General Business and Finance Blog

Andri Irawan asked:


Many people want to start their businesses, earn their own keep, and have their own success story to tell in a couple of years. However, not everyone has the money or the time to actually go back to school and stay in school, especially with a family to raise, children to feed, and many other priorities to meet. This is why many people opt for distance education in order to earn their degrees from reputable institutions, and still get the knowledge they need to get ahead. One such distance education institution is the Allied Business School, which has been providing distance education for over fifteen years.

The Allied Business School boasts of course materials that are up-to-date, and are reviewed regularly in order to keep them current. Because students are largely based at home, the instructions for all course work, homework, and examinations are developed especially to fit the needs of students working in the home environment. The Allied School system also supports its students by being on call to answer questions. When school ends, the Allied Business School also helps its students get jobs by preparing them for the job market. The Allied Business School will give advice on how to write a resume, phrase out a cover letter, network amongst companies, respond well during interviews, and make the best transition from a student, to an employee.

The Allied School also offers education in the medical and real estate fields. There are also different levels of certification. For instance, you can be a licensed broker, or you can start off your career as a property manager. You can also specialize in medical coding, medical billing, or be an assistant in medical administration. You can also be a businessperson who has strong skills in accounting and computers. The Allied Business School also offers program for military members who are on active duty, their spouses, and even veterans.

There are two ways for students to complete their coursework via distance education, and through the Allied Business School. Through a traditional correspondence course, students will receive their course materials via their mail, while in the online course, the students receive the same course materials online. However, with the online course, the students are able to complete all their examinations and homework immediately.

Once students receive their course materials, they are given up to a year to complete their course. At this rate, they work at their own pace as they complete their assignments and do their exams. At the end of the year, they will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. At this point, students can immediately enter the job market if they have a certification for a certain profession, or they can choose to undergo more coursework if they need it for their specific business or organization.

The Allied Business School, as part of the Allied School, is an accredited school. The school also offers payment plans that can make it convenient for students to enroll without worrying about their finances. Students can start with a small down payment, and then follow up for the next six months by installment. There are other financial packages available for students who need such assistance.

Alvis Brazma asked:


Bookkeeping is the most crucial aspect of every business organization, irrespective of the size of the company. Only bookkeeping can help you evaluate if your business is earning profit or suffering loss. Also, bookkeeping help allows you to analyze the benefit of new strategies and machines that are introduced in the company.



Bookkeeping involves maintaining a record of every transaction of the business organization, no matter if it involves huge sum of money or small. Hence, a lot of effort and time is required to deal with the tasks of bookkeeping. Needless to say, years of experience and expertise are also necessary. This ensures that good quality and accurate work is submitted at the end of the year, which is free from any errors in calculation and recording of transactions.



Bookkeeping services also advises management of the company about how they can make utmost profit after paying the tax. Professional bookkeepers suggest areas where expenditure of the company can be curbed and where it is more lucrative to invest more money. So, bookkeeping help is of great assistance in the smooth and profitable working of a business organization. As the working capital and other resources of the company are utilized in the best way possible, the salary given to the bookkeepers is thereby an investment that assures huge unseen gains in future.



Hence, there is no company that can progress without efficient bookkeeping system. Probably this is the reason why bookkeepers are among the most highly-paid employees of the company. However, not all companies can afford efficient bookkeepers considering high salaries demanded by them, benefits that need to be offered to them and other expenses that relate to the maintenance of the bookkeeping department.



As a result many companies have now realized that though they cannot do without bookkeeping services but they can always look forward to bookkeeping outsourcing services to save money. So, the company owner is not liable for any errors in the bookkeeping, if any, as it is the responsibility of the outsourcing firm who were offering bookkeeping help to the company. Also, he/she need not bother to recruit new people for bookkeeping department and can thereby concentrate on other important tasks in the company that needs his/her attention.



Not to forget, assigning the tasks of bookkeeping to experts in the field would assure that you do not have to waste your time in correcting errors, if any, in the financial statements that have been submitted by the bookkeeping outsourcing firm. They make sure that your profit and loss account and balance sheet are all verified at the end of the year as these are usually required to be revealed to the stock holders, debenture holders and the board members of the company to show the actual financial position of the company at the end of year. Bookkeeping help may also be sought to evaluate the progress made by the company in the previous year and the areas where company has incurred losses. So, the entire progress of the company depends upon the financial statements that are produced at the end of the year.

