Manufacturing 2 Seater Settee

If you're considering setting up a company for 2 seater or 3 seater settee manufacture then here are a few pointers to bear in mind.

The cost of labour in the UK is extremely expensive and you will need to choose a region where that cost is at it's cheapest, however minimum wage is an obstacle you can't get around. Also rents and business rates can be crippling in the UK and with tough competition, low margins and ever rising material costs it can be extremely tough to keep your head above water. You may want to consider some other options.

Importing 2 seater settees - Find an overseas supplier and become a reseller of their products in the UK. There are thousands of suppliers overseas, you will have to invest in stock but you can keep your staff levels to a minimum and you will only need a storage facility rather than a manufacturing facility. There are plenty of websites to source overseas products from and you will need to get and compare quotes between suppliers. Also bear in mind that settees from overseas must conform to the fire regulations in the UK. However these days this should not be too difficult as most overseas suppliers are now up to speed with these regulations, but it's worth making sure.

Another option if you have your own designs and wish to manufacture these designs is to get a third party to produce them for you. Unfortunately you'll struggle to find a manufacturer of settees in the UK that can produce at a cost that allows enough, if any margin for you. If you go down this route consider Eastern Europe, the Baltic states particularly that are now part of the EU. A good way to find manufacturing contacts is to talk to the embassies of these countries, they're only too keen to encourage export and will be able to find lists of suppliers for you.

With the right investment you may want to consider setting up a factory in Easter Europe. Rents are roughly a third of UK rents and labour costs roughly a third which means you can get three times the labour and three times the space for the same cost as the Us.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paolo_Delafrutini

Physical Limitations Can Hurt Your Business

There are several different types of physical limitations that can occur which, if not dealt with in a proper way, might hurt your business.

1. Serious or chronic illness - When you are battling with cancer or another physical problem that steals your strength and ability to function in a healthy way, you may need to be away from your business at unexpected times or for long period of time.

It is therefore very important that you have staff and as many automated systems in place that will allow your business to continue without serious interruptions. Make sure that you have a plan in place that will provide continuation of services for your staff and clients.

2. Repeated infections, colds or viruses - Some people suffer from illnesses over and over again and never seem to get to a point of health.

When you have good self-care practices, your health will likely be optimal. Make sure that you have enough sleep, a good nutritious diet, interesting activities in which you participate, limited amounts of stress and proper medical care. When you are sick, stay home and take care of yourself properly. That way you will recover faster and not risk infecting others in your business environment.

3. Physical disabilities - Often an accident or injury can place you in a situation where you cannot perform the tasks that are needed or negotiate the physical environment. Last summer, for example, I broke my writing hand and was extremely limited in what I could do. I wasn't able to drive, do my documentation or type.

Sometimes you will need to seriously alter things in order to continue in your role within the business. You might need to change the physical structure (such as widen a bathroom door), delegate tasks (have sometime prepare your reports or use a voice recognition software) or even take advantage of technology to change the way that services are provided (perhaps you could talk with clients by telephone rather than in person).

You see, it is not the physical limitation that is really a problem that can hurt or end your business. It is how you deal with the limitation that will determine the direction that the business will go. Because of this, make a good creative plan that will allow you to make the adjustments so the needs of you, your staff and your clients can still be met.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Hancock

Family Demands Can Hurt Your Business

Many times I have been in important meetings which were interrupted by telephone calls from family members of those in the meeting. Each person who receives the call seems to have a different way of handling this. Some people talk with joy and enthusiasm, ignoring those in the room. Some get involved in what appears to be arguments between their children and try to resolve the situation. Still others keep the call to a few short words that inform the family member that this is not a good time to talk with a promise to return the call later.

Once I was with another psychologist when his son phoned him. He clearly told the boy "If you want to wait until I get home so that we can discuss this, that would be good. If you want a decision right now instead, then the answer is NO". The call ended quickly.

I remember when my children were young, they knew very clearly that they were not to call me at work unless they were bleeding or throwing up on the rug. They knew that there were other times that they could call me and that I would treat this with high respect - primarily because the calls were not frequent - and deal with the situation immediately. However, using the guidelines listed conveyed the message that it was important to not interrupt the workday,.

Now you might think that this is very unreasonable and that family should be first in your life. Unfortunately, this leaves you open to taking interruptions at any times of the day,. The person calling never needs to learn how to problem solve and your focus is shifted.

There are times when the family member who is demanding your attention is a parent or sibling or partner. Even though you care about that person, however, you need to be very cautious about how much time and energy is placed on personal and family demands during your work time. Let's say that you have a five minute conversation and then it takes five more minutes to get back into the project that you were doing. If you receive an interruption from your child, mother, partner and a siblings, you will have lost forty minutes.

