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Amway Learning is a structured approach designed to help you build your knowledge in areas relevant to today’s market place. You may choose to undertake a selected number of business & product subjects and achieve a certificate to reaffirm your knowledge, or for your own personal interest and information. Contact Mr. Ravi K. Gupta on +91 9918011116
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The Day[9] Daily and other web shows could vanish if US Congress passes SOPA or PIPA. As a creative producer, copyright holder, and small business owner, I oppose SOPA and PIPA. Please use the link below to support free speech and free internet by contacting your representative today. sopastrike.com Read SOPA: www.opencongress.org Read PIPA: www.opencongress.org
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Learn how to play Christmas songs on the piano – howc.stExpand the description and view the text of the steps for this how-to video. Check out Howcast for other do-it-yourself videos from wogelife and more videos in the Music Recording category. You can contribute too! Create your own DIY guide at www.howcast.com or produce your own Howcast spots with the Howcast Filmmakers Program at www.howcast.com Starting an independent record label, like starting any other business, requires a well-conceived plan with clear goals. To complete this How-To you will need: A business plan Money A name A band or artist A recording studio Step 1: Write a business plan Write a business plan to demonstrate to potential investors that you know what is involved in running a label. Step 2: Raise capital Put together a budget, and raise the capital necessary to form and run the business. Funds can come from personal savings, loans from family or friends, bank loans, or investors. Step 3: Choose a name Choose a name for the label. Tip: Check with local, state, and federal laws to ensure the business is properly registered. Step 4: Contract a band Contract an artist or band that makes great music and record their album. Tip: Pick a band that is willing to tour. A record label suffers if the band does not tour. Step 5: Contact the press Submit the band’s record to the press four months before the release date. This increases the chances of getting a review around the release date. Step 6: Send …

Continue reading »]]> A Unique International Business Opportunity

Article by Ted L. Langley

When a fledgling entrepreneur considers venturing into aninternational business opportunity and decides to researchthe available opportunities, perhaps using Google or one ofthe popular search engines, very little information is tobe found. In fact the term “business opportunity” yieldsapproximately 250 thousand search results, “home businessopportunity” yields approximately seventy thousand searchresults, “network marketing business opportunity” yieldsslightly over one thousand results and “internationalbusiness opportunity” is just about equal to “networkmarketing” in terms of search results. It’s obvious thatthere are hundreds of thousands of individuals interestedin a “business opportunity”; however, by far the majoritylimit themselves to considering more conventional orperhaps “vague” opportunities. This article will propose abroader look at available opportunities and in fact willconsider a unique, if not compelling look at aninternational business opportunity and more specifically ageneralized network marketing international businessopportunity.

Before delving into international business opportunityspecifics, let’s take a look at the cultural andtechnological developments that have come about in the past15 to 20 years that make it possible, and perhaps evendesirable, to consider a more global view when approachinga new business opportunity. Tremendous strides incommunications technology brought about in a large measureby the development and astronomical growth of the Internethave made instantaneous communications with a prospect,client or business associate not only simple but veryinexpensive. The advent of email, audio/video conferencing,and VOIP (voice over internet protocol) phones have made itas easy to contact the person next door, as the one downthe block, in the next state or on the next continent.

Indeed because of these strides in technology it ispossible to combine the “business opportunity”, the “homebusiness opportunity”, the “network marketing businessopportunity”, and an the “international businessopportunity” into one all encompassing global business thatis operated out of a home office with a computer and broadband internet connection with little else needed. To beentirely correct, there are already a small number ofleading edge companies that are operating in just thismanner with all of the tools in place to operatenationally, internationally or globally.

While it is not the intent of this article to make specificinternational business opportunity recommendations,consider as an example a business using a model ofoperation commonly referred to as a Funded Proposal or aGeneric Funded Sponsoring Franchise System. The FundedProposal, in a pure sense, consists of three parts: theFunded Proposal, secondary sales, and a primary businessfor long term wealth generation. Many businesses using thismodel, market an information product such as an ebook,course, or seminar that they sell to first qualifyprospects and to generate income to fund their futureadvertising in building their business.

The secondary sales, sometimes referred to as back-endsales, can be products, services, or tools that are anintegral and fundamental part of the operation of thebusiness as well as to further enhance the income generatedby the business. It’s possible that a break-even orslightly profitable position can be achieved via thesecondary or back-end sales.