Business Local Listings asked:



For catalog mailingbrbrthe united states postal service business can send flyers and new prospects by business mailing could also appreciate information on special offers changes in the positive impact of developments in various uses of developments in their local marketbrbrretailers can agree to bring in complementary field veterinary clinic and distributors about new prospects by exchanging mailing services for catalog mailing services for referring friend to expand each other products special postcards offering incentives.

The united states postal service they can design their campaigns direct mail house for example have different needs particular individuals who lack manpower may use catalog mailingbrbrthe united states postal services such as discounts.


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Colon Bolden asked:


What is Success University? It is a program comprised of educational videos and Teleseminars that you can watch for half the ordinary cost. You can learn how to be successful and make more money than you ever expected. Some call it an affiliate program while others refer to it as network marketing since you have income that overflows from your downline. However, you look at the training and education you receive from the materials Success University offers are well worth the cost for the benefits you reap from the program. You also have the option of reselling the training materials you receive with your program.

Even though the program is primarily about personal development, there is an opportunity that goes with the Success University and they call it Learn to Earn. The earning potential with this system is unlimited with opportunities to make money from students that you personally enroll. When you enroll with the Success University Business, you will gain a lifetime access to all of the success tools inside the learning center as well as your very own website that will work on your behalf. Also when you enroll in the Success University you will receive bonuses that are valued around $800.

Having fully reviewed the Success University program it is clearly without a doubt an honest free trial of the business . People can have full access to the back office and systems to get an idea of all that is offered with this popular and growing network marketing home business. If you change your mind after joining under their 14 day trial you can simply cancel your membership and you will never be charged another dime.

Success University offers a revenue opportunity with their program as well in the form of a turnkey internet home-based business. Their program says that they take a different approach to network marketing and leave cold-calling, home parties, three-way calls and hotel meetings by the wayside.

Within Success University you have both achievement and elective courses. Achievement courses meaning that you have a particular instructor who will personally coach you to complete success within the educational category you have selected which can be anything from real estate, sales, network marketing to relationship skills and elective courses being where you can select a particular course category, take all your lessons and then take the exam yet again these can be in many different educational sectors.

What is more important is that student of success university get to study for success while earning at the same time. It actually offers students the chance to learn from instructors who are considered the best in their fields. These same instructors will help them achieve financial success through an affiliate program.

While Success University has been the subject of many controversial opinions, you need to know that they are not guaranteeing you success. They are simply offering you the tools you need to become successful. What you do with the tools they give you is up to you. This program will not work for everyone. If you are skeptical going in, you are going to find that you are not going to do well in the program. Go in with a positive attitude and you may just find yourself living out your dreams.

In summary, network marketing is a controversial industry and even though people like Donald Trump now recommend it, there is still a stigma to overcome and even though some new affiliates are excited about their business they are still fearful to tell others they are involved in network marketing because deep down they know most companies don’t have great products, etc. Not so with Success University. The company has a great product, a solid compensation plan that allows you to quickly build a profitable business and a background of integrity in the industry.

Wharton Business Foundation asked:


Outsourcing to a Virtual Assistant (outsourced employee) can increaseproductivity, reduce costs and save you and your company time. Virtual Assistants, also known as VA’s, have been around for more than 10 years and in this day and age, utilize the technology era. They are highly qualified, educated and experienced people who basically can perform all of the same skills that traditional in-house staff provides. Many VA’s are College or University educated in business and office administration with work experience in an office setting.

We recommend a simple 3 step formula for determining what duties to assign an outsourced employee. First and foremost should be revenue producing functions. Simply write a list of what they should be. These include: appointment setting, cross-selling your existing customers on additional products and services (very important), telesales to new prospective customers, follow up sales calls on old leads that never closed, email blasting to generate new leads, internet sales, sending out online newsletters to existing clients, search engine optimization, blogging, article writing, handling your social networking (Facebook, Linked-in, Twitter, etc), updating your website with fresh content and articles, there are over 50,000 free classified advertising sites on the internet other than Craigslist.org they can post these ads for your business, and much more.

Secondly, are the revenue retaining activities. These include: customer service, technical support (online and on the phone), internet “live chat” on your website, invoicing, billing, taking phone payments, collections, sending out birthday or thank you cards and gifts to clients, fulfilling client information requests and more.

Third and last, are the non-revenue producing functions. These include: book-keeping, accounting, payroll, data entry, document and contract preparation, programming, research, answering your emails and cleaning up your inbox, scheduling and managing your calendar, acting as an answering service, fulfilling information requests from prospective clients, office management, employee scheduling, presentation preparation, making travel arrangements, desktop publishing, computer training, medical/legal transcription and more.