That is why you really need to have good healthy boundaries.

Years ago I had a secretary who came into my office one morning and plunked herself in a chair. She said "Look, I know that you have some problems outside the office but when you come here you always smile and act as though everything is fine. How do you do that?"

My reply was simple. "I learned a long time ago that when you are at work you need to focus on your job and when you are at home you need to focus on your family and personal life".

You see, if you don't learn to separate things and have boundaries, then family demands can hurt your business.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Hancock

Why Businesses Use Self Storage Facilities

As in many places across the US, self storage rental units help businesses make the day to day running of their operations just that little bit easier. Builders store their tools, offices their documents, retailers their stock and seasonal displays. In fact, there are self storage facilities available that cater to almost any kind of storage requirement, even perishable goods can be safely locked away through the use of environmentally controlled containers.

Costs start from around $75 a month, for which renters will normally receive a simple 5 foot by 5 foot container. This smaller units are normally used for storing business documents, particularly in the form of promotional material, though some individuals also use them for personal effects. Commonly business units used for storing stock or larger tools start at around $110 a month.

Of course the above prices are just a very rough guide of what you can expect to pay. Most business users want additional (costly) features added to their storage units, whilst on average facilities will literally only offer the bare essentials as standard. Common features that renters need but which aren't normally included in the basic price are:

* Container alarms
* Drive-up storage
* Environmentally controlled units (those that can be set at a constant temperature)
* Locks (some storage units require renters to put their own locks on containers)
* Insurance against loss or damages
* 24/7 Accessories
* 24/7 Security

Environmental controls, insurance and security can be particularly important for business owners who are using storage containers to help them manage their space issues. Most self storage rental facilities can offer these additional features, but they will come with an increased fee.

Indoor storage containers offer the best all round security for items, providing a mostly unchanging environment in which more delicate goods (such as papers and furniture) can be placed in relative safety. Outdoor storage facilities on the other hand are best used for more resilient possessions like tools, vehicles, RV's, and boats.

Self storage unit rentals aren't just available for businesses, anyone can use them when they find themselves needing a bit of extra space. Containers are normally rented out on a per month basis, with many homeowners taking advantage of the service provided when they need to carry out work around the house without their possessions getting in the way, whilst keeping them at a location relatively close to hand in case they need them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Timothy_P._Hughes

Marketing Writing: Write a Target Market Description That Your Market Recognizes and Identifies

The most critical element of your target market description is that your market easily recognizes itself and identifies with the words. We humans tend to be essentially self-interested, so the key to getting the attention of your market is a clearly recognizable description - of them. Often business owners believe that marketing materials are all about us and our business. In one respect that is true; however, our target market cares nothing about us - until they get to the point where they think we could help them solve their problems.

To get prospects to the point where they know enough to think we could help them, them must first recognize their situation, problem and characteristics in your marketing writing. By being specific about these details, we create a compellingly attractive force for exactly those prospects and potential clients we want to work with. Here are ideas for writing a description that your target market recognizes and identifies with.

1) Be specific. Eliminate generalities. Be willing to make some choices about exactly who you want for a target market. Trying to attract everyone usually attracts no one. There's nothing to identify with in generalities. When you specifically define your target market, be sure you target a market big enough to sustain your business. If you carve out too tiny a niche, the business is unlikely to survive.

2) Describe the problem or problems that your market wants solved. Assume that they are on a search for a solution to some problem. That's their primary objective. They don't care about how great you and your business are until they have become convinced that you know and understand the problem(s) they want to solve. Give them what they're looking for if you want to arrest their attention and captivate their interest.

3) Use the language that your prospects and clients have used to describe their problems. Those words, phrases, and concepts resonate with authenticity, and give you enormous credibility in the eyes of prospects. They recognize their situation in this language. They start to think, "Wow, this person seems to know me. What's their background that they have such a deep understanding of my issues?"

4) Use the feelings and emotions you've observed and heard described by prospects and clients. How did they feel when they first came to you? How were they disheartened? What ways did they suffer? Don't make this "over the top", but instead make it real. You want prospects to have the feeling that what you say "rings true" when they read the emotions you describe. This stirs both recognition and trust, and creates an intense curiosity. Your target market starts to feel a compulsion to learn about you. How did you gain such wisdom and insight? They want to know, "Who is this provider? What's their background?"

