Are you solving problems or improving the process?In other words, if you find a problem in a process and implement change to fix it, then did you improve the process? Well, maybe... Sure, solving problems may be an important thing to do, but it is not the same as improving the process. Why is this so?Solving ProblemsSolving problems is more about resolving local issues and fails to take into account the interactions with other processes or the...more
The South African small and medium business environment has matured over the past year and currently creates a very good climate for entrepreneurs, direct foreign investment and emigrants. This is supported by all well-recognised business indicators confirming that business outlook has never been positive.Although it has taken time for small and medium business to take-off in the new post-apartheid economy, its time appears to have finally...more
Many people collect Inuit art as investments. Inuit art is growing internationally but it has been suggested that the number of actual Inuit artists are actually declining. The creation of the Nunavut government which represents Canada's third official territory, has resulted in many new employment opportunities for the Inuit, particularly the younger ones. Carving and the entire process of bringing back suitable stone from distant quarries to their own communities are hard work for Inuit art carvers. Many young Inuit prefer to pursue less physically demanding careers such as regular nine to five, weekday only government office occupations. As government offices grow, so will the local businesses to support them which create even more local jobs for Inuit people. These trends are not only affecting Inuit males but also females as well. As more young Inuit women move towards a 'southern', i.e., more North American lifestyle, Inuit art drawing, wall tapestry and doll making will be less attractive skills to learn compared to office or retail skills. Many master Inuit art carvers are also expert hunters. They get to see the Arctic animals regularly resulting in excellent...more
There has been much talk lately about Coca-Cola and its potential as a value stock - as it now spots a dividend yield of 2.6% (which is the highest dividend yield since the late 1980s) and a P/E or less than 21 - right at the bottom of its five-year low. Moreover, the current price of approximately $43 a share is also near the bottom of its...more
In my 18 years of consulting I have heard it all. Everything from competition to managed care as reasons why it's hard to create the business of your dreams. New customers are needed to keep any business going but it is how you and your staff manage these customers that determines your success in business.In every business that I have gone into...more
In any walk of life, sport, business, family life, etc, there are always going to be times when you feel like throwing in the towel. Its human nature, we do not enjoy conflict, lack of progress, always finishing runner up. The 7 words are simple and can't be underestimated "never give up, never never give up". Historians say that Churchill's exploits in the second world war is the best testimony to these words. When the whole world thought that Britain were doomed, by adopting a never say die attitude they eventually prevailed. I think what start up business's need to digest here is that success is very much possible but1) You are always are going to go through rough times and you need to accept this fact immediately2) When rough times strike, you need to react to the situation correctly.Its a common fact that all the entrepreneurs making it on the internet today are not the best marketers, they are not the best web designers and not the best business people. In basic terms they are making it because they are the ones that want it the most. Whatever you do in life, its not how good and talented you are in any given area, it inevitably comes down to how badly you want it. Drive and...more
Virtual Assistants are taking on those time-consuming administrative chores and special projects, and giving business owners more breathing room to grow, succeed and fall in love with their business again.----------Time.As a small business owner,...more
If you are considering vending machines as a home based business here are three very brief facts about vending. Vending machines will start to earn revenue for your home based business almost immediately. A brand new, high quality machine is...more
Snack vending machines come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small enough to hang on a wall and some are the full size floor models like the one I had. Some are electronic that you plug into an electric wall socket. Some are manually operated that...more
Soda vending machines come in all shapes and sizes but the most common style are the stand-alone full sized machines. Soda vending machines have lots of capacity. Even my old one that I paid too much for had a capacity of over 500 cans with 7 total...more
If you work for yourself, the odds that you will still be in business in the year 2005 are only 1 in 5. In today's workplace swirling with change, one million people will start a new business this year. The UGLY truth is that 800,000 of those will be...more
The all important credit score! It determines the amount of loan you can get, it determines the interest rate at which you are charged for a loan, etc. Your credit score plays an important figure in your financial life. So what goes into making that...more