Showing posts with label Finance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Finance. Show all posts

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Some Lucrative Small Businesses

Some Lucrative Small Businesses


Small business is now called the business of the future. The growth in small businesses has been phenomenal in recent times, and this change has been brought about by the fast changing economic and technological landscape. Though there are many small business opportunities ideas available, it is very important to know which are the most lucrative small businesses and select one as per your niche. Starting a small business, though very exiting, is not an easy task. There might be various factors holding you back like limited business ideas, fear of failure, and lack of capital.


Certainly, finance is the most important factor that needs to be focused on while starting a business. There are various types of small business loans available, as well as government grants to start small businesses. The key things involved in starting any business is research and planning. A business plan would give an idea about the manpower, tools, infrastructure, advisors, finance and the time and commitment required to make it profitable. Also, it is important to decide whether the business structure would be a sole proprietorship, partnership, franchise or a limited liability company.

Five Most Lucrative Small Businesses

So, what are the most lucrative small businesses to start? Forbes has recently released a list of the most profitable small businesses. So on basis of Forbes' wide market research and compilation, these are the five most lucrative small businesses to start. A list that would give small business opportunities ideas for those wanting to start a profitable business, but are unaware of the current trend and future business predictions.

1. Accounting Services
This tops the list of the most lucrative small businesses to start. Every business needs to keep a track of their finances, including budgets, tax returns, billing, bookkeeping, payrolls, etc. Though there are several accounting software available, an accountant also plays the role of an advisor. Many big companies hire big names like Ernst & Young, Deloitte & Touche for their accounting, but most small firms prefer or can afford just solo accounting professionals or small firms. A part time accountant for small firms just dedicates about 7-8 hours a month, for each client, earning an average $300 per month. The advantage of starting this business, if one has the necessary knowledge or manpower of experienced accountants, is the continuous demand.

2. Legal Services
The second in the list of most lucrative businesses to start, is the legal services. There are four choices available in this business. If one has a professional degree in law, then practicing in the chosen field as a lawyer is the first available option. One needs to open a legal service company before taking up any cases. The second option is to represent a large organization on legal matters. For this, one needs to open a legal service firm and hire a few lawyers. Legal services for legal document writing and editing services is also a very profitable business. Lastly, one has the option of opening online legal service business. The quality of service provided is the major factor in this business, as people and firms would continue to require legal and paralegal services for various reasons.

3. Dental Services
This ranks third among the most profitable small businesses to start, but needs intricate planning and dedication. One has the choice of either starting as a dentist, forming a dentists' association or supplying dental equipment. Every person needs many types of dental treatments throughout their life, so building customer loyalty is very important for this business. Apart from good service, the use of modern techniques and latest equipment too contributes towards its success.

4. Specialized Design Services
Specialized design services can be provided for interior designing in several industries like health care, hospitality, residential, corporate, etc. This involves designing and maintaining interior spaces including health, safety, furniture, electrical and mechanical fittings. Industrial designing is essential for every organization but extremely important in automobile and furniture industry in creating a good reputation. So the designers design and check the material, shape, color, etc., of the product. Graphic designing is used in any visual media in order design the graphic layout. Therefore, due to the requirement of specialized design services in a wide range of industries and amidst huge competition among firms to gain recognition, this remains one of the most lucrative small businesses to start.

5. Other Health Practitioners
These includes the chiropractors, optometrists, podiatrists, physiotherapists, mental health practitioners, speech therapists, etc. Health care industry is growing at a massive rate and 42 percent of this industry are the professional and related occupations like these. Investing on this booming industry is a very good option provided one has the required degree and experience. Or opening an establishment consisting of these practitioners has been listed as one of the most profitable business ideas. Each of these practitioners must have an experience of 2-5 years, a degree or professional certification, and must be licensed to practice. As per statistics, a median salary of a podiatrist is around $180,000, physiotherapist is around $200,000, and a chiropractor is around $130,000, etc. Hence, due to the high earning capacity of these practitioners, in addition to the incessant demand for their services, it remains one of the most lucrative small businesses to start.

