Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Office Organization: How to Use the Tool Professional Org...

Many professional organizers don't leave either home or office without one tool. What is it? Drum roll please……The answer is a labelmaker. "Most organizers favorite tool is the electronic labelmaker," confirms Diane Hatcher, president of Timesavers Professional Organizing Services, Cooper City, Florida (www.timesaversusa.com). "I particularly use a Brother PT65. It's a portable labelmaker. And . . .

The New Ways To Do The Business: MBA or CIO?

The old and standard business administration concepts included in any current MBA program are very important, but today the companies are very different.This new situation strong demands a new MBA program including the General Control Theory, the control engineering, the new business technologies, the Management by Exception concept automated by computer systems, the Feedback Control System and. . .

Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley: a parableWe have all heard about the “Silicon Valley” miracle. Not long ago, Silicon Valley found itself at the centre of the world, a job- and money-making machine fueled by the popularity of the Internet and technological innovation. Those days are a distant memory now. Now, the Center of the World has become a technological Rust Belt.The streets, once throbbing with energy, . . .

How To Sell A Website Fast

Dear Website Owner,If you have an existing website or domain name you no longer need and wish to sell it to an interested buyer for a one-time profit, or if you?re a speculator looking to build a steady source of revenue by buying and reselling valuable domain names, this helpful guide will explain the steps you need to take to ensure a quick,easy,profitable sale. Step 1 ? Establish a Reasonabl. . .

5% Down Vs. 10% Down - A Comparison

It has always been an issue for home buyers to save their down payment. Many people, on advice from various people wait to save 10%, rather than moving into the home sooner with 5% as a down payment This is not always a good idea. Let me explain;We have 2 young couples, the Jones' and the Smiths. They both have the same amount of money to spend on housing and saving ($1000/month). From that $10. . .

7 Golden Rules to Financial Prosperity

Not Enough Money? I believe that most people haven't got enough money for everything they wish to have - the more you have the bigger your plans, and you have a feeling that you have less and less money. Whether you have lots of money or just so-so, you need to economize and take proper care of your money ie your income, expenditures, savings and investments. Below I give you 7 Golden Rules to . . .

Total Cost of Credit vs Monthly Payment

I read a press release the other day which points to the fact we need to be very careful with our finances. The subject of the release was home mortgages. A company was announcing the availability of 40 year mortgages for its customers. The stated purpose was to lower the monthly payments to make buying a home more affordable. Whenever I hear the phrase “more affordable”, I put my hand . . .

How Can the Average Person Build Wealth in Real Estate?

Books on real estate are a dime a dozen—and most focus on taking advantage of someone else’s misfortune. They frequently describe lofty methods for buying and selling properties no ordinary citizen can be successful using. Real estate professional Dan Auito has had enough of books that waste people’s time, money, and effort, and sap their will to believe in their abilities. So he has written “M. . .

Business Cartoons Mean Business

Let’s face it, unless you’re Donald Trump, business can be pretty dull most of the time. Maybe that’s why so many people decorate their cubicles and offices with cartoons. A good laugh can really perk up your day! So why don’t more businesses use business cartoons?It’s interesting that so few companies make the connection between cartoons and business. Are they afraid of not being taken serious. . .

Tax Assessment/Appraisal: How Do I Know What My Home is W...

If you are in the home buying or selling market, it’s important to understand the difference between tax assessment and appraisal value. Concentrate on the appraisal value because this determines your asking price. Understanding Tax AssessmentThe tax assessment is a tool local governments use to exact a property tax rate on residents. The local government determines your home’s worth by reasses. . .

Scammers Use Better Business Bureau Name To Commit Scams

The Better Business Bureau recently issued a national alert to warn consumers and businesses about two questionable operations that are falsely using the BBB name to scam victims. One business is perpetrating an advance fee loan scam that targets consumers and businesses with poor credit records. It has provided as a reference fictitious BBB phone numbers that are answered by representatives wh. . .

Make or Break Factors - When Considering Estimating Software

Make-or-Break Factors in Success and ProfitabilityFor quick printers, estimating can prove to be a major factor in the success or failure of their business. When a customer requests a bid on a job, they need a fast turnaround, and the best price. For a printer, there are two important issues; first of course is the price and second the profit. If they price a job too high they might miss out on. . .

