Finding time for dinner when you are on a very busy schedule, especially if working in the field, can be very difficult at best. Many time when on the road, since you may not see the same people for months at a time, you will want to spend as much quality time with them as possible. This can make for extremely long days on the job and dinner may end up being an after thought.
Instead of grabbing a snack from the vending machine on your way to your motel room late at night, consider a few other options to enable you to have dinner while keeping to your busy schedule. Consider picking up the tab for co-workers or ones that you are visiting on your current trip and learn a little more about the person and how they conduct their business while you have dinner.
In any case, you are going to have to eat so the time should be scheduled on your daily planner. If you begin to run over on a visit into the field, try to remember that the people you are visiting have family in the local area and they may want to be home for dinner with them.
Choosing a nice, yet not overly expensive restaurant where you may find enough privacy to discuss business. It may even be possible to have dinner in a restaurant in the motel in which you are staying. Inviting others with whom you need to discuss business-related matters and turning it into a dinner meeting, which depending on the topic of discussion, may be tax deductible.
If you are not traveling in the field and taking calls from your spouse about getting together for dinner, you should make the time in your work-life balance schedule to make it happen. While staying on top of your business needs is important you can’t let it consume you and ruin the relationship you have with your family.
If you know ahead of time you are going to have to work late, contact the family and have them meet you somewhere for dinner. It will not always have to be at a fancy restaurant, sometimes a fast-food meal will satisfy any children you may have, but taking the time out of your schedule to have dinner with the family will do wonders for your relationship.
In some instances it may be better to have the family join you for dinner at work. You can call and order in an evening meal or have, read that beg, your spouse to stop on their way to your office and pick something up to share with you when they get there. While eating a decent meal for dinner is important, it is always important to spend time with your family.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
The Power of Target Marketing
Two Beggars in Rome - One Catholic - One Jewish - are sitting side by side
on a street in Rome. One has a cross in front of him; the other one the Star of David.
Many people go by and look at both beggars, but only put money into the
hat of the beggar sitting behind the cross.
A priest comes by, stops and watches throngs of people giving money to the beggar behind the cross, but none give to the beggar behind the Star of David.
Finally, the priest goes over to the beggar behind the Star of David and says, "My poor fellow, don't you understand? This is a Catholic country; this city is the seat of Catholicism. People aren't going to give money if you sit there with a Star of David in front of you, especially when you're sitting beside a beggar who has a cross.
In fact, they would probably give to him just out of spite."
The beggar behind the Star of David listened to the priest, turned to the other beggar with the cross and said: "Moishe, look who's trying to teach the Goldstein brothers about marketing?
on a street in Rome. One has a cross in front of him; the other one the Star of David.
Many people go by and look at both beggars, but only put money into the
hat of the beggar sitting behind the cross.
A priest comes by, stops and watches throngs of people giving money to the beggar behind the cross, but none give to the beggar behind the Star of David.
Finally, the priest goes over to the beggar behind the Star of David and says, "My poor fellow, don't you understand? This is a Catholic country; this city is the seat of Catholicism. People aren't going to give money if you sit there with a Star of David in front of you, especially when you're sitting beside a beggar who has a cross.
In fact, they would probably give to him just out of spite."
The beggar behind the Star of David listened to the priest, turned to the other beggar with the cross and said: "Moishe, look who's trying to teach the Goldstein brothers about marketing?
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Three Things NEVER To Do In Business
There are some things you should never do in business if you want to succeed. If you are already a successful business you are well aware of this. If you are a new business entrepreneur than these three tips may be very helpful to you.
The first thing you NEVER want to do is to skimp on advertising. Without proper advertising your business will chance taking a big loss in services or product sales. An example of this is a small business that puts out children’s audio CD’s is introducing a new product. The business is new and practically unknown. They do have a website, and a small advertisement in the local newspaper. Only a small area is going to be aware of this company and it’s CD. A better form of advertisement would have been advertising in several, larger newspapers. Having a billboard advertisement that can be seen in a heavily trafficked area. These may cost more, but you will reach a larger customer base. Without reaching customers, you fail.
