Do looks matter in a leader? A new study says yes.

A university study has identified the physical character traits associated with good managers.

Scientists from the University of Kent used groundbreaking forensic technology after interviewing 200 managers and other employees to assess the attributes of future high-fliers looking for career development.
The study found that appearance was as crucial as attitude and looked at which characteristics were seen to be best for male managers and female managers.
For a male manager, a pronounced brow and forehead were found to be trusted more, while for women, thin eyebrows, wider eyes and fuller lips made up the face of a future inspirational leader.
Character traits seen as crucial to business success included a "firm but fair" attitude and encouraging creativity and flexibility.
Professor Chris Solomon from the University of Kent is quoted by the Scotsman as saying: "The scientific findings show how Britons think a good business leader should look and behave."
He added that employees wanted a candidate with the confidence of experience and somebody who will rise to the challenge and make brave decisions in the tough current economic climate.
The news comes as Peter Ojede, the chairman of the Uganda Human Resource Managers Association, questioned whether the best looking people get jobs.
"It depends on the job. There are certain jobs like front desk managers, air hostesses, modelling and public relations where appearance may determine the successful candidate," he told newvision.
Do looks really matter in a leader?
Update: I've managed to get hold of the photofits created as a result of the study.
 

Male face of business	Female face of business

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Where has the work life balance gone?

Last night, while my daughter was cleaning her teeth, my husband was sat next to her responding to work emails. It struck me then that work has invaded my family life through a little palm sized device.

Image via Wikipedia

Don't get me wrong I love the little gizmos and a time for everything but where do we draw the line? Have we lost the ability to switch off and say no?
New research from Ofcom has found that 81 per cent of smartphone users have their mobile switched on all of the time, even when they are in bed and would wake up in the night to answer or use it. More worryingly is that over a fifth of adult users admitted using or answering their handset in the bathroom or toilet. Is there nothing sacred?
Is the demise of family life imminent when nearly a quarter of adults use their phones during mealtimes? In a time where 37% of adults admit to being 'highly addicted' to their Smartphone isn't it time to step back and re-draw the line between work and life? How do you keep the balance?

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Hacking is the biggest threat to UK Business

62 per cent of managers report that cyber security threats are an increasingly serious risk to their business, with nearly a third of UK organisations having been affected by viruses or malicious software during the past 12 months.

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10 ways to negotiate your starting salary

In the current environment the prevailing wisdom appears to be that having a job at all is a blessing, and pay should not be a major motivating factor at the moment.  Just this week we've had CIPD announce that pay rises are the preserve of a minority, and a Badenoch & Clark survey revealed pensions are more valued than pay in the public sector.
However, those with the courage and ability to negotiate on salary can still achieve good results.  This is especially so for women, for whom research suggests a lack of negotiating on salaries is a contributing factor to any pay inequalities.  As pay-rises are typically percentage increases on your starting salary, poor negotiation at the outset can cost you for years.
Here are a few bits of research that should help you to negotitate better.

1. Be willing and able

If you don't ask, you won't get, so the first step is to be prepared to negotiate in the first place. One early study of graduating MBA students found that those who were prepared to negotiate achieved better starting salaries.  So whilst it might seem obvious, you have to be in it to win it.

2. Make the first move

Most articles on salary negotiation suggest that you wait for the employer to bring up salary first.  If you make the first move however then you have the ability to establish a psychological anchor point.  This point will then be used as reference for all further negotiations.  If you let the employer set this anchor point then you are losing control over the negotiations.

3. Shoot for the stars

So, when you're looking to set your anchor point, it pays to aim high.  Obviously you can't begin with a ridiculous number, you need to research your industry and profession to provide a reasonable start point.  A study from earlier this year found that high start points tend to lead to high offers.

4. Keep it light

If you start your negotiations high it can lead to a tense environment.  Research has shown that if you keep your opening offer framed in a light hearted way, it still influences the final offer but doesn't create a tense environment.

5. Enjoy the game

Good negotiations are a bit like a game, so it pays if you learn to enjoy the to and fro.  Research suggests that enjoying the competitive side of negotiations is essential if you want to succeed.

6. Walk a mile in their shoes

Whilst competing is great, don't forget to understand things from the other parties point of view.  If you can't empathise with how they want negotiations to go you'll never be very good.
Don't forget your end goal however.  Win-win negotiations feel great, but research suggests they result in lower salary offers.  Win-lose outcomes by contrast made more money, even if they made people feel worse.

7. Nice girls finish last

Traditional advice seems to centre on being reasonable in negotiations.  The research revealed here however shows that this approach does not work as it focuses too much on what is best for the employer, and not what is best for you.

8. Forget your gender

Women are rubbish negotiators.  Negotiation is a masculine act.  Etc. etc.  You've heard the theories but if you're to do this well you need to forget them all.  Research from the 90's suggests that women are often more competitive than men in negotiations.

9. Be brave

It's difficult to be good at negotiation if you are risk averse.  Those that are so inclined tend not to compete in a negotiation, and as we've seen, competing works when it comes to winning that high salary.  So think through how much overcoming your fear is worth to you before you enter negotiations.

10.  Believe in yourself

In the immortal words of Jenifer Aniston, you are worth it.  It's essential to enter negotiations believing that very simple fact.  Do your research and find out what people with similar skills and experience to you earn and use that as your anchor point to kick things off.
Good luck and happy negotiations.

READ MORE - 10 ways to negotiate your starting salary

Successful Strategy For Marketing A Small Business

Simply Put .... develop a marketing plan. Here are some tips:

TASTE, TRENDS AND TECHNOLOGY

What does your research indicate is the trend in your field? Will it stay the way you are currently offering supplies and services or will it change? This item covers the developments you expect for the next few years. Evan a 'perfect' business can become obsolete overnight due to future developments. Specify a 5 year forecast of your field in your area.

SALES REVENUE FORECAST

Have you developed these targets? This section shows your estimates of future sales revenue for your business. Your strategic plan, needs to spell out the specific actions you will take to achieve your forecast sales revenues.

