I’ve been asked several times to make the distinction between promises and to-do lists. Here’s one way to look at the difference. When setting your sights on a goal you wish to reach in the future, you will typically lay out an action plan that includes the steps you will take to get from here to there, right? In other words, what you will do to arrive at your destination. Each step will have a result. While it might initially start out as a promise, you might find yourself slipping into creating a to-do list.

Consider making a mental paradigm shift on the idea of goal-setting to focus on committing to weekly and monthly agreements as stepping stones to the bigger vision you have for yourself. When you identify actions you will take and promise to follow through (to yourself or anyone else) you have created an agreement to fulfill.

In other words, being congruent with your intentions and actions keeps you in integrity with your dreams and desires. How good do you feel when you say you’ll do something and then you don’t do it?

One of your goals might be to systematize your business so that you’re working more efficiently. Your steps might include:

1. Evaluating current programs and continuing to upgrade where needed.

2. Calling a web person to revamp your website.

3. Scheduling time to declutter and organizing your office.

4. Ordering new office equipment.

5. Updating your marketing material.

6. Outsourcing work.

7. Registering for a new course or training.

I make this distinction because getting caught up in making lists rather than being accountable or in integrity to the promises being made will affect the value received from masterminding. The goal is not to show how busy you are doing stuff, rather to make agreements that have a built-in intention that challenges you to s-t-r-e-t-c-h outside of your comfort zone.

The agreements you make are meant to nudge you forward and might create some discomfort so that you feeling slightly off balance. Being slightly off kilter offers opportunities to limitless possibilities that can lead to rich results. In fact, you might choose to add something in your promises that is deliberately uncomfortable with the intent of kicking things up a notch.

The promises you agree to are meant to stretch you out of your comfort zone so that you are challenging yourself to grow yourself and your business. They reflect your dreams and desires in ways that are meant to motivate and inspire you forward.

So be bold in challenging yourself to have what you desire. The possibilities are endless.

Have a great day!

Dr. Lorraine Cohen, President of Powerfull Living, brings more than 25 years experience in personal and business coaching, psychological counseling, and sales to thousands of spiritually minded business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders from a wide range of industries. Learn more about Lorraine’s services, success products and programs.

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Work at home moms are still somewhat of a novelty in our society. The concept is growing, but has not yet reached many women in the corporate world. Many times when a successful work at home mom is “discovered,” she becomes an inspiration to her community and may be asked to do an interview on a local radio or TV program.

Going from working in your bathrobe to a public platform can be intimidating, but these simple tips will help lesson the stress.

1. DO prepare ahead of time. It’s important to be ready to answer the interviewer’s questions promptly. You don’t want to be caught off-guard. If possible, write up questions and submit them for the interview. If this isn’t possible, ask for a list of the questions or topics you’ll be covering.

2. DON’T take over. Let the interviewer ask the questions and control the flow of conversation. It’s not your show – you are a guest. Let the interviewer set the tone. Write out a couple of things that you want to make sure to mention and find a good opportunity to mention them briefly. Leave the audience wanting to know more.

3. DO breathe. Take your time, pause when you can. You want to be heard, not leave people scratching their heads when you’re finished. Focus on answering the questions as simply and clearly as possible.

4. DON’T be a know-it-all. Yes, you may be an expert on your topic, but you don’t want the listeners to be turned off by your attitude. Be professional, but try to make it personal. The listeners will relate to you and in turn be more interested in what you have to say.

5. DO smile. Even if the interview in on the radio, you can “hear” a smile. The listeners can tell if you’re enjoying the interview or if you’re shaking in your boots. Start out with a smile and you’ll enjoy the whole experience more.

6. DON’T Panic. Everyone gets nervous and everyone makes mistakes. If you flub up what you’re saying, take a quick breathe and start again. Move on like nothing happened and no one will even remember.

Working can home can be wonderful, but it does not always provide the experience necessary to make one comfortable with public speaking. With a little practice and these simple tips, you’ll be a star in no time!

Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. She graduated from Grace University with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies/Bible. Jill has worked from since 2000 and started her own home-based business to assist other Christians who desire to work from home while maintaining a godly life.

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If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own business, you’re not alone. The desire for the autonomy and financial security that being your own boss can provide has never been more prevalent than it is today. There are many reasons for this but a main one would have to be that as big business gets bigger, the value of the individual employee is diminished and people are fed up with being disposable. Owning a business is a great way for a woman to take charge of her future.

One way to become a business owner is through franchising and the franchise industry is at an all-time high. There are more franchised businesses than you can possibly imagine. A recent survey found almost 500 concepts in fast food alone, a category that represents only 20% of U.S. franchises. The IFA Educational Foundation’s Economic Impact of Franchised Businesses study indicates there were three quarters of a million franchised businesses in 2001.*

There are other ways to become a business owner, include buying a business opportunity and creating a business from the ground up. There are definite advantages and some disadvantages to owing a franchise business over these other business ownership options and the franchise model is not right for everyone.

To see if franchising could be right for you, compare your previous business experience, your motivations and your current situation to the following examples.

Franchise Ownership

Let’s imagine that you are in your early 40s and have worked for a half a dozen large companies over the last 20 years. You’ve been recently laid off but even before the layoff, you realized you desperately wanted to change careers and find something that would allow you to use a larger skill-set and provide a greater income. Your company has given you a cash settlement and you are keen to take charge of your life, become your own boss and try something different. You want a good income and are willing to put in whatever hours necessary to jump start the new career but your overall goal is to eventually work reasonable hours and have more time for yourself and your family.

If your history is similar, you are probably an excellent candidate for franchise ownership. This path will allow you to benefit from a proven system of operations and a training program that will quickly get you up and running. As you have no previous business ownership experience, the ongoing support you will receive from a franchisor will be vital to your success. Many franchise opportunities offer a turnkey package that will include almost everything you need to start your business. In addition, most franchisors require no previous experience in their industry so you can be open to a variety of types of businesses and won’t need to stick to the one industry you know.

Another advantage to franchising is that franchisees can take advantage of lower cost materials due to group buying power. They also learn from each other and usually form a peer support system. Because you won’t be occupied with every minute detail of owning a business, you will be able to concentrate on growing your business.

Franchisors learn from their franchisees and use this information to continually improve their systems. Data from other franchisees can be used to help you predict your break even timeframe and franchisors are required to provide you with a UFOC (Uniform Franchise Offering Circular), which will help you learn about the company, the officers, the current franchisees, and any litigation against the company.

Franchising is a business model that works very well for those who have previously been in middle or upper management – particularly women as they are historically more likely to comply with a franchisor’s rules. Women, many franchisors report, are also quicker to see the value of using a proven system and less likely to waste time trying to fix something that’s not broken.