Though these are considered as the most lucrative small businesses to start and can yield rewarding benefits, the competition is intense and close. Knowledge and skill regarding the chosen business is a prerequisite. Otherwise, people with the right knowledge and skills should be hired to run a successful business. To make the business special, both personal as well as professional involvement is extremely important. Building team spirit is another key to success, as it strengthens both the team members and the leader. These are just some lucrative business ideas, and all depends on how one uses different business opportunities to create a profitable venture.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Indian Rupee 150 Rs Coin Launched by RBI


Rs 150 and Rs 5 were recently launched to mark the completion of year long celebrations of 150 years of Income Tax collections.
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Sunday, February 13, 2011

How To Know Whether a Credit is Fake?Simple and fun test to find credit card frauds


Step one

Take the credit card number below and double every other digit from the left (marked in raised numbers below). (I got this number off an ad on the internet).

5424 1801 2345 6789

5x2=10; 2x2=4; 1x2=2; 0x2=0; 2x2=4; 4x2=8; 6x2=12; 8x2=16.

(You should come up with the following sequence of numbers: 10, 4, 2, 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16.)

Step two

Add the new numbers (10, 4, 2, 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16) to the numbers you didn't double (4, 4, 8, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) in the above card number.

All double digits (like 10, 12 and 16) should be added as a sum of their digits. An example would be: 10 becomes 1+0; 12 becomes 1+2 and 16 becomes 1+6).

1+0+4+4+4 + 1+8+0+1 + 4+3+8+5 + 1+2+7+1+6+9 = 69

Step three

If the final sum is divisible by 10, then the credit card number is valid. If it cannot be divided by 10, the number is invalid or fake.

69 10 = 6.9

As you can see, the number I got off the ad is a fake or invalid number. Grab a credit card out of your wallet and try this simple and fun test.

Source

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Sunday, January 16, 2011

Improving Your Sales Results Successful in Making Sales Appointments

Making sales appointments is an essential part of the sales process in all direct selling situations. You need a sales appointment to give us a platform where you can apply your excellent consultative sales skills to the advantage of both parties. But making those awful sales appointment calls! Who wants that much rejection? They do not even give you a chance!


Secret Number 1 – Use Active Motivators

You do not like making sales appointments? No-one does, and you never will! Do not even TRY to like making sales appointments. Appointment selling will never give you the pleasure that a good sales meeting can generate. You will never get that satisfying buzz of sales skills well used. Even a successful sales appointment call, where the prospect is happy to see you, will be a brief and an unsatisfying telephone call. This means that a successful sales appointment call is not in itself a motivator. You must look for other ways to motivate yourself to make these calls.

Plan each batch of appointment calls carefully. Make a list of prospects, and make sure it is long enough to allow for the multitude of no answer or voice mails. Set yourself very clear goals for each session, and vary the goals from one session to the next. Variety in goal focus is more motivating than always having the same target. For example you might set a target of 60 dials in one session, 20 contacts in the next and 3 appointments in the third. Work efficiently and effectively until you achieve your target, and then give yourself a nice reward! Again vary the reward, a different reward for each day or each week. The idea is to really work at giving you active motivators to foster success.

Secret Number 2 – Sell the Appointment, not the Product

Most direct sales people work on a consultative sales type approach, where you are doing a thorough fact find and offering which of your products or services will add value to your client’s needs. There are lots of questions, and a good deal of selling the value of your products. In direct selling, this is good. In selling an appointment, this is NOT good.

Remember that when the phone rings at your prospect’s desk, you will drop in unannounced. It would be totally inappropriate, therefore, to begin the conversation with a load of questions. This will trigger a justifiable negative reaction. Equally, if you try to sell the benefits of your products on the telephone call, why should the prospect bother seeing you? Remember your skills lie in the direct sales meeting, and you really need that sales appointment to perform. What this means is, do not attempt to sell your products. Sell the appointment. The value statements you will make are the benefits to the prospect of YOU sitting in front of him.

To prepare for your batch of calls, prepare a list of benefits of the APPOINTMENT. Why is it good for the prospect to spend 30 minutes of his time with you? What will he gain? Why will he be better off? Practice each one of these aloud, using strong positive benefit language. Then choose the right ones to use on your calls today.

