Small may be beautiful, but left untended, allowed just to grow ‘organically’ with not pushing and shoving, small can wither to nothing, leaving you with a business that’s dead in the water. Instead, it’s vital to look at every opportunity, grass-roots and bigger, and spot every chance to maximise your company, increase its fame and reputation, and therefore swell the coffers so that you stay afloat.

When you want to take your company up another rung or two of the ladder, sitting back and just hoping it will happen will end in frustration and failure. You have to take steps, even the ones that don’t seem to have an immediate or quantifiable impact. And the more steps you take, the more likely it is that one or more of them will bring rewards. And then, when your business grows and phone rings all day, emails coming in at an unprecedented rate, you’re left with the dilemma; either you do everything yourself and burn out, or you employ people but have to be careful all your income evaporate paying other people’s salaries.

The first thing you can do to safeguard your business and give it a shot in the arm is to zoom in on a single product or service. Don’t start with a plethora of things, trying to please everyone. Just pick one element of your business and then market and promote it to heaven and back. You may have started out with a business idea with several off-shoots and subsidiary services. Let these simmer in the background for now, while you push just one element of it with whatever promotion you can afford. Costly advertising may be off limits for now, but social marketing is relatively painless and inexpensive.

Now that you have a single service that people like, it’s time to bring in the additional things that complement it. Your expanded product line will please your existing customers. If your business idea is a service of some kind, then make sure the additional services dovetail logically with your original service. Come up with deals, which encourage people to use more than one service. If your business idea is an actual product, and you’ve managed to stock it with retailers, it will look better on the shelves once you have a few more products that  go with it.

After this, strengthen your relationship with existing customers. For a moment, forget about measures you can take to find new customers. Instead, come up with deals, like discounts for bulk buying, to solidify your contact with happy customers. Two-for-one, for example, could work well. Alternatively, a loyalty scheme that rewards customers once they made ten purchases, is another relationship-strengthening method.

Business could now be building, possibly beyond your original forecast. It’s time to think about extra pairs of hands to help you stay buoyant. This could come in the form of an employee, a freelancer or even family members. You’ll start cultivating relationships with a network of potentially life-saving and talented people. If you need more people on-site but want to save on office equipment, get in touch with an office removals london company and see if they have materials and furniture kicking about and unwanted.

If you haven’t already done so, think about your web presence. You need a website and the full complement of social networking accounts, from Facebook to Google Plus. You can skip the option of using an expensive web agency (anyway, everyone is sick of elaborate Flash intros and other bells and whistles), although going that route could mean useful data capture. It’s much easier to create your own website, using inexpensive online options which require no technical knowledge and which only need a few pounds a month to keep rolling.

You’re up and running now but there are still countless moves you can make to keep developing, including partnering with similar companies, targeting markets you’ve hitherto ignored, starting electronic newsletters and much, much more.

Taken from: Guest Post (article, By Samuel Joyce), Google (images).

Businesses have to find various means through which it create awareness about its presence in the market. Promotional products can be anything that has utility like bags, pens, umbrellas and so on. T-shirt is another successful marketing tool, which can be given out to the employees as well as to the clients and enhance the visibility of the organizations. The printed logo or name of the company on the tee helps to gain greater recognition in a commutative market. Even a large number of NGO and social working organizations use t-shirts to raise awareness about a particular campaign that deserve immediate attention of people.

The sudden spur of using promotional products took place in 1970s with increasing number of corporate companies. In order to create a space of their own, these companies began to use various products to establish individual identity. T-shirts, in this regard, have been found to be one of the most effective mechanisms whether you want to spread awareness about social or commercial matters. These act as walking billboards transmitting your thoughts and ideas among the unknown crowd. However, it would be wrong to restrict the use of the t-shirts only for business purpose because political parties eventually have been using this concept to promote their ideologies and views.

One of the advantages of t-shirts is its cost effective marketing factor. Organizations of any size always have to keep in mind the cost factor. As far as the t-shirts are concerned, you do not have to think about the marketing cost, after you give it out to your clients. Every time they put it on and goes out in the public, your brand gets promoted. However, you need to make it sure that the logo or the company name is printed in the right placed that can easily grab the attention of the viewers.

Brand building is one of the features of promotional t-shirts. It can also be used to infuse the essence of togetherness among the employees. For example, you have organized an event and given out t-shirts to its volunteers with the name of the program printed on it. On one hand it is promoting the campaign and at the same time it is uniting the volunteers making them realize they are a part of the campaign. There are many t-shirts that are printed to make people conscious about crucial issues like AIDES, Cancer, environmental matters and so on. So, if you want to use any means to develop awareness, then t-shirts would be your ideal choice.

You have to be extremely particular while designing these t-shirts. A number of organizations fail to understand this aspect and print the name of the logo of the company in an odd position that refrain the receivers from wearing it in public. The color of the t-shirts can resemble your company but if it looks glossy then keep it simple. Customize the tees keeping in mind the choice of the people, otherwise creating awareness will be a difficult task.

