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How To Create and Achieve Your Vision with a Capital V
By Joanne Victoria
http://joannevictoria.com/

This article is based on a radio interview with Romanus Wolter on Entrepreneur Radio, September 9, 2005, www.wsradio.com.

How to Create and Achieve your Vision with a Capital V

1. Why is it that some business owners persevere after several disappointments while others, maybe even the listeners, give up?

A: It is through the power of vision. Your vision can be an inspiring, energizing idea that you can use to excite others.
You need a vision to be more effective, more desirable and more attractive to your clients and customers.

2. What is the value of a business vision?

A: Everything you do, the people you speak with, the clients you attract are all a result of your vision. The right vision for your business will help you be more satisfied with your business and generate more abundance and wealth. With a true business vision, all your decisions are easily made because all your decisions are in alignment with your vision.

3. How do you know if your current vision is good enough for your business?

A: It is not so much about your vision being good enough, it is about having a vision that is clearly visionary. I recently interviewed several entrepreneurs, independent professionals and business owners. I concluded that what they thought was their business vision was actually outcomes or results they provided for their clients. These outcomes, while great, were goals, not in any way visionary. To reinvent your current vision to a Vision with a Capital V, it needs to be mind-blowing phenomenal. If it can be put into words and pictures, it can be achieved

4. I already have business goals. Why do I need a business vision?

A: Goals are specific, measurable realistic outcomes or results, usually completed by a specific date. Tasks or assignments support the completion of the goals. Goals, in turn, support your mission and vision statements. Goals, mission statements and vision are usually aligned with your values.

A goal example is as follows: ABC Company will release two new computer programs in the United States by end of the year 2005.This supports the Business Vision example of: US-Based ABC Company is the only software provider to global nations.

5. How can a business vision increase my income?

A: A Vision with a Capital V will not only increase your income, you will also get better clients and customers. Clarity about who you are and what you do is supported by your vision. The more you focus on what your clients want and need, the easier it will be for them to see and understand your contributions. Opportunities abound when you have a clear vision. The larger your vision, the easier it is to attract more money.

6. What is the first step we can take to make your vision a reality?

A: First, eliminate any individual or challenge standing in your way, real or perceived. Then find a quiet space, have a tape recorder or journal handy as well as an hour of free time. Answer the following questions with as much detail as possible: (there are moreSI will provide you with four)

1. What does your business look like? Does it provide all the resources you require?
2. Is your life rewarding? How?
3. Where are you living? Be as specific as possible.
4. Are you living the life of your dreams? What does it look like?

7. What strategies can I use to help keep my vision alive?

A: It can be easy to lose momentum, to give up part of your dream. We all need support and tools to inspire us on a daily basis. In my latest book, I have a chapter entitled Seven Strategies to Keep your Vision Alive. The list includes:
Values, Meditation, and Inner and Outer Vision Teams. Many entrepreneurs think they can do it all alone, that no one can keep up with them. It's possible, but you will use up all your skills, strength and talent. The Outer Vision Team is where the real world action takes place. Many results come from the real world. Your Outer Vision team must first have a Mentor, someone who will hold the dream for you. Second, everyone on your team must have values that are in
alignment with your values. Third, keep the team small. You can have as few as three others to make your vision a reality.

8. What else can I do to keep my Vision with a Capital alive?

A: Continue to see yourself as the best in your field. See yourself as the best coach, consultant, real estate broker or publicist. Redefine your website to reflect your new vision. See yourself surrounded by inspirational geniuses, all waiting for what you have to say. Know that dreams never die, but that dreams require action. You have a responsibility to create an action plan. If you follow all the instructions in my book, your vision will become a reality.

Author's note: As you can see, it takes the power of Vision With a Capital V to help create the business of your dreams. If you want to expand your business and expand your life, follow these eight steps to experience the life of your dreams.

Why Should You Have a Business Vision?
By Joanne Victoria
http://joannevictoria.com/

Then you found yourself tired, cranky and discouraged with the way things were going: fewer and fewer appointments, less energy and even less enjoyment with what your business is.

What happened?

What happened is that you did not have a visionfor your business. What is a business vision and why do you need one, you ask? A business vision is how your business not only impacts you, but also the world. With a business vision everything you do each and every day supports you to go forward, achieve what you want, yet still benefit others.

Simple visions are the best. The easier they are to communicate to someone, the more essential they become to you and your business. You need a vision to be more effective, more desirable and more attractive to your clients or customers. Clarity is the key in a simple vision. Yet, a simple vision can be very profound.

Remember Mother Teresa? She just wanted to help the poor, and she ultimately became a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. It all started with a simple vision: easy to communicate to others and her willingness to do whatever it took to get her vision seen and heard by others.

So will you. You too will get your vision heard and seen by others.

Joanne's Vision Gem

"With a true business vision, all your decisions are easily made, because all your decisions are in alignment with your vision."

"What Are You Going to Do Today?"

When you wake up and get out of bed and ask yourself, "What am I going to do today?" the existence of a business vision reduces this ever-present stressful question.

Everything you do, the people you talk to, the clients you attract are all a result of your vision. Why? You have strategies to support your vision.

The more powerful and vivid the Vision, the more opportunities occur to create the strategies to build your business success.

Real Vision is about the Dream: it is what you truly want your business to be. Vision with a Capital V is about the impact your business will have on your community, the world and your life.

It is about the relationship with yourself, of how you see yourself.

It is how you want your business to be seen by others.

The value of having a vision is to know what difference you can make in peoples' lives.

Stop thinking small and start thinking big. Why?

Joanne's Vision Gem:

"You will never have the professional and personal success you desire unless you have a far-reaching vision for your business and your life."

