Social events are perfect ways to meet and mingle with potential clients. In fact, the groundwork for many business deals is subtly arranged during social gatherings. It’s a great way to meet potential clients and establish some rapport with them so that when you make a business call, you will be better received. The key to building a future business relationship with potential clients is to learn the art of talking to them during social events.
* Find out who is in attendance. When you’re at a social gathering, work the room so you can find out who is there. If you have a mutual friend, ask to be introduced. Everyone is a potential client, so be friendly and polite to all. However, don’t just try to single out a particular person because you have business interests in mind. It’s better that you mingle with everyone so you can really put yourself out there.
* Introduce yourself. Whether you wait for a formal introduction or simply decide to come up to someone and strike a conversation, you need to let the other person know who you are.
* Provide a brief overview about what you do but don’t go into the details. Most conversations start with your name and what you do. When you talk about yourself, you can say the name of your company and say what department you are in. Avoid going into a lengthy monologue about your job title and what your company does.
* Keep it casual. The rule of thumb to remember is to keep things lighthearted and stay away from business when you are in a social gathering. Ask about his family or his recent vacation. Try to find common topics of interest.
* Don’t talk about business. If you bring up trying to set up a meeting or pushing your products, you will turn people off. You don’t want to develop a reputation of trying to mix business with pleasure. Otherwise, you’ll stop getting invited to social gatherings, or people won’t want to talk to you. Keep in mind that it’s easier to discuss business matters later on once you have established rapport and a friendship with a potential client.
* Exchange business cards before you part. When you are talking to the other person, ask for his business card. You can also present yours so you can do an exchange. You can end the conversation by saying you’ll be in touch soon or that you hope to see each other again soon.
* Stay professional. Even if you are in a social setting, you should refrain from engaging in bad behavior. For example, it’s not a good idea to get drunk or to make a pass at other women. You still want to present yourself as a friendly yet professional person. You will turn off potential clients if you are rip roaring drunk. Outside of the social setting, they may have second thoughts about using your services if you conduct yourself in such a manner. If the potential client is the one that is getting drunk, that’s ok.
Have fun and relax when you are at social gatherings. Parties, cocktails and dinners are a great way to unwind and network at the same time. You can meet a lot of potential clients at places outside of work. The trick is to learn how to balance it and work the room properly.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
How To Take Advantage of a Layaway Plan Program in your Local Pawnshops or Online Store
You’d be surprised by the quality stuff you can find in your local pawnshop. Long maligned and burdened with a criminal reputation, pawnshops are the last refuge of the desperate. But pawnshops provide a good service to the community in that they allow layaway on some of the items they’re selling. Layaway allows you the convenience of making monthly payments on items you want to buy but are short on funds for. This will give you enough time to properly finance the merchandise for relatively low rates. This gives you enough financial flexibility to get the things you want but not skimp out on the essentials of life. This is a service offered by some stores that carry high end merchandise that middle class working Joes can’t afford to pay straight up. Sometimes, these stores have agreements with banks so that the monthly payment is automatically deducted from an existing bank account or a payroll account for employees.
* Pawnshops. Given their clientele, pawnshops are the leading purveyors of layaway plans for items in their stores. But this is not a standard for all pawnshops everywhere, as pawnshops are independently owned businesses. How one pawnshop conducts business may be completely different from another. For example, regarding layaway plans, some pawnshops will require a down payment for the item while another may just rely on good faith that you’ll be paying for it eventually. There may be a layaway fee in one shop while another will offer a percentage off if you meet all the monthly payments for the layaway.
* Check the reputation. Unfortunately some pawnshops live up to the stereotype. Some of them have criminal entanglements and are notorious for fencing stolen goods. The best thing to do before dealing with pawnshops is to be aware of their reputation in your neighborhood. You can also talk to your local law enforcement division to check for any cases that the pawnshops in your neighborhood have been linked to. Before getting into any layaway agreement with any pawnshop, you should know what you’re getting into first.
* Online sellers. Layaway is another payment option offered by online sellers for their merchandise. Usually the terms of their layaway plans are detailed in their website or you can email the site’s webmaster for detailed instructions on the site’s layaway policies. Make sure that you read and understand the print correctly because there may be some clauses that allow for hidden charges.
