Archive for September, 2009

Are You Struggling To Keep Your Business Afloat

Sunday, September 27th, 2009

Do you have a business that once thrived and you’re now struggling with the competition around you and are now struggling to keep your business going or have you recently started a business and your still struggling to get the business off the ground. If so you may need the help of Business Angels or Venture Capitalists.

Most new businesses struggle for the first 5years for reasons including: -

Cash Flow – having actual cash in the bank is always an issue for businesses.

I am too busy to deal with it now – new business owners usually think that a task that needs doing can be done later and keep putting it off. An example of this is putting supplier invoices on the back burner – doing this will result in cash flow problems.

Blinkers – Don’t judge people by how they look when they walk into your shop serve all your customers the same with a smile on your face.

Customer Complacency – you may become good friends with your customers but you have to remember you have customers and suppliers. To keep your customers you have to work hard as you may lose them to your competition.

Competition Complacency – your competition will always be trying to be better than you by plotting new ideas. If you’re the better business and they’re the wounded business they will fight hard to become the best business.

Bad Employees – in any business you need great employees who are enthusiastic and well trained. Bad employees will put off your customers.

Flexibility – is a must within any business, if you run a coffee shop and you don’t serve cappuccino and a customer asks for it see what you can do and adapt your menu of coffee to your customers needs.

Location, Location, Location – if you have a lovely boutique in a back street where no customers can find you let alone see you your more likely to have business problems. If your boutique was in a high street you’re more likely to get customers walking in.

Bad Planning – always have a good business plan behind you, what you want to achieve in 2-5years what your goals are in the future and make sure your business plan is water tight and there are no errors within it.

Over Expansion – you’ve recently started your business and it’s going well so you decide to expand. If you try to expand too quickly your more likely to sink not swim.

No Website – so many customers know use the Internet now and will find a business there then visit it if there’s a store. So make sure you have a website and that you promote it well.

Putting all your eggs in one basket – if you determine the risks that may happen you will have a plan on how to fix these problems. Thinking your business will have no problems along the way will make it harder for you in the long run. Don’t always rely on one customer, if that customer pulls out you will be in money problems.

Insufficient Funds – always make sure you have sufficient funds before you start up your business. Allowing yourself time to arrange funding for your business is a good idea, if you haven’t got enough money wait a couple of months until you have.

Entrepreneurial Stubbornness – if you are a entrepreneur have you felt like you have an idea but can’t get it out of your head this can be called entrepreneurial burnout. If your idea has faults fix them but if your idea is good and you don’t see any problems leave it be don’t keep changing it.

Angel Start-ups is an internet resource for small businesses, start up companies, entrepreneurs, bankers, loan companies, venture capitalists and Business Angels.

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Legal Self Defense: What About Stun Guns, Tazers and Mace Pepper Spray?

Sunday, September 27th, 2009

Mention “self-defense” and images of martial arts experts may come to mind right away, but the actuality is more prosaic. Indeed, for almost all of human history, self-defense was yet another fact of life, another chore in life, and something of an everyday affair, too. Speaking of movies, one of the most renowned transitions in all cinematic history was in 2001 : A Space Odyssey, near the beginning of the film when an ape-man throws up into the air a bone he’d just used as a weapon, said bone then cutting sway to a cylindrical spaceship afloat in space – therefore linking war and technology, a connection that has been observed by many thinkers through the ages. For a long way from being a relic of uncivilised times, war and struggle is what has made civilization possible! As the traditional Greek historian Heraclitus wrote, war is the father of all things. Or as Vegetius’ Roman army manual advised, si vis pacem para bellum – if you seek peace, get ready for war.

Self-defense should be assumed as a chose, then, or a duty – to oneself, for one’s family and friends. It is too frequently either something frightful or something fun, thus delaying the right crowd and bringing along the incorrect one. But taken as just another task in life, it can be seen in the proper light and then pursued properly, which is to claim seriously, with respect and with focus.

In today’s modern environment, self-defense is a load more complicated and also a lot easier. More easy because it needn’t involve eliminating one’s enemy, as in times past, with blood feuds that may run several generations, but more sophisticated because it takes real skill not to fatally harm someone. Indeed, the true martial artist is one so masterful as to be able to finely tune their lethality. Such an ability is a complete skill base in itself, and needs years of training at the least, not to mention innate talent and who knows what else!

