Advice On How To Handle Payday Loan Repayments

Payday loans can help you bridge the time between paychecks or pay for unforeseen costs. If not handled appropriately, they can also become a financial burden.

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If not handled appropriately, they can also become a financial burden. It’s crucial to have a repayment strategy in place if you took out a payday loan to prevent debt accumulation. The following advice will help you manage your payday loan repayments.

Plan For Payments

Budgeting for the repayments is essential before taking a payday loan. This entails considering the total amount borrowed, the interest and any other costs, as well as the amount you will have to repay with each payday. Verify that you can make the payments without suffering financial hardship.

Set Up Recurring Payments

A great approach to guarantee you never miss a payment is to set up automatic payments. This implies that on the due date, the payback amount will be immediately taken out of your Payday loans account. When you apply for the loan or log into your online account, you may often set this up.

Put Repayments First

It’s crucial to prioritize payments if you have several payday loans or other commitments. The debts with the highest interest rates should be paid off first because they will end up costing you the most in the long run. Contact your creditors to go over your choices if you are struggling with making payments on all of your debts.

Do Not Renew Your Loan

Payday loans that are rolled over result in an increase in fees and interest as well as an extension of the loan’s term. This may increase the cost and make it more challenging to repay the loan. Do not roll over your loan if you are having trouble making your payments without first obtaining advice.

Consider Consolidating Your Debt

Debt consolidation might be a possibility if you have numerous payday loans or other bills. To do this, you must take out a new loan to pay off your current obligations, leaving you with only one affordable payment. But it’s crucial to pick a dependable lender and ensure that you can repay.

Ask For Financial Guidance

Get financial guidance if you are having trouble keeping up with your payday loan instalments. This can entail contacting a debt management business or chatting with a financial adviser. They can assist you in coming up with a budget, settling disputes with lenders, and determining the best course of action.

Don’t Disregard The Issue

Do not disregard the issue if you are finding it difficult to make your payments. In the long run, this will only make it worse. As soon as you can, get in touch with your lender to go over your choices. The majority of lenders are ready to cooperate with you to find a solution, but you must take the initiative.

Take Into Account Additional Sources Of Income

If you are struggling with making ends meet, think about finding additional sources of income. Selling unwanted stuff, accepting additional employment, or requesting government assistance are some examples of this. You can better manage your payday loan repayments and your financial status with the additional revenue.

Avoid Obtaining Further Loans

Avoid taking out additional loans if you are having trouble repaying a payday loan. This could start a debt cycle and only make the issue worse. Rather, concentrate on paying off your current bills and enhancing your financial status.

Make Plans

Finally, it’s critical to make plans. This includes developing a budget, setting up an emergency fund, and cutting back on wasteful spending. You can improve your financial situation and prevent the need for payday loans in the future by making a strategy in advance.

Conclusion

Payday loan repayment management necessitates careful planning and budgeting. Before you take out a payday loan, make sure you can afford the repayments. Then, prioritize payments, seek help if you are having trouble, and refrain from taking out additional loans. You can control your payday loan repayments and enhance your financial status by paying attention to these suggestions.

What to do if an employee isn’t a team player

Whether it’s not collaborating well in group projects, lack of communication or refusing to embrace your company’s culture, dealing with employees who aren’t team players can be challenging.

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In this article, Rapid Formations looks at the steps business owners should take to integrate the trickier employees on their team.

Look at the evidence

Before you start any form of dialogue, you must ascertain how serious the problem is. If an employee has not delivered a piece of work for a group project or there’s a potential bullying situation, this goes beyond an individual not being a team player. Instead, you should deal with this accordingly via the necessary disciplinary procedures.

However, if someone is generally doing their job but sometimes demonstrates challenging behaviour when working in a group – or just isn’t fully integrated into the company (for example, they consistently refuse to take part in team events) – you can take a softer, more understanding approach.

Talk to the employee

Hold an informal discussion with the employee in question. Do not be accusatory, instead demonstrate that you are happy with their overall performance but are aware of a few instances when they could have been more considerate of their team members. Talk the employee through these scenarios, explaining alternative ways that they could approach these situations in the future.

Also, when appropriate, bring other affected employees into the meeting and work together to resolve the problem.

It’s also vital that you use this meeting to listen. The individual may be going through issues (at work or at home) that mean they are withholding when in a team situation. If there are any problems, ask how you can support them. You may find it useful to turn these into regular 1-2-1s whereby you can continually check in to see how they’re doing.

Know when to do nothing

It may be that the person in question is performing their job to a good standard but hasn’t built up a solid relationship with their colleagues. Whilst you should do everything that you can to encourage this, it’s also important to recognise that this isn’t something you can force.

Provided that the necessary work is getting done, and no one is being negatively impacted, sometimes you should just appreciate the employee for the strengths they bring and leave it that.

Of course, if a person is generally unhappy in their role, and you are unable to help them – there will be times when it’s best for all parties involved that you suggest they seek employment elsewhere.

Provide the necessary support

If you have uncovered a particular reason why the employee is struggling in a team environment, take the necessary steps to assist them.

If they require a quiet environment to get certain tasks done, find an alternative area in the office where they could work (or consider introducing hybrid working). If they struggle in social situations, investigate training programmes that will help them boost their confidence. If they are stressed out, explore ways that you can make their workload more manageable.

