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Yonkers, NY, United States (AHN) – According to a new Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll, about two thirds of Americans plan to spend more this holiday season. Still, projected sales figures are down from 42 percent in 2008.

“Consumers are optimistic, but they don’t necessarily believe that happy days are here again. Credit is tight, unemployment remains high, the value of their homes has dropped and many Americans are facing the prospect of higher taxes of all levels,” said Tod Marks, Consumer Reports’ senior editor and resident shopping expert.

He went on to say, “So while it’s a bit surprising that some plan to spend somewhat more than last year, the fact is they’re insisting on value, value, value.”

In a previous poll conducted by Consumer Reports at the end of 2009′s holiday shopping season, shoppers estimated they spent on average $81 -16 percent higher than what they had planned.

The latest poll also found that most of the people surveyed plan to use cash as often as possible and about four in ten will cut back on credit and debit card spending. Additionally, it revealed that nearly 13.6 million Americans are still paying last years’ leftover holiday debt.

In stark contrast to last year’s holiday season holiday, optimism continues to grow. Forty percent of adults expect their holiday season to be happier than last year.

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A bad credit loan is a very familiar term now, especially among the people who are going through adverse economic situation. Bad credit loan is for those who have a poor credit score or a bad credit record. However, getting a bad credit loan is obviously not an easy task but if you try hard then you would be able to manage one.

As a bad credit holder, you can apply for bad credit signature loan which is also known as good faith loan. Here, the lender checks your credit history and current income before granting you the loan. There is no collateral involved in bad credit signature loan which makes your credit history more important for this kind of loan. Repay your credit card dues (for the last six months at least) before applying for bad credit signature loan. Your employment history is also crucial here. According to the requirements of most of the banks, the borrower has to be employed for the last two year (at least). If you are a self-employed person or experienced bankruptcy before then you will be considered as high risk borrower. However, if you have a good banking relationship with a certain bank for a long time, then apply for the loan over there. This will increase the chances of your loan approval.
An obvious feature of bad credit loan is the high interest rate but it will vary depending on the loan amount and refund period. Do not miss the terms and conditions of the loan prior to your loan application and choose the one that goes with your demand most.

Washington, D,C., United States (AHN) – Financial analysts told a special congressional panel Thursday that corporate executives should have their pay tied more closely to the investment risks of their companies.

Congress is investigating claims that excessive executive compensation contributed to the housing crisis and recession that started in December 2007.

They also are trying to determine how government can intervene to prevent the bad decisions of executives from dragging down the rest of the economy.

“Risk is not a factor in compensation,” Rose Marie Orens, a senior partner at Compensation Advisory Partners consulting firm in New York, told the congressional panel.

Currently, most executives are paid a percentage of a company’s earnings, which can reach into the tens of millions of dollars per year at some large corporations.

However, they do not risk losing their own money when they make decisions that hurt a company or its customers.

The pay system also encourages them to invest money in ways designed to earn a quick profit, according to witnesses before the Congressional Troubled Asset Relief Program Oversight Panel.

An example mentioned during the hearing involved Countrywide Financial Corp., a company that provides mortgages to homebuyers.

Its executives loosened credit terms to allow more people to qualify for home loans. When their personal finances failed, they were unable to pay back the mortgages.

As a result, many of them lost their homes through foreclosure, which contributed to the recession.

Investment firms Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers were accused of making similar bad decisions to make credit easily available to customers.

The corporate executives made more money for themselves by extending the easy credit, but they also dragged down the nation’s economy.

“Has any executive of Bear Stearns lost their health care and had to go to an emergency room to get it,” asked Damon Silvers, a member of the congressional panel.

“Not to my knowledge,” said Kevin Murphy, finance chairman at the University of Southern California Business School.

The Bush administration appointed a “special master” to develop recommendations on how corporate executives are paid.

The recommendations from Kenneth Feinberg, the special master, include requiring corporate executives to accept a base pay that is consistent with salaries of other management employees.

Any incentive compensation they receive would be only in the form of corporate shares.

They would be forbidden by the Securities and Exchange Commission from selling the shares for a period of years.

