Business Consulting Articles

An Alte ative, Inexpensive Way to Penetrate the Market For a New Product My consulting firm receives an average of 2 new product submissions from entrepreneur’s each day. Last year we viewed almost 700 such offerings. They ranged from the silly to the spectacular. The majority of these concepts actually possess some commercial merit. Nevertheless, fewer than a dozen of these will ever make it to market. There are many reasons for the paucity of successful product launches. The process is challenging and many people are not up for the fight.

5 Questions That Must Be Answered Before Attempting to Fund or Launch Your Consumer Product I am constantly amazed at the naivety of first time entrepreneurs and inventors when it comes to the due diligence they must conduct in order to get their idea, concept or prototype to market. Even with the amazing information tools at hand in the 21st century, so many still try to fake out the marketplace by taking shortcuts. This is the equivalent of death by neglect.

This is the second of three articles that discusses what NOT to say or do if you own a business and are trying to sell. The first article was called “5 guaranteed ways NOT to sell your business.” The third article is called “5 things to avoid when trying to sell your business.” All articles can be read on my blog or simply searching the web. 1. Talking when you shouldn't. This may sound obvious but when you sell a business it’s more important to listen and ask questions than continually talk to try and “sell” the business.

by: Geoff Ficke A Simple 20-Step Test That Will Confirm Whether or Not a Product Development Project Is Market-Ready For almost four decades my Consulting firm has worked with entrepreneur’s to design, develop, package, Brand, Market and Sell a vast range of Consumer Products. Our job is to save clients time, money and mistakes. This goal is best achieved when we are involved in a nascent project from inception. Unfortunately this is not always the case.

The visitors to Spain usually visit the island of Mallorca not only for the European Blue Flag awarded beaches in this beautiful holiday destination but also for buying the wide range of holiday rental villas available here. This island is known for its rich history, beautiful scenery and holiday rentals which make it suitable for families to spend quality time during a vacation. If you have made up your mind to by real estate in Mallorca then the tips provided here under can

by: Geoff Ficke How One of the Fashion World’s Earliest Great Innovators Lost Everything by Lack of Innovation

by: Geoff Ficke The Simple Wisdom We Learn from Studying Ancient Greek Rhetorical Form Chiasmus The ancient Greeks perfected and gifted to us the unique rhetorical form known as chiasmus. Simply stated, chiasmus is a figure of speech in which two phrases are inverted to display a parallelism. There are many examples of this device that have become famous and have entered everyday usage. One of my favorites is attributed to Ben Franklin, America’s first great Entrepreneur, Innovator and a Founding Father of the country; “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”.

Acid etching is a popular, timeless technique applied to a flat glass surface which results in decorative textural differences. The process of acid etching involves applying acid to a smooth satin textured piece of glass to transform it into a matte appearance. A skilled acid etcher can create intricate frosted patterns of varying shades and tones in glass using this method. Acid etching of glass was developed in the Victorian era. In those times, it was known as “French em

From time to time, there is always a requirement of RBI/FEMA consultants in Delhi/NCR. Often, the conman man gets messed up between the legal wars, the complex regulations and framework. As a result, he or she looks for a better partner who can help them out. This is where the need for RBI/FEMA consultants in Delhi comes up. If you too fall into the same bracket and want to get services and solutions then get going with this piece of information. There are many companies whic

Chasing the money will never make you rich. Working 60, 70 even 80 hours a week alone will never make you rich. Sitting around and manifesting success will never make you rich. However, taking deliberate, purposeful, effective action is what makes you rich: rich with inner fulfillment, rich with joy and happiness. Not to mention, it makes you rich monetarily as well. Great Things Happen in Three's

Understanding that no two sales pipelines are exactly the same, there’s a general flow that most follow. Typically, pipeline models start with some forms of discovery, prequalification, and qualification, before they move on to stages like solution design, customer evaluation, and proposal delivery. Lastly, there’s generally a stage (or stages)for negotiation and closing. Yours might follow that format exactly, or it might have more (or fewer) steps. But that’s a pretty

Make Color & Style Indispensible Elements to Sell More Products Have you never visited a Williams Sonoma store? Notice how the toaster they sell for $300 per unit is always displayed so prominently. Have you ever asked yourself who needs a $300 toaster when a perfectly acceptable bread toaster can be purchased for under $20 at any big box mass merchandise store? What is the impulse that makes a consumer spend such a premium on an otherwise mundane, everyday small electric appliance? Simple, color and style!