A faster way would be to use weapons, specifically those which only disables one’s attacker ( s ), and only briefly so, with no long-term damage incurred. After all, it might be ludicrous to win on the streets but lose in the courts! So this rules out firearms immediately, and even knives, which have great potential for inflicting fatal injury. Stun Guns and Tasers, then, seem to be the best choice, everything considered. They’re fundamentally non-lethal but definitely effective, capable of knocking somebody out for as much as a whole half hour at a time, even the drug-fueled. That’s plenty of time to run to safety or run for help. A pepper spray is a much cheaper alternative that’s’s almost as good. Both options are great where allowed by law.

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Arthritis: An Age-Old Pain

Saturday, September 26th, 2009

Arthritis is a regularly weakening condition caused by damage to the joints of the body, which often results in joint pain There are more than 100 different sorts of arthritis known to medical science, with any number of conditions concerned. The commonest form is called osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint illness that comes about through trauma or infection to the joint. It also appears to be due to old age.

Other sorts of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, which can involve organs like the lungs; psoriatic arthritis, which regularly happens with the skin condition called psoriasis ; and autoimmune sicknesses, causing the body to attack itself. But whatever the type, the common denominator is agony. As can be imagined, many purported treatments for arthritis pain solutions (and some are quite effective such as rheumatoid arthritis pain relief gel), exist, though as of yet no universal cure seems to exist.

Treatments alter dependent on the type of arthritis involved, and can change from physical therapy and moderate exercise to orthopedic braces and outright surgery. Medications and dietary supplements are also popular remedies that work for a few of the people. Many dietary supplements sold to treat arthritis are in the form of herbal remedies, which though infrequently referred to as phytomedicines by industry marketing experts should not be confused with precise medication. As with anything you eat so as to treat a condition, be sure to inform your doctor or other health care provider!

Indeed, before taking any dietary supplement for any cause, do a little analysis to see whether the product is positively safe for you to take, given your medical history. But dietary supplements are not your only options; you can also use an arthritis pain relief gel. Though it’s required to relay on professional medical advice, it never hurts to be an educated client. For example, glucosamine, a popular dietary supplement used to treat arthritis, may raise blood sugar levels, a potentially dangerous outcome for many diabetics. So show patience and exercise your due diligence when perusing all the options available on the market today!

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Is This the Right Time to Start Your Own Business?

Friday, September 25th, 2009

Many people dream of quitting their jobs to start their own home business.They dream of setting their own hours,and building their own business opportunities and success instead of fattening their boss`s wallet.They may want to work from home to be with their children,an elderly parent who needs care or supervision,or just to enjoy a slower pace of life.But often they lack an understanding of what is required to start a home business and what it will really be like to work from home without a steady paycheck and benefits.Here are things to consider to determine whether this is the right time to start your own business.

Financial situation:Consider how much money you have in savings to pay household and business bills during the initial stages of your business.Statistically,most businesses don’t make a profit for the first five years .Consider whether you have a spouse with job to help pay the bills during the slow times or whether you are the sole provider.Finally,consider the cost of health insurance and medical expenses as they are currently(which may be partly paid by your employer)and they would be if you were self employed with your home business.Can you afford to start your own business?Most experts recommend having enough money to pay all expenses for one year at minimum.

The Time Factor:Consider how much time you will have to devote pursuing business opportunities and handling the everyday aspects of the business.While the work day may seem to drag at your current job,working at home is a whole different ball game.You need to set hours for your business and others for household duties like mowing the grass ,doing laundry,and taking the kids to the park,or your days may be very hectic trying to combine everything.Truly consider the time you will realistically have available each day to work on your business.Then reduce by about 25 percent because,with interruptions you will probably encounter,that is probably more realistic.

Personal Habits:Starting and working a home business is like opening any other business.You need time to devote to everything that must be done and initially(may be always),you will be doing everything yourself.If you are disorganized or procrastinate,you are going to be challenged.If you have difficulty communicating with others (like potential clients),you will have a hard time pursuing business opportunities and working with others in similar business who may be able to help you .Consider your personality and how it would fit into running your own business.Are you a risk taker?Owning a business involves an element of risk especially financial so how comfortable will you be when you know everything you own is on the line if your business fails?

Support Networks:If you have a family,it is important to consider how they feel about you starting your own business.If they support you ,you will have an easier time negotiating the challenges and pitfalls of owning and running your own business.If not ,life will be very tough at your house if you go ahead and do it any way.Similarly it is important to have the support of other home business owners so you can network to pool resources ,find out where to get deals on office supplies or advertising ,share marketing tips ,etc.Working from home can be very isolating,and having a strong support network of peers helps immensely.

Jennifer Mwesiga works from home so that she can spend more time with her family.Visit here to see how you can have more time with your family.

