Author: Abdul-Qadir

  • Successful Entrepreneurship – Cracking the Code

    Successful Entrepreneurship – Cracking the Code

    [ad_1]

    We've heard stories of penniless immigrants who came to Canada with nothing but a dream, but within a single generation accumulate a lot of wealth. How do they do it?

    This is a mystery to the typical person who graduates with a post-secondary education and goes on to work in the labor force as an employee (ie, most people!). This is because our educational system specifically trains its students to become employees rather than entrepreneurs.

    So when we hear about these rags to riches stories, we ask ourselves – "how did they do it?" As someone who grew up in an entrepreneurial household, here is my take on Cracking the Code to Successful Entrepreneurship:

    1. In most cases, one will never become truly financially independent working as an employee. Whether you are an entry-level bookkeeper or the CEO of a large organization, you can be unexpectedly fired at a whim by whoever you report to. You are therefore susceptible to financial catastrophe.

    2. Therefore, the only way to achieve financial independence is to build and maintain a successful business.

    3. There is a "magic formula" that will allow to evaluate a businesses' odds of success:

    [( Sale price of product – Variable cost of product) x Units sold] – Fixed Overhead Costs = Profit

    This formula will be very familiar to accountants – it's called the Contribution Margin Ratio.

    Let's demonstrate this formula using a Bubble Tea business. Wonder why there are so many Bubble Tea shops in Toronto? Because they make a heck of a lot of money with little risk:

    Price per bubble tea drink – $ 4.00

    Cost to make per drink (water, powder, sugar) – $ 0.50

    Drink sales per month assuming 100 sold per day – 3,000

    Monthly rent for shop – $ 3,000

    · Assume no labor costs – in the early years, the owners will work the shop themselves

    · [($ 4.00 – $ 0.50) x 3,000] = $ 10,500 in sales

    · Profit after paying rent: $ 10,500 – $ 3,000 = $ 7,500

    Once you apply this formula to the multinational soft drink companies to analyze their beverage businesses, you can begin to understand why soft-drinks companies have grown from humble beginnings to global companies they are today.

    You can also use this formula to evaluate almost any small business you might be thinking of getting into: restaurant, nail salon, hair salon. You should quickly realize that it's best to choose businesses with a high profit margin (ie, high selling price for produce / service and low cost of supplying the product / service) and high customer traffic (ie, units sold, people serviced).

    Seeing the Future – Cash Flow Projection

    You want to know if you'll be making a profit before going any further. If you skip this step, your chances of failing increase significantly.

    Investigate your costs to start up and run your business. The most common are:

    · Rent – how much will it cost to rent at the location where you want to set up?

    · Wages and payroll tax – will you need employees or can your run the business yourself? How much do you need to pay yourself to meet your personal living costs?

    · Advertising costs – what types of advertising will you use – TV, radio, internet – and what is their cost versus their potential return on investment?

    · Cost of inventory or raw materials – will these be imported? If yes, you'll need to factor in the impact of exchange rates on your profitability.

    · Purchase of equipment – general office equipment like a phone system, computers and IT network, and furniture, as well as specialized equipment for your specific line of business like restaurant equipment (if you're opening up a restaurant).

    · Business liability insurance – to protect yourself from liability if someone is inadvertently harmed by your product or service, or if someone is injured on your premises.

    · Pricing – how much will you be able to sell your product or service so that's it's competitive with others in your line of business

    Once you've figured out your monthly costs (ie, your overhead) and pricing, you're now in the position to determine how many unit sales you need to make to breakeven – remember the Contribution Margin Ratio that we looked at. Use a spreadsheet to build a cash-flow projection model.

    Protecting Yourself – Creditor Proofing

    If things don't work out for your business you could be financially ruined. Therefore, consider the following techniques to protect your personal assets from your business creditors.

    1. Incorporate the business. This will provide you with a level of creditor protection – most of a corporation's obligations are limited to its assets so this structure can provide protection for personal assets. This structure also has income tax benefits, which will not be discussed here.

    2. Always pay statutory debt on time, specifically:

    · Payroll source deductions;

    · Federal and provincial sales tax collected; and

    · Employee wages and vacation payable.

    Corporate directors can be personally responsible for these debts, notwithstanding that the business is incorporated. In many incorporated small businesses, the shareholder (ie, the business owner) and director are the same person.

    3. If you can, avoid giving personal guarantees of your corporation's business obligations (eg, landlord, suppliers) unless it is absolutely necessary.

    You will need a financial expert on your team to deal with the issues raised in this article. Therefore, I would strongly advise that you contact a CPA who can help you further.

