Most boneheaded financial moves of 2008

We hardly know where to begin this year -- what with the rogue traders, megalomaniac CEOs, billion-dollar losses and utter financial meltdown -- but in the end, we think these 7 offenses, and their many practitioners, are the worst of the bunch.
By Catherine Holahan, MSN Money

This is part one of a year-end wrap-up package. To read Part 2, on the year's best moves, click here.

This year, many of the brightest minds in business made some truly boneheaded moves. Some may blame the messes they caused on bad luck. Some may blame it on fear. But investors should definitely blame some of it on greed. We do.

In fact, we blame billions of dollars in losses on greed, pride, sloth, gluttony and the rest of the seven deadly sins, to remind all that great wealth and power exist side by side with human frailties familiar to us all.

Here is MSN Money's staff-generated list of the biggest financial blunders of the year, together with our best shot at explaining how people could make mistakes this huge.

Tell us: Your pick for 2008's dumbest money moves
Greed
Jerome Kerviel, Société Générale's (SCGLF, news, msgs) rogue trader.

Kerviel, a former options trader at France's second-largest bank, is this year's poster boy for risk tolerance run amok. It didn't appear to bother Kerviel when risky positions collapsed. He doubled down, then doubled down again. Société Générale alleges the 31-year-old manipulated its systems to place as much as €50 billion (about $63 billion at today's exchange rate) on market bets, many of which went bad in the end.

In January, the bank blamed a nearly €5 billion loss on Kerviel. They said he had mocked up fraudulent hedges to conceal the all-or-nothing nature of the risk he had taken on, in essence treating bank funds like his own personal blackjack stash. Kerviel maintains the bank knew what he was doing and didn't care as long as he made money. Way to be greedy, Kerviel.

Also afflicted: mortgage-backed securities traders.

But let's not let the bank off the hook. Or Wall Street. Kerviel's alleged actions are emblematic of a trading culture that turned some of the world's biggest financial institutions into casinos. Obsession with quarterly profits encouraged too much risk taking, too much leverage and too little careful research and planning for the long term. The attitude on Wall Street seemed to be that as long as you're making money this quarter, the potential for disaster doesn't matter. Not to worry about those pesky cyclical real-estate downturns.

Pride
Jerry Yang, the departing CEO of Yahoo (YHOO, news, msgs).

Any observer who read the details on the negotiations between Jerry Yang and Microsoft (MSFT, news, msgs)CEO Steve Ballmer could see that something other than Yahoo's long-term earnings potential was behind Yang's dogged refusal to accept Microsoft's $33-per-share acquisition offer.

The problem was Yang's ego. Yang wanted to keep Yahoo -- the company he built from nothing with partner David Filo -- independent, so he could be the boss. His attitude seems to have changed after Yahoo's stock went into a nose dive last summer.

Now, Microsoft and Yahoo may be negotiating again for Yahoo's search business, according to London's Sunday Times. (Microsoft, the publisher of MSN Money, declined to comment on the news.)

You can bet that the offer on the table -- if there is one -- won't come close to what Microsoft was once willing to pay. Yahoo's stock was trading at less than $12 per share last time we checked, and its market capitalization was under $16 billion. When Microsoft made its initial offer in February, Yahoo was trading around $20 per share and had a market cap of $25.6 billion.

Also afflicted: Rick Wagoner, the CEO of General Motors (GM, news, msgs); Alan Mulally, the CEO of Ford Motor (F, news, msgs); and Robert Nardelli, the CEO of Chrysler.

Is coach really that bad? Why would the CEOs of America's three faltering auto manufacturers, on the eve of asking Congress to approve billions in taxpayer-supplied aid, in the midst of a recession, each fly a private jet to Washington to meet with lawmakers?

Talk about unapologetic pride. But they ain't too proud to beg. Now it seems they have learned their lesson. After Congress rejected initial appeals for aid, the CEOs returned to D.C. in a style more fitting for folks arguing to save American auto manufacturing. Mulally, Nardelli and Wagoner drove hybrid vehicles to Capitol Hill. Their entourages also traveled eco-friendly in ethanol-powered hybrids.

And while we're at it, CNBC's Jim Cramer belongs in this category for July comments about the financial press, whom he derided as uninformed for warning of financial disaster due to subprime-mortgage-backed securities and default insurance supplied by institutions such as American International Group (AIG, news, msgs). Three months later, he was telling his audience to pull out of the market altogether after the breadth of the subprime-fueled crisis had become clear.

"It is really important for journalists to look like they are in the room with the big boys, so you talk about CDOs (collateralized debt obligations), you talk about subprime -- it's a fascination with trying to prove that you know as much as the hedge fund managers," Cramer said in July. "Fortunately, I was a hedge fund manager . . . and so I know that the lack of importance it (bad paper) has versus U.S. Treasurys."

How's the hedge fund business lately, Cramer?

Sloth

Angelo Mozilo, the former CEO of Countrywide Financial, now owned by Bank of America (BAC, news, msgs).

Mozilo is one of the most recognizable faces in the subprime-lending fiasco -- a glib, smug, fast-talking salesman to the bitter end, even as his company went up in flames around him.

Countrywide issued billions in loans to subprime borrowers whose ability to repay was in doubt, then packaged up the loans as securities and sold them off to banks, hedge funds and other large investors who would later wonder what was in the packages.

As CEO, Mozilo should have made it his business to know. That's where sloth comes in. Mozilo and all the others doling out subprime mortgages should have taken the time to ensure better risk management. But that's work.

Also afflicted: Joe Cassano, the president of American International Group's financial-products division, and plenty of other high-ranking Wall Street executives.

Here's the thing about getting paid millions of dollars to manage money: You're supposed to know what you're doing. You can't blame the credit-ratings companies for your bad bets. AAA-rated or not, you made the bet. It's your job to know the finer points of what you bet on.
The same goes for selling insurance protection. You'd better have a pretty complete and accurate risk profile on whatever you're insuring, whether it's an ocean liner or a bond. Clearly, Cassano and a lot of other executives who supervised trading in credit default swaps and mortgage-backed securities were not doing their homework.

Gluttony

Aubrey K. McClendon, the CEO of Chesapeake Energy (CHK, news, msgs).

A CEO's willingness to invest in his own company's stock is admirable. But CEOs need to stay aligned with the interests of stockholders. When you use margin to leverage your investment to the point where you have to liquidate shares in your own company during a vicious downturn, that's a case of biting off far more than you can chew. McClendon did exactly that, and he likely has a terrible stomachache as a result.

