A-Z Business Plan - How to Make a Business Plan, Creating a Business Plan

Postpone your Procrastination indefinitely-5 ways to conquer this demon once and for all

2007-11-22T22:57:00.009-08:00

We’ve all done it at some time or other. We put off our exercise routine until tomorrow; we continually delay finishing that project or starting that business.

Procrastination is the mother of all demons and can literally stop you in your tracks from achieving all that you desire.

Sandra Baptist provides you with 5 effective processes you can use to slay this giant.

1. Do it now
Hold your breath and jump right in! Putting things off until the last minute is a bad habit and like all habits is ingrained in our subconscious mind and hard to break. It feels like the normal thing to do and we simply continue along our path. To complete a task immediately may even feel strange or like a forced action.

When your boss gives you a task or when your clients or customers request your expertise, do it right away!

You not only look well-organized to others, the feeling that the job is done, is complete before the deadline, will be one of relief and gratitude.

How would this efficiency look to your customers when you request a referral or to your boss when salary reviews are approaching? I would think, “Great”.

2. Take baby steps
Sometimes we procrastinate because the task may be intimidating to us. Perhaps we have no possible inkling on where to start.

In these cases, it is quite fine to take it one step at a time.

Say you are preparing a business plan and for the 5th time this week, you’ve turn on the PC and looked at the blank screen. Or you’ve just remembered you need to do some more research before you begin…you’re still not ready.

My friend you ARE ready.

You simply need to break down the project into smaller pieces and tackle each bit separately. Make each task an individual project and after completion of each one, celebrate and acknowledge your achievement.

Soon you’ll be finished and have no idea why you were putting it off in the first place!

3. Vision the perfect
Ah! I love this one. I use the Law of Attraction with my clients to have them easily and effortlessly achieve their dreams and desires and in effect, their vision.

Once you are aware that you are in fact procrastinating, creating a vision of you achieving the perfect plan is extremely helpful. When you create a vision you write in the present tense…as if you have already achieved your goal or if you are in the process of completing it.

For example, we go back to the business plan. Your vision may look something like this.

“I am so grateful that I have completed all the research I need for my business plan. I am finding the information easily using the internet. People that have written business plans are offering me advice that allows me to create an exciting plan that I resonate with. As I write, the words come to me effortlessly….”

In creating a vision and focusing on it daily, the universal laws state that things, people, processes will begin to occur in your life that will allow you to attract that vision.

4. Forget it
Why force the issue? If you have been ‘dragging your feet’ on something for a very long time, it may all be for the best.

Something, somewhere is trying to tell you something. That something is your intuition and it is usually right!

Think about something that you have been putting off again and again and again. What are the reasons that you need to complete this task in the first place? Does someone want you to do this? What is THEIR agenda? What are YOUR reasons for this lengthy delay?

I find it amazing that 99% of the time I put off doing something, I am thankful that I did! Disregarding a project after a long period of procrastination is however usually a last resort.

5. Support team
Do you put off tasks because you feel that there are too big and complex for you to handle alone? Or because you need assistance? Be honest with yourself. “No man is an island”.

Ask for help! There are many resources out there that can provide you with all you need to carry out your job.

If you’re a solo-professional and you put off answering emails, then don’t answer them yourself. Hire an assistant, find some college students that want experience, get a family member to help.

Procrastinating on life changing activities could be as a result of fear of the unknown. Get a mastermind group together, find a mentor, join a support group.

You don’t have to do it all by yourself. Just ensure that to kick this habit; you do what feels good to you in whatever method you choose. You’ll surely postpone procrastination for a very long time.

About the author:
Sandra Baptist is a Prosperity and Law of Attraction Coach who helps highly-motivated executive women in the financial industry take charge, effortlessly attract what they want and live an OUTRAGEOUSLY prosperous life. For more wealth, more success and more happiness in less time, call Sandra at:
1-800-666-4754, contact her via email at: Sandra@EliteCoachingGroup.com or visit her on the web at: http://www.elitecoachinggroup.com/

Need an Idea for a New Business - Hair & Beauty Salons are Booming Nationwide! Why? Because the Baby Boomers are Demanding These Personal Care Service

2007-11-22T22:57:00.008-08:00

Hair care has been around as long as humans have been on the planet.
The earliest record of personal hair care dates back 2.5 million years ago, when brushes used to create cave paintings in Spain and France were adapted for use in hair grooming. Interestingly, many of the innovations in hair design that are still used today originated in the late 19th century.

