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Showing posts from November, 2014

HBR Creating Business Plans (20-Minute Manager Series)

Marketing Plan for Your Business

Marketing Plan for Your Business Extremely integral to a good business plan is a solid marketing component. Here you’ll want to forecast for potential investors the many ways in which you believe you have a good chance of succeeding as a business in the marketplace. If you’re opening a coffee shop, you’ll want to explain just how you are going to handle the challenge of competing against larger chains, and just why the location you’ve chosen to set up your store is going to be ideal to attract a regular flow of customers. For example, when you are asked why you are opening a coffee shop in front of an old folks home, come up with the answer that you’ll have a steady base of regulars. If you are wondering how you are going to market and advertise your company, explain in your business plan just why you think printing the name of your company on the paper sleeve that insulates the coffee cups will be a good solution. Better yet, explain why the name of your company and its l

Starting a Home Business

Many of us dream of working from home, setting our own hours and being our own bosses. Often times we see  advertisements  online and in print media, claiming thousands of dollars per week for stay-at-home jobs. These, of course, are scams which want you to order some fairly redundant, freely available information for a hefty price. Real home businesses start small with realistic profit expectations. They often fail, but with the proper discipline and acumen, they can succeed. After all, Steve Jobs started Apple ( AAPL ) as a home business out of his parent’s garage. People often consider home businesses for a variety of reasons. Common ones include: Supplementary, side income to a primary job for a spouse Inability to leave the home (injury, pregnancy, etc.) Desire to become an  entrepreneur Having a marketable idea, and enough free cash flow to explore it read complete story @  Starting a Home Business

Apple's iPad Air 2 Is Best for Work, Not for Play

When modern tablet computers first arrived to market, many people thought they would be primarily used to consume, rather than create, content. And who could argue? Without a keyboard or mouse, and only a stubby finger to flick, creation seemed like it would be troublesome at best. My, how things change. My Apple iPad has quickly become an indispensable tool for work. For the last two years I’ve worked from an iPad on a daily basis. I often tout it as my favorite computer even when I’m asked to compare it to my iMac, a full-fledged desktop, or MacBook Air, a featherweight laptop. The iPad’s portability, day-long battery life, and built-in cellular connection—not to mention the broad selection of apps—only help. As the winter holiday season approaches each year, I find myself more excited for Apple’s iPad event than I am for its iPhone event, which typically precedes it. This year was no different: right on schedule in October, Apple introduced an updated iPad lineup. The impr