    For all you aspiring entrepreneurs out there, I hope that I've helped take out some of the "mystery" behind successful entrepreneurship. Use this tool wisely and never stop dreaming!

    [ad_2]

    Source by Victor Fong

    Views: 0

  • Start Healing Your Grief & Sorrow

    Start Healing Your Grief & Sorrow

    [ad_1]

    How do you start healing your grief and sorrow? What brings you joy when grief is your circumstance?

    “What are the proper grounds for joy? Is it circumstance which will determine the stature of my spirit?

    Ah, no. It is choice. It is always a choice – in the face of any event – for joy.”

    ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

    There are three steps you can choose to follow to start healing and find more joy:

    1-Make A Healing Choice

    Trying to Handle your tremendous grief and loss may result in a great deficiency in clarity, hope and joy. Many solutions may have passed through your mind. Also, you may have cried out to God. In due course you might have heard from Him. The message you could have received was: “I am not wanting to harm or punish you – but to help you.” God is just but sometimes men and life are unjust. Human unhappiness is ordinary life in its natural course. Each grieving experience is personal and unique. Do you want hope, happiness and wholeness again? If you do, you have a responsibility to keep going and try to find essential solutions to stop grieving and start healing. Otherwise grief is lasting, not reconciled and your life remains not rehabilitated forever. Forever is a long time!

    “You do have a power over your body, your life, your future. Call it prayer, spiritual healing, intention, or law of attraction, the power is there for you to access.” ~ Posted by Jonathan Huie

    Undiscovered, often never used before, perhaps not ever needed before now, is an inner power for which you can dig deeply of critical personal empowerment.

    “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul.”

    ~ John Muir

    Honor who you are. Gather strength from life’s thunder clouds. Dissolve grief sorrow and loss struggles one by one. Embrace and seek solitude in the arms of the spirit. How you face the trials of life is always a choice.

    2-Choose A Life Like A Box Of Chocolates

    “The movie character Forrest Gump describing life as being “like a box of chocolates,” is such a positive upbeat way of characterizing the uncertainty of life. I have no idea what life will give me next, but whatever it is, it will be sweet.”

    ~ the movie Forrest Gump

    Especially during times of immense grieving, you need to be alert and notice what you want might sneak in your back door unobserved.

    “Faith means living with uncertainty – feeling your way through life, letting your heart guide you like a lantern in the dark.”

    ~ Dan Millman

    Personally, I prefer dark chocolate with pecans in my box of life’s challenging uncertain journey. Looking for the sweetness in your healing uncertainty and letting your heart of hope be your lantern in the dark is essential.

    3-You Must Do

    “You must do the things you think you cannot do.”

    – Eleanor Roosevelt

    After you think you have done all you can do to stop grieving and start healing there is always more you can do. You must hunger for new beneficial solutions. Think about it – have you hungered and thirsted after key healing steps?

    “Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.”

    ~ John Quincy Adams

    As you push forward with mighty thrusts of healing energy your abilities to reconcile your grief and loss will be enhanced greatly.

    [ad_2]

    Source by Duane Marchant

    Views: 0

  • How To Heal Yourself & Begin To Move On From A Broken Relationship

    How To Heal Yourself & Begin To Move On From A Broken Relationship

    [ad_1]

    Are you newly single? Have you just come out of a relationship or marriage? Failed relationships can be painful and challenging to overcome. While the most common solution is to rebound into another relationship, these relationships rarely survive beyond a few months. And even if they do, they mostly work more like a compromise. The best way out is to take advantage of your new relationship status by learning from the past and recreating your life. A breakup or divorce can be a positive experience if you choose to learn from it.

    Learn from a failed relationship and prepare to receive your future partner:

    What's the lesson? Every failed relationship provides at least one significant lesson. What was it? Relationships typically fail either due to errors in choosing a partner or errors in behavior. Reflect and see where "you" made a mistake and decide to do something better next time. If you have multiple failed relationships, check to see if there is a pattern you can identify common to all of them. If you can understand your contributions to the failed relationship, you'd be in a better position to attract the right person and make it work!

    Let it go. Unless there are children involved, consider ceasing all contact till you get over the hurt. Resist the tendency to "accidentally" run into them at your favorite hangout, send a late-night text message, or stalk them on Facebook. Take anything that reminds you of them, box it up, and put it in the garage. It is possible to be friends with your 'ex-partner / spouse' but it takes two very matured people to make that happen plus some healing time to reach a point where a healthy friendship can be maintained with no heart aches.

