The Role Of Culture In Consumer Behavior

The culture a person is born into goes a long way toward determining that individual's behavior patterns, beliefs and values. Culture is defined as a shared set of practices or beliefs among a group of people in a particular place and time. Marketers, analysts and consumers themselves use an awareness of culture to learn how and why consumers in a particular culture behave the way they do.

Significance

Culture is an important factor in determining consumer behavior. It explains why some products sell well in certain regions or among specific groups, but not as well elsewhere. Besides purchasing decisions, culture also affects how consumers use the products they buy and how they dispose of them. Product use helps marketers position their products differently in each market, while the culture's effects on product disposal can lead governments to adopt more effective recycling and waste reduction strategies. Consumers can examine how members of other cultures use the same products, or fulfill the same needs with different products, as a way to find more efficient, cost-effective options in the marketplace.

Traditions

Traditions are central to the ways that culture influences consumer behavior. For example, in mainstream American culture, turkey is a traditional food for Thanksgiving. This culturally specific behavior allows companies that produce poultry, along with the retailers who sell it, to prepare for increases in demand near the Thanksgiving holiday, but only in the United States. Other countries have traditions that put special demands on the suppliers and retailers that serve those markets. Traditional patterns change over time as a culture evolves, but marketers who study and understand such patterns have an advantage.

Intensity

Culture exerts different levels of influence on members. Age, language, ethnicity, gender and education level all affect which consumer behaviors a member of a given culture demonstrates. Young people may not adopt cultural practices that are common for adults, and may develop practices unique to their own subculture. This can involve everything from new buying trends to new product use trends. As people relocate and cultures come together in new ways, the intensity of culturally determined consumer behavior changes even more.

Marketing Response

Marketers spend a great deal of time and money studying the effects of culture on consumer behavior. This is especially true for multinational companies that have customers from a diverse series of cultural backgrounds. A strong marketing strategy in one culture might be unappealing, or even offensive, to members of another culture. Marketers cater to specific cultural behaviors by offering different versions of the same product that are tailored to appeal to the target audience.

Tags: companies that, consumer behavior, consumer behavior

The Code Of Ethics In Journalism

The quality of our news depends heavily on journalistic ethics

Journalism refers to jobs that pertain to investigating and reporting the news. Ethics refers to a system of moral principles and values. The Online Journalism Review (OJR) identifies the ethics of journalism as the "principles [that] help separate the good writers and publishers from the frauds and con artists..." According to OJR, journalistic ethics are not based on whether the reporting is done online or otherwise.

Plagiarism

Presenting all or part of someone else's work as your own or using someone's work without credit or authorization are illegal acts. However, in the world of journalism these acts are also highly unethical and jeopardize the integrity of journalistic staff and publications that publish such information.

Acquiring Information

The ethics of journalism outline ways that information should and should not be acquired.

To begin with, a person should not misrepresent her identity or reason for obtaining information, when she is conducting an interview. It is also unethical for a journalist to obtain information by impersonating a capacity that she does not have, such as being a police officer or government official.

Payment and gifts should not be awarded to a journalist's sources. The New York Times says, "to do so would create an incentive for sources to falsify material and would cast into doubt the genuineness of much that we publish."

Ethical journalism does not include intimidation or threats. People should not feel as though they must divulge information to avert bodily, social, or financial harm.

False Identities

There are some instances when it may be necessary to use a false identity for the sake of obtaining accurate information. The New York Times Policy on Journalism identifies these clearly saying, "restaurant critics may make reservations in false names to avoid special treatment. For that same reason, restaurant critics and travel writers should conceal their affiliation."

If a source asks to have his identity remain confidential and a journalist agrees, such agreements should always be respected. The journalist may withhold or change identifying information in her reporting in these instances. However, she should make the audience aware of this.

Gifts, Benefits, Expenses

Ethical reporting should not be influenced by the receipt or goods, services, or promises of future benefits. A journalist should limit or completely avoid the instances when a subject of her reporting, any party with interest in the subject of her reporting, or a source of information in her reporting pays her expenses.

Errors

Despite the best efforts, errors occur in journalism as it does in other industries. These include misprints and inaccurate information. When this happens, news sources that respect the code of ethics, publicly admit their mistakes and make corrections if the information is available. They do this in a voluntary and timely manner.

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Tips For Writing A Marketing Essay Outline

Have a goal in mind as you prepare your outline.

When writing your marketing essay outline, remember the purposes of any outline: to organize the essential and main features of your essay, and to provide structure to your finished piece. The defining elements of an essay are "generally analytic, speculative, or interpretive" (see Reference 1). Writing an essay analyzing a company's existing marketing program will vary greatly from an essay on the essentials of a marketing plan, so determine your goal and decide upfront which type of essay you will write.

Outline Overview

Reading your outline aloud can help you when it is time to complete the written essay.

A thorough essay can be written with four to five main aspects for your outline. While you can word each heading more specifically, think in terms of having a Summary, Introduction, Problem, Solution and Conclusion. Under each of those headings, write two to three "bullet points" that will make up the content. After you complete your outline, go back and connect those points into complete and coherent sentences. A way to test your points for completeness is to read your outline aloud, filling in the blanks orally, as though you are giving a speech. Each bullet point should provide you with enough of an idea that you can form a complete sentence in your head and talk about that particular heading.

Analytical Essay

An analytical essay might be a critical review of a marketing plan's effectiveness.

Your analytical essay can analyze an existing marketing plan for its structure, or critique the plan's effectiveness. Analyzing the structure is merely a matter of breaking down its components: Did the Executive Summary effectively introduce the company and explain its objectives? Were the Strengths, Weaknesses, Threats, and Opportunities supported by facts and outside research? Was the Competitor Analysis thorough? When composing an essay of this nature, you could organize your outline in terms of Executive Summary, Situation Analysis, Anticipated Goals, Actual Goals, Weaknesses and Recommendations.

Academic Essay

An academic essay should instruct, providing clear steps.

Think of an academic essay as instructional. You -- or your audience -- can find many examples of a marketing outline in business publications or through online resources. Your essay should "walk" your audience through the components of a marketing plan or program. Some possible aspects to outline for this essay might include: Setting Realistic Goals, Use Demographics, Determining Your Internal Strengths, Differentiating an Opportunity From a Threat, Setting a Realistic Price and Conducting Your Own Research.

Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay might help readers decide for or against a marketing career.

A descriptive essay could be a top-level examination of the purpose of marketing -- not necessarily the marketing plan. This type of essay is useful if you are explaining to someone what a career in marketing might entail. A top-level outline may include a Definition of Marketing, Components of Marketing, Education Requirements, Careers in Marketing, Current Opportunities in Marketing and Opportunities for Advancement. A more detailed essay could be done using any of those outline elements as its own subject.

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The Average Salary Of An Assistant Project Manager

The occupational title of assistant project manager is most commonly found in the construction industry. Under the supervision of a construction manager, these professionals oversee one or several construction projects to ensure projects are running efficiently and completed within required timelines and financial budgets. In March 2011, PayScale reported average salaries based on 1,705 individuals working in this occupation.

Average Salary

Average salaries for this occupation range from $41,331 to $61,432 per year. Assistant project managers who receive bonuses earned averages ranging from $1,012 to $4,919 per year. Those who receive profit sharing earn averages ranging from $1,239 to $4,089 per year. And 83 percent of assistant project managers also receive health benefits.

Qualifications

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in construction management or engineering for this occupation. In some cases, employers hire new graduates into this role to train them for future promotional opportunities in construction management. Other employers require at least two years of experience overseeing construction projects. Of the assistant project managers reporting their wages to PayScale, those who obtained a bachelor's degree in construction management earn average salaries ranging from $39,067 to $68,784 per year. Those with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering earn average salaries ranging from $56,622 to $71,473 per year.

Industries

These professionals can work in a variety of construction and electrical contracting industries. The highest wages were in the electrical contractor/electrician industry where assistant project managers earn average salaries ranging from $40,609 to $60,418 per year. In the commercial/residential construction and development industry, average salaries range from $38,912 to $57,410 per year. In the general contractor industry, average salaries range from $38,380 to $56,433 per year.

Geography

The highest levels of assistant project managers are in New York, Chicago, Boston and Houston. In New York, average salaries range from $44,562 to $68,506 per year. In Chicago, average salaries range from $37,494 to $62,715 per year. The highest salaries are in Las Vegas, Nevada and Irvine, California. In Las Vegas, assistant project managers earn average salaries ranging from $50,808 to $70,177 per year and in Irvine, average salaries range from $54,095 to $76,291 per year.

