Posted by: sheryl in Business on August 27th, 2010

Did you recently buy your first computer and just started surfing the Net? Isn’t it fun? All the new websites and places to go, sights to see! Have you ever wondered if you can make money with your newfound toy?

The first thing you should do, is this:

Don’t purchase anything, at all! For more info login to :www.auto-hits-machine.com The previous sentence is so important because the pressure to buy all the assorted plans and schemes is so great. Look at it this way: Since you just got here, how in the world are you gonna know what to buy for your first step onto Net marketing?Give yourself some time to get to know the Web, join many of the good forums and newsletters available. Discuss items that will help elevate your general knowledge of the Web and Internet Marketing, in particular. After a few months things will start to sink in and you’ll be mere Internet savvy!While going to the forums and gaining experience, keep these questions twirling around in the back of your mind:

What kind of Internet business would make me happy?

What activity have I seen on the Web that I would love to do or be a part of?

Think about it for as long as what it takes and start coming up with a general business vision or inspiration. Don’t think you need understand all the small details or particulars of the technology. All you need is a guiding vision and principle that will sustain you through the good and bad times.Once you feel up par with many of the concepts talked about at the forums and you start getting the itch to jump in with both guns blazing, consider these very basic items:

1- You are going to need your own website! Don’t get a fr’ee website because you want to establish your own identity. Furthermore, they don’t offer any services for a true business website. For more info login to :www.website-convertion-secrets.comThis point is very important because your website isn’t just a container that holds products you sell. Your website is your FIRST PRODUCT !!!

2- The thing you really need to fill your website with is:

—- CONTENT! —–

It is provided mainly by the written word coupled with images and audio. You are going to do a bunch of writing. The source of content ideas is limited only by your imagination. If you need help with it, farm it out.

3- OK, so you’ve got a website filled with content, how do you let the rest of the Web know you’re open for business? Answer: PROMOTION! You must live with the constant idea of promoting your website. It’s done mostly through writing. Post articles at the forums with a link in your resources box. Offer your website to the Search Engines and directories. Write small informative booklets with links back to your website and give them away for fr’ee (BTW, that’s called “viral marketing”)

In closing I’m going to say the number of ideas presented within this article are just a few to let you know your own Web business is a viable idea! The ways to get visitors to your website are limitless. If you have vision, focus and determination you will succeed in Web Marketing.

Posted by: sheryl in Business News on July 30th, 2010

Having a brilliant business sense and running a successful business do not necessarily intersect each other. While one may be a gifted businessman or a businesswoman, yet when it comes to actually managing and running the business affairs, talent alone is not sufficient. You need some guidance and useful advice that can catapult you from a good business thinker to a successful entrepreneur.

In this regard, magazines, like Entrepreneur, play a pivotal role in shaping your mind towards greater business success. The critics may argue that the hard real world is much tougher to handle than reading about it in books, magazines and journals. To an extent, this argument holds water. There is no substitute to experience. Unless one experiences a success or failure, one can’t really appreciate either of these. However, if you can learn from the experiences of others, i.e., without resorting to trial and error method and risking failure, nothing like it.

This is precisely what you can do with magazines, such as Entrepreneur magazine. With articles, features, tips, advices, and write-ups from top-notch industrialists and managers, you are literally in for a treat. The size of your business doesn’t matter. The amount of capital invested doesn’t matter. Whether you are a start-up company or an established entrepreneur, it doesn’t really matter. Everyone, who is even remotely connected with business, will find such magazines extremely informative and helpful in avoiding failure on multiple fronts.

Apart from covering latest business news from around the world, these magazines delve into little known territories, like business and franchise opportunities. You don’t need to subscribe a separate magazine for latest business opportunities. Entrepreneur magazines cover these aspects in great details. The best part is that with Internet evolving at a rapid pace, a lot of these magazines are putting their issues online for anytime reading. For instance, Entrepreneur Magazine is one such publication that has tried to bridge the print-online barrier with a comprehensive website.

If price factor is what’s bothering you from subscribing to one of these Entrepreneur magazines, then here’s some good news. Most of these magazines are available for subscription at heavy discounts on the Internet. As much as 80% savings can be easily made just by logging on one of the trusted magazine websites, and subscribing your favorite Entrepreneur magazine.

Posted by: sheryl in Business on September 9th, 2009

Quitting your job and venturing out into the world as an entrepreneur is exciting!

Creating your own business plan can be a challenge.

I know because I’ve been there and that’s why I’ve created this article.

If you simply follow the 7 steps in this article at the end you will have your own workable business plan for your own entrepreneur business opportunity.

It is the blueprint for your business and the secret is any plan is better than no plan.

Whether you choose to start your business from scratch or join a company which offers a home based business opportunity you want to create a business plan.

As an entrepreneur it’s your responsibility.

Don’t get overwhelmed by any or all of the steps because your business plan remains a WIP (Work In Progress) for the life of your business, changing and evolving with you and your business.

The 7 steps cover all the essential sections of a professional business plan.

I’ve made it easy for you.

Simply answer the questions in each section as dot points or sentences and you will have a draft business plan and a list of steps to take to begin turning your dream into a reality.