Remember, to keep your life and business a success, a vision is vital. A clearly defined business vision will consistently support you to get out of bed each and every day with a purpose in mind. Create your business vision, a Vision With a Capital V, and see your life expand.

Are You Satisfied With Your Business Just As It Is?
By Joanne Victoria
http://joannevictoria.com/

To be satisfied is to enjoy each step along the way, to be able to integrate the practical with the fanciful, to continually refine your dream or vision.

You need a vision for your business. You had it at least once in your life, especially if you chose to go into business for yourself. You may be making the money that you want, have fame in your community, but still are unhappy and wonder - "Is that all there is?"

If you are in any way unhappy or dissatisfied with your life or your business, you need to re-ignite your original vision or create a new one. But wait, you say, you already have a business plan. Isn't that sufficient for your business success?

Why Isn't a Business Plan Enough?

A business plan is for banks and credit institutions, but outcomes are based more on desire than on business plans. Vision with a Capital V is bigger than a business plan. The difference is, if your vision is not articulated, you cannot include it in your business plan.

Who Besides Me Benefits from My Business Vision?

Customers know when you have a clear, passionate business vision. The benefits clients, customers and vendors receive are a result of your clarity about the dream of your business. The more you can relate your vision to your family and community, the more you can excite everyone. More excitement attracts the customer of your dreams.

Lance Armstrong wanted to win the Tour de France. Once he achieved this goal, his vision was to win more Tour de France's than anyone. He did just that; he created a World Record of six wins. What he also did benefited the country of France, even though he is an American. France's tourist dollars increased. American television advertising grew as more people tuned into these races. Armstrong's battle with cancer increased donations to the American Cancer Society. Benefits abounded for anyone connected to bicycle riding, including manufacturers and sports clothing providers.

Do Independent Professionals and Micro Businesses Need a Vision Too?

Definitely! Independent professionals and micro businesses require the clarity of a vision. Martha Stewart started small. She was a caterer after she completed her career as a model. A product of her times, the 1950's, Martha's first thought was to make a home look warm and inviting. As a great cook, Martha created elegant, well-designed meals and events. She had her vision for success.

When Martha Stewart dreamed well into the future, she had a vision of a conglomerate business, with far-reaching rewards. She created OmniMedia, with her own magazine, television shows and products; all sold worldwide. From small business visions, big business visions grow. Even in prison, Martha continued to expand her Vision with a Capitol V to include two new television reality shows. Martha never stops expanding her Vision with a Capital V.

You now have the key to your business future, the joy that can make your efforts worthwhile. You will also achieve fame and fortune as an outcome, but satisfaction is the key. Be satisfied with yourself. Create a Vision that helps move you forward.

Enjoy yourself, your business and your life.

How to Take the Personal Out of the Workplace
By Joanne Victoria
http://joannevictoria.com/

The question is, how do you handle it? How do you look at your manager and think, "No one is going to tell me what to do!" What if a client, peer or prospect gets you on a Bad Day?

How do you take the personal out of the workplace?

It requires discrimination and distinction. If you are having communication problems at work, look at how you view your manager, boss or employee. Does he or she represent a parent, mate or partner? Are your frustrations about what is and is not working in your life manifested on the job?

Learn to leave it at the door. Decide that what you do in the workplace is your contribution - to yourself, your peers and the community. This is your opportunity to commit to what you are best at doing and get paid for it.

Examine your values. Values are how you live your life, about what is important to you. Choose values that help make you what you truly are. Your personal values and professional values can be the same.

Warning! Many businesses like to say they are like a family. Be cautious if you are enticed by this. Employees, managers and business owners may manifest characteristics found in your personal family.

Why is this important?

What can happen is, you may take on the role that you do in your own family. If you are passive at home and come to work as a manager, what does that look like? Confusing at best.

When a passive person has to function in a different role on the job, they may revert and act like the aggressive parent. Potential can best be realized under a thoughtful and caring leader. Attempt to facilitate, to make it easy for everyone to achieve their best.

As a manager or business owner, you have to know what your values are; what the values of your company are, as well as the values of the people you manage. The basic rules of respect and acceptance apply. The Golden Rule is: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you", not: "Do it to them before they do it to you".

People who bring emotional baggage into the workplace can be temperamental, grasping and neglectful. Even more frustrating is that they act out all their pent-up, misplaced emotions on the job without consideration for others. Employees and co-workers react to this, work efforts and results go by the wayside, and profit and productivity go down.

Leave your unexpressed feelings at the door. Take a break if you become frustrated. Know that you are at work to provide results.

Heal yourself first, determine your values,then you will be a better employee, manager or business owner.

Ten Ways to Get Ready for Your Next Interview
By Emtyaz Ahmud-Miki
http://www.constructionjobsnet.co.uk

1. Schedule interviews at times that work for your metabolism. Are you a morning person? Why would you accept a 6PM interview? If you are a person who functions best in the afternoon, try not to accept early morning appointments. If you are a person who needs to be conscious of their blood sugar, try to schedule your appointments at times when you are at your peak. If forced to accept one of your less ideal times, have a quick bite prior to the interview to avoid "fading." Avoid overeating.

2. Give yourself extra time to get to their offices. There are few things worse than getting to an interview late.

3. Arrive at the office building 7-10 minutes early. If it is summer, you want to wait in the lobby to cool off; no one likes shaking sweaty hands. If its winter, warm up; you don't want someone's early impressions of you formed by shaking a cold hand. Take a few minutes in the lobby to get focused on what you will say. Allow a few minutes to get through building security so that you actually arrive at your interview on time and ready to go.