By helping navigate any hurdles, you will benefit the general well-being of the individual and have a positive impact on your business.

Consistently reward your team

Give your team a boost by regularly hosting events that encourage everyone to get together in an environment where they don’t have to worry about work. These events should be open to all team members, but you should not force anyone to attend.

The purpose of these events is to give continual opportunities to team members who are on the periphery, but just need a little encouragement to embrace their colleagues and your company culture.

Thanks for reading

So, there you have it, what to do if an employee isn’t a team player.

As a business owner, it’s your duty to do everything you can to ensure an employee thrives in your working environment, and where possible becomes a team player. Follow the tips outlined in this post to give yourself the best chance of achieving this.

Stay Connected: Discovering the Latest Business Communication Tools

In the rapidly evolving business landscape, effective communication is the cornerstone of success. As teams become more dispersed and remote work becomes the norm, staying connected is essential to maintain productivity and collaboration. That’s where the latest business communication tools come into play. In this blog, we delve into a comprehensive exploration of cutting-edge platforms and software designed to revolutionize the way businesses communicate.

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From instant messaging apps that foster real-time collaboration to video conferencing solutions that bridge the gap between remote teams, these tools offer innovative features that cater to the evolving needs of modern businesses.

Join us on this journey of discovery as we uncover the most efficient and powerful tools to keep your team connected, engaged, and driving towards success in the fast-paced world of business.

Clariti
Clariti is an all-in-one business communication tool and Chat apps platform that organizes conversations into contextual threads. This unique feature ensures that all related emails, messages, files, and tasks are automatically grouped together based on context, eliminating the need to search for information across different tools and boosting team productivity. With Clariti, teams can effortlessly switch between chat, email, and tasks within one platform, streamlining communication. Clariti’s unified organization enhances collaboration by providing team members with the complete context of discussions and tasks.

Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a comprehensive collaboration platform that brings together chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and integration with Microsoft Office apps into one seamless interface. Teams can communicate in real-time through individual or group chats, making it easy to collaborate and share ideas. The video conferencing feature allows teams to host virtual meetings with up to thousands of participants, enabling face-to-face interactions regardless of location. With deep integration with Microsoft Office tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, teams can co-author and edit documents in real-time, promoting seamless productivity.

Slack
Slack is a popular instant messaging app designed to enhance team communication and collaboration. Its user-friendly interface allows teams to create dedicated channels for different projects or departments, ensuring organized discussions. Slack also supports integrations with a wide range of third-party apps, enabling teams to share files, conduct polls, and automate workflows without leaving the platform. The ability to search past conversations and files streamlines information retrieval, making it easy to locate crucial information.

Zoom
Zoom is a leading video conferencing software that offers high-quality virtual meetings and webinars. With its robust video and audio capabilities, teams can conduct face-to-face meetings and collaborate in real-time, even in large groups. Zoom’s screen sharing feature allows participants to share presentations, documents, or applications for seamless collaboration. Additionally, Zoom offers interactive features like breakout rooms, enabling teams to divide into smaller groups for focused discussions or activities.

Google Meet
Google Meet is Google’s video conferencing tool that facilitates smooth and secure communication among teams. With its integration with other Google Workspace apps, teams can easily schedule and join meetings directly from their calendar or email. Google Meet’s real-time captions and live polls enhance engagement during virtual meetings. The ability to record meetings for future reference ensures that important discussions are preserved.

Trello
Trello is a visual project management tool that empowers teams to organize tasks and collaborate effectively. Teams can create boards, lists, and cards to visually represent their workflow and track progress. Trello’s drag-and-drop functionality makes it simple to move tasks between different stages, ensuring transparency and accountability. The platform allows teams to attach files, add due dates, and assign tasks to team members, fostering clear communication and collaboration.

Asana
Asana is a versatile project management platform that streamlines team collaboration and task management. Teams can create projects, set deadlines, and assign tasks to team members, ensuring everyone stays on track. Asana’s calendar view provides an overview of upcoming deadlines and allows teams to manage their time effectively. With integrations to popular productivity apps, teams can centralize communication and file sharing within the Asana platform.

Monday.com
Monday.com is a work operating system that facilitates teamwork and project management. Teams can create customized workflows, track progress, and manage tasks, all from one centralized platform. While it does offer some communication features such as real-time messaging, task assignments, and file sharing within the platform, its main focus is on facilitating team collaboration, project tracking, and workflow management.

Chanty
Chanty is a team chat app that emphasizes easy communication and collaboration. It’s simple and intuitive interface allows teams to communicate in real-time through one-on-one or group chats. Chanty’s message history is searchable, making it easy to find past conversations and reference important information. The app also supports integrations with various third-party apps like Google Drive, Trello, and Asana, enabling seamless file sharing and task management within the platform.

RingCentral Glip
RingCentral Glip is a team messaging and collaboration app that combines video conferencing, task management, and file sharing features. Teams can communicate through chat, voice, and video calls, allowing for instant communication and real-time collaboration. Glip’s task management feature allows teams to create, assign, and track tasks, ensuring everyone stays organized and accountable. The built-in file sharing and storage feature makes it easy for teams to collaborate on documents and multimedia files securely.

Microsoft Yammer
Microsoft Yammer is an enterprise social networking platform that fosters internal communication and knowledge sharing within organizations. Teams can create communities and groups to share updates, knowledge, and resources. Yammer promotes transparency and openness, encouraging employees to engage in meaningful discussions and share valuable insights. The integration with other Microsoft products like Office 365 enhances productivity by enabling seamless collaboration on documents and real-time editing.

