Ok, here's a few more crumbs of information:
This is a software tool. It is being developed by Duane Tomko, author of "A Hand Up", a guide written to "help the little guy", the people like you and me who need it most.
More later!!!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
WRITING THE GRANT PROPOSAL
There are eight basic components to creating a solid proposal package: (1) the proposal summary; (2) introduction of organization; (3) the problem statement (or needs assessment); (4) project objectives; (5) project methods or design; (6) project evaluation; (7) future funding; and (8) the project budget.
The Proposal Summary: Outline of Project Goals
The proposal summary outlines the proposed project and should appear at the beginning of the proposal. It could be in the form of a cover letter or a separate page, but should definitely be brief – no longer than two or three paragraphs. The summary would be most useful if it were prepared after the proposal has been developed in order to encompass all the key summary points necessary to communicate the objectives of the project. It is this document that becomes the cornerstone of your proposal, and the initial impression it gives will be critical to the success of your venture. In many cases, the summary will be the first part of the proposal package seen by agency officials and very possibly could be the only part of the package that is carefully reviewed before the decision is made to consider the project any further. The applicant must select a fundable project which can be supported in view of the local need. Alternatives, in the absence of Federal support, should be pointed out. The influence of the project both during and after the project period should be explained. The consequences of the project as a result of funding should be highlighted.
Introduction: Presenting a Credible Applicant or Organization
The applicant should gather data about its organization from all available sources. Most proposals require a description of an applicant's organization to describe its past and present operations. Some features to consider are:
A brief biography of board members and key staff members.
The organization's goals, philosophy, track record with other grantors, and any success stories.
The data should be relevant to the goals of the Federal grantor agency and should establish the applicant's credibility.
The Problem Statement: Stating the Purpose at Hand
The problem statement (or needs assessment) is a key element of a proposal that makes a clear, concise, and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed. The best way to collect information about the problem is to conduct and document both a formal and informal needs assessment for a program in the target or service area. The information provided should be both factual and directly related to the problem addressed by the proposal. Areas to document are:
The purpose for developing the proposal.
The beneficiaries -- who are they and how will they benefit.
The social and economic costs to be affected.
The nature of the problem (provide as much hard evidence as possible).
How the applicant organization came to realize the problem exists, and what is currently being done about the problem.
The remaining alternatives available when funding has been exhausted. Explain what will happen to the project and the impending implications.
Most importantly, the specific manner through which problems might be solved. Review the resources needed, considering how they will be used and to what end.
There is a considerable body of literature on the exact assessment techniques to be used. Any local, regional, or State government planning office, or local university offering course work in planning and evaluation techniques should be able to provide excellent background references. Types of data that may be collected include: historical, geographic, quantitative, factual, statistical, and philosophical information, as well as studies completed by colleges, and literature searches from public or university libraries. Local colleges or universities which have a department or section related to the proposal topic may help determine if there is interest in developing a student or faculty project to conduct a needs assessment. It may be helpful to include examples of the findings for highlighting in the proposal.
Project Objectives: Goals and Desired Outcome
Program objectives refer to specific activities in a proposal. It is necessary to identify all objectives related to the goals to be reached, and the methods to be employed to achieve the stated objectives. Consider quantities or things measurable and refer to a problem statement and the outcome of proposed activities when developing a well-stated objective. The figures used should be verifiable. Remember, if the proposal is funded, the stated objectives will probably be used to evaluate program progress, so be realistic. There is literature available to help identify and write program objectives.
Program Methods and Program Design: A Plan of Action
The program design refers to how the project is expected to work and solve the stated problem. Sketch out the following:
The activities to occur along with the related resources and staff needed to operate the project (inputs).
A flow chart of the organizational features of the project. Describe how the parts interrelate, where personnel will be needed, and what they are expected to do. Identify the kinds of facilities, transportation, and support services required (throughputs).
Explain what will be achieved through 1 and 2 above (outputs); i.e., plan for measurable results. Project staff may be required to produce evidence of program performance through an examination of stated objectives during either a site visit by the Federal grantor agency and or grant reviews, which may involve peer review committees. It may be useful to devise a diagram of the program design. For example, draw a three-column block. Each column is headed by one of the parts (inputs, throughputs and outputs), and on the left (next to the first column) specific program features should be identified (i.e., implementation,
staffing, procurement, and systems development). In the grid, specify something about the program design, for example, assume the first column is labeled inputs and the first row is labeled staff. On the grid one might specify under inputs five nurses to operate a child care unit. The throughput might be to maintain charts, counsel the children, and set up a daily routine; outputs might be to discharge 25 healthy children per week. This type of procedure will help to conceptualize both the scope and detail of the project. Wherever possible, justify in the narrative the course of action taken. The most economical method should be used that does not compromise or sacrifice project quality. The financial expenses associated with performance of the project will later become points of negotiation with the Federal program staff. If everything is not carefully justified in writing in the proposal, after negotiation with the Federal grantor agencies, the approved project may resemble less of the original concept.
Carefully consider the pressures of the proposed implementation, that is, the time and money needed to acquire each part of the plan. A Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) chart could be useful and supportive in justifying some proposals. Highlight the innovative features of the proposal, which could be considered distinct from other proposals under consideration.
Whenever possible, use appendices to provide details, supplementary data, references, and information requiring in-depth analysis. These types of data, although supportive of the proposal, if included in the body of the design, could detract from its readability. Appendices provide the proposal reader with immediate access to details if and when clarification of an idea, sequence or conclusion is required. Time tables, work plans, schedules, activities, methodologies, legal papers, personal vitae, letters of support, and endorsements are examples of appendices.
Evaluation: Product and Process Analysis
The evaluation component is two-fold: (1) product evaluation; and (2) process evaluation. Product evaluation addresses results that can be attributed to the project, as well as the extent to which the project has satisfied its desired objectives. Process evaluation addresses how the project was conducted, in terms of consistency with the stated plan of action and the effectiveness of the various activities within the plan.
Most Federal agencies now require some form of program evaluation among grantees. The requirements of the proposed project should be explored carefully. Evaluations may be conducted by an internal staff member, an evaluation firm or both. The applicant should state the amount of time needed to evaluate, how the feedback will be distributed among the proposed staff, and a schedule for review and comment for this type of communication. Evaluation designs may start at the beginning, middle or end of a project, but the applicant should specify a start-up time. It is practical to submit an evaluation design at the start of a project for two reasons:
1. Convincing evaluations require the collection of appropriate data before and during program operations; and,
2. If the evaluation design cannot be prepared at the outset then a critical review of the program design may be advisable. Even if the evaluation design has to be revised as the project progresses, it is much easier and cheaper to modify a good design. If the problem is not well defined and carefully analyzed for cause and effect relationships then a good evaluation design may be difficult to achieve.
Sometimes a pilot study is needed to begin the identification of facts and relationships. Often a
thorough literature search may be sufficient.
Evaluation requires both coordination and agreement among program decision makers (if known). Above all, the Federal grantor agency's requirements should be highlighted in the evaluation design. Also, Federal grantor agencies may require specific evaluation techniques such as designated data formats (an existing information collection system) or they may offer financial inducements for voluntary participation in a national evaluation study. The applicant should ask specifically about these points. Also, consult the Criteria For Selecting Proposals section of the Catalog program description to determine the exact evaluation methods to be required for the program if funded.
