Online Therapy: Is It Right For You?
Online therapy, whether through Email Counseling or Chat Therapy, is not the same experience as face-to-face therapy but rather a unique experience of its own that may be helpful to some individuals and not to others.
In addition, online therapy is relatively new, therefore only a small body of research exists to support it's effectiveness. This does not mean that online therapy is ineffective but rather that it should be considered experimental at this stage of its development.
I believe online therapy can be effective and helpful for the right person in the right circumstances. Please read the following pros and cons to see if online therapy might be right for you.
POSSIBLE ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE THERAPY ARE:
You can engage in therapy even if you are homebound or live in a remote area.
You can send emails at anytime of the day or night.
You will have an automatic written record of the therapy.
You can read the therapist's responses as often as is helpful to you.
You can take as much time as needed to compose your emails.
You can choose a single consultation or ongoing therapy.
You do not have to travel to a therapist's office or mental health clinic.
It's possible to engage in therapy from home, work, or even while traveling.
Online therapy is generally more affordable than face-to-face therapy.
Online therapy can be less intimidating with no stigma attached.
POSSIBLE DISADVANTAGES OF ONLINE THERAPY ARE:
The lack of body language and verbal (spoken) cues;
The possibility of misunderstandings due to text-based communications;
Problems associated with technology failures (i.e., power outages, crashes);
Risks to confidentiality due to technology (i.e. hackers);
Potential difficulties in verifying the identity of either party;
Problems in helping a suicidal or homicidal client;
The requirement of being comfortable with computers and keyboards;
The fact that insurance companies generally will not pay for online therapy.
YOU SHOULD NOT CONSIDER ONLINE THERAPY IF:
You have serious thoughts of hurting yourself or others - if so, go to In Crisis Now?;
You have a chronic mental illness requiring intense treatment;
You prefer face-to-face therapy and it is available to you;
You are uncomfortable with computers and keyboards.
ALTERNATIVES TO ONLINE THERAPY:
Face-to-face therapy or counseling from a mental health professional;
Finding a support group in the community;
Using family or friends as supports;
Reading self-help books.
Online Counselling
on Isnin, 6 Julai 2009FREE PORTAL FOR ENTERPRENEUR
on Ahad, 19 April 2009
Free Accounting Software information
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Free Accounting Software is an intuitive, easy to use, robust , multi-user business management solution that includes inventory, customer management, vendor management, and accounting. Free Accounting Software is designed for for small to medium sized businesses from startups to 6 million dollars in yearly sales. Free Accounting Software is jam-packed with great features and completely scalable. You can upsize Free Accounting To MSSQL for robust multi-user performance in mission critical environments with an investment that is a fraction of the cost of other business systems, after all Free Accounting Software is Free! We know once you use Free Accounting Software you will see the value. There are no tricks or gimmicks. Free accounting Software is Free. All of your required business accounting functions are fully operational without paying for or registering the software.
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Free Accounting software is free to use if you provide a link to our home page on your web site. Free Accounting Software's advanced features will expire after 30 days. You can continue using Free Accounting Software after it expires. All core functionality required for Business Accounting Software will still be fully functional. Free support and help is available in our Free Accounting Software online support forums. We are sure you will find the Free Accounting Software of value, and we know you will want to register. By registering Free Accounting Software you are showing your support. Registering assures that new features and versions of Free Accounting Software will continue to be released.
Current Release: Free Accounting Software Version 2.0.0.10
New Free Accounting Software Changes and Features available in Free Accounting Software Download 2.0.0.10!
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5. A number of bugs was fixed.
6. New inventory costing methods FIFO, LIFO were added
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8. Documents flow and business process has been modified:
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* changed the Credit Memo and Debit Memo creation order
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Free Accounting Software Features
Free Accounting Software is a robust integrated business and accounting software system that will help you organize your business's financial future. Free Accounting Software contains all the features you would expect from a complete business and inventory management package as well as a robust accounting core. As you perform your daily business activities Free Accounting Software creates your accounting entries for you. For example as you purchase and sell inventory, build and sell kits, receive payments from customers, pay bills, and make physical inventory adjustments, Free Accounting Software makes and manages your accounting books. There is rarely a need for making manual journal entries. However, if the need arises, Free Accounting Software provides you with the ability to control every aspect of your accounting books, including making manual journal entries. We have included an overview of many of Free Accounting Software's features below. To truly appreciate all of the capabilities of Free Accounting Software we encourage you to download Free Accounting Software from our Free Accounting Software Download Page and try out the features first hand.
Company ManagementFree Accounting Software provides intuitive company management functions grouped together. Providing straight forward access to all aspects of your company i
Free Accounting Software Company Srceen
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Sales and Customer Management
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Inventory ManagementFree Accounting Software provides impressive inventory management. As you purchase and sell goods Free Accounting Software automatically makes all your entries to your financial and inventory journals.
