Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Small Business Owner's Note: MSN Releases It's Own Search...

Several months ago, MSN began to beta-test its own search engine. Previously, MSN had been using search results from Yahoo. This month, MSN has gone live with its own search engine. What does this mean for you, a small business owner? Simply put, there are now THREE key players in the search engine world: Google, Yahoo, and MSN. Therefore there are now three key players to consider in your own . . .

Bad Credit Debt Consolidation Loan

Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad CreditNowadays, many people can get into a bad credit situation if they do not keep track of their income and expenditure. Many young executives suddenly find that they are being offered credit cards by various companies. Those who are sensible will find a credit card that suits their needs, sign up, keep track of their purchases, pay off their credit card bills. . .

When Working From Home...

A home-based business has a lot of advantages over the traditional 9-5 office system, and most web hosting businesses seem to be run out of an home office. However, working from home could mean that you might lose the structure and schedule of a normal office environment. We collected a few tips and tricks to keep you on track.Kick Start Your Day How you start off will determine how you end up!. . .

Why Are So Many Americans Financially Dumb?

Yeah, we are a nation of financial dummies. Look at all the worthless get-rich schemes on the Net and TV. These ads exist BECAUSE people are buying. Watch the confused look on the cashier’s face when you hand over extra coins AFTER the register displays your change. Witness the people standing in line overnight for the privilege of “25% savings.” Aren’t they waiting to SPEND money?If you’re a. . .

5 Tips for a Safe Online Job-Search

Conducting a job search using the Internet has definitely transformed how jobseekers contact hiring companies. The availability of copying and pasting a text version resume into a form at a company's website has laid the foundation for an easier and more convenient process. No longer does a jobseeker need to spend hours with the traditional method of printing and mailing his resume to countle. . .

Numbers Not Crunched Become Soggy

Okay, you own a website that is also your business. There are some basics that you must have. Sales. You’ve got to make a living. Whether you provide goods, services, or information, you’ve got to earn enough to pay your bills. How do you get sales? Traffic. If your business is entirely online, web traffic is the main, if not only, way to get sales. “But Scott,” you say, “I’ve got traf. . .

Best No Load Mutual Funds: Mutual Fund Fees and Mutual Fu...

While searching for the best no load mutual funds, some mutual fund investors often tend to focus exclusively on mutual fund fees and expense ratios. Is this always a smart way to select mutual funds? Metrics such as price/earnings ratio and dividend yield on the S&P 500 index, a commonly used proxy for the U.S. stock market, are hardly at bargain levels. This has lead several market pundits to. . .

How a Credit Card Can Be Your Friend

We have all heard countless stories of people over their heads with credit card debt-maxing out every card they own, then only being able to afford the minimum monthly payment. High interest payments shackle people to their debt for years, not to mention the significant income drain the finance charges have on their families. It is unfortunate that many Americans must live with this reality, si. . .

8 Procedures to Take Control of Sales and Marketing

The Cash to Cash CyclePart Three of SeriesPart One: http://www.bizmanualz.com/articles/01-05-05_inventory_procedures.html/?ART78Part Two: http://www.bizmanualz.com/articles/01-11-05_accounts_receivable.html/?ART79Next Week: Accounts PayableWe’re sprinting toward that million dollar mark...and we’re only a couple strides away…Decreasing inventory carried us over the first hurdle, and last week r. . .

Find the best Mortgage Rate for you

Most people tend to take out a mortgage, then forget about it. The monthly payments go out from their accounts every month, but they probably couldn't tell you what the interest rate was if you asked! This is slack financial policy - it is easy to make sure you always have the best mortgage rate, and therefore pay the least interest. And believe me, over the years, even a fraction of a percent . . .

Worse Than Tsunami, Trade Protectionism Hurts Third World...

Last Thursday, I was heartened to read the news that my church, Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY, had collected $732,000 from its members (beyond its weekly giving) for tsunami relief in Southeast Asia. That partially offset the news I had read the previous Thursday-- as reported in the Wall Street Journal-- that tariffs imposed on Sri Lanka were nearly $250,000,000 in 2003.Nearly a. . .

10 Tips to Free Publicity for Realtors

Realtor are a dime a dozen. How can you stand out in the crowd enough that media actually are writing about you or interviewing you?Here are some tips that make you the realtor of choice when it’s time for an interview:Pick a niche. A realtor who sells to everyone is of interest to no one.Have something that makes you memorable and compelling. There was a realtor in Pasadena who drove a motorcy. . .