Future Funding: Long-Term Project Planning
Describe a plan for continuation beyond the grant period, and/or the availability of other resources necessary to implement the grant. Discuss maintenance and future program funding if program is for construction activity. Account for other needed expenditures if program includes purchase of equipment.
The Proposal Budget: Planning the Budget
Funding levels in Federal assistance programs change yearly. It is useful to review the appropriations over the past several years to try to project future funding levels (see Financial Information section of the Catalog program description).
However, it is safer to never anticipate that the income from the grant will be the sole support for the project. This consideration should be given to the overall budget requirements, and in particular, to budget line items most subject to inflationary pressures. Restraint is important in determining inflationary cost projections (avoid padding budget line items), but attempt to anticipate possible future increases.
Some vulnerable budget areas are: utilities, rental of buildings and equipment, salary increases, food, telephones, insurance, and transportation. Budget adjustments are sometimes made after the grant award, but this can be a lengthy process. Be certain that implementation, continuation and phase-down costs can be met. Consider costs associated with leases, evaluation systems, hard/soft match requirements, audits, development, implementation and maintenance of information and accounting systems, and other long-term financial commitments.
A well-prepared budget justifies all expenses and is consistent with the proposal narrative. Some areas in need of an evaluation for consistency are: (1) the salaries in the proposal in relation to those of the applicant organization should be similar; (2) if new staff persons are being hired, additional space and equipment should be considered, as necessary; (3) if the budget calls for an equipment purchase, it should be the type allowed by the grantor agency; (4) if additional space is rented, the increase in insurance should be supported; (5) if an indirect cost rate applies to the proposal, the division between direct and indirect costs should not be in conflict, and the aggregate budget totals should refer directly to the approved formula; and (6) if matching costs are required, the contributions to the matching fund should be taken out of the budget unless otherwise specified in the application instructions.
It is very important to become familiar with Government-wide circular requirements. The Catalog identifies in the program description section (as information is provided from the agencies) the particular circulars applicable to a Federal program, and summarizes coordination of Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Programs" requirements in Appendix I. The applicant should thoroughly review the appropriate circulars since they are essential in determining items such as cost principles and conforming with Government guidelines for Federal domestic assistance.
The Proposal Summary: Outline of Project Goals
The proposal summary outlines the proposed project and should appear at the beginning of the proposal. It could be in the form of a cover letter or a separate page, but should definitely be brief – no longer than two or three paragraphs. The summary would be most useful if it were prepared after the proposal has been developed in order to encompass all the key summary points necessary to communicate the objectives of the project. It is this document that becomes the cornerstone of your proposal, and the initial impression it gives will be critical to the success of your venture. In many cases, the summary will be the first part of the proposal package seen by agency officials and very possibly could be the only part of the package that is carefully reviewed before the decision is made to consider the project any further. The applicant must select a fundable project which can be supported in view of the local need. Alternatives, in the absence of Federal support, should be pointed out. The influence of the project both during and after the project period should be explained. The consequences of the project as a result of funding should be highlighted.
Introduction: Presenting a Credible Applicant or Organization
The applicant should gather data about its organization from all available sources. Most proposals require a description of an applicant's organization to describe its past and present operations. Some features to consider are:
A brief biography of board members and key staff members.
The organization's goals, philosophy, track record with other grantors, and any success stories.
The data should be relevant to the goals of the Federal grantor agency and should establish the applicant's credibility.
The Problem Statement: Stating the Purpose at Hand
The problem statement (or needs assessment) is a key element of a proposal that makes a clear, concise, and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed. The best way to collect information about the problem is to conduct and document both a formal and informal needs assessment for a program in the target or service area. The information provided should be both factual and directly related to the problem addressed by the proposal. Areas to document are:
The purpose for developing the proposal.
The beneficiaries -- who are they and how will they benefit.
The social and economic costs to be affected.
The nature of the problem (provide as much hard evidence as possible).
How the applicant organization came to realize the problem exists, and what is currently being done about the problem.
The remaining alternatives available when funding has been exhausted. Explain what will happen to the project and the impending implications.
Most importantly, the specific manner through which problems might be solved. Review the resources needed, considering how they will be used and to what end.
There is a considerable body of literature on the exact assessment techniques to be used. Any local, regional, or State government planning office, or local university offering course work in planning and evaluation techniques should be able to provide excellent background references. Types of data that may be collected include: historical, geographic, quantitative, factual, statistical, and philosophical information, as well as studies completed by colleges, and literature searches from public or university libraries. Local colleges or universities which have a department or section related to the proposal topic may help determine if there is interest in developing a student or faculty project to conduct a needs assessment. It may be helpful to include examples of the findings for highlighting in the proposal.
Project Objectives: Goals and Desired Outcome
Program objectives refer to specific activities in a proposal. It is necessary to identify all objectives related to the goals to be reached, and the methods to be employed to achieve the stated objectives. Consider quantities or things measurable and refer to a problem statement and the outcome of proposed activities when developing a well-stated objective. The figures used should be verifiable. Remember, if the proposal is funded, the stated objectives will probably be used to evaluate program progress, so be realistic. There is literature available to help identify and write program objectives.
Program Methods and Program Design: A Plan of Action
The program design refers to how the project is expected to work and solve the stated problem. Sketch out the following:
The activities to occur along with the related resources and staff needed to operate the project (inputs).
A flow chart of the organizational features of the project. Describe how the parts interrelate, where personnel will be needed, and what they are expected to do. Identify the kinds of facilities, transportation, and support services required (throughputs).
Explain what will be achieved through 1 and 2 above (outputs); i.e., plan for measurable results. Project staff may be required to produce evidence of program performance through an examination of stated objectives during either a site visit by the Federal grantor agency and or grant reviews, which may involve peer review committees. It may be useful to devise a diagram of the program design. For example, draw a three-column block. Each column is headed by one of the parts (inputs, throughputs and outputs), and on the left (next to the first column) specific program features should be identified (i.e., implementation,
staffing, procurement, and systems development). In the grid, specify something about the program design, for example, assume the first column is labeled inputs and the first row is labeled staff. On the grid one might specify under inputs five nurses to operate a child care unit. The throughput might be to maintain charts, counsel the children, and set up a daily routine; outputs might be to discharge 25 healthy children per week. This type of procedure will help to conceptualize both the scope and detail of the project. Wherever possible, justify in the narrative the course of action taken. The most economical method should be used that does not compromise or sacrifice project quality. The financial expenses associated with performance of the project will later become points of negotiation with the Federal program staff. If everything is not carefully justified in writing in the proposal, after negotiation with the Federal grantor agencies, the approved project may resemble less of the original concept.
Carefully consider the pressures of the proposed implementation, that is, the time and money needed to acquire each part of the plan. A Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) chart could be useful and supportive in justifying some proposals. Highlight the innovative features of the proposal, which could be considered distinct from other proposals under consideration.
Whenever possible, use appendices to provide details, supplementary data, references, and information requiring in-depth analysis. These types of data, although supportive of the proposal, if included in the body of the design, could detract from its readability. Appendices provide the proposal reader with immediate access to details if and when clarification of an idea, sequence or conclusion is required. Time tables, work plans, schedules, activities, methodologies, legal papers, personal vitae, letters of support, and endorsements are examples of appendices.
Evaluation: Product and Process Analysis
The evaluation component is two-fold: (1) product evaluation; and (2) process evaluation. Product evaluation addresses results that can be attributed to the project, as well as the extent to which the project has satisfied its desired objectives. Process evaluation addresses how the project was conducted, in terms of consistency with the stated plan of action and the effectiveness of the various activities within the plan.
