Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Credit Counseling -- Why It Doesn't Work For Most Debtors

"Cut Your Payments in Half!" the headline screams. "Consolidate Your Bills into One Low Monthly Payment!" When you see ads like this, they are often from Credit Counseling firms. In this article, I'll explain the principles behind the Credit Counseling approach and discuss the main problem consumers face when they join one of these programs. First, let's get our definitions straight. The term ". . .

Budgeting -- The Critical Flaw That Causes Most Budgets t...

Budgeting. It's a word we're all familiar with. Everyone knows what a budget is, right? Yet how many of us actually make and stick to a solid monthly budget? The truth is that most of us start out with the best of intentions, but an unexpected expense comes up and busts our budget. Then we give up and go back to juggling our finances and worrying about having too much month left at the end of t. . .

4 Step Dynamic Sales Letters

You, like all marketers have a million and one things to do today! At the top of your priorities is marketing... finding more customers and raking in greater profits. If you’re looking for a simple, proven model to create sales content without spending hours hunched over the computer, try the AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) model. You’ll be amazed at how fast you can create an effect. . .

What Is a Personal Benefit Statement and Why Do I Need One?

We all work very hard on coming up with the benefits of our products or services, (Still, 95% of us do THAT wrong, but that’s for another article) but we rarely think about a personal benefit statement. Specifically, I am referring to what most people call their “elevator speech.” The elevator speech as it is called refers to that 5-7 second opportunity you have to introduce yourself when som. . .

Writing A Business Plan

The importance of a comprehensive, thoughtful business plan cannot be overemphasized. Much hinges on it: outside funding, credit from suppliers, management of your operation and finances, promotion and marketing of your business, and achievement of your goals and objectives.The business plan is a major exercise in demonstrating your managerial competence. A plan is a list of activities, a "to d. . .

Dude Stop The Whining... Get the Capital To Fund Your Bus...

Raising capital to start a new business may seem like a daunting task, but it need not be overwhelming if you follow a few basic business practices. If you have a viable idea that will net a return for your investors and prepare a compelling business plan the chances are good that you can find investors to join you.Your first task is to create a business plan, sometimes known as a "business pro. . .

Contractors...Double Your Income

5 Simple Ways to Double Your Income ImmediatelySo you think that you are just like your competition? Well, then it is time to differentiate yourself. As a contractor, you probably use the same types of materials as your competitors do…so how can you differentiate yourself? Service! Build it better and serve your clients better. You will come out on top. This may seem so simple, yet very few con. . .

A Communication Check List

Use this check list to assess your communication skills.Focus* Do you pay complete attention to others when they are speaking? (A wandering focus discourages open communication.)* Do you manage your thoughts during a conversation, focusing them on understanding what the other person is saying? (Effective listening requires more concentration than any other form of communication. If you’re think. . .

Building a Strong Business Relationship

When it comes to business and sales, building a strong relationship is critical. The stronger your relationship is with your customer, the more likely they will be to refer you business.Every day, make an attempt to build on the relationships you have with your customer. Don’t just say hi as they walk in and goodbye as they leave.The last thing you want to do is make your customer feel like a s. . .

Personal Pluses That Ace A Job Interview

As the business world has become more competitive for the shrinking markets available to them, companies have shifted their focus from hiring the most educated or experienced graduate, to hiring those employees with personal pluses as well as the job skills.Right now, you may be in an entry-level job, gaining experience and hoping to work your way up. This is also the time (if you haven’t learn. . .

Running a Business Economically

The business in the 21st century is far from what it was 200+ years ago. Centuries ago business was mainly traditional. With people or organizations trading goods with other parties for their goods. Now business is fast. The “Global Village” is becoming smaller and smaller. There is a science to running a business. It involves entrepreneurial skills, and the ability to take risks. A major part . . .

7 Ways to Protect Your Boss From Bad Meetings

Most bosses spend too much of their time in meetings. This happens because executives respond to problems by calling meetings to fix them. And when the meetings fail to produce results, they call more meetings. In some companies, people have even called meetings to figure out why their meetings didn’t work.Rather than watch your boss trudge off to an endless schedule of meetings, here are thing. . .

Why Would Anyone Want to Hold a Bad Meeting?

