Managing terrorism threats can be very daunting challenge for most business directors. Especially as most business owners and directors have little if any formal security training to fall back on. Herein lies the problem.As a company director you have a legal responsibility under the corporate manslaughter laws to ensure the safety of your paid employees.Terrorism experts advise all business directors to take a proactive response to implementing...more
Last couple of issues I talked about how either moving too fast or too slow can sabotage your success. (You can read part 1 and 2 here: http://www.michelepw.com/blog ) Today I'm going to talk about a place where entrepreneurs typically move too fast -- launching their product.I know. You just finished your product or program and you can't wait to start selling it. In fact, if you could, you'd start selling it yesterday!And it's agonizing waiting...more
Getting ideas for fundraising, that pay off, is usually one of the most challenging decisions you accomplish in this process. There are thousands of options. You need to move toward this decision like a small business. However, you need to keep it fun! Fun is part of fundraising; you dont intend to make it all drudgery for your volunteers. One feature to consider is a major 'anchor' fundraiser, such as a online store set up to take sales year around, as way to keep generating funds each month. Some companies contain a huge listing of online stores to pick from and there are even ones with cash back to the customer! That adds merit! Then, add more fun to promote, quick duration ideas like the 'arrest your friends at high school football game", or the "church bake sale".Treating it like a small business means that you need to come up with a Written Project Plan that lays out everyones roles and responsibilities, benefit from motivated volunteers and equip them with everything they need to do a terrific job. 1. You need to be able to communicate what you are doing and why in fewer than two sentences. State what your fundraiser is all about and make certain there is a compelling...more
Sometimes challenging to outline, especially in these tough economic times the fund raising idea needs to be of usefulness both to your possible customer, as well as to the bottom line of the organzation you're working for. Sometimes it feels like you're called upon to execute miracles with little or no time and even less to invest in the...more
Let there be no doubt about it, wholesale products are both essential to - and a management headache for - any retail business model. Almost anyone who has been involved in retail can tell horror stories about a time when their company purchased the wrong stock, or ended up with too much (or too little) of the right stock, or the myriad of other...more
When I was struggling as a child, my mom would always tell me" Patience and persistence." I think of my mom's saying every time I attend a different networking event. Be in it for the long haul. All of us would love to instantly find that person who is eager to hear about our product, idea, or concept and immediately be sold on it. Well, that is not the reality. The truth is, a networking event is the first step in making business "friendships." First, the most important part is to meet the people! This seems like a no-brainer, but I see so many people walk into an event and leave without having met a soul. Networking does not mean just showing up, it means putting yourself out there and making yourself available to share and listen. Then you need to find out what people do and are looking to gain from the event. By hearing what they are looking for, you are presented with an opportunity to offer a tip or make an introduction. This will help you be remembered by the people you converse with and lead to them wanting to help you back.After the event, it is important to follow-up with the contact so that they will remember you. Even if you do not receive a response right away,...more
School fundraiser ideas run from the wild 'Arrest a school mate" and a "No women allowed beauty contest", which both sound like they would cause alot of laughs, to the more familiar like Raffle tickets and Candy sales. Each has their strenths and...more
If you are a resident of Planet Earth, you are well aware that we have been in a recession. Many economists say that the recession is still alive and well. Others report that they believe it is over or very nearly over. There is definately no area of...more
Tip (1) Find our as much as you can about the company before you get there. The internet is a massively useful resource. Company accounts, news items, company newsletters, reports, etc. can be a very useful talking point. Take spare copies of...more
Business plan consultants can offer you the help you need to create a winning business plan. A winning business plan, in this sense, means a plan that creates no barriers to you getting funded and also gives you a valuable management tool for the...more
An email has different parts: the subject, salutation, signature and of course, the body. All of these parts are important but you may need to spend more time preparing the body of your email.In order for you to receive a positive response, the...more
A sample construction business plan or a template for such a business plan can be an incredible timesaver as you set out to write. However, there are a number of areas which must be specifically customized for your purposes. Industry AnalysisThe...more