exQUIZZme !

Last month, my featured article was about creating a “Stop Doing” list. Hopefully, if you followed my suggestion, you now have a list of tasks that you are looking to delegate away. It seems a natural progression that I now disclose a few simple steps that will ensure your foray into delegation is a success.

1. Choose the right “delegatee”

Review the task and determine what skills are required. Delegation goes much more smoothly if you match the person with the appropriate skill set to the task you have to assign. Now if you don’t have a candidate that has all the skills you are looking for, decide which is the most critical one (analytical ability, attention to detail, communications skills) and make that match.

One of the rewards of delegation is the opportunity to help someone develop and grow. It is unlikely that you will always have a candidate that you can hand off something to and not have to provide some training or coaching. But learning to empower your employees will reap big rewards as their confidence grows with their abilities, and delegation becomes easier and easier, and your “Stop Doing” list gets longer and longer.

2. State your expectations clearly

When you assign a task, be very clear about the deliverables you expect, and qualify your expectations as much as possible. As a minimum, you need to communicate the “what” and the “when”. For example: “I want these invoices entered into my database by 5pm tomorrow”. Then, start adding qualifications to your request, such as: “Please make sure that the expense categories are correct, and if you are unsure, ask me and I will clarify for you because I want the reports to be accurate.”

In addition to communicating about the “what” and “when” of an assignment, I recommend that you also include information on the “why”. For example: “I need the monthly recap report done by 5pm tomorrow because I have a meeting with client X the following morning and need the information, so it is really critical that I have it.” Often, we assume that others should know what we expect. But if you have a new working relationship with someone, that is probably an unfair expectation. So, take a few minutes to think about what you need to communicate to save both of you a lot of aggravation, and possibly rework.

3. Choose an appropriate oversight level

No one wants to work for a micro-manager, but some managers are too hands-off when it is inappropriate. Note the skills and experience level of your employee and adjust your oversight level accordingly. The first couple of times they handle a complicated task, you may want to check in more frequently. After a few months, you could probably ease off on your involvement as their knowledge and confidence increases.

4. Provide feedback effectively and often

Once in a while, we get really lucky and have someone supporting us who does things perfectly the first time. But that scenario doesn’t happen too often. However, we can get the employee to the perfection level by providing appropriate feedback. Tell them very specifically what they did well (“Your accuracy is great. I rarely, if ever, find a mistake in your work. Keep it up.”), and what they need to improve on (“I really needed the monthly recap report for Company X done yesterday. I had a meeting with them this morning, and was not able to provide them with the latest information. That reflects poorly on my service. I need you to let me know when you cannot meet a deadline I have given you. Will you do that?”)

Specific, constructive feedback is the most effective way to improve performance. Even if you have a “star” employee, you still need to provide the feedback so that they will maintain their high level of performance. Work on giving more positive feedback. If the only time you provide feedback is when you are unhappy, your employees are not going to be very eager to talk with you.

Follow these simple steps and dive right into delegation. As you become more successful in delegating, you will feel more confident in adding to your “Stop Doing” list. Then use your time on something much more impactful for your business, or much more pleasurable for you.

Here in Spain the concept of a mortgage period of 20 or 25 years is something new. The general feeling by the banks is that want their money back more quickly than banks in countries in which they are accustomed to longer periods. The borrowers are also accustomed to the idea that the guiding principle is to pay off the mortgage as quickly as possible.

First Timers

The problem for all those people starting out on the property ladder is the amount of money that has to go out each month to put the roof over one’s head. At least this is true for the early years, but not necessarily as the4 years go by, since the advent of inflation. Cases that we studied showed e.g a couple, whose monthly income was £400, having to pay £150 per month in mortgage payment. Although the interest fluctuations since then have meant varying payments, as a percentage of their current monthly income of £2,000 per month, the mortgage does not now seem so horrendous.

Varying interest rates

The mistake made by many lenders in boom times is to conveniently forget the possible variation in interest rates during the early years. While a doubling of the payment in the case mentioned above would not be a disaster now, had it occurred during the early years it could have lead to foreclosure, and them losing their dream home. In our study we found various examples of interest rates going from 3% to 16% in very short periods of time. Maybe the lenders should have insisted on doing the relevant calculations, assuming a high rate, to check if the borrowers could afford the payment during the first few years in the event of this occurring. Asking the potential borrower would not necessarily have produced a sensible result, as many that we spoke to said, “It’s OK, we’ll manage somehow.” Unfortunately, for thousands of borrowers, this turned out not to be the case. One case showed an initial payment of £269 per month, on an income of £800 per month, which ballooned to £690 per month on an income of £900 per month, with devastating consequences.

