Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Maximize Profits By Pricing Your Home Right!

Setting a price is probably THE most important decision you will make when selling your house. A solid pricing strategy will sell your house quickly and for the most money possible. The following will help you get set the RIGHT price: 1. Know the market: First go through the Internet or the local newspaper and find out how much houses are selling for in your area. Next phone a realtor and make . . .

Crossing The Line Of Fear

Oh, this is a great topic! I remember when I was younger and in school, fear stopped me from asking out a girl I wanted to date. I can remember all the thoughts of different things I wanted to say and how I would ask her out. But as quickly as the thoughts to ask her out popped in my head, I came up with all the reasons why she might say no. I remember the "feeling" of rejection and embarrassme. . .

Why Do You Want To Start a Home Business?

Now, the very first thing you would want to ask yourself BEFORE starting a home based business is: "what is my purpose for looking at something like this?" By clearly defining a clear cut goal and purpose, you will know why you're in that position in the first place and therefore knowing the path to take to get there. It is funny how most of the time people don't even know deep down their REAL. . .

Debt Elimination & Debt Consolidation Can Work Together

Debt elimination has always been my goal. But on this day, when I received the bill for the sudden replacement of the clutch in my car, the VISA bill and word that my daughter needed orthodontics for her teeth, how was I ever going to realize my debt elimination goals?Does that sound familiar? It’s totally frustrating. It’s very easy to log your spending and identify high interest credit cards . . .

Coming to a Business Like Yours: Webware

Whether you sell a product, a service, or a combination of both, those who are successful have one thing in common... an efficient back-office. But the “cost” of an efficient office has meant using complex accounting and order-entry programs that are hard to learn and can require a computer expert to network many machines together. The software companies have not been standing still during the . . .

The Ten Keys to Maximizing Employee Performance

1. Let people know what you expect. If people know what’s expected of them, that’s what they’ll do--if they don’t know what’s expected, they’ll do something else. Communicate clear and unambiguous performance expectations and hold people accountable for their achievement. 2. Be a systems thinker. Remind people of their interconnectedness and that something happening in one area affects all othe. . .

Ten Fun Ways to Liven up Any Presentation

Most of us would agree that having humor in our lives increases rapport, strengthens our relationships and overcomes communication barriers. People who work in a positive, often playful environment are more likely to stay. Productivity and creativity increase while stress is reduced. We just feel better after a good laugh. Think funny! 1. Open with a humorous story. . I remember the time the li. . .

How To Prepare For A BIG Pay-Off When You Sell

Follow the steps below to get a higher price for your house: 1. Get your house ready to sell: a. Remove the clutter, starting from the most important room in the house...the kitchen. Then move on to the bathroom, closets, furniture and storage areas. b. Fix up the house interior, but watch your spending! You'll be surprised at how quickly the costs add up! Spend money only on items that will . . .

Saving Money By Using a Calling Card

A calling card offers a viable alternative to traditional long distance calling plans. In fact, a long distance prepaid phone calling card is the fastest growing segment of the telecommunications industry, with more than 60 percent of Americans having used them, according to the International Prepaid Communications Association (IPCA). The market is inundated with companies offering a cheap call. . .

How Home-Based Business Entrepreneurs Think

Too many people are trying to start their home businesses with an ordinary employee's way of thinking. This has become a common reason why not long after sitting down and giving it a fair look into even the most lucrative business opportunity they bump into, they put it away and decide not to take any chances.What has happened here is that the most lucrative business opportunity has been looke. . .

JV Alert : The Domino Theory

Most of us know what dominos are and many of us have seen those amazing demonstrations when a massive number of dominos are set in a somewhat magical array and the creator pushes one domino over and they all fall down in harmony one after the other. It's called the domino theory and if you do it just right it works and looks spectacular. Wouldn't it be great if online businesses worked thi. . .

To Factor or Not to Factor?

The purchasing of accounts receivable (invoices) is generally known as factoring. Businesses can sell their invoices to companies known as factors. Although not all businesses are familiar with factoring, historians claim that factoring dates back to the ancient Roman civilization making it one of the world’s oldest methods of finance.In the past, merchants used factoring to settle their trade . . .

The Power of Visualization

Professional athletes and other highly successful people use the power of visualization technique on a regular basis. Why? Results of a 20-year study of the effects of visualization on results revealed an amazing discovery. Humans see pictures on the screen of the mind when thoughts are being processed; i.e. when they think of things. For example, if a person, let’s say, George Right, stopped d. . .

