The business card is an absolute essential to a successful first impression. With so many people in your industry making promises and jockeying for position to get ahead, you need to make yourself stand out head and shoulders above the crowd. A winning smile might help, but sometimes after a conference that new big prospect might be walking away with a handful of cards and not be able to recall all the little details. That’s where the card really comes in.

Your business card should be a reflection of you. For every job and every worker there is a card that can speak volumes about them. If you don’t have a business card at any level of your field than you are doing yourself a huge disservice. For a penance you get hire a color business card printing service to help you design something that is tailored to your interests and gives a clear indication of the types of interactions that can come to be expected of you both as a person and as a professional. When designing your card try to emphasize the text with strong words that deliver their meanings concisely and poignantly. Keeping your card as minimalist as possible is a great way to increase card retention rate. The less on your card the higher the chance of remembering specific details associated with your business including recalling the name of your business and your name, specifically. It’s ok to cut back on contact information. There doesn’t always need to be 6 ways to reach you printed on the card in some variety. Usually if you include a website then all the other avenues of contact will be listed there, anyway. Above that, however, can start to clutter up the card. Don’t forget: you’re aiming for maximum impact on a first impression.

Remember to always exude a level of confidence and eagerness when you’re exchanging your card, people like to know that their future business relationships will be both rewarding and easy. In addition to that try to write any additionally requested information on the back of the card. That’s a surefire way to get some importance attached to the card, even if it’s not entirely business related. And above all else always remember to keep enough on you for whatever event you might be happening to go to, they won’t do you any good sitting around back at the office.

Think about how many people in your office currently work from home part-time or even exclusively.  Contractors and full-time employees alike are now able to skip gridlock and telecommute, replacing their long daily drive with an instantaneous internet connection.  And there are benefits to both workers and businesses with this model.  Employees get the obvious benefits of working from home while companies can save money by leasing smaller office spaces (along with lower attendant costs for utilities and related services, not to mention liability insurance).  Those businesses that choose to operate on an entirely remote basis will save a ton over competitors.  And of course, it’s also pretty good for the environment as such a move helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from commuter vehicles.

But even those companies that wish to continue operating corporate headquarters and satellite offices out of brick-and-mortar locations may find the decision out of their hands.  As workers get wise to this revolution in the job market, more and more are opting to take their schooling and experience into the internet arena by seeking the freedoms offered by freelance work – and there are a lot of opportunities out there for professionals savvy enough to spot them.Not only have freelance work sites flourished, offering connections for both businesses and contract workers, but the open marketplace means that professionals willing to hustle for work will find it in spades.

In short, the whole landscape of the working world is beginning to shift away from work done in offices.  And while connectivity is an important factor, there is also a whole slate of technology that is making it easier than ever to work outside the office.  With smaller, faster, and cheapertechnologies, workers can now use not only their home PC and laptop for work, but also mobile devices like tablets and smart phones, which seem to be getting more compact and powerful by the day.  The virtual workforce is on the rise, and most people believe that it will only continue to grow.

Recent surveys in the UK show that the majority of employees currently working in offices feel that within the next ten years their work environment will become irrelevant.  This may seem like a fairly short time frame for the dismantling of a system that has been growing for the last century, but soon it simply won’t make sense for businesses to go any other way.  So if you’ve been looking forward to embracing the wacky culture you watch on The Office every week, you may just have to adjust your plans to work closer (much closer) to home.

Sarah Danielson writes for Midwest HR, a Chicago HR outsourcing company. Midwest HR offers innovative HR solutions to organizations that are focused on productivity, profitability, and growth.

