Business Tips

Things to consider when working with Americans:

1    Be honest.
2    Remember that Indians love arguments, but Americans love consensus.
3    Don’t be afraid to say NO.
4    If you don’t like something say SO.
5    Don’t hesitate to sell yourself and your ideas
6    Don’t assume anything. Nail everything down.
7    When you ask for something be specific and direct.

Tips for taking your small business online:

1. Your product line should be able to be delivered economically and conveniently through the mail or over the Internet.
2. The Web allows you to market to customers outside your geographical location. Your product should appeal to people nation-or-continent-wide.
3. Compare new “technology” costs to current costs, e.g.: rent, labor, inventory and printing costs.
4. Realize that the World Wide Web levels the playing ground—you can look like a big company with a great Web site.
5. Draw visitors to your site economically. Establish and grow alliances that will link to your site for free.
6. Every business should have a website. Even if it's informational only.

5 Tips on Choosing a Location for Your Business:

1    Find out if local zoning laws permit your kind of business at the site that you desire.
2    Make sure the site has adequate public services—such as water and sewer services, trash collection, adequate drainage, and police and fire protection.
3    Determine if there’s adequate, affordable transportation. Can your employees get to work? If you’re a manufacturer, are trucking services available?
4    Consider the surrounding community. If you’re a high-end retailer, for example, are there sufficient high-income households nearby to support your business?
5    Look at the other businesses in the area. Decide whether or not having direct competitors will be helpful. 

5 Tips on How to Stop the Work Pile-Up:

1    Discard old magazine, books and articles. The information is probably stale by now anyway.
2    Maintain a list of sources (actual and potential) by topic. If you need the info, you can contact your source and get updated information.
3    Minimize duplicates of documents. Keep the original in a plastic sleeve to prevent damage and one copy on hand for easy circulation.
4    Keep files current. Retain only the final version of letters and proposals. After all, the old versions primarily contained material you decided not to use!
5    Get organized. Get rid of bulky, space-taking supplies you don’t use. Kepp a list of basic supplies on a cabinet door of what you do need.

Tips for Effective Business Planning:

1.  Plan continually, not just at the start
Your business plan needs to evolve with your business. Don't create a plan at the start and stick it in a drawer. Keep it alive and update it a regular intervals.
2.  Know where you are going, otherwise you won't know when you get there
Make sure you have documented your objectives and know what success means for you and your business.
3.  Plan to increase the value of your business, not just revenue and profit
Your business needs to be worth more than just your time and effort, otherwise you have only created a job for yourself. If you want to get out of the business someday, how much could you sell it for?
4.  Set milestones
Success doesn't just happen, it come from achieving a number of smaller goals along the way. So make sure you know what the key building blocks are and when you expect them to be in place.
5.  Document your plan using both qualitative and quantitative descriptions (words and numbers)
Describe how you are going to achieve success in words and show what this means in financial terms.
6.  What resources are needed to achieve your objectives?
No-one achieves anything without having the right equipment, people, time and finance. If you don't know everything, you need estimate it and then reassess your needs as you go along.
7.  Communicate your business plan
People, including investors, staff, customers and suppliers, need to know what you are planning. If you don't tell them what you are planning, they won't be able to help you implement it.
8.  Reward yourself and your team whenever you hit a goal along the way
Celebrate success when you hit monthly targets or launch a new product. Success breeds success, so shout about it.
9.  Review and revise, regularly and often
The world does not stand still so you must adapt to change and ensure that your plan reflects this.
10.   Don't re-invent the wheel!
There are many business plan templates around that you can use on your PC. They are designed by experts to give you a proven formula for creating a successful business plan fast. A good computer-based plan lets you perform revisions and change details quickly and easily so it is always up to date.

Tips for Writing a Business Plan For a Loan:

1.  Begin with a statement of purpose. You should be able to explain your business in few words.
2.  Tell about the functioning of your business and tell that how the functioning we are following will help to make profits.
3.  Right about the owner and some details about his/her background.
4.  Fill in the business details. Describe its products or services, the customers, the market and the competition. List the managers and their credentials.
5.  Supply three years of projected financial statements. Include income, loss, and cash-flow projections.
6.  Provide supporting documents, such as references from creditors and potential clients and suppliers, evidence of insurance and the like.
7.  Tell how your business will work and why it will be successful. List the owners.
8.  Provide an inventory of equipment and supplies for the business that you currently own.
9.  Estimate new equipment purchases and additional employees you will need to meet your company's projected profits.