Secondly, NEVER let your guard down with your business competition. If your business has a competitive market you want to definitely consider this. An example of this is a video store. You would want to be aware of what the other store offers. Is there a large selection? What are their prices per video per day? Do they offer any specials or discounts? You would want to keep up on both the smaller video stores as well as the larger video store chains in your area. You want to either match what is offered or offer a slightly lower fee. Customers love to save money, even a few dollars and cents.
Lastly, NEVER jump into a business without doing thorough research. You want to be sure you know all of the details about the business you are involved in. You want to know financial details as well as information about your competition. When you take the time to research a specific business you insure success for yourself. You wouldn’t want any surprises popping up when it comes to your business. You want to be able to set yourself up so that your business operates as smoothly as possible.
If you make an effort to follow the above guidelines on what NEVER to do in business then you are on the right track. You create a solid base for business success. Be sure not to jump into any business decisions without research and well thought out planning. Care for your business like you would your children. Give it what it needs to grow and you will be pleased with the end result. Be sure you follow the do’s and NEVER the don’ts and see your business soar.
The first thing you NEVER want to do is to skimp on advertising. Without proper advertising your business will chance taking a big loss in services or product sales. An example of this is a small business that puts out children’s audio CD’s is introducing a new product. The business is new and practically unknown. They do have a website, and a small advertisement in the local newspaper. Only a small area is going to be aware of this company and it’s CD. A better form of advertisement would have been advertising in several, larger newspapers. Having a billboard advertisement that can be seen in a heavily trafficked area. These may cost more, but you will reach a larger customer base. Without reaching customers, you fail.
Secondly, NEVER let your guard down with your business competition. If your business has a competitive market you want to definitely consider this. An example of this is a video store. You would want to be aware of what the other store offers. Is there a large selection? What are their prices per video per day? Do they offer any specials or discounts? You would want to keep up on both the smaller video stores as well as the larger video store chains in your area. You want to either match what is offered or offer a slightly lower fee. Customers love to save money, even a few dollars and cents.
Lastly, NEVER jump into a business without doing thorough research. You want to be sure you know all of the details about the business you are involved in. You want to know financial details as well as information about your competition. When you take the time to research a specific business you insure success for yourself. You wouldn’t want any surprises popping up when it comes to your business. You want to be able to set yourself up so that your business operates as smoothly as possible.
If you make an effort to follow the above guidelines on what NEVER to do in business then you are on the right track. You create a solid base for business success. Be sure not to jump into any business decisions without research and well thought out planning. Care for your business like you would your children. Give it what it needs to grow and you will be pleased with the end result. Be sure you follow the do’s and NEVER the don’ts and see your business soar.
Monday, August 27, 2007
South African Safari - great honeymoon destination
Our good friends Richard and Karen have just returned from a South African Safari, where they toured through the beautiful Cape, then up the coast to Plettenberg Bay, and then to the famous Game Reserves in the north eastern region of the country. These pictures were taken in Knysna at an elephant sanctuary.Elephants have always been a fascination of mine. I think it is the very human-like society that they have, and the close family bonding that keeps a herd together. The mother elephant nurtures the young for years until it is a teenager.
Elephants in the wild are not to be approached like these are, and can be extremely dangerous if provoked.
It's a tough life when you are just born, and have to walk miles and miles on little feet, keeping up with the herd.
I'm sure there are many lessons to be learned from elephants. Too many for this posting!! I just know that they are my best loved animals. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Advertisement: Is It Effective?
A lot of people contribute a lot to the profitability of most businesses but the real question is, “How would you be able to gauge the efficacy of your advertisements?” Is it really just about the rise in the number of sales and inquiry from after the timeframe with wherein you have released the advertisements? Of perhaps the brand assessment is also a contributing factor?
In reality it is not only with those elements that you measure the quality of your advertisement, but rather it hinges on a lot of factors which includes the kind of media which you have employed, the budget or your assessment, the objective of your advertisement, the phase of accuracy and consistency that is necessitated, who is your target market and the budget you have allotted for the entire advertising period.
