Category Business Principles

The biggest brand names did not get to where they are without working hard to promote their services. If you are a new business owner, one of the more important things you should consider is how to tell people about your firm. You may not have the budget that big organizations have, but it should not stop you from finding ways to growing your brand. The solution? Find advertising merchandise that give you much exposure without hurting your checkbook.

Highlighters, dry markers, and erasers are standard office supplies that are used frequently. Stamped with your logo, these promotional items are a sure way to get people to notice your brand.

By impressing the barrel of a highlighter with the URL of your corporate Website or blog, you can drive traffic and build up an online readership base. Brick-and-mortar brands can add their hotline in large print and bring in more prospects. Those who do not go online frequently can simply pick up the phone and call for inquiries.

These writing instruments are also inexpensive unlike other complimentary gifts like T-shirts or bags. One-color highlighters and markers start below fifty cents and can even go cheaper when you buy in bulk. Multicolor highlighters can be secured for at least seventy-five cents, with some marker-and-pen combos going slightly more than a dollar.

Custom-printed highlighters and dry markers are also fitting complimentary gifts for back-to-school promos as well as marketing projects that aim to build up your brand with students, office workers, and teachers. At trade shows and conferences, you can use them as a handout to entice people to give you their business cards or sign up for your newsletter.

With so many models of highlighters, dry markers, and erasers available online, one can easily be overwhelmed, but start small and see how response goes. You can be sure that this little investment will go a long way for your firm.

Network Marketers often ask “Whats Deductible and whats notin a Multi-Level marketing business?”

Having a Multi Level Marketing business is what I call the “#1 tax shelter for the little guy”. Whether you work the business part-time, or are a full-time networker, once you start your own business, you can take advantage of many deductions available only to business owners. You can deduct a portion of your cell phone, vehicle, household and other expenses that you would not otherwise be able to write-off your tax bill if you were not in network marketing.

The federal and state tax codes are full of deductions for businesses, and you are entitled to take them whether you work your business from home or from a fancy outside office. In effect, you are sharing expenses with Uncle Samand your state governor as well.

Before we begin, it pays for you to know, in general, how businesses are taxed. Big picture-wise, the government taxes a businesss profit or net incomeso the less you end up with after expenses, the less taxes you pay. What that means to you is this: youre not taxed on gross receipts or your top-line income. Your tax liability is based on your bottom line, or whats left after deducting expenses. So the more you can deduct from you top line income, the better!

The tricky part is this: some expenses are deductible this year, but other expenses must be spread out over several years. For example, you might be able to write off 100% of the cost of new computers and furniture this year (per IRS Code Section 179). But if you dont have a lot of income, a wise strategy might be to defer some of that deductible expense to future years (depreciation expense). Start up costs can also be tricky: you can a portion this year if its the first year of your MLM business, but youll have to spread the rest (“amortize”) over the next several years.

That being said, here is a partial list of deductible expenses. Many of these are overlooked by Network Marketing business owners:

Accounting and Legal FeesAdvertising / Website
Auto and Truck Bank Charges
Computer ExpenseDues and Subscriptions
Education and TrainingEquipment and Furniture
GiftsHome Office Expense
InsuranceInventory
Licenses and PermitsMeals and Entertainment
Postage and DeliveryPrinting
Rent (“room dues”)Repairs
Retirement SavingsStart Up Costs
Supplies and MaterialsTaxes
TelephoneTravel
Uniform Expense

IRS Publication 463 “Travel, Entertainment, Gift and Car Expenses” is a must-read if you are doing your own tax preparation. It definitely pays to know the (IRS) code rather than assuming something is deductible when it comes to these areas.

Consider hiring a tax professional to prepare your tax return. Youll usually save far more in taxes than youll spend in his or her fees. Tax accountants know the rules, prepare hundreds of returns each year, can lower your tax bill, and help you avoid mistakes that might otherwise lead to an IRS audit.

Dedicated to multiplying your after-tax income,
Jim Flauaus

If you look around all over the internet, there has been really a lot of hype around the Max International business in the last year or so. However, is all the buzz and hype with it and MaxGXL really worth it and is this a legitimate opportunity or just a scam?

OK, so starting at the beginning, what is the Max International Business all about and

All of which sounds excellent, but lets take a closer look at the Max International product line and what they specifically sell. The main product is MaxGXL and that contains glutathione, which aides and improves energy levels, detoxifies your body, and boosts your natural immune system.

Now, take a look at the Max International compensation plan. Overall, it has nine key tiers of payout, to include: retail profits, preferred customer commissions, FastTrack commissions, team commissions, 7 level matching bonus, bonuses for ranks advancement, a global bonus pool, and a bonus car program. Overall, at the core though, it really looks like a pretty normal network marketing opportunity pay plan.

Is Max International really just a scam? No, not at all. It seems to be an up and coming company with a very distinct product line and a good payout plan for its distributors.

But, as is the case with any MLM opportunity, the real deal for the Max International business will be the marketing that its distributors do. That really is the way things become successful, even if they have the latest and greatest products and the best compensation plan.

