Business

Ideas To Financing Your Property Development Project

2011-12-15T21:41:00.000-08:00

There are a number of ways for an aspiring property developer - even one who doesn't have a lot to spend-- to get started. Along with individual savings and investment, two standard sources of financing for a venture are loans and investors. A common structure for a development project is 50-80 % debt and 20-50 % equity investment. For credibility and to ensure that there is motivation for the developer, equity investors usually ask a developer to co-invest. Most invest between 5 and 15 % of the cost; a higher investment means more direction and lower rates.

Getting investors takes some work, but it's possible to find them, even for small projects. Local chambers of commerce can point out investment clubs and companies. Search public databases for building permits that contain the names of developers and contractors who may be interested in local investments.

It's important to understand that getting capital is a time consuming, difficult process. In today's financial environment, things aren't like they used to be. Loans have to be secured by cash flow and assets. It doesn't matter who you know, and no matter how good the project sounds to the developer, it will still be evaluated based on its credit risk.

Because of this, it's important to have professionally prepared documents and plans. You can do this on your own or hire a consultant, but there has to be accurate projections and reports like feasibility studies for marketing and finance, business plans and operational plans. It's best to gather potential investors together and present the proposals in a method that is visual and accurate.

Proposals and plans should show a positive project valuation - how much the project will be worth once costs are paid. For developments that will be sold, this is equal to the net sales value after marketing and other costs are paid. For rentals, it's the annual income generated after marketing and development costs are paid.

Another important turn is net operating income or NOI. This is the gross income minus taxes, insurance, utilities, management, maintenance and replacement.

Some other important rates and ratios used to evaluate a project's potential are:

Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR or DCR): the ratio of stabilized NOI to debt service

Loan to Value (LTV): the ratio of the loan amount to the project value

Capitalization rate

Rate of return

Once the project is complete, debt is repaid first then equity is distributed. For a sale, it's all paid from revenue. In a rental investment, a permanent loan replaces construction loan and is paid monthly, with revenue paid to investors after this amount is paid. Investors are paid back in a "waterfall" structure. The first pool pays investors a high percentage of profit - first, a repayment or return on equity, then an annual return that typically equals 9 to 12 percent of the investment. The property developer's investment is reimbursed at the same time, and the developer is also paid any special fees that are specified in the contract.

With a valuable project and a professional approach to presenting it, a property developer can make a vision come alive, build a solid reputation, and earn a generous profit.

Creating A Lasting Impression

2011-12-15T21:40:00.000-08:00

This year at your company party, what sort of impression would you like to make: would you like to be the remembered as the guy who is smart, pleasant and charming, or the guy about whom people say, "ummm, hmm... yeah, I think I remember meeting him... maybe"? You're going to pick the former, of course, as all of us would. No one wants to be remembered as the dull guy, or not even remembered at all. So before you attend any parties this year, take a little bit of time to consider how you will appear to others.

Pay attention to your body language.
Yes, what you say is important. But your body language is even more important because people "read" it before you say a single word. Make sure to smile. Sit or stand up straight, and do not cross your arms in front of you, as this is interpreted as a defensive posture. As you are talking with people, try to make eye contact in a relaxed manner. What I mean by this is, definitely make eye contact with the person to whom you are speaking, but try not to make this person feel as if you are staring or scrutinizing. When you break eye contact, try to do it slowly, without darting your eyes. This helps people to feel comfortable during a conversation.

Dress nicely.
We all tend to stereotype. It's not something that we like to admit to, but every single one of us does it at some point whether we mean to or not. It is an old survival instinct, really, to look at a person and immediately judge whether or not he or she will be a threat to us. So, it is very important to acknowledge that people will be making a split second judgment based on your appearance whether they mean to or not. Because of this, you should take the time to make sure you look your best. Dress up your look for the holidays by wearing a dark colored velvet sport coat. Or if you usually wear contact lenses, wear a fashionable pair of glasses instead. Experiment with different tie knots so that you can wear one that differs from your normal work wear. Even just a small change in your appearance can make an interesting focal point.

Don't over-think things.
Okay, I know this one is a little bit easier said than done. But try not to over-think what you will say and how you will behave. If you are wrapped up in your own thoughts inside your head, you are likely to not appear relaxed. So take a deep breath and smile, and try to just relax.

Imagine that you are meeting a friend.
When meeting a new person for the first time, try to imagine that you are talking with a friend. This will automatically make you feel more relaxed, and you will find that conversation comes more easily to you. When talking with a person for the first time, you may feel like you are struggling to think of appropriate topics. But with a friend, you would ask him about what he did last Saturday, what he bought his girlfriend for Christmas, and all sorts of other natural, friendly topics.

Overall, what creates the most lasting impression is an individual who looks sharp and takes a genuine interest in what others have to say. So make sure that you listen as much as you talk, and dress your best to make a good impression.

Avoid Unwelcome Surprises By Doing the Homework Before Buying a Brownfield Site

2011-12-15T21:38:00.000-08:00

Land in the UK that has been previously used for any purpose and is no longer in use for that purpose is called a Brownfield site and it is often seen as a good investment for both housing or a more commercial development.

There are several things to consider when considering buying brownfield land, including its previous use and possible contamination, its location, planning permissions that might be needed, any legal restrictions attached to the land and the cost of supplying various utilities to the site.

Buying building land can be expensive, but generally a brownfield site that has previously contained buildings may be a more affordable investment, but this will depend on doing the homework thoroughly before making a decision to buy.

Because they form the foundations of any new building the ground conditions are important and it may be necessary to have a specialist take a look to ensure the plot is not affected by flooding, or historical agricultural pollution or industrial pollution. It can be very expensive to have land decontaminated before it can be re-used.

The size of the plot will also be important, especially if the plan is to build homes on the site. The average home will require approximately a tenth of an acre allowing for some room around the property, but local authority planners may also impose other conditions, such as landscaping and off street parking spaces that would affect the number of dwellings that can be put on the site and therefore whether development will be both cost effective and provide an acceptable return on the investment.

Planning permission can be costly to obtain and it is preferable to buy land with at least outline planning permission in place as although the initial purchase price of the land will be higher there will be a saving on the initial costs, the confidence that there is at least some indication that the local planning authority has accepted some development can go ahead and eventually the result should be greater profit on the investment.

If the site that is being considered is close to other development the next question is for what purpose the planning authority is likely to be willing to permit its use. If a brownfield site is in a largely residential area is likely to be attractive for further housing, or perhaps a small local shop, but would hardly be suitable for some industrial uses.

It is essential to have a solicitor on board and to have them research any legal restrictions before deciding whether to go ahead with the purchase. Among the most important considerations are access, both to any public road, especially where this crosses a verge, or private road, covenants, any rights of way across the site, and what rights there are for services to cross the land.

It is also wise to check with the local Council about any documents it may hold relating to the land, and the cost of an application for detailed planning permission, which can be expensive, especially if the authority rejects initial designs and asks for modifications. If there are any trees on the land the council may either have preservation orders in place to protect them or wish for them to be protected and therefore accommodated in any building plans. This too can make the difference between an investment that will yield a reasonable profit or not.

If there have been previous applications to develop the land and these have been rejected it will therefore also be possible to establish what the planning authority finds acceptable and what it has objections to. By the same token if it is in an area where local residents have been consulted, any letters of objection or support will also be on file.

Doing the homework properly before committing to purchase a brownfield site for development can make all the difference to a successful and profitable outcome.

11 Tips To Cope With Stress At Work

2011-12-15T21:37:00.000-08:00

In these challenging times, nurses have to do more with less and often feel frazzled and frantic, instead of calm and efficient. Excessive stress can interfere with your productivity and deplete you physically, mentally and spiritually.

It's good to remember that some stress is normal and healthy. Eustress is the "good" stress that every living biological life form has; it allows us to be productive when everything around us is changing. But the U.S. Surgeon General claimed 80% of non-traumatic deaths are stress related.

Stress is literally killing us.

These 11 tips will help cope with stress at work:

1) Breathe. The best stress reducer is slow deep easy breathing. Rhythmic activities, like breathing, laughing, walking, etc release endorphins in our brains and make us feel calmer. No matter where you are you can take 3 minutes to breathe through your nose In-2-3-4 and Out-2-3-4, slow and deep, from your abdomen. Doing this 4 or more times a day and during stressful situations is the easiest and most effective way to reduce stress.

2) Leave early. How many, like me, race to get dressed, gobble or omit a meal, drop kids at daycare, drive too fast to work, stop for coffee…STOP! Try to add ten minutes to your schedule to begin your day with ease, not stress.

3) Eat. Our stamina, patience, and efficiency are depleted when we aren't nourished. Eat a meal before your shift. Eat nutritiously and timely during your work time. We know this. We teach it. Eat.

4) Run!…or walk, or take the stairs. A great stress buster is exercise. Take a few minutes to jog up and down the stairs. Many facilities have exercise rooms or walking tracks. Take a ten minute break to do a rhythmic exercise to reduce stress and increase endorphin release.

5) Sleep and rest. Studies show the human body requires 8 hours of sleep per night. Stress and worry can interrupt sleep and the resulting fatigue contributes to stress. It's a vicious circle. Shut off the technology at bedtime. Get more sleep. Take ten minutes during your shift and find a quiet place to close your eyes and rest to reduce tension and boost energy.