Support and Resistance Basics

Support and resistance are among the most important technical analysis elements when trading. Support is zone at which a security is likely to stop falling, at least temporarily, and resistance is a zone at which price is likely to stop rising. Trading support and resistance are not precise lines on the chart, but as we said before, are 'zones' within which the market action intensifies. Suppor. . .

Are the Credit Bureaus Really Helping Us

Do you need help repairing your credit? Do you need help understanding what a FICO score is? Well here is a breath of fresh air…The credit repair bureaus do not make a dime when honoring the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) laws and regulations. The credit bureaus are required by law, to investigate all disputes requested by consumers, which in turn costs them millions of dollars a year. To hel. . .

The Recruiting Truth...Time Is Not On Your Side

In today's marketplace things are constantly changing and so are the needs of just about each and every organization. Whether your company is growing organically or inorganically, whether your company is growing domestically or internationally or for one reason or another you just have pain, your organization must be in a position to attract top talent and attract it quickly! But attracting it . . .

Top 7 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Website

A website provides invaluable advantages for businesses who have one.7 reasons why your business needs a website are:1. Convenience for customersUsing the Internet to search for businesses and products is much easier and faster than scouring through the Yellow Pages.2. Provides greater exposureYour website will be visible EVERYWHERE. You will no longer be tied to the limited geographic exposure. . .

Why You Only Really Need Four Sample Resumes

Any job seeker looking for sample resumes usually doesn’t have to look very far.A multitude of sites today are offering free sample resumes on the internet in addition to the avalanche of books that are released each year touting resume examples. With this kind of information overload it can be quite easy for the unsuspecting job seeker to become mired down in sample resumes, moving from one to. . .

Spousal Support

Couples who run home based businesses together can enjoy big benefits, but all marriages pack a potential for problems. Add a homebased business partnership to the mix, and sparks can fly. Scott Gregory and Shirley Siluk Gregory, co-authors of The Home Team: How Couples Can Make a Life and Living by Working at Home (Panda Publishing, $22.95, 888-447-2632), say to avoid these five potential trap. . .

Protect Your Identity NOW

We live in an information-oriented society. Technology allows us to do business and make transactions literally in a matter of seconds. This abundance of information has given rise to a new crime - identity theft. In fact, according to a 2003 release from the Federal Trade Commission, almost 10 million people in the United States may be victimized by identity bandits each year.So what does that. . .

New Leadership For A New War

The author observes that the war on terror calls for a new kind of leadership. Just as the war is "asymmetrical", it needs "asymmetrical leadership" to help win it. Fortunately, such leadership doesn't have to be invented. It's already been developed by business leaders for the past several decades in the global marketplace. Military analysts call this "asymmetrical" war (as if war has a te. . .

Long-Enduring Income

Incomes come from different way. Some source of income belongs to the single inferior income, but some source of income belongs to the long-enduring income. You so long as asked under oneself this question, may know your source of income belongs to the single inferior income, or long-enduring income. "How many time income you can earn for one hour working? " If your answer is: "One time", then . . .

Dead Silence From Your Prospect: The Worst Sound Of All

Could this be the worst moment in your selling cycle? You've done all the right things with your prospect: You've identified a real need and developed a reasonably solid relationship. You've determined that your prospect is interested in your solution. You've had a couple of great meetings or conversations that let the prospect move the sales process forward. You've supplied everything need. . .

The True Cost of your Credit

The current house price boom has perhaps passed its peak as I write this, but that doesn't stop the mortgage companies from offering yet more new and tempting products that look like good deals for a consumer. But be warned - The standard mortgage, running over 25 years is set like that for a reason! When you see companies offering '40 year mortgages' or 'low start' mortgages, or perhaps even '. . .

The Photography Portfolio: Building Your Reputation

If you have hopes of becoming a professional photographer, or even just of trying to get your work published in a public forum, you will need to create a photography portfolio. So what’s so important about a photography portfolio anyway? There are many reasons why having a portfolio of your work available for others to view. If you are seeking employment as a photographer, then the need for a p. . .

A Debt Checklist

A Debt Checklist is the only sensible way to organize and control your finances. Most people aren't actually aware quite how much debt they possess - in fact, a recent survey found that almost 75% of UK adults were up to £5000 out when asked to estimate their non-mortgage debt. They weren't much better when asked to produce a cashflow statement showing how their hard earned cash was being spen. . .

