Owner of Grace Publishing, an online and print magazine company, likes to say there are three keys to creating unstoppable momentum for your business:
- Clarity
- Congruency
- Consistency
Clarity means discovering what you are designed to do. We can help you do that by identifying your greatest strengths and advantages.
Clarity gives you realistic expectations for business, which are often much higher than you presently expect. For example, a Jeep and an Indy racer are both cars, but designed to do very different things. You wouldn't expect a Jeep to be competitive in the Indianapolis 500. Nor would you expect the Indy racer to negotiate a logging trail. They are designed for different purposes.
So too it is with businesses. Clarity allows you to have realistic expectations of what you can and can not do.This is the same concept that drives advertising. You wouldn't expect a coupon clipper, or local newspaper ad, to build your business's image, and attract people who are not looking for bargains. Nor would you expect a newspaper to have the ability to reach the number of people that an online ezine has the ability to attract.
It's one thing to know what you are designed to do. It's another to do it.
The only thing that stops people from pursuing their full potential is lack of knowledge:.
FACT:
• 60% of all people who are linked to the Internet buy from the Internet
• Almost 100% of all educated, established professionals and business people, (with disposable income) consider a computer as a necessity - even those who do not own a television.
• The shopping trend of people using the net to shop and compare products is doubling every few months.
• Online regional magazines have already proven they are powerful advertising tools for small businesses with low advertising budgets.
The simplistic definition of congruency; How things relate to each other, interact to each other, and are dependent on each other. When it comes to congruency, you may need to make some adjustments. Most will be incremental, but some may be radical, such as changing the way you advertise and the type of people (demographic) your advertising targets. The goal is to spend more time and money attracting the right type of customers.
Many small business owners are caught up in the numbers of people who will see an ad, not whether those people are actually shopping for their product, can afford their product, or are even shoppers at the moment they see the ad.
Maximizing the number of shoppers who have money that see your ad, and minimizing the cost of attracting those people is where performance and satisfaction both peak. This is the secret of magazine and ezine advertising - the customer asks for the magazine or ezine, eliminating the 'intrusive factor' in the publication's advertising. Or, to put it in publisher terms; The ads become the content of the publication, not an add on.
Consistency means staying with it. Have you ever been caught in traffic in a large city? You accelerate as the light turns green, only to stop at the red light on the next corner. This pattern of starting and stopping repeats itself over and over as you make your way to your destination.
It's impossible to gain any momentum, which results in both lost sales, and higher expenses. The problem most small business owners have falls in their choice of advertising. Many small business owners choose their advertising based on three beliefs:
These two elements, consistency and congruency, can take a small business to the next level, and can be used by any work at home business to turn a passive stream of income into a viable wealth-generating business.
Saints Row Cheats and Codes
Getting through red barricades (demo version)
Take any car and slowly push it through the barricade, as your body does not allow you to. When the car door is half way inside the barricade and halfway outside the barricade, get in the car. Note: You may get stuck permanently. However, if done correctly you should be able to continue driving through the barricade until you are far enough to get to the other side and exit the car.
Achievements
Accomplish the indicated achievement to get the corresponding number of Gamerscore points:
Colombian Made (40 points): Take over Los Carnales territory.
Regicide (40 points): Take over Vice Kings territory.
Road Warrior (40 points): Take over Westside Rollerz territory.
Ruler of Stilwater (160 points): Help the 3rd Streets Saints take over Stilwater.
Thug (10 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Thug in any Multiplayer mode.
Killa (20 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Killa in any Multiplayer mode.
Gangsta (40 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Gangster in any Multiplayer mode.
Kingpin (80 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Kingpin in any Multiplayer mode.
Penny Pincher (10 points): Earn $1,000,000 in the city of Stilwater.
Grifter (10 points): Earn $200,000 in Insurance Fraud.
Shopaholic (10 points): Acquire 100 clothing and jewelry items for your single player wardrobe.
Coupon Clipper (10 points): Purchase 100 clothing and jewelry items for your Multiplayer wardrobe.
Leader of the Pack (10 points): Acquire all 7 Homies.
Getting Up (10 points): Tag all tag locations hidden throughout Stilwater.
Grease Monkey (10 points): Own a total of 50 cars.
Racket Lord (160 points): Successfully complete all activities in Stilwater.
Contract Killer (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Hitman locations.
Demo Demon (10 points): Successfully complete all levels of Demolition Derby.
Fast and Furious (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Hijacking locations and levels.
Fluffer (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Escort locations and levels.
Pimp (10 points): Successfully complete all the Snatch locations and levels.
Pusher (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Drug Trafficking locations and levels.
Scavenger (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Chop Shop locations.
Tuner (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Racing locations and levels.
Vandal (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Mayhem locations and levels.
Bulletproof (10 points): Successfully complete Co-Op level Turbulence at the highest difficulty level.
Errand Boy (10 points): Successfully complete Co-Op level Mob Rule at the highest difficulty level.
Canonized (10 points): Join the 3rd Street Saints.
Reclamationist (10 points): Retake Saint's Row.
Additionally there are thirteen secret achievements, all of which are unidentified at this time.
Check out Cheat Code Central's Cheats & Codes page for Saints Row for more cheat codes, hints, tips, and tricks for the game. For tons more cheats, reviews, previews, and much more for PS2, Xbox, PC, Xbox 360, GameCube, PSP, DS, GBA, check out Cheat Code Central.
Take any car and slowly push it through the barricade, as your body does not allow you to. When the car door is half way inside the barricade and halfway outside the barricade, get in the car. Note: You may get stuck permanently. However, if done correctly you should be able to continue driving through the barricade until you are far enough to get to the other side and exit the car.
Achievements
Accomplish the indicated achievement to get the corresponding number of Gamerscore points:
Colombian Made (40 points): Take over Los Carnales territory.
Regicide (40 points): Take over Vice Kings territory.
Road Warrior (40 points): Take over Westside Rollerz territory.
Ruler of Stilwater (160 points): Help the 3rd Streets Saints take over Stilwater.
Thug (10 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Thug in any Multiplayer mode.
Killa (20 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Killa in any Multiplayer mode.
Gangsta (40 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Gangster in any Multiplayer mode.
Kingpin (80 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Kingpin in any Multiplayer mode.
Penny Pincher (10 points): Earn $1,000,000 in the city of Stilwater.
Grifter (10 points): Earn $200,000 in Insurance Fraud.
Shopaholic (10 points): Acquire 100 clothing and jewelry items for your single player wardrobe.
Coupon Clipper (10 points): Purchase 100 clothing and jewelry items for your Multiplayer wardrobe.
Leader of the Pack (10 points): Acquire all 7 Homies.
Getting Up (10 points): Tag all tag locations hidden throughout Stilwater.
Grease Monkey (10 points): Own a total of 50 cars.
Racket Lord (160 points): Successfully complete all activities in Stilwater.
Contract Killer (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Hitman locations.
Demo Demon (10 points): Successfully complete all levels of Demolition Derby.
Fast and Furious (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Hijacking locations and levels.
Fluffer (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Escort locations and levels.
Pimp (10 points): Successfully complete all the Snatch locations and levels.
Pusher (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Drug Trafficking locations and levels.
Scavenger (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Chop Shop locations.
Tuner (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Racing locations and levels.
Vandal (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Mayhem locations and levels.
Bulletproof (10 points): Successfully complete Co-Op level Turbulence at the highest difficulty level.
Errand Boy (10 points): Successfully complete Co-Op level Mob Rule at the highest difficulty level.
Canonized (10 points): Join the 3rd Street Saints.
Reclamationist (10 points): Retake Saint's Row.
Additionally there are thirteen secret achievements, all of which are unidentified at this time.
Check out Cheat Code Central's Cheats & Codes page for Saints Row for more cheat codes, hints, tips, and tricks for the game. For tons more cheats, reviews, previews, and much more for PS2, Xbox, PC, Xbox 360, GameCube, PSP, DS, GBA, check out Cheat Code Central.
Skiing - Some of the World's Best Ski Spots
Many of us have had holidays spent breathing recycled air in "luxury" coaches, watching bad television in hotel rooms, eating beyond our capacity simply because meals were included in the "package" and there was little else to do. Yawn! But not if there's snow on the ground; don the long johns and get at it .
1. Austria: skiing for dummies - So maybe you're not the athletic type. You don't have to be to take advantage of the world's best sporting havens, particularly if you take a few professional lessons. St. Anton, in the Arlberg region of Austria, is the best place to go for ski instruction-the Arlberg School ski technique originated here and the area's 300+ instructors are all well-versed in the method. In the hands of these pros, you'll look like an expert after a few days on the slopes.
2. Chile's best skiing for mamas' boys (sorry.we mean "cautious athletic types") - If you've got nothing to prove and just want some sane, safe skiing, La Parva, located just minutes from Santiago, allows you to ski from your lodge to the lifts. If you're afraid of getting hurled into a tree, there's no need to worry here: the mountains are treeless. The slopes also have wind-curled cornices, so snowboarders can afford to try out a few new stunts. This is also a perfect spot to try heli-skiing in a friendly, nurturing environment.
3. Ski Whistler Blackcomb before the next Olympians do! When it comes to skiing and riding, Whistler Blackcomb with its 8,000 plus acres of terrain on both mountains, has variety and then some. Choose from steeps, deeps, chutes, high alpine bowls, glades, superb corduroy, long cruisers and gentle rollers. Riders and skiers will revel in the Parks and Pipes on both mountains plus natural launch pads, hits, wind-lips, cornices, cliff drops and ridges - the place is like a huge, natural terrain park! And the night-life is great too! This is the site of the next Winter Olympics.
4. World-class skiing for coupon clippers...in the Italian Alps - Sure, you'd love to go on a ritzy ski holiday but you're - well, how can we put this? ...broke. No worries. We appreciate a good bargain ourselves and have found that the deals in life are often a mere stone's throw away from the pricey stuff. Such is the case in the Italian Alps: Mount Livata and Pescasseroli are located very near Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy's most popular resort, but offer affordable accommodation and similar access to facilities. Same goes for Val d'Ayas, which is located near pricey Courmayeur and Cervinia and offers lower lift prices, more challenging runs and fewer crowds.
5. And if that's not cheap enough, there's skiing in Spain - You can ski in Spain on a busker's budget. While there is a certain aura about the Alps resorts in France, Austria, Italy and Switzerland, the Spanish Pyrenees area keeps up with the best of them (and certainly surpasses them with respect to value.) Baquiera-Beret, in Lerida, boasts a lengthy ski season (November through April), numerous slopes of varying difficulty, plenty of chair lifts, professional ski instruction and - this is the best part - far fewer crowds than the pricier resorts. A good place to stay is Hotel Montarto which offers spectacular views and easy access to lifts.
6. If you think you're a good skiier, try heli-skiing in the Purcells in British Columbia - Rk Heliski in Golden, welcomes you to 1,500 square kilometres/ 930 sq. miles of incredible terrain in the spectacular Purcell Mountains, on the edge of the legendary Bugaboos. Heli-ski/boarding tours are led by some of the world's best mountain guides to access wide open alpine slopes, scenic glaciers and gladed forests dusted with annual snowfalls of up to 1,100 cm/36 feet. Some of this is extreme skiing, definitely not for the novice, but hey, who wants to live forever?
7. Austria's least-known sport that'll make you feel like a kid again - Austria's Lake District boasts excellent ice-skating and skiing during the winter as well as water sports during the summer. The area around Wolfgangsee offers a little-known sport that'll take you right back to your childhood. Mountain tobogganing involves carting a metal saucer-of-a-thing up a hillside (we recommend the chair lift as opposed to a hike) and descending on a metal track to the bottom. It'll be the most invigorating five minutes of your life. Next step? Do it again!
8. And after lots of lessons and a stiff drink...Canadian daredevil's dream - Canada's ski-jump champs practice in Thunder Bay, Ontario, regarded as the world's biggest jump. You've seen the Bond films - now it's your turn. Mind you, there are also cross-country trails for beginners if you need to get up your confidence. The area includes four major Alpine areas. Daily flight service can be arranged from Toronto, Winnipeg and Minneapolis. This place can be crowded during peak season--who knew there were so many daredevils around?
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Tourism
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
1. Austria: skiing for dummies - So maybe you're not the athletic type. You don't have to be to take advantage of the world's best sporting havens, particularly if you take a few professional lessons. St. Anton, in the Arlberg region of Austria, is the best place to go for ski instruction-the Arlberg School ski technique originated here and the area's 300+ instructors are all well-versed in the method. In the hands of these pros, you'll look like an expert after a few days on the slopes.
2. Chile's best skiing for mamas' boys (sorry.we mean "cautious athletic types") - If you've got nothing to prove and just want some sane, safe skiing, La Parva, located just minutes from Santiago, allows you to ski from your lodge to the lifts. If you're afraid of getting hurled into a tree, there's no need to worry here: the mountains are treeless. The slopes also have wind-curled cornices, so snowboarders can afford to try out a few new stunts. This is also a perfect spot to try heli-skiing in a friendly, nurturing environment.
3. Ski Whistler Blackcomb before the next Olympians do! When it comes to skiing and riding, Whistler Blackcomb with its 8,000 plus acres of terrain on both mountains, has variety and then some. Choose from steeps, deeps, chutes, high alpine bowls, glades, superb corduroy, long cruisers and gentle rollers. Riders and skiers will revel in the Parks and Pipes on both mountains plus natural launch pads, hits, wind-lips, cornices, cliff drops and ridges - the place is like a huge, natural terrain park! And the night-life is great too! This is the site of the next Winter Olympics.
4. World-class skiing for coupon clippers...in the Italian Alps - Sure, you'd love to go on a ritzy ski holiday but you're - well, how can we put this? ...broke. No worries. We appreciate a good bargain ourselves and have found that the deals in life are often a mere stone's throw away from the pricey stuff. Such is the case in the Italian Alps: Mount Livata and Pescasseroli are located very near Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy's most popular resort, but offer affordable accommodation and similar access to facilities. Same goes for Val d'Ayas, which is located near pricey Courmayeur and Cervinia and offers lower lift prices, more challenging runs and fewer crowds.
5. And if that's not cheap enough, there's skiing in Spain - You can ski in Spain on a busker's budget. While there is a certain aura about the Alps resorts in France, Austria, Italy and Switzerland, the Spanish Pyrenees area keeps up with the best of them (and certainly surpasses them with respect to value.) Baquiera-Beret, in Lerida, boasts a lengthy ski season (November through April), numerous slopes of varying difficulty, plenty of chair lifts, professional ski instruction and - this is the best part - far fewer crowds than the pricier resorts. A good place to stay is Hotel Montarto which offers spectacular views and easy access to lifts.
6. If you think you're a good skiier, try heli-skiing in the Purcells in British Columbia - Rk Heliski in Golden, welcomes you to 1,500 square kilometres/ 930 sq. miles of incredible terrain in the spectacular Purcell Mountains, on the edge of the legendary Bugaboos. Heli-ski/boarding tours are led by some of the world's best mountain guides to access wide open alpine slopes, scenic glaciers and gladed forests dusted with annual snowfalls of up to 1,100 cm/36 feet. Some of this is extreme skiing, definitely not for the novice, but hey, who wants to live forever?