Free Accounting Software Company Sreen Choose FIFO, LIFO or Average Cost Accounting Methods
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Motivation
on Sabtu, 29 Disember 2007Motivation is a word used to refer to the reason or reasons for engaging in a particular behavior, especially human behavior as studied in psychology and neuropsychology. These reasons may include basic needs such as food or a desired object, goal, state of being, or ideal. The motivation for a behavior may also be attributed to less-apparent reasons such as altruism or morality. According to Geen,motivation refers to the initiation, direction, intensity and persistence of human behavior.
Reward and reinforcement
A reward, tangible or intangible, is presented after the occurrence of an action (i.e. behavior) with the intent to cause the behavior to occur again. This is done by associating positive meaning to the behavior. Studies show that if the person receives the reward immediately, the effect would be greater, and decreases as duration lengthens. Repetitive action-reward combination can cause the action to become habit.
Rewards can also be organized as extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic rewards are external to the person; for example, praise or money. Intrinsic rewards are internal to the person; for example, satisfaction or accomplishment.
Some authors distinguish between two forms of intrinsic motivation: one based on enjoyment, the other on obligation. In this context, obligation refers to motivation based on what an individual thinks ought to be done. For instance, a feeling of responsibility for a mission may lead to helping others beyond what is easily observable, rewarded, or fun.
A reinforcer is different from reward, in that reinforcement is intended to create a measured increase in the rate of a desirable behavior following the addition of something to the environment.
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation is when people engage in an activity, without obvious external incentives, such as a hobby.
Intrinsic motivation has been studied by educational psychologists since the 1970s, and numerous studies have found it to be associated with high educational achievement and enjoyment by students. There is currently no universal theory to explain the origin or elements of intrinsic motivation, and most explanations combine elements of Bernard Weiner's attribution theory, Bandura's work on self-efficacy and other studies relating to locus of control and goal orientation. Thus it is thought that students are more likely to be intrinsically motivated if they:
* Attribute their educational results to internal factors that they can control (e.g. the amount of effort they put in),
* Believe they can be effective agents in reaching desired goals (i.e. the results are not determined by dumb luck),
* Are interested in mastering a topic, rather than just rote-learning to achieve good grades.
Note that the idea of reward for achievement is absent from this model of intrinsic motivation, since rewards are an extrinsic factor.
In knowledge-sharing communities and organizations, people often cite altruistic reasons for their participation, including contributing to a common good, a moral obligation to the group, mentorship or 'giving back'. In work environments, money may provide a more powerful extrinsic factor than the intrinsic motivation provided by an enjoyable workplace.
The most obvious form of motivation is coercion, where the avoidance of pain or other negative consequences has an immediate effect. Extreme use of coercion is considered slavery. While coercion is considered morally reprehensible in many philosophies, it is widely practiced on prisoners, students in mandatory schooling, within the nuclear family unit (on children), and in the form of conscription. Critics of modern capitalism charge that without social safety networks, wage slavery is inevitable. However, many capitalists such as Ayn Rand have been very vocal against coercion[citation needed]. Successful coercion sometimes can take priority over other types of motivation. Self-coercion is rarely substantially negative (typically only negative in the sense that it avoids a positive, such as forgoing an expensive dinner or a period of relaxation), however it is interesting in that it illustrates how lower levels of motivation may be sometimes tweaked to satisfy higher ones.
Self-control
The self-control of motivation is increasingly understood as a subset of emotional intelligence; a person may be highly intelligent according to a more conservative definition (as measured by many intelligence tests), yet unmotivated to dedicate this intelligence to certain tasks. Yale School of Management professor Victor Vroom's "expectancy theory" provides an account of when people will decide whether to exert self control to pursue a particular goal.
Drives and desires can be described as a deficiency or need that activates behaviour that is aimed at a goal or an incentive. These are thought to originate within the individual and may not require external stimuli to encourage the behaviour. Basic drives could be sparked by deficiencies such as hunger, which motivates a person to seek food; whereas more subtle drives might be the desire for praise and approval, which motivates a person to behave in a manner pleasing to others.
By contrast, the role of extrinsic rewards and stimuli can be seen in the example of training animals by giving them treats when they perform a trick correctly. The treat motivates the animals to perform the trick consistently, even later when the treat is removed from the process.
Motivational Theories
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Drive Reduction Theories
There are a number of drive theories. The Drive Reduction Theory grows out of the concept that we have certain biological needs, such as hunger. As time passes the strength of the drive increases as it is not satisfied. Then as we satisfy that drive by fulfilling its desire, such as eating, the drive's strength is reduced. It is based on the theories of Freud and the idea of feedback control systems, such as a thermostat.
There are several problems, however, that leave the validity of the Drive Reduction Theory open for debate. The first problem is that it does not explain how Secondary Reinforcers reduce drive. For example, money does not satisfy any biological or psychological need but reduces drive on a regular basis through a pay check second-order conditioning. Secondly, if the drive reduction theory held true we would not be able to explain how a hungry human being can prepare a meal without eating the food before they finished cooking it.
