Archive for the ‘Business’ Category

Truth or Delusion?

If you provide good customer service,
people will refer business to you.

Delusion: Here’s the reason.  Good customer service is prerequisite.  It’s a minimum expectation.

Think about it.  Would you refer somebody to me if I provided lousy customer service?  Of course not.  You’ll end up looking like a dope in the eyes of your prospect.  Your own credibility would suffer.

Good customer service is part of what the prospect expects when you refer him to me.  If you are recommending me to him. I must be something pretty special, right.  And if I want to keep that customer coming back, I’ll need to give him more than the minimum expectation of simply good service. I’ll need to provide great, outstanding, memorable customer service to really stand out.

Truth or Delusion?: Busting Networking’s Biggest Myths (Hardcover)

Order Now

Biography

Dr. Ivan Misner is the Founder & Chairman of BNI, the world’s largest business networking organization . BNI was founded in 1985. The organization has thousands of chapters throughout every populated continent of the world. Each year, BNI generates millions referrals resulting in billions dollars worth of business for its members.

No!

All CPAs are accountants, but not all accountants are CPAs.  CPA is the abbreviation for Certified Public Accountant.

The principal differences between accountants and CPAs are education and experience. In order to become a CPA, there are education and experience requirements needed to be fulfill.  In addition, a Uniform CPA Exam must be passed.

CPAs are many things. They are chief financial officers for Fortune 500 companies and advisors to small neighborhood businesses. They are well-respected strategic business advisors and decision-makers. They act as consultants on many issues, including taxes and accounting.

A Certified Public Accountant is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals, businesses, and other organizations plan and reach their financial goals.

Sponsored by Hastings, Long and Associates
Our CPA experts are here to assist you

Clients don’t know
what they don’t want
till you give them
what they asked for.
– Larry Miller

Sponsored by Listen,Write,Design,

Dear Reader:

If the list upon which I found your name is any indication, this is not the first — nor will it be the last — subscription letter you receive. Quite frankly, your education and income set you apart from the general population and make you a highly-rated prospect for everything from magazines to mutual funds.

You’ve undoubtedly ‘heard everything’ by now in the way of promises and premiums. I won’t try to top any of them.

Nor will I insult your intelligence.

If you subscribe to Newsweek, you won’t get rich quick. You won’t bowl over friends and business associates with clever remarks and sage comments after your first copy of Newsweek arrives.   (Your conversation will benefit from a better understanding of the events and forces of our era, but that’s all. Wit and wisdom are gifts no magazine can bestow.) And should you attain further professional or business success during the term of your subscription, you’ll have your own native ability and good luck to thank for it — not Newsweek.

What, then, can Newsweek do for you?

The answer depends upon what type of person you happen to be. If you are not curious about what’s going on outside your own immediate daily range of concern…if you are quickly bored when the topic of conversation shifts from your house, your car, your ambitions…if you couldn’t care less about what’s happening in Washington or Wall Street, in London or Moscow…then forget Newsweek.   It can’t do a thing for you.

If, on the other hand, you are the kind of individual who would like to keep up with national and international affairs, space and nuclear science, the arts — but cannot spend hours at it…if you’re genuinely interested in what’s going on with other members of the human race…if you recognize the big stake you have in decisions made in Washington and Wall Street, in London and Moscow…

then Newsweek may well be the smartest investment you could make in the vital weeks and months ahead!

For little more than l¢ a day, as a Newsweek subscriber, your interest in national and international affairs will be served by over 200 top-notch reporters here and around the world. Each week, you’ll read the most significant facts taken from their daily dispatches by Newsweek’s editors.

You’ll get the facts. No bias. No slanting. Newsweek respects your right to form your own opinion.

In the eventful weeks to come, you’ll read about

-election strategy (Who will run against JFK? Medicare, education, unemployment: how will they sway voters?)

-Administration moves (New civil-rights bill in the works? Taxes: what next?)

-G.O.P. plans (Stepped-up activity in Dixie? New faces for Congressional races?)

-Kremlin maneuverings (Will Cold War policies change? New clashes with Red China?)

