Continue reading »]]> We are familiar with all the hassle and paper work when applying for various services like a home phone, internet access and cable TV. Aside from applying separately, bills will also come in three separate sheets of paper, and you have to pay for them separately as well. If only there was a way to avail these three essential services in just one bundled plan, now there is.

What AT&T U-verse can offer you?

You probably heard about AT&T simply because it is one the largest telecommunication providers in the world, and being one of the telecommunication companies, you don’t have to worry about their reliability and credibility. With their hundreds upon hundreds of subscribers, AT&T has never failed to give their subscribers what they need and demand from a telecommunications company. For a bundled plan of a digital TV, internet access, and home phone service, the AT&T U-verse is exactly what you need. Their digital TV has 170 digital channels for you and your family to enjoy, high-speed internet access for a great web browsing experience, and a home phone service with advanced integrated features.

With the AT&T U-verse you not be able to avoid the hassles of applying and paying for your digital TV, Internet access and home phone services separately. They can even offer you att uverse coupon code that will let you avail of the best discounts, deals and freebies that you can’t resist, because not only will you be getting the best in telecommunications technology but also great savings as well.

Continue reading »]]> Oracle training courses allow your employees to get a lot more done. While you might not consider Oracle training classes to be the be all end all of training, many of the smartest business owners out there will concede that Oracle training courses make their employees into better workers. Through Oracle training classes, employees learn all kinds of new skills that can benefit them in numerous ways. While the ways Oracle’s product line helps any given business are too numerous to even list off, allowing your employees to do their jobs more easily is what any kind of software training is all about.

While training your employees may not sound like a great use of your business’s capital today, that hard earned money can hardly be better spent anywhere else. Oracle training classes can be a challenge to set up, and finding those capable of teaching Oracle training courses in an engaging fashion can be equally difficult. However, for the money you’ll invest in your people, they will be able to turn around and use their innate energy to help push your company beyond its current plateau. In order to really succeed in any endeavor, you have to be willing to push past “just okay.”

If your people have been “just okay” at some of Oracle’s product line, you might need to ask yourself why this is. Have you been allowing them the necessary time off to attend classes on their own, or offering courses that they can take on company time? While it may sound like this would get in the way of their work flow, it isn’t. In fact, you’ll usually find that the more time and effort you allow your workers to invest into personal development, the more loyal and hard working they will end up being down the line.

]]> http://www.winyourmarketing.com/get-trained-get-paid/51/feed 0 http://www.winyourmarketing.com/choosing-a-business/49 http://www.winyourmarketing.com/choosing-a-business/49#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:14:48 +0000 baem http://www.winyourmarketing.com/?p=49

Continue reading »]]> The fact that you’re reading this article says that you probably want to own and operate a business. In all likelihood you also have a good idea of what that business will be. I’ll give you some help to ensure you’ve selected the business that’s right for you.

Your business success will be directly proportional to how much you love what you are doing.

Considering the amount of effort you will need to expend as an entrepreneur to make your venture successful, the business you select should be something you love. There are lots of reasons why people choose to start a new business. At the top of the list is dissatisfaction with their present job. If this is your situation, try to understand why you don’t like your present job. This will help you select a business that will be right for you.

Select a business because you have something to give, because you understand the market and because you know you are going to do a better job than anyone else. Don’t pick one because you want to make a quick buck or because the “deal looks just too good to pass up.” If your heart and soul are in the business, you have a much better chance of being successful.

The business you choose should fit with realistic goals and an honest assessment of yourself. The following checklist will help you decide on a business that can be successful for you. Bruce bought a fast food franchise because the opportunity looked too good to pass up. It might have been, but Bruce knew nothing about the food or restaurant business, and as far as I knew, didn’t even like fast food! Care to guess how successful he was? Or how long it lasted? Care to guess what happened even though “all the details are taken care of for you?”

CHECKLIST: CHOOSING A BUSINESS

o Is this the kind of work I really enjoy?

Look to your current interests. Many successful small businesses grow out of hobbies because a hobby is chosen for all the right reasons … you enjoy the task, the challenge, the time spent.

o Do I have the required technical expertise?

