To add more fuel to your enthusiasm to make things happen you have just lost your job at the company you spent the last 10+ years serving.
This is the answer to your problems, your lost paycheck, loss of pride, and spouse's sky-high stress level!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Business Plans For Small Business - Why and How You Should Write One
To add more fuel to your enthusiasm to make things happen you have just lost your job at the company you spent the last 10+ years serving.
This is the answer to your problems, your lost paycheck, loss of pride, and spouse's sky-high stress level!
Entrepreneur Strategy
Many business people know that having the right entrepreneur strategy in the Internet is the key in making money even at the comfort of your home. There have been a lot of individuals that have left their old jobs to start making a livelihood from their own house. Only a few requirements are needed to get your own affiliate marketing strategy started. Plenty of people do not try this out because they think that starting their own businesses will cost a fortune on their part. For affiliate marketers, only a little start up money is needed to get it started. Over a year alone, some people can make over a hundred thousand dollars off of affiliate links.
From Employment to Empowerment
In the summer of 2009 I found myself between jobs and so decided to explore other options. Surely there are other options working 9 to 5 building wealth for someone else? So I loaded water, cookies and Mac the Dog into my red Yaris (aka the little red shoe) and drove around Ontario looking for inspiration about self-employment. I looked at many unusual options - a tea house, garden centre, lavender farm, small hotel, pub... It was fun and exciting but brought me no closer to my goal of being in control of when I worked, how I worked, and how much revenue I could generate.
The Entrepreneurial Attribute No One Talks About But Every One Needs
An entrepreneur started his company over 20 years ago. He had built it up to several locations with a strong, recognizable brand. I won't go into all the details of why his business failed, but what amazed me the most was how, on the brink of financial and professional ruin, he was figuring out what his next business was going to be. The word I use to describe this attribute, which I find among so many business owners and entrepreneurs, is resilience.
From the moment you decide to start a business you are signing up for adversity, problems, and challenges. Many will tell you your idea is horrible. Resilient entrepreneurs accept such criticism as proof of concept! You will make many mistakes, but resilient entrepreneurs call that experience and improve themselves as a result.
So, is resilience just trying to shed a positive light on negative things? Absolutely not. It is much more than that. My definition is that no matter how hard things get, no matter how dark the scenarios, not matter how painful the process, those that are resilient figure out how to overcome and thrive. Entrepreneurship is really problem-solving on steroids, isn't it? Only it's legal and arguably even more productive, in the short and certainly the long-term.
In looking through a few online resources, here are some words and phrases that many associate with resilience: rebounding, springing back, buoyant, returning to its original or better form, recovering readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like. Sounds like entrepreneurship to me.
The example I shared above has a happy ending. That entrepreneur went on to build another successful business, and he continues to be an example of entrepreneurial resilience. I'm not sure if you can teach it, but it sure is an admirable trait.
Feel free to share any examples of entrepreneurial resilience or your thoughts on resilience as a necessary attribute of all entrepreneurs.
Ken Kaufman, Founder & CEO
CFOwise®
CFO Services
CFOwise® is the premier CFO firm for start-up, emerging, and medium-sized companies
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Kaufman
Top 3 Strategies for Obtaining a Private Equity Funds List
There hundreds of ways to obtain a private equity funds list. However, these hundreds of ways often take hundreds of hours, which is why there are very few high quality directories of PE firms available. The following article is aimed at explaining and revealing key instructional advice in how to successfully and completely obtain a private equity funds list in three quick strategies.
Starting a Business Is Not As Hard As One Might Think!
Now please don't misunderstand me, I support multiple streams of income, in fact I encourage it. The problem that I have is that many entrepreneurs are working from the need to succeed at anything instead of increasing their skill set to make their products or services work better for their customers.
Have you ever heard the saying: Anything will work if you work it"? Well it's true; think about it, there is not a magic pill to get rich. When you read or listen to success stories it's not rocket science. The people that you're reading about have a trait that all of us have, however many of us fail to tap into the state of "determination".
As Editor in Chief of a magazine that caters to women entrepreneurs, I try to do my best to provide my readers with the most up-to-date information about starting a business and making it thrive. Nothing makes me more disturbed than seeing fake entrepreneurs. Yes, you can have a business and not be an entrepreneur.
