Marketing Presentation Ideas

• In many industries, marketing presentations are necessary to sell ideas, products and services. Whether you are working with an audience of potential clients, vendors, investors or partners, an effective and memorable presentation can give your words an added level of credibility. As you plan, consider ways that you can make your ideas stick in the minds of the audience.

Keep It Simple

• When you are putting on a presentation that includes a slide show, keep the text as simple as possible. When you use a presentation that is crowded with words, attendees may be more likely to spend time reading instead of listening to you. Use the presentation as a prompt and include photos to illustrate concepts and add depth to your ideas. When using bullet lines of text, keep each line short and to the point, and avoid filling the page with too many items so that the audience stays focused on the topic at hand.

Tell a Story

• Humans use stories for a variety of purposes. In a marketing presentation, a story can help make your message more relevant and memorable. As you lay out a presentation, figure out the common thread that links each topic together. Work that idea through the entire speech so that the audience can see the relationships between ideas. Use an anecdote to frame the presentation, for example, or pose a possible situation that puts the client directly into the story.

Explain Benefits

• In a marketing presentation, don't make your audience work to understand how your ideas will help them. Instead, start your presentation by telling the people in attendance exactly how they will benefit from your service or products. Then, with the seeds planted, you can work to back up your claims in the rest of your presentation. By beginning with benefits, you will give your audience a chance to think of questions throughout the presentation.

Leave a Reminder

• At the end of a presentation, leave your audience with something to remember you by. If you are presenting an idea for a new product offering, for example, leave a spec sheet and a color cross section showing the inner workings. A marketing firm presenting a proposal to a potential client, on the other hand, may leave a brief print version of their portfolio to give the client something to leaf through. Make sure the leave-behind item is branded and includes your contact information for reference.

Show Your Research

• To make your presentation more powerful, show the results of your research as support for the ideas. If you are marketing a product that you believe will streamline a manufacturer's process, for example, give before and after numbers for output and production rates. By demonstrating that your ideas are grounded in fact, you can establish credibility and convince the audience that you have a solid understanding of background issues that will affect the project.

Types of Charitable Organizations

• Charities help the well-being of others, mostly through donations and fundraising. Shana Novak/Photodisc/Getty Images

  In the United States, charitable organizations need to meet certain requirements to qualify for non-profit status. While some charities are for-profit organizations, the majority are considered 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organizations. This status helps charities retain revenue, for they do not have to pay income tax on their earnings, thus having more money to help their chosen cause. There are five basic types of charitable organizations.

The Private Independent Organization

• The private independent organization is a trust formed with the understanding that funding will come from one source. This group will not make a public outcry for funding, and use the organization to assist other charities. This type of charitable organization has the most tax restrictions.

The Public-supported Charity

• A public-supported charity is the largest, most common type of charity. Churches and community organizations often fall into this category. There are some rules and restrictions on this type of organization as well, including that it consist of a board of directors who make decisions regarding the charity together. Also, one-third of the funding for this type of charity must come from the public, either through donations or membership dues.

The Charity with Support from Donations and Dues, Fees or Payment for Services

• This type of charitable organization is similar to the public-supported charity in that it must receive one-third of its funds from donations, dues or gifts, and that its income does not exceed one-third of support generated. Because of the similarities, it is important to read tax laws to decipher differences.

The Supporting Charitable Organization

• The supporting charitable organization is usually associated with another larger, parent organization. Funds taken in by this organization are in most cases directly handled by the larger organization. An example of this would be a group of volunteers who raise money for an animal shelter, as they would gather funds and hand them off to the larger group.

The Private Operating Foundation

• It is not always obvious when a charity is a private operating foundation. As the name implies, it is private, and the organization will fund and support its programs alone. Art centers are popular examples of private operating foundations, where groups of patrons support the activities of the centers.

Who Oversees the Bail Bondsmen in Arizona?

Individuals use the services of a bail bondsman to obtain release for a friend or relative placed under arrest. States differ on how they regulate the bail bond industry. To qualify for a bond agent position in Arizona, applicants must report to the state's Department of Insurance.

Regulations

• The authority given to Arizona's Department of Insurance allows it to regulate rates for each agent in the state. For standard underwriting purposes, agents may require 10 percent of the bail. Approved surety agencies can write bonds at 8 percent under certain conditions.

