#3 Understand The Enemy—What Things Throw You Out Of Whack?
April 30, 2008
If someone asks me what disrupts the balance between my business and my life I can easily list the culprits:
- Overcommitting my time (I can’t say no and I get excited by interesting new projects).
- Aspects of running my company that I am no good at (websitekeeping, operational procedures, etc.).
- Day-to-day distractions that stop me getting my work done (I get hundreds of emails, countless telephone calls, letters, visitors, etc. every day).
- The internet-I love it and get distracted by it, and have to find the time to finish projects that I didn’t get done because I was distracted (as you can tell I have a very short attention span).
- Poor time management.
#2 Take Some Time, Alone, To Reflect On Where You Are Today
April 29, 2008
Before you leap into action and start to change everything in your life, I suggest taking some time out to reflect on how your life is today, and how you imagined it would be. Some of it will be really on track, I am sure, but there are bound to be parts that are just not working for you.
#1 Decide Right Here, Right Now, If You Are Ready To Change
April 28, 2008
The first tip is the most important in this website. If you are not 100 per cent ready to wrest control of your life back from your business, you won’t achieve it. I attended an interesting motivational seminar recently at which the host asked one man in the crowd of 4000 people what was wrong with his life. The hapless fellow rattled off a list of his woes, from no girlfriend to no money, niggling health issues but nothing serious, and a losing battle with his weight.
Start The Retraining Process Today for Your Balance Life
April 27, 2008
Most situations we find ourselves in that aren’t to our liking generally haven’t come about overnight. If we are really honest with ourselves, we probably knew they were happening but chose to live in denial until the situation got serious. We don’t develop love handles over a weekend, but it’s not until our clothes don’t fit that we decide to join the gym and get moving. We don’t generally max out our credit cards in one day either (although it would be easy)- they gradually climb, and we only take action when they are full, even though we well and truly knew what was happening.
How balanced is your life today?
April 26, 2008
Where are you at right now?
How do you know if your life is out of balance? That is a tough question for some people to answer. Life may be chaotic, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is overwhelming-if you’re like me, perhaps you like it that way. The following questionnaire has been designed to give you a simple way of determining where you are in the ‘out of control cycle’. Simply put a tick next to the questions that you feel apply to you, then tally up the ticks and see the results.
The aim here is to have no ticks at all. Clearly a big ask even for the most serene and tranquil among us. Ideally, run through this questionnaire on a regular basis to see if you are regaining control of your life.
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What Do You Need To Do Right Now To Change The Way Things Are?
April 25, 2008
Any change needs commitment. If you are desperate to make an improvement to your situation then you probably have the right amount of motivation. Without the right amount of motivation any change will be minimal and in all likelihood it won’t last.
What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Being Out Of Balance?
April 24, 2008
I can attest to the long-term effects of having a life out of balance-and they aren’t pretty. The effects on health are the most noticeable, generally starting with headaches, skin conditions and an upset stomach, often accompanied by a general feeling of being unwell. Some people have a permanent cold or flu, get bags under their eyes or start to hear the comment, ‘Gee, you look tired’, a lot more often.
What Exactly Does Balance Life Mean For You?
April 23, 2008
This is an important point. Balance means something different for each and every one of us, and to find out what it means to you is the first step to achieving it. For some people it means no stress at all, having everything in perfect order, living a perfectly healthy life, feeling energised, calm and in control. For others it is cutting back the workday from 18 hours to 14 hours, the number of coffees from ten to five . . . You get the picture.
How do we know if our lives are out of balance?
This is a great question and one that we would all answer a little differently. Among the business owners I encounter, the most common response is an overwhelming feeling that they are no longer in control of their life or their business. They are being pulled in a hundred different directions, to the point where they just don’t know how to break the cycle.
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A Consumer Guide to Buying a Franchise
April 22, 2008
Many people dream of being an entrepreneur. By purchasing a franchise, yo often can sell goods and services that have instant name recognition and ca obtain training and ongoing support to help you succeed. But be cautious. Lik any investment, purchasing a franchise is not a guarantee of success To help you evaluate whether owning a franchise is right for you, the Federa Trade Commission has prepared this booklet. It will help you understand you obligations as a franchise owner, how to shop for franchise opportunities, an how to ask the right questions before you invest.
