Please visit my new site:
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Monday, December 29, 2008

The Characteristics of an Entrepreneur

By Paul Hata

It is said that in order to become a successful individual in whatever endeavor you wish to take, you must have the right attitude and characteristics. This is also true with an entrepreneur. Not everyone can become an entrepreneur. But before anything else, what is an entrepreneur?

According to one definition, an entrepreneur is someone who finances or initiates a certain business undertaking. If you too would want to become a businessperson, you have to possess the characteristics of an entrepreneur.

What are the characteristics of an entrepreneur? Are they really important? Well, of course the characteristics are important because if you don't possess them, you will have lower chances in terms of business success. The characteristics are as follows:

1. Risk taker
This is a very important characteristic of an entrepreneur. If you're not willing to take any risk, then you will not succeed as a businessperson. In the everyday course of the business, you will encounter a lot of problems and challenges which you need to decide the soonest.

Some risks are worth taking after careful evaluation, especially if it's for the good of the business. If you're not a risk taker, then you're not an effective entrepreneur and you're bound to fail in your business undertaking.

2. Smart
Being smart is another characteristic of an entrepreneur. You have to be clever, keen, and witty in all your business dealings. You have to show mental alertness and intelligence so that you can win the respect and trust of customers and other clients.

3. A leader
Leadership is a characteristic that is hard to find among individuals. Not many individuals have the nerve to take the lead. To become a good entrepreneur, you must be a leader. Some say that this is a born characteristic but if you don't possess it, you can also learn to become a leader.

You're quite lucky if you're a born leader because you only have to develop your other qualities and use them when you choose to become an entrepreneur. As a leader, you should be able to guide, influence, and direct people. This way, you can handle all your business activities with ease and fewer worries.

4. Inner passion for business
Another important characteristic is having the right passion for business. You have to maintain your enthusiasm and interest in the business. As long as you have the right drive and passion, you can run the business for a long time.

5. Honest and trustworthy
Some say that eighty percent of an entrepreneur's time is dedicated to pooling and attracting customers. This may be true because without the customers, the business will not exist. You have to be honest and trustworthy so that you can develop good will.

There are other characteristics that an entrepreneur should possess. These characteristics help him or her do all the business responsibilities and obligations that need to be done.

These are also the keys to business success.

Be thankful if you already have the characteristics of an entrepreneur. All you need to do now is to study the market carefully, think of a good business venture, and provide for the capital and you're all set.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com
(my own article directory)

The Characteristics Of An Entrepreneur BusinessPlanetsCityPlanets, OnePlanets and ShoppingPlanets

Saturday, December 20, 2008

The Best Article Writing Ideas are Easy to Find!

By jaspeet

Quantity is almost as important as quality when using article marketing to improve your online presence. The trouble is, coming up with fresh article writing ideas can prove difficult. Try these methods when you need to come up with new articles.

The easiest technique to use is to simply read other articles. There are articles on the internet about every subject you can think of. This can often inspire you with ideas that you would never have thought of on your own.

This is not to say you should copy other people's work. You don't want to be accused of plagiarism. However, reading about how another person approaches a subject can give you a new perspective on a topic you may have written about several times.

Another place to find article writing ideas would be your local newspaper. If you think about it, a newspaper is just a collection of articles. For more details visit to www.lazyman-article-guide.com. Newspapers also have the latest news so you can often come up with things to write about before anyone else.

The same holds true for magazines. It's important to remember that popular magazines are writing about things that interest a large number of people. Tap into that interest with your own articles.

How about finding article writing ideas at your local library? There is a ton of free information there that is just waiting for you. Read books related to your chosen subject to increase your knowledge and give you fresh ideas to write about.

Check out the more popular websites that have something to do with your particular niche. What kind of spin do they have on your subject? Remember, these websites are popular because they are giving people information that they want. Write articles based on this information and you can be popular too.

Sign up with different online newsletters and you will have ideas emailed to you all the time. The better newsletters contain well written articles about many different subjects. Learn from them and write your own articles with this new knowledge.

People you meet at work or at school can sometimes mention something that would be a good subject to write about. If they find an idea interesting, you could probably turn that idea into an entertaining article.

Radio and television are both good resources to explore for fresh ideas. Actually, if you are actively looking for new topics to write about, just about anything you encounter in your day to day life can inspire you. For more details visit to www.writing-fast-cash.com. Keep a notebook handy so that you can always jot down any new idea that may pop into your mind. Find keywords related to your niche, make titles out of them, and try to write articles based on the titles. As you can see, fresh article writing ideas are all around you. All you have to do is recognize them when they come along.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com
(my own article directory)

www.article-strategy.com www.ezines-marketing-magic.com

Monday, December 15, 2008

How to Choose an Article Writing Service

By Gen Wright

Article writing can take up a lot of time. An article of decent quality takes an average of 15 minutes to write. That means if you are writing your own content, you are most likely to end up with 5 to 10 unique articles per day. Chances are, you are not going to write every single day. So you end up with even less articles.

But unique articles are very much needed. You need articles for blogs, corporate websites, personal sites and forums. You need even more articles if you are performing article marketing. If you are not careful, you may find yourself spending way too much time on writing and neglect other aspects of your Internet business!

To scale your businesses quickly, you may wish to consider outsourcing all your writing needs. There are highly professional article writers in the marketplace who will write for you if you let them. Here are some tips on how to choose the right article writing service.

100% unique and original articles written by human writers.

This is the most important criteria of all. If the service provider fails to provide 100% unique and original articles, you don't need to consider hiring their services. Usually, the only way to check if the articles are unique is to order 1 article first, and then use an online tool like Copyscape to check if the article is unique.

On top of that, the article has to be human written. Some software in the marketplace are able to churn out articles that are unique. However, the articles are often of low quality, and fail to meet the publisher guidelines of many article directories.

High quality content.

Quality content here means that besides having proper grammar and sentence structure, the article also must have some useful content in it. This is what separates the amateur writer from the professional writer. A professional writer will take the time to conduct research if the topic is a rare one. An amateur writer will choose to take a short cut - submit superficial content.

Fast turnaround time.

As professional writers write articles on a daily basis, they are used to writing quality articles quickly. Hence, they should be able to offer a fast turnaround time for the orders that you place with them.

In addition, professional writers write on a wide variety of subjects. So unless you want them to write on some obscure topic, they can usually handle your orders quite well.

Prompt support response time.

This is very important, especially when you place a large order (20 articles or more). When you order many articles at the same time, the turnaround time is usually longer, as more time is required to complete the articles. Sometimes, after placing a larger order, you may not hear from the article writers for a few days. This is common but you can always email them to check on the status of your articles. You can also request to see the completed articles first. A professional service provider should respond promptly to such requests.

Download and backup articles.

Not many article writing services offer backup services. Your articles should be backed up on a server so that you can access the articles any time you like, as long as you have an internet connection. You should also be able to download a copy of the articles and save them in your hard drive.

Printable receipts or invoices.

If you are placing an order as a business entity, you will want to know how much you have spent on the articles. That means when you place an order, there should be a record of your purchase. You may then print out these records any time you want. Freelance writers don't usually provide this feature.

Professional article writing services do charge a little higher than amateurish writing services. However, the difference is so small that it may be considered negligible. Consider hiring a professional service provider for better quality articles, and a long term relationship.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com
(my own article directory)

Professional article writing service and article submission services available. Fully featured - Fast turnaround, back up articles to local hard drive and more!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

What is the Joy of Cooking?

By BABA TarsemSingh

If you have never done it before then you must be thinking what the joy of cooking could be. The joy of cooking is the time you spend in the kitchen to prepare a meal for those people that you care for and love.

Cooking for your friends and family is for many people a way of telling them that they have a special feeling for them, and maybe that is the reason your parents got angry when you didn't finish your dinner. It was not about, not eating your food, it was all about you rejecting that one thing which they use to express their feelings for you.

The joy of cooking is a feeling you have when you know that almost everyone loves food and you are the one preparing it for them.

