For Entrepreneurs A SIMPLE Plan May Be Best

Author : Tim Knox
Q: I own a small decorating business and I'll be the first to admit that I don't know anything about taxes or retirement plans. I'd like to set up a 401(k) or an IRA or some other kind of retirement plan for me and my three employees. What are the various retirement plan options available for a small business owner and in your opinion, which would work best for me?
-- Wanda S.A: Wanda, I appreciate your confidence in my humble opinion, but asking me for financial advice is like asking Donald Trump for a recommendation on hair care products. I can tell you what works best for me and my business, but you'll need to do your homework and seek professional advice to figure out what would work best for you. As a side note, I hear that Donald Trump is coming out with his own line of hair care product soon to be called "Big Head." The formula is 1% mousse, 1% liquid nails, and 98% hot air. It should be a big seller among the high brow, comb-over crowd.Here's my best advice on retirement plans: find yourself a financial advisor (or financial planner) who is has experience working with small businesses and have him or her explain the options available and make a recommendation as to the type of plan best suited for you and your business. When I say "financial advisor" I'm not talking about your know-it-all brother-in-law or your accountant. I'm talking about a broker or financial planner (or other licensed professional) who has a proven track record of making his clients money and is an expert on IRAs, 401(k)s, mutual funds, etc.The best way to find a good financial advisor is to ask for referrals from your most successful friends and associates. Find the richest, stingiest man in town and ask who his advisor is. Meet with several advisors, explain your situation, and ask for their recommendations. You should also make sure the advisor is a good fit for your personality and your business. If all goes well you will be doing business with this person for many years to come, so make sure the relationship feels comfortable to you and that you are confident in the advisor's ability to manage your money.Let me give you a quick overview of a few of the retirement plans available to small businesses so you at least have an idea of what's out there before you start your search for a good financial advisor.As a small business you basically have three types of retirement plans that you can take advantage of: the Self-Employed 401(k); the Simplified Employee Pension Plan or SEP IRA, and the Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees or SIMPLE IRA. Each allows you to make pre-tax contributions to the plan, which lets you save for retirement and lessen your taxable income by the amount of the contribution. Your investments also grow tax-deferred until withdrawal.A Self-Employed 401(k) is an option for self-employed individuals or business owners with no employees other than a spouse. The business can be a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation, including S corps. You can make salary deferrals to this type of plan of up to $14,000 for 2005.Next is the Simplified Employee Pension Plan or SEP IRA. A SEP is an option if you earn a self-employed income from a full or part time business, even if you are covered by a retirement plan at your fulltime job. A SEP allows you to contribute up to 25% of earned income, up to $41,000 for 2004 and $42,000 for 2005.My preferred type of retirement plan is the Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees or SIMPLE IRA. The SIMPLE IRA was created to make it easier for small businesses with 100 or fewer employees to offer a tax-advantaged, company sponsored retirement plan.With a SIMPLE IRA you and your eligible employees may contribute up to 3% of earned income (with a maximum contribution of $10,000) on a pre-tax basis to individual SIMPLE IRAs. You must deduct Social Security and Medicaid from your gross income, but you can then make your SIMPLE IRA contribution before other taxes are levied, effectively lowering your taxable income.As the employer you must make "matching" or "non-elective" contributions into your employees' SIMPLE IRA accounts. Matching contributions means that the business matches the elective deferral contributions made by employees. For example, if the employee opts to contribute 3% of his salary to the plan, the employer must match the 3% contribution.At first you might cringe at matching your employees' contributions, but as the business owner and an employee yourself this can be great news. As an employee of your own business you can contribute up to $10,000 to your SIMPLE IRA and the business can then match your contribution dollar-for-dollar, which means that you can put up to $20,000 in tax free dollars into the plan per year. The cost of the contributions is also deductible as a business expense.The non-elective contribution option requires that the company contribute 2% of every employee's earned income to the plan on the employee's behalf regardless of whether or not the employee contributes to the plan himself. For 2005 the maximum contribution you would be required to make is $4,200.Like a traditional IRA, you can withdraw money from a SIMPLE IRA at any time; however distributions within the first two years of participation are subject to higher early withdrawal penalties than traditional IRAs or Roth IRAs. Withdrawals within the first two years are subject to a 25% early withdrawal penalty. Withdrawals taken after the first two years are subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty.As the employer, the advantages of a SIMPLE IRA include: company contributions to the plan are tax deductible as a business expense; plan documents are simple and easy to administer; administration costs are low; and there is no government reporting required by the employer.The advantages of a SIMPLE IRA for your employees include: contributions are immediately 100% vested; contributions and earnings are tax-deferred until withdrawal; employees can contribute 100% of earned income up to $10,000 for 2005; and employees can direct their own investments within the IRA.This is a complex topic and I've just tipped the iceberg here, but hopefully this will give you enough information to get the investment ball rolling.Here's to your success!Tim KnoxSmall Business Q&A is written by veteran entrepreneur and syndicated columnist, Tim Knox. Tim serves as the president and CEO of three successful technology companies and is the founder of DropshipWholesale.net, an online organization dedicated to the success of online and eBay entrepreneurs.Related Links:
http://www.prosperityandprofits.com

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Category : Finance:Investing

Getting Indecisive Prospects to Become Paying Clients

Author : Fabienne Fredrickson
Imagine you’ve worked hard to market your services; you’ve attracted a prospective client, set up a “sales conversation” and gone through the whole sales process. Great job, but sometimes, no matter how hard we try, prospects don’t always sign up on the spot.Sometimes, a prospect needs some time to make the decision on whether or when they’d like to start working with you. What I’ve noticed over the years is that when this happens, most always, the sale never happens, probably because life gets in the way and what’s out of sight is out of mind.Often, this means you’ve lost them for good. UNLESS you use the proven method to get indecisive prospects to slide right into your practice, instead of slipping through your fingers.So I’ve come up with a fantastic remedy for this, which again, helps me close the deal 97-98% of the times that I use it.If they don’t bite on the sales call, use what I call the “bookend” method. Here’s how it works:When a prospect tells me they need to talk to their spouse or needs some time to decide, or wants to ideally start in 2 months, I schedule a 5 minute “check-in” call with them (next Tuesday at 3pm, for example) so that we can follow up with each other without having to play phone tag or have to follow up with one another.The great thing about this technique is that it puts a time limit in the prospect’s mind as to when THEY would like to make the decision, and obviously, you let them choose when they’d like to have that 5 minute chat.I essentially came up with this because I really dislike following up in this situation. It makes me feel like I’m chasing after them and I don’t feel that this is Client Attractive. So instead, we agree that they’ll call me on set date and 90% of the time they do, and out of those times, they don’t feel pressured, have had time to think about what we talked about, and are ready to make a decision to move forward. It’s a great tool!If for whatever reason they don’t call during the time of your 5 minute check-in appointment, you can then call them or e-mail them asking if anything went wrong. This usually puts the prospect into a mode where they feel obliged to get back you, as they were the one who missed the appointment. Again, this is much more Client Attractive and ends up saving you a lot of time.YOUR ASSIGNMENT:If a client doesn’t sign up on the spot, make sure to bookend another date so you don’t have to follow up on each other for weeks. Use it as a “let’s see where you are in your decision making process then.” It works like a charm.Having trouble with actually getting the prospect INTO the sales conversation in the first place? You’re definitely not the only one. The good news is, I’ve developed a way to close the sale 97-98% of the time and I share the entire process in my Client Attraction Home Study System™. It’ll help you fill your practice quickly and consistently, Guaranteed. Here’s where you can get your own copy: www.TheClientAttractionSystem.com.© 2005 Fabienne FredricksonFabienne Fredrickson, The Client Attraction Expert, is founder of the Client Attraction System™, the proven step-by-step program to help you attract more clients, in record time and consistently. To learn more about Fabienne's Client Attraction Home Study System™, sign up for her FREE client attraction tips and no-charge teleclasses on attracting more clients, visit http://www.ClientAttraction.com
Category : Writing & Speaking

The Necessity of Spy Electronics

Author : Kingston Amadan

When most people think of electronics, they think of audiovisual devices like cameras, computers, TVs, and recorders. Spy electronics also encompass all of things. The main difference is that while all of the above items are mainly used for entertainment purposes, spy electronics are meant to be used in surveillance. These electronics can be very technologically advanced, and some of them can be so well disguised that others do not even realize that they are being watched or listened to.Spy electronics are necessary to make the whole surveillance profession work. After all, if you do not have recording equipment, or equipment to recover the recordings, then it is no good. You cannot perform effective surveillance. Additionally, electronics in places like command centers and control rooms are what coordinate the efforts of individual pieces of electronic equipment and they also direct the surveillance efforts. In today?s world, the professional needs electronics to be an effective bounty hunter or private investigator.Spy electronics are not only necessary for people like PIs and bounty hunters. The military makes extensive use of these things. Indeed, their electronic spy devices include things like unmanned spy planes and prototypes for other high tech equipment. Police and government intelligence agencies also make heavy use of spy electronics. Wiretaps and the equipment to listen to what is heard fall into the category of electronics. Other forms of surveillance, such as cameras and other listening devices are also necessary.Other spy electronics that also perform useful functions include TVs and other screens that display information and computers that keep track of tracking devices and maps. Additionally, computers can direct remote cameras to find new angles and they can also record information and display it a way that is more useful to the user. There is no doubt that computers are becoming very important pieces of electronic equipment that can be used for surveillance purposes.Without spy electronics, the possibilities for evidence and intelligence gathering, whether for national security or for your divorce case, would be much more limited. Technology has made it possible with a variety of advancements to find out just about anything that you might need to know to help you maintain your quality of life. And it is all made possible with information gathered and analyzed with the aid of spy electronics.(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Spy Electronics. About The AuthorKingston AmadanTo learn more about Spy and Surveillance Products visit http://www.spyassociates.com. Read other related articles at http://spyassociates.blogspot.com/

Category : Gadgets & Gizmos

Who Is The Inner Critic?