These elements would have to be sufficed first before you'd be able to precisely proclaim that your particular advertisement is effective. That is the reason why a lot of people assert that it is intricate to gauge an advertisement's efficacy. Aside from the need to consider many things, there are also other influential elements for that matter such as the kind of previous advertisement that had been released and its quantity.
It is also necessary for you to know the responsiveness of your consumers to the brand or the product you had advertised. Also, there are certain instances when you need to gauge the accessibility of cost effective assessment computation, the area where you have to place the advertisement, the choices of matters regarding the product like the price and sometimes even the capacity of your direct market to remember.
Several advertising experts have proposed several models which one could use to be able to gauge the efficacy of an advertisement. For example, some advertising experts states that the real measure of the efficacy of advertising is possible through the utility of cube diagram wherein you measure the headings which include the sales, profits, attention, persuasion and communication.
On the other hand, there are some people who only choose to settle for surveys which aim to test the brand or product recognition of the customers just after an advertising campaign. Actually, this particular method could be used with two options; the other one is to evaluate the product the other one of for a more extensive advertisement.
Overall though, advertisements can be very beneficial to the promotional efforts of any business because it enables the clients to become aware that such business does exists and that it can provide several particular products that they need. Advertisement has been proven to effectively set off the purchasing behavior of the clients and it is safe to assume that it will continue to do so for many more years to come.
In reality it is not only with those elements that you measure the quality of your advertisement, but rather it hinges on a lot of factors which includes the kind of media which you have employed, the budget or your assessment, the objective of your advertisement, the phase of accuracy and consistency that is necessitated, who is your target market and the budget you have allotted for the entire advertising period.
These elements would have to be sufficed first before you'd be able to precisely proclaim that your particular advertisement is effective. That is the reason why a lot of people assert that it is intricate to gauge an advertisement's efficacy. Aside from the need to consider many things, there are also other influential elements for that matter such as the kind of previous advertisement that had been released and its quantity.
It is also necessary for you to know the responsiveness of your consumers to the brand or the product you had advertised. Also, there are certain instances when you need to gauge the accessibility of cost effective assessment computation, the area where you have to place the advertisement, the choices of matters regarding the product like the price and sometimes even the capacity of your direct market to remember.
Several advertising experts have proposed several models which one could use to be able to gauge the efficacy of an advertisement. For example, some advertising experts states that the real measure of the efficacy of advertising is possible through the utility of cube diagram wherein you measure the headings which include the sales, profits, attention, persuasion and communication.
On the other hand, there are some people who only choose to settle for surveys which aim to test the brand or product recognition of the customers just after an advertising campaign. Actually, this particular method could be used with two options; the other one is to evaluate the product the other one of for a more extensive advertisement.
Overall though, advertisements can be very beneficial to the promotional efforts of any business because it enables the clients to become aware that such business does exists and that it can provide several particular products that they need. Advertisement has been proven to effectively set off the purchasing behavior of the clients and it is safe to assume that it will continue to do so for many more years to come.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Budgeting Your Money When You Own A Business
Budgeting Your Money When You Own A Business
One of the most difficult things to do when you start a new business is putting together a budget. Without any financial history on which to base income and expenses, it may seem like guesswork, but as part of any business plan a tentative budget can be established with some thought and anticipation for the future.
In most businesses there are two main categories, income and expense. Under your expense category there can be several sub-categories often falling into two main areas of controllable expenses and uncontrollable. While many business owner claim they can control every expense involved in their business, they are simply kidding themselves as some things such as utility cost, the amount of rent and other so-called fixed costs can, and do change, with the owner having no control.
Other expenses such as payroll, insurance and advertising can be subject to a budget, but they are considered controllable expenses. If the business begins to fall off, you can control some of these expenses by laying off employees and cutting back on advertising. However, living by a budget will help maintain profitability in many respects but can also turn against you in the long run.