Maybe strange to some, but the joy of cooking is not in the preparation of the food, but it's at the moment that the people you prepared the meal for sit down and start to enjoy the different flavors you have put together.

It is a long standing tradition that friends and family sit down together and have a good meal, relax and forget for a short time all the worries of the world. Those moments are the ones you should savor and when you all feel the joy of cooking by enjoying the meal you eat that will always be a trigger to think about those good times you had together.

Can the joy be thought?

When you want to learn to cook a meal it is not to hard to find a good teacher who can teach you how to cook various recipes. You can now login on to www.classic-dessert-collection.com. However, the joy of cooking is something that is passed from one generation to the next because it involves learning specific family recipes.

Sometimes watching your parents or grandparents cook is enough to see what the joy of cooking entails. And before you know it you, the one who once didn't know that there was such a thing a "the joy of cooking", are the one spreading the joy and leaning others the true joy.

Learning to cook is not the same as learning the joy of cooking as we showed you. First you have to notice that there is even such a thing as joy in cooking and when you see the difference between "enjoy" and "joy" then you are ready to start learning.

Watch and learn from others like friends and family members. If you ask them they will love to show you what it is they do with certain recipes just to generate a special effect with the people eating the resulting meal.

If you enjoy cooking for others it won't be hard to find the joy in cooking. The joy others create towards you when you see them eating your meals and enjoying them. The time you have, with those people you love, at the dinner table and knowing that it was your dinner that brought them all together.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com
(my own article directory)

www.classic-dessert-collection.com www.cooking-chinese-style.com

Friday, December 5, 2008

The Disadvantages of Internet Learning

By PiBa

Online Training provide an attractive way to learn at home. Web Based Courses offer education opportunities and degree programs from accredited colleges anywhere in the world. The thought of staying at home while studying with your favorite school is inspiring. However, a prospective student should weigh the disadvantages of Internet Training before signing up.

The pros and cons differ between different Internet Education. The biggest advantage of Internet Learning is the possibilities they offer. Being able to study at home at your own pace is attractive. However, many Internet Education teach detailed curriculums. These types of Web Based Courses work well for those seeking to study full-time. Students that work full-time need to evaluate the number of hours they have to put in to complete comprehensive Web Based Education after work. Even those with plenty of free time each day may find keeping up with these online courses challenging.

Prospective students should read all registration information and ask plenty of questions about the time required to finish Online Education. Many students mistakenly tend to believe Online Training are less time demanding because of the ability to study at home.

It is sometimes hard to focus when studying at home. The demands of family life can get in the way of completing Internet Training. When faced with reading a chapter in a textbook or doing that mile high pile of laundry, a student studying at home often opts for the laundry. Staying home to learn versus going to lunch with a friend is more likely with home study than with a class where you actually must physically attend. Self-discipline is necessary with Internet Training. A student must make himself or herself put in the work. This is particularly difficult for students with jobs. After work, people naturally want to play instead of head home for an evening doing schoolwork on the computer.

Another disadvantage for many is that Web Based Learning do not offer social connection for students. Many people feel isolated and need the social interactions live classes provide.

Students also tend to believe that Internet Courses do not require students to get involved in research, interviews, labs, class meetings, and/or phone calls and e-mails with the class teacher. Many times Web Based Training require the same out-of-class assignments as students participating in live classes.

One last disadvantage is that sometimes credits cannot transfer from Web Based Courses to other programs, colleges, or universities. Some schools will only give half credits for Internet Courses. Those participating in Web Based Courses should plan and make sure the appropriate credits will transfer.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com
(my own article directory)

More articles like this about Internet Training at http://www.on-line-courses.info

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Why Sales Letter Writing Needs Motivation?

By Jhon Cody

I can sit here all day giving you tips and hints on headlines and phrases that sell. But none of it will do you any good if you just plain hate sitting down at the keyboard. If you can't stand writing, you're in good company. Most of us feel the same. I once asked a high school English teacher how many of her 300 students liked to write. "Oh, about 9 of them," she said. Everyone from Mark Twain to Bart Simpson has faced a blank sheet of paper for hours with no idea of what to put on it.

Well let me give you a few ideas from my office of professional writers. In the world of non-fiction writing, being a professional doesn't necessarily mean being a great writer. It does mean you have to be able to conjure up great copy every single day, even when you don't feel well or aren't in the mood you can visit www.sales-page-rapid-fire.com. The first step is just to get something on paper — anything! And I do mean anything. Just start writing down whatever comes to mind.

If you can't think of anything, write "I'm sitting here and I can't think of anything to write.” Yes, that sounds pretty stupid. But it's exactly the technique a lot of top writers use to get the creative juices flowing. Next you'll find yourself typing "I need to write a sales letter to promote my new software. It’s a software to help people gets organized. Most people have lots of information, but they can't remember where they put it. This software has people organize their information in a system that makes it super easy to find, in just seconds.”

Wow! You're writing, you're telling your story, and best of all, you're not worrying about being bad because you know you can go back later and change it all. One top writer copies and pastes favorite lines from other sources (like the client's web site.) Then she rewrites those sections in her own words so that they are completely original. That's enough to get her going. Next she fills in additional fresh copy between the blurbs she has already completed. Even on days when she would rather be anywhere but behind a computer, she cranks out first rate copy in record time.

Another method is to just start talking or visit www.sales-letters-creator.com. Talk into one of those little tape recorders you get at Radio Shack. Pretend you're telling your best friend, your mother, or Paris Hilton all about your big idea. Go into all the details. Talk it all out. Later, go back, listen, and take notes. Your notes will be the start of your email message.

Don’t type very well? 60 percent of North Americans can't type. Hunting keys often makes writing frustrating if not impossible. Follow in the tradition of a great many very famous writers. Pick up a cheap ballpoint pen and write down your ideas with the good old handwriting you learned in second grade. Then have someone type it up.

The key is to just get something, anything, on your computer screen or on paper. Once you have that, start to edit. The copy will take on a life of its own and the writing will come easier. Or, simply hand your first attempts to a professional writer. Most can churn your notes into polished copy faster and cheaper than they can write entirely new copy.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com
(my own article directory)

www.killer-sales-letters.com www.web-sales-letter-supreme.com

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Small Businesses Need Market Research Too

By Article Specialist

Before venturing into a business, one of the important phases is to have the necessary information on your prospective target market. By doing market research you can determine and find out exactly what your potential customers need, what they want and don’t want and why to put you in a better position to make the necessary adjustments to market your product.

The three common methods of market research are surveys, questionnaires and focus groups. You can also obtain specific information and data by visiting competitor’s websites. Your business’ marketing and product development plans should be the end result of an exhaustive market research.

There are additional factors that have considerable impact on your marketing plan such as budget, type of products or services, geographic market (local or global), turnaround volume, methods of distribution and lead time, and personnel.

By doing a comprehensive market research you can gather and study important information about product pricing, market movement and competitor’s strategies that allows you to develop a competitive and customized pricing scheme based on scientific data. You can then decide to undersell, offer volume discounts or provide value added services and strong after sales support if your product price is higher.

Market research helps you gain a better knowledge of the actual value of your product or service in the marketplace. Make sure to perform ongoing market research as your business goes forward in order to have a clearer heads up understanding of what changes occur in the market that affect your service or product, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time.

You can either use primary or secondary research methodologies to gather your data in performing your market research. Primary research is gathering data based on surveys, focus groups and through other means. Primary research data includes information about customer inclination, buying behavior, feedback of current and prospective customers. On the other hand, secondary research is gathering data from available reference books, industry and trade periodicals, local chambers of commerce and government agencies. Information available from these sources include specific industry sales trends and growth, demographic profiles, regional business statistics including the number of businesses with the same products or service that you plan to offer. Most businesses, big or small, use a combination of primary and secondary research methods to compile a realistic data base of their markets.

