Fundraising & Development Responsibilities

Fundraising and development is essential to survive.

Without a good fundraising and development department, most nonprofit organizations would not survive. For this reason, board members are careful and selective about who they hire for these positions. They look for someone who is smart, driven and dedicated enough to their cause to bring in a lot of money so the organization can maintain itself and develop further.

Annual Goal Setting & Planning

Those working in the fundraising and development departments of an organization are responsible for setting and fulfilling goals for the year so those working in other departments can plan their events and operations based on the amount of money that will be coming in. Development professionals need to set realistic goals that can be met while at the same time taking a bit of a risk to push the organization to grow on a yearly basis.

Business & Donor Networking

Because most nonprofits depend at least partially on the donations of other businesses and wealthy individuals, those who work in development and fundraising need to have good networking and people skills. This includes telling donors what their money was used for, how successful the organization has been and why they should continue to support it and its mission.

Grant & Proposal Writing

Lots of grants are available to nonprofits and individuals working for a greater cause, but it takes work to access them and prove your organization worthy of the money available. Good writing and communication skills are essential in any candidate seeking a job in fundraising and development.

Budget Planning

Anyone who works for a nonprofit organization knows that money is tight, and every last penny counts. Fundraising officials need to realize this and make the money allocated for fundraising go as far as it can to yield a high return. In planning the budget, no detail of cost or expense can be left out.

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Communication Careers In Advertising

Advertising careers offer a wide range of options.

Career options in the advertising field include many communications-focused choices. These particular careers will give you the chance to put both your advertising and your communications skills to use for a business, nonprofit organization or advertising agency.

Media Planner

Media planning is one subset of advertising that employs communications skills. Media planners determine when and where a company will place its advertisements and in what medium (TV, radio, newspaper, magazine, online, billboards and more). In this role, it's important to understand the different communications vehicles available for advertising as well as the role of budgeting.

Public Relations

In addition, advertising can also involve public relations skills, in which a communications background is particularly important. Public relations professionals promote companies, products or services to the media in hopes of obtaining news articles on their topic. They also respond to questions from reporters, and need to have top-notch communications skills to do so well.

Copywriter

A copywriter is another advertising job that entails good communications skills; in this case, writing and editing. Copywriters craft copy for ads, articles and websites, highlighting key messages and creating catchy copy.

Creative Director

A creative director also employs communications skills in the field of advertising by supervising all of the creative work performed by a team. This can include copy, art, digital marketing and more. It requires good communication on the team level as well as good writing and editing skills.

Tags: communications skills, advertising that, employs communications, employs communications skills, writing editing

Open A Boxing Gym

Aspiring boxers need a gym in which to train. That could create a need and a business opportunity. But do your homework before making definitive plans. Boxing is a sport that's built on dedication, discipline and attention to details. An aspiring boxing gym owner should apply those same principles before opening a training facility.

Instructions

Open a Boxing Gym

1. Decide on your clientele. Some boxing gyms are for serious boxers training to fight competitively in the amateur or pro ranks. Other gyms train men and women wanting a workout or light sparring, but have no intentions of fighting professionally or in amateur tournaments. Some of those people compete in three-round bouts called white-collar boxing, in which no winner is declared and each round is two minutes instead of three.

2. Create a business plan. You might love boxing and can't wait to teach the sport, but treat it like a business. Write down all expenses and the number of boxers you're going to need to make a profit. Also, try to figure out how long that will be and if you can afford to go several months without making money.

3. Pick a location. This will be based on what kind of boxers you're trying to attract. For example, if you're aiming for white-collar types, pick a spot near office buildings so they can easily come in after work. Also, pick an area that doesn't already have a boxing gym.

4. Hire staff. This could include boxing trainers, nutrition experts, secretaries and possibly an advertising firm.

5. Buy equipment. This will be based on your business plan. You also may not need everything right away, or you might decide to have your boxers buy some of their own equipment. But you'll need to consider buying boxing gloves, a ring, handwraps, heavy bags, protective gear like headgear, speed bags and timers.

6. Look into buying insurance. Don't cut corners here. Meet with a lawyer to inquire if you should have the boxers sign a waiver form that releases the gym from any responsibility for injury. Ask the lawyer if you need to buy secondary insurance for the boxers.

7. Advertise for clients. This depends on whom you want to train. Advertise in newspaper sports sections and boxing publications. To attract athletes, put up flyers in weight-lifting gyms and talk to coaches of other sports. Maybe a high school football coach will recommend boxing to his players to stay in shape in the off-season. If you're going for the white-collar crowd, advertise in business publications.

Tags: business plan, Open Boxing, This will, This will based, will based

Start A Small Business With Promotional Items

Businesses should use promotional items to keep a company name visible.

Promotional items are used by all sizes of businesses to brand and promote their products and services. Launching a small promotional items business can present a challenge because of competition in the industry. Be prepared to begin slowly and have another source of income. Maintain persistence as you build a clientele. AllBusiness.com suggests that businesses should use promotional items to keep a company name in front of a customer.

Instructions

1. Find reseller options for your promotional items. Contact suppliers by phone and ask to speak to their channel manager about becoming an affiliate or reseller. Obtain reseller agreements with three to five suppliers to provide various product choices for your customers. Examples of promotional item suppliers are Promo Direct, Brand Comet and Gallant Gifts.

2. Visit the online marketplace for large firms such as Proforma or Branders. Pay attention to how large firms like these price similar products to what plan to sell so you can price your product competitively.

3. Speak to your suppliers about what kinds of promotional items are moving. Have a portfolio that's in tune with the seasonality of products. Offer summer- and beach-related items when it's hot and winter- and snow-related items when it's cold. Carry an organized portfolio of your promotional items to easily demonstrate at any time.

4. Develop a web presence for your products. Create at least a one-page Internet website featuring your top products and information about yourself. Learn the basics of search engine optimization (SEO), which allows your web page to be more easily found when local businesses search for promotional items on the Internet. Speak to a local web company about create a website and develop SEO.

5. Join the local networking or "tip" group and the chamber of commerce to enhance your direct sales efforts. Make direct sales efforts by introducing yourself to local business owners. Ask your prospects (as well as existing clients) if they have any upcoming company events or promotions at which they can offer your products. Become a knowledgeable and reliable branding consultant by asking clients about their marketing goals and making item suggestions specifically related to their events.

Tags: promotional items, your products, company name, direct sales, direct sales efforts, items keep

Write A Flyer For Tutoring

Tutoring can be satisfying work for a number of reasons.

Tutoring can be truly satisfying work for those who like helping others learn and grow. A tutor usually has expertise in several areas as well as personality traits that include patience, kindness and a desire to see others succeed. The tutor's capabilities are reflected in perceived results --- such as watching the achievements of a student or client, and experiencing their increased self-esteem as he or she learns. To increase the stream of clientele, a tutor can put out flyers by mail, e-mail or can post them at schools, libraries and community boards. Compose a flyer that is straightforward and informational.

Instructions

1. Write a unique header rather than just saying "Tutor Available." Use a couple of keywords that describe you to attract readers. Terms such as dedicated, dynamic, experienced, easy-going can describe you, but also think about the experience for the student. Something like "Learn Language Arts with Lively Larry" will attract more flyer readers than would "Study with Steph."

2. Add a couple of sentences describing you, your skills, and experience. Note any specific licenses or certificates you hold.

3. Elaborate with a list of services limited it to about half the page. An example would be: I (as Larry) have been tutoring high school and college students about reading, writing and speaking since 1990. I have a bachelor of arts from the University of Washington and a master's in English from Yale. Let me help you or your child with:

- Book report writing

- Understanding characters in stories

- Setting realistic goals for reading

4. Copy a line or two from reviews you have received from satisfied students or clients and add it to the flyer as a recommendation. "Larry helped our daughter Katie advance 3 levels in reading in just 6 weeks! - Frank Smith."

5. Add your rate or a line stating your fees are negotiable or on a sliding scale. Some people are comfortable saying they charge $50 an hour, while others would prefer that a client contact them first to discuss the situation and costs involved. You can also offer a special, such as "5 sessions for $ 150.00 until summer break."

6. Provide your contact information in a large font size rather than tiny print at the bottom. Place it beginning about two-thirds of the way down the page. Write your phone number or message service, email address and a Web site if you have one. Web sites allow people to investigate more fully your background, read any articles you've posted, and see what other clients have to say.

7. Add graphics for visual appeal if desired, but watch out for overcrowding or distracting from the actual information you want flyer readers to take in.

8. Make multiple copies for print and disseminate via email to your contacts.

Tags: flyer readers, rather than, satisfying work

Ideas For A Wedding Jack & Jill Parties

Celebrate both the bride and groom with a Jack and Jill party.

