Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Start a Home Daycare - Tips in Putting Up Your Own Child Care Center

If you want to start a home daycare center, you have to make sure at first that you have what it takes to put up a good child care business. Like starting any other business, it is important that you have the important requirements that will help you make your business successful.


Here are a few tips on how to start a home daycare.
- Obtain licenses for your business. This is indeed one of the important things that you have to take care of in a child care business as these types of businesses are also crucial in teaching the young ones as well as in taking care of them.

- Decide on whether you want to go solo with your business or you want to have a business partner to share the cost on investment. But of course, you want to consider the sharing of profits as well.

- Check your local ordinances and regulations pertaining to child care establishments. For sure, your local government is particular on the day care centers and find out if you are putting up your business in a zone allowed by your local government.

- Decide on the facilities and amenities you want to offer. Parents are particular on this one as well, so make sure you provide complete facilities and services especially when it comes to child learning.

- Make sure you have clear policies and regulations that protect the children under your care and make them safe and secured in the daycare center. Safety regulations should be one of your priorities as you are dealing with children, and of course, parents want to leave their kids in an establishment that they trust and they find safe for their children.

- Encourage open communication with parents and make sure you listen to feedback as well as suggestions and problems that they may have with the daycare establishment. Keep in mind as well that your business' success also relies on establishing trust with your clients as well as being able to provide them with good quality service that they are looking for especially those that concerns their child.

- Make sure you accept only a number of children that you can handle from day to day and given your available resources as well. Also determine the age bracket that you want to cater into your center. This will help you focus on the needs of the specific age and make you focus your programs and services on a particular age group and save time as well.

- Make sure that your center is equipped to manage emergencies and prepared to deal with safety and security matters. Equip your center with medicine cabinets and make sure you also follow health code rules. This will not only make your center safe for children, it can also help you avoid having to pay more later if there are violations found or emergency arises.

These are just a few of the things that you have to consider to start a home daycare. Keep in mind that there are a lot of things to consider and you have to study them carefully before trying to put up your child care center.

If you are looking for a great resource that can help you manage your daycare center, check out this guide in managing a day care. Also check out The Daycare Starter Kit, where you can find important tips in starting a daycare.

By: Carolyn Anderson

Friday, August 27, 2010

8 Tips to Start Your Own Business Today

Let's face it the job market has been awful for the last couple of years. The Labor Department says that unemployment remains unchanged and the future for employment does not look promising. Over 14 million people are looking for jobs that don't exist and for every one position being offered hundreds of people are applying. People want to work but they can't because many employers and companies are afraid to hire because of the bad economy.


What can you do when there are no jobs and you need to work?

If you think about it; instead of looking for a job why don't you become your own boss by starting your own business? If your business becomes successful and you are able to hire other people then you can take credit for helping to turn this economy around.

If you want to be successful as a business person then you should have certain traits:  First you should know exactly what kind of business you want to create and believe that you can be a SUCCESS.  Do you have VISION? Can you see yourself doing something you never thought you would be doing, can you go the extra mile to make things happen?  Are you PREPARED for opportunities that cross your path and can you set GOALS and meet them?  If you FAIL are you going to stop because of FEAR or are you going to get back up and start again?  Are you willing to take RISKS and step outside of your comfort zone?  Are you CREATIVE and can you think of outside the box ways to raise money for you business?

If you have even half of these traits then you should consider starting your own business.

* If you go to Google and type "what is the best industry to start a business" you will find several industries that you can start researching to start your business.
* Have a business plan, which is a written proposal for a new business. Business plans typically include a description of the company and its products or services, a budget, an overview of current and projected financing.
* Go to the library or bookstores to read magazines and books on entrepreneurs and how to start a business.
* Visit websites like sba.com or allbusiness.com to research business start-up plans.
* Go to workshops, seminars, and take business classes to enhance your business skills.
* Find a mentor who already has a successful business and ask them for advice.
* When your business plan is complete have someone look over the details to make sure you didn't miss anything.
* When you are ready for financing ask friends and family to help you with start up costs or go to your local community bank; that might identify with you and your vision for starting a business more than a commercial bank.

