After that, I looked at a number of cameras to buy: XTI, XSI, D300, 40D and D80. You can’t really say any of them is a bad camera , since the photo quality is very good in all of them . They only differed in price  ,  as well as usability and the features  . The price was too high for the D300 and the 40D. In XTI’s case, the camera is pretty old by now (though still good and the price is accessible). A good camera, the D80 is also a bit old, so it lacks some features, like sensor cleaning, or the lack of bundled VR lenses . It was launched in 2006, so you can find something more advanced this year. 

The final choice was an XSI camera that I bought from Amazon. It fits my small hands well and it comes with a set of buttons that do most of the things I need, without messing around in the menu too much. Card formatting and modifying the white balance is still done through the menu though. The auto ISO feature is better in my old camera, the D70. But these are the only things I can say bad about it. It’s a great camera otherwise. It takes very good photos while doing little noise. The skin tones are good (I regularly take photos of my wife and daughter). You can also see the RGB histogram, which allows you to see when you clip individual colors.

If the Nikon D80 came with as many features like the XSI, I in all probability would’ve gone with it. I’m talking about features like a sensor that is self-cleaning, highlight tone priority and bundled VR lens.

But, since it doesn’t, the best SLR camera for me is the XSI right now.

Business Christmas cards are a way of showing existing clients the business’s thanks and hoping all of them good will for the Christmas season. Potential customers can be wooed into at the very least a look at the company by the coming of pleasant and uplifting business Christmas cards wishing a good holiday season. Sometimes supplying campaigns in the form of coupons or discounts can raise the interest in checking out what the business might have to offer. A good organization recognizes the importance of showing gratitude to consumers in addition to seeking new clients. The Christmas season is a great season to perform both tasks well.

Christmas is the time of year when many companies distribute business Christmas cards to consumers using an extensive list put together from their records of past and existing clients. Companies order tasteful cards that offer messages of good cheer with the business logo printed there as well. Business Christmas cards can be stylish and inspiring or they may be easy going and funny, regardless of the company decides would best suit their image and convey the season’s wishes this year. Card companies offer an eclectic blend of choices where there is sure to be one that is appealing to the business involved.

Sending out Christmas cards is really a boost from day to day advertising in that the period is rife with glittery ads whereas a simply stated attractive business Christmas card promoting good wishes and hopes for future years is an appreciative measure for existing clients and a tempting message for prospective ones. As soon as consumers have seen the card they will remember the company that made the gesture if the need arises later on for the product or service offered. Actions of good will such as this can go a long way in the business world, in the holiday period as well as the rest of the year.

The reason EasyFundraisers.org works with organizations that have this status is simple – under this code the organizations have multiple benefits that are passed on to donors and the people the non-profit helps support or represents. Organizations that have a 501(c)(3) status don’t need to pay a federal income tax on the monies they receive. This means donations go further in their organization. In addition, they are able to offer donors a tax deduction for their contributions. After weeks of getting bids from print companies and mailing houses EasyFundraisers.org has finally begun to receive our materials and the operation of packaging and preparing them for mailing has started! We cannot begin to tell you how much fun EasyFundraisers.org had affixing NCCF’s logo to numerous zip lock bags! Typically the best fundraisers and easy fundraisers are those that are simple to implement, organize, and get a large return. That’s why it is a great idea to work with EasyFundraisers.org, our method of fundraising is zero-cost, and zero-hassle for non-profits. Not forgetting the potential for returns are great and we do everything!

For those that  haven’t heard of it, a S.M.A.R.T. goal is an acronym that helps shape the goal.  Here are what the letters mean:

• S = Specific
• M = Measurable
• A = Agreed Upon
• R = Realistic
• T = Time Bound

If your school’s goal doesn’t contain these components, then it is boundto fail. Several schools simply hold a fundraiser and just expect it to work. However, if you do not set specific goals that are measurable how do people know whether they have been successful? Additionally, if you just set some pie in the sky number and it is not agreed upon and realistic, then you won’t have the volunteer turnout that you need. 

