Friday, September 28, 2012

Success of a Business Plan

There is increased competition in the field of business which has prompted people to require a plan for their activities. This is because it is important to shape the operations involved daily so as to help manage everything in the best manner. Moreover, it is good to work when already focused on some goals that are to be attained.
Past layout
This sets the achievements that have been there in the past thus helping to plan for the future. It also helps analyze the foundation of the business and thus assess how the future will be. It is important to assess with a qualified person who will lay down the hindrances which has been preventing achievement of the earlier set goals. The number of employees who were employed and their qualifications is also checked.
Realistic goals
Talking of realistic goals is a vital thing to consider in achieving the success foreseen in the plan. It is mostly advisable to check the reality of a goal before including it in the business plan. After evaluating the idea and it qualifies, it is also matched with the current resources. Some of them are employees, capital and how they will facilitate achieving the goal this.
Time frame
The set goals in the business plan must be under a certain time period. This prompts a person to ensure that the employees are right at work in the right time. Contracts that should be signed like tenders are also quite crucial to be signed in time as they can impact negatively on the company when they are signed late. Periodically, the department mandated to evaluate the goals achievement process should check how the other departments are doing. This helps clear the backlog of all the issues that had not been taken care of in the initial stages which are stumbling blocks.
Within the time frame, it is important to ensure that qualified personnel are employed on time. This helps prevents overworking those who are already there. Moreover, it is good to start appreciating the efforts of the workers early enough so as to propel them to work even much harder. Creation of new departments should however be done with consultation of experts.
Leadership
The business needs to have a strong and skillful management so that it can influence the other workers or shareholders in the right way. The leaders of the business should show commitment so as to direct even the new personnel. They should also set standards and policies after consulting the junior employees so they can feel as part of the system.
Seminars should also be incorporated in the business plan of the year so as to help raise leaders who can take leadership positions. It is quite important to also ensure that the workers also get to interact with other companies and learn how they operate. This can bring in a new trick in the business which can be quite saving like the introduction of new technology.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Acing the Numerical Reasoning Test

A numerical reasoning test gauges not only how well you can deal with numbers. More sigificantly, it measures your ability to analyze, interpret data and think logically. This ability is a pre-requisite for positions, such as management consultants, who need to deal with financial reports, salary structure, market figures and other quantitative documents. They need to go over the information meticulously to be able to generate effective and practical solutions for their client.
This is the reason why many firms administer the numerical reasoning test to applicants. For recruiters, it is an effective tool that distinguishes the best from the good ones. If you are scheduled for this test, make the most of it. Management consulting is a very popular career; so many applicants would go an extra mile just to get a position in this industry. There are specific ways to prepare for this challenge, and they are elaborated in the following paragraphs.
The first thing to do is to reinforce your basic mathematical concepts. If you've already mastered the MDAS (multiplication, division, addition and subtraction) rule, then proceed with answering ratio, fraction, percentage and word problems. Since you've already passed this subject in high school, this won't be an overwhelming preparatory step. All you must do is to open a math textbook, familiarize the rules and answer some exercises.
Gain knowledge of reading tables and graphs, too. You must know when to use them and how to interpret the included data. Do not disregard the description or legend integrated in the problem; otherwise, you'll come up with wrong assumptions and answers. It is preferable that you become skilled at this. Since this is what professional management consultants do, many interpretation questions will definitely come out in this test.
There's also a need to improve your computation speed. What makes the numerical reasoning test tough is its time limit. As you practice answering mathematical questions for mastery, try to monitor your pace. This will help you in dealing with the pressure during the actual examination. Utilizing math tricks is another way of speeding up your computation. Look for some shortcut methods on the Internet and see if they're applicable to the problems you encounter. Using mental math is another tactic to boost your efficiency. Through the power of your mind, you can reduce the need for hand calculations, thereby saving yourself some time for the more difficult items.
You can also enhance your numerical skills through games. During your free time, grab a Sudoku puzzle or a Rubrics cube and do the challenge. Games for mental exercise are also available online. Performing these exciting activities during your free time keeps your memory and sharpness at a high level. Because they stir your mind, they prepare you for any difficult, intellectual challenge.
Being mindul of the things happening around you is the most practical way of enhancing your numerical reasoning ability. When you dine out at a restaurant you frequent, try to compute its monthly income based on the menu and the number of customers. When you go shopping, estimate how much you need to pay for the items in your basket even before you reach the counter. When a new shop opens in your city, guess if it will survive in the next ten years based on figures. Using these common situations in preparing for your numerical reasoning test can be beneficial on your part.
For the last tip, practice as much as you can. There are tons of free resources on the Internet, and you can also buy some reviewers at bookstores. This gives you self-assurance on the examination day. Further, it also makes the test easier since it increases the chance of encountering similar or familiar items. Practice is the best way to learn, and that's perhaps the reason why it's always placed beside perfection.
When you enter the testing center a few minutes befor the schedule, be calm. As you answer the items, stay focused. Just bear in mind that you can do it. At times, all it takes is the right mindset to ace the test.

