Jim's Blog

The Right Entrepreneur Mindset

2012-01-31T09:45:00.000-08:00

Starting a business can be a bold leap of faith. So you are planning to start a business of your own! The spirit of entrepreneurship is at the heart of such a venture, no doubt. The challenge, the enthrallment and the exhilaration of being on your own are great rewards that your are unlikely to get while working under an employer or in a company. But before you begin, do a critical

Beware the Dream Snatchers

2012-01-12T06:55:00.000-08:00

[Earlier Post , 2007] HEY! Watch out! All contact is not good contact. Sometime or another a well-meaning person is going to cross your path with visions and ideas of how you can improve your business to help facilitate their dreams. Beware of these well-meaning folk. They can weave a wonderful web of wonder, but will tangle you up. You will lose sight momentarily of your dreams and

Does Your Business Idea Meet a Need?

2012-01-11T09:54:00.000-08:00

It's been said that "people don't know what they want until they see it." I think in many respects this is very true. We are caught up in the day-to-day struggle of life trying to maintain what this 'life' means to us. Then when something new comes along that makes our lives easier we are immediately struck with that 'Ah ha' moment. Then the next thing out of our mouths is, "Why didn't I think

Starting a Business in 2012! Part 4

2012-01-04T10:52:00.000-08:00

Part 4. An Overall Marketing Strategy would include: Schemes fo making inroads in the market Plans for enhancing your business Strategy for establishing conduits for distribution Original equipment manufacturers In-house sales team Distributors or retailers Communication strategy. Public relations Promotions Personal selling

IAIP | Do We Really Need Another Association?

2012-01-03T12:31:00.000-08:00

IAIP | Do We Really Need Another Association?

Starting a Business in 2012! Part 3

2012-01-03T11:52:00.000-08:00

Company Description This section should give an overview of the functioning of the various elements of your business with relation to each other. Information should be provided regarding the type of your business along with the various basic reasons why you have full faith in the ultimate success of your venture. While describing the type of your business, it is very important to

Starting a Business in 2012! Part 2

2012-01-02T12:29:00.000-08:00

So before we get to the business plan aspect of starting your business we really should talk about the essential elements that will constitute a good business plan. Given below is an outline of these elements, which should be present in any good business plan. - Executive Summary - Market Analysis - Company Description - Organization & Management - Marketing &

Starting a Business in 2012! Part 1

2011-12-31T09:25:00.000-08:00

Starting A Business in 2012! If you’re planning to start a business, you must have all or as much information necessary on how to start it and how to keep it running profitably. It will be your enterprise that you will own and manage. You could own and manage more than one business. But don’t even think about it until you’ve mastered the business you’re seeking to start now. Similarly a

Forming a Parent LLC with Subsidiaries

2011-12-29T17:52:00.000-08:00

It is possible and recommended to create an LLC that is the parent company of one or more wholly owned subsidiaries if the businesses are diverse or complimentary to the parent LLC. For this type of set-up, however, the subsidiary LLCs would each be owned by a single member: The parent LLC. The parent LLC would be created first, followed by the subsidiary LLCs. If the subsidiaries were

Sista's Common Sense Corner

2009-10-08T12:17:00.000-07:00

Sista's Common Sense Corner is anything but common. This was a project from the heart, from the very beginning. What these ladies are attempting to do (and in our estimation - will do) is bring a more tactile touch to the Internet. What's absolutely striking about these two women other than their beauty is: one, they radiate an outer beauty and inner strength immediately upon meeting them.

T!ntalize! A Tantalizing New Product for Women's...feet?

2009-03-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

T!ntalizeTM is one of our hottest new SEO clients and we're proud to be apart of this product launch. Imagine if there were a concealer made just for the beautification of feet. If you could have the freedom to wear sandals without being embarrassed about your corns. If you could cover veins and age spots. If you could know that it applies in seconds, and it stays on for hours. Well now you can

It's Been A While

2008-08-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

Hey! Yep, I'm still alive. I know it's been a while but you can't believe how busy I've been. (But in a good way.) Well, here's the skinny. I retired last year and my wife and I opened our dream business. We now run a school for the visual and performing arts! Click here to see. And Boy it's a lot of work. So much for retiring.Not one to keep idle hands, I've integrated my love for the Internet

