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Suggest You - Selling Survival: The Evolution of the Entrepreneurial Paradigm and Where to Look for Opportunities
Fractional Fairytales - Private Air Charter observe or experience over a given time frame, you can "predict" where something is heading and take any evasive or remedial actions as necessary.Once upon a time, long, long ago -- in the early 1990s -- the concept of fractional ownership in private aircraft was born, and there was much rejoicing throughout the land. People who never believed they'd be able to afford, or justify, owning a private jet suddenly had the opportunity to purchase partial ownership in one."At last," the people thought, "there is an affordable alternative to commercial airlines and private air charter. No longer will I be at the mercy of someone else's set schedules and destinations. I can fly where I want, when I want. No longer will I have to suffer interminable lines, deal with impersonal clerks, or eat indigestible meals. I will have my own private jet at my beck and call!"But, like all fairy tales, there is more myth than truth in this tale. In reality there are few, if any, advantages to fractional ownership over private air charter.FAIRY TALE:Fractional ownership is more convenient than private air charter.THE REALITY:While it may seem that ownership, even partial ownership, of a private plane affords unparalleled convenience, the reality is far different. Whether the issue is a last minute booking, scheduling an intricate itinerary, or making certain that specific accommodations are attended to, private air charter can generally meet or exceed the services offered by a fractional broker. For example, while many fractional companies offer an eight-hour booking to take-off guarant Now having said that, let's examine some observable facts and trends that are catalysts occurring right now and that will affect the future, and to which we have a choice of response. 1. The earth is going through changes. Global warming is a reality. Temperature fluctuations are affecting access to water, arable land and other resources for a growing segment of the world's population. These and other physical, climatic, and cataclysmic changes are observable. 2. "Peak Oil" is a reality. The term "peak oil" refers to the peak in the world's oil production. The amount of oil available on the planet is finite. There is a point in oil production whether within a single oil field or the entire planet, when a maximum is reached. Once that maximum rate of production is reached Classifying the Classifieds Experts say that there are societal trends in play that are precipitating a return to pre-industrial era ways of survival. In the face of changing economic realities and disillusionment, many people are questioning the ways they currently make money and are seeking alternate means of income. But, instead of simply getting another job, or opening a fast-food franchise, many are instead asking, "What am I good at?" "What's my passion?"Many small business owners dismiss the classified ads, focusing their power instead on larger ads or other sources. However, I think the classifieds offer a number of opportunities, even in this growing digital world. Furthermore, the suggestions I would like to share can help you create free ads on websites such as Craigslist and Merchant Circle.Classified ads can bring in more business than regular newspaper ads because they function somewhat like daily yellow pages. Though the numbers of yellow page subscribers shrinks each day, newspaper subscribers continue to remain more or less equal. Furthermore, most newspapers host their classifieds online, providing easier access for folks seeking to purchase a good or service. Thus, when people pick up a newspaper and thumb through the classifieds, they generally do so with a purpose, as compared to a contemporary ad that tends to appeal to a smaller percentage of readers who come in contact with it (although, granted, more folks flip past your regular ad than examine the classifieds). Thus, a classified ad can specifically target someone seeking a particular good or service.Classified ads can also be effective at determining what type of verbiage will work best in full-scale advertising. If you run an ad with one headline or special, then run a second ad, you can determine which ad generates more business and focus your larger (and more expensive) advertising to reflect that. In this case, obviously, Today's trends are all pointing to a move back to the way things were. At the very least, as the economic landscape becomes more uncertain, people need to look at options for increasing their streams of income. It may be only way to survive. However, there is also a new awareness developing among those who are seeking to flex their entrepreneurial muscles. The question this time is: What sort of business does it make sense to start in these times of global change? To lay the foundation for my response, I'd like to introduce you to a term with which you're probably already familiar. The term is "catalyst." As you may remember from high school chemistry class, a catalyst is a substance that ignites, sets in motion, or speeds up a reaction without itself being affected. In life as well, every experience is a potential catalyst. Your flat tire, the argument with your spouse, your unhappiness at your job--all are potential catalysts. Because of the free will inherent in our experience here on the planet (we have