Compliance with a franchisor’s rules can also been seen as a disadvantage to franchise ownership. A franchise lets you be in charge as long as you follow and adhere to all of the elements of the franchise system. This is necessary so that the franchisor can offer consistency across the brand – and let’s face it, they’ve done the research and tested the procedures so their way is usually the right way. This is also a benefit to the consumer who can expect comparable quality products or services no matter which franchisee he patronizes, anywhere across the country or around the world.

Another perceived disadvantage is that a franchisee must pay royalties and sometimes a marketing fee to the franchisor. Royalty payments are compensation for everything the franchisor provides, including access to the brand, the operating system and related items. The franchisor uses the marketing fee to provide national advertising to build the brand and drive market penetration at a greater level than a franchisee could do on her own. Also, national marketing funds enable franchisees to benefit from professionally produced marketing materials and realize efficiencies from commingled funds.

If your are comfortable learning from others who have experienced success and would rather follow a proven trail than bushwhack your way through the jungle, buying a franchise could help you achieve your personal and financial dreams. However, if you’re the type of woman who likes to run with scissors and would never stop to ask directions, there may be better options for you. Read on!

Buying a Business Opportunity

As another example, let say that a varied work history has given you some great skills which you wish to put to use running your own business. You are not concerned about the type of business you buy but want to have freedom to run it your way. You would be okay with a certain degree of risk but also recognize the advantages of an established system of operations.

A business opportunity is a business you buy outright and have the freedom to run any way you choose. The benefit of a business opportunity is that they generally provide you with a successful business model and possibly some training and marketing assistance. The initial investment is usually lower than for a franchise and there are no ongoing royalty payments.

A downside to a business opportunity is that the seller isn’t as invested in your success or failure as is a franchisor because they make their money up front. Therefore, you won’t have extensive ongoing training, assistance, a national marketing program, research and development, etc. The risk factor is probably greater than for owning a franchise but could be less than starting your own business.

Starting Your Own Business

In this third scenario let’s assume that you have a steady, predictable income, perhaps from a working spouse or other source. You think of yourself as a truly entrepreneurial woman and you are brimming with ideas for new products or services and love to “tinker” with things until they are just as you want them. You are strongly attracted to the idea of being your own boss and don’t like to answer to others. You’ve previously been a business owner and have enjoyed the experience. You have the drive to follow through on your plans and have a background in a variety of disciplines, including sales, marketing, accounting and management, so you are not looking for outside support. In addition, you have plenty of money to spend on researching and developing your product/service so a predictable timeframe for break even isn’t a concern.

If you are like this type of person, one who likes blazing her own trails, franchise ownership is not for you. Instead you will be more comfortable setting up your own business using your own ideas. This is the most risky way to become your own boss because you will not have the proven operations system, nationwide brand and marketing, and the ongoing support of a franchise company. You may also have more difficulty obtaining business loans and the time from inception to when you start turning a profit will be hard to predict. On the plus side, you will owe no royalties and can run you business just as you please.

Historically this is the model least likely to succeed on average so it is recommended only for truly exceptional individuals who have the desire and stamina to start their own business based on their own unique idea or approach.

The chart below will help you compare the advantages and disadvantages of these three types of business ownership opportunities. For a majority of people, franchising has proven to be a viable way to become a business owner. For the most part it offers the lowest risks and the highest level of support. Because a franchisor doesn’t succeed until the franchisees do, you’ll find a team of dedicated professionals willing and able to help you every step of the way, from site selection to employee hiring to grand opening. They will keep in touch with you from the very beginning to years down the road and have web sites, toll free numbers and dedicated staff to make sure all your questions are answered quickly.

But it takes the right sort of person to be a happy and successful franchisee. Before you become too involved in the process of finding a business to buy, carefully consider which type of opportunity will be right for you. It can make all the difference between the success and failure of your new venture.

Business Ownership Comparisons

* IFA Educational Foundation-FRANdata study released August 2006

Kim Ellis is the President of Bison.com, a leading online resource for franchise and business opportunities. She has been quoted as an industry expert in USA Today, Wall Street Journal and a variety of local and regional publications regarding trends in business and franchising. Kim combines her entrepreneurial spirit with a diverse background in marketing and operation to help others succeed in franchising.

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How often do you register for classes and courses that promise to share success strategies and secrets to help you grow your business? How many books and products do you buy with the hopes of learning from experts in the field? If they’re successfull, they must know things you don’t know or you’d be more successful, right?

Some of these trainings, courses and classes carry a hefty price tag ranging from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. And yet, people whip out their credit cards and yell, ”sign me up” because if the result is making more money, the short term investment is worth it. Long-term gains are compelling and the investment is justifiable if it delivers. That’s the reasoning folks use to say yes.

I’ve signed up myself. I’m in favor of quality programs and products. I even promote them to my email lists, colleagues, and friends. Why not? If I find something great from a proven expert, why would I keep it a secret? I invest in acquiring knowledge and honing my skills all the time.

I sell my own products and programs too. I share what I’ve experienced and learned personally, and from my work with clients.

So, what’s my point?

Just this…….. investing in getting to know yourself well is key to any success you dream about. When the program or product offers personal development, transformation or spiritual growth, people are less inclined to make the time and financial investment in their own evolution and awakening.

How many times do you complete a program with the intention to follow all the steps suggested and all the strategies outlined? How long do you stay motivated and keep it up?

It’s amazing to me how many people will come up with reasons why they hem and haw about paying for programs that will help them spiritually awaken, address self-sabotage, work with The Law of Attraction, eliminate negative thinking/beliefs, and experience greater personal happiness. Yes, some of these products and programs carry a larger investment in time and money.

There is a direct relationship with who you are on the inside and what you do outside in the world. Failure to see the value of investing in growing yourself as a person, as well as growing your business, will affect your outcome - guaranteed. You might be losing more than you can imagine.

~ If you have issues about being wealthy, how do you think that will affect your ability to generate and attract a lot of money?

~ If you have beliefs around unworthiness, how do you think that will affect your ability to have business success and personal happiness?

~ If fear is a driving force in your life, what affect will that have on your willingness to take action so that you can have the good stuff in life?

So, this is also a bit of a rant. I’ve had to confront my own excuses when money comes into the picture and I find myself saying, ” It’s too expensive, or it’s not in my budget”. Forget thinking cost and begin thinking investment. I’m talking about making the long-term investment in YOU rather than using the short-term amount as a reason to say no.

~ If your own self-defeating beliefs and behaviors are sabotaging your efforts, achieving substantial results from any program or resource will be diminished.

