Jobs Found Through Networking

Do you remember those things called "rolodexes"? You know...the big bulky things that sit on your desk with someone's handwritten name and phone number bunched in with a million others? Well, those are a thing of the past. If you can manage all your networking through an old-school rolodex, you must be doing something wrong. Networking has become an art, and requires finesse and much attention. Done right, networking can be your most powerful asset when it comes to finding a job.

When you think about it, your network of business contacts are really a lifeline that you can use should you encounter an emergency (i.e. being laid off). With that in mind, you should think of your networking list as something that should be checked on every now and then to make sure it's functioning properly. You wouldn't leave the same fire extinguisher in your house and hope it will do the job in 25 years if a fire should start up, right? No, you'd check it on a regular recommended schedule. You should follow the same theory when it comes to your business acquaintances.

Nowadays, list maintenance can be a little more efficient to manage utilizing software like LinkedIn or Naymz. You can keep in contact by connecting through profiles, which it is up to the individual to perpetually update. What's the benefit in that? Well, previously, before these networks existed, you may have had your ex-boss' business email address. If he happened to leave that job, and you've stopped communicating, and you try to contact him five years down the road, you have nothing to go on except a bounced email from an address that no longer works. Now, if you're using software like those mentioned above, the person can update their contact information constantly, even if they move from job to job, and there is no extra effort for you to keep up with them.

This is not to say that you should just make sure you add each business contact to your professional online profile and leave them there to rot without any communication. It's important for people to feel that networking is a two-way street when it comes to you. If you add no value, what value is it to them to be your acquaintance? Ask a business associate to catch up over lunch, send Christmas cards, or even just say "Hi" over a quick 10-minute call every now and then. Massage your contact list.

If you keep up with your networking, you should never be in a completely hopeless situation. You would be amazed who people know. Your plumber may be connected to the CEO of that IT firm you've been trying to get to hire you. Don't just limit yourself to business associates. Next time you're standing in line at the grocery store, introduce yourself to the person behind you. You never know...they could be the next Bill Gates.

To get the real tips, strategies, and time saving lessons on how to land your dream job, or for more free advice, visit: http://www.carvechi.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_Tee_Carson

The Networking Prophecy

As a champion networker, can you predict your networking success? Can you look into the future and see all of your endeavors and hard work fulfilled? Can you see yourself at the top of the mountain? Many professionals have visions for big success and use their positive thoughts, resources and hard sweat to achieve their business and social goals. There are ways in which professionals can gage their success and create a path of possibility to reaching their goals and objectives.

Listed below are specific ways in which professionals can claim their networking victories ahead of time!

Date Line

All prophecies have an expected date of completion. What is your predicted date of success? Is it within one month, one year or five years? Is this time frame realistic to seeing your networking endeavors come to pass? The best way to select a date is to make a list of steps needed to reach your objectives. These steps should be detailed and dated so that you can reach a date of completion for the mission.

Roll Call

Who are the key players in the fruition of your prophecy? Who is carrying the mantle of success or running the race to the finish line? Who or what is needed as a form of resources and contacts? How are their abilities, services and products valuable to reaching the networking goal? These are important questions to answer because they set the platform for the vision. These are workable tools that can be added or subtracted during the time process.

The Journey

To see a prophecy come to pass, there is usually a journey period. During this journey there can be tests and trials and as well as mini victories and triumphs. As a champion networker, what ways do you use to navigate through the journey? How can you sustain yourself or grow and develop during this period? Is it necessary to get a mentor or join a professional group of like minded individuals? Is it necessary to gain more training through reading books or attending workshops or classes?

Chi Chi Okezie is owner/producer of SIMPLEnetworking, LLC in Metro-Atlanta, GA. Newly published author of "SIMPLEnetworking: Creating Opportunities ... The new form of success!" View excerpts of the book and polish your professional approach: http://www.snseminars.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chi_Chi_Okezie

Dazed and Confused About Networking

Professionals, students and entrepreneurs who are testing the networking waters may find it a bit challenging on their first strokes. Networking is such an amazing and practical tool that it is important to know how to use it correctly. Being a champion at this game requires skill, talent and knowing the sometimes unwritten and unspoken rules. How can individuals who are new at networking develop the proper skills? How can use networking to advance academically and professionally? How can professionals feel comfortable in various environments? How can they communicate effectively with counterparts in order to build lasting relationships?

Listed below are simply tips that individuals can use for their first tries at networking.

According to Webster

To get a better understanding of networking, it is appropriate to find out what the dictionary says about it. It is the act of meeting people in a business atmosphere. People are encouraged to visit various websites of clubs, organizations and associations are read their mission statements. Find out what networking means to those groups and how they encourage their members to connect with each other and do business. Another good idea is to learn the basic etiquette tips for meetings and protocol. Find out the proper ways to dress for events, proper handshakes, giving out business cards and eating in formal settings. These are all common ways of interacting with others and behaving in public.

Book Worm

Take some time to read about networking and its benefits. Reading articles, books, blogs and the internet will help clarify any myths about networking and business. Select current reading material that is associated with your industry or profession. Learn about the key networkers and their character traits, tips and effective tactics. The more a person reads, the more confident they will be in their endeavors. Also, use this as an opportunity to create goals and objectives for professional and social success.

Kiddie Pool

Before a professional decides to dive into networking, we suggest attending different events as a guest of a friend or colleague. It is a good idea to tag along side a more seasoned networker and learn the ropes. Use this as an opportunity to meet new people and imitate your colleague or friends. It is important to pay close attention to their actions and gestures. Listen to their conversation and methods of interacting with others. Professionals should try to ask questions which can give insight on how to become a good networker.