According to 2002 statistics, there were 1.4 million personal care services (http://www.hjventures.com/writing/Beauty-parlors-shops-Business-Plan.html) in the United States, 313,000 of which were beauty and hair salons. The hair salon service industry alone had revenues of $55.9 billion, while salon product sales were $5.5 billion. Coloring alone brought in $10.4 billion for the beauty industry in 2002.

The biggest single customer group is the baby boomer generation, who by the way now constitute the largest population segment in America, and who are more than willing to spend money on a hair care services.

What this means is that the prospects for owners of hair care businesses are solid and strong. The 2003 Job Demand Survey, distributed by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences, indicated that average total income (including tips) for salon owners was $53,150 per year.

There are three ways you can enter the hair industry. You can open a franchise hair salon, in which you pay money upfront to use someone else’s established name and resources such as advertising campaigns. You can buy an established salon from someone who is retiring from the business or has damaged the business and is forced into bankruptcy. Thirdly, you could establish your own salon.

So what does it take to be a successful salon entrepreneur (http://www.hjventures.com/salon-business-plan.html)? First, it helps to be a risk taker, you have to be willing to try anything to succeed, you have to have determination and an entrepreneurial mind-set to be successful and you need to have a vision and goals for your business long term.

Learn more about owning your own hair salon business:
http://www.hjventures.com/hair-salon-business-plans.html

About the author:
Howard Schwartz is a partner in several business strategy groups, including HJ Ventures International, Inc. Howard has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs worldwide with a focus on writing business plans for companies interested in raising capital from Venture Funds and Angel Investors. Howard’s business plans have secured several million dollars in funding.

Take Guaranteed ticket to success today

2007-11-22T22:57:00.007-08:00

Take guaranteed ticket to success today

Time is on it's way, Welcome 2004, very hot July here. Many people who starts home business just in January earning big bucks, my kids every time asking me, MOM this year no trip. Relatives brother...she use to call "soyena" has two times in June - this real story is 2 years before my Daughter Arina is about 4 years old, arising the question to me.

Really, I deeply heart the voice that my daughter told me. "MOM no trip this year " EXACTLY" this hot season. I just started my online campaign first time at the age of 36. Today! Many people inspire from some thing to change their social status, some from relatives, fathers, friends.. and all.

I fall in Home business, I am sick, if I am unable to work single day to my own business
Home Business( that's my business, I am proud of it even if, I see in the internet or else where)-that's mine. Working from home, how can you make this business profitable for you, your family, friends and relatives. Following are the points that you mind if you want to take guaranteed ticket to success.

#Setup you and your business : seems to be good? In fact it does. Every one knows but very little can use it practically? Set your mind. Yes! I am in this business and I must work it very very hard to make it profitable. Arrange the necessary things that you need, make some fund to advertise. All your communication media will be up-to-date i.e internet computer, mobile, fax, answering machine etc.
#Make your plan: How do you want to work and make a business plan. daily/weekly/monthly how? do it according to your convenience . See article, analysis tricks of people who are earning better than you. Some time see big earners weapon, what they are using
#Estimate your goal: Once your setup process is completed estimate your goal short term and long term. And best try to reach it. If, the goal is unable to meet it's target, reset it and set it again and try to meet next one.
#Make Equation ( Set-up+Plan)=(goal)- that is the success
"Nicely setup business with best business plan will achieve the Estimated Goal"
Here, once three things are completed, pull your business more specific way. This is "your Business" NO BOSS, you are the boss, you are CEO, no one watch your work- you are in dream business.
Now you change dream to reality.
5 Points are very important to run your business.
1.Work every day some thing- don't say I will do it tomorrow
2.Setup your budget monthly basis.
3.Read and study about related business and new release, newsletters, books etc etc
4.Discussion board, Article, paid adv. are the main thing to expand your business, do the same.
5 Finally, use all possible resources online and offline.

Have a wonderful business- that's your ticket for success- God Bless You

******************************************************************************************
Kalpana Sharma, owner of http://www.home-busines-income.net
Author of many Home Business income articles which are published in internet. If, you want to get advice of any kind of such business email at: digitech@businessmailbox.com
********************************************************************************************

About the author:
Kalpana Sharma Autor of many home business articles also she is the webmaster of http://www.home-business-income.net

You Quit Your Job and Started Up Your Own Business. Now, How Do You Make it Work?

2007-11-22T22:57:00.006-08:00

Ok, so youï¿½ve quit your job and started up your own business.

Youï¿½ve got passion, youï¿½ve got drive and you have a great concept that you think people will love.

But you say to yourself ï¿½Hang on a minute, thereï¿½s got to be more to it than thatï¿½.

Well, you are right...and the scary thing is that if you donï¿½t learn the ropes fast, there is a high probability of failure.

