Credit Cards Are Good For Business

Businesses can only exist if they make a substantial profit from the sales and services provided by them. All business people are aware that if consumers were to depend solely on their savings/ready cash to purchase goods and services, then their businesses would run very slowly indeed. So, the act of purchasing goods and services on credit cards is a boon for a majority of businesses as this facility allows consumers to purchase goods and services even when they don't have the ready cash. The consumer is able to buy goods and services on credit, there and then.

Businesses have the security of the knowledge that credit card providers are committed to honour all transactions that have been authorised by them (credit card providers). Businesses also know that they will receive money from the sale even if the credit card holder later fails to make any payment to the credit card provider.

Also, the retailers are better off conducting transactions made on credit cards because they won't have the need to store large amounts of ready cash in their retail shops and this, in turn, reduces the temptation to steal/pilfer cash by opportunists present in the buildings. And what is more, the relatively recent introduction of the chip and PIN means that fraudster can no longer operate any transactions on stolen credit cards if they do not know the respective PINs.

While businesses benefit greatly from the regular usage of credit cards by consumers, they (the businesses) are obliged to pay the credit card providers for this convenience afforded to them. As is the custom, the business is obliged to pay a commission on each credit card sale, to the credit card provider. Levels of commission depend not only on the size of the business but also on the amount of sales made on credit cards and are negotiable. Because of this obligation, some small businesses do not accept transactions, of say under £10.00, when made on credit cards as it will not benefit them in the long run.

Syed Abedin is a mortgage broker and personal credit expert. His e-mail address is syzab@btinternet.com

Credit Cards UK

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

Buy A Business Quickly, Easily And In Your Own Backyard - Simply By Taking Your Lawyer Out To Lunch

One extremely effective way of finding good businesses for sale -- other than the
"usual suspects" of the Internet and business brokers -- is by talking with your local
attorneys.

Now, that doesn't mean you should go out and say, “Hey, I’m going to have to hire
an attorney, and the attorney will find a business for me.”

That's not what I'm talking about.

No, I'm talking about if you happen to be working with an attorney right now, and
the attorney happens to be a friend of yours or maybe the attorney happens to be a
person representing you in a case (so you know him), what you should do is sit
down and spend some good time with him.

Don’t just call him on the phone. Don’t try to make up a list of things to send to 50
attorneys in your area.

I'm talking about you going out and having a real, live talk with every attorney you
know. Have breakfast or lunch with them, spend an hour, an hour and a half, two
hours. Spend some good time with them.

Why?

Because each time you do this you’re going to find that person is going to know
about businesses for sale and will tell you everything you need to know.

You see, most attorneys know about businesses for sale because a client has died
and they’ve been asked to help or to sell a business, or they happen to know
someone from working in the office who knows of businesses for sale.

And if you also let the attorney know that you’re willing to pay him or her a fee for
their help, it will only accelerate your progress.

Why?

Because their help can be invaluable. Worth way more to you than the fee you pay
them -- which can and should be paid out of the money you make in the business
anyway.

Bottom line:

If you want to find good, profitable businesses, with good employees and clean
records, you should definitely talk to attorneys you know. And offer them a nice
finders fee for their trouble. It more than pays for itself in saved time, frustration
and money in the long run.

Arthur B. Hamel has bought over 200 businesses in the past 50 years, and is a well-known author, consultant, investor, business owner, and dynamic lecturer who has shared the stage with such business greats as Robert Allen of "No Money Down" fame. For the past 20 years Art has taught thousands of people around the world -- even so-called "little guys" with no formal education or money -- how to quickly and easily buy large, multi-million dollar businesses with no credit, banks or prior business experience. He has recently decided to share his unique business-buying secrets and tactics free of charge at: http://arthurhamel.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Art_Hamel

Marketing Tips From The Legends - Coca-Cola And Starbucks Case Studies

Analysis of the histories of both Coca-Cola and Starbucks offer us commoners a treasure trove of tips for our own marketing and branding campaigns. So, you area startup company, mom & pop job, and/or small business that cannot yet conceive of Global domination? Here are 12 compiled tips from the legends that took them from obscurity to near mythical standings.

