Grant Funding for Small Businesses

The idea that there are millions of dollars in grant funds – free money -- waiting for the small business owner to tap into them is true and at the same time, not true.

In most cases, grant funds are not designed to start a new business. There are some specialized businesses that may qualify for start-up money, but 99.9% of the businesses in the Yellow Pages would be ineligible to receive start-up funding.

Yet there are millions of dollars available to help fund existing small businesses and employment programs, particularly in the non-profit arena. The trick is to be able to research grants and find those that are most aligned with your company’s mission and/or project.

Grants fall into two categories: government and corporate. They all come with strings attached and very specific requirements for those who will be awarded the funds. Funders look for businesses and organizations that already exist, that will use the money for a worthwhile project, i.e. jobs in inner cities, providing training to specialized groups, etc., and that will develop a self-sustaining program.

For small businesses that are looking for funding for expansion or for equipment purchases, it takes a creative mind to find a grant that could apply to your specific needs while filling the requirements of the grant funders. That is where the services of a professional grant writer are invaluable.

For example, a company may want grant money to fund an expansion of their sales force and they need to add more space as well as hire more people. Well, a for-profit company may not be eligible for any grant money. However, the company could form a non-profit agency that trains veterans or welfare moms in sales skills, leases or buys space to accommodate the workers and gives the new trainees a place to work by leasing them to the for-profit company.

Writing a grant proposal is a very specialized skill, but it can be learned. Grant writing in and of itself is a very lucrative profession. The IRS has established a pay range for grant writers of $50 - $150 per hour. A comprehensive training course is available at http://www.superchargedgrants.com. Students actually work on a real grant proposal while taking the course. Their work is critiqued by a certified professional grant writer

For those who don’t want to do it themselves or who don’t have the time to do it themselves, they can hire a professional grant writer to research and write the grant proposal. An organization will generally pay between $1,000 - $3,000 for a complete grant proposal and even higher for large proposal amounts. There are also grant review services that help grant seekers tweak their proposals for the best possible chance of funding.

Grants for small business funding are out there. The trick is to know how to present your needs in a way that best aligns with the grant funder’s mission. It isn’t easy, but it is definitely attainable and very much worth the effort.

Guide to Getting Small Business Grants

Do You Know that Small Business Grants Can be Waiting for You Almost 'Round the Corner'?

We are living in the times when governments understand the value of small businesses for the global economy. Small businesses are the pushers and testing grounds for new trends, they provide lots of jobs for the masses, they make any society more stable and happy. So governments have created special funds, programs, associations to provide government grants for small business.

You can be surprised to find out that there are so many types of grants that you can be missing and that can help you out almost instantly - minority small business grants, small business grants for woman, federal grants for small business, business start up grants and even free small business grants. All these types of grants act as a real proof that they really help many small businesses to succeed.

There are two typical issues about getting small business grants.

(1) WHERE to Get Small Business Grants.

Start with doing local search for 'small business grants', 'small business bank loans', 'venture funds' and 'angel investors'. This will give you a pretty big list of places to apply for help.

If you are in the USA - there are some majors that provide this type of financial assistance - for example, Small Business Administration (SBA) that has many departments that fit all possible types of businesses or help. It can also be wise to check the catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance - there you can find many good places to apply for the grants.

For businesses outside US there is also a way to succeed. Government, public or private organizations in your country must be giving some help to new small businesses within the framework of these institutions:

- economic development programs, funds, departments, opportunities, initiatives; - banks (usually they have special small business loans and programs); - venture funds, companies, firms; - credit partnerships; - angel investors (this type of business got very popular recently).

The list is big, but it means that you do not need to trust one business grant opportunity. The more opportunities, the better for you!

(2) HOW to Get Small Business Grants.

There is no magic formula to safe getting of grants.

But you can increase your chances using these simple tips.

Build a good business plan. Surely you are starting your business with some plan, but here you need to be very convincing, well-prepared to any questions. People who read this plan must understand and feel that the only element necessary for your success is the money, the grant.

Keep in good contact with your grant agent (manager, officer, anyone who is in charge of all details). Don't be a pusher, but make sure that you are in control of the situation. A lot will depend upon this person, maybe not the final decision, but a lot. Make sure he/she can reach you at any moment. And would be great if you have his/her contact details, the more, the better.

Try to find someone who already got a grant from the institution or organization you apply to. If it is possible, find out all details before applying there: what problems this person had, what questions asked, what impressed the grant givers, etc.

And the last advice, if in one place it did not work, don't give up. You can either appeal or try another place.

Only those who knock at the door can see it open.

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About the Author: Smith Chen is an author and internet marketing consultant.
Find more about Business Professional and review page more

Linux Unix options for Small Businesses

Linux/Unix is an alternate type of system that provides hosting for small businesses and companies that run Linux/Unix applications on their personal computers and laptops. The Linux/Unix-based platform is stable platform in the industry.

The Linux operating system was developed by Linus Torvalds as an alternative to other operating systems. Most of its versions are free of costs. The most popular Linux software is Red Hat and Mandrake.

Linux/Unix was only for professionals until a few years ago but the situation has changed. Many 'small businesses have switched to the Linux/Unix platform because of its open source architecture, meaning that users can structure the system to do what they want it to do.

Web host providers are specializing in Linux/Unix servers and the demand for this type of interface has grown by 40% over the last three years. A Unix-based platform is one of the most reliable operating system that you can ever have. It has a better up time than Microsoft Operating Systems and hosting programs in Linux/Unix are more flexible. You actually can get ore from a Linux/Unix based server than other servers on the market.

Linux/Unix supports a wide variety of application languages, more than any other operating system. The most common applications of such kind include C, C++, Shell, Perl, Tcl, Python, Java and PHP. Databases available for Unix are mSQL and mySQL. The one you choose would depend on what you plan to do on the web and the host that you choose to park your web site.

The Linux/Unix based system comes with its won web development module in some versions of Red Hat Linux that make web site creation easy as 1-2-3. FTP modules are built into the operating system to provide you with an alternative way to load the web site to the Linux/Unix host.

Linux/Unix will become a major force in the future as more small to medium businesses turn towards its hosting platform.

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About the Author: John Ugoshowa. You are welcome to use this article on your website or
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Windows Vista For Small Businesses

Microsoft’s Windows Vista is the latest operating system in over five years after Windows XP. And according to some experts this new OS is not really worth making a hue and cry about. No, there is nothing wrong with Vista, nor is there any single compelling feature that can force you to change your current OS for Windows Vista for the regular PC user.

However, Windows Vista Business is the first OS designed by Microsoft, keeping in mind the specific needs of small businesses. Besides a user-friendly interface, and powerful new safety and security features, the mobile computing enhancements make this OS easy to use allowing them to get more from their computers. Therefore, if you are a small business owner, then Windows Vista for Small Businesses is worth switching over to from your existing operating system.

With better built-in support options and more stability leading to fewer crashes, enhanced new security features, mobility functions, and improvements to increase productivity, you can just focus on what really matters to you the most – making your business profitable. Your business data is safe and secure on your Windows Vista for Small Business PC.

