Comparative Scaling Techniques For Survey Research

Comparative Scaling Techniques For Survey Research
By: Tariq Ahmad

Scaling emerged from the social sciences in an attempt to measure or order attributes with respect to quantitative attributes or traits. Scaling provides a mechanism for measuring abstract concepts. A comparative scale is an ordinal or rank order scale that can also be referred to as a nonmetric scale. Respondents evaluate two or more objects at one time and objects are directly compared with one another as part of the measuring process. For example you could ask someone if they prefer listening to MP3s through a Zune or an iPod. You could take it a step further and add some other MP3 player brands to the comparison. MP3 players would be scaled relative to each other and the scale position of any one player would depend on the the scale position of the remaining players. Because they are being compared differences such as who has the click wheel are effectively forced. Where this is limiting is evident when you find no standard of comparison outside the objects being compared. No generalizations are made outside of these objects. Often used when physical characteristics of objects are being compared.
Guttman Scaling
This can also be referred to as a cumulative scoring or scalogram analysis. The intent of this survey is that the respondent will agree to a point and their score is measured to the point where they stop agreeing. For this reason questions are often formatted in dichotomous yes or no responses. The survey may start out with a question that is easy to agree with and then get increasingly sensitive to the point where the respondent starts to disagree. You may start out with a question that asks if you like music at which point you mark yes. Four questions later it may ask if you like music without a soul and which is produced by shady record labels only out to make money at which point you may say no. If you agreed with the first 5 questions and then started disagreeing you would be rated a 5. The total of questions you agreed to would be added up and your final score would say something about your attitude toward music.
Rasch Scaling
This probabilistic model provides a theoretical basis for obtaining interval level measurements based on counts from observations such as total scores on assessments. This analyzes individual differences in response tendencies as well as an item's discrimination and difficulty. It measures how respondents interact with items and then infers differences between items from responses to obtain scale values. This model is typically used analyze data from assessments and to measure abilities, attitudes, and personality traits.
Rank-Order Scaling
This gives the respondent a set of items and then asks the respondent to put those items in some kind of order. The "order" could be something like preference, liking, importance, effectiveness, etc. This can be a simple ordinal structure such as A is higher than B or be done by relative position (give each letter a numerical value as in A is 10 and B is 7). You could present five items and ask the respondent to order each one A-E in order of preference. In Rank-Order scaling only (n-1) decisions need to be made.
Constant Sum Scaling
With this ordinal level technique respondents are given a constant sum of units such as points, money, or credits and then asked to allocate them to various items. For example, you could ask a respondent to reflect on the importance of features of a product and then give them 100 points to allocate to each feature of the product based on that. If a feature is not important then the respondent can assign it zero. If one feature is twice as important as another then they can assign it twice as much. When they are done all the points should add up to 100.
Paired Comparison Scale
This is an ordinal level technique where a respondent is presented with two items at a time and asked to choose one. This is the most widely used comparison scale technique. If you take n brands then [n (n-1)/2] paired comparisons are required. A classic example of when paired comparison is used is during taste tests. For example you could have a taste test in which you have someone try both Coke and Pepsi and then ask them which one they prefer.
Bogardus Social Distance Scale
This is a cumulative score that is a variant of the Guttman scale, agreement with any item implies agreement with the preceding items. This scale is used to measure how close or distant people feel toward other people. Social distance is a concern when it comes to issues related to racial integration or other forms of equality. This is applicable to team formation in the work place for example. Some people accept other people easily and use trustworthiness as the basis of their relationship with other people. Other people do not accept people who are not like them and tend to keep those that are not like them at arms length.
Q-Sort Scaling
This is a rank order procedure where respondents are asked to sort a given number of items or statements and classify them into a predetermined number of sets (usually 11) according to some criterion such as preference, attitude, or behavioral intent. Using cards that note an item to be ranked is the most popular and simplest method to use in the sorting process. In order to increase statistical reliability at least 60 cards should be used and no more than 140. This is good for discriminating among a large group of items in a relatively short amount of time.
Tariq is a copywriter and survey specialist with ActiveCampaign - a leading web based software company with solutions including email marketing software, web based surveys, live chat for your web site, web based site editing, help desk software, knowledge base software, time tracking software, and more.
http://www.activecampaign.com
For more information about web based surveys visit:
http://www.activecampaign.com/isalient

