Meet Hyder Ali Zaman, Digital Marketing Strategist

Hyder Ali Zaman is a highly accomplished and experienced internet marketing professional with a successful track record extending 13+ years. His ability has helped startups grow into successful business enterprises, drive online marketing strategy in sync with the offline marketing tactics, deliver SEO results, cost effectively manage SEM / PPC / FB Ad campaigns, and use non-traditional yet highly effective organic (SEO) traffic driving techniques to help organizations become successful in any highly competitive online industry in any region of the world.

Learn more by visiting http://www.hyderalizaman.com/ as well as Hyder Ali Zaman's profile on LinkedIn.

1. How did you first become aware of SEO?

I was one of the earliest adopters of the internet and the World Wide Web, not only in Pakistan but globally. Back in those days, people did not know much about the internet. However, to me I could see the potential of the internet to actually change the world. I came to know about SEO through my own interest in the internet. For me, SEO has always been a passion to help online businesses succeed. And I strongly believe that when you work for passion, money automatically follows.

2. In the years you have worked in the industry, how have things changed when it comes to improving a site's search engine rank?

Yes, a lot, to say the least. Those old shoddy tricks up the sleeves of the so-called SEO experts to get you to the first page of Google do not work anymore. Google and other search engines have evolved a great deal. In the coming years, you will see a lot of people complaining that SEO is not working (many are already doing it). It is the SEO they know that is not working. Look, SEO is a patience-driven, watch and act kind of endeavor where you keep on adjusting to the changing dynamics. SEOs who are trying to get quick results will not see any success. Areas in which you particularly need to focus in the future include natural link building, social media marketing, blogging, guest posts, and relevant content marketing strategies. Niche-oriented focus would greatly help improve your site's rankings. SEO has finally become something which would only reward people who are willing to work hard and know what it actually means to be an SEO expert.

3. What are some common mistakes you see businesses making with their websites?

Here is my top list of mistakes online businesses really make.

a. They think onsite SEO is just a hoax and they do not really need to think about it much.

b. They spend so much money on paid advertisements, but eventually they run out of money. They should diversify and think about SEO and other ways of generating traffic online.

c. A lot of businesses do not pay any heed to social media marketing when it actually makes a lot of difference. Paid social media advertisement is good, but you also need to find a way to generate leads through other regular updates as well.

d. Old online businesses established for years think that mobile responsiveness is not for them. Google has already penalized such websites, and we are going to see more of that happening.

e. Content does not just mean rewriting everything which is already there. Instead it gives online businesses a way to connect with their customers.

4. What are some of your own best practices?

Here are some of the most important things for me in terms of SEO.

1. Content Marketing
2. Affiliate Marketing
3. SEM & SEO
4. Social Media Marketing
5. Guest Blogging
6. Onsite SEO (deep enough to identify and resolve onsite issues)
7. Offsite SEO
8. Work on domain authority and increase website's authenticity.
9. Evolve my overall SEO strategy in light of the changes recommended by Google and other search engines.
10. Diversify and rely on multiple sources of traffic.

5. What else would you like readers to know about you and your work?

Well, whomever you choose to work with, make sure they are worth their money. Do not work with anyone who does not understand everything and has not been proactively following SEO from the start.

I strongly believe in living up to my clients' expectations, and my work speaks for what I have done in the past. I have successfully helped many startups getting from zero sales to thousands of USDs or even more in revenues per month. I am passionate about my client's website and take every step to ensure that their interests are watched. No matter which SEO expert you wish to work with, always remember that experience has no shortcut. I do not promise my clients to deliver quick results but meaningful results where they can actually see the return on their investments.

Feel free to get in touch with me via email should you have any questions or need SEO consultation for your online business.

Thanks, Hyder Ali!

Meet Asif Zamir, Toronto Business Consultant

Asif Zamir lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and started working to help support his family when he was around six years old. By the time he was a teenager, he had worked for several companies and also been self-employed. Over time, he began working as a consultant to help businesses succeed, with an emphasis on new, small businesses in the startup stage. He devotes much of his time to ministry and philanthropic work.

Learn more about Asif by visiting AsifZamir.com.

1. When, as a young man, did you realize that you wanted to go into business for yourself?

When I was young, around age 6, I would sell candy door to door, and people would buy from me because I was cute. I liked the freedom of managing my finances and setting a schedule. At age 15, I dropped out of high school and started my own business consulting company. To be honest, I didn't have much of a choice; I had to drop out of high school and start a business because I was dirt poor for the majority of my life, and we were struggling to get by financially. So I took a chance at doing something more with my life than just getting by. It's not like traditional jobs were paying big money to teens back then, so I needed to start a business to have a shot at real money.

2. How do you choose the business ventures that you want to pursue?

When I was young and dumb; even 8 years ago it was all about the money, and that gave me nothing but heartache and stress. Now I think about my happiness and my relationship with the client. I'd like to make money, lots of money, but I'd also like to build a friendship. I'd like my client to reach or surpass their goal, but I'd also like to enjoy the entire process. If I can gain a friend, that's ideal, and if we can both make a lot of money, that's even more ideal.

3. What's your advice to other people who want to be self-employed but aren't sure where to invest their time and money?

My honest advice is to not be self-employed. Honestly, it's a lot of hard work before you reach your goals, usually 10 years. Most people can't handle this, and it destroys their marriage and self-esteem. If you understand this fact and still want to do it, have a vision for the long term. I see so many people fail because they think, "I'll start a business today and be successful tomorrow, and if not, then I'll quit!" And those people always fail every time. But people who have a vision for 10-20-30 years always succeed. Always. Take a look at any success story: the person worked for many years to achieve what they wanted. Go ahead and read 100 success stories online, and you'll see that it usually averages out to more than 10 years of hard work. People who think it takes a few weeks or months are mentally insane. Go ahead and invest in your education. If you're going into a business, know everything about that business. When I was 15, I read every book available in the library and bookstore. I find if people won't even read a book on a subject, they aren't really interested.

4. How do you find time to do all the philanthropic work that you do?

That's where my life gets tough. Typically people want financial freedom for the purpose of gaining time, and so I've gained time, and now I use up all my time by giving it away. It's tough for me to balance it out because everyone wants an hour, or a hundred people want ten minutes, and I'm learning to say no to a lot of people and a lot of invites. I try my best to take it as it comes to me. A few days ago I had a relaxing evening planned for myself but instead spent it visiting someone in the hospital who specifically requested my visit. I won't get another relaxing evening in for a while, but I'm trying my best to keep my life balanced; like I said it's a struggle for me.

