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Tuesday, February 27, 2007

5 Key Strategies To Juggling Work And Family... With Ease

Are you a woman business owner struggling with the juggling? You’re committed to running a successful business while also needing to manage your family life. It can begin to feel like one long marathon, day after day. It can be absolutely exhausting! Bet you’re ready to take a new approach. Are you ready to juggle work and family with ease?

Most women feel that one often overshadows the other (depending on the day and the deadline) and never seem to come to a place where they are comfortably managing both work and family. In this article you’ll find five key strategies to be an expert juggler. You can run a successful, profitable business that makes a difference in the world while also creating a loving, joyful family life that thrives. Let’s look at five powerful strategies:

1. Articulate “Who You Want to Be” Each Day

It’s important to articulate who you want to be (i.e. calm, patient, kind, loving) each day so you can frame your actions and words within that context. If you want to be more patient, for example, allow yourself to bring patience into every interaction in your business as well as into your communications with your family. By seamlessly integrating “who” you are in each environment, you’ll begin to feel better and experience more ease.

2. Clarify Your Work and Family Vision

With a clear vision, you can take clear action as you juggle your activities throughout the day. Begin by writing down your top three business goals and your top three family goals (they may be weekly, monthly or even annual). Give yourself time to clearly articulate your vision and create an action plan. Without this vision, you may feel as if you are running a race that has no end.

3. Know Your “High Impact Activities”

Review your vision and identify the high-impact activities for yourself (i.e. those actions that will bring the greatest results and place you closer to your goals). When you determine these, you gain a greater level of discernment about how to spend your time and energy. You can then “outsource” or eliminate the things that won’t produce results that are consistent with your vision(s).

4. Identify the Top Three Things to Complete Each Day

Choose the top three things you want to fully complete each day. Most people feel stress as they juggle work and family because so many things are incomplete. I want to challenge you to pick three juicy actions every day for both your business and family (six total) and complete them with vigor! When you do, you’ll feel a deep sense of ease and satisfaction.

5. Enlist the Help of Others (Colleagues, Assistants and Family)

Women often tend to feel they must complete everything on their own. It’s simply not realistic. Look for new ways to save time, money and energy by enlisting the help of others. It may be a friend, colleague or family member. A mentor once said to me, “When you tell someone where you are trying to go, they’ll help you get there.” Allow others to help you meet your goals. With this support, you’ll naturally create more ease for yourself.

Fiona, a gourmet foods entrepreneur in Australasia and the US, recently applied these powerful strategies during our 12-Week Work With Ease™ for Small Businesses program and was amazed at the results. She decided she was going to approach both her business and her family in a very different way. Within one month of establishing her “who to be,” vision and high-leverage activities, she was on the road to more ease. She felt clear, focused and ready to grow her business to the next level.

I wish you well as you begin to look for ways to juggle work and family with more ease. May you know joy, may you know peace and may you work with ease.

Visit www.WorkWithEase.com to receive your free audio program entitled “7 Simple Strategies to End Work Stress and Overwhelm with Confidence.”

About the Author:

As founder and president of Work With Ease (http://www.WorkWithEase.com), Athena Williams-Atwood is committed to helping individuals and organizations increase their productivity and profitability. She combines practical business principles with mind-body medicine to create an integrated approach to work.

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Sunday, February 25, 2007

Double Your Way To A Million

Well last week my thoughts were mostly success bound as I was finishing off reading a great autobiography from one of the leading, current day entrepreneurs from here in the UK. Most of you in Britain will know of Duncan Bannetyne from the TV series, Dragons Den. In his biography he shares with his readers how an underachiever at school became a high achiever in business! It is a truly remarkable story and a must read for anyone.

In this article I want to talk briefly about beliefs and about 1 million pounds!

So first let’s get on to beliefs. Beliefs are strange things that steer us in different directions. They even let us know what we are capable of and worst still – what we are not capable of. Beliefs are great things to have as long as you are in control of them. For instance if you where on a tall cliff with only a map and a compass then the belief that humans can’t fly would be a good one to have – as to stop you from taking the fastest route to the beach below.

Now I want to get onto the 1 million pounds. This is a nice round figure. If you earned £20408.16 per month from the age of 16 until you were 65 you will have made it! However you probably would have just about spent it as well on living expenses. Too many, it seems like an unachievable goal and to others, 1 million pounds is a drop in the ocean. So why is this? Why do so many see fortunes as being unreachable? Well this comes back to beliefs.