Becoming a business owner is more than having an idea. Here are some tips that will help you start a business that can become lucrative:
1. Make a plan- Don't skip over reading this part. Having a business plan is a great idea. However I'm talking of something a little less intimidating and more exciting. Most of the women I've spoken to think of writing a business plan as a daunting task. Think of writing your business plan as goal setting. We're all motivated by money so let's look at that first, get a piece of paper and just imagine the way you want your business to appear, include how much money you want to make every month, then break it down to a daily goal. Next think of 3 tasks that you can do every day for the next 30 days including weekends that will get you to that number. In the beginning you'll put in plenty of hours to get the results you're looking for. Later I can teach you how to work less and get paid more but right now you're in planning and implementing mode. If you can't commit to this, please pull out your resume and start looking for a job or stay at the job you're in. The first step is getting serious about your life and your business.
2. Define who your customer is and no the answer is not anyone with money. Be clear of your market and be clear of how you're going to get your message to them. Who will your products and services cater to? What does your ideal customer look like? Break this down and filter this list to perfection. If you spend time or money chasing after customers that your products or services will not appeal to you're just wasting your time.
3. Get focus and remove negative people and things from your life. Self awareness is the best gift you can award yourself. When you understand the lifestyle you deserve you will no longer want to surround yourself with people or things that don't forge you forward. It's okay to get selfish and make this task about you. You only have one life to live; this is not a dress rehearsal. For me it was a matter of stepping out of my comfort zone and getting in a still yet lonely space. I had to trim the fat out of my life meaning toxic male and female relationships had to go. If you have to spend the entire weekend cleaning your car or your house, do it. If you need to sit down and map out your week day by day, do it. If you need to spend money with a personal training or business coach to get your head in the game, just do it. Trust me when I say it will be well worth it. You will start to see the results of your life change for the good almost instantly!
Entrepreneurs have a bad stigma already especially if you're from an older generation where you were taught to get a good job with benefits. There are enough bad statics about the number of businesses that fail, yet the number of success stories of women are rarely reported. Together we can change the face of business as the world knows it, try a subscription to Shepreneur Magazine and join thousands of other women in business that are committed to their own success
As founder and Editor in Chief of Shepreneur Magazine a national print publication for women entrepreneurs Kristy Johnson is an applauded, widely-acclaimed entrepreneur, educator, community activist, inspirational speaker and sales expert.
Kristy Johnson's high-energy personality has positively impacted countless lives, that encourages people-particularly women-to move from their comfort zones, dire or "dreaming" states, to actively pursuing their ambitions for personal success and creating financial independence through entrepreneurship. Kristy's message has been featured on television, radio and print media streams.
Supporting women in business is nothing new to Kristy, since the age of 16 Johnson has acquired entrepreneurship skills. Her success has afforded her the opportunity to be trained and recognized by some of the most talented, world-renowned "increase activists" and business gurus, which include Anthony Robison, Dr. Myles Munroe, Bob Harrison, Zig Ziglar, Les Brown, and Donald Trump to name a few.
Providing a business publication as a women-owned entity, Kristy comprehends first hand what women want and need to propel and grow to economic and social significance. Johnson is an active member of the National Association of Black Journalist (NABJ) and Young Women Christian Association (YWCA).
More information can be obtained by visiting http://www.shepreneur.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristy_M._Johnson
Monday, September 13, 2010
Set Specific Goals and Beat This Economy As a Conscious Entrepreneur, 3 Steps to Goal Setting
By Lili Cruchelow
Here is a simple question? What are your goals? The majority of people, when asked this question might provide a vague, generalize answer. This is not good enough for starting a business. You need to be very clear in your goals so that you can take positive action steps to accomplish them. Without clear goals, you are just going to meander from one thing to the next and never reach your dreams.
