Paid Online Surveys

Writen by Philip Culver

Have you ever come across those online surveys that offer to pay you if you take them? I'm sure you didn't think much of them and maybe even considered them a scam of some sort. Well, guess what, some of them are true. I actually earned $100 for spending a mere five minutes on one of these paid online surveys.

Like most of you, I found in unbelievable at first. I'd never heard of an online survey that actually paid anyone before. It's amazing to believe that these surveys are actually true. Of course, everything depends on the company that's initiating the survey – how credible they are in the market, how prompt they are with payments, how consistent they are with remittances, etc – but I have come to realize that paid online surveys are a viable and exciting business opportunity.

I guess I was just plain lucky because I came across this paid online survey totally by chance. I was surfing the net one day and this colorful and attractively designed banner ad caught my attention. I clicked the link, found it to be a paid online survey, and immediately started thinking of all the things which my friends had said about them: they're a scam, they don't pay, don't be a fool, etc. You can imagine that I was skeptical about the whole thing. However, the copy was very professionally written and quite compelling, so much so that I actually found myself doing the survey. Besides, I didn't have to shell out anything at all to take the survey, so I thought, why not?

I read through the conditions of the paid online survey carefully and discovered that I would actually get paid for my efforts. I followed the instructions it mentioned, created an account and started answering questions. It was the first paid online survey of my life. The questions asked were mostly inquiring about my opinion on the fastfood industry in America.

Of course, like many of you, I was no stranger to the numerous horror stories about paid online surveys that collected your personal information and then sold it to spammers and third party users. Ordinarily, I would not give out my personal information to just anybody online, but this particular survey asked for nothing more than my name and my food preferences. I gave them what they needed, proceeded to take on the survey, and was finished in no time. Shortly thereafter, I was informed by the site that I had just earned one hundred dollars for answering the survey. I was absolutely thrilled.

After that, I logged on to the site as often as I could to participate in as many online surveys as possible. I wasn't lucky all the time. For instance, some of the surveys targeted people with a certain profile that I didn't fit, while others targeted people in specific areas. However, overall, I managed to make over a thousand dollars on online surveys in my first month alone. And right now, I'm still earning. Try them for yourself and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Naturally, I was hooked. And kept returning to the site for more paid online surveys. Of course I would be lying if I said that I had similar success each day I filled out paid online surveys. Some of the paid online surveys were not targeted at people like me while others specifically demanded people living in other cities or even states. And not all paid online surveys were five minutes long or paid hundred dollars. But overall, I got to fill up enjoyable paid online surveys, spent relatively little time online and eventually managed to make over a thousand dollars in my first month alone! Paid online surveys had become an income stream for me and my family. Naturally I got them hooked onto it as well and pretty soon, the entire family was filling out paid online surveys and getting paid in cold, hard cash for it. There surely couldn't be an easier or better way to make money!

Looking for finance and business information? Go to: http://www.thefinancearena.com for more information.

Accountability

Writen by Adam DesAutels

Why is this happening to me? When is somebody going to train me? When am I going to find good people? I am sure you have all heard questions similar to these.

You may have even asked these questions yourself. But what ever happened to personal responsibility? People are too quick to point a finger and fail to realize that three fingers point back at them. They judge others in thirty seconds but don't even take ten seconds to assess themselves.

Let's pretend for a moment that you are a manager of a cell phone stand at the local mall. The stand is only big enough to have two employees working at once. On this particular day you are working with Joe. Joe has been with you for five months. He has been through all of your training programs, and you even sent him to a strategic selling seminar last month to help him increase his selling ability. It is a nice sunny day, so the traffic in the mall is minimal. After opening the store and not seeing a customer for the first two hours a middle-aged couple comes to your stand looking for a phone. Joe is with them for an entire hour! Everything looks like its going well. Then they walk away. That couple could be the only potential customers to walk over all day. You wonder what happened. Why did he lose the sale? Immediately you walk over to Joe to ask. He says, "They weren't going to buy today… They were just looking… They didn't find a style they liked." Pointing the finger! They, they, they! All he needed to say was that he was outsold! No excuses. Just admit you were wrong and then figure out what you can do differently next time. Until Joe is willing to admit he is wrong he cannot move forward and he will to continue to lose sales.

People often reach a point in their performance that they cannot seem to surpass. They think they are so good that they don't need to change. One way they can get through that is to admit they could have done things differently. If customers told Joe all day everyday that they were "just looking" and Joe didn't overcome that objection, he would lose a lot of sales. Joe needs to quit making excuses and accept responsibility so he can formulate a way to overcome that. He might ask them open-ended questions like, "What did you have in mind?" or, "What can I show you today?" Rather than, "Can I help you find something?" Questions like these will help prevent losing valuable customers to the competition.

The only thing worse than excuses is, "I'll try" or "I tried". All that means is that you are too lazy to even come up with an excuse! One day I was listening to a fellow consultant and he was telling a story about one of his follow-up seminars. During this follow-up meeting, one of the students said that they tried what he taught and it didn't work. Without delay the consultant took out a pen, walked over to the gentleman, set the pen on the desk and said, "Try to pick up this pen". The man picked up the pen with ease. The consultant took the pen and set it down again saying, "Don't pick it up. Just try to pick it up." After one more try the man understood the consultant's point. There is a significant difference between doing and trying. People that "do" don't "try". And people that "try" don't "do".

Take a lesson from Joe. The power is in the question. What can I do to improve? What can I do differently today? What image do I want to project of myself? Start asking yourself the right questions and take responsibility for your actions.

Author Bio: Adam DesAutels – President and CEO of DesAutels Communications Agency. A full service business development firm that specializes in planning, marketing advice, research, and general business Q and A (consulting). DesAutels supports the most successful small businesses around the nation in growing their companies. For a complementary Business Evaluation ($200 value) call 866.521.3780.

How To Build Some Stability In Your Monthly Online Income And Sleep Better At Night

Writen by Evelyn Lim

You have just started an online business and sitting around hoping for the click-thoughs to happen. Then you start getting impatient as the cash inflow is not as strong as what you have hoped for. In fact, if there is an income, it can be pretty irregular. You are ready to conclude that it's just not possible to rely solely on your unstable online income to pay your monthly household bills. And you're also about to give up altogether the idea about quitting your full time job for your online business.

But hang on…you read somewhere that statistics show that prospects need to visit your website at least 7 times before they click over to buy. You realize that it takes some time to build up your subscriber or customer base for there to be some kind of stability. So what concrete action can you take in the meantime?

Think about the advice that you have been reading from top gurus like Robert G Allen (author of best selling book "Multiple sources of income"), John Milton Fogg (the greatest networker in the world) and Joe Girard (the World's greatest salesman). All espouses the same theory on finding stability through multiple sources of income.

Therein lies your answer. You need to build a steady monthly income through multiple sources that you can depend upon without working much harder for it. Now how do you go about this? Here are three examples:

1. Build a new membership site. A membership site requires monthly payment from its subscribers. What a wonderful way to generate recurring income for yourself!

2. Promote other membership sites. Some membership sites pay their affiliates in tiers. This means that you get a high commission payout in the first month for a successful referral and if the same referral renews his membership for the second month, you get another commission payout (although this may be a smaller percentage compared to the first).

3. Use a multitude of sites and business models. For instance, you own a directory site. What is to stop you from writing an ebook on how to start up a directory site? Most internet marketers I know have many sites and means by which they draw regular cheques from.

There you have it. Less work for possibly more income. Be patient. Your efforts will gradually pay off! Paying the bills and sleeping at night just gets easier.

Evelyn Lim publishes a free newsletter on article marketing and other online business tips. An ex-banker and a qualified financial analyst, she also now specialises in educating others in their search for financial freedom. Visit her website at http://www.e-BizMap.com or her blog at http://www.EvelynLim.com.

Ten Ways To Ensure Your Business Success In 2006

Writen by Angela Booth

It's a bright and shining new year, and you've got a clean slate. What will you do with this opportunity?

Here are some ways to ensure your business success this year:

1. Keep your business moving forward

If you haven't set your goals for 2006, decide what you want NOW. Take out a notebook, put today's date on the top of the page and write out your business goals.

While you're at it, you may as well create some goals for self-improvement and family and relationships. To make the most of your business in 2006 you'll not only need to be healthy, but you'll also need the support of others.

Leave some space on the right side of the page for a "Due Date" column. This is the date by which you want to have achieved each goal.

The next step is to create an action plan for each goal. Don't spend too much time on this, but make sure that you've broken down each goal into small, manageable steps, and have translated those steps into daily tasks.

Write or type: REVIEW GOALS into each day of your daily planner, and then do it. Look at it this way: you'll never achieve what you want to achieve unless you try. So try, and give it 100 per cent of your energy.

