Managing Your Boss: 4 Rules To Live By and 4 Steps To Take
John was a former boss of mine. Before I started working for him, I had heard from others that he had a very good reputation and so I was really looking forward to working with him. The office was a very busy one with lots of customer interaction and a very heavy processing workload. After the first couple of months, I got the feeling that there was no real harmony in our relationship and I found it difficult to work out why. John was good with the customers and well liked by other staff, but we just didn't seem to hit it off. It was not until my formal performance appraisal some months later that I finally found out what the problem was. The job I'd taken over was in a real mess and required a great deal of management skill to get it back on track, which I believed I had done well. During my performance appraisal discussion, John acknowledged my good work in this area, but (and it was a big "but" for him) he didn't see me doing enough marketing with potential customers.You see, John's pet interest was marketing and he expected all of his people to make this their number one priority.Do

The Business of Art Workshops: Creating Your Own Job Security
Recent articles suggest that many Americans work overtime hours for free. Especially with salaried jobs that are based on hourly wages for a 40 hour week, most hard working career minded individuals are willing to stay long past their 8 hour work day. They don’t want to feel worthless. But, they average nearly an extra full day per week.If they were to leave exactly when their eight hours were up, they think their boss is looking and will consider them slackers for leaving right on time. What a mentality to have! If you get paid for 8 hours a day, you should put your nose to the grindstone and get your work finished so that you can leave on time. That shouldn’t be considered slacking at all.But, most hard working career minded individuals are always thinking about job security and promotion. They think that if they give all that time for free that it will pay off one day in the long run. Budget cuts never enter their mind. Cut backs and downsizing is not part of their plan.If you were to turn that script around, you would find that working for yourself will produce much better

Revolutionize Your Franchise
Business-minded people gravitate towards franchises because of their pre-existing success. Some may label ‘success’ as opening more franchises than originally thought, but is there a ceiling to put on ‘success?”-We think not!Break the MoldThe initial steps franchising involves continuing the success of the original, but why stop there? An innovative franchiser will look for ways to break the mold and grow in more positive directions. Though certain pre-existing formulas for success can be kept, this convenience should not dissuade the franchiser from being individualistic and a standout. The world would be less interesting if it was predictable and unchanging and consumers view the world of business in the same manner.Be A Smooth OperatorGreat ideas only stay that way unless it can be realized into your business. Reputation is a huge advertisement that helps to make or break a franchise. Obviously you’re in business to make money, and one must find the right ways to make this a reality. Make sure that you are complementing the top line performance end of the project with s

Four Brand Identity Myths That Will Hurt A Small Business
Having a brand identity is extremely important to your business's success. However, many business owners have misconceptions about brand identities that can damage their businesses."Brand identity" is the result of the combination of consistent visual elements that are used in your marketing materials. A basic brand identity consists of a logo, business card, letterhead, and envelope. It can be extended to include a website, brochure, folder, flyer, or any other professionally designed pieces.I'm not a big company: I can't have/create/build a brand.Just because your company's not huge doesn't mean that you can't benefit from creating a brand identity. Even for the smallest company, a brand identity will make you look bigger than you are, will make you appear more professional, and will make your sales process easier. You'll also have a starting point for designing all of your marketing pieces, and your brand identity will make your marketing a breeze as well.You might not be able to create a branding program that is as comprehensive and self-sustaining as those of some of the bi

How to Improve Your Low Credit Rate
A low credit rate has several ramifications. It could result in your credit applications being rejected forthwith or it could result in you having to pay a premium when credit is eventually extended to you.In spite of what you may be thinking, a low credit rate is a setback rather than an insurmountable obstacle. Low credit rates can be remedied – either through one of the many credit repair firms that have been proliferating since the early 1990s or alternately, by taking some of the necessary steps on your own.The choice is yours. If you do decide to go it alone – either completely or in part – you will save on some or all of the professional fees charged by credit repair firms. There is still an investment in respect of time that you’ll need to make and you will need a fair measure of patience along the way.The time and effort you spend on taking steps towards improving your low credit report, will eventually culminate in an opportunity for you to secure credit on fair and reasonable terms.Here are a few things you can do right away:Obtain a Copy of Your Credit Reports

How to Stay Motivated and Not Quit Your Home-Based Business
Let's face it, there is no get rich overnight home-based business. It takes persistence, determination, action and planning in order to build your home-based business. This article will list somethings you should do before starting your business.First find out your desire. What is motivating you to start your home-based business? Is it a better future for your kids? A better life for you? Do you need money to take care of a sick parent? Whatever the reason is for starting your home-based business, make sure you write it down. Also make sure your reason is something that really matters to you. Read your reason out loud once before going to bed and once after waking up.Next set a goal. Decide on what you want. Write it down. Set a date in which you want to achieve it. Read your goal when you wake up and before you go to sleep. Create a plan on how to achieve your goal. If the plan is not working, simple just try another plan. Failure is what makes people successful. Successful people keep on trying until they find a way that works for them. Unsuccessful people quit after th