A microcontroller is a computer-on-a-chip or a single-chip computer. Micro suggests that the device is small and controller tells you that the device might be used to control objects, processes or events. Another term to describe a microcontroller is embedded controller because the microcontroller and its support circuits are often built into or embedded in the devices they control. You can find microcontrollers in all kinds of things these days. Any device that measures, sto

Small businesses are a critical part of the economic landscape. All the businesses on the Dow 30 started as small businesses, reached a critical mass that then led them to becoming a public company and grow to where they are today. Depending on whose statistics you use, small businesses make up 98% of all businesses in the US economy.

by: Geoff Ficke As we slog along under the full weight of the current financial calamity, there is much weeping and gnashing of teeth about the future of the United States. Many of our countries fiercest enemies and critics are gloating over their perception that our wave has crested and we have entered a period of steep decline as an economic, military and cultural power. Amongst the citizenry, there is a palpable sense that the country is on the wrong track.

Success Storming is the technique similar to brainstorming and gets you to produce a set of questions about an idea, problem or decision. It allows you to consider the options open to you and the diagram is a useful illustrative aide enabling you to view all your questions. From here you’ll be able to assess each question and rule out ideas that will not prove successful. How to Success Storm Stage 1: On a large piece of paper, draw a six-pointed star in the middle and wri

by: Geoff Ficke I am always amazed when I see well educated, seemingly worldly people make themselves look and sound silly by promoting ever more aggressive expansion of government. We are currently in our national election cycle, admittedly the silly season for politicians. This year, however, the “nanny state” prescriptions on offer seem particularly vacuous. The one absolute I KNOW about government is this: Government is not in business to solve problems, government is in business to institutionalize problems! Bureaucracies evolve to protect and expand their turf.

Are you trying to sell your business, and quickly? Check out these tips as they may help you achieve your goal. 1. Have a reasonable listing price. 2. Be prepared to negotiate. 3. Have a folder of information readily available for a qualified buyer. 4. Run the business as usual. 5. Make sure the business presents well; give it a "spit and polish." 6. Get a current snapshot of the business financials and keep them up-to-date. 7. Put together a current list of Fixtures, Furniture, and Equipment (FF&E). 8. Consider counting all inventories so the value is known.

We are all addicted to some form of chemical released in our bodies. In may be a socially accepted addiction such as requiring praise in your life, approval from others or being part of a team. Some addictions would be labeled positive and some negative, but they are all addictions never the less. Over the years we have developed these addictions. Our subconscious will attract situations in order to meet our biochemical addiction each day. Drugs, alcohol and smoking are definite physical addictions however so are victimization, sex, fear, distrust, control, arrogance and stress.

Do you have a Komatsu or a Daewoo Forklift and are you looking out for Komatsu forklift parts or Daewoo forklift parts? Thanks to the internet, you can find reputed forklift spare parts dealers on line. However, you have to be careful in picking up authentic suppliers of the replacement parts as there are there are many fake and fraud suppliers too on-line. Read on to know more about finding out the best forklift truck parts dealer on line. rnForklifts are mostly used in mate

Are you trying to create an emblem for your newly created video game and don’t know how to craft it? Don’t know how to make your brand mark contemporary and trendy? Then follow the below mentioned tips and create an emblem that is fashionable and sophisticated. 1. Use the 3 Dimensional Effects: The best part about video games is that they are created to look real and life-like. The same should be reflected in the games logos. For that, you can use 3 dimensional effects in

My sister bought a new house last week which needs to be decorated top to bottom. It’s a beautiful three bedroom house, through lounge and a huge kitchen. The best part of the house is that is has a front drive way as well as a garage big enough to fit two cars.rnShe asked me to help her decorate the house as she doesn’t like her husband’s taste in anything. She is dragging me to choose the furniture for the house, I feel bad that her husband will have no say on anythin

Waterproofing your home can reduce the risk of water damage and better brace your home against the elements. Waterproofing measures come in several different forms and can be combined with other preventative measures to bolster your home's defense against intruding water. Depending on the specific threats your property faces, there are five key steps you can take to keep water out and handle any leaks that might develop. Improve your gutters and drainage

by: Geoff Ficke Words Used to Present Your Business Proposition Must be Carefully Chosen This week I was forwarded a Business Plan from a Venture Capital principal for whom I perform consulting services. This gentleman had read the elevator pitch for the product and had initial interest in the proposition. He requested that I review the document in detail and mark up the key points that would be of much, or of no interest to his firm and make a recommendation as to the viability of the project.