How long a repayment period ?

Many years ago, a borrower, my father, tried to convince lenders of the idea of a much longer repayment period. In fact so long that he gave the idea the name, infinity mortgage. The idea was to pay the interest, at whatever the actual rate would be, but not to repay the capital. Naturally in the staid world of banking this fell on deaf ears, and several so called bankers laughed at the idea. Eventually he was able to persuade an institution to go ahead with his proposal, and he purchased a house. He is now nearing retirement and still has not paid off the mortgage, and continues to pay the interest. He is happy with the idea that, when we inherit the house, we will have to pay off the capital, and so are we.

The current position ?

The house is now valued at £280,000. My father’s income is £5,300 per month. And the mortgage payment ? The last time we spoke of the matter it was the mighty sum of £7.92 per month. The capital to be repaid ? The not insignificant amount of £1,900.

Whether your local currency is pounds sterling, euros or dollars, the principle is still the same. While the motivation at the time, as a penniless masters student, was to keep every payment down to a minimum, the capital repayment would not exactly have broken the bank once a few years had gone by. When he reached the point of what would have been the normal repayment period, and received advice from all and sundry that perhaps he might slip into the bank with a bit of loose change, and pay off the capital, he declined. He rather liked the idea of his infinity mortgage being just that, or at least being with him until his death. In that he will succeed, you know what some of these old folk are like.

Internet marketing is a wonderful business, but if you are like me, there are days when you get really down and just can’t seem to get going. This is compounded for some people with the Winter Blues. Sometimes sitting in your lonely corner of the bedroom or living room, it seems like you are the only person on earth. You sometimes feel like you are in a cage and there is no way out! This can also be compounded by a slump in your business sales or successes.

When you feel like this, it is hard to get any work done and can be very counterproductive for you. You must step back, take a break and clear your head.

I have found a few things that can help alleviate these problems and would like to share them with you.

1. Get up and get away from the computer for awhile. Even if it is only for 10-15 minutes. Walk around the house, stretch your muscles, do a few neck and back stretches. These can do wonders!

2. Take a walk. Get dressed, go outside, breathe in the fresh, cool air of winter and take a 30 minute walk. This is one of the most invigorating things you can do to clear your head and get the cobwebs out. Walking is the one activity I would recommend most.

3. Call a friend or family member and talk for awhile. This can also be a great way to lift your spirits and confirm your suspicions that there are other people on this planet! Chat for awhile and laugh a little. Laughter is a great medicine!

4. Have some fun! Put on some of your favorite music and dance around the house for awhile. Let loose and have some fun. Act goofy, crazy or waltz yourself to China. This helps get out some of the frustrations and pent up emotions that can cause the blues.

5. Just relax! Turn everything off, make yourself a cup of coffee, cocoa, or just plain water. Just sit in complete silence and watch the birds outside or put a cool cloth over your eyes. Let your mind go blank for awhile. Forget everything and just relax!

6. Exercise your mind! Show your mind that there is more than just the computer. Do a crossword puzzle, play a few games of solitaire, or read a book. These are all great ways of getting your mind of business and clearing out all the old to make way for the new.

7. Do some housework! This might not be the most fun thing to do, but it helps take your mind of business for awhile and believe me, after about an hour of housework, you will be more than ready to get back to business!

8. Take a TV break! Watch a program that allows you to escape to another world. After you are finished you just might be glad to get back to your world!

If you would like to find out more about beating the blues, you can visit these sites:
http://www.uhs.berkeley.edu/FacStaff/Ergonomics/stretch.html
http://www.divorcekit.com/blues.htm
http://www.smile-publishing.com/tips.html
http://www.lifetimetv.com/shows/strongmedicine/chatroom/1210/1210.html

I hope some of these pointers will help you relax and get back to business. I know that they have been a great help to me more than once. Sometimes when you are feeling unproductive or just plain tired, the idea is not to work harder, but to stop working and give your mind and/or body a well-deserved break!

