forklift trucks. More than ever before, it is possible to put together a fleet based on the only questions that should really matter: what do forklifts really do in your operation, and which forklifts - new or refurbished - can most effectively and economically do the job(s)?

Frank Sterner is Vice President of Sales for SJF Material Handling, a Winsted, Minnesota-based full service provider of new, used and "renewed" material handling equipment and services. For more information or to find used and refurbished forklifts and other material handling equipment, please visit http://www.SJF.com

Social Bookmarking Anyone Can Do It Even You

Writen by Paul Heitman

Social bookmarking is an online tool that allows anyone to easily bookmark their favorite sites into an online archive. The bookmarks can be categorized and even organized with subject tags. By far the greatest advantage of having an online bookmark is that, up until now, when you saved a bookmarked site on your PC; it was only useful when you were using that particular computer. This meant you couldn't easily share or take the bookmarked sites with you, unless you dragged your PC along as well.

Online bookmarking allows you to do all of these things, for example you can share favorite sites with friends, family and even complete strangers. You even can access your bookmarked sites from anywhere in the world, provided that you have Internet access, without dragging your PC along for the ride. This is ideal if you travel or if you use more than one computer.

Never again do you have to risk losing important sites or trying to scribble down sites that you want to visit again when commuting from one computer to another. Even worse, having to search for a site all over again because you don't have access to the computer where your favorites are stored.

Some of the benefits of using a social book-marking site include being able to access sites from anywhere. You can also share your favorites and let others share their favorites with you. When you are exploring other people's bookmarks or favorites, you may find that there are sites that you would like to include in your favorites list as well. You can also get information about popular websites from other users or find out what other people are interested in. Social bookmarks are an ideal resource for bloggers

To add to the usefulness of social bookmarking, you can give your website a boost in the search engine page rankings. The reason that it is possible to boost your search engine ranking by using a social bookmarking tool is because the social book-marking site usually has a very high search engine ranking. These websites are obviously going to attract so many links, traffic and content that it would be hard for the search engines not to notice them.

By being added to the bookmark site, you have linked or pointed to your site from the bookmark site. This means that, in essence, a highly ranked site is linked to you and this will do wonders for boosting your search engine rankings.

Paul Heitman is a recognized authority on social book-marking. Set up your own account on http://www.optimiz.us and start saving and sharing your favorite sites today. All for free!

How To Realistically Set Your Fees Part 2

Writen by Sue And Chuck DeFiore

Effect of Expenses

The last article examined how to calculate your realistic billable hours. If you remember, we arrived at approximately 1100 hours in a year. To earn our mythical $46,000 per year, you needed to bill at a rate of $42 per hour. Now we need to take into account the expenses of running a business and see where those put our hourly rate.

Most costs fall into three general categories: business and office expenses; salary and personal taxes; and, benefits and profit margin. In this article, we will concentrate on the first category, business and office expenses.

Everyday expenses are part of doing business, and these must be reflected in the prices you charge or you will not be in business for long. Expenses to consider are rent for office space. If you are home-based, you will still have an increase in utilities, such as gas and electric over your regular household bills. You will have telephone costs, postage, copying costs, stationery, office supplies, subscriptions and possibly, membership dues.

You will also need to make periodic upgrades to your office equipment and furniture. Items such as computer hardware and software; fax machine, copier, filing cabinets, telephone headsets, etc. All of these items add to the hourly rate you charge for your services. You must have a good estimate of what these costs total each year or you will end up cheating yourself. If you do cheat yourself, you are going to drastically increase your stress levels and lose much of the enjoyment of running your own business.

Let's plug some numbers into our costs and see how they affect our hourly rate.

Rent $600 per month x 12 = $7200

Utilities $100 per month x 12= 1200

Telephone $100 per month x 12 = 1200

Postage $100 per month x 12= 1200

Copying $50 per month x 12 = 600

Stationery $25 per month x 12 = 300

Supplies $50 per month x 12 = 600

Upgrades $150 per month x 12 = 1800

Furniture $50 per month x 12 = 600

Yearly Total = $15,300

The yearly total comes to $15,300, divide this by 1100 billable hours and you get approximately $14 per hour. Now add this to the original $42 per hour and you can see that you need to charge $56 per hour to cover your hoped for $46,000 per year income plus your expenses. If you are home-based, you can subtract the $7200 per year in rent or about $6.50 per hour from the $56 above.

I have made a number of assumptions in arriving at these figures, your costs may be more or less, but this will give you an idea of what to look for and how to calculate your expenses. If you have any questions, write to me or give me a call and I will go over your situation with you.

Remember, in order to be fair with yourself and your customers, your prices must reflect the true cost of doing business. Do not ever apologize for your prices. You need to charge enough for you to live on and enough to stay in business to service the clients that have come to depend upon you. If some of your customers can't understand this, change your customers, not your prices.

Copyright 2000, DeFiore Enterprises

Interested in having your own successful, home based creative real estate investing business? Chuck and Sue have been helping folks start successful home based businesses for over 19 years, and we can help you too! To see how, visit http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com for the latest FREE tips and tricks, educational products and coaching in creative real estate investing and home based businesses. No time to visit the site? Subscribe to our "how to" Home Business Solutions Digest, it's like having your own personal coach: mailto:subscribeHBS@homebusinesssolutions.com

Next Comes The Corporategiftbasket Fallout Milestones After The Fall Of My House Of Cards Pt 1

Writen by Christine Morgan

Corporate-gift-basket: Getting a Good Job

This corporate-gift-basket is the fallout after the fall of my house of cards. To set the scene, it is March 1988 and today I intend to search for a new job (I lost my last job the month before).

