IT play an important role in your business. Email and web is the basic communication tool for your customer and employee. However, IT cost dominate most the expenses such as computers, and web hosting. In order to reduce the cost, entrepreneur should get the most from the latest technology.
What is Google Apps?
Google Apps is a free product by Google definitely. It provide the features similar to other hosting company but is free. With Google Apps, you can give employees powerful communication and collaboration tools that will help bring their productivity to the next level. Google Apps includes email with professional addresses like [email protected] and up to 10 gigabytes of storage per account. And our publishing tools make it easier to deliver important information to employees and customers alike. Best of all, it's all hosted by Google(the best hosting), so there's no hardware or software to download, install or maintain. You can get up and running quickly, even if you don't have an IT staff, and if you don't have an internet domain yet, we can help you register one when you sign up.
What Google Apps offer?
Price: Free
Applications:
Gmail - Email storage 2GB/account, POP3 and webmail, Email user up to 99
Google Talk - Discussion with employee
Google Calendar - Your users can organize their schedules and share events, meetings and entire calendars with others. Your organization can also publish calendars and events on the web
Docs & Spreadsheets: Safe Microsoft Office licensing cost. Your users can create documents and spreadsheets and collaborate with each other in real-time right inside a web browser window
Page Creator: Create and publish your company website using what-you-see-is-what-you-get page design tool. Safe hiring website designer cost.
Start Page: A central place for your users to preview their inboxes and calendars, access your essential content, and search the web. Such as company announcement,memo.
99.9% uptime guarantee for email Google hosting is the best
What other hosting offer?
Price: $3.99/month
Disk space: 5 GB Space
Transfer limit: 250 GB Transfer (Google provide unlimited bandwidth)
Email: 500 Email Accounts. However, it depend on your Disk Space which is 5GB
Other Applications: No
How to get Started?
First you have to register for 1 domain name. Grab this Yahoo offer for $1.99
Signup here
After register your domain, you may start your company website and email immediately. For $1.99, you can get all the basic Hosting service you need. With Google Apps, you can safe the IT expense and had a peace of mind.
Example Google Apps:
Start page: http://google.jinjinblog.com
Docs and Spreadsheets: http://office.jinjinblog.com
Email: http://mail.jinjinblog.com
Calendar: http://calendar.jinjinblog.com
If you have any doubt setting up Google Apps, please leave your comment here.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
How to Start a Business?
Consider how different business fit into your lifestyle and your interests. For example, do you want to work part time? Or do you want more career opportunities and the chance to build your own business empire? Think about these points:
1If you have young children and want more time with them, do you need to create a business that offers you flexible hours, or that you can run on a part time basis?
2If you have high financial ambitions, does your business have plenty of growth potential?
3If you live far from the city centre, and customers will have to visit you at home, would it be more economical and practical to rent or share a small office closer to your customers? IF they do visit you at home, can you provide a separate office space and live with some disruption at home?
There is no point throwing yourself into a demanding seven days a week business if your real ambition is to have a part time business so you are more free to raise your new baby! No one will be happy. Finding the right business module makes it easier to be excited about your work. And when you're excited and believe in your business, it's no longer just work, it's a rewarding part of your life.
1If you have young children and want more time with them, do you need to create a business that offers you flexible hours, or that you can run on a part time basis?
2If you have high financial ambitions, does your business have plenty of growth potential?
3If you live far from the city centre, and customers will have to visit you at home, would it be more economical and practical to rent or share a small office closer to your customers? IF they do visit you at home, can you provide a separate office space and live with some disruption at home?
There is no point throwing yourself into a demanding seven days a week business if your real ambition is to have a part time business so you are more free to raise your new baby! No one will be happy. Finding the right business module makes it easier to be excited about your work. And when you're excited and believe in your business, it's no longer just work, it's a rewarding part of your life.
Follow this Checklist to Get Started
Getting your business off the ground will often take a lot longer than you thought as there may be delays beyond your control. TO check that you're headed in the right direction, follow this list:
- Examine your personal criteria. Why are you starting a business?
