Category: Saving Money

The act or process by an individual, a family or small business, of taking a portion or percentage of weekly or monthly income and setting it aside by placing it in a savings account or other account such as a IRA to be used at some future date. Reasons for saving might include paying for unexpected events, medical expenses, child’s education, retirement lifestyle and other future purchases.

  • Your Articles in Article Directories: Income

    Article directories are websites that house free articles. These articles are usually put there by whoever owns the copyright to them, and each serves its writer in a promotional capacity in the sense that it includes a byline which appears under the article so that visitors who eventually read it will know who wrote it (or at least who owns it) and will be able to get in contact with him/her or visit the owner’s website for further information.

    Article directories are a great place to put your articles so that they will – potentially – make you money if they receive enough exposure and readership. By using this method, visitors to the directory who are interested in your product or service will see your article, acknowledge you as an expert on the subject and will probably visit your website.

    Even if you don’t have a lot of confidence in ytour ability to write, or have little or no knowledge of the product/service you are promoting (for example, running an affiliate website), you can always hire a writer to do the work for you. It is important to point out here, however, that getting quality articles written could be expensive at first, but they will pay for themselves in little time – either through affiliate sales or selling your own services – and the income from then on will be all profit.

    Let’s take a real life example. Imagine that you are an accountant working from home and you write an article on an accounting topic and place it on various article directories. Those who are looking for the subject you wrote about will read your article, see that you have the knowledge and skill necessary to do a job for them.

    In this scenario there is really nothing to prevent them from visiting your website or contacting you by email to learn more about your product or service. Your article will have gained you a new client who may use your services regularly, but will definitely give you a nice profit at least once.

    Furthermore, since you have posted it on a free article directory, others who have affiliate websites about accounting will most likely use your article for their website; and since they must attach your byline to it, this will bring you even more exposure for every website that re-posts your article thereby providing even more benefits to you from the traffic that they get to their website.

    There are numerous article directories out there for you to utilize. Among them is iSnare, eZines and Go Articles. That having been said, your bet best might be to put a copy of each of your articles on every one the free article directories for maximum exposure. It will eventually help to bring more traffic and customers to your website, which will lead to new orders and even more profit.

     

  • Small Companies Can Pursue Big Business

    Like the movie

    In the movie “You’ve Got Mail”, if you put the love angle aside for a moment you’ll remember a sub-plot in which heroine Annie Reed (played by Meg Ryan) was forced out of business when big-time bookstore owner Sam Baldwin (played by Tom Hanks) moved into town.

    You may recall that Annie owned a quaint little bookstore which she inherited from her mother, and although the prices of her books are a little more costly, she makes up for it with excellent service which included packing the books in a specialized bag and knowing all her customers by name.

    Sam, on the other hand, moved into town to build a branch for a big chain-bookstore which offered discounted prices out of a huge building which housed the company’s operations, which made Annie’s little bookshop on one corner of the town’s street seem inconsequential.

    As the movie went, Annie was forced out of business because her customers went to Sam’s monstrous bookshop, and although they did not get the kind of customized service offered by the small “mom and pop” store she operated they paid less and presumably benefitted from having a larger selection of books.

    Thinking back to the movie, we’re told that Annie was forced out of business because she can no longer realize a profit due to her prices being too steep as compared to her competitor’s big business discounted rates; and therefore her only edge is to provide personal service and employ a very small staff (about 2 or 3 employees).

    The movie aside, however, this situation no longer holds true in the modern-day business environment, as more and more small businesses are blazing the trail and giving big businesses a dose of their own medicine.

    Competition

     

    As a small organization you may consider incorporating these tools, resources and features in your daily operations as an edge in competing against the big business sharks. That having been said, here are a few tips on how you can hold your own against a big business:

    1. Small businesses have big competition – This means that you need to know how to survive out there. No matter what nature of business you own or manage, it is better to learn about the competition so that you will be able to survive.