5. What projects are you currently working on, both business and charitable endeavors?

I'm working on one of the most interesting business ideas ever with a lady who wanted to run errands for strangers. She's very rich now and has a full staff. I helped her set up her website, and draw up a plan and structure, and most importantly I helped her set realistic goals and gain her first 250 clients and hire her first employees. Gosh, she's basically more successful than me now. She charges anywhere from $50-$200/hour to do any errand for you. She's been asked to wait at a person's house for the cable man, to pretend to be a friend to an executive at a dinner, and everything in between; usually it's dropping off dry cleaning and picking up groceries, things along those lines. She makes a fortune, and I really enjoy this project; I'll be sad when my contract is finished.

I'm also participating in a beta-stage project which involves having churchwomen go to the streets, and paying prostitutes to attend church services so that they can connect with God, people, and social workers who will help them get out of the sex industry permanently. The project has been mostly successful, and I find that it's sustainable. Changing one life each week, helping one person at a time, it really adds up. Actually this one lady, she was really young when we met her in downtown Toronto years back, and she's graduated college now and you would never tell she worked the streets. She's brilliant and she's reaching her life goals.

Thanks, Asif!

Meet Ralph Masengill, Author and Advisor

Ralph Masengill is a best selling author of two books, Beat the Curve and Conquer Change and Win. He is a coach and advisor. He is a graduate of The University of Tennessee, and the post graduate of the Edwards Deming program on quality and change. Learn more about him by visiting Masengill.com.

1. How did you get the idea for your book, Conquer Change and Win?

I saw that so many smart, well-rounded, and secure individuals and many of the employees who work for them have no clue about how to change correctly. 90% of the population has no clue about change and its effects that always happen. The same story is true in families as well.

2. What are some common misconceptions that people have about change?

Misconceptions: Change is not constant. Change positive or negative has the same effect on all of us. They generally believe that all change does not cause some form of pain. It does. Many fear change but most do not want to admit it. Do not believe that most of us will not change until the pain of not changing is greater than the pain of changing. Believe that taking a calculated risk is almost like gambling. It is not. With change we will always be asked to take a calculated risk.

3. How does your work in PR influence your work as an author?

I believe it does have a positive effect. The root of a solid public relations expert is understanding people. That is the first thing you must know in order to succeed in PR.

4. What is your advice to people who are facing change that they see as negative yet unavoidable?

There is such a thing as negative change. When you know and understand how change operates in the world, you will also see much of what the majority calls negative pain is in fact positive change in disguise.

5. What else would you like readers to know about you and your work?

Huge change is on the way. No matter who wins the national election in November, we are all going to experience great change over the next two years. How many times has change disrupted your life, left you feeling off-kilter, caused you to miss opportunities or react without thinking? Every one of us is constantly affected by change. Change never stops, and whether it's positive change or not, our first reaction is usually fear. The truly successful people of the world have a good understanding of change and how to make it work to their advantage. My book offers an easy to read and fun approach to this serious topic of change in our lives.

Thanks, Ralph!

Meet Cathy Berger, Development Director for Queens Chamber of Commerce

Since March of 2014, Cathy Berger has been the Development Director for the Queens Chamber of Commerce. She has worked to encourage new businesses to join the Chamber and to help make sure that existing Chamber members are making the most of their memberships. She describes her position in part as working to advance the visibility of each member through the connections this prominent affiliation has developed over the last 100+ years.

Cathy also shares her expertise in business and networking through her Queens Today blog at http://cathybergerqcc.blogspot.com/.

1. How did you first become involved with the Queens Chamber of Commerce?

One October morning back in 2013, I decided to visit a Queens Chamber of Commerce / HBA networking event. At that time as a business owner, I was instantly impressed with the people in attendance. They were true professionals, dead serious about getting to meet new people. Right on the spot I joined my company to the Chamber.

2. What do you like most about your job with the Chamber?

I love that NO day is the same, because I am always speaking to different types of businesses. I work in a wonderful environment--my coworkers are terrific. They encourage me to excel, which is very important to me. I believe that if you are genuinely supported by your team, this goes a long way to going above and beyond at work, no matter what position you hold.

3. How do you personally define effective networking?

Just attending an event and chit-chatting there is not sufficient to network. Your objective is to emerge from networking with one (or more) goals than when you went in. If there isn't a good fit between your goals of being there and the person you are talking to, don't change the topic from business to the weather, sports, the food, etc. Move on. It's lovely to meet new people, but if you are looking to connect with certain people and their needs, seek them out.

4. What are some of your tips for business people looking to make more connections in their community?

To make a definitive mark in your community, give thought to when you last felt your heart truly soar. If for example, seeing a young child achieve his/her goal gives you goosebumps, then point part of your business or career path toward helping the young students (or schools) in some way. Your true passion will easily translate to wonderful community benefits. Enlist help from your team to gain maximum support.

5. What projects are you looking forward to over the next months?

I just started a blog, and through it, I hope to connect to more companies. When I do, I can guide their business development by facilitating referrals to them, as well as sharing stellar networking techniques.

I have been getting great feedback from readers, and it is becoming a community of knowledge. I hope to continue growing it!!

Thanks, Cathy!

Meet Sabih Javed of Content Ray

Content Ray is a content writing agency that delivers ready-to-use content ranging from blog posts to press releases to sales letters and more. It offers high quality content at unmatched prices. Sabih Javed is a co-founder and marketing manager with the company.

1. How did Content Ray first get started?

We (me and Giuseppe Lo Giudice) started Content Ray in November 2015 and finally decided to register it as a business entity in January 2016.

It all started when I was working with Giuseppe on one of his blogs. Due to overwork, we decided to outsource blog post writing and publishing. As we were looking for blog writing services that would help us with getting some blog posts done, we found that most of the content writing services weren't cheap. The ones that were affordable returned content that was not acceptable.

Another major issue that we faced was lack of ordering content instantly, as most of the companies didn't have any online store (or shop).

It was then when we decided to launch our own blog and content writing company that would be cost-effective and allow customers to purchase content instantly from an online shop.

2. What types of content writing services do you offer?

We currently offer six different types of writing services at this moment:

1. Blog writing services
2. Optimized articles
3. Ebook writing service
4. Copywriting
5. Press release writing service
6. Website content

We plan to introduce a few other writing services in the future which include a guest posting service, weekly blog post package, and press release distribution.

3. Would you tell us more about your eBook writing services? Do you write both fiction and nonfiction?

We write both fiction and nonfiction eBooks.

As soon as we receive an order for eBook writing, we assign it to the most suitable writer. We hire a writer or choose one from one of the permanent writers we have on our team. We have five permanent writers on our team, so if a writer from our team has the right experience and skills to take the project, we assign it to him/her. Otherwise we hire a specialist writer and get the eBook written.