While bridal showers were once women-only events, many modern couples now opt to bring men into the mix by throwing Jack and Jill parties. At these equality-focused parties, both the bride and the groom are presented with gifts by guests eager to celebrate their union and help the happy couple prepare for their upcoming life of marital bliss. Does this Spark an idea?

Battle of the Sexes

Because both men and women attend Jack and Jill parties, organizers can pit these groups against each other in competitive fun. Creating physical or mental battle of the sexes challenges promote playful competition among the genders. For mental challenges, organizers can use simple Trivial Pursuit or other knowledge-based games. Party planners can prepare outdoor physical games, such as egg tosses or three-legged races and divide players into gender-based teams to allow party guests to burn off some energy and have some fun in the sun during the event.

Plug it in Party

By selecting a playful, gift-related theme, Jack and Jill party organizers can encourage guests to exercise creativity when selecting their presents. At a Plug it In Jack and Jill party, guests are encouraged to present the bride and groom with gifts that, as the title would suggest, can be plugged in. Anything electronic, from a radio to a blender, can easily fit this bill. If planning a party of this type, organizers should ensure that the bride and groom have registered for an array of electronic gifts in varying price ranges to ensure that guests have an assortment of options to choose from.

His and Hers Buffets

Creating his and hers buffets can highlight the differences between the bride and groom and provide a division that is amusing for guests to observe. To create a dining option of this type, party hosts should sit down with the bride and groom prior to the event and collect a list of each one's favorite dishes. Before the event, the organizer should divide his buffet table, covering one half with a pink tablecloth and the other with a blue one. To finish off the buffet, he must prepare each future spouse's favorites and place them on the appropriate side of the color-coded buffet table.

To add a touch of competitiveness to the event, hosts can ask guests to vote on which member of the marriage has the best taste in food at the conclusion of the event and reward the winner with a humorous gift, such as a pass from cooking dinner.

Tags: bride groom, Jack Jill, Jack Jill party, Jill party, both bride, both bride groom

Become A Radio Entrepreneur

Bringing in a big-name star can boost your audience reach.

While there are a few cases of pirate radio stations building a big following and successfully going legit, it's unlikely you'll make any serious money out of owning a commercial radio station without ensuring everything's above board and legal. You'll need to be properly licensed and make sure you're paying your dues to performing rights societies if you're broadcasting music. If you can get the right content to the right audience, you'll have every chance of attracting advertising dollars.

Instructions

1. Decide on the content your radio station will broadcast. Think about the kind of advertisers you want to attract and what content is likely to be popular in the area in which you're planning to broadcast. Look at stations that are currently broadcasting in your area to establish what seems to work well. Consider whether a purely speech-based station would pull in the most money, or whether you'd be best off broadcasting music. If you're planning to broadcast solely online, you'll be less constrained by local demographics.

2. Apply for a license to broadcast from the Federal Communications Commission. The type of permit you'll need will depend on the frequency on which you plan to broadcast and the content of your station's shows. Both the FM and the AM band are constrained, which means there is very little space for new stations in most of the country. If you plan to buy an existing station, you'll need to file an application with the FCC to get the sale approved. You won't need a license to broadcast over the Internet. The FCC advises applicants not to buy any equipment before their application has been approved.

3. Invest in studio and transmitting equipment. This will be a costly part of the process if you plan to broadcast over the airwaves, but you can set up a web-based station with just a home computer, a decent broadband connection and some basic software.

4. Contact satellite and cable television providers to inquire about them carrying your station. You'll have to pay for this service, but it will increase your potential audience reach significantly.

5. Register for a license with performing rights organizations if you plan to broadcast music.

6. Recruit a roster of DJs. If your budget allows, poach a big-name star from another station or employ a celebrity that's likely to attract a large audience. While this will increase your spending on wages, it's likely to increase your audience reach.

7. Approach advertisers about buying space on your station's shows. Research what similar stations are charging for air time and put together an advertiser's pack for potential sponsors. Be prepared to price competitively when you're starting out. You can increase your rates as your audience grows.

8. Promote your station. Buy space in other types of media and sponsor events to raise your station's profile.

9. Look for opportunities to buy up or start new stations once you've started to turn a profit.

Tags: your station, increase your, audience reach, plan broadcast, your audience, big-name star, broadcast over

Build A Marketing Department

The Marketing Department of an organization plays a vital role in promoting the business or mission of an organization. Although marketing needs vary from organization to organization, there are some basics that must be met through staffing.

Instructions

1. Marketing is a vision-driven function. A director or manager should be hired first---he will drive the marketing plans for the department to implement on behalf of the organization. A qualified candidate would have an extensive marketing background, a solid understanding of the goals for the organization and a vision that aligns well with those goals.

2. An effective marketing department will have a public relations (PR) function. The person in this position (most likely an associate or manager) would be responsible for developing contacts with radio, television and print media. He would bring media attention to newsworthy activities, write and disseminate press releases or PSAs and help shape marketing plans for various departments or initiatives.

3. Messaging is key to supporting the marketing plans set forth for the organization. There should be a position focused on the development and continuity of online and print communications. This position can also be an associate or manager as well.

4. In addition to working on specific projects or campaigns, a staff person that can manage the various plans and pull the pieces together is often helpful. This person could be considered a project manager. He is responsible for processing requests from other departments and working with the other staff to staff the marketing plans. He can work with outside vendors to produce products as necessary as well as support other staff as needed.

5. Depending on the organization's needs, specific functions such as graphic design and advertising can be staffed.

Tags: marketing plans, associate manager, Marketing Department, other staff

Product Packaging Ideas

The packaging of a product is your last line of marketing. If your product competes with other products sitting on the shelf of a department store or grocery store, it is important that your packaging diverts attention from your competitors. What the packaging says could be the last selling point that closes the deal. When designing packaging, consider cost and environmental benefits along with the look.

Know Your Audience

Different products attract the attention of different people. Your packaging design should fit the product and capture the essence of the people you are marketing to. Axe Shower Gel has a rugged and strong package design that appeals to young men. Kids are attracted to bright and fun colors with animal characters on it. The Horizon Organic milk cow implies that the child will have fun drinking the milk.

Environmentally Friendly

More and more people are seeking products that reflect an eco-conscious lifestyle. Minimizing packaging to allow the product to shine through not only allows customers to see the product but to reduce waste. You can also make packaging that can be reused for other purposes. Packaging designs made out of recycled materials is also very popular among consumers.

Freebies

Ask any child who waited to find the detective decoder ring at the bottom of the cereal box, getting free stuff with your product is fun. Depending on your product, you can offer posters, puzzles or stickers. Sell a book with a CD that promotes a product you are cross-promoting. A few songs on a CD can give a customer a taste of what they should look for to buy the complete version.

Cost

When looking at packaging, you need to consider the materials that will be involved in the packaging. Beyond just the simple cost of packaging materials, there will be costs to ship your product and they will increase if you packaging design is an odd shape or oversized. Many great packaging designs use little packaging at all. Candle-Lite became a major grocery store seller by having nothing more than a small label on the back of a clear jar. The product glowed (on the shelf and after being lit) and allowed consumers to know exactly what they were buying.

Tags: your product, grocery store, packaging design, what they

The Advantages Of Advertising On Tv

Television Advertising

The average household owns 2.24 televisions, according to A.C. Nielson, the company responsible for compiling television ratings. A recent study by Ball State University says Americans watch on average, four and a half hours of television a day. Cable and satellite make TV reception possible almost anywhere, and television remains a top leisure activity. A large audience is just one reason television remains an effective advertising medium.

Audience

The television audience is the largest of any advertising medium, with 99 percent of U.S. households owning a television. Only 80 percent of U.S households own computers and only 92 percent of those households have Internet access, all according to Nielson (February 2009).

Creativity

The commercial production possibilities of TV advertising are as limitless as the budget you have to produce them. Producing a television commercial for very little money (under $1,000) is also possible. This allows even the smallest businesses access to the medium.

Affordability

Buying commercials or spots outside of prime time (8-11 p.m. Eastern and Pacific) is one cost effective way to reach your customer. The average spot length is 30 seconds, but 15-second spots are available at a lower rate.

Ratings

Ratings measure the households and individuals watching particular shows and networks. Ratings are gathered several ways. For the 56 largest markets, Nielson uses a People Meter. It is a small electronic device that captures exactly what people are watching throughout the day. In smaller television markets they send paper diaries and people record what they are watching. The higher the ratings, the more people are watching the program. The ratings give advertisers a fairly accurate idea of the audience their advertising is reaching.