6) Laugh! Science proves it really is the best medicine. Laughter reduces tension, lifts spirits, and bonds us with others. In our stressful, sometimes painful work, nurses need permission to laugh. Create a laughter bulletin board for funny cartoon, jokes or old prom pictures! Smile…its contagious, making people and situations more pleasant.

7) Think Positive. We usually get what we expect in life, what we think about, what we visualize. Avoid negative people; they pull you down. Make a "Grumpy Jar" at work. (Have a contest to name it. That will make you laugh!) Require all naysayers and stinking-thinkers to put a quarter in the jar for each negative statement made. Then have a Positivity Party with the proceeds!

8) Pray, meditate. Take a few minutes in the break room or bathroom (some days they're the same thing!) to breath deeply and pray and/or meditate. Handing things over to your Higher Power takes the stress off your shoulders. Take a few minutes to stop by the chapel…that's why it's there.

9) Talk to someone (but not a stinking-thinker.) Pick a positive coworker to share your thoughts and stressors. Often verbalizing the problem helps put it in perspective and reduces its stress. Be sure to use "I" statements ("I feel, I think…"), not blameful "They" statements ("They do, they always…")

10) Take a break. I still remember how hard it is to leave needy patients and pressing duties to take a break, causing more stress! Yet taking 10 minutes to do some of these healthy strategies is a great investment of time. You'll return to your job calmer, more efficient, and in better spirits, re-energized to give even better care.

11) Don't worry, be happy. Some things are not worth worrying about. Realize the things you can change, the things you can't, and have the courage to know the difference.

Often you cannot control the situations in your life, but you can control you. When you are healthy and strong in mind, body and spirit you're more resilient to stress. Your calmness and ability to cope will be contagious and positively affect those around you. Copy these 11 tips, put them on your bulletin board and make a pact with your coworkers to support one another in implementing these stress busters. Together you can reduce the worry and be happy…and give compassionate, competent, cheerful care.

Media Training And Crisis Communication Training: The Myth About 3 Key Messages

2011-12-15T21:36:00.000-08:00

Media training teaches the concept of identifying your "3 Key Messages." In other words, what are the 3 most important things you need to communicate during your interview with the reporter?

But what exactly is a key message? Is it a bullet point? Is it a talking point? Is it a set of words that incorporate more spin than truth? Is it a set of verbatim words that incorporate both truth and quotes?

In my world, it is a set of verbatim words that incorporate both truth and quotes. But many media trainers teach only bullet points and talking points. I call this "The Myth About 3 Key Messages."

Let's put this in the context of a U.S. political candidate in a debate with his or her opponent. The moderator of the debate might ask a question such as, "Please give me your thoughts on education."

The candidate, whose strategist may have determined that the key messages should only be about energy, the economy and international relations, is left with nothing to say. Therefore, the candidate will BS his or her way through 50 seconds of a 60 second answer, then conclude by saying, "Education is important and you can get more details on my website."

That is such bull!

When you give a spokesperson or executive only bullet points and talking points for an interview, you give them license to ad lib. Have you ever seen anyone who can truly ad lib well? They are few and far between. The person who ad libs is doing what? They are winging it! And when you wing it you crash and burn.

You should start an interview with 3 key AREAS that you want to talk about. For each of those areas, you should have learned and internalized several pre-written sentences that are also very quotable sentences. Then, each of those 3 areas should have 3 key messages of their own, that are well written, internalized and quotable. And conceivably, each of those 3 key messages will have 3 more messages to go with them.

Think of your conversation as a large live oak tree like you see in the south. Picture that tree with a huge, study trunk and 3 large branches. Your "Tree Trunk Message" should consist of 2 sentences that anchor the entire conversation. These are the first words out of your mouth when the reporter asks the first question and they provide context for the entire conversation. Both sentences must be quotable.

Next, write 2 more sentences for each of those 3 large branches that grow from the tree trunk. These sentences must also be highly quotable and will add a few more overarching facts and point to other important areas that you may want to talk about.

Now add 3 limbs to each of the large branches. Then add 3 twigs to each of the limbs. Then add 3 leaves to each of the twigs. Ultimately, just as a tree sprouts limbs, twigs and leaves, your conversation needs to sprout additional sentences with slightly more detail. Draw it out. If you can visualize the tree, you will begin to understand how the conversation grows.

In our visualization, the leaves represent great detail while the tree trunk and 3 branches symbolize very basic facts. If you invest time to populate your tree with verbatim, quotable sentences that you internalize, your next interview will be the easiest interview ever. Basically, your populated tree has created a full conversation and an interview should be a conversation. It should tell a story.

The Conversation Tree analogy has prepared us to tell our story in the inverted pyramid style - the same style reporters use when they write.

Is this easy? No. Does it take preparation? Absolutely. How much preparation? An interview is as important as any business deal. If you could attach a dollar to every word that comes out of your mouth, would you make money or lose money?

Bottom line - know what you want to say, know it verbatim, and be prepared to tell a story.

Negotiating Effectively for Your Deserved Raise

2011-12-15T21:34:00.000-08:00

How do you approach your supervisor or boss for a well deserved raise based on your notable achievements and quality performance? Maybe he or she has been busy and needs a gentle, but persuasive reminder. This is easily done if one carefully follows a well laid out plan. If you enlist the steps listed below you are well on your way to a productive and successful meeting.

1. Be Prepared with a Plan: Be armed with data and numbers that clearly demonstrates results of your efforts, performance, achievements and diligence. List specific projects, clients, or documents that have contributed directly to the success of the company as a result of your achievements. For example, introduce documents that clearly illustrate how you may have significantly improved efficiency in a particular process resulting in a cost reduction of 20%. Or perhaps you may have dedicated extra time to improve a process or procedures that clearly benefited overall operations and be prepared back it up with numbers.

2. Schedule a Meeting: Do not just barge into his or her office with fierce determination, but rather set up a scheduled meeting that is conducible to both of you. Be calm, confident, and stay focused on your presentation. Under no circumstance, get emotional or angry...it has no redeeming value to lose your temper and will surely result in an ineffective presentation and possible termination.

3. Omit Personal Reasons: Keep it professional, and under no circumstances bring your personal finances into the conversation. It is irrelevant and inappropriate; demonstrate how your skills and accomplishments warrant the raise in pay, not personal financial need. If you bring financial need into the equation you just gave your superior carte blanche to reply that the company too is experiencing difficult times and unable to reward employees with raises.

4. Prepare a List of Accomplishments: This is one of the most powerful methods that effectively results as a clear argument in your favor; prepare a list of questions based on your positive performance and extraordinary accomplishments, and present them in a manner where it is impossible for your superior to respond negatively. For example, you can categorically state: have I significantly increased profits and contributed directly above and beyond normal parameters toward overall performance and success for the company? Am I always ready to tackle new projects and execute them with positive and successful results? Am I always the first to come to work and last to leave? Have I taken on additional responsibilities without any negative impact on my current workload or reduction in performance? In other words, arm yourself with as many relevant questions and make it impossible for your boss to say "no" to each. You'll want to hear a "yes" to all your questions and follow up with final question: "based on the all the topics we just discussed, don't they clearly warrant an increase in pay". Then quietly wait for your boss's response.

5. Put Yourself in the Boss' Shoes: Be prepared and try to place yourself in your boss' shoes and imagine the response. And be prepared with a positive reinforcing rebuttal if it is not in your favor.

6. Have a Number in Mind: Do your research to determine what the current marketing pay range is for your position and adjust accordingly based on your skills. Have a realistic number in mind and be prepared to offer it when prompted.

7. Stay the Course: If you follow the outlined procedures and pursue with a professional demeanor you should evoke some type of positive response from your meeting with the boss that will culminate in a fruitful and mutual agreement. Do not dominate the conversation, present your prepared facts, wait for the response, and add the closing argument.

Be Prepared for the Unexpected: If research clearly illustrates that you are underpaid, you received a "yes" to all your questions above, and the raise was still denied; asks why, what you can do to improve, and set a time frame for the follow-up review. Express your gratitude for taking the time to discuss, and leave without emotion. If the follow-up results in no change in your pay on the next round, then be prepared to pursue other avenues. We all plateau at some point or time in our career that warrants self re-evaluation resulting in an obvious change of employment or pursuing opportunities with another firm that permits progressive growth.

Kraft Foods - Philip Morris Companies

2011-12-15T21:32:00.000-08:00

Currently, Kraft Foods is one of the biggest makers of confectionery, food and beverage products in the world with over 11 globally reputed brands earning in excess of $1 billion annually. Since its beginning in 1923, it has witnessed unparalleled growth in the U.S. Kraft Foods, as it is currently known, was formed in 1924 following the renaming of the National Dairy Products Corporation. Since then, the main objective of the company has been to grow continuously through meticulously planned acquisitions. However, the tale of this high-profile US IPO begins with the acquisition of the company by Philip Morris Companies Inc.

Philip Morris Companies, one of the largest tobacco companies of the world, acquired Kraft Foods in 1988 in what an attempt to expand its hold in the food industry. The General Foods unit of Philip Morris Companies had been merged with Kraft Foods by 1989. However, in early 2001, in an attempt to raise capital to clear debts incurred during the acquisition of Nabisco Holdings, the company decided to go public with Kraft in the form of an Initial Public Offering. Moreover, the adverse reactions of public to the conglomerate that sold both cigarettes and dairy products had compelled Philip Morris to gradually move away from Kraft and the IPO was the first step towards achieving this. The IPO was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and was underwritten by bigwigs such as J. P. Morgan Securities Inc., HSBC Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley etc. However, at a time when companies hesitated to offer IPOs, Kraft Foods managed to generate remarkable interest in the market.

