Small Business Blog

Archive for September, 2009

Amazon is perhaps one of the most successful businesses that the web has furnished since the Internet Boom. Known for selling books online, the website attracts millions of visitors every day. Some buy books while others just surf and look for new ones in the market. Although it is set-up like any other online store in the country, the Amazon provides great service that is hard to surpass.

Whether it is because of their strength in the market or the continuous upgrading of their site, Amazon has remained to be a market leader for years. What makes Amazon such a hit ? What makes their service different from other sites ? Selling Books on Amazon teaches you how to create your own cash generating business. Discover just how exciting your life can become

1. Visual representations

One important element that Amazon has in its website is the use of visuals and photographs of books. This is a good way to entice people into buying their books. It is also a good guide for people who are purchasing books that have different editions and versions. For instance, a business book will have different editions depending on where it is published and what publishing house made it. People who are looking for a specific version will find the pictures a big help.

2. Professional reviews

Another advantage of selling books on amazon is that other websites has in its site reviews of the book from professionals who are really adept in analyzing and critiquing novels and various kinds of literature. Through this, you can find a no holds barred opinion on what the book is about.

3. User reviews

Amazon.com also has user review corners, which anybody can make use of. People who want to have their opinions about the book heard can upload their reviews, comments or whatever else that they want to say about the book. This way, people will be able to know just what the public thinks about the novel.

4. Easy payment system

Amazon is convenience in your fingertips. With just clicking the book and then supplying your credit card information, you can already have the book delivered at your doorstep. You do not even have to move any muscles. Its easy payment system is one of the great conveniences that the site gives. Of course, the price can be pretty expensive if you add up the delivery charge but this is perfect for people who just do not have the time to shop but have lots of money to burn.

5. Cut-off prices

Amazon oftentimes cut off their prices especially for book, which are not so saleable but have lots of stocks left. Hard to find books can sometimes be found here.

6. Synopsis and other details

Amazon provides the complete details of the book, sometimes even posting an excerpt of the book. The experience is actually like shopping inside a bookstore except that you are inside your house and clicking the mouse instead of turning the pages. This is way better than the title and author that other websites provide.

7. Speed of connection

Despite its many graphics and materials, Amazon is a breeze to use. One click and you will already have in front of you the picture of the book as well as all the details that come with it. You do not have to wait ten years just to be able to complete one page unlike other websites that have really slow connections.

Copyright (c) 2009 Alice Chan

In speaking with a lot of Home Stagers who are struggling to really get their businesses going, what’s missing is not talent, design skills, or a passion for what they do. The root of the problem is not having a strong foundation from which their business can grow and that foundation can be found in creating systems. Every business can attribute their success or lack thereof to having systems.

Systems are what allow everything to function properly – it’s how we get water to our homes, it’s how hundreds of planes can be in the air at the same time, and trains can travel across the country without smashing into each other, and it’s how large and small businesses function with thousands or employees or with just one or two. It’s an outline of how we do things and how we let people know how we do things.

Think back to when you started employment with a previous company. During orientation, you were probably presented with an Employee Manual. This Employee Manual outlined all the dos and don’ts, company policies, dress codes, an outline of company holidays, pay schedules, etc.

Companies create these Standard Operating Procedures as a tool for organizing their business. It is the blueprint of how the business should be run.

Well, this is no different in a Home Staging business, but unfortunately, most do not have systems in place and therein lays the problem. As we all know, “winging it” only takes you so far.

The operations manual for my staging business was born out of necessity and eventually as a means for training my staging team. I knew that in order for my business to grow, I would need a team to work with, but that also meant that my team would also need to work independent of me.

It would not be efficient to have a team, but also need to baby-sit them throughout the day. So, I broke down every step I took in the staging process and created a system to communicate my instructions, ideas and plans for each project so that they can execute and complete the project without my having to oversee the entire process.

I was able to do that through checklists and other communications. As a side benefit, this operations manual also becomes an ideal training manual for new employees and a great way to ensure consistency from your team on each project.

The trouble is, by the time most business people realize they need to systematize their businesses, they’re so deep into their businesses that finding the time to create and implement these systems seems downright impossible.

Implement these tips to help you get started:

1. Block out some time to sit and think about everything you do in your business, from the moment you answer the phone to what you do after you destage a property and write those down.