A delay of years before they could sell stock would discourage them from trying to win quick profits for their companies that reflect bad business decisions, Feinberg said.

In addition, their retirement benefits – sometimes called “golden parachutes” – would be more limited.

Feinberg also recommended a bigger role for the Securities and Exchange Commission in monitoring executive pay, which now is determined almost exclusively by the corporations.

“I don’t think we approve anyone’s pay package – maybe one or two people – over $10 million,” Feinberg said Thursday before the congressional panel.

Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-Del.), a member of the panel, said he liked the idea of limiting incentives for executives to company stock rather than cash.

He implied it would make them invest more wisely.

“If the market goes down, they should take the hit,” Kaufman said.

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A Grant Is A Gift

In view of this background, small business grants are comparable to manna from Heaven. A grant is usually given by the Government through schemes which are meant to promote certain businesses, professions or industrialization (and development) of a region. Most people know about these grants but do not go for it because they are stopped by certain myths.

1. The eligibility criteria are too strict. The truth is that there are fixed eligibility criteria; also there are for scholarships, bank loans and mortgages, job vacancies and so on. Do you stop applying because they give you fixed criteria? On the contrary, you try very hard to establish a match between their requirements and your strengths so you would be chosen as the right candidate.

2. Too much paper work. The truth is that when you deal with the Government, everything has to be in black-and-white. Though it can be a little tedious, the effort is comparable to that of applying for entry into a leading college, or qualifying for a major scholarship. The competition is high, and the best is selected.

3. The follow up is not worth it. Of course, it is worth it. Whatever rate of interest you are offered you cannot match the fact that with a grant you do not need to return the money at all. The trouble you go through to get the grant is amply rewarded by the fact that you need not worry about repayment.

As you can see, small business grants are a boon for any budding entrepreneur. Go for it!

Author: Placida Acheru
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Beading Necklace

Identifying the weakness of your business competition, then going ahead to exploit these limitations will help you stay ahead of your business opponents. In addition, note the strengths of your competitors and avoid them. In business, it is a matter of perception especially when it comes to marketing. The opinions of your customers are the ones that determine and map your business success.

As a business owner always be paranoid about your competitors. By this I mean; have a mindset that your business competitors are constantly up to something. This will help to come up with new business ideas and strategies and hence have an edge over your business rivals.

Find every opportunity to gather information about your business contenders. This can be achieved by reading magazines that feature your business rivals or inquiring from customers about the products and services been offered by your competitors.

Anytime something happens to threaten business operations, for example, realize of a new product by a rival company or the current economic crisis, business people tend to get disoriented and some may take irrational actions. This is why I started this article by stating that in business there is need to be focused and determined despite the challenges that come with running a company.

Stephen is an Business Organizing Expert . He researches and studies on big and small business strategies . Website: Business Management Solutions for efficient business operations.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/strategic-planning-articles/how-to-overcome-your-business-rivals-1401704.html

photo credit: keepitsurreal

Recession Proof Businesses will always have a better opportunity to survive in a severe recession, and if you are smart, and do your research, not only can they survive, but they can actually thrive in a recession or any economic collapse as we are now seeing in the U.S.

In choosing a business in a recession, look for the industries which are being impacted the most and identify a business which addressed the downturn in each. Obviously, most businesses will feel the impact, but there will always be some which experience more profit erosion than others.

As example, real estate has been hit hard due to the subprime mess and banking collapse. What do real estate people do when there is no business, then start prospecting as they are on commission basis for the most part, and no sales, no commissions, no income.

Just look in the newspaper to see the impact the downturn is having on the real estate industry, ads are a fraction of what there were, and this has a ripple effect in all advertising mediums, so here is the opportunity to thrive while others are trying to survive.

Look for more cost effective advertising alternatives to promote to the real estate industry. One of the best businesses which address this is the sales prospecting industry. When ads stop pulling in customers, you have to cultivate your existing client base trying to extract new business from your existing business, and this is a huge market.