Author : Skye Thomas
The inner critic is that voice inside your head that tells you that you aren't good enough, smart enough, talented enough, pretty enough, or strong enough. It nags and natters at you to the point that your self confidence and sense of bravery is destroyed. You are convinced that the voice is correct and that you really don't have what it takes to live out your wildest dreams. As time goes on, you quit setting meaningful goals. You become resigned to a life of mediocrity and dullness.The inner critic typically begins during childhood. Unfortunately most of us have had parents, siblings, teachers, friends, and enemies tell us that we aren't good enough. They laughed in your face when you told them your childhood dreams. It's not always said directly to our face. Sometimes it's a subtle undercurrent. Maybe you lived in the shadow of a perfect older brother and your folks forgot to cheer on your successes too. Maybe your folks did everything for you as if you weren't capable of doing anything for yourself. Maybe you lived under the rule of a perfectionist, so everything you did was critiqued with a cold critical eye and never quite cut the mustard.However it starts, the inner critic gathers proof that it is doing the right thing by protecting you from making foolish leaps of faith. It will find proof of your lack and inability to shine. Every time you give up and quit, the inner critic files that away in it's memory as proof yet again of your smallness. Years and years of layers of proof and validation coupled with the lack of a strong support system of cheerleaders strengthens the inner critic until it overpowers your own sense of drive and purpose. Your fears now rule your life.Critics are not necessarily bad. They analyze and report back the results of their critique. The inner critic believes that he is protecting you. It's his job to keep you from doing harmful or foolish things. In the caveman days, he would have told you that you couldn't outrun the lion so you'd best leave it alone. He would have told you not to try jumping off of that cliff because you don't have wings like a bird so you're not going to be able to fly. The inner critic is supposed to analyze your talents, traits, and abilities and then determine whether or not you've got what it takes to accomplish whatever whim you're entertaining. At an enlightened balanced level he keeps you safe and out of trouble. In overdrive, he immobilizes you and keeps you from doing much of anything interesting and adventurous.Look at the most common phobia in America - public speaking. Now seriously, this is feared more than dying! How can that be? What is it we're afraid of? People will laugh at us? People will think we're stupid? People will be so bored that they'll fall asleep and snore through the speech? We'll forget what we were going to say and just stand there with a blank look on our face? To stand up and speak one's mind is the ultimate test of self confidence. Do you really truly believe in yourself, your knowledge of the subject matter, your ability to form words and sentences that make sense to the audience?I can relate completely to this fear, but what I have to do is look realistically at myself from a third party objective viewpoint. I hear my own inner critic worrying that I'm going to make a fool of myself on stage because I'll forget what I'm going to say. The truth is, I have a gift of gab. I'm a talkaholic. I have no historical evidence of forgetting what I was going to say. Quite the contrary, I typically add so much more than I had originally planned on saying. If I'm honest in my evaluation of myself then I'd realize that I have so much information, opinions, and stories that even if I do forget what I was going to say, I could 'wing it.' Everything I do comes back to trying to teach people how to be happy. I'll find my way back to that goal even if I ever did forget. So, in a logical analysis, I would have to say that it's an invalid fear. There's no reason at all to listen to my own inner critic when it's nagging at me not to get up on stage to speak. For me, there is no real danger involved. It would be a shame if I let an invalid fear stop me from doing what I love most, reaching out and helping people to make positive changes in themselves.You may decide that your inner critic is telling the truth, you really aren't capable of doing what you've set out to do. You want to own a restaurant but you're afraid of failing. Upon evaluation you come to realize that you don't know anything about running a business or even cooking for that matter. Okay great, so get lessons. Educate yourself, make solving the fears your first steps. Just because you don't have all of the tools today doesn't mean that you're never ever going to be able to succeed.Your inner critic makes an evaluation about you based on mental programs and beliefs that has been fed into it over the course of your life. If you have a history of support and success, then your inner critic is probably balanced and logical. If you have a history of being ridiculed and of failure, then your inner critic is probably doing its best to save you from any further pain. You are so much more than your inner critic's opinion of you. You are forever capable of growing, learning, training, expanding, and contributing your unique beautiful self. Don't let your inner critic keep you from giving your gift to the world.Adapted from Beyond the Inner Critic, copyright 1999, Skye Thomas, Tomorrow's EdgeAbout The AuthorSkye Thomas is the CEO of Tomorrow's Edge, an Internet leader in inspiring leaps of faith. She became a writer in 1999 after twenty years of studying spirituality, metaphysics, astrology, personal growth, motivation, and parenting. Her books and articles have inspired people of all ages and faiths to recommit themselves to the pursuit of happiness. After years of high heels and business clothes, she is currently enjoying working from home in her pajamas. To read more of her articles, sign up to receive her free weekly newsletter, and get free previews of her books go to www.TomorrowsEdge.net.Skye@TomorrowsEdge.net
Category : Self-Improvement:Motivation

What The Heck Is Podcasting And What Can It Do For Your Business?

Author : tim knox

Do you ever feel like technology is passing you by, no matter how hard you try to keep up? Like youre peddling your bike as fast as you can down the middle of the business super highway, but still cars whiz by you so fast that the breeze just knocks you into the ditch?Now Im a pretty high-tech kind of guy. I pride myself on having all the latest and greatest techno gadgets for my personal and business life; including multiple laptop computers, the most modern cellular phone, and a Global Positioning System in my car to always tell me where I aint. I know, its supposed to tell me where I am, but my brain doesnt work that way.But only recently have I cemented my position among the true entrepreneurial technorati by adding a podcast to my business marketing repertoire. Whats that you say? You have no idea what a podcast is or how it can help add dollars to your bottomline? Then peddle faster, my friend, and Ill explain it all while you catch up. A podcast is a digital audio file that you record using your computer, recording software, and a microphone. You then upload that file to a podcasting web service so listeners can download the file or subscribe to the podcast feed and listen to it on their computer or audio player. If thats too techno-babblish for you, try this; a podcast is like an internet radio show that you produce and post to the web so people interested in what you have to say can listen to it on their computer or download it to an mp3 player. Now the big question: why should you care to know what a podcast is? Because used wisely, a podcast can become a powerful weapon in your marketing arsenal. It can help establish you as an expert in your field, drive traffic to your website, bring new customers in the door, open up new opportunities, and create a new revenue stream that you might have otherwise missed.Why am I so excited about podcasting? Trust me, its not because I love the sound of my own voice. As my Mama says, "Some people talk just to hear their head rattle." I believe she was looking at me the first time she said it.Im jazzed about podcasting because podcasting is today where email was ten years ago. Many people ridiculed email as a geeky fad and refused to believe it when the experts predicted that one day wed all be using email to communicate with everyone from our bosses to our grandmas. It was also hard for the average Joe to imagine how anyone could make money with email. Now, not too many years later, entrepreneurs who understood the potential of email marketing and got onboard early are generating millions of dollars a year selling to customers around the globe; all through the magic of email.I believe that podcasting actually has more potential than email because of what I call, "The Passion Factor." With a podcast you can hear the passion in a persons voice and get excited about their message. And podcasting is much more user friendly than email. You dont have to read or deal with mountains of spam and you dont have to be in front of a computer. All you have to do is listen; and you can do so anywhere by using an iPod or other portable audio player. I started producing a weekly podcast for my Internet Marketing business about six weeks ago. The point of the podcast was to drive traffic to my websites and customers to my sales pages and eventually use it as a platform to promote my book. My podcasts are generally 20 to 30 minutes long and consist of me talking for a few minutes on a business related topic and an interview with an expert in the field related to that topic. I record my portion of the show using a headset microphone and a computer. I record the interview with the expert using a cable that connects my telephone to my computer. Once recorded and edited, the podcast sounds much like a radio show (on an amateur scale, of course). I then upload the podcast to a website called Podomatic, which makes the podcast available to the world via RSS (real simple syndication). Listeners can download my podcast to their computer or iPod and take me with them wherever they go.What has the podcast done for my business? I have averaged 50 to 100 new subscribers to my podcast each day and have noticed a nice spike in traffic to my website. Im seeing increased sales and getting more inquiries from potential customers. I am establishing my credibility as an authority on small business and Im having fun doing it. And isnt fun the best thing to have?Heres an example that illustrates the potential of podcasting: I met a couple at a recent seminar who have a counseling practice for divorced men dealing with child custody issues. This couple started a podcast on the topic of fathers rights and posted it to several podcast feed sites. Before long their podcast was being downloaded by hundreds of listeners each day. And at the end of each podcast they prompted listeners to visit their website to learn more about their products and services. As a result their little counseling business added over $100,000 in new revenue in just a few months. They are on track to do several hundred thousand dollars this year, thanks to the attention their podcast brings.How could you use podcasting in your business? If youre a dry cleaner you can record a podcast on getting tough stains out of clothes. Have listeners mention the podcast to get a discount on their next visit. If youre a car dealer do a podcast describing the new models. If youre a CPA do a podcast on tax tips. If youre an attorney do a podcast giving legal tips. The possibilities are endless. You are limited only by your imagination. If youd like more information on podcasting and how to put it to work in your business you can email me at tim@timknox.com and Ill point you in the right direction. If youd like to sample my podcast youll find it on my website at timknox.com.From "Small Business Q&A" With Tim KnoxTim Knox is a nationally-known entrepreneur, author, speaker, and radio show host.Tim has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs realize their business dreams.To learn more please visit http://www.timknox.com