~ If you are making decisions that are in conflict with your heart, values and spirit, guess how successfull and happy you’ll be?

~ If you are consistently overriding your instincts and inner wisdom, how much peace will you be giving up AND at what cost to you?

Drop the ” I can’t afford it, it’s too expensive, I don’t have time, now is a good time…” excuses you use to sit on the sidelines and watch the world move forward.

If you need assistance to bust through some business and personal barriers, make the time and financial investment to buy, hire, borrow, barter…. for the people and things that will help you become unfettered from whatever is holding you back or keeping you down.

It’s not rocket science.

It’s your life. Aren’t you worth the investment?

To your success and happiness!

Dr. Lorraine Cohen, President of Powerfull Living, brings more than 25 years experience in personal and business coaching, psychological counseling, and sales to thousands of spiritually minded business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders from a wide range of industries. Learn more about Lorraine’s services, success products and programs.

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Envision the scenario: You've just been asked at the last minute by Chris, the organizer of your local networking group, to replace the scheduled speaker at next month's meeting. You already have too many commitments on your plate. Imagine your response:

You: "Well, I don't think I'd have enough time to prepare. I'm awfully sorry.  I wish I could help you!."

Chris: "Your last speech was super'maybe you could just talk some more about that topic? I,d really appreciate it!"

  You: "I'm glad you liked it--maybe I could do it"

Chris: "Oh that would be great! Just let me know the title"

How might you feel about doing this speech? You might feel stressed or resentful. You might not be at your best when you do the speech. Other work that you'd really like to be doing might suffer.

Now imagine a different response:

You: "No, I can't be prepared on such short notice. I know how hard it is to find someone." Alex speaks on a variety of topics and I think she could fill in for you. I'll give you her number."

Chris: "Thanks! That will really help."

This is a win-win-win: Alex gets an opportunity to speak (her specialty), Chris gets a speaker, and you aren't saddled with a commitment you don,t want--plus, you,ve probably earned some good will from both Alex and Chris. What a difference!

Whether you are saying no to a collaborator asking you to do something, or saying no to a potential client that you really don't want to have, the ability to say no gracefully is a key skill when you are in business as a solo entrepreneur. Here are four quick steps to learning this skill:

1. Understand the reasons you say "yes", even when you don't really want to. Here are some common reasons; which ones apply to you?
   • You want to please people; you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
   • The customer is always right, you can't say no to the customer!
   • It's not polite to say no; if you say no you feel you are being self-centered.
   • You are flattered by the request.
   • You feel like you need the business!
   • You can't think of a nice way to say no fast enough.
   • You think there might be other unforeseen  negative consequences if you say no.
     
     
2. Recognize the good things that can come out of saying "no":
   • You have more opportunities to say "yes" to the right customer.
   • You have more time to do the things you *want* to do.
   • Saying no expresses how you *really* feel. You are taking responsibility for your own feelings and letting others take responsibility for theirs.
   • Someone else who really wants this customer's business, has a chance to get it
     
     
3. Learn how to say "no" gracefully:
   • "No, I can't do that." Don't beat around the bush- put "no" right upfront.
   • Use non-verbal cues to underscore the "no"-shake your head; use a firm and direct voice, use eye-contact.
   • Add an explanation if you want, but don't apologize: "I have another commitment." - even if that commitment is to yourself!
   • Be empathetic if the situation calls for it: "I know how hard it is to find a tax-preparer at this time of year."
   • Recommend an alternative if one is available: "Let me refer you to..."
   • If you're not sure, it's always OK to ask for more time to think it over!
     
     
4. Practice your new skill:
   • Rehearse ahead of time if you think it will help. Role play with your business coach or a friend or colleague.
   • Choose a low-risk situation first. Practice on your significant other, family, friends. Or practice on strangers, if that's easier for you: the salesclerk who wants to sell you one more thing, the telemarketer calling at dinner.
   • Work your way up to friendly clients. They are likely to appreciate the boundaries you are setting!
   • When you have the courage to fire that client who hasn't paid and makes unreasonable demands-you'll know you've mastered saying "NO!" (Hint: refer them to someone else that is a better fit and help manage the transition!)

Saying "no" gives you freedom. It is a way of honoring both yourself and the person you are saying "no" to. Learn to do it well, and you will earn the respect of others--and yourself!

Terri Zwierzynski is a self-employed business strategist and marketing consultant to solo entrepreneurs, and a grassroots promoter of the solo entrepreneur lifestyle. She runs Solo-E.com, the resource website for the self-employed which attracts thousands of solo home business owners monthly from over 100 countries on six continents (and was recently named a finalist for “Website of the Year” in the 4th Annual Stevie® Awards for Women in Business). Terri is also the co-author of 136 Ways To Market Your Small or Solo Business.

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Podcasting has been called the wave of the future. The truth, however, is that podcasting is the here-and-now and is gaining momentum across the world. There are podcasts available for just about any topic you can think of from cooking to video games to religion.

Podcasting can have many uses for the home based business owner. It can be useful not only advertise, but to also communicate your business message. Below are 5 tips on how to use podcasts to benefit your business.

1. Reach your niche market – Depending on your product, podcasting can be the perfect way to reach new groups of people in your market. Believe it or not, there are people out there looking for the product you provide!

Podcasts are quickly becoming a new advertising venue as well. A podcast that is listed in podcasting directories such as iTunes can reach thousands, even millions of listeners. This can be a very inexpensive method for advertisers on a budget.

The popularity of podcasts is a steadily growing trend. Many people who are just beginning to learn about podcasts will search for topics of there interest. This is a great way to reach customers that you would not have been able to reach before the advent of podcasting.

As of February 2006, a Google search for the term “podcast” returns over 205,000,000 results. The amazing reality of this is that it is still, in effect, an untapped market that will continue its growth in the years to come.

2. Share your passion – Podcasting is a great way to share what you love! If you are excited about a topic or product, chances are that others out there are, too. A podcast on the topic you are passionate about is a great way to connect with other people that share your passion.

People can hear your excitement over the “airwaves”. I always enjoy listening to a program when the speaker is obviously energized about whatever it is he’s speaking on.

3. Share information – Many home based business have begun because they are filling a need. A podcast can help this information reach the people that it will benefit. For example, CWAHM.com was created to help women be at home with their children while still contributing to their families financially. Many of the sites’ visitors are buys moms who may not have the time to scour the hundreds of pages the site contains. Our podcast, Christian Work at Home Moment, airs once a week and is 24 minutes long. It’s an easy way for moms to learn more about working from home without spending hours on their computer.