Secret Number 3 – This is a Short Focussed Call

The successful sales appointment call is short. By that we do not mean rushed. On the contrary, the beginning of the call, as you introduce yourself, should be confident and gently paced. Your typical call structure should be something like -

1. Who you are, your name
2. Who your Company is, your Company name together with a one line promotion statement. Here we are impressing the prospect, giving them a positive reason why they should bother taking the call from that Company.
3. Your reason for calling today. You have wonderful products, or you are in the neighborhood, are NOT good reasons why a busy person should see you. You want to present a one line teaser that will be of benefit to this Customer. It could be as simple as, we have just launched a new range of products, or, we have revised our pricing schedule to offer more cost effective solutions. The reason you are calling today, HAS to be a definite reason.
4. Engaging question. You have done all the talking up to now, so it is time for the prospect to be involved. You want one question open question that will illicit some information, but will not allow the prospect to shut down the call. This must be a very specific question for your line of business, and you really only want to get the prospect to say a one line response.
5. Sell the benefits of the Meeting. Here we ask for 30 minutes of their time, and give 2 to 3 benefits of this meeting.
6. Go straight to gain agreement. Move immediately to a close, offering a range of times and days

Practice your sales appointment calls until you get the timing right. Remember it is short, driving towards the close very quickly. When you get it right, record it so that you can capture the language and feel of the successful appointment call.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Small Business Considerations That Can Help You

Congratulations if you have just established your small business. You are now one of the elite they call entrepreneurs. Your office is in place, your staff are capable and being paid for. Great. But you might now need to ask yourself if you are prepared to handle the extra cost of business.


Yes, you read me right. There is an extra cost to business. See, in commerce, there are only two kinds of people. Those who thrive and those who survive. Many people don't even belong to any of these categories... and they think they are in business. But they are not.

You survive when you are able to stay financially alive, living day-to-day, hand-to-mouth. In short, you merely exist. You thrive when you flourish; your business makes money and meets all of your needs or at any rate, most of them. The point is, you are either growing or being stagnant. There is simply no sitting on the fence. Trade, science, and technology, the whole world is growing way to fast for you to be content by just setting up a 'little business' and being content with it. What happens is some other dude opens up competition across the street and runs you out of business.

How then do you put in the little extra? You have got to grow; you've got to expand your business. If you don't have the ready cash to effect that right away, apply for a loan as soon as you possibly can. There are literally thousands of institutions that specialize in just that. Some even go the extra length to help you in reviewing your plans; just so they can be sure their investment is protected.

Loans can be either secured or unsecured. Secured loans offer you almost anything you need in return for which you are to pay the money back within a stipulated period ranging from 5 to 25 years. And you also have to throw in collateral, to give the lender confidence in your desire pay back. Unsecured loans do not require collateral, and as such, the lender cannot conceivably lend you as much money. They also insist that you pay back within a shorter time range so that they are covered.

With a loan, you are able to meet the demands that the expansion of your business needs so that you not only survive, you thrive and thrive well. That is your extra edge; that is the extra cost of business.

An Overview Of Indian Import Export Business

The import export business in India is the subsequent result of globalization and the growth of trade relations between countries. Through these trade relations the Indian exporters have gained opportunities to expand their businesses overseas.

The Indian products have a huge demand in the foreign markets. The export business in India has been flourishing and according to reports it contributes a huge share to the development of the country. The Indian exporters have succeeded in with standing the stiff competition prevalent in the foreign markets through skilled manpower and quality products.


Some of the Top Import Export Sectors in India

Agriculture: The agricultural industry in India contributes a major share to the import export business as, unlike other countries in the world, agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. Some of the most valued products in the international market include spices, wheat, rice, sugar, tobacco and tea.

Jewellery: The outstanding collection of jewellery in India is another important export industry. The Indian exporters have carved a niche for themselves in the field of jewellery both within the country and abroad. With intricate designs and exquisite masterpieces which speak volumes of the never fading Indian tradition, the jewellery from India are in great demand in the foreign markets.

