xirecoqe: 2007

Thursday, August 2, 2007

The Balanced Direct Sales Mom

If you're already in direct sales, you know that it's not always easy to keep the priorities straight. Particularly when your business is just starting, but also when you get things going at a good clip in your business, direct sales can take on a life of its own and quickly cross the boundaries of happy home life. Here are 10 quick tips for helping to keep the Mom part of your life at the forefront while still running a successful Direct Sales business.

1. Plan - Sit down with your calendar and write out everything non-direct sales business related first. Decide which of those things are non-negotiable no matter how many people want to do parties on that day. And then keep them non- negotiable! Write in kids events, date nights with hubby, vacations, birthdays and birthday parties and plain old "just because" family time.

2. Power Hour - One of my favorite speakers in the direct sales field is Belinda Ellsworth. Her power hour is a tremendous way to manage your business life. It's simple too! Here's the quick rundown: Take 4 manila folders. Mark 1 as recruiting, 1 as booking, 1 as customer service and 1 as downline management. Decide on an hour in your day when you are going to work the phones for your business. Take your folders, set a timer and work each folder for 15 minutes only. When the 15 minutes is up, move to the next folder. As you interact with customers, recruits and downline put the information in these folders until the next time you sit down for your power hour. You will be amazed at how much work you can really accomplish when you are focused for that hour of time.

3. Office door - Use it! After you are done with your power hour or email time or whatever, walk out of the room and CLOSE the door! Or if you're working with the laptop (see below) turn it off and close the laptop.

4. Get a laptop. A laptop with wireless Internet is a great tool for moms. You can get them pretty inexpensively now too. While the kids are doing their homework, pop open the laptop, sit WITH them and do your emails then. When they're done with the homework, close the laptop and be done with your work as well.

5. Freedom Friday - Decide on one day in each week where you will be "off". This can be Friday or any day, but decide on it and then actually do it. Commit to it with your kids, put it on your calendar and enjoy it. You'll love it and the emails can wait! Once your customers and downline understand that this is your day off, they will respect it.

6. Use the "open date card "concept. Determine which days of the weeks you'll be doing parties and write those down on a separate booking calendar or individual party date cards. When you are at your parties and getting future bookings only book parties on the dates that you set in advance on that calendar or on the cards. If someone needs a different date than you have available, find her another consultant (preferable in your downline!) to take the party.

7. Automate - Use the tools of the Internet to automate as much of your business as you can. Use an auto-responder for your recruit email packets and your downline training. Have a voicemail message available with a 10-minute presentation on your business that potential recruits can call before they call you with questions. Do conference calls with your downline so that you can address issues with the whole group rather than one on one with each of them, etc.

8. Involve your kids - Make your direct sales business a family affair. Employ your children to help with putting labels on catalogs, filing your paperwork, packing up your supplies for your parties, making the bank deposits, etc. As they get older their work responsibilities can increase too. You can even pay them tax-free and write it off as a legitimate business expense. Talk to your accountant about this great home business benefit.

9. Hire a maid. If your business is really on a roll and you need to spend more time on business, don't take that time away from your family, take it away from other parts of your life, like the housecleaning instead. Hire a maid to do the big housecleaning jobs and use the time you would normally be doing that to hang with the kids. It'll be worth every penny.

10. Have fun - remember that your kids are only young once. They need you to be mommy FIRST and businesswoman second, even if your family does need the extra money your Direct Sales business brings in. Work smarter, not harder and enjoy your kids while you can.

Annette Yen is a successful direct sales consultant and mom to two lovely daughters. Find more details about the ideas above at her website: http://www.directsalestools.com.

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Saturday, April 28, 2007

How to Write a Business Plan Market Analysis

Writing a business plan is an essential part of the initial strategic planning of any company. One thing, which seems to hang up most entrepreneurs, is figuring out what kind of data and information goes into the Market Analysis section. So often entrepreneurs will attempt to bluff or BS their way thru it. Often you find those with MBA write meticulous Market Analysis sections and although they may have little if any true entrepreneurial skills going into a new business, their business plans are sure to impress. But you need not be an MBA to write a proper Market Analysis section in your business plan for your next business.