Obviously, the primary business is the most crucial part ofthe international business opportunity and must be selectedwith great care. There a number of factors that must beconsidered carefully. These include: 1. The Company musthave unique products that serve multiple different marketcategories and appeal to the masses. 2. The company must bestable, must have been in business for a minimum of 15 to20 years, and have the ability to generate long-term salesand income. 3. It must have a system that is simple andduplicatable for product marketing and delivery. 4. TheCompany management must have been successful businessleaders and have a vision for future growth. 5. The Companymust be global. 6. It must payout at least 50% of sales,offer unlimited depth within the compensation plan and mustoffer meaningful Fast Start Bonuses. 7. They must give backglobally and have a vision of making an impact on the worldin a positive manner.

In conclusion, given the correct business model along witha well thought though plan or vision for success, theextraordinary tools that are available today and withplenty of hard work, it is entirely possible to start asuccessful business with a minimal investment. That is notto say that there will not be obstacles and disappointmentsalong the way, but regardless of the choice, whether it berestricted to one’s home town, whether it be a networkmarketing business opportunity, a home businessopportunity, or an international business opportunitythere’s little doubt that one exists which will fit yourdesires and expertise, but make sure that you do yourresearch and that your selection is based on a soundbusiness model and well thought out plan.

Ted L. Langley is a successful network marketer whose passion is online network marketing and helping others achieve success. http://olgate.payitforward4profits.comhttp://tedlangley.blogspot.com

About the Author

Ted L. Langley is a successful network marketer whose passion is online network marketing and helping others achieve success. http://olgate.payitforward4profits.comhttp://tedlangley.blogspot.com

Continue reading »]]> How to Get Small Business Loans When Disapproved the SBA Program

Article by Advanced Merchant Services

Many small business owners have been disappointed when their applications for small business loans were disapproved by banks under the Small Business Administration’s program for America’s Recovery Capital. According to an article written by Robb Mandelbaum in the August 12, 2009 edition of The New York Times Online, “the program is off to a slow start.” It seems that most banks are reluctant to approve applications for small business loans.

Mandelbaum reports that the Small Business Administration’s program has 5 million to give away, enough to give small businesses 10,000 loans reaching as much as ,000 each. However, two months after the program was launched, there have only been 1,127 small business loans released, with a total of .8 million.

Sources are saying that banks are not very keen on participating in the Small Business Administration’s program because giving the small business loans would not be very profitable for them. Paul Merski,.chief economist of the trade association Independent Community Bankers of America, said, “There’s not a lot of profit motive in a ,000 loan stretched over six years.” Bob Seiwert from the Center for Commercial Lending and Business Banking at the American Bankers Association reveals that, because of strict underwriting standards, servicing the small business loans becomes even more expensive.

The banks have also found more ways to restrict the approval of small business loans with the Congressional restrictions on loan eligibility. According to Congress, in order to qualify for the Small Business Administration loans, small businesses need to be both struggling and viable. That means the business should have had an “immediate financial hardship” such as a 20 percent decrease in revenue. However, the business must also be at least two years old with proof of positive cash flow in one of the previous two years. It should also submit a two year cash-flow projection proving that it will be able to afford loan payments.

Because of the Congressional restrictions, banks are more likely to approve small business loans from their existing clients. Merski said, “From a financial perspective, it really is a loan that makes sense for an existing customer. You’re not going to have to put out a lot of resources to do a very costly underwriting. You know the business.”

Those who are working in support of small businesses are very much disillusioned. An example is Alex Cooper who is a counselor at the Pima Community College Small Business Development Center in Tucson. He said he had assisted almost 30 small business owners with their loan applications but none of them had been approved. “It’s a disappointment. I thought the banks would be more interested in the community and try to help small businesses,” he said.

When the applications for small business loans are disapproved by banks under the Small Business Administration’s program for America’s Recovery Capital, small business owners still have another option. They can get the equivalent of small business loans from their credit card services.

Credit card services provide their clients with the ability to accept payments through credit cards or debit cards in person, online or through the phone. Clients who have established a certain minimum in average monthly credit card sales are qualified to apply for cash advances that are like small business loans. Payments are automatically deducted from future credit card sales.

If you are a small business owner, you do not have to go through the hassles of applying for small business loans with banks who are reluctant to participate in the Small Business Administration program. Get your trouble free small business loans from your credit card services instead.

