Online Business Success with Paul Barrs

Free Internet Marketing Content

2010-08-30T17:22:00.000-07:00

Free Internet Marketing Content

Internet Marketing Podcasts for your Online and Internet Home Business!

2010-08-27T05:53:00.000-07:00

Internet Marketing Podcasts for your Online and Internet Home Business!

Internet Marketing Podcasts to build your Online and Internet Home Business!

2010-08-19T18:48:00.000-07:00

Internet Marketing Podcasts to build your Online and Internet Home Business!

Authority Article Marketing (QuickTip)

2010-08-03T06:24:00.000-07:00

Authority Article Marketing (QuickTip)

Internet Marketing Podcasts to build your Online and Internet Home Business!

2010-07-28T05:57:00.000-07:00

Internet Marketing Podcasts to build your Online and Internet Home Business!

How to Establish Credibility in Your Marketplace.

2010-07-25T20:07:00.000-07:00

By Paul Barrs

There’s a challenge that we all must face as business owners, and that is to establish credibility in the eyes of our customers. Over the years this task has become increasingly difficult, and even more so for the small business owner as the giants of business seemingly overwhelms the airwaves with their almost unlimited advertising dollar.

What can we do?

We take them on at their own game, but put aside the old rules with which so many of them still play. We don’t compete against them in the ‘traditional’ marketplaces, but rather the emerging marketplaces. We go directly to the people; our customers and their customers.

We go to the Internet.

And how wonderful it is that things have changed. Ten years ago, even competing for customer loyalty online was constrained by budget, and big business still held the upper-hand with technology and turn-key advertising opportunities. Now however, with the evolution of social media marketing, consumers are no longer moved by the trends set by big business; instead, it is the customer who ‘sets the standards’ – and we are asked to follow.

Welcome to the world of Web 2.0.

And it is here that we discover how to establish credibility in our marketplace!

Let’s break down a simple sample…

Imagine that you run a small stationary printing service in Noosa, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast (my home town). You’re one of about half a dozen printers in the Noosa region. So not only do you have your local business competition to deal with, but you also have the big business national chains to stand up to (of which there are another half dozen on the Sunshine Coast within 30 mins drive) and then there are also the online printing services – no further away than the touch of a button. What can you do?

First things first, you must establish your credibility firmly with your existing customers – no point in losing them to some other guy or girl down the street. You can easily do this by updating their details in the company database so that you can now keep in touch with them by eMail. Of course, some of them are business clients, some are private, so you sub-list your “list” in order to only send appropriate messages. i.e. business customers might receive a fortnightly ‘business tips’ newsletter, whereas your private customers only get birthday / anniversary / Christmas messages and so on for follow up.

Secondly, you set yourself up to do the same thing with incoming clients – more so, you use similar eMail marketing strategies to keep in touch with your *prospective* customers as well.

Once you’re ‘in touch’ with them, then you can build credibility.

How?

1. My best idea always comes up front first, just as yours should – give them access to some “Special Report” which shows them what the most common pitfalls are when designing and planning a new print marketing campaign or strategy; things such as sales copy, colours, fonts etc. Then of course, show them how your business can AND WILL solve that problem for them.

2. My second best idea always comes second; I don’t hold anything back – and neither should you. Over coming weeks and months you should send to them Authority Articles about your industry and how you frequently help your clients both save money and make money in their businesses (or save time and save money for private customers). Set the standard to establish yourself as an authority in your industry in your local business marketplace.

3. My third best idea always comes next – and so should yours! Get a professional copywriter to write your product / service guarantee – or at least study at minimum 100 other company / product guarantees before you decide on yours – and put it in their face. What one key factor does big business always seem to share in, in the area of product guarantee? Product Return or Exchange or Refund… no questions asked. How does your guarantee compare? Do your existing customers even know about your guarantee?

I got some printing done here on the Sunshine Coast recently, and only once did *anyone* tell me about their guarantee. He also told me about his service and he showed me his customer testimonials (idea # 4) – and his price was twice as much as some others. But did I care? No. He established himself with him credibility in the eyes of this customer.

And that made all the difference.

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About the Author: For over ten years Paul Barrs has been helping small business owners grow and expand using the power of the Internet combined with customer-centric Website Marketing Strategies. His online seminars and internet business articles have been enjoyed by tens of thousands. Contact Paul now to see how he can help you and your business become more profitable: http://www.paulbarrs.com.au

Monitoring Search Engine Rankings in Caloundra.

2010-07-18T23:23:00.000-07:00

By Paul Barrs

So let’s imagine that you run a veterinary surgery in Caloundra, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast here in Australia. Over the years you’ve built up a solid following of local customers for your local business. But times are changing, more and more people are going online to seek out information, so, you follow the trend and put your business online. Fantastic!

The initial responses are impressive. Your current customers enjoy being able to access additional resources through your website and you are more easily able to keep them in touch through your newly acquired fortnightly e-Newsletter.

More impressive is the initial traffic that you were able to generate through the search engines when you first went online. You even decided to package up a few of your information bundles into special reports that you sold electronically for $17.00 each; “How to care for your animals while traveling”, and so on.

But now things are backing off. Whereas once you were selling 2 – 3 reports a week, last month you only sold one. Your website traffic stats have dived southward. You’re not even getting local business web inquires anymore. What’s going wrong?

Simply this: you have not taken the time to monitor your search engine rankings. Once you were being found on the first page, and now you’re not being found at all.

But this then begs the question… is it your *job* to do this? No. Your job is to run your business and care for customers and their animals. It is the job of your webmaster (website management person) to do this for you.

But what if he charges like a wounded bull (like a hundred bucks for a simple report)? Being a veterinary surgeon, you probably know more about how to deal with the bull then you do him! Don’t worry however, it’s an easy fix… get a new webmaster!

Don’t feel that just because he or she “built” your website that they are the ones who then have to “manage” it; these are two very different things.

Here are a couple of tips that you should keep in mind while you go looking to find a web designer / manager who can look after your veterinary surgery in Caloundra….

1. If your primary focus is targeting your local business marketplace, make sure that they are somewhat familiar with your local business market also.

2. When it comes to monitoring search engine rankings, once you’ve gotten your first report, check it out to make sure that you can’t generate the same thing online using the same free service (yes, there are bucket-loads of free services that help people monitor search engine rankings that some unscrupulous ‘webmasters’ make people pay for).

3. Whichever Website Management team you engage, make sure that they are willing to provide you with monthly search engine reports at minimum cost ($100 is not a ‘minimum price’ for something that took them 15 minutes to create).

4. Ask them also to make sure that these search engine ranking reports cover at least a dozen keyword phrases along with accompanying results… at minimum a dozen; more is better.

5. Ask them if they can break up their service fees or plans; ie. $50 for the report only, $75 for the report with analysis, and perhaps $125 for report / analysis / strategy plan. These additional things do take a bit of time, but are not necessary every month.

6. Finally, if you do engage someone to ‘fix up’ your current search engine rankings, make absolutely sure that they are getting solid first page results for their own websites (not just their clients, but theirs also).

That way, the next time someone goes looking for your veterinary surgery in Caloundra on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast, they’ll be sure to find you!

About the Author

Paul Barrs has been running his own successful Online Business since July 2000. He publishes free weekly mp3 podcasts as well as an incredibly popular audio program titled, "The 3-Ways to Build a Successful Online Business". Go now to http://www.PaulBarrs.com to get hot ideas guaranteed to help you build your Online Business.

Personalised eMail Marketing for a Maroochydore Business.

2010-06-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

By Paul Barrs

How long has it been since you sent out a letter to your customers? A few weeks? Months? A year or two? Maybe it was last Christmas.

How long has it been since you sent out a letter to your “prospective” customers? Yes, the people who haven’t yet even bought anything from you? Maybe even longer?

Though not unique, it is understandable.

For any small business the logistics involved in keeping in touch with a customer base and potential customer base can be overwhelming. Putting aside the cost factor (about .65c per mail piece), there’s the building of the database in the first place, the collection of names, the data entry, the maintenance – and then the time to actually *write* mailing pieces, craft offers, think of reasons to send etc etc. It all takes time, effort, and especially money.

But what about email marketing, could that be a viable option? Especially for a small business located in say, Maroochydore on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast – whilst the population may be enough to establish and grow a significant number of businesses, the local tourist trade provides opportunities for massive growth each and every summer.

Summertime however is when the small local business in Maroochydore is most busy. This local business doesn’t have time to have its staff be asking for email addresses. But then, times have been a little tough lately on the Sunshine Coast… the economy is unsteady… customers are spending less… can such a small business afford *not* to “keep in touch” and “gently market’ to its customers and potential customers?

No. It cannot.

And that’s where email marketing comes in – for minimal investment (and really, little time) you can keep in touch with your prospects and customers and let them know what it is that you can offer to them on any given week or month; which will depend on your buying cycle. Any less than monthly contact however is a waste of time.

Pause a moment and think about this: most small businesses, especially on the Sunshine Coast, invest a small fortune in print media advertising, each one designed to bring a customer in the door. But if that customer leaves without purchase, it’s up to the next print media campaign to bring them back again – there goes another $15,000!

But what if you could get their permission to follow them up and offer them personalised buying opportunities that were exclusive to… anyone on your businesses email list… and you can do it all for a fraction of a cent on each dollar. Sounds a little better doesn’t it?

Put aside your fear.

The main reason why the typical local business on the Sunshine Coast doesn’t use email marketing is because of fear, fear bread through misunderstanding. I’m not talking about S.P.A.M. here, I’m not talking about sending buku email to people who didn’t ask for it. I’m talking about getting permission first – than having the customer confirm their request… in exchange for special offers and unique benefits.

How to Make eMail Marketing Work for You.

Recently I walking into a local business in Maroochydore and was quite impressed to see that they did just this – and I got 20% off my next purchase when I next went into the store. The one thing that they don’t do however, which could make a huge difference for them, is personalise their eMails.

Simply put, my name doesn’t appear anywhere in the email, despite the fact that I gave it to them when I agreed to sign up. My name isn’t in the eMail, nor in the subject line – it should be in both.

Also, the emails arrive in bright graphic HTML only. While yes, this *is* my preferred version, many people on the Sunshine Coast don’t yet have access to high speed internet, so they would prefer text delivery, as an option at least.

These few tips can help make a huge difference for you. Remember always that just as you are busy, so too are your customers. I love the fact that I can read “this week’s offer” in less than a minute – fantastic. Finally, with this particular local business… I can order online. I don’t even have to go into the shop.

I love that!

About the Author

Paul Barrs has been helping local Sunshine Coast Business since mid 2002. He has spoken locally, nationally and at international seminars as an authority on local business website success. To find out how you can build your local business web presence, contact Paul by visiting PaulBarrs.com.au (or just Google him, you'll find him right there on the first page easily).

Six Key Strategies for a Successful Website

2010-06-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

By Paul Barrs

There are many things that come together when building a website, but amongst all the hype, color and bells and whistles, there are seven essential elements that absolutely MUST be followed when deciding on the structure of your online business.

1. Your website must be designed with the user in mind. Now I know this sounds obvious, but when I say “user” I don’t mean you. And I don’t mean your staff or your friends. Chance are they all have a similar skill level as you do when it comes to web based practices and surfing skills. When you design your website you must design it with the same mindset that a reporter would write his or her articles for the local rag – it must be simple enough that a 12 year old can understand it, use it, and navigate it. The only exceptions to this rule are if the 12 year olds that you know are super tech-savvy, or if your client base is super-tech savy.

2. Really a sub-category of the above is the site’s ability to “flow through” or “guide” the user from one point to the next. Tell me, do you know where it is that you want your customers to go on your website, or are you planning to let them figure it out all by themselves? Let me put to you this way… do want them to “buy” something from you or just ‘take a look around’? By making it not only easy, but ‘enticing’, you can guide your website visitors from one page to the next and gently lead them to your purpose.

3. Which of course leads me to number three… your purpose. Does your website look like it *has* a purpose, or does it just look like it’s come together over the last few years a click here and a click there? Yes, it’s good to have a website that has content, but as that content has been added over the years, have you updated your design to make allowances for it, or just plopped it down anywhere available? If you’ve got no real sense of purpose for your website then your customers sure won’t feel any ‘sense of purpose’ either. No purpose, no purchase.

4. Fitting in well with the above three is one simple word… “simple”. Yes, you’ve heard this one before, “Keep it Simple Silly”. It’s an age old mantra in the business world. So not only must your website *be* simple, which we’ve already covered, it must also *look* simple. Try to avoid the clutter, especially on the main page. Just because you have the option to plug-in some specific feature doesn’t mean that you have to. Keep it simple and keep it clean.

5. Number five brings us to an old favorite… Tried and Tested. While yes, it’s true that many of us enjoy the “new things” in life, this should not so much apply to our websites. The bells and whistles I mean. Sure, the content must be new; it must be fresh and renewed weekly; and even the engines that power your website, the technologies. But there’s one area of your website that you should no e so quick to make change to… and that’s the sales process. Unless you find that there’s been a major shift in people’s psyche these past years, remember that people are still people. They are motivated by wants and needs and desires. The tried and true buying signals that applied to perfect customer last year, still apply now, and will apply next year also.

6. Finally, following on is follow-up, follow-up, follow-up. This is the most tried and test sales strategy available. So much so that it warrants a category on its own; in fact, books have been written on the subject. Too often in the small business sector we see business owners trying to emulate big business, forgetting all the while that big business had big budget and buku customer base. You want to get there? Fine, then follow up with your customers, prospects and never let them go buy your product anywhere else – full stop! That’s the key to a successful business.

About the Author

Paul Barrs has been running his own successful Online Business since July 2000. He publishes free weekly mp3 podcasts as well as an incredibly popular audio program titled, "The 3-Ways to Build a Successful Online Business". Go now to http://www.PaulBarrs.com to get hot ideas guaranteed to help you build your Online Business.

Niche Market Examples

2010-05-24T16:36:00.000-07:00

By Paul Barrs

Recently I was asked how to find new ideas to market online. You know the types that people are often after… the kinds that seem to magically have gold hidden in the rims of their breakfast bowls… the ones that have attached to them the single word –

And to today’s online marketer they are almost an aphrodisiac!

Niche. Niche.

I feel like one of the brave Knights of Camelot holding back the tide of woe and wonder from that most powerful word … Niche!

Though for many, sadly, that are more like “Brave Sir Robin… who bravely ran away, away.” (Any Python fans out there?)

However, I am neither one who runs away nor punts headlong like a bull. Being able to find a good niche market is akin to being able to find and do anything in business. You just do it. If you’re having difficulty with this, perhaps you need a little inspiration, nothing more.

Personally, I find Wikipedia a great tool... (for inspiration that is).

When ever I'm looking for a new niche to do something with, I pop right on to their main page and look though the features and feature articles for ideas...

i.e. Today we have ...

* Stuff to do with some TV program I've never heard of. Wouldn't touch it.
* But in the news section there is stuff On Ice Hockey. (Dig deep)
* I can also see ideas for Rhinoceros's and Bears (any collectors out there?)

Then of course there's their "Featured Articles" area. Take a look at the topics covered...

Art and architecture • Awards, decorations and vexillology • Biology • Business, economics and finance • Chemistry and mineralogy • Culture and society • Education • Engineering and technology • Food and drink • Geography and places • Geology and geophysics • Health and medicine • History • Language and linguistics • Law • Literature and theatre • Mathematics • Media • Meteorology • Military and military history • Music • Philosophy and psychology • Physics and astronomy • Politics and government • Religion, mysticism and mythology • Royalty, nobility and heraldry • Sports and recreation • Video gaming • Transport

(Remember, DIG DEEP)

Want more ideas? Go to your local news agency and buy a few magazines that you've never purchased before.

If you say that you can't "find a niche" then you're not looking for a niche. You're looking for a pot 'o gold.

Don't.

Look for something that people are looking for also - then market to them.

Just remember to DIG DEEP... and yes, you'll have to do some work also.

- Paul Barrs

PS. Remember also that there are dozens and dozens of other places that you can start at as well; Amazon.com, your local bookshop, the bazaar or marketplace. Life offers an unlimited supply of opportunities.

Paul Barrs has been teaching Online Business Success since July 2000. His books, DVD's and audio programs have been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people in over 70 countries. This month he is offering his incredibly popular audio program titled, "Getting Started Online (Again!)" as a free gift to visitors at http://www.PaulBarrs.com. We highly recommend that you grab it now while you can.

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Paul Barrs has been teaching Online Business Success since July 2000. His books, DVD's and audio programs have been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people in over 70 countries. This month he is offering his incredibly popular audio program titled, "Getting Started Online (Again!)" as a free gift to visitors at http://www.PaulBarrs.com. We highly recommend that you grab it now while you can.

Creative Questions to Build Your Home Business

2010-05-02T16:48:00.000-07:00

by Paul Barrs

Often when I sit to write my morning articles, as I sip my coffee and look across the city-scape across from me, I wonder for a while… just what shall I write today. It’s not because I’m out of ideas or I can’t think of anything else to say, it’s more that there is so MUCH to say that I often don’t know where to start!

So perhaps as this month begins, it’s a good point to all take a moment out, site down with a favourite beverage and relax a moment while asking… “What else is there for me to learn?”

I’d like to suggest that you do this, not just once, but moderately often, each month or three. But when you do you’re going to need a pen and paper nearby because most likely by the end of a quiet half hour you’ll have a whole bunch of ideas to deal with.

But why? Simply this; whether we like it or not, we are creatures of comfort. It’s easy for us to *do* those things that we know about, those things that we’ve done time and time again, and so we keep doing them. That’s not the problem though, that’s a god thing. The problem lies in the fact that it’s also easy *not to do* those things that we’re not good at, those things that we’ve not done before. Basic mathematics right? Add two numbers together and you get more, take one away and you get less.

But you cannot grow your business beyond the basics if you stay in your ‘comfort zone!’ Ever heard this before, “If you always do what you’ve always done, then you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”

Therefore, if you want more… you need to do more.

Let me explain - A friend of mine was learning the basics of website marketing. This fellow had been running his own traditional home business offline for many years but now wanted to take it to the next level. After first finding out what was out there to learn he came up with the following list; learn how to make basic changes to HTML and basic graphics, begin to study sales copy, find out the easiest way to convert my products to online delivery, decide which is the best affiliate program.

There were many more things on his list, but at the end of his half-hour (which was actually guided by his coach), these were the most pressing. I thought it was interesting that his coach didn’t *tell* him what he had to learn, but rather let him discover these things for himself – a guiding principle I later found out that greatly increased his internal motivation to complete these things.

But now, having done his half-hour, he had some focused tasks ahead of him for the next eight weeks.

This is the answer to the question, “But Why?”

It’s easy to come up with a list of things that need work, but often that list is so huge that we become bogged down in it.

The information that’s in that list however is of vital importance. We need it to help expand our minds and therefore our business.

Here are some questions to help get you started:

* What’s the one area of your website ‘design’ skills that you feel the least confident with?
* What’s the one area of your website ‘marketing’ skills that you feel weakest in?
* Do you feel able to confidently approach top level performers in your industry for possible joint ventures?
* How do you feel about talking to these people on the phone?
* Could you competently meet / greet / interview a top level performer face to face?
* How good are you at handling (or preparing) your monthly bookwork?
* Could you give a presentation to a room full of 500 people about your business?
* How confident would you feel asking them to buy your product at the end of it?
* Would you have the sales skills to actually ‘sell’ your product at the end of the presentation?
* Do you know how to run your own teleconference?

And the list could easily go on. However, so as not to have this article ‘go on’ forever I’ll suggest to you where you can find an unlimited supply of such questions (the answer is in the last question) – each month you need to listen to at least one audio training program. Notice I say audio, not video and not written. Why? Because if it’s video you’ll get caught up too easily in what’s happening on screen, if it written your mind won’t move fast enough to make productive time worthwhile (our creative mind actually moves must faster than our cognitive mind). By utilising the power of audio both your mind and hands are free to come up with, jot down and discover new questions.

Then, with those questions, sit down, once each month or three with your favourite beverage (and yes, as it’s only half hour, it can be “any” beverage) and give time to the questions before you.

Just remember this though… this time is just for questions, you don’t yet have to have the answers. That’s what the next few months are for.

More: http://www.paulbarrs.com

A few notes on Article Marketing

2010-04-29T17:34:00.000-07:00

by Paul Barrs

Recently I was browsing through one of the nets' top marketing forums when I came across a fellow who'd managed to get himself 'banned' from one of the largest Article Publishing sites online. Being curious I looked further and found that he'd been spamming the site while trying to "inflate" his own article page views in the hope of generating more traffic from it.

OMG!

Stunned as I was, I posed a rather "strong" reply - there's a lesson in it for us all, which is why I'm now publishing an article on it.

Here is what I wrote....

Why do we encourage such pathetic marketing strategies!?

You've been around this forum now long enough to know better.

I ask only this question of you ...

Aren't your "articles" good enough to be read by real people? Who gives a s*** about what your 'competitors' do?

Forgive me for being so blunt, but -

Write quality, submit wisely and think of being in business for the LONG TERM, not just here and now.

Recently I was looking at the stats for a free eBook I published back in 2003 - almost 50,000 downloads (from just one website) and thousands of other different sites / blogs/ forums also giving it away.

(See: Webmasters JavaScript Toolbox 2003 - http://download.cnet.com/Webmasters-JavaScript-Toolbox-2003/3000-10247_4-10207797.html )

Why? Because I was thinking outside of the box and outside of the year.

And even though my website was offline for 2 years recently while I was ill, the traffic KEPT COMING, I couldn't turn it off if I wanted to. All because I focused of LONG TERM not short term.

Here's an idea for you -

(1) Take a whole bunch of your own articles (the best ones), compile them into an eBook, and give it away for free.

(2) Choose half a dozen of the best of those articles and record audio video tutorials to go with them. They can be downloaded from links within the eBook.

(3) Add about half a dozen Clickbank links in also to related products...

(4) Make the eBook brand-able so that people giving it away can place their own Clickbank links in and they'll want to give it away for you.

Note: Make it QUALITY, QUALITY, QUALITY. Make it so damn good that people should have paid for it - and give it away for free.

Final Question - How do YOU make money from it?

The links that go back to your website are yours to keep all the cash from. (Or) Link in another 'Special Report', a 'How to', some other back end to build a database; whatever -

Better yet, plug in your own affiliate program linking to your own product so that people who are giving away the eBook for you will also go and join YOUR affiliate program. (Make it yours, not just CB links, that way you can also build your database).

And so on and so on and so on.

THAT'S how you get traffic and income from articles in the real world; this year, next year and for the decade to follow.

- end -

PS. Side note... I've only had my site back online for 8 weeks and don't yet even have any product back up... but checking my 404 stats showed that last month almost 1400 clicks came through from my old affiliate program and dead links in old eBooks. Part of my work now is to rebuild those relationships and put it all back together. Point being, do it right and you'll never be able to STOP the traffic!

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Paul Barrs has been teaching Online Business Success since July 2000. His books, DVD's and audio programs have been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people in over 70 countries. This month he is offering his incredibly popular audio program titled, "Getting Started Online (Again!)" as a free gift to visitors at http://www.PaulBarrs.com. We highly recommend that you grab it now while you can.

Customer Service Survival

2010-04-28T18:02:00.000-07:00

By Paul Barrs

It was about 3 in the afternoon, yesterday. Quite hot and I was second in line. OK, no problems so far – if I were 15th in line I might not have been to happy. However, I wasn’t at the checkout where most of us associate “lines in waiting”, but rather I was at my local bike store picking up a front wheel for my push-bike that had been in for repair.

Standing in line before me was a pleasantly attractive 40 something lady who, without any doubt, *knew* how to dress to impress. Outside the front of the shop was a late model Mercedes sporting a single name registration plate – a lady’s name. As we waited, I asked if it was hers to which she replied a confirmation.

“Very Nice”, I said, drawing a smile from her. Beyond the service counter that we were waiting at I saw a young man looking slightly bewildered coming back up to the counter. I turned to my new friend and asked, “What have you lost?”

“My bike”, she said. “They’ve found one, but I put two in.”

I was almost sure that I hadn’t heard correctly, after all, she had the service ticket stub in hand.

Then the service assistant looked towards her, “What color was your bike again?”

After a few more moments of scattered looking around another man came up, this time he was, looked wiser, and I thought perhaps was the service manager. He asked, “What seems to be the problem?” Again the beautifully calm and collected Mercedes lady before me recited her plight.

At this point I was stunned. This ‘manager’ replied with some quip like, “Well, not everything works out… does it.” Plainly he didn’t care, or at least he didn’t ‘show’ any care. I couldn’t believe she was so calm.

Meanwhile, a different staff member approached me. I told him that I was there to pick up my front wheel, I handed him my service ticket and watched as he walked once around the workshop and then came back to the counter empty handed.

“What’s it look like?” He asked.

?? Huh?

“Ummmm.” I paused. How do you answer such a question? “It’s a wheel. It’s round. It’s got a tyre on it.”

“Yeah, but what’s it look like?” He asked me this like I was dyslexic.

I pointed towards one of the hundred or more bikes in the shop. “Like that one, except it’s just the wheel.”

He looked towards the bike and then back to me. I guess I had two heads. “Yeah, but what color is it?”

I scanned the workshop – all 100 plus wheels (which were all attached to bikes) were silver stainless steel. I couldn’t see any difference in colors at all, and so I told him.

He went off in search again and after a moment found it – it was directly behind the counter all the time.

Then yet another fellow came up and took me to the cashier for payment. My Mercedes friend was still waiting patiently wondering what had happened to her lost bike.

Sigh. It leaves me wondering. I’m tempted in jest to simply say W.T. - ? Such appalling service really has no place in today’s business world. And unfortunately this is not an isolated incident. I can easily recall two more similar stories of such gross incompetency from previous months. And the thing is, it’s not that hard to do. All it takes is a good attitude and good training.

Though when it comes to online business, in particular the micro business sector, the troubles are magnified ten-fold! Too many people think that because they can hide behind a glazed computer screen that they can treat their customers almost with contempt. Oh yes, don’t get me wrong, if it’s a paying customer, they’ll be treated like gold!

But if that customer has a ‘problem’ that goes beyond the ‘paid value’ of whatever purchase they had made, God help them, because the website owner sure won’t. There’s even a new trend these days among ‘up-and-coming’ net business people to write into their sales copy that …

“Refunds will not be accepted within the first 3 days because …”

Huh? OK, I get the argument that they are worried about a new trend of buyers that are called “serial refunders”. I get that. Fine. So ban them and get on with business, or change the registration process for your product.

Meanwhile, get back on with providing service, and not just good service; but awesome brilliant exceptional service! Just because the 90’s buzz-words of “everyone’s doing” it have gone, doesn’t mean that such is still true.

I’m sure my Mercedes lady is still waiting for someone to find her lost bike.

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Paul Barrs has been teaching Online Business Success since July 2000. His books, DVD's and audio programs have been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people in over 70 countries. This month he is offering his incredibly popular audio program titled, "Getting Started Online (Again!)" as a free gift to visitors at http://www.PaulBarrs.com. We highly recommend that you grab it now while you can.

Understanding your Website Performance

2010-04-26T18:47:00.000-07:00

Understanding your Website Performance

By Paul Barrs

One of the most under-rated aspects of any Website business is in its statistical data, or more accurately, it's owner's ability to interpret that data.

Among the myriad of information that your web host (or stats manager) can provide you with, none of it actually provides real value at all given times.

Let me explain...

Here is a real life example of one local accommodation website and their statistics at of the time of writing this article. It's a relatively new website, and has had some modifications progressively done to it over the past few months.

First up, the one piece of data that almost everyone knows about is Page Views.

Page Views provide you with a quick picture of your overall traffic. When you compare this information with previous weeks or months it's a good snapshot - nothing more. However, Unique Visitors are more important because they represent the actual number of different people who have viewed your site's pages, rather than repeat visitors, within the same day, same week, and with disregard to how many pages any Unique Visitor visits on your site.

In practical terms, the Demo Site that I am using here has had 2610 Page Views so far this month, but only 1171 Unique Visitors - which means that each visitors has viewed an average of 2 - 3 pages each.

What does that mean?

This Website only has five pages, so based on these numbers we can ascertain that only its visitors view half of those pages. With this information at hand, before we do any work on the site, we need to first see which pages are being viewed.

Using the Entry Pages report we are able to see that 85% of all visitors this month so far arrived on the main page. This alone is an interesting fact as it tells us that the site is receiving search engine traffic to the other pages because there is simply no other way to find them otherwise. It also tells us that the content of the main page may need to be modified if people are not going deeper into the site.

So how do we find that out? We go into the Exit Pages report. Here (in our demo site) we find that 73% of visitors are leaving from the main page. First up, that does not look too good. Could it be that once people arrive on this site that they don't like it at all?

Finally, to determine this, we need to view the Single Access Pages report - and it this case - yes, it is bad news. 68% of all visitors to this site are arriving on the main page and then leaving again.

Here is the question that we need to ask: What is it about the main page that people don't like? (And the question I ask to you - Do you even know how many people arrive on your main page and then leave again?)

The next tactical piece of information I would want to know here is, what is bring them to the site. Are they qualified customers, or are they kids looking for games to play?

Checking the Search Engine Keywords report, we were able to ascertain that just over 25% of all their traffic this month had come from 15 different search engines, through a combination of over 100 different keyword search phrases. That alone is not enough to determine the problem here. All of these people were targeted customers. However, also using the Referring Website Domains report we could see that a whopping 68% of all visitors came from a recent email marketing campaign advertisement.

Ah Ha! Now, we are getting to the meat of it. Speaking with the owner I was able to determine that in the previous week they had placed an ad about a few limited available rooms they still had available for let in January, at the end of the School Holidays. The ad had gone out to almost 1200 people (opt in subscribers of a local tourism Website) and 673 of those people had clicked on their URL (a massive 56% response), wanting to look over their available holiday dates.

And guess what was on the main page? Yep - the details of a limited offer 7-night package.

So right now we've gone a complete circle. We knew that there must have been something wrong with the main page (in fact we actually knew exactly what it was in advance), but the exercise had allowed me to explain to you in finer details just how you should be looking to evaluate and interpret your own Website statistics.

What if you were not running a targeted campaign for a special offer? How about if these were the results on any normal given week? Then what?

As a closing thought - the first thing I'd want to know is this: Time Spent on Site.

Before making major changes to your website content, you need to determine if people are reading / viewing it or not. Using the above example, 51% of visitors to this site in the past two weeks have stayed between 1 - 5 minutes. Good or bad?

A bit of both.

We'd like people to stay onsite for more than five minutes, but with only five pages, that's not going to happen unless you have a very long sales letter up front. So that's the good part. The bad part is only 38% of these visitors invested the time to actually read the home page sales information. The rest just left.

If this were your website, you'd now have to decide how best to service those 38%. Do that, and you'll strike gold.

So back to the title: How well do you understand your Websites performance?

Success Starts with Articles

2007-03-23T06:33:00.000-07:00

No one can logically argue against the fact that content is king. Web sites that are nothing more than glorified link farms or ad spiels must work harder and invest more money to gain visitors-almost none of them return. To keep users returning, there must be a reason. Articles can serve two major roles in maintaining a successful website-content and promotion. Just minutes from now you could be on your way to building a more successful business. Article creation and submission is one of the greatest promotional tools ever.

CONTENT

Every web site that wants to succeed at competing for eyeballs must have solid content to offer. Otherwise, the visitor is off in mere seconds-never to return. Make the visitor glad they visited and you have potentially created a loyal user.

Think about some of the more popular web sites on the Internet. Why would you visit them? Why would you return? Let's look at a popular news site, FoxNews.com. I visit Fox News to read the latest news stories. I go back because I know there will be fresh articles waiting for me. I visit my favorite writing web site because I know there are great articles there and new ones appear often.

Do you see a theme? I am not going to a web site that is about other web sites or is a link farm-I am going to the source of what I desire. These sources not only receive my attention but have a good chance at selling me something. Over time, my trust in these web sites increases and I am more open to what they have to offer. It is important to offer quality content to hook the visitors in and update often to give them reasons to return. Your web site is an extension of you and your company. How visitors perceive your web site is how they will perceive you. This is why it is important that articles be well written. Anything less will compromise your perceived image.

PROMOTION

There is no easier way to establish links and incoming traffic to your web site than writing articles-or having someone write them for you. It could take months or longer for a web site owner to gain a significant amount of relevant links on other web sites. However, it can take days, with no effort, to accomplish the same feat with one well crafted article. The process is extremely simple.
Write the article or have it written for you.
Submit the article to article distribution services.
Start working on the next article or have a writer do it for you.

Once your article is out there it will work itself onto web sites across the Internet, which will end up generating incoming links for your web site. Moreover, this will increase your link popularity, which is very important for great search engine rankings. It would be wise to write articles that pertain in some way to your own web site. The odds of people, who are reading an article on engine rebuilding, being interested in your web site about quilting is rather slim. There are many article submission web sites and groups on the Internet. Some good article submission web sites are: articlefactory.com, ezinearticles.com, goarticles.com, and ideamarketers.com. Don't forget to use the article on your own web site.

