What's the difference between successful businesses and struggling businesses?

Have you ever noticed how some businesses seem to do extremely well, and go from strength to strength, whilst the majority just seem to muddle along?Since starting my own business I've met many small business owners and what I've noticed is that the vast majority of them seem to just about get by, but few reach the level of success that they're actually capable of. Some of them end up failing altogether, some lurch from project to project, and some do OK, but never really achieve the success or lifestyle they envisioned when they started their business.On the other hand, I know a handful of extremely successful service business owners, who are making high 6 and 7 figure incomes every year (and rising) - and yet they don't work longer hours, their products and services are not magnitudes better than their competitors and they aren't geniuses!So what is the difference between the successful businesses and the struggling businesses?In a word: MarketingWhilst there can be other factors that affect the ability of a business or practice to be successful, such as the economy, trends, cashflow and product/service quality or innovation, the number one difference between successful high-flying businesses and their struggling counterparts is good marketing.Here is the lament of one survey respondent which is typical of the angst felt by service business owners who know they do a good job, but who don't understand why they don't have a queue of clients at their door:"We know our products and services are good - we get great feedback from those clients we've worked with - but we still have trouble getting potential customers to buy in. Our services offer real benefits to clients but we are not as successful as we should be when we see what other companies offer (not as much) and yet are still very successful."If you offer a quality service or product that produces great results for your customers or clients, and yet you're still struggling to get all the clients that you want or need, or to charge the fees you deserve, you probably have a marketing problem.What do highly successful business owners do that others do not?The first thing that they do is to realise that their primary objective is to build their practice or client base. In the words of Michael Gerber (who wrote The E-myth) they "work ON their businesses, not IN their businesses". What this involves is making the time to work on the business - in particular on marketing and product or service development, rather than spending all of their time handling clients, delivering services and dealing with administration.They also look for areas where they can gain "leverage". Simply put, this means gaining maximum return for every hour they work. Instead of trading hours for pounds or dollars, they find ways to do the work once and get paid for it many times. They find ways to market their services one to many, instead of one to one (thus reducing marketing and sales effort and time). They delegate those activities which take up a lot of time (but which don't add much value in terms of moving the business forward) or which they are not skilled in such as admin, accounting, website maintenance and copywriting.They also develop a success mindset, understand their strengths and weaknesses, take risks, innovate, hang out with other successful people and build a support network around themselves.But above all, they learn how to market their businesses and create a marketing system that keeps a steady stream of prospects knocking at the door, without taking up all of their time!

What’s the Difference of Trading Mini Lots Vs. Full-sized Lots in Forex.

In Forex trading there is something called, a Mini Account, and it uses a different leverage calculation than a regular (100k) account. This is, instead of trading full-size currency lots (100,000 units), you'll trade in lots that are just 1/10 the size (10,000 currency units), which in turn greatly reduces your risk. Pips in a Mini Account are worth, on average, $1 instead of the $8 to $10 value they have in a regular account. The Mini Forex account offers up to 200:1 leverage, this means that just a $50 margin deposit will allow you to trade lots worth roughly $10,000 , but the smaller lot sizes, with correspondingly smaller pip values, means that you'll be assuming less total risk. For example, while a 20-pip loss on a 100,000 USD/JPY position would be $200, the same loss on a 10,000 USD/JPY position in a Mini account would amount to $20. Here you have an overview of leverage (Margin, Account Size) on each of the two accounts discussed above: 100K (Regular Full-sized Account) - Minimum required account deposit = $2,000 - Recommended required account deposit = $5,000 to $10,000 - Traded in 100,000-unit currency lots - Default Margin: set at 1% ($1,000 per lot) - Leverage = 100:1 or 50:1 (if margin is set at 2%) Mini Account - Minimum required account deposit = $300 - Recommended required account deposit = $2,000 - Traded in 10,000-unit currency lots - Default Margin: set at 0.5% ($50 per mini-lot) - Leverage = 200:1 There is no downside to trading a mini account , you will be still enjoying all the benefits that full-size FX account holders enjoy; including, same state-of-the art trading software, charts, resources, and tools, etc. This mini accounts are ideal for a new Forex trader to develop a disciplined, rational forex trading strategy without excessively focusing on profits and losses. Also there is no maximum trade volume when you use a mini account. Although the standard trade size is 10,000 units, you are not limited to trading one lot. For instance, you can trade 10,000 units, 50,000 units or 200,000 units. This means as you become more seasoned and build up confidence you can slowly increase the size of your positions to maximize profits. In fact the trade size of 10,000 units allows for more flexibility in terms of customizing the size of your trade. The ability to customize the size of the trade allows you to have a better risk management. With less capital at risk in a Mini FX account, it is easier for you to develop a disciplined trading methodology, as well as the confidence needed to be a successful currency trader, without the anxiety and distractions that come with large Profit and Lose swings.

