Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Getting Some Perspective On Your Avoidance Habits

It is quite natural for human beings to avoid discomfort. Our brains are wired that way. Without thinking about it, we'll rush in from the cold. Of course! Without really thinking about it, we'll steer clear of somebody we don't particularly like. Of course! Without thinking about it, we'll bypass the ________ section of the buffet table. Of course! It's the SPINACH section!And without really t. . .

25 Ways to Find Companies to Buy

When you start your program to purchase your “ideal” company, you quickly realize that your ultimate success will depend on two primary skill sets: 1) Your ability to FIND viable companies that are for sale, and 2) Your ability to effectively qualify the potential acquisition investment once found. This article is about only step one, how to creatively find viable companies and one’s that are a. . .

What Are Ringtones

What is Ringtones?Ringtones are melodic sounds a cellular or cell phone makes when an incoming call or message arrives. Since cellular phones are significantly more sophisticated than landline phones, ringtones can be personalized to suit the owner's personal taste. A variety of ringtones have appealed to consumers, increasing handsets saleability.Why use RingtonesThere are a number of reasons . . .

Home Based Business: Your Ultimate Tax Shelter

Starting and operating your own home based business is the ultimate tax shelter.Although this article has been written from a Canadian income tax perceptive, the principles should be practical in other tax jurisdictions.1. Non-Deductible Personal Living ExpensesAll of us have expenses that we incur in everyday living.Either you rent an apartment or house or you own your residence. Utilities, in. . .

How To Make, And Keep, Money Trading Stocks

If you are serious about making and keeping money by trading stocks, then there are three things you need to do, and do well. Money management Orders Trading systemMoney managementMoney management comes first. Without a rock-solid method of managing your trading funds, you trading results will be only be fair at best. Money management is more than just knowing how much money you have tied up in. . .

Internet Marketing and Your Old Age

Everybody wants to learn how to make money on the Internet. What about saving money for retirement and your future? If you don't do it, who will? Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank, recently confronted the U.S. Congress about the cost of future retirement benefits.You may recall the 1999 Tom Hanks film, "The Green Mile". This film adaptation of Stephen King's novel provide. . .

Is This A Good Time To Sell Your Body Shop Business?

Have you ever asked yourself the question? “Is this a good time to sell my business?” That is a question every business owner asks himself, everytime he has a bad day. I once received e-mail from the editor of the Auto Body News, asking me that key question. “What is happening in the market today? Is this a good time to sell? ” My quick answer was “These are very interesting times.” Of course . . .

Your Must Know Guide To Software Online

You've purchased a brand new high tech computer. You gaze at your new monitor with pride. You are more than ready to surf the Net! But wait! Where's the software! The basic software you will need to enjoy your browsing, online safety, send and receive emails or download.So What Now! No need to worry. If you've been on the Internet for awhile you know about the numerous freeware sites explodin. . .

Best Long-Term Investment In Today's Market?

The stock market is very unstable at this time going up and down while interest rates are so low you want to be a borrower and not a lender. Would you like some suggestions on how can you get the most out of low interest rates while being assured your principal will not disappear while you are trying to make some money? Of course, there is always the danger of borrowing the money and then spe. . .

Joining Industry Specific Organizations Has Many Benefits

Recently, while providing an up-and-coming Virtual Assistant (VA) and small business owner with some start-up information, she asked me a very interesting question, “Why do you and other VA’s join organizations?”I guess I take for granted the reasons why I belong to several industry specific organizations. But, to those that are new to any industry, joining an organization made up of your compe. . .

How Do You Put a Value on Your Time?

As a small business owner, does the following paragraph sound familiar to you…?“Other than doing the technical ‘fix-its’ with my computer…I do it all! I have found that this keeps me very limited in growing my business and taking on new clients. I wish I had someone to help but how can I justify hiring someone when I can do the work myself…when I have the time?”This is a very common issue for m. . .

The Biggest Employment Change of All - Becoming an Entrep...

For many of us, change can be a scary thing. When we are children, there is nothing better than meeting new friends and going to new places. But, when we become adults, change can be something that is less than appealing. From finishing school and going on to college or university to getting married and having children, our lives are nothing but life changing moments.Sometimes the one change th. . .

Online Promotion Beats Traditional Ten-One

While traditional marketing can work for the book author or publisher, the return is dim for the huge effort it takes. You must promote 90% of the time to even get a milligram of attention. While you may have a success or two, most of your efforts will bring poor book sales. Ask yourself right now, what is working for me? What is not? The Press Release Sure, press releases can bring you attenti. . .