GoToMeeting
GoToMeeting is a web conferencing platform that offers virtual meetings, webinars, and screen sharing capabilities. With GoToMeeting, teams can collaborate in real-time, discuss projects, and present ideas to a remote audience. The ability to record meetings ensures that important discussions are captured for future reference or for team members who couldn’t attend. GoToMeeting’s user-friendly interface and ease of use make it an excellent choice for teams seeking hassle-free virtual communication.

Cisco Webex
Cisco Webex is a web conferencing and team collaboration tool that provides interactive whiteboarding and real-time editing features, making it ideal for brainstorming sessions and document collaboration. Webex’s integration with other Cisco collaboration tools enhances team productivity by centralizing communication and file sharing. The ability to join meetings from any device, including mobile devices, promotes flexibility and ensures that team members can participate from anywhere.

Flock
Flock is a team messaging and productivity platform that offers chat, video conferencing, and task management features. Teams can communicate in real-time through one-on-one or group chats, making it easy to collaborate and share ideas. Flock’s video conferencing feature allows teams to host virtual meetings and engage in face-to-face discussions, enhancing team communication. The task management feature enables teams to create, assign, and track tasks, ensuring that everyone stays on top of their responsibilities.

Discord
Originally designed for gamers, Discord has evolved into a versatile communication tool, offering voice and video calls, chat, and screen sharing features for business teams. Teams can create servers and channels to organize discussions and share resources based on topics or projects. Discord’s intuitive interface and rich features make it a valuable tool for teams seeking efficient and engaging communication.

Conclusion
In the interconnected and ever-evolving business landscape, effective communication remains at the core of success. By discovering and leveraging the latest business communication tools, organizations can nurture seamless collaboration and strengthen team connections. From versatile instant messaging apps facilitating real-time discussions to feature-rich video conferencing platforms bridging geographical barriers, these tools have revolutionized the way businesses interact.

Each offering comes with its unique features and integrations, catering to diverse needs and preferences. By embracing these cutting-edge solutions, businesses can enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and empower their teams to thrive in the digital age. The key to unlocking virtual success lies in harnessing the capabilities provided by these innovative business communication tools. So, delve into the array of options, select the most fitting tools, and embark on a journey of improved connectivity and productive collaboration.

How New Technology Can Help Achieve First-Time Deliveries

Efficiency is paramount for a courier company, and in order to maximise potential profits, successful first-time deliveries need to be happening regularly. Read on to find out how you can achieve this and ultimately make your company smarter and stronger.
What Am I Doing Wrong?

Hopefully you aren’t doing anything wrong yet! The question is, how can you make what you are doing better and more efficient? The first step is learning to accept and trust the new technologies that are becoming increasingly popular for delivery work. Companies are constantly looking for the latest device that will allow drivers to plan routes quickly, avoid hazards on the roads and optimise potential shortcuts and opportunities.

Telematics There are numerous telematics providers that can help your company achieve these all-important first-time deliveries and, in addition, make the most of your vehicle when it’s empty. Delivery software such as Fleetmatics, Causeway and Masternaut (to name a few) can all provide solutions for your business in terms of maximising profits. This could include tracking software, which involves locating vans with empty loads and allowing exchange members to take more deliveries on their return journeys. Assigning more delivery work to a single driver will not only be better for the environment, but will most certainly be better for your company’s bottom line.

Some software allows data insight into your vehicles (speed, fuel usage, mileage etc). This makes large fleets simpler to manage and more cost-effective. Others such as Microlise can help further reduce the environmental impacts of your vehicles, as well as improve your driver safety and performance.

Mapping Data

Planning and customizing routes can make delivery work far easier and more resourceful. Technology like a planning application can map several routes at once to a location, choosing the most appropriate for your journey based on traffic data. A driver can then visualise the route and compare it with those they have previously driven. Using this software, a driver can also re-order the stops to suit any unexpected changes along the way.

Once a route is accepted on the computer or mobile app, it can automatically notify the customer of a one-hour ETA time slot. This has been largely successful among its users, with 98% of deliveries being received first time. Again, this programming can be customised by the driver.

Informing the customer in this way can make your company appear extremely reliable and efficient – if you are on time, of course. The customer can also begin to trust the couriers, as they are able to interact with them through the technology – choosing a time slot for the delivery of their package and adding extra information for the driver where necessary.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world’s largest neutral trading hub for same day delivery work in the express freight exchange industry. Over 5,400 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.

Is Two-Hour Delivery in the Cards for Your Business?

There is little doubt that the courier industry is flourishing and that this is a great time to own a logistics company. With the rapid increase in online retail and the rising demand for two-day and same-day deliveries, retailers are demanding more from delivery companies, who are in turn benefitting from the increased influx of work.
The Figures

More stores are promising to fulfil orders in a short period of time and the number of retailers offering this is set to increase, with insiders estimating that 40% of delivery companies will offer a two-hour service in the next ten years. An even higher number of companies aim to offer same-day delivery by 2023, and in order to do this 87% will use an external network of drivers to fulfil the requirements. This is where an exchange platform really comes into its own, because filling return courier loads will be key to fulfilling these aims.