Also afflicted: all the speculators in corn futures and the hedge fund managers who believed Goldman Sachs (GS, news, msgs) analysts' assertions that oil would hit $200 a barrel this year.

This is a vast country with a well-established taste for gas-guzzling automobiles, but even Americans couldn't stomach $200-a-barrel oil in a recession. We're not that gluttonous. But a lot of traders in oil futures were. In hopes of pocketing huge profits, they foolishly bet that we wouldn't change our consumption habits.

Now they are getting their just deserts. The same goes for the speculators in corn who helped drive the price to all-time highs with bets that ethanol would become the fuel of the future -- this year. Now that corn has dropped 50% from its highs, their profits are history.

Envy

J. Terrence Lanni, the former chairman and CEO of MGM Mirage (MGM, news, msgs).
So maybe Lanni always wanted an MBA. Presumably, he was envious of those who had them. We're not sure why, as his ascendance to the top spot at MGM Mirage would seem to indicate some real ability.

Anyway, rather than go back to business school, Lanni just put an MBA on his résumé. He resigned in November after The Wall Street Journal reported he had never received that master of business administration degree from the University of Southern California, as claimed.
Lanni has since been quoted explaining that his decision to resign was based on his desire to be closer to his family in California.

Lust

"Mortgage sluts," the mortgage wholesalers who traded sex for loan applications.

While destroying trillions in financial value, the subprime-lending bubble was apparently turning soccer moms and manicurists into near prostitutes. In a Nov. 13 article, BusinessWeek finance and banking department editor Mara Der Hovanesian exposed the sex-for-mortgages scandal behind some subprime loans.

According to the article, female mortgage wholesalers had sex with mortgage brokers in exchange for loan applications, which the women then bundled and sold as securities to investment houses.

Said one mortgage wholesaler quoted in the story, "Women who had sex for loans were known very quickly."

Wrath

Henry Paulson, Treasury secretary.

Paulson is not an angry man. But it seems he felt he had to punish somebody for the mortgage market meltdown, and Lehman Bros. (LEHMQ, news, msgs)happened to be first in line.

What Paulson hadn't realized was that this bit of retribution would plunge the world into downward spiral of doubt about the reliability of all credit instruments. If Lehman could go under, whom could we trust? Speaking of wrath, Paulson's flip-flop on bailout policy (he rode to the rescue of Bear Stearns creditors, then turned his back on those holding Lehman paper) made him a focus of fury among investors who got burned. In Paulson's defense, the mortgage market mess could not have occurred without the concerted efforts of hundreds of Wall Street traders and executives focusing single-mindedly on lining their own pockets. A mess that big cannot be blamed on the mistakes of one man.

Also afflicted: fiscal conservatives.

Another day, another multibillion-dollar bailout funded by you, the taxpayer.

P.S. Not that there's a gun to your head or anything, but if you don't sign up for this, we're probably looking at an outcome south of the Great Depression. If you're a fiscal conservative listening to that message, you've got a right to be enraged. But so far as we know, anger remains mostly a counterproductive behavior, and priority No. 1 has to be fixing this mess.

Source: MSN

Top 10 Ways To Get More People To Your Next Gig

By David Hooper

For an up-and-coming band every gig is a vital step toward your success. Your shows are where you get the chance to prove yourself. They are your opportunity to do what you do best. A good gig can also have a ripple effect, securing you a loyal fan base and ensuring good crowds at future shows. So when you land a gig, the key is to make it count. Hours of practice and rehearsal won't matter unless you have a decent crowd that can go back and tell their friends how great you are.

Your mission is not only to kick ass on stage-but to convince other people to come and see you.

Sure, it would be nice to be able to just focus on your music and let someone else handle the promotions, but few unsigned bands have those kinds of resources. It's up to you to get people in the door.

With that in mind, I've put together a list of ways you can make sure you have a full house at your next gig.

1. Start early.

Don't wait until a week before your gig to start advertising. As soon as you have a booking, sit down with the band and come up with a strategy for marketing the show to the public. Remember, you're competing with about a million other things someone can choose to do on a Saturday night-movies, other bands' shows, parties, sporting events. You want to get yourself on the calendar as soon as humanly possible, and give yourself plenty of time to remind people a few times before the show date.

2. Posters, flyers, and cards.

You have to have them. There's no excuse these days not to have cards, flyers, and posters. With the online digital printing websites you can upload your own art, or use their existing art to create marketing materials that are professional and eye-catching. Remember, you're competing with professional bands which have marketing departments and public relations people, so put some thought into it.

One way you can get some great art done for little money is checking out high school and junior college art departments. Some of these young artists would love the chance to do your design work and earn a little cash-and they'll charge you a mere fraction of the amount that a professional graphic designer would.

However, even if you can only go the old-fashioned route of hand-drawing a flyer and photocopying it on eye-catching colored paper, do it.

Make sure everyone in the band has stacks and that they're giving them out, hanging them up, and making them available. Leave them at the record store hang them on community bulletin boards at schools, coffee shops, bookstores and libraries.

3. Get your family and friends involved.

These people can be your best allies as you start your career. People that love you are your cheerleaders. They are going to promote the hell out of your band even if they aren't particularly interested in your style of music. Maybe grandma won't come to a show, but she knows a lot of people and can help spread the word. She's just the type of person who would relentlessly hand out your flyers to everyone and anyone, just because she loves you. Take a stack of flyers to each of your friends and family, tell them how important it is for you to get people to your show, and ask them to spread the word. Unless they still haven't forgiven you for breaking their favorite crystal vase when you were eight-years-old, chances are they'll be happy to be part of your success.

4. Use Myspace, Facebook, and other online social networking tools.

Technology is one of the most powerful tools you have. If you are one of the last five people on earth without a MySpace or Facebook account, get one NOW. Make sure you regularly update the pages with news and show dates, upload MP3's or videos of your songs, and respond when people leave you a message. Look for bands on MySpace with a similar style to yours and go through their "friends" lists-and invite those people to be your friends. You can generate so much interest in your band with regular "farming" of these sites, even people who live in other cities and states can become fans and your impact can quickly go from being local to you having a national presence.