Licensing

• The responsibility of this state department extends to reviewing and processing all licenses and renewals for qualified bond agents. Publishing of a roster of all licensees on the state website is another agency responsibility. Surrendering a license is also coordinated with the Department of Insurance.

Annual Mandate

• Bail bond agents must report to the Department of Insurance on an annual basis. Documentation listing all the bail recovery agents and contract individuals they employ, along with names, contact information, a photo and date of birth is due April 1 of each year.

How to Become an Internet Service Provider

To get from your home or office to the Internet, you need to connect to an ISP. This is an Internet service provider, and it serves as a contact point between a customer/user and the Internet. The ISP is a user's first point of outside contact, when they leave their home or office, in order to connect to the Internet. The ISP can support users, provide DNS services, process e-mail, route information and provide security. The most important feature of an ISP, from the user's perspective, is bandwidth for upload or download operations.

• 1

  Create your business plan for the type of ISP you want to have. You must have a finance document spelling out how much you can spend, where and how. You must have a marketing plan to acquire customers. You must secure funding for your project.

• 2

  Get servers. The Internet runs on servers. Preferably, get servers that are UNIX-based. You can get Sun computers that will act as Web servers, Mail account servers, DNS servers and news servers. You may need to get multiple servers to get started and to handle the traffic.

• 3

  Get a communication server. This is an open standards-based computing system. It operates as a carrier-grade common platform, moving traffic in and out for a wide range of communications applications. It allows equipment providers to add service value at many levels of the system architecture. Your choice can be MicroTCA, Carrier Grade Linux and Service Availability, AdvancedTCA.

• 4

  To move traffic around, you will need routers. Routers move traffic between networks; without a router, you cannot send any traffic to remote locations. Cisco makes industry standard routers that will allow users to have access to the Internet.

• 5

  Select space in a building to rent, lease or purchase. This will be the point of presence, i.e. the contact point for the user to the Internet. The building should have 500 pairs of copper wiring or the fiber equivalent.

• 6

  Select an upstream provider that is nearby. An upstream provider is a communications company that can take your traffic and redirect it. Look at Sprint or MCI. These providers will allow you to access the bandwidth that you need for your clients.

• 7

  Get phone lines. The ratio is one phone line and modem for every five customers. Order the phone lines in batches of 20. This will reduce your costs and allow new customers to sign up without delay.

Summer Marketing Ideas for Banks

• Help college students protect their credit as a summer marketing activity. Steve Allen/Photodisc/Getty Images

  In the summer, take advantage of the sunshine and warm temperatures with promotions and marketing activities that will keep your bank's customers engaged and interested. Look for opportunities that target families with college-bound students, and market specials that relate to seasonal projects or interests of people in your area.

Summer Savings Goals

• Focus on savings accounts by running a marketing campaign that promotes summer savings goals. You might set up a special account that's designed to help customers accumulate money toward a specific goal, like a vacation or a back-to-school wardrobe. To market the program, stuff a flyer or brochure in each statement envelope, send out emails to your paperless customers, and put up signs in the banks. By encouraging your customers to start thinking about savings during the summer, you can increase business and promote financial health year-round.

College Promotions

• When parents are enjoying their last months with children who've recently graduated from high school, you can focus your marketing efforts on getting ready for school in the fall. Help parents of college-bound students prepare their children for financial responsibility by holding credit seminars that address the basics of responsible credit management. At each session, discuss the things that soon-to-be college students need to know, like balancing a checking account, budgeting, managing credit, and the importance of maintaining a healthy credit score. By helping parents, you can build confidence and establish yourself as a credible source of financial expertise.

Home Improvement Loans

• Create a special home improvement loan that will attract people who are making repairs to their homes in the warm weather. You might offer a special low-interest rate for the summer months, for example, or provide the loan without interest until fall hits. By offering to help customers with seasonal projects, you can build relationships and increase business for your bank.

Wedding Gifts

• Summer is the prime time for weddings, and you can use this to your marketing advantage. For people who are planning for weddings in the upcoming year, you can advertise special savings accounts and mutual funds that are designed to put money away for the ceremony. You can also market financial products as wedding gift ideas that will have lasting value for the bride and groom, like stocks, bonds, IRA contributions, or certificates of deposit. Because financial planning associated with weddings can be confusing, using it as a part of your marketing plan can be effective in bringing in new customers who need this particular assistance.

