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Casual Articles - Electronic Tools for Entrepreneurial Success
Establishing standards is critical to the success of every business. That is why numerous companies go for ISO 9000 certification, which is a series of globally identified standards and rules that define an effective quality system. ISO standards themselves do not perform assessments or audits to ensure that they are applied by companies in conformity with the requirements of the standards.Many testing laboratories and certification bodies conduct independent assessment services to provide evidence that services, goods, or systems match to ISO standards. The assessment of a quality system against the ISO 9000 standard is variously referred to as certification and registration. The certification corroborates that the system is in conformity with all the standard requirements. Agencies that issue ISO 9000 certificates are called certification bodies or registration bodies or registrars.The registrars evaluate and validate an organization's management (including quality, environmental, safety) system for conformi
Once the data entry system is reutilized, the owner will want to develop a few regular reports – “snapshots” of the business that allow him/her to see both the trigger points of the financial profile as well as the big picture, all at a glance. In this way the entrepreneur can remain in control of the direction of the business – past, present and future - avoiding unseen potholes along the way.
And guess what? The new version of QuickBooks interfaces with ACT to make it easy when time to convert all those contacts into customers!
A Filing System Program
Research shows that the average entrepreneur spends 150 hours per years looking for misplaced information – much of it on paper. Spending those same hours on making a sales call or creating a new product or service will do a lot more for your bottom line – to say nothing of eliminating a major source of frustration.
There are three components to an effective filing system: (1) Mechanics, (2) Management and (3) Maintenance. If any of the components is weak, your filing sys
People spend a great deal of time on the job, and it is important, especially in venture capital to design jobs so that individuals feel good about their work. This requires an appropriate job structure in terms of content, function and relationships.The focus of job design is on the individual position or on work groups. First, individual jobs are enriched by putting tasks into natural work units. This means putting tasks that are related into one category and assigning an individual to carry out these tasks. A second approach used in venture capital jobs is to combine several tasks into one job. For example, rather than having the tasks of assembling a water pump carried out by several people on the assembly line, workstations can be established with individuals doing the whole task of putting the unit together and even testing it.Also, establishing direct relationships with the customer or client can enrich venture capital jobs. A systems analyst may present findings and recommendations directly to the mana
As a business owner for over 20 years, one of the principles it took me too long to learn was that the reason for owning a business is – or should be – to develop something of value that you can one day sell to someone else for a profit.
Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs have a service or product that is, or could be, of great value to others, but their lack of business skills is a huge stumbling block to success. Fortunately, technology is solving much of that challenge. In my experience, there are three electronic tools that are essential to creating a business you can someday sell: (1) a contact management program, (2) a financial management program, and (3) a filing system management program. These three programs will manage all the aspects of the administration of your business – and provide a method for you to get out from under the mounds of paper that harass most entrepreneurs!
Contact Management Program
My tool of choice in this area is ACT! Because of ACT! I can eliminate all those elusive business cards I collect, and be confident that I will give the right person the right information at the right time. Scraps of papers, Post-it Notes, and reminders scribbled on napkins can be transformed from annoyances in action – at exactly the right time. Now, don’t get me wrong! I can’t imagine living without Post-it Notes, but they were designed to be a temporary tool – not a permanent faded reminder paper stuck to you computer monitor, which you don’t even notice anymore! Another favorite tool of mine in this arena is Card Scan, which enables you to scan business cards into ACT! without having to type in the info. If you collect 10 or more business cards in a week, it’s well worth the investment. (It’s a not a perfect system, for sure – but a major time and frustration saver.)
With ACT, not only can I be sure that I am doing the right thing at the right time, but because we are networked, I can easily check to see what my support staff has done as well. For example, let’s say I answer the phone and the person on the other end is someone whose name I don’t recognize. I can quickly do an ACT! search, and know that my assistant talked to this person last week about a potential presentation. I note in ACT! what I said to the prospect, and set an ACT! alarm for my assistant to send the appropriate additional information. Another example: Frequently I receive e-mail newsletters from experts in various fields. I put their contact information in ACT! so that I can access their expertise in a matter of seconds.
It makes me sad now when I think of all the people with whom I have lost contact from the early days of my business. I prided myself that I did a good job of organizing people – and they didn’t need me any more. What I failed to realize was that I would be developing other products and services in the future that would be of interest – but I lost the opportunity.
Financial Management Program
In my experience, one of the biggest nagging worries in the back of many entrepreneurial mind is “I sure hope I don’t get audited.” Using a financial program, such as QuickBooks, eliminates that worry. While QuickBooks won’t reduce the possibility of an audit, it will increase one’s comfort with the ability to easily produce accurate information if needed.