2. Expect to be successful, and repudiate your doubts on paper

Do you expect your business to be a success? Are you positive that your business will be successful? Are you so determined that you'll be a success that you'll do whatever it takes?

I hope you answered a loud and heartfelt "Yes!" to all three questions.

If you have doubts, write the doubts down. Most of your doubts will be trivialities and hypotheticals. You'll see how ludicrous they are once they're in black and white and you'll be able to laugh at your fears.

If a doubt has real substance, by writing the doubt down, you'll be able to make a plan so that you can work around the challenge. Once you've made a plan, you'll get a huge surge of confidence and relief.

Remember, writing your doubts and repudiating them on paper is vital to your success.

3. Don't sweat the small stuff (it's all small stuff)

Keep your eyes on the prize: that is, the achievement of your goals. The bumps and bruises of life will only steal your enthusiasm if you allow them to. Things will go wrong. Expect this. Handle each challenge, and get on with working towards your goals.

4. Close your office door

Block out at least two hours each day in which you can work without interruption. Close your office door, and let the answering machine or voice mail take your messages.

5. Do what makes you uncomfortable

Do at least one thing that makes you uncomfortable every day. Maybe it's making a dozen cold calls to drum up some business. Maybe it's clearing up clutter in your office. Maybe it's giving a presentation to a new client.

Successful people force themselves to do the things unsuccessful people don't do.

(No one said this was supposed to be easy.)

6. Market your business every day: repetition counts

Marketing your business never stops. Your prospects will need to hear your message many times before they remember your name.

You'll need to get in touch with current clients consistently too.

7. Trust your intuition

Always go with your gut instinct. In fact, make it a rule that you never sign an agreement without sleeping on it first.

If you're thinking that you don't have intuition, you do. Everyone does. To access your intuition, start paying more attention to the feelings in your body as you go through your day. The tightness in your belly, the crick in your neck, and the pain at the back of your eyeballs are trying to tell you something.

Your intuition lives in your body. It's your (un)common sense. Pay attention to it.

8. Trust your dreams

You can access your intuition about your health, other people, and life situations more easily if you pay attention to your dreams.

You don't need to become a New Age flake, but if your dreams consistently feature floods, fires and earthquakes, it may be wise to pay attention to the warnings you're being given.

Consider your dreams your early-warning radar.

9. Don't buy into limitation

How are you limiting yourself?

We all place limits on ourselves. What would you do if you knew, absolutely, without any doubt at all, that you could not fail?

Write down five things you would do if you knew you couldn't fail. Can you turn them into goals and make plans to achieve them?

10. Stay passionate

If you're not passionate about your business, you might as well be working in a regular job.

So if you've lost your passion, get it back. Do some thinking and writing. Write down the answers to the following questions:

Why are you working in your own business? What do you hope to achieve? Where will your business be next year, and in five years? What are you grateful for? What can you offer others? What do you love?

(The writing part is important.)

Wouldn't you like to clone yourself as a writer, or have someone do your writing tasks for you? Contact Angela Booth at http://www.angelabooth.com now because Angela expertly ghost-writes articles, proposals, marketing communications, Web copy, and books. Yes, you're the author of the words Angela writes for you. Angela is fast, reliable and professional, and works with individuals and small businesses as well as large companies.

Never Go To The Bank Again How Businesses Save Time And Money With Electronic Check Processing

Writen by Lisa Hephner

What is Electronic Check Processing?
Electronic check processing means that you can convert a paper check received from a customer into an electronic transfer (sometimes called an e-check) that takes funds from your customer's account and places them into your account. (You may have seen transactions of this type on your checking statement.) This transfer takes place via the Federal Reserve Bank's Automated Clearing House (ACH) system. It's a faster, less-expensive way to get your money.

What is the ACH Network?
Put very simply, the ACH network moves money from one entity to another--electronically. The Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network is a highly reliable and efficient nationwide batch-oriented electronic funds transfer system which provide for the interbank clearing of electronic payments for participating depository financial institutions. The Federal Reserve and Electronic Payments Network act as ACH Operators, central clearing facilities through which financial institutions transmit or receive ACH entries. The process is governed by NACHA, The National Automated Clearing House Association (nacha.org), operating rules and business processes.

ACH Transaction Types:

• Direct Deposit of payroll, Social Security and other government benefits, and tax refunds
• Direct Payment of consumer bills such as loans, utility bills and insurance premiums
• Business-to-business payments
• Electronic Checks (E-checks)
• E-commerce payments
• Federal, state and local tax payments.

If you're getting your paychecks directly deposited into your bank account, you're already using the ACH network. You can leverage this system for your business so that you never need to go to the bank again—you can process checks electronically from your computer.

Processing Electronic Checks
Electronic check processing is the means by which you can take a paper check and submit it for payment electronically instead of taking it to the bank. Your bank may offer you this capability if you purchase a check scanner from them. The scanner takes an image of the check and submits that image to the bank electronically. The bank then processes that check just as if you had handed over the physical check itself.

An easier way to process checks electronically is to use a software program or a web-based payment processing service. When using a web-based system or ASP, you don't need to install any software or buy any hardware. You simply key in check information and submit the transaction.

The process is simple:

1. Notify
You must notify your customers that their paper checks will be processed electronically. You can do this in writing on your invoices, or you can post a sign with this information at your place of business.

2. Collect and Convert
When a paper check is presented as payment, it is converted to a one-time ACH-based electronic payment, with pertinent information regarding the customer's financial institution and account number captured. You then make an image for archival purposes (you should keep this copy for 2 years), stamp the original check "VOID" and discard it.

3. Process
An ACH file is created and presented to your financial institution—this is typically done by the payment processing system you are using; the payments are processed through the ACH network, the customer's account is debited, and your account is credited. It typically takes about two business days for the money to reach your account; this is about the same time it takes when you submit a paper check to the bank. However, you will be notified of insufficient funds in about 48 hours with an electronic transaction—it can take over a week to get that information with a traditional transaction.

4. Confirm.
Once your customer's account is electronically debited, the payment is listed on their bank account statement under "other electronic payments" or a similarly labeled area. The description will include the check number, amount, and the billing company name. Your customers won't be able to get a copy of the check with their statements, but they can request that you provide a copy (which is why you need to keep one in your files).

Electronic Check Processing Enables Your Business To:

• Improve cash flow with quicker access to your money
• Save your customers time and money
• Increase on-time collections
• Receive 48-hour notification of NSF
• Eliminate manual reconciliation of insufficient funds
• Eliminate time-wasting trips to the bank

Why Use Electronic Check Processing?

• It costs on average $1.22, in manpower and incidental costs, to process a paper check. Electronically processing that check can cost as little as 55 cents.
  
  
• Check conversion requires very little effort or time to set up, and once it is established, your company immediately begins saving money.
  
  
• Your customers will appreciate the convenience too! With electronic check (or e-check) processing they can give you the check information over the phone, or submit it via an online form. They no longer need to pay postage!
  
  
• Check conversion relies on the same secure network used for Direct Deposit and Direct Payment, the Automated Clearing House (ACH).
  
  
• The Federal Reserve's Regulation E and the NACHA Operating Rules regulate electronic payments processed through the ACH network. Because of Reg E and NACHA's Operating Rules, consumers have greater protection with check conversion.
  
  
• Check conversion is the fastest-growing type of electronic payment ever. Over 1 billion consumer bill payments by check were successfully converted to ACH payments in 2004.
  
  
• Check conversion reduces time and resources needed to process payments, resulting in continued cost savings to your company.
  
  
• Electronic processing reduces the burden on our nation's transportation systems and the environment. It takes a considerable amount of fuel to ship our country's millions of checks each year between companies, financial institutions, and customers.

(statistics provided by electronicpayments.org)

Tips for selecting an Electronic Check Processing System

• Choose a system that does not require you to purchase expensive hardware or software upfront
  
  
• Look for a flat rate on electronic check transactions—you should never have to pay a percentage of the transaction to the processor.
  
  
• Pay attention to both monthly fees, transaction fees, and monthly minimums to select a system that makes the most financial sense for your business
  
  
• Choose a system that securely stores customer information so that you will be able to eliminate duplicate data entry when your customers submit multiple payments.
  
  
• Choose a system that can easily export customer data so that you can automate your entire a/r system by integrating payment processing with your main business management software.
  
  
• Look for a system that enables you to both process electronic checks and to do direct-debit transactions. (This means collecting from customer bank accounts without having a paper check—such as check by phone transactions, online bill pay, or recurring monthly charges deducted automatically from customer accounts.) You should be charged the same flat transaction amount for direct-debits that you are charged for electronic check transactions.
  