It is my intention to not rush things anymore ever. At the employment center scanning the available offerings I began making a list of the ones that appeal to me.

Next, I got in line to speak with a counselor and took a seat to be called. After a few moments my name was called and was taken to the counselor's office.

Corporate-gift-basket: Finding The Best One

The counselor then quickly scanned my list asking me to see if I am serious and qualified for the job opportunities that I listed earlier. I carefully watched her every move, just like a small child watching their mom baking a chocolate cake (and I do love my chocolate cakes).

I sensed her approval. She then said, "The listing for the assistant manager position just opened today, we will have to schedule you for an interview." I said, "That's great."

Then she said, "Excuse me while I call them." I listened intently at the one-sided conversation began. In the middle of the conversation, she rose from her desk to pull a page from a binder that was on the top of a filling cabinet & began writing some instructions.

At this point, I'm thinking that I am going to be working soon. Positive thinking always helps me to stay focused on the task at hand. She then explained more details about the job; who will interview me, the appointment date and time, where finally she asks, "Are you sure this job is for you?"

I immediately said," Yes, I certainly hope so." She gave me the instructions and rose again to shake my hand while saying, "Good luck." I said," Have a blessed day."

Corporate-gift-basket: Preparing for The Interview

My interview is at 2pm, just enough time to go home have a snack before I go to the interview. Let's see, I'll make a sandwich get some juice and an orange. That'll work. As I was locking the front door and closing the screen, suddenly, my left arm stop working.

Real strange, I have no sensation at all. I unlocked the door, walked into the house, to close the door, and guess what? My arm is as good as new. I then stopped thinking about the arm issue and went to the interview.

This job is an assistant manager position for a construction company (this job is something very new to me). This company will train on the job to ultimately to be placed as an office manager position with all benefits that come with it (pay bonuses and other benefits).

The interview went well. The manager said that he would call me with his decision. This job site is about 10 miles from home. As I was opening the door to the house, the telephone rang, guess who it was; it was the manager telling me that he wants to hire me with all the benefits and pay that I agreed to about 10 minutes ago.

Corporate-gift-basket: Working My New Job

He asked me how soon could I start. As I said earlier, I am not in a rush. So I told him that I could start as soon as next Monday if that is all right. He said that's fine seeing you Monday at 6am.

The idea is that I don't want to get a job that is pushy and making their employees jump through many hoops. That's not for me. I have learned from my last job. Working 16-18 hours a day. The wages is good, but you will burnout ever having enough time for yourself.

After a few months, I got a raise to manager and started receiving manager pay and bonuses. This company was great to my peers and me. With my pay raise, I bought my first brand new car and a real diamond wedding ring with a large stone for my spouse. My new job entails traveling (this I really like).

When traveling, this company gives their office managers a company car, pays for my travel expenses, rent, subsistence & even pays for my spouse and children to fly and visit me twice a month. Things are going more than fine for me.

Chris the owner of http://iflsecrets.magneticsponsoringonline.com/ found and uses this bridge for her marketing fitness. She is more than happy to share this uncommon knowledge to all those that thirst for business longevity. *** Easy format and rqapid publish this article now: http://myarticleannouncer.com/go/va.php?article_id=923 To view more quality articles from Chris Morgan: http://myarticleannouncer.com/go/vs.php?author=Chris%20Morgan&author_id=moneymagnet

Dare To Be Different

Writen by Bill Boyd

Adding value to your site, service, or product is one of the most over looked and under rated strategies for improving your internet business.

The internet and modern technology makes it possible for anyone to offer that little something extra that nobody else does, and usually at no additional cost.

Why: First, let's look at why this is a good business practice.

It's a good thing to do because you will make more money!

What: Now let's look at what value adding is!

Value adding is giving surprise high quality and useful gifts. It's giving something that your competitors aren't offering. It's promising the world and delivering the universe. It's taking care of your clients and always providing something that your clients need and want, when and where they want it.

How: Now let's look at the different ways we can do this.

If you receive a free gift from someone when you don't expect it, do you remember that person? Answer; yes usually. How can we do this? Look at the example below for an idea!

If you subscribe to a news letter or ezine, what do you expect? You expect to get what you subscribed for, right? Now imagine that you subscribed for a newsletter that distributes information about Poodle breading in France, and when you open the conformation email you find you've also received a free ebook containing 20 poodle grooming tips and Grandmas secret poodle pampering techniques. (a book that normally sells for $29) Wouldn't that make you more likely to open and read the next issue and the next etc? That's one simple example, but where do you get the ebook from? You make it! If you are distributing a poodle breeding newsletter, you might know something about grooming, or know some people that could help you put together the necessary information. Then you can wrap that up in an ebook cover and then send it around to a variety of sites that will post it for you for free and you can sell on your own site, if you have one. (I can see that there are several more articles just on making e-books, posting them on other people's sites, and setting up a shop front.)

Back to the Poodles! So you can see that by offering this free gift you have achieved several things.