DIFFERENTIATE YOUR BUSINESS FROM THE COMPETITION

How does your business differ from the competition's strong and weak points. Again, remember to carefully look at your business from the customer's perspective. If you're not sure how your pricing policies compare to the competition, here are some guidelines. Most people associate high prices with high quality and extra service, while they associate low prices with low or average quality and minimum service. Make sure you provide extra quality and service if your prices are higher than your competition or make sure that your prices are lower if your quality is average and your service is minimum.

DECIDE HOW TO REACH CUSTOMERS

Once you describe your target customer, it's easier to create a list of possible ways to reach that person. One of your jobs as a businessperson is to decide which of all the possible methods of communication will give you the most exposure for the least cost in money or time.

EVALUATE THE RISKS FACING YOUR BUSINESS

COMPETITION: Most businesses have competition. How will your business differ in significant and positive ways from your competition? If your competition is strong, don't minimize that fact, but figure out ways you will adjust to or use that strength. For example, if you plan to open a restaurant next to an extremely popular one, part of your strategy might be to cater to the overflow. Another might be to open on days or evenings when the other restaurant is closed.

PIONEERING: If you anticipate no direct competition, your business probably involves selling a new product or service, or one that is new to your area. How will you avoid going broke trying to develop a market?

CYCLES AND TRENDS: Many businesses have cycles of growth and decline often based on outside factors such as taste, trends or technology. What is your forecast of the cycles and trends in your business? For example, if your forecast tells you that the new electronic product you plan to manufacture may decline in three years when the market is saturated, can you earn enough money in the meantime to make the venture worthwhile?

SLOW TIMES: Every business experiences ups and downs. Is your business small and simple enough, or capitalized adequately enough, to ride out slow times? Or do you have some other strategy, such as staying open long hours in the busy season and closing during times of the year when business is ?

OWNERS EXPERTISE: Nobody knows everything. How do you plan to compensate for the knowledge you're short on?

Write your risk analysis by first thinking of the main dangers your business faces. This shouldn't be hard, as you have probably been concerned about them for some time. Some of these may be on the list set out above; others will be unique to your business. Once you have identified the principal risks facing your business, write out a plan to counter each. But don't bog yourself down worrying about all sorts of unlikely disaster.

READ MORE - Successful Strategy For Marketing A Small Business

20 Best Small Business Ideas for 2011

Welcome to 2011!  A new year with new small business ideas and opportunities.  The year 2011 is both similar and different from 2010 in terms of small business ideas.  Different because the year 2010 began under the highlights of recession whereas 2011 has begun with the bang of the biggest ever holiday shopping season.  Similar because a lot of trends and small business ideas from 2010 will continue to exist and even gain strength in 2011.

The trends that one should look at while deciding to start a small business in 2011 are:

* Increase in consumer spending as reflected by the 2010 holiday season sales; the focus is on buying socially, discounted and personalized.
* Aging population.
* Retirements, but only partially; people who retire continue to work, at least part-time.
* Focus on health and fitness.
* Increase in travel as people move across cities in search of work and small business opportunities.
* Home and personal luxury; people are again ready to invest in home improvement, making their homes green and for their lifestyle, beauty and relaxation.

Technologies such as smartphones, iPads and other tablet PCs, increased use of video on the web etc. are becoming mainstream.

Here are some of the best small business ideas for 2011 that one should consider if thinking of starting a small business.

Hiring and Retiring Businesses

1. Employment Screening Service – With the increase in hiring and companies looking to hire people with proven skills and clean backgrounds, one can easily start a profitable employee screening service and help companies with background checks.

2. Plan Retirement – People who retire need advice in terms of managing their finances, savings and contingency planning. With lots of people retiring, a Retirement Planning business can be an ideal opportunity for someone who is good at managing personal finances.

3. Help Buying a Franchise – Franchises are an attractive business for those who can invest. After retirement, people with savings look for investing in business and getting a franchise business is one of the common options. Buying a franchise brings people a level of comfort because of the existing brand value of the business and a successful business model. However, it is a real task to find the right way in the maze of hundreds of franchise options available in the market and this is where people need a Franchise consultant.

4. Staffing Service – A traditional but still applicable business is starting a staffing service. As companies grow in 2011 and their aging staff retires, they will need manpower to accommodate growth and fill in vacancies. Starting a staffing service could be a great idea for someone with knowledge of human resources.

Senior Services

5. Senior Care – The senior market is booming and one of the most important thing they need is care. Senior care, sometimes also called assisted living, is one of the biggest opportunities. Since seniors need help with almost everything in their daily routine right from shopping to cooking food, it is good business opportunity for someone who loves to work with seniors.

6. Senior Training – While a lot of seniors choose to relax their are some who want to get back to work post retirement. With dynamic business requirements, it becomes difficult for them to keep up with the new advances in business technologies, processes etc. Becoming a senior training specialist can be a profitable idea in current times when more and more seniors are getting back to working.

Home Related Businesses

7. Home Improvement Business – Home improvement is a really vast field and will see growth in 2011. One needs to find their own niche in this business area. You can do anything from furniture restoration to flooring to tiling and more. The list is endless. If you want to offer all of them start a home improvement firm and hire people who can do all these tasks.

8. Energy Consultant – With the increased focus on energy conservation, people have started thinking about how much energy they are using and how it can be used efficiently. Since energy conservation and efficient usage also bring in savings in monthly expenditure, both businesses as well as households are now more interested than ever in hiring a consultant to audit their energy requirements and suggest changes for increasing energy efficiency.

9. Home Automation Business – Advances in technology and new gadgets are making people’s life convenient and help them save time. However, people need someone to suggest the best gadgets that can be used in their homes and help them with installation. A home automation technician does just that.

Health and Fitness Businesses

As people are becoming more and more health conscious and realize the need to stay fit, a bigger market is developing for the businesses that can provide products and services which help people stay fit and healthy. One of the ways to keep healthy is to be physically active and this is one area where lots of business opportunities lie for people looking to start a small business. One can choose from any of the following:

10. Become A Yoga Instructor – As a Yoga instructor, you would be training people in the proven and scientific field of Yoga which can help them keep fit physically and spiritually too.

