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Articles by Cindy Hartman

Browse published articles attributed to Cindy Hartman, with full-archive search.

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By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Avoiding Negative People on the Road to Success

Success can be, and probably is, something different to each one of us. But the road traveled to reach that success, whatever it is to you, will most likely be a long journey. This journey will have sharp curves,steep hills, narrow shoulders, deep ruts, many detours, and possibly even some dead ends. Some of these hazards will be people; unfortunately, they’ll often be co-workers, family members, and friends. Your determination for success will get you where you want to go, but how do you avoid the negative people who will make the trip a difficult journey?

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

2,057 views5/5 (1)

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Starting A Business - 3 Criteria To Help You Decide

Recently down-sized, company closing, early retirement, tired of making other people rich. Whatever the scenario, those with an entrepreneur mind-set eventually make the decision to start their own business. Some people are young, while others don’t make the transition until their late 50s or early 60s - or even later.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,293 views3.4/5 (5)

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

The Number One Reason to Purchase a Turnkey Business Package

The decision is made! You're going to start your own business. Most likely you've put pencil to paper to see where you are financially, to know what you can afford and where you will get the necessary funds. You've spent hours upon hours thinking about what you want to do. You've thought about your passion and what you'll get out of the business. Hopefully you also thought about how you're going to begin. You have a choice of starting from the ground up or buying a start-up kit. Though more funds will be necessary, you might choose to purchase a turnkey business package.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,404 views3.2/5 (5)

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Business Ownership Can Be a Safety Net in Times of Economic Uncertainty

There are promising signs that the economy is beginning to turn. There are also some indications that we have another tough year ahead. Either way, there is something you can do about your own economic situation. You can take control by owning your own business.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,224 views3.4/5 (5)

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Business Plan - A Path To Success

Creating a business plan for a small business is like laying a path to success, building it brick by brick. Starting from nothing but a planned destination is the hardest part. But once started, each brick, strategically placed, takes you one step further with great thought and determination.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,325 views3.2/5 (5)

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Starting a Business - Being Older Can Be An Advantage

Have you been thinking about starting a business, but think you’ve missed your window of opportunity? Think again. Being older is not a bad thing. In fact, it can be one of the best things you have on your side.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,207 views3.5/5 (4)

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Job Loss is an Opportunity to Hire Yourself

The great news is that the recession is slowly recovering. Unemployment bottomed out at the end of 2009 and we’re seeing steady improvement, inching up at a snail’s pace. This recovery will be long process and it’ll be a few more years before we can say all is well.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,249 views3.7/5 (3)

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Franchises and Turnkey Business Packages – A Comparison

If you’ve decided this is the time to start your own business, you might be considering a franchise. If so, you will also want to research and compare a lesser-known business model - a turnkey business package. Though not a franchise, there is a remarkable comparison. With both of these business models, someone has struggled through the long learning curve, the trial and error - and packaged all that knowledge.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,937 views3/5 (2)

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

The Difference Between a Boss and a Leader

A born leader. We hear that statement frequently, but what does it really mean? In the corporate world, is every boss a leader? And is every leader a boss? The short answer is “no” to both questions. Let’s look first at the definition (the noun) of the two words. According to Dictionary.com: BOSS – one who employs or superintends workersr LEADER – a person who guides or leads Now, let’s look at the verb. I find this insightful because one who is, normally does. A boss would boss and a leader would lead. So, according to Dictionary.com:

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

3,577 views2/5 (1)

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Married Couples Can Be Successful Business Partners

Salad was flying in one direction while spaghetti went another. Voices were getting louder and louder as a hard-crust roll came in contact with a right cheek. Sounds like a college frate ity, doesn’t it? Would you believe it was a middle-aged couple who were also business partners? What started as a nice relaxing dinner, turned into quite an ugly evening. “We decided that night that we couldn’t work together anymore,” they admitted. Is this the normal way married business partners act?

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,648 views3/5 (1)

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Networking – Don’t Always Fish in the Same Pond

My family moved to Sandusky, Ohio, when I was 10. Living on the shores of Lake Erie, my dad thought I should learn to fish. So one Saturday morning we bought a new fishing rod and reel and headed to the dock on Sandusky Bay. Dad carried my new fishing gear and I tagged along, with minnow bucket in hand. I stood by patiently (which isn’t normal) while he opened the package and began to affix the rod to the reel. There were 4 holes and only 3 screws. I told him it would hold well enough, that 3 screws were OK; I didn’t want to wait any longer for something that minor.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,544 views2/5 (1)

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

24 Hours In A Day

We all have the same amount of time in each day – 24 hours; no more and no less. Why is it, then, that some people can get so much more accomplished than others? It’s called Time Management. But it’s not really managing time; it’s managing the activities that take up your time.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,529 views2/5 (1)

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Entrepreneurship - Do You Have What It Takes?