Most Federal agencies now require some form of program evaluation among grantees. The requirements of the proposed project should be explored carefully. Evaluations may be conducted by an internal staff member, an evaluation firm or both. The applicant should state the amount of time needed to evaluate, how the feedback will be distributed among the proposed staff, and a schedule for review and comment for this type of communication. Evaluation designs may start at the beginning, middle or end of a project, but the applicant should specify a start-up time. It is practical to submit an evaluation design at the start of a project for two reasons:
1. Convincing evaluations require the collection of appropriate data before and during program operations; and,
2. If the evaluation design cannot be prepared at the outset then a critical review of the program design may be advisable. Even if the evaluation design has to be revised as the project progresses, it is much easier and cheaper to modify a good design. If the problem is not well defined and carefully analyzed for cause and effect relationships then a good evaluation design may be difficult to achieve.
Sometimes a pilot study is needed to begin the identification of facts and relationships. Often a
thorough literature search may be sufficient.
Evaluation requires both coordination and agreement among program decision makers (if known). Above all, the Federal grantor agency's requirements should be highlighted in the evaluation design. Also, Federal grantor agencies may require specific evaluation techniques such as designated data formats (an existing information collection system) or they may offer financial inducements for voluntary participation in a national evaluation study. The applicant should ask specifically about these points. Also, consult the Criteria For Selecting Proposals section of the Catalog program description to determine the exact evaluation methods to be required for the program if funded.
Future Funding: Long-Term Project Planning
Describe a plan for continuation beyond the grant period, and/or the availability of other resources necessary to implement the grant. Discuss maintenance and future program funding if program is for construction activity. Account for other needed expenditures if program includes purchase of equipment.
The Proposal Budget: Planning the Budget
Funding levels in Federal assistance programs change yearly. It is useful to review the appropriations over the past several years to try to project future funding levels (see Financial Information section of the Catalog program description).
However, it is safer to never anticipate that the income from the grant will be the sole support for the project. This consideration should be given to the overall budget requirements, and in particular, to budget line items most subject to inflationary pressures. Restraint is important in determining inflationary cost projections (avoid padding budget line items), but attempt to anticipate possible future increases.
Some vulnerable budget areas are: utilities, rental of buildings and equipment, salary increases, food, telephones, insurance, and transportation. Budget adjustments are sometimes made after the grant award, but this can be a lengthy process. Be certain that implementation, continuation and phase-down costs can be met. Consider costs associated with leases, evaluation systems, hard/soft match requirements, audits, development, implementation and maintenance of information and accounting systems, and other long-term financial commitments.
A well-prepared budget justifies all expenses and is consistent with the proposal narrative. Some areas in need of an evaluation for consistency are: (1) the salaries in the proposal in relation to those of the applicant organization should be similar; (2) if new staff persons are being hired, additional space and equipment should be considered, as necessary; (3) if the budget calls for an equipment purchase, it should be the type allowed by the grantor agency; (4) if additional space is rented, the increase in insurance should be supported; (5) if an indirect cost rate applies to the proposal, the division between direct and indirect costs should not be in conflict, and the aggregate budget totals should refer directly to the approved formula; and (6) if matching costs are required, the contributions to the matching fund should be taken out of the budget unless otherwise specified in the application instructions.
It is very important to become familiar with Government-wide circular requirements. The Catalog identifies in the program description section (as information is provided from the agencies) the particular circulars applicable to a Federal program, and summarizes coordination of Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Programs" requirements in Appendix I. The applicant should thoroughly review the appropriate circulars since they are essential in determining items such as cost principles and conforming with Government guidelines for Federal domestic assistance.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Here's a great business idea for women and men!
It is estimated that 9 in 10 households are owed cash that sits unclaimed year after year . Unclaimed money owed to the public is now over 300 billion US dollars!
Every year millions of dollars become lost when companies, banks, and governmental agencies lose track of money they are holding due to mistakes in the spelling of names, addresses and account numbers.
All that money is lying with the government, federal reserves or corporations... waiting for the owner to claim it!!
Our current database lists millions of dollars in unclaimed money, property, accounts and assets that could belong to you. Or, set up a business that finds the owners and charge a percentage of what is being held by the government.
New Product coming that will revolutionize Affiliate Marketing
I know that you hear this all the time, but a new software product is in the works that will absolutely revolutionize internet marketing, and make things ten times easier for marketers. I can't reveal much about it right now, but stay tuned- there will be more info as it is released.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
The Glass Ceiling
“You’ve Come a Short Way
The expression “glass ceiling” first appeared several years ago in a column entitled “Corporate Women” in the Wall Street Journal. Since the mid to late eighties, the term has been applied to identify situations where women have bumped their heads in efforts to reach high-level positions. One source reports that the results of a Labor Department study prove that the “glass ceiling” prevents women from achieving promotions in management and leadership positions. Women’s “highest levels tend to be in staff positions, such as human resources, or research or administration, rather than line positions, such as marketing, or sales, or production” . Crampton finds that out of all management positions of modern organizations women hold only sixteen percent of them. Even worse, women reside in 4 percent of the highest-level positions in management and administration.
Even with the help of affirmative action, the glass ceiling still does not shatter. Affirmative action was developed in reaction to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Civil Rights Act declared that discrimination on the basis of race, religion, or sex was illegal. The President’s call for affirmative action acted as a catalyst for the Civil Rights Act. The Random House Dictionary defines affirmative action as “the encouragement of increased representation of women and minority members, especially in employment.” With the establishment of affirmative action women have gained advancements and prestige in the business world; however, the phenomenon known as the glass ceiling hinders women from achieving promotions to high-level positions in corporateAmerica America America
A catch-22 is established because most male board members once served as CEO’s, and that experience is sometimes an unestablished rule to becoming a board member. If few women can make it to the top, how will women ever make it on the boards? The women that are board members usually serve on more than one, or two boards; the statistics are unable to convey that the same few women make up that “modest percentage” . Kaufman relays that the Bureau of Labor estimates that in five years women will make up forty-eight percent of the American work force. Advocates for women’s progression in business occupations would hope that with the increase in working women, the number of women in CEO positions would also increase. Unfortunately, this view does not seem too promising. In Fortune magazine’s survey of America’s largest companies “only sixteen indicated that they thought it very likely or somewhat likely that their company would have a female CEO within the next ten years, while eighteen percent believed it was very likely within the next twenty years”. Several key factors hold fast the glass ceiling and prevent women from progression. Discrimination against women still plays a large part in enforcing the artificial barrier. Crampton reported that a recent study found that 79 percent of the CEO’s believed that “prejudice and stereotypes are among the most identifiable barriers to women’s advancements.” “Discrimination can occur in the form of organizational structure policies, informal networks, and cultures that are so male-dominated that they become barriers for women to rise in the organization”.