Below please find a generic sample of a Market Analysis, which you can use to help you do yours. You may wish to print this article and then apply your own analysis to your particular area and business model. I recommend that you read it and think on it for a day and then write a few things in the margins and take a legal pad and write out your thoughts in paragraph form and then go collect the data you need. It is not a difficult exercise and you should be able to do this quite stress free. Now then remember this is only a sample and it is something we used for a Franchised Outlet for a mobile car wash business, which is probably about the most simple business in the world and why we chose it to simplify your process. Keep it simple and use factual data and you will have a first class business plan with an excellent Market Analysis to help you impress bankers, investors and the capital you need to succeed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Market Analysis

Please refer to our feasibility study for in depth demographics analysis. Our chosen city study proves conclusive; a mobile car wash company will thrive and prosper under these ideal conditions. Although we will have a quicker return on investment than most The Car Wash Guys franchisees, we will not take our marketing plan lightly. It is our intention to absolutely conquer our market rather than simply possess a large percent of market share. We will follow the franchisors marketing plan to accelerate projected gross sales from our initial opening through the five-year renewal date.

Target Markets

Our target markets for personal car washing are:

Large Corporate Offices

Large Manufacturers

Multi-Tenant Businesses

Retail Centers

Strip Shopping Malls

Upper Class Residences

Our target markets for fleet sales, rideshare consumers, etc. are:

Bus Companies

Construction Companies

Corporate Offices With Sales Staff

Distribution Companies

Government Agencies

Large Companies With Pool Cars

Material Companies

Rent-A-Car Companies

Small Package Deliverers

Taxi Cab Companies

Trash/Refuse Companies

Trucking Companies

U.S.P.S.

Utility Companies

Warehouses-Wholesale

Our target markets for industrial cleaning include:

Amusement Parks

Cities-Sidewalks, Etc.

Government (Graffiti)

Heavy Equipment Companies

Horse Stables

Park Playground Equipment

Parking Structures

Property Management Companies

Railroad Yards

Retail Stores (Holiday Window Paint Removal)

Schools, Universities

Shopping Centers (Concrete)

As we solicit these types of accounts we will secure a large percentage of them. We will impact many of our competitors, both fixed and mobile. This will make them go on the defensive. One instinct of business owners that are backed into a corner is to attack. Often these competitors will call in favors from local politicians. They will try to pull rank because they have been in the community longer. The more money they have and the longer they have been established, the more weight they can pull.

It is important to know exactly how much the fixed site car wash owners participate in the community. Since you can never know too much about your competition, we will create a database in Microsoft Excel of all detail shops, car washes, mobile detailers and washers. Fixed car wash owners hate mobile car washes because they are capable of eating up 15% of their market share. If the car wash owners attempt to get city or county officials to change laws inhibiting our company, we will:

Alert the Media

Fax All Customers and Tell Them

Increase Car Wash Fundraisers

This will make our customers more loyal, aid us in community identity and give us free publicity that money cant buy. We will be able to tell the entire area how great and environmentally sound our services are.

To decrease the chance of backlash from fixed car wash owners, we will immediately market the entire city with the help of our franchisor and his marketing team. This week long comprehensive program is part of The Car Wash guys Bonzai and Blitz marketing program. Please see outline on the next page. Another adversary we might encounter are Sierra Club groups who dont understand our operation. We will lobby and educate these groups.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance in the Online Think Tank and solve the problems of the World; www.WorldThinkTank.net/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

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Insurance: Love It or Hate It, You Have to Have It!

You have done it! You have cleaned up your finances, figured out whats what, built up a wealth account, and you have even begun investing. There is no more debt, your time is freed up, and you have a nice little nest egg. Then it happens WHAM!!! You are involved in a major car accident and are seriously injured. Or maybe you are diagnosed with a serious illness. Either way, not only can you not work for a while, but you have heaps of medical bills. Are you prepared? If not, then all the hard work you have done to get yourself on stable financial ground and begin building wealth, is gone. If you cant pay those bills and you are sued, then faster than you can blink your assets will be sucked up to pay what you owe.

How would you feel if this happened to you? Really use your imagination and try to place yourself there. What is it worth to you to ensure that this never happens? What would you do to protect yourself?

What is protection? INSURANCE! Yes, it is easy to say, I dont really need it right now, or, I cant really afford it yet. Ill wait until Im making more money. No matter how tight money is, it will be far worse if anything happens to you and you are uninsured. Just remember you DO need it. The premium (charge you pay on a monthly/yearly basis) for insurance will protect you and family from financial loss in the event of accident, illness, fire, flood, or any other type of natural disaster.

Insurance is unavoidable if you own a car and/or a house. To qualify for a mortgage, you will be required to have home insurance because the bank wants to protect their investment. Just be sure to research insurance companies or make use of an insurance broker (you dont pay for their services, the insurance companies do) and make sure you have appropriate coverage. You dont want it to be too high and you dont want it to be too low. It should be based on the estimated rebuilding costs of your house, not on current market value. With car insurance, you will most likely have to show proof of some basic coverage to register the vehicle. Make sure you are comfortably covered in case of an accident and also for when you rent a car so you dont need to pay extra premiums.

