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How To Survive Your First Year in Business

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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. Brett's Ramblings

2. What's New?!

3. Feature Article: "How To Survive Your First Year in Business"

4. Quick News Bytes

5. Tutorial: Creating Content For Your Site

6. Freebies

7. In the Next Issue

8. Final Words, Article Submit Info., Subscribe,
Unsubscribe, Contact the Editor.


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1. Brett's Ramblings
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A warm welcome to you. Nice to have you with me today!

I'd like to start with a few words about...

...work.

Hold on, now. Don't get that disgusted look. I'll make
it quick since it's such a nasty little four-letter word.

First, have a look at the results of my latest survey
question:

QUESTION: "How many hours per week should a
person spend working?"

RESULTS:
19% > Under 20 hours
31% > 20 to 40 hours
6% > Over 40 hours
38% > Whatever it takes
6% > I hate work

The results were spread out more than I expected.
Exactly half of respondents want to work 40 hours
or less per week.

Perhaps it's not that surprising. If you've ever worked
for a large company that ignores your need for family
time, then working over 40 hours is cruel and unusual
punishment.

You could interpret these results as a reaction to the
corporate mandate for more profits through increased
productivity... do more with fewer resources.

Indeed, the current economic downturn has forced
many employers to make drastic cutbacks - while at
the same time maintaining growth. The natural
consequence of this is a heavier workload.

For the small business, the relationship between
workload and growth can be more acute. Small
companies have fewer people to absorb demands
for higher productivity.

Yet, I believe the home business owner is in a
unique position. Flexibility is our middle name,
and our ability to quickly shift gears in a changing
economy is a big advantage.

Workload becomes less of an issue when innovation
and creative thinking come into play.

Look at it this way...

The lumbering corporate giant must take time to
change into its uniform before hitting a home run.

But the home business owner comes out swinging
in sandals and a t-shirt. No where is it written that
you can't hit a ball into the bleachers if your toes
are showing.

All this means is...

... work smart. Don't do something just because that's
how the other guy does it. You don't have to work harder
to work smarter. Look for a way to do it better, faster,
and different. Be unique.

You don't have to reinvent the wheel to be unique.
You just have to use the wheel in such a way that it
sets you apart from the other guy.

So, can you - the home business owner - work better
and faster in sandals and a t-shirt? Yes, you can.

Can you develop and apply your niche in under
40 hours a week? Yes, you could.

But, for many business owners the issue is not how
many hours are spent working each week. It's about
enjoying the challenge, the independence, the
satisfaction of setting and achieving goals.

Oliver Goldsmith once said: "Like the bee, we
should make our industry our amusement."

When you're the boss, doing work you enjoy, the
focus becomes... whatever it takes to get the
job done.


'Nough rambling. Thanks for reading and Enjoy!

Brett
mailto:brett@homebiztools.com


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2. What's New?!
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==> Power Homebiz Guides
Power HomeBiz Guides is a wonderful source of
information published for the new or the would-be
entrepreneur. The guides are designed to provide
ideas, facts and resources as reference for starting
a home based business.
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/

==> iPublish.com
This site discovers and nurtures new talent. This is
where writers can submit manuscripts directly, without
an agent. Other readers and writers rate submitted
manuscripts, and the highest-rated submissions are
reviewed for possible digital and print publication. It's
a great concept - perfect for unknown authors.
http://www.ipublish.com


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3. Feature Article
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How To Survive Your First Year in Business

by Brett Krkosska

Before jumping head-long into a new business, you
should lay the foundation for long-term success. A
good foundation is rooted in a solid plan.

Many new businesses skip what is perhaps the most
important part of a solid business plan... assessing
individual strengths and weaknesses.

Indeed, research has shown that many businesses
collapse in their first year because of inadequate
planning. A thorough self-assessment is the first step
in planning a business which lasts well beyond the
first year.

What happens if you skip this first step?

Picture your first year in business as a trip across
the desert, and you begin your journey in the middle
of night in your bare feet.

The warm sand feels good between your toes at
first. But you soon worry if the creepy creatures of
the night will mistake your curly pinkie toe for a frisky,
hopping snack.

And as if this is not enough, watch how curly that little
toe gets on the next day when the sand heats up from
the blazing sun.

Not a pretty picture, is it? Ya gotta plan. Bare feet
at first... that's okay. Boots for later on... that's
thinking ahead.

The questions below will help you to prepare...
for business.


A. Why Do You Want To Start Your Own Business?

Understanding your motivation helps you to see past
the romantic notions of being self-employed. The
questions below have no correct answer. They are
different for everyone. Just look at your answers
critically and evaluate how important they are in
choosing to start a business.

1. Do you want better work hours? If so, what hours do
you want to work?

2. Do you want to be your own boss? If so, why do you
want to be your own boss? e.g. creative freedom, current
boss is a Neanderthal, better use of your skills...

3. Do you want to improve your financial condition? If
so, by how much? How much income do you want every
week? Every month? Every year?

