How to excel at the ultimate oxymoron: a recession-era corporate holiday party

How to Excel at the Ultimate Oxymoron: a Recession-era Corporate Holiday Party

Today I’d like to share with you my thoughts on the upcoming holiday season and that most complex event: the corporate holiday party that coincides with an economic meltdown.

Despite the weak economy, or perhaps because of it, most companies in the U.S. plan to carry on with their holiday parties. As a leader in attendance at this event, it’s important to strike a tone that is festive without appearing to lose sight of the larger context. Remember that all eyes are on you, even in non-office settings — perhaps even more so in non-office settings where your behavior will be seen as «the real you.»

Corporate holiday parties remain one of the weirdest hybrids of work and play that I have ever experienced. They’re a veritable minefield in which if you perform well, absolutely no one will remember you, and if you perform poorly, everyone will remember you for years to come — for all the wrong reasons. In the spirit of ensuring the former and not the later, I offer these tips.

How to Get in the Right State of Mind

As a leader, if you’re stressed and fearful, your feelings will leak out no matter how hard you try to appear confident. The more you feel freaked out, the more people around you will feel freaked out, no matter how hard you try to hide it, so you’ve got to go to the source.

Whenever you feel fearful, focus your attention on the vision for the company, on positive steps the leadership team is taking to lead the organization through the recession.

I sat in on a senior staff meeting held by one of my clients earlier this week and he was absolutely inspiring. He told his team, «We have to plan for the worst, but we also have to plan for the success that will follow this downturn — because when it comes back, we will see absolutely enormous demand.» While acknowledging a rough current situation, he was also reassuring his team that he saw a bright future for the company.

Now, I’m not suggesting that you discuss the prospect of lay-offs or plant closures at the holiday party! However, do keep your mindset positive in the coming weeks so that whenever you are surrounded by employees, that positive energy rubs off on them and your upbeat attitude is authentic.

How to Choose Your Attire: This Year, It’s Easy

This year, even if you are doing well, it’s a good idea to dial down the bling a notch or two.

— Leave the gold Rolex at home. You don’t have to wear a Swatch, but please be cautious about flashing a $30,000 timepiece to people who are worried about getting laid off, paying their bills, and other basic needs.

— For the female executives, this is an easier year for corporate party attire than last year, since a more classic, subdued look is appropriate to the economic climate, as well as to your role as an executive. Choose from the many options out there, or go full-on recession-chic by wearing something already in your closet.

— I always greatly admire a woman with the guts and style to wear an elegant tuxedo to a corporate event, but only try this if you have great style and the confidence to pull it off without showing off. Corporate parties are about reinforcing teamwork, not about individual stars outshining the rest of the pack.

— There’s no need to be downright drab. It’s a party after all. Wear a little bling if it’s your style. Just don’t take it as far as you might in boom times.

All bets are off if you work in the entertainment industry. If that’s the case, take everything I’ve written and ignore it.

And Now, for the Part You Really Don’t Want Me to Tell You…

If you’re as outgoing as I am when stone cold sober, just imagine how goofy you must look after a few drinks. A general guideline — you can probably handle about half as much as you think!

Particularly limit yourself to one or two drinks during cocktails, since there’s more to come with dinner.

This tip applies even if your superiors are stone-cold blottoed. That promotion or transfer you may want will in part be based on your good judgment in a variety of settings. No, it’s not fair, is it?

How to be a Great Conversationalist — a Pain-Free Approach

Nobody really cares what you do for a living or what projects you’re working on. Yet, in American culture, like work-a-holic lemmings we instinctively ask, «What do you do?» This is a particularly sensitive subject this year as many employees and spouses at the event may be recently laid off or anticipating the ax coming down soon. Don’t let party conversations turn glum by opening with shop talk. Make this party a chance for people to forget about their problems for an evening.

Become the greatest conversationalist they’ve ever met in their entire lives by not asking about work. Try, «What interests you outside of work?,» «What are you doing these days for fun?,» «What are your kids up to?,» or anything else that invites conversation on a subject of interest other than work.

Follow-up questions help, too. («You do scrapbooking with your friends. I didn’t realize that was a group hobby. How did you become interested in it?» «So your teenagers are budding Emo-Punk t-shirt designers. Wow. I’ve never heard of that. Tell me more.»)

Introduce yourself to every person at your table, and talk with each of them at some point during dinner, including the spouses, who will speak highly of you forever simply because you steered the conversation away from endless droning on about the office.

