Did you ever stop to think what an important part your thoughts, I mean real concentrated thoughts, play in your life?
The ability to concentrate all your attention is so important, no matter what task or job you have to get done… as nothing great or significant can be accomplished without proper effort and concentration.
And almost all of us have some sort of difficulty in the concentration of our attention.
Workers in business and industry, students in high school and college, and even professors in universities, complain of the same difficulty.
It is said that the power to concentrate all your attention is vital as it stands at the very centre of most (if not all) mental activity. No matter from what angle we view the mind, its excellence always seems to depend upon the power to concentrate all our attention.
Concentration may be defined as being that state of mind in which the entire energies of the individual, physical as well as mental, are focused upon the thing they are doing or thinking. All actions and all thoughts NOT connected with what they are doing or thinking are kept out of the mind…
If we examine a growing child, one of the first things we will see is the power they have in them to "pay attention or to notice things".
When we examine the ability of normal adults we do so by means of tests that require close concentration of attention, and we regard anyone who is able to maintain close focused and concentrated attention for long periods of time as a person of strong mind or will.
So real concentration may be broken down into just 2 parts:
1. The voluntary focusing of all our power and attention in the selecting of certain objects to be attended to.
2. And the ignoring of other objects which act as distractions.
But even in spite of our most careful provisions, there will still be distractions which cannot be eliminated. For example, you cannot stop the noise of planes flying over or cars driving past while you are trying to work, plan or study.
And you cannot build a fence around the thoughts and focus of your mind so as to keep out unwanted and irrelevant ideas… the best thing you can do is to accept the inevitable that the presence of some distractions will always exist, and to realise that in order to concentrate and pay attention properly, it is necessary to form the habit of ignoring these distractions.
You can simply start out by making a strong determined effort to ignore all distractions… practise ignoring them, and try your best not to let a slip occur.
Also at the same time, try to develop interest in the object you are concentrating all your attention on, because we tend to pay more attention to those things in which we are most interested.
It's easy for any one to say, "concentrate"… but you need to know exactly how to concentrate. Remember that to concentrate is merely the act of applying your entire body and mind, to the task or action in hand.
Every effort of the mind, whether it's to…
• Perceive something
• Recollect something
• Associate something
• Imagine something
• Even to judge something
Must all involve some concentration of the faculties of the mind upon that particular action, task or act, whatever it may be!
As you start to develop a firm interest in your field of work or study, and as you develop the habit of ignoring distractions - you will be able to concentrate your powers of attention with less and less effort.
Another important fact to note is that as you develop the power to select objects for the concentration of all your attention, you also develop (at the same time) other mind power processes − you will improve the ability to memorize and recall much more, to fine tune and manage better your time and effort.
And also the power to control your future thoughts and actions...
In short "developing your power to concentrate and focus all your attention means developing power in all the mental processes". With that being said, we want to finish by giving you,
The 2 TOP Keys Of Concentration
For every one of us, concentration will always mean,
1. Selecting and focusing on what is most important to us, and disregarding what is not… and also knowing which tasks and jobs have top priority.
2. You must identify for yourself what is most important and essential to you - and try to filter out everything else.
These are the two main steps towards developing strong concentration… recognising the essential… and leaving out the non-essential.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
How To Communicate Value Proposition And Return On Investment
As part of my continuing series on Value and Pricing, the following article shows you how to position your company's value contribution to support the highest value-for-value exchange.
Too many business owners, when asked about the value or ROI of their product or service, shrug their shoulders and say, "I can't really put a value on it." If you can't put a value on it, think how hard it is for your prospects and customers! And if they can't put a value on it, how likely is it for them to buy it?
We're going to give you a simple way to identify all the value elements of your product or service and articulate it in such a way that your customers will absolutely know in quantifiable terms what your value is to them. They will see so much ROI they'll be foolish not to want to buy from you.
The key idea here is that you communicate Return on Investment by looking at your value proposition through your customers' eyes. In other words, why should they spend their scarce money with you, versus using the funds in some other way?
Your customers want to know how long it will take them to get back their investment or make a profit. Many will want to see a recurring return.
There's an old marketing saying: "Make your product free". People will pay more when they think that "it doesn't cost them anything." You do this by building so much intrinsic value into your offering that it far exceeds the cost to the customer; do this correctly and in their perception, it's free.
Creating Value with Your Product or Service:
First, list all the ways that you create value for your customers.
Does your product or service...
--Help client's increase their revenues? Does your product/service increase their sales? Create more leads? Increase their competitiveness in their market? Shorten the sales cycle? Get more repeat and referral business?
--Allow them to raise prices, or at least hold prices level? Does the value you create allow your customer to charge higher prices for their offering?
--Reduce expenses? Does it reduce initial or ongoing cost? Does it reduce overhead such as utilities and rent or carrying charges? Does it save money on materials, equipment, staff, and outside services? Does it provide a more economical installation or a longer life span? Does it reduce error rate?
