Make 2009 Your Best Year Ever - Take a Good Hard Look Behind You

It’s not uncommon for this time of year to focus on goal setting and strategy implementation for the beginning of the next year. This article by Rich Schefren touches on the process of how to come up with those items. I was amused by his stating he has a list of 62 items to incorporate into his "New Year’s list. I too, have numerous things to accomplish so the key is at the end of his article…. be sure and schedule the items in. As with many "resolutions" there can be a tendency to come out of the shoot, full of enthusiasm, only to tucker out after a few months - so be realistic with your time and pace yourself. Example: I use the first few months to focus primarily on my business goals, and then add my "personal" goals during the second quarter….and continue to add thereafter.

(Article by Rich Schefren of Early To Rise )
I discovered long ago that if I wanted to continually improve my company and my own performance I need to leverage my past experience for all it’s worth. Stated more simply - to make 2009 the best it can be, you need to continue reading »

The Power of Your Positive Mind

I’m a fan of Success Magazine (in fact it’s a link on my Blogroll). Periodically I reference something from their writings for those who may not read the magazine. Here is a recent article from their "Seeds of Success". Just might be good timing for a new years resolution!

It’s hard to believe that the father of positive thinking, Norman Vincent Peale, was once a young boy plagued by an inferiority complex. But through faith, and his realization that people take you at your own self-appraisal, Peale began a journey to a new way of thinking. If your self-appraisal needs some refinement, incorporate Peale’s timeless truths into your life:

• Start thinking you can do things.When people believe in themselves they learn the first secret of success.

continue reading »

The 2 Skills Needed in Our “New Economy”

This article was written by Andrew Cass, Senior VP of Marketing at CarbonCopyPRO. I’m including it today because it is on the mark and worthy of your review, on numerous levels.

As we enter a whole "new economy" (some call it a recession), THE #1 and THE #2 skills, hands down, in the "new economy" will be…….

1. Money - how it works, how it flows, and more important….. how it will work for you in the "new economy". More wealth will be lost in the years ahead than at any time in history, however…. even more wealth can be created . This is the way it has ALWAYS worked in history and this is the way it ALWAYS will work. The good news is you get to decide which side of the fence you are on, contrary to popular belief…. but where has popular belief gotten anyone?

2. Internet Marketing - how to position yourself and/or your product on the World Wide Web in front of MILLIONS each and every day so you can create unlimited, virtually automated income, 24/7 and make money while continue reading »

Traditional IRA Accounts or Self-Directed IRA’s?

Most people are aware of traditional IRA’s, ROTH IRA’s, 401K’s, etc. Have you ever thought of a self-directed IRA though? For those of you who may not be familiar with this type of IRA, it’s an alternative. An alternative to the stock market, bonds, and mutual funds, but with the same "rules" for withdrawals and taxation. For years people have been using this vehicle to "invest out of the box ", but it’s now becoming even more popular since the average IRA has decreased in value by about 40%.

There are many private equity investment opportunities, ranging from alternative energy sources, independent films, and even real estate…. (yes, even now!) One company located in continue reading »

Do You Trust the Experts on Wall Street or Yourself?

So who do you think has the most vested interests in your financial future …. the so called experts, or yourself? Yes, the folks on Wall Street make big commissions (or used to) when you traded with them, but no-one cares about your money the way you do , or should. Many of us have been provided with guesses and opinions, but when I wanted to begin my journey to financial education I researched until I found a group with facts, honesty and integrity. And although this may sound like a "plug" for them, I can tell you sincerely, if I had not found continue reading »

4 Content Distribution Methods for More Traffic and More Sales

If you want to take your business to the next level (online or offline), you need to take action. Have you heard the saying, "massive action = massive results"? Without customers your business won’t survive, so why not go for the "massive"….

The first step to more customers is generating more traffic. To do this you may want to consider synchronizing your content distribution channels. Develop a weekly plan to maximize continue reading »

The Bad Credit Hotel - An Interactive Game

The Department of Treasury and the Ad Council has recently created a campaign targeted to 18-24 year olds, to introduce them to "debt management and credit ". They’ve developed an interactive game by the name of "The Bad Credit Hotel ". I played it last night and there is some good information provided. The fact that it is interactive makes it more interesting; particularly for the age group they’re trying to reach.

A statement they sent to me said, "According to a study conducted by Sallie Mae, more than 50 percent of college students accumulate more than $5,000 in credit card debt while in school. Additionally, Capital One reported that only 10 percent of high schools in America teach financial management and continue reading »

Right Time to Start a Business

Sometimes others can say it best and are worth quoting. Here’s something from Seth Godin on the Right Time to Start a Business:

• "Whenever a business cycle starts to falter, the media start wringing their hands. Then big businesses do, then freelancers, entrepreneurs, and soon everyone is keening.
• "People and organizations that have no real financial stress start to pull back, ‘because it’s prudent.’ Now is not the time, they say.
• "Growth is frightening for a lot of people. It brings change and the opportunity for public failure. So if continue reading »
  

3 Steps to Defining Your Target Audience

What? Define my target audience? I thought marketing online meant determining a few good keywords, running some ads, placing a dozen banners, and then people would find my site and buy. Viola! While that might have worked for a few folks a number of years ago when marketing online was fairly new, NOW it’s a whole new world! If you aren’t defining WHO you’re targeting, you are WASTING advertising dollars. Those of you who are marketing for FREE on Web 2.0 social sites are wasting continue reading »