Bonus points if you remember names and introduce people to each other. Here’s a great trick for remembering names. My husband swears by it. As soon as you are introduced, say the individual’s name, as in, «Pleased to meet you, Kate.» Then use it two more times early in the conversation. The repetition makes it stick in your head.

And Now for my Favorite Tip for a Sit-Down Dinner

When you sit down next to the CEO, avoid eating his or her food by remembering that your bread plate is to the left and your drink is to the right. Cue yourself by forming an «o» with your index finger and thumb. On the left hand, this forms the letter «b» for bread, and on the right hand, the letter «d» for drink.

Try it now. See? Nifty, huh?

Don’t worry about getting caught doing this. It’s a great conversation starter. For example, the person next you just might say, «Ah, I see you read Traveling Light…»

Joint venture potential

Joint Venture Potential

Sometimes, we need to look at the full potential of a Joint Venture in order to get really excited about it. As an example, I recently talked on the telephone with a gentleman in southern California about the potential amount of people in the world that could benefit from leaning how to broker Joint Ventures and achieve financial freedom. He got very excited.

First we looked at WHO could benefit. We agreed that age, background, education, geographic location and financial situation were not a factor. As long as a person was motivated, reasonably intelligent and had the ability to communicate, as well as learn the basic principles of Joint Ventures, they could make real money, soon, with no cost or risk.

Then we looked at WHY someone would want to use Joint Ventures. Anyone who needs money, from employees who want to supplement their income to scholars, school leavers, entrepreneurs and business owners (not necessarily the same thing) who want top boost sales and profits, seniors, college graduates, immigrants… ANYONE who needs more money without an investment or risk and who didn’t want to wait a long time to get the money!

Also, when we know that, statistically, 87% of new businesses will fail, many people are afraid of risking their savings, time and reputation in some “Business Opportunity”. Joint Ventures is a great alternative. In fact, in my opinion, it is the only alternative.

We also looked at the other reasons why Joint Ventures would appeal to people. By earning more money and creating a regular flow of passive income, they could regain their dignity and self respect, security and control, privacy and quality of life. They could look after their family, enjoy holidays and educate their children and themselves. Visit a few seniors homes and talk with anyone who has financial problems and I know you’ll agree with me.

All of a sudden, this fellow in California got very excited at this massive potential. He asked me a simple question: “If I can get you onto radio stations and in front of people, will you pay me commissions on all resulting business?” Of course I will! Then he asked, “Can you create products to fit different situations and industries?” Naturally, I can.

When we see huge potential and we have a viable, proven tool to take advantage of that potential, we get excited, then we take action, then we get rich. Because Zig Ziglar said, “You can get anything you want out of life, if you’re prepared to help enough other people to get what they want.”

Find out more about Joint Ventures and how to find great Joint Ventures Partners visit www.jvwisdom.com.

How to start a successful craft business

How To Start A Successful Craft Business

If you have you ever wondered how to start a successful craft business, you need to listen carefully. Homemade craft items have become more and more popular as gifts and home accessories. It doesn’t matter what your craft is, you can start your own successful craft business. Follow this simple guide to learn how to start your own successful craft business.

Who Can Start a Craft Business?

Craft businesses are really popular for moms to work on a part time basis. Most people start a home based craft business as a part time job or for extra income on the side. But a successful craft business is certainly not limited to moms. Anyone with a particular gift or skill can start a successful craft business.

Where Can I Sell My Crafts?

Whatever your skill is, from making candles to holiday ornaments for the Christmas tree, you will need to know where you are going to sell them. If you have smaller priced items, you may want to consider selling them at craft fairs or flea markets. If you have expensive handmade sculptures or heavy items that are very big, selling them at a craft fair might be impossible. Another option to consider would be selling them on the Internet, either on your own website or at an auction website such as Ebay. Finding the right way to market your crafts is important, because if no one sees your crafts, they can’t exactly buy them.

What Are Some Ideas for a Craft Business?

Depending on your particular skills, which I am sure you already know, there are many ideas for craft businesses. Just to mention a few:

— Candle Making
— Scrapbooking Business
— Greeting Card Business
— Seamstress
— Homemade Jewelry
— Soapmaking
— Furniture Design
— Gift Basket Business
— Pottery — Clay Figurines

A thought to consider when starting craft home businesses is that you need to carry a variety of products. For example, if you are making clay figurines, make sure that you have a variety before you beginning selling them. This will make sure that when people visit your booth or website, they can choose from a variety of products, to find exactly what they want.