Demographics

Television advertisers can target their customers based on specific demographics. Demographic categories include sex, age, income and education. The basic television demographic categories are Adults 18-34, Adults 18-49, Adults 25-54 and Adults 35-64. This information is gathered along with the ratings, allowing an advertiser to match a product's demographic with the network's or show's demographic.

Targeting

Demographics and ratings allow you to target your specific customer. If you are selling perfume, and your customers are women in their 20s, you want to advertise in programs highly rated with Women 18-34. You can also narrow the demographic even further, targeting Women 20-29 or even Women 21-25. All broadcast TV stations selling advertising subscribe to Nielson. They receive computer programs and updates from Nielson enabling them to help you target your specific customer.

Measurement

Buying television advertising comes with some safety nets. When you buy a television advertising schedule you are guaranteed certain ratings for the duration of the schedule. The ratings for television programs are regularly measured four times a year: fall, winter, spring and summer. In the largest television markets the household numbers are measured every day. If your schedule does not reach the ratings (number of viewers) promised, you are entitled to 'make-goods.' 'Make-goods' are additional free television spots given to advertisers to make up for the lack of audience during the original run of the schedule.

Tags: your specific customer, according Nielson, advertising medium, people watching, percent households

Theme Basket Ideas For Silent Auctions

Theme baskets attract many bidders at silent auctions. A variety of themes provides more opportunities to appeal to a larger group of people. Local businesses are often willing to donate items for the theme baskets.The donated items save money on the budget and provide the donating business with free advertisement at the silent auction.

Wine

A wicker picnic basket offers a unique container for a wine-themed gift basket. A picnic blanket can be used as a soft filler in the bottom of the basket. Include a few bottles of wine, a corkscrew, wine glasses and a wine bottle stopper in the basket. Use a local winery to provide the wine if one is available. Additional accessories for the wine basket may include a cheese board, wine glass markers or tickets to a local wine event.

Movies

Use a large popcorn bowl for the container of this themed basket. Unsalted and unbuttered popcorn provides a fun filler for the basket. Options for the movie basket include DVDs, gift certificates for movie rentals, tickets to a local movie theater and assorted candy typically found at a movie theater concession stand. The gift basket idea can be expanded to family fun night activities, including gift certificates for pizza, an ice cream shop, miniature golf or a local arcade.

Spa

Spa-themed baskets are always popular at silent auctions. A terrycloth robe or towel offers a theme-related filler for the bottom of the basket. A variety of lotions, body scrubs, bath oils and candles create the contents of the spa basket. Beauty accessories, including an eye mask, pumice stone or nail files, round out the contents of the basket. Add a gift certificate to a local spa to increase the value of the spa basket.

Local Attraction

A local attraction provides another theme option for a basket. Zoos, aquariums, museums or art centers are possible attractions for this idea. Find a local attraction that will support the themed basket for the auction. Include tickets for the attraction, as well as a disposable camera, travel journal and a gift certificate to an on-site restaurant or gift shop.

Scrapbooking

The popularity of scrapbooking as a hobby makes a scrapbook-themed basket ideal for a silent auction. A plastic craft container that can hold scrapbooking supplies serves as the container for this gift basket. Items for inclusion in the scrapbook basket include decorative papers, stickers, embellishments, acid-free markers, paper punches, edging scissors, photo corners and acid-free adhesive. A gift certificate to a local scrapbooking or craft shop provides extra incentive for potential bidders.

Tags: basket include, gift basket, gift certificate, bottom basket, certificate local

Make Money From Commission Junction

Commission Junction

Commission Junction is an affiliate program for advertisers and publishers. To participate, you (the publisher) post the advertisers' links on your website or blog. Every time someone clicks on the link and buys something, you get a percentage of the sale. If someone clicks on the link and fills out a form, you get a commission for attracting a sales lead. If they come back to the site later and purchase something or fill out the form, you can still get a commission because the cookie stays on the computer.

Instructions

1. If you do not have a website or blog, it's not hard to get one. If you want to create a website, you can purchase a domain and a web host for your site. GoDaddy and Hostgator are a couple that have reasonable prices. The first step is to get a blog or website up and running, if you do not have one already.

2. Go to the Commission Junction website and sign up.

3. Once you are signed up, browse through the different advertisers. Commission Junction has over 1,000 from which to choose. Browse by categories that complement the audience of your website. Click on a category to look at the advertiser list. To find out more details about a particular program, click on the advertiser that interests you.

4. Look for advertisers that sell a product or service that is associated with your blog or website, so you have a better chance to earn some money. When you find an advertiser that interests you, click on the "join program" button. Agree to the terms and conditions after reading them carefully. Some programs approve you automatically, and some approve you manually, which takes time. When you are approved for a program, it is added to your link relationship list, which is a list of all the advertisers that approved you to post their links on your website or blog.

5. To get the link for the advertiser that approved you, click on the "Get links" tab from the home page of Commission Junction. If you choose to post a link from an advertiser that is not active or has not approved you yet, you do not collect a commission on the sales or leads.

6. Choose a link or banner. When you click on "View links," a list pops up for all the links that you can post on your site or blog. When you find a link you like, click on it, and from there you can copy HTML or JAVA for that link and paste it to your website or blog.

7. Click "Publish," and the link appears. That's it; you're done. Now your site is monetized by Commission Junction.

Tags: Commission Junction, advertiser that, website blog, your website, your site, your website blog, advertiser that interests

What Is A Good Graduation Gift For A Boyfriend

Get him tickets to a ballgame you know he'll enjoy.

When your boyfriend graduates from college or high school, finding him the perfect gift to celebrate the occasion is important. Giving your boyfriend a present for his graduation shows him your support for all he has achieved and that you are proud of him and his achievements. If your man has recently graduated or will soon, learning some boyfriend gift ideas can help you get him something great.

Take a Trip

Plan a trip for the two of you to take after graduation. A trip will be a rewarding activity he can take to relax and have fun after all of his hard work. Head to a destination you know he'll enjoy such as the beach if he loves the water or to the mountains if he's a mountain man. If you are strapped for cash, don't go too far and get a just get a nice hotel room for the two of you to relax in for a couple of nights.

Gifts for the Future

Get him something to prepare him for the next step in his career. A present like this will show him support for his future endeavors. A briefcase or laptop bag will be a useful tool for the business world. If he is pursuing jobs, buy him a professional suit that he can don when he goes to prospective job interviews. If this is a high school graduation, get him a shirt from the college he will be heading off to, or even d cor for his dorm room.

Gift Cards

A gift card to a favorite store of his can provide him with the option to choose exactly what he wants. If he loves sports, get him a card to a local sporting goods store or sporting emporium. If he's musically inclined, try a gift card to a local record store or online music site. If you have the funds, buy him multiple gift cards to a few different stores he loves and he can have a day of shopping.

Personalized Presents

Personalizing a gift for him can add a special touch and show that you didn't just get him a basic gift, but one made specifically for him. A personalized watch with his initials or even a romantic quote about your timeless love is one idea. If he's heading into the business world, a personalized briefcase can help him get started. For the sports fan in him, have a jersey made in his favorite team's colors with his name or nickname on the back.

A Night Out

Take him out for a night on the town. Plan a dinner at his favorite restaurant and an activity you know he loves. If he's into sports, take him to a nearby game. Find out if any of his favorite musical acts will be playing around his graduation time and take him to the show. A special night filled with his favorite activities will show how well you know him and care, and can help him to decompress and relax after graduation.

Tags: after graduation, business world, card local, from college, gift card, high school, know enjoy

What Are Promotion Objectives

Any company promotion must be clearly defined with objectives and goals.

For any business, marketing and promotions are essential both to grow and to retain customers. As with any goal or objective, a promotion objective should specifically focus on one aspect of the promotional strategy. By having a collection of promotion objectives, a company is more likely to meet its goals.

Purpose

The purpose of promotion objectives is to give a company clearly defined goals to meet through promotional activities. According to the Restaurant Resource Group website, a promotional objective should be set with the intent to attract new customers, increasing frequency from existing customers, increasing average guest expenditures and building larger parties.

Features

A promotional objective ideally expresses a goal in terms of numbers and within a flexible time frame. For example, a promotion should not merely have the goal of increasing business; the goal of increasing business by 10 percent within a month of launching the promotion is more clear and gives all employees a solid idea of what must be accomplished. Objectives should always be realistic; meeting goals will encourage workers to set higher goals next time.

Types

Promotion objectives focus on a variety of goal types. One is to build awareness of products, services and/or the company in general, as well as to generate more interest in the business. Objectives also help stimulate demand by encouraging customers to take advantage of a "limited time offer" and give the company their business at a time when they might not have otherwise. Another type of promotion objective is to reinforce company brand and strengthen the relationship between company and customer.