Category : General Business: Markets

GPS Will Never Be the Same Again

Author : Lance Winslow
Some new technology is being used now in the UK, which makes GPS even more accurate for personal tech devices and automobiles. These new technologically advanced systems will be able to bring the accuracy within a meter, rather than the best in-car systems no barely accurate to 32 yards.This new Super GPS System is the European Galileo Project and it will be completed in 2010 and will revolutionize the capabilities of current GPS. How will this be achieved? Through more satellites using a net-centric grid system. This system and all these technologies will be available to China as well, which one would suppose will be used for accurate military uses, such as guided munitions.All of the new Super-GPS Galileo Project is on time and ahead of schedule meaning that the frequency bands set aside for this use are secure now and will not expire, as has been the case previously with such satellite ventures, as you recall one of Craig McCaws projects some eight years ago. The new 3G wireless cell phones in the UK will have built in GPS function, similar to those in the US.Needless to say with all this new technology, the United States will lag behind in such capabilities in the commercial sector if it does not allow transfer technologies or joint use of satellite systems. Additionally such technologies are taking some military advantage away from the United States that they have enjoyed for decades. GPS will never be the same again and we will continue to see more of this in 2006.Lance Winslow
Category : Computers-and-Technology:GPS

Everything is Negotiable - Including Sex - Learn to Do it Well

Author : Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD
It is usually assumed that those who possess the greatest talent, dedication and education are the ones who achieve the rewards in life. Life can disillusion those who hold that belief. The ‘winners’ are usually people who are not only competent, but also are willing to negotiate what they want. Negotiation, however, is not theirs alone. An increased awareness of what negotiation is and how to use it to get what you want will help put you in the ‘winner’ category.Negotiation is an integral part of our lives. It occurs between neighbors, associates, friends, in-laws, and lovers. You probably have negotiated for such items as an increase in salary, more office space, time off work, transfer, time alone, or the price of your home and car. You negotiate nearly everything you do in life. Therefore, learn to do it well. Learn to be an effective negotiator and enhance the quality of your life and relationshipsâ€"on and off the job.In the broadest sense, we all want the same things (albeit in different degrees): prestige, freedom, money, justice, status, love, security, and recognition. Identifying or knowing what one wants is critical. Identifying what the other person wants allows for the beginning of a successful negotiation.Negotiation can be considered a science in that it is a field of knowledge and endeavor. It focuses on the reconciliation of two or more sets of individual needs to the mutual benefit of the collaborators. Negotiation in the simplest form is the use of information (knowledge) and power (endeavor) to affect behavior within a certain framework.When we engage in negotiation, two things are being bargained for: the issues and demands which we state openly; and our real needs, which are rarely verbalized. If you establish a reasonable guess about what the other person’s needs are, you can predict, with remarkable certainty, what will transpire in any interaction.Negotiation focuses on the reconciliation of two or more sets of individual needs to the mutual benefit of the collaborators. Three crucial elements are present in negotiation: information (knowledge), power (endeavor), and time. Misconceptions about the balance of ownership of these elements are, often the reason people fail either to initiate or conclude a negotiation. The misconceptions are manifested as perceptions of an imbalance of the elements. For example:Information: It is perceived that the other side knows more about you and your needs than you know about them and their needs. The questions which need to be resolved are: What do they need? What am I willing to give to get what I need?Power: It is perceived that the other side has more power and authority than you have. The questions which need to be resolved are: Do I have the skills to negotiate successfully? (In other words, can I get what I want from others?) Do I deserve to get what I want?Time: It is perceived that the other side is not under the same kind of organizational pressure, time constraints and restrictive deadline you perceive you are under. Avoid setting up your request with the approach, “I want what I want when I want it.” This instills a desire on your part to push for agreement prematurely, thus alienating the other person.These misconceptions become obstacles to productive negotiation. You need to fully understand these three elements and analyze the impact they will have on each negotiation prior to beginning the process.
There are three approaches to a negotiation:METHOD I â€" I Win, You Lose (Win/Lose)Advantages to this method are:I get what I want when I want itI experience a sense of power and controlI avoid making compromisesI get immediate gratificationDisadvantages to this method are:Social isolation (alienating others)A decreased tolerance for frustrationI get what I want at the expense of othersIndividuals learn to use abusive behavior to get what they wantThere is no guarantee individuals will follow throughMETHOD II â€" I Lose, You Win (Lose/Win)Advantages of this method are:You get what you want when you want itYou experience a sense of power and controlYou avoid making compromisesYou get immediate gratificationDisadvantages of this method are:Social isolation (alienating others)A decreased tolerance for frustrationYou get what you want at the expense of othersIndividuals learn to use abusive behavior to get what they wantThere is no guarantee individuals will follow throughMETHOD III â€" I Win, You Win (Win/Win)Advantages of this method are:You get what you wantI get what I wantThe solution is a collaborative effortI maintain respect and integrity â€" You maintain respect and integrityWe both save timeWe keep lines of communication openWe each know the needs of the otherAppropriate behavior is demonstrated and reinforcedDisadvantages of this method are:I seem weak
It takes time to work through the process when someone is not accustomed to win/win negotiatingThe individuals may agree to a proposed solution, but not follow throughDespite these disadvantages, Method III provides an avenue for a collaborative conclusion and therefore is the method recommended for all your negotiations.There are six steps to win/win negotiation:1. Identifying and Defining What is Wanted
This is the critical phase when the person initiating the negotiation needs to get the other person(s) involved. Get their attention and then secure their willingness to enter into problem solving.
2. Generating Possible Solutions
In this phase, the key is to generate a variety of solutions. Encourage each individual to generate at least one solution.
3. Evaluating the Alternative Solutions
Now it is time to evaluate the various solutions. Generally the solutions are narrowed to two or three that seem best by eliminating those that are not acceptable to either the initiator of the negotiation or the other person(s).
4. Agree on the Best Solution
Once the solutions have been narrowed down to two, the step of finding a final solution will be easier than most people think. When Steps 1 through 3 have been followed and the exchange of ideas and reactions have been open, honest and direct, most people will be willing to accept either solution. Pros and cons can be listed for each solution and the solution with the least cons accepted.
5. Implementing the Decision
After a decision is reached, there is frequently a need to spell out in some detail exactly how the decision will be implemented. All participants need to address themselves to ‘Who will do what, by when? In a business environment, it is also suggested that notes be kept about commitments to insure adherence, particularly if implementation is delayed.
6. Following Up With an Evaluation
Not all initial decisions in the win/win method turn out to be good ones. Consequently, the initiator of the negotiation needs to check back with the others to ask them if they are still happy with the decision.If you have something difficult to negotiateâ€"an emotional issue or a concrete item that can be stated numerically, such as price, interest rate, or salaryâ€"deal with it at the end of a negotiation, after the other person has made a substantial expenditure of energy and time. There is a direct ratio between the extent of investment and one’s willingness to create a win/win negotiation.People are usually most eager to negotiate when they perceive that you can help them or when they want to avoid something undesirable. In an adversary relationship (seller and buyer, interviewer and interviewee, contractual negotiation, etc.) if you think I might help or hurt you, it is important that your perception remains until I get something, such as a concession on your part that truly benefits the negotiation or our relationship.In an adversarial relationship, Steps 2 and 3 are done prior to the initiation of the negotiation. It is important to take into consideration the possible needs of the other(s) so as to generate as many acceptable alternatives as possible. In an adversarial relationship, once the negotiation is ended, Step 6 is seldom needed because the conclusion is usually acted on by immediate transaction or contractual commitment.As in learning any new skill, you need to develop the self-assurance that you are capable of performing the task. Since negotiation is a complex and highly skilled endeavor, it is suggested that you begin by practicing a segment until you feel comfortable. Begin by eliminating your misconceptions and replacing them with the concepts of a win/win negotiation. Then practice the steps of negotiation on a simple issue with someone you respect. The more you practice, the easier it will become. Soon you can begin negotiating more complex issues and then move on to negotiating with adversaries.Remember, negotiation is an art; therefore, it is achievable through practice and endeavor. Once you learn it, you too will be a winner.Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Entrepreneur, personal and professional Life Coach has 25 years experience. She has consulted to Fortune 500 CEO’s, Vice Presidents, business owners and people of all walks of life.