Changing Retail

More shops are designing their stores and operation systems so that more online orders can be filled quickly. A large number of stores fulfil orders from the in-store inventory, which is the only way that two-hour delivery slots can be made to work. This process has to be developed if the quick delivery slots are to become the norm.

Many retailers around the country are reducing their high street sales space in favour of incorporating an online fulfilment area in store. Not only is space needed for packaging and managing outgoing products, but the massive number of returns also requires an area for processing. Returns are set to increase, as delivery charges are done away with and the transport services become more efficient. In time returns will require an even bigger area for their processing.

This move towards an alternative kind of store set up is proof of the wide acceptance that the retail industry is heading in a different direction. This is excellent news for anyone in the business of dealing with courier loads and the knock on effect for the logistics industry is only going to be positive.

What Does the Future Hold?

Well over half of retail companies who do not offer free delivery or returns are planning to alter their systems and offer these services in the future, although many are still unsure of whether their use of omnichannel strategies are doing the job.

As with most industries, technology is playing a huge part in developing the systems and achieving long-term aims. By 2021, it is thought that around 94% of retailers will use barcode scanners for omnichannel logistics. This will mean that there is a more immediate connection with the warehouse and the systems used to manage the courier loads. RFID-enabled inventory management platforms are also set to be more commonplace in the retail world. The general aim is to connect supply chains in a more intelligent way and make the transportation of goods more efficient and more able to manage demand.

It is definitely worth considering how offering the two-hour delivery service could affect your business. All the signs tell us that the retail industry is moving towards faster delivery times and we will have to manage the increase in demand. Manage it well, offer the required services and your business will thrive.

Prevention is Better Than a Cure – Avoiding Internal Business Theft

Whatever your business is-whether you are involved in retail or not, for instance-you are susceptible to business theft. Sadly, many businessmen (especially those who handle small businesses) only consider retail theft (such as shoplifting) as business theft. But this isn’t true at all; business theft can happen through a number of ways, usually when you least expect it. Business theft can cost your business thousands of dollars, and can ultimately cause the demise of your enterprise. No one would want this to happen, obviously, especially not you-so you have to be prepared. Preventing business theft is better than fixing the damages it has caused. While these anti-business theft measure may seem like additional effort or hassle to your already stressful daily regimen, think of it as an insurance for a better business future. After all, you wouldn’t want business theft to ruin your livelihood.

Here are some ways you can avoid business theft and business fraud, according to tips and information collected from a number of sources and experts:

1. Screen employees: Employee theft is more common than retail theft, so it is wise to screen your employees; regardless the type of business you handle. It is only logical to know whether your employees can be trusted with money and valuable information. The typical recruitment process does not work here, as this does not dig deep into an applicant’s personal history. Professional business theft screening may be advised here, as this can verify personal information, as well as perform criminal checks, credit checks, drug screenings, past cases and claims against past employers, and other similar information. Of course, this business theft screening process can also be done after you hire an employee.

2. Cash should be handled by fewer people. Employees can embezzle company money easily if the cash exchanges hands frequently. Once the proper individuals find out about the missing money, it will be harder to detect who stole it since it reached and was handled by many employees, making the detection more difficult than it is. With only a few people handling the money, you can easily detect at which point the money was embezzled. Also, with fewer hands, you deal with fewer personnel-thus reducing the chances of embezzlement.

3. Practice dual control procedures to prevent business theft. For instance, when one employee handles the money, assign someone else to double check. This prevents collusion, and helps maintain the balance in the company. This also keeps fraudulent employees from even attempting to steal from the company.

4. Conduct periodic audits. A common practice in banks, you can also conduct surprise audits to make sure the ones handling the cash at the end of the day will not steal from you. Make sure the audits are periodic yet unexpected, to keep the employees on their toes. Even though your company does not have a thief within its mist, periodic audits can drive employees to be more careful with handling the money, especially since they know you can check their performance when they least expect it.

Traveling Safe when on International Business

Safety is a concern no matter where you travel in the world. Of course, some countries and cities will be safer than others will, but it is always important to be alert and to keep personal safety in mind when you travel.
Before You Leave Home

Before you go, make a photocopy of your passport and visas. Keep them with you, but separate from your actual passport. Also leave a set at home with someone you can contact easily. If you lose your passport, go in person to the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, and apply for a new one. If your passport has been stolen, file a police report, as you will need it when you reapply for a new passport. Having a copy of your passport will save time. If you are traveling with another person, have them come with you to help verify that you are an American citizen. Bring your U.S. driver’s license or other identification with you. If the consulate cannot verify your identification, you’ll be given a limited validity passport and when you get back to the U.S. you will need to reapply.

Travel Safety

It is important to be on guard at airports, train and bus stations. These are areas where petty theft can easily occur. These areas are easily accessed by the public and have a lot of activity, which helps a thief work unobserved. Interestingly, most business people report that it isn’t the locals that you need to worry about, it’s other people who may be traveling. Don’t assume that a country generally perceived as safe, such as Japan, has no crime problems and let down your guard.

If you have luggage, use covered luggage tags, and use an office instead of a home address. Lock your suitcase before putting it into overhead bins and keep your purse with you when you go to the rest room on the airplane or train. Don’t wear loud jewelry that will make you stand out as a wealthy target or tourist to a thief. It is always best to blend in as much as you can without calling attention to yourself. Some women suggest that traveling dressed down is a safer way to go. However, others caution that you may not be viewed or treated as a professional if you are not dressed in smart attire when you travel.