    2. Keep your business alive – When it seems as if your cash flow is on a downward spiral, keep a tight rein on your budget. Do not spend on unnecessary business purchases, and always balance your books. If you are one who is prone to buying on impulse, or if you are the type who listens to those that sweet-talk you into purchasing “necessary” items, control yourself. Get a second and third opinion if possible, as these impulsive buys may lead to the end of your small organization.

    3. Do not be afraid to seek professional help – The fall of most small businesses start with decisions on problems which are not carefully analyzed. Although you may think that you already have a contingency plan, make sure you have foreseen the results of a particular business decision; but in the long run, it is better to seek professional help than to embark on a plan that could lead to the downfall of your business.

    4. Keep your books straight – The better option is for you to hire an outside accountant who is a professional to figure the returns of your investment and handle other financial aspects of your business.

    5. Take advantage of every free business counseling whenever available – This not only helps to broaden your knowledge, but it will also give you an idea of how other businesses are managed by small-scale owners.

    6. Know exactly where your business is headed – In your day-to-day operation, make sure you know where you want your company to be five or ten years down the road, and be always aware of the trends in your industry. Practice good money management and learn how to recognize potential problems before they arise.

    7. Learn how to market your small organization – Marketing is not about trying to sell your products and services to everyone, but rather, it is about knowing who to market your products to. In marketing, it is good to remember these fast facts:

    • Know about your customers.
    • Communicate with your customers.
    • Build a good and personalized relationship with your customers.
    The universal symbol of civil discourse

    universally spoken language of human wellness!

    Never stop marketing!

    This will be a great edge for you to have against the bigger companies. They might offer discounted prices but it is harder for them to keep track of customers on as personal a level as you can.

    As a small organization, you need to routinely review the markets that you need to pursue so that you can better reach out to your customers. Remember, small organizations are big businesses these days so do not be afraid to work hard for the company that you have – no matter it’s size; because ultimately, if you work hard, make wise business decisions, learn how to market your small business and personalize your customer interaction, your small-scale business is sure to rise to the top.

  • Setting Clear Goals and Objectives

    Fashion world descends upon us

    Processes

    In order to achieve goals there are processes which should be implemented; processes designed to streamline and analyze such goals and objectives so that they are deemed achievable before the first step is taken. It is important, however, to start at the very beginning and with the smallest, most specific part of the goal or objective, making these initial steps the most important in meeting the guidelines.

    An objective is a thorough understanding of what action or plan is to be taken and then identifying the anticipated results. Such a plan provides the set of directions intended on making the decision less complicated than it appeared in the early stages or at inception.

    Peter Ducker wrote a documentary-style book published in 1954 entitled Practiced Management wherein MBO or Management by Objectives, was introduced. The book outlined a program which consists of simple but very useful processes in order to meet commitments in an organization. The nature of this program is such that it is also be applicable to personal plans.

    MBO consists of 5 steps

    First – It should be Specific. It is better to accomplish one goal at a time instead of attempting to – or even thinking of – pursuing several plans simultaneously, since a single objective cannot be reached if there are two or more results expected. Fundamental to this step is the need to clarify that which is to be achieved and giving it full attention. It also must be taken as seriously as possible.

    Second – It should be Measurable. Many things that are not tangible can be difficult to measure and, by contrast, there are things which are measurable by the mere fact that they include numbers or ratings. Take, for example, that service crews are hard to measure based on how the service was delivered; but if complaints are counted there is then a specific number which can be used to rate the effectiveness of the service.

     

    In offices, the number of tasks or assignments that were accomplished is used as basis for measurement. Cooperation, though a very vague word can also be measured by taking survey a subordinates and peers. How fast or slow customer assistance was provided to a certain individual is enough to provide data on how situations can be measured.

    However, refrain from the use general terms when making an objective statement, but speak in clear and specific terms, such as: to write, to recite, to perform, to fix, to process, to designate, to purchase, to choose, to reprogram, etc.

    Realistic

    Third – It should be Attainable. The resources made available provide information on how an objective can be attained, indicating that it must be something derived from fact which being very realistic. Keep in mind, the possibility that certain objectives can indeed be realistic but the time frames in which to reach or accomplish them are not.