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Design A Book Shop

One of the most exciting steps to opening your own book shop is the process of designing and setting up the store. When designing the store's floor plan, keep the needs of your customers in mind. Take your time in visualizing how you want your store to look; create a blueprint of the shop before making any furniture or stock purchases to ensure that you're creating an attractive and functional floor plan for your shop. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Paint the book shop walls a color consistent with the mood of your store. Make this decision based on the type of books you plan to sell. According to color theory, color affects mood and conveys certain meanings. For example, if you plan to primarily sell books about nature and the environment, green is the best color. If you want a happy and optimistic color for your store, consider yellow. Blue represents peace and tranquility, so if you want your guests to relax while visiting consider this shade. Select a trim color that complements the main wall color.

2. Install commercial carpeting that absorbs sound to help keep the shop quiet for book browsers. Choose a dark neutral color that will hide dirt and stains (since a book shop is a high-traffic area), like a shade of gray, green or brown.

3. Place a book display unit in the front of the store where you'll display popular books or featured books that you've just gotten into the store. Put a tablecloth on the base of your window display and place featured books on individual display stands.

4. Line the shop's walls with your book display shelves. Fill in the rest of the floor plan with your free-standing book shelving units and tables. Allow for at least two feet of space between each shelving unit.

5. Place a few armchairs, coffee tables and rugs if you have room in the shop to create areas where customers can relax and read magazines if you wish. Convert this area to a book signing location by replacing the chairs with a table and set of folding chairs for guests.

6. Purchase large floor display stands for posters that you can use at the front of your store to publicize new book releases and upcoming book signings.

7. Create a kids' area in the store if you plan to sell children's books. Place a colorful rug and a few children-sized chairs in the area, along with a small table with a selection of children's book titles displayed.

Tags: your store, book shop, floor plan, book display, color that, display stands, featured books

Write A Letter Requesting A Job Back

Whether you've made a hasty decision to quit or become disenchanted with a new job, obtaining an old job can be a daunting task. If you were fired or laid off from your prior job, the challenge can grow even fiercer. Still, there are times when it can be worth sending a letter requesting to work for a past company. With a few practical tactics and some common sense, you can position your request in the best light for approval.

Instructions

1. Begin your letter with respect. Address the letter formally ("Dear Ms. Simon") rather than casually ("Hey, Joe").

2. Include an opening sentence stating when you held the job. For example, say, "As you may remember, I held the position of Marketing Analyst for Smith Innovations from May, 2006 until June, 2007."

3. Note one positive memory of your past time working for the company. Try to choose something that you accomplished while there. For instance, state, "I still think fondly of working with the editing team first quarter to prepare our SmithTech software release for launch."

4. Refer briefly to your reason for leaving without laying blame. Make statements like, "I reluctantly left Smith Innovations to gain experience in management at Jones Productions," or "I received notice of my layoff from Smith Innovations during deep budget cuts in 2007."

5. State your desired position. Opt for stating a position type (for example, "marketing analyst") rather than naming a specific title ("Senior Marketing Production Analyst") , as it may increase your chances of placement.

6. Acknowledge that you may need to apply for the position and are willing to do so through approved channels.

7. Offer a new and added benefit to rehiring you. Cite any recent degrees or certifications, and relevant work experience at other companies, using specific examples.

8. Include a resume with your letter and reference your inclusion of it.

9. Close your letter warmly. Thank the recipient for his time and wish him well. Type your closing comments followed by a comma ("Sincerely,") and leave four carriage returns.

10. Type your name and print your letter. Use blue or black ink to sign your name in between the closing and your typed name.

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Get Fashion Show Sponsors

Save on overhead expenses for your fashion show with local and corporate sponsorship.

Hosting a fashion show is a great way to raise funds for charity, debut a new line of clothing or accessories or gain media exposure for fashion industry professionals. On the surface, a fashion show appears to be a social and enjoyable event. Behind the scenes, however, such events entail a great deal of work and expense. Knowing get fashion show sponsors can alleviate some of the financial burden.

Instructions

1. Establish how much funding is needed to finance the fashion show. Document all of the costs and expenses associated with the event to figure out the total cost to execute the event. Such expenses include facility rental, lights, photographers, audio engineers, decorations, stage equipment and gear, advertising materials and staffing. Ensure that you have included every minor cost and detail in your business plan so as not to go over budget.

2. Outline a solid event marketing plan. Even if you acquire adequate funding to pull off your fashion show, a strategic marketing plan is essential to attract an audience and make the event a success. Clearly outline all promotional strategies you intend to use, including email, article and social media marketing and any applicable television, radio or print ads you may run. Include the associated costs of each avenue of advertising you choose.

3. Make a list of potential sponsors and determine a reasonable pricing schedule. Once you know how much your event will cost and how many sponsors you may acquire, create your sponsorship packages. Deduct the funds you have from the amount you need. Divide this sum by the number of sponsors you anticipate recruiting to reach a per-sponsor price that will cover your expenses.

4. Create a fact sheet and letter of proposal. Write up a short but detailed summary of your company or the organization hosting the event. Include details about the fashion show and how sponsorship participation will benefit both parties. Include any incentives, like free pre-event promotion, media exposure and on-site sales potential. You should also include a formal proposal outlining your sponsorship package and a condensed version of your marketing plan.

5. Approach companies with related interests for sponsorship. For instance, you'll be much more likely to obtain sponsorship from a clothing store or fashion designer than an auto mechanics shop. Target only businesses in the fashion industry to yield results, such as clothing boutiques, shoe stores and jewelry or accessory retailers.

6. Pursue non-monetary sponsorship. You can save a considerable amount of overhead expenses with non-monetary sponsorship. Asking local designers, clothing and accessory retailers and manufacturers to donate or loan out items can help provide wardrobe and jewelry to display on the runway. Try recruiting volunteer models from local talent agencies, caterers to provide refreshments and entertainment companies for hosts, announcers and DJs to save on staffing costs.

7. Rent out booth space to local vendors. If you have enough space, renting out demonstration booths to local businesses or vendors with similar interests can significantly increase your capital. For a predetermined fee, allow proprietors of beauty shops, nail salons, spas and tanning salons rent space at the event to demonstrate and sell products and services.

Tags: fashion show, fashion show, marketing plan, accessory retailers, fashion industry, media exposure, non-monetary sponsorship

Strategic Risks

That the weather will change is perfectly predictable--prepare for winter before it arrives.

Strategic risks are risks that arise through missteps at the highest level of a corporation's management. These can involve failure to anticipate or respond to changes in the environment; misconceived choices; and the sloppy implementation even of potentially sound choices.

History

Distinguishing among the different risks that a corporation, its investors and its counter-parties run is important for a number of reasons. Much of the systemic writing on the subject arises from the banking industry, because of the Basel Accords, a set of agreements among banking regulators that have been evolving since the late 1980s. These Accords set capital adequacy requirements for banks on the basis of risks of distinct types.

In interpreting the Basel II Accord (2004), the Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS) defined strategic risk as "the current or prospective risk to earnings and capital arising from changes in the business environment and from adverse business decisions, improper implementation of decisions or lack of responsiveness to changes...."

Changes in the Environment

Tower Records, once a prominent and global presence in the retailing of music, failed to respond in a timely fashion to changes in the environment in the 1990s. These changes included a shift in the way people acquire music--a shift away from the acquisition of CDs at brick-and-mortar stores, to the acquisition of music via one's own desktop and internet connection. These downloads can be illegal, or they can be legitimate as through Apple's iTunes system. Either way, they undermined the Tower Records business model. Tower began retrenching by 2001 and entered liquidation in 2006.

Misconceived Choices

Under the category of what the CEBS called "adverse business decisions," one might include the decision of former energy-trading giant Enron to make itself an "asset lite" company. This meant a move away from the ownership of tangible properties such as pipelines or power plants, toward intellectual property and trading positions.

Many analysts of Enron's rapid collapse in the period 2000-2001 have pointed to this as a wrong turn. Paul Jorion, for example, in "Investing in a Post-Enron World," has written that tangible assets "act as a welcome buffer when hard times set in," and that Enron sealed its own fate by abandoning that buffer.

Sloppy Implementation

Even if the top managers in a corporate hierarchy understand the business environment and make the right choices about cope with it, a strategic risk arises if they are unable to implement those choices. For example, they might fail to persuade lower-level managers of the significance of their approach, so that the people who need to make the operational decisions have not bought into their premises. Or they could fail to communicate what their plan is, leaving key words and concepts undefined and misunderstood.

Tags: adverse business, adverse business decisions, away from, business decisions, business environment, risks that, strategic risk

Be A Successful Ceo (Chief Executive Officer) Of A Fortune 500 Company

Successful CEOs are humble in their outlook but confident in their abilities.