The way we look at what one million pounds is, is important as if we see it as something that it is not, or even as something more than it is then we move it even further from our reach.

Now I propose an experiment. How easy would I be for you to take £1 and double it within a week? What Ideas could you come up with that could make that shiny little one pound coin turn into two shiny little one pound coins? If this is so easy then would it not also be achievable to take £500,000.00 and double it and turn it into a million? I guess you are seeing where I am going – but where would you get half a million in the first place to turn into that 1 million pound goal?

Easy! If you take the one pound from the original experiment and double it every week for 21 weeks you will have reached your 1 million pound goal! Now I bet that has made you look at what one million pounds is differently.

So there you have it! If you cut your big goals down into smaller ones you will achieve them quicker and easier than you think!

About the Author:

Richard MacKenzie is an expert in Self Hypnosis. He is also the bestselling author of a book on Self Hypnosis, called Self-Change Hypnosis.

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Saturday, February 24, 2007

Benefits Of Buying Yourself Contemporary Home Office Furniture

Are you self-employed? If so, do have run a business out of your home? While a large number of self-employed individuals have clients coming in and out of their home office, you may not. For instance, if you specialize in freelance writing, freelance web design, or something else long the same lines, most of your client communication may be done online or over the phone. While you might not have clients coming in and out of your home office, it doesn’t mean that your home office shouldn’t have that “real,” office feel. For that reason, it is advised that you at least look into purchasing contemporary home office furniture, as there are number of benefits to doing so.

When it comes to home office furniture, a large number of self-employed individuals wonder what the difference is between traditional home office furniture and contemporary home office furniture, or if there is even a difference at all. Contemporary is a word that is used to describe something that is modern. In the aspect of home office furniture, you will find that contemporary furniture is furniture that has recently been developed or designed. What is nice about contemporary home office furniture is that it is often created with today’s workplace in mind. In fact, that modernization is one of the many benefits to buying yourself contemporary home office furniture.

When furniture is modernized, it is designed to work with those trying to run a business is today’s society. With online sales, for both services and products, at an all time high, many business owners or self-employed workers are noticing an increase in customers. While this is nice, it can make keeping accurate records difficult. This is where some pieces of contemporary office furniture can offer assistance. For instance, now, a large number of home office desks are being designed with built in filing cabinets and shelves. As someone who is in charge of running a business out of your home, this means that you can professionally run your business, without having to have a large amount of space.

In addition to being innovate, there are also a number of other benefits to owning contemporary home office furniture. One of those benefits is professionalism. As it was previously mentioned, even though you might not have clients visiting your home office, you should still treat it like it is a traditional office. Contemporary home office furniture, which tends to include a wide array of home office desks and leather office chairs, is all designed with professionalism in mind. Purchasing contemporary home office furniture will not only make your home office look professional, but it should also make it feel that way. In fact, the feel of professionalism is another benefit to owning contemporary home office furniture.

When asked, one of the biggest complaints of those working from home is the ability to get their day started. It is not uncommon for many home based workers to feel this way. Instead of having to get up and prepare for a day at the office, many simply need to walk a few feet to their home office. Having contemporary home office furniture in your home may make an otherwise traditional room that you work out of really feel like it is an office. The professional feel or environment that is created with contemporary home office furniture may actually make it easier for you to get started and get to work. It has been noted that many home based workers feel more productive when they have contemporary home office furniture.

Another benefit of purchasing yourself contemporary home office furniture is the furniture that you can purchase. As it was previously mentioned, contemporary office furniture encompasses a wide variety of different furniture pieces. These pieces tend to include leather office chairs, home office desks, filing cabinets, bookshelves, and so much more. Whatever pieces of future you would like your home office to be composed of, you should easily be able to find what you are looking for. In fact, to get started on your search for contemporary home office furniture, you are advised to examine OfficeDR.com.

About the Author:

Looking for contemporary office furniture at a low price. We specialize in modular office furniture for every home office in the U.S.

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Friday, February 23, 2007

Starting A Home Business - Is It Right For You?

Owning a home business is a dream for many workers these days. Not sure a home business is right for you? Here are some things to consider. Working from home is a dream for many but actually going ahead and starting a home business can be very difficult. Patience and perseverance are the keys! Starting a home-business is one thing; turning a profit is quite another. You will not make a profit overnight. I won't lie to you by saying that building a home business is easy. If you're the sort of person to start something and not see it through or work at it, then a home business is not for you.