1. You have developed a product (at no cost to you) that you can sell and make a profit on.

2. You have used that product to increase the chances of your new subscriber opening your next email.

3. You have promoted you site/service to other internet marketers that you may wish to do a joint venture with at some time. (see my article on Joint ventures)

Another way to add value for less effort is to offer a 110 percent guarantee instead of a 100 percent.

Another is to make your 20 tips into 30 or more etc, get the idea? It's all just a matter of finding ways that you can give more.

The more you give the more you will receive.

I sincerely wish you good luck and happiness

Bill Boyd

The above article was produced by Bill Boyd as of one of the many training and mentoring projects that are part of the activity based training programs provided for free at: http://www.internetprofitmentor.com Go there now take action! It's free! Over 12 hrs of videos for those Audio/Visual learners.

Using Checklists To Manage Your Business And Eliminate The Quotoopsquot Moments

Writen by Jim ODonnell

Have you ever encountered the "Oops" situation? Ever said "oops" when the customer received a damaged or non-working product, when the price rang up incorrectly, when the bonus wasn't included in an employee's check, or when a quarterly insurance payment was missed? We all have experienced an "oops" situation, and we know how that feels as well as what it costs. Using checklists can help to reduce the number of "oops" moments.

Checklists are a key component of a successful business operation. Utilizing checklists throughout a business leads to higher profits, more efficient and productive operations, satisfied customers, and a better quality of life for you and your employees. This White Paper addresses all aspects of a checklist, from what they are, to how and where to use them, and what benefits you can expect to realize.

A checklist is a list of items or tasks that you "check off" as you complete each item/task on the list. Checklists are everywhere and are an integral part of most activities – both personal and business. In our own daily lives, we make checklists for organizing ("To-Do Lists"), planning (birthday party), prioritizing (bills to pay), shopping (grocery list), and so forth. Business is no different; checklists are essential to an effective, efficient, and profitable operation.

Checklists are used to plan, market, operate, and manage your business because checklists provide an effective means to organize, prioritize, direct, control and measure business activity. Simply put, without checklists there would be chaos. What would happen if each salesperson processed an order differently? Or there was no budget? Or you didn't know what was in inventory? Or what items were already on order? Or who was scheduled to work the evening shift? This not only would be chaotic, it's simply not good business. Checklists are essential to the successful operation of a business.

Let's look at the primary functional uses of checklists in business:

Planning: The strategic plan is a list of goals to be accomplished in the next year, and prioritized according to importance. The tactical plan is a list of action steps to take to meet a particular goal. A budget is a list of income and expenditure accounts and amounts intended to produce a profit. Planning checklists may divide into sub-lists, which, for example, might address store (or office) goals, customer goals, or product goals.

Marketing: The sales (or marketing) plan is a list of targets to achieve. These targets can be sales dollars, unit volumes, growth levels, new markets to enter, or market share. Sub-lists can be developed to address products, territories, major customers, advertising, and even individual salespersons.

Operating: "How to" lists are the mainstay of an efficient and effective business operation. Checklists cover the opening and closing of the store, recording a sale, dealing with customers, packing and shipping, handling inventory, ordering from vendors, depositing receipts, paying bills, and accounting activities. These checklists provide employees with the proper steps, in the correct sequence, to finish a particular task, such as completing an order form. The checklist also ensures that mistakes are minimized, time is well spent, revenue is optimal, and the customer is well taken care of. As for the latter, how would you feel if the clerk forgot to enter the serial number of the appliance you bought and your warranty wasn't in the system? A checklist makes sure that necessary steps are accomplished in the correct order.

Managing: Management uses checklists to report on how well the business is doing (revenue, expenses, profit), how to manage employees (timecards, payroll, performance), how product is moving (inventory, sales, turnover), how customers are being serviced (repeat sales, complaints, warranty service), and measure how the planning, marketing, and operating plans are progressing.

Checklists can be organized in any number of ways and are chosen to meet the specific needs of the task at hand, serve to minimize time and cost, maximize profit, ensure customer satisfaction, and provide meaningful metrics. Some of the more popular ways to organize a checklist are discussed below:

Ordered List: This type of checklist is a list of tasks needed to be accomplished in a particular order. Usually the checklist is numbered, starting at the first task or step, and proceeding to the last task or step, in increasing numerical order. For example, an order process has ten steps, numbered 1 through 10, starting with the order form (#1) and ending with the customer's signature (#10) on the form. The ordered list ensures correct and complete processing.

Itemized List: This is a list of items that need to be addressed, usually with some meaningful information alongside, and is used as a guide or reference. Examples would be a general ledger listing of accounts, a product list, a customer list, a vendor list, a sales target plan, etc. The purpose of an itemized list is to provide a complete accounting or reporting of the information present.

Sub-List: A sub-list is a branch or subset of an ordered list. For the sales order processing example above, sub-lists might exist for handling options on the product being sold, or for processing the type of payment (cash, credit card, check). Sub-lists can exist for almost any of the above types of lists.

Prioritized List: A prioritized list is any of the above lists placed into an order based on some priority scheme. For example, if we organized a listing of all inventory based on size, weight, price, or frequency of turnover, we would have a prioritized list. This type of list helps us to use our time effectively, to focus our energy where it's most needed, and to address the important items or tasks first.

