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How to start a successful import business using the Internet

Internet has opened a new era of business

opportunities. Falling trade barriers combine with easy access

to exchange information thanks to the Internet have created dramatic

possibilities and sparked the growth of global online commerce in

virtually all areas.

Many companies are taking advantage of electronic media a lot

aggressively making new contacts, accessing new markets

and reduce costs with the help of online technologies.

Whether you are starting a new import business or planning

expand your existing business, you too can use the Internet as

your main channel to get information, get products

or services, find suppliers and do their marketing.

Before the internet age, finding a viable product to import

It was not an easy job! Trade shows and trips to foreign lands

were the two best options available to get down to business

information about a product and its supplier. today, required

information on any conceivable product from virtually any market

is available at your fingertips.

find a product

If you know what you plan to import, substantial work

It is done! Otherwise, your first step is to choose a

product or service feasible to import. Whether you are planning

to import a general merchandise or a specific product of the industry,

do your homework well.

Browse through catalog repositories, B2B exchanges, electronic

trade boards, trade magazines and virtual trade shows to find a

product. If you know the country of manufacture where the

the product is possible to obtain, please refer to the specific country

portals and exchanges. Here is a list of high-quality electronic products.

trading boards:

For products made in China: http://www.alibaba.com

India Sourcing: http://www.trade-india.com

For Russian products: http://www.rusbiz.com

Products from Europe: http://www.europages.com

From South Korea: http://www.ec21.com

For other country or industry specific B2B exchanges

look at this list:

http://dmoz.org/Business/E-Commerce/Marketplaces/

Your criteria for choosing a product to import should include:

Your prior knowledge of the product you intend to import and your

industries Your chance of success is greatly increased if

you know the product well.

Access to the required quantity of this product. if you spend time

and effort to develop a local market for a product and not be able to

to deliver, you will lose business and reputation.

Product quality. This is a crucial aspect for the development

a market for any product. The quality of the product must be

consistent with the market requirement.

High profit margin. As the import incurs many expenses that are

specific to this type of business only, before importing anything,

you should carefully calculate all the required expenses and see what

you still get attractive benefits. You can check the sites

your potential competitors and do a price comparison to get

initial idea about the current market price of your products.

find provider

Once you know what you plan to import, your next step

is to find a reliable supplier for this product.

Emarketplace or B2B exchange

B2B exchanges can be a good help to find suppliers of the

products you plan to import.

The possible steps you should take to find a provider of a

B2B exchange, are listed below. As an example, http://www.rusbiz.com is

used.

– Register your company. Often this service is free!

– Go to “Advanced Search”

– Write the name of your product in the corresponding box

– Select the required criteria and click “Search”

– You will find a list of companies.

– Take a look at each of them until you find a suitable one.

Chamber of Commerce

Another option is to contact the Chambers of Commerce to find a supplier.

A Chamber of Commerce is an association of companies that protects

and promotes the commercial interests of its members.

For a complete list of Chambers of Commerce in various countries

take a look at this page: [http://www.worldchambers.com/CCII/index1.htm].

Best seller

If other methods did not bring any fruitful results, you can

Consider posting classified ads in a variety of business forums.

There are many trading tables available on the internet. While

post trade opportunities make sure to specify your requirement

precisely. A well written ad will bring much better results. Mail

your trade leads frequently until you find a good supplier for your

product.

Once you find a provider that suits you, check it out thoroughly.

Your provider must meet the following criteria:

The supplying company must transport the product for a substantial period

of time.

You must have export experience – preferably to your country.

You should have export references readily available.

It must be a reputable company in your country.

If the business meets the above criteria, get Dun and Bradstreet

company report to verify your financial background.

Sale of imported products

Before even thinking about importing a product or service, you

you need to know exactly who your customers are and how they are doing

to sell their products. Although there are many ways

of selling a product, the sale through the Internet is gaining

fast ground.

Sell ​​through your own website

Considering the growth of e-commerce, today, any consumer-oriented

product is viable to sell over the Internet. your success will be

It largely depends on your ability to market your website properly.

Your website should have the following qualities, among others:

attractive design, product specification well described clearly

images, great content, fast connection, easy to use shopping cart

and a good merchant account.

drop ship

As a direct distributor, you carry inventory and your

venture partners make the sales. Once a product is sold, you get

payment from your partner but you ship the product directly

to the end customer.