* Check the seller’s reputation. Always check the user’s reputation regarding their deliverables. The main problem with e-business is that you are buying an object sight unseen and what you see featured in the site will be drastically different once it comes to your door. Always read the user’s review regarding the products or the online seller, consistent poor ratings regarding the seller may mean that you could be taken for a ride when getting into a layaway agreement with that seller.
Buying items on layaway is a great way to keep yourself financially flexible and, at the same time, able to afford high end merchandise. Just make sure you’re protected from any kind of malfeasance online or in the pawnshops.
* Pawnshops. Given their clientele, pawnshops are the leading purveyors of layaway plans for items in their stores. But this is not a standard for all pawnshops everywhere, as pawnshops are independently owned businesses. How one pawnshop conducts business may be completely different from another. For example, regarding layaway plans, some pawnshops will require a down payment for the item while another may just rely on good faith that you’ll be paying for it eventually. There may be a layaway fee in one shop while another will offer a percentage off if you meet all the monthly payments for the layaway.
* Check the reputation. Unfortunately some pawnshops live up to the stereotype. Some of them have criminal entanglements and are notorious for fencing stolen goods. The best thing to do before dealing with pawnshops is to be aware of their reputation in your neighborhood. You can also talk to your local law enforcement division to check for any cases that the pawnshops in your neighborhood have been linked to. Before getting into any layaway agreement with any pawnshop, you should know what you’re getting into first.
* Online sellers. Layaway is another payment option offered by online sellers for their merchandise. Usually the terms of their layaway plans are detailed in their website or you can email the site’s webmaster for detailed instructions on the site’s layaway policies. Make sure that you read and understand the print correctly because there may be some clauses that allow for hidden charges.
* Check the seller’s reputation. Always check the user’s reputation regarding their deliverables. The main problem with e-business is that you are buying an object sight unseen and what you see featured in the site will be drastically different once it comes to your door. Always read the user’s review regarding the products or the online seller, consistent poor ratings regarding the seller may mean that you could be taken for a ride when getting into a layaway agreement with that seller.
Buying items on layaway is a great way to keep yourself financially flexible and, at the same time, able to afford high end merchandise. Just make sure you’re protected from any kind of malfeasance online or in the pawnshops.
How To Write a Marketing Research Report
Reporting the results of marketing research is an essential step in formulating a marketing strategy. Comprehensive and insightful marketing research will only be wasted if the final report is inadequate, or worse, erroneous. The reader requires definite findings that are backed up by numbers and facts in order to make a decision that will affect the product. A well-written marketing research report not only translates the data obtained, but also provides a recommendation based on the results.
Here are the steps to writing a marketing research report.
* Start with a summary of the research findings. Use definite terms when describing the results and lean towards action words to grab the reader's attention. A lot of research will revolve around dry facts that can turn off many decision makers who have to go through a lot of reports every day. Structure the first paragraph with the idea that this alone should guide the executives in forming a strategy.
* Proceed with the questions that led to the research. This background statement will remind readers of the research's original purpose and set them in the proper frame of mind.
* Expound on the results. Use as many pages as necessary to explain the results of the research in detail. On the other hand, eliminate unnecessary information that may divert attention to the original objective of the research. You may include key diagrams within these pages, but reserve the bulk of the tables and charts at the end of the report.
* Provide a recommendation. Tie in the results with the company's objectives to create a series of actions designed to act on the research. Use your understanding of the research when coming up with a recommendation. Back up your proposal with historical data from similar events as well as your understanding of the company’s objectives and current resources.
* Give alternatives to the recommendation you made. You should provide other responses to the research result, in case the reader disagrees with your recommendation. You may need to think out of the box for the alternatives, which may include maintaining the status quo or doing the opposite of the main recommendation. Provide advantages and disadvantages for each response to allow comparisons to each other.
* Add the necessary diagrams, tables and charts at the end. This should give readers a visual idea to the data generated by the research. Provide the reference label for these diagrams on the relevant text in the report. Finally, make sure to include the essential information from reference materials that you have used in your report.
* Prepare your report in conjunction for a possible presentation. Design the master copy of your research report such that it includes notations and links to allow you to create a slide presentation out of it with ease. Take note that such presentations are heavy on the diagrams, images and key phrases that take secondary place in your text report. You may use the comments feature of your word processor to leave notes to yourself that will not appear in the main report, allowing you to refresh your memory when you revisit the report anytime in the future.