  
• Security is important when transferring funds electronically—make certain that the payment processing system you use has powerful security and encryption tools in place such as a 1024-bit Digital Certificate, 128-bit encryption, and a SSL (Secured Socket Layer) compliant with CISP -- Cardholder Information Security Platform.

Lisa Hephner is the PaySimple marketing manager. PaySimple provides effortless electronic payment processing via a simple web-based interface used to perform auto recurring billing, electronic check processing, direct-debit and credit card processing. For more information on Electronic Check Processing See: http://www.paysimple.com/electronic_check_processing.html For more information on ACH see http://www.paysimple.com/about_ach.html For more information on Auto-Recurring billing see: http://www.paysimple.com/auto_recurring_billing.html To contact Lisa Hephner email lisa@paysimple.com

Failure Is Not An Option

Writen by Diane Hughes

I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that online businesses -- just like brick and mortar businesses -- have a very high failure rate for startups. Ever wonder why that is? There are several business consultants, success gurus, and motivational experts who can tell you. The problem is: Most of us don't listen.

How many times have we heard the "success secrets" of the multimillion-dollar pros? Countless times we have all been preached to about setting goals, having a defined plan, giving it all we've got, and aiming high. Yet still, take a look around. The statistics of small business failures have not changed. In the first five years of starting a new business, the odds say that you'll fail.

Ready for the good news? There is one thing I can tell you -- from personal experience, and from the experience of well-known, successful online business owners that I know. More important than setting goals, more than following a plan, more than shooting for the moon, is your mindset. Ask people who have succeeded online how they did it, and they are sure to tell you that they had to. That's right -- they HAD to. Why? Because failure is not an option.

When you set your sights on something as grand as starting your own business, you simply have to have the mindset that, regardless of what happens, you will not allow yourself to fail.

When difficulties come, the "failure is not an option" attitude will drive you to overcome them. When things aren't going as you originally planned (and many times they won't), "failure is not an option" will keep you from folding. When everybody else tells you that you can't make it, you will be able to tell them you can because "failure is not an option."

Those whose thinking allows them an "out," those who begin a business with the idea that if it doesn't work out -- "oh well," are the ones who will most likely falter. However, on the other hand, those who have no choice but to succeed will do exactly that.

Are you considering starting a new business? Do you have a business that isn't performing the way it should? Take a look at your attitude. Yes, it is important to set goals and follow through with them. It is vital that you have the knowledge and funds to operate a business the right way. However, those things won't carry you very far if you allow yourself to think that it's OK to fail.

Take some time this week to double-check your thinking. Are you "hoping" your company will make it? Do you "wonder" if everything will work out all right? When you eliminate the option of failure, you open up the flow of creativity, you boost your level of willpower, and you energize your thinking so that only those things that lead to success can control your mind. Once you accomplish that, the only viable alternative is to make it, and make it big!

Copyright 2004 Diane Hughes

About The Author Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business Into A Tower of Profits! ==>> http://madmarketer.com/diane

Medical Billing Gu0 Record Field 62

Writen by Michael Russell

The endless road that is medical billing and trying to make heads or tails of CMNs, is enough to drive even the most sane of us totally out of our minds. It seems that there is a CMN for every possible item. Some CMNs are fairly simple to understand and then there are those, like the DMEPOS CMN, or as is known in electronic billing circles as the GU0 record, that are about as convoluted and confusing as they come. This is now our tenth installment on the GU0 record with no end in site. It's no wonder medical billers are frustrated. We pick up our review of the GU0 record with field number 62.

GU0 field 62, positions 266 - 269, is Reply NUM L04 N01. This field is the reply to the first question on any DMERC certification requiring a four position numeric response. The following forms are supported for this field. For forms 02 and 09, the valid responses are 0001 - 0024. For forms 03, 08 and 10, the valid responses are 0000 - 9999. For form 04, the valid responses are 0001 - 0099. For form 06, the valid responses are 0001 - 0099. However, these responses are only valid if field GU0-27 is filled with N or D. Forms 01 and 05 are reserved for future use.

Further clarification is needed for these values. For form 02, this is the number of hours in the day that the patient spends in a wheelchair. For form 03, this is the number of episodes of sleep apnea during testing that last for ten seconds or more. For form 04, this is the number of months prior to ordering the device that the patient sustained the fracture. For form 06, this is the number of months that the patient has been in considerable pain. For form 08, this is the milligram dosage of the drug being given to the patient. For form 09, this is the number of hours during the day that the patient is infused with the drug. Form for 10, this is the milliliters per day that the patient is given the amino acid.

For those who need to know where these actual questions come from, here is a brief explanation and mapping. For form 02, the question is number 5 from that form. For form 03, the question is number 12 from that form. For form 04, the question is number 6.B from that form. This is an osteogenesis stimulator CMN. For form 06, the question is number 4 from that form. For form 08, the question is number 1.B from that form. For form 09, the question is number 6 from that form. And finally, for form 10, the question is number 4.A from that form.

As you can see, it can take quite a bit of time and space to explain even one field of the GU0 record. This is why medical billing is so confusing, complicated and ultimately, so expensive. If the process could be simplified, maybe medical costs would come down a bit, at least from the billing end.

In our next installment on medical billing, we'll pick up with the GU0 record and field number 63.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Medical Billing

Are You Mentor Material

Writen by Tim Knox

Q: I've been approached by a young man who asked if I would be his mentor. I'm flattered by his interest, but I'm not sure I'm cut out to be a mentor. In your opinion what makes a good mentor? - Kenneth P.

The mentor/mentee relationship is very much like that of a parent and child. The younger, less experienced child mentee will look to you, the older, more experienced parent mentor, for guidance, wisdom and advice. They will come to you with questions and expect you to have all the answers. They will bring to you their problems and expect you to solve them. And if you don't give them the attention they think they deserve they may pout and complain about you to all their friends.

In short, if kids get on your nerves, Kenneth, don't even think about being a mentor. Buy a goldfish or even better, a rubber plant. They require far less attention and everyone will be much happier in the long run.

Typically, there are three things every good mentor should have: time, patience, and a genuine desire to help another person succeed without expecting anything in return. If you have an abundance of those things, then being a mentor can be a highly rewarding experience. If not, please see the rubber plant reference above.

Why do some people make excellent mentors while others do not? It's all about motive. Are your reasons for being a mentor unselfish or are they self indulgent? Are you considering becoming a mentor because you truly feel that a mentee might benefit from your wisdom and experience or is it because you like being the center of someone else's adoration?

You should not become a mentor just to feed your own ego because you will be doing your mentee a great injustice because there will be no give and take to the relationship. I know many successful entrepreneurs who consider themselves mentors, but truth be told they simply revel in holding court and having younger entrepreneurs hang on their every word as if its gospel. They care less about hearing their mentee's questions than they do about hearing the sound of their own voice.

As my mama would say, "If you talk just to hear your own head rattle," then mentoring is not for you.

One of the keys to a successful mentor/mentee relationship is to set some ground rules and stick to them. Sit down with your prospective mentee and discuss the expectations of both parties, i.e. what do you and the mentee expect to get out of the relationship? It's a given that the mentee is seeking your time, wisdom and advice, but if you as the mentor don't also get some kind of mental satisfaction your interest in the relationship will quickly wane.

Discuss how often you will get together. Will you meet for lunch once a week or for an hour in your office several times a month? It is important that you create an actual meeting schedule and stick to it. Without a set schedule life will get in the way and you will cancel more meetings than you attend.

Next, set some guidelines and limitations. How often can your mentee call? Is it OK for them to call your cellphone or should they go through your secretary? Can they drop by the office anytime? Can they call you at home after 5pm?

Set some goals for the mentee. Assign them homework, give them a task. The relationship must be more than just chewing the fat. The point is to help the mentee grow, personally and professionally. Give them a list of books to read. Recommend seminars they should attend. Have them outline their business goals in writing, then you set milestones and hold them accountable for reaching them.

From your side of the fence, don't be afraid to share your successes and failures. Let your experience be their guide. Help them identify opportunities and avoid pot holes that you may have hit along the way. Don't be embarrassed to tell the truth, especially if it can keep your mentee from making the same mistakes you did.

As a mentor you should also introduce your mentee into your circle of friends and associates. Sponsor them into Rotary, take them to luncheons, and introduce them to others who might also help their careers.

Being a good mentor also means that you are a confidant; your mentee will share not only his business problems and goals, but also his personal feelings, his secrets, his plans, and his angst. Respect the mentee's privacy. Your discussions should not be fodder for your next poker night. When something is told in confidence, respect that or get out of the mentor business.

One final point, a successful mentor/mentee relationship should not be a temporary relationship, but one that in ongoing, that grows and evolves until the day you are no long mentor and mentee, but peers.

My own mentor, who probably has no clue that he holds that spot in my life, started out as an investor in one of my companies. As our business relationship grew so did our friendship and I found myself calling on him many times for advice. We eventually became business partners and today we are peers.