Perhaps you have wondered why anyone would hold a meeting that wastes everyone’s time and produces nothing.There are easy answers to this question, such as 1) they don’t know that their meetings could be effective, 2) they don’t know what an effective meeting is like, or 3) they don’t know how to hold an effective meeting.But what about all of the executives who know how to plan and organize an. . .

Credit Reports and Credit Reporting Agencies

We all know that our financial transactions are reported to credit agencies that track how well and how quickly we pay our debts and that when we apply for a loan for one reason or another, those agencies report our credit history to prospective lenders. However, most of us don’t know a great deal about how that actually happens and how our credit is rated.The fact is that credit reporting has. . .

Small Business Credit Card Advantages

Obtaining a business credit card enables the small business owner to separate personal expenses from business expenses. Offering business credit cards to their employees eliminates the need for employees to use their personal credit cards or cash to make company purchases. Employees using a business credit card will not need to fill out expense statements, wait for approval and reimbursement fr. . .

Corporate ERP: Microsoft Dynamics GP & CRM in Transportat...

Serving Microsoft Business Solutions clients, formerly Great Plains Software Dynamics, eEnterprise, Dynamics C/S+, Siebel Great Plains Front Office, we found that Transportation & Logistics is the industry where Great Plains & CRM tandem is the most popular. In this small article we would like to give you highlights on ERP & CRM in transportation & logistics• Shipment Tracking System. Transpo. . .

Don't Let Your Personal Loan Become A Personal Moan

Most of us have been in a position at some point when we simply have had insufficient funds to pay for something. This could be car insurance/repairs, course fees, holiday, Christmas presents, electrical items or even the weekly shopping. According to Credit Action, 2.4 million personal loan agreements were recorded in the first quarter of 2005, totalling £13.5 billion. The national debt educat. . .

Tips for Credit Card Debt Management

Debt management is a course every American needs to take simply because so many Americans are clueless when it comes to credit and debt management. This is unfortunate because many people do permanent damage to their credit record by not knowing how important managing their credit is. Also, frequently people get in trouble with debt and don’t know debt management tips, so they simply get furthe. . .

Financial Planning: What’s your Designation?

If you’re shopping for financial planning services, it may seem like a jungle out there. There are advertisements everywhere, and everybody seems “nice,” but nice won’t cut it when it comes to your money. How can you cut to the chase and find a financial planning expert that you can trust.Start by learning what the different designations mean. You may have noticed that there are three popular f. . .

Should You Consider Home Refinance, or Not?

Home refinance seems to be the craze these days with interest rates at all time lows. However, you need to do some home refinance research before you will know if it is for you or not. In general, if you bought a home when interest rates were significantly higher, have great credit, little debt, and always pay your bills on time then you should probably at least consider home refinance. Althoug. . .

Avoiding Credit Card Secret Traps

Credit card secret traps are the hidden side of plastic that keeps you in debt that is difficult to pay off. The main objective of credit card companies is for you to carry the largest balance you can possibly repay.Trying to avoid these credit card secret traps is tricky because credit card companies constantly raise your credit limit, and offer you perks to get you to charge even more. Credi. . .

Inside Insurance – Protection Priorities

Protecting your homeAlthough you have no legal obligation to insure your home, your mortgage company will want to protect their investment with buildings insurance. However, it is also worth protecting your own investments, so even after you’ve paid off your mortgage, you should ensure you’re financially covered. Home contents insurance and personal possessions insuranceAccording to Money Obs. . .

A Second Mortgage Vs. A Home Equity Loan

If you own your home and need a loan for whatever reason you have probably considered a second mortgage or a home equity loan to help you pay your bills, buy a new car, or pay for some other investment. However, you probably don’t know whether a second mortgage is better or worse than a home equity loan for your particular situation. However, don’t despair because there are some tips that will . . .

Seven Deadly Trading Mistakes - Part Five

By now you might be thinking that this trading business requires somewhat more effort than you first thought. And you would be right! In fact, that's the subject of todays lesson.Mistake Number Five - Not Putting In The Required EffortIt's a strange phenomenon that seems almost unique to the field of internet trading; people believe that they can read a book, open an brokerage account, and star. . .

Where to Get Your Online Finance Degree

An online finance degree is a wonderful option for individuals who want to go to college, but for whatever reason prefer an online forum as opposed to a traditional classroom. Frequently, those who opt for an online finance degree have busy schedules already because of family and work commitments, and juggling a typical class schedule is nearly impossible. Also, individuals who have disabilitie. . .