--Allow them to replace some existing expense at a lower cost?
--Enable staff headcount reductions? Does it allow your customer to make headcount reductions in staff or support personnel?
--Avoid impending or predicable expenses? Does it help avoid expenses altogether?
--Increase their products' and services' perceived value. Does it increase the perceived value of your customer's offering?
--Increase productivity? Does it increase your customer's productivity or the productivity of his staff? Does it increase manufacturing production or throughput?
--Give them greater control? Does it offer some way for your customer to track results, lead generation, sales, profitability, productivity, or any other key success factor?
Next, review the list and for each of the ways you create value, figure what each is worth. This could be in terms of absolute amounts of money, some percentage of revenues, or some percentage of expense reduction.
Create proof for each of your value assertions. Proof can be in the form of worksheets, testimonials, case studies, success stories, printed statements, even survey results.
Add up each of the value elements to come up with a total value, combining earnings and savings into one number. Again, the total value can be an absolute money number, such as $645,000, or it can be a percentage of sales.
Lastly, calculate your return on investment by comparing the total value to the cost of your product. You may come up with either an ROI (return on investment) or a "payback period." Either way, you've quantified your product's value in concrete terms, justified your price, and made it far, far easier for your prospects to make a buying decision.
Success Story
One of our clients sells enterprise software in the $150,000 to $250,000 zone. After 9/11, their sales cycle began to get longer and longer and stretched out as much as eighteen months, with most prospective deals ending in "no decision." Prospects knew they needed to replace their old software, but they simply couldn't justify the expense in a no-growth economic climate.
To accelerate the sales process we implemented a return on investment analysis using the exact steps described above.
First we itemized each of the ways the software saved or earned the client money, including replacing old software with a high maintenance cost, reducing the cost of computer leases, reducing materials waste, decreasing the number of customer service staff required, shortening their salesman's phone time, increasing the accuracy of sales quotes, thereby increasing the prospect's sales AND increasing overall sales profitability.
By assigning a dollar value to each value element, and offering proof for each one, our client was able to demonstrate a payback period of around 9 months, and a significant positive return on investment thereafter.
The first two prospects who heard this value presentation said the same thing: "We'd be fools not to buy this," resulting in the two shortest sales cycles, and coincidentally, the two largest individual sales in the company's history.
Too many business owners, when asked about the value or ROI of their product or service, shrug their shoulders and say, "I can't really put a value on it." If you can't put a value on it, think how hard it is for your prospects and customers! And if they can't put a value on it, how likely is it for them to buy it?
We're going to give you a simple way to identify all the value elements of your product or service and articulate it in such a way that your customers will absolutely know in quantifiable terms what your value is to them. They will see so much ROI they'll be foolish not to want to buy from you.
The key idea here is that you communicate Return on Investment by looking at your value proposition through your customers' eyes. In other words, why should they spend their scarce money with you, versus using the funds in some other way?
Your customers want to know how long it will take them to get back their investment or make a profit. Many will want to see a recurring return.
There's an old marketing saying: "Make your product free". People will pay more when they think that "it doesn't cost them anything." You do this by building so much intrinsic value into your offering that it far exceeds the cost to the customer; do this correctly and in their perception, it's free.
Creating Value with Your Product or Service:
First, list all the ways that you create value for your customers.
Does your product or service...
--Help client's increase their revenues? Does your product/service increase their sales? Create more leads? Increase their competitiveness in their market? Shorten the sales cycle? Get more repeat and referral business?
--Allow them to raise prices, or at least hold prices level? Does the value you create allow your customer to charge higher prices for their offering?
--Reduce expenses? Does it reduce initial or ongoing cost? Does it reduce overhead such as utilities and rent or carrying charges? Does it save money on materials, equipment, staff, and outside services? Does it provide a more economical installation or a longer life span? Does it reduce error rate?
--Allow them to replace some existing expense at a lower cost?
--Enable staff headcount reductions? Does it allow your customer to make headcount reductions in staff or support personnel?
--Avoid impending or predicable expenses? Does it help avoid expenses altogether?
--Increase their products' and services' perceived value. Does it increase the perceived value of your customer's offering?
--Increase productivity? Does it increase your customer's productivity or the productivity of his staff? Does it increase manufacturing production or throughput?
--Give them greater control? Does it offer some way for your customer to track results, lead generation, sales, profitability, productivity, or any other key success factor?
Next, review the list and for each of the ways you create value, figure what each is worth. This could be in terms of absolute amounts of money, some percentage of revenues, or some percentage of expense reduction.
Create proof for each of your value assertions. Proof can be in the form of worksheets, testimonials, case studies, success stories, printed statements, even survey results.
Add up each of the value elements to come up with a total value, combining earnings and savings into one number. Again, the total value can be an absolute money number, such as $645,000, or it can be a percentage of sales.