Included within the Windows Vista for Small Business edition is:

* Windows Tablet PC
* Windows SideShow for remote gadgets
* Windows Small Business Server
* Group Policy Support
* File Caching (From client side)
* Remote Server Access for better mobility and secure access to confidential data
* Window Fax and Scan
* Windows ShadowCopy for creating file backup
* Easy Retrieval of accidentally deleted files/documents

As Microsoft claims, “Getting it done just got easier with Windows Vista Business”.

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About the Author: George Christodoulou,

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Business Angels for small businesses

Businesses are many things. Some are profitable, some aren’t. Some involve single, store-based locations, while others are based off the Internet or even across an international network. Some have large staffs; others only have a few people. Some specialize in technology, some in produce, some in commerce – the variations are endless, but all these companies share one thing.

They all require a lot of money to get started. Most people don’t have even close to the amount of money it takes to start a small business, and so have to take out a loan or find funding from some outside source. The trick is to find the best source for your business. You always have a few options – whether that be by taking out a loan or seeking investors is up to you. When you’re looking for investors, you’ll come across the names of several venture capitalists, who invest their client’s money in startup projects.

Another option for the shrewd businessman or businesswoman, though, may be the kind of person known as a business angel. A business angel invests his or her own money in a company or business in order to buy part ownership. They will then wait for the company to make profits, and sell shares after your company has had a chance to grow. Sometimes, business angels will band together and pool their capital in order to invest in larger projects – if the company you wish to start is going to be expensive, you may wish to seek out one of these pools.

The next question is where you will find these business angels – and how you’ll let them know about your company. There are a few options here. For instance, if you already have a small business and are looking for investors to expand rather than to create something new, you may be able to find a business angel among your current customers – someone who knows and trusts you already, and has seen how successful you are and could be.

The Internet is another amazing tool when it comes to finding investors. Get online right now and log onto your favourite search engine. Type in “Business angels” and take a look at the listings that come up – you’ll be able to find investors all across the United Kingdom looking for all sorts of projects. Take a look at each, how much each is willing to spend, and whether that investor seems as if she or he would be interested in your company. If so, take down their name – once you’ve narrowed your choices down, you can start calling and deciding just who you want owning part of your company.

Banks and personal accountants often have contacts, as well. If you’re unable or unwilling to find business angels through the Internet, you can check in with your bank or with your accountant. They can look for you if you wish, or they may know some business angel investors personally and be willing to recommend one for you – remember, in this business as with so many others, it’s not what you know, but whom you know.

Remember, business angels are not venture capitalists. They aren’t working for stockholders the way a broker or investing firm does; rather, they’re spending their own money on things they believe in. As such, they will also be much more careful about what they decide to invest in. If you want a business angel investing in your business, you’re going to have to work hard to convince them. Come up with a good business plan and have some evidence you’ll make money, and you’ll go far every time.

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About the Author: Angel Startups is an internet resource small business, start up companies, entrepreneurs, bankers, loan companies, venture capitalists and Business Startups.
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The Benefits of Outsourcing In Small Businesses

Before we can begin discussing the benefits of outsourcing especially in small businesses we must fully understand what outsourcing is and what outsourcing is not (as many people often confuse it with off-shoring, a similar but different thing).

So what is outsourcing? A fairly recent addition to business terminology, outsourcing in a business is the delegation of certain non-core operations to other separate entities that specialize in those operations. Put very simply, outsourcing means giving away certain tasks which though imperative to the actual business, can be better managed by another industry which specializes in that task.

Outsourcing entails transferring management control and decision making power to the other industry as well. This means that there is a lot more interaction, and information exchange, coordination and trust between the outsourcer and its client, making it different from the established buyer-seller relationship.

Now that we have established what outsourcing is, let’s focus on what it is not. Outsourcing is commonly confused to off shoring, which is the relocation of an entire or part of a functional unit of the business to another nation, whether it remain in that business’s control or not. Outsourcing is usually limited domestically. In many cases, such as telemarketing, the company wishes to employ the service of overseas call centers. Thus when outsourcing crosses national borders it is called offshore outsourcing.

So why should companies outsource? There are plenty of benefits of outsourcing, especially for small businesses. The main reason for outsourcing is the cut in costs, as they don't have to provide benefits to their workers, and have fewer overhead expenses to worry about. Many businesses prefer offshore outsourcing, as it allows them to utilize the low labor costs of countries such as India and China. Not only that, the relatively high exchange rates in these countries makes offshore outsourcing more advantageous. In India, the dollar exchange rate is 45 rupees per every American dollar. Thus the average American worker who would take (for e.g) $5 per hour can be replaced by an Indian worker employed at $2/hour.

Outsourcing also allows smaller businesses to focus on core competencies, and relieve themselves of the peripheral ones. Thus they can concentrate on providing better quality products and service. Even if the quality does not improve, the cut in cost allows for greater productivity. This increases the overall economy in total. Not just that, the business can produce good quality products without having to employ a large amount of people. Thus lowering their overall labor charges and employee benefit.

The best facet of outsourcing though is the ability to employ professionals to get the work done. In areas such as advertising and telemarketing, it is usually more cost effective, and productive to hand over the task to a separate company and pay them accordingly. Thus instead of handling their own affairs in a substandard manner, they can employ professionals to carry out the process efficiently and effectively. And once the outsourcing company is assured that its client is managing perfectly, it can focus on creating better products and services.

For small businesses, outsourcing allows them to work with the minimum of labor and equipment expenditure. For example, a small firm outside city limits can outsource its transport, thus making it unnecessary for it to acquire buses, cutting the cost of fuel and saving its resources. Another prime example is telemarketing and advertising. Many companies prefer to outsource this facet of marketing to professional call centers and advertising agencies, thus eliminating the need to form an entire unit devoted to this task. Not only that, but because the outsourcing client has a fully established infrastructure devoted especially to the service provided, there is no necessity for a small business to invest in developing its own internal infrastructure to accommodate that service.

In small businesses there’s only a limited access to resources and ideas. Outsourcing allows the business to garner new ideas and innovations. It could also result possible cash influx due to the transfer of assets to the new provider

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About the Author: Alex Martin works as a content writer for TermPapersCorner,Inc. The company
provides high quality Term Paper
, Custom Essays and Freelance Programming.

Website Design for Small Businesses

Designing for any online business is a vital and serious issue as it says a lot about the business, its owners and product or services. It is the thing which keeps a customer on a website and its easiness compels and convinces him to buy a product. So it’s important to have a professional look.