7. Austria's least-known sport that'll make you feel like a kid again - Austria's Lake District boasts excellent ice-skating and skiing during the winter as well as water sports during the summer. The area around Wolfgangsee offers a little-known sport that'll take you right back to your childhood. Mountain tobogganing involves carting a metal saucer-of-a-thing up a hillside (we recommend the chair lift as opposed to a hike) and descending on a metal track to the bottom. It'll be the most invigorating five minutes of your life. Next step? Do it again!
8. And after lots of lessons and a stiff drink...Canadian daredevil's dream - Canada's ski-jump champs practice in Thunder Bay, Ontario, regarded as the world's biggest jump. You've seen the Bond films - now it's your turn. Mind you, there are also cross-country trails for beginners if you need to get up your confidence. The area includes four major Alpine areas. Daily flight service can be arranged from Toronto, Winnipeg and Minneapolis. This place can be crowded during peak season--who knew there were so many daredevils around?
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Tourism
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
How To Choose a Qualitative Research Market
Qualitative research, whether individual interviews, in-homes, focus groups, ethnographies and the like are conducted all over the world, as everyone knows. But how are the markets to be studied selected in the first place?
New York, London, Paris, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, Boston and Dallas are all great places to see first rate entertainment, dine out and by their size, must be great places in which to conduct qualitative research or so the common thinking goes.
A little research into the demographics of a market can save researchers more than a little money, and get better research. Take for instance…The State with the most Dentists per capita - If you said Arkansas, you would be right. The City with the most new homes built in the last year - If you said Las Vegas you would be right. The City with the highest incidence of coupon clippers - If you said Buffalo you would be right. The City with the most new Volkswagens sold per capita - If you said Minneapolis you would be right. But how do you know?
Let's take Las Vegas; bright lights and a City that truly never sleeps. Most focus groups are conducted there in concert with the world class convention center. It's a great idea. Go where folks from all over the country or even the world converge for days of meetings, walking aisles and of course dining, shows and gambling. But Las Vegas is not usually considered for testing the folks that live there, outside of occasional television show tests for new programming. In fact, in recent interviews with several QRCA (Qualitative Research Consultants Association, 888 - 674 - 7722) researchers, not one had been to Las Vegas other than to conduct research in conjunction with a show or convention.
This is not a promotion for Las Vegas, as the City does enough of that on its own, but let's look back at those homeowners. Who are they? Retirees - Right - well some yes, but not so fast. The greater metropolitan area is building schools like crazy. So it may not be as you or your client suspected. This is the point. Are we in a location rut?
According to the website of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce:
* More than 5,000 people move to Las Vegas each month
* 69.9% have lived there more than 6 years
* 10% of the residents are over the age of 65
* 62% of the Households have incomes in excess of $35,000
Depending on the topic, Las Vegas might just be a selection for a market in which to conduct a qualitative project involving children, new homeowners, health issues, food, beverages and more.
The other argument for selecting a City is the ability to get a direct airplane flight from the client or moderator residence City. If one lives in a hub city like Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh or other hub town, direct flights are a breeze. Higher airfares to go anywhere direct, especially if there is no competition on the same leg prevail.
Many times a less populated City / area has more diet soft drink drinkers, cancer survivors, remodeling contractors, hog farmers, children ages 8 to 12 per capita than a major city with direct flights. What happened to the old "If it'll play in Des Moines, it'll play anywhere?" That is not an endorsement for Des Moines either.
Okay, so how does one determine where to go to conduct qualitative research? The answer can be simple in many cases. All one needs is a search engine connection from a computer to visit websites of Chambers of Commerce, International Trade Offices, Federal, State and local Government offices and more. There are also companies who assist researchers determining markets such as the Qualitative Research Network - 800-601-0834.
John Cashmore, President of Market Resource Associates, Inc.and member of the Qualitative Reseach Consultants Association specializes in qualitative as well as quantitative market research techniques. Mr. Cashmore is based in Minneapolis, MN and consults with many Fortune 500 companies in a variety of industries.
New York, London, Paris, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, Boston and Dallas are all great places to see first rate entertainment, dine out and by their size, must be great places in which to conduct qualitative research or so the common thinking goes.
A little research into the demographics of a market can save researchers more than a little money, and get better research. Take for instance…The State with the most Dentists per capita - If you said Arkansas, you would be right. The City with the most new homes built in the last year - If you said Las Vegas you would be right. The City with the highest incidence of coupon clippers - If you said Buffalo you would be right. The City with the most new Volkswagens sold per capita - If you said Minneapolis you would be right. But how do you know?
Let's take Las Vegas; bright lights and a City that truly never sleeps. Most focus groups are conducted there in concert with the world class convention center. It's a great idea. Go where folks from all over the country or even the world converge for days of meetings, walking aisles and of course dining, shows and gambling. But Las Vegas is not usually considered for testing the folks that live there, outside of occasional television show tests for new programming. In fact, in recent interviews with several QRCA (Qualitative Research Consultants Association, 888 - 674 - 7722) researchers, not one had been to Las Vegas other than to conduct research in conjunction with a show or convention.
This is not a promotion for Las Vegas, as the City does enough of that on its own, but let's look back at those homeowners. Who are they? Retirees - Right - well some yes, but not so fast. The greater metropolitan area is building schools like crazy. So it may not be as you or your client suspected. This is the point. Are we in a location rut?
According to the website of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce:
* More than 5,000 people move to Las Vegas each month
* 69.9% have lived there more than 6 years
* 10% of the residents are over the age of 65
* 62% of the Households have incomes in excess of $35,000
Depending on the topic, Las Vegas might just be a selection for a market in which to conduct a qualitative project involving children, new homeowners, health issues, food, beverages and more.
The other argument for selecting a City is the ability to get a direct airplane flight from the client or moderator residence City. If one lives in a hub city like Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh or other hub town, direct flights are a breeze. Higher airfares to go anywhere direct, especially if there is no competition on the same leg prevail.
Many times a less populated City / area has more diet soft drink drinkers, cancer survivors, remodeling contractors, hog farmers, children ages 8 to 12 per capita than a major city with direct flights. What happened to the old "If it'll play in Des Moines, it'll play anywhere?" That is not an endorsement for Des Moines either.
Okay, so how does one determine where to go to conduct qualitative research? The answer can be simple in many cases. All one needs is a search engine connection from a computer to visit websites of Chambers of Commerce, International Trade Offices, Federal, State and local Government offices and more. There are also companies who assist researchers determining markets such as the Qualitative Research Network - 800-601-0834.
John Cashmore, President of Market Resource Associates, Inc.and member of the Qualitative Reseach Consultants Association specializes in qualitative as well as quantitative market research techniques. Mr. Cashmore is based in Minneapolis, MN and consults with many Fortune 500 companies in a variety of industries.
Disclosure Laws Favor International Terrorists
The Federal Trade Commission has rule that are supposedly in place to protect franchise buyers from fraud from franchisors who might attempt to mislead them into purchasing a franchise. Part of the franchise rules are addressing required disclosure paperwork. In this disclosure document, which is required to be given to franchisees 10 days before any purchase is made are the names, addresses, phone numbers of all franchisees in the system. For smaller home based franchises this means home numbers, addresses and personal information.
I am very concerned about our company, The Car Wash Guys and the possibility that International terrorists might use our mobile car wash trucks as tools to distribute biological weapons. We use trucks and trailer units that have capacities in excess of 600 gallons and low volume, high-pressure sprayers. Our team has washed cars at office buildings, military bases, mass transit districts, rent a car companies, airports, malls, QSRs, grocery stores, shipping and distribution yards, truck stops, parking structures, golf courses, media buildings, etc, etc. We wash things like shopping carts, wheelchairs, school buses, trucks, aircraft, boats, awnings, concrete, decks, playground equipment, etc, etc. In a single day our crews may be at 10-20 locations, in a week each truck/crew maybe as many as 120 locations, throughout a given city. And we have set up franchises in 23 states so far and that means in a lot of cities. What concerns me here is this:
In our UFOC (Uniform Franchise Offering Circular) there is a list of franchisees, with names, addresses, phones numbers, and areas. It contains the perfect information of everything an evil-doer needs, except a map of how to get to the franchisees location. Even of more concern. Many of our franchisees own multiple trucks (units) and many park such units at their homes. They are not guarded they are just parked there. Someone could easily walk up and put something inside of the tank and walk away and our franchisees would then be spraying chemicals of mass destruction all over the city the next day. That would be bad. Not only from a franchisor's stand point and damage of brand name, but also from a stand point of what damage it could do to America. I am not alone in this problem. Think about TrueGreen ChemLawn, Pest control franchises, etc. We are all at risk, yet nobody is thinking there.
We have set up special precautions to protect our Water Supply Tanks, have other franchisors? I believe it is up to each franchise system to do a RISK EVALUTION of such things, put it in writing and protect ourselves and our franchises. The franchising community, together can do our part. Think about the idea of a direct mail franchise company, there are many like Money Mailer, Coupon Clipper, etc. Additionally; I propose a simple idea. Delete the section of the UFOC with listings of franchisees, names, areas and addresses. Until a more final phase of the sale and after the franchisor receives a ten-year background check from the prospect. Or perhaps only if it is asked for from the prospect in writing later. Putting out a list of everyone who owns a ChemLawn truck in the country is just stupid right now. How about the name brands which are American icons, like McDonalds. After all last time they went after AMERICAN AIRLINES and UNITED AIRLINES. I have already had competitors who pretended to be a prospect, later dump hydrofluoric acid in the tanks of one of my franchisees a couple of years ago to cause him to damage the paint on customers car so he could pick up an account from an auto dealer our franchisee washed for. We did not figure out what happened for quite a while and only learned of it after the damage and an employee of the competitor became disgruntled and told us. What if that were anthrax?
Even more scary is the fact that I had several former franchisees who were Muslim, who often discussed their despise of our government. Which I guess was probably them exercising their free speech, which is allowed of course, yet now it does not seem so innocent. There are so many franchises out their that have free access to facilities, such as; Shred It, AmeriSpec, American Leak Detector, Environmental Biotech, Merry Maids, Service Master, Terminex, ChemDry. I have personally seen the ease at which our company transverses through airport fencing, security gates, etc. They see the truck and the uniformed employee and wave us forward. Now think about this problem, our team without knowing it could deliver a bio weapon simply by an evil-doer dumping something in a tank. Very few lawn companies or termite pest control companies lock their tanks, I know this because our company washes these trucks, and rarely are their any locks on the tanks. The smaller the franchisee the more unaware they might be. Are all these companies sure they have trustworthy employees, and even if they are, do they secure and lock tanks and vehicles? Not just parked behind a fence, anyone can scale a fence. If an evil-doer is willing to die for his cause, I doubt if a fence will slow down or stop him/her. An evil-doer could also order services and hijack the truck or unit. Remember in San Francisco when Thieves would order a pizza from Dominos and then shoot and kill the delivery driver for the $50.00 in cash on him? There are so many ways to use a franchised unit to do these things. We must protect the franchise model, reputation of brand name and the American people. We should not make it easy by giving away all this information freely for no real reason. That would only hurt all franchisees of any system all over the country. The American Federation of Scientists announced that it deleted 500 pages of sensitive information on their initial review, and this is one of the most pro-freedom of speech supporters in the country.
These are our most brilliant minds. We are smart enough to follow their lead. With all this said, I wonder why we are putting these UFOCs on the Internet at FranData, why state agencies copy them for mere copy fees to anyone who asks and why anyone expresses an interest to buy a franchise can get one, with lists of all franchisees, addresses and phones numbers. Since franchisors cannot discriminate based on ethnic sympathies, we must give out this information freely. WHY? Some information is dangerous in times of such threats. We should make this a new policy today, not tomorrow, there is no time for committees, no time to talk about it. Just do it. If a franchisee wants to call on other franchisees they are certainly allowed to do so after things have checked out and after they submit a written request along with a background check.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
I am very concerned about our company, The Car Wash Guys and the possibility that International terrorists might use our mobile car wash trucks as tools to distribute biological weapons. We use trucks and trailer units that have capacities in excess of 600 gallons and low volume, high-pressure sprayers. Our team has washed cars at office buildings, military bases, mass transit districts, rent a car companies, airports, malls, QSRs, grocery stores, shipping and distribution yards, truck stops, parking structures, golf courses, media buildings, etc, etc. We wash things like shopping carts, wheelchairs, school buses, trucks, aircraft, boats, awnings, concrete, decks, playground equipment, etc, etc. In a single day our crews may be at 10-20 locations, in a week each truck/crew maybe as many as 120 locations, throughout a given city. And we have set up franchises in 23 states so far and that means in a lot of cities. What concerns me here is this:
In our UFOC (Uniform Franchise Offering Circular) there is a list of franchisees, with names, addresses, phones numbers, and areas. It contains the perfect information of everything an evil-doer needs, except a map of how to get to the franchisees location. Even of more concern. Many of our franchisees own multiple trucks (units) and many park such units at their homes. They are not guarded they are just parked there. Someone could easily walk up and put something inside of the tank and walk away and our franchisees would then be spraying chemicals of mass destruction all over the city the next day. That would be bad. Not only from a franchisor's stand point and damage of brand name, but also from a stand point of what damage it could do to America. I am not alone in this problem. Think about TrueGreen ChemLawn, Pest control franchises, etc. We are all at risk, yet nobody is thinking there.
We have set up special precautions to protect our Water Supply Tanks, have other franchisors? I believe it is up to each franchise system to do a RISK EVALUTION of such things, put it in writing and protect ourselves and our franchises. The franchising community, together can do our part. Think about the idea of a direct mail franchise company, there are many like Money Mailer, Coupon Clipper, etc. Additionally; I propose a simple idea. Delete the section of the UFOC with listings of franchisees, names, areas and addresses. Until a more final phase of the sale and after the franchisor receives a ten-year background check from the prospect. Or perhaps only if it is asked for from the prospect in writing later. Putting out a list of everyone who owns a ChemLawn truck in the country is just stupid right now. How about the name brands which are American icons, like McDonalds. After all last time they went after AMERICAN AIRLINES and UNITED AIRLINES. I have already had competitors who pretended to be a prospect, later dump hydrofluoric acid in the tanks of one of my franchisees a couple of years ago to cause him to damage the paint on customers car so he could pick up an account from an auto dealer our franchisee washed for. We did not figure out what happened for quite a while and only learned of it after the damage and an employee of the competitor became disgruntled and told us. What if that were anthrax?
