June 2023 - Page 2 of 12

Top Gaming Influencers on YouTube

In YouTube and other social media platforms, any niche and any topic could lead you to earn huge profits just by uploading your videos and sharing it with the world. Every view counts, every like is worth a penny and every share is a traffic booster.

Online games have brought a lot of fun and excitement to our online community. As online games and online community increases from time to time, influencers are making more and more profits too. How does it work?

Here’s a list of Top Gaming Influencers on YouTube and how they started:

Mark Fischbach

Also known as Markiplier, a Hawaii-born army dropped out of college where he studied engineering, to grow his career as a YouTube gaming commentator. Specializing in the horror genre, his videos have been viewed over 7 billion times in five years. His ultimate sign of crossover success? He inked a deal with mega-agency William Morris Endeavor in 2016.

Felix Kjellberg

Also known as PewDiePie is the world’s highest-paid YouTube Influencer in 2016. The Swedish gamer would have topped the Gaming category if not for the nine videos he posted in early 2017, which contains Nazi imagery. Maker Studios, a subsidiary of Disney which is also his multi-channel network partner severed ties with him. He was also booted from YouTube’s Red platform and the Google Preferred program. He continues to make millions from YouTube ads alone while his brand is tarnished.

Evan Fong

A Canadian-born also was known as VanossGaming, to pursue his online career full-time, he dropped out of the University of Pennsylvania. He chats and makes jokes with his friends and collaborators while playing games like Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto on his YouTube Channel. He began voicing a character in adult cartoon series ‘Paranormal Action Squad’ for YouTube Red in 2016.

Sonja Reid

Also known as Omgitsfirefoxx, she first started live-streaming on gaming platform twitch in 2013. She posts highlights to YouTube where she quickly amassed an impressive following which had lead to partnerships with brands like Audi, Syfy, and Intel.

SSSniperWolf

A British-born YouTube influencer is also known as Lia Wolf which specializes in Call of Duty gameplay videos, also dabbles in cosplay and anime. With her over 5 million subscribers and followers, it had led her to partnerships with the likes of Activision, EA, Ubisoft, and Disney. She said, “I wanted to show that girls can play and be good at video games too.”

Jacksepticeye

His real name is Sean McLoughlin. He first took to YouTube in 2012 and then started posting daily in 2013. He is best known for his energetic and funny commentary. With his videos that have been viewed over 7.2 billion times, he is signed with Revelmode, a subnetwork of Disney’s Maker Studios.

DanTDM

Daniel Middleton is a professional gamer who is known online as DanTDM or The Diamond Minecraft. His mastery of popular family-friendly game Minecraft and his following had set him a Guinness World Record in 2016 for amassing the most views for a dedicated Minecraft channel which is 7.9 billion at the time.

TheSyndicateProject

Tom Cassell, the longtime gamer who was the first person to hit 1 million followers on live-streaming platform Twitch way back in 2014. Since then, he has received more than 10 million YouTube subscribers for his playthroughs of game franchises like Halo and Call of Duty. He is now signed to gaming influencer agency 3BlackDot with his fellow list members Sonja Reid and Evan Fong.

SkyDoesMinecraft

Adam Dahlberg, a YouTube veteran at the age of 24. He started as a voice actor for gaming videos back in 2006 and more than a decade on, his main channel focused on the hit kid-friendly game, Minecraft. He boasted over 11 million subscribers and he is now partnered with Amazon, Netflix, and Nintendo and sells merchandise to fans like posters and pillows.

Mari Takahashi

AtomicMari was the only female member of the mega-popular YouTube channel, Smosh Games, until early 2017. She stars in Maricraft, a sub-series with a focus on Minecraft gameplay. The former professional ballerina started hosting her Smosh Pit Weekly way back in 2010. Now, she boasts a social audience of over 2 million and in 2016, she competed as a cast member on the 33rd season of CBS hit called ‘Survivor.’

These YouTubers make millions a year by just playing and narrating video games.

The Importance of Technology in a Changing World

These days, businesses are more reliant than ever before on technology, to help improve communications and to maximise efficiency in the workplace. The increased use of the internet, email and mobile technology has revolutionised the way companies operate and made IT a critical factor in building and maintaining a successful company. Yet still even today too many companies think of technology as a necessary evil rather than truly embracing all the opportunities it can bring to make organisations more efficient.