Textiles and Apparels: Another sector which contributes a massive share to the country's GDP is the textile industry. According to recent reports around 30 percent of the total exports include the textile exports. The demand of Indian textiles, with its exemplary texture and colors, has increased its value in the international markets.

Leather Products: The Indian exporters find it easy to market leather products of the country because of its high availability and excellent quality. It is one of those industries which contributes to the growth and development of the nation. Most of the foreign branded companies have invested in the Indian leather industries. It is known to be one of the top export industries in India. The Indian leather shoes, wallets, belts, carry bags are popular in the global markets.

Chemical products: The chemical industry in India is another well known sector where the Indian exporters contribute around 7 percent to the country's GDP. India has made outstanding achievements in the field of medicine and pharmaceuticals. Almost majority of the chemical products which include dyes, paints, medicines, soaps and other products are exported to foreign countries on a huge scale.

Furnishing products: India with its ethnic designs and traditional styles manufacture home furnishing products like curtains, bed linens, cushions and so forth. These products depict the cultural essence of the country. Since the textile industry in India is one of the best in the world, the Indian exporters make huge profits with the export of these accessories.

The export business in India has further accelerated with the use of business to business directories. With companies from all over the world listed in these online directories, foreign trade is automatically accelerated. The b2b directories in India list almost all the top notch Indian exporters which has facilitated in better business opportunities in the global market.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Unsecured loans in times of credit squeeze

Unsecured loans in times of credit squeezeGlobally, the financial markets have been adversely affected by the credit squeeze having its origin in the U.S. sub-prime market collapse. Unprecedented increase in the default rates in the U.S. sub-prime mortgage market is the main reason behind the credit squeeze, that has virtually spread to all countries. In times of globalisation and close business relations among various economies, a big turmoil like this is likely to have far reaching repercussions across the nations.

The lenders in the UK are trying to minimise their risk assumption by not entertaining the borrowers who are having bad credit problems and those with bad financial circumstances. Many of the leading lenders have already withdrawn unsecured loans from the market in order to curtail their risk. No doubt, unsecured loans are immensely popular with the Britons, but since the onslaught of credit crisis, the market for these loans is witnessing a worrying trend. The lenders have mostly withdrawn their unsecured range of loan products, making it difficult for the borrowers to access these loans. In sharp contrast, the lenders were offering loans at very relaxed terms and conditions just a year back.

Now-a-days, if you want to avail unsecured loans, you should have a good credit score as well as monthly income enough to meet the high cost of borrowing. The interest rates are on the higher side even though the Bank of England's base rate has dipped twice since December 2008.

Bridging loans Sale of your home can wait

Sale of your home can waitFinding a suitable built-up home is a tough task for any aspiring homeowner. There are so many parameters that a homeowner has in his mind that make locating a similar home very difficult. However, if you have already located a home that fits your ideal description then you should not wait for too long; your aim should be to complete the purchase process as soon as possible. Many a times people lose good opportunities just because they are not able to take timely decisions. You should check this tendency and not let any such opportunity go unexploited.

Once you have selected a home and entered into agreement with the seller, the next step is to pay the purchase price. If you are relying on the sale of your existing home for payment purposes then it may delay the purchase transaction. Your existing home can wait to be sold; you may take bridging loans and complete the new home deal. Bridging loans are short term facilities provided by the lenders so that you can fill the time gap between buying and selling of two properties.

Bridging loans may be 'closed' or 'open' depending upon the fact whether your home has been put on sale or not. If agreements have been exchanged then it is a case of 'close bridge'. If you are still to put your home on sale then it is a fit case for 'open bridge'. In this case, lender may ask you many questions because nothing concrete has been done on your part to repay the loan within a short time.

Your Stepping Stones to Rise Higher on the Socio-economic Ladder

Your Stepping Stones to Rise Higher on the Socio-economic LadderThese are long-term loans that can be secured against a collateral. Ones assets may be in the form of a home or some other residential property.

These are the loans which are easily availed at low interest rates and for long terms of repayment by pledging your property as a security with the creditor. For homeowners these loans come really handy. After assessing ones house equity the lender grants appropriate money.

