| 1511 | Does your company need capital and you think an angel investor would be a gift from heaven? Preview: 1. Know who you're looking for. The average angel investor is male, 49 years old, has a college graduate degree, at least five years of investing experience in private companies, and invests an average of $72,000 per investment. 2. Look in your own backyard. Most of the investments made by angels are close to where they live. Networking is one of... (more) Published By: Dee Power Submitted: 18 July,2002 |
| 1512 | That Personal Touch Preview: What makes a person want to do business with one business but not with another? I'm not talking about wishy-washy preferences here, like "Well, I'd prefer this to that". I'm talking about a definite want to do business with a particular business, and a definite aversion to another. "I can't wait to buy from so-and-so, but I wouldn't go to such-and... (more) Published By: Dave Balch Submitted: 18 July,2002 |
| 1513 | Customer Service: A Matter of Common Sense Preview: There's more to customer service dealing with order fulfillment, returns, complaints and questions. Good customer service is based on respect and concern --- qualities that can't be spelled out in a company policy. Consider: The managers of two department stores frantically scrambled to do damage control following employee-actions that spark... (more) Published By: June Campbell Submitted: 18 July,2002 |
| 1514 | No Rules Preview: For an interesting experiment, I suggest that you go to any local event where there are a number of different small businesses exhibiting or selling their wares. A swap meet would be a good example, or a street sale, or a local fair. When you are there, observe the different styles of the businesses. Some people put their merchandise on a table a... (more) Published By: Dave Balch Submitted: 18 July,2002 |
| 1515 | Easier is Harder Preview: Is your business as easy to operate as it could be? Is everything as efficient as it can be? I can tell that you're thinking, "What got you started on this one?" Horse manure. Horse manure? Horse manure! Since we live in the mountains, the turnout area for our horses is not level by any stretch of the imagination: it is roughly the shape of an... (more) Published By: Dave Balch Submitted: 18 July,2002 |
| 1516 | Seven Critical Mistakes You Don't Want To Make In Your Business Plan Preview: If you're looking for investors, you need a business plan and not just any business plan. You need one that is well crafted, concise and exciting. But how do you know what venture capitalists want to see in a business plan and how can you avoid what they feel are the top seven critical mistakes? We asked venture capital companies across the United... (more) Published By: Dee Power Submitted: 18 July,2002 |
| 1517 | HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCH A NEW BUSINESS Preview: Every week I talk with business owners who tell me how excited they are about their new product, service or business opportunity. Usually, their comments include something like, "Everybody needs it. I know I'm going to make a lot of money with this." They sincerely believe it will be easy to generate hordes of customers standing in line to s... (more) Published By: Bob Leduc Submitted: 18 July,2002 |
| 1518 | Entrepreneurs Are The Patriots of Today Preview: On the Fourth of July, we celebrate the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The ideals and the spirit of the Founding Fathers are very much alive in the 21st Century -- in the lives, and the struggles, of the small business person. In fact, many entrepreneurial dreams begin with the declaration of independence from the ... (more) Published By: Brian Hill Submitted: 18 July,2002 |
| 1519 | Debt Collecting Q & A - Issue 4 Preview: Editor: The following article is offered for your free use provided the Resource Box at the end is included. DEBT COLLECTIONS Q & A – Issue #4 By Jim Finucan © Tiare Publications 491 words Dear Jim – I’ve had it! It’s been 90 days since I sold a product to this big corporation and I haven’t seen any money. When I call them I get a “human resou... (more) Published By: Jim Finucan Submitted: 18 July,2002 |
| 1520 | 10 Tips For Running A Super Business Preview: TIP 1 - Add A Touch Of Class The most successful businesses are 'classy' businesses. You can turn an ordinary company or office into one by simply adding a touch of class to it. Examples: > use designer letterhead and business cards > provide limousine service for visiting clients > offer an employee profit-sharing plan > put plants in brass... (more) Published By: Polly Hummingbird Submitted: 19 July,2002 |
