Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Myths of Sales Management: The Entrepreneurial Salesperson

I just had a phone conversation with a client who had a familiar story to tell. He had built his business on the model of an entrepreneurial sales force. Give them a territory, pay them straight commission, and tell them they are in business for themselves, free to develop the customers they chose with the products they wanted.And for a couple decades it had worked well. The business grew and e. . .

Cash Back Credit Cards: How To Play The Cash Back Game

You have seen them advertised on your television. Likely, you have gotten their solicitations in your mailbox. Your neighbor has one and he just got a brand new gas grille for free! So, what am I talking about? Cash back credit cards, of course. Millions of consumers are making the switch over from plain credit cards to cash back cards. They have learned that a game can be played that guarantee. . .

The Key to Building Wealth

Many people today believe in order to become wealthy they either have to be born into wealth or have a lot of money to make money. The fact is this just isn’t true. Building wealth is a mechanical process and because it’s so simple it’s quite boring, therefore many people do not follow through with the formula.The ProblemToo many people fall into a financial rut and it usually starts when we . . .

Making Resolutions Work!

Isn’t it great each year we get to have an opportunity to “start over” and put the past behind us? We get to start with a fresh, clean slate. We can do that at any point throughout the year, but it helps that masses of people join the resolution game at one time at least once a year. It gives us energy. We play a couple of holiday weeks and we are ready for action!It’s a lot easier to think. . .

Adjusting To Working From Home!

I’ve heard many people say they get lonely and miss being around work associates when they work at home. You should consider this as you think about starting a home-based business. Will you be able to work by yourself, will you get lonely?There are people that are almost forced to work at home, such as disabled people, single moms or dads that can’t afford daycare, or don’t want to put their ch. . .

Surety Bond Costs

One of the first questions people ask when they are purchasing something is, "What does is cost?". There is no exception when it comes to surety bond shopping. Unfortunately, bonds are really considered a form of credit and the same rate does not apply to all applicants. It is not that agents do want to give you a better idea of the costs of a bond, it is that they can not without applicatio. . .

Why Are Turnkey Business Opportunities So Lucrative?

Amidst everyone's busy life, one may, in one time or the other, stop and think-one person has a steady nine to five job, generating a steady income, may want, or wishes that she can stay at home and be with the kids... but has no choice, one must earn, to make a living. Others, may not want to stay at home, but wishes still, could make a larger income and be their own boss. Others still, are no. . .

How Buying Invoices Works

If you have a problem with cash flow, you might consider finding a company that engages in buying invoices to get you on the right track again. Often, through no fault of their own, small and large companies find themselves in a bind because they don't have enough cash to meet debt payments, to pay employees, or to invest in needed materials and manpower in order to bid on lucrative, time-sensi. . .

Cash Back Credit Cards

Wouldn’t it be great if you could get some of that money you spend on credit card purchases back every year? Well, you can. A cash back credit card is the way to go for people who want all the benefits of shopping with a credit card, plus the perks of belonging to a credit company that offers a credit card online. The Bank of America credit card that offers the most flexible form of the cash ba. . .

Why Failing In Your Home Business Is The Key To Your Success

"Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something." (Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido)Thomas Alva Edison failed in his experiment for thousands of times before he was able to invent the electric light bulb. Laurence Peter failed when more than 20 publishers rejected his book, "The Peter Principle," before it became a best-seller. Abraham Lincoln failed the bar exam, failed in . . .

It's Not Your Job to Lower Your Fees to Help the Client A...

I constantly receive questions and complaints from my creative professional clients about what to do when a prospect claims, "I can't afford your prices, but I want your services." My clients are frustrated, because they are usually being told this while standing in a mansion-like home, furnished with top-of-the-line furniture, with a beautifully manicured lawn, and three luxury cars parked in. . .

Property Loans – For Greater flexibility And Freedom

Each one of us needs money at one or the other time in our life. You may wish to buy a new home. One can fulfill his or her personal desires by withdrawing money from the savings account. But, do you think it is right to withdraw the savings when an efficient alternative is available that is taking a loan from the loan market. You can use the savings in future when some emergency occur. Now, th. . .

How To Contact The IRS Without Breaking Into A Sweat

We all love to criticize the IRS, don't we? It's easy toridicule a huge organization of government bureaucrats whooften seem to be Public Enemy #1.Our negative attitude toward the IRS can lead to astrong desire to just ignore it altogether. Butself-employed people who ignore the IRS do so at theirown peril. So when it comes to providing free information abouttaxes, let's not throw the baby ou. . .

