Make Money While You Sleep

Announcing the MP3 Clips Widget by Amazon.com

2008-05-15T04:58:00.000-07:00

Today we are announcing the launch of a brand new widget, the MP3 Clips Widget for Amazon Associates which allows you to play song samples from the Amazon MP3 catalog with over 5 Million DRM-free songs. Handpick the songs and albums you want to display or select the latest best sellers or new releases from the music genre of your choice.

Here’s an example of the widget for you to check out:

To get started, visit our MP3 Clips widget page, and add it to your site today. Don't forget, you'll earn 10% on all MP3 Widget referrals!

The launch of the MP3 Clips widget adds to our suite of digital products including the Kindle Chicklet, Your Video widget and Unbox Movie and TV Preview Widget. Check out all of our digital products here.

Enjoyed reading the post ?
Subscribe to Make Money While You Sleep by Email

or

Subscribe in a reader

First Subscriber

2008-04-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

I was very happy to read that Problogger - Darren Rowse will be launching his first book ProBlogger Book — Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income

Darren is inspiration for bloggers like us who like to target at least five figure income. Then move forward to be in the elite club of Six Figure Income or target to be Guiness Book of Records for Seven Figure Income.

I am sure Darren must have acknowledged people who have helped him to achieve the success. You may notice that there are 45000 subscribers to the blog Problogger. I am curious to know who is the first one ?

Who remembers

Who is the second person to reach the moon ?
Who is the second person to reach the top of Mt. Everest ?
Who is the second person to reach North Pole ?

To be recognised as an active blogger, you should also be an active subscriber and genuine commentor? If you spot a potential blog for the contents or an idea, then you should be first one to subscribe it. Who knows, you will be become the first one in a successful blogger list and will find you name in Hall of Fame in the one of the books.

Conversely, if your blog is a money spinner, you should publish your first subscriber, first one to favourite you on Technorati and so on .... in your book.

Enjoyed reading the post ?
Subscribe to Make Money While You Sleep by Email

or

Subscribe in a reader

Strategy Development

2008-04-05T14:45:00.000-07:00

Patterns of Strategy Development

Henry Mintzberg
argues that strategy emerges over time as intentions collide with and accommodate a changing reality, rather being due to a deliberate planning process. This emergent strategy not envisaged in the planned strategy of the organisation. For e.g. a supplier pursuing modern ideas on supplier/customer relationships might encourage a partnership approach to sourcing. It is easy to imagine that buyers in the customer organisation might see benefits in this, and could pursue the idea to the point where sourcing strategy took on an aspect not at all contemplated when planned strategic developments were laid down.

Example

Potbelly Sandwich Works began in 1977 as a small antique store run by a nice young couple. Despite the fast-paced, never-a-dull-moment world of antique dealing, the couple decided to bolster their business by making sandwiches for their customers. What began as a lark, turned out to be a stroke of genius. Soon, people who couldn't care less about vintage glass doorknobs were stopping by to enjoy special sandwiches and homemade desserts in this unusual atmosphere. Potbelly Stove

As the years passed, the lines grew. Booths were added, along with ovens for toasting sandwiches to perfection, vista-coolers, napkin dispensers, hand-dipped ice cream - even live music. The little antique shop had become the full-fledged, totally unique sandwich joint that you enjoy in America today.

'Mintzberg argues there is more to business success (and life) than MBAs. 'To be superbly successful you have to be a visionary - someone with a very novel vision of the world and a real sense of where they are going. If you have that you can get away with murder. Alternatively, success can come if you are a true empowerer of people, are empathetic and sensitive. Often, visionaries create companies and success is continued by empowerers.'

Source: Pop and Son Turtles

Think of any opportunity that feel can change your blog !!!

Did you like the post ?
Subscribe to Make Money While You Sleep by Email

or

Subscribe in a reader

You may also like to read

Inspiring Quotes

2008-04-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

I have been collecting the inspirational quotes on my discussion boards. Sharing with you: "If you have one coin and I have one.... we exchange, we have one coin each. If you have one idea and I have one .... we exchange, we both have two ideas each.