5) Describe the solutions that your market is looking for, and you've created a magnetic force attracting them. Create the contrast between the before and after working with you. They've been looking for this solution to their problem. They've developed trust for you. They're curious about you now. It's as if you have guided them one step at a time toward wanting to know more about you and your business. Now, they can "see" themselves having the solution you provide.

When you sit down to do your marketing writing, use recognition and identification to attract your target market. Help your prospects identify with your target market description. These concepts used in your written business materials sets up a powerful attractive force and brings your market to you.

Suzi Elton provides business writing that attracts targeted prospects to your service business and converts them into clients for you. She is a Robert Middleton Certified Action Plan Marketing Coach, as well as a professional writer. Her website offers a free series of 8 assessments you can use to analyze your own site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzi_Elton

Who Else Wants To Rise Above Their Rubbish Issues?

As an Island, Guernsey can not blame anyone else for its waste issues, apart from the activities of every man woman child, and industry on this pleasant tourist location in the Channel Isles.

For many years now, the main dumping ground for the ever-increasing waste (until trends started to reverse last year) had been Mount Cuet, Those of you that live in the vicinity are only too well aware of the issues there due to the waste mountain that grows ever higher every month.

Squawking seagulls, putrefying smells, gas leaks, flying rubbish... no wonder so many people are at their wits end.

So, let's have another look at the rubbish issues.

I think most people would agree that to reduce, or even remove, the legacy and the future activity towards waste must incorporate everybody acting in a more responsible manner:-

* Buying less pre-packed foods
* Stop the local shops issuing free plastic bags, and make everyone buy 'lifetime' bags
* Buying less disposable items, like nappies, razor blades and so forth.
* Sorting their recycling materials into separate bins from their rubbish
* Putting all their food scraps and green garden waste into another bin.

The problem with this plan is that it is starting to impose a lifestyle change on many people, and could also have a price impact on their usual shopping bills. And if you look at what has happened on the UK mainland, look at the reputation some Councils have got, where they employ 'snoopers' or get their neighbours to 'shop' anyone who puts the tiniest piece of rubbish in the wrong bin.

Again, most people think that to install a waste management solution that is all-singing all -dancing is going to cost so much as force the Council to have to impose a stiff hike in local taxes.

Well, let's have a look at a 'Utopian' solution, and then let's see if we can come up with a cost for such a great solution...

Ideally, the solution chosen would have all of these characteristics:-

1. A facility that can accept tons of unsorted waste ( even your Municipal Black Bag waste and dangerous Hospital waste), heating it up enough with steam at low pressure, for sterilising all of this waste input, so that all pathological risks are removed, all lacquer stripped from tins and aluminium cans, labels from glass jars and bottles (increasing their scrap value)
2. A mechanical facility for automatically sorting ALL waste, sterilising it, maximising the recycling output, and leaving all the fibrous products ( paper, green waste, wood, etc) ready for inputting to an energy converting process. Straight away, this would negate the need for everyone to use separate bins for all their rubbish - recyclable or not. Even the standard Recycle Bin will have a mix of papers, cardboard, plastics, tins, glass and so forth. This still has to be sorted somehow.
3. A facility for sending all the sorted rubbish (now in fibrous form) into a system that will convert this matter into green electricity, with no toxic waste to go to any landfill. Also, there would be no need for a massive smoke stack (as there is with incineration) as the output into the atmosphere will be about 12 parts per million (EU regulations state that 200 parts per million is acceptable). This is achieved by using the very latest proven Pyrolysis system (not gasification). Any residue that is left (especially if crushed demolition debris is passed through) will be perfectly sterile aggregate - not the sort of stuff to be thrown away on a landfill, but a perfectly saleable product to use in road building and such like.
4. This system would be able to produce around 1 Megawatt of clean electricity for every 1000 tons of rubbish - stuff that in the French electric cable (in more ways than one)
5. As a bonus, this system should be fully modular to allow for future growth, and also be able to accept different types of waste input, such as plastic bottles, or even human sewage. Now, with the problem affecting the old sewage outlet pipe, here is a way of getting even more bangs for your bucks and making Guernsey more acceptable to tourists. (Who likes swimming in seas contaminated with human pool).
6. And how about this for an extra bonus... why not dig out some of the latest waste from Mont Cuet, which is probably full of recyclables anyway, and feed this into the Plant.

You know, this sort of Utopia is fine, but once again, let's look at the probable costs involved.

If you recall, early last year you were looking for filthy incineration system for around £90 million, that would not even do half of the above, and especially had no answer to your sewage problem.