In order to retain the control over Kraft Foods, Philips Morris Companies offered a partial IPO. The public was sold approximately 280 million Class A shares while the company retained 1.18 billion class B shares. Since every B share was equal to about 10 Class A shares, the company still ended up controlling about 98% of Kraft Foods. While the stocks were initially offered at $31.00 apiece, by the end of the first day, it had gained $0.25 with the trading reaching up to $31.25. The shares amounted to about $8.7 billion making this one of the largest IPO offerings in the country's history. Currently, despite not being controlled by Altria Group Inc. (present-day Philip Morris Companies), Kraft Foods continues to be strong in the market. Its performance in the stock market continues to be steady in spite of the economic crises in the recent years.

Racks For Storage Keep Your Things In An Orderly Manner

2011-12-15T21:31:00.000-08:00

In the past racks were only installed in the attic or somewhere they could not be seen. This is because they were made from normal wood and they did not have an eye catching design. Today the industry has changed for good. In fact, racks for storage have become a style statement. They can be customized and designed in such a way that they blend with the surroundings of the room and the house.

Racks for storage helps to make the optimal utilization of space in your rooms. You will normally see these elegant looking racks in the kitchen, the dining room, the living room, the bedroom and even in your bathroom. In the kitchen these racks come in handy as you can put all your vessels, cutlery and other kitchen equipment. In the dining room, you can put your plates, bowls, etc so that if you need anything you don't have to go all the way to your kitchen. In the living room you can out your books in an orderly manner while in the bathroom you can out your toiletries.

Outing your things on storage racks not only makes them look orderly but it becomes easy for you to retrieve things when you need them. Apart from readymade racks available in the market today, you can go for fully customizable racks where you can consult a reliable manufacturer who will then design the racks as per your requirements in your room.

However it is not only your home where racks for storage are used. They are used almost everywhere such as in offices, in big industrial units and in stores. In fact, you will racks in huge numbers in the departmental store that you visit. Here the items are arranged in an orderly manner on racks stacked one above the other. The items are categorized with their name and price printed so that it becomes easy for the customer to find the product that they are looking for.

Manufacturing industries such as aerospace and automobile companies make optimum use of racks. If you see their assembly line you will see that there are many racks in which the components are placed after categorizing them. Industry space today is quite expensive and hence optimum utilization of space has to be done here as well. The racks in industries can be designed with color coding so that things can be retrieved quickly. Today color coded racks are installed in many industries and there are computerized cranes which can go to a particular rack in this huge space and then pick up a component by recognizing the correct code. Racks are today made from all types of sturdy materials with wood and metal being the most common.

Industrial Shelving System Should Be Reliable

2011-12-15T21:29:00.001-08:00

Industrial shelving is the need of the hour for many companies who need to put their goods in place. It leads to following a proper system of storing the industrial goods in an orderly manner so that their retrieval (when needed) can also become easy.

Today there are many types of industrial shelving to choose from. Wire shelving is normally used in the industries today. This type of shelving is modular, durable and flexible. Such a system is strong and study and it can be easily adjusted according to the changing needs. There is lesser dust buildup and the shelving is easy to clean and maintain.

The normal wire shelving system consists of four steel poles that are around 7 to 8 feet apart. The shelves are usually between 18 and 30 inches deep and about 2 to 6 feet wide. There are four holes in the corner of the shelves to insert the poles. The plastic clips are then inserted to keep the poles connected. The shelves are then held with the help of circular grooves that are inserted on the poles. They are kept one inch away from each other so that the individual shelves can be easily moved up or down without taking apart any other unit. There are no special tools required to disassemble or assemble the shelves.

Today the wire shelving method is used in many types of industrial applications. This type of shelving is clean and dust resistant. It does not spoil easily even though the air around is damp. Many home owners have been using such shelving in their home as well. Wire shelving is perfect for environments where there could be a risk of fire. This is because the water of the sprinkler systems can easily pass through the holes instead of solid shelving where the sprinkler systems might not be effective as there is no space for the water to pass.

Industrial shelves come in different weight limits such as 300 to 1,200 pounds. Hence you need to consider the weight of your goods before implanting the shelving. Most of the industrial shelving is rated per shelf capacity of distributed loads. However the definition of the capacity rating might vary form manufacturer to manufacturer. The company should confirm it before the shelving is used.

In today's times, mobile shelving systems are also available. They occupy a bigger space however they allow you to double the facility. The system helps to cut down on the space that is used by traditional shelves and hence time and effort are saved in moving goods from one shelf to another.

Get The Best In Commercial Storage By Jennifer Obodo

2011-12-15T21:27:00.001-08:00

When it comes to commercial storage you can't take any chances. This is because all products of the company such as equipment, furniture and finished goods need to be protected from rust, theft, fire and other consequences. Companies in the UK normally get the commercial storage space customized. This is because the quantity of goods and their type varies from company to company.

The nature of the goods is a very important factor to be considered. For example, if the goods to be stored are food items then the storage space might also require refrigeration. The storage system in this case should be pest resistant, waterproof and fire proof. The storage should be done in such a way that there is most efficient utilization of horizontal and vertical space.

You can today find a reliable storage manufacturer on the internet. The company should be able to fulfill the requirements of the client and also suggest customized solutions after finding the requirements. Today storage comes in all shapes and sizes. Your commercial storage should be done in such as way that it becomes easy to store the goods as well as retrieve them when you need them. This saves a lot of time and effort of the company and indirectly it leads to savings in costs. A professional company will make sure that everything is taken care of and your goods are always protected.

Since storage is quite important for a company there should be a proper security system in place as well. You can get CCTV and alarm systems installed so that the chances of pilfering of goods can be reduced. When there are large quantity of goods to be stored (such as in the case of a warehouse) then the good should be insured. The room that is storing goods should have proper doors that can be shut with an up to date locking system. Your space should be protected and secured from burglary. No one should have access to the stuff except the people who are authorized to access.

If your company has enough finances and if the goods need to be stored on a regular basis then it is better to get your own commercial storage constructed. This is a better solution than paying rent for storage space. When you have your own space you have total control over it and you will be able to maintain the inventory better. You can access the room anytime of the day and night.

Also remember to have a proper system of marking tags so that you know easily on which rack a particular good is kept. This makes way for easy retrieval. It is better to follow a standard procedure of categorizing goods and then having a fixed place for storing that particular type of good.

How To Find The Best Audio Visual Services

2011-12-15T21:26:00.001-08:00

There are actually a plethora of audio visual services and AV for hire these days. If you don't carefully sort though your options, you might end up hiring the wrong company. In order to make sure that you are hiring the best one, here are the tips you should keep in mind:

1. The company should have an event management team.

You can tell a good company from one that does not provide a good service by their event management team. From the planning of the event to the AV solutions, they should have already gone through the details beforehand. The team also sets out to find the best options suitable for your budget. You should be able to contact the team any time to go through the details of the event.

2. They should offer session or workshop management.

This feature is not always included in most packages so you have to ask the team if they are offering it. This should include the recording of sessions if you are planning a corporate event. They are also in charge of finding the venue for the workshop or the corporate event.

3. A good AV service company offers on site support.

From the practice to the actual event, the management should be there to support the event planner. If you are putting up a stage presentation, you should be able to use their services to practice. That includes the company allowing you to use their video production or AV equipments.

4. They should have their own audio visual equipments.

Many companies offer their planning services without actually owning AV equipments. They still have to hire a third party to shoulder this chore. Look for a company that includes the use of their equipment together with the planning of the event.

5. Find out if they have reliable AV equipments.

It does not have to be state of the art technology as these equipments also cost a lot of money. However, they should provide reliable equipments that will really get the job done. Inspect their projectors and plasmas. When doing a stage presentation, find out if they are also offering stage and set equipments. The sound and PA system has to be clear. Someone also has to be in charge of the sound system. Lighting also has to be included if it is not already included in the venue. Don't forget the computing devices.

Look for audio visual services that offer a complete package. They should have AV solutions already laid out for potential clients. Make sure you also read video production UK reviews before sealing the deal.

Grow Your Organisation And Become More Profitable By Utilizing IT Consultants

2011-12-15T21:25:00.000-08:00

With all the state of the economic situation today, outsourcing your IT department is often one of the greatest options which you can make for your business, as it will save you money. This is usually the number one advantage of employing outside IT consultants. Should you have an interest in decreasing costs, increasing services and enhancing your company's general business operations, you should keep reading the next few paragraphs to understand how employing an IT consultant helps you to save your organization some money and often enhance the degree of IT service you receive at the same time.

• Decrease Expenses - The most obvious advantage of outsourcing your IT department of your respective organization is the potential to decrease expenditures and, obviously become a little more profitable while doing so. Whenever you outsource to a managed IT providers solution, you're only expected to pay a single price, and it makes no difference how frequently you utilize their expertise. Consequently, you will no longer have to deal with lost business due to your systems shutting down, lost resources or overtime expenses and your budgeting process becomes much less complicated.

Simply by using the services of an outsourced IT consultant, you will only be accountable for investing in the services that you have actually used; furthermore, system problems will be solved more rapidly rather than if an in-house personnel had been dealing with them.