Marketing research reports need not be remarkable by themselves. By providing both instant and comprehensive insights from given research, decision-makers can use them to support their own ideas for a marketing strategy.
Here are the steps to writing a marketing research report.
* Start with a summary of the research findings. Use definite terms when describing the results and lean towards action words to grab the reader's attention. A lot of research will revolve around dry facts that can turn off many decision makers who have to go through a lot of reports every day. Structure the first paragraph with the idea that this alone should guide the executives in forming a strategy.
* Proceed with the questions that led to the research. This background statement will remind readers of the research's original purpose and set them in the proper frame of mind.
* Expound on the results. Use as many pages as necessary to explain the results of the research in detail. On the other hand, eliminate unnecessary information that may divert attention to the original objective of the research. You may include key diagrams within these pages, but reserve the bulk of the tables and charts at the end of the report.
* Provide a recommendation. Tie in the results with the company's objectives to create a series of actions designed to act on the research. Use your understanding of the research when coming up with a recommendation. Back up your proposal with historical data from similar events as well as your understanding of the company’s objectives and current resources.
* Give alternatives to the recommendation you made. You should provide other responses to the research result, in case the reader disagrees with your recommendation. You may need to think out of the box for the alternatives, which may include maintaining the status quo or doing the opposite of the main recommendation. Provide advantages and disadvantages for each response to allow comparisons to each other.
* Add the necessary diagrams, tables and charts at the end. This should give readers a visual idea to the data generated by the research. Provide the reference label for these diagrams on the relevant text in the report. Finally, make sure to include the essential information from reference materials that you have used in your report.
* Prepare your report in conjunction for a possible presentation. Design the master copy of your research report such that it includes notations and links to allow you to create a slide presentation out of it with ease. Take note that such presentations are heavy on the diagrams, images and key phrases that take secondary place in your text report. You may use the comments feature of your word processor to leave notes to yourself that will not appear in the main report, allowing you to refresh your memory when you revisit the report anytime in the future.
Marketing research reports need not be remarkable by themselves. By providing both instant and comprehensive insights from given research, decision-makers can use them to support their own ideas for a marketing strategy.
How To Start a Handyman Service - Classified Advertising
It’s not unusual for people skilled in repairs to adopt a full-time livelihood as a handyman. If you’re interested in this kind of job, remember that your goal should be to score enough clients so that you will be able to generate a comfortable income. Set a target monthly income and determine the prices you will charge for your services; these figures will help you derive an estimate of the number of the number of customers you should get. Once you’ve got this settled, the next question is how you will be able to attract at least this number of clients.
* Create your own website. Creating a website can be pretty difficult if you want to make it from scratch. You will need to know how to do HTML encoding at the very least. If you can’t make your own website, however, you can hire other people who can do web design for you. There are plenty of freelance web designers and developers who can help you out here. Make sure that you make a website that looks professional and trustworthy.
Another option for you is to use existing platforms like social networking sites and free blog sites so you could create a standard page to advertise your services. At the very least you will be able to let your friends and contacts know of your business.
* Add your contact details. Next, you will need to make sure that you add your contact information to your website, as well as a list of the various types of handyman services that you offer. In fact, your website should contain all the information that a potential client needs to know about you, including your fees, the areas that you service, and your past relevant work. This is because your website will basically work as your ‘office’ in cyberspace which you can link people to when you start posting in online classifieds and forms.
* Create your own website. Creating a website can be pretty difficult if you want to make it from scratch. You will need to know how to do HTML encoding at the very least. If you can’t make your own website, however, you can hire other people who can do web design for you. There are plenty of freelance web designers and developers who can help you out here. Make sure that you make a website that looks professional and trustworthy.
Another option for you is to use existing platforms like social networking sites and free blog sites so you could create a standard page to advertise your services. At the very least you will be able to let your friends and contacts know of your business.
* Add your contact details. Next, you will need to make sure that you add your contact information to your website, as well as a list of the various types of handyman services that you offer. In fact, your website should contain all the information that a potential client needs to know about you, including your fees, the areas that you service, and your past relevant work. This is because your website will basically work as your ‘office’ in cyberspace which you can link people to when you start posting in online classifieds and forms.