Women have been hoping for many years that discrimination will begin to disintegrate, which will allow for more penetration through the glass ceiling. Even though women cannot control the prejudices held by men, women can try to break and rid of the gender stereotypes. By disproving that not all women fit the stereotypes, career women may be able to aid their advancement to higher positions. “Females are often thought of as being dependent, passive, fragile, non aggressive, non competitive…women lack career commitment, ate not tough enough, don’t want to work long and unusual hours, are too emotional, won’t relocate, lack quantitive and analytical skills and have trouble making decisions”. Since men and women’s characteristics differ in certain aspects, the male-dominate business world believes that woman lack the “qualities that are considered beneficial to be effective managers, and traditionally masculine traits have a higher perceived value” . Women are not even given chances because of pre-established beliefs even when they may be more qualified and better educated than their male counterparts. This situation occurs more often than not, and companies create excuses that will appear legitimate. Catherine M. Daily informs that when Mr. Preston, the CEO of Avon, resigned, numerous top female executives within the company possessed the qualities and experiences to fill the vacancy. However, the board elected an outside director, Charles R. Perrin, to replacePreston . Even though discrimination and stereotypes essentially preserve the barriers, other factors contribute to their upholding. Another controlling factor that reinforces the glass ceiling is the lack of mentors. Women’s biological features, which men do not possess also hinders women from reaching high-level positions. “Women have to deal with the complexities of the dual role as working woman and mother”. Even though women almost make up half of the work force, they alone are still expected to carry out all of the household chores and duties. Most women leave work only to go home and run around, clean and cook. “Combining of a family and a career and the behavioral expectation placed on woman” at times seems impossible.
SO, when you YOU going to leave the rat race of the corporate world behind and start a home based business???
The expression “glass ceiling” first appeared several years ago in a column entitled “Corporate Women” in the Wall Street Journal. Since the mid to late eighties, the term has been applied to identify situations where women have bumped their heads in efforts to reach high-level positions. One source reports that the results of a Labor Department study prove that the “glass ceiling” prevents women from achieving promotions in management and leadership positions. Women’s “highest levels tend to be in staff positions, such as human resources, or research or administration, rather than line positions, such as marketing, or sales, or production” . Crampton finds that out of all management positions of modern organizations women hold only sixteen percent of them. Even worse, women reside in 4 percent of the highest-level positions in management and administration.
Even with the help of affirmative action, the glass ceiling still does not shatter. Affirmative action was developed in reaction to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Civil Rights Act declared that discrimination on the basis of race, religion, or sex was illegal. The President’s call for affirmative action acted as a catalyst for the Civil Rights Act. The Random House Dictionary defines affirmative action as “the encouragement of increased representation of women and minority members, especially in employment.” With the establishment of affirmative action women have gained advancements and prestige in the business world; however, the phenomenon known as the glass ceiling hinders women from achieving promotions to high-level positions in corporate
A catch-22 is established because most male board members once served as CEO’s, and that experience is sometimes an unestablished rule to becoming a board member. If few women can make it to the top, how will women ever make it on the boards? The women that are board members usually serve on more than one, or two boards; the statistics are unable to convey that the same few women make up that “modest percentage” . Kaufman relays that the Bureau of Labor estimates that in five years women will make up forty-eight percent of the American work force. Advocates for women’s progression in business occupations would hope that with the increase in working women, the number of women in CEO positions would also increase. Unfortunately, this view does not seem too promising. In Fortune magazine’s survey of America’s largest companies “only sixteen indicated that they thought it very likely or somewhat likely that their company would have a female CEO within the next ten years, while eighteen percent believed it was very likely within the next twenty years”. Several key factors hold fast the glass ceiling and prevent women from progression. Discrimination against women still plays a large part in enforcing the artificial barrier. Crampton reported that a recent study found that 79 percent of the CEO’s believed that “prejudice and stereotypes are among the most identifiable barriers to women’s advancements.” “Discrimination can occur in the form of organizational structure policies, informal networks, and cultures that are so male-dominated that they become barriers for women to rise in the organization”.
Women have been hoping for many years that discrimination will begin to disintegrate, which will allow for more penetration through the glass ceiling. Even though women cannot control the prejudices held by men, women can try to break and rid of the gender stereotypes. By disproving that not all women fit the stereotypes, career women may be able to aid their advancement to higher positions. “Females are often thought of as being dependent, passive, fragile, non aggressive, non competitive…women lack career commitment, ate not tough enough, don’t want to work long and unusual hours, are too emotional, won’t relocate, lack quantitive and analytical skills and have trouble making decisions”. Since men and women’s characteristics differ in certain aspects, the male-dominate business world believes that woman lack the “qualities that are considered beneficial to be effective managers, and traditionally masculine traits have a higher perceived value” . Women are not even given chances because of pre-established beliefs even when they may be more qualified and better educated than their male counterparts. This situation occurs more often than not, and companies create excuses that will appear legitimate. Catherine M. Daily informs that when Mr. Preston, the CEO of Avon, resigned, numerous top female executives within the company possessed the qualities and experiences to fill the vacancy. However, the board elected an outside director, Charles R. Perrin, to replace
SO, when you YOU going to leave the rat race of the corporate world behind and start a home based business???
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Women In The Labour Force
The past decades their has been a dramatic increase of women participating in the labour force from countries all over the world including Canada. In 1950, one Canadian worker in five was a woman. By 1980 this percentage had doubled, and women are expected to make up more than 44 percent of the labour force by the end of this century.
The increase in female participation started occurring during the 1970's. This increase also caused the largest baby boom that the Canadian female labour force had ever witnessed.
In North America it is common for women to have part-time or summer jobs, and the participation rate of teenage girls is high. It is also mostly high throughout the world in places as United Kingdom because of the fewer women going to school. But in places like France, Italy, and Japan the female participation rate is very low. In most of the countries the labour force is
most participated in the age groups between 20 and 24. The labour force of mature women is very high in Sweden, because of the encouraged day care facilities which also provides the
females with legislation that provides them with excellent benefits. In Japan there is a drop in female economic activity, the reason why is it affects their marriage and the care of their
only child.
An observation of labour force participation rates in Canada show that female rates rose a lot between 1971 and 1981, while the male rate rose unnoticeably. The increase in the female
participation rate was found in all age groups except in older women. For women aged 15 to 19 the rate was as almost as high as the men. But the largest increase was in the age group of 25-44 years old, where the rate rose almost 50 percent. This meant that the participation rates of the females had become more similar to mens'.
Family status also influenced the female participation rate but later on during 1981 it had a more less affect than in 1971. According to statistics just over one quarter of married women
with young children were working, but this later changed and grew by 76 percent over the a 10 year period of time. The rate also showed an increase of 47 percent for widowed, divorced, and
separated women with children. However single women with young children showed a slight decrease. However the female participation rate is not so much related to family status as
today as it was many years ago.
During the period of 1971 through 1981 the involvement of married women went through a major change. Fewer women saw marriage as a reason to interrupt their participation in the job
force, and couple tended to postpone having children or not having any at all. While women with young children tended to participate less in the labour market and quit their jobs more
frequently than men. Females did the exact opposite of what men did when they had children while working, and in some cases were actually more stable than men without children. This showed that the couples attitude towards having children influenced a decrease in the female labour force participation rate.
In 1981 most women spent an average of 1,247 hours a year working, compared with 1,431 hours in 1971 which had dropped about 15 percent. Even men saw their average hours decrease by 13 percent. Not only more women were working, more were working
part-time for only part of the year which meant more women on the unemployment rolls. In the 1960's the unemployment rate for females was 3 percent and ten years later increased to 7 percent.
Since june 1982 the unemployment rate for men was 11-13 percent and the women's just above that rate which could also exceed that of the men near the end of the century. Only about 11 percent of women had part-time jobs because they couldn't find full-time employment or because they wished to spend more time to their education or their families, or for other reasons. Although 24 percent of the women working part-time would have preferred a full-time job if it had been available.