Which Type of Ebayer Are You?

I think that describes most of us to an extent. You see, I um-and-ah... and generally delay on making decisions. Right now, for example, I'm umming-and-ahhing about finalising my grocery list. And I really need to get out and tidy the back yard…. But I find myself procrastinating once again. There's always an excuse. Now, I have to admit: this 'procrastination problem' is nowhere near as bad as it used to be, but it's still not right. You see, I've learnt that the less I procrastinate, the more gets done, and the better I do. What does this have to do with eBay? I'm getting there. Let me hazard a guess: if you're reading this, I'm betting you've procrastinated on one, two or more of the ideas... and that's bad. Very bad! Because even if you'd tried something, that 'something' would have given you some feedback - even if it was only 'failure' feedback, which can be very useful in itself. But before you decide to do anything on eBay - even before you decide to procrastinate - you need to make a decision, if that... er... makes sense. A decision on which, I hope you won't procrastinate! And that which you need to decide is simple: what kind of business you're going to go into. Or, more specifically (to start with), what type of model you'll follow. See, there are only really two main models of business that you can go into on eBay. The first is where you're selling the same product(s) over and over... and over. .. again. The second relates to buying one-shot items... rare stuff and the like... one-off items that you buy, the onesy-twosy approach. You then resell each individual item in turn for (hopefully) big profits. You just have to make up your mind which 'model' you're &oing to opt for. There's pros and cons to each. As always.Let's consider, first of all; the onesy-twosy approach. We'll call this 'Model 1'. Model 1: The 'Ones And Twos' Approach This is a perfect part-time approach towards eBay success. You can do it when you want. You can create customers that stay with your forever... apd who will LOVE you. You can virtually see the smiles on your customers' faces as the latest offers arrive. And you'll get great returns (often) on each item that you auction off. Ten times your money is far from uncommon. Even 20... or even 100 (or more). These are all perfectly attainable returns for your auctions. Not much money invested = great return gotten out. But there's a downside, too. Your income is more variable and, quite frankly, it's a much more time dependent business model. You'll have to know the market, and as such you'll be the one hunting for 'product' every week. Not that there's anything really wrong with that, especially if you really like what you're trading in. There's a corollary to all this too... And that's this: your earnings will probably be capped. Because of the time-dependency factor. And the fact that YOU will virtually 'be the business' so you'll never build a really big business. Probably not, anyway. So what's the other approach? Model 2: The “Sell The Same Items Over And Over Again”Approach This method involves buying a stock of the same item and floggings said item(s) over and over again. Again, there are pros and cons. The pros? Well, you can build bigger. Once you've got the source of supply, there's not much work thereafter. You just list, then relist. And then go and sunbathe, particularly at this time of the year. What's more you can build BIGGER, because the business can be less dependent on you. Sounds great, huh? Actually, it is. So what are the downsides? Firstly, there'll be much more price-based competition. It can be quite cutthroat. If there's a big market for what you're selling - and there probably will be if you're going into that market - then there will probably be people already there who will be competing against you. Unless, of course, you've got a truly unique product that no one else has. Secondly, there'll be lower returns available. Let me explain what I mean. Let's say that you've got a selection of items for resale with 'Model 1'. This means that you might have bought these 'onesy-twosy' items for £40 each. And you might sell them for £120 each, or one for £300, some for £80, and so on. But the point is that you'll be getting an outstanding return on your money. Well, with the 'other' approach...well, it's a lot less likely that you'll get a big return on your stock investment. You might make 20% on your stock. Invest £500, get back £600... BUT you'll sell more product, and more often. And you can build very big (in eBay terms). So Which Approach Is For You? Depends on you, what your free-time situation is like, what you want to achieve from your eBaying, and so on. So you need to know where you're coming from, and where you want to go. If you're short on time, wanting to make money fast, and just want a part-time eBay business, then it's probably best to start with Model 1 (the one-off approach). If you've already gotten some eBay experience under your belt, have more time and are up for the challenge that lies ahead, go for Model 2. Of course, feel free to disagree too! Here's something else to think about... Let's say that you start with Model 1. You go along nicely, making some profits. You're still part-time. You can then use that basis to work from, and launch other eBay businesses as you go along. Make sense? You start part-time, build up your knowledge and capital base, and then work from there. Or how about running two of these side by side? It's totally doable, believe me. But that again will depend on YOU, and it certainly wouldn't be recommended if you were just starting out. And, of course, you'd reed the time to do this. There'd certainly be quite a bit of work involved. It wouldn't be for everyone. But that would be something, wouldn't it? That way, you'd be spreading your risk - diversifying if you like because you'd have two separate streams of income. You'd build up two individual supply sources, customers, e-mail lists and so on, and you'd be lowering your risk should the worst happen in one of your 'mini businesses' . Ideally, you'd also trade under separate ID's for the two trading approaches. It might seem a bit strange to your bidders if you're telling them to 'Check your other items!' when they're looking at your stereo equipment. They check your other items and find a bunch of old dolls that you're auctioning in your 'Model l' business! Not a very good idea. So you'd (ideally) want two separate ID's. But I think I'm getting ahead of myself here. Because, coming back to what I was saying at the start... None Of This Can Happen if you continue to procrastinate! So what are you waiting for? You at least need to think about which approach is right for you, in line with your current circumstances, and how maybe you want to see them change too. Just don't procrastinate too long on the path you want to follow.