11. Become A Personal Trainer – As a personal trainer you would be providing exclusive training to people who can afford to pay for your time. This business will probably have less number of clients but it is well paying business.

12. Start a Pilates Studio – Pilates is one of the newer physical fitness mechanisms but is steadily gaining popularity. It still has lesser competition as compared to other fitness businesses.

13. Start a Fitness Club – Starting a fitness club or gym can be a little expensive but it is one business which has been seeing rapid growth year over year, even during recession.

14. Become a Sports Nutrition Consultant – Sportspersons need better nutrition than anyone else and that is why they look up to a sports nutrition consultant for suggestions. With ever increasing popularity of and competition in sports, this business is going to stay and thrive in the future.

15. Become a Licensed Acupuncturist – Acupuncture is one of the alternative treatment methodologies that have become popular as a solution to several health problem. One needs to have a license to practice as an Acupuncturist. A licensed Acupuncturist can start own practice or get associated with fitness centers which offer Acupuncture as one of their services.

Business Travel Related Services

This year will see a lot of growth in the travel market as people travel more and more for job as well as business opportunities. Apart from core travel services such as ticketing and transportation, there are several other services that are useful to business travelers.

16. Start a Bed and Breakfast (B&B) – It is an ideal business for those who own a house or can rent one at a place that is near to the business locations in a city.

17. Personal Concierge Business – Businesses travelers often need assistance in various tasks and not many of them can afford a full time assistant. A personal concierge business can help such travelers in doing tasks that require local knowledge.

18. Business Event Planner – Businesses often conduct events such as conferences, seminars etc. in various cities. As a business event planner, one can help these businesses organize such events.

Internet Related Businesses

19. iPad App Development – Apple iPad is one revolutionary device when it comes to tablet PCs. This year, the iPad sales are set to go north and so will be the demand for apps that can run on iPad. If you have an idea for a great app get it developed by a developer and run it as a business. If you are a developer yourself, you can start offering iPad app development services to others.

20. Web Video Production – The success of several videos on YouTube has led to marketers thinking of online videos as a social media marketing tool. Businesses, however, lack the skills and capabilities of producing quality videos. If you are great at making videos, this is one service that you can offer to companies today!

Hope you will find one of these ideas good to start your small business in 2011. Do share your stories, experiences and thoughts about these small business ideas.

READ MORE - 20 Best Small Business Ideas for 2011

10 Business Ideas Requiring No Financial Investment to Start With

The recession changes people attitude toward money and employment.

More people are becoming frugal, more entrepreneurs are becoming bootstrappers, and more ex-employees are entering entrepreneurship.

All three of the above combined, you would want to start a business that requires minimal investment. Take heed, there are business opportunities that involve no financial investment to start with – Not even a dime.

10 business ideas to start requiring no financial investment

1. Online business / make money online
Blogging, SEO/link building, online freelancing, selling goods online are some of the example of online business and make money online. Many online business requires nothing down – This is why the potential is extraordinary, despite harsh competition.
2. Virtual assistance (VA)
Helping others to get their job done is well-sought after – You can start with zero investment by offering your services in forums, classified sites and other public domains. The best bet – Join a VA network.
3. Intermediary services
Intermediary services were thought to become obsolete due to the Internet. Not exactly. Product sourcing, product distribution and contracting services, and many other intermediary services are here to stay. Due to their busyness and time constraints, business people do need other help no matter how easy to DIY their search for new products or business resources.
4. Organising services
Event and wedding organising are two of the most common organising services. Personal assistance and personal shopping are the niche in organising services.
5. Tutoring
Helping school children and students to ace their school subjects or tests can be lucrative. Teaching math, tutoring English and such are simple and free to start. Get the buzz from your neighbours and you’re off the ground.
6. Brokerage services
Real estate brokerage, business brokerage, investment brokerage – The list of brokerage services is endless. In exchange for a certain amount of commission, brokers use their expertise in winning buyers on behalf of sellers.
7. Consignment products sales
Looking for the right supplier to arrange for a consignment is rather trivial – Not many want to engage in such a risky product sales strategy. However, finding one would be a great way for you to sell products without any investment involved.
8. Consulting and training
Experienced professionals and business owners can offer their expertise to help other individuals and organisations succeed.
9. Freelancing
Graphic design, web design, and copywriting are some of the example of freelancing. The competition is stiff, but the ability to create a business out of it is rewarding.
10. Down-payment-enabled business
I’m not sure whether to include this or not, but this is what many often overlook as one of the better business strategies. Either you offer products or services, ask for down payment (even full payment) up front. This way, you have the capital to produce the ordered products or perform the requested services – No financial investment involved on your side.

Most of the zero-financial-investment business ideas I present are service business – With that said, I recommend you to explore any other service business opportunities, as no business is thriving in today’s recession better than service business.

Ivan Widjaya

Business ideas with nothing down

Image by prendergastlibrary.

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10 Small Business Marketing Tips

10 Small Business Marketing Tips

Small business owners have to market their businesses smarter than before these days – With the recession looming with no visible end, every single penny counts. Many small business owners today are bootstrapping and going frugal.

If you are interested in low budget but effective marketing, I have some tips to share you – Here are 10 marketing tips to help you find (more) customers and close more sales, quick:

1. Don’t advertise like the big guys

Unlike us the smaller counterparts, big businesses advertise to build brand name and nurture future sales. We simply don’t have the budget to do so. Instead, DIY your advertising and/or outsource it to low-cost advertising companies, even freelancers. Make sure you always include an offer in your advertising that get prospects to be more inclined to respond.


2. Always offer lower cost alternatives

Prospects simply want to hang on their money as much as they can, as long as they receive satisfying result. They want lower price for the best result they can get. Instead of burning your own business in a price war with your competitors, consider creating a “ight” version of your services or products by stripping out non-essential features that will keep yours appealing to a certain segment in the market.


3. Alternatively, offer a premium version of your service or product

Not all prospects want cheap prices. Many are willing to pay a premium to receive high quality product or service. On contrary to the point above, you can actually combine several products or services into a premium package that is offered at a higher price tag.