5. Create a press release.

This sounds more complicated than it is. Not just big names can create and circulate a press release. Basically, it is a formal description of something current-like a show or a new CD release-that you can give to different media outlets. Sending a press release doesn't ensure that you will get publicity, but it will definitely get you noticed and the media folks in your town are going to pay attention to your professionalism. Send your press release to entertainment papers; corporate, public, and college radio stations; bloggers and online communities that feature local events.

Check out this site for a description of how to write a professional press release:
http://www.publicityinsider.com/release.asp

6. Tell everyone you know-and don't know.

This is not the time to be shy. If you can get up in front of a crowd and pour your blood, sweat, and tears into your performance, you can strike up a conversation when you're out getting coffee and tell people about your show. Think of yourself as a really cool Jehovah's Witness. Have flyers in your pocket and be ready to hand them out any time any place. A personal connection with someone, even for a couple minutes, is more compelling than a thousand flyers stuck to the side
of a building.

7. Go to other shows and network.

Get out there and see other shows. Hang out before and after and talk to people about your music. The people you meet at a show are people you know are interested in seeing live performances. Again, making a single personal connection is one of the most effective ways you can generate interest in your music. You can be cool and still be friendly. This is not the time to be stand-offish. In the beginning you can't just rely on your music to attract people, because in the beginning, no one has heard your music. They're going to come to see you.

8. Offer to play a couple songs unplugged at an event to warm up the crowd.

In every city there are about a thousand things going on any given weekend. There are plenty of opportunities to warm up the crowd at a charity, a school play, an art show, or any other number of events. You don't need to drag all the equipment out. Go and play a couple songs acoustic.
Give away a couple CDs in a raffle at the event. Ask if you can leave some flyers on the registration table so that when people come in they can grab one with their name tag or program. There are endless possibilities for getting yourself in front of people and giving them a little taste of your music-plus, you might just get to support a worthwhile organization or event.

9. Advertise a giveaway at the show.

People love free stuff. It's just a fact of life. It doesn't even have to be good free stuff, but if you advertise that you are giving something away, there is a much higher likelihood that more people will show up. Give away a couple discs, a couple t-shirts. If you have the cash, give away an iPod Shuffle ($49) or some gift certificates. It is a small investment that will pay off in spades. Make sure you let everyone know-on flyers, on MySpace, and by word of mouth-what you're giving away and when.

10. Open for an established band a couple weeks before the gig.

Be a part of your indie community. Make friends and allies with other bands. If you can open for another band a couple weeks before your gig, you are going to give people a chance to see you in action. You'll have a ready-made audience you can pitch your upcoming show to. Hang out after your performance and work the room while you enjoy the main show and support your friends.
There are so many creative ways to promote your show, and these are just a few suggestions to get you going. Remember, if you don't promote yourself, no one else is going to. Be fearless and let the world know who you are and where your next show is going to be!

David Hooper is a music business expert based out of Nashville, TN. He is host of the syndicated radio show, Music Business Radio. For more on David, visit him at http://www.musicmarketing.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Hooper

Nine Ways to Win at Office Politics

By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

Politics in the workplace can get vicious – and we're not talking about the governmental kind. Rather, office politics, or how power and influence are managed in your company, will be a part of your career whether you choose to participate in them or not.

Some workers say they don't want to get caught up in politics at work, but most experts argue that playing the game is crucial to your career success. By not getting involved, you may find your talents ignored and your success limited, and you may feel left out of the loop, says Louellen Essex, co-author of "Manager's Desktop Consultant: Just-in-Time Solutions to the Top People Problems That Keep You Up at Night."

"Politics get nasty when an employee is out for his or her personal gain alone," Essex says.
"Think of playing office politics as a game of strategy through which you are able to get the resources and influence you need to accomplish your goals. Most often those who are diplomatic, respectful and build coalitions with effective people win."

Here are Essex's nine tips to help you win at office politics and still gain others' respect.

1. Observe how things get done in your organization.
Ask some key questions: What are the core values and how are they enacted? Are short- or long-term results most valued? How are decisions made? How much risk is tolerated? The answers to these questions should give you a good sense of the culture of your organization.

2. Profile powerful individuals.
Pay attention to their communication style, network of relationships and what types of proposals they say "yes" to most often. Emulate those traits by drawing on the strengths you have.

3. Determine strategic initiatives in the company.
Update your skills to be relevant to company initiatives. For example, don't lag behind in technology, quality or customer service approaches that are crucial to you and your company's success.

4. Develop a personal track record as someone who gets results.
Style without substance will not gain others' respect, especially in today's organizations that focus on outcome.

5. Don't be afraid to toot your own horn.
If no one knows of your good work, you may lose at the game of office politics – when you really deserve to win. Let others know what you've accomplished whenever you get the opportunity. If you don't know the fine art of diplomatic bragging, you might get lost in the shuffle of your co-workers.

6. Treat everyone with respect.
Don't show preferential treatment or treat co-workers badly. You never know to whom someone might be connected, and rude behavior may come back to bite you.

7. Don't align too strongly with one group.
While an alliance may be powerful for the moment, new leadership will often oust existing coalitions and surround themselves with a new team. Bridging across factions may be a more effective strategy for long-term success if you intend to stay in your current organization for some time.

8. Learn to communicate persuasively.
Develop an assertive style, backed with solid facts and examples, to focus others' attention on your ideas and proposals. Good politicians can adjust their messages for their audience and are always well-prepared.

9. Be true to yourself.
After analyzing the political landscape in your company, if you decide the game is one you can't play, prepare to move on. It's not typical, but some organizations actually condone – even promote – dishonest, ruthless or unethical behavior. The game of office politics in this situation is not one worth winning.

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Internet Marketing - Why is Web 2.0 Essential to Your Business?

By Daegan Smith

How many popular sites do you know? Do you have any reasons why they became what they are today? Web sites such as Flickr, Propeller, Digg, MySpace, StumbleUpon are the only few of the many sites popping all over Internet. Most of these sites tag any kind of content like audio, video, graphics, articles, photos, etc. The difference with these social bookmarking sites to a conventional search where you acquire inclusive results for key words, these sites produce results based upon what other people labeled and have crated their popularity by casting their votes. If your Internet marketing business uses Web 2.0, you'll likely gain a lot of members thereby increasing your profits.