I tell him he is the entrepreneur I want to be when I grow up.

He tells me to shut up and pay for lunch.

That's how the process should work.

Here's to your success!

Tim Knox

Tim's latest book is "The 30 Day Blueprint For Success!" We asked 58 Top Internet Money Makers: If you lost is all tomorrow and had to start from scratch, what would you do to be back on top in the 30 days? Their answers just might make you rich! Related Links: http://www.prosperityandprofits.com http://www.dropshipwholesale.net http://www.30dayblueprint.com

Workplace Violence A Growing Concern

Writen by Jeffrey Miller

Workplace violence has become one of the biggest concerns for managers, corporate executives and Human Resource Departments in the past several years. In fact, the shear number of incidents of workplace violence is staggering.

A report issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after an extensive study, showed that "homicide is the second leading cause of fatal occupational injury in the United States. The report stated that almost 1,000 workers are murdered, and 1.5 million - about 1-in-4 - employees are assaulted in the workplace each year. According to the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), in 1998 alone, there were 709 workplace homicides which accounted for 12% of the over six thousand fatal work injuries in the United States that year."

A Global Concern

This issue is not limited to the United States, as some might assume. It seems that every country is showing a marked increase in the number, frequency, and severity of workplace violence incidents every year.

Duncan Chappell and Vittorio Di Martino, in their work entitled: "Violence in the Workplace," say that a 1996 European Union Survey showed that during the prior year, four percent of workers (about 6 million) were subjected to physical violence while at work or on duty. They also say that, "workplace violence - be it physical or psychological - has gone global, crossing borders, work settings, and occupational groups.

Who is at Risk?

Statistics show that, although no single occupation is immune from violence, violence in the workplace can definitely be seen to be clustered in certain occupations. Occupations having many, if not all, of the following characteristics also show the highest rate of incidents:

• Contact with the public
• Exchange of money
• Delivery of passengers, goods, or services
• Having a mobile workplace such as a taxicab or police cruiser
• Working with unstable or volatile persons in health care, social service, or criminal justice settings
• Working alone or in small numbers
• Working late at night or during early morning hours
• Working in high-crime areas
• Guarding valuable property or possessions
• Working in community-based settings

Depending on the area, taxi drivers had, by far, the highest incident rates. But, again, this is not to be seen as a national or international thing, but something that is dependent on the region where the assaults occur. The number one occupational group suffering the greatest number of assaults is not police and security officers as is often believed. No, the occupation shown to be most at risk are retail sales people, including but not limited to, convenience store personnel. This group is followed closely by those in the service industries like administrative personnel, teachers, and medical professionals. In fact, a report on incidents in one of the "calmest" countries - Sweden - shows medical professionals to be the highest occupation victimized by assault and other workplace violence. And, contrary to popular belief as reported by the media, the greatest threat comes, not from within a company's ranks but from outside.

The most difficult part of getting to the truth of the matter, as with all statistical data, is the fact that the numbers are probably far lower than what is actually occurring. Just as Human Resource managers and the companies that they represent are concerned about legal action in regards to giving reference information about past employees, most are also fearful of their public image should word spread about assaults against their employees.

Prevention and Countermeasures The growing trend for dealing with the problem of workplace violence is in teaching employees, supervisors, and executive management how to spot trouble signs before they occur. This is an excellent place to start to build a sound program. As with anything involving danger, the more information and awareness that can be developed, the more effective we can be in preventing the danger from ever occurring.

However, no program can be considered complete without including employee training for effectively handling, escaping, and surviving actual physical assaults. The fact is, that no amount of understanding and preventative measures will stop certain assailants from attacking. At that point, all that remains is for effective action that will ensure the physical safety and survival of the intended victims.

Remember: Workplace violence is real. It can happen to any employee, in any company, at any time. And, it can happen to you or someone you care about.

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and director of Warrior Concepts International, a company which focuses on teaching effective self-protection and personal development techniques to individuals, groups and companies. He is the author of the "Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery" eCourse and can be reached through his website: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com. For information about how he can help you protect your company and employees from the violence, damage, and potential loss from workplace violence, contact him.

The Benefits Of Business Improvement Programs

Writen by Groshan Fabiola

By attending to an effective, well-structured Business Improvement Program (BIP), business owners are able to learn elaborate, reliable marketing and business management techniques with minimal time and effort. A solid, coherent Business Improvement Program can easily make the difference between a poorly managed, low-rewarding, average business and a prosperous, lucrative, well-run business with long-term prospects and well-established goals and objectives. Business Improvement Programs are appropriate for both small and extended business owners, providing program attendants with a set of comprehensive materials that account for all the relevant aspects of a prosperous, successful business.

There are various reliable training websites and online services that offer business owners the opportunity to enroll in professional Business Improvement Programs for free or in exchange for a reasonable sum of money. You can either choose to participate actively, by attending to specific business seminaries and courses, or, if your time doesn't allow it, you can simply purchase self-study oriented materials that allow you to assimilate valuable information in the comfort of your home. However, it is best to personally attend to Business Improvement Programs, as active participation allows you to exchange opinions and interact with well-trained professionals.

In addition, business seminaries and courses encourage attendants to confront their opinions with other people, allowing participants to express their ideas and beliefs regarding business management solutions and marketing strategies. Considering the fact that most Business Improvement Programs are focused not only on theory, but also on the development of practical skills and logical abilities, attendants are able to view their business from a different perspective, approaching and solving problems in a more objective manner.

Business Improvement Programs are appropriate for all business owners, regardless of the nature of their managed business. Such programs account for very important features such as innovative sales and marketing strategies, effective solutions for consolidating the relations with clients, reliable strategies for attracting new potential clients to a certain business, strategies for neutralizing competition, strategies for establishing priorities and long-term objectives, and various other business-related aspects. Business Improvement Programs are presented and taught by the best professionals in the branch, providing you with support and encouragement over the entire period of the training program. By the end of the training program, you will have developed an extended package of valuable information regarding proper business planning and management, corroborated with a set of practical skills and abilities that will improve your relations with your employees and potential customers.

A solid, well-structured Business Improvement Program can help you boost the profitability of your business in a short amount of time. Whether you own a struggling, oscillating business or, by contrast, a successful, properly managed business, BIP can teach you how to get the most out of it with minimal effort. Business Improvement Programs can also help you better evaluate the overall efficiency of your business, teaching you how to quickly identify and correct emerging problems. Business Improvement Programs are the best means to rapidly enhance the efficiency and the prosperity of your business.

So, if you want to find more information about Business Improvement Program, we recommend you clicking this link.

Basic Marketing Plan For Indie Games

Writen by Juuso Hietalahti

Introduction

A marketing plan might sound something awfully hard to do for a game developer, but to briefly put it: the marketing plan is your flightplan on how to get your game to your players. The contents of a marketing plan can be divided into several sections. A strategic plan or the company's business plan will describe the company's strategic objectives. The marketing plan will focus on those major objectives, and how to reach those goals.

You don't have to have tens of pages long marketing plan that you will never use. It's much better to have a short plan that you use. Use your computer's desktop wallpaper or a one page printed plan where you put the marketing plan: goals, actions and notes. Then use and refine the plan.

Contents of a Marketing Plan

These sections of a marketing plan are listed below.

[1] Goals
[2] Distribution
[3] Product
[4] Promotion
[5] Website
[6] Demo
[7] Measurement
[8] Maintenance
[9] Refinement

1. Goals - Make Sure You Know Where You Are Heading

Goals define where you are going. In an indie marketing plan, you can start by choosing the goal for the desired income. Then, you continue by adding the goals for sales, downloads, conversion rate, and the price for your product. Let's assume your goal is to make $50.000. The pricing of a game may depend on several variables. You might look at what others are using and settle for $19.95. Or you might try a bargain price and go with $9.95. Some people have used $29.95. Depending on your game, the company's profile, target market, you might price your game differently. It's worth noting that you might want to adjust the price later. Maybe you realize that $9.95 is too low and go with $15.95 and still get the same number of sales. But for starters, let's assume you use $19.95 as the price of your game.

The eCommerce provider gets about 10% of each sale, so the actual profit for you per game would be about $18. To make $50.000 you would need about 2800 sales. If you assume that one out of hundred players purchase your game, then game's conversion rate would be 1.0%. The rule of thumb could be that very targeted games receive higher conversion rates, up to 2%, 3% or even 5% while more generic games, or games with severe competition may receive a .1% - .5% conversion rate. That means about 1-5 sales per 1000 downloads. Let's assume you try to get your game's quality to such a level that you receive a 1.0% conversion rate. Now as you do some math you can see that to reach 2800 sales you would need 280.000 downloads for your game.