According to the SBA, fifty percent of all small businesses fail within the first five years. Wow! That’s scary! Think about it this way – you’re standing in a room with another small business owner, and most likely one of you will close your doors. Who will it be? There’s a fifty percent chance it’ll be you!

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,527 views2/5 (1)

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Home Inventory Service – A Growing Industry

The personal property inventory service industry is growing at an amazing rate. In 2004, there were only about 20 service providers in the United States. There are now over 500 ! I believe the main reason for this growth is due to the increasing number of disasters. This has created more common knowledge of the need to have an inventory of the contents in homes and businesses.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

3,429 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Starting A Business: Startup, Startup Kit, Turnkey Package or Franchise

Do you feel lost and insignificant in the corporate world? Do you have an independence that screams, “I want to do my own thing!”? Then possibly owning your own business is the answer. But where do you start? Can you do it all on your own, do you need constant assistance, or are you somewhere in between? There are 4 main options: starting on your own, buying a startup kit, purchasing a turnkey package, or investing in a franchise. There are wide variances, but during my research before starting my own business, I found some major differences. STARTUPr

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

3,221 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

A Valuable Time Management Tool - The Ability to Say No

People often remark that they have trouble with time management. They don’t have enough time in the day. They are always running behind. They rarely meet deadlines. If only they could manage their time better. Saying one short little word – no - can be the most important time management skill you can develop. So why is it so hard to say? Possibly because when growing up we were told that it’s not nice to tell people no. And now, after all these years, we still feel guilty when we don’t comply with someone else’s wishes.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

2,994 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Consequences of Negative Thinking

Think positively! Think good thoughts! Be “The Little Engine That Could” and think you can! We hear people make these types of remarks on a continuing basis. Why? What does thinking positive thoughts have to do with anything? Why is it so important to rid yourself of negative thinking? Your entire being is affected by your thoughts, which means every single component of your life is a result of your thoughts. However, there are three main segments of your life that are severely affected by negative thoughts – health, finances and relationships.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

2,633 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Turnkey Business Packages Offer Many Advantages

Downsizing, companies closing their doors, early retirement options and just wanting to leave the corporate world are reasons people choose to start their own business. In today’s economy, this is becoming an even more frequent choice.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,930 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Personal Property Inventory Services - A Mission to Educate

Why do people need a home inventory? That is a question that was posed often seven years ago when my husband and I started our personal property inventory business, and still asked of us today. Thus began our mission to educate anyone who would listen. Speaking engagements are one method to provide this information. We (my husband and I) jokingly state that we’ll speak for food! This is because most organizations – Kiwanis, Sertoma, Rotary, Lions and Exchange Clubs meet either during breakfast or lunch, and we’re invited eat before we speak.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,876 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Home Inventory Service Industry Continues to Develop

There aren’t many industries that have been around for a couple decades and still be in – what would appear to be – its infancy. But the home inventory industry is one of those. In the fall of 2008, I published an article titled Home Inventory Service – A Growing Industry. It was true then, as I cited there were only about 20 known service providers in the United States in 2004 and by 2008 over 500 had been established. The numbers continue to grow.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,734 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Homeowners and Renters Insurance - They Won't Just Write You a Check

Insurance policies are very hard to understand. They are long, so that factor in itself deters us from reading them. They also speak a language that seems foreign. By the time you look up every unknown word in the dictionary, all comprehension of what you’re reading is lost. Because of this, many people just take it for granted that they have the proper, necessary coverage. Unfortunately, many find out too late – after they file a claim – that they are improperly or insufficiently insured.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,661 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Home Inventory – A Must Before Moving Or Placing Items In Storage

It’s moving day! You packed all your contents into boxes and labeled the boxes according to what room they go in when arriving at the new house. But you didn’t list the individual items as you packed – you didn’t create a thorough inventory. What if some of the boxes are missing when you arrive, or some of the items are damaged? You probably won’t even know it for days, weeks or even months, according to how quickly you unpack. Then how difficult would it be to list what you no longer have? Completely impossible!

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,626 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Versus Business Continuity

There is a lot of discussion about the difference between preparing for a disaster so you can recover, and planning to continue to stay in business no matter what causes a business interruption. Many people ask what the difference is. Do they mean the same thing? Isn't the end result the same?

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,556 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Help Prevent Burglaries - Tips for Business Owners

According to police reports, burglaries are continuing at a high rate of occurrence. Continued high unemployment is one of the situations attributed to this statistic. But no matter what the economic environment, we’ll (unfortunately) always face the chance of being burglarized. So, what can a business owner do to prepare – and possibly prevent – this from happening?