Expert Insight

The website MarketingTeacher recommends going for a "promotional mix" when planning your promotional goals. This means targeting your goals with a wide variety of strategies, including personal selling, sales promotion, public relations, direct mail, trade fairs, advertising and sponsorship in order to reach different types of audiences and receive feedback.

Tags: clearly defined, customers increasing, give company, goal increasing, goal increasing business, increasing business, objective should

Housekeeping Job Responsibilities

Housekeepers may have to iron sheets and clothing.

A housekeeper has the responsibility of a hotel, company or private household. Her primary responsibility is to keep the place clean and presentable at all times and must perform a variety of tasks in order to do so. A housekeeper may live with a family or may work on a full-time or part-time basis. She may either report to the employer or to another housekeeper.

Cleaning

The major responsibility of a housekeeper is to the clean the grounds of a company or a private residence. This includes dusting, vacuuming and washing the interior or exterior. Some duties of cleaning include washing the floor, polishing silverware, dusting trinkets and furniture and washing the windows. She may also have to maintain the kitchen by cleaning the cupboards, pantry, counters, floors and utilities, and may also wash and dry the dishes.

Meal Preparation and Service

Preparing and serving meals may be a required duty for a housekeeper. She should be aware of any diet restrictions or allergies that her clients may have. Sometimes the housekeeper may also have to purchase the food before preparing it. Depending on the family's budget, she may assist them with cooking and serving for special events.

Household Errands

A housekeeper may be required to perform special tasks or errands for her clients. This can include going to the laundromat or dry cleaner or going to the grocery store. The housekeeper must make sure that the client has a stock of important household supplies. These supplies can include food, toiletries and cleaning products. If she is working for elderly clients, she may be required to purchase their prescriptions.

House Sitting

A housekeeper may have to house-sit while her client is on vacation or out of town. She will have to make sure that the house is secure; sometimes she will be required to stay in the house and to maintain it. If there are pets or children present, the housekeeper may have to watch them. Duties would include feeding the pets or children, and keeping them company. It's very rare that a housekeeper will watch after children. If the client has any plants, she will be required to water them while he's away.

Tags: also have, company private, housekeeper have, make sure, make sure that

Resources For Managing A Business

Many online resources are available to help small businesses thrive and grow.

Small businesses owners and managers often get caught up in the details of running an enterprise. The manager may not need to hire someone to handle such things, but could use help in some aspects of managing the business. Fortunately, the Internet offers many online resources that help small businesses take care of certain management concerns. The helps may take the form of downloadable applications or ways to share files through the browser. Either way, by providing a quick way to perform tasks, these online resources save small businesses time and money.

Money Matters

Many small businesses outsource their money matters to accountants. If your business is online, there are many tools to help you handle your money. For example, webapps such as Invoice Journal and LiteAccounting can help you create, send and track invoices to any customers. Bootstrap allows you to budget for your business and includes features to help you prepare for tax time.

Time Management

Employees need to be on the same page with the company calendar. There are plenty of tools that allow this. For appointment setting you can use Appointy, a small web application that allows you to set and manage appointments with clients or partners. When Is Good allows a group of people to cooperate in setting the time for a meeting based on when they are free.

Work groups

Different documents and files need to be edited by multiple employees in some cases. Homecourt is one easy way to collaborate on different documents. Google Documents also allows collaboration on files. Yammer acts similar to twitter, giving business people a way to communicate short project updates.

Meetings

Besides using time management apps to set an appointment time, many programs allow meetings to take place remotely. KinetiCast allows businesses to deliver presentations through the browser of someone who is not in the same room as the presenter. 280 Slides is another program that allows free presentation creation. This is similar to Google Documents, which allows the creation and sharing of presentations.

Tags: small businesses, online resources, Google Documents, help small, help small businesses, that allows, through browser

Design A Healthy Lifestyle

Everyone knows that eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly and

coping with stress are beneficial to the body and mind. But how do

you balance work and family, friendships and hobbies without spreading

yourself too thin? The solution is to incorporate these elements

into a healthy lifestyle plan. Investing in professional assistance is a

huge motivator and a small price to pay for a healthier, happier you.

Instructions

1. Consult your doctor as you begin to map out your new lifestyle. He or she will help ensure a safe and beneficial regimen based on your age and physical condition.

2. Hire a personal weight loss and nutritional adviser to get you started. His or her guidance and expertise will help you formulate a plan that's right for you and, more important, help you stay on track when you stray. See 24 Choose a Weight Loss Plan.

3. Seek out a professional trainer that you can relate to and develop a fitness program that you'll enjoy and maintain for the long haul. Moderate exercise can improve your quality of life by firming muscles, controlling weight, strengthening the heart and lungs, improving circulation and digestion, burning calories, and building strength, endurance and flexibility. See 25 Design Your Workout Schedule.

4. Reduce your stress level by finding a mental or physical outlet that works for you. Exercise, yoga and meditation are proven to reduce stress and increase a feeling of well-being. Walking regularly has huge health benefits for people of all ages and fitness levels--and it's free.

5. Get enough sleep. Lack of rest weakens your immune system and makes you susceptible to illness and disease. Also, drink plenty of water. It eliminates toxins, increases energy, aids in weight loss, and promotes better brain function.

6. Plan your meals in advance to avoid unhealthy choices such as fast or prepackaged foods. A weekly menu will help you stick to a more balanced diet and choose healthier options at the grocery store. See 298 Organize Grocery Store Trips and 297 Plan a Week of Menus.

7. Make time for your family, your friends and yourself. Cultivating new relationships, enjoying a hobby and sharing time with your family will allow you to stay focused on what's truly important in life. See 14 Balance Home and Work and 15 Live With Less.

Tags: will help, weight loss, your family

Importance Of Tv In Advertising

Television has held the title of the largest mass medium used for advertising for more than 60 years, and that designation has not been overtaken even with the growth of the internet. Television is an important component of a media plan because of its pervasiveness, impact and targeting abilities.

Impact of Television

We live in a culture bombarded with promotional messages. Studies differ on the number of ads seen by the average American, but researchers cite from 850 to 3,000 ad messages experienced daily. These messages come from traditional sources like TV and newspapers but also on coffee cups, bill inserts, catalogs, T-shirts and the like. The competition for the eyes and ears of the American consumer is fierce. Getting attention fosters the awareness that is the first rung of the advertising action hierarchy. It is so very critical to creating sales of an advertised product.

Medium Properties

Television has the properties of sight, sound and motion that traditionally set it apart from other media such as radio (sound only) or print (sight only). With its three-pronged assault on its viewer's senses, TV is able to create broad awareness for a product. Television is considered a mass medium because of the numbers of people it reaches.

Pervasiveness of TV

National broadcasters like CBS, NBC, ABC and now FOX reach more than 115 million households with 290 million viewers. Television reaches more than 94% of the country's population, a huge potential audience for a television commercial. But even TV's mass audience gets segmented as viewers fragment along age, gender and racial groups to watch particular networks, channels and programs.

Effectiveness of TV Ads

The actual impact of an individual television ad depends on the kind of product being advertised. Some product categories are just naturally more interesting than others. More important is the creativity of the message itself.

This is where specialists in television advertising truly earn their paychecks as it is their job to create ads that break through the clutter of television advertising, get attention, communicate its unique selling proposition and so position the product for a sale. Television advertising has established a pantheon of highly regarded brands and brand icons like the Pillsbury Dough Boy, Michelin Tire Man and Tony the Tiger.

Television Broadcasters

All national broadcasters have affiliated local stations. Local broadcast stations have some autonomy in program lineup, especially during the daytime and late-night periods. Local news is the bread and butter of local TV. Local stations have their own inventories of local ad units for sale and are given a share of some time slots available in prime-time programming for local ad sales. Buying local ads might provide a savings over national ad prices in the same TV program.

Cable television advertising brings a new level of audience targeting and cheaper advertising costs. Cable TV practically invented the long-format commercial known as Infomercials, which even national broadcasters use to sell available time inventories, especially late night.

Tags: more than, television advertising, mass medium, national broadcasters, stations have

Hotel Sales Executive Job Description

Hotels across the world rely on sales executives for group bookings.

Hotel sales executives play a key role in helping a hotel achieve and maintain profitability. They work to build relationships with potential clients, highlighting their facilities as optimum for business events of all kinds. They provide all the necessary information to help clients make informed decisions on the purchase of blocks of rooms and production of special events.