You must create a plan of action and you need to do this with written goals. If you do not write down your goals, they will fade way. Here are 3 techniques I use that have helped me to become successful in all areas of life:
1. Write visionary goals for long term
2. Write 12 week goals and carry goal card with me
3. Write short term daily goals
Start with you long term goal and work backwards. What is your vision for your business? For you to build a business, you must have a clear vision as your foundation. Write out your dream business by describing your customers, your products or services, your employees, and your level of involvement. Add to this written vision statement as you become more clear in your planning. The higher level of detail that you are able to write out in your vision statement, the better able you will be able to set clear goals and take action towards reaching the vision.
Twelve weeks is the perfect amount of time to accomplish substantial goals. Use this system for creating 12 week goals on a written goal card:
• Write a specific goal with a clear date for achievement on the top of a 3x5 note card
For example: My business, TLC Medical will be started on Dec 1st 2011.
• Write 3 action steps on the card that will be needed to accomplish the goal
For example: I have obtained a $50,000 business loan by preparing a comprehensive business plan with cash flow projections that show unlimited growth.
I have received commitments from 3 manufacturers to be their exclusive sales and distribution company.
I have formed an LLC or Corporation by meeting with my accountant and Attorney to determine the best business structure for TLC Medical.
Rewrite these statements out on multiple 3x5 cards. Put one in your pocket and keep it with you at all times. You will think about what you are working towards every time you touch the goal card. This is a simple but powerful technique for building an entrepreneurs mindset. Also, post the goal card in strategic locations that you will see frequently. The frequent reminders of your 12 week goal helps to keep you on task and provides your subconscious mind positive thoughts for building a business.
It is easy for our daily lives to get hectic. If you do not plan ahead, the whole day can pass you by without a single accomplishment towards your goals. The best way to assure that you accomplish action for the day is to have goals planned ahead. I write out my daily goals on a sticky note at the end of the day for the next day's action. When I wake up in the morning, I immediately start to take action on my most important tasks. By doing this, I assure that I am always completing action steps towards reaching my goals.
You must make a conscious effort towards writing and accomplishing goals. Make a habit out of this process for goal setting and you will be amazed at how quickly you start to see results. Written goal setting is a simple technique that makes a huge difference in results. Take action now towards reaching your dreams by writing out your visionary statement. Successful entrepreneurs create the results they want through planning.
Here is a simple question? What are your goals? The majority of people, when asked this question might provide a vague, generalize answer. This is not good enough for starting a business. You need to be very clear in your goals so that you can take positive action steps to accomplish them. Without clear goals, you are just going to meander from one thing to the next and never reach your dreams.
You must create a plan of action and you need to do this with written goals. If you do not write down your goals, they will fade way. Here are 3 techniques I use that have helped me to become successful in all areas of life:
1. Write visionary goals for long term
2. Write 12 week goals and carry goal card with me
3. Write short term daily goals
Start with you long term goal and work backwards. What is your vision for your business? For you to build a business, you must have a clear vision as your foundation. Write out your dream business by describing your customers, your products or services, your employees, and your level of involvement. Add to this written vision statement as you become more clear in your planning. The higher level of detail that you are able to write out in your vision statement, the better able you will be able to set clear goals and take action towards reaching the vision.
Twelve weeks is the perfect amount of time to accomplish substantial goals. Use this system for creating 12 week goals on a written goal card:
• Write a specific goal with a clear date for achievement on the top of a 3x5 note card
For example: My business, TLC Medical will be started on Dec 1st 2011.
• Write 3 action steps on the card that will be needed to accomplish the goal
For example: I have obtained a $50,000 business loan by preparing a comprehensive business plan with cash flow projections that show unlimited growth.
I have received commitments from 3 manufacturers to be their exclusive sales and distribution company.
I have formed an LLC or Corporation by meeting with my accountant and Attorney to determine the best business structure for TLC Medical.
Rewrite these statements out on multiple 3x5 cards. Put one in your pocket and keep it with you at all times. You will think about what you are working towards every time you touch the goal card. This is a simple but powerful technique for building an entrepreneurs mindset. Also, post the goal card in strategic locations that you will see frequently. The frequent reminders of your 12 week goal helps to keep you on task and provides your subconscious mind positive thoughts for building a business.