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,499 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Visualize Your Success

Achieving success comes from within. We read books and listen to CDs which give us the opportunity to motivate ourselves. These ideas from others encourage us to create our successful universe - both personal and professional. I believe in creating our own destiny, of visualization, of ‘seeing’ our success. But no professional speaker or author proved it to me more than seven young men who ran high school cross country.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,489 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Do It For The Kids

Being an executor of an estate is a responsibility few really hope for, but one that normally is not declined. You’ve most likely chosen one of your adult children to serve in this capacity for your estate. Have you considered what you can do to make this easier on them? One responsibility they will face is to compile an inventory of the estate’s assets. Consider how emotionally difficult this will be for him or her and your other children as they prepare this document. Emotions aside, they will also need to find the time to document the items and assign a fair market value to each.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,470 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Home Inventory – Essential For Financial And Estate Planning

You’ve worked hard for decades, making sound investment decisions to ensure your future is just as you planned. You’re making sure there is enough money for the kids’ college and also for you to enjoy your retirement years. Then imagine that a disaster occurs (fire, burglary, tornado, hurricane – the list goes on), and without an inventory of the contents of your home, you don’t receive a proper financial settlement. Where do you get the money to purchase the remaining items you need? FINANCIAL PLANNINGr

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,455 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

You Do Own Enough to Bother With an Inventory

It is so important to have an inventory of your personal property. People who don’t have a lot of fine art, collectables or expensive, high-end electronics often think they don’t have enough to warrant an inventory. You’ll see it’s well worth your time or money to have this information available in case you have a fire, theft, or natural disaster. First, why do you have insurance? Because if you have a loss, your insurance company will give you the money to recover. Therefore, since you have insurance, you must value what you own and would like to get reimbursed for it.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,443 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Start-up Kits and Turnkey Business Packages – A Comparison

There are many people who choose to start their own business. Most know they need some type of help, so they seek opportunities that will assist them. Two options are start-up kits and turnkey business packages. Let’s look at why people want to start a business; then we can see which option is best.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,432 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Just What Is a Turnkey Business Package

Are you one of the many people wanting to start your own business, but conce over the economy has encouraged you to hold off for a while? If so, consider a turnkey business package to assist you.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,393 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Homeowners Insurance - 5 Decisions That Can Impact The Cost

Homeowners make decisions every day. Often these decisions can adversely impact the cost of their homeowners insurance policy. As the economy continues to change, it is wise to shop for your insurance at least every two years. Often you'll find that your current insurance agent or insuring company are providing the best coverage for the right amount of money. Remember, too, that it's not always just the dollar to consider. Customer service and agent availability are very important.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,359 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Asset Inventories - 6 Times A Business Owner Benefits

Small business owners are known for juggling projects, doing multiple tasks at the same time and rarely having enough time in the day to do everything they know they should do. This results in many items getting placed on a to-do list that rarely receives attention. An asset inventory is one of those tasks. So why should a business owner have an inventory of all the personal property they own? 1. Be Properly Insuredr

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,350 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Disaster Preparedness for the Small Business Owner

How quickly can your company get back to doing business after a tornado, fire, flood or computer crash? Every year, thousands of companies are unprepared. The US Department of Labor states that over 40% of small businesses that experience a disaster never reopen, and of the remaining companies, at least 25% will close within 2 years. These statistics are probably even higher now considering the economy and difficulty for small business owners to access money when it’s needed.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,303 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Disaster Preparedness – 3 Key Steps to Prepare Your Business

Preparing for a catastrophic disaster (fire, tornado, etc.) is essential for every business owner. The Ad Council reported that, based on a recent national survey, only 38% of businesses have an emergency plan in place. Strangely, 90% said that it is “somewhat” or “very” important for businesses to prepare. There is obviously a discrepancy between what business owners know they need and actually do it.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,302 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Dealing With A Disaster - Keeping Your Business Afloat

Catastrophes happen on a daily basis, and all companies must have a plan in place to stay in business. You might be a new company, with just a few months under your belt, and having invested your life savings to pursue your entrepreneurial dream. Or possibly you are a well-established, extremely successful business owner. Either of these scenarios - and all those in between - could be at risk of survival if your business is destroyed. Often the destruction happens in seconds. A fire, earthquake, tornado or other disaster can and does happen.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,301 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Disasters Don't Stop Because of a Slow Economy

Fires in homes, businesses and churches are in the newspaper headlines on a daily basis. Wildfires are lead-in stories on the evening news. And just a short time ago, hurricanes were the main topic of discussion. Disasters don't stop because of a slow economy!