Chi Chi Okezie is owner/producer of SIMPLEnetworking, LLC in Metro-Atlanta, GA. Newly published author of "SIMPLEnetworking: Creating Opportunities ... The new form of success!" View excerpts of the book and polish your professional approach: http://www.snseminars.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chi_Chi_Okezie

Network Marketing - Understanding the Source of Attraction

Attraction marketing is a method that has been in the business world for decades and it has never been publicized in network marketing. The reasons being that you are not able to duplicate according to many old school network marketers.

No wonder 99% of the people in this industry ever achieve a full time income. If you continue to ignore this method and really on making cold calling and emailing garbage lead you will be part of the 99% I just mentioned. I had a lot of experience with the old school way of network marketing and I knew right away that it wasn't for me.

I was very fortunate to learn and develop the method of attraction marketing. I began to focus on getting people to come to me instead of me trying to chase them around. You can definitely utilize this concept to become a better network marketer and start having people ask about your business. The problem that many newbies encounter is very simple. They are lead to believe that making the most calls to people they don't know is the best way to explode their business. They are told that putting the business first and hidden your face can duplicate. Well the truth is this is all wrong!

The key to making your business explode is to implement attraction marketing by branding yourself as a leader and building relationships with different people you encounter. Just like these people can learn from you there is a chance that you can learn something from them.

For more information feel free to click on link located in my resources box. Thank you.

The Differences Between Direct Sales and MLM Companies

For those who want to work from home or run their own business, two common ways to do so is through a direct sales business or a multi-level marketing company. Many people use the terms interchangeably, and although they can be similar, they aren't exactly the same thing. So, what is the difference between direct sales and MLM companies? Let's take a closer look to help you understand.

Direct Sales Business

A direct sales business is one in which you can work for an already established company. The company normally sells products or services and they look for representatives to help them do so. This allows an individual to become a representative via their own business and sell the company's products.

This makes it easier for someone to work for themselves without the overhead costs associated with starting a business from scratch. Many times the individual will also be able to sell the products without maintaining an inventory. This saves the rep money as well because there is no need to house the products yourself or pay for storage.

The company will already have packages set up that include product samples, promotional material and more for the representative to use. A good direct sales company will also provide training and other resources to help the business owner grow their business. These packages do cost money to purchase but many times it's a one-time fee and the individual will be able to use these items as long as they are working with the company.

You then use the material provided and sell the products of the company. In turn, the company pays you a percentage of all the sales you make. Depending on the company you are working with you might be able to set your own sales price and keep any money left over after you've paid for the items from the company.

For instance, let's say the cost for you to purchase an item is $1. According to the company's policy you are allowed to mark up the sales price to whatever you choose so you sell the item for $2. Once you receive the money from your customer, you pay the direct sales company their dollar and you keep the remaining dollar for yourself.

There are tons of direct sales companies out there that allow someone to start their own business by selling for them. A few common examples, that you may have heard of include, Avon, Tupperware, Home Interiors and Mary Kay.

These companies sell kitchenware, make up and other products but look to expand their company's profits by working with business owners around the world who like the idea of running their own business, but want the security of something already well established.

Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) Companies

With multi-level marketing companies, it's common to see the same names as you do with direct sales companies. As a matter of fact, most direct sales companies have some form of MLM in their business structure for those interested.

Multi-level marketing is just what its name implies - multi-levels of income potential. Let's use an example to help you understand how it works. You've just signed up with Company X to be a representative and sell their products to others. You've also been offered the opportunity to recruit others to also sell the products.

You book a party and the hostess (we'll call her Susan) decides she would like to sell Company X products as well. You sign Susan up and she becomes a member of your "down line." You will now make money from the sales received from your customers and you'll also make money when Susan sells products as well. Susan can do the same and depending on the company policy, you might be able to make money on sales that Susan's down line creates as well.

Although the terms direct sales and MLM are used interchangeably, they aren't the same thing. The reason is because most direct sales companies do not require their reps to participate in the multi-level aspect of the business. There is more money to be made when an individual chooses to recruit others, but for some that just isn't their cup of tea. Companies realize this and many are just as happy to offer both options to their potential representatives.

Is Network Marketing a Scam? What You Need to Know Before You Join MLM

After being in the home business industry for some time now, I always get the question is network marketing a scam. It's true that there is a huge failure rate in the business, but does that necessarily mean it's a fraud business? Well let's look a little further into the whole situation.

Most people quit, plain and simple. Either because they can't get enough leads or run out of money to support their business. So who's fault is it? The company or the person themselves. In our society today it is easy to point the finger and not take the blame for themselves. That doesn't mean that network marketing is a scam, it just means that they went into something not truly understand what it was.

Also, people come into it as a get rich quick. If you fell for this assumption, please back away now. A lot of people don't get rich quick, even though no other industry in the world has helped create more millionaires than MLM. The point is, you should always expect trial and error. If you continue to persist, there is no way you can fail.

Finally, you have to get proper training on how to run your business. Remember, the words network marketing, which the marketing aspect is rarely touched upon. Calling family and friends is what most people hate to do. Instead, you can acquire the proper training to attract interested prospects to you instead of the other way around.

The marketing aspect is a huge part of the business and unfortunately, is one of the main reason people tend to call network marketing a scam.

No matter what you do in network marketing, always expect a challenge, don't think your going to get rich fast, and get the proper training on marketing.

Of course there is much more to touch on but this should get you going on the right track.

Is There a Global Resorts Scandal Brewing?