Sell ​​through distributors.

Sell ​​through resellers with experience in your bottom field

marketing and selling costs. If you sell products through a number

of distributors and each of these distributors uses diversified

marketing method, your sales potential multiplies without

spend more on marketing.

electronic market

An electronic marketplace is a business community where you can expect

to see a large number of buyers and sellers. For a seller it is

a low cost, highly functional and easy to use sales channel.

The benefits of selling products through emarketplace also include:

– Low cost of customer acquisition

– Improve customer service

– Efficient method of sharing information.

Reduce the cost of the supply chain

Entrepreneurs who want to take importing seriously have to

gain substantial knowledge of the process. A lot of

The information needed to conduct an import and export business is

available online. Anyone with enough enthusiasm to

learn you can easily find them and use them to build a profitable business and

interesting business

Personal Financial Planning: Will You Rent Or Own Your Stock?

Although very few realize or will admit it, many people seem to approach, investing in stocks, in a rather short-term rather than long-term way and mindset. When you invest, will you invest as if you were renting or owning the shares you buy? In most cases, those looking for quality companies, instead of searching, get rich quick, get closer, minimize their personal risk (in the long run), and, if done wisely, get a better overall return. . rate of return, on time! With that in mind, this article will try to briefly consider, examine, review and discuss what this means and represents, and the possible risks and ramifications etc.

1. Constant trade/turnover, versus, buy and hold: Some people check their portfolios much more frequently than others. Whilst, in the short term, this can lead to profit etc, it often doesn’t fare as well, over a longer period, taking into account expenses, market changes, changing economic times, etc. The buy-and-hold approach, however, generally requires much more homework, study, and consideration to fully consider whether you are choosing the right type of company.

2. Doing due diligence: A wise, educated and prepared investor usually does better! When you do your due diligence, you maximize your chances. Choosing a quality and wise course of action requires an excellent dedication to due diligence and a commitment to avoid – proceed – hasty! Consider management, industry, corporate dedications, etc., and proceed wisely!

3. Long term, proactive, versus, impulsive and/or reactive: Thoroughly consider, in advance, what you are looking for and identify those companies that might best meet your needs, objectives and priorities. Be thorough, demanding, but also patient! Avoid choosing based on rumours, feelings, advice, short-term fads, or other impulses, etc., and rather proactively, carefully, choose wisely for the long term!

4. Evaluation of the company, compared to the general market: Beware of the market – time, but rather pay much more attention to the specific company, rather than the market in general! When you avoid, overconsider, the short term and the inevitable market swings, you minimize speculative risks, etc.! Thoroughly research all aspects of the corporation in question, learn about its management, history, plans for the future, relevance, and strategic plans as well as action plans, and choose wisely!

In most cases, most people do much better over time when they go for the longer-term approach, rather than the shorter one. Are you ready, willing and able to become a smart investor?

Importance of keyword research in digital marketing

Keyword research is the first and most important step towards digital marketing. Keyword research is the process of researching and choosing words and phrases that users will search for that are directly related to your business, product, or services. Keyword research helps your viewers search for and find you through common words. Keep in mind that your keywords must stand out. Regardless of what you search for online, both the user and the search engine depend on keywords to find the result. The right keyword can get you a high rank for your website. If you are using the wrong keywords on your website it tends to attract the wrong viewers to your website, this will hinder the reputation or ranking of the website as viewers will not find exactly what they are looking for and in the end , this will hinder the ranking of your website. Until you know which words and phrases are most important for your website, you cannot proceed with keyword research, for this, the most important thing is to understand the nature of your business and find the keywords accordingly. If the wrong set of keywords is chosen for your website and you optimize for keywords that are not directly related to your business and your offers, you may very well get traffic to your site, but this traffic will not be qualified.
One must follow certain steps while doing keyword research:
Step 1- Selection of keywords
One should come up with a list of word or phrase ideas by talking to your business owner or the one you are working with about the keyword list keeping in mind its business nature.

Step 2- Competitors.
This can give you a clear idea of ​​what your competitors are doing and what is trending in the market on that day. Look up all of your competitors selling the same product or service and start adopting the words and phrases they are targeting. Checking our competitors’ website will help you get more information and description where they can give you suggestions on which keywords they are targeting.