1. Begin any venture with in-depth market research and focus groups.

· Starbucks did intensive research on coffee semantics, preferences, and already successful coffee stores to determine their initial product.

· Dr. Pemberton based his introduction of Coca-Cola on the absence of alcohol during Prohibition in Atlanta. He filled the public's need for a tasty and "invigorating" drink within the confines of the law.

2. You must launch a totally original and quality concept, product, and/or service.

· Coca-Cola introduced its original syrup as a nerve tonic in 1886 in an Atlanta pharmacy that tasted good and put a spark in the patron's step!

· Starbucks went after the entire coffee experience, versus just a superior product.

3. Spend money on advertising, if for nothing but brand recognition.

· Although immensely successful, Coke still puts out very stylized advertisements such as the Polar Bear Ad Campaign of the 1990's.

4. Spend money on your brand "look" (logo) and do giveaways of useful tools to distributors.

· Coca-Cola's first distributor was pharmacists. Early in the company history, they developed the unique script that is still used today in the branding. They put this logo on various objects, such as pharmaceutical scales, to keep their brand foremost in the minds of the people who matter. This was considered a marketing expense.

5. Make everything about your product unmistakable

· Coca-Cola held a contest to create a unique bottle that the user would be able to "recognize in the dark". "The Root Glass Company of Terre Haute Indiana" won with their contour bottle design. http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com

· Starbucks came up with their own terminology and products, like the famous Frappuccino, developed in 1995. www.starbucks.com

6. Maintain consistency of products and services.

· Starbucks developed a standardized and imitable business model and extensively trained their employees on processes, products, company culture, and their brand of service.

· Wherever you go Coca-Cola Classic will taste the same!

7. Do not try to grow your company for its own sake.

a. Focus on product and/or service quality and presentation! Every move must be calculated and well though out.

8. Make a goal to make people happy, alongside whatever goals you may have.

· The Starbucks experience was created to make people happy. Drink a superior product in a comfortable setting. Recently the company has added wi-fi networks to stores. They also have free electrical outlets.

· Coca-Cola has always driven their product on the Americana Dream; a carefree image of good times. People associate product with that.

9. Convey a humanistic and selfless public image versus cold and corporate.

· Starbucks is a corporate giant but gives many charitable donations and heralds fair-trade.

10. Remain loyal to regional and cultural differences as you market product. And target your differentiation based on localities.

· When Coca-Cola entered foreign markets, they introduced exclusively regional products alongside their staples. For instance, in Peru they made a golden soda called Inca Cola, with added sweetness for the local market and a clear lychee soda in Thailand.

11. Work with other companies on partnerships and brand associations.

· Starbucks has done many marketing blitzes, like their exclusive partnership with United Airlines, that only serves Starbucks brand coffee. Starbucks also partnered with Apple's I-Tunes to draw customers into the stores.

· In the 1980's Coca-Cola heavily marketed associations with sports such as FIFA, NBA, and Nascar.

12. Gather endorsements and testimonials, celebrities DO sell!

· One of Coca-Cola's first advertisements was a celebrity endorsement from music hall star, Hilda Clark in era between 1893 and 1904. In the late 1980's pop star Paula Abdul had a successful endorsement deal with Diet Coke.

13. Follow the trends of the time in your product and/or service.

· During the 1980's a fitness craze began to get America in shape Remember Sweatin to the Oldies' Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda workout videos? Coke evolved the Diet Coke product to go with this shift in the US mass mentality.