The promotion world is waking up to this article creation technique and in time the competition will be fierce. The time to get started is right now. One well crafted article can easily be worth thousands of dollars in promotional efforts. Don't let not being able to write great articles keep you from getting ahead-visit JasonAMartin .com to have articles written for you. You simply can not put a price on the possible results from article distribution. Just wait until you experience it for yourself.

�2005 Jason Andrew Martin LLC

Jason A. Martin has been conducting business on the Internet for 11 years. He is a free-lance writer on many topics and is currently working on obtaining a degree in Journalism and Law.

His official blog, which contains more articles you can use for your web site, can be viewed at: Jason A. Martin

Branding Web Strategy Mistakes - Brand Identity Guru

2007-03-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

1. Lack of overall strategy and clear definition of success:
Most people realize the need for a site, but don't understand what it can/should do for the company. And when they do have a goal, they don't measure it. We'll often ask people, "What are the objectives of your site?" Answers vary from "the site is supposed to provide information about our company and products", or "the site is supposed to effectively convey our brand to our audience". In actuality, those are very rarely the true objectives, but rather the means to accomplish one's objectives. A website's objectives will in most cases be to drive revenue or generate qualified leads.
2. No integration with other marketing activities ? the website is often on an island.
Okay, so you have your URL on your stationary, collateral, etc. But very rarely is a website tightly integrated with other marketing activities such as direct mail and print advertising. Ideally, a company will drive prospects to specific URL's to accept an appealing offer that might have been presented in a direct mailer or advertisement.
3. No Search Engine Positioning (SEO)
In addition to the above point, very few companies have invested the proper time or effort into being effectively positioned in the major search engines. Once built, most people assume that the Search Engines are all rushing towards their website, blinded by an overwhelming lust to spider the new site. To their shock, they eventually find that while they want to be in the Search Engines, getting there is not an automatic process. Although Forrester Research tells us that 80% of all Internet users visit the search engines, our own research shows that fewer than 10% of companies have done anything to position themselves effectively. Usually, there are excuses for lack of search engine marketing... most commonly, "we don't really feel that our particular audience would be looking for a solution in the search engines".
4. No Strategic Capture of Prospect Data
We always ask if companies are capturing strategic data from prospects that visit the site and hear "We have a Contact Us form." When is the last time you filled out a Contact Us form? Contact forms are not strategic. Case studies, white papers - use anything you can to get the prospect to ask for info - then nurture them over time if they aren't sales ready today!
5. Misconceptions Based on People Using Themselves as the Focus Group
Remember, it's not your individual opinion that should drive the creative design for the website. The website should be created for the customer in mind. A site should have some unique flavor, and personal preferences aren't completely disregarded. But we must conform to some standards of usability and habits, and be creative around them.
6. Lack of Ongoing Activity Analysis
Website log files contain a tremendous amount of data. Usually, too much for a typical marketing person to have time to analyze. As a result, key metrics are rarely defined, and no data ends up being monitored and analyzed. Do you know the definitions of the most common metrics any web manager should be looking at? (Visits, page views, visitors, hits)
7. No Content Management System
There is no reason to have content that is outdated and stale. A content management solution can be implemented very affordably and allows a company greater control over their site. It allows non-technical people the ability to control content. Most good sites today are built with a content management system.
8. The Neighbor's Nephew as Web Strategist
"I realize that we're a $50 million company with hundreds of customers, but I really think my neighbor's nephew who just finished a web course can handle our company's web strategy. The old adage "You get what you pay for" holds very true on the Internet. Experience, expertise and customer service are the value propositions a consultant/developer should bring to the table.
9. Focusing Too Much on the Technology
Websites are not technology - integrating them with CRM or ERP systems are very technical issues and should be treated as such. But building a website is a function of marketing. In today's world, a website is a marketing tool - whether it be a lead generation tool, sales support tool or a client extranet. Once you know what kind of server environment and language you will be building in, there are few technical issues that will be popping up.
10. "We don't believe in requesting data from visitors, or using it for e-mail marketing." "People are getting enough spam, we don't want to annoy them even more."
If your site does not attempt to capture the name of an interested, qualified visitor, then what is it really doing? Being prompted for a small amount of information in order to receive some valuable offer in exchange does not annoy people. (In fact, many of our clients have seen increased leads after implementing some registration processes). Furthermore, opt-in e-mail marketing (to those who gave you permission to send information occasionally) will not be viewed as spam, and will, in most cases, generate higher response rates than seen with any other marketing activity. Response rates to opt-in e-mail marketing in the range of 10% - 30% are not unheard of at all.
To measure how strong your brand is copy and paste: (http://brandidentityguru.com/bightml/brandmasterpiece.html). Then click "Take the brand strength test". This is a short survey that measures the strength of any company's brand. It's a great tool to see where you are today.
Scott White is President of Brand Identity Guru ( http://www.brandidentityguru.com ), a leading brand consulting and market research firm located in Easton, Massachusetts, USA, near Boston. Brand Identity Guru specializes in creating corporate and product brands that increase sales, market share, customer loyalty, and brand valuation.
Over the course of his 15-year branding career, Scott White has worked in a wide variety of industries: high-tech, manufacturing, computer hardware and software, telecommunications, banking, restaurants, fashion, healthcare, Internet, retail, and service businesses, as well as numerous non-profit organizations.
Brand Identity Guru clients include: Sun Life Financial, Coca Cola, HP, Sun, Nordstrom, American Federal Mortgage, Simon (America's largest shopping mall manager) and many others, including numerous emerging growth companies.
Scott White is a very enthusiastic speaker and has the gift of being able to explain the principles of branding in a compelling and entertaining manner so that people at all levels can understand.

Top 10 Business E-Mail Basics

2007-03-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

When it comes to your business e-mail communications, you need to make an impression that can lend to the determination that you are someone that will be a pleasure to do business with.
For your consideration below are the "Top 10 e-mail issues targeted at business men and women. These are the issues business owners and their employees minimally need to be aware of in their day-to-day online communications.

1. SUBJECT: Field: The SUBJECT: field is the window into your e-mail and can many times determine even if your e-mail will be opened. If this is your first contact with a customer based on their request through your site or otherwise, be sure to have a short SUBJECT: that indicates clearly what the topic of the e-mail is. Never be misleading in this regard! Typos, all caps or all small case can give the impression you are a spammer.

2. Level of Formality: Never assume a position of informality in your business e-mail. Only time and relationship building efforts can guide when you can informalize your business relationships. And, in some cases that time may never arise. Do not assume that e-mail is impersonal or informal when it comes to your business communications. It is very personal - a window into the type of person you are and how you run your business. Remember, people do business with people not companies. One should communicate as if your e-mail is on your company letterhead at all times. This is your business's image you are branding!

3. Addressing: How do you address your new contacts? I would suggest initially that you assume the highest level of courtesy: Hello, Mr. Anderson, Dear Ms. Jones, Dr. Osborne, etc. Until your new contact states, "call me Andy" or "you can call me Diane. Keep it formal until it is clear the relationship dictates otherwise. You will also be able to get clues by how your contacts approach you and their tone. Most business people do not mind being called by their first name, however, in a global economy that can be perceived as taking premature liberties in the relationship if used too soon.

4. TO:, From:, Bcc, Cc fields can make or break you:

..In the TO: field make sure you have your contact's name formally typed. John B. Doe - not john b doe or JOHN B DOE.

..In the FROM: field make sure your have your full name formally typed. Example: Jane A. Jones. Not: jane a jones or JANE A JONES. The later two give the perception of lack of education or limited experience with technology. Always use your full name. By only including your first name or e-mail address you are giving the perception you have something to hide or do not know the basics of configuring your e-mail program.

..Bcc: use this field when e-mailing a group of contacts who do not personally know each other. By listing an arms length list of e-mail addresses in the CC or TO fields of contacts who do not know each other or who have never met is conducive to publishing their e-mail address to strangers. No matter how great the list of people may be to you, never make this decision for others! This is a privacy issue! With those you are forging partnerships with, visibly listing their e -mail address in with a group of strangers will make one wonder what other privacy issues you may not respect or understand. Not good.

..Cc: Use this field when there are a handful of associates involved in a discussion that requires all be on the same page. These business people know each other or have been introduced and have no problem having their e-mail address exposed to the parties involved. If you are not sure if a business associate would mind their address being made public, ask!

5. Formatting: Refrain from using it in your business communications. Unless you would type something in bold crimson letters on business letterhead, don't do it when e-mailing for commercial gain. Even something as simple as using a different font makes your e-mail's display contingent upon the recipient having that specific font on their system or it defaults to their designated default font. The recipient may not have their e-mail program configured in such a way as to display your formatting the way it appears on your system - if at all.

6. Attachments: Do you think your relationship with a potential new customer is enhanced when you send them that 5M Power Point presentation they didn't request and you fill up their inbox causing subsequent business correspondence to bounce as undeliverable? Nope. And, if they don't have Power Point they couldn't open the file anyway! Never assume your potential customers have the software you do to open any file you may arbitrarily send.

If you need to send a file over 200,000 in size, business courtesy dictates you ask the recipient first if it is O.K. to send a large file. Next, confirm they have the same software and version you do and what is the best time of day to sent it to them to ensure they are available to download the large file and keep their e-mail flowing. Do not send large attachments without warning, on weekends or after business hours when the recipient may not be there to clear out their inbox and keep their e-mail flowing.

7. Using Previous E-mail for New Correspondence: If you want to give the perception of lazy, find a previous e-mail from the party you want to communicate with, hit reply and start typing about something completely irrelevant to the old e-mail's subject. Always start a new e-mail and add your contacts to your address book so you can add them to a new e-mail with one click.

8. Down Edit Your Replies: Don't just hit reply and start typing. Editing is a skill those you communicate with will appreciate as it lends to reflecting a respect for their time and clarity in your communications. Removing parts of the previous e-mail that do not apply to your response including e-mail headers and signature files removes the clutter. In addition, by making the effort to reply point by point keeps the conversation on track with fewer misunderstandings.

9. Common Courtesy: Hello, Hi, Good Day, Thank You, Sincerely, Best Regards. All those intros and sign offs that are a staple of professional business communications should also be used in your business e-mail communications. Always have a salutation and sign off with every e-mail. Here again - think business letterhead.

10. Signature files: Keep your signature files to no more than 5-6 lines as this can be viewed as a bit egocentric. Limit your signature to your Web site link, company name, and slogan/offer or phone number. Include a link to your site where the recipient can get all your contact information from A-Z - that is what your site is for.

Don't forget to include the "http://" when including your Web site address within e-mails and your signature file to ensure it is recognized as a clickable URL regardless of the user's software or platform.

The above Top 10 items will certainly allow your business communications to rise above the majority who do not take the time to understand and master these issues. When forging new business relationships and solidifying established partnerships, the level of professionalism and courtesy you relay in your business e-mail communications will always gain clients over the competition that may be anemic, uninformed or just plain lazy in this area. Went it comes to business, regardless of mode of communication used, professionalism and courtesy never go out of style.

About the Author:
Judith Kallos is an authoritative and good-humored Technology Muse who has been playing @ http://www.TheIStudio.com for over a decade. Check out her popular E-mail Etiquette site @ http://www.NetManners.com

Ask and Ye Shall Create

2007-03-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

How do you decide to create a new speech? A new report? A net product? Most of us have an idea, then start to work on it. It's only when we are well into the creation phase that we determine whether or not it will sell.

By then, it's too late! We've put time and effort into the production. Either we don't want to "waste" that time and effort, so we go ahead with a product destined to lose money or we "scrap" an idea that we're just SURE could have been productive...if it only had time.

What if we reverse this "create, then market" paradigm? Let's determine FIRST if there is a market, then create the product the market wants. The Internet provides the ideal venue for this process because it's cost-effective to distribute your survey, and it offers quick turnaround for responses.

Your first step is to create a survey that you'll send to your target market. Your survey includes four parts:

1. Create a list of problems or issues that are typical of your target market. For the speakers market, for example, topics could include marketing materials, topic choice, product development, demo videos, office productivity, etc.

2. If appropriate, list several formats in which you can deliver the information. For example, as a speech, a special report, an audio CD, a videotape or a DVD.

3. List related questions. These could include:
�� a.�How much would you pay for...
�� b.�How likely would you be to...

4. Gather relevant information that could be useful now or in the future. These questions may be about the professions responding, types of computers or connections used, equipment available, etc.

When you've completed your survey questions, you'll need to decide on the technology you'll use to deliver the survey - and to gather the answers. You are more likely to get a higher response if you send your survey via email. However, that means you'll need to compile the responses manually. If you're looking for a small number of responses, email works fine. For larger surveys, use a web-based survey service. Zoomerang is one of the better-known services which offers both a free and a fee-based survey service.

As the last step in the Ask then Create system, invite people to participate in your survey. You can do this as a link from your website, in a pop-up window, or in an email message. You can increase the number of responses by offering a reward - a free article or report, a gift certificate, a copy of the results, an entry in a drawing, a donation to a charity. Be creative!

What's YOUR reward? You get an exact description of the problem your target market wants solved. You'll see how they want the information delivered, how much they're willing to pay for it, and how likely they are to purchase.

And THEN you create the ideal product.

To see a survey in action, visit http://www.Tech4Speakers.com/survey1.htm

Dr. Jeanette Cates is an Internet strategist who works with experts who are ready to turn their knowledge and their websites into Gold. Her reputation as a speaker and trainer has earned her the title of The Technology Tamer. Jeanette shares her news and views in OnlineSuccessNews.com

Are You Putting Off Productivity?

2007-03-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

I recently took a good look at what was keeping me from accomplishing what I needed to do. After all, I had my goals. I had them written down. I read my affirmations daily. And still, I was not achieving what I wanted to do.

Leaving town was a major undertaking. And that's not good when you're a professional speaker! I need to be able to leave at a moment's notice and arrive ready to give my full attention to my audience. So it was time for a look at what was holding me back. Here's what I found.

1. I used my desktop computer in the office. However, my accounting program and contact databases were on that machine, so my assistant also needed to use it. We sometimes found ourselves waiting for the other person to get off the machine before we could do what we needed to do.

2. I used a 3-lb laptop on the road. Though I rarely used them, I had to pack the CD player and floppy drive, plus the docking bar with the parallel port on it - just in case I needed any of those items.

3. I often found myself without a file I needed or a contact's information. It took me up to an hour or two before I left town each time to decide on and transfer what I needed to my laptop, then another 30 minutes or more when I returned to update my desktop with all I had worked on while I was gone.

4. I had an early 2MB Palm V that could not hold any e-books and did not sync with my Outlook calendar and contacts. So again, I spent a lot of time copying and pasting information between my desktop or my laptop and my Palm.

In general, things were not working well and the problems were pretty obvious.

Here's how I resolved most of my issues.

1. I bought a new laptop. This is 3 years newer than the other, but it's four times faster and has a larger screen. And while I traded a 3-pounder for a 7-pounder, my new laptop has a built-in floppy and a built-in CD burner. That means all the pieces are with me all the time. And with the CD burner, I can back up data quickly or move it to another computer easily - very nice when you need to use someone else's computer!

2. I moved my desktop to another office for my assistant. That means she and I can be working at the same time on the rare occasions I'm in the office - what a concept!

3. I only put the programs I need for my tasks on my laptop. So if I don't think I should be doing it, I didn't load the software. I did not put my accounting program or my databases on my laptop; instead, I'm delegating those tasks to my assistant (another new concept!) If I need to look at anything on those programs, I'll walk into her office and check.

4. I purchased a new color Palm. It's color with lots of memory. Best of all, it syncs with Outlook contacts, tasks, calendar and notes. Plus it uses Word and Excel, as well as Adobe Acrobat Reader. This is truly revolutionary! To ensure I have the information I need with me, I put the Palm into its cradle and it automatically syncs everything. No more deciding what to take, then copying and pasting it! I find I'm editing Word documents on the plane, plus I'm getting a lot of the e-books read in airports and sitting alone in restaurants. When I want to create an article from scratch (as I'm doing with this one), I use the keyboard.

In short, my travel life has changed dramatically in the past 2 weeks! And as I walk back into my office this afternoon, I'll pull my laptop out and put it on my desk, then sync it with my Palm. I will have everything with me that I've had on the road for the past 10 days. My assistant's work life won't be interrupted and we'll never lose a beat in getting the job done!

Just the sense of calm and control are worth it. No more frantic transferring of files as I leave. No more waiting to use my computer while she prints invoices for the month. No more... well, you get the idea! I'm thrilled with the make-over!

Do you need to review your productivity? Take this short quiz and see:

1. Do you always have the information you need with you - either on your cell phone, your laptop, and your PDA (personal digital assistant, such as a Palm Pilot or IPAQ)?

2. Are you trying to share a computer with anyone else?

3. Can you get on the Internet as often and as long as you need to?

4. If you need a client file while you're traveling do you have it? Can you get it within 15 minutes - even after hours?

5. If you need to move a file or print a file, so you have a way to do that while you're traveling?

6. Are there tasks that are not getting done? Why? Could it be cured by shifting or adding technology?

Remember: Technology is a tool that works FOR us. If you're working harder and longer because of the technology, it's not working the way it should. Don't put off productivity!

For more on productivity, get Jeanette's special repor "Ten Most Overlooked Productivity Tools" at TechTamers.com

�

Successful Change Starts With A Shift In Perspective

2007-03-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

Like so many in corporate America today, Susan needed more balance in her life-but she did not know how to get it. Faced with a 60-hour work week and a lengthy daily commute, Susan was left with little time for outside interests. Her job was literally draining her of energy, and her attitude at work was changing, especially within her business unit.

Who is Susan? Susan is a composite of thousands of executives who are pushed to the brink by trying to juggle demands on the job with demands at home. Susan could be you.

At work, Susan was accepting extra work and projects and was not able to say "no" to her boss. She became frustrated and drained. By accepting everything and not speaking up for herself, Susan became increasingly frustrated and angry. She became more demanding and less flexible with her own team. Her usual encouragement to "think outside the box" was replaced by a controlling "do as I say" attitude.

Micromanagement became her style. As a result, her staff appeared less involved in their work. They began to distance themselves from her.��

On the social front, Susan was also making unhealthy choices-spending time with friends and family that were draining and burdensome and then keeping silent and angry about it. She did not have anybody to talk with about her experiences and frustration, so there was no one who could help her develop the perspective necessary to propel her toward greater personal fulfillment.�

Like so many other executives, Susan believed that if she increased her hours and worked harder, life at work would get better. Are you just like Susan? Do you think that if you become more demanding and micro-manage your employees, the job will get done? Do you think keeping silent makes the problems go away?

To anyone who still believes this way, this is your wake up call. It does not work. Change is the answer-change coupled with a shift in perspective.

But sustaining meaningful change is never easy. It takes desire, intention, a clear vision, a good plan . . . and commitment. Change also takes time. In our increasingly busy lives we often get overwhelmed with demands on our time. Complacency sets in, and we lose the ability to overcome inertia-the tendency of a body at rest to stay at rest or of a body in motion along a certain path to stay in motion along that path.

To change, we must create structure that encourages and supports change, and it begins with an all-important shift in perspective. Instead of living in silence and hiding-or being overly controlling in our work relationships-or feeling that we need to leave our job-we can start by considering a more fulfilling alternative.

In Susan's case, she looked at what energized her, what she was good at, and what gave her joy. She put limits on the amount of work she was willing to take on and began speaking up to make sure her needs were heard and met. She shifted from being a controlling team leader to one that encouraged risk-taking and "thinking outside the box."

The result? Greater group cohesion and less stress for everyone involved. Group members felt less restricted and more empowered. Susan added greater value to her company and the results were visible and rewarded. More opportunities-the kind of opportunities Susan wanted-started coming her way.

At the same time, Susan developed criteria for what she wanted in her relationships. She evaluated her current relationships and determined which ones needed to be addressed. She began to speak up to make her needs known, and in some cases she ended unfulfilling relationships. As she revised her standards and set limits, she gained more energy to try new activities outside of work-re-awakening areas of interest that she had long ago left behind.

Susan's success story can be your success story, too. And it starts with four simple steps.

You must . . .

1. Be clear about your intentions to make a change;
2. Be willing to experiment and to try new strategies to achieve the changes you want;
3. Be willing to learn what works and what does not, and to make adjustments;
4. Not let fear stop you from making these significant changes.
To successfully change-whether on the personal or professional front-you need perseverance, feedback, and support to help achieve your goals. But change you can . . . and sometimes you must.

Steven Bacharach, Psy.D. is a personal coach to executives who are seeking more fulfillment in all areas of their life.�� To learn more about coaching and arrange a complimentary session, contact Steven Bacharach Psy.D. by email at stevenb@onthemarconsulting.com , by phone at (508) 358-9565, or visit his Web site at www.onthemarconsulting.com

Basic Problem in a PC

2007-03-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

I have a p3 500MHz PC with 128MB RAM, 10.2 GB HDD Sony CD ROM 48x with window ME edition operating system. I have a problem- when I insert my audio cd, it shows the error message: "window cannot access the specified device path or file. You may not have appropriate permission the access the item." Please tell me the solution of this error how can we configure the Yahoo! Account in outlook express. What is the pop mail and SMTP address of the Yahoo! Mail?
Dr Birbals: do you get this problem only in the case of audio CDs only or is it an every time phenomenon. If this problem is specific to audio CDs, then you must first check your sound card drivers and the compatibility of the player you are using to play audio CDs. Regarding configuration of Yahoo! Account in the outlook express, the procedure is simple. If this is your first account in outlook express, then on starting outlook express it will automatically start configuring an e-mail account for you, which could be your Yahoo! account also. However, if you are using outlook express already and would like to set another account i.e. Yahoo! Then you should add identity and start configuring the account as normally you would do by the following simple steps. However, when you are asked to enter the POP address, then use pop.mail.yahoo.com. In case of SMTP address, please use the address smtp.mail.yahoo.com. Enter the user name, which would be the first part of your yahoo e-mail ID. Then complete the rest of the step and this will finish the configuration.
I have assembled computer with Celeron 333MHz, Yamaha sound card, 32MB RAM and 4.3GB hard disk. I am using window'98 as OS. My problem is that whenever I make a call to the USA, the voice from the other side comes but my voice doesn't go. What is the reason and how to solve the problem? My vendor advised me to add another sound card to solve the problem. Is it right? Guide me which card suitable for the same. I used Yahoo! Messenger for making a call.
Dr Birbals: in your case there is a good possibility that you are using a half-duplex sound card in your system. In the half-duplex sound card, the sound travels in only one channel, which means that if you are speaking then the sound of other person could not be transmitted, unless you stop speaking. However, in case of full-duplex sound cards, the sound travels in both channels, thus facilitating proper two-way communication. Therefore you must check, if your sound card is half-duplex, then you may need another full-duplex sound card, otherwise you do not need new sound card.
I have p3 (550 MHz) 810 motherboard, assembled computer. My PC speaker 480 w of dolphin makes a noise when I play a song, movie or any other program requiring sound output whether I play song in winamp, media player or anywhere.
Dr. Birbals: since you have not mentioned what kind of noise you are getting, so it is difficult to pinpoint your problem. However, generally the problem of noise is associated with the some kind of short-circuit or loose connection. So get your PC checked for any such problem. Also please check the earthing of your electricity connection, as improper earthing could also result in some kind of noise with other problem in your PC.
I am having p3 550MHz Intel processor with 810 Vinton motherboard, 20GB HDD, 52xCDD, Motorola 56 KBPS modems with WIN ME as operating system. Recently I installed win 2000 professional but can't be able to install the driver of modem. I tried installing the driver from the original Motorola CD but got the message "your driver may get clash with win 2000 version because the driver is not having digital signatures." Please guide me what should I do to install the driver of the modem.
Dr. Birbals: digital signature an encryption and decryption process allowing both the positive identification of the author of an electronic message (who wrote the message) and verification of integrity of the message. Since this is a modem security measure, thus it has become a standard in modern operating system like windows 2000. There for you require drivers, which are compatible with windows 2000. There could be a possibility that the driver you are trying to install is not for windows 2000. Therefore in order to solve this problem, you should install the version specific to Windows NT or windows 2000. However as far as Motorola internal modems are connected, windows 2000 automatically detects it and install the correct version of driver from its database and thus it does not require you to install the driver manually. Thus, in light of this fact, it is better to let the windows 2000 detect the correct driver and install the same.
Q. No.1
I want to know that what do satellites in a PC speaker system do.
Q. No.2
Do they act as tweeters or just normal speakers so that the sound comes from all around the room?
Q. No.3
I have a creative sound blaster live sound card, it has support for satellites so I want to buy jetway artis speakers (with 4 satellite and sub-woofer included).will the satellite create Dolby surround sound or will they just sound as four speakers placed at the vertices of the room?
Q. No.4
Is a 33.6kbps external modem slower than a 56kbps internal modem?
Q. No.5
Does having more RAM in your graphic card, mean better performance?
Dr. Birbals: basically, satellite nothing to do with PC speakers; it's only the satellite speakers, which are related to PC's. The satellite speakers are magnetically shielded speakers, which are meant for use with video monitors. It delivers powerful audio playback from multiple piece system, normally three pieces. The use of this technology brings about dramatic improvement normal speakers that come bundled with your PC. They do not act as tweeters, however, but has its own technology to improve the sound quality. It is not just limited to Dolby surround sound, because it features are much advanced. Regarding your query for modems. It is a matter of fact that the 56kbps modems are faster than the 33.6kbps modems. It is irrespective of the fact whether it is an external modems or internal modem. However at places, where the downloading speed is very slow, the difference between 56kbps modem and 33.6 modem will not be much. Regarding your query related to higher video memory, it is indeed true that the higher video memory means better performance.
I am using internet connection from the VSNL. My problem is that while I am online, the telephone automatically gets disconnected and I have to redial. Again after few minutes of being online, I am disconnected. I have got two phone lines. This problem is with one phone line while no such problem occurs with other phone line. Win'98 is my OS and my computer is p2 with 333MHz.
Dr. Birbals: it is clearly evident from your mail that the problem in your case lies in your telephone line rather than your computer hardware. You must get your telephone line checked for any kind of phone joints, cuts, and improper extensions. Normally, it is happens because of these factors only. However, if you are satisfied of these factors, then you may opt to change the line of your telephone right from the nearest DOT point to your PC. I am sure these things will help you in getting this problem corrected. However, in order to avoid too frequent disconnection, you may also add the string S10P in the advanced option in your modem configuration. But, this in itself will not be able to solve your problem, if there is a defect in your telephone line.
I have Celeron 533with 1-0GB hard disk and 64 MB RAM. I have windows ME operating system. I have a problem that when I want to connect to the net, my system hangs. Please tell me how I can solve this problem.
Dr. Birbals: the problem of system hanging could be due to several reasons; please write back at what stage of connection dose your system hangs. Whether it hanging on dialing, or it hangs while hard shaking with the ISP server or at the time of logging on to the windows. This information would be essential to answer your question correctly.
I want to know how to get m Yahoo! Mail in my outlook express. I entered pop.mail, yahoo.com as many incoming server and smtp.mail.Yahoo.com as my outgoing server. When I press send and receive I get "outgoing mail failed." For incoming it asks me my password. I entered it correctly 3 times yet could not get the mail.
Dr. Birbals: while entering the pop and SMTP server please take care that it is enter correctly and there are no space in it. In the setting of outlook express, you can save your password, which will save you from the botheration of entering your password again and will also not return this error. However, in case of sending mail through outlook express using Yahoo! Services; it sometime gives this problem, which is specific to Yahoo services only.
I have p3 computer. I have a problem while working on net. Whenever I try to open any site, mantra online opens as a default. Please tell me why does it open as a default and how can I get of rid on it
Dr. Birbals: this is actually not a problem and can be corrected easily by some simple changes in your browser settings. If you are using internet explorer, then simply open the internet explorer and check on the tool menu. Now click on the internet options and in the home page address box, either choose site of your choice or choose about blank. This will help you get rid of this problem. Similarly in case you are using Netscape communicator, then to change the default page, click on edit menu and then click preferences. In homepage location box, either enter the site address of your choice or leave it blank. This simple measure will help you get red of your problem.
I use my computer mostly for audio-CAD work, which is precise; precious I store the whole data on my hard disk. Other members of the family also use the same computer. From the safety point of view, I want to have some reliable backup arrangement that can be updated for additional work from time to time. At present there are about 2500 files that I want to store in the back-up also. Floppy disk are of low capacity, CD drive requires CD-writer and is expensive. So kindly advise suitable mode for backup.
Dr. Birbals: these days the hard disks normally have a large capacity so the easiest solution is to dedicate a specific partition of your hard disk for backing up your files. You can protect them with password and can even hide it so that it is not accessible to anybody. The second solution could be Zip drive, where you can keep your data in large capacity floppies and can even carry them with you. This option is a bit expensive, as you will have to additionally buy external Zip drive. However, the option of CD-writer is the best as you can store a large amount of data on your CD. Besides that the data on a CD is safest.
I have a p3, 667 MHz (based 100 MHz SD RAM) with 64 RAM on HP pavilion. My operating system is windowa'98 SE on 10.2 GB ultra DMA ATA 66 hard drive (about 7GB free space). I have an internet connection from the BSNL. I face a problem--- the system sometime freezes and then neither keyboard nor mouse work. I have to turn the power off. Please guide me whether increasing RAM to 128 will solve my problem?
Dr. Birbals: you must run scandisk first in thorough mode in order to check any problems in your hard disk. if the scan disk does not work properly in windows, then you must run it in DOS mode. If there is any problem, then scan disk will report about it. Moreover, you must also check the result for any bad sector in your hard disk as this could be one of the reasons for your problem. However, if everything is reported fine by scan disk, then the needle of suspicion would go to motherboard of your computer. This you will have to get checked from your hardware vendor. Your problem has nothing to do with increasing the RAM and thus increasing it to 128 MB will not actually solve your problem.
I have p3 500MHz processor, 64 MB RAM, win'98 SE internal modem (Motorola SM56PCI speakerphone). Usually when I try to connect to the internet, I get an error 678 showing the message "dialup network was unable to complete the connection. Double click the connect icon to connect again" and after sometime I am able to connect. Somebody told me that this problem is due to internal modem and if I use an external modem, I may be able to connect the very first time. You have mentioned some techniques to improve the modem. I tried to check my phone line using HyperTerminal, but when I selected direct to com x in "connect to windows", I did not get the com x properties. I got a blank window instead. When I enter the said terms (ATZ, AT&FDT ISP's number) it dials using tone dialing that I don't have. So please tell me what to do with my internal modem to avoid that error and also how I can check my telephone line using HyperTerminal.
Dr. Birbals: this is very common confusion in the minds of many persons that the internal modems are not efficient and gives error. However this is not correct. Though undoubtedly external modems are better in terms of overall performance and ease of use yet the internal modems give identical result as far as the net speed is concerned. Whether it is internal modem or external modem, what is more important is chip set of the modem. If the internal modem good chipset like Rockwell, then there is no problem in it. The problem mentioned by you is not linked to the internet modem and there could be many reasons for such kind of error. Now the technique you are talking about is to check the line conditions and not the modem. So it will really not help you in analysng your modem. However for a precise solution to your problem, please write in detail including the message you get.
Whenever I start my computer I get message: "NO ISDN devices were found. Please install an ISDN device and run the configuration wizard". I neither had ever installed nor wish to install ISDN device. Kindly advise how to get rid on this message to avoid clicking "OK" ach time.
Dr. Birbals: although for solving your problem information about your operating system and system configuration is necessary. However, it appears that while configuration your internet connection, you had opted for ISDN connection. I think of because of this reason you get the warning for ISDN device. As a solution of this problem either remove the ISDN connection wizard or reconfigure your dial-up networking.
I have windows ME installed on my computer. I want to configure my outlook express to get my mail from my account on rediff.com but I don't know how to configure. Please tell me what to write in the incoming mail server and the outgoing mail server fields.
Dr. Birbals: rediff mail is a web-based e-mail services, so its pop and SMTP server names are not available. However, for configuring an e-mail account in your e-mail client, the information about these two servers is quite essential. So, practically it is difficult to configure rediff mail account in outlook express.
I have problem with playing the VCDs. It hangs the system, then it play for 4 to 5 seconds and hang again. The HDD and CD ROM drive's LED glows continuously with full light when it hangs. All other CDs (program and audio) run well. I tried everything I know. I have installed right drivers for the device. My system is p200 MMX, 32 MB RAM, cirrus 5446 VGA with 2MB RAM, creative CD ROM drive and OS is win'95.
Dr. Birbals: this problem is normally occurs in case of low memory. So in order to get rid of this problem you need to increase your memory if possible a better VGA card with higher VRAM. Moreover, you also need to increase the size of the panging file size. Also you should keep a good space on your hard disk free. So the first thing you should try to do is free up some hard disk space. As a rule of thumb you should always keep at least 10 percent of your hard disk capacity always free, though higher is better. If this solves your problem, its well and good, else you would be required to increase the memory.
About The Author
Pawan Bangar,
Technical Director,
Birbals, (Hbirbals,Seobirbals,Ebirbals,Ibirbals)
#1047,Sector 42-b,
Chandigarh.
Cell:+91-98153-52253
email:
www.ebirbals.com
www.birbals.com
www.hbirbals.com
www.seobirbals.com

How to Reduce Credit Card Refunds from Digital Thieves

2007-03-15T15:24:00.000-07:00

Can you encounter the number of times where a
Credit Card Sale was generated, only to receive
a "Refund Notification" from your contracted
e-commerce processor on behalf the "customer"?