Taken from: Guest Post (article, By Frank Newton), Google (images).

Most of us prefer to use things that reflect our personality. For instance, we keep on pondering through a number of clothes until we find something that suits our nature. We even opt for personalization of clothing on certain cases. Apart from regular items, personalization of towels have also become a new trend. Moreover, customized towels is one of the popular choice for commercial purpose, especially for its utility value. This is a perfect tool for company promotion and creating awareness about the brand. Towels have the ability to make a style statement due to its design, comfort as well as durability.

Style.

Towel is an important piece of cloth available in every household. To make it an appealing one, you can personalize it based on the color of your bathroom or creating an interesting contrast to the wall color of your kitchen. The best thing about custom towels is the option to design it the way you like. If you want to create a stylish beach towel by adding images, phrases or names, then personalization is the only way out. Customized towels provide a welcoming appearance. It proves your style sense and ability to understand the importance of bringing a coordination in every household item by adding a touch of elegance.

Design.

You can choose towels of various size based upon your requirement. Hand towels are placed near the sink for wiping hands and face. Beach towels are long with two distinct sides. You can create a desirable customized imprint on one of these sides. The screen printing or embroidered design can change the mundane look of the towels. Personally designed towel can be an excellent and unique gift as it convert it into an attractive piece of cloth from just an ordinary linen. Moreover, the cost involved in designing is affordable enough.

Promotion.

Usually, business organizations choose promotional goods, which are used by customers frequently. Though towels as giveaways are unique choice but you cannot doubt the usability, which will give more visibility to your brand name. For instance, if you have a client who plays golf or enjoy bowling, gift him a hand towel with the name or logo of your company printed in it. Every time he uses it while playing, your company receives visibility and an opportunity to promote its presence. Space for printing is not an issue for towels. You can use the entire cloth or a part of it, but avoid creating clumsy designs.

Hence, if you are looking for a cost effective marketing tool or a unusual gift then personalized towels can be your choice. But you should be careful about the quality of the print because towels absorbs more ink, so it is better to opt for screen printing process. If this is a gift then why compromise on the quality as it involves your reputation. Personalized towels can speak your mind, if you are designing it to sync with the pattern of your house then it shows your creative nature and if you are using it as a means of promotion, its quality determines the way you deal with the clients.

Taken from: Guest Post (article, By Jennifer Doherty), Google (images).

No longer a popular hobby, collecting stamps has gone out of fashion. Yet in its place a new trend has emerged, investing in rare stamps in order to make a sound financial investment. As the value of other investments plummet, those with a head for business are looking at new ways to make money.

A. Knowing The Market.

As with any business, knowledge is power and the more informed a person is, the better the chance of a good return on any initial investment. To maximize the chance of success, it is essential that some level of research and analysis takes place before any money parts hands.

1. With the world still in the grip of an uncertain financial climate and many traditional investments becoming less viable and more risky, those with some spare cash are understandably seeking out alternative means of investment in the form of stamp collecting. A good place to start is by attending philatelic auctions which are a good introduction to stamp-collecting.

2. Anyone seriously considering this type of investment could do worse than attend weekly philatelic auctions which are an ideal learning ground. Pinpointing the types of stamps available, the prices they sell for and how accessible they are, these auctions can be invaluable when it comes to learning the trade from the bottom up.

3. There are various starting points with many experts recommending potential investors start conservatively by picking up popular stamps, which may not necessarily be the most valuable but which are desirable. By getting to know what is involved, it becomes easier to source more valuable collections and gain confidence.

B. Taking The Plunge.

1. Serious collectors will know the market inside out and this takes time and patience, which can be rewarded tenfold. Experts recommend collecting strategically, by following themes until a decent collection has been built up.

2. A theme could be anything from transport to royalty but by following a specific area of interest it becomes easier to know what is worth collecting and how to build up a sizable collection.

3. Condition is very important, so look out for any damage, discoloration or staining. Opt for popular stamps such as the Penny Black in the beginning, which although not always hugely valuable, remains well known and collectible.

4. Although it is difficult to find a very rare stamp or collection, this is where the big money comes from, although the chances of identifying a rarity only comes from time and experience.

Although stamp collecting can be a slow burner when it comes to making big money, there are examples of stamps selling for millions of pounds, so it is possible to turn something unusual into a sound investment. It takes plenty of time and patience, perhaps more so than with other investments, but is probably also more enjoyable with the potential to be a big money spinner.

Taken from: Guest Post (article, By Jennifer Doherty), Google (images).

Creativity is a hard-to-define thing that eludes many of us precisely when we need it the most. So where does it come from? It seems that conflict, limitations and anxiety could be places to start. But this doesn’t sound very pleasant. So, if you’re keen to access your inner creative genius without the turmoil Versace, Allen and Eliot prescribe, then read on for five ideas that just might work.

