Seven Things Your Network Must Have

Writen by Eric Gurr

Small and medium businesses tend to use information technnology for what they percieve as being absolute necessities. That's not a bad approach but it can cause you to miss opportunities to grow your business and save money Without a budget that will support a chief technology office or experienced director of I.T. how do you know what you really need? We're here to help!

1. A reliable backup of your data

While it may seem obvious to most of the small and medium businesses we visit this is just not the case. Just having a tape drive and backup software is not enough. You should test your backup on at least a monthly basis. It doesn't need to be a complete restore all of the time, just pick out a few files and see if your I.T. staff can restore them. If you use outside consultants it's worth the money to have them come in and test your backup on a quarterly basis. It shouldn't take more than two or three hours and you'll sleep better.

2. Sales automation software

Not only does it allow your sales people to stay on top of potential leads, it helps you to stay on top of your sales people. For the SMB market there are dozens of applications that you can run locally on your network or you can use one of the on-line providers like salesforce.com.

3. A decent web site

It really doesn't matter if your business cuts grass or makes transmissions for tractors you should have a website. And don't let the secatary's sixteen year old son do it, get it done right. It doesn't have to be expensive. Sites like aliger.com have hundreds of templates specific to just about any business. They look great and they're easy to use.

4. Accouting software

Ok this is pretty much a no-brainer for any medium sized business and most small busineses. But even the really small businesses will benefit greatly from haveing an accounting package. Quickbooks is the old standard and still one of the best around. Your accountant will appreciate it too.

5. Computers less than three years old.

I know it may be running just fine but with the cost of new computers well below $1000 and the speed increases over the last few years you can't cost justify keeping around an old computer.

6. A document management process

This doesn't have to be a software application that costs thousands of dollars. But you should have a standard process for keeping critical or often used company documents in any easy to access location on your computer or preferably file server. It's one of the easiest ways there is to boost productivity and the bottom line. How many times have you spend searching for that old proposal to use as a template?

7. ERP Software

ERP is an acronym for Enterprise Resource Planning. What that really means is anybodies guess. For our purposes we're going to define it as software that is specific to your business and helps you to create and deliver your product or service. The reality of the situation is that it can be inventory management software, or a spreadsheet that shows the number of units shipped, or lawns cut. Be prepared to customize anything you buy off the shelf because it can be an aggravating process. But when you have it the amount of data available to you makes planning for the future a whole lot easier.

Eric Gurr Senior Editor SMBresource http://www.smbresource.com To reach Mr. Gurr egurr@intralinkinc.com

Overcoming The 7 Deadly Barriers To Success

Writen by Helen Farmer

You want to start up a business on the Internet but it hasn't happened. What can you do to put yourself on the journey to success?

You can identify what is stopping you and take steps to overcome these common but deadly barriers…

1) Lack of Goals

If you sit down at your computer with the Internet connected with no goals, it is likely you will end up surfing without a purpose. This is very time consuming.

Decide what you want to achieve, make it as specific as possible and plaster copies of them all over your home so you can't fail to read them at least 5 times a day.

Your mind will start to believe them and if you take active steps to achieve them – they will not be out of your reach.

2) Lack of Money

Okay for some people this will be a genuine factor but for the majority of us, there is a vice or an activity we can give up, like smoking, the odd bottle of wine or an aerobics class.

Most of us will be able to find something to give up or cut down on for the few months it takes to get started.

The Internet provides so many free resources and is the cheapest way to start a business these days so buckle down the purses or give up a vice and join the ride.

3) No Research

This is a most deadly barrier. Because you might think you have a idea for a product but unless you are absolutely sure there is a market for it, you have no assurances of success.

If you have a list you can ask them for their opinions. Or go onto to some of the many forums and ask for people's opinions and test the water.

Don't create a product and waste precious resources until you are sure there is a market. Even better create the product after you have investigated a market and know what they want.

4) Scared of Failure

You've probably heard it before but do you think Einstein got it right first time? Do you think any inventor gets it right first time?

I'm sure it takes 100s and even 1000s of attempts in some cases before its "Eureka". Failures happen to be learnt from so don't be afraid of them or give up when one occurs.

Sit down, learn your lessons and get on with your next plan of action with your head held high.

5) Information Overload

I know all about this one! You get so many ideas and ways of marketing in your head, they all merge, make your mind utterly confused and you can't even think of one straight idea.

