When you’re networking yourself and your business sometimes all you have are a few brief moments to either sink or swim. During a meeting, and especially at a conference, potential connections are made every second that can yield promising and rewarding results. The trick is optimizing how you can make use of that time and produce the biggest impact during the time you do have. Confidence is important in this regard, as well as being well dressed and having a professional attitude. But perhaps one of the biggest lasting indications that might come from an interaction with a future client, employer or investor is the part of it that stays with them physically: your business card. [Read more...]
The Rise of the Virtual Workforce
July 18, 2011
Remember the olden days, when you had to buy a paper and peruse the classified ads to find jobs in your area? Then you would have to type out your résumé (or fill out a paper application by hand) and call back day after day, hoping to go back in for an interview. These days both the processes and the jobs themselves have become somewhat more streamlined. The truth is that we are rapidly creating a virtual world that mimics the real one; and more and more of the workforce is turning to alternative jobs via computers and internet as a way to escape the nine-to-five. In fact, it could signal the swan song for the traditional corporate workplace. [Read more...]
Venture Capital Myths
June 19, 2011
There are a lot of avenues for the intrepid entrepreneur to explore when seeking start-up financing for a small business. Bank loans are the most common, but you might also look into personal loans (from friends and family), a self-directed Roth IRA (financing your business through retirement funds), angel investors, and even business partners. And of course, venture capital is another possible option. If you’re having trouble securing a loan for your business in these uncertain times, but you’ve put in the time and effort to formulate a solid business plan (including market research, focus groups, maybe even the creation of a prototype) or even if you’ve already launched your business but you need money for expansion, then venture capital might be a good way to move forward. However, you’re going to have to overcome some myths before you do. [Read more...]
Marketing Your Business on the Cheap
May 16, 2011
The internet revolution has led to some amazing boons for small businesses, not the least of which is free (or nearly free) opportunities for marketing. Of course, it helps if you have a website set up for your company, which could cost you a fair amount of dough. But considering how much you stand to gain, and how much you can save through online advertising, you’ll be surprised how quickly you virtually recoup your costs. So forget about paying someone to place those irritating paper flyers under windshields (most people just throw them away out of sheer annoyance). And use your TV advertising budget to improve your product. Here are a few great ways to get your brand name to every household for a lot less money. [Read more...]
How to Cut Business Costs without Compromising Quality
May 14, 2011
Every business is looking for ways to bolster their bottom line. For some this means layoffs, while others are willing to use cheaper materials even as they hike their retail prices. But if you want to keep your business strong, you need to do everything in your power to maintain the high quality of your goods and services even as you try to cut costs. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to minimize your budget while still keeping your customers satisfied. Here are just a few means of trimming the fat and helping to keep your business going strong. [Read more...]
Dragons Den for Business
April 5, 2011
Dragons Den is really good for anyone that has a business idea. It is beneficial to anyone that lacks exposure to reality of how this business works. Marketing starts with exposure. You need more than just exposure as well. What you need is the right exposure to the right audience. That’s where Dragons Den comes in. Here are some reasons why Dragons Den is beneficial for anyone that has a business.
What is Dragons Den?
Dragons Den is a program that allows a business to be judged by a panel of business experts. If you can get your business on the show, then you can get the exposure that you need. You also get these same judges to give their money to make your business a potential reality. [Read more...]
The Cheque is in the Post
October 13, 2009
How many times have I heard this? Well life is about to get worse as companies are going to have a valid excuse and I mean excuse rather than reason.
The Post Office workers are going on strike – I have lived through this in the past, it must be in the post office, I can’t cancel the cheque for six weeks, maybe they lost it in that strike. [Read more...]
Is This Now The New Age of Credit
October 5, 2009
In the wake of the most disastrous economic climate in recent memory, the world has really been brought to its knees. The recession and stock market crash of 2008 sent waves of change throughout most industries, as businesses and financial institutions tried to claw back to profitability. With the real estate bubble crippling the U.K. financial system, causing many large institutions to close their doors, consumers and businesses have both suffered. [Read more...]
Debt management: who is it suitable for?
August 5, 2009
A debt management plan is an informal financial agreement. It involves a re-arrangement of how outstanding debts will be cleared. Creditors may be asked to accept lower monthly payments and/or freeze interest, helping you repay your debts at a slower, affordable rate.
Bear in mind, though, that repaying your debt over a longer timeframe might increase the overall cost you have to repay (due to interest). Also, creditors are not obliged to agree to any changes in the contractual agreement – if they do accept the changes, this will usually be for a pre-defined period of time (after which, they may wish to re-negotiate with you – or your debt management company). [Read more...]
Jobs Boost In Credit Control
February 20, 2009
Silver lining? They say that ever cloud has one. I think however that things are too tough in this economic climate to be that light about peoples life’s.
Bradford and Bingley one of the now nationalised banks that helped us get to this point is recruiting 150 more credit controller this year. That does not sound like good news for those that are having problems with loans or mortgages. [Read more...]
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