The World Business

Archive for February, 2010

There’s good news for entrepreneurs who need help but aren’t ready to hire full-time employees.  Between January and July 2004, the ranks of part-time workers grew from 24.3 million to 25.5 million according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  It was also learned that from June to July the increase came from people who wanted to work part-time and not because they couldn’t find full-time employment.

It seems that 1.7 million part-timers hold two or more part-time jobs, and do this by choice.  Such workers will be harder to convert to full-time employees because they like the diversity of different jobs.

This all translates into benefits for the entrepreneur who needs help but can’t hire full-time employees.  The employment gurus don’t expect this part-time preference to pass anytime soon.  It seems that the appeal of a reduced schedule is strong both for seniors and baby boomers nearing retirement. Parents who have interrupted careers to care for their children but still want to work may also explain the boom.

Entrepreneurs should eagerly look to this pool of workers and eagerly employ part-time help.  A big reason is that employer-paid health insurance and other benefits add costs equal to more than 50 percent of the average employee’s gross earnings. A part-time employer can get by with a low-cost factor, and still find somebody reliable and efficient.

Looking at the boom of part-timers seems like a win-win situation for entrepreneurs and workers alike.  Check the prospect out with your accountant and you may find that you come out a winner and less stressed.

No matter what you sell, you will inevitably face rejections and refusals, but learning to see “No” as valuable feedback can take your sales to a new level.  Regardless of how often we hear “no” it’s a tough thing to take.

Over the years, I’ve had as many rejections as anyone else, especially as an author who doesn’t have a “celebrity” name.  Here are some ways I’ve learned to cope with this situation :

1. It’s only their opinion – When someone tells us that what we’re attempting can’t be done, we tend to think they’re right.  What I’ve learned is to look at that “no” as just that person’s opinion.  It isn’t good or bad; it’s just data coming in to me.  I can analyze it and make my next move smarter.  What I’ve received is valuable feedback that can help me to find a new and different approach.

Don’t let a “no” undermine your confidence, your belief in the value of your product, idea, book, or your ability.  Go out and resell it again!

2. Don’t get defensive – It’s OK to get angry when rejected, what’s not OK is to make excuses or try to persuade the other party that they are wrong.  Use your anger to get yourself going again, let that “no” create a sense of urgency to find a better way.

Take action to prove that the other person is wrong.  Instead of getting depressed when rejected, take up the challenge, and vow to solve the problem and demonstrate that you were in the right all along.

3. Let history be your guide – If people are laughing at your ideas, ask yourself why that might be.  Is your idea just ahead of its time?  Or is it because you haven’t expressed your concept well enough, or demonstrated to prospects how they’re going to benefit in the long term?  Understand that it takes time for every new idea, product to gain acceptance.  When Alexander Graham Bell said he had found a way for people living thousands of miles apart to communicate, other people scoffed and said it couldn’t be done.  The rest as they say is history.  Examples like this one teach you that other people who have been laughed at and told “no” have managed not only to achieve their goals, but also to surpass them.

In the past, hearing “no” from a prospective client or publisher would have sent me into a tailspin.  Now, I try to embrace the rejection, and take that information to see what I can learn from it.  Doing so lets me come out stronger every time.  It will do the same for you.

Some people were born organized and then there are those of us who struggle with organizing every year at this time.  It seems that it’s always at the end of the year when that little annoying bug begins nudging you to clear things up and start the new year organized.

Well, I’ve read just about everybody’s directions, books, and helpful hints about getting organized (in fact, I’m thinking of writing one myself), and I’ve got to tell you there are some misconceptions being fostered by every organizational guru.  It will be my pleasure to give you the “skinny” on that in today’s column.