Well, now here you have a solution that:-

* makes life for everyone on the Island easier as far as recycling is concerned
* Automatically sorts and sterilises far more recyclables with no human intervention.
* generates green electricity for large parts of the whole island
* removes the whole Island's sewage problem
* produces no toxic waste to be land filled
* produces no puthering smoke pollution that would be seen all around the island
* actually start to reduce the content of Mount Cuet landfill.

And what is the cost? Nothing. In return for a 25 year contract of the Island to supply a minimum amount of waste and to agree to purchase the electricity at competitive rates, Green Homes Global will provide this Utopian solution!

Well, what are you waiting for? Speak to your local councilor, and ask him or her when they are going to go ahead...
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geoff_Morris

The Growing Popularity of Couriers for Any Delivery

In the past most people sending a parcel or important document will have used the postal service and possibly its Special Delivery service to ensure their items arrive on time and without any lengthy delays. There are now many people who use a courier or specific parcel delivery expert to make sure that their deliveries are not held up for any reasons such as postal worker strikes that have plagued the delivery of letters, bills and parcels sent via the postal service in recent years.

These companies are now able to deliver parcels to tight deadlines and have an increased level of security that ensures that parcels are handled carefully but also with detailed tracking of your parcel to make sure it is always traceable and that the company you have chosen can be fully accountable for each delivery they are tasked with.

A lot of people will be familiar with some courier companies that they may have received items from or at the very least seen their delivery trucks on our roads, but in the past they have been used by businesses and larger companies that send parcels on a frequent basis such as an online retailer. But these days you could easily get your parcels delivered when you need a delivery making that gives it the greatest level of service.

Ordering a delivery from any one of these services is much easier than people would think, you don't need lengthy ongoing service contracts or a company to order but instead you can arrange a collection over the internet. You specify all of the details of your delivery such as the destination, size and weight and then shortly thereafter your chosen courier will come to your door, whether this is at your place of work or at home, and collect the parcel and begin the speedy delivery process.

The tracking of parcels sent via a courier is incredibly easy and is a system that may have solely been used by the courier's themselves in the past but these days as they try to de-mystify the delivery process they have opened up this system to their customers (and their customers too) so that by entering a unique code they can get up to date information on where their parcel is and get that all important confirmation that the delivery went ahead without any problems.

So make sure to consider couriers when you need to send a parcel whether it is here in the UK or to any other countries.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phillip_Adams-Wright

Why You Should Use Event Wrist Bands

These days, you may notice a number of events you attend will have event wrist bands. This is a relatively cost-effective way to keep track of your audience regardless of what type of events you are hosting.

Having bands such as these allows you to quickly identify the members of your function, those who have paid entrance fees, or if you have people you need to have in certain categories for any given reason, this will help you identify them. This is especially helpful if you have a very large crowd in a place such as an amusement park, fair or fundraiser. You do not have to spend a fortune to get set up either.

Many companies now make these helpful little bits in a number of different materials such as silicone, vinyl, plastic and even paper. These options tend to be very helpful as the different types can offer you single use or ongoing use depending how long they are intended them to be used.

Depending on exactly what it is you are looking to use the wristbands for you will want to decide the materials, colors and designs and the sizes that you require and then give a call to your local business for pricing information. One tip to keep in mind is that you can ask the manufacturer to give you one size fits all with the bracelet eliminating the need to buy multiple sizes. Many companies will even allow you to buy a massive bulk quantity to help you save money on your purchase.

There are usually a vast number of colors available to the consumer, and in many cases there are even designs already ready to be added. If you or your business already has an idea of what design or logo you require in many cases most companies will personalize your order for you to suit your logo more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Graham_Pratt

Supply Chain Vendor Compliance: Why Is It Vital for Business Success?

Every business deals with at least a few vendors regularly. They may supply essential items for running your business or directly supply products to your clients. Either way, each supplier must be dependable and efficient to help maintain the reputation of your business. Delayed deliveries, damaged goods, and improper labeling all affect the quality of the product received by a company and their clients. It can be difficult for them to follow and meet the specific requirements of each of their customers because vendors deal with many businesses. Various companies set up guidelines for their suppliers in relation to packaging, handling, and shipping. Compliance guidelines are set in place to clearly define what is expected of each supplier. When a vendor does not comply with these rules, they are charged fees for the inconvenience caused to the business. Without proper enforcement of these rules, conformity does not exist and every delivery could be unsatisfactory.