The chief executive officer of a Fortune 500 company -- one of the 500 largest U.S. private and public companies according to "Fortune" magazine rankings -- holds a position of significant prestige and responsibility. Shareholders and owners expect him to run a profitable business and employees depend on him for their livelihood. Therefore, a successful CEO has to be a detail person who obsesses over every operational detail, and he must be a people person who genuinely cares about his employees.

Instructions

1. Take a broad view of your responsibilities as a CEO. Harvard Business School professor Michael Beer told Martha Lagace of HBS Working Knowledge that successful CEOs take a multi-stakeholder view of their companies rather than focusing on just profits and share prices. This means paying attention to employees, customers, suppliers and the community in which you live and work.

2. Treat your employees as assets. Do not treat them as mere numbers on a financial statement, though managing costs is an important part of business management. Layoffs are sometimes unavoidable, but a successful CEO continues to nurture and motivate her employees through a crisis. Continue to invest in training programs, especially in-house employee and management development programs.

3. Communicate honestly and openly. Explain the need for management restructuring actions well in advance so that employees can plan accordingly. "New York Times" columnist David Brooks cites research to state that the stock markets tend to prefer CEOs who provide clear direction for their companies. Author Justin Menkes wrote that the best leaders know collaborate and "co-create" success. Be generous in your praise, and let your employees take the credit when things are good.

4. Be organized. This means that every interaction at work should have a purpose. Brooks suggests that attention to detail, diligence and efficiency are more important success factors than even flexibility, warmth and empathy. Menkes believes that successful CEOs know find order in chaos. They thrive in a random and frenetic work environment. They are able to discern patterns out of seemingly random events.

5. Remain optimistic. Dream big but always with your eyes wide open. Menkes calls it "realistic optimism." This means that you should always hope for brighter days ahead but adopt concrete measures to deal with the dark days of today. Successful CEOs are like good baseball managers. They know keep a team motivated through the losing streaks and focused through the winning streaks.

6. Enjoy what you are doing. This should come easily because, as CEO of a Fortune 500 company, you have fame, fortune and power. If you are miserable all day, find another line of work, take a vacation or do whatever it takes to get back on track.

7. Dare to be different. Successful CEOs are not afraid to take calculated risks, explore new markets and develop new products. Richard Fairbank, founder of Capital One, told Stanford Graduate School of Business News that successful CEOs are passionate about their work and have the "courage to be bold."

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Job Description For A Merchandising Sales Clerk

Merchandising sales clerks display products in an attractive manner.

Merchandising sales clerks are crucial to the functioning of any store. They stock merchandise and help customers. They answer questions about products and work the cash register. Since it can be an entry-level position with minimal entry requirements, it is not hard to enter into this line of work.

Education and Experience

Sales merchandising clerks should have or be pursuing a high school diploma. This can be an entry-level position, so previous experience in sales is not always necessary, though may be helpful.

Skills

Merchandising sales clerks need excellent customer service skills. They should have solid math skills to effectively handle money and should be responsible and trustworthy. Furthermore, they must have excellent communication skills because they constantly interact with others.

Duties

Merchandising sales clerks receive, store and release merchandise to be sold. They stock shelves and displays with merchandise in an aesthetically pleasing way to attract customers. They aid customers who have questions and may take inventory.

Work Environment

These workers often work in a store behind a register or among the merchandise. They must stand on their feet for long hours and may need to lift heavy merchandise.

Salary

According to a July 2010 survey from PayScale, the average merchandising clerk brings in between $15,817 and $20,220. This equates to an hourly wage of $7.53 to $9.28.

Tags: Merchandising sales, Merchandising sales clerks, sales clerks, customers They, entry-level position, should have

Make Amazon Affiliate Links

Sending customers to Amazon can be profitable.

"Make money advertising Amazon Products" reads the heading on Amazon's Associates sign-up page. Websites around the world profit by sending customers to Amazon. You can monetize your website by becoming an Amazon Affiliate. After becoming an Amazon Associate, simply place links to Amazon products on your site. Amazon will pay you when your referrals result in sales. You do not need to be a Web developer to add links affiliate links to your Web pages. Amazon builds the appropriate HyperText Markup Language, or HTML, code for you when you choose products you would like to advertise.

Instructions

Sign Up

1. Visit the Amazon Associates Web page.

2. Click "Join Now for Free." A sign-up page will open. Enter your email address in the text box provided, and click "I Am a New Customer."

3. Click "Sign in Using Our Secure Server" to proceed to the next page. Enter your name and birth date in the designated text boxes. Think of a secure password for your new account, and enter it in the password text box. Click "Continue."

4. Enter your name, address, city, state, ZIP code and phone number in the appropriate boxes, and click "Next: Your Website Profile."

5. Fill out the profile information as requested, and continue to click "Next" as the site walks you through the sign-up process. When you finish, the site will display your "Associates ID" number. Copy this number, and keep it in a safe place.

Create Affiliate Links

6. Decide what you would like to advertise on your website. For instance, if you run a health site, you may wish to advertise books about running. Make a list of keywords related to your desired product category.

7. Click the "Links & Banners" button at the top of the page, and select "Product Links" from the drop-down list. The "Product Links" page opens. This page allows you to choose products that you would like to advertise.

8. Enter one of your keywords, such as "running," in the "Search" box. Click "Go." The site will return a list of products related to that keyword. Prices, photos and descriptions appear next to the products.

9. Review the products and choose one you wish to advertise. Click the "Get Link" button next to that product. The site will open the "Customize and Get HTML" page.

10. Click one of the link types. Choose "Text and Image" if you would like your site to display an image next to the product link. Choose "Image Only" to display an image without text. If you only want text to appear, choose "Text Only."

11. Locate the generated HTML code at the bottom of the page. Click the "Highlight HTML" button. Right-click the HTML code and select "Copy" from the drop-down list.

12. Paste this code into your Web page's HTML code to create your Amazon affiliate link.

Tags: Enter your, HTML code, would like, like advertise, page Click, site will, would like advertise

Develop A Restaurant Concept Sample Plan

Developing the right concept is vital for the success of any restaurant.

A well developed restaurant concept is a plus for any restaurant. Guests are not only interested in the food they eat, but also their surroundings. Restaurants gain recognition by the concepts they establish; for example, casual dining, fine dining or fast food concepts. To attract customers and maintain a competitive edge, start-up restaurants must develop suitable concept plans to satisfy potential guests.

Instructions

1. Identify the ideal location where you will establish your restaurant. The location should be spacious, accessible and affordable. Analyze the restaurants in the area and identify the various restaurant concepts that are practiced by these restaurants. Results from the analysis will likely show the various restaurant concepts available in the area and will assist in identifying a restaurant concept that is absent or under represented in the locality.

2. Carry out research on the demographics of the population in the area where you will be establishing the restaurant. Demographics in this case refer to the age, ethnicity and income levels of the target population. Information from this research helps in identifying the most suitable part of the population to target with your restaurant concept.

3. Analyze the competition that your restaurant will face from other establishments in the area. A competitive analysis identifies the market targeted by the competition, their prices, strengths and weaknesses. Information from the analysis helps in developing a restaurant concept that will be successful in the target area. Competitive analysis helps in identifying a market niche for your restaurant.

4. Identify the most suitable concept from the information you have gathered in the previous steps. Consider the under-served customers, capital outlay required and the competition in the area when arriving at your choice of restaurant concept.

5. Prepare a concept checklist. The checklist should contain all important information of the restaurant concept that is to be developed. It includes the menu type: either a full menu or a limited menu. It should also include the ambiance and atmosphere of the restaurant: formal, casual or romantic. The checklist should also contain the types of drinks to be served: nonalcoholic only or alcoholic and nonalcoholic. It should also identify whether takeouts and home deliveries will be available.

Tags: restaurant concept, your restaurant, concept that, restaurant concept that, should also, analysis helps, checklist should

Home Health Marketing Tips

Home health is more than simply providing medication to those unable to travel to a pharmacy.

Home health is an industry that is constantly growing and evolving. Home health companies are looking for ways to increase business without violating any anti-fraud, anti-referral or Stark laws that specifically relate to financial joint ventures in health care related firms. Armed with the basic knowledge of these regulations, home health companies can find legally viable avenues to increase business and profits all at the same time.

Use Alternative Forms of Media

Businesses no longer have to rely solely on traditional forms of advertising, such as print media. You can diversify your marketing strategies by networking, especially through the use of social media. Home health care businesses can tap into this low-cost marketing by creating a blog, a website and pages on social media networks like Facebook. Potential clients can then contact you directly without having to leave home.

Become a Preferred Provider

Work with area physicians and hospitals to become their preferred service provider. This leads to instant referrals without having to meet the client. As soon as a doctor sees a need for home health, he or she refers the patient to your company and you take it from there. This is especially profitable when the right physicians are brought on as preferred partners, such as those specializing in geriatric care.

