The main thing about starting an online business is having a product to sell that customers want to buy. You can spend all the money you want setting up an elaborate website with colourful graphics. If the product is not enticing to customers or if you don't advertise it in the appropriate way, your online business will not make any money. Just as you would with a brick and mortar business, you need to start with a business plan so that you know what you need to do in each step of the process.

In most cases, you don't need as much money to get started in an online business as you would with a regular business. For one thing, you don't need to rent office or warehouse space and you don't need to have as many employees. Many of the successful online businesses only have one employee. This is because these people operate out of their home and use part of the basement to store the inventory. Since all the business is conducted online, they only need a computer with an Internet connection to connect with the customers.

An online business starts with setting up a website telling customers about your product. Since customers can't actually touch and sample the product, it is the words you write that will do the selling for you. Even if you purchase Adwords and advertise your product on other sites, when potential customers come to your site they need expert articles about the product that will convince them to buy. The cost of setting up this business is the purchase of a domain name and web hosting, which don't add up to very much money. Then you have to spend time building your site by adding more pages or products.

If you already have an existing business, you can make your presence known by having a website. This helps to draw customers into your store because they will want to examine the product themselves. It will also give you more exposure to potential customers farther away from you when they can order the products they want online and have them shipped to their addresses.

The term ‘server virtualization' is something of a paradoxical terminology. Imagine having to work on a ‘virtual server' many people, not familiar with IT terminology, will wonder how you can use a ‘virtual' machine. To them virtual would mean something that should be, but it not. However, to a computer savvy person the term ‘virtual server' may not come through as such a confusing term. After all they are used to dealing with ‘virtual assistants' all the time.

What Can Server Virtualization Achieve?

In two simple words, savings and efficiency, what more can an entrepreneur want and desire? Server virtualization is a technology that all businesses using multiple servers should invest in, and the earlier the better. Server virtualization reduces the need to have multiple servers running in a rack simultaneously and service different clients on a network. Given that no single server utilizes the full potential of the hardware installed only means that a lot of resources is wasted. Not only is the server wasting its hardware resources by under-utilizing them, it is also wasting electric power by itself and through the switches that are connecting the servers to the network. Anyone familiar with networking will acknowledge the fact that network switches guzzle electric power. Server virtualization does away with all the unnecessary hardware and saves on investment as well as running costs.

Brand New SEO Software Has Web Hosts Everywhere SCREAMING...

"Cut The Bandwidth...Quick!"

Uncover The Brutally Effective SEO Software That "Average Joes and Janes" Are Using To - Quickly and Easily Blow Up Their Bank Accounts, Explode Their Traffic, and Triple Their Sales - With Little Or No Extra Work...

Version 4.0 Just Released!

From: Brad Callen

Indianapolis, IN

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Dear Traffic Seeker,

It's become the 'secret weapon' of choice these days...

...And anyone can have it!

You see...what you're about to discover is far more than the latest software.

It's a piece of cutting-edge technology powered by the cries of regular people just like you and me who were sick and tired of being kicked around the internet by their competition and the "big" SEO firms.

I say "big" because after I released this software to the world, a whole lot of things have changed online because...

Big SEO Firms Have Lost Their Iron Grip!

They no longer control the masses - they no longer control YOU.

...Because this incredible software has empowered the average person, any person, including you...to take command and control your internet traffic with just a few clicks of your mouse!

Imagine this 'secret weapon' at your fingertips helping YOU get to the top of Google, Yahoo, and MSN much quicker than any other way, and here's undeniable video proof...

It defies belief, but this could be YOUR reality sooner than you think cos...

This Secret Weapon Is The Missing Link!

Perhaps the skeptic in you is violently protesting...

"Brad, cut the crap. There's no way my checks and sales reports are gonna look like yours!"

I feel ya.

It seems like only yesterday when I felt like throwing in the towel because my checks just wouldn't get any bigger no matter how much harder I tried!

Trying Is NOT The Answer...

I've walked a mile in your shoes before, so I know exactly how downright frustrating it is to 'try' and keep 'trying'.

Fact: The key to HUGE checks and windfalls of profit is really MORE traffic!

Think about it...

Having all the traffic you want allows you to make all the profits you want.

