Showing posts with label business. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Thailand to cash in on holiday cruise business

Thailand is tapping the holiday cruise service sector as a new revenue generating business for the country, a senior Commerce Ministry official said. Srirat Rastapana, director general of the International Trade Promotion Department, said the holiday cruise business has enjoyed an annual growth of 4.6 per cent. Cruise line companies have expanded their routes and ships to keep up with the rapid growth offering services to a number of countries in Asia including China, Japan, Taiwan, India and Thailand in the next five years. The largest number of tourists visited Thailand via two major cruise lines – Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruise (Carnival) – mainly between November and March. Each liner accommodates about 3,000 passengers. Ms Srirat said each passenger spends at least Bt6,000 per day and stays on shore at an average three to four days per visit, generating an annual revenue at Bt2.2 billion. It is quite possible that major cruise liners add Thailand to their holiday itineraries thanks to the kingdom’s reputable attractions, she said. She said Thailand should penetrate the new market by facilitating visitors with a one-stop service “Cruise Terminal” and other relevant services including customs procedures, accommodation, restaurants, transportation, tour guides, souvenir shops and onshore excursions. According to a 2012 report, the US holiday cruise service generated direct and indirect revenues at US$42 billion (Bt1.26 trillion) with more than 17 million customers. The average income of cruise holiday-maker was US$109,000 (Bt3.27 million) per family and the cruise service created 356,311 jobs.

Thailand Post to earn more profit from E-commerce

Thailand Post Company Limited is penetrating the E-commerce sector targeting to generate an additional Bt5 billion revenue annually, according to president Anusra Chittmittrapap. She said purchase through E-commerce has increased by 20 per cent, compelling Thailand Post to create an E-commerce application available for download on smartphones. She said Thailand Post would also extend its service to serve retail, small and medium businesses and deliver food under the OTOP scheme nationwide. Thailand Post should earn at least Bt19 billion, or a net profit of Bt1.2 billion, at the end of the year from the extended service, she said. She said the government’s high-speed train project would automatically improve postal delivery service which should take less time. Another project in Thailand Post’s pipeline is Post@Home – a programme in which postal carriers will collect payment for water, electricity and telephone bills from users as well as directly delivering welfare payments such as pensions to people at home.

Seven Inside Tips to Launching Your Career as a Financial Advisor

With 77 Million Baby Boomers contemplating retirement, the employment outlook for personal financial advisors is excellent! With this massive generation being, for the most part, unprepared for maintaining their lifestyle, many are looking for the assistance of a financial advisor.

Free time, flexibility, and excellent potential income are waiting for those who choose to follow this career path.

As with many things, there is a hard way and an easy way to launch a career as an advisor. One is a more difficult trail with obstacles along the way. It begins with an MBA degree in personal finance or economics followed by intensive study for one or more NASD examinations to become a registered representative.

Then, in order to launch your career as what was known as a stock broker, you'll need to seek employment selling securities for a wire house, broker/dealer, or insurance company. Despite significant competition and regulatory compliance oversight, you'll build your "assets under management" in order to satisfy your employer and/or qualify for assistance with expensive advanced certifications.

There is, however, an alternate route that doesn't involve such life changing career moves.

For the Boomer, a fifty-something with the life expectancy of a Galapagos sea turtle but with less than two years of income saved for retirement, it's no longer about accumulating a portfolio of assets. It's about the other three quadrants of his or her balance sheet which have gone largely ignored.

1. How to get the most sustainable lifetime income from the existing portfolio of assets.

2. How to eliminate hidden and/or and unnecessary expenses.

3. How to eliminate all debt before retirement.

A true financial advisor should address these areas of concern and, to do so doesn't require a life changing career experience. There are new and innovative financial products and services which effectively address these issues, but are not securities and are not regulated by the NASD and SEC.

If you're contemplating a lucrative and rewarding career as a Financial Advisor, Here are some tips to help you down that path.

1. Be independent. No one financial entity that has all of the right solutions to all of the financial problems out there. As an Independent Financial Advisor, you'll have the freedom to choose the best financial products and services from a variety of carriers.

2. Be independent but don't walk the path alone. You need a system. Join an Independent Marketing Organization. They will, in exchange for an override commission from the carriers, provide turn-key systems including advisor training, product access, provider contracts, and assistance with licensing, marketing, and regulatory compliance. Many have spent years developing effective and predictable systems to support their network of advisors.

3. Build a professional referral network. Your clients will seek advice on a range of financial subjects including real estate, taxes, insurance, legal contracts, mortgage and consumer finance. Team up with some qualified specialists in your vicinity. Refer your clients to them and they will refer their clients to you.

4. Don't worry about your sales skills. Many successful advisors are numbers people and couldn't sell snow cones in Death Valley. It's all about positioning. The model of all successful business is the same. There is a problem. There is a solution. By positioning yourself between the two, you have value and people will recognize that value.

5. Don't talk about yourself or your business. Focus on your prospect/client and ask the right questions. How do you feel about ....? What do you plan to do about ......? If there was a way to ......, would you .....? The art of asking questions is critical to your success in attracting new clients.

6. Keep in communication with your prospective clients. It often requires six or seven exposures to build a successful client relationship. Set up an email system to keep them informed of the latest developments in your industry.

7. Test the water, first. Some new advisors run into difficulty because they get excited and spend too much money before they start making money. Keep your start-up expenses under $500. At the very least, you'll get a low cost financial education that you can apply to your own situation.

We are at the brink of the largest wealth transfer in history. There is a tremendous need for qualified financial advisors to lead this history making generation down the path to financial security. Those that choose this path will discover a career that offers an abundance of personal satisfaction as well as significant income potential.

David Haslett is Senior National Marketing Director of Freedom Equity Group. Want to learn more about this lucrative and rewarding career opportunity as a Financial Advisor? Want to know the inside secrets of Million Dollar Financial Advisors? Request now by clicking http://www.YourFinancialAdvisorCareer.net

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Creating Your OWN Newsletter - 10 Tips

So now YOU are responsible for creating a newsletter. For own company or for the company you work for, it's all the same. Here are a few tips to help it run smoothly from the get-go. Start with these ten common sense rules and once you are established you can begin to tweak it a bit more with each issue.

1. Don't go CRAZY with fonts! You probably have hundreds, maybe thousands of fonts on your computer. Most people are only familiar with a few families, namely Times, Helvetica and Aerial. Use these for all body copy. Getting too creative will confuse and frustrate your readers. They want to read your material, not decipher it. For now, use only these three fonts. As you move forward you can begin using creative fonts sparingly headlines, special sections, etc.

2. Create your heading first - basically this is your newsletter logo used on the top of the front page. Once your heading is designed stay CONSISTENT with the design throughout the newsletter. Try to maintain the same color schemes, look and feel for sections, pages, etc.