Although good instincts, business acumen and intuition play important roles in successfully managing a business, these are not sufficient to minimize risks and improve chances of business success in today’s highly competitive business world. Market research has become a necessity not only to gather objective data about a business but also to be able to secure capital funding loans from banks and other lending institutions. Market research is the process of collecting and analyzing information and data about your projected target market. The data and information you gather allows you to make informed decisions about your product and target market. Doing a comprehensive market research helps you formulate a comprehensive, realistic and marketable business plan.

The results of your market research puts you in a better position to penetrate your primary target market and take the necessary steps to make your company grow and succeed.

The process of finding and studying potential customers for your business is extremely important and should not be overlooked. Customer patronage is the backbone to success of any business venture. Briefly, you have to find out everything and anything you can about your customers demographic, geographic and lifestyle information. Once you have all the data and information, you have a better chance of cornering and maintaining customers for your business and expanding into other related markets. These factors are highly important in putting together a focused market profile for a successful business.

Friday, November 7, 2008

How Much Are You Researching?

By Colleen Davis

In order to have strong marketing you first need to lay down the foundation of research that your marketing is going to be resting on.

This is one of the most important steps of marketing and what so many different people do everything they can to avoid if at all possible. The reason is because research can be a very lengthy process, and it is viewed by many as something a little more boring than they feel like bothering with.

Well, you can avoid research if you want, but I wouldn’t expect to get a lot of strong marketing pushes if you’re doing something like that.

How can you possibly write or design something that appeals to people if you don’t even know what it is that they want because you never bothered to research it? That’s the problem with having no research: you have no way of knowing what your customers are really looking for.

Sure you can guess about it. You decide the next time you print brochures that people are looking for good savings and that’s it. Or you have one specific product you’re just positive that they want, and so if you design a color brochure talking about it people will naturally come right in and give you business.

You might even be right some of the time. This is what often leads to a business mistakenly believing that they don’t need to do strong research. They do one or two marketing pushes where it was rather obvious from the outset what their customers were looking for. They print brochures focusing on one message or another that happens to ring true, and they generate their sales because of it.

Yes, this can certainly happen, but are they going to have sustained success? If their competition is thoroughly researching the market while that company isn’t, how long before they focus on a marketing push that doesn’t work like they were expecting it to. Suddenly they find their business faltering because they aren’t right about what they think their customers are after, and it starts to quickly show.

Opinions can shift quickly among your customers. The needs of one moment might be meaningless in the next. The only way you can be certain that your focus is accurate is if you’re being sure to actually research what it is that your customers are looking for.

Marketing without research will only last so long. Never let yourself be fooled by a few brief successful marketing pushes that research isn’t need for your company or your industry. Research is and always will be the foundation of marketing whether you’d like to believe it or not. Without research, no company is going to be able to remain on top forever. Eventually your luck is going to run out.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

For more information, you can visit this page on print brochures

Friday, October 31, 2008

How To Format An Article That Gets Read

By Debbie Allen

I have said it before and I will say it again, you can write articles. Almost anyone can write an article. Learning the tricks and special little techniques that result in your article getting read will be the key to your article marketing success. Unfortunately many people do not take the time to develop their article writing craft. This results in few people reading their articles and even fewer clicking through to the site listed.

Writing is a skill but it is one that can be learned. Visit any major article directory and examine some of the more popular articles. You will find that some are not well-written and others may be very short.

But what you are also likely to find is that those same articles have catchy titles. The titles not only give you insight into what the article holds in store for you but it is interesting. Also note that keywords are included in the title. By using an attention grabbing title you will be way ahead of the game of article marketing.

Next you will need to introduce your subject matter. This is done in the first paragraph. You will basically be letting the reader know in greater detail than the title what your article is about. Again, you should include your keywords.

The next few paragraphs are the meat of the article. This is where you tell your story. I always suggest that you begin by discussing an issue related to your niche and some problem that must be addressed. Then you need to discuss the solutions to the problems, which of course, will relate to your product, service or offer.

As your article continues you will build each sentence on the one before it. Write as if you are talking with someone. Forget that you are writing to a group of people that you will never know.

Keep your formatting simple and pleasing to the eye. The goal is to make your article easy to read. You can do this by using short sentences and concise paragraphs. Continue to sprinkle the content with your keywords, but only where they would fit in naturally. Never stuff them in just to so you can use them more often. Remember to write as if you are talking to someone.

Bulleted lists make an article appear easier to read. That is why you should include lists anytime they fit in. You can even include headings and sub-headings if you desire. The point is to make your content appear uncomplicated and that it will be a quick and easy read. Almost everyone is in a hurry and time-consuming reading material often gets ignored.

End your article with a summary paragraph. This can be very brief. All you need to do is tie your ending to the article itself. I like to connect the summary with the introduction. It is sort of like you tell the readers where they are going in the introduction, then you take them there, and your summary reminds them where they have been. Writing does not have to be difficult but care should be taken to format an article in a way that it will get read. Otherwise your time and efforts will be wasted.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Do you want to learn how to write effective articles? Get an informative free report at: www.articlemarketingplus.com To skyrocket your Article marketing profits visit: www.article-marketing-plus.com Debbie Allen is the author and creator of Article Marketing Plus...

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Making Money Freelance Writing: 5 Places to Write for Money Online

By Shane Dayton

There are a lot of places online to sell your writing. Some of these sites are excellent, and places that even give the opportunity to make a full time living if you are good enough. The hardest part for many beginning freelance writers is working up the courage to get writing and selling.

This is true whether you are a person looking to make money writing for the first time, a part timer looking for a work at home opportunity, or a college student looking to make some extra money. By knowing where you can send your writing to make money, that makes it much easier to get started.

#1 Constant Content. This is one of my favorite websites to submit articles to. You can join for free and write on anything you want, then set your own prices. There is a request section you can answer, or you can just write what you want. Don't undersell your articles: people will pay for value. The main downside? You don't know when someone is going to buy your work, but the more you write, the better off you are. This is free for sign up.

#2 Guru. Guru is an auction based site that you must buy a monthly, quarterly, or yearly subscription to. While you need to get into the top 50 to make a full time living off of Guru, this is possible. It takes time to build up your reputation, but you bid on jobs and then get to work on the ones awarded to you.

This site is growing about 50% a year, making it possible for more and more individuals to make a full time living here. If you're serious about making really good money writing online, this is a must work site.

#3 Elance. Elance is the other big auction site for writers and also requires you to pay for a membership. Like Guru it takes time to build a reputation, but the minimum pay here is higher, and the ceiling is higher income wise for writers online than maybe any other website. If you want to write and you don't know a lot about Internet Marketing, this and Guru are your best shots at a gold mine.

#4 Hubpages. Hubpages you don't get paid directly, but make web pages in which you can make money from affiliate sales from eBay and Amazon, as well as Google Adsense. You can get a lot of publicity here, as well as design pages that can give great backlinks if you build your own blog network. Great community and fun "change of pace" place.

#5 Associated Content. AC pays up front for a lot of their work, and you also get passive income based on page views that continues to add up over time. AC isn't great for money straight out, but it will get you some steady income both directly and passively. This is also a site where you could receive enough attention to get more and better work elsewhere (this has happened to me before).

Those are just five of the websites that a beginning writer can get income from, so get writing and good luck!

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

If you found this article useful and would like to learn more about where to sell your writing on your way to freelance writing success, please feel free to visit my freelance writing blog about how to become a freelance writer. Thanks for reading!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Small Business Incorporation Advantages Explained

By Richard Taylor

Let me set the scenario for you. Your small business is growing and you're wondering whether you should consider incorporation for it, or continue on as a sole trader?

Hopefully this article will help you answer that question and take you through all the advantages of small business incorporation.

Let's start with the issue of personal liability protection.

If you incorporate your small business it becomes a totally independent legal entity, and as a result you get personal liability protection from any debts incurred by the business. Once incorporated, as a shareholder you will only be liable for servicing the debts of the business up to the value of your equity in the new formed company.

In other words, the company's creditors will only be entitled to payment from the assets of the incorporated company and not from the personal assets of the shareholders and directors.