4. How do you balance keeping your prices affordable while also supplying good quality writing?

We have kept administrative cost to a minimum because we haven;t overstaffed. We have just seven permanent team members, and this helps us reduce costs significantly.

We have 50 freelance writers associated with our company who are ready to serve our content writing needs. We contact them on an as-needed basis, so you see we are not paying them any salary. This is one major variable that has kept our cost significantly low as compared to our competitors.

We have four different writing plans: Basic, Standard, Premium, and Premium Plus. The quality and thus the price of the written content varies. For instance, junior writers having experience of less than one year write content for Basic plan orders. This bifurcation lets us control the cost.

5. Is there anything else you'd like readers of this blog to know about Content Ray?

Content Ray is not one of those traditional content writing agencies that will deliver poorly written content; instead, it is a registered business that delivers top-notch content to its customers. We offer unlimited free revisions to make sure you get what you actually like. Content Ray is your business's best friend.

We also offer a selection of free content writing tips! Thanks, Sabih!

Meet Christine L. Robinson, Entrepreneur

Christine L. Robinson is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of MegaWebPromote and SocialAccelerator. She holds a Master's degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor's in Liberal Studies, and she served seven years in the U.S. Army. Christine is a personal development and business coach and is the author of two books.

1. Have you always wanted to be an entrepreneur?

It wasn't until I was in my early 30s that I realized I could be an entrepreneur. Like many people, I had to get to a point in life where I was able to take the leap into being self-employed and make following my passion a reality.

2. What inspired you to start MegaWebPromote.com and SocialAccelerator.info?

My inspiration for starting MegaWebPromote and SocialAccelerator is the desire to help small businesses grow. Having once been there, I understand that it is difficult to balance every aspect of the business. As a business coach, I would give clients strategies on how to increase traffic and engage in meaningful social media marketing, right after telling them that as one person there is only so much they could accomplish in a day. I had to ask myself, why am I telling my clients to outsource a service I could provide; MegaWebPromote and SocialAccelerator were born from that self-reflective question.

3. Why is it so hard for many small businesses to get traffic to their sites, even when they are posting new and informative content?

In my opinion, it is hard for small businesses to get traffic to their sites because the World Wide Web is so vast and there is so much content that it is easy for a site to get lost. You could have the best blog about dog training, but if you don't have daily traffic to your site, and a strong social media following, how many people aren't reading the best dog training blog? The other problem that I think small businesses face is resources; most small business owners don't have a dedicated employee who can spend all their time generating traffic and/or creating content. It can be a difficult juggling act when trying to focus on the people and product of the business. It's important to outsource what you are unable to do, so that you get the results without having to spread yourself thin or neglect other aspects of the business.

4. I think a lot of people get overwhelmed by the idea of establishing a social media presence and end up undertaking a scattershot, inefficient approach. What do you suggest as a starting point--or as a way to start anew when social media seems flat?

I think the starting point for a business' social media presence is to figure out what you would like to gain from being on social media; is it a means of showcasing your product, engaging clients, sharing content, or providing information/research to funnel potential clients through a sales funnel? Once you have a purpose in place, it is easier to tailor the content so it can be effective and yield results.

5. What are your goals for 2016?

My goal for 2016 is to continue to follow my dreams and live life to the fullest. I know that is what everyone says, but I truly believe in being happy in the present. When you are genuinely the best you that you can be, everything else falls into place; and life is just better!

Thanks, Christine!

Introducing Vend POS Software

Whether you're a small business owner who has one store, or you're making POS software purchasing decisions for a large retail chain, it would be worth your time to check out Vend, a point of sale system that helps you with everything from inventory management to customer loyalty programs.

One reason why Vend works for retail businesses of different sizes is that pricing varies depending on the amount of products and/or services you're selling, as well as the number of outlets you need for the software. There is an affordable monthly rate, with a discount when you purchase a year's worth of software use.

The Vend website has a tour to show you how the software works, and they also have a helpful menu to show specific features designed to help particular types of stores such as coffee shops, clothing boutiques, beauty salons, and home decor shops.

You can customize the software package and use the features you want to use for your business such as returns, email receipts, layaways, and gift cards. Some other features of this PoS system include detailed analytics and ecommerce functionality that helps you build a nice looking, easy to navigate storefront so that you can have a nice-looking online presence, even if you're primarily a brick and mortar business.

Perhaps most importantly, Vend makes it easy to accept payments and can accept debit and credit cards from leading providers around the world.

The software is available for iPad, Mac and PC--and you can manage and grow your business in the cloud. Another great feature is that Vend works offline. You can sell if the internet goes down or if you're in a location without an internet connection, Vend will sync when you go back online.

Vend offers a free 30 day trial, no credit card required, so if you're curious, check it out today for free.

Meet Timothy M. Houston, Author and Entrepreneur

Timothy M. Houston is a father, a #1 Bestselling Author, an in-demand speaker, a high-energy and motivational trainer, and an entrepreneur with 20 years of making businesses and people more productive, profitable, and prosperous. Learn more about his book, The Referral Rules, by visiting www.ReferralRules.com. You can also learn more about Tim by reading this previous With Five Questions interview from 2013.

1. You have written about business networking and referral marketing in the past. What inspired you to write another book about referral marketing?

This book was actually written out of frustration. As a business person who has 20+ years of experience, it always amazes me how some of the most seasoned business people forget the basics and how some of the newer people to the business world were never taught the basics. In the introduction of the book, I tell the story of how I attended a networking event and witnessed a behavior which encouraged the attendees to believe that they were entitled to getting referrals just because they showed up to the event! That kind of attitude and behavior continued even after this particular event when one of the attendees assumed he was going to get referrals from me just because we had interacted.

Referral marketing is an ever important and ever evolving subject area in the business world. I decided to write a short book called The Referral Rules that teaches seven time-tested, proven ways to generate more qualified referrals for almost any business. I designed it so that both the veteran and novice can read it in under an hour and immediately implement what they learned.

2. After releasing The Referral Rules as an ebook in 2013, why did you decide to release a paperback version in 2016?

It was in response to an interesting phenomena/trend. My first two books were published both as paperback and as ebooks. By the time I released The Referral Rules in November 2013, the ebook versions of my prior books were outselling the paperback by a four to one margin each month.

So I decided The Referral Rules would be my first book to be released only in ebook format, and I made it exclusively available for sale on Amazon and available through their KDP Select program.

Then two things happened. First, many people who had my previous books would ask me if The Referral Rules was available in print because they wanted a physical copy of it (plus I couldn't autograph a digital copy at any of my in-person events). Second, since The Referral Rules is a short book (only 75 pages) many people told me that they would be not only be inclined to read the book in an hour or less; they were less likely to be distracted from reading a paperback versus a digital book on their phone or tablet as emails, texts, and other things would distract them.