3. Create sections for your newsletter and carry the size of the sections and the locations of the sections within your newsletter in each subsequent issue. Again, consistency is important for you and your readers. Readers like familiarity, and they will become familiar with sections they are interested in and where these sections are in your issues. YOU should like consistency because if you follow the rules of section space and location then your newsletter is easier to produce because it is a TEMPLATE. For each issue you simply remove the current information from each section and replace it with new information. If you follow this rule there is no need to redesign each and every issue from scratch, saving you quite a bit of time! Find a winning design and stick with it - why reinvent the wheel?

4. Be consistent not only with your newsletter design but with distribution timing. Decide in advance how often your newsletter will be issued and don't waver from your original decision unless absolutely necessary. Create a production schedule and follow it. How would you feel if your morning paper was suddenly switched to evening, or they decided on a whim to drop the Sunday paper and produce two issues on Saturday instead?

5. Balance, balance, balance. If you open a newsletter and the left side is heavy with copy and illustrations but the right has quite a bit of white space, it isn't balanced and the design becomes a distraction. Take a step back and look at it - are all sides balanced? If not, move things around until they are! And when you are moving things remember that people read left to right, top to bottom. You design should stay within this natural eye movement.

6. Use white space. White space is a GOOD thing! It helps separate sections, columns, images, paragraphs... don't try to force-fit information into your newsletter. If adding something you think is important means you need to drop the size of your text to ten points, just save the last article for the next issue.

7. Text within articles should be 11 to 12 point. You can use Helvetica or Aerial for bullet points and small paragraphs, Times for larger articles.

8. Proofread EVERYTHING. Then set it aside and proof it again. And when you are done, have someone else proofread it. There is nothing that will make your readers drop your newsletter into the garbage faster then typographical errors.

9. If you are mailing your newsletter in an outer envelope create a special envelope for the newsletter. You will put your heart and soul into this publication, you want your readers to know what's in the package.

10. Promote your newsletter. Send out a press release with a sample issue to all relevant publications and online sources.

9. If you are writing a consumer newsletter, write it as if you are communicating with a ninth grader. This is standard practice for consumer publications. If you are writing a business-to-business newsletter then you need not be concerned with this issue. Simply write your newsletter as if you are presenting it to a colleague.

And last, remember that even if you have the tools, you may not have the knowledge. If I gave you all the materials and the right tools to build a house, could you do it? If you get in a bind, call an expert or research your questions online. Arm yourself with the knowledge and learn as you go!

Neil Walsh

Daba Designs

P.O. Box 255

North Olmsted, Ohio 44070

Phone: (440)465-0744

Website: http://www.daba-designs.com

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10 Easy Marketing Tips To For Your Local Hire Company

Are you looking to get more business for your local hire company?

If so, here are 10 easy marketing ideas that can help bring in more customers.

Give your customers 10% discount cards that they can pass on to their friends. It makes it easy for them to refer you to their friends.

Run a door-to-door leafleting campaign.

Give away a free hire as a prize in a local competition (ask the local paper, local festival organisers or local schools for upcoming competitions).

Give discounts to local clubs and groups or employees of local businesses. Make sure they tell their members/employees.

Run a local competition, offer free hire as prizes to the winners. Get it covered in the local paper.

Advertise in the local newspaper's classifieds section.

If it makes sense for your business, announce to local papers, etc. that you'll be offering free advice related to your business in a local cafe on a certain day.

Start a blog about your business. Write about the work you do, the challenges you face, funny things that happen, great customers you've been able to help, and about life in your local area. Make it personal and don't worry about editing it too much. People prefer blogs to be authentic.

Sponsor a local sports team, especially if there's one that is particularly relevant to your business.

Write an article for a local paper. It could be about the challenges of doing business locally, how a recent change has affected your business or what you think about the local council. Ask them what they'd be interested in before you write it.

Discover these 10 easy ways to bring in more business for your local hire company.

Matt Collins runs HireGuru, the UK Hire Directory and leading resource for owners of UK hire companies.

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Digital Signage - The Top 10 Pitfalls

So, you've decided your business or institution will be well served by adding a new digital signage network. Now what?

Where to turn and what to do can be confusing, especially if you're responsible for your organization's communications or IT department, but don't really know anything about a digital sign. While there are many good companies in business to help you achieve your goals, you can make the endeavor easier and far more successful if you avoid the problems many before you have encountered when rolling out and maintaining their digital signage networks.

Having worked with hundreds of customers on their digital signage needs, we've seen a lot of difficulties that could easily have been avoided -along with the associated delays and added expense- with a little knowledge up front. As the saying goes, forewarned is forearmed. So, keep these Top 10 Pitfalls in mind as you plan your new network to make the experience smooth and rewarding.

No. 1: Lack of a clear purpose

Someone in your organization, has read digital signage can make marketing messaging more effective. It can reach potential customers at the point of purchase, promote desired behavior, target different demographic groups associated with different times of the day, and do so many wonderful things.

But what exactly does your organization need to accomplish with it? That's the seminal question. Without clearly defining the purpose of a digital signage network, it is impossible to find success in any phase of its deployment or use.

Taking the time up front to define the expectations for the system and write them out on paper for the approval of key management will provide direction and focus effort on attainable goals. Struggling to fulfill a nebulous purpose for the flat-panel sign network will rack up unnecessary expense and leave everyone connected with the project frustrated.

No. 2: Taking on digital signage as an IT project

"Digital signage network," the very words sound IT oriented. While there's a lot of IT technology involved with it, taking it on as an IT project is dangerous.

While highly skilled, the typical IT manager does not have the background nor the experience needed to roll out a successful digital sign network. There's a powerful temptation on the part of IT managers to look at dynamic signage playback as if it were a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. It isn't.

PowerPoint does an excellent job at making business presentations, but how many TV stations rely on PowerPoint to create and playback the programs, commercials, news and promotions you see nightly? Exactly zero. With respect to playing back video, graphics, text and animation, layering multiple visual elements and building and maintaining a playout schedule, a sign network is much more like a TV station than a boardroom with a projector and a PowerPoint presentation. Keep that in mind if an IT manager volunteers to take on your organization's project.

No. 3: Lack of content

Congratulations. You have a digital signage network. What are you going to display? Having a network without content is like having a newspaper without print. There's just a whole lot of nothing and overwhelming sense of emptiness.

Communicating in some form must be part of the reason behind the decision to add a sign network. However, there is no communication without content. Fortunately, many organizations have existing resources to draw upon that can be repurposed as digital signage content. Logos, commercials, promotional video, print advertising, plans and drawings can all be reused in whole or part to communicate a message on a sign network.

Additionally, RSS Internet feeds are a tremendous resource for updating a sign network with fresh "newsy" content, weather and sports scores that can give an audience a reason to take a second or third look.

Regardless of where it comes from, content is critical to the success of a sign network. Knowing where it will come from is as important as actually having the network in place.

No. 4: No one assigned to manage the project

While it's not like designing the International Space Station, putting a digital signage network in place can be a complex undertaking. For that reason, it's essential that any business or organization taking on a sign network assign someone to manage the project. Having an individual identified to own the project will minimize the impact of the unforeseen problems that inevitably creep into any complex undertaking.