For the last letter in the S.M.A.R.T. goal, you need to make certain that the fundraiser is time bound so that it doesn’t drag on.  You want to have focused energy for the fundraiser.  The longer the fundraiser goes, the more chance you will have for burn-out and fatigue.

For some schools raising a few hundred dollars would be a specific and a realistic goal, while others raising $75,000 is standard every year. A couple of points to remember will establish what your school fundraiser needs to shoot for.

A good starting point is to reveal what the money is being raised for.  By doing this, your school should come up with a financial plan.  If the volunteers know that they are trying to raise $20,000 so the school can build a new playground, they will be much more inclined to participate.  On the other hand, if you tell them you want to raise the same amount of money because it’s time for the annual fall fundraiser, then you are far less likely to hit your goal.

Finally, you’ll want to make goal realistic to the individual kid.  If you tell them as a whole they need to raise $20,000; most student’s eyes will roll back in their heads.  They have no concept of how much money that is.  On the other hand, if you tell them that they each need to sell 10 items, say of a discount card fundraiser, then you will make the fundraiser something they can swallow.

These days, you can usually find good fundraising companies to help you understand these things.

So your school has two options: accept the cutbacks as status quo and deal with them, or you can become creative and find a way to raise the money you need.  I don’t know about you, but I’m not up for the former and will show you how to focus on the latter.  Unfortunately, most schools don’t think outside the box enough when it comes to fundraising and will often have a hard time shifting to something new.

So what’s the problem…

One thing you need to realize is that the problem is not with your sellers or parent involvement, instead the problem is the same as any other product that is for sale…the customer’s need.  In the past, your school could get away with, “We’re raising money for _______,” and they would buy what you had to sell.  Now, you have to go after their need, “We’re selling this __________ that will benefit you by (saving you money, saving you time, etc.) and the proceeds will go to help us raise money for ______ .”

Do you see the difference?  By offering something that will benefit them, you are helping them meet a need or a want, which takes the focus off them parting with their money for something they don’t know if they want.  

So what’s working…

At this point, all that is left is to make sure you are providing something of value…something that’s a “no-brainer.” As someone who has been involved in fundraising for years, I can tell you that I’ve never seen more interest in Discount Card Fundraisers than ever before.  At the end of the day, the benefits FAR outweigh the cost to the buyer that they have no problem forking over $10 or $20 bucks because they know they’ll save at least 5 times that with the savings.

Windows Movie Maker are installed on most windows operating systems you don’t require to go out and buy video editing software when you possibly have it on your computer. You can look under your “Start” menu bottom in your bottom left tray and navigating to “Programs” and then Windows Movie Maker.

When you have the program running you do not even need to have an real video clip to construct videos. Although it does have this choice to either hook up your video camera directly to Windows Movie Maker or to basically utilize the “import video” feature to import a video clip that you may already have on your pc or flash drive.

In either case all you have to do is use the “import video”, “import pictures”, or the “import sound or music” button links to get started.

When you import your desired media that you desire to see in your video into the enactment part, all you have to do is click on the media and drag and drop each item one at a time into the time line. You can arrange the array of which media you desire to appear in your video by dragging them around.

Under “edit movie” you can also drag and drop or insert some very professional transitions, titles, text overlays, and credit. It’s actually that easy

You can even notice exactly what your video will look like when you play it back in the video viewer built into the program.

You don’t want expensive equipment to construct videos. I’ve seen some shocking high quality videos created with Windows Movie Maker that you would of never thought possibly be finish with free video editing software.

When you’re done creating your videos you can even uploading them to video sharing sites like Youtube to share your videos with the world for enjoyment or to get traffic in return to your website.

Watch step-by-step videos showing you how to use Windows Movie Maker to construct or brand your own videos via free video editing software.

The Right Business Plan Process

There are a lot of Business Plan Books in the market place which attempt to explain and quantify the Business Planning Process.  Some even claim to be the most “Comprehensive”, “Final”, “End-All and Be-All” Business Planning book.  Some are workbooks or software trying to take you step by step through the Business Planning Process.  Many of these books have lots of great experience behind them and contain very useful information; yet, they lack in the actual execution of a good Business Plan or are way too in depth or technical for the entrepreneur to clearly understand.