It is also crucial that you have health insurance. Since the majority of artists do not have coverage from a regular employer, they need to purchase individual coverage. You can choose between fee-for-service insurance allows you to choose any physician although it is generally extremely expensive, or managed care lower costs but limited choices with regards to doctors and hospitals to which you have access. It is also recommended that you obtain a policy that:

will cover a major medical problem

will handle at least 80% of your costs after the deductible

is guaranteed renewable (they cant drop you or hike your premium cost if you get sick)

has a maximum lifetime benefit of at least $1 million

doesnt have large numbers of limits and exclusions

Recognize that insurance companies can be sneaky read policies carefully.

Other types of insurance include renters insurance, life insurance, and disability insurance. Renters insurance is important because your possessions are not covered under the homeowners policy of the person from whom you are renting. It also protects you from liability, either in you own home or elsewhere. Life insurance is something you need only if you have dependents. Dont let someone sell it to you otherwise. Disability insurance is important to have in place if you have a regularly paying job in the event that you become sick or injured and cannot work for a period of time.

Things to consider when shopping for insurance include:

1.How high a deductible you want to select. Higher deductibles will result in lower premium costs. Just make sure you can actually afford to cover the deductible. If you visit the doctor regularly for example, having a high deductible might not make sense.

2.Get quotes from several insurance agents. Dont be pressured into buying just because you have been given a quote. Talk to both independent agents (they can sell policies from different insurance companies) and captive agents (they represent one company). Getting referrals from friends and family members who are happy with their service and rates is a good way to shop. Then you know your insurance provider is tried and true.

3.Explore companies that will sell a policy directly to you. This may be cheaper since they avoid paying agents salaries.

4.The Consumer Reports Buying Guide can be an excellent resource for narrowing down your top choices.

5.If you are considering a lesser known company because of good rates, make sure you check them out carefully. Investigate qualifications, check with state insurance department, and research the companys financial stability. You dont want to be paying premiums for months or even years, only to discover that the company has gone out of business and will not pay your claim.

6.Always ask if you are eligible for any discounts.

It all comes down to protection and the feeling of security that goes along with it. If you do not have insurance, you may be putting your whole future on the line. No one wants lifes difficulties to pop up, but we cant avoid them forever and if they are big, then you could be financially ruined. And who wants the financial stress added to an already stressful situation of illness, injury, or losing your house or possessions? Again, really take the time to imagine how you would FEEL if any of this happened to you and you werent ready. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to be prepared. Dont let all your hard work go to waste. Get insurance and have peace of mind.

Adam Martin is an active Assistant Director (most recently on "Transformers", to be released summer 07), Producer and Director based in Hollywood. Adam and his wife, Miata, started Abundance Bound, Inc, (AbundanceBound.com - Financial Education and Planning for Actors and Artists") with the mission of developing a community of artists able to pursue their creative goals free from the crushing weight of financial stress. Adam and Miata are coached by Loral Langmeier, author of the best-seller "The Millionaire Maker", and continually apply what they learn with her to their clients within the artistic community.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Martin

Adam Martin - EzineArticles Expert Author

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Friday, April 27, 2007

GM To Sell The Cheapest Hybrid To Challenge Toyota

To challenge its closest rival, the Toyota Motor Co., General Motors Corp. plans to set forth the cheapest hybrid in the form of the Saturn Aura sedan in the United States. The hybrid sedan is aimed at fuel-conscious customers who want to enjoy affordability and efficiency in one car.

The hybrid version of the Saturn Aura comes with a starting price of $22,695 and it is $100 less than Toyota's Prius hybrid. The vehicle will hit showrooms this month. The Saturn Aura will be the first hybrid sedan by an American car maker to be offered in the United States. Aura Green Line's EPA fuel economy rating is rated 28 miles per gallon in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

The Saturn Aura is equipped with GMs belt alternator starter system, 2.4L Ecotec engine mated to an electric motor/generator and the 4T45-E four-speed automatic transmission and EBC brake rotors to bolster the performance of the car. It claims 30 percent improvement over the XE.

Aside from the affordability of the Aura, the purchasers are also entitled to a $1,300 tax break as part of the federal government's initiative to encourage the purchase of environment-friendly hybrids. "It makes true hybrid fuel savings available to more people than ever before," Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak said.

GM has pinned much of Saturn's revitalization on the Aura, which has generated glowing reviews. The automaker, which does not disclose sales targets, has sold 7,898 Auras in the first two months of 2007. "Given the fact that the Aura is an absolutely first-rate, terrific vehicle," said Joseph Phillippi of the AutoTrends Consulting in Short Hills, N.J., "it should do reasonably well."

