My Strongest Dream to Visit You Africa

Africa Here I come
Who doesn't love to travel.. traveling is the best experience one can get in his lifetime. With so many countries in the world to explore I m sure you would think that If I was rich enough I would fly away to the horizons of the world. Right from the north Antarctica to the depths of Sahara desert we will see different people, cultures, animals, topography and what. I personally want to travel to historical and natural cities. Natural in the sense, having ample of wildlife and forest reservoirs. For me Africa is the heaven to travel. Oh yes, I just want to travel to Africa for once in my life. I have seen in discovery about Kalahari desert Savannah and national park sanctuaries. Oh man, are they absolutely wonderful. Have you seen their hippos and lions and weird natural birds? Oh god, are they so beautiful. I always see the discovery channel and get lost to its scenic beauty.
Mesmerizing Wildlife
I just sit and think how would it be to write about all this things without worrying for specifications and fixing your attention to one core subject? God I just wish sometimes I went to those dense forests having huge rhinos, grizzly bears, red killing bees and ants and my favorite..The Majestic lion. I name this country as the boon and miracle of nature. It is indeed isn't it? It offers rich vegetation, oil, natural products and loads and loads of wildlife. I don't remember the exact names of African places but I know Kenya, Nairobi, Masai Mara and Kalahari national park. And yes, let us not forget the savannas. I am dying here to witness the great animal fights between meerkuts and snakes, between lions and leopards, between hyenas and bison.. they are just very scenic and beautiful. Not that they are not gory, but for me that extremely beautiful. I just lull that wonderland of wildlife and pretend that I belong there..with them,between them.
Go for It
For anyone who is an avid wild life lover, should definitely visit the African national park... Just once in your lifetime. Yes. Save some money and book your tickets from somewhere and get on board or plane and step into this land of mysteries and magic. I fascinate the black Negroes too. (the African American). Even while I am penning this down, I am furiously wishing for a lion or a lemur gazing at my face from somewhere. It's not that I don't love other countries but Wildlife is my ardent, most ardent passion and I will absolutely do anything to stay amidst those creatures. And what's better than African forests? The Nile, The Amazon, the Egyptian civilization. The eerie fantastic creatures, and loads of gold mines. Yes Africa is a land of gold mines. Do you know that Johannesburg was once called the powerhouse of gold mines? Yes, you got it now. See, why I am stressing to travel here? I am thinking when I get loads and loads of money I will pack my bags and run and run to this dark beauteous country. God, I can't wait to explore you

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9156598

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Common Mistakes in Business Valuations

Everyday companies large and small, public or private are the subject of Business Valuation procedures. Despite major advancements in valuation literature and developed educational pathways which enable practitioners to 'upskill', I am still amazed by the number of mistakes made when undertaking engagements of this nature.
The following are three of my favourite tips for avoiding these errors when valuing your business:
1) Future Maintainable Earnings ("FME") and the 'Average of 3'
When applying an Income Approach and more specifically the capitalisation of FME methodology, it is common for the FME to be calculated by averaging the earnings achieved over the past three financial years. This practice is inherently flawed and at odds with the concept of FME which requires a forward looking, not retrospective approach to assessing earnings.
Errors in the averaging of historical results are magnified during periods where wages, rent or other material costs are rapidly increasing. Additionally, recent changes such as relocations to larger (and more expensive) premises or an expanded workforce are not appropriately captured. Pricing changes and any departure from historical gross margins are also overlooked in the averaging process.
With so much time spent labouring over the earnings multiple, it is a shame the determination of FME does not warrant the same scrutiny.
2) Understand Economic Drivers
Now more than ever, businesses are subject to seemingly constant change. Technological disruption is sinking some industries while others appear unstoppable. From a valuation context it is important to be aware of external factors which impact the key drivers of the subject business.
Research house IBISWorld publishes their views on industries set to 'fly and fall'. History is clearly a poor guide when valuing businesses at either end of the spectrum. In 2015 a suggested underperformer are those involved in the manufacture of mining and construction machinery. News agencies and video stores have been named in previous years. Outperformers include online groceries and hydroponic crop farming. A deep understanding of the industry can help avoid unrealistic valuation conclusions.
3) Failure to Crosscheck
The Valuation practice is a highly subjective discipline and it is rare to get absolute agreement between practitioners. Despite this, the process of cross checking conclusions is paramount in confirming or rejecting any assertions made. It may serve to tighten a valuation range, dismiss erroneous conclusions and ensure that outputs have regard to the 'real world'.
Crosschecks should include alternate methodologies to validate or discredit the primary approach. Further, conclusions based on theoretical inputs such as betas, alphas and bond rates should be measured against economic and industry expectations to ensure conclusions are not too divergent. If a chicken looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it may in fact be a duck! In other words, if the valuation scope requires an assessment of fair market value, does the outcome represent a value that would be acceptable to the market?
Conclusion
The subjective nature of business valuations requires practitioners to move away from 'autopilot' and rigorously challenge the methodology, the inputs and especially the outputs prior to going to print. There are currently only 98 CAANZ accredited Business Valuation Specialists across Australia and New Zealand. Contact one from our team who can work with you to navigate valuation complexities and provide deliverables that are fit for purpose.

Valuations are subjective by nature. Use only accredited Business Valuation Specialists to receive tailored solutions to you specific needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9145045

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The Immediate Goals of Starting a New Business

Are you tired of your boss? Or are you getting ready for greener pastures? Setting up your own business can be very exciting. However, before you even take the first step, save yourself time and money by being aware of what's involved in running a business. Investing time and money into proper planning is paramount when it comes to turning your dreams into reality. The idea of operating a small business is not just about working for yourself or from home, it's also about having necessary management skills, technical skills, industry expertise, finance and, of course, a long-term vision to grow and succeed.
Whether you will choose to be an entrepreneur, buy a franchise, or start an existing business, the business planning resources are the same. The only things that will be different are the business strategies, business opportunities, upfront cost and step by step instructions to start various businesses.
The following are some of the immediate goals of starting a business:
Have Self Confidence
The foundation of success is self-confidence. Ask yourself, do I have the confidence to stand alone and be my own boss? If yes, then you are on the right track. People with self-confidence achieve success much faster than those without. Venturing into a new business means you are willing to risk. Confidence also helps you to understand your colleagues, employees and even customers. Without confidence, you cannot challenge solid issues that affect the business or even the tide the business comes with.
Choose the Right Business
If you want to start a business, you should have the right business idea in mind. What business do you wish to venture into? Do you have an interest in that business? Choosing the right business that you feel you can easily handle and manage is one of the ways to tackle this section. Will the business reap enough? Does it have competitors? If so, is the market competition tight? A market survey can help you in determining the right business.
Identify Your Market Niche
This is a factor to consider when starting a new business or changing your old location to somewhere better. You might have the right product, but you are selling it at the wrong location. For a new business to survive and beat the competition of the similar products it has to have a better location. This means available amenities, parking space, potential customers of the product and few competitors.
What are Your Goals?
What is driving you to do that type of business that you have chosen? Goals will help you achieve several milestones that you have put in place. With proper objectives, you will be able to invest the available starting capital wisely and plan your work schedule. Of cause you are not just going to germinate in one day, you need to set attainable goals and learn to be patient.
Have a Business Plan
Your business goals can only be achieved if you have a proper business plan. In case you don't know how to prepare a plan, get advice or help from service consultants or a friend who is successful in business. A proper plan will help prepare for that little capital you have and adopt survival techniques to obtain loans on higher interests.
Always Promote Your Business
Sell your ideas and let people know what services or products you are providing. Confidence and vitality to what you are planning to invest on are what will bring customers to your door. Most entrepreneurs forget that the reason they are in business is to attract customers. If you use your finances wisely to market yourself, you will boost your business in a faster way. Some of the ways to advertise include; newspapers, websites, flyers, brochures and even enlightening people personally.
A serious entrepreneur will always be concerned of the following:

• Product - what am I going to sell or service?
• Finance - Where the capital coming from, where the money will be spent and cost estimates.
• Receipts - any money you have spent so far and the current financial records (accountability)
• Organization - what form is your business going to take and how will it be managed.
• Adverts and marketing - new ideas on how to market yourself and generate revenue apart from what your competitors are doing.
• Government permits, new business tax information's and required business license.
• Strategy - what do you plan to do to succeed within the shortest time possible?

When all the immediate goals have been achieved, get into the detail and the challenges that the business comes with. How you handle issues and tackle problems that arise in your business can make or break your business. Learn to persevere and be patient. Grab opportunities and market your product or services always. With creativity and great intelligence in your business, you can reap great benefits that you never expected.

Jayne is the owner of Imajayne which helps small businesses with their online and offline marketing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9150202

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The Immediate Goals of Starting a New Business

Are you tired of your boss? Or are you getting ready for greener pastures? Setting up your own business can be very exciting. However, before you even take the first step, save yourself time and money by being aware of what's involved in running a business. Investing time and money into proper planning is paramount when it comes to turning your dreams into reality. The idea of operating a small business is not just about working for yourself or from home, it's also about having necessary management skills, technical skills, industry expertise, finance and, of course, a long-term vision to grow and succeed.
Whether you will choose to be an entrepreneur, buy a franchise, or start an existing business, the business planning resources are the same. The only things that will be different are the business strategies, business opportunities, upfront cost and step by step instructions to start various businesses.
The following are some of the immediate goals of starting a business:
Have Self Confidence
The foundation of success is self-confidence. Ask yourself, do I have the confidence to stand alone and be my own boss? If yes, then you are on the right track. People with self-confidence achieve success much faster than those without. Venturing into a new business means you are willing to risk. Confidence also helps you to understand your colleagues, employees and even customers. Without confidence, you cannot challenge solid issues that affect the business or even the tide the business comes with.
Choose the Right Business
If you want to start a business, you should have the right business idea in mind. What business do you wish to venture into? Do you have an interest in that business? Choosing the right business that you feel you can easily handle and manage is one of the ways to tackle this section. Will the business reap enough? Does it have competitors? If so, is the market competition tight? A market survey can help you in determining the right business.
Identify Your Market Niche
This is a factor to consider when starting a new business or changing your old location to somewhere better. You might have the right product, but you are selling it at the wrong location. For a new business to survive and beat the competition of the similar products it has to have a better location. This means available amenities, parking space, potential customers of the product and few competitors.
What are Your Goals?
What is driving you to do that type of business that you have chosen? Goals will help you achieve several milestones that you have put in place. With proper objectives, you will be able to invest the available starting capital wisely and plan your work schedule. Of cause you are not just going to germinate in one day, you need to set attainable goals and learn to be patient.
Have a Business Plan
Your business goals can only be achieved if you have a proper business plan. In case you don't know how to prepare a plan, get advice or help from service consultants or a friend who is successful in business. A proper plan will help prepare for that little capital you have and adopt survival techniques to obtain loans on higher interests.
Always Promote Your Business
Sell your ideas and let people know what services or products you are providing. Confidence and vitality to what you are planning to invest on are what will bring customers to your door. Most entrepreneurs forget that the reason they are in business is to attract customers. If you use your finances wisely to market yourself, you will boost your business in a faster way. Some of the ways to advertise include; newspapers, websites, flyers, brochures and even enlightening people personally.
A serious entrepreneur will always be concerned of the following:

• Product - what am I going to sell or service?
• Finance - Where the capital coming from, where the money will be spent and cost estimates.
• Receipts - any money you have spent so far and the current financial records (accountability)
• Organization - what form is your business going to take and how will it be managed.
• Adverts and marketing - new ideas on how to market yourself and generate revenue apart from what your competitors are doing.
• Government permits, new business tax information's and required business license.
• Strategy - what do you plan to do to succeed within the shortest time possible?

When all the immediate goals have been achieved, get into the detail and the challenges that the business comes with. How you handle issues and tackle problems that arise in your business can make or break your business. Learn to persevere and be patient. Grab opportunities and market your product or services always. With creativity and great intelligence in your business, you can reap great benefits that you never expected.

Jayne is the owner of Imajayne which helps small businesses with their online and offline marketing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9150202

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5 Ways to Position Your Small Business As Unique