There is a tremendous scope for the growth of secured loans in the UK. Because the average home price in the UK is about £200,000. Consequently many homeowners take this advantage numerous concessions like low interest rates, flexible interest rates and the loan to value ratio pleasantly rising up to 100 percent.

These loans can be used as per ones convenience like buying another home, debt consolidation, purchasing costly consumer items. Competitive lenders, forming an integral part of the UK finance market, give you enough freedom to use your money as you wish with their sound and secured loan quotations.

Lenders in the UK financial market, through their system of tie-ups, can get you best secured loans at the cheapest rates—decided by the competitively fixed, variable or discounted interest schemes—and leave you free to utilize your new-found resources either for meeting your luxury requirements or for investing in some plan to further ad to capitalistic quotient.

A low credit rating has less effect on such loans as compared to unsecured loans, for the lender is at peace when equipped with the collateral. But one must take care to pay the installments to avoid repossession of the property.

Your Building-blocks for Further Rise

Your Building-blocks for Further RiseThese loans are secured against a borrower’s home. With the help of them, one can borrow a good amount of money and get a longer repayment term.

There are many homeowner loans in the U K's financial market. But there is a risk. Should the borrower not keep up with the repayments, there is a likelihood of him/her losing the home to the lender. But, if one is regular in repayments, these loans for homeowners are very much safe. For home-owning people, secured loans are the best loan option to look for their financial needs.

This type of borrowing offers lucrative APRs with very convenient and flexible repayment options. Though this type of loan requires the borrower to put his/her house as security, no other loan in the market can get him/her such a big amount with added benefits. These loans are based on the equity stored in ones house.
Such loans can get you loans up to 100000 pounds with the repayment period stretched up to 25 years. There is 100% LTV(loan to value) facility and what makes it more interesting is the fact that these are available even against difficult or unusual properties.

For those who do not have a home (as well as those owners who would not take a risk of pledging their home as security) there is the option of unsecured home loans. These loans are borrowed by collateral owners. The collateral in question is normally a home. Unsecured loans are more convient and efficient in that they can be availed by both homeowners and tenants.

Risk free financial tool for all your requirements

Risk free financial tool for all your requirementsGone are the days when it was difficult for borrowers like tenants and non home owners to generate finance to meet their urgent needs. As tenants have nothing to offer as security, lenders were hesitant to offer them loans. But there is a complete change in the scenario now due to the fierce competition in the UK loan market. Being a tenant is no more a justifiable reason to turn down the loan application. There is a special category of loan for tenants called unsecured loan available in the loan market now. The loan is specially meant for borrowers like tenants, but the homeowners who do not want to risk their home can also take the advantage.

As the name suggest, unsecured loan plans do not require any security. This makes it extremely feasible for both the tenants and homeowners. No requirement of security also implies that the processing time of the loan is drastically reduced. As there is no need of evaluation of any property, these loans are processed fast. Instant availability makes these loans one of the most sought after loan in the market today. With the help of the loan, borrower can easily fructify his needs and desires cheaply. The borrower can use the loan to cover the expenses such as buying a car, going for a vacation, to consolidate previous outstanding and for wedding expenses etc.

Borrowers with bad credit history such as IVA, CCJ, late payments, defaults etc can avail unsecured loan at a slightly higher rate of interest. The loan availability depends a lot on the repayment capacity of the borrower.

Fueling your Flight of Fancies

Fueling your Flight of FanciesPersonal loans are the loans which satisfy the needs mostly born of consumerist cravings. These come in two versions—secured and unsecured.

Adding a realistic touch to ones dreams these loans provide the monetary mechanism to actualize the very same. Carried by the waves of consumerism the UK citizens are putting an all out effort to upgrade their social status by making improvements in their looks through plastic surgery, purchasing costly items etc. These loans cover this big chasm between the desires and the financial realities.

The approval system is safe and swift to the extent that one can muster up to $1500 electronically within a day. These loans can provide a boost to this urge to move up on the social scale. One can borrow at pre-set interest rates, repayment amounts and the time period. Although things like good credit rating help, but even a bad credit history is no handicap in availing these loans, for these loans are available--under the secured and unsecured types—under varied schemes with very flexible rates and terms of repayments.