Global crisis already makes many people gain bad financial problems. If you also gain the same problems, you have found the right solution to make it finish as soon as possible. I believe you won’t live with debts in the rest of your life. If you want to look solution, you can visit franklindebtrelief.com. This website will give you many solution relayed with debt settlement programs.

Many people succeed with these programs, but many people also failed. If you want to b succeed, you can ask their staffs to help you solve the debts problems together. This website also has solution for you that have problems with credit card debt. You can read their complete information about credit card settlement. With this solution you can solve many solution abut debs.

You can also read many articles here. Read also many reviews here. If you want to read deeper information about how to make debt free, you can visit this website. The information provided here will be able to help you to solve your debts problems. Franklin Debt relief specializes in debt settlement, also known as debt negotiation, a process aimed at getting creditors to agree to a lump sum pay off for a reduced amount in full settlement of a debt.

I have to laugh at myself as I say that. Because to me I was a Google PR junkie. I had to know what my PR was everyday! Sometimes more than once a day (ok, ok, i’ll admit) everyday I checked at least four times a day to make sure my PR was still the same or maybe to see if it had moved up a notch. Yep I was definitely addicted to Google. I thought Google was the light at the end of the tunnel. If Google said I was a certain PR then by all means it was right. Why? Cause Google said.

To me it was reassuring to see that little green line move across the bar. I always felt like I was in a casino and had just pulled the handle on the slot machine as I sat and waited too see where the little green line would stop. Silly, isn’t it? But yet, I know I’m not alone. There are many of us out there that live by the little green line. Well, I’m here to announce that I have just recently put myself in Google PR recovery. Yes, I am having a few withdrawal symptoms but nothing I can’ t handle.

I know you’re thinking why did I have to put myself in recovery? Well, one day that little green line was not very nice to me. In fact, there was no green line at all. Now of course this had to be a mistake because just two hours before I still had my PR4. So there was no way this was accurate. But after geesh I can’t even remember how many more times I pulled the Google handle it still came up with no green line. At that moment I began to feel betrayed, why was Google doing this to me when I had been such a faithful player.

I couldn’t understand why that would happen. I had been adding content something Google loves. I had been doing my linking. So I was beginning to take it personally that Google just didn’t like me. So after a few days of analyzing (and yes moping too). I decided that I didn’t need Google! Who was Google to tell me that my site didn’t have a PR? I knew I had been working hard on my site and as long as I knew that, that was ok with me.

Well, come to find out I did still have my PR I just had to go about looking for it in a different manner (without the www). Was Google trying to trick me? Well, from what I have understood Google gets confused at times which is acceptable, it happens to the best of us. But I still am keeping myself in recovery. I can see now that my life was being controlled by the green line. I will not allow that to happen again. Besides, I think if maybe I just stop focusing so much on it, It will move up faster.

So my advice to any other Google PR Junkie, don’t worry about the green line. As long as you know you are doing your work and you are getting traffic to your site then you know things are ok. Focus more on the things you can control, and forget the uncontrollable green line.

If you want to become a real estate investor, find a “fixer-upper” owned by an anxious seller. Finding distressed houses at bargain prices, fixing them up, and then selling them on a consistent basis can make you a millionaire.

Why Sellers Sell At a Discount

Homeowners’ problems often prevent them from staying on top of their home’s upkeep, and factors such as job loss, divorce, serious illness, various addictions, or other personal problems quickly overwhelm them. These sellers can’t make the needed repairs because of financial or physical limitations, and when that happens, their home becomes a low priority and sometimes will go into foreclosure.

Look for the “Triple D” (more…)

No matter in which state you are living in the United States, if you are driving car to move from one place to another, you have to get your car or other kind of vehicles insured. The difference is that the mandatory level required by each state has various levels. If you are living in California and driving without any car insurance, you might find that your license will be suspended.

It is true that the auto insurance in the state of California can be very costly. California Auto Insurance Policy indicates that you have to carry auto insurance that covers a minimum of fifteen thousand dollars for the death or injury of a single person in any accident and thirty thousand dollars for every person involved in that accident, while the minimum amount of coverage for property damage is five thousand dollars.