QuickBooks (or QuickBooks Pro for time-billing companies) lets the business owner easily keep a finger on the fiscal pulse of the company. And remember – if there is no fiscal health, there is no health at all. It is critical to the success of any business that the owner has a working knowledge of the financial management routine, and that he/she develops a system of frequent checks on the growth and health of the business.
While QuickBooks has remarkably vast capability, the real secret to successful money management is simplicity. By designing the QuickBooks accounting system to match the flow and style of the business, one can easily enter day-to-day transactions including customer and vendor invoices, bank account transactions, payroll and inventory. While most business owners are naturally inclined to “over classify” in terms of the number of accounts available, a better strategy is to use fewer accounts. Those that roughly correspond to the tax return (perhaps restated in the language of the user’s business), with a few additions specific to the enterprise should be sufficient. Then, when it is time to do those infrequent analyses of rare events, QuickBooks’ comprehensive sub sort capability (i.e. Payee, date, transaction type, etc.) comes into play.
Once the data entry system is reutilized, the owner will want to develop a few regular reports – “snapshots” of the business that allow him/her to see both the trigger points of the financial profile as well as the big picture, all at a glance. In this way the entrepreneur can remain in control of the direction of the business – past, present and future - avoiding unseen potholes along the way.
And guess what? The new version of QuickBooks interfaces with ACT to make it easy when time to convert all those contacts into customers!
A Filing System Program
Research shows that the average entrepreneur spends 150 hours per years looking for misplaced information – much of it on paper. Spending those same hours on making a sales call or creating a new product or service will do a lot more for your bottom line – to say nothing of eliminating a major source of frustration.
There are three components to an effective filing system: (1) Mechanics, (2) Management and (3) Maintenance. If any of the components is weak, your filing syst
With the property market beginning to show signs of slowing, many investors are on the lookout for other investment opportunities. The stock market has tremendous potential for those who understand it, but some people still feel more comfortable putting their money into more tangible things. A concrete curbing business is one such alternative for those who are looking for a hands on investment.Concrete curbing businesses are beginning to establish themselves as good solid investments. Essentially, the business requirements are concrete, a concrete curbing machine and labor. The concrete is obviously only purchased as required and due to the simplicity of concrete curbing, very little instruction is needed, allowing many to work the business themselves. Basically, for most people the initial outlay is only that of the concrete curbing machine. As http://www.concrete4curbs explains, most concrete curbing machines fit quite easily on a small box trailer and can then be towed to each site by your vehicle. Few ventures ca
With ACT, not only can I be sure that I am doing the right thing at the right time, but because we are networked, I can easily check to see what my support staff has done as well. For example, let’s say I answer the phone and the person on the other end is someone whose name I don’t recognize. I can quickly do an ACT! search, and know that my assistant talked to this person last week about a potential presentation. I note in ACT! what I said to the prospect, and set an ACT! alarm for my assistant to send the appropriate additional information. Another example: Frequently I receive e-mail newsletters from experts in various fields. I put their contact information in ACT! so that I can access their expertise in a matter of seconds.
It makes me sad now when I think of all the people with whom I have lost contact from the early days of my business. I prided myself that I did a good job of organizing people – and they didn’t need me any more. What I failed to realize was that I would be developing other products and services in the future that would be of interest – but I lost the opportunity.
Financial Management Program
In my experience, one of the biggest nagging worries in the back of many entrepreneurial mind is “I sure hope I don’t get audited.” Using a financial program, such as QuickBooks, eliminates that worry. While QuickBooks won’t reduce the possibility of an audit, it will increase one’s comfort with the ability to easily produce accurate information if needed.
QuickBooks (or QuickBooks Pro for time-billing companies) lets the business owner easily keep a finger on the fiscal pulse of the company. And remember – if there is no fiscal health, there is no health at all. It is critical to the success of any business that the owner has a working knowledge of the financial management routine, and that he/she develops a system of frequent checks on the growth and health of the business.
While QuickBooks has remarkably vast capability, the real secret to successful money management is simplicity. By designing the QuickBooks accounting system to match the flow and style of the business, one can easily enter day-to-day transactions including customer and vendor invoices, bank account transactions, payroll and inventory. While most business owners are naturally inclined to “over classify” in terms of the number of accounts available, a better strategy is to use fewer accounts. Those that roughly correspond to the tax return (perhaps restated in the language of the user’s business), with a few additions specific to the enterprise should be sufficient. Then, when it is time to do those infrequent analyses of rare events, QuickBooks’ comprehensive sub sort capability (i.e. Payee, date, transaction type, etc.) comes into play.