the freedom to choose our responses), the reaction that a catalyst can spark is entirely under your control. THE PURPOSE OF CATALYSTS All catalysts are designed to offer a challenge or lesson. There are only two possible paths one can choose from in response to a catalyst: It can be accepted or it can be controlled. The path you choose will be determined by your orientation. If you are oriented towards service to self (your own comfort), you will make one set of choices. If you are oriented towards service to others, you will see and choose from a different set of choices. When faced with a catalyst it is important to understand that we are here to evolve in the direction of our orientation, and without life's catalysts, the desire to evolve and the faith in the process do not normally manifest and thus evolution does not occur. So don't rail against the changes and situations. Accept them as a natural part of the experience designed to help you grow. Life is really that simple. Things happen. You choose your response based on your orientation. You evolve in the direction of your choice. When neither path is chosen, the catalyst fails in its design and you proceed through life until some other catalyst appears which causes you to choose again towards acceptance and love or toward separation and control. HOW TO PREDICT THE FUTURE It's a basic law of this dynamic, ever-changing universe that there's no such thing as something "staying the same." Things are either expanding or contracting, increasing or decreasing, getting better or getting worse. Even the metal or hard plastic computer or sheet of paper on which you are reading these words, as solid and as stable as they seem are all slowly decaying and deteriorating. Come back in a few dozen years, and you'll see the effects of decay over time. If you know this, then you can look at everything from business phenomena to romantic relationships a little bit differently, and can perform what some might consider fortune-telling simply by asking, "where is this heading?" Every business, every situation, every relationship is either getting better or getting worse, growing or shrinking, going up or heading downhill. Therefore, as long as you can honestly assess what you observe or experience over a given time frame, you can "predict" where something is heading and take any evasive or remedial actions as necessary. Now having said that, let's examine some observable facts and trends that are catalysts occurring right now and that will affect the future, and to which we have a choice of response. 1. The earth is going through changes. Global warming is a reality. Temperature fluctuations are affecting access to water, arable land and other resources for a growing segment of the world's population. These and other physical, climatic, and cataclysmic changes are observable. 2. "Peak Oil" is a reality. The term "peak oil" refers to the peak in the world's oil production. The amount of oil available on the planet is finite. There is a point in oil production whether within a single oil field or the entire planet, when a maximum is reached. Once that maximum rate of production is reached, What Does Your Business Card Say About You? on for my response, I'd like to introduce you to a term with which you're probably already familiar. The term is "catalyst." As you may remember from high school chemistry class, a catalyst is a substance that ignites, sets in motion, or speeds up a reaction without itself being affected. In life as well, every experience is a potential catalyst. Your flat tire, the argument with your spouse, your unhappiness at your job--all are potential catalysts. Because of the free will inherent in our experience here on the planet (we have the freedom to choose our responses), the reaction that a catalyst can spark is entirely under your control.If your business card could talk, what would it say about you? Would it shout out to people and tell them of your virtues, or would it mumble and confuse them? Your business card gives customers, potential clients, professional contacts, and your peers an instant impression of you and your company.So what does your business card say about you? Does the card present the recipient with your professionalism, experience, and expertise? Does it help people to remember you and motivate them to do business with you? Or do they just stuff your card in their pocket and disappear?If you are like millions of other people who use business cards, creating a professional image is key to your success. After all, your image, as seen on your business card, is the first, and sometimes only, chance you have to introduce yourself to potential customers. The last thing you want to do is give people the impression that you just ran down to the local Kinko’s and had some cards printed up without putting any thought into it.If your business cards are not giving the right impression, there is hope. By following some simple guidelines, you can be handing out classy business cards that are memorable and make a good impression.1) Use quality card stock. You do not want a card that is flimsy. You want your business cards to feel firm, crisp and have smooth edges.2) Use a unique card stock. Many printing companies now offer distinctive cards ma THE PURPOSE OF CATALYSTS All catalysts are designed to offer a challenge or lesson. There are only two possible paths one can choose from in response to a catalyst: It can be accepted or it can be controlled. The path you choose will be