How to Get a New York State Liquor License

The sale of liquor, whether for retail or wholesale purposes, is tightly controlled in the state of New York. In an effort to protect businesses and citizens alike, New York requires that all retail and wholesale liquor sellers acquire a liquor license appropriate to their type of business and clientele. The process to obtain a liquor license in New York requires ample planning. You should leave, at minimum, two months of time before you open your business to file.

• 1

  Check to make sure that you meet all of the requirements to obtain a New York State liquor license. You must be over 21 years of age, a non-felon and a citizen of the state. You cannot be an officer of the law in New York or any other state.

• 2

  Look around your business site to see if there are any places of worship or educational institutions. The state of New York prohibits any businesses that sell alcohol from being closer than 200 feet from churches and schools. A state official will examine your establishment prior to application approval. If your business is within 200 feet of a church or school, your license application will be denied.

• 3

  Request a liquor license application from the New York State Liquor Authority. You can visit the state's website or ask for an application over the phone or in person.

• 4

  Fill out the license application. Specify the correct zone for your business. The state of New York contains three different zones in which to possess a liquor license. The Liquor Authority contains the addresses to the different offices, or you can find a link to office locations in the Resources section. Submit your application when you are finished.

• 5

  Sign in to the New York State Liquor Authority website to monitor the status of your application. The site will display whether your contract is pending, active or completed. Your license may take a few weeks to be approved.

How to Rent Cars in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Philadelphia, you can find dozens of car-rental companies, including seven at the Philadelphia International Airport. For every car rental, Pennsylvania collects a 2 percent tax plus a $2-per-day fee, and the city of Philadelphia collects a 2 percent tax on each rental, according to Avis. As of 2010, those renting cars in Philadelphia can save almost 11 percent by renting from a non-airport location, as airport car-rental desks charge an airport concession fee.

• 1

  Research rental car companies in Philadelphia. Perform an Internet search for "Philadelphia rental car companies" or use a comparison website like Expedia or Orbitz to find the best deal on a car rental that fits your budget.

• 2

  Make a reservation. Once you decide on a rental company and a car, use that company's website or reservations number to make a reservation. Chose the correct Philadelphia location when you reserve, since many of the major rental companies have numerous Philadelphia branches.

• 3

  Secure the reservation. The rental-car company will need a valid credit or debit card to finalize and secure your reservation. Many rental companies also allow you to fill out all of your contact and driver's license information online to save time when you pick up the car.

• 4

  Visit the rental-car location to pick up your rental car or arrange for pickup. Several Philadelphia Budget, Avis and Enterprise rental car branches offer customer pickup. The free customer pickup comes with certain geographic and time restrictions and needs to be arranged 24 hours in advance, states Budget Rental Cars.

• 5

  Fill out and sign the rental contract. If you did not fill out contact and driver's license information online, you will need to do that at the rental location, as well as sign the rental contract. The rental company employee will also inquire if you would like to add any extras to your contract like additional drivers, damage waivers or insurance.

Specifications of National Cash Register (NCR) POS Terminals

• National Cash Register (NCR) is a manufacturing company that produces retail and banking products. Point of Sale (POS) terminals or workstations are one of their product lines. Terminals in the RealPOS line include the 80XRT, 70XRT, 70, 60, 40, 30 and 21. These terminals all use Windows or LINUX operating systems.

RealPOS 80XRT

• The 80XRT has four processor options, Intel Core 2 Quad or Duo, Intel Pentium or Intel Celeron. It can have up to eight GB of memory and either an 80 or 250 GB hard drive. Ports on the 80XRT include eight USB ports, a cash drawer port, speaker and microphone ports, and video ports. The compact terminal is 13.36 inches wide, 15.5 inches deep and 4.56 inches tall. The full-size terminal is 17.4 inches wide, 18.7 inches deep and 4.9 inches tall.

RealPOS 70XRT

• The 70XRT version has three options for processors, Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Celeron Dual-Core or Intel Celeron. The maximum memory available for the 70XRT is 4 GB and the hard drive is 80 GB. There are 12 USB ports, a cash drawer port and audio ports. This terminal is 14.5 inches wide, 12 inches deep and 14.5 inches tall.

