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Business Security Lessons From the Earthquake Zone

Many commentators and experts have spoken about the recovery for medium to large businesses. This is all good advice, but how does it work when you are thinking about disaster-proofing a small business?

Right now Christchurch businesses are coping, with varying degrees of success, with injured staff, loss of premises, inability to access records loss of water and power and all the rest. Listening to a data system specialist on radio today, I learned that inability to get to servers and office computers, even laptops left on desks in collapsed buildings was a major problem for large businesses. These larger businesses are the ones we expect to have good back up systems. For many they have not worked. They are struggling.

I wondered about the many HBBs in Christchurch. How many of them have been forced to evacuate homes and relocate without the essential data to look after their customers. This may seem a low priority, but as I reflected on their future, the primacy of their income stream in rebuilding their future came to the fore.

I thought about the importance of keeping in touch with customers, and the way customers support a business experiencing temporary problems when disaster strikes.

How would we fare if an earthquake or volcanic eruption hit our small part of New Zealand? For the record we have operated a professional HBB for over 20 years.

I ran through a mental checklist. My answers to the situation after a disaster strikes may help you run your own reality check.

Q1: Where is our customer data stored?

A1: Paper files. Gone. Diaries. Probably lost. Off-site archives? You must be joking.

2 Apple laptops and an iMac desk computer. Probably gone.

Q2: Any backup?

A2: Yes. Hourly automatic backup of two computer hard disks to a 1 terabyte hard disk, Apple Time Machine, with full restore capability. It was inexpensive.

Q3: Where is it?

A3: In the same office. Probably gone. If we lose the house we lose the Time Machine.

Q4: Can the backup device go somewhere else? Somewhere safer?

A4: Yes, it's all wifi (Airport) capable. But what about power and weather protection? Where will it be safe and accessible after a disaster?

Q5: What about your email records?

A5: Several email addresses, with the really important stuff on NZ servers and unknown backup if we are dealing with a regional disaster. The others are on Gmail. I expect them to be safe with plenty of redundancy.

Q6: What about websites?

A6: Four to worry about. None are financially critical yet but they will be, and they are a big investment of irreplaceable time. They are on three different IP servers, 2 in New Zealand and one in the USA, but security is unknown. It is unlikely they will all go down in a single event. The backup and restore capability is good on the 3 that I run as long as the servers are intact.Conclusion

It's not looking too good, is it? Score 4/10 in a major disaster.

It seems that my strategy is "Cross fingers and hope."

Q7: Can it be improved?

A7: Yes, without a big investment, now I know where the vulnerable points are..

Q8: Will insurance help?

A8: Not really. The weak points are not financial, they are about the location of backup systems.

I hope this quick reality check prompts you to ask your own questions about the data security of your business. Remember, it's only worth the effort if you do something to reduce your risk.

If you can stay in touch with your customers, they will support you when things go wrong, and you will be able to recover your income quicker.

Michael Taplin has worked from home for over 20 years operating a boutique management consulting firm. He has a very practical view of what works and what fails when things go badly wrong. You can view more of his ideas on improving business performance at http://www.bizlearn.biz

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Business-Security-Lessons-From-the-Earthquake-Zone&...] Business Security Lessons From the Earthquake Zone

Building On A Budget Can Be Effective

Network marketing gives anyone the ability to start their own business without the extreme cost of a traditional business like a Starbucks, Subway sandwich shop and so on.

Because network marketing has a low cost to start most people that get involved in this industry feel they have to market the business the way traditional businesses do. Paid advertising such as PPC, newspaper ads, postcard mailings, billboard ads and so on.

These strategies will drill a BIG HOLE in your bank account. What you have to remember is "It's Not What You Can Do But What You Can Duplicate". Just because you can afford paid advertising doesn't mean that your team can do the same thing.

So what do you do to market your business when you are on a budget? There is a million different strategies how to market your business for "FREE".
Best of all you can teach this to your team for fast duplication.

The first thing you have to understand is your product. Now I'm not talking about your products or services. I'm talking about PEOPLE!! So your focus should be getting to speak to as much people as possible per day.