It is easy for our daily lives to get hectic. If you do not plan ahead, the whole day can pass you by without a single accomplishment towards your goals. The best way to assure that you accomplish action for the day is to have goals planned ahead. I write out my daily goals on a sticky note at the end of the day for the next day's action. When I wake up in the morning, I immediately start to take action on my most important tasks. By doing this, I assure that I am always completing action steps towards reaching my goals.
You must make a conscious effort towards writing and accomplishing goals. Make a habit out of this process for goal setting and you will be amazed at how quickly you start to see results. Written goal setting is a simple technique that makes a huge difference in results. Take action now towards reaching your dreams by writing out your visionary statement. Successful entrepreneurs create the results they want through planning.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Prioritize Before Setting Goals For Your Business
By Courtney Buell
The first question people often ask themselves when starting a new business is, "What do I want to accomplish?" This is a fair first question, but a better first question is, "What are my priorities?"
The problem with setting goals before priorities is that one determines accessibility to the other. If details of your business - like marketing, customer service, product development, etc. - aren't priorities, then you won't spend the time and resources developing those various aspects of your business. And if the details of your business aren't improved, then your business as a whole will not meet its goals.
The careful balance between priorities and goals also applies to prioritizing your business life with your personal life. Running a business is hard, it takes a lot of time and energy, and you likely have plenty of other demands on your time - family, friends, etc. But before you can set goals about your business, you have to assess how your personal priorities may affect your business priorities, expectations, and goals.
Whether you've done it conscientiously or not, you've already prioritized every aspect of your life. If you've found yourself spending your free time relaxing or reading or exercising, it's a good indication of what your natural priorities are. This means you may need to proactively reset your priorities and stick to them.
Once you've prioritized, you're finally able to start the goal-setting process. Again, these goals will be dependent on your ability to stick to your priorities, but as you set goals, continually references how they will fit with your priorities.
For instance, if your priorities only allow you to spend 10 to 15 hours per week on your online business (although this same principle works for traditional businesses), you need to set your long-term goals accordingly. How much will you be able to increase your traffic each month? How much revenue should you be able to bring in?
You will also need to sub-prioritize - perhaps on a weekly or monthly basis - how you're going to spend each of these hours. What's the most important aspect of your business to focus on this week? What is your target for the end of the week?
Again, you can apply this to any business and any industry. The important thing to remember is that in order to set goals and expectations that are reasonable and attainable, you'll need to first assess all the demands on your time and resources, and prioritize accordingly.
The problem with setting goals before priorities is that one determines accessibility to the other. If details of your business - like marketing, customer service, product development, etc. - aren't priorities, then you won't spend the time and resources developing those various aspects of your business. And if the details of your business aren't improved, then your business as a whole will not meet its goals.
The careful balance between priorities and goals also applies to prioritizing your business life with your personal life. Running a business is hard, it takes a lot of time and energy, and you likely have plenty of other demands on your time - family, friends, etc. But before you can set goals about your business, you have to assess how your personal priorities may affect your business priorities, expectations, and goals.
Whether you've done it conscientiously or not, you've already prioritized every aspect of your life. If you've found yourself spending your free time relaxing or reading or exercising, it's a good indication of what your natural priorities are. This means you may need to proactively reset your priorities and stick to them.
Once you've prioritized, you're finally able to start the goal-setting process. Again, these goals will be dependent on your ability to stick to your priorities, but as you set goals, continually references how they will fit with your priorities.
For instance, if your priorities only allow you to spend 10 to 15 hours per week on your online business (although this same principle works for traditional businesses), you need to set your long-term goals accordingly. How much will you be able to increase your traffic each month? How much revenue should you be able to bring in?
You will also need to sub-prioritize - perhaps on a weekly or monthly basis - how you're going to spend each of these hours. What's the most important aspect of your business to focus on this week? What is your target for the end of the week?
Again, you can apply this to any business and any industry. The important thing to remember is that in order to set goals and expectations that are reasonable and attainable, you'll need to first assess all the demands on your time and resources, and prioritize accordingly.
| Courtney Buell is a writer at Professional Marketing International. Prior to joining PMI, Courtney obtained a bachelors degree in Humanities and wrote for various print and online publications in Salt Lake City. Professional Marketing International helps people achieve their dreams. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Courtney_Buell |
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