Rebuild & Keep Good Credit Ratings by Understanding Your ...

Secured Credit Card is similar to a prepaid credit card since the funds you are using are actually yours and not the issuer of the credit card. Generally people who apply for secured credit card or prepaid credit card are people with poor credit or unemployed. Prepaid Credit Card spending limit is the amount of money you loaded to the card. There are no interest or finance charges on a prepaid . . .

Planning Procedures for Building Effective Management Sys...

Part One of Series: http://www.bizmanualz.com/articles/01-13-05_systems_discovery.html/?src=ART42Next Week: DevelopmentHave you ever had the opportunity to watch the construction of a large building? The daily progress from foundation to top floor is truly amazing, and if you’re like me, you wonder “how does it all happen?” The answer: it takes a lot of planning.The Planning PhaseA complex cons. . .

If You Could Read My Mind, You Could Sell Me Anything. He...

If you could read my mind, you could sell me anything. Here's how.Wouldn’t you like to be able to ‘read minds’ in a selling situation? If you could it would surely give you an advantage when matching your product or service with the needs of your customer or client. And you can.To the trained professional, we all give clues to the inner workings of our mind by our day to day language and behavi. . .

How to Become a Successful Entrepreneur on the Web

Becoming a successful entrepreneur in the online world is no different than becoming a successful entrepreneur in the brick-and-mortar world. Both tasks require vision, determination, and hard work.The online world of the web offers many exciting opportunities for entrepreneurship because it is fresh, new, and exciting. The cutting edge of development has always been the most fertile ground fo. . .

10 Tips for Hiring Help for Small Business Owners

As a successful small business owner,you're accustomed to long hours; non-existent holidays and weekends spent working. When was the last time you went to your dentist? When was the last time you had an uninterrupted night out with your partner? Whether your goal for 2005 is to find more time for family or personal enrichment --like attending classes and conferences -- you'll want to consider. . .

When a Real Estate Agent May Not Be The Best Option

Historically, when homeowners wanted to sell their home, the first call made would be to a Realtor. Since the early 1900’s, Realtors have represented homeowners during the process of selling their home, which is usually to another homeowner. Real estate brokers hold state regulated licenses that allow them to market real estate on behalf of the owner. The national average for broker commissi. . .

Uncovering Your Core Values

Values are things that are important to you and as such are very powerful motivators. When you are clear on your values it is much easier to design goals that will work for you. On the other hand, you are likely to experience internal conflict if you create goals without awareness of, or in conflict with, your core values. In effect you will be going in two different directions and are likely t. . .

The Personal Assistant From Hell

A friend of mine was going nuts. A hard working corporate athlete, he loved his job. He often worked long hours as part of the business culture and was rewarded well. It's just that he never got a rest. It wasn't the company's fault. It was his brain that wouldn't leave him alone. It was almost as if it had a mind of its own. Three am was the favourite play time of his hyperactive partner. It d. . .

Communicate and Prosper!

How much has poor communication cost your company in the past twelve months? Chances are, you have no idea. Chances are even better it's a lot more than you can afford.But you won’t find the numbers in the financial statements or year-end departmental reports. Nothing shows up saying "lost productivity due to miserable meetings" or "missed business opportunities through sorry selling skills" or. . .

Credit Damage: Getting Compensated for Your Loss

Until recently lawyers for victims of credit damage had little possibility to collect for damages beyond medical treatment, lost wages and property loss. Insurance companies threw up their hands in sympathy, claiming victims can only be compensated for what can be measured — tangible goods and services. But, what happens when the victim has lost considerable time from work, the family bank is b. . .

Don't Think Time Management - Think Conflict Resolution

David began, "I have a major time management problem. As an editor, I often get two clients calling with assignments. They call around ten AM and both want their projects completed by mid-afternoon. Then a third client calls around lunchtime with a crisis. So I have too many projects – all at once. The next day the phone is silent."David’s dilemma made me think of Jennifer, who worked for two . . .

Deadlines Approaching For Filing 1099s For Independent Co...

While the middle of January may seem a bit early to begin thinking about taxes, 1099-MISC filing deadlines are looming for businesses. Generally speaking, IRS 1099-MISC is the form used to report miscellaneous income that you paid to persons during 2004 in the course of your trade or business. Does This Apply To My Business? The 1099-MISC forms must be issued to any person that you have paid at. . .

Are You Maintaining Your Documentation Correctly?

