My 2¢ Worth

'm going to keep this short today. My back and neck hurt - I need to get away from this computer. I've been doing some marathon Web designing at the time of this writing.

've put together about 25 pages in the course of an afternoon and evening. I had to remind myself to stop and eat supper.

here's a rather large site I've been working on and I want to have it done by Friday. There's around 10 more pages left, so I should be able to get it done now without any more marathons.

ell it's about 12:30am Wednesday night. I'm going to wrap this up and hit the sack. Enjoy the issue.

Feature Article

Business Collection: How To Make Sure You Get Paid

by: Michael Riley Tips for Marketing, Growth, and Prosperity

Dealing with business collection is something that every company faces at some point. A single client in collections can hurt your business, not only financially, but also in terms of frustration and lost time. The good news is that you can easily avoid most situations that would leave you in the lurch if you follow some basic steps.

Here are five key areas of business collection that every decision-maker needs to cover in order avoid using a collection agency and to maximize the chances of getting paid on time:

#1 - Do top-quality work

One of the most common justifications for customers not paying their bills is claiming that the work wasn't done properly. Disputes can leave you in collection limbo for months, even years. And many businesses just give up.

Time is money. The quicker you get in and out with quality work, the more you make. The key is to do what you contract to do.

Most business owners take pride in their work. But if your client perceives a compromise in quality it could give them an excuse to delay payment.

A thorough understanding of your client's expectations is vital. To make sure you're clear about what you're expected to produce:

#2 - Communicate clearly with your clients

Unrealistic expectations about a job can lead to delays in getting paid if the end results aren't what your clients envisioned. Don't assume that they see the same mental picture that you do, or understand the necessary steps and costs involved. Spell it out for them up front.

Brief your employees and subcontractors to communicate changes and problems to you right away. Also, make sure that your people treat your clients with respect and courtesy. Tension and conflict only cause communication to break down.

And good intentions and clear communication must be backed up by thorough documentation:

#3 - Do all of the paperwork

Business collection is almost always a no-win scenario if you can't back up your claims. Without proper documentation, you could find yourself in a "he-said, she-said" situation that leads to a dead end when you try to collect. You're not insulting your client by requiring a written agreement, or for any subsequent changes to be agreed in writing.

#4 - Evaluate your potential client before you contract

You should feel comfortable that the people you contract with are good and reasonable. Some won't pay until you force them into collections. You have to trust your gut instinct. Go with that, and not your wallet!

You'll probably have at least two or three chances to interact before making a commitment in writing. People give off all kinds of indications that result in our having a feeling about them. Look for obvious warning signs, such as being asked to work without a written contract, or to accept changes without documentation. If you're a subcontractor, make sure that you pay attention to the general contractor's reputation. Don't assume that you will be an exception to their noteworthy practices.

There's nothing wrong with researching your prospects. Check them out, especially if you're working for them for the first time, because they will almost always check you out!

And you'll save yourself a lot of time and frustration when you:

#5 - Have a plan

Every company should have a plan that details, at minimum, its procedures for business collection. Most potential problems can be easily avoided by following an effective blueprint for doing business.

The longer a problem continues, the worse it gets. Don't let it fester. Problems often intensify simply because the business owner isn't prepared to address them. Don't be shy about covering yourself! Your best bet is to avoid the extra work and frustrations involved with business collection.

**************

The best mentors for small business owners are people who run successful businesses themselves. For more information on collecting past-due accounts and other tips to help you prosper in your venture, please visit our website to read more of what these business veterans have to say on a variety of topics. www.bymichaelriley.com/

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Second Article

Latest New Thing To Hit The Internet - Can You Guess It?

by: Paul Legge Niche Marketing & Cash2Burn

Answer, Niche Marketing of course.

Thousands of people join the Internet community each and everyday. Millions from all around the World are already surfing the Net and considering the possibility of starting a new business from home. Why would anyone want to pursue such an interest? Well, for one, building and earning some extra residual income, of course.

From my experience, I'm sure one of the main reasons would be, they're tired of working for someone else in the work a day World. How about YOU? Believe it or not, Internet marketing has become the #1 method for average people, guys and gals, young and old alike, to finally achieve a level of success running a business from the comfort of their own home. Even those less educated with the right guidance, training and support can achieve success now a days. Incredibly enough, armed with the power of a PC and combined with an Internet connection, there are unlimited resources and options available today.

Being one of the latest crazes, Niche Marketing has had a lot of attention lately. If you have ever considered joining the ranks of Internet marketing, then this may be for you.

Why?

The main reason being, you can choose a market about something you already love and enjoy doing. That's what makes it so powerful. You already have a good understanding and knowledge on a subject that basically you are sharing with others which helps them learn from your experience.

For example, when I was going to buy a pet guinea pig for my kids, I simply did a search for some articles written by people who already actually have owned one to see what tips, tricks and suggestions they had to offer. It sure did help to get me started and there was information that I knew about too. This is priceless as it is compiled from real peoples experiences and that is what makes it so useful.

With so many offers floating around on the Net now a days, one should definitely take some time to research and do their homework before joining or starting any program or business on the Internet. That way you know what you're getting into and what to expect. Do you have a Niche?

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Paul's an average person who worked in a local factory for years. He started out on the Internet in 1995 and not too long ago created his first web site. www.cash2burn.com/ - 10 simple steps to Niche Marketing.

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