If you are looking for an online business, there is no doubt you have stumbled onto Global Resorts Network. There have been many rumors about GRN. It's amazing how many half truths are being told about the company. Considering that Global has been in the travel business for over two decades should give you an indication that the company is not scandalous.

The company specializes in luxury resort vacations around the world. It has two different types of memberships - a three year "gold" membership and a lifetime "platinum" membership. The company touts over 5000 locations in 70 plus countries with members staying in 3-5 star resort accommodations.

Some insinuate that the vacations are bogus. Well, make an online reservation or by telephone to find out how easy it is to make a reservation, whether it be a spur of the moment booking or for a vacation with Global Resorts six months from now, this makes time shares obsolete.

The platinum package is a lifetime membership to a luxury resort vacation club. This membership provides you the opportunity to travel to over 5000 locations in over 70 countries staying in 3 - 5 star resorts.

You'll spend 8 days and 7 nights in a luxury resort for as little as $298.00, and that could be for as many as 6 adults if you book a 2 bedroom. In a 5 star resort, those kinds of prices are unheard of. So if someone asks you about the Global Resorts Network Scam, you can tell them what you know.

What about the business aspect of Global Resorts Network. Again, rumors fly. The compensation plan, perpetual leverage, is the main reason why there is absolutely no scandal here. This is one of the best home based business opportunities available right now.

Network Marketing - Only For the Serious Entrepreneur!

One of the things that intrigue me most about Network Marketing is that there are people who love it to the extreme, and there are people who are frozen with fear at the mere mention of the word.

Those who love it have all the reasons to. It has completely changed their lives, and in most case, these are ordinary people who were behind on their Mortgages or Credit Card payments and were just looking for an extra income, or maybe they had two jobs working 60 - 80 hours per week and was just looking for more time freedom or whatever the case may be, bottom line is that now they have more time and money to spend on themselves and their families.

The Fear Of Network Marketing!

Even with Endorsements by celebrity authors like Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump, there are many people who shudder at the thought of this business. This could be from a number of reasons.

From my experience, the main reason is the idea that it might be a pyramid scheme. We all have been duped before or we know of someone who has been. I personally lost over $23k before I became a successful network marketer, so because of this they become skeptical and totally closed minded to the endless possibilities with Network Marketing. Now I'm not saying there's anything wrong with being skeptical, in fact I think that a little skepticism is healthy, that way you will do your due diligence, but to be completely closed minded is another thing.

Do's and Don'ts

The other huge reason why I think people are nervous about starting in this business is caused by a few bad apples with some bad practices that are giving the industry a bad name. There are some things you just don't do:

• Never tell a prospect that it's easy, because its not. It may be simple but if it was easy everyone would be successful, so people come here with the wrong expectation thinking that they are going to make $30k per month next month. So they join up having no idea of the level of commitment that is necessary to be successful here.
• Never pester or force someone to join your opportunity. If it is a friend they wont be your friend for long besides, this makes you sound desperate and people don't join desperate, they join leaders.
• Always communicate and follow up with someone who has just joined your team, they are your responsibility. Make sure you provide leadership and proper training for them even if you have to pass them to your upline, but don't abandon them after you have collected their money.

So the bottom line is if you are serious entrepreneur, then Network Marketing is a great opportunity than can take you places you could never have imagined.

Work From Home Message Boards - What Are They?

During surfing on internet, you can find the up to dated subjects, which their protectors are trying to demonstrate. Those protectors access all web sites, forums, and even emails to promote their topic, or say their services. Message boards are among this type as well. You may receive endless work from home message boards.

Of course, you can find different sentences and styles, but all are directed to promote the same content along with the targeted plot, how to work from home message boards! Working from home, in fact becomes a newest idea that attracts the globalization nowadays. The idea of leaving the routine work of the monthly salary and stay at home, trying to work through it and at it may be great.

Working from home will save you the expenses of transport to and from the work place. It may save your crucial time as well. Yet, you have to put into your consideration not to commit any mistakes relating with selecting the suitable work for you, while trying to get the utmost benefits from working at Home Message Boards.

You have to realize that most of people have tended to use working of home message boards. They can find there some information of a category of business chance. If you try this method, you can find your targeted people and your opportunity to get a great business to do it from your home comfortably.

Well, since our aim is to understand well the secrets of Working from Home Message Boards, I would like to inform you that most persons who are hanging out at these works from home message boards are tire kickers. The reason is their trial of some type of service or product for one week only. As long as this does not work, they may go directly to another one. Thus, put into your consideration that giving a certain product bad feedback will not mean that this product is bad actually.

Therefore, if you wish to be successful in internet, you have to be dedicated and a hard-worker as well. Remember, the sky will not send your wealth as rain suddenly. Via work from home message boards, you can gain your wealth fast, as soon as you get involved with knowledge and skills standard. You have to keep into mind if your trial does not, you must continue your multi-trials regularly. At any given point, you will realize your target.

Despite some urge that there are many negative issues related with work from home message boards, you can try this method and wait until you catch your fish. Working from home message boards may be successful, especially if you trace the people who tried it before and use them as your model.

Discover the Top 5 Secrets to a Great Work at Home Business Opportunity!

How many times have you seen a great work at home business opportunity and thought it was too good to be true? Unfortunately, many of them are. Sometimes it seems as if the scams outnumber the legitimate business opportunities! You can avoid the scams and create your own at-home business by following these simple steps:

Do what you love. Working at home won't feel like a good deal if you are doing something you hate. Since you're working for yourself, make it something you love doing! Perhaps you have a favorite hobby that is begging to be made into a business. Maybe you enjoy helping people, and you have an idea for a home business that would allow you to do that all the time. Whatever it is that you do, make sure it is something you adore. If you love what you do, you will be willing to go the extra mile, and sometimes that's the defining ingredient between success and failure.