In business, it's vital to present your enterprise as different from others in your industry. Your goal is to let potential customers know that you offer something your competition does not. This is your Unique Selling Point (USP), which often impels people to check out your business further.
The following are 5 ways to position your business as unique to build sales and a loyal customer following:
1. Commit to product and service integrity
In today's hyper-competitive business environment, the temptation is to flood the marketplace with your products and services to drive sales. The caution here is to make sure every product and service you offer is of top-notch quality.
Everything you offer must satisfy what your advertising promised. Make each product and service a reliable solution to customers' needs. You harm your business reputation every time you offer something that's inferior.
Companies that rush products to market just to capture quick sales end up suffering in the long-term. They become looked upon as inferior in direct relation to their products, which lack integrity. Commit to integrity to set your business apart as reliable and trustworthy, even if it means offering less products and services. Only offer what you know is first-rate.
2. Commit to originality
Are you operating in a traditional sector? Do you find yourself marketing the way "it's always been done?" Do you only offer the same products and services, which everyone else in your sector does? This is the antithesis of originality and uniqueness. Just because it's the way you've always done it, doesn't mean you should keep doing it that way.
Regarding marketing, try an unconventional way to spread the word about your business. For example, don't stick with the "same old" online banner ads or dull hard-copy brochures if they're not working for you. Post creative and even humorous blog posts or videos that speak of your brand in a compelling way.
Originality applies to products and services as well. Make your product family unique through offering a proper mix of high-end, mid-range, and less expensive items. Carry some hard-to-find items. Sell products related to, but not of, your main line that your competitors' are not offering. Concerning services, make your guarantee, customer loyalty program, and delivery service unique to your establishment.
3. Consider an association with another business
The focus here is a tactical cooperation. You and another business can work together to market to the same niche audience. For example, if your business is web design, you can link up with a copywriting service that writes web content. Together you offer an attractive service to businesses - in essence, a one-stop shop.
The benefit to both of you is that you have the marketing power of two businesses targeting a niche. Consider offering a product package for a special price, which is a combination of what you and the other business offers. Furthermore, you can provide your business partner's coupons at your location, and they can provide your coupons at their location.
4. Focus on a niche
Distinguish yourself from the competition by focusing on a niche and becoming an expert. Cater to a niche that you're interested in. Cater to one that you can supply the necessary products and services to.
For example, if you're a shoe retailer, you can consider focusing on fashionable and durable wear for the 25-35 age group. Understand their desires for shoe fashion and become a specialist in providing exactly what this niche needs. There are a host of 'generalists' out there getting a little piece of the shoe sales pie. Be a specialist and corner a big piece of a specific niche market.
5. Always provide more
You position your business as unique when you provide more than what's typically expected. If you sell products, consider a dedicated follow-up program with your customers. Let them know you back up your products with quality after-sales service.
Be a top-notch information provider as well. Always have ready useful information about your products to aid customers' in the use of the items they buy. This could be booklets, case studies, easy-to-read information packets, testimonials and such, which inform customers' on the proper use of products.
Position your business for long-term success through incorporating the above five tips. Distinguish yourself from your competitors so your target market takes the time to visit you online and in-store. Being unique in your business sector is your means for remaining a viable enterprise.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9147322

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Preparing for a Visit From Commercial Painting Contractors

If you have recently hired commercial painting contractors, you might be wondering what you can do to help prepare your business and your employees for their visit. A commercial painting project can be a disruptive time, but with some preparation and planning, you can mitigate some of those disruptions and make life a bit easier on yourself, your employees and customers and your commercial painting contractors.
Before the contractors get to your business to begin their work, make sure all of your paint colors are finalized. This includes any colors that will be used for trim or other parts of your building's interior and/or exterior. While you might have already discussed colors with the painting company when you initially hired them to come out and do the work, you should make sure you are all on the same page. That way, you can avoid any unexpected surprises or mistakes.
As soon as you know what days the commercial painting contractors will be at your business, give your employees a heads up and let them know what you expect from them. Are your employees responsible for removing artwork and fragile items from their work areas or will the painting contractors take care of that? Should your employees park in a different area so there is room for the contractors' work truck? Make sure your expectations are completely clear so there is no confusion.
You might also consider posting signs in conspicuous spots letting customers know that professional painters will be at your business doing work on those dates. That way, if any of your customers have a sensitivity to paint fumes or primer, they are forewarned and will know to not come to your business that day.
Then take a walk through the areas where the painters will be working. Are there any fragile items you should remove and put into a safe spot? What about your landscaping or any hardscaping features? Do you have any delicate flowers or plants that should be covered up before the commercial painting contractors arrive?
If possible, make sure you designate a parking spot for the painting contractors. And make sure they know where they should park so they do not accidentally take up room that is meant for customers or employees. You should also be sure that the path or sidewalk between where they will park and your commercial building is clear.
Finally, call the contractors before they are scheduled to begin your project and make sure there is nothing else that can be done to help prepare for their visit. They might have other tips or suggestions for you, and there might be tasks you can do to prepare that you hadn't thought of or that might be totally unique to your property, situation or project. It's important to stay in contact with your commercial painting contractors to ensure your project stays on schedule and on budget. And that way, if they have any questions of their own, they can ask you in a timely manner.
With a little bit of planning and preparation, your next painting project should run smoothly and efficiently!

Sara L. Fisher independently authors articles for SEM clients like the Eagan commercial painting contractors Durapro Painting. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only and not those of any other person, company or organization. No guarantee or warranty, express or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, fitness or use of the content herein. Call Durapro Painting at 612-251-8637 for more information on their commercial painting contractors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9156703

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Don't Waste Time, Start Your New Business Today!

When you are about to take the risk of starting your own business, hopefully at this time you would have already done some research. You need just enough research to know where to start because there is going to be many bumps in the road to see your exact breakthrough moment.
You have to be prepared to spend a little bit of money to do what is needed to make your business look and feel professional. This isn't difficult if you are dealing with an online business, and not a store business. Store businesses are more difficult because it will be harder for any new business to interrupt the local businesses who are your competition for whatever you are offering your customers.
Make sure your services or products are in demand. I pride my businesses on demand because it allows people to buy it without thinking and 100% of the time you don't have to open your mouth to sell it because they already want it, makes sense right?
Once you have that demanding service or product, then you have to decide whether you will need a partner with you to help you deliver these services fast and efficiently to keep your customers happy. They need to know that you serve them quickly and they will return as your customers for life. You must always keep your standards extremely high. You must live and breathe your business.
When it comes time for you to maintain a monthly profit after all expenses, you will then be able to maintain that standard at least for 12 months just so you can build enough capital to sit down with your partner or team to discuss ways to improve your monthly profits.
Once you are able to improve your profits each month you just need to take it a month at a time and when you feel comfortable with your progression then you can always hire another person to relieve you of most of the little jobs that can be time-consuming. Once you employ a new colleague, keep an eye on your monthly turnover so you understand if you can manage with just the staff you have or if you need another member of staff. Always make sure that your business is running smoothly even if it means adding another member of staff because the less pressure you have, the easier you will see profit without any pressure on your shoulders.
Take good care of your beginning middle and end. Once you do this right, you will be ready to expand your business to another country if you are online or another town if you are in a store. Always think about your business plan and costs from the beginning and understand what it is going to take to pull this off and you will roll with the punches every single day.