The personal liability protection offered by business incorporation is obviously one of the most attractive benefits. It removes the risk to your personal assets that being the owner of a small unincorporated business carries.

The only liabilities the shareholder of a newly incorporated company may be left with are any personal guarantees requested by financial institutions for large loans or for the future payments or tax.

A further benefit of incorporating your small business is that it becomes simpler to raise additional capital investment to finance the growth of your company. The process becomes simpler because you have a formal structure for issuing and valuing shares which can be issued in exchange for investment capital.

Incorporation also gives your company an increased credibility with lending institutions and thus again assists you finding additional funding.

Having a formal share structure will also make it easier to value and sell your equity when you wish to sell or leave the business.

As well as the benefits already mentioned, there may also be tax advantages to incorporating your small business.

Some incorporated businesses can enjoy lower taxation rates following business incorporation compared to partnerships and sole traders. For example, reducing the salary paid to the owners to reduce their higher rates of personal taxation can lower the amount of tax paid by the individual. The short fall in salary is made up by dividend payments which are taxed at a lower rate than salaries.

Other taxation benefits of small business incorporation are that once incorporated, many additional items of expenditure become tax deductible.

For example medical, entertainment, vehicle and travel expenses, together with the costs associated with recreational facilities and pension schemes all become tax deductible. These deductions can amount to significant cash savings.

When considering incorporation for your small business, you should always seek professional advice from a qualified taxation expert, because all circumstances are different.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

To learn more about small business incorporation, in particular the disadvantages that have not been talked about in this article, visit the author's web site at: www.incorporate-my-business.com

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Can You Trust The Information You Find Online?

By Andrea Flint

The internet is currently estimated to consist of around 100 billion pages, with articles and information on absolutely any subject you care to mention. Advanced search technology such as that used by Google and Ask make it easy to find a site or article covering a topic you wish to research, whether it's historical data, medical information, recipes or even just fun stuff like jokes. But can you trust what you read online, and how far should you use the internet as a research tool?

One of the strengths of the internet is that it gives a voice to anyone with access, and through forums and other kinds of site anyone can make their opinion heard. This democratic aspect is also unfortunately one of the web's drawbacks as well, as there are few things to stop anyone publishing information which is inaccurate, outdated, or even flat out deceptive.

For this reason, it's best to take much of what you read online with a pinch of salt. Opinionated people can make a lot of noise, but it's not always those that shout loudest who are the most correct.

Even well respected sites such as Wikipedia need to be treated with a little caution when researching a topic. Owing to the fact that virtually anyone can edit or add a topic, the information found on it isn't necessarily well researched or corroborated, although many fine entries do exist. Wikipedia relies on collaboration to weed out inaccuracy, and while in some categories this works well, in the fiercely commercial areas the provision of accurate information is not necessarily the writer's primary motive for contributing to the site. Conversely, in topics with extreme minority interest, the collaborative aspect can fall apart: there aren't enough readers of a topic to pull it into shape and check the facts.

Add to this the fact that there are millions of commercial sites out there which, while maybe offering good information on their business category, are almost inevitably going to show some sort of bias towards their own company or services rather than being truly impartial.

So, back to the original question: can you trust what you read? So far the answer would appear to be no, but that's not the case. So long as you research a subject properly and read a range of views on a range of sites, you can probably come to a good understanding of a subject with few or no errors or inaccuracies. You just need to remember that publishing a web page doesn't always entail the same level of rigorous fact checking and comprehensive research as traditional journalism aspires to, and the fact that something can be read online doesn't always mean it's true.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Andrea writes on a wide variety of subjects, from health issues to parenting and more.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

How to Turn An Average Business Into A Great Business

By Ben Needles

A few weeks ago I was visiting a client in the Phoenix area. We were having a conversation about leadership development and at one point he turned to me and asked, Why is leadership important to you? My answer was two-fold:

1. Leadership makes the difference between a good business and a great one.

2. Leadership creates an environment where people are excited to come to work everyday vs. just showing up to collect a paycheck.

Leadership Ability Determines Success

Author John Maxwell says, Everything rises and falls on leadership! That intuitively rings true. We’re all familiar with both positive and negative examples of leadership in our personal lives, in our work lives, in our communities, and in our world.

Some of us have probably experienced the effects of poor leadership firsthand in the workplace. How many of you have, at some point in the past, worked for or around someone who was generally regarded as a bad boss? How many of you are still working for that person right now?

The difference between a great business and a mediocre one boils down to one thing - leadership! I truly believe that a business with great leadership and an average product or service will still be a great business. And those with a great product or service and mediocre leadership will be just that - mediocre!

Lets compare average, good, and great businesses:

- Average Business No Changes
Nothing remarkable is going on there. Every day is the same old, same old. If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.

- Good Business Little Changes
Some progress is being made but it’s pretty slow and it’s taking a lot of effort to make it happen. It’s not one step forward, two steps back but sometimes it seems that way.

- Great Business Much Change
Momentum has finally kicked in and great strides are being made. Things are working smoothly, people are pulling together as a team working toward common goals, it’s like a well oiled machine. The business is making a significant impact.

The difference between good and great is the difference that makes all the difference!

That seems pretty obvious doesn’t it? It’s one thing to understand the importance of leadership but quite another to be an effective leader though, isn’t it?

One of the most persistent misperceptions about leadership is that the people who get to the top are leaders. That’s not necessarily true! Many people lack the self-knowledge, authenticity, or even the desire necessary for leadership.

People who make it to the top may have done so because of political or technical smarts, or a track record of achievement. Think of the outstanding sales rep who gets promoted to a management position or the receptionist who gets promoted to office manager. These people may or may not have the qualities required to be a good leader.

In reality, leaders are found all over our organizations, from top to bottom, from the president to the secretary. By definition, leaders are simply people who have followers.

The final requirement of effective leadership is to earn trust. Otherwise there won’t be any followers - and the only definition of a leader is someone who has followers. - Peter Drucker

If you think you’re leading, take a look behind you. If there’s no one there, you’re just out for a walk!

Law of the Lid

Maxwell also has a theory called the Law of the Lid: a person’s leadership ability is the lid that determines their effectiveness. In other words, a person’s potential for success is directly related to their leadership ability. This leadership ability puts a lid on how far the people in their organization, and the organization itself, can grow.

If the leadership is strong, the lid is high. But if it’s not, then the people and the organization are limited.

The McDonald’s story (you know - golden arches, sesame-seed buns, happy meals), is an example of this law in action. The McDonald brothers did OK locally but failed at their attempts to expand the business. Their lid was too low.

It wasn’t until Ray Kroc came along that the business went national and became one of the most successful companies of all time. Ray Kroc had the leadership ability to make it happen.

Working around a bad boss would also be examples of the Law of the Lid in action. Smart, talented, and potentially successful people can only go so far when they’re limited by someone else’s lid of leadership.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

About the Author

Dr. Jeff Thoren, ICF Certified Coach and founder of Gifted Leaders, LLC, liberates individual and collective potential through a positive, strengths-based, team approach. Click here for his FREE e-Newsletter and e-book, deal on cruises

Saturday, September 13, 2008

How to Build Your Online Presence: 7 Tips to Get Started

By Lynn Jordan

For writers, an online presence is essential for selling your book-length writing today. The publishing world has changed drastically in the last few years. Publishers seldom support their authors with much promotion at all.

Writers must take the initiative with their own promotion. Now editors are looking for writers that already have a platform.

Having a platform means the author has already built up a following of readers who will certainly buy the book. The good news is that the Internet makes building a platform and growing a readership easier than it has ever been before.

Web 2.0 is all about building relationships. For writers, that means building a relationship with your readers. Your first reader is likely to be an editor or agent.

If you are a writer, it's never too soon to start building your online presence. You can make the leap from unpublished to published with just a phone call or an email. I've had editors tell me that they "Google" writers who they are thinking of acquiring. When the publishing world comes looking for you, you want to be ready.

Here are a few simple steps to help you start building your online presence.

* Register your name
Reserve your own name as a domain. Be sure and use a .com extension. If you need to, use your middle name or initial to make your name unique.