It'll make marketing your products and services seem almost effortless - you'll know exactly how and who to promote your products to… you'll be able to beat every other internet marketer out there at their own game without having to resort to shady programs or having to compete to be noticed and

One would surely do everything he can in order to succeed in venturing into the industry of consumer market.  The demand seems to never die especially for the necessities.  The more choices the consumers have, the better the industry does.  So if you want to get a kick start on making a living in the industry of consumer market, stop wasting time and let’s get started.

Starting a business is a tough job.  You’ll have to decide on which type of market you’d like to get into, after which, you’ll have to learn the ropes of the certain type of market you’ve chosen.  Of course, there’s the application for a business permit, the capital to get you started and, of course, the resources of your business.  There’s so much to learn about getting into business and so much to do after you really get into it.  But all that hard work can easily be done right in the comforts of your business location.  The biggest task at hand would be getting the resources for your business.

Where to Get Your Resources

You may be on a budget since you’re only starting out.  It’s impossible to get the items you need without your own factory, let alone all the production done just by you.  Where to get help, you ask? Simple - China.  By this time, if you really are passionate about going into business, you should be aware of the huge role that China plays in the world’s industry of business.  China’s rapid economic growth has made them one of the most respected players in the game of business.  With their government strongly improving and promoting their wholesale industry, you’ll have plenty of options from which you can choose from regarding your resources.

How to Get Your Resources

When dealing with a foreign country, it is important to learn a little bit about their culture.  How you form your relationship with the people you’ll be interacting with in your wholesale business will be a vital key to your success.

To get your resources from China, you’ll need the help of an agent who knows how to get around the Chinese industry.  He will be your source of information and connection as to where and whom should you get your products from while assuring you of the quality and the affordability of these products.

Well, of course, the internet is always there to help.  When in doubt, the internet is loaded with information that could help you ease those anxieties.  Search the web and find some reliable China merchandise manufacturers and exporters or sourcing agent, you can start your own import wholesale business easily.

The concept behind a wholesaler that operates out of China is pretty simple. All of the different aspects of a wholesale company are still there, but the major thing to keep in mind is that since the wholesale company is not operating out of North America or Europe, there are certain advantages that they have. These advantages are multiplied by the fact that they are operating out of China. What exactly are the advantages that are inherent to a wholesaler that is able to operate out of China? Well, the two biggest advantages are a lower overall operating cost and a lower overall cost of living and therefore these combine for the overall lower cost aspect that makes China wholesalers appeal to a number of different people around the world.

LLC's: They don't have to be so confusing!

The limited liability company, or LLC, is a new concept for businesspeople in the United States. Internationally, LLC's are fairly common. However, investors, employees, and lawmakers aren't always quick to warm up to such a structure in America. Let's clear up some of the misunderstandings and confusion about LLC's and hopefully we can figure out what an LLC is all about in the process! Here are frequently asked questions about the topic; chances are you've stumbled upon the same ones in your own thought process.

How does an LLC differ from a corporation?

LLC's resemble partnerships or sole proprietorships in that they feature advantageous pass-through taxation. Economically, they make a lot more sense! But they also have the benefit of limited liability for their members, just like a corporation. Basically: the LLC is not a separate entity from its owners but its owners are still protected from personal liability. No double taxation and no liability – LLC's are  hybrids of a partnership and a corporation.

If LLC's are so great, why would you not structure your business in such a way?

Simply put – LLC's are like the new neighbors; a lot of people don't trust them. Shareholders aren't as eager to invest in them. Members get confused about what LLC means for them (they aren't forced by the state to be organized in any standard way). More importantly, in many states, an LLC becomes almost a corporation by default. Franchise taxes and other restrictions haunt many LLC's because lawmakers aren't as willing to give them more freedom and tax benefits than typical corporations.

Do you need more than one owner to form an LLC?

Nope – you only need one member!

Is it hard to form an LLC?

It's quite easy to form an LLC. In most states, you simply have to fill out an “articles of organization” form and pay a fee. If you already own a partnership or sole proprietorship, it's easy to switch over to an LLC. Some states have further requirements, however, and you'll want to research this on your own.

Can an LLC be taxed like a corporation?

If you so choose, the LLC can be taxed as if it were a corporation. This benefits LLC owners who want to keep more of their profits.

Is an LLC in Texas the same as an LLC in Maryland?

Not at all. LLC's in some states will thrive, while in other states, they might die. Local laws regarding LLC's, especially when it comes to the issues of taxes, are highly variable.