Make it a point to research your topic and find all of the interesting and little known facets of passion. Keep your listeners interested and they will want to hear more!

4. Become an “Expert” in your field – Creating a podcast can help to establish you as an “expert” in the area your broadcast covers. You must be willing to take the time, do the research and share information that is valuable and useful to your listeners.

Just as authors become experts by researching and writing on specific topics, podcasters become experts by sharing the information they find with their listening audience. There is a big market for podcasts in a multitude of areas – the next expert could be YOU!

5. It’s easy - A podcast can be started with virtually no cost or investment. In most cases, there is no need to be “tech savvy” to be a podcast creator. It can be as simple as using a phone to record your podcast through a service like Odeo.com. There are, of course, more complicated set-ups, but to begin you truly just need a topic, a phone and a quiet spot to record!

Podcasting is easy for listeners as well. A podcast can be listened to directly from a website or downloaded from iTunes and put directly on an MP3 device.

There are many reasons that a podcast can benefit small and home-based businesses. This growing market is an entirely new way to communicate information to the world. When it comes to podcasting, the sky’s the limit!

Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. She graduated from Grace University with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies/Bible. Jill has worked from since 2000 and started her own home-based business to assist other Christians who desire to work from home while maintaining a godly life.

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Susan, a bright, energetic and make believe person, has decided to become a business owner by buying a franchise. She understands that there are many steps to the process and asks me how long it will take before she will be able to open the doors to her business. Figuring she wouldn’t be satisfied if I told her that it could take anywhere from several months to a year or longer, more or less, I came up with the following timeline:

Step 1: Finding the right franchise

Susan could be out shopping and see a for sale sign in the window of a storefront franchise. If she likes the business, can meet the seller’s price, is approved by the franchisor, and gets in on a franchisee training program right away, Susan could be running her new business in a short period of time.

However, a more likely scenario is that she will spend weeks or even months doing research on a variety of franchise businesses before selecting one for purchase. Once she finds a business to investigate, Susan will have to go through a Discovery Day to meet with the franchisor in person, learn more about the business, have financing arranged, and be approved as a franchisee.

There are a lot of variables here but much depends on a person’s motivation –
how anxious they are to start a new career. Another variable would be how the search is conducted. If Susan uses a franchise broker to help her narrow down her search, the process usually takes about six weeks. If she decides to do research all on her own, it may take months or even as long year before she is confident she has found the right business.

Average research time: Six weeks to six months

Step 2: Finding your location

The actual territory of your business will be part of your contractual agreement with the franchisor and within that territory you will probably need a physical location. The location could be in a mall or strip-mall, a warehouse in an industrial park, or a stand-alone building. Some exceptions would be home-based businesses that you could run from a home office or cart-based franchises that you would take to events like parades, carnivals, fairs, etc.

Most franchisors offer at least some help with site selection to find the most advantageous location for your business. Some even help with the lease negotiations. Specifics for build-out and furnishings are usually covered in your agreement and franchisors use their bulk purchasing power to get you reduced prices these items.

Depending on how difficult it is to find a location and the amount of work needed to get your location ready for business, this process could be lengthy. I’d tell Susan to be both prepared and patient.

Average time for location search and build-out: Six to eighteen months

Step 3: Financing

I spoke briefly about financing but that was assuming that my friend Susan had cash in the bank ready to spend on a franchise business. The cost for opening a business covers three areas: the initial fee paid to the franchisor, the cost of preparing the business for opening, and finally the cost of running the business for that period of time until it is profitable. That includes paying your bills and your employees and also the money you need to live on.

Fortunately a prospective franchisee doesn’t need to have all that money in her pocket. Some of it can be borrowed from a bank, usually using equity in a home. Another option is taking the money from your retirement savings plan.

Often the franchisor will help you find a franchising option by connecting you with some companies that do these types of loans. However, the sooner you can get financing, the sooner you will move ahead with your new business so don’t put this item off until the last minute.

Average time to secure financing: One to three months

Step 4: Training

Once Susan has selected her business, she will be excited and anxious to start training. Training programs can vary quite a bit from company to company. Some franchisors will do training by email and phone for a period of weeks and then bring in the new franchisees for some classroom work and hands-on training at headquarters. Other businesses need only to provide several days of classroom training.

Since Susan’s training should cover all aspects of running her new business, from operations to marketing to customer service, a training program of several weeks or more is typical. Many franchisors will offer a number of continuing training opportunities as well, and because I believe the more you know the better, I’d be sure to encourage Susan to take advantage of all the training available.

The good news for Susan, who is anxious to get started, is that a majority of the best franchisors have new franchisee training classes scheduled at least monthly so her wait to start training won’t be long. The franchisor will be just as anxious to get the new business open as the franchisee, so they will have the training process thoroughly mapped out.

The length of time for training will depend of the type of business. If the franchise provides a service, training to learn the service may require a more lengthy training time than would be required for a simple retail outlet. In a business with a more involved retail operation, a new franchisee may need to work in an existing location for a period of time to thoroughly learn the business.

Average time for franchisee training: Two weeks to two months

Step 5: Other Issues

Depending on the type of franchise you buy, you may also need to deal with zoning or permit issues, hiring and training employees, and stocking your store. If these will apply to your business, add more time to your estimate.

I’d caution my friend Susan to use these figures as estimates only. Each situation will be unique. The most important thing I’d tell her is to be sure she has adequate financing to cover whatever delays may occur because being under-financed is considered the number one reason most franchisees fail.

Kim Ellis is the President of Bison.com, a leading online resource for franchise and business opportunities. She has been quoted as an industry expert in USA Today, Wall Street Journal and a variety of local and regional publications regarding trends in business and franchising. Kim combines her entrepreneurial spirit with a diverse background in marketing and operation to help others succeed in franchising.

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Common sense seems to be in very short supply. Perhaps it always was.

Even allowing for the creative and often hysterical reporting of the news media it is hard to avoid the conclusion that those making and executing laws and regulations in both Britain and the EU have taken leave of their senses. A previous culture of personal responsibility seems to have changed into a culture of dependence and blame.

Not, of course, entirely, but significantly.

This is wholly understandable. A society that rewards the feckless and punishes the responsible must expect the message to be understood and acted upon. Perhaps our rulers have forgotten that true compassion - indeed, true love - involves helping people to achieve and maintain their independence. Removing independence is theft of the most precious possession we have.

So far this sounds more like a political speech on behalf of the British Fascist Party than a basis for discussing what people need to learn. I make these points, however, because unless our education system starts with the right premise, everything else that it does will at best be ineffective and at worst be damaging.