Just as bad as having no one assigned to manage the project is its closely related cousin: management by committee. Offering up conflicting directions from multiple individuals will leave your system integrator bewildered and your project incomplete.

No. 5: No one to update content

While RSS feeds and subscriptions to news wire services are two sources of fresh information for a digital signage network, where will updated content conveying your company's specific messages and current offerings come from?

A dynamic sign network that attracts attention has an insatiable appetite for fresh content. Thus, it's essential that an organization taking on a sign network assign a qualified, competent person to the task of creating that content. Without someone in charge of the network's content, the text, graphics and video being displayed will soon grow tired. Stale content will have the opposite of the desired result for a digital sign. It actually will drive viewers away and impart a sense of "been there, done that" that will be difficult to reverse.

No. 6: Taking the cheap way out

There's nothing wrong with being budget conscious about a digital signage installation; however, selecting products, including displays, controllers and software, and services like content creation solely on their price tag can result in a system that in the long wrong will cost an organization dearly.

Systems designed solely on the price of the component miss the point. Digital sign networks are about communicating information -perhaps a marketing message, maps and directions or instructions- to their intended audience. Spending money on an inexpensive system just because it's cheap could cost a business or organization far more than the money saved in lost opportunities.

No. 7: Not knowing the locations of the signs

Knowing where your organization wants to locate the flat panel monitors in its digital signage network is important for a few reasons. First, locating the digital sign media players needed depends on where the sign or signs it's controlling are located. The length of cable runs between player and sign must be taken into account. Clearly defining the location of the signs will allow you to minimize construction/renovation expense and avoid paying for "do overs."

Second, understanding exactly where the signs will be positioned will make it easier to understand what will be needed to mount the flat panels in use. Are wall studs available where a sign will be located? Or, will a freestanding structure be required? What's the condition of the wall studs? Is electrical power available? What's the status of ambient light sources? Will a window or skylight need to be shaded to reduce glare?

Third, not knowing where the signs need to located may be a symptom of a bigger problem, namely not having a clear idea about the purpose of the digital signage installation.

No. 8: Installers without general contractor capability

Installing digital signage can be messy. Drywall and plaster may need to be cut. New electrical plugs with isolated grounds may need to be installed. Beyond those obvious construction challenges, less apparent structural modifications may be required. Those can vary from relocating HVAC ducts to re-enforcing walls.

For that reason, choosing a digital signage installer without the skill and experience to serve as a general contractor for the project can be a big mistake. Depending on the specific installation, it's not unreasonable to assume carpenters, electricians, plumbers and even heating and cooling contractors might need to be involved to make necessary structural modifications. Having an installer who can serve as a general contractor to bring those diverse resources together and manage them properly can save lots of time and expense.

No. 9: Failing to allot adequate time to learn the system

Far too often, the people responsible for new digital signage installations at businesses or organizations are so excited about their systems that they can't wait to show them off to upper management. After all, a significant sum of money went in to making the digital sign network a reality. So showing it off as soon as possible only seems natural.

However, creating content for a system, scheduling it and making changes to playback along the way require some skill. It takes time to be properly trained to use a sign network. Failing to allocate sufficient time to learn how to use the system not only could be embarrassing in front of management, but disastrous to your communications efforts with the general public, if they're your first audience.

No. 10: Failing to keep future expansion in mind at the time of initial design

Designing yourself into a box when first contemplating a digital signage network can be costly. Without casting an eye towards future needs, it's possible that portions of the network might need replacement before they've been amortized to accommodate expansion.

Without exception, experience shows that businesses and organizations that fund the addition of digital sign networks express interest in expanding their systems after they're installed.

Take these lessons to heart as you proceed with your digital sign rollout, and you're much more likely to have a successful experience. More importantly, your company or institution will avoid costly mistakes that will delay the installation and prevent your communications from having their desired effect.

David Little is a digital signage enthusiast with 20 years of experience helping professionals use technology to more effectively communicate their unique marketing messages. He is the director of marketing for Keywest Technology in Lenexa, KS, a software development company specializing in systems for digital signage creation, scheduling, management and playback. For further digital signage insight from Keywest Technology, download our Six Basic Digital Signage Applications white paper and case studies. Or, visit our website for many helpful tips and examples on how digital signage can benefit your business.

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Work From Home? - 7 Tips To Improve Your Data Entry Work From Home Jobs Income

Work From Home? - 7 Tips To Improve Your Data Entry Work From Home Jobs Income

Do You have what it takes to do data entry work from home jobs, here are the 7 Tips To Improve Your Income checklist you must have before applying for any of these jobs. Find out if you have what it takes to successfully work from home and create that extra income you have always needed to start enjoying the better things in life.

• Are You Self Disciplined.

Self discipline is an important personal characteristic and you must be a self starter and be able to perform daily functions without supervision.

The greater a persons self discipline, the more likely they are to do well and to behave in ways that will make success in life more likely.

A person must make a decision regarding life, as to what the priorities are and then apply self discipline to maintain or achieve those priorities.

The way to learn self discipline is to study other role models whom you know to be self disciplined and apply their techniques to your business.

• Do You Have An Eye For Detail.

An eye for detail is also important to have to ensure the quality of the end product and therefore guaranteeing yourself repeat business.

• Can You Do Repetitive Work.

You need the ability to concentrate when doing repetitive work because otherwise the mind wanders and you start thinking about everything else rather than focusing on the task at hand.

• Do You Have Basic Computer Knowledge.

People with basic computer knowledge and typing skills can excel in this type of job.

You will need to have your own computer and access to the internet and if you are able to write and send an email then you know enough to begin with.

• Are You Open To Learning.

Intelligence is a choice. Some adults are "smart" and others "dumb" simply because they choose to be. Smart people are those that deliberately seek out new experiences and are willing to experiment with new ideas.

• A Willingness To Perform Tasks Quickly.

You need a willingness to get the job done and then move on to the next one, just focus on the part of the day that you have allocated to this part time job and then get as much done as possible in that time.

• Do You Realize That Data Entry Jobs Are Not Get-Rich-Quick-Schemes.

This type of work is a real job and not a get-rich-quick-scheme like some that you see being offered on websites but if you treat it like a real job and put in the effort needed it is possible to make $300 - $2000+ per day spending just 30-40 minutes per day working in the comfort of your own home.

I hope that I have been able to help you in some small way with this report and good luck in you future data entry work from home jobs

Steven Seferi is an online marketer and entrepreneur who specializes in work from home niche websites. For more information please see http://www.data-entry-work-from-home-jobs.com

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Mortgage Leads, Good Return Policy

If you are a loan officer or mortgage broker on the market for mortgage leads, make sure

If you are a loan officer or mortgage broker on the market for mortgage leads, make sure the mortgage lead company you are considering has a good return policy.

Because you work hard for your money, a good return policy would consist of full refunds on leads where the contact information is inaccurate, the phone number is not in service, or the person has already closed on their loan.

A lot of mortgage lead providers will not refund your money based on a theory that they provide you with an opportunity and the rest is up to you.

At least that is what I heard quite a bit of when I worked as a loan officer.