1. Stimulate to create.

Whether you commit to learn a new fact or word each day or develop an entirely new hobby, shaking things up is a great way to stimulate creativity. Make the most of down-time by reading a magazine or book you wouldn’t normally read, and maximise on traffic jams with stimulating radio programs, audio-books or podcasts.

Before you know it you’ll be a fountain of knowledge, positively overflowing with fresh perspectives and ideas. It’s important you take advantage of the moments that are your “downtime,” and use this time to do activities you wouldn’t normally get a chance too. In order to remain creative you should spend an hour a week taking part in a new sport, activity, anything that inspires and motivates you.

2. Take note.

The annoying thing about creativity is that it tends to strike at the most inopportune moments. Always make sure you have a pen and paper with you (or the Smartphone APP equivalent), as the best ideas don’t tend to pop into your head when you’re chained to your desk.

By getting into the habit of noting down your ideas, new ones will be more forthcoming more often. And don’t forget, your notes don’t have to take written form, they could be spider-diagrams or even doodles, depending on how the mood takes you!

3. Get out!

A fresh perspective can be achieved mentally – by learning about new things – but also literally by getting out and about. Walk somewhere when you’d usually drive (assuming it isn’t too far) or swap the sofa and the TV for a stroll around your local area.

The fresh air is bound to work wonders. Then, for the truly adventurous, why not get a bus without knowing where it goes? This can be a cheap and easy way to immerse yourself in a new and stimulating place, plus when you’re done exploring you can always get the same bus home again!

4. Exercise and H2O.

Creativity relies on a sound physical state, as well as a mental one. As such you’ll need to take regular exercise to get those creative juices flowing. A quick jog or cycle ride will deliver fresh air as well as a rush of invaluable endorphins. Similarly, make sure your brain is well-watered to avoid mental sluggishness; dehydration can be a real creativity-killer.

5. Pretend you’re 10.

Books like ‘Winnie the Pooh’, ‘The Gruffalo’ and ‘The Little Prince’ all serve up extra-generous helpings of creativity. Just because you’re a grown-up doesn’t mean you should forget about your inner-kid.

Remember when you were little you’d have imaginary friends, fight pretend dragons and assume that a camel’s hump was filled with water? Tap into that feeling and you’ll suddenly find yourself taking a fresh approach to creative tasks and life itself!

Taken from: under30ceo.com (article, By Julie Pena), Google (images).

To succeed in business today, you need to be flexible and have good planning and organizational skills. Many people start a business thinking that they'll turn on their computers or open their doors and start making money - only to find that making money in a business is much more difficult than they thought.

You can avoid this in your business ventures by taking your time and planning out all the necessary steps you need to reach to achieve success. Read on to find out how.

1. Get Organized.

To be successful in business you need to be organized. Organization will help you complete tasks and stay on top of things to be done. A good way to do this is to create a to-do list each day - as you complete each item, check it off your list. This will ensure that you're not forgetting anything and you're completing all the tasks that are essential to the survival of your business.

2. Keep Detailed Records.

All successful businesses keep detailed records. By keeping detailed records, you'll know where the business stands financially and what potential challenges you could be facing. Just knowing this gives you time to create strategies to overcome the obstacles that can prevent you from being successful and growing your business.

3. Analyze Your Competition.

Competition breeds the best results. To be successful, you can't be afraid to study and learn from your competitors. After all, they may be doing something right that you can implement in your business to make more money.

4. Understand the Risks and Rewards.

The key to being successful is taking calculated risks to help your business grow. A good question to ask is "What's the downside?" If you can answer this question, then you know what the worst-case scenario is. This knowledge will allow you to take the kinds of calculated risks that can generate tremendous rewards for your business.

5. Be Creative.

Always be looking for ways to improve your business and to make it stand out from the competition. Recognize that you don't know everything and be open to new ideas and new approaches to your business.

6. Stay Focused.

The old saying that "Rome was not built in a day" applies here. Just because you open a business doesn't mean that you're going to immediately start making money. It takes time to let people know who you are, so stay focused on achieving your short-term goals and give the rest time to come together on its own.

7. Prepare to Make Sacrifices.

The lead-up to starting a business is hard work, but after you open your doors, your work has just begun. In many cases, you have to put in more time than you would if you were working for someone else. In turn, you have to make sacrifices, such as spending less time with family and friends in order to be successful.

8. Provide Great Service.

There are many successful businesses that forget that providing great customer service is important. If you provide better service for your customers, they'll be more inclined to come to you the next time they need something instead of going to your competition.

9. Be Consistent.

Consistency is key component to making money in business. You have to consistently keep doing the things necessary to be successful day in and day out. This will create long-term positive habits that will help you make money over the long term.

Conclusion.

Starting and running and running a successful business can be rewarding and challenging. Success requires focus, discipline and perseverance. However, success will not come over night - it requires a long-term focus and that you remain consistent in challenging environments.