Offer Referral Incentive Plans

Provide an incentive plan to current patients to increase referrals. If the patient's services are not 100-percent covered by her insurance, she might be motivated to reduce her bill through a referral fee.

Tags: health care, health companies, Home health, home health, increase business

Write A Business Proposal To Open Up A Hair Salon

Cutting edge styles and color can help give your hair salon its unique identity.

You have been successful at working at salons as a hair stylist and have developed your own loyal client base. Now you may be considering opening your own salon. You have a few options. If you have capital to pay for a name that is known and reputable, you can open a franchise hair salon. You also can consider keeping your eyes open for a good price to purchase an existing salon. Or, start your own salon from scratch using your own hard work and talent. Whichever route you choose, writing a business proposal will help you identify the direction and feasibility of your hair salon business.

Instructions

1. Develop a mission statement as the direction of your hair salon. Identify the types of clients you will serve, the services you will provide, such as cutting, styling and coloring, as well as other areas such as facial grooming and hair extensions. Include product sales as an additional benefit to draw customers to your salon. Research the location and space to suit your capacity.

2. Describe the operations of your business, including a staffing plan, budget and administration, and marketing. Plan to hire stylists that have an extensive client base to build your client base. Consider both full-time stylists as well as on contract. Consider allowing a stylist to bring her own supplies while using your space and equipment and paying you a monthly fee. Plant to hire hair washers and secretarial staff as your business grows.

3. Develop cash flow projections. Estimate the number of clients per month with notes of how you arrived at those numbers. List your monthly expenses, including rent, supplies, marketing, insurance and in-house training to promote cutting-edge styles. Renting space with approximately five chairs and five stylists is a good start for which you will need about 1,000 square feet of space, the cost of which will vary depending on the area.

Tags: hair salon, client base, your hair, your hair salon, your salon, using your

Sell Zebra & Animal Print Tote Bags

Have fun selling zebra and animal print tote bags.

Selling unique tote bags can be easy. Zebra and animal print tote bags will sell well to animal lovers and to those who like exotic looking items. If you can add sayings to the bags or make them one of a kind, they will sell very quickly. You will need to be creative in the methods that you use to sell large quantities of tote bags. If you can find a venue that animal lovers attend, you are more likely to sell your tote bags. Try a few of the tips below to help sell your zebra and animal print tote bags.

Instructions

1. Set a price for all the bags, and put the price on each bag. Shoppers get annoyed when they have to ask the price of each item.

2. Give your items a reasonable price. If it's too high, no one will buy the merchandise.

3. Make a sign telling the customer they will get a lower price on the second bag. Many people are more likely to buy a second item if they get a discount.

4. Make or purchase the bags in different sizes. You need to have small, medium, large, and gigantic bags. People like to have different sizes that match. If you have several sizes, it is easier to convince someone they need to buy a second bag.

5. Plan a party. If you know a lot of people, have a tote bag party. Set up a table with cute displays. Use the stuffed animals to draw attention to the bags.

6. Find appropriate venues to sell your bags. Check online for wildlife expositions, animal rights meetings, PETA events and humane society events that are going on near your home. Check with the person in charge to see if you can set up a booth selling your tote bags. Sometimes they will charge a fee, or ask for a donation.

7. Get a booth at a craft show, and sell your tote bags. Make the booth stand out. Place several clear signs telling the prices. Place a tray of business cards on the table, and encourage people to take one. Make sure you drop a card inside each tote bag, so people will know who to call to order more.

8. Check online for local farmer's markets in your area. Many of the farmer's markets are free, and they will allow you to sell items you make or buy.

9. Go to small stores in your area, and try to sell the bags at a wholesale price to the owner. Many smaller stores have problems finding unique items, and they will give you a chance. Most of the time they will want to get the items on commission. They will sell them in their store. When the items sell, you get a percentage, and they get a percentage. It works pretty well, but check on the items in the store regularly. Some of the store owners are slow in paying when your items have sold. Make an agreement with the owner in writing showing how many items you brought to the store, the amount of money you get from the items and how often you get paid---weekly, monthly or yearly.

10. Take pictures of your tote bags, and sell the bags online. You can sell through Ebay, Etsy, or any other online sales venue. You can even make your own online store. Get creative, and you will be able to sell a lot of tote bags.

11. Get a booth at your state fair. It costs several hundred dollars for a booth, but thousands of people come through each day. If you get their attention, you can sell thousands of tote bags.

Tags: tote bags, they will, tote bags, sell your, your tote, your tote bags

Where Can One Get Itunes Gift Cards

ITunes Store carries gift cards

ITunes gift cards are an ideal present for anyone who downloads music, movies and television shows. With an iTunes gift card, you can purchase items directly from the iTunes Store online, and receive store credit for the dollar amount specified on the card. If you're in the market for an iTunes gift card, there are several places where you can find them.

Online at the iTunes Store

If you are an iTunes user, then the simplest way to purchase an iTunes gift card is through the iTunes store. Open up iTunes and click on "iTunes Store" on the left-hand side. Next, look for the text that says: "Buy iTunes Gifts" on the right-hand column under Quick Links. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen for your iTunes gift card options. One of the benefits of purchasing a gift card from the iTunes Store is that you can personally address the message inside. This is the only online store that includes this feature.

Online at PC Connection

PC Connection is another viable option for an online purchase. First launched as a personal computer supply company in 1982, PC Connection has expanded its product line to include electronics, iPods, video games and accessories. It can take orders online or over the phone at (888) 213- 0260.

Online at MacMall

MacMall is an outlet center for all Apple products. Like PC Connection, it offers a large range of products at direct-purchase prices. If ordering online is a problem, then you can call directly at (800) MACMALL (622-6255).

At the Store or Online -- Best Buy

If you would rather go to the store and personally pick out an iTunes gift card, then Best Buy may be your best bet. Best Buy has more than 1,400 stores nationwide and is the leading electronics store on the East Coast. You can find a store near you by clicking on "Store Locator" at the top of its homepage.

At the Store or Online -- Walmart

Since its first store opened in 1962, Walmart has grown into one of the world's largest publicly traded corporations. Its discount stores and supercenters are in every state in America, and in many countries throughout the world. Like Best Buy, its website includes a store finder feature.

Tags: gift card, iTunes gift card, iTunes gift, iTunes Store, from iTunes

Dress For A Job Interview At An Advertising Firm As A Female

Dress For a Job Interview at an Advertising Firm as a Female

You may be under the impression that when going on a job interview appropriate attire will consist of a pant suit, pearl earrings and pumps. This may be ideal attire when interviewing at a law firm but when interviewing for work at an advertising firm you have to stand out. Advertising firms want their employees to be as lively as the ad campaigns the company is in charge of.

Instructions

1. Buy a billowy blouse that packs a big punch of color, such as purple or red. This will definitely exude confidence and make you hold the attention of any person that lays eyes on you, including your interviewer.

2. Find a flattering pencil skirt. Generally the most flattering pencil skirts are grey in color and an inch above the knee in length. Having the skirt end above the knee allows you to look slimmer, while still looking sexy, stylish and professional.

3. Be deliberate and discerning when buying your shoes. Shoes can make or break your outfit. The shoe that you should buy for this particular outfit is a peep-toe platform; these shoes are comfortable and are safer due to the thicker heel in back, which allows you to balance much easier than teetering in stilettos. Purchase whichever color goes well with your top.

4. Accessorize. Buy a skinny black belt and place it at the very top of the pencil skirt. Also buy gray stockings, but make sure that they are solid in color. Transparent gray stockings are inappropriate and unflattering.

5. Do your hair. Updo hairstyles suggest authority. Make sure that the updo that you choose is more than a bun. Bun hairstyles are boring and not very creative. I recommend a form of pouf hairstyle.

Tags: above knee, Advertising Firm, Advertising Firm Female, Dress Interview, Dress Interview Advertising

"Girlsense" Cheats For Clothes

Buy clothes from other players' boutiques with G-cents.

"GirlSense" is an online game aimed at teenage girls that lets players design and market their own clothing lines. If you want to purchase the best clothes then you have to earn G-cents, which is the game's currency. There are several tricks and cheats that you can use to earn G-cents and clothes with minimal effort and time investment.

Invite Friends

The easiest way to make G-cents for clothes is to invite your friends to join GirlSense. To make the most money, invite as many people as you possibly can to join the game. Each friend that signs up from one of your invites earns you 100 G-cents, even if they never play the game. For each friend that you can convince to log in for a few moments and look at your boutique, you'll earn an additional 100 G-cents.