According to the Statistics Canada study, in 1970 women were extremely poorly paid which showed a big earnings difference than the men. This started changing in the 1970's which rose the females earning to 51.2 percent of that of a man. Ten years later it had reached 54.4 percent. If it wasn't for the decrease in annual hours for the females the earnings difference would have been reduced even further. By 1980 the females earnings had risen to 72 percent of that of a man.
The female labour force would be incomplete without equal pay for equal or equivalent work. This issue was the most important issue to women in low-paid jobs. If the principal of
equal pay for equal work were fully applied, men and women would
both receive the same hourly wage which would raise female earnings dramatically. The issue of equal pay for equal work most often comes up in discussion to improve the economic status
of the women at the bottom of the payroll, many of them who arenot in unions.
When women first started entering the labour force they were hassled by the males because the males were used to traditional roles, with women working in the house and taking care of the family. This was the reason for their low wages, to discourage women working. This
tradition reflected their wages and the positions people were willing to offer to women. Working women experience problems such as sexual harassment and being fired because of pregnancy.
Most of the people want to correct the unequal treatment of women in the work force and make it equal for everyone. Some of the methods which can be used to support equality is to introduce a federal legislation to guarantee equal pay for equal work. To also set wages according to the value of the work done by the employer.
But, the best way for WOMEN TO EARN WHAT THEY ARE WORTH is to START A HOME-BASED BUSINESS!!!
Monday, November 20, 2006
Telecommuting
Telecommuting is a very interesting and complex subject. The pros and cons of this concept are numerous and both sides have excellent arguments. In the research I've done I feel I have to argue both sides to maintain a sense of perspective. I had mixed feelings about telecommuting before I started this research and I find that this is something many others have in common with me.
The reasons for and against telecommuting can be complex or simple depending on which view point you take. From a manager's view point telecommuting is a very dangerous undertaking that requires a high readiness level on the employee's part. Allowing an employee with a low (R1, or R2) readiness level to telecommute is not likely to result in a positive manner. When an employee has a high readiness level and a definite desire to attempt working in the home, for some reason or another, many factors should be considered. What kind of schedule does the employee feel constitutes telecommuting? Generally speaking, telecommuting is defined as spending at least one day out of a five day work week working in the home. Is one day home enough for the employee? Or, too little? How does the employer decide how many days to allow? Does the employee's job lend itself well to telecommuting? Some jobs, obviously, can't be accomplished using a telecommuting format. Does the employee have a good track record for working unsupervised? This relates back to readiness levels. An employee who isn't performing at a high readiness level should not even be considered as a candidate for telecommuting. All of these questions and many more must be answered on a case by case basis.
This particular venture into creative scheduling has its ups and downs as well from an employee's point of view. It can be quite a bed of roses for both employee and employer. A lot of nice smells and pretty sights, but watch out for the thorns. In several studies I reviewed I noticed that the telecommuting population loses many of the basics of the social contacts associated with the office environment. Judging the correct amount of time that an employee should spend working at home in relation to working at the office can have a significant impact on both performance and satisfaction. It's usually hard for someone to completely cut themselves off from their work environment and still perform well. The sense of being out of touch with the others in the work force can be mitigated by the use of e-mail, teleconferencing, and the ever faithful telephone. These devices, in a best case scenario, can completely substitute for face to face interaction. That's a strong statement and I would like to explain a few conditions. The best case scenario assumes an individual is at a very high readiness level and has very little perceived need for social interaction with the other office employees. In a worst case scenario an employee can lose touch with the pulse of the office, lose motivation, and their readiness level could drop. This type of scenario is likely to get out of hand if the employee is never in the office to receive the appropriate feedback.
It sounds as if I'm not really impressed with telecommuting but that's not true. Let's look at a few of the really solid benefits for the employer. The employer can offer telecommuting as an option for prospective employees to improve recruitment. The current employees could be offered it to keep them around. Saving one employee could save the company a large amount of money. "Most employers don't keep accurate records of the costs of losing good employees and finding and retraining replacements, but there have been estimates ranging from $30,000 to over $100,000 to replace a professional." The ever present crunch for space could drive a company to reduce the amount of office space it requires. Telecommuting makes the employee provide his own office space. It's been shown that telecommuting does increase productivity with typical increases in the 15 to 25 percent range. These gains may come from the significantly less time a person spends at the company water cooler. A company can improve customer service by making use of telecommuters. It would cost much less to have a few people answering phones at home at 3 o'clock in the morning than running a skeleton crew in a heated/air-conditioned, lighted, and such office building.
So what's in it for the employee? That depends mostly on which particular employee we are referring too. Telecommuting allows someone with a physical handicap that could not actually commute to the workplace to still function as a valuable employee. It would allow someone who has small children and feels a great need to be home for them to still work and have a career. The distance an employee must travel daily to work is a factor that can induce great amounts of frustration and expense into their lives. Telecommuting can alleviate this stress. Job satisfaction can be enhanced by allowing greater freedom and bestowing greater responsibility. Employees should be aware of some of the pitfalls of telecommuting as well as the benefits. It is estimated that telecommuters earn less overall then office workers.
As a general rule a professional telecommuter will earn approximately 91% of the wage of an office working professional and clerical workers.
All of these considerations must factor into a decision by a company to implement a telecommuting program. Many factors must be taken into account and clear organizational goals must be stated. It is vitally important for the management to support the program and for a great degree of trust to exist between employer and employee. Implementation of a pilot program can take years and involve many aspects of the company as a whole.
On the whole, I am impressed with the possibilities that telecommuting presents and daunted by the problems that can crop up. I feel that a well thought out, carefully planned, and conscientiously applied program can benefit most companies in most situations. I don't feel that telecommuting is for every company but it could certainly benefit many.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
7 Surefire Ways To Increase Your Traffic Starting Yesterday
http://www.workfromhomewealth.net
Internet. Business. Profit. To fully integrate all of these words into a successful merging you will need another word. Traffic. Every article you will find about making your site or company successful would always include the importance of generating traffic.
So, we all know that in the core of it all, traffic is the most essential thing to a successful internet based business company. Aside from ensuring that you have a great product to sell, and you have your company’s internal organization well taken core of, it would be time to get to the nitty gritty of things, generating traffic.
If you already have a site and you want think that you're not getting the traffic that you're supposed to be getting, then its time to reconsider. If you are contending in these very competitive business, you should always be a step ahead of your competition, increasing your traffic flow should have been done starting yesterday.
Timing is essential, that’s an old adage known to everyone. But with generating traffic, you should always be on your toes and be a day ahead of everyone. Never think of today and tomorrow as a starting point for making your site traffic laden, it should always have been yesterday.
To help you out in generating more traffic for your site, here are some seven surefire ways to increase your traffic starting from yesterday.
1) Invest in good advertising with search engines
Google’s Adwords and Yahoo’s Overture provide great advertising schemes that are very truly popular and assures great traffic. Although with this surefire way to increase your traffic would cost some money. While some would shy away from spending money to increase traffic, it is imperative in this case to do so because Adwords and Overture is the top surefire way to increase your traffic.
You could see for yourself the success this search engine advertising methods have reaped rewards for so many companies. Lots of site feature these advertising system and many have signed on to reap the benefits. Do not be left behind. Every penny is worth it with using Google and Yahoo’s advertising.