    Forgive him / her for your own sake. It's an easy word to say, but challenging to do. Remember! There's no closure without forgiveness. Forgiveness is about freeing ourselves from the energy-draining quest for retribution.

    Be there for yourself. It can be tempting to compromise on your hygiene, sit in front of the TV in your pajamas, and avoid the gym. However, it's important to continue taking care of yourself. Get a shower, spend time with friends that really care about you, and maintain your normal routine.

    Get your life in order. Find a job you like if you don't already have one. Ensure your finances are in order. Get in shape. Feel good about your life and yourself before dating again. You want to have a great life to share with someone else, rather than find someone to fill in all the gaps and solve all the challenges in your life. Fix your life first! You'll be a much more attractive partner, when you do that.

    Transform your space. Create a new environment at home. Move the furniture around. Renovate your home. Give yourself a fresh start.

    Find a new hobby. There has got to be something you have always wanted to do. Now is the perfect time to do it! Take a photography class or buy a guitar. Join a dance class. Add something new and fun to your life.

    Enjoy the freedom. Just enjoy the time, space and freedom of being single. Avoid starting a new relationship immediately. Spend more time with your friends and family.

    Decide what you are looking for. Make a list of what you would like in a potential partner. Think about your past relationship experiences and put together a description of what you would like in a new partner. Also reflect on what that kind of person will be looking in their ideal partner. Work on yourself to develop those traits. Begin looking, but avoid straying too far from your list of requirements. Avoid falling into old patterns.

    Take one step at a time. When you find a potential match, enjoy it. There's no rush. Take it slow. Neither be desperate for a commitment, nor commit too soon. Let it flow.

    Moving on after a failed relationship can be especially challenging. Rely on friends and family to see you through. A breakup or divorce is an ideal time for self-examination and making positive changes in your life. There's no reason to be in a hurry to find a new partner. Move on from the past before jumping into a new relationship.

    "Sometimes we must undergo hardships, breakups, and narcissistic wounds, which shatter the flattering image that we had of ourselves, in order to discover two truths: that we are not who we thought we were; and that the loss of a cherished pleasure is not necessarily the loss of true happiness and well-being. " – Jean-Yves LeLoup

    [ad_2]

    Source by Nidhika Bahl

    Views: 0

  • How Transparent Do You Need To Be When Promoting Affiliate Products?

    How Transparent Do You Need To Be When Promoting Affiliate Products?

    [ad_1]

    If you promote affiliate products, this means that you promote someone else’s products and they give you a commission for each sale. There are many rules and regulations you must follow in order to practice affiliate marketing properly. The truth is, the more transparent you are, the better.

    One thing to remember is that being transparent in business is beneficial to everyone. Letting people know that your link to that helpful product is an affiliate product promotes trust. Giving the link without telling may not seem like a problem, but some people do get upset about that and feel as if they were lied to.By law you are required to:

    Provide Contact Information

    You cannot hide behind your computer and not be who you really are in today’s online world, and you shouldn’t want to. You’re there to serve your audience and customers and they need to get in contact with you. Provide easy to find contact information in as many ways as you can afford.

    Provide On-Page Disclosure

    Every visitor that comes to your page should have the opportunity to read that you earn money via affiliate links and product promotion. That means that on any page you sell a product, you should include the disclosure. You can find a plugin to help with this, or use shortcode if you use WordPress.

    A Policy Page

    Create a whole page devoted to explaining all your policies so that any website visitors can look at that page to find out the nature of your business. You should address all partnerships, how things are fulfilled, communication, and so forth. For example, your customers should know that if they buy something from a link, they should seek customer service for that product with the place they purchased from – but that you still want to know if they have more problems.

    Other Useful Data

    The fact is, any data you can provide makes you more transparent. It also makes your audience’s experience feel safer and makes them more comfortable. For example, include testimonials, recommendations, short reports and so forth about the products you are recommending. Anything you think will help build trust and make you more transparent to your audience you should do.

    But, even if it was not a matter of law, transparency really builds that know, like, and trust factor that everyone wants so badly. When you tell people that you are making money promoting something, it does not take away from the fact that you’re selling something that solves their problem.

    [ad_2]

    Source by Jon Allo

    Views: 0

  • What Is an Aesthetic Doctor?

    What Is an Aesthetic Doctor?

    [ad_1]

    Just about everyone knows what Botox and laser hair removal is today, but many do not yet know the term “aesthetic doctor.” This is a bit ironic, since aesthetic doctors are the most likely providers of services such as Botox and laser hair removal. When you see an aesthetic doctor you are seeing a well trained medical professional who specializes in minimally invasive procedures that help patients preserve their youthful appearances. They can also provide services to those with minor skin and medical problems, such as severe acne or burns.