General List: This is any of the above lists with a space for a check mark, initials, or additional information. As tasks or items are addressed, the line is checked or initialed as being done. Examples include (1) an inventory checklist might be a listing of inventory items to be counted. As each item in the list is counted, the count is written next to the listed item; (2) a bill of lading from a trucker would be a checklist itemizing all the items being delivered. As each item is received, counted and inspected, the item on the list is checked off; (3) a procedure checklist is a listing of steps/tasks to take to complete an operation (such as a sales order). The use of a checklist ensures accuracy, accountability, completeness, and efficiency.

The point to using checklists in business is to plan intelligently, market effectively, operate productively, manage efficiently, and make a profit. Through the combination of different types of checklists, used in all the functional areas of the business, a successful and profitable enterprise can result. Let's take a look at the specifics:

• Intelligent planning uses an ordered checklist to conduct the planning sessions, and develops prioritized, itemized checklists for the plans and goals.
  
• Marketing involves prioritized, itemized checklists to help achieve their goals, and ordered lists to carry out the marketing plans on a day-to-day basis. Checklists are used to measure the results of the marketing work.
  
• Operations uses ordered checklists to accomplish the many tasks that are part of daily, weekly, monthly or other operations. Itemized checklists are used alongside ordered checklists, to address inventory, parts lists, or options.
  
• Management relies on all the types of checklists to accomplish their objectives. Ordered checklists drive the functional aspects of managing, prioritized checklists ensure that all reporting is done, and itemized checklists collect the metrics necessary to evaluate the business and report a profit or loss.

So, how do you make a checklist work for you? Let's follow the six steps below:

1. Organize: Make a list of items or tasks that need to be addressed or accomplished. For example, a buyer would make a list of items to order, a salesclerk would have a list of steps needed to process an order, and a human resource person would have a list of steps necessary to process a new employee.
   
2. Prioritize: Sort the list of items/tasks into a meaningful order, from the first or most important to do, to the last to do. For example, the buyer may group items by vendor and/or by earliest delivery date, the salesclerk would align the order process in the correct order so as to avoid mistakes, and the human resource person would process the new employee through all steps to ensure nothing was missed.
   
3. Develop: Create the "check" part of the list by assigning a check box, a space for initials, or a place for additional information to be entered. For example, the buyer may annotate each item with the purchase information (quantity, delivery date, purchase order number, vendor confirming number, and vendor clerk's name), the salesclerk would number the steps in the correct order, and the human resource person would have the new employee initial each step as having been read and understood.
   
4. Validate: A checklist has little value if it is not reviewed and tested with the person that is going to use it. If it's your own checklist, you should test it (go through it) to make sure it's workable, makes sense, and it achieves the purpose for which it is intended. With anyone else, take them through it (rehearse it) to make sure they understand what the checklist is used for and how and when to use it.
   
5. Apply: Have several employees use the checklist as it is intended.
   
6. Amend: As you or your employees utilize the checklist, invariably 'problems' will be found or efficiencies can be introduced. Be open to making modifications, additions, and deletions. Only through change do we achieve the best we can be.
   

The point to using checklists in business is to operate productively and efficiently, keep costs low, and make a profit. As we've discussed above through examples, checklists can be used in all facets of any type or size operation. Checklists help to organize tasks, manage time, operate more efficiently, avoid excess costs and wasteful ways, and ensure compliance with laws, policies, and procedures. Checklists can be developed internally, can be purchased through a commercial source, or purchased and modified to meet your specific requirements. Purchasing a commercially available checklist that has been tested by many other business owners can save you a lot of time and money. One highly recommended source of business checklists that have been used by hundred's of businesses is available at WWW.JaguarConsulting.com for a very reasonable cost. However your checklists are created, their use leads to a successful and profitable business.

Up to this point, we've talked about the types, development, and the various uses of checklists in a business. The last question is 'Why?' What benefits accrue from using checklists? Let's take a look:

Minimize Mistakes. By using checklists, you stay focused and ensure all steps are processed in the correct order, correct pricing and taxes are applied, correct information is given to a customer, inventory is received and counted correctly, and employee time is recorded correctly. Mistakes are minimized.

Operate Productively. By using checklists, daily operations will proceed in a timely, orderly, and organized fashion, with less chance of "re-do's", less time per customer (or more customers handled), more time to get additional work done, better employee morale, and a belief that the business knows what it's doing.

Advertise Efficiently. By using checklists, the advertising effort will target the customers you want and will give you the feedback needed to fine-tune or re-tune your sales and advertising efforts. This leads to a better return on your advertising dollar and an increase in sales.

Manage Effectively. Through the effective use of checklists, management and supervisors now have a better reporting and communication system allowing them to better observe operations, focus on and address issues, and make changes faster and more effectively.

Reduce Costs. By applying checklists as described in the White Paper (minimizing mistakes, operating productively, marketing efficiently, managing effectively), you will save time and money.

Improve Morale. The use of checklists leads to less stress, more positive feelings, a better informed and educated staff, and an overall belief that the business knows what its doing.

Satisfy Customers. Effectively utilizing checklists leads to customer satisfaction and that leads to repeat business, referrals, and positive feelings toward your business and products, resulting in higher profits and a sustainable business.

Checklists are a valuable and essential tool for any sized business. They provide a meaningful, realistic way to plan, organize, operate, and manage a business and its money, products, customers, employees and results. The effective use of checklists is the key to a well-run, profitable business and for eliminating the "oops" moments!