Taken from: investopedia.com (article, By Chris Seabury), Google (images).

No one could argue that our world isn’t changing fast and I don’t mean just technology-wise. Consumers aren’t spending like they once did, manufacturing and shipping costs are fluctuating wildly, and the age of the environment is slowly (finally) being ushered in.

On top of that, the Internet has finally really changed the way people shop and buy, not to mention the way we entrepreneurs market our businesses.

If you don’t change your business, and your marketing, to keep up with changing times you can easily become another failure statistic.

Think about it, five years ago MySpace was all the rage. Since then its usage has dropped dramatically, you hardly ever hear about it anymore. You never run into a business owner giving MySpace any time or thought now.

So to help you thumb your nose at all the dire economic news and make this year your best ever, here’s my list of 7 things you can do to make it happen.

1. Make a list of what worked and didn’t work in last year.

Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it, right? So take a step back and look at where you’ve been. For those initiatives that didn’t work, consider why. Was it the right timing, the right offer, the right target market? Could you have done more marketing? Better marketing?

2. Create a marketing plan.

Yeah, I know. You know you need one but who has the time – or know how – to put one together, right? That’s why I advocate writing a 2-page marketing plan. On the first page, list where you are now (gross and net income, numbers of new and repeat clients or customers, amount you currently work and earn, etc.). Then set goals for where you’d like to be in a year for each of those.

On page two, choose three marketing strategies you’re going to use to achieve those goals (public speaking, email marketing, direct mail, etc.). Include an actual to-do list of steps you need to take to implement each one, as well as due dates for each step.

3. Look to external partners.

Great businesses aren’t built by sitting alone in an office. Any entrepreneur can find someone else to interview, refer clients to, or trade promos to each other’s lists. So seek strategic partnerships and Joint Ventures.

And develop a support network of at least one other entrepreneur who’s headed in your same direction you can go to for advice – or hire an experienced coach or consultant. That way you don’t waste a lot of time and money reinventing the wheel.

4. Focus on helping, not selling.

If your business is solely about making money, you’re likely to run into big problems trying to grow. Instead, think about your customer’s wants, needs, problems and goals, and how you can help them. Help them achieve their goals, and you’ll automatically achieve your own.

5. Update your Website.

The Web is one of the least expensive and most effective places to market your business. But with all the competition out there, you can’t just throw up a basic Website and expect it to do much for you. Your site needs to be planned out and built to be an effective salesperson that connects with your ideal client – not just an online brochure that’s all about you and what you do.

6. Stop doing everything yourself.

As an entrepreneur, if you want something done the reality is you probably shouldn’t be doing it yourself. Focus your time and energy on the things you’re best at, and that grow your business and make money. Leave the rest to a team of skilled Virtual Assistants.

7. Have a life.

It’s wonderful if you’re passionate about what you do. But all work and no play makes anyone unhappy and eventually burned out. And if you’re married or in a relationship I’d be willing to bet it’s making two (or more) people unhappy. Do something you love outside of work, get some exercise every day, and make time for friends and family.

You’ll be more successful, and happier!

Taken from: startupnation.com (article, By Stacy Karacostas), Google (images).

If every businessman in the world is good, then we might be living in a better place. Employees are inspired, customers are satisfied, our environment is clean, the government prospers, and all the people are happy.

But all of these are just like dreams that are far from reality. However, some dreams must come true. These dreams should be converted to desires, which are more achievable. Besides, when you enter into business, you are supposed to do what is right.

You must learn the ways on how to become a good businessman. The following are 5 simple yet challenging steps to help you become not only a good businessman, but also a better one.

1. Become a good person.

Man creates business. Principles, values, attitudes and habits create a man. If you want to become a good businessman, you need to make those human attributes good. A person should first develop himself in order to develop others.

Remember that doing business is more on helping and giving solutions to people. Before you can grow your business, you must first provide growth to other people.

Doing business takes a lot of personal development and leadership, which include motivating your workers, influencing your customers and having great relationship with the public or the government. Thus, you first need to become a motivated person to be capable of motivating others.

You should build trust for yourself in order that your customers will have confidence on you. Moreover, you should establish your own name, honesty and integrity to have good relationship with anyone.

You will learn how to truly improve yourself if you will find your inner self. Then you must be selfless and know how to love your spiritual self. Take note that if you cannot love yourself, how much more can you love others?

2. Have good men.

You need to have a good team, which includes your workers, employees, staff or subordinates. Thus, you must hire good men and train them well. Remember that they are the one who help you produce your products and services.

Your productivity and quality depend on them. If you have made yourself a motivated person, as discussed in the first step, this is now the time that you share that motivation to your people.  A good businessman keeps his workers’ morale high.

He also assures that they are inspired, confident, happy, motivated and productive.  So that when anyone asks your employees what kind of businessman are you…. they’ll surely answer how good you are.