Lastly, calculate your return on investment by comparing the total value to the cost of your product. You may come up with either an ROI (return on investment) or a "payback period." Either way, you've quantified your product's value in concrete terms, justified your price, and made it far, far easier for your prospects to make a buying decision.
Success Story
One of our clients sells enterprise software in the $150,000 to $250,000 zone. After 9/11, their sales cycle began to get longer and longer and stretched out as much as eighteen months, with most prospective deals ending in "no decision." Prospects knew they needed to replace their old software, but they simply couldn't justify the expense in a no-growth economic climate.
To accelerate the sales process we implemented a return on investment analysis using the exact steps described above.
First we itemized each of the ways the software saved or earned the client money, including replacing old software with a high maintenance cost, reducing the cost of computer leases, reducing materials waste, decreasing the number of customer service staff required, shortening their salesman's phone time, increasing the accuracy of sales quotes, thereby increasing the prospect's sales AND increasing overall sales profitability.
By assigning a dollar value to each value element, and offering proof for each one, our client was able to demonstrate a payback period of around 9 months, and a significant positive return on investment thereafter.
The first two prospects who heard this value presentation said the same thing: "We'd be fools not to buy this," resulting in the two shortest sales cycles, and coincidentally, the two largest individual sales in the company's history.
Make Extra Money - Six Unusual Ways
I was young and wanted some way to make extra money - something other than another fast food job. A friend of the family owned a small insurance agency. The owner decided to get into the business of process serving, and I applied for the job. Tracking people down and handing them their court subpoenas sounded like fun.
It was more interesting than most of the jobs I have had. I had to find two defendants in a lawsuit stemming from a school football injury (they worked for the school). Both had moved to the area, leaving no forwarding address. After using my best phone pretexts to get information from the family, and doing a little investigating locally, I found them both working in the same place.
I walked up to each, asked their name and handed them the papers. They were served. The problem was that the company was billing by the hour, and I had found these two quickly, meaning little profit. They dropped the idea for the new service, and dropped my job along with it. So much for getting ahead by doing a good job.
I had a wide variety of unusual jobs and other ways to make extra money when I was younger. Sitting here reminiscing at the keyboard might be considered an unusual way to make money too, but hey, it works. Here are some of the other ways.
Make Extra Money By...
Stealing cars: At twenty-one I was willing to try almost anything to make extra money. My brother's towing business got a contract to repossess cars, and I became a "repo man." Prowling the night with my brother, looking for and legally "stealing" cars - this was fun. Don't expect to make too much money doing this though, unless you live in the right area. Oh, and it did involve getting chased, having a gun pulled on us, and other little adventures.<
Making walking sticks: I sold hundreds of my own handmade walking stick alongside our other items at flea markets. I added handgrips made from recycled leather jackets, so they cost about 50 cents to make. I sold them for anywhere between $6 to $26. You may also want to make a hobby into a way to make money, but there isn't too much money involved most of the time.
Financing other peoples plans. I put up the cash to buy cars for a couple friends. They knew cars, I had cash. A friend needed $3200 to buy and fix a corvette, for example, and two weeks later sold it for $4200, netting us $500 profit each. Letting your money do the work to make extra money - this is one of the best ways.
Rent rooms. At one point I had almost $10,000 per year coming in from renting the rooms in my home. I owed nothing on the home at this point, so this was a nice income. I had decent renters, and I had built a efficiency apartment on the back of the place for privacy for my wife and I. Easy ways like this are my favorite ways to make extra money.
It was more interesting than most of the jobs I have had. I had to find two defendants in a lawsuit stemming from a school football injury (they worked for the school). Both had moved to the area, leaving no forwarding address. After using my best phone pretexts to get information from the family, and doing a little investigating locally, I found them both working in the same place.
I walked up to each, asked their name and handed them the papers. They were served. The problem was that the company was billing by the hour, and I had found these two quickly, meaning little profit. They dropped the idea for the new service, and dropped my job along with it. So much for getting ahead by doing a good job.
I had a wide variety of unusual jobs and other ways to make extra money when I was younger. Sitting here reminiscing at the keyboard might be considered an unusual way to make money too, but hey, it works. Here are some of the other ways.
Make Extra Money By...
Stealing cars: At twenty-one I was willing to try almost anything to make extra money. My brother's towing business got a contract to repossess cars, and I became a "repo man." Prowling the night with my brother, looking for and legally "stealing" cars - this was fun. Don't expect to make too much money doing this though, unless you live in the right area. Oh, and it did involve getting chased, having a gun pulled on us, and other little adventures.<
Making walking sticks: I sold hundreds of my own handmade walking stick alongside our other items at flea markets. I added handgrips made from recycled leather jackets, so they cost about 50 cents to make. I sold them for anywhere between $6 to $26. You may also want to make a hobby into a way to make money, but there isn't too much money involved most of the time.