Guidelines such as this can become fairly extensive and vary greatly for each vendor. Companies struggle with the management of them. Staff must monitor the vendors and ensure they are complying with their supplier specific regulations. Then if they are not, the staff must also manage chargebacks and fees. You cannot just simply give up and let the vendors run the show. Supply chain vendor compliance is not an option, but instead a necessity for a business to meet the demands of their customers. What can you do to reduce staff time and still get the service from each supplier that is needed for your business? To ensure a defined service relationship with vendors, a vast amount of businesses turn to third party providers that provide applications and assistance for this very task. Compliance software helps with the management of supplier compliance so that the workload is taken off staff members and results are dependable.

How Do Outside Services and Technology Ensure Vendor Compliance?

Supplier compliance is essential for a business to remain competitive, satisfy consumers, and to be capable of growth. When vendors do not package or label products properly, they can arrive at the wrong location. Products labeled as one item but consisting of something different could be sent to the customers. They believe the right item is in the packaging only to find out they did not get what was needed. This affects their inventories, reputation, and how they view your business. Applications designed to assist with compliance allow for better collaboration between vendors and businesses. Increased compliance lowers business costs. Staff no longer has to worry about monitoring vendors and handling fees for non-compliance. These programs take into account the set guidelines, vendor processing times, and costs to ensure that every delivery is cost efficient, compliant, and timely. Shipping dates are assigned based on the available carriers and their quoted delivery times. Due dates of each shipment are also taken into account to ensure the client or customer receives the product on the required date. The assistance provided makes it easier to manage supplier compliance. Typical vendor compliance issues are eliminated. Delivery performance and freight flow become consistent and cause costs to lower dramatically for your business.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ruby_Stein

Vendor Compliance and Logistics: Achieving Dependable Relationships With Your Suppliers

Your suppliers have many compliance regulations to manage and meet. Every one of their clients has their own set of rules for packaging, handling, and delivery. Often times, they have trouble keeping track of these guidelines and end up dissatisfying a few of their clients. The more suppliers your business has, the more complicated shipments become. Set regulations do not always get followed. This leaves your staff having to deal with fees charged for non-compliance and unhappy customers.

If a vendor does not meet the guidelines regularly and fees must be charged quite often, the relationship between your company, staff members, and the individual supplier is harmed. Many companies struggle with this part of their business. The first step in getting reliable vendor results is creating compliance rules that are easy to understand and follow. Your business must be able to effectively enforce these guidelines so that a good relationship is developed with each supplier.

Vendor compliance and logistics improves the performance of both vendors and a business. Outside service providers and applications assist with the enforcement of compliance guidelines. These tools take the set rules into account for each vendor shipment. They set the shipment dates based on carrier performance, processing time, and transit times. Established pricing and guidelines are included in the evaluation. Shipping and delivery dates are set according to this information allowing for timely deliveries and more dependable vendor servicing. Defined guidelines are always met. The hassles of improperly packaged products and untimely deliveries are no longer an issue. Vendors are consistently in compliance, do not have to be charged fees, and everyone wins. A better overall relationship is built with each supplier because there are fewer problems and they are dependable. Compliance enforcement applications lower costs, reduce staff time, and increase vendor performance.

Vendor Compliance Reduces Delivery Issues and Costs

Vendor compliance does more than just accomplish better relationships with suppliers and customers. It helps in lowering distribution and inventory costs. When products are delivered to the wrong company location due to improper labeling, it messes up inventory counts for your business. Even worse, bad labeling can cause the wrong product to be sent to customers. They in turn do not have the product needed for their customers. Inventory counts are not only wrong for your business but also your customers. This is frustrating for them because they are not getting what they are paying for. Product must be shipped back and they have to wait for the right item to be delivered.

Bad packaging may lead to a damaged product. These losses increase costs and harm the reputation of a business. Improper scheduling causes untimely deliveries and raises overall distribution costs. Compliance applications reduce these issues by including the guidelines for each vendor in the shipment decision. Rules and delivery information are evaluated for a more dependable shipping date. Products arrive on time, packaged correctly, and undamaged. Vendors have an easier time meeting the demands of your business when these applications are used to enforce compliance. Your business develops a good relationship with suppliers and has a better reputation because of their dependability.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ruby_Stein

Important Things To Know About Hazardous Material Transportation

A truck driver that hauls hazardous materials has to follow a completely different set of rules compared to general freight. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has several hazardous materials regulations in place that must be followed to ensure the safety of everyone in and around the transporting vehicle. This is a brief description of the things that you should know about hazardous materials transportation.

The preparing for the transportation of Hazmat is the shipper's responsibility. They package, label and prepare the materials for transportation with the appropriate shipping papers. Once the materials are loaded onto your truck, there are a few things that must be done before the truck starts moving.

