Actual for You - Business

Finding The Right Financing For Your Business
One of the biggest challenges for business owners in the USA and in Canada is finding and securing the right type of financing for their businesses. Traditionally, business owners flock to banks when they needed business financing. However, the majority fail to get the business loan because they did not meet the bank’s tough lending standards.As a rule, banks require that you have an extensive and solid business plan and countless financial projections. And if you are already in business, the bank will need three years of profitable operations before they’ll consider lending you the money.But don’t be discouraged. If you

ithin the boundaries of the law.

Understand The International Shipping Process

If goods are being shipped internationally you must have a thorough understanding of shipping modes and regulations. Any difficulties with shipping will always be viewed by the buyer as the seller’s responsibility, right or wrong. Understanding the entire shipping process and having policies in place will help avoid shipping problems and keep the customer happy.

Work With Experienced Companies

Always look for experienced companies to work with, especially when if comes to shipping, i

Business Community Relations Strategy
Does your company have a community business relation strategy? You need one. You need to join the team, the community and maintain your relations with other local businesses. There are many ways to do this, one is to join your local chamber of commerce, yet only on average 10% of the proprietors of small businesses ever do this. You should be in the top ten percent shouldn’t you? After all you have a lot at stake and have invested a small fortune in your American Dream, do make it count.Ask not what your community can do for you, it is time for you to give back a little, get involved and reap the rewards of being a community bas

Q: I’m interested in doing business internationally. I have done some reading on the subject, but there is an awful lot to digest. Have you had any experience in this matter and can you suggest the best way to get started? -- P. Granger.

A: Great question, Mr. Granger, though not one I’m personally qualified to answer since I have not had direct experience with international sales. So like any good columnist without a clue I can either make up something and hope it sounds semi-intelligent or I can consult someone who really is an expert on international sales and let him answer your question. Since my agreement with The Times prevents me from fabricating anything other than my true age (I’m 29), let’s go with the latter.

I called on Jose Rodriguez, President of RISMED Oncology Systems, a Huntsville company that provides high medical technology to radiotherapy professionals around the globe, to get his input on the subject. Jose is an old friend and client and if anyone can give pointers on doing business internationally, Jose is the man.

Jose believes that the decision to do business beyond your own backyard should be based on your success as a local, domestic business first. “Unless the business is intended to be one that sells to international customers only, one should not jump into international business until they have devoted the time to develop a good local and domestic business first,” Jose recommends.

Here are a few other points Jose recommends that you keep in mind when considering an entry into the international business arena.

Instill Confidence In Your Customer Regardless of the type of product or service you sell internationally, you must be ready to provide your international customer with an even higher level of service that you offer your domestic customers. To instill confidence in your international customers you might have to offer such things as around the clock telephone support, extended warranties, and other services that help the customer have confidence in doing business with you.

Know The Rules

You must understand all of the rules and regulations that govern international business practices in this country as well as those in your customer’s country. Understanding the rules will allow you to provide service beyond the expectation of the buyer and operate within the boundaries of the law.

Understand The International Shipping Process

Work With Experienced Companies

Always look for experienced companies to work with, especially when if comes to shipping, in

3 Simple Steps to Utilize the Power of the Internet in Your Marketing
Are you looking for an incredible Internet presence? Many people reading this may already have a web presence. Others have no site at all. Although not absolutely necessary, in most cases having a web site is an expected aspect of doing business. With the right use of a site, you can give incredible benefit to your customers and prospects.Before you start, decide how will you be using your web site. To provide company information? To promote or sell products and services? To build your contacts? How your web site works with your marketing efforts will determine how elaborate it will be and how much money and time you invest i

your question. Since my agreement with The Times prevents me from fabricating anything other than my true age (I’m 29), let’s go with the latter.

Here are a few other points Jose recommends that you keep in mind when considering an entry into the international business arena.