How Web 2.0 improves your business?
Social interaction and bookmarking sites marked as Web 2.0 also include wikis, podcasting sites, blogging, and video sites. So what makes these sites used by a good number of people? Those sites differ from the rest because the content in them can all be user generated. Just like Flickr and Facebook. Like what happened to YouTube, when it was purchased by Google, the number of people who visit has greatly increased. Sites such as BlinkList, del.icio.us, or Scuttle allow you to tag web pages, blog posts and any other written content. Google Video and Flickr allows you to share your photos to other members of these sites.

How Web 2.0 works for your business?
For example, when you visit a Web 2.0 site and you observed a blog entry, do you notice that at the end of the post, there is a bookmarking button? When you become a member of sites like this one, you are required to complete your profile and allow you to post anything unless it breaks the site's rules. After your post, do you notice you are obliged to describe your post and tag the fitting keywords? Yes, that's how it basically works. When people look for information in search engines, tags are generally helpful. People find immediately the written content they may be looking for. In addition, what makes this sites so cool is that they are open to anyone who views them. Moreover, if you don't want any other people who can view your content, you could possibly do so by setting your profile to private.

Applying Web 2.0 to you Internet marketing business
Web 2.0 is indeed an amazing marketing method for your Internet marketing business. If you create your own Web 2.0 site, make sure your rules are properly imposed by all members so it continues to run and attract more people into visiting it. Or, if you wish to start your own internet marketing business immediately without creating your own Web 2.0 site, you may tag your posts and that of the others. Just make sure you follow the rules so you won't be banned from the site. When people look for key words and have found any of the words you tagged, they'll see your products and services. If these people purchase any one of what you sell, then you generate sales. What's more, it doesn't cost you anything. Thus, when you go about joining an Internet marketing business, make sure you are using Web 2.0. There are many people who seem so far at making their online business successful. That's because they are not using Web 2.0. Make sure you're not one of them.

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5 Surefire Ways to Make Money From Your Web Site!

By Ryan Matthews

A profiting website is a great business model with the internet changing every single second and more and more opportunities jumping up everyday for us to take advantage of and profit from.
Below you'll find 5 fundamental ways of making your site profit.

1. Selling Your Own Product or Service
Setup your own e-Commerce web site, where you'll promote and sell your own products, services or those of others. Like eBay or amazon but yours need not be that big. Setting up a e-Commerce site takes a lot of effort and hard work and many of these sites fail in the process.

2. Selling Advertising Space
One of the classic ways of profiting is to sell advertising space on your website to relevant and interested merchants, though not easy if your sites not strong enough but then simply integrate it with PPC (pay per click) by adding the advertising script to your page and there you go...

3. Paid Content Offering
By creating unique and useful content, you will be able to charge someone to view it, whether your whole site consists of pay per view or just a part of it is entirely up to you. An example of paid content is setting up a membership site.

4. Email Marketing
Email marketing has become ever popular where you start with optimizing a page with a opt in form and use the email addresses from that form to contact and let possible clients know about what your selling, make sure to stay away from spamming and that your customer truly wants your email before sending it.

5. Affiliate Marketing - "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IF YOU ARE JUST STARTING OUT"
Probably one of the best ways to profit online as well as being hassle free with you not having to physically own, purchase or dispatch any of the products you advertise, rate and review. It basically works as follows you put a review of some product on your site providing it with your affiliate link which then sends the customer to the merchant site where if he makes a purchase you as the affiliate makes a commission.

So you want to start making money online?

I have a solution for you (scam free of course) that will enable you to learn Affiliate Marketing and become a BIG online earner like many others are doing right now. Affiliate marketing can be really profitable. You just need the right experts to guide you.

Click here to get 5 Star affiliate training and start living royalty.
Best regards,Ryan

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Matthews

5 Things You Must Know About Business Plans

By Chuck Markham

First, if you're only reading this article because you want to find a good format for writing a business plan, then you will find some good formats, templates and software at Intuit's website - you know, the same people who make QuickBooks, Quicken and TurboTax. Well, if you go to the Intuit website, then you will find its new business plan service under the name of "JumpUp."

And even better, some of the templates and software are free. But, I have a feeling you might have a few more questions about business plans, so here are a few more pointers.

Second, something is more important, however, than just the writing a of business plan. The most important thing is that you decide WHERE you want your business to go and HOW you want to get there. Your decision about the where and how of your business goal is more important than the writing of it.

Third, the next most important thing is your specific use of the plan itself. If your business plan's purpose is to serve as a guiding light to you and your key people, then it will be in that type of format. If its purpose is to create measurable goals, help evaluate progress towards those goals, and guide decision-making, then the plan might take a different shape. And, if your business plan's purpose is to attract investors or to obtain a loan, then it might be in a different format altogether.

Fourth, and a special note for start-ups, if the business plan is for a start-up business and is for the last 2 purposes (measurable-goals/decision-making or investors/lenders), then I recommend a specialized process. First, write a business plan as if you were writing it to be your guiding light. I have worked with many clients with a new business who should not be writing an investor/loan business plan just when they are starting up the company.

Why? Because a business plan should not be a something that you create just so that it sounds good to other people (or yourself). The plan should really be an actual reflection of the desired destination and the means anticipated to get there. So, for the new business owner, these insights and realizations need some time to evolve. Sure, a new business owner starts out with goals, dreams and ambitions. But, it takes time for these goals, dreams and ambitions to mature in the marketplace. That is why it is important early on to write the business plan, but do it with the "guiding light" purpose.

When DO you take the next step and write the business plan with the potential investor or lender in mind?

When the heart and mind agree on the destination and the means of getting there. Then, and only then, is it the right time to transform the "guiding light" plan to a business plan for measurable-goals/decision-making or investors/lenders.

Fifth, once the mind and heart agree, then it is essential to commit the business plan to paper because without a clear destination, there is no basis upon which to make decisions. Decisions should be made with the destination in mind. Writing down how to reach the destination establishes mile-markers that will measure progress. Without some way to measure progress, we are only left with our feelings - and feelings change from day to day or moment to moment.
Milestones help us to make needed adjustments while the vision of our destinations keeps us on track.

To sum up, a business plan is important. The pre-work, however, is even more important. The follow-up, which measures our success against the plan, is what gives the plan its purpose.
Copyright 2007, Chuck Markham, MA, LAC ("Business Coach Chuck")

Chuck Markham, MA, LAC, aka Business Coach Chuck, creates creates strategies for his clients that leverage their strengths - so they can spend more time doing what they love. Learn more at BusinessCoachChuck.com, or call him for a free 30-minute "test-drive" consultation at 973-670-7215.

