fail - Blogs - Black Business Women Online2024-03-29T11:54:50Zhttps://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/fail5 Failures of Internet and Online Marketing in Business. http://BusinessCreditAmerica.comhttps://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/5-failures-of-internet-and-online-marketing-in-business-http2013-09-19T01:43:14.000Z2013-09-19T01:43:14.000ZHOUSTON MCMILLERhttps://mybbwo.com/members/HOUSTONMCMILLER<div><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Fzo_VrWCn9g?list=UU89rEq3EvbzNWvxs5mh-HcQ&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p><a href="http://BusinessCreditAmerica.com">http://BusinessCreditAmerica.com</a> 5 Reasons Internet Marketers Fail in Business.<br /><br />In this video I discuss why Internet Marketers fail in business and how to avoid these failures. <br />goo.gl/ycLkHf<br />1. Internet Marketers or online marketers don't know how to properly structure their business. They seek out help from companies like Legal Zoom to help them structure the business. However, companies customer support does not understand that their is more things that go along with structuring the business then just filing some secretary of state paperwork. The clients business must be properly registered online in multiple data bases, so the company can get the exposure it needs from 3rd party companies.<br /><br />2. Many internet marketers don't use their own products. This is a problem because if you don't know your product then it becomes challenging then to get someone else to purchase and use your product. The force their products on potential customers not knowing if that product it right for that customers. <br />goo.gl/ycLkHf<br /><br />3. Internet Marketers need to build relationships with their customers. Building a good relationship before and after they purchase from you. This help builds the customer confidense that they made the right choice in purchasing from you. You never want a customer to have buyers remorse, because you never communicated with them after they purchased from you. <br /><br />Although, many of them may not use the products giving them a follow up call or sending them an email shows that you were interested in their purchase, and you want to see if they make have an issue with the product.<br /><br />4. Learning how to manage the business. A lot of internet marketer don't treat this as their business. They look at it as away to earn some extra cash with out the responsibility. Understanding they may be using it as a career change, it still is a business. <br /><br />You still need to invest in the business, whether it may be education or software to help you run the business much soother. Their accounting and taxes to be paid for what ever income that's generated from the business.<br /><br />5. Many internet marketers want instant success. They don't realize it takes time to grow the business in order for your to have success in it. It's not easy, it's a growing and learning process. We would all like to have short cuts in business, but it could lead us to a loss. <br />goo.gl/ycLkHf<br /><br />I encourage you to join the business credit forum to get access to more videos and other resources to help you grow your business. <br />goo.gl/xfsIVs <a href="http://BusinessCreditAmerica.com">http://BusinessCreditAmerica.com</a></p></div>I LOVE TO FAIL AND YOU SHOULD TOO by Rickey Johnson, Juniques Multi Cultural Connectionshttps://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/i-love-to-fail-and-you-should-too-by-rickey-johnson-juniques2013-03-05T00:30:00.000Z2013-03-05T00:30:00.000ZRickeyhttps://mybbwo.com/members/Rickey<div><p><strong> </strong></p><div class="post-body entry-content"><strong>Why buy hair when you can buy a hair business for only $19.95</strong></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><strong><a href="http://www.juniques.ws/micore" target="_blank">http://www.juniques.ws/weave</a></strong></div><p> </p><p><strong><span class="font-size-3">I LOVE TO FAIL AND YOU SHOULD TOO!</span></strong> <br /> <span class="font-size-3"><strong> By RICKEY JOHNSON</strong></span></p><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">Great Day to ya!!!!</span><br /> <br /> <span class="font-size-3">This is the area that many do not talk about with any substance.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"> </div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="font-size-3">It is always presented as the "thing" to avoid while making your success journey.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"> </div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="font-size-3">REALITY, it is the "thing" you must properly place in your psyche as move on the road of life.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="font-size-3">It is a subject that deserves discussion, for the proper understanding of this event, will help multitudes move forward.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">Enjoy Everyday to the Fullest</span><br /> <br /> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>FAILURE</strong></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"> </div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="font-size-3">With the Puritans, the success/failure ethic was born. America invented a new upper class with only one entry requirement: money. America is the cruelest county in which to fail</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="font-size-3">.</span><br /> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>America is also the best place in the world to fail.</strong></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">This is the land where you can go from rags to riches to rags and still hope to go back to riches. Few of us recognize the benefit of failure.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>It is important to fail and important to give our children permission to fail.</strong></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">Learning early in life, that you can survive defeat, makes you tougher and more resilient, for the rest of your life.