So I decided that I would give my audience what they wanted: an actual, physical copy of The Referral Rules.

3. What are some common reasons that some entrepreneurs seem to come up empty when it comes to getting referrals?

I teach in my seminars and online programs that many people although being "relationship rich" are often "referral poor" due to five common reasons. In brief they are:

1. People are too distracted and don't "care" about you or your services/products yet. You have to break through to them and cause them to take notice of you. One solution is to create a system that motivates and causes them to take action refer someone to you. (I discuss and provide the various outlines to do this in my book, Leads to Referrals).
2. People prematurely ask for referrals when the relationship is too new or not deep enough. People won't refer because they won't risk their personal and professional reputation or even take a financial risk by referring their best clients to someone they really don't know, trust, or have confidence in.
3. People's image doesn’t match their message. They may portray themselves one way in person and very differently on social media. Everything that you say and do both online and off creates an experience point to which people will refer in their mind that helps to convince them why they should refer a prospect to you.
4. Others don't know how to give referrals to you or what would be a qualified referral for you. It's your responsibility to educate them how to identify the opportunities, open a conversation, and refer a qualified person to you.
5. You are not giving referrals to others. In order to receive, you have to give to those you trust, admire, respect, and have confidence in.

4. What distinguishes a viable prospect from a lead that doesn't go anywhere?

In The Referral Rules I define a qualified referral as being: "the privilege of the opportunity given to you by someone else to potentially do business with someone who wants, needs, or desires the products or services that you offer."

The person who wants, needs, or desires your services or products is a viable prospect because a) they have a relationship with the person who is referring them to you and that person has told them about you and in essence has pre-qualified them for you, and b) they are ready to have some form of communication with you.

Dictionary.com defines a "lead" as: "a suggestion or piece of information that helps to direct or guide; tip; clue: I got a lead on a new job. The phone list provided some great sales leads."

A lead is a person who, at best, is seeking information. They can come from a variety of sources such as a business card or a list, or they can even respond to an advertisement.

Usually, leads are not really in the market or at the very least, have not yet committed to one solution or another. From a business person's standpoint, a lead is similar to a cold-call: you have no relationship with the person, they aren't really expecting to hear from you, and there's no one to vouch for the quality of your services or products and about you as a person.

5. You've written three books and owned/managed four businesses. What do you see yourself doing next?

I always see myself being busy (in a productive way), so there's always another project I'm working on. My long-term plan has me writing more books, producing more online courses and in-person seminars, and getting back on the road to do more speaking engagements.

I'm already working on two immediate business goals. First, later this year another book called No-Nonsense Networking will be released. It's a collaborative effort between me and several other business people and noted authorities that teaches people what to do before, during, and after your networking efforts.

The second goal has already started in that I just launched a new event for business owners and entrepreneurs called The Entrepreneur's Epiphany which I have been beta-testing over the past two years. It's a mastermind/learning experience where the attendees are not just the students but the teachers as well. It has been very well-received and we just launched our first event in New York City in January. My long-term goal is to have these events on a monthly basis in cities and towns across the US and then around the world.

Thanks, Tim!

Meet Michael Luchies, Entrepreneur and Writer

Founder of TrepRep, Michael Luchies is an entrepreneur, writer, and consultant who recently gave a TEDx talk on the subject of "The Importance of Being an Unselfish Storyteller." Check out his talk below, and visit him at MichaelLuchies.com.

1. Why is storytelling important for entrepreneurs?

Storytelling is extremely important for entrepreneurs. In fact, it's a necessity for their brand to be able to establish respect and resonance with their customers, grow, and survive, and it's what separates their brand from others.

The best brands today tell amazing stories.

Have you seen a Nike commercial lately, a can of Coca-Cola with someone's name on it, or even an episode of ABC's Shark Tank? These stories bring us closer to those companies.

There is a story (and in some cases thousands of stories) behind every company's brand, and the stronger that story (or stories), the more opportunities that brand has to earn and keep the loyalty of customers.

No one wants to connect with a logo; they want to connect with the brand and the people behind that logo.

After the homepage, a website's about page is the next highest viewed page. Why? Because we want to see how the business began, who's behind it, and why it began. This story helps us establish an understanding of and relationship with the business.

2. What separates a "selfish" from an "unselfish" storyteller?

Like storytelling in general, being a selfish storyteller is a natural part of our lives. It's also a necessity for the vast majority of human beings.

Examples of completely unselfish storytellers are monks and nuns. They dedicate their lives only to serve others, and the vows they take require unselfishly giving up the things that the rest of us seek to gain (money, family, fame, comfort, etc.).

With my TEDx Talk, "The Importance of Being an Unselfish Storyteller," I'm not suggesting that people become monks or nuns, but aware that the personal experiences and tough times and hardships they have been through can help others get through those tough times. These are the stories that can change the world.

What you ate for breakfast posted on Instagram or your blog post about reasons why someone should do business with you may serve a purpose, but are you posting these messages for you or someone else? The more we can even out the proportion of selfish and unselfish stories we tell, the better off the entire world will be. Inching closer to being an unselfish storyteller is something we should all strive for.

3. How did you come upon the opportunity to give a TEDx talk?

Networking and getting involved in things I love in the community.

In my years working for a nonprofit that worked with college students who had aspirations of becoming entrepreneurs, I learned the importance of building a network and the joy that came from selflessly helping others.

It was basically my job to help people--how cool is that?

From this experience I met many amazing people and continued to work with them after I had quit that job. When TEDx was launched in my area, Normal, Illinois, I was lucky enough to have been invited to participate.

If you want to speak at an event like TEDx, or do become involved in community events of this nature, start connecting with people who get stuff done. There are many people who talk about creating change and doing things, but very few people who take those thoughts and good intentions and turn it into actual action. I just got lucky enough to surround myself with a few of those people, and like to think I'm one of them as well.

4. In putting your talk together, what did you most hope that listeners would take away from it?

Too often, we worry about the way we will be perceived because of something we say instead of the positive impact it may have on others. We have to shift our mindsets a little bit to recognize how important being real and vulnerable in our communications to others is.

Leading up to the talk, I was scared and nervous about the talk. When talking to professional speaker coach and author Michael Port, he said that it's important to measure the fear you feel against your desire to get your message out to others. Since I had a significant desire to share the importance of being an unselfish storyteller with a large audience, my fear changed to anticipation. I was excited to share instead of being scared to mess up and fall flat on my face up onstage.