determined by your orientation. If you are oriented towards service to self (your own comfort), you will make one set of choices. If you are oriented towards service to others, you will see and choose from a different set of choices. When faced with a catalyst it is important to understand that we are here to evolve in the direction of our orientation, and without life's catalysts, the desire to evolve and the faith in the process do not normally manifest and thus evolution does not occur. So don't rail against the changes and situations. Accept them as a natural part of the experience designed to help you grow. Life is really that simple. Things happen. You choose your response based on your orientation. You evolve in the direction of your choice. When neither path is chosen, the catalyst fails in its design and you proceed through life until some other catalyst appears which causes you to choose again towards acceptance and love or toward separation and control. HOW TO PREDICT THE FUTURE It's a basic law of this dynamic, ever-changing universe that there's no such thing as something "staying the same." Things are either expanding or contracting, increasing or decreasing, getting better or getting worse. Even the metal or hard plastic computer or sheet of paper on which you are reading these words, as solid and as stable as they seem are all slowly decaying and deteriorating. Come back in a few dozen years, and you'll see the effects of decay over time. If you know this, then you can look at everything from business phenomena to romantic relationships a little bit differently, and can perform what some might consider fortune-telling simply by asking, "where is this heading?" Every business, every situation, every relationship is either getting better or getting worse, growing or shrinking, going up or heading downhill. Therefore, as long as you can honestly assess what you observe or experience over a given time frame, you can "predict" where something is heading and take any evasive or remedial actions as necessary. Now having said that, let's examine some observable facts and trends that are catalysts occurring right now and that will affect the future, and to which we have a choice of response. 1. The earth is going through changes. Global warming is a reality. Temperature fluctuations are affecting access to water, arable land and other resources for a growing segment of the world's population. These and other physical, climatic, and cataclysmic changes are observable. 2. "Peak Oil" is a reality. The term "peak oil" refers to the peak in the world's oil production. The amount of oil available on the planet is finite. There is a point in oil production whether within a single oil field or the entire planet, when a maximum is reached. Once that maximum rate of production is reached ISO 9000 History ed towards service to self (your own comfort), you will make one set of choices. If you are oriented towards service to others, you will see and choose from a different set of choices.ISO 9000 is an important marketing tool and is recognized world wide. Maintained by the ISO (international standards organization), it is a family of ISO standards for quality management systems. ISO 9000 grew out of British standards institution's BS 5750. The ISO 9000 series are managed by several accreditation and certification bodies. Though the standard was first applied to manufacturing industries, it is now employed across a variety of other types of businesses.Studies show that the history of industrialization has seen lots of standards on quality issues. For instance, during the two world wars, a high percentage of bullets and bombs went off in the factories themselves in the course of manufacturing. In an effort to curb such causalities, UK?s ministry of defense appointed inspectors in the factories to supervise the production process.In 1959, the United States introduced Mil-Q-9858a, the first quality standard for military procurement. By 1962, NASA developed its quality system requirements for suppliers. Six years later, NATO accepted the AQAP (allied quality assurance procedures) specifications for the procurement of equipments. In 1969, UK and Canada introduced suppliers? quality assurance standards.During the 1970s, British standards institution (BSI) published BS 9000 (the first UK standard for quality assurance) and BS 5179 (guidelines for quality assurance) norms. During the period, the BSI held meetings with industry to s When faced with a catalyst it is important to understand that we are here to evolve in the direction of our orientation, and without life's catalysts, the desire to evolve and the faith in the process do not normally manifest and thus evolution does not occur. So don't rail against the changes and situations. Accept them as a natural part of the experience designed to help you grow. Life is really that simple. Things happen. You choose your response based on your orientation. You evolve in the direction of your choice. When neither path is chosen, the catalyst fails in its design and you proceed through life until some other catalyst appears which causes you to choose again towards acceptance and love or toward separation and control. HOW TO PREDICT THE FUTURE It's a basic law of this dynamic, ever-changing universe that there's no such thing as something "staying the same." Things are either expanding or contracting, increasing or decreasing, getting better or getting worse. Even the metal or hard plastic computer or sheet