http://www.drdorothy.net
Category : Mesothelioma

The Need to Survive; A Death Knell For Organizations

Author : Nick Arrizza, M.D.
Changing the driving force upon which business decisions are based is crucial in order to not only restore ethics in business but to truly improve the lives of those whom they were meant to benefit: executives, employees and consumers. After all, weren't business activities meant to improve the state of existence of human beings on this planet?So what is this driving force that I am referring to? Well its the "fear of not surviving". You thought I was going to say something like "the profit motive" didn't you? Well the latter tends to derive from the former. Hence I would prefer to look at the deeper issue.Is anyone surprized that the current state of business decisions and activities is ruled by this emotional factor? If you are an executive and look deeply within yourself I think that you will likely recognize it operating and living within yourself and also the CEO's of many major corporations.What impact does having such a force inside one's self likely to have on that individual? Well if its powerul enough, and it can be quite powerful, as you can determine for yourself by recalling the last time you felt its effects operating, it can literally cause you to entertain decisions that could potentially undermine your self esteem, your integrity and the integrity of your organization.For instance, when needing to survive at all costs becomes the main agenda then one's health, one's compassion for others and one's personal and relational needs become distant and unimportant matters in one's mind. So when this happens, what happens to you?Well just think about it. Where are you without your health, without your family and frends, without the very thing that makes you a human being "the experience of the love in your heart"? Well you are essentially dead! Yes, even if you are still actually walking around you most likely feel, if you have the courage to feel what you feel, quite empty inside. That emptiness is a sign that "you are not present" to any great extent inside that body of yours. That's what empty means!So if you follow me so far, this fear of not surviving is paradoxically killing you, isn't it? Additionally, if you wish to recognize it, it's also making everything you are trying to accomplish rather meaningless because if you aren't present then how are you possibly going to benefit from any outcome of your decisions? Well you're not!So how does one get out of this trap? Well it's about re-establishing the courage to live and work from the deep core values that make you who you are, a human being. If you are having trouble remembering what these are you may wish to visit the web site link below in my bio.Dr. Nick Arrizza is trained in Chemical Engineering, Business Management & Leadership, Medicine and Psychiatry. He is a Key Note Speaker, Author, Stress Management Coach, Peak Performance Coach & Researcher, Specializes in Life and Executive Performance Coaching, is the Developer of a powerful new tool called the Mind Resonance Process(TM) that helps build phyiscal, emotional, mental and spirtual well being by helping to permanently release negative beliefs, emotions, perceptions and memories. He holds live workshops, international telephone coaching sessions and international teleconference workshops on Physical. Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Well Being.
Personal Url: http://www.telecoaching4u.com
Category : Satellite TV

Digital satellite TV systems: A whole new entertainment world

Author : Mitchell Richmond

Technology nowadays is truly amazing. One of these stunning new
technologies that bring great impacts to our live styles is digital satellite TV
systems. Satellite TV systems handle a number of tasks,
including communicating with a satellite 22,000 miles above the
earth's surface, unscrambling and encrypted signals, converting
the signal into analog or HDTV format as needed by the TV set
and splitting out one channel at a time so that the viewer
receives only that satellite television channel they are
seeking. Digital satellite receivers open up a whole world of TV
entertainment with amazing technology. These devices offer
features that parents and couch potatoes could only have dreamed
of in years past.

>From the user angle, there are lots of functions in Digital
satellite systems that bring in big improvements to their
lifestyles. For example, satellite TV systems (both Technology
nowadays is truly amazing. One of these stunning new
technologies that bring great impacts to our live styles is digital satellite TV
systems. Satellite TV systems handle a number of tasks,
including communicating with a satellite 22,000 miles above the
earth's surface, unscrambling and encrypted signals, converting
the signal into analog or HDTV format as needed by the TV set
and splitting out one channel at a time so that the viewer
receives only that satellite television channel they are
seeking. Digital satellite receivers open up a whole world of TV
entertainment with amazing technology. These devices offer
features that parents and couch potatoes could only have dreamed
of in years past.

>From the user angle, there are lots of functions in Digital
satellite systems that bring in big improvements to their
lifestyles. For example, satellite TV systems (both Dish Network and DirecTV
systems. ) allow parents to lock out programming
inappropriate for their children. These receivers also permit
pausing live television and video recording.

Satellite TV systems will also keep track of pay-for-view
programming. The receiver then communicates with computer
equipment at the provider's business to transmit billing
information.

Besides all these, another great features by Dish Network and
DirecTV is that these digital satellite systems are offered
free! Receivers are included in packages of equipment that are
supplied to subscriber homes, absolutely free. These free
satellite TV systems include free equipment, free shipping and
free installation. These are amazing machines that worth more
than $1,500, and they can be owned by you without paying a
penny-- perhaps this explains why Dish Network and DirecTV
became one of the fastest growing products in USA.

For exanple, both Dish Network adn DirecTV services allow
parents to lock out programming inappropriate for their
children. These receivers also permit pausing live television
and video recording.

Satellite TV systems will also keep track of pay-for-view
programming. The receiver then communicates with computer
equipment at the provider's business to transmit billing
information.

Besides all these, another great features by Dish Network and
DirecTV is that these digital satellite systems are offered
free! Receivers are included in packages of equipment that are
supplied to subscriber homes, absolutely free. These free
satellite TV systems include free equipment, free shipping and
free installation. These are amazing machines that worth more
than $1,500, and they can be owned by you without paying a
penny-- perhaps this explains why satellite TV systems
became one of the fastest growing products in USA.

For more information, visit: http://www.sunsatellites.com

Category : Stress Management

Embroidery Stabilizing for Machine Embroidering

Author : Sandy Carter
Here are some tips to get good results with your embroidery designs sewing.1. When it's possible, run your outline stitching first, this will help stabilize your fabric even further!2. I prefer layering solvy while stitching out a design to add dimension. Sometimes the "film" solvy can get a bit heavy using this technique, causing stiffness and can be difficult to remove. We've found a great "web" type that gets the job done with less stiffness and is super easy to remove! The film type soluble is still best for the base layer & I use it for every design I stitch on any fabric that water will not harm.3. We've all heard the "stabilize, stabilize, ..." To the point that I'm now seeing a lot of you over stabilizing! This creates as many problems as you're trying to eliminate and wasting money. Don't over stabilize, use 1 or 2 layers of the correct stabilizer. Ask us about our commercial backings to get the best possible results for all your embroidery needs!4. I always start with a commercial fusible backing in the appropriate weight for the fabric or garment I'm stitching on. We have 3 weights of fusibles in both permanent-for dense designs-and tear away. Two of them come in a generous 48" width.5. If your skin is sensitive, we suggest using our soft tear away backing under a fusible layer for any garments that will lay next to the skin. The soft tear away is - also rated by the US government - for use in children's sleep wear and is formaldehyde free!6. If you enjoy creating wearable art that's quilted, stippled or uses the trapunto technique, we have a great "fill" backing that won't make your garment look like a down jacket and is dense enough not to pull apart when it's laundered!Sandy Carter is the author of embroidery articles at embroidery
designs by Thread Artist. She has an article about embroidery software for digitizing and lettering fonts at
embroidery software. There is free embroidery digitizing Tutorial at
this web address - embroidery by Thread Artists Designs
Category : Domains

Shorting Stocks - The Basics, Part I of II

Author : Chris Perruna
What does it mean to short a stock?This means that you borrow the stock from your broker to sell to a third party. The idea is to buy back the stock at a lower price, returning the shares to your broker while leaving the remaining cash in your account as a profit. Put another way, a short seller does not own the stock before they sell it. Instead, they borrow it from another investor who already owns it. At a later date, the short seller buys back the stock they shorted and returns the stock to close out the loan. If the stock has fallen in price since they sold short, they can buy the stock back for less than they received for selling it. The difference is your profit.Short selling is a transaction made on margin. This means that you must open a margin account to sell short. Most online brokers allow you to open a margin account if you qualify according to their rules and regulations. Criteria related to minimum balances and cash reserves may apply. You will sign an agreement with your broker to open a margin account, this agreement says that you will maintain a cash margin or pledge your stocks as margin. (Note: Call your individual brokers for additional questions that you may have).Shorting can be difficult even during a bear market. The conditions must be exactly right for a stock to be considered a short. Just because a stock looks overvalued or high doesn’t mean that it is time to sell this stock short. As I have said before, what looks high to one investor may still be low to another. Two things to take into consideration would be dividends and thinly traded stocks. A stock paying a dividend must be paid by you the short seller when this position is on. Low volume stocks can be very volatile and market makers and money managers can run up the price quickly crushing your short play and adding to your overall loss.If the stock rises above your sell price, eventually you will have to cover your short for a loss. If you have not placed a stop loss, the stock can continue to go higher as your portfolio heads for disaster. Theoretically, a stock can rise infinitely, meaning your losses can rise infinitely. Imagine shorting NVR at $200 a share because you though it was overvalued, only to see it go to $700 per share. I am sure this type of trade would wipe out or leave a big dent in anyone’s portfolio.Many great shorting opportunities come from the same small and mid cap stocks that were once high flyers in previous months or years. For example, TZOO and DCAI were high flyers in 2004 before they became red flags and shorting opportunities. Even large cap companies such as eBay, SBUX and HD can present shorting opportunities at certain points.Ideal shorting candidates will have built several bases over a long period of time resulting in faulty late stage bases as the stock starts to fall. We look towards stocks that have built four or more bases over a few years although this is not always necessary. Stocks such as the mortgage lenders (LEND & CFC) have built many bases since 2002 and have run up several hundred percent. Home builders also fall under this category but have not made our shorting lists as of yet. They have been showing some red flags but support has been noted at or slightly above the 50-d moving averages.Additional criteria for shorting candidates will be decelerating earnings and sales and a relative strength line heading down. Basically take the characteristics that we use for long positions and reverse the criteria to develop a list of possible short candidates. Even familiar chart patterns can be used to spot shorts; the reverse cup shaped base, the head and shoulders pattern and/or the flat base with a stock breaking out to the downside on above average volume. Industry groups that are becoming weak or are showing multiple stocks falling and breaking through key trend lines should be noted on a watch list. If one stocks looks like a short candidate, look for additional sister stocks that may have the same set-up. Remember, stocks usually move in groups whether they go up or down.I tend to look for stocks that are below both the 50-d and 200-d moving averages. Once they slice through both of these lines, I then look for a strong down-trend and a failure to break above the 200-d moving average. This is my ideal time to short a particular stock.Always have a sound exit plan in place with a predetermined stop loss to protect your capital. We typically use a 7-10% stop loss for our long positions depending on the market strength but I would advise a larger buffer for short candidates. A stop loss placed 10-12% from your sell point would be ideal as most stocks have a natural tendency to go up or contain volatility near the shorting sell point.Shorting stocks can be more difficult to learn than buying stocks because a whole new set of rules and bearish short patterns must be learned, on top of your buying rules and chart pattern skills. Shorting can take many more years to master and can provide a shorter window of opportunity as bear markets typically don’t last as long as bull markets do. No matter what strategy you develop with shorting or buying long, you must always stick to strict sell rules. Never argue with a position that goes against you, emotions and pride mean nothing in the market, especially in the short market. Sell all losers immediately before they devastate your portfolio and your confidence going forward.The next article from this two part series will detail the strategies or reasons why you may want to short a stock and a few examples of how shorting stocks can benefit a portfolio during bear markets or sideway corrections, similar to our current situation.Chris Perruna - http://www.marketstockwatch.comChris is the Founder and President of MarketStockWatch.com, an internet community that teaches you how to invest your money with solid rules. We don't stop at just showing you our daily and weekly screens, we teach you how to make your own screens through education. Through our philosophy, you will be able to create your own methods and styles to become successful.
Category : Leukemia