No doubt launching a website for small business is a hilly task. To achieve it you better do some research on your needs; the site purpose, the target audience and finally look for skilled website designers, developers and graphic designers or a designing company. There are many different website design companies, offering different facilities. However for gaining an effective internet presence what should be the look of site of small businesses? This article will guide you in understanding the structure for your site specific design. Keep this article as a reference point. When you go through the process of development then check out each part to have an effective web site for your products and services in accordance with your target audience.
Choosing web designer- Don’t go by the cheap web design. This will certainly diminish your professional image among potential customers other than financial losses. To have a professional web design, don't compare web designers by their price; always look at your requirements regarding the type of service, internet marketing and updates you needs w.r.t. growth.
Domain Name
Choose simple, short and relevant domain name for your site. Don’t get settle down on anything to get your web space as every word on your web site has relevancy in its success. Being a serious online venture you should register it for at least two years. You can get your own domain name by paying as little as $ 17-18 for 2 year registration with ICANN approved sites such as Register . You can find out if the name you want is still available by using the free search tool on the sites.
Web Hosting
Web hosting can be obtained free of cost from content portal sites such as Yahoo! Geocities . Such sites invite users to establish Web sites on their domain in order to create a critical mass of core content on their online property. The user does not have to pay for service because it is subsidized by banner advertising. As they do not charge, they offer limited service depth and relative quality. They do not even provide customized hosting services where domain names are personalized.
So, avoid getting lured by the free hosting providers as nothing is really free. It mostly retards the downloading speed of web pages. Even avoid messing around with small time web hosting. Affiliate yourself with a reputable company that provides top-notch service and have the resources to provide fast and reliable servers.
Text Content
Content of the site deserves utmost attention as it’s the words that people read, it’s the words that call people to action, and it’s the words that sell. The rest also helps, but a site with poor content is an as bad as a site without any words.
Keywords
Order to end up high on search engine use the relevant keywords and place them accordingly on a web page. The number of times each word appears on a web page is the factors that determine how high you end up in search results.
Regarding resolution
Sure that your pages should work at any resolution, from 800x600 to 1280x1024 and beyond. Currently the most widely used screen size is 1024 x 768. Of course, the general guideline is to optimize for your target audience's most common resolution, so the size will change in the future. You shall see the statistics for the month of January for the last 2 years provided by w3schools seem to reflect the general trend we are seeing on the Web.
Year Higher 1024 x 768 800 x 600 640x 480 Unknown
2007(January) 26% 54% 14% 0% 6%
2006(January) 17% 57% 20% 0% 6%


It’s always safer to keep your web site at less than 750 pixels wide as you don’t want to alienate your visitors by having them scroll to see the whole page. Make sure that that your web pages show up the same in all web browsers.

HTML Tags

You will have to make sure that your title, description, and keyword meta tags are bang on with the text on each web page you build. The linking structure of your website should have to be good as it’s easy for the visitors as well the search robots to understand the details. All of your optimized pages must be linked from the home page itself.

Graphics

It’s good to place web graphics in context with the information being presented. If you have product descriptions on your web site, then you should have the related graphic depiction next to them. Avoid using graphic that has no any relation with your text. Overusing graphics will only make the site look amateur. Make sure if you use web graphics as links that they work at all times. There is nothing worse than clicking on a graphic that does not work.

Conclusion

Basic tips for small business website are just the tip of the iceberg. You should also have to provide correct contact information plus regular updating w.r.t. your products; which I already explain in detail in my earlier articles. Web design can make or break your business. So always remember to create a site that is appealing and easy to navigate.

Your website should be like an investment and for that you are certainly going to receive a return.

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About the Author: Alex Roderick

The Author is the owner of a web site design Company, and providing Web Design and Development Solutions to clients across USA and UK for affordable and sensible prices.

Three Easy Pension Plan Options for Small Businesses

Procrastinating about setting up a pension for your small business? Don't. Some easy options let you cheaply prepare for your retirement...and let you help employees, too.

Easy Option #1: Don't Forget About A Regular Old IRA

Here's the first thing to consider--even though it sounds like a wimp-out: Maybe you shouldn't setup a pension plan all at for your small business. Maybe you should just use an individual retirement account, or IRA, and encourage employees to do the same.

You might even specially budget bonuses for yourself and for employees that get paid at year-end when people may be thinking about tax deductions.

In 2007, an individual can contribute up to $4,000 a year to either a traditional IRA or a Roth-IRA.

That maybe doesn't seem very clever or sophisticated. But a $4,000 a year contribution grows to more than $600,000 (in real, adjusted for inflation value). That's enough to rather easily pay a $25,000 a year retirement benefit. Note that most workers will also get between $10,000 and $20,000 in social security benefits. Which means that an IRA might just be the perfect solution for many people.

Easy Option #2: Consider A SEP-IRA

Here's another easy option--a Simplified Employee Pension IRA, or SEP-IRA.

You can setup a SEP-IRA (both the plan and the worker savings accounts) by filing a bit of paperwork with an investment company like the Vanguard Group, Charles Schwab, or Fidelity. (Any of these outfits will send you paperwork that explains how to setup your SEP-IRA in, oh, about ten minutes.)

What's neat about a SEP-IRA, as compared to the easy, non-option of just going with a traditional or Roth IRA, is that you can contribute more money. Partners and sole proprietors, for example, can contribute up to 20% of their earnings to a SEP-IRA. Corporations can contribute up to 25% of an employee's annual wage to a SEP-IRA. Note that this contribution can't be more than $44,000.

A sole proprietorship business that makes its owner $50,000 a year, for example, can probably pay roughly $10,000 a year into the owner's SEP-IRA account. Continued over four decades, this annual savings amount grows to roughly $1,500,000 in adjusted-for-inflation dollars. That's a big enough balance to pay you a $62,000 a year retirement benefit.

One wrinkle about SEP-IRA plans. You generally need to cover all the adult employees of the business who've worked for you for more than three years. SEP-IRA pension plans, therefore, may be most attractive to one employee businesses and to businesses that by their nature don't employ anybody other than the owner for more than a year or two.

Easy Option #3: Go with a Simple-IRA

If neither a regular IRA or a SEP-IRA seems a good fit, you have one other easy option, a SIMPLE-IRA. A Simple-IRA works like a no frills 401(k) plan. Employees can contribute up to a set amount (typically $10,000) of their pay. Employes typically must match employee contributions 100% up to 3% of the employee wages. This sounds terribly complicated, but let me show you an example of how this works.

Suppose an employee makes $10,000. You would need to match employee contributions, dollar for dollar, up to 3% of the $10,000 in employee wages. This 3% figure equals $300. Accordingly, if the employee saves nothing out of his or her wages, you contribute nothing.

If the employee contributes $200 out of his wages, you also contribute $200. That's a dollar-for-dollar match.

If the employee contributes $400 out of this wages, you only contribute $300. In other words, you do a dollar-for-dollar match--but only up to the $300 mark.

Simple-IRAs present small business owners with a couple of neat benefits. First, you can easily and cheaply set them up. Typically you just file a bit of paperwork with an investment company. (This paperwork needs to be filed typically by October 1 of the year you want to setup the Simple-IRA for.)

A second neat benefit of a Simple-IRA is that you, the owner, can still save quite a bit of money--at least $10,000 a year--but you don't have to make big dollar contributions to all employees pension savings accounts. You only need to do the 3% match for those employees who decide to save some of their money.

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About the Author: Seattle accountant Stephen L. Nelson CPA wrote the bestseller QuickBooks for Dummies and publishes the limited liability company llc incorporation explained web site.

Small Businesses Earn Extra Business

With the development of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as an important technology, enterprises of all sizes and the public are benefiting from the telecommunications systems that are more affordable and more flexible than the conventional public or private switched phone networks. As the VoIP market is still emerging, the VoIP vendors need to clearly mention the features of their service. Generally, small and medium-sized enterprises don’t have big information technology departments which can smoothly make their existing system VoIP enabled.

These firms will be depending on the vendors to consult their options and for after-deal support in countering potential problems. A conventional PBX machine and integrated system is expensive to purchase, install and operate. But the cost can be cut down to almost nothing by turning to virtual PBX. It is similar to a PBX in functions and comes with additional functions and needs no installed software. Virtual PBX systems save businesses from the technician fees, make the expanding functions more flexible and reduce the extra cost of installation.