* Register any names of pseudonyms you are thinking about using
Once again be sure to grab the .com extension.

* Create a long bio for yourself
Make it around 200 words long. Focus on reasons a reader or editor would be interested in your work.

* Edit your bio down to 50 words
You will need a shorter version for some websites.

* Set up an account with Twitter.com
Post your profile on Twitter. Tweet at least once a day with reports of your writing activities.

* Find out where your fellow writers and their readers hang out
If you're writing YA, it's probably MySpace. Older audiences have moved toward Facebook.

* Set up an account and post your bio on whichever site your audience favors
Start building a relationship with people on that site.

Follow these simple steps to get started building your online presence.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Lynn Jordan helps writers use technology to write and promote better, faster, and easier. Find out how you can make Web 2.0 work for you at Authors Tools Blog

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Custom Logo Design - Branding Tips For The Business Owner

By Gen Wright

Many business owners ignore the subject of branding simply because it's an elusive subject that is hard to grasp. The understanding is that branding cannot be seen or touched, and therefore cannot be measured. But this is certainly not true, as you shall see later. First, let's explore a little bit more about branding and see what it really is.

Branding, no doubt, is just a concept. It's a concept about superior quality. And this depends heavily on perception. A successful brand means that when someone thinks of a product of service, they will immediately think of all the commodities associated with a certain brand. For instance, what brands do you think of when you feel like eating cheese? Are there any good brands, and not so good brands that come to your mind? You get the idea. But what really shapes this perception? Is the product really of higher quality? In reality, that may or may not be true.

Of course, successful business owners know that for a brand to be successful long term, its products have to be of superior quality. But when we are speaking strictly in terms of perception, the quality in reality doesn't really matter. What matters is the perception of the customer. If a person thinks that it's a superior brand, he or she will buy the product or service. That leads to revenue, and it's the desired end result that all businesses want. But before that result is achieved, what actually helps to shape the perception of the consumers?

Anything that the consumer sees, hears, or touches will affect the brand. For example, if a consumer sees a professionally designed website, he or she may form some kind of impression about the company and the product or services that it delivers. Whether its a good impression or a bad impression depends on the quality of the website. And the website is just one example.

The consumer comes in contact with many forms of physical items such as receipts, invoices, stationery, etc. Some may appear to be minor items on the surface, but when a consumer is exposed to these items constantly, each and every experience will help shape the impression that the consumer has on the company. And a successful brand is built upon countless contacts with the consumers through these different means, so much so that even on a subconscious level, the consumer remembers the company as an entity that offers truly quality products and services.

To give a more specific example, consider the company logo. This is an image that appears to the consumer more often than anything else. You see it on minor items such as invoices, stationery, posters, and you see them in major advertising campaigns. Consumers are bombarded with logos, and they start to form impressions about the company. So are you starting to see what this is going? Do you now realize the importance of a company logo?

Differentiate your business from your competitors. And reflect these differences in your logo. That is truly powerful branding at work.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

For Custom Logo Design or Professional Logo Design, please visit our website. There are also free logo design articles and videos.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Is "Nichemanship" Still a Critical Component of Business Success?

By Wayne Messick

What exactly is nichemanship and is it still relevant to organizations and individuals attempting to develop or refine their strategic marketing plans and actions?

According to an online marketing directory, nichemanship is a term used to refer to the art of skilful selection of market segments in which a firm can compete effectively.

I think it also means the ability to accurately determine what your unique strengths are, who your ideal customers - the people you are uniquely positioned to serve are, and then seizing and holding tight to the top position - the perception of superiority you create in their hearts, minds, and checkbooks.

Nichemanship is about positioning your products and services so that, in the minds of your customers, there could not be a suitable substitute for the services you provide and the products you sell.

The first step is to study and thoroughly analyze the top companies throughout a broad range of industries - not just other people like you, looking for successful strategies you can use in your organization. You've got to think outside the box when you are looking for ways to set yourself apart from your competition.

The Internet with its vast resources and a group of your peers, perhaps from around the country, can help you do that.

Why would you want to investigate companies in industries other than your own? Because you can learn a lot from what others are doing successfully - whether it seems to be directly relevant or not.

For example, let's say your company sells and services tractors, various other types of outdoor power equipment and accessories. If your study and analysis focuses solely on your industry, your dealership will become more and more like those of your competition leaving the only differentiation, other than brand preference, is price. You will miss what others are doing successfully that you could integrate into your organization.

By asking the members of your peer group for suggestions you may learn that a Mercedes dealer, one of them knows provides their customers a 24/7/365 pick up service when they have a problem - no matter where the car is located. A Ford dealer in another town gives waiting customers a coupon for 50% their meal at a nearby restaurant. And you may learn about a Jeep dealer that moved an unused swimming pool into one of their buildings and converted it into a fly casting practice tank for their service center's customers.

The value of going through this study and analysis process is the innovation that comes next. It is critically important to keep in mind that regardless of what others are doing, regardless of what you've done in the past, and regardless how crazy an idea seems at first - there is really no such thing as a bad idea.

There are only good ideas that may be combined uniquely with others and enhanced into dramatic tools for your organization's differentiation from your competitors.

The key for you is to continually innovate and adapt your strategies - always keeping your competition guessing.

Once you announce that your dealership is the only one in your area that sends someone out to your customers' farms and picks them up when their tractor has been repaired - your competitors will have to step up or lose out.

Then, you add cable TV and high speed Internet access in the waiting room. Next you extend the range of your free pick up and delivery service. And on and on keeping your competitors off guard by using innovative strategies that you picked up from the insights of your peers.

Nichemanship is alive and well in the 21st Century, the Internet and long distance peer-to-peer collaboration make the necessary study and analysis easy.

The key is to harness the power of the people you can always count on for unbiased help and insights, always strive to think strategically, innovate continually, and do the best you possibly can to execute your strategies flawlessly.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Wayne Messick reports on how Main St. businesses are poised to succeed in the 21st Century on his blog http://www.waynemessick.com. His updated peer-to-peer collaboration report can be found at http://www.selfdirectedpeergroups.com

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Why Do People Write Books?

By Victor Epand

People start writing books as a way of putting their thoughts or ideas into words. They might also feel the urge to let others know what they are thinking. Some might be avid readers, who might want to venture out into the field of writing. There might also be people who want their ideology to be shared or sometimes even forced down on people's minds. Their writing is normally very aggressive and they try to turn it into an extension of their aggressive personality. Others might want to write about happy experiences in their lives or about various interesting places that they have visited.

A good writer thus has to write in such a way that while reading the book, the reader is able to paint a picture in his or her mind about the place the writer is describing. The reader should wish or feel as though he or she is right there in that place. That should be the power of the writer's pen.

Some people write because after reading books on a particular subject, they feel that they have more knowledge about what is already written and that they can write better on that subject. This could be the case in technical or scientific books. Cookbooks are also written because someone might feel that they have better or different recipes. The ingredients in the dish might be the same, but the style of preparation and the quantity of each of the ingredients might have infinite number of combinations. Hence, books after books get published on cooking.

There are many topics which readers prefer to read. It could be an extraordinary real life adventure of someone, or a story about turning very rich within a short time, or sometimes even simple village stories. Of course, in writing fictional stories, it all depends on the writer's imagination and the way they get projected into words. A recent example is author J. K. Rowling, whose 'Harry Potter' series have turned her into a multi-millionaire and her rise in the literary and financial world itself could be the topic of someone's book. Her rise proves that it is not only essential to write a good book, but also it is equally important to market it correctly, to ensure that more people read the book. Once sufficient people like the book, it is a matter of time before word of mouth publicity ensures the book's success.