Financing other peoples plans. I put up the cash to buy cars for a couple friends. They knew cars, I had cash. A friend needed $3200 to buy and fix a corvette, for example, and two weeks later sold it for $4200, netting us $500 profit each. Letting your money do the work to make extra money - this is one of the best ways.
Rent rooms. At one point I had almost $10,000 per year coming in from renting the rooms in my home. I owed nothing on the home at this point, so this was a nice income. I had decent renters, and I had built a efficiency apartment on the back of the place for privacy for my wife and I. Easy ways like this are my favorite ways to make extra money.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Seniors: Use Direct Deposit To Protect Your Money And Identity
What if someone stole the monthly check you depend on? How would you survive?
Each month about 12 million Social Security and other federal benefit checks are mailed, many of them to senior citizens. Criminals know when these checks arrive in mailboxes. They also know that each month most seniors venture out to cash or deposit their checks.
But seniors can outsmart them.
"These days, it is imperative that seniors arm themselves with information and practical safeguards to keep their monthly income safe," said Al Lenhardt, president and CEO of the National Crime Prevention Council, a leader in senior fraud prevention.
What can seniors do to protect themselves against financial crimes? Often, it's as simple as signing up for direct deposit. During National Safety Month in June and throughout the year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the National Crime Prevention Council are urging people who receive Social Security and other federal benefits to sign up for direct deposit and avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, fraud or robbery.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, nearly 25 million Americans (11.2 percent of the adult population) experience consumer fraud each year. Criminals and con artists often develop scams that target seniors, making them a vulnerable population.
"One individual was getting his check stolen several times, sometimes by his own family," said Sgt. Vince Higgins, a public information officer with the Memphis Police Department who works closely with seniors. "Now that he's signed up for direct deposit, he's happy, he's confident-he's no longer worried about where his money is or who's got his money. It's safe in his bank account."
Sgt. Higgins and hundreds of other trusted sources like him are partners in Go Direct, a campaign sponsored by the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks to motivate Americans who get Social Security and other federal benefits checks to switch to the safer, easier option of direct deposit.
Enrolling in direct deposit can offer much-needed peace of mind to seniors, people with disabilities and others who rely on Social Security. Direct deposit eliminates the risk of stolen checks and forgeries and helps protect people from identity theft. It also gives people more control over their money and allows immediate access to funds from virtually anywhere.
Each month about 12 million Social Security and other federal benefit checks are mailed, many of them to senior citizens. Criminals know when these checks arrive in mailboxes. They also know that each month most seniors venture out to cash or deposit their checks.
But seniors can outsmart them.
"These days, it is imperative that seniors arm themselves with information and practical safeguards to keep their monthly income safe," said Al Lenhardt, president and CEO of the National Crime Prevention Council, a leader in senior fraud prevention.
What can seniors do to protect themselves against financial crimes? Often, it's as simple as signing up for direct deposit. During National Safety Month in June and throughout the year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the National Crime Prevention Council are urging people who receive Social Security and other federal benefits to sign up for direct deposit and avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, fraud or robbery.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, nearly 25 million Americans (11.2 percent of the adult population) experience consumer fraud each year. Criminals and con artists often develop scams that target seniors, making them a vulnerable population.
"One individual was getting his check stolen several times, sometimes by his own family," said Sgt. Vince Higgins, a public information officer with the Memphis Police Department who works closely with seniors. "Now that he's signed up for direct deposit, he's happy, he's confident-he's no longer worried about where his money is or who's got his money. It's safe in his bank account."
Sgt. Higgins and hundreds of other trusted sources like him are partners in Go Direct, a campaign sponsored by the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks to motivate Americans who get Social Security and other federal benefits checks to switch to the safer, easier option of direct deposit.
Enrolling in direct deposit can offer much-needed peace of mind to seniors, people with disabilities and others who rely on Social Security. Direct deposit eliminates the risk of stolen checks and forgeries and helps protect people from identity theft. It also gives people more control over their money and allows immediate access to funds from virtually anywhere.
How to choose the right structured settlement broker
A prospective seller of a structured settlement payment is better served utilizing the services of a structured settlement broker rather than approaching a buyer directly. The same is true for an individual who is about to come into a large sum of money via a structured settlement payment. This is because with a broker mediating a deal, it works out best for all the parties involved.
While selling a structured settlement, taking help from a broker is recommended as a broker maintains professional contacts with several underwriters and is thus in a position to offer the best deal to a seller. One should ensure that the broker is not working exclusively for a selected few underwriters as it may result in lower lump sum payments.
A seller can take help from an attorney who has had past dealings with structured settlement brokers and knows the right questions to ask. One should focus queries on the cost of the process and time involved.