Your Dolphin E-mail Caught In Spam Tuna Net?

Let me ask a couple of questions: If (potential) customers sends an e-mail to your company, do they want to receive an answer? If you, in return, e-mail your customer, do you expect that your e-mail is delivered to the customer? Well, in my case, I answered "YES" on both questions. After all, the customer asks for an answer, so it's normal to expect that when you send an e-mail in return, that . . .

What Many PR Users Ignore

Simply that the behaviors of their most important outside audiences rank pretty low on their list of things to worry about. And this despite the reality that, properly cared for, those behaviors can affect whether or not those managers achieve their managerial objectives. Unfortunately, many business, non-profit and association public relations budgets are used pretty much to produce newspaper . . .

How To Stop Spam (Especially If You’re Already a Victim)

Spam. Those annoying, time-consuming emails that clog your Inbox and ruin your day. You wonder: How did it ever get so bad? While it's not possible to completely eliminate spam, there are quite a few things you CAN do about the problem to reduce your burden. Spam is defined as an unsolicited email trying to get you to buy something. In addition, it's email that tries to get you to give up somet. . .

Fail Your Way To The Top

Have you had a challenging day or week? Feel a little tired or discouraged with a current situation? Ready to throw in the towel and quit something?Don’t worry. It’s very normal to go through times of feeling that something in life stinks and all there is to see and feel is the current mess. Here is something neat to ponder during those times, though. When doing battle with discouraged feelings. . .

What is Optimum Performance?

What is Optimum Performance? This question raises different responses from different people. It causes people to ponder issues like: Have you ever thought about how much better you could be doing in your business? How about your career? What about your relationship with someone you love? How about the state of your health right now? One or more of these areas most often needs a little more atte. . .

How To Market Your Home For A Quick Sale and High Price

Marketing can be one of the most frustrating things to do when you are selling your home without a realtor. Here is a quick checklist to help you: 1. After you have prepared your house for sale, Take a fresh look at all the good and bad features of your house and put it in writing.2. Next, prepare a list of just the good features and the benefit you have enjoyed from them over the years. Write . . .

Public Relations' 8 Fix Factors

I say to business, non-profit and association managers, a key part of your job description is – or should be – do everything you can to help your organization’s public relations effort as it strives to persuade important outside stakeholders to your way of thinking. Especially when it’s YOUR PR program that is tasked to move those stakeholders to behaviors that lead to the success of YOUR. . .

Beta Factors: How They Can Be Used In The Current Situation

Ever since the turn of the century, world stock markets have been very volatile. In other words there have been significant movements (up or down) in share prices. This phenomenon has been evidenced by the collapse in recent years of the share prices of the dot com companies (e.g. Yahoo, Amazon etc.) and the sharp falls in the share prices of telecommunication stocks (e.g. British Telecom, Mar. . .

Strategies for Creating a Niche Business

The customer told me, “My immediate goal is to get more customers into my business. My second agenda is to move slowly towards becoming more specialized as a business.” Here are the six steps we used with this business owner to make his transition to a niche business.MarketingWe completed an exercise that evaluated his current marketing efforts. (Yellow page ads, brochures, networking, profes. . .

No Load Mutual Funds: Boost Your Portfolio's Returns

Investors who exclusively use broadly diversified, no load mutual funds for their stock investments often lose out on opportunities to increase the reward potential of their portfolios. This article looks at two methods investors may use to enhance the performance of their portfolio of diversifed, no load mutual funds.Diversify, diversify, diversify!Rebalance your portfolio periodically.These h. . .

The Dreaded Direct Question...

(Please have a glass of water within reach before reading this article.)Your personal financial planning is the topic of discussion here today, but not quite yet. First I would like to bring your attention to the issue of bragging. The other day I was carrying on about how well our website was doing on the various search engines. If you typed in financial planning Victoria, or financial planner. . .

How do you Find a Topic to Speak On?

People are always looking for solutions to their problems. Do you have an expertise that can help people solve their challenges and frustrations? Ask people to see what bothers them. Find out what they need to achieve their goals. First, you must have a passion for what you would like to speak on. Next, see if your topic would be welcomed and needed by many people. Then come up with . . .