RealPOS 70

• The RealPOS 70 terminal can have either the Intel Pentium or the Intel Celeron processor. Up to 2 GB of memory is available for this model and the hard drive is 80 GB. There are five USB ports, a cash drawer port, audio ports and video interface ports.

RealPOS 60

• Available processors on the RealPOS 60 include the Mobile Intel GL40 Express or the Intel Celeron. Up to four GB of memory are available and the hard drive is either 40 or 160 GB. There are five to eight USB ports, a cash drawer port, one VGA port and one audio port. This terminal is 10 inches wide, 8.9 inches deep and 3 inches high.

RealPOS 40

• The Mobile Intel Atom or the Intel Atom processors are available on the RealPOS 40. Up to two GB of memory is available and the hard drive is either 40 or 160 GB. Five or eight USB ports, one VGA port, one DVI port, a cash drawer port and an audio port are the connectivity ports included on the 40. The RealPOS 40 is the same size as the RealPOS 60.

RealPOS 30

• Two processors are available for the RealPOS 30, the Intel Celeron or Intel 845GV processors. Up to two GB of memory are available for this terminal and the hard drive is 80GB. Ports included on this model are six USB ports, a cash drawer port, one stereo out and a VGA port. The terminal is 9.5 inches wide, 13.5 inches deep and 3.25 inches high.

RealPOS 21

• The RealPOS 21 has the Intel Celeron, Intel Pentium or Intel 845GV processors. Maximum memory is two GB and the hard drive has 80 GB of memory. There are four USB ports, a cash drawer port, audio out and in ports, a VGA port and wireless options. The 21 model is 14.84 inches wide, 14.47 inches deep and 12.06 inches tall.

Types of Office Phones

• Business phones can be landline, handheld, or VoIP. Scott Quinn Photography/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

  Office phones need to be more complex than home phone systems. Office phones need to manage multiple incoming calls, detailed data concerning callers and call transfers. There are a variety of phone systems that businesses can choose based on their needs, size, and technological limitations. New electronics and Internet systems are continuing to give us more innovative systems to choose from.

PBX

• PBX (private branch exchange) systems are one of the traditional types of office phone networks and are useful for larger companies, especially for those with more than 40 employees in one building. Once large, today's PBX systems are small network devices that can be kept at the reception desk or server room. They come with the ability to handle large numbers of callers and can be programmed with different business department configurations to make transferring easier.

Key

• Key systems are designed for smaller businesses -- those that operate with between five and 40 employees. They have central control units that manage and transfer calls while allowing extensions to operate and keeping phone calls private within the network. They are not designed to carry a heavy load of calls like PBX systems, or to offer the same complex call management, but differences are beginning to fade. Technology has made many key systems more like PBX units by adding more possible features.

KSU-less

• KSU-less systems are designed for small offices with fewer than 10 people. There is no central managing unit in KSU-less systems: every phone has the capability to take and transfer calls on its own. These phones are much easier to move around than larger phone network, but businesses often need to do much of the installation themselves.

Handheld

• Handheld phones in business are typically smartphones with email and document capabilities as well as cell phone features. These phone are very expensive, even on company plans, so some businesses decide to support only handhelds, which can be used on the go and in the office.

VoIP

• VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, a phone technology that streams phone data online instead of using traditional phone lines. These systems are less expensive than landlines, but they require dedicated phone equipment from the provider.

How to Present SWOT Analysis Results

A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis is carried out by a business to determine if a potential project is viable. This analysis will identify, for example, if the company would struggle to find the resources to complete a project on time, or if it wouldn't be profitable. You can avoid any mistakes or omissions by presenting these analysis results accurately to senior management.

• 1

  Explain why you carried out a SWOT analysis and your process. Describe how you weighed the company's internal strengths and weaknesses with any external threats or opportunities that could help or hinder the project's success.

• 2

  Prioritize your findings under each of the four headings, so you don't discuss unimportant items in your presentation of analysis results to management. Make sure your audience understands the main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and their impact.

• 3

  Review the company's strengths and weaknesses, illustrating each point with evidence. You can use recent customer satisfaction data to show that the business is considerate, for example.

• 4

  Talk about the external threats and opportunities that could damage your project's success. This may be controversial and ignite discussion. Defend your analysis, but be open to alterations or correction.

• 5

  Conclude by explaining how you will use the SWOT analysis results to develop an alternative project strategy that will be more profitable and beneficial for the business. Close by asking if any audience members have any questions.