Find your niche. If you're serious about running your own business, you need to consider what the market needs from you. Do you provide a service that no one else can offer? Do you have skills that are in high demand? Are you in a position to offer those services to someone else? For instance, a good tailor is hard to find - if you know your way around a sewing machine, then you're in luck, and so are all those people who will seek you out to make those custom clothes they want so badly!

Promote yourself! When you run your own business from home, you are your own advertising. You serve as your own manager, publicist, receptionist, and advertiser. With your work at home business opportunity, you will have to be willing to toot your own horn! Getting creative with your advertising will get your name out there, and that name-recognition will bring in more business. Promoting yourself may sometimes seem difficult because so often we equate self-promotion with arrogance or conceit.

Recognize that you are running a business, and if you don't tell everyone about how great it is, you won't have any customers...that's not conceit. That's smart business!

Be patient. Have a backup plan if the business doesn't get off the ground immediately. The reality almost always never meets our expectations, so give yourself some breathing room. Plan your finances carefully, so if you don't have a profit coming in by the time you thought you would, you won't be in serious financial trouble. That is the kind of stress you really don't need, especially when you are changing your career course.

Finally, recruit support. If you have a good support system behind your work from home business, the setbacks will seem like simple bumps in the road. Without encouragement from those around you, one simple setback might make you feel as though you have failed. A great deal of your success lies in your attitude, and if you have a good support system behind you, you will make the most out of your work at home business opportunity.

Want to Make Extra Money? Try Online Work at Home!

Online work at home is becoming more and more popular. Why? In the current economy, workers are being laid off from large companies by the hundreds. The cost of daycare has gone up, and that means many families are feeling the pinch of letting someone else take care of their children while they go to work. The hike in gas prices has made those long commutes more expensive than ever, and the cost of living is going up even as salaries may be going down.

There has never been a more practical time to look into online work at home.

When you work online, you're saving a ton of money. Your workplace is simple - you need a computer and a desk where you can organize all your paperwork. You don't need a specialized wardrobe, and your commute takes only seconds. For those with children, working online at home takes away the burden of daycare, and juggling schedules to deal with a sick child becomes a thing of the past.

When you start your search for online work at home, go into it with the mind of a researcher. You're not looking for the job offers that promise a lifetime of riches! You're looking for good, steady work that provides a solid income. Write down the sites you are interested in, and when you have a long list, go back through and shorten it. You can eliminate those that require you to invest money in order to get hired. Avoid those that have excessive typos and grammar mistakes - it smacks of an unprofessional site, probably one that has been thrown together quickly. This signals a business you are probably better off not dealing with.

Do pay attention to the sites that ask for a resume and information about your current and past jobs. Have a resume ready to go, along with a polished and interesting cover letter. You are applying for a job, just as you would if you walked into the office building downtown and spoke with someone who was interested in hiring you - just because a business hires through the internet does not mean you should slack off in your efforts to present yourself in the very best light!

Once you begin looking for online work at home, you will come across businesses that are little more than scams. Protect yourself against them by doing proper research! Check out the company by doing an internet search on them. Get a contact email and phone number for someone who can answer your questions. A reputable business will be more than ready to address all of your concerns, and they will probably have a legitimate address for a home office. Always check them out!

Online work at home is a great way to supplement your income, and it might turn into a full-time job that provides you with an excellent income. Go into the search with your research cap on, and you will be pleasantly surprised at the great opportunities that come your way!

Work at Home Moms Know the Secret! Do You?

Do you want to be one of those lucky work at home moms who gets to spend great, quality time with her children? I know many work at home moms who believe that leaving the world of big business and forming their own niche was the best thing they could have done for themselves and their families. It wasn't easy, though - it took time, patience, and more than a few missteps before they figured out the secret to being a work at home mom.

Have you ever wondered how you would cope with a full-time job as well as having kids underfoot all day long? That's the dilemma faced by work at home moms. They have the full responsibilities of being a mother, while juggling the workload of having their own business. Being a work at home mom takes focus! You have to be able to multi-task and juggle a multitude of things, much more so than you would if you went to an office everyday. In an office setting, the workload is shared among employees. That's an advantage the work at home mom doesn't have.

So what's the secret to being a work at home mom? How do you handle everything and pull it off with style and aplomb?

The secret lies in careful planning. A big calendar, with huge blocks to hold all the obligations that might come up, is a necessity for work at home moms! That big calendar will help you stay disciplined as well. If you have a dozen things that need to be done by the end of the next day, seeing them lined up in order on your calendar will be incentive to set your alarm an hour earlier, or to budget your time more wisely.

The work at home mom often winds up working hard during the times the kids are lying down for their nap. When the kids are older and start school, that "free" time during the day is a goldmine, and most of the work winds up being budgeted during those quiet hours. If it's difficult to get some quiet time, eventually a work at home mom might wind up hiring someone to help out for a few hours a week. After all, it's hard to make business calls when the children are running in and out of the room!

Work at home moms know it's also important to get out once in a while. When you work at home, it's easy to get stuck in a rut and hardly ever leave the house. If the only time you're going out on the town is to take the kids to the doctor or go to the grocery store, you can begin to lose your sense of identity and individuality rather quickly. Work at home moms have learned that the key to staying happy in your job is having an outlet to get you away from it every now and then.