As the years pass, LLC's might become more and more appealing. The reverse situation could occur, however, if legislatures only become more and more restrictive and consequently make the LLC structure meaningless, as all its advantages will be offset by fees and regulations. However, if shareholders and businesspeople can wise up to the benefits of LLC's, they'll probably just grow in popularity.

You've taken a step in the right direction by reading this article. Your next step will be toward a corporation or an LLC; it's a very personal decision that depends entirely on the unique character of or your company and your state's laws.

Most of us design our cold calling around scripts and strategies. Isn’t that how we’ve been taught by the sales gurus? Scripts are linear and systematic so you can move calls in the direction you want them to go. Sales strategies do the exact same thing.

That’s why as soon as we make a cold call, the other person knows right away that our agenda is not to have a conversation, but to make a sale. There’s something about scripts and sales strategies -- it always shows. We’re not being natural, and other people can sense within the first few seconds that we’re out to make a sale. Once that happens, potential clients are immediately put on the defensive. They don’t want to be maneuvered into a sale. As soon as they recognize that you’re a salesperson with a sales agenda, most of the time they just want you to go away.

I call this "The Wall." It goes something like this: "Uh-oh, another salesperson. I'm about to be sold something. How fast can I get this person off the phone?" In other words, it’s over at "Hello." Hence, the moment you use the old cold calling approach, which is using sales scripts and strategies, you’ve triggered the negative "salesperson" stereotype in the mind of the person you’ve called. That almost always means immediate rejection.

The problem is with how you're selling, not what you're selling. The traditional cold calling approach, which has been taught by the sales gurus for years, involves immediately giving a pitch about who you are and what you have to offer. However, this is a one-sided conversation.  In our normal lives, it would seem self-absorbed to start any conversation by talking only about ourselves. Yet, in cold calling we expect ourselves to do exactly that. We begin with a monologue rather than inviting a dialogue.

On top of that, we’ve all been trained to try to push prospects into a "yes" response somewhere within the first call. This creates sales pressure. Pressure from a stranger is never welcome. It feels intrusive to the other person.

The first step to overcoming this is to let go of your script or sales strategy as a crutch. This idea may sound scary at first because you’ve been programmed to think you have to have a script or strategy to make a successful cold call. I assure you that quite the opposite is true.

These old approaches create a "box" that doesn’t allow a conversation to flow. You’re thinking only about your agenda and following "the plan." The person on the other end of the phone senses this, and immediately begins to retreat.

Instead, start thinking about language that will engage people rather than language that will trigger rejection. If you can start a conversation that triggers a "What do you mean?" from the other person, you’ll find you can explain yourself in a natural way. This also creates a two-way dialogue, which lets you flow with the conversation without feeling you’re getting off-track.

Developing a problem statement makes this whole process much easier. Find out what issue or problem your potential client is likely to be experiencing, and build an open-ended conversation around that.

Here are three basic steps to opening up a dialogue and having a real conversation with your cold calls:

1. Begin with the question, "Maybe you can help me out for a moment?" The reply is almost always something like, "Sure, how can I help you?"

2. Continue with something like, "I’m just calling to see if your company is still having issues with unpaid invoices." The response probably will be, "Well, yeah, we are. Who’s this?"

3. You can then respond in a very relaxed tone, "This is John. I’m with XYZ Collection Agency. I’m just calling to see if you’d be open to some new ideas on how to better solve that problem." This makes it easy for the other person to reply, "What do you mean?" or "Tell me more." After that, the possibilities of your conversation are endless. Try these new cold calling ideas. You will be amazed at how much value you receive, both personally and professionally.

Sometimes we can all use a friendly reminder to keep us from backsliding into old ways of thinking about selling that lead us down the wrong path with potential clients.

New Thinking = New Results

Maybe it's time to take a different approach. Maybe we need to seriously analyze our sales thinking so we can identify why we're not making more sales. Take a look at the table below and thinkabout your current selling mindset. How would your selling behaviors change if you changed your sales thinking?

Traditional Sales Mindset Vs Unlock The Game™ Mindset

1.     Always deliver a strong sales pitch. Vs Stop the sales pitch -- and start a conversation.

2.     Your central objective is always to close the sale. Vs Your central goal is always to discover whether you and your potential client are a good fit.

3.     When you lose a sale, it's usually at the end of the sales process. Vs When you lose a sale, it's usually right at the beginning of the sales process.

4.     Rejection is a normal part of selling. Vs Sales pressure is the only cause of rejection. Rejection should never happen.