Fortune smiles on those who roll up their sleeves and put their shoulders to the wheel.
If you can do it, then I can do it... And if I can do it, then you can do it too
If you don't know where you are going then it doesn't matter what path you take - Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland)
A ship in harbor is safe but that is not what ships are for.
If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't jump with them, I'd be at the bottom to catch them.
Even a dead clock shows the correct time twice in a day.

Source: Canal Bridge

When the emotion is love... everyone is a poet.
Light up your face with gladness. Hide every trace of sadness. Although a tear may be ever so near, That's the time you must keep on tryin Smile, what's the use of cryin? You'll find that life is still worthwhile, If you just smile :)
No defeat is final until u give up......So.....never,ever give up!!!!!!!
The only job where you start at the top, is digging a hole. - unknown
Lie down with dogs and you will get up flees
The darkest of nights is followed by the brightest of days...
Little do they know that often these IQ tests have been dreamt up by academics who are absolutely useless at dealing with the practicalities of the outside world - Richard Branson.
Play your cards right while a new leader reshuffles his pack
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity" - Albert Einstein
Money isn't everything in life, unless you don't have it". David King
Fail to plan, plan to fail
Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. THAT'S relativity. -- Albert Einstein
What would you want to be - statue or the pigeon?...so stop thinking and enjoy;
It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument. - William G. McAdoo
Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.
Don't ever get tired until you make the last attempt. Don't ever make the last attempt until you are successful
No Guy is worth crying over and when you find one that is, he won't make you cry !
What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal. - Albert Pike. (1809-1891)
The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as long as we live. - Mortimer Adler. American Philosopher, Educator and Editor, 1902-2001
When people honor each other, there is a trust established that leads to synergy, interdependence, and deep respect. Both parties make decisions and choices based on what is right, what is best, what is valued most highly. - Blaine Lee
Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. - Brian Littrell.
A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free- Nikos Kazantzakis. Greek Writer whose work represent a major contribution to modern Greek literature, 1885-1957
High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation. - Charles F. Kettering. American engineer, inventor of the electric starter, 1876-1958
Give neither advice nor salt, until you are asked for it."-- English proverb
Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude. - William James. American Philosopher and Psychologist, leader of the philosophical movement of Pragmatism, 1842-1910
Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. - John Fitzgerald Kennedy. American 35th US President (1961-63), 1917-1963
We are all inclined to judge ourselves by our ideals; others by their acts.- Harold Nicolson. Persian born English Writer and Author, 1886-1968
If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything. - Mark Twain

Comment on the best ones and share the ones that you have.

Poll: SAP World Yahoogroups - Did you benefit from it

2008-03-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

I started SAP World Yahoogroups on Sept 18, 2002 as a fun group for SAP Jobs. I did not contemplate that the SAP World Yahoogroup would cross a membership of 4700 people and active job postings.

The background of starting a job related yahoogroups was one of my friend was made redundant. He was working on some other ERP application. I thought if he had been associated with network of people, probably he would have got a job in a couple of days. So it motivated me to start a yahoogroups and promote it.

I have been moderating the group so that job postings are only related to SAP. This is will ensure quality of postings made and serious head hunters and job seekers view the messages and get benefited.

I request all the SAP Recruiters to participate in survey as it this will help to know the effectiveness of SAP World Yahoogroups.

Poll

The usage of internet had been so prevalent that everything happens without face to face meeting. This requires both SAP Recruiters and SAP Consultants to be prominently known on the internet.

Imagine, a SAP Recruiter calls and asks, "Do you know some who know SAP CRM ?" And you wonder....hmmm... hmmm .... I do not remember ? Job sites and Social Networking sites are paid websites and thus it limits the reach of SAP Recruiters to head hunt. Similarly some of the SAP Consultants and Contractors would not like to post their full details on Social Networking Sites.