Ten Tips To Get Started Writing Your Book

You are far more likely to successfully write and publish your book if you follow these tips before you write a single chapter. 1. Write your book's working title. It helps you focus and answer the readers' questions about the topic. Most non- fiction has subtitles as well. It's better to be clear than clever, but clever and clear are fine. _Passion At Any Age: Twelve Ways to Unleash It_, _Self. . .

Promote your Business and Products through Submitting Art...

Articles submitted to Online publishers bring your site new visitors and increase your ezine subscribers. You can also get these benefits by submitting your articles to top Web sites that not only promote your products, but also your services. Here's how to get your articles on Web sites that have 1000- 500,000 visitors each day. 1. Run a search on the top search engines to find the top ten Web. . .

Getting Organized For The New Year - Part 2

In part 1, we discussed a system you could use to organize your office. In this article we will discuss what material is needed to implement that system. You will need the following items for your office system. Calendar/Daily Planner; Accordion File (1-31); Manila Files with the Months of the Year (Or you can make them up yourself - a lot less expensive); Hanging Files; Manila Files; Boxes and. . .

Getting Organized For The New Year - Part 1

The following procedures will insure an organized and well run office.1. Have a daily To Do sheet. This is made up at the end of the day. You might have items left over from the previous day, put those items first and work from there. If you make deposits on a daily basis, add them to the list. Plan to file at the end of the day or before/after lunch breaks. Doing this daily will avoid the "pil. . .

Businesses - Leisurely Dining Or Fast Food

It occurred to me the other day, that so many people today liken their businesses to the way they eat - fast. Think about it. All over the web we are inundated with... make $1000's of dollars a day, make $10,000 a month, make a million by the end of the year. Everyone is looking for the magic formula or the magic bullet to get rich quick...fast. They want their business to succeed in the time i. . .

Book Review of "Articles That Sell"

"Articles that Sell" by Bonnie Jo DavisPublished by: Davis Virtual AssistanceGenre: Business/MarketingDescription: IngeniousHow can you effectively and inexpensively promote your business on the Internet? But, all you have is a one page website and your site can't possibly attract a lot of traffic. Plus, you don't know how to find the people interested in what you have to sell. Never fear... . .

Open Doors by Catering to Your Clients

Clients… they are the most important influence in the success of any business. It is vital to keep them satisfied and happy.Clients should be catered to. Their every need should be met and more. We need to make them feel like they are our number one client, as they all are. Catering to our clients should not be anything new to a professional business person. After all, we all know that exceptio. . .

Increase Your Success and Reduce Your Stress by Outsourcing

When you picture a business professional’s typical office scenario, what comes to mind? A classy man or woman, dressed in a high priced business suit, an overflowing briefcase sitting on the corner of the desk, dictating memos and delegating tasks to a very overworked secretary?How about a home-based business owner, sitting in their basement office, kids pulling at their pant legs while they ar. . .

Money Does Talk!

When buying something, you can buy in one of two markets. The first is buying on terms in the retail market and the second is buying in the wholesale cash market. This can be illustrated by referring to the biggest purchase we all make in our lifetime - Real Estate. In recent years, when you are buying a house it is easy to get financing of the first mortgage, so the seller is not forced to f. . .

Thank-You Notes: An Integral Part of Your Career Design

There is one little practice that is vital to generating the interest of potential employers. It is critical, but very few job seekers actually do it. What is it? The THANK YOU NOTE! Interview experts agree that EVERY job hunter MUST send thank-you notes after EVERY interview. They also point out that most people completely ignore this bit of wisdom. In order to have a huge advantage over the o. . .

Home Office Tips (Part 1)

Tip One:Welcome To Part One In A Series Of "Home Office Tip Articles." Most will find the following Home Office Tips very practical and effective if they take them into due consideration, and use these basic strategies to improve their at home office space.Lighting: Medical science discovered that light has a profound effect on work output. This probably has to do with two very vital areas in t. . .

Virtual Assistance = Higher Productivity

Running any office can be challenging, even in the best of circumstances. Whether the company is a small business or a large corporation, as it grows so does the amount administrative tasks that need to be carried out on a daily basis.For some companies, all that is required to alleviate the overload is to empty the in-boxes, file the paperwork and clean off the desks. For others, prioritizing . . .