The number one reason people fail at home business is they cannot find a trusted and reliable supplier of good quality information and support. Another reason is that some people are actually scared of online business. There are many who would love to work from home online but don't know what kind of online home business is suitable for them. The good thing though about starting your own home business is that you don't necessarily need large sums of money to start seeing results. Having an online home business is the vehicle to drive your dreams to reality.

Ok, so you have researched the facts, weighed the pros and cons and have finally decided that a home business is right for you. I've been able to be a stay at home mom now for over 6 years. There is a chance to start your own Work at Home Business. Start part time and make money in your spare time. All you need is access to the internet from your home, office or net cafe. It is possible to develop and put strategies solidly into place within 30 days or less and you can be making real money online within that time frame as well. Real money that becomes residual once you’ve set it up. Real people are actually doing it with their home businesses today as you’re reading this article. You can earn money … lots of it! You can also be your own boss in your own home business.

You need to know how to spot a home business, what to look for and what to avoid. See the home business information links below for more details. Once you have the proper training you'll know what to look for and what to avoid. You will know how to pick the right combinations of companies to promote with your home business. There are great home business packages that really work. You need to tell people what to do, not what to avoid. And you need to be supportive. Just because you’re working from home does not mean you should be alone.

About the Author:

Debbie Abraitis is owner of WantItPage.com and writes on a variety of subjects. To learn more about this topic Debbie recommends you visit: DesignAtHomeIncome.com Subscribe to our FREE Internet home business tips newsletter and get hundreds of money making tips and tricks delivered to your inbox. Mail to: designathomeincome@getresponse.com

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Thursday, February 22, 2007

Starting An Internet Business - Financial Implications

The old adage that you will never get rich working for somebody else is probably as true now as it was when first coined. Because of this many people dream of working for themselves and will set up a small business - normally in the trade they are trained for or if very lucky doing something for a living that that they originally got interested in originally as a hobby.

Most people considering this step would seek advice from a business adviser or their bank, particularly if they were seeking some form of financial backing, and would be expected to submit a business plan. This plan would be expected to show projected revenue, margins and expenses. Revenue would be based on projected sales or services provided after market research and expenses would be material costs etc. and advertising costs. Expense would be expected to be sustainable and a profit shown after an initial start up period.

However, the above basic principles do not always apply when considering certain internet based businesses. Before signing up the potential rewards would be shown and explained but would also carry the warning that these are not necessary atypical.

Training, advice and the sourcing of potential advertising normally come after the initial sign up and these costs must be carefully considered against the available budget.

These costs would be both one-off and ongoing costs. Ongoing costs would include monthly web hosting and subscriptions and one-off or occasional costs would include advertising costs, purchasing of leads and subscription upgrades. Advertising is essential to promote any type of business and costs should be carefully monitored as some types of internet advertising can become very expensive.

Any business needs time to develop and become established and unless you are extremely lucky costs will continue to rise until sales start to be made. These costs are very difficult to predict and eventually could reach a limit where there is no alternative but to admit defeat and close the business down.

Starting an internet business should be seen as an enjoyable experience and in the early days as an addition to an established income - not a quick fix solution to a financial problem.

About the Author:

http://www.RegainControlWorkFromHome.com

Read more articles by: David Kershaw

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Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Want To Quit Your Day Job?

Think about it. You get up every morning, jolted awake to a screaming alarm clock. Rush around trying to find your socks, your keys, your coffee. Start up your car, scrape the ice off (if you're like me and live in Canada, winter always involves a lot of scraping!), and manage your pole position in traffic. Once you finally make it, you look around. Lucky you. You get to spend the next 8 hours (I had 11) with people you can't stand, pretending that this is the only place you would ever want to be. You work your finger to the bone, so that someone else can make money, and in return give you a minuscule share.

If you love your job and make a fantastic living, please don't read this, I'm not writing for you. You can go back to work.

But if you're like me, you hate the alarm clock, you hate the ice, the traffic, your moronic coworkers who probably make more than you, and you HATE your boss. Now, he or she may be a lovely person outside of the office. But for those long hours of the day, that boss is the eyes that burn into the back of your head, telling you to work harder, give more.

I used to drive home crying. Crying for hating the fact that I had to go back there tomorrow, to do it all again, and that I'd be doing it over and over for weeks, months, years to come. I had no energy left by the time I got home. Shower, go to bed, do it all over again. I just couldn't do it anymore.

Now, I'm a logical person. I know that I couldn't just quit my job and expect the world to take care of me. I had to do something to take care of myself. Like many people I turned to the World Wide Web for answers.