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">There is no accomplishment without risk. Failure gives you options. It is important to understand what failure is and what it isn’t.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Success and failure are not polar opposites they are part of a continuum</strong>.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"> </div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="font-size-3">Neither is likely to be permanent; the irony is we believe both we last forever. It is the way you cope with failure that shapes you, not the failure itself.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">In the end, real strength comes from knowing we can survive.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">There are few things worse than feeling you have failed.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">Your mood swings wildly from hope to despair.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"> </div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="font-size-3">It is a time of great confusion.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Failure seems to trigger a series of stages that are distinct and predictable.</strong></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"> </div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="font-size-3">The stages are (1) Shock, (2) Fear, (3)Anger and Blame, (4) Shame, (5) Despair.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color:#ff0000;">First stage</span> – Shock– The first reaction to sudden loss is disbelief, shock, and numbness.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"> </div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="font-size-3"><strong>The mind denies what it cannot process.</strong></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">Reactions are often physical; at this stage you should do nothing.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>It is always a mistake to make any major decisions during this phase.</strong></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">What you need most at this stage is a sympathetic listener, not someone who will offer advice.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"> </div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="font-size-3">Whenever shock occurs, it is safer do absolutely nothing except wait and allow the pain to recede</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="font-size-3">.</span><br /> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Second Stage</span> – Fear– At first, fear may be quite specific and even appropriate, but they can escalate quickly to unmanageable proportions.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">By taking fear out of the shadows, fear becomes more manageable. Fear can turn into panic – a sense of sudden, incapacitating alarm.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Third Stage</span> – Anger and Blame- as long as it is a passing stage it’s healthy. It is a sign you value yourself.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="font-size-3">Blame, although everybody engages in it, it is almost always inaccurate.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">Blame, in other words, will only be your first interpretation, and not a very accurate one at that. Anger, revenge, and blame are temporary and highly useful emotions. These feelings serve a definite function; they become a problem only if they persist.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Fourth Stage</span> – Shame– Shame owes its existence to the authority we give other people to judge us. Judging our own behavior, we might feel ashamed- a personal regret in not living up to an ideal – not shame – disapproval in the yes of others.</span> <br /> <br /> <span class="font-size-3">Your attitude will determine the way they see you. If you act ashamed and defeated people will treat you accordingly. Shame is an unproductive feeling, but one that can only exist if you grant others authority to judge you. Remind yourself that you are in power here.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <strong><span class="font-size-3">NO ONE CAN MAKE YOU FEEL A VICTIM BUT YOU YOURSELF</span></strong><br /> <span class="font-size-3">(Say that Again!!!!)</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Fifth Stage</span> – Despair– Despair occurs only when there is a massive ego loss with no subsequent ego gain, and no apparent way out “Depression occurs when we lose confidence in our own coping mechanisms.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">"We become depressed when we are bankrupt of self-esteem and self-confidence, when we no longer have sense of our own capacities to insure either our actual survival or the worthiness or value of the life which we can sustain. Psychiatrist Willard Gaylin.”</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">Most depression is self-limiting. Usually after a period of a few months at most, the depression will usually have run it course.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <strong><span class="font-size-3">One of the best ways to hasten the end of this stage of despair is to give in to it and allow yourself to mourn.</span></strong></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">The best way to overcome despair is to give up least temporarily the serious endeavor that has defeated you and to turn instead to an easier, more accomplishable, different activity.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">The stages of failure are as predictable as the stages of a disease, and just as survivable.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">Everyone experiences them and although they are uncomfortable, they are not permanent.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">What is important is to let them happen so that you can get done with them.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>To fail achieving a particular objective or goal is not a determination of self – worth</strong>.