However, when comparing this to a real life situation such as preparing food, one does get hungrier as the food is being made (drive increases), and after the food has been consumed the drive decreases. The only reason the food does not get eaten before is the human element of restraint and has nothing to do with drive theory. Also, the food will either be nicer after it is cooked, or it wont be edible at all before it is cooked.
Cognitive dissonance theory
Main article: Cognitive dissonance
Suggested by Leon Festinger, this occurs when an individual experiences some degree of discomfort resulting from an incompatibility between two cognitions. For example, a consumer may seek to reassure himself regarding a purchase, feeling that another decision may have been, in retrospect, preferable.
Another example of cognitive dissonance is when a belief and a behavior are in conflict. A person may believe smoking is bad for one's teeth and yet continues to smoke.
Affective-Arousal Theories
Need Achievement Theory
Main article: David McClelland
David McClelland’s achievement motivation theory envisages that a person has need for three things but people differ in degree in which the various needs influence their behavior: Need for achievement, Need for power, and Need for affiliation
Interests Theory
Main article: Holland Codes
Holland Codes are used in the assessment of interests as in Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI; Holland, 1985). One way to look at interests is that if a person has a very strong interest in one of the 6 Holland areas, then obtaining outcomes in that area will be very strongly reinforcing relative to obtaining outcomes in areas of weak interest.
Need Theories
Need Hierarchy Theory
Main article: Hierarchy of needs
Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of human needs theory is the most widely discussed theory of motivation.
The theory can be summarized as thus:
* Human beings have wants and desires which influence their behaviour; only unsatisfied needs can influence behavior, satisfied needs cannot.
* Since needs are many, they are arranged in order of importance, from the basic to the complex.
* The person advances to the next level of needs only after the lower level need is at least minimally satisfied.
* The further the progress up the hierarchy, the more individuality, humanness and psychological health a person will show.
The needs, listed from basic (lowest, earliest) to most complex (highest, latest) are as follows:
* Physiological
* Safety and security
* Social
* Self esteem
* Self actualization
Herzberg’s two factor theory
Main article: Frederick Herzberg
Frederick Herzberg's two factor theory, concludes that certain factors in the workplace result in job satisfaction, while others do not, but if absent lead to dissatisfaction.
He distinguished between:
* Motivators; (e.g. challenging work, recognition, responsibility) which give positive satisfaction, and
* Hygiene factors; (e.g. status, job security, salary and fringe benefits) which do not motivate if present, but if absent will result in demotivation.
The name Hygiene factors is used because, like hygiene, the presence will not make you healthier, but absence can cause health deterioration.
The theory is sometimes called the "Motivator-Hygiene Theory."
Alderfer’s ERG theory
Main article: Clayton Alderfer
Created by Clayton Alderfer, Maslow's hierarchy of needs was expanded, leading to his ERG theory (existence, relatedness and growth). Physiological and safety, the lower order needs, are placed in the existence category, Love and self esteem needs in the relatedness category. The growth category contained the self actualization and self esteem needs.
Self-determination theory
Self-determination theory, developed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, focuses on the importance of intrinsic motivation in driving human behavior. Like Maslow's hierarchical theory and others that built on it, SDT posits a natural tendency toward growth and development. Unlike these other theories, however, SDT does not include any sort of "autopilot" for achievement, but instead requires active encouragement from the environment. The primary factors that encourage motivation and development are autonomy, competence feedback, and relatedness.[2]
Cognitive theories
Goal-setting theory
Goal-setting theory is based on the notion that individuals sometimes have a drive to reach a clearly defined end state. Often, this end state is a reward in itself. A goal's efficiency is affected by three features; proximity, difficulty and specificity. An ideal goal should present a situation where the time between the initiation of behavior and the end state is close in time. This explains why some children are more motivated to learn how to ride a bike than mastering algebra. A goal should be moderate, not too hard or too easy to complete. In both cases, most people are not optimally motivated, as many want a challenge (which assumes some kind of insecurity of success). At the same time people want to feel that there is a substantial probability that they will succeed. Specificity concerns the description of the goal in their class. The goal should be objectively defined and intelligible for the individual. A classic example of a poorly specified goal is to get the highest possible grade. Most children have no idea how much effort they need to reach that goal. For further reading, see Locke and Latham (2002).
Unconscious motivation
Some psychologists believe that a significant portion of human behavior is energized and directed by unconscious motives. According to Maslow: "Psychoanalysis has often demonstrated that the relationship between a conscious desire and the ultimate unconscious aim that underlies it need not be at all direct [3]." In other words, stated motives do not always match those inferred by skilled observers. For example, it is possible that a person can be accident-prone because he has an unconscious desire to hurt himself and not because he is careless or ignorant of the safety rules. Similarly, some overweight people are not really hungry for food but for attention and love. Eating is merely a defensive reaction to lack of attention. Some workers damage more equipment than others because they harbor unconscious feelings of aggression toward authority figures.