This same kind of shift in thinking is what I hoped to leave with listeners of my talk and people who watch it on the official TEDx YouTube channel. I want them to think of the value of their stories to help other people instead of worrying about how these stories may be used against them or the fear that comes with being vulnerable and giving away information that we’ve been told since an early age isn't appropriate to talk about.

Mentioning that I was held at gunpoint isn't fun or something I do to get people's sympathy or interest, but if one person gets the tiniest bit of comfort or decides to contact me to talk about it, I've been able to make a change that would've been impossible without sharing that piece of information.

We all have had our lives changed because of something someone else said. We can do this positively for others, but we have to be able to recognize these opportunities and not be afraid of opening up unselfishly to help. Each of us has the ability to be inspirational, motivational, and life-changing solely by speaking our truths and giving anecdotes and insight from our lives.

5. What else would you like readers to know about you--and about the ways that you help entrepreneurs?

Whether you're an entrepreneur, corporate professional, or unemployed, I'd like to encourage you to think deeply about how you communicate with others and what people around you need. Whether this is a story, helping hand, or something completely different, solving a need that people have around you will always be in demand.

With the entrepreneurs and small businesses I work with providing content strategy and management, I need to fill their need of connecting with people who need their help.

Regardless of what their business is and the products or services they offer, there are always more people they can serve and better ways to serve current customers. It may seem odd that writing can fill this need, but information is extremely valuable, and stories can be the vehicle for that information.

If you are interested in learning more about me or what I provide, I welcome you to visit MichaelLuchies.com, TrepRep.com, or email me right now at Michael@TrepRep.com and tell me how I may be able to help you or your business.

Thanks, Michael!

Meet Jill M. Morris, Author of The Nonprofit Toolkit

Jill M. Morris has worked in the public relations field for nearly 20 years, with a particular emphasis on assisting those in the nonprofit world. As she puts it, she works "with a mission to help those who are on a mission." She founded Jill Morris Public Relations, LLC (JMPR) in 2007. Jill was also Special Assistant to the late Honorable Eunice Kennedy Shriver at the Kennedy Foundation.

Jill's latest project is The Nonprofit Toolkit. This is a step by step guide to starting a nonprofit and contains a set of 14 documents to help you start your nonprofit business, including everything from a business plan template to a five-year budget projections template.

1. What inspired to you put together The Nonprofit Toolkit?

I have dual expertise in public relations and nonprofit management with years of experience and education in both. My company, Jill Morris Public Relations, primarily serves nonprofits. Servicing nonprofits' external needs, I'm finding that many are in shambles internally. I stand firm on the saying that whatever happens internally will be revealed externally. With that understanding, in order to keep up with the demand for public relations services, I thought it would be beneficial to create tools that staff could execute as I am managing their publics. Also, because I often speak at conferences, I get several calls a week from individuals seeking mentoring on starting nonprofits. I want to help everybody. In a nutshell, the inspiration to put together the toolkit was to ensure nonprofits, specifically my clients, are building sustainable organizations.

2. Could you give us some examples of some of the documents included in the kit and how they can help nonprofits?

Sure. So, one of the main documents that is included in the toolkit is the Bylaws template. You can find Bylaws samples all over the internet; however, the template I created includes two clauses that protect the founder, which is a high concern. Many founders fear boards taking full control over "their" organization and having the power and authority to terminate them at will. I have included a non-removal clause that simply states that the founder can only be removed from his/her administrative position at his/her will. The other clause protects the founder's intellectual property. Many individuals are building nonprofits of off their personal experiences, such as if a former battered woman starts a women's shelter. Well, with the influx of social media, many are packaging and selling their personal stories of victory. Therefore, the clause I included in the Bylaws template ensures the founder owns all rights to his/her intellectual property, even if it is affiliated with the nonprofit, as well as any proceeds.

Another document I included, which I believe is crucial and often overlooked by founders, is a full Business Plan template. I give sample "nonprofit" content throughout the Business Plan template, so that the founder can fully understand how to write out their vision. I even include a Budget Projections template with sample line items that most nonprofits need.

However, the most sought-after document in the toolkit is actually the Board Members Package, which includes the following templates for new board members: Invitation to Serve on Board Letter, Board Member Application, Founder's Guiding Principles, Commitment Statement, Confidentiality Agreement, and Board Officers/Members Duties.

The toolkit also includes a Step-by-Step Guide where I start with how to write the vision and end with how to build a "nonprofit" website and do outreach. I provide everything a newbie needs to build a sustainable nonprofit.

I've also included an annual Strategic Planning template, as well as IRS Form 1023 (application for 501(c)(3) tax exempt-status).

3. In your work as a public relations professional, what are some of the ways that you've helped nonprofits get their messages out into the world?

Well, the most consistent and "credible" way I've helped nonprofits get their messages out into the world is through traditional media. Whether hosting awareness events or highlighting client successes from their use of programs and services, I make it my business to inform the local media. I love creating public service announcements (PSAs) for radio. I still think they are effective. Also, with radio, nonprofits have the right to "free" airtime if they are promoting activities that benefit the community---which nonprofits do.

Now, with social media on the rise, unlike before, clients can be their own news source. I am an avid proponent of informative websites. I advise my clients to make their websites "Grand Central Station" and to include blogs, data, statistics, announcements, photos, etc. I help clients own their subject. Also, I encourage them to be active social media accounts with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. I advise to use website content and distribute via their social media circles.

4. I think people often think that PR is costly, but what are some free or relatively inexpensive ways to create buzz?

Again, take advantage of local news sources. Radio, newspapers, local news stations, and events calendars still work wonders. The FCC has mandated "free" air-time and space for community news. Use it. Local news love "rags to riches" types of stories. If your nonprofit is changing lives, then ask a few of your successful clients if he/she would do an interview (get them to sign a media release, first!). Also, be sure to introduce yourself to editors/producers who cover the stories that are related to your nonprofit. Let them know that your organization is a source of information in whatever area you're serving. It's free.

Social media works wonders, too. However, I would suggest using video footage with social media. Although not free, I advise every nonprofit to do a promotional type video, annually, that highlights the organization's mission, overview of programs/services, snippets from executive staff and board members, and a few client features. A video works wonders. And, grantors LOVE seeing their dollars are being used as proposed.

5. If you could give just three pieces of advice to people who want to start a nonprofit but are hesitating because it seems too daunting, what would you suggest?

The best advice I can give to people who want to start a nonprofit is:

1. Write the vision and make it plain. If you feel a calling to serve purpose via the nonprofit sector, then you have to operate above feelings. You have work to do and your life will be miserable until you do it.

2. Draft a business plan. A nonprofit is driven by a mission, which is based on the founder's overall vision. A business plan is simply detailing the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the mission on paper.

