Things Need To Know On Starting An Home Based Business
Many people want to start a home based business and working at flexible hours. Well, this type of business is not for everyone. To see whether working from home career suitable for you or not, you must ask yourself some important questions first before you started one, regarding to your own working style, character and personality.
If you are a very outgoing type of person who likes to go out a lot with other people instead of staying at home alone, then home based business ownership may not be the right decision for you.
If you like to stay at home, like to have your own company and working in front of your computer, do not need a crowd of people milling around your desk, then home based business might be the right choice for you.
Working alone is not that easy and starting a home business can be a hard experience. You need to do some preparation for handling the stress and pressure.
Self-motivation and self-discipline are the two most important things in your home based business success. Your own inner voice should be the boss that tells you the decision you made is right. Beyond that, you must be willing to put a lot of hard work as well. At the same time, you need to have the ability to push yourself ahead. You must have a certain drive in order to be your own boss. Good organizing, well layout planning and marketing yourself are essential; because there is no one else does it for you. You need to do it by yourself.
Working from home and be your own boss is tough but it is not that difficult, you should always keep in mind that you can’t just sit back relaxing and waiting for the world to change, you have to make all the decisions and take action to make things happen.
On the other hand, there are many hidden and potential pitfalls from working at home. If you are not aware of them and don’t prepare for it, you will find yourself give up it pretty quickly in the first few months.
However, don’t be afraid, here are the things you can do in order to make your home business success.
- Find a notes book and write down the schedule plan that you can follow. If you don’t like to put down on the paper, you can typing it into your computer.
- Take your time and search for a home based opportunity or a website where you can learn from people who have the experiences. Once you did that, you can just simply follow your prewritten schedule and move forward gradually.
- Soon or later, come to a certain point, you will find yourself might need some support from others, because you are working alone, the best way to get help is to send email or make telephone calls to those experienced people. Normally they are nice and happy to help you.
- If you have small children at home with you, be aware that not to push yourself too hard. You must have a plan for every single day otherwise you might get sick and overwhelmed. It is not good for your children and your business.
- Recruit friends and family to provide the necessary assistance because you have to allow yourself to work without interruptions. Anything that can help you to keep focused is a good investment.
- Make sure you are not get disturbed by telephone when you work. Buy an answering machine and let people leave the message and call them back later, unless you run your business by telephone calls. Example, you can set telephone hours from 8-9 am for people to call and again from 7-8 pm.
- Having a day-by-day working plan will makes things easier for you and make sure to follow it. Such as how many hours you want to work everyday, from what time to what time and so on. You might find it’s hard at the beginning because there are many new things you have to get familiar with.
- Make sure your computer is working well. Once you start your home based business, you will get many emails. Make folders for e-mails, keep those necessary ones and delete the rest. Don’t let email offers distract you, keep focused on your schedule and your step by step goals. Sometime you may read interesting and attractive homepages, add them to your favorites, read them later, but don’t let these web pages disturb your schedule and daily work.
- When you feel get overwhelmed, turn off your computer and go out to have a walk or do something else. You might take a whole day off if in case it needed, and do something different to let your brain get rest. It is not healthy to sit in front of computer every day; it might cause stress and take you away from the “real” world out there.
Finally stay positive and focused on your working from home business even if sales are not up to the par, ignore those occasional negative remarks or derogatory comments from people with stuffy, dead-end jobs. Bear in mind that success is the best revenge. Keep your admirable, positive attitude at the forefront and show them the things you have made.
Ann Liu, internet marketer and author of http://www.onlineprofiting.com. To learn how YOU too can succeed in Internet and affiliate marketing, please visit http://www.marketingbyann.com.
Fire Risk Asessment – It’s The Law
Any responsible person, even with limited formal instruction or experience, can do a simple fire risk assessment. More complex buildings will need to be assessed by a person with full training and experience in fire risk assessment.
Mainly companies and building owners will be affected by the new legislation but it could be anyone who has some control over premises. Fire certificates will no longer be valid.
Under the new regulations it is the responsibility of employers to do a risk assessment of their places of work, which must contain provisions concerning fire safety measures in the workplace.
The responsible person must go over the risk assessment frequently to keep it current, particularly if:
. There is reason to believe that it is no longer valid; or
. There has been a major change in the matters to which it relates, or there have been expansions or substantial changes in the organisation of work
The risk assessment should be done to make sure that appropriate fire precautions, maintenance and management measures are in place to guarantee the safety of anyone who might use your premises.