4. Go online

My favourite part :) You should go online for either promotional purpose or selling your products or services. It’s low cost, easy to learn and easy to do. Blog for your small business enhance your branding, while setting up a website will reach more customers from a rapidly growing number of online shoppers. Don’t forget to use available social media, such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to build a community that can get you marketers and business evangelists.


5. Try unconventional marketing methods

Spy on your competitors, and learn what they are doing in common. If you do your homework well, you may find an innovative idea or two that will increase your profitability while avoiding competition. One idea: Conventional mail box is not obsolete, yet – You can sponsor your local event flyer (ask for an exclusive sponsorship) that will generate considerable sales leads in exchange for a small amount of money.


6. Use the power of perception to make your business seems bigger

Customers perceive the value of your products or services. They also do perceive the reliability and dependability of your business based on certain measures. One of the most common measures is company size. Being a two person business doesn’t make you less trusted than your larger counterparts – Setting up an answering machine system that shouts “professional” will do the trick. One tip: Create many “virtual departments” in it, such as marketing department, IT department or customer service department, and have them redirected to your phone – “Inflate” your manpower from two to twenty in no time :)


7. Reduce the size of your ads

Smaller-sized ads will let you advertise more for the same budget. Plus, short marketing message does perform better than the longer counterpart. This reminds me of Twitter that push marketers to create 140-character marketing message, yet extremely effective :)


8. Offer giveaways and freebies

Nothing is more compelling than giveaways and freebies. Some argue that freebies are expensive. To certain extent, I agree. However, choosing the right promotional products will cut your cost-per-lead significantly, as unique and free items tend to have emotional bait in them – Having your promo product with your company messages in it neatly placed on a CEO desk is viral marketing :)


9. Do a joint-promotion with other small business

Ask non-competing small business owners that serve similar target market to do a joint-promotion. Cross-selling each other products or services will give your customers highly related offers, in which will usually produce more sales than marketing on their own.


10. Benefit from your relationship with your customers: The power of word of mouth

Your existing customers know and trust you – They are your great tangible and intangible assets you already have in your business ecosystem. It’s basically easier to get more business from them than from new prospects. You should “lavish” them by creating special deals – only for your existing customers and make them your PR people – Their endorsement is indeed very effective in term of cost and result than any other advertising campaigns.


The tips, if done properly, will give a better cost-per-lead ratio to your small business.

Ivan Widjaya

Marketing on a low-budget

Image by ozmafan.

READ MORE - 10 Small Business Marketing Tips

2011 Top 10 Small Business Ideas

1. Online business and make money online
   You can tell that this is my personal favourite. I continue to root on online business/make money online because of two obvious reasons: Cost-effective and lucrative. With many industries are going online, the future is darn bright! Online tutoring, online store, website flipping, etc. – all look promising.
2. Personalised products and/or services
   Personalisation is trendy. People no longer really want to wear a Mark Ecko t-shirt – you want “YOUR” t-shirt printed with YOUR choice of image; you don’t want a Hallmark greeting card – you want “YOUR” greeting card made especially for you; starting a business offering clients uniqueness and individualistic flavour will give you a best chance to succeed.

3. Social media consultant/promoter/marketer
Having an established business website for your small business is no longer effective – you need to go social in your effort to promote your business. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) not all small business owner are “social-media-literate” – this is clearly a gap in the market. Starting a social media consulting business helping small business owners to promote their products and services to Twitter, Facebook and the likes will bring you a lucrative opportunity as demand is very high.
4. Cloud business / cloud working services
The cloud or cloud computing is probably only a buzz word or marketing gimmick, but the benefits are there: Migrating part or all of your business process to the cloud can help you cut costs and increase productivity. Starting a business offering cloud services is a great opportunity to reach huge, untapped market of business owners. What is cloud business, anyway?
5. Small business with a cause
“Do business with us and we will plant a tree on your behalf” is a great small business idea. People basically love to give to others, in many different ways. Some don’t really want to help others directly; they are more interested in getting what they want while doing something worthwhile in the process. Offering your products and services with an embedded social cause(s) can offer you a win-win situation: Happy customers, happy charities and happy business.
6. Crowdsourcing services
Your business is only as good as what your target market think of you. That’s why crowdsourcing makes sense. Offering an opportunity for the crowd (passer-bys website visitors, etc.) to decide what’s best for you can eliminate your need for market research. This makes a powerful business idea: Offering a service to meet businesses with the crowd. Kiva.org is an example of crowdsourcing service – it is a crowdfunding business allowing people to fund budding entrepreneurs with limited budget.
7. Services to Home-based business
Home based business is good, but offering services to those who work at home is terrific. Some small business ideas: An online community for home-based business owners, delivery services for home-based businesses, home office maintenance services, etc.
8. Natural disaster recovery business
There are plenty of floods and earthquakes, including wildfire and other force majeure issues in 2010. The aftermath is devastating for those impacted by the disasters, and helps are much needed in those events. Offering a natural disaster recovery services to the public is not only a noble deed, but also a lucrative one, due to the possible partnership with the Government; the Gov’t will seek for recovery partners and you’d better be there to answer the call! A quick-construction business, amenities supply business, etc. can be both helpful and profitable.
9. Green and organic business
Green energy, green construction, organic foods, organic clothing, etc. make great business in 2011, as people are becoming more and more aware toward the impact of carbon and other non-degradable materials to the earth.
10. Real-time online-off line combo business
Child safety plastic tags that are connected to the GPS and online system to avoid child abduction and interactive restaurant menu with touchscreen are a couple of examples of online-off line combo products/services. Starting a business offering products and services that integrate both worlds flawlessly is well sought after.

Ivan Widjaya

10 small business ideas for 2011

READ MORE - 2011 Top 10 Small Business Ideas

How to Start a Tutoring Business

If you are an expert in any subject then you can start tutoring business and help people seeking to learn a subject.  A tutor provides specialized training for specific subjects to school students.

Why Start a Tutoring Business?