How To Start a Computer Repair Shop that Attracts Great Clients
Fortunately for you, computers are a booming business and it will stay that way for a long time. The majority of households and all businesses have computers. This is highly advantageous for you, especially if you’re running a computer repair shop. Everyone is a potential client. If you don’t have your own computer repair shop yet and are considering opening one, then today is the perfect day to start. Here’s how to start a computer repair shop and attract great clients.
* Education. Get the necessary skills and education to run a computer shop. You must know the basics of computer systems and how to repair them. You may want to enroll in a few short courses at the nearby university or community college or you may even learn online for an affordable amount.
If you lack the necessary knowledge about computers, you may opt to hire an IT or computer professional and have him manage the technical computer aspects of the business. You, on the other hand, can manage the overall operations and management of the repair shop. It is still advisable though that you equip yourself with at least the basic knowledge about computers.
Computers and programs are constantly updated and new programs are always being marketed, so keep yourself in the know by reading up on the latest trends. Subscribe to a few computer magazines or join online forums to keep yourself updated.
Apart from your computer expertise and your business’ exceptional service, in order for your computer repair shop to be successful, you have to market it accordingly. Attract great clients by promoting your business in different media forms and venues.
* Flyers. Post flyers, brochures and posters at the town’s most frequented spots like the mall, local deli, church, school, community hall and such. Include the name of your business, contact numbers and the list of services you offer. It is up to you if you would like to include details such as costs. To build a client pool, you may want to launch your business/ computer repair shop by offering special discounts and packages to clients.
You can get extra mileage by posting online. Create a working site and send mail to potential clients. There are numerous venues where you can post ads like Craigslist and eBay. You may also take advantage of networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and even Friendster. It does not cost anything to post on these sites.
* Phone calls. For a more personalized form of promotion, you can do a telephone campaign. Call households within your area and inform them of your winning services. This may be a tedious job but it is nonetheless a good means to connect with future customers.
* Ads. If the budget permits, you may want to post an ad in the local newspaper or even produce your own commercial to be shown on cable TV and radio. But you may not need to resort to expensive means as you can also promote your business through word of mouth. Satisfied customers will be happy to share their reviews with their friends and family.
Attract clients by giving them great service and promotions. To gain a wider and stable client pool, you may want to approach neighboring businesses that use computers. Create a package for them that they cannot resist. For example, for a suggested sum, your computer repair shop can do the repairs of all their computers for the whole year. Good luck!
* Education. Get the necessary skills and education to run a computer shop. You must know the basics of computer systems and how to repair them. You may want to enroll in a few short courses at the nearby university or community college or you may even learn online for an affordable amount.
If you lack the necessary knowledge about computers, you may opt to hire an IT or computer professional and have him manage the technical computer aspects of the business. You, on the other hand, can manage the overall operations and management of the repair shop. It is still advisable though that you equip yourself with at least the basic knowledge about computers.
Computers and programs are constantly updated and new programs are always being marketed, so keep yourself in the know by reading up on the latest trends. Subscribe to a few computer magazines or join online forums to keep yourself updated.
Apart from your computer expertise and your business’ exceptional service, in order for your computer repair shop to be successful, you have to market it accordingly. Attract great clients by promoting your business in different media forms and venues.
* Flyers. Post flyers, brochures and posters at the town’s most frequented spots like the mall, local deli, church, school, community hall and such. Include the name of your business, contact numbers and the list of services you offer. It is up to you if you would like to include details such as costs. To build a client pool, you may want to launch your business/ computer repair shop by offering special discounts and packages to clients.
You can get extra mileage by posting online. Create a working site and send mail to potential clients. There are numerous venues where you can post ads like Craigslist and eBay. You may also take advantage of networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and even Friendster. It does not cost anything to post on these sites.
* Phone calls. For a more personalized form of promotion, you can do a telephone campaign. Call households within your area and inform them of your winning services. This may be a tedious job but it is nonetheless a good means to connect with future customers.
* Ads. If the budget permits, you may want to post an ad in the local newspaper or even produce your own commercial to be shown on cable TV and radio. But you may not need to resort to expensive means as you can also promote your business through word of mouth. Satisfied customers will be happy to share their reviews with their friends and family.