Remember if you start your own business, and you are successful then you might be the one person to help turn this economy around.

My name is Andrea, I created "Savings Scoop" for people like me who are not sure about their financial future and are living paycheck to paycheck. I want to inspire people to think outside the box and reinvent themselves in this economy.

Article by: Andrea Camille

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Online Business Websites

Online business websites can be a really great way to earn a part time or full time living online. They have many great advantages over building a traditional business or starting a franchise.

Some of the main advantages are the extremely low start up and running costs.
In addition they are also extremely easy and simple to set up and run, and you can usually be up and running very quickly, often in less than a week.

I usually find that my start up costs are around $8-$10 per website and that my running costs are usually around $40-$60 per month for all of my websites.

These extremely low costs allow almost anyone to start up and run their own online business websites without risking any severe financial loss.

Some of the most simple and easy to run online business websites are often found in Internet marketing, affiliate marketing, and photography.

Internet marketing and affiliate marketing often have similarities with each other, and in many cases the whole business revolves around promoting your own or other people's products online.

In both cases it is a case of doing some simple research and finding out where people have problems in their lives, and in turn finding and showing them solutions to their problems or dilemmas.

The people who are looking for solutions will happily pay you good money for you to solve their problems. Some of the biggest problems that people have are related to health, the need to earn extra money, or ways to improve their health or lifestyle.

These are also some of the most lucrative markets around the world. Even if you have no knowledge or products in any of these markets you can still make money online.

You can do this by searching online for good quality ready made digital products. You are now free to promote these products with your online business websites on behalf of other companies.

These companies will often help you with your advertising for example allowing you to use free banners etc. They will also look after your customers, deliver their products, and deal with any problems or complaints on your behalf.

There are thousands of products available from digital marketplaces, and these cover everything from building a chicken coop to curing migraine headaches.

By promoting these products and generating sales you will then earn a commission based income from every sale that you make through your online business websites.

Most of us have specialised knowledge in a range of different subjects and this can be anything from baking the best apple pie to renovating antiques or old motor vehicles.

These are known as niche markets; by building our online business websites within specialised niche markets we can rapidly built a customer base of people who are hungry to purchase our specialised niche products and services.

These products are usually in the form of DVDs, CDs, and MP3s, as well as digital e-book's and reports, and occasionally paper products.

Another simple way to earn money with our online business websites is with digital photography; almost everyone has a digital camera or easy access to one.

By submitting your digital photographs to online companies who specialise in stock photography you can build a residual income for life from your photographs.

Once accepted your photographs will be displayed online where the general public and commercial businesses can view your photographs, and in turn purchase them for their own use.

It is possible for each photograph to be sold hundreds of times over and this can lead to a very good residual income. The more photographs you have approved the greater your chances are of earning higher residual incomes.

In addition it is a good idea to submit your photographs to more than one company. This will allow your photographs to be seen by a wider audience, which will allow you to make more sales.

By building several of your own online business websites you can also promote your photographs with the added benefit that you will earn more money by cutting out the middleman.

By building your own online business websites you have the ability to gradually increase your income at your own pace. Over a period of time many people take early retirement and work part time from home.

Article by: Robert Waugh and Karen Waugh

Monday, August 23, 2010

How to Get More Customers - 2 Things to Give Away For Free!

Looking for ways to get more customers? You have come to the right place, here I'm going to share with you 2 very effective ways to generate more customers and prospects to your business. I'm sure some of you may already know this but 'free' is a very powerful way to get people's attention and promote whatever services or products that your company is offering.


1. Give Away Free Demonstrations Or Distribute Free Samples Of Your Products

- Whether you are a big company or small company, this tactic can still be used very effectively. Consider giving away some samples of your products for free. It may costs some money in the beginning but I can guarantee you that this works very well.

If you're offering some kind of a services or training, you might want to consider holding a free event to demonstrate and educate people more about your services. People like to try before they buy.