I don't need to tell you the difference between education and training, between knowledge and reflection, between information and thought. So I'll skip the bit about facts, passing exams, exam marking and the roulette wheel of teachers who can (and those who cannot) forecast the likely questions with reasonable accuracy. I'll omit the scathing references I would have made about people who decry the Arts subjects. I'll nod only briefly towards the words of George Santayana (1863-1952) 'Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it'.

I'll go on to why what we need to learn has changed so much and so recently.

My first point is that in the past few years and with considerable Government help, we have come to understand better the relationship between body and brain. If there is a work / life balance to be struck there is also a body / brain balance in need of attention.

Today we are at the threshold of understanding the mind. We have not got there yet but we will, and reasonably soon if I am not much mistaken. We have started to appreciate that the mental prisons we often feel trapped in are largely of our own making. We are all capable of much more than we thought.

Such potential brings with it the responsibility to use well the resources we manipulate and to learn a new view of the time over which we manipulate them. Strangely, our Victorian forebears had a better sense of this aspect of time than we do. They invested for what they saw as the future; we invest for the next annual - or half-yearly, or quarterly - sometimes even monthly - profit results.

Proper planning has never been so important and never so neglected.

Second, we need to learn the basic skills of interpersonal communication - or social intercourse, if you like. Whether you were in favour of invading Iraq or against it I think we can all agree that in the 21st Century settling disagreements by thuggery is an admission of failure on a breathtaking scale. But that thuggery doesn't originate in the White House or Downing Street, it originates in Coronation Street, in your local town, the nearby neighbourhood, in the way we speak to a traffic warden, in the way officials deal with us.

Have you noticed how people seldom ask questions of each other these days?

Maybe they think it's intrusive or not very polite. At a time when many of us are going to spend more time in front of our computers we need to improve our social intercourse and change it from the drinks party or the Friday night booze-up to intelligent, informed discussion laced with that unique ability we have to be amusing about serious matters.

Some races have always been rather inhibited about asking questions. We cannot afford such inhibitions any more. It leads to a collection of floating islands, not to a society.

Third, we need to learn the joy of work. We've separated work and leisure to the point where work is seen as bad and leisure is seen as good. But everyone knows that too much of either is wrong. To do this we must make work joyful, not always easy when rough conditions, noisy machinery, inconsiderate bosses, rapacious shareholders demand effort and forbearance that is above and beyond normal duty. For all that, work must become a place of joy.

We seem to have failed to learn that the true satisfaction of a job well done is not in dollars but in the heart of the person doing it. In my mentoring the simple and true story of Alf Tuck, the man who came to thatch the cottage roof, has transformed the attitudes of hundreds of people towards their work.

If you want to know it, please ask me by email, and I will send it to you.

Fourth, we need to reconsider what facts we need to know. Five years ago it was important to know quite a lot of facts. Today we need to know different facts:

- how to access and store information on the internet

- how to discriminate between right and wrong information and good and bad sources

- how to reflect on the facts we learn; facts by themselves are like random numbers; they only

- become useful when we interpret them and make decisions based on them.

Fifth, our civilisation is based on trust. That trust is based on truth, a commodity in very short supply at present. No truth, no trust. No trust, no society. There will never be perfect truth and we have to learn to distinguish between truth, lies and hyperbole. If we do not understand and accept the relevance of truth for our very existence, our society will increasingly fail.

There are many other things we have to learn, of course. These are, to my way of thinking, the five essentials. They are at present being neglected in favour of doubtful academic awards.

If you agree with my very brief summary of what people need to learn today there is one remaining question: where do we get the teachers to do it?

That's my question to you.

John Bittleston blogs at TerrificMentors.com, a site that provides mentoring for those who wish a change in career or job, wanting to start a business or looking to improve their handling of people (including themselves).

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We are all experts at playing the role of the audience, thanks to the countless presentations that we have sit through. Quite frankly, we have seen it all! I thought it would be interesting to give you my list of ten things a presenter can do to piss me off. See if this tallies with yours!

Starting from the bottom…

10. Using clip art animation (at times, this makes me laugh… but not in the good way)
9. Starting weak: “I guess I should probably get started…. uh…ok here goes…”
8. Giving us zero eye contact
7. Reading off the slides
6. Having slides with heap full of words (and MORE words!)
5. Having NO message (Variation: Failing to make a point and leaving us confused)
4. Mumbling throughtout the entire speech
3. Apologizing to the audience right at the start:“I’m not exactly sure what I want to say but I will try…”
2. Ending late - it’s obvious you don’t respect our time!

And the number one thing you can do to piss me off the roof is this…

1. Be totally unprepared - it shows how much you value us!

Eric Feng is the go-to guy if you want to learn how to impress your investors and customers through public speaking. For more tips and tactics that you can use immediately in your next presentation, visit The Public Speaking Blog.

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Recently Brett Favre, the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, broke the all-time NFL touchdown record. As a fan of football and Green Bay (I grew up in Wisconsin) I've had the opportunity to watch Favre over the years, and I also realized how his career provides some valuable business-building lessons.

How? Because success is success, whether you've built a multi-billion dollar company, written a dozen best-selling novels or are a famous quarterback. Many of the same mindset and principles are the same no matter how the success manifests itself. What's nice about sports is first, it's public (the games are televised and the players are forever being interviewed so you can get to know them a little) and second, you can see things unfold in a short amount of a time. An entire game is completed in 3 hours, compared to business where you don't always see success or failure that fast (although sometimes it feels like it!)

That said, this is where I'll share the first 3 of a total of 6 principles (both good and bad) you can learn from Favre to become a more successful business owner.

1. Favre is willing to take chances.

Watch Favre any given Sunday and you'll see him throw into double coverage, triple coverage, or just in the general direction of a player wearing green and gold. And, more times then it should, it works. The receiver makes this spectacular catch and the rest of us all wonder how on earth he pulled it off.

That's what successful people do. They take chances. They see an opportunity and they seize it. And they do it fast. They make a decision and it's done. They see an opening between the defenders and they whip the ball in there for an amazing play.

2. Favre's greatest strength is also his greatest weakness.

As a Green Bay fan, you end up holding your breath as you watch Favre throw. Because it's a toss up whether you'll be cheering a spectacular throw or groaning because he just threw an interception.

It's really no surprise that 2 weeks after he broke the touchdown record, he also broke the record for most NFL interceptions. And, I'm sure he's not done piling up either the touchdown throws or the interceptions. (In fact, his very first throw in the NFL was an interception that was run back for a touchdown.)

Why does he throw so many interceptions? Because of that willingness to take chances. He makes throws he has no business making, and sometimes it bites him.