Role

A hotel sales executive, sometimes called a sales coordinator, typically assists the director of sales and the sales manager in ensuring consistent usage of hotel facilities. This means not only rooms for lodging, but also for meetings and conferences, conventions, seminars, wedding groups, banquet services and catering services. This position in group sales is a vital part of helping a hotel stay profitable.

Experience

College graduates with one to three years of sales experience are preferred, preferably in hotel sales or other hospitality industries. The typical starting point is entry-level sales executive. With success comes promotion to sales manager, then perhaps director of sales. Many hotel general managers began as sales executives, earning their promotions due to solid sales and leadership skills. Large hotel chains provide additional career advancement opportunities.

Duties

Relationship-building savvy is an important key to the success of a hotel sales executive. This is often the first person to impact potential customers with the hotel's attributes, and should be especially skilled at cold calling and other marketing techniques. Attendance at trade shows and similar events is crucial to make new contacts. Following up with clients is also crucial to address any concerns or disappointments that occurred and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.

Skills

The hotel sales executive will work in conjunction with the director of sales and sales manager to maintain current client relationships and encourage repeat business. This sales professional must be a strong "people person" with excellent communication skills; a positive, persuasive personality; and diligent attention to detail, while ensuring an exemplary experience for all customers. First-class written and presentation abilities are vital, as are competent computer and database skills. The advent of social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter are new avenues for the sales executive to further recruit for group sales.

Administrative

Hotel sales executives and coordinators regularly assist sales managers and directors with administrative duties like creating and distributing sales agreements, event request forms, filing and sending invoices, production of monthly and quarterly sales reports and any variety of general office responsibilities. In larger facilities, responsibility for the event itself will fall to the event manager, with the sales executive only charged with attending or running the event in certain circumstances.

Compensation

The income of a hotel sales executive is performance-based. The average annual salary is $56,177, according to CareerBuilder.com. The lowest percentile earns $41,163; the highest percentile earns $75,623. Sales managers earn an average of $75,869 and as much as $118,556.

Tags: sales executive, sales executives, director sales, hotel sales executive, sales manager, director sales sales

Salary For An Entrylevel Electrical Engineer

Entry-level electrical engineers may have a tougher time finding jobs in the U.S. as more employers send engineering work to other countries. New electrical engineers who do find jobs will quickly discover that one of the best ways to get a higher salary is by gaining experience. Experience also affects the type of projects electrical engineers get from their employers. An entry-level engineer's educational background impacts salary offers as well.

Average Salaries

Electrical engineers design and test electrical equipment, including motors and lighting and radar systems. They also develop electrical systems for cars and airplanes. Some electrical engineers oversee the manufacturing process for electrical devices. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites the mean annual salary for electrical engineers in 2009 as $86,250. Entry-level electrical engineers make significantly less than that, but new engineers who earn bachelor's degrees can bolster their initial earnings.

New Graduates

Electrical engineers who are recent college graduates usually begin their careers by working under the supervision of an experienced engineer. Companies that hire entry-level engineers also may require them to complete company training courses as a condition of their employment. Engineers who have bachelor's degrees earn some of the sector's highest starting salaries. According to the BLS, the average starting salary for electrical engineers who had bachelor's degrees was $60,125 in 2009. That's the sixth-highest starting salary listed by the BLS among 13 engineering occupations. Petroleum engineers with bachelor's degrees topped the list with starting salaries of $83,121 in 2009.

Experience

New electrical engineers' salaries and responsibilities increase as they gain knowledge and experience. New engineers take on increasingly complex projects, and some may eventually manage a team of engineers and technicians. The motion picture and video industry are among the top-paying industries for the profession. Based on BLS data, electrical engineers earned mean annual wages of $109,960 in the motion picture and video industry in 2009.

Job Growth

The BLS predicts only a 2-percent employment growth rate for electrical engineers through 2018, which would add just 2,700 to the sector. That slow growth rate doesn't reflect future demand for electrical engineering skills. The BLS expects strong demand for electrical devices such as wireless phone transmitters. However, more companies are using engineering services in other countries, which may limit job opportunities for electrical engineers in the U.S. According to the BLS, electrical engineers in the U.S. who work for firms that provide engineering consulting and design services to manufacturers will have the best future job prospects.

Tags: electrical engineers, bachelor degrees, demand electrical, electrical devices, electrical engineers

Alexandria La Radio Stations

Country and urban contemporary stations dominate the Alexandria, Louisiana, airwaves.

Radio stations broadcasting to the central Louisiana city of Alexandria focus heavily on country and urban contemporary music. Several notable stations perform strongly in the Arbitron rankings. Arbitron, a media and marketing research firm, surveys and ranks stations several times throughout the year. Its data help stations sell commercial spots to advertisers.

KKST-FM, 98.7

KKST, or "Kiss 98.7," is a hip-hop and R&B station in Alexandria. In spring 2010 ratings, Kiss 98.7 sat atop the Alexandria market, with a 10.3 Average Quarter Hour share, or 10.3 percent of all persons measured during the surveyed time period. According to its company profile, Kiss 98.7, along with some other stations in the area, is owned and operated by Cenla Broadcasting.

KLAA-FM, 103.5

Operating from nearby Tioga, Louisiana, KLAA, or LA-103, is Alexandria's most popular country station, as of spring 2010 according to Arbitron. LA-103 features one of the more popular morning shows, "Big D & Bubba," from 5 to 10 a.m. weekdays.

KEDG-FM, 106.9

Sunny 106.9, KEDG-FM, is a mix/adult contemporary station operating from Alexandria. The station advertises itself as talk-free and broadcasts popular syndicated shows with hosts such as John Tesh and Delilah. Sunny 106.9 is operated by Opus Broadcasting.

KZMZ-FM, 96.9

KZMZ-FM, or 96.9 Rocks, is Alexandria's leading classic rock station as of spring 2010, according to Arbitron. KZMZ, operated by Cenla Broadcasting, broadcasts a syndicated Alice Cooper radio show.

Tags: spring 2010, 2010 according, 2010 according Arbitron, according Arbitron, Cenla Broadcasting

How Long Does Neon Sign Last

Neon signs can last many years.

Neon signs can last up to 50 years, although most last 20 to 25 years. Several factors contribute to the signs' lifespan.

History

French chemist Georges Claude patented the neon sign---a glass tube filled with neon gas that glowed red when electrified---in 1915.

Misconception

The term "neon sign" refers to the technology of lit, gas-filled tubes rather than neon gas itself because argon gas and other elements are necessary to create colors other than red.

Technology

Neon signs are made by bending hollow glass tubes into the shapes of letters and pictures, filling the tubes with gas, sealing the ends and wiring the tubes to be connected to electricity.

Failure

Neon signs eventually fail due to faults in the glass or wiring. The gas inside does not wear out or otherwise cause problems; if the surrounding system were foolproof, the neon signs could remain lit forever.

Problems

Common problems with neon signs include cracked or broken glass through which the gas can escape, pumping too much gas into the tube during production and failed electrodes or transponders.

Tags: last years, Neon signs, Neon signs last, signs last, with neon

What Works To Get Customers Into A Thrift Store

Keep the store clean and organized for repeat business.

Running a thrift store is a challenging endeavor, one that requires time, effort and patience. Bringing customers to your store may prove to be a difficult task, but with the proper marketing strategies and resources, you will have a thrift store that people in your community talk about and tell their friends about.

Promotions

Have regular in-store promotions to bring in more customers. Hold a monthly raffle by having each customer put in a business card into a large bowl on the counter. Draw one card every month to give away a gift certificate to your store. Another way to do a raffle is to have small sheets of paper and pencils for each customer write her name and phone number and put it into the bowl to be drawn once a month. Offer promotions online for first-time customers to get a discount, which you can announce on social media sites.

Clearance and Sales

Sales and clearances bring in customers much more than a typical shopping day. Offer clearances of a certain percentage off items, or a two-for-one deal. Another way to do a clearance is to give a certain dollar amount off of a large purchase such as $10 off if they spend $50 or $100 in the store. If you send out a newsletter, include a 10 percent off coupon in each newsletter; this is another way to encourage customers to sign up for your newsletter.

Public Relations

Get the public involved in advertising your store. Contact local TV or newspapers to discuss why your store should be mentioned. These may include you donating a percentage of your sales to a charity, having a special sale or promotion, how your store helps the community or how shopping at thrift stores is another way of going green and protecting the environment.

Community Growth

There are many marketing strategies for promotion your store right in your own community. Choose a local charity to donate used clothing to that not only helps out others but gets people aware of your store. Ask businesses near you to participate in a promotion where if you spend a certain amount at one store, you get a discount at another store nearby. Have a party or gathering with several businesses in your communities where you offer food and drinks, raffles and giveaways.