The Benefits and Responsibilities of Franchise Ownership
A franchise typically enables you, the investor or .franchisee,. to operate business. By paying a franchise fee, which may cost several thousand dollars you are given a format or system developed by the company (.franchisor.), th right to use the franchisor.s name for a limited time, and assistance. For example the franchisor may help you find a location for your outlet; provide initia training and an operating manual; and advise you on management, marketing, o personnel. Some franchisors offer ongoing support such as monthly newsletters a toll free 800 telephone number for technical assistance, and periodic workshop or seminars
While buying a franchise may reduce your investment risk by enabling you t associate with an established company, it can be costly. You also may be require to relinquish significant control over your business, while taking o contractual obligations with the franchisor
Below is an outline of several components of a typical franchise system. Conside each carefully
The Cos
In exchange for obtaining the right to use the franchisor.s name and its assistance you may pay some or all of the following fees
Initial Franchise Fee and Other Expense
Your initial franchise fee, which may be non-refundable, may cost severa thousand to several hundred thousand dollars. You may also incur significan costs to rent, build, and equip an outlet and to purchase initial inventory. Othe costs include operating licenses and insurance. You also may be required to pa a .grand opening. fee to the franchisor to promote your new outlet
Continuing Royalty Payment
You may have to pay the franchisor royalties based on a percentage of you weekly or monthly gross income. You often must pay royalties even if you outlet has not earned significant income during that time. In addition, royaltie usually are paid for the right to use the franchisor.s name. So even if th franchisor fails to provide promised support services, you still may have to pa royalties for the duration of your franchise agreement
Advertising Fee
You may have to pay into an advertising fund. Some portion of the advertisin fees may go for national advertising or to attract new franchise owners, but no to target your particular outlet
Control
To ensure uniformity, franchisors typically control how franchisees conduc business. These controls may significantly restrict your ability to exercise you own business judgment. The following are typical examples of such controls
Site Approval
Many franchisors pre-approve sites for outlets. This may increase the likelihoo that your outlet will attract customers. The franchisor, however, may not approv the site you want
Design or Appearance Standard
Franchisors may impose design or appearance standards to ensure customer receive the same quality of goods and services in each outlet. Some franchisor require periodic renovations or seasonal design changes. Complying with thes standards may increase your costs
Restrictions on Goods and Services Offered For Sale
Franchisors may restrict the goods and services offered for sale. For example, a a restaurant franchise owner, you may not be able to add to your menu popula items or delete items that are unpopular. Similarly, as an automobile transmissio repair franchise owner, you might not be able to perform other types of automotiv work, such as brake or electrical system repairs
Restrictions on Method of Operation
Franchisors may require you to operate in a particular manner. The franchiso might require you to operate during certain hours, use only pre-approved signs employee uniforms, and advertisements, or abide by certain accounting o bookkeeping procedures. These restrictions may impede you from operatin your outlet as you deem best. The franchisor also may require you to purchas supplies only from an approved supplier, even if you can buy similar good elsewhere at a lower cost
Restrictions of Sales Are
Franchisors may limit your business to a specific territory. While these territoria restrictions may ensure that other franchisees will not compete with you for th same customers, they could impede your ability to open additional outlets o move to a more profitable location
Terminations and Renewal
You can lose the right to your franchise if you breach the franchise contract. I addition, the franchise contract is for a limited time; there is no guarantee tha you will be able to renew it
Franchise Termination
A franchisor can end your franchise agreement if, for example, you fail to pa royalties or abide by performance standards and sales restrictions. If your franchis is terminated, you may lose your investment
Renewal
Franchise agreements typically run for 15 to 20 years. After that time, th franchisor may decline to renew your contract. Also be aware that renewal need not provide the original terms and conditions. The franchisor may raise th royalty payments, or impose new design standards and sales restrictions. You previous territory may be reduced, possibly resulting in more competition fro company-owned outlets or other franchisees