Psychotherapists point out that some behavior is so automatic that the reasons for it are not available in the individual's conscious mind. Compulsive cigarette smoking is an example. Sometimes maintaining self-esteem is so important and the motive for an activity is so threatening that it is simply not recognized and, in fact, may be disguised or repressed. Rationalization, or "explaining away", is one such disguise, or defense mechanism, as it is called. Another is projecting or attributing one's own faults to others. "I feel I am to blame", becomes "It is her fault; she is selfish". Repression of powerful but socially unacceptable motives may result in outward behavior that is the opposite of the repressed tendencies. An example of this would be the employee who hates his boss but overworks himself on the job to show that he holds him in high regard.
Unconscious motives add to the hazards of interpreting human behavior and, to the extent that they are present, complicate the life of the administrator. On the other hand, knowledge that unconscious motives exist can lead to a more careful assessment of behavioral problems. Although few contemporary psychologists deny the existence of unconscious factors, many do believe that these are activated only in times of anxiety and stress, and that in the ordinary course of events, human behavior — from the subject's point of view — is rationally purposeful.
Controlling motivation
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The control of motivation is only understood to a limited extent. There are many different approaches of motivation training, but many of these are considered pseudoscientific by critics. To understand how to control motivation it is first necessary to understand why many people lack motivation.
Early programming
Modern imaging has provided solid empirical support for the psychological theory that emotional programming is largely defined in childhood. Harold Chugani, Medical Director of the PET Clinic at the Children's Hospital of Michigan and professor of pediatrics, neurology and radiology at Wayne State University School of Medicine, has found that children's brains are much more capable of consuming new information (linked to emotions) than those of adults. Brain activity in cortical regions is about twice as high in children as in adults from the third to the ninth year of life. After that period, it declines constantly to the low levels of adulthood. Brain volume, on the other hand, is already at about 95% of adult levels in the ninth year of life.
Organization
Besides the very direct approaches to motivation, beginning in early life, there are solutions which are more abstract but perhaps nevertheless more practical for self-motivation. Virtually every motivation guidebook includes at least one chapter about the proper organization of one's tasks and goals. It is usually suggested that it is critical to maintain a list of tasks, with a distinction between those which are completed and those which are not, thereby moving some of the required motivation for their completion from the tasks themselves into a "meta-task", namely the processing of the tasks in the task list, which can become a routine. The viewing of the list of completed tasks may also be considered motivating, as it can create a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
Most electronic to-do lists have this basic functionality, although the distinction between completed and non-completed tasks is not always clear (completed tasks are sometimes simply deleted, instead of kept in a separate list).
Other forms of information organization may also be motivational, such as the use of mind maps to organize one's ideas, and thereby "train" the neural network that is the human brain to focus on the given task. Simpler forms of idea notation such as simple bullet-point style lists may also be sufficient, or even more useful to less visually oriented persons.
Drugs
Some authors, especially in the transhumanist movement, have suggested the use of "smart drugs", also known as nootropics, as "motivation-enhancers". The effects of many of these drugs on the brain are emphatically not well understood, and their legal status often makes open experimentation difficult.
Converging neurobiological evidence also supports the idea that addictive drugs such as cocaine, nicotine, alcohol, and heroin act on brain systems underlying motivation for natural rewards, such as the mesolimbic dopamine system. Normally, these brain systems serve to guide us toward fitness-enhancing rewards (food, water, sex, etc.), but they can be co-opted by repeated use of drugs of abuse, causing addicts to excessively pursue drug rewards. Therefore, drugs can hijack brain systems underlying other motivations, causing the almost singular pursuit of drugs characteristic of addiction.
Application
Education
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Motivation is of particular interest to Educational psychologists because of the crucial role it plays in student learning. However, the specific kind of motivation that is studied in the specialized setting of education differs qualitatively from the more general forms of motivation studied by psychologists in other fields.
Motivation in education can have several effects on how students learn and their behavior towards subject matter (Ormrod, 2003). It can:
1. Direct behavior toward particular goals
2. Lead to increased effort and energy
3. Increase initiation of, and persistence in, activities
4. Enhance cognitive processing
5. Determine what consequences are reinforcing
6. Lead to improved performance.
Because students are not always internally motivated, they sometimes need situated motivation, which is found in environmental conditions that the teacher creates.
There are two kinds of motivation:
* Intrinsic motivation occurs when people are internally motivated to do something because it either brings them pleasure, they think it is important, or they feel that what they are learning is morally significant.
* Extrinsic motivation comes into play when a student is compelled to do something or act a certain way because of factors external to him or her (like money or good grades).
Note also that there is already questioning and expansion about this dichotomy on motivation, e.g., Self-Determination Theory.
Business
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At lower levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, such as Physiological needs, money is a motivator, however it tends to have a motivating effect on staff that lasts only for a short period (in accordance with Herzberg's two-factor model of motivation). At higher levels of the hierarchy, praise, respect, recognition, empowerment and a sense of belonging are far more powerful motivators than money, as both Abraham Maslow's theory of motivation and Douglas McGregor's Theory X and theory Y (pertaining to the theory of leadership) demonstrate.
