How To Promote Your Online Business

By: Ronaldo
Starting an online business has become an increasingly popular trend among a wide demographic since it provides the opportunity to own a business without costly overhead expenses. However, to ensure your online business is successful, you must promote and market it.

Ezines and Newsletters - Communicate with your customers regularly by providing an e-newsletter which details the latest news surrounding your business. This can include anything from new products to publicity your business has received. Entice customers to sign up by offering an incentive, like a discount on their next purchase or a small gift.

Press Releases - In conjunction with an e-newsletter, write a monthly press release which is submitted to online PR sites and local media. Make sure your news is newsworthy and of value to your audience and market.

Network Online - Join and participate in online forums, communities, and discussion boards relevant to your product or services. To properly utilize these forums, don't blatantly market your site get involved in the discussion and introduce yourself. Doing so will enable you to position yourself as an expert in your field, thus garnering new customers and driving traffic to your site.

Foreign Customers - If your site is global or you service international customers, accept online payments in local currencies to increase sales.

Complementary Items - Expand your offering by adding complementary products or services in order to upsell your customers. For example, if you sell clothing, add accessories; if you're an artist, sell frames.

Contests and Give Aways - A great and relatively inexpensive way to market your online business is to offer a contest or give away. This will generate publicity and traffic for your site and get people interested, especially if the item (or service) you're giving away is a hot commodity.

Email Signature - Add an email signature, including your website and contact info and even easier way to get the word out about your website to all those you email.

Source:
http://talkaboutcareer.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-to-promote-your-online-business.html

Affiliate Marketing – Internet Business Programs That Really Work

By: Josh Boxer

Among the commonly used Internet business programs, affiliate marketing is one of the most effective ways of making money online and turning your biz into a big success. So if you're one of those people seeking for ways to get out of your boring office job or to escape from your strict boss, then affiliate marketing is worth a try.

There are three marketing strategies you can apply to be successful in all the affiliate marketing Internet business programs you're joining in. These are:

1. Keyword Research
If you want to make it big online especially in affiliate marketing, you need to master keyword research and analysis. When this technique is well-executed, your site's traffic will dramatically increase. Remember that when Internet users need something, they usually go to search engines like Google and type in what they need. The word or phrase entered by the searchers is called keyword or keyword phrase and this is exactly what you should find out. You have to research about the search terms related in your business that are used by most people. The secret here is to choose the keyword wherein you have fewer competitions but are searched by people.

2. Search Engine Optimization
Your keyword research and analysis has to be used and implemented to be able to bring in more traffic to your site. You can do this using various SEO techniques like article marketing. You need to write about the keyword or keyword phrase you want to optimize your site for, put a link back to your site, and submit the articles to different article directories. Every time a person reads your article and become interested in its content, chances are he or she will click on the link and will be directed to your site.

Another method you can use is video marketing. You can make how-to or tutorial videos and upload it to famous sites like YouTube. In the description, you can include a link back to your site. Simple yet well-taken videos are highly effective especially for people who are looking for step-by-step guides in doing or installing something. So if you are capable of making one that's related to your products or services, don't hesitate to do so.

3. Good Rapport with Potential Customers
This strategy is usually neglected by most Internet marketers. They just concentrate on increasing their site's traffic and end up losing their leads. Such a waste of time and effort, right? So what should you do to retain the interest of potential customers in your products? It's simple. Once they arrive at your site, make a good impression within three seconds. And when customers left your site, try to follow up on them by calling or e-mailing them. Tell prospective clients that you're always willing to help them if they have questions about your products. By so doing, you are establishing a good rapport or good working relationship between you and your potential client.

These are just some of the affiliate marketing Internet business programs you can use to make your business successful online. You can support these with many other strategies and techniques and using other SEO tools.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-opportunities-articles/affiliate-marketing-internet-business-programs-that-really-work-2682342.html#ixzz0rJboVsc8

Malaysia Targets Indonesian Education Sector Through Franchise

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Malaysian franchise development institute targets to place 12 of its franchise from different line of business in Indonesia, durin a business convention and exhibition which opens today (18/6) in Jakarta.

Managing Director of Malaysia's Franchise Development Institute Syed Kamarulzaman Bin Dato Shahabudin said during the exhibition “If it is possible we want to place all the franchise business brought here, to Indonesia.”

Malaysia bring 14 franchise businesses to the exhibition, mostly from education, direct selling service, and technology inustrries. Two of which are state companies. Kamarulzaman said his government to promote franchises in education business, as it already has many food franchises operating in Indonesia.

About 160 companies from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines participated in the exhibition.

Source:
http://www.tempointeractive.com/hg/ekbis/2010/06/18/brk,20100618-256507,uk.html

Hundreds of Companies Participate in International Franchise Exhibition

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The International Franchise, License and Business Concept Expo and Conference/IFRA) will open today.

“This year, 160 companies from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines will participate in the event," said the Domestic Trade Director General, Subagyo, in his opening speech of IFRA at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), today.

In this event, franchise owners can meet with more than 18.000 potential investors.