All parents want their kids to be successful in school and excel in the subjects they study.  When it comes to teaching kids, parents often face difficulty in taking out time for teaching and, also, the lack of required skills to teach a subject.  The children too need help in various subjects in spite of being brilliant at studies in general.  A student may be a science prodigy but may struggle with geometry.  A tutor who is skilled in a subject and teaching in general is someone that parents look for to teach their kids and make them successful in studies.

Requirements to Start Tutoring Business

The requirements for starting a tutoring business vary based on the type of tutoring service that you will be offering (covered later in this article).  The general requirements are:

• Expertise in a specific subject.  A Masters degree is desirable but not essential
• Degree or certificate in teaching.  Optional but it adds to your credibility.

Operations

A tutoring business can be operated in several ways.  The most common methods of tutoring are:

• In-home tutoring
• At-home tutoring
• Online Tutoring

In-home tutoring Business

An in-home tutoring business involves setting up a place in your home where you will teach students.  You will need a room or an area that is quiet and peaceful.  The teaching area will need to have good lighting and seating arrangements depending on how many students you will be teaching at one time.

To start an in-home tutoring business you may be required to obtain a license.  You should check with your local authorities about the regulations.

At-home Tutoring Business

To run an at-home tutoring business you don’t need anything in particular except your teaching skills and willingness to travel to student’s home.  An at-home tutoring business involves going to student’s home for tuitions.

The best part of running an at-home tutoring business is that you don’t need anything to start this business.  There are no regulations, no set up required and no capital to be invested.

Online Tutoring Business

An online tutoring business could be one of the most capital intensive of all tutoring methods but it has its own benefits.  First of all it eliminates the geographical limitations and traveling requirements that often limit the growth of a tutoring business.  Secondly, you will not require space for teaching as in the case of in-home tutoring.

To run an online tutoring business you can use a high end learning management system that allows for creating multimedia educational content and delivering lessons through live chat and video conferencing or use a simple system with an ability to post text notes and manage questions and answers.  You can also have a custom website built for yourself with the required features.

Irrespective of the mode of tutoring that you choose there are some general points that you should keep in mind while running a tutoring business:

1. Choose the subject that you will be teaching very carefully.  You will need to choose a subject that you are an expert at and it should be in demand too.  Choosing a subject that is not in demand will not bring you money and choosing the subject that you are not good at will bring you bad reputation.
2. It is better to use the textbooks that students use in their schools.  Make yourself comfortable with the content of those textbooks.
3. You will need to motivate and engage students.  Keep some small rewards handy for giving to students when they perform well.
4. You will have to keep yourself updated with the latest trends in the subject that you choose to teach.
5. To grow the tutoring business you may be required to hire tutors.  Do verify their credentials before hiring.
6. It is often not advisable to teach many students at once; however, tutoring business may not be able to earn enough income teaching one student at a time.  You should try to keep the size of each batch to 4-5 students.  If the student can afford it then go for one-to-one sessions at a higher pricing.
7. Focus on individual results.  You may be teaching a whole group at once but parents want their kid to succeed.  Prepare your plan for each student and share with parents.
8. Set clear rules and guidelines.  Let the student know what is expected out of them in terms of behavior and discipline and what they can expect from you.
9. Parent-teacher communication is crucial.  Set up a system to communicate with the parents as they want to know what is done in each session and how their child is performing.
10. Time is money when it comes to tutoring business.  A tutor gets paid by the hour and parents would want full value for the money they pay for each minute.  Plan each session in advance and keep the session focused on task.

Marketing

Marketing a tutoring business will involve contacting parents who need a tutor.  Most parents take suggestions from school counselors about tutors and you should target school counselors in your marketing activities.  You can contact school counselors and share the details of your tutoring service and your contact details which they can share with the parents.

You can advertise your tutoring business on local classified websites like craigslist.com and distribute pamphlets in your area.

Also let your friends and family know about your services and ask them to refer parents who need a tutor.

Upfront Cost to Start Tutoring Business

Depending on the tutoring mode that you select, you may be required to invest in space, furniture, website and learning management system.  Apart from that most expenses will be related to marketing and advertising.

Pricing

A tutor is paid on a hourly basis.  For calculating the hourly rate for teaching a batch of students take the hourly rate that you would otherwise earn, add the associated costs for each session such as travel cost and divide that by the number of students.  While deciding your hourly rate also consider the cost of running the website and the rental for the space, if applicable.

Insurance & Regulatory Requirements

A license is required to start in-home tutoring business.  There are no specific regulations or insurance requirements to start tutoring business of any other type.

READ MORE - How to Start a Tutoring Business

Starting a Small Business: Do You Have It In You?

Almost every person, at least once in life, thinks about starting a small business of their own and becoming an entrepreneur.  Entrepreneurship is exciting, fun, productive, challenging, uncertain etc. etc.  But, entrepreneurship is not for everyone.  This is the first article from the series that will guide you through the steps to start a small business.

B.E.T.A. Daily, encourage people to start a small business and provide fantastic small business ideas; however, we would also like all the wannabe entrepreneurs to understand the repercussions of starting a small business.  The reasons for starting a business of their own are different for everyone.  Ask people about the reason they want to start their own business and you will get:

• I want to be my own boss
• I am not happy with my current job
• I hate my boss
• I have an idea that can change the world
• I want to break out of the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily schedule
• I want to add an income stream (these are the people who want to have the best of both worlds; keep their job and run a business too)

Whatever the reasons for starting a small business of your own, you should think twice before taking the plunge.

Factors to Consider Before Starting a Small Business

1. The impact on family: Most people want to devote time to their families and their job often restricts them from doing so.  Starting own business looks like a good idea to people who think they will have lot more flexibility in their schedule if they work for themselves.  The truth, however, is very different.  Entrepreneurship asks for long hours, much longer than the day job.  At times it may become extremely difficult to balance work and life.  In a day job you are tied to a schedule but still have a schedule with ample free time.  In a business you may find yourself having no schedule at all with lesser free time.

2. The missing paycheck:  A regular paycheck does a lot of things.  It brings financial security and predictability to a certain extent.  It brings peace of mind that your expenses will be taken care of.  Start your own business and the first thing to disappear is the paycheck.  Be ready to meet your expenses without the monthly fixed earnings, at least in the initial months of your business.