3. Forget about "losing control," and recruit solid, knowledgeable, and professional Board members who are willing to work and help you serve purpose. Most nonprofits fail because they lack oversight and governance. When you are working on purpose, it's not a one-wo/man show. Get the help. Trust me, it is needed to change communities.

Thanks, Jill!

A Source for Cheap, Bulk Towels

What I love about the internet is that you can find a specialty site for just about anything you want to learn about and/or buy. A great example of this is the website for the Towels and Scrubs Depot. When you think about it, there are a lot of businesses that need to buy towels and/or scrubs--regularly and sometimes in large quantities.

Some examples of businesses served by this site include restaurants needing towels and kitchen linens, including potholders, chef uniforms, and more. Hotels and motels have a lot of need for towels, sheets, robes, and other products. Barber shops, spas, janitorial services, and car washes are other businesses that need a lot of towels and related products such as salon towels, microfiber towels, spa towels, and so on.

The site also offers a variety of medical scrubs which of course are very useful for hospitals, clinics, schools, and more. There are a lot of different types of scrub sets available, and when you order from a site like this, you can order a larger quantity and get a great price.

Towels and Scrubs Depot has a minimum purchase of $50 for all orders, but you won't have a hard time finding $50 worth of deals to purchase for your needs when it comes to towels, scrubs, and related supplies. The next time you're searching for wholesale towels, medical scrubs uniforms, cheap towels, bulk towels, or other related items, check out Towels and Scrubs depot.

Meet Dan Anton, Atlanta SEO Online Marketer

Dan Anton is an Army veteran who has found success as an online marketer and SEO expert. After experiencing a a combat injury in 2008, he found a new career online--in fact, within six months, his online business had made him over a million dollars. See a full list of Dan Anton's military achievements and awards at http://dananton.com/awards-testimonials.

1. Before you were known as one of the best online marketers in the world, you were in the Army. Can you tell us a little about your military life?

When the towers fell on September 11, 2001, I was 21 at the time and ready to graduate with honors from Mount Clair State University. This event altered my life forever; I decided right then and there that I was not only going to become a soldier, but I was ready to defend America and aggressively pursue anything that threatened her existence.

I didn't want to just "join"--I wanted to test myself, which is why I became an Infantry Army Ranger, and retired as a Major, completing two tours of combat duty in Iraq. I received two bronze stars for combat related actions, but on my last deployment my convoy was hit by an IED, badly injuring my spine, which directly led to my next career, online marketing.

2. You primarily focus on SEO, and software. How does it work?

SEO is short for search engine optimization. One of the lessons I learned from the Army was systemizing and streamlining processes. Creating large websites, optimizing them, and promoting them is more akin to a science than random happenstance. Of course, the human element is critical, which is why experience and the right team in place is critical to success. Simply put, I develop SEO software and services that deliver results.

3. How useful is your computer science background for your career?

I've always been fond of working with computers and technology. Even before going to Officer Training School, I studied Computer Science. Fast forward to today: it's invaluable as it allows me to not only see problems from a "coder" perspective but also intelligently lead and critique our development team. Considering the bulk of our business is software based, college helped prepare me well.

4. What was your first venture online?

I've been making money online since 1999, when I use to sell informational guides for video games such as World of Warcraft and sell used video games online. My military career always came first, so I had to back burner a lot of ideas until I had more time and more money. In 2006, around the time of Myspace and social networks popping up, my brother and I created a social network for gamers. We had thousands of loyal members but just didn't have the big venture capital required to launch a massive website to rival Myspace, Facebook, Reddit, etc. It taught me a great lesson on scaling properly, cash flow, and focusing on services to help others, versus trying to be an island and achieve success alone.

5. Do you have advice for anyone looking to switch careers?

Never switch careers because you are picking the lesser of two evils. There are so many different ways to make money and/or help others, so you should really sit down and think about what type of person you want to become, and not force a decision. In my case, I knew my military career was over, but a new, growing passion pulled me towards helping business owners achieve even more success. The more you attempt to help others, the more you will see a new career unfolding before you as a service is a need, and if it's a need it can become a fine-tuned skillset to earn a living as a career and not just a job.

If you are a business owner and wish to reach out about our Atlanta SEO brand, follow the website and contact form.

Thanks, Dan!

Meet Chris Spaulding, Creator of the Simple Marketing System

Creator of The Simple Marketing System®, Chris Spaulding is a marketing consultant and on-demand lead generation specialist. With more than 13 years experience in direct response marketing, copywriting, and face-to-face selling Chris has a proven track record of success. He knows how to sell. In the Simple Marketing System, Chris has created an intuitive, scalable, customized approach to marketing and selling products and service off- and online. The Simple Marketing System is a multi-step approach to growing a business that increases leads and sales without spending more money on marketing. Chris is also an adjunct professor in the Rutgers University mini-MBA programs.

1. What inspired you to create your Simple Marketing System?

Well, my background is sales and marketing. I started off in real estate and then moved to selling consulting services to the financial industry. I've always been sort of a business growth addict, and I consume anything I can get my hands on related to business growth. Sales, marketing, copywriting, anything that can help me more effectively convince someone to buy.

While I learned something useful from every book I read, every course I took, or every cd I listened to, there was no real system or framework behind it all I could use to put it all together. I took a little bit from one expert and a little bit from another and applied it to the businesses I was involved in.

Then, after a lot of frustration, I realized, in order for a business to be successful, it needs two types of systems. And, if you can build these systems, you can grow any business predictably. First, there needs to be systems to find, engage, and convert prospects to paying clients, customers, or patients. Then, there needs to be systems to increase the value of current and past clients.

Most businesses only concentrate on finding new clients, and they practice what I call "random acts of marketing." They do everything tactically, with no clear strategy around growing their business.

That's why I created Business Marketing Solutions and the Simple Marketing System. I wanted to give business owners a way to strategically grow their businesses by creating a steady, predictable flow of new business, and a way to maximize the business they already have.

2. Why is lead generation so difficult for many people?

Most business owners and unfortunately most people who hold themselves out as marketing or advertising professionals do not know or do not understand the purpose of marketing. They practice random acts of marketing, and they are always looking for the "next big thing" or some magic bullet that will solve all of their business woes rather than thinking and acting strategically. Because they don't know how to effectively generate leads, they constantly worry where their next client will come from. They stay up at night and wonder how they will keep the lights on or make payroll. This is no way to run a business, and it affects their whole life.

As I said before, businesses need systems to find and convert new prospects into high value clients. There are three steps to creating effective lead generation. Unfortunately, most businesses skip the first step.