| 1521 | Working from Home ... For Yourself or Someone Else? Preview: Although many people badly want to work from home, not everyone wants to have to launch and run a fully-fledged business of their own in order to do so. For such people the desire to work from home is more about maximizing time to be with family, physical location, comfort and convenience than it is about entrepreneurship. If this is you, t... (more) Published By: Elena Fawkner Submitted: 19 July,2002 |
| 1522 | A Feasibility Study and You: A Dynamic Duo Preview: You have a great new business idea. You've asked your friends and family for feedback and they gave you thumbs up approval. You've asked your existing customers if they'd have use for such a product or service and they've indicated they would. Lastly, you've done some soul searching and you know you're truly interested in this concept and have the... (more) Published By: June Campbell Submitted: 20 July,2002 |
| 1523 | Why you should become a Mastermind Preview: Have you ever wondered why the head of a company gets paid so much more than for example, specialists in the company such as an engineer? Is it because he knows every job in the company? No I don't think so. He may have a general idea about what is going on in every department but that usually is it. I believe it is because he knows or is suppose... (more) Published By: Leonard J. Roos Submitted: 20 July,2002 |
| 1524 | The Primary Purpose of Business Preview: Consider the following quote from author and Fortune 500 business consultant, Lance Secretan: "The primary purpose of an organization is not to make a profit. It is to help human beings grow, express their creativity, contribute their life-source and make the world a better place. The purpose of an organization is to inspire the soul." Tha... (more) Published By: Michael D. Pollock Submitted: 20 July,2002 |
| 1525 | 5 Common Free Agent Myths Preview: 5 Common Free Agent Myths Copyright 2002 Paul Bednar There are numerous myths about free agents. On the surface, they appear not to be myths but facts. However, get below the surface and these misconceptions quickly crumble. This article will not attempt to debunk all the myths, just five widespread ones. Myth 1: Working for a company is more fi... (more) Published By: Paul Bednar Submitted: 20 July,2002 |
| 1526 | Free Agent Realities Preview: Free Agent Realities Copyright 2002 Paul Bednar When you jump into the free agent arena, it doesn't take long to figure out a new set of rules and expectations exist. Those who know and embrace these new realities thrive. Those who are either not aware or ignore them fail. Here is a list of 5 realities that are critical to the success of any fre... (more) Published By: Paul Bednar Submitted: 20 July,2002 |
| 1527 | WHAT TO DO FIRST WHEN FEAR HITS YOUR WORKPLACE Preview: You hear that layoffs are coming. Someone is called to the supervisor’s office. Word travels through the workplace. Fear creeps in. It is said that, in times of drought, the animals down at the watering hole look at each other differently. Are folks looking at each other differently at your water cooler? Your body has a mind of its own. When it ... (more) Published By: Rhoberta Shaler Submitted: 21 July,2002 |
| 1528 | You Want It By When? Preview: People hate excuses. Missed deadlines generate excuses faster than dogs eat homework! When you are asked to undertake a project, understand the expectations. Be forthcoming with your questions about the parameters and purposes of the project. Get as much clarity as you can about what your boss is wanting from you specifically. Discuss the project... (more) Published By: Rhoberta Shaler Submitted: 21 July,2002 |
| 1529 | SETTING NON-NEGOTIABLE STAFF STANDARDS Preview: When a person seeks employment with your company, he or she is basically saying, “I want to work for your company.” What this really means is “I will give up doing whatever I please, show up for work and behave the way you want me to behave, so long as you pay me in exchange.” Now, that gives you the employer, the opportunity to set some st... (more) Published By: Noel Peebles Submitted: 21 July,2002 |
| 1530 | FIND YOUR PASSION AND YOU'LL FIND SUCCESS IN BUSINESS Preview: Most successful entrepreneurs have a strong passion for their ideas or concepts. They know what they want and they know what they enjoy doing. Their work becomes their play. The secret to success in business is to find your passion. Know specifically what it is you want in life. I can't emphasize it enough. You need to be certain that what... (more) Published By: Noel Peebles Submitted: 21 July,2002 |