In the past companies may have been able to get away with paying lip service to IT but in the fast changing modern world this will no longer be possible. Now, with the convergence of voice and data and the much greater reliance of mobile communications, it is crucial for all businesses to urgently develop a coordinated IT Strategy.

Of course historically, companies tend to regard telecoms and data networking as being from separate budgets, but because of converging networks and the opportunities that VoIP can offer (Voice over Internet Protocol), it is no longer possible to look at them in isolation. In fact given the increased importance of remote working and the need to make sure all staff work as effectively as possible, these days companies really have no choice. The simple truth is if you don’t embrace change now, your competitors will.

The changes in business working we have seen over the last 10 years are very much only the beginning of what will happen over the next decade. At every level, faster and more accessible communication will be key. It is anticipated that in only a few years time approximately 75% of all phone calls will be made over an IP network. The converged network is here to stay and the only real choice is not if, but when you are going to embrace it. With globalisation, the increased use of home workers and the more flexible working environment; access to information needs to be seamless and instant.

Whilst the notion of the “paperless” office may not be a reality in the true sense, the need for electronic document systems (EDM) that can allow staff to access a wide range of documents wherever they may be in the world will only increase in the future. In an ever more competitive world, customers will be drawn to businesses that make communication with them (including buying and selling) as easy as possible. Good technology used properly will reflect well on your business and can help motivate your staff by taking some of the drudgery out of their day to day tasks.

Increasingly websites that used to be used merely as a “shop window” will now be more integrated with other back office systems. In the airline industry you don’t just book your flight online but also choose your seat, order your meal and even “check in”. In less than 5 years, airline tickets have become redundant and administrative processes have been radically streamlined to maximise efficiency.

This integration of the internet with other business processes will only become a lot more important as web use increases. Clients will want to have full visibility of every part of their interaction with your company. Once again easy access to information and the sharing of knowledge will be the key.

Of course with increased compliance legislation and the need for Business Continuity Planning, technology can also provide a crucial back up in the event of an unforeseen disaster. With the proper storage of electronic data and the rerouting of voice and data over the internet, many companies can in effect be lifted from one location and taken to another with minimal disruption. In the recent flooding in 2007, Disaster Recovery became not just an intellectual exercise but an unfortunate reality for hundreds of local businesses.

Technology therefore must be embraced by all of the decision makers in a company and their views properly coordinated to enjoy all the benefits it can offer. Don’t think of IT simply as a cost but more as a real opportunity to drive efficiency into your business. Currently many organisations are still too reactive and fail to think strategically enough about how the world is changing and how their business is changing with it. We are now ten years into the 21st century and the rate of change is only going to increase not slow down.

Maybe now you can see why getting a Strategic IT Road Map for your business is not a “nice to have” but in the modern day and age is simply a necessity. I suggest you review your company’s existing IT Support and maybe consider Outsourcing your IT as a cost saving exercise. There are many companies out there who offer a full Managed Service Provision who could potentially improve your business efficiency enormously. These days your systems can be monitored 24×7, 365 days a year with a much more proactive approach to IT management.

As a final example, think of the mobile phone you have today and compare it to the one you had 5 years ago. The functionality of that device will have changed enormously and emphasises again just how fast technology is moving. And by the way if your current “phone” still doesn’t allow you access to the internet and can’t push your emails to you automatically, you are now already several years behind the game!

Why Performance Management Is Important For Business

Performance management is the way a company determines how well their business and employees are functioning day to day. By employing performance management strategies, companies can track the consistency of effective business tactics and compare them with ineffective business tactics. Performance management will generally focus on each individual employee, a department or the business as a whole.

First it is important to determine what your definition is for the word performance and how it relates to business. How exactly is your business meant to be performing in the everyday world? Does performance mean increased profitability or beating out the competitors at any cost?

