Actual for You - Business

Should You Consider Starting A New Business Close to Retirement Age?
The idea of starting your own business in your 50’s may seem daunting but making your passion a career and becoming your own boss can be an enriching experience. It may surprise you that a good percentage of entrepreneurs are currently 50 years of age and older.Before considering taking this major leap it is important to weigh your options and as well evaluate the situation by asking yourself a number of questions. Some of these questions in fact may be very difficult to look at. The end result is an assessment of your current financial as well as employment and career situation at present or in the near future.Basically these questions focus on a number of areas and financial attributes. First how well do you know yourself and your passions? While most people view their 50’s as a time to slowly transition from the full time work environment to a situation of less time and energy placed on their employment and career tasks, starting a business can be a busy and stressful time. You may not want all the fuss and aggravation. If you enjoy challenges and are will

e challenge they are trying to deal with. If you walk into an appointment with a list of PAIN questions you significantly increase your odds of success. Ask yourself before you walk into an appointment, “If I were the CEO of XYZ Company, what problems would I most likely be faced with?” If possible talk to vendors you know who call

Work At Home Moms - Their Numbers Grow
The numbers of work at home moms have increased dramatically over the last several years. There are several reasons for this phenomenon, not the least of which is the ability to use current technology not previously available.The internet, along with a wide variety of tools, now allow moms working from home greater freedom to pursue their careers while tending to the needs of their family. In the past, mothers whose families required a second income often found it necessary to return to the work force. This required a great change in their lifestyle. They often found themselves facing long and difficult commutes, along with the emotional upheaval of leaving their precious little ones in day care.So it is not surprising today to see more and more moms who work from home. Some moms who work at home have been able to do so by making arrangements with their employer that allows them to do most, if not all, of their job from home.Others have left the outside job market entirely to pursue a home based business. Some have found success in the more traditional direct

It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience. -Julius Caesar

One day I was talking with one of the technicians at Lanier named Bill Wilbur. We were talking about why people paid more for some things than others did. Bill said something that I never will forget; “You can’t pay too much for something you really want!” Over the years I have found this statement to be right on the money. If this is the case then how do you get your prospect to really want your product? The answer is simple. Get them to see your product solving a major problem for them. How do you do this? The key is asking the right PAIN questions.

When you go to the doctor they don’t immediately start trying to sell you on the benefits of what they are going to prescribe. Before a doctor can help you with your PAIN he has to ask you diagnostic questions. A great salesperson is like a great doctor. They know how to ask great diagnostic questions. One of things I have done to help myself with formulating diagnostic questions is to use the acronym PAIN. PAIN stands for problem, anxiety, interests, and needs.

PROBLEMS

Every business in America has problems. For some businesses, cash flow is a major problem. For other businesses, declining revenues can be the challenge they are trying to deal with. If you walk into an appointment with a list of PAIN questions you significantly increase your odds of success. Ask yourself before you walk into an appointment, “If I were the CEO of XYZ Company, what problems would I most likely be faced with?” If possible talk to vendors you know who call

Getting Ahead in Business - Blowing Your Own Horn
Do you find yourself being passed over for promotions at work? Have you ever wondered why the person chosen for a special project was selected instead of you? Many people in today’s workforce find themselves in this position repeatedly. They wonder what to do about it. Sometimes they complain to a co-worker or talk to their spouse, but, over time, they just chalk it up to someone being better than they are or in the “inner circle.”Is this truly what is happening? It may be that there are other forces at work here—forces under the control of anyone who wants to get ahead in business.When Sam, an accounting clerk at a large financial institution learned that his colleague had been promoted to a team leader of a high-visibility project in the A/P department, Sam decided that he would try to understand why he wasn’t chosen for this role. He asked to speak to the department manager to understand why he wasn’t even considered for the role. The department manager was surprised to learn of Sam’s interest in the team leader role. He said, “Our perception of you, Sam,

orget; “You can’t pay too much for something you really want!” Over the years I have found this statement to be right on the money. If this is the case then how do you get your prospect to really want your product? The answer is simple. Get them to see your product solving a major problem for them. How do you do this? The key is asking the right PAIN questions.