There were many. I jumped at every opportunity, throwing good money after bad at programs that offered nothing in return, or were meant for only the most skilled computer expert. (Why would such a person be in need of this kind of program??) It took a lot of trial and error, but I finally found a system I could live with. I didn't spend a fortune, I learned a lot, and best of all....goodbye day job.

I don't always sleep til noon. Honestly, sometimes I will get up early and log on to check out my little business, I'm just so excited about it now. I don't ever remember saying that about my job! I don't cry in my car anymore either. Some people have huge goals, these were mine to start. I'm aiming higher now, but it's nice to know that I work for ME, and no one else. That is the biggest reward of all.

It IS possible. You can make it happen.

About the Author:

Written by Ingrid Tiessen, proud owner of her own website that allows her to work online! Visit it and get FREE information at http://76.162.124.245/www.internetdayoff.com/index.htm

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Monday, February 19, 2007

Entrepreneurialism: Doing The Wikipedia Four Step

According to Wikipedia, "An entrepreneur is a person who undertakes and operates a new enterprise or venture and assumes some accountability for the inherent risks. In the context of the creation of for-profit enterprises, entrepreneur is often synonymous with founder."

Let’s see if we can break this definition down into bite sized chunks.

Entrepreneur as an Undertaker

This term indicates a certain amount of initiative that drives an individual to do something tangible with an idea they have conceived. This initiative is in context of a business startup.

Entrepreneur as an Operator

This term is indicative of an individual willing to get in the thick of things and develop the business from the standpoint of administrator and marketer. In effect, an entrepreneur must be willing to do everything needed to manage the business they are seeking to develop.

Entrepreneur and Accountability

An entrepreneur understands that the buck stops with them. They are willing to be responsible in the development and affairs of the business.

Entrepreneur as Risk Taker

There will always be the risk that a business startup will fail, but the risk an entrepreneur puts forth may also result in a profitable business. The entrepreneur understands the risks and determines to move forward in spite of those risks.

Entrepreneur as Founder

In the context of a successful business start up the entrepreneur is listed as the founder of the business. This individual did what it took to move their idea from the thought process to a reality. This is hard work and, if successful, their name will always be linked to the business. Some may consider this to be a portion of the legacy of the individual; certainly it can be a highpoint in a person’s work history.

There is an exhilaration that comes with entrepreneurialism. The road may be difficult and you may have to get creative in solving problems you’ve never encountered, but you are, in that moment, the quintessential entrepreneur. You have chosen to take the initiative to operate a business. You have determined to be accountable for all phases of your business startup and you recognize and accept the risks involved in business development.

Entrepreneurialism is not for the faint of heart, but for those who walk through the various steps listed above there is an incredible amount of satisfaction knowing that the work you have done will not only benefit yourself and your family, but the customers who will benefit from the product or service you provide.

About the Author:

Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of HighPowerSites and many other web projects. Get your own website online in just 5 minutes with HighPowerSites at: http://www.highpowersites.com. Start your own ebook business with BooksWealth at: http://www.bookswealth.com

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Sunday, February 18, 2007

Making Money From Scratch

Money is hard to come by these days but if you have the will to really make it through then it is still very possible to make money and to make even more as each day goes by. The problem lies if you do not know where to start much more if your problem is the fact that you do not have money to begin with. How can you put up a business or invest in something when you do not have capital to begin with? Money can be found.

You just have to be strong in your resolve that once you get hold of that money you will promise to work on making more.

There are willing benefactors all aorund us. These are people with money who are laways on the look out to fidning individuals deserving of their financial an emotional support. Some of these benefactors can be well off relatives who are willing to shoulder your capital. Benefactors can also be the rich people in our community who wants to help budding entrepreneurs.

The government can also be a benefactor. They have programs to fund businessmen as long as they pass the requirements that often includes a business plan for a certain number of years.

If you have the funds but you think it is not enough then look for a business partner. They say that friends are bad business partners so go out of your circle and ask around for willing business partenrs. It is best to look for a business partner that can not only provide for additional funds but that someone should also complement you in terms of your strengths and weaknesses in handling a business.

If you are good with finance and human resources then your partner can be someone who is good in operations and marketing. This will enable the both of you to work together harmoniously by having certain areas of expertise.

You can also loan to banks but shop around for the best bank that can offer you the lowest interest rates. There are a hundred banks you can choose from and you are bound to find the one bank that will be most suitable for your needs. Also, make sure that
whatever money you loan is just enough for the business and that you can pay back the loan with at most 50% of your earnigns in the next one or two years.