2) Exchange or Trade Links with other sites
With exchanging links with other sites, both of you will benefit from the efforts both of you do to enhance your sites traffic. When one site features another sites link, they could provide one another with the traffic one site generates. The efforts are doubly beneficial because it would seem like both of you are working to generate more traffic. The more links traded with more sites the more traffic could be expected.
3) Use Viral Marketing
Viral marketing allows you to spread the word about your company and product without any costs or if ever low costs only. This is a marketing method that can be quite sneaky; you can attach your company’s name, product or link to a certain media such as a funny video, entertaining game, an interesting article or a gossip or buzz. With this method, people get infected with the creativity and entertainment of the medium that they will pass it on to many people.
4) Search and use proper keywords or keyword phrases for your sites content
Search engines look for certain keywords that they would show in their results page. In doing so, having the right keyword and keyword phrase is a high requirement in ranking in high in search engine results. You could write your own content or you could hire someone to do it for you.
5) Write Articles that can lead traffic to your site
Submit articles to sites that would contain the same subject that your site deals in. If you sell car parts write press releases and articles about cars and car parts. Attach your sites description and services at the end of the article as well as the link.
6) Join forums and form online communities
Capture a market and show your expertise and credibility. When you found a good foundation for your site, people will trust you and your site and will pass on to many people their trust. Traffic will certainly increase because they know that you can provide what they need.
7) Lastly, Offer newsletters.
If many people know what you are about and your existence is shared with many others, you will find a loyal traffic that can provide you with more traffic by recommendation. If you arouse the curiosity of your customers they would be pushed to help you with your traffic. Please visit my site for more information:
http://www.workfromhomewealth.net
Internet. Business. Profit. To fully integrate all of these words into a successful merging you will need another word. Traffic. Every article you will find about making your site or company successful would always include the importance of generating traffic.
So, we all know that in the core of it all, traffic is the most essential thing to a successful internet based business company. Aside from ensuring that you have a great product to sell, and you have your company’s internal organization well taken core of, it would be time to get to the nitty gritty of things, generating traffic.
If you already have a site and you want think that you're not getting the traffic that you're supposed to be getting, then its time to reconsider. If you are contending in these very competitive business, you should always be a step ahead of your competition, increasing your traffic flow should have been done starting yesterday.
Timing is essential, that’s an old adage known to everyone. But with generating traffic, you should always be on your toes and be a day ahead of everyone. Never think of today and tomorrow as a starting point for making your site traffic laden, it should always have been yesterday.
To help you out in generating more traffic for your site, here are some seven surefire ways to increase your traffic starting from yesterday.
1) Invest in good advertising with search engines
Google’s Adwords and Yahoo’s Overture provide great advertising schemes that are very truly popular and assures great traffic. Although with this surefire way to increase your traffic would cost some money. While some would shy away from spending money to increase traffic, it is imperative in this case to do so because Adwords and Overture is the top surefire way to increase your traffic.
You could see for yourself the success this search engine advertising methods have reaped rewards for so many companies. Lots of site feature these advertising system and many have signed on to reap the benefits. Do not be left behind. Every penny is worth it with using Google and Yahoo’s advertising.
2) Exchange or Trade Links with other sites
With exchanging links with other sites, both of you will benefit from the efforts both of you do to enhance your sites traffic. When one site features another sites link, they could provide one another with the traffic one site generates. The efforts are doubly beneficial because it would seem like both of you are working to generate more traffic. The more links traded with more sites the more traffic could be expected.
3) Use Viral Marketing
Viral marketing allows you to spread the word about your company and product without any costs or if ever low costs only. This is a marketing method that can be quite sneaky; you can attach your company’s name, product or link to a certain media such as a funny video, entertaining game, an interesting article or a gossip or buzz. With this method, people get infected with the creativity and entertainment of the medium that they will pass it on to many people.
4) Search and use proper keywords or keyword phrases for your sites content
Search engines look for certain keywords that they would show in their results page. In doing so, having the right keyword and keyword phrase is a high requirement in ranking in high in search engine results. You could write your own content or you could hire someone to do it for you.
5) Write Articles that can lead traffic to your site
Submit articles to sites that would contain the same subject that your site deals in. If you sell car parts write press releases and articles about cars and car parts. Attach your sites description and services at the end of the article as well as the link.
6) Join forums and form online communities
Capture a market and show your expertise and credibility. When you found a good foundation for your site, people will trust you and your site and will pass on to many people their trust. Traffic will certainly increase because they know that you can provide what they need.
7) Lastly, Offer newsletters.
If many people know what you are about and your existence is shared with many others, you will find a loyal traffic that can provide you with more traffic by recommendation. If you arouse the curiosity of your customers they would be pushed to help you with your traffic. Please visit my site for more information:
http://www.workfromhomewealth.net
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Work at home moms
Work at home moms face distinctive obstacles different from other work at home professionals. As a parent, a mother has to be there for her children, but as a business owner, she also has to be there for her company. There are five major stumbling blocks to success in a home based business. Once work at home moms recognize what those roadblocks are, they can overcome them and find success and balance in their home based businesses.
Roadblock #1: Unrealistic Goals - First, it is important to know that goals are good. Work at home moms need to have goals so that they can keep their focus on their work. Yet, those goals need to be reasonable. In a super-size world, you may think that your goals have to be over-the-top and something big, but in fact those unrealistic expectations will do you a disservice. Make sure your goals are well within reach so that you can feel the satisfaction of reaching them. Reaching for the stars is fine as long as you set goals that take you step-by-step along the way.
Roadblock #2: Time Management - When you started your home based business you probably thought you could handle the business aspect during your “free” time, but many work at home moms find it difficult to find that “free” time. Maybe it is time to start looking at new ways to take care of household chores. Can your spouse or your children take care of some of your tasks? Maybe you should try to find better ways to organize laundry or learn to cook in bulk to save time on dinner each night. Look at the small things to find ways to cut time here and there so that you can manage your time better.
Roadblock #3: Cooperation - You may want to have your own business, but does your family want it, too? One of the biggest challenges that work at home moms face is the unsupportive family. Sometimes the support is there at first, and then family members feel left out or neglected. Start by getting your priorities in order. Are you spending too much time at work and not on “family” things? Make sure you have a good balance in your life. Treat your spouse and your children with some of your profits. Include them in your business decisions. If you put in the effort, the support will eventually follow.
Roadblock #4: Procrastination - Our lives are filled with missed opportunities. If you think back you can probably come up with a list of “should have” or “could have” things. Sometimes we think we are too busy or not good enough to do something, but instead of putting those dreams aside, why not try them out? Start making a list of the things you dream about doing and start doing them.
Roadblock #5: Fear - Fear is the biggest roadblock on the way to success. There are all kinds of fear. You can be afraid of the unknown, fear rejection, or even failure. A lot of time fear keeps work at home moms from trying new things or doing what needs to be done. The successful entrepreneur identifies and embraces the fear. Fear is okay. It is natural. Yet letting the fear control you will keep you from being successful at your endeavors. Once you know your fear, confront it. Put one step in front of the other, and you will find that, even if your fear comes true, you are a better person for putting yourself forward. Then the next time you are faced with that fear, you will know how to push beyond the emotion.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Why work from home?
- Gas prices- need we say more?
- Spend more time with family
I remember when I worked for a large media corporation. I was in training for my job. My son was leaving for college, over 1200 miles away. I was told by my boss that if I missed any of the training to see my son off at the train station, I would be terminated. So, a family friend saw my son off, and I remained at work. Even though we said our goodbyes that morning, I missed this important milestone.