Even more scary is the fact that I had several former franchisees who were Muslim, who often discussed their despise of our government. Which I guess was probably them exercising their free speech, which is allowed of course, yet now it does not seem so innocent. There are so many franchises out their that have free access to facilities, such as; Shred It, AmeriSpec, American Leak Detector, Environmental Biotech, Merry Maids, Service Master, Terminex, ChemDry. I have personally seen the ease at which our company transverses through airport fencing, security gates, etc. They see the truck and the uniformed employee and wave us forward. Now think about this problem, our team without knowing it could deliver a bio weapon simply by an evil-doer dumping something in a tank. Very few lawn companies or termite pest control companies lock their tanks, I know this because our company washes these trucks, and rarely are their any locks on the tanks. The smaller the franchisee the more unaware they might be. Are all these companies sure they have trustworthy employees, and even if they are, do they secure and lock tanks and vehicles? Not just parked behind a fence, anyone can scale a fence. If an evil-doer is willing to die for his cause, I doubt if a fence will slow down or stop him/her. An evil-doer could also order services and hijack the truck or unit. Remember in San Francisco when Thieves would order a pizza from Dominos and then shoot and kill the delivery driver for the $50.00 in cash on him? There are so many ways to use a franchised unit to do these things. We must protect the franchise model, reputation of brand name and the American people. We should not make it easy by giving away all this information freely for no real reason. That would only hurt all franchisees of any system all over the country. The American Federation of Scientists announced that it deleted 500 pages of sensitive information on their initial review, and this is one of the most pro-freedom of speech supporters in the country.
These are our most brilliant minds. We are smart enough to follow their lead. With all this said, I wonder why we are putting these UFOCs on the Internet at FranData, why state agencies copy them for mere copy fees to anyone who asks and why anyone expresses an interest to buy a franchise can get one, with lists of all franchisees, addresses and phones numbers. Since franchisors cannot discriminate based on ethnic sympathies, we must give out this information freely. WHY? Some information is dangerous in times of such threats. We should make this a new policy today, not tomorrow, there is no time for committees, no time to talk about it. Just do it. If a franchisee wants to call on other franchisees they are certainly allowed to do so after things have checked out and after they submit a written request along with a background check.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Sell Hobby Items by Mail
You can, if you are ambitious, start a Mail Order Business selling collectables to hobbiest by mail. To begin, you must first find a hobby that appeals to YOU. Next, you must spend several weeks researching that hobby. You must learn what collectors want and how much they are willing to pay for it. You should also know what other dealers are willing to pay forthe merchandise which they sell. And you must be willing to pay the same amounts.
Perhaps you already know exactly what you want to sell. If youhave been collecting old Valentines, then start a Mail Orderbusiness buying and selling old Valentines. Or Stamps. Or Comic Books. The first rule of Mail Order selling is to sell what you yourself would buy.
To give you an idea of what collectors buy and sell by mail, here is a partial list of today's collectables:Phonograph Records, Cigar Label, License Plates,Beer Labels, Circus Posters, Music Boxes,Salt/Pepper Shakers, Greeting Cards, Old Pencils,Atlases, Military Medals, Sheet Music,Doll Clothes, Menus, Cigar Boxes,Train Photos, Old Calendars, MapsStreet, Car Tokens, Buttons, Postcards,Fruit, Car Tokens, Fruit Jar Labels, Old Magazines,Gun Catalogs, Paper Currency, Cartoon Books, Theatre Programs, Political Buttons, Baseball Cards,Children's Books, Stock Certificates, Old Toys,Gems, Minerals, Belt Buckles, Airplane Photos,FBI Posters, Newspapers, Coins,Arrowheads, Old Jewelry, Boat Photographs, Advertising Cards, Dog Pictures, Movie Magazines, Autographs, Dolls, Hunting Licenses,Valentines, Cookbooks, Beatle Items,Stamps, Indian Relics, Railroad Books, Fishing Licenses, Comic Books, Thimbles, Automobile Manuals, Diaries, Railroad Passes, Antique Barbed Wire
Once you have selected your field, start a file. Keep copies ofall the ads selling your kind of merchandise. Also keep adsshowing the dealer's buying prices. If price lists ar offeredin ads, send for them and STUDY them. MAKE YOURSELF AN EXPERTIN YOUR FIELD.
Try to locate any publications that deal with your field. Often, you can locate small mimeographed publications andnewsletters which will give you all kinds of useful information.
Your next step is to look for merchandise in your own community.Here are some suggestions:
Start by attending flea markets and antique shoes. Don't be afraid to make inquiries of dealers. They often have what they consider "junk" stashed away, assuming that it isn't of muchvalue to anyone. I once discovered a fabulous stamp collectionthat way!
Browse around through Thrift Shops.
Study the garage sale ads in your local newspaper. Visit any that sound promising. (Sometimes, it pays to telephone first. Also, by telling people what kind of merchandise you are looking for, they may be able to direct you to others who have exactlywhat you need!)
Place "Wanted to Buy" ads in your local newspaper. Be sure to list your phone number.
It is amazing what you can find in your local community if you work at it. However, if you can't find enough merchandiselocally, run ads in the Collector's Magazines listed above. Their rates are very, very low. And you will soon discover that they are widely read!
Once you have accumulated a decent stock of merchandise, you are ready to begin selling it. If there are publicationsspecializing in your field, by all means advertise there. Youhave a ready-made audience! Also run ads in the big hobbymagazines.
Type up a list of what you have and have an Instant Printer make a hundred or so copies for you. Hobbyists don't mind typewritten, mimeographed, or xerox copies . . . it's half thefund of collecting. Then run your ad. Your ad can merely offeryour list to interested collectors free (or for a stamp, to weedout coupon clippers). Or you can offer to make a sale straightfrom the ad. If you do the latter, stick in your price listwith the merchandise. It will be read . . . eagerly!
Here are a few sample ads run by hobby dealers for your
consideration:
"Railroad Timetables, 1940's
Four different - $4.00 postpaid..
"Old Children's Books and Texts. Stamp for List."
"85,000 Comic Books, Movie Magazines, Funnies, etc.
1900-1957. Catalog $1.00 (Refundable)."
"Original Movie Poster, Pressbooks,
Stills, 1919-1975. Catalog - 50 cents"
"Sleigh Bells! Stamp for list."
"Sheet Music. SASE for list."
Just in case you are not familiar with the phrase, "SASE" means "Self-addressed, stamped envelope". As you progress, you will learn continually. Most hobby dealers will tell you that they learn more from the collectors who buy from them than they could ever learn from any other source.
Note to editors:
To show my appreciation to the editors that use my articles, I offer a free solo ad. Simply send an email to me by using the form on the contact me page on my website to tell me the url the article was used on or send me a copy of the ezine it was used in.
Copyright 2004 by DeAnna Spencer
Are you content with your advertising budget?
Schedule a coaching session with Frugal Solutions Expert, DeAnna Spencer.
She will design an affordable online advertising plan for you.
Contact her by sending an email to deanna.spencer(at)gmail.com
Visit this small business resource for more information.
Perhaps you already know exactly what you want to sell. If youhave been collecting old Valentines, then start a Mail Orderbusiness buying and selling old Valentines. Or Stamps. Or Comic Books. The first rule of Mail Order selling is to sell what you yourself would buy.
To give you an idea of what collectors buy and sell by mail, here is a partial list of today's collectables:Phonograph Records, Cigar Label, License Plates,Beer Labels, Circus Posters, Music Boxes,Salt/Pepper Shakers, Greeting Cards, Old Pencils,Atlases, Military Medals, Sheet Music,Doll Clothes, Menus, Cigar Boxes,Train Photos, Old Calendars, MapsStreet, Car Tokens, Buttons, Postcards,Fruit, Car Tokens, Fruit Jar Labels, Old Magazines,Gun Catalogs, Paper Currency, Cartoon Books, Theatre Programs, Political Buttons, Baseball Cards,Children's Books, Stock Certificates, Old Toys,Gems, Minerals, Belt Buckles, Airplane Photos,FBI Posters, Newspapers, Coins,Arrowheads, Old Jewelry, Boat Photographs, Advertising Cards, Dog Pictures, Movie Magazines, Autographs, Dolls, Hunting Licenses,Valentines, Cookbooks, Beatle Items,Stamps, Indian Relics, Railroad Books, Fishing Licenses, Comic Books, Thimbles, Automobile Manuals, Diaries, Railroad Passes, Antique Barbed Wire
Once you have selected your field, start a file. Keep copies ofall the ads selling your kind of merchandise. Also keep adsshowing the dealer's buying prices. If price lists ar offeredin ads, send for them and STUDY them. MAKE YOURSELF AN EXPERTIN YOUR FIELD.
Try to locate any publications that deal with your field. Often, you can locate small mimeographed publications andnewsletters which will give you all kinds of useful information.
Your next step is to look for merchandise in your own community.Here are some suggestions:
Start by attending flea markets and antique shoes. Don't be afraid to make inquiries of dealers. They often have what they consider "junk" stashed away, assuming that it isn't of muchvalue to anyone. I once discovered a fabulous stamp collectionthat way!
Browse around through Thrift Shops.
Study the garage sale ads in your local newspaper. Visit any that sound promising. (Sometimes, it pays to telephone first. Also, by telling people what kind of merchandise you are looking for, they may be able to direct you to others who have exactlywhat you need!)
Place "Wanted to Buy" ads in your local newspaper. Be sure to list your phone number.
It is amazing what you can find in your local community if you work at it. However, if you can't find enough merchandiselocally, run ads in the Collector's Magazines listed above. Their rates are very, very low. And you will soon discover that they are widely read!
Once you have accumulated a decent stock of merchandise, you are ready to begin selling it. If there are publicationsspecializing in your field, by all means advertise there. Youhave a ready-made audience! Also run ads in the big hobbymagazines.
Type up a list of what you have and have an Instant Printer make a hundred or so copies for you. Hobbyists don't mind typewritten, mimeographed, or xerox copies . . . it's half thefund of collecting. Then run your ad. Your ad can merely offeryour list to interested collectors free (or for a stamp, to weedout coupon clippers). Or you can offer to make a sale straightfrom the ad. If you do the latter, stick in your price listwith the merchandise. It will be read . . . eagerly!
Here are a few sample ads run by hobby dealers for your
consideration:
"Railroad Timetables, 1940's
Four different - $4.00 postpaid..
"Old Children's Books and Texts. Stamp for List."
"85,000 Comic Books, Movie Magazines, Funnies, etc.
1900-1957. Catalog $1.00 (Refundable)."
"Original Movie Poster, Pressbooks,
Stills, 1919-1975. Catalog - 50 cents"
"Sleigh Bells! Stamp for list."
"Sheet Music. SASE for list."
Just in case you are not familiar with the phrase, "SASE" means "Self-addressed, stamped envelope". As you progress, you will learn continually. Most hobby dealers will tell you that they learn more from the collectors who buy from them than they could ever learn from any other source.
Note to editors:
To show my appreciation to the editors that use my articles, I offer a free solo ad. Simply send an email to me by using the form on the contact me page on my website to tell me the url the article was used on or send me a copy of the ezine it was used in.
Copyright 2004 by DeAnna Spencer
Are you content with your advertising budget?
Schedule a coaching session with Frugal Solutions Expert, DeAnna Spencer.
She will design an affordable online advertising plan for you.
Contact her by sending an email to deanna.spencer(at)gmail.com
Visit this small business resource for more information.
Boomers Are A Booming Business-Why Boomers?
Boomers are people just like you and me.
Boomers are a prime and growing target audience. Does your product speak to them? Does your product's packaging compel them to buy it? If not, you are missing a very important market segment. According to Rick Adler, founder of The Senior Network: "Simply based on population growth trends, if a product is marketed to the 50-plus audience and maintains its market share, it should increase in sales by 35 to 50 percent in the next 20 years. Conversely, a brand targeted at the zero to 50 age groups will be flat in sales."
Do you know these important facts?
ท Americans age 50-plus control $7 trillion, or 70% of all US wealth.
ท The 50-plus group brings in $2 trillion in annual income that they want to and are willing to spend.
ท One baby boomer turns 50 every 7 seconds of every day. Do a little calculating here about this market size? Think of all the boomers that you know besides me.
ท With 76 million U.S. boomers in command of today's buying decisions, the potential for profit and growth from this group is enormous.
ท AARP estimates 54 million baby boomers will be between the ages of 50 and 64 by 2010.
ท 90 million Americans will be age 50 or greater in 2010.
Here are some other interesting points about boomers that can influence your product packaging.
Boomers could still be parents or even grandparents and be in their 50s. This means they cross the gamut in their relationships with their families and can influence or are influenced by their purchasing decisions.
Boomers could still be working or in the early stages of retirement. Whatever the circumstances they don't see themselves as old. Most plan to work until retirement age. Many are starting new business ventures.
While boomers are still working they have the same convenience and lifestyle issues as other working families.
What this means to you is growth can come from unlikely areas. Markets that were once strong have become so diluted they have become unprofitable. Explore boomer product introductions in any category and look for new product innovations in all types of markets. See what can crossover into the health and beauty market.
Boomers view themselves as younger than they are (typically by 20 years). I can identify with this, I see myself in my thirties even though I'm well into the boomer years.
Boomers live active lifestyles and travel and mobility is high on their list. So think logically. Develop packages and products that go where the boomers go or are available where they travel ….. spas and resorts are an untapped opportunity. And most recently hotels with the added treat of airport security.
Gone are the days of over 50 being considered close to the end of life. Life expectancy is expanding. Boomers love discounts and don't feel at all intimidated in asking for them.
Regarding couponing -- if the deal is attractive enough will appeal to them. Example: Buy one meal and get one free or at a discount. They are not however coupon clippers.
Boomers grew up with TV so they understand advertising. The key is to choose the right message though the right medium. Packaging is a large part of the mechanism to reach them. Mainstream advertising is dying and packaging should step up to the plate to take its place.
Boomers are not children of the depression like their parents were. They expect lifestyles better than their parents and are willing to spend to make it happen. They want and can afford products that make them look or feel better. Hence the enormous potential of look good and feel good products especially in the cosmetics and wellness sector.
Boomers are connected. They are comfortable with technology and using the Internet. So don't overlook the online market in fact this is one of the fastest growing markets for packaged goods especially for women.
More thoughts to keep in mind when packaging products to the over 50 market:
Consider all the products that can reach an active lifestyle. Again: Simply based on population growth trends, if a product is marketed to the 50-plus audience, and maintains its market share, it should increase in sales by 35 to 50 percent in the next 20 years.
Don't look at boomers as an aggregate mass. Even within the boomer segment, there are differences in the age brackets. Some are just entering that age bracket such as me and yet others could be octogenarians.
Don't assume the 50+ are brand loyal. They grew up on branding but are willing to make a change after careful consideration. Give them the facts and show how your product or service will make their lives better.
Brand loyalty can and will be changed especially when a product fails to fulfill a boomer's expectations.
Don't hype or over exaggerate claims. This has a negative effect, not a positive one. If the claim is legitimate you will have a believer, one that will tell others about the product, but conversely if the claim is false they will tell even more people about their bad experience.