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Booklet Tips - Create a Course

You enjoy teaching people new skills and new perspectives. Knowing there are endless ways to deliver your knowledge, you have been concerned about how little you provide to your audience in a tips booklet. That concern may even keep you from creating one. What if that were the starting point rather than the finish line, and what if publishing a tips booklet let you help even more people directly and indirectly?
Your bite size brilliance is that starting point, for you and for your audience who is eager to learn from you. Plus the tips booklet serves as a teaching tool and a marketing tool simultaneously. The information in your booklet is new ideas, or reminders of things people already knew and forgot, or confirmation that their knowledge is accurate according to you, an expert.
The booklet prompts your students to want more from you once they absorb the information in the booklet. Those people want more in-depth, more advanced, more expanded ideas and processes that a tips booklet does not provide. They want it delivered in ways that suit their learning style, their lifestyle, and their budget of time and money.
You created the ideal skeleton and overview to easily expand to a course, a workshop, a self-guided program, or any one of a number of delivery methods that provide your booklet readers that deeper experience. The content can be parsed into categories that you deliver on a particular frequency, as a video, audio, or written lesson. It can be completely automated and self-guided or can be a live interactive session or series of sessions by phone or online.
Expanding the booklet content may be the basis for a speaking engagement you do at a conference, for a lunch-and-learn or in-house corporate session, or as a public workshop. The booklet itself may be part of the course material you distribute to your participants.
As a direct marketing tool, a meeting planner or corporate decision maker can get a good overview of your expertise by looking at your booklet. That prompts a level of confidence in your ability to deliver a valuable live program for their members or employees. More than a few booklet authors have been invited to speak that way, and gone on to develop long lasting professional relationships and new income streams.
ACTION - Write one booklet if you have yet to do so, or consider revising one that you already have that is a good overview of your expertise. Thinking strategically about the content from the outset is planting a seed that grows into what you and your market want it to be. That includes the topics to expand and the delivery methods that are the best match for you and your students. Doing multiple formats gives your people choices that reinforce their learning as repetition is such a key element to the educational process. Do one course or program now and respond to other requests later.
"Turn Your Tips Into Products, Your Tips Products Into Moneymakers.TM"
© 2015

Paulette Ensign, Tips Products International Founder, never dreamed of selling a million+ copies of her 16-page tips booklet 110 Ideas for Organizing Your Business Life, much less in four languages and various formats without a penny on advertising. She's made a handsome living and cross-country move from New York to San Diego recycling those same 3500 words since 1991. With over forty years' experience worldwide with small businesses, corporations, and professional associations in numerous industries, she lives a mile from the beach, keeping her young at

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9159229

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5 Tips for Keeping Your Small Business Viable

Small businesses have their work cut out for them in this era of economic and financial volatility. It's a daily challenge to keep their businesses competitive while building sales and generating profits. Sticking with traditional marketing models that work and operating efficiently are two ways to stay competitive. So is embracing new ways of thinking when planning marketing strategies.
The key to small business success in the 21st century is to have a vision and strategy. The following are 5 tips for keeping your small business viable in today's ever-changing business environment:
1. Listen to your customers always
You're in business to make money by providing for customers' needs and desires. Business 101 texts state this ad infinitum. That's because it's true and businesses must keep this focus. It's not about you, it's about your customers. You wouldn't be in business at all if wasn't for the people who visit your place of business or access it online.
Research what your customers are thinking and asking. Consider as an example the new paradigm in food manufacturing. People are now very concerned with ingredients and are always investigating what is going into packaged and prepared foods. If you're in this industry you must pay attention to this and align your business accordingly. No matter your industry, you can only give your customers what they want by attentively listening to them when they do communicate with you.
2. Stay abreast of trends
This is a tie-in to the first point. Consumers' tastes are always changing. People like "new" and search out places that offer new products and services. They often consider enterprises that stay current on trendy product and service developments as worthy of their business. Therefore, it's important that you stay knowledgeable on these new trends.
Add 'new' to your product and service line-up no matter what niche you're in. Study industry reports for news on contemporary trends. Engage with your target market on social networking sites to learn what they're presently interested in.
3. Invest to operate resourcefully
You want to effectively serve your customers and do it in a cost-efficient manner. In this way, you satisfy customers' needs and minimize expenditures. Consider your labor costs. Are you staffing too many employees in non-peak customer traffic hours?
Moreover, consider capital spending for equipment and machinery if you produce goods. Energy costs are consistently increasing. Look for energy-saving solutions that can lessen your costs of operating and help you maintain a healthy bottom line.
4. Make your e-commerce comfortable
More businesses are online than ever. If you have a website with an e-commerce offering, take it very seriously. Customers want ultra-secure and seamless interaction with your shopping portal. Employ the latest and highest-quality secure transaction technology available. This is a major concern with consumers in this age of identity and financial information theft.
Additionally, make your e-commerce portal attractive. Have first-rate photos and information regarding your product family and services. Make the actual ordering and checkout process user-friendly. Perform regular checks on this process to ensure it's effortless for your customers when they shop.
5. Get a handle on inventory
If you're a retailer, your goal is to offer an array of products while always having enough on hand. The temptation is to keep your back room stocked to avoid out-of-stocks. The caution is having too much on hand. It's a case of tying up excessive amounts of financial resources on inventory. This is money that can be used for other pressing needs or for investments.
Keep accurate records of sales trends for each month, every year. This gives you information on when your inventory needs to be increased. It also gives information on when you can typically carry less inventory. Allow for a safety net of stock without going overboard on stocking up your shelves and back room.
Inventory control contributes to managing your working capital (current assets-current liabilities) properly. Working capital is an evaluation of your company's short-term monetary health. It's also a way to check your business efficiency.
Think of what you want your enterprise to accomplish in the next five years and beyond. Then, put in place some or all of the above tips as is appropriate for your business. Monitor your progress diligently. Don't be afraid to make the necessary changes to foster greater return on investment (ROI) to make your business sustainable.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9159271

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Who Is Responsible For The Demise Of Small Business?