Word of Mouth

The fastest and most efficient way to get customers into your store is by word of mouth. Treat your customers with professionalism and use excellent customer service. Keep your store clean and well-organized to help customers find what they are looking for. Display business cards on the counter for customers to take at will and hand to their friends and family. You might also offer a discount for customer referrals to your store.

Tags: your store, each customer, marketing strategies, promotion your, promotion your store, store clean, their friends

Run For President As An Independent

Disaffected voters are increasingly rejecting partisanship and voting independent.

Anyone who meets the constitutional qualifications can run for president of the United States. Partisans are nominated by their parties, but independents and third-party candidates can have a place on the ballot as well. As of 2011, 35 percent of registered voters consider themselves independent, and their votes can determine the outcome of an election. Running for president requires extensive paperwork to qualify and huge sums of money to compete. With a dedicated base of contributors and campaign volunteers, an independent candidate can launch a successful campaign to influence policy and even win the election.

Instructions

1. Check to ensure you meet the qualifications for the office of president as established in Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution. Candidates must be natural-born citizens, 35 years of age and have lived in the United States for 14 years.

2. Form an exploratory committee, and engage in "test the waters" activities. Anyone running for federal office must comply with the guidelines of the Federal Election Campaign Act. Spending money testing the waters does not require the prospective candidate to register and report those expenditures, but candidates actively campaigning must do so. Testing the waters can include polling, canvassing and making phone calls to gauge public support.

3. Form a campaign committee. Form a rudimentary committee before filing any paperwork, but keep in mind that your committee cannot begin electioneering in excess of $5,000 raised or spent before you have declared your candidacy.

4. File a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). This basic form requires the candidate's name, address, phone number and information about the campaign committee chair. You must also send this form to the declared opposing candidates.

5. Organize the campaign committee, and file a Statement of Organization with the FEC within 10 days of declaring candidacy. This form registers a treasurer and custodian of records for the campaign with the FEC.

6. Get on the ballot in all 50 states. Independents must obtain a certain number of petition signatures in each state to appear on the ballot. The threshold for getting on the ballot varies by state. You must appear on nearly every state's ballot to obtain the 270 out of 538 electoral votes needed to win. Launching ad campaigns in television markets nationwide can garner name recognition and may expedite the process of gaining signatures.

7. Begin campaigning, and file quarterly financial reports with the FEC to document contributions and expenditures. To qualify for matching funds --- contributions from the federal government to level the playing field --- document that you have raised at least $5,000 in at least 20 states.

Tags: campaign committee, Federal Election, United States

Marketing And Budget Planning

One of the major components of a marketing plan is a budget analysis.

The field of marketing entails selling ideas as well as products and services in the marketplace. Marketing activities revolve around developing, pricing, placing and promoting products using strategic planning and adequate funding from the company. Budgeting for marketing campaigns such as customer events is crucial to ensuring that profits exceed the costs resulting from marketing spend. Regardless of industry or company size, budget planning is an essential component in any marketing plan.

Function

Budget planning is usually devoted toward funding promotional activities that help bring buyers and sellers together to generate sales. While the overall marketing plan outlines the strategy necessary to execute marketing campaigns and achieve business goals, promotion illustrates what types of activities will be supported by the budget. By budgeting based on available resources, marketing managers can allocate resources to advertising, collateral development, trade shows and other campaigns that boost customer interest and drive sales.

Types

Advertising expenses for exposure through television, radio and online channels comprise a significant portion of marketing budgets. Other types of marketing expenses considered during the budget planning process include product training, consulting, market research, technical development and employee hiring. External materials and services used in marketing activities -- computer software, printing, catering services, direct mailings, displays and sponsorships -- must also be included when creating the budget for your marketing plan.

Considerations

One of the challenges of measuring the success of a marketing campaign is its impact on bottom-line revenue for a firm. Often, marketing is listed as a single-line expense in a company's financial statement. However, intangible assets -- brand awareness, brand reputation and brand equity -- are fueled by marketing expenditures and activities. To associate these intangible benefits with actual numbers, marketing managers may use past years' marketing expenses as a benchmark. Moreover, budgets are planned at the beginning of the fiscal year and based on the upcoming year's financial forecast if revenue information is not available. Technologies such as customer relationship management applications also help highlight the relationship between marketing expenses and sales, which aids in budget planning.

Expert Insight

University of Hawaii at Manoa Professor Apsy Palia states that budgets "help to make various members of the marketing management team aware of problems faced by others and the factors that interlock in running a business organization." Furthermore, budget planning helps make companies accountable for every dollar spent toward developing their brand, products and competing effectively in the market. "Hotel Marketing Strategies" editor Josiah Mackenzie recommends that marketers consider their business objectives when creating their marketing plan and view marketing budgets as investments rather than expenses.

Tags: marketing plan, budget planning, marketing expenses, marketing budgets, marketing campaigns, marketing managers, such customer

Create The Best Pandora Radio Station

People who like streaming radio will appreciate Pandora Radio, a site that uses the technology of the Music Genome Project to allow visitors to create and modify radio stations based on their favorite artists and songs. The following tips will help you to create the perfect Pandora Radio station.

Instructions

1. Think about when you are going to listen to this station the most. The kind of music you will want to play while you are working is probably very different than the kind of music you will want to play while exercising. Discerning the purpose of your station will help you pick the best seed song or artist.

2. Pick your seed song or artist carefully. Pandora uses the results of the Music Genome Project to decide what music to play. That means that it will play other songs that share characteristics with the song or artist you select. Particularly if you are using a seed song (versus an artist), you should make sure that this song typifies what you like about the artist's music. For example, if the artist generally plays more laid-back music, but has one high-intensity song, don't pick the high-intensity song as your seed song if you really want to listen to laid-back music.

3. Give feedback. Every time a song plays on your station, you have the option to say "I like it" or "I don't like it" (drag your mouse over the song box and "thumbs up" and a "thumbs down" icons will appear). This feature allows you to modify your station by influencing the choice of future songs.

4. Use the other editing functions to modify your station. If you click on the downward-facing arrow to the right of the station name, you can select "Edit This Station" and "Add More Music to This Station." Use these functions to review your "Thumbed-Up" songs, add other seeds and adjust your Pandora station in other ways.

5. Consider renaming your station. Unless you change the station name, it will remain named for the seed you chose. If this is not the best title for your station, particularly if you built it around somewhat dissimilar seeds, use the menu (that arrow to the right of the station name) to modify it to something more descriptive by clicking on "Rename This Station."

Tags: your station, seed song, Pandora Radio, song artist, station name, arrow right, arrow right station

Car Wash Business Tips

Car washes can develop into lucrative businesses when established with solid business plans. Ideally, you will start with one car wash and expand, instead of opening multiple locations at the start. If you can control costs while satisfying customer demands, your car wash likely will succeed.

Basics

Explore car wash business models. Determine if you want to establish an automatic-only car wash, such as those that usually are located near gas stations. Automatic car washes require few or no employees, though you will make high initial investments for equipment. Another business model is an exterior automatic car wash coupled with hand interior detailing. Evaluate if you should hire (full or part time) employees or independent contractors. Also establish a customer lounge or waiting area that maintains an appropriate atmosphere. For instance, if you are targeting high-end clients, build a lounge that is clean, contains well kept furniture, and offers items such as reading materials, coffee, and snacks.

Expenses

Your business should operate at least eight months each year. Decide if you will purchase or rent a space. If you are not operating during winter months, cut your operating expenses, such as utilities and supplies, as much as possible. If your supplier is increasing supply costs or decreasing product quality (e.g., smaller product or poorer quality), find alternative sources and negotiate favorable terms. Although you do not want to hastily terminate business relationships, realize that your expenses will directly affect whether your business is profitable. Always compare actual with projected expenses. If applicable, analyze how a discrepancy is developing.

Location

Your location plays an essential role in your success. Before closing on a location, research traffic flows and accessibility. Places that are inaccessible (e.g., customers have to make U-turns to reach your car wash) or in secluded areas will not generate significant customer traffic. When you find a few locations that might work, analyze customer spending at adjacent businesses -- both unrelated and related. You especially want to study your competitors to find out if your business will be the fourth car wash within a 3-mile radius or if you have comfortable market share available because few car washes exist. In short, find a place that's convenient at a reasonable price.

Tags: your business, your wash

Make A Small Construction Business Plan

Make a Small Construction Business Plan

Writing a business plan is a necessary step in securing funding and is recommended for making sure your business is viable and well conceived. The primary audience for your business plan will determine how you write it and what you focus on. If you are presenting it to lenders and investors to raise capital, focus on the market opportunity and the financial sections. If you need to create a deep understanding of how your business will work, focus on operations and marketing.