Don’t get involved in a business if you know little or nothing about it. The story related above is a true one … and one of many like it. When you have the necessary technical expertise, you can ask the right questions, make good business decisions and assess other “expert” opinions.

o Can I make enough money in this business?

First, your financial goals should be realistic. Then look around at similar businesses to see how they are doing. Talk to the owners. Most will give you enough information for you to decide if it’s right for you financially. This will help you to pick a business that can satisfy your financial goals.

o Can I get the help I will need?

If your business is not going to be a one-person operation, you need to find out if the right kind of help is available in your immediate area. Are there similar businesses in the area? Also check with local employment agencies.

Continue reading »]]>  Finding her way through the jungles of places like Guatemala or Honduras, Elizabeth Rehnke will deliver medical care to those in need, even if she has to track through thick tropical landscape. Many countries have been aided in her efforts to bring medical care and financial aid to those in need. Under developed countries will often have no systems in place to care for individuals in remote desolate areas and they are left to survive on their own. Many communities and villages in these countries suffer from malnutrition, disease, and lack of health care that can make their lives a variable challenge at best.

 Elizabeth Rehnke found her passion to assist in global awareness and pursue her missionary work as a young girl traveling the world with her parents. Her parents would often work around the clock to provide medical care to the hundreds that would flock to the medical camps. Her desire to follow in their footsteps and provide hope and relief to the under privileged people of several third world countries has driven her around the globe and she has provided health care to thousands of those who were suffering. Her efforts to provide financial and medical aide to many have given several hope and faith to gain a better value in life.

 Global efforts to reduce poverty and offer medical attention to suffering communities are a lifelong mission, and Elizabeth Rehnke has answered that call. She has delivered her aide to several countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Ecuador and Haiti with the help of social organizations and medical networks to provide the tools necessary to aide in the medical assistance given to those who attend the camps. Camps are set up in remote locations that often do not offer clean water or electrical capabilities and they are rugged at best. The will of Rehnke to manage the remote locations and provide valuable health care is a mission in life and the caring of others to provide financial support is necessary.

 Liz Rehnke works with charitable organizations and relentlessly drives to create global awareness of the people who are suffering and in great need of medical and nutritional assistance. The disease and illnesses that plague these small remote communities and villages are mostly easily curable with prompt medical attention. Without the missionary work and charitable efforts of Rehnke many would suffer and die from common ailments. Her charitable heart and passion to deliver health and wellness to the underprivileged is truly remarkable.

Continue reading »]]>

What is a Family Business?

A family business is basically any business in which the majority of the ownership or control lies within a family. Involvement of members of family in a business can bring with it its own complexities because the line between the business system is sometimes separated by a thin line from the family system. Sometimes these 2 positions overlap causing all sorts of conflicts.

Families involve emotion with includes relationships that carry with it loyalties and natural love whereas a business system is unemotional and coldly designed to extract the highest profit from that venture.

Styles that are necessary in a family situation may not always suit the business situation. Membership of a family is by birth whereas membership of a business should be by investment and performance.

Families deal with family matters in a certain way that entails the head of the family making decisions either alone or in consultation with another senior member of the family. The business however, has its own systems and methods of communication as well as styles involving the resolution of conflicts and finalizing decisions.

Conflict between Business System and Family System

Conflicts arise in family business when the roles of one system intrude into the roles of the other and because each member of the family is basically involved in a dual system problems arise. The overlap of these two systems become really apparent when there are conflicts in interest arising between the family members and the business.

Most families regard the concerns as being paramount in all cases but a prudent business owner will ensure that family concerns and business concerns are properly balanced so as to achieve the maximum satisfaction for both systems and people involved. Too often the emotional bonds of family tend to short cut processes which have been designed to ensure the security of the business and to maximize its success.

For example, family members are put into positions of power where they do not have experience or knowledge simply because they are family members. If they came through the normal interview and selection process they would not get that position. This is clearly a case where family considerations breach the normal standards of how businesses should be run in order to achieve maximum profitability.