4. Properly introduce yourself to everyone you meet by saying. "My name is __________ and I have a 1:30 interview with ________________."

5. If you are asked if they can hang your coat, accept the offer; if offered a beverage, accept a beverage. You don't have to drink coffee or tea. Soda, bottled water or water is fine. Thank whoever helps you. Declining the offer may be rude in some cultures.

6. Take your seat in order to face the greatest number of entry points into the room so that you can see someone approaching you. Being startled is not a good way to start a meeting.

7. If you are given an application, complete it and complete it accurately and neatly. Do not attach your resume and write, "See attached resume." An application is a legal document and failure to complete it accurately can be grounds for termination.

8. If you are not sure about the month you started a job or your exact salary, write "approx" (for the word approximately) next to the item. If asked, indicate you are not absolutely certain of the exact month and don't wish to deceive anyone. Obviously, if you can ascertain your salary or starting date prior to interviewing, do so; for some people, the date or salary may be so far in the past to make it impossible to determine.

9. Write legibly (or as legibly as you can). This may be the twelfth application you've completed, but it is the first of yours that they've seen. In many professions, sloppiness is seen as a flaw.

10. When you hear your name announced, stand, and smile, shake the hand of your interviewer and immediately size them up as a person. Are they smart (or not). Aggressive (or not). If you were meeting this person socially, I'm sure your instincts would be right. Unfortunately, because people think interviews are important, they think they have to feel the interviewer out. Doing that is a mistake. Hard and fast impressions of you will be formed during the next ten minutes that will be difficult to change. If you tend to be right in social situations about the people you meet, trust your instincts in professional ones, too.

Using these ten steps as a check list will get you started well than your competition. What you do after that is up to you. Good luck.

Get Your Job Search Organised
By C.J. Hayden, MCC
http://www.gethirednow.com

What was the name of the manager you met at last month's business mixer? Did you ever follow up on the application you mailed two weeks ago? Which version of your résumé is the most recent one -- without the typos? If you're asking yourself questions like these, your job search could benefit from some organization.

The typical job search can generate a daunting stack of paper and a backlog of communications from many channels at once. If you are actively looking for work, you may quickly find yourself buried in multiple versions of your résumé, copies of cover letters, clippings and printouts of job listings, business cards from people you have met, e-mails sent and received, bookmarked web pages, phone messages, flyers for networking events, and much more.

To keep all these essential job search components organized, here's what you will need:

1. Calendar - You'll need to keep track of appointments, when you sent out résumés or placed phone calls, and what date you should be following up with people you speak to. Use whatever system works best for your personal style: a pocket datebook, a PDA (e.g. Palm Pilot), or task management software on your computer (e.g. Outlook) are all appropriate choices.

2. Contact Manager - To take full advantage of your personal connections, you will want to maintain a list of everyone you speak with about your job search, along with their complete contact information, when you last spoke, and what you discussed. Contact management software such as Outlook or ACT! is one option, but you can also use a card file, notebook, or large address book.

3. Filing System - On your computer, set up a special folder to hold all your job search materials, and create sub folders to help you find items quickly. Be sure to give all your documents distinct names. Instead of simply "Resume," for example, you might use names like "Resume updated with feedback from Ken" or "Resume sent to Marshall Co" to identify different versions.

For your e-mail, use the same idea to save copies of e-mails you send or receive in separate folders in your e-mail system. You might create one folder for all your job search correspondence, or if you are a heavy e-mail user, add sub folders for each prospective employer or opportunity. Also use a folder to organize bookmarked web pages, such as job postings you check regularly.

With paper documents and clippings, the type of system you choose should depend on whether your job search needs to be mobile. File folders in a drawer or standing file work well if you will always be conducting your job search in the same location. If your job search needs to travel, a better solution might be a three-ring binder with dividers or an accordion file with several pockets.

4. Task List - You'll need a way to keep track of what may seem like an endless list of things to do. Appointments and notes to follow up on a certain date can be put in your calendar, but you'll also need a way to track tasks with no date assigned as well as daily or weekly activities. Some PDA's and contact or task management software offer this feature, or you can keep your master task list in a document on your computer, in a notebook, or on a bulletin board or whiteboard.

Once you have set up a system to organize your job search, you'll need to remember to use it. Get in the habit of making entries in your calendar or contact manager immediately, rather than saving them up for later. When you print documents, open postal mail, or receive e-mails, file them right away, making a note of any action you need to take on your task list. Don't try to use a pile of paper as your reminder.

One technique that can help to keep your job search visibly organized is creating a "job wall." Dedicate some wall space or the back of a door to your job search and post a large calendar, list of job postings to check regularly, events to attend, people to talk to, and important tasks you want to keep in mind. Use sticky notes to highlight important deadlines or projects. You could also keep the same material in a three-ring binder prominently displayed on your desk.

Whatever organization system you choose, find a way to keep your job search activities constantly in front of you and check your to-do list often. If everything you need is buried in a drawer, a pile, or your briefcase, your job search won't get as much attention.

About the Author

C.J. Hayden is the author of Get Hired Now! and Get Clients Now! Since 1992, she has helped thousands of professionals make a better living doing what they love. C.J. is a Master Certified Coach who leads workshops internationally - in person, on the phone, and on the web. Find out more about C.J. and get a free copy of "How to Find a Job in 28 Days or Less" at http://www.gethirednow.com.

Boost Your Job Search with the Buddy System
By C.J. Hayden, MCC
http://www.gethirednow.com

Remember back in grade school when the teacher asked you to hold hands with a friend on field trips? The idea behind the buddy system is that it's much harder to get lost if there are two of you traveling together. When you get into trouble, your buddy can help you out, or find someone else who can.