Getting a Grip on Golf Terminology

Author : Keven Johnson
Regardless of how much you've played golf, you're probably going to hear some new terminology every time you're golfing with a new group or working with a new instructor. The way to save face is to simply nod like you know exactly what they're talking about, even when they're touting new words. The smart thing to do is ask.Even a casual golfer knows words like bogey, slice and approach. But did you know that balata is that rubbery substance that covers a golf ball? Here are a few terms that may be less well known to some golfers.A chunk is that boo-boo of hitting the ground behind the ball – way behind the ball. The word came about because the chunk of grass (the divot) that flies up can sometimes travel a longer distance than the ball. When it's done on purpose – as from a sand bunker – the resulting shot is called an explosion. When the ball is really buried in that sand, it's known as a fried egg.A top shot is when you simply hit too high on the ball. One of the most common causes is that you've hit several chunks and you're trying to compensate. When you hit a top shot, the ball will have little or no loft. If you're already in a sand trap, you're likely to stay there for another shot. If there's one directly in front of you, a top shot will probably net you a fried egg.A Mulligan is the same as a "do over" from your childhood days! This is when you aren't satisfied with your first shot and you simply pull another ball from your bag and start over. Typically, a Mulligan can only happen when you're playing alone or with very forgiving friends because few golfers are going to let an opponent have a free "do over."Yips is a word used to denote the inability to complete a putt with a slow, steady movement. For various reasons, the golfer instead makes a sudden, jerky swing, usually causing the putt to go wild.The address is commonly known as that moment that the golfer steps up to the ball. What some don't realize is that USGA rules say that the address has occurred once the golfer has rested the club behind the ball.Nassau is a popular way of competing, especially for those who are something less than professional minded. In this game, golfers have one score for the first nine holes they play and a separate score for the back nine, as well as an overall score for the entire round. That means that golfers have three scores to compare, upping the odds of winning something!There are other terms that you should know as well. The grain refers to the way the grass angles, similar to the grain of fabric. Loft is the angle of the face of the club. Dormie means that the person with the lower score can't hope for anything more than a tie.Learning the terminology isn't necessary to playing a good game, but it probably is necessary to enjoying play with friends.Keven Johnson is the web author for Golf Tips Page You may freely re-publish any articles by Keven Johnson only if the link to http://www.golf-tips-page.com remains intact.
Category : Recreation-and-Sports:Golf

Advice on Building a Bunk Bed

Author : Seth Miller
Bunk bed plans are design plans to build the perfect bunk bed. Bunk bed plans include do-it-yourself instructions to build a bunk bed out of wood. Some plans include just the bunks, while others also include plans to build drawers and other features.Most bunk bed plans begin with the building of two twin size beds. Then the plan explains how to build the infrastructure and attach the beds. Some plans include instructions to use box springs to support the mattress rather than merely plywood. Such a design will make the bunk bed more comfortable for kids.When building a bunk bed, special attention must be paid to safety because the bed will not be subject to quality control testing like beds created in factories. Safety tips to keep in mind when building and/or maintaining beds created with you bunk bed plan begin with making sure the top bunk has guard rails on all four sides. It is critical to ensure that the mattress fits snugly on all sides of the bed, and that the bed frame is sturdy. Finally, the ladder must be firmly connected to the bed.Bunk bed plans have several advantages. To begin, there is obvious satisfaction from your child, or someone else, sleeping in a bed that you constructed. Likewise, upon completed the bed, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment. Building your bunk bed also provides the ability for customization. You can select the type of wood, the finish, etc., as well as add ornaments such as hardware (e.g., handles) that meet your tastes and style. Finally, by taking extra precautions and care, it is possible for the bunk bed you build to be even safer than those created in factories.Bunk Beds Info provides information on the types of bunk beds that are available, and how and where to buy a bunk bed. Bunk Beds Info is the sister site of Murphy Beds Web.
Category : Divorce

Relaxation - The key to healthy life

Author : Nitin Jain

Physical exercise complemented by a healthy diet may still leave you bereft of a truly fit body if you dont relax enough. Relaxation releases 'feel good' hormones in our body. They help us reduce free radical effect, which means it slows down the ageing process, reducing the PMS syndrome, speeds up recovery of post-operative healing, increases our lung power... the list is endless. Result shows that just 15 minutes of daily relaxation can aid in the complete avoidance of blood pressure tablets. No amount of exercising and dieting alone can ensure that. Diet and exercise reduce stress levels, but they cannot wholly account for our emotional thought patterns. And thse negative emotions that are mainly accountable for many psychosomatic diseases. Evidently, pumping iron till your arms ache and dieting diligently will be futile minus relaxation. Relaxation is a must in our daily life. It alone can strengthen our immune system. Right from gardening to playing chess to practising simple mental exercises, anything can be relaxing. The choice and onus both lie with the person.Research studies have documented positive changes in the blood flow, neurochemistry as well as neurophysiology of the brain when one is relaxed. The blood flow to the brain is increased to those regions of the brain that are associated with feelings of being calm. So, to ensure the complete health quotient, one needs relaxation as much as one needs physical exercise and a proper diet.TOP TEN RELAXATION TIPS1. Do what you love daily, like listening to your favorite music.2. Devote time to a hobby.3. Look at some old photographs of an occasion that was full of fun.4. Be with nature any time of the day.5. Establish contact with old friends.6. In the afternoon, take a 20-minute nap.7. Sit on a chair with your feet touching the floor and your back upright. Focus on anything or any sound for three minutes.8. Once back from office, as you step into your home, just sit for 10-15 minutes doing nothing. You may switch on the television or listen to some music if you so prefer.9. Breathe deeply while listening to your favorite music.10. Press under the big toe and the arch of your foot. For &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.vitaminsdiary.com" target=new&gt;www.vitaminsdiary.com</a>.Your complete guide to buying vitamins online - &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/buy-vitamins.htm&quot; target=new&gt;http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/buy-vitamins.htm&lt;/a&gt;If you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and LIVE link to our website

Category : Health Organizations

Security: Ad Blocking

Author : Richard Lowe

I don't know about you, but I find banner ads pretty darn
obnoxious. Now, I do understand that the foundation upon which
the internet is built is, pure and simple: advertising. That's
what makes the internet work, and that's why it was growing so
fast. It's interesting to see companies fold as advertising
falls short of expectations.

I hate those ugly banner ads (especially that "punch the monkey"
thing). They steal my bandwidth and they take room from content.
Think about it, you have a 10k banner, you lose a couple of
seconds of bandwidth and about an inch off the top of your
screen.

Even worse are those idiotic pop-up banner ads which free web
sites seem to love (at least now most of them offer the option
of using inline ads). There is very little worse than visiting a
web site and having that stupid panty hose ad pop up over and
over and over. It just won't stay closed.

There is now a product on the market which does a superb job of
eliminating not only advertisements, but also pop-up banners,
cookies, sounds, Java and JavaScripts.

Just to give you an idea of how well this product works, I
cleared the statistics, then surfed for 5 minutes to 8 web
sites. A total of 5 ads were removed! Wow.

On top of that, AdSubtract saved me from 4 annoying pop-up
windows. I purchased the Pro version, which is about $29 - worth
every penny. You can get your own copy from the AdSubtract web
site. There is also a free version available which is find for
most uses.

Another product which does just about the same thing is Norton
Internet Security 2001. In addition to performing all of the ad
blocking and cookie management, Norton Internet Security 2000
contains a firewall. The ad blocking and cookie manager of this
product is reasonably good, but the firewall has some flaws. I
would recommend AdSubtract over Norton Internet Security 2001.

Regardless of the product, you now have the power to remove
those annoying ads from your surfing experience.

As an added benefit, this has tremendous effects on safeguarding
your privacy. These products both remove web bugs, which are
nasty little things created to track your movements across the
internet. Now you can stop telling companies like DoubleClick
from following your surfing habits. By blocking the ad, you are
also blocking the report back to them of what you are viewing.

How do these programs work? It's very simple really. These
intercept web pages before they get to your browser and examine
the HTML code. If they find something that matches one of their
patterns for an advertisement, they simply remove the code.

This means you pay a small price in CPU performance (I
personally didn't notice any delay), but gain it back in
bandwidth performance as you do not have to load the banners.