• Staffing Difficulties Solved - Whenever you contract out your IT department, you do not have to take into consideration the burden of paying for medical insurance, annual vacation, sick leave, work place and associated furnishings and related equipment, or any other type of expenditures. You will no longer have to depend on only one or two individuals; rather, you're depending on a big team of IT professionals that'll be accessible 24/7, in order to meet your business needs.

When you think back, you almost certainly can recall a period when your IT team was unable to solve an issue within a small time frame; as a result, it caused you to definitely suffer a loss of business and capital. By outsourcing an IT consultant, your IT difficulties can be settled in a few minutes of them occurring.

• Enhanced Technologies - Although the country and the rest of the planet are coping with a challenging economic climate, you've still got to contend with other companies that are in your market; additionally, you will need to emerge at the top. By using outsourced managed IT services, it is possible to make this happen. When you've got the most current IT technology, you are going to experience a higher level of client satisfaction, as the technologies are running smoothly. These are just the primary advantages of employing an contracted IT consultant; however, prior to outsourcing your IT department, you should make sure that all of the individual professionals have a wide range of expertise and knowledge in their field. This too will help you to cut costs by not having to switch IT professionals regularly. Several good examples of things to ask are available on-line that will help you "weed out" the less attractive professionals.

Running A Commercial Laundry Business

2011-12-15T21:24:00.000-08:00

You may know what you need to do to set up your commercial laundry, but what challenges are you going to face when running it?

Firstly you are going to need to source suitable premises, you ideally want somewhere with good transport links, your premises do not need to be in a city centre. You may also want to consider leasing somewhere with more room than you need to start with to allow scope for expansion without having to move.

You will need to recruit enough staff and management to run the laundry 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as your customer base will require you to carry out a lot of the laundry overnight so that, as an example, hotels will have clean linen and uniforms ready for the next day. You will need to recruit staff that can carry out semi-skilled tasks, as even though a lot of the tasks are manual, skill will be needed to operate devices such as commercial washing machines that can have up to 99 programmes. In addition good finishing of garments requires some skill, and is essential as this is the last process in the laundry process.

You will need to find new customers, and whilst this will mean "Selling" to potential customers it will not need a hard sales pitch, as often you can get a foot in the door by offering a free trial. Customer retention is also key to developing your business, and you will keep your customers happy by providing fast turnaround times, and a high quality laundry service, with sheets crisply pressed and sharp lines on uniforms. Sloppy finishing can lose you customers overnight.

You will also need to setup a delivery and collection service that must be reliable for both of these aspects. This will mean having a backup plan if your van breaks down. This leads me on to the fact that it is a good idea to set up an ad hoc partner agreement with another commercial laundry. It may seem odd to talk to a competitor but you may need each other if either of you has a machine breakdown.

Which leads us on to maintenance. It is vital that you set up a good maintenance agreement, as every hour a laundry machine is broken is an hour you are losing money and potentially customers.

You will also need to establish a finance function to deal with billing and payments, and carefully monitor cash flow, especially when you are starting out.

So as you can see there is quite a bit involved in running a commercial laundry, but it can be broken down into easily manageable tasks.

The Future of Printing: From 3D Direct to Garment Printing to Tissue Engineering

2011-12-15T21:22:00.000-08:00

3D Printing sounds like something out of a science fiction book. But the reality is, it's already here. It's basically a form of manufacturing where layers of material are added together to create the desired product. A lot of this manufacturing is done with lasers, some of the products are made with polymers, some are made with powders. The most important aspects of these different methods are speed, cost and quality. As a result, 3D printing has lots of different applications.

In the health field, organs and body parts could be built using this new technology. Cells are deposited onto a gel medium and subsequently built up in layers. The result is the bones can literally be built intact, without the need for polishing or refinement. Molding will become obsolete, which will save lots of money and time, as well as the condition of the original. Dentistry will also benefit hugely from 3D printing.

Already digital garment printing has changed the game of custom t-shirts. It used to be that if you wanted a t-shirt made you'd have to do it the old fashioned way of laying graphics and ironing them on. But today when you choose a design, you get direct to garment printing, which means high resolution, sharp color and exact edges. 3D printing will help other areas of digital garment printing, including archaeological and cultural studies, where the condition of original garments is important to maintain. The original can be modeled and replicated using 3D printing to create a lifelike replica. And in terms of footwear and jewelry too, 3D printing could be a boon; one day every household could own a 3D printer and the design of a new trend or fashion could be as simple as downloading an image of it and programming the printer to create it accordingly.

In architecture, engineering and construction, 3D printing will be sure to leave an impact too. It will make it so that individual firms don't have to contract with as many companies for the building of one project - a 3D printer will obviate trans-regional shipping and contracting, it will simplify and streamline construction jobs. And while this may put some companies out of business, it will also open up new fields in an ever-changing economy.

Business Coaching Helps Reduce Employee Burnout

2011-12-15T21:20:00.001-08:00

Employee burnout is a huge problem in our society and it has many roots, especially considering the current economic environment where many employees are working longer hours for the same pay due to a reduction in the workforce. A lack of appreciation often further compounds the problem.

Employee burnout is essentially a result of prolonged workplace stress and anxiety. Herbert Freudenberger coined the term "burnout" in 1974, and established twelve phases of the burnout process that are not necessarily experienced sequentially:
• Having a compulsion to prove oneself
• Working harder and harder with no end in sight
• Neglecting personal needs
• Displacing conflicts
• Revising values (dismissing friends or hobbies)
• Denying emerging problems (aggression and cynicism begin to become apparent)
• Withdrawing socially
• Changing behaviors that become obvious to others
• Experiencing an inner emptiness
• Having depression
• Experiencing burnout syndrome

These phases force us to think about the many specific causes of employee burnout. Employees may not have any control over decisions that affect their job, feel like job expectations are unclear, have a lack of recognition or rewards for good work, experience the workplace as dysfunctional due to having a boss who micromanages their work, have personal values that are not aligned with the organization, feel like their job doesn't fit their skills, or see their job as either too monotonous or too chaotic. The list goes on and on.

To avoid occupational burnout it's crucial that employees reduce and manage stress. Of course, this is easier said than done-especially when employees feel alone. A business coach is an excellent resource to help employees address the twelve phases of burnout and decrease levels of stress and depression. Business coaching provides strategies and tips for employees to cope with feelings of having no control, managing rigorous work schedules, and clearly understanding their specific roles and responsibilities.

Another way business coaches assess employee burnout is to apply the "Three R Approach," which is comprised of:
• Recognizing: Watching for the warning signs of burnout
• Reversing: Undoing the damage by managing stress and seeking support
• Resilience: Building resilience to stress by managing physical and emotional health

Business coaches can help employees address these phases and levels of burnout in emotionally healthy ways. They can work with employees to provide the techniques, tools, and resources they need to regulate stress and align their personal goals with their professional aspirations. An effective business coach will assist employees who are near burnout by helping them realize the stressful situations in which they find themselves and create action plans that reduce anxiety and avoid burnout.

Ultimately, emotional management is the key to preventing employee burnout. When management recognizes a high level of stress permeating the workplace it may be time to involve a business coach who has the expertise to assist employees on the verge of burnout. Employee burnout coaching is a specialized area of business coaching. It takes a coach who is used to working with disillusioned employees that are overwhelmed by the mental, emotional, and physical stress that leads to burnout and turnover.

How to Manage Latino Employees More Effectively

2011-12-15T21:17:00.000-08:00

Just as we all learn in different ways, such as visually versus auditory, cultures experience and respond to management styles in different ways as well. What motivates a person from one culture may discourage someone from another culture.

This article focuses on the most effective (and ineffective) ways for managers to interact with their Latino employees. Foreign-born Latino employees are typically not accustomed to the ways in which U.S. managers communicate and, on the flip-side, U.S. managers often are not familiar with the nuances of managing an ethnically diverse workforce. Managers can create a more inclusive, productive, and satisfying workplace by understanding common Latino cultural traits. It's important to note, of course, that we're speaking in accepted generalities and that individuals behave differently within cultures.

Family plays a very important role in the Latino culture, so showing Latino employees they care not just for them but for their families goes a long way to establishing a strong and trusting relationship. Respect is also a crucial part of Latino culture, especially for elders, women, and people in leadership positions. It is common in Latino culture to expect those in authority to be the decision-makers and to follow their lead without much hesitation. Whereas it is common for employees in the Anglo-American workplace culture to express their opinions in large group settings without emotion, Latinos tend to use a more indirect approach, preferring a one-on-one interaction. In fact, Latinos tend to be particularly offended by perceived disrespect, which will naturally affect performance and morale.

The degree of intimacy in the workplace tends to be more important in the Latino culture as well. Latino employees innately want to establish a personal connection, which extends to management and coworkers. They want to get to know people on a personal level rather than just a professional level that only focuses on the job. They are also interested in the life others have after work, believing that knowing the complete person creates a bond and camaraderie.

Managers should also realize that personal contact is important for Latino employees. Unlike the often cold mannerisms of the Anglo-American workplace culture, Latinos find physical contact with others very normal (and necessary). Handshakes, pats on the back, hugs, and kisses on the cheek are all a part of common daily interaction.