When it comes to employees, companies have been conducting performance appraisals for years. Employees are constantly being sent for extra training which is both time consuming and expensive. It is vital to evaluate whether these tactics truly do enhance performance, or if they are conducted merely for the sake of doing them. For example, most employees will not bother to increase their performance at work if there is not some kind of motivation for them involved. They are constantly forced to undergo training that increases their qualifications, and then must complete performance appraisals. But if the employee does not gain from these performance management techniques personally, then they may be discouraged to increase their actual performance. Why be more qualified and still be paid the same lower wage? Therefore, should companies wish to keep their employees at the top of the game and at the same level with their competitors, it is essential to provide personal incentives.

Performance management techniques should not only be aimed towards individual workers. They can be directed towards entire departments in order to determine the level of productivity that is coming out of each area of your business. Just because members in a department are extremely busy, they may not be able to manage themselves effectively enough to be performing at the top of their capabilities. Performance management also can be turned into time management techniques and completing individual projects based on their level of importance. By effective scheduling, it is possible to increase the entire level of performance of an entire company, meaning that your business will thrive.

Performance management has to consider every aspect of the business arena to make sure that the techniques are fully productive ones. For every part of your business that runs smoothly and efficiently, you are making an overall improvement on the business as a whole. For example, billing and invoicing procedures should be consistent and all departments such as administration, sales and computer aspects should be working in perfect conjunction with one another. It is vital that departments create an open dialogue with one another and communicate any problems that may affect other members of the team immediately.

By maintaining open streams of communication with all of the members on your team, you can ensure that your business is performing at the height of its abilities. Performance management is a great way to get the most out of your business.

Three Dimensional View on Customer Satisfaction – Are You Successful in Delighting Your Customers?

Customer satisfaction is indeed one unique aspect, that makes an organisation enjoy the privilege of having loyal customers. To satisfy your customers is a big deal, and unless you put your heart and soul into the process, you cannot strike the right chord. It is much easier said than done. In simpler terms, we say we are satisfied, when we get, what we perceive. In business terms, satisfaction has many more dimensions to it. Statistics tells you the number of consumers in your area, but, to convert them into your customers is the real challenge. Are you geared up to delight your customers and retain them forever by giving something extra, that your competitors are incapable of!Then you are the master of your own game of business. But, mind you, the intentions should be noble.

Everwin corporation is planning for a big leap in the aviation industry. The chairman, Mr. C, wants to make his airline service to be the much sought out “low-cost and customer oriented”. He needs to prove to the whole business world and particularly to his arch corporate rival, “Dart and Tart airline carrier’s”, managing director, Mr. Jacomino lutafa, that he can reign supreme in any venture he chooses. This is one quality in Mr. C, that his employees are much amazed about and sometimes annoyed. Is there really a need for him to supersede somebody? He is a multi billionaire and tops the Forbes list every year. But, I tell you, this is the kind of attitude we witness in many of the hard core businessmen who try to surpass themselves, in every opportune moment. The passion for achievement, changing the impossible into possible makes them take up the challenges into their stride.

Coming back to the story, Mr. C, aptly named his airline carrier as “Everwin Aviation”, and now I’m able to see that there is a corporate board meeting going on in the chairman’s cabin and it is called the “Caramel” named after his wife. I really appreciate Mr. C’s love for his wife, he tries to exhibit it in every possible move. The conversation was aimed at transforming their airline into number one position and the probabilities for enhancing the services through recruitment and training processes. Nik, the lovely lady in her thirties, the personal assistant of Mr. C, was all ears for what was transpiring across the table and the efficiency was apparent by the deft movement of her fingers over the notepad like lightning strokes.

Well, everybody were trying to speak parallelly and at once that irritated the chairman, Titan, the chief executive tried to bring the situation under control by addressing the gathering louder, “Hi Folks, Let’s not waste our precious time. Everyone of your contribution is important to this discussion and let’s hear it from you, one by one. Even let’s not waste our time and I’ve summarised the discussion and the outcome for your convenience.

Aircrafts could be leased for the time being, until, the company stabilises itself and reaches “breakeven, “to cut down expenditure.
It was decided to recruit and select people who had positive attitude and focus on customer service.
Resourceful training sessions to the pilots, in-flight attendants, people involved in air-craft maintenance, people involved in booking etc. ,
A training centre to be established under the control of Human Resource Personnel Department.
Design of the aircraft must be unique and express the mission, let’s say, “We will fly you through”.
Refreshments and food of the highest quality
Defined and refined behavior of the in-flight crew, a pleasant ambiance for the commuters
Attractive promotional offers, like, complimentary stay in a five star hotel suite, if you book tickets in first class.
Ultimate focus should be around safety, security, satisfaction, entertainment and honor.