Debt Relief From Debt Consolidation

If you are up to your neck in debt, there may seem like there is no relief in sight. In fact this is not necessarily the truth. There are ways to take all of your stifling bills and roll them up into one neat package by using debt consolidation in two very popular forms Home Equity Loans, Refinancing Loans, and a Consolidation Credit Card. All of these instruments provide the debtor with one th. . .

The Power of a Home Equity Loan to Pay Down Debt

Households across the country are finding themselves in a similar situation. They lack the financial funds to make the necessary changes to their home and need to find a way to fund upgrades and eliminate debt. A popular way of financing these changes without killing themselves is by taking a home equity loan to pay down their debt. The Home Equity Loan has become a fast-track way of paying dow. . .

Credit Cards For People With Bad Credit Scores

Sometimes life lands you in a situation that causes your credit to suffer. A job loss or illness can send your credit rating south leaving you with nothing to do about it. Some creditors may let you slide a month or two, but your records will still show a delinquency. A stolen identity can also leave you feeling violated and unable to resume a normal life with credit. It is during these times y. . .

Mystery Shopping - An excellent part time job or addition...

Though the name itself may seem a bit mysterious, the concept of mystery shopping is actually straightforward. Also referred to as secret shopping, performance evaluations, service checks and frontline evaluations to name a few, mystery shopping allows companies to obtain a “snapshot in time” by trained researchers who know in advance what they are to evaluate. It provides management a method t. . .

PR Where it Matters Most

What’s more crucial to the success of a business, non-profit or association than its most important outside audiences and stakeholders? Nothing. Those stakeholder behaviors directly impact virtually every management and operating activity of the organization. From retail patronage, recruiting, civic activity, contributions, and strategic alliances to membership, program participation, plain old. . .

Halloween Costumes Can Make You Scream – So Can Having Yo...

Halloween costumes are a scary thing for many this time of year. It is also frightening to know your business or commercial property has potential for being victimized. Here are 10 prevention measures to keep property safe from those things that go ‘bump’ in the night and ensure business owners from having a terrifying theft experience. Locks and Padlocks – Locks on all outside entrances and. . .

Financial Success secret

Financial Success-The Secrets Of Financial SuccessAfter speaking with a gentleman this morning, hearing his excuses or so called reasons for his lack of financial success, I realized that the majority of our population is broke only because they lack the one key ingredient or secret. Financial success is as easy as one-two-three. Let me explain.Many people believe that with a little more educat. . .

10 Tips to Grow Your Business Plain & Simple

“Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value.” Albert EinsteinRecently I heard a statistic that the majority of businesses operate at 60% of their potential. While I was unable to obtain the source of that statistic it seemed rather accurate or maybe even high. The Small Business Association reports that “2/3 of new employer firms survive at least 2 years, and about 1. . .

How to Build a Real Estate Investing Power Team

As you continue to read about real estate investing, you will no doubt come across the term 'power team'. What is this 'power team'? A power team is a group of people without whom successful real estate investing becomes very difficult, if not impossible. Included in a power team are at least one real estate agent, a mortgage broker, and a real estate lawyer, all of whom will have experience in. . .

Organizing The Information

Putting a piece of paper in a file folder is easy; finding it again is the hard part. There are ways to make your files easier to use and your papers easier to find. Invest in a sturdy, four or five-drawer file cabinet. Spend the extra money it takes to get quality and durability. You’ll spend more money replacing a cheaper file cabinet a few times than buying a reliable one in the beginning. Y. . .

Mutual Funds: What Investors Need to Know About Morningst...

Morningstar now provides Fiduciary Grades on mutual funds. How does Morningstar determine these grades? How can mutual fund investors use these grades to better manage their portfolios?Mutual fund investors use Morningstar Rating™ as a sign post of mutual fund performance. These ratings have proved to be a valuable tool for objectively comparing the performances of different mutual funds.In 200. . .

Debt Recovery Can be Easy

OK, so you are up to your head in debt. You are stressed out, it is now affecting the way you function and absorbing most of your daily thoughts. You have no idea what to do. OK, first things first. Take a step back and try and look at things with a clear head. Your debt is manageable. If you have many bills and just can't afford them all, the first thing you should consider is a debt con. . .

Parenting and Running a Home-Based Business

An Ann Landers column "Parenthood is not a job for the weak at heart" caught my interest.Job Description for a ParentPosition: ParentJob Description: Long-term player needed for challenging, permanent work in chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts. There is some overn. . .