Now, there are two lessons here to learn. One is, keep an eye on your greatest strengths because if you overuse them, they're also your greatest weaknesses. I'm not saying don't capitalize on your strengths, I'm saying keep your eyes open and be willing to admit when your strength has led you down the wrong path (and be willing to do something about it.)

The other lesson is of perseverance. Would Favre had broken the NFL record for touchdown passes if he allowed all those interceptions to get him down? No. And not only that, it never even stopped him from taking chances. He'll throw an interception, get right back into the game and take the same chance.

Not all the chances or opportunities you take in your business are going to work out. You'll have losses and set backs and heartaches and everything else. And what you have to learn to do is not allow it to stop you. Sure, maybe the chance you seized yesterday was a total disaster, but that doesn't mean the chance you seize tomorrow will be the best thing that ever happened in your business. And if you let yesterday's failure prevent you from tomorrow's success, you'll never break that touchdown record.

3. Favre plays to win, not to not lose.

Favre wants to win. Period. That's why he takes chances. That's why he makes throws he has no business making. Because he's out there to win. He's not out there to not lose the game.

This may sound like a subtle difference, but it's actually huge. When you play to not lose, what happens? You suddenly get very conservative on the chances you take, the opportunities you go after, and even all the choices you make. If you're playing to win, now it's a whole different ball game. Even just saying it, playing to win, has a whole different energy level. It feels more alive, more passionate. Now you're making entirely different choices because you want to win -- not to not lose.

Michele PW (Michele Pariza Wacek) is your Ka-Ching! marketing strategist and owns Creative Concepts and Copywriting LLC, a copywriting and marketing agency. She helps entrepreneurs become more successful at attracting more clients, selling more products and services and boosting their business. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at http://www.MichelePW.com.

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Disasters or family tragedies can strike families in many forms – Mother Nature, sickness and even computer problems can cause major difficulties for your business. Do you have a plan of action on how you will handle your home-based business if disaster were to strike? If not, you absolutely need to. Having a plan ensures that you can not only keep your business running, but decrease stress because you have already prepared for the unexpected.

Below are four tips to help you handle the unexpected.

1. Work around the events

Your customers will understand as long as you communicate with them. Be honest that things may take a little longer than usual, but keep your customers updated as often as possible. Communication is the key. Most people will understand the delay as long as they are aware of it. If you get to the point where you cannot work or cannot finish a project, but sure to be clear and honest about the situation and try to make an arrangement that will be acceptable. Also, let them know as soon as possible so they can prepare. Don’t wait until the last minute to advise them of a potential problem.

If you’re struggling because of a child being sick, try to work when the child is sleeping and don’t stress yourself out to work at other times. Make a schedule of what needs to be done, so that you can accomplish as much as possible during these times.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

As moms, we tend to feel that we should be able to handle everything that is thrown at us. Unfortunately, this just isn’t always the case. There are times when we need to allow ourselves to ask for help. When a tragedy occurs and you are simply overwhelmed, find someone who you trust and ask them for help. Many times, just having someone reply to customers on your behalf can take the pressure off your shoulders.

Allowing someone to help you when necessary can also be uplifting to them as they feel they can be a part of helping in a difficult situation. So don’t’ shy away from letting others know. We all benefit when we work together and help one another.

When our one-year old had surgery he didn’t handle the pain medication well. He was wide awake for the better part of two days. In this case, I knew ahead of time when the surgery would occur, but I had no idea what his recovery would entail. It was impossible to work while he slept, because he wasn’t sleeping. I realized that I not only needed help business-wise, but I needed help with him as well so that I could get some rest. While it was humbling to admit that I needed help, that I couldn’t do it all, it turned out as a great time spent with family that we would not have had if I hadn’t asked for help.

3. Prepare for the worst

Because we never know what the future holds, it is always better to be prepared. As the old saying goes, “Better safe than sorry.”

One of the best resources to help you prepare is the Home Office Recovery Plan: Disaster Preparedness for Your Home Office by authors Diana Ennen and Patty Gale. This e-book covers all the bases of getting a Disaster Recovery Plan in place now so that if disaster strikes your home business or an emergency arises, you are able to get your business back up and running quickly and smoothly.

Ennen states, “In my case, this guide has been a lifesaver as a resident of South Florida. I have prepared for eight major hurricanes in the past two years with Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Wilma taking a direct hit on Broward County where I live. I was without power for two weeks with Hurricane Wilma. Had I not prepared, my clients would have suffered as would my business.”

Gale also knows the importance of this book having lived in New York after 9/11 and had the task of preparing a similar guideline for a company she was working with at the time. Both know the importance in ensuring your business will withstand whatever this hurricane or any disaster (including a theft in the office or fire) has to offer.

4. Get a Plan

There are times when life becomes overwhelming and you simply aren’t able to accomplish everything on your own. It’s for these times that you need to have some type of log of what you do and what needs to be done. Keep a spreadsheet of tasks that you do, how often they are done and mark them completed as you are able. Keep a list of passwords in a safe, secure place. Make sure that your family (or whoever may be helping you during this time) is able to carry on even in the event that you are away from home.

If possible, train someone that you trust to do the things that you do each day (at least the key things), so that when the unexpected arises you won’t be caught off-guard.

Tragedy comes in many shapes and forms, but if you are prepared much of the unnecessary stress can be avoided. When tragedy strikes, you want to be focused on the important things in life, your family and you. By advance planning you are able to do so.

Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. She graduated from Grace University with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies/Bible. Jill has worked from since 2000 and started her own home-based business to assist other Christians who desire to work from home while maintaining a godly life.

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Amazing Public Speaking Skill - The Hancock Manoeuvre

As the story goes Hancock never really enjoyed public speaking. He was in fact more of a comic actor than a comedian. He had brilliant script writers on his radio and TV shows and was more comfortable speaking the words of others. According to Monkhouse they were both to speak at a charity function....

Continued in BIZNESS! Newsletter Issue 61 >>>

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- Treadmill For Swimmers
- Text For Food
- Beware The Money Monster
- Greensulate
- Glittering Seahorse
- Eliminate Scratched DVD Disks Forever

Continue reading these top stories in the BIZNESS! Newsletter >>>

- Putting the You in Youtube
- Position Your Company To Survive Economic Downturns
- Now More Than Ever You Need To Know This
- Using Treasure Mapping To Attract Your Vision
- Tax Tips for Home-Based Business Owner
- Selling The Customer What The Customer Needs Not What You Want
- What is Your Franchising Aptitude

Continue reading these top stories in the BIZNESS! Newsletter >>>

Can't stand your demanding boss anymore? Start your own business! Before that, be sure to subscribe to our free informative newsletter. BIZNESS! is jointly published by CoolBusinessIdeas.com and GetEntrepreneurial.com What you get in BIZNESS! - the latest new business ideas, small business advice, business tips and info and entrepreneur resources. Everything you need for your brand new business!