Mister Dumpy, the CEO who should’ve chaired all these proceedings woke up with a sudden start. Alas, his dream was cut off in the middle by the commotion created by the discussion. Mister Dumpy the dumbest, did know the knack of sleeping with his eyes well open. That comes under the highest science of yoga which many of us can’t get hold of. He had listened to the discussion only from half-way, so you cannot blame him for his suggestion to include, bacon egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast in the aircraft menu.

Now, Mr. C’s airline carrier is the best that covers the length and breadth of the Pacific and the Atlantic.

Using Information From Surveys to Stay Informed and Keep Ahead of the Game

Gathering market research data is an excellent way of identifying a target audience for your product or service, but understanding and acting upon it is the key to your success.

Market research falls into two broad categories – primary and secondary. Primary research describes the process of gathering information from customers directly, by conducting online surveys or organising focus groups or one-to-one interviews with carefully selected individuals from within your target group. Secondary research more involves picking up information acquired by others, by trawling the blogs and websites of other businesses, even competitors, and absorbing the data that they have.

Adapting to Customer Expectations

Online surveys are an excellent means of compiling vital information from your potential customers which enables products and services to be more finely tuned to their expectations as well as to possibly changing demographics. The proliferation of companies offering online research to businesses which seek important information, both from their target group and sometimes from the wider public, provides an alluring range of options and choices of approach and methodology. For those who would prefer not to outsource the information-gathering process there are options such as Survey Monkey, which allow businesses to design and manage their own surveys. Either way, as method and technology become more sophisticated with the development of better software, businesses are increasingly able to identify with precision the customer base which they are keen to interrogate.

As well using surveys to identify potential customers, many businesses will also employ them as a handy way of keeping up with trends and spotting any movements in customer expectations. Equally they are a useful tool for quality control, teasing intelligence from existing service users about satisfaction levels and how a product or service measures up against its opposition at any specific moment in time.

The Importance of Understanding Your Customers

Survey companies such as YouGov and Ipsos obtain their information from the public by offering a small financial incentive to their own members to complete questionnaires on specific topics. Of course there is the danger that particular demographic groups may be over- or under-represented amongst their users, for instance it would be reasonable to assume that, all else being equal, those on a higher income would be less in need of the usually modest financial inducements offered than those who are otherwise unemployed or in low-paid work. The competent provider will be able to redress this imbalance through the screening process at the beginning of every survey.

Knowing who your customers are, the nature of their expectations, the quality of your competition and the level of satisfaction that exists with your own service or product is vital to any business that aspires to stay ahead of the game.

Why Should You Hire Offshore Mobile Application Developers?

According to a recent market research survey, it has been estimated that there will be about 2 billion smart phone users by the end of 2015. As a result, mobile application development cannot be overlooked anymore. In the recent times, offshore mobile application developers are on a rage. With the inception of utilitarian applications, the mobile industry is slowly reducing the gap between business and personal life. With the passage of time, mobile phone apps have offered an opportunity to relate our social and emotional life. For a long lasting identity, Corporations have elevated this opportunity to increase revenue streams.

The inclination of mobile application development extends beyond all geographical boundaries. With the introduction of app stores, users now have the liberty to craft their innovative ideas in the form of an app or a game. Such attractive applications are now being made available to everyone. With some additional coding efforts, businesses can exploit several capabilities, enhancing the cross platform apps development for handheld devices.

All those who wish to become successful mobile application developers, must understand the importance of specialization. Working with different kinds of products and leaving your users with a series of choices, is one of the best ways to acquire fame and increase your sales. Obviously, a good product would reach billions, eventually getting you some good exposure within a short span of time. For better profits, mobile application developers must consider offshore services.

In the times of technological advancements, there is a need for a cost effective and a proficient service. This is when offshore development comes into play. Such a way, you just have to delegate a task to an individual or a professional organization, which possesses the right equipments and the expertise to perform a specific task. Businesses can access world-class capabilities while leveraging a global knowledge base.

What are the benefits?