The benefits of outsourcing to a qualified VA are plentiful. VA’s use their own equipment so there is no wear and tear on your office equipment or a need for special equipment. By outsourcing to a VA rather than hiring an in-office assistant, you will never need to pay employment insurance, vacation pay, sick pay, or contribute to retirement plans and worker’s compensation.

There is no cost for training new or existing employees; VA’s are already qualified. There is no need for extra office space; VA’s do everything off location. There’s no need to worry about in-office employees requesting time off; VA’s are available when you need them. Like you, a quality outsourcing firm understands the needs of businesses today, ensuring the success of their clients. A good outsourcing firm values each and every client; it is because of these clients that they ensure your VA’s will aid in the success of your business.

How else can outsourcing to a VA save you money? VA’s are pre-trained and experienced individuals with the ability to catch mistakes made in-office, not only saving your business money but also protecting your business reputation.

And for those in-office employees that you cannot go without, a VA can take a little of the never-ending workload or less-important projects off their shoulders to ensure you, as a successful business, maintain your quality reputation and increase employee productivity.

So the question really should be, “why didn’t I do this years ago?”

Online Universities asked:

Online University programs have been providing flexible and affordable education to working adults who wish to break into a new career or add value to their existing career, leveraging the benefits of online universities degree. With online University programs, working adults are now able to pursue desired online universities degree without putting themselves in a bind. The greatest thing about online universities degree is that you do not have to compromise with your current job and other family obligations. With online universities degree, you can have access to the lessons, lectures, video and your professors and fellow students at a time that suits you the most. The specific set of skills acquired through online universities degree can be used in your current job, adding value to your profile or you can utilize these to catapult you to the next level. Therefore online universities degree not only enhances your job skills tremendously but they zoom your salary figures as well.

Online University programs offer associates, bachelors, masters and PhD programs in a wide spectrum of areas of study including science, accounting, psychology, fire science, business, criminal justice, psychology, computer science, graphic design, criminal justice, social science, web design, health and medicine and engineering. Online universities degree are accepted by the employers and they can sometimes be the difference between appointment and rejection.

The cost advantages of online universities degree are obvious as it does away with the costs of travel, classrooms, boards, books and other such expenses.

Earning an online universities degree gives a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that stems from the dedication and hard work that you have applied for a recognized and reputable online universities degree.

So choose your online universities degree carefully so that you are able to fulfill your career goals with newfound confidence and enhanced job skills.



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Dr Mark Yates asked:

Given that business incubators are not widely recognised by many within the business fraternity, I’d like to explain what a business incubation unit is and what a business incubation centre does. Most business people’s frame of reference regarding business incubation and the support offered by business incubation centres is limited to either small business incubation or university business incubation. In reality we have national business incubation and global business incubation units. We even have a national business incubation association dedicated to ensuring a flow of information between the various business incubators.

In its broadest terms a business incubator is set up either by a University to assist graduates making the transition into running their own business. These graduates become members of business incubation. They generally receive financial and business support to assist them during the first 1,2 or 3 years as a new business.

Other uk business incubation units are set up by venture capitalists or other well financed blue chip companies who want to give something back to the new breed of business entrepreneurs who are hungry to grab their share of the business spoils.

A business incubation centre also offers new business owners the chance to mature as a business while in close proximity to a number of other start up businesses. The added value of this concept is that business incubation in run in the one building allows each of these businesses to help each other. For example if the business incubation centre operates a no compete entry criteria you would only have one printing company. But the next business to you might be a marketing company and another might be a public relations business. Clearly these all offer standard services that each business requires. business incubation in this fashion obviously has its benefits.

Many business incubator staff members look to the business incubation association for advice and support. I’ve personally never had any dealings with the business incubation association, so can offer no advice or recommendations on their business support.

What I can state is that business incubation is a fantastic concept providing it’s set up and run properly.

I was asked to interview at a high tech business incubation unit, which managed approximately 20 or so new start up business ventures led by 20 different high tech business entrepreneurs. The business incubation unit was outside of England and its role was to advise, support, mentor and facilitate the fast growth of each of these businesses. In short they provided the top end directors skills to the individual business.

The senior management team of the business incubator consisted of a mixture of lab rat techie directors and business advisors placed in the business incubator by venture capitalist investors. Lab Rat Techie 1 paraded around the room in front of a medium size group of male and female workers and directors like someone demented. Before any formal or informal introductions were made he addressed me.

“What is the definition of empirical formula?” Before I had time to respond he continued, “I’d also like you to tell me the fourth line in Pascal’s Triangle?” Without pausing for breath he continued, “And I want you to outline the definition of an isotope.”