Maybe you could use a buddy in your job search. The constant challenges you encounter while seeking out job opportunities and going on interviews make job-seeking a difficult road to travel all alone, and it's easy to get lost. Teaming up with a job search buddy can give you:

Perspective - A different point of view on your progress or challenges. Just hearing your problem restated by another person can give you new insight that will help you find a solution.

New Ideas - A partner for brainstorming and an extra pair of eyes and ears to spot opportunities. You can double the amount of knowledge and experience at your fingertips.

Accountability - Someone other than yourself to whom you are accountable -- who will ask you once a week what you have done so far, and what's next.

Support - Space to complain or celebrate out loud, with someone who cares about your progress. If you're facing a roadblock, grousing about it for a few minutes may be all you need to get back into action. And having someone to share your success with can make it much sweeter.

While you could use your spouse, best friend, or a co-worker to provide this extra help, the individuals closest to you may not be the best choice. The people in your personal life will not always be thrilled with how much time you're spending on looking for work, and your co-workers may tend to sidetrack you with day-to-day job issues. You may find it more helpful to find a buddy who can maintain some detachment, but who also understands the importance of your job search.

You and your buddy can assist each other in reaching your goals by setting up a regular check-in, where each of you reports on progress, announces successes, and describes challenges. The buddy's job is to listen, celebrate, commiserate, and be a brainstorming partner. Here's how to make the buddy system work for you in job-seeking:

1. Set a fixed time to talk. Whether you meet by phone or in person, set a start and end time for your conversation. Half an hour is enough; an hour is plenty.

2. Check in about goals and action steps. Make a brief report about where you are with your job search and what steps you have taken since your last meeting. Keep your check-in brief and to the point, e.g. "I got one interview this week, and set up two appointments for networking lunches. I revised my résumé to include more of my past accomplishments, and applied for three new job openings." Acknowledge your buddy's progress and celebrate his or her success.

3. Help each other solve problems. Ask your buddy to first just listen while you tell him or her what's going on and clear your emotional reaction to it. Your buddy can say things like, "Gee, that's tough," or "How awful!" but should not offer any advice until you are through. Talk about not only what is happening, but how it makes you feel. If it sounds like complaining, that probably means you're doing it right.

You might say something like this: "I've been trying for two weeks to finish my résumé, and there's just been one emergency after another, and now my mother wants me to help sell her car, and I'm so frustrated! All the words I write down just come out wrong, and I don't think it'll ever come together, and I needed it yesterday, and I'm so worried that..." You get the idea.

Set a time limit of 5 minutes for reporting and clearing. At the end of that time, ask your buddy to summarize for you: "I hear how frustrated and worried you are. You seem to have two problems that need to be solved -- finding the time to work on the résumé, and getting the words to come out right. Are you ready to look at some solutions?"

4. Brainstorm possible solutions. Your buddy's job is not necessarily to hand you the right answer -- his or her more important role is to help you expand your thinking to come up with some new ideas. Take your problems one at time, and together with your buddy, make a list of possible solutions. Don't edit the list as you are brainstorming; include anything and everything that comes up. You are not allowed to say, "That
won't work," or "I already tried that."

Here are the potential results of a brainstorm on getting the right words for a résumé:

- hire a résumé writer
- plagiarize my friend's résumé
- use the thesaurus
- ask my cousin the writer to help
- do a résumé with only pictures
- don't use a résumé at all
- look at sample résumés on the Internet
- take a class in how to write a résumé
- use what I have and stop worrying
- have some colleagues review it

5. Decide on your next steps. If none of the brainstormed ideas seem right, look at each one to see if there's something useful in it. Maybe you can't afford a résumé writer, but you know one you could ask for a word or two of free advice. Perhaps a class would take too long, but you could check out a book from the library. Find just one thing you can do that will get you moving toward a solution.

Regardless of any problems you try to solve during your session, always end by naming what steps you
will take on your job search before your next meeting. Write these steps down - both yours and your buddy's - so you can check in about them next time.

6. Keep the relationship reciprocal. Make sure each of you gets an equal amount of time at your meetings. If you end up spending the whole session on one person's problem, devote the next session to the other buddy. Keep your buddy in mind as you make new discoveries and meet new people, and share any opportunities you uncover. The buddy system works best when you do for your buddy what you would like your buddy to do for you.

About the Author

C.J. Hayden is the author of Get Hired Now! and Get Clients Now! Since 1992, she has helped thousands of professionals make a better living doing what they love. C.J. is a Master Certified Coach who leads workshops internationally - in person, on the phone, and on the web. Find out more about C.J. and get a free copy of "How to Find a Job in 28 Days or Less" at http://www.gethirednow.com.

Oh No! Not Another Meeting!
By C.J. Hayden, MCC
http://www.gethirednow.com

We've all had that reaction at one time or another when someone suggests there should be a meeting to
resolve a problem, make a plan, or update each other on our progress. Often, it seems that the same topics are discussed over and over, but even though everybody has good ideas, the issues never get resolved.

Meetings can be an effective way to solve problems, or just a frustrating waste of time. The difference is in how the meeting is run. There are five elements needed for a successful business meeting: an agenda, an agreed-upon format, a chairperson, a scribe, and a system of accountability.

The meeting agenda should be prepared and distributed in advance, so everyone knows what will be discussed. The chairperson typically prepares the agenda, based on input from the other participants. It is the chair's task to balance what everyone wants to include with the reality of what can be discussed in the time available. If you disagree over what should be on the agenda, call for a vote before proceeding.

Every meeting should have a fixed ending time. It's a law of the universe that work will expand to fill the time available. An open-ended meeting will run until everyone gets exhausted or there are too few people remaining to make any decisions.