Typing Jobs From Home

Are you interested in typing jobs from home? The ability to work in your own time and from the comfort of your own home is very appealing, and in the current economic climate, you may find you need some extra money just to pay the mounting bills.

Type at home is a very popular way to make money online: it's easy to do, you don't require any special experience, and all you really need to get started is your computer and an Internet connection.

But first, let's dispel one of the myths about typing jobs from home (also know as online data entry). Online jobs are not the same as offline, in that you are not working for an employer - you are working for yourself. So basically you are creating a home business, rather than working for someone.

In turn, that also means you are not earning a weekly wage. Instead, your earnings are dictated by the amount of work you put in. The more work you do, the more you get paid. And the more work you do in the beginning, the better it will be for you financially, later on.

So how do we get started with typing jobs from home? The best way is to join a typing program that will teach you what to do - yes, there is usually a small one time fee involved, but if you really are new to making money online, it's almost a necessity. Sure, there's plenty of information available for free online, however if you were to spend time sifting through it all and looking for a legitimate typing opportunity then you'll probably waste a lot of time and energy.

With a program you can just get started straight away - on joining you get access to a members area with step by step instructions and a database of companies that you can work with. Typing jobs from home will generally involve typing advertisements for companies and submitting them online. When a sale is made through the ad you typed, you earn a commission.

In my signature you'll find a review of a great data entry program that I have used. Please check it out, it's a must read if you want to start making money online typing.

Small Home Office Decorating Ideas! Your Guide to Creating the Home Office of Your Dreams

Having only a small space to work with has its disadvantages. However, with a bit of focus and forethought, you can design a home office that is not only practical and functional, but is also conducive to your style and personality. This holds true when accessorizing any room in your home. The only difference being that when you design a small home office you would want to choose space conservative options as it pertains to a work station, shelving, storage and lighting.

It obviously would not be practical to purchase large bulky pieces of furniture when creating your perfect small home office. The workstation/desk is the centerpiece, focal point, and most used piece of furniture in any home office.

There are various options to choose from when selecting this important feature. Two of these options include compact and wall-mounted desks. They are both practical for a small home office and each has its pros and cons, which are largely dependent on your unique style and needs.

Compact Desks are wonderfully suited for your small home office if you have ample space for storage furniture such as a file cabinet, bookcase, or an optional room divider.

Wall Desks are ideal if you desire an all-in-one solution that includes space for both your computer system and office supplies.

Designing a Functional Small Home Office

When designing a functional small home office, you would need to consider four essential elements. These include the wall color, lighting, storage and organizational needs of your small home office.

All these factors are important in creating an ideal workflow that would, in turn, increase productivity.

Setting the Mood of Your Small Home Office with Use of Color

The use of color is essential in the functionality of your home office, as it will help to create a particular "mood" as you enter the space. Will you be seeing clients in your home office? Do you want your home office to be warm and inviting? Do you want your home office to blend in with the rest of your home's décor? Do you want your office to be stimulating and conducive to creativity or calm and relaxing?

These are just a few of the questions you need to ask yourself before choosing a wall color for your small home office. It is also important to remember that some colors can make the small space appear even more cramped and may not lend to a spacious feel.

According to behr.com, wall color can lighten the mood and improve productivity in your home office. Here is a run down of colors on the color wheel and what "mood" you can achieve with their use.

* Cool Colors - greens, blues and purples are shown to have a calming affect. If you are easily stimulated, it may be helpful to choose a cool wall color to help you relax and "get down to business".

* Warm Colors - reds, yellows and oranges give any space a warm, inviting feel. These colors are also invigorating and can help to awaken your creativity. As a word of caution, warm, muted tones should be chosen over bright, bold colors as they tend to be distracting and may not be conducive to productivity.

* Whites - perfect to give your small home office an open spacious feel. However, too much white can be straining on the eyes. A wonderful alternative is to use another wall color, but have white as an accent color or for trim and moldings. This would give your small home office a crisp, clean look.

* Neutrals - earth tones such as charcoal, umber, ochre and sienna would be ideal if your small home office is open to other rooms within your home. A neutral wall color would blend perfectly with other surrounding color choices. Neutrals are also not considered distracting and would aid in keeping your mind centered on the "business at hand".

Meeting the Lighting Needs of Your Small Home Office

There are three ways to light your home office. These include:

* Ambient Lighting
* Task Lights
* Accent Lights

All these play a part in striking the right balance between business and pleasure in your small home office.

Ambient Lighting

Basically, ambient lights provide lighting for the whole room. This can be accomplished through the use of ceiling light fixtures, torchieres and table lamps. Ambient light fixtures are a necessity in any small home office as they account for the majority of illumination in the space.

Those on a budget can afford stylish ambient lighting for their small home office by purchasing torchieres or floor lamps. There are a plethora of lighting accessories to choose from in either a local furniture store or on-line. One such on-line store that provides a wide selection of torchieres, ceiling light fixtures and table lamps is LampsPlus.com.

Task Lights

Task lights are another home office necessity and provide directional or focused lighting for reading, filling out paper work, working on the computer, etc. Many task lights come with the added feature of an adjustable base that allows you to direct the light where you need it most. These light fixtures help to avoid eyestrain and headaches, thereby, boosting productivity.

Accent Lights

Unlike ambient and task lights, accent lights are viewed as optional. However, they are useful in adding a decorative element to any space. If you want to showcase a particular object or wall hanging, then accent lights are ideal. The use of accent lights in your small home office may be just what is needed to add a personal touch to your office's décor.