Use images boomers can relate to. Studies have shown that tapping into the "hey days" of the boomers' earlier lives don't always work. But boomers are nostalgic so do evoke positive memories, but also connect to their current life styles. Make your packaging relate to the audience though visual images or appeal and reflect their view of themselves.
Whether you use the word, "boomer," "senior over 50," or "aging," this age group doesn't want to be referred to as old. No "over the hill" context. Use words that are not considered negative. In a recent survey I conducted, the words "golden," "aging" and "elder" were disliked. More about this later in the presentation.
Sell Boomers the experience and the benefits that come in using your product or service. Lifestyle issues are important. Boomers expect to live well so conveying this in your product will create relevance.
Boomers are spending money to treat themselves luxury.
Go where the Boomers go. Reach out to them in places where there is a high level of comfort. When working on my survey I found out that even though boomers were connected to the Internet some of them just weren't comfortable with online surveys. They wanted to complete them on paper not electronically.
Keep this in mind when developing your product packaging. Emphasize convenience or ease-of-use. Boomers are busy people--making their lives easier or more simplified is important. They like to spend time on activities together. They just don't want to spend a lot of time.
What this means is products need to be simple to use or ready with minimal preparation time. The easier you make someone's life, the more loyal the will become to your product. Use language that connects with Boomers. In most cases they are literate and informed. Communicate with them as such. Hip hop and other "in style" messages create a negative image rather than a positive one.
Stress the values that boomers appreciate. Connect both intellectually and emotionally. "Engage" their interest in purchasing your product.
Boomers don't respond well to scare tactics. They are turned off with the threat, "If you don't do this it will be to your detriment." So no "scary" product description words.
Use role models or visuals that represent the audience. Having a 20 year old touting the latest product benefits means nothing. Conversely, having a 50+ year old speaking to her daughter or granddaughter creates relevance.
Boomers are in the prime of their life.
Under no circumstances should we refer to this market as old, over the hill aging, ancient or any similar nomenclature.
Keep the packages easy to use and open. In some cases this can't be helped but look for innovative new ways to make it easier for boomers to open.
Save your money on celebrity endorsements but keep in mind support from age related groups such as AARP
Make sure the labels are easy to read so they know what's inside. In this case bigger is better.
Keep it simple and easy to use.
They are tough crowd but easy to sell once you understand the parameters.
However you reach out and connect with boomers, it's important to visualize them as vital, active people. Eliminate the old stereotypes that we grew up with of people over the age of 50. Create relevance by using images of people who realize they have the best years of their lives ahead of them.
Packaging BootCamp For Entrepreneurs, Small Business And Inventors You have a product - RIGHT? You need a package - RIGHT?
You realize your package is your best sales agent - RIGHT? You know nothing or very little about packaging - RIGHT? You have no idea where to start - RIGHT?
That's what this workshop is all about. It has been designed to give you the nuts and bolts for packaging. It offers all of the fundamentals necessary to package your product to sell.
Before you ask why you need this workshop think about this: without a package you can't have sell a product.
You want to sell your product - RIGHT?
If you plan on selling ANYTHING you better have the right packaging. The package is vital to your product's success. You have invested in your product, don't stop short of the finish line and leave out the most important component.
In half of a day with the Packaging Diva, the number one consumer products packaging expert, learn how to package your product for sales success.
For details visit www.packagingbootcamp.com or email PackagingDiva@aol.com.
Boomers are a prime and growing target audience. Does your product speak to them? Does your product's packaging compel them to buy it? If not, you are missing a very important market segment. According to Rick Adler, founder of The Senior Network: "Simply based on population growth trends, if a product is marketed to the 50-plus audience and maintains its market share, it should increase in sales by 35 to 50 percent in the next 20 years. Conversely, a brand targeted at the zero to 50 age groups will be flat in sales."
Do you know these important facts?
ท Americans age 50-plus control $7 trillion, or 70% of all US wealth.
ท The 50-plus group brings in $2 trillion in annual income that they want to and are willing to spend.
ท One baby boomer turns 50 every 7 seconds of every day. Do a little calculating here about this market size? Think of all the boomers that you know besides me.
ท With 76 million U.S. boomers in command of today's buying decisions, the potential for profit and growth from this group is enormous.
ท AARP estimates 54 million baby boomers will be between the ages of 50 and 64 by 2010.
ท 90 million Americans will be age 50 or greater in 2010.
Here are some other interesting points about boomers that can influence your product packaging.
Boomers could still be parents or even grandparents and be in their 50s. This means they cross the gamut in their relationships with their families and can influence or are influenced by their purchasing decisions.
Boomers could still be working or in the early stages of retirement. Whatever the circumstances they don't see themselves as old. Most plan to work until retirement age. Many are starting new business ventures.
While boomers are still working they have the same convenience and lifestyle issues as other working families.
What this means to you is growth can come from unlikely areas. Markets that were once strong have become so diluted they have become unprofitable. Explore boomer product introductions in any category and look for new product innovations in all types of markets. See what can crossover into the health and beauty market.
Boomers view themselves as younger than they are (typically by 20 years). I can identify with this, I see myself in my thirties even though I'm well into the boomer years.
Boomers live active lifestyles and travel and mobility is high on their list. So think logically. Develop packages and products that go where the boomers go or are available where they travel ….. spas and resorts are an untapped opportunity. And most recently hotels with the added treat of airport security.
Gone are the days of over 50 being considered close to the end of life. Life expectancy is expanding. Boomers love discounts and don't feel at all intimidated in asking for them.
Regarding couponing -- if the deal is attractive enough will appeal to them. Example: Buy one meal and get one free or at a discount. They are not however coupon clippers.
Boomers grew up with TV so they understand advertising. The key is to choose the right message though the right medium. Packaging is a large part of the mechanism to reach them. Mainstream advertising is dying and packaging should step up to the plate to take its place.
Boomers are not children of the depression like their parents were. They expect lifestyles better than their parents and are willing to spend to make it happen. They want and can afford products that make them look or feel better. Hence the enormous potential of look good and feel good products especially in the cosmetics and wellness sector.
Boomers are connected. They are comfortable with technology and using the Internet. So don't overlook the online market in fact this is one of the fastest growing markets for packaged goods especially for women.
More thoughts to keep in mind when packaging products to the over 50 market:
Consider all the products that can reach an active lifestyle. Again: Simply based on population growth trends, if a product is marketed to the 50-plus audience, and maintains its market share, it should increase in sales by 35 to 50 percent in the next 20 years.
Don't look at boomers as an aggregate mass. Even within the boomer segment, there are differences in the age brackets. Some are just entering that age bracket such as me and yet others could be octogenarians.
Don't assume the 50+ are brand loyal. They grew up on branding but are willing to make a change after careful consideration. Give them the facts and show how your product or service will make their lives better.
Brand loyalty can and will be changed especially when a product fails to fulfill a boomer's expectations.
Don't hype or over exaggerate claims. This has a negative effect, not a positive one. If the claim is legitimate you will have a believer, one that will tell others about the product, but conversely if the claim is false they will tell even more people about their bad experience.
Use images boomers can relate to. Studies have shown that tapping into the "hey days" of the boomers' earlier lives don't always work. But boomers are nostalgic so do evoke positive memories, but also connect to their current life styles. Make your packaging relate to the audience though visual images or appeal and reflect their view of themselves.
Whether you use the word, "boomer," "senior over 50," or "aging," this age group doesn't want to be referred to as old. No "over the hill" context. Use words that are not considered negative. In a recent survey I conducted, the words "golden," "aging" and "elder" were disliked. More about this later in the presentation.
Sell Boomers the experience and the benefits that come in using your product or service. Lifestyle issues are important. Boomers expect to live well so conveying this in your product will create relevance.
Boomers are spending money to treat themselves luxury.
Go where the Boomers go. Reach out to them in places where there is a high level of comfort. When working on my survey I found out that even though boomers were connected to the Internet some of them just weren't comfortable with online surveys. They wanted to complete them on paper not electronically.
Keep this in mind when developing your product packaging. Emphasize convenience or ease-of-use. Boomers are busy people--making their lives easier or more simplified is important. They like to spend time on activities together. They just don't want to spend a lot of time.
What this means is products need to be simple to use or ready with minimal preparation time. The easier you make someone's life, the more loyal the will become to your product. Use language that connects with Boomers. In most cases they are literate and informed. Communicate with them as such. Hip hop and other "in style" messages create a negative image rather than a positive one.
Stress the values that boomers appreciate. Connect both intellectually and emotionally. "Engage" their interest in purchasing your product.
Boomers don't respond well to scare tactics. They are turned off with the threat, "If you don't do this it will be to your detriment." So no "scary" product description words.
Use role models or visuals that represent the audience. Having a 20 year old touting the latest product benefits means nothing. Conversely, having a 50+ year old speaking to her daughter or granddaughter creates relevance.
Boomers are in the prime of their life.
Under no circumstances should we refer to this market as old, over the hill aging, ancient or any similar nomenclature.
Keep the packages easy to use and open. In some cases this can't be helped but look for innovative new ways to make it easier for boomers to open.
Save your money on celebrity endorsements but keep in mind support from age related groups such as AARP
Make sure the labels are easy to read so they know what's inside. In this case bigger is better.
Keep it simple and easy to use.
They are tough crowd but easy to sell once you understand the parameters.
However you reach out and connect with boomers, it's important to visualize them as vital, active people. Eliminate the old stereotypes that we grew up with of people over the age of 50. Create relevance by using images of people who realize they have the best years of their lives ahead of them.
Packaging BootCamp For Entrepreneurs, Small Business And Inventors You have a product - RIGHT? You need a package - RIGHT?
You realize your package is your best sales agent - RIGHT? You know nothing or very little about packaging - RIGHT? You have no idea where to start - RIGHT?
That's what this workshop is all about. It has been designed to give you the nuts and bolts for packaging. It offers all of the fundamentals necessary to package your product to sell.
Before you ask why you need this workshop think about this: without a package you can't have sell a product.
You want to sell your product - RIGHT?
If you plan on selling ANYTHING you better have the right packaging. The package is vital to your product's success. You have invested in your product, don't stop short of the finish line and leave out the most important component.
In half of a day with the Packaging Diva, the number one consumer products packaging expert, learn how to package your product for sales success.
For details visit www.packagingbootcamp.com or email PackagingDiva@aol.com.
How To Get The Best Deal On A Hotel Room
If you are traveling and you need to stay in a hotel then you will no doubt want to get a room at the very best price you can. Nobody wants to pay more than what they have to and they certainly don't want to feel as though they were taken advantage of, that would be a shame. There are several ways that you can save on a hotel room but here are my personal favorites and I use these every time I travel in order to land some really great deals on my hotel rooms.
1. You better shop around. This doesn't only go for the old 60s' song, it also goes for shopping around for a great deal. I personally like to shop around by using the Internet. There are a lot of websites that will search area hotels for the best price and let you know what kind of deals they find. Put these tools to use for yourself.
2. Coupon Clippers - If you will be staying with a major hotel chain see if there are some coupons available online. Once you arrive at your destination check with some of the local travel brochures that you can find at rest stops and restaurants, these will often have coupons for local hotels.
3. Let Your Fingers do the Walking - Try calling the hotel direct to see if they will give you a better price than what you find on the Internet. They will often give you a great price so that they can fill their inventory of rooms.
Of course there are other ways to save money on your room but these will help you to land a great deal almost every time. Remember that competition amongst hotels gives you the advantage in the pricing game. Play that game till it is in your favor.
1. You better shop around. This doesn't only go for the old 60s' song, it also goes for shopping around for a great deal. I personally like to shop around by using the Internet. There are a lot of websites that will search area hotels for the best price and let you know what kind of deals they find. Put these tools to use for yourself.
2. Coupon Clippers - If you will be staying with a major hotel chain see if there are some coupons available online. Once you arrive at your destination check with some of the local travel brochures that you can find at rest stops and restaurants, these will often have coupons for local hotels.
3. Let Your Fingers do the Walking - Try calling the hotel direct to see if they will give you a better price than what you find on the Internet. They will often give you a great price so that they can fill their inventory of rooms.
Of course there are other ways to save money on your room but these will help you to land a great deal almost every time. Remember that competition amongst hotels gives you the advantage in the pricing game. Play that game till it is in your favor.
Direct Mail Marketing to Target Teens
For those businesses which generally sell to teens direct mail marketing advertising actually works quite well. For instance if you sell skateboards, Mp3 players, music CDs, video games or teen clothing you will be surprised how much bang for your buck you can get by using direct mail marketing and it does not take much to get their attention.
The offer could be as simple as giving away a free sticker, poster or come to a seminar on "how to" and they will come in record numbers. If you use a direct mail marketing coupon packages then you will be surprised how many kids go thru these things, as they like to see what is in them because they are curious about it.
In fact often it is the teens or young people who will shuffle thru the decks of these coupon direct mail marketing packages and not necessarily the adults or coupon clipper crowd. Direct Mail Marketing to Target Teens works and it works so well that many retailers find this their advertising method of choice these days.
Also since most kids are on the Internet it also makes sense to put a website address on the coupon to get them to look it up online. You will be surprised how well this works as not all kids have adequate transportation to get to your business. Be smart and try direct mail marketing to target the teen customers and you will be glad you did.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
The offer could be as simple as giving away a free sticker, poster or come to a seminar on "how to" and they will come in record numbers. If you use a direct mail marketing coupon packages then you will be surprised how many kids go thru these things, as they like to see what is in them because they are curious about it.
In fact often it is the teens or young people who will shuffle thru the decks of these coupon direct mail marketing packages and not necessarily the adults or coupon clipper crowd. Direct Mail Marketing to Target Teens works and it works so well that many retailers find this their advertising method of choice these days.
Also since most kids are on the Internet it also makes sense to put a website address on the coupon to get them to look it up online. You will be surprised how well this works as not all kids have adequate transportation to get to your business. Be smart and try direct mail marketing to target the teen customers and you will be glad you did.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
The Real Estate Investment With The Features Of A Corporate Bond
Why are so many investors, foreign and domestic, placing their money in NNN properties?
Net-leased real estate provides a unique investment opportunity to individuals or institutions interested in owning real estate without the hassles of management and leasing typically found in conventional real estate investments. Net-leased projects are most commonly single-tenant, credit-driven investments on long-term leases which require minimal or no landlord responsibility.
As a result, investors are not bound to their geographic markets, whereas they would most likely be with a traditional real estate investment, not just closely watched "backyard" opportunities.
A net-leased (NNN) property is effectively a long-term bond of a corporation in the form of a lease document encompassed by real estate. The investment appears to be a bond-type investment due to the "coupon-clipper" type of returns, 6%-10%. However, they also provide the added benefits of tax reduction and property appreciation found in conventional real estate.
The net-leased investment can be categorized three ways:
1. Retail refers to big-box users (i.e. discount variety stores, department stores, or home improvement stores) as well as small-box users (i.e. restaurants or drug stores).
2. Industrial includes facilities used for either distribution, manufacturing, or research and development.
3. Office refers to any single user such as an oil company or pharmaceutical firm occupying a facility as the sole tenant.