As a truck driver hauling these dangerous materials, it is your job to follow all DOT regulations. Before you start transporting, you first need to find out if any permits will be required and also if you need to take any special routes. Remember, transporting dangerous, highly combustible materials falls into different regulations. Some routes prohibit the transportation of hazardous materials.

You will also need to identify the classification of the load on the shipping papers so you can display the proper placards on your truck and trailer. The last thing that needs to be done before you start transporting is that all dual tires must be inspected.

While transporting this load, a truck driver must follow DOT regulations and be in DOT compliance at all times. Hauling different classifications require different protocols. Carrying Class A or B explosives probably require the strictest protocols. As an example, a driver must possess a written route plan.

When a truck driver is hauling a load of this nature, the driver is required to stop every 100 miles or 2 hours, whichever comes first, to check all dual tires. If a driver discovers an overheated tire, that tire must be removed and placed a safe distance from the truck and trailer. When a driver is not in the cab of the truck, the shipping papers must be in plain sight either located in the door pouch or on the driver's seat.

When adding fuel to their truck, someone must be at the nozzle in control at all times. If a truck driver see's a vehicle fire or any other type of fire ahead, they should avoid driving by the fire, unless they can do so without stopping and at a safe distance. Also, a driver cannot park any closer than 300 feet of a fire.

Any truck driver that transports hazardous materials must be on guard and follow all DOT hazardous materials regulations at all times. This includes stopping at railroad crossings and parking the regulated distance from buildings. Truck drivers need to stay aware of what is around their hazardous materials load, including not only buildings and vehicles, but also people.

There cannot be anyone smoking within 25 feet of any truck hauling hazardous materials. DOT compliance and regulations are very important to ensure that everyone is safe while transporting hazardous materials. For a full review of hazardous materials regulations, you can view the DOT Handbook for truckers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Joseph_Flood

10 Basic Traits That Define Effective Leaders

We get this asked quite often-"What are the qualities that define an effective leader?" Some people phrase the question in a different way-"How do I know whether or not I am an effective leader?" Now, we know that leadership comes in various forms and there are many different ways to approach this responsibility, but then there are some specific norms that are applicable to all leaders. Through our experience, we found that effective leaders need to have the following qualities in them.

1. Respect - It is important that leaders learn how to command respect. No, you should not demand to be respected, but you should hone your personality in such a way that it should get the respect you deserve. There are different ways to do that, but we feel that the best way to gain respect is through respecting others. An effective leader will always recognize the potential in others and honor it.

2. Manners - Leaders need to have great manners, especially when they are dealing with their own team. You cannot afford to be rude or impolite to your team. You need to have good manners so that you get the same thing in return.

3. Honesty - An example-setting approach of honesty is what typifies a great leader. You should ensure that honesty is one of the core values that decide your every move in life. If you are honest, your team may also follow the ideal and stay honest.

4. Caring - Understand the human side of your team. Realize that they are people too, and have their shortcomings as well as their strengths. When you understand that, you also gain respect from your team.

5. Hard Working - Effective leaders never shirk work. This should be the case with you as well. You should always work hard and give everything your best shot. Do not flinch from honest work, even if you think it is below your level. Your teams will take this as an example and you will find productivity increasing to a great degree.

6. Sense of Humor - Can you see the fun side of things? Can you make light of a serious situation to ease the tension? Can you make people be at ease? You can do this if you have an innate sense of humor. Effective leaders are always known for their sense of humor.

7. Loyalty - You have to show loyalty towards your organization. You have to be faithful to the ideals your company works with. When you are loyal to your superiors, there is a greater chance that your superiors can be loyal to you as well. Again, you are setting an example.

8. Kindness - If a situation arises, you have to show kindness to your team. You have to show them that you are there for them in their difficult times. You have to prove your kindness in various ways, even if it is just a few words of concern and appreciation.

9. Responsibility - Effective leaders never flinch from responsibility. They take up the most difficulty jobs and give them their best shot. You should learn how to do that, and set examples for your team by doing so.

10. Desire to Learn - A leader must never think he or she knows everything. There should always be a thirst for knowledge.

These are the 10 top qualities that define effective leaders. Consider this as a checklist to decide which of these qualities you have and which you do not. Follow through these principles and you may realize how the most effective people of the world have managed their affairs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Krutza

Financing a Freight Carrier During a Credit Crunch

The transportation industry was very affected by the recession that finished in 2009. Although the recession has formally ended, the credit crunch that started with the recession is still ongoing and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Although some banks are lending more, for the most part, getting business financing remains very difficult. This is especially true for transportation companies and not likely to change in the near future because a number of lending institutions are still in trouble themselves.