Storage Furniture in Your Small Home Office

As mentioned previously, if you choose a wall desk, it includes space not only for your computer, but additional storage for office supplies. This may alleviate the need for some office furniture. However, you may find that you still need a bookshelf and file cabinet. If your office space doubles as a bedroom or other living area, you may desire to purchase a room divider as well.

Before purchasing additional office furniture, it is important to measure the area to ensure that you buy pieces that accommodate the space in your small home office. This will help to alleviate the hassle of having to return merchandise when you discover that the piece is too large for the space.

You would also want to consider the arrangement of your furniture pieces in your small home office. By placing the pieces in an "L" or "U" shape, all supplies would be in easy reach. Some experts purport that arranging your furniture pieces in this fashion would boost your productivity.

Two options that would provide needed storage are modular bookcases and room dividers that have bookcases built right in. The second option serves two purposes in that it lends both privacy and shelving for office supplies, books, etc.

Bookcases are also designed with adjustable shelves, which accommodate oversized books and supplies and those with doors. Those with doors would add a stylish and personalized touch to your home office's décor.

When deciding on a file cabinet, there are several things you should ask yourself before making a purchase. Some of these include:

* Do you work primarily with legal or letter size paper? Some file cabinets only accommodate for one or the other. However, some are available that would provide storage for both.

* Is your storage needs more conducive to a vertical or lateral file cabinet?

* Will you be filing important documents? If you are, make sure that you inquire specifically if a particular file cabinet of interest is fire resistant.

* Do you want to ensure that the file cabinet will not tip over (who doesn't right)? There are file cabinets available with an internal locking system that will only allow you to open one drawer at a time and those equipped with a safety device that would guard against the file cabinet from tipping if several drawers were opened at once.

This may appear to be a lot to consider, but it is best to answer these questions beforehand as it will save you from having to return or exchange items that are not conducive to your small home office needs.

Staying Organized: Essential in Any Small Home Office

One important factor that affects productivity is organization. By storing items you use frequently in an area that is easily assessable would increase what is accomplished each day by decreasing the amount of time it takes to retrieve essentials.

Experts at OnlineOrganizing.com state to have "a world of organizing solutions" and have suggestions on how to organize your home office to promote efficiency. They recommend that the least needed storage files should be furthest away from your workstation in an inactive "work zone" and those items used frequently need to be close at hand.

A simple solution would be to have three different storage zones that include items used frequently, occasionally and rarely.

Storage Zone One - Frequently Used Items

These items need to be easily accessible. One idea would be to place papers you need on a daily basis in a bin on your desk. If you have books that you use each day, consider locating them on a wall-mounted shelf above or near your desk. Another solution would be to designate the shelf in your bookcase that is most easily accessible as the area to place books you use frequently.

Storage Zone Two -- Occasionally Used Items

These are items used from time to time but not on a daily basis. You would want to keep these items in your "work zone", but their accessibility does not need to be at "arms length" as is preferable with items used frequently.

For example, you could store these essentials in a file cabinet under your desk. If you had books you use occasionally, you could store them in the highest shelf, or the one directly above the one that is most easily accessible.

Storage Zone Three - Rarely Used Items These are basically archived files. You could purchase a different cabinet for these files and they would not necessarily need to be in your "work zone".

For books you rarely use, you could designate the lowest shelf in your bookcase for their storage. This would eliminate the need to bend down often, as you would only need to retrieve these books or rare occasions.

Although it only takes seconds to bend or stoop, over a day's time, these seconds add up, therefore, decreasing your overall productivity.

Designing a Personal Home Office

This is where you can add a few personal touches to your small home office. A few ideas would be:

* Include a few family photos or pictures that are relaxing or lift your spirits. If you want to bring a little of the outdoors in, you could incorporate a vase of flowers or a few potted plants for greenery.

* Include items in your small home office that reduce stress. This would not only add a personal touch - as these items would be unique to you - but may also boost productivity. Two such items could include a stress ball to squeeze or a small basketball hoop placed along the wall to shoot baskets when things get a little tense.

* Include a water element, such as a small water fountain or fish aquarium. This would not only aid in relaxation, but would add a decorative touch to your small home office.

Summary: Creating the Perfect Balance in Your Small Home Office It may not be effortless, but you can create a small home office that is not only professional but also includes elements that are unique to your personality and style in home furnishings.

To sum up, Practicality + Functionality + Personality = a small home office that is both personal and professional.

You also want to ensure that your small home office is conducive to productivity and exudes professionalism. This is especially important if you "entertain" clients and business associates in the space.

However, you don't want to exclude personal touches altogether as this is one of the many advantages to working from home. You are basically your own boss and call the shots per se. Isn't that the allure of working from home in the first place?

It is important to find the perfect balance of business and pleasure without one interfering with the other. If you frequently have clients in your small home office, it may be essential that it retains a professional look and feel and may not allow for too many personal touches. You also wouldn't want your "personal" items to interfere with your workflow and productivity. However, you can still express your style in the furnishings you choose for the space.

These are all points you should consider when creating your small home office. With forethought, you can design a working environment that is not only conducive to productivity, but also expresses your unique style and personality.

Tameka Norris has been living in small spaces since she was 10 years old. She now runs a website titled Furniture for Small Spaces to help people who go through the same frustrating circumstance of trying to make big bulky furniture fit in places that barely offer enough room. She offers nifty tips and tactics, a Q & A section for people in need of answers, photos of her own small space trials, projects for the DIYer and recommendations on furniture choices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tameka_Norris

Internet Home Based Business - How to Make it Really Pay Big Money

You can make your internet home based business pay big money by considering the following factors regarding the jobs available. Whichever job you choose, you can make it pay off handsomely by concentrating on doing the job and getting it right. Part of getting the job right is to do what you enjoy doing. You will be much more comfortable with the work and it will lead to a higher level of job satisfaction. Of course, you will want to choose the work that will pay the best for the type of work you enjoy. In addition to the active work that you accomplish, consider looking at the passive job opportunities available with passive income.