Being someone who has been developing business plans for over 20 years, I only know one way to write an effective Business Plan: from a Comprehensive, step by step process in a workbook, building block fashion.  A good planning workbook is understandable, simple and processes all business types and aspects in a step by step, progressive, building block process.  Once this Process is complete, there is a simple Business Plan Template to package your Business Plan per your particular uses.  But a good business plan workbook doesn’t stop there, it also addresses the Plan’s Implementation, as no Plan is effective until it is implemented and part of your Company performances.  Only then can success be consistently attained.

Strong Commitment and Involvement

The Business Planning Process, its use and implementation, must have the strong commitment and involvement of your Company’s Executives and Management. Effective business planning is a top-down, bottom-up process, yet needs the total commitment from the upper levels to ensure it encompasses the commitment of the entire company.  Upper Management and Divisional Management must also be amenable to use the Plan to manage operations.  A Plan is not effective unless implemented and used through out a company.  We suggest building your Company around the Business Plan Process so that it becomes interwoven into the fabric of your operations.  It is a tool, use it. Key Management and Employees who are responsible for implementing the Plan should be actively involved in its development.  It is important that the Business Plan Development involves all levels of a Company; otherwise, commitment to it will be perfunctory. 

Realistic Short and Long Term Outlook

The Planning Process and its resulting Goals, Objectives, Tactics, Programs and Strategies should address the significant factors which impact a Company’s short and long term implementation.  Outlook is just that, a projection.  Key influences to Company Performance are identified and developed into an Action Based Strategic Plan, which will in turn increase Growth, Revenues and Performance.  One of the underlying Key concepts in a good planning is promoting a Process from the Product Level to the Marketing Level to the Strategic / Performance Level.  The Strategic Tactics and Programs the Business Planning Process develops and produces is what will enhance Performance- not blind projections or just “intellection” you can exploit a market. 

Forward Thinking

The Planning Process looks backwards for things you have learned along the way which can be applied and leveraged into futurity success.  all the same, more importantly, the Planning Process must be Forward Looking, identifying trends, developments and opportunities in your marketplace and operating environment.  Having a developed Process instilled into your Company’s operations will produce forward thinking results, ensuring you consistently have a Competitive Edge and the chance to be a market maker and, maybe, a leader.  A business going nowhere is one stuck in the past (i.e. past accomplishments) and the status quo, lacking a mechanism within the Company to produce substantial forward thinking and predictable Growth. 

Company-wide Performance Objectives

Your company’s Goals, Strategies and Performance Objectives should be consistent throughout your entire operation.  The Plan should provide a clear picture of your Company’s direction to all your employees, as well as, customers, suppliers and strategic partners, regarding future Performance Goals.  You can’t reach that goal without your people being behind the Process and Plan Implementation. Your Company needs to demonstrate strong Leadership and Accountability to your Markets, Customers, Partners and Suppliers by “owning” your future Performance Goals and Milestones.  An Effective Business Plan, when implemented correctly, applies consistent Business Models to an ever changing market so that you can realistically fulfil your Future Performance Objectives.

A Process that perpetually Assesses a Plan’s Assumptions

If Key assumptions underlying your Business Plan prove to be invalid, an Effective Plan provides specific eventuality planning systems and processes to indicate clear courses of action.  An Effective Planning Process helps you to address significant deficiencies upfront and puts contingent, orderly plans in place to minimize a company’s learning curve severity, while efficaciously exploiting a changing marketplace.  Uncertainty and unexpected change are a guarantee in business. An effective plan has well developed systems and processes in place to adeptly manage those surprise events, turning a potentially costly experience into a fruitful opportunity.  Through a solid business plan process, you will design and install a Company Structure which can develop an effective and competitive Product or Service.  This Product or Service will be exploited via a well developed Marketing Plan and successfully implemented into a winning Strategic Plan, producing expected, realistic, attainable Financial Goals.