“Be happy with what you have and are, be generous with both, and you will not have to hunt for happiness.”--William Gladstone One of the means of being happy is to be always in generous mindset. By definition, generous can be explained as “freely giving or sharing money, time, knowledge or any valuable resources of yours to others”.r

In the 1920’s Germany was in tatters. The formerly great empire was dismantled, the powerful army humiliated by its defeat in World War I and the population starved, cold and living in despair. Businesses that had been successful before the war were decimated by the outcome. There was no way to earn a living. For many Germans the only reasonable option available to pursue a better life was to immigrate to America. Before the outbreak of World War I, Max Ste had operated a successful textile business.

SummarynA regional professional services firm was struggling with some of the less positive aspects of rapid business growth. The desire to maintain a “small family firm culture vs. a territorial corporate culture, generational obstacles,, and high turnover were combining to chip away at the ...

The purpose of any organization is to enhance the value to all stakeholders. The stakeholders can be customers, employees, suppliers, financial institutions, Government, and statutory regulation bodies, and so forth Even though the value expectations of each stakeholder are different, it can be met only when the business is creating SURPLUS in the form of PROFIT. The central challenge for business is to generate profit in a sustainable manner irrespective of outside factors like competition, macroeconomic condition, supply demand balance etc.r

If there’s anything you should make time for in your life, its reading and jou aling. You can learn a lot from books, whether they’re business books, marketing-related books, biographies, or even fictional stories. In addition to learning from reading, you will more than likely also find great stories and information you can pass on to your prospects and clients as well. But, you might be asking yourself, who has time for that reading, right?

How a Pre-Sell Campaign Will Mitigate Financial Risk andr Confirm Market Acceptance for New Consumer Products by: Geoff Ficke Our Consumer Product Development and Marketing Consulting firm typically works with two types of clients. One is a startup requiring total support and guidance from conception through market launch. The other is to provide re-boot services for already existing product that has been unsuccessful in the marketplace. The startup is a far easier project to control and nurture.

Back when I was doing psychology research, one of my biggest challenges was having enough data. And while this is probably still true for many experimental researchers, with the internet’s ability to make data sets accessible, it seems data is reproducing faster than rabbits. nnNow I see many researchers grappling with overwhelm at managing and analyzing enormous data sets.nnEven a moderate number of variables could lead to endless variations on analyses. “Hmm, I

Every once in a while, I’ll find that I’m making myself nuts over everything there is to get done in a day. Ever feel that way? As entrepreneurs, there’s a lot to do, and once you pile family, friends and community on top, it’s easy to feel like the to do list is going to smother you. Before you go crazy, are you making any of these common time management mistakes? 1. Doing All Things at Once

‘Smoking is injurious to health’, states a label on the cover of your cigarette packet. However, you are a lot more than aware of the ills of puffing but cannot aid but smoke one additional. If you dream of quitting cigarette smoking without actually having to endure the difficulty involved in restraining yourself from cigarette smoking, then there is a noble resolution. rnAll you need to carry out is to buy the best electronic cigarette in the market. This is just simila

by: Geoff Ficke 5 Tips for Small Businesses and Start-ups to User To Appear Bigger tha They Really Are For many years I have worked almost exclusively with entrepreneurs, inventors and small businesses seeking to start, or grow a business against daunting odds and competitive disadvantages. We specialize in Consumer Products, packaged goods that are marketed in every category and sales channel. Despite the deck seemingly being so stacked against these micro-enterprises it is amazing how many succeed.

The American economic system of capitalism is unique in the industrialized world. Forms of capitalism exist in many countries, and the one general statement that applies to its usage is that capitalist countries are always more prosperous than non-capitalist states. That being stated, why is American capitalism so advanced, successful, admired and feared? We all know that America offers the most dynamic advanced economy in the world.