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Nokia Money And How It Is Used

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

Inside the midst of a crazy battle for buyers, the smartphone and cell phone companies are doing anything and everything required to claim their place and retain their buyers. Nokia cell phones, as well as Nokia Cell Phones No Contract, have just announced that they will be starting a financial payment assistance known as Nokia Money. This feature does not, however, appear in other no contract cell phones.

Nokia Money is going to be the use of cash exclusively by means of the users handheld device. These devices will permit users to send money to one one more, pay their Nokia cell phone bill, pay a variety of other bills and invest in items such as museum tickets and concert tickets on the internet, among other points. This will enable clients to save money and time on traveling to spend certain bills and purchase certain products. It is particularly helpful for those in rural areas who merely aren’t close towards the amenities us in the city are accustomed to. With Nokia Money these loyal buyers won’t have to travel just to spend a bill or purchase something for the long term, instead they is going to be able to do it from the convenience of their house or wherever they may be and can prevent all the hassle they otherwise may possibly have incurred.

The funds is easy and secure to use and is there solely for the benefit of buyers, not to incur charges or make items tough for buyers. It’s innovative, creative and consumer friendly tips like this which will actually help cell cellular phone companies in such a competitive era of their business. No longer is basically providing a handset sufficient. If the mobile devices aren’t rich in multimedia or business functions then the organizations should make up with other suggestions. Or ideally, come up with innovative new phones and new ways to aid buyers. Which is exactly what Nokia Cell Phones has done. They’re helping customers, which will insure loyalty in the future but have also provided a service that many aren’t getting, something that some individuals might be willing to switch support providers for.

This is a competitive marketplace and individuals who don’t treat it as such will suffer. Nokia cell phones with their Nokia Money have likely created a wise and creative choice which will retain them on the inside track to success inside the future. What will their subsequent innovative telephone idea be? That will need to wait till next time but judging from this it should be a something within the way of efficiency, often a strong suite for Nokia.

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Contamination In Drinking Water

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Bottleless water coolers are becoming much more and more popular as individuals turn out to be much more and more concerned using the environmental impact of bottled drinking water delivery.

According to non-profit environmental research and advocacy organizations, the production, packaging, and transportation of just a liter of bottled h2o demands anywhere from one thousand one hundred to two thousand times a lot more energy on typical when compared to tap h2o.

This is of excellent concern when you take into account that bottled h2o has now turn out to be a veritable staple from the American and European diet, with sales in Asia and the rest from the planet growing at breakneck paces. For instance, in 2007 alone well more than two hundred billion liters of bottled drinking water were sold around the planet, using the United States making up for thirty-three billion of those liters – that’s roughly an annual average of a hundred and ten liters, or almost thirty gallons, per American!

No wonder bottlelesss water coolers are fast catching on as an environmentally responsible alternative for the issue of clean drinking h2o. Bottled h2o is so well-known now that it outsells even milk and bear within the United States, but much of this drinking water is nothing more than repackaged tap water straight out of the local municipal supply! Unlike tap drinking water, bottled water is very expensive for the consumer and grossly negative for that environment. Moreover, bottled h2o is not necessarily tested, or tested as rigorously, as tap h2o should be. And though plenty of bottled drinking water is just tap drinking water, who knows what contaminants might have been worked in on account of the repackaging?

Bottleless water coolers are the solution. They’re a point-of-use system that uses your existing drinking water supply in combination having a machine that looks just like an ordinary office drinking water cooler. This machine, nevertheless, is full of filtration blocks and other purification mechanisms to ensure drinking water that’s clean and fresh correct just before consumption. This way, there’s practically no opportunity of contamination – no dirty dusty bottles to change and no dirty tanks to clean. There is certainly almost no exposure to the outside; definitely no chance of fingers touching anything but the dispensing nozzle, and of course a little care on the part of end-users can take care of that concern.

Installation is straightforward, and comparable to that occasioned by cable television service. Initial expenses are about the same as with traditional techniques, but more than the long haul savings of all kinds add up substantially.

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At Last, A Breitling Designer Watch Produced For Divers

Monday, September 21st, 2009

When selecting luxury designer watches, many fine brand names come to mind. As many know, Breitling has been associated with quality for well over a century, and are most renowned for making mechanical aviation watches with giant faces. What is news , however , is that lately they latterly introduced a quartz model – and one seemingly aimed more at pro deep sea divers!The Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph was Breitling’s newest offering at last year’s Basel watchmakers’ convention. This famous annual watchmakers’ trade fair saw the company take an assertive approach towards what could be called “the diving demographic,” maybe looking to penetrate it how they have the market of aviators ( and, let’s face it, of aviator-wannabes and posers ). This review will take a fast look at this latest model’s key selling points and resolve whether it’s worth the about three grand American!