To create marketing or lead generation programs that work, you need to deeply understand who your ideal prospect is. Not just their demographics, but also their psychographics. You need to know their interests, behaviors, beliefs, values, fears, goals, etc. so you can reach them effectively. You need to understand what problem they have or what goal they are trying to achieve and how your product or service fits in. What problem does it solve? What transformation does it deliver that your ideal prospect cares about?

As behavioral expert Wyatt Woodsmall said, "If you can describe someone's problem better than they can describe it themselves, they will naturally assume you have the solution." As a marketer or business owner, you have to have a deep understanding of who your ideal prospects are. Most marketers make lots of costly assumptions and never take the time to develop this understanding of their target market. Because they skip this step, it becomes very hard for them to create effective offers and compelling messages that capture their markets attention and generate quality leads for their business.

This is why we created our "on-demand lead generation" services. We use cutting edge technology to generate high quality, highly qualified leads for our clients, and it all starts with getting deep inside the heads of our ideal prospects.

3. Can you give us an example of a marketing-related activity that a lot of businesses are making a lot harder for themselves than it should be?

Most businesses make marketing and business growth overall a lot more complicated than it has to be. It is not easy, but it is not rocket science either. As we discussed a little while ago, most businesses are tactical, not strategic. They are constantly worried about generating revenue to meet their immediate needs, like payroll. It's like their business is living paycheck-to-paycheck. What they need to do is strategically engineer a plan to get their business where they want it to be.

Part of this is to develop systems to generate clients and systems to increase the values of the ones they already have. Rather than running an ad in a local newspaper, doing some radio or TV, trying google AdWords, or whatever other media they can find, businesses need to assess where they are today, optimize their current marketing assets and then, look to strategically implement new marketing channels. Before the business starts introducing new means of attracting customers, they need to first make sure they are fully leveraging everything they are doing today. This is a core philosophy within The Simple Marketing System.

They also need to realize that the only purpose of marketing is to generate profits for their business. It is not to be cute, creative, or funny. Most of what passes for marketing today is pathetic. Results matter, period. If a business runs a campaign and it sells, that is good. If it doesn't, it's not, and it needs to be stopped or changed until it starts generating positive ROI. Unfortunately, most businesses are sold immeasurable marketing. If you can't track the success or failure of a campaign, don't run it.

I recently had a client tell me she was told it could take up to a year for an ad she is running in a local paper to generate a return. The media salesman told her she first needs to build brand recognition. Brand recognition has its place, but it doesn't trump ROI. BS like this gets me so mad. Too many businesses are led down this path.

4. What do you most enjoy about working in the marketing field?

I love interacting with entrepreneurs and figuring out how to take their business to the next level. Whether it's turning around a struggling business, helping a startup get into profitability, or taking a six or seven figure business to the next level, I love working with and having the opportunity to help entrepreneurs.

5. For a small business owner who is feeling stuck when it comes to growing their business, what's your best advice for starting to get un-stuck and learning how to find new clients/customers?

Focus on marketing. It is the most powerful leverage point within your business. It's critical that you learn how to generate clients, customers, or patients on-demand, and you have to know how to get the most value from the ones you already have.

I offer free 30 minute Business Opportunity Strategy sessions to business owners to help you get started. You can apply on my website, www.SimpleMarketingSystem.com.

Introducing House Removals Surrey

Do you have a home or business in the greater Surrey area? Or maybe you're moving to the area soon? House Removals Surrey offers complete services for moving.

Removals Surrey can do home or office removals, and they have services to help you with packing and/or unpacking as well. They aim to offer affordable pricing, and your price will be based on the specific details of your job, including the size and amount of goods to be moved and the time and distance the move requires.

You can also get appointments at the times that are convenient to you, with no additional charge for weekend or after-hours appointment times.

I was impressed with reading that Removals Surrey takes pride in offering special care when it comes to taking care of breakable items, and that they make sure that their vans are impeccably clean. I like to know that a company pays close attention to details like these, and such details are what make you feel a sense of trust and security--and what could be more important when you are trusting someone to help you move the items that are most important to your home and/or business?

This is a company that has been in business for over ten years, so if you're living in or moving to Surrey, give their website a look!

Meet Teri Johnson, Executive Coach

Clients appreciate Teri Johnson's capacity to help them create clarity and expand possibilities while honoring their deepest truths. They value having a greater understanding of their strengths and how to apply them in creative ways, while reframing weakness as a point of entry for collaboration. Clients frequently report a significant positive shift in relationships.

Learn more about Teri by visiting her LinkedIn profile and the website for her business, Personal Best Partners.

1. What are the benefits of focusing on your clients' strengths when it comes to coaching?

One of the things we all seem to have in common is a great awareness of our not-so-strong areas. As a culture, we obsess over our shortcomings. By giving clients a focus on what they naturally do well and excel at, I give them a powerful shift in focus which energizes, inspires, and creates curiosity and a sense that, "maybe I am doing better than I thought I was." When we focus on using our strengths well, we move away from deficit thinking, which is draining. Someone could spend hours on correcting their weaker areas and still never master it. If they invest that time on what they already do well, the payoff is amazing.

2. When is the right moment in someone's career to spend time working with an executive coach?

Although people can benefit from coaching anytime in their career in terms of clarity and expansion, there are some points when it is most beneficial. One is when a person has been promoted to management because of their level of competence in other skills, like technical savvy, for example. If they have never managed people before, they would benefit from working through the transition with a coach asking powerful, clarifying questions and helping them structure the transition in bite-size pieces. Coaching can be helpful during any transition point, or when a person is unsure of what they want next and feel stuck. We have tools to help them zero in on what is most important and meaningful to them, and how to take the first step toward that.

3. What are some successes people have experienced in working with you?

Some people have doubled or tripled their income as a result of really looking at the value they bring and asking for what that represents in terms of dollars. Many have reported improved relationships in the workplace and in their personal lives. Some have recreated the way they work--going in a direction that allows them to use their natural strengths and working for individuals or organizations that truly value their contribution and leaving behind or delegating those tasks that drain them. Some have become more inspiring leaders, or finished a book or important project that had been stalled.

4. How is working with teams as a coach different than working with individuals--and how is it similar?

It is different in that we are honoring more than one person's opinion or experience, and there are multiple personalities and multiple strengths in the space, as well as many different agendas. However, that can be true of an individual as well, when they have inner conflict about the direction they want to take. The similarity between teams and individuals is that they have priorities and values they want to honor, and that becomes the starting point for both. There is more energy when we have more people in the space, whether it is a room or a virtual space. The energy can be calmer when it is one individual, and people are usually more willing to be perfectly candid one on one, where they might be reluctant to name something specifically in front of their peers. In each instance, we establish an agreement of non judgement and acceptance to make the exchange feel more safe. Everyone agrees to confidentiality.