About the Author

Advanced Merchant ServicesContact Name: Roger InmanP.O. Box 1475 Safety Harbor, FL 34691Bus: 727-642-3606Bus Fax: 877-413-6067E-mail: rinman3@tampabay.rr.comWebsite: www.bankcardprocess.com

Continue reading »]]> How to start a business online

Article by Tim Simmons

The question of how to start a business online is of course a very important one. Because it is not just a question of having a presence online with a website that you have put together. And it is not just a question of sending visitors to your website in order for you to make money. The real question is what do you need to do, what do you need to learn and what are the truly essential parts that you really need to understand to have the confidence not only to know how to start a business online, but to make it succeed. And this is exactly what this article will cover by introducing you to the many advantages, possibilities and benefits of using a ready made online business that is specifically designed to return you great results and to make money for you from the outset.

The initial and possibly most obvious advantage to starting with a ready made online business, and this is an advantage that should in no way be underestimated, is the fact that you are immediately ahead of the game. This is because the creators and designers have taken away all of the initial hard work and uncertainty for you by focussing heavily on delivering a solution to you that not only answers the question of how to start a business online, but also ensures that you will benefit from it in terms of your time saved and your money saved from day one.

This is because the creators of such ready made online businesses, at least the reputable ones, are experts in their field, experts in understanding exactly what is required and how to start a business online and have taken all of the design, graphics and content considerations into account to ensure you are receiving a first class money making machine which will engage and capture your visitors from the outset. So rather than you trying to re-invent the wheel, which is totally unnecessary, and unfortunately one of the most common mistakes made when trying to start an online business, your time and efforts can be entirely spent on making the business work at making money for you straight away.

But there is far more to knowing how to start a business online than simply finding one of the many thousands of ready made business that are advertised and available online. It is absolutely essential, in fact it is critical, to find one that offers a comprehensive step by step training programme of how to start your business on day one and develop every element after that which includes all of the sales and marketing tools, and the back office functions that you will require to make your new business a success.And by understanding and focussing on this back end element to your business you will have immediately narrowed down the possibilities to a far more manageable number.

And as a final point to consider when you are looking to find the best opportunity to show you how to start a business online, a business that offers you a more personal training approach in the form of a sponsor will be a huge additional advantage to you. This is because your sponsor will be someone that is not only using the same business model as you will be, but someone that will have already overcome many, if not all of the hurdles that you may come across as you get started. And by using your sponsor to help you in the initial phases, you will not only save an enormous amount of time in answering questions and solving problems, you will have made a very strong and valuable contact for your long term future and internet career.

But please don’t be put off by the huge variety of ready made business that are on offer to you. In my experience it is best research the creator of the business and to read the reviews of others, your potential sponsors, that have followed this route to learning how to start a business online successfully. Because not only is it a possibility, it is a very real possibility. And your success and money making potential is only limited to your ambitions and imagination. So good luck and here’s to your success.

Are you looking for more information about How to start a business online Visit http://tisimmo.com today for your FREE ebooks.

About the Author

Tim Simmons is the founder and owner of Tisimmo, a blog site set up specifically for the purpose of helping individuals, organizations, and small businesses develop their online presence, achieve success and grow their businesses by leveraging techniques, technology, media & social networks. If you would like more information about how Tim can help you or your company grow, please visit his website at http://tisimmo.com

Continue reading »]]> Missing Paula – 4 Baby Steps toward Hiring Help for Your Small Business

I miss Paula.

Paula was my administrative assistant at the second to last J.O.B. I ever worked and, truth be told, she did it all.  I just bungled along making decisions, solving problems, attending meetings and Paula took care of business.

Since I left that job many is the times I’ve said to myself, “I need a Paula.”

Despite my glaring need for someone to help me get the work done, it took me years to hire my first virtual assistant for my entrepreneur program.

For a small business owner, hiring someone to help can seem like a pipe dream but it is a wise one.  When you concentrate your time and energy on doing what it is you do well and outsource business services or hire someone to do the rest, you maximize your progress toward the success you want.

However, for the small business entrepreneur, this step into management can be intimidating and expensive.  As with all business initiatives, it is best to start small and have a plan.

Here are some steps to get you started.

Step One – Take Inventory

Know what it is you do each day.

Begin by keeping track for a week or two of all the tasks you are currently doing that could be done by someone else – or the tasks that you are not doing that should be done.

Personally I was spending time learning online tools to help me get my message out. This learning curve kept me comfortably hidden away in my office instead of out meeting and following up with my target market.  Finding someone who already knows how to use these tools was an obvious and overdue move.

Step Two – Set a Budget

To begin, set a very small budget. One you can afford over time.

If you are at an early start up phase, it is possible that your financial business plan, does not allow for additional expenses. If this is the case, consider finding money in your budget.  Can you eliminate certain subscriptions, additional phone or cable service?

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To verify that your budget is realistic, review the tasks you believe you can delegate and document your processes or, in the case of tasks you are not doing, imagine the process.