Be careful because we do not want you to end up in debt in case the business does not work out. Read business books and bank guidelines to help you in your decision.

Make sure that you have a realistic business goal set up for yourself and for yourself in case you have finally decided to bring someone with you along. Also, do make sure that you have a fallback for while it is admirable to have the courage to get into something from nothing; it is also but practical to have something to go back to in case things do not work out the way we want it to.

Do start on a positive note though. Believe in the business you are about to start and work on making these dreams and long term goals into a reality. A reality that is not far from coming true.

About the Author:

Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on a great business opportunity and learn how to make money checkout his recommended websites.

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Saturday, February 17, 2007

Beware Of The Home Business Program Hoppers

You may have been telling yourself that this year is going to be the year that you break away from the 9-5 JOB and the things that have been holding you back from having and enjoying a better life...one without a time clock, without a boss, with more time to spend with family, and certainly the abundance and prosperity that you and your family deserve. Those are the awesome benefits of finally joining a great home based business opportunity!

Question is will you take that first step? Will you invest in your dream? Yes, you can do it! Yes, you can have it! Yes, you can start enjoying it now! Just do it...don't waste one more minute putting the life you want! See how much better you feel having made the commitment. Find a team that will work with you to find a legitimate and profitable business.

Now, Introducing The Program Hoppers.....

Try to identify them and then stand clear! You may be receiving e-mails from people who are in one home business opportunity one month and then the next month, they approach you about another program they are in and want you to join. These marketers are what I call "Program Hoppers!" They join one business, get as many people to join them in it - then move to another business, leaving the last one behind. They get people from their previous business to join them in their new one...and on and on. That is, in fact, how they earn their living and why you read or see ads on the Net about people earning $100,000 their first month in a business. It is because they have succeeded in getting a large number of team members from their prior venture to hop to the next program with them.

I get e-mails from these folks on a daily basis!

Meanwhile, they have not created any support systems or infrastructure in any of their programs. They may not even care about the products and businesses they are trying to get you to buy and join - because the sole purpose is to get you to follow them in their program hopping. The result is that people like you get left to figure everything out for yourself! They milk their new business for as much as they can and then move on, leaving those that remain in that business high and dry! It's nothing personal - it's just business. But that doesn't help the people who are left behind; who really want to make their new business work; and who do not have the prrogam hopping mentality!

To me, that kind of conduct is gives the Internet business industry a bad name.

At Dynamic Wealth Systems, they follow a different approach! Yes, they have 4 different business opportunities, but they are all under 1 roof. And they care about each, have made good money with each. They have also put outstanding support systems in place! When you join that team in just ONE of their programs, you will receive intensive support and a marketing infrastructure that produces results!

They have been approached by many to join a new business to put in their website, but turned them all down because they do not believe in Program Hopping for themselves or for their team members! Just because there are many good and exciting opportunities on the Internet doesn't mean people shouldn't find one, or even a few, and become experts in them. The best course of action for Internet home business seekers is to plant roots and grow the business or businesses they have. Don't fall prey to the hoppers, at least, until you have succeeded in making money in the programs you are in. And for the good of the people you bring into your business, build a lasting support infrastructure to help them!

About the Author:

Sarah Hedrick is a team member of Dynamic Wealth Systems, LLC and writes on a variety of subjects. To learn more about this topic Sarah recommends you visit: DynamicWealthSystems.com

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Thursday, February 15, 2007

The Starting Point To A Successful Internet Home Business

Starting an internet home business can be scary because there is a lot to it. You have to be determined and optimistic about the future of your business. What many people don't realize is that it takes time and a lot of hard work in order to build a successful internet home business. By no means is it going to build overnight. However, in order to build a successful internet home business, you have to start from phase one.

The first step to walking up that staircase towards a successful internet home business is coming up with ideas and a plan. Planning is crucial in the beginning stages because it gives you something to follow as you build. Everything from the marketing scheme to the content you hope to generate to even what product you are going to promote should be included in your plan. Also, make sure to write it down so it is more formal and inclusive.

Once you have a plan for your internet home business, it's time to find a domain name. This is one of the most overlooked parts to developing a home business. Finding a domain name that has your company name or even your personal name in it is crucial. What you are doing is branding your website, and by putting your company name or personal name in the domain name it is enduring.