To qualify for bank or institutional financing the carrier needs to show a few years worth of profitable operations, strong growth, strong assets and have a good management structure in place. Unfortunately, few of the carriers and brokers that weathered the recession will be able to meet all these criteria. Fortunately, conventional business loans are not the only financing option for this industry. And in many cases, it may not be the best option either.

Most freight carriers and brokers experience cash flow problems because they cannot afford to wait 30 to 60 days for customers to pay their freight bills. Most transportation companies have heavy ongoing expenses - there are drivers to be paid, trucks that need repair and a number of other expenses. It's not unusual for undercapitalized carriers to run into cash flow problems because they can't afford to wait for their freight bills to be paid. One way to fix this problem is to implement a freight bill factoring program.

Freight factoring solves this cash flow problem by providing you with an advance for your freight bills. Instead of waiting 30 to 60 days to get paid by the shipper, you can get up to 90% immediately from the factoring company. This provides you with the cash you need to pay your drivers and cover your business expenses. Once your shipper pays the bill in full, the factoring company rebates the remaining 10%, less a small financing fee.

One of the advantages of freight factoring is that is fairly easy to obtain and it does not have the burdensome qualification requirements of conventional business financing programs. The most important variable for qualifying is having customers with good commercial credit. This is your most important collateral from a factoring standpoint. Additionally, the business and its owners need to be free of legal and tax problems. This makes freight factoring an accessible solution for new and established freight companies that are looking to grow.
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Businesses Supplying Goods and Services: Aggregate Demand

The total demand for final goods and services in an economy at a certain time and price level is known as aggregate demand. In other words, it is the number of goods and services in the economy that will be purchased at all the various possible price levels. Aggregate demand is known to be a downward sloping curve, because a larger quantity is demanded at lower price levels.

Aggregate demand is certainly something those entering into Company formation should familiarise themselves with, if their company will be providing either goods or services. And given our current economic situation, which is in a negative state at the moment, markets will surely see an even bigger demand for those goods and services on the lower price scale than there would be normally. Earlier this year, a conference at the Economic and Social Research Institute was told that in the absence of the possibility of devaluation of our currency, which was how Finland resolved their economic crash in the early 90's, the only option for Ireland will be deflation, an adjustment which they were told would be slow and painful.

It seems that Ireland might learn a lot by looking at the Finland situation since it bares a striking resemblance to our own, in the late 80's there occurred a rapid increase in output in the country with full employment and low public debt, quite similar to Ireland during the Celtic Tiger. So, it goes without saying that prospective business owners should make themselves aware of the possibility of deflation and how it might affect the service they wish to establish in the coming months and indeed years.


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Mergers and Acquisitions Processes

Mergers and acquisitions mean the process of one business purchasing another business and blending the two together. M&As are risky and complex transactions that can affect your shareholders, productivity, and reputation. However, it is a powerful tool for accelerating growth if the proper due diligence is done. Every company and every merger is unique but no matter what industry you are involved in there are some key strategies for a successful integration.

First off, a successful merger should be built on an understanding of the key reason for the deal, the possible savings, and the assets you hope to gain. Secondly, having well-defined roles and responsibilities are important to managing the process. Last but not least is knowing the real value isn't about deal pricing, its about the integration and capturing the planned synergies of the deal.

There are many advantages and disadvantages of mergers and acquisitions and they are determined by the short and long term strategic outlook of the new and acquiring companies. Some of the factors may include market conditions, differences in business culture, acquisition costs, and changes to financial strength surrounding the corporate takeover. Let's talk about the famous M&A deal between Merrill Lynch and Bank of America that surely went sour in 2008. It was surrounded by complications ranging from employee bonuses, added debt, and forced hands. This is why in April of 2009 the U.S. Senate Committee initiated an investigation on the merger.

What are the distinctions between mergers and acquisitions? Even though they are used synonymously, Merger and Acquisition mean slightly different things. The company that purchases another company clearly establishes itself as the new owner. This is called an acquisition. Legally, the target company ceases to exist and the buyer swallows the business and the buyer's stock continues to be traded. A merger is when two firms agree to move forward as a single new company rather than remain separately owned and operated. This action would be tagged as a "merger of equals". Both of the companies stocks are surrendered and new company stock is issued. Actual mergers of equals don't happen very often. Usually, one company will purchase another, as part of the terms of the deal, the acquired firm will proclaim that the action is a merger of equals, even if it is technically an acquisition.

There are various methods of financing an M&A deal. They are differentiated partly by the way in which they are financed and partly by the relative size of the companies. Transactions paid by cash are usually termed acquisitions rather than a merger, because the shareholders of the target company are removed and the target comes under the indirect control of the bidder's shareholders. Payment by stock, are issued to the shareholders of the acquired company at a given ratio proportional to the valuation.