Additional Resources:

You can find Adsubtract at:
http://www.internet-tips.net/cgi-bin/lnkinlte.cgi?l=.adsubtract

Learn more about firewalls:
http://www.internet-tips.net/Security/Firewalls.htm

Learn about web bugs:
http://www.internet-tips.net/Security/webbugs.htm

Category : Meditation

Training on Demand

Author : T.J. Schier
If you have read Tom Peters' latest book, Re-imagine!, you know minor improvements are not going to set your business apart in the future. In fact, if you don't get out on the edge, you might not even survive. Forget being 1 percent better than the competition at 100 different things - be great and unique to crush the competition.Think back five or 10 years ago. Who would have predicted people would pay $4 for a cup of coffee? Fast-casual? Full-service restaurants offering carry-out? Salads and low-carb meals as a large portion of quick-serve restaurant menus? People paying $2 for "breath strips"? Consider that last one. The company didn't try to make their mouthwash 1 percent better than the competition—they created a new market for their product.The key is the employees. You can't treat them like mushrooms (in the dark and fed manure). Take a new approach—use new methods and incentives to add shelf-life to the effectiveness.As I wrote last month, my high school let us skip finals if we had a C average or better and one or no absences the second semester. In an effort to help people graduate more quickly (and try to keep tuition down), colleges have come up with some interesting ideas to solve some of their issues:Take more than 12 hours in a semester and pay no additional cost for the extra hours. An industrious student could take 15 or 18 hours and pay the same tuition as those taking 12 hours (and graduate more quickly).Maintain a B average or better and receive a discount on your tuition. Colleges are rewarding things that should already be occurring (but in reality aren't). Will these incentives change everyone's behavior? No, but it will impact those with the potential to get done more quickly and less expensively. These are out-on-the-edge ideas to try to solve their problems.
What about the education of our workforce? Today's kids, our employees, think DVD—random access to any portion of a movie, with plenty of bonus material. VHS? Boring, static, and not controlled by the user. Is your training program T.O.D. (Training on Demand)—access to what is needed right now? Here are some ideas to help get out on the edge…of success:Think like Pokemon. Kids today use silly cards to learn how to play a game. Companies from Carvel Ice Cream to McAlister's Deli use color cards with specs, recipes, and presentation standards within an employee's reach. Why? Quick-reference while assisting guests or preparing products, as well as being able to quiz employees during lulls in the business. Constant reinforcement breeds habits. Good habits breed success. Easy to create and inexpensive, but effective.Screen-capture software to create narrated, full-motion help files for POS and management back-office functions. Most people won't read a manual to figure out how to use software (and forget things taught to them long ago if not used daily). Paper is 2-D and we live and learn in a 3-D world. Place these help files on the register or the back-office PC. Cashier or manager can't remember how to do a particular function? Open the file, hear and see how it's done. Problem solved by T.O.D.Move your videos to DVD. Chains from Hard Rock Café to Chick-fil-A have made the move. It's still essentially video, but it allows you to break up a video into short two- to three-minute segments. Watch the short video clip then practice the skill. Return to watch the next section, practice, and so on.Create incentive systems and contests to encourage on-going learning and development as well as rewards for desired behaviors like suggestive selling or following recipes. Works for colleges and will work for you.Learn from others. Companies such as Disney, Hard Rock Café, and Zingerman's Deli all offer classes to learn how they create their culture and service programs. Can't go see them? Why not create a series of roundtable discussions amongst your employees and/or other locations (for instance, the ones leading your company in sales, service levels, retention, or profits)? The answers are there; they're just waiting to be discovered.
Mazes are solved quickly by starting at the end and working backwards. Take the same approach to your training and service. What do you want it to look like? Start from that point and work towards where you are today. If you start where you currently are, you'll make plenty of mistakes, backtrack frequently, and take a long time to get where you want.T.J. Schier is service professional, consultant and speaker with over 20 years experience in operations and training. Founder and president of Incentivize Solutions and podTraining, T.J. has helped numerous clients enhance their service and training programs and spoken to tens of thousands of managers, franchisees and operators in various fields. Visit http://IncentivizeSolutions.com/ for more info motivating today's employees, training today's generation and delivering outstanding guest service; or http://podTraining.us/, a unique new system and the foundation of 'i-learning' - using the device of today's generation, the iPod - to train your workforce.
Category : Business:Sales-Training

FLM Guarantor Loans

Author : Emily Harris

With most loan companies looking for ways to reject customers with credit problems, a poor credit history, or even no credit history it is refreshing and unusual to hear about one that it reversing that trend. And FLM Loans really is determined to be different.In a recent meeting with FLM's new head of risk the uniqueness of their approach was made clear to me "The top-end of the UK unsecured loan market is saturated. Everywhere you go there are companies wanting to lend you money as long as your credit history is whiter than white. Whilst there are some companies that advertise products aimed at people with credit problems, these are invariably secured loans and mortgages, only for homeowners. This still leaves over 10 million UK tenants with a low credit score out in the cold when it comes to loan options. FLM Loans was set up to offer those customers a realistic, professional option.""When FLM came up with their product we literally threw the rulebook out of the window. 'Our policy is that we will lend to anyone- recently come out of bankruptcy? No problem, CCJs or defaults? No problem, not on the electoral role? No problem. The only criteria that we look for is that you have a close friend or family member that believes that you will be willing and able to pay back the loan. After all your friends and family know you much better than a computerised credit score ever could."It seems that this is what is at the heart of the FLM Loans philosophy. A simple return to the values that used to influence financial decisions, before the days of computer says no. The strategy seems to be paying dividends. "According to recent satisfaction surveys our customers are among the happiest in the UK. Although many of them came to us after being turned down by their bank they appreciate the simple transparent way that we treat them and the flexible approach that we take to our lending."Unlike almost all other loan companies FLM Loans takes what it describes as an ethical approach to early repayments. "With FLM Loans all you have to repay is the money you have borrowed plus the interest that has accumulated for the number of days that you borrowed it. So if you borrow 3,000 for 5 days you will pay exactly 5 days worth of interest. Not a penny more"FLM Loans do not currently charge set up or application fees.FLM Loans currently have around 5,000 customers in the UK and are planning to increase this to 50,000 by the end of 2007. FLM Loans are currently only available through registered brokers, however there are plans to expand availability over the next year.http://www.flmloans.uk

Category : General Finance

A Baby Gift Basket Can be a Perfect Present

Author : Christopher M. Luck

When a close friend or relative is having a baby, there are always presents and baby shower gifts to think about getting. The new mother is going to have an intense period of adjustment before she gets settled into the routine of having another human being to look after, so she will need all the help possible from family and friends to make that transition as easy and memorable as possible. This should be a celebratory time for the new family, not a time of worry or stress, and a gift basket to commemorate the new addition can be just the thing to brighten their spirits even more, and maybe even supply them with some things that will end up coming in handy.A baby gift basket can be one of the easiest way for you as the gift giver to be creative, and show the person your giving it to just how much you care about them. Instead of one big gift, you get to give out a plethora of trinkets, toys, and other fun items, wrapped together in a beautiful package which, in itself, can be a gorgeous thing to receive. A popular thing to do when buying a gift basket is to let the company who makes it fashion the wicker basket as a bassinet, within which are all the things you want to bestow upon the new child, making your gift all the more thoughtful and appropriate. Better yet, there are so many companies out there that are experts at making these sorts of things, so even if you?re not exactly Martha Stewart yourself, you can let an anonymous craftsperson make it seem like you should have your own cable show.Within the gift basket, you?ll want to include the basics, those simple bare necessities. This means, teddy bears and or dolls are a given, as any parent will know a young child can never have enough teddy bears. If you want to be gender specific, you can go for the standard pink or blue color palettes to appease notions of femininity and masculinity, but many people nowadays are shying away from such black and white notions of sex, so your best bet is probably to stay as neutral as possible. This also means that you can go nuts and include just about anything in the toy department that you want to give the new baby. No longer do Tonka trucks mean ?it?s a boy? nor do Raggedy Ann dolls indicate the infant is a girl, so take advantage of this freedom in creating a truly unique and memorable gift basket. Baby oil or baby wipes can be the new parent?s dream as well, since they?ll surely be running through plenty of both, so don?t be afraid to include the practical as well as the sentimental.In addition to the variety of contents you can include in your basket, you also have the luxury of having a wide range of prices and sizes to choose from, as crafting gift baskets for babies is a burgeoning market right now. Obviously, if the expecting mother is only a co-worker or a casual acquaintance, you don?t want to present them with an elaborately fashioned and ornately packaged gift basket, as you?d probably be shelling out more money than you really want to spend. A nice, small gift basket can say everything you want to say, and do it in a classy, memorable way, without costing you the proverbial arm and leg. Christopher M. Luck has an extensive background of&nbsp; over 18 years experience dealing with baby gift baskets and is now offering his free professional baby gift basket advice to the public. If you are at all interested in Christopher's baby gift basket advice, tips, or secrets, you can visit his baby gift basket blog.

