Archive for the ‘Business’ Category

Looking for a Webhosting Provider?

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

If you are in the market for a web hosting provider, you need to consider these factors:

  • Do they have 24/7 support?
  • Do they have phone support?
  • How fast do they respond to support tickets?
  • What is their system uptime?
  • Are they up to date with patches/service packs and security fixes release for the software they use?
  • Can you pay monthly or do you need to pay annually?
  • Do they perform data backups?
  • Does their system scalable?
  • Read their Terms of Service and Acceptable Usage Policy before signing up.

These are just some of the many factors you need to consider in choosing a webhosting provider. You could usually get these info by reading user reviews and feedbacks and going to sites and forums with web hosting reviews.

Webhosting Geeks is one of the top webhosting review sites. They currently have a Top 10 Web Hosting - Best Web Hosts (2008) listing. They also have a listing of awards given to the best providers for Windows Hosting, Unix Hosting, Budget Hosting, VPS Hosting and even Dedicated Hosting. They also have various webhosting provider reviews. One of the notable providers that they reviewed was Bluehosting which garnered Web Hosting Geeks Editor’s Pick. It is a good thing however that the review also had various customer feedbacks where I found out that Bluehost doesn’t exactly deliver what they are selling on paper.

While you are at the site, you might as well check out their web hosting articles and a list of free webmaster resources which might be of use to you.

How about you? What factors are you looking for in a webhosting provider?

FREE 1GB Online Backup from Tilana Reserve

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

The 9-11 tragedy made a lot of people and businesses look further into their disaster recovery planning and business continuity planning solutions. Data backup is an integral part of DRP and BCP. But performing data backups onsite alone won’t give you the protection you would need should that particular site be compromised.

The most common backup strategy that companies have is having a copy of their backup media on site and another one to an off site facility where they are stored securely. Bigger companies with bigger budgets who have several sites also tend to replicate their data across several sites to achieve redundancy and have a robust backup solution.

Backup solutions don’t need to be expensive. There are plethora of options you can choose from if you are looking for solutions to backup up your personal files. Take Tilana System’s Tilana Reserve for instance who offer free continuous data protection (CDP).

You can take advantage of their Enterprise CDP infrastructure running on their Cloud storage system which runs on fully redundant systems.

You can avail of their free service or opt for their paid services which gives you bigger online storage capacity.

  • FREE 1 GB for 12 months
  • $4.95 per month for 5 GB
  • $8.95 per month for 10 GB
  • $16.95 per month for 20 GB
  • $41.95 per month for 50 GB
  • $79.95 per month for 100 GB
  • $149.95 per month for 200 GB
  • $219.95 per month for 300 GB

Tilana Reserve runs only on these Microsoft Windows operating systems:

  • Windows Server 2008 (32-bit tested)
  • Windows Server 2003
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows XP, 32-bit versions (SP2)
  • Windows 2000 (SP4)
  • Tilana Reserve is not compatible with Windows XP x64 (64-Bit) Edition.

Mac versions are currently being developed.

Download a copy of Tilana Reserve.

Handling Difficult People Workshop (August 2008)

Monday, July 28th, 2008

Ever had a boss/colleague/client that is so difficult to deal with that every time they see you or talk to you, you feel like melting?  That person can be classified as a “tank,” one of ten difficult people you might encounter at work.

What to know the nine other difficult people?

Learn who they are and discover the best ways to handle them by attending Monette Iturralde-Hamlin’s Handling Difficult People on August 13, 2008.  Get to understand their personalities better and realize effective strategies to win them over.

Monette Iturralde-Hamlin is the founder and president of the award-winning strategic marketing communications firm, TeamAsia. A seasoned trainer in her own right, she regularly delivers workshops on business writing, presentation skills, cross-cultural management, teambuilding, and handling difficult people. Monette is also frequently invited to present these specialized seminars and workshops in-house for major global brands, multilateral institutions, and government agencies.

Handling Difficult People is on August 13, 2008 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Makati City from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

For inquiries and registration, please contact LA Limjoco at 757-3500 loc. 327.