They can also connect multiple locations at a fraction of the cost spent on regular PBX systems. PhoneFusion’s PBX system is designed to administer calls in a call center or a business. Businesses of any size can employ a scalable VoIP-based PBX by setting this software on any Windows computer. The software operates as phone key connecting to telephone lines and annexes using sophisticated VoIP technology. The software transfers all the external, internal and advanced calls lining up for call center applications within a business. The Virtual PBX system from PhoneFusion can manage innumerable employees and send PBX call routing and other operations as a simple hosted service. It has the capability to integrate all the employees of an enterprise under one or more business phone numbers, regardless of their location.

More and more small businesses are appreciating the advantages of PhoneFusion Virtual PBX. With system features like auto attendants, unified messaging, Find Me/Follow Me service and voicemails, large companies that spend thousand of dollars for the similar features can utilize the same features with a Virtual PBX system at a fraction of that cost.

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About the Author: Find more on how a small business uses phonefusion.com to centralize their business at The unified communications company. Phonefusion offers an excellent guide for voicemail and conference calling.

Invoice Factoring: An Effective Alternative For Small Businesses

‘Cash is the king’ is an undebatable truth. The vital importance of cash to the growth and day-to-day management of modern small businesses is very much evident. Even though profit, turnover and market shares are indicators of success, there is no replacement for cash. If there is no cash in the bank to meet monthly bills, wage runs and loan payments then any business can succumb to the crunch. Cash flow is generally acknowledged as the only pressing concern of the small and medium sized business enterprises. Small businesses typically enter into factoring arrangements to solve cash flow problems.

The lack of access to capital has prevented many small businesses from growing and capitalizing on the many opportunities that are available to them. Small companies do have to forgo large deals or opportunities because they do not have the necessary capital to obtain the resources to service the account. Inadequate capital resources along with the necessity to offer commercial credit to clients, often makes business owners victims of their own ventures. Factoring is a relatively unknown financial solution that has become available for smaller companies in such crisis situations.

Factoring, by definition, is the purchase of accounts receivable without recourse.
Factoring is one of the oldest forms of commercial finance. The term factor comes from the Latin verb ‘facio’, which means “he who does things.” The history of factoring is the history of agents doing things for others. The colonists started widespread usage of factoring in the 1600s in Northern America.

Factoring accounts receivable is a form of short-term borrowing. Typically, the small business owner transfers all or a portion of your accounts receivable to a bank or other lender known as a factor. This factor immediately gives him a percentage of the accounts receivable. The percentage the lender is willing to advance is known as the discount rate that is typically 60 to 80 percent. This money allows the business owner to fund current business operations and generate new accounts receivable. The factor, usually takes responsibility for collecting all the accounts receivable.

Accounts receivable factoring is the sale of part or all of a debt that someone owes to the company. When companies provide financing through accounts receivable factoring, they essentially pay for the invoices as soon as the business owner generates them at a small discount of the invoice amount. They also provide accounts receivable management services by collecting the debt directly, monitoring credit of your clients and providing aging reports. Factoring allows a company to obtain financing without selling part of the company. It should be viewed as a bridge to growing a company, an interim step to obtaining a traditional credit facility or an equity capital.

Factoring is prefect for companies that are fast growing or those that seek to seize market opportunities. By using factoring, the entrepreneur can meet increasing sales demands. Today, it is estimated that factoring is a ‘$100-billion-a-year’ industry in the United States. Accounts receivable factoring makes up about a third of all financing secured by American companies using accounts receivable and inventory as collateral. Wholesalers, distributors, transportation, staffing companies, manufacturing and business services are some of the more common industries.

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About the Author: Christine is an expert Internet marketing professional with years of experience in various industries such as: Business, Finance, Real Estate, Web-Design, Health & Medicine and many more.
Business Cash Advance

Small Business Secret #3: Seven Documents All Small Businesses Must Have to Be Successful

When many small business owners start out thinking about building a small business, they are often mislead into believing that the only document that they need to succeed is a Business Plan. In fact this plan is only one of seven documents every small business should have if they ever expect to survive let alone succeed.

Let me explain …

Doc 1. Business Plan

The Business plan, which is what most accountants, lawyers and business coaches will say is the only document that you need is the first document you must complete. I certainly do disagree totally that this is the only document you need, because the actual roll of this document is to summarize the other six mandatory documents that you must have.

The size of your Business Plan document will vary depending on the size of your business that you are either buying or building. Your business plan should contain details on how your business will be run, how you will finance the business, what sort of profit you will make, how you will advertise and market your business, what your exit strategy will be from your business, what form you business will take, where it will be located etc.

If you are going to be buying a Business rather than starting up a new one from scratch, always ask the previous owner to see their business plan. This will give you a good insight into the inner workings of the business and how it got to where it is. One thing to note though, always make sure that regardless of whether you are buying an existing business or building your own, that you create your own business plan so you have a clear understanding of where you are going with this business.

Doc 2. Business Model

A Business Model is usually built using tools like Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Access. The model allows you to apply various scenarios to your business model to see what sort of outcome will occur. This is a fantastic tool for running scenarios and seeing what the outcome would be if certain conditions might occur, like your truck broke down or what would happen to your profit if a certain piece of machinery broke down for a period of time.

The Business Model is also very useful when dealing with organizations like banks or finance institutions. If your business model can show what impacts various factors might have on your business and that you can still survive, then the banks and finance institutions are more likely to give you the money you need.

Doc 3. Marketing Plan

The Marketing Plan document sets out how you are going to market your business. It includes information on the brochures you are going to use, the types of adverts you may use, the frequency of the campaign, the medium you will be using and so forth. The marketing plan provides an in depth look at how you will be marketing your business. Your marketing plan should represent 12 months of operations, that is, you should have developed all of your marketing strategies so that they flow on and build on each previous marketing campaign over a 12 month period.

Doc 4. Operations Plan

Your operations plan is designed to define exactly how your business is to be run. The operations plan should include how to do every task in your organization, checklists on what needs to be done every day, week, month and year. Essentially the Operations Plan defines how your business actually works.

The key advantage of your operations plan is that if at any time you lose a staff member, you can use the operations plan to teach your new staff members the tasks that they need to complete each day.

Doc 5. Sales Plan

The Sales Plan outlines how sales will be undertaken on a day to day basis. How you will be selling your products and services, who your target markets are, your approach techniques to new clients, any clients that you need to contact on a day-to-day basis and what your contact processes are. More so it should define what step-by-step process you follow to convert a prospect into a customer.

The Sales Plan should use flow charts and should also include any letters or marketing material that should be used for a particular sales process.

Doc 6. HR Plan

The HR Plan, sets out the Human Resource structure of your organization. It should include information such as position descriptions, who each person reports to, who they are responsible for, what tasks they are responsible for and any special duties they might have to do during the year.

The HR Plan should also have information in it such as Job Advertisement Templates, approved Position Descriptions and templates, Hourly Rates, Acceptable Work Practices and so forth. The HR Plan sets down how your staff must engage at work and what you define as being acceptable workplace behaviors in your workplace.