3. Going all alone: An entrepreneur is an individual who starts alone and builds up team and partnerships on the way to success.  The path that you have to travel alone as an owner of a startup small business may look very long as it takes time to build lasting relationships with employees, suppliers and partners.  In the initial stages, be prepared to go all alone.

Qualities Required for Starting a Small Business

If you have understood the above three crucial changes that will come along when you start a small business and still want to go ahead, the next step is to evaluate your entrepreneurial qualities further.  Use the below test to check your entrepreneurship capabilities.

a. Are you a go-getter?

1. I can individually think of an idea and implement it
2. I can implement any idea but need help and motivation to start
3. I like working on the implemented ideas

b. Can you take risks?

1. I love surprises and ready to take on the uncertain
2. I am fine with calculated risks
3. I like to play safe

c. Are you a people’s person?

1. Yes, I love working with people
2. I am fine with most of them
3. I like working alone

d. Are you a leader?

1. Yes
2. In most of the situations
3. I would rather follow than lead

e. Are you innovative?

1. I always have a plenty of ideas
2. I can build up on ideas
3. No

e. Can you work 60-70 hours a week?

1. Yes
2. At times
3. No

f. Can you sustain yourself and your family without a regular paycheck?

1. Yes
2. Only for few months
3. I need to have a fixed income

g. Can you fire a friend from the job?

1. Yes, if that is what the situation calls for.
2. May be
3. I just can’t do that

h. Can you work from a garage?

1. Yes
2. I don’t like the idea but that’s fine if necessary
3. I need a well-furnished office to work properly

i. Can you run multiple business functions yourself?

1. Yes, I am game for that
2. I hope so
3. That’s asking too much

j. Do you have experience in the business you are planning to start?

1. Yes
2. I have got some experience
3. No at all

The above questions are meant to assess your temperament and abilities to start your own business.  If you answered 3 for more than 5 questions you are not yet ready for entrepreneurship.  If you answered 1 or 2 for more than 6 questions, you have the attitude and skills for starting a small business.

READ MORE - Starting a Small Business: Do You Have It In You?

HOW TO MAKE MONEY FROM HOME NOW

Every day, thousands of people are searching for ways to make money online. And every day, thousands of small and home based businesses are searching for ways to build their existing businesses with internet technology. From the word make money from home now, it seems to be dreams of many of us.
A lot of opportunities out there that can we join to start or build our own online business. Last year about $260 billion online transaction compare to a year before which is $179 billion transactions. It shows that a HUGE rise of money transacted through the net. So, are you the one that will GRAB the chance? Can you start to build your business online and make money from home now? Are you tired with your J.O.B now? YOU have your answer.

Many people will start searching for a company or opportunities that says you will get tones of money if you join them. It seems to be good promises and good to be true. And at the end after joining, most of them FAILED. Why? Is it because of the company? Is it because of the product? My answer is NO. It is because of YOU. Without knowledge of how to do a proper step on building online business, you will find it difficult to make it.

Actually what you have to do first? You must find someone to guide you step by step on how to do your business no matter you were newbie or marketers. You must learn on how to put yourself in front of your business. Of course with training that been provided will give a BIG impact on yourself. It’s an advantage if you can get that. In online marketing, every day will be a new learning day because from there you will gain VALUE for yourself.

Second, find the one that you affordable of and mostly interest in. When the recession really started to hit the world most of us not able to afford the high price opportunities that been offered. Is it because of that you will stop to chase your DREAMS? With effort and desire to WIN, anything could be possible to be achieved.

I found that the majority of people fail are due to lack of knowing how to drive quality traffic to a website and lack the ability to convert traffic into quality prospects and then sales. When you know your TARGET, it will make it easier for you.

READ MORE - HOW TO MAKE MONEY FROM HOME NOW

Reasons For A New Variable Pay Model Sales

Traditional variable compensation schemes increasingly successful, the employee within the meaning of the company in significant and sustainable goals and align them to motivate a committed performance. Even cosmetic procedures for the existing compensation model does not usually lead to success. There are many indications of a radical change to a new compensation system.
How modern traditional sales compensation?

Traditional compensation systems are usually focused almost exclusively on a performance criterion (eg, sales or gross margin) and ignoring other important aspects (income and expenses, product objectives and customer, etc..) For They are usually boring, as it has for the performance of the employee base of income distribution variable in terms of efficiency. Additional services are worth little. Besides that equities tend to be too low to be motivating or are too high and therefore inadmissible for a labor law perspective.

In addition, classic pay based on performance is concentrated in sales only in the field and possibly the office staff, while the modern remuneration in the areas of personnel for many integrated (product management, services call center, purchasing, logistics, etc..) traditional compensation systems usually have no preference for equipment: You pay only the performance of individuals. The networks are not carried out.

They are often reimbursed by chance that the actual performance of employees: large field potentials, large customers, large orders often lead to unwanted, etc (and unjust) "explosion of income. " Moreover, conventional payment systems usually can not be new responsibilities in sales and establish new market demands without changing the treaties. They are so inflexible.

Paid by commissions usually have. Would be correct, the payment of bonuses, which focus on the "fog of good performance."

What expectations should be directed to a modern compensation system sales?