Becoming Radiant: Boost Your Team's Creativity with Mind ...

I don't take notes anymore. Instead, I create one wildly colorful, creative and inspiring page whenever I need to make a decision, prepare a presentation, or plan an event. That whole two-column plus and minus approach? Gone. Bring on the Mind Maps! I read Tony Buzan's first book on Mind Mapping back in the early eighties, but I was too caught up in the old-school world to see how it could be o. . .

PROVEN Online Business Success In 3 Easy Steps

Some marketing experts would have you believe that the key to a successful home business is limited to a select few and that this chosen bunch have tapped into vast secrets where riches are to be found in abundance. Others will push forward the idea that their product or service is all you need to make a monthly residual income a reality. Statistically only 5% of budding entrepreneurs will ma. . .

Networking - Outside The Box

We receive numerous emails regarding how to network. For those of us in lease purchasing it's easy, for others not so easy. For example, those in the travel business have been hit hard by business slowing down. Why not try to network with some of the tanning salons, and offer discounts to those individuals for cruises and/or exotic locals. Or network with B&B owners in your own state or neighb. . .

Finding Your Niche

Have you found your niche? If you really want to find out, you need to answer the following questions:1. Is your business the only one of its kind in town?2. Do people consider your service first and price later?3. How can prospective customers tell you apart from the masses of businesses in similar fields?4. Who are your target clients?5. Who aren't your target clients?6. Do you turn down cert. . .

The Top Ten Benefits of Having a Web Site

Do you need a web site? Are you considering getting one but are unsure? Here we take a look at the main reasons why a web site could be beneficial to your organisation.1) It will give you the competitive edgeIf you do not have a web site people cannot visit it – an obvious point you might say. But if your competitors have web sites people will be visiting them! These people are your potential c. . .

Playing the High-Stakes Biotech Game

Shares of biotechnology companies have declined, after the much anticipated American Society of Clinical Oncologists meeting in early June in New Orleans. This sector has been on a roll ever since Genentech (NYSE: DNA) vaulted 45% on May 19, 2003 following positive news from Phase III trials of Avastin in colorectal cancer patients. Is the recent correction a good time to fish or cut-bait?Befor. . .

Choosing a Merchant Account

3 Points of Choosing A ProviderPoint 1:Do you need a merchant account? If you are a new business, with limited funds and you anticipate processing less than $1000 a month in credit card payments, we do not recommend a formal merchant account. The associated monthly minimums and bank statements of accepting credit cards may not be cost effective. You might want to consider a 3rd party processor . . .

Delegation: When to Delegate, Who to Delegate to

There are some very simple guides for delegation. Most people delegate based on not wanting to do something. They simply walk out to their secretary or the closest sub-ordinate and ask them to do/finish the project. These people use delegation as a means to schlep off unwanted work. Almost all work within any organization is important. That does not mean that all work with in an organization. . .

Are You A Google Junkie

Google this, Google that, Google Google Google....... My name is Debbie and I am a Google PR Junkie. I have to laugh at myself as I say that. Because to me I was a Google PR junkie. I had to know what my PR was everyday! Sometimes more than once a day (ok, ok, i'll admit) everyday I checked at least four times a day to make sure my PR was still the same or maybe to see if it had moved up a notc. . .

Does Money Make Money?

If it is your goal to accumulate wealth, believing the fallacy that money makes money, will hinder your progress to no end. This belief stifles many to a life of failure, and misery.The goal setting theory of motivation means that you need to be positive - and realistic - to be able to reach your goal, especially if that goal is to make money.How many times do we hear that "money makes money.". . .

Home-Based Business Safety and Security Issues

Anyone that operates a business from home knows that home-based business security issues often come up. This is just part and parcel of running any home-based business.Realistically, in order to be successful at a home-based business, a business owner needs to release their address and phone number to potential clients or buyers eventually. Even if this is not done, it is rather easy for potent. . .

Corporate Team Building

There is a WHOLE lot of talk these days about Corporate Team Building. There are many, many options: vacation packages, rope courses, on-going office games, ice-breakers, etc. Management can also purchase videos, books, and seminar packages to assist them in building up their organization into a team worthy of belonging. A little later I will give you some ideas of where you can go for inform. . .