Agree on the format for the meeting before you begin. Will everyone be asked to speak in turn, or will there be open discussion? How much time will be allotted for each topic? Will decisions be made by the most senior person present, or by the group at large? How will the group make its decisions? Must agreement be unanimous, or will a majority vote suffice?

The chairperson must actively run the meeting. He or she needs to keep the proceedings on time, adhere to the format, manage interruptions, and stick to the agenda. If someone talks too much or gets off track, the chair must be able to ask the speaker to "bottom-line" what he or she wants to say, or steer the speaker back to the point.

In a group of peers, you may want to rotate the position of chair, unless one of you is particularly good at it and could serve in that role to benefit all concerned. If the chair is new at running meetings, reading about parliamentary procedure in Robert's Rules of Order can be very helpful.

The scribe's job is to record what topics were discussed, any important points made, decisions reached, and accountabilities assigned. He or she should distribute a copy of the record to the participants within 24 hours, while the details are still fresh in everyone's mind.

Accountability means that a person or group is assigned to do something specific by a certain date. "Jane will get quotes for leasing a photocopy machine and report back at the next meeting," is a statement of accountability.

A common mistake is to decide on a task without assigning who will do it or by when. Another is to make the task too vague, e.g. "Jane will investigate our copying options." The chair must make sure each decision has accountability assigned before moving on.

When you are meeting to solve a problem, make sure everyone first agrees on what the problem really is. "We need a copier," is actually a solution rather than a problem. The underlying problem might be "We are spending too much time running out for copies." The solution might be getting a copier, but it could also be organizing work better, or designating someone to have all needed copies made once per day.

Not every issue can be resolved the first time it comes up, but it can be moved along. Make it a standing rule that some action must be taken about every item on your meeting agenda before the meeting concludes.

About the Author

C.J. Hayden is the author of Get Hired Now! and Get Clients Now! Since 1992, she has helped thousands of professionals make a better living doing what they love. C.J. is a Master Certified Coach who leads workshops internationally - in person, on the phone, and on the web. Find out more about C.J. and get a free copy of "How to Find a Job in 28 Days or Less" at http://www.gethirednow.com.

A Common Sense Approach to Job Interviews
By Jeremy Gislason
http://www.jobdiscover.com/jd/DiscoverMe

As a person who has been on both the job seeker side and the employer end it is amazing how many people throw any chance of getting hired right out the window before they even say a word.

There are thousands of books out their telling you how to memorize possible interview questions and to have an arsenal of winning answers on hand, but the biggest part of any job interview is that initial 10 seconds when you meet your prospective future employer.

Most of what you need to know to be successful in any job interview no matter what level, field or company you are applying to work for is pure common sense. Here is my list of common sense tips to job interviews.

1. Show up. Yes, I have actually had several people who did not even show up for the interview or were very late. As my office is a bit hard to find, I offer to meet customers or job seekers for the first time at the train station, which is
about a 10 minute walk, and escort them to my office. Let me tell you, waiting around the train station in the middle of January for 10-20 minutes more than you have to is enough to irritate anyone, much less the person giving you a job
interview. If you are going to be late, at least have the common courtesy to call and have you had better have a good excuse. If you do not even show up, well, that says a lot about your character right there.

2. Wear a suit. It does not matter whether you are a man or a woman or applying for a blue collar job or a white collar job, or even doing an interview online via webcam, it is better to dress for success. If you can, wear a nice suit and not
something you borrowed that is two sizes too big. You do not have to wear a designer brand, but try to avoid wearing a cheap looking suit that was made twenty years ago. Wearing an eye appealing suit says a lot about you without you saying anything. There is a lot of truth in the phrase, "I feel like a million dollars!" when dressed to kill for the occasion. When you walk up to meet your interviewer, you immediately call attention to yourself that you have self confidence,
discipline and ambition-all of which are desired by an employer.

3. Do not smoke. Unless the office you are going to is owned by a tobacco company, it is best not to smoke before an interview. Many people get stressed out and nervous before an interview and smokers tend to light up in that situation. I have seen people putting out their cigarettes after their name is finally called. If the person interviewing you does not like the smell of smoke, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage right off the bat by smelling like a chimney. If you are
a heavy smoker, suck it up and have the self discipline to not smoke at least two hours before the interview. Once the interview is over you can light up all you want.

4. Eye contact. Always, and I mean always, look your interviewer in the eye when answering a question. You do not have to stare them down like two dogs looking for the other to back down, but keep focused on the person's face. I always make lots of eye contact when I talk to people, not just because I want to make sure they are following me and listening, but because you can really read a person by looking into their eyes. This shows sincerity, honesty, friendliness,
respect and alertness.

5. Be prepared. Always carry a few extra copies of your resume, cover letter and letters of reference. Even if the company already has a copy of these, bring them anyways. You never know when an interviewer may ask you for your resume because they forgot to bring their copy into the room. In addition, make sure you know something about the
company you are hoping to work for. Having knowledge of the company shows you are serious about working there and have basic research skills.

6. Use proper language. Never use slang or 'uh-uh' and 'nah'. One of my pet peeves is when people keep grunting out 'uh-uh' all the time instead of just saying 'Yes' or 'No'. If you let too many 'yeas' and 'uh-uhs' into the interview, your going to be looked at as a person who does not show respect to superior management or who lacks business etiquette.

If you have a habit of doing this, start catching yourself when you do this. Train yourself to start saying Yes.Certainly.By all means.I am afraid I cannot.Unfortunately..etc." and soon you will be talking like professional.

Look and act professional and you will be treated as such. Show respect and you will earn respect. Once you have got these basic commons sense tactics down, you are more than 80% there. The rest is just tweaking and practice.