Flexibility

Flexibility is one of the core benefits attached to hiring offshore mobile application developers. Regardless of where you are located, you can access professional help from all across the world. According to the latest market research surveys in 2011, about 65% of companies in the US preferred offshore services. Even during economic slowdown, companies still outsourced IT services to cut down costs. As a result, offshore mobile application development is a convenient and an affordable solution for developing apps and mobile games.

No Infrastructure

Another benefit of off shoring is to reduce maintenance cost and infrastructure. The offshore mobile developers have the required set-up to perform simple and complicated tasks. Apart from the work plan and the requirement, clients are not required to offer any kind of infrastructure. A few business organizations will allow developers to access internal resources and engage them into complicated tasks within the organization.

Uses of Social Media Management (SMM) Tools

Social media and modern day commerce

The social media epoch has formed a whole new way of networking, connecting dots between commerce and lifestyle, speeding up globalization and taming space for businesses to penetrate the market.

From Facebook and Twitter to Instagram and Snapchat, people are spoiled for choices when it comes to getting in touch with the world. A single WhatsApp group could contain the real estate contacts and data of an entire area code. A YouTube channel can be a knowledgeable source of information related to fixing up your car. One Facebook post could go viral and demand support for controversial matters that require change. Thus, social media serves as the perfect pitch for commercial enterprises, whether starting out or already in the game, to exponentially expand their reach and simultaneously understand the market better.

Social media has grown to strengthen client relations with businesses and amplify brand loyalty. With numerous modes of social media, a brand can take several formulas to reach a wide range of audiences, thereby dominating markets with its presence. Social media relies on the ability to relate. The market works on the same principle for any business to take off. Arguably one of the best qualities of social media is that its persuasive publicity urges industries to bring quality products and services to a competitive market. As the forefront of many innovative steps in the entrepreneurial world today, social media is the digital compass that any business must crack to manoeuvre through changing trends and growing markets. This is where social media management (SMM) plays a key role and sets itself apart as a governing force in the field of brand promotion, advertising and gaining market approval. Excellent social media management techniques dictate the success of a business in the digital world. This is confidently translated to durable results in the market.

Social Media Management (SMM)

With the rise of technological prominence in every industry, social media management (SMM) is backed by a set of digital tools that lay off the burdens that come with the hefty task of reaching out to millions in an instant. Managing content and delivering the right material takes time, effort and loads of creativity. The goal is to appeal to prospects in the most innovative manner possible. As the web is already saturated with creativity, getting your point across becomes that much tougher. This is why certain tools and techniques are required in efficient social media marketing for businesses across the world. These carefully structured, user-friendly SMM tools help manage content on multiple social media platforms in a timely manner while bringing the best out of communication with viewers.

Social media marketing tools available online have redefined the way we can use social media to develop a brand. Immediate results and constant monitoring can be done while the right measures can be taken to approach varying types of markets worldwide. SMM tools make it easier for business to see their progress in real-time and captivate a potential marketplace. Although there are several tools used in order of preference, some tools stand out for their exceptional design and functions. The techniques and managing style differs from person to person and the internet is home to various kinds of SMM tools that suit diverse managerial standards. Based on use reviews and popularity, there are few SMM tools that appeal to a wider range of users across industries.

Popular Social Media Marketing (SMM) tools

As of 2018, here is a list of the top trending Social Media Management (SMM) tools that have revolutionized marketing online:

HootSuite

HootSuite allows you to manage all your social accounts on one platform at affordable rates, engage viewers on multiple networks and share insights across teams. Facebook business features can be optimized with the help of tools like HootSuite. This tool allows you to quickly resolve customer inquiries, collaborate with a team and expand reach with employee activism. By keeping tabs on the social return on investment, the SMM tool allows users to make informed marketing decisions at crucial times.

Buffer

Buffer is SMM software that eanbles users to schedule and send posts at various intervals called as timeslots. The tool also provides real time post statistics to keep updated with interactions on social media. Buffer is equipped with many productive marketing techniques and gives you the provision to unlock additional paid features. To make the most out of Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms, Buffer is a pervasive SMM tool available today.