4. Does your current job leave you unfulfilled? Why?
Can your desire to be self-employed fill this need?
In what ways?

5. Do you have a business idea in mind? If so, why did
you choose this business?


B. Are You Prepared For The Physical and Emotional Demands?

A new business can be very demanding. A business
owner must wear several hats, be able to switch hats
in the blink of an eye, and wear them till the job is done.
This can be stressful to your physical and emotional
health. The following questions will help you gauge
your stamina.

1. Are you prepared to put in long hours to succeed? It's
not uncommon for the entrepreneur to work 12 or more
hours a day, including weekends.

2. Do you have the support of your family? Without that
support you are far less likely to succeed. Understand
that they must also shoulder additional hardships and
responsibilities.

3. Are you pursuing a business venture which fills you
with excitement? If not, the highs and lows of doing
business can effect your well-being. A strong passion
for your work is a powerful shield against burn-out,
physical illness, or emotional distress.


C. What Skills Are You Bringing To The Business?

Every business requires the application of certain skills
to be successful. You may find it's best to hire people
who have the experience you lack. The important thing is
to recognize the areas of your business requiring
additional support. These questions will help you identify
the skills you possess and those you need to acquire.

1. Do you have previous experience in a business
similar to the one you're starting? If not, you should
research your field. For more on researching your
business idea, check out this article:
http://www.homebiztools.com/idea_business.htm

2. Are you good at planning and organizing? You
must stay on top of things such as your schedule,
your promotions, your accounting and financial records,
and your inventory. Organized-Living can help you:
http://www.organized-living.com

3. Are you a good decision-maker? Do you work well
under pressure? Can you take projects through to their
completion? These are essential skills for the small
business owner. If you've never worked in a supervisory
capacity, you may want to take some specialized
training to develop these skills.

Follow through on your answers to all of the
above questions. Take action to strengthen your
weaknesses. Doing so prepares you to move forward
into market analysis and the start-up planning phases
of your business.

All this preparation will increase your likelihood of
surviving the first year in business. It's like buying a
great pair of boots for your business.

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You are invited to reprint the preceding article provided:
1) You include the resource box below.
2) If mailed, you ONLY mail to an absolutely, positively,
100% opt-in mailing list!

---
Brett Krkosska provides 'how-to' advice on family and
home-based work issues. Stop by his site for startup
guidance, home business ideas and inspiration at:
http://homebiztools.com For a Fresh and Original
perspective on today's home business issues get
Brett's ezine at: mailto:enews@homebiztools.com


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4. Quick News Bytes
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WORK AT HOME? DO YOUR HOMEWORK
An aspiring entrepreneur needs to research the business
opportunities being offered, particularly the backgrounds
of those pitching them.
http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jun2001/sb20010621_759.htm


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5. Tutorial
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"Creating Content For Your Site"

Content is the heart of your site. People use the Internet
for many reasons, but the primary reason is to find
something. They are clicking through to sites which
are within the realm of their particular "something".
Reward them with great content.

Read this tutorial online at:
http://www.homebiztools.com/bizstart_content.htm


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6. Freebies for Work and Family
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==> Ad Butler
Use this online system to manage the advertisements
on your Web site. This free tool allows you to track
banner, campaign, and advertiser performance across
multiple sites. http://www.adrotator.com/

==> Link Sleuth
This free software finds dead links on your site. A very
useful tool, especially as your site grows into a mega
page monster!
http://home.snafu.de/tilman/xenulink.html

==> High Quality Graphics
These are some of the best gifs I've seen on the
Internet. Free to use when you provide a link back to
their site. Fair enough for stuff this good!
http://www.3dmagif.com/

==> 50 Plus Freebies
I recently updated my page of free stuff for webmasters.
Click over and find a useful widget for your site!
http://www.homebiztools.com/freepage.htm

==> Web Site Building Software
This software is designed to help you build your web
pages in step-by-step guided tutorials. The best part
is that as you learn you are actually creating the pages.
It's a superb way to become a webmaster without
confusion. Download and use it free for 30 days.
http://www.homebiztools.com/webpage_teacher.htm

==> AceHTML
Here is a very popular HTML editor to make site
building simpler and easier. It's loaded with lots of
time-saving goodies and user-friendly features.
http://freeware.acehtml.com/

==> Free Newsletter Template
Start your own newsletter with this Free Template.
Just click the link and send away the blank email. We'll
forward the template right to your inbox.
mailto:template@homebiztools.com


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7. In The Next Issue
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I'll explore two business opportunities you can do from
home, either as an add-on to your existing business or
as a full-time venture.

My next tutorial will help you get your site uploaded to
the Internet with fewer hassles.

More Freebies... "ya never know what you're
gonna get!"

To make requests for topics you'd like see in future
issues, please send them to:
topic@homebiztools.com


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8. Final Words
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Thanks for reading! It is my hope that the information
in this newsletter leads you towards greater riches,
both in work and at home.

You are invited to send me your comments or questions.
I personally respond to all direct correspondence.

I really do! Here is my email:
mailto:brett@homebiztools.com

Keep an open mind and reach for the heights!

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To have your article considered for publication send to:
mailto:submitarticle@homebiztools.com

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Brett Krkosska
Founder, Editor, Net-a-Holic...
mailto:brett@homebiztools.com

HomeBizTools: a division of B-K Publications
http://www.homebiztools.com .
All the tools you need to work at home... in one place!