The exhibition is expected to increase interest in the franchise business in order to and achieve the 12 percent growth target. As an example, as of June last year, around 42.900.000 franchise stores and business opportunities were registered.

Source:
http://www.tempointeractive.com/hg/nasional/2010/06/18/brk,20100618-256508,uk.html

Bali to produce 110,000 tons of fish

Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA News) - Bali has a production target of 110,000 tonnes of fish in 2010, which increased from the previous year which was only 106 000 tons, a regional fishery official said.

This target is expected to be achieved, given the fishermen and freshwater fish farming had made maximum efforts to increase production, said Head of Fisheries and Maritime office of the Province of Bali, Gusti Putu Ir Nuriartha said here Friday.

He said the increased production of the fisheries sector will have positive impact on efforts to overcome poverty for fish farmers and fishermen who live on the coast.

Source:
http://gresnews.com/ch/News-En/cl/Bali/id/105155/Bali+to+produce+110000+tons+of+fish

Ten Tips for More Effective Meetings

Author: Michael Smith, Ph.D.

It's been 28 years since Michael Doyle and David Straus wrote their groundbreaking book, How To Make Meetings Work (1976). Are you like many of my clients who gripe about numbing, deadening meetings? As one publication put it, "days, weeks, months, years of our lives are slipping away in stuffy, overcrowded conference rooms". Little appears to be accomplished and no one seems to be able to do anything about it.

Doyle and Straus claimed that there were 11 million meetings in the US every day in 1976. Doyle says that there are 25 million today and most of them don't work. If you calculate how much productive time plus lost wages accrue to those sitting in the room, a truly staggering figure emerges.

Fortunately there are answers for this dilemma. Let me offer you ten tips for turning around your unproductive meetings.

1. Is the meeting necessary?

Let's start with a fundamental-and radical- question: Is your meeting necessary? A meeting largely serves two important business purposes: sharing information or making a decision. Can some other method of information sharing/decision making be used? Meetings are often held because "it's time for our meeting" with very little thought spent in what will actually happen. So rethink if you even need to hold it.

2. Send an Agenda in Advance

If you do decide to hold the meeting, send an agenda at least three days in advance. The agenda should be clear about what the meeting results should be, how people should prepare and what roles they will play. Show how the meeting connects with other meetings that may have contributed to the issues that will beaddressed. Ask for feedback. The three days allow for modifications if needed.

And don't forget to connect the meeting with the larger mission and vision of the organization. This creates and reinforces the much-needed larger context for the meeting.

3. Start and End on Time

Not doing this just (starting on time) reinforces the latecomers and punishes those who arrive on time. There are few things more maddening then waiting for stragglers and then listening to the half-hearted apologies-or no apologies at all.

Ending on time indicates that you value people's work that must be done after the meeting. Unfinished items can be carried over as part of the planning for the next meeting.

4. Create Ground Rules and Follow Them

These should include:

• Whether "checking in" time should be before or part of the meeting


• Reinforcing starting and ending on time


• Creating a climate of trust where people can speak freely and no one gets hurt


• Setting boundaries around the decision making process. When do you just want information from the group and when do you want a group decision.

5. Appoint a Recorder, Timekeeper and Facilitator

This was Doyle and Straus' unique contribution to meeting effectiveness. These three roles keep the meeting moving and on track.

• Appoint people to play these roles at each meeting. The roles can be rotated during the meeting if there is an important issue that the role players want to participate in.


• Have the recorder chart (on a flip chart) the "meeting notes" as the meeting progresses. This "public" recording of the meeting eliminates the need for minutes and allows everyone to stay involved by having his or her contributions noted. This method also allows for making corrections on the spot. The notes should be transcribed and made available to all after the meeting.


• The timekeeper notes time allotted for agenda items and makes sure the time is adhered to.


• The facilitator keeps the meeting on track and makes sure the ground rules are followed, participation is wide spread, people are listened to and issues are aired and brought to a conclusion.

6. Plan the Meeting

Review the agenda and the meeting's purpose. Get agreement on the outcomes to be accomplished by the end of the meeting. Make sure you have genuine buy-in.

7. Appoint a Devil's Advocate

For each issue discussed, appoint and rotate the role of "devil's advocate". Many people will not speak out at meetings for fear of retribution, low group trust or just the fear of looking stupid. As a result "group think" becomes the norm and poor decisions result. By appointing a devil's advocate, you give official permission for raising differing views.

8. Designate Follow-Up

After an issue is agreed upon, designate:

• Who is responsible


• What they will do


• By when
  

9. Do a Meeting Review

On a flip chart sheet, draw a line down the middle. On the top of the left column place a simple plus (+). On the other column, place a delta (∆) (for needs improvement). List group responses to the following:

• Were the outcomes achieved?


• What worked and what didn't?


• How can the meeting be improved?
  
  

Use this information to plan the next meeting.

10. Monitor What Happens After the Meeting

Note the water cooler/coffee machine conversations after the meeting. That's where the real meeting analysis often comes out. Comments made away from a meeting — negative or positive — do not contribute to the meeting's productivity. If you hear such comments, figure out a way to bring that information to the next meeting. It may require a revision of the ground rules so people feel safe to discuss the real issues.