Accounting for any business is one of the most important and expansive procedures. Whether it is a small, medium or a large firm, all types need qualified people to maintain the important financial records. Handling accounts, transactions and other financial details is not an easy task but with the help from small business accounting services these can be processed easily. Additionally, its services reduce work force and financial burden of the client simultaneously. Online

Our nation’s economy is burning and many of our dreams are going up in smoke. But are they? We live in a time when the relentless pursuit of society’s definition of success is blow-torching our happiness. Our peace. This always happens when we adopt goals that are thrust upon us. For years the media has programmed us with discontent. They have sold us the illusions that an endless spending spree is non-stop happiness. Most of us bought. Now we all have to pay.

INTRODUCTION Business and money making are very connected particularly when it comes to profit motive organizations. However not all business is money making. Money making is the sustenance side of a business. There is also value in business. Value is good as it supports sustenance. MONEY MAKING

There is no more accurate American descriptive phrase of the rags to riches success then: “He pulled himself up by his bootstraps”. The pioneers, backwoodsmen, cowboys, whalers and other prototypical American hero classes all possessed an air of courage, self-reliance, and belief that they could beat the odds. They are wonderful samples of entrepreneurs at the most elemental level. My favorite method of starting a business, launching a product or service is the old fashioned, do it myself, Bootstrapping.

People often associate the great outdoors with physical vitality. And to be fair, there's a lot of truth to the idea. Being outside often gives us a chance to really stretch our muscles and get some exercise. But most people would find a surprising health benefit if they lived away from the city for a year or more. It's not just good for physical health. Getting away from the city is great for mental health as well.

With all the talk of USP, niche positioning, and your ‘features & benefits’, one thing that is often overlooked in the marketing cycle is what I am going to call your “Creation Myth”. All societies have them. Whether it is the Big Bang and evolution, or that a Christian God created the world in seven days, or that the earth is actually the back of a large cosmic turtle, or even that the world was sneezed out of a God’s nose (yes, that exists as well) - all societies have thei

Before reading this article, one thing is very clear that you have already chosen your product category that you intend to sell ahead or you may have already been selling it in the market. No matter, what you think about the quality of your product, all that matters is whether your potential customers want to buy this product or not. As Wholesale Traders , you must understand that the intention to buy a particular product does not necessarily arise from how good your product

by: Geoff Ficke Entrepreneurial Creativity Is Still Rife in the Fashion Jewelry and Cosmetic World

Recently my marketing consulting firm was approached by the owners of a young organic tea company seeking guidance in piercing the retail product distribution channel. The entrepreneur’s behind the venture were hard working, passionate and fully committed; both personally and financially. They had an excellent product.

“I love working from home, I get so much laundry done and today I even cleaned out my refrigerator.” This was a comment I overheard the other night while waiting for the PTA meeting to start at my daughters’ school. Unfortunately that was far from the first time I have heard a work at home mom say something like that in the last couple of months. When I hear this, my first question is “how’s your business going?” And inevitably I hear “well I just don’t have time to focus on developing new products or work on my marketing plan.” Is it any wonder?

Today we live and work in a very competitive world. Whether you are a brick and mortar retailer, an information marketer, an internet marketer a small business owner of any kind, you need to find ways to stand above your competition an all areas of your business. There are probably many other business owners who have products – services and niches similar to yours. Here are 5 tips to Stand Up in your niche and separate yourself from all others…. 1. Provide clear solution for your clients and help them achieve their goals.

Appraising your employees has many benefits. Appraisals help to develop your staff, improve your company's performance and help you plan better. They help identify training needs and can form the basis for pay reviews. They also record progression, and can be helpful for career and succession planning, for individual staff members, core roles and the company in general.

Do you ever wonder why others perceive you differently than how you view yourself? Have you been misunderstood or misinterpreted – and can’t understand how that happened? Are there some people you just can’t connect with—and some who never seem to understand your point ...

From the need for businesses to look their most professional in front of clients, employees and shareholders to the need for complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), understanding both the types and styles of signs becomes important when planning your office design. All offices should strive for a unique, yet consistent look throughout. This applies just as much to office name plates as it does to waiting room signs. Whether your office is a part of a busines

I see way too often small businesses that are way too dependent on the CEO/owner, and typically overlook the need to have a contingency plan. Whether it’s pushed to the side because it’s not perceived as “mission critical” or whether the owner refuses to face the reality that disaster can strike (“I’m Superman and my will to move forward overpowers the ability to get sick”), the fact remains that a small business could be crippled by the owner having serious health issues.