-Europe’s future (New leaders, new programs? How can America compete with the Common Market?)

You’ll also keep on top of latest developments in the exciting fields of space and nuclear science. Whether the story describes a space-dog’s trip to Venus or the opening of a new area in the peaceful use of atomic fission, you’ll learn the key facts in Newsweek’s Space & The Atom feature — the first and only weekly department devoted to space and nuclear science in any newsweekly.

The fascinating world of art will be reviewed and interviewed for you in Newsweek. Whether you are interested in books or ballet, painting or plays, movies or music — or all of them — you will find it covered fully and fairly in Newsweek.

Subscribe now and you’ll read about

international film awards…new art shows at the Louvre in Paris…the opening of the Metropolitan and La Scala opera seasons…glittering first nights on and off Broadway…plus revealing interviews with famed authors and prima donnas, actors and symphony conductors.

AND you’ll be briefed on happenings in the worlds of Business and Labor (More wage demands now?)…Education and Religion (Reforms in teacher training? More church mergers?)…Science and Medicine (Cancer, arthritis cures on the way?)…Sports and TV-Radio (New world records? More educational TV, fewer MD shows?)

You read Newsweek at your own pace. Its handy Top of the Week index lets you scan the top news stories of the week in two minutes. When you have a lull in your busy schedule, you can return to the story itself for full details. In this way, you are assured of an understanding of the events and forces of our era.

TRY Newsweek.

Try it at our special introductory offer:

37 WEEKS OF NEWSWEEK FOR ONLY $2.97

That’s about 8¢ a week — little more than a penny a day. You would pay $9.25 at newsstands for the same number of copies; $4.98 at our regular yearly subscription rates.

And try it with this guarantee: if, after examining several issues in your own home, you do not agree that Newsweek satisfies your news interests, you will receive a prompt refund.

An order form is enclosed, along with a postage-paid return envelope. Do initial and return the order form today. We’ll bill you later, if you wish.

Sincerely,

S. Arthur Dembner
Circulation Director

SAD/jnb

On a beautiful late spring afternoon, twenty-five years ago, two young men graduated from the same college. They were very much alike, these two young men.

Both had been better than average students, both were personable and both -– as young college graduates are — were filled with ambitious dreams for the future.

Recently, these men returned to their college for their 25th reunion.  They were still very much alike.

Both were happily married. Both had three children. And both, it turned out, had gone to work for the same Midwestern manufacturing company after graduation, and were still there.

But there was a difference. One of the men was manager of a small department of that company. The other was its president.

What Made The Difference
Have you ever wondered, as I have, what makes this kind of difference in people’s lives? It isn’t always a native intelligence or talent or dedication. It isn’t that one person wants success and the other doesn’t.

The difference lies in what each person knows and how he or she makes use of that knowledge.

And that is why I am writing to you and to people like you about Instant Article Wizard software.  For that is the whole purpose of the software.  To give easy access to knowledge – knowledge that they can use for school and in business.

A Software Unlike Any Other

You see, Instant Article Wizard is a unique software. It gives you all the information you need— when you need it.

Knowledge Is Power

About those two college classmates, I mention at the beginning of this letter. They graduated from college together and together got started in the business world. So what made their lives in business different?

Knowledge. Useful knowledge. And its application.

Instant Article Wizard costs $67 a Small Investment In You and Your Family’s Future

I cannot promise you that success will be instantly yours if you start using Instant Article Wizard.  But I can guarantee that you will find article writing and research easy, reliable, and always useful.

Just click this Link and watch the Video

Smartest Entrepreneurs Take Little Risk!!

Maybe we’re stretching our title just a little. Many Entrepreneurs take major risks in starting a new business. However, there are others who find a way to touch into government funds i.e. SBA and actually end up with a minor financial risk to themselves. They may also touch your funds if you let them.

This is NOT all bad! Our government is an encourager to the individual who desires to start a new business. Many of our finest firms began in someone’s garage or basement. It could have been in a corner of the bedroom. Doesn’t matter!

Our country needs the RISK taker. The Entrepreneur. Most business successes are 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration. If you are willing to put your shoulder to the wheel and work hard….you have a good possibility of success.