One of the best advertising promotional businesses is the Predictive Call Dialer Sales Prospecting Industry. Simply put, imagine if you could offer the real estate industry a method to reach all their clients by internet phone messaging system with the touch of a key on any computer. You can now send a personal message to all your clients offering an update on local real estate prices, interest rates, taxes, anything relevant to a home owner shows you are committed to your clients. You don’t have to leave a message that is sales oriented, but staying in contact is critical in down economies when people are worried about their homes value.

This is an industry which most business owners do not know exists. Some of the most depressed markets are real estate, mortgage industry, auto dealers, stock brokers, financial consultants, insurance brokers, even the trades like plumbers, electricians and auto repair shops are struggling as people put off repairs. Everyone needs to stay in contact with their customers and clients to cultivate as many future sales as possible. It is always easier to create sales from within your client base than it is outside of it. Your warm market is always going to be the most receptive to being contacted with valuable information on your business or your industry in general.

There are several companies which specialize in predictive call dialers software. The most powerful system I have researched is an internet based system which does not require your phone lines being tied up when using as was the case with older dialers I had used a decade earlier. This new system is more powerful and less costly as there is no equipment to purchase or extra lines to be added in your home or office. Speaking of the real estate industry above, the mortgage industry is also dead due to subprime mortgage mess and banking system collapse. Even if people have good credit, mortgage money is not available. And for those who are losing their jobs, facing bankruptcy or foreclosure, never mind the millions who have bad or no credit, where is their hope of the American dream of home ownership? With millions unable to realize their dream home, this new business is worth your attention as it addresses a huge need with unending demand, even in good economic times.

New home construction is off by over 50% this past year, and as prices come down, it doesn’t help when there is no mortgage money available. ICF World Homes has a new strategy perfect for the first time home buyer, those with no or bad credit, bankruptcies, or worse, facing foreclosure. We know from the subprime mortgage disaster that there will be no hope for millions of credit challenged home buyers as mortgage underwriting guidelines become almost impossible to get an approval even with 30% plus down payments, the market is consumed with the fear factor banks all have.

Imagine a solution where the home buyer has an option to earn their dream home? ICF, which is Insulated Concrete Form homes provides the best construction for less. ICF is hurricane and earthquake strength construction which lowers insurance costs and energy costs, and with this new earn your new home option, it requires no mortgage approval. This is an industry which solving one of the largest economic issues in our history, and you can get in at the ground floor level with a new home construction company offering this self funded new home plan.

If you want to start a new business, you want to research ICF World Homes by taking a free tour of their new home presentation. As one who was in the environmental construction industry for years, I saw the value of this new option immediately. This is one of the best recession proof businesses I have researched over the years and worth your consideration.

As you can see, the above businesses can either enhance your existing real estate business, or other related businesses, or you can choose to start a new business, either way, both are recession proof and will produce extra profits by lowering your advertising costs while adding to your bottom line. There are very few products or services which will lower your business overhead while also increasing your profits. These two are unique in that they are at worst, cost free to use as others will also see the extreme benefits of implementing them in their businesses. How many business owners do you have as clients?

The third business I have identified as recession proof is introducing a breakthrough new T1 T3 super high speed wireless WiFi technology which will save everyone thousands over all the competition. As with all new technologies, you want to be positioned upon introduction to capitalize on this tremendous new wireless technology.

T1 high speed currently costs on average $350.00 per month. How many people do you know who complain about their current ISP’s, Internet Service Providers? Cost is one thing, but with Its-Your-Net you get super high speed, both upline and downline for only $19.95 per month. T3 is only $79.95, so imagine the demand for this new WiFi wireless which you take with you wherever you go for only $19.95. Current mobile wireless is $80.00 per month from the major carriers. Imagine offering this recession proof low cost higher quality service to your existing business clients, or as a new business, or better yet, both.

In closing, choose your recession proof businesses carefully. The above are what I have identified as the best of the best, and ones I too am involved with. Do your own due diligence, don’t take the word of anyone on which business is best suited for you, for only you can answer that. I prefer low risk to no risk businesses especially in a recession.