Ideally everyone one wants to minimise the cost of recruitment and at the same time reach vast pool of consultants - free of cost. I found one website that is very promising and you do not write need to write more about yourselves. Create your profile on www.spock.com. Add tags "SAP Recruiter", "Country" if you are a headhunter, "SAP CRM Consultant", "SAP FICO Consultant", "Country" - if you a SAP Consultant - Domain Specialist.

See Profile of Cezar Maroti - SAP Recruiter

Use Spock Search to find SAP Consultants and filter it based on country. You will find people free of cost. This will be hybrid of Yahoogroups and Linkedin - search free of costs.

Advantages:

SAP Recruiters can easily find SAP Consultants on Spock
SAP Consultants / Contractors will be prominent in Marketplace
Use Tags effectively to be prominently known.
Personal Details very little
Reference your work from various websites.

Participate in Spock revolution to find SAP Consultants. Make money thru' Networking. Please leave your Spock Profile in the comment for others to connect you.

Cheers,

Santosh Puthran

Did you like the post ?
Subscribe to Make Money While You Sleep by Email

or

Subscribe in a reader

You may also like to read

Canary Wharf - What a place

2008-03-15T11:45:00.001-07:00

Couple of weeks, I visited Canary Wharf which is considered to be the new thriving space in London. It is a vibrant business district with a wide range of shops, restaurants, pubs and wine bars, as well as healthcare and leisure facilities and an extensive arts and events programme.

Leading international companies enjoy the highest quality buildings, facilities and infrastructure within London's newest business district.

Sharing some of the photographs (Enjoy the music when you play)

Click Webshots for view more

I posted some of the photos on Canon Photography Forum and response was

Nice work. Did any police officers or security guards approach you? I find I was being stopped about once every 20 minutes. Had to keep producing ID for some strange reason.

I enjoyed my time in photography without any hassles. Do make it a point to visit Canary Wharf, if you are in London.

Share your hobbies by replying to this post and any interesting experiences in pursuing your hobby.

Did you like the post ?
Subscribe to Management Accountant by Email

Regards,

Santosh Puthran

Career in Blogging and Networking

2008-03-15T11:42:00.000-07:00

I have been reading the book "Cultivating a cool career - 52 brilliant ideas for reaching the Top" by Ken Langdon. It is very well written book with 52 brilliant ideas on how to progress in your career.

Are some of Ken Langdon's ideas relevant in blogging and social networking? Lets find out ...

Idea 1: Face it, you are you and they are them

Take a positive, practical and sceptical attitude to your professional network. Don't expect everyone in the network to notice you unless you start demonstrating that you have something better to offer them. Focus your blog on a niche area.

Idea 3: Make good suggestions loudly

At any point in the chaos, an opportunity can arise for you to make a sensible suggestion. You should actively seek them out and grab such opportunities. Read newspapers or internet articles that affect your profession. Send a reply with a copy on your blog.

Idea 12: Please Sir, can I have some more

To look for avenues to generate income is one of the key factors that motivate blogging and social networking. The more you start focussing on it, I bet, you will have a lot to learn from it. Look for the ways to monetise your blog and widen your social network. Warning: It is infectious !!!

Idea 13: Go on, give them a shock

Your network may consist of people who are working in different levels in organisations. As part of your campaign to gain high exposure, take any opportunity you can to introduce new information. If you surprise your network with new things, your blog will gain a dedicated readership.

Idea 14: Send an inside salesperson

Your blog is a selling document and the product it is selling is YOU.

Idea 26: What goes around comes around

Most people start networking when they are unhappy with their career. Too late! Put your network consisting of contacts to work at all times. You never know when someone you used to know comes around again.

Idea 40: Be a dedicated follower of fashion

There is a delicate balance. So look around! What is the current trend relevant to your network?Start blogging on the topics of interest and current events.

Idea 46: Of course it's risky

You may wonder, if I start a blog whether I will have a time to continue writing. Or whether I will have sufficient readers to my blog. Element of risk....but if something is not risky... where is the challenge and fun ?!!