After all is said and done, one size doesn't fit all. Many corporations figure the best way to get ahead is to expand ownership boundaries through M&A. Although for others, separating the public ownership of a subsidiary or business segment offers more advantages. In theory, mergers create synergies, expand operations and cut costs and investors love the idea that a merger will deliver enhanced market power. However, investors need to consider the complex issues involved in M&A. The best form of equity structure must have a complete analysis of the costs and benefits associated with the deals.
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Advantages of Going Public

Some major reasons of taking your company public is the fact that raising capital for your company gets easier, an increase in your valuation, and the ability to use stock as currency. Other factors would include liquidity for shareholders, prestige and visibility to customers, incentives using stock options to recruit top level employees, and increased wealth.

In this day in age where lending markets are tight, private companies have looked towards the public markets for help to raise funds. Becoming a public company gives investors more confidence in investing in your company. Having a public stock price gives you a benchmark to raise capital. There are some public companies that offer investors an opportunity to purchase stock directly from the company at a discount to the public trading price in a private placement. Typically investors can not sell these securities for one year. This process will give the investor an incentive to invest. Capital raised can be used for growth and expansion, retiring existing debt, marketing, and most importantly acquisition capital. A public company can go to the public markets for capital with a stock or bond issue and may also convert debt to equity.

Going public gives the company an opportunity to create a market for the stock, giving the company a greater opportunity to sell shares to investors. Stock in a public company has more liquidity than a private enterprise. Most times, institutional investors and venture capital firms will require a company to go public before committing funds. The reason for this is the investors know they have an exit strategy. Liquidity is one of the main reasons why public companies are typically valued so much more than a private enterprise.

Once a company is public and the creation of the market for the stock has been established, the stock could be considered as cash when purchasing other businesses and assets. A public companies increase in valuation can lead to a variety of opportunities including mergers and acquisitions. Because of disclosure requirements from the SEC the public will have more confidence in the annual reports of the company. Market value of a public company is usually substantially higher than a private company with a similar structure in the exact same industry. Taking a private company public usually results in a substantial increase in value to the owners. Public companies can sell 20-25 times their net earnings where the same company that is private will sell for 4-6 times their net earnings.

Another major advantage of going public is the availability to use stock and options as an incentive to attract and retain important employees. There are certain tax advantages as well when considering issuing stock to an employee. Stock compensation can be a way of connecting an employee's financial future to the company's success. Last but not least one of the key benefits of a public offering is the stock will become liquid, offering the founders financial independence. This could be a substantial financial significance. It can also increase the personal net worth of shareholders, even if they do not realize immediate profits. Publicly traded stocks can be used as collateral or as currency to buy other assets.

Although there are many advantages of an IPO and going public, it is not for everyone. One must be prepared to deal with all the red tape the market has in store for you. Going public process can be very confusing at times so try to find an experienced consultant that can guide you throughout the process.
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A Guide to a Comprehensive Historical Research

It is now evident that the best insight on a given field comes from the past. This is where we learn about the past mistakes made by professionals in the past and learn how to avoid the mistakes they made by understanding the solutions they used. However, it is not a simple task to conduct the desired research since a lot of work has to be done. All in all, the consideration of a number of suggestions by Stephen Harter and Charles Busha can help in alleviating the maze. The two outlined a comprehensive work plan that the researchers can use to reap the best from the historical research.

The first step is to identify the problem. We can never resolve a problem without first recognizing it and identifying it. This is what triggers the need to learn more on the given topic. This particularly applies in the corporate histories. Companies can never rise above themselves without knowing the problem that faces them. That is why the company or the researcher has to come up with a list of problems that faces him or her. This will help in defining the best historical knowledge to turn to.

The second step is to get ready for the research. To conduct a comprehensive research, prior preparations have to be done. This includes the tools that are to be used as well as the budget for the whole project. Through the consideration of these aspects, the research is able to execute all the activities in a planned way. Gather all the required tools and information on the target field of study.

The next step in historical research is to embark on the real research. This is done to establish the when, how and where of the topic. The information should be gathered in the predetermined research method so as not to veer off the topic. The formation of the hypothesis is appropriate. This will help in determining the relationships between the factors under which the research was conducted.

Once the comparisons have been made, the next step in corporate research is to organize and analyze the information collected. This is done to verify the importance and authenticity of the data. The best information should then be collected. Finally, the data is then recorded and concluded in a meaningful narrative way.
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