Monadic Scaling Techniques For Survey Research

Monadic Scaling Techniques For Survey Research
By: Tariq Ahmad

A non comparative scale can also be variously referred to as a monadic or metric scale. Respondents evaluate only one object at a time and the resulting data set is either interval or ratio scale. An example of this would be if you would take an object such as an iPod and ask each respondent the degree to which they viewed the iPod favorably. This technique includes continuous rate scales and itemized rate scales such as Likert, Semantic Differential, and Stapel Scale. This type of scale is favored in market research due to the fact that more can be done with it. These scales can be used when characteristics of physical objects are being compared but they are most often used when attitudes, perceptions, or other psychological characteristics are being measured.
Thurstone Scaling
The three methods described for this are equal appearing interval method, successive intervals method, and paired comparisons method. This was the first formal technique for measuring attitudes when it was introduced and it does this by asking respondents to indicate whether they agree or disagree with each of a large set of statements about attitudes. This scale calculates a weight or attitudinal value for each statement. This weight is calculated on the basis of a rating assigned by a group of judges. Because the importance of each statement is determined by judges it reflects the absolute rather than relative attitudes of judges. The scale indicates the intensity of attitudes and changes in this intensity can be measured should this study be reconstructed. This is not often used today because it is expensive and time consuming. A major criticism is that judges and respondents may assess the importance of statements differently and thus the respondent's attitudes may not be properly reflected.
Likert Scaling
This ordered one dimensional scale gives equal weight or attitudinal value to items or statements when reflecting an attitude toward an issue in a question. Generally done using a five point or seven point scale. Respondents are typically asked to select from choices ranging from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree." This is an extremely popular means of measuring attitudes. Because it is the most commonly used scale for responses to survey questions it can be argued that it is the most commonly misused. Choices are assumed to have equal distance between them and can even be numbered. This is often referred to as a summative scale as this is often scored by summing up numerical assignments to the responses given. In scoring, numbers are usually assigned to each response in a question (for example 1 to 5).
Continuous Rate Scale
Alternately referred to as a Graphic Rating Scale, respondents rate items by placing a mark on a line that is usually labelled with numbers (for example 1 to 100). The form this scale takes may vary.
Phrase Completion Scale
This was developed in response to problems associated with Likert Scale. These are concise unidimensional measures that taps ordinal data in a way that approximates interval leval data. This consists of a phrase followed by an 11 point response key in which 0 represents the absence of a theoretical construct and 10 represents the theorized maximum amount of the construct being measured. Just as is the case with Likert Scale this is considered a summative scale where after the questionnaire is completed the score on each item is summed together.
Semantic Differential Scale
This is a five or seven point itemized ordinal scale with dichotomous pairs of descriptive words or phrases representing two extreme point of views and a neutral response. The extreme points are meant to be interepreted strongly or extremely. An example would be a statement a statement that said "Reading about scaling techniques is:" and on the left side you would see "boring" and on the right side you would see "interesting." The respondent would then mark one of the five to seven blanks to indicate their attitude about the attribute. As a control for tendencies of those with either a very positive or a very negative attitude sometimes the negative adjective or phrase appears on the left and sometimes it appears on the right. Items on this scale may be scored on either a -3 to +3 or a 1 to 7 scale. This scaling tool is frequently used in linguistics and social psychology.
Stapel Scale
Similar to the Sematic Differential Scale with some exceptions. Points are assigned as numbers which is not the case in a Sematic Differential scale. Instead of two dichotomous descriptive words or phrases only one word or phrase is used. If the respondent disagrees then a negative number is marked. Word choice has the potential of biasing respondents. This is not widely used as it is thought to be confusing to respondents.
Mathematically Derived Scale
A scale in which researchers infer respondents answers mathematically as in the case of multi dimensional scaling and conjoint analysis.

Tariq is a copywriter and survey specialist with ActiveCampaign - a leading web based software company with solutions including email marketing software, web based surveys, live chat for your web site, web based site editing, help desk software, knowledge base software, time tracking software, and more.
http://www.activecampaign.com
For more information about web based surveys visit: http://www.activecampaign.com/isalient.

How to Get Feedback From Colleagues That Makes Sense

How to Get Feedback From Colleagues That Makes Sense
By: Mark Silver

Okay, you've just written a new website, or a new sales page. Or maybe you've just created a new product or offer. Or even just tried on a new suit.
And you turn to your friend and ask: "Can I get some feedback from you? What do you think?"
So they tell you what they think. They tell you, "It's nice." or "I like it." Or, if they don't like it, you get the laundry list of all the things you need to change, including the color you used around the border that you are actually in love with.
They mean well. They want to help. But, the feedback isn't helpful.
Statisticians and pollsters know what the problem is. Anyone who has studied statistics or polling knows one thing really well: that the question determines the type, and validity, of the answers you get.
Several years ago, a friend of mine was finishing up her doctoral work in psychiatry. She was working on a research paper that included gathering information from over 100 families through the use of a questionnaire.
How she sweated over that questionnaire! If she got the questions wrong, then her answers wouldn't be statistically valid, and all of her efforts would've been wasted.
Luckily, you aren't conducting scientific research. And yet, the answers you get are just as important. If you get the wrong feedback on a website or an offer you are making, it could have a big impact on your business.
Your first step, never ask for "feedback."
And that's only the first on the list of 'no-no's'. Here are the top questions NOT to ask when you need real answers and information from people:
* Can I get your feedback? * What do you think of X? * Tell me if you like X? * What's wrong with this? * What should I change?
These are the most common questions asked, but they will not get you what you want. Why not?
You're making them work too hard.
These questions are asking for answers. And you don't want answers, not from your friends. No really, you don't.
I don't mean that your friends don't have good ideas. They do. But, if you ask one of those questions I've listed above, it means they mentally shift into 'expert' mode, and start looking to fix it for you.
For instance, if you're wanting feedback on your website, you want to know how your average person is going to use it. And most people navigate a website with a certain unconsciousness- they just click and read and click some more.
But, if you have someone in 'expert' mode, they start scrutinizing every detail intently. You lose their honest, intuitive, first-blush feedback, which is really what you're looking for.
That kind of honest feedback comes from a place of curiosity and openness. And curiosity is much more associated with questioning, than knowing.
That's right, ask for questions, not answers.
An additional benefit that comes with asking for questions means that friends that aren't experts can still contribute. Someone who might go blank when asked for 'feedback' can still come up with questions that can change everything for you.
So how do you ask for questions?
Hmmm... perhaps I have an answer for you. Let's keep going:
Keys to Getting the Right Questions.
• Get clear on what you're needing from them.
Are you wondering about whether your website is easy to use? Or are you worried that the text is confusing?
Do you think your price is too high? Or too low?
If you don't get clear on what you are needing, and why you are needing it, how can you expect to get useful feedback from whomever you ask?
• Ask for questions around that focus.
If someone asks the right question, you find the answer within, usually. You'll want to them ask questions asking specifically for questions:
"When you read my offer, what unanswered questions come up for you?"
"When you get to the home page of my website, do you have any questions or frustrations that pop up?"
"When you hear the price, do you start wondering about anything?"
Ask these kinds of questions, and you'll notice that your audience suddenly starts coming up with all kinds of really useful questions for you.
• Don't worry if it's a little artificial.
It is. Even asking for questions is going to bring an unnaturally intense scrutiny to the situation. And yet, by asking for questions, you drop that extra burden of trying to find answers. The openness that comes from the questions will engender an entirely different level of conversation with them, and within yourself.
Whether you are with your business partner, in a staff meeting, in an online forum or community, or just hanging out with friends and colleagues, try asking for their questions. See what they come up with, and write them all down.
And then take those questions into your heart, and see what answers you discover. I bet you'll be surprised.