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">It is just measuring point of what other areas of self-development you may need to experience or skills you may need to obtain.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">The irony of succeeding is that one must fail first, to some degree, to obtain success.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">This is a valuable lesson of life to recognize and accept.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"> </div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="font-size-3">Once you understand this realization, that succeeding is failing and failing leads to success, you are own your on way to some exciting and personally rewarding experiences.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br /> <span class="font-size-3">This is one of business building articles by Juniques Marketing.</span> <br /> <br /> <span class="font-size-3">I Love to Fail and You should too! Will help you succeed beyond your wildest dreams.</span> <br /> <span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://www.jusmcc.org">www.jusmcc.org</a></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"> </div><div class="post-body entry-content"><strong>Why buy hair when you can buy a hair business for only $19.95</strong></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><strong><a href="http://www.juniques.ws/micore" target="_blank">http://www.juniques.ws/weave</a></strong></div></div>5 Reasons Why 97% of Business Owners Fail in Their First 30 Days!https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/5-reasons-why-97-of-business2010-10-28T17:53:46.000Z2010-10-28T17:53:46.000ZTamara Garrison-Thomashttps://mybbwo.com/members/TamaraGarrisonThomas<div>This is so tragic!!! <em>Failing</em>! I can't stand that word actually. It is so negative! And it's sad that failing is a reality for some business owners. Briefly, I will share with you the 5 reasons why most people fail :( in their first 30 days! Forget about the first year! Some people don't even make it that long! <br /><br />1. <strong>Lack of training</strong>: Some people you decide to do business with might tell you something like: they provide free training, you're in business for yourself but not by yourself, call in every day at this time for an automated training message, etc etc. They tell you how simple it is to build a business and get you all revved up to jump in and start making truckloads of money and then you never hear from them again! Unfortunately, this happens all too often and new business owners are left to figure things out on their own. It is very important that you find a mentor to partner up with and help you along as you build your business.<br /><br />2. <strong>Lack of focus</strong>: Let's be real here, you were just going along with your life and then all of a sudden you decided to start a business! Great decision, but the problem is that your life continues and you never adjust it to fit in your business! It takes TIME and dedication to build a successful business.<br /><br />3. <strong>Lack of strategy</strong>: Can we say, BUSINESS PLAN? How many of you have ever enrolled in school WITHOUT a plan or blueprint of your 4 years at the institution! NO ONE HAS! You HAVE to have to plan for the things you want to succeed in. <br /><br />4. <strong>Unwillingness to get down and dirty</strong>: If you are NOT uncomfortable within the first 18 months (at maximum) of your business, then you're doing something WRONG! It's ok for you to be uncomfortable calling or following up with people. Its ok to be uncomfortable telling someone about what you do and maybe asking them to join you. It's ok to be uncomfortable going to training sessions by yourself. It's ok to be UNCOMFORTABLE! Because believe it or not, eventually you WON'T be uncomfortable. And it will be apart of your routine. YOU HAVE TO BE CONSISTANT! <br /><br />5. <strong>No desire or passion</strong>: This is a huge one! I always tell people they have enjoy the business they're in! Why would you have a traveling business but hate to travel? You have to be passionate about what you do! When you have passion for your business you will have a desire to succeed! And eventually all of these 5 reasons, although obstacles, will be triumphs! <br /><br />The thing that seperates SUCCESSFUL business owners from the FAILED ones is that they keep trying. Whats the old saying? "IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, TRY, TRY AGAIN!" There are even 2 <em>trys</em> in there! So you've got to stay motivated, stay prayerful, and stay positive when going through the excitements and woes of starting a business. <br /><div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-size:xx-small;">2010 copyright TAMARA GARRISON-THOMAS</span></div><p><br />Follow my blog:</p><p><a href="http://www.tamaragarrison.blogspot.com">www.tamaragarrison.blogspot.com</a></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:x-small;">Website:</span></p><p><span style="font-size:x-small;"><a href="http://www.garrisonprosperitysolutions.com/"><font color="#538CD6">http://www.garrisonprosperitysolutions.com/</font></a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:x-small;">Follow me on twitter:</span> <br /><span style="font-size:x-small;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/tamarargarrison"><font color="#538CD6">http://www.twitter.com/tamarargarrison</font></a></span><br /><br /> <span style="font-size:x-small;">Click here for FREE info on how to build a business on a budget:</span> <br /><span style="font-size:x-small;"><a href="http://tamaragarrison.buildingonabudget.com/"><strong><span style="font-size:small;"><font color="#436590">http://tamaragarrison.buildingonabudget.com</font></span></strong></a></span></p></div>MAKING MONEY AND KEEPING MONEY…NOT THE SAME Top 10 “real” reasons businesses fail and how you can avoid them. (Hint, Capital is not one of them)https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/making-money-and-keeping2010-07-13T04:29:59.000Z2010-07-13T04:29:59.000ZKatrina M Harrellhttps://mybbwo.com/members/KatrinaMHarrell<div><p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">Let’s face it; making money is easy especially in America. In this country you can literally start a business with little experience and money and build a multi-million dollar corporation with hard work, passion and some luck. We’ve seen it happen many times and it will continue to happen. So it’s not the creating of businesses that is difficult it’s keeping them! </font></font></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">Below are my top 10 “non-text book” real world reasons why businesses fail or struggle. (in no particular order)</font></font></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-0.25in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><font color="#000000"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span><font size="3">1.