From television commercials to websites to expos and conferences, the call to become an entrepreneur is loud and clear. And it's no surprise. According to the latest research, owning a business has been cited as the number one goal of Americans today. Approximately 62,000 small businesses start up on a monthly basis nationally, according to the Small Business Administration. Small business is a driving force in the United States economy with...more
How often do people try to sell us something before we have expressed an interest, have a desire, or are in the market for what they have? It seems the standard for many salespeople is to try to sell to anyone and everyone regardless of the interest level. When someone attempts to sell us something before we have expressed an interest, the initial thought may be, "Why would I buy from you? You haven't earned the right to sell to me!" The...more
Using sample business plans and their structure, along with studying as many business plan examples as you can, will provide you with the necessary framework to consider your business from every possible angle.Starting or running your business without a business plan is akin to being a human without a skeleton!Not only will using a sample structure highlight any areas you haven't fully thought through, but it will also provide you with a good idea of what makes a good business plan, and what doesn't. The importance of your business plan as a motivational factor in running or starting your business cannot be underestimated. You will find that your commitment continues to build as you collect information, research and write each section. Your business plan should always accompany requests for Small Business Loans , and lenders or any kind of angel investor will simply refuse to consider your business proposal without one. Lenders and investors want to see your plan with the aim of satisfying key questions before they make their decision to grant funding or not. Once you've commenced trading your small business plan will act as a steak in the ground, and help you...more
"Please -- Pretty Please!! I really, really want to do this." From the sounds of things you'd think a parent and a child were in "one of those" arguments. But it's really a wife trying to persuade her husband to let her work from home. Getting your husband to back your home business can, at times, be as hazardous as those black diamond...more
There has been a rapid growth in the availability of zero per cent rates in the credit card industry. These have been caused by the combination of very low national interest rates, and the injection of fierce competition from American lenders such as Capital One. The UK credit card industry is now recognised as one of the most sophisticated and...more
As you apply for a home loan or look to refinance your home, it is important to understand your situation and how it will be affected by the type of loan that you will be applying for.But first, it is important to find out why you need the loan. For instance, do you need it for a home loan.The next step is to do your research in order to escape the headaches and hassles that plague the home loan process. During this process, you should consider two major factors: How much you can afford and how to compare the different lending companies. Let's take a look at eachÂ…How much you can afford:The most important factor to getting the right kind of mortgage loan is to know how much you can fit into your budget. That way, you can ensure that you are staying within the proper budget limit. When calculating the affordability factor, it is important to take into account these three factors:Income- The key is to know how much you make each month in relation to a mortgage payment. The rule of thumb is that the payment should not exceed 27 percent of your total income. Debt- Obviously the less debt you have, the better your financial situation. So by having less debt, you will be in a...more
Consumer worries about credit card fraud have resulted in numerous protections being created. A consumer whose credit card is wrongly used by another generally has one hundred percent protection. If your personal credit card is stolen and used by an...more
For over 20 years I have worked as an independent IT/Business consultant for some of the most prestigious organisations in the world including companies like Telstra, BHP, BMA Coal, Suncorp Metway and many many more. But it still astounds me, that...more
The peddlers of hot penny stocks today peddle their wares much like the hot cross bun streetsellers of the 19th. Century. They don't exactly hawk their wares round the shopping malls crying out "Get your hot penny stocks tips here", but...more
The advantages of time management include reducing stress, gaining time, reducing avoidance, while promoting reviews and eliminating cramming. Another advantage is that managing time helps us to stay motivated while we avoid procrastination.The trick...more
Another year ended, and another round of UK debt statistics. CreditAction has just announced the latest summing up of the personal debt situation in the UK. Their figures show that the end of 2005 has seen the total level of personal debt rise to...more
The minimum payment on next month's credit card bill could be almost double what you were required to pay this month due to the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. How will higher credit card minimum payments affect...more