of paper on which you are reading these words, as solid and as stable as they seem are all slowly decaying and deteriorating. Come back in a few dozen years, and you'll see the effects of decay over time. If you know this, then you can look at everything from business phenomena to romantic relationships a little bit differently, and can perform what some might consider fortune-telling simply by asking, "where is this heading?" Every business, every situation, every relationship is either getting better or getting worse, growing or shrinking, going up or heading downhill. Therefore, as long as you can honestly assess what you observe or experience over a given time frame, you can "predict" where something is heading and take any evasive or remedial actions as necessary. Now having said that, let's examine some observable facts and trends that are catalysts occurring right now and that will affect the future, and to which we have a choice of response. 1. The earth is going through changes. Global warming is a reality. Temperature fluctuations are affecting access to water, arable land and other resources for a growing segment of the world's population. These and other physical, climatic, and cataclysmic changes are observable. 2. "Peak Oil" is a reality. The term "peak oil" refers to the peak in the world's oil production. The amount of oil available on the planet is finite. There is a point in oil production whether within a single oil field or the entire planet, when a maximum is reached. Once that maximum rate of production is reached Empowerment Makes Dollars and Sense l.Empowerment exists when employees have the authority to make decisions and take appropriate actions without first seeking approval from others. Empowerment allows frontline service staff to act quickly for their customers, improving customer satisfaction and boosting staff morale.Brendan sent this example:‘I use an internet grocery delivery in London called Ocado. I’m impressed with this company for the design of their website, the friendliness of the delivery staff, commitment to a one-hour delivery window and much more! Everything is designed for what the customer wants, not what is easy for the company. They get a lot of repeat business from me and my friends.‘Recently, Ocado substituted an item, a standard practice when something I order is not available. I did not notice the substitution at the time of delivery (although Ocado usually makes it clear when they have done this).‘When the next delivery arrived, I asked to return the item (worth 5 pounds) for a refund. The delivery person immediately took 5 pounds off my bill and then said, “You know what, you can keep the item anyway.”‘The driver didn’t have to call anyone else to ask if he could do this, he just did it. Terrific! The company empowers him and trusts him to look after their customers right at the doorstep. Ocado will earn those 5 pounds from me many times over.’Empowering the delivery person gives the customer what he or she wants and is best for the HOW TO PREDICT THE FUTURE It's a basic law of this dynamic, ever-changing universe that there's no such thing as something "staying the same." Things are either expanding or contracting, increasing or decreasing, getting better or getting worse. Even the metal or hard plastic computer or sheet of paper on which you are reading these words, as solid and as stable as they seem are all slowly decaying and deteriorating. Come back in a few dozen years, and you'll see the effects of decay over time. If you know this, then you can look at everything from business phenomena to romantic relationships a little bit differently, and can perform what some might consider fortune-telling simply by asking, "where is this heading?" Every business, every situation, every relationship is either getting better or getting worse, growing or shrinking, going up or heading downhill. Therefore, as long as you can honestly assess what you observe or experience over a given time frame, you can "predict" where something is heading and take any evasive or remedial actions as necessary. Now having said that, let's examine some observable facts and trends that are catalysts occurring right now and that will affect the future, and to which we have a choice of response. 1. The earth is going through changes. Global warming is a reality. Temperature fluctuations are affecting access to water, arable land and other resources for a growing segment of the world's population. These and other physical, climatic, and cataclysmic changes are observable. 2. "Peak Oil" is a reality. The term "peak oil" refers to the peak in the world's oil production. The amount of oil available on the planet is finite. There is a point in oil production whether within a single oil field or the entire planet, when a maximum is reached. Once that maximum rate of production is reached Are the Yellow Pages a Dinosaur? observe or experience over a given time frame, you can "predict" where something is heading and take any evasive or remedial actions as necessary.As I write my 64th article about the Yellow Pages, it reminds me of how the best things continue to stick around. For example, the YP were started as a pamphlet in Wyoming over 100 years ago. It became an easy way to keep track of a small number of local businesses. Today, they are a household name. They are still the book picked up when someone has a need. There are few service businesses that don’t have an ad in the good ole YP.With the advent of the Internet, most