Know The Rules

Understand The International Shipping Process

Work With Experienced Companies

Always look for experienced companies to work with, especially when if comes to shipping, i

Online Currency Exchange Converter
Looking for the best and most reliable online currency exchange converter? If the answer is yes, then you have spotted the right page. The internet has now become an indispensable element of every business and anyone looking for any services or product simply relies on Internet. This can also be said for a person who is looking for online currency exchange converter and as a result many websites have now started offering free online currency exchange converter.This offered online currency exchange converter helps in knowing the exact amount you will be getting if you want a type of currency exchange. Prior to going for online cu

ocal, domestic business first. “Unless the business is intended to be one that sells to international customers only, one should not jump into international business until they have devoted the time to develop a good local and domestic business first,” Jose recommends.

Here are a few other points Jose recommends that you keep in mind when considering an entry into the international business arena.

Know The Rules

Understand The International Shipping Process

Work With Experienced Companies

Always look for experienced companies to work with, especially when if comes to shipping, i

Protect Yourself with a Business Background Check
When most people think of a business background check, what comes to mind is usually basic information that's not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there's a lot more to a business background check than just the basics.No one wants to be cheated in a business deal do they? However, it almost seems that some people beg to be ripped off because they do not take the time to make a few simple inquiries into the business they plan to deal with. The only person taking care of your interests is you, so no one else is to blame if you are scammed on a business deal. To turn the tide in your favor however, you can run a busin

igher level of service that you offer your domestic customers. To instill confidence in your international customers you might have to offer such things as around the clock telephone support, extended warranties, and other services that help the customer have confidence in doing business with you.

Know The Rules

Understand The International Shipping Process

Work With Experienced Companies

Always look for experienced companies to work with, especially when if comes to shipping, i

The Top 10 Time Termites and How to Exterminate Them
Did you know that “time termites” eat up as much as 25 – 50% of your time? It’s true, and in this article I’ll discuss what a time termite is, as well as what the top 10 time termites are, and - most importantly! – how you can exterminate them and take back a huge amount of your time and your life.Time termites are activities and people that “eat up” your time and destroy the beautiful design of your life. In my Time Architect™ model of time management, we design a life that is grounded solidly in the four cornerstones – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. We protect these areas by understanding and applying the storm pro

ithin the boundaries of the law.

Understand The International Shipping Process

Work With Experienced Companies

Always look for experienced companies to work with, especially when if comes to shipping, insurance, freight forwarders, etc. Such companies are great allies and will help keep everything in order and will also help in solving problems related to their end of the process.

Signed and Sealed

Never conduct business under verbal orders. Always put everything in writing with the required signatures. Doing international business is different than domestic business. Outside the United States signatures and seals are required to seal the deal. Don’t worry about offending your customer as this is just part of doing business internationally.

Include A Packing List

If shipping goods, always do a packing list and always number the packages (if 5 packages are being sent, label them 1/5 [1 of 5], 2/5, etc.). If anything is lost, they will know which package is missing and you will have sent a packing list detailing what was in every package, making it easy for the customer, the shipper and the insurance company to solve the problem. Also, always insure your goods for at least 110% of their value.

Have A Damage Policy

Always have a note in your paperwork requiring damage or losses to be reported within 24 hours. Damage reports should be made to the customer’s local delivery company as well as to the shipping company on your end.

Signing Off

If you are selling services abroad, always have the required paperwork so that as the work is finished or as deliveries are made, the customer signs off in agreement with what was delivered.

Ensure Payment

Depending on the amount of the sale, always require payment in advance in U.S. currency or payment through a letter of credit to be paid out in U.S. currency. You might also require that the letter of credit be irrevocable and transferable, that it allow for payments of partial shipments, etc. The more flexible the letter of credit, the better, and usually such clauses are yours just for the asking.

There are many other considerations you should investigate before starting your international business, but that’s a great list to get you started.

Thanks for the great advice, Jose. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Here’s to your success!

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Have you ever had a business transaction go sideways because they promises being made never happen? The excuses keep piling up and nothing ever gets accomplished. How do you deal with talkers that have no substance?

A couple months back I had a little plumbing problem that required turning off the water to the house. Our do-it-yourself job was great until we needed to turn the water back on and nothing happened.

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