Comprehensive and Specific aim Business Plans

An effectively developed Comprehensive and Internal Business Plan lays the solid foundation toward successful attainment of needed Financial Resources through an adapted, External Funding Business Plan.  effectivity starts with the Comprehensive (Internal) Plan, culminating in the viability of various External Business Plans – i.e. Plans for Funding, Customers, Suppliers, Markets, regulative purposes, etc.  A good business plan workbook provides a step by step Process which will produce the Global Plan to successfully run your business.  Other External, Ancillary Plans become a snap to “package” from the Global Plan.  It is hard to develop an Effective External Plan without having the foundation of the Comprehensive Internal Plan built. 

About the Writer

Frank Goley is a Business Consultant and Business Planner for ABC Business Consulting and has been helping companies to succeed for many years. He is an expert in developing business plans, marketing plans, funding plans, strategic plans, turnaround plans, web marketing strategies, and project specific business plans. Frank is also a business coach, business turnaround consultant, and a web development, web marketing and web seo consultant. Frank is author of the business plan book, The Comprehensive Business Plan Workbook – A Step by Step Guide to Effective Business Planning, and he has over 50 published articles on business success strategies. He also writes the Business Success Strategies Blog.

Why Dazzle Them With Your PowerPoint Presentation?

Convincing the boss, your co-workers, and clients that you just haven’t been mentally hibernating may be tricky. If you have something new to say concerning sales, client service, company spending, and boosting potency during the workplace, show them what you have got. Your presentation for your next net conference will rely on how you have got maximized the professional powerpoint templates to become your message across.

Regardless of how hot your piece is, when you haven’t tried out the powerpoint presentation tips, your efforts can fall flat together with a sickly whimper. Why? On top of the ideas, you’ve got to practice saying fewer to assert more. But why the need to dazzle your audience? Here’s why:

1. You need your audience to get your message right on target.

2. You need the introduced idea to be accepted on its merits.

3. You would like to chop fees in the wake of the sluggish dollar.

4. You have a smart project that’ll rake in money.

5. You want to be in your boss’s hot listing for promotions.

6. You want to express off, and rightly so.

7. You’ve got to maximize time and cash spent for your web conference.

There may be more reasons which are private, but the thing is getting your message across loud and clear to avoid confusion, project implementation delays, and lost revenues. But dazzling them with savvy from the bag of tricks you have got acquired from your PowerPoint presentation tips is your hidden agenda. You could simply get the applause and the promotion too.

Get the Cutting Edge from Power Point Presentation Tips

Therefore what are those PowerPoint presentation tips which make your argument a cut higher than the rest? Here’s what:

1. Avoid long sentences pertaining to slide. Keep it to a minimum of 7-10 lines. Do not forget you are showing not solely words, but other graphics. Just use keywords and phrases, instead of long sentences. Your boss does not want to be encumbered with each words and knowledge or pictures vying for his attention.

2. Your text font should be enormous enough, but must not go beyond 20-32 font size. Use bullets to create your presentation crisp. Your titles must be within the 32-50 font size.

3. Limit the number of slides. People cannot catch your drift if you have therefore several slides clamoring for their short attention spans. Try to pay a minimum of 45 seconds regarding slide and do not rush. Let your ideas sink into the consciousness of your audience. and avoid speaking during a monotone. Place life into your words and pause when it’s necessary. Here all add up to hi-powered PowerPoint presentation.

4. Avoid overly artsy slides. Opt for white backgrounds and dark text. It’s much additional effective and readable in lighted rooms. If you are journeying to use darkened conference areas, use two-tone color slides.

5. Make considered use of animations or else risk confusion and distraction from the major piece.

6. Time your presentation. If you’re given time limits pertaining to presentation, check out how long your PowerPoint presentation can take. Tighten the entire production to fulfill the requirement.

Here PowerPoint presentation tips will help you make a best performance in the coming back meeting and all future internet conferences. So power up now and be the toast of the town.

The postcard size doesn’t necessarily mean that there would be only one standard size to fit all sizes of postcards. It’s because various sizes requires for different postcard printing equipments in fact a slight change in the size of the postcard may have an adverse effect on its price. And so, in order not to be shocked by printing prices afterwards it is smart to get first printing quotes. This way you will be guided on just how much your postcards will costs. Likewise, never hesitate to ask your postcard printing company on the postcard size that work best on their equipment.