Welcome to the electronic world of "cyber-shoplifting".

Unscrupulous surfers, disguised as potential
"customers", systematically opt to ordering goods
(using credit cards) in electronic form of delivery,
only to request a refund minutes or days later after
receiving the product.�

�

The "cyber thieves" consent the well-known
"loophole" of specific e-commerce processors
who deploy a "no questions asked" refund policy.

Some... might concur to the predicament that a
"liberal refund policy" boosts sales, but it is
statistically verified that these claims are
unthinkingly based gross sales figures,
where refunds are *not* accumulated to
extract the "net profit" (minus refunds).

In numerous cases, the cyber thieves
(or else called freebie hunters) automate
their thievery, by using pre-made templates
to ask for a refund, in order to save time
and reap as many digital products as possible,
for gratis.

A portion of cyber thieves, download a
digital product, whether ebook or software,
only to illegally sell it online at eBay or
sell it in "warez sites".

Optimistically, these unprincipled pinches are
either prosecuted to the fullest extend of the
law, for infringement of copyrights, or face
imprisonment along with heavy fines.

So if you want to avoid getting targeted
by cyber thieves (and losing thousands),
the wisest approach is to conduct business
with an e-commerce processor who will protect
you against dodgy "freebie hunters"
(see http://traffic-engine.net/stormpay
for a genuine payment processor).

After all, it is *your duty* to forming your
own "refunds policy", not your processor's.

George Papazoglou is the author behind http://cyber-software.com
This article may be freely distributed / republished, as long as it contains the author's credits and the precise entirety of the provided article, titled: "How to Eliminate Credit Card Refunds from 'Digital Thieves'".

Product Review: Affiliate Mistakes Special Report

2007-03-11T07:11:00.000-07:00

In his ebook "Affiliate Mistakes Special Report," Chuck McCullough teaches you how to spot and avoid or correct ten simple, yet costly errors that can seriously damage your efforts to promote affiliate programs successfully. Instead of writing about the broad based generalities of affiliate marketing, Chuck takes you by the hand and teaches you why most affiliates never make a dime in commission. Then using a detailed and systematic approach, he provides you with an effective, easy to implement solution to correct these mistakes.
The ebook prints out to about 151 pages and although some of the information may seem pretty basic to some advanced affiliate marketers, it does cover in detail how to avoid the mistakes that 95% of all affiliate marketers are making. Most of this ebook delivers rock solid information that both beginning and intermediate affiliate marketers can put to use.
Chuck McCullough is the owner of AffiliateMatch.com one of the most visited affiliate program directories on the internet today. Chuck also owns FindSticky.com and publishes the Affiliate Informer Newsletter. Chucks' experience in affiliate marketing along with his unique perspective and boundless enthusiasm, make him very qualified to write a report on affiliate program marketing.
In "Affiliate Mistakes Special Report," Chuck doesn't just tell you what the most common affiliate mistakes are, he provides you with a very clear and concise solution to each of the mistakes. Chuck has divided up each of the mistakes into a chapter of its own.
Chapter 1 on why you should actually own the products you promote, and Chapter 2 about trying to promote too many programs at once were two dynamite chapters. They were 100% right on the mark. McCullough must not believe in appetizers, because he gives you the meat and potatoes right off the bat in this report!
Chapter 5 which provides a glimpse into Chuck's "unconventional wisdom" which proved to me that Chuck was holding nothing back in this report. There is also an additonal chapter on Advanced Topics and two other bonus chapters. One of the bonus chapters provides you with a nifty "secret". I will be adding this "secret" to my site.
Though Chuck's expertise in affiliate marketing is clearly evident throughout the book, I thought a section in chapter 7 about calculating the worth of a visitor when you are purchasing traffic from pay-per-click search engines was a bit confusing. However, after my 13 year old son explained it to me, it became crystal clear. So, maybe this initial confusion on my part should be attributed more to my mathematical dysfunction and less to Chuck's formula.
In his sales copy, McCullough asserts that anyone can learn the exact methods necessary to have a profitable online business. Now, I am the world's leading skeptic when a person says "anyone". However, after reading this report, I can see how he can actually back up this claim.
Chuck takes the high road in his report and tells you right up front that making money on the internet is hard work. He deserves high marks for his honesty. Making Money on the internet is certainly not as easy as some of the "gurus" would have you believe. What makes this report different in my opinion is that McCullough's approach is not only about affiliate marketing it's also about business building.
If you are interested in promoting affiliate programs and building your online business the correct way, then I give "Affiliate Mistakes Special Report" my highest recommendation and a 9 on a scale of 1 to 10.
For more information on Chuck McCullough's ebook, "Affiliate Mistakes Special Report," please visit http://www.affiliatemistakes.com/c.pl/coopsd
Hopefully Chuck will produce another ebook that will teach us another important aspect of internet marketing in the same well-written manner.
About The Author
David Cooper is the owner of http://www.1source-webmarketing.com and the publisher of the 1Source-WebMarketing Newsletter. Subscribe to his FREE Newsletter at http://www.1source-webmarketing.com
dave@1source-webmarketing.com

5 Surefire Ways To Eliminate Credit Card Debt

2007-03-10T12:52:00.000-08:00

Do you have enormous credit card debt? You are certainly not alone. According to research, the average family in the United States has $7000 in credit card debt and pays about $1000 in interest each year! Throw in a late payment or two, or an over-the-limit charge, and that number skyrockets. Imagine what you could do with that $1000 if it weren't being spent on interest.
Let's imagine for a moment that you have $5000 debt on one credit card that is charging you 17.5% APR. Let's also imagine that you pay only the minimum due of $25/month on this card. Guess what? You will never pay it off! The interest alone on this card is $73/month!
That means that each month you get further and further into debt. By the time you have been paying on this $5000 for 10 years, assuming you have not used the card during this entire period of time, you will owe $20,385! That's over $15,000 in interest. If you triple your payment to $75, it will take you over 20 years.
So, what do you do? How do you get out of debt and use that money towards other necessities, savings, and investments? Here are a few simple methods that you can use without having to go to an expensive financial counselor.
Tip #1: Cut Up Your Cards
The very best way to reduce your credit card debt is to STOP using your credit cards! There is no need to have more than one card, so pick the one with the lowest interest rate and cut up the rest. The one you keep should be deemed an 'emergency card." These are true emergencies, not mere inconveniences. For instance, buying a new TV would not be an emergency, but renting a car in order to get to the bedside of a dying loved one would be. You can carry your emergency card with you, but don't make it too easy to use. One good suggestion is to cover the card tape and paper and write on it: For Emergencies Only.
Tip #2: Move Your Debt
If you have more than one credit card payment, you may want to consider moving debt from a card with a higher APR to one with a lower APR. This will lower the amount of money you are spending towards the interest and get you out of debt faster.
Tip #3: Use the Snowball Principle
List all of your credit card debts, and the amount you are paying each month. Pay off the lowest amount first. Then use that money to start paying off the second lowest amount. And then the next and the next. Let's look at an example.
If you have a $7000, $5000, and $2000 card with payments of $150, $125, and $100, you will finish paying off the $2000 card first. Once it is paid off, you take that $100 and put it towards the $5000 credit card. That means you are now paying $225/month. You have increased your payments which will pay off that credit card sooner and will have you paying a lot less in interest. Once that is paid off, you apply the $225 to the $7000 card, making your monthly payment $375. This will greatly accelerate the payment of this card, reducing your interest payments even further. When everything is paid off, you now have $375/month extra to put towards savings or investments!
Tip #4: Prioritize Your Debt Repayment
One of the best ways to pay off your debts is to get rid of the highest interest payment first. Looking back at the snowball example, you took the lowest and paid it first. If, however, the $2000 card had the lowest interest rate, you would want to pay off the card with the highest rate first. This will save you much more in interest payments.
If the math gets too hard here, don't despair. There are many places on the Internet where you can find good debt reduction calculators. It is then just a matter of punching in your numbers and reading the report.
Tip #5: Consider Consolidation
If you own a home, you may want to consider consolidating your debt using a home equity loan. Since a home loan is a secured loan (they can take away your house if you don't pay) you have a much lower interest rate than you do on your credit cards. Paying a lower interest rate is always a good thing! Not only that, but the interest you pay on your home loan is tax deductible. This is NOT true for credit cards.
By following these tips, anyone can take control of and completely eliminate credit card debt.
Wesley Atkins is the owner of http://www.credit-cards-advisor.com - which aims to get you fitted with the best credit cards to suit your situation. With numerous credit card articles and easy online credit card applications you will never choose the wrong credit card again.

Affiliate Communication

2007-03-08T07:37:00.000-08:00

Communication is Key!
When building an affiliate network communicating with affiliates is important for merchants to maintain a good relationship. An affiliate's web site targets visitors, who may not necessarily view a merchant's web site, and therefore expands a merchants market. An affiliate may not be able to actively keep up with the merchants product, it is important for a merchant to keep affiliate's informed about new product information, sales, new releases, links, graphics, promotions and special offers.
Keep in mind, not all affiliates are going to produce a high volume of traffic, and importantly, visitors who want to purchase a merchant's products or services. The occasional gem makes the time taken well worth your effort. Talk with successful affiliates, find out what they are doing to effectively promote your software, and use that information to assist those affiliates who are not as successful.
Assist affiliates in understanding your product; no one knows your products like you do. For affiliates to drive traffic that will convert to sales, they need to understand the benefits of the product they are marketing. Once an affiliate knows the product, they will be better able to act as an extended sales force. In order for the affiliate to make the effort, you simply must support them!
Make Communication Easy
Many 3rd party affiliate-tracking programs notify both the affiliate and merchant of a sale. This can often be automated and will create positive communication between merchants and affiliates. Making an affiliate's role easier will help them increase earnings and further promote a merchants site.
Provide affiliates with great looking graphics and sample text. Graphics that work best are those that highlight your web site, yet fit the look of an affiliate's web site.
Newsletters are another great way to get information to affiliates. Include tips and specific for affiliates, along with general marketing advice that helps with site promotion. If you are looking for software to manage newsletters, I highly recommend Group Mail - http://tinyurl.com/23ljy
Affiliate Taboos
An affiliate generates a sale for a product and the merchant promptly decreases the commission. This sends a very negative message to the affiliate, in many cases they've taken a lot of time to place links, promote products and because they've driven effective traffic their commission is decreased. If its necessary to decrease a commission for whatever reason, be sure to include a personal note detailing the reason and letting the affiliate know that you still support their efforts.
A Cheat?
An affiliate sale occurs, you go to their website and don't find any links you decide they must be cheating you! This conclusion is simply a based on poor communication and reporting. Many, many affiliates have multiple sites, very few affiliate tracking programs allow affiliates to list multiple sites, and in many cases the number of sites listed do not accurately reflect the number of sites owned and managed by the affiliate. Additionally many affiliates manage opt-in newsletters that may result in sales, but links are not visible on a website. An example of a popular ezine often promoting affiliates is Lockergnome!
Links, Links, Links
Keep your links valid! If you update a section of the site or remove an offer provide a redirect or retain the link saying that such and such offer has expired and a new one has replaced it. It seems a waste to discard targeted traffic because a special has expired. Be sure to communicate with your affiliates, and if a link will only be good for a specified length of time tell them up front. When an offer expires notify affiliates a week prior to the expiration with a reminder. This will give them ample time to make any needed updates.
Added Incentives!
Affiliates love added bonuses for reaching goals or specified levels of sales. Many of the 3rd party affiliate vendors run contests and provide large incentives for their top performing ones. Reward and praise successful affiliates.
Affiliates tend to be experts in other areas, which relate to a merchants business; therefore, by communicating useful information, and helping affiliates increase their earnings, they will give added exposure and increase your sales. Communicating with affiliates will ultimately benefit visitors of both sites. A little effort in the beginning can mean big rewards in the long run.
About The Author
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be found at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com and http://www.small-business-software.net

10 Sizzling Tips For Affiliates

2007-03-07T07:26:00.000-08:00

1. Create an infopacked mini site. Build your mini site for a specific niche audience and then choose affiliate programs specifically for that niche audience.

2. Test and track your ads and promotions for your affiliate programs.

Tracking and testing your ads will show you exactly which ads, promotions and affiliate programs pay off the most for you and are excellent choices for you to continue to promote.

3. Publish an ezine.

Your ezine will give you a powerful way to promote your affiliate programs to your subscribers.

Choose affiliate programs that relate to the content of your ezine and that make it worth your while to promote them.

4. Promote your affiliate programs by recommending their products.

You could recommend your affiliate programs to your ezine subscribers in your publisher's note or you could create a recommended resources section where you promote your affiliate programs in every issue.

You could also recommend your affiliate programs to your visitors by creating a recommended affiliate programs section where you list your favorite affiliate programs along with descriptions of their products or services.

In addition, you could create a best affiliate programs section that helps you build up your second tier by listing the affiliate programs that have paid off the most for you.

5. Write product reviews where you detail the benefits you like about your affiliate program's product.

Make your product reviews honest and hype f~ree and post them on your site along with your other articles.

6. Write your own ads for your affiliate program.

A good way to create your ads is to look at the ad copy on the site of the business you want to promote and also ads they provide for their affiliates to use, and use their unique selling proposition or USP to write your ads.

Their unique selling proposition is a unique benefit that they promote in their ad copy that their competitors don't stress or offer to their visitors.

It could be that their product saves lots of time, is easy to understand, that their product is a complete answer to a problem, or it could involve their price.

Some businesses develop more than one USP so you'll be able to choose the one that you think works best in getting more targeted visitors to their site.

7. Try out the support of the companies you want to promote by asking questions.

This will help you to find out how long it takes them to respond to emails (if they respond to emails) and how professional they are.

8. Create freebies that promote your affiliate programs.

You could offer your visitors a f~ree email course, an ebook filled with your tips or articles or an ebook that provides your visitors with places to promote their businesses.

When creating freebies for an affiliate program that is 2 tier, increase your profits by letting your affiliates in your second tier use your freebies as a promotional item.

9. Create a directory.

Your directory could be an article, ezine, ebook or affiliate program directory.

List your own resources within your directory to increase your commissions. For example, you could add your own affiliate programs to your affiliate programs directory or your ebooks to your ebook directory.

Add a what's new section to your directory to garner more repeat traffic from your visitors.

You could also provide a tutorial on the subject of your directory, or add things to your directory that your visitors can use on a regular basis to get more repeat traffic.

10. Run ezine ads for your affiliate programs.

You could purchase sponsor, feature, classified or solo ads for your affiliate program.

Choose ezines with subscribers targeted to be interested in the products of the business you want to promote.

Run your ads for multiple issues in a row when possible to maximize the profit you get from your ads.

You can also run f~ree ads in ezines as many ezines offer
f~ree advertising on a weekly, monthly or per issue basis to
get more new subscriptions.

Running f~ree ads can help you find out which ads work best,
and which ezines are most responsive before you purchase
ezine advertising.

Article by writer, Ken Hill. Get more marketing tips by
joining Ken's Top Notch Marketing Ezine at:
http://www.netpromarketer.com/

7 Surefire Ways To Repair Bad Credit

2007-03-05T05:09:00.000-08:00

Do you have a poor credit rating? If so, you are one of tens of thousands of Americans with the same problem. In fact, it seems that this has become a national 'disease.' And just what do people need that have a disease? They need a cure.
Here are some sure-fire solutions to ' repair bad credit '. Keep in mind, like most 'diseases,' credit repair can take some time, but complete healing is possible.
The First Step
The first thing you need to do is find out what is being reported about you. This is easy and inexpensive. For under $10, you can get your credit report from one of the three main credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. Keep in mind however, that if you have recently been denied credit, you can get a free report from the same credit bureau the lender used to reject you as long as you do so within 30 days.
What You Don't Need
You don't need a repair clinic. Why? There is no legal way to 'repair' your credit. Those that claim to know loopholes and shortcuts are merely out for your money. They may even get you into legal trouble by having you fudge the facts or creating a whole new file for you. Anything legal that a clinic can do, you can do just as easily and without the cost of 'professional' help.
Further Steps to Take
1. Stop using your credit cards immediately. Put them somewhere where they will not tempt you. You may consider keeping at least one card for emergency purposes. Additionally, with poor credit, you may find it more difficult to get a credit card in the future. If you keep at least one account open, then you won't have to worry about applying.
2. Be Honest With Yourself. Taking a good hard look at your financial situation, particularly if it isn't good, can be very difficult. Yet, to get out debt you have to fully understand what the situation is.
3. Find the Errors. Believe it or not, up to 40% of all credit reports have errors in them. If you find that your credit report shows something that is not true, you need to write to them with all the details. Be sure to use certified mail so that you can keep track of who you wrote to, when you wrote, and who received the mail on the credit bureau's end. Then ask the credit bureau to send a corrected report to anyone who has requested a report on you in the last 6 months.
4. Find the Omissions. By law, you are allowed to add information to your report that you believe will help your rating. This might be additional information about a repayment of a loan, good credit you have with companies that do not report to the credit bureau, or salary increases.
5. You Must Have a Plan. Whether you determine to pay your bills down little at a time, take a second job, go to credit counseling, or file bankruptcy, you need to make a plan and stick to it. In order for your credit to be improved, you have to have a plan and then take action!
6. Talk to those that you owe. Creditors want their money. They do not want you to default (quit paying). In fact, most creditors will work with you to get a reduced payment schedule. If you can keep them from reporting you to the credit bureau, then it won't hurt your credit. The catch here is this: be sure to stick to the new negotiated plan ? they won't renegotiate if you fail to comply.
7. The Best Cure is Time. Have you ever heard the saying 'time heals all wounds'? It also heals your credit. After 7 years, most items will be dropped. This is good news if you are working to correct your credit. As each year passes, more and more bad items will drop off and more and more good items will be included. Eventually, the disease will be cured.
Follow these steps and you will find that your credit looks healthier and healthier each day. Eventually this path will lead you to full recovery. Good Luck!
Wesley Atkins is the owner of http://www.credit-cards-advisor.com - which aims to get you fitted with the best credit cards to suit your situation. With numerous credit card articles and easy online credit card applications you will never choose the wrong credit card again.

Avoiding Blacklisting: Making Sure Your Email Gets Through

2007-03-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

We all know that email is probably today's most popular way to advertise. Every day our inboxes are filled with messages from people who want our business--whether we asked for the contact or not. Email is today's biggest communication factor; but why shouldn't it be? It's all but free to use, and it's almost instantaneous.
But there is one problem with advertising via email that you may not think of very often: blacklisting. All it takes is one complaint, and your ISP or domain name can be put on someone's black list. If you're on the black list, your emails are not getting through--and neither is your advertising message.
So how big of a problem is this? Well, AOL, one of the world's biggest Internet service providers, winds up blocking a whopping 80% of messages to its subscribers due to blacklising. Your email could be the most legitimate message ever sent, but if one person forgets they signed up or decides to complain, you could be blacklisted. And for your business, the resulting slump in sales can be devastating.
What is a blacklist, exactly? A blacklist is a database of known Internet addresses (or IPs) used by individuals or companies sending spam. Various ISP's and bandwidth providers subscribe to these blacklist databases in order to filter out spam sent across their network or to their subscribers. Companies like AOL, MSN, and Yahoo all have very strict policies on spam, so many well-intended, legitimate emails never get through.
So how can you be sure you haven't been blacklisted? Unfortunately, you really can't be 100% sure. You may be on someone's black list and not even know it, and be added to and removed from black lists at the drop of a hat. The only way to prevent being blacklisted unfairly is to use today's technology to keep track of it all. There is cutting-edge software technology available that checks all the major black lists like Spamcop, MAPS, and SPAMHaus to ensure your domain or ISP hasn't been added.
Taking a few moments to understand and solve your potential blacklisting problem can mean a world of difference in your bottom line.
About The Author
Author Karen Fegarty is with MailWorkZ the creator of Black List Monitor-- advanced service that continuously checks all the major blacklists for you, and then some. Don't be treated unfairly! Keep a handle on who may have you blacklisted. Get a free trial and find out more at http://www.blacklistmonitor.com ; karen@blacklistmonitor.com

Look Into My Eyes - New Webcam Technology

2007-03-02T13:49:00.000-08:00

If a new webcam technology from Microsoft get the go-ahead, then instant messaging could get a whole lot more interesting.
Currently under development at the Microsoft research labs in Cambridge, England, the new webcam, i2i consists of two lenses, which carefully follows an individual's movement. Using an exclusively developed algorithm to cleverly blend what each lens is seeing, resulting in the creation of an accurate stereo "cylopean" image.
All very technical, but for the 18.5 million people (source Microsoft) who regularly use webcams while they are using instant messengers, i2i means that it will appear as if users are looking into each others eyes.
Antonio Criminisi, lead researcher of Microsoft's Machine Learning and Perception Group, said.
"We were able to come up with an algorithm that was able to take two images and capture a corresponding map in 3D. Using this powerful technology, we can now synthetically create an image as if the person is looking straight into your eyes."
According to Dr Criminisi, the biggest challenge for the backroom boys at Microsoft was in calculating how the visual brain works. In particular, how it sees and sorts out colors, shapes and distances.
"Essentially, what we have done is replace human eyes with cameras and the human brain with a computer."
The real magic behind this technology is the newly developed stereo algorithm, which makes it possible to accurately reconstruct a 3D, geometric image in real time and on a standard computer. Fundamentally, this is the same technology which was used to recreate the stunning 3D images of the Martian surface, which were beamed back by the NASA rover.
With the ability to generate realistic looking background images in order that users can pretend they are somewhere other than where they really are! Commenting, Dr Criminisi said.
"This is important for privacy, as I may not want you to see how untidy my bedroom is."
A feature likely to capture the teens market is that of Smart Icons. Instead of typing in the usual pictorial emotion e.g. :) i2i can superimpose free floating, 3D ones which can then be instructed to float freely around a person's head or anywhere else for that matter.
While Dr Criminisi admits there are still issues to iron out before the project is passed on to Microsoft Development, he is pleased with what has been achieved in under two years. Dr Criminisi's team is already experimenting with code which enables users to create their own wrap-around avatar, 3D face and then have it move as if it were their own.
About The Author
Robert Palmer is CEO of deskNET Communications (www.desknet.co.uk) providers of the first, viable alternative to opt-in email marketing and newsletter publishing. eMail: info@desknet.co.uk
Copyright � 2004 deskNET Communications - UK

FOREX 101: Make Money with Currency Trading

2007-03-01T05:49:00.000-08:00

For those unfamiliar with the term, FOREX (FOReign EXchange market), refers to an international exchange market where currencies are bought and sold. The Foreign Exchange Market that we see today began in the 1970's, when free exchange rates and floating currencies were introduced. In such an environment only participants in the market determine the price of one currency against another, based upon supply and demand for that currency.
FOREX is a somewhat unique market for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is one of the few markets in which it can be said with very few qualifications that it is free of external controls and that it cannot be manipulated. It is also the largest liquid financial market, with trade reaching between 1 and 1.5 trillion US dollars a day. With this much money moving this fast, it is clear why a single investor would find it near impossible to significantly affect the price of a major currency. Furthermore, the liquidity of the market means that unlike some rarely traded stock, traders are able to open and close positions within a few seconds as there are always willing buyers and sellers.
Another somewhat unique characteristic of the FOREX money market is the variance of its participants. Investors find a number of reasons for entering the market, some as longer term hedge investors, while others utilize massive credit lines to seek large short term gains. Interestingly, unlike blue-chip stocks, which are usually most attractive only to the long term investor, the combination of rather constant but small daily fluctuations in currency prices, create an environment which attracts investors with a broad range of strategies.
How FOREX Works
Transactions in foreign currencies are not centralized on an exchange, unlike say the NYSE, and thus take place all over the world via telecommunications. Trade is open 24 hours a day from Sunday afternoon until Friday afternoon (00:00 GMT on Monday to 10:00 pm GMT on Friday). In almost every time zone around the world, there are dealers who will quote all major currencies. After deciding what currency the investor would like to purchase, he or she does so via one of these dealers (some of which can be found online). It is quite common practice for investors to speculate on currency prices by getting a credit line (which are available to those with capital as small as $500), and vastly increase their potential gains and losses. This is called marginal trading.
Marginal Trading
Marginal trading is simply the term used for trading with borrowed capital. It is appealing because of the fact that in FOREX investments can be made without a real money supply. This allows investors to invest much more money with fewer money transfer costs, and open bigger positions with a much smaller amount of actual capital. Thus, one can conduct relatively large transactions, very quickly and cheaply, with a small amount of initial capital. Marginal trading in an exchange market is quantified in lots. The term "lot" refers to approximately $100,000, an amount which can be obtained by putting up as little as 0.5% or $500.
EXAMPLE: You believe that signals in the market are indicating that the British Pound will go up against the US Dollar. You open 1 lot for buying the Pound with a 1% margin at the price of 1.49889 and wait for the exchange rate to climb. At some point in the future, your predictions come true and you decide to sell. You close the position at 1.5050 and earn 61 pips or about $405. Thus, on an initial capital investment of $1,000, you have made over 40% in profits. (Just as an example of how exchange rates change in the course of a day, an average daily change of the Euro (in Dollars) is about 70 to 100 pips.)
When you decide to close a position, the deposit sum that you originally made is returned to you and a calculation of your profits or losses is done. This profit or loss is then credited to your account.
Investment Strategies: Technical Analysis and Fundamental Analysis
The two fundamental strategies in investing in FOREX are Technical Analysis or Fundamental Analysis. Most small and medium sized investors in financial markets use Technical Analysis. This technique stems from the assumption that all information about the market and a particular currency's future fluctuations is found in the price chain. That is to say, that all factors which have an effect on the price have already been considered by the market and are thus reflected in the price. Essentially then, what this type of investor does is base his/her investments upon three fundamental suppositions. These are: that the movement of the market considers all factors, that the movement of prices is purposeful and directly tied to these events, and that history repeats itself. Someone utilizing technical analysis looks at the highest and lowest prices of a currency, the prices of opening and closing, and the volume of transactions. This investor does not try to outsmart the market, or even predict major long term trends, but simply looks at what has happened to that currency in the recent past, and predicts that the small fluctuations will generally continue just as they have before.
A Fundamental Analysis is one which analyzes the current situations in the country of the currency, including such things as its economy, its political situation, and other related rumors. By the numbers, a country's economy depends on a number of quantifiable measurements such as its Central Bank's interest rate, the national unemployment level, tax policy and the rate of inflation. An investor can also anticipate that less quantifiable occurrences, such as political unrest or transition will also have an effect on the market. Before basing all predictions on the factors alone, however, it is important to remember that investors must also keep in mind the expectations and anticipations of market participants. For just as in any stock market, the value of a currency is also based in large part on perceptions of and anticipations about that currency, not solely on its reality.
Make Money with Currency Trading on FOREX
FOREX investing is one of the most potentially rewarding types of investments available. While certainly the risk is great, the ability to conduct marginal trading on FOREX means that potential profits are enormous relative to initial capital investments. Another benefit of FOREX is that its size prevents almost all attempts by others to influence the market for their own gain. So that when investing in foreign currency markets one can feel quite confident that the investment he or she is making has the same opportunity for profit as other investors throughout the world. While investing in FOREX short term requires a certain degree of diligence, investors who utilize a technical analysis can feel relatively confident that their own ability to read the daily fluctuations of the currency market are sufficiently adequate to give them the knowledge necessary to make informed investments.
Rich McIver is a contributing writer for The Forex Blog: Currency Trading News ( http://www.forexblog.org ).

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Work Ethics and the Customer

2007-02-24T09:18:00.000-08:00

This article relates to the Ethics in the Workplace competency, commonly evaluated in employee surveys. It gives examples of how employees and customers consider ethical behavior and sound values an integral part of your organization. This competency covers a variety of topics like customer treatment, employee professionalism, and expected/acceptable organizational behaviors. At a high level, this competency will investigate the standards by which your employees treat your customers, co-workers, and the organization itself.
This short story, Work Ethics and the Customer, is part of AlphaMeasure's compilation, Tales from the Corporate Frontlines. It provides a view from the customer's side of the counter that might inspire you to rethink the old phrase "the customer is king".
Anonymous Submission
I work in a back office environment. The front lines of customer service are far away, so I don't think much about the ethical matters involved in providing good service.
All of that changed recently, when I found myself on the customer side of that check out terminal (formerly known as a cash register), and in dire need of help.
I was shopping for a USB computer keyboard to attach to my computer. I needed that type, and only that type, and I needed it that very day. I visited four different retail stores, all large chains, and had four noteworthy experiences that left me thinking about ethical behavior.
On he first visit, I asked an obviously available (he was playing a video game) sales person how I could tell the difference between PS2 and USB port keyboards as the display models cords were embedded into the rack. His response was -" I just know from working here". Okay. Not unethical, but not helpful either. Well, which one is cheapest, I asked. He showed me a $70 keyboard. I left the store.
At the next stop, I saw no keyboards, so asked a sales person (once she was off the telephone making plans for the evening.) "Oh, she said, the only ones we have come with the computers." I thanked her and went home. The rest of this odyssey would have to wait.
At home, I called another chain store, navigated the voice mail, and asked the clerk if they had USB keyboards in the store and for the cost of the lowest priced model. After a quick click and a short silence, he told me of course, they are $24. Great, I was on my way. It was Saturday evening and the store was packed. I found the keyboard section, and stood there amazed. He had outright lied. The lowest priced model was $80. There was nothing remotely near $24. The few clerks on duty were swamped. I found one available in another department and told him about my situation. He was genuinely sympathetic and suggested that I visit the nearby superstore on the hill. I thanked him and left.
There my journey ended. I found my keyboard, after hours of searching, amid opened boxes (apparently some of them lied, too) in a crowded aisle in the electronics department of a store selling every product imaginable. I was exhausted. No wonder people shop online.
-------------
� 2005 AlphaMeasure, Inc. - All Rights Reserved

Sales Therapy 101: Breaking Your Fear of Cold Calling

2007-02-23T14:28:00.000-08:00

Almost every day, visitors to my Unlock The Game? website click on my live instant-messenger chat button, which invites them to "Ask Ari a selling question."
And do you know what their most common question is?
Yes, you guessed it: "Is there any way I can break through or overcome my fear of cold calling?"
Most of us have at least some resistance to cold calling, and some people I talk with have such a paralyzing visceral and emotional fear of cold calling that they can't even consider doing it.
In some ways, the fear of cold calling is practically an epidemic -- but not the kind of epidemic that gets publicized on TV or in newspapers.
It's a silent and personal one, a psychological struggle that happens in our own hearts and minds.
The fear of cold calling is a painful, daily struggle for many entrepreneurs and salespeople who have been trained in traditional selling techniques.
Traditional sales trainers answer questions about cold calling this way:
"All you have to do is make more phone calls."
"All you have to do is think more positive thoughts."
"Just learn to accept rejection as a normal part of selling."
In other words, "It's your fault that you aren't succeeding in sales."
This is like telling someone who's terrified of jumping off a diving board, "Don't be a wimp! Just jump!"

In my experience, very few people are able to overcome their fears that way, because the underlying message is that, if you force yourself to do something uncomfortable, "just doing it" will magically solve the problem.

But this is a response that shows no understanding at all of the psychological barriers that underlie the fear of cold calling.

So, how do you overcome your fear of cold calling?

In my opinion, the solution actually is simple, and is based on understanding three simple concepts:

1. It's Not Your Fault

We can't help thinking there's something wrong with us if other people keep telling us that something shouldn't be a problem, but our own inner feelings tell us that we aren't comfortable doing it.

There's a sort of "old boys' club" sales-conditioning mentality prevalent in English-speaking countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, that says, "I had to suffer to succeed in sales success, so you need to, too!"

This thinking comes from traditional sales programs that continue to be the accepted approach to selling.

What you need to understand, though, is that you may fear cold calling because you have probably been exposed only to traditional selling approaches, which triggers rejection.

These approaches teach us to make cold calls this way: introduce yourself, explain what you do, suggest a benefit to the potential client...and then close your eyes and pray that they won't reply with "Sorry, not interested" or "Sorry, I'm busy."

If you're still using this traditional approach, you probably hear responses like these the moment you stop talking.

They're rejections, and what they do us make you feel rejected -- and that's reason enough to make you dislike, fear, and avoid cold calling.