So how do you do that without breaking the bank? Now that you understand your product the first thing you need to do is call your warm market. What do say? DON'T PITCH THEM, but you can say this

"Hello Uncle Tom, I just got involved in a business and I would like you to take a look at it and tell me what your thoughts".

Social Media works if its done properly. Open up a Facebook account and invite like minded people with similar likes. Then pickup the phone and introduce yourself. Build a relationship with that person and the conversation will lead into the magic question " what do you do? "

If you going out to do shopping, laundry, book stores, supermarket or anywhere start a conversation with someone. I love LONG LINES. Why? Because I can speak to the people waiting on line. Make a comment to start a dialogue with the person next to you. Say something like this "This line is long, I picked the right time to come here". If the person responds, then you can start a conversation. Remember to build a relationship with that person and ask them what do they do for a living. Then move to the most important question "when it comes to making money, do you keep your options open or are you Happy with what you are making?" If they say "Yes" collect information or hand them a business card with a sizzle number or a website.

And last, when you go through your neighborhood I'm sure you will see "For Sale" signs for homes. Pick up the phone, call the agent and say something like this "my name is George and I drove by the house you are selling. I'm an entrepreneur in this area and I'm always looking for sharp open minded people. Let me ask you, when it comes to making money do you keep your options open outside of the real estate business?"

Just so that you know most open minded people are in real estate so you most likely will get a "Yes".

There is a TON more strategies that are "FREE" but this article will never end. Please feel free to comment and tell me your thoughts, also include any other "FREE"
Hope this article helped you to build your business totally "FREE"

To Learn More Ways To Build Your Home-Based Business On A Budget

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Building-On-A-Budget-Can-Be-Effective&id=5863939] Building On A Budget Can Be Effective

Jonathan Budd - Hmmm

He shoots out emails all the time. He is doing his best to inform the many at home business entrepeneurs how to use the internet to their advantage. He essentially is giving new tactics to market a company that are much more appealing for 2011 than the traditional techniques used decades ago. Now, can his tactics be a little overwhelming?? To me, yes. But I understand why he does this and why he is making the millions doing it.

I paid a measly seven dollars for his intro audio training system. It was worth every penny!!! I learned a lot. What is great too, is that the products he offers after this intro package are ones that you can just pick and choose from, depending on the type of business you have and how far you want it to go.

I believe if you take what he has learned and is willing to teach you, and then couple that with the perfect product and an amazing company, you just found your goldmine. This is what I just did. Taking what I have learned from Jonathan Budd and applying it to a home based business that has a product that will always be around, sells itself, and is literally changing lives is why I am so excited for what 2011 has in store for me. So, "Thank you, Jonathan Budd for the gems I got out of a measly seven dollars!!"

Kim Bishop is a stay-at-home mother of 3. She enjoys dancing and writing country songs. She is excited for 2011 and would love to share with what she has learned and why she anxiously awaits the blessings that 2011 will bring!!

Please visit her at http://www.bighitbiz.com/healthy-video2.php?id=939

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Jonathan-Budd---Hmmm&id=5757282] Jonathan Budd - Hmmm

Top 5 Questions About Internet Home Business Opportunities

Q. How much does it cost to get started?

A. The cost to get started will vary from company to company. Anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to a few thousand is a good rule of thumb. However, as you are doing your due diligence, ensure that you know your start up costs, this will prevent confusion.

Q. Will it work for me?

A. In most cases the answer is yes, but to be honest, that will be determined by you. If you possess the following traits, then it will work for you:
1.Desire - Hunger to succeed
2.Work Ethic - Put in the work
3.Discipline - Stick to the plan you have set
4.Persistence - Never give up, no matter what

Q. Is it easy?

A. Yes. Most internet home business opportunities have a simple system in place that can be duplicated. They also have step-by-step tutorials and support for training.

Q. Can I do it?

A. Yes. Again, you can do anything that you put your mind to do. If you have drawn a line in the sand, so to speak, then you are going to make it happen.

Q. How will it benefit me?

A. There will be ups and downs on this journey, but if you will stay the course, you will become the person you always thought you could be. You will be a changed person, and those closest to you will see it and love it.