The broker should be experienced enough to handle the intricacies of a structured settlement and variables affected by individual situations. This ability makes an experienced broker a valuable asset in ensuring that the settlement process takes place fast and efficiently. The brokers should also possess all the means of communication so that time is not lost and there is less paper clutter at the client's end.
A structured settlement broker can provide an indication of the costs and time involved in selling a structured settlement. The broker's inputs will be useful in deciding the right amount of payments to sell. Alternatively, when an individual is obtaining a structured settlement payment through an out-of-court settlement or lottery winnings, the broker analyses the best possible payment scenario for his client after understanding his concerns. This helps the beneficiary in availing the settlement payments in the best possible manner. The broker's efforts also involve imparting tax-planning and investment advice to his clients.
Ideally, the structured settlement broker should be registered with the Department of Justice, be registered in a state of America, and with one insurance company at least. Brokers should be insured against errors and omissions and should have a reputation for fair dealing.
While selling a structured settlement, taking help from a broker is recommended as a broker maintains professional contacts with several underwriters and is thus in a position to offer the best deal to a seller. One should ensure that the broker is not working exclusively for a selected few underwriters as it may result in lower lump sum payments.
A seller can take help from an attorney who has had past dealings with structured settlement brokers and knows the right questions to ask. One should focus queries on the cost of the process and time involved.
The broker should be experienced enough to handle the intricacies of a structured settlement and variables affected by individual situations. This ability makes an experienced broker a valuable asset in ensuring that the settlement process takes place fast and efficiently. The brokers should also possess all the means of communication so that time is not lost and there is less paper clutter at the client's end.
A structured settlement broker can provide an indication of the costs and time involved in selling a structured settlement. The broker's inputs will be useful in deciding the right amount of payments to sell. Alternatively, when an individual is obtaining a structured settlement payment through an out-of-court settlement or lottery winnings, the broker analyses the best possible payment scenario for his client after understanding his concerns. This helps the beneficiary in availing the settlement payments in the best possible manner. The broker's efforts also involve imparting tax-planning and investment advice to his clients.
Ideally, the structured settlement broker should be registered with the Department of Justice, be registered in a state of America, and with one insurance company at least. Brokers should be insured against errors and omissions and should have a reputation for fair dealing.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Small Business Merchant Accounts
A small business merchant account may be just what your company needs to edge out the competition. If your customer base is growing or they are asking increasingly for credit payment options as well as for information about your products and services, a merchant account can answer their questions and help to grow your business while leaving your competitors in the dust.
It is easy to apply for a small business merchant account. Just find a merchant account provider, which you can do by searching the Internet using relevant key terms. Browse the many sites offering this special type of commercial status before choosing one. Terms and fees vary a great deal, so you want to become knowledgeable about your choices before signing the contract. You may become tempted to take on more than a business the size of yours really needs at this point. Don't be misled by all the bells and whistles that are available. Stick with the basics when you start out, and add other options only when they are truly needed and when you can afford them.
Companies offering a small business merchant account are usually banks and other financial institutions. Typically they look for a company's good credit history, the ability to make payments on the merchant account, and avoidance of questionable commercial activities like spam or telemarketing. They are willing to extend credit to small business owners who demonstrate good business ethics, who have made good use of resources to date, and who have developed a sensible growth plan for long-term goals. Often, the application can be filled out online and submitted electronically, and you may receive an answer within a matter of hours. Then you can immediately purchase or lease credit processing equipment like a credit card processor, electronic or wireless, as well as check and debit processors, pagers, and other types of technical equipment that will upgrade your business into a higher professional realm by dint of efficiency and speed capabilities
Your small business merchant account will help you set up an Internet Website to promote your business internationally. Customers from around the world can browse the site any time of the day or night and shop without the hassle of finding the store closed or associates unavailable. With your convenience credit processing option, they can order a product or service and pay by credit card, facilitated by the underwriting bank or financial institution that authorizes MasterCard or Visa coordination and then pays you via an account transfer. All you really have to do after setting up the site and keeping it upgraded via service personnel is to make occasional equipment checks and then withdraw income from your merchant account.
A merchant account gives a small business owner the freedom to conduct business like a professional, using the same equipment and services to attract and serve busy customers. Others in your field who don't have a merchant account may lose clients to your company when you upgrade to the use of time-saving technology. Check out the advantages along with the responsibilities of opening a small business merchant account.
It is easy to apply for a small business merchant account. Just find a merchant account provider, which you can do by searching the Internet using relevant key terms. Browse the many sites offering this special type of commercial status before choosing one. Terms and fees vary a great deal, so you want to become knowledgeable about your choices before signing the contract. You may become tempted to take on more than a business the size of yours really needs at this point. Don't be misled by all the bells and whistles that are available. Stick with the basics when you start out, and add other options only when they are truly needed and when you can afford them.