As far as sturdiness goes the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph is built to last. It’s a very rugged telephone that will take some punishment and still be functional. First and foremost the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph is water resistant. Many designer watches in reality are water proof but the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph will still run even if it is submerged three hundred feet ( one thousand meters ) underwater. Most watches will simply stop to function thanks to the extraordinary pressure. Breitling reportedly has found the way to ensure the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph is functional under such tough conditions. The watch housing is comprised of curved sapphire crystals and brushed titanium. These materials permit the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph to have an anti-reflective surface. For extreme saturation diving the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph has a helium release valve built in as well . For perfect viewing in low light scenarios the bezel is engraved and includes a luminescent marker. The Breitling logo is elegantly placed on the back of the case.

Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph watch dials are available in blue, grey, and yellow. The date is handily displayed next to 3 o’clock. To round off the customization of this designer watch one can get the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph with the pro divers leather strap or the titanium bracelet.

Of certain interest is the Super Quartz movement, which is ten times more accurate than the standard found in standard quartz watches. Such accuracy is claimed to be achieved by making the movement sensitive to the changes in temperature that cause most quartz modules to lose or gain time. Being so thermo compensated means the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph is, in effect, self-correcting. There is a regatta timer, in addition to the standard chronograph feature-set, for yacht races which need measurement in ten minute scales.

One of the more important things about the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph is the magnetically activated push pieces. These push pieces allow the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph to be completely sealed against the elements and foreign damage. Anyone ( deep sea divers generally ) who are short of a sturdy and sturdy watch will certainly benefit from purchasing the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph.

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Preparing a Business Plan

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

A business plan is a formal statement of a set of business goals. It contains the reasons why the goals are believed to be attainable, as well as the intended plan for reaching those goals. It may also contain background information about the organization or the team attempting to reach those goals.

EDL Consulting Services can help you to draw up a formal business plan. This can be one so effective that you will be able to base your business principals and daily regimens on it; and you will be able to present it to any potential funding provider as a reference for financing requirements.

In preparing a business plan you will need to ascertain whether there is a niche market for the product or service that you intend to offer. If the market exists, you will need to know how much of a demand there will be and whether you can command the price that you would need in order to make the necessary profits to sustain and grow your business. A good business plan will show how your product fits into its industry and what its growth potential would be. You would need to provide a plan on dealing with the competition in order to show how you intend marketing your product differently, making it superior to the rest. Additional factors such as financing requirements must be shown in a business plan. Costs such as launching the new company; training staff; and initial advertising schemes need to be taken into account.

A comprehensive and well-prepared business plan will essentially provide a detailed outline of your product; its marketing scheme; the expected costs in getting that product / service to market; and then, obviously, the expected returns that must be viable enough to ensure profitability, sustainability and growth.

Your business plan should describe briefly if your business is a new business venture, expansion of an existing business or the purchase of an existing business; the type of business activity in which you are engaged (manufacturing, wholesale, retail, food processing, service, high technology, etc.); your product or service and its uniqueness; the market to be served; your advantage over the competition; the main objectives of your organization; your management background; the project time frames involved. It should also explain whether it is a sole proprietorship; partnership or corporation.

It should describe the products to be produced or the services to be provided. What makes your productor service unique, or, how is your business different from others in the industry? What are the features or advantages that will entice customers to buy from you (i.e., convenience, service, performance)? Will you offer any product or service guarantees or warranties?

EDL Consulting Services can help you in making the necessary assessments and in undertaking due diligence. These discoveries will create a business plan that will prove to be effective and insightful. We are equipped to identify your needs and to advise of the correct steps to take in order for your business to start off on the right footing. We are a business consulting firm that can take you to a new level of growth; creating greater expectation of success; all starting with the effective and comprehensive preparation of a business plan that can be relied on.

My name is K. Enis Davis-Lewars and I have been in the legal field for over 30 years. In particular, I have been a litigation law clerk for over 21 years. I have been in business for over 20 years as a business consultant.At EDL Consulting Services we help start, build and grow your business.

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Business Start-Up Costs

Saturday, September 19th, 2009

Are you starting out on an exciting new business venture? Are you perhaps a little intimidated by the costs involved in starting-up your business? Are you afraid that there’s something you may have overlooked? Or perhaps you’re concerned about approaching potential investors for funding? You need to ascertain that the information pack presented to investors or money lenders is accurate and comprehensive so that they can have a good idea of what your intentions for the business are. Allow EDL Consulting Services to hold your hand as you enter into this new world of success and achievement. Allow us to advise you and to assist you every step of the way. We’ll get you up on your feet and operating in the most effective way, as soon as possible. EDL Consulting Services is qualified and equipped to assess your business and all of its needs before you have to make any important decisions.

