By James Friedman


Q. What is the best group health insurance plan for a small company with less than 10 employees? How do I decide which plan is right for my company?

How to Sell Strategically
By Alan Rigg
80/20 Performance
http://www.8020performance.com/

If you want to maximize your sales performance, take a STRATEGIC approach to selling. After all, wouldn't you agree that "the 80/20 rule" applies to customers, where approximately 20 percent of customers produce approximately 80 percent of sales?

The starting point for strategic selling is figuring out a) which
customers produce the bulk of your sales, and b) what they are buying. Armed with this information, you can strategically plan how to increase sales.

How to Write Effective Selling Proposals
Copyright © 2005 Alan Rigg
80/20 Performance
http://www.8020performance.com/

Depending upon how much you enjoy writing, writing sales
proposals can be a joy, purgatory, or something in between.
However, if you sell a complex product or one that involves the delivery of professional services, learning how to write
effective selling proposals can be critical to your success.

Some proposals are written in response to an RFP (Request for Proposal) or RFI (Request for Information). Organizations that go to the trouble of writing RFP's want to receive highly structured proposals, as this makes it easier for them to compare responses from various bidders.

You, Too, Can be a Salesperson
C.J. Hayden, MCC

I am not a sales and marketing guru. I've written two books
on marketing and taught thousands of people how to sell
themselves, but really, I don't know more about sales and
marketing than most of you. 

What I know how to do is talk to people, all kinds of people
-- restaurant owners and waiters, CEO's and receptionists,
entrepreneurs and kindergarten teachers. I don't try to sell
these people anything; we just have a conversation. But
sales happen as a result.

Are You Ready to Own and Operate a Business?

By Kathleen Gage

How often has someone thought of starting a business based solely on the fact they think it will be easier than working for someone else. Fact is, owning and operating a business can be one of the most grueling experiences you will have. Granted, there are many advantages, but unless someone has actually run a business there is much to consider before you make that decision.

The following information will help you operate a business more professionally. With today's technology there is no reason you cannot have the look of a large company even if you are working off your kitchen table. If you have a home based business it is suggested you have a room dedicated to your business. This helps you to stay focused and there are some major tax benefits in doing this.

Are You Ready to Own and Operate a Business?
By Kathleen Gage

How often has someone thought of starting a business based solely on the fact they think it will be easier than working for someone else. Fact is, owning and operating a business can be one of the most grueling experiences you will have. Granted, there are many advantages, but unless someone has actually run a business there is much to consider before you make that decision.

The following information will help you operate a business more professionally. With today's technology there is no reason you cannot have the look of a large company even if you are working off your kitchen table. If you have a home based business it is suggested you have a room dedicated to your business. This helps you to stay focused and there are some major tax benefits in doing this.

How to Conduct Employee Evaluations

By Nolo Press

Employers who routinely review employee performance
and who conduct regular employee evaluations reap
tremendous benefits. The evaluation process nips a
lot of employment problems in the bud. Your
employees will know what you expect of them; will
receive feedback, praise, and criticism of their
work; and will have notice of any shortfalls in
their performance or conduct. You can recognize and
reward good employees and identify and coach workers
who are having trouble. And the communication
involved in any good evaluation process ensures that
you will stay in tune with the needs and concerns of
your workforce.

The Benefits Of Incorporating Your Business

Connecticut Secretary
http://www.connecticutsecretary.com/

What do General Motors, Microsoft, AT&T and many other major businesses in America have in common? They?re corporations.

A corporation is a separate legal entity that functions separate
and apart from its shareholders or owners. You can incorporate on your own without an attorney, although it wouldn?t hurt to seek legal advice. And you can incorporate in your home state or any other state of your choosing.

More than half a million business entities have their legal home in business-friendly Delaware, including more than 50 percent of all U.S. publicly-traded companies and 58 percent of the Fortune 500. Nevada, New York, California, Arizona and Florida are also magnets for businesses wanting to incorporate.

Personnel Turnover and Leadership Thinking
by Dale Collie

Some people tell me that as many as 75%  of all
employees are actually looking for or thinking
about finding a new job because they are fed up
with their workplace stress.

No matter what business you're in, this turnover
is  going to impact your bottom line.  As people
lose  interest in their current employment, their
productivity takes a dive,  absenteeism climbs,
and the company takes it on the chin.

Most of these people are smart enough to avoid
getting fired, but they truly don't care about
the old company anymore.  They are searching  for
a way to make a change.

Transforming Problems into Sales:
How to sell more by focusing on client problems

By Jeremy Cohen

My silent fish tank was no more. Enough water had evaporated to make the filter gurgle. It was highly annoying and I knew I wouldn't be at ease until it was silent again. 

I filled the tank.

Did I fill it to satisfy a want or a need? Does it matter? Probably not. 

The gurgling tank was an unacceptable problem that required
a solution: more water. I was able to solve the problem on
my own. If it had turned out that my fish tank gurgled
because my filter was broken I would have needed a new
filter. 

Filters Don't Flow from My Tap
Where would I get a filter? How would I decide where to shop
first?