2. Distribute Give Away Free Literature

- Some of you might not know that 'education' is one of the most effective ways to market your products. What you can do is create brochures, flyers, websites where you put all the benefits, features and ideas of your products onto them and then distribute them to the mass public. If you have a great product that is doing okay right now, then you can definitely do better by doing a better job at educating your prospects about the history, features and benefits of your current products.

We all like to make informed decision when purchasing something, if people do not know what you really have to offer, how do you expect them to buy from you, right?

Article by: Todd Chin

Friday, August 20, 2010

Seven Unique Qualities Of An Entrepreneur

Innovative
A successful entrepreneur is always thinking beyond the ordinary.
He thinks of multiple ways of doing things differently from what presently exists.
This unique quality is what keeps him apart from the average business owner.

Effective planner
Every entrepreneur is a good planner. He packages himself and business in an organized format.
This quality makes him to be able to plan his time, resources and business in a better perspective.

Positive thinker
Successful entrepreneurs are not pessimist but optimist.
They are never discouraged of any major setback in business.
An optimistic entrepreneur is always looking at the positive way of getting things done in a better and more efficient manner.
This quality makes him to have a high degree of self-control and self confidence.

An achiever
The desire to achieve something worthwhile remains a top priority in the life of every successful entrepreneur.
It keeps him motivated and determined.
Success has a price tag, and the entrepreneur is always seeking to break new grounds in business.

Independent minded
Every entrepreneur love working alone without supervision.
They hate monotony and love autonomy with passion.

Passionate about their business
Passion is a prime mover in the engine of every successful business.
This basic ingredient is always present in the life of every successful entrepreneur.
When things are not working according to plan, passion takes over and creates the capacity to overcome boredom and weakness.

Humble
Humility and the desire to learn new things in the ever changing world of business help the entrepreneur to remain on top.
Humility enables the successful entrepreneur to learn from errors and start all over again. Pride remains the number one killer of destiny and business.

By Clement Sadjere

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Getting What You Want By Setting Smart Goals

Do not wait for another day because the future is now. Perhaps you have heard some of the techniques and strategies for accomplishing goals before but oftentimes we have to hear them again. A simple and easy acronym to recall is “smart” goals. These smart goals actually stand for specific, measurable, action-oriented and attainable, realistic and time-specific.


Someone already applied these techniques and methods in becoming a motivational inspirational speaker. These simple tips produce incredible results if you follow and practice them constantly. Whether you aspire to expand your business, take a long awaited vacation, increase and boost your sales, or simply to be more physically fit.

Each person dreams or aspires of attaining success. Try to look at your objectives and dreams daily and jot down those specific steps of action. Keep them in your wallet as a reminder.

1. Specific goals— write down an appropriate affirmation for your every goal on any piece of paper after you jot down all your specific smart goals. You can begin with the words, “I am”. “I am” makes your affirmation positive, personal and in the present tense. Then, insert a feeling positive adverb like, “easily” or “happily”. After that, add an action word or verb. Include a particular year and month for when you will like it to have reached that goal.

2. Measurable goals—you can in fact be as measurable and specific as you can include things like a particular sales goal, a job title promotion, or the number of pounds you want to lose…or gain. Think and write down a specific date. For instance, one of my colleague’s affirmation way back in 2000 was, “I am happily interviewing famous movie stars and celebrities all over Southeast Asia by April 2001.

3. Action-oriented and attainable smart goals. Almost all athletes bound for Olympics do this because they know that it’s effective and it reaps favorable results! At the back of the piece of paper or index card, I spent several minutes each day just writing down some action steps on how I could possibly attain this goal. Then, I imagined or visualized myself taking action and achieving it.

4. Realistic smart goals—for a close friend of mine, it might sound quite unrealistic that one of his objectives was to do business in Hawaii. But, having talked to some motivational and inspirational speakers who conduct conferences in Hawaii, he knew and realized that this was a realistic goal, and have achieved it since.