As you can see at the quotescout.com, the California Auto Insurance Coverage can be considered as some of the most expensive than most of the other fifty states. If this condition makes you hesitated in purchasing car, don’t be worry, this website will be a good source for you to find the California Auto Insurance Quotes you can compare one by one to get the one with most suitable deals for you. Just use the quick and easy form to tell them your basic auto insurance information and let them match you to the companies with the best rates.

What a question! What’s THAT supposed to mean?

I ask the question because so many people today who profess to be interested in operating their own business spend far too much time “tire-kicking.”

While I would never underestimate the importance of exercising due diligence when investigating any type of business or income opportunity, there comes a time when you simply have to make a decision and act upon it.

Let’s face it…no one business is right for everyone. We all have different interests, different abilities, different financial goals. But one thing’s for certain…you’ll never get off the ground if you sit on your hands!

Take my own experience, for instance. I started with an idea, a concept. I wanted to help others learn that with a little knowledge and a lot of sweat equity, anyone with the desire can earn an income from home.

This is not the first business I’ve operated from home; far from it. My first foray into the home-business scene was with a direct sales company called Discovery Toys. At that time it was in its infancy (as a matter of fact, I was the very first representative in my home state of Mississippi). For those of you not familiar with Discovery Toys, it markets educational toys and games through a variety of sales methods. It also provides an opportunity for residual income by building your own sales force. I chose to only do sales, and I did very well with it. Why? Not because I sat around wondering IF it would work; I just did it!

Another business I operated from home was as a tutor for young children whose parents wanted them to learn how to use a computer. I invested in a computer and software and marketed my business to day cares and preschools as an optional service to those parents willing to pay for it. Once again, I took a chance…and it paid off. But it didn’t happen by accident, and it didn’t happen overnight.

You can spend your time analyzing the daylights out of each and every venture, but I can assure you that if you do, at some point you’ll convince yourself that it just won’t work! And you know what? It WON’T work unless you are confident in your ability to succeed.

Here’s another news flash…when you do start your own business, you’re going to make some mistakes. If you’re not willing to learn from those mistakes and use that knowledge to improve yourself and your business, then maybe you’d just better stay in that 9-to-5 job.

Operating your own business involves risk-taking and decision-making; no one can tell you exactly how to run your business. If you’re looking for someone to answer every question for you, make every decision, and show you EXACTLY what to do every step of the way, you don’t need to be in business for yourself.

Getting started is the hardest part, but once you do, don’t look back. You’ll get discouraged and want to give up, but you have to hang in there. The rewards are many.

Like, not having any more bruised toes!

Thinking of starting an import/export business? Jennifer Henzel, a Certified Import/Export Trade Professional offers these tips for getting started:

1. Many countries have set up offices (Consulates or Embassies) in foreign countries to promote the exporting of their goods. The Consulates will supply you with industry directories and more. Embassies are located in a nation’s capital and Consulates in different cities. In many cases, the Embassy web site will contain directories and manufacturer lists, as well as an email link that you can use for sourcing

2. To import goods, communicate with that country’s Consulate situated in your own country. If you are uncertain what products the other country wants, you can obtain catalogues and lists of manufacturers.

3. Contact your country’s taxation department to ask about registration numbers or other procedures that you must follow. For example, if you are Canadian, you will require a Registration Number, issued by Canada Customs and Taxation Agency (CATA). When you inform CCTA of your plans to import or export, they issue an extension to your business number. This number is used on all related documents.

4. Find out about licensing requirements, if any. Many countries do not have licensing requirements for most products. However, if you are importing or exporting high-risk products (pharmaceuticals, liquor, chemicals, arms, certain food items and certain articles of apparel), you might need a license. “I strongly recommend that people start out with low risk items that can be easily traded and have fewer barriers­ like giftware and consumer items,” said Henzel. “Certain industries, like dairy, are guarded by lobby groups in some countries. You will be faced with quotas and restrictions.”

5. Embargoes are trade barriers set up against other countries. Many countries have embargoes against Cuba, for example. First, contact your own government to determine whether there are restrictions or embargoes against the country you are considering. Next, contact that country’s Consulate or Embassy to see if there are restrictions against goods from your country.

6. Participate in the local Boards of Trades (or Chambers of Commerce if there is no local Board of Trade). In addition to networking, you have access to research libraries and other resources that will offer good trade information.