A goal wouldn't be a goal without an exact date. Have an exact date for the goal. Split the goal in smaller divisions: months, quarters or years - or something that suits you best.

Example marketing plan goals for Edoiki game

The goals for Edoiki are:

* Direct Sales goal: $50.000 (after eCommerce provider expenses)

* Other Sales goal: $50.000 (after publisher/distributor expenses)

* Total Sales: $100.000

Exact direct sales details:

* Initial price: $19.95

* Conversion rate goal: 1.0%

* Downloads goal: 280.000

* Units goal: 2.800

* Deadline: By the end of 2007

The quarterly download & sales goals for direct distribution:

* Q3-Q4/2006 - 600 units, 60.000 downloads

* Q1-Q2/2007 - 1100 units, 110.000 downloads

* Q3-Q4/2007 - 1100 units, 110.000 downloads

2. Distribution - Select the Right Channels For Your Game

There are several options for distributing your game. Indie and casual games tend to follow these main distribution channels:

* Direct website store

* Retail stores

* Portals

* Content delivery systems

* Publisher channels

Depending on your company's strategy, your marketing plan might use more than one distribution methods. An easy choice for direct selling would be to set up a website and concentrate on optimizing your website.

If you have a casual game, you might consider casual game portals. Different portals have different requirements for games. Here are some of the most common portals: Big Fish Games, EA's Pogo, Gamehouse, GameXtazy, GameZone, Playfirst, Real Arcade, Shockwave, Trygames, Yahoo Games. Include the portals you want to target in your marketing plan and check the top 10 bestsellers from each portal. After you have gone through the list, you have a better understanding on what kind of games portals want and how you can improve your product to meet their guidelines. Indies typically sell through portals or through their own website, but retail stores can be a valuable choice to consider. It is possible to contact retailers directly but in some cases, it can be very difficult or practically impossible. However, you can make it so that it's easy for them to contact you. Set up your company website in such way that distributors can easily get touch with you. Arrange the distribution options by country or by some other region. If you want to contact some publishers, then go on and make a deal. There are publishers that can deal with the retail stores.

Besides retail stores and portals, there's always the publisher opportunity. There are many indie game publishers that can get a deal for you: some of the popular ones are Garage Games, Indiepath and PopCap. All these companies provide different terms, and your marketing plan can change depending on the deals you make. If you commit yourself to creating an exclusive deal with some of the publishers, then you might not be allowed to sell the game through your website, thus making direct selling options unavailable. Besides pure publishers, there are also content delivery systems available. Valve's Steam is perhaps the biggest example and could be appealing to indies.

Your marketing plan should tell you which channels you are going to use, and which ones you'll ignore.

Edoiki distribution channels

Edoiki will be sold directly through Edoiki website. Besides the direct websites we'll approach Mumbo Jumbo/United Developers and Tri Synergy to discuss retail channels. There are other retail opportunities: Dreamcatcher/The Adventure Company, Cylon Interactive, Merscom, MWR connected - some of them will be considered in the future, while some of them will be ignored.

We will also contact a few publishers for a non-exclusive deals. The first ones to target are Shrapnelgames, JoWood and Matrix Games. Edoiki will omit the casual game portals, as the game is targeting a different audience.

We'll also approach Valve and discuss the distributing opportunity via Steam.

3. Product - Have Something to Sell

Offer a high-quality product that people want to purchase. If the conversion rate is very low, then it might suggest that your product simply doesn't offer enough quality. Ask what players and other developers think about your product and refine the product until you start hearing that the only problem with your game is that "it's too addictive". Remember: the low conversion rate doesn't necessarily indicate a bad product. Ask people: if you hear comments that say that your product is fine but the website or the demo are poor, then forget polishing the product and move on to the next step in the marketing plan.

Make sure your product offering is in sync with your distribution strategy. If you are aiming for the portals, make sure your game appeals the portals and their players. If you are using retailers to get hardcore gamers to play your game, you need to design your product for the retail store customers.

4. Promotion - Make People Aware of Your Game

The next step in the marketing plan is to choose how to get people information about your product. You need to make people aware of your game and either guide them to your website for more information, or to get them to download the game through various sources. How you make the offer depends on the market segments your company has targeted. There are different types of players, games and needs. "Casual gamers" have different playing habits than "hardcore gamers". 6-year old kids play differently compared to 15- or 30-year old players. Females and males have different needs and wants for games. In Japan , they favor different kinds of games than in Germany. It's your job to define the market segments, and decide which segment (or segments) you choose to target your marketing.

There are several ways to segment the consumer market. The four common marketing segmentation variable types are: geographic (most likely world region or country, but also cities), demographic (age, gender, education, religion, occupation, income, family size), psychographic (social class, lifestyle, personality) and behavioral (casual to heavy user, attitude towards service, loyalty towards company, awareness stage, attitude towards product, genre, favorite games). Also the technical aspects (speed of Internet connection, age of computer) could be included in the segmentation.

After you have chosen the segments, you position your marketing message. Positioning is arranging your whole market offering in a way that it distinguishes your product. If you position yourself as offering the lowest price for young strategy gamers then the market message is much different than if you try to get offer high-quality, non-violent games for very religious players.

After you have selected your target segments, you need to reach those audiences in different ways. Here's a list of promotion efforts you might want to consider: major download sites, advertising, press releases, PAD services, magazine reviews, website reviews, news sites, other major websites, blogs, contests, nominations, affiliates, articles, forums, conferences, banner ads, text link ads, link exchanges and newsletters. There are also very creative options such as advertising banner in your own car back window or leaving demo CDs in busses - so use your imagination.

Depending on your distribution channel options, the promotion could be totally handled by the parties you are dealing with. If you sign a publishing deal, then you can expect the publisher to take care of the promotion.

Edoiki promotion efforts

Edoiki aims to please board gamers and non-casual gamers, players that are addicted to the online multiplayer game experience, and look for games where they can challenge their friends. These gamers don't necessarily have a favorite genre, their main goals is to play with friends - as long as the game is good. They are over 20 and mostly male. Their income level is more than $10,000 yearly and they can spend $20 or $30 easily for entertainment now and then. Our players own a high-speed internet connection (256 KB or better) or at least a fast IDSN connection. Our players have at least basic understanding of the English language, they are interested in Japanese/Chinese mythology and know something about Eastern cultures.

Edoiki will use several promotion methods: Google Adwords targeted directly to board games, banner ads on multiplayer and similar online sites, multiplayer gaming forums, press releases, newsletter announcements, major review sites, article writing, community forums, PAD services, blogs, entering the Independent Games Festival.

5. The Website - Get Players to Download Your Game Demo

The indie game marketing plan lists what you will do for your website. Your website's main purpose is to get people to download the demo of your game. That means your plan should include the steps you will take to enhance the website's marketing capabilities. If your site gets visitors that visit only the first page and leave without downloading, then you need to refine your website. The other reason for your website to exist is to get people to purchase your game. Make sure user can access to purchase page within one or two mouse clicks.

Edoiki website

Edoiki website will use a virtual private server to handle traffic and make sure the system is online every hour of day. The website will present screenshots, player forums, contact information, company information and present clear and easily distinguishable download and purchase buttons. The website won't use Javascript or font that would make it hard to use the site. The headline of the site will be tested and the game requirements, features and any other game-related hints & tips will be listed. The site graphics will be polished by the game artist.

The website traffic will be estimated and website specific goals (the rate of downloads) will be refined to meet the download goals after initial number of downloads are received.

6. The Demo - Get Players To Purchase Your Game

Your game demo has only one single goal: to close the deal, to get the player to purchase the game. It's very important to have a good demo version of your game that fills its purpose. If the conversion rate - the rate of people who purchase the game after testing it - is low, then you might need to adjust your demo. Concentrate on following issues:

[1] Demo feature limitations: does the demo have limited features (like less units, levels, powers etc.) compared to the full version? Are you sure you are telling the player what he will get if he buys? Add nag screens to both beginning and the end of the demo. Use those screens to explain the limitations and benefits of purchasing the game.

[2] Demo time limitations: time limitation combined with feature limitations can be advantageous: offer 15 demo launches or 60 minutes of gameplay, or a 30-day period. Or try something in between.

[3] Guide the player to make the purchase: is it easy (within one or two mouse clicks) for player to purchase your game or enter to your game's purchase page? If not, adjust the demo.

7. Measurement - Be Aware of What's Going On

The only way to make sure you are flying in the right direction is to constantly check where you are heading: be sure to measure impacts of different modifications. If you decide to change the price, promotion or demo, be sure to measure the effects. Conduct an A/B split test for your game price: try both a $20 and a $30 price to see which one works better. Offer a money back guarantee and measure how it impacts sales. Do you get more sales with different demo limitations? Test it. Do the sales increase if you offer a better tutorial in game? Does it help to have nag screens in the beginning and in the end of the demo?