The next step up that staircase is selecting a web host. The web host is going to be the company that your website runs through, so it is vital that you research and find a reliable web host. There are a number of different web host's to choose from, which allows you to find the best deal on the market. While money is on everyone's mind when starting up an internet home business, try not to think cheap with the web host.

Once you have selected a web host and domain name, you are set to begin producing content and designing your website. The content you produce has to be fresh and enticing for your reader's. You want to blow your reader's socks off with content they have not read before.

For the web design, every little detail can make the difference between an average home business and a successful internet home business. Things to look at include where you place your ads, the general color scheme and coordination between the background colors and the font. Just remember, flashy in the internet industry is trashy. You want to produce a website that is professional and easy to sort through.

After all of the steps listed above, you will be half way up the staircase. For whatever reason, people have it in their head that they need to wait to begin promoting their website until it is developed. If you want to make it to the top of the staircase, you have to put you and your website on the line and begin generating customers as soon as possible.

About the Author:

Vincent Murphy is the Webmaster/Owner of http://www.HomeGrail.com Successful Home Based Business FREE GIFT, 6 FREE HOME BUSINESS EBOOKS: http://www.HomeGrail.com/newsletter-signup.html

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Wednesday, February 14, 2007

MLM Is It A Scam Or Not?

The network marketing industry, also known as multi level marketing (MLM), has become one of the major controversies in the business world. Both advocates and detractors have used strong arguments defending their view.

The detractors have condemned MLM as a scam because the system falsely claims instant riches with less effort based on a “pyramid” marketing scheme that expands a business improperly by promoting too much hype and misleading facts.

They also note that 95% of the MLM business opportunities fail, with supporting evidence. There are huge profits involved only for the top performers and not for the vast majority of the distributors.

The proponents of multi level marketing insist that it is one of the best business models to create wealth without investing large capital and on a short term basis. On the other hand, they also note that it requires a lot of effort and it is not a ”get rich quick scheme”, pointing out that this approach to marketing has been taught as a mainstream course in universities.

Although it is not common, if ever, to find this type of course officially given in Ivy League schools, a similar course at the University of Illinois at Chicago does exist (http://www.uic.edu/depts/oee/networkmarketing/index.html).

The proponents of MLM support their arguments by claiming that there are many cases of people who succeeded in the MLM industry with a small amount of start-up capital and only by following a specific plan put forth by the original company. They also differentiate the MLM from “pyramid schemes” because the first contains a product or service with a legitimate company which supports it.

On the other hand “pyramid schemes” contain no products or services, or they include “pseudo products” in order to justify the existence of the “opportunity”

Another argument against MLM is the bogus claim of duplication. Nothing can be duplicated since every individual is unique and, under no circumstances, are we all capable of becoming top salesmen or developers of down-line, i.e. MLM marketers recruited as salesman, referred to as “independent business owners”. Actually, a charismatic salesman in the network in this scenario rises in the ranks of the pyramid by earning money from these new recruit’s hard work.

The MLM advocates that duplication is possible only when the marketing plan and the tools have been advanced by the mother company in order to be duplicable for the majority of the distributors. This implies that whenever the mother MLM company is in a position to provide such a tool, then ordinary people with little to none marketing background can copy the marketing techniques and tools and promote their MLM opportunity successfully.

Another downside of MLM is the exploitation of our relatives urging them to join our MLM opportunity which oftentimes stresses family relationships unnecessarily and is considered by many to be a dubious marketing tactic.

Some proponents may counter that there is no need to beg your relatives for sales; instead, what you need is qualified prospects who are interested in your offer. That can be accomplished by purchased targeted leads or specific advertising methods.

The list could go on. Maybe not even an exhaustive book would be enough to note all the arguments both sides deploy. Maybe the problem is the conundrum itself, in which we have to choose between demonizing or canonizing the MLM industry. Since nothing can be duplicated, everything boils down to how the individual marketer presents his material to his prospects. Therefore, one can conclude the MLM system is good for some and not for others, so there is no need to disparage it or support it in the first place as a third party observer.

In that way of thinking we will not find answers. Only detailed consideration of each and every MLM company would lead to more accurate conclusions and that means thorough examination of the products or services, the marketing and compensation plan, the marketing tools , and of course the company’s support and background.

About the Author:

Christos Varsamis is the creator of fastprofitbiz.com.Get Free access to latest information about and MLM Business Opportunities , and Residual Income Business .

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Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Gold Depositories

The simplistic definition of a depository is that it is a place where anything can be left for safekeeping.