In my years in traditional and online businesses, I have learned how to survive and thrive in all economic environments. No matter what category of business you are in, you can make it recession proof with a little research. Another little known strategy is to join with other business cooperatives which allow you to access business tools for less than the cost for individual businesses, especially the small businesses. Health coverage plans are available, major advertising media is available at discounts of up to 90% if you are a member. Research business organizations so you can access these business tools at a huge discount lowering your business overhead. It is like having a Wealth Warranty on your business.

Success to all,
M. R. Sullivan

As an entrepreneur who has started a dozen businesses over the past couple decades, I have researched every business strategy known to insure my businesses survived any recession or economic downturn. Whenever starting a new business, it is critical that you do your due diligence to insure you are choosing a business which can service a recession. As with all businesses, some do better than others in recessions, so choose carefully. Business strategies for existing businesses can also be critical to learn, so learn how to control your overhead and research the most cost effective advertising strategies to insure you are not wasting your money.

http://RecessionProof-Business.com

photo credit: cory schmitz

As a financial giant files for bankruptcy protection, many small business owners may be worried about what will happen to their businesses, especially those who are already feeling the effects of an economic downturn and are in need of funds. Banks have already been tightening their lending practices and with the recent happenings, experts predict that the credit crunch will only worsen. So where does that leave your small business?

Many business magazines, websites and blogs are offering advice to small business owners for getting through this rough period of time. Businessweek.com offers “Ten Resources for Nervous Entrepreneurs,” Entreprenuer.com advises small business owners how to “Win Sales From Recession-Minded Consumers,” and Blackenterprise.com examines the problems that small businesses face during a bleak economy in an article titled “Small Business on Capitol Hill.”

In addition to these resources, another source of help for small businesses remains. As acquiring a small business loan in today’s economy may be almost impossible, small business owners can find business funding through a business cash advance.

A business cash advance is like a small business loan in the fact that a certain amount of money is lent to small business owners for small business financing, and must be repaid. But there are many differences that make business cash advances a more feasible source of business funds for small business owners than a bank small business loan, especially in today’s economy.

First, borrowers are not required to have excellent credit scores or collateral in order to be approved for a business cash advance. Lenders purchase a business owner’s future credit card receivables. This way, the borrower gets a lump sum upfront, while only a small percentage of his/her business’ credit card sales is deducted towards business cash advance repayment until repayment is complete.

Usually, the timeline from application to funding of a business cash advance is much shorter than that of a bank’s small business loan. This is mostly due to the fact that applying for a business cash advance is very simple, and requires much less preparation, paperwork and documentation than a bank’s small business loan. Business owners are usually only required to submit a short application, at least four months of their business’ credit card statements, and a copy of their business’ lease.

Business owners who may be fighting the effects of an economic downturn may be able to save their businesses if only they could get their hands on some sort of business funding. A business cash advance can provide them with that money when they need it the most.
photo credit: Pink Sherbet Photography

Gaston C. writes articles about Small Business Loans for Merchant Resources International

photo credit: Kecko

With today’s economic challenges everyone is pinching pennies and cutting back. The first to get cut from the spending budget are nail technicians, cosmetologist, personal trainers, massage therapists and hair stylists to name a few. Often when these services are cut, it’s due to people not seeing the value in maintaining these services when money is a little “thin”.

Now, more than ever, is the time to spruce up your marketing! Just because it’s a recession does not mean your services are not needed! Folks are looking for ways to feel good, cheer up, and escape from the headaches that a recession can bring. Also, people are looking for jobs and want to look good when they go in for an interview! Help your business survive by maintaining a high level of quality service that has value and worth every penny of your clients hard earned money!

Create value by being Different and giving your client an Experience when they come in to see you. Make your salon a place to get away from it all, get pampered, relax and unwind, for example. Serve them a beverage and/or some fruit. Give a spa-like hand treatment with a hot towel wrap, give a spa foot massage, or give a 5 minute shoulder/neck message with their regular service. Over delivering on your services and giving customers more than what they expected is a great way to create value and worth.