Interrelated Components That Should Exist Within an Internal Control System

• Communication is a vital component of all internal control systems. Ryouchin/Digital Vision/Getty Images

  An internal control system is a system within a company that designs methods and procedures to produce effective operations, establish reliable financial reporting, avoid fraud and maintain compliance with regulations and laws. Within an internal control system, five interrelated components are present. These components are used to develop an internal control system and are also the means for evaluating it. These components all work together to form a strong set of methods and procedures the company follows in its operations.

Control Environment

• The control environment is the first interrelated component of internal controls. This is the environment that sets the tone of the company. It includes factors such as integrity, ethical values, competence of the workers and the management's philosophy about the way the organization operates. It is the component that provides the foundation needed for the other components of internal control.

Risk Assessment

• Risk assessment is another interrelated component used for identifying risks in the system. For risk assessment to be effective, preventative measures are put into place by establishing clear objectives. This component identifies and analyzes possible risks internally and externally. This component manages risk by developing precise procedures to achieve consistent objectives within the organization. Risk assessment always takes change into consideration within the objectives set forth.

Control Activities

• Organizations develop control activities to assist in monitoring risk assessment. Control activities include policies, procedures and practices developed to increase risk management strategies. Specific control activities include separation of duties, verifications, reconciliations and physical security of assets. These policies are designed to ensure that management directives are fulfilled.

Information and Communications

• Information must be identified, captured and communicated timely and effectively and is achieved through this internal control component. This component is designed to allow employees the ability to carry out their responsibilities in the best manner possible. Information must be communicated externally as well to all parties involved in the company. Information that is communicated in this fashion allows control activities and employee responsibilities to occur more effectively.

Monitoring

• Monitoring includes assessing the performance of internal control components, ensuring they are operating effectively. This component includes allowing managers clear responsibility guidelines so they are able to effectively do their jobs. It also includes performing evaluations through audits and other independent parties, ensuring that the company is handling the operations of the business correctly.

About the FranklinCovey Compass Planning System

The Franklin Covey company sells day planners and accessories. It also provides training for making the most effective use of your time and your life. The compass system is one of the techniques taught at Franklin Covey seminars.

Concept

• The idea behind the compass system is to set an overall life direction rather than rushing about from task to task without a plan. The idea is to follow the compass rather than the clock. The compass sets a course for primary goals, whereas the clock tells how quickly tasks are getting done.

Clock Driven

• People who are clock-driven often ask, "How long will this take?" or "How can I organize my desk?" without asking the bigger questions. Stephen Covey, one of Franklin Covey's founders, says, "It doesn't matter how fast you are going if you are headed in the wrong direction."

Compass Driven

• Using the compass as a guide means setting a course for life in business, in family, in community and in other roles. Following an overall mission statement, determining the big goals that are most important, then setting smaller goals and tasks in order to work toward the primary goals are components of the Franklin Covey program.

What Is CRM Testing?

Customer relationship management (CRM) is a company-wide business marketing system that helps an organization "enable its marketing departments to identify and target their best customers, manage marketing campaigns and generate quality leads for the sales team," according to TechTarget.

Database Basics

• CRM is a marketing model built on a database software application. A database application is used for the collection and analysis of key customer data for use in implementing targeted marketing and sales programs.

Testing Purpose

• A testing phase is common to most major software applications, like CRM, used by organizations. Testing helps detect errors and optimize use of the application. CRM testing is critical to success of CRM initiatives according to independent bodies cited by the 2004 Destination CRM article "Why Should I Test My CRM Application?"

Delivery Versus Acceptance Testing

• The Destination CRM article points out that delivery testing is performed by software vendors to ensure basic software bugs and errors are corrected. The accepting organization that uses the software must test for appropriate integration prior to massive implementation of its CRM program.

How To Establish an Equipment Maintenance Program

Regular equipment maintenance adds years to the life of machinery and minimizes operational downtime. Preventive maintenance on a machine can include several aspects conducted at multiple times, and is frequently conducted by more than one employee. Replacing filters, changing oil or coolant, as well as inspecting for and repairing rust damage are types of actions performed according to an equipment maintenance program. Understanding the equipment thoroughly and formalizing a schedule for upkeep are key components in establishing an equipment maintenance program.