Jim O'Donnell is the founder of Jaguar Consulting, Inc. of Kingston, NH. He provides a wide array of business development services for small business and has developed a series of self-assessment checklists designed to help small business owners achieve a higher level of growth and profitability. He can be reached at (603) 642-8338, JimODonnell@JaguarConsulting.com, or WWW.JaguarConsulting.com. Checklists that are currently available include: Retail Store Checklist: WWW.JaguarConsulting.com/retail.cfm Restaurant Checklist: WWW.JaguarConsulting.com/restaurant.cfm Employee Benefits Checklist: WWW.JaguarConsulting.com/benefits.cfm One Month Tune-up; Large Business: WWW.JaguarConsulting.com/turnaround.cfm Start a Business Checklist: WWW.JaguarConsulting.com/startup.cfm Selecting an Assisted Living Facility for a Loved One Checklist: WWW.JaguarConsulting.com/assisted_living.cfm

10 Conversation Starters For Introverts Who Want To Network Successfully

Writen by Donna Gunter

Many of you know that I'm a card carrying introvert on the MBTI scale (INFP), and as such, business networking isn't high on my lists of things I love to do. Or, should I say, networking as it's traditionally carried out -- big room, lots of people, mixing and mingling over drinks and inane cocktail party-like conversations -- is not my favorite activity. I'd rather have a tooth pulled, I think, than be subjected to this type of networking activity. However, if you put me 1:1 with someone, or even with a small group of people around a table, I have a good time and make great contacts.

However, organizations around the world seem to believe that the "big group" networking is most effective, so they sponsor many of these events during the course of a year. Sometimes you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone to achieve your goals, especially as a business owner, and that can be a very scary feeling. Consequently, I have dragged myself, sometimes kicking and screaming, to more of these events than I care to count.

I'm here to tell you that if you never choose to challenge yourself in any way, the success you'll have in growing and developing your business will be slow and stagnant, at best. What you resist most is usually what you most need to learn, and resistance around networking can be tied to lacking confidence in yourself and your abilities, or, if you're an introvert, it can tied to not knowing how to handle these types of events in a manner that's consistent with your personality style as an introvert.

What has made this process easier for me is that I go in with the attitude that I'm seeking to build relationships and find out as much as I can about the others with whom I speak, as I do love to help people out by connecting them to other people or resources that will help them accomplish what they want to accomplish.

Now, before going to a "big group" networking event, in an effort to psych myself up, I think of 3-4 powerful questions I could ask the people there to best help me get to know them and what they do and perhaps lay the foundation for an ongoing relationship. This technique is much more effective than talking about sports scores or the latest celebrity scandal, believe me!

Here are ten questions that I've used to help me begin to develop deeper relationships at a networking event:

What is the product or service your business provides?

Tell me about your ideal client and how I might recognize him/her.

What projects are you working on right now?

How did you decide to go into this business?

What do you find most challenging about (your industry) these days? I fill in the industry name in with banking, computer maintenance, financial planning--whatever is appropriate to the person with whom I'm speaking.

Tell me about your community involvement. In what other professional or civic organizations do you participate and what role do you play in the organization?

How is (some current event) impacting your industry/business right now?

What do you most enjoy about what you do?

I'd love to hear one of your client success stories--how did you make a difference in the client's life or business?

Who would be a good referral for you at this point?

People love to speak about themselves and are flattered when they're asked deeper questions. This technique takes all the pressure off of me, as my focus is the other person. This strategy makes all the difference in the world for me. And, by digging a little deeper with the person, there's a greater possibility that we might find the common ground on which to begin to establish a working relationship. You'll also find that the other person will more than likely want to hear your answers to some of these same questions, so be sure that you've developed answers for them for your own business as well.

So, ye introverts, be not afraid and go forth and network!

Copyright (c) 2006 Donna Gunter

Online Business Resource Queen (TM) and Business Coach Donna Gunter helps self-employed service professionals learn how to automate their businesses, leverage their expertise on the Internet, and get more clients online. To sign up for more FREE tips like these and claim your FREE gift, TurboCharge Your Online Marketing Toolkit, visit her site at Get More Clients Online . Read about running an online biz at our blog, Get More Clients Online Blog.

The Computer Virus That Could Take Advantage Of You

Writen by Steve Dimeck

Do you know there's a brand new computer virus that can get into your computer without you knowing even if you have AntiVirus and AntiSpyware installed? And when you try to get rid of it, it totally wrecks your system.

I didn't know until a few days ago. On Thursday, the 25th of November (Thanksgiving), my computer was infected by a virus that literally took control of my web browser and wrecked my machine when I tried to get rid of it.

Let me tell you what happened...

After we were all done with our Thanksgiving dinner, I went online to do some quick research for my next article. But instead, I stayed up all night battling a virus from hell!

Shortly after I got online, my Norton Antivirus and my adware/spyware removal software Spyware Doctor, started going wild with notifications of a virus presence in my computer.

I immediately stopped doing what I was doing and got Spyware Doctor to scan my hard drive. Before long, it gave me a report about 196 infected files with Trojan and some other types of adware/spyware virus residing on my hard drive!

I was shocked when I saw that. Just the day before the computer was fine!

So then, I spent hours going through the whole procedure of removing the virus from my hard drive - and soon it was clean. Or so I thought...

Here's what the virus was doing:

Everything looked normal. If you don't know much about website development, you may never notice that something was wrong. And that's really dangerous, because anything can happen once your system is infected!