The thing is more of us older and senior people still judge a store by the service they provide. If that is the case, how come we have allowed our friends and families with businesses to be taken over by large corporations? These friends, family, and neighbours were the ones who gave us service, they lived in our neighbourhoods, knew our names, and made sure we received excellent service. These real people didn't have cookie cutter scripted interaction with us, but genuinely interested in their customers. They appreciated our business enough not to annoy us at the end, you know with point cards or up-sells. When we bought something they took us to the cash, put it through themselves no waiting in lines, and sincerely thanked us for the business.
Back in the day a shoes store was a shoe store, not a grocery, drug store, and hardware in one. It was about smaller specialty stores. The people in them knew their products better, so of course they were able to provide service. In the box stores if you're lucky to find someone, they can read the labels as well as you. If something was not on the shelf it was no big deal to go see if any were available in the back. Box stores expect us to come into their 5 football field size stores, find our own stuff, receive no service, pay and be happy their price was lower. The problem is we've become cheap, and still expect the same service for a pair of shoes that cost $20, as one that is $150. We can't have it all, made our bed and now need to sleep in it.
Next time you walk into a box store start getting grumpy about service, lashing out at the one poor associate who makes minimum wage, who is overwhelmed, not trained properly, barely surviving back off. At one time we lived in a democrat society, where a majority ruled, and our governments had no choice but to listen to what we wanted. Obviously we had no concern that large businesses were starting to squeeze out small and medium size ones, and changing our tune from quality products to cheap inexpensive. Free trade was great right, so many people lost jobs in the manufacturing industry, but getting bad quality shoes for $20 was real savings! No problem that unemployment is high, no real worthwhile job creation, the economy is in toilette, and the backbone of any countries economy has always been the small and medium size business. Instead we focus on the environment saving trees instead of people, and complain there is no service when walking into box store that purchase goods from other places. We are not even supporting our own people, and demand service really!
It's time to go back to basics, first people need to be fairly paid, bring back the small and medium size business concept, and have a better economy. Once that is accomplished we can afford to pay for the quality, and the service will be there. The small and medium business even if they had the same products and pricing winning by who has better service! If you're looking for exceptional service perhaps the first place to demand it is from our Governments. Then we can move forward walk into a small neighbourhood business, able to support them, and in return like before obtaining the service we as customers deserve. Box stores herd us in like sheep, and most people can't afford to go somewhere else. The ones most responsible for the demise of small business is us the older and senior people who didn't care about the future!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9158077

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5 Things to Avoid When Choosing a Courier Service

1. But, they're the cheapest!
As the old adage goes, the cheapest is the most expensive. I mean, it's old, and an adage for a reason, it's true! The cheapest companies often have a revolving door of unsatisfied contractor employees- not the guys you want to trust with your precious paperwork, critical items or anything else. More reputable services are usually priced accordingly. Some extra spending is worth its weight in gold when your critical items and reputation are on the line.
2. They answer the phone with a "yeah, hold on."
This isn't your local pizza place. Being dismissed before you even get to "hello" is probably a sign of the direction of your future business relationship. Phone skills are just one aspect of customer service. But you can be sure if talking on the phone is a chore for them, they won't treat the delivery of your item much differently.
3. Their idea of a half hour is really 3 hours.
Nobody likes lip service, well, of the business kind at least. Don't you wish more companies would realize that a little honesty goes a long way? Sure, not many will complain when a half hour is actually 45 minutes, but any more than that and they're pushing it. Time is money- a well-worn cliche for a reason.
4. The car they pull up in looks like it came back from the future after barely surviving World War III.
Reliability is a big deal here. And if they don't care enough to run a decently operating vehicle, they probably don't care much at all. Some people run their businesses and vehicles by a thread and hire contractors that do the same. Their lack of vehicle maintenance can wind up costing you money, time, or an important client that you just can't afford to lose. Make sure your courier runs updated and varied vehicles.
5. Their name starts with "A" or even better yet, "A-A-A."
This isn't the early 70s anymore, when sticking an "A" in front of your name was a bona fide promotional tactic to get in the front of the Yellow Pages. Okay, attacking a generic business name choice isn't the be all end all of arguments, but not caring to even try to update to something that shows a modicum of effort just shows laziness and lack of creativity. Couriers might be called many things, but "lazy" should never be one of them.
A courier service is an extension of your company, and choosing the right one is an important choice. By heeding these tips from the inside, you'll have a head start in knowing what to avoid, and less headaches next time you order a rush delivery.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9156112

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Managing Your Small Business Budget

Smart Budgeting Tips for Savvy Small Business Owners
Not surprisingly, small businesses often operate on relatively limited budgets. Regardless of the financial situation the business may be in, it is always important to conserve money whenever and wherever feasibly possible. While this may seem simple, it is often very difficult to track and manage business expenses without having a well-thought-out business budget. This is definitely true for those expenses that may be unexpected, which happens within a small business more often than not.
For those small business owners who want to keep their business operating in the black, they will need to account for both expected and unexpected costs. With this in mind, it is important to create - and stick with - a well-planned business budget. If you are a business owner who is struggling with managing your small business's finances, here are some tip to help you better manager your business's money.
Know and Understand Your Risks
Regardless of what type of business you run, there is always some amount of risk. The risks associated with your line of work always have the potential to have a major financial impact on the business. In order to have a secure budget plan, it is important to take both short-term and long-term risks into consideration. Think about how these factors may affect your business: changes in minimum wage, changes in healthcare requirements, the likelihood of a natural disaster, or the need for seasonal help.
Take Note of Sales Cycles
Almost every business goes through an ebb and flow of sales throughout the year - ice cream shops are generally busier in the summer where snowboard and ski shops do more business in the winter. Small business owners should take a close look at the seasons of their sales and incorporate that information into their budget. During the business's slow season, you may need to incorporate more wiggle room for overhead or increase the budget for marketing when you have a need to bring in business.
Plan for Large Expenses
Some of the largest purchases a small business makes often happen without warning - equipment breaking down and needing to be replaced right away or a company vehicle needing important repairs in order to make deliveries. Even though you cannot plan for these types of expenses, you can plan for large projects that you know about ahead of time, such as store renovations, technology upgrades, or hiring more employees. Carefully planning and timing these purchases can be very helpful.
Always Review Your Budget
Budgets are never static - they are always changing based on the needs of the business. Revisiting your budget on a regular basis can help to ensure the business stays on track and that the budget is growing, changing, and evolving along with the business. Compare profit patterns, changing sales cycles, and other factors with your budget on a regular basis in order to make sure it fits the business's needs, the expenses you have can be carried by your income and to have an up to date picture of the finances.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9162697

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How Many Patients Should You Have?

Nothing else will really make an impact on your revenue apart from having a steady and quality patient base. A practice might have the most modern dental equipment, staff, office space and adequate supplies very easily, but none of the above factors will guarantee a practice a steady flow of quality patients into your dental practice.
Lack of enough quality patients is the main motivation to new and young dentists to operate from 9 to 5 and keeping their office doors open for 5 to 6 days every week. This will accumulate the overheads for 6 days whereas all the appointments can adequately fill 3 days every week. Growing dental practices mostly remain open because a new patient may call the clinic with an emergency and if the dentist is not in the ready for business and in the office the new patient may call the next dentist that is listed in his or her phone book.
Having your door open 6 days a week for your business is just a cost of doing business. This cost is called an Opportunity Cost. You could decide to pick up more new patients by signing up for the various capitation programs and managed care options available. One thing that dentists do not know is that these programs actually capitalize on unsuspecting dentists who have part-time patient schedules and full-time overheads.
The dentists that do not sign up for these plans will actually find themselves much busier in the long run. They will also feel better that the practice staff are working much harder. It does not take a long time for these dentists to discover that these managed types of patients will not enable them to escalate to the income levels that they desire. This means that they are busy but they do not make the kind of profits that they desire. Once you let yourself enter into the managed care trap, it is sometimes really hard to free yourself from the trap.
Now, let's get back to the time that you do not have enough patients but you are keeping your practice door open for new patients to come to your clinic. You are advertising your services heavily. You keep your doors open each and every day because you are investing in the future. The overhead costs that you incur are of a busy practice whereas you are not busy yet. This is referred to as an opportunity lost.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9158707