• 1

  Consult with machine operators and maintenance technicians to identify which machines in the facility require the most maintenance. Research the preventive maintenance tasks associated with every machine, and the time frame for conducting those tasks.

• 2

  Examine market conditions and facility-specific information to determine whether to use a staggered maintenance program, so that two machines are not inactive at the same time, or to institute a periodic time frame where all or most of the machines are down at once to conduct mass maintenance routines.

• 3

  Create an overarching maintenance procedure as well as procedures for each machine, listing what preventive maintenance needs to be done on it, the time frame for each task and the operator responsible for completing the task. Assign machine operators to complete simple tasks such as coolant, lubrication or oil replacement, but a dedicated maintenance technician should be assigned for more involved tasks. Inform employees of the tasks they are individually responsible for.

• 4

  Begin instituting the maintenance program. Shut down the department and conduct maintenance if employing a total shut-down method. Start with the machines with more complicated maintenance procedures if implementing a staggered approach, then work down to less complicated machines. Study the time frames for the maintenance work and avoid a schedule that involves more than a single inactive machine in one area at any given time.

• 5

  Use the date of the initial complete maintenance checkup to institute a timetable for future maintenance work. Coolant may have to be changed weekly, filters changed monthly, wires and pipes cleaned and inspected once per year, and parts replaced every five years -- track and plan for it all. Hang a checklist on each machine with areas to fill in what type of work is done, when the work was done and who did it. Keep a master equipment maintenance schedule with the maintenance department or area supervisor.

• 6

  Create, document and institute a procedure for the reporting and tracking of machine breakdowns and concerns for any non-routine maintenance work. The idea behind an equipment maintenance program is to be proactive and catch small problems before they turn into large ones. Track all time, costs and non-routine work associated with each machine to identify problem areas.

How to Select a Gift Plan for an Employee Incentive Program

There are a multitude of ways to express gratitude for a job well done. Some employers acknowledge their employees by supplying bonuses, additional vacation days, company-sponsored luncheons or other acceptable rewards. When deciding to implement a formal gift plan for your employees, however, it is imperative to involve them in the planning process.

• 1

  Determine job-specific incentives and which job functions will be rewarded. For instance, you may decide to hold department-specific raffles or provide bonuses that are adequate given the level of responsibility each job holds. An employee's years of service and perfect attendance are other good reasons to provide incentives, such as trophies, cash or gift certificates.

• 2

  Research employee gift plans offered by online and local vendors, such as Visa (see the Resources section). Check with local restaurants, fitness centers and concert halls to see what gift packages and corporate discounts can be arranged for your employees. If you have multiple offices throughout the nation, online vendors may be the best option to start with.

• 3

  Poll employees and ask them to vote for the gifts that are within your budget, such as cash cards, event tickets or apparel, that they prefer. Out of these options, select the two to three that receive the most votes.

• 4

  Inform your employees which options received the majority vote. In addition, let them know when the new incentive program will be rolled out and what the eligibility guidelines are.

• 5

  Reward employees using the new gift plan.

How to Sell a Housecleaning Business

If you are planning to sell a cleaning business, the value is in the recurring revenue stream coming from an established clientele and in your company's good name, reputation and the loyalty of its customers. Keep this in mind as you prepare to sell the business: You are selling your cleaning business as an ongoing concern as a superior investment to other alternatives. You must offer a better return on investment than a buyer could get from simply investing his money in stocks.

• 1

  Clear up any tax bills. If you let IRS issues fester too long, they may attach a lien to your business or to a particular asset or may initiate another levy action. At best, this could disrupt the sales process and, at worst, could expose you to a lawsuit if you fail to disclose the tax problem.

• 2

  Prepare documents. You should prepare a full balance sheet listing the assets of the company--including inventory and contracts to provide cleaning services--as well as liabilities or obligations of the company. Liabilities include accounts payable, rents or leases due to outside landlords and debts. You will also need to provide a cash flow statement detailing income coming into the business and debits going out of it.

• 3

  Consult with a business valuation expert or business broker. They may have detailed records on the sales of other businesses similar to yours and may be able to provide you with ideas on how to price your business. For example, you can price your business using a multiple of annual profits or gross receipts.

• 4

  Market the business. Potential buyers include younger family members, employees and competitors. They may ask you to provide financing, that is, to accept a series of payments for your business in lieu of a lump sum.