Dealing With Stress in Our Overworked Lives

As small business owners, we often take on more than we can handle. Wearing all the hats running our businesses, as well as the other commitments we have (i.e. volunteer work, family, etc.), can sometimes leave us feeling overworked, frustrated, and stressed out. Being under so much stress is not good for anyone and it can definitely have an effect on our businesses. So we need to alleviate som. . .

Keeping Clients Happy Keeps them Coming Back

Whether you are a seasoned small business professional, or you have just opened your doors to new clients, your marketing strategy should not only involve bringing in new business, it should also include keeping your current clients, your most important asset, happy and coming back for more or referring your services.Top-notch customer service is the most important contributing factor in the su. . .

Tips for a Successful Trade Show

Well, autumn is upon us and with the onset of this season comes cleaner air and colourful outdoor scenery and, it is also prime season for trade shows. Sure, trade shows happen all throughout the year but, with many areas recognizing small business month/week, there is a greater opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their products or services to their target markets.As small business owners. . .

Take A Break!

Calgon… Take me away!Okay, sorry about that.. a bit of an inside joke. Or, was it? How many times a day do you find yourself muttering those words to yourself. I may be aging myself here but I think that sentiment is felt by everyone, at some point. As busy entrepreneurs, we need to “get away from it all” in order to rejuvenate our bodies and our minds. Our days, as home-based business owners, . . .

What Is A Virtual Assistant & Why Do You Need One?

Virtual Assistants (also known as VAs) are home-based entrepreneurs who take pride in providing fellow small business professionals with a wide range of office tasks, from administrative support to web design & maintenance. VAs are able to provide professional, creative assistance without ever having to go into the client’s office. Being small business owners themselves, VAs understand that suc. . .

Smashing the Myth of the Press Release

A musician spends years honing his craft. He writes world-class songs and performs them in a manner that moves his listeners to tears. He records a demo tape and sends it to record labels. He gets a contract and becomes rich, famous and adored. The lesson: demo tapes are the secret of becoming a famous musician. Wait, you say, the demo tape was just a tool, just his way of conveying his talent.. . .

"The Lazy Way To Build A Responsive Opt-In Email List"

If you're in business on the Internet to make a profit, then you're probably aware of how significant a list of prospects is to your success.But what if you don't want to spend countless hours each and every week promoting, writing and managing a continuous email publication?Well, here's a relatively-unused strategy you can apply to nurture a list of prospects who not only trust you, but are al. . .

Don't Make The Mistake Of Thinking A Will Is Not A Priority

(NC)-Did you know that many Canadians mistakenly believe that having a will is not a priority? Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, a will is probably the most important document you will ever write.If you die without a will, the province in which you live will decide how to distribute your estate. And if you have children who are minors, the provincial government (through the Publ. . .

A Sense of Humor in the Workplace ... Is it me? Or, was ...

When I was first initiated into Corporate America, I had a sense of humor that went unmatched by any mortal soul. I was quick-witted, smart, sharp, and knew every gag and joke available to humanity. Most of it, I learned in college. But, college never really did teach the fact that having a sense of humor in the workplace is different than 'jocularity.' After a few brushes with career-chaos. . .

Business Partners & Marital Partners, Will the Marriage S...

In the last article, we concluded by saying that keeping your business and personal relationships separate is very important to the survival of both your business and your marriage. In this article we will talk about how to achieve this goal.One of the most important ways to accomplish this is to set up distinct business hours, and when they are over, don't discuss business, concentrate on your. . .

Business Partners & Marital Partners, Will the Marriage S...

With today's economy, and the layoffs occurring as a result of these economic conditions, more and more people are opting to start their own business. Due to the low start up costs, the prevalence of home-based businesses is on the rise, many of these started by husband and wife teams.With the move from the corporate world to the home-based, couples are finding that a new set of problems are oc. . .

3 Simple Filing Guidelines

One of the most basic ways to find papers when you need them is to retrieve them from an effective filing system. A good filing system will allow you to find what you're looking for in 10 seconds or less.Here are 3 simple filing guidelines that can help:CATEGORIZING. A filing system is only effective, if you can find everything you need, when you need it--without a struggle. And all good filing. . .

Tough Times Demand Resilient Leaders

The stock market gyrates with unpredictable and heartburning results. Icons of solid companies become straw figures before balance sheets. Children are abducted from their front yards and networks of terrorists spiral throughout the world. Religious institutions cast shadows of duplicity while El Nino brings strange fish to the California coasts and out-of-control fires head toward ancient Seq. . .