PROBLEMS

Six Sigma And Finance
The success of Six Sigma implementations depends on the ability of the implementation teams to identify and alter systems that are responsible for the efficiency of a business process. For successful implementation of Six Sigma concepts and methodologies, organizations need to increase coordination between all the teams involved in the implementations. Consistent support and guidance from senior management is also necessary for ensuring the success of Six Sigma initiatives.Six Sigma Implementations And The Finance DepartmentSix Sigma implementations do help in reducing operational costs, but an organization cannot afford to make strategic decisions based on vague assumptions. Organizations need to measure the monetary value of benefits that is being derived through the implementations. The task of assessing the financial spin-offs of the implementations is often entrusted to the finance department that assesses the improvements in relation to the organization’s bottom line.The finance department utilizes project tracking software that measures the improvement

ing the right PAIN questions.

PROBLEMS

Westerners And Their Behaviour To Money Is Fuelling The Increase In Cheap Labour Overseas
The use of cheap overseas labour is not new, but in recent times, the importation of cheap labour onto our shores is becoming a fact too hard to bear. Just recently in Australia, a story was shown nation wide of how employers are now paying for companies to supply them with cheap labour from places like Southeast Asia.The argument put forward by the employers is that they are cheap, reliable, qualified, and most importantly, they want to work, and this is more than what can be said for Australians, especially the young.On the other side of the coin, union bosses are crying foul because it is impossible for a qualified worker in Australia to compete with a similarly qualified worker from overseas, who is asking around 30 to 40% of the asking rate from Australians.But not once, throughout this whole story did any body try to expose the reason this explosion of cheap labour, whether it be in our own country or outsourcing, is occurring.Let’s compare a country like Australia or the US to a country like China, and the average families behaviour to work and

stions. One of things I have done to help myself with formulating diagnostic questions is to use the acronym PAIN. PAIN stands for problem, anxiety, interests, and needs.

PROBLEMS

Find Out Where You Suck
When I submit a book manuscript to my editor, I hope she uses up an entire red Sharpie marking up my draft.Because I want to know what sucks.Sure, it hurts. But I’ll take hurting over sucking any day.Also, notice I said to find out “what” sucks, not “who sucks.”Don’t take it personally.It’s not the author who sucks; it’s the writing that sucks.It’s not the speaker who sucks; it’s the delivery that sucks.Therefore, it’s not about you. It’s about the work.So, plain and simple: you need to find out what sucks.Take it as free advice to help you improve. Sure, it’s harder to ask people to point out the negatives. But this is the only way you’re going to get better.HOW TO FIND OUT WHAT SUCKS1. Pick the right person. Not everyone possesses the candor to tell you what sucks, i.e., family members. Be careful who you select.2. Set ground rules first. Tell your friend, colleague, etc., that you’re looking to improve in certain areas. Ask that they be completely honest and direct with yo

ANXIETY

A great way to set up PAIN questions is to say to the prospect, “Because I want to truly become your partner, one of the things I want to discover is what keeps you up at night?” What keeps people up at night is what they are anxious about. It may be meeting the next payroll or paying for a product that has already been sold. The more anxious your prospect becomes the greater your chances of an immediate sale.

INTERESTS

Just as you can fairly accurately predict what problems a business may face, you can also predict what interest they may have. If you are calling on an automobile dealership chances are fairly high that they will be interested in trends in the oil industry. Prices of oil and gas can have a direct impact on car sales. If you are calling on a shipping company, governmental regulations can impact their bottom line and profitability. Being able to discuss outside influences on a particular industry will separate you from your competition that is selling only the features of their product.

NEEDS

What is the difference between a want and a need? A want is something you would like to have whereas a need is something you have to have. A Company may want a new

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