Mark Silver is the author of Unveiling the Heart of Your Business: How Money, Marketing and Sales can Deepen Your Heart, Heal the World, and Still Add to Your Bottom Line. He has helped hundreds of small business owners around the globe succeed in business without lousing their hearts. Get three free chapters of the book online: http://www.heartofbusiness.com

Recipe For Trouble - The Business Plan

Recipe For Trouble - The Business Plan
By: Dr. Robin

Everyone knows that new businesses fail at a fairly high rate. Most people assume that the reason is there is not enough money. While that might be true in some cases, there are other things that can cause a new business to fail, even if they have plenty of money.
It would seem like common sense that the first thing that one would do when starting a new business would be to develop a business plan. Some businesses are forced to do this by the bank if they wish to borrow any money. However, some businesses start with a really great idea that attracts lots of investors. So, this new business has a great idea, the money to get it started and the ball starts rolling and everything is great...for a while.
As the business continues to develop, they bring more people into the business. Sometime these people are employees, but many times, particularly with a new business, these people are working on a contract basis or even with just a verbal agreement. They may have understood the general idea behind the business, but they are lacking in knowledge of the detail. But the money is there and the idea is great, so they are "in."
As time goes on, something insidious begins to happen. More people are coming in and things appear to be going well, but it becomes increasingly difficult to keep everyone on the same page. It also becomes apparent that the deliverable for many of the people that are "working" is not well defined or maybe not even defined at all. Money is going out the door at an alarming rate and yet the ultimate goal of the business seems even farther away. If this situation continues, many times the great idea will never happen, investors will lose their money, and the business will go under.
It is absolutely essential to take the time to do a complete business plan and to actually use that business plan in your business! Make sure that everyone that works with you is aware of the plan and where you are trying to go. The business plan should outline what you need and at one time. Using that timeline, it is easy to establish the deliverables you need from people as you bring them on board.
Doing the business plan also makes it easier to determine potential pitfalls and to avoid them. By having a business plan in writing you also have a document that you can use as a planning tool with the people you bring on for specific tasks. If there is something in the plan that will not work as envisioned, it will be easier to make adjustments BEFORE everything gets off track. By sharing the business plan, you bring everyone on board with the same goals and expectations. Without a business plan, it is very easy to get caught up in the moment, lose track of where you were trying to go and generally experience a loss of confidence from your investors and the people that are working in the business. When people lose confidence, they tend to move on, which could spell disaster for you and your business.
Taking the time to do the business plan will pay for itself many times over. The plan will help your business get off to great start and stay on track and will decreases your chances of making one of many fatal mistakes that can happen in a new business.
This type of personal coaching is about being and doing your best-about time and goal management-about peak performance-about achieving higher levels of business or professional success.
"Dr. Robin", the well known MLM Radio personality is and has built his "honorary" doctorate in the Network Marketing world and has had experience in numerous other network marketing companies. He is a nationally recognized expert in the network marketing business. He is the current host of his radio show, "Networking with the Blindguy" with up to 3.8 million listeners daily. For more info go to http://robintrushlo.com and http://gobewisenow.com

Learn How to Write a Memo the Right Way & Skyrocket Your Credibility

Learn How to Write a Memo the Right Way & Skyrocket Your Credibility
By: Peter Kirkham

If you're in business then you would have learnt how to write a memo. If not, then you're at the right place. An internal form of communication, a memo (or memorandum) is a form of communication that is used internally and generally used within a business, focusing on one subject.
When compared to a formal business document, a memo can present as casual however it can & most times does, contain important information. When learning how to write a memo, it's best written in a more business like format than say, a sticky note. You could just scribble out your message, make ten or twenty copies and hand them around or you could email them. A memo however is usually filed for future reference so they should look the part.
Managers and staff generally view them as somewhat of an important document and on that basis are usually read with some degree of urgency.
What is a Memo Used For?
Their key purpose in learning how to write a memo is to share common knowledge, instructions & important issues with employees & employers. They can be used to address general staff concerns, announce an important events, etc and they can be addressed to an individual or a group. Memos that deliver urgent and/or important information are generally filed away to be kept as proof of communication. They may even end up in court or are used in disputes, so it's important that they're written in a clear & logical manner and look professional.
Here's How To Write a Memo...
Varying from general business letter writing, a memo generally has a standard template that is inclusive of a heading that says Memo, Memorandum or Internal Memo. It can be printed on company stationery, but usually they're published on plain white paper. Next is the name of the recipient, then the author, the date and the subject. If it's going to more than one person then it should include all the names of the people it's being sent to.
This section is commonly referred to as the "header". The opening statement clearly outlining the subject of the memo comes after the header followed by the actual body copy of the document.
You can include a summary and a closing statement if you wish.
Here's an example of how to write a memo -
MEMORANDUM
TO: David Johnson
FROM: Mr. G Gronwer
DATE: 25 May 2009
SUBJECT: Presentation Evening
CC: Mr. Hogan, Mrs Edwards
Dear David,
A presentation is being held at the Novatel Ballroom on July 21, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. on Marketing IT Hardware.
Acme Computer Company is promoting it and I think it would be worthwhile you attending. I suggest every member of your sales team should attend this presentation and we will cover the costs of all those attending.
Please supply me with a list of those who will be attending prior to 1 July.
Check for spelling and grammar errors when completed remembering to double check the actual details, ensuring they're clear & concise, so there's no hiccups on the day. If you happen to send a memo & you've missed some important details, it's extremely embarrassing for you & time wasting for the recipients.
It's not hard to learn how to write a memo, there's no science involved and when written correctly, they do convey important information in a simple & practical manner.
Yours sincerely,
G Gronwer
Director