One should do a bit of homework before choosing a particular plan most suitable to his/her requirements. For a secured loan one has to put up something as a collateral with the lender. As a reward one gets incentives like the lesser TAR or the total amount repayable because of the low interest rates. Also, the repayment terms and conditions are quite flexible.

Loans that meet the unemployment and poor credit requirements simultaneously

Loans that meet the unemployment and poor credit requirements simultaneouslyCyclic financial needs never ends during whole life. Unemployed people face several expenses occurring before. Sometimes they reach to such a position where they find themselves unable to manage our expenditures as the savings have been exhausted. In such situations a section of unemployed people with bad credit have to face intense financial problems. Generally, obtaining financial assistance almost remains obscure to such borrowers with bad credit. And the unemployed status adds to the misery. Seeing the gravity of the situation, following the liberalised policy of the financial market, bad credit loans for unemployed are now available.

Individuals can be categorised as bad credit borrowers if they possess, CCJs, arrears, defaulter certificate, or not honest at repaying their earlier dues. Dictating these terminologies is stuck to those borrowers who have been defaulter on their debt in any manner. Depending on these facts, the credit rating agency rates a borrower for his credit record. A score of below 500 is considered as a poor credit score by the lenders.

Cheap bad credit loans for unemployed are devised to bale out those people who are unable to obtain any further financial help. The loan is provided to borrowers in both ways i.e., secured and unsecured. The secured bad credit loan is backed by the home security of the borrowers, whereas unsecured way has not any sort of pledging placing. You are advised to go for a loan plan according to your personal and financial situation

Base Rate: The Decider of Many Fortunes

It is the interest rate based on which the creditors derive their rates of lending and savings products.

This rate is fixed periodically by the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee which meets every month. It enjoys an autonomous status, thus acts independently of the government. It decides the money supply which in turn makes it the key controller of the economy. Primary objective of this rate is to meet the inflation targets.

Presently it is referred as the Bank of England's UK Repo Rate. It is also known by many other names like the Bank Rate, Minimum Lending Rate, Minimum Band 1 Dealing Rate and the Dealing Rate. As of on 10th April 2008 it was 5%.If we analyze the trends from 2000 to 2008 the Base Rate in UK has come down to 5% from 6%. To prove the inflation control in the UK economy, this rate has never increased or decreased by more than 0.25%(except in Nov. 2001 when it fell by 0.50%), which augurs well for the consumers. From February 2001 to July 2003 it gradually climbed down to the lowest point of 3.50% during the period 2000-2008. From November 2003 to July 2007 the Bank Rate showed only positive growth save in August 2005 when it declined by 0.25%. between November 2006 to April 2008 it has remained at the 5% rate after going up and down marginally.

Looking at the trends we can very well summarize that the bank rate in UK has been managed very efficiently by the Central Bank.

The Economic Goodies Coming Hassle Free into your Pockets

The Economic Goodies Coming Hassle Free into your PocketsMost of these loans are secure in nature, but of late the lenders provide unsecured fast credit to even those who can produce their accounts of regular income. These days the lenders are becoming more and more proactive in their approach to bestow finances to the customers. They are treating the customers like the king entitled to enjoy full rights of fast and simple access to funds. Having something to put up as a security acts like an icing on the cake.

But sometimes people plagued by a negative credit rating need quick funds to avoid a financial crisis. Both the credit giver and the taker are left with no time to consider the real issues related to the matter. To handle this emergency the institutions go out of their tight schedules and conventions to help the money seeker by giving fast personal loans.

The value of money is increased manifold if it is available at the right time. Untimely begotten funds are relatively less helpful. Understanding this the credit providers are now ready to take extra risks to provide fast personal loans without losing any time. The loan process is simplified tremendously to accommodate the financial exigencies. There is a simple application form notifying the basic features of the loan. In order to avoid the time and money, these service providers have access to many leading players in the market. As soon as one fills up the form, quick processing ensures that the best schemes available in the field are available within a day.