About the Author

Jeremy Gislason is Vice President of JobDiscover.com and has over 15 years of business and marketing experience.

For more information on how succeed during your next interview, visit JobDiscover and get The Job Interview Success Guide free when you register for a free Discover Me account. http://www.jobdiscover.com/jd/DiscoverMe

Managing the Time You Haven't Got
Author: C.J. Hayden, MCC
http://www.gethirednow.com

Do the words "time management" rub you the wrong way? For many busy professionals, the real problem seems to be that there isn't any time left to manage. You can sometimes get better at managing your time by prioritizing all your tasks and scheduling carefully. But when you're already using all the time you have efficiently and there's still not enough, there are four strategies you can try.

Make more time. The fastest way to make time can be to buy it. You may think you don't have enough
money to pay for help, but think about what your time is worth. If your salary is equivalent to earning $25 an hour, and you pay someone else $12 an hour to run errands for you, that's a bargain. And what value would you set on being able to spend an extra hour having fun with your partner or kids?

You can buy time by paying to have your house cleaned, your car taken for servicing, or your laundry done. Pay a professional to prepare your taxes; have your groceries delivered; make routine purchases by phone or Internet.

Another way to make time is to double up on activities. Get a hands-free mike for your cell phone so you can return calls, place orders, or give instructions to staff while driving or walking. When traveling by public transit, bring along backlogged mail or documents to review. Use your waiting time at the prescription counter or dentist to balance your checkbook or plan your day. Having something to do will also make your
wait more pleasant.

Make less time do. If this were a perfect world, we could do everything perfectly. Many of us try to do this anyway, and it eats up an enormous amount of time. A good example is writing business or personal letters. If it takes you two hours to write the perfect letter, you've lost an hour you could have used to write to someone else.

Try setting a time limit on routine tasks like this, and stick to it. You may find that you can write a very satisfactory letter in half the time. Embrace the idea of allowing what you do to be "good enough" instead of insisting it must be flawless.

Give some things away. Is every responsibility something you need to look after personally, or could someone else handle it? If you have employees, look hard at what you're hanging on to. Is there anything else you could delegate, maybe by providing some training first? If there is no one you can delegate to on the job, be sure you ask your boss for help before assuming that it's impossible.

Examine your personal life and volunteer responsibilities in the same way. Ask your family to take on more household chores, or find someone else to help with the community event you're organizing. Asking for help isn't cheating; it's what all successful people do.

Do some things later. Does all of it really have to be done now? Maybe there's just too much on your plate for anyone to realistically handle. Choose only a few places to focus your energies right now, and put some of those other projects on hold. You don't have to give anything up, just defer it to a later time.

If you find yourself often getting distracted by new ideas, start an idea file. When an exciting new thought occurs to you, put it in the file instead of acting on it right away. Look at your file from time to time for inspiration. Whenever you complete a project you've been working on, you can choose something new from the file.

The most important thing to learn about creating more time in your life is how to say no. Just because you are asked to take something on doesn't mean you have to accept it. Ultimately, your time belongs only to you; make sure you are the one who chooses how to use it.

About the Author

C.J. Hayden is the author of Get Hired Now! and Get Clients Now! Since 1992, she has helped thousands of professionals make a better living doing what they love. C.J. is a Master Certified Coach who leads workshops internationally - in person, on the phone, and on the web. Find out more about C.J. and get a free copy of "How to Find a Job in 28 Days or Less" at http://www.gethirednow.com.

When Do I Need To Hire A Business Plan Consultant
Author: Howard Schwartz
http://www.hjventures.com

Every new business owner knows that a business plan is critical – it is drilled into them by potential investors and every banking officer they meet. So why is something that is so important to the launch of a new venture so difficult to write? Good question! In this article I will try to address when you should go out and hire a business plan writer versus taking on the task yourself. First time entrepreneurs often cringe when sitting down to write their business plan. Some spend 6 months agonizing over each period and comma, and even worse others spend 6 months procrastinating and do nothing. So lets break it down and see where / when a business planning company should be brought in

Who will read your business plan and why?

First you need to really understand the purpose of your business plan and who your audience (reader) will be. This is an important point as a business plan being written for a $100,000 loan is VERY different than a document needed for a $10 million round of venture capital! Since this article is focused on first-time small business owners, I will focus on preparing business plans raising less then $1 million in capital. For this
“startup” or “seed” business plan 30-35 pages are perfect. You are not expected to deliver a thick book (and no one will read it anyway!). Once you have this down, you can honestly assess which sections you are qualified / comfortable writing and which may need consulting help. Here is what you should write on your own :

It is important for you to write a basic draft / outline of your business plan. Without this direction you are probably asking too much of your consultant. Once you have your thoughts organized on paper you can see what you are comfortable completing. Here are a few suggestions:

Executive Summary: Draft the opening of your business plan – then hire a pro to come in and re-write it. Your executive summary will be read first and first impressions are critical!

Marketing: You need to write your own definition of your target customer / audience. For the market research on industry growth and fancy charts go ahead and hire a consultant.

Competitive Analysis: You should put together the first draft of this section, as it is almost as important to understand your competitors, as it is your customers. If you find a consultant that is an expert in your field, then you can work together and add to your initial list.