Free 20-pages PDF ebook (worth $38), "New Business Ideas Report 2007" - included with your subscription. Learn more here.

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It's a dilemma that most small businesses and startups face: You must market and advertise, but you're strapped for cash. Fortunately, ideas, energy and imagination can make up for meager marketing budgets. Whether you're an established company or a nascent business, the marketing formula is the same. You'll need to start with:

1. The right message
2. To the right audience
3. At the right time

Here are a few ideas for stretching your marketing budget:

Maximize Internet marketing opportunities

The Web has opened up a world of low-cost marketing opportunities, from email and e-newsletters to blogs and podcasts. Also, consider search engine marketing and programs like Googll Ad Words, which charges on a pay-per-click basis.

Ideas and Resources: If you want to send an e-newsletter or conduct a low-cost email marketing campaign, try ConstantContact.com (as low as $15 per month). To build a list of prospects, sign up visitors to your Web site (a no-brainer) by offering a gift (a short report, 10 tips from an expert, or something humorous) or rent a targeted email list at Postmaster Direct.

Seek publicity

Send out press releases and look for "hooks" to get your company covered in print or on TV or radio. Also, make the most of trade showsby speaking on industry panels to position yourself as an expert in your field. (Speakers and panelists at trade shows often receive free registration.)

Ideas and Resources: PR Newswire.com details the components of a press release and offers other tools for publicizing your business. MarketingSherpa.com also features many publicity tips.

Adopt Guerrilla Marketing techniques

Guerilla Marketing is described as "a proven method of achieving profits with minimum money." After 14 million books in 41 languages, Jay Conrad Levinson's low-cost tactics are still going strong. Some of his tried and true tips include writing a column for your local paper, sending "off-season" cards (instead of holiday cards), and even slipping your business cards into relevant books at the bookstore or library.

Ideas and Resources Learn more about Guerrilla Marketing at www.gmarketing.com.

Harness the power of Word of Mouth marketing

Word of mouth, or buzz marketing, has been generating buzz of its own as a powerful and inexpensive marketing discipline. Create your own customer evangelists and let them spread the good word.

Ideas and Resources: Visit Bravenet.com to add a free "tell-a-friend" tool to your Web site, e-newsletter, or emails, or try the low-cost Tell-a-Friend Wizard. For more ideas on how to generate buzz, visit www.womma.org, the Word of Mouth Marketing Association.

Consider low-cost, "do-it-yourself" media options

Before you invest in an elaborate direct mail campaign, consider sending less expensive mail such as postcards or birthday cards to clients. Piggybacking on existing community promotions such as participating in town days, and developing loyalty or frequent-buyer programs are other "frugal" methods.

Ideas and Resources: Try a low-cost postcard service such as Modern Postcards.com. Your business can join an existing loyalty program such as MyPoints.com or establish a custom loyalty program with companies such as Maritz. Find dozens of frugal marketing tips at FrugalMarketing.com.

Additional Tips & Tactics:

* In a world of spam and impersonal emails, try sending personal, hand-written notes.
* Find a related but non-competitive partner and join forces to share marketing efforts.
* Do "grassroots" marketing research by talking to your customers one-on-one.
* Join newsgroups and online discussion groups to position yourself as an expert.

Lou Bortone is an award-winning writer and video producer with over 20 years experience in marketing, branding and promotion. As an online video expert, Lou helps entrepreneurs create video for the web at www.TheOnlineVideoGuy.com. In addition, Lou works as a freelance writer and professional ghostwriter, with a ghostwriting site at www.GhostwriteForYou.com and a blog at www.GhostwriteGuru.com.

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Operating a successful home-based business is a time-consuming endeavor. This is doubly true as work-at-home moms in that we are responsible not only for the success of our business, but for our family as well. We must be self-reliant, self-motivated, and discipline ourselves in order to attain success in both areas.

When running a business from home, it’s easy to let the phone calls, emails and paperwork keep you tied down, making you feel that you don’t have time to take a break or to spend quality time with your family. Maybe you’ve noticed that you spend a little more time than you’d like in front of your computer or on the phone. Maybe you see your kids acting out, trying to gain your attention. Perhaps you are seeing that this isn’t the work-at-home dream you envisioned. You started out with such noble intentions, but maybe the excitement of success in your business has caused you to lose sight of the REAL reason do what you do each day. It happens to so many of us, but don’t worry, help is on the way.

Below are five ideas to prioritize your life and business:

1. Be honest - You probably didn’t start your work-at-home career to climb the “corporate ladder” of your at-home business. Chances are that you started your business with the best of intentions – to be able to be at home with your children, to contribute financially to your family, or simply to have a little spending money of your own. Spend some time in prayer and ask the Lord to show you the things that you need to change.

Take a moment and honestly ask yourself how you’ve been handling the time commitment of owning a business:

• Are you spending too much time on the phone, the computer, etc?
• Are your kids spending more time than usual in front of the TV?
• Do you snap at your children because of the stresses of your business?
• Do you worry about your business – to the point that it distracts you when you are with your family?

2. Make a list – Sit down and write out a list of things that you see that you’d like to change. This can be a list of things you can do differently to limit the time you spend on your business; or a list of ways you can “de-stress” so that you can deal kindly with your family.

3. Log your time – Buy a notebook or create a spreadsheet that you can use to log the time you spend on your business each day. Make a column for each day across the top and a row of half an hour increments down the side. Every time you sit down at your desk, write “IN” in the box that corresponds to the time and day. Every time you leave your desk (or complete a task), fill the appropriate box with the word “OUT.”

At the end of the week, total up the hours each day that you have spent on business tasks. Are you surprised or is it about where you thought you’d be? This can be a real eye-opener and show you in black and white if your priorities have gotten off track. Take special note for how much time you spend on e-mails and things that aren’t billable.

Diana Ennen of Virtual Word Publishing, http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com also recommends that you plan ahead and schedule your time. Prioritize things and have the work that will require the most effort and concentration scheduled for your peak time. Try and not get sidetracked and stay on task focusing on what you need to do. You’d be amazed how much more work you can get done by simply changing how you work e-mails. If you only answer them at set hours, you save yourself from being online all day and not accomplishing much.

4. Take a break – If you get to the end of the week and your time log has you in shock, it’s time to take a break. If you normally work during the weekend, make it a point to take this weekend off. Shut down your email, turn off the ringer on your phone and shut the door to your office. You’ll be surprised at how refreshing this will be.