When pricing your crafts, you’ll need to make sure you’re making a profit. Add the cost of all material used to make your craft, then determine what your time is worth. Add these two together then determine how much profit would make it worth it for your time and effort. Add it all together for the total price.

A successful craft business doesn’t have to be a big business, but it can be if you choose. It may be something that you do for fun or something that earns you a sizeable profit. Remember, the hardest part of anything is getting started, so you must make a commitment to the success of your new business. Always remember, it does take time to establish a business, no matter what kind.

If you are interested in starting a craft home business, there are many to choose from. Visit our craft home business directory for some great ideas for your craft business:

http://www.athomedirectory.com/list.php?cat_id=14

With a craft business, you will have the opportunity to let your creativity shine.

Instant cash flow

Instant Cash flow! How To Immediately Create A Surge Of New

With these economic downtimes among us, it sometimes feels like we are very overworked, and underpaid in our Internet businesses. Costs are still the same, but sales are lagging. This alone is bad enough for your business, aside from the depression that could set in and cause you to be less productive. So to step aside from that and get your business back to creating the type of income that you are used to, even when people just aren’t spending as much, here are a few tactics to create instant surges of cash, with very little work. 1. Run a «clearance» sale This is an easy one. Simply run a special sale on one of your products. Here are a few ideas: — We’re Over-stocked so you can order at 20% off… — The manufacturer gave us a good deal, so we are passing the savings on to you… — We have a warehouse full of already-opened, but perfectly normal products that we are going to sell for half off..Only 54 units are available… 2. Offer an extra bonus Here is a simple idea. Create a new, exclusive bonus to offer to everybody who orders within a certain time frame. This bonus can be an audio interview with a recognized industry expert, a special report, a new gadget, whatever. Tell them that they can get this special new bonus if they order within 5-15-20 (or however long you want to give them) days from today. If your bonus is of high value, many people will order your product just to get the bonus. Either way, you still get the sale. 3. Joint venture to increase value You can joint venture with a complimentary product owner and offer each others products as a package for the same price. So if I sell a product for say $39, and you sell one for $39, my traffic and your traffic can get both products for $39 if they order within a certain time frame. This is more drastic, but *definitely* gives you an instant surge of new orders. You can usually get these kinds of deals quickly when the JV partner sees the instant potential it can have. You don’t want to de-value your product by doing this though, so you have to make it quick. Set it up to only last for 3 days or so, email your opt-in list about it, then take it down. 4. Special discount Offer some sort of special discount related to current events. A holiday discount, a sports discount (like the baseball world series), or whatever.. Maybe there is a big fuss about something in your industry that will give you a good reason to offer a limited time discount. Use your imagination! You can come up with all kinds of ways to give a «special» discount, only available to a select few. I have a friend that runs a special promotion for every single U.S. and international holiday. Last time I talked to him about it, he said it puts an extra $20-30k in his bank each year at the least. 5. Offer personal help to the next X people that order I have done this one a few times. Offer your personal help for the next X amount of people that order. You can give free email advice, set up a discussion board or even give phone consultations (if you have the time). If I am selling a weight loss report, I may say: «For the next 50 people that order, I will personally help you create your diet plan and guide you through my system at no cost..» You can do this promotion often, as you can limit the amount of people that you accept each time. This allows you to stop the promotion, and clear the workload, then restart it. Be sure to explain how they will be able to get your personal help (i.e. email, phone, etc..) so that they don’t make the wrong assumption. There are plenty of ways to instantly get a rush of orders, these are just a few. Notice how they all are either limited time, or limited by the number of people who order. Putting a time limit, or unit limit on special offers (or any offer for that matter) is a surefire way to increase the response of your offers. Doing this will result in a bigger surge, much quicker! BUT, stick true to your word. If you say you are only giving the special offer for the next 5 days, then do not let anybody order after those 5 days are up. Otherwise, you risk your credibility. So create a few ways to make some special offers to your opt-in list, or customer list and see if you can’t get your cashflow back on track! Wes Blaylock is the creator of the Instant Visitors Private Program that’ll Show You How to Quickly Generate Hot- Hungry, Targeted Traffic! Inside you can look over his shoulder and see exactly how he rolls out marketing campaigns each week! Click Here For Complete Details:

1. Run a «clearance» sale

This is an easy one. Simply run a special sale on one of your products. Here are a few ideas:

— We’re Over-stocked so you can order at 20% off…

— The manufacturer gave us a good deal, so we are passing the savings on to you…

— We have a warehouse full of already-opened, but perfectly normal products that we are going to sell for half off..Only 54 units are available…

2. Offer an extra bonus

Here is a simple idea. Create a new, exclusive bonus to offer to everybody who orders within a certain time frame.