- Consider you work habits, for example whether you prefer working early in the morning or late at night.
- List why people would want to buy your product or service.
- Conduct market research, even if it's sampling among your family and friends
- List potential suppliers and their strong and weak points.
- Draw up your financial plan. How much profit do you need to stay afloat? What are your expenses?
10 Tips for a balanced life
- Plan ahead for your business dinners, children's activities and family holidays.
- Delegate to staff at work or at ome. And use modern appliances and gadget.
- Strike a balance between spending time with your partner and children as well as your business. In the excitement of branching out on your own, you may get caught up and end up working on weekends.
- Measure your skills and training against potential competition. Don't stay at home, cut off from the world, instead join networking groups.
- Test the market your product or service will be in before starting or expanding your business.
- Never be afraid to ask advice from people in your intended business or related fields for a fresher point of view.
- When you are self employed, you can't afford to be ill so maintain a healthy lifestyle, get health insurance and go for regular medical checkups.
- The image you project reflects your business.
- Brush up on your social skills like how to greet someone for the first time, and keep up to date with what's going on in current affairs.
- Learn about the money aspects of your business - and try to keep your business and personal money separate. Seek professional advice if necessary.
By now you realise that starting a business takes time, work and energy. It's important to face challenges and inovative to ensure the success of your business.
The Mighty Dollar
Options for financing and your access to funds often determine whether your fledging enterprise will succeed or fail. So shop around, consider all the pros and cons, and find the best options that suit you and your business. Here are several common types of business financing options:
Angel Investors and Venture Capitalist
Angel investors are rich individuals with a passion for a certain area, so they'll invest for a long time, even when there is too much risk for banks. Venture capitalists are individuals or companies looking for profit potential in a certain timeframe. They have strict investment criteria, often specialise in certain areas, and take an active role on the the board so you lose some independence.
Commercial Loans
Commercial loans are attractive because they don't require entrepreneurs to turn over equity or company control. But servicing debt can drain a young company with limited cash flow. New companies may not even have access to bank loans if they have no operating history and no collateral to secure the loan.
Home Refinancing
This is a cost-effective alternative to other types of loans because they offer some of the best interest rates. But the downside is you risk your family home or other assets to launch your business - the bank can sell your house from under you at whatever price they want. So consider the risk involved before heading down this route.
Government Grants
It's also possible to apply for grants through the various agencies of the ministry.
Credit Card
Cash advances from credit cards are easy and quick. But for long term financing, they're expensive - interest rates typically run much more than the percentage you'd likely pay on a bank loan. Shop around for options.
TO be Continue..Bad debt consolidation
Angel Investors and Venture Capitalist
Angel investors are rich individuals with a passion for a certain area, so they'll invest for a long time, even when there is too much risk for banks. Venture capitalists are individuals or companies looking for profit potential in a certain timeframe. They have strict investment criteria, often specialise in certain areas, and take an active role on the the board so you lose some independence.
Commercial Loans
Commercial loans are attractive because they don't require entrepreneurs to turn over equity or company control. But servicing debt can drain a young company with limited cash flow. New companies may not even have access to bank loans if they have no operating history and no collateral to secure the loan.
Home Refinancing
This is a cost-effective alternative to other types of loans because they offer some of the best interest rates. But the downside is you risk your family home or other assets to launch your business - the bank can sell your house from under you at whatever price they want. So consider the risk involved before heading down this route.
Government Grants
It's also possible to apply for grants through the various agencies of the ministry.
Credit Card
Cash advances from credit cards are easy and quick. But for long term financing, they're expensive - interest rates typically run much more than the percentage you'd likely pay on a bank loan. Shop around for options.
TO be Continue..Bad debt consolidation
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Methods of Trading
Okay, so now you know you want to start a business, but how?
You must register your business with the Companies Commission of your country either as Sole Trader, Partnership or Limited Company.
Sole Trader
If you're running your business alone, perhaps from home, you do not need to register with any official body. But as a sole trader you are personally responsible for all your debts. So your house and car may be sold to pay off debts. To prevent this, many register their house jointly with their wife/husband, and register cars in the name of other family members. Check with your lawyer for your best options.