Multiple Accounts

An easy way to cheat your way to more money is by opening multiple GirlSense game accounts. GirlSense accounts don't require a valid email address, so you can create as many accounts as you like. You can visit your main account's boutique with each new account that you sign up for. This visit earns 100 G-cents for your primary account. Then you can purchase clothes from the boutique using the 500 G-cents that your dummy account receives upon signing up. Repeat this process with as many dummy accounts as you like to earn 600 G-cents per account.

Update Boutique

Updating your boutique daily is important for earning money, but the quality of your update is not important. Simply log into the game once per day and make any superficial change to the selection in your boutique. You're credited for 50 G-cents no matter what you do.

Play Minigame

You can also earn G-cents by playing the mini games included in the GirlSense game. When you play the "Bad Hair Day" game or the "More Bloons" game, you earn 175 G-cents for every 15 minutes of play. If you want to earn more G-cents for clothes without playing the games then you can simply start the game and leave it on in the background while you do other things on your computer.

Tags: earn G-cents, G-cents clothes, your boutique, accounts like, clothes from, earns G-cents

Teach Esl To Children

Teaching ESL to children is both challenging and rewarding.

While teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) to young children can be challenging and difficult, it can also be very rewarding. Children who are mostly surrounded by a non-English speaking atmosphere, mostly in their own homes, are not often exposed to culture outside of their own. They will need to adjust to new expectations while learning a different language. SEE REF 1

Instructions

1. Review concepts from the last class at the beginning of the next class. Students will be able to relate the new information to the information they learned in previous classes. SEE REF 2

2. Teach early in the day. Attention spans are best in the beginning of the school day as opposed to the end of the day. Energy levels also go down as the day goes on, making it more difficult to remember important information. SEE REF 1

3. Break for playtime at some point in the morning. Children will soak in more knowledge if they have a break in learning, and they will be able to listen and learn well directly after the play break. This could be a good time to introduce more difficult learning lessons. SEE REF 1

4. Read English storybooks to your young students. There are books intentionally for ESL students of all ages. Not only will children be learning English, but they will also get to experience American culture through the stories. SEE REF 1

5. Encourage your students by praising them when they're doing a good job. Children will be more willing and able to learn when they're motivated. SEE REF 2

Tags: Children will, more difficult, when they, will able

Positive Effects Of Television Advertising

Advertising on television allows marketers to reach a wide audience in a single campaign.

Television advertising is not dead. According to a report in eMarketer.com, television advertising accounts for 39 percent of all advertising expenditures that, through all mediums including print, online, and broadcast mediums, is projected to reach $154.6 billion in 2015. Television, despite the advent of DVRs and online availability, is still an attractive avenue for advertisers looking to reach a wide audience.

Broad Reach

When television audiences tune in for "event" broadcasts such as major sporting events and the unveiling of winners in reality television shows, advertisers gain exposures to 20 to 25 million viewers or more. That type of broad reach in a single advertising campaign cannot be matched in other mediums such as print, online and broadcast radio, and remains one of the most effective ways to reach a large audience. Even without the big events, television audiences reach in the millions on a typical prime time night, providing advertisers with the types of audiences to launch new products and maintain buzz and top-of-mind awareness.

Brand Awareness

According to a 2009 report in a "Adweek," citing research conducted by the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF), television advertising is first for advertisers in creating brand awareness. To validate its findings, ARF studied results from various agencies across 15 years of research, showing advertisers felt television increased brand awareness. Brand awareness is critical to major television advertising, pushing people to purchase and use consumer products, with everything from luxury cars to hairspray being pitched on TV to raise awareness in the public eye.

Targeted Advertising

Television advertising is also attractive for the level of targeted marketing advertising campaigns can provide. Television audiences are as varied as the shows themselves. Sports, for instance, attract a mainly male demographic, providing opportunities for advertisers to sell products such as beer, cars and trucks, as well as male-oriented movies. Daytime television, prime time soap operas and reality television focusing on entertainment, in contrast, attract a largely female audience, offering advertisers the chance to reach a powerful segment of consumers.

Generating Revenue

According to "Adweek," marketers feel television advertising can help "simplify the buying process," impacting a consumer's buying decisions. Television advertising ranked fourth in 2009 in people impacted per $1,000 spent in advertising. This effective "bang for the buck" provides advertisers a reason to continue promoting their products and services on television, offering an effective means of generating revenue for their companies and product lines.

Tags: awareness Brand, brand awareness, online broadcast, prime time, print online, print online broadcast

Financial Bulletin Board Ideas

Fill this board with useful financial information.

Personal finance can be a complex thing, and visual aids can sometimes help people better understand their options. Creating a financial bulletin board can be an effective tool for a financial counselor or accountant. A financial bulletin board can also be of use in a bank, credit union or school that specializes in training accountants or in teaching individuals and families better manage their financial life.

Financing Portfolio Theme

A financial portfolio theme is one way to bring home the importance of building a solid financial footing over your life in preparation for retirement and to be there when the unforeseen happens. Use images of people from various walks of life talking to a financial consultant or with their bank manager applying for a home loan or planning out their 401k or stock investments. You may want to hire models for brochures or posters or ask clients if they would agree to be photographed for this purpose. Of course, these images serve to attract the eye to the text message you include in the poster or brochure. Also, include articles clipped from financial magazines and newspapers addressing this topic. Provide a list of local financial counselors and services on the board as well.

Humorous Financial Theme

Another approach for your financial bulletin board is to develop a humorous theme to bring home the need for financial planning to avoid not so funny scenarios, like losing a house or not being able to retire. Choose an overall title for the bulletin board that expresses this idea, such as "From Riches to Rags." Use cartoon images that help illustrate the types of difficult circumstances that people often find themselves in to bring home the need for a well-thought-out financial plan. Look for public domain clip-art online that you can use for your financial bulletin board. You can arrange your clip-art and add text to a poster in a graphics program. Below each humorous tableau, you can add text that describes avoid the situation, as well as financial resources the reader can turn to for further information.

Financial School Theme

A school of finance can benefit from a bulletin board that helps to direct students to required classes for various degree tracks. Add small posters with information of degree track options including the job market (possible employers) for the degree as well as the standard starting salary. Use recent newspaper clippings from publications like The Wall Street Journal and Fortune Magazine as well as excepts from relevant government reports to point to hotly debated topics on your bulletin board, which students will find interesting and should keep up on.

Tags: bulletin board, financial bulletin, bring home, bulletin board, financial bulletin board, board that, bring home need

Tourism Marketing Tips

Use unconventional methods to attract tourists to your destination

Tourism is a hugely successful industry and, for that reason, new tourist destination and vacation spots are constantly being developed. Due to the highly competitive nature of the travel industry, your tourism program must be creative and buzz generating. Get people talking about your travel destination and you won't have to worry about your competition. Utilize the internet in your tourism marketing efforts to maximize the results.

Photos

As you well know, when it comes to the tourism industry seeing is believing. Videos and pictures enhance your marketing program by showing the traveler exactly what your destination can offer them. Hire a professional photographer to take pictures of some of the most beautiful sights and moments from your destination: the sunset, the wildlife, the water or the mountains. Tell the photographer how you want the place to be portrayed: cozy, party central, tropical, relaxing or family friendly. Upload these pictures using a photo sharing website such as Flickr. Join groups that will automatically promote your photos so they will get attention.

Videos

Video marketing is a great, low cost way to promote your destination. Don't make a video that specifically advertises your destination. Instead, show your viewer what is so great and different about your area. Create a how-to video on scuba diving, featuring the gorgeous blue waters of your location. Find someone who's planning to climb a nearby mountain peak and ask him to document his journey along the way. Take a video camera on a roller coaster and record the highest hills to give the viewer that feeling of exhilaration as you are staring downward, about to plunge forward. These types of videos will draw attention to your destination and automatically make it seem incredibly interesting and alluring.

Blogs

Start blogging regularly about your destination. Tell your readers all of the different things to do there, or the history of the area. Include local myths, legends and ghost stories. Write a blog about the best way to apply sunscreen if you operate a beach resort, or pack for winter weather if you operate a ski resort. Utilize the photos and videos you made to enhance your blog even further.

Social Media

Social Media sites are a key tool in your tourism marketing. Start a Twitter and Facebook account for your resort. Follow other similar resorts, travel sites and travel writers and search by keyword for Twitter users who are blogging about vacationing. Post interesting links, not just links back to your website. Post links to your blog posts. Offer valuable coupon codes and insider information about your destination. Place your Twitter and Facebook account information on your blog so people can find you. You'll be amazed at the number of people you can reach just by using social media.

Tags: your destination, about your, your blog, your tourism, about your destination

Sue Someone For False Advertising

False advertising can appear in most forms of ad mediums.