Hotel Safety

You can reduce your risk of theft and assault by staying in a quality hotel that has safety features such doormen, bellmen, and night staff. Choose popular, business travelers’ hotels in tourist areas, not in residential areas where the streets tend to quiet down in the evening. Some women recommend staying in a hotel that is large so there are people actively coming and going and you won’t be alone. Others prefer a small hotel where the lobby is under the watchful eye of the desk clerk and where a loiterer would be obvious.

When you check in, make sure that your room number is not announced for nearby guests to hear. Lock your valuables in the hotel safety deposit box or the safe in your room. Use the peephole in your door to help identify visitors. If someone knocks on your door at night stating they are night staff, call the hotel lobby to confirm and verify their purpose before opening the door. Most modern hotels have voicemail. If you are not expecting a late night call, let the caller leave a voicemail message. You can call the person back; it is worth a two-minute delay to ensure it is not a crank caller.

Street Safety

Being Followed

I have received reports from women on business in London, Paris, Tokyo, Rome and other cities that they have been followed by men they do not know. Since you do not know the intent of the man following you in such a situation, it is best not to interact with the person but try to lose him as quickly as possible.

Here are some tips to avoid being followed and how to confront someone who is following you:

o Walk in populated areas so that you have other people around you.

o If you are being followed, turn off into a department store, a hotel, or other public area where you might find someone to help you if needed.

o Try ignoring the individual. He may eventually go away. If your follower knows that it bothers you, he may turn it into a game.

o Take a taxi to get away, even if it is just for a few blocks.

o Confront the person with a stare-down if you think that will cause him to run off (although if not done aggressively, many times this will encourage conversation).

Pickpockets and Petty Theft

Many businesswomen who travel internationally have experienced petty theft, such as purse-snatchings and pickpockets on the street, in restaurants, and in dark garages. Some cities have more incidents than others do. Here are some tips on how to avoid a pickpocket:

o Avoid dense crowds, as this is usually where a pickpocket will linger.

o Crowded buses, train stations and airports are prime spots for pickpockets. If you are wearing pants in these places, keep your money in your front pocket.

o On sidewalks, do not walk close to street traffic, as passing motorbike thieves often snatch purses.

o Sling your handbag over your shoulder and body so that it is more secure and harder to snatch.

o Do not hang your handbag on the inside of a restroom door handle or set it on the floor where it can be easily lifted.

o In a restaurant, wrap your handbag around your leg or keep it on your lap. Do not hang it over the back of your chair.

o Study city maps in your room before you venture out so that you have a clear sense of where you are going and don’t look like a tourist.

o Be aware that people may be watching you dial your phone-card number in a phone booth. Such people may memorize the numbers for later use.

o Avoid ATM’s in lonely areas. If it does not appear to be safe, exchange money at the hotel to avoid risk.

Your First Trip Overseas on International Business

Making Contacts

Many cultures outside of the U.S. work on the basis of relationships. People prefer to work with people they know. Therefore, a cold call is often not the best approach to meeting people and making contacts. If you know someone who is close to the firm that you desire to contact, it may be best to try to first meet your counterparts with the help of this connection. Working with an organization that can assist you with your initial contact can be ideal. Many of these third-party firms are industry-related and advertise frequently in local trade magazines. Other venues through which to meet potential contacts and clients are conferences and trade shows. Many of these shows are held in the United States and it is helpful if you do some pre-investigative work. Alternatively, it is worthwhile, and may be even more beneficial, to target a local trade conference in the region in which you desire to make contacts.

Entrepreneurs and large firms should both take advantage of the resources offered to U.S. firms by the Department of Commerce (www.ita.doc.gov). A trade mission is particularly valuable for small firms who do not already have a presence in the country of interest. A trade mission to a particular country is organized by your local department of commerce for the purpose of helping you establish business contacts there. Many trade missions have notable leaders such as the mayor of your city or the business leader of a major organization to help increase visibility for the group in the country. The cost of trade missions usually ranges from $2,000-$5,000 and includes the hotel, flight and appointments. The Department of Commerce also offers a great deal of expert help, free or for a nominal fee, to assist you in creating a business plan or developing export opportunities.

Once you have made contacts and collected business cards, follow up with a letter of thanks for these people’s time. Include a press kit, which explains your firm, its products and services, and your position in the firm. If you are planning to visit your potential business partners, request an appointment by letter or fax, if e-mail and phone are not options. Be specific in what you want to cover, who will be traveling with you, and a few suggested dates, then allow time for response to your request. Try to make these arrangements at least three weeks before you travel. You may need this much time to book hotels and flights anyway.

Researching the Firm

In order to be effective in international business it is important that you conduct a fair amount of research on the firms and the marketplace in which you desire to work. An excellent start is to pick up materials and meet distributors at a trade show. Many firms now have web sites on the Internet so it is a good idea to visit them as part of your preparation. There are credible commercial firms such as Dun and Bradstreet (www.dnb.com) that can provide various reports, such a credit report, on companies you might be interested in. If the firm is large, there is a good chance something will be in the files. If the firm has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), you can access information at http://www.edgar.com

If the firm is small and does not have a U.S. office, it may be more difficult to gather information. Many companies outside of the U.S. are not required to file reports as American firms must do. Accounting practices vary worldwide, so it may be difficult to get information on some companies. If you are planning to visit a specific country, an excellent web site is http://www.tradeport.org which offers information on various countries, their key exports, current economic situation, etc., compiled from U.S. Department of Commerce data. In addition, try to talk to people who have worked with the companies you are contacting to get an idea of how they conduct business, their positive and negative points, and their management structure and decision-making process.