Experts Know : No Research=No Sale (Market Research Great...

If you are about to launch a new online product or service, or you are ready to expand your existing online product or service , you need to have a complete financial and competitive picture of what the current market is for your product or service . Few people put much effort into conducting market research before launching their Internet business. They come up with an idea and leap right into. . .

Paying Your Bills On Time

How many monthly bills do you get? You may have a mortgage bill, a car payment, heating, electricity, gas, telephone, television, and that doesn’t even begin with your credit card and store card payments. The fact of the matter is that people today have more monthly commitments than ever before. And with all these various bills it is very easy to forget to pay one on time. Then there is the who. . .

Common Savings Account Features

Savings accounts are one of the most common types of bank accounts available today. In addition to chequeing accounts, they make up a very significant portion of any bank's business. With that amount of competition, different banks may offer different account features in an attempt to lure in the business of people who are looking to open new accounts. If you've been thinking about opening a ne. . .

Balance Transfer Credit Cards And Their Rewards

If you haven't been credit card shopping recently, you'd be amazed at the variety offered today. In addition to the different interest rates, the extent of rewards or perks offered is vast. There are cards offered to fit everyone's needs. Good credit, bad credit, in between, 0% APR introductory offers, sky miles, cash back,... just to name a few. Of course the financial experts would tell you t. . .

The "What and "Why" of Working at Home

To work at home seems to be the "Dream of Our Time". For women, in particular, it provides a way to combine motherhood with earning an income, without sacrificing time with the family. There are several ways to work from home so we can be with our children during the day. Two things to bear in mind when deciding to be a home-based working mum are: 1. What business do I choose? 2. My "why" for d. . .

How to Charge What You Are Worth as a Creative Professional

If you are having difficulty knowing what to charge, then check out your competition and find out what they’re doing. Find out if they post prices or fees on their website or if they have "packages" or deals. Do they have payment options?While you are researching, keep in mind just because your competition is charging one way it is not necessarily how you should be charging.One of my clients i. . .

Credit Card Consolidation

It is not uncommon for families or individuals to find themselves in the midst of credit card debt. Many people wonder if credit card debt consolidation is for them. What is involved in this process? Basically, a credit card balance transfer takes place so that all your credit cards are consolidated into one card. You receive one statement and deal with one company for the full balance of all y. . .

Strategies To Increase Expression Of Interest Conversion

The Expression of Interest (EOI) is the beginning of the submission processes for many agencies and potential clients of yours.The purpose of the EOI is to assist the donor/agency/business to compile a shortlist that will be invited to submit a tender for an opportunity.For you, the purpose of the EOI is simple – get on the shortlist!As with all aspects of proposal and tender development, the E. . .

Choice Privileges Visa Platinum Card

For business owners and family members alike, a credit card offer that includes a way to earn points toward travel is a great deal. A travel reward credit card is one that gives you the ability to earn credit with various aspects of the travel experience simply by using you card when you make your every day purchases. The Bank of America credit card that offers this service with the most flexib. . .

Bank Of America Credit Cards

Most people want to apply for a credit card online and get the best deal available, including a low interest rate, a reliable credit company, and some sort of reward program like a travel credit card offers. The Bank of America credit card is a card you can trust. They are available online at http://www.bankofamerica.com and one of the most popular travel credit card they offer is the Bank of A. . .

Communicating Effectively with Your Leads

When you are ready to talk to your network marketing leads you need to be prepared in advance and have a clear understanding of the prospect. The individuals you talk with will have their own needs, problems, and viewpoints and will be looking to you to address their interests, questions and concerns effectively.Key to generating interest in your product and motivating a prospect to take actio. . .

Low Interest Personal Loans – Unearthed from the Deeps of...

Personal loans have a very old history of use in the UK. Banks, even in the yesteryears, would similarly lend money to people for a certain term. The manner in which personal loans are offered may have undergone a vast change because of the incorporation of new technology. However, borrowers’ penchant for low interest personal loans sees no decline. What is it in a low interest personal loan th. . .

Debt Free Living: Make It Your Future

Lying awake at night, you imagine how much money you could have if it wasn't for those enormous credit card payments. You could take a carefree vacation. You could fix up your house. You could BREATHE a lot easier. Debt free living seems like a dream to you. Did you know that five simple steps put you on the road towards a debt free life?Starting any new process requires a new way of thinking. . . .