If you are a Max International business builder, I highly suggest you learn how to effectively market either the business or product in order to be really successful. Learn something like pay per click marketing, electronic magazine ads, or video marketing. This is what creates prospects, leads and downlines.

If you would like to learn more about building your Max International business, read below and click on the link for more information.

According to “Fortune Magazine,” the third most admired company in world is Berkshire Hathaway. When we think of Berkshire Hathaway we think of its head one of the wealthiest man in the world Warren Buffett. What business principles we learn from Warren Buffett? What is his magic?

Strategic Approach

Warren is one of the best investors in the world. His approach is simple. He does not buy stocks as much as he buys businesses. He focuses on a companys value, its stock price and its risks. He looks for companies with strong brands, simple business models, a good return on equity with a lot of debt.

If the price of a firm is less than its value, Warren is interested. In doing his homework, he studies the firms competition, ignores what analysts have to say, and pays little attention to fluctuating market trends. In fact when the market is down, he believes that may the best time to buy.

Jim Collins’ Lens

Let’s start by looking at Warren from a perspective of what Jim Collins teaches in his seminal book “Good to Great.” The book was the result of Jim’s research, where he led a team in a five-year study in which they “scoured a list of 1,435 established companies to find every extraordinary case that made a leap from average results to great results.”

Jim describes the best leaders of the companies that became great as “level 5″leaders. They are ones who built “enduring greatness through a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will.” A level 5 leader is first and foremost ambitious for the cause.

Humble Style

Warrens humble style is refreshing. He has simple tastes. He doesnt wear expensive suites. He lives in the same home he bought in 1958. And, he drives his own car. Warren also is famous for how he makes fun of himself. One of his one-liners is, “I buy expensive suits. They just look cheap on me.”

Professional Will

Warren is driven as demonstrated by his almost incomprehensible wealth. Warren looks not only for businesses that are a good deal, but he looks for leaderships who have long tenures of success in their business and who are deeply passionate for the business.

Back to Jim Collins – the Hedgehog Concept

Jim’s team came to simple but powerful conclusions. One important point they make is referred to as the “hedgehog” concept. A key to greatness is finding the intersection, referred to as the sweet spot, between your talent, passion,and economic opportunity.

When we look at Warren from the “hedgehog” framework, we find simple insights:

Passion: What are you deeply passion about?

Talent: What you can be the best in the world?

“I was wired at birth to allocate capital and lucky enough to have people around me early on-my parents and teachers and Susie [his late wife]-who helped me make the most of it,” Buffett told Carol Loomis of Fortune magazine in the June 25 issue.

Economics: What drives your economic engine?

Finding great companies and leaders and investing for the long-haul.

Warren found his passion and talent in life and focused. He became one of the most successful and richest investor in history.

In recent times there has been a sudden increase in the number of home-based business opportunities. In fact, nearly 50% of all small business owners work from home. According to a study, the home business industry is expanding and the revenue generated from this industry will increase by 17% yearly through the year 2008. Growth by such leaps and bounds has seen its share of scamsters along the way, claiming lots of unsuspecting victims. They succeed by typically playing on the inexperience and gullibility of wanna-be entrepreneurs, and roping them into participating in dubious ventures. If youre planning to start one, and have to choose between several proposals, first of all make sure that all the ideas are for a legitimate home based business.

To begin with, you might have trouble looking for the right business option but nevertheless, exercising few precautions can go a long way in making sure you choose the best program. So, how do you find a legitimate home based business in an ocean of fraudulent schemes?

Before you rush into something that might burn your fingers, take time to evaluate the business ideas. Some safety measures are:

Look for established businesses: Look for tried and tested business ideas that have been successful over a period of time. See if theres a good buzz around the business, or better still, try to talk to others who have a stake in it. If the business has been around for a bit, chances are that it is a genuine opportunity.

Keep a cut-off date for success: Sometimes, a proposal which might seem like a legitimate home based business on the surface may actually be a smokescreen for something more sinister. If youre already into it, but havent seen any returns so far, theres not much point pouring good money after bad. Most businesses that have a leg to stand on turn in a profit within a couple of years. Its wise to work to a deadline for success, failing which opt out of the business.

Get real: While consider competing offers, remember that the other parties will glorify their programs, so do remember to discount the hype. For example, a home business that promises you millions of dollars in next to no time is likely to be a get-rich-quick chimera. A legitimate home based business proposal will not offer implausible guarantees.

Check for reliability: Check the credibility of the business before you buy-in. Organizations like the Better Business Bureau can help you check a companys pedigree. Ask whether the business enjoys a good reputation among existing and prior members. Interact with customers or vendors to get some true feedback.

Try it out: A great way to suss out a legitimate home based business is to try out the product or service that is being offered. If the product is delivered as promised, and works satisfactorily, youre probably onto a good thing. If its one of those businesses where youre asked to send a check of $20 in the mail, and thats the last you hear of it, thank your lucky stars that you got away easily!