About the author: Author & small business owner Peter Kirkham has written a terrific collection of small business ideas & low budget marketing methods that show fellow small business owners how to increase profits & create a steady flow of new customers into their businesses... FOREVER. They are all available in his FREE Customer Attraction Kit.

How to Choose a Personal Assistant

How to Choose a Personal Assistant
By: Rachel Spohn

Hiring a personal assistant can be a tricky process involving much trial and error. Not every employer is the same, and a personal assistant should not only fit the employer's needs but also his or her personality. This article offers a few ideas on how you can eliminate some of the stress of hiring a personal assistant (PA).
When you are first looking for an assistant, it is important to equally weigh all the facets you will look at. Although skills and employment history are important factors, employers must also consider an applicant's personality and life experiences. Chemistry, an intangible quality most often discovered during an interview, is the most important factor in determining the success of this employer-employee relationship.
Qualified applicants should be
• organized • detail-oriented • confidential/private • able to prioritize • responsible • professional • personable • resourceful • dependable • prompt • able to delegate • resilient • a self-starter • motivated • loyal • a team player • honest • trustworthy • able to anticipate and plan ahead
The fastest and easiest way to get the applicants you are looking for is to write a descriptive and detailed job description. To you as an employer, a job description helps you to clearly define the type of person you would like to hire. Not only will you decide what qualifications and previous work experience your PA should have, but writing a job description will also help you to develop some of the questions you will ask during screening and interviewing. From the perspective of the applicants, the job description serves as a guide in helping them to know exactly what you are looking for and to make them understand that this is a serious position. A clearly written list of needs tells applicants that you, the employer, have your head together and know what you need and that all the PA has to do is follow your directions and provide the help.
When writing your description, consider how much time you want to spend training your new hire. If you write a well-defined job description, you will make it easier on yourself in determining how much experience a person really has.
When written for a PA position, a comprehensive job descriptions has at least six standard parts: (1) Job title; (2) Nature of work; (3) Qualifications and qualities of employee; (4) Duties to be performed; (5) Work schedule and comments; and (6) Salary.
Not every PA will be ideal. But following the above suggestions will see you better on your way to finding a personal assistant who fits your needs and can give you the help you're looking for.

Temporary Personal Assistant (http://my-tpa.com) offers part-time personal assistants in Los Angeles who work closely with busy individuals to provide personalized service. Rachel Spohn is a freelance writer.

Money From Used Clothes

Money From Used Clothes
By: Glen P John

Old used clothes believe it or not, are good starters for selling things on auction sites. There is a large market for used clothes. Apparently in certain elite circles, it is considered "cool" to walk around in torn jeans. This is where you can't visually tell the difference between a bum, a wealthy college kid or a fashion buff. They may all look and smell the same. Old clothing is a lucrative market thriving beyond my aesthetics and sense of humor
Just look in your attic or where ever you may have used clothes. Take photos of what you would like to sell, paint, patch and submit them to auctions. After making a few sales, used clothes around the house will finally run out. Then you'll need to get a hold of an old clothing source. Sometimes there are big lots of used clothes for sale on the internet. At times the cost is way below whole sale price. Painted jeans can be a creative source of income. If you're good with a brush or iron on patches, you're in business. The same thing goes for T Shirts or any used clothing. Paint them and have fun too.
Denim can be your specialty or you can paint on cotton shirts. Instead of painting a picture for the wall, paint a picture on a pair of used jeans. The more dumb looking it is, apparently the better people like it. Jeans sell somewhere around $10 - $200 on certain auctions. Learn to create a mystique around your works of art. When people view your used clothes as something unique and stylish., you can begin to demand more money.
It's up to you to develop a marketing flare with your used clothes. People with money spend time searching for things to make them appear to be in the know, hip and cool.Take a good look at the used clothes market on auction sites. Simulate what you see and work towards developing your own style of selling used clothes. This will make you successful.

Cults of Diversity in Corporations - The Other End of the Scale

Cults of Diversity in Corporations - The Other End of the Scale
By: Lance Winslow

Most modern corporations have something about workplace diversity in their mission statement somewhere. This is necessary to empower all employees, but what happens when this is taken too far and the diversity become a cult in and of itself?
How can we be sure that our new diversity style does not also become a cult - a cult of diversity? Thus forcing diversity on a system, on the management, and making that new standard the new cult? Forcing diversity is also problematic.
You know round up one of every type of person and stick them on the team? Then tell the team "we are great because we are diverse" as there is a lot of that going on. Oh, wait we need another Asian on the team, this doesn't look right? Or we need a Transportation Secretary, but it needs to be a Hispanic so no one feels left out? Or, oh crap, we with all our diversity we left out the token white guy, whoops, isn't that a shame?
Also, I've watched the systematic attacks of those who wish to maintain their individuality to the forces of the socialist mobs within the corporate cultures, who proclaim everyone is right and wonderful "as long as they think like us!"
Do we destroy the individual to foster unity? Give up self to belong to an organization? How does that serve those in the organization and maybe its true what Groucho Marx said; "why would I want to be in a group that would have me as a member?"And how do we get original thought, innovation and best efforts if we force our diversity programs on the group. Sure we inspire a few folks that formerly felt pushed down to innovate but at what expense to the organization.