As I continued with my research, I noticed something very strange. Many of the links that I clicked on, led me to one particular website that was filled with hundreds of different affiliate programs and products.

Regardless of what website I would look at, every single website had these links placed on specific key words and phrases, such as: money, internet marketing, data, webhost, home based business, business opportunity, work, and others. And all of the links would take me to this website with the hundreds of products. That was very unusual.

But when I looked at my website, much to my surprise I saw the same links on my site!

I couldn't believe it! The links did not exist in my html. But where were these links coming from?

It's my website. I wrote those webpages! I didn't put those links there. And yet when I looked at the website the links were there.

I called my sister and I asked her if she was seeing the same thing on her computer as I was seeing on my computer. She looked at my website and told me that she wasn't seeing any of those additional links, other than my usual links.

That made me realize that something was wrong with my computer. I saved the file that I was typing for my next article so I could devote my attention to finding a solution for this problem. A strange thing happened as soon as I hit the save button. The file reformatted itself. Hyperlinks were placed on all of the key words (as I already mentioned some) that were found in the file. But who placed those links?

When I clicked on the link, it took me to the same page with the hundreds of products. I got very scared because I felt like I was losing control of my computer. From my previous experience (but not as extreme), I've learned that the virus always stays in touch with the hacker's server, constantly transferring information about my activities gathered from the registry.

This looked like a very serious virus. So I immediately unplugged my Internet connection. This way, the hacker was no longer going to be able to pull information from my registry, and I was going to face the virus without any additional input by the hacker.

But regardless. I lost the battle. For THREE FULL DAYS I tried to remove the virus, but without any luck..

The Spyware Doctor narrowed it down to one trouble file, which was a type of Trojan that existed in my System32 directory. The Trojan was renaming itself every few seconds by randomly selected names.

Norton Antivirus said that this type of Trojan gave no visual indication that my computer had been infected. It was dropping a copy of itself with a randomly named executable file.

Every time the Spyware Doctor would find the Trojan, it was unable to locate it and it couldn't remove it. That's because the Trojan already had a different name.

Also, what I found out was that I was never looking at my Internet Explorer browser. I thought I was, but I wasn't. I found a Java Script that was taking the source code from any website that I would go to, reformat it by adding the links to the selected key words and then display the new code in another window that was being generated by a remote server.

My original browser window was getting killed and I was looking at a cloned window with inserted links. That was happening with such speed that I didn't even notice it because of my fast Internet connection (cable modem).

After I unplugged the Internet connection, my computer was no longer functioning properly. I couldn't access my "windows explorer" window any more, I couldn't open my Internet Explorer window and I lost control over many other functions.

But each time I would turn the Internet modem back on, my computer would start to work fine. Only, the Spyware Doctor would give me a notification that over 40 dangerous files were immediately being downloaded into my hard drive.

The Trojan virus that I couldn't remove because of its re-naming capability was probably staying in touch with the hacker's server. So I switched the Internet connection off for the last time and I shut down the computer.

Right now as I'm writing this, I don't have a computer at home because I gave it to a technician to reformat the hard drive and try to save as many files as possible. I'm writing this from another computer and I'm really worried that none of my files will be saved... that will mean months of work down the drain!

I have since learned that my antivirus and anti-spyware software would not protect me against the Trojan threat. I needed a firewall to protect me, and make sure my computer was invisible online.

Please, don't let this happen to you! Install a firewall on your computer so you can make your IP address invisible to hackers.

As I'm finishing this article two weeks after the virus attack, my Norton Firewall is working at full force. Every time a hacker tries to send Trojan files to my hard drive behind my back, a window in the bottom right corner pops us notifying me of the dangerous executable files being blocked from entering my hard drive.

I lost over 90% of my files but I've learned my lesson the hard way.

© Steve Dimeck, webmaster and author. His recently published ebook "The Success Maze" provides an "Apt solution" (in the words of Neil Shearing) for people who want to succeed online but feel a bit lost in the online "Maze." Free details at: http://www.thesuccessmaze.com

How To Profit From Reading Ezine Articles

Writen by Jerome Dsouza

As a learning base the ezine article is a terrific resource for network marketers but how many of us are able to convert all this free-flowing information into profit, into cash?!?

Not many it seems considering the oft-quoted statistic of 3% successes as opposed to 97% failures for the new online network marketing businesses.

Here are some simple steps you could take to distil the power contained in the articles you read and bottle it into profits for you.

1. Take control - limit your ezine subscriptions.
2. Try reading as opposed to scanning!
3. Stop making 'mental notes'
4. Stop saving articles, hints, tips for 'later'

Here is a major step towards profiting from reading ezine articles. Just one condition though...

You Must Do This NOW!

*Copy and save the article in a 'notepad' file.
*Copy and save BUT do not close the file.

Next, resize this notepad file such that it occupies half your monitor, say the left half. In the right half, open which ever aspect of your online biz the article refers to...web-design, web-copy, web-traffic, ad-headline, ad-copy, whatever.

Now...while reading the article on the left, correlate it with your own efforts on the right - simultaneously correcting, editing, and making changes as you go along.

In all probability you will be surprised by the results of this simple procedure!

Maybe your ad-copy could change right before your eyes as a result of applying the hints you are reading in an ad-copy article.