The solution to this is to try one thing at a time. Test its success and if it doesn't work, move on. And when you find something that's works, stick to and master it.

Then you can go onto try something else but only if you want to. Its better to be excellent at one thing, then not very good at lots of things.

Also you could try choosing one or two 'gurus' to follow. You can copy their roads to success as long as it is in your own words.

6) Procrastination

This is the one thing NOT to become a master at! Tomorrow never comes. Don't put off things you can to today. Do something every day to bring you closer to your goals.

I know the soaps and TV in general can be very entertaining but imagine what you can achieve if you spent that time making substantial amounts of money on the Internet. The possibilities have no limits.

7) Other People's Views

Whether its your partner, boss, kids, friends, neighbours, acquaintances, whoever – do not let them put you down. If you want to succeed, its down to you and you alone.

Keep that one mindedness and don't budge from it, whatever the daily grind throws at you. You can success and you will.

Live the life you want to. If you want to work from 9 to 5 and are happy, then so be it. However, if that is not case, it's up to you to do something about it. Today, the Internet is your oyster, so get out there and find the pearls.

Helen Farmer is a budding entrepreneur who has spent the last two years reading everything to do with the Internet and her mind is ready to burst. She knows the first thing you need is a good mailing list so click here to get a FREE report on How to get 50,000 subscribers in 90 days - http://www.dynamic-copy.com/external.html

Top 10 Ways To Max Out On Adcenter

Writen by Aaron Wittersheim

Now that you plan to use Microsoft®'s new advertising platform, adCenter, there are ways to maximize your investment. With pay-per-click, or PPC, advertising, taking shortcuts is easy and tempting, but also costly. Cover these 10 bases, and you will get the most from your adCenter spend.

1. Set a sustainable budget. Effective PPC takes time. Decide how much you can afford over a 12-month period, and stick with it. Start small and ramp up expenditures as you refine your campaign and achieve results.

2. Define your objectives. Some companies find PPC mysterious and think throwing money at it is a good way to test the waters. But there is no mystery to adCenter. Its back end is loaded with robust reporting and analysis tools. To use them, you must first calculate your desired click-through rate, conversion rate and return-on-investment metrics.

3. Profile your customer. A standout feature of adCenter is its ability to target customers by geography, gender and time of day or week. However, these capabilities are useful only if you define the who, where and when of your ideal audience. The clearer your target, the higher your conversions.

4. Select keywords carefully. adCenter offers a sophisticated keyword-selection tool called adLabs. Take advantage of it not only to find the right keywords, but also the best ways to combine them, and the best times to use them.

5. Do the splits. "Split testing" is a solid PPC technique of changing one or two variables (such as a keyword or time of day) in a campaign to see which works better. With adCenter's ability to target and report, there is no excuse not to do it.

6. Use a landing page. After people click on your PPC ad, where they go next is crucial. Best is to create a specific landing page that fulfills the expectation of the ad and clearly explains the next action.

7. Track results. adCenter updates campaign statistics daily, and even hourly, in some cases. Without monitoring progress, companies tend to overspend, under spend or miss obvious ways to improve results.

8. Identify the weak links … Several things have to fall into place for maximum PPC efficiency. Analyze what is working— and what is not. Low click-throughs often indicate weak keyword choices. Low conversions might suggest a problem with the landing page.

9. … And make adjustments. PPC is all about continuous improvement. Keywords not working? More than likely, further research will uncover better ones. Interviewing a few customers might identify an easy fix to a flawed landing page.

10. Build relationships with adCenter support. Like any new software product, adCenter has its occasional glitches and inconveniences. Get to know the adCenter Client Center so you can keep your campaign rolling.

One reason PPC is so attractive is results can be predicted and then measured. Since adCenter brings a new level of analytics to the PPC arena, it has enormous potential for advertisers. Still, a tool is only as good as the person using it, so follow these tips and be the best you can be!

Aaron Wittersheim is president of Whoast Inc., a suburban Chicago search-marketing firm. For more information, visit http://www.whoast.com

Ten Tips For Cross Cultural Communication

Writen by Neil Payne

Here are some simple tips to help you improve your cross cultural communication skills:

Slow Down

Even when English is the common language in a cross cultural situation, this does not mean you should speak at normal speed. Slow down, speak clearly and ensure your pronunciation is intelligible.

Separate Questions

Try not to ask double questions such as, "Do you want to carry on or shall we stop here?" In a cross cultural situation only the first or second question may have been comprehended. Let your listener answer one question at a time.