The Dreaded Financials

This is the most difficult part of a startup business plan, as you are making projections and assumptions on products / services that you have not even produced or sold yet! If you are stuck on this section you can hire a business plan consultant to just assist you with completing your projections (income statement, cash flow, and balance sheet). Figuring out the cost of goods, delivery costs, and return rates can be simplified
by breaking them down into a “light” spreadsheet. Next you need to understand your startup and operating costs – items like electricity, travel, phone expenses, etc. Again just organize these and your consultant can make all the fancy charts and graphs. Just make sure you understand all of the assumptions – for example if you are opening a retail business, you should not look towards your consultant to “guess” your rent – go out and meet with a realtor and come back with real data. If you work closely with your consultant, the financials are a great section to bring in professional help.

Managing Expectations

Now that you know a bit more about when to hire a business plan writer you also need to manage your expectations. You can’t expect a $1,000 business plan to have 20 pages of competitive analysis and a full-blown marketing strategy! If you carefully work through which sections of your business plan need outside help and then manage your consultant closely, your final document will be a success! My next two articles will focus on “How to Find / Hire a Business Plan Consultant” and more importantly “When to Fire your Business Plan Consultant!”

About the Author

Howard Schwartz is a partner in several business strategy groups, including HJ Ventures International, Inc. Howard has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs worldwide with a focus on writing business plans for companies interested in raising capital from Venture Funds and Angel Investors. Howard’s business plans have secured several million dollars in funding.

For more information: http://www.hjventures.com

What is an Investor Ready Business Plan?

A Business Plan, as all good entrepreneurs starting out in life should know is the foundation, or rather a springboard, towards the establishment and growth of a new business. A business plan is an essential tool for companies raising capital – and your business plan needs to be Investor Ready.

What is an Investor Ready business plan?

An investor ready business plan is a document that has been professionally prepared to meet the needs of both Venture Capitalists and Angel investors. In your Business Plan, you should be able to see your own project through the investor's eye. Your plan must be able to answer the concerns of an investor.

The investors, both VCs and angels, are risking their hard earned capital by investing in your venture in the hope of long term returns that are worth many times their original investment. An Investor Ready Business Plan demonstrates to investors that you are an expert in your industry and that you have a clear mission. An entrepreneur addresses these needs by prepareing a comprehensive and detailed view of their business
objectives and goals. Some important sections that address different concerns of the investors are below:

Management

Investors invest in management - not just ideas. It is very important that you express your knowledge, passion and dedication to your business as best as you can. The competence of your team along with their experience levels and their commitment levels are also factors that investors look into before making their investment decisions.

Customers

It is important to communicate to the investors that you understand the needs and requirements of your customers and to articulate your marketing strategy within your business plan. Product/Service Description

A complete description of the product or the services offered by you should be outlined in detail. A description of the overall market for your product or service, along with the details of your customer base is essential. The investors need to know the reach and the kind of customers your product / service is catering to.

Marketing Plan

One of the most important sections of your business plan is your marketing plan. This section will outline your sustainable competitive advantage to your investors. In a way assure them why you will succeed where others have failed. This section is where you include a definitive description of your customers, market size, demographics, characteristics, growth prospects, trends and sales potential per product / service category. Here is where the pricing strategies are outlined and how they can directly influence the growth potential of each product /service. It is also important to include the future growth, market share and trend influences.

Barriers to Entry

Along with giving the details of what your product / service is and who your customers are, you also have to inform your investors how you will you prevent your competitors from taking away your customers. The barriers to entry section outlines your business strategy to keep your competitors at bay and grow in the market. Investors need to feel comfortable about the soundness of your strategy before they invest in your venture.

Click here to contact us to learn more about writing an investor ready business plan:
http://www.investorbusinessplan.com/writing-business-plan.html

For more in-depth information on Business Plans, you can visit our site at:
http://www.investorbusinessplan.com

[Howard Schwartz is a Business Plan Consultant and a partner in investorbusinessplan.com. He is based
at Stamford, Connecticut, and has helped many young entrepreneurs start out on their business careers by preparing a comprehensive business plan for them. He can be contacted on info@investorbusinessplan.com and at 203-494-3344]

Plan to attract foreign entrepreneurs

The Singapore authorities have announced moves to attract more foreign entrepreneurs to live and work in Singapore. They have started this scheme called "Entrepreneurship visa" to attract foreign entrepreneurs who have good entrepreneurial business plan.

Hope they implement it like how Australia implements their "Business Investor Scheme" where the investor has to hire at least 4 full time Australians or 8 part time Australians.

In Australia, the authorities monitor these business migrants. If after the stipulated time they are unable to follow the procedure and set up their businesses, and employ Australians, they will have to pack up and go back to where they came from.

Like the Foreign Talent policy whereby in concept it is excellent. [Andrew Sng, 25 Oct 2003]

Red Alert: Still more bad unmployment news

Bad unemployment news for 2Q03: Singapore's job market at 17-year low

The Manpower Ministry painted a picture of a job market that remains stubbornly sluggish and continues to frustrate people looking for work.

The Ministry said the total number of available jobs contracted by 25,963 compared to the previous quarter -- the 'steepest decline on record since the mid-80s recession.'

It said the job market is not expected to improve this year as the amount of new job openings will not be enough to absorb the number of people entering the work force.

Unemployment is hovering around 4.5 percent, and is expected to rise. A total of 102,123 Singaporeans were unemployed at the end of June, higher than the 95,911 unemployed residents in June 2002.

This is probably good news in bad times!

There are more temporary and contractual jobs in the job market!! This pattern has persisted for some time. Temp hiring is usually taken as a leading indicator of permanent job growth, but recently it looks like a way of lower costs during a period of steady job loss.

Economists and politicians are trying very hard to figure out how to improve the sluggish job market.

So far, the economic plan has focused on long-range operation cost cuts that give businesses the biggest benefits. The theory is that if businesses save money on taxes, they will buy more equipment and hire more workers.