Paralysis By Analysis

Every day we get emails and telephone calls from people who want to get started in Real Estate. We hear, I am just checking out your program. Or, I’ve been researching for the past six months to try and find a program. While researching and checking out programs is an important step, so many of these individuals never follow through to the next step, which is getting started and moving forward.. . .

Organizing Your Day

One of the hardest things for most individuals working from home is to stay focused. One of the best ways to stay focused is organization. In addition, being organized will help your time management skills. The two are very much intertwined. Planning out your day is very important. What you will do in the morning, afternoon/and or evening, depending on what hours you work is paramount. Have a t. . .

Trading For A Living - Part 1

There can’t be many traders who haven’t at least considered the idea of telling the boss what they think of him, throwing it all in and going off to trade the stock market for a living. It’s a big risk financially, and that uncertainty is what stops most from jumping ship. Is it really possible to trade for a living?The DreamYou know how it is, you’re sitting in a traffic jam at some unearthly . . .

10 Ways Your Chamber of Commerce Can Help Your Business Grow

Joining your area's Chamber of Commerce can be a smart move for your home business. Because businesses that participate in this group promote each other and work together, your own business can grow and prosper quickly. Here are just a few ways you can benefit by joining your local Chamber of Commerce:- If you make it known that your product or service makes great client or employee gifts, you . . .

How To Turn Business Losses Into Cash Flow

When the typical new business operator starts a business, they concentrate on making the business succeed. That is necessary but not the only thing that a business operator should concentrate on. A business depends on cash flow to exist and grow, so business operators would do their business a good turn by looking at sources of cash flow provided by the Government.We are talking about the tax. . .

Christmas and Business Gifts for Your Clients and Employees!

Tis' the season for business and corporate gift-giving! If you believe in the law of reciprocity, and if your business is the least bit successful you must; you know that giving back is not only the right thing to do, but it's very smart business as well. Let's look at some of the benefits and mechanics of Christmas and holiday gift-giving. * WHY DO IT AT ALL? Gift giving is an excellent way to. . .

Lobster Trapping for Investment Ideas

Recently, my family and I took a trip to Maine to visit relatives. During our stay, we toured the rocky shore lines and took in the beautiful architecture of the old towns.One sunny morning, three generations of Wardlaws boarded a lobster boat and set out on a guided lobster trapping excursion.We quickly learned lobstermen lead a life of hard work and regulations. Over the course of many years. . .

Trading For A Living - Part 2

In part 1 of this article I started to look at the financial implications of giving up the day job to instead start trading full time for a living. There are more than just monetary considerations as we will see later, but for now, there are some more costs to ponder.More Costs!Let’s move on to equipment. Presumably you already have a PC and internet connection by virtue of the fact you are rea. . .

Lesson 2: How To Find Profitable Niche Markets

There are thousands of potential areas that you can focus on when you are starting a new Internet business. Some are likely to be hugely profitable; others will probably not make you very much money. So how do you choose an area that is going to be profitable to you where there’s hopefully not too much competition? The skill of selecting the right market to focus on is one of the most important. . .

Move Key Audiences to Actions You Want

How? Try a blueprint like this: people act on their own perception of the facts before them, which leads to predictable behaviors about which something can be done. When we create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-desired-action the very people whose behaviors affect the organization the most, the public relations mission is accomplished. It seems wor. . .

Choosing A Forex Broker

With currency trading becoming ever more popular, the number of brokers is growing at a rapid rate. What should one look at when deciding which broker to open an account with? These are the important points to consider.SpreadBecause currencies, unlike futures and stocks, are not traded through a central exchange, the spread can be different depending on the broker you use, so it's well worth ch. . .

The Realities Of Market Timing

Market timing systems are based on patterns of activity in the past. Every system that you are likely to hear about works well when it is applied to historical data. If it didn’t work historically, you would never hear about it. But patterns change, and the future is always the great unknown. A system developed for the market patterns of the 1970s, which included a major bear market that lasted. . .

Speaker Partnership Offers Trade Show Value

Want to gain added exposure at a trade show? Consider sponsoring a professional speaker at the attendees meeting. But don't just settle for a banner on the stage with your company name. There's much more leverage you can get from a top flight professional speaker. Having been the sponsored keynoter at major conferences, I am amazed how many sponsors respond with astonishment when I suggest wa. . .

How I built a Site In Just 8 Hours That Makes Between $10...