The safekeeping of gold, because of its worldwide status as the traditional store of value, is of paramount importance internationally.

Again to put it simply, the wealth, importance and influence of a nation can be measured by the amount of gold it owns.

Gold is stored in secure vaults located in various centers throughout the world with the US holding, in its three largest storage facilities, more than any other country.

It is important to be aware that much of the gold held in the US vaults is the property of other countries but is left in the US for security reasons.

The world’s best known gold depository is Fort Knox in Kentucky and is known as The United States Bullion Depository. Situated very nearly below the World Trade Center in New York is the US Federal Reserve Banks´ vault rumored to be the size of two football pitches.

At the time of the 9/11 attack it was at first feared that the Fed vault was the target.

One of the rules and regulations of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) states: Gold Depositories of the Fund shall be established in the US, UK, France and India.

The gold of the Fund shall be held with the depositories designated by the members in whose territories they are located at places agreed with the Fund.

The growing trade in physical gold from hedge funds to private individuals has highlighted the importance of the role of Gold Depositories.

If, as many individual investors are now doing, you are considering trading in gold, it is impractical to collect and privately store the metal in bullion form.

Limited quantities of gold coin can be purchased and delivered but secure storage at the buyers home can become a problem, insurance will be an added annual expense and then there are the costs involved when selling and passing on the metal to the buyer.

When dealing in physical gold transfers of ownership in any but exceptional circumstances take place by exchange of Depository Receipts.

In other words the physical metal stays in the same secure vault before and after the trade with proof of ownership being passed on by paper.

It is therefore of importance to deal only in physical gold stored in an Authorized depository where receipts can be relied upon as proof of ownership.

If in any doubt check it out.

Begin by going online to the depositories website and carry out your due diligence from that starting point.

This is big business and as such it is closely regulated so it is unlikely that any problems will be encountered but it never hurts to take the trouble to be on the safe side.

About the Author:

John Lloyd is the author of this article. He writes regularly for http://preciousmetalinvestment.com

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Monday, February 12, 2007

Unusual Franchise Opportunities - Funny Business

The most unusual franchise opportunity that I have come across specialises in cleaning mattresses! They have turned this business into an art form. The way I clean my mattresses is by taking them out on a cold day and hitting them with a hard brush. The brush dislodges all the loose material whilst the cold kills any bed bugs.

This franchise has all the specialist equipment needed including hi powered cleaners, UV radiation equipment and specialist hygiene sprays. They claim that a properly cleaned mattress will also reduce many allergies. It can also help in reducing Asthma attacks by removing dust & tiny skin particles from the mattress and thereby reducing the amount of dust in the air. If you are scared of bed bugs or creepy crawlies then this franchise opportunity is not right for you!

Another franchise that I found unusual was a window cleaning franchise - why would any one buy this type of franchise? Surely all you need is a van, a decent ladder, some cleaning material and you are ready? Not all window cleaners are the same…

This window cleaning franchise I looked at can also clear your gutters, decks and fences, roofs, patios and a whole lot more. Their aim is to make what was simply window cleaning turn into a full time business opportunity offering a wide variety of cleaning functions.

All their franchisees are insured specially for the job and use special cleaning solutions to get rid of the dirt and grime as efficiently as possible! They have high pressure washers and use "high tech" ladders and all the safety equipment that you can think of. Not one for people who are scared of heights!

I found an even more unusual franchise that specialises in bird feeding and watching. They find a great location near a busy road which is renowned for the different types of birds that visit the area and create a business which specialises in displays and merchandise for bird watchers. According to their marketing material bird feeding & watching is a 4.7 billion dollar industry!

There is a retail chain franchise in the USA that specialises in cigars, pies and other gifts for the smoker. I don't know how this will fare in today's environment where it's getting more and more difficult to smoke in planes, trains, cafes, bars and shopping molls! This would be an ideal business for someone who loves his pipes!

There are many franchise opportunities available today and some of the more unusual franchises can also be the most lucrative as the standard types of franchise businesses usually have a lot of competition. It is also important to get into a business that you enjoy and one which suits your lifestyle.

By investing in a franchise you are taking the gamble out of starting a business as you are buying into a business model that has already been proven to be successful. Just make sure that the franchise you choose is in a niche that you will enjoy.

Always ensure that you get the best possible advice from experts in the field of franchising before you buy a franchise.