</font> </span></span><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Poor or lack of Goal setting and strategy</span></b> <span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">– This goes back to my blog on business and passion. Once you’ve reached the point where you know your passion should be a business you must then determine what your goals are and develop a strategy surrounding them. Not doing that can leave you running a treadmill and loathing your passion.</span></font></font></p><p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-0.25in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><font color="#000000"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span><font size="3">2.</font> </span></span><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Big Cash, Big Spender syndrome</span></b> <span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">– I’ve seen this in the consulting business. You get several contracts and are paid generous initialization fees and instead of treating the huge payments as part of your future cash flow or properly investing, you begin purchasing assets that suck up your cash. Create cash flow projections and don’t treat your business like your personal life. Start and grow LEAN.</span></font></font></p><p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-0.25in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><font color="#000000"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span><font size="3">3.</font> </span></span><b><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><font size="3">Not taking your business seriously</font></span></b></font> <span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><font color="#000000" size="3">– A marketing expert once said “When you don’t have money all you’ve got is time.” Not knowing basic legal, financial and regulatory aspects in your business can cost you. Know your business and as</font> <a href="http://www.thecashflow.com/"><font color="#0000FF" size="3">TheCashFlow.com’s tagline affirms “Handle your Business”.</font></a></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-0.25in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><font color="#000000"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span><font size="3">4.</font> </span></span><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Confusing your hobby for a business</span></b><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">. – I talk about this a lot but it’s very true. Not that you shouldn’t turn your hobby into a business, but be sure points #1 & #3 are in-tact before doing so.</span></font></font></p><p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-0.25in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><font color="#000000"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span><font size="3">5.</font> </span></span><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Hiring friends and family</span></b> <span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">-- Like point #3, unless your business is a hobby, many of us actually want to obtain some financial security. While you CAN hire family and friends, do so ONLY if it makes good business sense. If you have a business need that your friend is more than capable of handling, great, but don’t try to fit a square peg into a round hole.</span></font></font></p><p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-0.25in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><font color="#000000"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span><font size="3">6.</font> </span></span><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Not paying taxes or avoiding them</span></b> <span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">-- Back to #3, understand the basic regulatory aspects about business. Make sure you pay your payroll taxes on time. If you can’t, consider getting out of business. Period.</span></font></font></p><p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-0.25in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><font color="#000000"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span><font size="3">7.</font> </span></span><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Putting the cart before the horse</span></b> <span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">– When you hire employees, remember as CEO you set the tone and pace for your company. The success or failure does not rest solely with the employees it’s with you. As with our bodies, everything starts with our brain. Even a strong healthy leg (employee) can give out if our nervous system (the CEO) isn’t functioning properly. If you’re dysfunctional so is your business.</span></font></font></p><p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-0.25in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><font color="#000000"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span><font size="3">8.</font> </span></span><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Personal and business funds comingle</span></b> <span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">– It’s very easy to look at your business as an inflated personal ATM machine when you’re doing well. This practice can get you in trouble. Especially reverting back to point #6. It’s difficult to truly see how your business is performing if there are many personal transactions in the way.