There are two aspects of paper stock that you need to be aware of. Paper stocks can either be glossy or matte. If you desire to have your postcards printed in full color you will then be made to choose between a CS2 stock and a C1S stock. CS2 stock has a gloss finish on both sides while the C1S stock has a gloss finish on only one side and its other side having a matte finished. Between these two stocks the C1S was the most popularly used since the ink used in postcard printing doesn’t dry up on the gloss part of the paper stock so they resulted in printing on the matte side of the stock.

But that was a long time ago, nowadays there are already inks that easily dries on glossy stocks. The glossy stocks are far cheaper than the semi-gloss stocks and exude much character on them that’s why it is a much better choice for postcards.

In terms of the design file formats, it is important that you ask your postcard printing company the type they are accepting.  Although, there are printing companies that accepts various file formats however there are still some that makes use of only limited types of software and file format in their design creation. And what these postcard printing companies often do is that they would try to convert your postcard design file into the format that is accepted by their postcard printing equipment.  However, there may be some problems that may be encountered during the file conversion. One of the common problems faced involves font defaults and text loss to ensure that no such error occur it is important that your postcard project undergo proofing before finally submitting your postcard design for printing.  Or better yet, you may try to save your design file in a PDF format. This way there will be very minimal conversion and manipulation that have to be done in your design file.

The finishing is as important as the first couple of steps in postcard printing. There are two types of postcard finishing or coating and these are UV coating and Aqueous coating. The UV coating provides the postcard with that shiny look and feel. Especially applicable for color images which you may want accentuated.  Its drawbacks are in terms of its susceptibility to finger print marks and smears.

The aqueous coating on the other hand provides for minimal shine or gloss and entails for a much faster postcard printing process.  The reason for this is that aqueous coatings are quick drying therefore doesn’t hinder the continuous printing process.

Having started 9 successful small businesses and working in the Tulsa real estate market during my 11 year business career I am routinely asked, “How did you make the jump into self-employment?” and “What are the most important things you need to do before you start a business?” These questions are then usually followed up by a barrage of questions about the minutia that goes into small business ownership and development. Questions such as, “Where do I get a Tax I.D. number?” or “How do I get capital?” or “How do I register my website?” are often asked. Although these minutia-focused questions do have some validity and some creedence to them, the real important stuff that every entrepreneur needs to know is more general. The important information that an entrepreneur needs to know is the winning-mindset stuff. The stuff that determines whether an entrepreneur succeeds or not is not in the minutia. I can teach a moron how to get a Tax I.D. number, but I can’t teach a moron how to fully embrance, and passionate implement the “10 things That You Need To Know Before Starting A Business.” These 10 things, concepts and ideas have the power to alter your entire success trajectory or they have the potential to do nothing. How these 10 things impact your life is 100% up to you. And so without any further ado, here we go:

1. A business is not a business until you are actually selling something.

I know, I get it. Trust me. Buying furniture and phones is fun. I know that designing your own logo is cool and thrilling. I know that buying your very own custom-wrapped vehicle sounds appealing. I know that ordering letter-head with your name on it is awesome. I know that the new Voice-Over-The-Internet phone system is truly revolutionary. However none of those things matter at all until you make your first sale. If you can’t sale you do not have a business. If you have not made your first sale, all you have is a “justification to buy professonal office gadgets.” If you have not yet been handed cash by a customer in exchange for a product or service that you have added value to or rendered then your business is bogus.

2. The best way to market your new product or service is by harnassing the power of deep discounts based on richly anchored prices.

If you want to enter and potentially exit on top of a new market during your lifetime, the only way to do it effectively without using a huge amount of marketing capital and time is by offering deeply discounted prices based on richly anchored prices. Here is an example. If you wanted to enter into the landscaping business in your town the chances are that there is already a top dog in your market. There is probably already somebody in your town that has market share by a wide margin. This company probably already has an army of landscaping crews and probably already has a certain well known marketing strategy. So how do you enter the market victoriously? If you want to win. You need to offer your customers the trojan horse. Not that you are misleading them in anyway, but you want to give them a FREE GIFT SAMPLE or a DEEPLY DISCOUNTED TRIAL PERIOD of your product and service. Once they experience the magic of your product or service, your high-prices will soon no longer matter. Soon your prices will seem justified by the extremeley high quality of your product and service. Think about the iPhone, how much are those things? How much does it actually cost to buy one of those phones without buying a phone plan? Alot. Why are Americans willing to buy a new iPhone? Because they got their first iPhone deeply discounted with their phone plan.