To keep current clients coming back, have customer loyalty programs in place. Reward continued service with freebies and discounts. Customer loyalty programs such as punch cards that give the 10th visit free or at a deep discount is a great way to tell a client “Thank you” for their business. The idea is to make it easy for them to keep seeing you and being able to “afford” the services they like. Always ask for referrals and make it worth their time to refer someone by offering them a free service, discount or gift when they bring you new business.

If you are not busy, use your downtime to call on past clients you have not seen in a while and invite them back for their favorite service at a discount. Email your client list with your “weekly specials” announcement to entice them to come in. Soon you’ll see your efforts payoff when folks start coming in from your phone calls and emails. Just this little bit of effort is all it takes to get people in to see you!

When you are out, talk to people you come in contact with about your salon and offer a free mini service to everyone you talk to. Try to get as many folks through the door as you can. Once their in, don’t forget to book the next appointment and turn them into a paying client.

Whether you work in a beauty salon, nail salon, or spa use these tips to stay focused and motivated. Yes, your business can survive a recession! Just being a little proactive will help you and your business get through these tough economic times!

Much Success!

Want to know how Successful Nail Technicians and Cosmetologist Market Their Business to Make Money? Check out Nail Tech Cash for the Hottest Tips and Strategies to Make Money in the Beauty Industry.

http://www.FitnessProTips.Typepad.com/NailTechCash/

Written by Candace Harrison NailTechCash

photo credit: nayrb7

I would like to talk to small business owners for a minute. Take some time out of your busy schedules to hear a few things that more than likely will catapult your business to the next level if you apply yourself. I have recently come across an online course that will teach you Step-by-Step How to DOUBLE Your Small Business’ Revenue by Using 11 Secrets that Your Competitors DON’T KNOW about the Power of the Internet to Attract a Stampede of New Customers to Your Business.

This is truly an amazing course. I have been involved in internet marketing for a few years now after
being tired of the same boring routine at my 9 to 5 working for crumbs. I decided to explore ways online
to get some extra cash. With having NO knowledge of using the tools of the internet such as youtube,
craigslist, article marketing, etc.

I was actually able to make some money using just a few of these principles taught in this course. At the time I started internet marketing this particular course was not around. I was learning a few of
these secret strategies from one of the men who created this course though. So I was basically watching what he did, putting my own little spin on it so I was comfortable with it, and next thing you know I suprisingly started to see some money come in.

Now if a young man like myself with no type of experience in any type of business could start making
money in a few weeks after using these exact strategies, imagine what a business owner who more than likely has a degree and plenty of experience in their field could do? The possibilities are amazing!

+ This course in a nutshell is going to get your mind used to a new way of thinking and promoting so that you can use the internet to skyrocket your small business to the next level, while your competitors
suffer.

+ The days of newspaper ads are DEAD, phonebooks are ancient, people dont even look at TV commercials anymore.

+ Radio? You can’t be serious. All of these old methods of advertising and promotion are just not working anymore.

+ So you as the business owner needs to come up with a plan that will make you recession proof and keep your investment from being wasted, and losing your business.

+ The men who created this great easy to follow course have the proof of their earnings and traffic
levels to show you exactly how successful you can be after using these secrets that other business
owners have no clue about.

+ Put yourself in a position to be a dominant force. The internet is the way to go in this day and age.

Nine out of ten people today will get on their phone or laptop to get directions, a phone number, to
shop, or any other task they need completed. This is the exact reason why you need to be where all of
the people are. What is the point of placing ads on the radio, television, newspaper? No one is there! I
can’t think of any reason why a business owner would not benefit from the principles taught in this
course. No matter what level you are on, from small, all the way up to extremely established.

The secrets these guys have to share with you are just simply amazing and have brought them 8 MILLION visitors per month to four of their websites! That number is crazy. Now imagine how much money they were able to make from getting that traffic. I would say a lot! So if you think you are ready to learn the methods these guys use to stay above the competition visit the link below and give this program a try. I highly doubt you will be disappointed.

Thank you for reading.

Sincerely,

Ryan Harris

http://www.smallbizsuccess.cjb.net