How to Enhance Quality in Your Business

Every business must strive to provide quality products and services to customers. To achieve that objective the company must draw well thought out policies and procedures to ensure 100% achievement of the targets.Here are some tips to ensure that your business attains and enhance quality:Document Quality Objectives and ProceduresQuality management objectives, policies and guidelines must be set. . .

This Old Business...

Not long ago I was asked to come out and take a look at a business that had been around for about 10 years... but the owner was frustrated with the amount of money he was making. Here is the story of a natural food retail store located in New York State. The business itself is located in western New York State, within a small village. It sits upon one of the “main drags” going through the vi. . .

Three Planning Myths

Are you -- like 70% of business owners -- working without a plan? Here are three myths that need to be dispelled about strategic planning for small business. 1. It has to be formal -- Not so. The value of a strategic plan for your small business is in putting the ideas on paper, creating action steps that will get you where you want to go and implementing those action steps. 2. I'm too small --. . .

The Secret to More Winning Trades is as Simple as Avoidin...

If you’re a normal human being, your need to feel good about yourself probably causes you to sell your winners too soon – and -- your need to avoid feelings of regret, causes you to hang on to your losers too long.At one time or another, we’re all guilty of letting our emotions dictate our investment decisions. But the only way to succeed in the market, is to keep greed, fear, pride and hope aw. . .

Top 10 Ways to Avoid Loan Fraud

Every year, misinformed homebuyers, often first-time purchasers or seniors, become victims of predatory lending or loan fraud. Below you'll find the top ten ways to avoid becoming a victim yourself.1.Take your time and shop around. You should be able to compare prices and houses. If a lender or broker tells you they are your only chance to get a loan or owning a home, don't do business with the. . .

Employers - Protect Yourself from Custody Battles that Ho...

Child custody? How'd that get to be an employer's concern? When an employee faces child custody litigation, it will effect their ability to do their job. And it often causes legal consequences for their employers as well. Unless you know where to draw the lines regarding your legal obligations and exposure, you could find your employee's custody difficulties costing the company in a variety of . . .

Multiple Channels, Multiple Times

I've just been reading about the frustrations of a Human Resources manager. He's tired of having to answer the same questions about benefits over and over again.I understand that, having been on both sides of the issue, both as a consumer of benefits and in communicating about them on behalf of corporate clients. Benefits can be the slippery eels of internal communication.But, to put the issue . . .

You Deserve To Retire Early

The fact is that most people continue to work for a living, because they don’t have the means to live without that income. Do not get me wrong. You may enjoy doing what you do. If you do not have to worry about making a living out of this, could you do better, on your own terms? Perhaps work fewer hours and spend more time with your family? Perhaps choose to take a few days to travel, without. . .

The Convenience Of Prepaid Wireless Service And Phone Cards

Prepaid wireless service and phone cards are a convenient, reliable way to make prepaid local, long distance and international calls. In the old days it was very expensive and almost prohibitive to make a call overseas, especially to countries like Germany, France, Russia or Taiwan; never mind just to the next state. Today however, rates have dropped dramatically. Simply buy minutes in advance . . .

Freedom! The Battle Cry of the Business Owner

"I wanted freedom from a boss so I started my own business. Now I need freedom from my business because it's running my life." Sound like you? Here are three tips to help you find that freedom. 1. Put your stake in the ground. Where are you headed with your business? Can't answer because you're too busy working on yesterday's problems? Stop and do it now. Much of your freedom is being eaten up . . .

Credit Card Companies Are Out for Your Money

You're probably thinking "Tell me something I don't know" but in this time of low interest rates you might be thinking that you've got a great deal since credit card interest rates are low. Wrong. Credit card companies have a cutoff as to how low their interest rates will go. So when interest rates are low for lending, that doesn't mean your credit card rate will be low as well. If you don'. . .

Managers: Can We Agree on This?

Your public relations effort really should involve more than press releases, brochures and special events if you are to get your PR money’s worth. In particular, you should be pursuing those three pots of gold at the end of the PR rainbow. First, when you use the fundamental premise of public relations to produce external stakeholder behavior change – the kind that leads directly to achievin. . .

Focus on a Trade - Not a Discount

Smart buyers will always ask for a better price. Unfortunately, too many sales people and business owners automatically think that reducing their price is the most effective way to respond to this request. However, negotiating is not always about price. Although price is a factor in virtually every sale it is not usually the primary or motivating factor. Everything you say and do from the first. . .