Seven Deadly Trading Mistakes - Part Seven

In this last article of the series, I'm going to look at what is perhaps the biggest mistake of all, and yet should be the easiest to overcome.Mistake Number Seven - Not Taking ActionFor every trader who opens a brokerage account and starts placing trades, there must be a hundred more who had every intention of doing so, but for one reason or another, never actually took that step.It's a blindi. . .

Getting the Best Mortgage Rate

Buying a home is an expensive endeavor so getting the best possible mortgage rate should be one of your main priorities. By deciding to get the best mortgage rate possible you will be making a positive decision to help you for many years to come. However, just deciding to get the best mortgage rate available is not going to get you the best mortgage rate available. Instead, you will need to lea. . .

Turning Away From The Basics

“The basics” are what turn: A baby into a toddler A young man or woman into an adult Minor leaguers into major leaguers Amateurs into professionals in every walk of lifeBabies see everyone around them walking and talking. They want to be just like the rest, so they try and try until they learn how to walk and talk Young men & women are taught that it’s the “right thing to do” to keep their h. . .

The Importance Of Newsletters In Business

Newsletters are sent for various reasons like to abreast customers of the latest happenings inside the company in terms of various product launchings, new business policies and regulations, upcoming events, news about the achievements of the company and its employees and other stuffs that might be deem interesting and helpful to the customers.Most companies hire the expertise of reputable newsl. . .

Teen Credit Card Basics

Teen credit card basics will help you raise money smart kids. Knowing how to handle credit is important and not something they are likely to learn in school. If you teach your children smart ways to manage credit, it will help to ensure they get the right start and don't wind up with bad habits. Credit is a necessity in today's world and teaching your teens credit card basics will help to make . . .

6 Tips on How to Hold Short Staff Meetings

Here's how to hold a short, effective staff meeting.1) In general. Keep them short. Most staff meetings should last less than an hour. You want your staff to spend their time working on things that earn money for your business, not sitting in meetings. Keep them positive. Negative meetings contain insults, ridicule, and attacks. These activities create caution and resentment, which always costs. . .

Consultants Can Be Scary

Utilize the Discovery Analysis to Ease Your Fear of Using a ConsultantConsultants can provide real value on many occasions but they can also be your worst nightmare. Some clichés include;“A consultant will ask you for the time and then steal your watch.” “Two things you don't want to watch ----- Sausage being made & a group of consultants trying to solve a problem.” Worst NightmareThe Hanging-o. . .

Service Buyers and Product Buyers Don't Seek the Same Yel...

Yellow Page Directory Users Have a Variety of MotivationsFor your Yellow Page ad to be effective, it needs to anticipate and answer the questions that customers have in mind. That's what made them pick up the directory in the first place. What those questions would be differs for each directory category — a restaurant or tire store don't have much overlap. The key to getting calls (and sales) i. . .

Seven Deadly Trading Mistakes - Part Four

Right - we've looked at strategies and planning, so now we're ready to trade right? Wrong! At least, we're not ready to trade live.Mistake Number Four - Not TestingTrading is a great business, it offers potential levels of income and freedom that most people can only dream of. So it's quite natural that having got the groundwork out of the way, the novice trader is eager to get clicking those b. . .

Seven Deadly Trading Mistakes - Part One

By studying at the most frequent reasons for failure, we can avoid making the same mistakes as the crowd, and thus turn these negative points into positives. In this series of articles, I will be looking at the seven most common mistakes I see made by traders.Mistake Number One - Switching Strategiesor "The Hunt For The Holy Grail"The holy grail of trading - we've all looked for it - the super . . .

Hiring a Financial Advisor

When hiring a financial advisor you don’t want to simply hire someone who looks like they know what they are doing, but rather a financial advisor that knows what they are doing and has proof. You will need to ask your potential financial advisor several questions in order to get a real feel of whether this financial advisor is skilled or has no clue how to advise you on money matters. You will. . .

Tips for Financial Planning

Financial planning, something we all know we need to do, but always put off to the future. Financial planning is hard simply because it requires financial discipline, which is difficult to have in this consumer society. However, financial planning is very important because you want to retire one day, be financially stable in the event of an accident, or unexpected loss of a job. Financial plann. . .

Has Anyone Seen My Twenties?