    So it is better to state objectives that are factual since this promotes motivation; rather than stating an objective taken from belief, as this may result in unexpected (devastating?) failure and lead to a feeling of discouragement and/or despondency.

    Fourth – It should be Result-oriented. An objective should be stated clearly so that the expectation is clear. Focus on the end result as this will be a guide in determining whether or not the objective to reach a stated goal is effective and meaningful. Is this objective going to help the individual grow or succeed? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? For it is only after all the plans are completed, reaching the objective can be considered a success.

    Fifth – It should be Time Bound. There should be a limitation on all the things needed to be accomplished. This matters, since the root of any plan can be traceable; but it matters also because it is an indication of whether or not the objective is effective enough not to cause unneccessary delay. Of course, as with any goal or objective, there will will always a sense of fulfillment when accomplishing a set of objectives occurs earlier than the deadline.

    Chart

    In conclusion, developing an objective that is easily measured, can be attained, within a limited time will help in determining if the objective is realistic enough, meaningful, and worthwhile to everyone involved.

    A chart or journal can be kept to keep track of any opportunities and strengths that were recognized along the way. This will also indicate the time that was consumed and the length of the objective developed. A successful objective helps motivate the individual or the group involved toward greater achievements.

    Woman in a neon triangle

  • Achieving Success in Your Local Job Search


    A question of where

    If you are seriously searching for a job in your local area, but you have no idea how to go about it, you might just be one of the thousands of unemployed people in the country looking for work, whether the jobs are local or in other areas of the country or the world. That having been said however, finding a job does not have to be very difficult; in fact, it can be easy when you know where to search.

    So the question is, where can you find employers? And, how can you find your desired local job? In answer to these questions, and before any other steps are taken, you should determine what kind of skills and abilities you possess, update your resume and be ready to face the employment search process. There are several available options that can be utilized to find acceptable employment locations.

    job centers & newspapers

    Job Center – Job centers provide numerous vacancies for different kinds of work. The majority of job centers update their employment board frequently.

    Originally, these career centers catered to young jobseekers in the age group of 21 and under. They arrange for appropriate job interviews, which they believe would match the applicant’s skills and abilities. Some job centers also process training vacancies and apprenticeships to young people. Today these centers also cater to adults’ need of employment.

    Newspapers – Local and national newspapers, non-profit papers and job hunting newspapers provide advertisements on current job vacancies. You could find all the existing newspapers in libraries and check all the recent job postings.

    Most newspapers today have their content available online so you can browse through them one by one and make a list of all the jobs that meet your preferred description.

    Journals & agencies

    Journals and magazines – Every industry has its own periodicals, magazines or journals. Most employers go to these publications for employing professionals. Some could be bought in magazine stands and others come by subscription. Therefore, if you’re hoping to establish your career based on your completed field of study, you could subscribe to a professional magazine and increase your local job prospects.

    Agencies – Employment agencies handle most of the available local work. Covering all kinds of work for various industries, these agencies are listed in local directories and Yellow pages.

    Employers’ venues & the Web

    Employer grounds – Many companies have job vacancies on their premises. Since such companies as food retailers make use of internal notice boards, they do not advertise in newspapers and agencies, so ou can walk into these companies and ask the front desk for employment vacancies.

    The Internet – The most cost-effective way in finding local jobs is through the internet. The greater number of employment agencies, newspapers, top companies, magazines and job centers have their own websites so a job applicant will save a lot of time by searching through these sites one by one and apply for the job s/he prefers.

    Making use of all these options could save you a lot of time searching for your desired local job. You could use all of these methods simultaneously to increase your chances of employment.

    NAVAN Global, the REAL SEAL!

  • A Little Extra Money for Teenagers


    Teenagers’ jobs

    Some teenagers believe that having the ability to get a job and earn money while they are still in school would be the next best thing to getting a real job and, based on this belief, many teenaged kids would really like to be able to find employment even if the job is part time.