This bonus can be an audio interview with a recognized industry expert, a special report, a new gadget, whatever.

Tell them that they can get this special new bonus if they order within 5-15-20 (or however long you want to give them) days from today.

If your bonus is of high value, many people will order your product just to get the bonus. Either way, you still get the sale.

3. Joint venture to increase value

You can joint venture with a complimentary product owner and offer each others products as a package for the same price.

So if I sell a product for say $39, and you sell one for $39, my traffic and your traffic can get both products for $39 if they order within a certain time frame.

This is more drastic, but *definitely* gives you an instant surge of new orders. You can usually get these kinds of deals quickly when the JV partner sees the instant potential it can have.

You don’t want to de-value your product by doing this though, so you have to make it quick. Set it up to only last for 3 days or so, email your opt-in list about it, then take it down.

4. Special discount

Offer some sort of special discount related to current events. A holiday discount, a sports discount (like the baseball world series), or whatever..

Maybe there is a big fuss about something in your industry that will give you a good reason to offer a limited time discount.

Use your imagination! You can come up with all kinds of ways to give a «special» discount, only available to a select few.

I have a friend that runs a special promotion for every single U.S. and international holiday. Last time I talked to him about it, he said it puts an extra $20-30k in his bank each year at the least.

5. Offer personal help to the next X people that order

I have done this one a few times. Offer your personal help for the next X amount of people that order.

You can give free email advice, set up a discussion board or even give phone consultations (if you have the time).

If I am selling a weight loss report, I may say:

«For the next 50 people that order, I will personally help you create your diet plan and guide you through my system at no cost..»

You can do this promotion often, as you can limit the amount of people that you accept each time. This allows you to stop the promotion, and clear the workload, then restart it.

Be sure to explain how they will be able to get your personal help (i.e
. email, phone, etc..) so that they don’t make the wrong assumption.

There are plenty of ways to instantly get a rush of orders, these are just a few. Notice how they all are either limited time, or limited by the number of people who order.

Putting a time limit, or unit limit on special offers (or any offer for that matter) is a surefire way to increase the response of your offers. Doing this will result in a bigger surge, much quicker!

BUT, stick true to your word. If you say you are only giving the special offer for the next 5 days, then do not let anybody order after those 5 days are up. Otherwise, you risk your credibility.

So create a few ways to make some special offers to your opt-in list, or customer list and see if you can’t get your cashflow back on track!

Wes Blaylock is the creator of the Instant Visitors Private Program that’ll Show You How to Quickly Generate Hot- Hungry, Targeted Traffic! Inside you can look over his shoulder and see exactly how he rolls out marketing campaigns each week! Click Here For Complete Details:

Keep your furniture safe even while on move

Keep Your Furniture Safe Even While On Move!

When planning to shift your house from one place to another can be a stressful time. Shifting places always need lot of organized planning. And to use furniture removal company helps relieve the stress, but how do you choose the right one among so many companies out there? Reading this article swill definitely prove helpful.

You would like to move to new house all by yourself without the help of these removal companies. But do not ever underestimate the amount of mental and physical stress it would take to move your belongings into your new home. It not just about packing boxes, it takes more than that.

And if you are moving for a long distance then by the time you reach your new home you will be very tired and unloading your boxes would be the last thing on your mind. At this time a good furniture removal company can save you all these stress. If you have many fragile or valuable possessions like antique furniture then the removal company takes all the pressure off your mind.

Compare before selection- When you know what your moving date is, then look for the quotes of various companies available. Never choose quickly the cheapest furniture removal company you come across. Always be sure of what you get for the price and what are the services included in it. There may be companies who will be able to give you an instant quote online. But there are companies who will want to see your belongings and then quote the price. So make sure to confirm the final quote before you book any removal company.

Be organized- If you plan to do the packing yourself then make sure you have enough boxes to pack your things. Pack the things that you use less at the earliest opportunity. Label each of the box in which room they need to be kept in your new house.

Plan Ahead- Give yourself little extra time to book any furniture removal company because particularly the best company might be booked at the time of your shifting. And when you have chosen a company then give them all the possible details like, if your furniture will need to be detached, how many flights of stairs etc.

Try to negotiate- If it’s convenient for you then try to move house on weekday rather than on weekends as the prices may be cheaper. And be aware that there are peak periods like on school holidays when you may not get any discount facility.

Have insurance- There will be many professional furniture removal companies which includes insurance for while your belongings are in move.