There are many opportunities to investigate. Take your time, do your due diligence, get these questions and other questions answered to your satisfaction, and then make a decision based on the information. Of all the rel=nofollow internet home business opportunities to choose from, choose the one that resonates with you.

Jesse Walton is a home business entrepreneur with a passion to show others how they can take control of their lives and create the freedom that they desire. If you are frustrated with your current situation, visit http://www.thehomebusinessforu.com for some valuable information that could change your life.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-5-Questions-About-Internet-Home-Business-Opport...] Top 5 Questions About Internet Home Business Opportunities

Building Relationships For Life And Business

Mission: "To inspire and empower people to change their circumstances so they can live the life that they choose".

Building relationships may be one of the most important roles in our lives. Family. Friends. Jobs. Business. God. If you want to get something done or find something out, having a relationship with someone you trust is one of the most efficient possible ways to get 'er done!

Who would not be connected to a vision and mission such as the ones above? Most businesses spend their time, energy and money on trying to tell us "what" it is they do or "how" they do "what" they do. I don't know about you, but I'd like to know "why" they do "what" they do.

This might seem confusing so let me give you an example. I'm going to start with "why" I'm writing this article. I'm writing this article because I want to help people who want or need to change their lives. With the economy today, things can often seem like they've spiraled downward and out of control. Companies are constantly cutting salaries and letting employees go. It wasn't too long ago I was an independent real estate investor when the real estate market completely "bottomed out" here in the U.S. My business goals had centered around flipping properties of various sorts that I had purchased. Out of the blue, my income had ever so abruptly stopped.

Then mission stated above, "To inspire and empower people to change their circumstances so they can live the life that they choose", is real. I completely related to this mission and decided I wanted to do exactly the same thing. Yes, I also want "To inspire and empower people to change their circumstances so they can live the life that they choose". This is my "Why".

The way or "how" for doing this is through an exclusive community with a comprehensive system to teach anyone how to do internet marketing (the "what") for any product or service they choose. This is rare, particularly in today's world where values, morals and ethics seem to be so scarce. There are exceptions. You just need to keep looking, don't give up.

There are a lot of scams out there. Like me, I'm sure you don't want to have anything to do with any of them. It is challenging to discern which "opportunities" are real and which are scams.

When you are looking for something you hope will change your life financially and help you to realize your dreams, there are two important questions to ask. 1) Is it real?, and 2) Can it be real for you? Then it's time to do some homework to be sure the answer to these two questions is "Yes". At some point you will have to take a leap of faith. If you can find the right combination of a comprehensive system and an exclusive community, this is a great place to start. Anything that is real will then require several missing components which can only come from you. These are mindset, a true commitment, hard work, discipline and follow through. Do you have what it takes? Yes you do. You have the potential within you, now you need to make a decision and commit to following through.

Earning and building Trust by building solid, ongoing relationships can only be done with honesty, values and morals and without exception. For me, this has also meant consistently working on my own self-transformation, something which only occurs with continuous self-education and work. My life has started to change in many ways. My mindset is now that of a "Millionaire", not that of a "thousandaire" where I was previously stuck. My discipline and time management skills are getting more finely honed every day. Being open and honest with everything, yes everything. On and on it goes. Finding a system with built in training for self-work is key.

Good luck in building your relationships and with your search in figuring out your "Why" and your "How". No matter your situation, remember to develop and nurture your Millionaire Mindset and to always keep your "WHY" in mind and in sight!

Peter Hobler

CarbonCopyPro, Founding Member

PRO U Elite Affiliate Marketer

314-307-2875

Email: [mailto:peterinnercircle@gmail.com]peterinnercircle@gmail.com

"Changing Lives One Person At A Time"

Learn More About Me:

My Blog: http://peterinnercirclenow.blogspot.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Building-Relationships-For-Life-And-Business&id=565...] Building Relationships For Life And Business

Home Based Jobs - Four Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Mistaking "busy" for "working"

Let's establish a definition: "Work" is doing things you're paid to do;

"Busy" is doing things you're not paid to do, no matter how occupied they may keep you. Re-arranging your files may keep you busy, but will that generate revenue? Probably not. As a virtual outsourcing freelancer you "sell" your time. Your time, leveraged by your skills and experience, is your most precious commodity. Many freelancers find they spend, for example, four hours a day "at work" but only two of those hours actually generate revenue. Streamline your processes and maximize your productive. If it takes you six hours to get four hours of "work" done, figure out what you're doing wrong.