Instructions

1. Outline your plan. Include sections describing the business and its operations and detailing the competitive environment and state of the local industry. Also outline plans for growth and establish a marketing campaign and target market, in addition to providing a historical financial statement--if you are an existing business--or pro forma statements if you are just starting.

2. Assemble your financial section. Focus on your total Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), including all construction material, equipment and labor costs--including both contractors and employees--professional and liability insurance and sales, including advertising expenses and sales staff. Then calculate the revenue you can earn from each project and subtract COGS, arriving at your profit margin. Investigate your competition to determine the realistic number of projects and revenues to expect. Then describe how you'll reinvest your revenue into growing your company.

3. Identify your target market. If you are a specialty construction company focusing on plumbing or decorative concrete, your market will be larger construction companies that do new construction for homes and offices. Describe your market in terms of the number of potential customers, how much they spend on your type of services and what their specific needs are. If your area has very strict zoning regulations, for example, your all-inclusive permitting and construction service may be a boon to customers.

4. Examine the competitive and regulatory environment. Your plan should list each of your major competitors and describe what their businesses offer, how successful they are, who their customers are and what your business offers that theirs does not. Perhaps the market is dominated by large construction firms that specialize in major developments but won't bid on a project for a single custom home. Then detail the laws and regulations, such as bonding and licensing requirements, that you must work through.

5. Include operational plans. These should details the process of your work, from the first sales call through invoicing after you've finished a project. List your suppliers and any discounts you get. If you have a staff, include an organizational chart describing the roles of the foreman and each team member.

6. Attach an executive summary if your business plan is for investors or lenders. This is not so much a summary as a short pitch designed to entice them into reading further.

Tags: your business, business plan, Construction Business, Construction Business Plan, Make Small

The Structure Of Marketing Communication

Carefully structured marketing can ensure appropriate budget allocation.

In business, a great product or service is nothing if the right customers do not know about it. With marketing communication, your company can raise awareness and build a brand identity that is designed to position your product in the market. As you develop a plan to promote your business, use a structure that will endure over time, ensuring thoroughness and forward thinking.

Marketing Plan

At the top level of an effective marketing communication program is a marketing plan. A marketing plan outlines your business goals and lays out the ways marketing can support the goals. The plan contains the results of your market research and audience analysis and acts as a guiding document for both short- and long-term activities. For the most streamlined plan, it is important to review and edit on a regular basis in reaction to market shifts and consumer needs.

Overall Strategies

The overall strategies in a marketing plan are designed to support your company's strategic goals. If you want to expand your business, for example, one strategy might be to build awareness in new audience sectors. Other common marketing strategies are introducing customers to new features, building the strength of your brand or increasing name recognition among a certain audience group. Any given strategic objective might have one or more strategies under it, depending on the time line and scope.

Campaigns and Individual Actions

Campaigns and individual actions support each of your marketing strategies. Some strategies might have multiple campaigns attached to them over a set period of time; others will have only one. If your business has defined a strategy to let existing customers know about a new product offering, you might use in-store advertising, an email campaign and a brochure mailer. By using a marketing plan, you can organize the size of each effort and campaign based on the availability of funds, staff workload and client work flow.

Calls to Action

At the end of the marketing communication process are the calls to action, which give the customer directions and opportunities to engage with your company. A powerful call to action can be the difference between a great campaign and a failure; it must be convincing, easy to follow and put the cap on your marketing message. Calls to action include adding an email link for more information and statements in marketing copy that encourage customers to contact you to take advantage of a promotion or value proposition.

Tags: your business, marketing communication, your company, customers know, customers know about, know about, marketing plan

What Is Needed To Start A Fast Food Business

Fast food restaurants have become as "American" as apple pie.

The fast food business can mean big bucks for those who have the know-how and the available resources to get into the business in the first place. According to the VivaVegie Society, one in four Americans visits a fast food restaurant every day, and more than $110 billion is spent by American citizens on fast food each year. Knowing what is needed to get started in the fast food restaurant ownership business is usually half the battle in getting started.

Business Plan

Going into the fast food restaurant business requires that you first have a business plan in place to ensure your success. It is shortsighted to assume that you can simply put up the capital needed start up a fast food franchise and expect it to succeed. The U.S. Small Business Administration recommends first conducting extensive research to determine the best potential target market, prices and location to determine which type of fast food business will provide you with the most viable opportunity.

Capital

Significant startup capital is needed to start a fast food restaurant. Whether you are starting your niche restaurant or purchasing an established franchise, a large sum of money will generally be needed to get going. Some franchises can be started for as little as $10,000 to purchase the franchise tag, while others can be significantly more expensive. Some of the more prominent national fast food chains can require as much as $500,000 in startup funds.

Experience and Education

In some cases, you may have to meet certain education and experience requirements to be considered for a particular franchise. Just because you have the startup funds does not mean that the franchise will allow you to hang its sign on your building if it doesn't think you're capable of running its business model. Having a degree in hospitality management can go far toward ensuring your success in the fast food industry. Significant experience may be required as well. Entrepreneur magazine recommends gaining several years of industry experience to learn the ins and outs of the industry from the ground up.

Legal Compliance

Your fast food business will also have to operate within the law. Before you start up your business, you will have to select a location and ensure that it is zoned for business purposes. You will also have to obtain any permits and licenses required by your state and local community. In addition, your business will have to be registered with the Internal Revenue Service for purposes of taxation.

Tags: fast food, business will, fast food restaurant, food restaurant, fast food business

What Is Packaging Used For

The basic cardboard box has a lot of important uses.

People need packaging because they need places to put things. Packaging helps people organize their lives, and protect important items. Examples of packaging include everything from cardboard boxes to food wrappers. Does this Spark an idea?

Physical Protection

One of the main purposes for packaging is to keep items safe. Many of the materials used to make packaging can help to keep moisture or air away from items that might decay. Some packaging is also made very durable so it can protect fragile items from damage.

Organization

Packaging helps us separate things into categories and keep them organized. If you fill a box with one type of item, it helps you keep that item separate from other items, and that makes things easier to find.

Advertising

When they go through the grocery store, nearly everyone has noticed all the bright colors and flashy labels used to attract attention to items, and this is a great example of how packaging is used as advertising. The companies have to package their items anyway, so it is important to make sure that packaging helps sell the product.

Security

Sometimes packaging serves to keep others away from an item or a group of items. One example of that would be the wrapping and boxing of birthday presents. The idea is to maintain secrecy about what the person is receiving. Another, more serious example would be the metallic safe, which can be seen on an abstract level as a kind of packaging designed to keep thieves from stealing items.

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What Does The Fda Do

The FDA regulates and supervises the quality of the United States food, pharmaceutical and other related products. Over the years the FDA has grown and assumed more responsibilities to meet the evolving food and drug safety needs of our nation. These responsibilities include the regulation, safety and supervision of foods, dietary supplements and drugs, along with vaccines, blood products, biological products and medical devices. Other responsibilities include regulation of cosmetics, veterinary products and radiation-emitting devices.

History

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the oldest United States federal government consumer protection agency and falls under the umbrella of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. In June 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt signed into law the Pure Food and Drug Act (PFDA). This law prohibited interstate commerce in contaminated and mis-branded food and drugs and was meant to protect consumers. In 1927, the PFDA became the FDA.

Public Health Service

Public Health Service is a branch of the FDA responsible for sanitation regulations regarding interstate travel and control of disease on a wide range of products, from pet turtles to semen donations.

Foods

The safety and accurate labeling of foods (except for meat products and poultry) and bottled water fall under the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), a branch of the FDA. The FDA also regulates products with small amounts of meat products. Meat products such as those from cattle and chickens fall under the regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection.

Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements do not undergo FDA safety and efficacy testing or approval. According to USPharmacist.com, manufacturers of dietary supplement products are responsible for ensuring that their supplements are safe before they are marketed. The FDA must show that a supplement is unsafe before it can restrict the product's use or have it taken off the market.

Drugs and Cosmetics

The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research is a branch of the FDA responsible for approving drug labeling and enforcing manufacturing standards for new drugs, generic drugs and over-the-counter drugs.

Cosmetics safety and labeling falls under the jurisdiction of CSFAN, the FDA branch that also regulates food and bottled water. The agency requires that cosmetics not thoroughly tested under FDA safety rules must bear a warning indicating that fact.

Biological Products

Biological products such as vaccines, blood and blood products, along with gene therapy and cell-tissue-based products, are regulated by the Center for Biological Evaluation and Research, another branch of the FDA. The center is responsible for regulating the nation's blood supply, licensing the product and manufacturing establishments, and developing standards and testing methods.