</span></font></font></p><p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-0.25in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><font color="#000000"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span><font size="3">9.</font> </span></span><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Over outsourcing</span></b> <span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">– It’s great to outsource areas that can be done more efficiently and cost effectively by someone else, but there is a drawback. Over outsourcing can drain your cash flow and become counterproductive when you have limited money and resources to begin with. Take the time to come up with a plan and remember think “LEAN”.</span></font></font></p><p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-0.25in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><font color="#000000"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span><font size="3">10.</font> </span></span><font size="3"><b><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Know your numbers</span></b> <span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">– Quick tell me what’s your profit margin? COGS compared to your unit pricing? Payroll compared to revenue? EBIDTA? Quick Ratio? DSO? LMNOP? (last one was a joke) Point is these seemingly dubious terms actually can hold the key to your business success. Not knowing these and other financial indicators can leave you wondering “where’d the money go?”</span></font></font></p><p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">This list can continue forever so you can add mine to your favorite top 10. The goal though is NOT to discourage you but as always to empower you if you see yourself within any of these points. The old school definition of an entrepreneur used to be one that takes risks. So continue to enjoy the risky ride. Just be it a well informed ride.</font></font></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">Be Empowered…</font></font></span></p><div style="text-align:center;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /></div><p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="background:#FFFFFF;"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#49382f;font-size:11pt;">Katrina M. Harrell is a self-proclaimed “Proactive Bookkeeper” ,accountant and small business consultant in the Raleigh, North Carolina area. She is also CEO of <b>YourSimple Bookkeeper, Inc</b>. which provides virtual bookkeeping services to micro and small business across the country. She is also creator of <b>YourSimple Bookkeeper in-a-Box™</b> which provides practical recordkeeping and bookkeeping guidance for micro business owners. Her blogs about small business, entrepreneurship and financial management can be found on</span> <span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:18pt;"><a href="http://www.katrinamharrell.com/"><span style="font-size:11pt;"><font color="#0000FF">www.katrinamharrell.com</font></span></a></span> <span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#49382f;font-size:11pt;">or on her facebook fan page at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/yoursimplebookkeeperdotcom">www.facebook.com/yoursimplebookkeeperdotcom</a></span></p></div>Seven Pitfalls of Business Failurehttps://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/seven-pitfalls-of-business2009-12-30T04:12:09.000Z2009-12-30T04:12:09.000ZPB31 Womanhttps://mybbwo.com/members/PB31Woman<div>Patricia Schaefer, Attard Communications, Inc., advises aspiring entrepreneurs that the latest statistics from the Small Business Administration (SBA) show that "two-thirds of new employer establishments survive at lease two years, and 44 percent survive at least four years." This is a far cry from the previous long-held belief that 50 percent of businesses fail in the first year and 95 percent fail within five years.Better success rates notwithstanding, a significant percentage of new businesses do fail. Expert opinions abound about what a business owner should and shouldn't do to keep a new business afloat in the perilous waters of the entrepreneurial sea. There are, however, key factors that -- if not avoided -- will be certain to weigh down a business and possibly sink it forevermore.<b>1. You start your business for the wrong reasons</b>Would the sole reason you would be starting your own business be that you would want to make a lot of money? Do you think that if you had your own business that you'd have more time with your family? Or maybe that you wouldn't have to answer to anyone else? If so, you'd better think again.On the other hand, if you start your business for these reasons, you'll have a better chance at entrepreneurial success:You have a passion and love for what you'll be doing, and strongly believe -- based on educated study and investigation -- that your product or service would fulfill a real need in the marketplace.You are physically fit and possess the needed mental stamina to withstand potential challenges. Often overlooked, less-than-robust health has been responsible for more than a few bankruptcies.You have drive, determination, patience and a positive attitude. When others throw in the towel, you are more determined than ever.Failures don't defeat you. You learn from your mistakes, and use these lessons to succeed the next time around. Head, SBA economist, noted that studies of successful business owners showed they attributed much of their success to "building on earlier failures;" on using failures as a "learning process."You thrive on independence, and are skilled at taking charge when a creative or intelligent solution is needed. This is especially important when under strict time constraints.You like -- if not love -- your fellow man, and show this in your honesty, integrity, and interactions with others. You get along with and can deal with all different types of individuals.