How to Purchase The Right Office Equipment and Make That Establishment Become Successful

How to Purchase The Right Office Equipment and Make That Establishment Become Successful
By: Jo Alelsto

With different surveys and studies identifying the efficiency of a particular business as a primary way for entrepreneurs to drive sales and productivity, people from the procurement department or those responsible in buying office equipments and materials needed in the business are struggling with how to really find the right office equipment before efficiency and productivity issues become problems.
Throughout recent years, various market reports have stressed the need for business owners or employers to maintain quality and dependable office equipments, stating efficiency with work through dependable tools as one of the primary factors that determine an employee's first impression of the office or with his working environment. This has placed increasing pressure on the procurement manager to equally provide practical decisions in choosing and buying the items.
The need for timely, actionable information on choosing the right tools for the office has never been so acute. To meet this need, several surveys and studies have been conducted to come up with practical tips in choosing these important tools in the office.
1. Know what you need
Before choosing an office tool, it is best that you clearly understand what your business needs. If you are working in an advertising agency, for example, it is best that you choose a printer that provides high quality print materials, with the right hues and color combination. In some instances, colors may appear different from the soft copy you have in the computer. Having these differences can greatly put your business at risk.
If you have an outsourcing company particularly a call center, choose the right machines for calls. Keep in mind your agents' convenience as well.
You can also try considering the volume of work you have using a particular office machine. For example, for printers, it is best to buy a heavy-duty, multifunctional printer considering the type of jobs your employees need to generate.
2. Check your space
Not all big things will always look good, especially if you have very limited office space. It does not really matter if your office tool is one of the most modern facilities in the world. As long as it does not hinder work flow around the area and does not obstruct traffic flow within the vicinity, your office tool will be okay.
3. Shop and compare
Not all equipments in the work area were created equal. At the most, they differ in prices and packages. Hence, if you really want to end up with a pair of good-looking, high quality paper shredder or printers, it is highly recommended that you search other suppliers first and compare the score.
It does not necessarily mean that one or two suppliers can give you the price you have bargained for. Additional sources can put you on a greater edge.
4. Buying online wisely
For convenience and faster transactions, you can opt for online purchases. However, it is best that you take all the necessary preventive measures to avoid being victimized by fraud or identity theft. It is best that you ensure the highest form of security within the site you have transactions with. Be wary of giving personal information right away. If you think that the transaction details is not that clear to you, contact the supplier's customer service right away or personally go to their office to have the discrepancies or misunderstanding settled.These are just some of the many tips you may find online or through some friends and colleagues to help you choose the best tool for your office and business. Embracing all possible guidance to help you arrive at a practical decision will not only do well for you business but most importantly on your finances.

Tips For Stunning Shopfitting

Tips For Stunning Shopfitting
By: Johanna Baker-Dowdell

Creating a new look for your store is exciting, but your excitement at the prospect of a new shop fitout can quickly dissipate if the project takes too long, costs too much, or doesn't even fit!
Follow these steps to ensure your project runs smoothly and the end result is just what you had in mind.
Evaluation
The first thing you need to do when considering a shopfitting project, is putting together a plan for the job. Look at your business, which products/sections to be highlighted with the fitout, your budget, existing fittings that can be refurbished, whether you need a completely new fitout and what you want from the project.
Having a clear idea of what you want and what you can afford before you jump in and start construction means the fitout will meet the business's needs and look fantastic.
Choosing Your Contractor
It can be difficult to know who to choose to complete your shopfitting project. Ask around your fellow business contacts where you are located, or at your Business Chamber meeting and Association conference, or even your competitors. Recommendations from others you respect is worth a lot - and don't be afraid to ask them if you can look at the job before you make your decision. It might look great and do the job for them, but isn't right for you.
Project Management
Another important point to remember is to appoint a shopfitting firm that will manage all aspects of your project so you won't have to deal with the plumber, electrician, sign contractor and builder yourself. A project manager provides one contact point for all trades so one person knows exactly what is happening when and can update you on every aspect of your project.
Timing
Make sure your shopfitter gives you a clear idea of how long the project will take and factor this loss into your budget. Think about when the best time is to complete your project so as to cause the least difficulty and keep the costs down. If you sell seafood then summer could be the worst time for a fitout, but if your business is snow gear then it probably is the ideal time.
Design
You want your fitout to draw attention to your business, so make sure you work with a specialist who will listen to your needs and create a design for you that is individual and functional, as well as eye-catching.
Measurements
Once you have decided on a design that meets your criteria ensure the shopfitters spend the time to get the measurements right. You want your design to fit perfectly in your premises.
Installation
Speak with your project manager regularly so you know where the project is up to and what to expect at each stage. This is particularly important when your project is at installation stage, because you want to create a minimum of inconvenience for your staff and customers.
ResultsA great fitout will boost your business's productivity and increase profitability, as well as improve the environment you and your staff work in and your customers' shopping experience. Make sure the job you settle on will cover all these points.

Are You Frozen?