Partnership
If there are two or more of you working together and not more than 20 partners, you can register your business as a partnership. All parties in a partnership are collectively and individually liable for the debts of the business. The partnership ceases immediately upon the death of the partners's so it's wise to take out insurance on each of the partners so there is enough money to continue trading.
Limited Company
By registering your business as a Limited Company, it allows for a more systematic management of your overall business. In the eyes of the law, any losses will be borne by the company and not under your name. So unlike a sole proprietorship or partnership, you won't be personally liable for the company's debts. You'll also find it easier to get loans from banks.
Visit the government's official portal, www.gov.my where you'll find easy to follow instructions on how to register your business.
You must register your business with the Companies Commission of your country either as Sole Trader, Partnership or Limited Company.
Sole Trader
If you're running your business alone, perhaps from home, you do not need to register with any official body. But as a sole trader you are personally responsible for all your debts. So your house and car may be sold to pay off debts. To prevent this, many register their house jointly with their wife/husband, and register cars in the name of other family members. Check with your lawyer for your best options.
Partnership
If there are two or more of you working together and not more than 20 partners, you can register your business as a partnership. All parties in a partnership are collectively and individually liable for the debts of the business. The partnership ceases immediately upon the death of the partners's so it's wise to take out insurance on each of the partners so there is enough money to continue trading.
Limited Company
By registering your business as a Limited Company, it allows for a more systematic management of your overall business. In the eyes of the law, any losses will be borne by the company and not under your name. So unlike a sole proprietorship or partnership, you won't be personally liable for the company's debts. You'll also find it easier to get loans from banks.
Visit the government's official portal, www.gov.my where you'll find easy to follow instructions on how to register your business.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Checklist
- Write out your basic business concept.
- Gather as much information as you can on the feasibility and specifies of your business.
- Focus and refine your concept.
- Outline the specific using a 'what, where, why and how' approach.
- Put your plan into a compelling format.
Plan Your Business
One of the most common mistakes made by small business owners is poor business planning. Many think you only need it to get financing from banks. Actually, it's essential for your business to run efficiently and profitably.
On top of having a positive attitude, confidence and preseverance, having a plan helps you present your ideas to others in a formal and factual manner. Plus it lets you outline and evaluate all aspects of your business's viability and resources.
Reasons not to skip this crucial tool and roadmap:
On top of having a positive attitude, confidence and preseverance, having a plan helps you present your ideas to others in a formal and factual manner. Plus it lets you outline and evaluate all aspects of your business's viability and resources.
Reasons not to skip this crucial tool and roadmap:
- It will define and focus your objective, using appropriate information and analysis.
- You can use it as a selling tool with financial backers, investors, landlords, and banks.
- Your business plan can uncover gaps and weaknesses in your planning process.
- You can use the plan to get useful opinions and advice from experts and government agencies.
Monday, June 11, 2007
An Office Environment
Other options for small businesses include working out a business facillity. Picture how your ideal business place would look like - the interior layout, for instance. Think about the space and how it will be divided into rooms or work areas. But also think about vital features such as parking spaces and loading docks.
Consider whether your business will be in a city, a suburb, a small town, or out in a countryside area? And whether this will make it easier (or harder) for you to get necessities - such as a trained workforce or access to an airport? Can you operate anywhere, or must you be at particular area to make a statement about your business, or attract the right customers?
A good facility should:
If you are buying or renting, complex tax and cash management issues are involved, so get advice from a trained account or lawyer.
Before you rent or buy, find out what the property is worth on the open market. Then think about what you can afford to pay, taking into account the profit potential of your business. For this, you need help from a real estate expert who knows the business property in the area.
Consider whether your business will be in a city, a suburb, a small town, or out in a countryside area? And whether this will make it easier (or harder) for you to get necessities - such as a trained workforce or access to an airport? Can you operate anywhere, or must you be at particular area to make a statement about your business, or attract the right customers?
A good facility should:
- Allow you to efficiently carry out the necessary functions of your business
- Present your business in a good light.