Depending on the viability of your business it often is a better investment to bite the financial bullet on employee wages and still provide good customer service to the remaining customers until business picks back up. By trying to everything yourself not only will you burn out quickly, but is no one is taking care of the customers, it will not take long until there are no more customers to care for.
There are two ways to budget your business money and that is through set dollar amounts and percentage of income. Many businesses will budget their controllable expenses by the dollar and non-controllable by percentage of income. Obviously a good part of the owner’s time is going to be based on bringing money into the business and how much they have to spend on controllable expenses will be in direct relation to income.
For example, a company earning $20,000 a month in income has budgeted six percent for payroll, providing $1,200 for payroll. If the income level rises to $50,000 the budgeted payroll percent does not change but the dollars available for payroll climbs to $3,000. With an obvious increase in business to create the additional income, the owner will probably need the extra help to take care of business.
There are many other expenses that fall into the payroll account such as worker’s compensation charges, Social Security tax paid by the employer and paid vacation time or other perks determined by the employer. While a budget may be difficult to establish for a new business, it is a necessary evil for all business owners.
For home business opportunities, go to www.baobabgifts.com for free sign-up in 6 streams of income.
One of the most difficult things to do when you start a new business is putting together a budget. Without any financial history on which to base income and expenses, it may seem like guesswork, but as part of any business plan a tentative budget can be established with some thought and anticipation for the future.
In most businesses there are two main categories, income and expense. Under your expense category there can be several sub-categories often falling into two main areas of controllable expenses and uncontrollable. While many business owner claim they can control every expense involved in their business, they are simply kidding themselves as some things such as utility cost, the amount of rent and other so-called fixed costs can, and do change, with the owner having no control.
Other expenses such as payroll, insurance and advertising can be subject to a budget, but they are considered controllable expenses. If the business begins to fall off, you can control some of these expenses by laying off employees and cutting back on advertising. However, living by a budget will help maintain profitability in many respects but can also turn against you in the long run.
Depending on the viability of your business it often is a better investment to bite the financial bullet on employee wages and still provide good customer service to the remaining customers until business picks back up. By trying to everything yourself not only will you burn out quickly, but is no one is taking care of the customers, it will not take long until there are no more customers to care for.
There are two ways to budget your business money and that is through set dollar amounts and percentage of income. Many businesses will budget their controllable expenses by the dollar and non-controllable by percentage of income. Obviously a good part of the owner’s time is going to be based on bringing money into the business and how much they have to spend on controllable expenses will be in direct relation to income.
For example, a company earning $20,000 a month in income has budgeted six percent for payroll, providing $1,200 for payroll. If the income level rises to $50,000 the budgeted payroll percent does not change but the dollars available for payroll climbs to $3,000. With an obvious increase in business to create the additional income, the owner will probably need the extra help to take care of business.
There are many other expenses that fall into the payroll account such as worker’s compensation charges, Social Security tax paid by the employer and paid vacation time or other perks determined by the employer. While a budget may be difficult to establish for a new business, it is a necessary evil for all business owners.
For home business opportunities, go to www.baobabgifts.com for free sign-up in 6 streams of income.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Do you have what it takes to be an e-entrepreneur?
Do you have what it takes to be an e-entrepreneur?
Copyright © Stone Evans, The Home Biz Guy
Author of "Dotcomology - The Science of Making Money Online"
These days, it seems like everyone wants to work
from home and make money on the Internet. But
before you even turn on your computer, the first
question you have to ask yourself is whether
you’re cut out for this kind of work.
The fact is, building a home-based business isn’t
for everyone. Some people like the commute. They
really do enjoy having a boss who tells them what
to do, and they like the routine of working
nine-to-five for an ordinary salary that can
barely pay the mortgage. Personally, I think
they’re nuts.
More reasonably, there are people who are
concerned about the risk of starting up their own
business. They’re not sure it’s worth the
investment of time and money, and they’re scared
of the responsibility that comes with running
their own company. They wonder if there is
another way to escape the rat race.