Meetings don't have to be the horrible experience that they often are. By following these tips, your meetings and your organizational results will improve.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/management-articles/ten-tips-for-more-effective-meetings-2663679.html

About the Author

Michael H. Smith, Ph.D., is an Oakland, California-based organization consultant who conducts "Rapid Strategic Planning" retreats for law firms. He can be reached at (510) 832-8500 or mhsmith@michaelhsmithphd.com.. For more information about Dr. Smith's works and articles, please visit www.michaelhsmithphd.com and his blog site www.michaelhsmithphd.typepad.com

The Meaning and Definition of Integrity

Author: Pierre Du Plessis

In an effort to define the word "integrity", I came up with some explanations, after consulting some dictionaries and encyclopaedias.

Integrity is made up of several words, meanings and synonyms. It consists of a lot of what can be described as ethical and moral values or civilised values.

1. Soundness:

This refers to how healthy an opinion, argument, reasoning or a research finding is, implying how free it is from flaw, defect or decay.

Also, how free is it from error, fallacy, or misapprehension; exhibiting or based on thorough knowledge and experience; legally valid; logically valid and having true premises; agreeing with accepted views.

It also means solid, firm, stable and thorough; showing good sense or judgment based on valid information.

2. Completeness:

It means having all necessary parts, elements, or steps; highly proficient; totally, absolutely, thoroughly and fully carried out; including all possible parts.

3. Sincerity:

It means fairness and straightforwardness of conduct; adherence to the facts.

4. Honesty:

It implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.

5. Honor:

It suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.

6. Probity:

It implies tried and proven honesty or truthfulness.

7. Incorruptibility:

It implies trustworthiness and truthfulness to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility or pledge.

It also finally means being incapable of corruption; not subject to decay or dissolution; incapable of being bribed or morally corrupted.

8. Conclusion:

The question to be asked is where does a nation stand with regard to these principles of integrity; where does an organisation or political party stand and finally what is my individual position? This synonymous question can also be asked: How civilised are we?

9. Resources:

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

10. The Stanford University Encyclopedia of Philosophy states the following:

"Integrity is one of the most important and oft-cited of virtue terms. It is also perhaps the most puzzling. For example, while it is sometimes used virtually synonymously with 'moral,' we also at times distinguish acting morally from acting with integrity. Persons of integrity may in fact act immorally-though they would usually not know they are acting immorally. Thus one may acknowledge a person to have integrity even though that person may hold importantly mistaken moral views.

When used as a virtue term, 'integrity' refers to a quality of a person's character; however, there are other uses of the term. One may speak of the integrity of a wilderness region or an ecosystem, a computerized database, a defense system, a work of art, and so on. When it is applied to objects, integrity refers to the wholeness, intactness or purity of a thing-meanings that are sometimes carried over when it is applied to people. A wilderness region has integrity when it has not been corrupted by development or by the side-effects of development, when it remains intact as wilderness. A database maintains its integrity as long as it remains uncorrupted by error; a defense system as long as it is not breached. A musical work might be said to have integrity when its musical structure has a certain completeness that is not intruded upon by uncoordinated, unrelated musical ideas; that is, when it possesses a kind of musical wholeness, intactness and purity.

Integrity is also attributed to various parts or aspects of a person's life. We speak of attributes such as professional, intellectual and artistic integrity. However, the most philosophically important sense of the term 'integrity' relates to general character. Philosophers have been particularly concerned to understand what it is for a person to exhibit integrity throughout life. Acting with integrity on some particularly important occasion will, philosophically speaking, always be explained in terms of broader features of a person's character and life.

What is it to be a person of integrity? Ordinary discourse about integrity involves two fundamental intuitions: first, that integrity is primarily a formal relation one has to oneself, or between parts or aspects of one's self; and second, that integrity is connected in an important way to acting morally, in other words, there are some substantive or normative constraints on what it is to act with integrity. How these two intuitions can be incorporated into a consistent theory of integrity is not obvious, and most accounts of integrity tend to focus on one of these intuitions to the detriment of the other.

A number of accounts have been advanced, the most important of them being: (i) integrity as the integration of self; (ii) integrity as maintenance of identity; (iii) integrity as standing for something; (iv) integrity as moral purpose; and (v) integrity as a virtue. These accounts are reviewed below. We then examine several issues that have been of central concern to philosophers exploring the concept of integrity: the relations between types of integrity, integrity and moral theory, and integrity and social and political conditions."

For further detailed discussion of "Integrity" visit:

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/integrity/

and

http://www.webweevers.com/integrity.htm

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/leadership-articles/the-meaning-and-definition-of-integrity-89135.html

About the Author

Pierre du Plessis (MBL, 1982, UNISA) is owner of Leaders Circle, with web site http://www.career-builders-club.com, catering for various niche related products and packages and author of several e-books. This article can be used for re-publishing as long as it remains unchanged.