Powerful Business Etiquette Tips From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach:

1.   Always pay attention when someone is talking with you. This is one of the best Tips and a great compliment to give the other person.
2   Use a firm handshake when being introduced to someone. This shows confidence, warmth, openness and sincerity. Avoid a strong aggressive grip handshake, which makes you appear insensitive and domineering.
3.   Only speak after the other person has stopped talking. It is very rude to interrupt. This will indicate you are polite and will enable you to listen better, which will enhance Your becoming a great conversationalist.
4.   When speaking, use a calm and even voice and a volume to suit the Business situation.
5.   Dress appropriately for the Business meeting situation only “dress down” only the host or hostess of the meeting has given permission.
6.   Squarely face the person you are speaking with and avoid turning Your body away From that person. This behavior can be insulting and very negative.
7.   Always obey the rules about smoking. Remember that when you light up to smoke you will be instantly disliked by those who do not like smoke and even by those people that do.
8.   When drinking alcohol, always hold Your drink in Your left hand. This enables you to shake someone’s hand with Your right hand. And it keeps Your right hand dry and warm. And remember to always control Your drinking!
9.   Record the person’s name, along with contact and personal and Business information in Your personal organizer. Visualize the person as you do this and repeat their name aloud a few times also.
10   Always respect the other person’s “comfort zone” which is about 3 feet around a person’s body. Be sensitive to avoid standing too close and invading the person’s “comfort zone” which will cause them to dislike Your intimidating and insensitive behavior. And be careful with touching gestures. The only safe place to touch another person is the hand when you shake hands.

5 Tips on Technology Planning:
 
1.  Create a master plan for technology, just as you would draw up a business plan, a budget or a marketing plan.
2.  Design the plan so that it supports your business strategy and goals. Use it to guide technology buying decisions.
3.  Think of technology purchases as investments, not costs. And, remember, when you have an overall plan, your company avoids wasting money on unnecessary purchases or quick fixes.
4.  Start by determining your company’s needs. Look at what problems need to be solved and how technology can help.
5.  Get expert help to guide you. Check your Yellow Pages under “Computers-System Designers & Consultants,” or ask your local chamber of commerce. As always, get references.

5 Tips to Jump Start a New Business:
 
1.  Create a brand. Spend a little money to create a professional logo, business card and stationery. Present a professional image.
2.  Ramp up Online. Make creating a Web site a top priority. A Web site is today’s calling card. You really shouldn’t do without one. Give people a place to go to learn about your business.
3.  Make Your First Sale. This is key. Get that first sale even if it’s friends or family at a discounted rate. This counts as getting started, so go for it.
4.  Promote Testimonials. Get testimonials from your first sales. Start building credibility for your business from day one.
5.  Build Buzz. Be creative. Look for a special promotion, big event, email campaign or something out of the norm for your business to get people talking about you, your product or service.

How to present yourself in phone?

The phone is the most important feature. It is usually the initial form of contact between you and a client. Answer your phone in a professional, clear tone. Never say, "Yeah, hold on. I’ll check my appointment book."

Also, to present a professional image, make sure there are no noisy kids playing, or TV or radio playing too loudly in the background. Don’t let your kids answer the phone (unless they are trained to do so properly).
Any credibility you have may quickly diminish if a child shouts, "MOM! PHONE!", and then drops the receiver to go and play.

Mention that your business is by appointment only. This indicates that you are busy with other commitments and clients – a good impression for your professional image. Nobody would just show up at his or her lawyer’s or accountant’s office. The same applies to your home-based business. Mention this somehow during the initial contact. People may assume otherwise unless they are told.

If you have credentials, diplomas, or certificates, display them in your home-based business space. You have worked hard for your skills, and they’re an important part of your professional image, so showcase them. I have two university degrees hanging in my office. I have my credentials from the Professional Resume Writing And Research Association sitting right on my desk. I take the time to point out to clients that I am one of only six professionals in Canada to take the time, money and effort to belong to this international, professional organization.