5. Realistic time frames on goals—my friend knew it was going to take time to prepare and distribute demo videos to speakers’ bureaus, so he gave actually gave himself ample time--10 months to accomplish his objective of becoming a motivational and inspirational speaker. In the end, greater success is highly possible if you practice the steps above and take action on your desired targets.

Then, imagine how it would feel to have already achieved those goals. Well, ultimately goals indeed are nothing without action. As Colleen Kettenhofen said, “Set a specific goal and take action because goals alone are nothing without action.”

Article by: Amy Twain

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Business Success - What is So Special About Doing Business With You?

What does it take to stand out and be seen as unique? It is an important question and if you are in business and serious about being successful, it is absolutely necessary to know and be very clear about the answer. It will make all the difference between spectacular success and mediocre, or even failure. Today's consumer is inundated with choices and to grab and keep their attention you will need to be remarkable!


We know that, we have heard it before, but what exactly does it mean and how can you cultivate and implement such a powerful concept? Unfortunately, there is not a system to share or a step-by-step formula to help you take action and make it happen. Being unique and remarkable are things that you figure out yourself and continue building over time. You hold on to it when you figure it out and it is a personal and somewhat confidential subject.

You can get started with your own journey from average to remarkable. You need to know that to stand out and be an obvious choice for your prospects is to over deliver value where none or little was expected. You need to be open to taking risks and putting yourself out there in a way that makes it possible that you most certainly will not succeeded. Think about it, if you play it safe or play by the rules you are no doubt going to remain in the ranks of mundane and average because that is what most everybody else is doing.

Get very clear about what the main problems and concerns are with your clients. This is a great place to get started with your brain storming about adding vale and standing out as the only obvious choice. People would prefer to do business with those they feel relate to who they are as people and the unique circumstances they face in their life or business. What will it take, how will you move forward with this idea of standing out and being unique in your market place?

Please enjoy the FREE bonus gifts that are available for you by visiting http://www.ActionHabits.com. You'll receive a 20 minute reply of a webinar called "Keep moving forward", a free report of '200+ Action Habits of successful entrepreneurs' and also a '7 day simple start' action plan to take action now!

By Helen Raptoplous

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Business Idea.... Start a Delivery Business

Looking for an in-demand small business opportunity that doesn't require you to take out a second mortgage to start? Then consider starting a delivery business! There is an ongoing need for quality delivery services that are affordable and reliable, and if you have a truck, van, or even a motorcycle, you can use it for making light deliveries or messages and letters in your community. Many people begin a delivery business by contracting with stores and other businesses in their communities, like law firms or real estate agents, to drop off packages and messages on a retainer basis per trip. Typical rates for businesses of this type are twenty cents per mile, a certain dollar amount per in-city drop, or a certain dollar amount per month to be on call. This can be a very lucrative small business that you can use to supplement your existing income or to build a full time income from.


The Market for Delivery Services
Most businesses have at least some need to make local deliveries and maintaining an on site service can be less cost-effective than farming the task out. After all, merchants and businesses would need to have a vehicle as well as commercial insurance - and then they would need to hire someone to drive the truck and make the actual deliveries, all of which can add up to a lot more than paying your delivery service to do the job. Those businesses that have an on-site delivery methods often experience a peak season where they need the extra help to please their customers and satisfy their demands and orders. A delivery does not have to be merchandise; it can be time-sensitive documents or other papers or a part that a mechanic needs ASAP but doesn't have time to go across town to pick up.

What You Will Need to Get Started
To get started in a delivery business, you will need:

Reliable and fuel-efficient transportation; in large metropolitan areas, some delivery businesses are operated by bicycle, although this business model will not go well in all areas.

A business license and permit from your local and state government as needed.

Commercial insurance for your delivery vehicle.

A cell phone for staying in touch with clients while you are on deliveries.

A mileage log to keep track of your mileage for tax purposes.

Bookkeeping software, if you plan to keep your own records.