Here are the 8 misconceptions that we can throw out :

1. Handle paper once.  This is not only impossible, but in most cases it’s unrealistic.  Instead of handling paper once, get in the habit of doing something with each piece of paper to move it forward.  If you get some information about an upcoming seminar/trade show, for example, decide if you’ll attend or not.  If you’re to attend then note the date on your calendar and sign up.  If not, then toss the information immediately.  If you want to wait to sign up, then make a note in your planner to respond well before the deadline and file the paper in your “to-do” file.
2. Always keep papers stored out of sight: Some of us work better when their desk is clear, whereas others feel stifled if they aren’t surrounded by stacks of paper.  If you’re an “out of sight – out of mind” type, keep papers you use often nearby in files or stacking bins.  They’ll be accessible, yet not clutter your desk.  When working on a project, spread out the papers related to it, and when you’re done put them away together in one place.
3. Everyone should be organized to the same degree. Different people work differently.  Don’t feel that you have to work the same as someone else.  Find a comfortable level of being organized, and make the necessary changes to maintain that level.  I usually draw that line when I’m looking for something and can’t find it; that’s when I know things need to get reorganized.
4. Soon we’ll be a “paperless” society. Don’t you believe it.  Experts have been saying that for years, and we won’t be paperless for a long time.  It’s not technology that’s the problem, it is human nature that’s the culprit.  We’re creatures of habit and used to seeing things in print rather than on a computer screen.  The younger generation is now being trained on computers at an early age, so when they join the workforce, the “paperless” society will have a better chance of becoming a reality.
5. One planning system should fit everyone. When used correctly, daily planners are an ideal way to stay organized.  Keep in mind, however, they are designed by a few for many users.  When buying a planner, whether paper-based or electronic, determine what you want it to do and choose a system accordingly.  If you can’t find one to suit your system, design your own based on your individual needs.
6. You have to be born organized to be organized. We learn both good and bad habits at an early age.  It’s possible to change any bad habit, including disorganization.  Youngsters raised in an organized environment sometimes rebel as adults by being disorganized.  The opposite is also true, but neither is carved in stone and behavior can be modified.
7. You MUST use a “to-do” list. Planning day-to-day is not realistic for everyone.  Someone may do the same task every week, but others find their plans changing daily.  Consider your particular need, then plan by the day or the week.
8. Being organized means being a perfectionist. A perfectionist may spend time on insignificant details while disregarding the big picture.  When others complete a project quickly and on time, the perfectionist continues to work until the project is perfect.  A perfectionist becomes more effective when he/she lowers his/her standards slightly and concentrates on ways to increase productivity.

Misinformation, when taken seriously, can hinder you from doing what you want.  The next time you hear one of those “Organizational Gurus” espousing one of the above misconceptions, consider its value and work to develop your own style of organizing.

The easiest way to make money online is by selling a product that can be delivered electronically.  There are no shipping or fulfillment costs eating away at your revenue.  Electronic products are easy to produce and it is not necessary to get anything published.  Another great reason for selling products electronically is that delivery is instant and free.  Selling products online is completely automated or hands free.  So what type of products can you sell electronically.

Selling software online is excellent because new software is always necessary.  Programmers at local colleges come cheap, if you have the funds.  If you do not have extra funds, cut them a profit for the first two years.  You will still earn more than your expenses.

Writing an eBook is extremely easy.  People are constantly looking for information.  Finding a nicely packaged info packed eBook is so much easier than doing all the research yourself.  These eBooks sell like hot potatoes and you do not have to worry about printing costs or editors.

Starting a newsletter on a highly popular topic will bring in a lot of people quickly.  You can have these people submit articles themselves too, which will add to your website content.  You just need to make sure the information they send is reputable.  Later, you can offer paid subscriptions, advertising, and product promotions on your website which will drive traffic and cash.

Members only web sites offer the customer a service each month or week or day and charge them a fee.  As long as you are serving your customers with intensity, you will keep them happy for a very long time.  This is very labor intensive but the results are well worth it.

So, as you can see, you could offer a service on your website, such as dog walking or wedding planner, but that would mean that you would need a lot of resources, employees, expenses, etc.  Selling an electronic product online is easier for someone just starting out as an entrepreneur.