Maslow has money at the lowest level of the hierarchy and shows other needs are better motivators to staff. McGregor places money in his Theory X category and feels it is a poor motivator. Praise and recognition are placed in the Theory Y category and are considered stronger motivators than money.
* Motivated employees always look for better ways to do a job.
* Motivated employees are more quality oriented.
* Motivated workers are more productive.
The average workplace is about midway between the extremes of high threat and high opportunity. Motivation by threat is a dead-end strategy, and naturally staff are more attracted to the opportunity side of the motivation curve than the threat side.
Managers need to understand how company employees see them in order to manage the impression they make, not just their intentions. Don Sheelen notes that "If a business wants its people to make a lot of money for them, then it must set high standards and give employees something they can get excited about."
According to the system of scientific management developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor, a worker's motivation is solely determined by pay, and therefore management need not consider psychological or social aspects of work. In essence scientific management bases human motivation wholly on extrinsic rewards and discards the idea of intrinsic rewards.
In contrast, David McClelland believed that workers could not be motivated by the mere need for money-- in fact, extrinsic motivation (e.g., money) could extinguish intrinsic motivation such as achievement motivation, though money could be used as an indicator of success for various motives, e.g., keeping score. In keeping with this view, his consulting firm, McBer & Company, had as its first motto "To make everyone productive, happy, and free." For McClelland, satisfaction lay in aligning a person's life with their fundamental motivations.
Elton Mayo found out that the social contacts a worker has at the workplace are very important and that boredom and repetitiveness of tasks lead to reduced motivation. Mayo believed that workers could be motivated by acknowledging their social needs and making them feel important. As a result, employees were given freedom to make decisions on the job and greater attention was paid to informal work groups. Mayo named the model the Hawthorne effect. His model has been judged as placing undue reliance on social contacts at work situations for motivating employees.
End employment correctly
on Jumaat, 28 Disember 2007Introduction
This interactive tool helps you to ensure the correct procedures are followed when ending a person's employment.
This tool explains the procedure for ending a person's employment for reasons other than disciplinary action, ie the end of a fixed term or temporary contract, compulsory retirement, reasons due to sickness or absence, and redundancy.
The procedure gives the employee the opportunity to challenge an employer's decision, and provides guidance on every stage of the grievance and appeal process that you must follow in order to comply with employment regulations.
At the end you'll get:
*
a summary of the progress you've made to date, along with reminders about key actions
*
advice on what you and/or the employee may do next, and how to do it
*
links to additional information and support resources
Entrepreneurial Skills for School Leavers
on Rabu, 26 Disember 2007
INTRODUCTION
The school leavers have been in controlled academic surrounding for a span of time which restricted their exposure to real-life situations. In order for them to be introduced into the business world they need some important tools; some of which e.g. book keeping was learnt at school but now has to be re-introduced into practical situations.
These school leavers have always been the customers and do not know what it takes to run a business, whether to sell burgers or drinks from a minivan.
Thus, they need the knowledge and skill which are practical and form the basis for business, the skeletal framework, the structure, the foundation so that they can use to progress with their ideas. No matter where or what business they intend to venture into, they need this framework.
| OBJECTIVE |
At the end of this programme, the participants will have the knowledge and skill to run a small business.
| CONTENTS |
The contents of the programme are the following:
| 1. Basic business skills | This module introduces trade and commerce, the transactions and the various documents involved in business. The concept of the business plan is also introduced in this module. The acquisition of start-up capital is an issue. However, potential businessmen need to explore and seize suitable opportunities. Without capital, it is like the car which has no fuel. |
| 2. The Business Cycle | It is important that potential businessmen be informed that business does not take off as and when he feels it should, there is the inevitable business cycle which will only ramp once all elements are in place. Then there is the element of “istiqomah”. |
| | In whatever circumstance, there will always be the application of relevant laws. For small traders, the directly relevant being those imposed by the local council e.g. MPSJ, MPPJ and the various documentations which have to be completed and for food traders the compliance to the hygiene aspect. Also the implications of EPF, SOCSO, Income Tax. | ||
| 4. Book Keeping | This module introduces book keeping so that these traders will know how to do budgeting, costing and maintain their accounts. | ||
| 5. Sales and Marketing | The concept of sales and marketing ensures the seller does not sell below cost and result in loss. This is because selling involves purchasing and marketing. | ||
| 6. Market Research | Before setting up business, it is necessary to ensure there is real need for it. | ||
| 7. Time Management | This module will provide the tools for ensuring proper use of time, categorising activities into urgent and important and applying the pareto. | ||
| 8. Grooming | In order to ensure the customer is interested in buying, the product on sale must be attractive and the person selling must be presentable. |
Easy monetizing of your blog with AdSense
on Isnin, 17 Disember 2007Why should I monetize my website?
The more success you have with your blog / website, the more time and money you're going to invest to update it and host it properly.
At some point you may think: wouldn't it just be nice to have my site pay for itself?
Well, that is actually easier to achieve than it sounds! A decent hosting plan should cost you no more than $6.95/month. However, that's quite a low figure here and most people make many many times more than that in ad revenue...