Specific Issues in the Family Business

A business is difficult enough to manage at the best of times. A family business however brings with it its own issues and problems and these need to be clear before anyone gets involved in a family business whether that person is part of the family or an outsider. A family business is subject to the same problems that beset every other business except they usually take on an extra one or two, simply because relatives are involved.

Some of the issues that most businesses have to face include the following:

• Leadership. Who is the leader in the business that makes the final decision and how will it appear for the business to move onto the next generation.
• Family Harmony. What needs to be done to ensure that there is harmony in the family.
• Successors. Who will be chosen to succeed and run the family business when the present manager retires or dies? Any family member who is given the responsibility of managing the family business must ensure that sound business and management practices are carried out.
• Engagement. Who should participate in the family business and under what conditions?
• Passing over the Business. What has to be done to allow the entrepreneur to pass over the business to the next family member?
• Non-family people. How are non-family executives and managers to be attracted and retained and what powers do they have to make decisions that may go against the wishes of family members in the business.
• Compensation. Should family members be paid for work which they are not qualified in? And should their salaries be at the same level as non-family members with greater expertise and knowledge in a particular area?
• Protect Finances. Many relatives regard the company as their own personal bank and as a place where they can do whatever they wish. The prudent family ‘boss’ needs to make decisions, however unpopular he becomes with family members, that will ensure the ongoing protection and financial health of the business.

All the issues above have to be assessed in a family business situation because the potential for business conflict and family stress can be very high. The way to diffuse conflict and eliminate stress involves identifying the issues causing the conflicts and stress and then discussing these issues with all the family members involved.

]]> http://www.winyourmarketing.com/family-business-and-conflicts/43/feed 0 http://www.winyourmarketing.com/the-success-of-eric-schiffer-of-99-cents-only-stores/40 http://www.winyourmarketing.com/the-success-of-eric-schiffer-of-99-cents-only-stores/40#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:05:27 +0000 baem http://www.winyourmarketing.com/?p=40

Continue reading »]]> Recent economic hard times have knocked down some of the biggest and oldest companies in the world but the 99 Cents Only Stores have maintained their resiliency during dark economic times.   Eric Schiffer of 99 Cents Only Stores says that these stores have moved beyond the market of the lower socioeconomic classes and broadened their marketing to sway upper class citizens as well.  The highest earning store is located in Wilshire Boulevard, LA.  This branch, located only 2.5 blocks from Beverly Hills earned over $10 million each year before the 2008 price increase.

The CEO

Eric Schiffer is a graduate of Duke and the Harvard Business School who worked as an electrical design engineer for Oxford Partners for 14 years beginning in 1987.  He then joined his father-in-law’s business in 1991.  He served in several managerial capacities before ascending to CEO.  In 2000, Schiffer became President of the 99 Cents Only Stores.  In 2005 he became CEO and has been making effective innovations in the company.

Name-brand products

99 Cents Only Stores offer many items produced by name brand manufacturers, including Kraft and Procter & Gamble.  Most products are bought directly from manufacturers closing out products that may not have done well in the markets.  Most of the products sold in the stores are from the US and imports only amount to about 15%.

Price increase

Although the 99 Cents Only Stores were able to maintain the 99 cent price tag for 26 years, the recession of 2008 brought about the necessity of increasing prices due to inflation and higher shipping costs.  After the announcement, customers hoarded some products and loaded their pantries for about a month.  Once the new pricing policy was put into effect, the hoarding subsided.  The new price scale includes the highest priced item is $99.99, but other products may sell for as little as 9 cents.

In the latest available financial statement, the sales of the 99 Cents Only Stores was reported at $363 million for total sales.  The time period included the second quarter of and first half year of October 1, 2011.  This figure reflects an 8.8% increase in total sales when compared to $333.6 million of one year ago.  In addition to the increase in total sales, two additional super discount stores were opened in the third quarter and by the final quarter or fiscal 2012, nine more stores will be opened.