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,292 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

A Home-Based Business Can Consume You

When people hear I am a home-based business owner, their first comment is usually a funny remark about working in my pink fuzzy slippers (actually, they’re purple). I must confess, many winter days would find this to be a true statement. Coming from the corporate environment, there has been a drastic change in my wardrobe.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,286 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

You Still Need To Work

If you’re looking for a business where you don’t have to work, quit reading this article and keep searching. If you’re still reading, I will tell you I don’t know of such a thing as not needing to work at a business. You and I both know that you have to work – you have to do SOMETHING – to make a business successful. That being said, there are a variety of levels of effort, based on how you begin the business.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,274 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Home-based Businesses - Sometimes It Is Hard to Get to Work

Have you heard about the kids who live across the street from the school and are always running in as the bell rings? Or about the employee who lives just around the corner and is always the last to arrive each morning? Strangely enough, the same can be true for an entrepreneur who has chosen to be a home-based business owner. Discipline often has more to do with being late (or not arriving at all) than anything else.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,272 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Starting a Business – Sometimes Things Get In The Way

As more people face being laid off, downsized, repositioned, forced into early retirement - or all the other familiar phrases that mean losing your job or fearing you might - many are choosing to take control of their destiny. Many are choosing to start their own business. Entrepreneurship... here I come! Taking control of your life, your career, and your income sounds pretty good, doesn't it? That all sounds great, and many choose to do this while still employed. Having the steady income will help with funding while you create and grow your new company.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,269 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

A Home-based Business Can Consume You

When people hear I am a home-based business owner, their first comment is usually a funny remark about working in my pink fuzzy slippers (actually, they’re purple). I must confess, many winter days would find this to be a true statement. Coming from the corporate environment, there has been a drastic change in my wardrobe.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,268 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

When You Fall, Get Back Up

My six-year-old grandson is a huge NASCAR fan, and can name most of the drivers and their numbers. As most kids his age do, he enjoys his make-believe world and lives there often. He becomes anyone he wants to be, any time he chooses. One day, he was - shall we say - in the moment, pretending to be the leader in a NASCAR race. Riding as fast as his little legs will take him, he suddenly found himself face down, kissing the sidewalk.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,236 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Entrepreneurship – You Need To Want It Bad Enough

New business ventures are started on a daily basis. People want to set their own hours, work for themselves rather than for someone else or make the decisions that only the top executives can make.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,235 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Starting Your Own Business – When You Get the Ah-Ha Moment

Each day when you drive to work, do you have a feeling of restlessness? Or maybe it’s just feeling unsettled or uncomfortable. And while at work, does every little thing frustrate you? Sometimes these feelings are mental, sometimes physical and sometimes both.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,180 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Cold Calls Turned Into New Calls

Most sales people - business owners included - place cold calls high on the list of things we would rather not do. It is so much nicer for businesses to rely on referrals. Having people call you and give you a name to contact is a wonderful thing! But, unfortunately, there are times that a cold call is required. These times can include when:rn- the economy is down, and you’re having to really go out and find business.rn- you are launching a new product or service.rn- new competition has entered your market.rn- your pipeline has reached a dangerously low level.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,172 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Starting a Business - Interested or Invested

When thinking of starting a business, there are levels that many people find themselves passing through. First, owning your own business or becoming an entrepreneur is a thought, which leads to a serious idea, which turns into contemplation, and eventually ends up with a major decision. This choice is to not pursue it or to give it further consideration.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,149 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Starting a Business – Passion is the Foundation

When you decide to start your own business, there are many choices that must be made. First, you must decide what you want to do. That “what” has to be something that meets a need within you. You must have an interest in what you’re creating. If you don’t, it will be just a job. In that case, you might as well go work for someone else.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,133 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

Why You Still Need to Manage Your Time When You Have a Home Business

Time to do what you want - when you want - is one of the top benefits of owning a home business. Unfortunately, failure to manage that time can be one of the biggest negatives. Working from home brings a sense of relaxation, a contrast to working in an off-site setting - no matter how casual it may be. And rarely would you be able to come and go as you please to the extreme that working at home allows. That can cause a loss of attention and a lack of time management. Working from home allows you to: - schedule doctor appointments any time of the dayr

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,126 views

By Cindy HartmanRecently published1 topic

How Business Owners Can Make The Right Buying Decision

Small, medium-sized and home-based businesses often state their number one conce is cash flow and solvency. Therefore, purchases – especially unexpected ones – can cause havoc on your budget.

Primary topic: Women In Business

Women In Business

1,113 views

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