Companies offering a small business merchant account are usually banks and other financial institutions. Typically they look for a company's good credit history, the ability to make payments on the merchant account, and avoidance of questionable commercial activities like spam or telemarketing. They are willing to extend credit to small business owners who demonstrate good business ethics, who have made good use of resources to date, and who have developed a sensible growth plan for long-term goals. Often, the application can be filled out online and submitted electronically, and you may receive an answer within a matter of hours. Then you can immediately purchase or lease credit processing equipment like a credit card processor, electronic or wireless, as well as check and debit processors, pagers, and other types of technical equipment that will upgrade your business into a higher professional realm by dint of efficiency and speed capabilities
Your small business merchant account will help you set up an Internet Website to promote your business internationally. Customers from around the world can browse the site any time of the day or night and shop without the hassle of finding the store closed or associates unavailable. With your convenience credit processing option, they can order a product or service and pay by credit card, facilitated by the underwriting bank or financial institution that authorizes MasterCard or Visa coordination and then pays you via an account transfer. All you really have to do after setting up the site and keeping it upgraded via service personnel is to make occasional equipment checks and then withdraw income from your merchant account.
A merchant account gives a small business owner the freedom to conduct business like a professional, using the same equipment and services to attract and serve busy customers. Others in your field who don't have a merchant account may lose clients to your company when you upgrade to the use of time-saving technology. Check out the advantages along with the responsibilities of opening a small business merchant account.
Lead-generating websites find the strongest leads with less work
Business is good, but you could still use a few more leads. Who couldn't?
Starting today, put your website to work generating solid leads that convert to solid sales.
The first step is to get those strong prospects to visit your website. There are a number of ways to do this. Join the forums and email groups where your prospects are most likely lurk and answer their questions with solid, well-researched information. This shouldn't be difficult since you are the expert at what you do, right? The most important part of your post is the signature at the bottom that links to your website, because the more one-way links your website has, the more search engines love you.
Give your lead-generating website another needed boost with keyword-driven advertising like Yahoo's Overture and Google's AdSense. Both offer advertising that puts your URL in front of the people most interested in what you're offering.
When those prospects arrive at your website, it's easy to warm them from tepid to piping hot with a value-packed opt-in newsletter. And when they enter their names and email addresses in the dialog box, their info goes right into your marketing database. If you've got a good customer relationship management (CRM) software program, it will instantly sent a confirmation email, giving you another point of contact in your quest for frequency. You can also use that CRM to manage your newsletters and send additional emails to your database.
Most importantly, once your prospect opts-in, make sure your website opens a 'Thank You' window that features more offers. Think of it as 'Thank You' marketing. After all, you know that these prospects are likely to appreciate and take advantage of additional reports or killer discounts. With the CRM program, you can track which customers took advantage of which offers. Now you can follow up with additional special offers tailored to their interests (which increases the chance they'll buy.)
In addition, you can generate even MORE leads by using your 'Thank You' to give prospects the opportunity to tell their friends about your newsletter with the click of a button.
Be sure to ask for the least amount of information that you need – the more info you ask for, the higher the chance that they won't give you any. Once you have a relationship, THEN you can start asking for more information, like addresses for direct response marketing (and again, all that goes into your marketing database.) With the right CRM software program, adding a direct mail component to your email marketing will be a snap.
Once you have your newsletter in place, another route to consider for lead generation is to launch a contest. Contests are sure-fire tools for creating buzz and community around your website. And because contests are such winners, prospects will likely be willing to share more personal information than they did to get the newsletter.
Joining forums and using keyword-driven advertising can bring prospects to your website, and newsletters, contests and special offers can keep them there. It all adds up to more leads of the right kind. And managed correctly, those leads are, after all, money. And who couldn't use a little more of that?
Starting today, put your website to work generating solid leads that convert to solid sales.
The first step is to get those strong prospects to visit your website. There are a number of ways to do this. Join the forums and email groups where your prospects are most likely lurk and answer their questions with solid, well-researched information. This shouldn't be difficult since you are the expert at what you do, right? The most important part of your post is the signature at the bottom that links to your website, because the more one-way links your website has, the more search engines love you.
Give your lead-generating website another needed boost with keyword-driven advertising like Yahoo's Overture and Google's AdSense. Both offer advertising that puts your URL in front of the people most interested in what you're offering.
When those prospects arrive at your website, it's easy to warm them from tepid to piping hot with a value-packed opt-in newsletter. And when they enter their names and email addresses in the dialog box, their info goes right into your marketing database. If you've got a good customer relationship management (CRM) software program, it will instantly sent a confirmation email, giving you another point of contact in your quest for frequency. You can also use that CRM to manage your newsletters and send additional emails to your database.
Most importantly, once your prospect opts-in, make sure your website opens a 'Thank You' window that features more offers. Think of it as 'Thank You' marketing. After all, you know that these prospects are likely to appreciate and take advantage of additional reports or killer discounts. With the CRM program, you can track which customers took advantage of which offers. Now you can follow up with additional special offers tailored to their interests (which increases the chance they'll buy.)