1. Easier and better achievement of corporate and marketing objectives: they marry modern payment systems, employees and equipment in differentiated targets, such as such as short-term sales and profit contribution, but also long term, such as the promotion of strategic customers and products. Self-control and responsibility of employees to improve, and that his authority in making decisions.
2. High commitment of the employees of more and better services: a model works well designed variable pay compensation curves with the clouds. This means that the employee may suddenly increase their income with very good performance up to 30%. This is to increase revenue, but is not guaranteed permanent income, and the next year, new performance targets set.
3. The yield on the company's situation improves. The companies have to pay their employees focused and generating demonstrable results better. The reasons for this are clear definitions of the objectives of better management and control of personnel increased incentives for superior performance in a greater identification with the marketing objectives in a better focus on revenue and cost items, and review components of strategic power. Experience has shown that the conversion pays for a new compensation system in a few months.
4. The orientation distribution team is established by the compensation system. Through the services of personnel from various divisions in the compensation system (offices, services, product management, development, etc), many people gather. Business interests against departmental interests. A goal-oriented collaboration is encouraged.
5. Fast and flexible adaptation to market changes: well-designed variable compensation plans are designed to allow contracts of part of trust with employees and works one can conclude that the compensation scheme, but on the contrary, the content is always adapted to the tasks and objectives can present. This will ensure that more real interests of the Company are paid and not those who were present yesterday.
6. he management of crisis situations improved. If, as many employees of the company are included in variable compensation plans, the cost increases flexibility in the company. This is a significant decrease in average personnel costs in times of crisis and thus a better conditioning of the company. In the phases of prosperity and may increase staff costs and have to hold up well.
7. Attracting qualified new employees, which was to be gained from overseas is increasing. Making employees feel an attractive remuneration system energized by the performance pay.


Well-designed compensation plans to help create competitive advantages and exploit the market potential. Join the folks over at the right targets and develop a high performance culture. They are also attractive to good employees - even those who still have not earned the job market.

READ MORE - Reasons For A New Variable Pay Model Sales

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL FREELANCE BLOGGER OR PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT

Before becoming a full understanding of self-employed, first, functionality, benefits and risks of the profession through the application of a part-time employees. This is useful where more value to the portfolio of independent workers in the eyes of potential customers.
This article shares tips for bloggers who want to be a freelancer.

Independent is the way to make money by signing in the SE quadrant (self) for the four types of other quadrants. If you want to be a full-time freelancer no immediate self-employed, it is important to first understand how a free people and their benefits and risks. These tips can also be done by you, just give up office work and intend to seek a new career.

Before I had a steady job, try to work independently or part time. Although income is not fixed and free part-time work is not much, but through the work, which has a network at the same time, build relationships with new people. Who knows one of them have useful information for you.

Trade relations are important. This is one of the most valuable capital for the continuation of his career forward. Interestingly, the business can not be purchased with cash. Naturally you have to live with a personalized approach that can take a long time. Still, a good advice to give to potential customers about their actual capabilities.

Independent work which may have several jobs at once. Maruk is not character, greedy, greedy, or as adjectives. But in fact some people are God's gift of many talents. You can write articles, text editor, make a website, face to face teaching and so on.

Some occupations require additional concentration. But the upside is now one of the trade began, not sold, we can create another job that can guarantee their financial security. Different professions can be a unique and a resume, an advantage in the eyes of potential customer has.

Do not reject a temporary job for people who are going to replace. There are other types of professionals who work only temporarily, to fill vacancies through the chair for marriage, maternity leave, school holidays and so on to fill. If you are qualified and able, much less to live. This test is both its truth value a freelancer full time later, both offline and online.

No doubt much is the salary they receive. The most important criterion is to improve skills, gain experience, build networks for the selected area and the long-term care employer.

READ MORE - TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL FREELANCE BLOGGER OR PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT

10 CARA BAGI BISNIS RITEL UNTUK SUKSES

Siap atau tidak, ritel di Indonesia bakal menghadapi persaingan yang demikian sengit. Apalagi dengan semakin maraknya ritel-ritel asing di Indonesia yang punya kekuatan merek dan fulus yang “tak terbatas”. Oleh karenanya ritel di Indonesia perlu mewaspadai atau memahami berbagai tren yang akan terjadi pada dunia ritel di masa depan. Berikut adalah 10 hal yang bisa menentukan masa depan ritel.

1. Promosi harga sudah seharusnya
Setiap ritel, baik ritel kecil maupun besar ataupun ritel untuk segmen bawah atau premium. Semuanya tak akan lepas dari promosi harga. Strategi ini seolah sudah menjadi strategi generik. Sama halnya dengan obat yang menawarkan kemanjuran strategi ini tidak bisa dijadikan strategi yang unik. Namun demikian strategi ini juga tidak bisa ditinggalkan.

Kini pilihannya adalah kapan program promosi harga ini dilakukan dan kreativitas apa yang bisa dikembangkan. Beberapa peritel merek premium berkreasi dengan menawarkan program diskon besar-besaran pada malam hari. Program midnight sale ini ternyata disambut antusias dan seolah mulai menjadi wabah di ibu kota.

Kreativitas dalam promosi harga juga tidak selalu dalam bentuk diskon. Promosi harga bisa juga dilakukan dalam bentuk cash back atau buy one get two. Namun apapun kreativitas yang dilakukan, peritel di masa depan tak akan bisa meninggalkan program promosi harga begitu saja.


2. Menjual experience lebih penting
Produk yang dijual memang menjadi daya tarik bagi konsumen untuk datang ke ritel. Namun demikian, jangan terpaku pada produk tanpa menghadirkan pengalaman yang unik bagi konsumen. Yang lebih menjadi daya tarik bagi konsumen untuk datang ke Bread Talk atau Jco bukanlah roti abon atau donat rasa almond, tetapi pengalaman terhadap merek itu sendiri.

Berdasarkan riset dari Nielsen, 93 persen dari konsumen Indonesia menjadikan ritel sebagai tempat rekreasi. Mereka akan semakin banyak berbelanja jika terpuaskan oleh pengalaman yang diciptakan oleh peritel. Experience ini bisa dikembangkan melalui banyak dimensi seperti permainan dengan panca indera (tampilan, bunyi, bau, dll), maupun melalui interaksi dengan konsumen. Itulah sebabnya, menjual pengalaman akan menjadi hal yang lebih dicari oleh konsumen ketimbang produk yang dijual.


3. Berlarilah dengan teknologi
Teknologi akan berperan besar bagi ritel di masa depan. Sekalipun konsumen menganggap pergi ke ritel sebagai rekreasi, mereka tetap saja merupakan konsumen yang tidak sabaran. Di zaman serba cepat ini, mereka membutuhkan pelayanan yang cepat dari sebuah ritel.