Doc 7. Style Manual

The Organizations Style manual sets out how you are going to present yourself to your customers. The style manual includes information on your logos, your business cards, the colors your business will use for its logos, banner layouts, how to place newspaper adverts and what colors must be used, what fonts must be used in Letters or Faxes. The style manual will also set out what information will go onto your business cards, where the logo will sit and what information must be contained.

The Organizations Style manual sets out how you are going to present yourself to the public and what standards you will use. If you have never seen a Style Manual before simply go to any large corporation's website and type in 'Style Manual' and you will generally find one available for review.

After 10 years in small business and a number of small businesses under my belt, the one thing I have learned is that if you do not have these 7 Plans and Documents done prior to creating or building your business, then they will never get done. The simple fact is that small business is incredibly demanding on the small business owner and once the business is up and going, it is highly unusual the owner will ever get the time to go back and create them. Without each and every one of these documents your business will lack focus on what you want to achieve and that is why 70% of all small businesses around the world fail in the first 12 months.

To finish off, I would like to take a moment to summarize the seven documents all small business owners should have before contemplating a small business…

1. Business Plan
2. Business Model
3. Marketing Plan
4. Operations Plan
5. Sales Plan
6. HR Plan
7. Style Manual

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Finding Free Advice For Small Businesses

If you are starting a small business or presently operating one, then you know seeking professional advice can cost you a bundle. You already have limited means to get your business going, the added the stress and expense of hiring professional help can sink your business faster than almost anything else. Well, there is good news for the business person who needs help but can’t afford to shell out the dollars to pay for it. The following information will help you uncover some nifty options to point you in the right direction.

SCORE – The Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE) has been established to help small business owners just like you. As a nonprofit entity recognized by the US Small Business Administration, SCORE consists of successful retired executives who have already been there and done that. Chapters are located all across the country and low cost seminars are helpful too. You can find one to one counseling with a former CEO, a VP of banking, a furniture store owners, etc. So many people volunteer to help ease the burden of business owners. Google a search for SCORE and you’ll find what you want.

Business Expos – Chambers of Commerce, business associations, and local governments will sometimes organize a business expo to attract business owners. Most people know that the U.S. was built on the backs of small businesses and it is these small businesses which help to propel our economy. The success of businesses such as yours is critical to helping new ventures get started, inventions to come to market, new ideas to be brought forward, and so much more.

Trade Associations – Depending on your field of expertise, your affiliated trade association can help you empower your business. Some associations work closely with small businesses to help them get established with their local, state, and federal government; write up a business plan; offer tax counseling; discuss the hiring and management of employees; and so much more. Whatever field that you are in, it could pay to join the association created to help you succeed at your business.

So, if you have a small business or are contemplating starting one, then any or all three of these choices can help you out. Your taxes and knowledge helps the economy and it is to the benefit of many that you succeed at what you do. Seek expert help, but do it through an established and proven entity that can deliver to you cost effective results.

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About the Author: Joseph is the proud owner of Money Matters, a website that will
explain everything you need to know about Finance. We invite you to
visit our site today and see what we have to offer.

Small Businesses and IT Support

Putting up a small business is quite challenging. With the intense competition in the market, your online system must be reliable and dependable. Having limited resources might make you want to take a short cut and divert your resources. This could be one of the biggest business mistakes you will ever make. Fortune 500 companies spend a considerable amount of their budget for support, monitoring and maintenance of their IT support services. Surprisingly, you can do the same but at a more affordable cost. For your all your IT support needs, you should consider Computer Support San Diego.

Located in sunny California, Computer Support of San Diego is a one-stop shop for IT support needs. Targeting small to medium-sized businesses in San Diego, this company offers products and services that are surprisingly affordable and yet, of excellent quality. Among its services are security management, network security design and managed security services. In addition, there is their trademark Oasis Total Managed IT, Applause Outsourced IT and Simple IT Support.

Applause Outsourced IT: San Diego businesses today are becoming smarter and always go for a cost-effective solution to their requirements. Small businesses especially need to allocate their budget accordingly and avoid scrimping on IT support monitoring and maintenance. Computer Support San Diego understands this completely and came up with Applause Outsourced IT which is one of the IT support solutions packages. It comes with highly-experienced engineering support staff that ensures proper monitoring and maintenance of the infrastructure. And because this package is quite affordable, small and medium businesses can effectively lower their network ownership cots and increase revenue.

Oasis Total Managed IT: some small businesses in San Diego require more than IT support to ensure the smooth running of their business. Computer Support San Diego came up with a solutions package that includes enterprise monitoring, scheduled audits done regularly, virus scanning, proactive maintenance, asset reporting and tracking, managed file and print server, safe remote access and managed firewall. In addition to these services, small businesses will be delighted with the help desk system and unlimited phone, remote and email support. They could even purchase hardware without any markup.

Simple IT Support: knowing that your business, although small, is running smoothly and prepared for any technical problems that may arise will give you peace of mind. Computer Support San Diego works hard to ensure that all your basic IT support requirements are covered. The Simple IT Support plan is very dedicated and yet, affordable. Your business will enjoy engineering support for a specified number of hours in a month. The support staff is composed of highly-skilled and experienced engineers whose tasks include ensuring the proper monitoring and maintenance of your infrastructure. Being budget conscious does not mean having to neglect important aspects of your business.

San Diego small and medium businesses can now enjoy the same things that Fortune 500 companies do, at a very affordable price. For more information, visit www.computersupportsandiego.com and discover a world of difference.

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About the Author: For your all your IT support needs, you should consider Computer Support San Diego.
Visit our online resource for Computer support San Diego is your outsourced it leader for small businesses and San Diego Outsourced IT .

IT Support for Small Businesses

Most businesses nowadays are keeping online presences. That is because the Internet has evolved to be a venue where marketing and advertising is focused in. Most major giant firms are ramping up efforts to build their operations in the Internet. Those companies are taking the initiatives smoothly and are succeeding in their online goals. Small businesses need to do that, too. Doing so would ensure that their operations would count and would be sufficiently lucrative.

But the problem small businesses are taking is that it costs so much to maintain and hire a information technology support for the online move. That is why Computer Support of San Diego is accelerating its business to cater to the small enterprises. The main mission of the company is to deliver world class support and infrastructure to such small enterprises especially those headquartered in the San Diego County in California, USA.

Basically, Computer Support of San Diego is aiming to assist clients in adopting next generation networks for their respective necessary business operations. High performance is what we at Computer Support of San Diego is ensuring so that our customers could move freely, more comfortably, accurately and more efficiently. The San Diego network support the company offers guaranteed innovative networking services that would help customers establish a reliable business.

Through the years, Computer Support of San Diego has been investing in building up experience in the information technology sector. The company has accumulated assets that would be of high usefulness as well as the wisdom to make efforts count. We offer specific IT products and services that have been proven by the market to really help organizations and businesses leverage computer networks to attain the most business benefits possible.

We have the most competent and reliable pool of experts working to ensure that our clients would be serviced and assisted more effectively. We are aiming to even take San Diego outsourced IT just to make sure our clients would be able to attain from us the best and most reliable support system for their IT needs. Thus, through the years, we have proven that we could successfully navigate the different phases of the highly sensitive and complicated network evolution.

Working at an industry perspective is our forte. Computer Support of San Diego has necessary skills and knowledge to be able to translate and equate strategies and business objectives into basic networking requirements. As a reliable support system provider, we are ensuring that we have a broad infrastructure that we use to achieve and deliver high-performance.

