No matter how great your idea is, if the market isn't ready for it, or if it's already saturated, you just won't profit from it, at least not at the moment. So how do you know if it's just another great idea or a money tree ripe for the picking? How about some basic market research. There are a few ways you can go about this. You can hold a focus group, you get a bunch of people together, explain the concept to them, with mock ups if you can, and...more
The complete article together with preactical excersises and Coaching tips can be found at www.my1stBusiness.com.Getting on the radio can be a great tactical move as part of your overall publicity effort, but you do need to have a story idea or an angle to present on a particular topic. Selling yourself as a guest on a talk show is a great way to raise your profile and if your subject relates to a topic that is currently in the news your chances...more
Defining a long-term investment in the stock market.For some "long term" would mean holding a stock position over the weekend. For others, it may mean holding a security for at least 1 year for the purpose of declaring a long-term capital gain, thus saving on taxes.The rigid definition of a long-term investment in the stock market would be holding a security for a minimum of 5 years, to as long as 30 years. I'm going to tell you my definition of a long-term investment in a security by telling you a story. A true story! My Mother worked as a teller in a small bank in Dover, New Jersey. The name of the bank was called The Dover Community Bank. While working at the bank (she eventually became a branch manager) she enrolled in the bank's dividend reinvestment plan, making purchases of the stock through pay-roll deductions from her paycheck. She continued purchasing the stock through the years, having the dividends from her shares in the bank reinvested into more shares every quarter. By the time she left the bank (in the early seventies) she had accumulated around 300 shares of The Dover Community Bank. My Father, when he retired, had the dividends from those shares sent home - to...more
Leaving school, getting a new job, or even a raise at your current one, has most people considering their next great purchase. Few think about the affect this could have on their future. Rather than pay down the debt they carry, many ponder, "What can I buy now"? The greatest purchase anyone can make is their future. Each year as you...more
You know the game, don't you? Someone invites you to help them solve a big problem and every great suggestion you make is met with, "Yeah, but that won't work becauseĀ ." Frustrated and defeated, you finally give up. Next time someone tells you about a problem, use these steps. 1. Listen politely, without offering any suggestions. Remember, it is...more
Credit Card Management Services, Inc. is a fully licensed 501(c)(3), non-profit, credit counseling agency whose mission is to provide compassionate, professional debt management counseling and education in an ethical manner with efficient, timely and problem-solving client support. Since 1996, CCMS has helped thousands of consumers gain financial stability through credit counseling, personal finance education and debt management solutions. Located in West Palm Beach, CCMS provides our services to consumers in over 40 states. CCMS prides itself in being a customer-service oriented, education-driven agency. CCMS offers credit counseling, budget analysis and personal finance education to all consumers that seek our assistance. Consumers that contact CCMS are directed to one of our certified credit counselors who review their unique financial situation. During this initial counseling session a credit counselor will review a client's current outstanding financial obligations, both secured and unsecured, as well as their monthly budget. Our counselors carefully analyze and assess the client's financial situation and recommend a course of action that helps them meet their financial...more
Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit continue to grow in popularity. According to the Consumer Bankers Association, during 2003 combined home equity line and loan portfolios grew 29%, following a torrid 31% growth rate in 2002. With so...more
As we near the end of summer, here is a question I have for you, "Are you using the right form of energy to grow your business?" Are you having trouble growing your small business as fast as you want? Are you making all the right moves and still...more
To survive in business, you've got to focus your attention on the areas that will guarantee you success. Your clients are your greatest asset. Taking the time to educate them and connect with them will pay big dividends over the long haul. There are...more
As a busy executive, you face some extremely difficult challenges like creating and dominating new markets or finding and keeping the best people. But then, like many executives, do you find yourself spending too much time solving everyday problems...more
A white paper on how companies should analyse customer data to gain better business intelligence and how they can use that knowledge.GAINING BUSINESS INTELLIGENCEIn an increasingly competitive world, using your client database smartly, to gain a...more
A bank or mortgage company is nothing more than a box in which to keep money. The owner of the box has to do a few calculations. Firstly, how much is he going to offer those people who deposit cash in his box, in return for such a deposit? Secondly,...more