Stay Focused

An important aspect of an internet home based business that pays money well is the ability to concentrate fully on the work that you are doing. This includes working during the time that you have set aside as work time and not doing procrastination type activities that will waste your time so that you are not being as efficient in your efforts as you should be to make the business pay. You will find that by staying focused, you may not need to work as long in order to accomplish the same amount of work.

Do What You Like

When you have an internet home based business that reflects your favorite activities and abilities, you are certain to be doing things you like to do and you are more likely to make the job pay. A person who is in love with the work they do will be paid not only financially, but in terms of job satisfaction as well. It's important to love what you do in order to make it pay. Choose only the job that is your passion and the financial benefits will soon follow.

Passive Income

Increase the income from your internet home based business by including passive income along with the regular income opportunities. This is particularly applicable if you have created a web page or blog to showcase your home business. You simply add pay-per-click ads like those in Google AdSense program to your existing web site and gain the benefit of passive income from the proceeds of those ads. The more traffic that comes to your web site, the more likelihood that your passive income will increase. All this is without any extra effort on your part.

Look for the best opportunities

Another factor that you must consider when you are deciding on the best internet home based business for you is that of income. Yet, even though a higher income may make a specific job more appealing to you, it should not be the only factor that affects your choice. You must consider all the opportunities that will come with a specific job in order to make the choice work for you. In other words, the highest paying per unit tasks may require much longer to complete each task, so it may not be the best opportunity for income.

The Absolute Truth About Home Based Business Magazine

One way to learn more about online business is by reading it through home based business magazine. There are lots of good information inside a home based business magazine and the information probably are better than online. The reason is because a publisher of magazine needs to provide a better quality information, otherwise people will not purchase the magazine itself.

You might want to try out Internet business as your part time income to support your family or pay your bills. Some information provided on the Internet might be a little bit costly for you. So, if you have a tight budget, you don't have to worry because you can still buy a home based business magazine at local bookstores. You can check your local library as well to borrow any books or magazines related to online business. This can save you a lot of your money because the membership fee to become a library member is quite cheap.

Home based business magazine can teach you how to setup a website, where to get a cheap domain name and hosting company. It contains several tips and tricks on how to make your website more user friendly so that whoever reach your website will stay longer and digest whatever information you provided there. You can also learn how to write a good sales copy even though you have not write any before.

Your website will not make any money if you don't have enough visitors to your website. You need to learn how to get traffic for free by learning through home based business magazine. Of course, there are paid traffic as well but if you are new to this online business, you need to stay away from paid traffic and use only free traffic. Free traffic includes blog, social networking and bookmarking, article writing, press release and so many more. Once you have used all the free traffic method, then only you can try to learn more about paid traffic to improve your sales.

In fact, if you can do some heavy search engine optimization and conquer the first two pages of any major search engines, you can rest assure your income will increase dramatically. You can get more strategies on how to do this by reading home based business magazine. You need to be careful though, if your website is rank number one today, it does not mean it will stay that rank forever because your competitors will do their very best to get on top as well. That is why learning and using lots of free traffic method is always the best.

Now get out there and start looking for the best home based business magazine for yourself. If you are serious in making money online, you can always achieve the dream of having a six figure income per year.

10 Smoking Resources to Boost Your Data Entry Work at Home Jobs

Besides having the necessary skills a data entry work at home agent can greatly increase their job prospects and ultimately their income by having the right equipment.

Letting companies know that you are already set up with the right equipment is a surefire way to say hire me. It lets them know that you are not just another data entry work at home searcher, who wants to sit at home and earn a substantial income. But instead, you are a professional, reliable, candidate that should be taken seriously.

Online, the more serious a client feels about you the better your prospects for continuous jobs, a raise and, in some cases, a few benefits. Heres a way to see how attractive you are as a candidate, take a look at the list below and see how many of the following you have.

1. A computer with high speed internet connection:
Don't walk, run to your nearest office supply location if you don't have your own computer. It will be difficult to land a good pay data entry work at home job without it.

2. A business line:
Having your own toll free number is a major plus. Having a business line, separate from your home or cell phone number, will make you seem more professional.

3. All-in-one:
Sure you can opt for a separate, copier, printer, scanner and fax machine but I dont know too many home offices that can afford that much space. An all-in-one is a good way to get the job done and increase the space in your home office. The fax machine for instance, is heavily relied upon among data entry work at home agents.

4. Optical Character Recognition (OCR):
The faster you can get work done, the better. An OCR is a great time saver. It is a scanner that allows you take a handwritten, type written or printed text and translate it into machine-editable text. If you wrote an article or letter by hand for a client, you could save time by feeding it into an OCR and then editing the file using a word processor.

5. A project manager/calendar system:
Organization is crucial when you are a work at home data entry clerk. An electronic calendar program lets you edit entries, track time, interchange dates, and print hard copies for your records. You can find free versions of these programs from some online search engines.

6. Business cards:
Soliciting your own work is vital to your data entry success. Besides looking online, attending chamber of commerce meetings with business cards ready can introduce you to more people and more clients.