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Small Business Owners: Improving Profits in Daily Operations

When you own a small business, there are dozens of people and projects vying for your time and attention. It can get hard to figure out where to focus your resources and easy to become overwhelmed.
Furthermore, in my years of consulting what I have found to be the difference in success or failure of a business was not the amount of money, a business owner had on hand, nor the education level of the management team. It was his or her daily habits and beliefs, that determined success or the lack there of.
What is profit? It is simply, how much money the business makes after transaction and paying taxes is over.
Traditional thinking about profit says, Revenue - Expenses = Profit. However, this method fails to measure lost opportunity.
What is lost opportunity?
First, business has people performing activities each day. The lost opportunity is in not measuring, managing and leveraging those activities on a real-time basis.
Management fact, your company profitability depends on how well your people consistently perform specific activities minimizing errors.
The following are 12 tips to help your business increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, improve customer satisfaction, and stay ahead of the competition.
1 - Living a balanced life
A. Work and business are not the be-all and end-all of your life. Learn to have fun! Spend more time with your family. Take a vacation once in a while. Engage in activities that will rejuvenate your spirit and your life. Take care of yourself, and your health, exercise and eat fruits and vegetables. Your productivity and focus will improve if you are stress-free and healthy. Bad health and divorces has destroyed more businesses than I have room to write about in this article.
2 - The Destination: Goals, Themes and Vision
A. Go find your business plans and update it. Since your business' inception, a number of factors must have changed - from the overall business climate to your product line. Take all those changes into consideration, consider the business and economic climate, factor in your and your family's goals, and get a clear assessment of the direction of your business. Get in touch with your business coaches, if any. What is your overall vision of your business? What are your goals 5, 10, 15, 20 years from now? What is your business theme and brand to your customers? Is it relevant to your business and memorable and fun for your customers?
B. Setting Team Expectations
1. Small business owners need to insure all managers and employees are on the 'same page' daily. Setting proper team expectations and accountability, is the most impactful thing you can do to insure the success of your business. Have weekly meetings with management teams to discuss accomplishments and challenges.
3 - The System: Starting your day off with motivations
A. Take a notebook (or a laptop or tablet) and jot down your thoughts and plans for the day. Whether you prefer doing this in the morning or in the evening, it is always best to take a step back, review what happened during the day (or the day before), and think of ways how you can do better. Take time to review your profit scorecard, in order to find quick hits and losses. Send out an email where you see outstanding work, done the previous day.
B. Figure out the 20% of activities that are producing 80% of desired results. Eliminate activities that are keeping you busy but not producing results, daily.
4 - Understand Customer Needs
A. Write down ideas, whether for your marketing strategies, product lines, or new projects that you want to take on. List your ideas on how to expand and energize your business. Only through innovation and continuing adoption of relevant new products and ideas can your business improve its competitiveness and profitability.
B. Take time to tap into your customer database and get in touch with your existing customers. Whether by phone, email or letter, contact your customers to greet them and remind them that your business is ready to serve them again. Get their opinions about what they think about your business (and make getting customer feedback a part of your business processes). You need to constantly look for ways to encourage repeat business. Although marketing and advertising are important to get more customers, quality, service and customer satisfaction are what keep a business successful in the long run.
5 - Understand the Profit Formula in your day to day operations
A. What are the critical success factors in your business, daily and monthly targets to meet or exceed annual profitability?
B. Develop a system for monitoring operational progress on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
C. Compare the employee time documentation with information gathered from your operational monitoring process. If productivity is not meeting or exceeding goals, look at employee time logs where time is not being used as effectively as possible and make adjustments to that employee's job role. If operations are running on track with goals, consider elevating goals by small increments until you reach a point of equilibrium.
6 - Keep employees involved, motivated and trained
A. Good employees are hard to find; yet they are an important element in your business. It all comes down to choosing the right person and personality type for each role so that no one is doing tasks that they resent. Forget coaching weaknesses (too time consuming), focus on leveraging strengths and passions. Check to see if they are getting what they need and make them part of the team. Help them understand the importance of their role in your business and how their job impacts the business as a whole. Review your relationship with your employees and find ways to keep your relationship happy and avoid costly attrition.
B. Hiring the right leader, someone who owns the operation from start to finish.
1. The small business owner needs to hire someone to own the operation from start to finish. This person should be obsessed with the details, the metrics, and the numbers. They should be elated to hit their goals, inspired by business coaching to do better when they miss it. They love the success of your company; it's not a job but an adventure to them.
7 - Keep an eye on new opportunities, markets and products
A. Start the year by exploring new markets for your business. Whether you are looking at targeting a new demographic or getting your business up on the web, take time to plan how you can expand your existing market. Look for ways to improve your marketing, whether by winning easy publicity, arranging an open house or preparing direct mails.
8 - Find Ways to Operate efficiently with lower cost
A. Motivate employees with production goals and ask employees and managers what they need to improve workplace operations. If suggestions seem practical and are within budget, consider implementing them. Example, only scheduling 30 minute meetings unless subject requires extra attention.
B. Documenting your Processes
1. Document the workflow of every operation within the business, with policy and procedures and special customer instructions. Yes, this is a time-consuming, tedious, boring exercise, initially. However, if you are able to provide clear and concise documentation to your team, it leaves very little room for things to be miscommunicated. Documentation makes it easier to onboard new employees, saves business from being reliant on any one person and allows the business to continuously improve and innovate operations, without having to waste months and money, researching and gathering workflow procedures from inexperience contract workers. Documenting helps to avoid 'lost opportunity' of being slow to change operations in the marketplace.
9 - Use Process Improvement initiatives to your competitive advantage
Six Sigma methodologies is a tool that can be utilized to improve process, people and profits. By establishing performance measures for key processes, asking the following questions.
• What is the purpose of the key process?
• What is the expected deliverable?
• How will the process owner know if there process has succeeded?
Six sigma benefits for small businesses are
1. Provides a road map and tools to determine root causes and solve problems
2. Reliable facts for decision making, improved metrics and measurements
3. Improvement in order accuracies and on time delivery
4. Improvement in labor efficiencies enterprise wide
5. Increased customer confidence and profitability (customer buy more better quality)
As a business owner, it is vital that you understand how 'technology' helps me to make more money by eliminating errors, overhead expenses and attracting more customers.
Invest in new technology that will help streamline operations and improve productivity. This could include new computers or equipment related to your industry or designing more efficient work stations and telephone systems. Provide training for new hires to ensure they are aware of how to effectively perform the functions of their job. If seasoned employees are underperforming, send them for training refresher courses.
Documenting processes, installing six sigma and implementing technology improves the customer experience with your business, makes your profit planning measurements more transparent to employees throughout the enterprise.
Implementing an employee recognition system and recommendation process, continuously improves operations aligning performance with corporate vision, mission, performance measurements and corporate profit scorecard. Quality improves your customer emotional attachment to your business. Loyal customers are repeat customers which will recruit others to your business, increasing profits.
10 - Identify and Resolve Weak Spots in the System
A. Take stock of all aspects of your business operation and list down the areas that you want to improve. If your list of delinquent receivables is longer than Santa's list, find out how you can improve your billing and collection process. Perhaps you need to improve your record keeping to help flag you on delinquent accounts
11 - Keep an eye on your competition
A way to get the inside edge on your competitors is by asking your customers for help. This need not be especially difficult or complex. Simply ask your customers (in the form of a survey or follow-up call) if there's anything a competitor does (or sells) that they wish you did. Now, the idea isn't that you'll necessarily turn on a dime and honor every request that comes in.
Own a share of stock in their publicly-traded competitors. This alone entitles you to detailed financial information about the company each and every year. But what if you and your competitors aren't public companies? The basic idea is the same: any financial data you can get your hands on is worth having. You want to know as much as possible about what their costs are, who their suppliers are and how you stack up in comparison.
If there is a trade journal or research study about your industry, now is the time to subscribe - and digest what it contains.
In addition to using your competitor's products, you should go through and closely study their sales funnel. Every successful business has a system for attracting, educating, selling and following up with customers. Whether it's via direct mail, Internet marketing or the telephone, this is the infrastructure that actually turns their prospects into buyers. How do you know if your sales funnel is performing at max capacity if you don't compare it to the competition?
12 - Go Play Golf: Network, Network, Network
Effective business networking is the linking together of individuals who, through trust and relationship building, become walking, talking advertisements for your business.
Join business associations to meet other business owners, you might be surprised at who will assist you towards your success or what ideas you hear that can solve your current dilemma.
Join your areas Chamber of Commerce and participate in community service events. Get involved in your community by volunteering, donating to and/or sponsor local events. It gives you the opportunity to network with other business owners and maybe cross promote with other local. These monthly meetings let you know what going on economically in your area.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9165073