Attract clients by giving them great service and promotions. To gain a wider and stable client pool, you may want to approach neighboring businesses that use computers. Create a package for them that they cannot resist. For example, for a suggested sum, your computer repair shop can do the repairs of all their computers for the whole year. Good luck!
How To Start a Computer Delivery and Setup Service
Though there is an infinite pool of information on that Net which gives instructions on how to set up a computer, most users are still hesitant to set up their own desktop computer. They are afraid of accidentally destroying the computer before they even have the chance to use it. Take advantage of this opportunity and offer your services to deliver and set up computers for users. Here’s how to start your own computer delivery and set up service.
* Operations. First you will need to set up a “headquarters” for your computer delivery and setup service. If your business is a small operation – serving a small and manageable area of business – a quaint office would suffice. But if you are considering expanding to encompass several states and towns, you may want to establish a head office and satellite offices.
If you are purely offering a computer delivery and setup service, you may want to approach neighboring computer shops and partner with them. They sell; you deliver. Both of your businesses will greatly benefit from the partnership.
* Vehicles. Depending on the size of your operations, you may need one or more pickup trucks or cars for your delivery service. It may not be advisable to use scooters, motorcycles or bikes for this type of delivery service as the items being delivered may be too big and too heavy - unless of course you are delivering laptops. Scooters and motorcycles may be more advisable if the pick-up points are not too far away from your computer centers.
If you cannot afford to buy your own vehicles yet, you may want to work out a partnership with delivery services around your area. You can package their services into your computer delivery and setup.
* House calls. Instead of having the laptops or computers picked up, sent to the centers for repair and then delivered back to the home, why not provide the option of having the computer technician go to the client’s home. You can add a fee to have the computer technician teach the clients on how to reboot and fix common computer problems.
* Computerized schedule. To ensure a smooth operation, update your delivery systems by going electronic. Track the delivery and synchronize timing by logging in the schedules on a computer program. You don’t need any expensive or complicated programs for this. Microsoft Excel will do. Logging the schedules and deliveries in a software program will help you get a better grasp of your operations and see what areas need improvement. You can also fix the schedules of deliveries easily on a computer.
* Communication. To help track the deliveries, you will also need a radio system to help in the communication between satellite stores and drivers. Since radios are passé, you may want to buy a few mobile phones for the delivery drivers to help ensure that deliveries are made on time.
* Promotion. Promote your business by posting flyers on community billboards, setting up an official website and forwarding advertisements/ emails to potential clients. You may also want to reach clients by approaching certain business offices and schools. You can also spread the good news by word of mouth. Launch your new business by offering promotions and discounts to attract new customers.
Good luck!
* Operations. First you will need to set up a “headquarters” for your computer delivery and setup service. If your business is a small operation – serving a small and manageable area of business – a quaint office would suffice. But if you are considering expanding to encompass several states and towns, you may want to establish a head office and satellite offices.
If you are purely offering a computer delivery and setup service, you may want to approach neighboring computer shops and partner with them. They sell; you deliver. Both of your businesses will greatly benefit from the partnership.
* Vehicles. Depending on the size of your operations, you may need one or more pickup trucks or cars for your delivery service. It may not be advisable to use scooters, motorcycles or bikes for this type of delivery service as the items being delivered may be too big and too heavy - unless of course you are delivering laptops. Scooters and motorcycles may be more advisable if the pick-up points are not too far away from your computer centers.
If you cannot afford to buy your own vehicles yet, you may want to work out a partnership with delivery services around your area. You can package their services into your computer delivery and setup.
* House calls. Instead of having the laptops or computers picked up, sent to the centers for repair and then delivered back to the home, why not provide the option of having the computer technician go to the client’s home. You can add a fee to have the computer technician teach the clients on how to reboot and fix common computer problems.
* Computerized schedule. To ensure a smooth operation, update your delivery systems by going electronic. Track the delivery and synchronize timing by logging in the schedules on a computer program. You don’t need any expensive or complicated programs for this. Microsoft Excel will do. Logging the schedules and deliveries in a software program will help you get a better grasp of your operations and see what areas need improvement. You can also fix the schedules of deliveries easily on a computer.