5. What are some of your favorite things about your job?

I love helping people see themselves in a more powerful light, and own their talents. It is a privilege to be in such deep, personal communication with brilliant minds, and it teaches me that we are all much more alike than different, no matter how many zeroes are on our pay stub. I think the very best part of my job is celebrating when clients reach a personal victory and are on top of the world. It is amazing to be a part of that kind of journey, and I am grateful every day to get to do this work.

Thanks, Teri!

Introducing Nex Worldwide Express for International Shipping

Do you do a lot of shipping for your business? Or do you have friends and family in different parts of the world and need to ship packages to them? NEX Worldwide Express is a shipping company that offers international air express courier, freight forwarding, and ocean/air cargo services. They offer domestic shipping services as well.

NEX ships small parcel, similar to companies like DHL and FedEx. Using NEX, you can ship all over the world from the United States. Their company was founded in 2001, and over the years, they have worked to provide affordable and efficient shipping services. Whether you need to ship documents, packages, or freight, NEX will work with you to find the most cost-efficient options.

Their website provides a lot of easy to use resources that allow you to prepare and track your shipments, look at rates and transit times, schedule courier pickups, order shipping supplies, create itemized invoices, and more. The US operations of NEX are based in New York, and their domestic and international networks continue to expand.

Learn more by visiting www.ShipNEX.com.

Ideas for Sample Cover Letters

Cover letters. Just reading those two words can make you feel exhausted. I know that when I've been in intense periods of job hunting, I've changed my cover letter up quite a bit when I feel like it's not getting me good results. But how do you know what makes a good cover letter?

A great place to start is by looking at sample cover letters. The Sample Cover Letters website I've linked in this post is a helpful resource whether you're just sitting down to write your first-ever cover letter, or you're looking to improve upon the letter you've been using. There are lots of relevant tips on basics like how to format your letter, how to make your paragraphs flow smoothly, and how to emphasize your strengths and explain any issues such as gaps in employment.

Another cool thing about this particular website is that they have samples relevant to specific jobs including teaching, dental assisting, and medical assisting. And if you're an entrepreneur, here's one other interesting point: there is also a sample business plan cover letter that you can use if you're writing a cover letter to a potential investor, bank, or other business-related institution that might be helping you with funding for your business.

Did you know that a lot of job applicants don't even bother to include a cover letter when they apply for a job? You can set yourself apart from the crowd just by taking the time to compose a well-written letter. And with detailed samples to give you a solid starting point, there's really no excuse to not have a great cover letter as part of your job hunting portfolio.

Bob Trotta, Founder of T&M Protection Resources

When researching a security company, it's good to start with the people who founded it. Back in 1981, T&M Security Services got its start as a two-person operation, started by Bob Trotta founder of protective services.

Before founding T&M, Bob Trotta had worked for the NYPD. But he saw that the marketplace needed a security company that could meet increasing corporate demand for services. He was a pioneer in the field when it came to employing off-duty police officers--and also when it came to implementing solid policies for employee screening and training.

Today, T&M offers services in such areas as security consulting, investigations, and global intelligence to a wide range of corporate and private clients, including financial institutions. They work in the US and abroad, with expertise in helping with travel related security needs. Their areas of expertise include protecting executives and celebrities, data forensics, fraud investigation, and information security.

Headquartered in New York, T&M also has several branches in Israel. Their goal is to offer customized solutions for each individual client. It's interesting to trace the beginnings of this international company back to Bob Trotta, an individual security expert who left the police force to find a new career in the private sector.

Software Developers Vs Software Consultants

The following is a guest post provided by Noat.

What is a Software Developer?

A software developer is essentially a software programmer that will work full-time for a company to design software systems for that company. They will design software based upon the needs of the company. The company decides what they need and then the developer will work to create the software for the company. A developer may work on various projects and have a team that helps them create the software. The developer may also work with a software consultant who helps the developer understand what is required for the business and then they decide on the best system for the company.

Jobs They Do

• A developer will program software for the needs of the company
• They may develop software prototypes to test how the software responds to users' needs
• Help users test the new software to get feedback before the system is implemented
• They install, configure, customize, and integrate the software into the computer systems of the company, but often work with others as they perform these jobs
• Work to maintain and fix software which has bugs or other problems once implemented
• Works on software upgrades to improve performance or to meet new needs of the business
• Provide documentation for employees so they know how to operate the new software system.

A software developer will work on a wide variety of software related jobs for the business depending upon what is needed for the company. Their job is always changing as the company grows. A good software developer has the ability to adapt and be flexible to changes in the business and be able to meet new demands placed upon them.

Software Consultant

The software consultant isn't a member of the business. They are a professional that is called in to help the company determine the types of software that the company needs. They may work with the software developer to help design the new software after an analysis of the business needs is completed. The consultant will work with a team to help the business design software that works for them.

Jobs They Do

• A software consultant helps a business determine their software needs
• They work with a project team in many cases to create the new software for the business
• They may make recommendations on software packages that are already developed that may benefit the business

A consultant may be part of a software consulting firm or they may work as a self-employed individual. A consultant usually has a lot of experience with software and computers already before they become a consultant. For example, the consultant may already be a computer programmer or another IT professional.

Summary

A software developer is a professional that designs and implements software for a business. They have extensive programming experience and will work to design software that a company needs. A software consultant helps a business decide what types of software that a company needs. They may work with a software developer or other professional to determine the best system for the business and then the software developer will work to implement that system for the business.

Introducing Unlimited Business Strategies, Inc

Did you know that many new businesses fail within three years of opening? The people behind Unlimited Business Strategies, Inc know this very well. In fact, it's what motivated them to start their own business, with the goal of helping business owners build credit and have better access to the necessary capital to sustain and grow a new venture.

The company's motto is "Where Business Credit & Capital Meet." Their activities are twofold. On the one hand, they can help businesses find creative funding options so that the businesses can afford to grow. On the other hand, they also help businesses build a stronger business credit profile, which in turn opens more funding and credit options.

By helping businesses access the funding they need to stay in business, Unlimited Business Strategies sees results on a larger scale that goes beyond the specific companies they work with. This is because when they help an individual business, they help the community, too, by bringing more job opportunities to that community and also infusing more money into the local economy.

The people at Unlimited Business Strategies also have a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and will work with each individual business owner to find the best solutions for their individual short-term and/or long-term needs. If you don't have great personal credit, you may think you won't qualify for business credit, but it really is worth the time to work with professionals and see what funding options are available to you both now and in the future once you build your business credit.

To learn more, visit http://www.unlimitedstrategies.net.