One unexpected expense and all the budget comes crumbling down. It is not the same again. With having a personal battle every month to stay on budget people resort to credit cards to pay for excesses. In case you are one of them, you realize there comes a time when it is not ideally suited to serve your purpose. Instant loans are meant to particularly provide for situations which want instant response in financial terms. Broken car, sick child,...more
You have heard lots of advice before, undoubtedly read many strategies for home-based success so what IS the real cutting edge in becoming a top producer from home?If you ABSOLUTELY HAVE to make your fortune from home, read on. This one's for you.Secret #1Begin with the end in mind. There's little doubt that all the great successes of the ages have been visionaries.Walt Disney, on the eve of his death, had a reporter crawl into bed with him so...more
When I first started my business, a colleague suggested to me that I bill my clients based on the results I created for them. It was an appealing idea at the time - after all, who wouldn't take me up on that offer, and so long as I performed, I'd get paid. Sounds too good to be true? It probably is. Here's an article that discusses charging models and why being paid on results, popular as this is becoming, may not be your best option.I'm currently reading Alan Weiss's book - "Million Dollar Consulting", in which he has a section dedicated to payment models. (Highly recommended book, by the way, although I don't agree with everything he says).This is my interpretation of what he says: The ways to get paid are on a spectrum from 100% up front, paid before beginning work at the extreme left hand side to contingency fees based on performance at the extreme right hand side i.e. you only get paid on results and over a timeframe beyond the end of the project. In between are situations like 50% deposit, then scheduled payments all due before completion of the project, and 100% payable on completion etc.He points out that your cashflow situation deteriorates as you move from left to right....more
VIX and the Psychology of MarketsWe know that greed and fear rule the markets. But did you know that when investors gets too greedy, markets usually fall, and when investors are overcome with fear, markets usually rise. So how can when we monitor investors emotions and take advantage of investors emotional extremes?Welcome to the world of investor...more
If you are a loan officer or mortgage broker, and you are on the market for mortgage leads, you may want to consider buying them in "real time."Real time leads or fresh leads are for loan officers looking for quality in a lead, as opposed to buying quantity, otherwise known as buying in bulk.If you are buying your leads in bulk, you are undoubtedly...more
Bring LIFE into the strategic planning processFace it - you didn't go into business for yourself to give up all semblance of the life of your dreams! You had a great idea and/ or wanted to be your own boss. But you quickly found that you were sacrificing many things in your life - your workouts, your family, your yard, your health! Yes, you need to work very hard to jump start that business, but with thoughtful planning, it doesn't have to run (or ruin?) your life.Strategic planning is a purposeful process in which all successful companies partake. However, seldom is anything outside the confines of the corporation considered, and one of the beauties of being a small business owner is that you can bring your life into this process. It is here that you can find a balance between business and life.Start with your values. Values are the foundation of your life, and if you're not living by them, you will feel out of integrity and out of balance. Know your values, communicate them with those around you, be it at work or home, and make a commitment to yourself to live by them. Include them in your strategic plan for the year, so that you don't forget about them. Your personal...more
Any good job hunter needs a resume package. The cover letter and resume always go together and do the same basic thing in slightly different ways. A job hunter without both of them will probably not get very far in the search for a good career...more
Here's a tip for cover letters to get more interviews. Use a bulleted format cover letter rather than a standard letter in paragraphs. The bulleted format is more eye catching, and is more likely to be glanced at by the hiring manager or other...more
A thank you letter after you accept a job offer shows good taste, gratitude, and in general shows a new employer that they made a wise decision in hiring you. Most new hires do not write one, so if you are one of the smart few people who do, your...more
The exit interview is not a time to burn bridges with your old company. It has become a very common ritual throughout corporate America, and the idea behind it is to find out from departing staff members, when they no longer have to worry about...more
What are good questions to ask during an interview is a good question in itself, and one that always comes up when a conscientious person is preparing for a big job interview. The fact that a person even wonders that sets them apart from the crowd...more
Preparing for an interview over the phone is primarily a mental exercise, and something that is easy to prepare for. It is the second impression that you will make on a hiring decision maker - the first impression was obviously made for you by your...more