To sum up, creating an optimal work environment for Latino employees includes understanding that Latinos are:
• Used to interacting with others with more of a human touch-both inside and outside the workplace
• Interested in more than just the personality of their managers and coworkers at work
• Expecting leaders to lead through vision and inspiration rather than fear and intimidation
• Most receptive to a management approach that shows their families are cared for as well as themselves, and also appreciate time-off for important Latino holidays

Managing an ethnically diverse workforce can be a challenge for any employer. The most important thing to keep in mind is that different cultures respond to different management styles. Recognizing the traits of different cultures will not only create a happier and more retainable workforce. It will also improve productivity, performance, and profitability, which are goals of any organization.

Why Is Presentation and Image of You Important for Your Business?

2011-12-15T21:15:00.000-08:00

So you've decided on a business. You've set it up and you are ready to trade - why do you now need to think about your image? Your image tells people around you a lot of things - from how successful you are through to what matters to you. People seeing you will rarely differentiate between you as an individual and your business so whether you are ready or not you are now the face of your business!

Recent reports suggest it takes just 7 seconds for someone to form a first impression about you. 93% of a first impression is based upon how you look and sound - only 7% is what you say. So, when a parent or friend used the phrase "dress for success" they were right - if you want to be taken serious you have to dress, act and look the part.

How do you get started without losing "you" inside all of this?

The 4 key areas to think about are:

1. physical appearance
2. posture and body language
3. the hand shake
4. communication

Physical appearance - you might not be able to afford or even want the latest fashion trends, however dressing smartly and being well groomed is possible. A suit is a good investment, but don't wear lots of accessories with your outfit and don't wear a lot of jewellery - the noise and look may distract you and the people you are talking to. Do think also about your grooming - shiny, well brushed hair, polished shoes and clean, well cut nails will all get noticed.

Posture and body language - how you choose to stand or sit and the way you present yourself when speaking or listening will have a big impact on the effectiveness of your message and how seriously you are taken. Have a relaxed stance ie not standing to attention like a soldier on parade and make sure the stance is open - this means in particular don't sit or stand with your arms crossed. Keep fairly still when in conversation or waiting for your moment to speak and avoid at all costs big gestures or fidgeting when either speaking or listening. Practice your stance in the mirror to get a feel for what you look like - the look you are seeking to achieve is confident, approachable and capable. You need to remember to not slouch - sit and stand tall with your shoulders back, rib cage lifted and chin up.

Most importantly smile and maintain plenty of eye contact - people like people, like themselves. Everyone likes to think they are liked, positive and approachable most of the time so keep this in mind and smile confidently.

The handshake - greeting or parting, it's part of the western culture that we all need to master. What you are seeking to achieve when you shake a hand is a full hand to hand shake - don't just shake fingers. Also you need to get the pressure of the handshake right. This means not being too light (this will be taken as a limp handshake) but also not being too hard - this will be taken as a bone crushing method to demonstrate your strength over that of the other person. If you are not sure, practice with a friend or family member and ask for their honest opinion.

Communication - so you've mastered the open stance and the smile - the next phase is speaking. Do your best to not use slang and don't swear under any circumstances no matter how mild you perceive it to be. Be concise and clear in what you say and say it warmly and positively in your natural voice and at a volume that the person you are speaking with can hear comfortably.

Change the tone of your voice to match what you are saying so that you don't become monotone. Most importantly develop your listening skills - this means actively listening to what people are saying to you and around you so that you can involve yourself in the conversation. a great ratio for getting started is to speak and listen in the same proportion as your mouth and ears i.e. 1:2 - listen for 2 minutes and speak for 1 minute. A great asset of a conversationalist is their ability to appear totally absorbed by what the person speaking is saying.

Ultimately what you present, how you present and what you say needs to be you - after all it's your business you are representing. Don't try to be false but do think about the different ways you can present and say things to give you the best possible chance at creating the right first impression. Why - because first impressions really count.

EPOS Software Is The Solution To Make Inventory Tracking Fast And Reliable

2011-12-15T21:09:00.000-08:00

An EPOS software is a system that allows both the store owner and the management team to keep track of the sales and services provided to the customers. It does not matter how many goods are transacted at one given time, it will automatically record the number of items sold and, if the software includes an inventory tracking, will also calculate the number of items left on the shelves and in the storage. With this system in full use, it can cut down the number of man hours spent of trying to keep track or manually counting the sales receipts. This is the only automated system that is recognized by all business owners as the thing to trust when it comes to tracking sales.

The Reason Behind The Automation

Traditionally, the management team of a store would have to manually count each item put on sale at the end of the day. This does not just take several minutes, it can take hours to finish. At best, the counting cannot even be tracked efficiently after several weeks. This can mean plenty of hours spent on a single task. This leaves the business owner the question of how to address the other issues and tasks involved in keeping the business afloat. At times the owners do not even have an idea how good or how bad they are going because they cannot keep track on time. Everything is delay, delay and more delays. The only solution is to go automated.

With an automated system, it will not only save on time and man hours, but the increase in accuracy and control of the sales and inventory is without doubt. There are several versions of this software available. All the owners now have to do is choose which system will best benefit their business without busting their budget. There is expensive software and then there is software that are just as efficient but costs less. At the end of the day, it will be the personal choice of the business owner to choose which software they want to invest into.

Over the years, the electronic point of sale software has evolved into a highly efficient system that makes tracking of sales simple. The best thing about this system is that it will allow for the growth of the store into a more efficient store that customers are satisfied with. This is the goal of the software developers, because a store that is efficiently run can mean that the customer needs and requirements are met earlier. This would mean customers who come back several times and even refer the store to their friends. A satisfied customer is one who can virally spread the good word about an efficient store.

With an automated system, the store owner can now have a better view of what the store is lacking in terms of items for sale. They can immediately make short work of the inventory and they can place immediate orders for the items to replace those that are already dwindling. In the past, sometimes it took weeks or even months before the store owner can replace their inventory because of the delay in the tracking of the sales and services. This is no longer the case if the system were automated.

The best thing about the software is that it also addresses the modern needs of the customers. The software could also include features like an instant credit card or gift card processing. The software is linked to the internet so any sales made with a customer who pays in credit will automatically be processed through the internet as well. No longer do the stores have to keep their customers waiting because the phones are busy or disconnected. This is a more efficient way in giving service to customers who never like to stay in front of the cashier counter and wait out until the time their credit card is approved.

Investing in software like EPOS retail for a single store is one of the best investment decisions to make. The single site EPOS is good for a single store but there is also EPOS software that is designed for multiple stores. All of the software can be accessed in the internet to make the tracking of the retail sales easier and more efficient, no matter where that tracker may be in the world.

Strategies for Delivering an Effective Meeting

2011-12-15T21:08:00.000-08:00

"It was the best of times. It was the worst of times." When he said this, Charles Dickens might well have been talking about meetings! After attending or facilitating thousands of meetings, I've seen it all. I've also learned strategies to make meetings more productive and bring more profits.

I've seen sales, profit and customer satisfaction increase. I've witnessed more engaged associates, less employee turnover and safer and more productive workplaces. I've watched morale soar. I've even heard a speaker's catch phrase repeated routinely throughout an organization five years after his speech. That's the sunny side of meetings.

I've also heard meetings described as ".... an interaction where the unwilling selected from the uniformed, led by the unsuitable, to discuss the unnecessary, are required to write a report about the unimportant." Yikes! I'm an optimist. I'm not cynical; not a whiner and I look for solutions, not problems. But you should hear what comes out of my mouth after some meetings.

And I'm not alone. Here's the chorus: "The company wasted all that money to bring 600 people to a resort to hear a guy speak about how important it is to drink water and floss your teeth! You mean to tell me we have a meeting before the meeting about the meeting? No way, they didn't hire HIM again; he put half the room to sleep last year." Trust me. This is just a sampling. That's the dark side of meetings. So what can we do to make meetings meet their objectives and be more rewarding?

Tighter Budgets

Having a tight budget may seem counter intuitive to having a phenomenal meeting but it isn't. Having to produce more, with less (part of the new normal), activates two of the most powerful possessions all stakeholders have: Creativity and Imagination. Rather than book a celebrity speaker at an exorbitant rate, you redouble your efforts in research, and find that emerging voice, the expert without the name recognition; but whom may well be tomorrow's celebrity speaker. The legendary Jim Rohn once gave a speech titled, Idaho Farm Boy Makes it to Beverly Hills, to his local rotary club. I've got to believe there are scores of Jim Rohn's among us. The same due diligence should be applied to the meeting venue, and all other meeting costs.

Greater Accountability from All Stakeholders

I remember being at the annual meeting of major food retailer. As the "speaker for hire" began his presentation, the VP of Human Resources didn't hear a word. Instead, she was transfixed on the president, and senior leaders of her own company. She was scanning for their level of interest, assessing their body language, watching them observe their associates. The speaker she hires speaks, while her career hangs in the balance. While her job included booking outside speakers for annual meetings, I'm sure that she was the "lone ranger" in this endeavor. When it was time to book the speaker, no doubt she tried to get a consensus from senior leadership that this was the right speaker, at the right time, with the right topic. But bookings take place months before events. And in the whirlwind of retail, senior leaders are more consumed with today's pressing issues, than booking future speakers. They simply deferred the decision to their very capable Lone Ranger. Solution: Top Dogs get involved earlier in the process.

Meeting Objectives / Theme

Every meeting should have stated objectives with a related theme. These obvious components are often woefully lacking in the real world. Attendees should know both in advance. When they arrive at a meeting ill informed, they feel preached at by the facilitator. Their anxiety is understandably high, which stifles creativity, and all but guarantees diminished participation. And you've just lost one of the important objectives for most meetings: Synergy.