Are You Frozen?
By: Adrian Miller

In an economic downturn, we are all like deer on a dark and windy road. Some of us see approaching headlights and instinctively know to leap into the woods. Unfortunately, others of us freeze. Unable to go left or right; we think that wherever we leap to will be worse than our current position. I certainly don't need to elaborate on what happens to the deer on the road that freezes.
If you're one prone to frozen panics in tough financial times, you need to embrace some logic. Just like the deer in the headlights, you will be doomed to a painful demise unless you take a leap. When times are challenging, being coward and indecisive can be fatal business mistakes. Alternatively being bold, creative, and quick-thinking can not only help you weather through challenges, it can propel you to leap ahead of your competition that is still stuck in the middle of the road waiting to be hit.
Take Action
Start by resolving yourself to do something. Join a new networking group, discover a new promotional opportunity, or learn a new way to market yourself online - just do something!
Stay Visible
It's natural to feel a little blue when business is slow, but don't let the blahs turn you into an office recluse. Detaching yourself from customers and prospects only helps them to forget you and notice your competitors. Get your name out there any way that you can. Make calls, send emails, write articles for trade publications, start a newsletter, send out a press release, and attend any events where you can reach out to others.
Don't Cut Your Marketing Efforts
Companies often make the knee-jerk decision to cut spending on marketing and promotions during a slowdown. What a big mistake! This is the time to communicate your message and offer a value proposition that will resonate with your market. Inevitably, you will have competitors that scale back their marketing out of sheer financial necessity. Take advantage of the less crowded playing field and shout to your customers that you're still going strong when times are tough.
Keep Positive Everything in business is cyclical. It may seem like this economy is taking an incredibly long time to turn itself around. However, new opportunities and more business will be there for the taking if you can hang in there and maintain your ability to think fast and keep moving.

The Exciting Evolution of Time Clock Technology

The Exciting Evolution of Time Clock Technology
By: Rick Hendershot

In this present era of control and security, it's interesting to go back in time and see how such things were handled. A hundred and fifty years ago, a business owner with employees would have no technology to monitor the ebb and flow of his employees. He, or someone in management, would need to physically stand outside the company's entrance, clip board in hand, and tick off each worker as they entered the building.
They'd have to do the same thing when the whistle blew at the end of the day. In between, who was keeping track of lunch and bathroom beaks? Scenes in such movies as "Norma Jean" come to mind, where a surly shop foreman would rule the workers with an iron hand. Then again, films from the twenties and thirties, also show less oppressive working conditions. Corporate women, dressed for success, sing out a cheery good morning as they file past their boss.
Just think of all the time spent dipping pens in ink, methodically filling in charts, and keeping stacks of ledger books safe and accessible. Everything to do with employee management was done by hand including payroll, absences, and government data. Imagine the labor involved adding up those endless columns and the enormous potential for error.
A less labor intensive method of managing the comings and goings of workers was sorely needed, and in 1888 it happened. A jeweler named William Bundy, from Auburn, New York, designed and manufactured the very first employee time recorder.
His employee time clock was a success, and William teamed up with his brother Harlow to form the Bundy Manufacturing Company. They began churning out time clocks for a rapidly expanding market. Eventually they joined forces with two other time equipment companies to form International Time Recorders (ITR). ITR was the selling agent for Bundy Manufacturing.
The time clock would stamp data onto a time card. The time cards were printed with boxes indicating time in and time out. An employee would simply line up the markings in the proper spot, insert the time card, and press down on a lever. A hammer mechanism would strike an inked ribbon, imprinting the date and time onto the clock card. This way a timekeeper had an official record of the hours an employee worked in order to calculate the proper pay.
In 1911, ITR and two other companies merged into Computing Tabulating Recording Corporation (CTR), which would later become IBM. In 1958, the Time Equipment Division of IBM was sold to the Simplex Time Recorder Company.
In the late 1970's, Kronos Incorporated developed a way for a punch card system to be linked to a microprocessor. Then in the 1990's, the real move to computer based electronic time tracking began. These systems enabled an employee to enter an ID number, or swipe a magnetic stripe card, which identified the employee to the system. Then the worker could enter whatever information that needed to be recorded, such as punch in, punch out, lunch break, or leaving early. There was even room to insert a reason for skipping out early.
These days, Biometric time clocks are the industry standard, using technology that seems right out of Star Trek. A person's biological attributes are used to identify them to the system, using a hand print, fingerprint, or even a retina scan. Biometrics make it impossible for a worker to sign in for a friend who is late or absent.
There are three basic access methods that an employee can use to enter the workplace that has a biometric time clock in place. The Identification method utilizes a person's fingerprint that is stored as an algorithm. When the finger is pressed, the system searches to find the stored fingerprint template that matches the pressing. In the Verification method, a person swipes a card or enters a PIN as identification. Information is then scanned and checked against the stored data. This method is faster than the Identification method. Finally,there is the Smart Card which contains the individual's fingerprint template within an electronic chip on the card. In this way personal data is not stored in the company's computer system, only on the card.
The Biometric time clock system makes it possible to completely control access to buildings as well as simply monitoring employees. No one gets in unless they are recognized by the system. Records are retained showing all entries granted and even any that are rejected. Multiple entry points can be integrated as well. In the event of a fire, a report can be printed out, accessed on a computer, or sent to a remote site. Imagine being able to verify that all persons have exited the premises. What a boon to the fire fighting officials.It's been quite a ride from the handwritten ledgers of yesteryear to the amazing space age biometric clock technology of today. Big brother is definitely watching.