nay-sayers have doomed the YP to the way of the dinosaur. They claim that people prefer the speed of the digital age. They point to more surfers using online newspapers and magazines as their first choice. But there is a fatal flaw in their thinking. You cannot compare ads online.Say you are looking for a plumber on the net. After you do your local search and get a list, a few have ads, which you may click on “one at a time.” So how can you compare features and benefits, unless you go to the trouble of creating screen shots of each ad and placing them next to each other? The printed product not only has the line listings of every business in alphabetical order, but also ads that can be torn out and written on, as needed. They can be copied, faxed and even folded up to fit in your pocket and taken with you to the place itself. This is especially helpful if they have a map or directions. Try doing that with your computer screen.They serve many other useful functions. They offer l Now having said that, let's examine some observable facts and trends that are catalysts occurring right now and that will affect the future, and to which we have a choice of response. 1. The earth is going through changes. Global warming is a reality. Temperature fluctuations are affecting access to water, arable land and other resources for a growing segment of the world's population. These and other physical, climatic, and cataclysmic changes are observable. 2. "Peak Oil" is a reality. The term "peak oil" refers to the peak in the world's oil production. The amount of oil available on the planet is finite. There is a point in oil production whether within a single oil field or the entire planet, when a maximum is reached. Once that maximum rate of production is reached, the rate of oil production (as well as the profitability of extracting it) on Earth will enter a terminal decline. The challenge this presents is that while the SUPPLY is declining, the DEMAND for oil (and the plastics, electricity, etc, which are oil-dependent) continue to increase as population and industrialization continue to grow. It' said that US oil production peaked in 1970. World oil production, it is said by some, peaked in 2005. After a peak, production slows, profits decrease, and prices rise. You can already see the effects of this as gas prices start creeping upwards. 3. Corporate downsizing persists More and more companies are outsourcing, downsizing and offshoring in an effort to cut costs. Companies, particularly public corporations, are bound by their charters and by law to seek first the profitability of their shareholders. That's why the decisions these companies make often seem less humanitarian and more profit-inspired. That's because they have to be. 4. Global power and focus is shifting China and India are growing economic forces. They represent sources of labor, consumers, as well as increased oil and energy demand. Companies the world over in Europe, (Romania and Poland most recently made news) and the US, are importing laborers from China, or outsourcing skilled jobs to India. DON'T SLEEP As a potential entrepreneur, indeed as a nation, the opportunity exists to predict, anticipate, prepare for and position oneself for the effects of these trends. Don't wait for mainstream news broadcasts to confirm this. Don't expect politicians to make it part of their agendas in time. They are operating from a different agenda. Those who seek to rule the world are by nature unlike those of the world they seek to rule. THE CHALLENGE As I said, there is always either a lesson or a challenge. Within the context of these trends, the economic condition, and by extension, your unique situation is a catalyst that provides an opportunity for you to respond in search of a lesson or a challenge. As potential entrepreneurs, if we choose to rise to the challenge, using what we know about predicting the future, the question becomes first: What's going to happen as these trends and catalysts continue? And then more importantly, what shall I do in response to these happenings? Where should I look for the opportunity? What sort of business would I start? And finally which business path offers the most opportunity for service to others? Now there are those who would ask, 'which path offers the most profit?', but that's a service-to-self orientation. We need a new paradigm. I suggest, as motivational speaker Zig Ziglar is credited with saying: that if you help enough people get what they want, you automatically get what you want. MY THOUGHTS ON A COMING SHIFT There's another important trend that I believe is important to factor into this equation, and it is this: The continued growth upon which the current economic model is based cannot be sustained indefinitely. Infinite growth based on finite resources is unsustainable. Growth based on the exploitation of others is unethical and untenable. Yes, China and India are both ideal sources of labor as well as the next great frontier for consumerism. The rest of the world's industrialized, market-driven, capitalist, consumer-oriented companies and entrepreneurs know this as well, and are rushing to position themselves. However, the gold watch-sporting, cola-drinking, junk food-eating, luxury car-driving, soap opera-watching, video game-playing lifestyle upon which these companies rely to support their spiritually vapid, environmentally-depleting and mindless products, while exploiting the poor as the l
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