False advertising is misleading or simply untrue information presented to consumers in an advertisement, usually TV, radio, the Internet, newspapers or magazines, or spoken to them by a salesperson to get them to purchase an item or visit a place of business. Some examples include the advertisement picture not matching the actual product image or not telling if the product is used or refurbished. Also, stating a price in the ad for a product but then insisting that multiple purchases need to be made in order to get that price is false advertising. False advertising is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, thus giving the consumer legal protection against it. If you are prepared to sue the company that deceived you, there are steps you should follow to prepare yourself for the lawsuit.

Instructions

1. Retain your receipt of the item you purchased and the advertisement that you believe is false.

2. Consult with a lawyer regarding your chances of winning your suit. Ask the lawyer if their is an alternative avenue you could or should pursue.

3. Try to not use the product and prepare it to be taken to court. If you cannot bring it with you, then take as many pictures of it as possible.

4. File a suit in civil or small claims court and pay the fee associated with filing a suit.

5. Find and subpoena witnesses who can speak to the fact the advertisement was misleading consumers. Also, find and subpoena the person who sold you the product.

Tags: False advertising

The Salary For A Newspaper Advertising Sales Rep

The newspaper, periodical, book and directory publishing industry ranked as the second largest employer for advertising sales representatives as of May 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Newspaper publishers in particular employed roughly 19 percent of all advertising sales reps in the United States, paying these individuals to sell space on their pages and in their classifieds sections.

Overall

Advertising sales representatives working for newspaper publishers earned an average of $20.44 per hour or $42,510 per year as of May 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries for reps at newspaper publishers were nearly 9 percent less than the mean rate of pay for representatives across the newspaper, periodical, book and directory publishing industry, which was $22.43 per hour or $46,660 per year. In addition to their wages, advertising sales reps at newspapers often receive commissions based on a percentage of the fees for the ad spaces that they sell. They may also receive bonuses for achieving or exceeding sales goals.

Overall Comparison

Throughout all industries, advertising sales representatives made an average of $26.45 per hour or $55,020 per year as of May 2010, states the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. At that rate, representatives working in the newspaper industry made nearly 23 percent less than the mean rate of pay for the occupation. The average rate of pay across all sales and related occupations was $17.69 per hour or $36,790 per year, roughly 13 percent less than the average earned by advertising sales reps for newspapers.

Comparison to Information Industries

Newspaper publishers were one of the lowest-paying employers for advertising sales representatives in the information services sector of the economy as of May 2010, explains the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Only telecommunications providers outside of wired communications, such as cellular phone companies, paid advertising sales reps less at an average of $17.40 per hour or $36,180 per year. Advertising sales representatives at newspapers made 38 percent less than the mean rate of pay in the highest-paying information industry, other information services, which includes Internet broadcasting and transmission. Salaries for advertising sales reps in this industry averaged $33.00 or $68,640 per year.

Comparison to Other Industries

The largest employer of advertising sales representatives in the United States as of May 2010 was advertising firms, which sell ad space and develop campaigns for numerous companies. Salaries for representatives at advertising firms averaged $29.66 per hour or $61,690 per year, roughly 45 percent more than the average earned by newspaper advertising sales representatives. Salaries for advertising sales representatives at newspapers did exceed those in the travel accommodations and food service industry, where representatives earned an average of just $18.82 per hour or $39,140 per year.

Tags: sales representatives, hour year, advertising sales reps, sales reps, advertising sales, advertising sales representatives

Tips On Advertising For Resume Writers

Professional resume writers are lucky people who get to pay their bills with the skills they've honed over years, but they're also doing a great service to their customers. The better the resume a person can submit, the better job a person can get. Before a writer can get the job, of course, the client must be made aware that the writer and his services exist. While there are tried-and-true ways to advertise, there are also innovative and interesting ways of doing so.

The Classics

Post signs with your information around college campuses. While you can do this effectively year-round, redouble your efforts during the end of the school year, when soon-to-be graduates will be focusing on getting a job. After hitting all of the outside message boards, post your signs on the inside of the academic and administrative buildings. Double-check the signs you post to make sure they are still there; replace wet or defaced signs.

Spend time outside government-run places where people get jobs. Local TV news anchors often do stories in places such as these; if you volunteer a little bit of time helping the disadvantaged with their resumes, you might be able to exchange this service for airtime or some other kind of advertising.

Networking

Make connections with people who can help you meet people who need resume work. Most colleges have a career center, in addition to an advising department. Leave business cards and signs in those offices, but try making friends with the counselors and secretaries, so when students ask for help, your name will be on their tongues. The same goes for government-run job centers. If necessary, offer a discount to help stir up interest in your services.

Maintain or participate in message boards on which people get help with their resumes. You don't want to give away too much for free, but the people who post on the boards are all possible contacts who may, after seeing how polite and accomplished you are, want to avail themselves of your services. The Monster.com boards, for example, feature thousands of discussions among people who need resume help.

Encourage clients to mention you to their friends by offering them a cash bonus or free resume maintenance. The latter can be an attractive offer since keeping a resume up-to-date can be a big pain.

Connect with the National Resume Writers' Association, an organization dedicated to "promoting the highest standards of excellence in resume writing through certification, education, and mentoring programs." In addition to national exposure, you can participate in seminars that allow you to get tips from other experienced professionals.

Tags: message boards, need resume, people help, people need, people need resume, Resume Writers, their resumes

Purpose Of Excise Taxes

Cigarettes are a common target of excise taxes.

Excise taxes are levied on specific goods and are paid by consumers when they purchase those items. A local or state government's basic goal for any tax is to raise money to pay for public projects and maintenance, so excise taxes offer a targeted means to achieve this goal.

Types

Though excise taxes vary by state, gasoline, tobacco and alcohol remain two of the most common types of excise tax. Sales taxes apply to nearly all goods sold, so excise taxes offer a means to target specific items. Luxury items remain the most common targets for excise taxing.

Purpose

Purposes for excise taxes vary. So-called "sin taxes" on alcohol and tobacco may be enacted to dissuade consumers from purchasing the item in great quantities. Gasoline excise taxes may be imposed in order to pay for road construction and maintenance. In other instances, excise taxes may be levied to raise money for an unrelated concern, such an excise tax on jewelry to provide for public schools.

Local Variation

In governmental systems like that of the United States, town, county and state governments may all levy excise taxes. Though a steady revenue source for municipalities, these taxes may also significantly increase the cost of certain goods and may disproportionately affect poor residents.

Tags: excise taxes, excise taxes, excise taxes offer, excise taxes vary, most common

Start An Auto Repair Business In Georgia

Many motorists are in need of auto repair.

According to the Consumer Federation of America, complaints about auto repairs ranked fourth in a national survey. Consumers spend billions of dollars on automobile repairs that may not be needed. The state of Georgia wants to help its citizens avoid dishonest auto repair practitioners and suggests that consumers find a repair shop before they need one. An honest auto repair shop has an opportunity to find a market niche.

Instructions

1. Attend an auto repair training program certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation. The state of Georgia contains approximately 50 of these high school and college programs; they offer studies in transmissions, brakes, electrical systems and other automotive components.

2. Calculate the amount of funds needed to start your business. You need at least one lift, automotive repair tools, rent or mortgage costs, insurance, funds for utilities and salaries for employees, if you have them. According to information available from Entrepreneur magazine, start up costs for a Meineke Car Care Center range from $190,000 to $350,000.

3. Obtain your business license from the city and/or county in Georgia where your business will be located. Contact the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in order to find the contact information for your local chamber of commerce.

4. Register your business with the state of Georgia Secretary of State, if your company is a corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company. A sole proprietorship (one-person company) does not have to register with the state. Refer to the Georgia Code to find out more about these business types.

5. Develop business relationships with companies in industries related to auto repair, such as wrecking companies, towing companies, used car establishments and insurance companies. Ask these companies to promote your business while you promote theirs. Find these companies in the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and through networking.

Tags: your business, auto repair, state Georgia, auto repair, Chamber Commerce, Georgia Chamber

Write A Corporate Communication Quickly

Corporate communication is an informational and marketing tool.

Corporate communication has evolved with the Internet. Today, it is not just about writing press releases or speeches. It is about corporate websites, blogs, social media and online monitoring. Internet communication is fast communication. A rumor could start in Tokyo overnight and rattle markets in New York the next morning. Therefore, you must be ready to respond quickly but accurately.

Instructions

1. Get the details. Some corporate communication is time sensitive, requiring a response within minutes. Note the due date and set aside enough time to complete the work. For example, you might need a week to prepare for a trade show but less than an hour to issue a press release inviting the media to an open house.

2. Analyze the audience. For internal communication products, you could discuss sensitive aspects of your company's financial performance, such as how you are faring against your competitors or what you are doing to address gaps in your product line. You might modify the material for an external communication product, such as an annual report or a trade show presentation.