Depending on which statistics you look at, it has been said that within the first 5 years, 4 out of 5 new businesses go out of business.....and within 10 years, only 1 in 10 businesses will survive.

If you were a betting person, you probably wouldnï¿½t like those odds. And yet every day, many people lay it all on the line and enter the business world with the hope of fulfilling their dream...a dream of freedom, lifestyle and prosperity.

So what can you do to move the odds more in your favour and improve your chances of success?

There are a wide range of strategies and processes for businesses to address and there are a thousand books around to tell you exactly how to do it. The problem is, where do you start?

To help simplify the process, I have made a list of 10 steps that as a minimum, every business owner must follow.

1. Business Plan. A business plan is critical to achieving consistent growth in any business. The benefits of a business plan are realised immediately through the process of just thinking clearly about your business for an extended period of time, and through illuminating the areas of your business that need fixing.

2. Customer Database. At the end of the day, your customers are the most valuable asset you have in your business. You should be taking every opportunity to collect the names and contact details of your customers and communicating with them on a regular basis.

3. Systems. Systems are essential for ensuring that you provide a consistent level of service to your customers and so that you understand the financial performance of your business. They will also enable the business to run without you being there every minute of the day.

4. Staff Incentives. Youï¿½ve probably heard the expression ï¿½If you pay peanuts you get monkeysï¿½. That expression directly translates into bad people equal a bad company. To attract great people, progressive companies are keenly aware that they need to foster personal responsibility and provide direct reward for measurable results.

5. Staff meetings. Meetings are an opportunity to inspire your people and thereby your business. They also give your people a sense of belonging through the process of sharing information.

6. Marketing. Marketing is not just about getting more customers, itï¿½s also about retaining the customers you have, generating ongoing sales from existing customers, increasing your profit through value adding, creating a sense of loyalty within your team and creating an image of your business in the minds of the consumer. In fact marketing is the most important of all success strategies in your business, because if you canï¿½t find a buyer for your product or service, nothing else you do will matter!

7. Branding. Branding is about creating and communicating a set of values to the consumer of your product or service. Your aim should be to stamp your logo onto the brains of your customers every time they are in the process of buying your product or service.

8. Business Image. First impressions count for a lot. Addressing your business image is all about paying attention to the little things that will exceed your customers expectations.

9. Guarantee. How does a customer truly believe they are going to receive value from doing business with you? They will only know this if you are prepared to take more risk in the transaction than they are...and this promise is delivered through your guarantee.

10. Customer care. Every business should have a follow up system that extends sincere thanks to every new customer and for their ongoing patronage. When was the last time you received a ï¿½thankyouï¿½ from someone that you did business with? Probably never...so how do you think your customers will react when they receive a thankyou from you?

If you take action in each of these 10 areas, you will not only be 2 steps in front of your competition, but you may very well be within touching distance of living your dream.

So go ahead, donï¿½t wait a moment longer...take action today because it is only massive action that will bring you massive results!

About the author:
Stephen James specialises in teaching small business owners powerful sales and marketing systems that unlock large amounts of untapped cash within their business for low or zero cost. Be sure to sign up for your FREE access to The Business Club at: http://www.thebusinessresultscentre.com/join_us.htmand utilize the free articles, ebooks and other information that can enhance your marketing!

Do You Need Credit Card Processing Services?

2007-11-22T22:57:00.005-08:00

Are your customers asking for credit card processing services? If so, you may want to consider adding this service to your company’s Website in order to provide convenient payment methods that will bring back repeat business. Many companies today are moving more toward e-commerce, which means that if you want to avoid getting left behind, you should get ready to join the throng of professionals who are marching into the electronic age of doing business.

Although you may have relied on cash transactions up to now, you might find that is becoming more cumbersome to make correct change, accept checks that could bounce, and track delinquent payments, all while keeping track of each and every transaction. Farming out some of these tasks to hired help can be costly, which is why you may be able to benefit from credit card processing services. If you conduct business onsite at a primary facility, you can plug in a credit card processor and start taking credit payments immediately, which are far less likely to bounce than personal checks.

But you will first have to open a merchant account before establishing credit card processing services. Look for a longstanding bank with a solid reputation, one who currently offers merchant accounts to dependable business owners like you. Then be prepared to provide the required documentation that shows a stable credit history and a reasonable business plan that depends on credit card processing services. Upon approval, which can come within a few days, you will be able to purchase or rent credit card processing equipment and start accepting credit payments from your customers.