The End ..... Or is it a new beginning ?

The book has 52 brilliant ideas to boost your career. I recommend you to read it and please do share your views with me.

Customer Satisfaction

2008-03-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

Ducks and Eagle No one can make you serve customers well. That's because great service is a choice.

Years ago, Harvey Mackay, told a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point. He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey. He handed him a laminated card and said:

"I'm Wally, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement."

Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said:

Wally's Mission Statement:

To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment. This blew Harvey away. Especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean! As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said, "Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf."

Harvey said jokingly, "No, I'd prefer a soft drink."

Wally smiled and said, "No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice."

Almost stuttering, Harvey said, "I'll take a Diet Coke."

Handing him his drink, Wally said, "If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated and USA Today."

As they were pulling away, Wally handed him another laminated card. "These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio."

And as if that weren't enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him. Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. He also let him know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts.

"Tell me, Wally," Harvey asked the driver, "have you always served customers like this?"

Wally smiled into the rear view mirror. "No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do.

Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day. He had just written a book called You’ll See It When You Believe It. Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself.

He said, `Stop complaining! Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. An Eagle soars above the crowd.'"

"That hit me right between the eyes," said Wally. "Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle.
I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy.
So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more."

"I take it that has paid off for you," Harvey said.

"It sure has," Wally replied. "My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it.. You were lucky to get me today. I don't sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can't pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action."

Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab. Harvey probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it.
Whenever Harvey went to their cities, he would give them a call. The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told him all the reasons they couldn't do any of what he was suggesting.

Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like an eagle. What is your choice?

Knock Knock - Opportunity !!!

2008-01-30T12:38:00.000-08:00

Knock, Knock. Who's there? Oppurtunity!! Can't be. Why Not? Bcoz Opportunity knocks only once.

I had a good laugh when I watched this video.

The lady tells, "If you type google into the google, you can break the internet."

Type google into google and you will notice the results on the right hand corner 1800 million hits. This indicates that the word google is on 1800 million websites.

Now try search your name on google. E.g "Santosh Puthran" and check whether you are visible on any websites. If there too many people with your name, the try "Your Name " Cost Accountant. Check the results and determine whether the results help you professionally.

So if you do not find yourself on google search, then it is time to be active on the web to promote yourself professionally:

Create your profile on www.linkedin.com and connect with your colleagues and ex-colleagues who will help you to recommended.
Participate in discussions of your accounting body both virtually (yahoogroups or discussion board) and physically in seminars / meetings. This will help to promote your presence.
Social Networking sites like www.digg.com , www.stumbleupon.com and www.indianpad.com are very good. Find good topics for discussions and share it in the professional community.
Start Blogging on what you specialise. Blogger and Wordpress are one of the best sites. Or if you are a practising firm, please maintain an up-to-date website.

The best things in the world are free on the internet. So why not use them to promote professionally.

Regards,

Santosh Puthran

iGoogle - Your Friend, Philosopher and Guide

2008-01-20T00:52:00.000-08:00

The first question I ask myself - how do I remain updated without the need to go to several websites. And at the same time, I take notes when I browse for future reference.

The answer was to configure iGoogle. Go to http://www.blogger.com/www.google.com and click on iGoogle on the right left hand corner of the screen.

Click on Add Stuff and start adding various google gadgets. The gadgets that I have is google reader that helps me remain updated about RSS feeds from the news sites like financial times, economic times, ft, blogs, finance websites, jobs and others. It is very easy to configure and it saves lot of time from visiting other websites. I hoped ICWAI website should have RSS feeds. MA blog has RSS feeds and you can subscribe to it and always remain updated about latest happenings.

You must have noticed that I have put my google reader on MA blog for the benefit of all. Also on my fun blog. You may subscribe to those as well.

I have added google weather and can add more than cities. This helps me know whether my friends are in good conditions or not. My mail box appears on igoogle page. There are some default websites that igoogle offers.