San Diego disaster recovery within the IT operations is also an added specialty. We at the Computer Support of San Diego also strive to help clients recover data and resources that are unnecessarily lost due to incompetence and lack of technical expertise. Our redemption factor in terms of IT networking support would surely work wonders.

On top of it all, Computer Support of San Diego is offering to help e reduce costs. Thus, small enterprises now have alternative options. Small firms need not worry about very expensive tag prices of products and services that are necessary for IT operations. Imagine enjoying all the above mentioned features at costs that are comparatively much lower taken against standard network support providers operating in the market?

If you are planning to put up your own startup but are hesitant to do so because of the projected costs, we at Computer Support of San Diego are here to help you make do with limited budgets to cover IT needs. Companies know that to exist online means a significant amount of investment. Our company acknowledges the fact that there are many promising small businesses that have the potential to roll up big time but are only unable to do because the limited resource base. As a form of advocacy, we strive to work with these startups to help them achieve their business goals.

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About the Author: Brows our online website for San Diego Network Support and San Diego Disaster Recovery .

Printing Services: The Measure of Quality Printing Companies for Small Businesses

There are many ways to describe a commercial printing company’s printing services. Measuring exactly what should it provide can be pretty general since different printing projects call for different solutions as well.

The Benefits Small Businesses Should Gain from a Printing Company
Nevertheless, for small businesses and those who print for their own pleasure, may find certain measures that they should look for. In general convenience, quality and value for money are some of the most important driving factors you should look for.

On the other hand, there are still many attributes that you should look into to get a professional and thorough set of printing services. Here are some ideas.

1. Convenience
• Convenience, simply put, means that you can have prints without delays or trouble. Convenience can be the ability to contact and communicate with your printing company the details that you want for your print job.

• Convenience can also be the ability to do multiple things all at once – wherein the printing company can oversee details which you may not be able to attend to. They can take care of double-checking the print quality with proofing service. They can also have your prints shipped to you or mailed out to your own clients with mailing service.

2. Quality
• Nobody wants a shoddy piece of work. You need a printing company with a fair amount of experience or years of operation in the business to make sure that your prints are processed in the manner you expect them to be.

• Quality is also something that involves the kind of technology used. Technology not only assures you of a highly colorful and vivid print, but it has the capability to produce prints with consistency and accuracy. This ensures the definition, sharpness and clarity you need for your prints.
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3. Value for Money
• Printing companies offer very competitive rates. Value for money, on the other hand, does not mean you would have to choose one with the lowest price. You have to gauge the kind of service and quality a printing company has to offer.

• Value for money includes the range of services available to ensure your prints will be processed in the best conditions. See if they offer free proofing service, customization options and such.

• Combine too the essential elements such as print materials, technology, and manpower among others. This gives you a fair idea on how your prints will be handled and processed.

4. Simplicity
• Simplicity offers you the ease with which you can place orders and finish an entire transaction. Printing companies’ online sites should be simple and easy to follow so you can get what you want without complications.

• The simplicity of the site too allows you to easily understand and see your printing options. Through this, you can carefully review just what you are getting for your prints

5. Customer Service
• A printing company is only as good as to how it treats and takes care of its clients. See just how easy it can be for you to contact your printer. Measure too how it provides for information to clients that would make printing easier or better.

• Check for their Help section on the site, their online articles, blogs and community newsletters too. Know too if they offer technical assistance and even free assistance from a graphic design expert.

A printing company may be more than the sum of its parts – but it does help for small businesses to see just what printing services it offers. It is your right to maximize all the services you can get to make all your printing jobs easier and have a long-standing relationship with a reliable printing company.

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About the Author: To find more related topics on designs, processes and postcard printing services jobs please feel free to visit Postcard Printing Full Color: Postcard Design - My Postcard Printing

Digital Signage: Marketing Plans and Efforts are Essential –Even for Small Businesses

By: David Little

owners and their marketing functions by Miser Advertising and Marketing in Carlsbad, CA, have revealed a somewhat disturbing, but entirely understandable, conclusion.

Marketing is a “time waster” in the view of most small business owners studied. Too many small business owners see marketing as gobbling up too many limited company resources on a monthly basis and yielding too few results to make it worthwhile, the firm found.

According to Miser Advertising and Marketing, having and executing a marketing plan, predictably, didn’t seem too important to small business owners, either. The firm found small business owners created a marketing plan in the process of writing an initial business plan to launch their enterprise, but since opening their doors for business, that marketing plan is too often little more than a door stop. Add to that the fact that small business owners have a vague understanding -at best- of their customers’ psychographic and demographic profile, and the picture that emerges is somewhat grim.

When compared to the attitudes of large companies toward marketing, those held by small business owners couldn’t be more different. At big companies, attention is given to marketing on a daily basis. Among small business owners, marketing gets short shrift, the firm found.

I bring this up because it offers a clue about what I too often find in the digital signage market. Granted, advertising is only one of many components in an effective marketing effort, just as digital signage is only one of many advertising media options. But given my background in the digital signage market, the findings of Miser Advertising and Marketing seem spot on.

Without question, large businesses approaching my company about digital signage have a plan with specific marketing goals and benchmarks for the roll out of their digital signage networks and the communication that will be played back. Smaller companies, when they do approach us, often seem unsure of their specific goals for digital signage as well as their message and what specifically they expect to accomplish.

Who can blame them? Small business owner are often so busy with the business of their business that they lack the time and the resources for anything they see as being even the slightest bit extraneous to their core focus. However, regardless of their limited resources, these businesses still compete with larger ones that are knowledgeable about their customers, know what messages they wish to convey and how to convey them, and have the resources to execute their plans. That’s not exactly a comforting thought for small business owners, but it is reality.

The cold, hard truth is not every business succeeds. Many fail each year for a wide variety of reasons. Lack of a coherent marketing plan that’s consistently implemented and tweaked along the way to ensure it’s relevant and effective is an important one. While it may be a painful stretch for small business owners, hiring the internal marketing talent or outsourcing that function to a talented firm with a proven track record will improve their odds of survival.

Only then can various marketing communications strategies be evaluated and implemented. Somewhere, beyond that point decisions about ad budgets, media and campaigns get made. In that process, some will find digital signage is the right approach.

But those things need to be done and in place before digital signage even enters the equation. I know once they are, digital signage will prove to be the right medium for many seeking to execute their newly created -and now much appreciated- marketing plan.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
David Little is a digital signage enthusiast with 20 years of experience helping professionals use technology to expand their marketing messages with alternative media. Visit www.keywesttechnology.com and find how you can expand your marketing horizons. For further insight, download my free white paper Six Applications for Digital Signs.

Tax Information for Small Businesses

by: ARA Content

(ARA) - The IRS publishes a lot of tax information to help small business owners and there are many ways to get it. You can always visit an IRS office to pick up copies of IRS forms and publications, although the IRS continues to make it easier for you to get these materials without leaving your office or maybe even your home.

The IRS will send you forms and publications free of charge when you call them at 1-800-829-3676 with your request. Normally, you will receive the materials within 10 days, although there is another way to get tax materials right away.