Avoid Negative Questions

Many cross cultural communication misunderstandings have been caused by the use of negative questions and answers. In English we answer 'yes' if the answer is affirmative and 'no' if it is negative. In other cultures a 'yes' or 'no' may only be indicating whether the questioner is right or wrong. For example, the response to "Are you not coming?" may be 'yes', meaning 'Yes, I am not coming.'

Take Turns

Cross cultural communication is enhanced through taking turns to talk, making a point and then listening to the response.

Write it Down

If you are unsure whether something has been understood write it down and check. This can be useful when using large figures. For example, a billion in the USA is 1,000,000,000,000 while in the UK it is 1,000,000,000.

Be Supportive

Effective cross cultural communication is in essence about being comfortable. Giving encouragement to those with weak English gives them confidence, support and a trust in you.

Check Meanings

When communicating across cultures never assume the other party has understood. Be an active listener. Summarise what has been said in order to verify it. This is a very effective way of ensuring accurate cross cultural communication has taken place.

Avoid Slang

Even the most well educated foreigner will not have a complete knowledge of slang, idioms and sayings. The danger is that the words will be understood but the meaning missed.

Watch the humour

In many cultures business is taken very seriously. Professionalism and protocol are constantly observed. Many cultures will not appreciate the use of humour and jokes in the business context. When using humour think whether it will be understood in the other culture. For example, British sarcasm usually has a negative effect abroad.

Maintain Etiquette

Many cultures have certain etiquette when communicating. It is always a good idea to undertake some cross cultural awareness training or at least do some research on the target culture.

Cross cultural communication is about dealing with people from other cultures in a way that minimises misunderstandings and maximises your potential to create strong cross cultural relationships. The above tips should be seen as a starting point to greater cross cultural awareness.

For more information on cross cultural communication training please visit http://www.kwintessential.co.uk

Neil Payne is Director of London based consultancy http://www.kwintessential.co.uk

7 Tips For Home Business Startup Success

Writen by Rhiannon Williamson

1) Prepare a realistic business plan.

Think of this as your business road map. Define exactly where you want to get to with your business and then you can effectively map out your path towards achieving your goals!

By creating a detailed business plan you should cover all options and eventualities and have a clear future vision that will guide you through the rest of the start-up processes.

2) Your business plan should encompass the financial considerations of starting your small or home based business:-

Do you have the capital required?

Do you need to raise additional funds?

Who are you going to approach for finance?

Who do you trust for advice?

And don't forget to open a business bank account…

3) Consider the legal implications of becoming a business owner and proprietor.

Are you better off as a sole trader, a limited company or are you considering a partnership?

Make sure you consider all the angles and protect yourself and your assets personally from the outset.

Anything you bring to the business has to be itemised, valued…even if you're a sole trader.

And make sure you are professionally covered with the appropriate business indemnity insurances.

4) Get your family and friends behind you from the get-go.

Make sure your family and friends are fully understanding and supportive of your ideas to venture into small business start-up.

Do they understand the level of commitment you will have to show for on-going and long term success?

Their belief in you and continued support of you will work wonders towards your on-going success, so don't forget to look out for them too.

5) Protect your family, protect your business.

If, God forbid, something were to happen to your health, how would your business survive, how would your family cope?

Consider insurances - from health, critical illness and income protection insurance to life insurance – and consider your pension and long term financial security.

6) Face those 'taxing' questions from the start.

Your small or home based business has to consider its taxation situation.

Do you need to register your business for sales tax purposes; have you informed your tax office of your business's inauguration?

Do you have a good tax professional lined up to guide and assist you?

The bottom line when it comes to taxation is that from the outset you need to make sure your papers and books are in order, this will save you time, money and heart ache in the long run.

7) Prepare realistic and achievable goals and targets for your first year.

Do not expect to conquer the world with your first year's business returns.

Starting a business is a life changing undertaking and one you must be patient with. The rewards are there, but make sure you set yourself achievable targets – when you reach them they will give you the confidence and satisfaction to set new goals and to continue building your business' success.

Rhiannon Williamson is a publisher with specialist knowledge covering literally every single aspect of moving & living abroad.

From setting up your own business abroad, offshore investment and offshore banking to international living and buying property abroad.

Check out her site Shelter Offshore to find out how you can escape from the rat race, relocate overseas, and profit from your move!