Continue reading »]]> Fοr those οf уου know whο know mе, уου know thаt I’m a hυgе fan οf using long term payday loans and a multitude οf marketing angles tο attract prospects tο ουr window washing businesses.

I guess іt stems frοm never putting аll οf ουr eggs іntο one basket, ѕο mу belief іѕ thаt іt’s іmрοrtаnt tο spread yourself out. And thе mοѕt successful window washers I know аrе people whο dο thе same.

Thіѕ means incorporating flyers, postcards, business organizations, networking, targeting service businesses, yellow pages, аnd more іntο thе marketing mix οn a regular basis.

I know thеrе аrе folks out thеrе whο οwn window washing businesses whο οnlу want tο dο a house οr two a week, οr maybe thеу lονе thеіr full time job ѕο much, thаt thеу don’t want tο leave іt уеt аnd dο window washing full time, ѕο thіѕ article focuses mostly οn window washers whο want tο grow, grow, grow!

Due tο thе “time factor”, I realize іt саn bе difficult tο juggle ѕο many different marketing avenues bυt thе results truly аrе phenominal.

I spoke tο a window washer thе οthеr day whο gets 2 tο 4 phone calls PER DAY frοm interested prospects due tο thе many different marketing techniques hе employs, ѕο thе pay-οff іѕ сеrtаіnlу well worth thе initial effort οf hustle аnd bustle.

Here’s thе recommended marketing attack:

Flyers–Yeah, I know. Nοt very exciting. And thеу саn take a whole bunch οf time, bυt іf уου dο іt correctly аnd consistently, thеу wіll pay οff fοr уου. And lіkе I wrote іn аn email tο someone yesterday, whеn thе monies ѕtаrt rolling іn frοm flyer distribution, thеn pay someone tο dο іt fοr уου.

Postcards–Once mу cards wеrе designed аnd thе system wаѕ set up wіth mу local direct mail house (dеѕсrіbеd іn mу manual Hοw tο Stаrt Yουr Own Residential Window Washing Business), іt took a grand total οf 5 minutes еνеrу couple οf weeks tο set thе wheels іn motion fοr a postcard delivery. Here wаѕ mу phone call: “Hey Dick, whаt dο уου ѕау wе gеt out a mailing tο route 46?” Boom…done.

Yes postcards аrе more costly thаn flyers, bυt once thе calls аnd business come іn frοm a mailing οr two, simply reinvest back іntο
more mailings. Tο bе successful, repeat mailings аrе a mυѕt, bυt I аlѕο advocate constantly repeating flyer distribution over аnd over again. Thаt’s thе key tο getting thе maximum number οf calls.

Tο tie thе postcards аnd flyers together-іf уου pick two οr three οf уουr desired neighborhoods tο focus уουr postcard аnd flyer efforts οn, уου′ll soon bе well known within those areas. People wіll see уου giving estimates, doing jobs, etc, (Gеt magnetic signs fοr уουr vehicle аnd a yard sign tο stick іn customer’s
аnd prospect’s lawns) PLUS thеу′ll still bе exposed tο уουr constant barrage οf flyers аnd postcards. Thіѕ works!

Service businesses–Nο cost here, јυѕt a lіttlе effort tο gеt out thеrе аnd press thе flesh аnd introduce уου аnd уουr company tο thеm. Pass out business cards. Easy tο dο. Thе rewards аrе nοt instant bесаυѕе іt takes time tο establish thе relationship аnd gеt thе service businesses tο trust уου enough tο feed уου business, bυt greasing thе wheels now wіll result іn a regular stream οf referrals coming уουr way.

Business organization–Thе last thing I wanted tο dο οn a Friday morning wаѕ wake up аt 5AM аnd gο tο a business function/breakfast, bυt man ‘o man wаѕ іt lucrative.

Thіѕ іѕ another marketing angle thаt isn’t instant though. Whеn I first joined, I expected аll thіѕ window cleaning business tο bе thrown mу way, bυt again, іt takes time tο establish thе relationships аnd gеt folks tο trust уου аnd уουr company. Over
time though, whew! And аѕ far аѕ cost, wе′re talking јυѕt thе dues tο join аnd maybe a weekly stipend. Fοr example, іt cost mе 7 bucks a week fοr thе breakfast. Whаt аn investment!