    With that in mind, we have put together a few tips and suggestions in the following paragraphs that teenagers should keep in mind when going approaching a potential employer to apply for a part-time job.

    A resume

    Teenagers must prepare a resume even when applying for part time work, because even if the individual does not have experience, the resume will show the employer that a little effort was made on the part of the applicant in producing something on paper.

    A resume may contain highlights or strengths about the applicant which could make the him/her stand out over others who have applied for the same position, and in the end, get that job.

    Appropriate attire

    When meeting an employer, being dressed appropriately is important because it shows sincerity and seriousness of the person applying for that job. Such applicants must also make sure that finger-nails and hair are well groomed for the interview; and the outfit worn could be business casual.

    A polo and khaki pants will be ideal for men and a polo and skirt for women will do well for the interview. This would mean that moderate shoes must be used to match the outfit. If a job applicant wears a lot of earrings, it is advisable to remove some of them in order to present a better image.

    Getting a job is not easy and there will be a lot of times that an employer will say “no.” This is nothing personal but some employers will prefer someone who has a little experience. Even if an application is rejected, the person must not give up on getting that part time job and moving on to the next potential employer.

    Persist with confidence

    When a job seeker is already in front of the employer, a firm handshake is always a good start. Walking in and showing one’s sincerity in getting the job is another. There is only so much a job seeker can say at an interview, so it is best to practice on selling the interviewer what strengths of character and skills s/he already possesses that might enhance his/her chances of getting that job.

    In the course of going from one employer to another the employer will not provide immediate answers as to whether or not the person is hired for the job. Other applicants will still be interviewed before employers are inclined to make their decisions. By keeping a list of the places where a job seeker went for interviews, they will be able to call and follow up on statuses of the applications.

    Part time jobs are available in various places including while job seekers walk the neighborhood, check the school bulletin board or peruse local newspapers; and even browse the web for job postings. So teenagers who are seeking part-time employment while still in school need not be disappointed if they don’t get immediate results, because the idea is to keep trying until success is achieved.

  • In Search of Your Ideal Job


    Research is key

    Finding the job that best suits your personality and your lifestyle is never easy. It’s actually a full time job in and of itself.

    To better understand your needs and increase the chance of succeeding in your chosen field, you will need to conduct a personal evaluation by asking a few pertinent questions about a particular job, as well as the company offering it:

    • Is this the career I want?
    • Is there room for growth?
    • Is the salary reasonable or even acceptable?
    • Is there an appropriate level of benefits?

    It is important to understand the difficulty in evaluating a position in the absence of reasonably good research. According to a recent survey, graduate degree holders in the U.S. earn an average of 35 to 50 percent more than bachelor’s degree holders.

    This could explain the increased number of students who are pursuing their Masters. Of course, there might also be an offer or two for individuals without Masters, but they would have to make a concrete decision to ensure they obtain the right type of job and situation in today’s job market.

    Know what you want

    Knowing what kind of personality you have and having a solid grasp of what your interests are will give you an idea of how you would like to spend your day on a job. The activities you’d like to get involved with plays an important role in keeping you motivated. Of course you could also make a list of the types of people you would like to be working with.

    For example, people who like being told what to do, authoritative types, loud people as opposed to quiet types, etc. And would you like to be in a place where people love socializing or not? There are different sizes of companies as well; there are small, medium, large, overseas, local, and regional companies you might have to choose from.

    The Internet is a valuable tool that assists online job seekers in looking for a job they could fit in. Trim down the choices depending on your needs and wants to get the more possible pool of companies you can try submitting resumes.

    Technique table

    Below are a number of common job search techniques which may be of some help to you.

    Make it work!

    *Percentage results obtained from dividing the technique by the total number of job hunters who tried to use the method, successful or not.

    Your major strengths and weaknesses will help indicate how well you will perform in the work you have chosen. Your progress dictates your maturity and enthusiasm at work. Finding the best job for you is a full time job itself. It requires time and passion to get positive results. No matter what you choose, it should always be a place where you can identify yourself and remain happy.