Friday, September 14, 2012

A Fast and Simple Way of Credit Card Processing

Because of the widespread use of the Internet, many companies have set up online stores in order to facilitate more sales and reap more profit. Credit cards are frequently used as the mode of payment for client purchases. Even if your customers are not able to swipe their cards at your terminal, you can still accept their payments remotely. For this, the best way to extend your reach to local and international clients is to use an Internet Processing Solution.
Internet Processing Solution: an overview
This method of credit card processing allows you to complete purchases with the use of a web-based terminal or with your websites shopping cart. You also don't need to have possession of the buyer's credit card in order to complete a transaction.
The only thing you need is a computer or a mobile device that has a web browser with an internet connection. Instead of the usual credit card terminal, you will be using a "Gateway" or an online terminal. This gateway serves as your middleman, and sends the necessary credit card information securely to your credit card processing company.
Benefits of an Internet Processing Solution
· It is very convenient. If your business takes you to several different locations, it would be very inconvenient for you to take your credit card terminal with you. With an Internet Processing Solution, you just need to bring your laptop or smartphone in order to accept payments. If you are using a website you do not even need to be in contact with your customers. Your website's shopping cart can be configured to be 100% automated.
· It's very easy to set up. Unlike other card processing programs, setting up an Internet Processing account is very easy. An experienced service provider can set you up with an Online Gateway in as little as ten minutes.
It's very easy to use. You don't have to browse through a hundred-page manual to learn how to use an online terminal. Using it is just like accessing your e-mail account. Added to that, credit card processing companies can provide you with virtual help and other tools that enable you to use the service easily and immediately.
· It's cheaper than other processing solutions. Some services require you to purchase a new credit card terminal. With an online terminal, you just need a device with an active internet connection.
· It widens your prospects and reaches out to more clients. If a buyer's location hinders you from conducting business, using an Internet processing solution will allow you to open your doors to customers that are outside of your typical range of business.
· It boasts low fees. Typically the fees that are charged by the Gateway are very minimal. Usually a monthly fee of around $20 and.10 cents per transaction. Given that your customer base will likely increase as a result of taking payments online the fees are completely negligible.
Other services included
Apart from being able to accept credit card payments online, there are other services that come with most gateway services Most online gateways provide you with options such as: Online Reporting, Online Transaction Manager and 24/7 Customer Support, to name just a few. Some services even allow you to e-mail invoices and receipts to your customers.
The Internet is a good avenue for you to expand your business and increase sales. If you want to satisfy your old customers and invite new ones, then using an Internet Processing service is something you should try.

Friday, September 7, 2012

7 Simple Steps to Creating Systems

Does the thought of creating processes and systems for your business scare the pants off of you?
OK, maybe not complete fear BUT surely it sends you into procrastination mode!
I get that. It took me a long time to understand the challenges most people have with creating systems because for me it comes naturally.
I am that person who...
  • has to start at one end of the grocery story and weave up and down every aisle crossing items off of my grocery list as I go.
  • runs errands one day a week in a circular pattern. Yep, I look at where I need to go and I travel a route that begins at my house and logically ends at my house.
  • realizes that driving across town to use a $2 off coupon is not wise. Gas alone costs more than that, not to mention the value of MY time!
So since these things come naturally to me, you can imagine why I so easily develop systems for my business and I want to help you do the same.
Sometimes we make things a LOT harder than they need to be. I like SIMPLE without sacrificing effectiveness and efficiency.
Here are my steps to creating systems. Did I mention... you MUST have systems if you plan to get Big Business Results?
And the teacher in me hopes using the letters in PROCESS will help you remember the steps. Oh, and use them of course!
PLAN- Systems won't happen by hoping. You have to plan to create systems.
RECORD- A good system begins by writing down what you do to complete a task. But since this is where the overwhelm comes in, please focus on creating systems for no more than 3 tasks at a time.
OBSERVE- Once you finish recording, I want you to use your notes the next time you complete the task. It would be even better if you can give your notes to someone else to use as a guide for completing the task.
CHANGE- Following your notes will help you catch things you may have overlooked and make changes to clarify what you have recorded.
EVALUATE- How do you know if a system is good unless you evaluate? Use your revised notes to examine the steps and how long it takes to complete them.
SIMPLIFY- Remember, a good system is efficient, effective and adaptable so now it's time to make your process a simple as possible. We all do things in our business that are unnecessary, repetitive or overlapping. Find those areas and get rid of the junk.
SYSTEMIZE- Now you have clear accurate notes. Type them up, give it a title and wahla you have a system.
The BEST part about having a system is being able to pass your formal document off the a team member for completion with the confidence that it will get done the way YOU want it to be done.
THAT is how you get Big Business Results!