Pricing on net-leased projects is based primarily on the tenant's credit, the terms of the lease, and the location. Although each of these variables has an important role in the pricing of net-leased projects, it is the combination of all three that will determine a true purchase price.
Tenant's Credit
* Many net-leased projects are based solely on a tenant's credit.
* Tenants considered investment grade by a recognized rating agency usually trade at a premium (i.e. Walmart, Walgreens, General Motors).
* Tenants with junk bond (non-investment grade) ratings or minimal net worth typically trade for a higher return (i.e. UA Theaters, Dairy Mart convenience stores, Taco Cabana restaurants).
Lease
* Length of a lease is a another primary factor in determining the sales price on a net-leased investment. Primary terms of 15 or more years are preferred; 10 years is sufficient in 1031 tax-deferred exchanges and similar cases
* "Absolute" triple-net leases, where the tenant is responsible for roof, structure, and parking, trade at a premium.
* "Double-net (NN)" leases, where the landlord is responsible for roof and structure, trade at a higher yield and usually include a reserve taken for any potential repairs.
* Leases with "bumps"- rental increases or upside trade at a premium, with the exception of flat leases with investment grade credit.
Location
* NNN leases are credit-driven, causing location to be the least important factor.
* Investors often pay an added premium for the residual benefit of specifying a certain geographic location.
The combination of credit, lease and location can lead to paying a higher premium (i.e. Walgreen: 20 year NNN, flat) or receiving a higher yield (i.e. CSK Auto: 15 year NN).
The market for net-leased real estate investments is strong. The availability of attractive financing combined with minimal landlord responsibilities create highly desirable opportunities, especially for investors desiring a property for an IRS Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange.
Whether a risk-averse individual or institution is in need of a smart depreciation vehicle or a relatively safe "coupon-clipper," net-leased properties provide great investments in both credit and real estate markets.
Net-leased real estate provides a unique investment opportunity to individuals or institutions interested in owning real estate without the hassles of management and leasing typically found in conventional real estate investments. Net-leased projects are most commonly single-tenant, credit-driven investments on long-term leases which require minimal or no landlord responsibility.
As a result, investors are not bound to their geographic markets, whereas they would most likely be with a traditional real estate investment, not just closely watched "backyard" opportunities.
A net-leased (NNN) property is effectively a long-term bond of a corporation in the form of a lease document encompassed by real estate. The investment appears to be a bond-type investment due to the "coupon-clipper" type of returns, 6%-10%. However, they also provide the added benefits of tax reduction and property appreciation found in conventional real estate.
The net-leased investment can be categorized three ways:
1. Retail refers to big-box users (i.e. discount variety stores, department stores, or home improvement stores) as well as small-box users (i.e. restaurants or drug stores).
2. Industrial includes facilities used for either distribution, manufacturing, or research and development.
3. Office refers to any single user such as an oil company or pharmaceutical firm occupying a facility as the sole tenant.
Pricing on net-leased projects is based primarily on the tenant's credit, the terms of the lease, and the location. Although each of these variables has an important role in the pricing of net-leased projects, it is the combination of all three that will determine a true purchase price.
Tenant's Credit
* Many net-leased projects are based solely on a tenant's credit.
* Tenants considered investment grade by a recognized rating agency usually trade at a premium (i.e. Walmart, Walgreens, General Motors).
* Tenants with junk bond (non-investment grade) ratings or minimal net worth typically trade for a higher return (i.e. UA Theaters, Dairy Mart convenience stores, Taco Cabana restaurants).
Lease
* Length of a lease is a another primary factor in determining the sales price on a net-leased investment. Primary terms of 15 or more years are preferred; 10 years is sufficient in 1031 tax-deferred exchanges and similar cases
* "Absolute" triple-net leases, where the tenant is responsible for roof, structure, and parking, trade at a premium.
* "Double-net (NN)" leases, where the landlord is responsible for roof and structure, trade at a higher yield and usually include a reserve taken for any potential repairs.
* Leases with "bumps"- rental increases or upside trade at a premium, with the exception of flat leases with investment grade credit.
Location
* NNN leases are credit-driven, causing location to be the least important factor.
* Investors often pay an added premium for the residual benefit of specifying a certain geographic location.
The combination of credit, lease and location can lead to paying a higher premium (i.e. Walgreen: 20 year NNN, flat) or receiving a higher yield (i.e. CSK Auto: 15 year NN).
The market for net-leased real estate investments is strong. The availability of attractive financing combined with minimal landlord responsibilities create highly desirable opportunities, especially for investors desiring a property for an IRS Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange.
Whether a risk-averse individual or institution is in need of a smart depreciation vehicle or a relatively safe "coupon-clipper," net-leased properties provide great investments in both credit and real estate markets.
Money-saving Ideas
Good news: Consumers can save nearly $3 billion a year just by using coupons when shopping. According to the Promotion Marketing Association Coupon Council, spending just 20 minutes per week clipping coupons can save you up to $1,000 per year. It's easy. Over 85 percent of all coupons issued in the U.S. are found in Sunday papers. And it's popular. Seventy-six percent of Americans are already coupon users.
The following tips can also help you on your way to becoming a savvy coupon clipper:
Finding Coupons:
• Look in the store. You'll find coupons in retailers' advertising flyers, on the shelf, at kiosks, even at the checkout. Turn your register receipt over-sometimes there will be coupons there, too.
• Try samples offered in the store and you'll often be offered a coupon to take home a package of the products.
• Check product packages. Your favorite brands want to keep you loyal, so you'll often find coupons on or in the package.
• Look on the Internet. There are coupon sites where you can print coupons and find providers who will e-mail you coupons. A product manufacturer's Web site may offer coupons for brands you love. Check the store's Web site too. Be cautious online, however, of someone offering to sell you coupons...there's no need to buy them when there are so many available free.
Using Coupons:
• Organize your coupons in the order that you shop the store to save time and make sure you use them all.
• Make coupon-clipping a family affair--it can be a great math and savings lesson for the kids. Involve them in the process and let them "earn" coupon savings money.
• Use coupons with shorter expiration dates first.
• Shop on double or triple coupon days and use manufacturers' rebates to realize additional savings.
The following tips can also help you on your way to becoming a savvy coupon clipper:
Finding Coupons:
• Look in the store. You'll find coupons in retailers' advertising flyers, on the shelf, at kiosks, even at the checkout. Turn your register receipt over-sometimes there will be coupons there, too.
• Try samples offered in the store and you'll often be offered a coupon to take home a package of the products.
• Check product packages. Your favorite brands want to keep you loyal, so you'll often find coupons on or in the package.
• Look on the Internet. There are coupon sites where you can print coupons and find providers who will e-mail you coupons. A product manufacturer's Web site may offer coupons for brands you love. Check the store's Web site too. Be cautious online, however, of someone offering to sell you coupons...there's no need to buy them when there are so many available free.
Using Coupons:
• Organize your coupons in the order that you shop the store to save time and make sure you use them all.
• Make coupon-clipping a family affair--it can be a great math and savings lesson for the kids. Involve them in the process and let them "earn" coupon savings money.
• Use coupons with shorter expiration dates first.
• Shop on double or triple coupon days and use manufacturers' rebates to realize additional savings.
Credit Cards With Rewards 101
Many of us are used to getting credit card offers in the mail and automatically ripping up the envelope and throwing it away. You might want to rethink that instant action. Many of the credit cards offered in this current economy have some sort of a perks program. This can either consist of points per dollar spent, which can be redeemed for products through the credit card company or the credit card company may have a cash back policy, which says if you spend so much money at a certain store or on a certain product the credit card company will credit you some cash back. With every American looking for a way to save a buck, this is good to look into because it can save you more than just a little but actually a lot.
Who Knew You Could Find Coupons There?
Most of today's coupon clippers are used to getting the daily and/or Sunday paper and scouring for the valuable coupons hidden within the pages. With the technology growing daily, you now have more options. Coupons can readily be found on manufacturer websites as well as the local grocery store websites. Then some of the coupons can be found in bulk on strictly coupon websites. It is wonderful to be able to purchase your groceries and still be able to have a buck or two left over from the fabulous savings that are available.
Shop Here! Get More!
To save on some of the hassle of getting out and going into a department store, a lot of people have chosen to do their shopping online. And what better time to do that then now. A lot of online web stores have started offering a cash back program. Like many credit card companies and banks, these web stores are offering you more bang for your bucks. Basically if you patronize their store they will give some back. Now how much depends from store to store, but they definitely make it worth your while to sit back and relax and shop from the comfort of your own home.
Who Knew You Could Find Coupons There?
Most of today's coupon clippers are used to getting the daily and/or Sunday paper and scouring for the valuable coupons hidden within the pages. With the technology growing daily, you now have more options. Coupons can readily be found on manufacturer websites as well as the local grocery store websites. Then some of the coupons can be found in bulk on strictly coupon websites. It is wonderful to be able to purchase your groceries and still be able to have a buck or two left over from the fabulous savings that are available.
Shop Here! Get More!
To save on some of the hassle of getting out and going into a department store, a lot of people have chosen to do their shopping online. And what better time to do that then now. A lot of online web stores have started offering a cash back program. Like many credit card companies and banks, these web stores are offering you more bang for your bucks. Basically if you patronize their store they will give some back. Now how much depends from store to store, but they definitely make it worth your while to sit back and relax and shop from the comfort of your own home.
Find the best credit cards with rewards, as well as more of my work all at FINDcashbackcards.
Saving Money at the Grocery Store
Saving money at the grocery store can seem intimidating to some while it just comes naturally to others. There are many ways to save while shopping for groceries, but it is combining these ways that will enable you to save the most. Saving money at the grocery store may involve stepping out of your comfort zone and shopping at different stores or shopping for groceries in a way you have never tried before.
Your first step for saving money at the grocery store is to learn about the stores around you. Do they accept coupons? Do they double or triple coupons? Is there a limit on the number of coupons they will accept per visit or per transaction? This information is important for saving money at the grocery store. One store may have a lower sales price but another may double coupons and be more beneficial in saving money.
The second step to saving money at the grocery store is to shop the sales. After you have your grocery list ready, collect the sales flyers from the nearby stores. Make columns on your list for each store and list the sales price for each item in the right column. If you are lucky most of your list will be on sale somewhere.
Your next step to saving money at the grocery store is collecting coupons. You can get coupons from the Sunday paper, online, from coupon clipper services, or even on eBay. Most coupon clipper sites have a minimum purchase amount but can usually handle all your coupon needs. eBay generally sells coupons in lots of 10 or 20 depending on the seller. It is best to price both methods depending on the number of coupons you need.
Now you are on your way to save money at the grocery store. This is the compile and compute stage. This will require you to work out the deals on paper to figure out which store has the best deal. Begin making your final grocery list. If a certain store only has one item that is a better deal than somewhere else and is out of the way, it is a better idea to pick up that item at the store with next best price. In the long run a longer drive for just one item is not going to save you money.
Start out small while making your first trip to saving money at the grocery store, a large list or big order maybe overwhelming. Even if you have a lot of items to buy at one store, it may be easier to make a few smaller transactions than one larger one. You might make mistakes, but don't worry, figure out what you did wrong and move on to the next transaction.
Your first step for saving money at the grocery store is to learn about the stores around you. Do they accept coupons? Do they double or triple coupons? Is there a limit on the number of coupons they will accept per visit or per transaction? This information is important for saving money at the grocery store. One store may have a lower sales price but another may double coupons and be more beneficial in saving money.
The second step to saving money at the grocery store is to shop the sales. After you have your grocery list ready, collect the sales flyers from the nearby stores. Make columns on your list for each store and list the sales price for each item in the right column. If you are lucky most of your list will be on sale somewhere.
Your next step to saving money at the grocery store is collecting coupons. You can get coupons from the Sunday paper, online, from coupon clipper services, or even on eBay. Most coupon clipper sites have a minimum purchase amount but can usually handle all your coupon needs. eBay generally sells coupons in lots of 10 or 20 depending on the seller. It is best to price both methods depending on the number of coupons you need.
Now you are on your way to save money at the grocery store. This is the compile and compute stage. This will require you to work out the deals on paper to figure out which store has the best deal. Begin making your final grocery list. If a certain store only has one item that is a better deal than somewhere else and is out of the way, it is a better idea to pick up that item at the store with next best price. In the long run a longer drive for just one item is not going to save you money.
Start out small while making your first trip to saving money at the grocery store, a large list or big order maybe overwhelming. Even if you have a lot of items to buy at one store, it may be easier to make a few smaller transactions than one larger one. You might make mistakes, but don't worry, figure out what you did wrong and move on to the next transaction.
Alexis Paige has been a long time bargain shopper. Visit her blog, Bargain Brag where she teaches others how to start saving money at the grocery store.
Online Customer Loyalty Programs - More Than Just Coupons
An online customer loyalty program offers all business an opportunity to dramatically increase their profits and SAVE thousands of dollars off their current advertising budget.
What is an online customer loyalty program? It is an Internet based fulfillment service that promotes a business to its existing customer base to build brand, loyalty and awareness. Online customer loyalty programs typically include online coupons and special offers that are only available to existing customers.
The delivery of these programs can be through a company's website or vie their newsletter. A company may also work with a third party provider that offers services for loyalty programs online.
The reasons these programs offer dramatic cost savings is the elimination or reduction of a businesses dependence on direct mail. Coupon mailers like Valpak, clipper or newspapers typical create coupon redemption that is 50-75% existing customers. With distribution costs of 410-20 per coupon redeemed, these direct mail and print media can be very expensive and not very effective. Using an online distribution vehicle like a website or email newsletter eliminates the print and mail costs.
Loyalty programs, by their nature, are designed to increase traffic to your store or restaurant from existing customers. Loyal customers tend to spend more, tell more friends about your store increasing word or mouth and are less likely to leave you over a $.50 cent coupon from one of your competitors.
Online loyalty programs also solve the issue of timing that so greatly limits the effectiveness of direct mail. By making your offers available at the convenience of your clients, rather than at the mercy of the USPS, you ensure that you wont see them across the street at a competitors' store because your mailer arrived last week and his arrived this week. Train your customers to go online and print their coupons at their convenience and you won't lose customers to timing.
An online customer loyalty program and coupon distribution system can save your business thousands per year in direct mail costs, increase your customer loyalty, word or mouth advertising and lock out your competition.
What is an online customer loyalty program? It is an Internet based fulfillment service that promotes a business to its existing customer base to build brand, loyalty and awareness. Online customer loyalty programs typically include online coupons and special offers that are only available to existing customers.
The delivery of these programs can be through a company's website or vie their newsletter. A company may also work with a third party provider that offers services for loyalty programs online.
The reasons these programs offer dramatic cost savings is the elimination or reduction of a businesses dependence on direct mail. Coupon mailers like Valpak, clipper or newspapers typical create coupon redemption that is 50-75% existing customers. With distribution costs of 410-20 per coupon redeemed, these direct mail and print media can be very expensive and not very effective. Using an online distribution vehicle like a website or email newsletter eliminates the print and mail costs.