· When WWII began, Coca-Cola took that opportunity to ensure that soldiers could have a Coke whenever they wanted one. This ended up introducing Coke to a Global market and making it a tie that binds soldiers to their American life, thereby making it indispensable, like a family member.

http://www.appealmedia.com Adrienne Markovic | Marketing Appeal Media Interactive Studios, LLC. http://www.appealmedia.com In the Heart of the Gaslamp! 311 4th Av. Suite 310 San Diego, CA 92101 (619)615.0707 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adrienne_Markovic

Enlist a Business for Selling

By Robin Brain

There are occasions when running a business does not seem possible due various reasons. It leads to the sell of that business. Selling a business needs a well thought out plan. This plan incorporates many things regarding how to sell a business. First among them is business listing. Listing business in a business directory is a very significant step for selling the business. The true significance here is how the details of the business have been prepared. Listing requires a space where an attractive business description is given. It is actually an advertisement of the business for sell. So it is up to the owner to decide as to what information has to be given in the business directory.

The main purpose here is to highlight the business profile to attract the potential buyer. Therefore a detailed description of business is usually accompanied with a full size photo making the advertisement more convincing for the prospective buyers. Actually listing business for sell is exposed to millions of people. It is flashed by the owner of the advertising agency at all his possible links. Moreover listing of a business is always updated to match it with the changing scenario of the business market. Listing the business may be for or long period. It is up to the owner to decide the duration for which the advertisement has to be flashed. The period may range from two months to one year. The cost of listing also varies according the period for which the business for sell has to be advertised.

Featuring the business on the front page costs more as it hits the potential buyer more than the advertisement on the other pages. A listing includes many things. These things include asking price, industry, cause for selling, year of establishment, gross yearly revenue, annual cash flow, net annual profit, annual gross income and monthly payroll and the total debt if any. In addition to it a brief overview of the business is also given in the listing. The basic purpose of the overview is to highlight the business profile. It also includes assets property features showing a glorious picture of the location and assets of the business.

Some additional information may also be given in the listing such as business is leased, owner is willing to train the new staff or he is not willing to work for the new honor and the likes. It also gives a new touch to the advertisement of the business for sell. The more titillating your business is the more chances are there to attract the prospective buyers.

Sales - A Dirty Word!

Salesperson - a pushy, loud and arrogant hand shaking backslapper. Right?
Oh yes, there still are those kinds today, and even in the remodeling markets of today.
Throw-backs to the dinosaurs of the 50's and 60's, the "Tin-Men" were famous for that approach. Mechanical closes, like traps, gimmicks and of course unrelenting high pressure.
Rent or buy the movie the "Tin Men" 1987, Danny De Vito and Richard Dreyfus, a story of 2 competing "Tin Men" or aluminum siding salesmen of the 50's, funny movie. Stereotypes; but, the high pressure sales techniques are still being taught and used today. Good movie!
I went to a weekend sales clinic. Someone that I thought had knowledge about sales told me it was good.
I left, after paying for the whole weekend, halfway through. There's just no way I could bring myself to trap and cajole sales out of the people who own the $2,000,000.00 houses that I love to paint.
Oh and I would always be afraid they would give me the" bums rush" because these people are smart and would see right through the trickery.
So what do you do when you are selling jobs and you feel like an old rat getting trapped in a corner, running out of ways to sell?
Go back to your beginning, before you knew anything.
What I mean is the open minded approach, and not that you know nothing like the beginner; because, you do know a lot. But the answer is not to spill your knowledge all over.
I'll bet money, that in the beginning you were a better listener.
It truly is the customer's world, let them tell you what it is they want, not force feed them your knowledge, however great it is.
A listener is the opposite of the "Tin Men" with their striped suits and polka dot ties.
Listening to understand the customers' needs.
People today are generally better informed but they are also more misinformed about our trade. When a person watches a "home" show, they come away with a simplified outlook of painting. It is usually an unreal understanding. Then they are told they must get 3 estimates, and they usually take the cheapest one. We know that the cheapest price is not the best value; but, they don't Today's customers are too informed to try to use canned sales tracks. And that is really great. I enjoy it because it means that we must use the honest approach.

Patrick Cavanaugh