* Communication. To help track the deliveries, you will also need a radio system to help in the communication between satellite stores and drivers. Since radios are passé, you may want to buy a few mobile phones for the delivery drivers to help ensure that deliveries are made on time.
* Promotion. Promote your business by posting flyers on community billboards, setting up an official website and forwarding advertisements/ emails to potential clients. You may also want to reach clients by approaching certain business offices and schools. You can also spread the good news by word of mouth. Launch your new business by offering promotions and discounts to attract new customers.
Good luck!
How To Take Inventory using the LIFO Method
LIFO stands for “Last-In-First-Out” in an inventory costing method. It is one of the most popular methods for keeping tabs on the progress of an inventory. The premise of this process is that the last item you have encoded in your inventory is the first item that you have sold in that year. If you are running a big business with several products, you might want to consider using this method for your inventory. This is very handy if you need to compute for the cost of goods sold in a year.
To use the LIFO method, follow the simple steps below.
* Organize your product list. Refrain from maintaining a single list for all of your different products. Do not mix bananas with apples. Organize your product list into separate sheets. Group similar products together and record sales separately.
* Use “batches” to record the inventory. As products usually come in groups, it is best to record them per batch. This should also give you a high-level overview of the products delivered. In addition, it will be easier for you to track down which batch comes in last as this is important for the LIFO method. For example, record “Batch 1 – Cost: $1000, Quantity: 20 pieces”, “Batch 2 – Cost: $1800, Quantity: 30 pieces” and so on.
* Compute for the cost per batch. Take the example from the previous step. Compute for the cost of goods for each batch. For batch 1, get the cost by dividing 1,000 by 20 and batch 2 by dividing 1,800 by 30. This gives the values of 500 for batch 1 and 600 for batch 2. If you end up selling 35 units at the end of the year out of the 50 products delivered, then, the 30 out of the 35 units that were sold for the year is at $600 per piece and the 5 others are at $500 per piece. The remaining 15 units in your inventory are to be sold at the same rate as batch 1, which is at $500 per piece.
How the LIFO method works is best described in the same manner as how you would fill a can with coins and use its contents later on. If you are to place a few coins in a can regularly and the time comes that you need to get some coins from it, the last ones you put in are the first ones you will be taking out. The coins that are added last are easier to access, thus they are the first ones to be consumed.
Double check the values you indicate in your inventory as a slight typo error can cause a lot of confusion. Also, have a certified accountant check your record for tax calculations at the end of each year.
To make the computations easier, you can use basic spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel. Create a template for your LIFO method using this software to create a faster and more accurate inventory process in the future.
To use the LIFO method, follow the simple steps below.
* Organize your product list. Refrain from maintaining a single list for all of your different products. Do not mix bananas with apples. Organize your product list into separate sheets. Group similar products together and record sales separately.
* Use “batches” to record the inventory. As products usually come in groups, it is best to record them per batch. This should also give you a high-level overview of the products delivered. In addition, it will be easier for you to track down which batch comes in last as this is important for the LIFO method. For example, record “Batch 1 – Cost: $1000, Quantity: 20 pieces”, “Batch 2 – Cost: $1800, Quantity: 30 pieces” and so on.
* Compute for the cost per batch. Take the example from the previous step. Compute for the cost of goods for each batch. For batch 1, get the cost by dividing 1,000 by 20 and batch 2 by dividing 1,800 by 30. This gives the values of 500 for batch 1 and 600 for batch 2. If you end up selling 35 units at the end of the year out of the 50 products delivered, then, the 30 out of the 35 units that were sold for the year is at $600 per piece and the 5 others are at $500 per piece. The remaining 15 units in your inventory are to be sold at the same rate as batch 1, which is at $500 per piece.
How the LIFO method works is best described in the same manner as how you would fill a can with coins and use its contents later on. If you are to place a few coins in a can regularly and the time comes that you need to get some coins from it, the last ones you put in are the first ones you will be taking out. The coins that are added last are easier to access, thus they are the first ones to be consumed.
Double check the values you indicate in your inventory as a slight typo error can cause a lot of confusion. Also, have a certified accountant check your record for tax calculations at the end of each year.
To make the computations easier, you can use basic spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel. Create a template for your LIFO method using this software to create a faster and more accurate inventory process in the future.
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