Or your 'headline' could morph into that 'hypnotic' spell you've always wanted.

Or you could understand how a site layout should include special trigger areas that impel people to buy stuff online and see how your site is lacking that special trigger. (as explained by the marketing guru in the article on your 'left')

Instead of copying to notepad, you could simply resize the article right where it is - in your email program or web page and start applying it to your efforts.

I prefer notepad for it is very easy and quick to use. The stark black and white format with no toolbars whatsoever helps in staying focused on the job at hand and this gets the job done as quickly as possible.

Another thing you could do is take a print-out: This has the added advantage of being able to be read from more 'angles' than is possible on your desk-top or lap-top and one never knows from which angle inspiration may peep out.. A pencil at hand is vital to jot down fleeting brain-waves.

Either which way the results are instantaneous.

Now all those helpful articles, which would normally be scanned and most probably canned...are Saved, Read, Applied! You've not only finished reading the article, you have even assimilated the information.

Approaching the nuts and bolts of an online biz in this simple way indirectly tackles other major obstacles too.

Procrastination for one gets a well-deserved kicking.

On another level, seeing immediate changes in your efforts brings back a host of lost emotions…enthusiasm, optimism, confidence…passion…

The Universe gears up to respond affirmatively to the proper use of intelligence.

Even the spouse notices something's going on!!! :-)

With Finest Regards,

Jerome D'souza

Jerome D'souza, an evolving network marketer feels the newbie's plight - the programs that go nowhere, the raised eyebrows of friends and family, the amused tolerance of an otherwise loving spouse. Jerome feels and offers a helping hand through his website at http://www.freebookongettingrich.com

Getting Down To Basics With A Web Site

Writen by Tristan Jud

What is a web site? A web site is a associated collection of web pages on the world wide web, consisting of files that are organised into a hierarchy. Each file/document can consist of a combination of graphics, text, audio video and other dynamic or static material. A website is most commonly used as a communication medium between a business and client or business and business. They can usually be accessed by using a search engine or typing in the web site address or domain name into an internet browser.

56% of businesses surveyed identified that they had already recovered their investment in e-business, with 22% of businesses that have recovered their investment achieving a greater than 50 percent return on that investment.

In July 2003 some 49% of all small to medium enterprises indicated a potential to use e-commerce to sell their products.

What are the benefits? A website is a dynamic and cost effective way to reach new and existing customers, on a local, national or global scale.

A carefully constructed website, like those developed by Able Net Design, can attract the right users and may thus establish the following benefits.

• Visual Display - Showcase of products services to likely customers
• Sales - Bring forth additional recenue and greater awareness
• Information - Supply further information to new and existing customers
• Ehanced service - By providing a further contact method for customers

Other great facts 68% of all small to medium enterprises surveyed indicated that their expectations for all e-commerce have been met.

32% of all small businesses and 63% of medium businesses surveyed, use the internet for receiving payment.

45% of small and 64% of medium businesses surveyed use the internet to make purchases.

44% of small and 84% of medium businesses surveyed have a web site.

82% of small to medium enterprises surveyed who are connected to the internet search for information regularly.

93% of internet-connected small to medium enterprises surveyed use email as a form of communication.

81% of small and 98% of medium businesses surveyed are connected to the internet.

Source: 2003 Yellow Pages ® Business Index - Special Reports July 2003

Introduction To Turnkey Websites

Writen by Mark Kenny

What exactly is a Turnkey Website?

Recently many opportunities have arisen which involve turnkey websites. A turnkey website is a fully developed and researched automated website, that is complete ready to go as soon as you purchase it.

It's not necessary to hire a huge team of web developers to setup your website. Or to hire market analysers to ensure there is a market for your website. Everything has already been completed and personalised by the designer of the turnkey websites during the setup of your site.

Turnkey Websites are built around pre-existing, proven opportunities. Opportunities such as dropshipping, ebay trading assistants, clickbank, adsense, amongst others. These are business that people are continually making money online.

These websites make it easy to make money online. They are a massive shortcut into the world of internet marketing.

Turnkey Websites normally come complete with your own choice of domain name and a hosting account. All you need to do, once you've made the purchase is to start marketing the site. A small hosting monthly fee will normally be payable.

Yes, you should be able to make changes to it and edit your site but marketing it should always be your number one priority. The quicker you market your site the quicker you'll receive your first payment or commission.

Mark Kenny is an eBay expert who specialises in launching eBay related turnkey businesses. You can see his selection of Turnkey websites at: http://www.Trading-Web-Solutions.com or read his blog via http://www.Trading-Web-Solutions.com/blog

Canadian Store Fixtures

Writen by Jimmy Sturo

Canadian store fixtures serve the basic function of holding and displaying items in stores. It is an ideal way to attract customers to buy products on display. The fixtures are available in different types, models, sizes, and shapes. You can find them in unique designs and personalized styles. The fixtures can be free standing or fixed. Free standing fixtures are standalone models, and are convenient for stores with less space. Free standing ones come with wheels for easy transportation. Fixed fixtures are placed on walls or floors for permanent use.

Canadian store fixtures are made of different materials; it could be metal, wood or acrylic. Acyclic fixtures are more commonly used because of its durability and ease in handling. Another advantage is that these fixtures are available at reasonable and affordable rates.