The Fire and Rescue Authority will now examine premises and undertake audits of fire risk assessments to put into effect the requirements of the Regulatory Reform Order.
The Five Steps To Fire Risk Assessment:
Step 1: Identify fire hazards
Is there a system for controlling the amounts of combustible materials and flammable liquids and gases, including cleaning fluids, stationery and waste, kept in the workplace?
Is the system working correctly? Are all combustible materials and flammable liquids and gases stored safely? Are all items of portable electrical equipment checked frequently and fitted with the correct rated fuses?
Step 2: Identify the persons at significant risk in case of fire
Think about who might be in or near your premises that would need to know about your fire protection systems – including employees, people in adjoining buildings, visitors or contractors.
Is there an adequate number of proper exits of suitable width for the persons present? Do the exits lead to a place of safety? Are passageways and escape routes free from obstacles and tripping hazards? Are steps and stairs in a good state of repair? Are final exits always unlocked when the premises are in use?
Step 3: Evaluate the risks
Control sources of ignition and the use and storage of flammable materials. Do procedures and practices avoid the use of combustible materials or processes that use heat?
Has thought been given to all cost-effective measures that can be taken to prevent the incidence of arson? Have employees been taught how to call the fire brigade, the use of the fire extinguishers and basic fire prevention?
Step 4: Record your findings and action taken
This depends on the size of your workplace and the likelihood of fire. If you employ five or more people have you recorded the findings of the fire risk assessment?
Have you told your employees or their representatives about your findings? If you have prepared a final report has it been shown to your employees? If you share the workplace with others do they know about the risks you have identified?
Step 5: Keep assessment under review
Has a procedure been set up to go over the fire risk assessment at regular intervals?
The task of complying with the Fire Safety Order rests with the “responsible person”. Under Article 9 of the Order the responsible person must ensure that a fire risk assessment is carried out to identify the general precautions required.
Detailed advice on carrying out a fire risk assessment is contained in the Home Office/Scottish Executive/Northern Ireland DoE/HSE publication, Fire Safety: An Employer’s Guide.
http://www.FireProtectionOnline.co.uk features a huge range of fire extinguishers and fire safety equipment for business and homes along with the FPO Discount Club for Fire Safety Law updates
Give A Man A Fish, Feed Him For A Day. Teach A Man To Fish, Feed Him For A Lifetime – Lao Tzu 101
Lao Tzu was the founder of taoism, the mystical ‘way’ or ‘path’ that many have followed since. From way back between the 4th and 6th century BC, his amazing words echo down the centuries.
As well as many more wise sayings for which he is so well renowned.
One of the best known is the one quoted above, “Give a man a fish; feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish; feed him for a lifetime”, which has a wonderful analogy with the modern world of management today.
The metaphor of feeding someone and that sufficing to get them through one day, and one day alone shows that people can only be helped so far. If we help them and do things for them all the time, then they rely on us, which is not only unhealthy for their development of skills, but also potentially dangerous, if we are not there to help them one day, their very future is at risk.
The principle whereby we rely totally on the support, guidance and even nurturing of someone else, for too long a period, is typical of many modern management environments. The old-style ‘command and control’ management processes lead to employees only being required or even able to do what they were told, which puts great pressure on those doing the telling.
Not only that, but where employees are not provided with stimulating work and aren’t asked to challenge themselves mentally, this often leads to demotivation and then higher absence rates, as well as employee turnover that such boredom precipitates.
Lack of stimulation=boredom=frustration=leave to find something else.
Let’s look at the flip side, where we ‘teach a man to fish’. Not only does the man become self-sufficient and be able to survive without being provided for, but he has a sense of achievement and fulfillment. How good does an angler feel as he pulls a fish from the water?
Much better than when one is placed generously in front of him, merely to eat. Sure it may be good, for a while, to be provided for, but human psyche is bigger than that in a healthy human being. People need to be valued for who they are.
So – we ‘teach them to fish’. In the workplace, by teaching out people new skills, we validate them for who they are and the contribution they are able to make. They know they are useful and valued and with this confidence they do more. They learn that to stretch themselves is good. That they have within themselves untapped resources which show off the potential they have always had, now released.
Indeed ‘teaching them to fish’ realizes not just the material potential they have, but catalyses even bigger capabilities in them. Their development muscle has been stretched and exercised, so it becomes bigger and more capable.