Seek out other successful businesspersons to learn how they have managed to build their business. What were the challenges? Difficulties? Financial resources? Government programs? Ask for helpful suggestions. Recommendations. Guidance.

An old saying is very true…..YOU can IF you think you can! Believe in yourself, even when others are negative. The world is full of Nay sayers…so don’t associate with those who are in the crowd of throwing cold water on your dreams. Go for it!

Today, if I were to start a new business, I would go to work for someone already doing the same kind of business. Even in another city if necessary. I would avoid having a problem with non-compete contracts in my own city. Offer to work for FREE! It’s the best investment you can make in your own business.

In my working career, I did exactly as I am suggesting to you. It happened just slightly under different circumstances, but basically the same results. A national firm hired me to begin and build temporary help services on the East Coast. I did. Became a Regional Manager. Times got tough for the company and they decided to eliminate my salary.

It seemed like a bad decision. No job. No salary. What a lousy thing to do after four years of my time invested for this firm. You can see what’s coming already! THEY (the company) had PAID me a nice salary with benefits to TEACH me the business. Now they had FORCED me out….into my own business!

In my case, the company had PAID me to develop my clientele. You have to work really hard to find a better deal. I recommend it to you. We were back in business in six (6) weeks. I already knew the business was right for me. That’s my point in suggesting that you work IN the same kind of business.

You will learn two things very quickly. You’ll either love the business or hate it! A great way to spend YOUR vacation time. Keep your day job! You’ll get a college education about the business and know if you want to pursue it further. You may just learn enough to KNOW this business IS NOT FOR YOU!

---

BUSINESS TIP: Avoid the NaySayers! Believe in YOURself. Learn the business for FREE! Work for someone else IN the same kind of business. LOVE IT and DO IT for yourself or leave it alone.

Most things in life are simple. Unfortunately, so much so that many of us fail to take advantage of our opportunities. New ones come our way everyday.  What do we do? Turn our heads and get back on the same old track.

If you keep doing the same old things over and over again…what do you get?  The very same results as before. Nothing will change UNTIL you decide to change.  You have to change the habit to change the result.

People go to “hip/hip” hooray seminars and get all excited. Speakers get folks all pumped up with enthusiasm. You can do it! In a crowd, with lots of others around us, it just seems so easy.  We tell ourselves…I’m going to make a real change in my life.

We leave the arena ready to change the world. A week later, someone asks … what happened? I thought you were going to make some real changes in your life.  Get a positive attitude.  Work smarter, not harder.  Do more business.

Your INTENTIONS were right on track. It’s just that NOTHING has changed in the way you do things. You are in the 95% group. Your old ways are just too comfortable. We easily fall back into the same old rut as before.

If you honestly expect to see a difference…then you will have to make some adjustments to your daily routine. It’s really not so difficult after you have taken the first step toward your goal.

An IMPERATIVE!! WRITE IT DOWN!

Do you have goals? Things you want to achieve? Next week? Month? Year? 5 years from now? Think about the process as a road map to your destination. The journey. The trip. Steps to reach next and next and next…..until you arrive at “the place” you want to reach. Those who write it all down get to the destination sooner.

All of us need a guide.  A roadmap. Where are you trying to go? Is your goal to make a lot of money?  Own a business? Take a vacation?  Raise a family? Get married? Be President of your club? Buy a boat? A new car? On and on the list can stretch with our wants and desires.

WRITE IT DOWN WITH EXPECTATION . . . .

A Personal Experience ….. if you will bear with me. It really does work!  I decided one year that it was time for me to be President of my National (independent) staffing organization (approx. 100 firms) and I threw in my local Rotary Club (65 members) at the same time. I wrote it down!  Be President!! BOTH groups came and asked me to be President the SAME year. Wow! It certainly made a believer out of me. YES!  I accepted both and lived to enjoy the challenge.

---

Would you try to take a trip to California from the East Coast by car without a roadmap? Obviously not…unless you have made the trip before. Even then, most of us need a guide. How far would you get before the road map was an imperative for you to reach your destination? 50 miles?  Maybe a 100 miles?  However, somewhere along the way you will be LOST unless you have a roadmap.