9 Key Reasons you should have a Website

2008-06-28T18:07:00.000-07:00

Many of you I am sure have heard these reasons or even read something like them some place before. I think they bear repeating. Enjoy!REASON #1: A Web site increases your credibility. For a small to medium sized business, a web site is a great way of building confidence and looking bigger than you really are. Much like your business cards, stationary and other promotional material, your Web site

Creative Rewards Yield High Returns

2008-04-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

It's not always possible to reward good employees with money or promotions. But there are many other ways to motivate. So check this out.You know your employees deserve rewards for their good work, but you're not sure you can afford them. Don't worry. Appreciation comes in different shapes and sizes. There are effective ways to tailor a recognition and rewards program that benefits both the

Build Your Talent Pool with a Referral Program

2007-08-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

Your employees represent a significant competitive edge. Why not use them to help you build the strongest team possible? After all, you hired them for their skills and abilities, and they continue to drive your success. Tapping their contact lists to bring new employees aboard offers a range of benefits.About four years ago, Management Ventures, Inc. (MVI), a retail analysis firm, put a referral

Get it Done!

2007-05-06T14:54:00.000-07:00

I meet a lot of people every week that own their own business, and strangely enough have only gone half way to the finish line in completing the necessary steps toward a rock solid barrier proof business. They opened their doors and got to work creating their dream of financial independence. "Okay, what's he talking about now", you say? Glad you asked.Let me as you a question. "Why would someone

Beware the Dream Snatchers

2007-02-14T06:48:00.000-08:00

HEY! Watch out!All contact is not good contact. Sometime or another a well-meaning person is going to cross your path with visions and ideas of how you can improve your business to help facilitate their dreams. Beware of these well-meaning folk. They can weave a wonderful web of wonder, but will tangle you up. You will lose sight momentarily of your dreams and visions.Shake yourself and plant

Learn about Risk Reversal

2007-01-15T09:12:00.000-08:00

I've always tried to use a good risk reversal in my business but found Archies example and explination of "Why" a lot better stated than I could put it. So here you go. It's a great piece to learn from. Most of all it's true.Using A Strong Risk Reversal Closes More SalesArticle by Archie R. Lawhorne.When you minimize risk in purchasing decisions a lot more people are willing to say "yes". Once

Does Race Still Matter...in Business?

2006-11-10T21:50:00.000-08:00

Over the past few months I've had several friends and colleagues tell me that succeeding in business is hard for minorities because of racial bias. Being a black american myself it's easy to go down that road. But I felt a need to address this issue primarily because I don't want that crutch to infect the mind of our young people coming up in this great technological era and more importantly to

The Importance of a Business Plan

2006-09-28T22:01:00.000-07:00

Business Plan BasicsA business plan precisely defines your business, identifies your goals, and serves as your firm's resume. The basic components include a current and pro forma balance sheet, an income statement, and a cash flow analysis. It helps you allocate resources properly, handle unforeseen complications, and make good business decisions. Because it provides specific and organized

Stand Out with Multiple Payment Options

2006-08-16T09:34:00.000-07:00

Increasing sales and profits doesn't necessarily require that you open other locations—just that you offer as many different payment options as possible.The way Anna Pamula sees it, offering multiple payment options is just another way to provide excellent customer service. The owner of Renu Day Spa in Deerfield, Ill., Pamula lets her customers pay by cash, check, credit or debit card, or gift

"Test for Success: 12 Things to Test on your Website."

2006-07-15T21:05:00.000-07:00

"Test for Success: Learn the Top 12 Things to Test on Your Web Site (And How You Can Increase Sales by More Than 400%!)"Okay I admit, that's a mouth full of a title but it gets straight to the point don't you think? I've decided to add my two cents to the rest of the online world and see if I can't help a few good people out there find success on the internet in their online businesses. They're

A few Questions

2006-06-20T07:57:00.000-07:00

When most of us go into business we're really not thinking about the customer. Honestly, we're thinking how great it's going to be for people to pay us for providing them our product and how privileged they'll be to use it. That's wrong train of thought!Ask yourself these five questions:1. Am I giving the best possible value or benefit or advantage to my client?2. Do I really care about my