Don’t base your decision that the mortgage lead company you are considering has a good return policy just because their web site says so.

Call the mortgage lead company and speak with someone in customer service.

Ask the customer service representative questions specific to what you believe is a qualified reason for a lead to be refunded.

If you are not happy with the answers you receive, than move onto the next mortgage lead company. There are plenty of them out there.

One more thing, consider this as a way to cut down on receiving leads where the quality is questionable.

While you have customer service on the phone, ask how they acquire their leads.

This is what you will want to hear.

You will want to hear that they obtain their leads through web sites that they have built, own and operate on their own.

When a mortgage lead company obtains their leads in this fashion, than you can feel pretty good about the quality and freshness of the leads.

If a lead company is obtaining leads through third party vendors, than they are recycling leads. Or what is better known as selling junk.

If you are paying for recycled leads, there is a good chance you will be spending more time looking for refunds as opposed to closing loans.

To sum it all up, when researching mortgage lead companies, make sure they have a reasonable return policy and make sure they are obtaining their leads on their own.

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The Top 10 Reasons to Outsource Sales Appointment Setting

Separating prospecting from selling is part of the new paradigm the top 2% of all companies are using.

There are myriad reasons to outsource your prospecting, cold calling and sales appointment setting duties. Suffice it to say, the sales game has changed and you need the best methods to win the most sales.

Here are the TOP 10 REASONS to use professional appointment setters:

Statistically they are much better at scheduling qualified sales appointments than salespeople who prefer the limelight of presenting, negotiating and closing.

Appointment setters average 30 calls and 1.5 appointments set per hour.

When using an appointment setting company, sales organizations see sales reps’ productivity double.

In numerous surveys, salespeople say cold calling is their number one dislike. Some say they plain hate it and avoid it at all cost.

It is much easier to manage a sales staff when the appointment setting is outsourced.

Appointment setting firms are better able to call on the most profitable leads—those most likely to buy from you soon.

Appointment setting services provide a trackable and much improved ROI over traditional sales approaches.

Appointment setters provide you with analytics that improve the effectiveness of your entire organization.

Professional appointment setters can gather valuable information about your brand and position.

10.Separating prospecting and appointment setting from selling is part of the new paradigm the top 2% of companies everywhere are using.

Brian Grinonneau is a partner with Marketing and Sales Management Group a Toledo, Ohio company that consults with and sets appointments for some of the top sales organizations in the country.

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Top 7 Sales Coaching Tips to Leverage the Power of the Force

Are you of the Star Wars generation? Do you remember all of the talk about the force be with you. Why not use that force to increase sales leads?

Do you want more sales? Don't we all? Then consider using the power of the force (minus the light saber) to help you achieve your goal to increase sales. These top 7 sales coaching tips may help you do just that.

1. Construct a strategic action sales plan with W.A.Y. S.M.A.R.T. goals. You must have a plan from which to work your sales leads to goals. A plan with supporting goals will keep you focused on the results - to increase sales.

2. Make sure all of your actions are aligned to your sales action plan. Sales Coaching Tip: Within your plan, make sure you have committed your values (non-negotiable behaviors) to writing for people buy from people they know and more importantly trust.

3. Work to improve your communication skills both verbal and non-verbal.

4. Watch those who are watching you. If you see someone notice you, take the time to connect that individual. Sales Coaching Tip: Make sure you consistently use a proven sales process.

5. Keep strong positive beliefs (those subconscious thoughts) that drive your attitudes demonstrated through your actions creating those desired results. (B.A.A.R.)

6. Maintain good physical and mental health. Your energy force is directly connected to your overall well being.

7. Practice, practice tips one through six. Sales Coaching Tip: Learning is the acquisition of knowledge. Performance is the application of knowledge. Channel your actions to be performance driven for that will make the difference between sales success and sales failure.

This sales skill of leveraging your own energy force is one of the most subtle ones to develop, but probably one of the most critical ones to have.

What are your goals to increase sales? This free audit looks to your sales skills.

Do you need some additional sales coaching tips but cannot afford a sales coach? Then visit the sales coaching gym.

Leanne Hoagland-Smith with locations near Chicago & Indianapolis helps organizations through business coaching training services to return to the purpose of business that being building ravings fans while increasing productivity and profitability. Her clients quickly double results in 30 to 90 days. Call 219.759.5601 to schedule a free business coaching consultation.

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Top 7 Sales Coaching Tips to Leverage the Power of the Force

10 Rules For Great Taglines

A tagline or a slogan is a phrase (for example, "Just Do It (tm)") intended to get "stuck" in prospects' heads. The tagline should be short and memorable, like a great piece of haiku. The following are my rules for creating great taglines:

1. Don't be "cute". Cute often is seen as "cheesy".

2. Do focus on the benefit to the customer.

3. Don't repeat any of the words in your company's name.

4. Do spend time with a thesaurus.

5. Don't use more than 7 words (human short term memory limit).

6. Do use short words.

7. Don't use well-worn phrases.

8. Do use an emotion word to invoke the benefit (pain, pleasure, safety, etc.)

9. Don't think a tagline replaces good marketing strategy.

10. Do ask your existing best clients what they think of your tagline.

The best way to get something to "stick" is to capture your potential customer's problem and pain and show the solution. Don't write a tagline from the perspective of how great you are - no one really cares.

Let's say I'm looking to hire the best Realtor that I can find to sell my house. I'm looking for someone who: has a proven track record, is a great listener, is a great negotiator, and can get me a great deal. Period.

I filter every Realtor that I meet against my list. Which of the following Realtor taglines would be most likely to appeal to me?

* Your Realtor With Heart

* Finding Your Dream Home

* Your Realtor For Life

* I Know Your Neighborhood

* The Hardest Working Realtor You'll Ever Meet

* Selling Homes Is All I Do

Jay Hamilton-Roth founded Many Good Ideas (http://www.ManyGoodIdeas.com) to help small businesses brainstorm, design, and implement effective marketing strategies. He combines creativity with common sense to demystify the process of getting great results. He has used his high-tech background from MIT to help him launch five businesses. He consults with companies in a wide range of industries and publishes a free monthly marketing newsletter (Creative Business Ideas) and a (daily blog). He is available for public speaking.

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Using Maps In Business - 10 Tips From The Experts

This article, a prequel to my forthcoming 101 Map Uses, offers 10 productive ways businesses can use wall maps. Too often, business professionals equate maps with the online digital variety that provide directions, the nearest Home Depot, and homes for sale, all from the comfort of a computer, PDA, or cell phone. Yet, millions of businesses use printed wall maps daily. Fortune 500 companies insist on using high quality printed maps in their day-to-day operations because there is simply no replacement for maps. While the digital map has its own uses, a well-designed printed map is by no means old school. To the contrary, wall maps keep up with the modern needs of business and are in high demand.

Wall maps serve a multitude of purposes, the least of which is decorative eye candy, although this is a distinct use that has more value than you may think. We'll get to that in a minute. Printed maps are handled in the office from everyone from the CEO, sales manager, executive assistant, accountant, and truck driver. This article is less for the professionals who already use maps, but for those who want to learn what the Fortune 500 know.