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The First Time Business Buyer - Using a Leverage Buyout Business Buyers come in all sizes and shapes. There can corporate buyers, individual buyers, partner buyers, management buyers and most commonly first time buyers. First time buyers don't usually know what kind of business they are looking for nor how to go about the process of finding, evaluating, negotiating and closing a purchase of a business. Assuming the buyer knows himself and knows what kind of career and salary he is looking for, an efficient determination of the type of business he should target can be a quick decision. But it isn't as simple as picking a storefront, a gas station or a restaurant. True entrepreneurs that can handle long days and constant micro-management may well be suited to the smallest of small businesses to buy. But a major segment of business buyers cannot see themselves running local main street businesses. I sure couldn't when I started out buying businesses. So what is it we are looking for in a business? The next level up from main street is what I call a "real" business or one with enough staff and sales to take care of itself should any one employee leave or otherwise become unavailable. In effect, can the business "run itself" without the owner being involved? If the answer is yes then it is not only a real business but it can be classified other ways, such as an investment, or absentee business, or even my favorite term, leveraged buyout or LBO. An LBO is simply a buyout that uses financing of any sort based on the strength of the balance sheet and asset base. It can include one form of financing or many, and use lenders, investors and the seller. This puts many main street and service businesses out of that category as they have no strength in their balance sheets. But if a business can be bought using an LBO structure then this by itself would qualify the business as a viable candidate for most small business buyers to consider. Indeed it may be easier for the business buyer to complete and LBO on a slightly larger company than try to scrape up money for a smaller one without the benefit of any financing. To provide some real world examples on this framework, I would establish a reasonable sales and profit range of a typical LBO candidate that would be a level up from main street but well underneath the radar of larger buyers and private equity. This range could be in the $2 Million plus in sales and $250,000 plus in profits range which is arguable the minimum size of a leveraged buyout. This lowest range includes the largest universe of businesses to buy without dipping into a business size which is too small to allow the buyer to breathe or too weak to be financed. The perfect LBO candidate will have enough assets retained in the business to approximately cover the down payment for the purchase. This is when the buyer will know the deal is the right size. At the other end of the spectrum, companies with well over $1.0 Million if profits will be typically out of reach for the first time buyer since the deal will likely require a lot of invested capital. There is, however, a sweet spot at the lower end where small buyers can do some quick math and determine that the capital needed for the deal won't break their budget. As first time buyers go through a buyout or two the deal size can easily change. They may well be able to get to the next level and be able to structure larger buyouts and raise substantial amounts of capital to complete subsequent deals. Rockwell Marsh has been a banker and private equity partner, is the CEO of The Small Business Buyer at lbo-deals.com, Managing Partner of Signal Hill Holdings, LLC and teaches how to do leveraged buyouts on small companies. He has purchased and financed numerous acquisition transactions over a 25 year period. For more information on how to buy small businesses using leveraged buyouts click here for the How To Buy A Business Free Course. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9164125

Business Buyers come in all sizes and shapes. There can corporate buyers, individual buyers, partner buyers, management buyers and most commonly first time buyers. First time buyers don't usually know what kind of business they are looking for nor how to go about the process of finding, evaluating, negotiating and closing a purchase of a business.
Assuming the buyer knows himself and knows what kind of career and salary he is looking for, an efficient determination of the type of business he should target can be a quick decision. But it isn't as simple as picking a storefront, a gas station or a restaurant. True entrepreneurs that can handle long days and constant micro-management may well be suited to the smallest of small businesses to buy.
But a major segment of business buyers cannot see themselves running local main street businesses. I sure couldn't when I started out buying businesses. So what is it we are looking for in a business?
The next level up from main street is what I call a "real" business or one with enough staff and sales to take care of itself should any one employee leave or otherwise become unavailable. In effect, can the business "run itself" without the owner being involved? If the answer is yes then it is not only a real business but it can be classified other ways, such as an investment, or absentee business, or even my favorite term, leveraged buyout or LBO.
An LBO is simply a buyout that uses financing of any sort based on the strength of the balance sheet and asset base. It can include one form of financing or many, and use lenders, investors and the seller. This puts many main street and service businesses out of that category as they have no strength in their balance sheets. But if a business can be bought using an LBO structure then this by itself would qualify the business as a viable candidate for most small business buyers to consider. Indeed it may be easier for the business buyer to complete and LBO on a slightly larger company than try to scrape up money for a smaller one without the benefit of any financing.
To provide some real world examples on this framework, I would establish a reasonable sales and profit range of a typical LBO candidate that would be a level up from main street but well underneath the radar of larger buyers and private equity. This range could be in the $2 Million plus in sales and $250,000 plus in profits range which is arguable the minimum size of a leveraged buyout.
This lowest range includes the largest universe of businesses to buy without dipping into a business size which is too small to allow the buyer to breathe or too weak to be financed. The perfect LBO candidate will have enough assets retained in the business to approximately cover the down payment for the purchase. This is when the buyer will know the deal is the right size.
At the other end of the spectrum, companies with well over $1.0 Million if profits will be typically out of reach for the first time buyer since the deal will likely require a lot of invested capital. There is, however, a sweet spot at the lower end where small buyers can do some quick math and determine that the capital needed for the deal won't break their budget.
As first time buyers go through a buyout or two the deal size can easily change. They may well be able to get to the next level and be able to structure larger buyouts and raise substantial amounts of capital to complete subsequent deals.