Step 3 – Use the keyword planning tool.
The keyword planner helps to understand the searches that are being carried out and the competition of the selected word. One can easily understand the competition and set their primary, secondary and tertiary keywords accordingly.

Step 4- Use Google Trends
This tool will help you see global or national searches for the word you are looking for. This tool will display the result in the form of a graph, which makes it easy to analyze the result. Using this tool, one can correct their primary, secondary, and tertiary keywords.

Step 5- Define your list
After analyzing the keywords, one has a huge list of keywords and from this research. Try to search for no more than 10-15 keywords.

Step 6- Word selection
From the data received, try to choose the primary keyword (the most popular search), the secondary keyword (the second most popular search), and the tertiary keyword (the third most popular search). Accordingly, one can make your title, description, and meta description.
Keyword research really increases your business title search. An attractive title with well-researched keywords can help your website rank.

what is the service area of tucker hill air plumbing and electric in scottsdale arizona

tucker hill air plumbing and electric in scottsdale arizona

Tucker Hill Air Plumbing and Electric is proud to serve a wide service area within Scottsdale, Arizona, and its surrounding communities. We understand the importance of providing convenient and accessible services to our customers, and we strive to reach as many residents and businesses as possible.

Tucker Hill Air, Plumbing and Electric – Scottsdale

Our service area covers the entirety of Scottsdale, including its various neighborhoods, subdivisions, and commercial districts. Whether you reside in North Scottsdale, South Scottsdale, Old Town, McCormick Ranch, or any other area within the city, we are available to cater to your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical needs.

Additionally, our service area extends beyond Scottsdale to encompass neighboring communities and towns. If you are located in areas such as Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek, or Carefree, you can still benefit from our professional services. We believe in providing comprehensive coverage to meet the needs of as many customers as possible.

what is the service area of tucker hill air plumbing and electric in scottsdale arizona

Our commitment to serving a broad service area reflects our dedication to being a trusted provider in the region. We understand that HVAC, plumbing, and electrical issues can arise anywhere, and we aim to be there for our customers when they require assistance.

To determine if you fall within our service area, you can contact our customer service team. They will be happy to confirm if we can provide service to your specific location. Our knowledgeable staff can provide information about the areas we cover and any specific requirements or considerations for your particular neighborhood or community.

At Tucker Hill Air Plumbing and Electric, we prioritize customer satisfaction and strive to build long-lasting relationships with the communities we serve. We believe in delivering high-quality services and exceptional customer care, regardless of your location within our service area.

When you choose us as your service provider, you can expect experienced technicians and plumbers who are familiar with the local regulations and building codes. We stay up to date with industry standards to ensure that our services align with the requirements of Scottsdale and its neighboring areas.

As a reputable company, we aim to exceed our customers’ expectations by providing efficient and reliable services. Our team undergoes regular training and professional development to ensure that we stay ahead of the curve in terms of industry advancements and emerging technologies.

If you are located within our service area, we encourage you to reach out to us for all your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical needs. Whether you require routine maintenance, repairs, installations, or emergency services, Tucker Hill Air Plumbing and Electric is ready to assist you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or to inquire about our services in your specific location. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional service and ensuring the comfort and satisfaction of our customers throughout Scottsdale and its surrounding areas.

How is Reiki different from massage?

In states that do not explicitly exempt Reiki from the jurisdiction of the Massage Board, Reiki sometimes draws the ire of people who would prefer it to be regulated. The reasons can range from conservative religious groups looking for ways to minimize the spread of alternative spirituality, to massage therapists wanting to eliminate competition from those with less formal training, to a misunderstanding of what Reiki really is. I offer this article as a starting point for people trying to understand the differences between Reiki and Massage.

This list also serves as a starting point for anyone creating a petition targeting a particular state’s definition of massage. (Be sure to check the actual definition of your state when writing such a request.) In a world of increased regulation, it is important to practice Reiki responsibly and freely.