Category : Newborns

Your Resume Isn't About You

Author : Roy Miller
You may think it is, but your resume isn't really about you at all.In fact, you aren't even the subject of the document.Sure, without you there wouldn't BE at a resume, but that's not the point. Anybody reading your resume doesn't want it to be about the "you" that is in good health, or the "you" that has hobbies and interests outside work, or the "you" that likes movies and traveling.It's nice for an interviewer to find an affable person who would be a great member of the team. Those are good qualities to have. But they come across during the interview, without much extra effort on your part (sometimes none, if you're well prepared).All somebody reading your resume really cares about is what value you can add to his organization. If all you do is show up and collect a paycheck, you're worse than useless - you're a net cost. Every business cares about ROI in almost every area. Good businesses are almost obsessed with it. Your resume is your chance to present yourself as a profit improver.Have you ever known a person who couldn't stop talking about himself? That's the typical resume. The reaction is the same.A reader wants you to say what you can do for the company you want to join.Specifically, he wants to know whether you can improve profit.Can you reduce costs?Can you increase revenue?Can you improve operations significantly (which is only half a step from improving profit)?Your resume should be entirely about two things:
The profits (or almost-there operational improvements) you can add to the company
The reasons you're the one uniquely qualified to add them
The only place you come in is at profit delivery time. In other words, though it sounds cold, you are a means to an end.If you present a compelling set of improved profits you can add, and you position yourself as the one person uniquely qualified to add them, you WILL get called for an interview most of the time.When you're hired, you can show them the affable team member you really are. Until then, you're competing against other candidates who add profit. Add more, sooner, more confidently, and you'll get the job.Copyright (c) by Roy MillerRoy Miller created http://www.Job-Search-Guidepost.com.Would you like a "secret weapon" to crush your job search competition? Subscribe to Roy's free newsletter and get a free report that shows YOU can win the job of your dreams in record time. Visit here to subscribe and claim your free copy: http://www.Job-Search-Guidepost.com.Roy will link to you if you publish this article! Publish this article with no changes (keep the bio box at the bottom) at your site or in your newsletter. Then email Roy here to let him know where you're publishing: Editors@Job-Search-Guidepost.com. You'll get a link at http://www.Job-Search-Guidepost.com, and maybe an ad in Roy's weekly newsletter.
Category : Fundraising

Limoneira Coffee Company to Open First Retail Outlet February 2005

Author :

Limoneira International, a division of Limoneira Company, announced it will open its first Limoneira Coffee Company retail outlet in February 2005 in Santa Paula, California. Limoneira International, established in 2002, is the exclusive worldwide distributor of Guar Arabica premium coffee grown by Jogil Agropecuaria in the Jequitinhonha Valley in Minas Gerais, Brazil. As a single-source supplier, the entire coffee process, from seed to cup, takes place at Jogils more than 2,000-acre coffee plantation within its 40,000-acre farm. Coffee beans are harvested, dried and roasted under the supervision of Jogil owners Jos Olyntho Oliveira and his sons. The Oliveira family takes great care in ensuring that each bag of Guar coffee contains beans that are consistent in size, quality, color and are rich in flavor, says Bill Allen of Limoneira International. Limoneira International began marketing its coffee under the Guar name in 2004 to multiple retail, wholesale and food service channels. A natural outgrowth of our distribution efforts is to create company-owned and franchised retail coffee houses, says Allen. Brazil grows some of the best coffee in the world. Our coffee houses are designed to reflect the look and feel of the country. When customers step into Limoneira Coffee Company, theyll know they are about to enjoy a great Brazilian coffee drinking experience.Besides serving and selling only Guar coffee brand products, the stores will also feature a full coffee house menu including hot and iced coffee drinks, gourmet teas, desserts, baked goods, bags of whole bean coffee and gift packs. The Santa Paula location will be a wireless Internet hot spot where customers can access the Internet from their wireless laptops or through the coffee houses own bank of computers.For sales, distribution and franchise information, contact Bill Allen at 805-421-1013, e-mail protected from spam bots or visit &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.limoneira.com" title=&quot;test&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;www.limoneira.com</a>.

Category : Cook Books

Sailing Enthusiasts to Learn Celestial Navigation on TransAtlantic Voyage

Author :

The Ocean Navigator School of Seamanship and the new specialty travel service Sailing Ship Adventures are sponsoring a Navigation Seminar at Sea aboard the tall ship Royal Clipper on a transatlantic sailing from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, departing April 23, 2005. The seminars instructor, John Carlisle, who holds Master &amp; Chief Mate licenses for ocean voyages, will teach celestial navigation, voyage planning, comprehensive electronic marine data acquisition, weather routing &amp; heavy weather avoidance, and ocean track plotting, to serious offshore sailors who are preparing themselves for their own ocean passagesWhat makes this navigation seminar different, according to Dexter Donham, who launched Sailing Ship Adventures after 17 years in the travel and cruise industries, is the ship on which it will be taught. The 440 foot Royal Clipper is the worlds largest full-rigged sailing ship, offering comfortable staterooms, fine dining, and other services and amenities, in addition to an authentic ocean-crossing sailing experience. Classes will be taught morning &amp; afternoon while underway, with evening sextant practice. Students will have frequent briefings with Royal Clippers Captain, and will enjoy an open bridge policy. Unlike similar seminars at sea, students are encouraged to bring family members or companions not attending the seminar to enjoy the sailing adventure with them.The sailing may be booked through Sailing Ship Adventures as either a 16-night voyage, from Bridgetown, Barbados to Malaga, Spain, or a 21-night voyage terminating in Rome, Italy. The 16-night voyage stops at Punta Delgada in the Azores Islands before arriving in Malaga. For those continuing on to Civitavecchia (port of Rome), there will be port calls at Palma, Majorca, and Mahon, Menorca in Spains Balearic Islands. Prices begin at $2,999 per passenger for the 16-night voyage plus seminar, and just $1,811 for the voyage without the seminar. For more details, go to: &lt;a href=&quot;http://tinyurl.com/4czre&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;http://tinyurl.com/4czre&lt;/a&gt; .Royal Clipper is just one of many tall ships, schooners and other sailing vessels available to vacationers through Sailing Ship Adventures which is located in Wellesley, MA. Information on ships, schedules, pricing, theme trips and accommodations for special needs, can be found at the companys web site, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sailingshipadventures.com" target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;http://www.sailingshipadventures.com</a> , or by calling 1-877-882-4395, toll free, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time.

Category : Online Business Law

The Greatest Enemy Of Your Financial Security

Author : David Wilding
If you had to choose the greatest enemy of your financial security, where would you look? In the
lineup, as you look them over, who would you choose? There are so many that qualify. Banks,
credit card companies, persuasive advertisers, finance companies, and identity thieves, would all
be in the running.Banks because, while you are their customer, they do not have your best interests at heart. They
hit you with all sorts of fees and charges for services which used to be provided free. They
constantly bombard you with offers to go further into debt. Car loans, home equity loans and
other lines of credit are pitched in every statement you receive. But, they are not your worst
financial enemy.Credit card companies love to add charges for many different errors on your part (and sometimes
theirs). Late fees, over-limit fees, yearly fees, and returned check fees are just a few. They hike
your interest rate if you looked cross-eyed on a Tuesday, or miss a payment (not just with them,
but any creditor). Still, they are not your greatest financial enemy.Persuasive advertisers love to get you to buy, buy, and buy. They have you pegged as far as your
habits. They know your wants and desires. They have so much information on you, the fight isn’t
even fair. Their ads make you feel good and pull all the triggers. Yet, they are not your greatest
financial enemy.Finance companies who charge rates that reach to the moon do you no favors when you walk in
the door. Sometimes you don’t even need to walk in the door. They send you a check you can
deposit in your account and thus take out a loan with them with out ever seeing them. They turn
easy money into easy debt; easy until it comes time to pay the bill. Even here you will not find
your greatest financial enemy.How about identity thieves? They pilfer your financial information, and run wild with the account
they set up. They rummage through your trash, set up scams, and flat out steal your info. They
definitely qualify as real lowlifes. Never the less they aren’t your greatest financial enemy either.So how do you find your greatest financial enemy? You go look in the mirror. This is the person
you really need to watch. This is who gives into all of the credit offers in the mailbox. This person
watches the television and reads the magazines; then responds to the ads that are displayed. It is
this same person who is careless with their financial information or falls for the scams.This is the man or woman who spends more that they make. This person refuses to save any
money. It is this person who doesn’t invest for the future. This is also the person who doesn’t
educate themselves in matters of money. This is your greatest financial enemy.It is this person who ruins all your dreams. It is also this person over who you have the most
control. Do not look anywhere else for the cause of your financial problems. You are in charge
and you are accountable.You need to take the time to investigate all matters financial. You need to educate yourself
concerning money, credit, debt and its uses. You are the one who needs to curb your spending.
You are the one who needs to establish a plan for your savings and in turn your future. Your
greatest enemy is in the mirror, and so is your greatest help and friend. Depending on who or
what you see determines what you need to change or what you need to keep doing.(c)2005 David WildingDavid Wilding has for the past ten years worked with both groups and individuals to rid their lives of debt. Visit his site http://www.debtattack.com for more ideas, tools, and strategies to get rid of your debt.
Category : Travel & Leisure