1. Corporate Identity A map sets the scene and provides a sense of place. These are instrumental forces for business moral. Companies, whose stores or service area are mapped and on display, ground the staff in the here and now, never losing track of the geographic identity of the company.

2. Display A handsome or beautiful map displayed in a store or office environment is a positive reinforcement to customers and clients that the company is grounded, committed, and knowledgeable about the area. If the map reflects the company's identity; it speaks a thousand words to customers who enjoy it. One such map that I recall was prominently framed in an office foyer. Virtually every visiting client that entered the office saw that map and made a compliment. This was a compliment to the map maker, but also to the company for having the good judgment and wisdom to have it created and displayed so prominently. The map depicted the company's geographic service area in beautiful detail. It wasn't a tourist map or something from the Better Business Bureau. The point of the map was not to demonstrate how clever the company is, but how knowledgeable they are of their service base and how invested they are in the communities they serve.

3. Store Locations

As a map maker, I get requests by medium and large companies to make them a map showing the locations of their stores. This may seem a mundane point, but more often than not, the map I make is the first map these companies have ever had that depicted the geographic location and relationship of their stores. This is a powerful concept not to be dismissed. There are a variety of online map tools that allow you to cobble together such a map, but they inevitably fall disastrously short of a wall size, detailed, and well-crafted map designed for the purpose.

4. Travel Time Distance A company that makes deliveries, sales visits, or service calls needs to have some basic information handy: how long does it take to drive from the home office to a given location in the service area. A classic example is the pizza delivery service, where on the wall in the pizza restaurant is a travel time distance map. The pizza delivery drivers consult the map to understand how long it should take them to reach their designated delivery, as well as where the delivery address is located. Travel time distance maps are not exclusively posted on the wall, but folded and kept handy in service vehicle cabs, such as in emergency response vehicles. From the location of an accident, an ambulance driver can quickly lookup the fastest route to drive to the hospital, which in mileage terms may not be to shortest route. Since travel time distance maps use actual traffic data for specific streets and highways, these maps are an exceptional tool.

5. Service and Sales Area Delineation Briefly mentioned earlier, service and sales area maps are vital to certain company's day-to-day operations, but also useful in strategic planning, which will be covered soon. Each and every company strives to improve efficiency in the following categories: resources, operations, and staff time. One way to use maps to improve business efficiency is to accurately delineate the service or sales area and use this as a road map. This map will then guide future decisions and resource allocation in an informed and consistent manner.

6. Customer Demographics Demographic data have long been used by companies to know their customer base better. The United State Census Bureau routinely collects detailed census data and numerous private companies collect business related demographics. Demographic data help companies better target product and service development, customer support, and marketing strategies. Often, these data are presented with graphs, pie charts, and tables. In contrast, a wall map displaying customer demographic data within a company's service area is a much more powerful tool as it accomplishes the following functions:

• quantifies the demographics within critical geographic blocks, such as service area, zip codes, census blocks, neighborhoods, counties, etc.,

• shows the relationship between demographics and store density, service area reach, and competitor store density or service areas,

• and others.

7. Trend Analysis

Businesses always want to know what the future will hold. How will consumer demographics change? Which neighborhoods are changing? Where will there be opportunities? Maps can answer these questions when benefited from Geographic Information Systems (GIS), software that analyzes data and geography together, including demographic data, land use plans, development plans, consumer spending by city block, and with precision. Using GIS in trend analysis for businesses is a strong field, and one that has many obvious benefits.

8. New Store Selection

Most businesses plans have a geographic component inherent in them: open more stores, expand service area, develop new markets, or simply adapt to changes in demographics. All of these objectives require a wall map for definition and planning. Though most importantly, these objectives cannot be accomplished without GIS and a knowledgeable GIS analyst consultant.

9. Strategic Planning All businesses undergo strategic planning on a regular or ad hoc basis. Strategic planning involves an honest evaluation of the past, present, and future aspects of the company and it's business model. Wall maps, and especially GIS, are instrumental in informing the business strategic planning in the above mentioned ways: corporate identity, store locations, service area delineation, travel time distance analysis (operational efficiency), new store or site selection, and customer demographic and trend analysis. Often companies incorporate an entire GIS process and presentation map series in their strategic planning sessions.

10. Marketing

Knowing where to spend limited marketing budget, especially with regards to direct mail or location targeted advertisement, is a very popular use of GIS and wall maps in business. Maps are a critical starting point for geographic targeted marketing where demographic data, zip codes, mailing address locations are just some of the data used to develop location specific marketing campaigns.

Putting It All Together To receive the full value and competitive advantage of wall maps, incorporate all of the ten uses together in your business' daily practice and corporate culture. Simply stated, maps excite people's creativity and ambition. Maps inform. Maps expand our comprehension of complex relationships often missed by mundane graphs and tables. Incorporate maps into your business today. You will be glad you did.

I hoped you've enjoyed this article. To download free wall maps for businesses, visit Maponomy. For GIS consulting in these areas, contact GeoIntel.

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Alternatives To Another Christmas Debt Consolidation Loan

It is that time of year again, when we all spend a little too much on the knowledge that we can chip in our equity again after Christmas and another bit of loans to consolidate debts. Except this year is different. This year sees a change of things as we have known over the past ten years or so. In the USA Sub-prime lending fiasco has caused tremors throughout the world in the various financial markets as greedy middlemen try to cut its losses by selling other people in the massive debts packages. In the UK and the accumulation of personal debt has only made this worse, as we deal with the sub-prime viruses, and also the possibility - real, this time - the fall in value of the property.

Our own household budgets are microcosms of national budgets, and we should not be so greedy as men in red suspenders or as wrong as the politicians who have allowed this to happen so far. Clear sight is needed now, when we can no longer see in the consolidation loan debt Christmas as the Savior of our ills. We have never known personal debt like this, and statistics tell us that just can not continue.

There are other alternatives to debt consolidation loan Christmas that people are turning to the present, and are healthy alternatives. These are duly constituted debt consolidation programs, and have two major ways. One is a simple programme of debt management and the other is called an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA) or Protected Trust Deed in Scotland.

The best of a VAT is that the main action occurs right at the very beginning of the provision. A controller (or IP) take a look at your income and expenses and determine how much you can afford to pay your creditors each month after its essential bills have been paid. Then, your IP will negotiate with all its creditors collectively, the unintelligent.

Its debt will be reduced dramatically, typically by 60 percent, but as much as 70 percent, according to the terms of VAT legislation. While its creditors agree to this group - and there are certain stipulations to be met, such as in employment and with at least three different creditors - will have the bulk of their debt simply eliminated.

Then, have a term of five years (three in Scotland) to pay its remaining debt each month, a rate that you can afford. During this time, its creditors are not allowed to contact you by any means, if it does, you can sue. Stopping these phone calls and letters, and the threat of knock on the door by the bailiff, who suddenly gone forever. This is certainly a more reasonable alternative to a debt consolidation loan, driven by the goal-driven sellers who really does not matter what happens after we received his commission. In comparison, it's like a short-term loan as a sticking plaster compared with a VAT.