Actually, for a while this site was making more then $350 a week. On top of the 8 hours it took me to set up, I only spend about 10 or so minutes a week on maintenance. … Ok, so here’s what I did: firstly, I found a great affiliate program that I wanted to promote. In this case it was the satellite TV affiliate program that I mention on my page: http://www.profitpuppy.com/top-affiliates.htm. Th. . .

Seven Key Tax Deductions for the Self Employed

As a sole proprietor, it*s wise to familiarize yourself with the some key deductions that may reduce your tax bill for 2004. Small-business consultants generally recommend that you hire an accountant to prepare your tax returns, payroll and financial statements. But you should also meet with your accountant well before the year-end rush to discuss such matters as tax planning, and record keepin. . .

Microsoft Great Plains: Manufacturing or Bill of Material...

Microsoft Great Plains is main Microsoft Business Solutions product, targeted to mid-size companies. Currently Microsoft is in progress of transforming several ERP products it has: Microsoft Great Plains, Solomon and Navision into several business suites - Microsoft Financial, Microsoft HR, Microsoft Manufacturing, Microsoft Logistics. These suites may be (in the future) put together and work. . .

Better Decisions: Balancing Efficiency & Buy-In

A big source of managerial churn is lack of clarity around the decision process. The biggest source of confusion is the Team Decision. Does this mean that the boss wants lots of input and discussion before deciding or does it mean that a decision isn*t made until everyone agrees? Either approach can be effective, the problem is that the group is usually not clear on which one it is. Every one i. . .

10 Wisdom-Based Wealth-Building Strategies

“It’s the business of your life…and you’re the CEO!” Gala GormanImagine that you’re Noah and God is telling you that you need to build the ark. You might suspect that Noah was a bit skeptical. Could it actually rain for such an extended period of time that a small ship would be required to survive the storm? According to the Bible, the answer is “Yes!”So, when I suggest you build an ark of . . .

10 Ways to Develop Your Latent Leader

latent (adj.) – Not visible or apparent, but capable of developing or being expressed; dormant.Everyone has leadership qualities. The visible difference lies in the degree those qualities are developed. Each individual chooses their own path and determines to what degree skills are developed and how those skills or qualities will be expressed. There are born leaders, but even those people evolv. . .

Is Vacation Rental Ownership Your Business Opportunity?

It's a dream I've heard so many people express: "I want to run a bed and breakfast. They are so cute" Or "I want to own a vacation rental property, so I can get a free vacation and make money the rest of the year.But what is really involved in being a vacation landlord? Is it a business that is right for you. I asked 9 vacation rental owners for their advice to would-be vacation rental owne. . .

September, 2004 - How to Take a Break from Leave Administ...

Telecommuting is becoming a reality. Although Leave Administration is one of the simplest human resource tasks performed in a company, employees will realise that a paper based Leave Administration system is inefficient when a telecommuting business model is considered. LeaveForms, a web-browser based, employee self-service, leave administration system offers a solution to this predicament.Tel. . .

Bringing the World to Your Door

“The key to your success on the web is the ability to get surfers to stop at your site, look around and ultimately to buy something.” – Heidi RichardsAccording to Internet.com, by the year 2008 nearly 30% of offline purchases will be influenced by online research. If your site is a well-implemented ecommerce site, the web can significantly lower both order-taking costs and customer support cost. . .

How to Achieve E-commerce Success –You Gotta Plan!

Before becoming a netpreneaur, I was an entrepreneur. First, I owned a successful child care center which grew to capacity in less than two years. When I sold that, I bought a little flower shop that had less than 300 customers and grew it to what it is today, one of the most successful, award winning companies in South Florida with more than 7,000 customers who purchase from us on a regular b. . .

Attracting Clients With Ease

Whether you are already running your own business, or still thinking about starting your own business, I suspect that deep down you know you have gifts and talents that can really make a difference to others. In an ideal world, you'd spend the majority of time doing the work you love to do, with a steady stream of clients knocking at your door as and when you want them. The reality, however, ca. . .

Monday Morning Mindfulness 08/23/2004

Welcome to Monday Morning Mindfulness . . . to my Clients, Colleagues and Friends. Join me every other Monday in getting motivated and inspired to act/think/feel something differently. 1. ON SPECIAL OFFERS AND INVITATIONS Would you like to be paid to speak? Learn how to connect with your audience? Persuade people to act on what you say? You can get answers to these questions and more through. . .