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Tips To Increase Chances Of Pregnancy

Daddy

Once you have decided that you are ready to have a baby, the idea of waiting any extra time to get pregnant can seem like torture. While it is impossible to find a technique that makes instant pregnancy a sure thing, there are some techniques that may increase your chances of getting pregnant sooner than later.

Get a Checkup

Before you even begin trying to conceive, be sure to schedule a visit to your doctor. A checkup will help determine if you have any infections, sexually transmitted diseases or health conditions that may interfere with your ability to conceive or carry out a healthy pregnancy. A doctor can inform you about the benefits of taking prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid. She can also give you advice about getting pregnant if you do have any pre-existing medical conditions.

Understand Your Cycle

If you don't know when you are ovulating, getting pregnant can be tricky. Knowing the signs of ovulation, such as changes in cervical mucus and a slight one-sided abdominal twinge, can help you determine when you are most likely to get pregnant. If the idea of charting your cycle according to a calendar seems too involved for you, ovulation predictor kits and fertility monitors, according to JustMommies.com, can also help you determine when you are ovulating. They test certain hormone levels in a woman's body and signal when her body is most ready to become pregnant.

Don't Fret

Consistent worrying about positions, specific timing, and thoughts of "I want to be pregnant right now!" may complicate your fertility. According to Toni Weschler, fertility educator on BabyCenter.com, stress can affect the hormones that signal a woman's ovaries to release eggs. It may cause ovulation to occur later than expected, or it may cause ovulation to not occur at all. Weschler noted that everyday stress may not affect ovulation but sudden stress may have a bigger role in causing complications with conception.

Lie Flat

Medical opinions vary regarding whether certain sexual positions have a notable impact on getting pregnant. However, Paula Hillard, M.D. and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, Calif., suggested that there are certain gravitational disadvantages to a woman standing or sitting upright after sperm have entered her body. She added that missionary position (man on top) may help encourage the sperm to pool in the vagina after intercourse. James Goldfarb, M.D., director of the infertility service at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, has said that lying flat (not even getting up to use the restroom) for 10-15 minutes after intercourse can help sperm enter the cervix.

Stay Healthy

Physicians across the board agree that drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and doing drugs affect a woman's fertility. They also agree that a woman smoking, drinking and doing drugs during pregnancy can adversely affect a fetus. In addition to abstaining from unhealthy habits, it is important to develop healthy habits such as engaging in light to moderate exercise and avoiding stressful situations. Having a healthy body increases chances of achieving and carrying out a healthy pregnancy.

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Top Colleges For Music Business

The music business is dedicated to managing the sale of music and musical artists.

The study of the music business relates to the conception, analysis and research of strategies in the sale of music and the promotion of musical artists. The music business spans a wide variety of commercial realms including marketing, merchandising and product licensing. Music business professionals range from talent agents and record producers to venue managers and equipment vendors. U.S. News & World Report ranks the nation's top collegiate programs in music business annually.

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California Thornton School of Music offers both a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Music degree path in Music Industry. The Bachelor of Music path is for skilled musicians to acquire knowledge of music industry business, while the Bachelor of Science program leans heavily toward writing, music theory fundamentals and business finance basics. The BS course is offered with either an industry focus or a technology focus. BM students are required to compose and perform a junior year recital, while an internship is required for both Bachelor of Science tracks.

University of Southern California

Thornton School of Music

1540 Alcazar St.

Los Angeles, CA

213-740-2738

usc.edu/schools/music

Howard University

The Howard University Department of Music offers a Bachelor of Music degree path with a concentration on Studies in Music Business. The course combines traditional performance or jazz study training with a wide scope of business-related training in economics, marketing and accounting. The Studies in Business program can be completed with any of the school's six undergraduate majors. Participants are required to undertake an administrative internship in the music business their senior year.

Howard University

Department of Music

2455 Sixth St., NW

Washington, DC 20059

202-806-7082

coas.howard.edu/music

University of the Pacific

The University of the Pacific offers a Bachelor of Music degree program in Music Management. The program provides concise studies in musical performance while emphasizing the main business facets of the recording industry. The program is conducted in collaboration with the school's Eberhardt School of Business, which offers curriculum development and professional advising. Students are given the opportunity to intern at a wide variety of industry organizations, from leading orchestras to instrument manufacturers and record labels.

University of the Pacific

Conservatory of Music

3601 Pacific Ave.

Stockton, CA 95211

209-946-2415

pacific.edu

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Fda Drug Label Regulations

It's not an accident that drug labels all look the same.

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is composed of rules from federal government agencies. Food and drug regulations are outlined in Title 21 of the CFR. And, Part 201 of Title 21 includes FDA drug label regulations divided into seven subparts, A through G.

General Guidelines

Subpart A provides general guidance for the labeling of drugs including: placing of the name and address of the drug maker; defining the adequacy of drug usage directions; preventing misleading statements about the drug's ingredients; ensuring the prominence of required statements; defining infant; and declaring the presence of

FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, phenylalanine and sulfites.

Prescription Drugs

Subpart B provides guidelines for the labeling of prescription drugs and insulin. These guidelines include: statement of identity of the drug maker, declaration of quantity of drug (e.g., number of pills), statement of the recommended or usual dosage and requirements for content and formatting.

OTC Drugs

Subpart C provides guidelines for the labeling of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. These guidelines are similar to those for prescription drugs, but also include: requirements for the front panel of the drug package; statement of warning for women that that are pregnant or breastfeeding; and requirements for the inclusion of sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium content.

Exemptions

Subpart D provides instances in which required directions of use are not applicable. Subpart E details other exemptions related to processing and repackaging of the drug and for drugs that contain gases like carbon dioxide.

Efficacy Claims

Subpart F provides guidelines for promotional and marketing claims related to the drug's effectiveness.

Specific Drugs

Subpart G provides additional guidelines for specific drugs. For example, there is a suggested warning for OTC drugs that are used to treat minor sore throats.

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Get A Work At Home Job With Google

Get a Work at Home Job with Google

Google has work at home jobs available that you can apply for. In fact, Google has employment for many jobs from data positions to engineering. Read more to learn about these jobs.

Instructions

1. Go to google.com (look for link at the bottom of this article) and look at the different positions they have available through the states and for telecommunications employment.

2. They have many jobs to choose from and some of them are telecommuting jobs such as the Ads Quality Rater. If you speak Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish and right now they are looking for temporarily English speaking applicants.

3. You could work as a Ads Quality Rater you would give support to advertisers, publishers and users. You will track and report quality and accuracy of Google advertisements using an online tool. You will need to have the skills to be organized and motivated and be able to work at 10-20 hours per week.

4. Requirements are a BA/BS degree or the equivalent experience, fluent in the language you are applying for, ability to research on the web and think through problems, a high speed computer connection and a U.S. work permit.

5. Send your resume as a text or HTML document to jobs@google.com, including

Important: The subject field of your email must include Ads Quality Rater, Temporaryjobs@google.com.

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Popular Sales Promotion Tools

Sales promotions help increase the customer base of retailers.

The objective behind sales promotional tools is to keep current customers while attracting new ones, maintaining sales of seasonal products, introducing new products and challenging competitors. The essence of sales promotion involves using all forms of promotional activities, besides personal selling and advertising, to improve sales.

Coupons

Coupons are one sales promotional tool. Customers get coupons in several ways, including via newspapers, magazines, online or mail. Customers present coupons to the retailer while buying merchandise in order to receive a discount or free product. For example, if a woman uses a coupon which takes 50 percent off a book costing $30, she saves $15.

Bonus Offers

Bonus offers or gifts with purchase are widely used promotional tools. When customers purchase a product, sometimes a bonus product is given along with it. The purpose is to increase the sale of the product and to make it more attractive by offering an additional item. Examples are a toothbrush with free toothpaste, or a book with an accompanying CD. Other sales promotional tools include price-off offers, money-back guarantees, scratch and win offers, trading stamps as well as fairs and exhibitions.

Free Samples

Another popular promotional tool is the free sample. When a customer is in the store purchasing certain products, he may receive a free sample of deodorant, shampoo, energy drinks food or candy. Usually, free samples don't require the customer to purchase anything. Free samples can be given to a particular target audience in order to attract that type of customer.

Advantages

Sales promotion tools offer many advantages to manufacturers and customers. For manufacturers, these advantages includes the increase in sales in a competitive environment, attracting the attention of potential customers and helping stabilize the sales volume by maintaining existing customers. For consumers, sales promotion tools offer products for lower prices, provide free prizes and inspire confidence (for example, by offering money-back guarantees).

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