If you have access to a personal computer, you can browse and download IRS forms and publications from the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov.You also can get interactive help with your taxes while you're on line. For the latest information on business-related tax topics, click on the "Tax Info for Business" section. You'll find links to other Internet sites that may be helpful for your type of business.

Tax Fax is another way to get business or individual tax forms and instructions instantly. Dial 1-703-368-9694 from a fax machine and follow the voice prompts to get an index of IRS tax forms faxed to you. From this index, key in the catalog number of the form you want faxed back to you.

Some IRS publications that small businesses may find helpful include IRS Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Businesses, and Publication 910, Guide to Free Tax Services. Publication 910 provides a listing and brief description of 100 IRS tax publications, including publications targeted at specific audiences such as Publication 225, Farmer's Tax Guide, and Publication 595, Tax Highlights for Commercial Fishermen.

IRS Publication 1518, Year 2001 Tax Calendar for Small Businesses, is a wall calendar designed to remind businesses of key due dates for submission of tax forms and payments. It also provides information on general business taxes, electronic filing options, starting a small business, business expenses, record keeping, retirement planning, and business publications and forms.

Your tax questions often can be answered by reading tax publications and related forms, but if you need more information, you may call the IRS, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week until April 16 at 1-800-829-1040.

About The Author

Courtesy ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

Small Businesses - Big Obstacles

by: Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.

Everyone is talking about small businesses. In 1993, when it was allowed, more than 90,000 new firms were registered by individuals. Now, less than three years later, official figures show that only 40,000 of them still pay their dues and present annual financial statements. These firms are called "active" - but this is a misrepresentation. Only a very small fraction really does business and produces income.

Why this reversal? Why were people so enthusiastic to register companies - and then became too desperate to operate them?

Small businesses is more than a fashion or a buzzword. In the USA, only small businesses create new jobs. The big dinosaur firms (the "blue-chips") create negative employment - they fire people. This trend has a glitzy name: downsizing.

In Israel many small businesses became world class exporters and big companies in world terms. The same goes, to a lesser extent, in Britain and in Germany.

Virtually every Western country has a "Small Business Administration" (SBAs).

These agencies provide many valuable services to small businesses:

They help them organize funding for all their needs: infrastructure, capital goods (machinery and equipment), land, working capital, licence and patent fees and charges, etc.

The SBAs have access to government funds, to local venture capital funds, to international and multilateral investment sources, to the local banking community and to private investors. They act as capital brokers at a fraction of the costs that private brokers and organized markets charge.

They assist the entrepreneur in the preparation of business plans, feasibility studies, application forms, questionnaires - and any other thing which the new start-up venture might need to raise funds to finance its operations.

This saves the new business a lot of money. The costs of preparing such documents in the private sector amount to thousands of DM per document.

They reduce bureaucracy. They mediate between the small business and the various tentacles of this squid called The Government. They become the ONLY address which the new business should approach, a "One Stop Shop".

But why do new (usually small) businesses need special treatment and encouragement at all? And if they do need it - what are the best ways to provide them with this help?

A new businesses goes through phases in business cycle (very similar to the stages in human life).

The first phase - is the formation of an idea. A person - or a limited group of people join forces, centred around one exciting invention, process or service.

These crystallizing ideas have a few hallmarks:

They are oriented to fill the needs of a market niche (a small group of select consumers or customers) , or to provide an innovative solution to a problem which bothers many, or to create a market for a totally new product or service, or to provide a better solution to a problem which is solved in a non-efficient manner.

At this stage what the entrepreneurs need most is expertise. They need a marketing expert to tell them if their idea is marketable and viable. They need a financial expert to tell them if they can get funds in each phase of the business cycle - and wherefrom and also if the product or service can produce enough income to support the business, pay back debts and yield a profit to the investors. They need technical experts to tell them if the idea can or cannot be transformed to reality and what it requires by way of technology transfers, engineering skills, know-how, etc.

Once the idea has been shaped to its final form by the team of entrepreneurs and experts - the proper legal entity should be formed. A bewildering array of possibilities arises:

A partnership? A corporation - and if so a stock or a non-stock company? A research and development (RND) entity? A foreign company or a local entity? And so on.

This decision is of cardinal importance. It has enormous tax implications and in the near future of the firm it greatly influences the firm's ability to raise funds in the foreign capital markets. Thus, a lawyer must be consulted who knows both the local applicable laws and the foreign legislation in markets which could be relevant to the firm.

This costs a lot of money. One thing that entrepreneurs are in short supply of - is money. Free legal advice will be highly appreciated by them.

When the firm is properly legally established, registered with all the necessary authorities and has appointed an accounting firm - it can go on to tackle its main business: developing new products and services. At this stage the firm should adopt Western accounting standards and methodology. The Macedonian accounting system leaves too much room for creative playing with reserves and with amortization. No one in the West will give the firm credits or invest in it based on local financial statements.

A whole host of problems faces the new firm immediately upon its formation.

Good entrepreneurs do not necessarily make good managers. Management techniques are not a genetic heritage. They must be learnt and assimilated. Today's modern management includes many elements: manpower, finances, marketing, investing in the firm's future through the development of new products, services or even whole new business lines. That is quite a lot and very few people are properly trained to do the job successfully.

On top of that, markets do not always react the way entrepreneurs expect them to react. Markets are evolving creatures: they change, they develop, they disappear and re-appear. They are exceedingly hard to predict. The sales projections of the firm could prove to be unfounded. Its contingency funds can evaporate.

Sometimes it is better to create a product mix: manufacture well-recognized products which will sell well for sure - side by side with innovative products.

I gave you a brief - and by no way comprehensive - taste of what awaits the new business and its initiator. You see that a lot of money and effort are needed even in the first phases of creating a business.

How can the Government help?

It could set up an "Entrepreneur's One Stop Shop".

A person wishing to establish a new business will go to a government agency.

In one office, he will find the representatives of all the relevant government offices, authorities, agencies and municipalities. He will present his case and the business that he wishes to develop. In a matter of few weeks he will receive all the necessary permits and licences without having to go to each of the offices separately.

Having finalized the obtaining of licences and permits and the registration with all the appropriate authorities - the entrepreneur will move on to the next room in the same building. Here he will receive a list of all the sources of capital available to him both locally and from foreign sources. The terms and conditions of the financing will be specified near each and every sources. Example: EBRD - loans of up to 10 years - interest between 6.5% to 8% - grace period of up to 3 years - finances mainly industry, financial services, environmental projects, infrastructure and public services.

The entrepreneur will select the sources of funds most suitable for his needs - and proceed to the next room.

The next room will contain all the experts necessary to establish the business, get it going - and, most important, raise funds from both local and international institutions. For a symbolic sum they will prepare all the documents required by the financing institutions as per their instructions.

But entrepreneurs in Macedonia are still fearful and uninformed. They are intimidated by the complexity of the task facing them.

The solution is simple: a tutor or a mentor will be attached to each and every entrepreneur. This tutor will escort the entrepreneur from the first phase to the last.

He will be employed by the "One Stop Shop" and his role will be to ease life for the novice businessman. He will transform the person to a businessman.

And then they will wish the entrepreneur: "Bon Voyage" - and may the best ones win.