There are times when a debt consolidation loan is really useful. This is the case of loan repayments are smaller than the total write-offs of loans and credit card debt, etc., which is the replacement (which is usually the case) and whether it can really afford the repayment Long term. Remember that this is usually a secured loan and you can lose your house if you do not keep the refund.

But for most people with a fixed income VAT is the right solution. Now, what about VAT instead of Christmas!

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Bad Credit Debt Consolidation Help - You Can Still Get A Loan

You should not be surprised when you said that you can get bad credit debt consolidation help. You are an American citizen, as well as any. You too have a right to put your finances right. Anyone can fall into a debt trap. You keep on loans after piling loans at you like you need all the materialistic pleasure of life. And how can we discount that emergencies are en route for which we rarely make a provision in the daily lives of our economies. Then there are those who are not doing enough, but wish to lead a healthy life. So do not be discouraged if you made earlier payments and tarnished your image with credit agencies.

Get your finances back on track

When you ask bad credit debt consolidation aid donors online, it is really an effort on your part to get your finances back on track. You will see many companies that are willing to give you a free quote debt consolidation. You will notice that when you complete appointed to advise you that the annual percentage rate calculated for the consolidation loan is more than the standard rate applicable. That's because you have bad credit and credit agencies consider you more of a risk that the borrower with a good credit rating. You can compensate for the strong APR providing a security guarantee that shows your sincerity for the repayments after the consolidation.

You can also make a comparison with other borrowers in your position who received lower interest rates. This works in your favor to get a better deal. The ultimate goal of providing debt to help poor credit is that you see more in the red at the moment. You have another option to refinance to help you better your position in the future. You need not stick with this transaction if you find that you are in a better position with another lender. Of course, you can take up the matter with your lender, but you have to keep your eyes open and remain current with the latest in the loan market.

When you help them make this debt program you get an additional benefit. You get to talk about your problems to someone else who is an expert and can guide you on the road to recovery, a lot of confidence. It's his job. Obviously, when you reach a point where you need to consolidate your loans you are not in the best state of mind to do some financial juggling. Your advisor will negotiate the best deal for you in relation to your future, creditors and lenders as well.

Bad credit debt consolidation help can be obtained if an estimate is made for the consolidation of the program. If you require this service do not go into the nitty-gritty of what, why and how, it is sufficient to embark on the search for the best corporate debt consolidation. The Internet is a good place to start.

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Online debt consolidation : easy way to remove the financial pressure

Online debt consolidation loans are painless technique to get rid of the financial pressures that you face as a result of an accumulation of debt on a scale unmanageable. You can use the services of debt consolidation, although with a bad credit score, which is almost there when you are in a debt trap. The lenders of bad credit loan debt consolidation to realize this fact and allow you to take advantage of this handy tool for managing finances.

Problems created by the modern economy and its solution

Modern Economy is a major shortcoming that credit is available to almost everyone very easily. It is a big reason for why people trapped in financial problems. However, the financial system these days also have solutions to these problems. Online debt consolidation loans are one example of these devices that you can use to get debt free.

So, if you think that the financial problem is now out of your hands and you are not able to make minimum monthly payments as well, it's time to think about using this service. To begin, you must choose one of the few websites of many sites available on the Internet. The advantage of this mode is online, you can compare the characteristics of these companies very quickly. In addition, you may submit your request by the pain of filling out a simple form.

All your existing loans are replaced

The company you have chosen more appropriate fate for you. It replaces all your existing loans with a loan of more important carrying lower interest rates. In addition, you also have the freedom to stretch the repayment period so that the monthly payment drops to a figure that is convenient for you.

The team online for a loan debt consolidation is once again gives you the loan amount required. Now, it's up to you to make full use of this system, not only by timely payments, but also the application of discipline in the implementation because of budgetary limits. If you can do it, soon you will be able to live a life without debts.

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Control your finances with loan debt consolidation

Sometimes people overindulge credit and take a lot of loans. When it becomes difficult to meet all the obligations of the loan, a situation occurs then you need an opportunity to get out of it. Many lenders in the money market provide debt consolidation. You can also take expert advice from financial advisers on this issue. It may help them succeed rearranging your debts so that the monthly repayments become affordable for you.

How does the process of consolidation of debt?

After the consolidation, the net result is that all of your debts are consolidated into one. You only have a loan outstanding, and you must repay a lump sum every month. Suppose, if you have six loans amounting to £ 9000, the latter can be converted into a single loan by the same amount. This is usually done by taking a loan debt consolidation.

What is the advantage it gives you?

A loan debt consolidation is used to pay off all your debts today. You still have a large loan. The benefit comes to you in the form of higher manageability of debt, lower monthly payments and repayment of your high interest rate debt. You can negotiate with a new lender and to set the monthly payment in a way that it suits your abilities for repayment. If, before the consolidation, monthly output was £ 500 each to six creditors, the amount is £ 3000 per month in a lump sum. Debt Consolidation Loan allows you to repay all debts and renegotiate your six monthly payments with the lender.

People use very often loan debt consolidation to pay their debts to credit card. Since credit card companies have to charge high interest rates, the procedure becomes very beneficial if you get new loan at lower rate. You can save money and to have a new structure of the debt and simplified. Various donors in the United Kingdom provide loans for this purpose.

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7 Steps To Increase Your Profits 300% or More - Guaranteed! -- Part 2

Step 3

Write a compelling headline.

Now, I can give you some incredible statistic like changing just a headline produced 700% more sales without any other changes to a website, but I'm pretty sure you already know how powerful headlines really are.

So, here are two ways to write powerful headlines that make your website sell like crazy.

You've probably heard this one before but here's a twist on it. "Don't break what aint' broke!"

You see, there are thousands of powerful headlines that have converted well for tons of different industries in the past. You probably already know quite a few of them.

All you have to do is "swipe" the headline and edit it to suit your product or service.

The second way is...

You can use my "A.C.E.S. method" for writing headlines that sell!

Here's the short and sweet explanation of A.C.E.S...

A compelling headline has these four elements in it almost ALL of the time.

A - Attention C - Curiosity E - Excitement S - Specific

In other words a compelling headline...

1. Grabs the attention of your visitor.

2. Builds curiosity about your product or service.

3. Builds excitement through the use of powerful 'news type' words.

4. Is specific to your target market's needs and your product or service.

For example...

A long-time client of mine created a software that slows down video training material so that the user can learn specific moves or techniques faster.

Here's the headline we came up with in only five minutes and STILL it can be improved but the sales results have been astounding to say the least.

"Amazing Software That Manipulates Video So That Anyone Can Learn At Least 3 Times Faster Than Normal . . . Watching The Same Video . . .In A Completely Different Way!"

Do you see the A.C.E.S. in there? Great!

Write 10 to 20 of these headlines and save them all.

Step 4

Write down a list of your key benefits and turn them into bullet points.