3. State the purpose. For example, if you are writing a press release announcing a corporate appointment, start with "ABC Corp. is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Joe Smith as President and Chief Executive Officer effective July 1." For a slide presentation, introduce the speakers and the outline of the presentation in the first couple of slides.

4. Add context and details in the body of the communication. Use plain language. Stay away from jargon and abbreviations as much as possible. For a new product, briefly state what it does and how customers can benefit from it. Use concrete examples, such as "Our new chip accelerates image processing capabilities by twofold, thus allowing businesses to achieve cost and performance efficiencies."

5. Be optimistic, even if you have to communicate bad news. For example, say, "The company announced temporary staff layoffs of 100 at its Houston plant today. We expect to resume operations at full capacity in a few months." If you are announcing an executive retirement, include two to three examples of how the executive made a difference to the company.

6. Conclude by providing a contact name, telephone number, email address and a link to the media or investor relations section of your corporate website.

7. Write a direct and simple title or heading. Use humor or catchy slogans on a blog, but not on a formal press release or an executive presentation to investors. Twitter, Facebook and other social media forums often have restrictions on the number of words per post. Post the title or a brief summary and provide a link to the detailed press release. Proofread the communication message before transmitting it and posting it on your website.

Tags: press release, Corporate communication, social media, trade show, website Write

Make Money Selling Business Cards

Creating business cards is a great way to make money. If you're creative, good on a computer, and can meet deadlines, you can do this. It is a fast and easy way to make extra money. It can be your side hobby and, if it picks up, consider making it into a small business.

Instructions

1. Get a high quality printer. This is necessary for printing the business cards. If you can afford it, purchase a color laser printer. This will be the best value for your money. Don't forget to buy the proper inks and toners.

2. Get the necessary paper. There are different textures and weights that can be used for business cards. There are two design options to choose from, the first one is the pre-cut paper that already has the business card shapes. If you would like, you can purchase a good card stock. This will make it easier to print as you will not have certain template restrictions. The down side is that you will have to cut the cards after you print them.

3. Set up the business card software and get used to it. The better you know the software, the nicer the cards will look.

4. Create a few sample designs. In the samples, use your personal business information. This is a good source of advertising.

5. Begin advertising. The only way you can make money is if people know about it. Consider posting your services on websites like Craigslist. You can also place an ad in the newspaper or put business cards in local restaurants.

6. Get started. Create a mock-up with your client's information. Keep the business type in mind when creating the mock-ups. Be creative and have a few different options for the client to choose from. Let the client proofread the card.

7. Print the cards once they've been approved. Be sure to have the right amount of cards on the correct type of business card paper. It is important to inspect the business cards so that they are all aligned properly and include the correct information.

8. Package and deliver the business cards. If you are only doing this for local businesses, you can hand-deliver them. If not, you'll have to properly ship them to your client.

9. Make sure you send the bill and collect the payment. This is your money-making strategy, so you must follow through. Don't feel badly if you are forceful in the event of nonpayment.

10. Keep records of each transaction. Include the business name, location, business card design, amount of cards ordered, and anything else that you think you need to remember. With the different database software, you can easily put this information together in no time.

Tags: business cards, business card, amount cards, choose from, make money, printer This, This will

Design Retail Storefronts

Design Retail Storefronts

A retail storefront represents your brand, sells your product and catches people's eye to draw them into the store. Your potential customer's first impression is created by the look of your store. A cohesive design that ties signage, lighting and displays together is essential. Successful design takes these elements into account and tailors them to the retailer's product. These tips can be used for retail establishments that are built from the ground up or applied to existing storefronts.

Instructions

1. Provide big windows for merchandise displays. Add focal points by building risers, wooden cubes and shelves for merchandise. Keep the windows clean.

2. Design a sidewalk awning to protect people looking at your window displays from rain, sun or snow. They'll be less inclined to move along in inclement weather.

3. Create prominent signage that is easy to read, attractive and leaves no mysteries about what your retail space provides. Hang a sign on the exterior of the building, another over the front door and in windows.

4. Make sure the entrance to your store is inviting. Decorate the pavement with colorful tile. Install a door that's big enough to accommodate the disabled but not difficult to open. Hang a glass door so customers can see into the store. High-end stores should employ a doorman.

5. Install lighting. Train spotlights on merchandise in the display windows. Light the entryway. Focus lights on your signage.

6. Find ways to make your storefront stand out from other storefronts in the area. Paint it a vibrant color, hang seasonal banners or flags and decorate for the holidays.

Tags: Design Retail, Design Retail Storefronts, into store, Retail Storefronts, your store

What Happens If A Collection Agency Summons Me To Court

What Happens If a Collection Agency Summons Me to Court?

Financial crisis hits people at various times. At some point you may find yourself unable to pay off your debts. Phone calls from debt collectors are persistent and intrusive. If the situation remains unresolved, one day you will hear a knock at your door: Someone is serving you with a summons to appear in court. Scary? Yes. But you have rights, and following certain procedures will protect you throughout the process.

Identification

After confirming that you do in fact owe the money, contact the original creditor to be certain that the credit agency has the authority to collect the debt. Write to the original creditor or the debt collector asking for proof that they have this authority. Always use certified mail. This will prove to the court that you made contact and that you are making an effort to settle the situation.

Time Frame

Look at the summons to see when the court date is. You have until that date to make some important decisions. Contact the collection agency and try to settle out of court. This will likely give you the opportunity to lower the debt and set up a payment plan. All contact should be in writing, so if the agency refuses to settle you can show the judge that you attempted to work with the agency.

Considerations

If you receive a summons from a collection agency and do not wish to settle out of court, you must appear in court on the appropriate day and time. If you do not show up, judgment will go to the debt collector and become part of your credit history for up to 10 years.

Prepare

Know exactly how much you can pay on the debt per month and communicate this to the judge. Provide a written document detailing your monthly income and expenses as proof of your willingness to settle your debt and to establish how much you can afford each month.

Going to Court

If you owe the money and a lawsuit is filed against you, you will have to pay what you owe. Your summons will provide you with the total amount due as well as the amount of the court costs. You will be responsible to pay these as well. If attempts to settle the debt fail, the judge will determine how much you will pay and the time frame for your payments.

Warning

If you choose not to appear in court, a judgment will be filed against you. This gives the collection agency a lot of power. The agency can place a lien on your home that will need to be paid before you can sell or refinance. In some states collection agencies can garnishee your wages and even seize personal property.

Tags: appear court, Agency Summons, Agency Summons Court, collection agency, Collection Agency Summons, debt collector, filed against

Write An Antiharassment Letter

Be sure to include all relevant information in an anti-harassment letter.

An anti-harassment letter, also known as a cease and desist letter, is written in an attempt to formally request that a person or business end an unwanted behavior. This could be in relation to a situation involving stalking, bullying or sexual harassment but can also include the conduct of debt collection agencies. Writing this type of letter is the first step taken before filing criminal charges.

Instructions

1. Include the name and address of the person to whom you are sending the letter in the first section of your anti-harassment letter, formatting it as you would any other type of letter. This should be followed by the name and address of the person or business about whom you are writing the letter. For example, if you are writing to ABC Company about the conduct of one of its employees, that employee's name and address (if known) should appear directly below the company's information.

2. Begin your letter by describing the offending behavior(s) or action(s). Be very specific and include all pertinent information, including time, dates, places and witnesses. Be professional; your letter will be ineffective if you are anything less.

3. State very clearly that you are requesting that the behavior or action stop immediately. Again, be specific and maintain professionalism.

4. In the last section of your letter, indicate that if the offending behavior or action does not immediately stop, you are fully prepared to take further legal action. Do not use threatening language, but elaborate by stating calmly that you will pursue the matter in a particular court (if known) or that you will seek restitution, if applicable or necessary.

5. Mail your letter via certified mail with return receipt requested. Certified mail requires a signature and return receipt means you will get a copy of the signature of the person who signed for the letter. If you do not send your letter certified, the recipient can claim that they never received it and you will have no proof that they, in fact, did receive it.

Tags: your letter, anti-harassment letter, behavior action, name address, address person, letter certified

Good Marketing & Promotion Techniques

Sponsoring a youth baseball team is one effective marketing strategy.

In order for your business to succeed, you must let potential customers know who you are and what you do. Advertising is an expensive way to achieve this goal, but there are plenty of marketing and promotion strategies that won't bust your budget. Your marketing and promotion strategies don't need to be directed specifically towards encouraging potential customers to buy your products; virtually any activity that creates positive awareness about your company will ultimately lead to higher sales.