So, books are written by people for a number of reasons. But the important factor is that once it is published, readers should read and appreciate it. That will provide inspiration and incentive to write more books. Whatever the reasons for writing books, reading a well-written book always warms the cockles of one's heart.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about books. When shopping for books, we recommend you shop only at the best bookstores for used books, autographed books, and vedic books.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

What You Need to Know About MLM

By Daegan Smith

Multi-level marketing or MLM is a business scheme where individuals work as franchisees or independent contractors for a certain parent company. The parent company in return, pays these individuals according to their sales as well as the sales of those they have recruited for the same company. Legitimate MLM companies pay their agents on commission basis. Some non-legitimate companies lure prospective clients on the basis of how many people they have recruited to work for the company as well.

MLM, also known as network marketing arrangement, started around twenty years ago during the 1970s. Though legitimate MLM companies do exist, fraudulent ones also abound the industry. There are plenty of criticisms circulating against the flaws of the MLM system and its claims to fast and easy income. Even though the MLM business promises to be very lucrative and easy, one should be wary of the promises offered by any MLM company. Here are some promises MLM companies commonly offer that one should be careful not to believe so easily when thinking about venturing into the MLM business:

1.) There are better opportunities for earning huge profits in MLM as compared to conventional ways of doing business.

Honestly, only less than 1% of all MLM investors earn profit from the scheme and fewer people still miraculously manage to obtain sustainable living from an MLM business.

The problem can be traced to obstacles in marketing as well as to extraordinary sales. But still, even if the MLM business had more potential, the opportunity would be limited by simple math. Picture an MLM business wherein to earn a decent living one needs a downline of 1,000 individuals. One million more individuals would be needed by that 1,000 to achieve the same success. Obviously, growth is simply determined by the exponential increase of new enrollees. The earnings of the real achievers in an MLM business would simply come from the constant supply of enrollees who would eventually turn out as losers in the business.

2.) Success in the MLM business is easy and guaranteed. One can have his loved ones as life-time customers.

Commercialization of personal relationships is quite a marketing trend nowadays but is destructive to one's social foundations. Would anyone love it anyway when relatives and friends start to bug him into buying products?

3.) MLM can be done during the spare time. Just a couple of hours a week devoted to MLM can generate income which will make other work unneeded.

Aside from some personal skill coupled with persistence, engaging in an MLM business demands extra time commitment. An MLM business actually requires more from a person than meets the eye. Everyone is a potential client. Every time is a perfect time for marketing.

4.) MLM is not a form of pyramid scheme.

The legality of MLM is set by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general. Plenty of MLM companies actually violate the guidelines of the FTC and operate still only because they are not yet prosecuted. According to court rulings, at least 70% of the goods sold by an MLM company must be bought by non-distributors. According to the largest MLM, in reality, only 18% is purchased by non-distributor.

So there are the common lies told by MLM companies to gain more distributors. It is okay to venture in an MLM business, but it is important to make sure that one does not get fooled to do so. It is also good to keep in mind that what seems too good to be true is most likely not true.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Daegan Smith is an expert Online Marketer "Wanna Lean The Secret To Making $85,147,717 Per Month While Quickly And Easily EXPLODING Your Network Marketing Organization by 7,141 People Without EVER Buying Or Calling a Single Stinking Lead?" Free CD Explains All: www.easymlmprofits.com

Thursday, July 3, 2008

What Defines Good Customer Service

By Gloria Gangi

When you are asked to define good customer service what are the first thoughts that come to mind? The ability to supply your customers' wants and needs, whether they are new or existing customers.

Providing exceptional customer service centers around ensuring your customers are happy. Your overall objective is to ensure that they are coming back for more or referring your services. By doing this you will be ensuring your continuing livelihood in the business that you have chosen to create.

There are several points that need to be considered if you wish to provide exceptional customer service that are a must for all businesses.

1. Supply your finest service and ensure that it is provided on time. If you promise a product at a certain time ensure that it is delivered then. If for any reason you have to delay delivery, be honest with your client and inform them of the situation. Compensate or alleviate the problem if it causes your client any inconvenience.

2. Listen to what your client wants and needs. Work with your client to provide them with the product that they need. Provide the advice that they need but also listen to their suggestions. You never know when what they suggest can help you improve your own business.

3. Keep up with technology. Always strive to improve your services. With technology advancing at the rate it is, you need to be sure that your skills are up to date as well. Enhancing your services allows you to offer more to your clients and thus keeps them happy.

4. There is nothing like a guarantee. This is an important point of exceptional customer service. When a customer is 100% happy with what you have provided for them they are the biggest asset to your future. You will find that referrals come from their happiness. If they are not happy ensure that it is fixed right a way.

5. Provide prompt responses to all communications & inquiries. There is nothing a customer hates more than being kept waiting. If you have to get back to a customer do it within 24 hours. The longer you leave to respond to an enquiry the greater the chance the client will move onto another business.

6. Don't forget your manners. Always say thank you! How good do you feel when someone says thank you to you? Send out thank you cards to those who request a quote and when a new client comes on board. To save costs, send e-cards or emails of thanks.

So if we had to define good customer service it should be easy. Keep your clients happy by adding value to your business and the services you provide. And if all else fails think on how you would like to be treated if you went into their business.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Things handmade has great articles for setting up a small business as well as showcasing crafters and artists works please visit our site at: www.thingshandmade.com

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Are You Thinking Of Diversifying Your Product Line? Think Long And Hard Before You Do

By Cash Miller

Sometimes in business we get a little excited and sometimes we get a little bored. Running a small business can be exciting at times. Especially as you reach each of those all important milestones you've set for yourself. So we can be excused once in a while if we get excited. But you'd think it would be hard for us to be bored, considering all the things we have to do each day. Well a lot of what we have to do each day is the same as yesterday.

Now say your business has been doing the same thing year after year. You've gotten good at what you do and you've started to make a little money, the future looks bright. And you've got some ideas on how you could expand the business.

One of the themes that I've always preached to others when it comes to business is you need to understand the business you're in. People don't always do their homework before they start something. And not doing your homework in business can cost you a lot. I've always wondered how some businesses manage to survive.

For example years ago I was walking through a mall and I passed by a ribbon store, you know the kind of ribbon used on gifts. And I asked myself how much ribbon does a store need to sell just to pay its bills?

How does a business such as that make any money. I mean really they were located in a mall. The rents in those places can go through the roof! How many people are going to need that much ribbon. I just don't get what some people are thinking of. And that is what you need to ask yourself if you're thinking of diversifying your product line.

Most of us dream of building our businesses up and being the next Donald Trump, but realistically most people don't make it that far. Now I'm not trying to dampen anyone's dreams because mine are the same. And after years of toil I'm still pursuing them.

No, what I need you to do is be very careful. Remember all you have worked for. Yes new projects can be exciting and maybe you're a bit bored. But you need to very thoroughly think things through. If the idea or opportunity is that good, it should still be there tomorrow.

What you need to remember is every new project and idea needs resources and time to make it a reality. Most small businesses have few resources and you're the one that most likely will have to sacrifice the time. You need to seriously consider that. The resource side always means money and that could be cash or credit that has taken a long time to be built up. And the time factor can be costly too. You may say, well I can spend the extra time on it myself. That's easier said than done. Most small business owners already have a full schedule handling your day to day business let alone another new project.

If you are going to consider making a go of it, make sure you do your homework first and consider all the ramifications of you decision. Maybe you'll have a great product but it may cost more than it's worth.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Cash Miller is an experienced entrepreneur and speaker who has spent over a decade as a small business owner. His years of experience cover many small business topics. For more small business information you can go to www.SmallBusinessDelivered.com

Monday, May 19, 2008

A New Business Is Fun Of Starting

By Deepak Rathor

So you had that fantastic business idea, the one that's going to be wildly successful and make you a fortune - even better, you actually did something about it and started your own business. Good for you! Not everyone gets that far. Most people sit and day dream about what they might do if only ....

"The world is full of dreamers, there aren't enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision" - W. Clement Stone.

But you got over the biggest hurdle, that first step and you actually created something.

Well done - you did more than most. Now you have the day to day details of running your business so how do you keep going?