By properly monetizing your blog site it is actually possible to have it pay, not only for the hosting, but also for the time you spend working on it.
Why AdSense?
First, because AdSense is a very simple and proven solution that already pays for hundreds of thousands of blogs/websites accross the world!
Also, AdSense is provided to you by Google which not only makes it reliable but also trustworthy. Once you have earned money from Google, you can actually trust them to pay it to you!
Finally, because the ads will be contexual, i-e they will be relevant to the content of your blog/site. This way, your visitors will not be offended for seeing the ads on your site.
How do I get started?
It's as simple as that:
1. Sign up for AdSense. It's totally free! Then follow the provided instructions to put a little javascript snippet onto your blog skin or any web page you like. You may use our b2evolution AdSense plugin to make this even easier.
2. When visitors view your site they see contextual text ads that automatically adjust to the contents of each page / blog post so that they are always relevant. No flashing images, just relevant text links! :)
3. When a visitor clicks on an ad link, Google records the click and you get paid for it. Get ready for a monthly check from Google ;)
Will it ruin my blog design?
You can choose the exact position and colors of the text ad blocks you place on your site.
Below are two examples of blogs that incorporate text ads and successfully pay for themselves. Judge for yourself:
* Example 1: Ad links at the end of the blog post.
* Example 2: Ad links at the top of the page.
Note: as you can see, AdSense is not limited to English!
Mini FAQ
Google has an extensive FAQ about this program. Here's our additional mini FAQ about integrating AdSense with your blog. Feel free to contact François for further information.
How do I integrate AdSense into my blog?
Try the AdSense plugin for b2evolution!
How do I integrate AdSense into my blog without the plugin?
You just copy/paste the AdSense code from Google into your blog template.
The short answer is that the template is located in /skins/skin-name/_main.php (b2evo 1.x) or /skins/skin-name/index.main.php (b2evo 2.x)
More info about skins & the main template »
Apple-rich China feels squeeze from juice demand
on Jumaat, 14 Disember 2007Apple-rich China feels squeeze from juice demand
China, the world’s biggest producer of apple juice, has more than doubled its capacity as demand for the juice as a substitute for orange juice grows. Still, supply is not enough..
GUANLI (China): It is peak harvest season in this village in northern China, and apples are piled high on both sides of the road, clogging the traffic of tractors, trucks and carts bringing in the crop from all around.
China is the world's top apple grower, accounting for nearly half of the global harvest.
It has also emerged as the world's biggest producer of apple juice, crushing more and more of its crop for exports to the US, Europe, Japan and even Australia, and accounting for about two-thirds of world supply.
Despite the apparent abundance of apples in Guanli, this year's crop has fallen short of the demand from juice manufacturers, which have expanded capacity faster than orchards can plant trees. The shortage was exacerbated by cold, wet weather that reduced the crop.
"Farmers grow apple wherever possible. All here have shifted from grains," said Zhou Yuliang, a farmer in Guanli, near Yantai, in China's top agricultural province of Shandong.
"Still the supply is not enough. There's a lot of demand from the juice sector," he said in early November, pointing to fields filled to the edges with apple trees.
Starting a New Business?
on Selasa, 11 Disember 2007Starting a New Business?
Worrying isn't it?
Every entrepreneur, to achieve any amount of success should be motivated. Motivation is always difficult to maintain. You are working all hours of the day, rarely see your family and friends and are so stressed that you could just...... Yup I've been there - lots of times actually. The times when you can't get to sleep worrying about when you pay the next bill, when your key member of staff does not turn up and you have to drop everything and rush to your business. Maybe you just don't have enough money to market your business so you can't move to the next level.
But it doesn't have to be that way - sure I can't make your staff turn up - but I CAN help you inspire and motivate them so that they turn up and work as best they can. I can't pay your bills, but I can show you how to make your business more efficient so that the you get a good night's sleep. I can also show you how to get your company known and your sales up with a very small budget, some ingenuity and a bit of hard work!
So maybe you are just starting our with your business, just got a great idea and not sure where to to from here? Well I've started and run many businesses - not because I didn't get it right the first time, but because I continually get great ideas and want to build upon them, turn them into successful businesses. AND I've been doing this for over 25 years and before that, I had part time businesses from the age of 11. Now you mustn't do the math and work out how old I am! Just old enough to be wise and willing to help other nervous and anxious entrepreneurs.
So why would I want to do this then? Well partly because I am sure that if I had had some help when I was less experienced that I would not have made so many painful and expensive mistakes - and that really hurts when you are a struggling single parent. Also partly because what goes around, comes around - if I help others, they will help me at some time. Lastly, although I give much away, I also have bills to pay and staff to keep happy, so I charge for some of my stuff. Like you I am an entrepreneur, but a trusted one who has been there - bought the tee shirt, and more importantly is still a profitable entrepreneur.
BUT you won't find any "get rich quick", scams or "work at home schemes", "loads of money for no effort" schemes here! I am only interested in helping the Serious Entrepreneur who understands that success comes from a mixture of hard work, dedication and a smattering of good luck!