• 5

  Evaluate the buyer's ability to make good on the terms of the sale. For example, if you sell the business accepting a series of monthly payments and your buyer manages the business poorly, you may be able to repossess the business, but not before your buyer causes substantial damage to your regained flow of income.

• 6

  Draft a confidentiality agreement. This is an agreement wherein the potential buyer acknowledges that she will be privy to sensitive, confidential information that if divulged or abused would cause substantial harm to you and your business interests. For example, a buyer could conceivably view your client list and the income and pricing data associated with your clients and contact them in an attempt to poach, not buy, your business. A signed confidentiality agreement can help protect you from people who would abuse your trust. Conversely, the buyer may ask you to sign a noncompete agreement or to stay on to help with the transition.

• 7

  Meet with the potential buyer. Ensure your workplace and books are organized and your papers are easily understood. Your new buyer may be an entrepreneur, not an accountant. Ensure your materials are easily readable.

• 8

  Decide on an acceptable price for both sides. Many small businesses are bought and sold based on a selling price equal to a reasonable multiple of some key business metric. For example, a cleaning business may sell for six times the annual profits or two times average gross receipts.

How to Make Money With the Internet at No Cost

The online world provides a number of ways for ordinary people to make money, but it is important to steer clear of work at home scams. One of the hallmarks of a work at home scam is the need to invest large quantities of cash up front before you see a dime in profit. Fortunately, there is no need to make that investment, since there are many ways to make money online for free.

Online Surveys

• 1

  Sign up for market research studies and Internet survey companies, but steer clear of any that require a membership fee or other charge. Legitimate market research firms make their money by charging companies to research their products and solicit the opinions of ordinary consumers, not by charging survey respondents.

• 2

  Fill out a screening survey for each company you sign up with. This screening survey makes it easier for the company to match you with the right survey opportunities.

• 3

  Check your email frequently for survey opportunities. Some surveys are open for a short period of time, so be sure to respond right away if you want to participate. The subject line of the email often lists the amount of compensation being offered, so you can screen your in-box and respond to the most lucrative offers.

Online Auctions

• 1

  Go through your closet and pull out items you no longer use. Do the same with storage sheds, basements, garages and extra rooms in your home.

• 2

  Sign up for an account with an online auction site like eBay. It is free to join eBay, and you will pay only a small listing fee when you list your items.

• 3

  Take quality digital photographs of the items you have for sale, then go to the selling section of the site to start listing your items. Be sure to post your items to the proper categories. If you are unsure which categories to use, look up similar items on eBay and see which categories they are using.

• 4

  Watch the auctions closely, and answer any buyer questions promptly. Being a responsive seller can help you get more for your items.

• 5

  Ship your items promptly when the auction ends. Be sure to email each buyer to let him know the items are on their way.

Freelance Opportunities

• 1

  Make a list of the skills you have and use that list to find suitable freelance opportunities. There are many freelance sites on the Internet--just avoid any that charge a fee to join. You can find many freelance websites that do not charge an up-front fee. Many freelance sites simply take a percentage of the project's value to cover their costs and make a profit.

• 2

  Search through each freelance site for opportunities that fit your interests and your skills. You can find opportunities for everything from freelance writing and editing to Web design and database development.

• 3

  Read the requirements of the project carefully and make sure you will be able to fulfill them. Check the price being offered for the work and accept it if you feel it is fair. In some cases you will be asked to submit a bid for the work instead. When calculating your bid, think about the number of hours it will take to complete the project, then determine a fair hourly wage for the work involved.

• 4

  Complete each project you are awarded to the best of your ability. It is best to limit yourself to one or two projects until you develop a comfort level to take on more work. As you become more experienced as a freelancer, you will be better able to estimate the time involved in each project, and that will enable you to juggle multiple assignments at once.

How to Calculate Tax Withholding on the W 4 Form

The Internal Revenue Service, IRS, requires employers to give newly hired employees a W-4 form to complete. The form is instrumental in figuring the amount of federal income tax to withhold from employees' wages. The IRS allows the employee to claim allowances on the W-4, which significantly influences the federal income tax withholding amount. Each employee's situation is different, so employers must use the respective W-4 to calculate the tax.

• 1

  Obtain the employee's filing status from line three of the W-4 and her total allowances from line five. The total allowances claimed on line five should mirror the amount between lines A though G of the personal allowances section of the W-4.