There are several things to look at here:

1. What are you good at and what do you enjoy doing?
Make two lists - one of the jobs you like and one of the jobs you don't do very well. Take the second list and have a look at what you might outsource or automate. Do you love doing those accounts or would your time be better spent in forward planning while your accountant does the sums? Must you personally reply to every enquiry or could you create a FAQ which you can post on your website and refer people to by autoresponder? In the early stages of your business you might find you don't have the money to pay someone to do the jobs you hate. Could you swap skills to get the help you need?

2. Why are you doing this?
You need to be motivated to start a business and keep it going. The best way to do this is to know what the effort is for. What really moves you to get up in the morning and do what you need to do even when you don't really feel like it? Write your reasons down. Find pictures of that house, or that holiday and put them where you can see them.

3. How do you deal with those bumps in the road?
Not everything you do will be perfect - sometimes things you've tried will be a disaster - it's the way you react to problems that matters. If you curl up in a ball and give up at the first sign of failure you'd better not be in business. It's all about attitude.

4. Have a plan and stick to it as far as possible but be prepared to be flexible and open minded.
Sometimes the most unexpected opportunities come and you need to be ready to seize them. - as Joe Vitale says 'Money likes speed'.

5. Get a mentor - learn from someone who has done it.
Someone to bounce ideas off and who can encourage you when things get tough is invaluable.

And most importantly, never let anyone put you down and never be afraid of failure:

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat" - Theodore Roosevelt.

Don't ever forget that!

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips and hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to web design, do please browse for more information at our websites. www.1morecard.com

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Where Does All Your Money Go?

By Rachel Yoshida

It does not really matter how much money we make, it all seems to disappear somewhere, and many times before we have even gotten paid. We want to cut back and actually get some money saved, but we just can not figure out where it all goes to. When we pay the bills and are lucky enough to have enough left to make it through the week, it just does not appear possible to save any of that.

Expenses for during the week seems to have risen along with everything else, but that could be because many of us have become accustomed to certain things that we could actually either do without or find a less expensive alternative. You should start with the things that you can do without altogether. You might be surprised how much things that seem small at the time eat away at money you could be saving or putting to better use.

Magazine subscriptions are sometimes a big waste of money. People do enjoy the things that they can read and see in them. Almost all households have internet access these days and anything you can see in most magazines you can see on the internet. Why pay for internet and magazines too? The thing about the internet is that it does not clutter up your home or waste precious natural resources. You can easily find thousands of recipes, gardening and home decorating tips, diet and beauty tips, information for almost anything you can imagine can be found right on your computer.

Coffee, water, and soft drinks, are things that we usually buy on the spur of the moment. A single cup of, albeit great coffee, can cost three dollars or more at the famous coffee shop chains, you know the ones, and you can buy a whole package of coffee at the grocery store for that. Buy a thermos and make your coffee at home in the morning, it might not be quite as gourmet, but you might be amazed at how little difference there really is. One soft drink can cost one dollar and a quarter. You can usually buy a whole 2 liter for that. Bottled water is the same way. If you must have bottled water, buy it by the gallon for a lot less and get a container to take it in.

Packing lunches for work and school might seem like something from the old days, but that generation really knew how to save money. It can be much less expensive to pack your lunch for work and school lunches for the kids and chances are it will be a lot healthier meal. If you could cut the cost of just these few things in half, why not do it? If you give it a little more thought you could probably come up with a few more things to change for the cheaper too.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Rachel Yoshida is a writer in the field of finances and is currently assisting those in need of cash advance payday loans, and can help anyone get a cash advance in as little as 1 hour.

Reasons to Have a Flat Roof

By Kris Koonar

You might not have given the roof a very good thought when you were getting the roof of your home done. If you ever knew that a flat roof costs you much lesser than the usual roofs that people get done for their homes, you would have jumped at that opportunity.

At least, I did, because it not only reduced my expenses but also added value to my home. In fact, if you knew of the other advantages of having a flat roof I am sure you would not hesitate to procure one for your house.

A big advantage of flat roofs is its accessibility. As compared to the usual types of roofs, flats roofs are easily accessible, as they do not have much of a slope. There is a very rare chance that you would ever slip from a flat roof and that is a big advantage as compared to sloping roofs.

You can sit there during summer evenings to enjoy the cool breeze or count the stars at night or spend barbecue evenings with your family and friends; a flat roof provides you with many options to utilize it as well as to enjoy.

Because of the same reason, flat roofs can also be used as terraces. So, with a flat roof you can also have a terrace, a personal space where you can carry on a lot of home activities, which you could not do earlier on the sloping roofs.

Though they are named flat roofs they are not actually completely flat. They have a slight unnoticeable slope that helps to drain away the water that accumulates during rains. This saves your roof from leaking and your house from becoming a pool.

Another great advantage of having flat roofs is that it helps you save a lot of room space in your home. No space is lost below a flat roof as in case of sloping roofs.

The structure of sloping roofs and the wooden beams are bound to create dead space inside your house, which you can't use under any circumstances. But with flat roofs this dead space is reduced to minimum thus it increases the usable surface area of your home.

Another reason to consider a flat roof is that it is very quick to construct. As the surface area of a flat roof is lesser than that of a slanting roof, it takes much lesser time to construct as compared to slanting roofs.

Again, lesser surface area also means less amount of raw material to be used, which in turn means that you need to spend less amount of money as compared to the construction of sloping roofs.

Also constructing a flat roof is less demanding physically in comparison. Once again, this factor helps you save money that you can use during the rainy season or for other construction purposes.

As far as life expectancy of flat roofs is concerned, it depends upon how you maintain it. Another factor that influences life expectancy of a flat roof is the type of material you use to construct it.

It is advisable to use the best quality of material because even if you invest more money for good quality of material, still you would save money as compared to sloping roofs.

A flat roof requires yearly inspection and you can increase its longevity with several things that you can get to know from the people who come to install your roof.

Thus, a flat roof is not only a valuable addition to your home, but also has many advantages over a normal sloping roof. No wonder it is has become so popular nowadays.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Are you thinking about getting a Metal Roof or a Flat Roof? Read this free report on the insiders guide to metal roofing before you make a decision. www.classicmetalroofs.com/vp/index.php

Thursday, March 27, 2008

New vs. Used Cars: What Suits You the Best

By Adam Boulton

Both the new and used cars have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is the mindset of the people who are purchasing the car.

Some like to buy cars only for the sake of showing their buying capacity and their status symbol while some others would be obsessed with buying fancy new model cars as soon as they are launched in the car market.

New cars are meant for people who have the buying capacity, who think of only quality of a product and not the quantity, who would like to enjoy sole ownership of the car and who do not want to get compromised with their comfort.

Whereas used cars are bought by people who would like to enjoy the benefits of owning a car but cannot afford to buy a brand new car. Such people are very practical as they think that, when a used car is purchased in a good condition it will serve the purpose of the new car and also comes with a very less price tag.

Used cars are purchased by people who know the value of money and save money by all means and methods.

Buying a new car is really exciting, but then buying a used car makes sense as lot of money is saved.

A new car after purchase is no longer a new car and has to undergo depreciation value. As the value of the new car decreases up to 40 percent within three years, a car is not considered as an investment.

Whereas when a used car is purchased it benefits the purchaser with a lower value. Money is saved on insurance premium cost, registration cost, financing cost and licensing fees, and the purchaser need not worry about the sales tax too.

A used car is considered to be less reliable, as the exact condition of the car is not known.

Also when a used car is bought in auctions, the purchaser is not even given a chance to look or test-drives the car, which makes the purchase altogether very risky. There is no idea if the previous owner performed maintenance and repairs of the car regularly. Such cars even though bought at a very low price will end up costing more on repairs and maintenance after purchase.

When buying used cars detailed inspection of the interiors has to be made, as it will avoid any chances of replacement of any item as it costs more. The exterior of the used car also needs careful examination to find out if the car was involved in any accident or damaged in any natural calamities etc. The engine and the oil should be checked to avoid heavy expenses in replacing the car engine. Car should be test driven to see the performance of the car, suspension and to check the brake controls.