Know The 13 Vital Trade Terms at INCOTERMS 2000

Friday, July 18th, 2008

INCOTERMS:  The Official Guide To The Interpreration of Trade Terms

FOB, CFR, and CIF are already outdated and are dangerous terms to use. Many use these terms without knowing the risks involved.  Eliminate the uncertainties and errors in the interpretation of trade transactions by understanding INCOTERMS — the global standard for the interpretation of trade terms.

Understand the 13 vital trade terms (EXW, FOB, FCA, FAS, CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP, DAF, DES, DEQ, DDU, DDP) which can have critical implications in your business. Incorporate them properly in your sales contracts to avoid disputes and litigation.  Learn the set of rules in INCOTERMS published by the International Chamber of Commerce.

The Center for Global Best Practices invites entrepreneurs, importers, exporters, traders, bankers, transporters, insurers, lawyers, loan officers, business consultants, and decision-makers to attend this special seminar entitled, “INCOTERMS 2000″ scheduled on Friday, August 29, 2008 at The Peninsula Hotel, Makati City, Philippines.

INCOTERMS 2000
NEW INTERNATIONAL RULES IN THE INTERPRETATION OF TRADE TERMS

Course Contents

  1. What are Incoterms? - Its purpose and scope.
  2. What important matters are covered by the new Incoterms 2000 and what are the main changes?
  3. How will Incoterms 2000 affect the relationship and specific responsibilities between seller & buyer?
  4. What are the critical points under Incoterms 2000 for the transfer of risks and costs?
  5. Which Incoterms 2000 are most appropriate for which mode of transportation?
  6. A detailed diagrammatic analysis of the 13 trade terms under Incoterms 2000
  7. Why EXW. FOB, CFR & CIF are dangerous terms to use?
  8. Why FOB, CFR & CIF are no longer relevant for use in containerized shipment?
  9. Relationship of Cargo Insurance with Incoterms
  10. Relationship of Methods of Payment with Incoterms
  11. Issues outside the scope of Incoterms 2000
  12. Variances on Incoterms 2000: EXW (Loaded). FOB (Stowed), CFR (Landed), etc.

For inquiries, please call (+63 2) 842-7148 or telefax (+63 2) 842-7159.  You may also check details at www.cgbp.org.

DreamTemplate for Your Website

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

Building your own website can be easy or complicated depending on which route you want to take. You can either make the website yourself or have somebody else do it for you.

Having somebody else design and develop the website for you would be the more logical choice if you don’t have the experience in web design. But if you want to get your hands dirty and learn something new along the way you might consider building the website by yourself.

If you decide to build the site yourself, you will need a graphics editor, a WYSIWYG HTML editor for more straightforward editing or a text editor if you only want to do some hardcore coding, a webhost where you upload your files and host your site and a lot of time to tinker with your website.

If you want to cut down on development time, you might want to consider using website templates.
Templates are for people who don’t want to spend big money on designers and don’t have a lot of time to spend designing their own Web site. Templates are for people who just want to select a great design, drop their content and text in and be done with it.

You can grab some free website templates all over the net. But if you are looking for high quality website templates you mind need to shell out a couple of dollars.

DreamTemplate.com

There are a lot of websites selling templates online. One of the few offering high quality website templates is Dreamtemplate.com. They currently have a subscription promo where they offer over 300 free templates and access to thousands for just $59.95 and the subscription is valid for one whole year! If you compute the price per template… it would turn out to be 6 U$ cents per template. That definitely is a great deal if you ask me.

Here are some reason to choose Dreamtemplate.com:

  • Build as many sites as you want
  • The freedom to use your templates for personal or corporate sites
  • Lifetime access to your design
  • Unlimited use of your template(s)
  • Unique Design Concepts
  • High Quality Graphics
  • Photoshop PSD Files Included in Zips
  • Optimized Images.

And that is not all. You also get access to over 50+ Brochure, PDF & InDesign Templates, 1000+ Royalty Free Stock Web Icons/Vectors and 160+ Joomla, WordPress Themes & oSCommerce Skins! How is that for a great deal?