So that meeting participants know the objectives an Agenda is essential. The agenda should include the objectives, topics, timeframes, presenters and the Theme. Be sure the agenda is distributed to all attendees in sufficient time prior to the meeting so they can prepare for and research the topics being discussed. Creating a theme can be the single most important factor for bringing excitement to a meeting. I recently held a quarter review just prior to the July 4th Holiday. I themed the meeting, The Second Quarter Review, Show me Your Independence. As usual, each of the participants had to report out on how they performed in the quarter on the usual metrics. They were also asked to dress in a style that resembled their favorite "Founding Father" and in the course of their presentation tell us something they executed outside of standard operating procedures that had a positive impact on their results that quarter. By requiring atypical business attire and reporting-out structure, we turned a typical quarter review into a fun, creative and productive meeting.

The Value Equation / Metrics to Determine Meetings Effectiveness

Metrics should be used whenever possible to measure the effectiveness of a meeting. Speakers often claim their presentation and strategies can increase sales, profits, reduce turnover, improve associate and customer engagement, reduce workplace accidents, etc. While this sounds great, results should ALWAYS be measured in a post meeting analysis. Look at the numbers. If you're receiving the desired outcomes, it's a productive meeting. By all means, keep having them. If not, your meetings fall into that ubiquitous refrain, "we're having another meeting, just for the sake of having a meeting."

Action Items

For those meetings where there are no pre and post metric to analyze for their effectiveness, action items should be assigned. These items should be a specific task(s) assigned to a specific individual or individuals, which relate directly to the stated objective(s) of the meeting. At the next meeting, the agenda should include the assigned individual(s) reporting out on the status of their action items. With regard to the Value Equation the most important thing of all to consider is the question of Time; the real currency of life. All need to ask "was that meeting worth four hours of my time?" If the answer was no; think long and hard. Money can be replaced. You'll never get those four hours back. We're all given the same 24 hours a day to live on. How we choose to spend it determines the quality of our life.

Rounding out the Formula for a Phenomenal Meeting

Emerson once wrote "...that the man fits himself as well as he can to the customary details of the work, he falls into, and tends it as dog turns a spit. Then he is a part of the machine he moves; the man is lost." Over the last three decades, I've seen many "lost" speakers. The most essential element for a phenomenal meeting is that the speaker/presenter be authentic to, and congruent with, his or her topic. Bill Clinton could no more give an effective talk on the perils of promiscuity than could Mother Teresa on the need for more hedge funds on Wall Street. But when you hear Martin Luther King talk about his dream, or Maya Angelou tell us why the caged bird sings-our spirits soar!

In this Tale of Two Cities about meetings, always choose a philosophy to make it about "the best of times." A few years back, a speaker at a small gathering closed his speech paraphrasing Mark Twain, imploring the audience that "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Why Have Personalized Address Stamps?

2011-12-15T21:06:00.000-08:00

Why get your hands on your very own personalized address stamps? There are nearly as many reasons to have them as there are people who order personalized address stamps.

First of all, let's consider home uses:

• Easier to work with than peel and stick address labels
• Self-inking and standard models are available
• Use on books, DVDs, or any other media to ensure return when lending out
• Everyday envelope usage
• And more!

How many books have you lent out only to forget who you gave them to? Putting your stamp inside the front or back cover will allow the borrower to get it back to you. Or in case you leave it on a bus or in a park, it may get returned if anyone finding it has a way to locate the owner.

When sending out birthday or other party invitations, personalized address stamps can save a lot of time in filling out the where the event will be held section, as well as the return address on the envelopes you are sending out. Not to mention that your personalized address stamp will make the invitation look that much nicer!

Then there are small business uses:

• Order forms--You can have personalized address stamps made for your small business and use it to imprint your business name and address on your standard order forms, which saves a lot of money over having them printed.

• The back of your business card-- The stamps can be made to say anything you want them to in a four line, set amount of character fields. You can have one made to convey a special message to potential clients to imprint on the back of your cards.

• Business Stationary-- This can be expensive to print up, and with computer printers you won't need it for the letterhead usually, but envelopes can be tricky to run through a printer. Stamping is every bit as effective and attractive when used on envelopes.

While peel and stick labels are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles, the look they give to your small business documents is less than ideal. Having personalized address stamps to imprint your documents makes them look much more professional, increasing the chances they will be opened and read by the recipient.

Saving money, time and work, these stamps can generally pay for themselves in ease of use alone. Self inking styles and standard stamps with ink pads are made to order by many companies, so finding one that is a good fit for your needs is as important as the stamp itself. They are not all made the same, as some will cut corners on the quality of the end product just to keep the prices low. So be aware that, as always, you get what you pay for.

Whether for business or personal needs, personalized address stamps can be just the beginning. Many companies also offer custom logo stamps and craft/hobby stamps. And adding a seasonal look, or logo, to your business documents can make them a bit more personal for the recipient.

The Future of Banking Sector Compensation

2011-12-15T21:04:00.002-08:00

In the aftermath of every 'boom and bust' that has occurred within the global financial system throughout history, policymakers and stakeholders have proposed and implemented financial reform as a means to prevent future financial failures. In many cases the lobby from the big investment banks is to strong, and many reform acts don't make it through congress. The ones that do like the Glass-Steagall Act end up being repealed, and therefore we end up with a financial system that is vulnerable. Thus, when it is exposed to free-market forces such as profligacy, irrational exuberance, and greed, it cracks at the seams, and if not rescued, it breaks down completely.

Nothing has exhibited this better than the recent financial crisis. There is a fair amount of rhetoric circulating at the moment surrounding financial reform, and reinstating the Glass-Steagall Act has been one such mention. Compensation has been another. These, as well as many other areas within the financial system need be to critically evaluated, and recommendations for reform reform put forward. If we are to stave off future financial crisis, it is imperative that all loopholes are blocked up, necessary regulation is implemented, and a healthy financial system is created as a result. Moreover, we must be careful not to over-regulate, as this could also be to the detriment of the system. Constrained capital markets are as good as price-fixing in closed economy.

The first opportunity for reform within the global financial system:

1. Compensation

Uninformed, ignorant people will immediately say, 'Yes! Bankers get paid too much!' This is not the issue. The issue relates to the current structure of compensation. We are currently faced with a principle-agent problem - Shareholders looking to pursue long-term growth strategies, while managers are gunning for short term gains. A simple solution would be to provide compensation that is paid out over a number of years, or has to be held in company stock over the 'long term'.

Unfortunately it runs a bit deeper than this, as Nouriel Roubini points out very concisely in his book Crisis Economics. Shareholders visions do not always run contrary to that of finance managers, and in many cases their interests very much align. Sometimes shareholders are happy for money managers to take risks, as a lot of the time their contribution to the pie is relatively small, and they don't have that much to lose when compared to the lenders. A complex problem is thus presented. How do we reform compensation so that all parties concerned are happy, and the new compensation structure remains fair? Roubini has some sound suggestions which are focused on the long term and vested interests:

Instead of forcing employees to hold company stock for a few years, they should be forced to hold compensation stock until their retirement.

Reward traders on performance averages over the long term, rather than for risky short-term bets they may have made.

Reward traders with a portion of instruments they are trading in. This may make them think twice about conjuring up some toxic-waste-multiple-tranche-asset-backed-security. Credit Suisse did this in 2008 with $5 billion worth of toxic assets, much to the disdain of some employees who played no part in creating these assets.

What Is B2B And Why Choose This Business Model For Your Startup? Part 2

2011-12-15T21:04:00.000-08:00

What Is "B2B"?

"B2B" - means that you are selling a product or service to other businesses.

A few examples of "B2B" product based companies would be:

    Ex 1: Selling CRM Software "Customer relationship management" to organizations so they can keep track of their sales leads, manage their sales cycles and determine a cold-calling schedule.
    Ex 2: Selling office equipment to companies who wish to upgrade their existing furniture.
    Ex 3: Selling security and access control hardware and systems to building management companies, universities and municipalities.

Looking Further Into "B2B" Product-Based Companies

Why do I recommend that the first time entrepreneur shy away from "B2B" product based companies?

Product based companies are typically not as fast moving as service-based companies meaning that the entrepreneur cannot change their offering in accordance with the clients' needs as quickly as they could with a "B2B" service-based company. Also, upon meeting a prospective client, the entrepreneur may see profitability in selling another solution into the company, but being able to offer a new product that quickly can prove to be quite taxing and quite expensive, especially when money is tied up elsewhere.

"B2B" service-based companies tend to be more agile than "B2B" product-based companies. Also, many entrepreneurs are quick thinkers and being bogged down and invested in one product is as exciting for the entrepreneur as buying a municipal bond let alone a mutual fund.