Like other store fixtures in the market, the length and breadth of Canadian store fixtures can be adjusted without removing the items on display. There are store fixtures for slate walls and grid walls. The capacities and prices vary with models. Mannequins, gondolas, shelves, racks, easels, display cases, and showcases are some of the commonly used store fixtures.

Canadian store fixtures are custom made according to the specific requirements of individuals. One can design or specify models that match with store furniture, walls, and roof colors. The fixtures are custom made for retail stores, trade shows, and exhibition stalls.

There are a number of manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers of new and used store fixtures throughout Canada. Ontario Store Fixtures in Weston is one of the leading manufacturers of store fixtures in Canada. Located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Eddie's Hang Up Display Ltd is one of the largest fixture distributors in western Canada.

They have over 2500 store fixtures and retail supply products.

Store Fixtures provides detailed information on Store Fixtures, Store Fixture Parts, Metal Store Fixtures, Antique Store Fixtures and more. Store Fixtures is affiliated with POS Systems.

Business Phone Systems

Writen by Ken Marlborough

An integral part of any business endeavor is to have an efficient and reliable business phone system. Since customer service is the name of the game nowadays, it is important to have a phone system that will make it easy for any company to reach out to its target clientele. An effective business phone system is one that benefits both the company and its customers, so that one can easily get in touch with the other without encountering any problems. A complicated phone system, such as one that provides several automated choices, will surely make a potential buyer move on to another company that is less complex.

Currently, the available phone systems can be classified into three main kinds: KSU-Less phones that are more suitable for small businesses, Private Branch Exchange (PBX) systems that are more appropriate for large corporations, and Key systems, which serve as the middle ground for the first two types.

For a start-up company, it is essential that you select and establish an appropriate business phone system. It is important to factor in the size of your company, the needs of the target clientele you want to address, and the allocated budget in putting up such a system. You should also consider your future plans for expansion, whether in the short-term or in the long-term. In looking for a suitable phone system, you can try to do some research first on what systems are currently available in the market. Try to compare the capabilities of each system and their prices. Analyze the options and decide what features are necessary for your business. In order to strengthen your decision, it is recommended that you ask for professional advice. There are information services offered by suppliers of business phones. After doing your research and consulting with these experts in the business phone system, then you can make an educated decision.

For an already-established company that wants to improve its phone system, the same factors are important: business size, customer's needs, budget, and expansion plans. You should also look at your current phone system, to determine whether or not it can be expanded at a lower cost as opposed to total replacement. Again, it is important to conduct research and consult with professionals in the business phone system.

Whether you are starting up your company or expanding on your existing operations, a business phone system that is effective and reliable can contribute significantly to your company's success in creating a satisfied customer base.

Business Phone Systems provides detailed information on Business Phone Systems, Small Business Phone Systems, Affordable Business Phone Systems, Professional Business Phone Systems and more. Business Phone Systems is affiliated with Business Phone Services.

Benefits Of Online Shopping

Writen by Jamie Jefferson

When it comes to shopping, more and more of us are letting our fingers (and our mice) do the walking.

Online sales are expected to hit $211 billion this year. That is a rise of 20 percent over last year and comes just three years after the industry hit the $100 billion milestone, according to the 2006 State of Retailing Online report from Shop.org and Forrester Research. Here are seven reasons it makes sense to shop online:

1. Lower prices. Online shopping can reduce overhead costs in a variety of ways, which can translate to lower prices for you. In fact, one 2004 study found online prices to be 6 to 16 percent lower than offline prices.

2. More savings with online coupons. Many times, shoppers can save even further with an online coupon or coupon code. According to a 2005 Bizrate/Shopzilla report, 71 percent of online shoppers said they were able to find better discount offers and sales online, as compared to shopping through a catalog or traditional retail merchant. Online retailers may issue a button or text link that will apply an automatic savings to your order, or they may issue a specific coupon code to be entered at checkout.

3. Research capabilities. The Internet allows you to easily compare products and prices, so you can be sure that the item you purchase is the exact item you want. Online merchants can publish much more information about their product on a website than they could affordably publish in a print catalog. And online stores give you the ability to share information and reviews with other shoppers who have firsthand experience with a product or retailer. As Internet connection speeds continue to increase for larger segments of the population, these types of interactive features will become even more important. Zappos.com, a leading shoe retailer, for example, allows you to view most shoes from as many as eight different angles, including a close up.

4. Increased selection. Warehousing logistics can be much simpler for an online retailer, and many of the online superstores have a staggering inventory to choose from. Plus, as a consumer, you can avoid the inconvenience of physically traveling among online stores to comparison shop. A simple online search can lead you to the right product at the right price, fast.

5. Convenience. An online store allows you to shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So you can shop at your leisure, regardless of your time zone. This is particularly important for those of us who are limited in our ability to get to a brick and mortar store. The elderly, as well as parents of young children, for example, may have a more relaxed shopping experience in front of the computer screen.

6. Saves time. So much of the vast variety of products and product information is easily searchable. Plus, there is no traveling, parking, and walking involved.

7. Environmental Benefits. Recent studies are showing that shopping online leads to reduced fuel consumption and air pollution, because so much of our car travel is dedicated to shopping. Plus, shopping online reduces the need for print catalogs and excess packaging. And downloadable items purchased online eliminate the need for any kind of material goods at all.

Jamie Jefferson is a frequent contributor to Momscape.com. Visit today for the latest online Coupon Codes including Overstock Coupons