Once the data entry system is reutilized, the owner will want to develop a few regular reports – “snapshots” of the business that allow him/her to see both the trigger points of the financial profile as well as the big picture, all at a glance. In this way the entrepreneur can remain in control of the direction of the business – past, present and future - avoiding unseen potholes along the way.
And guess what? The new version of QuickBooks interfaces with ACT to make it easy when time to convert all those contacts into customers!
A Filing System Program
Research shows that the average entrepreneur spends 150 hours per years looking for misplaced information – much of it on paper. Spending those same hours on making a sales call or creating a new product or service will do a lot more for your bottom line – to say nothing of eliminating a major source of frustration.
There are three components to an effective filing system: (1) Mechanics, (2) Management and (3) Maintenance. If any of the components is weak, your filing sys
Businesses in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and the Carolinas have been harmed or destroyed by recent hurricanes. Many suppliers and service vendors for these businesses have overcome great obstacles to keep their operations going. Businesses that rely on these support vendors would have no chance of starting their operations without these vendors serving them. As more businesses begin operations more jobs are needed.I live and work just north of the city of New Orleans. I was fortunate that my home and business had minimal damage. Many of my customers were not so fortunate. Shortly after hurricane Katrina I started thinking of a way to help businesses harmed by the recent hurricanes. My business is an exclusive national vendor for the Buying Group Alliance. I started working with the buying groups that make up the Buying Group Alliance to offer their resources to any business in any state harmed by the recent hurricanes. I am pleased to report that all of the buying groups are offering
It makes me sad now when I think of all the people with whom I have lost contact from the early days of my business. I prided myself that I did a good job of organizing people – and they didn’t need me any more. What I failed to realize was that I would be developing other products and services in the future that would be of interest – but I lost the opportunity.
Financial Management Program
In my experience, one of the biggest nagging worries in the back of many entrepreneurial mind is “I sure hope I don’t get audited.” Using a financial program, such as QuickBooks, eliminates that worry. While QuickBooks won’t reduce the possibility of an audit, it will increase one’s comfort with the ability to easily produce accurate information if needed.
QuickBooks (or QuickBooks Pro for time-billing companies) lets the business owner easily keep a finger on the fiscal pulse of the company. And remember – if there is no fiscal health, there is no health at all. It is critical to the success of any business that the owner has a working knowledge of the financial management routine, and that he/she develops a system of frequent checks on the growth and health of the business.
While QuickBooks has remarkably vast capability, the real secret to successful money management is simplicity. By designing the QuickBooks accounting system to match the flow and style of the business, one can easily enter day-to-day transactions including customer and vendor invoices, bank account transactions, payroll and inventory. While most business owners are naturally inclined to “over classify” in terms of the number of accounts available, a better strategy is to use fewer accounts. Those that roughly correspond to the tax return (perhaps restated in the language of the user’s business), with a few additions specific to the enterprise should be sufficient. Then, when it is time to do those infrequent analyses of rare events, QuickBooks’ comprehensive sub sort capability (i.e. Payee, date, transaction type, etc.) comes into play.
Once the data entry system is reutilized, the owner will want to develop a few regular reports – “snapshots” of the business that allow him/her to see both the trigger points of the financial profile as well as the big picture, all at a glance. In this way the entrepreneur can remain in control of the direction of the business – past, present and future - avoiding unseen potholes along the way.
And guess what? The new version of QuickBooks interfaces with ACT to make it easy when time to convert all those contacts into customers!
A Filing System Program
Research shows that the average entrepreneur spends 150 hours per years looking for misplaced information – much of it on paper. Spending those same hours on making a sales call or creating a new product or service will do a lot more for your bottom line – to say nothing of eliminating a major source of frustration.
There are three components to an effective filing system: (1) Mechanics, (2) Management and (3) Maintenance. If any of the components is weak, your filing sys
Whether you have been running a home based business for 5 years, for 3 weeks, or if you are still searching for the right fit, you will succeed exactly in proportion to the degree of self-esteem & self-confidence you hold, and to your willingness to play nice with others.As those of us with experience well know, there is a vast difference between working in an office environment with lots of other people around to offer stimulation and motivation, and working from home. The home environment offers many amenities - some would say too many – from the refrigerator, to the TV and stereo, to playing on the Internet, to going out the door for a walk break or to pick a few weeds in the garden. Staying motivated and focused is a primary challenge and is the major reason why this type of business is not for everyone.If you really believe in yourself and your goals, you stand a much better chance of hanging in for the duration. You can be certain that delays, mishaps, human error, unfair decisions, rudeness and many
QuickBooks (or QuickBooks Pro for time-billing companies) lets the business owner easily keep a finger on the fiscal pulse of the company. And remember – if there is no fiscal health, there is no health at all. It is critical to the success of any business that the owner has a working knowledge of the financial management routine, and that he/she develops a system of frequent checks on the growth and health of the business.