Ada tiga macam teknologi yang akan mempengaruhi kekuatan ritel masa depan. Pertama adalah teknologi di bidang inventori, dimana peritel membutuhkan teknologi yang bisa dengan cepat mengidentifikasikan inventori dan memberi sinyal dengan cepat jika terjadi kekosongan barang. Kedua adalah teknologi di bidang transaksi. Ritel masa depan membutuhkan teknologi yang bisa membuat transaksi selesai dalam waktu lebih cepat serta tidak menciptakan antrian yang panjang. Ketiga adalah teknologi yang bisa membantu menciptakan retensi dan hubungan dengan pelanggan. Misalnya untuk menginformasikan point reward atau produk-produk baru melalui ponsel.

Teknologi seperti RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) atau LBS (Location Based Service) tampaknya akan bermunculan di masa mendatang karena teknologi semacam inilah yang bisa membantu peritel memberi pelayanan yang cepat dan tepat.


4. Mengikat konsumen dengan program loyalty
Di masa depan peritel harus punya program loyalty yang unik dan experiential bagi konsumen. Semakin banyaknya pilihan ritel membuat konsumen tidak bisa loyal kepada satu ritel. Lihat saja hasil survei di AS yang menunjukkan bahwa cuma 15 persen konsumen yang selalu datang ke ritel yang sama. Oleh karena itulah peritel harus memiliki program loyalty yang kuat untuk mengikat mereka.

Program loyalty dilakukan bukan dengan kartu anggota atau kartu diskon semata. Program loyalty harus disusun berdasarkan kebutuhan konsumen yang unik. Oleh karena itu pengumpulan dan penggalian database akan semakin penting bagi peritel. Database yang baik akan menjadi kekuatan menyusun program loyalty.


5. Co-branding dengan semakin banyak pihak
Untuk menciptakan program loyalty secara terus-menerus, peritel mau tidak mau harus melakukan co-branding dengan banyak pihak. Co-branding bisa dilakukan dengan sesama partner di dalam industri maupun partner di industri lain. Tujuannya adalah untuk memperkuat dampak promosi yang dilakukan dan mengefisiensikan program-program promosi.

Selain itu, co-branding juga membuat kreativitas ritel tidak terpaku pada program-program yang konvensional. Indomaret berkerjasama dengan Mandiri mengeluarkan kartu yang bukan hanya menjadi kartu isi ulang tetapi juga bisa dipergunakan untuk membayar listrik dan telepon di toko-toko Indomaret. Artinya Indomaret kini bukan sekadar menjual produk kebutuhan rumah tangga, tetapi juga point of payment untuk berbagai pembayaran rutin.


6. Fokus kepada individu dan interaktif
Di masa depan, konsumen ingin dilihat sebagai individu dan bukan sebagai orang yang sama dengan yang lain. Mereka mengharapkan ritel memberikan banyak fleksibilitas bagi konsumen untuk menentukan apa yang mereka mau. Oleh karena itu peritel harus mempersiapkan topping dan fitur yang banyak untuk dipilih oleh konsumen. Seperti halnya eskrim, produknya boleh sama, tetapi konsumen bisa menaruh bermacam-macam tambahan di atas eskrim tersebut. Kalau perlu, konsumen akan terjun langsung ke pembuatannya sehingga mereka lebih bisa mendapatkan apa yang mereka inginkan.


7. Totalitas dalam pelayanan akan menjadi tuntutan konsumen
Konsumen Indonesia akan semakin melihat pelayanan prima sebagai sebuah keharusan di dunia ritel. Menurut survei yang dilakukan oleh Accenture di beberapa negara, ternyata keputusan pembelian nomor satu dipengaruhi oleh pelayanan. Di Indonesia sendiri kesadaran ritel di bidang pelayanan sebenarnya sudah bertumbuh, namun demikian komitmen pelayanan ini masih terbatas pada keramahan saja. Padahal totalitas dalam pelayanan mencakup banyak aspek, mulai dari konsumen masuk sampai ke layanan purna jual.

8. Fast fashion
Peritel akan menghadapi rentang waktu yang semakin pendek dari sebuah produk untuk menjadi fashion product. Ibaratnya, kalau hari ini konsumen berebut membeli produk yang lagi “in”, maka besok, konsumen berharap produk yang lagi in tersebut sudah berubah.

Dengan perubahan yang cepat, peritel harus selalu fleksibel untuk menyediakan item-item baru dalam waktu yang relatif singkat. Ritel seperti Chico di Inggris selalu menawarkan merchadising baru setiap dua atau tiga minggu. Dengan demikian pengunjung selalu disegarkan dengan tampilan baru.


9. Green Program
Kesadaran lingkungan juga akan menghinggapi konsumen ritel. Edukasi kepedulian lingkungan seperti global warming akan semakin kuat. Akibatnya konsumen juga semakin sadar akan pentingnya menjaga lingkungan. Bagi peritel, isu-isu lingkungan harus bisa ditangkap dengan baik dan diterjemahkan ke dalam program peritel.

Green program yang sekarang lagi tren dijalankan adalah pengurangan penggunaan plastik untuk membawa belanjaan. Carrefour misalnya, sudah mulai menjual kantong yang bisa dipakai terus sehingga tidak membuat pencemaran lingkungan oleh pembuangan plastik berlebihan. Beberapa peritel bahkan memberikan poin tambahan jika konsumen membawa kantong sendiri dari rumah.


10. Channel retail yang semakin kabur
Jangan kaget kalau nantinya kita sulit mencari channel yang benar-benar spesialis di satu kategori produk. Kecenderungannya setiap peritel ingin mengikat konsumen sehingga ahirnya mereka berusaha menjadikan ritelnya sebagai one stop shopping. Selain itu tuntutan konsumen agar ritel menghadirkan sesuatu yang berbeda membuat peritel akhirnya justru menambah item produknya dari berbagai macam kategori. Seperti halnya apotik menjual makanan, toko buah menjual produk rumah tangga. Di luar negeri, hipermarket juga berjualan mobil.


(Sumber: Majalah MARKETING Edisi Juli 2009)

READ MORE - 10 CARA BAGI BISNIS RITEL UNTUK SUKSES