A Look at the Different Depression and Anxiety Medications

Author : Charles Donovan
While it may be easy to recite the various brand names and generalize their benefits enough to know they put us (or are supposed to put us) in a better mood, for lack of a better term, the drugs themselves can all be categorized individually, each working in a slightly different way.The following is a list and very brief description, by category, of depression and anxiety medications currently prescribed by physicians.Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)SSRIs, which are fairly new to the arsenal of depression and anxiety medications, have gained immense popularity among prescribing psychiatrists within the past 10 years. They are usually prescribed during the early stages of depression, if a person has sought help and behavioral and/or psychotherapy has not proven effective enough. With appropriate dosage, SSRIs can "catch" depression before it becomes severe. Although they do not work for 20% to 40% of people who try them, their ability to work for people with minor (and even major) depressive illnesses makes them attractive enough to prescribing psychiatrists to try them first before moving on to more serious depression and anxiety medications and methods, if need be. SSRIs work on serotonin, one of the brain's three neurotransmitters. SSRIs Brand name (chemical name)Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline)Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MOAIs)MAOIs are the type of depression and anxiety medications that work for people who are mildly depressed, develop mild depression over a long period of time, are overly sensitive to their environment, or who are easily able to emerge from periods of depression. People who demonstrate an excess of a particular activity (ie, overeating, oversleeping, emotional overreaction) as compensation with stress can benefit from MAOIs, which work on the three neurotransmitters (called monoamines) found in the brain: norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. These are usually only prescribed when a person hasn't responded to any of the other types of depression and anxiety medications.A strict diet must be followed if taking an MAOI, because in conjunction with certain foods, the body can react with elevated blood pressure, headaches, fluctuating blood sugar (for people with diabetes), and in more severe cases, brain hemorrhage. Because of these risks, MAOIs were taken off the American market for a while, but were reintroduced for patients who haven't had luck with any other depression and anxiety medications.MAOIs Brand name (chemical name)Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine)Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)Tricyclics have been available longer than any other depression and anxiety medications. In 1958, the first tricyclic, imipramine (Tofranil), was released to help combat major depression, and physicians saw a 70% positive response within their patients. Previously the only treatments for severely depressed patients were amphetamines and electroshock therapy. TCAs increase the brain's supply of serotonin and norepinephrine, two of the brain's three neurotransmitters, but it also affects some of the brain's other nerve impulses as well, and this allows for more side effects.Severely depressed and/or hospitalized patients see the most benefit from taking TCAs because of its sedative effect. In the past, patients were usually prescribed tricyclics before anything else, but with the movement of psychiatrists (and patients!) toward heading off depression before it becomes severe and/or chronic, TCAs are now usually only prescribed if the other types of depression and anxiety medications don't work.TCAs Brand name (chemical name)Adapin (doxepin), Anafranil (clomipramine) , Elavil (amitriptyline), Endep (amitriptyline), Ludiomil (maprotiline), Norpramin (desipramine) , Pamelor (nortryptyline), Pertofrane (desipramine), Sinequan (doxepin), Surmontil (trimipramine), Tofranil (imipramine), Vivactil (protriptyline)Non-specified or "Other" depression and anxiety medications
Because their chemical make-ups do not fit into any of the other categories, the following list of depression and anxiety medications can only be termed as "other." Wellbutrin, Desyrel, Remeron, and Effexor are prescribed most. Each of the four drugs affects at least one of the brain's three neurotransmitters (norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine), and as a result, each has its own particular set of side effects. As a result, psychiatrists are much more likely to prescribe one of the other types of depression and anxiety medications (SSRIs, MAOIs, TCAs) before switching to one of these. In some instances, a patient's regimen is augmented by combining an SSRI or TCA with an"other" depression and anxiety medications, but because of an MAOI's particular chemical make-up and dietary requirements, it is prescribed alone.Brand names (chemical names) of Non-specified depression and anxiety medicationsBuspar (buspirone), Cymbalta (duloxetine), Desyrel (trazodone) , Effexor (venlafaxine), Edronax, Vestra (reboxetine), Remeron (mirtazapine), Serzone (nefazodone), Wellbutrin (bupropion).In August of 2004, the FDA approved the investigational drug Cymbaltaâ„¢ (duloxetine HCl), which demonstrated rapid relief of anxiety symptoms associated with depression that was sustained for the length of the study period, according to new data published in the journal Depression and Anxiety. In clinical studies, researchers attribute the medication's effect on a broad spectrum of depression symptoms, which include emotional and painful physical symptoms as well as anxiety, to its dual reuptake inhibition of both serotonin and norepinephrine.
Learn more about treating depression at http://www.e-mentalhealth.comCharles E. Donovan
Author
Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
Category : Sociology

Somnia Announces Expansion of Ambulatory Anesthesia Services into Philadelphia Region

Author :

Somnia, Inc., a leading provider of office-basebulatory Anesthesia Services into Philadelphia Regd and ambulatory anesthesia services, is pleased to announce the opening of its new office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The expansion is part of the companys efforts to provide anesthesia services to a broader-reaching market. Headquartered in New Rochelle, New York, Somnia currently provides office-based and ambulatory anesthesia services to physicians in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The new office, located in Center City, will enable Somnia to deliver optimum-level service to patients and clients in the Philadelphia area.While our focus is on creating a national company, we take pride in giving our clients local attention, said Marc E. Koch, MD, MBA, President, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Somnia, Inc. Our quality assurance program and adherence to AAAHC standards underscore our focus on providing exemplary patient care and setting the standard for office-based anesthesia. Koch added that patients increasingly appreciate the comfort and convenience of a procedure performed in a doctors office. With nearly 40 anesthesiologists covering New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we look forward to expanding our coverage area to reach more patients within the Mid-Atlantic States. Office-based surgery is one of the fastest growing areas in medicine. Improved technology and short-acting anesthetics have enabled less invasive surgeries to become more common and more conducive to an office setting. According to the Federated Ambulatory Surgery Association (FASA), the overall volume of surgeries has increased dramatically in recent years, growing from 20 million to 40 million cases from 1981 to 1999, and is expected to surpass 50 million cases by 2006. Somnia, Inc. provides comprehensive anesthesia services to office-based surgical practices and ambulatory surgery centers. The company is a management service organization based in New Rochelle, NY. Somnia is dedicated to providing high quality, efficient and exceptional levels of service to patients and clients. For more information, please call 1.877.4SOMNIA (1.877.476.6642).Anthony J. GuglielmiCommunications &amp; Public AffairsSomnia, Inc.145 Huguenot StreetSuite 103New Rochelle, NY 10907Office: 914-633-5474 ext 38Direct: 860-221-5730VM/Pager: 888-969-7096Fax: 914-633-3287e-mail protected from spam bots

Category : Affiliate Programs

Top Seven Ways to Promote your Ezine

Author : Judy Cullins
Your ezine builds customer confidence and trust when you give free tips, articles, and resources. Clients and customers buy only when they trust you. Expand your email subscriber list seven ways for eventual big sales.
1. Network offline.
Visit professional like-minded networking groups. These groups usually meet once a month, have speakers, and networking time for you to mix with other professionals. You will get valuable information at these meetings for low cost-yearly memberships run that around $25-$75 which includes free or low-cost meeting attendance. Each meeting is around two hours including networking time and talk. Usually at each meeting you hear a speaker and get a 30-second time to introduce yourself.
2. Speak to groups about your expertise.
You can guest speak for a large association or group, or you can give your own seminars and workshops, where people come to hear your expertise. During each meeting, pass as clipboard that asks your audience for their email addresses. At the top include a reason to "buy". Make a fre*e offer such as your ezine. Include your Web URL in plain sight as well as your email. You want these people to visit your Web site, to see what you can do for them, see your expertise, then perhaps to buy products.
You can give a teleclass too in the comfort of your office or home. When you introduce yourself offer a benefit of your free ezine along with a free bonus special report.
3. Promote your ezine on your Web site.
Visit various sites and take from them what will make your web pages zing.
Don't use the pabulum approach such as "Subscribe to my free ezine." Is this enough to make you buy? Give a reason for your visitor to buy.
Use the passion approach. For my new Web site, I submitted this blurb to my Webmaster: Finish, publish, and sell your book-fast! Receive free articles, tips and resources in the FRE*E monthly ezine "The Book Coach Says…."
Nearby in a box, I put up a strong testimonial from someone highly respected in the business. Dan Poynter, self-publishing guru said, "Chock full of tips, how-to's, and resources, definitely worth your time."
You can also offer by autoresponder a free report when people subscribe. People want free information. When you give it to them, they will come back for more, and eventually buy.
Placement is important. For the best response and more subscribers, place your subscribe box before your visitor has to scroll down. Remember the old adage; "Make it easy for your customer to buy."
4. Promote your ezine through your signature box at the end of every email.
Create a promotional signature in four to seven lines, and add it to the end of each email you send out. Here, you would list your book title, benefits of your service, your FRE*E ezine title with a way to subscribe. Include your email, Web site address, and local phone number for people out of the U.S.
5. Promote your ezine through submitting free articles to opt-in ezines.
Once you subscribe to these ezines, you can submit one or two articles from 400-800 words every week. In each ezine, thousands of other subscribers will read and think about your article.
Each time you submit an articles to ten or so opt-in ezines (all with one click) you will receive 10-25 new ezine subscribers each day. A strong signature file brings you many new visitors a day. These turn into sales eventually, once trust is established.
6. Offer your subscribers a free gift subscription to send to their friends.
You can use another autoresponder to send the gift, plus whom it's from, and a little blurb about what they will be receiving. Always include a way for subscribers to unsubscribe.
7. Send out press releases via email about your ezine. Press releases by email are different from print ones. They must be short! They must be newsworthy! Don't pitch your book; offer some skills and how-to's. Skills Unlimited Publishing sends out over 150 different print releases a year, along with other effective Online promotion.
Media editors will respond to your compelling headline such as "7 Ways to Sell More Books Than you Ever Dreamed of" that brought first a feature in a major newspaper in San Diego. The results? Over 90 people came to a local seminar by the same name. Four new book coaching clients signed up. Twenty came to ongoing weekly seminars, and twenty more to a teleclass. Book sales amounted to over $400.
Send a list of tips and how-to's to editors. These may prompt a call to do a feature story on you.
Build your business and sell more products through an ezine. When subscribers experience your messages and information in six or more ezines, they will be more likely to buy from you.Judy Cullins, 20-year book and Internet Marketing Coach, Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," and "How to Market your Business on the Internet," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, The Book Coach Says...and Business Tip of the Month at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml and over 140 free articles. Email her at mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com
Category : History