- Allow for growth potential
- Fulfill your needs at the right price.
If you are buying or renting, complex tax and cash management issues are involved, so get advice from a trained account or lawyer.
Before you rent or buy, find out what the property is worth on the open market. Then think about what you can afford to pay, taking into account the profit potential of your business. For this, you need help from a real estate expert who knows the business property in the area.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Location, Location, Location
One of the most exciting and important aspects of planning your business is deciding on location.
If being close to your family is a priority, a home-based business may be the answer. "But consider the nature of the business you want to open," say John Sortino and Susan Shelly, authors of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Being a Successful Entrepreneur.
Ask yourself: Are your customers required to visit your home frequently, for example, for music lessons or to view handmade jewellery? Can you work around this - for instance, could you visit your customer instead? Does the business require a lot of space for inventory storage or order processing? Does the business produce undesirable side effects like noise, air pollution, foul odours or toxic waste?
Some businesses that you can run easily from your home include those that are usually run in an office - for example, computer programmin, secretarial services, accounting and graphic design.
Service businesses, such as house cleaning, construction, or interior design are also possible. All of these can be run from a small area in your home - even a corner of the living room.
If being close to your family is a priority, a home-based business may be the answer. "But consider the nature of the business you want to open," say John Sortino and Susan Shelly, authors of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Being a Successful Entrepreneur.
Ask yourself: Are your customers required to visit your home frequently, for example, for music lessons or to view handmade jewellery? Can you work around this - for instance, could you visit your customer instead? Does the business require a lot of space for inventory storage or order processing? Does the business produce undesirable side effects like noise, air pollution, foul odours or toxic waste?
Some businesses that you can run easily from your home include those that are usually run in an office - for example, computer programmin, secretarial services, accounting and graphic design.
Service businesses, such as house cleaning, construction, or interior design are also possible. All of these can be run from a small area in your home - even a corner of the living room.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Discover What Works
- Describe exactly what product or service you want to offer. How it is unique or better? Why would customers buy it and not another brand?
- Examine the competition. Visit rivals and try their products. How does your compare?
- Test your product on friends and colleagues. Keep an open mind and don't defend your business. Write down every idea. Analyse them, and use the useful ones.
- Join professional groups like the Entrepreneur Association so you can network with other entrepreneurs at gatherings.
The First Big Steps
Opening up your own small business can bring a host of benefits - more freedom, flexible working hours, more career opportunities and many of your dreams realised. But the sad truth is, there are more closures than start ups every year. In the US, 95 out of 100 fail within the first five years.
The good news is that statistics show small businesses started by women have a greater chance of success - experts think it's because women plan more, and take things step by step. A recent study on factors influencing career success conducted by Accenture, a global management consulting company, found that women feel juggling family support, planning and ambition is important for them to advance in their careers.
Why is planning important? Because we all know a great business starts with a great idea. But there's so much more. Often, would be entrepreneurs get so excited about their idea that they forget to find out whether it's viable or not.
"Researching your idea or talking to a neutral business advisor keeps your goals on track", says Shumita Chaudhury, 38, who owns the thriving online wedding registry, www.mychocolatemousse.com.my " When I first started, nothing happened so I got impatient. But Richard Branson's book Losing My Virginity was inspiring, as he stuck it out and found opportunities where others said there were none."
The good news is that statistics show small businesses started by women have a greater chance of success - experts think it's because women plan more, and take things step by step. A recent study on factors influencing career success conducted by Accenture, a global management consulting company, found that women feel juggling family support, planning and ambition is important for them to advance in their careers.
Why is planning important? Because we all know a great business starts with a great idea. But there's so much more. Often, would be entrepreneurs get so excited about their idea that they forget to find out whether it's viable or not.
"Researching your idea or talking to a neutral business advisor keeps your goals on track", says Shumita Chaudhury, 38, who owns the thriving online wedding registry, www.mychocolatemousse.com.my " When I first started, nothing happened so I got impatient. But Richard Branson's book Losing My Virginity was inspiring, as he stuck it out and found opportunities where others said there were none."
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