How can cold calling be a positive experience if rejection is the most common response you get?

2. Are Your Self-Perceptions Passive or Aggressive?

Whenever I chat with people about the fear of cold calling, they almost always tell me that they're afraid to make cold calls because they don't want to be perceived as "aggressive."

This is another part of the internal battle -- they beat themselves up for being too passive and lacking the confidence to make the next call, but they don't want to call for fear of being seen as aggressive.

Here's the good news: there is a middle ground between "aggressive" and passive."

It's a place where you can be who you are while still being extremely effective with cold calling, without ever experiencing rejection again.

Unlock The Game? shows you how you can be incredibly effective in cold calling without triggering rejection from potential clients. Imagine the possibilities (and the income potential).

3. Learn to Let Your Language Match Your Thinking

If you can center yourself into a place where you can let go of feeling that you have to go on using traditional cold calling "scripts" and behaviors, you'll find yourself spontaneously using language that you would use in a natural conversation.

Using natural words and phrases -- speaking exactly the way you would with someone you know, can transform cold calling into a refreshing and productive experience.

And, as you let go of the old-school cold calling model, in which your product or service is your only way of generating a phone conversation with a prospect, you'll make the most crucial transition of all: you'll begin thinking of approaching potential prospects not from your perspective, but from theirs.

What do I mean by that?

Imagine what it would be like if you could hear your prospect's thoughts about the problems they are having -- and that your solution can solve.

Even more importantly, suppose you could also make note of the words and phrases they're using as they think about their problems, and that you could take that language and embed it in your cold calling approach.

"Yes, but how would I do that?" you might ask.

It's simple. Just ask your current clients what three core problems your product or service has solved for them.

When you change your thinking, you can't help changing the language that you use, which lets you connect in a whole new positive way with the other person you are calling.

If you can let go of your old-school belief system and open up to the possibility that there is a more natural, comfortable way to cold call -- one that doesn't trigger rejection -- you'll be surprised by how easily you'll break through and overcome your fear of cold calling.

Sell Your Book with Pennies

2007-02-23T01:30:00.000-08:00

Imagine you share a huge penny jar with each of your potential readers. Every interaction with a reader either adds or subtracts pennies from the jar. When readers need your info (non-fiction) or entertainment (fiction), they will trade the jar for your book, but only if the jar is full. Overflow the penny jar, and your reader will buy nearly everything you write.

4 Steps You Can Take If Your Online Credit Card Application Has Been Refused

2007-02-22T05:02:00.000-08:00

Help! I've Been Turned Down
You received an envelope in the mail with a great offer for a low interest credit card. You read all the details, even the boring small print and decided that this card fit your needs to a tee. You filled out the required forms and anticipated the day that the card would arrive ? you even got to pick which background you got. However, what came in the mail was not an acceptance and a brand new card but a denial. What is your first reaction? Perhaps anger. Perhaps sadness. Perhaps fear. Yet none of these will help you get a card!
So, what should you do?
1. The first thing to do is read the letter carefully. Two important pieces of information must be included in the letter you receive when you're credit application is disapproved: The specific reasons you were denied credit, or information on how to obtain those reasons, and, if a credit report was used in making that decision, the name and address of the credit reporting agency. Here are some possible reasons for denial:
# Haven't lived at your current location long enough
# Haven't been employed at your current job long enough
# Your income is not sufficient to meet this particular creditor's minimum income requirement
# Information supplied by the credit bureau
2. If the reason for your denial is unclear to you, then call the company for clarification. What were the exact reasons? What were the exact standards that you did not meet? This information is important to know and understand. If you apply for credit again and are turned down, then this reflects poorly on your credit report. The best advice for this situation is to wait at least 6 months if you have been denied by two different companies in quick succession.
3. If you've been denied credit because of information supplied by a credit bureau, federal law requires the creditor to give you the name, address, and telephone number of the bureau that supplied the information. You should contact this agency for a copy of your credit report. Federal law states that you are entitled to a free copy if you've been turned down. Once you receive your report, check it for accuracy. Up to 40% of reports have errors. If you find an error, then you need to report this to the bureau in writing. Be sure to send along whatever proof you may have. Getting the credit bureau to investigate an error will not cost you anything and will save you a lot of time and frustration when it is corrected.
4. If mistakes on your report led to the rejection of your application, ask the credit bureau to send a corrected copy to the lender. Then you can ask the lender to reconsider your application. If however, you were denied because of a poor rating, only better spending habits and time will help you get the credit you desire.
Wesley Atkins is the owner of http://www.credit-cards-advisor.com - which aims to get you fitted with the best credit cards to suit your situation. With numerous credit card articles and easy online credit card applications you will never choose the wrong credit card again.

Arouse Your Short Story And See It Published

2007-02-21T08:39:00.000-08:00

Are you ready to abandon your short stories? Before you toss your newest story in the trash, revisit it using many of the same guidelines editors keep in mind when they review your work. If you follow these guidelines, you will be many steps closer to placing your short story in a well-known literary journal.
You can make submissions on your own, or hire some help. Every story, on average, must be submitted to 100 markets before it is accepted. For short story authors, these numbers are sad, but true. Even the best stories must cover a lot of territory before they appear on the printed page. A reputable author's submission service may offer you more time to write while they take care of the submissions. Remember that a good submission service screens potential writers for quality work. They don't take everyone.
Once your story has passed the following tests, it's time to send it out into the world.
1. Is there an opening hook that grabs the reader? Does it surprise/amuse/intrigue? Does it establish the mood of the story?
2. Are the characters interesting to read about? Are their interactions with each other believable? Are they properly motivated? Do they each have flaws as well as virtues? (Or vice-versa in Horror stories.)
3. Does each character have his or her own voice? Is dialogue flowing and natural, not stilted? Does the dialogue move the story along?
4. Are secondary characters, if any, vivid without overwhelming the main characters? Do they serve a useful purpose in the plot? Do they add interesting elements to the story?
5. Does the narrative show action, not just tell about it? Do descriptive passages evoke vivid mental images? Is the balance between narrative and dialogue appropriate for this work?
6. Is the emotional situation and/or appropriate level of tension set up between the characters? Is the conflict clearly presented?
7. Is the story paced so it holds the reader's attention? Are transitions smooth? (Does the action proceed logically?) Are flashback scenes and background information worked into the plot appropriately for fiction of this length?
8. Are facts, figures, locales, believable and/or correct? Are the language, actions, and attire of the characters appropriate for the time period and setting of the story?
9. Is the writing fresh, free of clich�s? Does it show the author's own unique style? Are viewpoint changes clear and well handled?
10. Is the grammar correct? Is the spelling accurate? Is the manuscript professionally prepared?
11. Reveal your characters primarily through their actions, not by telling your reader about them. Keep in mind that good fiction reveals rather than explains. Your goal in each piece of fiction is to provide your reader with actual experience, not merely with concepts and outlines of events.
12. Read each of your drafts carefully, aloud. If you can't experience a scene as if you were living through it yourself, work on it some more.
13. Your ending must leave your readers satisfied-even if it is unhappy, unexpected, or inconclusive. Above all, your readers must feel the piece was worth their time and attention. Pay special attention to your final sentence, image and/or line of dialogue, because your readers certainly will.
14. Remember that stories over 4,000 words are very difficult to place.
Building a list of publication credits in your cover letter will open new doors for your writing. In addition to your stories being well crafted, they must be submitted regularly and extensively. Beat the odds with strong writing COMBINED with a powerful and tenacious submission strategy.
If you need help building a personal submission strategy, contact Writer's Relief, Inc. Their author's submission service has been around for more than ten years.
You can find out more about Ronnie and Writer's Relief at http://www.wrelief.com.

Creating Quality Websites

2007-02-18T05:46:00.000-08:00

Websites, there are literally billions of them out there in cyber-space. How many of them do you go to and just think this is boring, bland, or hard to use? It seems like too many to mention. So what makes a good website? I reckon it's about interaction. You've got to make the visitor interested. You've got to grab their attention. Many sites use plenty of bright and shiny gimmicks to attract you, but once you make it through to the content of the site it's just not worthy. A good site uses easy navigation, relevant content, and interactive media like comments and message boards. If you're fortunate, whoever builds your site may even have a few tricks up their sleeves to make it really fun with sound, video, and other interactive fun stuff.
Do you want people to come to your site and then tell their friend and family about it? Do you want to have huge amounts of visitors? Do you want to succeed in making your dreams come to fruition on the Web? Make your website exciting! It might be easier said than done, but there are people around whose job it is to construct and design sites for a living. If you can afford it, go for the best. How great is it when you come across a site that has some special feature that you've never seen elsewhere? Isn't it great when you find a site that relates to one of your interests that is simple and easy to get to the information you want? If you want to have people to come back again and again, you've got to keep updating the content to keep it fresh and interesting. Have a way for people to communicate with yourself and others who are into the same things. E.G. Forums, message boards and comments. The aim is to catch the 'viewer's' interest.
A lot of sites just look like giant advertisements and you have to search for the needle in the haystack to find out what the actual site is for. I know advertising is a way of making money, but if you want your site to have an authentic, respectable atmosphere that exudes a feeling of integrity, you better be careful. People are becoming wary of this consumer driven, mindless attack at the average civilian's wallet. Some people will automatically leave a site if a bunch of commercials pop-up on the screen. Pop-ups, don't even make me go there?
So, the aim of the game is to make a site that offers the public to be part of the action as well as being a source of knowledge or information that is in demand. A simple to navigate, good 'feel', and if possible-innovative site is the means to becoming the popular Internet magnate you've always dreamed of becoming. Another important fact is the idea of 'you'. Your website is a chance to put your identity out there in the world. Be yourself. If you try to appeal to an audience in a way that doesn't reflect your true self, you're destined to fail. Be honest and speak from your real perspective on life. Give it to us from the heart.
About The Author
Jesse S. Somer is some guy from somewhere wondering when the Internet will become the beacon of light it is destined to be. All it will take is a bit of accountability and honesty. http://www.m6.net

Webcams: Science-Fiction Becomes Reality

2007-02-17T06:05:00.000-08:00

One of the most incredible inventions I've ever come across is the web cam and its process of video conferencing. This is just so futuristic I can't believe they really exist and are readily available to anyone with the Internet, speakers, and the right software. I'm not absolutely sure but doesn't this spell the end of telephones? Now we can have conversations with people on the other side of the world, and see their face moving as we hear them speaking live.
Picture this: You're an Antarctic explorer on a solo journey in the middle of the ice and snow on your way to the South Pole. The only living creatures around are the slippery penguins sliding around having fun. You're in your special tent keeping safe from the intense wind from the blizzard outside. As you boil up water on your portable stove you flip open your laptop (with battery recharger, broadband Internet, and in-built speakers) and connect with your family back in Russia. You can see their smiles as you hear them speak. What a magical connection!
Another great aspect of video conferencing is the fact that you can communicate with whole groups of people at once either through networking a group of computers or by form of broadcast. This is a huge step forward for both companies and for schools. I've heard corporations have saved a lot of money and time, and students are enjoying learning this way much more than from a textbook. Informed people can talk to classes and help them learn, where otherwise they wouldn't be able to because of time and distance restrictions. This is also a bonus for children who have different learning styles. E.G. The more visual types who understand better when they can see what they're working with.
Feasibly, a surgeon in Japan could watch an operation in Australia and even ask the doctor in progress questions about procedures. It's obvious that video conferencing will both help humans evolve further through the sharing of knowledge as well as keep loved ones more connected when they are far from home.
A lot of people who are either fascinated or obsessed with sex will also tell you about the benefits of this technology for their voyeuristic purposes, but I'm not going to go there. Science Fiction has once again turned to reality, and I hope we can truly make the most of this invention created by humans who wish to make society a better place.
About The Author
Jesse Somer is a simple human being sharing his newfound knowledge about the changing world we live, which is being achieved through the power of the Internet; http://www.m6.net

How to Get a Blog on the Internet

2007-02-16T06:18:00.000-08:00

Of all people in the world I was easily one of the most pessimistic about computers, the Internet and now that I even know they exist-blogs. I think blogs are pretty cool but I never thought I could have one. I thought the processes of getting a site; domain name and the actual building of the blog would just be out of my league. I'm a complete novice when it comes to technology, but I do like writing a journal, and I thought having a journal on-line would be both fun and make life simpler for me. No more writing with pens, other people can read my stuff and comment on it, and I could add pictures to illustrate my points and make things look more interesting.
Well, now I've got one! It's awesome. I won't lie and say it was easy, but I think if you hook up with a good web hosting company it's not such a daunting experience as you might expect. I got a few work mates to help me. I went through a couple administrative hitches when filling in my personal information forms for the registration-just because I'm a bit silly in the head. We had a little trouble with the blog program we used, but these challenges were eventually overcome. My boss says he's going to make a simple program that people can hook up easily.
I chose my domain name: thepowerofeverythingthatis.com. It's my own name-no one else on Earth can have it. I own it. I picked a nice picture out for the background-it looks really sweet, much better than a blank sheet in a diary. I got it from a site that gives photos out without charging a royalty (the first few): www.istockphoto.com.
I just want you to know the great feeling I got when I first typed in my domain name and my site came up! It was the equivalent to a person who's afraid of heights being accepted into an astronaut's mission into outer space. Or maybe it was like a turtle driving a Ferrari 300km per hour. Possibly it was like all the ants in the world getting together for peace talks.
It's a real blast having this blog. I can write on it any time, anywhere, from my laptop, at an Internet caf� etc. I can write as much as I want, and I'm hoping one day my writing may inspire others to communicate with me about the subjects that I'm interested in.
Look, if you like writing about anything, and want to have your thoughts and opinions on the Internet, maybe meeting others similar to yourself in the progress; you have to get a blog and get it now. Don't be afraid any longer, the world is in the palm of your hands; it's time to get on!
About The Author
Jesse S. Somer is a human hoping to inform other novices like him about the magic opportunities awaiting us all in the world of the Internet. http://www.m6.net

Your Guide On Choosing a Credit Card To Suit You

2007-02-15T13:00:00.000-08:00

Reach into your wallet or purse, pull out a card, swipe, and you're done. It is very easy to use a credit card. The problem lies in choosing a card ? and it has nothing to do with the picture on the front! Choosing a credit card that works best for you is vital to your credit rating. If you choose incorrectly, you may find yourself in deep debt trouble. Here is some basic, yet extremely important, information that will help you make the right choice.
Your Money Handling Habits
Choosing a credit card that is perfect for one person may be a dismal failure for you because your habits are different. When it comes to choosing your credit card, you need to look very closely and honestly at your habits.
For instance, do you typically carry a balance or do you pay off the card at the end of each month? If you answered "yes" then you will need to shop for:
# A low Annual Percentage Rate (APR). The APR the interest rate you will pay on any outstanding balances each month. The higher the rate, the more you will pay in interest charges.
# A fixed-low rate. This means that they will guarantee that your rate will stay low. Oftentimes, a company will offer a low introductory rate to get you signed up and then increase the rates drastically in 3, 6, or 9 months. The problem with a guaranteed rate is that an annual fee often accompanies it. You will need to decide if the lower interest rate guarantee is worth the cost of the annual fee.
If you will be paying off your card at the end of each month, you will not have to worry as much about a low APR since you will not be using it. And with no need for a guarantee, you may be able to avoid yearly fees. However, you will want to be sure to get a card with a grace period.
# Grace Period: Be careful to get a card that allows you to pay off your bill at the end of the month with no finance charges. Those that don't offer the standard grace period begin charging you interest the moment you make a purchase.
# Cash Advance Fees: Be aware that most cards charge interest, and sometimes at a higher rate, for cash advances and this charge begins with no grace period even if your card offers a grace period for purchases.
You also need to decide how reliable you will be when it comes to paying on time and keeping yourself under the card limit. If you are often late paying your bills or often do not know how much credit you have left, you will want to watch out for transaction fees and other charges. Many card companies charge a late fee and an over-the-limit fee. These can be substantial. Your best bet is to pay on time and keep under the limit, however, finding a card with lower charges is a good idea.
Here is another important question to consider when looking at your money handling habits: Do you use the card rarely, occasionally, regularly, or frequently? Those that use their cards for just about everything instead of using cash or checks will want to look for credit card protection. This way, if you lose your card or it is stolen, you will not be responsible for any purchases made.
Finally, consider the different benefit programs that cards are offering.
# Do you travel? Then consider a card with frequent travel miles as a reward. Or perhaps one that offers traveler's insurance.
# Do you use your card for large purchases like electronics? You may want to consider credit card insurance that will replace your equipment for a specified period of time if it breaks down or gets stolen.
# Are you saving to buy a new car? There are cards that offer new car rebates.
# Do you have a favorite charity? Many cards now support specific charities, universities, and organizations by paying the entity a specific amount with each purchase you make.
What matters most is to find the features that fit your pattern of spending and paying. Don't get fooled by the gimmicks or the advertisements. Know your spending habits, look at the small print, and choose the card that is best for you. With all the different cards available, you will be able to find the right fit for you.
Wesley Atkins is the owner of http://www.credit-cards-advisor.com - which aims to get you fitted with the best credit cards to suit your situation. With numerous credit card articles and easy online credit card applications you will never choose the wrong credit card again.

Gooooooooooogle It!

2007-02-14T13:31:00.000-08:00

....there's much more to Google than you thought:
With the wealth of information currently available on the Internet, for many web-users, Google has long been the search-engine of choice. But Google is so much more than just a search-engine. For example, did you know that Google runs a shopping site called Froogle? Or that for a small fee, you can have Google experts answer even the most obscure of questions? No? Well read on!
For the Group-Focused
Google groups is a free service that helps groups of people communicate effectively using email and the Web. Not dissimilar to the well-known Yahoo Groups, each group is provided with its own home page hosted by Google. This is a space where members can start new discussions or reply to older topics. Not only does Google Groups offer the most comprehensive archive of postings, including more than 1 billion postings from the Usenet bulletin board service, but it also organizes messages in a much clearer fashion than most of their main rivals, adopting the principle of the three fast Rs: Read faster, Reply faster and Retrieve your messages faster. However, it does lack some of the personalization that some of its competitors offer. For example, it does not offer the option to add photos to your group, nor the opportunity to customize the design and layout of the introductory page. Still only running as a beta-version, however, these features may well be added shortly.
www.groups-beta.google.com
For the Buyer-Focused
Froogle (fru'gal) n. Smart shopping through Google Froogle is a new service that makes it easy to find information about products for sale online, locating stores that sell the item you want to find and pointing you directly to the place where you can make a purchase. To use Froogle, look for the Froogle Product Search box on the advanced search page or go directly to the Froogle home page. Type in the name of the item you want to find and click on "Froogle Search." Almost instantly, you'll see photos of relevant products, reviews and links to the stores that sell them with the option to compare each store's range. You can also add items to your own or a friend's wish list.

www.google.com/froogle

For the time challenged researcher

Don't have time to find the information you're looking for? Then have one of Google's 500 experienced researchers do the work for you. Ask your question, decide how much you're willing to pay and get your answer by email in 24 hours. You will only be charged for your question if and when an answer is posted to it. And for the more academically inclined, there is also the new Google Scholar, which allows you to search specifically for scholarly literature, including peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, preprints, abstracts and technical reports from all broad areas of research.

www.answers.google.com/answers

www.scholar.google.com

For the dictionary focused

To see a definition for a word or phrase, simply type the word "define," then a space, and then the word(s) you want defined. If Google has seen a definition for the word or phrase on the Web, it will retrieve that information and display it at the top of your search results.

For the link focused

Got a website? Want to know who is linking to you? Then just type link:siteURL eg link:kto.co.jp and all will be revealed!

For the picture focused

Picasa helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open the program, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Editing your photos is made simple too. With one click you can crop, remove red eye and fix the contrast and color. And Picasa makes it easy to share your pictures, automatically resizing and attaching images to email messages at sizes your friends will be able to open.

www.picasa.com

For the wireless mobile focused

Google mobile lets you search and view the Web on your mobile phone taking HTML pages normally viewed on a computer and translating them so that you can see them when you're on the go. To get started, simply type in your search query, and Google will return the most relevant results in a format your phone understands.

www.google.com/jsky

www.google.com/imode

For the email focused

Although still in beta. Google's new web email service Gmail, offering users a massive 1gb of storage space, has already caused a storm. MSN Hotmail gives 250 mb to free users and Yahoo! Mail 100mb, both of which were increased when Gmail was announced. With its search engine backbone, any mail sent or received can be quickly found, meaning there's no need to file messages in order to find them again.

Using an innovative "conversations" view of email threads, entire threads can be viewed in the Inbox rather than just isolated, scattered messages. Another attraction for heavy e-mail users is that instead of folders, Gmail uses labels to help categorize mail. Working on the principle of 'search don't sort', users can apply multiple labels to the same piece of mail, making it a far more flexible method than folders. Adding file attachments to messages is also easy and each message has a 10MB attachment limit (again, more than most other mail services).

As a beta release there a number of drawbacks however. The address book lacks the sophistication of some other services (eg Yahoo's address book) and Google scans your messages serving up targeted ads based on their content, which may alarm some users concerned about privacy. It also lacks the ability to create HTML mail (although you can read it) and there is no virus filter, however it does block certain file (eg .EXE) extensions and a fully fledged virus scanning solution is planned.

Perhaps the biggest drawback though is that to use it you need to be invited by another Gmail user who has earned the right to bring in others. At present, the company won't divulge details on when-or even if-Gmail will be made more widely available. In the meantime, check out Isnoop where you can pick up an invite from an available pool, though you may need to be patient.

http://gmail.google.com

http://isnoop.net/gmailomatic.php

Google Desktop

And finally wouldn't it be great if you could search your desktop as easily as you do on Google to find your email, files, web history and chats instantly. Download Google Desktop and you can!

http://desktop.google.com/

Marie V.K.O. is Editor-in-Chief for She Unlimited Magazine. http://www.sheunlimited.com and heads up the community at http://www.sheunlimited.com/forums.

Marie V.K.O. is committed to making a difference. Making a difference in the Women sectors online, media and print.

Marie believes that individual style is a form of self-expression. Marie knows the trends and where to find them. Her expertise and knowledge give consumers everywhere the insight they need to get the latest styles and products that fit everyone and every budget, both online and off.

For More information or how to become and editor for She Unlimited Magazine please e-mail: admin@sheunlimited.com

Using Your Natural Style On Stage

2007-02-13T07:50:00.000-08:00

We were both speakers at the same convention presenting on the same day-but what a difference.� I am tall, while she's short. I am a magnetic speaker-I draw people in with stories and examples. She's a dynamic speaker- humorous and vivacious. We both were hits-the audience loved us.

How could we be so different onstage but the same in capturing the audience's attention? Each of us was authentic and real on stage. Audiences know when a speaker is "pretending" and they know when a speaker is "real."

Have you ever been to a party and you met someone who seemed to be putting on a front and not being real with you? Your intuition told you something was wrong, even if you weren't sure what it was. Audiences are the same. Their intuition, collectively, tells them that something isn't right with the speaker.

Why do people feel the need to be someone other than who they really are? Because they aren't comfortable in their own skin. For some reason, they are afraid that who they really are isn't good enough so they try to be someone else.

Let me give you an example. If I tried to be funny, I would end up with mud on my face. Worse yet, the audience might start throwing tomatoes at me! I must accept that I will never be known as a humorist.

That is not to say I don't have humor, it's just that my humor is the natural progression of telling a story, then giving a twist at the end that is different than what they are expecting.

If I jumped around stage, as this diminutive, 5"2", 102 pound woman did, I would look like an elephant trying to dance. It is not that I am as big as an elephant, it is just I'm centered and speak from a position of confidence and strength.� That is my style and what I stay true to doing.�

On the other hand, she would have looked as if she were in a straightjacket if she hadn't gestured continually with her hands. Her tendency was to laugh at her own jokes, and then the audience followed her lead. She was having fun and that enthusiasm was contagious.

Each of us had a different style. What is your natural style?� What are you confident in portraying to your audience? What are your best attributes and strengths? What will the audience love about you?

As a speaker, each was curious to hear the other's presentation and we both "analyzed" what the other was doing while she was on stage. We can always learn from others-both what we do well and what we can improve.

Tony Robbins, one of my mentors, states that each person we meet knows more than us about some things and we know more than them about other things. With that in mind, I listened to my colleague speak asking what I could learn from her presentation.

More than anything, I learned that by being comfortable with yourself, confident in your topic, and creative in your message-you will "wow" your audience, whatever your style.

Presentation and sales coach Linda Snyder is the creator of "Dare To Dream: Plan to Succeed", a practical guide to achieving powerful goals based on Linda's 26 years of experience presenting motivational seminars and sales trainings.� To learn more about this book, communications coaching, and to sign up for FREE teleclasses, visit www.clarityofvision.com .��

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery - Business Impact Analysis

2007-02-12T14:13:00.000-08:00

Business impact analysis is a critical part of the business continuity planning process. This step quantifies data and gets into the real world issue of potential losses that can negatively impact your business. It is used to understand the most important impacts and how to best protect your people, processes, data, communications, assets and the organization's goodwill and reputation.
Organizations often think in terms of disaster recovery. Business continuity and the business impact analysis is more focused on keeping the business up and running and less focused on recovery after a disaster. The business impact analysis also is not focused only on the potential disasters, but on all potentially critical discontinuities. Key elements of the Business Impact Analysis are to identify critical business functions, establish the maximum acceptable outage time for each of these functions and then to determine the impact of not performing those functions. This can be measured against regulatory, legal, financial, operations or customer service requirements.
Once the adequacy of security and controls is evaluated and critical business functions and outage times are defined, the business continuity planner needs to develop an understanding of the probability of threats factored by the severity or impact and to start to develop a cost benefit analysis of the largest impact and highest probability threats.
It's virtually impossible to create an absolute value and prioritization of threats and impacts. Generally, a relational system is used to drive out the key priorities. Often, each threat is evaluated according to its probability and assigned a 1, 5 or 10 rating. Then, each threat is evaluated according to its impact on critical business functions and on the business overall. For example, a discontinuity in a critical business function of less than one hour might receive a value of 0. A discontinuity of one to eight hours might be ranked a 1, eight to twenty four hours might be ranked a 2 and over 24 hours might be ranked a 3. Obviously, these rankings need to be developed on a company specific basis. Probability factored by impact creates the relational prioritization list.
This approach to risk evaluation and control allows management to start to quantify the risks and potential impacts on the organization in a thoughtful and analytical way. This results not only in higher quality decisions, but also provides an audit trail that demonstrates that management is paying attention to its risk management responsibilities. These responsibilities might be established by regulatory or legal bodies, demanded as a contractual commitment by customers or simply expected by shareholders as sound and prudent management. The key corporate goals are to protect people, protect assets, protect data and to protect the brand and reputation of the organization.
About The Author
Robert Mahood has significant technology and management experience in data communications, internet, storage, disaster recovery and data recovery. He is currently the president of Midwest Data Recovery. www.midwestdatarecovery.com
bmahood@midwestdatarecovery.com , 312 907 2100 or 866 786 2595

Being Real From the Platform

2007-02-11T12:14:00.000-08:00

�"Let it be known, no person, thing, or situation can validate you. You validate yourself by realizing who you are." Mark Tosoni

Knowing who you are is essential before you step in front of an audience. What are you knowledgeable to speak about? What are you interested in learning? What are you passionate about sharing?� When you have clarity, your confidence and excitement about your topic will radiate throughout your presentation.

People see, hear, then they believe. Whatever the purpose of your speaking, it is ultimately important that the audience believes you. Your credibility is vital before they will buy your product, service, or your call to action. More than 90% of why a person "buys" from you is because they like and trust you. From the moment your audience first hears about you, sees you, or hears you present, they are making a decision about who you are and what you are saying.

Which is more important in a presentation, the message or the messenger? Both are completely dependent on the other with a cycle of the message supporting the messenger and vice versa. What is essential is congruence of what you are saying and who you are.

Credibility is created with congruence. Who are you? Are you congruent with your message? If you are talking about financial investments but your portfolio is negative, the audience will be able to detect your incongruence. If you are talking about marketing with an integrated marketing image, your audience will sit up and listen.

Authenticity and integrity are qualities that the audience will discern, the same way they will know if you are a fraud or lack integrity. Be real. Audiences love presenters who aren't afraid to show their weaknesses or laugh at themselves. Vulnerability or openness from the speaker helps people relate.

For example, during a sales seminar I shared that at the beginning of my career I had to "post-date twenty dollar checks" because my commission checks were not very big. Members of the audience nodded their heads in agreement and two came up after the program, thanking me for helping them see that success in selling was possible. One of these has kept in contact over the past decade letting me know his progress. About once a year he calls and he reminds me that my willingness to be real from the stage opened up his mind to his own potential.��

This is not intended that you use the audience to bare your soul and make them feel uncomfortable. I heard a speaker talk about her divorce. She had not emotionally resolved her feelings and should not have talked about a subject that was still raw to her. Once healed, her story might have value, but not until then.

Authenticity, vulnerability, and realness simply mean that you know who you are. When you know that, you are comfortable with yourself and your audiences will be, too.��

Presentation and sales coach Linda Snyder is the creator of "Dare To Dream: Plan to Succeed," a practical guide to achieving powerful goals based on Linda's 26 years of experience presenting motivational seminars and sales trainings.� To learn more about this book, communications coaching, and to sign up for FREE teleclasses, visit www.clarityofvision.com .��

ICANN Registrar: jp-Domains for Anybody

2007-02-10T08:39:00.000-08:00

Cologne, October 10 2004. ICANN Registrar Secura announces today, that the company is now accepting the registration of jp-domains from companies and individuals outside of Japan.
The jp-domains are the domains of Japan. The jp-domains belong to the popular domains in Asia.
You need a local contact to register these domain. ICANN accredited registrar Secura provides automatically this local contact in the registration process, if you have not a registered business in Japan.
There are domains at .jp and at .co.jp. You have to pay for the more attractive domains at .jp 300 US-Dollars per year.
It is paradox: But you have to invest 4000 US-Dollar in the first year, if you want a co.jp-domain, as you need for a co.jp- domain a Japanese business licence. In this price of 4000 US-Dollars is not only the co.jp-domain, but the business licence, the contacts with japanese authorities, the translation and everything else included.
ICANN accredited registrar Secura has access to the registration system of jp-domains. Secura can register a jp-domain at once, if the domain name is available. https://www.domainregistry.de/jp-domain.html
About The Author
Hans-Peter Oswald
CEO
ICANN accredited Registrar Secura
http://www.com-domains.com ; secura@domainregistry.de

The net-Domain: Backbone of the Web

2007-02-09T13:29:00.000-08:00

We do not always realize that figures are just quantity and can deceive about quality.
In spite of the fact that the net-domain is only the No. 4 in terms of the number of domain names registered, it works as a backbone of the web. The net-domains build the largest Top Level Domain by number of hosts, or machines connected to the Internet. More than 44 percent of name servers use net-domains. We presume, that programmers and other technical experts have a more narrow emotional relationship to .net than to .com. Their sympathy for .net is just greater than for .com.
Historically .net was once reserved for providers. This might have still an influence to the technical use of .net and the importance of this use. Every programmer and hostmaster has an idea of .net, but not every programmer and hostmaster has an idea of .com. In some way .net stands for the web.
Other facts:
-- 31 percent of all page views are dependent on a net-domain for resolution
-- 32 percent of all B2C e-Commerce in 2004 is dependent on a net-domain for resolution. https://www.domainregistry.de/net-domain.html
About The Author
Hans-Peter Oswald
CEO
ICANN Registrar Secura
http://www.com-domains.com ; secura@domainregistry.de

8 Million de-Domains

2007-02-08T06:19:00.000-08:00

DENIC, the registry of the German Top Level Domain (TLD) has announced, that it has received the eight millionth application for the registration of a de-domain. The de-domain has the position as the world's favourite Country Code TLD, ahead of .uk, which has about 3.7 million registrations. The de-domains are also numerically stronger than nearly all the generic Top Level Domains that are used throughout the world, such as .org, .net, .info and .biz. Only one the com-domain with more than 30 million domains is more often registered than the de-domain.