About The Author

Sam Vaknin is the author of "Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited" and "After the Rain - How the West Lost the East". He is a columnist in "Central Europe Review", United Press International (UPI) and ebookweb.org and the editor of mental health and Central East Europe categories in The Open Directory, Suite101 and searcheurope.com. Until recently, he served as the Economic Advisor to the Government of Macedonia.
His web site: http://samvak.tripod.com

Making Direct Mail Work for Small Businesses

by: Sky Maya

If you own a small business, then you know the value of affordable and effective marketing. Unfortunately, many traditional and online advertising methods are becoming quite expensive. This article will explain direct mail guidelines and methods.

Direct mail is an often over-looked method that can be very effective if executed properly. There are three guidelines to follow when conducting an effective direct mail campaign:

1. Catch the reader's attention immediately. You only have a few seconds to do this before your mail ad is thrown away as junk mail. Therefore, opt for postcard mailings instead of sending your offers in an envelope. If your business is relatively small and unheard-of, the reader will never open it unless your company's name is familiar to the reader. Envelope advertising is cheaper than postcard advertising, but is only effective if you have already built up name recognition.

When using the postcard method, you will need to be able to print images on the card. I highly, highly recommend investing in a quality home photographic printer. You will end up saving money in the long-term, and your printer will be right where you need it whenever you need it. Whenever you have materials printed professionaly, you pay for labour, expensive inks, and expensive equipment.

When searching for images to print on your postcards, remember the the point of this first guideline: catch your reader's attention. Of course you don't want an offensive image for your cards, but you do want one that is slighly "controversial". When choosing images for your cards, ask yourself these questions:

Does it stand out among the rest?
Does it contain bold colors (but isn't an eye-sore)?
Does the image relate to my business or current offers in some way?
Does the image request user interaction? (ex. a face staring directly at the reader, someone pointing at the reader, etc.)
Does the image have enough white-space for some large text?

2. Offer the reader an incentive for responding. Unless the reader is and has been genuinely interested in your services/productsfor a period of time before receiving your postcard ad, they will never repspond unless you offer some sort of incentive. For instance, you postcard could also serve as a coupon; tell you reader to bring in that post card for a discount. Also, you could use the postcard ad as an announcment for a storewide sale. Be creative when offering incentives to your readers.

Be sure to make your incentive very visible on the postcard. Let's say, for example, your postcard is also serving as a coupon for 20% on your products/services. Print that "20% off" in large text with the image, along with your product type, such as "20% all dog beds". Then, on the other side of the card, usually with the recipient's address, print the discount again with any terms that may apply.

3. Target your readers. The best way to waste advertising money is by sending your direct mail to random people, paying no attention to whether they would actually buy something from you. This is much easier when dealing with business-to-business advertising. When it comes to consumers, find out their interests is a little difficult.

Test out the waters first. A good place to try first is InfoUSA. They sell mailing lists of consumers and businesses and may provide targeted consumer lists. You may be able to create interest in someone who has never heard of your products before, but when you are starting a new direct mail campaign and you have a very small budget, keep your list targeted. You don't want to try to sell a web site to a business that already has one, or try to sell a dog bed to someone who only keeps cats.

I hope this article has given you some ideas on making your next direct mail advertising campaign more successful.

About The Author

Sky Maya is the author of Best SEO Tactics - an excellent guide to optimizing your web site for high search engine rankings using proper and ethical tactics. Proven techniques! Buy it today and watch your site traffic explode!

This article may be reprinted freely as long as this resource box with all active hyperlinks remain intact.

info@bestseotactics.com

Outsourcing – A Positive Approach For Small Businesses

by: Jagmohan Saluja

Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform activities traditionally handled by internal staff and resources. Small business owners can outsource non-core functions to specialized and efficient service providers. It is required of businesses to hire special contractors for particular types of work or to meet the demands put forth by sudden spurts in the workload. Recently, the trend of partnering with firms whose capabilities complement their own giving them an access to resources that were beyond their individual reach has come up. The difference between simply subcontracting and outsourcing is that outsourcing involves the wholesale restructuring of the corporation around core competencies and outside relationships.

As a consequence, has emerged a new class of skilled entrepreneurs – the Virtual Assistants.

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative and/or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional VA assists clients in his/her area of expertise from his/her own office. A VA completes your projects using his or her own equipment, and carries out the work through email, fax, telephone and postal service. Therefore, the location of your VA is not important. This gives you a liberty to look for professionals best suited to your needs located anywhere on the globe. Since they're paid only for time-on-task, businesses can hire several VAs in dispersed locations and have 24-hour support -- paying far less than an employee or temporary would cost for such comprehensive assistance.

The services offered by each VA differ according to his/her skills. The list of services includes general administration services, database and website development, graphic design, internet research, sales support, presentation preparation, telephone answering, bill payments, travel arrangements, bookkeeping, desktop publishing, computer training, medical/legal transcription… the list is endless! Not all VAs offer all of these services. However, by being part of VA Networks, your VA can guarantee client satisfaction by a qualified VA. If your VA cannot complete your task, he/she will find another VA who can.

Why to outsource the work to a VA?

1. The primary benefit of outsourcing is economizing since the VA can do it cheaper. VAs only charge for actual time worked.
2. By outsourcing to a VA rather than hiring an in-office assistant, you will never need to pay employment insurance, vacation pay, sick pay, or contribute to retirement plans and worker’s compensation.
3. A VA has his/her own hardware, software, training, etc. thereby reducing your capital investment. So there is no wear and tear on your office equipment or a need for special equipment.
4. Engaging a VA gives you time allowing you to do what you do best. You can focus on delivering the higher value and service to your customers.
5. As skilled VAs are chosen to perform particular tasks, they can do it better as they do it all the time. It is their business.
6. Like you, VAs are entrepreneurs and understand the needs of businesses today, ensuring the success of their clients. VAs value each and every client; it is because of these clients that VAs can ensure the success of their own businesses.
7. The resources of the VA can give your business access to technical advances you would not normally have access to.

With modern day communication, projects can be accomplished without ever having to meet the client face to face. With the growing ease of the Internet, finding a VA almost anywhere in the world is quite simple to accomplish. More so in the developed nations like USA, Canada, Australia, UK and many other European countries the VA industry is highly organized. The potential of developing countries like India can too be exploited to provide skilled VA services.

About The Author

Jagmohan Saluja is a Virtual Professional providing support services to small businesses. To know more about him visit http://www.internet-researcher.com.
indianva@internet-researcher.com

6 Ways Small Businesses Can Survive In A Crazy Economy

by: Denise O'Berry

Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy economy by taking some proactive steps.

1. Provide spectacular customer service -- every time. Have a friend or colleague visit your business and provide feedback from a customer’s perspective. This person should be unknown by your staff and willing to provide a candid assessment.

2. Make sure your front and back office work like a well-oiled machine. Are the front line and the back office telling your customers the same thing?

3. Manage your customer relationships -- return customers take the least amount of effort -- use that to your advantage. Keep in touch often.

4. Review your strategic plan monthly (weekly is even better). Make sure you’re doing the things that will get you where you want to go.

5. Adjust your strategic plan as necessary. Your "smallness" makes you more flexible.

6. Communicate, communicate, communicate -- with your employees and your customers. Nurture those relationships. Ask for feedback often.

About The Author

Small Business Expert Denise O'Berry helps business owners take action to grow their business. Find out more at http://www.deniseoberry.com