Creating an Agenda

Once you have made an appointment to meet with business people in another country, it is beneficial to propose an agenda to help your contacts understand what topics you intend to cover at your meeting. Many American businesswomen suggest that if you send an agenda in advance it helps clarify your position as the leader and an important participant in the business meeting. It also helps set the direction of the meeting and what you intend to accomplish.

A good agenda usually includes a statement of purpose and some idea of what you want to achieve at the meeting, as well as a list of participants who will attend and how they will contribute to the meeting. In some cultures agendas are not adhered to, because casual discussions used to build relationships are preferred before getting down to business. Other cultures follow agendas more rigidly, and your contacts will expect a fair amount of detail. Before the initial meeting, your proposed agenda may help to initiate a dialogue on what each party expects to cover at the meeting. Give your counterparts plenty of time to review your agenda and respond back with additions or alternative suggestions.

Business Cards

Business cards are very important in many cultures of the world. The information on the card helps identify who you are and your place within your organization. For women, this can help enhance credibility by showing that you are an important member of the firm and where you are in the firm’s hierarchy. Make sure you use a title that is well understood cross-culturally. For example, the titles Manager and Director are usually well understood, but titles such as Specialist may cause confusion.

If you have your business cards translated into the language of the country you are visiting before you go, make sure you select a translation firm that is adept with the local language, and then have the cards proofread by someone else who speaks the local language to ensure there are no translation mistakes. Alternatively, some business people prefer to wait until they arrive in the foreign country before they have their cards translated. Many hotels overseas have a business card translation service or can recommend a local firm. Some can translate and print cards in 24 hours, while others take a few days. Be sure to check before you go. Plan to bring a lot of business cards with you, particularly if you will be meeting large groups.

Travel to Your Business Destination

Gathering Information

If you have time, call the tourist boards of the countries you’ll be visiting and ask for maps and information on your destination. Major automobile clubs, such as AAA, also have touring books and maps by country for their members, and most libraries have travel books. Many Internet sites offer sightseeing information too. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll find that most hotels also have an English local guide and maps of the city you are visiting. You can usually get a local newspaper on the airplane to read up on the country, events, and local happenings. Most hotels offer local TV news stations and usually one is in English.

Passports and Visas

Travel to any country outside of the U.S. will require a passport. If you do not have a passport, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to get one. You can find a passport center in your local phone book or by searching for passport applications on the World Wide Web. If you already have a passport, make sure it will not expire during the trip. Also be aware that some countries require that your passport be valid up to six months from the start date of your trip. For current information on how to get a passport and what you need for overseas travel go to [http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html]

In addition to a passport, some countries will also require a visa. Visas allow you entry into a country for a specific period of time; they usually need to be renewed for continued visits. If you are not sure of the requirements of the country you’re planning to visit, check with the U.S. embassy or the foreign embassy in your area. Some agencies process passports and visas at the same time. Make sure you procure enough photos for your passport and visas, although some processing agencies will take photos for you. If you plan to have passport and visa photos taken on your own, determine in advance exactly what you’ll need – how many photos, what size, and what angles are required. For example, a visa photo may require partial side photography to expose your ear, whereas the passport photo is usually a frontal view. Also, certain countries, such as Brazil, may have different visa applications depending on what city in the U.S. you are from, and these requirements may change frequently. If you plan to travel in and out of the country several times during the course of your visit, be sure to get a visa allowing multiple visits. For current visa information go to: [http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html]

Booking Your Flights

Be sure to ascertain flight availability, flight times, and rates to international destinations well in advance of your trip. Dates that are optimal for you may be holiday times for the people in the country you are planning to visit, and holiday seasons in some countries can last for weeks. This may make it difficult to reserve a flight for a specific date or time, and airline fares tend to increase during holiday seasons. If you are planning to travel to several countries within a particular region, such as Asia, Europe or Latin America, it is usually helpful to work with a travel agent who handles that region. The agent can help you with flight alternatives, hotel alliances, travel packages, and advance notice of special rates on commonly traveled flight paths.
Additional tips to keep in mind:

• If you are traveling to a country in a different time zone, make sure you check the flight arrival date and time to be sure you have sufficient time to arrive at your meetings. It is easy to make mistakes when traveling across time zones.

• Some travelers advise arriving the day before in order to adjust to significant time zone changes. You don’t want to fall asleep in the middle of a meeting.

• Make sure you reconfirm your flight 24 hours in advance. This should be done before each leg of the flight, particularly when you are outside the U.S. Flight times change frequently, and passengers are not always notified. Your hotel desk clerk or concierge – a hotel staff member who assists guests with luggage, messages, and tour reservations — will usually do this for you if you are unfamiliar with the language.

Hotels

Book your hotel in advance; do not wait until you arrive to find a hotel. Choose a hotel close to your meeting place, since many cities have heavy traffic congestion and require extra travel time. If you can, stay in a major hotel in a populated area for safety reasons. When you travel to a major city you will most likely find a hotel chain that is locally owned, as well as a European hotel chain, an Asian hotel chain and an American hotel chain. Each chain will offer a different type of setting and services. If you are accustomed to the services of American hotels, consider staying in one, at least on your first trip. Many women advise that you stay in well known hotels in populated areas, preferably with staff at the door at night for extra safety.