October 2004
.de 7.981.014 (Increment compared to one month ago: 89.793)
.at 367.987 (Increment compared to one month ago: 4.766)
.com 31.017.772 (Increment compared to one month ago: 750.631)
.net 4.999.073 (Increment compared to one month ago: 88.952)
.org 3.138.385 (Increment compared to one month ago: 37.607)
.info 1.919.331 (Increment compared to one month ago: 683.846)
.biz 1.041.432 (Increment compared to one month ago: 13.118)
.us 881.411 (Increment compared to one month ago: 6.395)

The de-domain is not totally liberalized, as it seems. Foreign companies and individuals can register also de-domains and sell products and services to the attractive German market by websites, but they must have a German Admin-C. DENIC-Member and ICANN accredited registrar Secura provides automatically this German Admin-C during the registration process. https://www.domainregistry.de/de-domain.html
About The Author
Hans-Peter Oswald
CEO
ICANN accredited Registrar Secura
http://www.com-domain.com ; secura@domainregistry.de

Time Mastery vs. Time Management - Knowing the Difference

2007-02-07T07:48:00.000-08:00

How much time do you spend on Mastering Your Time?� I don't mean managing time.� There is quite a difference between managing and mastering your use of time.� The goal of managing your time is to be more efficient, to squeeze more productivity out of your day.� There are a lot of benefits to being a good time manager, especially in a rushed and frenetically paced culture.�

The goal of mastering your time, however, is to live better, to savor your time?. which is just another word for your Life.��

�If you accept that your time is non-renewable, precious, then it makes sense to take this most valuable personal resource seriously, and devote to it the attention it deserves.� Look at Time Mastery as a way of actually lightening your load ? even if it paradoxically takes a little bit of time to lighten up.

Here's one approach to Mastery: Each morning, use some time to plan your time.� That is, picture your day ? what you want to accomplish, what things are urgent and what things can wait, what preparations it would be useful to make, and a high priority is to focus on what pleasures you are anticipating.� Those events and activities that emerge from this review which are most important go into your scheduler first, and everything else must fit around them.� That way, as you move through your day, you'll know what can be relegated to low priority; you'll know what requests to honor and which to refuse.�

By spending a very few minutes in focused concentration each morning, you can prevent the tendency we all have to allow our time to be appropriated by others.� Once you know what is necessary and desirable for now, it is easier to recognize the un-necessary and un-desirable, then eliminate the drip drip drip that adds up to an erosion of your non-renewable day.��

In short, using those few minutes in the morning to get clear is a small investment that helps you throughout the day to avoid the lost moments here and there that add up to a great chunk of time - your life.� Even better, a little planning helps you focus on making sure every day includes something to savor.

�

Judith Schwader, the Time Guide, is the creator and publisher of Time Mastery, an e-zine focused on the philosophy and practice of living in abundance through a conscious use of time.� To find additional guiding articles and subscribe to her FREE e-zine, visit www.masteringyourtime.com .��

ICANN Registrar: za-Domains for Anybody

2007-02-06T09:06:00.000-08:00

Cologne, 12.10. 2004. ICANN accredited registrar Secura announces today,that the company is accepting the registration of za-domains.
The co.za-domains are the domains of South Africa. The co.za-domains belong to the popular domains in Africa.
You cannot register at .za. If your name is not available at co.za, you can also register at org.za.
The com-domain is best for websites that target international markets, while .co.za-domains are best for South African webpages or those with a strong South African reference. This is so because surfer are used to, and you may lose a part of your target group if you deviate from the expected Top Level Domain.
Even if you should own a .com domain, it is advisable to register also a .co.za-domain as well. The za-domains are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
There are no specific requirements for registering za-domains. A local presence or registered company in South Africa is not a requirement for a co.za name.
ICANN accredited registrar Secura can register a za-domain at once, if the domain name is free.
About The Author
Hans-Peter Oswald, CEO
ICANN accredited Registrar Secura
http://www.com-domains.com ; secura@domainregistry.de

Theres a Tween In Your Future - Are You Ready?

2007-02-05T07:35:00.000-08:00

Within 15 minutes of coming through the door from school, she has her neck crooked around the phone. A music CD tucked into the computer's drive drowns out all but the occasional giggles of that conversation. While her fingers fly over the keyboard, you risk a quick glance and count�six open "chat" boxes. She's IMing (sending instant messages with) the friends she didn't get to talk to at school.

That's just how she communicates.

Once the "he said," "she looked" minutia of the all important social event (lunch hour) of the day have been dissected, the conversations begin to move outward. Movie trivia websites are visited en masse, and the merits of a certain pair of kahkis for sale on one site versus another found the day before cause more windows to be opened, as this virtual gaggle of girls move around the web together.

Sometimes, tasks are split. Three girls visit different movie theater sites where start times for this week's chosen film are carefully matrixed against which parent might be able to drive the group to which venue.

That's just how decisions are made.

Some people call her a tween. She's between 8 and 12 and attends middle school, Sunday school, and high school football games where she and her friends pay far less attention to each other's older brother on the team than their slightly older siblings. Usually that's all an anxious parent in this group is able to watch out for. They don't know the half of what she is capable of yet.

According to brand analyst and Clickz columnist, Martin Lindstrom, 22% of these tweens have already made an online purchase on their own. Lindstrom's study excerpt didn't discuss how they were able to pay for these purchases, but it's a good bet a majority of them were done using mom or dad's credit card. That's a pretty safe assumption when you consider that tweens determine what brand is purchased 60% of the time in a typical household.

60%!
Clothes, music, accessories, gifts, games and other entertainment used to be the exclusive province of the American teenager. The 13 and over crowd used to decide where those dollars were spent. But they're passing the baton to their younger brothers and sisters while they pursue their own, more diverse, interests, also online.

That's just where the teens and tweens are spending their time these days.

Tweens are even more intensely committed to the Internet than their older teenage siblings. Teens are spending in excess of 16.7 hours per week online according to a 2002 Yahoo study. That compares to 13.6 hours spent watching television, 12 hours spent listening to music and 7.7 hours talking on the phone.

Did you catch it?
Do you see what the real difference is between these two groups? And do you understand just how large, and just how evolutionary the impact of that difference will be on your business?

That's the piece of the puzzle that I think is being overlooked. It's been buried beneath an already staggering pile of statistics.

It's not about the numbers at all.

It's about the fact that tweens have already assimilated the Internet completely. It's about the fact that tweens have already begun to filter their media differently, and process that input differently. They don't surf websites anymore, clicking their mouse to zoom in to see the pocket detail on those jeans.� They "experience" a site clicking their mouse to turn 3d model images wearing those jeans, or�clicking hotspots in panoramic�images designed to make them feel as if they are in a room at a store.

They don't spend 16.7 hours on the Internet, then 13.6 watching TV, then 12 hours listening to music, then 7.7 hours talking on the phone. They spend 16.7 and 13.6 and 12 and 7.7 simultaneously. They move from one media to another effortlessly, automatically typing coherent messages for up to five conversations at once, laughing at a girlfriend's joke on the phone, and tapping their foot to the relentless beat of the music. At - the - same - time.

"Tween" is not just a convenient demographic catch phrase for a bundle of statistics. It's also a very apt description of where this particular generation will fall on technology timeline.� The web "experience" is likely to continue unfolding long after they have grown up and become�everyone's�prime demographic.

I have a tween in my house. And she really is somewhere between. Her reliance on a strong social network of girlfriends is as old as the hills. But her communication methods raise the bar on the definition of multitasking. Sometimes I watch her and wonder if we haven't finally broken through another old barrier. I wonder if she's tapping into, and effectively using, more than the 10% of our brains than science claims we use.

But probably not. It's still clear that not all of her senses have been enhanced.

She still can't seem to hear me when I ask if she has homework.

�

Liz Micik has been an Ordinary Marketer for nearly 25 years, helping companies tell their story to the right people in the right way to sell their products and services. Visit www.ordinarymarketer.com to sign up for the Inside Edge, a free monthly multimedia newsletter, and find out how you can get extraordinary results from marketing you can live with.

How to Double Your AdSense Income Instantly

2007-02-04T10:34:00.000-08:00

As you probably already know, AdSense is revolutionizing the way many infopreneurs are creating revenue from their web site traffic. The reason for this is its simplicity. Through AdSense, revenue is generated when someone simply clicks thru the AdSense ads displayed on the webmasters web site.
In this article I want to give you a few simple ways to dramatically increase your AdSense income.
The bottom line:
To increase AdSense income all you must do is increase the number of click thrus you receive.
There are two ways for you to increase your total number of click thrus. You can either increase your website traffic or you can increase your AdSense click thru rate. Now, getting more traffic would be great, but let's be honest increasing your web site traffic is much easier said than done. So, let's focus on increasing your AdSense click thru rate instead.
4 Tips to Increase Click Thru:
Match your AdSense to your website:
You want your AdSense ads to appear as seamless as possible. Your goal is to match every aspect of your AdSense ads to the theme of your website. What you want to do is remove the borders from your AdSense ads and match the background color of the ad to your website. Additionally, you want to match the color of the AdSense links to the rest of the links on your website plus choose an ad format that makes the ads look seamless.
For example, if your web site has a white background and the default color of your hypertext links is blue you will want to remove the border from your AdSense, make the background white, choose either a square or a rectangle as your ad format instead of a skyscraper or banner, and yep you guessed it? make the links blue.
Placement Matters:
Where you place your AdSense ads is just as important as how they look. Luckily, there are only a few concepts that you need to worry about in order to increase your click through rate.
?The more white space around your ads the better
?The closer to the top of the page the better
?The closer the left of the page the better
Follow these concepts and I can assure you that you will see an increase in your AdSense click thru rate. (It really is that simply!)
Google Search:
Now this is one that I rarely see webmasters take advantage of. The Google AdSense program gives webmasters the ability to add a Google search box to there web site.
Why should you use this function?
Well, when a website visitor chooses to use this search box from your website your AdSense ID will be imbedded in ALL of that visitors Google searches. If that person does 1 search or 50 your AdSense ID will still be imbedded throughout process.
Why is this so great?
If that visitor clicks on any of the sponsored listings while surfing from your web site guess who makes money. YOU! If they hit the back button and click on another ad guess who makes money? YOU! This is absolutely huge. Through this function you now have the ability to earn multiple click thrus from the same visitor on the site visit. Please don't overlook how powerful this is. Besides, most of your website traffic will just be browsing anyway, so I why help them find what there looking for and make a little coin along the way?
Tracking:
Just like any other type of marketing, you won't know what's working the best for you on your web site unless you track the different things that you're experimenting with. Set up a few Google AdSense channels for the different ads that you'll be placing on your website. Then just see which channels are working the best and stick to those.
That's it!
Follow the tips above and I can assure you that you will absolutely double your AdSense click thru rate and your AdSense income. The best part about the four tips I've shared here is that you can put them into action immediately and see how they will work on your website right now. Who knows? you could be making twice as much by tomorrow by just making a few simple tweaks here and there.
Good Luck!
If you don't know where to start and you want to check out how I've incorporated the above ideas into of my website you can check it out below:
http://www.perfect-home-based-business-opportunities.com
==========================================
Wanna Learn the Secret of Creating Passive Income Online
From a man who made $3,244,842.32 from the Internet in Only 27
months? => http://www.the1andonly.biz
Presented by:
Perfect Home Based Business Opportunities

Six Golden Rules Of Pay Per Click Marketing Campaign

2007-02-03T13:58:00.000-08:00

What are pay per click engines?
Pay per click engines as the name suggests, webmasters have to pay a fee for each click coming from search engine results. Depending on how much the person bids for a keyword over his competitor his website will be positioned in the search engine results.
How pay per click search engines work?
For example if a webmaster bids $0.07 on the term 'tennis shoes'. If no other webmaster bids more than this, he will stay in 1st position. If second webmaster bids $0.08, then second one goes to 1st position. Basically this is like auction procedure for No.1 position.
So what are SIX Golden tips to work with Pay per click search engines?
RULE No. 1: Keywords:
Select your keywords carefully so that every keyword reflects your product. General keywords bring general public.
For example if you are offering search engine optimization service to webmasters, 'search engine' will be a general keyword for you. 'search engine optimization' , 'good search engine ranking' etc,. will be your good target keywords.
Another thing you have to remember is targeting your keywords. Like any geographical locaton specific to your product or any specific language...Some search engines like Google offer this feature to target the keywords based on the countries and language.
RULE No. 2: Write a compelling ad:
Most of the times the pay per click search engine services limits your ad characters and length. So try to keep the keyword in the ad headline and the body.
By doing so, you will get higher click thrus for tha ads. This will be very useful with Google, which determines your position not only by your bidding amount but also click thru ratio. Google editors won't allow you to use keyword more than once in your ad. It is to make use of your ad space more efficiently.
See the example below-
"Ebay ebook: Every thing about How to make money on ebay! An Easy to follow Guide!!"
"Ebay ebook that Stands in numder ONE position in Clickbank Market place as a Top Seller. See the Proof!"
Certainly anybody can say that the second one pulls traffic than the first ad.
Try different ones and see what pulls more traffic for you. Check your spelling and grammer twice before submitting your ads.
RULE No. 3: Don't enter in to Bidding war:
Keep an eye on your Return on Investment. (ROI) It is not that easy to resist the temptation of being number one on pay per click engine listings especially for the beginners. Always decide an amount how much you are going to spend on advertising campaigns. Depending on that devide certain percentage to PPCs.
With reasonable bidding amount you can get good amount of traffic from PPCs.
RULE No. 4: Monitor your bidding amount:
Most of the people bid once and don't remember about it for weeks. Monitor your bid amount after logging in to your accounts. Do this atleast once in every 4-7 days.
For example, If you go to overture.com and search for some of the the keywords, you can find the first positions paying $0.87, $0.85, 0.35 for the first three rankings. Don't you see who will be benefited by this? You can get the first and second position for $0.37 and $0.36 respectively.
So always keep an eye on your bidding amount.
RULE No. 5: Landing page:
After clicking on your link and coming to your website, don't let them search for the product for which they came to your site. Directly landing on the product page is always a good idea and saves lot of your visitor's time.
RULE No.6: Track your results:
Put some source code at the end of URL. Or submit different landing page for your product. So people coming to that URL can be tracked through a good weblogger. More on tracking your ad campaigns is at: http://www.webmasters-central.com/wprofits/tracking.shtml
About The Author
Radhika Venkata
Subscribe to 'EbookBiz Magazine' which is completely focused on ebook business and Internet Marketing. Receive FREE Ebooks with Resale rights every month!
http://www.ebooks-world.com/freetosell.shtml
Webmaster Resources: List Your product, ezine or web site free!
http://www.webmasters-central.com/

Reach Out and Slap Someone

2007-02-02T06:16:00.000-08:00

I got my first email account way too many years ago.

I was working for a large Chicago bank in the 1980s, when they introduced an electronic message service for internal communications. The only electronic mail that seemed to flow for the longest time were all those official HR notification of vacation time policies, etc., and of course, the ALL CAPS messages from the executive floor.

It took a brave soul to send out the first?"so, where should we go for lunch on Friday?" message.

It took a polite soul to create the first autoresponder message. It was nice of them to let people know that the reason their inquiry would not be answered immediately, and personally was because he (or she) was out of the office until XYZ date.

I'm still trying to figure out where the the personal and polite parts of autoresponse messages went. Sometime between then and now, the person who wrote that message left the building, but forgot to turn the machines off.��Today,�too many�autoresponse messages are anything but personal, polite or informative.�

If you've ever been tempted�to believe�that�message sound bites strung together by bits of "if, then, else" coding logic might actually prove to be an asset to your business, you owe it to your business to look at how some of these have played out in the real world.

Here's a brief list of some of my favorite offenders, along with a suggestion or two about what you can do if you find anything like them on your list of messages.

"We'll return your message within 24 hours, or 12 hours?" Forgive me if I don't set my watch by that. Despite improvements in so many other areas, surveys still show that only 65% of companies EVER respond to their email, never mind responding within the time they've allowed themselves And just how credible are you when 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours of silence have passed?

"We usually respond within two business days?" . I think this variation is worse. If 48 hours pass and I haven't gotten a response, I'm not only going to think you can't deliver what you promised in any area of your business, but I might feel personally slighted. After all, if you "usually can," why did you choose not to help me?

The lesson: Don't Make Promises Unless you're 100% Sure You Can Keep Them

"Thanks for your message about broken website links (an obvious fill in the blank). Here is our FAQ list on how Widgets can change your life through better chemistry?" Do you remember when people got excited by the idea of artificial intelligence and wondered if we would one day need Asimov's Laws of Robotics to protect us. I think we can all breath easy for a little while yet.

"Thank you. Your address has been permanently deleted from our database and you will never hear from us again?"
?and it's cousin?
"Thanks for your interest in Widgets. Since you're now part of the Widget family, we know you'll want to hear all about everything, so here's this hour's special?" But all I wanted to do was let you know about a broken link on your homepage?

The lesson: Don't presume to know why people are responding, or what they want from you.

"You're receiving this because you downloaded a free report from my site 279 days ago, but still haven't bought anything?" and you still haven't gotten a clue.

"I'm only sharing this secret information with a carefully chosen few like you, EAMIC, because you're such a good friend?" Really?�Even though�you're greeting me with a string of letters that isn't even close to my�name.

"Dear Friend?" Yes, I understand that software is a black and white kind of thing and that when it comes to personalization your choices are or , but do you understand that there is a third choice? Don't do it.

The lesson: ��Repeat after me, "just because you can, doesn't mean you should."� It really is the golden rule of technology use.

Personalization is a very powerful sales and marketing tool. When you personalize a business problem, identify a client need, or use it to demonstrate how your product or service will help that particular client's situation, you are using it correctly.

Machine generated personalization, on the other hand, fits the very definition of an oxymoron. Email autoresponse messages were invented to apologize for a lack of an immediate personal, human response, not to take its place permanently. Unless all of your message is personal, no one is going to believe it really was written just for them. So why slap them in the face with the fact that it wasn't?

The bottom line is this: if you find any messages like these in your current autoresponse setup, rewrite them if you can, or just get rid of them if you can't. Silence is better on your part. Your business reputation is at stake. And where your reputation is at stake, so are your profits.

***************

Liz Micik has been an Ordinary Marketer for nearly 25 years, helping companies tell their story to the right people in the right way to sell their products and services. Visit www.ordinarymarketer.com to sign up for the Inside Edge , a free monthly multimedia newsletter, and find out how you can get extraordinary results from marketing you can live with.

3 Tips to Fix Unreliable Wireless Connections

2007-02-01T11:39:00.000-08:00

Generally speaking, wireless computer connections are reliable. However, nothing is perfect, and sometimes you may lose your connection or experience a weak signal. There are many factors that impact the reliability of your wireless connection.
For example, if your wireless adapter is too close to a 2.4 GHz wireless telephone, you may notice a decrease in your computer's wireless single strength. Why? Because the phone and the computer reside on the same frequency and can interfere with each other's performance.
Handy Repair Checklist for Wireless Interruptions
1. First check to see if your cable or DSL is actually working. Usually located in your basement, most modems have four lights. You have a live Internet connection if the "data" or "status" light is on. If it's off, or flashing, your cable is out.
2. If your cable/DSL is working, then reboot your computer. Sometimes, if your cable/DSL goes out for even 10 seconds, your computer and the wireless router may no longer be able to talk to each other. By rebooting your computer, a new IP address is assigned, allowing them to once again communicate.
3. If your desktop is wireless and you've moved the wireless adapter [the box that sits next to the computer with antennas], then you may need to move the adapter until you find a stronger signal.
About The Author
Sharron Senter is co-founder of http://www.VisitingGeeks.com - an on site computer repair, security and networking company serving north of Boston, Southern NH and Maine. Visiting Geeks' technicians are crackerjacks at squashing viruses, popups and securing and making computers perform faster. Learn more about Sharron at http://www.SharronSenter.com

Re-invent Yourself : 7 Steps to Becoming a New You!

2007-01-31T18:10:00.000-08:00

Do you like your life the way it is? Would you like to change some, or all of it? Well, here's good news: You can be whatever you want to be. You can re-invent yourself. I know because I did!
You may have a whole lifetime to undo or re-invent, but if you are determined, and ready to put in the effort, anything is possible. You can have a new you!
Here are 7 steps to a new, improved, re-invented you!
1) Make two detailed lists comprising: (a) all the things you like about yourself and want to keep, (b) all the things you don't like about yourself and want to change. Examine both lists and ask yourself why you like what you like, and why you want to change what you want to change. Write out your answers as two separate statements. Keep these statements where you can see, and read them everyday.
2) Work on your "Want-to-Keep" list everyday. Keep on doing what you've been doing, and you'll keep on getting what you've been getting! Also, work on your "Want-to-Change" list everyday, but in a different way. Take each item on this second list and re-state it as a goal. Remember your goals must be Specific (clear and unambiguous), Measurable (a specific weight, time, sum of money etc), Attainable (within your stated time frame and resources), Realistic (in your eyes) and Tangible (something you can perceive with your senses, not "imagine" with your mind!)
3) From your "Want-to-Change" list, identify your 3 most important goals, the ones that will make the most impact on your life, and bring about the new you. Write out a day-by-day, step-by-step plan for attaining each of these goals.
4) Identify possible pitfalls or obstacles to your plan. Set up contingency plans to circumvent these hurdles. Do not stop at them. No one can stop you from reaching those goals but you.
5) Take action on your plan. Work those goals! Even a small step on your plan each day will move you closer to the new you! If you fall behind, or fall out altogether, just think of the lovely new life you stand to gain if you would just try. Imagine what it would look and feel like to be the new you. Know in your heart that it is possible, but it is also up to you. You owe it to yourself to get back up and on with the program. Only time, patience and action separate you from your goal.
6) Reward yourself for progress. Forgive yourself for slip-ups. Then move on. No time for Pity Parties!
7) Stay motivated. Think on your reasons for wanting to make the change. Visualize the outcome of your goals, vividly. Hang out with people who encourage you to keep at it. Stay away from negative people, at least till you "get there!" Read motivational books, employ a coach to help you stay on track. Enlist a supportive friend, to rejoice with you at each success, and encourage you at each challenge.
That's it! Re-inventing yourself will never be easy. You are going against patterns that may have been established for years. It will take determination, effort and patience, but it is possible, and ultimately rewarding.
I went through a process of re-invention a few years ago. I went from an overweight, unhealthy, plain-dressed, unfulfilled, job-holder, to a slim, trim, healthy, trendy, self-employed, fulfilled entrepreneur. Instead of holding a job, I now do my life's work. I am working my own goals, and getting the results I desire. I am still not all that I want to be. But I am closer to my goals than to my starting point. No one will ever be "picture-perfect" in this life. But "fulfilled and satisfied" is the name of the game for me! And I sure am glad I had the courage to try.
People and circumstances will oppose you, saying, "It isn't possible", or, "Why can't you just be satisfied with what you've got?" (The answer to that is, "Because I'm no ordinary person!") But if you think your dreams are worth the effort, and you are willing to do what it takes, you can have whatever you want.
Dreams still do come true. And you don't require a fairy god-mother! Setting and working your goals is how it works in the real world. So be bold, take action and enjoy the new you!
Copyright 2005 Oma Edoja
This article may be reprinted, but only if left as is, and must include the author's bio below.
Oma Edoja is a published writer, motivational speaker and infopreneur. She works with those trying to take their lives to the next level, helping them set goals and stay on track. Would you like to re-invent your life? Oma is here to help you. She can be reached at proact04@yahoo.co.uk , and her blog: http://omaslounge.blogspot.com Contact Oma for a complimentary goal-setting session, checklist and motivation.

Why to Register md-Domains?

2007-01-30T12:52:00.000-08:00

What is .md?
.md is the web address that identifies you, your company or your organization with the healthcare industry. Thousands of professionals and companies in the healthcare industry are already utilizing .md for their branding and marketing efforts, including some of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. .md is a valuable and unique asset that can be used as an intuitive and dynamic communication tool.

- .md is the perfect web address for medical professionals and healthcare companies

- .md is a permanent professional address

- .md is a dynamic communication tool and distribution channel for participants in the healthcare community

- .md may be used to protect your brands and trademarks to prevent international cyber-squatters from purchasing your domain names and using them for other purposes

- .md may be used as a unique, intuitive, and available promotional tool to market prescription and OTC drugs

.md Focus: Healthcare

We are developing an Internet domain for the global healthcare community where participants in the healthcare sector can acquire valuable .md domain names that correlate precisely with the marketing of their core business practices and new products. .md permits corporations and individuals to establish a unique Internet presence that carries an automatic, intuitive association with healthcare and other medical services and applications.

Growth of the .md Registry

Since becoming operational, there has been significant interest in the .md TLD. The wide adoption of .md, prior to launching a formal .md marketing campaign confirms the need and desire for a top level healthcare centric domain. The number of .md registrations continues to grow exponentially with this exposure.

The leading adopters in the .md registry are:

- Physicians

- Medical Schools

- Private Practices

- Health Clinics

- Drug Development Companies

- Pharmaceutical Companies

- Health Insurance Companies

- Medical Laboratories

Additionally, Fortune 1000 companies have adopted .md as part of their global brand marketing strategy. These include companies from the following industries:

- Telecom

- Banking and Finance

- Entertainment

- Media

- Consulting

- Automotive

- Travel

- Insurance

- Retail

- Technology

About The Author

Hans Peter Oswald
CEO
ICANN accredited Registrar Secura
https://www.domainregistry.de/md-domain.html
http://www.com-domains.com
secura@domainregistry.de

Dont Let the Internet Overstimulate Your Mind

2007-01-29T10:02:00.000-08:00

The Internet is an awesome tool, but be careful and aware that the cloud of over stimulation doesn't invade your mind.
It seems we have to become aware of a new problem that is starting to invade our modern, industrial society, that being the problem of over stimulation. The Internet is an excellent tool but we have to remember that the mind is the most valuable tool imaginable. Some would argue that spirit or soul is of equal or more importance, I am not disagreeing with these people. The point that I am attempting to put forward for discussion is that although the Internet is an excellent new medium that can affect nearly all aspects of life in a positive way, like all things in existence it too has a shadow side. Over stimulation of the mind is a huge cloud in the blue sky of consciousness.
Have you ever sat at your desk searching through the Web for News information, then checking your emails with their accompanying attachments and links, and then doing general searches for random information? If you receive newsletters, or subscribe to blogs, you read these daily as well. The human mind is powerful, and scientists say that we only use an average of 10 % of it, but doesn't that entail that we should be careful not to overload its present information processing capabilities?
I've read that in one New York Times newspaper there is more information to digest than one would have had to process in a whole lifetime of the Shakespearean era. With the advent of the Internet we have more access to knowledge and opinion than ever previously. We have to be cautious my friends. I personally have had to come to the realization that my spiritual, mental, physical and emotional health is of more importance than all other things in life. If I work too hard, or try to read too much, my mind starts to weigh down with all the thoughts that are produced with each and every tidbit of communication that I take in. After a while I sometimes feel like there is a giant cloud inside my mind and I no longer feel confident to do the daily activities that are required of me as a committed team player of our society.
So what's the solution? Well, like all things in life solutions are often more simple than we could ever have hoped for. We just have to keep our eyes open to grasp the answers that are presented to us as opportunities everyday. Make a note when you are feeling bogged down and tired and think about how much information you have tried to compute in that moment. Give yourself time limits and a designated number of searches and downloads for a day. You can learn to take more breaks and find anecdotal means to sift through the information, or even block out all the stimuli in that break period. Gardening, meditation, stretches, breathing exercises, tai chi, yoga, cooking, sports, music?all of these are options to undertake when you want to get away from the noise of too many 'voices'.
The Internet is an awesome idea that has come to fruition. Like all tools and mediums of interaction it must be used mindfully, with care for the user as first priority. You would never use a power saw without gloves, boots, and ear and eye protection. You could lose a finger?you've heard the horror stories. Well the Internet hasn't really been around long enough for too many stories to be circulating, and I think its negative effects could be more subtle than my example, but the case at hand is that we must be very careful how we interact with the world around us. If we are all walking the streets with giant nebulous nimbus clouds in our minds, there is bound to be trouble.
About The Author
Jesse S. Somer, M6.Net , is an Internet writer who believes that the best ways to surf the Web are on the tiny ripples of a placid clear lake.

What are Your Internet Connection Solutions?

2007-01-28T08:29:00.000-08:00

Of primary concern to all internet users is their actual connection to the internet.
A user needs to look at all the factors and weigh the benefits and costs

Reliability - is the connection available 24/7, or do you get a busy signal?

Speed - at what speeds can a user upload and download files?

Costs - what are the setup and monthly costs for the internet connection service?

Support - is support available 24/7 and is it free or is there a cost associated with it?

Availability - is the desired service available at your location?

Available options with good and bad features include:
Local dial up with phone company (local isp) - While this many times is the simplest, often times, they are the most costly and support can be an issue. Speeds are typically the slowest at 26k to 56k connection speeds.
Software file compression- If you only have 26k dialup isp connections available to you or you want to speed up your DSL connections, this is an important option you should take a look at. With this type of software you can increase your internet connection speeds by as much as five times for very little money. Popular software products that accomplish this are ActiveSpeed, PropelAccelerator, Dr. Speed, and SuperSpeeder, Highly recommended solution to increasing your browsing experience.
Local dial up with national firm - This is by far the most popular with companies like AOL, People PC, Juno, EarthLink, and Netzero providing this service to millions of users. These certainly are the most cost effective and provide excellent 24/7 support. With the high speed upgrade options you can approach 112 k speeds. If the company has a local or toll free number available in your area, then this alternative provides the lowest cost isp internet connection.
Cable connection - If cable TV is available in your area, many firms also provide an internet connection for an additional fee. Requires special cable modem. Speeds are anywhere from 512k to 10Mps.
DSL or digital service line - Many local phone companies are providing this service to selected areas. Requires installation of DSL modem on your computer and speeds typically are from 512k to 9Mps. The distance from the local hub also affects your speed. You will pay 2 to 3 times the costs of basic dial up.
Broadband - Is a term loosely thrown around that is applied to a DSL, cable, wireless, or satellite internet connections. Technically broadband is a minimum of 1.5Mbs but is used to market products with bandwidth as low as 512k. When you hear the term broadband used, think like "health food", an undefined marketing catch word.
Wireless internet connection - This option is available in limited area's and requires a wireless modem on your computer. Speeds typically are 2Mbps and this is a flexible approach as you do not need to be hardwired or plugged in. Available in many metro area's.
Satellite internet connection - This is the perfect solution for remote area's if you require a high speed internet connection. Upload and download speeds are different and in some cases you can only download via satellite and are required to upload via dial up. This is the most expensive alternative, but you can get service basically anywhere in the world. Speeds starting at 500k are available. Contact Directway for dependable and fast satellite internet connections.
About The Author
Ray LaFoy has been providing professional web and software development services since 1999. Living in Montana, he has made a career of excelling in marketing.
http://BroadBandQuick.com
http://www.ExpertHelpNow.com
Copyright 2004 - All rights reserved worldwide

Why a Newbie Online Marketer Should Start As an Affiliate

2007-01-26T07:47:00.000-08:00

Navigating the intricate often tangled network of the worldwide web is an onerous task for the hardiest soul. Like a spiders web the www is a very complex and often a confusing maze. No wonder the terms web, spider, crawl etc. are commonly used terminology on the internet.
You need guidance from seasoned veterans who could mentor you through the rough and the tumble and teach the complexities of online marketing. The best way to learn and find a mentor, remote though he may be is to start with an affiliate program. Joining an affiliate program helps you to find a good mentor as every online marketing guru has a system of taking their affiliates through the various complex system of internet marketing through their online courses and f*r*ee reports and tutorials.
However please do a bit of research into the affiliate programs and the gurus before you rush to join the program. There are many affiliate marketing forums and websites where you can get a lot insight into the right programs and products.
The major benefits of an affiliate program for a newbie are:
Guidance from seasoned veterans who mentor you through the rough and tumble and teach the complexities of online marketing
Programs are f*r*ee to join and only takes a few minute to set up. You can be in business immediately.
It is the best introduction to e-commerce through online coaching and tutorials provided by most affiliate programs.
Ready to use quality products which have been tried and tested.
No investments till you start making money. Some of the affiliate programs even provide your own website or web pages to promote the program.
A commission structure of generally 25% going up to even 60% and multi tiered so that you can also have one or two tiers of down lines to help you generate a passive income.
You get introduced to tools of marketing provided by the programs which familiarizes you to effective promotion techniques of online marketing.
Above all safety and reliability of payments. Most of the affiliate programs use third party merchants like clickbank to set up their payment and delivery system. So your payments are sent in by the merchants once every fortnight or on a minimum specified payment by you.
Start with one or two affiliate programs which suit your interests and background and graduate to few more with time. Joining too many programs may not help as you will be distracted and lacking in focus.
So if you have dreams of making it big in online marketing, get started with a couple of good affiliate programs. Soon enough you will learn enough to launch your own program.
R.G. Srinivasan is a Certified Trainer, Writer and author of eBooks with more than two decades of managerial experience. You can view his home-business resources blog at http://www.home-businessresources.blogspot.com for online marketing tips, resources, opportunities and online promotional strategies.

5 Steps on How to Set and Achieve Your Goals

2007-01-25T08:29:00.000-08:00

Which one is a goal?
I will lose 15 pounds
I want to run a marathon
Quit smoking
All of the above
None of the above

The correct answer is (5) - none of the above. The first three are wishes, not goals. However, you are not alone if you answered incorrectly because research has shown that less than 1% of the population actually understands how to effectively set a goal. This is why so many New Year's resolutions get broken and why so many people try keep failing at the very same goal. The desire to better ourselves is genuine, but the process we go about while seeking this desire is faulty.