The business upside for ‘teaching our people to fish’? Well, managers are able to offload some of their tactical workload to others who relish the opportunity. This frees managers to do more with more of their people.
A workplace environment that becomes the breeding ground for capable, committed and excited employees, straining at the leash to do more. Managers enable their business to become a developmental mixing bowl of ideas and capability like nothing before.
In a business world where the embodiment of excellent management is an operation that works at least as well (and sometimes better!), when the manager is absent is to be acknowledged as the purest quality.
And with that level of capability developed, all because the manager taught his people ‘how to fish’, business thrives.
In the hurried excitement of the crazy business world of today, how Lao Tzu would be impressed at the relevance of his ancient words.
(c) 2007 Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach, trainer and writer. He works worldwide, mainly by phone, with small business owners, managers and corporate leaders. He has hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website, http://www.coaching-businesses-to-success.com.
Do You Need A 99cent Chicken Sandwich?
The other day I saw a Wendy’s commercial advertising their 99cent Chicken Sandwich and wondered why they are advertising that price point.
After all, in our part of the country you have to
spend $2.89 a gallon for gas to get to a Wendy’s. So, the cost of a sandwich will not stop a customer from buying.
I drove to eight different Wendy’s restaurants and observed very few customers purchasing a 99cent Chicken Sandwich. Plenty of chicken sandwiches crossed the counter, most of which were combo meals for $3.89 to $4.89.
So why does Wendy’s spend so much money advertising a 99cent Chicken Sandwich? At each Wendy’s restaurant I asked the manager why they advertise a 99cent Chicken Sandwich when very few are actually sold. Two managers told me’ “To compete.
The competition has a 99cent menu.” Two others told me, “So we do not lose the low price buyer.” And one seasoned veteran told me, “To create the perception that Wendy’s offers VALUE!”
Of course all three reasons are valid. You may not want to, or need to, compete against low price sellers, and your industry may not cater to low price buyers. But you do need to constantly give the buyers the perception that your products and services give them VALUE!
What is your 99cent Chicken Sandwich?
6 Perceptions customers react positively to:
1. Businesses that look Successful. People like to do business with successful businesses. No one wants to take the chance of buying from a business that may not be there tomorrow.
2. Businesses that look Busy – People like to buy from businesses that look busy. When we have sales in our retail businesses we hire people (usually college students) to walk around the showroom to give the perception something really big is going on. In our wholesale businesses we always load our truck to capacity even if everything was not sold.
3. Businesses that look Clean. People would rather buy from businesses and business people that look clean and neat. We gave customers the perception of quality in our retread tires by making sure our manufacturing plant was clean enough to eat off the floor.
4. Businesses that look like they care about their customers – Be 100% Customer-Centered. Everything you say and do is about your customer, not you or the business.
a. Answering the telephone on first or second ring
b. Return telephone calls and messages quicker than promptly
c. Greet everyone that comes into the business immediately
d. Solve the customer’s problems, needs and wants even if it creates more work for you
5. Businesses that stay in touch with their Customers. “Stay in touch with your customers and they will stay in touch with you when a buying decision is made.” It is estimated that your customers are inundated with 2500 to 3500 advertising messages a day. They become confused. If you are the seller that has been the constant in staying in touch with them, you will be their seller of choice. Stay in touch with your customers through advertisements, thank you cards, holiday cards, personal cards and letters, information that will improve their lives and/or business.
6. Businesses that take the FEAR out of buying. One of the 4 biggest fears a customer has that causes them NOT to make a purchase is the FEAR OF LOSS OF THEIR MONEY. And it is so simple to diminish the fear of loss of money. Give your buyers a money back GUARANTEE. Not just the manufacture’s guarantee on the products you sell. Your competitors are offering the manufacturers guarantee. Be different, be aggressive, be the one that gets the sale by giving your personal and your business guarantee.
Recently I was shopping for a new mattress. We were looking at those Tempur-Pedic foam mattresses that they, the manufacture’s and sellers, claim is the greatest thing for your back and restful sleep since the invention of the innerspring mattress.
They sell for $3000. When I asked about the guarantee if the mattress did not help me I was told by on seller, “Once you use it you cannot return it.” A second seller will allow me to return it if I pay $250. I was not willing to take the chance. Then, when I was about to purchase an innerspring mattress, I saw a TV commercial by Tempur-Pedic offering 100% money back after a 90 day trial. They took the FEAR out of buying. I am awaiting deliver now.