About the Author:

Naz Daud is the founder of CityLocal Business Franchise Opportunity Business Franchises and UK Business Directory

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Sunday, February 11, 2007

Start High... Stay High

Most successful sales people have learned the value of starting high when prospecting a new account. They understand the importance of "moving up the food chain" and work hard at not only making contact but using that contact to get in to see top level decision makers.

I've been amazed, however, at how often they make the effort to reach top level people and then easily allow themselves to be passed down, back into the quagmire of low level contacts that they have worked so hard to avoid! It takes more than just calling high to be a top performer... it requires both determination and skill to stay high and maintain those important contacts.

First, I'll make the assumption (and will provide answers and suggestions in upcoming posts) that you're doing a good job of getting in to see those high level contacts. You've learned that most of the time, your contacts in purchasing are not really "decision makers", but often are merely "decision implementors", implementing decisions that have been made by someone else. They get told what to buy and then go out and buy it. This does not mean that you stop calling on them but more importantly understand the limited power they really have (they'll never tell you this by the way).

Now, once you've gotten in to see Mr./Ms. Big, you need to make a decision that if you get "passed down" what is the best way to handle it. We need to decide if it is in our best interests to let that happen and if it is not, how can we function to increase our odds of winning?? When you hear the suggestion "I like what you've talked about but you really need to see "Bob" in plant operations" make sure that you "hear what is meant". Sadly, because all of us tend to have "happy ears", we believe that we can go down to Bob with the blessing of our high contact and are sure with this referral we'll "get the business". Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way and is often nothing more than a "blow off"..

To avoid making an incorrect assumption you might consider asking the following questions:

* I'd be happy to see Bob, If he likes the idea we've discussed what happens next?

or...

* I'd be happy to see Bob, would he make this decision without input from you?

The answer to this question will give you a good indication of whether you need to stay with your "High Contact" or not. If the answer is "yes", than getting passed down may be o.k. However, if the answer is "No, I'll still have some input" than you might want to consider the following step:

* After I talk with Bob, can I come back and meet with you to share what I learned from him?

The answer to this question will give you insight into whether you are just being "blown off" or if there is a sincere interest in what you have to offer. A willingness to meet again demonstrates interest and is a strong indication that you have a good chance at influencing this decision through this contact.

Calling high is important, but it is equally important to "stay high". Make the decision to call the right people as well as the decision on what to do when you get there.

Action Step: Role play this situation with a colleague and master the questions and strategy so when you are confronted with this challenge you will be ready! Remember, planning without practice is a prescription for failure!

About the Author:

John E. Hirth, is President and founding principal of Selling Dynamics, a sales force development, sales training and sales process consulting firm dedicated to increasing sales revenue and corporate profits. http://www.johnhirth.com

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Saturday, February 10, 2007

Top 10 FREE Traffic Generation Tips

The reason that most people fail online is that they simply can not attract enough traffic to their web site and as we all know, No Traffic = No Sales.

So just how can you get more traffic to your web site and how much is it going to cost you? The answer is zero, zilch, nada, nothing, also known as “Free”. So here they are, my Top 10 FREE Traffic Generation Tips:

1. Write and submit articles. Write quality unique new articles, not articles that are rehashed or provide no insight to readers.

2. Write and submit press releases. This is nearly as good as publishing articles.

3. Write and ping blogs. Always link back to your website with your blog posts. Make multiple blogs and have them all link back to one primary site.

4. Make sure that your web site is listed in DMOZ: http://dmoz.org

5. Advertise your web site in the appropriate categories on http://craigslist.org. Post your ads in the largest most populated cities in the world.

6. Use your signature (with your web site URL) in niche related discussion boards and forums that you frequently visit if they allow signatures.

7. Review related products on http://Amazon.com. You can try and direct some customers to your web site from your competitors by providing your own web site URL if the product is similar.

8. Review websites in your niche on http://Alexa.com to try to direct some of their traffic to your web site by including a reference back to your site.

9. Review some related products on http://epinion.com

10. If you buy a product that you actually like, then leave a testimonial (with your web site URL). You should get some traffic from that web site if your testimonial is left with a URL.

These traffic generation tips are provided to you courtesy of John Spohr, M.S.M. of The Wealth Formula and EDC Gold.

Also see “8 Ways to Promote Your Business or Website”.

This upcoming article will additional offer tips on the best way to promote your site free or very inexpensively.

About the Author:

John Spohr, M.S.M is a 27 year veteran of the Computer industry specializing in B2C eCommerce systems. For more information on EDC Gold visit his site online at http://www.the-wealth-formula.com

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