Here are five steps to follow when setting an effective goal:

1) Your Goal MUST be meaningful to YOU
This means that you have to be the person to create it - not your spouse or employer. Make sure that the things you are investing your time and energy into are things you are passionate about. When you achieve it, you will be fired up about it.

2) Make your goals specific (quantifiable) and measurable (end date)
I will lose 15 pounds by October 31st, 2004 is a goal because you will know at the end of the time period if you did it or did not achieve it. Many people do not give themselves an end date because they are afraid of failure. In addition, not having an end date allows you to procrastinate.

3) Make your goals the right size
Goals should cause you to stretch and grow, but not be unrealistic. For instance, earning one million dollars your first year out of college has been done, but for most it is unrealistic. On the flip side, if your goal is to run a mile in 6:59 versus 7 minutes, you have not pushed yourself enough. Also, focus on a few achievable tasks at one time and move on as you reach them.

4) An Effective Goal is always written down This is extremely helpful and essential because there will be times when you goals will make you uncomfortable and you may lose site of them. When this happens, you need to have them written down to keep yourself on track and accountable. Posting your goals on the refrigerator, bulletin board, or in your planner ensures that you will be reminded of them on a daily basis.

5) Review them on a weekly basis
You must review your goal in order to stay on track. Reviewing them causes you to commit to their achievement.

The positive results of achieving any goal are unforgettable. An individual's failure to achieve is seldom because they are incompetent. Rather, it is because they simply do not know the process of success. Follow these guidelines, be patient, and celebrate your success to come.

�

Eric Plantenberg, President of Freedom Speakers and Trainers, currently trains professionals across the country in memory, goal setting, attitude, time management, and effective communications. His newest program, P.A.C.T., is an intensive one-on-one twelve week personal coaching program designed for those who are serious about their success. Please click here for more information on Eric http://www.deliverfreedom.com/speakers_eric.html or Freedom Speakers and Trainers http://www.deliverfreedom.com Call 888-233-0407 x112 email eric@deliverfreedom.com

Buzz-Based Book Marketing

2007-01-24T07:06:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, people went to bookstores when they wanted to buy a book. Or at least, that was the theory. Actually, non-bookstore channels have been a big part of book sales for decades-at least since people like Joe Karbo ("The Lazy Man's Way to Riches") back in the 1960s. For my own books, whether they were s elf-published, done with a small commercial house, or by a New York conglomerate, I've found that se lling direct is more secure, more financially rewar ding, and far less hassle than sweating out the returns game with the b ookstore channel. All along, I've sold through speeches (I love getting pai d to do my own marketing), over the Web (the f irst of my four websites went live in 1996), to clients at my office, wh o stare at a rack of my work throughout their entire appointment, and thr ough

an extensive effort to create "buzz." The great thi n g is that *anyone* can generate buzz. Three of my techniques: 1. Be a sourc e or guest for conventional m edia. I've been quoted in Reader's Digest, the New York Times, Woman's Day, Bo ttom Line, the Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, Los Ange les Times, Inc, and dozens of other well-known and obscure publications (s ee a detailed list at http://www.principledprofits.com/pressroom.html ) . I'm also a call-in guest on at least a dozen radio shows per year. Whether

or not I sell a lot of books directly through t hese interviews, I definitely create a lot of buzz (search for my nam e at Google and see for yourself)--and the best interviews sell a number o f books through my websites or toll-free numbers. Here's my "secret weapon" f or getting coverage: a service that sends source queries from journalist s working on

stories. (Find out more at http://www.frugalmarketing.com/prleads.shtml ) 2. Find your niche on line, and participate actively. There ar e literally hundreds of thousands of "communities" online: virtual watercoo lers where people gather to tal k shop: mystery, historical novel reading groups, professionals in every l ine of work. Find a group whose audience is the same as your book,

and participate often. I currently participate in three groups for small

press publishers (a primary market not only for my books but for my co pywriting services, a group for Internet marketing profess i onals, three fo r professional PR and copywriters, and several others. Yes,

I spend an hour or two per day keeping up with--and participating on--th ese lists, but the impact on my business is huge. 3. Distribu te content. A r ticles, book excerpts, blogs...if you write often enough about a subject,

you become an expert. And you can find dozens of websites, discus sion groups, print newsletters, 'zines, even radio shows--all hungr y for well-written, informative material. You get "paid" with a

few lines of blurb and contact info. For my new book, "Principled Pr ofit: Marketing That Puts People First," I am addi ng two things to

the mix: a network of independent representatives who will sell my book on commission--thus reaching new networks I've not been a ble to reach on my own--and aggressive pursuit of corporate sales. I've h ad my first success with the latter: 1000 copies to a prom i nent airline. And that means the book was already profitable before it ro lled off the press!

Shel Horowitz, author of *Principled Profit: Marketing That Puts People First,* *Grassroots Marketing: Getting Noticed in a Noisy World,* and four other books, offers affordable, effective copywriting and strategic marketing planning to clients on three continents. He is the originator of the Ethical Business Pledge Campaign to change the World at http://www.principledprofits.com/25000influencers.html . His sites at http://www.frugalmarketing.com and http://www.principledprofits.com offer hundreds of useful articles for entrepreneurs and marketers, including the complete back issues of his FREE Monthly Frugal Marketing Tips. Shel will be glad to help you create your next press release, sell sheet, web site, or other marketing material. He can be reached at shel@principledprofits.com , 800-683-WORD.

Can Honest Copywriting Succeed?

2007-01-23T16:56:00.000-08:00

I confess--I'm a marketing heretic! I've built my career on breaking all the rules--and one of the rules I break is that I don't hype.

Do I put the best possible "spin" on the truth? Of course! But I refuse to deceive my readers into action.

What are some of the common copywriter tricks that I *leave on the table?*

Here are a few to start:

* If you order in the next 24 hours, you get... (face it. If you come back tomorrow, the offer will almost always still hold)

* Get all these bonuses, valued at $999, for FREE with your $100 order (yeah, right! And who set the value of these gifts? And are they for sale, anywhere, on the open market at these prices?)

*Here's the information you requested (a GREAT statement--IF it's true-- but I get five or six a day in my e-box, from companies I've never heard of)

* Hi there, long-lost friend (and you sent it BCC?)
So why don't I like the copywriter's lies? And how do I write copy without resorting to these deceits?

Well, first of all, I believe that if I want my words to sell a product, that product should be strong enough to do so without tricking the buyer. I know that if I trick someone, I may make a sale--but I've lost a customer for life! Whereas if I show the merits, back up my claims, and focus on the way this product solves a problem, eases a hurt or fear, or satisfies a need, I will build that lifetime relationship.

Oh, and one more thing. I like to look in the mirror and see someone who is doing good for the world--and I don't think lies and trickery will accomplish that. I happen to have a gift for writing, and I use that gift to make the world better. That includes being honest with my self and with my readers.

Much of the work I do is in the publishing industry. And here, the competition is fierce. Roughly 175,000 new books are published in the U.S. each year. Most of them will fail. My job is to help my clients' books stand out in this dense crowd.

Example: I wrote a press release for a book on electronic privacy issues. Here's my headline and lead. (Another rule I broke--never use the headline as the lead sentence. It's the only time I've ever done it that way, but in this case, I think the repetition made the point stronger. Names have been changed to protect the author's privacy.)

It's 10 O'Clock--Do You Know Where Your Credit History Is?
HIBBING, MN: It's 10 O'clock--Do you know where your credit history is? How about your employment records? Your confidential medical information?

How would you feel if you found out this sensitive and should-be-private material is "vacationing" in computer databanks around the world-- accessible to corporate interests who can afford to track down and purchase it, but not necessarily open to your own inspection.

According to electronic privacy journalist and technology consultant Mortimer Gaines, this scenario is all-too-common?

No falsehoods, no hype--but a whole lot more captivating than the usual "New Book on Electronic Privacy Released by Publisher."

Without tricking people, I want to capture interest...move the reader to action...and still feel good about myself in the morning.

Yes, it can be done! I do it for clients every day, and have done so for more than 20 years.

Shel Horowitz, author of *Principled Profit: Marketing That Puts People First,* *Grassroots Marketing: Getting Noticed in a Noisy World,* and four other books, offers affordable, effective copywriting and strategic marketing planning to clients on three continents. He is the originator of the Ethical Business Pledge Campaign to change the World at http:// www.principledprofits.com/25000influencers.html . His sites at http:// www.frugalmarketing.com and http://www.principledprofits.com offer hundreds of useful articles for entrepreneurs and marketers, including the complete back issues of his FREE Monthly Frugal Marketing Tips. Shel will be glad to help you create your next press release, sell sheet, web site, or other marketing material. He can be reached at shel@principledprofits.com , 800-683-WORD.

Enron's Ultimate Victim: Ethics

2007-01-22T10:16:00.000-08:00

FROM the 'MORAL HIGH GROUND', where we imagine ourselves, the Enron fiasco should have come as no surprise. Enron is simply a quintessential example of the degradation of principles such as trust, loyalty and ethical standards.
Why it happened,however,is what really needs to be understood if business is to restore its ethical foundation and survive tumultuous times.
Few will argue that business today is more challenging and competitive; most everyone accepts that the marketplace is more cutthroat than ever. We live in a dog-eat-dog world where for most, corporate survival is focused on just trying to not get eaten.
Not long ago, things were not so ruthless, or so we'd like to think. Companies had a tacit understanding with their employees: the company will always be there for you. The expression, "I'm a company man," once represented the unquestioned relationship between employees and employer. The company was our family, and families looked out for one another. Anything less was considered disloyal and unacceptable.
The 1990s ushered in changes that still exist today. The 90's also started us on the slippery slope that altered the ground rules for ethics and basic corporate loyalty. Call it downsizing, rightsizing or realigning, but dedicated employees suddenly found themselves on the outs with new, supposedly competitive, corporate initiatives that were sold as necessary to keep companies viable. Keeping viable sometimes meant severing long-serving employees, who were left disillusioned, betrayed and often unarmed to fend for themselves.
Pre-1990, the downsizing of corporate workforces was inconscionable. Companies had an obligation to look after their people, didn't they? Apparently, they didn't. The targets of the realignment strategies were the suddenly "overpriced," tenured employees. Survival strategies were designed to replace higher-income staff (in reality, those who had given the most to the company) with less experienced workers to reduce payroll expenditures.
Cuts in tenured staff were easy to justify providing you bought into the argument that older employees were redundant, i.e., bereft of computer skills. There was some legitimacy to this, but therein lies one of the clearest examples of expediency and cost-cutting prevailing over loyalty and ethics.
It was train existing staff or replace them with young techno-grads at half the price. History demonstrates the route most companies took. It also marked the beginning of the separation of trust between employees and their companies. There is little loyalty left.
Today, employees lucky enough to have outlived the 90's occupy many of the corner offices on the executive floors. Those who write the cheques and run the companies are the surviving veterans of the last decade, well-trained in guerilla management now unfettered by moral obligations for traits such as loyalty or ethics.
This is not to cast aspersions upon today's executives but to show how "Enronesque" outcomes can result when industries abandon components essential to sustaining moral values.
Ethics and morality have taken a backseat in business, and there is no greater example than the outgoing settlement cheques being issued to Enron execs. At the same time, 20- and 30-year Enron employees are losing their entire retirement portfolios.
Executives cannot be held totally to blame. They are victims themselves, the byproduct of those well-trained in the new business religion. Most new executive contracts include a Parachute Clause, insurance against the executive or company who wants to part ways. The practice is ethical but, in my opinion, another example of a breakdown in loyalty. It all but promotes failure.
Parachute Planning is analogous to a prenuptial. The purpose and logic is understood. The facts speak for themselves. I read recently that reported 98.9 per cent of prenup-weddings in North America fail within three years. From another perspective, it appears there are now tangible rewards for failure or disloyalty.
The Bottom Line:
Ethics, trust and loyalty are still there. Fundamental values have not changed. Companies who buck the "all-for-me" trend to garner respect and trust will benefit everyone, but it will take time.
About The Author
Author, corporate coach, international keynote speaker and president of Success 150 Group Inc., Suite 458, 7305 Woodbine Ave, Markham, Ont.L3R 3V7
T: 416-728-5556 / 1-866-855-4590
E: paul@success150.com
W: www.paulshearstone.com , http://www.success150.com

Incentive Dilemma:

2007-01-21T14:05:00.000-08:00

Manufacturers and distributors are rolling out more sales incentive programs for their channel partners than ever before.
Some of these programs are not as successful as they could be, however, because they fail to appreciate fully what motivates salespeople and drives them to overachieve. Read on to learn six key concepts that can make your incentive programs more effective.
The dangling of the proverbial carrot is an ancient art that is commonly understood to be at the heart of human behavior, psychology, motivation, and, in particular, business. Manufacturers and distributors commonly use this technique with their channel partners in an effort to add unique motivational value to move specific products or services. The reason this technique has stood the test of time is because, for the most part, it works! At times, however, elements of the technique are executed improperly. Sales incentive programs under perform or fail as a result.
The monetary values of incentives are often not the critical factor in motivating sales people to succeed. Take my own example. I was fortunate to work in an industry that provided an unending supply of incentives and awards for overachievement. I knew that, if I won every trip, every TV, every incentive offered, the money would come with it! For me, the money and the goodies were not my primary motivation. My philosophy was simple; "If you win all the incentives there are to win, you couldn't help but be at or near the top every time." Corporations use incentive programs to drive behavior and I agreed to play the game and conform to their wishes; what gets rewarded, gets done.
The problem, from the vendors' point of view, is that not all salespeople are motivated the same way. Consequently, not all incentive programs work. Why is that? From my experience, I'll make the following observations:
1) The 80-20 Rule: Twenty percent of the salespeople make eighty percent of the sales and profits. Too often, sales incentives ? perhaps in an effort to be fair ? are geared to the entire sales force or VAR channel. The risk in a program like this is that the glove that fits everyone, in the end, fits no one. Enlightened marketing strategists know that the top twenty percent are already motivated. Simply put, a strategy that's geared to light a fire under the next twenty percent ? the next logical group ? doubles the business in a more cost efficient manner.
2) The KISS Theory: Salespeople by nature are like electricity. They naturally take the path of least resistance. That's not to say they are lazy or untoward. In fact, it's just the opposite. Good salespeople look to simplicity to make things happen.
Often, incentive programs fail miserably because of innate complexities either in their recording and reporting systems or in how rewards are won. If you put the salesperson in a position where they are forced to assess "To get this, I first have to sell this, plus these and not these and they must include these," you are creating a recipe for confusion, sales frustration and failure. In the end, the incentive program becomes a disincentive!
The remedy? Manufacturers must keep the program sweet and simple and attainable. There can be no ambiguity. Anything less will result in a lack of interest, as well as a waste of time and money that can sometimes spill over into other departments whose task it is to administer and account.
3) Education: Edison may have invented the light bulb, but it never went anywhere until a salesman understood its benefits and made the first sale? and probably sold a lamp to go with it!
Incentive programs don't just sell themselves. Too often, expensive motivational programs are overlooked in the field because reps either don't understand their value and/or are unsure how to sell them. Many times, good programs are written off as having missed the target, when in reality, they just weren't rolled out and managed properly.
4) Competition: Everyone's heard the expression, "Timing is Everything!" This is particularly important sage advice for the successful incentive program planner. Marketing execs can't know when every competitive incentive program will rear its aggressive head, but they can take strides to ensure their program is given first look.
Any successful salesperson will tell you, "Most sales are made as a result of due diligence on the front end." Simply put, the better the preparation, the more likely the sale. The same can be said for incentive initiatives. Real incentive programs, like new movie releases, are something to be anticipated. The right amount of promotion ensures greater acceptance and interest that often usurps focus on competing programs.
5) Reward: Any reward-value can become an unmotivated anticlimactic activity if the time span between winning and getting, is too long. Successful incentive programs reward immediately! As a rule, the faster the reward is delivered, the greater the enthusiasm for the program.
Although on some levels, salespeople are a complex breed, when it comes to incentives, they are ? for the most part ? quite predictable. Their nature is to react to excitement or challenge faster then most, and then move on. One way to maximize their natural bent and ensure greater program success is simply to cater to their natural motivators. "Get them their stuff QUICKLY!"
6) Recognition: At the risk of making salespeople appear shallow or monolithic (they are not), recognition amongst their peers is still the quintessential motivator, whether there's an incentive program or not.
The rule again, is, there is no such thing as TOO much recognition! Salespeople by nature gravitate to the limelight much like other performers, and so there should be no shortage of achievement and overachievement recognitions that find their way ? in a timely manner ? to the public's eye.
Psychological studies have shown that the pursuit of recognition, in and of itself, can make the difference in targeting that critical second twenty percent on the sales achievement ladder. Experts agree that successful sales teams find motivation in their own champions. Beatifying the sales leaders instills excitement and a definable hierarchy that beckons all players to become a part.
Another fact that is frequently overlooked is that recognition, whether part of an incentive or not, is the least expensive means of motivation. In many cases, it's free! Often, shaking the hand of the president in front of the company is all it takes to galvanize the need to overachieve.
The Bottom Line: Manufacturers and Distributors must take greater care when designing motivational incentive programs. Take a page out of the "Sales 101" book that says, "Find out what they want, then, give it to them!" But make sure to keep it simple, keep it clear, promote it properly, reward immediately, don't try to target everybody, and, recognize, recognize? RECOGNIZE!
About The Author
Paul Shearstone aka The 'Pragmatic Persuasionist' is one of North America's foremost experts on Sales and Persuasion. An International Keynote Speaker, Author, Writer, Motivation, Corporate Ethics, / Time & Stress Management Specialist, Paul enlightens and challenges audiences as he informs, motivates and entertains. To comment on this article or to book the Pragmatic Persuasionist for your next successful event we invite to contact Paul Shearstone directly @ 416-728-5556 or 1-866-855-4590 www.success150.com ; paul@success150.com

Laws and Ethics?. Who?s Kidding Who?

2007-01-20T05:10:00.000-08:00

Years ago I read an article by a renowned psychologist wherein he wrote his studies found one percent of all human beings would never lie, cheat or steal. One percent would always lie, cheat or steal and given the right set of circumstances, the rest of us would likely lie, cheat and/or steal.
I mention this to highlight the fact that, if we can buyoff on this one principle ? sobering though it may be ? we have then, a benchmark from which to begin to at least try to understand the denigration of ethics that lead to outcomes like Enron and WorldCom.
Most believe morality walks hand-in-hand with unquestioned ethics. A quick look-up in a dictionary for Morality reveals words like, ethical, good, right, honest, decent, proper, honorable, just, principled and so on. All good words, no doubt. Words too that describe what most of us ? including Enron Exec's - see in ourselves, Morally Upstanding.
Nevertheless, there is no shortage of those who climb high upon their perch in an attempt to [dare I say] distance themselves from the great unwashed by proclaiming their undaunted commitment to honesty and ethics all the while engaging in activities to the contrary. Foyer walls of most companies utterly ooze words of benevolence and righteousness ? there only for others to see, but in practice, never to be followed.
To be fair, the great unwashed are not sacrosanct from unethical behaviors or from a reluctance to take ownership for actions deemed untoward. Even if it's something as simple as misusing the Internet or pinching office supplies from the company stockroom.
The fact is, the Enrons and Worldcoms have not cornered the market on unethical behavior. Like it or not, moral degradation is systemic in today's society.
In an attempt to enlighten us on the realities of true ethical behavior, USA Supreme Court Justice Potter said, [Ethics] "?is knowing the difference between what you have a legal right to do, and, what is the right thing to do".
Omniscient words to say the least! Words that in theory make a whole lot of sense. In practice, however, one may point out to his Honor, when he is seated on the Supreme Court bench and asked to adjudicate anything, his moral and ethical position, is and will always be, compromised by one factor ? in the end, what is LEGAL? what is the LAW?
Climb any pedestal he wants, in practice, his dedication to ethics is only words, like so many words used to make up so many smarmy Corporate Mission Statements that run juxtaposed to routine.
The Judge in this case, should not be criticized for knowing the fundamentals of true morality / ethics or for advocating the benefits therein. Neither should he be allowed to stand apart from anyone when clearly, in reality, he too is handcuffed by the very principle that challenges the rest of us - the thing that governs the outcome of most every ethical business decision ? IS IT LEGAL? The decision to lay-off 1-100-1,000 or more employees; we can do it ? but is it legal? The decision to withhold commissions, payables or taxes in order to weather corporate economically challenging times ? Q: What are the legal ramifications?
The ethical dilemma regarding whether to cut back on contracted services to improve the bottom line and appease the shareholders ? Ethics be damned ? Q: What's our legal position?
It's not a pretty world and it serves no purpose in kidding ourselves by attempting to extirpate our own involvement by blaming the Business-Barons from the likes of WorldCom. Let's agree, when faced with most ethical dilemmas, we all hide [if we can] behind the skirt of the lady who holds the scales of justice.
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The question still remains, however, how do the Enrons and WorldComs get so out-of-hand?
The answer is not all that mysterious, especially if you buy-off on what was written earlier - ... given the right set of circumstances, nearly all of us [from time-to-time] will take the wrong path.
It's shortsighted to believe high-level executives get out of bed each morning thinking about how they can swindle the world, take unfair advantage or act unethically. Just the opposite! That's not to say, however, just like in Supreme Court Justice Potter's case, there are circumstances beyond their control that may unequivocally govern decisions, which may challenge their innate moral commitment to ethics.
For example; who among us cannot think of a boss we once had [have] who said to us something like, "I don't want to hear how you're NOT going to achieve what I asked and the company EXPECTS?. I only want to see RESULTS!"
In many cases like this and in practice, the decision we are left to make is, is our ethical position more important than keeping our job and putting food on the table for our family? It's a tough world out there for those without a good job. So suck it up soldier! You're only doing what you've been ordered to do! It's not your decision! Somebody else will have to take responsibility for your unethical actions if the doo-doo hits the fan.
?. And we all then fall a little deeper onto the sword of ethics?
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Everyone's for corporate and personal liability to include financial recompense and/or jail terms especially for those at the top entrusted by us to always do what is right. We must be careful tough. To level our sights only on CEOs or CFOs is to miss the real perpetrators by aiming too low.
Like us, CEOs have bosses too. They report the Board of Directors. Granted, Boards have shareholders to whom they are ultimately accountable, but in practice, the buck stops at the Board level where ethical decisions ? bad or good ? are made.
In the book, Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies, Jim Collins and Jerry Porras speak to this issue by highlighting the [Board's], "explicit emphasis on Fair return rather than Maximum return".
Again, I must point out, fine words we can all embrace because they altruistically revolve around the Golden Rule of fairness. In general, however, they are not always practiced. Sadly, we live more today, an aberration of author *Ayn Rand's existential position - there is no room for altruism in business.
Understand a CEO's ethical dilemma when challenged with a take-it-or-leave-it Maximum return challenge. In the end, an executive's lifespan is predicated on one thing: 'carrying out' or being 'carried out'.
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My observation should in no way be construed as an endorsement for the illegalities engaged in by Enron / WorldCom or others still to be discovered. The point is, what they are accused of didn't just happen overnight. Given the right set of circumstances, the right amount of time, the right global competitive business climate, the right protection under the law, these large companies evolved ? learned to become what they are today.
Does that make them any less culpable? No! But it should serve more as a lighthouse warning that, a) This problem is more far-reaching - insidious - than we might once imagined, and, b) It Must be corrected ? Quickly!
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On a positive note, there are and have been many reputable studies done on the positive impact of ethics in the workplace for example **Harvard Business School Professors John Kotter and James Heskett who studied the performance of 207 large firms over an 11-year period. In their findings they wrote:
Corporate culture can have a significant impact on a firm's long-term economic performance. They found the firms with cultures that emphasized all the key managerial constituencies (customers, stockholders, and employees) and leadership from managers from all levels outperformed, by a large margin, firms that did not. Over an 11-year period, the former increased revenues by an average of 682% versus 166% for the latter, expanded their work forces by 282% versus 36%, grew their stock prices by 901% versus 74% and improved their net incomes by 756% versus 1%.
The net-net of this demonstrates companies that paid attention equally to customers; stockholders and employees outperformed those that didn't and over an 11-year period garnered a net growth income factor of 756%. Ethics Pays!
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On the other hand, all the positive studies in the world will do little to stop the dismantling of morals and ethics as long as those who engage in unethical behavior are allowed to continue. It's time Governments and law-enforcement agencies bring more pressure to bear on those who sit back comfortably at a distance [Corporate Boards] creating policies that stretch the boundaries of law and fan the flames of ethical undoing.
Stronger laws and penalties with teeth ? financial and criminal ? are needed to bring needed consequences to already financially comfortable Board Directors who, I think we'll find out quite quickly, will be more willing to re-embrace the "Do Unto Others" principle that keep business strong and elevates the collective!
* Ayn Rand: Author Atlas Shrugged
** Jeffery L Seglin: Author The Good the Bad and Your Business
About The Author
Paul Shearstone aka The 'Pragmatic Persuasionist' is one of North America's foremost experts on Sales and Persuasion. An International Keynote Speaker, Author, Writer, Motivation, Corporate Ethics, / Time & Stress Management Specialist, Paul enlightens and challenges audiences as he informs, motivates and entertains. To comment on this article or to book the Pragmatic Persuasionist for your next successful event we invite to contact Paul Shearstone directly @ 416-728-5556 or 1-866-855-4590. www.success150.com or paul@success150.com .

What's the Value of an E-mail Address?

2007-01-19T05:16:00.000-08:00

Although it may not be practical to put a dollar-sign value on an e-mail address there are many financially-savvy reasons to start collecting e-mail addresses if you haven't already begun. If you have, keep reading for a few more tips on e-mail address collection at the end of this article.

Communicating by e-mail has a number of benefits:

1.�Quick response ?- You'll be able to measure the effectiveness of your message in about 48 hours, which also means if you are asking for donations to a non-profit organization or selling something online you'll have money in-hand sooner than you would with direct mail.

2.�Learn something ?- A content strategy that tracks the recipient's activity within the message will teach you something about their interests.

3.�More affordable ?- E-mail allows you to communicate for pennies per message instead of the dollars per message it costs to send direct mail.

4.�Better results ?- Response rates to e-mail communications are often better than traditional direct mail.

5.�Segment & strategize ?- The technology available to deliver thousands of e-mail messages at a time also enables you to segment groups and target specific groups of people with a message just for them.

6.�It's the culture ?- Most professionals who work at a desk every day (and many who don't) are accustomed to using e-mail as a regular form of communication. According to the 2004 Pew Internet & American Life Project, 93% of online Americans use e-mail.

The e-mail addresses you have already collected, just like mailing addresses, are most valuable when they belong to the people who are connected and informed participants in your organization. Many organizations who consider "buying" an e-mail list will soon learn that their money will be wasted on strangers because their best prospects are the ones who are already acquainted with the good work you do. Therefore, it is worth the effort to cultivate your current list and do all you can to acquire their e-mail addresses and their permission to communicate with them by e-mail.

How to collect e-mail addresses:

1. Provide a subscription form on the front page of your website and then give them something to subscribe to: an e-mail newsletter, weekly tips, articles, resources, etc.

2. Remind people to subscribe to your e-mail newsletter in the signature of every person-to-person e-mail message you send out. Have every employee and volunteer do the same.

3. Instruct your staff and volunteers to keep this "top of mind" -- ALWAYS ask for an e-mail address: in person, on incoming and outgoing phone calls, visitors, events, etc.

4. Include a line for "e-mail address" on every return-reply mailing, including event RSVPs.

5. Determine a method for collection ANYTIME you are face-to-face with donors. Don't forget events that have volunteer sign-in sheets, raffle ticket sales or silent auction bids/purchases.

6. Implement a "forward-to-a-friend" strategy and consider offering an incentive for people who send multiple forwards.

7. Avoid being accused of spam ?- be sure to share your privacy policy with an assurance that you will not sell or share their information and, by all means, ask their permission to contact them�through e-mail.

Merritt Olsen is a freelance writer and marketing consultant specializing in online and e-mail marketing.� Need unique content for your e-mail newsletter that you can't find here?� Merritt has the experience and the savvy to write about a variety of topics and can be reached through www.tomorrowsdonor.com .

Copyright � 2004 Merritt Olsen & The Pursuant Group.� Permission is granted to reprint this article in print or on your website so long as the paragraph above is included and contact information is provided to www.pursuantgroup.com .