Realizing the boost of environment-friendly aspects for Toyota, which is already famed for its technologically-advanced product lines, GM endeavors to steal some of the positive hype. GM announcements were delivered on the eve of President Bush's visit to its Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kan. The facility is responsible for the manufacture of Aura.

GM is also working on other hybrids other than Aura. According to GM, the production of the Volt, an all-electric car, is likely to start in 2010. The automaker is also planning to introduce other hybrids which will be using various types of technology.

The Saturn Aura is set to rival the Toyota Prius, by far the most well-liked hybrid in the United States with 107,000 units sold in 2006. Nevertheless, starting April, Toyota Prius owners will be eligible for only a $787 federal tax credit. This is because of the gradual reduction of the credit granted by the federal program. The tax credit will eventually be eliminated as more and more models are sold.

Despite the fact that gas-electric hybrid vehicles cost several thousand dollars greater than conventional models, they have lured customers due to fluctuating gas prices. Hybrids have conventional internal combustion engines and electric motors, which assist the gas engine.

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop. You can visit EBC brake rotors for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Fontanelle

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Monday, April 23, 2007

How To Find Discount Laptops

You may see shopping for a laptop as a confusing process. Well, it doesn't have to be as confusing as you think. Organizing your approach can make your search easier and more effective. That means you will actually get a laptop that you want and you won't waste your hard earned money on features that you may never even use.

It is very tempting to have the newest technology in anything that we buy. Why wouldn't we want our new computer to have all the bells and whistles? There are some very good reasons to stay away from new options that can save you hundreds of dollars. The most important reason to stray from the newest technology is the fact that it is new. Whatever it might be, new options have not proven their reliability in the real world. You must asses your old computer and think about what you really need in a new one. If your computer is just old, consider a new one with very few options. You must think of extra options as though they are just another thing that can break or cause complications. If it is something that you need like wireless capability, then by all means you should shop for it. Many complications arise with new combinations of hardware. A common problem in computers, especially laptops, is the introduction of new media drives. An optical drive that can read a write more different types of media than previous models runs the risk of compatibility problems.

The most important things to look for when you are shopping for a laptop are the speed and quality of the processor. If you are planning on being mobile, go with a slower processor that is built for mobility. These processors will still perform fine for most applications, but they will burn less energy off of your battery. Size is also a very important factor. A laptop is for people of the go. Buying a laptop with a large screen will make it heavier, bulkier and will burn the battery faster. A 12 screen is a good way to go because they can weigh almost half as much as a 17 screen laptop.

Lastly, make sure that you do have a wireless network card built in to your laptop. There are many areas that offer you an internet connection, so you can get email and information while you are in the airport or a coffee shop. Other than those options, you should not look for many options. Every option you choose will add weight, reliability issues and money to the price tag. Spend less on your laptop and you will be able to buy a new one more frequently. A $2000 laptop is much better than a $1000 one. That means you could replace it in 2-3 years easily instead of trying to hang onto a bulky expensive one for 4-6 years.

Get more of the information that you need at http://www.find-laptops-now.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Stone

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Thursday, April 19, 2007

Military Discount Airfare

In most countries, active-duty military members enjoy discounted airfares. Not only the state-run airlines, but also even most commercial airlines, offer these discounts. This is one way of expressing the gratitude towards those who are serving the nation. For current military personnel, the US General Administration also runs the City Pair program, under which the officials travel on discounted airfares as they travel for official work.

Many commercial airlines offer military personnel special discounts on airfares even if they are making personal trips. Some offer this discount to family members, too. Generally, most of the airlines offering military discounts have a standard rate of discount which is applicable on all routes. They also offer such discounts on international airfares. The rate of discount is likely to be more on domestic than international airfares.

While most of the commercial airlines offer discounts on airfare to serving military personnel, some of them also offer the same to retired military personnel. For both categories, some specified documents have to be provided to prove ones military status. Once the documents are verified, they can even book their discounted tickets online. On domestic routes some of the airliners offer up to 70 percent discounts to military personnel. There are online and offline resources which provide information about prevailing discounts on airfares for military personnel.

The discounts offered to military personnel are generally not withdrawn during peak season or even on busy routes. But it is always better to check first, rather than be disappointed later at the ticket counter. If you are in the military, you can contact the local official information center which generally keeps track of discounted on both domestic as well as international routes. Several airliners advertise about these discounts, also.

Discount Airfare provides detailed information on Discount Airfare, Student Discount Airfare, Discount International Airfare, Military Discount Airfare and more. Discount Airfare is affiliated with Discount Caribbean Cruises.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Pinkerton