In addition, you can generate even MORE leads by using your 'Thank You' to give prospects the opportunity to tell their friends about your newsletter with the click of a button.
Be sure to ask for the least amount of information that you need – the more info you ask for, the higher the chance that they won't give you any. Once you have a relationship, THEN you can start asking for more information, like addresses for direct response marketing (and again, all that goes into your marketing database.) With the right CRM software program, adding a direct mail component to your email marketing will be a snap.
Once you have your newsletter in place, another route to consider for lead generation is to launch a contest. Contests are sure-fire tools for creating buzz and community around your website. And because contests are such winners, prospects will likely be willing to share more personal information than they did to get the newsletter.
Joining forums and using keyword-driven advertising can bring prospects to your website, and newsletters, contests and special offers can keep them there. It all adds up to more leads of the right kind. And managed correctly, those leads are, after all, money. And who couldn't use a little more of that?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Time to Combine Your 401k Plans
2006 is the twenty fifth year of the 401k investment plan. Have you had more than one job in the last 25 years? If so, then you probably have more than one 401k plan floating around.
401k plans are now over 25 years old. They seemed a unique idea at first, but now just about every employer offers one. And I'm sure I don't need to tell you that they are a great way to save and earn money over the years.
The issue here is whenever you setup a 401k, you usually diversify your plan with your employer. Obviously, you must invest using the current options your employer offers, which is good. Investing a little in the high risk, some in the moderate risk, and some in the lower risk funds its typically the plan. You may have been a little more open on taking risk 20 years ago than you are today. Maybe now you are a little more conservative in your investment goals. So you think you are diversified, right?
Not really… especially if you have ten plans with ten different employers. Remember you tried to diversify each one when you set them up. Well, ten different plans diversified the same way means that your portfolio is not really diversified at all. One employer's moderate risk program may be another employer's low risk plan. Your 401k 15 years ago where you invested in "tech" stocks was probably a high risk option. Now some of those high tech stocks are the most conservative investments.
The only way to manage your multiple 401k plans effectively is to combine them into one plan, under one investment portfolio and review it at least annually. One of the great things about 401k plans is they are transferable. The important thing is not ever to close a 401k and reinvest it, this is a taxable event. You can easily transfer your old 401k plans into an existing or a new 401k so you can manage your risk.
This is one time when "everything under one umbrella" is the way to go.
401k plans are now over 25 years old. They seemed a unique idea at first, but now just about every employer offers one. And I'm sure I don't need to tell you that they are a great way to save and earn money over the years.
The issue here is whenever you setup a 401k, you usually diversify your plan with your employer. Obviously, you must invest using the current options your employer offers, which is good. Investing a little in the high risk, some in the moderate risk, and some in the lower risk funds its typically the plan. You may have been a little more open on taking risk 20 years ago than you are today. Maybe now you are a little more conservative in your investment goals. So you think you are diversified, right?
Not really… especially if you have ten plans with ten different employers. Remember you tried to diversify each one when you set them up. Well, ten different plans diversified the same way means that your portfolio is not really diversified at all. One employer's moderate risk program may be another employer's low risk plan. Your 401k 15 years ago where you invested in "tech" stocks was probably a high risk option. Now some of those high tech stocks are the most conservative investments.
The only way to manage your multiple 401k plans effectively is to combine them into one plan, under one investment portfolio and review it at least annually. One of the great things about 401k plans is they are transferable. The important thing is not ever to close a 401k and reinvest it, this is a taxable event. You can easily transfer your old 401k plans into an existing or a new 401k so you can manage your risk.
This is one time when "everything under one umbrella" is the way to go.
Don't Bother With The Banker
Bankers are seeing less and less new faces at their desk every day. The Internet has taken their clients and provided them with cheaper, easier and more convenient ways to get the money they need. As generations continue to march on, traditional lending companies are being forced to provide newer outlets to get younger people's business.
Unfortunately, with the lightning-fast expanse of the Internet, they're failing.
No longer is it required of anyone to trudge down to their local bank to borrow money. Now anyone with access to a computer can apply for loans online. Since most public libraries offer free use of Internet-connected PC's, nearly the entire world has Internet access.
What's so great about applying for a loan online? Well, first, privacy. Internet browsing is now more secure than ever, with most websites offering highly encrypted loan applications. Server technology can now decode your personal data after it arrives on the loan company's machine. These machines, which are only accessible by security-clearance holding individuals, are top of the line, secure, and hack-proof. Your data is safe.
Another great reason people are applying online for loans instead of visiting the banker is the immense amount of information available online. No matter what your question, you can find an honest and sometimes highly valuable answer that can save you money, whereas your banker can't know it all. Even if he's highly capable of providing answers, he can't get them all.