3. Make customers good.

If you are a good person and have united with good men (your workers), it would be easier for you and your team to produce quality products. But you should still ensure that your products are making your customers happy and satisfied.

A good businessman always listens to the feedback of his customers. He then makes actions to address what he have listened. This is to assure that his products or services are making his consumers’ lives better. People want answers to their questions and solutions to their problems.

A good businessman provides these answers and solutions to them, with the help of his good men. By doing good to your clients and customers, they will spread good words about you. They will even become your own good marketers, who will help you boost your sales and profit.


4. Have a good business.

If you’re a good businessman, your business should not fail or be bankrupt. You should also become a smart businessman, but in an ethical way. But of course if you have followed steps 1 to 3, you will be more assured that your business won’t fail in the long run.

With your highly motivated workers and happy customers, your productivity and profitability will put your business into success. However, business should also go beyond your employees and consumers. It should also extend to the public, the environment and the public.

A good business helps the economy grow (paying taxes), protects the nature and accomplishes its social responsibility (charity). It’s not all about making money, but also about using money for good.

A good businessman should not only invest his capital or equity to earn financial profit, but should also invest it to make this world a better place to live. Thus, your employees, customers and the public can justify that you are a good businessman, and that you’re doing good business.


5. Repeat this good process and make it even better.

Be consistent and make all of these steps even better. Be a better and greater businessman.

Taken from: businesstips.ph (article, By Victorino Abrugar), Google (images).

Cool-headed, farseeing, visionary, courageous - whichever adjectives you choose, leadership is a winning combination of personal traits and the ability to think and act as a leader, a person who directs the activities of others for the good of all. Anyone can be a leader, even if the only person they're leading is themselves.

But you can't be a leader just by saying you are. Business leadership, like leadership of any kind, needs to be worked at. Transform yourself into the kind of leader your small business needs with these five keys to business leadership.

1. A leader plans.

The core of business leadership is being proactive rather than reactive. Sure, leaders are good in crises - but that doesn't mean they sit around letting crises develop.

Leadership involves identifying potential problems and solving them before they reach crisis proportions – and the ability to identify and reap potential windfalls. So good leaders analyze and plan and adapt their plans to new circumstances and opportunities.

2. A leader has a vision.

Vision is essential to good leadership. Vision provides direction and without direction, there’s not much point to all that planning; your small business will still flail about. So if you don’t have one already, take your first step towards business leadership by creating a Vision Statement for your business.

Because it embodies your dreams and your passions, a vision statement will also serve as a leadership vision.

3. A leader shares her vision.

Sharing your leadership vision helps your vision grow and your business leadership develop. As you tell your leadership vision to others, you will strengthen your own belief in your vision and strengthen your determination to make your leadership vision become reality.

And other people will start to see you as a person who's "going places". Your business leadership skills will grow as you and other people recognize you as a person with leadership potential.

4. A leader takes charge.

At this stage of business leadership, you put together your planning and your leadership vision and take action. Whether it's implementing a specific plan to improve your business's bottom line or responding to a crisis, you, as the leader, are the one who makes the decisions and sees that the appropriate actions are carried out.

You can't just "talk a good game" to be a leader; you need to act and to be seen as taking effective action for the good of your small business.

5. A leader inspires through example.

If I asked you, you could easily name three people whose leadership qualities inspire you. If I asked you why, you’d tell me about the things these inspiring people did or are doing. Leadership is defined through action.

Therefore, in developing your own business leadership skills, you have to act in ways that are fitting to your leadership vision and your self - all the time. We can all name many actions of other people whom we admire, but what inspires us is the integrity that gives these actions meaning.

The Value of Business Leadership.

Learning to be a leader isn't easy because it takes a conscious commitment and consistent effort to develop one's business leadership skills. But on the positive side, anyone who is willing to make the effort can become a good leader.

And as good business leadership is critical to business success, your efforts to improve your leadership skills will be amply rewarded. By working on these five keys to business leadership, you can be the leader your small business needs.

Taken from: sbinfocanada.about.com (article, By Susan Ward), Google (images).

Think branding is only for large multinational corporations? Think again. Here are ten easy tricks you can use to grow your brand with your customers.

1. Your logo really doesn't matter.

Would you choose MSN as your search engine over Google because of their logo? No, having a nice professional logo is great, but it very rarely increases sales. It is more important to include your logo in every piece of communication. Put it on business cards, letterhead, envelopes, invoices, yellow page ads, building signage, newsletters, etc.

2. Have a professional website.

It is not just good enough to just have a website, you must reflect your brand image. If your known as a top notch photographer, the last thing you want is a website designed 10 years ago. It doesn't reflect well on you. Everyone, yes everyone, uses the wen today to check references.

If someone recommends your service, you can almost guarantee they will go online to look for you. Your website design should be updated at least every two years to stay current.