The business start-up costs will include the absolute basics such as a computer, an additional telephone line, internet service, a desk, a fax machine, and stationery supplies. In addition to that, you’ll need to ensure that you have everything else that is necessary to create your product or service.

If your business is dependent on staff you will need to account for wages and possibly even training costs. If you need to purchase initial stock in order to create your product, such costs must be accounted for along with any storage space that will be required to accommodate this stock. Discover if there is any shipping or other transport costs involved in the delivery of your product to your customers.

Another important matter to be accounted for is that of advertising. This will be your initial introduction to the market and consumers will need to be aware of your existence and that of your product or service. Simple, effective marketing schemes are not necessarily incredibly costly. EDL Consulting Services can assist you in devising the most prominent and effective way of advertising your business.

Essentially, if you are approaching a third party for funding, you will need to package all of this information accurately and professionally. In addition, provide an accurate account of your intentions in sustaining the business. EDL Consulting Services can be your personal mentor and assistant in establishing your start-up costs and in opening your doors to a very successful venture.

Statistics show that 25% of new businesses will fail within their first year; and that 75% of those businesses have failed due to predictable factors. Elements such as a lack of managerial experience or a poor business structure are predictable factors that can be accommodated and rectified, if necessary, before you start out in your new venture. A qualified business consulting firm, such as EDL Consulting Services, can detect these pitfalls before they become a real issue within your business.

Don’t think that you have to do this alone. Don’t feel as though it won’t be your venture just because you’ve asked someone else for advice. Turning to a business consulting firm is the right thing to do simply because they can advise you instead of leaving you to carry out a costly process of trial and error. And don’t leave it too late. Hire a business consulting firm before problems start to arise in your business. Let EDL Consulting Services carry you through from inception to thriving success.

As your business develops your needs may change and a good business consulting firm will help you to make the necessary adjustments. We can help you build up a successful operation to be proud of – and one that will grow from strength to strength.

My name is K. Enis Davis-Lewars and I have been in the legal field for over 30 years. I have been in business for over 20 years as a business consultant.I own and operate a business consulting firm. EDL Consulting Services helps start, build and grow businesses.

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Active and Proactive Defense with Self-Defense Weapons

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Electroshock weapons like Stun Master Stun Guns are fast becoming the deterrent of choice in the 21st Century, along the lines of “the best defense is a strong offense,” as one highly regarded proverb observes. Though regularly applied when speaking of sports, there is no reason why it shouldn’t also refer to issues of self-defense. And in that respect, a Pepper Spray Keychain is as true to the spirit of that observation as any other self-defense weapon around.

With all of the liberal laws coddling criminals and inspiring mischief, it is a miracle self-defense has not come to getting on one’s knees and begging one’s would-be attacker for a quick end! Firearms not only require technical experience to properly employ, but are practically prohibited in today’s liberal politics which give criminals the benefit of the doubt. Pepper sprays help restore the balance of power for those not specially trained in the martial arts by offering an easy and effective methodology to guard yourself and your friends. They’re simple to use and trouble-free, particularly where liberal legalities might be involved : unlike firearms or even electroshock stun devices, pepper sprays are practically safe, only temporarily disabling an assailant with no lasting damage. Pepper sprays can stop most would-be attackers, except most likely those on drugs like alcohol. However, they do blind all ( momentarily ) when targeted at the eyes, and will afford valuable minutes of escape up to an entire half-hour long in some cases!

Pepper sprays are straightforward in concept but powerful in effect. They basically project hot sauce at one’s would-be assailants, which may sound innocuous enough initially but there’s not a soul alive who can stand it, especially when centered at the eyes! Indeed, proper pepper spray deployment calls to be used on the face of the assailant, rendering him unable to see due to the intense irritants that start to work straight away on his soft tissue. This powerful burning sensation isn’t to be discounted! However, no permanent harm is suffered by the miscreant ( unfortunately? ), and no legal implications attach themselves to pepper spray users. Indeed, pepper spray is legal in most jurisdictions for precisely those reasons of relative harmlessness!

Self-defense is critical in this country and in these vicious industrial times. Not only is the best defense a powerful offense, but the best defense is a pro-active one. Equipping yourself beforehand is a sure-fire way to guard yourself, your folks, your mates, and other family and friends. Pepper sprays are handy not to say highly concealable, to carry and employ. They require virtually no instruction or coaching to use. They’re also affordable.

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