Warehouse and Inventory Essentials - A LEAN Approach (July 2008)

Saturday, June 28th, 2008

Warehouse and Inventory Essentials - A LEAN Approach
July 30-31, 2008

This two day seminar is designed to introduce the new stockroom and warehouse manager, inventory control staff, and the small business owner to the fundamentals of inventory control and how to use the LEAN tools to optimize warehouse layout and operations.

This seminar can help you save money, improve your customer service level, and ultimately improve your bottom line. The Warehouse and Inventory Essentials seminar is about applying the Lean Principles of doing more with fewer resources in warehouse and inventory management. The ultimate goal of this seminar is to present you with immediately usable information in the areas of forecasting, physical control and layout, and problem recognition and resolution.

Benefits of the Program:

  • Reduce your cost of inventory obsolescence
  • Become truly responsive to your customer’s real needs
  • Apply scientific methods to estimate safety stocks
  • Apply the techniques of efficient inventory control and cycle counting
  • Increase the accuracy of your inventory count
  • Recognize and analyze dysfunctions within your own operation
  • Cut Inventory Costs
  • Optimize your Warehouse Layout and Operations

Who should attend?

  • New stockroom staff
  • Inventory control staff
  • Warehouse staff
  • Warehouse team leader
  • Warehouse manager
  • Small business owner

Additional Benefits of the seminar:

  • Buffet Lunch at a nearby hotel
  • AM and PM snacks
  • Seminar workbook
  • CD of presentation materials
  • Certificate of attendance
  • Free WiFi Internet Connection

Training Methodology:
The seminar uses a lively and fast-paced combination of live-facilitation, lectures, visual presentations, case studies, group discussions and workshops to ensure a comprehensive and yet an easy and fun learning environment.

Seminar Investment:

Early Bird Rate
Php 10,080.00

Registration and Payment must be received one week prior to the seminar.

Regular Rate
Php 11,200.00

Venue:
RMP Training Room, Rm 204 Languages Internationale Bldg, 926 Arnaiz Ave. (formerly Pasay Road), Makati City

Pre-registration is required. Slots are limited. Email   or call Chili, Francis or Raffy at 396-5425 or 372-4563 or text 0918-937-3455 for more information. You can also call the seminar venue 813-7824 on seminar days (usually Wed, Thur and Fri). A registration form can be downloaded from http://www.rmpconsultancy.com.

Marketing That Sells! A Beginner’s Perspective (Online Course)

Sunday, June 22nd, 2008

Ateneo CORD E-Learning Series (ACES)

presents

Marketing That Sells! A Beginner’s Perspective
(Online Course)

Date: July 29 - 19 August 2008 (only 1-2 hours daily over a 3-week period)

The Online Course is part of Ateneo CORD E-Learning Series (ACES). Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development (Ateneo CORD) and Ateneo Java Wireless Competency Center (AJWCC) are two centers in Ateneo working together to deliver online courses that are designed to respond to the needs of busy individuals who seek to build competencies through further training and learning.

Registration Fee:

P9,950.00 inclusive of online course access, certificate, and taxes.

Early Bird Discount: 10% discount on or before June 25, 2008.

What sells? What doesn’t? Find out about Effective Marketing at ACES!
SIGN UP NOW!

‘Marketing That Sells’ is an online course accessible to anyone with Internet access. Log onto class anytime anywhere! Collaborate with our Experts and fellow participants from all over the country via online chat, forums, and activities. The course has exciting, dynamic aspects, such as podcasts, simulations, animation, online exams, and much more!

Who Should Attend:

Marketing and Sales Practitioners, Professionals with a technical, financial, creative and support background from junior to senior level, who need to gain awareness and understanding of the techniques, tools, and processes involved to make sound marketing decisions.

Target Audience:

Beginners to Intermediate Marketers and Non-Marketers.

Program Content:

Learn the dimensions abounding effective marketing as this course illustrates how the concepts of marketing strengthens your company’s performance. Various case studies are provided to ensure that you can concretely apply the principles you learn to the existing challenges you face.

Learn how best to position their products or services in the market, leading to better sales generation.