Word-of-Mouth

The best marketing and promotion your company can generate is the word-of-mouth advertising that comes from satisfied customers. Potential customers are far more likely to listen to a friend who has had a good experience with your product or service than to a paid actor on a television commercial. Although word-of-mouth marketing comes primarily from your customers rather than from your public relations department, you can foster it by doing a good job and satisfying your existing customers.

Activities

Activity-based marketing campaigns make good promotion strategies because they get customers and potential customers engaged, and can generate publicity. One Seattle restaurant marked its 60th anniversary by hiding menus from the 1950s in different spots around town, and then sending customers on a treasure hunt, communicating clues through social media venues. Winners earned an opportunity to dine at the restaurant for 1950s prices. The campaign generated considerable publicity and cost the restaurant next to nothing. Make your promotional activities fun and newsworthy, and send out press releases to local media outlets.

Sponsorship

Sponsoring an event or a sports team puts your company in the public eye without the considerable expense of conventional advertising. When sponsoring a team or an activity for promotional purposes, choose one that is suitable for your product and your message. For example, if your company sells art supplies, sponsor a local mural by donating the materials that the artists need. If you own a business such as a coffee shop that caters primarily to customers in your immediate area, sponsor an activity or a team close to your store.

Networking

Networking connects you to other entrepreneurs and members of your community. This can help your business, making your associates aware of the products and services you provide through direct, face-to-face interactions. Networking connections generally involve mutual support; you help to promote someone else's endeavor at the same time that he helps to promote yours. For example, by joining your neighborhood chamber of commerce, you avail yourself of opportunities to promote your shopping district as an area where customers can meet a variety of needs.

Tags: your company, potential customers, promotion strategies, customers your, from your, marketing promotion, marketing promotion strategies

Start An Affiliate Business Online

Anyone with a computer can start an affiliate business

Affiliate marketing is a term used to describe selling someone else's product for a commission. You are given a special link that is specific to you, and when you send visitors to their website through that link and they make a purchase, you are paid a commission. These can range anywhere from 5% to as high as 75% for digital products. All you need is a computer, an internet connection, and a little knowledge and you could be running your own online affiliate business.

Instructions

1. Join an affiliate program. You can choose popular ones such as Clickbank and Commision Junction, or search for a specific product you want to sell.

2. Create a website to feature your links and banners. It can be a one page site for a specific product or several pages for a theme site featuring different products.

3. Sign up with an autoresponder service so you can collect emails on your website. Create an email newsletter or free report in exchange for email addresses.

4. Send traffic to your website. You can use pay-per-click ads, article marketing, directory submissions, and social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

Tags: affiliate business, specific product, your website

Make Money As An Affiliate

Making money as an affiliate of an online retailer might sound like something that is very simple to do. All you have to do is have someone make a purchase from that online retailer using your affiliate link. The problem many people find with affiliate programs on the Internet, however, is that there are too many affiliates signed up, or people typically go to the main website of the retailer. There are ways to be a successful online affiliate and make money as an affiliate. It just takes a lot of work.

Instructions

1. Choose the correct affiliate program to sign up for. Yes, the major retailers do have online presences and do have affiliate programs. The problem is these sites are so well known that people will visit the retailers primary website instead of going through an affiliate's link. Find one that fits a niche in which you feel the market is growing and the online retailer is not largely known in the marketplace.

2. Check out the fine print in the affiliate agreement. Find out how often it pays. If you are choosing a lesser known online retailer, make sure the payment is frequent enough. If the payment is only once every six months or less frequent, it is advisable to find a different program. Also, if an affiliate program refuses to pay you until you have have a large balance, this is an affiliate program to avoid.

3. Choose a market that you are interested in. Promoting your affiliate link can be a lot of hard work. To make it more enjoyable, choose to be an affiliate for a retailer in a market that you enjoy.

4. Once you have researched done Steps 3 and 4, combine your results. For example, if you are a foodie, find an affiliate program for a website such as The Inner Circle, instead of a more popular website such as Restaurant.com.

5. Find places that your intended audience visits. This can be online such as a message board or mailing list. It could also be a physical location in your local area. Once you know where your prospective customers are, buy advertising that will be seen by them. Remember that advertising alone isn't enough; you must target your advertising to be effective as an affiliate marketer.

6. Invest in your own success. Successful companies are always reinvesting in their own company. Set aside a percentage of your monthly affiliate earnings through the affiliate program or programs you are involved in as money to reinvest in marketing and advertising your affiliate link.

7. Start small and expand your interaction with affiliate programs as you succeed. It's best to concentrate on one or two affiliate programs when you are starting out. This allows you to create a marketing plan specifically for those online retailers. As your success increases, you should expand the number of affiliate programs you are a member of. Diversifying your affiliate program portfolio will reduce your risk.

Tags: affiliate program, affiliate programs, affiliate link, online retailer, your affiliate, your affiliate link

Advertise A Dental Practice

Dentists can advertise their business through direct mail and the yellow pages.

Dentists need to promote or advertise their practices like any other business. Since dentists provide local services, all of their advertising should be focused on the local market. The objective of dental advertising is to attract a potential patient's attention, build her interest and desire to use the dental service and, ultimately, prompt her to take action.

Instructions

1. Decide how much you want to spend each month on advertising. Allocate your advertising expenses among different types of advertising, including print or newspaper, television and even Internet ads.

2. Decide which types of patients you will target in your advertising, according to Smalltownmarketing.com. Target people who need routine examinations, but also promote certain specialties of your dental practice. Direct your teeth whitening services, for example, toward middle-aged people or smokers.

3. Obtain the data card or advertising rates from various advertising sources. Determine the specific deadline for purchasing each ad. Purchase your advertising in advance and keep it running consistently.

4. Start by getting referrals from current patients, even before any of your ads come out. Offer your patients discounts commensurate with the number of patients whom they refer. Keep your referral system running. Post the referral incentive program on the wall near the check-in window. Include referral page along with the documents that new patients fill out on their first visits.

5. Have a Web designer create a website for your dental practice. Include your website address on your business card and all advertising pieces.

6. Study dental advertisements in your local yellow pages. Place an ad that is comparable in size to some of your key competitors, as potential patients will often refer to the yellow pages when searching for a dentist. Place an online yellow pages ad through your yellow pages, too, because people also search online for local dentists.

7. Place advertisements in direct-mail magazines or comparable publications that are mailed to people's homes.

8. Create a brochure about your dental practice. Include your website address on the brochure. Obtain the names and addresses of new residents in your town from your local county administration office. Mail brochures to these new residents.

9. Advertise your dental practice in local community newspapers because they are highly cost effective.

10. Find a local Internet specialist who can optimize your website, which will help you get listed on the first or second page for local searches through Yahoo or Google.

Tags: yellow pages, your dental, your dental practice, your advertising, your website, advertise their, card advertising

What Is The Importance Of The Marketing Mix In The Development Of A Marketing Strategy & Tactics

Successfully balancing product, price, place and promotion leads to marketing effectiveness.

The marketing mix is a critical component in the development of marketing plans and strategies. The marketing mix encompasses all of the elements that impact an organization's ability to successfully take its products and services to market -- product, price, place and promotion. It is the effective mix, or combination, of these components -- not the success of any individual elements -- that contributes to success.

Product

The importance of a high-quality product that delivers value to the intended end user is critical. Product is one of the four components of the marketing mix. In developing marketing strategies and tactics, marketers will consider product information that includes sales data as well as market research information about customer satisfaction with the product and feedback attained through a variety of channels, including social media and other online interactions. As marketers respond to this feedback they will make changes to their products and services, and sometimes develop new products or line extensions to meet changing market demand.

Price

Even a great product at the wrong price-point will have a tough time achieving market success. Pricing is an important consideration in the marketing planning process. Pricing decisions are based on the costs of producing and delivering the products and services, but also on considerations related to desired brand image and how a specific target audience might respond to various price points. For example, hamburgers sold at McDonald's are priced lower than hamburgers sold at Wolfgang Puck's.

Place

The place component of the marketing mix refers not only to location, but also to access to the product or service; in other words, availability. A highly desired product, at a price that appeals to a wide range of consumers will struggle to achieve success if the product is hard to find or sold out whenever consumers attempt to make a purchase. Place considerations now also include issues related to ordering online and how easy (or difficult) it is to navigate the purchase process.

Promotion

While it can be easy to think of marketing as being all about promotion, the truth is that promotion is only one of the four elements that go into achieving marketing success. Businesses with high-quality products, desired by consumers, priced appropriately and readily and conveniently available, need to consider how they will communicate about the product to target consumers. That's where promotion comes in and may include such tactics as advertising, public relations or special events.

Tags: elements that, product price, products services, hamburgers sold, place promotion, price place, price place promotion