A severely embarrassed senior business incubation director stood and introduced me, “ladies and gentlemen I’d like to introduce Dr. Mark D. Yates. He is a specialised business trouble shooter and business growth expert. He is here on the highest recommendation of several directors of other business incubation units. His business growth references are impeccable and for the record we asked Dr. Yates to attend this interview.”

I stood and thanked him before I looked at Lab Rat Techie 1 who was still pacing up and down like someone off his Bi-Polar medication. “Sir I’d like to park your three questions for the moment and offer you three reasons why I’m here.” A one up on you smirk creased his face. “1: Because your business incubation is in trouble. 2: Because your financial backers are convinced the business incubator leaders and the business incubation thinking that got you into this mess, are not the same leaders and the thinking that will get you out of this mess. 3: Because concise communications is a big problem at this business incubation facility, and I would hazard a guess that your people are afraid to communicate directly with you Sir.” I looked directly at Lab Rat Techie 1 In my peripheral vision I could see that the real players in the room i.e. the financial backers who also backed other business incubators were relating to my business assessment.

Lab Rat 1 responded. “That’s ridiculous I have established several layers of assistants between myself and the individual business owners to relay and convey all communications relevant to this business incubation centre. I believe that communications here are concise and timely, and far better than any other business incubators I have assisted. Furthermore I certainly feel comfortable that I am receiving effective communications required to deal with any issues at hand.”  “So you feel confident enough that your subordinates would convey bad news or detrimental information to you before it caused you or this business any embarrassment,” I asked him. “Absolutely,” he responded. “How long is it since you last took a rest room break Sir?” I asked. This was the first time I’d seen Lab Rat 1 lost for words. “It’s a relatively simple question” said I. “About 30 minutes, but I fail to see the relevance of this question. I’m guessing it’s a smoke screen designed to steer you away from my three questions.” He responded smugly.

The definition of empirical formula is the simplest ratio of elements in a compound. The fourth line in Pascal’s Triangle is 1, 4, 6, 4, 1 and the definition of an isotope is an atom of the same element, with the same atomic number, but a different mass number.”  Lab Rat Techie 1 was dumbstruck at my response, but before I allowed him to slump completely dejected in his executive chair I asked him, “perhaps you could explain, if you have a clear and concise chain of communication why has not a single one of your subordinates had the balls (forgive the pun) to tell you, you have been addressing everyone in this room for 30 minutes with your trouser flies wide open?” It was a coup   d’état. His face blushed as red as a fire engine and he never spoke again. I went on to work with several of the business under incubation and sadly for him, Mr. Lab Rat Techie was replaced.

I’m not suggesting Mr. Lab Rat Techie 1 was a bad or incompetent person; in fact I’m sure he was a nice enough guy and probably the toast of the town at every annual ‘Lab Rat Convention.’ He was just the wrong person to be leading a high tech business incubation unit looking to achieve fast growth.

I’ve also worked with various other business incubation centre, including one linked to a prominent university business incubation which allegedly received over £19 million pounds to facilitate its set up and to become a self sustainable business by the end of 2008. Sadly this university business incubation unit like most others linked to Universities suffered from the same problem as the high tech incubator mentioned above. When academics are tasked with running the management side of anything relating to business development, growth and long term sustainability, they generally fail miserably. This is a sad reflection on academia mixing it up with businesses. I’m certain there are a few university business incubation units that have experienced some success.

Within my International business network I have received several e-mails concerning global business incubation units some of which fly under the flag of a university business incubation unit.

Case in point is the business incubation in the UK which operated for several years on European funding and built up a substantial work force of highly skilled personnel, only to issue mass redundancies in December 2008. Although their secondary role was to create and nurture self sustainable businesses, it failed to practice what it preached, and failed miserably with the loss of a great many skilled operatives. In its city of operation this business incubator unit has become a laughing stock and many business consultants are astounded at how a business incubator with so much capital wasted a golden opportunity.

In all my dealings with this business incubator and the people both in management and on the coal face, it was clear that the failure lay at the top level of the business incubation management, and their inability to communicate effectively with the people below them. From a critical evaluation perspective, it was clear and apparent that the second largest problem was that virtually everyone was looking to feather their own nest instead of pulling together to ensure the business incubation succeeded.

Given my thoughts above, I still believe in the added value benefits of business incubation units, providing they are formed with the correct balance of management and business academics. When running correctly I believe professional business incubation units offer new business starts ups a better survival rate than independent start up businesses.



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