Be aware of where you are flying.

8. Maintenance - Make Sure The Passengers Are Happy

Your marketing plan involves maintenance: how are you going to deal with the customers and build such a relationship with your current customers that they come back and purchase from you again. Customer support could include FAQ lists, support databases, and automated emails. Your marketing plan should describe how you will maintain the relationship with your customers. Will you use support forums or outsource your customer support? Will you use customer relationship management (CRM) tools? Will there be an online chat available for those who purchase? Will you use blogs or newsletters to inform the players about your product updates?

Your marketing plan will tell you how you will deal with the relationship: it will tell you whether you let your publisher or portals handle customer support, or use all or some of the methods discussed earlier.

9. Refinement - Adjust Your Flight Plan

The last step in the marketing plan is to refine the plan. Go to step 1 and adjust your goals. If you think your conversion rate is dropping to .5% feel free to double the goal for download number. As you double your download number goal you know that you need to focus on more promotion rather than optimizing the demo, website or product. On the other hand, if you choose to refine the conversion rate, then you know that you should focus on the quality of your game, demo or website rather than promotion.

Conclusions

The indie game marketing plan describes the goals derived from a company's strategic objectives. The main idea for the marketing plan is to describe the goals, decide the actions necessary to reach those goals, measure and eventually refine the plan as the production progresses.

Author is the game producer at Polycount Productions and writes daily game production resource GameProducer.net.

Politics Lawyers And Franchise Rule Making At The Ftc

Writen by Lance Winslow

The Federal Trade Commission is working through the necessary changes of law to protect the consumer and be fair to business owners in the franchising industry. Unfortunately as with most all regulatory agencies whenever they wish to make rule changes they have meetings to discuss it with the industry, but the lawyers all show up and take over the process. The franchise rule changes are no different so it makes sense they will not serve the industry or consumer, only the lawyers.

It is incredible that these entire sets of discussions at the Federal Trade Commission and the comments spanning 10-years on the franchise rule are being made by attorneys, who gain financially from the incessant rules. The regulators who have never been in business before, probably never even worked in franchise corporation or owned a franchise outlet, have no clue as to what it is all about; but would fervently argue that they do; having talked to all these attorneys blowing smoke of their butts. Franchisors have not the time to deal with these issues. And they know they cannot trust the government agencies to listen to their comments. For instance many entreprenuers have given the FTC insight to the real issues, yet their voice is unheard and drowned out by attorneys who are special commenters because they practice law?

Yet the actual problem here is they are attorneys in the industry, therefore they should be barred from comment as their comments are too self-serving. Dah! Obviously, so obvious it should not even need to be pointed out. We need to down size the rules, simplify them or eradicate them all together. If we are looking to make a huge positive change for the betterment of all civilization, this would be the best tact to take. These runaway rules, opinions, regulations, lawsuits and ever increasing case law created are clearly choking the life blood out of franchising and destroying the possibilities for economic vitality in the future. If lawyers are to be allowed to comment the ratio ought to be 1-5% because in franchising there are 2000 franchisors, 400,000 franchise outlets, 20,000 vendors and only 200-300 lawyers who specialize solely on franchising. Think about it.

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

Size Matters Keeping It Small Can Mean Big Business

Writen by Gunnar Berglund

Everything these days, it seems, have embraced the catch phrase made popular by a movie that featured a gigantic green lizard. Size matters. The sexual connotations of that phrase aside, size does seem to matter in every facet of human existence. The sight of a Big Mac is more appealing than a regular hamburger. Well-known companies want to establish offices in tall skyscrapers. A country's prominence is determined by the depth of its economy's pocket. Thick books are more respected than skinny publications.

This inclination to favor what is big has caused a universal desire for expansion. We may start small with an endeavor, but we nurture dreams of eventually making it grander. The fact that the internet provides a gateway to a global market further fuels these dreams into a frenzied state.

Lost in the hoopla of our collective fascination for catering to a larger market are the distinct advantages of keeping the business small. For all the fame and glory associated with a large scale business, the stability and reliability that small businesses enjoy are often missed. It would be prudent to consider the benefits of maintaining a small business before plans of expansion are pursued.

Let's take a look at some reasons why small businesses are better kept small.

1. Smaller risks. Keeping the business small exposes it to less debilitating dangers. Small businesses don't have to deal with customer complaints on a large scale, as any problem can easily be isolated. They don't have to experience the issues that plague big businesses, and there is no need to hire $500 per hour lawyers to fix such headache-inducing tribulations. Keeping it small provides for a simpler setup that is more resistant against unwanted complications. Besides, those who play big lose big, and, assuming the worst, small businesses will only lose in proportion to their size.

2. Potentially higher profit ratio. It's not the amount of profit that matters, rather, it's the amount of profit vis-à-vis the costs of investment. Big businesses may rake in a larger amount of income, but they have to offset the equally enormous amount of expenses they have incurred. Small businesses spend less, and successful ones earn a higher profit ratio compared to their more illustrious counterparts.

3. Move faster with less. The owner directly controls the small business, and more often than not, does most of the dirty work. He needs little amount of help since most software make some processes fully automated. Small businesses don't have to spend a fortune in advertisements, as well, as their client base is usually a dedicated lot, and in most cases, the latter does the marketing for the enterprise. Also, efficiency is better guaranteed as the operations are clearly delineated and centralized. The same thing cannot be said about big companies who often suffer from disordered distribution of roles caused by a cluttered bureaucratic setup.

4. Easier to corner specific markets. Since small businesses operate in a smaller scale, they could easily concentrate on a particular group of people who share an interest that a small business can provide for. In modern internet parlance, this is called nicheing. Getting the most out of a particular niche is a rewarding business strategy because this tactic makes good use of people's unwavering passion for something which your venture's products or services provide for. Big companies will have difficulty cornering specific markets because the latter are often overlooked and their concerns are seldom satisfied.

5. Clients relate to the small business in a more personal level. This is probably the best facet of small businesses: their ability to connect with their patrons in a manner that no big business could. Small businesses, given their gift for specialization, develop more intimate relationships with their clients. When answering e-mail queries, for example, small businesses take time to personally reply to each and every one of them whereas big businesses merely use a generic template for theirs. The client would feel more secure with a responsive small business, as he would be reassured that his concerns will be expediently considered.

6. Grow at your own pace. The small business owner does not have to keep up with the demands of his client base, because the latter is kept manageable. Hence, the small business owner can take his time to perfect the intricacies of his trade to be able to offer better service, and eventually grow at his own pace, in a manner of his own choosing.

There is a saying that goes "it is better to be the star player of a Minor League team than a bench warmer for a Major League squad." If a business is kept small, it will be the king of its niche. Expanding may open up bigger markets, but it will also bring bigger perils and more difficult compromises. Expansion is not bad per se, but are you prepared to possibly be regarded as a peddler at the expense of your lofty throne?

------------------------------------------- © 2005 Gunnar Berglund Gunnar Berglund has been a "internet- hardworker" for the last five years He publishes The meonit Gazette http://gazette.meonit.com and run http://www.meonit.com and http://www.grabinternetprofits.com/traffic -------------------------------------------

Club Promotion Made Easy With Myspace

Writen by Paul Giordano

The nightclub and bar business is an ever expanding industry where so much money is exchanged every night. Every bar or nightclub owner knows how important good promoting is for their business. That's why club and event promotion has become huge in itself. Being someone that attends bars and clubs myself, I've seen all kinds of different promotion methods. Some work better than others, but I know for a fact that promoting to the right crowd is key. That is why MySpace has become such a huge medium for club and bar promotion. But since so many people use MySpace to promote their clubs and bars, there are tips and tricks to getting ahead of the game.

Club promotion has become an industry in itself. I know that in college, at least half of my friends had a job handing out flyers, or setting up a guest list for several nightclubs and bars. It's such an easy and fun job for college students to do, and a lot of money can be made in this. For some of my friends, even a career. Now with MySpace being so popular, this can make promoting easier, more fun, and best of all more profitable. Some of the friends I had who promoted in college are still promoting but all now use MySpace, and are making more money than ever. Several actually own their own bars now. Nightclub and bar promotion through MySpace has been proven to be profitable, but you have to know the right methods to be successful

The first important factor when using MySpace to promote anything is having an attractive profile. When you have an attractive profile, you will have a good following of people regardless of what you are promoting. MySpacers will always remember you by your profile; I know this for a fact. A great profile will always stick in the head of the casual MySpacer. This sometimes can give you more MySpace friends, which is the next factor.