Loyalty programs, by their nature, are designed to increase traffic to your store or restaurant from existing customers. Loyal customers tend to spend more, tell more friends about your store increasing word or mouth and are less likely to leave you over a $.50 cent coupon from one of your competitors.
Online loyalty programs also solve the issue of timing that so greatly limits the effectiveness of direct mail. By making your offers available at the convenience of your clients, rather than at the mercy of the USPS, you ensure that you wont see them across the street at a competitors' store because your mailer arrived last week and his arrived this week. Train your customers to go online and print their coupons at their convenience and you won't lose customers to timing.
An online customer loyalty program and coupon distribution system can save your business thousands per year in direct mail costs, increase your customer loyalty, word or mouth advertising and lock out your competition.
TJ Goulet is President and Co-Founder of Bythezip.com Directory, Inc. http://www.bythezip.com Operating as a business owner and sales manager since age 16, TJ has over 23 years of leadership experience and has hired and trained over 1,000 sales professionals.
Bythezip.com Directory, Inc. is TJ's seventh company. TJ's career has varied with businesses ranging from Insurance and Industrial Sales to Direct Marketing and Restaurants. Bythezip.com Directory, Inc. is TJ's first Internet Company. All of TJ's companies have been highlighted by a strong sales and marketing strategy that relies on the unique capacity of professional sales people and the idea that greater value and income can be derived from a sold product that a bought one. TJ Goulet has B.A. degrees in Economics and Management with emphasis on Mathematics from the University of Minnesota.
Members Only - The Perks Of Discount Shopping Without Coupons
Paper coupon books are a thing of the past. Wasteful, ungainly and a general pain in the neck to keep track of, discount shopping is long overdue for an overhaul. Discount cards offer savings and deals for members without the hassle of coupon books or points programs. Read on to learn more about some of the advantages of being a card-carrying discount shopper rather than a coupon-clipper.
More choices are offered by a discount card program. The Max Card, the world's largest discount program, connects members to deals on the local, national and international level. All the big brands offer exclusive deals to Max Card members and a personalized discount card gives members thousands of dollars worth of local savings and access to deals from over 190,000 national retailers.
Greener savings due to less paper waste is a perk that the whole world can benefit from. Over 100 million trees are ground up to produce junk mail-such as coupon books, mailers and flyers-and most of this junk mail ends up tossed in the garbage. In fact, by the year 2010, it is estimated by the Native Forest Organization that 48% of the solid mass in landfills will be taken up by paper and paperboard waste. The Max Card only take up a sliver of space in your wallet.
Pays for itself in savings. The annual membership fee of $54.95 (currently discounted to $39.95) is negligible. With 14 lifestyle categories, over 20,000 discount hotels, discounts on auto repair and car rental and discounts on dining and entertainment, the card can pay for itself in one day of everyday shopping.
Instant savings are available anywhere that accepts The Max Card, anytime. As long as you have The Max Card on hand, you'll be able to get any applicable savings just by showing the card.
Easy on the road savings and discounts are available with The Max Card. Deals are notoriously hard to find when you are away from home. But just like a Visa or Mastercard is accepted worldwide, so too is The Max Card. Thousands of worldwide businesses honor Max Card discounts which can save you the trouble of searching for deals abroad.
Great for businesses looking to build loyal customers. The first place any Max Card member is going to look when they go shopping is the Max Card's online directory. Members will try out a new business or product because of the savings and will come back again and again for the same deals.
Help the Earth and help other people with the Max Card's upcoming fundraising program. Local and national charitable organizations can partner up with Max Card to easily donate portions of proceeds to good causes.
Smart, easy and fun savings from The Max Card make discount shopping more guilt-free and hassle-free than carrying around a coupon book ever could be.
More choices are offered by a discount card program. The Max Card, the world's largest discount program, connects members to deals on the local, national and international level. All the big brands offer exclusive deals to Max Card members and a personalized discount card gives members thousands of dollars worth of local savings and access to deals from over 190,000 national retailers.
Greener savings due to less paper waste is a perk that the whole world can benefit from. Over 100 million trees are ground up to produce junk mail-such as coupon books, mailers and flyers-and most of this junk mail ends up tossed in the garbage. In fact, by the year 2010, it is estimated by the Native Forest Organization that 48% of the solid mass in landfills will be taken up by paper and paperboard waste. The Max Card only take up a sliver of space in your wallet.
Pays for itself in savings. The annual membership fee of $54.95 (currently discounted to $39.95) is negligible. With 14 lifestyle categories, over 20,000 discount hotels, discounts on auto repair and car rental and discounts on dining and entertainment, the card can pay for itself in one day of everyday shopping.
Instant savings are available anywhere that accepts The Max Card, anytime. As long as you have The Max Card on hand, you'll be able to get any applicable savings just by showing the card.
Easy on the road savings and discounts are available with The Max Card. Deals are notoriously hard to find when you are away from home. But just like a Visa or Mastercard is accepted worldwide, so too is The Max Card. Thousands of worldwide businesses honor Max Card discounts which can save you the trouble of searching for deals abroad.
Great for businesses looking to build loyal customers. The first place any Max Card member is going to look when they go shopping is the Max Card's online directory. Members will try out a new business or product because of the savings and will come back again and again for the same deals.
Help the Earth and help other people with the Max Card's upcoming fundraising program. Local and national charitable organizations can partner up with Max Card to easily donate portions of proceeds to good causes.
Smart, easy and fun savings from The Max Card make discount shopping more guilt-free and hassle-free than carrying around a coupon book ever could be.
Coupons on Your Website
In having a website, there are two aspects of marketing to
consider. The first is driving potential customers and clients
to your website. The second, assuming you have a physical
location, is making sure that your website drives those same
people to that actual location. Coupons on your website can help
to accomplish both of those items.
First off, it can drive people to your website. There are
several popular websites out there that let you list your
website's coupons on their site. There are also plenty of
dedicated coupon clippers who check out those very same websites
and look at all the coupons listed. Putting a coupon on your
site and then listing it with those sites is basically
guaranteed website traffic.
Second, if you have a physical location, get those people
through your door! If you sell items online and in a physical
location, you should have coupons available to both locations.
Some sort of online discount, but absolutely take advantage of
the ability to draw people in.
The only thing left to decide is what format to present the
coupon in. The problem you run across is that every file format
will print out a little different on everyone's printers. You
want the coupons to come out looking as similar across different
computers and printers as possible. For that reason, my personal
recommendation is for a PDF file. If you currently don't have
the software for generating PDFs, I advise using PDF995
(http://www.pdf995.com/). It is free and set up just like it's a
printer. Once downloaded and installed, you just print your
file, and select PDF995 as your printer, and it has you tell it
where to save the PDF. Simple as that.
So now you know the why and you know the how. So add a coupon to
your site today!
consider. The first is driving potential customers and clients
to your website. The second, assuming you have a physical
location, is making sure that your website drives those same
people to that actual location. Coupons on your website can help
to accomplish both of those items.
First off, it can drive people to your website. There are
several popular websites out there that let you list your
website's coupons on their site. There are also plenty of
dedicated coupon clippers who check out those very same websites
and look at all the coupons listed. Putting a coupon on your
site and then listing it with those sites is basically
guaranteed website traffic.
Second, if you have a physical location, get those people
through your door! If you sell items online and in a physical
location, you should have coupons available to both locations.
Some sort of online discount, but absolutely take advantage of
the ability to draw people in.
The only thing left to decide is what format to present the
coupon in. The problem you run across is that every file format
will print out a little different on everyone's printers. You
want the coupons to come out looking as similar across different
computers and printers as possible. For that reason, my personal
recommendation is for a PDF file. If you currently don't have
the software for generating PDFs, I advise using PDF995
(http://www.pdf995.com/). It is free and set up just like it's a
printer. Once downloaded and installed, you just print your
file, and select PDF995 as your printer, and it has you tell it
where to save the PDF. Simple as that.
So now you know the why and you know the how. So add a coupon to
your site today!
Google Maps Local Coupons: Get Directions Save money
Thanks to Google, you can now save money while searching for
local businesses or getting directions. Imagine the next
time you're looking for a local store to get an oil change,
and not only will you find store locations and directions,
but a coupon you can print and take with you for a discount
you may not have gotten otherwise.
OK, so online coupons aren't anything new, but here's what is new. In an effort to get more local businesses listed, Google is allowing local businesses to add a coupon to their Google Maps listing for free. Other online directories charge a fee to allow businesses to ad a coupon to their listings.
Since this is free advertising for businesses, you're likely to see more search results in your local listings, and packed with coupons. Just think, even if you already know the location of a certain business, it may be worth it to you to look them up on Google Maps anyway, just to get a coupon.
With gas currently being around $3.00 a gallon, if you can get three dollars off with a coupon, you just saved yourself a gallon of gas for a short trip across town. What if you had several errands to run? Check Google Maps for coupons for each business you need to go to, even if you already know where it is. These coupons could really add up after awhile.
You're not likely to see a whole lot of businesses with coupons right away. It's going to take some time for the word to get out, but if you have a few businesses that you visit frequently it may be worth your while to tell them about the Google Maps service and how they can advertise with a coupon for free.
I personally am not much of a coupon clipper, but believe me, with gas prices being as high as they are, I'll be checking out Google Maps for coupons to offset that cost on a regular basis. No small business is going to turn down free local advertising, and the possibilities are endless. Groceries, pharmaceutical, oil changes, you name it. You can now save on things you use every day!
Daymon Hoag is Founder of Cheapest Service and Author of Lower Your Bills
OK, so online coupons aren't anything new, but here's what is new. In an effort to get more local businesses listed, Google is allowing local businesses to add a coupon to their Google Maps listing for free. Other online directories charge a fee to allow businesses to ad a coupon to their listings.
Since this is free advertising for businesses, you're likely to see more search results in your local listings, and packed with coupons. Just think, even if you already know the location of a certain business, it may be worth it to you to look them up on Google Maps anyway, just to get a coupon.
With gas currently being around $3.00 a gallon, if you can get three dollars off with a coupon, you just saved yourself a gallon of gas for a short trip across town. What if you had several errands to run? Check Google Maps for coupons for each business you need to go to, even if you already know where it is. These coupons could really add up after awhile.
You're not likely to see a whole lot of businesses with coupons right away. It's going to take some time for the word to get out, but if you have a few businesses that you visit frequently it may be worth your while to tell them about the Google Maps service and how they can advertise with a coupon for free.
I personally am not much of a coupon clipper, but believe me, with gas prices being as high as they are, I'll be checking out Google Maps for coupons to offset that cost on a regular basis. No small business is going to turn down free local advertising, and the possibilities are endless. Groceries, pharmaceutical, oil changes, you name it. You can now save on things you use every day!
Daymon Hoag is Founder of Cheapest Service and Author of Lower Your Bills
Non-profit Coupon Books and Coupon Mailers for Small Businesses
Many groups like the Chamber of Commerce, ASB at the local high school, etc. will ask if their members can get a discount if they shop in your store or use your service. Of course, the answer top these groups should be a high-energy YES! They will then make a discount booklet for their members with your company listed, this is excellent and promotes good will for your business.
The more membership booklets and coupon books your small business can be in the better your business will do. Get in all the free ones and any, which distribute to 10,000 or more people for under $50.00 or at least under the ratio of $100.00 per 20,000 units delivered. Watch for scams. Tell them 'you can have one half the payment now and one half when you show me the coupon book,' if you have reason to be suspicious. Make sure the organization is a known name you've heard of or seen around town. We have had only a few problems with these coupon books being scams in the three decades we have been in business. Membership booklets on the other hand as a whole have brought us in countless scores of new clientele. It also has help us maintain our image as community based businesses.
Coupon companies which mail out coupons for a fee are also generally good although every once in a while a no-name company with a fast talking sales man will come in the door so we recommend the same half now and half later deal with them if you are unsure. There are many well-known and established names in the coupon mailer world. Good names to work with include: Valley Shopper; Penny Saver; Value Ads; Coupon Clipper; Money Mailer; Green Sheets; Coupons 'N More of …; Neighborhood Mail Box Values; Val Pak; Coupon Cash Saver; United Coupons; Homesteader; Super Coups.
Wow! Lots of junk mail. Too bad these things work so well! Many businesses send out coupons because they work so well, just make sure when those new customers come in that they are retained as steady customers, you want to make sure above all that the customers fall in love with the great products and great service and not just the discounted coupons coming into their mail boxes.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
The more membership booklets and coupon books your small business can be in the better your business will do. Get in all the free ones and any, which distribute to 10,000 or more people for under $50.00 or at least under the ratio of $100.00 per 20,000 units delivered. Watch for scams. Tell them 'you can have one half the payment now and one half when you show me the coupon book,' if you have reason to be suspicious. Make sure the organization is a known name you've heard of or seen around town. We have had only a few problems with these coupon books being scams in the three decades we have been in business. Membership booklets on the other hand as a whole have brought us in countless scores of new clientele. It also has help us maintain our image as community based businesses.
Coupon companies which mail out coupons for a fee are also generally good although every once in a while a no-name company with a fast talking sales man will come in the door so we recommend the same half now and half later deal with them if you are unsure. There are many well-known and established names in the coupon mailer world. Good names to work with include: Valley Shopper; Penny Saver; Value Ads; Coupon Clipper; Money Mailer; Green Sheets; Coupons 'N More of …; Neighborhood Mail Box Values; Val Pak; Coupon Cash Saver; United Coupons; Homesteader; Super Coups.
Wow! Lots of junk mail. Too bad these things work so well! Many businesses send out coupons because they work so well, just make sure when those new customers come in that they are retained as steady customers, you want to make sure above all that the customers fall in love with the great products and great service and not just the discounted coupons coming into their mail boxes.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Top 3 Tips for Coupon Clippers
Coupon clipping is one of the best ways to save money on your everyday household expenses, groceries, eating out and more. By simply using coupons you can save 50% or even more on things you would normally buy anyway. However, many people do not use coupons to the best advantage. If you team your coupons with BOGO bargains and other deals then you and your pocketbook will reap the rewards. Check out the following tips to learn the insider secrets on effectively using coupons.
1. Organizing Coupons: It is vitally important to organize your coupons in an easy to use format. Find a system that works well for you and stay on top of it. Update your coupons as you get new ones. Put coupons for the same item together and group similar items in the same section. Use a small coupon holder that goes in your purse for quick stops at the store. When you are doing your weekly grocery shopping, you may want to opt for a bigger system, like a small box or a binder with see-through baseball card holders inside to make locating specific coupons a cinch.
2. Team Coupons with BOGO Bargains: Having enough coupons to get you the discounts you should get is very important; but go one step further to get bigger deals. Often BOGO deals combined with 2 coupons will get you the best price imaginable. Occasionally you'll even score some freebies this way. The easy way to do this is to pick up more than 1 newspaper. In fact, you can even check for online listings of how many coupon insets will be in each Sunday's paper. This will help you determine whether or not to get extras. Make sure you use a service that will find and send you the local BOGO sales at no fee, and you'll save time too.