Laying a Foundation for your Business

Running a business gets so demanding, that we often can'tsee the wood for the trees. We become preoccupied withensuring that everything in the business works the way itis supposed to. In other words, we spend most of our timeworking in the business.The problem with this operational focus is that it is easyto lose sight of what could be done in the business to makeit run better. The business wil. . .

Interview Tactics - Stand Out From The Crowd

Going into an interview without a plan is like committing employment suicide. There are several things that you can do to prepare for an interview that will make a lasting impression in the interviewer and make your skills stand out from the crowd.Once you get a call to go in for an interview, your number one priority becomes PREPARATION. You can never be “too ready” for an interview. The more . . .

Adverse Credit Homeowner Loans – Braving The Difficult Wi...

When my wife was enquiring me about the progress of the homeowner loan that we were planning to take, my six year old said something that put me to deep thought. The subject was the constant refusals by a large number of loan providers because my credit file showed adverse credit history. On this my son remarked that when needs do not cease from emerging because you have adverse credit, why do . . .

Investment Advisors 101… ask some questions.

Investment Advisors (IAs) come in all different intellectual, professional, and alphabetical varieties. They range in educational qualifications from High School dropout to PhD, and can be professional Accountants, Insurance Salesmen, Stock Brokers, Investment Managers, Dentists, Lawyers, TV personalities, and Gourmet Chefs. Anyone can be an Investment Advisor! It seems reasonable that your tru. . .

My Simple Penny Stock Picking System

Before investing your hard-earned cash into penny stocks, it is important to research the penny stocks you want to invest in before committing any cash.. You want to find profitable penny stocks. To do this, you’ll need penny stock leads. Leads are just names of penny stocks that you are thinking of investing in. There are many ways to get penny stock leads. For example, searching the internet . . .

Profiles of the Powerful: Advertising Exec Dudley Fitzpat...

In a sense, the entrance to SFGT is a window into the person who leads the company, Dudley Fitzpatrick, CEO. Open the big front door of the old town house on Walnut Street and the first thing you notice is three old stone steps. Couldn't they afford new steps? Then you see the second door. It's all glass and through it you see the modern reception room, the classic furniture, the attractive rec. . .

How Long Should You Stick With A High Yield Investing Pro...

Most people ask us when we feel is the right time for them to stop compounding/reinvesting and take their money out of a program. This is a tough answer to give. It all depends on the program that is invested in and the rate of return. Usually we recommend the following for the below 3 categories:Type #1 HYIP - Low stable payers (Pays between 2-7% per week, 8-28% per month). This type of progra. . .

Home Based Business - Why Starting Part-Time Is The Smart...

With the development of various technologies and with low start up costs it has become much easier today for Entrepreneurs to start a Home Based Business. It is estimated that in USA alone there are over 40 million Home Based Businesses. Home Based Businesses represent 63% of all Small Businesses. Furthermore over 75% of these businesses are operated on a part-time basis.Some of the reasons gen. . .

Things To Do Before Investing Into A High Yield Investmen...

We have compiled a short list of some of the things you can do before investing into a program to make sure you get the most for your money:#1 - Search all HYIP forums for the name of the HYIP. Check for people spamming about the program, as this usually is a sign of a short lived scam. Look for people's opinions. Often those who have been investing in HYIPs for some time are the ones with the . . .

Factoring Fundamentals - Vendor Financing

Factoring is an efficient and reliable way of meeting capital needs of the business. It is beneficial when a business promises to have definite profits in future but faces capital deficit to get the project completed.Factoring Fundamentals: ( http://www.hjventures.com/factoring/factoring.html ) Principles that govern factoring are same as those governing bank loans, credit cards and other such . . .

1099-MISC Forms For Independent Contractors for 2005

As we begin 2005, you’re probably not thinking about taxes at all. This is a mistake as deadlines are approaching for issuing and filing 1099s to independent contractors.What is a 1099 MISC?Generally speaking, the IRS requires you to report certain payments you made during the year to independent contractors. The 1099-MISC form is a single page on which you report to total amount you paid to th. . .

Secured Homeowner Loans - Secures An Opportunity To Finan...

The interest of lenders in secured homeowner loans is justified. No other loan covers lenders from as much risk involved in the lending process as a secured homeowner loan. But, what explains the surge of interest of borrowers towards secured homeowner loans. Don’t they fear that their home can be repossessed in the process? The only logical justification is that borrowers have shelved their fe. . .