While QuickBooks has remarkably vast capability, the real secret to successful money management is simplicity. By designing the QuickBooks accounting system to match the flow and style of the business, one can easily enter day-to-day transactions including customer and vendor invoices, bank account transactions, payroll and inventory. While most business owners are naturally inclined to “over classify” in terms of the number of accounts available, a better strategy is to use fewer accounts. Those that roughly correspond to the tax return (perhaps restated in the language of the user’s business), with a few additions specific to the enterprise should be sufficient. Then, when it is time to do those infrequent analyses of rare events, QuickBooks’ comprehensive sub sort capability (i.e. Payee, date, transaction type, etc.) comes into play.
Once the data entry system is reutilized, the owner will want to develop a few regular reports – “snapshots” of the business that allow him/her to see both the trigger points of the financial profile as well as the big picture, all at a glance. In this way the entrepreneur can remain in control of the direction of the business – past, present and future - avoiding unseen potholes along the way.
And guess what? The new version of QuickBooks interfaces with ACT to make it easy when time to convert all those contacts into customers!
A Filing System Program
Research shows that the average entrepreneur spends 150 hours per years looking for misplaced information – much of it on paper. Spending those same hours on making a sales call or creating a new product or service will do a lot more for your bottom line – to say nothing of eliminating a major source of frustration.
There are three components to an effective filing system: (1) Mechanics, (2) Management and (3) Maintenance. If any of the components is weak, your filing sys
As a business owner you may struggle with the question of how you will be able to get everything done. This is especially true for independent service professionals and solopreneurs. There are only so many hours in the day, this isn’t going to change. So something else has to.And if you spend almost all of your time working in your business, you don’t have time for the rest of your life. Isn’t it true that some of the reasons you started your own business were so you would have more freedom and fun? If you are stressed out and not able to get the right things done, then your business isn’t serving you in the way you intended.The answer is to only focus on the main drivers of your business. The kind of things that are the most important to the growth of your business. I know, I can hear you saying that your business is different and you have dozens of important things you must do. The truth is that not everything is equally important. It’s really a matter of choice and you are the one who can decide ho
Once the data entry system is reutilized, the owner will want to develop a few regular reports – “snapshots” of the business that allow him/her to see both the trigger points of the financial profile as well as the big picture, all at a glance. In this way the entrepreneur can remain in control of the direction of the business – past, present and future - avoiding unseen potholes along the way.
And guess what? The new version of QuickBooks interfaces with ACT to make it easy when time to convert all those contacts into customers!
A Filing System Program
Research shows that the average entrepreneur spends 150 hours per years looking for misplaced information – much of it on paper. Spending those same hours on making a sales call or creating a new product or service will do a lot more for your bottom line – to say nothing of eliminating a major source of frustration.
There are three components to an effective filing system: (1) Mechanics, (2) Management and (3) Maintenance. If any of the components is weak, your filing system will be am on-going frustration instead of a valuable resource.
1. Filing Mechanics One of the major reasons we procrastinate about filing is that it is simply too time-consuming. Here are some tips to make it quick and easy:
• Make sure there is always adequate room in a file cabinet to add papers.
• File papers directly into hanging files. If you take individual papers directly from the file, you do not need a manila file inside.
• If you need to take the entire file out of the file cabinet, create a hanging file and a manila file with the same label.
• Put the plastic file tabs on the front of the file folder.
• Keep color systems simple.
• Use staples instead of paper clips.
2. File Management One of the major frustration sources of frustration about filing is deciding what to call a file. The solution to this frustration is a File Index – a list of the names of your files. Before you make a new file, you can check the File Index to see if an appropriate file already exists. You can use a word processing or spread sheet program to create this index. A revolutionary new option for managing your files is also now available: Kiplinger’s Taming the Paper Tiger (www.thepapertiger.com). This software program allows you to keep your information in paper form in your filing cabinet, automatically cross-reference the information, and use the incredible search power of the computer to find anything in your files in five seconds or less – regardless of who filed it! The software will also print file labels and a File Index automatically.
3. File Maintenance Regardless of the management or mechanics techniques you use, all filing systems have to be maintained. But there is good news! There are only two steps required to maintain any filing system indefinitely: (1) make sure that the File Index is a living document – a perfect reflection of the names of the files in your cabinet. If you add a new file, add it to the File Index, and when you remove a file, delete it. (2) Clean out your files when the cabinet gets too full for easy filing.
Of course there will undoubtedly be other programs you need related to your particular expertise, but in my experience, these three programs are crucial to every entrepreneur’s success!
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