Luggage

For many businesswomen, international travel means a new office in a new country each day. This may require traveling by car, train or plane to the next destination each evening. Most businesswomen agree that packing light is an absolute essential for business travel. It will save you packing time at the hotel, as well as a lot of time at the baggage claim counter in airports if you can avoid checking luggage. Also, in some countries you may find that your hotel room is on the third floor and there is no elevator and no porter. Having to carry a lot of luggage up three flights of stairs is no fun at all.

Bring easy-to-carry luggage that is not too bulky; luggage on wheels is helpful. If you plan to take trains and local planes, easy-to-lift luggage will help you with overhead storage. Stick to carry-on luggage if possible, but if you have to check your bags, make sure to pack a change of clothing and some toiletries in a carry-on bag, in case your luggage gets lost.
For other business executives, international travel may mean spending several weeks in one location before moving on to the next stop. To keep luggage minimal in this situation, packing considerations should include having enough variations in your wardrobe to keep your outfits fresh. Plan for some hand washing and dry cleaning during your trip.

General Packing Tips

• To help lighten your travel load, consider making a list, outlining in detail what you need, what you can discard along the way, and what you do not need to carry. For example, four- and five-star hotels usually provide a hair dryer, shampoo, soap and bath gels.

• Pack dark, versatile clothes that don’t wrinkle and can be easily layered.

• Stick to conservative color schemes, such as gray, navy, black, olive and brown. Try to have your clothes blend with each other so you can interchange them. It is best to avoid loud colors.

• Clothing will wrinkle if it is loosely packed. Factor this in when you are choosing a travel bag.

• Try layering your clothes with dry cleaning plastic bags, or hang them in a garment bag. This helps the clothes slide against each other and not wrinkle.

• If you are flying, ask to have your garment bag hung up if there is no space lay it out in the overhead bin. If you are driving, try to hang the garment bag or lay it flat in the back seat.

• If you are using a carry-on duffel bag, consider rolling your clothes, then hanging them up as soon as you arrive.

• If you are flying, put your toiletries in zip-tight plastic bags to help guard against leaks caused by pressure changes.

• Stick to carry-on luggage if possible. If you have to check your bags, make sure to pack a change of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on bag in case your luggage gets lost.

• If you have reading to do, consider making copies so that you can discard the materials along the way so your briefcase doesn’t get filled with paper, which adds extra weight. If you have magazines, rip out or copy the articles of interest, and leave the rest behind. Consider mailing home large quantities of business papers collected along the way.

• Bathrooms vary worldwide, as does the toilet tissue. Bring some of that too if you are fussy.

• Bring an electronic adapter kit good for several countries if you have electric items such as a hair dryer or electric razor. You can find these in most electronic and travel stores. In some hotels you may also be able to borrow them at the desk.

• Bring a small travel alarm clock, as many hotels don’t provide them.

• If you are traveling to areas with varying seasons, wear comfortable clothes in layers. Many businesses do not have air-conditioning or central heating. The buildings can get very hot in the summer or very cold in the winter.

• In cool, humid winter areas, wool suits, jackets, and dresses are best since wool soaks up moisture while keeping you warm. A light jacket or cardigan sweater is usually a good item to bring anywhere. For hot, humid areas, linen and cotton suits are most comfortable.

• For rainy regions, bring a raincoat and a folding umbrella. (Some business hotels also offer umbrellas for use by their guests).

Packing for a Week

For an average business trip of one week, most women agree that one suit (a jacket and matching skirt), a coordinating skirt or slacks, and several varied blouses should suffice. If your trip extends to two weeks, then you may want to add a blazer and an additional skirt or pair of slacks. Combinations of black and white (solids and patterns) are popular among businesswomen, as they are easy to coordinate with many colors of blouses. Good walking shoes are essential to manage the cobblestones, rough construction areas and train stations, as well as inclement weather. A leather briefcase can serve as a handbag. Pack minimal makeup and jewelry.

Other considerations:

• Be creative with your business attire. Use pants, skirts, blazers and suit jackets that can give you several different combinations with a minimal number of items. Change your look with blouses, scarves and other accessories.

• Consider bringing washable silk blouses if you do not think you will have time for dry cleaning during the visit or between destinations.

• Wear neutral-colored hosiery, limited jewelry and neutral makeup.

• Bring extra undergarments for hot and humid areas where you will perspire more. Plan to wash your smalls nightly (some women bring a small plastic bottle or packets of lingerie cleaner with them).

Flying Comfortably

Depending on where you are traveling from, the airplane trip overseas can be very long. If you will have time to check in to your hotel before your first meeting, then a light sweat suit and walking shoes may be your most comfortable attire for the flight. They will also come in handy if you have time later in the trip for an evening walk around some of the local sights. If you must head directly to a meeting after landing, consider wearing comfortable attire on board, then changing clothes in the airplane bathroom or in the airport when you arrive.

When planning your flight, also consider the following:

• Drink a lot of water, as flying is very dehydrating. Water will help reduce fatigue and headaches that can come with long flights.

• Eat lightly on the plane, and even the night before you fly, to help you adjust to a different meal schedule.