I’m sure there is. You could win the lottery or
wait for your Aunt Sue to keel over and leave you
her condo. Or maybe you could sit down with a pen
and paper and draw the blueprint for "The Next
Big Thing". Anything can happen... Right?
For me, what happened was creating a successful,
self-running Internet marketing system. It didn’t
happen without effort. It didn’t happen without
at least some initial investment of both time and
money and, of course, it doesn’t happen now
without me making sure that the taxes are filed
and the paperwork is done. But it happened.
I’m my own boss. I work from home according to my
own schedule and I get to pocket all the cash my
business makes. If you’re prepared to give an
e-business the time, the work and the money it
needs to get started and get growing, it can
happen for you too.
Article excerpted from "Dotcomology":
Don't Pay A Dime For Any Ebook, Marketing
Course, Software Program Or Anything Else Until
You've Read This Groundbreaking Document...
Click Here to Discover "Dotcomology" Now!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Annique Beauty Products Launched in Indiana
Annique Beauty Products
The product range has the unique ingredient of ROOIBOS tea, which is a tea that is produced from the redbush that is found only in the hills on the southern tip of Africa in the Cape Province of South Africa.
Rooibos tea is high in antioxidants and has many properties that aid relief in the Baby Range for eczema, babies colic, diaper rash. The moisturizers and lotions have the same properties that aid in the soothing and calming of the skin, creating a healthy glow.
The tea is caffeine-free, refreshing and healthy. Only the very youngest top leaves are used in the production of the tea and in the extract used for the skin care products.
Congratulations to Indiana for a great launch. Anyone wishing to become a consultant in Indiana should contact Andrea Muller Indiana Whole Youth
Annique Beauty Products are distributed by Whole Youth in California. This is a new and vibrant company and is exploding in the beauty market scene. Distributors are still invited to apply for many of the USA States, and beauty consultants are being engaged for both home parties and beauty salons and gift stores.
Baobab Inc is privileged to be the distributor for Illinois, and invite consultants to contact us for information at sales@baobabinc.com
Gift stores that wish to place an order are welcome to call
Lanky for further information at 1-866-699-9289
The Product Launch of the official distributorship for Indiana for the unique range of ANNIQUE natural beauty products took place on 5 August 2007 at the Sheraton Hotel in Indianapolis, IN.
The launch was a combined tea and beauty product display, with Rooibos (translation = red bush) tea being the main "guest" and focal point of the day. Estelle October and Lyndsay Pienaar from Annique corporate office in South Africa were in attendance, giving the event added value of over 40 years of combined experience and knowledge of the product.
The launch was a combined tea and beauty product display, with Rooibos (translation = red bush) tea being the main "guest" and focal point of the day. Estelle October and Lyndsay Pienaar from Annique corporate office in South Africa were in attendance, giving the event added value of over 40 years of combined experience and knowledge of the product.
The product range has the unique ingredient of ROOIBOS tea, which is a tea that is produced from the redbush that is found only in the hills on the southern tip of Africa in the Cape Province of South Africa. Rooibos tea is high in antioxidants and has many properties that aid relief in the Baby Range for eczema, babies colic, diaper rash. The moisturizers and lotions have the same properties that aid in the soothing and calming of the skin, creating a healthy glow.
The tea is caffeine-free, refreshing and healthy. Only the very youngest top leaves are used in the production of the tea and in the extract used for the skin care products.
Congratulations to Indiana for a great launch. Anyone wishing to become a consultant in Indiana should contact Andrea Muller Indiana Whole Youth
Annique Beauty Products are distributed by Whole Youth in California. This is a new and vibrant company and is exploding in the beauty market scene. Distributors are still invited to apply for many of the USA States, and beauty consultants are being engaged for both home parties and beauty salons and gift stores.
Baobab Inc is privileged to be the distributor for Illinois, and invite consultants to contact us for information at sales@baobabinc.com
Gift stores that wish to place an order are welcome to call
Lanky for further information at 1-866-699-9289
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