Having an extensive MySpace friend list is the heart and soul of your promotion. With a friend list, you can send bulletins, event invites, comments, and messages to everyone. It is also much easier for a friend to ask you questions or even comment on the club or bar you are promoting. The only thing that can get difficult in this area is adding friends. This is a very tedious process, and without the right means, can be very difficult to get people to accept you. That is why almost every successful MySpace club or bar promoter is using a MySpace automatic friend adder to do the work for them. There are some great friend adding programs out there such as The Official Friend Adder that can take your promoting to the next level. Imagine being able to add 500 friends a day to your MySpace promotion profile. Even better, being able to send comments, messages, bulletins, and event invitations to all of your friends with just the push of one button. Programs like these can make your guest list overflow, and put money in your pocket by making MySpace work for you.

I know that personally, I get the best drink discounts and club news from some of my MySpace friends that all promote using MySpace friend adders like The Official Friend Adder. So if you are a college student looking to make more money, or even a club or bar owner looking for a packed house on Friday or Saturday, do yourself a favor and start using MySpace to crank up the attendance at your next party.

PaulG is an expert on internet social groups, especially MySpace. Check out MySpace Trends for more great tips and ideas about MySpace.

Beauty Salon Equipment An Overview

Writen by Josh Riverside

Equipment to outfit a hair, nail or tanning salon ranges from basic to extravagant, with a vast array of equipment falling somewhere in the middle. Basic, inexpensive, salon equipment may be well suited for a start-up venture or for a salon owner who values simplicity. On the other hand, a veteran salon owner's business may benefit from more expensive salon equipment that helps streamline services provided to the client

An example of a simplistic and basic piece of salon equipment is a basic barber's chair. The barber's chair is typically a chair that features a thickly padded seat, for comfort, as well as the ability to recline and lift. This feature allows a stylist the convenience of quickly adjusting the chair to a client's height. Other equipment used in providing hair styling and hair-cutting services includes washbasins, hair dryers, hairstyling chairs, mirrors, and styling stations.

The kind of salon equipment used will vary according to the different services that a salon offers. There are specific pieces of salon equipment for providing day spa services such as manicures, pedicures, waxing, tanning, and massage. Salon equipment used to provide day spa services includes pedicure spas, manicure tables, massage tables, facial beds, tanning beds, and tanning booths. If purchased new, this type of equipment can be costly. The same equipment is also available for purchase in used condition. There are many suppliers who specialize only in offering used salon equipment.

Smart consumers who choose to buy from a reputable retailer can often save a tremendous amount of money by opting to purchase used equipment versus brand new equipment. The overall atmosphere of a salon also plays a role in determining the type of equipment that will be found in a particular salon. A salon that offers costly, high-end, services will want its equipment to reflect the overall atmosphere of the establishment. There are many features that may be added to basic equipment that ensure the client has a relaxing, enjoyable salon experience. Of course, any additional features will significantly add to the overall cost of the equipment.

Salon Equipment Info provides detailed information about beauty, hair, nail, tanning salon equipment, as well as wholesale and discount salon equipment. Salon Equipment Info is the sister site of Hair Extensions Web.

4 Step Guide To Contracting Opportunities For The Disaster Relief And Reconstruction Process

Writen by Gloria Berthold

The federal government anticipates spending over $150 billion dollars for the Katrina and Rita hurricane disaster relief and reconstruction efforts. Contracting opportunities abound for businesses of all sizes and types and there is a great need for varied services and products. Businesses throughout the US can explore the contracting opportunities by following these four steps.

The disaster-related services and products needed in the Gulf states will cover every aspect of life, business and government in the affected areas. Savvy companies are working to fill the needs now. However, this is a long-term, multi-layered process. While initial contracts have already been secured, there will be many more contracts worth billions of dollars to come over the next 6-12-18 months and longer. Those firms that employ both short-term and long-term strategies will be the most successful.

Step 1: Identify the Agencies with the Budgets to Buy What You Sell

This is one of the advantages in doing business with the federal government. Unlike the corporate environment, you can find out what agencies have budgets projected for your products and services and when they are planning to spend it.

The Department of Commerce Hurricane Contracting Information Center (HCIC) will help U.S. businesses, especially minority and small businesses, participate in the Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts. The website www.rebuildingthegulfcoast.gov allows companies to register with government agencies that are providing contracts to rebuild the Gulf Coast. The website also provides basic information on doing business with the government, e-mail alerts regarding specific contracting opportunities, links to other government and local agencies, and information about minority business services.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is constantly changing to best serve the nation's requirements. The 22 agencies that initially made up the DHS originally maintained independent purchasing power. Now, the eight offices listed here are responsible for all procurement functions of the DHS.

DHS Acquisition Offices:
DHS Headquarters
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Note: FEMA is the key agency responsible for the majority of disaster-related budgets
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
U.S. Secret Service (USSS)
U.S. Coast Guard Office of Procurement Management (USCG)

Check the DHS website for specific information regarding the disaster-related contracting opportunities: www.dhs.gov/openforbusiness

FedBizOpps is a federal government website that provides a central listing of most current federal contracts. Register at www.FedBizOpps.gov to receive the notices of bids and contracts that go through the normal contract advertising process. However, it has been noted on the FedBizOpps web site that many emergency contracts may not make it to this public forum. You may need to contact each agency to determine the specific opportunities available.

For past expenditures, check with the Federal Procurement Data Center (FPDC), part of the U.S. General Services Administration. The FPDC manages the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), which is the current central repository of historical information on Federal contracting. The system contains detailed information on contract actions over $2,500. The Executive departments and agencies award over $200 billion annually for goods and services. The system can identify who bought what, from whom, for how much, when and where.

Prime or General Contractors (GC) will be a source of sub-contracts for companies of all sizes. This disaster is of a magnitude that the US has never seen before and many contracting operations will be handled directly by Primes or GCs.

Action Items:

A. Check the agencies that have a history of purchasing your products and services. Go to www.fpdc.gov.

B. Use some sort of contact manager software like ACT! or Goldmine to build your own government procurement database and schedule regular follow-up.

C. New vendors: Get registered in the Central Contractor Registry: www.ccr.gov

Step 2: Find the Specific Offices in Your Targeted Agencies That are Most Likely to Purchase Your Products and Services

The DHS and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have nationwide agencies and offices, as do Primes and GCs. Do you want to target areas that are geographically convenient to you? Do you have service, shipping or delivery issues that demand a local presence to your customers? How will this affect your bottom line? Can you effectively offer regional, national or international support? You will be most effective if you geographically prioritize the specific agencies, primes, GCs and offices to target.

Action Items:

A. Check the DHS open business opportunities that are listed on the Federal Business Opportunities web site: www.fedbizopps.gov/katrina.html. Go to each DHS agency link and click on "Offices" to identify offices geographically.

B. Contact the agencies to participate in their Vendor Outreach and one-on-one sessions.

C. Review the DHS Prime Contractors list on the DHS website for the top five that are your best matches. Contact the small business liaisons to schedule capabilities briefings.

D. Visit the USACE website: http://www.usace.army.mil/ and identify the General Contractors (GCs) that are your best matches.

Step 3: Identify the Specific PEOPLE in Your Targeted Offices

You want to find the specific decision-makers because they are your best connections to getting the business you want. They are THE KEY to your success. Finding the right people and taking the time and effort to building solid relationships will guarantee your long-term success.

Finding the agencies and end-users who buy what you sell is one of the most difficult aspects of government sales. And yet it is one of the most important because finding the people who buy your product or service is the most critical step in a successful targeted marketing and sales program.

Within the agency, thousands of program managers, program professionals, operating supervisors, engineers, and scientists participate in deciding what to purchase and from whom. These are the people you want to take the time find and to whom you want to introduce yourself.

The strategy is to identify both the end-users and the people involved in the actual procurement process. Market your abilities, solutions and products to the end-users so that they recommend your products and service specifications to the procurement personnel, so that yours is the company the bid "was written for."

Action Items:

A. Use the DHS and USACE websites to identify the following people who are keys to your success and put them in your contact manager software:

--The Points of Contact (POC) for the US Army Corps of Engineers, DHS agencies, State agencies, Red Cross, etc.

--The Small Business Specialists

--Prime Contractor Small Business Liaisons

B. Use the information you have researched from the FPDC web site to detail the specific people who have purchased your products or services in the past. Add them to your contact manager.

C. Set up a schedule of contacts with these people. The contacts should include personal phone calls, emails, direct mail, visits during procurement conferences and all out-reach sessions. Try for at least 12 to 18 touches per year. Since active procurement projects are progress, step this up to every few weeks.

D. Long Term Action Item: As you build relationships with the Contracting Officers and Specialists, ask them for the names of the end users who are involved in the projects related to your products and services. Ideally, as you work with them you can begin to really understand the problems they experience and educate them how you can solve those problems. And perhaps become a preferred vendor.