The “Rei” in Reiki means “universal” or “spiritual”, and the “ki” corresponds to the “life force energy” known as “Chi” or “prana” in other Eastern systems of healing and energy work such as feng . shui, Tai Chi, Qigong or yoga. Thus, Reiki refers to “universal life force energy,” “divinely directed healing energy,” or “life energy of a spiritual nature,” with an emphasis on subtle energy fields rather than the physical body. For the following reasons, we do not believe that Reiki fits the legal definition of massage:

1) Massage is primarily physical, but Reiki works with subtle energy fields that surround the body. Although some massage therapists can harness Reiki energy while massaging, a traditional Reiki treatment involves 11-14 stationary, pressure-free hand positions held for 3-5 minutes each. While massage involves tissue manipulation, Reiki requires only a light, non-invasive touch or no touch at all. Reiki Level 2 students learn to perform remote Reiki treatments without the need for someone’s physical proximity, but it would be impossible to give a massage without a body in the same room. Reiki is similar to “spiritual laying on of hands” or “healing prayer”, rather than a massage modality or technique.

2) In order to provide an effective massage, massage therapists need knowledge of anatomy and physiology, along with various massage movements such as “Effleurage”, “Petrissage”, “Tapotement”, etc. Rather, Reiki students learn that universal life force energy has innate intelligence and knows where it should go. Reiki practitioners do not manipulate the body or forcefully direct energy during a Reiki treatment. In order to practice Reiki, practitioners must receive an attunement or initiation from a Certified Reiki Master. The attunement opens the students’ own natural energy channels, allowing Reiki energy to flow through their hands. Traditional Reiki hand positions and any other Reiki process do not require massage education to be effective.

3) In addition to the aforementioned differences, the preparations for receiving Reiki or massage are different. Before receiving a massage, most patients undress and then rub lotions on their nude or semi-nude body, wrapped under a sheet. In contrast, Reiki recipients always remain clothed and Reiki treatments do not involve the use of lotions or creams.

4) The American Cancer Association makes a distinction between massage and Reiki when recommending complementary therapies. According to the ACA, “Manipulation of a bone in an area of ​​cancer metastasis could result in a bone fracture. In addition, people who have received radiation may feel discomfort with even a light touch to the treatment area…People Those receiving radiation treatment should not have lotion or oil on the areas where radiation was used.Even without radiation therapy, some people have allergic reactions to the oils used during massage…Another concern for people with cancer is that manipulation of tissue in the area of ​​a tumor could increase the risk of cancer cells traveling to other parts of the body.It may be prudent for cancer patients to avoid massaging near tumors and growths that may be cancerous. until this question is clearly answered.” In contrast, the ACA considers Reiki a “safe” treatment for cancer patients, noting that “Reiki involves very light contact or no contact at all.”

5) The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health lists Reiki under “Energy Therapies,” which “intend to affect the energy fields that surround and penetrate the human body.” As defined by the NCCAM, “Reiki is based on the belief that by channeling spiritual energy through the practitioner, the spirit heals itself and, in turn, heals the physical body.” Massage falls under a distinctly separate category, namely “body-based and manipulation methods,” which is defined by NCCAM as “methods that rely on manipulation and/or movement of the body,” where “Massage therapists manipulate the soft tissues of the body to normalize those tissues.”

6) At least twenty US states explicitly exempt Reiki from massage regulation.

What exactly is the business model of an entrepreneurial philanthropist?

Excuse me, what business model? According to Wikipedia, “an entrepreneurial philanthropist is an entrepreneurial philanthropist.” An entrepreneur is “someone who runs a company, usually their own business” and philanthropy is “providing for the increased well-being of humanity and the environment.”

There is a growing community of people who are living this new reality. These people have learned that there is abundance of wealth in the world and do not subscribe to the flawed reasoning that says “once I have made my fortune climbing the corporate ladder I can have my share of the abundance and then contribute to philanthropic causes.”

These people now know that this is not how life works. They know that abundance begins with making a decision first. They have decided that they want to be rich, to be a help in the world, and now they are being that person.

But having made that decision, how does the person on the street make that happen on their own?

There is an abundance of new ideas and opportunities available; New appears every day, hour, minute, and second. What is it that allows these people to realize what they have decided to be?

New on the scene is a business that does just that. A business whose core vision is philanthropy. The mission of this business is “To empower people with opportunities and to facilitate humanitarian and environmental aid, where it is needed in the world.”

This is a win-win business where money from participants’ sales goes directly to humanitarian and environmental projects. The US-based company partners with action-oriented environmental and humanitarian organizations that implement immediate and long-term sustainable solutions to world problems such as food delivery, healthcare, construction of water purification systems and educational mechanisms. that will abolish prejudice, oppression and violence.