Premature aging is spreading across the UK and is particularly prevalent amongst recent graduates in the UK who, upon leaving university, are plunged straight into fears about the property ladder, pensions and paying off their student debts. These young people graduate at the age of 21, do not pass go and head straight to 35, worrying about their personal finance investments before finding the. . .

Tips for Getting Your Home Loan Approved

Home Loan Tip #1 Pay Your BillsIt is very important that you always pay your bills on time and never miss a payment. When you have this type of history paying bills your mortgage lender will believe you will be just as responsible with your home loan. If you want to be approved for a home loan, be sure you are current on all your payments and have been making them regularly for some time before. . .

Discipline Will Get You That Job

There are many facets of life that require discipline; getting up every morning to go to work, paying your bills, putting gas in your car and countless other things. However, many people consider looking for a new job as a hassle that can be addressed whenever the mood strikes them. Many Americans today adopt the ‘it can wait’ attitude and their career search suffers as a result. Finding a job,. . .

Strategic Organizational Learning

The cost of training in North American companies exceeds $60 billion per year. Try to visualize that. Picture a stack of 1,000,000 $1 bills. Now try to picture 60,000 of those stacks. Amazed? Then consider this fact: estimates of training costs worldwide approach a quarter of a trillion dollars ($250,000,000,000) when indirect costs and opportunity costs are included. Do you find those numbers . . .

Ethics And Competence - There Is Nothing New Under The Sun

In this article, I want to show you that there is nothing new under the sun, as far as, not being where you want to be in life, dealing with unethical practices in the work place, and the injustices that come about as a result of such things. More than anything, I want to leave you with a sound foundation of hope that you can grow personally, improve upon your unique gifts, and become very com. . .

Second to Die Life Insurance Policies

A second-to-die life insurance policy, or survivorship life as it's sometimes called, insures two lives - a husband and wife usually or business partners. However, the death benefit isn't paid out until the second insured person dies.Usually, the death benefit from a second-to-die life insurance policy is intended to go to the children , a charity or pay taxes owed after both spouses pass away.. . .

Double Your MLM Earnings

Network marketing, also known as multi level marketing (or MLM), comes in many forms. One of the most popular network marketing methods is selling by brochure, and one of the biggest companies using this method is Avon, the worldwide cosmetics company. The Avon rep distributes her brochures around the neighborhood, collects them again in a few days together with the orders, and, at the end of t. . .

Turn Your Customer Complaint into a Positive

The last thing we want to hear during our work day is complaints from customers. However, it does come with the territory. Here are a few tips on how to turn your customer’s complaint into a positive.1. ListenWhen a customer comes to you with a complaint about one of your products or services, listen to them. Listen to what they are telling you, and take notes if at all possible.The number one . . .

Long Term Care Insurance From A Solid Provider

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will start a new company that will offer long term care insurance policies beginning in July 2006 and concentrate on providing long-term care services to individuals.The individual policies would include coverage for assisted living and nursing care but there would be no group coverage products available.CHRONIC ILLNESSES CAN BE COVERED BY LONG TERM CARE INSUR. . .

Customer Service Leads to Customer Loyalty

All customers want and expect superior customer service, and it is all too important that we give it to them. Otherwise, our competition will.Your customer doesn’t want to be treated like another statistic along an assembly line. They want to be treated with respect. It is very important that your customer realizes just how important their business is to you.Imagine if you were a daily customer. . .

The Condo Conversion Craze

The past few years has seen a boom in condo conversions, which allows buyers to generate cash-on-cash returns within a short period of time. This, in turn, allows prior apartment owners to cash out at the top of the market. The condo conversion craze began with the low interest rate affliction that was crippling apartment fundamentals. Condo developers were willing to pay a premium to buy and t. . .

Key Person Life Insurance

Small businesses help keep our country going. But a small business needs help to keep going after the loss of someone vital to the company. There are options available you need to know about.KEY PERSON IS ANYONE WHO IS IMPORTANTIn small to medium size businesses, the key person may be the business owner, a top sales rep or the person who does the financing. What would happen to that company if . . .

Health Insurance Rules

Many dual income couples, include their children on each group health insurance plan to maximize benfits. However, without some sort of system in place to help the health insurance companies coordinate benefits, it's possible that either you or your doctor would be reimbursed for more than 100 percent of the actual cost of your claim.To prevent this, health insurance companies typically designa. . .