3. Blogs are good.

Blogs help your business on multiple levels. First off, valuable content on a consistent basis will make you look like an expert. People are looking for experts, not apprentices. The software that powers blogs has multiple advantages. It is very easy to publish.

It is a database driven environment where style is separate from content so you will not need to go back to your web design agency for every little change. And use of tags and sitemaps make basic search engine optimization easy. But the real reason blogs are great is that they enable conversation. Two-way dialog is much more valuable than a company that just dumps messaging and collateral on their customers.

4. Marketing strategy.

You should have a comprehensive multi-touch marketing plan to get your value proposition in front of your target audiences. This can take many forms. You can launch a direct mail campaign, email campaign, host a webinar, sponsor a local event, attend a trade show, attend networking events, cold call prospects, win awards, etc.

There are a thousand different ways for you to be noticed. You have to find the best combination of methods for your strategic goals.

5. Research shows that people need to be exposed.

To a brand at least seven times before they buy. If you simply do one touch and stop, you are wasting valuable budget dollars and probably wondering why your efforts are not successful.

6. Prepare a one page corporate overview.

This one pager will be vital as a leave behind when you meet a prospect. Use short sentences in short paragraphs - people like to read quickly. Also make it very conversational; it is not a white paper. Your one page overview should include your value proposition, target audience benefits, previous audience experience, and a mini-case study - and don't forget your contact information.

7. Participate in local business events.

By participating means being on a committee. Just showing up at events is great, but you are just face in the crowd. Ask to be on one of the committees. Believe it or not, it is as simple as just asking most of time. Groups are looking for volunteer help and it is a great way to elevate your status and visibility among the entire organization.

8. Do what you say you are going to do.

This may sound like common sense, but one of the primary drivers of brand loyalty is consistent experience. If you say you are going to have the photographs ready on a set day, be sure they are ready. Nothing leaves a bad taste in someone's mouth like missed expectations.

Positive experiences lead to good feelings which lead to telling their friends. But, don't forget that bad experiences spread much faster and are harder to overcome - if you get a chance at all.

9. Stand for something.

People latch on to something they can understand and appreciate. If you are trying to be everything to everybody, chances are you will attract no one. If you think it is too controversial to choose a niche, remember the power of being seen as an expert.

Experts are not good at everything, they are awesome at one thing. This allows you to better position yourself and charge more for your services. People seek out experts, not generalists.

10. Realize that you are not in control of your brand.

That is right, you only set the direction for your brand. Your actual brand image is determined by your audience. You can use these tricks to ensure alignment between your desired brand image and your actual brand image in the minds of your customers. Branding is not a one shot deal, it is an on-going juggling act of marketing, research, and conversation.

Taken from: News Straits Times - 18 July 2012 (article), Google (images).

One of the main concerns for small businesses is how to save cost. Cost cutting can make the difference between success and failure for a business, particularly during tough, economic times.

A company needs to instil a culture of frugality and awareness to make a big difference in waste. If enough employees and managers can be trained to think this way, it will eventually become second nature.

Below are some basic tricks on how to cut cost and ensure your business can operate more affordably.

1. Save power and money by turning off all lights and equipment that aren't being used.

While this idea seems self-evident, many people and companies ignore it, leaving lights and computers on all night long. All electronic and electrical items can be switched off when not in use to save electricity and money.

2. Go green and cut down on power use and waste.

A lot of initiatives used by businesses to go green can also be used to save money; paper saving in one of these aspects. The office can save paper by printing out only necessary documents, using smaller font-size to help utilize lesser paper. Printing on both sides and sending the paper to recycle helps the environment and your finances.

3. Barter.

Find other businesses in your area and barter your services. Bartering allows you to trade services with other business owners, which can save your money because you don't need to hire independent contractors. You also can set up an agreement with other business to refer clients to one another.

4. Buy used furniture.

Buying used furniture and office equipment allows you to save money. New office furniture can get expensive, but you may find good deals shopping at a resale shop. To confirm you are getting quality furniture, check the furniture in person before you buy it.

5. Eliminate small expenses.

Expenses that are considered small - like styrofoam cups for drinking coffee or water, and disposable plates used in the cafetaria - can become substantial in the long run. To avoid this, replace all styrofoam with proper mugs, plates, and cutlery so they can be re-used.

6. Hire temp employees or contractors.

Administrative costs can add up to major expenses for small business. Instead of hiring full-time, permanent employees, hire temporary, part-time employees or independent contractors. In most cases, you are not required to provide benefits for part-time employees or independent contractors.

7. Use a virtual office.

Virtual offices are increasingly popular. A virtual office allows a business owner to possess a physical address and have access to conference rooms without paying the full price of renting commercial space. Many virtual offices provide a receptionist and use of office equipment in the rental price. You don't get the full benefits of renting your own office, but you can save a significant amount of money if you don't need to use office space often.