Thirdly: accountability. Online lenders have to provide their potential customers with a large amount of information in order to 'get the sale'. If they provide bad service, you can bet that Internet users will post that information online. A simple search for a lender can show you if people are happy with their service, or dissatisfied with it. Lenders go out of their way to make their customers happy, and once again that means better service and quality than any banker.
And probably the most important reason why people submit their loan applications online is the sheer amount of options. Online lending companies have to be greatly competitive – which translates into huge savings for people who take the time to look around for the best deals. There are so many online lenders that they are simply forced to provide a high level of service, or people will just not use them.
Online lending has taken huge strides to improve their image, and customers are responding. Borrowing large amounts of cash from an online company is a hugely growing trend. Bankers are not seeing as many faces because they are just overwhelmed with the amount of quality competition on the Internet. Between the advance security, vulnerability and accountability of online lenders, banks just cant keep up.
Unfortunately, with the lightning-fast expanse of the Internet, they're failing.
No longer is it required of anyone to trudge down to their local bank to borrow money. Now anyone with access to a computer can apply for loans online. Since most public libraries offer free use of Internet-connected PC's, nearly the entire world has Internet access.
What's so great about applying for a loan online? Well, first, privacy. Internet browsing is now more secure than ever, with most websites offering highly encrypted loan applications. Server technology can now decode your personal data after it arrives on the loan company's machine. These machines, which are only accessible by security-clearance holding individuals, are top of the line, secure, and hack-proof. Your data is safe.
Another great reason people are applying online for loans instead of visiting the banker is the immense amount of information available online. No matter what your question, you can find an honest and sometimes highly valuable answer that can save you money, whereas your banker can't know it all. Even if he's highly capable of providing answers, he can't get them all.
Thirdly: accountability. Online lenders have to provide their potential customers with a large amount of information in order to 'get the sale'. If they provide bad service, you can bet that Internet users will post that information online. A simple search for a lender can show you if people are happy with their service, or dissatisfied with it. Lenders go out of their way to make their customers happy, and once again that means better service and quality than any banker.
And probably the most important reason why people submit their loan applications online is the sheer amount of options. Online lending companies have to be greatly competitive – which translates into huge savings for people who take the time to look around for the best deals. There are so many online lenders that they are simply forced to provide a high level of service, or people will just not use them.
Online lending has taken huge strides to improve their image, and customers are responding. Borrowing large amounts of cash from an online company is a hugely growing trend. Bankers are not seeing as many faces because they are just overwhelmed with the amount of quality competition on the Internet. Between the advance security, vulnerability and accountability of online lenders, banks just cant keep up.
Believing is the Absence of Doubt
You've heard the expression, "Just believe it and it will come." Well, technically, that is true, however, 'believing' is not just thinking that you can have it; it is also feeling that it is possible. When we believe that we can "have it," that means we have no doubt in receiving it.
In the formula for Deliberate Attraction:
(1) Identify Desire
(2) Raise the Vibration (feeling)
(3) Allow it
the allowing of your desire can come to you very quickly providing you have no resistance to receiving it.
Resistance = Doubt
When you remove the 'doubt' that you can have what you want, you are allowing and that is how it can come to you.
Tools for allowing:
There are a number of tools, techniques and strategies that can help you remove the doubt (resistance). Here is one that I like best.
Ask yourself this question:
"Is there anyone on the planet doing or having what you desire?"
For example, if your desire is to attract your ideal client, or your ideal relationship, then you could ask yourself: "Is there anyone on the planet who has attracted their ideal client?"
Yes, there are millions of people on the planet who have attracted their ideal clients.
NOW THIS FEELS POSSIBLE!
And when it feels possible, you have removed doubt.
And when you remove the doubt, the universal Law of Attraction can bring your desires to you.
When using the formula for Deliberate Attraction, spend most of your time "Allowing," as it determines how quickly, or slowly, your desires will come to you.
In the formula for Deliberate Attraction:
(1) Identify Desire
(2) Raise the Vibration (feeling)
(3) Allow it
the allowing of your desire can come to you very quickly providing you have no resistance to receiving it.
Resistance = Doubt
When you remove the 'doubt' that you can have what you want, you are allowing and that is how it can come to you.
Tools for allowing:
There are a number of tools, techniques and strategies that can help you remove the doubt (resistance). Here is one that I like best.
Ask yourself this question:
"Is there anyone on the planet doing or having what you desire?"
For example, if your desire is to attract your ideal client, or your ideal relationship, then you could ask yourself: "Is there anyone on the planet who has attracted their ideal client?"
Yes, there are millions of people on the planet who have attracted their ideal clients.
NOW THIS FEELS POSSIBLE!
And when it feels possible, you have removed doubt.
And when you remove the doubt, the universal Law of Attraction can bring your desires to you.
When using the formula for Deliberate Attraction, spend most of your time "Allowing," as it determines how quickly, or slowly, your desires will come to you.
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