- Save money on daycare, work clothes, restaurant lunches, road tolls, car maintenance and repairs
As a young mother working for the State of
- Less hectic pace of life- relax more, enjoy life and live longer!
The average commute to work is about 45 minutes. Add the lunch hour to this, and you are devoting over 10 hours a day to your job. Then you come home, and the housework, meal preparation, childcare, etc. awaits you. You fall into bed exhausted after your 16 hour day, only to get up and do it all over again the following day.
- No more office politics! No more bosses/co-workers from HELL!
This could be a book in itself. Most of us have experienced the “water cooler gossip”, the building “snoop”, and the warped personalities that become even more twisted once they get a little power in their hands. I had a supervisor who, among other things, thought it funny to call the utility company and impersonate her employees, and have the electricity turned off for the weekend. She had access to dates of birth, residence addresses, and social security numbers, and gave a good story to the clerks at the utility company about how she “left my bill at home, but I know my Social Security number”. When I was injured on the job in her car, she sent the police and the driver who hit us away. I ended up suing, as I had a hospital bill and permanent injuries- took me four years and cost me my house, but I prevailed.
- YOU reap the rewards for your hard work, not somebody else or some greedy corporation!
Back in 1989, I read about a man who was a payments worker for an Adult Assistance Payments unit, which provided payments to Nursing Homes, came up with a wonderful idea, which saved the state of Florida tens of thousands of dollars, if not more, every month. His idea was to pro-rate the payment of the assistance grant based on the date that the elderly person entered the nursing home. Before this, the state was giving a full month’s grant payment to the homes, even though the resident would not enter until later in the month-in essence, paying the nursing home for nothing. The worker’s praises were sung in the employee newsletter- what a brilliant idea, and how much money this would save the taxpayers. In the corporate world, this man probably would have been given a raise and a bonus. What was his reward for his idea? A PLAQUE and a TEE-SHIRT! Try and take THOSE to the bank!
- No more RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC nightmares!
This fits in with the stress category. I remember my two hour (at least) commute into
- Benefit from tax breaks for having a working office in your home.
Check with your tax preparer or the IRS about the details, but if you use part of your home as your workplace, part of your home’s expenses (mortgage or rent, taxes, insurance, and utilities, phone and internet) are tax-deductible. Any business equipment that you purchase, such as computers, copy machines, and fax machines are also deductible.
For more information on how to get started in a home-based business, please visit my website: http://www.workfromhomewealth.net/ .
Home-Based Web Businesses
One of the most popular Internet myths claim that building an online store is easy: All the customer has to do is point, click, and buy. But in reality, successful e-commerce is far more complex and unlike any other web site project you have tackled in the past. Before that first cyber buck finds its way into your bank account, you need to do considerable research and planning.
To get started you can begin thinking about all the issues that need to be addressed before you can even put together a successful online business plan. You can now imagine a real company that suddenly decides to regard the “welcome” announcement of e-commerce. Say you’re working for the Ford Motor Company, the nation’s leading supplier of heavy-duty trucks. Your CEO is catching up on the past several months of business journals and when the spark plugs start firing. Those screaming headlines cannot be ignored: “Consumer E-Commerce Will Jump To 26 Billion By 2002” and “U.S. Online Business Trade Will Soar to 1.3 Trillion By 2003”. Most importantly, Chevy has rumored to begin its own e-business plan.
So the big wig meets with the board of directors, and after an agonizing long deliberation, you are told that they want www.ford.com open in six weeks. Plenty of time they insist. After all there are millions of schmucks out there building award winning web sites and making a plethora of cash to pay for college. Immediately go register the domain name ford.com for the company and then make your plan. Planning ahead for the unexpected gotchas of e-commerce that can hit you unexpectedly. Planning ahead will not only save you redevelopment time down the road, but it will also help you make educated decisions as you choose the right e-business solution for your company.
Before your can select the right setup for your e-business, you must determine exactly what you need to be competitive online. Most likely you will need some software to help you manage your products, your promotions, your customers, and their orders. You may also need some additional programs to handle the tax, shipping, and payment processing of your orders. 2 of 3 A number of off the shelf solutions have grown over the past few years that give you these core features and allow you to plug-in other software modules to handle the complexities of taxation, the varieties of shipping options, and all the popular forms of payment. Solutions like Intershop’s ePages, iCat’s Lemonade Stand, or Yahoo’s Stores provide pre-fabricated storefronts that are ready. Just pick a design and fill in your products and you are ready for business. Other applications, like Intershop 3.0 and iCat Professional, allow you to change the pre-made storefronts to your own personal look and feel. These programs also allow you to extend the html setups to even more alter the features and behaviors of the storefront. The above solutions rely on other e-commerce software from CyberCash or OpenMarket for payment processing, Taxware for tax calculations, and Tandata for up to date shipping information.
As soon as you are building your plans you should construct a requirements document. At this point it is a good time to get the attention of all the corporate departments involved. That way everyone’s input is in at the beginning, instead of too late. All ideas and potential conflicts are confronted early. It is hard to know which technology solution is good for you, until you have a detailed list of requirements that you can compare the solutions against. Therefore, you can choose an e-commerce platform that will deliver your goals to the online customers. You should also take the chance to plan for where the company is going to be in 2, 5, and 10 years. If you set your solution up correctly now, when your company grows and expands its range for service, you can simply add to the original foundation and not throw out your work. More specifically your plan should answer the questions of how the products will be presented. The organization of how you would expect your customers to shop online, pretty cautiously when looking to order an automobile. The cars may be searched for through keywords or features.
The first version of the project concentrates on building up the company’s online customer base from the promotion of the unique service. Then once a minimum monthly order volume is sustained, the company will commit to putting resources toward automating the back office and fulfillment systems. Until then the current employee’s will just key in the orders. Requirements Document Displaying products: You will want the customers to tell us what kind of vehicle they are looking for and you can tell them what you have to fit their needs. You will need a tool that can make changes to the product you offer in real time. Order and transaction processing: At this point the Internet is not reliable enough to take this high of priced orders safely so consumers will only be able to compare features and make requests online. Attracting customers: Banner ads, registering with search engines, and sending direct email to get qualified customers to the site. Then you can figure out which tactic effectively brings the most customers and invest in the one that makes the most sense. Fulfillment and customer service Orders that arrive on the server need to be relayed to the fulfillment center quickly so that you can pick, pack and ship the product before the fed ex truck leaves the dock at 5:00pm. Also let customers know the status of their orders so they don’t need to call the company. Software and hosting: A third party host may be a wise choice, as you don’t want to stay with the orders around the clock. Individuals trying to make an easy fortune on web business CLICK HERE!!
To get started you can begin thinking about all the issues that need to be addressed before you can even put together a successful online business plan. You can now imagine a real company that suddenly decides to regard the “welcome” announcement of e-commerce. Say you’re working for the Ford Motor Company, the nation’s leading supplier of heavy-duty trucks. Your CEO is catching up on the past several months of business journals and when the spark plugs start firing. Those screaming headlines cannot be ignored: “Consumer E-Commerce Will Jump To 26 Billion By 2002” and “U.S. Online Business Trade Will Soar to 1.3 Trillion By 2003”. Most importantly, Chevy has rumored to begin its own e-business plan.