Wholesale Buyers Versus Retail Customers

Are wholesale buyers and retail customers really different? Frankly, there are two answers to this question: yes and no. Yes, because they are different from the buyers and those selling to buyers' point of view and no, because the principles that apply are the same for both types of buying. There is only one real difference, aside that one buys at wholesale prices and the other at retail prices, and that is that wholesale buyers are looking for a selection of items to fill a space or their customers' needs, while retail buyers are looking for one item to fill a space or need. When there isn't any space that needs filling either now or in the future, the customer won't be interested in what you have for sale, which means zero sales. Both wholesale and retail buyers are looking for things that can be either complementary or in contrast to what the are doing or they already have. It is rather a combination of the two (contrast/complementary or complementary/contrast) than a case of complementary or contrast. Contrast/complementary means it's different to what they are doing or they have, but will fit in with other things, while complementary/contrast means it's like what they are doing or already have and yet it's different. If there is a high contrast and it doesn't fit in or if it's exactly what they have, they most likely won't buy. There are two things you will have to do to determine if buyers are in a contrast/complementary or complementary/contrast buying situations. First of all, listen to what customers say and think about these two things: why they are asking the question that way and where they got the idea that generated the question. This is called "listening between the lines". Often, through their questions, customers will tell you what they are looking for. In case they don't, ask them yourself. It helps you by showing interest in what they are doing and their answers will help you make your presentation. Plus, since you know that they are looking for something to fill a need or hole, it becomes much easier to relate to customers' needs. The second way to detect their situation is to have customers talk about their favorite subject themselves. Encourage wholesale customers to talk about their shop/gallery, what they have been doing lately, etc. As for the retail customers, get them to talk about the other craft works they currently own and enjoy. Often they will talk about the things that they feel very good about. Sometimes they will talk about the things that they don't feel very good about, but they will do it as a way of saying they won't repeat that mistake. Sales will be made when customers understand how the merchandise you are selling fits into what they are doing, planning to do, or would like to do, so apply the contrast/complementary - complementary/contrast theory to what they are contemplating buying.

Work from home with e-currency

Are you one of the many people who have spent countless hours searching for unique ways to make money on the internet or trying to make money working at home? Very few people have succeeded at doing so, and most have failed miserably time and time again. So how are some people succeeding then working online or working from home? The answer is simple; they are finding at business that works with what they already know. The majorities of people today trying to get into the home-based business industry are not salesmen and have never tried to work online before. People fiddle around looking in all the wrong places wasting all there money on advertising for there home business that isn’t working and E-books that promise wealth and riches. E-currency exchange program allows users to build a financial portfolio through a system of thousands of people exchanging funds from dollars to electronic currency. There are two sides to the e-currency exchange trading system, the portfolio side and the console side. Users can create a portfolio that will gain 1.5% to 4.0% per day on the amount of money in the portfolio. The money in your portfolio is compounded daily and grows continuously over time. It is not uncommon for people who initially invest $100 to grow their portfolio value to $1000 in 1 month. Once you have been in the e-currency exchange program for a total of 90 days and your portfolio has grown to a value of $5000, you are then able to apply for a console which helps your portfolio grow even at a faster rate. With a console you can now process requests from people that wish to take their money from e-currency and convert it back to the dollar or from the dollar back to e-currency. When you become a console you receive a percentage of the total amount exchanged as profit. Most people then will take that profit and reinvest back into their portfolio helping it grow faster. The only down-side is learning how to navigate through the e-currency exchange program is extremely difficult without assistance. There are plenty of resources available if one just takes the time to look for them

Yes, You Can Start Trading Forex For Free!