How to Pick a Custodian For Your Registered Investment Adviser

How to Pick a Custodian For Your Registered Investment Adviser
By: David R. Millar

Perhaps the most important element of forming a registered investment adviser is choosing the right custodian for the assets. A good custodian can be a new firm's best friend and biggest asset or it can turn a new business into a friction filled daily grind. Prior to entering a custodial relationship a thorough screening of multiple custodians must be completed. Numerous factors should be considered during the process, but there are three fundamental traits your custodian should possess.
1. Customer Service Is King!
The backbone of any good company is excellent customer service. With a custodian, that customer service should come on two fronts, service to your clients and service to you, their client. When it comes to your clients, the custodian should be easily accessible and be able to handle your customer's inquires. Obviously, in an ideal world your client will call you, but clients can get confused and call the custodian. Unfortunately, there are custodians that do not want to talk to your clients. They will not try to help a confused client and simply direct the client to you. This is poor customer service and it can cost you a client. The custodian you choose should be ready, willing and able to help your client.
When it comes to serving you remember that YOU are their customer. Ideally, a custodian will have a well trained dedicated team or department just for your firm. This team will take the time to get to know your firm, its workers and its processes. In a sense, the custodian's team will become an extension of your firm by working with your staff to ensure rapid turnaround on things such as new business paperwork, withdrawals, minimum distribution requests, etc. A custodian that works as your business partner assisting solving problems can make all the difference in the world to your daily business.
2. The Custodian's Trading Platform Can Handle All Aspects of Your Investment Portfolios.
As a new investment adviser, you have put countless hours into creating your money management philosophy. Nothing could be worse than finding out that your new custodian does not have access to the investments that you want to use in your portfolio. You should make a list of specific investments that you will want to own and ask every custodian if you will have access those investments. While it may seem like a fundamental part of a custodian's existence, there are several custodians that do not carry certain mutual fund families or exchange traded funds. If the custodian does not have access to your specific investments, you will want to keep interviewing additional candidates.
3. The Custodian's Technology Needs to Increase Your Business's Productivity.
Over the past few years many custodians have put millions of dollars into their technology platforms in an attempt to attract new investment advisers. These new platforms offer various services and technologies that an investment adviser had pay for just a few years ago. The new platforms often include billing, data backup, performance reporting, compliance monitoring, bulk trading, account rebalancing, accounting, CRM, and much more. Whichever technology you choose to use, it should be easy to use and implement, thus, increasing your firm's productivity. More importantly, the custodian should train your staff on how to use the technology. After all, the world best technology is worthless if no one knows how to use it.
These three aspects of a custodial relationship, customer service, available investments and technology, are critical elements to your success as an investment adviser. They should be considered part of the foundation of your relationship with your custodian. If a prospective custodian cannot help you in all three areas you must move on to a new custodian.

The Credit Crunch - What Is It?

The Credit Crunch - What Is It?
By: Deborah Mann

THE CREDIT CRUNCH - The words everyone has begun to hate and fear. TV now uses it as a great marketing tool. Bit sick if you ask me. People are losing their homes, their families, their jobs, it's disgusting and the rich are just cashing in and getting richer. But here's an idea, why not get rich yourself. Instead of wanting to die, or kill the guy next to you out of frustration, build your own empire.
In the poorer countries, they are expert at doing this. There are no jobs there, so the people turn their hands at doing things themselves and make a good living. Say you are a mechanic, or, maybe you are just gifted at fixing cars. Start doing that. Fix your friends cars (always charge them, never do it for free) and then do THEIR friends cars and so on. Build yourself a reputation. Undercut all the garages around you and you will make a fairly good living. You don't need to get yourself into knots. Learn to turn your hand to what you are good at. Focus on what you can do, not what you've just lost.
In times of distress, we focus on what we don't have, because that's what we are programmed to do. Don't do that. It is so hard to make a living out of anything these days and everyone is out for themselves. I get that, but just the little you can do, will make you feel good about yourself and if you feel good about yourself, suddenly a whole new world of possibilities will open to you. It's how it works. Nothing works when we are feeling down and desperate.
Get away from desperation, and start thinking about how you can become your own boss. This will give you tremendous power and a sense of achievement. Forget about those words THE CREDIT CRUNCH. Don't let fear come anywhere into your thinking realm. Just push on ahead no matter what.
We need courage now. We all need so much courage and it's so hard for all of us. It is hard to watch some people have it so good when we have it so bad, but if you can keep believing that you too will soon have it good then you'll be more than fine before you know it.
All I can honestly tell you, is not to be afraid and to work on what you know you can do to make a living.
Be at peace, we have to be, and be determined to make your own way forward.

Enhance Your Chip Shop Menus

Enhance Your Chip Shop Menus
by Jonny Vee

If you are going to have a menu successfully designed for your Chip Shop, then you need to be more than aware of the fact that you will need to use nothing but high quality imagery throughout your design. The use of poor quality images are an all too common occurrence in the industry, which leads to customers being put off from ordering from an establishment on that basis alone.
Once you have your layout and imagery correct throughout your menu, the next factor that you will need to consider is how to really tempt, or how to really convince a customer into ordering a meal from you. There are different ways in which this can be done, but one of the more successful is to incorporate some form of discount or promotions. Here are two of the more popular.
One of the more widely used methods of promotions within the menu, regardless of the size or how established a venue is, are "Meal Deals". These are usually bundles of food, comprised together and then offered at a discounted rate. In many cases these will be logical, generally comprising of a main meal, along with a side order, finished off with a beverage.
One of the other popular methods of discounting is to offer rates for students and even for old age pensioners. In many towns and cities, there will be a large population of both, which means that in theory many of your customers will fall under these categories. With this in mind it would make sense to try and attract them to your business instead of your rivals, a discount could help do that.