3. Planning: Plan to use your coupons. Don't go grocery shopping without them, because you will inevitably spend more than you need to. Match up weekly sales and BOGO offers to the coupons you have on hand in order to get the best deals possible. By checking online blogs about coupon use you will find match-ups already done for you. Bloggers will provide you with a list of the sales, or at least the best sales, at big stores you regularly shop at. They will also list coupons you can use, when the coupon was distributed if it was an insert, links to printable coupons and other information about where to find coupons to lower the final price you pay.
If you are an organized coupon clipper, with multiple resources for finding and using coupons and one who plans grocery shopping before heading to the stores, you will find that you can save a lot of money on your grocery bill and on the things your family regularly uses. While using coupons wisely takes time, it costs very little (the price of a couple of Sunday papers) and the rewards to your family budget are substantial.
Idea-man and newlywed David Hall started pursuing his latest money saving idea in 2008 when he started http://www.BOGOfetcher.com . The site is intended to be a virtual assistant for folks who want to receive the best BOGO (buy one, get one) bargains without spending hours scouring newspaper fliers and websites. David loves owning a small business and pursues his businesses, and all his passions, with gusto.
1. Organizing Coupons: It is vitally important to organize your coupons in an easy to use format. Find a system that works well for you and stay on top of it. Update your coupons as you get new ones. Put coupons for the same item together and group similar items in the same section. Use a small coupon holder that goes in your purse for quick stops at the store. When you are doing your weekly grocery shopping, you may want to opt for a bigger system, like a small box or a binder with see-through baseball card holders inside to make locating specific coupons a cinch.
2. Team Coupons with BOGO Bargains: Having enough coupons to get you the discounts you should get is very important; but go one step further to get bigger deals. Often BOGO deals combined with 2 coupons will get you the best price imaginable. Occasionally you'll even score some freebies this way. The easy way to do this is to pick up more than 1 newspaper. In fact, you can even check for online listings of how many coupon insets will be in each Sunday's paper. This will help you determine whether or not to get extras. Make sure you use a service that will find and send you the local BOGO sales at no fee, and you'll save time too.
3. Planning: Plan to use your coupons. Don't go grocery shopping without them, because you will inevitably spend more than you need to. Match up weekly sales and BOGO offers to the coupons you have on hand in order to get the best deals possible. By checking online blogs about coupon use you will find match-ups already done for you. Bloggers will provide you with a list of the sales, or at least the best sales, at big stores you regularly shop at. They will also list coupons you can use, when the coupon was distributed if it was an insert, links to printable coupons and other information about where to find coupons to lower the final price you pay.
If you are an organized coupon clipper, with multiple resources for finding and using coupons and one who plans grocery shopping before heading to the stores, you will find that you can save a lot of money on your grocery bill and on the things your family regularly uses. While using coupons wisely takes time, it costs very little (the price of a couple of Sunday papers) and the rewards to your family budget are substantial.
Idea-man and newlywed David Hall started pursuing his latest money saving idea in 2008 when he started http://www.BOGOfetcher.com . The site is intended to be a virtual assistant for folks who want to receive the best BOGO (buy one, get one) bargains without spending hours scouring newspaper fliers and websites. David loves owning a small business and pursues his businesses, and all his passions, with gusto.
Top 3 Tips For Coupon Clippers
Coupon clipping is one of the best ways to save money on your everyday household expenses, groceries, eating out and more. By simply using coupons you can save 50% or even more on things you would normally buy anyway. However, many people do not use coupons to the best advantage. If you team your coupons with BOGO bargains and other deals then you and your pocketbook will reap the rewards. Check out the following tips to learn the insider secrets on effectively using coupons.
1. Organizing Coupons: It is vitally important to organize your coupons in an easy to use format. Find a system that works well for you and stay on top of it. Update your coupons as you get new ones. Put coupons for the same item together and group similar items in the same section. Use a small coupon holder that goes in your purse for quick stops at the store. When you are doing your weekly grocery shopping, you may want to opt for a bigger system, like a small box or a binder with see-through baseball card holders inside to make locating specific coupons a cinch.
2. Team Coupons with BOGO Bargains: Having enough coupons to get you the discounts you should get is very important; but go one step further to get bigger deals. Often BOGO deals combined with 2 coupons will get you the best price imaginable. Occasionally you'll even score some freebies this way. The easy way to do this is to pick up more than 1 newspaper. In fact, you can even check for online listings of how many coupon insets will be in each Sunday's paper. This will help you determine whether or not to get extras. Make sure you use a service that will find and send you the local BOGO sales at no fee, and you'll save time too.
3. Planning: Plan to use your coupons. Don't go grocery shopping without them, because you will inevitably spend more than you need to. Match up weekly sales and BOGO offers to the coupons you have on hand in order to get the best deals possible. By checking online blogs about coupon use you will find match-ups already done for you. Bloggers will provide you with a list of the sales, or at least the best sales, at big stores you regularly shop at. They will also list coupons you can use, when the coupon was distributed if it was an insert, links to printable coupons and other information about where to find coupons to lower the final price you pay.
If you are an organized coupon clipper, with multiple resources for finding and using coupons and one who plans grocery shopping before heading to the stores, you will find that you can save a lot of money on your grocery bill and on the things your family regularly uses. While using coupons wisely takes time, it costs very little (the price of a couple of Sunday papers) and the rewards to your family budget are substantial.
1. Organizing Coupons: It is vitally important to organize your coupons in an easy to use format. Find a system that works well for you and stay on top of it. Update your coupons as you get new ones. Put coupons for the same item together and group similar items in the same section. Use a small coupon holder that goes in your purse for quick stops at the store. When you are doing your weekly grocery shopping, you may want to opt for a bigger system, like a small box or a binder with see-through baseball card holders inside to make locating specific coupons a cinch.
2. Team Coupons with BOGO Bargains: Having enough coupons to get you the discounts you should get is very important; but go one step further to get bigger deals. Often BOGO deals combined with 2 coupons will get you the best price imaginable. Occasionally you'll even score some freebies this way. The easy way to do this is to pick up more than 1 newspaper. In fact, you can even check for online listings of how many coupon insets will be in each Sunday's paper. This will help you determine whether or not to get extras. Make sure you use a service that will find and send you the local BOGO sales at no fee, and you'll save time too.
3. Planning: Plan to use your coupons. Don't go grocery shopping without them, because you will inevitably spend more than you need to. Match up weekly sales and BOGO offers to the coupons you have on hand in order to get the best deals possible. By checking online blogs about coupon use you will find match-ups already done for you. Bloggers will provide you with a list of the sales, or at least the best sales, at big stores you regularly shop at. They will also list coupons you can use, when the coupon was distributed if it was an insert, links to printable coupons and other information about where to find coupons to lower the final price you pay.
If you are an organized coupon clipper, with multiple resources for finding and using coupons and one who plans grocery shopping before heading to the stores, you will find that you can save a lot of money on your grocery bill and on the things your family regularly uses. While using coupons wisely takes time, it costs very little (the price of a couple of Sunday papers) and the rewards to your family budget are substantial.
Idea-man and newlywed David Hall started pursuing his latest great money saving idea in 2008 when he started http://www.BOGOfetcher.com. The site is intended to be a virtual assistant for folks who want to receive the best BOGO (buy one, get one) bargains without spending hours scouring newspaper fliers and websites. David loves owning a small business and pursues his businesses, and all his passions, with gusto.
How the "buxton Bag" Can Help Keep You Organized
Buxton Bags are extremely useful if you need help staying organized. These leather bags are able to hold dozens of items, with an interior pocket that is expandable, as well as a section that unzips to be carried separately. They are readily available, and although the Buxton Bag is a bit pricey, you will find that they are well worth the money - they are even worth purchasing two or three! With Buxton Bags, you can take your organization to the next level. Here are some tips for making the most of your Buxton Bag:
Tip #1: Have "extras" just for your purse.
The Buxton Bag has pockets for just about anything you might want to carry. However, that does not help you if you forget to put the items in there in the first places. Instead of transferring things you want to carry from purse to purse, keep an extra set of items in the Buxton Bag all the time. You might want to consider purchasing items like Chapstick, a nail clipper, a small mirror, and other small items just for your Buxton Bag. Take stock of the items you traditionally place in your purse and buy extra. This will allow you to always have the needed items available without the need switch between the Buxton Bag and your purse.
Tip #2: Organize your Buxton Bag once a month.
Even though the many pockets of the Buxton Bag make it easy to stay organized, it is still easy to collect trash, stick things in the wrong pockets, and otherwise become disorganized. Once a month (or more often) dump out every pocket of your Buxton Bag and reorganize it all, making sure to throw away any garbage you may have accumulated. As you are organizing, you might also want to reevaluate the things you are carrying. Although your Buxton Bag is big enough to carry just about anything you may need, there is no reason to make your life more complicated than it needs to be. Instead, if you do not use certain items, try to stop carrying them altogether.
Tip #3: Use your free digital message reminder to stay organized.
With every Buxton Bag, you get a free bonus digital message reminder. This tiny voice recorder is great for leaving yourself a reminder. That way, you will be able to stay organized, even if you are very busy. The digital message reminder is small enough to take with you almost anywhere, so you should make sure that it is always in your Buxton Bag. At the end of each day, listen to the messages you have left yourself and write them down. This may take some getting used to, but at the end of the day, you can save time and avoid forgetting your most important tasks. This little item can really be a life saver and help you to avoid stress!
Tip #4: Purchase more than one Buxton Bag.
The Buxton Bag comes in four different colors - black, red, blue, and tan. In order to stay organized all of the time, consider ordering more than one color. That way, you can have a bag for every outfit. If you do not want to purchase all four colors, at least consider purchasing both black and tan - one of those two colors should match with every outfit you own. If it is too pricey to purchase all of them at once, consider purchasing one basic bag today and saving up money to purchase another in a few months.
Tip #5: Have a place for everything.
The most important aspect of staying organized with the Buxton Bag is not getting overwhelmed by the sheer number of pockets and pouches. Instead of placing things into your bag randomly, keep everything in its place. For example, have a specific pocket for your coupons and a specific pouch for your cell phone. This serves two purposes. First, having a pocket for everything means that you can take less time to pack up your bag when you leave the house. However, more importantly, if you have a specific pocket for everything, it will take you less time to find items when you are out and about.
Remember, the Buxton Bag is a great addition to your accessories and a great way to keep items where you can find them easily. There is enough room in the bag to carry almost anything you might need in your daily life, including a water bottle or an umbrella. This is really the best bag for staying organized while constantly on the go.
Tip #1: Have "extras" just for your purse.
The Buxton Bag has pockets for just about anything you might want to carry. However, that does not help you if you forget to put the items in there in the first places. Instead of transferring things you want to carry from purse to purse, keep an extra set of items in the Buxton Bag all the time. You might want to consider purchasing items like Chapstick, a nail clipper, a small mirror, and other small items just for your Buxton Bag. Take stock of the items you traditionally place in your purse and buy extra. This will allow you to always have the needed items available without the need switch between the Buxton Bag and your purse.
Tip #2: Organize your Buxton Bag once a month.
Even though the many pockets of the Buxton Bag make it easy to stay organized, it is still easy to collect trash, stick things in the wrong pockets, and otherwise become disorganized. Once a month (or more often) dump out every pocket of your Buxton Bag and reorganize it all, making sure to throw away any garbage you may have accumulated. As you are organizing, you might also want to reevaluate the things you are carrying. Although your Buxton Bag is big enough to carry just about anything you may need, there is no reason to make your life more complicated than it needs to be. Instead, if you do not use certain items, try to stop carrying them altogether.
Tip #3: Use your free digital message reminder to stay organized.
With every Buxton Bag, you get a free bonus digital message reminder. This tiny voice recorder is great for leaving yourself a reminder. That way, you will be able to stay organized, even if you are very busy. The digital message reminder is small enough to take with you almost anywhere, so you should make sure that it is always in your Buxton Bag. At the end of each day, listen to the messages you have left yourself and write them down. This may take some getting used to, but at the end of the day, you can save time and avoid forgetting your most important tasks. This little item can really be a life saver and help you to avoid stress!
Tip #4: Purchase more than one Buxton Bag.
The Buxton Bag comes in four different colors - black, red, blue, and tan. In order to stay organized all of the time, consider ordering more than one color. That way, you can have a bag for every outfit. If you do not want to purchase all four colors, at least consider purchasing both black and tan - one of those two colors should match with every outfit you own. If it is too pricey to purchase all of them at once, consider purchasing one basic bag today and saving up money to purchase another in a few months.
Tip #5: Have a place for everything.
The most important aspect of staying organized with the Buxton Bag is not getting overwhelmed by the sheer number of pockets and pouches. Instead of placing things into your bag randomly, keep everything in its place. For example, have a specific pocket for your coupons and a specific pouch for your cell phone. This serves two purposes. First, having a pocket for everything means that you can take less time to pack up your bag when you leave the house. However, more importantly, if you have a specific pocket for everything, it will take you less time to find items when you are out and about.
Remember, the Buxton Bag is a great addition to your accessories and a great way to keep items where you can find them easily. There is enough room in the bag to carry almost anything you might need in your daily life, including a water bottle or an umbrella. This is really the best bag for staying organized while constantly on the go.
Give Your Dog A Good Pampering
For some, having a pet is not enough. Pampering their pets is what makes it really interesting because they consider their pets as their best friend. The pooch, the puppy or the dog, considered as man's best friend is perhaps the most common pet. Having a pet is enormously rewarding, it enriches your physical, emotional and mental health. There are various studies to prove and account for those benefits. A few of these are discussed below:
Pets have been proven to encourage social interaction, physical exercise and good tides. Social interaction enhances your interpersonal skills. It creates a social contact for common interests, new ideas and opinions. Meeting other people with common interests such as pets is one of the many rewarding consequences.
Because most pets like dogs who love to walk around, pet owners have this demand and can also benefit from the daily walking. Exercise offers tremendous amount of health benefits that can take care of the person's over-all well-being.
Good tides..everyone needs a good laughter. Pets are so good at this. They can learn easily, they communicate creatively and demonstrate tricks playfully.
While they give us so much laughter so we can enjoy a good one, pampering your dog is a small thing that you could give back that won't cost too much on your part. Find how cute they can look with fancy clothes and accessories and discover the new artist in you.
Did you know that your dog's costumes can be very flexible. You can dress them up as a dinosaur, horse, cat or as wacky as they could get. They can look refreshed, scooped up or spooky.
You can dress them up with raincoats, capes, hats, jackets, shirts and sweaters. They can also look funny but cuddly in a pirate, pumpkin, scare crow's costumes. They can appear as sophisticated, simple or classy.
You can also lay them on coil spring beds, bed buddies, carpeted beds or the typical pet beds. They too deserve a good rest after a hard day's work. Certainly, you're smiling with this idea.