2. Break each event into steps, i.e. incoming calls – what questions do callers usually ask? How do you answer the questions? What information do you need from them?

3. Think about things that you’ve forgotten or you’ve seen fall through the cracks – it’s okay, it happens to everyone – you just need to identify what those are.

4. Now, create forms and checklists which include all the steps you take for each of those areas.

5. On your next few projects, take these forms and checklists you’ve created and follow them religiously (have your team do the same if you have a team).

6. As you use these forms and checklists, add, change, modify, and refine as needed.

7. Lastly, put together a binder that comes from the forms and checklists that you have created in the previous steps. This will outline how you run every aspect of your business.

Congratulations, you now have your own company operations manual!

Ultimately, the key to success is to PUT IT INTO ACTION and FOLLOW IT. Don’t go through this exercise and then ignore it.

Trust me, you will feel more organized, confident, and this will translate to more credibility and professionalism in the eyes of your clients and prospects.

Packing for a trip, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a three week cruise can be a stressful undertaking. It is easy to forget an essential item; and it always seems like there is never enough room in your luggage for everything you want to take.

If you are traveling by air, you are generally allowed two checked pieces of luggage per person and one carry on bag. The carry on bag should be able to fit comfortably under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. The restriction on liquids is still in effect. All liquids, creams and lotions must be in containers of three ounces or less and contained in a quart size Ziploc bag.

Most experienced travelers understand the importance of carrying important items in their carry on bag, rather than their checked bag, especially if an airline has lost their luggage before. Your passport, tickets and any travel documents should be in your carry on bag, along with any vital medication, spare glasses or contact lens and prescriptions. A basic change of clothing is also a good idea.

Virtually all airline tickets today are electronic, although if you do have a paper ticket you should carry a copy of it in case you lose it. It is a good idea to make photocopies of your passport (the inside page with your information on) as well as any other travel documents. Keep these copies in a separate place. And you should also carry with you a list of important phone numbers to call in case your purse or wallet containing passport, tickets or credit cards are lost or stolen.

Many experienced travelers only take a carry on bag, regardless of the length of their trip. Traveling with just a carry on bag eliminates the often long wait at the baggage carousel, and, of course, the airline cannot lose your luggage.

One method of packing lightly is to put everything you intend to take out on the floor or bed in front of you, then consider each item individually and ask yourself “How often will I use it?” and “Do I really need it?” If you will only use the item rarely, you should consider leaving it at home. When packing your suitcase, place larger and heavier items on the bottom, and smaller items on the top.

Many items can be purchased inexpensively and easily, rather than having to take them with you. Simple toiletries, film for your camera and beach clothing can easily be found just about anywhere. Items that you feel you should take, but may not need, such as waterproof clothing and first aid items can be purchased when you arrive at your destination, if necessary. Most hotels now carry a selection of basic toiletries for guests who may have forgotten something.

Consider packing clothes that can easily be mixed and matched and will complement each other, rather than taking several different outfits. For example, a pair of neutral trousers will match several different sweaters or shirts. Most travelers can get by with just two pairs of shoes, a sturdy but comfortable pair for walking and sightseeing and a more stylish pair for wearing with dress clothes.

Shirts, suits and pants that do not crease easily or can be drip dried are also useful items to bring along. Most people find that a couple of changes of socks and underwear are usually adequate. Take along a plastic or mesh bag with you so that you can easily keep clean and dirty clothes separate. Many travelers have learned to wash small items of clothing in a hotel sink or bath.

Of course, the best way to ensure that you have everything is to make a checklist of what you are taking, and check the items off as you pack them. Some seasoned travelers start packing a few days beforehand to minimize the chance of forgetting anything important. If you are taking an item which can only be packed at the last minute, a note on your suitcase or on the front door can help you not to forget it.

In general, the most important items you will need to pack are going to be tickets and any travel documents, foreign currency and credit cards, camera and spare film, toiletries and medication. Some other things you may consider to be essential are spare batteries for various devices, an adaptor for plugging in appliances overseas, a book reading light, a wristwatch with an alarm and earplugs.

And if you have some spare room in your bag, don’t forget your address book and a traveler’s journal.