As a natural introvert, I found I was falling short on the necessary follow up to my face-to-face networking. I originally envisioned my assistant as a new Paula, making efficient and effective phone calls to arrange follow up meetings with potential clients but, as I followed my own business coaching advice, I discover other small business services that I desperately needed.

To clarify my vision in a written request for proposal (RFP) I made some educated guesses about what my ideal follow-up process would look like: how many leads I would provide each week, how long it would take for my new Paula to follow up by phone, how often she would have to call to make contact.

I kept asking, “What would happen next?”  By asking this question over and over I developed my process to the very end: the point where the prospect signed or I gave up. Once I had a clear picture of the steps, I could estimate the number of hours I would require.

Step Three –Check Reality

Adjust your wish list to fit your budget.

Hourly prices for virtual assistants range widely. For American or “on shore” help expect to pay to dollar an hour; outsource your tasks overseas, “off shore”, and hourly wages are surprisingly low but come with time zone  differences and language issues.   Knowing the details of each task will help you make decisions to fit your budget.

Step Four – Ask for Help

Write up a request for proposal (RFP)

Review the tasks you believe you can delegate and determine what role you would like your assistant to play.  If you have documented your processes, your RFP will be easy to write.  If not, you may want to download How to Describe a Task available for free on my website.

Once you have your RFP prepared, post it at some or all of these sites.  Then sit back and wait for the offers of help.

Elance.com
Twitter
Facebook

In the End

As it turned out, after just a few weeks, I found many other uses for my virtual assistant. So far she has done much of the technical work for my In the Trenches newsletter and web site maintenance for my other business.  It is a learning process and all is not perfect but I am amazed at what’s been accomplished in just one month.  I would not have been able to do it on my own.

Now, given my changing requirements, I need to revisit my initial RFP; repost to Elance or other sites and see if I can’t find a specialist who needs less direction and can work quicker and/or cheaper.

I am still looking for Paula but a least I am no longer trying to BE Paula.

Continue reading »]]> Small Business CRM Solutions

Small businesses are different from big businesses. Small business have smaller payrolls, smaller workforces, and different needs. Most small businesses are run by individuals. Some small businesses focus on sales and have only one person doing sales (maybe the owner or developer). Other small businesses are larger, with more people doing more jobs. Whatever situation your small business is in, its needs differ from larger businesses.

However, one aspect that is not different from a larger business is customers. Without customers, a business cannot succeed. Whether you have one customer or many, managing customer relationships is essential to helping your business grow and succeed. Customer relationship management, CRM, is the process of managing the business’ relationships with customers and developing strategies to make these relationships better. CRM allows businesses to understand their customers and their customer’s actions through data analysis and information.

Small business CRM solutions can be hard to find. Many CRM solutions are targeted for big business CRM solutions – and these are simply not cost effective for a small business. However, as the desire for small business CRM solutions has grown, the availability of small business CRM solutions has grown. This means the same analytical tools available for big businesses are available for your small business.

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Small business CRM solutions tend to have a few things in common with each other. First, they are flexible. This means the small business can pick and choose what functions of the CRM solution they want. Rather than having to purchase a whole business CRM solution that includes sales force automation, customer service applications, warehouse and development management, and other activities that your small business might not engage in, small business CRM solutions provide the option to choose only those tools that you will use. This is important because it is this flexibility that makes CRM affordable to small businesses.

Small business CRM solutions will also have good contact management and reporting capabilities. A good contact management system will allow the small business to manage their marketing and sales opportunities better. It will allow the whole company to see where various offers are and will include information such as when the last time a customer was contacted or purchased something. A good reporting system allows members of the management team to track sales and performance without needing additional help. Both these systems will be user-friendly and understandable in a good small business CRM solution.

Small business can benefit from CRM solutions just like large businesses do. It is no longer out of the reach of small businesses to have CRM solutions; they can use the same tools and tactics larger businesses do. Additionally, small business CRM solutions allow small businesses to gain expertise in efficiency and performance without having to hire a consultant or have the same, large, base of workforce to practice techniques on. CRM solutions help a small business with efficiency without having to practice anything; they simply have to use the CRM software to increase their efficiency.

Small businesses can, and should, use small business CRM solutions to help their businesses grow.

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Keeping great small business employees is as simple as defining a job description. Hold on to great employees with tips from a business consultant in this free small business video. Expert: Daniel Diener Contact: www.bscusa.com Bio: Daniel Diener is a co-owner of the Business Success Center in Central Texas and has been helping businesses for over 25 years. Filmmaker: Demand Media