Module 1: Understanding the critical role of marketing in organizations and society
- understanding marketing in the modern context
- the 5 elements of marketing process

Module 2: Knowing the customer
- understanding buyer behavior
- market segmentation
- market targeting

Module 3: Basic marketing strategy and the Positioning Statement
- differentiating and positioning

Module 4: The pricing strategy
- setting the price
- responding to price changes

Module 5: Marketing communication
- the communication process
- developing effective communication

Course Instructor:

Noel M. Cortez enjoys the best of both worlds — the corporate and the academe. He has 17 years of corporate experience as Senior Brand Manager of Unilever, Marketing Head of Ramcar, Segment Manager of IBM, and Sales Strategy and Channel Development Head of Globe Telecom Inc. Currently, he is Vice President of Bank of Commerce. He is also the Director of Marketing Distribution Management Program for AIM EXCELL and a Professor for Sales and Marketing for AIM MBA Program. He finished Electrical Engineering from the University of the Philippines and earned his Master in Business Management from AIM.

The Online Course is part of Ateneo CORD E-Learning Series (ACES). Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development (Ateneo CORD) and Ateneo Java Wireless Competency Center (AJWCC) are two centers in Ateneo working together to deliver online courses that are designed to respond to the needs of busy individuals who seek to build competencies through further training and learning.

For more info:

Fiera De Manila, Inc.
Tel. :  +632-896-0637,  899-6216
Fax.:  +632-896-0637,  890-2101
Email: 
Visit Website:  http://www.fmi.com.ph

Complete e-Solutions with PrimeView

Monday, June 2nd, 2008

In this day and age of technology and the internet it is but common sense that if your business is not in the internet it simply shows that you are not in business. Having your business accessible in the internet can simply begin with setting up a website.

But nowadays just about anybody can make their own websites. So you will need to set your self apart from the rest especially if your competitors also have an online presence. As such there is not better way than having an innovatively designed website that is functional, accessible, engaging and informative.

One of the many companies that can do all that for you is PrimeView. They are a 12 year old Arizona website design company that has worked with startups to fortune 500 clients, such as Nissan, National Car Rental and University of Phoenix.

PrimeView focuses on building compelling and innovative websites that convert viewers to customers.

PrimeView does that by integrating website design with Search Engine Marketing to create highly successful websites that rank well for their business key words such as “Arizona SEO”.

You can find more information about PrimeView by going to Google and search for “Arizona web site design”. Do check out their cool before and after gallery to see some of their work.

Wanted: Coffee Date

Monday, June 2nd, 2008

Wanted: Coffee Date

Lonely male Account Manager is currently looking for big account, needs marketing consultants/sales force of the following direct-selling companies:

  • Avon
  • Triumph
  • Amway
  • Nu Skin
  • Tupperware
  • Mary Kay

Looks for individuals (preferably female, good looks optional) who can share their experience and insights on the direct-selling strategies of their respective companies. Must bring their company’s marketing kits/compensation package in order for a meaningful relationship.

Interested individuals are assured of an afternoon of taped conversations, a warm cup of coffee, meaningful business questions and a date with one of the sexiest guys in town.

Interested individuals may call 0929.745.9008.

P.S. I Posted this ad for a friend

Be A Car Angel

Sunday, June 1st, 2008

Do you have an extra vehicle lying around that you are no longer using? Is it too old or broken that you can’t even sell it?

Well… why no Be a Car Angel!? Give Your Used Car, Boat, Plane, RV or Real Estate. Get a Tax Deduction and Avoid the Hassles of a Private Sale!

By donating your car/truck/RV/trailer, even if it is not in running condition, you can help end hunger in someone’s life today.

CarAngel is a Non-Profit 501c3 organization. Changing Lives is their Focus. Rest assured - your car donations will help change futures.

As such Car Angel will assist you in donating to integral partner charities that are changing lives daily. You can choose the charity organization or suggest one of your own. Together we will help single mothers, orphans, teen and adult rehabs, prison reform, and the poor and needy.

Plus, you do not have to hassle with sale ads, smog certificates, title transfers and lien or impound releases. Car Angel will take care of everything! Their towing service picks up your vehicle at no charge to you and you receive a full fair market value tax receipt. You can cancel your insurance the same day and keep your license plates.

Start Now and Feel Good. Make a difference for yourself and others.