Landing Clients

Many businesses have used the same delivery services for years and will be reluctant to give your business a try. This is why it is important to be patient during the start up phase. Slowly develop a stream of clients, provide a good service to them that is reliable and affordable, and you will begin to see your client base grow. You can begin by advertising your services in your local newspaper, and by passing out fliers to various businesses that may need your help. You should also build a custom website that will allow you to be seen in the local search result when someone queries for delivery services. And remember: doing a good job allows you to get the best, free advertising of all: word-of-mouth advertising from satisfied customers.

Good luck with your delivery business!

Article by: Joseph_Alexander

Friday, August 6, 2010

How to Write a Business Plan For a New Start Up Business

When you're starting a business, it's best to start with a written business plan. This way you can logically think through your vision for the business, set out your goals, along with a timeframe, and tell the reader how you'll achieve those goals.

In the book What They Don't Teach You in the Harvard Business School, Mark McCormack tells of a study conducted on students in the 1979 Harvard MBA program. In that year, the students were asked, "Have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?" Just three percent of the students had written goals; 13% did have goals, but not written; and a massive eighty-four percent didn't have specific goals.

Ten years on and the students were interviewed once more.The findings, while a little predictable, were very much astonishing. The 13% who had goals were earning twice as much (on average) as the 84 who didn't have any. The learning point here though is the about the 3% who had clear and written goals. On average, they were earning TEN TIMES as much as the other 97 percent put together.

A business plan is a logical explanation of how you intend your business to achieve its goals. Do you think you should write one?

A plan enables you to think through the issues that face you, and how to overcome them. It also assists financiers (bankers or investors) in deciding whether your plan holds together, and helps them form a view as to whether your new business will succeed - and therefore whether they will back you!

Article by: Mattew Broadbent

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Business Opportunities For Women

Today every person wants to work and earn some money because high the cost of living. Women who are housewives, mothers etc can help family's financial status. For this, a home business is best for them. Here are some ideas:

1. Catering:
Many women have started catering business from their homes. Do you love to cook, why not start selling the food? You can contact to several organizations and offices for your service.

2. Childcare
This is the business for those women who have children. They can start childcare business from home. There are two certain benefits in childcare business. First one is It will give you extra income and secondly it will keep your child busy.

3. Direct selling
Direct selling is very popular way to earn some extra money from home. If you think you can tell others something about new products, Start direct selling business. There are some very good direct selling companies in the market. Think about your interest and relate it to products.

4. Event Planning
Event planning is the way of planning the festivals, ceremony, party etc. and An event planner handle all the event related jobs. To become an event planer you should be creative and you should know how to manage situation. You can start event planning business from home.

5. Tutoring
Tutoring is very cheap home based business idea but it is not for anyone. For tutoring you need to be smart and knowledgeable according to subject. If you have these two qualities then start with one or two children and charge hourly.

6. Home Decoration
Sometime it is called interior designing. For home decoration business you have to be creative and need an eye for design. You can start with no college degree, little investment. Today many people have not enough time to decorate their homes. That is why they want a professional for decoration.

For any business you have to advertise your business. Tell about your business to your friends, relatives, and others as well. Be patient. Every business needs time to grow.

Article by: Naven K

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Learn to Make a List For Your Small Business

When you first start building your business, and as a smart move on your behalf, you have so many details that you don't know where to start. You're trying to make sure that you keep it straight, right and make sure you don't miss anything. So what you should start doing is keep a list.


What I've learned is to keep or make a list of things to do. Keeping a list helps you control your thought and helps you keep it straight. Plus by you seeing how or what you have to do in a list, you will let it happen.

I have a list for things to do for the day. What needs to happen this week and what to complete by the end of the month. List help you feel organized and help you make sure you don't miss anything.

Lists provide away to see if you are accomplishing anything. List helps you see the light at the end of the tunnel. Lists give you or help you think outside the box.

The biggest reason I always tell a small business owner is to keep a list is to have a good record or history of what you are doing. That to me is more valuable than anything else. Record keeping should be the number one thing of owning a business.

Lists are great and they are also great motivators of agenda. List helped me build a portfolio of facts about my business. List helped me redo my business plan. List allowed me to help with a sales letter. List provided me with information I needed for an account error we found. List helps me create a press release when I needed one.
                           No matter how big or small your business that you own is. Lists are great for business.