1. Finding the right investors is easy.  Finding investors is in no way easy, and finding the right ones is even more difficult.  Not only do you need to shop around for venture capital firms that are interested in what you have to offer and have a history of supporting your type of business (industry, stage of development, etc.), but you must find ones that are a good fit with your personality and goals.  There are a lot of factors to consider and you’re simply never going to find someone that is a perfect fit, so prepare to settle.
2. You don’t need to invest.  Sorry, but nobody is going to invest with you if you aren’t carrying at least some of the risk.  Even if you don’t have as much money to invest as a venture capital firm, they need to see that you’re willing to put something on the line before they’ll even think of giving you money to play with.  A person who stands to lose something (or everything) is going to work that much harder to ensure success.  And if you’re unwilling to put money into your own idea, you shouldn’t expect others to do so.
3. A good idea is enough to secure funding.  Wrong again; venture capitalists are in this business to make money, so you’re going to need more than a cool idea to interest them in investing with your company.  Even beyond evaluating the marketplace to determine whether or not you can earn money with your business, you have to realize that these companies are getting hit up for money all the time.  So if you don’t approach them with something that either has proven success elsewhere or is so brilliant that anyone can see it will take off (and the latter is pretty unlikely), you shouldn’t be surprised to get politely ushered out the door.
4. You’ll hold the majority stake.  You might think that just because you came up with the concept and did all the leg work up to this point you’ll be able to keep the majority of your money, but you’re asking someone else to put their money into your hands, and they’re not going to do so without something in return.  That something is anywhere from 55-70% of your earnings.  Ouch.
5. You can retain control.  Not very likely.  Most venture capitalists consider that they are investing in your company with you, and they therefor become not-so-silent partners that will do whatever it takes to get their money back (and more), even if that means telling you what to do (or calling in the money you owe them).  Plus, most contracts have a veto clause written in to protect the rights of the investors (leaving you out in the cold…and the important decisions for your company in the hands of others).  In short, you could be making the proverbial deal with the devil.

Sarah Danielson writes for Granite Card where you can find articles on all things credit related, including bad credit cards with high interest rates and hidden fees.

1. SEO.  Search engine optimization is not cheap, unless you do it yourself.  While an SEO specialist could charge your hundreds of dollars a month (and deservedly so, considering the results they can deliver), you can do it for free if you learn how it works on your own.  Pick up a copy of SEO for Dummies to get started, and then move on to more in-depth literature on the topic.  Eventually you’ll also need to read guidelines for different search engines (Google, Bing, etc.) to make sure you’re not inadvertently engaging in “black hat” SEO practices, which can get you banned.  Although there’s a lot to learn, you’ll be happy you followed through when you see an increase in traffic, page rank, and ultimately, sales.
2. Start a blog.  This is a great way to bring new people to your site and get them interested in whatever it is you’re selling.  You can write it for free, and if your content is engaging, people will come back for more (and bring their friends).  You can also guest post for related blogs to get links back to your own site.  And of course, you can use it as a forum to post product reviews, user testimonials, and host giveaways to drive business.
3. Ad exchange.  By joining an ad exchange network, you are basically agreeing to post ads for other industry sites even as they host an ad for you.  It’s often free to sign up and it could be a good way to bring in more business.  At the very least, it couldn’t hurt (you can’t really go wrong with free advertising).
4. Offer incentives for referrals.  Grass-roots, word-of-mouth campaigns are one of the best ways to spread your name on the cheap.  By encouraging customers to become brand ambassadors, you’ll not only promote your company for free, but you’ll also achieve better results because your customers are trusted sources.  You would hope that satisfied buyers would do this on their own, but why reward their loyalty by offering discounts or freebies to those who bring friends and family to your site?
5. Viral videos.  A television commercial can run you tens of thousands of dollars on the low end (and that’s before you even sign a contract to air it).  By opting for viral videos you can significantly cut production costs (hand-cam?) and stream them for free via you-tube and email blast.  If you create something that catches on, it will spread like wildfire on the internet, and all for the amazing price of nada.

Sarah Danielson writes for Purchase Order Financing you can grow your business and pave the way for more.