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The Complete Guide To Start Your Own Ecommerce Business And Fire Your Boss

By Mark A. Abrahams

Starting your own ecommerce business is one of the best ways that you can build a business from home. However, it can really be expensive if you are not sure of what you are doing. In this article I would like to go through some ways that you can start your business with minimal cost.

The first two things that you need to get sorted out are your website and autoresponder. These two are critical and you need professional versions to take advantage of both. Once you have set this up you need to do some market research and find a hot market. I suggest that you do some research with the PPC adverts and see what keywords people are paying for advertising. This usually is an indication to see if the market is profitable.

Once you have done this you basically have two choices. You can either sell digital products for download or setup a physical store. The physical store is more work as you need to worry about shipping. Also make sure if you do decide to sell physical products that you choose a market where the items are not available in stores.

Once you have decided this it is time to setup your physical store or web site where you will sell your ebook. If you do not have any web design skills I suggest that you outsource this and get a professional to do this for you.

Once you have this setup the best way to market this and generate traffic that will create sales is to write articles and submit them to the major article directories. Include a link to your website in your resource box.

Are you really interested in driving massive traffic to your website?

Here's the answer:

Secrets Of Article Marketing - Download your free ebook now.

Mark Abrahams is a full time internet marketer who has helped others to earn a living online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_A._Abrahams

10 Tips to Help Your Small Business Web Presence

By Bryan Kress

If your a small business owner and are wanting to gain a large presence across the globe you know that you need to improve your online visibility. Offering another place for your customers to see your product is a great opportunity to gain valuable business, but if someone is looking for a product and doesn't know were to go how will they find you?

New business owners need to add SEO to their vocabulary. That is Search Engine Optimization, which means being visible through organic content on search engines. You can also gain visibility by advertising through keywords on certain sites like Google. Being on the first page based on your particular keywords is a necessary if you are trying to gain web traffic.

How can you make your site more efficient when it comes to SEO? 10 tips for small business owners to optimize their site

1. Build keywords into the title of each one of your pages, don't put welcome to...
2. Make sure you have meta tags on each one of your pages.

3. Make sure your headlines in your site help summarize your article and make sure it helps draw out keywords for your site.

4. Make sure you submit your site to google, msn, & yahoo in their submission galleries. This will allow them to crawl your site.

5. Have a blog on your site that allows people to comment. This blog should be daily or weekly tips to your customers.

6. Write articles and submit them to ezinearticles.com and goarticles.com. These are free places to submit your articles.

7. Have press releases sent out over the web and locally with your site address on the release.
8. Digg your articles or have someone stumbleupon your site.

9. Create a myspace and a facebook to gain customers in the social networks.

10. Write a monthly newsletter and send it out through your email list. Make sure you have a place for people to get on the email list.

These little tips are just a start to help your business website, but i suggest you checkout highrankings.com. Also, checkout hubspot.com.

If you have any questions or need advice on getting a consultant please email us at questions@businessonthemound.com.

I am in my last year of Accounting and Economics & Finance. I have worked for any industry out there from farming, fast food, retail, cold calling, personal lending, and consulting. I am young in age, but experienced well beyond my years. I now own three companies and I host my own radio show while wearing many other hats throughout the community.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_Kress

Ethical Delivery Of Your Business

By Michael Daley

Good Day Friends, This article's subject will be delivery.

How do you deliver yourself to others? In other words, the presentation of yourself to people you meet. Is that delivery honest? Is it real? Or is it just to get them in the door?

If the presentation is not honest, once they get in the door, they will see the truth anyway, so be brutally honest with yourself when answering this question.

Take a minute to think about that, we must do an honest assessment of how people see us upon meeting them. They will see what is in our heart. You must grasp your "persona" for what it truly is, once you have honestly evaluated yourself, you can begin to work on the delivery of yourself and become stronger every day.

The health of your mind and heart will determine how you deliver yourself in this life's journey. I should hope that you would want to deliver happiness, strength, love, and encouragement.

Everyone desires to have things delivered to them in good shape. We enjoy getting packages on our door step that have been properly prepared and shipped with care. We should have the exact same mind set when we deliver ourselves to others in this life, whether in everyday interaction, or in business. And in business, if we have been contacted in regards to the products or service we offer, people expect us to be the total package and we must be prepared and deliver with true compassion.

Are you ready to make the next delivery?

I encourage you to prepare, handle with care, and dare you to make the next delivery the best one yet.

Best regards to all and may your day be blessed!

Mike Daley http://www.ethicalbusinessconnections.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Daley

Business Ideas - Approach Them Sensibly

By Mike Joe

The need of money to run a life cannot be undermined. It is one commodity that is absolutely essential to run a life. Something without which you cannot think of existing. People do various things to earn money. None, however, can match the joy and satisfaction of one's own venture.
One is one's own boss there. The joy of doing things in one's own way simply cannot be beaten.
Now, to start a business or a venture one needs to work on certain plans. Indeed, business ideas are important for any business to get started and running.

One must understand that it is not necessary to start a big business ideas. One can start with a modest beginning, which if the approach is right can be made big. It is always nice if one is clear about the goals that one wants to achieve then it becomes very easy to function and gain success.

There are several opportunities now to start a business. Getting good business plans or business ideas, therefore, is not difficult. One very good business idea can be of working from home. This is especially beneficial for women, particularly housewives, who don't get time to move out because of their responsibilities, can now actually earn from their homes. There are several companies who give commissions to people who can help bring in customers. They provide all the training, tools etc. and help one in achieving a particular level because if you make money, they make money as well. Other business that can be operated from home is that of web design. With the advent of Internet this is one option everyone should opt for.

In this era of globalisation the opportunities are immense. Advent of Internet has brought the whole world to one's place, all that is required is a careful thinking that would provide one with enough business ideas to start one's own venture.

Author: Mike Joe is a connoisseur of traveling and entertainment. He loves journeying far and wide in the quest of experiencing different lifestyles and gathering information about the best places to eat, drink and stay in different countries and lands. Over here, Mike talks about business ideas

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Joe

Unsecured Business Loans Make Business Easy

By Johns Tiel

If you are in a foray of taking loans for your business, you are sure to get a good response from the lenders because business means money. Are you worried about pledging collateral then?
Then there is a solution in your hand. Unsecured business loans are the loans where collateral pledging kind of things are totally missing.