 

Step 1. Business Goals

What service and or product will you sell?

What will be your USP (Unique Selling Point)?

Why will your customers choose to come to you rather than your competitors?

What are your income goals and by when do you want to achieve them?

How many years would you like your business to be operational?

 

Step 2. Market Research and Analysis

Is there a market for your business?

What reports and or statistics are available to help you understand your market?

Undertake a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Analysis.

Internally – What strengths you should build on? What weaknesses should you overcome?

Externally – What opportunities should you explore? What potential threats should you manage?

 

Step 3. Marketing Plan

Who is your target market? Consider the size, geographic location, demographics and trends?

Who are your competitors? How do you compete on price and quality?

How will you advertise/promote your business?

What is the life cycle of your product and or service? Is it seasonal?

 

Step 4. Management Plan

What legal structure will your business take? e.g. sole trader/proprietorship, partnership and proprietary limited company/corporation

What licences /permits are required?

What business registration, taxation registration is required?

What management capabilities do you have?

Who will fill the key positions in your business?

What professionals will you need? e.g. accountant, solicitor.

What Insurances are required? e.g general business, fire, theft, public/products liability, workers compensation as well as personal injury and income protection for yourself.

 

Step 5. Operation Plan

Will you employ or hire contractors?

What procedures will you need to develop to effectively and efficiently operate your business?

What suppliers will you need? Who will they be?

What plant and equipment will you require? e.g. motor vehicles, tools, computers

What recording keeping system will you use to monitor performance and taxation obligations?

 

Step 6. Financial Plan

How much money is needed to finance the start up of your business?

How will you fund it? Will you borrow or provide the capital?

Financial Analysis – project the profit and loss of your business over the next year or so.

Cash Flow Analysis – project monthly flow of cash in and out of your business? Will it be enough?

Balance Sheet – showing assets, liabilities and owners equity at a particular point in time.

Break-Even Point Analysis – How many sales are required to cover costs?

 

Step 7. Action Plan

Create a “To Do” list to put your business plan into action and take on your entrepreneur business opportunity. This should include when you want to achieve each task and who will be responsible for completing it.

 

Now What?

Business plans can be very simple and very complex. Be thorough when creating your business plan but don’t spend too much time making it perfect and not enough time taking action.

Remember it is a WIP (Work In Progress)!

 

 

Posted by: sheryl in Business on August 12th, 2009

Starting your own business is not a simple task. On the contrary, it has a series of implications that will completely transform your life and the way you see the world. This is why you truly need to understand the reasons that are driving you to start your own business and if you have developed the skills necessary for this kind of venture.

Discovering the real reasons for starting your own business

When I hear people say, “I can open a small business, hire an employee, and I’ll just receive the money from the sales,” I realize this person has never owned a business. This description is related more to an “investor,” whose work is very different than the one of “business owner.”

Having your own business can mean working as you have never worked before and will challenge all your abilities to the maximum extent. Several years can pass before your business “breaks even” and becomes profitable.

Nevertheless, once established, by owning your own business you can achieve your personal dreams and generate well-being for others through the creation of jobs and wealth. In addition, your own business could give you independence by allowing you to work for yourself and take the reins of your own destiny.

Yes, the rewards are multiple, but the ride is not necessarily smooth. This is why you should research as much as possible before beginning such a task. Many businesses advisors have recommend visiting a business similar to the one you want to start or even work as an employee, observing the personnel, clients, and the distribution of the merchandise or services. Can you picture yourself directing a business like this? What would you do the same? What would you do differently? What could you do to improve it?

Personality traits of the successful entrepreneur

Although it is almost impossible to define who will be successful starting a business and who will not, all successful entrepreneurs share similar traits, abilities, and attitudes. Some of these are listed below.

Creativity and Innovation. These people “think outside the box,” are open to new ways of doing things, and have the ability to recognize opportunities when they see them. They are people who use creativity to solve the problems.

Experts on execution. Successful entrepreneurs are highly motivated individuals who have the ability to make things happen. Their favorite phrase is “let’s do it,” and they are able turn thoughts and ideas into concrete results.

Leaders. Leaders are credible and influential people. They use their influence on others to reach common goals.

Persistence and high frustration tolerance. Nobody is born knowing everything. Most of successful entrepreneurs have failed in some way or another, learned from their mistakes, made corrections, and then moved forward until they succeed. Nothing guarantees that they won’t fail again! However, they have they right mindset: “If at first you don’t succeed, try again!”

Problem solvers. Successful entrepreneurs know that problems are a normal part of business. By analyzing problems that could arise, they are able to avoid greater consequences by using their creative methods to solve them.

Interest in continued personal and professional development. A successful entrepreneur recognizes that quality training is an asset, not a liability. They read everything they can on general business subjects and their particular industry, and they attend as many related events as possible. They are constantly thinking about how they can become better.

If you have all these abilities, don’t wait any longer – You are ready to start your own business! If not, don’t be discouraged, as these traits can be learned. Research the particular skill you want to develop by signing up for related courses, observing those who have the abilities that you are looking for, and learning how they developed them. Having these skills will make you a successful entrepreneur.