8. Share an office.

If renting a virtual office is not an option, save your business money by sharing an office space with another tenant. Choosing an office space roommate who shares similar business interests may make the experience easier. If you use your office only sparingly, structure your rental payment accordingly.

Also read the article succeeding in your own business.

Taken from: News Straits Times - 18 July 2012 (article), Google (images).

The written word, today, is everywhere. Whether we are perusing the Internet, reading a label, or hunkered down with a good book, the written word is one of the most important ways we communicate. Anybody with a story to tell can write a book - either for their own enjoyment or to publish for all to see (and hopefully buy).

If you find yourself weaving alternate stories in your head as you read your favorite novels, or when you are relaxing in the park, consider writing your stories down. Although it may seem daunting, you can do it. Here are some pointers how to get started.

1. Buy a notebook, or several.
 
While you may wish to type you novel directly into a computer, It's not always possible to be near one when inspiration strikes. Thus, it's best to have good old-fashioned pencil and paper no matter where you are. Moreover, many writers trust the connection from mind to hand to pen on paper.

* A leather-bound or heavy card notebook is the most sturdy and can take lots of abuse in a backpack or briefcase, whereas a spiral-bound notebook, is easy to keep open.

* With spiral or bound, consider using graph paper versus standard lined paper. You may end up creating drawings and sketches as you go, and it is useful for identing paragraphs, or outlining.

2. Put your thinking cap on.
 
Now that you have your notebook, it's time to squash the traditional bugaboo of all writers; that empty first page. Use these first pages to create the overview of your story including your outline, notes about characters (possible names, descriptions, back stories, etc.), places, era - all the title things that go into a larger story.

* There are several advantages to this overview approach, including it will give you new ideas for your story as you describe different parts of it.

* Nothing goes to waste. You may describe a character, for instance, who never appears in the story directly but who influences another character.

* You always have something to refer to when you run out of immediate ideas.

3. Create your outline.
 
An outline will help you define the arc of your narrative - the beginning, development of plot and characters, the setting up of all the events leading to the big conflict or climax, and then the resolution and ending.

* The beginning of the story is often the hardest. The best thing to do is start as broadly as possible. For example, if you want to write a mystery novel, and you are a fan of World War II.

* Write that down: Mystery, WWII. Both categories are equally broad, but simply putting them together, you narrow the field down already.

* Now, at least you have a time period and a focus. The other questions are: is it personal, or sweeping, when does it take place, and who are the characters.

4. Timeline your outline.
 
Now that you have created the basic story (minus all the words), sketch your outline as a timeline with each character's milestone events laid out on their own line. Just draw a line where those events happen. This will give you something to kickstart your muse.

5. Edit mercilessly.
 
If you find your plot goes nowhere, and nothing you can do will help it - back up to where it last made sense, and try something else. Your story is not required to do anything you tell it to do in the outline. Sometimes, the story has other ideas where it wants to go. Wherever you are in the process, follow your heart. This is part of the joy of writing.

Also read the article guide to writing non-fiction.

Taken from: News Straits Times - 17 September 2012 (article), Google (images).

We know his name. We know his brand. We even know his hair. But do we know how he does it?

If Donald Trump has created a building in your city, you know it. You not only know he has one, but you know exactly where it is.

Maybe you even know how much it cost. You might even know about buildings he’s developed in other cities.

Are there any other real estate developers you can say that about? Why do we know so much about The Donald?

This happened to me when I was in Chicago last year. I looked out the window and BAM, there he is again. Trump International Hotel, Chicago.

So what are the methods that The Donald uses, the stuff that can help us find a larger audience, write a better blog, build a better business?

Turns out they’re simple, effective, and unforgettable.

Trump Tip #1: Be everywhere.

Are you posting only on your own website? Are you only writing, but not doing videos? Are your ads appearing only where everyone else’s (including your competitors) are? Then you’re missing out on a lot of what you can do to build audience, visibility, and profile.

People need to see your face. They need to feel your energy. They need to see your hair everywhere they go.

If you’re only giving your audience a part of who you are, and only in a certain location, that’s like being a guru on top of a mountain in Bhutan. If no one can find you, you’re not likely to get a lot of disciples.

How about, instead, you participate everywhere you’re allowed to? You use every medium to which you’re allowed access?

Trump Tip #2: Don’t pay cash.

The Donald may be rich, but do you really think he pays cash — whether to develop real estate or to access new audiences? Most people misunderstand how business works and think that, in many cases, they’re unable to do something that is totally within reach.

When Trump writes a book with Robert Kiyosaki of Rich Dad, Poor Dad fame, do you think it’s because they were like “High five! Let’s write a book together, just for kicks!”

Uh, no.

Top-level players do projects like these to get access to each other’s audiences. Everything is strategic. Everything is done for leverage. And “leverage” is just another word for “I didn’t pay cash to play.”