Business needs are various. You may need the bucks to add something in your existing business or may want to even set up a new business. For everything there are unsecured business loans.
For new business finance, you will be required to give a detailed business plan while applying.
For existing business owners a record of cash flow, income and expenditure might be required during the application process.

Unsecured business loans can be used for a number of purposes. This includes purchase of real estate, machinery, equipment. Also they can be used for renovation of business premises and even to raise working capital.

Unsecured business loans are open to the bad credit holders too. A slightly higher rate of interest might be required to pay. However, a good research can help you get better interest rate deals.

To add to your comfort, the lenders of unsecured business loans are online now. This makes your go easy because you are going to meet a large flock of lenders from whom finding a good deal is indeed easy enough. Also applying online is free of cost here and you are to apply through a small and easy application from. To get a benefit package of unsecured business loan is not all a big game today. Now all you have to do is, take your business plans to great height. For finance, you can always depend on loans.

Johns Tiel holds a master degree in Commerce from JNU. He is working as financial consultant in Chance For Loans. To find Unsecured Business Loans, debt consolidation loans, debtconsolidation loan, cheap rates, personal loans that best suits your needs visit http://www.chanceforloans.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johns_Tiel

3 Secrets to Promote Your Small Business

By Catherine Perry

There are mainly 3 logo design secrets to promote your small business. Although they are surprisingly simple, you'd be amazed at how few owners use them to promote their business.

1. Have a Logo Design
Your logo. Your letterhead. Your business cards. Your marketing. They all represent you and your small business. Appropriately designed, they will communicate to your customers that your small business is reputable, reliable, and professional. Your business image depends on a quality logo design that is unique and memorable. Your logo is the foundation of your brand. By simply having a one for your small business you are doing better than a majority of other owners and have a head start in marketing your business. Whatever it takes, make sure you have a logo that represents your business.

2. Promote Your Logo
Once you have a professional logo design for your business, you're ready to start branding your new logo. The most essential places to utilize your logo first are on your business cards, letterhead, website, products and business location. These are great places to start using your design to gain recognition from your customers. As time goes on you'll want to utilize your logo in a variety of ways, namely everywhere. By using your it everywhere, you will get your name out faster and better than most other small businesses. Actively using your design on your website, business cards, letterhead, products, business location, apparel and other items you will be achieve a snow ball effect in marketing your business.

3. Don't be Afraid to Revise Your Logo
Finally, as time goes on, don't be afraid to revise your logo. That doesn't mean scratching your logo and starting over (although that may be necessary in some cases), just make slight revisions to improve your identity.

Catherine is an experienced logo designer who has been working in the industry for over 10 years, she has designed literally thousands of logos and is known for her ability to catch the client's vision and turn it into art: cheap logo design

Do you need a cheap logo design? Click here: Logo Design

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Catherine_Perry

Social Bookmarking and the Hub of Business

By Scott Lindsay

The act of social bookmarking is becoming something more than a potential tool for online marketing.

Many entrepreneurs are finding social media sites to place business information in an informal setting.

Once you finish developing your social media site the marketing potential is just beginning.
Obviously you hold out hope that visitors will drop by your online presence, but you may want to go fishing for friends.

In some social media environments you are allowed to make a 'friend' request while other sites invite you to bookmark sites of interest.

What Does It All Mean?
If you wonder why you should care about making or accepting a friend request or participate in bookmarking let me attempt to explain the process.

When you initiate a friend request to an individual or business you are familiar with it is possible that your social media page will be listed on this secondary site. In essence when someone visits this site they also have a compelling link to your site.

On sites where bookmarking is allowed this feature is often divided a second time. In this kind of site environment visitors can see who you have bookmarked or selected as friends, but they can also see how many others have chosen to bookmark your site.

Some social media sites provide their own inner site rankings based on the popularity of a site. If your site ranks well that also provides the opportunity to have your site publicized even more.
Social bookmarking is the process of establishing a network among peers, friends, family and interested guests.

This is an important component when it comes to the already established benefits of owning a social media site. In this environment you can invite guest comments, you can receive private inner site emails from those who may have questions and you can participate in blogging. In some cases you may even be allowed to post pictures, video or audio to enhance the experience of your site and promote your online business.

Connecting Links
Links can easily be established to your primary site where you can welcome visitors to a more business-oriented experience.

The reason so many online business owners are adopting the use of social networking sites is because they can be obtained at no cost in most cases. Each of these sites can be designed to point back to your primary website. In that way they are extremely useful in the promotion and marketing of your main business site. These ancillary sites also provide a valuable backlink to your online business presence that is useful in improving potential in site rankings. For every backlink to your primary website the greater trust most search engines place in your site.

Putting It All Together
In a practical sense social bookmarking provides a trail back to your social networking site. That process opens the map so the visitor can find their way directly to your business site. The process acts as spokes in a wheel. Social media sites are the spokes that, through backlinks, lead to your hub of business, which is where you want them to end up in the first place.

Make Your Own WebsiteBuild An Ecommerce WebsiteResell Ebooks

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Lindsay

4 Ways to Save with Your Business

By Tom Tessin

Whether you own a home based business or a business that employs 1,000 employees, your goal is always to make as much money as possible. This is exactly why you're in business. Just like your home expenses, a business is no different and in order to save money, it requires motivation and a lot of smart purchasing and negotiating.

If you're like most business owners, your drive to cut costs on every end is always on your mind and in order to do so, there are many ways to save money. From saving money on gas to saving money on your employees, the list could be endless. Below are a few ways you can start saving money instantly with your business.

Research is key
Every time you make a purchase, you should be doing your research. IF you have a purchasing department, make sure that they know exactly how to buy an item and how to get the best price. If you have relationships with vendors, make sure you check out other prices every once in a while. Whether you buying a stapler or a thousand computer desks, make sure you check at least five places before you make your purchase.

See if leasing helps
Depending on your business, see if leasing your equipment will save you more money. If you use a lot of technology and you find yourself upgrading every two years or so, it might be better to just lease your equipment instead of flat out buying it. If you're going to go this route, make sure that you check prices from at least five different sources.

Monitor the use
Everyone hates a stalker but when it comes to a business, sometimes you may have to go this route. If you have employees, they are there to make you money, not have fun and get nothing done. If you have the internet in your office, see if you can get filters to filter out the entertainment, etc. Make sure that you monitor your employee's productivity. Studies have shown that this type of monitoring can increase ones production by fifty percent.