7. Use customs brokers. “Small businesses attempting their own paperwork can run into delays at borders. If you make a mistake, you can be fined,” said Henzel. “A custom broker’s service is well worth the fee you pay.”

8. When exporting, understand that there is no one solution to shipping and customs handling that will work in every situation. Every deal is different. Each company and each set of products will require a different set of services, or a combination of services. Engaging the services of a freight forwarder is one possibility. Freight forwarders arrange shipping and customs for goods going to other countries. “You have to shop for these services and do your research,” Henzel explained. “Ask a lot of questions. It’s no different than buying a piece of furniture. You shop around first.”

9. Be familiar with Incoterms, as posted to the International Chamber of Commerce Web Site (http://www.iccwbo.org/index_incoterms.asp). Incoterms are standard trade definitions that dictate the shipping and payment responsibilities of each party. The two companies involved negotiate Incoterms for each deal. The best known Incoterms include EXW (Ex works), FOB (Free on Board), CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight), DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid), and CPT (Carriage Paid To). “You negotiate according to the Incoterms,” Henzel said. “You decide who pays for shipping, who pays for insurance, etc.”

10. Consult your bank for information about Letters of Credit, the most common form of payment when trading internationally. With a Letter of Credit, you minimize your risk because the banks assure that the goods are delivered before the money is exchanged. As an importer, a Letter of Credit reduces the risk of having to pay in advance for goods, or of paying for goods that are inconsistent with the product description in the Letter. As an exporter, you have the buyer’s bank’s assurance that you will receive payment provided you ship the goods as specified within an agreed-upon time.

11. Participate in Trade Missions. Consult your Board of Trade or local Chamber of Commerce to discover what is available.

12. Finally, look to the Web for information about international trade.

Good luck for everyone

Believe it or not, 2009 is coming up. Yeah, I know, where has the time gone? My mom always told me that as I got older, the years would start to fly by. Did anyone ever tell you that? Did you believe them? Well it is happening to me right now.

Before I get too deep into this article, just let me say that the intention of this article is NOT to make people angry or depressed. The real purpose for this article is to help the reader determine if he/she is doing a few key things for their business. Let’s take a look at the three main things that I feel any business owner needs to have in place if they are serious about making their business a success.

Setting Goals: Sound familiar? Of course it does. Have you done this? If you ask a lot of people, the answer you get may vary from “I know what I want to accomplish” to “Do I really need to set goals? I’m here to say that if you have not set your goals for you business, then take a few moments and write them down. Yes, I said write them down.

Be sure to set your goals realistically. Goals should be reachable. If you set unrealistic goals, then don’t meet them you are setting yourself up for failure. You need to set short and long term goals. If you don’t meet your goals on schedule, do not feel defeated. Re-set your goal and strive harder to reach it.

Setting a Plan of Action: Okay, you have set your goals. Now what? How are you going to get there? This can be the real tricky part for some. You need a plan of action that is going to keep moving you closer to your goals on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

If only there was a “master plan” we could all use. Since there is not, only you can know what needs to be done in your business. Look at your goals and determine what action you need to take. Set your plan of action according to the goals you are striving to reach.

Be specific! Being too vague in your plan of action can leave you sputtering along. It is very important that your plan be detailed. You need the “how” and “when” of your business plan.

Implementing your plan of action: Now that you have a written set of goals and a detailed plan of action, the last key element is implementing your plan. After all, what good are your goals and plan of action without acting on them?

For most, this is the hardest part. In my mind, it can be even more so in the home business sector. If you work for some one else, you probably have that constant “some one is watching over you to make sure you get all your tasks done on time.

In the home business field, it can be very easy to procrastinate. Yes, we have all done it. Some more than others though. This is where you divide the men from the boys. While many of the “boys” are preparing to find the perfect time to get ready to get started, the “men” are already in action.

We know that there is no “perfect” time to get started. If you are waiting for this, do yourself a favor and give up. It is never going to come. To be successful, you are just going to have to do it. And do it now!

In conclusion, let me say that although these three key elements are all very easily done, doing them does not guarantee success. There is another intangible, YOU! Add your own personality to your business and let it grow.

Here’s to you and your success. Today, not tomorrow!