2. Buying unnecessary equipment or supplies

Unless you have unlimited resources, you'll want to keep spending to a minimum. Your net income is, after all, the difference between your income and your expenses. It's tempting to buy a new computer, copier, scanner, or phone system, especially if you've left a corporate job where resources were plentiful. Only buy equipment or supplies that are absolutely necessary for your day-to-day work. Wait to invest in new office equipment until your workload picks up, or when a project requires that investment and the project prices makes the investment worthwhile.

3. Taking on too many projects

Winning projects is fun. Missing deadlines and disappointing your clients is not. Don't be tempted to take on a lot of projects so you can quickly build your portfolio and your reputation; avoid stretching yourself too thin by only taking on what you can actually handle. If you're good at what you do, there will always be more projects. Don't sabotage your feedback by biting off more than you can chew, especially while you're still learning the freelancing ropes.

4. Over-committing

Do you like to say, "No, I can't do that"? Most of us don't. Having a can-do attitude is a fundamental trait of most successful people. If you're a freelancer, saying "yes" too often can be a bigger problem than saying "no." Every project you take on locks up precious time, time that may be better spent elsewhere in terms of revenue and building your portfolio. If you can, make sure you choose projects that maximize your skills and your earnings. And if you don't have the skills to take on a task, don't say "yes" unless you know you can cost-effectively develop those skills. Learning to set up a WordPress blog for a client may be a poor use of your time if you'll never use those skills again. [http://www.mycareer.edu.pk]Home Based Jobs Opportunities in Pakistan

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-Based-Jobs---Four-Common-Mistakes-to-Avoid&id=...] Home Based Jobs - Four Common Mistakes to Avoid

Business Idea: Are You Stupid? What Is Keeping You From Seeing The Opportunity?

If you have experienced this, then you know Steve Jobs is your buddy! The deal is, if you have had contact with anyone with this problem, then you have touched on the TOP biz opportunity of the last several decades, dude!

Yes, iPhones, iPods and iPads are awesome devices. And yes, the glass breaks like crazy!

So what if YOU knew how to replace the glass? What if the parts cost $5. The amount you can demand for the repair is $60, and you'll net roughly $40 per average repair? Now, if it took 4 hours to do a repair, that would be $10 an hour - and there's NO POWER in that, is there?

But what if the repair can be done in 10 to 15 minutes?

That means YOU making $60 or more an hour! Not bad, is it? How can you learn this? What will it cost? When can you start?

The first thing to do is to buy some broken iPhones, and then buy some parts, and start practicing.

Practicing? YES, just like Grandma and the piano - this takes some practice. And just like the piano, it takes physical skill - it's not about knowing electronics, at all!

What will you do? Will Schmuck up? OR will you suck up and learn this?

It's all up to you. The demand for the service is THERE! It's yours for the taking! Can it be done with nothing but fun? NO! It's going to take some work on your part.

If not NOW, when? If not YOU, who?

What should you do next?

Slide over to http://FreeHelpFast.com and ask for the FREE ebook:

"HOW TO FIND OR MAKE YOUR JOB IN AN ECONOMIC TWISTER!" IF this ebook doesn't change your life fast? Just ask for a TRIPLE YOUR FREE refund - REALLY!

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Business-Idea:-Are-You-Stupid?-What-Is-Keeping-You-From-Seeing-The-Opportunity?&id=5328508] Business Idea: Are You Stupid? What Is Keeping You From Seeing The Opportunity?

Earn Money Working From Home? Yes, It Is Possible!

For example, if you have good writing skills, you can become a freelance writer. Websites all over are looking for content that is unique, original and of good quality. You can earn money from home, writing about stuff you like, be it, cooking, gym equipment or computers.

Finding freelance jobs over the internet is extremely easy as they are advertised on several popular forums. Initially you may have a tough time but this can be avoided if you have some sample articles to show. Write up a few on your own and send them to the client and if you are good, you are bound to get a job! Freelancers extend beyond writing. You can become a freelance coder if you have programming experience or a webdesigner if you have a knack for designing attractive websites.