Credit card processing services can be established at your company’s Website. You do have a Website, don’t you? If not, that is the second important step into the 21st century that your company needs to take. Hire a Web designer or sketch a few ideas yourself. It need not be fancy or sophisticated, but rather a basic outline of your company’s services or products along with basic operating information. Then you will need to register a domain name for a small fee and then pay monthly “rental” fees to post your site in cyberspace. Hiring a designer or someone to maintain and update your site will cost a little more, although often you can find a high school or college student who can do this type of work at nominal cost. When your site is up and running and your merchant account is approved, you are ready to open the Website doors to current and new customers for business. They can browse at their convenience and pay by credit card without human assistance at each juncture. You can make money and save money at the same time.

If your company is growing, your customers are asking about credit payments, or you want to move forward with your business plan, give some thought to opening a merchant account, setting up an attractive Website, and adding the convenient, customer service option of credit card processing services.

About the author:
Shane Penrod is the founder of Merchant-Acount-Quotes.com Specializing in allowing merchants the ability to shop and compare multiple quotes from national merchant account providers. For free quotes on merchant account rates and fees, please go to http://www.merchant-account-quotes.com

What is the Best Work From Home Business and Why?

2007-11-22T22:57:00.004-08:00

There is a virtual gold mine out in the marketplace for 'Work From Home' opportunities that is being virtually ignored by most people.
Working from home has stormed the globe as many people are looking to drop out of the rat race and create an income that will build a financial fortress around themselves and their families. "But what home based business is the right one?"

This question has been put forward to experts like Pauil Zane Pilzer. In his book The Next Trillion, Pilzer identified a newly emerging "wellness" industry and predicted that wellness will occupy an additional one-seventh or "next trillion" of our economy. He stated "wellness is the industry in which the fortunes of the new millennium will be created and distribution will be where most of that wealth occurs."

As well as the correct industry a business needs:

1) Contacts around the country.
2) Existing clients.
3) Experience in the marketplace.
4) Exposure, credibility, and visibility to a lot of people.
5) Capital that can purchase products.

Many people are looking for other sources of revenue by working from home.

www.createmoneyathome.com provides a business opportunity across the globe that captures all the essential points. This is a true opportunity that is taking the world by storm - "A business plan that has followed marketing trends and is set to be a part of the trillion dollar idustry."

Like all opportunities nothing guarantees wealth. Chances of a lifetime do exist - be open to opportunity when it comes and recognise that this could be the chance to change your life forever!

www.createmoneyathome.com is Copyright © 2003, 60 minute money. All Rights Reserved.

About the author:
www.createmoneyathome.comis Copyright © 2003, 60 minute money. All Rights Reserved.

Top Positions - In the Multi Billion Dollar Text Messaging (SMS)Industry - SMSisFREE.Com is About to Launch its New Free to Send SMS Website

2007-11-22T22:57:00.003-08:00

SMSisFREE will offer free text message sending from our portal where we expect to capture a 10% market share in the first year and subsequently forecast for a 30% market share in 2005.

http://smsisfree.com

Since lycos in the UK (http://lycos.co.uk) has terminated the free to send sms structure, we will be filling a GAP that has come to into existence, to please millions of abandoned Free SMS users.

SMSisFREE.Com will, at the same time show creativeness from our side with an amazing and innovative business model that is very unique, and it will be embraced by these millions of abandoned free sms customers.

http://smsisfree.com

We are offering for a limited time, positions in the top levels of the 10 level forced commission structure.

These positions will be on top of possibly millions of members in 2004 alone and growing each month. A $.25 US commission is paid to this 10 level structure on each premium paid SMS termination fee accepted by the recipient of these text messages.

http://smsisfree.com

These top $50.00 positions offered could see substantial monthly commissions paid to their accounts each month as the site grows.

See the complete business plan and invest in one of these top level positions here:

http://smsisfree.com

This is a MacJos Enterprises venture co-owned by Jos Janssen And Greg McKean. MacJos owns other successfull websites such as: http://Optinblast.com, http://MacLeaders.Com, http://macjos.com, http://topresell.com, http://quickcellcharge.com, http://siteblastcenter.com and http://macurl.com

About the author:
Press Release

The Important Function of Shredders

2007-11-22T22:57:00.002-08:00

Information and identity theft are two growing concerns in the world today. Paper shredders and file shredders can prevent the terrible losses that can occur when valuable information pertaining to a person or a business is stolen. Shredders destroy sensitive documents that contain private information that could cause trouble if obtained by the wrong people. Some of the sensitive information often found on paper items includes birth dates, social security numbers, bank account numbers, and business plans or other finance-related items.

Identity theft can have dire consequences. If a thief obtains someone’s social security number and birth date, he or she can then find out all kinds of financial information about the person and can use the person’s bank account. If this happens, the thief can spend all of the victim’s money, and the victim may or may not have a way of recovering the money. Identity thieves can ruin their victim’s credit by using the stolen credit cards to run up huge debts.