    Unless the entrepreneur is a broker, he or she would probably have to purchase and store these products. Doing so adds on to start-up costs and, moreover, it creates a liability from day one. Even if the first-time entrepreneur is a broker (a.k.a. "re-seller"), poor negotiation skills, a jaded market analysis and a very low budget all combine to add to the probability of failure. Most products tend to be commodities. Unless this product is something so cutting-edge (then, we don't know if there is a market for it in the first place so stay away), then others are selling a very similar product, which makes it a commodity. In selling terms, selling a commodity is exceedingly difficult and it is very hard to differentiate from the competition.
    When selling a "B2B" product, the best ways to differentiate from the competition is offering better support for the product, having an ability to deliver the product quickly as well as having an ability to offer more options at a cheaper price than the other firms in the space. Many entrepreneurs can't offer the above and ultimately will lose out to companies like Dell, Microsoft, Iron Mountain and Caterpillar.
    My business plan at my staffing firm changed several times from inception, and the reason I had the flexibility to adapt to market needs is that I didn't have to wait to rely on a manufacturer to produce for me in order to generate quick revenue.

Looking Further Into "B2B" Service-Based Companies

A few examples of "B2B" service based companies would be:

    Ex: Marketing consulting
    Ex: "KPO" Knowledge Process Outsourcing
    Ex: Translation services

Service-based companies are perfect for the first time entrepreneur because he or she can offer a wide range of ever-changing services. Upon opening his or her first business, the entrepreneur wants to be as agile as possible because the chances of them hitting the nail on the head the first-time are highly unlikely.

To give you an idea as to how companies and markets change for the first-time entrepreneur, when I first opened my staffing firm, I did technology and temp. staffing in conjunction with sales recruitment. Hypothetically, if my company was a product-based company 2/3 of my inventory would be worthless.

I quickly learned that I was not effective at, nor was I interested in technology staffing and I found that there was too much competition in the temporary staffing segment. Within a year, I knew where to focus my efforts and because I was a service-based company, the transition was as seamless as changing a few words on my website.

Then, it would soon turn out that a lot of my clients also had the need for marketing personnel and I was quickly able to offer that to my suite of products.

All businesses must evolve with market demand and when a service-based company has to change, it's a lot cheaper than when a product based company has to. The first-time entrepreneur has to realize that the VC company that backed them is not going to reinvest in a failed business owner.

Here are some additional reasons that the young entrepreneur should choose his or her business within the "B2B" service-based realm:

While these marketing strategies may be considered "average" in some industries, the same marketing implementations can prove dominant in other businesses.

    Companies have money. Companies tend to have more money to spend than the average consumer. Ask the consumer to spend $5,000 of their own money and you may see them faint. However, ask that same person to spend $5,000 of their company's money and they will be more than happy to do so.
    Competitors' marketing is not as strong. It is important to discuss how to implement and monetize sound marketing strategies while exploiting the weaknesses in your current or prospective industry. Though, when it comes to many "B2C" companies, their marketing is so sound and formulaic that their techniques and secrets would probably take an entire series of articles to explain. Therefore, all the entrepreneur can really hope to be is "average".

Pricing flexibility. In "B2B" service-based industries, the entrepreneur has complete pricing flexibility and can, upon entering the market, compete strictly on cost until he or she gains proper name recognition in the industry. Then all the entrepreneur has to do to increase prices is convey their new costs to the next company that calls.

Using Social Media for Business Networking

2011-12-15T21:02:00.000-08:00

Did you know the latest numbers from the analyst group, Forrester, shows for sales lead generation that Facebook has a 1% click-through rate and a 2% conversion rate? Did you also know that Twitter has one-upped Facebook and its click-through rate is between 3-5%? For comparison the average click-through rate for Internet ads is.08%.

If you haven't yet, you need to be using social media for your business networking.

We all know that this is a social media age for small business, but most small businesses either don't know how or are unsure how to go about harnessing this valuable Internet resource.

The good news is, it's not difficult to start. There are numerous free resources online, as well as business networking groups to get you started.

The more engaging you are online with social media the more engaging business networking-wise you will be. It tends to be an art form. But one that doesn't have a huge learning curve. There's enough evidence everywhere on the Internet for you to be able to turn into that social savvy business networking guru for your small business.

Your business is only as well-known online as your social media presence, which in turn creates your business networking presence.

The latest branding strategy for small businesses online is to "get personal". This falls perfectly inline, with using social media for business networking.

Now, many people on the Internet are wary of getting personal online and with good reason. But if you don't do it, your competitors either are, or will start doing it. Getting real shows who you are as a person and creates an immediate relationship with the person visiting your social media profile or business website.
And this is what makes Social Media such an attractive tool for business networking in this new social media world.

As a small business you should ensure that you have not only completed your profile on your Facebook page, Twitter account, and Google+ profile page, but make sure you have a picture of you posted to your profile and not just your logo. People connect with faces. And in addition to talking about business, why don't you let people know what you're passionate about. Do you love kayaking or white river rafting? Insert a blurb in one of your blog posts letting people know about your latest trip. And you do have a blog don't you?

When other business owners see who the real you is, they are more inclined to not only reach out to you but to refer you to others as well. We all know in the end, it's a small world out there, and how many times have you expressed something to a colleague or counterpart to find out later that your message was passed on to your new client. And it all starts with using social media for business networking.

5 Tasks You Can Outsource Now To Attract New Business

2011-12-15T21:00:00.001-08:00

The following are five tasks that can be outsourced immediately in order to reduce your businesses costs while remaining committed to increasing the productivity of your existing team. Outsourcing is often an easy way to expand a business while still maintaining a conservative focus towards costs. While many small business owners are hesitant to utilize overseas talent, there are many jobs that overseas labor will excel in with a high level of dedication and quality of work when the right employees for the business are found.

A well trained and focused international marketing support team can assist your day team in executing marketing campaigns and provide sales support roles that ensure the business is on track to expose the brand to the right number of people in order to attract new business. The first person may or may not be the right person. It's best to make sure and start with small projects and build up trust prior to hiring outsourced employees for large projects. I never hire someone for a big job first and am very happy I set this policy for myself a long time ago.

Graphics Design

If you have an in-house graphic designer, it's also wise to have another person that supports their activities in the evening. Even if it's just creating additional color samplings or new pictures or being available to execute rush items overnight. If supporting a joint venture partner that has frequent product changes and specials it may be necessary to adjust marketing collateral and online graphics quickly and an outsourced graphics designer can be the best choice.

Social Media / Deal Sites

Posting updates and message consistently throughout the day on sites like Facebook and Twitter can be a chore for a regular employee and if there is significant benefit for the joint venture relationship then it can certainly be worth the cost of an online outsourced employee that can make posts, forward any direct messages to the appropriate person before responding and maintain an active social media presence. Another activity that can be a great use of your social media support persons time is actively participating on sites like Slick deals and fat wallet. These are shopping deal sites that are moderated by the community at large. If there are specials that can be promoted these sites should be submitted to.

Article / Blog Writing

Hiring an article writer for Search Engine Optimization is a way to become visible on the search engines like Google for important keywords. This is something that needs to be done with care and attention as just posting the articles directly to your site may end up harming your brand if the articles are poor or worse, they are stolen from another website. Having a person draft and submit content that is reviewed and then posted is the way to go. A team member that is hired to go and post articles throughout the web referencing the company may not need the additional layer of review however; only have a trusted employee do this activity as it still can have a negative impact on the brand. Despite the drawbacks from article writers it's essential for creating new content at a rapid pace.

Sales Support

Training an outsourced team member to respond to an online form and ask the first layer of questions for all website submissions helps provide a filter for the business and to make sure the right person is receiving the email at the start.

24/7 Sales Support on Website

During the day a specific sales rep or customer service person can be trained to operate a live chat for a website service such as Appmakr which allows the website to offer an instant chat with a company representative to answer any questions. During hours that are not convenient for a US based team member to be on the live chat system an overseas team member can fill the gap. Even if they are not trained to complete all of the customer's questions they can at least field the basics and get a time for a follow up conversation with a sales rep.

There are many jobs that can be outsourced to employees overseas that can assist with attracting new business to the company. It's never easy to begin having new employees responsible for portions of the business especially when they are overseas but when you find the right support you will be capable of executing joint venture marketing campaigns more effectively and at the same time increase your ROI more than you may have without the international support.

Critical Questions You Must Ask About Paper Shredding

2011-12-15T20:59:00.000-08:00

Ever heard of corporate intelligence, corporate security, and counterespionage? Well, there are people whose main business is to mind your business by scavenging through your garbage, undermining your privacy and stealing corporate information. Just when you think having your own paper shredder and performing in-house shredding is enough - think again. There are pitfalls to this practice, and you are as endangered as when you didn't have a shredder.

Who is doing the shredding?

Have you gone a comprehensive background check on the staff you've assigned to oversee in-house shredding? The job may be too basic but many of your organisation's secrets are right there in the hands of this person. Are your shredding personnel trustworthy and competent enough to perform reliable document destruction? Do they know the importance of their job? Is their work audited and documented, or at best certified?

How is the shredding done?

There's a reason why shredding services provider provide certificate and documentation every time they render shredding. It's important for the shredding of records to be witnessed, documented, and done professionally, with consideration for the protection of the environment. It's not enough to have those records cut into pieces. There should be a records management and destruction program designed to ensure utmost safety.

Where do the shredded materials go?

There is a proper and safe way to dispose of shredded paper. Shredding companies guarantee this by partnering with reliable paper mills, providing well-documented shredding services, even combining shredded materials from various clients. The shredded materials are then recycled to make eco-friendly paper products. How are those pieces disposed? If they end up in the standard dumpsters, they could fall into the hands of spies.

What happens when your shredder malfunctions?