Special People are waiting right now for you to donate to Car Angel: Orphans, Widows, Homeless, Single Mothers, Teens and Adults that need rehab,

Here are just some of the benefits you will receive when you donate cars to Car Angel:

•  Free towing from wherever your vehicle is located.
•  Up to the minute tax advice and a full fair market value tax receipt for your donation.
•  We have the nation’s fastest online-response-form.
•  Even if it needs costly repairs such as the engine or transmission we can take it.
•  No complex DMV title transfers waiting lines or smog checks.
•  No pricey newspaper ads and wondering whose going to show up at your doorstep.

Even if your vehicle is not in your name they can help you get the donation into your name. Don’t have a car but you would still want to donate? No worries! You can also Donate A House or Property.

Be a world changer and help change the world of someone that might just be a world changer too someday!

Success in Real Estate

Sunday, May 18th, 2008

Nouveaurized.com is a new blog featuring dozens of success stories from alumni students of the popular real estate investment college, Nouveau Riche University.

Nouveau Riche University offers a wide variety of over 30 real estate investing and business related classes including short sales, wholesaling, fix & flip, business financial management, foreclosures, retirement plan investing, buying out of state deals and more.

If you do a quick search on Google for “Nouveau Riche” you would get several results that reference to Nouveau Riche scam.

Nouveaurized has compiled various success stories from Nouveau Riche University students who have attended the Nouveau Riche University, quit their day jobs and have closed on numerous properties to created wealth and debunk claims of the Nouveau Riche scam.

There are testimonies stating that they got $21K in immediate built-in equity with a $120 monthly positive cash flow. Another testimony claims that he now own 8 properties and has gone full time as a real estate investor and for the last three months have generated over 80 thousand dollar and then there is even another one who made $110,000 in a month which used to be the same amount that he earned in a year..

Is Nouveau Riche University a Scam? It is too good to be true? I leave that decision to you.

Beauty Warehouse

Friday, May 16th, 2008

Beauty Warehouse, based from Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, South Africa, provides professional beauty supplies to South African and Southern African salons and Spa’s. Their operation is strictly focused in business to business transactions. They pride themselves as the only online beauty supply store in South Africa.
You can shop for products from various categories such as Equipment, Furniture, Nails, Hair, Skin and Body brands, Waxing, Toweling, Massage, Sterilisation, Cutting instruments, tints and colors, downloadable items, Laser and IPL, facials, consumables, sports & health equipment and various miscellaneous items.

Beauty Warehouse Shop lets you choose from brands like Artic Ice, Esse, Evox, GermKill, Pro Color, Pro Quip, Orly, Parlux, Grimas, Indonesian Treasure, Kultt, Marica, Maya, MBI, Ms Venus, Nailite, Nutriwoman, Precision Fitness, Salon Care, Seasons of Reflections, Stadler, Star Nails, Tegoder, Tessiline, Toma and Wax Factor.

Fragrance House is Beauty Warehouse’ latest addition having brands such as Agent Provocateur, Andy Warhol, Anna Sui, Antonio Puig, Aramis, Armani, Benetton, Britney Spears, Burberry, Bvlgari, Cacharel, Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera, Cartier, Cathy Guetta, Celine, Celine Dion, Cerruti, Chloe, Chopard, Christian Dior, Clinique, Coleen, Danielle Steel, David Beckham, Davidoff, Diesel, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, Dupont, Elizabeth Arden, Elizabeth Taylor, Escada, Estee Lauder, Everlast, Fendi, Ferrari, French Connection UK, Ghost, Giorgio Beverly Hills, Givenchy, Gloria Vanderbilt, Gres, Gucci, Guerlain, Hilary Duff, Hugo Boss, Hummer, Iceberg, Issey Miyake, Jasper Conran, Jean Paul Gaultier, Jeanne Arthes, Jlo, Joop, Juicy Couture, Kate Moss, Kenzo, Kylie Minogue, La Perla, Lacoste, Lancome, Lanvin, Mary-Kate And Ashley, Max Mara, Michael Kors, Miss Sixty, Montana, Morgan, Moschino, Nicole Farhi, Nina Ricci, Orlane, Oscar De La Renta, Paco Rabanne, Paloma Picasso, Paris Hilton, Paul Smith, Pierre Cardin, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Revlon, Roberto Cavalli, Rochas, Salvador Dali, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sean John, Shilpa Shetty, Slazenger, Snoopy, Stella McCartney, Thierry Mugler, Touch Of Cosmetics, Usher, Valentino, Van Clef, Vera Wang, Versace, Victoria Beckham, Vivienne Westwood, X Factor, Yves Saint Laurent available in their inventory