There are really only two main kinds of benefits.

The first one is a "functional benefit." Often called a feature, the functional benefit can easily be identified as something like, the fast, overnight delivery from a company like FedEx or all the office supplies you need under one roof at your local Staples.

The second type of benefit is the "emotional benefit." An emotional benefit can be identified as the ease and comfort you experience knowing that your package will arrive by the next business day at your desired destination or the reduced stress and feelings of happiness when you get everything you need for your office in one location and without stress.

When you look at billion dollar corporations like FedEx, Microsoft, Home Depot, Best Buy, Staples or any number of the big players in any industry, you'll find that they have an firm grasp and a perfect mix of functional and emotional benefits inherent in their product or service and in their marketing.

Once you have your emotional and functional benefits written, your next step is to add the Zeirgarnik effect into them.

"The Zeigarnik effect states that people remember uncompleted or interrupted tasks better than completed ones." - Wikipedia.org

Basically, you're forcing your prospects into a state of curiosity and the only way to satisfy this curiosity is to buy your product.

Infusing the Zeigarnik effect into your benefits will transform them into persuasive bullets.

Here's an example using the software product I mentioned earlier if you were targeting dancers or martial artists...

Emotional Benefit: Feeling of achievement. Functional Benefit: Learn difficult moves twice as fast.

Bullet: Experience the overwhelming joy of achievement when you learn difficult moves twice as fast...using this one secret feature.

Bullet: How to learn complex moves twice as fast with a single click of your mouse!

See the curiosity built into the benefit?

Step 5

Line up the social proof...testimonials and statistics.

Social proof is a very powerful form of persuasion, and after all, copywriting is persuasion in print.

In every sales letter or direct response advertisement you'll find the element of social proof.

Social proof in the form of testimonials, provides your prospect with both the reassurance that your product is good and it also triggers the "herd mentality," inherent in all human beings.

Having social proof easily provides your copy with the much needed impulse buying triggers because both real statistics and personal testimonials have the power to get past your prospects defenses and deeper into their minds.

But you know what?

Another powerful form of testimonial exists.

It holds the persuasive power of "authority."

Getting testimonials from well known experts and/or celebrities can and will make your testimonials even more powerful.

The persuasion principle of "authority" or rather compliance with an authority figure can immediately and many times drastically boost your sales.

I highly recommend you read, "Influence - The Psychology of Persuasion" by Dr. Robert Cialdini to learn more about the principles of persuasion.

Step 6

Write your lead.

This is where you begin to address your prospect directly.

It is where you set the stage for the rest of your sales copy.

To address your prospect directly, you should begin a sales letter with...

"Dear Friend," or better yet "Dear Fellow Dancer,"

The next thing you write after that should be a opening sentence that makes a "big promise" of the ultimate benefit they will receive from reading your sales copy.

A classic example of this is the "If...Then" opener.

For example using the software example...

If you've been trying to learn a new skill using 'Windows' compatible video on your computer, then you already know the value of what I am going to tell you.

If you've been trying to learn a new skill using 'Windows' compatible video on your computer, and want to learn faster, then this may be the most important letter you have ever read on learning a new skill with video.

You see the big promise in those?

You're setting the stage for the copy to follow.

Nothing more.

Step 7

Write out your copy.

Funny that this is the last step but remember each step is a tactic and adding them together with your copy will form your entire sales letter strategy.

To get pat your prospects objections and close the sale!

Now, once you have all of the above elements in line, you should sit down, pretend you are speaking to your best friend and just write out an explanation of why they should purchase your product.

Write as if you are speaking to your friend directly.

Answer the following questions within your copy and add your bullets and testimonials throughout your copy.

The questions you should answer are...

Who Are YOU?

Why should I listen to you?

What is it?

What's so great about it?

What's in it for me?

How much does it cost?

How do I get it?

Remember those headline that you didn't use?

Well throughout your copy, you can place those headlines as subheads.

Subheads break up your copy so that a person does not get tired or bored reading all your sales copy.

It's what I call "Optical Appeal" and subheads are your first line of defense against boredom and increasing optical appeal.

It also prevents "page scanners," people who quickly scan through your page, from scanning your sales page and leaving, by drawing their attention with your subheads.

As a rule of thumb I use one subhead, at least, per printed page of sales copy.

Another trick to keeping people glued to your sales copy is to use short sentences or very brief paragraphs to increase the white space on your page.

Finally, remember this...

Write as if you are "speaking" to a friend, NOT writing a college essay. If you use somewhat broken language, write it, don't leave it out or make it proper.

Just refrain from using too many bad words.

That's it.

The only other advice I have is go out and read, read, read as many sales letters as you can, and then apply what works in each of them to your copy.

Pretty soon, you'll be a master at writing copy for your market!

==> Rasheed Ali is a direct response copywriter who has written powerful sales copy -- generating millions of dollars in annual sales for his clients. Discover how Rasheed and his team can help you and your company dramatically increase your sales and boost profits. http://www.CombatCopywriter.com

7 Steps To Increase Your Profits 300% or More - Guaranteed! Part 1

I won't insult your intelligence today and tell you that I have the single-most important key to your success online.

What I will do is speak the truth, maybe even a truth you've overlooked for far too long.

You see, like you, when I started out online there were quite a few hurdles I had to overcome. I'm sure you'll agree that starting a business online is not just fun and games.

It takes work, and most times you're "it!"

There are quite a few things that we have to master, or at least become semi-proficient at, in order to turn a profit. Right?

One of those things is learning the art of copywriting.

I call it an art, because it truly takes a certain kind expertise to turn simple words into profit generating machines.

Now it's no secret that many of the largest and most powerful advertising agencies in the world were founded by copywriters and rightfully so.

These people had a deep understanding of salesmanship in print and were able to turn their words and ideas into sales.

If you were to do some research, you will find that many of the most compelling ads of the past are the older and more direct response focused ads.

Why? Because it works!

So before we get into the nitty-gritty fundamentals of how to increase your profits through efficient copywriting you should know this.

If you have the budget, then hire a professional copywriter to write your sales material for you and focus your efforts on your other tasks.

If you don't have that kind of budget, then read the rest of this article very closely.

Keep in mind that this article will put you on the right track but it is near impossible to learn everything you need to know about "direct response copywriting" from one article.

Step 1

Identify your market.

Before you write a single word of copy for your product or service, you must identify your target market and as Stephen Pierce puts it, "What are their needs, wants and wishes?"

Doing this will not only keep your copy laser focused but also highly relevant to your target audience, and thus multiplying your sales conversions.

Step 2

Write out your offer and P.S.

Yes, instead of writing out your headline, subhead and body copy your next step is to write out your offer or rather the closing offer and your P.S.

I can tell you from first-hand experience that this is one of the places where 95% of sales letters fall short.

I've seen people write out phenomenally compelling sales letters and by the time they get to making their offer they fall flat on their face because they've spent all their energy on writing the sales letter.

Many people in fact, develop a sort of, temporary intimacy with the prospect they are speaking to in their sales letter, causing them to become less likely to make a firm offer and ask for the money!