Rockwell Marsh has been a banker and private equity partner, is the CEO of The Small Business Buyer at lbo-deals.com, Managing Partner of Signal Hill Holdings, LLC and teaches how to do leveraged buyouts on small companies. He has purchased and financed numerous acquisition transactions over a 25 year period. For more information on how to buy small businesses using leveraged buyouts click here for the How To Buy A Business Free Course.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9164125

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Booklet Tips - License Your Course

Once you expand your bite size brilliance into a course of some kind, not only do you have an additional way to deliver your knowledge to those who are eager to learn from you in whatever formats you deliver the course; you also have new revenue streams that others want to help you create.
Your new course, whether online, by phone, in-person, scheduled live, self-guided, or on-demand can bring you new income way beyond simply offering it to those who will pay you a registration fee to take it. In fact there are people who are thrilled to find well-constructed programs that someone else labored to develop - and pay you a licensing fee to be able to deliver it themselves to audiences they attract.
Licensing is "renting" your content to someone else, for them to use in specific ways you allow, in exchange for payment to you. You will always own the content to use in any ways you want. The situation is similar to your owning a rental property where you issue a lease that includes the terms that someone can live there, in exchange for payment. And when they move out, you still own the property.
This is true especially when you have taken some time to test-drive your presentation, have figured out ways to successfully attract audiences for your expertise, and have related products and services that you already developed or plan to create. For as many topics as tips booklets are written, so, too, are there people interested in learning through courses among the various ways they are delivered. It may be because of their particular learning style or life style or because a course goes into greater depth or because there is interaction with the instructor or they are generally lifelong learners.
Whether you are a consultant, coach, book author, small business owner, education professional or an at-home parent, your experiences are valuable to other people. Starting with a tips booklet and expanding it from there gives you a solid basis to license a course you design. It lets you get your message further and help more people, including yourself!
ACTION - Look at all the speaking engagements you've done, consulting sessions you've delivered, teleclasses and webinars you've developed, or ideas that have been rattling around in your head for way too long. Now may be the very best time for you to craft a course that you can deliver in ways you never considered, and find others who are eager to pay you for specific rights to deliver it, too. Their expertise and their delivery style may be different than yours, which can often enhance rather than detract from the recipients' experience. Consider the terms you're willing to offer - length of time for a license, what you will and will not allow in varying from the course you created, how much to charge for the initial license and for its renewal, any course materials that can only come from you, and other elements that are unique or that you want to make unique for your situation.
"Turn Your Tips Into Products, Your Tips Products Into Moneymakers.TM"
© 2015

Paulette Ensign, Tips Products International Founder, never dreamed of selling a million+ copies of her 16-page tips booklet 110 Ideas for Organizing Your Business Life, much less in four languages and various formats without a penny on advertising. She's made a handsome living and cross-country move from New York to San Diego recycling those same 3500 words since 1991. With over forty years' experience worldwide with small businesses, corporations, and professional associations in numerous industries, she lives a mile from the beach, keeping her young at heart.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9166069

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Your Network Health Assessment Checklist

Conducting a network health assessment is a must for any company that heavily relies on its information system. In this day and age, almost every business makes use of computers and other gadgets to perform a variety of functions - from recording data to analyzing inputs, to producing information in hard copy.
Thus, it is likewise necessary for you to assess the health of your network through a simple checklist. This ensures that your computer systems will work smoothly and will be functional for a long time. When done regularly, the assessment will help you determine whether something must be replaced or fixed.
Four factors are looked into in a network health assessment: 1) security, to ensure that the IT systems are accessed only by authorized individuals; 2) competitiveness, to make sure that the network provides a competitive edge to the business; 3) availability, to determine whether the systems are available for use at any time of the day to avoid delays in information processing or other functions; and 4) capability, to check whether the system still works effectively and efficiently, and addresses the needs of the company.
Aside from these four factors, there are also sub-categories that must be checked for total quality control. Be guided by the questions and descriptions that follow:
Network Infrastructure. This section identifies possible problems regarding cables, the Internet firewall, class network switches, and the cable modem. Furthermore it assesses the need to improve the following:
Network Management and Equipment: Do the switches work properly? Are there "unmanageable" switches that must be replaced? Are there issues on workstation performance? What issues are revealed in the network traffic?
Internet Security: Is there a system that filters outbound traffic? Has the system been attacked by malware or other viruses which are difficult to eradicate? Should a firewall be enhanced? Does the firewall allow only desirable Internet traffic?
Cabling: Is there an established main communications room? Are there equipment racks that indicate proper cable management? Are the cables labeled?
Wireless Networking: Is there electromagnetic interference that hinders the employees from using the wireless network? Where should the wireless access point be best installed? Does the network allow guest access?
Remote Access: Is there a Virtual Private Network in the area? Is the network used for other purposes aside from accommodating customer service information?
Physical Environment. This also figures in how well systems run in a business. For example, assessing physical space is important in gauging whether the IT equipment would work efficiently.
Temperature: Is the room too hot or cool? How does the temperature and humidity affect the system? Are the vents on the servers clean or are they clogged by dust? Does air flow properly in front of and behind equipment?
Physical Security: Are there loose cables and switches which employees might trip? Are the servers placed properly without the danger of being disrupted?
Automatic Server Shutdown: Should network shutdown software be installed? Are batteries or servers monitored and tested regularly?
These are just some of the questions that need to be answered during a network health assessment. These may be technical, but rest assured that the questions direct you to the heart of the problem. With a regular network assessment, you can be confident that your business's IT system will run smoothly and deliver.

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