Corporate espionage is another serious problem involving information theft. More often than one might believe, employees steal secret business documents and sell them to competing companies. If thieves steal a business’ financial information, like credit card numbers and bank account numbers, they can spend all of the company’s money and possibly never get caught. It is vital to protect personal and professional information from would-be thieves by destroying documents and computer files that contain the information.

Paper shredders work by cutting sheets of paper into many very small pieces, making it difficult for thieves or corporate spies to reassemble the documents and gain private information. Some shredders cut the paper vertically into ribbons, while others cut the paper in a cross cutting motion, making it much harder to reassemble the page. These paper shredders have a number of features and many can provide maximum security.

File shredders permanently erase files from a computer. Most people think that emptying the computer’s recycling bin erases any files or programs that were in it, but the truth is that these files can be easily accessed using basic retrieval software. File shredding software ensures that sensitive files containing private information can’t be accessed.

Not all types of shredders are used to protect business or personal information. Chip shredders are heavy-duty tools used to break wood, leaves, and other materials down. Once the materials are shredded, they can be used to make mulch or compost.

Shredders are valuable tools in a number of situations. Paper and file shredders provide protection against information theft and chip shredders are valuable landscaping tools.

About the author:
Shredders Info provides detailed information about paper, file, and chip shredders, and more. Shredders Info is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink.

Finance Your Small Business: So Much Money – So Little Time

2007-11-22T22:57:00.001-08:00

$37.4 million funded from venture capital today. $86.4 million funded yesterday. $51.4 million funded the day before.

These numbers are not made up. They are actual numbers from actual reported venture capital funding. I get these notices emailed to me day after day, rain or shine.

I’m not personally looking for business financing – but the entrepreneurs who read my website are. These numbers are a constant reminder to me that companies – lots of companies – are getting funded every day.

And these numbers just reflect the reported venture capital funding. There is probably double that amount from angel investment and unreported fundings, and millions more from the $16 billion pool that SBA has this year.

All in all, it’s a lot of money. That’s a lot of companies and banks and groups and individuals actively investing in small business.

So how come you’re still looking for financing?

Perhaps you aren’t presenting your company effectively.

Or perhaps you haven’t located the right lender.

It’s also possible that your concept just isn’t very good, but I doubt that. The fact that you are reading this article means you are a serious entrepreneur, with a serious business.

So where do you go to find all these investors? Here are some starting points:

For standard business financing, talk with the local office of the Small Business Administration.

It’s a new agency, with new programs and services, and lots of money to lend. Although much of the focus of the SBA is on minority business enterprises, the SBA still has a lot to offer non-minority companies.

Also talk with your local banks. (That was plural “banks”, not “bank”.) Talking with a number of local bankers will rapidly bring into focus the wide ranging priorities of the various banks, and where your company fit in.

As for venture capital and angel investors, there are several options.

One option is to go to online sources. There are a number of online services, such as VFinance, that sell the names and addresses of possible investors. It’s not expensive, perhaps $2-5 per name. The idea is that once you get the list of 200 or 2,000 names in hand that you will contact each with a written executive summary or business plan, and then wait to hear from one of them. This is a very passive approach, roughly akin to throwing paint on the wall and hoping that something will stick.
If you are like most entrepreneurs, patience is not your strong suit, so sitting and waiting for a response is not quite your cup of tea.

Another option is to go to one of the many directories of venture capital firms. These directories typically include addresses, phone numbers and emails, along with the geographical areas of interest and the types of investment that each is seeking. Most businesses can narrow down their list of prospective investors to several hundred venture capital firms this way. And again you are faced with the prospect of sending out written material for each one, and waiting for a response.

A third option is to take a more proactive approach. Identify your best prospects yourself from a number of reliable sources. Get introductions where possible. Learn everything you can about your target investors, and then go after it. Typically a phone call is the first contact, not an anonymous executive summary. Knowing that you are calling your best prospects, you know too that they are open to hearing from you. You have names, you have investment histories, you have everything in hand to make a real connection with the target investors. Then go do it.

Getting your company financed is one of the hardest things you will ever do as an entrepreneur. It can be hugely frustrating, disappointing and genuinely discouraging. But lots of entrepreneurs do it. And so can you.

No one knows when this incredible window of opportunity will close Spruce up that business plan and go for it -- now.

MaryAnn Shank
http://www.businessplanmaster.com
http://businessplanmaster.blogspot.com

About the author:
Ms. Shank is a business plan specialist. She worked with venture capital firms and emerging companies for over 20 years.