5.     Keep chasing every potential client until you get a yes or a no. Vs Never chase a potential client -- you'll only trigger more sales pressure.

6.     When a prospect offers objections, challenge and/or counter them. Vs When a potential client offers objections, uncover the truth behind them.

7.     If a potential client challenges the value of your product or service, you must defend yourself and explain the value. Vs Never defend yourself or what you have to offer -- it only creates more sales pressure.

Let's take a closer look at these central Unlock The Game™ concepts so you can begin to open up your current sales thinking and become more effective in your selling activities:

1) Stop the sales pitch -- and start a conversation.

When you call someone, avoid making a mini-presentation about yourself, your company, and what you have to offer. Start with an opening conversational phrase that focuses on a specific problem that your product or service solves. If you don't know what this is, ask your current customers why they purchased your solution. One example of an opening phrase might be, "I'm just calling to see if you'd be open to some different ideas related to lowering the risk of any computer downtime you may be having in your company?" Notice that you are not pitching your solution with this opening phrase.

2) Your central goal is always to discover whether you and your potential client are a good fit.

Let go of trying to "close the sale" or "get the appointment"-- and you will discover that you don't have to take responsibility for moving the sales process forward. If you simply focus your conversation on problems that you can help potential clients solve, and if you don't jump the gun by trying to move the sales process forward, you will find that potential clients will actually bring you into their buying process.

3) When you lose a sale, it's usually right at the beginning of the sales process.

If you believe that you lose sales because you make a mistake at the end of the process, take a look back at how you began the relationship. Did you start with a presentation? Did you use traditional sales language like, "We have a solution that I believe you really need" or "Others in your industry have bought our solution, so you should consider it as well"?

When you use traditional sales language, potential clients can't help but label you with the negative stereotype of "salesperson." This makes it almost impossible for them to relate to you from a position of trust. And if trust isn't established at the outset, honest communication about the problems they're trying to solve, and how you might be able to help them, becomes impossible too.

4) Sales pressure is the only cause of rejection. Rejection should never happen.

Rejection happens for only one reason: Something you said, as subtle as it might have been, triggered a defensive reaction from your potential client. Yes, something you said. To eliminate rejection, simply shift your mindset so that you give up the hidden agenda of hoping to make a sale. Instead, everything you say and do should stem from the basic mindset that you are there to help potential clients. This makes you able to ask, "Would you be open to talking about issues you might be having affecting your business?"

5) Never chase a potential client--you'll only trigger more sales pressure.

"Chasing" potential clients has always been considered normal and necessary, but it's rooted in the macho selling image that, "If you don't keep chasing, it means you're giving up -- and that means you're a failure." This is dead wrong! Instead of chasing potential clients, tell them that you would like to avoid anything that resembles the old cat-and-mouse chasing game by scheduling a time for your next chat.

6) When a potential client offers objections, uncover the truth behind them.

Most traditional sales programs spend a lot of time focusing on "overcoming objections." These tactics only put more sales pressure on potential clients and also fail to explore or understand the truth behind what the potential client is saying. When you hear, "We don't have the budget," "Send me information," or "Call me in a few months," do you think you're hearing the truth, or do you suspect that these are polite evasions designed to end the conversation?

Rather than trying to counter objections, you can uncover the truth by replying, "That's not a problem" -- no matter what clients are "objecting" to -- and then using gentle, dignified language that invites them to reveal the truth about their situation.

7) Never defend yourself or what you have to offer -- it only creates more sales pressure.

When a potential client says, "Why should I choose you over your competition?," your first, instinctive reaction is probably to start defending your product or service because you want to convince them to buy. But what do you think goes through your potential client's mind at that point?

Something like, "This 'salesperson' is trying to sell me on why what they have to offer is better, but I hate feeling as if I'm being sold." Rather than defending yourself, try suggesting that you aren't going to try to convince them of anything because that would only create sales pressure. Instead, ask them about the key problems that they are trying to solve, and then explore how your product or service might solve those problems --without ever trying to persuade.. Let potential clients feel that they can choose you without feeling "sold."

You too can improve your sales effectiveness if you are open minded and willing to try a new and more natural selling approach.

Introduction - Multiplaza Mall in Panama City is now host to a Louis Vuitton Shop and a Chanel Store. Multiplaza Mall has always been the high-end mall of Panama. It is now possible to buy high-end Swiss watches like Breitling and Omega along with Montblanc pens and now we have these two high-end boutique stores as well.