Go paperless - use the internet more often
If your business is still mailing out thing via snail mail, maybe it's time to start either faxing items or possibly e-mail clients. Now, we know that some people can't access a computer, that's fine. Maybe offer some sort of incentive to people if they opt to take paperless billing, etc like a coupon offer or something to your liking. If you cut your mailing by half, just think of how much money you can save.

These are just a few ways to save money with your business. The list could go on forever. It's your job to track your expenses well and not spend like a mad man. If you become creative with your spending and you stretch your dollar further, you will see so much more progress with your business. Remember a business that saves is a business that will succeed.

Tom Tessin is an author for FINDgascards.com that is geared toward businesses looking to save on gas with business gas credit cards.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Tessin

Invest $700 Dollars Using Economies Of Scale - Building a Soap Business

By Martin Thomas

Economies of scale is a very interesting business term that refers to the deep discount one can receive for purchasing something of anything in bulk. By splitting it off into more appealing retail chunks, when all is sold, the return is double or triple what you paid for the larger quantity.

This is a typical business concept and nothing knew. When you buy a large lot of anything, you are entitled to and usually receive a deep discount. Whether its land or cars or consumer items or soap. One thing about soap is that it is a re-sellable item.

Unlike other types of products which you can typically sell only once to a consumer and you never sell them anything ever again. Soap is a renewable business product. If your soap is good, or the deal is good or what ever the reason is, that people will continue to buy from you, it can potentially turn a majority of customers into life time customers.

One idea is convenience. With only $700 to invest, you need to look at these types of products because they are within your investment budget. If you purchased for example a drum of dish washing liquid for $200 and purchased 1000 blank plastic bottles that can be filled. You could potentially price them way under what a retailer may charge. On top, to get your life time customers you provide convenience by going door to door.

Once you have 1000 of these types of customers buying from you dish washing liquid every month, you could expand your range and also replace the manual delivery with a phone call and a mail order set up. This type of investment takes some time and energy to set up but over time it becomes more and more passive.

Imagine doubling your money every week with no or little risk! To discover a verified list of Million Dollar Corporations offering you their products at 75% commission to you. Click the link below to learn HOW you will begin compounding your capital towards your first Million Dollars at the easy corporate money program.

http://www.easycorporatemoney.com

...or read another article

Investing $20 Dollars - Can You Double It In A Week?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Thomas

Can You Move Your Balls?

By Jan Evensen

Your business, your success are like big steel balls.

Imagine there's a big steel ball, it's as big as you, and it's incredibly heavy. It's so heavy that it won't roll on the slightly uneven ground underneath it. It's just completely stuck.

Most people give up and walk away. They're the 98 per centers who will forever be the employees, the worker bees that our society needs, and they will never do anything "great" with their lives.

The other 2 percent try to push the ball anyway. Success depends on it.

It won't move. It just will not budge.

But you keep at it regardless.

Pushing, sweating, straining, and suddenly, it gives just a little and rocks back into place. Now you've seen it move, you've had your first success, so you strain against it again, pushing, pushing, and eventually it rocks again and you push harder and it starts to move.

Gradually, the huge steel ball that's your business starts to move. Now that it's moving, it's easier to keep it going, but it's still taking a lot of work. But you keep at it relentlessly, because you've seen that you can do it.

As the ball picks up speed, it's now easier to keep it moving, and it starts to go faster and faster. Now it's moving as fast as you can walk, and all you need to do is give it a slight tap now and then to keep it on track.

Eventually, you have to run to keep up. The steel ball is off on its own. It does not need you anymore, because along the way, other people (employees, contractors, etc.) have joined in, and they're pushing your steel ball for you.

It's still your steel ball; it's just not your responsibility any more. And you have the freedom to go do whatever you like with your life, knowing the steel ball is being well looked after by other people.

That's your goal, that's what you'll achieve, just by being relentless and not giving in at the first resistance.

So give your ball one more push; eventually it *will* move!

Jan Evensen is selling Web Templates, eBooks and Software for Secure and Automated Downloading of Digital Files.

www.A1WebHelp.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jan_Evensen

How To Use An Autoresponder And Not Destroy Your Business With One Click Of The Mouse

By Kevin D Browne

Learning how to use an autoresponder is a TEACHABLE process.

But like almost everything else in life that's precious it takes time. Lots of time. Time to make the mistakes you can learn from and build upon.

Problem is, if you dip your big toe in the autoresponder waters and do it (like so many do) incorrectly, then you risk hurting your business in ways you may not recover from.

It's like seeing a beautiful woman at a dance and having the courage to walk up to her and ask her her name and if she'd like to do the Electric Slide with you. And the moment you get there you get incredibly nervous (because this is new to you) and you start asking her how great she thinks your pants are!

Holy smokes.

But that's the lasting and deep impression it leaves.

Do you think that woman would even dare to look at the your pants, let alone speak to you the rest of the night? Chances are she gets the authorities on speed dial and you are at County lockup within the half hour.

If your are going to take the time to build a wonderful site, and take the time and your money to spend on Adwords and banners and link exchanges AND take the time to put in an OPT-IN box on your site and you come out of the gate with "Want Your Teeth Whiter???" in your subject line, then do me and everyone else a favor and send you money to a charity.

Because when people can smell a sale attempting to be made, they run for zee hills.
That is why learning is so, so very important.

And, in fact, it's why I left Madison Avenue to write them FULL TIME. That's how big a deal I KNOW that autoresponders are.

And if you can see the value in what I've just said, I want you to visit my autoresponder workshop site in the link below.

How do I know that I can bring immediate and long term value to your business if given the chance to assist you with your autoresponders??? Because I now make a VERY good living at it.
Good luck. And please, DON NOT EVER ask me to stare at your pants.

To learn SPECIFICALLY how you can begin to FINALLY find autoresponder success, visit http://www.ultimatecsutomercreator.internetbasedfamily.com/opportunity.html and discover what can happen for you business when you are willing to use someone who has turned his entire career towards the almighty autoresponder!!!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_D_Browne

Budgeting Your Money When You Own A Business

By Cl Ang

One of the most difficult things to do when you start a new business is putting together a budget. Without any financial history on which to base income and expenses, it may seem like guesswork, but as part of any business plan a tentative budget can be established with some thought and anticipation for the future.