Your Home - A Hidden Source Of Financing

(NC)-Your home is more than just a place to hang your hat. In addition to being a source of pride and protection, it can be a valuable source of equity. With interest rates still low, now may be a good time to consider a renovation, purchasing a new car or making some investments. The equity in your home may be able to help you secure the necessary funds to help you achieve your goals. One way . . .

How To Survive A Small Business Setback

(NC)-Business ups and downs are a part of an entrepreneur's life. But sometimes the downs can reach the point where they seriously threaten the survival of your business. Many factors can contribute to business difficulties. You may have been outflanked by a competitor, or have been blindsided by unexpected changes in interest rates or a loss of a major customer. The first task in turning thing. . .

Save Big On Your Mortgage

(NC)-Did you know that when you take out a fixed-rate mortgage, you're paying a big "safety premium"? That's because banks usually set their fixed rates at considerably higher levels than their variable rates. They do so to ensure that a fixed-rate mortgage will still be profitable for them if interest rates rise.If you're a potential homeowner, you should ask yourself if that premium is worth . . .

Make Your Money Work Year-Round

(NC)-For many Canadians, the only time they are prompted to think of their investments is during the winter months, primarily in response to RSP deadlines. However, investing regularly and putting your cash to work year round, reaps many more benefits including growth through compounding, improved cash flow management and the efficiency of dollar cost averaging. So even if you're at the cottage. . .

Easiest 20% Return You Can Make

(NC)-Many parents with hopes and dreams of a post-secondary education for their children also wonder where all the money will come from to pay for this education. According to Statistics Canada, the average tuition fee for a full-time undergraduate arts student in Canada was $3,526 for the 2001/2002 academic year. Nova Scotia had the highest average tuition fees in this faculty category at $4,7. . .

First-Time Home Buyers Can Save For That Downpayment Faster

(NC)-For many first-time homebuyers, the thought of saving a substantial amount of money for a downpayment can seem overwhelming. But there are several ways to make a downpayment a lot easier and have you into your new home faster than you'd ever imagined. So, here are a few tips on how to get your downpayment together:Invest in yourself first.No doubt you think that paying your monthly bills i. . .

Personal Financial Planning : How To Find The Right Estat...

Five must-ask questions(NC)-Beware of estate planners charging little or nothing to draft your estate plan. They are likely earning a commission on the investment products they recommend - which could compromise the objectivity of their advice. And note that competent estate planners should offer a holistic approach to estate planning. That is, an objective and skillful adviser provides more th. . .

Untapped Resource

Imagine yourself accessing the Internet, surfing websites, using ICQ & other chat programs, sending email, writing letters, administration or related? Now imagine if you were doing that for some small business that requires Internet help simply because they lack the "time" and human resources to do it themselves? Last but not least imagine 'not getting paid for it'? GREAT JOB you say! In realit. . .

RRSP Investing Mistakes To Avoid

(NC)-So, you're ready to step up contributions to your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). You are eager for the tax and compounding growth benefits. You think you are on your way to a blissful, carefree retirement, right? Maybe. But if you don't take the time to learn about this type of investment, you can make mistakes, cost yourself money and slow down your ability to build wealth.Joa. . .

Family Finance Beyond RRSPs

(NC)-Congratulations, you have contributed the maximum amount to your RRSP. So now what?"At this point," says Anita Prescott, a certified financial planner (CFP) and Winnipeg-based financial adviser with CIBC Imperial Service, "it's best if couples can work with a dedicated financial adviser to really look into their net worth (the difference between what you own and what you owe)." And to maxi. . .

Death And Taxes - Two Certainties Of Life

(NC)-There are no estate taxes or succession duties in Canada. However, taxes upon death have not disappeared. When a person dies, there is a 'deemed disposition' of all capital property. What does that mean? It means that the government treats all your property (unless jointly held) such stocks, bonds, RRSPs, real estate, etc as sold at fair market value on the day of your death. Your estate w. . .

Steering Your Way To Wealth

(NC)-When it comes to growing your net worth, one of the vehicles capable of moving you along the road to wealth is your investments. A roadmap, in the form of a good financial plan, and 'directions' from a knowledgeable financial adviser, can come in handy, too. "Once someone has decided to invest, there are many options," explains Anita Prescott, a Winnipeg-based certified financial planner (. . .