Make sure your 99cent Chicken sandwich bring you increased sales and profits.
Bob Janet uses 40 plus years of face-to-face selling and marketing experiences, combined with his unique fun-entertaining presentation audience involved style to help sellers gain and retain their most profitable customers. See all Bob’s sales growth programs at http://www.BobJanet.com
10 Items Or Less-How To Use The Customer’s Demand For Fast Service And Convenience
I remember it like it was yesterday. My friends Jack, Bert and I (we all owned small businesses) were having lunch at the Steak House across from the new, first combination gas station / mini mart to come to the area. It was the first day the Quick Fill was open.
I think I was the first to say, “They will never make it.” After all who is going to pump their own gas? I felt I was an expert on the subject of customers getting out of their automobiles and pumping their own gas, as I owned and operated a gas station. It was all we could do to get the people to roll their windows down when it was raining to tell us how much gas they wanted us to pump into their vehicles. There was no way they would get out and pump it themselves even though they would save a few cents. And there was no way people would pay twenty cents more for a half gallon of milk and thirty cents more for a loaf of bread. By the end of our lunch we all agreed the Quick Fill would be out of business in 3 to 6 months.
It is no secret we were wrong. Totally wrong! But why do people who will drive twenty five miles to use a coupon to get a free four dollar appetizer constantly overpay at these type of stores?????
You know the answer as well as I do. Convenience! And when I figured it out in the mid 70′s my businesses soared in sales and profits. I saw my customers, who beat me up for a discount on everything they purchased, parading in and out the mini marts and thinking nothing of over paying. I figured out that I needed to be the one providing convenience. I figured out what every customer is demanding:
1.MAKE IT QUICK. I do not have time to waste.
Business names with words like “Quick,” “Jiffy,” “Instant,” “One-hour,” and “Speedy” are common. Jiffy Lube International, which offers a ten-minute oil change, has grown to over one thousand outlets. Even overnight mail is not fast enough for the buying public. Facsimile machines and email are now widely used to transmit documents across the country in seconds. Your customers constantly patronize fast food restaurants, drive through banks, and drive through car washes.
2.MAKE IT EASY FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS
Listen to me. Listen to what I want the product to do. Listen to my problems I want solved. Tell me the benefits I will obtain from buying your product or service. Tell me why I cannot live without your product or service.
3.MAKE IT EASY FOR ME TO BUY
Be flexible with options for me to pay by cash, financing, using charge cards or lay-a-way. Have flexible delivery schedules to accommodate my schedule.
4.DON’T LET ME DOWN
Do what you say you will do. Deliver on time. Make the paperwork easy. Be easy to get in touch with. Give me the good service you promise.
5. BE 100 % CUSTOMER-CENTERED
Make it all about me. Give me your full attention when I am trying to buy your products and service. Don’t answer your phone, talk to others or even look away. If I am not important enough for you to disregard everyone and everything else going on around you, I will take my business elsewhere.
Here is what you can do.
1. Shop your competition. Not just the businesses that sell what you sell, but everywhere your customers buy. Every business is your competition. You are competing for the dollars your customers spend. Your customers only have a limited amount of money to spend. If they spend it at other businesses they cannot spend it at yours. Shop your competition to see what they are doing to meet the customer’s demands
2. Shop your business. Walk into your business, call your business on the telephone and shop it like you are seeing it for the first time. Are your people providing the customers with what they demand? Watch your customers. Ask them if they are satisfied with your products and services. Of course the best way to get the answers you need to know and not the ones you want to hear is to have an independent person or persons survey your customers and people who do not buy from you. All they have to ask is one question, “What do you think of (your business)?”
Grocery stores figured it out in the 60s when they put in the ’10 Items or Less’ line. Just go and look at those lines. You will find honest people cheating. I have seen people in the ’10 Items or Less’ line with as many as 50 items in their carts.
And now you can even check yourself out. Scan your items, pay in cash or credit. Why does it work? Because you want it quick and easy. They figured out how to give you want you want and lower their operating cost at the same time. Figure out how to create your own ’10 Items or Less’ convenience for your customers. Your sales and profits will increase.
Bob Janet uses 40 plus years of face-to-face selling and marketing experiences, combined with his unique fun-entertaining presentation audience involved style to help sellers gain and retain their most profitable customers for a lifetime of selling. http://www.BobJanet.com