And if that’s not enough, those involved in the business have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and contribute to the site in a much more personal way by giving their own sweat equity.

The product for this business is provided by a partner company that has been a leader in its niche in the travel industry for nearly two decades, providing clients with world-class global travel services at deeply discounted prices. Why travel and how does this fit into the vision? It seems that a common passion among successful entrepreneurs is a love of travel, so it’s no surprise that popular destinations for philanthropists are the sites of humanitarian and environmental projects themselves.

By operating their business, these business owners are being the philanthropists they have envisioned, and are being now, doing it now, and reaping the rewards now, not fantasizing about it in the unfounded world of “once I have enough money, then I’ll be it.” able to do whatever he wants.” They have discovered that this business allows them to have what Napoleon Hill describes in his classic book “Think and Grow Rich” as “the only quality one must possess to win, and that is definition of purpose.”

Companies that have a vision to be a positive force changing the world for the better are not uncommon, but this new business is completely unique in that it has not only enshrined this in the company’s mission, but has also established as a cornerstone. of its fundamental method of operation: Proceeds are applied to humanitarian and environmental initiatives around the world. In fact, the raison d’être of bringing its products to market is for the company and its distributors to do their part to create a world in which every human being has the food, home, and quality of life they deserve and for generations. to come.

The business model employed by the company is one of the most effective in delivering market-leading performance for all stakeholders: network marketing. The company’s founders and leaders have over fifty years of combined industry experience and are experts at taking tried and tested strategies and fusing them with the latest demographic and socioeconomic trends and cutting-edge technology. Looking at it another way; In today’s job market, where working for a company is experiencing an employee confidence crisis, they’ve hit the sweet spot where self-employment in a home-based business intersects with the viral reach of social media.

Value systems like the balanced scorecard and the triple bottom line (the “three pillars”: people, planet, profit) that have become popular in forward-thinking corporations are now being personally embraced by enlightened employees. They had discovered that actually achieving work-life balance while employed by corporate masters driven by quarterly shareholder reports is an urban myth. These executives and managers are making the decision (laidoffs and corporate failure sometimes force them) to take responsibility for their own financial destiny and find that working for themselves with the right business model can really bring life balance. and work.

This company now offers an opportunity where motivated people can achieve all three pillars. Participants generate income for their own households and, at the same time, provide funds for crisis relief, as well as humanitarian and environmental causes. Staying in tune with market trends, the company has responded to one of the most Googled financial phrases, “residual income” (around ten million results), so along with high-percentage gross profits , are two of the key design criteria for the compensation system. . Low entry costs combined with a highly automated sales process make for a simple yet highly lucrative home based business.

Clearly, working in these types of opportunities is not for everyone. A high level of personal integrity is certainly a prerequisite. The target market is clearly highly energized self-starters with a desire to be a force for positive change in the world. It will also appeal to smart professionals (or couples) with a strong aspiration for personal financial responsibility. Today’s glut of laid-off and unemployed executives and managers on the one hand and disillusioned network marketers will no doubt offer ample supply.

Having said that it’s not for everyone, it’s clearly already an attractive proposition for many. The speed at which the company is growing shows a viral trend line. Even before the public launch in July 2010, early adopters on five continents are already earning and contributing.

This community of philanthropists has realized that competition is no longer enough for long-term viability and success and together they are carving out a new value-integrated niche market, following the “Sur/Petition” business strategy proposed by another creative innovator, Edward de Bono.

No doubt, in the future, copycat companies will see success and try to imitate what this company has pioneered, but they will still be the innovators.

Learn to differentiate between investment and speculation

Before thinking about investing in the stock market, it is necessary to answer a couple of basic questions. These questions are: “How should I invest?” and even more important, “Why should I invest?” If you don’t know how to invest, you need to know some basics about which investment options are best for you and how you can manage your investments in the market efficiently. However, if you can’t find an answer as to why, then you better stay away from any dealings related to the market.

It’s easy to be intimidated by the blinding glare of this market and invest in a few fancy stocks with dreams of making a fortune overnight, but if you let your saner side prevail, you’ll realize sooner rather than later that it is simply a recipe for disaster. Does it mean that the stock markets are not meant for the average investor? The answer is a definit no. You just need to have the right reason to invest if you are looking to get the most out of your investments. The next question that arises is why the desire to earn quick money is not a sufficient reason to invest, the answer is because it is not called investing but betting or speculating.