1. Conservation.  Using less water and energy may seem like a small thing, but when you see how much you save over the course of a year, you might be surprised.  So think about using natural light during the day (if possible) and switching to CFLs or LEDs (which use a fraction of the energy of incandescent bulbs and last several times longer).  As for water, put sensors on faucets and install low-flow toilets.  There will be an initial expense related to these upgrades, but you can often get returns from the utility company or write-offs come tax time.  Alternative energy is also a good idea (solar, wind, water), and it can not only save you beaucoup bucks on your bills, it can even bring a financial return if you produce enough power to sell some back to the grid.
2. Auditing.  Most businesses have a lot of waste that they aren’t even aware of and it all adds up over time.  So perform regular audits to track waste in all areas of operation and then do whatever it takes to reduce this waste, recycle when possible, and ultimately cut back on unnecessary costs.
3. Hire interns.  They may not have the experience of an industry veteran, but they do have knowledge of the latest technologies up their sleeve (thanks to advanced college courses) and for the most part they also have a strong desire to learn and succeed.  They are both eager to please and prepared to pay their dues.  Further, they haven’t yet developed a chip on their shoulder that says they’ve been around the block and there’s nothing you can teach them.  In short, they are malleable and ready to meet your business needs, all for the spectacular salary of absolutely free.  Just be aware that you’re going to have to be on hand to mentor them so that they can earn their college credit (instead of a paycheck).
4. Pay your debts.  Interest payments on loans and other forms of credit can cripple a small business.  So instead of paying the minimum every month and then racking up more debt (resulting in you paying several times the cost of your original purchase), make an effort to pay extra on your loan principle every month and completely pay off credit cards.
5. Document everything.  Saving receipts is no fun, but by tracking every business expense, from donuts and coffee on Fridays to the purchase of a company car, you’ll have a better idea of where your money is going and what you can deduct when taxes roll around.  You may spend some extra time keeping everything in order, but it will pay off big in the long run.

Sarah Danielson writes for Totally Money where you can find information on financial products and browse through important information like over 50s life insurance.

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.

What Happens on the Show?

If you are chosen for the show, then your business idea is judged and critiqued for its viability in the real business world. You can even use your existing business on Dragons Den. This is very beneficial. You get to have a panel of experts in the very field that you are working. They use their money, and give you business tips, guidance and potentially, a chance to become the next business success story. Even if you don’t win, you still get an amazing amount of experience from the show. Just participating in Dragons Den, can help you get ahead in today’s marketplace.

How Can I Impress the Dragons?

You have to understand what they are looking for in a business and the entrepreneur. That means that you have to do some serious homework beforehand. If you do it right though, then you get a chance at making your business the next dream come true.

Is Dragons Den Real in Life?

The answer to that question is yes. The show is very real, and the people that win do get the follow-through of the Dragon’s assistance. Some people have reported that any business can fail after the show. It is up to the entrepreneur to get the show going in the right direction. Then, that person has to maintain that success and complete the project. That means that you have to do a lot of hard work on it. Any business requires this. Remember that nothing happens without hard work and energy. If you get on the show, and win, then you get the chance of a lifetime for your business or business idea. It is well worth the chance and can work for your business plan.

Conclusion

Dragons Den is a great opportunity for an entrepreneur to gain exposure and get ahead in their marketing strategies. Some business ideas are great, while others are a failure. The ultimate deciding factor is the viability of the business. Dragons Den helps anyone decide if his or her business is viable. Even if you don’t win the game and get the money, you still get the ability to gain exposure to some of the best critiques in the business world.

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.

Clients don’t seem to realise that it is their responsibility to pay, their responsibility to have the money in my hands by a certain date, and when that does not happen they have broken a contract.  Dam simple.  It is not my responsibility to chase you every day until you get sick of me and pay for goods or services that you have bought.

Since I left credit control as a full time job I now run my own business, and it is just as hard getting paid from customers as it was when it was a full time job.  However now I am also the one chasing up the people that I sold to – so there should never be a reason for someone not paying me.