Same thing when he does Trump University and The Apprentice. All of these are audience plays. Trump doesn’t pay cash, ever.

He trades chips with people who can benefit him.

You can work the same angles. Don’t try to get your audience, or your customers, by buying them. Instead, play the game. Use chips. Think strategically about how you can use leverage to gain access to something you otherwise couldn’t.

Trump Tip #3: Exceed expectations.

When I walked into the Trump International Beach Resort in Miami, I was skeptical. What I believed I’d see and what I actually experienced were vastly different.

I was shocked by how polite the staff were. I was stunned by the fact that I actually wanted to spend time there. But most of all, I was shocked by the smell.

Yes, the smell.

The air in the Trump International had a light, fragrant, airy perfume. It was amazing.

Can you shock people? Not with rudeness or vulgarity (necessarily), but with your over-the-top attitude, your expertise, your commitment to doing something great, or your extravagance?

You may not have the ability (or desire) to shock with Trump-like excess. But you can also shock with your appreciation for the little things — the details.

Be Like The Donald?

You may not take The Donald seriously. The hair does make it difficult.

Or you may think you could never translate what he’s done to your own business. It certainly isn’t easy.

But it does have a formula, and this is it:

You have to try.

Also read the article 6 surprisingly good business tips from Donald Trump.

Taken from: copyblogger.com (article, by Julien Smith), Google (images).

When people think of Donald Trump, the first idea that comes to mind is real estate and business. He owns more than a simple office space and has expanded his businesses to the point of becoming a billionaire.

When it comes to good business tips, Donald Trump is full of advice. While some advice might seem bad, he has some surprisingly good tips that can help a new business get off the ground.

1. Start with Passion.

Donald Trump has often stated that passion is a big part of starting, running and maintaining a business. In an interview with Forbes.com, Mr. Trump stated that passion is a big reason to start a business, but he also noted that it is still necessary to know the particulars of running the company as well as maintaining a passion for the idea.

Starting with passion is a good place to begin a new business because it helps improve motivation. Those who are passionate about their business will see better success due to improved motivation to succeed than those who have no passion or interest in the company.

2. Get a Degree.

While an entrepreneur does not strictly need a college education, Mr. Trump notes that it is still a worthwhile investment. College education is not only about getting a good job working for an existing company.

It is about learning a topic and then applying that to a career or new company. Obtaining an education is sound advice because it can act as a backup in case the business does not work out.

3. Never Focus on Money.

Donald Trump has often stated that it is better to put the goal of making money on the backburner when it comes to running a business. Instead, focus on creating a successful business. Money will follow after the company becomes successful and is a well-known name.

The goal of making money limits the vision of the company. As a result, reaching the goal of a certain amount of money will ultimately result in stagnation. The company can go under when the goal is met rather than pushing forward and improving.

4. Keep Working Hard.

A surprising fact that Donald Trump points out about business is that it takes hard work to run a company. Even after a name is well-established, business owners must continue working hard to keep up. His advice is that when the name becomes established, it is best to work on maintaining and improving the marketability of the company.

5. Be Persistent.

Donald Trump is noted for his constant perseverance and persistence in pursuing his business ventures. He often advises others to keep pushing through, even when it seems that the business is about to fail.

Persistence is a key to working as an entrepreneur or business owner. It is important to keep trying, even when challenges arise and it seems that few options are still available.

6. Research the Business.

Perhaps the best advice Donald Trump gives about starting and continuing a company is spending time on research. Learning about the company, finding potential problems and looking for solutions before starting the business will help reduce the potential problems and make success more likely.

Knowledge is the key to running any type of business or maintaining success in any area of life. That includes searching for an office space or managing other details in a company.

Running a business is not easy, but Donald Trump offers good advice to new and existing businesses. The tips are applied at every level and ultimately help improve the likely success. By following a few tips, it is easier to get ahead.

Also read the tips Donald Trump’s top three tips for dominating your niche.

Taken from: industrialspace.net (article), Google (images).

1. Adsense Ads.

If you have a website or a blog, you can earn free money by displaying Google Adsense advertisements on them. When visitors click on these ads, Google pays you a share of the advertiser revenue.

2. Online Surveys.

Get paid money for sharing your opinions by taking online surveys. Once you have completed a survey, you will get paid. You can even win money in monthly draws with some survey companies. Find survey companies that allow you to join their website for free.

3. Selling Items.

Sell items you don't need to clear up some space and to earn money online. Use e-bay, Craigslist, Amazon.com store or other websites where you can list items for sale to your community for free.

4. Blogging.

Blogging online is another great way to earn extra money, especially if you have a niche you can blog about. Don't forget to put ads to make it profitable.

5. Consultancy.

Many people can create beautiful websites, but the real money is in offering business marketing consultancy on how to improve traffic and general sales through Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising and SEO.

Also read the article 3 ways to promote your website.

Taken from: News Straits Times - 8 August 2012 (article), Google (images).