My Business Magazine

Careers & Employment

What Your Guidance Counselor, Career Counselor, and Own Mother Probably Never Told You…

The alarm clock jars you awake at some insanely early hour. As you hit the snooze button you think, “there’s gotta be a better way to make a living.” As someone who rolled out of bed this morning at 8:30, I’m here to deliver the good news: there is. A lot of people dream of escaping “Dilbert’s world” and being their own boss. Perhaps the biggest reason these dreams get derailed is money. Or, more accurately,... 

Entrepreneurialism

The 7 Traits of an Exceptional & Successful Entrepreneur

How often have you either referred to or considered the expression, "Success is a journey and not a Destination?" Probably many times, yet often being in a hurry to get there, we forget that success is not an end unto itself, but is instead an ongoing process. Though some people seem to have the Midas touch and easily turn everything to gold, most of us have to give our endeavors lots of time, effort and the sweat of our brow before seeing... 

Goal Setting

Time for a Change

As 2005 approaches, many of us are thinking about change. Many of us are setting goals, and making promises to ourselves and to those we love. We may vow to do everything different-better-next year. We set lofty expectations to lose weight, learn a 2nd or 3rd language, never yell at our kids again, or give up our vices completely. And as the calendar closes out one year in favor of another, the timing seems just perfect to make those changes. But... 

Leadership

Reinventing Failure: Designing Success

I am fascinated by problems. I like to think of myself as a solution oriented individual. However when problems creep into my life as they always do I know that I am in for a major learning experience. I just finished reading a book this week that belongs on the bookshelf of every entrepreneur. It is called "Juice, The Creative Fuel That Drives World-Class Inventors by Evan I. Schwartz." This book allows you to take a peek inside the labs... 

Management

3 Steps You Can Use Developing Leaders In Your Industry

With the economy bordering on a recession, every company is looking for ways to increase revenues while decreasing costs. Some companies believe one of the easiest ways to do this is to cut their employee training budget. However, businesses interested in long-term viability recognize that to be successful they must continually develop their people, especially their leaders. According to recent research by the American Society of Training and Development... 

Marketing

Seven Secrets For Building Customer Loyalty In Your Restaurant

Imagine how much your sales and profits would increase if each of your customers come back just one more time a week or a month. You would boost your sales by 50%. Getting your existing customer base to visit more often is easier than you think. This is because, unlike a prospective customer who has never dined at your restaurant, your existing customer has already tried your food and service and therefore trusts you. Here are seven strategies for... 

Negotiation

A One Stop Financial Solution

Amy Wright, 34, was extatic when her realtor showed her the three bedroom townhome overlooking the lushious golf course. It was exactly the home she was looking for. The interior was sunny and bright, with a newly remodeled kitchen, spacious bedrooms, and the perfect little study area to set up her new home office. It had a spectacular pool and a lovingly tended flower garden. Best of all-the seller had to move immediately, so the home was a steal... 

Networking

Giving the Gift of Your Name (The Networking Factor)

Although, this is about giving the gift of your name to others, it certainly runs a close second in importance to "Whats’ in a name?" What is giving the gift of your name? Giving the gift of your name is when you see someone you haven’t seen in a while and you are kind enough to give (remind) him or her your name (the gift) again without any hesitation. It’s not nice to keep someone guessing about your name. Don’t... 

Online Business

Show Me - Forign Exchange, Internet Marketing - Goals, Plans & Action.

Show Me - Forign Exchange, Internet Marketing - Goals, Plans & Action.  by: Kaval Patel It’s funny you have a goal, you plan how you are going to achieve it, then you take action towards making it happen. This then leads to your plan being followed (maybe with a few enhancements), and then if it is done correctly your goal is achieved. I read a quote once: “It’s not a tragedy not to achieve a goal it’s a tragedy not to... 

Sales

The Art Of Cold Calling

I know, don’t groan. You have to do them if you want to get properties and make money. Believe me, I used to hate cold calling. For those of you that have read our book, “Who Makes It Happen: Back On The Road To Success With Creative Real Estate”, remember it used to take me an hour to get on the phone and then after 30 minutes I was ready to hang up. I’ve learned over time to not think of telephoning as cold calling, but how... 

Sales Management

Transforming Your Sales Force by Creating Specific Expectations

I just finished a phone call with a potential client who had called to discuss a problem. His 18 person sales force was paid on straight commission. All had been with the company for 8 - 15 years and were earning healthy incomes. His problem was that he couldn’t get them to do what he wanted them to do. Here’s the example he shared. He wanted the salespeople to call on new prospects to expand the company’s base. Instead of just seeing... 

Sales Telemarketing

Get Instant Rapport On Sales Cold Calls

Immediately establish rapport on cold-calls by matching your prospect’s voice qualities - tone, pace, and emotion. Matching the emotion, or mood, of your prospect is key. If you begin your call sounding excited when she is not, you will be immediately branded as a salesperson, and the prospect’s guard will be way up. By matching her emotion, you immediately get her thinking “this person is like me”. And we all want to talk... 

Sales Training

How To Improve Your Sales Skills

One of the biggest problems for many business owners is the ability to overcome objections. In fact, for many, this skill could be the difference between succeeding and going back to being an employee. Since none of us want to do that, we need to hone our sales writing skills and our in person skills. This article will discuss the in person skills. Objections stop sales. Period. The customer says, “No”. Listen to the objection. For example,... 

Small Business

Top 7 Small Business Resources for 2005

If you want to start a business in 2005, and start making money almost immediately, the sites listed below are some of the best I have found. I’ve chosen each site because it is absolutely outstanding in providing the tools you need to get started, as well as taking you through the steps you need to get started immediately. My1stBusiness.com - http://www.my1stbusiness.com - This site is owned by Ben Botes, who is currently working on a doctoral... 

Strategic Planning

Menu Driven Business Planning

A menu is the foundation of any restaurant; Guests will support or avoid a restaurant for its food. Starting with a preliminary menu is a simple and basic approach to restaurant development. Begin with a menu, and you are light years ahead in the restaurant development process. A menu will tell you and your Guest what you are trying to be as a business, and greatly enhance your chances for success. I view a menu for content, image and pricing. Content... 

Time Management

31 Ways to Get An Extra Hour Out of Each Day

How can you get an extra hour out of each day? For many small business owners this is a daily challenge. I myself have often wished that there were 27 hours in the day. I’ll even settle for 25. Here are some tips to help you squeeze those extra minutes out of your day. Of course, you can adapt these so that they will fit in with your situation. I hope these are helpful to you. 1. Get up earlier 2. Watch less TV(I mean how many Law &... 

Wealth Building

Who Will Become Wealthy in the Information Age?

As you know, we’re now well and truly in theInformation Age. It began about 10 years ago. In fact,many economists say it began in 1989, with the Fall ofthe Berlin Wall (and the start of the World Wide Web). To understand who will become wealthy in theInformation Age, first we need to understand how theInformation Age differs from the Industrial Age (bornabout 1860, died about 1989). In fact, let’s get a complete overview and go back tothe...