<b>2. Poor Management</b>Many a report on business failures cites poor management as the number one reason for failure. New business owners frequently lack relevant business and management expertise in areas such as finance, purchasing, selling, production, and hiring and managing employees. Unless they recognize what they don't do well, and seek help, business owners may soon face disaster. They must also be educated and alert to fraud, and put into place measures to avoid it.Neglect of a business can also be its downfall. Care must be taken to regularly study, organize, plan and control all activities of its operations. This includes the continuing study of market research and customer data, an area which may be more prone to disregard once a business has been established.A successful manager is also a good leader who creates a work climate that encourages productivity. He or she has a skill at hiring competent people, training them and is able to delegate. A good leader is also skilled at strategic thinking, able to make a vision a reality, and able to confront change, make transitions, and envision new possibilities for the future.<b>3. Insufficient Capital</b>A common fatal mistake for many failed businesses is having insufficient operating funds. Business owners underestimate how much money is needed and they are forced to close before they even have had a fair chance to succeed. They also may have an unrealistic expectation of incoming revenues from sales.It is imperative to ascertain how much money your business will require; not only the costs of starting, but the costs of staying in business. It is important to take into consideration that many businesses take a year or two to get going. This means you will need enough funds to cover all costs until sales can eventually pay for these costs.<b>4. Location, Location, Location</b>Your college professor was right -- location is critical to the success of your business. Whereas a good location may enable a struggling business to ultimately survive and thrive, a bad location could spell disaster to even the best-managed enterprise.Some factors to consider:Where your customers areTraffic, accessibility, parking and lightingLocation of competitorsCondition and safety of buildingLocal incentive programs for business start-ups in specific targeted areasThe history, community flavor and receptiveness to a new business at a prospective site<b>5. Lack of Planning</b>Anyone who has ever been in charge of a successful major event knows that were it not for their careful, methodical, strategic planning -- and hard work -- success would not have followed. The same could be said of most business successes.It is critical for all businesses to have a business plan. Many small businesses fail because of fundamental shortcomings in their business planning. It must be realistic and based on accurate, current information and educated projections for the future.Components may include:Description of the business, vision, goals, and keys to successWork force needsPotential problems and solutionsFinancial: capital equipment and supply list, balance sheet, income statement and cash flow analysis, sales and expense forecastAnalysis of competitionMarketing, advertising and promotional activitiesBudgeting and managing company growthIn addition, most bankers request a business plan if you are seeking to secure addition capital for your company.<b>6. Overexpansion</b>A leading cause of business failure, overexpansion often happens when business owners confuse success with how fast they can expand their business. A focus on slow and steady growth is optimum. Many a bankruptcy has been caused by rapidly expanding companies.At the same time, you do not want to repress growth. Once you have an established solid customer base and a good cash flow, let your success help you set the right measured pace. Some indications that an expansion may be warranted include the inability to fill customer needs in a timely basis, and employees having difficulty keeping up with production demands.If expansion is warranted after careful review, research and analysis, identify what and who you need to add in order for your business to grow. Then with the right systems and people in place, you can focus on the growth of your business, not on doing everything in it yourself.<b>7. No Website</b>Simply put, if you have a business today, you need a website. Period. At the very least, every business should have a professional looking and well-designed website that enables users to easily find out about their business and how to avail themselves of their products and services. Later, additional ways to generate revenue on the website can be added; i.e., selling ad space, drop-shipping products, or recommending affiliate products.Remember, if you don't have a website, you'll most likely be losing business to those that do. And make sure that website makes your business look good, not bad -- you want to increase revenues, not decrease them.When it comes to the success of any new business, you -- the business owner -- are ultimately the "secret" to your success.For many successful business owners, failure was never an option. Armed with drive, determination, and a positive mindset, these individuals view any setback as only an opportunity to learn and grow. Most self-made millionaires possess average intelligence.What sets them apart is their openness to new knowledge and their willingness to learn whatever it takes to succeed.There you have the pitfalls - what will set you apart in 2010?</div>Suppose you achieved your goals?...https://mybbwo.com/profiles/blogs/suppose-you-achieved-your2009-12-09T22:34:36.000Z2009-12-09T22:34:36.000ZNecia Dewgardhttps://mybbwo.com/members/NeciaDewgard<div>Proceed Confidently & Diligently towards your dreams. Aspire to Live the Life you imagine. At times we feel like we’re afraid to fail & it stops us from going after our dreams but when we get to the root of the issue are we afraid of failing or succeeding? ~LuvUMuch Neciaisms</div>