Today I just finished my monthly calling of outstanding monies, most, in fact all are fine – they just need a reminder.  There is one company however that never pays one time and keep on asking for more than we agree at the beginning of any work.  After this payment this customer is getting the sack.

I work on fairly tight margins and this means the cash must move freely in and out – when someone gets the job done for less than they would pay elsewhere and then takes up my time and head space by making me call him every week – this is not a customer I want to have.

One of the rules I started off having when I started my business that I would work with companies that I wanted to work with – if a company makes me chase them for payment – lying to me week in week out, they then become a company that I don’t want to work with.

I wish I could have made these types of decisions while I was a credit controller, but that is not the way life works.

The credit market has been one of the hardest hit in this time period. Although many financial giants are finally regaining their footing, they are more cautious than ever when it comes to lending. Consumers are finding it harder now than in the past to buy a house, a car or even apply for a low rate credit card. Those with perfect credit are even considered dangerous if they have not enough recent lending to show they are trustworthy customers. With consumers suffering from job losses and foreclosures, there seems to be little that can be done in the short term to rejuvenate the ailing economy.

The plight of the consumer is not where this ripple ends; businesses really suffer when spending slows. With less money being lent to potential buyers, small businesses are forced to seek more financial backing to be able to keep their doors open. The credit markets are just as dire, if not more so, for business lending as they are with consumer lending. Without ample collateral to back business loans, more companies are forced to file for bankruptcy in order to keep going.

Fortunately there are glimmers of hope on the horizon for the U.K. economy, and the world as a whole. It would appear, for the most part, that the recession is nearing its end. This being said, there is still a long road to full economic recovery. There may never be a time when businesses, and consumers, are able to borrow as they were before the economic collapse. We all hope for the time when the credit crunch has loosened its death grip on lenders. Only then can small businesses and consumers be able to obtain credit for the things they need, the things the U.K. economy needs to thrive.

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).

By entering a debt management plan, you are defaulting on your original agreement. This will stay on your credit report for 6 years – which could make further credit more expensive and/or harder to obtain for that time.

If you are thinking of entering a debt management plan, it is important to consider the alternatives before you do so. You may find that a different debt solution, such as an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) or debt consolidation, is more appropriate.

Debt management might be suitable for you if:

• You can’t keep up with the repayments you originally agreed to.

• Your disposable income is lower than £200 (this is the typical minimum monthly payment amount on an IVA).

• You haven’t managed to obtain a debt consolidation loan or remortgage – possibly due to the current economic climate.

• You can afford to repay your debt in less than 5 years (the length of most IVAs).

A debt management plan might not be suitable for you if:

• You don’t have a fixed income. For example, if you earn commission-based pay.

• You won’t be able to clear your debts within a realistic amount of time.

How could you enter a debt management plan?

Debt management can be done on your own. However, you will need to be prepared to deal with any administrative work (such as phone calls and letters) and negotiations with your creditors (probably on more than one occasion).

If you don’t want to manage your debts on your own, you could contact a professional debt management organisation. By doing this, you should benefit from the experience and knowledge that the right organisation will possess. They should have experience of dealing with creditors and might have already dealt with cases very similar to yours – so they should know the best course of action for you to take.

Whether you manage your debts on your own, or go through a professional debt management organisation, creditors will only accept new repayment terms if you cannot afford to meet the required repayments on your current agreements.

To find out if a debt management plan is right for you, you should contact a professional debt management organisation.

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.

At least when I worked as a credit controller it was most during the good time and people or businesses that were not paying had either generally made stupid decisions or were just trying to avoid payment.  I rarely had sympathy for those that I had to start proceeding against – but now…

Now I am glad that I sit in front of a computer and type this instead of calling someone who has ended in a financial mess not wholly of their own making.  From the free Credit Control website.