To take care of their grooming, try a shampoo that will suit them, otherwise, bath wipes may be applicable for the feverish one. Conditioners will also be best for the extra freshening they need. While doing so, you may need dog's hair brushes that are soft as well.
Keep their nails trim with the use of a nail clipper set and put on a freshening spray on them. Ultimately, when they are ready for the outside world, a generous spray of cologne will help them feel and smell good.
You may have the best intentions for your dog. Cleaning and freshening them up are good ways you can improve their physical condition. It is understandable you just want to pamper them but the use of the mentioned chemicals may require a word of advice from a licensed veterinarian. Do not hesitate to ask your pet's vet before you apply anything that you may just regret. Be well informed!
Taking Care of Your Pet With the Help of Online Pet Pharmacies
Pets get sick just like humans and are expected to take medicines to heal and get better. Online pet pharmacies offer pet owners the option of ordering any type of medicine recommended by a veterinarian and the pet owner will know that it will arrive at the residence within 24-hours. This type of pet service allows pet owners to care for their pets year-round, and receive discounted prices on the medications that they purchase for their favorite dog or cat.
Non-prescription medications can be purchased at online pet pharmacies too. Pets will often suffer from fleas and ticks, and some flea powders are sold through online pharmacies that will make these irritating pests less noticeable and some medications will create barriers to keep parasites away. Pet flea problems can affect the welfare and happiness of every family because they make their homes in bedding and carpeting and reproduce rapidly throughout many parts of the house.
These pet pharmacies keep non-prescription medications in stock that will alleviate ear mites in dogs and cats. Pet owners can save money when they shop at online pharmacies for these pet products because the mark-up taken by an online retailer is less than the prices placed on pet products found in a land-based pet store. Online pharmacies provide personal care products for pets because pets need to be groomed on a daily basis, just as human counterparts will. Pet brush sets will often include nail clippers because pets nails grow rapidly too.
Pet owners can receive deep discounts on pet products that protect a pet's health year round. The most common non-prescription drug ordered through pet pharmacies are those that treat heartworms. Heartworm medications are available in capsules that are dispensed on a monthly basis to pets. Pet owners can order these vital medications online from these pharmacies and ensure that the pet has protection against heartworms in their bodies year round.
Some pet pharmacies keep other grooming products in stock that will keep a pets coat sleek and shiny. Non-prescription vitamins can be purchased online at pharmacies for prices that are far lower than those sold by veterinarians or in a pet store in town. These vitamins are available in pill or liquid forms and are simple to administer to pets when they are fed each day. Some water-soluble vitamins can be added to the pets water dish and consumed throughout the day. This is a convenient way to ensure that the pet has a full and satisfying diet plan.
Some dogs will benefit from pet pharmacies if they suffer from chronic musculosketal disorders. This ailment is common in large breeds of dogs and affects the soft tissues around joints. Medications to treat this animal disorder will help give a dog pain relief while reducing the amount of inflammation that occurs around the joints throughout the skeletal system. These pharmacies keep medications on hand to reduce swelling, and some are steroid based and a prescription is needed before it can be dispensed by the online pet pharmacies.
Top 10 Mistakes in Purchasing a New Roof
Top 10 Mistakes in Purchasing a New Roof
1. Shopping price only.
The price of a roofing repair or install will vary depending on the size and location of your home. If you shop around for prices and notice that a company is well below the average, there may be a reason why. Cost alone will not determine quality. Professionalism and quality workmanship should also weigh heavily on your decision.
What is the total price of the job? Does this include sales tax? When are the payments due? Does the price include removal of the old roof? Any hidden costs?
Some smaller roofing companies may require a small deposit at the start of work. Most of the contracted amount should only be due after all of the work is completed in a satisfactory manor. Do not issue full payment for the job until all work has been completed. Lengthy projects may require progress payments, be sure the amount does not exceed the value of the work performed.
* Check the insurance of every company doing work at your home. A company should carry both workers' compensation and liability insurance. Because of the dangers inherent in working on the roof, workers' compensation and liability insurance are a significant cost to a roofing company. Since the cost of the insurance is high, some companies do not carry it. This practice is a shortcut some companies take to underbid the competition.
2. Basing your buying decision on the quickest to respond or because a company can "start right away".
A company that is too quick to respond may not have enough business. (Why?)
Things to consider:
- How long has this company been in business? You want to make sure that this company will still be around in case you have problems with your roof.
- Number of years of roofing experience for installers?
- Safety record?
- Make sure the company is licensed, bonded and insured in your area. (get license number)
- Insurance? Don't hesitate to ask the roofing contractor for proof of insurance. In fact, insist on seeing copies of his liability coverage and worker's compensation certificates. Be sure the coverage runs through the duration of the job.
- Does the company offer references of past work? Obtain customer references and check them. Ask about the company's stability, reputation, record on completing jobs on time and quality of work performed.
- Check out all companies with your local Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org)
- Do they offer a maintenance program?
- Make sure you get a contract. Insist on a written proposal and examine it for complete descriptions of the work and specifications, including tasks the roofer will perform, types of materials, financial arrangements, and guarantees.
3. Getting a discount for signing the contract "tonight" or other high-pressure sales tactics.
This forces the homeowner to make a quick decision, so as not to miss the "unbeatable price." No matter how good the price may seem, do not buy a roof from a company that asks you to make a decision before you are ready. Granted, recent hurricanes have caused uncertainty in building materials availability and pricing, however a reputable company will have relationships and access to quality products for 2 or more weeks from the time they provide you with a quote. There is an outside chance that a contractor may have a "sudden" opening in their work schedule and offer an incentive to keep their crews working, however the more reputable companies do not have a significant amount of discount or wiggle room in their cost. If they offer more than a 10% discount, one might question their margins in the first place. Additionally, some companies will more heavily incent their salespeople to get a contract signed the same day. The quicker the sale, the higher the commission. The bottom line is, take your time when making any large purchase, such as a new roof. Do your homework, talk to references, and sign when you are comfortable that you've made the right choice.
4. Signing the deal because you like the sales person (or not signing it because you don't).
Although you may feel a certain comfort level with a sales person, it should not be your sole reason for making a purchase. A truly good sales person will know their products and the overall installation process very well, which should give you a level of confidence. However, the sales person is not the one who will be doing the roof repair or installation. Find out who will, and their experience. Ask for references and ask to see examples of similar installations. Be weary of a sales person who cannot provide real references from CURRENT customers.
5. A deal too good to be true probably is – check:
- Quality of the materials? Have your contractor list the roofing manufacturers with which his firm has licensed or approved applicator agreements. Most materials require special application expertise in order to achieve a quality roof system that will last. Quality materials will be backed by a manufacturers warranty as well.
- What is the warranty? Both quality materials AND quality workmanship/installation should come with their own warranties. Ask what warranties are available for both.
- Hidden costs? In addition to the cost of labor and materials, ask if there are any hidden additional costs, such as old roof removal, dumpster rental, heavy equipment rental (e.g. a crane to lift heavy materials such as slate onto a high rooftop), and plywood replacement (for unknown/hidden rotten wood beneath old shingles).
- References? A reputable company will be able to provide recent references in the general vicinity of your home, or for an installation similar to yours. Get the reference and actually make the call!
6. Purchasing the roof based on warranty alone.
The length of a roofing warranty should not be the primary criterion in the selection of a roofing product or system. The warranty does not necessarily provide assurance of satisfactory roofing performance. (source: nrca.net)
Make sure that the warranty covers all materials and workmanship. Some roof warranties require you to have at least semi-annual maintenance inspections. Look for manufacturers' warranties that provide full coverage for labor and materials.
According to a consumer advisory bulletin by the NRCA, consumers are wise to look for manufacturers who clearly and specifically state in accompanying literature and warranty verbiage what maintenance is not only recommended but also required during the projected service life of the roof and its warranty term.
There is a common misconception by roofing consumers that long-term warranties are all-inclusive insurance policies designed to cover virtually any roofing problem, regardless of the cause or circumstance. Roof warranties typically do not warrant that the roof system will not leak or is suitable for the project where it is installed. Even the most comprehensive manufacturer warranties that cover material and workmanship generally provide only that the manufacturer will repair leaks that result from specific causes enumerated in the warranty. A material-only warranty typically provides only that the manufacturer will provide replacement material. (source: nrca.net)
You can compare manufacturers' warranties with the roofing materials guides published annually by the NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association).
7. Using contractors with no office staff.
There is no shortage of contractors running one or two-man shops in any town. While they may be fine for smaller jobs, when you are making a large home improvement investment, beware of any contractor who you cannot get in touch with during normal business hours. A reputable company will have an office staff available to answer any scheduling, materials or billing questions you may have. If you call a contractor and consistently get an answering machine, know what you may be getting yourself into. If you have difficulty reaching them when you are going through the estimating process, where will they be if you have a problem?
8. Mistaking advertising for quality.
Look in any value-pack mailer, coupon clipper magazine or even radio and television and you'll see and hear many companies in your area vying for your business. While it may be impressive that they have the means to advertise in high-priced media, do not mistake advertising for quality. There is nothing wrong with finding a company through the media, but do as you would with any major purchase – do your homework. Compare pricing, check references, and check workmanship. A reputable contractor will provide you with access to all of the information you need to make an informed decision.
9. Having a friend do the work.
Having a friend -- one that is not a licensed roofing contractor working for a reputable roofing company –is wrought with uncertainty. Even if this person is "handy", have they ever installed a roofing system? Do they know what areas of a roof are most vulnerable and why? Do they know how to properly ventilate the roof? No to mention, any work done by an unlicensed contractor will not include a warranty. The cost of roofing repairs may be high and you don't want to commit to such a major investment without a warranty.
10. Doing the work yourself.
Big box retailers will tell you that you can do it (and they can help!), but beware! Roofing in particular is tricky business. There are obvious safety issues, as well as structural installation issues that should only be performed by a licensed professional. Professional roofing contractors are trained to safely and efficiently repair or replace a roof. Novices can harm a roof with improper roofing techniques and severely injure themselves by falling off or even through a roof in need of repair of replacement. Homeowner maintenance should be confined to roof inspections in both the fall and spring to check for cracked or curling shingles, and to cleaning rain gutters filled with dead leaves and other debris. If you must see the roof for yourself, use a firmly braced or tied-off ladder equipped with rubber safety feet. Wear rubber-soled shoes and stay on the ladder (and off the roof) if possible.
Investment, Banking & Real Estate Editors
Eurodollars Flow into the U.S. Through Triple Net Lease Investments
Germans becoming "landlords" for U.S. firms through passive real estate investments.
Bay Harbor Islands, FLORIDA (October 18,2007) –Triple-Net (NNN) investment opportunities in U.S. markets are attracting the attention -- and funds -- of German banks, REITs and investors, reports Horn Capital Realty, Inc. of Bay Harbor Islands, Florida.
"These conservative types of passive real estate investment can be more rewarding than typical real estate ownership because they require virtually no management," says Jonathan S. Horn, President, who has personally handled over $500 million in triple netlease sales, sale-leaseback financing, build-to-suit development and debt and equity placements throughout the United States.
"The rate of return and benefits from investing in a triple net (NNN) investment can be greater than your typical real estate investment, without taking into consideration any tax issues," said Horn. His firm has dealt with such large national tenants as Blockbuster Entertainment, Eckerd Drug, Kmart, Home Depot, Wild Oats markets, Taco Bell, Wal-Mart and Walgreen Drug Stores.
A triple net lease (NNN) transactions is typically described as a free-standing facility occupied by a single-tenant on a long-term triple-net lease. A NNN can be described as a bond-like investment encompassed by real estate. A NNN can be structured in three ways:
1. Sale-leaseback financing is structured through the sale of a property owned by a tenant who sells it to an investment group and leases it back on a long-term lease.
2. The sale of an existing NNN property leased to a tenant owned by a third party investor.
3. Build-to-Suit. A developer enters into a long-term agreement with a corporate tenant and then sells the transaction upon completion of the development or before.
A triple-net lease is typically between 10 to 25 years. The tenant pays a negotiated annual rent equal to 6% to 10% of the contracted sale price. Most often that rate is credit-driven. In other words, tenants with investment grade ratings pay a lower rate because they are perceived as less risky, while non-investment grade tenants typically pay a considerably higher rate. This is similar to corporate bonds.
A triple-net lease property frees the investor/landlord from any property responsibility. The tenant agrees to pay all costs associated with the property use and occupancy, including real estate taxes, insurance, improvements, on-site property management and maintenance.
Page 2 – NNN Investments
As an example, Horn is currently negotiating a sale-leaseback transaction between a group of German investors and a U.S. retailer, offering 6 single-tenant properties valued at $5 million US each, or $30 million US total. Since the company has earned a high credit rating, the investors have agreed to a flat rental payment of 6.4% for the entire lease term, which equates to a predictable return of $1,920,000 US annually to the investors. With a NNN lease, the U.S. retailer will be responsible for all expenses, including taxes, insurance, management, general and structural repairs, maintenance and improvements.
National Real Estate Investor, a leading U.S. trade press magazine has reported, "The sale-leaseback industry has restructured the ownership of trillions of dollars worth of the nation's (U.S.) corporate real estate assets, and the trend seems to be continuing." Another respected publication, Institutional Investor, stated: "The triple-net lease offers a long-term lease with the guarantee of steady cash flow and practically no risk."
Primary Investor Benefits
"The investor, whether it be a bank, a trust, a real estate investment trust (REIT) or an individual, earns an 6% to 10% yield on the annual lease and usually benefits from a conservative 2% to 5% annual (compounded) appreciation on the property's value. Due to the annual depreciation allowance on the building, an equal portion of the annual yield also is sheltered from Federal income taxes," Horn explained.
"For overseas investors, there is the security of both the tenant and the real estate, and there is minimal risk with investment grade tenants, as well as an opportunity for even higher annual cash returns from below investment grade tenants." he added. "The investor owns the
property with zero on-site management responsibilities while enjoying an annual high interest cash return on a passive investment. These are bond-type investments with excellent 'coupon clipper'-type of returns."
Triple Net Lease transactions generally require a long-term investment of $2 million US to $100 million US or more. Such investments are available for all types of existing or build-to-
Page 3 – Sale/Leaseback & NNN Investments
suit real estate, including service centers, fast food establishments, industrial and health care facilities, office and educational buildings, distribution warehouses and retail stores.
At any time, the investor/landlord can cash-out, often with a profit, by selling the property. When the lease term expires, the investor has numerous options: a) Hold the property,; b) allow it to further appreciate in market value; c) lease it again at a higher rate to the original tenant or a new tenant., or d) sell it to a developer to be renovated for a higher use.
Horn Capital Realty, known as one of the most experienced, efficient and cost-effective facilitators, specifically focuses on sale-leaseback financing and NNN transactions. The company is currently working with several very large American firms seeking financing for their properties.
For more information about triple net lease or for more related subjects about NNN please review this webpage http://www.triplenetleasefor1031.com
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