E. Join the International Association of Emergency Managers: www.iaem.com

Step 4: Identify Business Development Processes Appropriate for Your Services and Products

If you want to develop both short and long term business opportunities involved in the disaster reconstruction process you must develop a strategy that utilizes a variety of tactics. These are the most effective:

Web site: Make sure it is specifically addresses the government's purchasing best practices on your home page. Does your home page also note your GSA schedule and certifications?

Email: Is it professional? Do you use your business domain name? Or are you still using yahoo, hotmail or some non-business related address? It is very important to appear as professional as possible. Your business should be stable, reliable, established. Free or personal email accounts make you appear fly-by-night or non-professional.

Do you accept government purchase cards? This is mandatory in the government contracting environment. And it also works to your advantage by speeding up payments.

Action Items:

A. Take a critical look at your business development tools to determine if they meet the specific needs of your government prospects and clients. Give your website TOP PRIORITY.

B. Identify the companies that could be good teaming partners. Add them to your contact manager and start the relationship building process.

C. Schedule a pro-active contact process with all targeted contacts and assign specific tasks to specific people in your firm.

If you use these specific tactics and strategies you will find that you will have better opportunities for government contracts in both the short and long term.

Gloria Berthold is President of TargetGov at Marketing Outsource Associates, Inc. She is one of Maryland's Top 100 Women, a Winner of the Innovator of the Year Award, Past-Chairwoman of the Baltimore/Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce, a national speaker, educator and expert in government contracting and effective business-to-business marketing strategies. She can be reached through http://www.targetgov.com

Getting An Introduction

Writen by Bette Daoust, Ph.D.

I have talked about how to get donations and doing volunteer work. You are probably wondering what they have to do with gaining business relationships and giving you more business. Through service organizations you will gain recognition and stature, especially if you get really involved. These organizations also give you opportunities to meet people that you would not normally meet through your regular business channels. Even though most non-profits do not promote doing business with each other, it is certainly an off-shoot of membership. When I change cities, I often go to another Rotary Club to do a make-up meeting. It is here that I can find out more about the city and often someone knows people at the firm I will be visiting. I am always happy to get more information.

If someone in my club knows a person in a company that I wish to approach, I feel comfortable in asking for an introduction. This, at least, will break down some of the barriers. The introduction does not mean endorsement; it simply means that they are willing to share the relationship they have already established with the company. Do not overdo the introduction component with everyone as it will get to be a sore point. You do not want to be known as the person that joined the club just to do business.

Introductions need to be a two way street. If someone takes time to introduce you to someone, you should take time to find out if they need to be introduced elsewhere. Up to this point we have only talked about what you can get out of a service club. You also have to be aware that you will need to determine what it is that you can do for them.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. is a speaker, author (over 170 books, articles, and publications), and consultant. She has provided marketing, sales, business development and training expertise for companies such as Peet's Coffee & Tea, Varian Medical Systems, Accenture, Avaya, Cisco Systems to name a few. Dr. Daoust has also done extensive work with small businesses in developing their marketing, training, and operational plans. You may contact Dr. Daoust at http://BizMechanix.com. You may also view her latest publications at http://BlueprintBooks.com. Dr. Daoust also writes for the National Networker http://theNationalNetworker.com.

Electronic Medical Record A New Medical Technology Walk Through

Writen by Joe Miller

Electronic Medical Record

The electronic medical record, or EMR, has been redesigned by technology to suite the 21st century medical practice. The entire process has been wrapped around your finger. In other words, information, records, superbill, transcription, soap notes, and medical procedure codes are all at your finger tips.

All electronic medical records have been organized and stored in a variety of ways, usually depending on the needs and budget of the practice. Often, multiple databases store patient information, medical collection, medical transcription, and other information vital to effective medical practice management.

Technology has simplified electronic medical records every step of the way by streamlining the databases, even for multiple offices of the same practice, in a secure online data environment. Another reason why technology has made electronic medical record so user friendly, is that it now saves practices money, through simple installation and management.

A Tour of the Medical Process

Technology can be a scary thing sometimes, so it is important to research the positives and negatives of adopting new technologies, especially in the medical profession. Accurate and complete information in an EMR system are a type of "preventative medicine," which not only protects the patient but also the medical practice.

"Keep to the code" is not only a good line for a blockbuster pirate movie but also for medical practices. There are many codes to keep track of, and they are all necessary to keep around and refer to you. New medical office software includes easy access to icd9 codes, 2004 CPT codes, diagnosis code, and HCFA 1500 forms.

Medical office software also must be managed by a qualified medical billing specialist with a qualified HIPPA consultant available to assist in the processing of the electronic medical record. Medical office software puts practices in touch with qualified individuals to help process the electronic medical record.

In addition to working with codes and qualified consultants, medical billing software, medical claim software, and electronic claim processing combine their technology in order to manage all claims and billing, including Medicare billing. But, medical office software packages also remember to include access and management of every medical transcription job created on a transcription machine.

Electronic Medical Record Accessibility

In short, those who are not authorized have no access and those who are authorized have very simple and convenient access. Electronic medical records are secured and even backed up, allowing access codes and login information only to those who are authorized.

Those who are authorized not only have access at their office but also by medical billing PDA, which allows records and appointments to be managed on a PDA. Download medical palm is a convenient way to work with real-time information and to manage a medical practice, even when away from the office.

Technological Catch-22

The catch with technology will always be "fear not" on one hand, and "be careful" on the other. It is no different with new medical technology for medical practices. This article has provided terms and links to assist medical practices in getting started on learning new technology and making educated decisions on effective and affordable technology to adopt.

Joe Miller is a specialist in online advertising. For more information on electronic medical record, please visit AdvancedMD.com.

Nine Trade Secrets You Should Keep To Your Self

Writen by Craig Dawber

Business competitors are not meant to be relied upon. Of course, there are instances of healthy competition and you may even be friends with your competitors. Nonetheless, all competitors want to know the trade secrets of their opponents. As a result, be careful, no matter how cordial your relations are with your competitors; never ever reveal your business secrets to them.

Let's look at some of the most common trade secrets that you should keep from your competitor:

1. New products – Any changes that you make in your product or service line should be kept under wraps till you are ready to reveal it to the public at large. Otherwise, you never know, maybe your competitor would beat you to it. These new changes, could take the form of new products that you may be launching or closing off some earlier ones etc.

2. Pricing strategy – Everyone uses a customised strategy to decide the price of their goods and services. It would be fatal to reveal this to competition, which of course would be ready to give an arm and a leg for it. This is also illegal and thus the Federal Fair Pricing law prohibits competitors from doing so.

3. Target market – Your key customer base and strategy to attract them is quite crucial and should be guarded well. All intelligent businesses keep this in mind and never ever reveal their actual customers and the means of engaging them, to their competitors.

4. Customer count – The numbers of customers that you have or the amount of sales that you have made is also one of the most well kept secrets. Otherwise, your competitor would be able to judge your exact position and standing in the market.

5. Guard yourself – Be always on your guard and take care of what you say or write. This is particularly important in case of your own and competitor's product. Make sure that you avoid commenting on competitor products and services. Try playing safe and say that you have not tried their products or services to comment about them. Otherwise, anything that you say or write against your competitors can be used against you in any adverse way, be it in legal matters or in marketing ones.

6. Marketing strategy – All products and services need to be marketed or promoted to the people. Otherwise, they would not get around to buying your product or service. You can do so by various means such as advertisements in media, banners, letters etc. This is all a part of your marketing strategy and should be kept secret from your competitor.

You may wonder that this would be quite easily apparent to the competitor but the idea is that they should not come to know of your plans before you launch your scheme. Otherwise, there are strong chances that they will try to beat you to it.

7. Product sources – One should never reveal to their competitor their sources and contacts through which they work such as names of suppliers, distributors, wholesalers etc.

8. Technical and other aids in business – At times you may be using some particular technical or computer tool that has made your business processes much easier and better. This is an advantage that you have over your competitor. Therefore, it would be advisable that in order to maintain this advantage you keep it a secret from them.

9. Don't trust your competitor – No matter how cordial your relations are with your competitor don't ever trust them. Never tell them about any episode that you have had with your customers, either good or bad. This also holds true for your staff, products and services. This is so because you don't know how they may use this information and at times, it may have bad repercussions.

Practice Caution

Everyone wants to follow the leader. If you are able to make your business a success then you can be sure that there would be many who would want to follow in your path and use the same business model as yours. This is part and parcel of success. However, no matter how much you are prodded, it is never safe to talk about your business and its workings with any outsiders. You would come across many a situation, when you would be asked about various aspects of your business but be cautious and don't reveal the details.

This article was written by Craig Dawber of smarket.co.uk Need advice and guidance with your online business check out the resources found in this website.