Sprout Social

When it comes to viewer association Sprout Social is a good choice for marketers. Primarily focusing on social care creates strong relations between businesses and audience. With many updated features, the most recent Sprout Social features also include enhancements in social care efforts. Although some social media websites such as Instagram don’t allow third parties to post visual media, Sprout Social’s ‘Smart Box’ records activity on Instagram posts as well. Facebook and Twitter feeds can be managed easily with this SMM tool.

Hubspot

Also a paid SMM tool, Hubspot has proven to be a favourite among marketers online as a social publishing. With countless features, HubSpot specializes in SEO techniques, advertisements and audience involvement to bring the best out of marketing stratagems. With several integrated techniques like email listings and automated marketing, users can attract, convert, close and amuse audiences with HubSpot.

MeetEdgar

MeetEdgar is probably most known for its unique re-sharing option that allows automated content circulation. By recording social statistics the sky is the limit to growing your business online with MeetEdgar. Affordable, easy to use and effective SMM techniques make it one among the many stand out software used for social marketing purposes.

Agora Pulse

Agora Pulse has grown on SMM enthusiasts over the past few years as a dynamic social media marketer’s tool. With many useful features, Agora Pulse records viewer data and aids in crisp marketing policies, a prodigious social media publishing tool as well. Agora Pulse also utilizes a spam filter technique that resolves data traffic issues and regulates content on your social media posts.

With the growing demand for efficient SMM tools equipped with easy to use interfaces and exceptional functions, trending software such as these have revolutionized businesses with social marketing.

Role of SMM tools in marketing?

The applications of SMM software cannot be stressed in one go due to their manifold functions.

Time being the major concern; most users opt for SMM tools because they make use of time in the best way possible. With easy to use interface and time-effective management techniques, these tools help marketing professionals understand the market quicker and better as they delve deeper. From discovering new trends to conversation with prospects, these tools help control all your brand’s social media accounts on a single platform without having to individually log into multiple accounts. You can air information online within a set time frame and dictate the flow of customer interactions. Businesses witness drastic growth as the market presence is elaborated across diverse populaces. With SMM tools you can analyse and articulate continuous growth by building the unparalleled company profile.By segmenting a marketplace, businesses have authority over what information should reach which region and how much resource should be allocated for specific advertising endeavours. As a game changer, the commercial returns in terms of advertising and public relations is enhanced by maintaining a watchful eye over every step a business takes since inception and leap towards brand promotion.

The perks of SMM tools are infinite. You can manage conversations and set up polls or improve ratings at the click of a button. With a Birdseye view over every event you can prepare, reconstruct and refurbish new marketing strategies. By recycling posts at intervals, a technique available in many SMM tools, you can create a repetitive sense of urgency among people who come in contact with your brand. The customer should see that your brand value is above opposition. Among the many features that make SMM tools worthy, whether open source or paid, is the fact that the results are guaranteed provided that the content is appealing. Even if you have to pay extra bucks to reach out to the right people, SMM guarantees this output. The brand appeal will definitely attract more customers when the creative aspect meets with the perfect management strategy. The right social media management tool can be a substitute for an employee in regulating information and keeping tabs on business statistics

The Case For Entrepreneurship – 6 Reasons Why Starting Your Own Enterprise Is The Way To Go

Have you ever dreamed of being your own boss? Do you have a great business idea that you would like to bring to fruition? There is no better time to start a business than now! 14 million U.S women own or run a business; women owned businesses employ a whopping 27.5 million people. According to The Center For Women’s Business Research, nearly half (46%) of all businesses are at least 50% owned by a woman or women. Women are taking risks and succeeding as entrepreneurs!

Women entrepreneurs of today are innovators, problem-solvers and have taken the over the reigns governing their futures. Almost 60% of women who have transitioned from traditional jobs to the world of entrepreneurship declare that nothing would attract them back to the corporate world. Thinking of pursuing a venture of your own? Here are six propelling reasons why entrepreneurship is the way to go:

1. Financial Independence

Entrepreneurship has proven to be a major vehicle individuals use to achieve financial freedom. One of the fastest ways to build wealth is starting a business; 74% of wealthy people are business owners (not employees). From legends like Madam C.J. Walker to the well-known visionaries of our time such as Bill Gates and Michael Dell, we have mounting evidence that individuals have used their business to create millions if not billions of dollars in personal wealth. While all companies may not be billion dollar enterprises, we see phenomenal success in individuals whose entrepreneurial endeavors bring in modest cash flow whose business revenues has allowed them to pay off debt, send loved ones to college, fund retirement accounts and much more.