Don't let this happen to you.

When writing your offer, state your price and why the price you're offering is such a great value to your prospect.

Make sure it's believable and justified.

Then give an "Iron-clad Money Back Guarantee" or similar as a risk reversal mechanism to increase their trust in you. This will help to increase your sales.

Inject scarcity in the form of a Limited Quantity, Limited Time, or a date dependent price discount. Many times a simple, "Act Now or Others Will Leave You In The Dust" styled scarcity injection will do the trick.

Next, you write your first P.S. make it one where you restate your offer and the guarantee.

Your second P.S. should be a final call to action.

This is where you would add a "self-help" or accountability styled P.S...

For Example...

P.P.S. - Listen, you can keep doing the same things you've always done and keep getting the same results or you can take quick and decisive action right now, grab your copy of XYZ PRODUCT today and be on your way to building prosperous new life beginning today. The choice is yours my friend. Click Here To Take Action Today...

Continued in Part 2...

10 Ways Not To Conduct A Market Salary Study

1. Match jobs based on job titles, not job content.

2. Use bad job descriptions.

3. Don't write job descriptions in the first place!

4. Use data sources that aren't matches for your industry & jobs.

5. Don't educate yourself on the basics of job analysis.

6. Use salary data information gathered by your employees about what

other companies are paying their people.

7. Use inconsistent statistical criteria, i.e., median or midpoint, and salary range width.

8. Don't use geographic appropriate data based on the level of the job.

9. Let others persuade you that the data you've produced isn't relevant to your

company because it's unique (i.e., your employees deserve to be paid MORE).

10. Don't get buy-in from key executives on study methodology from the beginning!

What seems from the surface to be a fairly simple exercise turns out to be anything but! There are lots of technicalities involved in producing a quality salary survey of your jobs compared to the marketplace!

Quality surveys match jobs to market based upon job content, not job titles. Your employees who willingly provide the results of their informal market survey to you have made matches based upon job title only. And they don't know what the information they've received reflects. Is the figure they're providing the midpoint, actual salary paid, or the minimum or maximum of the salary range? Yet they've accepted it at face value, especially if it's more than they're currently earning, and they want to know why they are "underpaid."

In order to make matches based upon job content, it becomes critical to have updated and accurate job descriptions in place. At a minimum, the summary and minimum qualifications of each job should be well documented. Job descriptions have many applications in the world of human resource administration:

* Job content evaluation

* Salary survey exchanges

* Assigning employees to appropriate jobs

* Legal defense and compliance (FLSA, ADA)

* Establishing performance standards

* Organizational design

* Recruiting

* Succession planning/establishing career paths

Even though it is a very time consuming and labor intensive process, documenting jobs and maintaining them through conducting an annual review of jobs is critical to the effective administration of human resources in every organization. Information on job content is usually obtained through direct observation, or through the employee's completion of a job analysis questionnaire. This exercise can also serve to resolve any discrepancies between the employee and the supervisor in terms of what should be done on the job on a day-to-day basis.

Once the job descriptions have been written and approved, survey sources can be selected based upon matching of industry and geographic data sources. It is critical to get buy-in at this stage by asking key executives what surveys they want to have included in the project, and then explaining the surveys that you believe should also be included, and why. If others are made a part of the process, it minimizes questions when the results are presented and also provides input that can enrich the final outcomes.

When analyzing market data, be consistent in terms of the statistics gathered from multiple sources. Typically, I use the 25th percentile, midpoint, and 75th percentiles of their salary ranges, and the median. The median tends to be a better determinant of market rates than the midpoint because it's not skewed as much as the midpoint. Weighted averages are sometimes useful too; it depends on the development of the data as you work through the project.

Once you've determined what market rates are for a job, then a comparison to your company's actual pay rates should be conducted. When this work has been completed for all jobs, your company's overall compensation position in relation to the market can be easily determined. And you can cost out the amount of money it would take to bring certain employees up to market rates. Strategies can be established on how to handle people who are currently paid below or above market rates.

Certainly when an individual's pay is being decided in relation to market rates, there are many other variables to consider. These include:

* Your company's compensation philosophy (how you want to pay in relation to the market)

* Individual performance rating and review history

* Total compensation (base & incentive/bonus pay)

* Individual contributions to the company

* Length of time in job (can be a consideration)

* Salary history

* Internal equity

An annual review of all jobs should be conducted to ensure parity of pay based upon objective criteria to ensure non-discriminatory pay policies in your organization. Minorities and women in the same salary range and job as men with commensurate work experience and job history need to be paid at very similar rates of pay. Your company needs to be able to explain why certain pay decisions were made for specific individuals based upon objective criteria.

Most organizations do not reduce pay when they realize that they are overpaying for certain jobs. Usually they "red-circle" the job, meaning that it is not eligible for merit increases until the market catches up with the current pay. The employee can still be eligible for a lump sum payout for recognition of performance and accomplishments, but the lump sum bonus is not built into the base pay, which contains merit budget costs.

Many employees are discouraged when they learn that they are not eligible for merit pay increases. But it doesn't have to be a negative message; they have the benefit of receiving extra dollars until the market catches up with them! And if they multiply the approximate number of years that they have received a higher level of pay, they should consider themselves to be lucky, especially in these difficult economic times when the job market is tight.

In this article, the basics of a market study and salary administration have been explored. What appears to be a simple process is in fact, not so! There is a methodology to working through this type of project and further enhancements such as designing salary ranges and slotting jobs into those ranges can also be done.

The benefits of a more structured salary administration program are many, with the primary one being cost containment of your salary dollar expense, the largest expense in any organization. The goal is to implement enough structure to protect the company from litigation and ensure consistent salary administration practices while still retaining the ability to make good business decisions.

Becky Regan, M.A., CCP began her own consulting practice in 1995, Regan HR, Inc. to provide human resources consulting services to businesses in California. She has been successful in growing her business through reputation and client referrals. Her work as a consultant includes the full spectrum of HR technical expertise, including C-level recruitment, compensation studies (design, market and executive pay studies, sales compensation plans), training & teaching, interim assignments as a HR Director for organizations, and employee relations, including workplace investigations and written responses to formal complaints.

For more HR tips and to receive my FREE "The Top 5 Secrets to Building a Better Organization that Every HR Pro Must Know" report go to http://www.ReganHR.com

Free Daily Horoscope Astrology

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

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Thailand Post to earn more profit from E-commerce

Monday, May 19, 2008

Seven Inside Tips to Launching Your Career as a Financial Advisor

Creating Your OWN Newsletter - 10 Tips

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Digital Signage - The Top 10 Pitfalls

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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

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The Top 10 Reasons to Outsource Sales Appointment Setting

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Top 7 Sales Coaching Tips to Leverage the Power of the Force

Top 7 Sales Coaching Tips to Leverage the Power of the Force

10 Rules For Great Taglines

Using Maps In Business - 10 Tips From The Experts

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Alternatives To Another Christmas Debt Consolidation Loan

Alternatives To Another Christmas Debt Consolidation Loan