    Aesthetic Procedures for the Face

    An aesthetic doctor can take care of your face, whether you are in your twenties and concerned about future signs of aging or are already experiencing lines and wrinkles. From simple injection procedures like Botox to more advanced procedures using laser devices, the goal is to keep the face fresh and youthful with well moisturized, beautiful skin.

    It is commonly believed that only women go in for these procedures, but they are becoming extremely popular with men as well. Men experience lines, wrinkles and sagging skin just like women, so it only makes sense that they would want to preserve their youthful appearances as well.

    Some facial aesthetic procedures may also be used for pigmentation problems, acne, scarring, and other more serious problems on the skin. It is not all about appearances alone.

    Aesthetic Procedures for the Body

    Procedures performed below the face are typically designed to rejuvenate or contour a problem area. For example, someone may go in for filler rejuvenation on the breasts or buttocks while another goes in for hand rejuvenation. Anything that is bothering you about your body below the neck can probably be treated by a qualified aesthetic doctor.

    Aesthetic Procedures for Hair

    Hair transplants, hair restoration services, and laser hair removal can all be performed by a trained aesthetic doctor. These services can be for convenience sake, such as going through hair removal services. They can also be offered for those with thinning hair, either caused by natural aging or illness. These services have to be provided through a well trained professional so more damage is not done than good.

    Other Services Provided by Aesthetic Doctors

    Some aesthetic doctors also offer ongoing programs that combine unique supplements, aesthetic procedures, creams, lotions, and other products developed or promoted by a given doctor. Not all doctors will offer these services, but the best ones will have at least some programs for those with specific needs.

    It must be noted that an aesthetic doctor is not the same as someone who gives Botox treatments at a spa or who can be hired for cheap prices to come to your next party. An aesthetic doctor is well trained and will offer a wider variety of services in a safe, medically sound environment. They are more trustworthy than other providers offering very basic services with little experience and training.

    If you want to see an aesthetic doctor, it should always start with a basic consultation. The doctor must look at your skin or other areas of your body in question and determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific condition. You may have an idea of what aesthetic procedure you want to have, but your doctor may have another procedure that could work even better.

    [ad_2]

    Source by Stephanie Zhang

    Views: 0

  • 5 Top Video Marketing Tips You Cannot Afford To Ignore

    5 Top Video Marketing Tips You Cannot Afford To Ignore

    [ad_1]

    Are you deploying online video for marketing purposes? If not, then you should know that visual clips trump all other forms of online communication. Let us explore 5 top tips that you need to follow in order to succeed in this ever-growing online marketing segment.

    1 – Visuals and Animated Clips Are Simply More Effective

    If you have heard that the use of video clips for SEO and promotional purposes is the latest trend, than you have heard correctly! Streaming and general animated content is the most effective marketing strategy when it comes to reaching your potential customers and creating an unforgettable impression.

    A question might arise as to how a video marketing strategy can really increase organisational visibility and draw in more customers. If you are already in business, you most likely have the initial tools right at your fingertips.

    2 – Video Is Far More Effective Than Pictures

    We have all heard the expression, “a picture speaks a thousand words”. So why use a photograph when we can now use video? Creating an online video clip for advertising purposes will always be a more dramatic marketing strategy when compared to articles and pictures.

    The likelihood is that your video will leave a memorable image in your potential customer’s mind. At the same time it also sets yourself apart from your competition. Research has shown that short clips that are created for marketing purposes are more likely to be retained in one’s memory. In addition, they are remembered far longer than descriptive writing or audio segments.

    3 – They Convey More Information Than Articles

    As opposed to merely reading about the benefits of your products or services, your visuals will be able to dramatically communicate this information. Customers will also be able to hear the enthusiasm in your commentary. To make this point, you probably have heard the following expression associated with this particular advertisement even though it was ten years ago.

    This refers to the phrase “set it and forget it”. It was used in a marketing clip created a good few years ago, but still relevant in modern-day marketing. The commentator continuously repeated the expression at various points during the presentation. This is an excellent example of how effective video marketing can be.

    4 – Video Engages Your Site Visitors

    As indicated, if you are already in business, no doubt you have an email contact list. Therefore, one of your daily functions revolves around emailing various individuals. With regards to your customers, you are most likely providing them with information pertaining to special deals, new products or services. What this means is that you now have the ability to send video emails as opposed to written ones.

    Traditional platforms such as Outlook Express do not have the ability to fully accommodate online video. However, there are other relatively new business and advertising platforms that can and offers a phenomenal capability to interact with your customers and prospects.