2. Creation of Multiple Streams Of Income

This is one of my favorites! As a business owner, you have a world of options at your fingertips. You can leverage your knowledge and expertise to create several streams of income from a single idea. Let’s take a simple pie example. Say your passion is making cherry pie. Everyone loves and requests your cherry pies all the time. You decide you can make some extra money by selling your delicious cherry pies, so you charge $10 per pie and people gladly pay. Business is great! But don’t stop there. You can create additional avenues of income by sharing some of your “special secrets” by teaching pie making classes, selling a recipe book on pies or pastries, getting local and/or chain stores to stock your pies on their shelves, offering catering services, offering to show others how to start their own pie business, starting a mail order cherry pie business, selling pie making accessories and specialized baking items, and the list goes on. I have just listed 7 possible income streams from a single idea. Think about the business you would like to start. How many streams of income can you identify?

3. Flexibility

For the most part, as a business owner, you enjoy the flexibility to work when you want, how you want and in some cases where you want. The Center For Women’s Business Research tells us that 51% of women said the primary reason for starting their own business was the desire for more flexibility. You can determine your work schedule; if family commitments are important, you will have the ability to attend functions and events that are important to you without having to ask for time off from another person. You’re the boss! An author can work on a manuscript while at her daughter’s soccer game using a laptop. A consultant can schedule clients around activities she enjoys and prefers not to miss. What matters most to you? Are your missing out on important activities due to time constraints and job duties? Have you missed out on something important due to work obligations one too many times? Your own business may be the key to stop merely existing, but instead gaining control over your life and living abundantly with no regrets.

4. Tax Benefits

The numerous tax benefits recognized by entrepreneurs are reasons in and of themselves to start a business. The government favors small business and actually wants to help you succeed! You can reap the greatest tax benefits by incorporating. While determining the legal entity that best suits your venture should be discussed with your tax advisor, I strongly recommend incorporating for almost all businesses. Small businesses are eligible to deduct car expenses including mileage and depreciation, home office, personal assets, entertainment, travel and retirement deductions. An expense is usually deductible if, in IRS terms, it is “ordinary, necessary and reasonable.” A critical difference between the taxation of an employee vs. a business owner is that employees are taxed before their expenses while businesses are taxed after their expenses. That is a big difference! Again, it is worth discussing specific tax issues with a qualified advisor as it is well worth the investment, plus, its deductible!

5. Purpose

Some of us are called to the marketplace in the same manner others are called to medical, teaching or other professions. Your deep desire to start your own business may be for specific, God ordained reasons. Your product or service could just be exactly what millions of people need! Where your passion is, often, lies your purpose. Don’t let opportunity pass you by. Don’t be deterred by lack of resources (time, money, manpower, etc…). The provision will be provided for your vision during the right season. Think of all the incredible things we have today that we can’t even imagine living without such as bridges, airplanes, electricity and the list goes on. It all started with a vision, a concept in the mind of someone with a passion and a purpose to bring it forth. Your business could be the catalyst needed for positive change in many, many lives. What’s your grand idea? The world is waiting!

6. Challenge and Reward

Make no mistake about it, entrepreneurship is hard, very hard work. It is challenging, but immensely rewarding. The initial stages of starting your own business could possibly be the hardest you will ever work in your life and be one of the most rewarding experiences as well. As an entrepreneur, you can see the direct results of your labor, immediately and over time. Successful entrepreneurs see challenges as opportunities to succeed. It may be time for you to step out on faith, away from the perceived security of a steady job into the world of entrepreneurship. There are countless organizations out there whose primary mission is to help you succeed in your entrepreneurial journey. The point is that yes, there are challenges, but despite the challenges, you don’t have to go it all alone. Ask any entrepreneur, and they will assure you that the rewards outweigh the challenges by far, any day.