Health Savings Accounts - What You Should Know!

Maybe it took the State of The Union address from President Bush to bring the concept of Health Savings Accounts out into the open for all to see. Whatever the case, this is an idea and reality that is long overdue and a great solution to health insurance for many people. Health savings accounts, coupled with a companion low-cost high-deductible health care insurance plan, will take the bite ou. . .

Overview Of An Affiliate Marketing Program

An affiliate marketing program is a revenue-sharing marketing strategy where a merchant pays their affiliates a commission for referring business to their website. The webmaster signs up as an affiliate in the affiliate marketing program and gets a login id. He then collects information about the marketing material for the affiliate marketing program and uses it on his web site as banners, ad- . . .

Account Management - How to Manage Accounts to Maximize S...

Congratulations! You successfully sold one or more of your company's products or services to a business unit, department, or division of a large organization. Now your manager has tasked you with "account management". If you are not already familiar with account management, you are probably asking yourself the following questions:1. What is "Account Management"?2. What skills and talents are re. . .

The Practice of Ergonomics

How can you apply ergonomics to your work life?Thanks to the study of ergonomics, we can now find better ways to work. It has been shown that our bodies can be under stress and tension even when we are sitting at a desk. Applying the techniques learned through the study of the work environment helps the body to work better and more efficiently.Often, there are simple changes to the way people s. . .

What It takes to Succeed In Business in the 21st century

Here is a secret that may be difficult for you to believe, so prepare yourself. It is an extremely important secret that can have a most profound impact on your small business success, or it's failure. Let's start by asking a simple question...Do you enjoy sales? The truth of the matter is that when many small business owners are asked this question, they respond with answers like, "No way" or . . .

Plastic Packaging: Thermoformed Plastic Trays and Pallets...

Heavy gauge thermoforming is as much a staple to the returnable plastic packaging industry as Chevy is to General Motors. It's always been there, not known for its cutting edge design but more because it is solid, durable, and dependable. Thermoforming plastic trays and pallets can also be misunderstood. It remains one of the longest lasting and reasonably priced returnable packaging product. . .

Daily Debt Reduction: Top 10 Ways

Home is where the debt is.Debt reduction is about spending less money so you can pay off your current debts while not accumulating more debt. Car payments, Christmas shopping, and credit cards enable the amassing of debt rather quickly. When bills are coming every day and you don't know where to turn or how to save any more money, look at your own home.Everyday, you leave a light on. You tur. . .

Team Building - from Fun Event to Genuine Team Improvements

What does the phrase "team building" mean to you? Quad-biking? Abseiling? Propping up the bar with your work colleagues? Allow me to disagree.Let's look at the word "build" and see where that leads us. The Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines the word "build" as "Establish, make or accumulate gradually". This definition implies a sense of time passing and growth. This, in turn, implies a m. . .

Citibank's Citi Simplicity Card: Now You Can Avoid Late Fees

Citibank recently launched a new credit card that takes away an important sting felt by many consumers: late fees. In an unusual move, the bank is now offering consumers “permanent forgiveness” for late payments and will no longer assess the customary $39 late fee when a payment arrives after the due date. While the offer sounds great on surface, if you dig a little deeper you will soon learn t. . .

How To Make Sure Your Email Is Ignored, Hated or Deleted ...

What I am about to say will make some people stand up and shout “hooray!” It will make others blush with embarrassment. Either way, take this advice and make your life a little bit easier.This is about email etiquette. When you are exchanging emails with friends and family, do whatever you want. But when you are conducting business, either as the customer or as the merchant, you need to observe. . .

Your Home Equity Credit Lines

Do you need to borrow money? Home equity lines may be one source of credit. Home equity credit lines may provide you with large amounts of cash at a low interest rate and they may provide you with certain tax advantages with other loans. Home equity lines of credit require you to use your home as collateral for the loan. This may put your home at risk if you are late or cannot make your month. . .

Payday Loans With No Faxing - Are They Really Paperless?

There are some convenient and conventional loans in which you pay the amount borrowed in a few weeks’ time. They are called as payday loans. These loans are of two types – one of the payday loans are is where you require to fax the documents required and other one is payday loans no fax. Payday loans no fax allows us to apply online only. Payday loans no fax services are available to all withou. . .