• 2

  Check IRS Circular E for the appropriate tax year for the amount allowed per allowance based on the employee's pay period. For 2010, the amount per allowance for a daily payroll is $14.04. Therefore, if the employee claims one allowance for a weekly payroll, the amount per allowance is $70.19 ($14.04 x 5 days).

• 3

  Subtract the total allowances amount from the employee's gross pay. The result is the employee's pay that is subject to taxation. Consult the percentage method table relevant to the employee's pay period and filing status to figure the withholding amount.

• 4

  Do not withhold federal income tax from the employee's pay if she claims exempt on line seven of the W-4.

• 5

  Check line six of the W-4 to see if the employee wants additional tax withheld from each paycheck. If so, add the extra amount to the total withholding obtained in Step 3.

FAQ on Paid Family Leave

Paid family leave is a state law passed to lengthen compensation for disability for individuals who must take time off from work to care for a seriously ill member of the family. Some confuse the Family Medical Leave Act, a federal law, with paid family leave, which is only in effect for some states. As of April 1, 2009 Washington, California and New Jersey offered paid family leave, according to Parents for Paid Leave.

What is the Difference Between the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Paid Family Leave (PFL)?

• FMLA does not require an employee contribution, but Paid Family Leave requires employees to be a participant in a state disability insurance program or any other insurance plan that is participated in on a voluntary basis, according to Difference Between Net. In addition, Paid Family Leave guarantees a paycheck during time off whereas FMLA guarantees time off when you need it, but does not mandate payment during the leave period.

How is Paid Family Leave Funded?

• PFL funding is based on an employee's contribution to the State Disability Insurance Fund. In California, for example, the contribution is 8 percent of an employee's pay, according to Difference Between Net.

Who is Eligible for Paid Family Leave?

• One of the key requirements for eligibility is whether an employee has paid into the State Disability Insurance Plan. Self-employed individuals, government employees and employees of small businesses are all eligible provided they make payments, according to the California Employment Development Department.

  Individuals are not eligible for Paid Family Leave if they receive State Disability Insurance, Unemployment Compensation or Workers Compensation. Also not eligible are those in custody because of a crime conviction, according to Stanford University Benefits.

Must All Paid Family Leave Benefits Be Taken at the Same Time?

• No, there is no minimum time period for an employee to take advantage of this benefit.

Is There a Waiting Period Before One Can Take Paid Family Leave?

• In all states where paid family leave is offered, the waiting period is a seven day non-payable period; however, according to Paid Family Leave, a company can require an individual to use accrued vacation or sick time before getting paid family leave.

How Quickly Will Paid Family Leave Benefits be Provided?

• In all states where paid family leave is offered, those who file for paid family leave will receive benefits within two weeks after an insurance claim is filed, assuming paperwork is completed correctly.

Factors Affecting Employee Performance

• The work performance and productivity of your employees has a significant effect on your company's bottom line. Offering band-aid solutions such as performance bonuses or performance training do not solve the core problem, according to employment expert Susanne Krivanek writing for the Tech Republic website. You need to understand the factors affecting employee performance to increase productivity.

Experience

• Hiring employees who do not have the proper background for the job is one of the things that starts a performance downward spiral, according to employment expert Susanne Krivanek writing for the Tech Republic website. Company training should be used to enhance the employee's background. It an employee has undergone extensive training but is still experiencing performance issues, then the problem could be that the employee does not possess the necessary experience to do the job.

Work-Home Balance

• As much as an employer may not want to be affected by the personal life of his employees, personal problems can sometimes affect employee performance. Managers need to be sensitive to employee personal problems, and be prepared to discuss the issues with employees when necessary. If an employee requires time off to deal with a personal problem, then granting that time off will help to show all of your employees that the company values its employees.

Manager Interaction

• If an employee does not get feedback from her manager, then she has no idea how to rate her performance. Managers should be trained to give positive and negative employee feedback. In negative situations, the manager should work with the employee to create a program that will help address the performance shortcomings. It is easier for employees to improve their performance when they know what they are doing right and what they are doing wrong.

Setting Goals

• To help employees improve their performance, you need to set goals that employees are required to achieve. Performing by the minimum standards means the employee is doing his job, and that can help an employee understand what is expected of him at minimum. It would also be helpful to create incentives that will give employees motivation to go beyond the set goals.