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Readers' comments

Let's face the reality

If SARS (a temporary problem) is over and if the recession ended 20 months ago, then this is the new reality. Those jobs are never coming back!!

Post by J.J on September 15, 2003

J.J was once like everybody else: a productive and contributing member of society. Then he was laid off from his job. Now he embodies all our fanatasies about never having to work again. Unemployed J.J rules!

Article #1: My experience of searching for my first job

I graduated with an Engineering degree in one of the local universities, after which I was landed in an engineering firm in 1999. The process of searching for a job was not a pleasant experience for a fresh graduate like me, especially with grades that were not that fantastic. The probability of losing out to someone experienced or with better results was large. I was at a crossroad at that time, not knowing which direction I should go. The only thing I was very sure of was to find a job immediately...

As a result, I blindly searched for any jobs available while browsing through the Recruit section of the Straits Times newspapers every Saturday. I took pains in looking through every small column for a job I felt I could try for based on what I've studied so far. I even tried looking for jobs through the Internet by posting as many resume as I could to each job sites, going to job recruitment agencies directly to submit my resume and looked through the daily classified ads for any jobs.

All these were definitely paid off. I was selected for interviews several times. However, due to my inexperience (both in work and interview), I was declined several times as well. After numerous calls and interviews, not one of them was successful. Things were looking bleak.

When I was on the verge of looking for some part-time to do, a phone call by an anonymous agency asked me to go down for an interview. I couldn't remember which agency it was as I submitted my resume to too many of them. What I was sure of was that it was an online job site. After so many failures, I did not have much hope on that interview.

There were three interviewers. I had previously been to one interview with around nine interviewers!!! I frozed and performed badly at that time. Since then, I promised myself to stay cool no matter how many interviewers there were.

As I was not very hopeful about the interview, I was quite composed at that time. When there were doubts about my experience, I promised that I'll do my best to learn and was honest about what I knew. I left the room feeling hopeless, knowing that I would not get the job.

A few days later, I received a phone call again by the agency and was surprised that I was selected!!! I even thought that they were kidding me!

Now when I think of it again, I still feel rather foolish to be finding a job blindly without taking into account of what I really like. However, I believe that finding a job that I really like will be difficult. Lots of factors to consider : colleagues, nature of job, environment and bosses.

I'm still surprised why I was selected. My guess is perhaps because of my honesty or sincerity? Anyway, I've learnt that I should just be myself during an interview. Take deep breaths to cool my raw nerves and be sincere. Also, gain more chances by posting my resume at as many places as possible. [Wonderwoman, 26 Oct 2002]

Article #2: My job searching experience

I graduated with an Interdisciplinary Studies from an American university in August of 2001. Like any fresh graduates, I applied for my Optional Practical Training visa that allows a foreign graduate to find a job and work in US up to a year of the visa's issuance. I received a notification letter from the Immigration Office somewhere in September that my application was being process. Thinking that I will receive the visa soon, with optimistic thinking and abundant self-confident, I started attending job interviews.

Unfortunately, because I did not know whether my application was approved, and because I never received the Employment Authorization Card (EAC) from the Immigration, no companies were willing to hire me. Further, because of slow economic growth, a portent of uncertain times ahead, companies that wanted to hire me were hesitant to sponsor my H1-B visa. The EAC would have eased the problem because it would provide me with sufficient period to prove to any of the potential employers that I am a good candidate. All throughout this time, I called and faxed the Immigration Office in Laguna, Los Angeles that was responsible in handling my visa application. However, there was no reply at all.

Finally, after much persistent effort, I was able to get through and talk with an Immigration Officer. I was informed that they did issue me the EAC in November, but it was returned soon after by the Post Office. Arguing that they were not responsible of the incident, a higher officer of the Immigration Office suggested that I pursue the matter with the US Postal Service. To make long story short, I was denied an extension of the EAC even though the incident was of no fault of mine, and even though the incident was beyond my control of knowing, affecting, and effecting. So to avoid being stamped an illegal status by US Immigration, I headed back to Singapore.

Now I have been in Singapore for two months. Like many other job seekers, I realized that we are all experiencing a rather tough time. Thus far, I have submitted more than 70 job applications; most were by e-mails, and the remainder by fax. In addition, just when my spirit began to falter a little, I receive my very first call from a company that wanted to interview me. Imagine that!

The plights that Wonderwoman mentioned in her article, “My experience of searching for my first job” mirrored mine somewhat. I believed that I utterly failed to impress upon my first interviewer. I was even unable to answer his first question, "Which job position are you applying for?" due to my nervousness of having my very first interview here in Singapore. Personally, the past three weeks have really been a nerve-wrecking, gut-wrenching, and confidence-shaking experience. Occasionally my confidence and pride shook. Yet, every time that happened, I tried to quickly psyche myself up again!

Even if that first interview failed to secure me a job, I believed that the experience would prove to be valuable. I will face every challenge without fear, for what is to fear except fear itself? Facing times like this, nerve like steel, perseverance, patience, and determination are decisively shaped and forged. Mind over matter, they said. If you do not mind, it does not matter. Well, I do not mind failures, especially failures that I can turn to success, and failures that will help enhance my personal experiences. For in every failure, there is always that one ingredient for success.

Keep on trying. Never gives up. Work hard. Be resourceful, and use any possible resources to help market yourself. Stay positive. Moreover, keep yourself busy with an activity or two. I am doing that, too. I did some housecleaning, write poems, articles, sing, made a new website, and try to attain single-mindedness in my search for that first job in Asia. Thanks, Wonderwoman, for sharing! And thank you, too, for reading! Let's help the world by beginning from us to help ourselves, and then each other. [xikhuang, December 28, 2002]