• Avoid alcohol on the plane. It is dehydrating and can throw off your sleep cycle.

• Wear loose clothing and try to stretch or walk around a few times while on board to improve your circulation and avoid leg cramps.

• Take off your shoes and wear a pair of socks while flying. Your feet will probably swell, and tight shoes will become uncomfortable.

• Clogging of the ears during descent and landing is a common problem on long flights. Chewing gum and yawning may provide relief. Quickly drinking carbonated water may help as well. Another approach is the Valsalva maneuver: Hold your nose and keep your mouth open, while gently blowing out with a few short breaths. This causes the ears to pop. Other recommendations include taking a decongestant pill or using a decongestant nasal spray.

• Using a saline nasal spray two hours before you take off and 15 minutes before you land will help you clear your breathing passages.

• If you wear contact lenses, bring a spare pair or, if you wear disposable lenses, bring extras, in addition to your glasses. You may find that contacts become dry in your eyes while you are on board the plane. It is best to take them out for the flight and wear glasses. If you do wear lenses during the flight, keep lubricating drops handy and use them frequently.

• Bring a neck pillow (most travel stores carry them) to help you sleep, especially if you have a center seat on the plane. Bring sleep masks (most airlines supply these) to create darkness. Keep eye drops, toothbrush and toothpaste, lip balm, eye cream (there are also re-hydrating eye patches), and a face toner in your purse to help you feel refreshed during the flight.

Currency

To avoid airport lines later, some travelers prefer to exchange enough money for the taxi ride to the hotel before they board their international flight. Others wait until they arrive and exchange money at one of the local bank stalls at the airport. Many airports have ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) on site. Most travelers prefer to use ATMs as they offer the best currency exchange rates with the lowest administration fees.

Carico International Business Review – How to Succeed With This Income Opportunity

What Is Carico International?

Carico is a network marketing company that distributes a wide array of products and services including cutlery, tableware, stemware, fine China and health and wellness products. Carico International has worked alongside the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and the National Wellness Foundation.

Accompanied by the product line is the business opportunity allowing distributors to earn commissions on product volume sold and new distributors sponsored. Carico has targeted a few segments of the population that are buyers and I see this company going places. Plus they have partnered with some reputable organizations.

Typical Marketing Approach

Most network marketing companies do not always provide their distributors with the best marketing advice. Usually you will be told to create a warm list of family and friends, cold call leads, buy leads, hold home meetings, pass out free samples, pass out fliers and even prospect strangers. The only problem with these methods is that the majority of the people you talk to never had the intention to purchase products or start a business. Plus people hate to be sold to.

A Smarter Approach

What if you could position yourself in a way to be found by people who are actively looking for what you had to offer? Don’t you think you would have an easier time sponsoring people and selling more product? Of course you would. This is accomplished by using the leverage and power of technology, more specifically the internet.

By following the online formula you can attract only the most qualified and serious people into your Carico International business. Also, by taking this approach, you can fill your team up with motivated business builders, who will help you get to where you want to be. Thousands upon thousands of network marketers have finally experience success because they built their business online.

Low-Cost Home Based Business Advertising – Give a Little, Get a Lot

Starting out in your home based business can be a time of strict budgeting. Many new home based business owners find it difficult to discover low-cost home based business advertising, but it does exist – right under their noses. So how do you sniff out those low-cost home based business advertising opportunities to which you don’t have to give much money but you get an amazing return?

First, look to search engines to boost your business and is a great method for low-cost home based business advertising. Registering your business in the major search engines is imperative to building your business. Most people who go looking for something on the internet seek out Google, AltaVista, and Yahoo! to find a business, so for a small fee, your low-cost home based business advertising on these widely used search engines exposes you to millions of consumers.

Beyond the large search engines, another great low-cost home based business advertising opportunity involves pay-per-click engines. You can check out applicable keywords and a search count of those keywords throughout various search engines. Then you can compare the cost of bidding on those keywords. The pay-per-click method is a great way for low-cost home based business advertising as long as you track your sales from the engines in order to make sure you are adjusting your bids for the best return possible.

You also can create and publish an opt-in newsletter for low-cost home based business advertising. The great part about creating this newsletter, as people will sign up and subscribe to the newsletter, so you know they are already interested in what you have to offer. By using the newsletter as a low-cost home based business advertising outlet, you can reach a ready-made consumer group.

Another method of low-cost home based business advertising involves exchanging links with other websites. By finding other sites that your consumers may frequent and brokering an exchange or placing an advertisement on the page, you can gain low-cost home based business advertising through both the websites and the increased ranking on the major search engines.

Advertising locally and in e-zines is a proven method for low-cost home based business advertising. Placing an ad in a phone book or local newspaper is not very expensive, and they reach a wide number of people. E-zines are becoming more popular among readers, so the low-cost home based business advertising in e-zines will continue to gain you exposure.

Even if your business is on a budget, it is not hard to find low-cost home based business advertising on the internet and even in print media. Always remember that you are the best and the lowest of the low-cost home based business advertising options available. Be willing to market your business wherever and whenever the opportunity arises. Otherwise, keep your eyes open for low-cost home based business advertising options as they become available to you.

Hopefully this articles has proven useful to you. Download my Free E-Book and receive valuable tips, strategies and techniques designed to grow a successful Home Based Business. Receive The Free [http://www.charlesfuchs.com/QuickStartWorkBook.pdf].

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