Too many times, employees don't bother with a shredder that doesn't work nor has overflowing bin. Many forget security protocol, or aren't aware of one, and simply crumple paper and throw them in the garbage like an ordinary candy wrapper. This practice is not just environmentally unsound but it also puts the organisation in great danger. Documents which are supposedly shredded and disposed properly - where are they stored while the shredders are down?

What's your other option?

Your organisation will have many things to worry about, but some problems can be avoided. Designing and implementing a reliable records management and destruction program is a good preventive approach against counterespionage and information theft. It's good to have your own shredder and do in-house shredding. However, your methods may not offer the level of protection that you require. To ensure maximum security and safety, leave paper shredding to specialists.

Solar Cables

2011-12-15T20:58:00.001-08:00

The sun is a renewable source of energy that has become increasingly popular over the last 10 years. Photovoltaic systems are being installed all over the world and the components used to build them need to endure extreme temperature ranges and UV exposure. Photovoltaic systems are also growing in the UK, but there's confusion over which materials and solar cables to use, as some systems have been installed with unsuitable products, such as Rubber cables.

Rubber Solar cables will perform their functions, but after exposure to severe temperature variations they will eventually become brittle, in some cases leading to arcing which can generate temperatures in excess of 2,500 degrees C.

Solar cables need to be durable and resilient to withstand and survive in the harshest of conditions. The cables will need to be certified to national and international approvals by independent testing institutes, as well as being tested in their own laboratories. Quality solar cables have many benefits including UV resistant and the fact that they can withstand extreme temperature variations and weather.

Specific solar cables have an election beamed cross linked halogen free range of cables that offers weather, abrasion and UV resistant protection for permanent outdoor use. They are suited for the connection of the solar modules to the AC/DC inverter. Cores of fine wire strands of tinned copper, with electron beam cross linked copolymer insulation and coloured coded black, red or blue. The outer sheath consists of black electron beam cross-linked copolymer.

Other cables such as certain halogen free cables have smaller outer diameters for installations in confined spaces. These types of cables are weather, abrasion and UV resistant offering protection for permanent outdoor use. They are suitable for connecting the solar modules and as a connection to the AC/DC inverter.

Robust solar cables have a high grade steel wire braid to protect against mechanical damage and against rodents and termites.

NYY copper conductors and NAYY aluminum conductors are VDE approved, black PVC jacketed, power and control cables which are available in single or multi-core versions. These cables are specifically designed for energy supply in cable ducts, power stations, distribution boards, industrial applications and subscriber networks. The larger conductor cross sections are used to transmit high power loads between individual panels and connect to the DC/AC inverter of large photovoltaic plants. NYY and NAYY cables can be installed in open air, underground and in water.

Managing Digital Files With A Digital Asset Management System

2011-11-22T20:08:00.000-08:00

Digital Asset Management systems are the most effective way for companies to manage, distribute, and update all of their digital files and brand assets over the internet. Through such systems, not only images, but documents, videos, logos, and guidelines can be distributed, organized, and shared seamlessly. The process is dynamic and allows for companies and organizations to save both time and money through the increases in efficiency they can expect from such systems. This article will discuss the benefits and features of using a Digital Asset Management System to manage one's digital files.

Perhaps the most direct benefit of using such software is that it makes it far simpler to manage the consistency of one's brand. Through asset management systems, everyone can finally have the digital assets they are interested in having in formats that are correct and up to date. They will also receive the guidelines that are necessary for them to apply the digital assets correctly. This is a huge advantage for businesses and clients, as consistency and simplicity means less time has to be spent revising information and resending files, and more time can be spent generating profits, reaching out to clients, and conducting other vital processes of one's business.

Marketing time and resources are freed up dramatically when one switches toward using a Digital Asset Management system to manage their digital files. Productivity can then increase as a result. People such as customers and clients who are looking for brand assets that have been approved can then go straight to the hub to receive what they need, rather than repeatedly going to the head of the organization or to the design team. When such teams do not have to spend excess amounts of time fielding the same questions over where to find particular files and how to convert them into legible formats, they can spend more time doing what they do best, including designing additional assets and steering the company toward progress.

Brand asset management costs can easily drop in excess of 30% once one switches to a Digital Asset Management System for managing digital files. There will no longer be a need to manually send out brand elements or guidelines; that time can be devoted to more useful purposes. People who need such information are now empowered to find it on their own, which results in lower amounts of overhead and higher amounts of productivity.

When the process of making the most of one's brand becomes cost effective, fool proof, quick, and easy, it is hard to imagine a business becoming anything but better. When all of one's digital brand assets become available in a single place on the internet and when they become organised efficiently, only good things can happen for one's business efforts.

Of course, access to such information must be controlled, and this is why a high quality Digital Asset Management System will put the owner in control of what material is downloaded so sensitive artwork and documents remain confidential. The service is fully customizable and designed for practical businesses.

The Easy Way to Open Source

2011-11-19T17:55:00.000-08:00

There has been a revolution in home electronics in recent years, not least because of the increasing sophistication of open source technology. Open source is a production and development environment that aims to give access to the technology underlying internet and electronic devices.

Along with the increasingly high quality of electronic components that are readily available on the open market, the open source development model has made it much easier for hobbyists and enthusiasts to develop their own software and hardware. The number of people developing their own devices at home is growing rapidly, whether they are keen amateurs wanting to learn more about electronics, or trained engineers working to develop their own prototypes for products that might one day have commercial applications.

For these enthusiasts, the availability of open source technology has been a huge catalyst to invention and creativity, and they have made the process of learning about or developing new equipment far easier.

A look at some of the electronics components available from the growing number of online suppliers quickly reveals the sophistication and simplicity of the boards that you can buy. Take, for example, the Fez Panda. Behind the cute name lies a.NET micro framework that allows users to program and debug using Microsoft's free Visual C# Express. It allows applications to be loaded via a USB cable with full featured debugging capabilities, such as stepping in code or inspecting variables.

For the experienced electronics enthusiast all of that terminology will make perfect sense, but for the beginner it may sound complex. Nevertheless, if you are just starting to learn about this kind of technology, then there is an easy way to build on your knowledge - a Fez Ultimate Kit - which is also a good way for the more knowledgeable enthusiast to build on the capability of this innovative board.

The Fez Panda, or equally the FEZ Domino, lies at the heart of this kit, which includes an infra-red receiver, an IRLED transmitter, a light sensor, a thermometer, a speaker, a variable resistor and much more. The kit is a perfect choice for anyone with no experience in hardware whatsoever, and provides internet connectivity to Fez Panda.

The kit consists of e-blocks that are easy to assemble for plug-and-play functionality, so you can get access to inputs and sensor data in a matter of minutes. Assemble the components and connect to an internet service to store and request data and this neat piece of kit opens up endless possibilities.

You could use it to automate your home as a controller for all the gadgets you have wired up or you could use it to allow your mobile phone to act as a remote control for your television. All of this and much more is easy to understand with the "Internet of Things" eBook, which comes with the kit. As well as giving you some cool applications for the technology, it will help you to learn a host of things about home electronics.

If the book is not enough, then you can always call on the expert knowledge of the online suppliers selling these kits. Often they are electronics enthusiasts, too, with a wealth of experience, and they will be happy to answer any queries you have, either about which products to buy or how to use them.

Testing Time for the Home Electronics Beginner

2011-11-07T20:45:00.000-08:00

There are few hobbies that are rising in popularity as fast as home electronics. Every day more people decide that they want to learn about electronics, either to understand the technologies that they encounter every day, or to design their own cool gadgets at home. There are even trained engineers out there who work on prototypes of their own inventions at home with the aim of creating a new device that will one day make it to market.

There are many components that the beginner needs to understand in order to have a good working knowledge of electronics, and one of these is the oscilloscope - an electronic test instrument that allows you to view constantly varying signal voltages.

Oscilloscopes generally display data on voltages as a 2-dimensional graph, with a voltage on its vertical axis, and on the other axis any other parameter that can be converted into a voltage. They show the wave shape of an electrical signal and are vital to many devices in the medical, scientific, engineering and telecommunications industry.

Some of that may sound complex to anyone who does not have a solid grounding in electronics, but never fear, there are easy ways to learn what an oscilloscope does and how it functions.

One of the best ways to get to grips with this technology is to buy an oscilloscope kit so that you can learn about this useful tool from the inside out. You will get to see all the components as you assemble the kit, and find out how they act together to deliver the functionality that is important in so many devices, from the simple to the extremely high-tech.

A quick look at some of the online suppliers of electronic components that have opened up in the last few years to serve the needs of this fast growing market will yield some interesting oscilloscope kits to get you started. The digital oscilloscope DIY kit from Sparkfun, for instance, is a good entry level kit that will be fun to build and will let you in on valuable knowledge that will help develop your passion for electronics further.

When the device is up and running it will be able to provide 5m samples per second, 8-bit resolution and up to 50Vpp maximum input voltage. With a serial adapter, the data display can be transferred to a PC by screen capture as a bitmap file, so you can store the information for later use.

Assembly instructions with any good oscilloscope kit will be easy to follow, but if you have any problems or queries then the better online suppliers will be willing to give you advice on what products to buy and how to assemble them. Take advantage of their knowledge. Often the people selling the kits are both electronics enthusiasts and trained engineers, so they will be only too glad to support you as you learn.

The oscilloscope is such a fundamental piece of kit in the world of electronics that it is useful to know how it works. The knowledge you gain from assembling one will serve you well as you venture further into the world of home electronics.