3. At the end of the day, if you or your company can’t sell, then your business is going to hell.

You might be a genius and your product might be the best. You might be the best author in American history, but if your cover stinks and Americans never buy your book then your contents will never be read and your ideas will never make it out to the marketplace. Is this fair? Yes. Americans do judge books by their covers and they do judge businesses based on their perceived value. If your website stinks, they think you stink. If your sales presentation stinks, they think your product stinks. My friend, if you can’t sell your product to the people then do not start a business. If you can’t convince people that you have added a significant amount of value to the product or service, then you need to stop with the process of starting a business before you start.

4. Do not EVER build a business model that is not ultimately scalable and duplicatable without your direct participation in the business.

Although there is nothing wrong with hard work, there is something very wrong about exchanging your time for more indefinitely. Short term, we all have to exchange our time for money. To start my first businesses I had to work nearly 80 hours per week on a concrete construction site by day while working as a home-health aid for the eldery at night. Did I have to exchange my time for money? Yes. But ultimately I was able to exchange this money for a business that I was able to create. At first this business was a part of me. It did not work without me. It had no pulse without me. Without me it did not breathe. When I took a week off, it took took a week off. When I lost focus, the people around me lost focus. However, over time and with the intense encouragement of my wife and the intense desire I had to achieve more in life I was able to overcome the mental obstacle block and belief that , “I had to do everything related to my business.” My friend as you build and grow your business make sure that you avoid getting yourself into a business trap. Do not build a business around the personality and drive of a single person. Although this business model will make you feel sexy and popular, it will limit your growth and your time freedom. As you grow your business, make sure it can expand with the infusion of extra capital, more real estate and more people, not just more and more of you (because your family needs you too).

“The secret of success lies not in doing your own work, but in recognizing the right man to do it” – Andrew Carnegie

5. Before you invest a dime into any business, determine exactly how much money you are willing to invest in its success or failure.

As you get yourself mentally geared up to start any business, you are going to be the most positive of mindsets. Every new business is exciting on paper. When it is just an idea it is fun, ambitious and inspiring. However, once you give life to this idea by infusing it with your hard earned capital it is no longer so fun. It is now a job. And once it is a job, things get serious. As things get serious, more and more capital is needed to buy a few more of these things and those things. A little more marketing is needed, and a few more pieces of new technology are needed. Soon money is flowing out of your wallet, like its the final 2 weeks before Christmas. If you are not careful, you will lose your shirt during this time. Do not fall into this trap. Set a limit on the amount of cash you are willing to infuse into your business and do not exceed this amount no matter what. Do your planning. Build your proformas and then stick to it. Do not get excited. Stay focused on making a profit.

6. Focus on becoming an expert and guru in your area of strength instead of focusing on improving your weaknesses.

I don’t enjoy small talk. I hate minutia. I do not like long-winded conversations about nothing. I am irritated by those that provide general criticisms. Those who talk and are not doers annoy the hell out of me. I am able to be in the presence of mediocrity without confronting it. I cannot stand accounting minutia. Filling out forms causes me anxiety attacks. I can’t remember my address, or nearly any information that I don’t deem to be necessary for everyday function. These are my weaknesses. What are yours?
I think and talk about the big picture. I love “big ideas.” I get lots of things done because I keep conversations short. I often arrive to work at 1:00 AM on Monday morning so that I can get everything done that I feel I need to get done. I have relentless followup with subordinates who would otherwise fail if left to their own, “I didn’t have time” abilibis. I delegate the accounting minutia. I have my wife and coworkers fill out all forms for me. I have my address typed into a document that I can easily access from my computer. I refuse to attempt to memorize anything, so I make checklists for everything. These are my strengths.
My friend, if you lived 3 life-times we would not have enough time to improve all of our weaknesses. So why even attempt to? Spend your time honing your God-given skills. God gave you skills. Use them to get paid. People will pay you to watch you pursue your passions. People will never pay to watch me make small talk at a birthday party. People will pay me for getting things done. People will never pay me for being good at filling out forms. People will pay us, if my assistant fills out the contractor identification form correctly. Spend your time improving your God given skills. Avoid what you are not good at and delegate what you cannot stand doing.