Speculation should be avoided at all costs if you are thinking of investing in the stock market. Now what constitutes speculation? You buy a lottery ticket and you go home dreaming of all the things you can buy and the things you can do with the prize money and the next day you wake up and see your dreams evaporate into thin air, well most part of the time. Buying a stock without knowing much about the company the stock belongs to, the nature of its business, or the condition of the market is nothing more than speculating or risking your money.

Many people make this mistake and invest in something that is “sure to generate fantastic returns in a couple of months, weeks, or even days,” according to some self-proclaimed market expert. It’s also common to invest in something just because everyone else is doing it. This is called herd mentality. This is exactly the sort of thing to avoid because there doesn’t need to be a lot of reasons for everyone to try to buy a particular stock and when things even out, many people end up losing their accumulated life savings simply because of their approach. overzealous.

It’s not that experienced investors never face a recession or suffer no losses, but what sets them apart from most others is that they tend to follow a well-defined strategy to minimize their losses. They invest for reasonable long-term growth to help secure their financial future, and this is what helps them take a more realistic approach to investing in the stock markets. Before buying a stock, they study what a company is actually doing, what services it provides or what kind of products it makes, and what market it serves. Future growth prospects for that type of product or service can also give a fair idea of ​​how the stock is likely to perform.

Even then, no stock can be relied on as a safe investment and one should instead seek to develop a diversified portfolio with investments in selected stocks and also other financial instruments, if possible. This would help to secure your investments and minimize losses to some extent. To make sure that you are doing it right, you can seek the help of a professional adviser for the same.

Improve Your Phone Interview Skills: 5 Tips to Prepare for a Phone Interview

Smile while you talk. Did you know that people can hear you smile? People who heard someone speak but couldn’t see them were able to correctly identify when the speaker was smiling. Smiling into the receiver of the phone is a great way to show that you have a pleasant personality and will get along with other employees.

Get dressed. If you wear your professional work clothes while on the phone, your professionalism will shine through as well. When you’re wearing casual clothes, your tone of voice seems much more casual than if you’re wearing a suit or dress.

Keep important documents close. Have a copy of the job description and your resume in front of you when you have your phone interview. That’s a good way to talk about your experience on your resume as it relates to the job description you’re interviewing for. Have a pen and paper handy to take notes if necessary.

Avoid phone interruptions during your interview. A call waiting signal can interrupt your train of thought or interfere with hearing what the interviewer is saying. You can disable call waiting on most phones by first dialing *70. When you are finished with your interview and hang up, your call waiting feature will be automatically reactivated.

Eliminate all distractions. Get rid of all unnecessary noise during your interview. Children, pets, televisions, radios, and computer videos should not be within hearing range while you are conducting the interview.

Here are some more tips to remember during your phone interview:

*Speak slowly and clearly. It’s okay to take a few seconds to collect your thoughts.

* Do not smoke, chew gum, eat or drink.

* Address the interviewer by their title (Mr. or Mrs.) and their last name. Don’t use their first name unless they ask you to.

* Do not interrupt the interviewer.

* Do not go into extensive details over the phone. Keep your answers short and save the details for a face-to-face interview.

*Thank the interviewer and ask if it would be possible to meet in person.

You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Your phone interview is the first impression the interviewer will have and will determine whether you advance to a face-to-face interview. Take advantage of the resources at JobPrepCenter.com to make sure your first impression really wows them!

The Role of Creativity in the Mindset of an IT Intrapreneur

Mindset of an IT Intrapreneur

Creativity is essential to the mindset of an IT intrapreneur. It helps you develop new solutions, find fresh ways to address business problems and bring innovative ideas to life within your organization. Without creativity, it can be difficult to find new ways to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing business environment.

Creative thinkers are often optimistic and chock-full of ideas to improve the way their company operates. They’re also able to see how those ideas will impact other areas of the business. These individuals aren’t afraid to try out new solutions and are quick to identify the benefits of their ideas. They’re also adept at overcoming obstacles and finding ways around them as they manage projects based on their ideas.