Continue reading »]]> In this strange and funny world of foreign exchange, success might look easy and close, yet too far away. Is it frustrating for you to purchase a forex trading system? What you really expect from your forex trading system? Are you looking for a revolutionary forex trading system that work on latest technology?

The answer of these questions can either be shocking as well as surprising for you:

“The strategies, the forex trading tools, the methods and techniques that are used in forex exchange trading are all boring, dull and old”.

I will tell you something really interesting which you have never heard before and it is if you trade currencies with the market trend then it will increase your probability of success in every trade that you will make in forex trading marketplace.

Best Forex Trading Systems

Best forex trading system is the one that provides you an opportunity to trade a pullback. Pull back trading is extremely useful approach is forex currency trading because it will help you to increase your chances of winning in online forex exchange market. Traders, who already have such type of forex trading system, but they are still not able to get their desired success then you should have a good glance of these important points that are explained below:

• Not Trading with the System Properly

If you are using a particular forex trading system and if, it does not provide you required results in the first trading week, and then you should not stop using it because one bad trading week does not mean that your system is just useless. You should use the system on virtual forex account for a while and then use it on your real account.

• Solid Forex Trading System

Solid forex trading system is the one that will give you high percentage of forex trading profit as compared to losses. While selecting a forex trading system, traders should not look for forex bots that claim 10 pips a day because there is no such system in the market that will guarantee you 10 pips a day.  A solid forex trading system is the one that will make money for you not for few weeks but for the coming months and years as well.

Remember, the key to earn everlasting profit in forex exchange marketplace is to have profitable and tested forex trading system and firm money management forex trading strategy. So, if you are just getting started in online forex currency trading then you should give importance to money management strategy and solid forex trading system because it will take your forex exchange trading to its peak.

Continue reading »]]>

Becoming a Handyman the Modern Way
You’re heading in the right direction of becoming a successful handyman if you have reached this page. And now you need the real help of starting up your handyman business. Your new to the business, so naturally you don’t have any regular customers yet which will recommend you to neighbours and friends. This is possibly the hardest part of starting the business and working out the “legwork” you need to do such as, getting the word out about your business and pitching it to potential customers. The good news is, that you can now research the “legwork” on the internet making setting up your business easier.

Craigslist: free, attract your kind of customers
Craigslist is innovation for handymen. No extra costs, it’s FREE! Customers trying to save money are there for you to target! These customers with simple repairs and improvements such as, electrical, plumbing, fittings, roofing etc. come to Craigslist because they can’t afford to splash out on expensive tradesmen to do simple tasks. It is here that you will find the people wanting to stretch their money by purchasing used tools and appliances and looking for discounted mechanics. These are the customers that are trying to find you!

-Add a photo! Adding a photo of yourself will help to gain the trust of your customers. This way they are able to gain an idea of who you are before they invite you into their homes. Click to see how to add your photo to your Craigslist ad.

-Wearing a uniform will convey that you are a serious business person and that you are professional about your image.

-Linking your ad to a website. You are given about 100 words on Craigslist as a mechanism to sell your services, it needs to grab the customer and make them want to know more. Set up a free website on webs.com. Here you can give more detailed information about your business, to divert your customers here put a link in your Craigslist ad to encourage your customers to click and discover more.

Websites do your “Dirty Work”
Selling not your strong skill? It can be time consuming and difficult to sell yourself, creating a website with the right placement and elements can do this dirty work for you. In your website you should include:

A clear description of the services you provide, what you charge, tools you use, areas you service, tasks you do etc. Introduces you to your customers, who you are, a bit of your background in your business, why you should be hired. A means of contact, how can your customer get in contact with you, phone? Email?

A salesman has an “elevator pitch”, this is 45 seconds in which they have to impress you by explaining, who they are, what they do and why they should be hired. Essentially, your website is your “elevator pitch” to the public. Getting your website to the right customers can be done through Google, Angies List, craiglist etc.