If you are serious about starting and running a stable and profitable business - then I am here to help you.
I provide quality information and products on this web site to help you get started on your new business. I promise "no fluff, no puff" Good solid information - no filling, no loads of extra no use books as "bonuses".
After all you are busy so you just want pure, easy to understand and proven information.
StartMyNewBusiness.com is dedicated to help you understand what is involved in starting a new business, how to set up your new business, make it efficient and profitable, help you market it and show you how to maintain your motivation.
Let's start with you signing up for The Biz Guru Ezine on the form you see floating into your screen. Or send an email to biz_guru@aweber.com if the form has gone. (So as not annoy it only shows up once a visit). You'll get solid business information and details of our products every 10 days. What you won't get it a pile of spam or heavy sales pitches. I hate those as well. I attend a lot of conferences in business and internet marketing, where a lot of very successful guru's give talks - so if I hear of good products from them, I might also send you details - BUT ONLY after I have tried them myself.
So lets get on with business. It is difficult to start and maintain a profitable business so have written our signature product The Entrepreneur PowerPack for you. Good Luck!
Starting well in your new business
on Isnin, 10 Disember 2007"Well begun is half done," goes the adage. Here are our top five tips to help get your new home business off to a great start.
1. Do your research, but trust your hunches.
It's always wise to find out about the new business you want to get into. But in the end, your hunch about it - your intuition - will tell you either, "I can do this," or "it's not for me."
Trust that decision no matter what anybody else tells you.
2. Write a business plan.
You need to clarify your ideas and plan your actions. You don't have to be elaborate (unless you want to use it to raise money). The business plan is really just a roadmap to help you to plan your home-business journey and to check from time to time to make sure you stay on course. Your business plan should briefly outline:
* What your goals are
* What products and service's you'll offer
* The benefits of those products or services
* Who your target market is
* How you'll reach them
* What your income goals are
3. Pick out a workspace.
Most people work best if they have one main area to work in. It doesn't matter how big or small it is, or even if it is a separate room (a corner of another room could be all you need). Just make sure the space is set aside for that purpose only. Don't watch TV there. Don't eat there. Don't do family activities there. And it won't hurt if you keep it organized and neat.
4. Decide when and how much to work.
Part of the reason for working for yourself is to gain more control over how you spend your time. But make no mistake, you will have to work to succeed. And while you are working, make sure your family and friends treat that time with the same respect they would show if you worked regular hours in a regular office.
5. Organize your finances.
Running your own business can mean feast-or-famine income. So always set some of your income aside as a cushion against slower times, and keep close watch on your spending. Those two rules are true, even if you happen to earn a lot of money. Just ask any successful and wealthy person.
Every entrepreneur, to achieve any amount of success should be motivated. Motivation is always difficult to maintain. You are working all hours of the day, rarely see your family and friends and are so stressed that you could just...... Yup I've been there - lots of times actually. The times when you can't get to sleep worrying about when you pay the next bill, when your key member of staff does not turn up and you have to drop everything and rush to your business. Maybe you just don't have enough money to market your business so you can't move to the next level.
But it doesn't have to be that way - sure I can't make your staff turn up - but I CAN help you inspire and motivate them so that they turn up and work as best they can. I can't pay your bills, but I can show you how to make your business more efficient so that the you get a good night's sleep. I can also show you how to get your company known and your sales up with a very small budget, some ingenuity and a bit of hard work!
So maybe you are just starting our with your business, just got a great idea and not sure where to to from here? Well I've started and run many businesses - not because I didn't get it right the first time, but because I continually get great ideas and want to build upon them, turn them into successful businesses. AND I've been doing this for over 25 years and before that, I had part time businesses from the age of 11. Now you mustn't do the math and work out how old I am! Just old enough to be wise and willing to help other nervous and anxious entrepreneurs.
So why would I want to do this then? Well partly because I am sure that if I had had some help when I was less experienced that I would not have made so many painful and expensive mistakes - and that really hurts when you are a struggling single parent. Also partly because what goes around, comes around - if I help others, they will help me at some time. Lastly, although I give much away, I also have bills to pay and staff to keep happy, so I charge for some of my stuff. Like you I am an entrepreneur, but a trusted one who has been there - bought the tee shirt, and more importantly is still a profitable entrepreneur.
BUT you won't find any "get rich quick", scams or "work at home schemes", "loads of money for no effort" schemes here! I am only interested in helping the Serious Entrepreneur who understands that success comes from a mixture of hard work, dedication and a smattering of good luck!
If you are serious about starting and running a stable and profitable business - then I am here to help you.
I provide quality information and products on this web site to help you get started on your new business. I promise "no fluff, no puff" Good solid information - no filling, no loads of extra no use books as "bonuses".
Writing Your Business Plan.
on Khamis, 6 Disember 2007You're ready to get your business started in every way except one. You need money. Either in the form of a loan or from investors, but where do you start? One thing you will need before you can get capital for your business is a business plan.