7. Focus your effort on one thing and one problem until you solve it.

So many entrepreneurs hop from one idea to the next. They love moving to greener pastures. You will never gain success in your industry or line of work until you have developed mastery in it. How many hours are needed to develop mastery of something? In Malcolm Gladwell’s book the Outliers, he delves into the factors that went into creating the highest levels of success on the planet. His thesis is essentially that those who spend a disproportionate amount of time doing one thing ultimately become the best masters at this one thing, thus they get paid the most for their mastery of this one thing. His study focuses on the lives of Bill Gates, Robert Oppenheimer (the genius who created the A-bomb), and numerous other top performers. Essentially he believes that the “10,000 Hour Rule” is the true key to top success in any field. However, regardless of how you feel about Gladwell’s research, the basic truth remains. You will never be good at something unless you stick with it until you master it.

“Concentrate your energies, your thoughts and your capital. The wise man puts all his eggs in one basket and watches the basket.” – Andrew Carnegie

“The men who have succeeded are men who have chosen one line and stuck to it.” – Andrew Carnegie

8. Your opinion is not valid, but the customer’s is.

In the world of entrepreneurship we can often get excited about our new idea. We have this new idea that we believe that everyone will love. However, after we explain to a group of guys a church camp and a group of people at work and then a few more people at the local gym, we begin to realize that this idea makes the concept of marketing “dehydrated water packets” to be a good one. The fact is, the more you explain the idea, the more people ask you, “What the hell are you talking about?” As you slowly become more and more frustrated with “the people that just don’t get your ideas” you have two options available.
You can act like Colonel Sanders and spend your entire life trying to convince America that your idea is good (KFC did not become a reality until the last few years of the legendary Colonel Sanders’ life), or you can realize that its time to move on to another “great idea.” As for me, I do not want to be a life-time sacrificial martyr for a good idea. However, you might want to be.
As a general rule I would encourage you to keep this in mind. Humans are the ones that buy your products and services. If they don’t get it, they won’t buy it. Crystal Clear Pepsi was cool, but the people didn’t get it.

9. Realize that 80% of your success will ultimately come from 20% of your efforts.

If you want to Google “Pareto’s Principle” then you will quickly discover what I am talking about here. Essentially it all breaks down like this. As your company markets and markets, you will soon find that 80% of your business comes from 20% of the marketing sources. As you begin spending more and more time in the office, you will begin to see that 80% of your effectiveness comes from 20% of the activities that you do on a daily basis. So without getting too philosophical with you on this point, I will encourage you to periodically stop and ask yourself, “What 20% of activities am I personally doing to create 80% of my success?”

10. Win-Win situations are the only sustainable business solutions.

Everybody is always trying to pull a fast one on somebody else. He is always trying to take advantage of them. They are always trying to get what he has without him knowing. The two of them are always trying to plot to make a quick-buck from those guys. But at the end of the day, the only sustainable solution is creating an endless stream of “mutually beneficial relationships.” The late great Andrew Carnegie believed so much in this philosophy that he devoted nearly his entire post working-career to writing, and spreading this “Gospel of Wealth” as he called it. He believed that American business would thrive like never before if only the people would realize the power of working in harmony with our fellow man in a synergistic way that allows both parties to achieve their goals. Carnegie believed in this principle because it worked for him.

Clay Clark is an award-winning serial entrepreneur and business coach. At the age of 18 Clark started his first successful business, DJ Connection. In 2002 at the age of 20, Clark was named as the Metro Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year. At age 27, Clark was again recognized nationally with the U.S. SBA Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Today, Clark is the owner and coowner of several successful small businesses including Fears & Clark Tulsa Real Estate Group.
http://www.fearsclark.com