Saturday, June 20, 2009

The Right Computer For Your Business



If you want to know how to choose the right computer for your business, then read this article.


We both know that in this present time, your business cannot function effectively without engaging the use of computers. Computers have become essential business tools which you need daily for carrying out various business tasks. Gone are the days when you can do it all with just a paper, pen and your brain. Time and accuracy makes computers an indispensable business tool for entrepreneurs, the small scale business owner inclusive.


Choosing the right Computer for your Business is one of the critical decision you need to make as an entrepreneur. There are so many brands of computer and each come with different packages of features and price tag. A quick search online will reveal that you have so many models you can choose from. The question then is How do you choose the best one that fit your purpose and at the same time is affordable? It is actually a tough decision to make. The truth is that it is not easy. You need to be well informed to make the right decision.


Bearing in mind that computers can be very expensive and the technology behind them changes at an average of six months or less. It will be a bad decision if you purchase a state of the art high-tech equipment only to discover that it has been rendered obsolete by recent technology before it could complete its ROI (return on investment).


Well, the simple guide that has been recommended by several small business entrepreneur who are running their own shows (not the academia or the salesmen, who only run business with their lips) is that you sit down and ask yourself some important questions. For example, you need to sincerely answer the following crucial questions:


1.What will the Computer be used for?


2.Do I need a Desktop computer or a laptop computer?


3.What is the Right Computer Specification For my Business?


4.How much can my business budget for the computer? 5.What is the cost of maintenance, cost of upgrading parts, and are the computer parts readily available?


6.Will there be after sale service or warranty?


7.What softwares will I need to make the equipment fit my business tasks?


8.Do the needed software come bundled with the computer or I need to buy them separately?


If you still don't know how to choose the right computer for your business after going through the list above, then you might as well ask for help. Never assume that it is dumb or it make you look less intelligent if you request that a friend or relative should assist you in choosing a computer for your business. A knowledgeable friend or relative can offer great help in making the right choice. I should warn you that your decision to purchase a computer should not be based on the suggestion of a salesperson. Irrespective of how friendly or how intelligent the suggestion he or she offers, you must remember that you are the one parting with hard earned money. So don't get sweet talked into buying a start of the art gadget that is too expensive for your business.


Identify your need properly and pick a basic equipment that fits your budget. It is better to pick a basic computer that you can easily upgrade than to pick a state-of-the art gadget that will go out of vogue in another six months. Since the computer is meant for work, then you don't need to impress anybody. It is the ability of the computer to perform the business task you needed done that is important, not the brand name or the fact that it is the newest in town.


If you need further help, you can get more suggestion from the following article, How To Choose The Right Computer For Your Business. Each point is discussed in greater details by a practicing entrepreneur, using examples to illustrate what is meant.


Are your a small business owner, or a home based entrepreneur? You can get free advise, tips and suggestion on how to run your small business with less expenditure and less headache. I am a practicing small entrepreneur, visit Small Business Tips and Business Computers. You'll learn one or two tips on how to run your business effectively at a cheaper cost.




Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Small Business Opportunities - Soap Making

Soap making business is a small scale investment option you should consider. Since it is a low tech business requiring simple technical skills, you can actually get started and start making money within a few week of startup. To start soap making business, you require a very small startup capital. Most likely you can even use your kitchen as the startup workshop. Your returns will depend on the volume of production.

Here are some things you need to consider when starting a soap making business.

1. Start Small

This business is safe in that everyone need soap. If you produce a little amount and you are unable to get it sold, you can actually convert it for domestic use.

2. Get the soap formula right

When you have satisfied yourself that the soap you are producing works in your own kitchen. That is, you can use it to clean things around the house, then you can start working on perfecting it so that you can introduce it to close neighbour and friends. It is good you start small and introduce it gradually to avoid the disaster of unsold inventories.

3. Start supplying soap to small retailer

If the feedback from your friends and neighbours have been positive so far, then you can go ahead and introduce the soap to the local store owners around the neighbourhood. You should give your soap a unique name (that will later be its brand name). Supply little quantities to the store owners on credit as a means of introducing the soap into the local market.

4. Increase Production Base On Demand

As the demand for your soap increases, expand your production outfit too. You may need to employ one or two hands on a part-time basis to help out with your growing soap making business. Don't be too optimistic though. Remember that small businesses do go through cycles too.

5. Register your soap brand name and get necessary licenses

At this stage it is crucial that you get a lawyer to advise you on the necessary legal documentation you need to file in order to get your soap making business registered and recognized by law as a corporate entity. It is not adviseable to continue operating as a sole-trader once you start selling your soap to the wider society. All the gains of several months or years can be wiped off with a single lawsuit from a consumer of your product.

Well, those tips will add no value to you if you don't start acting on them. So, start your own soap making business today. Cheers.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Hosting Headache, A Blogger's Nightmare

The prayer of every blogger is that his/her blog should be on 24/7 receiving visitors non-stop. It becomes a nightmare when your webhosting company makes your site dissappear for hours.

That was my experience sometime ago. The website that was doing really fine all of a sudden started greeting visitors with all manner of database error.

It was weird. It was frustrating as I watched visitors complain. Some of my friends call on me asking what the matter was.

Well, there was nothing I could do until the servers were fixed by my hosting company. It was an experience I do not wish to go through again.

It set me thinking, which is really the best webhosting company that a blogger can rely on?