The Top Five Reasons Strategic Plans Fail

2007-01-18T08:03:00.000-08:00

"Most great plans aren't. They are just nice, high-level ideas."
That's how one of our survey respondents answered our question, "What are the top three obstacles that prevent great plans from reaching effective implementation?" Despite the universal chatter around the need to be "strategic", and the untold hours spent developing strategic plans, it appears that they don't work nearly often enough. And based on the spirited responses we got from the generous folks who answered our survey, it seems that many have been involved in a strategic plan that failed. Of course, we all know it's not YOUR fault!
If it's any consolation, even the big boys can't seem to get it right. Many more than Ted Turner are disappointed in the results from the AOL/Time Warner merger strategy. Arthur Andersen had a great strategy, except for the one little loose thread that allowed the entire company to unravel. And what happened at Kmart, Xerox, and Polaroid? These are organizations that all had the wind at their backs at one time or another, and now you have to wonder if their management could lead a dogsled team to a meatpacking plant.
OK, so no need to affix blame; let's focus on fixing the problem! The purpose of the survey was to identify key contributors to strategy failure so raised awareness could guide our clients to proactively avoid them. What follows is a recap of the responses from the top five categories (in no predictable order, I'll warn you!), along with excerpts of quotations that help clarify the points speedier than a bullet on amphetamines. These five categories reflect the most popular -- although not necessarily the most significant -- responses we received, out of approximately 25 categories. Their pervasiveness certainly warrants our attention. By addressing these five obstacles, you can expect to more successfully implement the plans you devise and participate in, even if a past experience felt more like a do-it-yourself mugging.
Communications
The number two response to our question about strategy failure should be familiar to all: Communications. Since we can't get it right at home -- with one in two U.S. marriages ending in divorce -- what makes us think we're going to get it right at work?
Poor communications seems to take many forms. Apparently, some groups like to develop strategic plans, and then hide them under a rock. But they don't do it on purpose. "The failure to communicate the vision and strategic objectives to stakeholders" may mean that the developers of the strategy aren't getting out enough information for folks to understand what they're supposed to do with it. "New initiatives or objectives are outlined but not communicated throughout the organization as to how the new objectives should look and feel, what steps to take, time-frame, etc." "Poor communications among team members responsible for decisions in implementation. Expectations and opinions are not shared openly, thoroughly, and effectively."
"Every tactical action supporting the strategic objectives needs to be included in an overall communication plan so that the strategy is reinforced." There's an interesting idea: an overall communication plan. Other responses also indicate that lack of communications routinely allows plans to die out after their launch. "No regular internal press to generate momentum." "Lack of better marketing efforts." Apparently all goes quiet, kind of like a mausoleum after the entertainment goes home. This contributor didn't hold anything back: "The communication sucks! Organizations become introverted in their communication strategies, whether the group is a large company or a small team."
Communication is also much more than words and pictures. Communication is also delivered through demonstration. "The management team does not follow the strategy themselves." We all know about the hypocritical "do as I say, not as I do" admonition. What does that scream about the value of the strategy? That behavior will raise eyebrows faster than a cook who won't eat his own cooking!
Leadership
Which brings us to leadership, which was the fifth most popular category. From these responses we can learn that leadership is much like fly-fishing -- when you're up to your waist in it, it's suddenly much harder than it looks! "Most leaders grossly underestimate what it takes to lead effectively." "Failing of leadership starting and ending at the top." "Lack of a true motivating leader." This contributor offered some specificity: "Weak leadership. This results in improper resource allocation, lack of buy-in, poor follow-through, inadequate checks, misaligned goals/ strategies/ actions, inefficient rewards and punishments, cover-ups, etc."
This respondent noted that there was enough blame to go around: "Not a lack of leadership from the main person in charge but from either a lack of ability or the lack of 'willingness' from other personnel who are needed to step up and truly lead the effort to bring the strategies from paper to production." The message here is that we are all called to lead from wherever we are, even if we're not at the top.
Not all management teams are blessed with skilled leaders. "Management team and/or owner not experienced/skilled enough to carry out the strategy." Some have titles associated with leadership, but not the authority: "No assigned champion/true owner of each project who has the authority to implement." I was taught that you must delegate authority at the same time you delegate responsibility. Lastly, we have leaders who are just plain stubborn, kind of like a mule with a good parking space at the mall: "...'rogue' links in the management chain that distort the plan to suit their OWN vision, thus subverting the directive from the top without authorization." Now I'm thinking fly-fishing is actually easier.
No Plan Behind the Idea
The third most popular category is named, "No Plan Behind the Idea," captured in this summary: "Most great plans aren't. They are just nice, high-level ideas." Those of you that have attempted to execute plans that were as thin as the soles on Newman's shoes may easily relate to this: "'Strategic initiative?' No, it wasn't 'strategic' and it wasn't an 'initiative'. Calling something a strategic initiative doesn't make it one."
It seems that many of our strategic planning sessions stop halfway, before there is a plan. "Very little planning, if any, goes into the implementation process." "Undeveloped intentions." Maybe you know some of these people: "Frequently the person with the great idea is not an execution giant." While no one is advocating using masking tape on a paint-by-numbers picture, how about this example of how to do it right: "the Microsoft of today NEVER rushes in ... they wait to see how things shake out, steal some early ideas, perfect them, then smash everybody they can and conquer the world."
Inquiring minds want to know what a strategy document is really for. "A strategy document almost NEVER actually states what is to be done from day to day and a way for employees to track their actual progress. Most strategies stop at the 'conceptual stage' rather than actually give very SPECIFIC tasks to be done." "Concept not cascaded throughout the organization so that individuals know how it applies to them and their job." "Unable to break the project down into doable actions." If all this sounds like a lot of work, perhaps this says it all: "Ideas are easier to talk about than do."
Passive Management
In fourth place is a category I call "Passive Management." This is characterized by assuming that things will run themselves after we get them started, which is about as likely as being hit by lightning while being eaten by a shark. Instead, I suggest that implementing strategic plans is more like keeping plates spinning atop a number of pointed sticks. If we don't put forth a regular effort to keep them spinning, the plates will fall down and the sticks will end up in uncomfortable places. "When the implementation phase begins there is not enough follow-through -- or follow-up for that matter -- from senior management." "Poor and inexperienced management to execute the plan."
Notice the subtle difference here from leadership. While leadership is expected to communicate the vision and support it with demonstrable actions, management is expected to know how to execute the individual tactics. "All talk and no action, failure to assign and hold individuals accountable for delivering on the assignments." "No one takes total charge and follows up when someone doesn't meet commitment dates." "The objective ... is written down on paper ... and nicely filed away." Here is what seems to be missing: "... this is the objective, this is how we're going to get there, here is your part in the plan and you will be held accountable."
Like leadership, management is not easy either: "It takes a special person to be able to define strategies and to plot out and manage others in how to achieve those strategies. Most fail because they assume their team has the wherewithal to pull it off and they therefore do not manage the process." I must say, I was surprised to learn that people want more management -- at least where implementing strategic plans is concerned!
Motivation and Personal Ownership
Our last category is actually our first category. This most popular category of Motivation and Personal Ownership contains responses focused on the question, "What's in it for me?" This is not to imply that we're all a bunch of selfish, greedy, self-serving individuals -- although recent headlines could certainly make that case successfully! -- it's really that people are looking for the meaning in what they do. In other words, they want to show up for more than just a paycheck. People want to build something, make a difference. "Don't understand the purpose, goal is minimized, vision disappears. No enthusiasm to make it happen. The bottom line, how will it affect ME?"
More effort is needed to help people understand how getting behind the company's goals can support their personal goals. "The I/me mentality that is so prevalent today. If it works for me -- it works for me! Let everyone else deal with it." "You must have some kind of desire or necessary will to implement the plan. You must have some kind of image of the outcome." The message here is that you -- personally -- must desire the outcome. Perhaps that lack is what causes, "lack of buy-in from the entire group." "Typically the initiative fails because the people responsible for implementing it are not convinced of its value."
What are the symptoms when there is no motivation/personal ownership? "Employee resistance." "Lack or no sense of urgency." "Inability of individuals to view strategic planning an important and exciting part of their job." "Lack of employees' support." "Lack of better sales efforts." "Lack of initiative at the lower levels of implementation, the 'front lines'." "Lack of ability to arouse enthusiasm." In summary is this prediction: "The project will never succeed if there is no emotion or passion involved."
Conclusion
Pay attention to Motivation and Personal Ownership, Communications, No Plan Behind the Idea, Passive Management, and Leadership, and you'll be ahead of the strategic planning game. These observations and insights can help you improve your success rate with implementing strategic plans, so it doesn't feel like doing the splits over a case of dynamite.
If you have had "great plans" fail -- I've lost personal count! -- take what we have learned here and embrace a new plan for those "high-level ideas." Let's also learn from Napoleon Hill: "The majority of men meet with failure because of their lack of persistence in creating new plans to take the place of those which fail." Braced with this knowledge, you'll do clearly better this time, and without need of bullets or amphetamines!
� 2002 Paul Johnson. All rights reserved.
The survey referenced above was conducted by e-mail between July 15th and August 1, 2002. Ninety-four respondents from a variety of business environments and roles contributed 321 individual responses. Those responses have been categorized and form the basis of our observations and analysis.
Note: This article is available for reprint at no charge. We only ask that you include our copyright notice in your reprint, along with the About the Author (byline) information we provide at the end of the article.
Paul Johnson of Panache and Systems LLC consults and speaks on business strategy for systematically boosting sales performance using Shortcuts to Yes?. Check out more salesforce development tips at http://panache-yes.com/tips.html. Call Paul direct in Atlanta, Georgia, US

How to Generate Extra Cash in an Instant

2007-01-17T05:27:00.000-08:00

With so many out of work, laid off or staying in dead end jobs to make the ends meet, we need creative ways of generating extra income. Here are a few simple, innovative ideas to get the cash you need quickly.
1) Your personal gold mine, can be staring you right in the face. Many of us save momentos for years for nostalgia or for that one time that we might need them. That time never seems to come though. Why not allow someone else to enjoy them as much as you have. These nick nacks may seem inconsequential or even like junk to you and may seem like buried treasure to some one else.
Go through your closets. Clear off your bookshelves. Unload those dresser drawers and create streams of income. Turn that old typewriter into a writer's dream and earn extra pocket money. Take that nineteen fifties dress out of the closet and make a retro chick happy, while filling your bank account.
With the invention of online auctions, like ebay and ubid, you can turn trash to cash. Or you can go to flea markets and offer your treasure up to vendors for half the profits. Books can be redeemed for a partial profit through sites like half.com or even amazon.com.
Once you have emptied your own closets, you can scour the malls for sales and resell those items online. Or better yet find a deal on one online auction and resell it on another. The only lmitation lies within your own imagination.
2) Have a brilliant idea or hobby? Turn it into an ebook. Write it using word or wordperfect and convert it into a pdf file using adobe 5.0. Then sell it on digibuy.com for 80% of the profits over and over again!
3) Recently sell your home through owner financing? If you are holding a note, there are companies that will purchase it from you for upfront cash. You may have to take a bit of a discount and you will have a large portion of your cash today instead of thirty years from now.
4) Won a lawsuit and recieving payments? You can do the same thing. Companies will actually pay you a large portion of what you won for the right to your payments. It's like taking the lump sum in a lottery winning!
5) Don't have a business of your own and need extra cash? There are plenty of affiliate programs out there that would be delighted to give you a percentage of their profits, for the privalege of having you market their products. Choose programs that you have personally used, so you can attest to the quality. Also choose programs that are at least two tiered. This means that you get paid wether you make a sale or someone you referred to the program makes a sale. Just one good referal can bring you a steady stream of montly income.
About The Author
Caterina Christakos is a published author and independent investor. For more information on how to turn notes, annuities and settlements into fast cash go to: http://www.webpagedesignerforrealestate.com/cash_for_notes.html ; stockoptions101@yahoo.com

Selling -abilities : Part 2

2007-01-16T06:56:00.000-08:00

In the last article I talked about different strategies for selling the 'reliability' aspect of your software or hardware.�� I mentioned how most high tech salespeople love to talk about their "-abilities": Reliability, Upgradeability , Compatibility and Expandability.� In this article I want to discuss how to sell upgradeability.� When is the right time to sell upgradeability?� When do you mention the possibility of future upgrades?� How do you position future upgrades to software or hardware with a new or existing customer without selling yourself short?� How often should your company release upgrades?� These are all great questions when it comes to the art of selling upgrades.�

Selling Upgradeability

So how do you sell upgradeability?� Well, lets start with a basic question. What does the word upgradeability bring to mind when a salesperson mentions the word?� If you're like myself, I think the product has room for improvement and in the future if I choose, I can upgrade to whatever new capabilities the software or hardware may offer.� Microsoft Windows epitomizes the model for selling upgradeability.�� There are four ways to sell upgradeability:

Strategy 1:� Ernest Dichter a famous advertisement executive made a statement that talked about how we as sales or marketers must use the techniques of motivational thinking to make people constructively discontent.� Dichter knew people would only buy a product when they are discontent with what they currently have.� The job of marketing and sales is to make 'people constructively discontent' with what they're currently using.� A good example of this is our migration from the audiotape to the compact disc.� Marketers reminded us of that annoying 'hiss' sound with tapes and how time consuming it was to rewind or fast-forward to find our favorite song.� They went on to promise the delivery of full 'fidelity' with the compact disc along with the ease and convenience of finding your favorite song.� Consumers bought the argument and the age of the compact disc was heralded in.�� When selling upgrades, are you making your customer 'constructively discontent'?

Strategy 2:� When I hear upgrade in any sales pitch I immediately think of options.� The task of the salesman is to give the customer a 'vision' of what could be possible if they chose your product and decide later on to upgrade.� Upgradability indicates there are other features that can be purchased without having to absorb the cost for them all at once.� A customer likes to know that if they are satisfied with the products performance that they could upgrade at any time to something more sophisticated or advanced.� This piece meal approach is especially effective with customers who have limited budgets.

Strategy 3: Upgradeability, especially second or third generation indicates to the customer that your company is continually improving on the product (i.e., responding to customer needs and investing in Research & Development).� This is key; many customers want to be reassured that the product has not 'peaked in performance' and that you will be improving the product over time.� Upgrades should be sold on average once a year.� To many upgrades a year can be seen as 'product fixes' or another way of extracting further sales from a customer leading to 'buyer resentment'.

Strategy 4: A major mistake made by many salespeople is not taking the time to show or prove to the customer how using your product will increase sales and effectiveness thereby leading to quick return on the buyer's Return On Investment (ROI).� Customers want to see hard numbers on how the solution you're offering is going to positively affect the bottom line.� Too often salespeople will say things like, "This is going to improve you productivity.", �"This will make your employees more effective in their jobs." Or, "This is going save your company a lot of money adding this upgrade."� All these statements are qualitative, not quantitative; the latter can be proven, the former is just an assertion.� Customers want quantitative proof of how your upgrade is going to improve their profitability either by increasing sales or reducing their cost.� Highly trained salespeople go into a customer meeting armed with quantitative proof of how upgrading to the next product level will achieve their profitability goals.

Upgrades are a great way to add an additional revenue stream to your company's bottom line.� Again, think Microsoft.� Every year or so, a new version of Windows comes out and many of us technophiles rush out and buy it.� How can you create this type of excitement or anticipation with your company's product upgrades?�

Victor Gonzalez, top motivational speaker, sales trainer�and author of "The LOGIC of Success".� For more info go to: � www.thelogicofsuccess.com or by email victor@thelogicofsuccess.com

5 Ways To Make Your Adwords Ads Outshine Your Competitors

2007-01-15T09:43:00.000-08:00

Google Adwords is a very good place to promote your business on the Internet. It allows you to target for specific keywords, allowing you to to promote right product to the right audiences.

However, as more and more players promote their ads on Adwords, it becomes very hard to get your ads noticed. Here's are 5 ways how to make your ads outshine your competitors':

1- Use the keyword in your ad title

Let's say you're bidding on the keyword 'ecover software', make sure you use the keyword in the title. When someone search on Google for 'ecover software', the percentage they'll see your ad is higher because the keyword in your ad will appear in bold.

2- Use capitalization

Use capital letter on the first letter of every word. Instead of writing your ad like this: 'make money from home', try this 'Make Money From Home'.

3- Use numbers wherever possible

People love numbers. Instead of: 'Make Money From Home', you can try 'Make $897 Weekly From Home'.

4- Benefits, benefits, benefits

People look for product that can solve their problem. So your ad must use words that emphasize more on benefits. Instead of saying 'our ecover software is the best', you can say 'Create Amazing eCover With A Single Click'.

5- Don't put affiliate status anymore

In the past Google required marketers who promote affiliate products to mention their affiliate status. But with the recent Adwords policy, you don't have to. Delete the word 'aff' and use the extra space for other words. Besides, by hiding your affiliate status, this will encourage more people to click on your link.

Mohd Fairuz maintains a website on Google Adwords resources & tools. He has also developed a free tool dedicated to Google Adwords advertisers. This tool will automatically convert broad keyword matching to phrase keyword match " " and exact keyword match [ ]. For more info on this tool, you can visit the following URL: http://www.ShortCoursesOnline.com/google-adwords-tools/

Treasure Map Your Next Success

2007-01-14T06:04:00.000-08:00

Treasure Map Your Success for 2005
Treasure-mapping is the process of visualizing on paper exactly what you want. The clearer you can see your desired future as a reality, the sooner it can manifest. The actual process is simple: look for color pictures in magazines or catalogs and use rubber cement to glue them to a half sheet of poster board. Each new year, my husband and I "treasure map" what we want in our lives for the year. Whenever we anticipate a major change, such as moving to a new city, buying a house, or changing jobs, we treasure map the change.
YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND SPEAKS
It is not necessary to know what you are looking for when you begin the search. This process allows your hearts desire in your subconscious mind to speak to you. As you look through the pictures, notice which ones resonate strongly inside you. Just tear them out and continue looking.
KNOWING WHAT YOU WANT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HOW YOU WILL GET IT
The magical part about treasure-mapping is that you don't have to know where the desired object or opportunity will come from. Gifts, contest prizes, unexpected surprises are not unusual. When you are very clear about what you want, you attract the energy and open yourself to opportunities you wouldn't have been receptive to before.
WAS I SURPRISED!
Several years ago, I treasure-mapped a trip to California. My husband and I were newly weds with debts from former marriages. There was no way that I could purchase the air-fare to California. After I treasure-mapped my trip, I actually won a contest and received the round trip ticket to California in the mail!
SOMETIMES THE RESULTS ARE IMMEDIATE
A student of mine treasure-mapped new suits for his wardrobe as he anticipated a career change. He was a state worker, and only wore casual clothes. When he went home after the treasure-mapping workshop, a neighbor came over carrying an armful of suits in the exact size as my student. The fit and colors were perfect!
HERE'S SOME OF THE PROSPERITY I HAVE TREASURE-MAPPED
? A new house, complete with gazebo
? New job with happy co-workers and wonderful boss
? Vacations, including a white-water rafting trip and hot-air balloon ride
? Clients, my husband, children
? Romantic weekends, healthy life-style choices
? Art, furniture and household accessories
TREASURE MAP A NEW RELATIONSHIP
Relationships: To treasure-map a spouse or special companion, concentrate on finding pictures that represent what you want the relationship to look like: how you want to be treated, what you will do together what values you would share, etc. Avoid treasure-mapping a specific physical body (after all, they are just models in the pictures.)
TREASURE MAP A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Physical changes- If you want to treasure-map an ideal body for yourself, concentrate on finding pictures of the active, healthy lifestyle that your body would need to maintain its energy. I've even pasted my own face on the body of a woman doing aerobics. Taking aerobics became a believable reality to me and melted the resistance I was feeling at the time.
CHOOSE KEY WORDS SPARINGLY, AND ALWAYS IN TYPE
Words- Include your own name, cut out of type, and a phrase or two (also in type) that motivate you. Be aware of too many words, however, as it is the visual image that your mind finds so powerful.
WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED, BLESS IT!
When the treasure-map is finished, bless it. Some people like to add a picture that represents God as their source for everything. I write a little prayer on the back: "Thank you, God, for this or something better." The treasure-map will come true in its right time?so just trust and let go.
HAVE A TREASURE MAPPING PARTY
Invite friends to bring their scissors, glue, and magazines for a treasure mapping party! Treasure-map with your spouse and your children. Children age 10 and up can treasure map their goals for the summer. Challenge a teenager to treasure map his or her life in ten years. It is especially exciting to exchange your final treasure-map with your spouse or partner and see how he or she has represented your relationship adventures!
LAMINATE THEM AND WATCH THEM COME TRUE
I still have the treasure-map in which I visualized my wonderful husband. We have been married over 20 years now, and that early treasure-map is faded and torn. Since then, I have been laminating my annual treasure-maps. It is exciting to watch them come true over time?proving that we can, indeed, choose our future.
Copyright 2005 Ana Tampanna
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ana Tampanna, "The Alligator Queen" is author of "The Womanly Art of Alligator Wrestling: Inspirational Stories for Outrageous Women Who Survive by their Wisdom and Wit." To learn about her speaking and coaching services and to sign up for her FREE ezine with power communication tools, life management tips, and special events, visit her website at http://www.alligatorqueen.com
NOTE: You're welcome to "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the "about the author" info at the end.) Ana would appreciate a copy of your reprint. ana@alligatorqueen.com

How to Choose the Right Coach for You

2007-01-13T08:09:00.000-08:00

So you want to hire a coach but with so many choices it's easy to feel overwhelmed. How do you find the coach that is right for you? It can seem like a daunting task so here are some guidelines to help you make the right decision for you.

Step One Before you start interviewing coaches, here are some questions you might ask yourself. Your answers will give you a place to start your search.

1. Why do you want to hire a coach?

2. What kind of goals are you working on? Business? Personal? Creative? A combination?

3. What kind of background and experience do you want your coach to have? Do you want someone who has worked in large corporations or small businesses? Do you want someone with a spiritual background? Do you want someone who comes to coaching from therapy and counseling or not? Is it important that your coach have experience as an artist, writer, scientist, educator or something else?

4. Do you want a coach who provides structure and accountability or do you want someone who appreciates process as well?

5. How important are credentials to you? Be aware that credentials can tell you some things but not always what it is you need to know.

6. Do you want to work with a man or a woman? Does age matter to you? Are there ethnic or cultural issues that matter to you?

7. What values are most important to you? And which must your coach share?

8. Do you want a one on one relationship with your coach? Or would you prefer a group?

9. Do you want to meet with your coach in person? Or do you like the ease and efficiency of phone sessions? Maybe you would prefer coaching online, e-mail or instant messaging?

10. Do you want regularly scheduled appointments? Or do you want on call coaching just when you need it?

11. Do you want an experienced coach? Or are you open to working with a new coach? Most would assume that the experienced coach would be a better choice but in many cases the enthusiasm and the active learning of a newer coach can be of tremendous value.

12. How much are you willing to spend? This is the last question because it is the least relevant. And notice, I did not say how much can you afford? Hiring a coach is an investment in yourself and offers a very high return on investment. So the question becomes, how much are you willing to invest in yourself at this moment in time? My recommendation is to take money out of the equation, make a decision based on all other factors and then factor the money back in.

Take some time to think about these questions. Write down your answers and prioritize them. You may find a coach who has it all but chances are you will have to compromise on something so be clear about what is essential and what is not.

Step Two Once you are clear about what characteristics you want in a coach and what your priorities are, you are ready to start looking.

1. Ask for referrals. If you know a coach, someone who has a coach or someone who is familiar with the field, ask them to recommend some coaches. Discussion lists and networking groups may be places to put out your request.

2. Take classes. Most coaches teach classes in both live and teleclass formats. Find subjects that interest you or coaches who sound interesting and take their class.

3. Use referral websites. Coachville, the International Coach Federation (ICF) and the International Association of Coaches (IAC) all have directories of their member coaches.

4. Check out websites. Once you have some names, go to their websites and find out everything you can about them.

5. Subscribe to their newsletters. Read past issues that may be archived on their website.

6. Read their blog. Many coaches are now adding weblogs to their online presence. Read what they are writing about. Does it resonate with you or not?

7. Identify 3 coaches you might like to work with. By this time you have gathered a great deal of information, have eliminated many and are probably down to a relatively short list anyway. Honing it down to 3 gives you enough choices without sending you into overwhelm.

8. Make an appointment with your top 3 choices. Most coaches offer a free introductory session. Take advantage of this offer and talk with them. What is most important during this session is to pay attention to how you feel with this coach. Do you feel comfortable? Does the coach feel genuinely interested in you? Does the coach seem to "get" you? Does the coach's pace and style work well for you? What kind of value did you receive from this one session? Did the coach answer your questions completely? What is your intuitive sense about each coach? Your intuition may be the deciding factor and, in some cases, may override your objective criteria.

9. Make a decision and hire a coach.

Final Note It took me over a year to find my coach. In the end it came down to two possibilities. One was very experienced, highly regarded in the coaching community and exhibited excellent coaching skills in the many classes I took. The other was a relatively new coach who was just starting her business. I had taken one free teleclass and a 4 week group. I liked the material very much but didn't particularly like the group.

So who did I choose? I chose the newer coach. Was that the right decision? Absolutely! I had a strong intuitive pull to her which was the deciding factor. In retrospect, the more experienced coach has taken off in a direction that is totally incompatible with my values and I would be looking for another coach had I hired him.

Instead, I have an established relationship with a coach who knows me well, knows when and how to support me, knows how to challenge me effectively and has great insights. Best of all, she asks really, really great questions.

Having the right coach for you can make all the difference in achieving your goals. Take your time, explore your options and trust your judgment.

Good luck!

� 2004 Susan L. Fuller

Susan L. Fuller, "The Allergic to 9-5 Coach", coaches creative women who are allergic to 9-5. Working with creative business and artistic professionals, she provides an environment to inspire the development of new works, new markets and new businesses. To find out more visit her at http://www.allergicto9-5.com

The 11 Best Money Saving Ideas of All Time - Part 2

2007-01-11T07:31:00.000-08:00

At any time in history, no matter what the current state of the economy, no matter what the current trends, no matter what the unemployment rate is or where interest rates lurk, some money-saving ideas stay true.
Some of you may have heard of these ideas before, others may be entirely new to you. But whether you are familiar with these super secrets or not, it will be well worth your while to put them into effect in your own life. The magic they will work on your financial life is guaranteed. I urge you to put them to work - any one of these could change your life! Big changes come from small steps. One plus one does equal two, so if you add one from eleven different places, you will see big results.
This is a four part series giving you advice on saving your hard-earned money in a variety of down-to-earth ways. Nothing here is anything that anyone can't do on a daily basis.
Amazing Money Tip #4
Ben Franklin said it long ago: "A penny saved is a penny earned." Yes, it's still true, and still one of the most powerful money-making tips in all history.
Implied within Franklin's famous statement is the difficulty of saving. It's tough to save and easy to spend! You know that! That's why every penny saved truly is earned - because it takes so much effort to hold on to that cash! But if you can do it, it will work magic in your life. Having a savings account will de-stress your life. Imagine being ahead of your bills, rather than behind. When you are ahead of your bills, you entire life comes under your control. You sleep better at night. Your mind is freer to come up with new ways to make more money and save more. Saving is contagious - once you let it get started!
Here are some tips to help you save:

Don't settle for interest checking. Have a separate savings account that can't be as easily accessed as a checking account.

Keep your savings in another bank - one that's off your regular route, or perhaps even in another town. That way you won't be tempted to dip into it every time you visit the bank to make a checking deposit.

Buy short-term savings bonds, which have 6-month to one- year maturity dates. That way you will get a higher rate, while at the same time keeping your money close in case of real emergencies.

If you can, open the account under two names and require that both signatures be required to make a withdrawal. Two people can debate each withdrawal and keep each other in line.

When you get your paycheck, immediately put a minimum of 5% in your savings account. After just a year, you'll be surprised by how much you have actually saved and feel great about it.

Amazing Money Tip #5
Visualize wealth and abundance everyday. Am I actually suggesting that you practice some sort of airy-fairy mysticism that will make you into a "money magnet"? Maybe yes, maybe no. Call it what you will - a mind game, mysticism, New Age ga-ga -- but the solid fact is that behind every wealthy man and woman is a positive attitude toward money. Here's a quick demonstration:
(1) Person One with a negative money attitude has daily thoughts which go this way: "Jeez! $20 bucks is hard to come by! I seem to work so hard and get so little for it. Money just slips through my fingers. It's amazing how much money you have to earn to just get by these days. I'm never going to be able to afford that new car on my limited salary, but this job is still the best thing going for me right now. It's easy for some people to make a lot of money, but I'm not one of those people ..." and on and on.
(2) Person Two with a positive money attitude has daily thoughts which go this way: "You know, I bet if I work my butt off I can get a raise next month, and then I'll take half of the extra money I make and toss it in a savings account. There must be a 100 other ways I can bring in some extra cash. Money is not all that hard to earn if you work hard, watch your spending and save a little at a time. There's enough wealth for everybody in this country, and I can easily get my share, and more ..." and on and on.
Okay. Which person do you think will have a better chance of success? You don't need to be a Rhodes Scholar to see how Person One is dragging himself down with his thoughts, and how Person Two is giving himself a fighting chance.
Look at it this way: It costs nothing one way or the other to have either negative or positive thoughts. So why not have positive thoughts?
There have been many studies done on the thought patterns and the frames of mind of some of the richest, most successful people in the world. The one thing they all had in common was a positive attitude toward money and their ability to earn it.
The next of the 11 best money saving ideas of all time will be discussed in part 3. Until then, take note of what you have learned so far and put this information to good use. Read and reread this article; I bet you will notice a difference sooner than you think.
Copyright � by Palyn Peterson
About The Author
Sign up for Palyn Peterson's FREE 13 day intensive email course and discover the 16 necessary basics and 8 advanced internet marketing techniques. You'll also receive a free $gift$. http://FutureInternetMarketing.com/guide.htm ; palyn@futureinternetmarketing.com
This article is free to publish with resource box. If using this article, please send a brief message to mailto:palyn@futureinternetmarketing.com

5 Ways to Absolutely Destroy Your Finances!

2007-01-10T05:45:00.000-08:00

Ben Stein has a book called How to Ruin Your Finances. To be honest, I'm not sure an entire book is needed on the subject-there are some fairly quick and easy ways to accomplish the task. (Before continuing, let me be clear that I do not actually recommend such activities-This is a reductio absurdum argument, meant to spur an opposing realization.)
#1: Buy everything, yes, everything
You never know when a neighbor may come over to use your dish towels, so make sure they are Ralph Lauren, less than six months old, and all the same color. While you're at it, buy things that you don't need now, but may need in the future, such as eleven new sweaters, a top-of-the-line treadmill, and some bestselling novels (just in case you ever read the 38 already on your bookshelf).
#2: Charge all purchases
That way you can itemize all your spending, which is sort of like budgeting. When the bill comes each month, be consistent-pay only the minimum. If there's anything left at the end of the month, see #1.
#3: Don't be concerned about retirement
That's what Social Security is for! Our country is run by intelligent economists, and they'll make certain there's enough for you in 25 years.
#4: Buy a $4 million home, with 1% down, and a 30-year mortgage
Then, spend your entire working life paying it off. Don't worry if you haven't invested in anything else-you can sell the home when you reach 65, rapidly adjust your lifestyle to match your new one-bedroom condo, and live off the difference.
#5: Start being frugal 'tomorrow'
Please, finish your $7 mocha latte and go about your day. After all, this article was obviously written for the other guy!
� 2005 Matthew S. Clement, All rights reserved
Matthew S. Clement is a financial planner and investment advisor representative with Financial Network Investment Corporation, member SIPC. He provides holistic wealth management and retirement planning to individuals and businesses. He can be reached in New York at (845) 942-8578, or by email: ClementM@FinancialNetwork.com

Snowflakes Improve Holiday Sales

2007-01-09T05:08:00.000-08:00

Snowflakes are beautiful!
For the Winter Holiday sales season handcrafted snowflakes are the perfect touch. They lend an aura of a mystical winter wonderland to any room, house or office decor.
You may ask "What has snowflakes got to do with internet marketing?"
A free gift with every order gives you the competitive edge over your competitors.
Everyone likes getting something for free. And what better time for gifts than Christmas time!
Reward your customers with the enjoyment of a unique free gift not available in stores. You'll make your customers feel special! And that means more sales! Your customers will know that you have a real interest in them as people, not as mere sales prospects.
Include a beautiful snowflake free in your orders and you'll improve your Christmas sales 100 percent!
There are two ways you can do this:
You can tell your customers that they will receive a free gift with every order. The suspense of not knowing what the free gift is makes it even more exciting and fun! Some people will order just for the fun and expectation of getting a free gift! They wonder what could it possibly be?
Or simply send it along with the order. Finding an unexpected gift will greatly enhance your customers appreciation for your first rate service.
You don't need to go to any great expense for your free gifts. It's the "thought that counts."
Unlike pens, pencils, calendars and other items that have a temporary lifetime give something that will last forever. It will always remind them of you and the excellent service they received by ordering from you.
It will make a huge difference in your sales for the upcoming year. Customers who receive exceptional service will order again and again. That means repeat sales and more money for you.
Snowflakes are available at my website listed in the box below.
About The Author
Author: Marilyn Pokorney Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Website: http://www.apluswriting.net marilynp@nctc.net

How To Find the Best Merchant Account For Your Business

2007-01-06T06:58:00.000-08:00

What a great idea! Start accepting credit cards and watch your profits soar. Nothing could be simpler. Or so you thought until you began researching merchant accounts. It can all get extremely confusing. There is an easy way to find the best deal that suits your business. You'll be able to compare apples to apples and have a clear picture of what the merchant account will cost you.
Let's take a look at some of the phrases you'll encounter (in layman's terms) when you begin to search for a merchant account.
--- Merchant Account Provider - The company who arranges for your payment hardware or software and your ability to accept credit cards.
--- Nova - The company who processes the credit card transactions and forwards them to the appropriate credit card company for payment (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.)
--- Set Up Fee - The one-time amount the merchant account provider charges to set up your company in their system. For this example, we'll use a set up fee of $65.00.
--- Discount Fee -One amount (there are others) that Nova and the merchant account provider deduct from each sale as a portion of their payment for your merchant account. We'll use a discount fee of 2.25%.
--- Per Transaction Fee - This is a second amount that the two companies subtract from each transaction as a portion of their payment. For our example, we'll pick a per transaction fee of $.35.
--- Terminal or Gateway Fee - Whether you have a real terminal or a virtual gateway via the Internet, you will be assessed monthly charges to cover the use of that service. Let's say $10.00 for our example.
--- Statement Fee - The fee for your merchant account provider to send an itemized statement each month. An average amount we can use is $15.00.
--- Annual Fee - An annual fee just for having your merchant account. For the annual fee example, we'll choose $35.00.
I know what you're thinking! But don't give up before you start. Remember, I'm going to show you a way to decipher all this information.
Choose a number -- any number. This will be the total number of transactions you think you might conduct during the course of a year. For our example, we'll use 100. Next, choose an average transaction amount for your product or services. We'll say $175.00 for now. Finally, we'll calculate a year's worth of charges by using the amounts above and within the definitions.
Set Rate Charges:
Set up Fee = $65.00 (one time only)
Gateway Fee = $10.00/mth
Statement Fee = $15.00/mth
Annual Fee = $25.00/yr
Then multiply your estimated number of transactions by the $ .35 per transaction fee. That equals $35.00. Next, multiply the average transaction amount ($175) by the discount rate of 2.25%. That equals $3.94. You've estimated that you'll have 100 transactions per year, so again, multiply the $3.94 by the 100 transactions. The total equals $394.00. All that is left is to add them all up.
Set up Fee = $65.00 (one time only)
Gateway Fee = $10.00 x 12 months = $120.00/yr
Statement Fee = $15.00 x 12 months = $180.00/yr
Annual Fee = $25.00/yr
Per Transaction Fees = $35.00/yr
Discount Rate Fees = $394.00/yr
Total Fees & Charges For One Year = $819.00
Let's look at one other quick example just to show you that looks can be deceiving.
This company offers the following rates:
Set up Fee = FREE
Gateway Fee = $15.00/mth
Statement Fee = $10.00/mth
Annual Fee = FREE
Per Transaction Fees $ .30
Discount Rate Fees = 2.35%
Software Lease = $24.95/mth
Based on our same $175 average transaction and 100 transactions per year, we come out with the following figures:
Set up Fee = FREE
Gateway Fee = $15.00 x 12 = $180.00
Statement Fee = $10.00 x 12 = $120.00
Annual Fee = FREE
Per Transaction Fees (100 transactions x $ .30 = $30.00)
Discount Rate Fees = $175 avg. transaction x 2.35% = $4.11 x 100 transactions = $411.00)

Software Lease = $24.95 x 12 = $299.40 (an additional fee our first provider didn't charge)

Total Fees & Charges For One Year = $1040.40.

Even with free set up and no annual fee, this company still charges over $200 per year more than the first merchant account provider we previewed. Be very careful - the word "free" can often times be deceiving.

Merchant accounts can open a world of new business for your company. They can provide a very convenient way for your clients to pay - and for YOU to get your money. However, when you shop for a merchant account, be sure to use a standard unit of measure like we've outlined above to be very sure that you are getting the deal best suited for your company.

Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com

FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business Into A Tower of Profits! ==>> http://madmarketer.com/diane

Web Conferencing: A Boon to Businesss

2007-01-05T07:42:00.000-08:00

It is Sunday evening and you are preparing again to go on a business trip. Monday morning the alarm goes off at 4:00 am, you drag your body and your briefcase to your car, drive to the airport, wait in a long line, get on a plane, get off a plane, and find your way to your client's office. When you finally get home Monday night, you have spent more time traveling than meeting and you have dozens of emails and several important phone calls to return.
According to leading web conferencing service providers, the typical sales cycle can be cut two to three weeks with web conferencing. Providing a virtual conference room environment, web conferencing eliminates the need to travel, linking geographically disperse workgroups and telecommuters. The return on investment for web conferencing can be measured not only in dollars and cents, but also in personnel efficiency, knowledge distribution and increased sales opportunities.
The ability to virtually link workgroups and project teams enables real-time collaboration, a task that once required lengthy email threads or face-to-face meetings.
Web conferencing enables businesses to:

- Reduce operating costs

- Minimize unnecessary travel

- Close sales and negotiate contracts faster

- Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of communication

- Deliver clear, concise and consistent training

- Encourage real-time collaboration between distant and local co-workers

- Engage in greater levels of communication with clients and business partners

Since its inception, web conferencing usage has expanded to a number of business applications such as daily sales and marketing efforts, interaction with co-workers and customers, corporate presentations and training initiatives. Financial corporations use web conferencing for internal meetings, customer briefings, employee training, client consultations and investment workshops. Healthcare and pharmaceutical companies use Web conferencing for product promotion and marketing, sales presentations and demonstrations, and product training and development. Educational institutions use web conferencing for project teams and student workshops. And, government agencies rely on web conferencing for training and inter-agency communication.
Most organizations use outsourced web conferencing. Why? Because of the quickly changing technology, businesses opt not to invest in what could soon be obsolete. In addition, on a day-to-day basis, it is more cost effective to have web conferencing outsourced. Additional reasons include:

- Leading edge functionality provides greater levels of security, moderator control, and participant options.

- Your people can now focus on your core business, not support systems.

- The external company makes the investment in new features so that your fixed costs are reduced and your overall expenditures are lowered.

- With no capital expense, new technology can be implemented with minimal impact to the bottom line.

When beginning the search for a web conferencing solution, start with setting your objectives and determining the features you require. Here are a few basic questions that should be answered:

- How many participants do you anticipate attending your online meetings or events?

- Will the number of participants remain consistent from meeting to meeting or will the number change?

- How many meetings will be conducted each week, month, quarter? Will usage fluctuate depending on the time of the year?

- What type of content will be presented (Power Point slides, software applications, web-based applications, documents, or spreadsheets)?

- What degree of interactivity do you require (Q&A, polling/voting, application sharing, text chatting, live video, file sharing, etc.)?

- Do you want your own software or a hosted solution?

- How much technical support or event management support do you require?

- What is your monthly budget?

- Are there any special security requirements?

Once you have determined your requirements, screen a number of vendors. Visit their web site, review live demos, and seek client testimonials. Here are few suggestions for choosing a vendor:
Select a pricing model. Determine whether you want to pay-per-use (you pay only for the time you and your attendees spend in web conferences) or pay-per-seat (you pay a flat monthly fee for a certain number of "seats"). Pay-per-use pricing is the better conservative choice for most companies learning to how to use web conferencing for their business. You avoid set up charges and you don't have to monitor the number of concurrent users in order to avoid overage charges. You can always start with a pay-per-use plan and switch to a pay-per-seat plan once there is a clear, long-term financial advantage.
Get the features you need. Some web conferencing solutions only support online presentations while others offer full-featured packages that include polling, chatting, application-sharing, white boarding and group web surfing. Make sure that the product meets your needs.
Check into customer support levels. Is training and ongoing support available? What hours? Is there an extra fee? Is there a telephone number available so that you can contact a support person or is only email support offered? What are their support hours? Call each vendor's customer service number and see if you get a live person vs. a menu or voice mail. You don't want to be in a situation where an attendee has technical problems joining a critical meeting and not be able to contact a live person immediately.
Consider security requirements. Depending on the audience and the information being sharing, security may be a concern. Most solutions are secure enough and do not store meeting data any place except on the presenter's PC. Participants only see a graphical representation of the data through a standard web browser. Some services provide pass code authorization, basic encryption, and the ability to lock and unlock the meeting.
So, the next time Sunday night comes around and you are faced with another week of travel, email trails, difficulty in scheduling training and long lead times in closing sales and negotiating contracts, do yourself a favor and look into web conferencing for your business.
About The Author
Denise Bridgens has more than 20 years experience in product marketing and product management for communications and is the founder of Argo Navis IT. Argo Navis IT is a value added reseller of Premiere Conferencing services and is their exclusive Minority Women Business Enterprise partner. Premiere Conferencing has consistently led the industry in developing the most advanced conferencing solutions, fulfilling today's business-critical communications needs and delivering the highest levels of security and reliability. Argo Navis IT is headquartered in Morristown, NJ and is opening an office in a HUB zone shortly. The company contributes 10% of profits annually to battered women's shelters. To learn more about Argo Navis IT, visit their web site at www.argonavisit.com

Do-It-Yourself or Hire a Professional Designer

2007-01-04T06:05:00.000-08:00

Remember your vision for your company and the brand or statement you want to make when any of your current or potential customers come in contact with you. You have to impress them in all the ways you connect with them.

DIY (Do-It-Yourself)

?? Knowledge is Power
�� I highly recommend reading and
�� learning about graphic/web design.
�� It's a good idea in a long-term sense
�� whether you do design projects yourself
�� now or hire in the future. You will be
�� able to communicate more effectively
�� to your graphic professionals when
�� your business is ready to outsource.
�� By learning design techniques, it will
�� help you organize how to present
�� your image to your target market.
�� The most important lesson to remember
�� is if you start your design project,
�� don't forget about Quality. I may not
�� call myself a copywriter, but I do write
�� my own content and persuasive
�� marketing materials... But I feel fairly
�� confident about my copy because I
�� have taken steps to learn about writing
�� copy that sells and you can do the same
�� for design. Read books. Take classes.
�� Learn the software.

?? It's an affordable route
�� Nothing is more affordable that pulling
�� up your sleeves and doing it yourself
�� especially if you don't have a budget to
�� spare on outsourcing.

?? It gives you instant gratification
�� It's nice to have control and once your
�� learn the tricks of the trade, you can pat
�� yourself on the back for a job well-done.

Hiring a Professional

?? How much time do you have?
�� Designing your marketing materials
�� (website, business card, stationary,
�� ezine, postcards, etc.) is not just about
�� learning about the graphic design
�� software and, in the case of web design...
�� learning HTML. Your designer will know
�� how to harness color theory and how to
�� organize your content & information to
�� readable chunks, allow your viewers to focus
�� on the important benefits, evoke a certain
�� feeling or thought, and add supporting
�� graphics that clearly and effectively
�� communicate your message.

?? Don't you want to concentrate on business?
�� When you are a small business, you probably
�� play the role of sales, customer service,
�� accounting and need to concentrate on
�� strategies to build business. Hiring lets you
�� make the decisions to take your business to
�� the next step, communicate your wants/needs
�� but then hand it off to someone who can
�� effectively and productively implement the
�� project.�

?? You do care about quality, right?
�� You get what you pay for. A quality designer
�� will only want the best for you and your
�� business. They live off long-term relationships
�� and want great testimonials from you.

?? Don't think "service provider".
�� Think long-term partnerships.

With over 100+ websites designed in the past 4 years, Maya Sunpongco is your Chief Imagination Officer for Design Insomnia , in San Diego, CA - an internet/web graphics firm that harnesses the "Power of Design to Communicate." She supports women-owned businesses and is a member of the National Association for Female Executives and the Professional Women's Network .

The Nine Warning Signs that You Need a Sales Video

2007-01-03T05:57:00.000-08:00

Corporate videos are an important sales tool that can often be overlooked in marketing budgets.
We look at the top nine tell-tale signs that indicate whether your company is in need of an innovative and effective way to promote itself.
1. No strong corporate "look and feel"
You're in a highly competitive industry. Yet, what makes you really stand apart from your competitors is your people and the look and feel of your company.
So how do you show your state-of-the-art factory in action or your professional staff working in your appealing office?
And what about your idyllic location? What's the best way to show picturesque vision of rolling hills, clean and green countryside or waterside views?
The solution is to create a marketing video that paints an appealing picture of those indefinable qualities that make your company unique.
2. Unique Presentations
You need to do a sales presentation and your company is up against some tough competitors.
How do you present your company in a way that is different to your opponents?
A proven method is to play your corporate video within your PowerPoint presentation.
Playing your marketing video at the start of a sales presentation is a great way to relax your audience. Interesting vision and upbeat music can make your audience feel more positive, even before you've spoken a word.
It's an ideal way to show the look and feel of your company in a convincing and enjoyable manner.
3. Trade Shows/Exhibitions
Your organisation is always exhibiting at trade shows and needs a way to stand out from the crowd.
Setting up a television screen and a DVD/VHS player in your stand with your continually repeating corporate video is an easy way to get people to stop and stare. Moving vision and music easily stops people in their tracks.
Parents quickly learn that it is easy to distract a child by leaving them in front of a television. Adults are usually no different. It is easy to grab the attention of participants who may feel uncomfortable (or bored) walking around a trade show.
Continually playing your corporate video is an easy way for passers-by to learn about you without having to go to the effort of reading through brochures.
4. Increasing Export Sales
Travelling overseas to market your products or services to international buyers is risky business. Not just for your company, but also for your prospects.
Can they really trust you when you tell them how large and reputable you business is and that you have the right quality procedures in place? How can they get a real feel for your company that is located thousands of miles away?
Presenting your location, factory or office, production process and your dedicated staff at work is highly regarded by international buyers. It provides an extra a look and feel about your company that is often lacking from brochures and photos.
A concise marketing video that gives an interesting overview of your company is a proven method to increasing international sales.
5. Showing your Product or Service in Action
Sometimes you cannot actually demonstrate your product or service to a client because it is too large to lug around, it is located on the other side of the world or there is only one prototype that cannot be used.
New products or services that are suitable for use in a range of different scenarios are also difficult to demonstrate.
Using a marketing video that can exhibit how your product works and under what circumstances is a great way for prospects to understand what you are trying to sell.
This is a much better alternative than taking the prospect through lengthy operational manuals or worse still, having them rely on their imagination.
6. Extensive Product Range
Your product list is extensive. Not only do your clients not know all of the products that you sell, but even your staff have trouble remembering!
Studies have found that we are more likely to remember information if it is shown with pictures. The best way to inform people about your product range (and for them to remember) is to show scenarios in which the product can be used.
7. Your Production Process
Your product is made in a time-honoured tradition that takes hours of dedication. Or your product is made from the finest quality materials that are only obtainable from a scenic, rural location. Alternatively, your service was developed from years of research by experienced technicians.
Showing your product being made in a manner that is different to your competitors gives you a distinct competitive advantage.
This is one area that you do not want to leave to nice words and pretty pictures in a brochure. To do your company justice, showcasing your production process is an extremely important message to convey.
8. Believable Testimonials
There is nothing more potent than having your happy customers raving on about how wonderful you are to camera.
Written testimonials are often read suspiciously. We're all guilty of reading through testimonials and laughing about their dubious authenticity.
Having a real client talking about you on camera is like having that person tell your prospects face-to-face about how highly they think of you. Of course, the testimonial has to look real. Uncomfortable clients poorly reading from an autocue fools nobody!
When done correctly, this is an extremely effective way to promote your business and one that has been used since televisions first appeared in our lounge rooms.
9. Winning Awards
Many savvy businesses know that entering awards can be a great way to cost effectively promote their company.
Submitting your corporate video in an award submission is also a clever technique to distinguish your company from the pack.
An added bonus is that your video material may also be included during any awards ceremony stretching your promotional opportunities even further.
Marie-Claire Ross is from Digicast Television Production. Digicast Television Production has helped many businesses win big contracts and projects by increasing more awareness and knowledge of their products and services. To get the FREE Digicast Ezine with marketing tips and the latest information on technology to help busy business professionals visit ( http://www.digicast.com.au ) to subscribe.

Design Matters in our Visual Culture

2006-12-31T20:12:00.000-08:00

FIRST IMPRESSIONS.

First impressions often leave lasting impressions. Impressions also result in people's perceptions. There goes that age-old debate -- "Perception versus Reality." I say that perception is someone's impression of reality. And sometimes... no matter what is reality, you just can't change people's perception of a situation or thing.

Let's define these words...(im�pres�sion) noun: a characteristic, trait, or feature resulting from some influence; the act of impressing.� (per�cep�tion) noun: a result of observation.

To make a long story short, "Yes, design does matter!"

?��When you meet someone you hope to date, don't you want to make a good first impression? You want to be in nice clothes, have your hair just right and be in the right place at the right time.

?��When you shop for books at the bookstore, doesn't the nicely designed books attract your attention... let's be honest, we do sometimes judge a book by it's cover then read on for content?

?��When you meet people, don't you give them a firm handshake? Why do you do this? Because you want them to know you are confident.

?��When you attend networking events and you hand people your business card, you don't want to say, "These are just my temporary business cards." I've heard this many times at networking events. You lose credibility and your ego and confidence gets deflated doesn't it?!

Your website can ruin or build your credibility. Which would you prefer? People can judge how professional and/or serious you are about your business when they start looking at your website (or any other marketing materials they get their hands on). Online (on the Internet) you have only a few seconds to impress your visitors before they make a conscious decision to click away or click for more information. So help them make it easy to click for more information.

You should put the same effort and attention in your marketing materials (business cards, letterheads, postcards, direct mail, voice mail greeting, etc.) as you do for growing your business. So if you decide to (re)build a website, remember that impressions online should compliment what you'd like your potential and current customers to remember you by... as if you had met face-to-face.

To illustrate the before & after on how Design Matters, download the full article .

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With over 100+ websites designed in the past 4 years, Maya Sunpongco is your Chief Imagination Officer for Design Insomnia , in San Diego, CA - an internet/web graphics firm that harnesses the "Power of Design to Communicate." She supports women-owned businesses and is a member of the National Association for Female Executives �and the Professional Women's Network .

How to Choose a Web Host - Frequently Asked Questions

2006-12-30T07:20:00.000-08:00

In this article you'll be provided with helpful information about how to choose a web host. There are several things to look for when choosing a reliable web host. Below, you will be provided with frequently asked questions and the answers to common questions. Q. How reliable is the service of a web host?

Most surveys indicate that reliability is an e-businesses main concern. You should look for at least a 95 percent guarantee uptime, to ensure that the service is indeed reliable. Q. What kind of performance can I expect?

A great hosting company has one or more T3 lines that are always connected to the Internet, not going through someone else's network operations center. The servers should be fast, ideally Pentium Pro or Linux. You should also let your host know if you plan to use bandwidth killers such as streaming audio or video. Q. How good is phone support?

When it comes to phone support, you should look for 24/7 phone support that's always available with a live operator. Once you have found out, you should always check it. Call or email the technical support line at 10 o clock on Sunday night then expect it to be answered. Q. How much will it cost me?

The entry level hosting service with a single domain name, 20 ? 30 MB (Mega Bytes) of hard drive space, email services, and up to a 1 GB (Giga Bytes) of monthly bandwidth should cost you no more than 50 dollars. Q. How is security handled?

The passwords to your website or domain should be required to control the host as well as manage the web site. Every file on your server should also be backed up on a daily basis. You should always look for a host that offers you secure transactions as well. Q. How much bandwidth will I need for data transfer?

Roughly estimating, 2GB of bandwidth should be perfect for a very small personal site. If you're going to running a medium site with text and images but no large files, 5 GB would be ideal. Larger sites on the other hand, require 30 GB of bandwidth. Good hosting company's will send you an email if you're about to run out of bandwidth, letting you know that your site may go offline if you exceed the quota. This way, you can upgrade your plan if you choose to do so. Q. What about a control panel?

Almost all hosting packages come with some type of control panel, enabling you to configure your hosting packages as well as your settings without having to learn the entire operating system that powers the site. Control panels can be accessed through a secure webpage, and then they will appear in your web browser. The most popular control panels are Helm, Cpanel, Hsphere, Plesk, and Ensim. The most common is Cpanel, which only runs on Linux. Most beginners and other users would be more suited to Cpanel, as it runs on the cheaper platform of Linux. Q. What about a POP3 account?

When sending and receiving email, POP3 counts are very important. These types of accounts you can assign to individual users as their own email addresses. You'll need enough POP3 accounts for the amount of email addresses that you wish to assign to other people. Often times this number will be quoted as being unlimited, although there are only so many email addresses that you can actually create. Q. What about spam and viruses?

These features are classified in a separate category, and can include autoresponders, spam filters, even anti virus protection. They may be important to you, but they will actually vary from host to host. Basically, these are all free things that the host will give to you when you sign up for an account. If you're plan doesn't quite offer what you want, your host may be flexible when setting up your account. Q. What about running my own online store?

If you are planning on running your own store on the internet, there will be a few factors that will be involved with that decision. First of all, you'll need an SSL certificate for your website, so that you can process credit card transactions. Basically, these are 3rd parties that will take care of each and every transaction, for a small percent fee, eliminating the need for extra security on your server. You'll also need to ensure that the server as well as the software is capable of running the script you have for your shopping cart. Q. I need help making that final decision.

If you plan on having a website that you'll be relying on for income or storing important data, you'll need to make sure that you go with a host that will offer you a high level of customer support. A lot of hosting companies will offer forums as well as their contact numbers; however the forums can be excellent when you are dealing very small problems. In Conclusion

By taking your time and checking to see what each host has to offer, you'll find which service best fits your needs. There are many hosts and many different packages out there to choose from, which mean you shouldn't go with the first one you see. Take the time to compare plans, costs, and customer service and you shouldn't have any problems choosing a web host.

About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of Web Hosting Service which includes ASP Hosting Service , Low Cost Web Hosting , and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

The Ten Habits of Highly Effective Speakers

2006-12-29T07:18:00.000-08:00

Successful speakers do not do all the right things all the time. They often take risks and risk bombing. But all top speakers take daily action, to move towards their goals with many adjustments. Here are ten ways to be a highly effective speaker.
1. Have a passion for your subject(s). If you don't care about your topic, who will? Make a list of five topics you love. Choose two and be willing to develop a program you are willing to stay with for at least two years.
2. Be persistent in your quest to be a speaker of excellence. You must be perceived as an expert with expertise. Demonstrate this through your life experiences, research and the way you customize your material for each audience. You are only as good as your last speech!
3. Have the patience to succeed. Is persistence your middle name? Don't expect to be a success over night. Get support, mentors, a coach to help you master your presentation(s). One speaker said, This is a hard business to make an easy living.
4. Speak from your heart. Be authentic. Be vulnerable. Share your mishaps and idiosyncrasies. You won't be perceived as real until you do this. When you are truthful, your audiences will trust what you are saying. Let your message provide hope for your audience.
5. Connect quickly with your audience. You only have 30 seconds to make your connection. So pay attention to your opening remarks. Don't use jokes they may offend people in your audience. Do use short quotations, a funny story that is relevant to your message, a question or two to get their attention quickly.
6. Prepare 24/7 you don't write speeches, you find them everywhere in hotels, from family experiences, in the supermarkets and restaurants. Retrieve them and retell them. Don't lose out on great material because you didn't have your note pad near you. Why not invest in a mini-tape recorder and record ideas as they occur throughout your day.
7. Speak to the ways people learn; auditory, visual and kinesthetic. Know your audience so that you can offer the right mix. Research suggests 40% are visual, 40% are kinesthetic, and only 20% are auditory. If you don't use props or visuals, you will not reach 80% of your audience. Be inclusive and find ways/tools that will speak to 100% of the people in your audience.
8. Support your main points with stories most people delineate their thoughts visually. People learn best from your personal stories. They will also do a better job in retaining your message if you tell them a story. Remember when you were a kid. . .you said to your parents, tell me a story. When an adult hears your story, they are only a step away from their own story. Become a good story teller and watch your referrals and repeat business increase.
9. Make it fun learning is directly proportional to the amount of fun your audience is having laughter is like internal jogging. Inject some humor along the way. The audience wants to lighten up even with serious matters. Reminder---mature adults do not take themselves too seriously.
10. Have a reverence for the work you do. It is a privilege to be on the platform. And with this comes an awesome responsibility to your audience. Speaking is an art and a skill. Tap in to your creativity, your wholesomeness, your playfulness. Live/speak from the inside out.
About The Author
Sandra Schrift - 13 year speaker bureau owner and now career coach to emerging and veteran public speakers who want to "grow" a profitable speaking business. I also work with business professionals and organizations who want to delivermasterful presentations.
Join my free bi-weekly Monday Morning Mindfulness ezine at www.schrift.com/monday.htm ; www.schrift.com
Publishing Guidelines: You are welcome to publish this article in its entirety, electronically, or in print fre*e of charge, as long as you include my full signature file for ezines, and my Web site address in hyperlink for other sites. Please send a courtesy link or email where you publish to sandra@schrift.com . Thank you.

Ten Design Mistakes to Avoid

2006-12-27T07:48:00.000-08:00

Avoid these mistakes and your site will be steps ahead of your competition.

1. Not planning your site
Before you even have a website, you must have an idea, a focus. Why do you want a website? What are your plans and goals for the site? Sit down and draw out a map of possible pages and ideas for your site. Include your site's purpose --whether it is to sell more product or make the public more aware of your issue -- whatever it may be. Build your site from it's strong foundation (your goals) and you'll have a better, more solid site.

2. Failing to put contact information in a plainly seen location.
This could be disastrous. If a customer doesn't see this information, they can't contact you. You should consider a 'Contact Us' button or link from your Home page. Even better, make a link to your email address in your header or footer, somewhere that will show up on every page. Even if no one ever contacts you this way, just the presence of this information comforts edgy customers.

3. Broken Links
Do you enjoy clicking on a search result only to get a Page Not Found Error? No one likes them. Check your site statistics at least once a month (if not more) to make sure you don't have bad or broken links.

4. Outdated Information
A sure turn-off to a potential customer is the presence of old information. If it's July and your website is announcing the 'new' products available in February, your site just lost major credibility. Make sure your information is up-to-date. Consider adding a 'Whats New' button or a Business Blog.

5. Too Many Font Styles and Colors
This is a huge pet-peeve of my company. I've had people ask me to review their website and the first thing I notice is 4 different fonts. It looks bad, unorganized and unappealing. Different colors may attract the eye for a short time, but constant flashing or otherwise bright fonts (and graphics!) become annoying. Beware, this is a sure-fire way to scare people away from your site!

6. Orphan Pages
Every website has a heirarchy, a sort of tree that branches out from the Home Page. While most of your visitors visit you through your home page, there are times when a page further down interests someone, and they may copy that link and send it to a friend. This is where you need to pay attention. That friend may like what you have to offer, but they can't find out how to contact you, or how to get back to your Home Page. That's an orphan page. Every page on your site should, at a minimum, have a link back to your Home page. I would suggest adding a contact link at minimum.

7. Frames
Frames at one time were the talk of the industry. They were the original Content Management System (CMS) for your site. Nowadays they are few and far between. If you are designing a site, don't use frames. Newer technologies such as server-side includes are much more common and accepted. Your pages look fresher and those silly bars don't get in the way.

8. Disabling the BACK button and excessive Pop-Ups
Have you been to a website and decided that it wasn't the information you were looking for? When you clicked the BACK button, did you suddenly get a barrage of windows (or, pop-ups) to your dismay? These things rarely actually work, and worse off, the reason you hit the BACK button is because you DIDN'T want any more information from that site. Don't break the BACK button. There are other ways to get your user's attention.

9. Slow loading pages
While personal and hobby sites may normally be slow, there should be no reason for your business or other professional website to be slow loading. Today's Internet surfer won't wait long for information from your site - there are too many others with the same thing! Make sure your pages load quickly. If the server is slow, consider a different host. If your webpages are full of applets or large graphics, consider a page/site redesign.

10. Using Leading-Edge Technology
While the Internet is all about new and fancy stuff, don't be the first to do it. While it may 'look cool' to you, you ultimately need to decide if it actually enhances your user's experience. Do the flashy cartoons make your customer more apt to buy from you? Probably not. How many of your customers have to install a Plug-In just to see your page right? Do they have to upgrade their browser to contact you? Not good. Wait until the technology is either more of a standard or gone - you'll save face with potential and future customers.
About the Author

Will Hanke is a self-proclaimed geek who owns and operates Lighthouse Technologies ( www.techlh.com ), a web development and hosting company based in ArnoldMissouri. For questions or comments, email him at will@techlh.com . And buy yourself a good virus program so he doesn't have to fight your emails with anti-virus spray.

The Top 10 Priorities That Guard Your Five-Star Reputation

2006-12-26T05:58:00.000-08:00

Making money doesn't make your reputation... your reputation makes you money. Gala Gorman
Whether your business is product or service-oriented, the loyalty and dedication of your customers is greatly dependent on your reputation. Your most effective sales force is your existing customer base. Word-of-mouth or the personal recommendation, serves to create an expectation that you must only live up to - rather than one that you must create from scratch. The assets of your business have traditionally included property, plant, equipment, and your customer base. Progressive organizations understand that the concept of business assets should be expanded to include their good reputation. By being responsive to change, having the ability to conduct a constructive dialogue with stakeholders, and taking advantage of networked resources, the organization further extends their tangible and in-tangible non-traditional assets.
Companies are increasingly adopting socially responsible business practices based on sustainable development to ensure efficiency, stimulate innovation, and create top-line growth. This new approach to business requires leadership to re-think priorities with a focus on a longer-term agenda. The socially responsible leader understands that decisions made by management must focus not only on profit-making but also on reputation- building. Fortunately the latter feeds the former.
These are the Top 10 priorities that will ensure a sustainable future for your business or organization. After thoughtful consideration, priorities must be established (re-established) and communicated to stakeholders. With every area of the organization working in alignment with the vision, mission and values, goals and objectives are more easily reached. To begin the discovery process, use this list to honestly evaluate your organization's priorities.

Define and demonstrate your values.

What products or services do you provide and how do they serve to demonstrate your values? You must first define your values and create your mission with a clear understanding of the values you wish to demonstrate. If your products and services can't be reconciled with your values, trust is eroded.

How will your products or services impact stakeholders? Your stakeholders include stockholders, but the group also extends to staff, associates, vendors and the community that is directly or indirectly impacted by what you produce. Stakeholders become a far-extending community of concerned parties.

What filter is in place for decision-making? Your filter is created from having a clear understanding of your values and mission. Decisions are run through this filter before being communicated or implemented.

Create a recognizable image.

What is your desired image? Once you have defined your values and mission, you have an easier job of creating your image. You know how you want to be perceived and recognized and, consequently, you can take action that will create the desired result.

Are your logo and promotional materials consistent and memorable? Your logo is a powerful trigger that creates recognition for your organization. Careful thought and consideration should be given to your logo and how it communicates the message desired.

Does your marketing support and extend the desired image? Your marketing plan and program should serve to create and extend your brand recognition. All activities, whether they are marketing related or otherwise, should serve to create and support your brand environment.

Know your market and customer.

Who is your perfectly-aligned customer? You should be able to readily communicate the profile of your perfect customer. By creating this profile, you set the universal law of attraction into motion so that you can focus your energy on customers whose values and beliefs are in alignment with the organization's.

What does your perfectly-aligned customer expect from your services? If you are focused on serving a customer that is perfectly-aligned with your values, by understanding how they expect to benefit from your services you create a powerful business model. You walk a mile in the customer's shoes.

How might you extend your services to exceed expectations? Once you understand customer expectations, you can begin to discover ways to exceed them. It is important to maintain focus and know what you can realistically do without diluting your energy.

Strive for perfection.

Is perfection expected? Perfection isn't conditional. It must be the primary goal regardless of circumstances. Every level of the organization should understand what it means to perfect its product or service.

How are mistakes or errors turned into learning opportunities? Mistakes and errors can be transformed into tremendous opportunities if they are given appropriate consideration. The root cause can be mined for its eye-opening insight into breakdowns in an organization's systems and infrastructure.

Who decides if it's perfect enough? There must be one clear standard that is demonstrated at every level of an organization. This standard applies regardless of time pressures or circumstances.

Treat your stakeholders like family.

Do you understand who your stakeholders are? Stakeholders is a fairly new term that extends far beyond an organization's stockholders or owners. Even the organization's customers are stakeholders - they have a vested interest in the organization's continued existence and success.

Is community encouraged? For example, staff spends more of their waking hours with fellow workers than they do with their own family. By encouraging community through fostering relationships between stakeholders, the organization creates loyalty, dedication, and commitment.

Are wealth creation and benefits shared fairly? Careful consideration should be given to the distribution of wealth amongst those that are most instrumental in creating it - intrinsically and consequentially. All members of an organization's family can expect to benefit from the success created by sharing and progressing the agenda.

Contribute to your local community.

Is your local community defined and understood? For some, local may be limited to a 10-mile radius. For others, local will encompass the globe. In order to contribute effectively to your local community, you must understand its make-up.

Is community participation encouraged and rewarded? The organization should create a win/win relationship with its community. The community provides it with its means for creating success and it gives back to the community appropriately by allocating and sharing its resources.

Do you understand how your local community extends globally? While many organizations may limit their focus to a community that is in their neighborhood, all organizations impact the global community in some way, shape, or form. It is instrumental in progressing the social responsibility agenda to initiate the dialog and take global considerations into account.

Make decisions considering intrinsic and consequential costs/benefits.

How are costs determined in decision-making? In the evaluation of any project or initiative, there are clearly identifiable associated costs. There are also consequential costs that can easily be overlooked if the decision-making process isn't designed to incorporate a full-spectrum of cost considerations.

Are decisions made with a long-term focused perspective? Short-term motivations are generally limited to a strictly profit-oriented agenda. In order to effectively incorporate progressive and socially responsible initiatives, longer-term results must be considered and prioritized.

Does the organization tell the truth? There are lies and..there are lies. The truth should provide the recipient with the information needed to make an informed decision. If a decision is made based on inaccurate or incomplete information, it is based on lack of the truth.

Manage the organization with integrity.

Are financial records maintained to ensure accurate and meaningful reporting? Accurate financial reporting is critical to effective decision-making. Financial policies should be employed to create records that provide the most genuine and meaningful results of operations.

Does management emphasize being socially progressive? Most organizations delay the implementation of a socially responsible agenda until the pain associated with the delay is intolerable. By taking a pro-active approach, social responsibility becomes the competitive edge.

Do the company's products and services promote quality of life? If the organization's success is dependent on the degradation of society's health and welfare, integrity will be beyond the organization's reach. Products and services should be designed to contribute to human welfare.

Encourage innovation and continuous improvement.

How does the company capitalize on technological advancement? Technology is a powerful tool that can bring an organization's stakeholders into closer proximity. In order to foster community, technology can be a great ally.

Are employees encouraged to increase competencies? Continuous improvement requires a commitment to education and personal/professional development. The organization's compensation program should reward those that increase their skills that can be developed and applied to meet customer's needs.

Are resources allocated to research and development? It is tempting to focus on today. In the competitive environment we operate in, a today-oriented focus is critically shortsighted. Innovation and improvement must be supported with a commitment of resources.

10. Tread lightly on the planet.

Is the workplace environmentally friendly? As was pointed out above, we spend more time in the workplace than we do in our home-place. The environment should be thoughtfully created to promote creativity, health, and productivity - with an emphasis on the environmental implications.

Have products and packaging been developed considering life cycle? The organization should have a clear understanding of where their products or services will end up 10 (or 100) years from now. When life cycle is taken into consideration, a product's cost incorporates an entirely new perspective.

Does the organization understand its environmental impact? There is a trickle-down effect associated with just about anything we say or do. This trickle-down effect could also be referred to as a trickle-out effect. The environment is effected in seen and un-seen ways.

Your reputation is one of the most valuable assets of your business. By incorporating a new set of values and priorities into what has proven to be a successful formula on many levels, I believe that business will be the platform for a new agenda - the Social Responsibility Agenda. That agenda will solidify your reputation as an organization that is worthy of its stakeholders' dedication and loyalty.
Regardless of the size of your business, you make a contribution to the global marketplace that impacts humanity with a rippling effect. As an organization's leader, you choose whether that ripple will be felt positively or negatively. Even a small movement or change in a socially responsible direction can have a dramatic effect. Every day produces a new opportunity to mold the way your organization is perceived and to enhance your reputation!

For more information, contact Gala Gorman between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time at:
METACOMM MEDIA
A division of MetaComm International, LLC
(888) 886-4111 or (702) 286-4111
Post Office Box 1016
Boulder, CO 80306
E-mail: gala@metacommintl.com

About The Author
Gala Gorman, MetaComm's CEO, holds a Master's Degree in Human Development, is a certified public accountant, certified financial planner, published author, executive development coach and business consultant with over 25 years of experience; gala@metacommintl.com