IT intrapreneur can be found at all levels of the corporate ladder, from software engineers to senior executives. These individuals are often tasked with leading the effort to develop innovative technology products, services or processes within their companies. This can be a daunting task, but they use their creativity to make it happen.

The Role of Creativity in the Mindset of an IT Intrapreneur

Some of the best IT intrapreneurs are known as “visionaries,” as they’re capable of envisioning a future state for their companies that’s different than what exists today. Visionaries are great at creating a new vision and communicating it to others, which can be instrumental in transforming an organization.

When an intrapreneur is able to effectively share their vision with their coworkers, it creates a sense of urgency that can motivate them to act. Intrapreneurs are able to turn an idea into an action item that can be measured and tracked, which is critical for the success of their innovations.

Many good ideas aren’t implemented because they lack the proper support or resources. The intrapreneur knows how to spot these opportunities and has the charisma, gravitas and drive to sell their ideas to the right people. While entrepreneurship can be a great career path for some, it’s not ideal for everyone. Working on your own gives up the stability that a traditional job will provide, including health insurance, 401K matching and other company benefits. Those who prefer a bit more stability can still pursue their passions and be successful as intrapreneurs.

There are many ways to cultivate your creativity, but it starts with being open to trying new things and seeing the potential benefits of those efforts. The key is to be disciplined about following through on your ideas and not getting discouraged when they fail.

Developing your creativity isn’t something that happens overnight, but with the right support and guidance, it can be an invaluable tool for the IT intrapreneur. Whether you’re looking for mentorship or just need some time away from distractions, it’s important to give yourself the space and time to be creative. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that daydreaming — a productive activity that’s linked to higher intellect and creativity — may help fuel the innovation that will drive your success as an intrapreneur.

How to beat mutual fund companies at their own game

You would have to have lived on a desert island with no TV, newspaper, or Internet connection to not have heard about the great mutual fund scandal of 2003.

The problem was that some mutual fund companies allowed certain hedge funds to engage in after-hours trading, sometimes incorrectly referred to as market timing. Unfortunately, some companies have used the confusion over the term “market timing” to further their own cause. As?

They have used this issue to ban virtually all forms of trading their funds, and some companies are imposing hefty short-term redemption fees, penalties for all intents and purposes, in the name of preventing impropriety. But the real idea behind it all is: Buy our fund and never sell it!

These companies espouse a stubborn buy-and-hold philosophy despite the devastating effects that approach had on investors’ portfolios during the recent bear market. Performance is irrelevant to them – they want their money in their fund, whether it goes up or down.

With all the negative press over the months, you’d think the mutual fund companies would have cleaned up their act and started giving more consideration to the individual investor. Not so.

I became aware of this when a fund manager of an $800 million mutual fund called me to see what my plans were regarding holding our positions with his fund (around $2 million).

I explained my trend-following methodology to him, and he got very angry when he heard that I would protect my clients’ accumulated gains by selling their fund if it fell 7% from its highs.

His swagger made it quite clear that he didn’t like anyone to get away with it for the benefit of his clients; He only cared about what was best for him and his company.

So what can you do to avoid being taken advantage of? For one, do what your mutual fund company does, not what they tell you to do. Adopt a trend-following strategy, like I do, and use the mutual fund manager’s superior stock-picking ability to your advantage by buying and holding only as long as the fund is performing well.

Remember, the fund manager has one major disadvantage over you: You always “have to” invest so that the public can buy shares in your fund. You do not!

If market conditions dictate that you are better off in the safety of a money market account because we are in a severe downtrend, then you can take your money and run for cover. he can’t. You are constantly trying to adjust your portfolio to ever-changing economic conditions to minimize your potential losses. At the same time, you are told that your fund is the investment for all seasons. Do not be fooled!

You, as an individual investor, are truly in the driver’s seat. Unfortunately, you’ve probably been conditioned to think that Buy & Hope is a good investment strategy, when in reality it’s a losing proposition.

The bottom line is, use a well-performing mutual fund during strong trends and stay out during trend reversals. (That’s exactly what I did for my clients in October 2001, withholding most of their winnings while Buy & Holders kept insisting that the emperor was wearing new clothes.) Very soon you will feel that you are in charge of your finances. destination and any chosen mutual fund is simply a tool to bring you closer to your goals of maximizing your gains and minimizing your losses.