    5 – It Can Directly Increase Your Sales

    Using active online imagery as part of your overall marketing strategy dramatically enhances the possibility of increased sales and your general success. Your product brand and promotional communication is far more likely to remain in your potential customer’s mind’s eye through clips or video streaming.

    In addition, using visual imagery on your website and sending out video emails will prove to be the most direct and cost efficient method to reach your market when compared to other marketing strategies.

    Video marketing as a promotional platform is rapidly gaining momentum in the business arena and you now have the opportunity to implement your very own effective online campaign.

    [ad_2]

    Source by Gerard Mohamed

    Views: 0

  • How To Find A Good MLM Opportunity!

    How To Find A Good MLM Opportunity!

    [ad_1]

    How to find a good honest MLM Company after investing precious time and money with maxed out credit card debt, multiple failures, and not knowing what to do next is the reality many people experience.

    After working on-line for years, with more failures than successes; I learned how to create a financial freedom lifestyle by research, careful thought, planning and being comfortable with a business

    Jane wanted something to help supplement her retirement income. A friend introduced her to an online marketing opportunity that could accumulate wealth and Jane didn’t need to do anything but set it and forget it. The company did the work and she just received a weekly check.

    She signed up with no money for this business convinced that the first year she could earn ten thousand dollars a month passive income. But then her free sign-up came with an up sell including admin fee, a twenty-nine dollar monthly website fee to use the back office, and the company offered a marketing system for twenty-nine dollars a month.

    Two months later Jane quit, but immediately signed up with another company and continued joining business after business. Nothing worked. Jane learned the hard way after losing thousands of dollars that getting involved an MLM Company needed serious consideration.

    If you’re like Jane and are spending more money than you’re earning; chances are you’ve made a mistake. Are you working in a field that you’re interested in, enjoy and won’t stress you to the breaking point? Are you comfortable using the product and selling it? Are you willing to recruit other people and help train them? If you answered no to any of these questions; it’s time for a new start.

    A few tips to help you get starting in the right direction.

    1. Decide how much time you want or need to work a business.
    2. Look for a company that sells products that you would use.
    3. Read the product labels. If you’re comfortable then buy the product.
    4. Research the company, look at the Better Business Bureau Rating.
    5. Check to see if this company is in good standing with the Direct Selling Association.
    6. Learn about the Founders/Management of the company (and research those people.) Are they trustworthy?

    When you finally chose a company, read carefully the policies/rules/disclaimers and privacy statement.

    MLM marketing is a business that requires planning, setting goals, action, and time. Marketing strategies are critical and can become marketing tragedies; market with caution.

    Remember this; Everyone is not your customer. And everyone is not interested in joining an MLM Opportunity.

    I’ve only touched the surface about how to find business that you could be successful at working and also have fun doing it.

    People buy from people; not companies. Brand yourself not the company. That company may not always work out or stay in business. By branding yourself you can move on and keep your followers.

    [ad_2]

    Source by Patricia A Gaines

    Views: 0

  • The Chopra Center And Multi Level Marketing What?

    The Chopra Center And Multi Level Marketing What?

    [ad_1]

    What does the Chopra Center for Wellbeing have to do with a Multi level Marketing system? And why should I care? Why should you care?

    At first glance, something seems awry. After all, the Chopra Center for Wellbeing is dedicated to helping people from within, to empower and heal themselves, right? Not to get involved in money making schemes and “get rich quick ploys”.

    That is certainly true. And that is precisely why they have endorsed a brand new liquid nutritional beverage called Zrii. The Chopra center has teamed with Bill Farley, a marketing genius, for the launch of this new product. Why? Because this is the best way to spread the word and HELP people regain their health. Now THAT sounds like the Chopra Center.

    Now, Zrii itself is an amazing product. For the Center to back it, it would have to be. It is formulated with Amalaki, a fruit grown at the base of the Himalayas. Amalaki is a superfood with astounding health benefits. The Chopra center has been recommending this superfood for years. Now, it is available to everyone.

    For more in depth info on Amalaki, go HERE.

    So, you have a great product that can help millions of people get healthy, you have an amazing company with Bill Farley, so everyone of us has a very unique opportunity here. For anyone who wishes to help people become healthier, happier, this is a great opportunity to do that. Also, for anyone who wants to start a home based business, there could be no better opportunity than teaming up with the Chopra Center and Zrii.

    So, The Chopra Center and Multi Level Marketing? I guess it is a good fit!!

    [ad_2]

    Source by James Hosmer

    Views: 0