If your literary skills are limited to reading and editing, then perhaps an online proofreader is the right job for you. Proof readers are needed for professional writers who need an opinion on their work before they are published. While some require professional proofreaders with degrees, others just need some minor corrections and opinions.

If you a little bit of webhosting knowledge, you can become a direct seller from home. Most hosts allow you to host a webshop. This is basically a store that sells its products on the internet. You can manage it from anywhere and as for the products you sell; well you can start off with the local supermarket for the neighborhood and if you can promote your website, then even large companies will pay you to sell their products. This line of work also needs experience with web marketing.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Earn-Money-Working-From-Home?-Yes,-It-Is-Possible!&id=5259130] Earn Money Working From Home? Yes, It Is Possible!

Hobbies That Make Money? - Yes, You Can Make Money Doing What You Love

For example, if you are a keen and regular player of any sport, ranging from tennis and squash to something as exclusive as equestrian, you can become popular in a few weeks and start earning over the internet. The best way of earning money through sports related hobbies is to post videos online that are instructive. All you need is a site or a blog that can host videos. Now, your videos should be informative, clear and unique to attract visitors. With these videos in place, have pay-per-click advertisements on your website that users will eventually click and you will get paid!

If your hobby is something creative, such as vocal music or mural painting, you can use that to become richer too! There are several acting groups and drama directors looking for vocals for their plays or shows. Register at one of the many services that can be found through search engines and you will definitely be contacted by a director. Just sing or speak at home, record it using a microphone and send it in. If you are good, you will be given handsome compensation and probably more work later on!

Even your childhood hobbies can turn into fortunes on the internet. For example, you may have a whole load of stamps or coins from various countries that you collected as a child but you no longer need them. Thankfully there are those who are still enthusiastic and are willing to buy your collections. Now, it is your choice to sell everything or go piece by piece. For this too, you will need a good host and you must market your site, preferably through search engines.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Hobbies-That-Make-Money?---Yes,-You-Can-Make-Money-Doing-What-You-Love&id=5258725] Hobbies That Make Money? - Yes, You Can Make Money Doing What You Love

Home Business Tips - Some Things You Can't Prepare For

The other day, I got a phone call from a guy who was referred to me by my PC technician. I hate working on PCs. I'd rather eat dirt. But I'm pretty handy with web design, since this was my first skill learned many years ago before I became a marketer. Anyway, this person wanted me to do something very simple for him. He wanted me to insert a PayPal donation button on his donations page. I figured, "Great!...This will take all of 10 minutes." Boy...was I wrong.

After getting his hosting info so I could log into the site and make the changes, I discovered that he was using Verizon's Sitebuilder to design his site. You guessed it. He knew nothing about HTML. Well, that shouldn't have been a problem except for one very quirky thing about Verizon's Sitebuilder. It does NOT allow you to modify the HTML of any of the pages. No way to insert a PayPal donation button into the code.

Well, after beating my brains out for about two hours and a phone call with support that I am sure will make them glad they will never hear from me again, I figured out a workaround. I contacted the customer, told him what it would be and explained why it had to be done this way, and he agreed. I then made the changes necessary. It's not the ideal situation, but given Verizon's convoluted editor (don't EVER build a site using it) there was no other option.

Now, there is no way I could have been prepared for this. Designing a custom page would have taken days and a lot more than the customer would have wanted to spend. So this was the only option. Point is, when things like this happen, you have to look at the situation realistically. It doesn't matter what you'd LIKE to do. You have to look at what you CAN do and then present your customer with his options. Yes, you may lose the sale or job. But trying to fit a square peg into a round hole NEVER works.

Yes, some things you just CAN'T prepare for.

To YOUR Success,

Steven Wagenheim

Looking for a solid 4 step plan to building your own business...FREE? Pick up my free report at http://www.stevewagenheim.com/4steps.html and get started TODAY!

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-Business-Tips---Some-Things-You-Cant-Prepare-F...] Home Business Tips - Some Things You Can't Prepare For