Lenders are using credit scores more and more to make decisions about who they will lend to. The main developer of these scores is called Fair, Isaac Co (FICO), thus these scores are often called FICO scores. Scores range from 300-850 with a lower score indicating a higher chance of defaulting on a loan and a higher score representing a better chance that the lender will get paid back. The national average score is approximately 680.Every...more
One very important wealth creating habit is to set up a concrete plan that you can actually follow. You see, wealth takes planning, and is usually the result of taking a set of orderly, progressive steps from where you are now to where you want to be financially. Why is this a top wealth creating habit? Because the most extraordinarily wealthy people on the world did it this way. Less than 7% of the wealthiest people in the world received an...more
Have you ever heard the phrase, "Thoughts are things and words have wings?" This phrase is the perfect expression of the principle of prosperity. How you think about and talk about your level of prosperity is what actually manifests in your life. How many times a week do you wistfully say to your companion, "Oh, I'd love take a break and go to Mexico, but it's too expensive and I'll never be able to afford it"? Or how many times do you sigh enviously when you see someone else who has what you want? Well, guess what? Every time you indulge in that kind of envious or hopeless thinking, you're sealing your own fate! According to ancient teachings on prosperity, everything that we say, think or feel is recorded in the akashic records, and then manifested into our lives. If you think about your level of prosperity as a barometer, every time you feel hopeless or depressed about your lack of prosperity, you slide down the scale a notch toward poverty. On the other hand, every time you say, "Well, I'm not there yet, but I will be able to go to Mexico soon," you zip up the scale toward prosperity.We always think that our level of prosperity depends on outer circumstances such as a...more
You do if you're a business, non-profit or association manager with important external stakeholders whose behaviors affect your department, division or subsidiary the most. In your own best interests, here's what you'd better be doing about them. Accept the fact that the right PR actually CAN alter individual perception that leads to the kinds of...more
A few years ago, many of us would have had a light chuckle to ourselves if someone mentioned that you could borrow money to buy a house with only the promise of solid future earnings. But today this is a regular occurrence. Many of the industry's non-conforming lenders are selling these financial products to many happy consumers, with most of the...more
I hear it all the time. "What should I do about . . .?" As a business owner you're faced with the daunting task of making all the decisions that affect your business. Should I remain a sole proprietor, become an LLC or is an S Corp better? Should I start using an electronic PDA or stick with my trusty, but out-dated, Day Runner? In what direction should I take my marketing? Is the color right on this logo? PC or Mac? Paper or plastic? Aargh! Big decisions. Little decisions. It can be overwhelming, especially when you consider how each decision has a bearing on the success of your business.It can be difficult to make decisions for a number of reasons. Sometimes it's a matter of not having enough information. Other times, it's simply a lack of confidence. If you're a very small business or solopreneur, chances are you work alone most of the time. The upside to your solitary confinement is two fold. First, you hold all the power and control to make the business your own. Second, the success or failure of your dream is squarely in your hands. Paradoxically, the fact that it's just you calling the shots is also the dreaded downside of the micropreneur lifestyle.Agonizing over decisions...more
MARKETING STRATEGIESAn enterprise may adopt different marketing strategies dependent on the size and position of the business in its industry. The marketing strategy adopted may prove crucial to generate sales. These marketing strategies are often...more
What is bad PR? Well, if you're a business, non-profit or association manager, bad PR does nothing positive about the behaviors of those important outside audiences of yours that most affect your operation. It fails to create external stakeholder...more
Loyal customers are the foundation of almost every business. Going the extra mile to provide outstanding customer service is the first step to customer loyalty. But there is more. Of course - your products and services in general need to be good. If...more
As a small business owner, it's wise to familiarize yourself with some key deductions that may reduce your tax bill for 2004. Employee Benefit Plans - You may deduct contributions to employee benefit plans (such as health insurance plans and...more
Have you ever wondered what would it take to compete successfully with the "big guys" like Simon & Schuster and even get to the top of the heap? If there is such thing as a magic formula for success, then the story of Geela, the author of the...more
Are you a victim of any credit card fraud or identity theft? Then you definitely need an enhanced defense from those menaces. You can get superior security from http://www.gotocreditreport.com. Actually, those financial offenses take place due to the...more