7. A website:
While many data entry work at home agents manage with just an email address, having your own website is an additional benefit. You can send prospective clients there to view past work, your skills, ect. Its like a 24 hour bragging system.

8. Transcribing Machine:
Having a transcribing machine can increase your data entry work at home job prospects. You can transcribe for law firms, religious sermons, focus groups, medical offices, and educational seminars to list a few.

9. Form processing software:
If you are a freelance data entry work at home agent then having form processing software will also widen your job avenue. Most data entry companies provide you with this tool. However, many of them overcharge and of course you need to be wary of scams. Having your own will save you some headache.

10. Book keeping software:
Now that you work from home you are responsible for your own earnings, expenses and taxes. Book keeping software is essential.

The more tools and resources you have to help you do the job, the more data entry work at home jobs you can apply for. Legitimate companies want to work with someone who already has and is proficient with the equipment needed.

Stay at Home Mom Internet Opportunities

Working moms and stay at home moms everywhere are looking for creative way to earn extra income so they can spend more time doing the things they enjoy most. Spending time with their children is the highest priority and they are willing to do whatever they can, within reason, to ensure they have the valuable family time needed now days.

With the dynamic schedule that is required for moms in general the Internet is a perfect fit, because in most cases you can work whenever you choose. You can work from the comfort of your home or from anywhere you have a computer and access to the Internet. In many cases stay at home moms have blocks of time more so than a predetermined large block of time. The Internet job opportunities allow these small blocks of time to work well.

What types of choices to work at home moms have with the Internet? If you do some research and I suggest that you do you will find opportunities such as:

1. Rebate Processing

2. Coupon Processing

3. E-mail Processing

4. Data Entry

5. Type At Home

6. Paid Surveys

7. Medical Transcriptions

8. Chat Room Operators

9. Online Retail Store

10. Online Dollar Store

I have mentioned only a few of the choices you have, but you can see there are plenty of work at home and home based businesses to choose from. You need to identify you current skill sets, time available on a weekly basis, comfort zone and income objectives. It's best to match any program along these lines to give yourself the best chance for success.

Don't do like many people do and simply join the first program you see promising you the moon for doing nothing. If it seems to good to be true it more than likely is. All you will do is lose your time and waste your money.

Take your time. You might want to use a website like mine, but not necessarily mine that has done some level of research for you or do the research yourself. It is important that you do one or the other. Perhaps even both.

Work at home programs require patience and a little time to get up and running but in the end I have found that the time required decreases as your income increases. This will vary depending on what type of business or work at home opportunity you choose. Each person's results are different depending on the program and effort applied.

The Freedom of Free Work From Home Jobs

There is one industry that has continued to grow year on year and that is the work at home self employed market. More and more people are choosing to stay at home and work rather than commute.

Every one has different reasons for choosing to do this. Necessity is a popular reason you may have opted to work at home. If you have children the cost of childcare plus commuting costs are making it too expensive to work the traditional 9 to 5 job. You work all day and miss the kids growing up and you are no better of financially at the end of the month.

Another popular reason for you to want to work for yourself at home is dissatisfaction with your employer or boss. This isn't just that you want a change of job, you are fed up with the way employers treat you. There is not the job satisfaction, the conditions of work are getting no better, work demands are always increasing but not your wage and the threat of redundancy is always round the corner.

It's no wonder more people choose to work from home each year and benefit from not having to fight their way through traffic jams every morning and again in the evening. You can work the hours you want to work to fit in with your lifestyle and your family commitments. You can take time out whenever you want without having to get special permission and enjoy greater flexibility with your time.

Alternatively you may just be looking to supplement your income or you may be a mum who can spare a few hours a day but can't get out of the house. Either way working from home allows you to work the number of hours you want when you want. If you wanted you could do your work when the kids have gone to bed or you may want to work a few hours in the morning or at lunch time.

So what are the types of job that are available on the internet that you can do from home. Surprisingly there are lots of different types of jobs so depending on your level of skill and experience and the number of hours you want to work. You could do data processing, completing surveys and polls, or be a mystery shopper although this job does require you to visit shops for part of the work.

2 Keys to Online Home Business Success

An online home business is a dream that many people have. More time with loved ones, financial security, and a life of ease and freedom is something that everyone would love to have. If everyone would love to have this type of lifestyle, then why are there not more people working from home?

I have never been one to beat around the bush or sugar coat anything, I am a "no fluff, no bull" kind of person and I will tell you why most people do not succeed in an online home business.

The first and foremost reason that people do not succeed is the time factor involved. Most people who want to start an online home business are working shift jobs for someone else and barely making ends meet. When they jump into the online home business arena they are under the misconception that all they have to do is put in a few hours work per week and they will succeed.

While this "can" work it will be slow and you should not quit your day job. To truly succeed you need to understand the time commitment involved in any online home business and be prepared. If you thought your 8 hour work day and 40 hour work week was grueling you have not seen anything yet.

To succeed with an online home business you must be prepared to spend as many hours as it takes to get you day's work done. I have owned an online home business for more than 10 years now and I still work 4 to 6 hours per day. In the beginning there were a great many 12 to 14 hour days as well.

The second reason that many people fail with an online home business is failure to research the opportunity. Too many people simply grab the first opportunity that they are presented with and try to run with it. They never explore other opportunities. One of the keys to online home business success is to be happy with the business that you are trying to develop. Do not settle for the first opportunity that falls in your lap.

Starting and running a successful online home business requires a major commitment of time. To succeed you should learn everything that you can before deciding on what your niche will be in the online home business world. Read what others write about their business, they have in many cases been in business for years. Learn from them before you dive in.