Here is a secret that may be difficult for you to believe, so prepare yourself. It is an extremely important secret that can have a most profound impact on your small business success, or it's failure. Let's start by asking a simple question...Do you enjoy sales? The truth of the matter is that when many small business owners are asked this question, they respond with answers like, "No way" or "I can't stand sales, let someone else do it." Why is...more
What I am about to say will make some people stand up and shout "hooray!" It will make others blush with embarrassment. Either way, take this advice and make your life a little bit easier.This is about email etiquette. When you are exchanging emails with friends and family, do whatever you want. But when you are conducting business, either as the customer or as the merchant, you need to observe some common rules.First, I am constantly amazed, on...more
Citibank recently launched a new credit card that takes away an important sting felt by many consumers: late fees. In an unusual move, the bank is now offering consumers "permanent forgiveness" for late payments and will no longer assess the customary $39 late fee when a payment arrives after the due date. While the offer sounds great on surface, if you dig a little deeper you will soon learn that there are some things about the new Citi Simplicity card that can cost you more money in the long run. Let's take a closer look at what this credit card issuer is really offering with its new card.The ProblemConsumer advocates have long cried foul when it has come to credit card late fees and penalties. Not only would you be assessed a one time late fee ranging from $29 to $39 if your payment arrived late, but your interest rate could be permanently increased to the default rate, typically as high as 29% annually. This "double whammy" further made it difficult for you, the credit card holder, to ever pay down debt.Citibank's Solution In a bold marketing move, Citibank - one of the largest issuers of credit cards in the world - came up with its Citi Simplicity card in response to criticism...more
What does the phrase "team building" mean to you? Quad-biking? Abseiling? Propping up the bar with your work colleagues? Allow me to disagree.Let's look at the word "build" and see where that leads us. The Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines the word "build" as "Establish, make or accumulate gradually". This definition implies a sense of time...more
Maybe it took the State of The Union address from President Bush to bring the concept of Health Savings Accounts out into the open for all to see. Whatever the case, this is an idea and reality that is long overdue and a great solution to health insurance for many people. Health savings accounts, coupled with a companion low-cost high-deductible...more
The interest of lenders in secured homeowner loans is justified. No other loan covers lenders from as much risk involved in the lending process as a secured homeowner loan. But, what explains the surge of interest of borrowers towards secured homeowner loans. Don't they fear that their home can be repossessed in the process? The only logical justification is that borrowers have shelved their fears for the several benefits that secured loans can produce. The benefits on the use of secured homeowner loan are the result of the reduced risk. When lenders find lesser risk involved in a particular loan deal, they are more open towards increasing convenience of borrowers. With lower rates of interest and faster approval, the loan providers will wear there preference for secured loan borrowers on their sleeves.Secured homeowner loans are strictly designed for the people who have their own homes. The borrower must have a clear title to his home. Though the home may not be physically possessed in the loan transaction, loan providers will demand the property papers. These property papers will be kept by the lenders in their possession till the loan has been paid off. As soon as the secured...more
As we begin 2005, you're probably not thinking about taxes at all. This is a mistake as deadlines are approaching for issuing and filing 1099s to independent contractors.What is a 1099 MISC?Generally speaking, the IRS requires you to report certain...more
How can you apply ergonomics to your work life?Thanks to the study of ergonomics, we can now find better ways to work. It has been shown that our bodies can be under stress and tension even when we are sitting at a desk. Applying the techniques...more
Congratulations! You successfully sold one or more of your company's products or services to a business unit, department, or division of a large organization. Now your manager has tasked you with "account management". If you are not already familiar...more
An affiliate marketing program is a revenue-sharing marketing strategy where a merchant pays their affiliates a commission for referring business to their website. The webmaster signs up as an affiliate in the affiliate marketing program and gets a...more
The patterns of any particular investment will detail therelative risks and rewards undertaken with each investment.Risks can be defined as "the chance or possibility ofinjury, damage or loss." Risk focuses on the future and ourability to forecast...more
Loan ProposalApplying for a small business loan can be exciting and yet stressful at the same time. For the best results and to heighten your level of confidence, be prepared when you visit the lender you've chosen for your business loan interview....more