Do you get my drift? If you have a destination to reach, then you need a WRITTEN DOWN map to arrive safely. A study was done many years ago on a group of college graduates from an Ivy League school. In a nutshell, the 3 students who wrote down their goals made more money than the 26 other students (combined) in the class. Not a bad result for such a simple ACTION.

My point ….. it is very important to spend the necessary amount of time THINKING about the direction that you wish to go. Next, transfer your thoughts to paper. Review the plan daily. Distraction is a waster. Focus is the key.

---

BUSINESS  TIP:   Write down your GOALS!  It may seem a waste of time, but history has proven its VALUE.  From the brain … down the arm … out the fingers onto paper.  Review it regularly.  Think about your destination.  It gets the adrenaline pumping toward success.

Create an Environment to Succeed…..

Are you ready for a little positive thinking? You can appoint yourself to be the lead person. Set a GOAL to put a positive tone in your voice. Walk like you are going somewhere! Move quickly. Look ahead of you, not down at your feet. Let everything about your presence radiate an upbeat aura around you.

You can start this action at home with your family. Next, take it to the office where you work. On Sunday, take it with you to church. Infect your children with an upbeat attitude. There is an old saying….smile and the world smiles with you. Frown and you frown alone (this is my version!).

Do you set the pace? What are the others around you doing? Are they sending out waves (vibrations) of happiness and good thoughts? Unfortunately, too many folks are walking around with their head down and sending out the wrong message.

You and I cannot change the world….but we can certainly change things right where we are today. It begins one step at a time. Set out to give everyone you meet a good feeling. About everything! About YOU! Their work. Many folks just need a firm handshake and a smile from those around them.

Our Environment has to be nurtured with positive reinforcement. All of us have been around a negative person. Brings every one of us down to their level if we let them. You can be the light and lift others to new heights. Try it!
Each of us needs to take responsibility for ourselves. Be an upbeat person. Lift others along with yourself. Be and become the person God created you to be. Not a sourpuss, but one with vibrations of success.

Touch others you meet along the way with your enthusiasm and love of life.

None of us enjoy being around a negative person. All of us know that some folks enjoy poor health, but we don’t have to encourage them or join their down in the mouth attitude. It is our challenge to bring them UP!

Help dispel the gloom in their life. It may be real, but we can try to lift them up with our positive outlook on the future as well as today.

Nothing can be as bad as it seems at the moment. Tomorrow will be a better day. Read the newspaper and you’ll find someone worse off. Bad news sells newspapers, but you and I don’t have to join them with more bad news. Let our news be God centered, upbeat, all the time.

Sometimes I just get excited about LIFE!! God gives us every minute of every day and I don’t want to waste any of it. Precious are you in His sight! He wants the very best for you. So do I!

---

BUSINESS  TIP: See the good in everyone. Be POSITIVE. Life is waiting to be discovered. Open yourself up and SEEK the best there is. Get UP every morning and THANK GOD for a NEW day. It’s a gift. Cherish it. USE it. Realize that YOU are in control of YOUR THOUGHTS!

Ownership of restricted stock in a company usually means (no one!)  can sell their stock or borrow funds using their stock certificates as  collateral without the agreement of the other stockholders.

Restricted stock means exactly that…restricted!  There is a reason for small  business enterprises to put a restriction on the stock of all the shareholders.  You want to be sure no one can put a financial obligation (responsibility) on  your future in the company.

The RESTRICTION must be clearly printed or typed on ALL stock certificates that  are issued. Otherwise, you may be in for a REAL surprise. You may never be  aware that another stockholder has failed you (not lived up to their agreement)  unless he/she defaults (fails to pay) back the loan.

You obviously know that not everyone honors his/her agreements. Some folks  never seem to worry or be concerned about the consequences of their actions.  Dishonesty or lack of integrity is not a concern to them.

A big spender or gambler who is a partner (owns stock) in your firm may just  decide to take their stock certificate/s down to their friendly banker. Reason?  It’s not important! Use their stock certificate to borrow personal funds without  your knowledge.