I sincerely hope that you are motivated to start your business whether as a part time vehicle to earn extra income or as a full time venture. There are countless resources available to help you with your endeavor. In parting, I want share with you one of my favorite quotes by Teddy Roosevelt from a speech given in 1910

~”It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”

Why a Common Man Like Me Wants the World Expo 2020 in Dubai

The alliteration of Dubai with Dreams is not accidental. Dubai is very much the stuff fantasies are made of. More importantly – it is in Dubai that dreams melt into reality with a seemingly effortless grace. The first time I came to this Wonderland, it simply took my breath away. What majesty! What magnificence! What magic! I was besotted, utterly and completely. Dubai, to me, became not a city but a phenomenon. All the dreams that I had dreamt about my future came to fruit in this Eden on Earth and newer, bigger dreams now fill my mind.

It is true that I can count the number of years I spent on Dubai soil on my fingers – but when I attempt to enumerate the gifts this magical city gave to me in these two years, I find myself wishing for many more fingers. The multi-ethnic work culture here gave me inspiring insights into several cultures across the globe, even as I made friends galore from the Diasporas of so many nations breathing the Dubai air.

Working in the employer-friendly ambience of the Dubai workplace, my professional experience grew manifold. The reliability of the city’s sophisticated, state-of-the-art infrastructure gave me the wonderful opportunity to hone my work-skills without petty troubles to distract me. The vibrant, pink-with-health economy of Dubai allayed even the worst of my trepidations regarding my finances… Really I can go on and on… Above all, such was the warmth and tenderness with which Dubai welcomed me that I am ashamed to say I hardly felt homesick at all.

So what makes this city tick? I’d think there are three mainstays of the Dubai phenomenon – the warm, mellow hospitality that welcomes citizens across the world with open arms, the super-efficient and well oiled infrastructure, and the respect for law and discipline that contains all the diverse elements of this international city with order and method.

Dubai is like the globe condensed into one city as nearly 200 nations of the world reside here and work in unison. It is like a beautiful rug, the fabric of which contains the threads and colours of nations round the world. It is that neutral ground where millions of international relations are made every day. It is the cauldron where global ideas meet, churn and fuse to evolve newer and better ones each day. Science, technology, culture – it is the hub of all that matters.

Wait a minute, am I describing Dubai, or am I describing the World Expo? You see – what better place than Dubai to host the World Expo 2020 when the city is exactly like an ongoing World Expo itself?

Especially when the World Expo 2020 theme is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ as this is what Dubai has been doing since so long – connecting minds and creating the future!

Event Planning Career – How To Develop An Enriching Career

A career in event management can surely take you places if you are serious of making a career of organizing events and managing them on a large basis. Event management has come to be recognized as a management profession by many companies and educational institutions in the past decade so much so that leading universities have started offering degree programs in event management to individuals who are looking as event planning as a career option.

Event planners are also known by different names many of which include, conference coordinators, program managers event managers and so on. It all boils down to the event planner making all the arrangements for the event be it a conference, trade show, fete or a marriage party. Many business organizations have even begun hiring them on a full time basis because as their organizations are growing so are their needs for communications and event planners are a great asset when it comes to organizing conferences and meetings in the shortest of time frames.

With the logistic requirements of the business world growing at a rapid pace it is necessary for the event planner to acquire the best skill sets to be able to effectively manage business conferences and meetings. For those who are considering a career in event planning there is no dearth of opportunities waiting for them to cash in on. Apart from a regular paying jib with one of the many business houses just waiting to rope in a skilled event manager to manage their various business shows and meetings there are the opportunities of entrepreneurship.

Event managers can earn handsomely even by starting their own event management business. There are people just looking for reliable people to outsource their event management needs to. There are weddings, birthday parties to mention event management on a smaller scale then there is the grand scale event management program such as organizing large trade shows and various other grand functions of the corporate world.

Event managers have made a mark in the field of event management by successfully organizing trade shows on international levels. The Auto trade show is one such example of event planning and management. There is a lot to be learnt and earned by taking to a career in event planning. This involves a lot of traveling and meting top brass of the corporate world. The most important skill is management skills and then communication skills.

Event management professionals need to handle logistics and invitations after scouting for a location for the event venue. In fact, this is done in an orderly fashion. First identifying the event that needs to be organized, then managing the enclosures such as the stalls etc. organizing, electric power, security, sending out invitations, publicity and ensuring that everything just falls into place for the participants. The ability to achieve this is what makes successful event planners.