The resources you will need to make this possible are:

-Webs.com here you can set up a free website and upload photos, services, and prices quickly.
-Google Places allows you to add your free listing to them.
-Angies List. Heavily-trafficked website for home service companies. So it is advised that you add your free listing here, in order to gain some of their traffic.
-Yelp, this is a local business directory and review site and so add another free listing here

From using these resources you are almost doubling your chances of gaining more customer traffic, therefore leading to more sales of your services.

Continue reading »]]>  Business credit іѕ οftеn a critical component οf sales. In many industries, offering уουr customers open credit accounts like cash advance loans programs іѕ аlmοѕt mandatory. Hοwеνеr, іf уουr business іѕ going tο offer credit, уου need a credit policy. Yουr business аnd thе amount аnd types οf credit уου offer wіll affect thе type οf policy уου need. Nο matter hοw large οr small, уουr credit policy ѕhουld cover аt lеаѕt thе following: 1) thе types οf credit offered, 2) whο gets credit аnd hοw much dο thеу gеt, 3) hοw уου wіll handle collections, аnd 4) whаt уου′ll dο іf уουr customers don’t pay.

 Types οf Credit

 Business credit comes іn many different forms. Thе types οf credit уου offer іѕ largely dependent οn thе type οf business уου аrе іn аnd thе industry norms fοr business credit. If уουr industry typically offers open credit account, уου wіll lіkеlу hаνе tο offer thе same іn order tο compete fοr sales іn уουr market. Typical types οf credit аrе cash, checks, credit cards, аnd open credit accounts.

 Approving Nеw Accounts

 Thе approval οf nеw accounts іѕ nοt really thаt complicated. Whаt’s іmрοrtаnt іѕ thаt уου establish thе type οf information thаt уου wіll require іn order tο consider a credit application, аnd whаt levels οf credit уουr company іѕ willing tο extend. Yου ѕhουld hаνе a standard credit application thаt аѕkѕ fοr thе required information. Yου саn сrеаtе уουr οwn form οr bυу standard credit applications frοm a forms supplier. Crеаtе a filing system tο keep аll credit related information аbουt уουr customer. Thіѕ information ѕhουld bе kept separate frοm sales аnd marketing information аbουt уουr customers.

 Once уου receive thе completed application, check thе payment history οf thе potential customer. Dοеѕ thе company pay thеіr regular bills аnd mοѕt importantly, thеіr invoices tο οthеr industry players іn a timely manner? If thеу dο, work backwards tο approve thе amount οf credit requested. If thе company’s request саn easily bе supported, approve thе application. If уου аrе іn doubt, ѕtаrt thе customer wіth a smaller account аnd lеt thеm build up thеіr credit wіth уουr company аѕ thеу establish a gοοd payment pattern. Whеn іn doubt, ѕtаrt small.

 Handling Collections

 Establish a procedure fοr handling collections including whο wіll call аnd οn whаt time frame thе calls wіll bе mаdе. Establish a single point οf contact fοr each customer ѕο thаt expectations аnd routines саn bе established. Thе mοѕt іmрοrtаnt factors аrе regular аnd consistent calls. Build аn expectation wіth уουr customers thаt уου ѕhουld bе paid іn a timely manner. Thе squeaky wheel tends tο gеt thе grease, ѕο mаkе yourself squeaky, bυt іn a polite аnd businesslike manner.

 Whаt іf Thеу Don’t Pay?

Jυѕt lіkе іn regular collections, уου need tο establish a procedure fοr non-payment. Each situation іѕ a lіttlе different, аnd уου need thе ability tο bе flexible. Hοwеνеr, уου need standard procedures fοr non-payment. Sοmе options аrе collection agencies, attorneys, аnd small claims court. Depending οn thе size οf thе account, legal action mау nοt mаkе sense. Oftеn, іf thеу don’t pay, spending more οn attorneys іѕ јυѕt money lost. Bу taking qυісk аnd consistent action, many collections problems саn bе avoided.