Whilst there can be no argument that long-term, sustained profit has to be the goal of any commercial organisation, there is a growing realisation that if profit is the end, then we should spend more time examining the means whereby it is achieved. So many management boards begin their weekly meetings with a review of the financial position — in other words, before anything else is discussed revenues will be examined and costs detailed at some length. Ratios, production efficiencies — these are the currency by which the business is measured and therefore controlled. ..more
Marketing and Serving the Global Customer part 1
Posted by: arlene on Wednesday, 17th Sep, 2008
One of the most striking trends in recent years has been the globalisation of markets, organisations and industries. Its impact can not only be seen through the global reach of well-established brands like Coca-Cola, Marlboro or Gucci, but it is also apparent in markets as diverse as computing, automobiles and consumer electronics. Nor is the trend towards globalisation confined only to products; we see similar transformations in services such as banking, retailing and satellite TV. ..more
Calls, Keeping the Conversation as short as possible, Learn Reducing the Telephone Bill (1-9)
Posted by: arlene on Thursday, 10th Jul, 2008
Long telephone conversations are obviously expensive. Calls should be planned and precise but, in addition to keeping the conversation as short as possible, consider other ways of reducing the telephone bill.
1. Check for overcharges on your telephone bill
By keeping a close eye on all the detail and by checking against your own records it may surprise you how often you may be able to identify an overcharge. Perhaps you don’t even look at the telephone bill but please don’t leave it to the telephone company. Treat it like any other supplier’s invoice and subject the account to scrutiny. Get out the last three years’ telephone bills and compare the quarterly charges item by item, line by line. ..more
Overseas Trips: National and Inter-National Travel costs need regular Scrutiny, get costs reduced (1-10)
Posted by: arlene on Tuesday, 8th Jul, 2008
Markets are becoming more international, distances are shrinking, more and more executives travel more frequently on overseas trips; travel expenditure is an area of potential waste that once brought under control, can significantly reduce your cost burden.
Check the necessity for the journey
Check the reason for a journey, check that it has been planned properly and that there are clear new objectives. Check that existing objectives cannot be attained by means of cheaper communication such as telex, telephone or fax. ..more
Liquidation, Wholesale, Bid or Auction? Business Solution, Slow Moving and Obsolete Stock
Posted by: arlene on Wednesday, 2nd Jul, 2008
Most manufacturing and commercial concerns that hold trading stock find themselves having to write off a certain proportion of their stock value at the end of each financial year in respect of slow moving and obsolete stock. The strange thing is that, although the goods and materials were probably purchased by profit-responsible executives of the comapany, it is usually the financial staff who determine what and how much should be written off each year.
Accountants usually make provision in their accounts for stock which everyone agrees is definitely obsolete and unsaleable in the normal course of business. They also determine the write-off in respect of obsolete and slow moving stock on the basis of the age of the stock or perhaps a percentage of the stock value. Such arithmetically conceived write-offs are in accordance with accounting standards and conventions which require that accounts are drawn up on a reasonably prudent basis. Very often the detail of these various provisions is invisible to other members of the company. Perhaps greater visibility would help your company to establish sensible policies with regards to using or liquidating such stocks. ..more
Beware of the gender trap continue…
Posted by: arlene on Wednesday, 18th Jun, 2008
“Those women talk too much.”
Women are reputed to be verbose in meetings. They are said to talk too much, become emotional and not get to the point. It is vital for your career development to lay this ghost to rest.
Don’t be unnaturally timid or quiet, but learn to understand the mechanics of meetings. Recognise the different roles that people play during meetings.
Say your say in a meaningful way. By taking my meetings seriously, doing my pre-meeting homework thoroughly and devoting attention to the basics of clear communication, I take great delight in disproving this particular myth.
Master the art of meetings and your verbal comments will actually be sought after. ..more
Investment Tricks No One Will Tell You
Posted by: arlene on Sunday, 27th Apr, 2008
I’m about to tell you some stuff that a lot of people don’t want you to know. You see, youth marketers are growing filthy rich off your hard-earned cash, and what I’m going to tell you will foil their schemes. That’s because the three investment tricks you’re about to learn will show you how to invest more of your money into your future, not theirs. If you follow my advice, you won’t be putting any of them out of business. But if a bunch of readers like you try these tricks, a few of them might have to drive BMWs instead of Lambourghinis. What a shame.
Here’s another shame. These tricks are so simple, you’d think that more people would try them. But most people don’t. Instead, they squander all their cash on stupid purchases, then complain that the rich keep getting richer, while they just keep getting poorer. It doesn’t take an economics degree to figure out that those marketers keep getting richer off their money— money that they practically throw at them. ..more
The Power of Networking
Posted by: eric on Thursday, 13th Mar, 2008
How many people really succeed?
There are no precise answers to this question and certainly not everyone becomes successful. Some drop-out must be expected from any downline. It would be a miracle if everyone who joined stayed. This would defy human nature!
Anyone starting in network marketing should realise that a large percentage of their downline will do little or nothing. Many will become inactive distributors (product users only). Many active distributors do not make much of an attempt at making a profit or making their business grow, and some drop out altogether.
However, by understanding what causes new distributors to drop out, you can minimise it in your network and ensure that your network becomes a success. Remember that not everyone in your network needs to become a superstar to make you successful. Even if most members of your network merely buy products for themselves and a few friends, you can have a hugely successful business. ..more