It seems so harmless! It is…UNLESS they cannot pay back the loan.  Then it becomes YOUR problem, too! You may need funds to finance the business.  Our friendly banker says, sorry…. tough break….etc. Your collateral (value) of  the business is now less the amount of the outstanding (personal) debt.

Your banker will not know about the restriction on your stock (unless)….the  notification has been recorded on each stock certificate. Otherwise, it may as  well not exist as a requirement in your corporate agreements. YOUR ATTORNEY  must make sure the NOTICE is recorded on EACH stock certificate. Something  like….”This stock certificate cannot be used to guarantee any loan, etc.”…

Your attorney must be top notch. Sharp. Knowledgeable. Up to date.  The very best you can find. Dollars well spent….a member of your important  ADVISORS TEAM!

You must have your OWN attorney. Only then can you expect to have someone  looking out TOTALLY for your interest. Anyone who has ever said…”whatever  YOU want will be OK with me, just let YOUR attorney write it out for us”….can  almost be assured of the SHAFT!

Is this an important concern? For you? I don’t know. Ask any wife/husband  who have been thru a divorce. You can be sure they will advise you to have your own attorney. THIS IS IMPORTANT!

The same is true for you in your own business. Even if you are a proprietor  (own it all!) you still must have professional guidance. Most of us are laymen  (not experts) in the field of legal issues. Your money is well spent when you  can sleep in peace knowing that you have done your best to protect the future  of your family and your business.

Just remember that some folks do not always follow the rules. As a matter  of fact, it is often a challenge to them to see what they can get by with today.  They have NO concern about putting YOU at RISK.

Even when you have the best lawyers with outstanding credentials…. there  are No guarantees. An agreement is no better than the parties (individuals)  who are involved and those who attest to its validity and their concurrence.

---

BUSINESS TIP:  Restricted STOCK must have the NOTICE recorded directly  on the stock certificate.  This is a contractual requirement.  Your banker  needs to be INFORMED about your business.  Accept No responsibility for LOANS without personal CONTROL OF THE ASSETS. Protect your family!

List your Business on the #2 Virtual Mall on the Internet

ShopRMall.com, Online Shopping Mall, Limited Time Price Reduction
Charlotte, NC 12/04/2008 08:03 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)

ShopRMall.com, The #2 Virtual Mall on the Internet has reduced the price for businesses to be listed in their online shopping mall.  ShopRMall.com is an online shopping mall that offers direct links, coupons, and special offers for over 1,000 name brand and specialty stores.

Ranking.com ranks ShopRMall.com #2 in the category of Shopping/Retailers/Virtual_Malls and gives ShopRMall.com a traffic ranking of #10,602 among all sites on the Internet. Ranking.com calculates the online popularity of the top one million websites in the world and is a trusted source for market research.

Businesses can be listed on ShopRMall.com for only $79.95 per year. Businesses wishing to be added to ShopRMall.com can lock in the price reduction for up to 5 years. The normal price is $159.95. This special offer expires on December 31, 2008.

Online businesses in ShopRMall.com include brand-names stores such as Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Sears, Kohl’s, Target, Eddie Bauer, Barnes & Noble, Zappos, and The Gap.

ShopRMall.com has a shoppers club with over 100,000 club members. The ShopRMall.com Shoppers Club is FREE and uses a double opt-in email for members to join. ShopRMall.com is opposed to unsolicited emails (Spam) in all its forms and does not sell their subscriber list.

In 1999, Eric J. Katowitz, a professional multi-platform engineer and graphic designer with Cire Web Site Design & Hosting, and Mitch Webb, a marketing sales consultant and information architect at Cire Computer Productions, Inc., launched ShopRMall.com to provide greater visibility to their web design and web hosting customers. The online shopping mall became an immediate success with the number of visitors growing exponentially every year.

ShopRMall.com and Cire Web Site Design & Hosting are owned by Cire Computer Productions, Inc., an e-commerce technology, SEO, and interactive Internet services developer.

www.shoprmall.com/join