What’s a Business Plan? A business plan is simply a list of answers to questions that people might have about your home business. You will not get outside funding without one, because the people giving you the funding want to know that you have thought your venture through completely. A business plan says: I've considered this from every angle, and I am ready to get going.
Your business plan should include: a description of your service. Just what is it that you plan to do? Tell them which industry you're going to be in, and why you've chosen it.
Who are your customers? Once you know what your business will do, the next thing you need to know is whom you are going to be doing it for.
What makes your business different? You need to explain what makes your business different from other businesses in your market. How do you plan to do to make the business succeed?
List your expenses. Include start up expenses and any equipment that you need before you can get up and running. Also include your daily expenses such as staff costs and supplies.
This has been a brief overview if you need more help with your business plan then we can provide you with a
Business Plan With Success Written All Over It!
We work with you to turn your business ideas and aspirations into
investment ready business plans
If you are setting up your new business or thinking of doing so very soon we can help you. Many new businesses fail because how to set them up or run them has not been fully planned. The new owner has some great ideas and is not sure how to put them into action.
The importance of a comprehensive, thoughtful and well written business plan cannot be emphasized too much. External funding is totally dependant upon your Business Plan. Your business objectives, management of your operation and finances, your goods and services, promotion and marketing of your business, and achievement of your goals - all are defined in your Business Plan. Working with Biz Guru as we design and write your own individual Business Plan, will enable you to establish these important foundations for a future profitable business.
Majlis Amanah Rakyat
The Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Malay: Indigenous People's Trust Council; commonly abbreviated as MARA) is a Malaysian government agency. It was formed to aid, train, and guide Bumiputra (Malays and other indigenous Malaysians) in the areas of business and industry. MARA was formed on March 1, 1966 under the Rural and National Development Ministry.
History and organisation
MARA was formed by an act of Parliament in 1966. It had originally begun as the Rural Industrial Development Agency (RIDA), which was established by the British colonial administration in 1951.[2][3] Although it is an autonomous government agency, it reports to the Minister of Entrepreneurial Development, who appoints all the members of the MARA Board of Directors. Besides state-level offices in the 13 states of Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, MARA also operates two offices overseas — one in London, and another in Washington, D.C. [4]
[edit] Entrepreneurship aid
Among other things, MARA offers loans to Bumiputra entrepreneurs. [5] Such loans may be repaid either in the conventional Western manner, or in the style of Islamic banking, depending on the borrower's preference. [6] MARA also offers entrepreneurship courses, vocational training, consultancy services, and assistance in marketing for Bumiputra entrepreneurs. [7]
MARA also constructs infrastructure, such as shoplots or factories, which are rented to Bumiputra entrepreneurs at a subsidised rate. These facilities are often constructed in towns or underdeveloped areas of the country, to encourage further development there. [8]
[edit] Education
MARA also operates several junior colleges or boarding schools, and a university — Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), which is open only to Bumiputra. The junior colleges, referred to as Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MARA Junior Science Colleges, often abbreviated as MRSMs), are operated by the Education & Training (Secondary) Department of MARA, whose stated mission is to "produce Bumiputra students of potential in science and technology".[9] Until recently, the MRSMs were only open to Bumiputra students. However, the Barisan Nasional government pledged during its campaign for the 2004 general election that the MRSMs would be opened to all. Eventually, they were opened, with a quota allocating 10% of all places in MRSMs to non-Bumiputras. [10] In admissions, preference is given to students from low-income families, rural areas and/or those living in squatter settlements in the cities. [11]
In addition to MRSMs and the UiTM, numerous vocational and professional colleges are also operated by MARA, for the benefit of Bumiputra students.[12]
Scholarships are also offered to Bumiputra students for both local and foreign institutions of higher learning. However, students must specialise in certain professions, such as medicine or accounting. [13]
Notes and references
- ^ Abdullah, Mustaza & Hj. Yahya, MatMarjani (1991). Kemahiran Hidup Bersepadu TERAS, p 108. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. ISBN 983-62-2316-9.
- ^ Adam, Ramlah binti, Samuri, Abdul Hakim bin & Fadzil, Muslimin bin (2004). Sejarah Tingkatan 3, p. 134. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. ISBN 983-62-8285-8.
- ^ "IMBASAN KEMBALI........". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
- ^ "MAKLUMAT KORPORAT". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
- ^ Abdullah & Hj. Yahya, p. 106.
- ^ "Jenis Pinjaman MARA". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
- ^ "Bahagian Pembangunan Usahawan - BPU". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
- ^ "BAHAGIAN PEMBANGUNAN INFRASTRUKTUR PERNIAGAAN(BPI)". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
- ^ "Profile". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
- ^ Pua, Tony (2005). "Mara Junior Science Colleges: A Peek". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
- ^ "PERATURAN KEMASUKAN KE MRSM". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
- ^ "PUSAT-PUSAT MARA". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
- ^ "Bahagian Penganjuran Pelajaran MARA - BPP". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