Beauty Warehouse positions itself as a one stop shop for all your beauty needs as they stock on all big brands and offer you items at great prices. They accept payments on all major credit cards and can even give you to purchase goods on credit if you have been their customer for quite some time already.

Deliveries are typically delivered in 1-4 weeks. Give them a call if you need your items earlier.

Interested in buying a business?

Tuesday, May 13th, 2008

Being an employee and having an 8-5 job is good since you get a guaranteed source of income. There are people who wouldn’t want to be employees forever. Usually people would get employed to a company, get some needed experience, develop connections, develop some ideas and later on venture into their business.

Starting your business from scratch isn’t easy. You could probably try venturing to franchised businesses. Or if you have a group you could probably join forces and form setup your business so you can help each other out and also share the risk.

Another option is buying a business that has been running for quite some time. Even big companies have been doing this. You see big companies with the likes of Google and Microsoft buying smaller companies left and right. There are a lot of businesses for sale in the market right now. You’ll just have to take your time and do your homework as to which business for sale would be your best choice.

BizBen is a site that is all about Buying and Selling Businesses. It is one of the oldest and best in the industry. They have had thousands of businesses listed in our database and get a few hundred new businesses listed every week. They also have many articles, tips and other helpful information for people that are new to the process of buying or selling your business.

So whether you are selling a business or interested in buying one, drop by BizBen and check out what they have in store for you.

Credit Cards Club

Monday, May 12th, 2008

Do you have credit cards or perhaps a debit card? Let us face it in this day and age having a credit card is essential whether you use it often or just for contingency.

Some would also argue that using plastic is safer than paying in cash.

How did you choose your credit card? What benefits does your credit card company give you?

There is a multitude of options in choosing a credit card. You can opt to get a personal credit card or even avail of a business credit card. There are even credit cards that give you rebates and cash back on top of the points you rack up everytime you make a purchase.

There are also specialty cards like student credit cards and even prepaid credit cards.

If you plan not to use your credit card you would probably be better off getting no annual fee credit cards.

It might also be a good idea to avail of balance transfer credit cards if you have a significant amount of credit card debt from one of your cards. Using balance transfer to a different card, if done right, could help you out in paying for your debt with a lower interest rate.

Whatever type of card you plan get drop by CreditCardsClub.com to get some tips and get side-by-side comparisons of various credit cards.

Web Conferencing with RHUB

Sunday, May 11th, 2008

The advent of the web has definitely made communication easier and more cost efficient. Gone are the days that we need to spend a lot on long distance calls with the availability of VoIP. Web conferences and meetings can be done easily and immediately so we no longer have to travel hundreds or even thousands of miles away just to meet with the people we need to get in touch with.

There are a lot of options if you want to have web conferencing. The most practical and affordable option would have to be using instant messaging software with the likes of Yahoo! Messenger, Microsoft’s Live Messenger, Skype and the list goes on.

If you want more functionality and you need to interact with a larger audience you would be better off with web conferencing software and services. The most famous ones available in the market would be WebEx, Microsoft’s LiveMeeting, Adobe’s Acrobat Connect and Citrix’s GoToMeeting.

That is all good if you have a big budget or don’t do web conferencing often. But if you plan to do a lot of web conferencing, you would be better off having your own web conferencing appliance so you won’t need to pay any service fees every time you use their service.

RHUB is one of the providers that have bundled four applications: web conferencing, web seminar, remote support and remote access all into one appliance.

Having one device to do all that has the benefits of easier manageability and reliability since it is a dedicated appliance and at the same time save you a lot of money in the long haul and it even all the features that other web conferencing services provide.

Best of all, since you own it, you control it!