As I've said in many eZines, you must write stuff down. The other day, an interviewer asked, "How many pages you written?" "Somewhere around 30,000 pages delivered, not including thousands of draft pages." "You must love writing!" "Not really." "Then what...?" "I don't love writing per se. I love the applications. I love the results. In writing, you can create, let's say, the first level of rea. . .

Got An Idea Worth Working For? A Case Study.

Got an idea worth working for? A case study.CONTENTS: Does this problem sound familiar? Have you ever been to a sales "shoot out?" Is this an idea worth working for? But, will I lose this client? Did we do what customers wanted? It all began with that idea worth working for.As I've said before, businesses don't work by themselves; people work. And the thing that makes people work is an idea wor. . .

Beat The Crowd With Winning Cover Letters

Far too many people underestimate the importance of resume cover letters. In a sense, a well written cover letter works like an agent on your behalf. It tosses a sales pitch for you to the employer, explaining why you should be at the top of the list for interview calls. Taking the time to write a cover letter tells the employer you are willing to go above and beyond; not just simply slap a re. . .

Gourmet Gift Baskets For Corporate Gifts

How to buy Gourmet baskets for corporate Gifts online AdviceCorporate gift baskets are one of the most significant ways a company can strengthen or create new relationships. A well given Corporate gift can only show your suppliers , retailers, employees or clients that you are serious AND MEAN BusinessUnlike a personal gift, A corporate gift should be a reflection of your business or company. Y. . .

Beat Credit Card Companies at Their Own Game!

Have you ever wondered how much money a credit card company makes? Have you ever wondered how much of that comes from late fees? Everyone has and if you haven’t you should because most likely you own a credit card, which means that these late fees has or could directly affect you.As you have probably taken notice, credit card late fees are on the rise and have been so for awhile. There is enorm. . .

Traps To Avoid When Developing Your Business Ideas

Most home businesses fail because the ideas behind them weren’t commercially viable. The home business ideas that you choose to develop are critical in determining whether you will be successful. To help you develop home business ideas that will propel you to success, we’ve put together the key traps to avoid when developing your home business ideas. 1. Failing to Understand Your Market Althoug. . .

Getting The Most Bang For Your Buck Out Of Your Banking S...

I realize most people have already made their resolutions for the New Year, but try adding one more. Decide that you are going to get the biggest bang for your buck out of your banking services this year. My husband and I have been using the same bank for several years. We have a joint checking account for household expenses and we each have a separate checking account also. The joint accou. . .

Getting the Perfect Credit You Deserve

In an attempt to describe perfect credit it is almost impossible to put into words because perfect credit is a myth. The best the majority of consumers can achieve is good credit, and this is due to the fact that we are human, and as humans we have a tendency to err. Yet, good credit is still a goal that is still unattainable by a large number of consumers because their credit is damage at a yo. . .

Fortune 500 Budgeting For Our Personal Lives

January and February are traditionally busy months in the financial industry as many New Year's resolutions typically include the goal of becoming debt free or saving for a major purchase. While many of our clients understand the importance of getting professional help when managing their business bookkeeping, only a few think to ask for our services in managing their personal finances.In the b. . .

Straddle Strategies in Option Trading

The straddle strategy is an option strategy that's based on buying both a call and put of a stock. Note that there are various forms of straddles, but we will only be covering the basic straddle strategy. To initiate a Straddle, we would buy a Call and Put of a stock with the same expiration date and strike price. For example, we would initiate a Straddle for company ABC by buying a June $20 Ca. . .

FOREX 101: Make Money with Currency Trading

For those unfamiliar with the term, FOREX (FOReign EXchange market), refers to an international exchange market where currencies are bought and sold. The Foreign Exchange Market that we see today began in the 1970's, when free exchange rates and floating currencies were introduced. In such an environment only participants in the market determine the price of one currency against another, base. . .

Do You Make This Success Mistake?

This success mistake has cost me so much money that I'm almost embarrassed to tell you. "So Mike, why are you telling me?" Because I know that if you can steer away from this success mistake, it can help you improve your income and change your life. That's my goal. Here's how this came about: Yesterday, I was reading a book about investing from the very successful money manager Peter Lynch. Eve. . .

How to Keep Customers

Who was it that said - "The customer is always right"? Well for those of you who can't get through the day without knowing, it was H Gordon Selfridge, the founder of Selfridges's department store in London. The question I want answered is; did he ever work with customers on day-to-day basis and if so, was he some kind of saint? Let's face it; customers can be a real pain in the neck. You move h. . .