Before you launch a business at home, you need a clear
understanding of yourself, your capabilities and your
limitations. You must know your strengths so you can build on
them, your weaknesses so you can shore them up.
Find out if you're a good home-business candidate by taking the
following "test," answering yes or no to each question. There are
no right or wrong answers, of course; I just want you to do a
little thinking about your strengths and weaknesses. After you
have answered the questions, ask a family member or close friend
to answer them with you in mind. If there is disagreement, it
could be that you're trying to fool yourself, or you haven't let
other people see the real you.
- I'm not afraid to make decisions, even though they may be wrong.
- I can take criticism and rejection.
- I enjoy taking charge of things and seeing them through to the end.
- I am an organized worker.
- I'm an independent, self-confident person.
- I get along well with most people.
- I am computer/Internet literate.
- I like to work, and I'm willing to work hard for something I
want, even if financial rewards are slow in coming.
- I am willing to do a lot of self-studying, research, and
planning to make my home-business dream a reality.
As you may have guessed by now, the more "yes" answers you have,
the more likely a home-business candidate you are. Having a
couple of "no" answers doesn't mean you have to give up your
business dream, but it could be a sign of trouble to come.
For instance, the person who is afraid to make decisions will
certainly encounter difficulty the first time a major business
decision has to be made. The person who cannot take criticism and
rejection may crumble the first time a customer says "no" to a
sales pitch. People who are reluctant to take charge, or
unwilling to accept responsibility, should not subject themselves
to the stress of managing a home business. On the other hand, all
of these problems might be overcome if you were to join forces
with a partner who did have these desired business qualities.
If you answered "no" to the questions about being organized,
having confidence, or getting along well with others, this is an
indication that you would benefit from some self-help books on
these topics. With time and effort, anyone can learn the secrets
of organization, develop a greater degree of self-confidence, and
improve working relationships with other people.
If you are not yet computer literate, I urge you to acquire
computer/Internet skills as soon as possible, for they will not
only enrich your life, but make operating any kind of business so
much easier and more efficient. If you are already using a
computer to access the Internet, and know how to do online
research, you'll be miles ahead of others who are still trying to
avoid the Internet as they begin their homebased business.
I do hope you answered "yes" to the last two questions because a
home business definitely requires concentrated effort, time, and
energy, to say nothing of the three Ps: Patience, Perseverance,
and Planning. From experience, I can assure you that your home
business, whatever its kind or nature, will take twice the amount
of time and energy of any salaried job you may have held in the
past; and, unless you are extremely lucky, it will also take
longer than you think to make a profit from your endeavor. Be
patient in your financial success expectations. Allow at least
two years, and as many as five, depending on your type of
business, the time, energy, and money you give it, and the skills
and experience you bring to it.
Above all, remember that a successful home business requires
PLANNING–in detail and on paper. "People don't plan to fail,"
goes an old saying, "they fail to plan." Trying to build a
business without any kind of plan is like riding an exercise
bike: You do a lot of pedaling, but you don't get anywhere.
Excerpted from HOMEMADE MONEY: Starting Smart! How to Turn Your
Talents, Experience, and Know-How Into a Profitable Homebased
Business That's Perfect for You! © 2003 by Barbara Brabec. (See
also this book's marketing companion, HOMEMADE MONEY: Bringing in
the Bucks!) Get details, other homebiz articles, resources, and a
free subscription to The Brabec Bulletin at
http://www.BarbaraBrabec.com
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EXCEL
Quick Formatting From The Keyboard
If you prefer the keyboard to menus and the mouse applying formats
can be a tedious process. If you'd like to avoid the "Format" menu
and the mouse and apply a format via the keyboard, here are a few
shortcuts:
General Format: Ctrl-Shift+~ (tilde)
Number Format with two decimal places (0.00): Ctrl-Shift+!
Percentage Format: Ctrl-Shift+%
Scientific: Ctrl-Shift+^
OUTLOOK
Print A Monthly Calendar
To print your calendar for an entire month:
Click "Calendar".
Select "File/Print".
Click "Monthly Style" in the "Print Style" box.
Enter the first day to print in the "Start" box and the last day in the "End" box.
Click "OK" to print.
ACCESS
Automatic Saving For Records
When you change a table's structure, you have to save it manually, but
when you're entering records, you don't have to do anything at all;
Access saves the new data automatically when you move to a new row.
However, If you would like to save the current record without moving
to a new record, just press Shift+Enter and Access will save any changes
you have made to the current row.
Terence Kierans
Cyberspace Virtual Services
tkierans@virtualservices.com.au
http://www.virtualservices.com.au/
We keep your project on the boil, while you sleep
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You received a letter from the company, and you were not selected for
the position. If you're like the rest of us, you are sure the reason was:
- You talked too much
- You said too little
- You did not express yourself well
- You did not act confident enough
- You acted too confidently
And the list could go on. Let's consider some other determining factors.
- When you read a newspaper ad, you presume there's a position available, right? Wrong!
- A company maybe trying to determine what the salary requirements for
a position might be in your area. Usually the request for salary range
is requested.
- The company must advertise all positions because it receives federal
funding. The company perhaps is promoting an already existing employee.
- You have interviewed for a position, even had a second interview with
the manager of the division, and then hear nothing. Sometime later you
learn that the VP's nephew just moved to town and was hired. [He only
stayed 9 months]
- The position was predestined for a friend or employee.
These are only a few of the reasons that you were not selected for the
position, but let's make sure by reviewing the basics. You want to be your
own best friend, not your biggest enemy!
- When looking for employment, contact your tax consultant. There are
tax deductions you can use while job hunting. Clothing, car expenses,
resume preparation, printing etc. There may be others: it would be
wise to check.
- Get a nice-looking folder or envelope to hold your resume or papers you
plan to present at the interview.
- Always have extra resumes with you to hand to those sitting in on the
interview.
- Have a copy of the position or ad with you.
- If you're applying for a position in which you'll be doing graphics,
take some samples along.
How do you look?
- Make sure you look pressed and fresh. Even if your funds are limited,
don't wear clothing that looks tired. If that blouse or shirt is no-
press, press it anyway. Look like you took some time and thought to
getting ready.
- Shoes polished.
Ruthann Clemens
Marketing Coordinator
Rouse Arizona Center, Phoenix, Arizona
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