There are certain kinds of used cars which are maintained very well, handled and driven by a single owner and which even comes with a lifetime warranty. The purchaser will be very lucky enough to buy such kind of well maintained, hassle free used cars.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Adam Boulton is an expert in dealing with automobile related matters. He has contributed several informative articles on topics such as used cars and auto loan to webguides - www.getbestcars.com and www.autoloanguide.info

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Should You Get A Loan Or Use Your Credit Card?

By Joseph Kenny

When you are considering borrowing money, you need to make a decision as to which is the best option. Should you apply for regular loan or should you make use of the available funds on your credit card?

The first thing to consider in these circumstances is how much money you need to borrow. If it is a large amount of money then certainly, applying for a loan will be the better option. Many modern credit cards offer very attractive rates, but there is a limit to how much is available on your card.

In addition, if you wish to buy a big ticket item, many sellers of items such as cars, will not accept credit card payments for such a large transaction. Items like this should realistically be paid for with a conventional loan.

There are two types of loans available; one is a secured loan, which generally requires that the lender place the charge on your house as security against payment. Items such as cars can often be purchased using an unsecured loan or a loan that is secured on the vehicle, rather than on your home.

The major difference between secured and an unsecured loan is that a secured loan will give a larger amount of credit and a much lower rate of interest. Credit cards are the most common form of unsecured loan available. However, interest rates are generally considerably higher than those on a secured loan.

Secured loans can be flexible, with slight variations allowed in monthly repayments. However, the most flexible of these cannot compare with the options that credit cards offer to make the payments that you wish each month.

The regular loan does offer the advantage that you know exactly how much you will be expected to pay each month, and how long will have to pay for. It can be difficult to calculate with credit cards how long your payments will last and how much interest you will pay, because of the infinite varieties of payments can make each month.

Both loans and credit cards offer the opportunity of paying the full amount back at any time. A loan may have penalties for early repayment; there are no early payment charges on credit cards.

A credit card is far more flexible in that if you pay off all or part of the money, you may then automatically re-borrow that money, and use it again. With a conventional loan, you will have to wait until you have repaid the amount you borrowed in full. Then, you will have to make a new application, to borrow any further funds.

Most personal loans carry a fixed interest rate, credit cards may offer a temporary fixed interest rate, but most cards can vary their interest rates on month-to-month basis if they wish.

Some equity release or debt consolidation loans offer flexible lines of credit. Where you may take out as much or as little as you need at any one time and only be charged interest on the actual amount you have used. Not the available credit that you applied for and have available to you.

This is very similar to credit cards, in that they also only charge you interest for the amount of available credit that you have actually used. The cheapest way to obtain a short-term loan is certainly through a credit card. This method is only cheap, if you pay it off quickly. If you purchase a new TV with your credit card and pay it off when you receive your next bill, there will be no interest to pay. If you pay it off rapidly, within five or six months, the interest rate can be extremely competitive.Once you go over this period, a loan may be a far better option, and if you stretch payments to 12 months then the loan will be far more financially viable.

Some stores that sell goods like TVs may offer 0% or very low interest rates. Unless you intend to pay off your card at the end of the month, this type of loan would be a better alternative.

To summarise, credit cards work well interest wise if you pay off the amount you borrow very quickly. If you intend to make gradual payments, a loan, either secured or unsecured will probably be the best option. For big priced ticket items costing thousands of pounds, a loan is far more preferable and practical than a credit card.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Joe Kenny writes for Credit Cards Web, offering compare credit cards or onlystop.com for some great credit cards, for US residents with credit card debt visit Rebuild for credit card debt relief

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Money Saving Tips In The Supermarket

By Jerry Leung

You may find that you have been spending too much in the supermarket. It will be a good idea if you can save money while shopping in the supermarket. In fact, there are ways to help you avoid spending too much. The followings are some tips for you.

You should try your best to avoid impulse buying. This is usually the main reason for spending too much in the supermarket. You should only purchase what you really need. And you should never buy something if you do not need it.

You have to try to make a list of items before you go shopping. Pre-plan shopping can actually help you a lot in terms of saving money. You should only buy what you have planned to buy. This is the way to avoid impulse buying since you will only buy the thing you really need. You have to keep reminding yourself that you should only purchase according to the list. No matter how attractive an item is, you should never buy it if it is not on the list. You need to train yourself to follow this rule.

You should also try to eat before you shop. Experience shows that if you have a full meal before you shop. You will not be tempted to buy the snacks. On the contrary, if you feel empty when you are shopping, you will be very inclined to put some cookies, chocolates or even ice-cream in the basket.

Sometimes you can get a better price if you purchase in bulk. For example, you may get a discount if you buy 30 cans of coke at a time. If you really need coke from time to time, you should buy it in bulk. You will be surprised by the amount you can save each month if you can have the habit to buy in bulk. On the other hand, you should never buy in bulk if you only need an item once only. You are wasting your money if you buy more than you need.

You should also buy the items when they are on sale. There can be a huge discount when the items are on sale. Remember, a can of soft-drink will still be the same can even if you buy it with a discount. Of course you should pay extra attention to the expiry date when you purchase these items.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

The author has great interest in finance. You can check his blog on Forex and Insurance Tips. Be sure to check Learner Motorcycle Insurance and Attaining Financial Freedom From Home Loan.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Home Organization - the Basic Organizing Principles

By Jude Wright

The real purpose of organizing your home is not just to have it clean and tidy, but to give yourself more time to do what you want. You will be more likely to find what you need when your home is organized and you know where items are supposed to be.

There are many benefits to being organized. You will feel more self-confident because you will be in more control of your surroundings. You will love the feeling of being able to complete your tasks. There is the added bonus of being proud of your home when visitors come to call.

Here are some easy steps to simplifying your home organization:

Think About It

Most people put their belongings wherever they happen to be when their hand touches them. A better way would be to think about where an item is going to be used and how it will be used before putting it away. Items should be put where they are going to be used the most often. If they are used in another area frequently, such as scissors, buy another of the same kind of item and choose another home for it.

It may seem easier to put something in a nearby drawer rather than in a designated area. But, it's not so easy when you are looking for it and can't remember where you put it. Having a specified "home" saves a lot of frustration.

Throw Away What You Don't Need and Sort What You Have Left

Everyone seems to have lots of stuff. Much of it is never used and just takes up valuable space. To truly have an organized home, every part of your house should be gone through, discarding everything that has no real value. There should be one area reserved for those things that are important for sentimental reasons. Be ruthless. Give or throw away anything that you have not used in the past year.

Using the three box method, start in one area of a room and look at every item. Put it in the appropriate box: things that belong in another room, things to give away or sell, and things that you are not sure about. Also keep a trash can nearby for things that are not usable.

Now, look at your room, and decide on its function. Determine the proper place to put things according to how and where it will be used.

Do I Really Need This?

While you are going through your house, you will probably come across things that you are not sure about. When this happens, ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I really need this? Some people keep things because they think they might need it sometime in the future. Ask yourself, what would be the worst thing that would happen if I lost this. If you are keeping things just because you might need it in the future, do you think that you would be able to find it then?

2. How long has it been since I use this? You may have clothing in your closet that you are keeping because you might get back down to the weight that you were when you wore it last. But, are you being realistic?

3. Why do I need so many of these? Sometimes we buy an item then we need when we can't find one that we already know we have. Pretty soon we will have three or four of them spread all over the house. Decide which one you really need and get rid of the rest.

4. Take the box that contains the items that you are not sure of and put it away in the attic or garage. If you don't need anything in that box within the next few months, you can probably live without it.

Keeping It Organized

Now that you have your home organized, you need to find ways to keep it that way. Whenever you are going to buy something, ask yourself where you are going to put it. Be sure that you are really going to use it. How much work is it going to take to keep this item maintained? If you buy something that is replacing a similar item, get rid of the original item.

Using a bit of common sense and thinking every day about where things should go will help keep your house the organized home that you want it to be.

Article Source: http://www.articlehighlight.com

Stop by cleanandorganized.com to find more information on how to keep your home clean and organized.