There are lot of gadgets you can on igoogle and configure them in Tabs. I have installed Google Notebook on my Firefox browser. This helps you note down important notes when you are browsing and you want to refer back. Earlier I used to scribble on my Postit notes or on a piece of paper and eventually lost it. But now I copy it on my Google Note. I can access anywhere my notebook when I am on the internet.

The important aspect, I forgot to share with you is.... Use Firefox browser. Dump Internet Explorer... it is slow and pathetic. Last week I had been to my friend's place and he was using AOL browser. He felt that his browser was very slow and may be due to his PC. He had downloaded Firefox on his PC but did not use it. I demonstrated it Firefox and it was quick as ever. He was happy that he did not have any problem in PC.

iGoogle is a very good tool to remain updated... each day...everyday. The google gadgets help you plan your day and also helps you to remain in touch with friends and collegues. Try google products and see whether they change the way do things. I have adapted to google products and find it very good.

Try iGoogle and you will feel the difference. If you have questions, please comment. I will reply to you.

Cheers,

Santosh Puthran

Networking and how to use Social Networking sites

2008-01-18T23:43:00.000-08:00

I have been stumbling upon good sites for the benefit of the readers of Management Accountant Blog. I happened to meet Mr. Murthy from Rajahmundry, AP. I liked the websites he had stumbledupon and submitted reviews on a couple of posts and so I spoke to him.

To my surprise, he volunteered to help me and provide me with a couple of tips for my blog. We chatted on messenger for more than 2 hours and his tips were very helpful. I hope this helps you too.

Layout of the Blog should be simple. Fonts matter!!! Accountants like reading small fonts (may be because we are interested in details and numbers.)
Create and promote your profile on www.linkedin.com , www.spock.com and www.stumbledupon.com. The profiles will help you network with right people and build up your network. Professional networking sites like linkedin help you immensely.
Search Optimisation Tips: Use search optimization to drive internet traffic to your website. Read more

His advice was very helpful and you must have noticed the change on my blog. Currently I am working my profile on www.spock.com and sending invites to people who are in my address book.

Spock is a very powerful internet tool. Even if you have not created your profile on spock, it will recognise you from bio pages, social networks, news sites, blogs or directories. Take for e.g. Bill Gates, Ratan Tata, Tony Blair, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama or Manmohan Singh.

Spock lets you determine where people can find you on the internet. When you sign up for Spock you can claim your search results and shape what information people see. Plus, when there is new information about you on the internet, Spock sends you an alert so you are always up to date. Signing up is free and easy - just click here.

How do I claim a search result?

To claim a search result on Spock, click "Claim Your Search Result" on the page. When you have successfully claimed your search result on Spock, it will be merged with your current search result, and will be tied to your Spock account.

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw my profile on Spock and I claimed it.

As a professional, how should I use professional networking tools?

Linkedin and Spock will help you build up your professional network. Companies are reluctant to spend on advertising for any vacancies or professional work. Virtual networking will help you to progress in your career by connecting to the right people. Spock will help you link all your profiles and websites together. This will help people know you and your work.
Plaxo : www.plaxo.com is a contact address management tool which is integrated with Outlook and Linkedin. You update your info, your friends update theirs, and everyone stays in touch! You should sync your mobile phone with Outlook to have your contacts handy. You never know when opportunities strike.
StumbleUpon: Use stumbleupon to review good sites on the internet. You will always find people to subscribe to your feeds on stumbleupon if you are stumbling on good sites. Search your name on www.google.com and see the results. This will give an indication whether you are known on the internet. Then check whether you are linked to the professional network.
Google Reader: I have found www.google.com/reader very useful to keep myself updated when I subscribe to feeds of good websites. You will always notice the word "RSS" or "Atom" on a website. Click it and subscribe to the updates from the website.
Blog: I would always recommend you have your own blog to share professional updates or participate by commenting on websites or blogs. This will help people in your profession to know about you. The accountants who are in practise should always have their website and should blog or comment on important updates in business or taxation. This will help them to be known in business circles in the industry.

Regards,

Santosh Puthran