Product Innovation - How to Have Ideas

Product Innovation - How to Have Ideas
By: Steve Gillman

The easiest route to creative product innovation is to start with something we already have and ask some simple questions about it to suggest new ideas. For the sake of demonstrating how this can be done, we'll suppose that we want to design a new kind of bicycle.
We start by asking a lot of questions about the existing product. Along with each of these questions, we ask "What new ideas or possibilities does this suggest?" The following are some of the questions you might start with.
What complaints do people have about this product?
Complaints or "problems" are a great place to start looking for innovation opportunities. In the case of a bicycle, people might complain about the uncomfortable seats, for example, which leads to all sorts of ideas about how to make them better. Maybe buyers could sit on a substance that takes an impression of their bottom, in order to build seats to fit the individual.
What else could be added to this?
What possibilities does this suggest? A "pet carrier" in front of the handle bars comes to mind, with a strap to hold in your cat or small dog. A GPS unit for bicycles is another possibility. A "roof" to keep the rain off of you might work.
Why do people buy this?
Product innovation often comes from asking why people use an existing product, and considering different and possibly better ways to meet that same need or desire. In this case we can guess that people buy bicycles for transportation, to get exercise and, in the case of mountain bikes, for adventure. We can consider each of these motivations in looking for new ideas.
"Transportation" make me think about other forms, like trains, and this immediately brings to mind the idea of a bicycle of sorts that travels on rails very fast from city to city by pedal power alone. ""Exercise" suggests looking beyond stationary bikes and regular bicycling that is limited by season. How about an indoor track that has turns and hills and is designed to make winter biking possible and interesting? Adventure biking suggests speed to me (among other things), and makes me wonder if a spring system, wound by the riders pedaling, could be used for a sudden burst of speed.
What are the various limits involved, and how can they be changed?
A bicycle typically is limited to one or sometimes two people, but what if it could hold twenty? This question suggests a pedal-powered bus that a group of people could travel in. Price is another limit if you want to sell bicycles. Weight is other limiting factor. There is definitely a market fore lightweight bicycles. At the moment light materials are the usual solution, but what about making everything smaller? This also makes the bike easier to store.
There are other questions you can ask to suggest new ideas. "How can I make this cheaper?" for example, is a question that could help almost any new product design be more marketable. "What else do buyers of this item want?" is another good one. And by the way, whether they are good or not, all the ideas above came to me from the questions asked and during the twenty minutes it took to write this. Generating ideas for product innovation is relatively easy once you practice with a few good techniques, like the questioning method outlined here.

What a Reverse Cell Phone Lookup Can Do For Your Privacy

What a Reverse Cell Phone Lookup Can Do For Your Privacy
By: Susan Mona
If you have ever been the unfortunate target of a prank or an obscene caller, you know first hand how upsetting it can be. Even if you decide to call the police over the matter, chances are, they won't be able to do a whole lot. It is up to you to get to the bottom of what is happening, but you may not have the proper tools at your disposal to make these unwanted calls stop for good.
Now, a new web based tool is allowing anyone with a phone to regain control over their privacy like never before. Known around the world as a reverse cell phone lookup, this new tools lets anyone punch in a phone number from anywhere in the United States and receive information about exactly who owns that number. A reverse cell phone lookup only takes seconds to do and the per search cost is practically nothing.
A reverse cell phone lookup uses the same types of searches done by conventional search engines and then also taps into the vast amount of information contained in today's public records. With these two information sources working together for the first time, users are even able to find out the names, addresses and other information for cell phone users, which has never been possible until now. The popularity of these searches is skyrocketing as more and more people come to realize just how powerful a tool they really are.
The next time you need help finding a cell number so that you can put a stop to unwanted or obscene calls, than this is the service for you. These reverse cell lookups can even help put an end to telemarketer phone calls or double as call screening for those looking to save a little money. The sky is truly the limit with this exciting new reverse cell phone lookup technology.

What is the Best Business Opportunity

What is the Best Business Opportunity

By: Deidre Damiels

As a new year rolls around with the economy on a steady decline, people are looking for ways to earn money other than at traditional jobs. People who have been laid off and cannot find work are looking at starting businesses and many are wondering what is the best business opportunity that is available.
In my opinion, business that provide the necessities are always a safe bet, but even more so in bad economic times. Some of the more notable ones are medical supplies, repair, cleaning, and senior care. Medical supplies and senior care are inevitable ones especially with the aging baby boom population.
Repair businesses are more on a rise as people turn from being so disposable oriented to fixing and salvaging things that are repairable. A luggage repair shop in my neighborhood has reported increased business and I believe that this will be the trend with other similar type of repair business.
Cleaning businesses will always have a place in the economy at any time, but as people begin to nest, they will demand a more orderly environment. In bad economies people tend to stay home more and make their homes as comfortable as possible. This is what marketers term nesting.
Other best business opportunities of this time are collection agencies, discount stores and chocolate. It goes without saying that more people will be slacking off on their financial obligations, thus requiring a need for more collection agencies.
People will also be looking for the best bargains that they can find in order to make their dollar stretch. The online markets will be booming since it is far easier to do research and comparison shopping online than in physical stores. Companies such as eBay, Amazon and the many small internet marketers who are able to provide properly researched product information and comparisons will do well. The big box type of discount stores such as Walmart, BJs, Sams and the small Dollar type stores will also fare well.
Quite surprisingly, chocolate will be in big demand as this is a well established comfort food that nesters will demand. In 2005 it is reported that Americans ate 5 pounds of chocolate per person and that's a lot of chocolate. You will find that people even splurge on really good chocolate so there is room for even the small gourmet chocolatier.If you can hitch your wagon on one of these aforementioned business, and you keep your overhead low, you have a good chance of surviving this turbulent economic time

Stratifikasi masyarakat

Stratifikasi Masyarakat
oleh: joko julianto

masyarakat itu terbagi dalam beberapa strata:
- masyarakat Ultra Modern.
- masyarakat Modern
- masyarakat Urban
- masyarakat Tradisionil
- masyarakat terbelakang.

Kesemua strata itu menerima stimulus yang sama dari budaya global (kebebasan, kemewahan, pornografi, kekerasan dan lain-lain).