Yes, it’s true, you can trade the forex markets for free and using the same state-of-the-art software packages that professional Forex traders, around the world, are currently using to make real-time, live currency trades. And you can also experience the same dynamic market action and go through the same process of making decisions based on breaking news, reacting to charting patterns, and tracking ones performance the same way professional Forex traders do. And all this can be done even if you don't put any real money into your account, you won’t see any difference in how the market behaves and how you react to the market. In short, at some point, every new forex trader needs to start Demo-trading. Once you start placing demo trades, you will learn a lot about how Forex transactions are placed. I can’t emphasize you enough, that this is a very important step for you in order to be able to learn how to become a trader. A demo account allows one to become familiar with trading procedures, such as placing Market, Limit, Stop, OCO Orders without any risk. All dollar losses or gains on a demo account are imaginary but, as mentioned above, the trading experience you acquire is not. You should notice that making big gains in a demo-account does not guarantee profits in live trading; however, those who are not successful trading on paper rarely are successful when money is on the line. So, yes, just playing around and getting familiar with a demo account can be a great learning experience; however, you will not learn how to become a trader this way. You need to have a trading strategy. Once you sign up for a mini-demo account, you will need to try one of the trial charting packages from the broker you choose. Any demo software you choose will do because they all have the necessary indicator tools you need. Once you have downloaded the software you can then set up your demo account and start drawing trendlines, marking support & resistance levels, monitoring moving averages, etc. This is also a very good way to get used to how orders are placed. Once you have a real trading system, you will already know how to place orders properly. And remember, everyone makes mistakes placing orders. So you need to experiment before in a demo account so you can make your mistakes without losing any real money

Your Competitors Offer Leasing Finance, you should ask yourself WHY?

The simple answer to this question is that they are offering finance to their customers as a sales, marketing & deal closing tool. It cements their relationships with their customers because leasing finance can usually be offered the same day. The customer is then more likely to return in the future because of the financing is arranged with minimum hassles and no time consuming trips to the bank manager. This type of financing arrangement is known as a “Vendor Program” Can I Offer Finance to my Customers? Again, the answer to this question is yes. You can benefit from establishing a relationship / partnership with an appropriate lender and start taking advantage of the sales & marketing opportunities and shortened sales cycle. Your Company, Sales Team and Customers all benefit from a Vendor Program arrangement that can be set up with minimal training and effort on your part. So now, let us take a look at the benefits in a few more details Sales Benefits Finance adds value to your product, by including finance as part of your whole package you make it easier for your customer to buy therefore your sales team will find it easier to close more deals. Deal closing opportunities present themselves via price flexibility, you could discount products & claw back via finance or sell at full price but offer low cost finance. If you have customers who arrange their own finance then you already have the demand for the service, which means that some customers who require finance are probably going elsewhere! Fast finance decisions means that customers are less prone to changes of mind or finding a better deal elsewhere. If you allow others to offer finance facilities you will not be in control of the interest rate & sales could be lost / delayed. Finally, additional Leads can be gained by innovative pricing schemes. Customer Benefits You offer, a single point of contact for customers requiring finance for equipment. Quick finance decisions means quick delivery of equipment. Leasing allows customers to upgrade and replace equipment easily with just a simple adjustment in rentals. A near guaranteed acceptance of all finance proposals, start up companies are the more difficult proposals but can be done. Finally there are the tax benefits of leasing, payments are 100% tax deductible, cash and existing credit lines are preserved. Company Benefits If you offer finance it presents a barrier to competitors, if it's easy for your customer to keep trading in and trading up with you, your competitors do not get a look-in and as used equipment comes back to the vendor, the second-hand market can be controlled. Vendor maintenance can be made a condition of the leasing, increasing the vendor's profits from maintenance activity. Your company can earn commission on finance deals all for filling in a simple finance proposal form. You can choose whether to earn a commission on any deal because you set the interest rate and best of all any commission earned is 100% profit. Just think what could you do with the commission on finance sales, it could allow you to employ extra salesmen with the profits and generate even higher profits!