Discussion - Can Panama support these high-end stores? We have had Nautica and Hilfiger for some time down here and they seem to do well but they are hardly high end stores, high middle class products would be more descriptive of them. Do we have enough people willing to spend $900 on a purse or sunglasses, which is thrice what the average worker makes in Panama in a month? We have had Cartier and Rolex stores in Panama City for some time. There is also a Maserati, Ferrari and Porsche dealership as of recent in Panama City. We do see a fair amount of Porsche Cayenne SUV's running around but precious few Porsche cars. It is very rare to see a Maserati or Ferrari but if you go to the causeway on a Sunday afternoon you will see the car collectors do their drive by just for an excuse to drive the car. We do not have a Bentley or Rolls Royce Dealership. Maybe I should say - yet.

High End Goods and Crime - Panama has no car jackings, or if there are any no one ever hears about it. There is no place to go with all the traffic the thief would surely be caught within blocks. People would see the crime, get on their cell phones and the police would soon show up on motorcycles and that would be the end of it. Now what happens if women start to carry $1900 Vuitton purses? Will kids make a running grab for them hoping to sell them for $50 in the local neighborhood? Will the kid be able to tell what is an expensive purse and what is not? Will the kids need a Fagan type guy to train them and to fence the goods? Of course the contents of a $1900 purse would be of interest to the thief as well. Panama City has had a number of enterprising vendors who managed to get Vuitton franchises without even having a storefront (just kidding) and they have placed a lot of Vuitton, Chanel looking products into the country, which may confuse the thieves. What if people take to wearing $20,000 gold and platinum wristwatches in Panama? How will the thieves react to that? One can make a temptation readily for some thief by wearing a $20,000 watch in a country where the average wage is $300 a month.

What Next - Well if Vuitton and Chanel are here we can expect the rest of the high-end designer labels to start opening up? They generally do not like to want to miss out on a market that brands like Vuitton and Chanel are in. Are we going to see Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus opening up here? I would think you could safely bet on it. I would think antique dealers and art galleries will soon follow. Then we will see ultra high end branded restaurants charging outrageous prices for small portions of food like Emerils. We already have rumors that the Hilton Hotel people are going to open up in Panama City and more high end branded hotels can be expected.

Implications - It could be that Panama real estate is just on the way up and the peak prices are far from what they are now. All these high-end retailers have site location analysts that are good or else no one would use them. If they are giving the green light to Panama this is significant information. Panama real estate may be selling for $5,000 a sq. meter or more before you know it. One of the arguments against the high prices has always been the lack of an infrastructure. The city is cleaning the bay, which will actually create something like a useable waterfront. They have plans to manage the traffic. The houses are going up. The hotels are coming in. The airport is being expanded at this time. A cruise terminal is being built. The Canal is being expanded. The Causeway is already developed and looks as good as any Causeway anywhere in the world. This could be it, put on your seats and take the ride the might just get off the ride a lot richer than when you got on.

Business Services UK carry out independent small business reviews from selected businesses within the UK.

Diverse Hampers

Diverse Hampers is a relatively new venture that is located in Somerset, the business is owned and managed by Niki Stewart. I asked Niki about her business life and why she decided to start up Diverse Hampers.

After leaving school I started up an office supply company that became very successful, the company had an average turnover of Ј1.5 million. However due to personal circumstances I decided to leave last November.

I realised there was a niche in the market for providing unique tower hampers within the UK. After spending 6 months researching the business concept, I launched Diverse Hampers in June this year.

Diverse Hampers is slowly growing into a main player in the hamper sector. Niki is well aware she needs to concentrate her efforts on improving her online business model and continue with her marketing strategy. Her company not only provides hampers to the general consumer, she also targets the corporate world by sending out free miniature samples. This strategy is gathering momentum and leading to an increase in orders.

I have fully researched the hamper tower business within the UK and I believe Niki is right when she says there is room for Diverse Hampers to become the main provider in the UK. There product is very attractive and I can see franchise opportunities in the future. There is also potential to move this business into the European market.

Niki is a passionate about business, she is very experienced in business marketing and although Diverse Hampers is still a relatively new venture it is already showing the signs that it could grow into a much larger business.

The best testament we can pay her business is that we have already ordered our own hamper from her company. The team at Business Services UK wish Diverse Hampers all the best for the future. We are sure with a lot of hard work this business will turn this into a huge success.