Article By: Ricardo Gonzales

Monday, August 2, 2010

No Confidence? How to Have a Happy, Confident Mind

No Confidence? How to Have a Happy, Confident Mind


Want to improve your confidence? Even the most outwardly successful person can lack confidence in themselves in particular situations. How can you learn to be a more confident person? Read these essential self-esteem and confidence-building tips.

WHAT IS CONFIDENCE?
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines confidence as "a feeling or consciousness of one's powers" or "the quality or state of being certain". Confidence is also a trust in a person or being.

YOUR INNER VOICE: YOU AND ONLY YOU CAN CHOOSE TO BE CONFIDENT
Confidence is essentially an attitude. Having a confident state of mind and secure self-esteem is something that comes from within YOU and ONLY YOU. Many people consider confidence as a result of a particular achievement or status. For example, they think "when I'm slim and beautiful, I'll be more confident", or "when I've made a success of myself and I'm driving a Ferrari, I'll have all the confidence in the world" or "if I weren't such a loser, I would be more confident". People who lack confidence and self-esteem often feel that they have no control over their lives, that they were born ugly, or poor or stupid. You have to realize that self-confidence is not dependent on your achievements or status (or perceived lack thereof). And that confidence can be learned and developed with practice and the right techniques.

Remember too that a lack of self-confidence is an extremely common worry for many and you are not only in your fears.

GETTING INTO A CONFIDENT STATE
Remember the last time you felt truly confident and happy. Perhaps you received a prize at school, or your father once praised you for a particular achievement. It does not matter how big or small the actual achievement was: you are simply trying to replicate the emotion of feeling totally confident. Close your eyes and recall that emotion in as much detail as possible. Remember your physical feeling, your emotions, the sounds around you, the colors, the smells and environment. It does not matter if you don't recall every detail straight away, with practice you will develop a clearer mental picture. Practice bringing that feeling of confidence back again and again until you can summon that confident state almost immediately. Now, whenever you are in a stressful state or need a confidence boost, bring back that feeling. It might take some practice at first. Do not worry if you don't get it the first few times. Try to practice it everyday for about one month. If you require a certain trigger to help you recall that feeling then use it. I find that if I attach a song to that emotion, then all I need to do is play it loudly on my earphones, and I can immediately recall it.

SMILE AND WALK TALL
Look in the mirror and give a big, deep smile. Straighten your shoulders, put your head up and walk tall. If you act confident, you will feel more confident. Your mind and body are capable of incredible things.

BE AWARE OF YOUR BREATHING
If you need to, slow down your breathing. During stressful moments, be aware of your breathing. Focus on making each breath deeper and slower and you will gradually feel more calm and confident.

USE POSITIVE LANGUAGE
Use positive language as much as possible. Avoid phrases such as
- "I'm not good at"
- "I can't"
- "I shouldn't"
- "I have to"
- "But..."
- "Alright for some"

BE POSITIVE TOWARDS OTHERS
If we are positive towards others, they are more likely to be positive towards you. Try to be positive, polite and as nice as possible to people around you. Focus on them, listening and empathizing with their situation and you are likely to receive a similar response back.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT PEOPLE WHO CONSTANTLY BATTER YOUR CONFIDENCE
Remember that self-confidence comes from you and not from others. If you have someone who is constantly putting you down, you could try and avoid contact with them, but you could also try to turn their words into a positive. You might have a parent who is always telling you to save more money, get a girlfriend, lose weight, work harder, be more like someone else. Whenever you hear these words just say to yourself "they are only saying these things because they love me and want the best for me. I love mom and her comments because she only wants the best for me".

CONFIDENCE WILL COME
Like many things in life, having confidence takes practice. Do not expect it to come overnight. If you are shy in public places, the more practice you have meeting people, the better you will become at confident, social interactions. Just keep working at your confidence and self-esteem little by little and the results will come.

Article by: Gemma_Swansburg