In most businesses there are two main categories, income and expense. Under your expense category there can be several sub-categories often falling into two main areas of controllable expenses and uncontrollable. While many business owner claim they can control every expense involved in their business, they are simply kidding themselves as some things such as utility cost, the amount of rent and other so-called fixed costs can, and do change, with the owner having no control.

Other expenses such as payroll, insurance and advertising can be subject to a budget, but they are considered controllable expenses. If the business begins to fall off, you can control some of these expenses by laying off employees and cutting back on advertising. However, living by a budget will help maintain profitability in many respects but can also turn against you in the long run.

Depending on the viability of your business it often is a better investment to bite the financial bullet on employee wages and still provide good customer service to the remaining customers until business picks back up. By trying to everything yourself not only will you burn out quickly, but is no one is taking care of the customers, it will not take long until there are no more customers to care for.

There are two ways to budget your business money and that is through set dollar amounts and percentage of income. Many businesses will budget their controllable expenses by the dollar and non-controllable by percentage of income. Obviously a good part of the owner's time is going to be based on bringing money into the business and how much they have to spend on controllable expenses will be in direct relation to income.

For example, a company earning $20,000 a month in income has budgeted six percent for payroll, providing $1,200 for payroll. If the income level rises to $50,000 the budgeted payroll percent does not change but the dollars available for payroll climbs to $3,000. With an obvious increase in business to create the additional income, the owner will probably need the extra help to take care of business.

There are many other expenses that fall into the payroll account such as worker's compensation charges, Social Security tax paid by the employer and paid vacation time or other perks determined by the employer. While a budget may be difficult to establish for a new business, it is a necessary evil for all business owners.

Cherie Ang is the owner of SGProfitSite.com. To find the best home based business ideas and opportunities so you can work at home visit: http://www.SGProfitSite.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cl_Ang

The People The Business And The Profits

By Emmanuel Sodipo

One management rule is this: do not send eagles to dog's school. Why? Because Good people are discovered they are not transformed. They can decide to transform themselves, but you can not make the decision for them. If you want good people; you have to search for them. If you want inspired people, you have to find them, not motivate them.

Imagine running an advert for your business with this headline: "We Do Not Teach Our People To Be Motivated - We Hire Motivated People"

Inspiration is a mystery. Why some people are motivated and others are not? Why would one person walk out and says, 'I'm going to change my life.' And the other walks out and says, "I've heard all this stuff before? Why does one marketer see his first prospect at six in the morning while the other sees his first prospect at ten in the morning? Why would one start the day at five in the morning and the other start at nine? Why wouldn't everyone strive to be wealthy and happy?

Call it mysteries of judgment. Very few people take the necessary actions needed to transform their lives, I said to a class of five hundred people "I read this book, and it started me on the journey to success. Two people got the book and only one read the book. Why wouldn't everyone go get the book?

Mysteries of the judgment...
Do not waste your time trying to transform eagles into dogs. Let the dogs be and let the eagles soar, hire people who already have the motivation.

Learn to Evolve then to Attract
Great marketing generates lots of interest and clients. If your people, your systems, and your customer service are mediocre, then those clients will turn into your worst nightmare. Word-of-mouth can be both positive and negative.

I offered consulting and marketing advice over a few years. I thought I understood how businesses worked. It seemed at the time it could not be that hard to run a business.

I was wrong. I had been doing personal development for many years before I started business. I exhausted everything I have ever learned and more.

The more I discovered what it takes to become a successful business leader, the more I realized just how many of the great business leaders evolved as people. I honestly believe that the most important part of growing a business rapidly, predictably, and consistently over a long period of time is becoming the person who can lead that growth.

At first business leaders evolved in many ways that are not obvious to the average person. They then slowly transform into very mature, ethical, intelligent people. To become a person who attracts, who keeps, and who develops great people, you must first develop yourself in many ways, and then hire good people to develop your systems.

When you start hiring people, you will begin to realize that these are actual people with families, mortgages, pets, friends and their own ideas about life. You better be intelligent, mature and ethical enough to have a profitable plan for the business and a plan for the people. You must learn how to periodically evolve if you plan to grow a large and a successful business.

Emmanuel Sodipo is a consultant managing several successful online businesses you can download a Free book at http://www.emmanuelsodipo.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emmanuel_Sodipo

Advice on Financing your Own Business Idea

By Tl Kleban

Any and all business owners are faced with an uphill battle when it comes to starting their own business. The amount of hurdles you need to jump to find start up capital is almost frightening which is why less entrepreneurs take the chance on their dream start up. They face problems such as little or no customers, low profits, and basically no revenue. No one realizes the amount of energy and creativity it takes to locate the necessary funds. It's this access to startup capital which determines whether a startup succeeds or fails.

The most important step in starting up a new business is getting the necessary amount of funds and that means you will need to deal with your bank. Right from the start, you better have a good credit history since you will be submitting a personal financial statement. You may even be required to make an equity investment in your business. Here are just a few more pieces of advice you should be aware of for finding start up cash for your business:

• The first thing you are going to need is a comprehensive business plan. This comprehensive plan outlines everything about your business idea from how you plan on developing it, how you will run it and how plan in doing financially. There are a large number of books and websites on the subject that can help you get started creating one.
• Put together a well thought out and credible business model for your company. The business model should include detailed financial descriptions which include every aspect of your business.
• Make sure it includes costs for sourcing or manufacturing the product, projected sales, and any marketing expenses to go along with general and administrative overhead.
• You should have an idea of how much money you will need up front. This number should include expenses such as start-up funds and enough capital to keep your business up and running until you make enough to cover expenses. In the beginning you should try to have a small list of expenses until your revenue increases. The less expenses you need to pay out, the lower your chances are of running out of money.
• Do you know what kind of investors you want associated with your business? There are a lot of companies which like to have powerful executives or financiers as investors, and then turn around and find them to be more aggravation than they are worth. Other business owners look to friends and family as a source of start up money. However, investing in start-ups can be risky, and relationships can become strained if they start to lose money.
• If you have any savings, you will need to use it. Lenders and investors expect you to fund your business to the best of your ability. Nothing shows that more than financing part if not all of the business on your own and is the best way to retain control of it.
• Ask your bank or credit union about a business loan. It is better to go to one that you are already established with than a new one since you already have a proven history with them.

Merit Capital Advance looks at the big picture by offering a financing program that provides small businesses with fast business cash It is the most convenient way to get a small business cash advance when you need it most. Visit Merit Capital Advance at www.meritcapitaladvance.com

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