So the big wig meets with the board of directors, and after an agonizing long deliberation, you are told that they want www.ford.com open in six weeks. Plenty of time they insist. After all there are millions of schmucks out there building award winning web sites and making a plethora of cash to pay for college. Immediately go register the domain name ford.com for the company and then make your plan. Planning ahead for the unexpected gotchas of e-commerce that can hit you unexpectedly. Planning ahead will not only save you redevelopment time down the road, but it will also help you make educated decisions as you choose the right e-business solution for your company.
Before your can select the right setup for your e-business, you must determine exactly what you need to be competitive online. Most likely you will need some software to help you manage your products, your promotions, your customers, and their orders. You may also need some additional programs to handle the tax, shipping, and payment processing of your orders. 2 of 3 A number of off the shelf solutions have grown over the past few years that give you these core features and allow you to plug-in other software modules to handle the complexities of taxation, the varieties of shipping options, and all the popular forms of payment. Solutions like Intershop’s ePages, iCat’s Lemonade Stand, or Yahoo’s Stores provide pre-fabricated storefronts that are ready. Just pick a design and fill in your products and you are ready for business. Other applications, like Intershop 3.0 and iCat Professional, allow you to change the pre-made storefronts to your own personal look and feel. These programs also allow you to extend the html setups to even more alter the features and behaviors of the storefront. The above solutions rely on other e-commerce software from CyberCash or OpenMarket for payment processing, Taxware for tax calculations, and Tandata for up to date shipping information.
As soon as you are building your plans you should construct a requirements document. At this point it is a good time to get the attention of all the corporate departments involved. That way everyone’s input is in at the beginning, instead of too late. All ideas and potential conflicts are confronted early. It is hard to know which technology solution is good for you, until you have a detailed list of requirements that you can compare the solutions against. Therefore, you can choose an e-commerce platform that will deliver your goals to the online customers. You should also take the chance to plan for where the company is going to be in 2, 5, and 10 years. If you set your solution up correctly now, when your company grows and expands its range for service, you can simply add to the original foundation and not throw out your work. More specifically your plan should answer the questions of how the products will be presented. The organization of how you would expect your customers to shop online, pretty cautiously when looking to order an automobile. The cars may be searched for through keywords or features.
The first version of the project concentrates on building up the company’s online customer base from the promotion of the unique service. Then once a minimum monthly order volume is sustained, the company will commit to putting resources toward automating the back office and fulfillment systems. Until then the current employee’s will just key in the orders. Requirements Document Displaying products: You will want the customers to tell us what kind of vehicle they are looking for and you can tell them what you have to fit their needs. You will need a tool that can make changes to the product you offer in real time. Order and transaction processing: At this point the Internet is not reliable enough to take this high of priced orders safely so consumers will only be able to compare features and make requests online. Attracting customers: Banner ads, registering with search engines, and sending direct email to get qualified customers to the site. Then you can figure out which tactic effectively brings the most customers and invest in the one that makes the most sense. Fulfillment and customer service Orders that arrive on the server need to be relayed to the fulfillment center quickly so that you can pick, pack and ship the product before the fed ex truck leaves the dock at 5:00pm. Also let customers know the status of their orders so they don’t need to call the company. Software and hosting: A third party host may be a wise choice, as you don’t want to stay with the orders around the clock. Individuals trying to make an easy fortune on web business CLICK HERE!!
Job Hunting SUCKS!!!!
Yes, many of you are now job hunting in the "brick and mortar world". I have been doing it too, as the real estate market that has enabled me to earn a comfortable living for the last three years has slowed to almost the point of inertia. I had a promise of a job, part-time, doing computer work with a private company at one of the local hospitals. I thought "How perfect! I'll have time for my web sites and product creation and promotion.
After I passed the drug test, I was told that there was no job- that the employment agency had "assumed" the employer would need someone else after the person who had been doing the job got hired by the hospital. No, the woman had tow people helping her and did not need anybody else, after all the work and expense the agency put into screening and testing me (and four other candidates), advertising the job opening, etc. I'd had a paranoid feeling about this for the last few days, anyway, so I was numb when I was told the bad news.
The leson to be learned form this is to have a business of your own that you control. Find a niche, a need, that is not being fulfilled, or is only being fulfilled in a half-assed way. You find that unique niche and fill it like nobody else can! For more information, please visit my site http://www.workfromhomewealth.net .
Affiliate Project X- What a LOUSY...
...name for an e-book. I mean, COME ON! Affiliate Project X? Brand X is not a good brand. Also reminds me of that creepy show the X files that my roommate back in the day religiously watched! UGH!! The lead-in to Affiliate Project X sounded like the same hype that you see all over the internet:
“Proven, fool-proof method”
“Live the lifestyle that you want”
“Make as much as $1,000 per day as an affiliate”
Yada, yada, yada, as Jerry Seinfeld and friends would say!
But, the sales pitch sounded convincing and sincere. I'm a newbie to affiliate and online marketing, and I am involved in the EZ Niche project. It's been a good way to start, but I wanted to go beyond and learn more.
Looking for something more advanced, with some real substance and not a lot of fluff, I bought the Affiliate Project X e-book. It has been a good purchase, so far. The material presented is so concentrated, you need to read this information over and over again to fully digest it. I'm still "digesting" the information, but it has already helped my stalled Clickbank sales get back on track from zeroes over the past two weeks to numbers in the plus column. There are several little-known handy tools given by the author, including a link to a site that allows you to analyze Clickbank product trends, spot new up and coming products before everybody in the whole world starts promoting them, and see if a product is a winner or a loser. As I use more of the information, the upward trend should continue.
I have a banner for Affiliate Project X on my web site: http://www.workfromhomewealth.net . If you will click on the banner on my site, you will buy it through my link. After you have made your purchase, you can email me dottye789@earthlink.net, and let me know that you want these THREE free gifts:
1. Mastery of Self for WEALTH, POWER AND SUCCESS
2. Science of Getting Rich
3.The Art of Money Getting
To our SUCCESS!!
“Proven, fool-proof method”
“Live the lifestyle that you want”
“Make as much as $1,000 per day as an affiliate”
Yada, yada, yada, as Jerry Seinfeld and friends would say!
But, the sales pitch sounded convincing and sincere. I'm a newbie to affiliate and online marketing, and I am involved in the EZ Niche project. It's been a good way to start, but I wanted to go beyond and learn more.
Looking for something more advanced, with some real substance and not a lot of fluff, I bought the Affiliate Project X e-book. It has been a good purchase, so far. The material presented is so concentrated, you need to read this information over and over again to fully digest it. I'm still "digesting" the information, but it has already helped my stalled Clickbank sales get back on track from zeroes over the past two weeks to numbers in the plus column. There are several little-known handy tools given by the author, including a link to a site that allows you to analyze Clickbank product trends, spot new up and coming products before everybody in the whole world starts promoting them, and see if a product is a winner or a loser. As I use more of the information, the upward trend should continue.
I have a banner for Affiliate Project X on my web site: http://www.workfromhomewealth.net . If you will click on the banner on my site, you will buy it through my link. After you have made your purchase, you can email me dottye789@earthlink.net, and let me know that you want these THREE free gifts:
1. Mastery of Self for WEALTH, POWER AND SUCCESS
2. Science of Getting Rich
3.The Art of Money Getting
To our SUCCESS!!
Welcome to my blog for Women Biz-Owners!
Men, you can come in and visit, but this is a place reserved for women who want to start, are starting, or who already have a home-based business of some kind, both web-based and brick and mortar.
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