Use this time off to re-evaluate how you need to be spending your time. Try to plan out when you can work on your business without losing out on time with your children. If your children are in school, make it a point to stop working when they get home. If your children are still small, maybe you can limit work hours to naptime or, if possible, have a grandparent watch them once or twice a week to allow you a bit more work time.

5. Plan an activity – Now that you’re ready to make a change in your routine, why not plan an activity once a week? This can be an outing with your child or just something simple like setting aside time to make cookies together.

If possible, find another work-at-home mom and hold one another accountable to keep to your new schedules. Make a weekly play date where your children can spend time together – you can talk business if necessary or decide to make it a “no business talk allowed” discussion time.

The years that you have at home with your children are a gift as is your business. The time necessary for each will be different for every family and situation. Take the time to find what works for you and set your schedule accordingly. Make it a point to evaluate your priorities every few months to make sure that your time in spent properly. The rewards will be well worth it, when your family not only is proud of your accomplishments in your business, but also more importantly your accomplishments as their mom.

Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. She graduated from Grace University with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies/Bible. Jill has worked from since 2000 and started her own home-based business to assist other Christians who desire to work from home while maintaining a godly life.

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The thought of being your own boss can sound pretty wonderful to someone tired of working 50 to 60 hours a week to make money for some impersonal corporation. And there is probably no better way to be self-employed than by buying a franchise and taking advantage of all that franchising has to offer: a tried and proven business model, initial and continuing training, an operations manual, a recognizable brand identity, corporate buying power, a national marketing program and often much more.

But if you’ve never been a business owner, you will probably wonder if you really have the skills to be successful as a franchisee. After more than a decade in the industry, I’ve learned that great franchisees come from a large variety of backgrounds and possess an endless variety of skills and personality traits. However, there are a few key characteristics that most successful franchisees have in common.

If you are considering the purchase of your own franchise business, I’d suggest you first take a look at the following attributes and determine if you have what it takes to be successful as a business owner.

Leadership

It can take an enormous amount of work to get a new business off the ground – not that you need to do everything yourself. That’s why leadership is an important attribute to a successful franchisee.

Are you comfortable delegating responsibilities, making decisions and dealing with the results of those decisions? Can you motivate your employees to work hard for you without constant supervision? Most importantly, do you lead by example, inspiring confidence in your employees?

If you can answer these questions affirmatively, you probably have the leadership qualities necessary to be a successful franchisee.

Coach-ability

“Whoa,” you may be thinking. “First I need to lead and then I need to follow?” As we say in Minnesota, “You betcha!”

While you may need to lead your employees, it is just as important in franchising that you understand you are not only buying a business but an entire system. Your success as a franchisee depends on you ability to learn and follow the system provided for you. If you think your time is better spent making your own rules and revising the system than in learning how to do it the franchisor’s way, you’ll be a failure in your business.

The whole advantage of franchising is that the customer gets the same great service and/or product from franchise to franchise and all the franchisees reap the benefit of that expectation. If you are unable, unwilling or uncomfortable executing someone else’s system, then you’d be better off starting your own business and leaving franchising to others.

If, however, you can understand the advantage of following a franchisor’s system, you are now one attribute closer to franchisee success!

Networking

As you choose your franchise company and the location to open it, you are also choosing to become part of the community. This is where someone with great networking skills will shine. By getting to know your neighbors and fellow business owners, you will be able to publicize your business more easily while also building good-will and loyalty with your customers.

For the business-to-business franchisee, joining civic organizations such as the local chamber of commerce will be critical to success by allowing you to network with the leaders of the business community.

If you are truly a people person and enjoy social interaction, you have one of the most important features of any successful business person.

Determination

The last attribute of most successful franchisees is that they are willing to do whatever it takes to make their business successful. Many people think that being a business owner means you take a lot of time off and are free to play golf three days a week. This may be true of some franchisees but it does not happen overnight! A lot of hard work is needed the first couple of years you are in business as you build your customer base, train employees and go through your own learning-curve.

If you are someone who is likely to quit when the going gets tough, this isn’t the career for you. However, if you have the determination to make it happen and will work whatever hours are necessary to establish your business, you have a good chance of success as a franchisee.

One of the statistics sited over and over in franchising is that franchise businesses are exponentially more likely to succeed than individual new start-ups. According to Department of Commerce figures, after seven years 91% of new franchises are still in business, as compared to only 20% of individual new start-up businesses. Perhaps one of the reasons for this success is that franchisors can hand-pick their franchisees and choose only those they feel have a good chance of making it as a business owner.

Do you have what it takes to be successful as a franchisee? If you have leadership qualities, have the willingness to follow a tried and proven system, are skilled at networking and have the determination to follow through, then you, too, may achieve your career goals through franchising.

Kim Ellis is the President of Bison.com, a leading online resource for franchise and business opportunities. She has been quoted as an industry expert in USA Today, Wall Street Journal and a variety of local and regional publications regarding trends in business and franchising. Kim combines her entrepreneurial spirit with a diverse background in marketing and operation to help others succeed in franchising.

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Using humor in a speech or presentation can help to add an air of authority to your content because everyone loves to laugh! One of the ways to use humour in a speech is to incorporate a joke that is relevant to your content.

Now, in order for that joke to work you need to edit it down and interpret in your own way. Don't feel that you're not qualified to do this. You are don't worry. As long as you can speak and paraphrase you're going to be fine at editing a joke. I understand that it may be difficult to understand the process of editing a joke, but I'm going to do my best.

The point of this article is not to turn you into a comedian. It's to help you spice up your content with humor so that you can connect with your audience and have them feel confident with your ability as a speaker or presenter.

Firstly, make sure you're on your own. Like... sitting in front of your computer. Okay, take your joke and say it out loud. You will probably stumble over the words because jokes that you find in books or on the internet have extraneous words because they help with the reading of the jokes. But these words aren't necessary for the actual spoken delivery of the line.

Most jokes have a small story element to them and so that's what is included. For example they will contain words like: "One day..." or "...and says". Those are structures that we are used to and that help us when we are reading the joke. But they are not at all helpful when you have to deliver that joke.

So read the joke out loud a few times to familiarize yourself with it. Then put it to one side and repeat it a few more times. Just give yourself a bit of "rehearsal" with it. What will begin to happen slowly is that you'll forget bits of the joke and, as a result, paraphrase the joke into your own words.

You'll naturally make shortcuts. Believe me, this is not a bad thing. This is exactly what you want to happen. As you do this try to cut out the storytelling elements. Try to get straight to the meat of the joke. For instance if the joke begins: "one day a CEO turns to one of his emp